Abstract This paper examines how democratic governments in South-East Asia use violence as a tool for legitimacy. It explores the unique characteristics of some of the South-East Asian democracies with a comparative focus on the cases of Thailand and East Timor. The first part of the paper looks at how the Thai and Indonesian governments use violence and their links with the military to validate and strengthen their political legitimacy. The second part explores how these governments further use violence to quell dissent and maintain their legitimacy on an international stage, to important financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, as well as to other countries. In the conclusion, the paper looks at the characteristics of Thai and Indonesian political institutions, which make violence an important component of maintaining political legitimacy. It posits that the rapid economic growth sweeping the region presents opportunities for more equitable distribution of resources and a greater recognition of individual civil rights.
From the Paper "This formulation presupposes that the absence of protest is the same as rational compliance. In South-East Asia, however, the seeming rational compliance often masks an undercurrent of coercion that makes dissent impossible and dangerous. This coercion is illustrated clearly East Timor's bloody struggle for independence. During two decades of Indonesian rule, the Indonesian government used military force to commit atrocities on par with the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. The Indonesian military government took over East Timor's coffee exports and other businesses. Corruption was rampant as Indonesian economic migrants swarmed into the area for the jobs. In contrast to the Indonesians who profited from the area's business, many East Timorese experienced extreme hardship (Kingsbury 397)."
Tags: civil, rights, indonesia, thailand, east, timor
Abstract This paper discusses European colonial rule in the global south. The paper argues that it is not possible to generalize about the impact of European colonial rule on the global south, because that impact varies so markedly, depending upon the particular colonial power and the region in question.
From the Paper "In The Dynamics of Global Dominance David B Abernethy maintains that identifying the legacies of European rule is fraught with conceptual and methodological perils. To assert that colonialism had consequence X or Y is not to claim ..."
Tags: Africa, East Southeast Asia, Latin America, Middle-East, development, Britain, WWII, export, culture, politics, resources
Abstract Robert Moses was a leader in the early years of East Harlem in New York City. East Harlem was the home of the New Negro. One of the early songs was called "All Coons Look Alike to me". The people in East Harlem have changed due to the new welfare laws and people who are dedicated to changing the area.
Abstract This paper discusses foreign policy in South Korea and how it was affected by the Korean War, noting that the foreign policy of South Korea after the war was greatly influenced by the conflict between North and South. The Korean War forged close ties between South Korea and the United States, and the threat from the North shaped the way south Korea responded to many other parts of the world, especially to any other Communist country that might be seen as providing aid to the North.
From the Paper "South Korea and North Korea have been divided since the end of World War II. The foreign policy of South Korea after the war was greatly influenced by the conflict between North and South. The Korean War forged close ties between South Korea and the United States, and the threat from the North shaped the way south Korea responded to many other parts of the world, especially to any other Communist country that might be seen as providing aid to the North."
Abstract This paper presents a review of "Honor and Violence is the Old South", which is actually an abridged version of Bertram Wyatt-Brown's "Southern Honor: Ethics and Behavior in the Old South". The book presents an objective and highly well-researched account of life for women and slaves in the South who were considered devices with which to maintain family honor. The subject of honor is studied from a historical and anthropological perspective. The author seeks to explain why white masters treated slaves in an inhumane manner and similarly how women were expected to behave in patriarchal societies of the South.
From the Paper "The author explains that there were two extremely important driving forces behind South's obsession with preservation of honor. For one, it was believed that since Northerners were the enemy, they must never be allowed to ridicule South's men of honor. It was essentially a defensive tactic that helped South keep its head high against a more sophisticated, civilized and successful enemy. In the antebellum period, South was mainly an agrarian society while North had become a major industrial force. It was clear that South's economy was waning with most immigrants settling in Northern region and contributing to the development of industries there. Cotton plantations were one of the main sources of income for the rich South and with decrease in its production, South was losing to North on the economic front."
Abstract This paper begins by briefly outlining the astronomical pace of economic growth in the East Asian NICs. It then explores the course of development's relationship to development theory. It asserts that the neo-liberal link between economic development and democracy and greater equality is dismissed by the experience of the NICs. However, the dependency/world system approach, currently expressed in globalization, is affirmed by the recent history of the East Asian NICs and the present situation.
Abstract This paper examines Middle East terrorism. It looks at how ever since the emergence of Middle East terrorism in the nineteen-seventies, it has become increasingly evident that terrorism thrives on media coverage, and tends to fade in influence and significance when media attention is diverted elsewhere. It discusses how subsequently, radical Islamic terrorist tactics and strategy are very media-oriented, for the mass media is seen by terrorists as a long-range weapon that can strike fear into their enemies, regardless of where they live.
Abstract This paper discusses international relations and the legal regulation of armed conflict, specifically with regard to the East Timor conflict in which Indonesia refused initially to withdraw from the country. As this paper reports, the country held a referendum that was facilitated by the United Nations on whether or not the East Timorese people wanted independence or to integrate with Indonesia (West Timor).
From the Paper "The concept of legal regulation of war and armed conflict has been around for centuries. Today, the United Nations (UN) holds the responsibility of maintaining and enforcing legitimate international relations and laws of war according to the guidelines in the Charter of the United Nations. The UN is accountable for establishing the conditions of justice and monitoring peacekeeping efforts. Brokering peace is an important job and should not be taken lightly. The United Nations has undertaken broad range of governmental functions in order to ensure peace is maintained once the UN peacekeepers have departed ("East Timor" p. 2). "
Abstract This paper discusses how South Africa is an influential country on the African continent. As a result, its relations with near-by neighbors and its friendliness with Washington will greatly impact American standing and policy goals across the wide expanse of Africa. With this in mind, the following paper explores how South African foreign policy impacts America vis-a-vis the war on terror. Specifically, the paper looks at the complications which have arisen from South Africa's recent embracing of rogue states like Libya and Cuba and the paper also examines how South Africa's interventionist behavior under the aegis of the African Union can be used to protect American interests abroad and American lives at home by combating terrorism "over there" before it comes "here".
Abstract This paper, written from a religious Islamic perspective, explores how diversity represents a major roadblock to achieving peace and harmony in the Middle East. The writer first describes the Muslim outlook on cultural diversity, as opposed to Christianity. The paper then highlights the different religious outlooks and sects within Islam. Several obstacles to establishing democracy in the Middle East are illustrated, with an emphasis on the suppression of minorities in the region. The author concludes citing Islamic concerns about democratization in Israel.
From the Paper "The Sunni is the largest group of the Islamic faith, with nearly 90% of all Muslims subscribing to this practice (Ibrahim, p. 323-369). The Kharawaj is another major political force in the Islamic world. When the prophet Muhammad died he had no sons to inherit leadership. The primary point of contention between these two groups is how to decide the leadership succession. The Kharawaj reject the Sunni idea that bloodlines are the most important factor, but feel that the right to rule is divinely granted."
Abstract This is a study of the 1997 collapse of the South Korean economy and how the IMF's $55 billion recovery plan has worked (or not worked) since then. It describes the interrelation of government and economy in South Korea, and stresses the impact of bad trade policy on the fall of South Korea's industrial and financial economy.
Abstract This paper compares the marketing and advertising strategies of South African businesses from three industries: Diamonds, Tourism and Fruit. The author presents the history of Union of South Africa and the three industries. The paper discusses the purpose of TISA (Trade and Investment South Africa).
From the Paper "The British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in Dutch settlers called Boers trekked north to establish their own republics. The discovery of diamonds in and gold in created wealth and increased immigration. It also intensified the subjugation of the native South Africans. The Boers resisted British encroachments but were eventually defeated in the Boer War that lasted from ... to ... . The resulting Union of South Africa operated under a policy of apartheid the separate development of the races. This policy was formalized ..."
Tags: Marketing strategies, South Africa, tourism. fruit, diamonds, de beers, compare and contrast
Abstract This paper discusses the cause of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997, and the South Korean government's reaction to monetary and financial pressures. According to this paper, the Asian financial crisis has many causes and consequences, but loans by U.S. banks to businesses in South Korea and elsewhere are an important part of the story. These loans helped create the crisis by supporting unsound investments and creating repayment obligations that Korean enterprises were unable to meet, thus undermining financial market confidence in the South Korean economy.
From the Paper "For thirty years prior to the Asian' financial crisis South Korea enjoyed fast growth that translated into impressive economic performance, strong fiscal positioning, and macroeconomic stability (Radelet et al). Economic indicators including decreased inflation, increased saving rates, open economies, and thriving export segments made it impossible for economists to predict what was to follow. In the summer of 1996, the Asian financial crisis erupted in Thailand after the country had just experienced an influx in economic growth."
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 discusses the water resources in the Middle East. The essay is based on two articles but will also discuss some of the main researches that have been conducted in this area. Finally it will compare the two articles and give a brief analysis.
