Abraham Lincoln, Slavery, and the Civil War Essay

Abraham Lincoln, Slavery, and the Civil War - Essay Example Going by Lincoln’s second inaugural address which took place on March 4th, 1865, one can cogently defend the standpoint that as the 16th President of the US, he was interested in reconstructing the Union. In the first place, it can be considered that although he wanted reconstruction, yet he preferred a pragmatic approach. This is seen in the manner in which Lincoln tried to eschew sentiments that would be indicative of punitive measures against the South, even after its defeat. In a way that betrays ingenuity, Lincoln sought to cast both sides as subject to imperfection, in a clever way of toning down the anger against the South. For instance, Lincoln states that â€Å"†¦ Both sides dreaded the war and sought to avert it (Johnson 64)† Lincoln also said that â€Å"Neither of the parties expected the war, its magnitude, its duration which had already been attained (Ibid 64).† Lincoln also goes further to state that both sides â€Å"†¦ Read the same Bible and invoked the same God (Ibid 65).† Nevertheless, all the above are more of vestiges of a pragmatic approach to constructivism than a show of appeasement of desperation for unification. The prospects of Lincoln’s constructivism are also underscored by the very speech that others would merely pass as unifying. The constructivist aspect of the speech is also underlined by the pieces that are found within the same speech. In a particular instance, he lambasts the prospects of slavery which was very popular and full fledged in the South. In an instance, he quoted Jesus Christ in the Gospel according to St. Matthew, XVIII: VII to state that although offenses were inevitable, yet the person who acts as the perpetrator or harbinger of the same, would be in trouble or deep danger (Johnson 65). In the same wavelength, Lincoln said that if God was willing that the war continues, so that all the wealth that slave owners had amassed be destroyed and all the blood that had been drawn by the taskmaster’s whip be aveng ed, the same would still prove the justice of God’s judgments (Johnson 65). To show for the seriousness of the matter, Loewen (37) explains that there are certain measures that Lincoln followed through to show that he was interested in the reconstruction of the American nation. The first and the most prominent was the role he played in the adopting of the Fourteenth Amendment to the US Constitution on July 9th, 1868. As a matter of fact, Amendment XIV is one of the most popular Reconstruction Amendments. Among many things, Amendment XIV reconstructed the definition of citizenship to include blacks. This totally overruled the 1857 ruling of the Supreme Court, which in the case, Dred Scott v. Sandford had ostracized the black race from the American citizenship. This amendment had within it, the clause that mandated every state of the US to accord every of its citizen with equal protection and rights, without any discrimination (Arnesen 20). According to Loewen (38), even crusad ers against gender discrimination found much help in Amendment XIV since it set the stage for the 1954 Brown v. Board and the Reed v. Reed which totally proscribed all manner of discriminations. The prospects of the Fourteenth Amendment is being seen as a tool that was used for restructuring or reconstruction is also illustrated by its spelling of the conditions under which citizenship could be extended to an individual or revoked. This proved to be a double-edged sword since it excluded many prominent members of the Confederacy from the government. This is a shift away from unification attempts. In the same vein, Lincoln’s speech and behavior relevant to the speech cannot leave an

Adding some requirements on the project one page only Essay

Adding some requirements on the project one page only - Essay Example This way, it would look like a new product in the market. To add to this, the company could also consider advertising their new image and mentioning the changes they have made and why they are better than before. 3. The company should also invest in latest technology in developing and operating fields so as to consider concerns in healthcare, environmental and safety issues of the Country. This way, the company would practice environmental friendly ways of going about their business. When consumers see this, they may appreciate the company more. This way, the sales of their product would increase as the company would become popular with the consumers. 1. Encouraging investors would be a suitable action plan as they would help the company in their businesses such as the company’s plan for globalization. Investors would also help the company buy modern technologies as they would provide income that could be used for

Macroeconomic Convergence, Financial Development and Economic Growth Coursework

Macroeconomic Convergence, Financial Development and Economic Growth - Coursework Example The theory of absolute convergence states that the growth level of countries initially varies due to the difference in their levels of capital. The second theory of conditional convergence states that each country has a steady state and they converge to their own level of the steady state. The paper focuses on the effect of convergence on China and the resultant financial development and economic growth in this country. Deep-down analysis of the fact that poor countries can catch up to the rich countries through the increase in the average rates of growth has been carried on for a proper understanding of this topic. The investigation of the way in which the financial development and economic growth of China helped it to reach the position equivalent to a developed country is considered for the purpose of review. The Solow swan model and laws of diminishing marginal utility are used to help in the process of interpretation of the topic in a simple and easy manner. The empirical evidence is laid down in the paper along with charts to facilitate the process of understanding. The idea of catch-up-effect or convergence in economics is based on the hypothesis that the per capita income of the poorer economies will tend to grow at a much faster rate than the richer ones. The resultant factor is the convergence of both the economies in terms of the per capita income. The financial functions control the investment and saving decisions, technological innovations and therefore economic growth (Shahbaz, Khan and Tahir, 2013). Classical theories: The Ricardian theory of production and growth are related to the law of variable proportion. The law states that if any factor of production is increased while keeping the other same with no technological changes, there can be an increase in the output but in diminishing rate. This increased output eventually approaches towards zero.

What were the most important consequences of the Industrial Revolution Essay

What were the most important consequences of the Industrial Revolution for world history - Essay Example Traditionally, all family members relied on the head of the family for the provision of the dairy basic needs, and they all used to collectively assist him achieve this objective. The revolution led to the heads of family shifting and migrating away from home in search of employment to sustain their families. Their departure thrust women who were traditionally raised to be submissive to the males as heads of their households when their male counter parts were away. If problems persisted, these families could shift to nearby cities in search of employment in the emerging factories for sustenance. The widespread migration to cities2 made the towns overcrowded causing innumerable problems common even today due to high population growth rates and development of social vices. Lack of accommodation led to the establishment of slums characterized by poor infrastructures, lack of basic amenities like water and sewerage systems and this contributed to the emergence of various contagious disea ses often leading to catastrophic epidemics. The high number of labor supply led to low wages and high unemployment rates increasing the problems these migrants were facing. This is despite the industries requiring large workforces from the country sides3. The standards of morality depreciated rapidly with women and girls prostituting themselves for food. Women and children also copied vices such as drug and alcohol abuse from men and crime rates soared as people tried to survive. The new challenges facing the family and the social life made changes in the gendering roles of both men and women as women tried to fill their new roles. Women were increasingly given more authority and autonomy in making key family decisions in the absence of the patriarchal men, a trend being promoted even today. They were further employed in the emerging factories, and they had to learn new skills just like men to be able to fit in their work

Political science paper- comparative Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Political science paper- comparative - Essay Example The theory adopts the rule of consensus decision making and majority rule. In an occurrence where a decision cannot be reached through consensus, a decision is reached through the majority rule by voting. The type of voting embraced by this theory involves one that does not regard authority. Every party of individual affected by the decision making process is effectively considered in terms of representation in the decision making process (Gutmann & Dennis 57). Deliberative democratic theory also represents representative democracy and direct democracy. In an argument by Ross deliberative democracy refer to representative bodies that give equal chance to its members to deliberate on a decision making procedure without uneven distribution of power due to authority or position an individual holds (87). Another definition of the theory given by Gutmann & Dennis depicts deliberative democratic theory refers to the system of governance where the lay citizens are given the power of making decisions (87). Generally, this theory acts with respect to democracy where every person is entitled to a decision or thought; and the thought or opinion is considered in a decision making process. The decision making process in this theory may be represented in tow forms depending on the parties involved. The decision making may be based on the elitist deliberative democracy or populist deliberative democracy. In elitist deliberative democracy, the involved parties use the social decision making bodies such as courts and legislatures to rule over a dispute or direct a decision making process. In the populist deliberative democracy the power is given to the people to decide on the opinion or decision to uphold. In an argument by Gutmann & Dennis the power given to the people is more significant than using decision making bodies since there is a higher probability that public opinion will be represented (132). The author further argues that populist deliberative democracy theory gene rates decisions that may be significant to the lives of involved citizens since their opinion will be greatly considered in the decision making process. Characteristics The characteristics that apply in deliberative democratic theory are greatly similar to the provision of any consensus approach. There are five characteristics of the theory; I. Information In any decision making process there are numerous information that are required in order to have a complete validation of option. In deliberative democratic theory, this information should be provided to all involved parties in the decision making process. Additionally, the information provided to the participants should be accurate and relevant to the consensus being held. Gutmann & Dennis argue that the theory may be distorted if the information provided to participants is biased, distorted or incomplete (122). II. Substantive balance All arguments considered in this theory should be met by contrary arguments that support the ar guments. According to Ross the opinions the participants bring forth should be supported by relevant and significant evidence in order for

Historiographical Paper on Latin America Specificly on Educational Essay

Historiographical Paper on Latin America Specificly on Educational Policies under Populist leaders in Brazil, Mexico and Argentina - Essay Example Following the Great Depression many Latin American countries were seeking new ideas and policies to ward off economic losses. Notably, populist leaders made effective use of the media to gain the attention and patronage of a large voting pool within the community. Importantly, populist leaders considered the large indigenous populations that were part of their nations heritage, initiating discourse of inter-culturality and multi-cultural education. This incorporated concepts of democracy, equality and a civil society. Further, populism looked to debate and respect the cultural and linguistic plurality of indigenous peoples, and to rectify their day-to-day struggles with oppressive and unequal social relations (Aikman, 2004). This paper will review the populist education policies of the presidents; Lazaro Crdenas (Mexico); Juan Pern (Argentina); and Getlio Vargas (Brazil). President Crdenas's term was noteworthy for its extension of education resources and opportunities to the rural areas of Mexico, along with changes to land distribution and the formation of labor unions (Encyclopedia of the Nations, 2006). The dramatic reformation programs initiated by Crdenas promoted domestic industrialization by introducing import barriers the strong economic growth of Mexico in the following years provided the foundation for his inclusive education policies. The market forces of capitalism had until Crdenas's time maintained the status quo of the oppression of the indigenous people of Mexico. His administration brought in agrarian reform however, Crdenas was not fully focused on social transformation, although his term did manage to stabilize the existing capitalist economy (Dawson, 2004). Overall, Crdenas set out to decrease social inequality while at the same time increasing confience in the Mexican social system. Previous to the Crdenas government, a series o f scientific and educational institutions had tried to understand and up-date the social position of indigenous people, and to integrate them into the wider Mexican community. Indigenism or indigenismo was maintained throughout Crdenas's term, contributing to the revolutionary formation and ethnohistory of Mexico.The assimilationist ideas of Mexico's bureaucrats and scholars between 1917-1934 sought to integrate the indigenous people by having them cast aside their culture (Dawson, 2004). With Crdenas, a more pluralist period of indigenism arose, extending on the belief that indigenous people were 'educatable'. Indian boarding schools were established to educate and modernize the students, however, by to teach in language and to have bureaucrats work within the indigenous communities. The Department of Indigenous Affairs was soon formed, that was oriented toward the education of indigenous people and the maintenance and respect of their culture and religious practices. As part of his goal to encourage the uplifting of Mexico's indigenous peoples, Crdenas put together a series of conferences (i.e., the 'Cardenista indigenous congresses') that included community leaders who would be able to communicate their expectations of the revolutionary state (Dawson, 2004). However, Crdenas did steer away from an extreme pluralist ideal of indigenism, and so maintained the older model of Indian assimilation into Mexican society. Also, the indigenous population did not always choose cultural autonomy, although there were

Federal government of the United States Essay Example for Free

Federal government of the United States Essay  © 2010 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved. The Carnegie Endowment does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented here are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Endowment, its staff, or its trustees. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the Carnegie Endowment. Please direct inquiries to: About the Author Nathaniel Ahrens is a visiting scholar in the Carnegie Energy and Climate Program, where his research focuses on climate, energy, and sustainable development issues in China. He is the president of Golden Road Ventures Ltd., a business development and strategic advisory firm that provides expertise and support for critical projects in China, including sustainable development, government procurement, agriculture, and media. Previously, Ahrens was senior product manager and director of international sales for Intrinsic Technology, a Shanghai-based telecommunications software provider. He also founded Shanghai Pack Ltd., a luxury-brand packaging company based in Shanghai and Paris. Ahrens is a member of the National Committee on U.S.–China Relations, the Asia Society, and serves as an honorary ambassador for the State of Maine. Indigenous innovation1 has become the greatest immediate source of economic friction between the United States and China. This trend is not unique to these two countries; policy makers globally are actively trying to stimulate domestic innovation. The burgeoning markets for biotech and environmentrelated products and services and, potentially even more important, countries’ efforts to emerge from the global economic slowdown all reinforce this trend. Mindful of this global scene, China has made indigenous innovation one of the core elements of its attempt to make a structural shift up the industrial value chain. Recently, however, indigenous innovation has been tarred with a protectionist brush. In both China and the United States, there have been increasing calls for buy-local stipulations and the erection of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to trade. In China, these measures primarily take the shape of government â€Å"local content† mandates and through the preferential treatment given to products officially classified as â€Å"national indigenous innovation products† (NIIP) in the government procurement process. In the United States, they have taken the form of buy-local provisions and efforts to shut out foreign companies. The conflict has been escalating dangerously. In the run-up to the recent Strategic and Economic Dialogue, the U.S. business community ranked indigenous innovation in China as its number one policy concern, above even the currency issue. As of this writing, the key points of contention remain unresolved. Yet despite the loud cries of protest against it, the global trend toward â€Å"homegrown† innovation is a healthy, positive development. Without innovation, countries cannot continually raise wages and living standards.2 Government procurement should play an important role in stimulating innovation, but maintaining open markets and international linkages is critical. But instead of following its current approach of short-term product substitution and picking winners by protecting them from competition, China should focus on proven, market-friendly ways of stimulating innovation. Government procurement’s primary roles should be market signaling, de-risking RD, bridging the finance gap, and stimulating demand. The United States would also benefit by refocusing its government procurement policies along the lines indicated in the key findings of this paper, especially concentrating on facilitating more open markets and elevating the importance of sustainable procurement. The following set of specific recommendations for China will stimulate innovation through open markets and the effective use of government procurement