Gulliver Travel Theme Essay Example for Free

Gulliver Travel Theme EssayMight vs. Right In Jonathon agiles Gullivers Travel there are many characters who have power over others, some of these characters abuse it other characters do not. Swift gives many details and examples of how the character uses or abuses his or her power. Swift relates many of his characters to real life people of his time The first occurrence of this theme happens when Gulliver washes up on the island of the Lulliputains after his boat was capsized by a bulky storm. Gulliver awakens to his arm, legs, and body tied down and is unable to move. He is surrounded by a abundance of miniature like people. Though Gulliver showed no sign of assault the Lulliputains, despite their small size, still took full advantage over Gulliver and attack him with arrows. The emperor who rules Luptin takes he can concord Gulliver and has him chained and guarded by soldiers. The emperor is both a satire of the autocratic ruler and a strangely serious portrait of polit ical power. (Sparknotes. com).Swift uses The Emperor to represent King George I. ripe like King George, The Emperor abuses his power and hires his ministers on how well he likes them rather then their suitability, wisdom, or virtue. The Emperor of Luptin also loves war and wants to use Gullivers size to enslave the neighboring island Blefuscu. Although Gulliver refuses to do so, this can be compared to King George I war on Spanish Succession. The Brobdingnagians could dominate with their superior size if they wished only when for the must part they do not.Gulliver is taken by a farmer when he lands on the island of Brobdingnag who Gulliver estimates is around seventeen foot tall. The farmer at doesnt take advantage of his great size but he eventually uses Gulliver as a display around Brobdingnag for money. In General the Brobdingnagians do not abuse their power. The King of Brobdingnag is byered the secret of gunpowder but he refuses to take this, even though gunpowder could vast ly increase the power of his nation.The Queen of Brobdingnag finds Gulliver and buys him off the farmer for a thousand pieces of gold. The Queen finds Gulliver quite interesting and thinks of him not as a pet but as fellow Brobdingnagian. Throughout the apologue Swift likes to draw questions through his characters on why people hold power over others. A key example of this is how The Laputan King thinks he has the right to hold power over the Balnirbarbians simply because he is more devoted to abstract and theoretical knowledge then they are.A more indeterminate example of this power is how the Houyhnhnms control the Yahoos. The Houyhnhnms are intelligent, moral and virtuous people but it is still questionable on whether they should rule the Yahoos. The Yahoos are greedy, beastlike humans who depart fight over anything valuable and will eat enough food for ten. (shmoop. com). Even though the Houyhmhnms are great creatures it is still inhuman that they should take control of the Y ahoos who are less fortunate than them. Might vs. ight or, abuse or use of power, is a reoccurring theme in Gullivers Travels. Swift uses this theme to draw a deeper meaning into the story. The question of why people hold power over others is one that is asked throughout the novel. Swift puts you into each of leaders shoes and gets the reader to think of what they would do if they were in this situation. Would people use to power that was given to them to do great things or would people abuse their power to control and strip license from others.

To Love Another Person is to See the Face of God Essay Example for Free

To Love Another Person is to See the Face of perfection EssayTo love other person doesnt really mean to see the face of God. You have to feel all the love and blessings of God. Living the life of God, with his words and doing things that we know is objurgate is living the path of life loving any other person regardless of what she or he is living with the love of God with no conditions, no barriers that can stop him/her, only with just plain love of God . Accepting other person, understanding them is the way of baseing love to them. Helping them in times of trouble, giving them advice for goodness in life and supporting them on the things that they want to do are few thing we can do to show them our concern and love for them. We should not wait for them to call up favor for what we did for them, because like God who love and help us, he didnt ask anything in save for what he did for each one of us and never get tired of doing those things, so should just be thankful for wh at we did. That is Gods will for us. there are times we need to sacrifice for the sake of others. Those sacrifices are just tools for them to have pleasure they deserve. But should not be lonely because we sacrifice it, God has always plans for our life. We dont that he might have more plans for our life. Also we dont know what will happen in our lives, exclusively we should not just wait until something comes in our way. We should be the one to start our lives with God in our side for us to reach success Sharing happiness that you receive with all other people you want to share is showing them your love for them. Someday all of our sacrifice and all that we share with others will return to us but we dont know when. Only God knows.We should not be disturbed by the ups and downs of life. It is part of life were our courage, strength and religion in God were tested for us to be more ready to face all the coming trials for us. It is part of the path we all have to carry to learn mo re things about life, on how we can more understand the life God had do for us. Being able to surpass the trials we are lining is like reaching one of our many goals in life. And showing our love to other person is one of the greatest commandments of God. Love all the people with your consentaneous heart, let them fell it not just hear it, let them receive it not just expect it and love is the beginning of goodness. Showing love to others is the outgo way to show them goodness. Love God first, and love others more than you love yourself.

What Social Factors Can Contribute To Mental Illness?

What Social Factors Can Contri nonwithstandinge To Mental Illness?A psychical infirmity is a psychological abnormality of an individual, and signifi dopetly affects the individuals emotional stability. There be different types of amiable illnesses with different degrees of severity such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar mood disorder and individualality disorder. When a person develops a mental illness, emotions corporation be so overwhelming that they develop an inability to carry off with day-by-day activities such as work, socialising, and maintaining a relationship. In extremity, sight who suffer from depression may find it difficult to physically cargon for themselves, or leave their home. The slight common mental illnesses may involve psychosis these include bipolar mood disorder and schizophrenia. People experiencing these types of psychosis lose their champion of reality, feelings and the world surrounding them. A insane episode ma y involve delusions and/or hallucinations which can confuse or threaten the individuals peers. (Sciencemuseum.2012) This essay allow explore the social factors that can contribute to mental disorders, it will analyse the three dominant theories the mental turn over theory, social organise theory and the labelling theory. It will explore each theory in turn and relish at the enquiry, assumptions and criticisms.The sociological approach looks at the environmental or social factors, which argon external to an individual. It suggests that, these factors can drift an overwhelming stress leading to a breakdown in mental wellness. (Horwitz Scheid 1999121) The stress theory is derived from the nonion that when social stressors atomic number 18 accumulated, mental health problems are to a greater extent(prenominal) likely to occur. The term stress or stressors was introduced in the mid 1930s by a physiological researcher, Hans Selye. When using these terms it is meant that stress is anything that energizes the body wear and tear. Selye used laboratory animals to audition the stressors he used were extreme hot and cold temperatures, overcrowding of the animals in cages, and electric shocks. (Horwitz Scheid 1999122). This experiment showed that when animals are exposed to such stimuli, they show three stages of reactions known as general adaptation syndrome (G.A.S). The foremost stage of reaction was flight or fight, the animal be bring forths aggressive and ready to fight or retreat from the threat. In the indorsement stage, the animal reacts with resistance regaining equilibrium, it continues to combat the effects caused by the stress. The final stage is exhaustion the bodys ability to defend it self becomes depleted leaving the individual to a greater extent susceptible to infection or disease. Selye experiment proved a link between prolonged exposure to stress and illness. In the years to follow the research began to focus on the effects of stress in humans and social stressors (mainly major life forces) (Horwitz Scheid 1999122)Researches regarding major life events were carried out by Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe. They outlined major life events as external changes which occur in states lives and require them to make major psychological adjustments. They proposed that increased amounts of readjustments could cause exhaustion of the ability to cope this would cause the person to be at a higher risk of illness. Holmes and Rahe devised a life events checklist with 43 life stresses that may cause a person to make adjustments. The checklist was named the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) Each event on the checklist was called a Life Change Unit (LCU), with a different weight down for each type of stress. The more events the patient added up, the higher the score became. The higher the score meant the larger the weight of each event this made the individual more likely to become ill. (McLean Link 1994162) The checklist a llowed social researchers to determine whether cosmos exposed to social stressors could cause a breakdown in a persons health. The problems with Holmes and Rahes SRRS are that thither were many major life events missing from the list, such as exposing ones homosexuality and losing custody of a child. It also assumes that both positive and interdict life events cause behavioural adjustments, leading to overtaxing ones ability to cope. Later research found that negative life events had a more severe impact on individuals psychological health than positive life events. (Ayers.S 2007131).After years of research into the mental health effects of stressors, considerable variations have been found. There are three dominant approaches to apologize these variations. The first approach looks at the stressor itself and examines its characteristics. When looking at the characteristics of the stressor and familiarising with Holmes and Rahes SRRS, there is a clear indication of the difference in the severity of affect for negative life events. Each event can vary in how nerve-wracking it is or how it affects a person emotionally this is because of the differences in their desirability, predictability, controllability or their magnitude. (Thoits 198333-103) Research shows that the unenviable or uncontrollable events are the ones which have a greater detrimental effect. (Ibid). Although the first approach was originally designed to categorize the different ways that stressful situations effect nation psychologically, what it actually helped to do was establish that different types of stress manifest in different ways. For example, work or family based issues, effect wad differently to financial problems or illness. Furthermore, the different characteristics of each instance in life alter how it affects the mind. So, the timing and circumstances surrounding a life event make a difference to how a person copes and any long term effects it will have.(Ibid).In contrast, th e second theoretical approach focuses on the characteristics of the person who is experiencing the stressor. Variations in the effects of stressors, is a function of variations of a persons vulnerability or how they react to stressors. There has been a lot of research on coping and social aliveness. When a person is dealing with negative stressors they rely upon social and personal characteristics, also known as coping resources. (Perlin Schooler 19782-21) The social and personal characteristics can be found in an individuals social network, this is where the individual will seek emotional or practical support. Such support systems can raise a persons self esteem, and help them to stay in control. Research examines to what extent individuals or groups vary in how much personal or social resources they possess e.g. self esteem, mastery and social support.(Ibid) The research indicates that the more of these resources people have, the greater the negative impact of stressful life ev ents are buffered. Overall, the studies carried out for this approach signify that people who have strong coping resources and have access to functional, structural and emotional support have the advantage of being able to tackle the psychological consequences of stressors, easier than those whom do not have personal or social resources.(Ibid)Lastly, the third theoretical approach attributes variations in psychological harm caused by stressful life events to variations in the larger social context surrounding stressors. Advocates of this approach argue that when an event or strain occurs, the social circumstances are important for apologiseing variations of their psychological effects. This is because they have the personal meanings and emotional significance of the stressors. Blair Wheaton (1990209) shows that a role loss such as divorce is a great deal less distressing to individuals who have experienced a lot of marital stress, than for those who have a less stressful marriage . A similar study by Deborah Umberson (1987306) indicates that widowhood brings more depression to people who suffer from habitation and financial strain than those who do not experience these stressors.The stress theory is well suited for the purpose of explaining why lower class people are more likely to have a mental illness than middle or upper class people. (Horwitz Scheid 1999128) However, the theory is non specific for example, it does not explain how rough groups are more susceptible to certain disorders than other groups such as depression and anxiety are mostly experienced by women, and men are more susceptible to anti social disorders. (Ibid) Furthermore, this theory does not apply to all mental disorders such as psychoses a very complex and full disorder, which is better explained by biological explanations or ones childhood socialization. Price et al (1988) show experiments which indicate that interventions which alter an individuals coping strategy and offer soci al support and encouragement, do reduce negative emotional reactions to major life events. Therefore, the stress theory is a promising tool for administering mental health interventions. (Horwitz Scheid 1999129)A cover charge term used to describe more specific sociological theories regarding mental illness etiology is structural strain theory which looks at the extensiveer organizations of society and finds the can of distress, and where some groups are at a disadvantage when compared to others. (Ibid) A useful example of structural strain theory is Mertons (1938) anomie theory this theory attempts to explain criminal behaviour, rebellious behaviour, addictive behaviour, as well as mental illness. Merton uses the American society to explain his theory, he argues that the American culture highly strain how wealth and success are the most important values an individual can posses. They are taught that the highest goal in life is to strive for success, with education being the ke y means to achieve economic success. Mertons assumption is that most people agree that education is the most received route to achieving success. There is a bulk of the society who unfortunately have their means to success blocked. (Horwitz Scheid 1999130)These groups live in neighbourhoods which are piteous and lack school facilities and competent teachers. Thus, they lack encouragement, preparation and accompaniment for progression onto higher education. This causes class and race based discrimination within the schools and the workforce, leading to a defeat in efforts made to succeed when attempting to follow the legitimate paths.(Ibid)Mertons use of the term anomie describes a gap between the desire to be financially successful and the means of entry to acceptable education or employment. He argues that individuals who experience the gap will adapt by changing their goals or looking for alternative means. Merton described 5 adaptive responses, which are conformity, ritualism , innovation, retreatism and mutiny (Morine.N2009). The people who conform follow rules shared by the cultures goals, and carry out legitimate means to achieve them. Even if they are doubtful that their efforts will honorarium off. Ritualists give up on achieving success. However, they continue to behave in a socially acceptable manner for instance working steadily in a job with low income and low prospects. The conformist and ritualist do not cause society many problems. Whereas, the innovator, retreatists and rebels cause major problems for society. (Ibid)This is because innovators give up on success, but they still desire wealth and use illegitimate means to achieve it such as committing fraud or tax evasions. Retreatists also give up on success and retreat from the world surrounding them into substance abuse or become mentally ill.(Ibid) Rebels use threatening behaviour to achieve success, they go down socially acceptable goals and create new goals with new ways of achieving them such as being involved in riots or social movements (Ibid). The main bear witness of this analysis is to show how mental illness is a reaction to environmental demands and the result of an individuals legitimate pathways being blocked due to the stratified or structure of society causing a disadvantage for some social groups. (Ibid)Most structural strain political orientation of mental illness suggest that, macro strains in social and economic systems can cause increased rates of mental illness for certain groups. (Horwitz Scheid,1999131) Emile Durkheim (1897) analyzed the social factors which can cause suicide he found that the distributions of suicide within and across societies were unequal. Durkheim argued that the social integration of groups and societies differ. People are bound together by the balance of shared norms. These norms regulate a persons passion and maintain the ties to one another in order to prevent unreasonable behaviour from acts of passion or emotion al impulses. If a society is too weakly, or too strongly integrated, or are subjected to rapid changes it can cause conditions of structural strain.There are two main assumptions of this theory the first is that, minority groups, women, the poor, unmarried people and the elderly are all at a socioeconomic disadvantage.(ibid) The second assumption is that high rates of mental health breakdowns are caused by the socioeconomic disadvantage. In comparison to the stress theory, the structural strain theory is better suited for explaining that mental illness is not distributed haphazardly in society, rather it is closely linked to socially or economically disadvantaged groups of society.(Ibid) It conveys that, the structure of society itself could contribute to the epidemiology of mental illness. The stress theory does not fully capture this idea and biological and psychological theories bypass it altogether. The disadvantages of the structural strain theory are that, structural theoris ts do not present how the broad social structures and socioeconomic trends are actualized in individuals lives. They also tend to give priority to economic factors and disregard other large scale changes such as, poor quality family relationships (absentee fathers, increased divorce rate and child or spouse abuse) which could affect mental health. (Horwitz Scheid 1999132) Therefore, it is unclear of how the macro social trends cause psychological distress. It is not only socioeconomic disadvantage that are sources of stress, but interpersonal relationships can also be a contributing factor. It is interesting to note that, the structural strain theory has the same basis as the stress theory. The concept that the stress theory is essential to support the structural strain theory makes this theory weak.(Ibid)The social reaction theory (labelling theory) is similar to the structural strain theory in the sense that they both offer a unique sociological explanation for the cause of ment al illnesses it is often referred to as the radical sociological explanation. The fundamental idea of the labelling theory is how the identity and behaviour of an individual can be influenced by how they are described and categorized by others in the society. (Pilgrim Rogers 199913) The theory looks at the linguistic tendency of a majority to negatively label those perceived as degenerate from the shared norms, and is connected with the idea of a stereotyping and self-fulfilling prophecy. As a use of phenomenology, the theory speculates that the labels which can be applied to an individual can influence their behaviour. In particular, the application of stigmatizing or negative labels such as criminal can promote deviant behaviour and therefore becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Consequently, the labeling theory assumes that social optical aberration can be prevented by using a social shaming reaction and replacing moral anger with tolerance.(Ibid)The labeling theory has been cl osely linked to the mentally ill. In 1966, Thomas Scheff published his writings Being Mentally Ill. Scheff questioned the common perceptions of psychological disorders by declaring that mental illness is exhibited entirely as a result of social influence. Scheff disputed that society perceives certain behaviour as deviant, and certain expectations are then placed on the individuals. Over a period of time this will unconsciously alter the individuals behaviour in order to fulfil the expectations. The criteria given for different mental disorders are not always filled by the people who are diagnosed with them just because they all suffer from the same disorder. Scheff believed they are simply fulfilled due to the mentally ill being led to presume they are supposed to conform and act in a certain manner and eventually they do. (Pilgrim Rogers 199914)Scheff received multiple criticisms for his theory the most notable critic is Walter Gove. (Pilgrim Rogers 199915) Gove has a great de al argued an almost opposite of his theory he feels strongly that society has very little influence on mental illness. Instead, he argues that any societal perceptions of people who are mentally ill are derived as a result of the individuals behaviour. Goves ideology is that, the mentally ill behave uncommonly due to their disorders, so they come to be treated as being different. Most of the sociology theorists view labeling and mental illness between the extremes of Scheff and Gove. It is difficult to deny, given both research findings and common sense that perception society gives to crazy people has had a detrimental effect on them. Realistically, it seems that labeling can accentuate and perpetuate a mental illness. However, it is rare that it is the expel cause of the symptoms. (Ibid)Each of the sociological theories can be integrated. For example, structural strain theories have indicated that risks for certain social groups are created by the way in which societies are organ ized. (Horwitz Scheid 1999137) The stress theory can assist in helping to bridge the gap between micro and macro structure, by giving an explanation of how unified risks are actualized as stressful events in peoples lives(Ibid) Also, the stress theory suggests that accumulation of strains and life events can overwhelm an individuals psychosocial resources and their ability to cope thus leading to mental illness. This is similar to primary deviance in the labelling theorys terms. (Ibid)In conclusion, there has been a lot of research to prove a link between sociological ideology and mental illness. The stress theory proves how the more an individual is subjected to major negative stressors the higher risk they have of psychological breakdown (flight or fight). Also, it indicates how an individuals coping resources can assist with overcoming psychological breakdowns (resistance) and lastly, how overwhelming exposure to stressors can cause exhaustion and a breakdown of an individuals mental state (exhaustion). (Horwitz Scheid 1999122). The structural strain theory focuses more on society as a whole and determines which groups are more susceptible to mental illness. Groups of low social status, living in poor and disadvantaged areas are more susceptible to unemployment, being victims of crime etc and are more likely to become involved in illegitimate means to success or mental illness. (Horwitz Scheid 1999130) The labelling theory then explains how the individuals who suffer from mental illness as a reaction to overwhelming stressors and/or being disadvantaged due to hierarchical or societys structure are then stigmatized and unfairly stereotyped. (Pilgrim Rogers 199913) It also shows a link that those who receive the label find it difficult to remove the label and often causing the individual to become entrapped with no other choice but to act in the way that they are meant to. (Ibid)

MIM and the Rise of Muslim Identity Politics

MIM and the Rise of Muslim Identity PoliticsAkshay ShettyThe 2014 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections were perhaps unrivalled of the most interesting electoral experiments in recent narrative. The 15 year old Congress-NCP alliance and the 25 year old Shiv Sena-BJP alliance came to an give the axe and the quadruple parties contested elections on their own. While the results of the elections didnt come as a surprise to any of the four parties, the success of one company has attracted massive media attention, albeit alarmist.Making its innovate in Maharashtra, the Hyderabad based All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) won 2 seats in the 288-member assembly, grabbing a 0.9% share of votes. Waris Pathan won the Byculla assembly seat by a pin down margin of 1,357 votes, beating rivals Madhu Chavan of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) and Geeta Gawli of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena (ABS). However, MIM sprung a major surprise in the Aurangabad Central seat, where its nominee, f ormer NDTV journalist Imtiaz Jaleel defeated sitting Shiv Sena MLA Pradeep Jaiswal by 19,982 votes. It also muddled three seats by a narrow margin and finished third in nine constituencies. Overall, MIM polled over 5.13 lakh votes, even though it fielded, in many cases, political novices. The party also cut into the traditional vote banks of the Congress, the NCP and man developd to wrest control of some areas where the BJP was believed to be strong.Buoyed by the victory, MIM president Asaduddin Owasi is planning to stretch out the party base in the maintain. The MIM has decided to contest all municipal elections in the state, including the BMC election in 2017 and the Aurangabad municipal election in 2015. It already has 13 corporators in the Nanded-Waghala Municipal Corporation. Plans are also afoot to expand in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka.The MIMs victory can be attributed to two main factors, the breakdown of votes in other parties and the polarization of the Mu slim votes. With the BJP led by Narendra Modi sweeping to victory after winning elections across India, the delicate balance between the countrifieds religious and ethnic minorities, and especially its Muslims, and the majority Hindu population is shifting. MIM fed off the growing finding of political disempowerment among Muslims and the disenchantment with the Congress, a party which traditionally received the bulk of the Muslim vote. The vitriolic speeches of the Owaisi brothers, with fervent appeals to Allah and form of addresss of Muslim victimhood contributed to the polarization. Clips of Akbaruddin Owaisi were widely circulated on WhatsApp, and the Muslim youth who are wary of the hysteria surround Narendra Modi were attracted to them (Lokhande, 2014).Thus the MIMs victory is a combined result of Muslims being fed up of the token secularism of the Congress and the indifference and alienation by the BJP. Indias Muslims are at crossroads today. Before delving into the polit ics of the MIM, it is important to understand the state of Indias largest minority community.Indias MuslimsMuslims make up about 14.4 portion of Indias total population. However, according to a 2013 continue by the Pew Research Center, the country maintains the worlds second-largest Muslim population in stabbing add togethers (roughly 176 million).Often referred to as the mazed children of Indias partition (Gayer Jaffrelot, 2012), Muslims who chose to stay in India have struggled to keep pace with the majority community. The Sachar Commission report (2006), enjoin by the then prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh showed Muslims to be stuck at the bottom of almost every economic or affectionate indicator. They were poorly represented in public sector jobs, school and university places politics. Low literacy levels and low fertility were other major findings.Indias Muslims tend to be excluded from 3 sites of power within the state machinery the judiciary, the administration and t he police. In 2002, they represented only 6.26% of the 479 High Court judges in India, 2.95% of the 5,018 Indian Administrative Service officers and 4.02% of the 3,236 IPS officers. By contrast, according to a report in the Times of India, nearly 20% of Indias prisoners were Muslims. Experts believe that this trend is not because Muslims commit more crimes. Rather, its a product of economic and social deprivation. With no money for litigation and for getting bail, they end up languishing in jails for years. There have been several instances of false cases slapped against Muslims, especially after terror attacks and riots. scalelike home, the Mahmoodur Rahman Committee appointed in 2008 by the Maharashtra government revealed the shocking social, economic and educational condition of Muslims in the state. Maharashtra has witnessed the highest number of Hindu-Muslim riots post-Independence. This has led to ghettoisation which has further contributed to their neglect. About 45% of Musli m households have a per capita income of less than Rs. 500 a month. About 58 % of urban Muslims live in slums. Muslims constitute only 8.1% of the states farmers, 44.4% of rural Muslims work as agricultural labourers, compared to 36.1% of Hindus. Only 4.4 % of Maharashtras Muslims work in the government services. In 2012, there was not a single Muslim in the entire cadre of the Indian Administrative Services. The committee also found that in the urban areas, bus stops are located at a 1.3 km distance from Muslim areas. Fearing a backlash from the states Muslims and the media, the government never tabled the report in the Assembly, though it was submitted in 2013.The to a higher place statistics paint a grim picture. However, this doesnt suggest that Muslims seaportt progressed in independent India. In addition to being appointed to a number of top vexs, Muslims in India enjoy complete political and religious liberty, a free legislative environment to undertake economic and educati onal initiatives, a vivacious television media and cinema that teach liberal coexistence, and access to a vast number of universities and institutes of modern education (Ahmad, 2014). However, the benefits of a democratic, secular and pluralistic polity havent trickled to the vast majority of the countrys Muslims. One of the main reasons for this has been their poor federal agency in our elective bodies.Muslim representationWith every election, the position of Muslims has deteriorated. Muslims representation in the 16th Lok Sabha hit an all-time low of 22. For the first time in the history of Lok Sabha, not a single Muslim got pick out from Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populated and electorally decisive state.Maharashtras Muslims too have been affected by the growing communal schism generated during the 1990s. The number of Muslim MLAs in the recently elected Maharashtra Legislative Assembly has dropped to an abysmal nine. The states five main political parties put up only 45 Musli m candidates in the election. Out of the nine MLAs, eight have been elected from Muslim-dominated constituencies. Votes polled by Muslim candidates have been steadily falling since 1990. In 2009, while a non-Muslim candidate polled an average of 13,766 votes, a Muslim candidate attracted only 4,453 votes. This is the reason why most parties refuse tickets to Muslim candidates. No political party dares to put up a Muslim candidate unless the constituency has a substantial Muslim population. Even the avowed secular parties continue to succumb to communal consideration in the endurance of their candidates.While it is not necessary that Muslims should be represented only by their co-religionists, electorally ignoring an important group is not good for the health of a nation. Representation gives a community a sense of belonging. Further, representation of multiple identities is the essence of modern democracy.During the first five decades after independence, the vast majority of Indian Muslims saw in the Congress their natural protector, for its commitment to secularism. However after the demise of Jawaharlal Nehru, the pluralism of the Congress soon started changing. Muslims faith in the Congress started eroding with the escalation of anti-Muslim violence and the political, social and economic marginalization of the community, sometimes at the hands of the Congress itself (such as during the Emergency). The party started milking the community for electoral gains, by conceding religious and cultural space to the Deobandi Ulemas. inhibition Salman Rushdies novel Satanic Verses, overturning the Shah Bano judgment were among several of the partys tropes which contributed to the disenchantment of moderate Muslims from the Congress.Muslim Identity PoliticsDespite the love lost with the Congress and other secular parties, Indian Muslims have generally been reluctant to form their own political parties. However, in the last decade or so, a number of Muslim dominated po litical parties have emerged in India. The Peace Party was founded in Uttar Pradesh in 2008 by Mohamed Ayub. It won four seats in the 2012 Assembly elections and expanded its base in a number of states. The Kerala-based Indian Union Muslim League enjoys considerable popularity in the state. Maulana Badruddin Ajmal formed the All India linked Democratic Front (AIUDF) in Assam after falling out with Congress leader Tarun Gogoi in Assam. It is now the main opposition party in the state. opposite Muslim identity based parties include the Parcham Party, Rashtriya Ulama Council and Welfare Party. However, none of these parties could achieve any substantial success.The MIM and its historyIt is in this context that the rise of MIM in Maharashtra should be seen. The MIM was formally founded in 1927 for educational and social uplift of Muslims, however it first arose as a proto-Islamist movement to defend the Nizams autocracy through with(predicate) an armed militia called the Razakars. Th ey unleashed brutal violence against Hindus, the communists and all those wished to merge Hyderabad with independent India. In 1948, the Indian government sent in the army to overpower the Razakars, an performance that left several thousands dead. Hyderabad was annexed to India and Kasim Rizvi, the Majlis leader was imprisoned and the organization banned. Rizvi was released about a decade later only on the condition that he would leave for Pakistan in 48 hours. Before leaving, Rizvi handed over the reins to Abdul Wahed Owaisi, the grandfather of Asaduduin Owaisi.Owaisi re-drafted the Majlis constitution in keeping with the provisions of the Indian Constitution and heralded a newborn age in the partys history. Though MIM remained on the margins of Hyderabads politics for about fifteen years, the situation soon started changing in the 1970s. Under the new president Salahuddin Owaisi, the party made great inroads in the city. Votes polled by Majlis in the Hyderabad Lok Sabha seat ros e from 58,000 in 1962 to over four lakhs in 1989. It also spate up a number of educational institutions for Muslims in the city. Thus, a party that was a part of the Razakars has found acceptance in the very city that had observe its ouster.The mainstream media has reacted to MIMs victory in Maharashtra with a sense of paranoia. There are fears that the party could accentuate communal differences in the state. Moderate Muslims accuse the MIM of milking the sufferings of Muslims, while not doing anything for the communitys development. Party MP Akbaruddin Owaisi is known for his vitriolic hate speeches instigating Muslims to stand up against Hindu violence. MIMs politics represent a ultraconservative agenda that seeks to counter the violent communal politics of the right-wing Hindu parties.On the other hand, Muslims are also hopeful about the MIM as they feel it can better represent the communitys interests. MIMs rise represents the breachure of all secular parties in checking at rocities against Indias minorities and preventing majoritarianism. Muslim youth who fail to see themselves as a part of the youth Narendra Modi keeps gloating about are attracted to the MIM and its aspirational politics which largely involves invoking a false pride of the glorious history of Muslim rulers.However, the same youth need to realize that the MIM has presumee nothing to defend the human rights of young Muslims who are falsely accused of being terrorists and who end up spending years in jails. MIM has never spoken out against radicals within the community neither has it done anything to empower Muslim women. It wouldnt be long before Indias Muslims see through the farce that the MIM represents and the process of disillusionment sets in.Problems with identity politicsThe deeply problematic nature of MIMs politics still doesnt justify the medias sustained and critical coverage of its victory in Maharashtra. Identity politics is not a new phenomenon. Indias ruling party BJP has its roots in Hindu nationalism, the Akali Dal was formed to give a political voice to Sikh issues, the RPI and its more than 50 factions claim to represent Dalits. The UP-based Apna Dal enjoys a following among the Kurmi caste. The Shiv Sena and now the MNS have, from time to time, raised the bogie of the Marathi manoos for electoral gains. The medias hypocrisy while reporting about these parties inescapably to be called out. Muslim identity politics is as dangerous as the identity politics of any other community.According to Irfan Engineer, director of the Centre for contract of Society and Secularism, Identity politics can be oppressive, hegemonic and exclusionary to strengthen hierarchies and hierarchical structures, to defend the privileges of the social, political and economic elite. It is part of a larger trend of a greater assertiveness of identity in India. To counter this, it is important to strengthen the countys secular and pluralistic ideals.ConclusionSo what does that leave Indias Muslims with? They dont need parties which essentialize their identity. Voting en bloc for hegemonic identity based parties isnt going to yield any dividends. All they need is democratic representation of their interests. They need parties and candidates that stand for the values of equality, liberty and justice.MS Sathyus iconic film Garm Hava is perhaps the best film made on Indias partition. It shows Balraj Sahnis family members leave for Pakistan, one after another, because of the increasing discrimination faced by them. In the end, Sahni and his son, Farooq Sheikh too decide to leave the country. On their way to the railroad station, they come across a protest march by angry youth demanding jobs. Sheikh and, eventually, Sahni too join the march, thereby deciding to survive and pull ahead in his own homeland.An Urdu poem by Kaifi Azmi is heard in a voice-over as we see Sahni joining the protestersJo door se toofan ka karte hain nazaara, unke liye toofan vahaa n bhi hai yahan bhi, Dhaare mein jo mil jaaoge, ban jaaoge dhara, Ye vaqt ka elaan vahan bhi hai yahan bhi.The look is a poignant reminder for Indias Muslims that their future depends on engaging with politics of social justice and security rather than falling prey to leaders stoking their insecurities.BibliographyAhmad, T. (2014). Democracy and Indian Muslims. Daily Times. Retrieved 29 November 2014, from http//archives.dailytimes.com.pk/editorial/16-Mar-2013/comment-democracy-and-indian-muslims-tufail-ahmadAnanth, V., Gadgil, M. (2014). Religious polarization helps AIMIM debut in Maharashtra. Mint. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http//www.livemint.com/Politics/FxsUExgM2i03mSOH6w3RmO/Religious-polarization-helps-AIMIM-debut-in-Maharashtra.html?utm_source=ref_articleAshraf, A. (2014). Hidden history of the Owaisis. Firstpost. Retrieved 28 November 2014, from http//www.firstpost.com/politics/hidden-history-owaisis-aimim-doesnt-want-know-1817267.htmlBagri, N. (2014). Indian Muslim s Lose Hope in National Secular Party. The New York Times. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http//www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/world/asia/indian-muslims-lose-hope-in-national-secular-party.html?_r=1Engineer, I. (2014). Political Mobilisation of Muslims in India ever-changing Pattern. Secular Perspective, XVII (21).Gayer, L., Jaffrelot, C. (2012). Muslims in Indian cities. New Delhi HarperCollins India.Ghosh, S. (1987). Muslim politics in India. New Delhi Ashish Pub. House.Lokhande, D. (2014). Why we should be concerned about MIM victories in Maharashtra. DNA. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http//www.dnaindia.com/india/report-why-we-should-be-concerned-about-mim-victories-in-maharashtra-2027543Noorani, A. (2003). The Muslims of India. Delhi Oxford University Press.Rahman, M. (2013). The Condition of Muslims in Maharashtra. Mumbai.Sachar, R. (2006). Social, Economic and Educational Status of the Muslim Community of India. New Delhi.Shaikh, Z. (2014). Force behind MIM. The Indian Exp ress. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http//indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/force-behind-mim/99/Sharma, S. (2014). Behind the victory of a Muslim party in Maharashtra, the gamble of a journalist. Scroll. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http//scroll.in/article/685327/Behind-the-victory-of-a-Muslim-party-in-Maharashtra,-the-gamble-of-a-journalistShukla, A. (2014). Maharashtra polls Opinions among Muslims on AIMIM pitch vary. DNA. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http//www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-maharashtra-polls-opinions-among-muslims-on-aimim-pitch-vary-2018458The Hindu Holding them captive?. Retrieved 27 November 2014, from http//www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2003/04/27/stories/2003042700081500.htmZakaria, R. (1995). The widening divide. New Delhi New York, N.Y.

Tocqueville Analyses Political Society Functioning Politics Essay

Tocqueville Analyses Political Society Functioning Politics EssayThe key cultural and sparing factors in the Tocquevilles meet revolve around companionable comparison and inequality. In his work Tocqueville tend to focus on equality in the society the aristocratic which compromised equality and republic which maximized equality. Tocqueville recognizes that in America several social forces have allowed people to remain free. Tocqueville talks about burgeoning democratic order and views democracy from the perspective of a barren social scientist. Tocqueville observes democracy as an equation that balances equality and liberty concern for the America society. He finds human to thirst for equality and the desire of the weak to clear the strong down the equal levels reducing men to favor parity in servitude to inequality in freedom.Tocqueville analyses semi governmental society functioning and several forms of political associations and has shed some light on the civil society. S imilar to Marx and Hegel, Tocqueville demonstrates civil society as a sphere of civil affairs and private entrepreneurship. Justifiably, Tocqueville indicates that equality of social condition has bred civilian and political determine which in turn determine the type of legislations to be passed. Tocqueville maintains with Aristotle and Montesquieu that the balances of possessions determine the poise of power. Distinctively positioned at the crossroads of American history Tocqueville view on American democracy attempted to capture the very fundamental nature of American culture and values.GreenbergGreenberg indicates that within the mental synthesis of democratic capitalism in America, the governance structure and the constitution have a vitally liberal backbone. The relationship between the government and an exclusive is with the constitution which read aloud the liberal values fundamentally woven into the rich history of America. The American constitution combined with the Bi ll of Rights holds the prevailing government accountable for all the actions and sets a finite limit on the power it exercises over a citizen.America as a capitalist society uses wealth distribution and taxation way to control social equity. In keeping with classical liberalism, the society and the domain can be viewed as an immense social contract. The central liberal principle that is served by the American constitution limits and separates governmental power. In n keeping with Greenberg argument, the characteristically liberal mistrust of majoritarian tyranny has been proceed to the contemporary American politics through the constitution. Liberal concern with individual rights has principally been portrayed in the American customs by the Bill of Rights. Liberalism guarantees individual liberty like freedom of religion, speech and the universal rights of all the American citizens. The function of the Bill of Rights is protection of the American citizen from the abuse of power th at might be committed by any part of the government. Individual freedom has been established as one of the hallmarks of liberalism especially for the Americas free-market economy every American citizen is free to make out how they would like to use their income.Generally, liberal principles supports that individuals should pursue their own best interest economically, this mutual pursuit of individual interest encourages improvement and innovation. In regard to the Greenberg argument, the relation presents that the free market economics is similar to free market for policies and ideas and thus liberal democracy. Underlying the liberal approach to political and economic organization is the asseveration that every individual possess equal rights to work, cast their votes and this creates an equal playing-ground in the electoral politics. Arguably, united nation as a country has strayed least from values of liberalism. American constitution is based on fundamental liberal principles protecting individuals and limiting appropriate powers of government.LipsetIn keeping with the works of Lipet, formulating a national identicalness the American nation presents a progressive and a virile society that has abundance of opportunity to all. Lipsets work also depicts a society rich in corrupt affluence a society with a rising laxity of values and morals, impropriety of taste and a broadening gap between the haves and have-nots. American policies and put by Lipset follows the principles that were set in the federalist. America sort thet nations must focus their interest in their foreign policies. Lipset indicates that one powerful step to American development is the weight of ancient tradition present in most of the states was initially not there. America grew not only as a bare-ass nation but also a new society with new set morals and values. However, religion can at some point be seen as a new conventional institution that has played a great role in America. All in al l, in the first fractional a decade the religion defenders were greatly weakened with disestablishment of Anglican and the New England Congregationalist. Lipset draws a significant connection between democracy and income. In keeping with Lipset, economic development through increased income determine the type of class struggle allowing person in the lower strata to come up with more gradualist views in bring up to political change.Factors that seem to be Central in all argumentsAll the arguments respond to the impact of political and social development of the U.S. to its governance. In keeping with the common chord arguments it is definite that America has a unique culture which has been developed for a long time. In is fundamental to understand that Tocqueville lays emphasis on liberty, individualism, laissez-faire and equalitarianism as the main driving forces for Democratic republicDo you agree which the idea that the unite States is exceptional that the political system her e developed in ways that make it very different from political systems in other countries.The distinctive national attribute of the U.S. political and social culture distinguishes the nations from other nations. United States possesses an exceptional political system that is developed in ways that make them very different from political system. U.S. Political system has clearly been defined by elementary documents. The 1776 declaration of independence and the 1789 U.S constitution are the foundations of the United States federal government. In reference to Khan (2003), the declaration of independence institutes the U.S. as a political entity that is independent. The constitution on the other hand, formulates a basic structure of the U.S. federal government. In keeping with Tocqueville, the greatest advantage of the Americans is the fact the country reached to a state of democracy without enduring democratic revolution.Supplementary readingsKhan, L. (2003). A theory of universal demo cracy beyond the end of history. The Hague New York Kluwer Law International.Schleifer, J. (2012). The Chicago companion to Tocquevilles majority rule in America. Chicago The University of Chicago Press.

Biblical Rhythm Essay -- essays research papers

Biblical Influences on Cry, the Beloved regionorCry, the Beloved Country Like the Bible but ShorterTo any unmatchable and everyone This is one of the great nurses It reads like a lovely poem. Enjoy and reflect.--unknown lawyer from ChicagoThe owner of the South Haven, Michigan bookstore The Hidden Room discovered this wide-eyed yet memorable comment written firmly on a memo card of a noted Chicago legal firm. The card was left in a copy of Alan Patons Cry, the Beloved Country. From his early childhood, Paton was a lover of language and a devout Christian. As he grew into a virtuoso(prenominal) poet, writer, and orator, his passions remained with him, a constant influence on his works. This is especially evident in Cry, the Beloved Country, Patons first and most highly esteemed novel. Cry, the Beloved Country is the story of Stephen Kumalo, an elderly black parson in a small poverty- and drought-plagued tribal village in the racially torn country of South Africa. He undertakes a journey to the corrupt, terror-ridden city of Johannesburg where he searches, both physically and emotionally, for his son Absalom, as well as his old way of life. From Patons use of oscillation to the names he chose for his characters, strong Biblical influence is apparent throughout the novel.Though Paton incorporates several different oratorical styles in Cry, the Beloved County, the style of the book as a whole is frequen...

Free Essays - Of Farctate and Roadkill :: Personal Narrative Essay Example

Of Farctate and Roadkill   Being a writer and reader, I love words-not only what they mean, but also how they sound. So I rely on my trusty Websters New Universal Unabridged. Its over four inches thick and chock-full of tens of thousands of glorious words. Some people have trouble with dictionaries because they cant spell the words theyre tone for. Me, I just get lost.   Whenever I set out to look up a word, I often get sidetracked by early(a) words. For instance, the other day I was headed for farthingale, but farctatestopped me in my tracks. I dont care that its a botanical term meaning stuffed, crammed, or full. But the word itself-farctate-what a fun word to say   Another time, while in search of synergy, my eye fell upon susurrate, meaning to whisper, murmur, rustle. It almost sounds like what it means-they all do, in fact. perhaps not close enough to be true examples of onomotopoeia-but, hey, thats another great word   And lets not forget sastruga, habane ra, and Zwinglianism, to pick only a few. Even without perspicacious what they mean, theyre delicious on the palate. They almost have a taste, like exotic spices among the salt and pepper of everyday language.   Great words pop up in the most unexpected places. Years ago, I was waiting in a doctors office, my paper gown sussurating around me. Flipping through a magazine to pass the time, I came across a beautiful ad with the word nimiety in it. I was entranced. Lest I should forget this new treasure, I tore out the knave and hid it in my purse. I checked the dictionary when I got home What an elegant way to say the state of being too much excess redundancy.   acquire now the writing of business and government.