Abstract This essay explains Bentham's reasons for developing utilitarianism as both a social and political framework. It examines utilitarianism in an individual and private environment, as well as its workings in a more widespread and universal atmosphere. The latter part of this essay focuses on the viability of utilitarianism in the public sphere, and whether it provides appropriate guidance for government policy-making. The main objective of this part of the essay is to determine whether Bentham's principle of utility is appropriate as the foundation of a political structure. Thusly, it focuses on the attributes and failings of the principle of utility as a public philosophy.
From the Paper "Bentham's theory of utilitarianism was a result of deficiencies in government institutions in his country, and their failing to adequately serve the general satisfaction of its population. The principle of utility is based on intrinsic facts that motivate individuals, namely pleasure and pain. It is human nature to pursue pleasure and to avoid pain. Therefore what we ought and ought not to do is determined by these two "sovereign masters". The element of pleasure or pain involved in an action determines whether or not an individual, or group of people proceed with that action. All forms of utilitarianism are consequential. In every circumstance or action, a consequence is identified and then compared with the consequence of inaction.Whichever produces the greatest happiness is what ought to be done."
Abstract This paper details Oliver Stone's film "Platoon" as a commentary on modern warfare and a look into the human psyche. It is written from the perspective of a student studying the causes of war and discusses the the often brutal portrayal of warfare in modern filmmaking. A look a the causes and repercussions of warfare and a brief discussion of the Vietnam Conflict are also included.
From the Paper "Although upon cursory inspection, Oliver Stone's masterpiece of war cinematography, ?Platoon,? is essentially a film about Vietnam, it has become a model for how the world views war in the late twentieth century. It is a film that documents the actions and emotions of a platoon of U.S. Army infantrymen in the steamy jungles of Southeast Asia during the height of the Vietnam War. The central character is Chris Taylor -- a green "flatfoot" neophyte, wide eyed, and fearful of the confusing realities of war that characterized the experiences of most soldiers sent to Vietnam. Chris? platoon is run largely by Staff Sergeant Barnes ("affectionately" referred to as just Barnes for much of the film), who is Stone's characterization of a paper Satan."
Tags: fog, human, movie, psyche, review, vietnam, war, warfare
Abstract The Kurds have had a long history of ethnic conflict in the middle East. This paper explores their history with a focus on attempts by other nations to self-assimilate them into different cultures. The paper also provides possible solutions to the struggles.
From the Paper "Situated at the junction between the modern West and the traditionally Islamic Middle East, lies Turkey: a country in great transition, but also dire internal conflict. Turkey, unlike other predominately Islamic countries in Asia, is on its way to establishing a legitimate democracy, a strong economy comparable to those of the West, and possibly becoming a member of the European Union. But Turkey's internal conflict stands to jeopardize everything they?ve worked for. Like the majority of states in the world, Turkey is multinational. Yet, the leaders of the country have perpetually refuted this fact. They have denied the existence of any distinct ethnic group not falling under the classification of ?Turks.? Turkey is home to an entirely different subculture of peoples called the Kurds. The Kurds consider themselves Turks, but also maintain their own ethnic identity separate from the rest of Turkey. They have their own culture, language, and history. The Kurds in Turkey have struggled for almost a century to retain their individuality, while the country of Turkey has struggled to maintain an image of freedom, democracy, and domestic stability in eyes of the Western World."
Persuasive essay debating the issue of federal funding of religiously based organizations. This paper discusses the controversy of the separation of church and state. This is a persuasive essay, comprised of with an introduction of unbiased information.
1,700 words (approx. 6.8 pages), 4 sources, 2001, $ 55.95
Abstract This paper discusses the controversy of the separation of church and state. This is a persuasive essay, comprised of with an introduction of unbiased information. In addition, two essays follow, one pro-religious/government affiliation and the second sides with the need for increased separation of church and state.
From the Paper "The concept of the United States Federal Government funding religiously based organizations seems to be a very implausible idea. Assuming that something of this nature was put into effect, Congress would have to guarantee that no person(s) would be discriminated against regardless of religious and/or faith practices in order to receive federal funding for their religious organization. During his campaign for the Presidency in 1999, while in Indianapolis, Indiana, Presidential hopeful George W. Bush was quoted in saying,[1]?We will keep a commitment to pluralism [and] not discriminate for or against Methodist or Mormon or Muslims or good people with no faith at all.?
Abstract This paper explains the origins of hatred in the Middle East linking it to the U.S. Foreign Policy. The author cites examples of US involvement in the region -- emphasizing the US's bias towards Israel over its neighboring countries, Jordan, Egypt etc.
From the Paper "It is said that U.S. Foreign Policy is to blame for widespread anti-Americanism in the Middle Eastern nations and regions. Major policy critics and politicians for instance Zunes, Chomsky, Telhami, and Blum brought up many important issues that are directly linked to the foreign policy. Political and military actions taken by the United States in the past raised much disapproval and hate in the Muslim world population and planted a cause for the formation of Islamic extremist groups and their followers."
Abstract This paper corroborates a statistics survey analysis that enumerates the relationship of voter's age with primary election. The author discusses the main reasons for the increased number of older voters as opposed to younger ones. He concludes that older people are more familiarized with voting procedures, have free time to vote and more importantly, have more political power. In addition, the author proposes that baby boomers, race, gender, sex and socio-economic factors also have an influence on voting turnout.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Literature Review
III. Methods
IV. Results
V. References
VI. Appendix
From the Paper "Over the decades, the numbers of election voters have been seen to be on the decline. Although, polls show that there is an increase in the number of voters of the older generation, there is still a decrease in the number of overall voters. Discrepancies especially occur between primary election and general election turnouts.
According to a survey and analysis conducted by the Star Tribune it was indicated, ?61 percent of people who voted in Minnesota's 1998 primary election were age 50 or older.? [1]Voters 65 and over comprised 17% of the total turnout while that of the general election was 14%. These figures show that older age groups drive a large percentage of primary elections, indicating its importance. There seem to be a variety of reasons for the number of the decreasing voters, which makes it all the more imperative to study its variables which ranges from age, sex, race etc."
Abstract This paper examines the controversial topic of abortion. The author discusses how the U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade sparked a great deal of debate over the issue, and the formation of many interest groups including religious pro-life groups such as Priests for Life. The paper also looks at the societal reasons behind abortion.
From the Paper "The debate over abortion was started way before Roe V. Wade, but has never seen intensity like it has in today's society. With the increase of interest groups the social movement of abortion moves on still today. There may be no neutral answer or compromise to the abortion debate, but with the help of well-run and well-intentioned interest groups society can come to a peaceful understanding of abortion."
Abstract This paper looks at the realities behind the remarkable success story of the U.S. Welfare Reforms. The statistics show huge gains in employment and standard of living, but this paper shows that many of the improvements are temporary and not always correct in real terms i.e. U.S. median wage same as it was 27 years ago. Also discussed are race issues, how it is easier for whites to move out of welfare, whilst for ethnic minorities it can be seen as punitive. The paper contains many governmental figures and independent statistics showing alternative realities.
From the paper:
?The Welfare Reform Act of 1996 looks like a smashing success: it has successfully reduced welfare rolls by more than half, and cut the number of welfare recipients from 4.6 million to 2.4 million in 1999. Many welfare recipients have left the system. Instead of receiving cash grants, parents had to learn skill sand enter the labor force. They also faced a five-year lifetime limit for welfare assistance.
"But numbers are never simple. The truth is that few are thriving in this new system. The numbers show success, but if one looks beneath the surface to find out if women have truly become self-sufficient, a different story emerges. In many ways, the welfare reform act is a broken promise. Women have not truly received help to access decent jobs, and have not gained economic independence.?
Abstract This essay compares the philosophies in Adam Smith's "The Background to the Wealth of Nations" and Karl Marx's "Communist Manifesto" & "Das Kapital". The way in which both Smith and Marx agreed upon the importance of capitalism for unleashing productive powers, amongst other similarities, is discussed. In addition the contradictions in their philosophies, such as their reasons for expanding markets, are also highlighted.
From the paper:
?Smith and Marx both agreed that capitalism required expanding markets. Smith believed this was so because jobs could not be divided too much without a large market. The money that went to paying wages came from profits. There always had to be an expanding market, so that there could be more profits or else there would not be more jobs.?
Abstract This paper covers the much debated issue of the Medicare program's lack of prescription drug coverage for the elderly and disabled in the US. A brief history of the program itself, descriptions of and actions taken by the key players in the debate, including the Medicare recipients themselves, support/interest groups such as the AARP, the government, pharmaceutical agencies, and the American public are included.
From the paper:
"At the time of its establishment in 1965 through to the present, the U.S. Medicare program was designed to provide quality health care services for elderly and disabled Americans. The two-part program provides coverage for hospital visits as well as a limited amount of medical insurance to aid with doctors? bills and things of the like. Although it has always been one of the most popular federal programs among elderly and younger citizens alike, the Medicare program has been and remains to grow progressively ineffective in providing quality health care to its recipients. While issues such as the exclusion of certain medical procedures from Medicare's coverage realm have come and gone, the single most longstanding issue of debate is that of prescription drugs."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed understanding of the life and accomplishments of Golda Meir, Israel's first woman prime minister. The writer takes the reader through an exploration of Meir's life and the accomplishments that she is credited for.
From the Paper "Our history is peppered with leaders who made a difference. It is only in recent years however that women began to smash the political glass ceiling and begin making differences in the way the world is run. One of the most influential female world leaders of all time didn't wait for others to break the glass ceiling. She barged right through it as if it wasn't there. Golda Meir was an inspiration to all she came in contact with. From her poverty stricken childhood to her career that made her famous Meir had perseverance and fortitude that made her the Prime Minister of Israel that she was."
Tags: female, inspire, leader, prime, minister, israel
Abstract This paper is a detailed review of the life and principal works of Adam Smith, including "The Wealth of Nations", with an analysis of how his ideas on laissez-faire economics contrasted with those ideas of Karl Marx, and how his and Marx's ideas apply today.
From the Paper "Adam Smith was one of the most influential people in the lives of each of living at the beginning of the 21st century, although ? ironically ? we tend not to see the extent of his influence simply because it is so vast. It is like the air around us, something essential to our environment but impossible to see. But while oxygen supports us as biological entities, the ideas Smith (along with other key social critics and thinkers like Karl Marx) in their different ways support us as social animals.
This paper explores the contributions of Adam Smith to our understanding of the human condition, looking briefly at the personal backgrounds of this political philosopher before examining his ideas about social justice, the economy and the ways in which governments should and should not intervene in the economies of their states."
Tags: economic history theory Adam work industrialization agrarian society, modern economy laissez faire karl wealth of nations moral sentiments voltaire candide
Abstract This paper discusses the more recent incidents of violence led to by loose gun control laws, such as school shootings. It discusses the problems with the current situation and deals with the holes in the laws which allow dangerous people to purchase guns. It suggests possible ways to fix the problem.
From the Paper "America is considered to be the greatest nation in the world. Despite such prosperity, America still faces many problems, one of the biggest being gun control. Despite many rules regulation gun sales, guns can be easily attained by anyone who wants. Unfortunately, the government can?t outlaw people from keeping guns in their homes because of the 2nd Amendment which gives citizens of the United States the right to bear arms. The government has been attempting to control gun violence, but to no avail."
An examination of the famous 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas case in which the Supreme Court finally declared segregation illegal in the U.S.
Abstract An examination into the history of U.S. constitutional law on the subject of racial segregation in public places and the different interpretations of the 14th Amendment (equal protection clause). The writer shows how this matter was clarified once and for all by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1954 Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education when segregation was finally declared illegal in America.
From the Paper "Once the Supreme Court decided that segregation definitely caused inequalities, it used the Constitution to prove that segregation was illegal. Warren admitted that the Fourteenth Amendment was vague and inconclusive, but also concluded that segregation defied the Fourteenth Amendment. Segregation in public schools did not provide equal opportunities, and students who were equally talented, but of different races, were being separated. The Chief Justice's famous closing statement summed up the reasoning used in the decision: "in the field of public education the doctrine of 'separate but equal' has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal . . .. the plaintiffs . . . are . . . deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the 14th Amendment". (Urofsky-1989)"
This paper presents a detailed discussion about wire-tapping, computer privacy and cell phones in the context of the age of terrorism which America finds itself entrenched in.
Abstract The following paper explores the capabilities as well as the possibilities when it comes to the maintenance or invasion of privacy in creating safety precautions without violating the constitution. This paper focuses on the need to be careful of violating the constitutional rights of the American people, even though the American government continues to seek out terrorists.
From the Paper ?America is known throughout the world as the land of the free. The United States Constitution lays out the protected freedoms of Americans more clearly than any other constitution in the world. The freedoms and the protection of privacy in this country is something that millions of immigrants flock to take part in each year as they start their life anew in the United States of America. Following the events of 9-11 however, a nervous eye has been cast in the direction of privacy issues. Wire tapping, listening in on cell phone conversations and using those conversations in court, and email privacy have all come under scrutiny. Before the attacks on the World Trade Center, the answer was very clear concerning privacy in these areas.?
