Why Some Revolutions Fail

Why Some Revolutions Fail Many revolutions occurred around the world in the past hundreds years, mainly in the developing world, and some of them succeed, while others failed. In this essay, the aim is to examine the why is that some have succeeded while others failed. Before proceeding to the examination of the question, it is necessary to define the term ‘revolution’ and how to define a revolution as success or failure. In this essay, I understand revolution as â€Å"any and all instances in which a state or political regime is overthrown and thereby transformed by a popular movement in an irregular, extra-constitutional, and/or violent fashion.† [1] And base on this definition, a successful revolution is one that can overthrow the existing regime. Interestingly, this definition provides some insight to the question, as revolution involves popular movement, therefore not surprisingly; the popularity of the mobilisation of the masses is one factor to consider for the question. Revolutions are never solely a result of economic injustice or even exploitation; they are a response to a brutal, oppressive government. This is the principle of this essay. I will argue that certain political factors, namely the exclusionary nature of t he existing regime and the formation of the revolutionary coalition and its popularity, helps to make revolutions more likely to succeed. The first factor I will discuss is the formation of the revolutionary coalitions and its popularity. Quite often, revolution begins with a particular sector of the society, and then others join in to form a coalition, united by common objective. In the third world, where revolutions are usually responses to imperialism, nationalism served as a very useful political tool. The role of peasants is very central in uprisings. However my argument is that to succeed in a revolution, there must be a coalition. Ideally it will comprise different ethnic or social classes. One key group that can be significantly decisive to the outcome is the professional revolutionary organisation. This is the urban intellectuals or the middle class. The argument here is not that a particular group is more important than others; each group plays an important role in organising the revolution movement in their own way. However, for the revolution movement to be a successful one, it is necessary for these groups to work together. Indeed, successful revolution movement in Vietnam and Nicaragua, the coalition by the revolution had the peasants and middle class, â€Å"but also of landless and migrant laborers, rural artisans, rich peasants, and even landlord.† [2] It is the supports form different sectors of the society that will increase the chance of success. The ability for the revolutionary coalition to be as inclusive as possible has a role in determining the likelihood of success. A revolution fails because like the regime it is trying to overthrow, the revolutionary force also fails to address to the grievances of different social groups. To be able to organise a coalition with wide ranging groups can avoid this weakness. The next question regarding the formation of revolution coalition is why different groups join together. A coalition that has internal tension and rivalry is not going to last long, let alone making the revolution more likely to success. The answer, drawing from observations based on successful revolutions, is that revolutionary coalition will employ different discourses, like religious and nationalist. Under these discourses, the coalition can legitimate the resistant movement to the regime and also grouping different social classes. The Marxist ideology, the notion of class struggle will not been particularly beneficial as a discourse. The coalition needs to attract as many, diverse classes as possible, and by emphasising class struggle will defeat the point. Therefore ironically, revolutionary coalition led by Marxists group had been more successful when they had put less emphasises on class struggle. The most common discourse, also the most powerful discourse is nationalism. It h as proven to be more inclusive, has a more appealing effect on different social classes. So far, I have identified nationalism as a popular and powerful discourse for revolutionary movements to gain momentum and thrive for success. However, the revolution cannot simply be an ideological one. A popular revolutionary coalition need to deliver something physical, delivering collective goods had proven to be the key. This is especially the case for economically less developed countries, where the existing regime has rarely provided anything for its population. The argument is that the coalition strengthened support by providing collective goods, generating progress and eventually overthrows the existing regime. The coalition maintains supports by its actions, which helps to develop its own loyal client network. This is especially relevant to the question, failed attempt of revolutions, are the ones that fail to turn action into words. A successful revolutionary coalition is one that can gather social groups, groups that are originally excluded by the existing regime. So if the coalition can incorporate a broader level of social groups, it will make the revolution more likely to success. To determine how broad the level of social groups that are available to incorporate, this correlated to the second factor I consider to be important, the exclusionary nature of the existing regime. The argument is that the more exclusive the regime, meaning the less social groups it chose to incorporate with, the more potential the coalition can incorporate and mobilise with. Revolution itself is a reactionary product and is not breed in a political vacuum. The political context which revolution movements operate in is determined by the nature of the existing regime. Needless to say, revolution is usually against an authoritarian regime. And it is the closed or exclusionary one where if a revolution took place, it is more likely to succeed. On the contrary, a more inclusionary authoritarian regime is difficult to overthrow. Despite the lack of civil rights and public participation in public affairs, these inclusionary authoritarian regimes maintain in power through patronage, they incorporated with social groups that they deemed their supports are important, where they will give benefits to these groups in return for their loyalty. This narrows the political spaces for the revolutionary coalition can take place, hence diminish the probability of a successful revolution. An exclusionary regime are advantageous for the revolutionary coalition, the coalition will be more likely to have a broader combination of social groups. This is because of a number of reasons. Firstly, groups that are excluded by the regime, when there is economic discontent as a result, will be politicised. Trade Unions are one example, whereby excluded by the regime, their functions will be severely limited. The politicisation of trade unions is inevitable because they must gain political power within the political structure in order to function properly. This applies to other lower class groups and their relevant organisation. The second reason is concerned with the lack of political legitimacy of the exclusionary regime. This lack of political legitimacy is a common challenge faced by any type of authoritarian regime, any kind of discontent in regards to social, political or economic issues will combined into questioning the legitimacy of the existing regime. The illegitimate n ature of the regime will solidified the legitimacy of the revolutionary movement. And lastly, because of this exclusionary nature of the regime, it cannot incorporate necessary social groups into its political structure, which would have enabled the regime to dilute the formation of the revolutionary coalition and prevent any revolutions. It should be noted that so far I have discussed how an exclusionary regime is unable to provide channel for participations of social groups, however there is a possibility of an exclusionary regime, perhaps under wise leadership, decided to adapt into a more inclusionary approach to handle the threat of revolution. Therefore, I would argue that not only exclusionary nature of regime is necessary for a revolution to succeed; the regime also has to be incapable of reform, it is inflexible. An inflexible, exclusionary regime is usually one of the following two types, a colonial government of direct ruled by the imperial power or a dictator ruled regime. The inflexible nature of this two type will makes this type of regime an ideal type for revolutionary coalition to succeed. The common between these two types is its relation with foreign power. The relation between a colonial government and foreign power is self-evident; a dictator, if being seen as the best option for stability in a chaotic region or a reliable anti-communist alliance during the cold war period, will usually find backing from abroad. This foreign power backing fuels the popularity and legitimacy of nationalist discourse employed by the revolutionary coalition to unite different social groups. As mention before, nationalism appeals across different level of social groups and the association of the regime with foreign power will provide a more powerful, clear image of a common enemy. Hence, foreign backi ngs contribute to uniting revolutionary coalition. Foreign backing is also one of the reasons why these exclusionary regimes are particularly inflexible. Dictator acted as stability force in the region, may enjoy financial rewards for their effort, however, it also means they render their autonomy on certain domestic issues. Any attempts for the dictator to widen participations can back fire with discontent from abroad. The foreign interest in the regime is for it to maintain stable, any changes in the political structure, even with good intentions, invite uncertainty to stability. The possibilities of revolutions are not of concerns for the foreign power, and when revolutionary coalition can incorporate local elites and middle class, groups that are ideal for establishing liberal democracy, foreign power will withdraw their support for the dictator. In the case of direct colonial government, it will also generate momentum for the revolutionary coalition’s nationalist discour se. The interest of colonialists to hold position in senior level administrative role and profitable business sectors will fuse frustration of the elite and middle class, as a consequence, these groups will join the revolutionary coalition. And it will not consider widening participation of these domestic social groups, as that will weaken the power of the foreign power, contradict to the purpose of direct ruled. The conclusion is an association between the regime and foreign powers will provide a common enemy, a negative coalition can be formed against this common enemy. And as previously argue, a revolutionary coalition with broad support across the society is more likely to succeed, the image of foreign power helps the coalition to broaden its support. The existing regime becomes a symbol of antinational, standing on the opposite end of the nationalism discourse the revolutionary coalition is advancing. Foreign backing, associating with the existing regime makes the revolution more likely to succeed. Foreign backing on the revolutionary coalition will also have a positive effect on the outcome of the revolution. The argument is brought forward by Robert Dix, where he used the revolution in Cuba and Nicaragua as example: â€Å"The anti-regime coalition included key international actors that served as sources of refuge, training, and material and diplomatic support for the revolutionaries†¦.Thus Castros forces were able to assemble and train in Mexico, and received various kinds of assistance from the governments of Venezuela and Costa Rica†¦.The United States cut off military aid to Batista in April 1958†¦. The Nicaraguan revolutionaries received aid from several of that countrys Central American and Caribbean neighbors†¦.Other Latin American revolutionaries have been sorely lacking in this regard†¦.None were able to obtain either the level of international legitimacy or the degree of tangible assistance gained by their counterparts in Cuba or Nicaragua.† [3] Dix examples of Cuba and Nicaragua showed how foreign states can affect the outcome, actively engage in the case of the Venezuela and Costa Rica, by providing assistance to Castro, or passively in the case of Unit ed States, by withdrawing support from the existing regime. However, I would add that such foreign backing, especially the â€Å"active† kind can easily back fire. The revolutionary coalition under the name of nationalism would seem contradicting once its dependence on this foreign assistance exceeds a certain point. Indeed, this certain point is matter of degree and it is not possible to draw a line in practice. This point I am trying to illustrate is that foreign backing on revolutionary coalition can be a reason why revolution succeed, however at the same time, it can be a reason why revolution fail. Leon Trotsky once wrote that â€Å"the mere existence of privations is not enough to cause an insurrection; if it were, the masses would be always in revolt.† [4] In this essay, I have demonstrated how Trotsky’s word is still relevant. I have argued that it is the political factors that have a crucial impact of the determining the outcome of revolution. The two factors I consider to be important are the success of forming a revolutionary coalition, where it encompasses a broad level of different social groups and the existing political context, which is determine by the existing regime and the more exclusive and inflexible ones are particularly vulnerable to revolution. The argument I advanced is that the political relationship between the existing regime, various sections within the society and foreign states, provide insight in why revolution is more likely to succeed under particular circumstance. The formation of revolutionary coalition is closely linked to this pol itical relationship, and I have examined how successful coalition had worked under this circumstance. It should be noted that these factors do not guarantee the success; however the lack or absent of these factors will make failure as an inevitable outcome. Bibliography [1] Jeff Goodwin, No other way out : states and revolutionary movements, 1945-1991, (Cambridge: 2001) [2] Theda Skocpol, Social revolutions in the modern world, (Cambridge: 1994) [3] Robert Dix, â€Å"Why revolution succeed failed† in Polity, (Vol. 16, No. 3, Spring 1984) [4] Leon Trotsky, The history of the Russian Revolution, trans. Max Eastman (New York, 1961)

The Bourne Identity

‘The Borne Identity’, released in the year 2002, is a fascinating action-thriller flick. The movie borrows plot elements, characters and the title from a popular spy novel written by Robert Ludlum during the Cold War era. The movie is about a CIA operative who loses his memory and sets outs on a quest to reclaim his identity. He also faces the twin challenge of surviving his own doubts about his past and escaping from assassins hired by his own agency to hunt him down. The plotline is quite strong, if not unique, and has enough juice to keep the viewer interested till the very end.The movie offers a healthy dose of fight and chase sequences to the keep viewer engrossed amidst thrilling character development, brisk pacing and solid acting. Movie Synopsis This Universal Pictures production was directed by Doug Liman, while Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne in the lead role. The main character Bourne is found shot and half-dead in a beach and rescued by fishermen. He has no memory of his past, as he suffers from severe amnesia. The only clue that he uncovers immediately is the account number and address of a Swiss bank, beaming out of a â€Å"miniaturized laser pointer from his hip† (Younkin 2).He desperately feels the urge to figure out his past and reclaim his identity. He begins a quest for reviving his identity by first going to Switzerland to look for answers and then follows the path laid by newly uncovered clues. In Switzerland, Bourne finds a gun and a lot of multiple currency money in his bank safety deposit. He also finds it bizarre that he possesses multiple fake passports under his name. Bourne is also surprised to learn about his exceedingly good martial art skills when confronted with a situation to fight for his life. When he tries to seek the aid of the US Embassy, more trouble awaits him.These revelations make him uncomfortable as it brings upon the suspicion that he might have a dark past. At one point, he realizes that he has to wither accept the possibility of him being a bad individual or wander confused about his true identity for the rest of his life. Matt Damon effectively conveys feelings of paranoia when his character Bourne is overwhelmed by this internal conflict. At this juncture, Bourne meets a woman named Marie played by Franka Potente. She is in a crunch need for money and he needs immediate transportation to flee away to this next destination France.Hence, they both agree to help out each other, as Marie strikes a deal with Bourne to transport him to Paris in exchange for $20,000 in cash. And, eventually Potente’s character turns out to be the hero’s love interest. In Paris, Bourne escapes all the assassination attempts planned against him by the CIA. Meanwhile, Marie goes flees away to safety on Bourne’s insistence. When Bourne visits the Treadstone Head Quarters, he gets back his memory about him being a CIA spy and assassin. He destroys the Treadstone operation and r eunites with Marie in a remote Greek island. CharactersClive Owen plays the role of an assassin sent by the CIA to kill Bourne since he failed in his mission of killing an African leader who threatens to expose the CIA secrets. Owen’s character, the professor, is a polished, cold, trench coat assassin who is in ruthless pursuit of Bourne. Owen nails the part to the tee with his emotionless expressions. Chris Cooper plays the role of the shady CIA officer Conklin who plans out top secret operations and makes ethically objectionable decisions behind closed doors. His character is also quite animated and annoyingly funny at times.Julia Stiles gives a decent performance with her robotic expressions, playing a minor part of an analyst named Nicolette. Critique Movie critic Craig Younkin calls Bourne Identity a â€Å"film about a character trying to rebuild† and emphasizes the importance of steady character building in this movie (Younkin 1). Mike Clark of USA Today feels th at Damon’s portrayal of Bourne is much more convincing than Richard Chamberlain’s performance in the 1988 TV version of the same movie(2). He also suggests that Demon’s being younger and his charming looks did not deter the credibility of the character.BBC’s Neil Smith also speaks highly of Damon’s portrayal of Bourne and compares his character to the likes of â€Å"classic spies like Harry Palmer and George Smiley† (2). However, he harshly criticizes the movie for not completely harnessing the acting prowess of Potente who showed great potential in the popular movie ‘Run Lola Run’. However, Charles Taylor of Salon. com considers Potente as the â€Å"movie's biggest human factor† (5). He perceives Potente’s character Marie as humane since she â€Å"watches frozen and scared† when Bourne is busy fighting with assassins, thereby providing â€Å"tenderness in the midst of violence† (Taylor 4).Rob Gonsalv es of eFilm Critic points out that Matt Damon’s natural appearance characterized by a â€Å"mixture of hard and soft features† makes him look â€Å"both defined and blank† (2). He perceives Bourne’s character as someone whose â€Å"mind forgot who he is but his body remembers very well† (2). Gonsalves feels this Damon’s attributes and acting work well for Bourne’s character that has no memory of his personal life, but still is proficient in certain survival skills such as speaking different languages and martial arts.He also compares this movie to the critically acclaimed thriller Memento, since the lead characters in both films suffer from the same condition while striving hard to uncover their identity and past. Margaret McGurk of the Cincinnati Enquirer is all praise for the director Liman, as she suggests that the movie’s â€Å"urgent pace helps play down some of the awkward plot holes† (8). She feels that that plot in most movies in this genre do tend to be lacking at times, since the primary focus is on the main character and only little time is left for explaining plotlines in detail.McGurk also appreciates the director for smartly muting the background score at the right time. Liman also receives praise from Top critic Colin Covert of the Star Tribune for his realistic style and paying â€Å"precise attention to detail†, especially in the car chase scene staged in Paris (6). Movie critic Jeremy Heilman of MovieMartyr. com points that the film’s weakness lies in the â€Å"lack of a strong villain† character and the absence of a concrete reason behind CIA’s desire to get rid of Bourne (3). He also feels that the films seems incomplete as a â€Å"number of plot threads remain untied† (Heilman 3).The movie’s main character is well developed and the storyline of the movie left enough room to make decent sequels, in the form of ‘The Bourne Supremacy ’ and ‘The Bourne Ultimatum’. Editing Technique The classical Hollywood editing approach is geared to toward achieving continuity by adopting editing techniques such as matching shots, cutting for reaction and cutting on action. However, the editors of the movie break out from convention, by capturing action on the fly and cutting for movement. This enables the audience to view action sequences exactly from Bourne’s shoes.The end results of this technique can be quite confusing and unsettling to the viewer, since there is always an element of uncertainty. Unlike usual action flicks, this movie’s editing does not ignore the consequences of the main character’s actions on other characters, thereby adding a touch of realism. In a way, this movie is not only entertaining but also makes the audience relate to the consequence of violence. Lighting and Cinematography The lighting and colors are quite dark to be reflective of the nature of the subjec t being handled in the movie.The movie follows quite a contemporary style of storytelling in this genre. The opening scene of the movie starts with a unique shot where we see Bourne’s body from underneath, through the water. The movie’s action sequences were shot and edited in way to provide a sense of realism, usually experienced in documentaries. The film is visually appealing as it showcases scenic locations in Zurich, Prague and Paris. The final scene set in the Greek island of Mykonos is testament to the movie’s refined visual treatment. ConclusionOne has to remember that this movie came out in 2002, just a few months after the tragic events of 9/11 when the CIA’s operational methods came under the microscope. Hence, it is natural for the audience to expect an element of relevance to real-world events. Applying political connotations to this movie would have only worsened the socio-political climate. According to A. O. Scott of the New York Times, th is movie is just a work of fiction and has nothing to do with current or past world happenings, thereby providing â€Å"something of a relief† (6).He further says Ludlum’s work is purely a fictional thriller, and does not intend on stimulating ethical dilemmas or posing questions over troubling geopolitical issues (Scott 6). Although the movie is not a typical action flick filled to the brim with action sequences and special effects, it does succeed in providing heart-pounding action to the viewer. Works Cited Page Covert, Colin. 24 March 2007. â€Å"Bourne Identity is a scorching thriller†. Star Tribune. (June 13 2002). 24 March 2007. Clark, Mike. â€Å"Bourne plays old-school spy game†.USA Today. (14 June 2002). 24 March 2007. Gonsalves, Rob. â€Å"The Bourne Identity†. eFilmCritic. 24 March 2007. Heilman, Jeremy. â€Å"The Bourne Identity (Doug Liman) 2002†. 24 March 2007. McGurk, Margaret. â€Å"Bourne to Thrill†. Cincinnati E nquirer. (14 June 2002). 24 March 2007. Scott, A. , O. â€Å"He Knows a Lot, Just Not His Name†.New York Times. (14 June 2002). 24 March 2007. Smith, Neil. â€Å"The Bourne Identity†. British Broadcasting Corporation. (September 2002). 24 March 2007. Taylor, Charles. â€Å"The Bourne Identity†. Salon. (14 June 2002). 24 March 2007. Younkin, Craig. â€Å"Reviews; The Bourne Identity†. MovieFreak. 24 March 2007.

Magic, Science and Religion are Undefined - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 6 Words: 1757 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2019/03/06 Category Religion Essay Level High school Tags: Science vs Religion Essay Did you like this example? Thesis Magic, science, and religion are not rigid concepts. Their definitions are fluid and flexible in order to bend to encompass each and every worldview that exists. These definitions also change depending on who is defining them, in what context they are defining them in, and what their agenda is. In this paper, we will explore instances of magic, frameworks of science, and the interconnectedness of all things that make religion. Through these examples, we will better see how fluid and flexible these terms are in reality. Introduction The dictionary definitions of the terms â€Å"magic†, â€Å"science†, and â€Å"religion† are often oversimplified and boxed-in to follow the rules and constructs of a single and perhaps dominant worldview. However, our world contains many worldviews that do not conform to the rules and constructs of this proposed single dominant worldview. If we stick too strongly to these rigid definitions, we lose a deeper understanding of these other worldviews and thus lose crucial anthropological knowledge. Additionally, by adhering to these inflexible definitions, we unfairly force this one dominant worldview onto others. The definitions of â€Å"magic†, â€Å"science†, and â€Å"religion† must be flexible to allow each worldview to be expressed in its complex, interconnected entirety. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Magic, Science and Religion are Undefined" essay for you Create order Magic In her article, â€Å"Magic†, Tanya Luhrmann provides an explanation of what the belief in magic does to people who practice it. Having practiced certain magic rituals herself in an effort to better study it, Luhrmann observed that, It shifts attention from the external to the internal, and blurs the line we draw between the mind and the world. And, as I have argued in my scholarship and teaching, this shift alters the lines we draw. The mind bleeds into the world. Not predictably, and not on demand, and for some more than others, but when it happens, the senses experience what is not materially present. (Luhrmann, 2011) She goes on to define magic as something originating in the imagination, but whose effects can be realized in reality. Her account helps to explain what is real to the individual or group depends on their experiences, beliefs, and worldview. These beliefs should be taken seriously and with respect in an anthropological understanding of a religion, ethnic group , or culture, and as such, the definition of magic no longer has rigid boundaries, but rather each individual has their own definition of magic completely dependent on their interpretations of their life experiences. In Hallowell’s Ojibwa Ontology, Behavior, and World View, he delves into the topic of magic, more specifically the â€Å"realness† of dreams in Ojibwa beliefs and tradition. According to Hallowell, the Ojibwa recount their life events as consisting of both events that occur when awake, as well as those that occur in dreams. Moreover, they often give life events that transpired in their dreams more importance than those that occurred to them when awake: When we think autobiographically we only include events that happened to us when awake; the Ojibwa include remembered events that have occurred in dreams. And, far from being of subordinate importance, such experiences are for them often of more vital importance than the events of daily waking life. (Hallowell, 1960, p.15) This is an excellent demonstration of how the Ojibwa people experience and view dreams differently from people of popular Western culture who place dream visions in the category of magic or imagination. What is categorized as â€Å"magic† in Western culture is simply a part of reality for the Ojibwe, which blurs the boundaries of what â€Å"magic† is and isn’t, ultimately calling for a broader, flexible definition of magic altogether. For the Ojibwe, there is no separation between the spiritual and non-spiritual. This identifies the significance of these beliefs to the Native American peoples and how this is not a literal translation, but a spiritual understanding which alters the definition of magic to be broader. In essence, this demonstrates how one must make the strange familiar and the familiar strange in order to truly grasp that the definition of â€Å"magic† is not definite or universally applicable. Another issue with a clearly outlined definition of magic is that it is often assumed to belong solely to â€Å"primitive† or â€Å"superstitious† peoples -terms which should not be used to describe any group of people- unwittingly linking these concepts to indigenous or tribal people across the globe according to the popular Western culture mindset. This is an incorrect assumption because magic exists and is rather widely practiced in todays Western culture. The concept of magic and superstition are not reserved for people of older eras or of unindustrialized areas but are practiced in new ways every day in our highly educated and highly advanced Western societies. In his book â€Å"Baseball Magic†, Gmelch brings attention to American baseball players and the rituals they perform for each game for luck. Now, baseball, like many sports, requires extreme skill but the outcome of the game is a product of not just skill alone, but of chance. This takes a sense of co ntrol and predictability out of the players’ hands often leading to anxiety over the uncertainty of the game. As a result, it has become common for baseball players establish their own complex rituals to reduce that anxiety, claiming that these rituals give them luck and improve their skill or concentration (Gmelch, 2000) These rituals and practices of baseball players demonstrate how the concept of magic is often born and the significance it has for the people who practice it. Most importantly, the practice of magic is not reserved for the â€Å"primitive† or â€Å"superstitious†. Therefore, language such as â€Å"primitive†, â€Å"superstitious† and â€Å"tribal† do not serve to define who practices magic, and the definition of magic blurs more. Science It is important to clarify that science is the process of proving facts about the world by backing them with empirical data and repeatable experiments. However, it is also important not to ignore the idea that science intersects with religion and magic more than we acknowledge. The National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine has an online booklet of articles, one of which is â€Å"Compatibility of Science and Religion† (National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine, 2018) In this insightful article, they state that â€Å"Acceptance of the evidence for evolution can be compatible with religious faithScientists and theologians have written eloquently about their awe and wonder at the history of the universe and of life on this planet, explaining that they see no conflict between their faith in God and the evidence for evolution.† (National Academy of Sciences and Institute of Medicine, 2018) This intersection of science and religion can be compatible a s well as incompatible, but regardless of the nature of the relationship, they are two spheres that interact with one another and do not stand alone, which feeds into why the definition of science must be fluid. To add to the needed fluidity and flexibility in the definition of science, scientific paradigms shift and change over time. If what science consists of can alter, then the definition must be able to follow suit. Thomas Nickle in his introduction to Kuhn’s ideas stated that â€Å"Kuhn gave us a very different picture of science. Kuhn contended that there are two types of mature physical science, normal science and extraordinary or revolutionary science. In a given scientific field, long periods of conservative, tradition-bound normal science are punctuated by an occasional crisis and, still less frequently, by a revolution.† (Nickels, p.1) According to Nickle, Kuhn understood that paradigms are impermanent and that adjustments and alterations are made over time to better fit new knowledge. Furthermore, paradigm shifts influence people’s beliefs, and people’s beliefs influence paradigms. This is proof that there exists an overlap between science and religio n that an inflexible definition of science does not account for. Religion In a TED talk, Wade Davis elaborates upon the interconnectedness of religions and human constructs across the globe (Davis, 2008) Davis states that there is no linear progression of these ideas coming into existence, but rather a web of things that morph and change along with paradigm shifts, belief shifts, culture shifts, etc. Demonstrating the fluidity and flexibility of the definition of religion, Davis says, â€Å"†¦unraveling the complex threads of memory inherent in a myth, is simply a matter of choice and cultural orientation. There is no progression of affairs in human experience. There is no trajectory of progress. Theres no pyramid that conveniently places Victorian England at the apex and descends down the flanks to the so-called primitives of the world. All peoples are simply cultural options, different visions of life itself.† (Davis, 2008) There is not linear progression or straight, traceable chronology to how worldviews and beliefs shift. Rather, it is a c onstantly changing web of interconnectedness. The definition of religion must be broad enough to allow for the constant alteration. In the same line of thought, Anne Fadiman, author of â€Å"The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down†, eloquently stated after a realization during her study of a Hmong family caught in the crosshairs of Western medicine culture that â€Å"Medicine was religion. Religion was society. Society was medicine.† (Fadiman, 1997) This story of a medical journey paints a vivid picture of the Hmong vs. Western Medicine dynamic that shows how flexible the definition of religion must be for people to better understand other worldviews outside of their own, or outside of a dominant worldview. The idea that medicine is religion, religion is society and society is medicine shows just how connected these different spheres are and the definition of religion should be able to encompass that. A PEW study that surveyed over 4,700 adults in the US found that about 90% of Americans believe in a higher power, but only a small number believe in God as defined in the Bible, as some supreme being, or as a spiritual force. The research also found that beliefs change from one generation to the next, in the younger peoples, and as people get more educated (Pew Research Centers Religion Public Life Project, 2018) This research empirically demonstrates that religion, beliefs, and worldviews are subject to shifts in paradigms and that we live in an ever-changing religious landscape. These varied and changing beliefs of the people contribute to a need for a flexible definition of religion. Conclusion The definitions of â€Å"magic†, â€Å"science†, and â€Å"religion† must be flexible to allow each worldview to be expressed in its complex, interconnected entirety. The true definitions of these concepts overlap and bleed into one another to a point where, like good infrastructure, they must be plastic and accommodate any shifts, changes or interconnection that occur.

Essay on One Parent Family vs Two Parent Family - 901 Words

I believe that children should be raised in a stable nurturing home by either both parents, mother and father or by a single parent. I feel that if it is a loving home where each parent is taking part in raising the child it is beneficial to the child. On the other hand if both parents argue all the time than it is not beneficial for the child’s upbringing. In having just one custodial parent the child is better off because the one parent will be able to provide a better stable social environment. Few parents decide on becoming single parents other reasons why someone might become a single parent are the death of one partner, abandonment or adoption of a child by a single person out of his or her choice. An unstable home where the†¦show more content†¦However, by rising to these challenges, custodial single parents develop significant strengths. The positive benefits of being a single parent are that the child receives a lesson in independence. The child sees how strong the one parent is at providing them with everything they need without having to depend on someone else. The parents are showing their children that it is possible to live on their own, have an enjoyable life and take care of others while doing so. The children will know that they are a priority to the parent. When there is a second parent around the house, it can be easy to put responsibility off on them, but when the children see how hard the parent is working for them, they will understand how important they are to their parent. (Dowd, 1997) Single parents don’t necessarily raise their children alone; they can have support from family and friends. Single parents also tend to parent better, they are stricter with their decisions and their children respect their choices. When it comes to creating a healthy family, its not about the number of parents, but the quality of parenting a child receives that is most important. A home is only broken when healthy family interactions break down, for example when people stop communicating adequately. In the situation where both parents are raising the child, but the family situation isn’t healthy it can do more harm on the child than good. Certain situations such as a violent householdShow MoreRelatedDivorce983 Words   |  4 Pagesthe child in several ways. If the parents were being abusive to one another and/or to the children involved prior to the divorce chances are the divorce will result in less fighting/arguing among the parents which in return would result in a better environment for the child. In some cases if a parent is abusing alcohol or drugs and it leads to the divorce, removing the child from that type of environment will ultimately help the child. In some cases the parents eventually remarry and those marriagesRead MoreArranged Marriages Should Not Be Lawful1128 Words   |  5 Pagesfor poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until we are parted by death. This is my solemn vow.† In an arranged marriage, two complete strangers come together by family, religion, or ethics to become spouses. Stating these meaning packed words, the two vow lives to one another while barely knowing the other. Yet, that is whom the parents have chosen, so that is whom the person must wed. When this takes place self-choice becomes eliminated and God-given rights become invisible.Read MoreThe Concepts Of Nature Vs Nurture1273 Words   |  6 Pages The concepts of Nature vs Nurture, are major concepts in social science. Nature is the hereditary pattern of physical features in a human being s development. These features include, but are not limited to, our personality, usual and unusual appearances and the general measurements of how humans hold the attributes of being sociable, hostile behavior, their emotions, and the usage of alcohol and drugs. On the other hand Nurture is slightly different. Nurture is the influence of the environmentRead MoreA Comparative Study of Family Values Between China and America960 Words   |  4 PagesA Comparative Study of Family Values between China and America Introduction We were born into a familyï ¼Å' mature in a familyï ¼Å' form new familiesï ¼Å' and leave them at our death. Family life is a universal human experience. The family is among the oldest and the most fundamental of all human institutions. As we know that family is the miniature of the societyï ¼Å' and therefore different family values are the reflections of distinguishing cultures in different countries. In order to get the betterRead MoreThe Psychosexual Stages Of Childhood Development1108 Words   |  5 Pagesgenital), if one of these issues is not resolved then fixation can occur where the child will stay in the stage throughout adulthood. For instance, if a child becomes fixated on the oral stage then they will be dependent on external things such as smoking, and drinking. Another Psychologist to consider is Erik Erickson whose developmental theory is eight stages, (Trust Vs. Mistrust, Autonomy Vs. Shame, Initiative Vs. Guilt, Industry Vs. Inferiority, Identity Vs. Confusi on, Intimacy Vs. Isolation,Read MoreAashirya Is A Charismatic And Energetic 58 Year Indian Woman Working1635 Words   |  7 Pagesmet. She is a dedicated Hindu and a widow who began working for the Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) after her husband died. She is the mother of two sons and eight grandchildren all living in El Paso Texas. Her sons who were both in the Army were the reason she became a member of the AAFES staff. Aashirya’s family was her number one priority. She loved to travel, she enjoyed meeting Soldiers and spent most of her time making them feel beautiful and as she would say, â€Å"I will make your hairRead MoreHomeschooling Vs. Public Schooling893 Words   |  4 PagesHomeschooling vs Public Schooling It was Theodore Roosevelt who said, â€Å"To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society† (www.brainyquote.com). Parents have options when making decisions regarding their children’s education. While those who oppose homeschooling hold the belief that homeschooled children are socially backward and deprived. An argument for public schools is that parents benefit from the fruits of public schools everyday (McGrath, 2000). Although a publicRead MoreThis Paper Will Cover Erikson’S Eight Stages Of Psychosocial1308 Words   |  6 Pagestrust vs. mistrust, Industry vs. Inferiority and Identity vs. Role Confusion. Stage one is Trust vs. mistrust – birth to age 1- At this stage the infant learns to trust the caregiver to provide for their basic needs or develops mistrust. Stage two is Autonomy vs. shame and doubt– 1-3yrs- At this stage toddlers begin to express their independence by talking, walking, dressing, feeding, and t oileting themselves or if not given the chance may doubt their own abilities. Stage three is Initiative vs. guiltRead MoreSingle Parent vs. Two Parent1229 Words   |  5 PagesSingle Parent Home vs. Two Parent Home Kendria Threatt COM 170/ Elements of University Composition and Communication I December 7, 2011 Monique Derr Single Parent Home vs. Two Parent Home How do you feel about raising children in a single parent home or in a home where both parents are present? It is very shocking to know that most people do not think about these situations before starting a family. In today’sRead MoreThe Importance Of Nature Vs. Nurture, Culture And Gender, And Finally Family Involvement1378 Words   |  6 Pagestask I will be addressing the importance of Nature Vs. Nurture, Culture and Gender, and finally family involvement throughout the developing years of an infant. The developmental years in a child s life is classified under NAEYC 1b. The first standard has helped me understand the importance of making the student feel safe. It has made me understand that making bonds with the students is as equally as important as making the bonds between parent and child stronger. Reading and analysing articles