Political Geography and Sovereignty of Palestine

There are eight criteria accepted by the international community used to determine whether an entity is an independent country or not. A country need only fail on one of the eight criteria to not meet the definition of independent country status. Palestine (and I shall consider either or both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank in this analysis) does not meet all eight criteria to be a country; it fails somewhat on one of the eight criteria. Does Palestine Meet the 8 Criteria to Be a Country? 1. Has space or territory that has internationally recognized boundaries (boundary disputes are OK). Somewhat. Both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have internationally recognized boundaries. However, these boundaries are not legally fixed. 2. Has people who live there on an ongoing basis. Yes, the Gaza Strips population is 1,710,257 and the population of the West Bank is 2,622,544 (as of mid-2012). 3. Has economic activity and an organized economy. A country regulates foreign and domestic trade and issues money. Somewhat. The economies of both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are disrupted by conflict, especially in Hamas-controlled Gaza only limited industry and economic activity is possible. Both regions have exports of agricultural products and the West Bank exports stone. Both entities utilize the new Israeli shekel as their currency. 4. Has the power of social engineering, such as education. Somewhat. The Palestinian Authority does have social engineering power in fields such as education and healthcare. Hamas in Gaza also provides social services. 5. Has a transportation system for moving goods and people. Yes; both entities have roads and other transportation systems. 6. Has a government that provides public services and police or military power. Somewhat. While the Palestinian Authority is permitted to provide local law enforcement, Palestine does not have its own military. Nonetheless, as can be seen in the latest conflict, Hamas in Gaza does have control of an extensive militia. 7. Has sovereignty. No other State should have power over the countrys territory. Somewhat. The West Bank and Gaza Strip do not yet have full sovereignty and control over their own territory. 8. Has external recognition. A country has been voted into the club by other countries. No. Despite the super-majority of United Nations members approving United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 on November 29, 2012, giving Palestine non-member state observer status, Palestine is not yet eligible to join the United Nations as an independent country. While dozens of countries recognize Palestine as independent, it has not yet attained full independent status, despite the UN resolution. If the UN resolution had allowed Palestine to join the United Nations as a full member state, it would have immediately been recognized as an independent country. Thus, Palestine (nor the Gaza Strip nor the West Bank) is not yet an independent country. The two parts of Palestine are entities that, in the eyes of the international community, have yet to obtain full have international recognition.

The Determinants Of Successful Influence On The Success Of...

I. Introduction Arms transfers are one of the foreign policy tools that are used to make a recipient comply with donor’s desires. Although the primary goal of such manipulations is to change a recipient’s behavior, not every attempt to do so ends up with success. Thus, defining the determinants of successful influence is one of this research strand’s central puzzles. Despite the fact that both international relations (Sislin 1994) and comparative politics scholars (Paul 1992; Tal 2006; Wheelock 1978) look at conditions under which arms influence attempts succeed, there was surprisingly little attention paid to the role of transferred weapons’ type. Hence, in my research I investigate the effect of delivered weapons’ type on the success of arms influence attempt. II. Previous research on political leverage of arms Two types of influence models can be distinguished within the scholarly literature on political influence of arms. In the first model the deployment of weapons is used as a threat to make an adversary comply with the desires of weapons possessor (Schelling 1967). Under this setting the engagement of states in diplomatic relations prior to political crisis which requires such actions from the weapons’ possessor is not a necessary condition. In this context arms capability to hurt is turned into the bargaining power, and advantage is gained by playing on an adversary’s instinct to survive and avoid pain (Schelling 1967, 2–6). In the second model not arms per se,Show MoreRelatedThe Streets Of The New York Stock Exchange1236 Words   |  5 Pagesthe 1% leaving negative influence on the 99%. 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This article examines how certain characteristics of a mediator, that is, a mediator’s information about the disputants and a mediator’s bias toward them, affect the success of mediation of international conï ¬â€šicts. By drawing a conceptualRead MoreOperations and Human Resource Management: Working Together for a Better Tomorrow2215 Words   |  9 Pagesstrategic planning of organizations, and has struggled to justify their bottom line contribution to the overall organizational performance (Akdere, 2006). It is easy for departments like operations and engineering to quantify their contribution to the success of the company; the inputs and outputs generated by these departments are easily measureable and can be defined. 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Political Extremism and the Internet Free Essays

Being able to reach voters n such a wide scale has had an astounding effect on politics in this country. The internet has allowed political extremism to flourish in the past decade. Those on the left side of the ideological spectrum as well as those on the right are able to access sites that share similar views, while simultaneously having the ability to block out opposing views. We will write a custom essay sample on Political Extremism and the Internet or any similar topic only for you Order Now The impact that this has on the outcome of elections is something that simply cannot be ignored. The web is now one of the most effective tools in campaign arsenals. Those who do not use the internet for political reasons have also tarted to realize the ramifications that the internet can have on political extremism as well as politics in general. The increase in overall internet usage is leading to a rise in political extremism and is having a profound effect on the political discourse in America. Voters tend to have somewhat conflicting views on the use of the internet for political purposes. Most believe that the internet has the ability to present several different views on a particular issue, yet others believe it is hard to sort through all of the different sources (Smith). Some see it as a hindrance to the olitical process because of the way that inaccurate information seems to circulate freely (Smith). However, most people would agree that it is up to each individual reader to make the determination as to what qualifies as an accurate and reliable source. Fifty-six percent of all adult internet users say that they have difficulty determining which political stories are true and which ones are false (Smith). However, many users also find it convenient to connect with those that share similar political views (Smith). Left wing media outlets maintain a strong presence on the World Wide Web. Such sites tend to report both major and minor news stories with a left-leaning bias. This allows readers of these particular sites to only see one certain viewpoint on a story. The Huffington Post is one of the most popular liberal news outlets. It is run by Arianna Huffington who is the former wife of a republican congressman; she switched her political beliefs in the late 1990s (Huffington). The Huffington Post was recently purchased by AOL in 2011 for over three hundred million dollars (Huffington). The sale has not slowed the site though, as it remains as popular as ever. The Huffington Post covers a vast array of topics ranging from politics to comedy (Huffington). While there have been some attempts to produce a conservative website in the same style as The Huffington post, these efforts have not seen the same success as the Huffington t (Top 1 ) It maintains a large readership due to this wide variety that users have access to. However, political topics tend to dominate the front page, and are thereby seen by additional traffic from those Just using the site for entertainment purposes (Huffington). The way in which the Huffington Post displays its content creates a user-friendly environment hat keeps readers interested. Its use of catchy, and oftentimes misleading, headlines allows readers to skim the front page of the website and get an over view of the leading stories of the day. However, the most serious issue with sites like the Huffington Post is their refusal to cover stories that portray liberals in a negative way. This bias was pointed out by Lee Stranahan who is actually employed by the Huffington Post (Stranahan). He was particularly troubled by the way that some stories were simply ignored by several liberal news media (Stranahan). He expressed he belief that this tactic is one that is harmful to nearly all voters, as it only fuels partisanship (Stranahan). It allows ignorance to perpetuate which is detrimental to all parties involved. However, the practice of selective Journalism seems to plague an equal number of both liberals and conservatives. Sites that promote news with a conservative slant tend to be somewhat more prevalent than those that have a more liberal leaning. This can be attributed to the belief held those on the right feel that the mainstream media is promoting a liberal agenda (Stanley). One of the most opular conservative websites is the Drudge Report. The Drudge Report was started by Matt Drudge in the late 1990s and consistently has over thirty million hits daily (Drudge). He has been able to achieve this success with a fairly low-tech website that relies on a religious-like following from his readers. Drudge first gained notoriety when he broke the Monica Lewinsky scandal during the Clinton Administration. He has maintained this success by grabbing viewers’ attention with clever headlines that link to other websites that offer varying political views (Drudge). The Drudge Report is onsidered by many political insiders as the major driver of political news discussions in America as it directs its readers to other news sites (Sullivan). This leads to greater exposure for stories that are linked on Drudge (Stanley). However, it still is seen by many Journalists and political pundits as being biased. How to cite Political Extremism and the Internet, Papers

Anne Hutchinson free essay sample

In 1637, women were considered servants of their husbands, and child bearing creatures of many. There were set rules â€Å"enforced by the Puritans† which stated women should only bear as many children as possible, raise them, take care of their husbands, and then remain quiet. They were seen as â€Å"morally feeble creatures†, who could do no more than â€Å"lead men to damnation if [men were to allow them] to form an opinion or express a [belief]. [1] Anne Hutchinson of the Massachusetts Bay Colony challenged the standard ways of women, however, when she was brought forth at the Court at Newton regarding private meetings in her home which involved discussing God and religion. The trial, written as the Document â€Å"The Examination of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson at the Court at Newton† can be viewed as a piece of the emergence of early feminism, and allows readers to acknowledge the place women were given in the Puritan society. Anne Hutchinson, born Anne Marbury in Alford, Lincolnshire, England July, 1591 was born into a family of a very intelligent man, who she grew to admire and look after. Anne was home-schooled, and became very intrigued by religion and theology at a young age. She read her father’s books, and studied religion as much as possible. She grew up to be a very smart, determined, and sophisticated woman. In 1634, Anne, her husband, and her 15 children followed their protestant minister, John Cotton, to the New England Colonies. Anne knew of their soon departure and hoped that she would be able to practice her â€Å"faith in an environment† that favored â€Å"the new ideas of Puritanism† more than England did. She had even higher hopes that the New England colonies would be a place which would allow her to â€Å"worship God as [she] saw fit. † [2] After arriving to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and living there for a while, Anne realized that there really wasn’t such a thing as real â€Å"religious freedom†. She wished to talk about God and her beliefs as she pleased but because of the way women were viewed, especially â€Å"educated English women†, she had no right to do such thing. She stayed quiet for the majority of the time, but couldn’t hold still for long. She organized a Women’s Club in her home where she discussed the scriptures, and her own opinions while praying throughout the meetings. More and more women began to come to here her speak, and eventually men began showing up. Everyone wanted to come into her home and here what she had to say. John Winthrop, the newly appointed governor, soon found out about Hutchinson’s doings and therefore called her to court. The document â€Å"The Examination of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson at the Court at Newton (1637)† is her exact trial. Like Hester Prynne in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlett Letter, Anne Hutchinson was simply a woman who stood strongly for her beliefs. Her trial, I believe, has been made public for later generations to read and be reminded of the difficult times women throughout history have been through, and also the difficult times of people who suffered under tyrants. The document has been produced in order to show that Hutchinson was an early feminist, meaning that she devoted her time to standing up for the equal rights of men and women. [3] Women like Anne Hutchinson, the character of Hester Prynne, Jane Adams, and Susan B. Anthony have worked diligently to add characteristics associated with male roles to female roles. This document proves that men thought women to be ignorant when it came to political and religious aspects. Men were scared that women would overpower them, and take their roles in society, so by belittling them and not allowing them to do hardly anything at all, they felt secure that they would continue to lead society, but when Anne Hutchinson challenged the ideas of male roles, and challenged the idea of doing what she pleased, when she pleased, chaos broke loose in the largest colony in the Puritan society. The document relates to many of the females stated before in that they, too, stood up for what they belied in, and suffered for future women. The document is a reminder for readers, especially women, to value the freedom that they are presented with, and to not take for granted the liberty that we have in today’s American society. In the beginning of the document, it is clear that Anne’s only crime was gathering people into her home to speak of religion and God. Winthrop says, â€Å"†¦you have maintained a meeting and an assembly in your house that hath been condemned by the general assembly as a thing not tolerable nor comely in the sight of God nor fitting for your sex,† [4] which allows the reader to understand right off the bat that Winthrop is accusing her of unrightfully holding meetings in her home simply because it is â€Å"not fitting for her sex†. During this time period, men and women did not have equal rights. The document rightly justifies this accusation by presenting the reader with two gender differing characters in the very beginning of the document; two characters whom do not have the same rights and freedoms, who do not believe the same thing, and who do not see â€Å"eye to eye†. The document continues with an argument between Winthrop and Hutchinson regarding whether or not she committed a â€Å"crime†. Hutchinson believes that the crimes being accused of her are â€Å"a matter of conscience†, and therefore doesn’t think she has done anything wrong. Winthrop quickly lets her know that â€Å"[her] conscience must [be kept to herself], or it must be kept for [her]. [5] Hutchinson, along with other women of the puritan society are expected to take care of the husband and children which has been provided to her, and keep quiet, but Hutchinson believes that she should be allowed to â€Å"entertain† since she has to â€Å"keep her conscience†. [6] Winthrop’s main argument is that she broke the 5th commandment of the bible, which states that one should â€Å"honor thy father and thy mother†. He claims that by breaking the law of â€Å"God and of the state†, Hutchinson is not honoring her father or mother. Hutchinson is giving countenance, or support, to the people in which entered her home, and therefore she is not obeying the 5th commandment, since she is teaching and speaking on our own terms. The reader is able to see now that Winthrop is adding â€Å"crimes† to her list, rather than simply leaving it at â€Å"maintain[ing] a meeting and an assembly [in her home]. † Winthrop tells Hutchinson that she had â€Å"counseled them†, and by that she has â€Å"dishonored the commonwealth†, dishonored the â€Å"authority† to already preach or teach to the community. Winthrop and Hutchinson argue throughout the remainder of the next few pages about how women should stick to supporting men, and nothing else, because there are already higher authorities (men) who set up meetings, and she is dishonoring these men by setting up her own meetings in her own private home. Winthrop begins succeeding at replacing her truthfulness with false claims, and turns everything against her. He orders her to admit to doing wrong, even though she believes otherwise. Hutchinson stands up for women across her colony by sticking to her beliefs. She is very presumptuous and tells the Governor that he â€Å"may stop her from her wrong doings if he has a rule. † The diction that Hutchinson has chose allows the reader to understand that she is â€Å"set in stone† on her beliefs and no matter what, she will not change her mind. She continues to address the governor is a confident manner by telling him that â€Å"[she] will freely let [him] take [her] away†, and force her to stop, because â€Å"[she is] subject to [his] authority†. Hutchinson is like any other very strong feminist; she stays strong to her word and stands p for her beliefs. She lets the people of the court know that she does not agree with the fact that people, mostly women, should not be allowed to form their own opinions about religion, including â€Å"the antichrist†, and whom she believes him to be, and then discuss this freely among people who wish to listen to her speak. [7] Winthrop, along with several other authorities, accuse Hutchinson of saying things that she did not say, and then lightly listen to the few three people who support her, before asking the court to raise their hands if they believe she is in the wrong. When all but three people raised their hands, they decided to banish her from the colony, and imprison her until she is able to be sent away. At the very end of the document, Winthrop lets Anne Hutchinson know what the decision is, and she continues to fight by stating that â€Å"[she] desires to know wherefore [she is] banished. † [8] Winthrop ends the trial by clearing stating that it doesn’t matter. â€Å"The court knows wherefore and is satisfied. † Winthrop and the court wanted to prove their power, and not let Hutchinson over step them, and so they did by banishing her, and not even taking into consideration her wishes. The message being conveyed by the trial was that men were superior and women did not have a say. Men and the authorities of the church and state could change everything around on the women, and force them not to speak, and force them to change their story, just so they could get their way. This particular document relates to the document of John Winthrop, â€Å"A Model of Christian Charity† in that both documents focus a lot of attention of Winthrop, the governor, and his beliefs and insights on religion and Christianity. Winthrop seems to realize that he holds a lot of power in both texts, and states a lot of the laws and orders of the community. Winthrop, in â€Å"A Model of Christian Charity† discusses the idea of the Great Chain of Being, him of which being high on the chain. He states the conditions of mankind, being that â€Å"some must be rich, some poore, some high and eminent in power and dignitie; others mean and submissive. † [9] This is similar to the ideas presented in the trial of Anne Hutchinson because he places Hutchinson at the bottom of the Great Chain of Being and does not allow her any say so what-so-ever. Also, in both texts, Winthrop does most of the speaking and â€Å"preaching†, which proves his placement on the totem pole. However, Winthrop focuses on â€Å"bonds of brotherly love†, and â€Å"noe man [being] made more honourable than another or more wealthy [than another]† [10] in the text of Christian Charity which seems to go against what future he placed upon Anne Hutchinson. How can one man not be made more honorable than another if some men can’t practice what they choose, and some can. Hutchinson wasn’t able to give her own opinion of her religion in her own home like Americans can do today. Freedom is taken for granted so often, and the texts allow readers to understand that Americans need to understand their freedoms and respect that there is no greater chain of being unless you want there to be, meaning you place your God above yourself. Other documents closely relate the trial of Anne Hutchinson in that they discuss the life of Puritans, or the life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the religion based society that they embraced. The Examination of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson at the Court at Newton has sparked much interest for this time period. The document is almost vital in understanding the roles that men and women played in the Puritan society. Many historians believe that Hutchinson was one of the very first feminists because of her strong acts towards her Antinomian beliefs. According to historian Ben Barker-Benfield, â€Å"Anne Hutchinson represented the emergence of dynamic individual consciousness,† not just for women, but for some men as well. [11] During 1637, it was unheard of for a woman to come forth and express her opinion and beliefs and challenge those of a man, or many men, especially regarding religion. Hutchinson changed this idea, however, even though the court did banish her, feeling as if they still held the reign and the strong power, remaining close to the top of the great chain of being. Lyle Koehler, another historian who studies females in the years of the Antinomian turmoil, states that â€Å"That Anne Hutchinson and many other Puritan women should at stressful times rebel, either by explicit statement or by implicit example, against the role they were expected to fulfill in society is readily understandable, since that role, in both old and New England, was extremely limiting. [12] He continues by describing the average English woman as â€Å"weak, submissive, modest and charitable,† â€Å"inferior to her husband,† and expected to â€Å"hold her tongue in church and be careful not ‘to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man†¦ Hutchinson challenged the roles of the average English woman and was therefore â€Å"punished† for her actions. I believe Hutchinson changed the course of history in that she was able to set the standard for future treatment of women, even though women were still not treated equally to men, even in 1918, when they were finally granted the right to vote. She set the way for Antinomian religion and freedom of religion, in general. In today’s American society, any one person can practice any religion as they please, and speak of whatever God they so choose, or hold meetings of whatever kind in their homes as much as they like, whereas in the Puritan society this was forbidden. Hutchinson paved the road that lead to this ability of freedom, even though â€Å"freedom of speech† had been produced long before. Her attitude toward her society and religion are seen by many as â€Å"charismatic,† because of â€Å"her gift of fluent and inspired speech†. 14]We recognize this behavior today as fighting for what you believe in and standing strong against the antagonists.