International Institutions Role in Prevention of War

Introduction This assignment is a discussion on the topic of international institutions’ role in prevention of war. The discussion is based on question four â€Å"Major war will not occur in the future because the international community has created a set of international institutions that make it impossible â€Å".Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on International Institutions’ Role in Prevention of War specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some of the institutions and concepts that have been developed by the international community to avert a major war in the future include the United Nations (UN), pursuit of global justice, the concept of globalization, idealism, liberalism, constructivism, international law and the universal declarations of human rights. Discussion United Nations and Prevention of War The UN is an international organization which brings member states together in a cooperation to achieve economic, social and political progress as well as respect for human rights through adherence to internal law. The UN is also concerned with maintenance of peace in the world. The UN was formed in 1945 after the Second World War, to replace its predecessor, the League of Nations, which was unable to prevent the Second World War. The UN was therefore formed with the main objective of preventing wars between states through negotiations, dialogue and sometimes military force. The current UN secretary general is Ban Ki- Moon from South Korea. The UN is governed by what is referred to as the UN charter. The charter contains various provisions and guidelines regarding economy, politics, human rights, international law and justice system. The Security Council is the organ of UN which deals with issues of maintenance of peace and prevention of wars in the world. It ensures that any threat to peace is identified as early as possible, so that the international community may interve ne to bring dialogue between the conflicting parties. Once there is a war, the UN deploys its troops in the affected nation(s), as the last option to restore peace. The UN also focuses on the factors which may compromise peace within a country or between nations. For instance, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) was formed mainly to promote development in poor countries, with the philosophy that poverty and lack of development are potential sources of ethnic or political violence within a nation or between nations. Other organizations affiliated to the UN are the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). All these institutions and programs are aimed at empowering people with education and the civilization needed to respect each other as well as to take care of the environment.Advertising Looking for research paper on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The United Nations also adopted the universal declaration of human rights in 1948, which outlines human rights which must be respected by any government in the world. Any government which violates these rights may be subjected to international law and international justice system, based on the Rome statute which forms the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is mandated with dealing with cases of genocide or massive abuse of human rights. Examples of some trials which have taken place in the court are the cases for former Yugoslavia, Rwanda and Liberia. The international law and the ICC therefore act as a check against acts of aggression or mass atrocities within nation(s). UN also addresses the issue of smuggling of firearms, which may result to armed conflict within a nation or between nations. Countries which violate the UN charter or those which do not promote disarmament may be slapped with economic sanctions. Pursuit of Global Jus tice This is a politically derived philosophy which is formed on the assumption that the world is generally unjust and unfair. What this means is that the world is full of biases when it comes to matters of justice in the distribution of power, economic resources and opportunities. Generally, the injustice is fuelled by the politics of domination between nations of the world whereby the rich deny the poor justice in various sectors. In terms of social relationships, the rich people are known to manipulate the process of justice in their favor thus making the poor unable to get justice because they cannot afford to purchase it. The pursuance of global justice by the international community has ensured that nations of the world are treated with the respect they deserve. Nations also are able to resolve disagreements through international law and institutions. The Concept of Globalization Globalization can be defined as the minimization of the differences between people of the world an d the maximization of their similarities through interactions, cooperation and communication. During the pre-world war period, the world was characterized by minimal interaction, communication, cross-border movements and language homogeneity. However, after the world war, this situation changed. The changes were mainly triggered by the desire for nations of the world to unite in various spheres of development mainly the economy, education, employment, the environment and governance (Beck 45). Idealism In international relations and foreign policy, idealism is a political philosophy which entails the advancement of a particular ideology (political, social or economic) both at home and abroad, with a view of promoting and safeguarding the interests of citizens of a county and those of citizens in other countries in regard to that issue. Examples include the fight against poverty, HIV/AIDS and advocacy for democracy instead of dictatorship or authoritarianism as well as safeguarding of human rights.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on International Institutions’ Role in Prevention of War specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Liberalism This is the idea that nations of the world relate not only for political power and economic purposes but also for cultural purposes. With liberalism therefore, the relationship between states is characterised by a lot of cooperation in various aspects like in trade and cultural exchange. Liberalism also claims that nations which interact in trade and cultural exchange rarely make war and these acts as an incentive to international peace. Constructivism This is the augment that international relations are based on ideas but not on material things like wealth creation or cultural exchange. Countries which have similar ideologies are therefore more likely to relate or interact with each other than those which have different ideologies. According to construc tivists, the interaction between states is influenced by collective values, social identities and culture. The constructivist approach therefore does not see any anarchy between nations and also blames realism and liberalism for failing to predict the end of the cold war. International Law International law refers to the set of laws or principles which govern the relationships between sovereign states (Fichtelberg 41). It was initially formed to govern the manner in which nation states related to each other with a view of improving their relationships in regard to specific issues. International law initially took the form of treaties and agreements between states, which were either bilateral or multilateral. The treaties were on issues like trade, agriculture and other forms of cooperation between the signatories of the treaties. The world has been changing which has led to the emergence of a new international system whereby states interact more frequently than before. Globalization , terrorism and ethnic conflicts have been on the rise in the recent years (Scott 214). This has led to the adjustment of international law to take care of the issues in the new international system and how states treat their own citizens. One of the ways in which international law has been changed is in regard to the issue of human rights. International law initially did not interfere with internal affairs of sovereign states and how states treated their own citizens. But with the rising cases of atrocities committed by governments to their citizens, international law has been widened in scope to address the issue of crime against humanity based on the universal declaration of human rights, which makes it illegal for any government to violate the so called civil and political liberties of its citizens (Darraj 92).Advertising Looking for research paper on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The issue of environment has also made international law to be widened in scope to include environmental protection. This is mainly due to climate change which leads to global warming. Several treaties have been formed to address the issue of climate change. Examples include the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Kyoto protocol on climate change, the United Nations convention to combat desertification and the Copenhagen talks (Deke 76). Universal Declarations of Human Rights Every human being is endowed with certain inalienable rights and entitlements. These rights and entitlements exist as shared norms of human moralities and natural rights. The rights and entitlements underscore the importance of treating all human beings with dignity, fairness and equality irrespective of their cultural backgrounds. These rights and entitlements are supported by strong reasons and legal basis at national and international levels. Human rights ideas emerged after the Seco nd World War when the universal declaration of human rights was adopted by the General Assembly in 1948. Human rights laws to some extend remain credible as a reflection of a global commitment to human rights. Each state has the obligation to protect human rights for its citizens (Paul 8). Works Cited Beck, Ulrich. What is globalization? Oxford: Polity Press, 2000.45.Print. Darraj, Sussan. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Paris: Infobase Publishing, 2010.92.Print. Deke, Oliver. Environmental Policy Instruments for Conserving Global Biodiversity Volume 339 of Kieler Studien. Heidelberg: Springer, 2008.76.Print. Fichtelberg, Aaron. Law at the Vanishing Point: A Philosophical Analysis of International Law. Farnham GU9 7PT: Ashgate Publishing, 2008.41.Print. Paul, Guchteneire. Democracy and Human Rights in Multicultural Societies. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing., 2007. 8. Print. Scott, Gregory. 21 Debated: Issues in World Politics. Kingsway: Longman Publishers, 2002.214.Print. This research paper on International Institutions’ Role in Prevention of War was written and submitted by user Jayson W. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

5 Calls for a Comma Before Because

5 Calls for a Comma Before Because 5 Calls for a Comma Before â€Å"Because† 5 Calls for a Comma Before â€Å"Because† By Mark Nichol Use of the word because as a subordinating conjunction to link a main clause to a subordinating clause should be simple, but a sentence’s meaning often hinges on whether it’s preceded by a comma. A straightforward sentence such as â€Å"We’re off to see the wizard because of the wonderful things he does† requires no comma; the meaning of this sentence â€Å"This is what we’re doing, and that is why we’re doing it† is unambiguous. But when the sentence begins with a negative proposition, that’s not the case, as these examples show: 1. â€Å"Few adult Romanians speak English because it was forbidden during the Ceausescu era.† This sentence, as (not) punctuated, absurdly implies a meaning of â€Å"This is not the primary reason adult Romanians speak English,† accompanied by the expectation of a follow-up sentence identifying one or more other causes for bilingual ability despite its prohibition. But it doesn’t mean â€Å"There are more common reasons adult Romanians speak English†; it means â€Å"This is the reason few adult Romanians speak English.† Insert a comma, and the sentence tells you what, and then tells you why: â€Å"Few adult Romanians speak English, because it was forbidden during the Ceausescu era.† 2. â€Å"They don’t want to diagnose or treat Lyme disease because it is very costly to do so.† Oh. Then why do they want to diagnose or treat Lyme disease? Again, a comma makes it clear that this sentence doesn’t serve to set up one or more alternate reasons; rather, the subordinating clause provides an explanation for the reluctance: â€Å"They don’t want to diagnose or treat Lyme disease, because it is very costly to do so.† 3. â€Å"Dementia can’t be ignored by the larger community because individuals with the disease cannot manage independently.† Why, then, can dementia be ignored? That’s not what the sentence is trying to tell you. It’s explaining why the general populace should attend to the affliction: â€Å"Dementia can’t be ignored by the larger community, because individuals with the disease cannot manage independently.† 4. â€Å"I wouldn’t recommend chicken pox parties because of the risk.† Tell me, then, why you would recommend them? (Aside: Said parties are often organized by groups of parents to deliberately expose their kids to chicken pox to get it over with.) The subordinate clause explains the statement in the main clause: â€Å"I wouldn’t recommend chicken pox parties, because of the risk.† 5. â€Å"The model couldn’t be applied to other sectors because it evolved to care for water, not civilization’s infrastructure.† The implication is that the model could be applied to other sectors, but not for the reason stated. But the point is that it couldn’t be applied, and the reason follows: â€Å"The model couldn’t be applied to other sectors, because it evolved to care for water, not civilization’s infrastructure.† See how a comma’s presence or absence can drastically change a sentence’s meaning? Sometimes, it’s important even when the sentence doesn’t begin with a negative proposition: â€Å"I know he got the biggest raise in the department because his wife told me† reads as if the writer is aware that the person got the raise because the person’s wife told the writer that the person got the raise and the sentence turns into a Moebius strip. A comma nips this perpetual-motion machine in the bud: â€Å"I know he got the biggest raise in the department, because his wife told me.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:15 Terms for Those Who Tell the FutureThe Four Sounds of the Spelling OUMood vs. Tense

The History of Modern-Day Myanmar (Burma)

The History of Modern-Day Myanmar (Burma) Burma is the largest country in mainland Southeast Asia, which officially has been named the Union of Myanmar since 1989. This name-change is sometimes seen as part of an attempt by the ruling military junta to stamp out the populist, colloquial form of the Burmese language, and promote the literary form. Geographically situated along the Bay of Bengal and bordered by Bangladesh, India, China, Thailand and Laos, Burma has a long history of odd decisions and peculiar struggles for power. Strangely, the military government of Burma suddenly moved the national capital from Yangon to the new city of Naypyidaw in 2005, on the advice of an astrologer. From Prehistoric Nomads to Imperial Burma Like many  East  and Central Asian  countries, archeological evidence suggests that humanoids have wandered Burma from as long as 75,000 years ago, with the first record of homo sapien foot traffic in the area dating back to 11,000 B.C. By 1500, the Bronze Age had struck the peoples of the region as they began producing bronze tools and growing rice, and by 500 they began working with iron as well.   The first city-states formed around 200 B.C.by the Pyu people - who could be attributed as the lands first true inhabitants. Trade with India brought with it cultural and political norms that would later influence Burmese culture, namely through the spread of Buddhism. However, it wouldnt be until the 9th century A.D. that internal war for territory forced the Burmese to organize into one central government. In the mid-to-late 10th century, the Bamar settled a new central city of Bagan, collecting many of the rival  city-states and independent nomads as allies, finally unifying in the late 1950s as the Pagan Kingdom. Here, the Burmese language and culture were allowed to dominate the Pyu and Pali norms that came before them. Mongol Invasion, Civil Unrest and Reunification Although the leaders of the Pagan Kingdom led Burma to great economic and spiritual prosperity - erecting over 10,000 Buddhist temples across the country - their relatively long reign came crashing to an end after repeated attempts by the Mongol armies to overthrow and claim their capital city from 1277 to 1301. For over 200 years, Burma fell into political chaos without a city-state to lead its people. From there, the country fractured into two kingdoms: the coastline empire of the Hanthawaddy Kingdom and the northern Ava Kingdom, who was eventually overrun by the Confederation of Shan States from 1527 to 1555. Still, despite these internal conflicts, Burmese culture greatly expanded during this time. Thanks to the shared cultures of all three groups, scholars and artisans of each kingdom created great works of literature and art that still live on to this day.   Colonialism and British Burma Although the Burmese were able to reunify under the Taungoo for much of the 17th century, their empire was short lived. The First Anglo-Burmese War of 1824 to 1826 suffered Burma a massive defeat, losing Manipur, Assam, Tenasserim and Arakan to British forces. Again, 30 years later, the British returned to take Lower Burma as a result of the Second Anglo-Burmese War. Finally, in the Third Anglo-Burmese War of 1885, the British annexed the rest of Burma. Under British control, the rulers of British Burma sought to keep their influence and culture present despite their overlords. Still, the British governance saw a destruction of social, economic, administrative and cultural norms in Burma and a new era of civil unease. This continued up until the end of World War II when the Panglong Agreement forced other ethnic leaders to guarantee Myanmar independence as a unified state. The committee who signed the agreement quickly assembled a team and formed a doctrine to govern their newly unified nation. However, it wasnt quite the government the original founders were hoping for that actually came to be. Independence and Today The Union of Burma officially became an independent republic on January 4, 1948, with U Nu as its first Prime Minister and Shwe Thaik its president. Multi-party elections were held in 1951, 52, 56, and 1960 with the people electing a bicameral parliament as well as their president and prime minister. All seemed well for the newly modernized nation - until unrest shook the nation yet again. Early in the morning on March 2, 1962, General Ne Win used a military coup dà ©tat to take Burma. Since that day, Burma has been under a military governance for most of its modern history. This militarized government sought to streamline everything from business to media and production to form a hybrid nation built on socialism and nationalism. However, 1990 saw the first free elections in 30 years, allowing the people to vote for their State Peace and Development Council members, a system which remained in place until 2011  when a representative democracy was instated throughout the country. The military-controlled days of government were over, it seemed, for the people of Myanmar.   In 2015, the citizens of the country held their first general elections with the National League for Democracy taking the majority in both national parliament chambers and placing  Ktin Kyaw as the first elected non-military president since the coup of 62. A prime minister-type role, called the State Counsellor, was established in 2016 and Aung San Suu Kyi took the role.

To What Extent Do Middle Eastern States Have the Capacity to Develop Essay

To What Extent Do Middle Eastern States Have the Capacity to Develop Civilian Nuclear Power Programs And Would This Development Encourage Regional Cooperation - Essay Example This report stresses that the International Atomic Energy Agency is the organization accorded the mandate to monitor countries utilising nuclear energy. In an article written in the New York Times, it is stated that a thin line exists between civilian and military nuclear programs. Thus, in the light of this knowledge, this paper seeks to examine the extent to which, Middle Eastern nations have the capacity to develop nuclear power programs. By examining their capacity, the paper will in turn evaluate whether regional cooperation can be encouraged by this development. This paper makes a conclusion that the Middle East countries are seeking ways to finance their programs through various means such as public-private partnerships. Management of fuel has been a hindrance in most civilian nuclear power programs in the Middle East because most countries have not created regulatory measures on fuel acquisition, storage of used fuel or even its disposal. The Middle East as a region lacks the local manpower for its nuclear power programs. Their reliance on outsourced human resource is cannot be sustained. In terms of international cooperation, countries in the Middle East are doing well based on the agreements they are signatories to. The development of civilian nuclear power programs in the Middle East will encourage regional cooperation through sharing of nuclear experiences and technology as countries in the Middle East are at various levels of their programs.

What make you capable to be a nurse(admission essay) Essay

What make you capable to be a nurse(admission ) - Essay Example I believe that a nurse can only be successful if the nurse learns to accept challenges. The field of nursing has a variety of issues involved and I believe that I can bring justice to these issues if provided with the right chance. My passion for nursing grew over the years and I have taken all the necessary theoretical classes relating to it. Science and Math classes will help me with the calculation of the nutritional intake of the patient and the medical classes of anatomy, physiology, pathology and biochemistry would help to know about the issues that the patient is suffering from. I have learned medical terminology through these classes and I believe it can help m to flourish in my profession. Although nursing is a field that requires physical and emotional stress, I believe that I can handle the stress because of the passion that I have for this field. My hard working nature along with my patience would prove to be very helpful when dealing with the patients. I possess good co mmunication skills which would help me to deliver efficiently to the patient. I have learned to act as a team member and this can help me to work under the senior nurses at a

International Water Conflict Essay Example for Free

International Water Conflict Essay Water is one of the most precious commodities for human beings. To some, it is the very lifeblood of the world. From time immemorial, the availability of water has determined the rhythms of daily life in many regions. The critical importance of water to the survival of the human race can be seen in the earliest civilizations whose growth and sustenance were closely tied to its water distribution systems. Many authors have located the importance of water in different religious observances. In Hindu and Buddhist traditions, the rivers of the earth, including the Indus, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra, originate from the mythical Mount Meru, the living place for the gods. In the Christian tradition, the waters originate from the Garden of Eden, and that divides the world into greatest streams: the Nile, the Tigris, the Euphrates, the Indus and the Ganges. Islam also gives water its due importance. The holy book Koran describes that every living thing is made from water. As Caponera points out, it seems that in the Koran, the most precious creation after humankind is water. There is a water crisis today. Water is not only a commodity, it is synonymous with life. All life on earth is dependent on water. If water is life, its possession bestows power. Water has crucial economic value, and it is a subsistence resource. Also, water has an emotional and symbolic value for certain countries and communities. The scarcity of water is increasing worldwide and its quality is continuously deteriorating. Water shortages reduce food production, aggrandize poverty, amplify disease and force people to migrate. The scarcity of water also undermines the states capacity to govern. Nearly half of the worlds population lives in international river basins. Sharing of the international rivers can therefore be a serious object of contention between riparian nations. For the last few years, water war has been a topic of widespread debate. However, wars over river water are likely only under a narrow set of circumstances, as there are also more examples of water cooperation than water conflict among countries. Nevertheless, the increasing scarcity of water raises doubt about the sustainability of these cooperative agreements over the international rivers. Water scarcity is particularly severe in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, owing to population growth, urbanization and industrialization. Whether the water crisis intensifies the dispute over the shared waters or whether it can be turned towards sustainable cooperative management of river resources, depends on many interacting processes. In this book (International conflict over water resources), after analyzing the existing sharing mechanisms of the major international river systems in these regions, argues that the real solution lies in a comprehensive approach to river basin management. The scarcity of water is increasing worldwide and the quality of the water is continually deteriorating. The growing global water stress poses a threat to the survival and prosperity of present and future generations. The gap between the needs of the growing population and the diminishing fresh water resources is widening every day. In the arid and tropical regions, where countries possess a very limited supply of water, it is not difficult to perceive the consequences. Water, a key necessity of life, can also cause friction between communities and countries, particularly in climatic zones where it is hard to come by. The over-exploitation of water resources might result in an acute shortage. From this perspective, it will be impossible for all the social actors to remain comfortable with the present or future prospects of the availability of the resource. These actors will work purposefully and consciously for their own interests. Increasing competition can potentially destroy the existing social arrangements for water distribution in the society. Newly organized actors with conflict behaviors might emerge in the future or the incompatibilities between existing actors might grow in societies with a weak administrative structure and laden with ethnic and social dichotomies. Scarce water resources can potentially trigger conflicts between the state and its internal groups. The development of water resources by the state by building dams, irrigation infrastructures, or industries in a particular region might be perceived by the local population as exploitation for the interest of others. Regional parties may be activated or environmental groups may be formed to challenge the actions of the state. If a particular group is involved in exploiting more than its perceived share of water with the backing of the state, then this inter-group conflict may escalate into conflict between the exploited group and the state itself. As discussed earlier, the construction of large dams for the efficient use of water resources has created tension between the state and a group of its own citizens in the past few years. The growing demand for irrigation and energy activates the state agencies to plan and build mega hydro-projects, which displace large population and inundate vast areas. In many places, the project affected population takes up of the struggle against the state. The list of mega dams that have witnessed this sort of protest is very long. The major ones include: Sanmenxia and Three Gorges in China; Madur Oya and Mahavali Project in Sri Lanka; Mangla, Nanela and Tarbela in Pakistan; Kaptai in Bangladesh; Arun in Nepal; Akasombo in Ghana; Kossou in Ivory Coast; Tana and Athi in Kenya; Itaparica and Tucurui in Brazil; Kainji and Niger Dams in Nigeria; Ataturk and Keban in Turkey; Lam Pao and Nam Pong in Thailand; Kedong Ombo and Batang Ai in Indonesia; Upper Pampanga in Philippines; Manantali in Mali; Savajina in Colombia; Brokopondo in Suriname; Caracol and Netzahualcoyotl in Mexico; and Nam Ngum in Laos. India, currently in the forefront of dam construction, deserves a separate list of its own. The Indian hydro-projects that have recently led to protest movements by the displaced people are: Pong Dam, Subarnarekha Project, Nagarjunsagar Project, Srisailam Project, Lower Manair Dam, Upper Krishna Projects, Tehri Dam, Narmada Projects and Ukai Reservoir Project. Sometimes disagreement over the development and sharing of water resources may begin with competing groups inside a state, but the states perceived favour of a particular group brings the state as a party to the conflict. Similarly, if the water source exploitation is perceived as the states intentional act on a particular region or people, a group identity may form, leading to conflict with the state. The construction of dams for hydropower generations in the northern part of Sweden to provide energy to the industries and factories in the South has become an area of disagreement between the Sami people of the North and the Swedish state. The Samis, who live in the forests in the Arctic Circle, accuse the state of favoring city dwellers at the cost of their livelihood and welfare. Even though this dispute has not transformed into a violent separatist movement, the reactions to similar issues in South Asia have been quite different. Disagreement over the sharing of river water from the Indus river system has been one of the major causes of violent secessionist movement in the Punjab province of India in the 1980s and 1990s. This Sikh-dominated province has been traditionally provided with a water supply from the Beas, Sutlej and Ravi Rivers. The demands of the downstream provinces of Rajasthan and Haryana persuaded the Indian government to construct canals and divert 60 per cent of Punjabs water and energy to those Hindu-majority regions. This became one of the major motivations for the Sikh Party (Akali Dal) to ask for autonomy in the 1970s, which subsequently transformed into an extreme violent secessionist movement in the 1980s and 1990s. On the other side of the border, the dispute over the sharing of the same Indus river system water has also played a critical role in a major separatist movement in Pakistan. The Pakistani part of Punjab, which is economically and politically the most powerful province in the country, takes advantage of its upstream location and consumes most of the waters of the Indus river system through the help of barrages and dams, ignoring the demand of the downstream Sind province. The perceived close tie of the federal government with the Punjab province has escalated this conflict between the Sind province and the Pakistani government. The link between fresh water resources and international conflicts can be investigated at least in two different dimensions. First, in an interstate conflict, the deliberate targeting of water storage facilities may be directly responsible for inducing water scarcity or reducing the water quality of the opponent. Thus, water scarcity becomes part of a military strategy and military behavior. The British Royal Air Force damaged a few German dams in the bombing runs of 1943. Dams and dykes were destroyed during the Korean and Vietnam wars by the US bombing. Iran claimed to have hit a hydroelectric station in Iraq in July 1981, as part of the Iran-Iraq War. Dams, water storage and conveyance systems were targeted by the warring sides during the 1991 Gulf War. Allied forces even had thought of a plan to shut off the flow of water to Iraq by using the Ataturk Dam in Turkey. Armies in Yemen (in the 1994 war) and former Yugoslavia (1991-95) used the water storage facilities as targets to create problems for their adversaries. In January 1993, the Serbian militia seriously damaged the Peruca Dam in Croatia. There are cases where in fact a human population is held hostage to political and military leaders. Manipulation with such basic human supplies in times of war should be an urgent issue for international humanitarian law, and it certainly would be unacceptable under conditions of peace. However, the aim here is to concentrate on a second dimension of the relationship: the likelihood of changes in fresh water resource supply to cause or contribute to the emergence and/or escalation of conflicts among states. As discussed before, there has been a general decline in the quantity and quality of global fresh water resource. This leads us to consider scarcity of resources as a cause of conflict, in conflict theory language: an incompatibility between already existing parties. A common starting point in the analysis of many inter-state conflicts has been sought in the desire of the leaders of states to acquire territory. In the post-Second World War period, it has become unfashionable and immoral to conquer territories of others. Nevertheless this has happened repeatedly, for instance, in the Middle East, in South and Southeast Asia and lately in Europe. Huth characterizes territorial dispute as one of the enduring features of international politics. But, why do states fight for each others territory? As Toset, Gleditsch and Hegre explain, territory can be a symbol of self-determination and national identity, but it can also be a proxy for tangible resources found on the territory. Thus, access to water supply can be a motive of waging war. Under special circumstances it is a possibility that scarcity of fresh water resources may give rise to serious armed conflict. â€Å"Water is not transported across large distances, as is the case with oil or minerals, for instance. In the post-Second World War period, political actions are taking place more in order to satisfy the demands of the majorities of a country. † (Barrett, S. 1994, p. 24) This means that stronger nations might be more in need of natural resources on the territory of other states, to meet the growing needs and desires of the home population. In this way, development might be seen to require the acquisition or exploitation of a larger share of jointly owned fresh water resource. The water on the surface of the earth is naturally organized within river basins. The river basins are the fundamental units of the fresh water world and the central feature of the ecology of the planet. Moreover, the river runoff is the most important source of available fresh water for human consumption. However, the rivers do not follow the political boundaries; nearly 260 rivers flow from one country to another. More than 40 per cent of the worlds population is directly dependent upon the fresh water from these international rivers and about two-thirds of these people live in developing countries. The use or misuse of water in the upstream countries affects its quantity and quality in the downstream countries. Downstream nations can affect the flow of water by building large-scale dams, with effects spilling over the borders. The International Water Management Institute in Colombo projects that in 2025, 3 billion people will be living in countries facing water stress. Water tables are increasingly falling in every continent. Many developing countries already face serious problems in meeting rapidly growing water demands. In order to meet such demands, further pressure is being placed on these blue water resources, this over-exploitation resulting in acute shortages. Faced with such scarcity, water has increasingly become a source of social tension, bringing further competition and creating conflict which, together, have the potential to destroy the existing arrangements for water distribution. Even though such tensions are omnipresent, they tend to be more complex and difficult where international rivers, lakes and aquifers are concerned. The Centre for Natural Resources, Energy and Transport (CNRET), now a defunct UN unit, brought out a Register of International Rivers in 1978. In that it listed 214 internationally shared rivers and lakes: 57 in Africa, 40 in Asia, 48 in Europe, 33 in North America and 36 in South America. The CNRET study has become dated because of significant changes in international geopolitical borders and names of countries and rivers in the last 25 years. The names of some countries and rivers have also changed in this period. The disintegration of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Ethiopia and Czechoslovakia has helped to increase the number of internationally shared rivers and lakes, and also the number of basin countries. For example, the Volga River is now international, and the Aral Sea is shared by at least four independent states. The re-unification of Germany and Yemen has made the Weser basin and the Teban basin national, contributing to a decrease in the number of international fresh water resources.

Obon :: essays research papers

The Japanese cultural holiday Obon is short for Urabon and can be traced etymologically to the Sanskrit word Ullambana, literally meaning to â€Å"hang upside down†. It implies that one must withstand unbearable suffering while being hanged upside down. In the Buddhist script Urabon Sutra, a story is told where a son saves his mother from Hell by making offerings to monks. Through the merits of his actions, his mother was saved from Hell, ascended into divinity, and became a Buddha. Thusly, to save people from Hell (being hanged upside down), one’s family and/or friends must make offerings to the deceased. Obon is held usually in the mid August or July for a week in which the spirits of the deceased are supposed to come back to the land of the living. Being held since the 7th century, it is especially enjoyable to the Japanese people. One of its key features involves offering food items to the deceased. Vegetables, fruits, rice, candy, rice wine, and among others are offered to the deceased. (But not only the deceased receive food; special foods are made to give away to neighbor, friends, and family.) In addition, respect is shown with floral decorations on the altar or gravesite along with incense burning and prayer. Particularly, prayer is said for wayward spirits that have passed away in the recent year, as it’s said they need more guidance to find their way. The Festival of the Dead, as it’s sometimes called, is a celebratory and social event. While this is not a national or public holiday, plenty of people from the city go back to their hometowns to polish up and cle an their ancestor’s gravesites. On the actual day of the celebration, a menagerie of lanterns, in a multitude of colors, are hung all around the town and specifically on houses. The logic is this – since spirits come back, the lanterns will guide them to and from the spirit world. However a more realistic use for these is lighting the area where the bon dances will take place. The bon dances have religious undertones also. In the story above, the dancing signifies the joy and elation the son felt when his mother was offered divinity. Now, in the center of town, a makeshift tower is erected. A Taiko drummer is on top and speakers play special Obon music and dancers below dressed in yukata (summer) kimonos circle below in dance.

Music in renaissance society Essay

The Renaissance was all about rediscovery. The term itself â€Å"renaissance† actually means rebirth. The period represented a time that was rich in personal expression and innovation. As society transcended with the times, so did many aspects of daily life, including music and arts. In fact many of the popular hymns of today came from the Renaissance period. One such masterpiece is â€Å"Ave Maria†, composed by Josquin Desprez (Fuller). â€Å"Ave Maria† reflected many social traits of the time it was composed. It also reflected the type of music that was developed during the Renaissance. It is no wonder why Josquin Desprez is recognized as the most successful composer of his time. Through the music he created, he was able to showcase the real essence of his time. During the Renaissance period a number of different types of music emerged. Aside from the popular Mass music played in churches, the period introduced Motets, and also saw the beginnings of secular music. Since the Renaissance was all about personal expression, it was natural that many different forms of music were created. At the same time because it was about this time that printing was first invented, the spread of music became much easier. Copies of different compositions were easily produced allowing for more people to hear them in different parts and stages. One of the most popular music innovations of the Renaissance period is the Motet. It is a type of music that uses pervasive imitation that simply means the blending of different vocal ranges into one harmonious combination. The Motet highlights vocals more than instruments, a distinct trait of Renaissance music. The Renaissance was essentially a time when composers began putting focus on the emotions that were derived from the lyrics of the songs. Vocals were emphasized more than the instruments. People began relating more to music because of the meaning and message different compositions relayed. The Motet can also be considered a musical revolution at that time because most of the Motets presented new complexities unknown to music prior to the Renaissance. They also attract a personal connection between the composer, the performers, and the listener. â€Å"Ave Maria† by Josquin Desprez is one of the most popular Motets that were composed during the Renaissance period. This Desprez masterpiece remains one of the most played hymns in churches today. This Motet is comprised of four distinct voices, a very rare choral work even today. In fact â€Å"Ave Maria† is considered one of the most outstanding Motets of all time because of this characteristic. Interesting enough this musical trait essentially depicts the culture of that time. It showed how people were starting to truly celebrate their individuality without completely losing their connection with the rest of society. While the Renaissance period ushered in many new ideas, people during that time remained traditional when it came to things concerning religion. â€Å"Ave Maria† is essentially a prayer set to music. In fact many of the popular music that rose during this period were church music. This spoke of how people gave high regard to religious practices and the church. Josquin Desprez wrote the quintessential Renaissance music in â€Å"Ave Maria†. From its deliberate and serene sound to its harmonious weaving of voices, and a theme that celebrated the times, it is one of the most important pieces of music of the period. It reflected the culture change that was going on with its groundbreaking style of music. It was also very loyal to the things people held in high regard during those times. And while it was a product of musical mastery, â€Å"Ave Maria† became one of the most influential music of the Renaissance period because of its enduring message and meaning that connected well with the people. Work Cited Fuller, Richard. Renaissance Music (1450-1600). 2010 January 14. Retrieved June 7, 2010 from http://www. rpfuller. com/gcse/music/renaissance. html

Christian Ethics

INTRODUCTION (DEFINITION) Christian ethics are theological teachings which govern decision making and the moral position of the Church based on various sources of guidance. These are traditions, church authorities, human experience, the Natural Law, the Bible; in particular Jesus’s Commandment of love, the Beatitudes and the 10 Commandments â€Å"You shall not steal† (Ex 20:15). HISTORICAL SETTING Christian ethical teachings vary between denominations for example, the Catholic Church places particular emphasis on Natural Law and authoritative bodies.The Protestant Church turns to scripture as its main source of ethical guidance due to the belive in â€Å"sol scriptura† (salvation through scripture alone, a belief originating in the Reformation of the Church. ) Despite these differences, the Bible remains the common source of morality among all denominations. SPECIFIC EXAMPLE: ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS/CLIMATE CHANGE Christian environmental ethics are specifically conc erned with the belief in humanity’s role as stewards of the Earth and how this role should be responsibly undertaken being a privileged bestowed by God.Prominent issues within Christian environmental ethics include Climate Change and deforestation. Climate Change is defined as a long term change in the Earth’s climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature. There are many factors believed to be contributing to Climate Change. These include an overconsumption of fossil fuels which when used emit greenhouse gases. The Church’s stance on Climate Change is that it is the result of humanity abusing the role as stewards of the Earth by taking more than they need from it.Using the words of Pope John Paul II, Climate Change is caused by modern society being given to â€Å"instant gratification and consumerism. † There are many national and international Christian initiatives which aim to address Climate Change such as Carit as Australia’s â€Å"A Just Climate† campaign. Established in 2011, this campaign aims to promote ecological sustainability to minimise the impact of Climate Change. Its focus is the poorer communities of the world, being the most vulnerable to the effect of Climate Change such as rising sea levels.Its methods include: community awareness programs and facilitating participation of poor communities in national discussions. Internationally, the Ecumenical World Council of Churches (WCE) is an example of the Christian communities response to Climate Change. It has been present since 1992 at every United Nations Climate Change Conference and is especially concerned with the effect Climate Change has on the world’s poor, promoting the concept of sustainable communities.It’s motivation lies in Genesis 2:15 in which God entrusts Adam with the Garden of Eden â€Å" the Lord God, took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it. † Today , humanity like Adam has the obligation to the world as responsible stewards. Using the words of Pope Benedict XVI â€Å"The wonder of God’s creation reminds us of the need to protect the environment and to exercise responsible stewardship of the goods of the Earth. † INTRODUCTION- DEFORESTATIONDeforestation is the loss of forest cover being converted into things such as agricultural land, golf courses and cattle paddocks. Consequences are wide ranging and include soil erosion, extinction of tree species as well as the endangerment or extinction of animal species which inhabit these forests. The Church’s opinion of deforestation is similar to that of Climate Change. Responsible stewardship of the land would not have caused not have caused such damage as deforestation has done.Society’s role as custodians of the land is demonstrated in the Bible by the quote â€Å"The land is mine;) with me you are but aliens and tenants† (Lev 25:23). This excerpt i llustrates society’s role as caretakers of the land and that the responsibility is to preserve the world. From this and other teachings found in the Church, it can be seen that the Christian ethical stance on forestation is that taking from the Earth should not be motivated by overconsumption but by sustainability.As Pop John Paul II said â€Å"Man cannot make arbitrary use of the Earth, subjecting it without restraint to his will. † Various Christian organisations established for the protection of the environment include Catholic Earthcare Australia (CEA), founded in 2003 by Australian Catholic Bishops. Its aim is to promote understanding of the sacredness of nature and functions as an advisory agent on ecological matters for Catholic Bishops and initiating sustainability programs.An example of this is the publication of â€Å"On Holy Ground† which is a faith based program for reflecting on environmental issues created by the CEA in conjunction with the Catholi c Education Office (CEO). An international example of the Church’s response to deforestation and other sustainability issues is POPPA Benedict XVI’s address at the opening mass of World Youth Day Sydney, 2008. He states â€Å"There are also scars which mark the surface of our earth: erosion, deforestation†¦ in order to face and insatiable consumption. With such a large audience the message of sustainability was spread to many countries. CONCLUSION Ethical issues are significant to the adherents of Christianity as they provide a means to living based on the teachings of Jesus who preached love and respect for God’s creation. The growing environmental concerns of Climate Change and deforestation are examples of modern society’s neglect of the Earth and, by extension their obligations to caring for it. Christian adherents are therefore called to encourage change and sustainability in the world around them.

Congressional and Presidential Powers essays

Congressional and Presidential Powers essays Congress has several powers awarded by the Constitution and several others that it has obtained with time. They have the power to regulate trade (tariff adjustments, export controls, and economic sanctions), declare war (although problematic at times because there is no clear definition of war), "advice and consent" Presidential appointments (control confirmation of appointments of the Cabinet and Diplomats), approve all treaties, appropriate all required funding of international activities, and approve the budget (Power of the Purse). Congress enforces its power in several ways: it holds hearings on topics, it has a substantial research and analytical group that is constantly investigating new issues, it creates committees that focus on specific issues or areas, and has the power to affect many of the decisions a President can make. With time, Congress has changed internally. Traditionally Congress was not so institutionalized and there was no party competition, today there is less bipartisanship and more disputes between and even within the parties, and more isolationism. After the Cold War, they have shown a lack on interest in foreign policy, evidence of this is the reduction of foreign aid awarded to countries. This lack of interest was evident until post-September 11, but even so still relies more on the President to lead them and create a course of action. Congress has changed over time. Most Congressmen today do not have much foreign policy experience, they are less internationalist and more unilateralist; they use parliamentary procedures to delay legislation; individual "issue leaders" fight for what they want; and politicians are partisan and single issue oriented. Before, Congress used to play the role of observer in foreign policy, now they want to be the headliners. Presidential and Congressional Relations Both branches have attempted to acquire more power or at least show that they ar ...

Bio Of Jonathan Swift Essay Research Paper

Bio Of Jonathan Swift Essay, Research Paper Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin on November 30, 1667. His male parent had died before his birth, and shortly after he was born, his female parent returned to Leicestershire. He was left in the attention of his three uncles, peculiarly his Uncle Godwin. It is believed that this state of affairs, along with his unstable homelife, led to a sense of insecurity and forsaking that he carried with him for the remainder of his life. At age 6, he was sent to the best school in Ireland, the Kilkenny School. Then at age 15 he entered Trinity College, located in Dublin. He did non pay much attending to his surveies, and in 1686 he received his degree speciali grata ( by particular favour ) . He continued surveies at Trinity in hopes of deriving an advanced grade, but because of political agitation he was forced to travel to England in 1689. In England, he worked as a secretary to Sir William Temple at Moor Park, Surrey. Swift worked with Temple, a diplomat and author who was fixing his memoirs, for the following 10 old ages. It was here that he met Esther Johnson, the love of his life, whom he nicknamed Stella. Simultaneously, he attended Oxford where he have his M.A. in 1692. He wished to come in political relations but settled alternatively for the church, in which he was ordained in 1694. In January of 1695 he was ordained priest, Prebend of Kilroot. In 1697 he wrote The Battle of the Books, which was subsequently published in 1704. In the ulterior 1690? s he wrote The Tale of the Tub, his first published work. When Temple died in 1699, Swift went back to England every bit chaplain to the Earl of Berkely. In 1700, he became one of the canons of St. Patrick? s Cathedral and wrote articles and letters for the English Whigs. In 1702 he moved back to England in hope of political assignment, and it was here that he published A Tale of the Tub. It was a sarcasm on corruptness in faith and acquisition. Battle of the Books was a mock heroic sarcasm. The eye-popping sarcasm of these plants earned him ill fame but no assignment. The Bickerstaff Papers ( 1707-09 ) , some of which foremost appeared in Richard Steele? s Tatler, a newspaper to which Swift frequently contributed, demolished the pretenses of John Partridge, a popular astrologist. In 1709 he was sent to London to beg financess for his church in Ireland. The Whig leaders refused to allow his petition because they were sympathetic to the Puritans and dissidents. Although Swift had been a member of the Whig party since birth, he was uncomfortable with many of the party? s beliefs. Swift? s fright of the Puritans caused him to exchange si des to the Tory party in 1710. The Tories recognized that Swift was a valuable plus to their cause, and made him editor of their diary, the Examiner. This made him an unofficial power in English political relations, every bit good as a prima author. Later that twelvemonth, he learned of his female parent? s decease, but he was non really affected since she played a minimum function in his life and upbringing. During this clip period, his friends included, Steele, Alexander Pope and John Gay. His life at this clip is recorded in the Journal to Stella, which were his letters to Esther Johnson. In 1713, the Scriblerus Club was founded by Swift, Pope, Parnell, Gay, and Arbuthnot. When the Tories fell in 1714, his political power ended. Swift was so appointed Dean of St. Patrick? s. This station carried great prestigiousness, but it made it impossible for him to go forth Ireland. Ireland in the eighteenth century was a settlement of England, exploited by absentee English landlords and denied self-determination. The spectacle of Irish servitude in general and in peculiar a strategy by one William Wood, who had received a royal patent to publish a new Irish mintage and planned to gain from corrupting it, provoked Swift in 1724 to compose the Drapier? s Letters, cheering the Irish to decline Wood? s mintage and develop their ain economic system. The development of the Irish economic system was besides the subject of his last and most superb sarcasm, A Modest Proposal, ( 1729 ) in which he ironically counseled his c ountrymen to turn their kids into a hard currency harvest. These attempts made Swift a national hero, but even so did non accommodate him to populating in Ireland. In 1726 Jonathan Swift visits England with a manuscript for Gulliver? s Travels, which was published anonymously. This was his last visit to England, that same twelvemonth Gulliver? s Travels was translated into French, German, and Dutch. In 1728, Esther # 8220 ; Stella # 8221 ; Johnson died. In 1731, Verses on the Death of Dr. Swift, was written. In 1732, Swift? s beloved friend John Gay died. In 1735, Faulkner publishes Swift? s plants and the corrected version of Gulliver? s Travels. Swift? s concluding old ages are the topic of some contention. Some have suggested that Swift went insane, but that theory has non been confirmed. It is known that Swift suffered from dizziness, due to an interior ear disease. However he remained inactive throughout the 1730? s, before enduring a shot in 1742. He declined mentally and in 1742 he was declared unfit to pull off himself. For the following three old ages, Swift was cared for by defenders. On October 19, 1745 Jonathan Swift died. He was buried in St. Patrick? s Cathedral, following to Stella. On the wall following to his casket is an epitaph written himself. It reads: # 8220 ; The organic structure of Jonathan Swift, Doctor of Sacred Theology, dean of this cathedral church, is buried here, where ferocious outrage can no more lacerate his bosom. Go, traveller, and imitate, if you can, one who strove with all his strength to title-holder autonomy # 8221 ; . As a ironist Swift? s technique was to make fictional talkers, such as Lemuel Gulliver and the Modest Proposel, who arrant sentiments that the intelligent reader will acknowledge as sinfully self-satisfied, narcissistic, stupid, or mad. Swift is therefore the maestro of unostentatious sarcasm, and his name has become practically synonymous with the type of sarcasm in which the most hideous statements are offered in a straight-faced mode. He has frequently been accused of a morbid preoccupation with physical decay. It should be remembered, nevertheless, that this preoccupation belongs technically to his talkers, of whom Swift did non anticipate the reader to O.K. .

Compare and Contrast of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and Fast Food Essay

Compare and Contrast of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser - Essay Example Do the writings of the authors, Upton Sinclair and Eric Schlosser have the latent strength to change the value systems and beliefs of the readers permanently? Schlosser makes the readers thinks hard and achieves the purpose to convince the public to change their views on the fast food industry, and change the current conditions of the industry by individual action and group protests. The discussions amongst the readers have created a strong lobby against the meat processing industry. Sinclair has different types of ambitions and his writings are politically motivated. He wishes to promote the cause of socialism and he tries to convince his readers to change their mental set-up. He presents a case before them in his earnest efforts to veer them round to the socialist principles. Emotional content and the facts related to the issue: Comparatively, Fast Food Nation appeals strongly to the reader’s sense of ethos, pathos and logos and it categorically achieves its purpose. Schlosser begins the book with a clear warning to the American people. He writes, â€Å"Hundreds of millions of people buy fast food every day without giving it much thought, unaware of the subtle and not so subtle ramifications of their purchases. They rarely consider where this food came from, how it was made, what it is doing to the community around them. They just grab their tray off the counter, find a table, take a seat, un-wrap the paper and dig in.... They should know what really lurks between those sesame-seed buns. As the old saying goes: You are what you eat," (Schlosser, p. 10). It kindles an everlasting awareness amongst the readers and evokes fighting spirit against the current inhuman trends that have become pat of the culture of the meat processing industry. The Jungl e takes to the path of propaganda literature and the reader remains unconvinced about the issues raised and the solutions tendered. Socialism is Sinclair’s view of life, not the