Friday, November 15, 2019

Influence of the Chinese in International Relations

Influence of the Chinese in International Relations When one refers to country like China the first thing which comes into mind is country of old civilisation and hard work. The word China or Shina in Chinese means the middle country and is pronounced as Zhon Ghua. It is in a reference to the Chinese faith that their state was the geographical epicenter of the earth and the oldest true evolution of humankind. One of the most noteworthy growths after the cold war is perhaps the rapid progress in Chinas economic potential and the subsequent national power it has begun to exert. Since the initiation of economic reforms and trade liberalization 30 years ago, China has been the worlds fastest growing economies and emerged as a major economic trade power. The Chinese economy has been maintaining an average growth rate of about eight percent per annum for the last two decades. Today China has become the second largest economy in the world.  [1]  The concurrent modernisation of the Peoples Liberation Army would enable China to assert its perceived rightful place in near future, as the next super power after the United States of America. The late eighties in last century saw a lot of political and economic changes, Iran- Iraq war, unification of Germany and the rise of concept of European Union which itself was changing the world order. The most important of the event was disintegration of erstwhile Soviet Union in 1991 which resulted in disassembling of the bipolar formation. This resulted in emergence of a unipolar world which was totally dominated by the United States of America (USA). During the early nineties though the USA was sole super power in the world, China was seen as the potential to emerge as rising economic and military power who is going to bring bi/multi polarity in near future. Ever since its creation the Peoples Republic of China has sought to increase its power in relation to its regional neighbours and other international powers, especially the United States and the now defunct Soviet Union. It did not take long for the Chinese Communists to amply demonstrate their importance in regional and international stability with their intervention in the Korean War. As Chinas invasions of Tibet and Vietnam demonstrate its Communist regime will take military action when it considers it necessary. However to a large extent Chinas rise has been based upon avoiding military actions although it is not averse to causing regional and international instability. Whilst China has attempted successfully to become a major economic power it has not reduced its powerful armed forces, or stopped its support for rogue states and that does worry its neighbours, especially Taiwan. The realists who express concerns about the threat posed by Chinas rise claim it is potentially dange rous due to the decline of the United States and its own unpredictable foreign policy, not to mention its backing of countries that are also determined to undermine global stability.2 Chinas Growing Influence on International Relationship One of the greatest challenges the West now faces is how to get China, a habitual free rider, to pull its weight on international issues. Ever since the country reemerged as a great power in the last decade, the United States and Europe have courted it, hoping that if Chinas leaders felt they held a stake in the existing world order, they would work to sustain it. But things havent worked out that way. The recent Chinese hacker attack on Google, which underscored Beijings efforts to suppress information, was only the latest example of Chinas rejection of global norms. At the Copenhagen climate conference in December 2009, the countrys opposition to mandatory carbon cuts helped eviscerate an agreement. Economically, Chinas refusal to strengthen its currency is threatening the global recovery. On Iran, Beijing has repeatedly rebuffed the Wests call for tougher measures, putting its own interests (Tehran is one of its key energy suppliers) above nonproliferation. The more likely explana tion for the countrys obstreperousness is that despite its rise, China is no more comfortable with the Western-led international system now than it was 10 years ago. The Communist Party still openly rejects democracy and human rights, and U.S. leadership is viewed as a reality-but an illegitimate and unfortunate one. Yet the days when China can have it both ways-freeload on global public goods while enjoying international respect-are about to end. Disillusionment with its self-serving policies is setting in. As Google shows, even some multinational corporations are beginning to openly challenge Beijing, and many more are secretly applauding Googles defiance. Similarly, Western governments are cracking down, levying anti-dumping charges against Chinese exports and contemplating other retaliatory measures if Beijing keeps its current exchange-rate policy. Chinas image has also taken a beating because of its lack of cooperation on climate change. The Beijings response to any international problem has been, first we will help our self then we will help the world. The result is emerging tension between the international community and China. Become of the huge economic rise of China, she has become a truly global actor. Is Beijing ready for global leadership? Is a question which keeps haunting the international community. Chinas policy makers regularly point out that their foreign policy serves domestic goals of reform and development. The world wants China to do more while Beijing gingerly gropes its way forward with its newfound status, influence, responsibilities, expectations and constraints.4 China and South Asia: Implication on India Chinas increasing interest and engagement in South Asia, Including in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) has been manifest in recent years. Indeed, the Chinese invariable asserts China is linked to South Asia by mountains and rivers. However, the Chinese occupation of Tibet and declaring certain parts of India and Bhutan as part of China raises suspicion over her influence in Asia. The twenty-first century has the potential to be known as the Asian Century. India and China are simultaneously gaining salience in the international relations. The unfriendly foreign approach of China especially, covert support of military and nuclear hardware to Pakistan, staple visas to Kashmir, growing military bases all around Indian border and unresolved border dispute has been seen as a threat to Indian peace and economic growth. How does India deal with growing influence of China in around its neighbouring countries? Is a big challenge for India. Statement of the Problem Post disintegration of erstwhile Soviet Union, the impressive rise of China as an economic and military power has resulted in changes to the unipolar world dominated by USA and lead to the formation of a bi/multi polar world. China has grown as great actor, in influencing international relationship. This paper seeks to analyse the effect of Chinas rise as an economic and military power and its role in the international relationship, including the impact on India. Justification of the Study The end of this century has seen sleeping dragon as phenomena, the rise of a major economic and military power of the world. She has already become the second largest economy in the world. The Chinas growth and its influence on economic powers of the world, its strategic collaboration with various countries have changed the new world order. China as an economic and military power has result in changes to the unipolar world dominated by USA and lead to the formation of a bi/multi polar world. Her status permanent member of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC), most power member of World Trade Organisation and Association of South East Asian Nation indicates her potential national power and influence on the international relationship. Considering the Chinas growing demand of Oil, food grains and natural resources, she is mainly dependent on Africa and littoral countries of Indian Ocean region. China understands the importance of geo-strategic position India in an Indian Ocean region and capability of India to choke the trade routes. Therefore China is influencing her relationship in South Asian region in a big way, by establishing military and economic bases in an around India. Hypothesis Post disintegration of erstwhile Soviet Union, the impressive rise of China as an economic and military power has resulted in a major impact on the growing influence of China on international relationship. The growing interest of China in Africa and South Asia, her perception of India as her potential competitor in new world order has great impact on her relationship with India. Scope The scope of the dissertation is intended to be limited as under: (a) Rising Red Dragon. In this section it is intended to analyse Chinas rising power as economic and military giant. (b) China and its influence on World. In this section, it is intended to study the various measures taken by China to influence international relationship, her positive or negative impact on world order, is she ready for global leadership? (c) Chinas impact in South Asia. In this section, it is intended to bring out the impact of Chinas rise as a super power in South Asia and her dependence of Indian Ocean region. (d) Sino-Indian Relationship. In this section, it is intended to analyse the impact of greater Chinese influence in South Asia on India, her strategy to keep the economic and military rise of India under her influence. Methods of Data Collection The information for this dissertation has been gathered through study of various books, periodicals and journals available at Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) library. Bibliography of the sources is appended at the end of the text. In addition the medium of INTERNET has also been exploited extensively to gather latest information on the subject. Organisation of the Dissertation It is proposed to study the subject under the following sections: (a) Introduction and Methodology. (b) Rise of Sleeping Dragon. (c) Chinas Growing impact on international relations in the new world order. (d) Chinese impact in South Asia. (e) Sino India relationship. (f) Conclusion.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Islam and Science Essay -- essays research papers fc

Islam and Science The 6th century Islamic empire inherited the scientific tradition of late antiquity. They preserved it, elaborated it, and finally, passed it to Europe (Science: The Islamic Legacy 3). At this early date, the Islamic dynasty of the Umayyads showed a great interest in science. The Dark Ages for Europeans were centuries of philosophical and scientific discovery and development for Muslim scholars. The Arabs at the time assimilated the ancient wisdom of Persia and the classical heritage of Greece, as well as adapting their own ways of thinking (Hitti 363). The Islamic ability to reconcile monotheism and science prooves to be a first time in human thought that theology, philosophy, and science were coordinated in a unified whole. Thus, their contribution was "one of the first magnitude, considering its effect upon scientific and philosophic thought and upon the theology of later times" (Hitti 580). One of the reasons for such development of science is probably due to God's commandment to explore the laws of nature. The idea is to admire all creations for its complexity and to cherish the creator for His ingenuity. Possibly holding to this belief, Islam's contributions to science had covered many roots of thought including mathematics, astronomy, medicine and philosophy. A common misconception today is that religion and science cannot coincide because they contradict each other. In the case of Islam, however, this statement has been disproven by verses in the Qur’an, hadeeth (prophetic tradition), and scientific discoveries by prominent Muslim philosophers. On the contrary, one of the traditions left by Prophet Muhammad teaches Muslims â€Å"to seek knowledge, though it be in China,† or not at arm’s length (Science in the Golden Age 8). Muslims are encouraged to use intelligence and observations to draw conclusions. Islamic civilizations, in fact, were the â€Å"inheritors of the scientific tradition of late antiquity. They preserved it, elaborated it, and, finally, passed it on to Europe† (Science: The Islamic Legacy 3). Much of Europe’s scientific resurrection can be attributed to the translations of over 400 Arab authors in the subjects of ophthalmology, surgery, pharmaceuticals, child care, and public health (Ts chanz 31). The fusion of both Eastern and Western ideas caused Islamic civilizations to thrive in a... ... were also religious scholars. Therefore, the evidence is clear that harmony exists between Islam and science. Works Cited Ahmed, Shabbir. Why I Am Not a Christian. Lauderhill: Galaxy Publications, 1999. Bucaille, Maurice. â€Å"The Qur’an and Modern Science.† The Origin of Man. Jan 2001. 9 Mar 2005. . Hitti, K.Phillip. History of the Arabs.New York: St. Martins Press, 1970 Holy Qur'an. Trans. M. H. Shakir. Elmhurst, NY: Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, n.d.. Ibrahim, I.A. A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam. 2nd ed. Houston: Darussalam, 1997. King, A. David. Islamic Mathematical Astronomy .London: Varioum Reprints, 1986. Lunde, Paul. â€Å"Science in the Golden Age.† Aramco World Magazine. 1986. Lunde, Paul. â€Å"Science: The Islamic Legacy.† Aramco World. 1986: 3-13. Osler, Sir William. The Evolution of Modern Medicine. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1921. Sirasi, G. Nancy. Avicenna in Renaissance Italy. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1987. Tschanz, David W. â€Å"The Arab Roots of European Medicine.† Aramco World. May/June 1997: 20-31. Zahoor, A. and Z. Haq. â€Å"Qur’an and Scientific Knowledge.† 9 March 2005. http://www.quran.org.uk/ieb_quran_scientific_knowledge.htm.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Humanities Baroque Essay

Dramatic religious paintings were being made Literature was being written in a way that it will be memorable. The King James version of the Bible had major impacts on the arts. It was finished in 1611 and was considered to be the most important change in English literature and printing (Ryken). It was set to transform the entire English language and keep the emotional influence. â€Å"The new translation of Scripture preserved the spiritual fervor of the Old Testament Hebrew and the narrative vigor of the New Testament Greek† (Fiero 62). The King James Version was a big part of the Baroque period because it was a piece of literature that had heightened emotional words and could actually be understood correctly by the reader. In Baroque artwork, viewers can visualize the emotional impact the painting has. Everything is in action and the painting is like shot in the middle of what’s going on. In Caravaggio’s The Crucifixion of Saint Peter, everything is painted right in the middle of the crucifixion. Saint Peter is not even up yet but in the middle of getting there. The painting is activated and has complex movements. Gravity has a very powerful pull in this picture as well. Viewers can see the emotion in Saint Peter’s face that he is scared but brave. Caravaggio made sure to tell a story in this painting with emotion since you see a poor, innocent, and homeless looking man being crucified. Everything from the guy’s dirty feet and bottom who hoisting up Saint Peter is basically sticking out to the viewer’s face. The three men do not show there face as they crucify Saint Peter and it adds mystery as to who would do such an act. Everything from the nails in Saint Peter’s hands to the dirt on their feet is very real and descriptive. Light is also emphasized in this painting as well because of the black background. The Baroque period and its artwork gave out real emotion while the action is happening. All the tension in one painting is thrown into the viewers’ faces (Fiero). Music in the Baroque period surrounded itself with rhythm, melody, terraced dynamics, texture, and basses. Composers would express emotions and affection in their music and broke away from the Medieval times by using vocal and instrumental music. A famous composer in the Baroque period was Johann Sebastian Bach. He used to mainly do church music but then developed a more musical potential for the concerto form. The best composed song in his career was called The Art of Fugue. â€Å"A fugue is a polyphonic composition in which a single musical theme is restated in sequential phrases† (Fiero). Baroque music brought in emotions and even listeners who don’t even understand the brilliance composition of Bach, can grow a love for his music just listening to it. The Baroque period brought in emotion to everything like literature, paintings, and music. It forever changed literature and the English language for people to understand it better and are able to be moved by the words in text instead of just reading it.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Free Essays on Noah And The Flood

The Great Flood or Just Scattered Showers? â€Å"So God said to Noah, â€Å"I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out† (Genesis 6: 13-15). â€Å"You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive† (Genesis 6: 19-20). â€Å"Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made† (Genesis 7: 4). For various reasons, many people today find the story of Noah’s Ark quite difficult to believe. From both believers in God and non-believers, there have been many objections to the credibility of the stor y of Noah and the Ark. For as long as the Bible has been in print, creationists and skeptics have debated the issue of a cataclysmic flood. Historical records from such ancient civilizations as the Chinese or the inhabitants of the Indus valley show no period of time where these civilizations were suddenly wiped out by a global flood, to be slowly repopulated later. There is simply no evidence whatsoever from archeology, geology or history, which indicate a worldwide flood that wiped out all but eight people. For many reasons the account of Noah given in the book of Genesis simply cannot be literally or historically true. One obvious problem results from the building of the boat itself. According to the Bible, the Ark had dimensions of 300 cubits by 50 cubits by 30 cubits tall. This is four times the size of any wooden ships constructed during the time period and is roughly the size of today’s oil tankers. It was not until the year 1... Free Essays on Noah And The Flood Free Essays on Noah And The Flood The Great Flood or Just Scattered Showers? â€Å"So God said to Noah, â€Å"I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out† (Genesis 6: 13-15). â€Å"You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive† (Genesis 6: 19-20). â€Å"Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made† (Genesis 7: 4). For various reasons, many people today find the story of Noah’s Ark quite difficult to believe. From both believers in God and non-believers, there have been many objections to the credibility of the stor y of Noah and the Ark. For as long as the Bible has been in print, creationists and skeptics have debated the issue of a cataclysmic flood. Historical records from such ancient civilizations as the Chinese or the inhabitants of the Indus valley show no period of time where these civilizations were suddenly wiped out by a global flood, to be slowly repopulated later. There is simply no evidence whatsoever from archeology, geology or history, which indicate a worldwide flood that wiped out all but eight people. For many reasons the account of Noah given in the book of Genesis simply cannot be literally or historically true. One obvious problem results from the building of the boat itself. According to the Bible, the Ark had dimensions of 300 cubits by 50 cubits by 30 cubits tall. This is four times the size of any wooden ships constructed during the time period and is roughly the size of today’s oil tankers. It was not until the year 1...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Review of Aristotle essays

Review of Aristotle essays There are several different types of friendship and within those types, there are different levels. One of the basic types is between the rich class and the poor class. It seems as if the wealthy need friends in order to share their possessions and belongs. After all, what good are money and material items without anybody to share them with? Those living near poverty need friends on a more desperate basis. They feel much more secure if they have friends to protect them when the road gets rough. (p. 688). When we travel about, we may see a man with many friends. Often times we tend to think of this man as well liked, or possible a noble man. This thought is derived from the amount of friends around him. For example, there are two men. One has a single friend beside him. The other has five friends around him. Most likely, we will think of the man with five friends to be more noble and well liked than the man with one friend. It is always good to have friends, after all, arent two brains better than one? However, we must watch how we chose our friends. The ideal friendship, also known as the perfect relationship, is based on love and affection. How we choose our friends is all together different. It is like the old saying, Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. If we have a real friend we wish him well for his own sake, not for the conversations sake. This type of relationship is extremely rare; it takes two of a kind with similar interests and moral beliefs to form it. The beneficial relationship between friends is one that gives enjoyment, self-gain, and goodness to one party. It is often referred to as friendship based on utility (p. 690). In other words, we receive some type of pleasure out of it. This is a very unhealthy relationship and will, in time, degrade ones status if it becomes publicly known. In critiquing Aristotles work, ...

Monday, November 4, 2019

The Body of Lies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Body of Lies - Essay Example According to Hoffman, terrorists are now going back to traditional if not Stone Age technique of communication. Because of this fact, Hoffman has to rely more on Ferris’ operation and human intelligence. Roger Ferris met the head of the Jordanian GID named Hani Salaam and they had an agreement to help each other in finding Al-Saleem. But whatever agreement they have to each other, they are still bound to their responsibilities to their own countries. Hoffman was able to discover an Al-Saleem safe house and immediately contacted Ferris to check and watch the place closely. However, without Ferris’ permission, Hoffman conducted another operation which blew the whole safe house operation and ended up with Ferris bitten by dogs. It was this time when he met Aisha whom he eventually developed romantic interest. Another bombing was reported in Amsterdam which killed 75 people at the least. One of the men in the Al-Saleem safe house was recognized by Hani as Karami and compell ed him to become their asset in the Al Qaeda terrorist using his mother as Hani’s assurance for his cooperation. Hoffman wanted Karami to be interrogated by the CIA but Hani refuses to hand him over. Without the consent of both Hani and Ferris, Hoffman contacted Ferris’ new subordinate and instructed him to bring him Karami. Because of this, the safe house was blown and Ferris was blamed by Hani and instructed to leave Jordan. Hoffman and Ferris eventually thought that the only way to track Al-Saleem is to create another terrorist group that will threaten Al-Saleem’s ego and power. They planned and staged an attack and used a Jordanian architect named Omar Sadiki as the terrorist cell leader. But Ferris’ plan was made known to Al-Saleem when Sadiki was caught by his man and tortured. After which, Aisha was then kidnapped and while Ferris tried to recover her, he fell into the hands of Al-Saleem just across the border in Syria. He was interrogated and when he was about to be killed, Hani came to a rescue and Al-Saleem was arrested by the group. Hani admitted to Ferris that it was them who kidnapped Aisha to have a deal with Al-Saleem in exchange of Ferris. The movie ended with Ferris quitting the CIA and chose to stay in Jordan while leaving the audience the thought if he was going to reconcile with Aisha. The movie was not really about the politics or war but instead, the Body of Lies involved double-crosses and did not really have anything to say about the War on Terror. But this movie about Iraq war is something that offers good thriller standards. The movie offered moments of suspense but it offers more on how Ferris communicated with people and tries to gain information on the sought after terrorist Al-Saleem. In Markert’s (2011) book, the film Body of Lies belongs to the fictional features belatedly appear. According to Markert (2011), the films from 2001 to 2010 were mostly documentaries and films depicting villains suc h as Osama Bin Laden and revolving on the World Trade Center bombing. Several fictional films involving wars on Iraq and Afghanistan were made such as this film. However, this film did not involve Bin Laden or Hussein who were the favourite villains in the post-9/11 films.  

Friday, November 1, 2019

European human rights law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

European human rights law - Essay Example It is an individual's most essential political right and the essence of democracy. Freedom of expression is what makes it possible for even the most ordinary of citizens to make a political expression, even if that expression is against the state itself. It is this right that makes it possible for such an individual to hold an opinion that is different from the opinion of the majority. It is this freedom that gives people the power to protest inequality and oppression. From this freedom emanate all the other freedoms. In a democracy, probably the most important consequence of the freedom of expression is to compel governments to the dialogue table, and it is because of this that governments are forced to consider the opinions of people in its decision making. This works to the advantage of both people and the government - if indeed one can make a distinction between the two. People have the advantage of ensuring that all or most governmental decisions consider their opinion. In Europe freedom of expression is protected by article 10 (1) of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR). "Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers" ("The European Convention on Human Rights"). Contrary to what some... And this freedom relates to the freedom of opinion, freedom of information, and the freedom to criticize. Freedom of Opinion and Information The first paragraph of Article 10 of the ECHR elucidates that freedom of expression shall include the "freedom to hold opinions and to receive information" ("The European Convention on Human Rights"). There is more to this freedom than one initially realizes. The freedom to hold opinions, among other things, also means spiritual freedom. This freedom includes the freedom to hold and report a belief. This belief can be critical or appreciative or merely judgmental. These beliefs or opinions can relate to philosophy, science, literature, politics, ethics and several such other aspects. This freedom applies as much to giving an opinion, as to receiving one. 3 Freedom of expression includes the freedom to information. This freedom applies to receiving information, as it does to the dissemination of information. This freedom is an offshoot of the freedom to opinion. Yet another off-shoot of the freedom to express opinions is the freedom of criticism. This is a significant aspect of the freedom of expression as it gives even people in the minority the right to hold and express views that are not in consonance with the majority. This Freedom is Not Unconditional The freedom of expression is however not a platform for unfettered individual and institutional will. There are conditions. The freedoms guaranteed under Article 10 of the ECHR carry with them "certain duties and responsibilities". Exercise of this freedom must be within the parameters of certain procedures, conditions, controls and rules of infraction. These parameters are laid down by law in the wider interests of the