May 22, 2013

Dalit Freedom Network: An Organization Worth Talking About

Dalit Freedom Network

Throughout the world there are numerous organizations working to meet social needs and fight injustice. One organization that is successfully fighting oppression while providing people with the tools for internal empowerment is called the Dalit Freedom Network (DFN). This organization works on two fronts, providing pressure for human rights both from below, within the people, and above, through the government.* The Dalits are a group of people who are considered ‘untouchable’ by most Hindu/Indian cultures. They are below the caste system and are … [Read more...]

Socio-Economic Classes Around the World

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All throughout history there have always been economic classes. It is an essential part of a functioning market and has never successfully been challenged. Yet in recent modern times, it has been challenged more strongly to various degrees. What kind of economic society is realistically most efficient and how is globalization changing this? Generally there is a small percentage of the population existing in the upper class, while the majority can vary between lower and middle class status. Beyond the obvious reasons, a majority middle class is the … [Read more...]

Academic ‘Group-Think’

It is no secret that the European Union is, overall, in decline. Her economy is struggling and economic policies are mostly to blame. Germany is the only country whose economy is home to a bull market and she has been given the weight of the other countries to pull. Americans tend to think of Europe for her historical glory; they still view Britain as the Empire of the early twentieth century. Today in universities all over the United States professors are praising the politics and policies while failing to acknowledge the flaws within the system.  Why … [Read more...]

A Case Against American Involvement

I have always been somewhat of a neo-conservative when it comes to America’s foreign policy. As a nation founded upon freedom and democracy, it is our duty to protect the rights of those both home and abroad. However, I recently read a book that had a shattering effect on this perception as I began to realize how American intervention, along with the implementation of democracy, has caused much of the Middle East to slide into a state far worse than even a decade ago.  John R. Bradley’s book, After the Arab Spring* provides interesting insight into … [Read more...]

Has The Fuse Been Set Against Israel?

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The recent events between Israel and Hamas are building up into what could quite possibly lead to full out war. Israel has been experiencing attacks and airstrikes for the past several months. Last week marked the first time she retaliated. As airstrikes continued between the borders of both Israel and Gaza, each side is attempting to prove its strength to the other. Hamas is currently daring Israel to attempt invasion while Israel remains firmly perched, ready to attack. Although each conflict brings with it a new set of context and reasoning, there … [Read more...]

Political Discrimination

When it comes to politics, even the most professional individuals turn into passionate and ferocious arguers.

Throughout history the United States has achieved major leaps of social and racial progress that could hardly have been imagined by even the most wild of dreamers. From a nation founded upon a slave economy to a nation of equal opportunities and affirmative action, the progress is remarkable. History is scattered with both bad and good events including the trail of tears, Japanese internment, the civil rights movement, achievement of women’s rights, and so much more. Naturally, no society is completely without her prejudices, and although racial … [Read more...]

The President’s Foreign Policy… In Person

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It came as quite a shock to many Americans when President Obama placed Hillary Clinton as the Secretary of State following his inauguration in 2009. She stood against Obama in the campaigns and her foreign policy strayed from his in a number of areas. Over the past four years Clinton has worked with the Obama administration with very little conflict. Yet the recent outburst of Middle Eastern conflict, including the Benghazi attack for which Clinton took responsibility, may lead voters to wonder how this year’s election will affect the Secretary of … [Read more...]

The World Within Our Cities

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Diversity is something often taken for granted in the United States. It has become a check mark for businesses and universities to prove that they do not discriminate. Yet, we often overlook the culture and ethnic lifestyle upon which diversity is truly constituted. As a whole, the nation expects people to fully assimilate into Western culture rather than glorifying the beauty of varying cultures. Each year the United States of America allows 80,000 individual refugees into the nation. These refugees are people how have been forced to leave their home … [Read more...]

A New Kind of Cold War?

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Almost eleven years ago, the United States finally came out of a political stalemate that dominated foreign affairs throughout the second half of the twentieth century. The Red Scare, the doctrine of containment, the involvement in Korea and Vietnam, as well as Cuban Missile Crisis, were all consequences of the tensions between the conflicting ideologies of Western Democracy and Eastern Communism. Today, the nation is experiencing similar events. First, it must be acknowledged that there is a current clash of cultural ideologies between the East … [Read more...]