Abstract This paper reviews the book "Inventing Western Civilization", in which author Thomas Patterson views civilization as an elitist concept that has been used politically, culturally and socially to manipulate the masses. The author explains Patterson's thesis that the West differs from all other civilizations due to its overwhelming impact on virtually all other cultures, including its role in introducing modernization and industrialization. This paper also discusses how Patterson explores the development of social classes and the alienation of the "other". Throughout the paper, Patterson's ideas are compared to numerous scholars and philosophers including John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Sigmund Freud. The author concludes by concurring with Patterson that an international order based on civilizations is the surest safeguard against world war, but noting that this idealistic concept is not borne out in reality.
From the Paper "Patterson demonstrates how classism, sexism, and racism were as integral to the appearance of "civilized" society in Western Europe as inequality and alienation. He further explores the issue of how civilization, and the process of "being civilized" has been frequently linked to the rise of capitalism in Western Europe, the development of social classes, and the creation of "others" who are distinguished by their socially constructed appearances, behaviors, or essences.
Patterson accordingly believes that every civilization or group at one time or another has considered itself to be God's "chosen" people. For example, The Incas, who Patterson studied for most of his career as an anthropologist, believed that they were the only true humans. This is the type of elitist thought he attributes to all civilizations, both past and present. Thus in Patterson's view, the greatest threat to society is a global clash between Civilization and barbarism."
Abstract This paper examines the impact of civil rights on the US by comparing African-American life prior to the 1950s with life following this time. The author examines various other movements in the US, noting in particular the women's movement and the anti-Vietnam War movement. The author believes, however, that the civil rights movement had an even greater impact. Additionally, the paper cites how Blacks were denied basic human rights in the Constitution, through slavery and in education. The paper concludes using the example of notable African-Americans to show how far civil rights have come.
From the Paper " While the struggle for women's rights, the countercultural movement, and other social movements of the 1960s would fundamentally restructure American society and change the way that America looked at itself, nothing altered the landscape of the American political and social landscape as much as the American Civil Rights movement. Before the Women's Rights movement women still worked, although their labor was not always recognized, and great women scholars, authors, and professionals had made their mark upon the American landscape. (Furthermore, one could argue that the movement would have meant very little to Black women, had it succeeded in its objectives, but the Civil Rights movement had not). As for the countercultural movement, old and young people have often been in conflict, and the methods of expression of the countercultural, anti-Vietnam movement such as sit-ins and boycotts were often imitations of the techniques of the Civil Rights movement."
This paper discusses the four river-valley civilizations of India, China, Egypt, and Mesopotamia, which were among the earliest civilizations in history.
Abstract This paper explains that the earliest civilizations in history, such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and India, were found near rivers because, when rivers flooded, people could grow more food for themselves and for trade. This system, the basis of all these early civilizations, is called the ?river-valley civilizations?. The author points out that these civilizations arose independently of each other and shared certain generic features, but each people produced unique characteristics based on the environment, especially in their religious and social structures. The paper concludes that all these civilizations began to decline because of the lack of power in the ruler, which resulted in many wars or disunity within a civilization.
From the Paper "Mesopotamia, meaning ?the land between the two rivers,? was found within the rivers of Tygris and Euphrates, near modern day Iran and Iraq. Mesopotamians had a wedge-shaped writing, and they were great in mathematics. They were the ones who founded that one minute equals to sixty seconds and that sixty minutes equal to one hour. Moreover, days of the week, weeks, calendars were established by Mesopotamians.
When it comes to their political system, Mesopotamians had independent city-states, in which the city controlled its surrounding countryside. There was a huge power struggle between these numerous city-states in order to gain political and military control over others. They had similar type of government and they were governed by the system called ?polytheistic theocracy,? ruling by many gods and priests. In this system, gods owned everything within those city-states, and priests simply provided the connection between the gods and people."
Abstract This paper explores the concept of western civilization. The author defines the major components of western civilization, a civilization of European derivation and most of their offspring, and defines the political and geographical reach of the western civilization. The paper also discusses the classifications that defines the East-West comparison, some of which are industrialism, socialism, totalitarianism and discrimination. In addition, the paper analyzes the influence of Western civilization on other civilizations all around the world.
From the Paper "The thought of Western civilization is usually connected to the traditional explanation of Western world. In this classification, Western civilization is the set of fictional, technical, melodic and theoretical values which set it to a distant from other civilizations. It relates to the states whose history is sturdily noticeable by Western European migration or resolution and is not limited to Western Europe. Much of this set of society and information is composed in the Western norm. A variety of uses for the thought of Western civilization have integrated, correctly or incorrectly, analysis of American civilization, greediness, industrialism, entrepreneurship, commercialism, pleasure-seeking, imperialism, socialism, totalitarianism, discrimination or novelty. Other propensities that describe contemporary Western civilizations are the survival of political pluralism, famous subcultures or countercultures, growing social syncretism ensuing from globalization and human immigration."
Abstract This paper addresses the civil rights movement and how it has benefited from a centralized authority in federal government, from the Truman administration to Ronald Reagan.
Tags: AMERICAN STUDIES AND HISTORY / CULTURE AND SOCIETY, civil rights politics
Abstract This paper begins with a discussion of the increase in transportation during and immediately after the Civil War. The author then explains what societal changes developed from the transportation changes. The author then explores other changes that occurred in that period, including immigration issues, urbanization, and the industrial revolution.
From the Paper "One of the most significant ways in which the western world changed during and after the Civil War is associated with transportation. "In 1800, the only way to travel on land was on your own two legs, or to use an animal. By 1900 steam trains were carrying millions of people at what seemed to be fantastic speeds. At sea, in 1800, ships were propelled by wind; if the wind stopped, the ship stopped... By 1900, iron and steel ships steamed the oceans, regardless of whether the wind blew or not." (Chamberlin, 6) Primarily, these changes were brought about by advancements in the refining of steel, and the invention of the steam engine. The consequences for travel and commerce in the United States and Europe were innumerable. Additionally, the social makeup of the land was drastically changed by these forces. In the United States, for example, when the Union Pacific Railroads traversed the thousands of miles of American soil; often, if the railways failed to pass through an existing town, the people moved away; in fact, new towns and cities were often formed by virtue of where the railroads converged. This began another large trend that would continue to this day: the urbanization of the developed world."
Tags: urbanization, civil, war, society, immigration
Abstract This paper examines the connection between a civilization's destruction of the environment and the collapse of that civilization. The author analyzes the decline of civilizations by tracing the inhabitants' negative interactions with the environment, focusing on three examples: civilizations from Easter Island, the Maya in Central America and the ancient Sumarian societies of Mesopotamia.
From the Paper "There is a matrix of interrelated factors that influence the rise and fall of civilizations and the ecosystems they exist in. Mankind does not exist in a vacuum nor are all ecosystems the same. Some physical environments are more resilient to manmade stresses than others. In many cases, man has greatly impacted the environment yet society has sustained minimal lasting effects. In other ecosystems, even a minute amount of interference permanently alters the balance of nature. In the modern era, man has resorted to artificial means (i.e., fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides) to combat environmental damage that in previous ages would have been detrimental to society. Every civilization, past and present, has impacted the environment to varying degrees. Will future archeologists stand puzzled over our ruins and ponder the civilization that once ruled? Or will we learn from the past, tread lightly, and try to become more attune to our surroundings? Only time will tell."
Tags: Maya, Easter, Island, Sumaria, Mesopotamia, Central, America, ecosystems
Abstract The author analyzes the reason why some conflicts do not receive a response, despite an urgent need for such a response. More precisely, through the use of both liberalism and realism, the Sri Lankan conflict is analyzed, with the goal being to understand why, despite almost fifty years of obvious oppression, civil war, and apartheid by the Sri Lankan government against the Tamil, there has been no international response.
Outline
The Civil War
The Conflict from the Liberalist Perspective
The Conflict from the Realist Perspective
Conclusion
From the Paper "Within the greater field of political science, international relations comes out as one of the more interesting areas of study. International relations is fascinating both to observe and two analyze for a number of reasons. First of all, although we often see international relations as referring only to the relationship between nations and different world governments and, hence, think of it as something which is remote from us, as individuals and citizens, it has a profound impact upon our lives. For example, the Syrian government's isolation from the non-Arab international community and the recent threats expressed by the United States regarding the consequences of refusing to withdraw from Lebanon, affect the lives of the average Syrian citizens. It affects them economically since trade and economic sanctions reduce investment and employment opportunities in the Syrian economy and affect their educational and even leisure opportunities as political sanctions make traveling all the more difficult for these citizens because they confront stricter visa requirements. The purpose of this particular example is to show that even though international relations appear remote, it is not. International relations is a part of our lives."
Abstract This paper discusses the legal recognition of grounds for a civil lawsuit including acts of negligence, intentional torts and strict liability as forms of tortious conduct. The author points out damages in civil actions and their purpose.
From the Paper "Negligence, intentional torts and strict liability are all forms of tortious conduct for which the law recognizes grounds for a civil lawsuit The word tort comes from the Latin word tortus which means twisted or wrong. Tort has come to mean a ..."
Abstract The paper explains the principle of legitimate authority, which mandates that war cannot be waged against any government, nation or population without it first being authorized and approved by the proper legal authorities. The paper shows how the current war in Iraq and civil war in America are used as examples of this principle.
From the Paper "One example of this policy can be seen in the United States. In America the body of Congress is able to declare war, and in fact is the only body of government with the authority to do so(Principle of Legitimate Authority http://atheism.about.com/od/warandmorality/a/jusadbellum_3.htm).
"Because Congress is comprised of many political representatives, and a majority must agree to declare war, the US public is protected from having its government go into a war without considering the consequences first."
Abstract This is an article review about how women helped during the Civil War. The paper shows that the article is relevant, has authority and seems accurate with an objective viewpoint of both sides of the war.
Abstract This essay analyzes African author, Chinua Achebe's short story "Civil Peace," The paper specifically interprets the symbolism of the bicycle and the protagonist, Jonathan Iwegbu, as well as his demeanor in the wake of the war.
Abstract This paper explores the reasons for the Irish Civil War of 1922-1923. While the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921 is widely considered the instigation for the war, this paper examines the underlying tensions in the country. The author investigates three primary factors, which he concludes are the actual causes of war: (1) the nationalist split that had developed within the Irish leadership before World War I; (2) the resignation of President Eamon De Valera and his support for the anti-Treaty position; and (3) the the nature of Irish political culture.
From the Paper "The nationalist split concerned the basis of the Irish claim for self-determination. Both factions had Irish independence as their goal, yet they differed in their rationale and proposed courses of action. This split pre-dated World War I, but was brought to a crux by the Treaty. One faction claimed national self-determination on the basis of Ireland's equality with other white, English-speaking countries. Rather than focusing on Ireland's uniqueness, this faction emphasized Ireland's similarity to these other countries."
Tags: anti, civil, collins, de, eamon, history, ireland, irish, michael, partition, politics, treatyites, valera, war
Abstract This paper considers the reasons that both the Union and Confederate soldiers fought the Civil War. It also analyzes which line of reasoning is most persuasive. The author concludes that the Union's decision to preserve the federal power is the more compelling reason.
From the Paper "In the course of American history no conflict threatened the very foundation of the country in the same way that the Civil War did. This bloody tumultuous battle pitted brother against brother and lead to over a half million casualties. There were many complex ..."
Tags:civil war, union, confederacy, states' rights
Abstract This paper explains the changes brought about by the Civil Rights movement on the law, education, the media and politics. The author stresses social and psychological influences.
From the Paper "Most scholars agree that the Civil Rights movement of the ...s had a profound influence on American society in almost all dimensions of societal life including the political, legal, educational ..."
