Counterinsurgency in Iraq

Since the start of the Iraq insurgency in 2003 before the ruling of a new supreme government within its borders, the armed resistance of Iraqi security forces, insurgents and militia bursted, as Iraqi rebels instigated an ‘asymmetric war’ with much foreign assistance coming from NGOs and countries like Iran. Instead of attacking only the coalition forces and the acting government, insurgents started to attack even the less significant supporters.This paper suggests that the counterinsurgency in Iraq had been presenting immense risks and destruction to all parties, but especially to the U. S. , which had something to do with demography, economy, and power. By evaluating the event using the three basic criteria, it shall be concluded why counterinsurgency in Iraq should be brought to a halt. As social chaos and economic constraints have not been treated very well, the act of counterinsurgency has only made matters worse, as it brings destruction even to the United States o f America. Main Body Criterion #1: demography-related ruin In terms of demography, counterinsurgency in Iraq had only made matters worse since 2003.In the Information Clearing House article written by Linda Bilmes and Joseph Stiglitz entitled ‘The Economics Costs of the Iraq War: An Appraisal Three Years after the Beginning of the Conflict’, it is said that there were approximately 2,000 American combatants who had died from March 2003 to January 2006, and about 16,000 American combatants who had been wounded during those same years (2006, p. 2). However, as of now, the number of deaths went up from 2,000 to 4,147 in totality (Casualties in Iraq, 2008); while the number of wounded went up from 16,000 in early 2006 to exactly 30,561 in totality as of now (Casualties in Iraq, 2008).As of early 2006, this number of deaths led to benefits and insurances that totals a staggering $100,000 death benefits and as much as $500,000 life insurances (Bilmes & Stiglitz, 2006, p. 2). These numbers project the conclusion that demography-related ruin of the United States in the Iraq War damages not just the lives but also the economy of the nation. It can be evaluated that, in terms of demography, destruction brought by the Iraq War projects staggering amount and, thus, a disparaging situation. Criterion #2: economy-related ruinSecondly, in terms of economy, counterinsurgency in Iraq had only made matters worse since 2003. In the newspaper article also written by Linda Bilmes and Joseph Stiglitz entitled ‘The Iraq War Will Cost Us $3 Trillion, and Much More’, it was said that failed war at this age costs $3 trillion and that the costs and damages of the Iraq War has surpassed the financial costs of the World War II (2008, p. B01). As it was written, â€Å"As we approach the fifth anniversary of the invasion, Iraq is not only the second longest war in U. S.history (after Vietnam), it is also the second most costly—surpassed only by World War II † (Bilmes & Stiglitz, 2008, p. B01). With a ‘conservative’ estimate of about $12 billion expenses per month (or $16 billion if the one in Afghanistan would be included), the Iraq War depletes America’s resources that should have been allotted to other expenses at this present age. These numbers project the conclusion that economy-related ruin of the United States in the Iraq War damages not just the economy but also the future of the nation.It can be evaluated that, in terms of economy, destruction brought by the Iraq War projects staggering amount and, thus, a similarly disparaging situation. Criterion #3: power-related ruin Lastly, in terms of power, counterinsurgency in Iraq had only made matters worse since 2003. Together with the demographic and economic ruin, national power is being depleted because of the fact that â€Å"population [is] one of the most important indicators of national power because of its importance for determining economic and mili tary power† (Yoshihara, 2008, p.2). According to Susan Yoshihara (2008), Hans Morgenthau has pointed out the eight means of power appear to be the following: (1) geography, (2) natural resources, (3) industrial capacity, (4) military preparedness, (5) population, (6) national character, (7) national morale, and (8) quality of government (p. 3). Therefore, because the Iraq War is destruction to both demography and economy, the third, fourth and fifth means of power that are industrial capacity, military preparedness, and population are also being negatively affected by the war.Destruction to these three means of power implies destruction of power. This projects that demography-related and economy-related ruin of the United States in the Iraq War means power-related ruin. Thus, it can be evaluated that, in terms of power, the Iraq War projects destructive elements that lead to a similarly disparaging situation. Conclusion From the stated paragraphs, it appears that the counterin surgency in Iraq had been presenting immense risks and destruction to all parties, even to the American population.In relation to the three criteria that is demography, economy, and power, we can evaluate that counterinsurgency in Iraq should be brought to a halt. The war had only succeeded in bringing the country more than 4,000 deaths, more than 30,000 wounded, about $3 trillion worth of financial costs, with depleting power and less economic resources. It only brought social chaos and economic constraints. We should bring it to an end. Counterinsurgency can be defined as â€Å"military and political activities undertaken by a government to defeat a rebellion or guerrilla movement† (Counterinsurgency, 2008).As the United States started to invade and occupy Iraq in 2003 (Pirnie & O’Connell, 2008, p. xiii), it is evident that counterinsurgency had been quite tough, as numerous armed groups were united with a common theme that â€Å"[t]he occupation of Iraq by foreign forces is bad† (Pirnie & O’Connell, 2008, p. xiii). Yet, the case appeared to be a lot worse than just plain revolt. References Bilmes, L. , & Stiglitz, J. E. (2006, January). The economic costs of the Iraq war: an appraisal three years after the beginning of the conflict.Information Clearing House. Retrieved August 26, 2008, from http://www. uncle-scam. com/Breaking/jan-06/ich-1-9. PDF. Bilmes, L. J. , & Stiglitz, J. E. (2008, March 9). The Iraq war will cost us $3 trillion, and much more. The Washington Post, p. B01. Casualties in Iraq. (2008). Retrieved August 27, 2008, from http://antiwar. com/casualties/. Counterinsurgency. (2008). In Encarta dictionary. Retrieved August 26, 2008, from MSN database: http://encarta. msn. com/dictionary_1861600753/counterinsurgency. html.Pirnie, B. , & O’Connell, E. (2008). Counterinsurgency in Iraq (2003-2006). RAND Counterinsurgency Study, Vol. 2. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation. Yoshihara, S. (2008, March 29). American d emographic trends and the future of U. S. Military Power. Paper presented at the annual convention of the International Studies Association, San Francisco. Retrieved August 26, 2008, from the All Academic Research database: http://www. allacademic. com//meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/2/5/0/6/3/pages250636/p250636-1. php.

Old Family Bank

The team feels In many ways disrespected, unappreciated and that based on their pay the bank doesn't value their contributions to the company. . Causes 1 . The management team over the data processing department has not done a good lob of communicating the compensation model for that department and how it fits within the organization. 2. Also the management team wasn't aware of how the employees felt, maybe if they had been more in touch with what was going on they could have had open discussions or done something else to try to alleviate the problem. . Systems Affected 1 . Productivity throughout the entire bank because data processing deals with the whole bank in general. 2. Inter-department relationships, because the data recessing team have taken an us versus them attitude towards all other departments and the bank. 3. Alternatives The bank should focus on all of its employees and try to make them feel important to the company. The bank should do research on compatible pay raises throughout the company so that they can be competitive.Management should stress the Importance of being loyal to the company. 4. Recommendations Do surveys throughout the company so that they can get a feel for the overall attitude of their employees. Have HRS do research and make sure that all pay scales are up to date with the appropriate education and or training. The bank can Install programs that ensure that employees are rewarded for loyalty. Old Family Bank By biannual 1.A large percentage of the data processing employees felt little loyalty to the bank. Higher pay raises and that there was a major gap in wages between these areas and that gap didn't match the skill differences. The company. 2. The team feels in many ways disrespected, unappreciated and that job of communicating the compensation model for that department and how it fits importance of being loyal to the company. Date with the appropriate education and or training. The bank can install programs

Lord of the Flies Symbolism Analysis Essay

Plato, a famous Greek philosopher born in 428 BC, once said, â€Å"The measure of a man is what he does with power.† This statement shows that man will truly be defined for what he does with the power he receives; whether he would use it for manipulation, cruelty and lofty desires, or whether he would treat everyone fairly, maintain democracy and control himself in such a high position. In William Golding’s Lord of The Flies and George Orwell’s Animal Farm, the power is shown and given to a character, which would use it for his own benefits and does not choose to do what is right for those under his power. Jack, a power-hungry dictator, uses his manipulative and deceiving tactics to reign over a group of schoolboys who get stuck on an island. Napoleon, a pig, uses power along with fear to control the other animals around him and asserts violence to get his role as a leader. The desire for power and control in both characters stimulates them to use fear and violence as a way of keeping their high position and satisfying their needs. It is clear that the two leaders Napoleon and Jack both used physical harm as a way of getting their message across to their other citizens. Jack displayed this behavior after he gets his own tribe, where he ruled merciless and punishes anyone he is not pleased with. When Roger and Robert were having a brief conversation in Chapter 10, they said, ‘He’s going to beat Wilfred’. ‘What for?’ ‘I don’t know. He didn’t say. He got angry and made us tie Wilfred up. He’s been†- he giggled excitedly- â€Å"he’s been tied up for hours, waiting-.†(Golding 176). This shows Jack and his cruel use of power among his own tribe. Napoleon, on the other hand, doesn’t punish his own tribe, but does go to an extent where he vows a death sentence towards anyone who is working or wants Snowball to come back to the farm. This is shown in the execution of four pigs, â€Å"Without any further prompting they confessed that they had been secretly in touch with Snowball ever since his expulsion, that they had collaborated with him in destroying the windmill, and that they had entered into an agreement with him to hand over Animal Farm to Mr. Frederick. They added that Snowball had privately admitted to them that he had been Jones’s secret agent for years past. When they had finished their confession, the dogs promptly tore their throats out, and in a terrible voice Napoleon demanded whether any other animal had anything to confess.† (Orwell 73). Despite being a pig, Napoleon shows the same qualities as a human dictator and even goes as far as to making innocent pigs confessing to a crime they had never done. Within both leaders, anger becomes the main reason for punishment to the citizens. Both leaders, nonetheless, use their people for their own benefit whether they were given permission or not. In Lord of the Flies, Jack went as far as to stealing Piggy’s glasses without Piggy’s consent in hopes of being able to make a fire at any time he requests. Regardless of Piggy’s anger and necessity for glasses, Jack steals them and even kills Piggy when Ralph, Piggy, Sam and Eric confronted his tribe for Piggy’s glasses. Along with this situation, in Animal Farm, Napoleon’s desire for power and money drives him towards betraying his best worker who works for him every second he is awake for whiskey money. The animals would work continuously for Napoleon, and this is clear in Orwell’s statement in chapter VI, â€Å"All that year the animals worked like slaves† (Orwell 53).

Reading #1 Analaysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reading #1 Analaysis - Assignment Example In the article, materiality was perceived to be effects power possesses along with its productive purpose. Therefore, under these assumptions, gender is impossible to understand neither as a body nor a particular sex. The article also indicated the â€Å"abject designates here precisely those ‘unbelievable qualities and ‘uninhabitable’ zones of social life which are nevertheless densely populated by those who do not enjoy the status of the subject but whose living under the sign of ‘unlivable† which is necessary and required to circumscribe a political leaders†. The final part of the paper ends with a series of questions which include â€Å"How an individual can separate him or herself from social blindness and perceive the body as a variation of materialization which is controlled by a series of regulating norms? After this separation, there is a need to assess the functioning of heterosexual hegemony during the formation of what the article perceives tp be a viable body†. The article also raised questions on the subject, such as how bodily formations are capable of attaining such a paradigm of abjected bodies and fields of deformation which are at ti mes not quantifiable as human. This article is an aim to try and compare the paradox that involve gender, the body and the parameters associated with the interrelation and combination of these two aspects. It can be established that the authors of the article are of the material aspect of the body and how is far much relevant than its regulating factors monitoring the materialization of bodies. One aspect that is also mentioned to some detail in the paper is permativity which is done to evaluate the processes such as a power of discourse that is reiterative in nature and creates phenomena which it is responsible for constraining and regulation. I agree with the views of the author in the sense that â€Å"sex† is not the constraint upon which gender is artificially

The Journey of the Life Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Journey of the Life - Essay Example I never got along well with my brothers, especially the eldest one. For some reason, they always picked on me and I started to hate my childhood. Though I made efforts to do whatever was in my reach to defend myself, it never worked for us. If I look bad at all those years, I think that my life as a child wasn't that bad as I thought it was but many times I felt I had nobody I could talk to. I felt very lonely in life. When I was at the age of 11, I visited New York and there I decided to stay with my mother to finish my education. But, unfortunately, my mother also did not understand me. I felt so frustrated that I started to make more and more friends and began to socialize as much as possible to be able to speak out my mind in front of my friends. Whenever I felt the need to vent, I spoke or met my friends and felt light at heart. At least, I had few people in life whom I could turn to in such times. The adolescence age according to Erik Erikson is an age when we try to find our i dentity amidst social issues which surround us. That is the age when we discover ourselves as individuals. We try to fight with the world and with moral issues and if by chance we are unsuccessful, we experience "role confusion." (Harder A, 2002).

Alvin Ailey Biography Overview Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Alvin Ailey Biography Overview - Research Paper Example The research paper "Alvin Ailey Biography Overview" presents the description of Alvin's way to success. Having graduated from high school in the year 1948, Alvin went to the University of California with the intention of becoming a teacher but his interest in dance soon came back, particularly after he came across the Lester Horton Dance Theatre giving a dance. Horton’s highly theatrical modern dance style and his apparent interest in Native American dances and culture greatly attracted Alvin and he thought of changing his course from teaching to dance. He won a scholarship and enrolled for technique and dance composition classes with Lester Horton. He also got employment with Horton’s stage crew and danced with them. In the year 1951, seeking a more stable career, Alvin enrolled for a major in Romance languages in San Francisco State College. While there, he got to dance with a touring company and soon realized that what he really wanted was dance regardless of how ris ky it was compared to the dependable and stable teaching career. He rejoined the Los Angeles’ Lester Horton Dance Theatre and Lester Horton died suddenly in the year 1953, leaving the company without a director. They asked Alvin to choreograph some dances. He taught at Horton Dance School but later got an opportunity of dancing in a concert in New York and moved to the East Coast. In the year in 1954, Alvin went to New York to dance in the Broadway production of ‘House of Flowers’ with a partner called Carmen DeLavallade and in the year 1958.

Economy Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

Economy Assignment - Essay Example We know that exchange rate is influenced by the demand of the particular currency. Sterling exchange rate against Yen has shown significant growth in the first quarter of year 2002. It indicates that the demand of the Sterling have grown against Yen. In the year 2003 Yen have appreciated against Sterling. In reviewing the exchange rate on a broader base than quarterly it is evident that although although 2000 was a year of decline for the Sterling against the Yen, there was a remarkable jumps in the first quarter of 2001 which saw the quarter ending at the same rate per se as the first quarter of 2000 (the quarter in which we began the analysis.) In total for year 2001 the Sterling saw no depreciation against the Yen. After its approximate 12 point jump between the 4th quarter of 2000 and the 1st quarter of 2001, the remainder of the year saw slight growth. Then although not as dramatic as was the 10 point leap between 4th quarter of 2001 and the 1st quarter of 2002. During 2002 saw the first depreciation in the Sterling of approximately 4 points in quarter 2 where it remained constant through the 3rd quarter. Again in between quarter 3 of 2002 and the 4th quarter of 2002 the Sterling gained almost 8 points before dropping slightly in the 1st quarter of 2003 only to moderate in the 2nd quarter and then steadily decline through the end of the quarter. A noticeable factor during the four year analysis other than quarter fluctuations the last quarter of 2003 ended with the Sterling just shy of gaining 15 points against the Yen. Figure 1 As we can see from the graph above, the Sterling exchange rates have depreciated to its minimum during the fourth quarter of year 2000. It was the period when the Iraq war had impacted the global economy as a whole and was not in particular related specifically to the Yen. In the year 2001 it has shown slow and steady growth. The value ranged 172.26 to 178.45 with a growing pattern. During the first quarter of year 2002 it was a good jump in the value of sterling against Yen with an increase realization of almost 12. It was 188.79. This value depreciated in the next two quarters. The fourth quarter of the same year it was maximum of all the four years. The fluctuation pattern of the Sterling exchange rate in the year 2003 has been of depreciation. The Sterling value has increased to 191.9 in the quarter 2 of the 2003 which was higher than the first quarter which again depreciated sharply in the next two quarters. The Sterling Exchange Rate against The Japanese Yen 2000-2003 Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 2000 171.99 163.52 159.19 158.89 2001 172.26 174.19 174.67 178.45 2002 188.79 185.29 184.85 192.42 2003 190.67 191.9 189.14 185.64 Source: Economic Trends (2004), Table 6.1, P126 Table 1: Sterling Exchange Rate against Japanese Yen Year 2000-2003 b. Provide an analysis of the possible causes of exchange rate appreciation of Sterling against Yen.(20 Marks) (a n b 1250 words) Answer: The fluctuation of the value of any currency means appreciation or depreciation of the value of the currency against the other currency. The cause of fluctuation of any currency

Entrpreneurs ( management ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Entrpreneurs ( management ) - Essay Example For this purpose, I have come up with a new business idea of MOTOTAXI service that aims to target people who prefer convenient, efficient & effective means of transportation that not only take them to their destinations but also saves their time, money and headache of driving or waiting for public transport such as underground railway system, taxis, rickshaws and cabs. Mototaxi is a simple motor cycle branded as a taxi. It is made for one passenger only (either man or a woman) and it mainly targets middle class and lower middle office going employees, sole proprietors, doctors, lawyers, teachers, students and individuals etc aged between 16-45 years. The reason for choosing this market segment is because of the fact that they like to save money, are interested to reach their destinations in time, prefer secure, convenient and quality transport accessible at any point and any location with less of a hassle. Almost 50 moto taxis of cost 2,500$ will be introduced in the initial stage of this business venture that will be increased gradually after analyzing the customer response and growth opportunities in the market. First, we will use a Fleet Management System to keep track of all the MotoTaxis across the city areas. This system will enable the company to run all its business operations such as number of available orders from our clients, the number of available drivers and their bio data, arrivals and departures of taxis and others. The second type of technology that we are planning is to use radio so that all the moto taxi drivers will remain connected (with each other) with our 24 hour call center at all times. This would enable the company to ensure transport services to the clients in areas where we are not operational but where a moto taxi can pick the customer from the nearest spot. Our call center will operate through special software to manage the calls and short messages (sms) from clients and will also be linked to

Analysis the case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Analysis the case study - Essay Example Hence the exercise is an inductive method as applied in qualitative methodology. In this case, the researcher decided to examine the subjects’ attitude, likes and dislikes and behaviour through a narrative / dialogue in a real-life situation. Having decided on the means, the researcher collects the data by probing the minds and behaviour of the subjects in an environment which enables the subjects to be as true and spontaneous as possible. The researcher also prepares his own observations of the subject matter (Ski Lodge at the Oceana Club) in respect of which, the participants express their inner thoughts. These observations are in a reflective type note, and give the location a character against which the collected data is analysed. Thus an inductive and interpretive type qualitative research methodology is employed in this case, based on real-life situation with the participants and the background as subjects under study. This methodology is appropriate while collecting data from a relatively small sample and the subject is not amenable to quantitative and deductive research that is more appropriate for dealing with processes than with people. The interview took place as an informal chat with conversation flowing freely between the interviewer and the participants in the real world set up. The Interviewer supplemented his transcript with his own reflective fieldwork notes. In the process the ambience and attractiveness of place is being assessed in an ‘action research’ method. In analysing qualitative research work, the common steps are interim analysis, memoing, data entry and coding (South Alabama University, Ch.17, 2008). In the interim analysis, the queries are neither structured nor do they follow any particular and predictable pattern. They are generated as the interview progresses until the issue is completely understood. To achieve this objective, the researcher may apply a cyclical method of questioning to support or reject the

Lesson Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Lesson Plan - Assignment Example Procedure A. Motivation 1. The teacher will ask several questions about the topic to the students to arouse their interest: †¢ Have you ever experienced entering or visiting a cave? †¢ What have you seen? †¢ What did you feel? 2. The teacher will then give pieces of bond paper to the students. The students will be asked to draw on the paper what they have experienced or seen upon entering the cave. If a student does not have any experience about caves, he can draw his ideas about what a cave would look like. 3. After 10 minutes, 2-3 students will be asked to share what they have drawn on the paper. All the students will pass their drawings after the activity. B. Presentation The teacher will introduce the topic by posting a big colored poster of a cave on the board. The teacher may tell facts and historical accounts in relation to the topic such as cave paintings, carvings, cannibalism and fossil remains to refresh the memory of the students. C. Lesson Proper The teacher will discuss the lesson by using the textbook as the primary reference. The discussion includes the definition and history of caves, the kinds of cave formations, the organisms that make the caves as their habitat, and the archaeological and cultural importance of caves. After the discussion, the teacher validates the students’ knowledge of the subject matter which had been discussed. A. Unlabeled pictures of the different types of caves are posted on the board. Students will be asked to volunteer to put names under each picture.... After naming the caves, other students will be asked to write certain characteristics of each cave under the name. If a student would name or describe a cave incorrectly, another student would be asked to do the task. The activity will end after all the pictures are properly named and defined. B. A simple, large cave will be drawn on the board. Each student will be asked to draw an animal or an organism inside the cave. The animals should be the correct animals that live inside caves. After drawing, the class will tell what each animal eats and whether their prey also lives in the cave. D. Evaluation A 20-item identification type of quiz will be given to the students. The topics covered will be the definition and history of caves, the types of caves, and the ecology of caves. E. Homework 1. An essay about the cultural and archaeological importance of caves. The minimum number of paragraphs is 3. 2. A report about one of the world's most famous caves. The report should tackle about the history and physical characteristics of that cave, the kind of cave formation, the location, and how that cave became popular. Examples: 1) the Mammoth Cave (Kentucky, USA) as the cave system with the greatest total length of surveyed passage, 2) the Ox Bel Ha Cave System in Yucatn, Mexico as the longest surveyed underwater cave. Lesson Plan for Science Grades 6-9 I. Objectives At the end of the lesson, 90% of the students are expected to: 1. Differentiate and define sunrise and sunset; 2. Explain the scientific process that is bounded to make sunrise and sunset possible for occurring; 3. Track the position of the sun every hour of the day; 4. Show appreciation to sunrise and sunset. II. Subject Matter A. Topic Sunrise and

Danger of Cell Phones Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Danger of Cell Phones - Essay Example The quantity of radioactivity energy immersed by an individual reduces with increasing space between the projection and the operator. Rendering to the United States’ Food and Administration (FDA), there is no adequate of scientific proof to link mobile phone through health complications (US Food and Drug Administration par. 4). Mobile phones do release radioactivity, but the intensities are stumpy for instance, those found in microwaves. Nevertheless, the Food and Administration has entreated a more exhaustive research to be carried, as there exist some indecision of lasting use (Adams 4). Mobile phones have developed technologically during the past few years. Cell phones can be utilized to convey text messages, take pictures, play games and access the internet as well. Mobile phones are used to carry out money transactions by sending and receiving money. Each of these stuff; nevertheless, are precarious when it comes to the usage of the mobile phone’s applications as well as driving simultaneously. Mobile phones present many risks since most operators are not conscious of the dangers (Adams 4). Most people text or talk as they are driving, which may be very unsafe. It makes the car driver to become preoccupied and so can result to an accident. Conferring to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), 16 percent of above 40,000 fatal accidents are triggered by an abstracted car driver (Pugh par. 3).

Plagiarism Essay Example for Free

Plagiarism Essay Plagiarism, in its simplest form, is merely literary theft. Plagiarism occurs when a writer duplicates another writers language or ideas and then calls the work his or her own (Plagiarism 2). Some times, one may plagiarize with little knowledge that he/she is doing so. Other times, one may feel the need to plagiarize because he/she waited until the last minute or one may not want to take the time to research correctly. Because of the many sources available to students, plagiarism has significantly increased within the last several years. In fact, in 2009, eighty percent of college students admitted to plagiarizing at least once (Plagiarism Statistics 2). There are several ways to prevent plagiarism, such as knowing when to site common knowledge, paraphrasing, and always citing correctly. Common knowledge is something that is generally known, however there is no clear boundary on what is considered common knowledge (Common Knowledge 1). Common knowledge can also carry the sense of â€Å"communal† knowledge—it is community information that no particular individual can fairly claim to own (Writing Center 1). Knowing when to cite common knowledge can be tricky. One way to tell whether or not a bit of information is common knowledge or not, is whether or not it is stated in five or more sources. So, if it’s known to educated people, or can be easily looked up, or appears in many sources, it is likely to be â€Å"common knowledge† and so does not need to be cited (Writing Center 2). However, if the information is not general knowledge to the educated public, then a proper citation is necessary. Because knowing when and when not to cite common knowledge can be an uncertainty, it is always best to just cite the information or ask a professor. A paper should only consist of about ten percent of direct quotations. Therefore, in order to keep verbatim quotes to a minimum, one can paraphrase. Paraphrasing is â€Å"ones own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form† (Driscoll 1). Essentially, paraphrasing is simply summarizing. However, it is a more concentrated, detailed summary on a single, specific topic. Reasons for paraphrasing may be to make sure one fully understands what the text says, or to use as expert evidence for a point one is trying to make in his/her own argumentative text. One must fully comprehend the entire passage or quotation and then write down his/her own rendition of the passage while making it clear that someone else’s ideas are being used. Plagiarism, despite the fact that it’s immoral and unethical, is an ongoing roblem in education facilities today. Although the statistics for the number of students who have admitted to plagiarism are staggering, there are a few ways one can make sure that he/she does not plagiarize. Understanding common knowledge and paraphrasing allows one to know when or when not to cite work. Authors work hard and deserve to have their work recognized and not stolen. With this in mind, remember to always give credit where credit is due.

Indias Foreign Policy Towards China: An Analysis

Indias Foreign Policy Towards China: An Analysis KAUTILYAS THOUGHTS ON FOREIGN POLICY AND ANALYSE ITS RELEVANCE TO MODERN INDIA PARTICULARLY WITH REGARDS TO CHINA CHAPTER I METHODOLOGY General 1. The making of foreign policy is an exercise to achieve ends and means of a nation state. Conceptually it is based on long term goals and related short term objectives. It is the product of past history, geography, evolving national power and prevalent international environment, which is largely out of countrys control[1]. 2. Indian Foreign Policy towards China was initially based on idealism of Nehru, steered towards realism by Mrs Indira Gandhi, asserted by Rajiv Gandhi and culminated with India going overtly nuclear under Vajpayee in May 1998. From Hindi-Chini bhai bhai to potential enemy number one to great friend, India just does not know how to deal with its neighbourhood dragon that has played its cards so skilfully vis-à  -vis India. 3. Indias dominant geostrategic location, vast natural and technological manpower resources, a vibrant emerging economy backed by strong military and nuclear capability, visible soft power and presence of the Indian Diaspora the world over, make it an ideal candidate to be a major player in the world in general and South Asian region in particular. 4. India and China are the two major powers in Asia with global aspirations and some significant conflicting interests. As a result, some amount of friction in their bilateral relationship is inevitable. The geopolitical reality of Asia makes sure that it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for Hindi-Chini to be bhai-bhai (brothers) in the foreseeable future. If India and China continue to rise in the next few years, a security competition between the two regional giants will be all but inevitable. If India is serious about its desire to emerge as a major global power, then it will have to tackle the challenge of Chinas rise. A rising China will not tolerate a rising India as its peer competitor. Even if a rising India does not have any intention of becoming a regional hegemon, China will try its best to constrain India as it has already done to a large extent. And it is that containment that India has to guard against. India should make a serious attempt to manage the fr ictions by expanding the zone of cooperation with allies even as it tries to steadfastly pursue its national interests. 5. Indian foreign policy agenda should be driven by only Indias national security imperatives. India needs to be more pro-active, consistent, and realistic when engaging China. It is time for India to realise that Its great power aspirations cannot be realised without a cold-blooded realistic assessment of its own strategic interests in an anarchic international system where there are no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests. 6. It would be prudent to look, into the wisdom of Kautilyas , Arthashastra, a treatise on polity and statecraft to learn the lessons on war and strategy , national power and national security and threat perception and threat assessment. Statement of Problem 7. To study Kautilyas thoughts on strategy and analyse its relevance to the present day Indian Geo-political environment with particular regards to China. Justification of the Study 8. Kautilyas Arthashastra has been recognised the world over as an invaluable treatise on all facets of statecraft and polity. Its eternal wisdom and timelessness can be gauged from the fact that it is still quoted by scholars, academicians, bureaucrats and soldiers alike the world over. The interest generated in this epic illustrates that the thoughts on strategy to sustain and advance a state still provides valuable lessons. The twentieth century which has seen two world wars of long duration and host of other conflicts worldwide has also generated a fairly large number of studies on strategy commensurate with the advances in technology and new methods in warfare. But there is certain universality about classical strategic thoughts which prompts academics and scholars to go back to these works both in terms of comparative analysis and their reinterpretation in the changing world. 9. Strategy over the ages has been defined in different ways reflective of the times in which they were made and the existing interstate relations and economic and social state of a nation. Higher or Grand strategy is hardly understood nor does it seem to have been practised in India. It is therefore important to study the various facets of this vital subject as propounded by Kautilya in his Arthashastra, as it is so critical for the existence and security of a nation. Scope 10. The Arthashastra is a compendium on various aspects of statecraft and lays down measures to be followed by a king to sustain and advance a state. The contents of this treatise are very exhaustive covering a broad spectrum to include the minor details at one end to grand strategy on the other. However this study concentrates on the various facets of stratagem enunciated by Kautilya and analyse their relevance to modern India particularly with regards to China Method of Data Collection 11. All the information for this study has been gathered from various books (refer bibliography) and internet. Content 12. Background. Kautilyas Arthashastra is an excellent treatise on statecraft, economic policy and military strategy. It is said to have been written by Kautilya, also known by the name Chanakya or Vishnugupta, the prime minister of Indias first great emperor, Chandragupta Maurya. This chapter will include the following:- (a) Authenticity and date of Arthashastra. (b) Historical account of life of Kautilya. 13. Kautilyas Foreign Policy. In Interstate relations power constitutes the ability of a nation to impose its will on another nation despite resistance. This Chapter will include:- (a) Saptanga concept of state. Kautilyas theory of the state describes the seven constituent elements of any state[2] and is an exposition of the theory of the Circle of States (The mandala theory) as the basis for a foreign policy of expansion by conquest. The seven constituents are the basis of the national power and happiness. He then relates as to how national power varies due to expansion or calamities and how pursuance of national interest is directly related to the possession of national power. (b) Postulates of foreign policy. As a political realist, Kautilya assumed that every nation acts to maximize power and self-interest, and therefore moral principles or obligations have little or no force in actions among nations[3]. Kautilyas postulates on foreign policy international relations, national security to include internal and external security, war waging methodology to include Mantrayuddha or War by Counsel, Prakasayuddha or Open War, kutayuddha or Concealed War, Gudayuddha or Clandestine War. 14. Mandala Concept as the Basis of National Strategy. Kautilya, says that the the aggressor (Vijigishu), should conclude, peace when he finds that he is weaker than the enemy[4]; he should wage war when he finds himself to be stronger; he should adopt neutrality when assesses that neither he nor his enemy can settle the score; he should seek refuge when he is weak; and he should adopt the duel policy in a contingency requiring the help from, another ruler. War and foreign policy issues are thus decided in an ad hoc framework of political expediency. When progress is equally attainable by means of peace and war, Kautilya says that the former is to be preferred. This is so, for war involves expenditure in men and money, residence in a foreign land, and suffering.This chapter will include the following:- (a) Mandala Theory. Kautilya believed that countries which shared a common border were natural enemies. However, any state on the other side of that enemy is a natural choice for an ally for they, too, are at risk from the same enemy. In other words, he believed in the principle of â€Å"the enemy of my enemy is my friend.† The idea is best envisioned by a series of concentric circles (not a normal configuration of states, admittedly, but easier to describe), which actually makes them look a bit like a mandala. (b) Potential enemies. â€Å"A neighboring prince possessed of the excellences of an enemy is the foe; one in calamity is vulnerable; one without support or with weak support is fit to be exterminated; in the reverse case, fit to be harassed or weakened. These are the different types of enemies[5].† (c) Alliances. A perfect ally is said to have six qualities,namely, constant, under control, quickly mobilising, hereditary, great and not given to double dealing. (d) The six measures of foreign policy. Kautilya however believes that there are spin-offs of these, thus providing six methods of foreign policy. These are making peace, waging war, staying quiet, preparing for war, seeking support, and the dual policy of making peace with one while waging war against another[6]. Ones circumstances will dictate which methods should be used. 15. Application of Mandala Theory in the Contemporary Indian geo-political Scenario. This Chapter will include the classification of friends, enemies, potential enemies, and likely allies on the basis of Mandala theory. 16. Implication of Chinas Rise in Indian Perspective. This chapter will include the following:- (a) Chinas comprehensive strategy. (b) Chinese Balance of power strategy in Asia. (c) Chinese economic Strategy. (d) Chinas encirclement policy. (e) Relationship with Indias neighbours. (f) Chinas perception of India. (g) Indias perception of China. (h) Implication of Chinas strategy on Indias security. 17. Application of Kautilyan Wisdom in Sino-Indian Relations. This chapter will include the following:- (a) Chinese critical vulnerabilities. (b) Indian options to counter Chinese threat. (c) Suggested Indian Strategy against China. â€Å"Miraculous results can be achieved by practising the methods of subversion†. Kautilya CHAPTER II BACKGROUND General 1. Kautilya, also known as Chanakya [7]or Vishnugupta, was an Indian statesman and philosopher who lived around 350 B.C.E. He is one of the most famous Indian political thinkers who participated in the social and political revolutions of his age. Though he lived a long time ago, certain principles from his theory are still relevant in todays context. His most famous work is Arthashastra, translated differently by various authors, but in its most acceptable meaning, the â€Å"science of political economy[8].† The book, written in Sanskrit, discusses theories and principles of governing a state. Arthashastra remains unique in all of Indian literature because of its unabashed advocacy of realpolitik. Indian scholars continued to study it for its clear-cut arguments and formal prose till the twelfth century. After that period it lost its significance. It has again become the focus of attention of thinkers who want to see a change in the Indian foreign policy[9]. 2. Kautilya was a Brahmin minister under Chandragupta Maurya[10], the first king of the great Mauryan Empire in India. The empire was the largest and most powerful political and military empire of ancient India. It was founded in 321 B.C.E. by Chandragupta Maurya[11], who had overthrown the Nanda Dynasty and begun expanding his power across central and western India. The Empire stretched to the North along the natural boundaries of the Himalayas, and to the east stretching into what is now Assam. To the West, it reached beyond modern Pakistan and included Baluchistan in Persia and significant portions of what is now Afghanistan, including the modern Herat and Kandahar provinces. 3. Many call Kautilya the first political realist in the world.[12] His work differed from existing political theory in that it talked about ways of running the administration which were based more on self interest than on morality. The frank and brutal advice he offers the king in his treatise makes Machiavellis â€Å"The Prince† seem mild.[13] There are four different characteristics of a realist approach to international relations:[14] (a) The assumption that human nature is aggressive. (b) The belief that international relations will always be characterized by conflict. (c) The belief that the foremost goal of the king shall be the protection of the state and its people. (d) The belief that the state must be strong politically, economically, and militarily so as to minimize the possibility of an attack. 4. He thus talked about balance of power before this term was actually invented.[15] He said that the king should consider all his neighbors as his enemies and that any state on the opposite side of a neighbor is a potential ally. So, if countries were in a line, countries 1, 3, 5, 7 could be friends, as could 2, 4, and 6. But countries 1, 2, and 3 could never be friends. This status would change as soon as country 1 conquered country 2. From that very instant country 3 (a friend) would be the new enemy. This is called his ‘mandala theory.'[16] Arthashastra 5. It is necessary to bear in mind that the Arthashastra, â€Å"the science of wealth and warfare,† was just discovered and translated in the past century in Mysore by R. Shamasastry[17], and that until then, there was no knowledge of any such compilation, despite scant allusions made to an â€Å"Arthashastra,† and its alternative names â€Å"Nitisastra† and â€Å"Dandaniti,† in the Mahabharata[18].Thomas Trautmann dates the text to c.150 A.D. and, through rigorous statistical analysis, he concludes that the Arthashastra had several authors spanning a wide range of dates,[19] which adds to the puzzle of how historically obscure the text has been for over the past two millennia. Nevertheless, its secretive nature adds credence to its function as a handbook on efficient statecraft for kings and high-level ministers. 6. Artha has always been regarded as one of the four purusharthas,[20] yet its teachings have been relegated to animal fables and folklore. No such shastras seem to have been compiled for public knowledge, as was the case of the Dharmashastras and Kamashastras. In stark contrast to the latter, the manuscript discovered in 1902 by Shamasastry was compiled as a guidebook for kings and high-level officials, rather than the average individual. The result is a perspective advocating a top-down style of governance with little or no representation held by the general populace, and the continual maintenance of such a state with energetic leadership and extensive secret service. Though the king and upper echelons of society involuntarily accepted such authority because of religious ideals just as much as the general populace did, the Arthashastra suggests the existence of a small elite with a secular and realist outlook that actively worked to uphold this power scheme and determine the overal l course of the kingdom.[21] 7. It is for this reason that the Arthashastra advocates reordering the priorities of the purusharthas, by valuing materialism over religion and morality.[22] Similarly, R.P. Kangle notes that â€Å"these ideals are meant for individuals† and that the conduct of public life was not to be guided by these rules for individual morality[23]. Management of the state necessitated realism, not idealism. It required the prudence and precise calculation of measures undertaken alongside their short and long-term consequences, which formulated the theoretical beginnings of economics: â€Å"Wealth will slip away from that childish man who constantly consults the stars: the only [guiding] star of wealth is itself; what can the stars of the sky do? Man, without wealth, does not get it even after a hundred attempts. Just as elephants are needed to catch elephants, so does wealth capture more wealth[24].† Public welfare was contingent upon the strength of the state. The latter was achi eved by internal development or territorial expansion, both of which were realized through power[25]. 8. The Arthashastra regards both economics and foreign policy as zero-sum games: the state would need to prosper economically lest it be overtaken by wealthier imperialist neighbors or suffer from internal rebellion by discontented government officials and military leaders. Furthermore, internal development would naturally lead to population growth and would eventually necessitate expansion, which is why L.N. Rangarajan notes that â€Å"the aim of creating a well-run state is to provide the base for expansion. Continuing with this logic, Kautilya deals in Book 7 with all the theoretical possibilities of conducting an expansionist foreign policy.†[26] Hence, the prime motive of the state was the never-ending pursuit of artha. It is only after dedicating its energies to this end can the state or king then move on to fulfilling dharma and kama. 9. This Arthashastra is primarily a book of political realism where State is paramount and King shall carry out duties as advised in his book to preserve his state. For Kautilya, military strategy was an integral part of the science of polity[27] and he made no distinction between military techniques and statecraft. Kautilyas work is so deep rooted in realism that he goes to describe the gory and brutal means a King must adopt to be in power. This could have been one reason why Ashoka, the grandson of Chandragupta Maurya whom Kautilya advised renounced violence and war thus taking the path of Dharma or Morals. 10. I will also be making a few references to the other books of Arthashatra where topics of Management have been dealt with. The areas covered under Management include training, management education, leadership skills, selection of employees, consultation, crisis management, risk management, strategic management, corporate governance, information systems, intelligence network, competition, mergers and acquisitions, etc. among many others. Kautilya 11. There are a large of theories as to who Chanakya, or Kautilya or Vishnugupta , was. Kautilya was an enigmatic whose origin is shrouded in mystery. However, all sources of Indian tradition Brahmin, Buddhist and Jain agree that Kautilya destroyed the Nanda dynasty and installed Chandragupta Maurya on the throne of Magadha. 12. One theory about his origin is that Chanakya was a Kerala Brahmin who somehow reached the court of the Nanda king at Pataliputra[28]. The next theory is that Chanakya was a North Indian Brahmin born and educated in Taxila[29] and that he was physically ugly, had a disgusting complexion and his limbs were deformed. As per Jain tradition, his parents noticed that Chanakya was born with full set of teeth, a mark of future king. They had the teeth removed as either parent did not want him to become a King . He became a King maker instead. 13. At a very early age little Chanakya started studying Vedas. He later also studied politics and economics. As a student and later a professor, the University of Taxila became Chanakyas breeding ground of acquiring knowledge in the practical and theoretical aspects on all walks of life. However, with the Greek armies of Selucus threatening to invade India, and the various kingdoms in the subcontinent on the verge of war and aggression with each other, Chanakya left the university at Taxila, and proceeded in his own words to strengthen the country politically and economically and to save the country from the clutches of foreign invaders. 14. In Magadha, Chanakya was insulted by the King of Patliputra, Dhana Nanda and he vowed to destroy the Nanda dynasty. He came upon Chandragupta and together, Chanakya and Chandragupta set about attacking the Nanda kingdom until finally Chandragupta was installed as the king of Magadha[30]. According to written tradition, Chanakya was a fearless person, not afraid of death, disgrace or defeat. He was compassionate of the poor and evil to schemers. 15. Chanakya then retired from active life and reflected on all that he had learnt during the process of overthrowing Dhana Nanda. Since he found the earlier works on statecraft[31] unsatisfactory in many respects, he composed his own definitive work presenting his ideas concerning the ways in which a ruler should gain power and maintain his authority. For Chanakya, military strategy was an integral part of the science of polity and he made no distinction between military techniques and statecraft. Thus came into being the ‘Arthashastra. There is no doubt that this treatise is the work of a genius, who spoke of matters which have held relevance down the ages to contemporary times with striking infallibility. The military writings of Chanakya precede those of Machiavelli and Clausewitz by centuries but seldom has this fact been acknowledged much less credited outside India. â€Å"The king who understands the interdependence of the six methods of foreign policy, plays, as he pleases, with other rulers bound to him by the chains of his intellect†. Kautilya CHAPTER III KAUTILYAN FOREIGN POLICY Saptanga Concept Of State 16. Kautilyas theory of the state describes the seven constituent elements of any state[32] and is an exposition of the theory of the Circle of States (The mandala theory) as the basis for a foreign policy of expansion by conquest. Of the seven elements, six (the King, the ministers, the people, the fortified city, the Treasury and the army) are internal elements; only the ally is an element outside the borders. The structure and organization of the six internal elements of a well ordered state are fully developed and explained by Kautilya in books I to 5. The aim of creating a well-run state is to provide the base for expansion. Continuing this logic, Kautilya in Book 7 deaIs with all theoretical possibilities of conducting an expansionist foreign policy. Before a King actually sets out on an expedition of conquest he has to take steps to guard himself against the dangers which might weaken any of constituent elements of his own state. Kautilya uses the word calamity (vyasana) in th e precise sense of any event which weakens any constituent element of a state, thereby preventing it from being to its full potential in the conduct of foreign policy or war[33]. 17. This theory in one form or another (in part, as elements of national power), has survived to this very day as a mainstay of reflection and analysis of international politics. Kautilya enumerates the desirable qualities each of these elements should display and points out, too, that his list of elements is arranged in descending order of importance: each succeeding element is less important than the one before it, the king being most important of all. A ruler who possesses the elements of state and who wisely takes care of them will never be defeated, he says, and then devotes the whole of Book VIII[34] to a systematic analysis of the troubles and calamities which might befall each one of these elements (in other words, to their malfunctioning). 18. The king is the focal point of analysis; he strives to maintain and improve his position knowing that the determinants of status in international society are two: power and happiness: The possession of power and happiness in a greater degree makes a king superior to another; in a lesser degree, inferior; and in an equal degree, equal. Hence a king shall always endeavour to augment his power and elevate his happiness. 19. Neither power nor happiness is clearly or exhaustively defined or analysed. We know, however, that power is to be understood as strength and that it has three components[35]:- (a) Mantrashakti; Power of counsel, deliberation or decision-making, including capacity for intrigue. (b) Prabhushakti; The treasury and the army. (c) Utsahashakti; Resolve and determination. 20. Thus power refers essentially to activity and application of the elements of the state, just mentioned. Happiness on the other hand is that which can be attained by the use of power. It is to some degree a measure of success of foreign policy and the implementation of its objectives, but it also indicates those qualities such as righteousness and also internal stability and not power alone that enter into the determination of international status. 21. A kings position is not, however, unchanging; his status relative to another king is variable and needs continuous attention. A king prevents deterioration in his position and secures an improvement (a desire for which is a built-in feature of the system) in two ways: by attention to the elements of his power, and by external action. Kautilya enjoins the ruler to pursue power investment: a wise king adopts policies that add to the resources of his country and enable him to build forts, to construct buildings and commercial roads, to open new plantations and villages, to exploit mines and timber and elephant forests, and at the same time to harass similar works of the enemy[36]. Status is also obviously affected by successes in military and other fields, but the king is cautioned to rely on strengthening his own power before embarking upon foreign adventures. According to Kautilya, and here is one of the more interesting portions of his analysis, the kings status read national pow er determines his foreign policy. That policy differs according to whether it is directed toward kings who are superior, inferior or equal to him. The bulk of the international portions of the Arthashastra are a discussion of the policies that may be appropriately pursued by superior or inferior kings[37]. Postulates Of Foreign Policy 22. As a political realist, Kautilya assumed that every nation acts to maximize power and self-interest, and therefore moral principles or obligations have little or no force in actions among nations[38]. While it is good to have an ally, the alliance will last only as long as it is in that allys as well as ones own self-interest, because an ally looks to the securing of his own interests in the event of simultaneity of calamities and in the event of the growth of the enemys power[39]. Whether one goes to war or remains at peace depends entirely upon the self-interest of, or advantage to, ones kingdom: War and peace are considered solely from the point of view of profit. One keeps an ally not because of good will or moral obligation, but because one is strong and can advance ones own self-interest as well as the self-interest of the ally, for when one has an army, ones ally remains friendly, or (even) the enemy becomes friendly.[40] Because nations always act in their political, econ omic, and military self-interest, even times of peace have the potential to turn abruptly into times of war, allies into enemies, and even enemies into allies. Kautilya probably assumed that peaceful empires cannot last forever, and that conflict among smaller states is more common in history. 23. For Kautilya, this principle of foreign policy that nations act in their political, economic, and military self-interest was a timeless truth of his science of politics, or arthasastra. He did not believe that nations never act in an altruistic manner indeed, Kautilya advocated humanitarian acts that also coincided with ones self-interest but he did believe that one must assume, if entrusted with political or military power that ones neighbours will eventually act in their own interests. Put another way, one would be betraying ones own people if one did not assume a worst-case scenario. A nation forced to rely on the kindness of neighbouring states is weak and, unless it can change rapidly, doomed to destruction. 24. Arthashastra is concerned with the security and foreign policy needs of a small state, in an environment with numerous other small states. The scope for enlargement of this small state was limited to the Indian subcontinent. The area extending from the Himalayas in the north to the sea in the south and a thousand yojanas[41] wide from East to West is the area of operation of the King-Emperor'[42]. Territories beyond the subcontinent are not included, probably for the reason that the conqueror is expected to establish in the conquered territories a social order based on the Aryas dharma, varna and ashrama system. Kautilya perhaps considered the establishment of such a social order outside the limits of India impractical or even undesirable[43]. 25. The guiding principles which govern the Kautilyan theory of foreign policy are[44]:- (a) A king shall develop his state, i.e., augment its resources and power in order to enable him to embark on a campaign of conquest; (b) The enemy shall be eliminated; (c) Those who help are friends; (d) A prudent course shall always be adopted; (e) Peace is to be preferred to war; and (f) A kings behaviour, in victory and in defeat, must be just. 26. The first verse of {6.2}, ‘Sama vyayamau yogakshemayoryonih ‘The welfare of a state [ensuring the security of the state within its existing boundaries and acquiring new territory to enlarge it] depends on adopting a policy of non-intervention or overt action establish the basis for all foreign policy. 27. This non-intervention, a method designed to build up confidence between kings, is to be understood in a specialized sense. It is not a policy of doing nothing but the deliberate choice of a policy of keeping away from foreign entanglements, in order to enjoy the fruits of past acquisitions by consolidating them. 28. Vyayama, (industry or activity) implies an active foreign policy, Yoga, the objective of enlargement of ones power and influence, and, through these, ones territory. These are the two stages of policy. Both depend on the state making progress, either materially in terms of its treasury and army or diplomatically in terms of its relations with other states. 29. The problem of defence of a state is intimately bound up with the question of its foreign relations. It is from hostile states that the state needs to be defended. Foreign relations are mainly discussed from the stand point of the â€Å"Vijigisu†[45]. In other words, it seeks to show how a state, desirous of extending its influence and expanding its territory, should conduct its relations with foreign states. A states position is determined by its relative progress or relative decline vis-a-vis other states in the neighbourhood. 30. The most important of a kings neighbours is the ‘enemy. Among the states surrounding a kingdom, there is always one who is the natural enemy. Presumably, this is the one neighbour who has designs on the king and, in the absence of any action, will be out to attack the king. The other neighbours may be hostile (aribhavi), friendly (mitrabhavi) or vassal (bhrityabhavi). There may also be a small buffer state between the king and the enemy (antardih). However, the main target of the conqueror is always the designated natural enemy; ‘one cannot make peace with an enemy'[46]. The reason for many aspects of the analysis of foreign policy being couched in terms of the conqueror out manoeuvring the enemy, is that the enemy is also the target of the diplomacy of the conqueror. When the conditions are ripe, a military campaign will be undertaken against him. 31. Allies are important; in fact, allies are described as a ‘constituent element of a state, the only external constituent. An alliance is based on giving help. â€Å"A friend is ever a well-wisher†[47]. Kautilya gives us a comprehensive analysis of the type of kings with whom an alliance is desirable and the types of allies based on their character and motivation. 32. Since prudence should always govern choice of policy, Kautilya is against both spineless submission and foolhardy valour[48]. Therefore, peace should always be preferred to war: ‘When the degree of progress is the same in pursu Mary Shelleys Frankenstein: Romanticism Analysis Mary Shelleys Frankenstein: Romanticism Analysis Mary Shelleys Frankenstein uses many elements of both Gothic literature and Romantic literature. Being written in 1818 the novel was placed well in the romantic era. Frankenstein uses very descriptive language to create beautiful scenery but also dark suspenseful settings. The novel works very well to balance out the true gothic nature of the novel with the romantic period in which it is set in. Frankenstein has a very dark underlying theme of death and revenge. There is also an incredible amount of emotion not only in the love Victor feels but also in the hatred the monster lets fester. There are many things that make Frankenstein a romantic novel, but the true underlying theme and the overpowering dark imagery is what makes Frankenstein a gothic novel. Frankenstein uses dark scenery to build suspense and foreshadow the events to come. When Victor is about to breathe life into the monster he describes how it was on a dreary night of November (Shelley, 34). This is a subtle sign that things are not about to go as planned. The birth of the monster will be a turning point in Victors life and one he will come to regret. Further in the same chapter the dark scenery tells the reader of Victors mistake. Victor states that he felt impelled to hurry on, although drenched from the rain which poured from a black and comfortless sky. (Shelley, 36). The sky is a representation of Victors wrong doing. He should not have created life so easily and carelessly. Many gothic novels will have a setting like a castle to show that it is a gothic novel, however, Frankenstein is different. The novel requires the main characters to move around a lot and travel very far distances. In order to make up for this Mary Shelley uses an amazing amount of descriptiv e scenery, like the examples from chapter five, to show that it really is a gothic and not a romantic. Another gothic element that the novel has is the use of the supernatural. The monster in which Victor creates is made out of body parts which Victor had to collect and piece together. This makes the reader question whether or not they agree with Victors taboo practices. It is very dark to think about Victor digging up bodies to steal parts of them to use in a monster just so he can play God. It seems all too nonchalant in the novel but in reality, that would be horrific. Shelleys novel is not only a gothic but also a critique and an exploration of the romantic genre. All through the novel it is clear to see that Victor Frankenstein is a true romantic. He is overflowing with emotion and in the end is consumed by it. Victor is always looking to the impossible he wants to create life in his own image. The romantics were always looking for a bigger, brighter future, but Victor wanted to create it. Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through and pour a torrent of life into our dark world. A new species would bless me as its creator and sourceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ (Shelley, 32). Victor is looking to become a God, he wants to create a new species that looks up to him as the almighty. This may be a critique on the romantics point of view. It is okay to look forward to a brighter future but what lengths would a man go to in order to create or mould that future. Through the novel, Victors whole life is torn apart by the monster whi ch he created. In creating the future, he destroyed his own. All this horror and death is set in a very hopeful and beautiful setting. The way that Shelley describes the scenery is very romantic, but with the theme of death and revenge the setting feels more like a satire. Some people believe that Percy Shelley, a romantic writer and Mary Shelleys husband, had a large amount of influence on the novel. Others believe that he even wrote the book in her name. This could explain the romantic feel of the novel. However, if it was Mary Shelley who wrote it herself then it is a clear and obvious critique of the romantic era and the novel goes a lot deeper than one might think at first glance. Frankenstein was written in 1818 and it shows in the scenery and views on science. The way that Victor creates the monster is a reference to Giovanni Aldini. Aldini used electricity to make a slaughtered ox head spasm and appear to move like it was alive. Victor creates the monster in such a way but the monster actually comes alive rather than twitching on a table. With an anxiety that almost amounted to agony, I collected the instruments of life around me, that I might infuse a spark of being into the lifeless thing that lay at my feet. (Shelley, 34). Shelley wanted to create the same shock and horror that Aldini did when he made the ox head move in front of an audience. This shows just how misunderstood science was by the general public. Since many principles of science were misunderstood Shelley equated science to magic and it was believable. The novel also reveals how society was very unaccepting and cold. Victor is scared to reveal his creation for fear that he would be called a monster for bringing such a horrific being to life. I avoided explanation and maintained a continual silence concerning the wretch I had created. I had a persuasion that I should be supposed mad, and this in itself would forever have chained my tongue. (Shelley, 136). Victor cannot get the monster out of his head, he feels it must be kept a secret and a burden only he can bear. However, Victor is so caught up in keeping it a secret that everything he says sounds crazy. His own father thinks he is mad and Victor knows this. He is afraid that he will never be thought a credible scientist again if the world finds his creation. The way that Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein is very interesting and takes a few reads and some deeper research to understand. Upon first glance it appears a regular gothic about a monster and his creator, but after a few more reads one can see the deeper romantic influence and the critique of the romantic view. The novel is a perfect gothic which relates itself to the society it was written for and the horror it looks to instil. The dark theme and questionable actions of the main character truly bring out the gothic nature in this novel. The way Victor tries to create the future he looks for is horrific and ultimately a failure. This is used to show that the romantics are dreamers and reality will create its own future. One man cannot create life and toy with the future so easily. Destiny cannot be escaped and dreaming of a better future is futile. The novel creates a feeling of despair in the reader. One can only hope for a better future and trying to create one like Victor will on ly end in catastrophe. This underlying, deeper meaning of the novel is what makes Frankenstein a true gothic novel. Works Cited Shelley, Mary Frankenstein. New York: Dover, 1994. Smith, Nicole. Elements of Romanticism in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Article Myriad.   Dec 6, 2011. http://www.articlemyriad.com/elements-romanticism-frankenstein/ Gothic Literature. The Gothic Experience. Brooklyn College. October 24, 2002. http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/gothic/gothic.html

Stylishly Reborn Alice In Wonderland Film Studies Essay

Stylishly Reborn Alice In Wonderland Film Studies Essay The original version of Alices Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll is a well-known fairy tale for describing a fantasy world populated by peculiar creatures. A girl named  Alice  who falls down a rabbit hole connected to a  fantasy world described as Wonderland. The newly released movie Alice in Wonderland in 2010 by the director Tim Burton portrays a nineteen-year-old Alice who, 13 years after her previous visit, returns for the first time as a young girl. Tim Burton has a recognizable and distinctive style and thematic content which turn his work into an  oeuvre  and themselves into  auteur which means that Tim Burton slightly changed the original Alice to his style of Alice by adding some different story in the movie. Burton is one such filmmaker, a director who has earned the status of auteur. By portraying grown up Alice, Tim Burton addresses some of both dark and bright sides of the adults society in a stealthy way described as Underland in the movie with visu al elements under the predominant perspective in the shape of fairy tale. In other words, there are hidden sides of Alice in Wonderland such as the use of drugs, gender roles and social hierarchy buried under the fairy tale. This paper analyzes how Tim Burton expresses visual elements to imply hidden meanings of the dark and problematic side and some of the bright side of the adults real society. Kim 2 The movie Alice in Wonderland, released in 2010, brought freshness to the storyline and came out with even deeper meanings implied visually keeping the classic story of Alice in Wonderland by the director Tim Burton. The film adapts many elements besides Carrolls book, rendering it digressive and derivative in the storyline. The movie should not be considered only as a fairy tale for children. Because of the directors style and narrative choices, the movie contains more actual emotional connection by using high quality techniques such as camera movements, colors, angles and lightings. The movie remains a fairy tale but under the surface of the story, it also contains deep psychological structures expressed by the director Tim Burtons style of visual elements such as graphics, camera movements, the contrast between light and shade, and textures in the frames having some deeper messages such as the use of drugs or the dictatorship according to the social class. These visual elements al low the director to represent some hope for the future real society and some of the corrupted adults world hidden under the innocence of a fairy tale. I have naturally thought that no matter what is shown on the movie screen, Alice in Wonderland should always be for innocent children with full of imagination. However, the movie Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton should be regarded as a story of illustrating some parts of corrupted society with the aesthetic visuals shown on the screen. Cleaver and Erdman, who wrote Changing Images Of Alice, reported that analysis of images of Alice found that although the character  of  Alice  was presented differently through time, there were no major changes to the story (Screen 12). The reason is because there had been no remarkable changes in the story of Alice in Wonderland other than Tim Burtons version of it. Tim Burton Kim 3 tried adapting some new point of views by illustrating Alice as a nineteen-year-old girl which implies that she is going to be an adult and enter the adults society soon so that Tim Burton can address deeper messages into the movie with his own style. Daniel Sieden who is engaged in education scholar said that Tim Burton explained the goal of the movie Alice in Wonderland is to try to make it an engaging movie with real emotional connection that he had never felt in other Alice stories (Examiner). The reason why Tim Burton made the film is because to make the original Alice in Wonderland even unique with his own story line making it as Alices second trip to Wonderland which is changed to Underland for grown up Alice. Tim Burton sets up the situation that she does not remember ever being there in the past. Alice mistakenly called Wonderland to Underland in the movie so it is called Underland through the movie which I think was great transition word from Wonderland which implies more c hildrens world with full of curious to Underland which more implies adults dark side of the real world. By setting Alice not remembering visiting Wonderland, Tim Burton connects emotional attachment of being in real Underland reflecting the real world in his style. Moreover, according to Niemiec, author of A Wonderland Journey Through Positive Psychology Interventions, said that though it is a continuation of the classic story in many respects, it is also a unique tale in its own right.  Alice  is now a 19-year-old, in the movie and she must decide whether she wants to accept the marriage proposal of Hamish, the son of a lord.  As she wanders away from the engagement party to reflect on the proposal, her curiosity leads her down the rabbit hole into  Wonderland  which was referred as Underland in the film.  Alices  emergence as a heroine is not only about helping others but also about identity, autonomy, competence, and self-development.  Burtons version is superior in creativity and Kim 4 depth, as well as more resonant with the themes of positive psychology (2). As Niemiec mentions, Tim Burton described well in fantasy way by setting up Alice as a grown up woman. Tim Burton added a chain of a connection between teenagers turning to adults and entering the real grown-up world. Tim Burton pursues his own style of Alice in Wonderland not only with the story of it but also astonishing visual elements generated based on the computer-animated skills. He uses a variety of formal structures such as camera movements, angles, lighting styles, colors, shot framings and visual transitions in each scene in his movie. These various uses of the techniques support discovering some hidden meanings such as the use of drugs, gender roles, and social hierarchy under the surface of the storyline. Throughout the whole movie, there are hundreds of scenes that represent the adults society such as the use of drugs, gender roles and social hierarchy. There are some brief examples showing the use of drugs, gender roles and social hierarchy. Simply, smoking Caterpillar is one of the scenes that shows the use of drugs. For the gender role, First of all, the genre of Alice in Wonderland by Tim Burton is an adventurous fantasy. Therefore, there were a lot of scenes that can never happen in the real world even if the movie actually reflects the real world. Thus, there were a lot of scenes that can be interpreted to the use of drugs. When I decided to criticize Alice in Wonderland in my own argument, I personally thought that the film has some sort of allegory for a drug trip which I had never thought of when I read the original Alice in Wonderland in a book when I was a child. It was hard to not see all of the use of drugs once I realized they are in the movie expressed well by visual elements. According to the Unreality Magazine, actually many scenes can be interpreted as the uses of the drugs in Alice in Wonderland such as cocaine, nitros oxide, LSD, crystal meth, marijuana and some more. Almost every scene implied some popular drugs that are big problems in the real world. The way of drawing each scene with the various uses of colors, camera movements, and angles, some characters in the movie can be discovered as using drugs by some changes of their behaviors. For example, almost right after entering the Underland, Alice looks for the Caterplillar called Absolem. The Caterpillars house was hidden by a smoke which seems to be a smoke from cigarettes. At this moment of the scene, the audience can notice that the Caterpillar is definitely smoking a cigarette. When Alice meets the Caterpillar, the Caterpillar is holding a pipe while he talks with Alice. Alice coughs several times because of the smoke from the cigarette. This scene is fairly obvious that the Caterpillar is smoking a cigarette which contains nicotine. Also, Ti m Burton sets Alice and the Caterpillar face each other while talking to each other when the Caterpillar is smoking. This scene reflects the real world that adults smokes in front of people while talking with some people even if they are children no matter how young they are. It implies that adults do not really care the danger of smoking cigarettes to growing up children. This scene addresses problematic side of the corrupted world. People do not actually realize cigarettes are also a kind of drugs. Therefore, they just smoke cigarettes in front of children and the scene shows how adults are not aware of children. Unlike some of the other movies of my childhood such as  The Little Mermaid  or  Beauty and the Beast, Alice had no inclination to find her way to Prince Charming. She instead embraced a childlike curiosity that got her both into trouble and out of it. The gender roles  played out in Disneys newer, live action version of  Alice in Wonderland  are a bit different than both Carolls original book and Disneys original film, however. The fact that the new  Alice in Wonderland features a much older Alice, on the verge of marriage, exposes a bit of our societys infatuation with portraying a much older image as favorable (can kids just not be kids anymore?) This idea of marriage helps exemplify the gender roles present, however. There is much pressure on Alice to not only marry the geeky red-headed aristocrat, but his mother also assumes she will fill her proper gender role by spouting off all of his dietary needs at the very start of the film. Alice seems to go along with it at first, but later catches her sisters husband cheating-this seems to be the turning point in her attitude, and possibly the cause of her running away after the proposal. It is important to note that within  Alice in Wonderland  most of the leadership roles are fulfilled by women-the Queen of Hearts is, of course, the particularly brutal ruler. The White Queen, on the other hand, is the softer, feminine queen that is slowly gaining discreet support. The gender roles of these two queens are very important, especially when you take into consideration the effect their predicament has on Alice. The Queen of Hearts demonstrates that in order to get ahead you must take on a violent and fear-inducing persona-traditionally masculine in our society. The White Queen embraces no such violence, and states a few times within the film that acting violently is against her vows. However, she has no qualms sending others to do her dirty work-hence sending Alice to slay the Jabberwocky (cutting off his head, no less). Though the main leadership roles of  Alice in Wonderland  are held by females, it seems the brains behind the operation in both cases happen to fall with men-the Red Knight for the Red Queen, and most ironically the Mad Hatter for the White Queen. This gives the gender roles an interesting place. The Red Queen is comically shown to be quite stupid-and rather naÃÆ' ¯ve as well. The manipulative Knight rules Wonderland through the Queen. The White Queen may be the ruling figurehead trying to rise up in power, but it is the Mad Hatter that leads and organizes the resistance against the Red Queen. Really, the White Queen does little other than stand as a symbol. I commended the makers of  Alice in Wonderland  at first for allowing the White Queen to retain her femininity, but it was because of her particular lack of action that I was a bit saddened. She needed Alice to save her kingdom and stand as her champion, but again, Alice had to take on masculine traits in order to do this. Now, I have no problems with females embracing courage within childrens movies. Empowering girls is a great action to take, but I feel at the same time that it is a bit archaic that in order to succeed one must take on masculine characteristics. In this way, the gender roles within  Alice in Wonderland  are a bit hegemonic in nature-perpetuating the idea of masculine as ideal in our society. This ideal is perpetuated in the end of the film. I loved that Alice did not end up marrying, and became a part of the company her father left behind-a positive message showing that Alice indeed has the adventurous nature of her father. But forsaking the traditional female gender role to embrace a more masculine version also isnt the answer. What would have been the proper ending for  Alice in Wonderland? There is no easy answer here. I dont believe that the ending was improper, or sexist. It is obviously attempting to empower young girls to seek new horizons, which I entirely support. My suggestion is perhaps to not make the contrast between feminine and masculine quite so sharp. It shouldnt be settle down and be a housewife vs. adventure with your fathers trade route and see the world, after slaying a hideous creature. Gender roles today should be much more fluid in their interpretation, I believe. Why such a stark dichotomy between masculine and feminine within  Alice in Wonderland, as well as our own culture? Im not saying we should perpetuate historical female gender roles, but we shouldnt demonize them either. The point is to consider all gender attributes to be equal, and just as likely within every person.  Alice in Wonderland  does a good job of showing females embracing masculine characteristics (in bot h positive and negative ways), but they do little in showing men with fluid gender roles, positively embracing typically female gender attributes. I think  Alice in Wonderland  made a good effort at empowering young girls to overcome their traditional gender roles to broaden horizons. I believe by giving the White Queen highly feminine traits, and the Red Queen negatively violent traits, we see a step in the right direction in getting away from idealized aggressive masculine traits. Though there are some obvious issues, I would say  Alice in Wonderland  did a relatively good job in promoting healthy gender roles to the youth of our culture. But more work is still yet to be done.

Biological and Psychoanalytic Perspectives in Psychology Essay

The psychoanalytic perspective grew out of subsequent psychoanalytic theories (1901, 1924, and 1940) following decades of interactions with clients with the use of an innovative procedure developed by Sigmund Freud that required lengthy verbal interactions with patients during which Freud probed deep into their lives. In a nutshell, the psychoanalytic perspective looked to explain personality, motivation, and psychological disorders by focussing on the influence of early childhood experiences, on unconscious motives and conflicts, and on the methods people use to cope with their sexual and aggressive urges. The Biological perspective on the other hand looks at the physiological bases of behaviour in humans and animals. It proposes that an organism’s functioning can be described in terms of the bodily structures and biochemical processes that cause behaviour. This paper attempts to examine the similarities and differences between the psychoanalytic perspective and the biologica l perspective with the key focus on the core assumptions and features of these perspectives as well as their individual strengths and weaknesses. The biological perspective examines how brain processes and other bodily functions regulate behaviour. It emphasizes that the brain and nervous system are central to understanding behaviour, thought, and emotion. It is believed that thoughts and emotions have a physical basis in the brain. Electrical impulses zoom throughout the brain’s cells, releasing chemical substances that enable us to think, feel, and behave. Renà © Descartes (1596–1650) wrote an influential book (De Homine [On Man]) in which he tried to explain how the behaviour of animals, and to some extent the behaviour of humans, could be like t... ...m and Irving B. Weiner Freud, S. (1957b). Some character types met with in psychoanalytic work. In J. Strachey (Ed. & Trans.), The standard edition of the complete psychological works of Sigmund Freud (Vol. 14, pp. 309–333). London: Hogarth Press. (Original work published 1916) McKinley, J. and Fryer, D. (2004), Higher Psychology: Approaches and Method. KEEGAN, G. (2002) Hodder and Stoughton, London, 298 pp Introduction to psychology 5t ed - Morgan and king Psychology science and understanding Barry d. smith (1998) McGraw-Hill Psyhology making sense david A. STATT - NEW YORK- HARPER AND ROW 1977 HANDBOOK of PSYCHOLOGY VOLUME 5 PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY Theodore Millon, Melvin J. Lerner/ Irving B. Weiner: Editor-in-Chief Waiten,W., (2007) Seventh Edition Psychology Themes and Variations. University of Nevada, Las Vegas: Thomson Wadsworth.

Essay on the Love Story of Antony and Cleopatra -- Antony Cleopatra Es

The Love Story of Antony and Cleopatra      Ã‚   The tragedy of Antony and Cleopatra can be said to have an overall effect of comical lightness. In this way, it is altogether different from the preceding tragedies, although the tragedy that leads to the death and destruction of Antony and Cleopatra is definitely a matter of choice rather than of circumstances that engulf the hero. Yet, ultimately their tragic ending differs greatly from the ominous feeling of those that preceded it. Antony and Cleopatra concerns itself with typically distressing and grave imagery, most importantly the theme of permanent loss. Although circumstance plays a part, the tragic hero is damned by what he himself does and is an active participant in his own downfall. In this sense, Antony is a tragic hero, although Shakespeare also presents him as a man torn between the tragedy of a powerful Rome and comedy in the pleasurable Egypt. In due course Antony could not sustain his duty to Rome, confused by his unwillingness and incapability to disregard his passion for Cleopatra. He most flippantly wed Octavia knowing fully that he could not give up his prior love. He relayed "I will to Egypt: And though I make this marriage for my peace, I’ th’ East my pleasure lies" (2.3.39-41). His underestimation of consequence at this time directly led to his tragic ending. In a conversation about Cleopatra, even Antony’s attendant Enobarbus showed understanding of Antony’s character flaws and the depth of his passions:   Ã‚  Ã‚   MAECENAS. Now Antony must leave her utterly.   Ã‚  Ã‚   ENOBARBUS. Never; he will not. (2.2.239-240) The virtue of irremediable loss was also explored by Antony. His deficiency of true Roman character during the Battle of Actium resulted in h... ...t love story with an ironically happy conclusion. Works Cited and Consulted Adelman, Janet. "Infinite Variety: Uncertainty and Judgment in Antony and Cleopatra." William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1988, 21-34. Bloom, Harold, ed. Introduction. Modern Critical Interpretations: William Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988. ---. Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. New York: Riverhead Books, 1998. Kittredge, George Lyman. Introduction. Antony and Cleopatra. By William Shakespeare. Waltham, MA: Blaisdell Publishing Company, 1966. Markels, Julian. The Pillar of the World: Antony and Cleopatra in Shakespeare's Development. Ohio: Ohio State University Press, 1968. Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. Ed. John Wilders. London: Routledge, 1995.

Extent to which the child is the central image in Macbeth Essay

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is filled with many vivid and recurring images. Such imagery permeates the text and provides strong striking images which, when performed on stage, stay firmly in the audiences’ minds. Many critics have proposed arguments expressing their opinion on what constitutes the central image in Macbeth. On reading the text, or perhaps watching the play, some of the images are more prominent than others. Images such as blood and darkness seem to hold most significance to the plot and to the themes. However, it is only with detailed reading that the image of the child is recognised as being profoundly significant. On first reading, the image of the child may not even be considered, but through meticulous study, this image may become more prominent and prove to be the pivot on which Macbeth’s character swings, it also provides the dynamic which drives the plot forward. Blood is perhaps one of the most striking and gruesome recurring image in the play. Blood has both symbolic and literal meaning in Macbeth, therefore it is widely recognised as one of the major motifs throughout the play. The blood that is shed in Macbeth is a reminder of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s guilt, and it acts as a metaphorical stain on the Macbeth’s consciences. These recurring bloody images play a particularly important role in scenes such as Act 2 Scene 2, when Macbeth returns from the scene of the crime carrying bloody daggers, and with his hands drenched in the King Duncan’s blood. Lady Macbeth too has blood stained hands after she goes back to replace the daggers which her husband has brought back to their chamber. Blood also plays a key role in Act 5 scene 1 when guilt consumes Lady Macbeth’s mind and during her sleepwalking,... ...ace from day to day To the last syllable of recorded time, And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death.† (5:5 18-22) The image of ‘dusty death’, contrasts with the earlier images of fertility which abounded in the early scenes of the text: â€Å"I have begun to plant thee and will labour To make thee full of growing.† (1:4: 28-29) Macbeth’s proto-lineal ambition dies towards the end of the play. He comes to the conclusion that because he has failed in his ambition to found a dynasty, life is pointless. Macbeth sees no reason to live and the feeling of utter hopelessness overwhelms him. Lady Macbeth’s demise signifies that Macbeth’s dynastic dream is dead. He now realises the futility of his crimes, his â€Å"war on children† [7], has been wholly in vain. â€Å"For the babe signifies the future which Macbeth would control and cannot control.† [8]

African Americans and Politics Essay

For decades African Americans have faced struggles throughout history. Most notably, African Americans were involved in slavery, suffrage, and the civil rights movement. These struggles were very visible and everyone was aware of what was going on. However, now African Americans are involved in a struggle that it not visible and recognizable. This is a struggle that is used to capitalize on wealth and prevent African American families and individuals from living normal lives. They are involved in environmental racism. Environmental racism â€Å"refers to intentional or unintentional racial discrimination in the enforcement of environmental rules and regulations, the intentional or unintentional targeting of minority communities for the siting of polluting industries, or the exclusion of minority groups from public and private boards, commissions, and regulatory bodies. †[1] This form of racism has been plaguing African American communities for years and most people have not taken notice. There are many form of environmental racism; however, this paper will specifically address redlining, blockbusting, racial profiling, and housing segregation and how each has impacted the African American community. Redlining is the act of refusing or increasing the cost of services such as loans, insurance, banking, and access to healthcare to citizens based upon race. The practice involves taking a map and drawing a red line through neighborhoods where banks would not invest money. Redlining was used to segregate African Americans in the housing, workforce, and school market. Parents had to find work in other areas of the city because there were not any resources available in the community. Because of redlining, schools became over crowded with 50 students crammed into one classroom. With the schools overcrowded, teachers were not able to provide special attention to the needy students and other students became uncontrollable. Cathy Cohen would argue that African Americans were being marginalized in the school system. To be considered marginalized means, to have continuously been denied access to dominant resources, barred from full participation in dominant institutions, and defined as â€Å"others, â€Å" living outside the norm and values agreed upon by society (Cohen 1999). African American students were all forced to go to one school in the community to keep them out of the White schools. Along with marginalization, Blacks were, and still are, a part of a power struggle. Blacks were seen, and will always be seen, as an inferior race. Also, Blacks have been disempowered knowingly and unknowingly. African-Americans have been taken advantage of and used to make other races feel superior. Blockbusting was a practice used by real estate agents and developers in the United States to encourage white property owners to sell their homes by giving the impression that minority groups (such as African Americans) were moving into their previously racially segregated neighborhood. [2] When African Americans began to move into the inner city, fear arose that they were an economic threat. Blockbusting was also the cause of many White Americans moving into the suburbs. The practice of blockbusting involved an African American purchasing a home for very cheap in a predominately White neighborhood. The real estate broker would contact the White residents and offer to buy their houses for quick cash and resell the house to an African American family for much higher. Real estate agents claimed that African Americans moving into a predominately White neighborhood would cause property values to go down and urged White homeowners to sell as soon as possible. Real estate agents indicated that the property values would go down because African Americans would not keep up their property, avoid lawn care, and if would affect the entire neighborhood. This practice has caused major shifts in urban neighborhoods, especially Chicago, in recent decades. The Blockbusting methods were profitable and became common across the nation. For example, by 1962, when blockbusting had been in practice for fifteen years, Chicago had over 100 operators and the city had been changing an average of two to three blocks a week for several years. Blockbusting is the reason why cities such as Chicago are now predominately African American and the surrounding suburbs are predominately White. Blockbusting caused African Americans to be marginalized as well. They were denied fair participation in the housing market. Real estate agents inflated housing prices for African Americans to gain commission. White homeowners already had prejudices about African Americans and the real estate agents only made the situation worse. The stereotypes that Black families do not take care of their property was the main reason White homeowners sold their homes. Racial profiling is â€Å"the inclusion of racial or ethnic characteristics in determining whether a person is considered likely to commit a particular type of crime or an illegal act or to behave in a â€Å"predictable† manner. †[3] The practice of racial profiling is a huge problem in the United States. African Americans are usually the targeted victims in the act of racial profiling. It is believed that an African American driver will be more likely stopped than a White driver. Some police officers share the belief that Black drivers will most likely possess an illegal substance of committing an illegal act. However, policemen argue that they do not base their arrests on race but are greatening their probability of a successful search. Some policemen also argue that the probability of catching a Black offender is greater than catching a White offender. Whether the statement is true or not, it places a bias on African Americans and White Americans. The belief that African Americans men are more likely to commit crimes is unfair and not true. One cannot base the behavior of all African American men on the ones that have done wrong and been imprisoned. Another belief of racial profiling is it is the cause of the racial disparities in the American prison system. There are many more African American men in the jail system than there are White men. The previous statement is mostly likely to be true. Because some policemen hold biases and have prejudices against African Americans, it will cause more African Americans to be placed in the jail system. Another instance of racial profiling involved African Americans owning nice material possessions such as a car or a house and African Americans being in a predominately White neighborhood. For example, in an episode of Family Matters, Eddie was in his car travelling through a predominately White neighborhood and was pulled over by the police for â€Å"failure to signal. † However, the routine traffic stop turned into nothing more than a beating for young Eddie. The significance of the episode shows that racial profiling does exist in the United States and it takes place every day. The practice has impacted African Americans because hundreds of innocent people have been harassed and humiliated by police officers simply because of their race. The most recent national example of environmental racism occurred when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005. When New Orleans was flooded with tons of water, there were no relief efforts for days and almost a week. Many believed this was due to the fact that majority of the New Orleans population was African American. The population was basically ignored for days until the help decided to come. Citizens of New Orleans were faced with intentional racism and were denied help for several days. This has impacted African Americans because many people died because of the heat, starvation, and disease from the water. African-Americans have been marginalized for centuries. To be considered marginalized means, to have continuously been denied access to dominant resources, barred from full participation in dominant institutions, and defined as â€Å"others, â€Å" living outside the norm and values agreed upon by society (Cohen 1999). Most recently, African-Americans were marginalized in regards to the outbreak of HIV/AIDS. While HIV/AIDS was once considered to be the disease of white gay men, Blacks are now the center of the epidemic. With the turn of the new millennium, the outbreak of AIDS in the Black community has soared. Black men who consider themselves to be â€Å"down low† are the center of the rising epidemic. The men have intercourse with other men while continuing to have intercourse with their female partners thus spreading the AIDS virus. Even though the soaring rate is shocking, there has been limited response from the African-American community. One can argue that Blacks have been marginalized from the resources to treat the epidemic. However, the Black community seems to be ignoring the spreading AIDS virus and focusing more on electing a Black president and high blood pressure. While both electing a Black president and lowering high blood pressure are important issues, similar emphasis should be put on the rising AIDS epidemic. In a sense, African-Americans have marginalized themselves from dealing with AIDS. Continuing to turn a cold shoulder to the issue will not fix the problem. Although Blacks are being marginalized when it comes to AIDS, they are also marginalized when it comes to property and social relationships. For example, when it comes to receiving bank loans, African-Americans is marginalized heavily. Some bank loan officers practice redlining which causes Black residents, whether qualified or not, to be denied loans for property. By using the redlining technique, bank loan officers are marginalizing Blacks from being able to own their own property. Relating back to the AIDS epidemic, Black men were marginalized for having the virus. For instance, if a Black man was open about his homosexuality would be marginalized heavily. Homophobia could be a valid reason for the marginalization of Black men. With open homosexuality, an African-American could be left out from participating in activities and denied being recognized as a normal individual. Homophobia could damage an individual’s social life and leave him feeling disempowered. [4] Along with marginalization, Blacks were, and still are, a part of a power struggle. Blacks were seen, and will always be seen, as lower than Whites. Also, Blacks have been disempowered knowingly and unknowingly, which is the center of environmental racism. African-Americans have been taken advantage of and used to gain wealth and keep at the bottom of the ladder. In short, there are many types of power struggles. One does not have to see power to know that it is taking place. [5] For instance, being called an inferior race is a power struggle within itself. African-Americans that believe that they are actually inferior will begin to act that way. They will begin to doubt themselves and their abilities in life. Once they have it in their mindset that they are inferior, it will cause them to act that way. Housing Segregation is â€Å"the practice of denying African American or other minority groups equal access to housing through the process of misinformation, denial of realty and financing services, and racial steering. †[6] The act of housing discrimination involves real estate agents and landlords not providing African American families with an accurate account of available housing. Housing segregation happens when landlords and real estate agents lure White Americans to available housing only in white communities, and African Americans to Black or diverse and mixed communities. The realtor and landlord usually work together in the process and will agree not to tell the African Americans about the available units in the European American communities. This process goes back to the assumption that African Americans residents will bring down the property value of homes in the neighborhood because they will not take care of their own property. Housing segregation is intentional racism that excludes African Americans from participating fairly in the housing market. Black families should be able to live wherever they please without regardless of the demographics of the neighborhood. With all that African Americans have been through, environmental racism should not be ignored or taken lightly. People should take heed to the practice and fight for what is right. All of the above forms of environmental racism have plagued the African American community. It has caused a major shift in the urban cities such as Chicago. Real estate agents have inflated the costs of housing for Black families moving into predominantly White areas. African American families can fight the issues by becoming more aware of their surroundings and becoming familiar with the practices. They can hire good lawyers to defend them and fight for justice. With regards to the AIDS epidemic, African Americans have been marginalized when it comes to resources and thus leads to environmental racism. African American of the new generation, as a whole, should stand together and fight the justice that was promised to them in the United States Constitution. ———————– [1] Dictionary. com [2] Dictionary. com [3] Dictionary. com [4] Cathy J. Cohen, The Boundaries of Blackness (The University of Chicago Press) 47-48. [5] John Gaventa, Power and Powerlessness (The University of Illinois Press) 1-32. [6] Dictionary. com.