Abstract Among the political justifications forwarded for the war on Iraq was one which argued that it was an attempt for the establishment of democracy in the Middle East, starting with Iraq. This paper argues that, while few can argue with the morality of the goal of establishing democracy, the fact of the matter is that this is an unbelievable claim. It is very difficult to believe that either the United States or Great Britain would sacrifice billions of dollars and an uncertain amount of military soldiers for the sake of bringing an Arab people freedom and democracy. The paper argues that, even if the aim was the establishment of democracy, it is unlikely that this democratic system would be a success in bringing stability to Iraq. If the Arab countries are to democratize, democracy must be developed from within those countries and not be forced upon them through military action.
From the Paper "In conclusion, one might emphasize the fact that the failure of democracy in Arab countries does not imply that Islam is the obstacle to democracy. Similarly, the failure of Western style democracy to take root in Arab countries does not imply that Islam is fundamentally anti-democratic. Instead, what we may note at this point is that no political system which has been exported or forcibly imposed upon a people and is at odds with the culture of that people, can survive, acquire legitimacy and attain stability. Arab governments cannot democratize unless Arab leaders create the institutions for democracy first. Democracy in Arab countries will not stabilize unless that form of democracy is consistent with the culture of the masses and, above all, is consistent with Islam. Thus, the key to democratization in the Middle East lies in the adoption of an Islamic form of democracy, pending the creation of institutions that will encourage the growth of a civil society that will serve as the main supporting force for democracy."
Abstract This paper argues that modern-day students are less likely to read books for stimulation then in previous times. The author argues that television and the internet have replaced books as a source of information, when faced with a choice between reading a book for pleasure or watching television, they will choose the latter. The author argues that books will always exist, but due to the advances in technology, their importance has been in a steady decline.
From the Paper "People of my generation have grown up on television, CD players, videogames, and most recently, computers and the Internet. With all these graphic-intensive, interactive alternative forms of entertainment available to students, it is no wonder why they are less likely to pick up a book to enlighten themselves when they can accomplish much of the same with much less effort and thinking involved."
Tags: books, mediation, internet, computers, encyclopedia, reference, television, entertainment
Abstract This paper argues that the U.S. Department of Defense and other branches of the federal government capitalized on the fear of another terrorist attack, by erecting a series of security measures since September 11. The most notable of these is the USA PATRIOT Act (HR-3162), passed in October of 2001 which stands for ?Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism.? The paper explains that the USA PATRIOT Act permits wiretapping without judicial orders, deportation of legal residents of the United States based on suspicion, secret searches of citizens? offices and homes and measures. The paper argues that many of the permissible acts included in the USA PATRIOT Act are discriminatory and that there is nothing "patriotic" about violating Fourth Amendment rights or stripping ordinary citizens from their basic civil liberties. The paper shows that these bills and laws offer a lot of power to the FBI, the police and to other governmental bodies. millions of Americans are still willingly surrendering their personal rights and freedoms in favor of a false sense of security. Finally, the paper argues that the aura of paranoia that currently pervades the United States fuels the fascist-like measures supported by Attorney General Ashcroft, measures which have far-reaching implications for American citizens.
From the Paper "The problem with this approach is that the civil rights of American citizens, legal residents, and visitors is violated. Most Americans would be willing to undergo enhanced security checks at airports. In fact, Gore Vidal, in his article ?The New War on Freedom,? cites a CNN/Times poll conducted a few days after the terrorist attacks of September 11 which showed that 74% of people believe ?it would be necessary for Americans to give up some of their personal freedoms,? (Vidal). However, in the wake of the terrorist attacks, the federal government was able to sneak the USA PATRIOT act by Congress and the American people. Without protest, Americans are giving up their power to law enforcement agencies, under the assumption that some loss of freedom is necessary."
Tags: death, penalty, Muslim, Department, of, Justice, INS
Abstract This paper argues that Mozart does not deserve to be considered as one of history's most influential people. It argues that, while he was an immensely talented and prolific composer, Mozart's lasting fame seems to be based largely on the ideal of him as a romantic artist, rather than on the body of his work. In addition, Mozart's fame can be attributed also to his family's great influence. The paper states that Mozart's work can be argued to be lacking in many areas, including the lack of depth in his church music, the lack of nature or a sense of fun and whimsy in his work, and flaws within his early work. In addition, Mozart's work fails to show any real innovation in genre or theme, which can be said to be the mark of a truly great or influential musician.
From the Paper "For instance, Mozart's depiction as sensitive, mercurial, arrogant, and his early death has grabbed the public's imagination much more than the descriptions of the equally talented Hayden, who is often described as calm, kingly, and deliberate, and who lived a longer life (Oldman). Further, Mozart's family was influential and driven, likely playing a large part in Mozart's success, while Hyden's family was much less influential and had meager means, thus likely limiting Hyden's success. Despite these differences in opportunity, Hyden produced material that many consider to be the equal or superior of Mozart's works, and possessing a uniqueness that indicates great artistic maturity (Oldman)."
Abstract Some people may question why the death penalty is still a topic of debate in America. After all, the Supreme Court has determined that the death penalty does not violate the Constitution's prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment. However, the Supreme Court has also acknowledged that "death is different". Because there is no appeal from an execution, it is essential to examine whether or not the death penalty is an effective form of punishment and whether there are any alternatives that would accomplish the same goals as capital punishment. After examining the relevant issues, this paper shows that the death penalty is ineffective. It argues that the death penalty does not deter future murders. Furthermore, it argues that the death penalty is unfair; it is applied inconsistently. In addition, the death penalty is dramatically more expensive than alternative punishments. Finally, the death penalty carries the risk that innocent or incompetent people will be punished. Given the flaws inherent in capital punishment, the paper argues that life imprisonment is a more appropriate punishment option.
From the Paper "For example, mental health experts suggest that the mentally ill are inherently more likely to confess to capital crimes ("Mental Retardation"). Despite that fact, it was only recently in Atkins v. Virginia that the U.S. Supreme Court decided that executing the mentally retarded was unconstitutional. While some states have hurried to comply with the decision in Atkins, others have not. For example, 7 percent of Texas convicts are mentally retarded, but Texas has not instituted any way of determining whether or not a defendant currently on death row is retarded prior to executing them ("Mental Retardation")."
Abstract According to Bianca Jagger's "Why A War Against Iraq Would Be Illegal," the United Nations established only two cases in which force can be used between nations. First, if a country is seriously threatening or has attacked another. Second, if one country is such a serious and proven threat to the world, the Security Council will pass a resolution allowing the international community to use force against that country. The paper argues that neither of these two cases applied to the situation in Iraq, highlighting that the use of force in this particular case was not justified. Although the supporters of force in Iraq argue that this strategy was taken for the sake of peace and security, facts illustrate that force was not the only option to remove Saddam Hussein from power, that the war has led to the destruction of normal life in Iraq, and that the goal of force for democratization has rarely had positive outcomes. The paper argues that the use of force in Iraq was unjustified from the start, with the consequences of the war providing additional support for the argument against force.
From the Paper "If we really think seriously about the cost that the use of force has had upon the ordinary citizen of Iraq, we find that it destroyed their lives. They do not have the option of protection from criminals and from terrorists, or access to regular heath and education services that they had under Saddam Hussein. The decision to use force in this case did not liberate the Iraqi people like the United States claims that it has done but, as Elliott stresses, has made life even worse for them than it was under Saddam Hussein. This use of force did not simply remove a government but it took away the whole basis that normal everyday life is created upon, leading to great suffering until the country is rebuilt, from electricity services to a police force that can protect the people against criminals."
Abstract This paper examines the Communications Decency Act of 1996, arguing that it should be rejected because it represents the hidden agenda of a radical Christian Group, the Christian Coalition. The paper argues that this act would restrict free speech that is protected by the U.S. Constitution and that its primary purpose is to restrict pornography. The paper further argues that the Christian Coalition should be rejected as a whole because it is an extremist organization that would end freedom and democracy as we know it.
Outline
The Communications Decency Act (CDA)should be rejected because it is not a useful piece of legislation.
The CDA will impose radical changes to existing law.
Will impose broad restrictions on speech protected by U.S.
Constitution.
Will give communications providers an open ticket to censorship.
The CDA promotes a hidden agenda created by a radical Christian
group.
The CDA is an attempt to restructure existing laws to reflect the ideas of one specific group.
The CDA is an attempt to impose guidelines on an unregulated form of communication.
Legislation against the America way.
Exposing the Christian Coalition and it's true agenda in proposing the
CDA.
Main purpose of the CDA is restricting pornography.
Will end of free speech in electronic form.
The CDA will criminalize First Amendment protected communications.
Communications deemed "lascivious" or "indecent," in any form will be a crime.
Greater restrictions on pornography will cause censorship in our free
society.
The best of intentions: the worse results in conclusion.
Review of the major issues
Christian extremist views exposed
Will rewrite the First and Fifth Amendments to the Constitution.
Reject the CDA as a whole.
Lack of vision by an extremist organization.
Will end free society, as we know it.
From the Paper "The Communications Decency Act of 1996 (CDA) is going to take your right to free speech and privacy away. This document, signed into law by President Clinton, if upheld by the Supreme Court will completely rewrite free speech laws as we know them (Kniffel 1). Basically, free speech will become a thing of the past. Furthermore, it will give communications providers across a wide spectrum the authority to censor any questionable material that passes through its communications links."
Tags: morality, internet, online, communications, implications, evangelist, pat, robertson
Abstract The following paper argues that it is preferable to be a lover rather than a rapist in debate. The writer also maintains that it is unwise to be a seducer to the extent that seducer invariably means dissembling and obfuscation. As the writer sees it, one should be an empathetic and thoughtful debater and also willing to see the humanity in all people with whom one comes into contact - however disagreeable that person and his or her perspectives may be. In the end, while the writer feels that we may all, on occasion, argue unilaterally, and should all be well-versed in all forms of debate, the writer maintains that arguing as a lover is the most important thing of all.
From the Paper "In my own life, I have occasionally been a "rapist" when debating a point - at least as Brockriede defines aggressive, argumentative debate. However, I bristle at the charge even as I make it against myself. For one thing, to be impassioned about a point of view does not necessarily make one a "rapist" in any sense. Further, if one overwhelms an adversary in debate through strong logic, sharp analysis, clever argumentation, and a shower of statistics, the idea that such constitutes "rape" seems absurd; simply put, to believe in something sufficiently that one is passionate about it in debate (to the point that one even calls into question the veracity and legitimacy of a differing perspective) is simply to be an arguer of conviction - not necessarily an arguer consumed with the thought of intellectually "raping" an opponent."
Abstract This paper argues that abortion is tantamount to murder. The paper makes the claim that opponents of abortion oppose it on the grounds of humanitarianism and an appreciation for the value of human life. The paper also argues conversely, that those who support a woman's right to choose, are mentally ill and that making that a decision to not carry a pregnancy to term is no different from choosing to murder someone. The paper then discusses how some doctors refuse to perform abortions based on religious reasons. The paper concludes by arguing that abortion is wrong from a religious a standpoint.
From the Paper "Evolutionary psychologists inform us that human beings engage in the act of sexual intercourse in order to procreate. If all mothers were to abort their unborn babies, human life as we know it would soon end. Seeing that most mothers around the world do not abort their unborn babies, it is clear that abortion is not a fad to be accepted by all. Rather, most people continue to want to reproduce. Interestingly, even the poorest people of the world are giving birth to babies day after day, despite the fact that they do not possess the resources to promise a good life to their offspring. Perhaps, therefore, it is also part of human nature to believe that God or Nature (depending on our individual beliefs) would take care of children, and everybody would definitely be provided for. After all, a poor person may also live to be eighty, ninety or one hundred years of age."
Tags: abortion, george bush, life religion morals murder
Abstract This paper re-examines Plato's "Republic X" as it attempts to denounce the poets from Plato's "perfect" republic. It argues for the expulsion of poetry that is not of lyric or historical importance and in doing so attacks some of the very important ideals that modern poetry is founded upon. The paper takes Plato's arguments that the poet does not actually "create" in his craft and is therefore, basically, a liar, and attempts to further this argument by using quotes from James and Wordsworth in an attempt to re-argue Plato's point.
From the Paper "In the Republic, Book X, Socrates, through the pen of his brilliant pupil Plato, argues for ?our refusal to admit the imitative kind of poetry, for it certainly ought not to be received.? (p. 21) However, although Plato is widely regarded as a man of unquestioned genius, and his Republic a work of infinite possibility, this single phrase that sums the whole of the tenth book up has become the topic of heated debate in western literary criticism."
The following paper examines one of the most continually compelling arguments about human nature, whether biology really is destiny or whether it is culture that is destiny.
Abstract This paper explores some of the aspects of this nature versus nurture controversy, with reference to Francisco Ayala's Population and Evolutionary Genetics: A Primer. The author argues as Ayala suggests in his discussion on the complex interplay between genotype and phenotype as evidenced in twin studies, that environment, and in particular the aspect of environment usually referred to as culture, are more important in determining human behavior and personality than are genetics. This paper acknowledges the ways in which genetics affects human behavior while still arguing that environment and culture are far more important than genetics in determining behavior.
From the Paper ?Behavior is one of the most complex and interesting of human characteristics and like many other characteristics, such as height or weight, behavior has come to be understood to reflect a combination of influences, some genetic, others environmental. While it had for many years been assumed that behavior was essentially all learned, in recent years advances in a number of techniques have allowed researchers new and provocative glimpses into the genetic basis of human behavior.?
Abstract This paper argues that while there are indeed risks involved, as well as certain losses in terms of national patrimony, the economic gains to be had from Britain joining the euro community outweigh these. The paper argues that even if the economic opportunities were not in and of themselves sufficient motivation, there would also be the consideration of political power. It shows that if Britain remains outside of 'euroland' it will cede more power to Germany than perhaps is wise to do, given the history of Germany imperialism in Europe. The paper gives an overall history of the euro to further understand Britain's dilemma.
From the Paper "It has been extraordinarily successful. But the success of the euro can only be as great as the economic realities underlying each country, and while some of the European economies are in good shape others are not. And with so many different economies to balance, it is hard to imagine an historical moment during which they will all be healthy. This fact must make those in Britain considering the adoption of the euro a little concerned given that Britain's economy may be called upon to prop up weaker ones. "
A paper which argues in support of firearm regulations since the infiltration of guns into the seedier criminal underworld has created a situation that police cannot begin to contain.
Abstract The paper discusses both sides of the gun control debate but ultimately argues that stricter regulations will help the situation in the United States. It argues that with the proposed gun control plan, proponents say much of the senseless violence would cease immediately; however, opponents to the restriction contend that the bad element of society will always find a way to acquire firearms whether they are banned or not. The paper shows that one only has to listen to the news broadcasts or view the headlines of any newspaper across the country to comprehend how guns are directly related to a majority of violent crimes committed on today's world. It shows how it is clear to see that by eliminating the source of violence, the crime will be substantially eliminated, as well.
From the Paper "Without question, the ability to obtain firearms will continue to encourage potential criminals to carry out their assaults. Studies have found that there is a portion of the felonious society who would not otherwise commit the crime without the safety net of a handgun. The very essence of having a gun is one of empowerment for the person using it to commit a violent act (Kleck, 1997). Support for the gun control proposal does not equate to a banning of all firearms; rather, it represents society taking the necessary and overdue steps toward regaining control of escalating crime -- crime that, in most instances, utilizes handguns to carry out the act."
Abstract The paper researches the the educational systems in the United States and United Kingdom and shows that the two systems have identical problems, but several different methods of teaching and administration. The paper argues that both systems are monitored and structured by the corresponding political forces in both countries. It also argues that in both countries, the systems are whiplashed by the ruling political party into institutions that reflect the political correctness of the time and not for the betterment of education or students.
From the Paper "Another disparity between the two systems was the area of "Levels of Achievement" (7). In the UK students are split into four key stages. Within these stages there are grades and corresponding ages for each stage. To move on to the next stage each student must exam out of that stage into the next. In the US there seem to be only a passing grade system in place to move onto the next stage or grade as it is referenced. This difference in curriculum and grading seems to be more productive by appearance, but I could not find any data suggesting which is better for the student. One specific difference I noted between the two was the study of religion in the curriculum (8). The UK does have state sponsored religious education, and the US does not at this time. This is a very controversial political issue in both countries."
Abstract This paper argues the position that nonviolent resistance is the only proper way to achieve social change. It concludes this is so because history has proven nonviolent resistance to be effective in different countries across the world. The paper examines the successes of this form of resistance in the case of Martin Luther King during the civil rights era and Ghandi in his drive for independence from the British in India. The paper argues that nonviolent resistance promotes dialog and compromise between the oppressed and the oppressor, thus making it an effective solution in promoting social change in Israel and bringing an end to the conflict.
From the Paper "It forces the oppressor to view their actions as they are seen by those who are oppressed. When non-violent resistance is used the oppressor is forced to see the way their actions affect the lives of the oppressed and how the oppressor can be affected greatly if social change does not occur. For instance during the civil rights era blacks boycotted busses which hurt the bus lines economically. In this instance the oppressor saw how not treating people fairly could hurt them economically. Ultimately the powers that be decided that they would rather treat people fairly than suffer economic losses. The oppressed demonstrated that they had power and that they would use it to effect change?and social change occurred."
