Threats Posed to the European Union by Al-Qaeda Militia Operating from Research Proposal

Threats Posed to the European Union by Al-Qaeda Militia Operating from Northern Africa - Research Proposal Example Research Methods. b. Advanced Arabic and French. c. Six years of legal research skills as a lawyer. d. Islamology. e. History of the Middle and North Africa. 2.2 The Discipline to Which the Project Relates This reserch project relates to the discipline of history and political science; in fact, this discipline has a significant relation rediscovering the past and retelling history. There are numerous works that have been developed in the discipline of historical reflection. Furthermore, political sceince is self-understanding on issues regaridng interlationships between countries and activities by a group within a country that has effect on other countries. 3. RESEARCH PROJECT 3.1 Description of Research Topic This project focuses on exploring issues regarding terrorism operations; in fact, there are theories, which are developed by this study, which are focused on fostering understanding of terrorism studies. On the other hand, this study borrows ideas from other related fields and theoretical ideas in relation to terrorism activities or various groups such as Al-Qaeda militia. This study features a litrature which focuses on a given perspective is is applied on the basis of a theory focused on studying terrorism. This study will focus on studying drawing relevant ideas in the field of Jihadist terrorism, which will be based on religious background of Islam. Therefore through this ideas, the reseach will focus on achieveing the following objectives; a. Objectives i. Explore the problem caused by Al-Qaeda militia terrorism operations and challenges that are posed to European coutries. ii. Present a discussion concerning these problems based on the thories such as anarchism and ‘jihad.’ iii. The research will focus on identifying other possible reasons that can be associated to Al-Qaeda militia terrorism against European coutries. iv. Establish relevant counter terrorism operations and strategies to facilitate protection of citizens living in these European countries. In order to achieve the first objective, the reserch will focus on drawing relevant ideas from the two theories and perspectives that have been gathered in political science class. In this case, the first dimession will involve application of anarchism theory, which was advance by Karl Heinzen and Johann Most, who are the main proponents. The research will apply the Jihad perspective to explore issues regarding terrorism; in fact, this theory is atributed to Muslim extremists. The second objective will be achieved by beginning to focus on anarchism theory, based on the way it is presented through a broad range of issues that offer a definiton and differentiaton of various forms of the theory. For instance, the these forms of anarchism include individual anarchism, mutual anarchism and collective anarchism (Berkman 35). On the other hand, the research will explore the theory of Jihad, which concerns a term that is used on Islam to describe â€Å"the holy war or f ighting in the ways of Allah† (Rawshandil and Chadha 13). Therefore, this research will also seek to identify ways through which these terrorists have utilized the theory of anarchism and Jihad to cite reasons for their attacks. The research will focus on idenitfying other reasons cited by Al-Qaeda militia tojustify their operations in Northern Africa aimed at attaking European countries. For instance, there are notion that Christians are perceived to have a negative perception against Islamic

Business Environment and Economics Research Paper

Business Environment and Economics - Research Paper Example It applies to Gerries also. Hence the dominant strategy of charging 10 will give a profit of 4000 when both of them charge the same price and a profit of 6400 when the other charges a higher price of 11. In a duopoly situation, over a period both the players by experience arrive at a strategy to meet the other player's pricing and adapt his own pricing to the same as that of the rival. This in a way distributes the market more or less equally and makes both the players earn almost equal profits. For example in the instant case if both the players charge 11 as the price per unit then each of them gats a profit of 4500. This is higher than that of 4000 earned by them while charging 10 per unit. This result may be obtained by a pre-commitment between the rivals to match the prices and thus collude with each other. (ii) Two fast food restaurant chains, BurgerBinge and McDennys, are considering outlets within the same small shopping mall. If they both begin operations they will each lose 100,000 pa. If only one sets up it will earn 250,000 pa. Profits. The first mover advantage is derived by the firm which enters the market first by taking control of the potential sources available and to maximize their use to gain. This is a market situation that exists purely for the fist entrant and the subsequent players entering the market may not be able to get the same advantages that were available to the first entrant, unless there was a slack on the first entrant to maximize the advantages. In the given instant if both the firms decide to operate the existing market will have to be shared between both the players which results in a loss of 100,000 to each firm. This is due to the fact due to inadequacy of sales the firms might not be able to cover the fixed expenses which will result in a loss to both of them, as they both share the available demand. If one of them decides to stay away

What Patriotism Means to Me Essay Example for Free

What Patriotism Means to Me Essay Patriotism, the word itself makes me think of people full of loyalty and pride. It makes me think of those who are loyal to their country, their country’s ideas, and those who fought and sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their country. You might be asking yourself, â€Å"What does patriotism mean?† To me it means a major love of a country and the willingness to die for that country. I love my country and honor those who sacrificed everything for our country’s freedom. I am inspired by those patriots who have spoken out and fought for our freedom. I am also inspired by the men and woman today who are still fighting and sacrificing their lives for our glorious country. Our forefathers were dreaming of a country with liberty and justice for all. They sacrificed everything to make this dream a reality and that is true patriotism. They fought against the most powerful army at that time. There are many examples of patriotism in the patriots of the revolutionary war. â€Å"I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.†-Nathan Hale those were his last words right before he was hung by the British on September 22, 1775. Those words truly define that he was a patriot. He spoke those words so confidently. There are many more such as, George Washington, who boldly lead our country into battle, Samuel Adams who founded the sons of liberty, Patrick Henry who boldly spoke, â€Å"Give me liberty or give me death.†, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, and Thomas Paine. In my opinion they were all good patriots with the same dream; to create a nation full of liberty, which they did successfully by risking their lives to create this nation, our nation, full of liberty and justice for all! We will fight to keep it this way!

Democracy & sacred term Essay Example for Free

Democracy sacred term Essay Democracy is a sacred term associated with freedom. Freedom is an issue that has been fought for by a lot of nations worldwide. Freedom is a result of being independent, of possessing self-respect and dignity. Democracy is associated with freedom and vice versa. A true democracy is said to exist when the people of a given country are not deprived of their rights to vote, to express their feelings with the use of proper channels and when they can freely chose their leaders. The people sitting in government have a responsibility to its people, most especially to those who are oppressed and uneducated. It is often the case that during election time politicians gives out promises about the programs that they want to implement such as providing education for the poor. But, once these candidates are already proclaimed as winners they forget about their promises and do nothing about fulfilling them. There is an underlying reason for this and it is worse than what people think. In most third world countries, the reality is that politicians do not exert too much effort in alleviating the plight of the poor because they are afraid to educate the poor or make them literate. When these voters become literate or have gained knowledge, they would be able to vote wisely and this would mean that some politicians would not be put into office. The votes of the poor are the only things that matter to them and most of the politicians do not have a real concern about these illiterate people. The number of illiterates equate to the number of votes by which a potential candidate can use for his candidacy. The poor or the illiterate are segments in society that candidates and politicians alike would never give up on because they know that these people could help a lot in ensuring their success in elections. Thus, it can be said that there cannot be a true democracy if the people who compose the government are illiterate. (Bove, Carol. 2008. The Educational Theory of Jonathan Kozol. Retrieved from website http://www. newfoundations. com/GALLERY/Kozol. html). The reason for this is that these illiterate are deprived to choose the best people who would govern them. Education and knowledge are very important tools to the success of a nation. A government which deprives its constituents of the opportunity to learn cannot call themselves as living in a state of democracy. Instead, the opposite is true that without knowledge and education the government is destroying the lives of its people. The lack of education brings about many untold sufferings in a society and it is also the root cause of many problems. For one, the lack of knowledge or good education is the cause of poverty. Poverty is the evil that destroys the lives of many because many people use this problem as an excuse to commit crimes. This is the reality that gives life to the quote given by James Madison saying â€Å"A people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy, or perhaps both. † It is very important for any government that seeks to impose democracy to breath life and meaning to it. A democratic government should start by investing in the education of its people so that it can really be said that the former is a government for the people and by the people. The people and the government should work together if a true democracy really exists. The government should show that it is giving utmost importance to the participation of its people by taking into consideration the suggestion of the latter in making laws, rules, or other important functions. Douglass and Kozol are both correct in their observations and opinions that the cost of illiteracy is high and the damage are great. As already pointed out earlier, the problem on illiteracy deserves more consideration and in-depth study of how it would be addressed. An educated person is given endless possibilities in life to become the best that they can be, this privilege and opportunity is taken away from the illiterate who merely depend on what others tell them out of fear or desperation. Thus, these people who are illiterate are deprived of the freedom to live out their life as they please because they lack the knowledge on how to maximize their full potential. Kozol was correct in saying that â€Å"democracy is a mendacious term when used by those who are prepared to countenance the forced exclusion of one third of the electorate† since the educated and powerful people use the weaknesses of the illiterate to their advantage. The reality existing in society today is that good education is available only for those who can afford to pay for it. The government of the United States provide for free or low cost education which is not of good quality. Private schools in the country are very expensive thus the students enrolled therein are given the best that money can buy. Although the state provides for public education it is not as good as those being received by the students enrolled in private schools. Thus, there is an inequality at this level. The argument of Kozol that there should be a shift in the quality of education in that it should be made at par with those of private schools is within the concept of ‘malign neglect’. In essence, ‘malign neglect’ wants to give out the message that there seems to be neglect in the quality of education being received by the students of public schools. There should be equal opportunity of education to be received by all. (Kozol, Jonathan. May 23, 2002. Malign Neglect. Retrieved on May 6, 2009 from website http://www. thenation. com/doc/20020610/kozol. ) A high quality of education would help the government and the society to produce better individuals who can compete globally for the advantage of everyone concerned. The quote by Kozol saying that â€Å"This is the society which most of us did not create, but which our President and other leaders have been willing to sustain by virtue of malign neglect† is very accurate because the problems on illiteracy and poor education has been in existence for a very long time. Therefore it is a great challenge today to try to change the way on how things are at present as a result of the mistakes committed in the past. But, it can be done. If only the government would cooperate and listen to the needs of the people, changes could be proposed and implemented for the good of the society. It is not impossible to educate the illiterate or to give quality world class education to all children. It is not unknown to many that a lot of countries worldwide have fought for democracy to the point of shedding thousands of lives to achieve freedom and independence. A country which calls itself as a democratic nation should live by the true meaning of the word ‘democracy’. There is true democracy if the government is composed of people who were chosen by its people because they believe in their officials and not because they were lured by the latter to vote them as a result of false promises brought about by their illiteracy and poverty. Another aspect that deserves consideration is the need to upgrade the quality of education being received by students. There should be a proposal for the government to provide for an adequate budget for a good education for everyone without regard as to the social status of an individual. Without these aforementioned criteria’s, democracy remains to be a word that exists only in theory. Reference: 1. Bove, Carol. 2008. The Educational Theory of Jonathan Kozol. Retrieved on May 6, 2009 from website http://www. newfoundations. com/GALLERY/Kozol. html. 2. Kozol, Jonathan. May 23, 2002. Malign Neglect. Retrieved on May 6, 2009 from website http://www. thenation. com/doc/20020610/kozol.

Urban Structure in Modern Society

Urban Structure in Modern Society How Should a Modern, Globalized Society Adapt Its Urban Structure? A Comparison of Four Texts Globalization, much like the Industrial Revolution that propelled Europe and North America to the forefront of the global economic stage, has forced the redevelopment and organization of urban hubs. Some, like Moulaert and Waley, support government-led initiatives addressing the problem of the economic disparities among social classes caused by the redefinition of labor markets. Others, including Logan and Swanstrom, argue against centrally-planned economies and markets, positing that cities should not work outside the boundaries of their national context. Scholars like Haila, on the other hand, present a married political ideology combining the two, arguing that while differences in cities may exist, real estate and private investment is the common link binding all â€Å"global cities.† With globalization overtaking the norms of familiar market economies, contemporary urban hubs face â€Å"persistent high levels of unemployment, shortage of job opportunities, homelessness, deteriorating housing and living conditions, widening income gaps, [and] social violence†; these problems have become â€Å"an integral part of the new urban context, regardless of prevailing dynamics of economic growth or decline†[1]. Consequently, Moulaert and his contemporaries suggest government-mandated interventions are necessary, including the coerced transformation of labor markets. According to Moulaert, â€Å"the transformation of employment is, doubtless, the key axis of urban socio-economic restructuring and the primary factor shaping increasing inequality and social fragmentation in cities†[2]. Logan and Swanstrom concur, but question the extent to which the government ought to be able to intervene in the restructuring of society. They question â€Å"what form th ese interventions should take,† as reform in the East â€Å"is a synonym for raising prices, reducing some types of consumption, and accepting structural unemployment†; the Communist-type failure of urban restructuring (and central planning) is therefore representative of a â€Å"political and economic event,† avoidable through the careful, monitored endorsement of free market economies[3]. Waley, like Moulaert and his contemporaries, supports a degree of government intervention in urban restructuring and cites the Japanese post-war example. Waley suggests Japan’s success in urban restructuring can be attributed to â€Å"reorganizing urban space in pursuit of economic growth,† which entailed national â€Å"relaxation of zoning, disposal of public land, and measures advantageous to private landowners† vis-à  -vis the strategies outlined by Haila which will be examined later[4]. The government, Waley argues, is the greatest facilitator of econ omic growth through its power to enact policies; contrary to the Communist model, however, Waley’s proposition is one of incentive to the private sector. Logan and Swanstrom directly oppose governmental intervention supported by Moulaert and (to a degree) Waley, specifying that policy cures and the measure of urban restructuring in an ailing economy are better prescribed at the national level; the two stress that â€Å"cities cannot be abstracted from their national context†[5]. Logan and Swanstrom’s position endorse Waley’s admonitions to â€Å"avoid the dangers of a simplistic cultural-determinist response† to the necessity of urban restructuring[6]. On the other hand, Moulaert concedes the fallibility of his model, surmising that government intervention can be detrimental to a point as federal programs are a de facto means of increasing â€Å"the concentration of deprivation in particular urban areas and neighborhoods,† reproducing â€Å"the formation of â€Å"excluded communities, reproduced by the very initiatives that purportedly aim at eradicating them†[7]. Haila echoes the power of pu blic perception, claiming that the aforementioned factor drives the model of private real estate-powered economies. Pointing out the paradigm shift of Japanese investment in Los Angeles from the 1980s to the 1990s, Haila notes that urban development can be catalyzed or snuffed by a change in public perception; after all, â€Å"in the 1980s, Los Angeles was a city favored by Japanese investors,† but the 1992 race riots â€Å"changed this situation, as a property market where an asset can be demolished in one night is not a good market†[8]. While Haila does not prescribe uniformity in the application of economic and urban restructuring, she endorses the facet that all cities which aim to restructure themselves into â€Å"global cities† have real estate in common, echoing Waley’s sentiments regarding Japanese investment in Los Angeles. Private land ownership lends to the environment necessary for economic rehabilitation per globalization. Cities therein affe ct cities; the price falls and gains from one city inevitably affect another[9]. While Logan and Swanstrom support the contention that restructuring carries significant social and political institutions in its wake[10], their views are most applicable to the current global economy due to their calls for uniformity and consistence on a national level. Tied to Haila’s theory of inter-dependent cities, Logan and Swanstrom’s model prevents the cannibalization of intra-national markets. Moreover, Logan and Swanstrom advocate a laissez-faire attitude within the confines of a national agenda, therein tempering the so-called â€Å"free market.† Moulaert’s supposition that global restructuring entails urban development projects, his advocacy for government intervention, finds fault along the lines of market restriction. The workings of bureaucracy prevent the intervention of the individuals Haila perceives as vital to the growth of an economy through land ownership. Though they can be tempered by applicant law and a statute, truncating the invo lvement of the private sector limits growth and future adaptations to a globalizing world economy where punctuality can mean the difference between prosperity and recession. Waley may concede restructured Tokyo’s disparity between the living conditions of the poor and the profit expansions of business corporations, but in his assertions he glosses over the state’s possible use of higher tax revenues to revive the lower classes, thus leaving the question of self-propagating poverty and economic stagnation unanswered[11]. Perhaps most important to note is the necessity of policy fluidity in the degree of laissez-faire economics and governmental intervention. While all four works prescribed a degree of flexibility, none presented the simple fact that globalization, as a new world market and concept, cannot be approached using a template or a macroeconomic stencil of some sort. Adaptation in the urban sector, like all forms of adaptation, cannot be expected to work within the stricture of obstinate thought. BIBLIOGRAPHY Haila, A. (1997) â€Å"The Neglected Builder of Global Cities.† In: Cities in Transformation Transformation in Cities: Social and Symbolic Change of Urban Space, pp. 51 64. London: Ashgate P. Logan, John R and Todd Swanstrom. (1990) â€Å"Urban Restructuring: A Critical View.† In: Beyond the City Limits: Urban Policy and Economic restructuring in Comparative Perspective, pp. 3-24. New York: Temple U P. Moulaert, Frank et al. (2003) â€Å"Urban Restructuring, Social-Political Polarization and New Urban Policies.† In: The Globalized City: Economic Restructuring and Social Polarization in European Cities, pp. 29-45. Oxford: Oxford U P. Waley, P. (2000) â€Å"Tokyo: Patterns of Familiarity and Partitions of Difference.† In: Globalizing Cities: A New Spatial Order?, pp. 127-157. New York: Blackwell Publishers. Footnotes [1] Moulaert et al 2003, p. 30 [2] Moulaert et al 2003, p. 31 [3] Logan and Swanstrom 1990, p. 4 [4] Waley 2000, p.139 [5] Logan and Swanstrom 1990, p. 6 [6] Waley 2000, p. 128 [7] Moulaert et al 2003, p. 32 [8] Haila 1997, p. 56 [9] Haila 1997, p. 52 [10] Logan and Swanstrom 1990, p. 12 [11] Waley 200, p. 141

Essay --

Healthcare Policy is an area that is well entrenched into European Politics and society. The issue of healthcare takes on different roles and involves many different things throughout many countries in Europe. Many countries in Europe use a form of government healthcare system, while other take a hybrid plan between government and private healthcare, while other take a private healthcare form altogether. The two countries I will be focusing on our Italy and Britain and the issue of healthcare in their two respected countries, and further analyzing how they were formed, what their policy entails and how it works, and also the similarities and differences between both their healthcare polices, and through that information the pro’s and con’s of each plan. When examining the issue of healthcare and the policy it is better known as a policy that looks to address the medical issues for citizens of each respected country. These medical services are issued through a thing known as health insurance. First this insurance can be made through the government or private insurance companies. Secondly, you look to see what these health programs and insurance provide, and that is doctor visits, drugs, medical procedures, and surgeries and many other things which can differ through the plans given. But also healthcare policy also looks to the provider and that is hospitals and doctors, they could be private or public hospitals, or the policy could be where people can choose their doctors or are given doctors. These are the many issues that make up a healthcare policy and the different options it brings mainly focusing on a government healthcare policy or a private healthcare policy. Italy is a country that has a healthcare policy that is a mi... ...fully government run and operated. This is a healthcare system that is provided through the government and paid for through taxation of the United Kingdom citizens. The healthcare system of the United Kingdom is run by National Health Service of the United Kingdom or NHS (Allianz). This is healthcare that is thought to be inexpensive and free in some instances. This British healthcare program covers things as medical treatments, and doctors visits, but requires a fee for drugs, and optical examinations and glasses and also dental treatment (Allianz). In regards to doctors in the United Kingdom healthcare system individuals are not given the choice of their doctor. In the United Kingdom there are both private and state run hospitals. In regards to the hospitals not every hospital provides emergency care services, but ones that do will treat any individual (Allianz).

Plato’s Portrayal of Socrates Essay -- Plato Socrates

Plato’s Portrayal of Socrates The portrayal of Socrates by his student Plato creates one of the most controversial characters of all time. There are few other personalities in history that have drawn criticism and praise from the furthest ends of each spectrum. Socrates has been called the inventor of reason and logic, and at the same time has been condemned as a corruptor and a flake. Perhaps he was all of these. Despite this disagreement, one is a certainty: Socrates had a very interesting and active sense of humor. In order to successfully demonstrate Socrates’ sense of humor, it is necessary to define a few terms. To begin, we must define â€Å"comedy† as it was looked upon in the time of Socrates, Plato, and the Greek playwrights. Greek comedy comes in many different shades depending on both the author and the subject matter. There are two types of comedy that emerge as the most common when dealing with Socrates, slapstick and intellectual humor. Aristophanes uses the former as slapstick fart jokes and the like in Clouds. In an exchange with Socrates, Strepsiades exclaims, â€Å"Yes, I revere you, much honored ones, and wish to fart in response.† (Aristophanes, Clouds, 2931). On the other hand, Plato displays comedy as a more intellectual concept dealing quite a lot with puns and especially politics during Socrates’ trial. Socrates has been found guilty of impiety and corrupting the youth and the penalty of death has been suggested. Socrates uses his opport unity to suggest an alternative punishment and suggests â€Å"to be given [my] meals in the Prytaneum2,† (Plato, Apology of Socrates, 36d3). This ridiculous â€Å"hubristic and boastful†4 proposal can only be taken as comedy because having already been found guilty, Socrates... ...ophical Perspectives, Section 4: Sixth Handout.† Sources Aristophanes. Clouds. Translated by Thomas G. West and Grace Starry West in Four Texts on Socrates. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998. Burkert, Walter. Greek Religion. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1985. Euripides. Bacchae. Translated by Paul Woodruff. Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc., 1998. Homer. The Iliad. Translated by Robert Fagles. New York: Penguin Books, 1990. Plato. Apology of Socrates. Translated by Thomas G. West and Grace Starry West in Four Texts on Socrates. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998. Plato. Euthyphro. Translated by Thomas G. West and Grace Starry West in Four Texts on Socrates. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998. Sennet, Richard. Flesh and Stone, the Body and the City in Western Civilization. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1994.