Abstract The writer in this paper explains that the biggest problem facing the Third World countries is the lack of democracy rather than underdevelopment. The writer uses the example of Iraq as compared to South Africa and Mexico to illustrate the point.
Contents
Does Authoritarianism Promote Rapid Growth?
Democracy Advances Human Development
Where does Democracy Stand Globally?
Comparing Iraq with South Africa and Mexico
Conclusion
From the Paper "This phenomenon was most dramatically illustrated in the recent history of Iraq, when an oil-rich country that had attained a reasonable standard of development until the 1980s, squandered its gains due to the unwise policies of its authoritarian ruler. On the other hand, countries like South Africa and Mexico are well on the path of sustained development due to their adoption of a democratic form of government in recent times. It is, therefore, important for every country and international institution to try and promote democracy in the third world countries, without trying to impose it from the outside."
Tags: south, africa, iraq, oil, dictator, saddam, development, first
Abstract This paper explains that one of the main roles of the press in any democracy is that of a public watchdog that is vigilant over government activities on behalf of the people that government serves. The paper focuses on South Africa as a point of reference and refers to the history of South African policy as well as certain European media policy counterparts, in order to gauge standards of media performance.
Outline:
Introduction
Media and Democracy Media Policy in South Africa External Media Policy
Policy Formulation Aspects
Internal Media Policy
Policy Formulation Aspects
The Gate keeping Function
European Media Policy
United Kingdom Media Policy
Italian Media Policy
German Media Policy
South African Media Policy History
Apartheid Era
After Apartheid
Comparison
Conclusion
From the Paper "One of the main roles that the press plays in any democracy is that of a public watchdog that is vigilant over government activities on behalf of the people that government serves (Krimsky, 2000). The media is a fundamental tool in the decision-making of the democratic government in any country. A democracy requires the people of the state to make choices and decisions on a daily basis. This therefore needs to be aided by a media and media environment that allows for objectivity through its content and the journalists and staff of the forms of media themselves. The media needs to inform, without judging (Krimsky, 2000)."
Abstract The author of the paper explores the idea that democracy, whilst widely accepted as being the ideal method of ruling a country, may not always be suitable for all states, peoples or situations. The writer also attempts to answer the question as to whether or not democracy can be imposed from without. The writer examines attempts to establish a democratic system of government in countries such as Iraq, Somalia, Sudan and South Africa amongst others. The author's conclusions regarding the attempt of western nations and the United Nations to establish democracy in states with no real history or culture of democracy are quite definite. He then continues and examines the reasons behind the apparent failure of democracy to take hold in such countries.
From the Paper "The American view of democracy however was the one that would eventually prevail and would stand at the basis of the democratic system as it is today. The American Revolution, one of the few internal struggles of the young nation targeted precisely this establishment of the British democratic system. Its aim was to create a state power that would include the entire array of political and democratic forces that made up the society. In this sense, the term of good governance and power of the people became intrinsic values of the system the US tried to promote in the centuries following its constitution. At this moment in or history, these are the pillars of the notion of democracy as promoted throughout the world. They represent the emanation of a historical tradition of social responsibility, political accountability, and most importantly, respect for human and civil rights."
Abstract In this paper, the writer proposes that education is a vital tool if democracy is to develop and prosper. The paper states that education represents an essential instrument that a government, a country, and even an individual, can posses and must constantly improve on and that it represents the future of a nation. The paper continues and contends that adult education as a means of achieving democracy can be said to be one of the most important tools a state government can make use of in order to establish and develop a system based on the rule of law and democratic principles. The paper specifically examines two areas of the world where concerted efforts have been made to improve adult education in order to strengthen democratic values - South and Latin America and South Africa.
From the Paper "This is an important factor in the evolution of the democracy because it offers the older generation the possibility to reconsider their position inside a society which is constantly changing. Taking into account the fact that the younger generation is already on a different set of values, it is important to reduce this gap. Thus, adult education represents a set of norms which aim precisely at reducing this difference. Initiatives in this sense relate to actions addressing the basic levels of knowledge up to the highest ones. Thus, nongovernmental organizations as well as different international organizations address illiteracy among Latin Americans (Torres, 1990), one of the first steps towards achieving a more educated society. At the same time, the idea of eradicating illiteracy has also an impact on the way in which people receive information or get in contact with analysis and interpretations of different political evolution. It can be said therefore that another reason for which leaders such as Chavez of Castro are still in the frontline of international politics is the lack of access to information and at the same time the limited knowledge of the actual meaning of that information."
Abstract This paper discusses how AIDS is the most virulent disease even known to affect humanity, and Africa has been particularly hard hit. This paper examines this pandemic in terms of its incidence and its epidemiological profile. The paper focuses on Africa and more specifically on sub-Saharan Africa. In addition this paper pays special attention to the interesting case of South Africa and the crucial subject of mother to child transmission.
Abstract This paper examines the "Uhuru Africa" album by Randy Weston. Inspired by jazz legend Duke Ellington, Weston spent most of his career combining the rich music of the African continent with the African-American tradition of jazz. The author dissects Weston's "Africa" album -- which he calls a tribute to Ellington -- from its thematic and metaphoric perspectives, such as nature, animals, liberation, the past and the future. The author concludes by praising "Uhuru Africa" as Weston's jazz paean to Afro-American heritage and to Africa.
From the Paper "This style inspired Randy Weston, whose use of both hands separately on the keyboard parallels a drummer's control of separate rhythms with each hand. Randy Weston spent most of his career combining the rich music of the African continent with the African American tradition of jazz, mixing the rhythms and melodies of both continents. Uhuru Africa is a tribute to Ellington, most particularly in the second movement, African Lady, a metaphor for Africa and the drum, which Ellington identified with a woman."
Abstract This paper looks at rural-urban migration patterns in Africa. It examines patterns in South Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa, Nigeria, Zambia and Ghana. The paper looks at the reasons for the migration and its effect on the rural areas and on the cities.
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at Christianity in Africa. This exploration of Christianity in Africa started soon after the death of Christ to the end of the 1800's. The writer discusses visits of the Apostles and conversions. The writer also examines the arrival of missionaries in the early 19th Century.
From the Paper "According to Pat Morrison writing for National Catholic Reporter, many Christians think that Christianity arrived on the African continent as the result of European-based missionary efforts. But a closer look at church history reveals a much different picture. Christianity spread to Africa soon after the death of Christ. The Acts of the Apostles chronicle visits by one or more of the Apostles to various fledgling Christian communities in North Africa. Morrison writes that historical records witness to ... "
Tags: Christianity, Africa, South Africa, Sub Saharan Africa, Missionaries, Portuguese, evangelical, monastics
Abstract This paper explores South Africa's experience as a divided nation and its process of recovery in the past two decades. First, the paper considers the issue of affirmative action in South Africa. The author then acknowledges that elements of apartheid still exist. In order to overcome this divisiveness, the author examines the experiences of other divided nations, such as Germany and Korea. The author concludes that apartheid in South Africa has not ended, but has merely gone 'underground' so that it can still be active but not in the overt sense that it used to be.
From the Paper "The promotion of a collective or a group identity, therefore, necessarily involves subordinating the individuality that is seen within the group. Furthermore, being able to strengthen one's identity based on race, religion, language, or caste is also considered divisive and threatening to the equality and the freedom of the country (Gramby-Sobukwe, 2002). Quotas are then viewed as being a means to help achieve an equality of outcome by working to deny an equality of opportunity or a fundamental right of various individuals (Gramby-Sobukwe, 2002)."
Abstract This paper endeavours to explore the impact of the slave trade on West Africa. It examines how the historical injustices of the slave trade have undeniably affected West Africa detrimentally in the political, economic and social arenas. It details the recent discussions by leaders of nations historically involved in the slave trade as they determine what reparations can be made to the victims of this inhumane practice. It gives an historical overview of the slave trade in general and specifically in West Africa.
From the Paper "Before embarking on the political, economic and social fallout of the slave trade on West Africa, it is important to give a brief description of this blight in history. From the middle of the 15th century, the Portuguese initiated the slave trade. They were followed by the Spaniards and at a lengthier period (1562) by the British. Then in rapid succession by the Dutch (approximately 1620), the French (approximately 1640), the Swedes, Danes and Prussians, before culminating in its most awful activities in the 18th century (Morel, E.D., 1920, 4). Foreigners conducted wholly unprovoked attacks on African villages and kidnapped the young people who were strong enough to work their sugar and coffee plantations as well as for domestic servitude in their homes. The export of Africans to the New World furnished the workforce for the colonial plantations and mines whose yield (gold, silver and, most importantly, sugar, cocoa, cotton, tobacco and coffee) were the principal components of global commerce (M?Bokolo, E., 1998, 2). The horror of the Africans being torn from their homes and their families is matched only by the horror of the number of Africans who perished in the course of transportation on the slave ships
??. the slaves could not turn around, were wedged immovably, in fact, and chained to the deck by the neck and legs?.not infrequently would go mad before dying of suffocation?.in their frenzy some killed others in the hopes of procuring more room to breathe?.men strangled those next to them, and women drove nails into each others? brains.? (Morel, E.D., 1920, 4)."
Tags: slave, trade, West, Africa, Black, political, social, history
Abstract This paper examines and analyzes AIDS in Tropical Africa. Issues covered include recent statistics relating to different countries within Africa, spatial distribution and patterns of spread, and an evaluation of the social, cultural, and behavioral reasons why AIDS is spreading so rapidly. The paper concludes with a discussion of strategies for prevention, projects to reduce the spread of AIDS, and the use of drugs in AIDS treatments in Africa.
Abstract The paper first illustrates the differences in the way Africa is depicted by the two authors, Conrad and Achebe. Particularly, it compares the depiction of the African landscape, the native peoples, and the culture of Africa in the two texts. Additionally, the paper discusses the contextual frameworks of the novels for a better understanding of why such contrasting images of Africa exist among them.
From the Paper "Chinua Achebe, in "Things Fall Apart", and Joseph Conrad, in "Heart of Darkness", present sharply contrasting images of Africa. This is most evident in comparing their depiction of the African landscape, the native people, and the African culture. However, any comparative analysis of the two works should be approached bearing in mind differences in their contextual frameworks. Viewed from such a perspective, it can be argued that the differences in the portrayal of Africa merely represent the reality of the two novels written with different purposes, from different cultural viewpoints and at varying points of human development."
Abstract This paper considers a plan by General Motors as to whether or not to build a plant in South Africa in the 1970s to take advantage of the access to cheap labor. F\The paper discusses how from a social point of view though there are good reasons why GM might not want to take this action. For one thing blacks are paid far less than whites in South Africa for doing the same job and whites in South Africa are paid far less than a laborer in the United States.
From the Paper "African history after the arrival of Europeans was a history of racial attitudes continuing after the end of the colonial era. In the modern era, apartheid was the major social structure affecting every aspect of South African society and South African relations with other parts of the world. Historians do not agree on the reason for the development of apartheid. What is clear is that more and more laws were passed to enforce a division of the races. Blacks were subject to searches, needed passes, were restricted in where they could live and work, and were generally treated differently than whites. Both races, however, were prevented from mixing. General Motors must decide whether or not to build a manufacturing facility in apartheid South Africa. From a business point of view, this could be justified on the basis of access to cheap labor."
Abstract This paper briefly compares and contrasts the role of the elderly in the US and Africa, how they are treated and their roles in society. The paper looks at the abandonment and isolation of the elderly in the United States and the integral and powerful role Africa's elderly play in both the tribal and familial structures. This paper briefly suggests that the US could benefit by emulating Africa's attitudes towards the elderly.
From the Paper "It is difficult to make generalized comparisons between the entire country of the United States with the entire continent of Africa, but if we focus on some of the dominant paradigms of the two areas, perhaps some useful discussion can be had. Looking at white, middle-class, urban and suburban people in the US, one can extrapolate some patterns in attitudes and lifestyle commonalities among the elderly that are relatively similar across the country. This is more difficult when looking at the entire continent of Africa, but if one focuses on the sub-Saharan portion, specifically in the less-urbanized and less Westernized countries, one can begin to make some generalizations about the lives of the elderly."
Abstract The paper explains that the iron age of a nation reflects the first uses of iron by the country for any productive purpose. This may include iron forged for weaponry, cooking utensils or tools. The paper discusses how for decades, scientists and archaeologists have argued about the dates of early iron production in Africa. MacIntosh contends that iron became a part of the African culture as early as 1300 B.C., while others contend that the use of iron in Africa still cannot be dated because of the continued archaeological findings that are uncovered. The paper shows that what is evident, however, is that the iron age in Africa was concurrent with the use of stone and other materials, which is perhaps the reason that dating iron use is hard to determine.
