Reviews Slavenka Drakulic's "How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed", a collection of short essays describing the everyday life of a woman under communism in Yugoslavia.
Abstract This paper explains that Slavenka Drakulic, in "How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed", tells of her experiences and her friends' everyday lives and political experiences living in communist Yugoslavia from a woman's perspective. The author points out that the reason for the collapse of communism, according to Drakulic's book, is the failure of communism to provide the basic necessities for the female half of the Yugoslavian population. The paper concludes that Drakulic believes that communism is more than an ideology or a method of government but rather a state of mind and habit, which has yet to be erased from the collectiveconsciousness of those who have lived under it.
From the Paper "Communism failed to provide freedom of expression and speech. Journalists who go astray and write negatively about the system are often given "tender persuasion" by the government. These persuasions cause journalists to self-censor themselves and cause paranoia and distrust for other journalists.
"The book also mentions on how Drakulic was in amazed bewilderment regarding the homeless people in New York and how she sees the injustices because of the "communist eye" that sticks to people who lived under communist systems."
Abstract Using the Durkheimian paradigm, the author explains this debate in terms of its symbolic meaning to the parties involved, opponents, and proponents of same-sex marriage. Further, this paper postulates that the debate regarding this issue is a symbolic debate between two competing world views and elaborates on these world views, describing the sociological context of each side of the debate, providing compelling examples and evidence to suggest that socioeconomic factors, educational background, and geographical location are reliable predictors of individual opinion with regard to the issue of same-sex marriage. Main paper points address the legal debate concerning the limitation of governmental involvement, which, however, is merely a legal rationalization for two competing ideologies struggling to become the predominant collectiveconsciousness in American culture and politics. The world views of both parties are largely affected by external social facts, such as economics, race, education, location, and religion. Key words include Durkheim, collectiveconsciousness, world view, mechanical solidarity, organic solidarity, and functionalism.
From the Paper "The question of whether or not to permit the recognition of same-sex unions has faced over half of the state legislatures in the United States in the past 5 years. Perhaps the most highly publicized case involves three gay couples who filed suit against the state of Hawaii as a result of the state's refusal to issue marriage licenses to the couples. The couples alleged that the state's prohibition of gay marriage was a result of gender discrimination and thus violated the state's Equal Rights Amendment. A trial court ruled against the group, but in a 1993 appeal, the state's Supreme Court overturned the earlier court's ruling and ordered the state to distribute marriage licenses to gay couples, but delayed the order pending appeal. In 1999, the state's Supreme Court rendered the campaign for gay marriage in Hawaii moot by citing a 1998 amendment to the Hawaii Constitution, which stated that the lawmakers of Hawaii have the authority to limit the recognition of marriage to opposite-sex partners."
Abstract The main point of this paper is that consciousness is not something that is specific to human beings; but that man is likely the only species that truly does not understand the depth and intensity that animals possess in their special consciousness. It analyzes various ways in which man acts towards animals that shows how insensitive we are to other living creatures' consciousness - they are used for experiments, as a food source, in labor, etc. The paper argues humanity has taken advantage of the animal kingdom, while at the same time given nothing back in return with regard to a level of appreciation for nonhuman sentience. It examines research in the field which proves that animals do have definite levels of consciousness and different animal species are compared to each other to determine their level.
From the Paper "What is consciousness if not the awareness that one exists and, therefore, acts upon that knowledge as a means by which to maintain survival? Just because animals do not outwardly possess the prerequisites of consciousness set down by man's definition does not mean they do not exhibit their own consciousness in various other -- and significantly more elusive -- ways. When science has taken to task the issue of animal consciousness, it has typically pitted several species against one another as a means by which to establish some semblance of conscious behavior. Results from these types of research methods have consistently demonstrated a considerable divergence between and among species residing at varying rungs upon both the evolutionary and supraliminal ladders."
Abstract This paper focuses on Starhawk's philosophy that language shapes consciousness and consciousness shapes reality. Within the paper it is shown that Starhawk's belief is that language can have a deciding factor on a person's perception of themselves, and through this perception they develop concepts of reality in their consciousness. Therefore, this perception then shapes their reality.
From the Paper "Reality, according to Starhawks, is a state in which we must find definition. It is how we define reality within our consciousness that ultimately determines the type of power that will control our lives. As individuals, what we perceive to be real will be. What we believe to be true will happen. The key to discovering a harmony in life is to come to the realization that people do have a final say in how their lives will be lived, and through the consciousness every individual can make that choice. To understand how this is possible the individual must first comprehend that there are powers in the world. Starhawks contends that there is the "power-over" which is any power that comes from outside of the individual that is controlling."
Abstract This essay looks at two works that attempt to deal with the problem of consciousness. These works are "Minds, Brains, and Programs" by John R. Searle and "Facing up to the Problem of Consciousness" by David J. Chalmers. The writer points out that there are many similarities between these works. However, there are also a wide range of differences. It is argued in this essay that Chalmers provides the better explanation for consciousness. The writer maintains that this is because he uses a non-reductive method to try and explain the nature of consciousness based on the idea that experience is a fundamental.
From the Paper "Consciousness is one of the most problematic concepts in philosophy, psychology, neurobiology and a wide range of other disciplines."
Abstract This paper discusses the traces of Sidney's self-consciousness in "Astrophil and Stella" and the tension between his insistence on sincerity and his use of rhetorical and poetic figures. It then looks at Sidney's growing awareness and anxiety about poetry's capacity to persuade and manipulate and links this to the relationship between poetry and violence in Shakespeare's "The Rape of Lucrece".
From the Paper "Given his status as prominent courtier and self-styled defender of poetry, it is hardly surprising that artistic self-consciousness is so prominent in the work of Philip Sidney, particularly in the sonnet series Astrophil and Stella. Throughout the series, Sidney seems determined to prove the worth of English as a poetic language capable of revitalising tired poetic conventions, and his self-conscious attention to style can be seen simply as the manifestation of this aim. However, in exploring poetry's nature both as a means of expression and a force particularly suited to teach and delight, Sidney also acknowledges its darker side, its potential as a vehicle for self-deception and manipulation. This too is illustrated in Astrophil and Stella, through Astrophil's decline into self-deluding attempts to make reality cohere with poetic vision and to shape himself into a courtly lover. The failure of such attempts amounts to an acknowledgement of the slippery relationship between poetry, self-fashioning and delusion, and Astrophil becomes an image of the poet simultaneously inspired and paralysed by an awareness of this relationship."
Abstract In this article, the writer studies how certain major events in life can effect national consciousness. The writer chooses particular events and discusses their effect on the people. In this paper, the writer uses as examples events such as Pearl Harbor, the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr, and 9/11.
From the Paper "It is often said that we do not truly appreciate what we have until it is taken from us. Loss and tragedy certainly have the power to change the way that we view ourselves and the world around us. Sometimes these events trigger a sense of fear and panic as we view our surroundings with an eye awakened to danger and true peril. But sometimes, if we are fortunate, it is in the darkest of hours that we are truly made aware of the strength and courage of ... "
Tags: tragedy, national consciousness, september 11, assassination, patriotism
Abstract This paper explores the philosophy of consciousness and how it is understood through reductive and non-reductive strategies. The concepts discussed include eliminativism, dualism, physicalism and materialism, behavior, folk psychology and the belief-desire thesis. The philosophers mentioned include Descartes, Stich, Place, Jaegwon Kim and the Churchlands.
From the Paper "Reductive & Non-Reductive Perspectives on Consciousness: There are many theories that attempt to explain and model human consciousness, some of which focus on biology, others on psychology and there are others as well. The "belief-desire thesis" is a form of "folk psychology" that says the brain can only desire something that we believe is possible or true, whether we are conscious of that belief or not and that our beliefs and desires are based on our experiences of actual tangible sensations (Stich 4)."
Abstract The paper reviews the book "The Illusion of the Conscious Will", where Daniel Wegner brings into question whether or not human beings exercise free will. The paper outlines Wegner's main arguments and highlights how they are based on a series of assumptions. The paper asserts that in order for this work to become an important part of the academic world, Wegner's experiments and research would have to incorporate techniques to prove many of his empirical theories.
From the Paper "What Wegner argues for is the fact that the conscious mind is an illusion and he does so by presenting a number of different ideas that attack the idea that we make individual decisions based on logic, rather than determinism. One of the ideas that he attacks is the idea of a metaphysically free will. This idea has been around for centuries, and many different philosophers throughout history have presented this idea in different forms. Basically it means that we are free to make our own decisions and we do so based on what we have learned from our past experiences. The problem is that Wegner does not come up with his own philosophical ideal for this, but rather just bases his argument on a series of assumptions."
Abstract This paper discusses three articles on data collection and analysis tools and their applications. This includes data mining, data warehousing and software packages used in the collection. This paper also analyzes the needs of the business upon which the correct data collection and analysis tools are selected.
From the Paper "Business today has more and more need for external consultants to use data collection and analysis tools in order to make assessment of business operations and processes. Many of the methods used today are computer-based, including software that does much of the job but still requires an able human operator to make decisions and input the correct information. Various analysts have made assessments of these methods to see how they are used and how effective they may be. Such tools are also used for analyzing performance in education, for assessing public programs, and for other tasks requiring a decision as to the value of a program or process. Bielski (2001) discusses the use of CRM, or Customer Resource Management system, which is used to track customer purchases while providing access to customer information using the computer. "
Abstract This essay discusses collective bargaining at the European level. The paper answers three questions posed by the customer: What are the main challenges to collective bargaining at the European level, what are the main legal challenges at the European level and finally, is collective bargaining at the European level possible today and in the future and if not, why not.
From the Paper "European nations have made a lot of progress in recent year in moving toward a more unified Europe. The countries have already converted to a single currency, the euro. Now as they state to think about increasing globalization even further, many trade unions from the differing countries would have and interest in coming together and collective bargaining jointly. However, there several hurdles in the way of this goal."
Abstract This paper debates the collection efficiency of child support by the government or private industry. It illustrates in detail the government's collection backlog and its inability to handle the immediate needs of families. The paper explores the possibility of overhauling the government system and setting up cooperation between the government and yet to be established private agencies.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Pulling Strings, Pulling Hairs
III. Combining the Best of Both Worlds
IV. Conclusion
V. References
From the Paper "The holiday season is upon us. Many consumers are currently participating in a frenzied shopping attempt to find just the right gifts for just the right purpose. It is a time of joy, a time of giving and a time of watching children's faces light up as they open their gifts. This is the way it is in most American households but for millions of children across the nation it won"t even come close. Children who live in single parent households and do not receive their child support on time or in many cases at all, will be facing a bleak holiday. And while the absence of holidays will be hard enough for these children, the struggle to pay for life itself faces their parents each and every day. Child support is not a luxury. It is the absent parent's contribution to the living needs of their children. It is rent, it is food, it is haircuts and sports, it is water, it is the phone bill and it is the braces on their teeth. Millions of non-custodial parents are currently behind in their child support payments. The government seems overwhelmed with the task of collecting the funds and private companies have begun to spring up throughout America. Is it a good idea for the government to release its hold on the child support collection issue and allow private industry to step in" Or should the government concentrate on fixing its problems and maintaining control? The best answer may be to utilize the best of both worlds and combine the two. "
Tags: child, support, collection, private, industry, families, non-custodial, parents, america
Examination of the collective bargaining process in state and local government according to John Piskulich in his book "Collective Bargaining in State and Local Governments".
Abstract This paper is a review of John Piskulich's book "Collective Bargaining in State and Local Governments". The paper covers Piskulich's discussion of policymakers, the role of unions, the various dimensions of the bargaining process, the history of the policy making process and the obstacles policy makers face.
From the Paper "In his book John Piskulich attempts to uncover why and how to manage collective bargaining. "Collective Bargaining in State and Local Governments" discusses how the collective bargaining process in the public sector has grown from a state of infancy to maturity. He makes note that policymakers are currently in a state of flux, constantly changing and modifying current regulations to keep up with the dynamic environments in which they work. John Piskulich emphasizes in his work that public-sector unions act as a significant force in operating government agencies."
Abstract This paper examines whether or not it is professional and ethical for nurses to engage in collective bargaining. In particular, the paper focuses on the appropriateness of nurses going -- or threatening to go -- on strike. The paper asks whether striking is an abandonment of the patient. The paper also reviews the purpose behind collective bargaining -- what it is intended to achieve and how it functions, particularly in unions for health care professionals.
Abstract The following assignment is for a third year sociology course. The topic discussed is collective social behaviour. The collective social behavior examined in this assignment is anti-war demonstrations. The writer uses social contagion theory and emergent norm theory in order to examine the nature of anti-war demonstrations.
From the Paper "Collective behavior is a very broad area of study. For example, in Collective Behavior Erich Goode states, 'Rumors and legends, fads, and collective protest- these and other social phenomena make up the subject matter of the field of collective Behavior'. Collective behavior is the relatively spontaneous, unstructured, extra institutional behavior of a fairly large number of individuals. The fact that collective behavior is such a diverse area of study means that many activities can be used to examine it. For this paper, demonstrations against the war in Iraq or anti-war demonstrations as they are commonly called will be used to examine many of the theories about collective behavior."
