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.?

Tags:Meyer, Cancian, labour, medical, cover, minorities, immigrant, trafficking, poverty

Abstract
This paper discusses the pros and cons of teaching solely in English in the United States. The author explains how the advantages convince us that we should adopt instruction in English nationwide in order to live up to our reputation as a land of equality among our residents. The paper also discusses how teaching in languages alienates English speakers from non-English speakers.

From the paper:

"In the United States, we residents are well known for our diversity and ability to accept many different things. The battle over the most effective way to teach our children has resulted in an ongoing debate between teaching in the English language or bilingual education. Not only has bilingual education been a failure in many parts of the country, but also a waste of precious financial resources. The prevailing language in the U.S. is English, and it has worked well to keep the country united. With a high number of diverse cultures cohabiting, the assortment of languages has served to promote ethnic elitism. Those who do not speak English fluently are incessantly among lower social classes."

Tags:bilingual, children, education, spanish, teach, class, melting, pot, u.s.

Abstract
This paper looks at the world of the Toltecs, focusing on how they were shaped and how they helped to shape a larger Meso-American cultural grouping that shared a number of salient cultural features. The author also makes particular mention of Toltecs impact on the Aztecs.

From the paper:

?The rise of the Toltec civilization did however mark a distinct turn in some sense because after the rise of the organized Toltec empire the peoples and rulers of this region of Mexico would be more deeply and more consistently marked by a militaristic orientation than those people (culturally related as they were) that preceded them, as Bernal argues?.

Tags:aztec, civilization, nahuatl, uto-aztecan, indigenous, new, world, spanish, western, mexico, tollan, tula, teotihuacan, mixcoatl, ce, acatl, topiltzin, quetzalcoatl, chichimec, culhuacan, chac-mools, monte, alban

Abstract
This paper describes in detail both polygyny and polyandry all over the world. The topics covered include an in-depth look polygamous practices of African tribes, tribes of New Zealand, Mormon groups of Utah, citizens of Tibet and Nepal, and more. The paper also includes the influence of Catholicism, Christianity, Mormonism, and Islam on the practice of polygamy.

From the paper:

"Polygamy is made up of polygyny and polyandry. Polygyny can be loosely described as a man having more than one wife, and polyandry is a woman having more than one husband. Polygamy is in more individual societies than monogamous relationships, but far more people ascribe to monogamy than polygamy. As Pettitt explains, "Polyandryous marriages or polygynous marriages are found in many parts of the world. In fact, one study discovered that among 475 different societies, 378 were basically polygynous, 31 approved of polyandry, and only 66 were basically monogamous. The most populous countries are monogamous, and this form of marriage is therefore accepted by far the greatest number of people" (64). One reason for polygamy is made clear by Pettitt, "Men accept the idea of sharing a wife, just as a women accept the idea of sharing a husband, provided that this is a socially sanctioned form of marriage contract" (64)."

Tags:marriage, polyandry, polygyny, culture, women, society, custom

Abstract
This paper is focused on the progression of the anti-Semitic actions of the German people in the 1930?s and 40?s. It looks at the roots of hatred, the legislation that was passed that discriminated against the Jews, an overview of the Holocaust, and the war crimes trials at Nuremberg.

From the paper:

"Hitler harbored a hatred for the Jews that was unparalleled anywhere in the world. Where this hatred stemmed from is unclear, but it was very evident that Hitler blamed the Jews for all the problems in Germany and in his own life, and that he was sincere in his convictions. When he became Fuhrer his view was not only pushed upon the public, it became a nightmare for all the Jews in Germany, and later, for all the Jewish populations of Europe. Hitler sought not just to eliminate their power and influence, but to wipe out the people themselves. What makes it even more ghastly is that he felt that he was doing the world a favor by these actions, and that God had selected him for this mission of purification, which he called "the Final Solution". Using his unique speaking ability, Hitler preached that the Aryan race was the master race, and the inferior Jews were holding them back, spreading lies and evil in Germany. The story of the ordeal that the Jews in Europe endured includes the beginning of discrimination, the legislation passed against them, the concentration camps, the liberation of the camps, and the war criminals trial held in Nuremberg. All of these parts play key roles in trying to understand how this could happen and how it can be prevented from ever happening again."

Tags:camps, concentration, crimes, genocide, hitler, holocaust, war, world

Abstract
This paper is a detailed discussion of Islamic criminal law, its sources, its application, and its conflict with international law and human rights. The author examines both primary and secondary sources of Islamic law, and describes Hudud, Tazir and Qesas crime and punishment. The paper also focuses on the historical background of Muslim law.

From the paper:

?Islam means ?submission? or ?surrender? to the will of Allah. For the more than one billion Muslims of the world, this means submission to a comprehensive code of law governing every arena of life: social, political, economic, and religious. In Islam there is no separation of church and state, no distinction between religion and politics; Government, law, and religion are unified. Some would argue that Islamic law is not fully practiced in any part of the Islamic world. While this may be true, twenty-three nations have either declared Islam to be the state religion or declared the religious writings of Islam to be the principal source of law.?

Tags:crime, criminal, islam, law, legal, muslim, religion, world, shi'ite, iccpr, united, nations

Abstract
This paper looks at how Gandhi used non-violence and peaceful protest as a weapon against British Imperial Rule throughout the early twentieth century. The paper looks at key events such as the Quit India protest, the two World Wars and the involvement of Irish nationalists. Gandhi's actions are considered within the global events that shaped Britian's ability to take action against Gandhi: Gandhi was not the only reason the British eventually left India!

From the Paper
"Throughout the ages mankind often instinctively turns to the use of violence to defeat an enemy. Violence is part and parcel of the culture of human beings. And yet one of the greatest freedom struggles in modern history was apparently won through the specific rejection of violence, and the active use of a policy of non-violence. That struggle was between the Indian independence movement and the British colonial administration. At the head of that independence movement was Mahatma Gandhi, a simple Indian who held no office or great wealth, and yet was able to unite a whole subcontinent against the British Empire. Not only that, but he did it in such a peaceful, virtuous way that he made the British question their own morals and eventually forced them out of India. This is the general version that is recorded in history. However, this version of events generally ignores the other forces that influenced the British to withdraw from the Empire in India. Here we will critically examine the view that the use of non-violence was the main reason for the ending of British rule in India, by examining the true organizational nature of non-violent civil disobedience and other events, British and global."

Tags:independence, Mohandas, Mahatma, Hindu, passive, resistance, campaigns, defense, Raja, Viceroy, Lord, Irwin, World, War, II

Abstract
The paper explains the difference between a Christian wedding and a Pakistani wedding, both in production and in approach. The paper describes the different rituals and customs that take place before and during the wedding, defining key terms and comparing the traditional symbolism of the institution of marriage.

From the Paper
"Pakistani Weddings are an elaborate affair that starts weeks before the actual date. Many traditional customs have to be completed and these customs involve the whole family . Grandmothers, uncles, aunts, parents and a hoard of other relatives take part in the wedding from both sides and it is considered an insult if anyone is forgotten. Weddings are a time when past disputes are forgotten and new ones are made! They are a time of happiness and a time when people's nerves stretched to the extreme. The difference between a Catholic wedding and a Pakistani wedding is not only in its presentation but also in its whole way of thinking. The Catholic wedding is the decision of the bride and groom-essentially and the family helping. In the Pakistani wedding the bride and groom become the onlookers while the family takes all the decisions. While the Catholic wedding is relatively simple the Pakistani wedding is an all out affair that is exotic in presentation."

Tags:tradition, Punjabi, bride, groom, Mehndi, dandia, India, henna, dholkis, family, Hindu, Pakistan, baraat, sherwani, sehra, shalwar, kameez, nikah, Western, mehar

Abstract
The writer of this paper claims that the 1994 Rwandan genocide of 800 000 people was preventable. The paper shows how during the affair, the UN appeared disorganized and lacked any initiative and the author recounts chains of events and also the results of the UN's actions (or inaction).

From the Paper
"In 1994, from April 6 until June 14, one of worse and deadliest massacres of the 20th century occurred in Rwanda. These bloody two months, triggered by the mysterious assassination of Rwandan President Habyarimana, resulted in the murders of 800,000 people (approximately 6 people per minute). Despite these outrageous figures, the international community reacted in an extremely slow manner. The huge death toll of this genocide could have been prevented if various countries and international organizations had not allowed personal politics hold them back."

Tags:25, dallaire, decision, directive, genocide, hutu, nations, peacekeeping, presidential, romeo, rwanda, tutsi, un, unamir, united

Abstract
This paper attempts to find a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. It covers these areas:

The Issue
Background to the Tensions and the Present State of the Conflict:
Justification for Continued Israeli Occupation
Past US Role in the Israeli Palestine Conflict
Possible Reasons for the American Administration's Current Inaction
Saudi Peace Plan
Recent UN Resolution
A Proposal to Resolve the Problem

From the Paper
"As violence escalates in Palestine, the intractable problem becomes even more intractable. Intense fighting between Israelis and Palestinians, the most intense inside the borders of the former Palestine since Israel's creation in 1948, are claiming a daily toll in double digits. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's increasingly tough tactics are exacerbating the conflict. A war of attrition is going on that has the potential to escalate into an all out regional war."

Tags:sharon, arafat, america, arab, intifada, oslo, accord, terrorism, middle, east, peacemaking, un