Jan Tschichold

 

Most people are more interested on the content inside a book, newspaper or a magazine than they are interested on the cover of the book or the advertisement appearing on the centre pages of the newspaper. However, the appearances of the cover of the book or the advertisement in the newspaper will dictate the attention to attract. This is where such art works as typography come in. Jan Tschichold, who was also trained in calligraphy, was an expert in this field of typography. His are of expertise was type designing which is in the field of typefaces (Tschichold & Jung, 2008). Tschichold’s works have been of great significance in modern/postmodern times and the social/political events. He not only made an impact in his time, but he also made an impact in the generations that succeeded him. Additionally, his works have used as a foundation to some other interesting works produced by other typographers such as Hans Schmoller, Richard Doubleday, amongst other designers. Jan Tschichold work was based on the parameters of modernism/post modernism as well as the social/political events.

Social/Political Events

During his initial years as a type designer, Tschichold worked using the blackletter typography, which was traditionally used by the Germans at the time. However, he did not prefer them and thus recommended the more modern types such as the sans-serif typefaces and other new typography. When the Nazis gained power, they seized most, if not all of his works because they thought that they posed a political threat to both the party and the country. Although most of his earlier works were not seen by many people due to the political atmosphere that was present by then, Tschichold partially tried to convey political messages (Bachfischer, Robertson & Zmijewska, 2008). Since typography was about writing, the mixture of words in order to create images was constantly used so that particular messages would be conveyed.

One of his famous pieces “Die Frau Ohne Namen”

It is clear that Tschichold’s works had more of social influence than they had of political influence. In the above typography design, a couple of social activities and figure representations have been presented. The words “Die Frau Ohne Namen, Zweiter Teil” are followed with a number of socially related activities/representations such as the woman with a hat, the train, the child being held by the two people, amongst other images. The name “Frau” meaning “woman” has been related with various activities drawn seen in the images. The German statement means “the woman without names” which is a social representation of the diverse faces of a woman (MoMA, 2010).

Most of Tschichold’s works were seen in the books he designed especially when he worked at Penguin Books from 1947 to 1949. Since most of the books written by Penguin Books had a social aspect in them, Tschichold had to depict his works in a way that could portray the social aspect needed. Before his arrival at Penguin books, Tschichold had noted that the company did not incorporate any composition standards and rules. This is because the company relied upon diverse house rules and sample pages from printers who were contracted by the company. In order to bring legibility, consistency and balance in the majority of the books, which were accessed by the society, Tschichold decided to use classical typefaces for the texts that had long pages (Doubleday, 2006). These would be legible by people of all ages or the targeted audience.

As earlier indicated, typography would be used in the majority of the arenas. However, Tchichold chose to dwell on the books. They were the most accessible by the society at the time. Additionally, paperbacks had become popularized as a tool of mass media and thus he took advantage of this tool to portray the new ideas he had concerning typography. Although he had wanted to portray his new ideas about the use of typography for many years, his ideas were used almost twenty years after his recommendations. However, they are still used to the present day both olden and new uses of typography.

Modern/Post Modern Events

Die Neu Typographie

Tschichold did not only influence modern typography, but he was also influenced by modern events. He is referred to as avant-garde. This is because he undertook experimental and new actions in the world of art. In his book “Die Neue Typographie”, he wrote rules that would standardize the usage of modern type (Heller, 2003). He was against all traditional typefaces in exemption of the sans-serifs. He felt that sizes of paper that were standardized were the best and so he brought forth guidelines, which would establish a type design in typographic hierarchy (Owens & Burke, 2008). Through the inspiration of Bahaus and Walter Gropius, Tschichold was able to show the world that new design ideas could be used in making the day-to-day printing better as seen in the Penguin books.

According to Tschichold, the purpose main purpose for any type of design was to communicate. The better a design was at passing a message; the more relevant it was to a designer. He felt that this function of typography could be achieved if the designers would incorporate sanserif types and asymmetrical designs into their work. During his encounter with the Nazis in Germany, he realized that asymmetry was not the only mode to use when designing printed matter. In his findings, he noted that typographic fundamentals were wider than what the majority of the designers perceived them to be. These fundamentals were dependent on the details that were narrow. According to Tschichold, all the details needed to be captured with elegance (Heller, 2003). These same processes are used today in web designs, advertising and other post-modern typography uses.

 

Paper designs and formats

In “The Form of the Book”, Tschichold popularized Van de Graaf Canon. This type is used to divide pages into attractive proportions as far as book design is concerned. This type is still used to the present day. He also found that it was better using 1:1:2:3 margin proportions and 2:3 page proportions in depicting medieval manuscripts proportions. This idea was popularized when working at the five hundred paperbacks project in Penguin books (Doubleday, 2006). Due to the variety of the people accessing the books and the fact that times were changing with the innovation of new ideas, Tschichold allowed each work to dictate its outlook in accordance to its nature. Through such allowances, he was able to bring forth the needed effect as well as leave forth an allowance for any future adjustments.

Typefacing was his main area of expertise as much as he was an expert in typography as a general. During the years 1926 to 1929, he came up with an new set of alphabets as far as typefacing was concerned. This was done in order to correct some non-phonetic and multigraphs that were in the German language. Multigraphs such as sch and ch were replaced. The replacement of ‘eu’, ‘w’ and ‘z’ was done by ‘oi’, ‘v’ and ‘ts’ respectively. A Macron was put belowe the long vowels. However, the umlaut found above the German vowels was still maintained. Additionally, the Sabon was also introduced between the years 1966 and 1967 (Burke, 2007). This was brought forth in order to bring an effect similar to that of the linotype and the monotype systems. This was highlighted during the setting up of Washburn College Bible by Bradbury Thompson.

The change of alphabets

 

Since his specialized with books, Tschichold wrote a number mistakes designers do when producing books. He stated that designers are fond of making books that are needlessly heavy, wide and large (Cahalan, 2007). According to him, such books repel the very thing that they are supposed to attract, which is the audience’s attention. The way a book us portrayed has a great role in knowing whether the message portrayed will communicated or not. Unattractive work will attract the least, if any, number of people that is meant to attract. Tschichold wrote these mistakes prior to his death as he saw that they would not only help the designers present then, but they would also guide the future designers. After dealing with books for the post part of his career life, he had noted such mistakes as being a great hindrance to the main function of typography.

Conclusion

Tschichold was influenced by the social-political and modern/post modern events, as he influenced the same. His impact in the arena of typography and especially typefaces can only be described as phenomenal. Through paperbacks, he was able to influence the communication industry especially in the arena of advertising. The ideas he brought forth and his works at Penguin books are still seen to the present day. The attention to the small details that he emphasized on has been incorporated in web-design and other areas that incorporate typography. Such details include letter spacing, font size, amongst other important details in typefaces. During his earlier years, Bolshevism was seen as a major influence in his works. In the later years, the need to leave the traditional ways of using blackletters, which was greatly embedded in the German culture was also seen to trigger his quest for modern ways of portraying typography. Very few people can argue that Jan Tschichold made a lasting impact in the field typefaces typography.

References

Bachfischer, G., Robertson, T., & Zmijewska, A. (January 01, 2008). Understanding Influences of the Typographic Quality of Text. Journal of Internet Commerce, 6, 2, 97-122.

Burke, C. (2007). Active literature: Jan Tschichold and new typography. London: Hyphen

Cahalan, A. (2007). Type, trends and fashion: A study of the late twentieth century proliferation of typefaces. New York, N.Y: Mark Batty Publisher.

Doubleday, R. (2006). Jan Tschichold at Penguin Books: A Resurgance of ClassicalBook Design. Retrieved From www.dis.uia.mx/conference/2005/HTMs-PDFs/PenguinBooks.pdf

Heller, S. (2003). Merz to Emigre and beyond: Avant-garde magazine design of the twentieth century. London: Phaidon Press.

Museum of Modern Arts (2010). The Collection: The New Typography. MoMA Retrieved From http://www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3ATA%3AE%3Aex4672&page_number=54&template_id=1&sort_order=4

Owens, S., & Burke, C. (January 01, 2008). Active Literature: Jan Tschichold and New Typography. Journal of Design History, 21, 4, 393-395.

Tschichold, J., & Jong, C. . (2008). Jan Tschichold: Master typographer : his life, work & legacy. London: Thames & Hudson.

To What Extent Is Hinduism Constructed?, and How Do European Orientalists, And Modern Scholars Have Difficulty Defining Hinduism

A very interesting development in the realm of modern scholarship is the perception that there ceases to exist an unbroken tradition of Hinduism. What is left is simply a set of discrete traditions and practices that are restructured to form a larger entity known as Hinduism. There current disagreement on this scholarship revolves around whether Hinduism is completely a construct of western scholars who undertook academic studies in India or of anti-colonial Hindus who purpose to attain the systemization of incongruent practices meant as a recovery process from a pre-colonial national identity.

Scholarly research indicates that in the nineteenth century, the royal colonial powers constructed Hinduism. They rendered it as a single religion that did not exist in any way before the colonization of India. The process of construction was mainly carried out through the enactment of religious laws and the classification of the Indian society into varying aggregate categories. The various categories included the ‘Hindus’, ‘Buddhists’, and the ‘Jains’. This was carried out to serve the administrative requirements of the imperial rule. This construction was also facilitated by the some of the Indian natives such as the Brahmins. The collaboration of the above led to the creation of a homogenous religion resulting into a constructed entity that mirrored the utilitarian motives, social suppositions and religious beliefs of both groups.

Most of the accounts forwarded by the constructionist base the construction of Hinduism on the colonial collaboration between the natives and the imperial rulers. They suggest that the imperial government under the assistance of the Brahmins imposed a biased perception of the social-cultural phenomena and extended their perception to the entire Indian society. The tendency is therefore focused on blaming the native collaborators for the construction of Hinduism by the imperial masters.

Hinduism fails to conform to any reality in the world. This phenomenon fails to exist in the present contemporary India than it existed during the colonial era. However, this “religion” thrives purely as an experimental entity that basis its structure and conforms to the European experience of the Indian social cultural practices and beliefs. That is, the western civilization has created a Hindu religion in the region of India based on the region’s nature as a religious people. Thus the answer to the extent of construction of Hinduism is that Hinduism as a religion has been constructed to the extent that it is a concept (Lorenzen, 102).

Hinduism exists as a construct because it serves to unify the western experiences based on its aspect as an experiential entity. Although both European Orientalists and modern scholars modeled this experiential entity into an object of study, the imperial rulers did not create this socio-cultural entity. It is the colonial masters who regarded these entities as though they were in existence. The European Orientalists and modern scholars acted as if these entities were realistic. The imperial rulers established laws, policies and legal categories based on the perception that these entities were fundamental aspects of the Indian culture. However, these entities had never been in existence either before or after the colonial era.

The apportionment of the blame on the construction of a westernized conception of a religion and the prevailing denial of the cultural diversity among the Indian civilization serves no fundamental good. The necessary path to follow is the global acceptance that Hinduism as a religion does not exist and is primary a construction of the colonial rulers who perceived the socio-cultural practices of the Indian civilization and consequently attempted to define it as a unitary religion based on the westernized  concepts and standards of what a religion is supposed to be.

One of the fundamental reasons as to why scholars both European Orientalists and modern scholars have had difficulty in defining Hinduism is due to their predisposed inability to perceive Hinduism on its own terms. Philosophers have argued that one of the best forms of approach in studying culture and a people is through perspectivism. Under perspectivism, one does not judge a given cultural practice based on other cultures, but primarily considers the concerned culture in its own analysis. This is also the reason why Forster failed to appreciate the Hindu culture at the beginning. Forster resorted to western aesthetic standards in the evaluation of Hinduism (Flood, 25).

It is essential to approach a different culture with a “tabular rassa”. The culture or religion in question ought first to be given a clean slate before comparison is made with other religions and cultures. This failure led to the limitation in Forster’s personal odyssey in framing a realistic experience of Hinduism. The attempt to define Hinduism is by no means a modern event. The lack of a clear scholarly definition on the subject is also not very surprising. Since the colonial era, the individuals who experienced the phenomena and gave it the name, “Hinduism” have been plagued with the inherent difficulty in the attempt of precisely defining the phenomena. This is probably because most of the scholars who undertake the task of defining it lean on definitions that are generally inclusive whereas others still remain determined to have specific definitions.

In the consideration of the inherent history and complexities of the religion, we find that most attempts by scholars such as Brian K. Smith tend to be expedient, problematic and inaccurate. These definitions are expedient because they still insist on terming the phenomena as a religion. Although they acknowledge that it is not a unitary entity and an illusion that is termed as a religion as a result of the colonial empire’s attempt to establish and control the complex configuration of people and their customs, the insistence on terming the phenomena as a religion renders the definitions as expedient (Smith, 33).

Hinduism is not a religion. This has been widely accepted after taking into account that from the history of the phenomena, this was a geographical referent that resulted into a religious connotation as a means of identifying the non-Muslim religions and customs in the region. The connotation still serves to categorize ‘enormous configuration of people’ on the basis of who they are not. Thos however, fails to infer on the historic existence of a unitary religion referred to as Hinduism.

It is proposed that the inherent limitation in the concise definition of Hinduism lies on the fact that scholars are insistent on perceiving it as a unitary religion. This problem would cease to exist if the scholars took the approach of taking Hinduism to signify a socio-cultural unit or civilization that comprises of various distinct religions. The acceptance of Hinduism by various scholars seems to serve the purpose of academic convenience as opposed to that of scholastic integrity.

The definition is also challenging because scholars such as Brian K. Smith, have put Hinduism in the frame of a unitary religion. This makes them perceive that it should conform to the westernized model of religion. The lack of Hinduism to conform to the westernized standards of the model of a religion then creates a challenge for both European Orientalists and modern scholars. Insisting on modeling the phenomena based on the same standards of westernized religion is not a way of concisely defining the socio-cultural unit but a means of changing it.

It is therefore wrong to categorize the phenomena as a religion with respect to the standardized customs and cultures of the western religions. Such westernized standards include the perception that belief tends to be focused on primacy as opposed to practice and the belief that an individual can only serve a single religion. This approach stems form the perception that religion is primarily coherent.  In this way, the challenge is that both European Orientalists and modern scholars are not engaging in the concise definition of the phenomena but attempting to make the phenomena to become compliant with the Christian prototype.

With this regard, it is therefore impossible to concisely define Hinduism by first terming it as unitary religion. This is because the approach is purely westernized and therefore highly inefficient because a foreign perspective cannot be used to define a local phenomenon. The conglomeration of numerous religious traditions and then sheltering them under a unitary umbrella will obviously bring about inherent challenges in the study of this phenomenon. At best, the approach is to speak about a variety of Hinduism as opposed to a unitary religion.

On the other hand, it is impossible to study a fictitious aspect created by the colonial rulers as if it were reality. What first needs to be done is travel back and right the wrongs committed in the past in the depiction and definition of the phenomenon from a westernized perspective. This will work to ensure that the consequent studies are founded on an established foundation hence the results will cease to be expedient, problematic and inaccurate.

 

Works cited

Flood, Gavin D. The Blackwell Companion to Hinduism. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub, 2003. Print.

Lorenzen, David N. Who Invented Hinduism: Essays on Religion in History. New Delhi: Yoda Press, 2006. Print.

Smith, Brian K. “Questioning Authority: Constructions and Deconstructions of Hinduism.” International Journal of Hindu Studies. 2.3 (1998): 313-339. Print.

 

Business article review

Entrepreneurship rate is decreasing in USA, since the year 2011. A study was carried out by Research Company and was concluded that the statistics on entrepreneurship have lowered. There is a drop of almost six percent from year 2010 to 2011. However, despite the drop, there was still good performance. There were five hundred and forty three thousand new businesses, which were started every month in the past year. This means that though there was a drop, the country is still registering high numbers of entrepreneurs. For sixteen years, the country has recorded an increase of entrepreneur businesses (Klein, 2012).

This article is an interview of a journalist and one of the employees of the Research Company. The journalist asks important questions about the declining rate of entrepreneurship. One of the most important questions asked is why this is happening. It seems that most of the people who are engaging in self employment, do not intend to create a business that will grow. Therefore, there are no employments created. These people concentrate on satisfying their personal needs. The Company had received its data from the U.S. census bureau and that of labor statistics (Klein, 2012).

There was a special interest on the Latinos. They are the highest demographic group that has engaged in entrepreneurship. There is an expectation that immigrants will be more entrepreneurial than non immigrants. Older people are more entrepreneurial then young people. This is because young people prefer gaining experience before venturing into entrepreneurship (Klein, 2012).

This information is important to individuals as well as business people. Potential entrepreneurs will understand the reason for the decline and work at improving it. They will focus on business growth and provision of employment. The article imparts general knowledge about the groups with the highest number of entrepreneurs. This is important when studying about this market. This article gives some statistics from when there was a recession. That length of time is important for people who would like to make various evaluations. Business managers can use this information to familiarize themselves with the current position of this venture. To both the managers and individuals, this information can be used in decision making (Miller, 2008).

The article relates to the topic on entrepreneurship. It is starting a business venture and being self employed. Improving entrepreneurship involves studying its decline. Understanding the decline and its reasons will help current and potential entrepreneurs to enhance the performance in this field of business. This article encourages people to engage in this type of business. It will create more jobs opportunities and it is a solution to the unemployment in the labor market. Formal employment is faced with so many challenges. There are not enough jobs for everyone. This is why business experts encourage people to be self reliant (Miller, 2008).

There is a very vital question that was left out in this interview. The question should have asked about recommendations of improving the declining rate of entrepreneurship. This will help every business person and those who intend to start their own business. They will understand that it should be a business that focuses on growth and not just small scale businesses, which only cater for domestic needs of a few people. Entrepreneurship is a convenient way of improving economy. Business people should ensure that this type of business will maintain its elevating trend (Klein, 2012).

Works cited.

Klein, Karen E. Why entrepreneurship is declining. 21 Mar. 2012. Web.

28 Mar. 2012. <http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-21/why-entrepreneurship-is-declining>

Miller, Margaret. Importance of entrepreneurship. 28 Jul. 2008. Web. 28 Mar. 2012. <http://goarticles.com/article/Importance-of-entrepreneurship/1036875/>

Aftermath of Imperialism, Colonization, and “The Sphere of Influence” Narratives

The Imperialism, Colonization, and “The Sphere of Influence” Narratives had significant effect on Indochina, the Middle East and the African regions. These three regions were the subject of multiple form encounters from European conquerors, explorers, navigators, missionaries and merchants as well as other people and cultures throughout the past four centuries. Such encounters can be explained in the form of double aspect at a narrative and a practical level. Therefore, colonization, conquest, and trade led to co existence or domination modes along with transcultural relationships (Castillo, 26). In Indochina, Africa, and the Middle East these kinds of narratives led explanations attempting to interpret the nature and origin of cultural and racial (social, religious, and linguistic) diversity.

At this time, there were observations on alien cultures, societies, and religious practices thus broadening human social forms debate. Ultimately, this led to the critical reappraisal of a Christian civilization from Europe. These European observations and impressions were recorded in juridical, historical, religious, and philosophical literature. The rapid growth of European expansion through the Middle East, Indochina, and Africa provided the European community with an opportunity of learning other phenomena beyond the Atlantic through imperialism (Roberts, 31). In the course of these discoveries, several problems emerge related to the nature and origins, future of the affected nations, and the history.

For example, it lead to debates concerning the nature and origin of Amerindians thus giving rise to a number of conflicting explanations over the subsequent period. In accordance with a biblical point of view, they are descendants of Adam who survived the great flood by migrating to un-submerged land, in this case Asia. Another argument is the polygenic view that holds they resulted from acts of creation different from those accounted for in the book of Genesis. Evolutionism and diffusionism were two further explanation attempts proposed to give an account of the Native American origin (Roberts, 48).

With the above consideration is the connected problem of history and social forms. The European culture exhibited gradual tendency of analyzing different social organizations and cultures that developed to disciplines of historical sociology, anthropology, and ethnography. Missionaries especially engaged themselves in endeavors of understanding new cultures and their practices. They explored savagery and barbarism concepts especially in the African continent. This evidence is supported by writings, which had a seemingly scientific bearing. They argue colonization and the sphere of influence led to competitive struggles among the natives for natural resources and land propelled by antipathy (Suri, 29).

In addition, encounters from imperialism, colonization and the sphere of influence led to significant problems in the Middle East including differences in the races. Genetics has since established mixing of populations through migration paths to the Middle East. This influence led to other problems such as the perception that natives in the Middle East were a primitive society, and that their adoption of the European culture was a fundamental for their attainment of a civilized status. In addition, from the start of the European imperialism and colonization overseas, there was the development of problem of seizing the native families and individuals and thereafter transporting them to Europe. They were then used as slaves, or served the purpose of and sources of information for research. At certain cases, non-Europeans were abducted, with the intention of being used as examples to pass the message of European supremacy and Superiority (Roberts, 67). The influence of the European society had significant impact in the Indochina and Middle East region with some problems in Africa such as scramble for natural resources still prevalent.

Works Cited

Castillo, Susan P, and Ivy Schweitzer. A Companion to the Literatures of Colonial America. Malden, Mass: Blackwell Pub, 2005. Print.

Roberts, J M. History of the World. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. Print.

Suri, Jeremi. “The Cold War, Decolonization, and Global Social Awakenings: Historical Intersections.” Cold War History. 6.3 (2006): 353-363. Print.

 

Pesticides Chemical Hazards and Risk Assessment

Section One

Much as they have been a major breakthrough, a number of pesticides do not exhibit biodegrading properties and therefore bear the possibility of gaining access to a food chain in the eco system through bioaccumulation and eventually affect human health. Humans may be environmentally exposed to pesticides through agricultural practices such as cropping, the direct consumption through food, or through inhalation. However, if pesticides were done away with, this would translate to a fall in the crop yield as well as an increase in global food prices by seventy five percent. In India for example, the government has registered a total of 145 pesticides and their crop production has risen to 80,000 metric tones. However, statistics indicate that fifty percent for food the commodity in India is contaminated by residues from pesticides. Toxicity residues in this case are measured using indices which act as receptors.

Pesticides pose adverse health effects once they access the human body which include persistent and acute infection of the nervous system, damage to the lungs and reproductive organs, cancer, birth defects, and dysfunction of the endocrine and immune system just to name a few. It has also been established that small amounts of pesticides can at the extreme lead to death, disrupt hormones, especially those related to reproductive functions in humans (Kraybill, 45). These pesticide effects on human health therefore warrant a better understanding of the exposure patterns, the human population underlying variability, and the linkage between toxicology data. An understanding of these variables will ultimately lead methods of preventing humans from coming into contact with harmful pesticides.

Additionally, improving and integrating epidemiological studies will pave the way for quality judgment of pesticide exposure to humans and the risks involved. In addition, there is need to enlighten farmers on the implications of using pesticides, bio pesticides, biotechnology, agriculture, management of the eco system, and the human and environmental effects of this chemicals.

Section Two

Question one

Pesticides in the current society are found in numerous public places such as office buildings, grocery stores, and even in houses. Therefore, coming across them is seemingly impossible and people engage in all kinds of endeavors to eliminate insects, weeds, and fungus using pesticides. The consequences involved with the adverse effects of pesticides range from lung damage from inhaling the chemicals, damage to the nervous system, certain cancers, disruption of the endocrine and immune system, as well as disrupting hormonal processes especially reproduction processes in humans, thus compromising one’s ability to bear children (United States Environmental Protection Agency Communications, Education, and Public Affairs, 54). Additionally, certain pesticides contain sufficient poisonous residues to cause death in humans.

Question two

In accordance with the World Health Organization, up to twenty five million people worldwide have to bear the consequences of pesticide effects. An estimated twenty thousand people in the United States every year report new cases of cancer. This can be attributed to pesticide residues in their food. Once residues of pesticides are ingested, the body lacks the capability of metabolizing them and is therefore stored in various tissues. In addition, these residues are hard to excrete and therefore remain in the body causing damage.

Question three

Due to the devastating effects of pesticides on human health, significant remedial actions have been established to relieve mankind from the effects of these chemicals. Methods to educate the major source of pesticides in this case farms, have been established as means of conserving the ecosystem and teaching farmers on the implications of improper use of pesticides (National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference, 67). This remedial action has proven to be effective with the increased awareness among farmers and their willingness to conform to healthy living measures.

In addition, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there have been measures established to better understand the health effects by the pesticide chemicals. These measures have been effective through improved breakthrough evaluation methods and thus appropriate treatment whenever necessary.

Question four  

Pesticides bear both chronic and acute threats to the human health. Studies have established the linkage between pesticides and numerous chromic and acute illnesses. These include increased cancerous risks, birth defects, brain damage, disorders of the reproductive system, liver and the kidney.

Question five

Pesticides pose both systemic and target organ threats from their adverse effects on humans. At certain cases, residues from pesticides once in the body can lead affecting the entire body especially in cases where the body has contracted a particular cancer strain. On the other hand pesticides can also affect target organs in the human body. Good examples are damage to the nervous system; disruption of the endocrine and immune system, as well as disrupting hormonal processes especially reproduction processes (Centers for Disease Control, 42).

Question six

The more likely chemical exposures that may interact with pesticides include xenobiotic which is a chemical found in the human body

Question seven.  

Xenobiotic is responsible for metabolizing genes in the human body. If pesticide residues manage to access the body and interact with this chemical compound, the effect is the alteration of the genetic makeup of the affected individual. In this case, this can lead to birth defects incase of a pregnant woman, breast cancer in case of women, and complications in reproductive functions.

Section Three

The use of pesticides has resulted in both acute and chronic ecological damage through direct injury to humans and a variety of animals, or indirect injury such as suppressed reproductive functions. The risk assessment if this threat therefore involves four steps including hazard identification, characterizing the hazard, assessing the exposure, and characterizing the risk. These standards vary depending on the country as to whether there is encouragement of hazardous material export. Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA) suggests that some residues from pesticides with organocholorine like DDT have traced to humans and the entire worldwide environment (Kraybill, 64). Interactions between different pesticide types have received significant attention.

Role of exposure and toxicity assessment among susceptibility mechanisms especially among children health has been greatly prioritized. The assessment and prediction of ecological impacts caused by pesticides has alerted health organizations to adverse effects of environment alterations. In this case, the assumptions I made when arriving at this risk assessment include ecosystem components cannot undergo any change without impacting humans directly or indirectly. In this case, humans are to benefit from all risks and uses involved with pesticides. This is meant to ensure critical system preservation as well as the environment.

Section four

In our daily lives, pesticides are pervasive and thus trying to evade them is not the easiest thing to do (Centers for Disease Control, 23). However, in case of risks involved with pesticides, I would first of all identify the various means through which I may be exposed and establish the most prevalent areas prone to pesticide use. My findings suggest that humans are environmentally exposed to pesticides through agricultural practices such as cropping, the direct consumption through food, or through inhalation.

In this case I would attempt to endeavor in avoiding areas prone to pesticide use to large extents, which includes farming areas. This in my opinion would be a good measure to refrain from inhaling the pesticides into my system. In addition, I would attempt to engage in healthy living implying that I would be careful on the kind of food I ingest. This means thoroughly cleaning my food to ensuring it has come from a reliable source. I would also engage in community practice as an attempt to raise awareness on the importance of good health and the adverse effects of pesticides. Raised awareness among the society in my opinion will prompt improved methods of pesticide use.

Section Five

Conclusion

Pesticides may have played an important role in increasing the yield of global foods, eliminating pests and diseases. However, research studies suggest that pesticides have had harmful effects to humans by compromising their health, especially sensitive individuals such as unborn children, people with existing illnesses, the elderly, and women to some extent. In this case, pesticides can be attributed to a wide variety of chronic and acute illnesses including brain injury, birth defects, and risks of cancer, disorders in reproduction, and liver and kidney damage. In our daily lives, pesticides are pervasive- from cosmetic and cleaning products, to outdoor wood structures and pest treatment (National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference, 32).

In addition, pesticides have also been traced in breast milk and this goes to show the risk factors involved with these chemicals. Therefore, there is dire need for health organizations to establish ways of recognizing and preventing health related problems associated with pesticide use. It is a necessary evil in our lives and needs to be controlled.

 

Works Cited

Centers for Disease Control (CDC).”Management and Control of Pesticides.” Mmwr. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 35.20 (2006): 317-26. Print.

Kraybill, H F. “Biological Effects of Pesticides in Mammalian Systems.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 160 2005: 1-422. Print.

National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference: “Enhancing the Use and Quality of Pesticides.” (2010). Print.

United States Environmental Protection Agency Communications, Education, and Public Affairs. “Looking Ahead at Environmental Education: Only Through Education Can We Build a Sustainable Future.” Epa Journal. (2005). Print.

LIBBY LARSON’S SONG CYCLE LOVE AFTER 1950

Libby Larsen was born in the year 1950, in Wilmington, Delaware. She is considered as one of the most fruitful and highly performing living composers in the United States of America. Libby is credited with a catalogue of close to two hundred artistic works that range from every genre. Her work spans from intimate vocal and chamber music to the widely popular massive orchestral and choral sores. She has constantly received praise for coming up with music that is dynamic, full of inspiration and one that captures the intense contemporary American spirit.

Libby has been sought over the years during the commissioning and premiering of great artists, ensembles and orchestras from virtually every part of the universe. She has been able to establish a permanent place where her works can be stored in the concert repertory. She is widely acclaimed as the solitary composer versed in the English dialect since the reigns of Benjamin Britten who have been able to match inspirational verses with fine music in an intelligent and expressing manner[1].

Libby is a composer who made ownership of the art of symphonic writing and a qualified mistress of orchestration. She is credited with assembling one of the most compelling structures of music of the modern times. Her music has received constant admiration for its clarity in texture simply rhythms that are easy to absorb and highly engaging melodic tours that end up rendering the act of singing as one of the most natural forms of expressions that  can be imagined. Libby has been able to develop a way that renders present-day opera to be both musically present and easily reached by the average audience. Her ability to compose new music that sinks in the memories of the audience and lies completely within the precincts of the conventional harmonic language is highly impressive[2].

One of her most acclaimed composition is her song cycle, “Love After 1950”. Libby knows this era precisely since she was born during this time. “Blonde men (A Torch Song)” is a lyrical piece in this cycle that symbolizes the physical aspect of love. The speaker in this piece reinstates her love for blonde men regarding their greenish gold of their eyebrows and lashes. The singer loves their character as indicated in the opening poetic phrase that says, “I think I ought to tell you that I hate blonde men before you break your heart.” by establishing whom the singer is addressing[3].

Her composition style is one of whereby rhythm tends to take on amore significant role as opposed to the traditional harmonic style. This is attributed to how she feels that the effects of a percussive world having besieged the human population. She describes the American language being consistent of beautiful rhythm. The American dialect and its rhythm therefore end up being the language of her music. Her fascination into researching on rhythmic patterns, pitch range and the phrase contours that comprise the American spoken language and in the process comes up with a process she refers to as “rhythmating”. This process facilitates her analysis of the various aspects of the spoken language[4].

She is able to develop color in the song cycle by focusing on the tonal areas and at the same time rendering the audience able to perceive the pitches that are not actually being played. This is done by way of acoustics. This is discovery in developing tone was probably discovered during her time at graduate school when she acted as a lab instructor in the classes on the acoustics of music. The insight gained during this time facilitates the development of a foundation whereby she feels the voice is in essence a stringed instrument[5].

Larsen’s harmonic style is mainly based on the repetitive intervals that facilitate the featuring of dramatic moments in the texts of her compositions especially in “Big sister says, 1967 and Boy’s Lips II”. The song cycle has been composed in horizontal manner in that the compositions tend to rely on the construction of musical motives that develop a feelings and emotions in the audience that cannot be expressed using words[6]. The various song titles tend to reflect the particular dance rhythm that ends up working as the basis for the song. The boy’s lips reflects the dance rhythm of a blues, blond men reflects that of a torch song the big sister says, 1967 reflects a honky-tonk, the empty song reflects a tango whereas I make my magic reflects an isadora’s dance[7].

Regarding the aspect of color and movement in her composition masterpieces, the artist draws inspiration from the natural surroundings. This can be evidenced when researching on the region of Minneapolis where she composed most of her works. The region is surrounded by lakes and creeks, and has an urban energy. This makes it possible to travel by canoe in the middle of the city. In this way, this impression has found its way in her music through the sense of movement from ground water and the transition of civilized energy to nature[8].

 

Bibliography

Alenier, Karren LaLonde. Talking Process with Composer Libby Larsen. “The Steiny Road to Operadom: The Making of American Opera. Bloomington, Ind.: Unlimited Publishing LLC, 2007.

Blackstone and Buchanan. ―Composing, Words, Music.”In Teaching Music Through Performance in Choir Vol. 2. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2007.

Boyer, Douglas R. ―Music Style and Gender in the Choral Music of Libby Larsen. Choral Journal, (October 1993): 17-28.

Claussen, Rene, Libby Larsen, Morten Lauridsen, Kirke Mechem, and Tom Wine. ―Libby Larsen.‖ In Composers On Composing for Choir/G7110. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2007.

Helmholtz, Hermann. On the Sensations of Tone. 2nd edition ed. New York: Dover Publications, 1954.

Kelly, Jennifer W. ―Libby Larsen Composes ‗Love Songs: Five Songs on Texts by Women Poets.‘ An Artist Identity Informs Her Work.‖ D.M.A. diss., University of California, Los Angeles, 2005. In Dissertations and Theses Full Text. Proquest, http://search.proquest.com/docview/305033210?accountid=14604 (accessed August 20, 2011).

Ketcham, Christopher. Notes from September 11: Poems and Stories. Petaluma, California: Wordrunner Chapbooks, 2004.

McCutchan, Ann. The Muse That Sings: Composers Speak About the Creative Process. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

[1] Alenier, Karren LaLonde. ―Talking Process with Composer Libby Larsen. “The Steiny Road to Operadom: The Making of American Opera. Bloomington, Ind.: Unlimited Publishing LLC, 2007.

 

[2] Boyer, Douglas R. ―Music Style and Gender in the Choral Music of Libby Larsen. Choral Journal, (October 1993): 17-28.

[3] Blackstone and Buchanan. ―Composing, Words, Music.”In Teaching Music Through Performance in Choir Vol. 2. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2007.

[4] Helmholtz, Hermann. On the Sensations of Tone. 2nd edition ed. New York: Dover Publications, 1954.

[5] Claussen, Rene, Libby Larsen, Morten Lauridsen, Kirke Mechem, and Tom Wine. ―Libby Larsen.‖ In Composers On Composing for Choir/G7110. Chicago: GIA Publications, 2007.

[6]

[7] Ketcham, Christopher. Notes from September 11: Poems and Stories. Petaluma, California: Wordrunner Chapbooks, 2004.

[8] McCutchan, Ann. The Muse That Sings: Composers Speak About the Creative Process. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999.

Demonstrative communication paper

Communication is described as the exchange of information from the sender to the recipient. However, it only occurs when the recipient has received the information, understands what it entails and responds accordingly. Communication can be carried out using audible words, signals, writing or behavior. Communication does not necessary have to be conducted verbally but can also include non-verbal means, written and visual. In the realm of verbal communication, oral and written forms of communication are mainly used at the verbal level whereas non-verbal communication mainly consists of facial expressions, body alignment, eye contact and the use of gestures (Cheesebro, O’Connor, & Rios, 2010).

Demonstrative communication mainly consists of non-verbal and unwritten forms of communication. This mode of communication involves the transmission and reception of wordless messages. It is mostly used as reinforcement to verbal communication. However, it can be used on its own and convey entire messages alone. For instance, saying hello is one of ways of communicating friendliness. In addition, a smile can be further used to interpret the friendliness of an individual. On the other hand, a firm handshake can also be used to communicate confidence in a job interview.

Effective communication is necessary and is determined by how accurate the message is relayed according to the way the recipient is able to understand. Ineffective communication therefore takes place when one is not able to communicate a certain message concisely. Demonstrative communication tends to be very effective in passing information since it mostly involves the use of actions as opposed to words. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. This shows that the mode tends to be highly effective as opposed to the use of words. For instance, it is highly effective to communicate friendliness using a simple smile as opposed to the use of words. When verbal and demonstrative forms of communications are incorporated simultaneously, the two must be in tandem; otherwise, the communication will be rendered ineffective.

The use of eye contact is a very crucial aspect of the communication process. Its use can demonstrate consideration, honesty or the lack of respect depending on the culture of the recipient. The lack of eye contact on the other hand can result into communication barriers creating the ineffectiveness of the communication process. Eye contact can further communicate an individual’s moods. The use of eye contact especially during speeches highly communicates the credibility of the message being conveyed.

Demonstrative communication also works in determining if the conveyor will get positive or negative feedback from the recipient.  This form of communication allows an individual to express his or her feelings. The presentation of an individual conveys a lot of information regarding the individual’s personality. For instance, when the sender uses a very loud tone to convey the message, this will mainly result into negative feedback from the recipient. The tone used by an individual is interpretative to the extent of expressing subtle but strong information concerning the sender’s true feelings. On the other hand, most of the bank managers usually adorn power suits on them to convey their dominance and ability to lead (Crowley, & Heyer, 2011).

The use of demonstrative communication is used both actively and passively. A person’s mode of dressing, hairstyle, tattoos etc. tend to convey a lot of information regarding the person without the knowledge or intent of the sender. Demonstrative communication faces many barriers since it is highly dependent on the culture of the recipient as opposed to that of the sender. Most of the communities regard eye contact to convey attentiveness and honesty whereas there is those that regard eye contact as an act of disrespect. In such instances, the sender faces much difficulty in conveying the intended information effectively.

 

References

Cheesebro, T., O’Connor, L., & Rios, F. (2010). Communicating in the workplace. Upper SaddleRiver, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Crowley, D. J., & Heyer, P. (2011). Communication in history: Technology, culture, society. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon/Pearson.

 

 

 

 

 

Gift of Magi short story criticism

This story is about Della and James Young. They are a poor couple who live in New York. They hardly earned enough so they did not get money to save. It was already the eve of Christmas, and Della did not have money to buy a present for her husband. She just had I dollar and seventy-five cents. This amount could not buy any worthy present. She felt so sad and frustrated and she could not help crying. She eventually decided to sell her hair and use the money to buy the present (Porter, 2006). Della’s character reveals great love and commitment to her husband. Despite the challenges of poverty, she shows determination and strong will.

Her hair and Jim’s watch were the most valuable things to this couple. Jim had inherited the watch from his father. His grandfather had it too so it was to be passed on to him. Della walked to Madame Sofronie’s store and sold her hair at twenty dollars. After receiving the money, she started her search for Jim’s present. Finally, she saw a chain for a watch. It perfectly suited Jim’s watch. She almost thought it was supposed to belong to Jim. They accepted to sell it to her at twenty-one dollars and she happily took it with her. Though the watch and hair were important to this couple, they did not surpass the love they had for each other (Porter, 2006).

At home, her husband arrived and got surprised at Della’s hair. She thought he was unhappy with her because she had taken away something they both treasured, without informing him. On the contrary, that was not the reason at all. In fact, he said nothing would make him love her less than he did (Henry, & Zweger, 57). Jim told Della to open the present he got for her. They were combs made from tortoise shells. She felt sad but grateful and the only thing she could tell him was that her hair would grow fast. It was her turn to present her gift. She showed him the chain for his watch and asked him to remove it. Jim was hesitant and he tried to change the subject. He told his wife that he had to sell the watch to afford the combs. It shows some irony but the greatest lesson is the sacrifice they made for each other because of love.

The story has themes of love, sacrifice, determination, poverty and wealth. Love is the greatest theme in this story. The couple is poor but both of them go out of their way to make each other happy. There is a mutual feeling of commitment. They both plan to buy gifts without consulting each other. This is a sign they care about each other and always think positively about the other partner. Their poverty does not come in between there love. Jim tells his wife that nothing she would change about he look that would make him love her less. They are not angry at each other because the other spouse sold a valuable item without consulting. They both understand it was all about love (Adams, Andy et al, 2000).

The gold pocket watch and Della’s hair were the most important things to this couple. It is amazing how both of them decide to give them up the same time for presents. According to the story, Della did not hesitate selling her hair. On the other hand, Jim did not also think twice about selling a souvenir for her wife’s happiness. It is quite uncommon to sell hair or any other component of the body. If it would happen, it is expected that the reason is a very critical issue. Regardless to this, Della goes ahead and sells her hair to buy a present. She was also very willing to do anything possible to make her husband happy.

The couple lives from hand to mouth. This is why they have to sell their valuables to buy simple things like presents. Jim used to earn thirty dollars a week but it reduced to twenty dollars. She had tried to save every penny she could but she only managed to get one dollar and seventy-five cents. The story says that sixty cents of that money was even in pennies. The story depicts the effects poverty among the people. They are both physical and psychological. Della feels frustrated and cries when she realizes she cannot get a present for her husband. She is forced to sell uncommon commodities to afford what she wants. This really shows high level of poverty. It seems she does not have a source of income and they just survive with the husband’s income. There is a minor theme of wealth depicted by the gold pocket watch. It was given to Jim’s father by grandfather and then to Jim. It seems Jim was raised in a well off family because it could afford a pocket gold watch (Henry, 1992).

The author has used different styles in her work. The most prominent is the symbol of magi. This were the three wise me who took gifts to the baby on the manger. Their names were Balthazar, Melchior and Gaspar. All three were kings of Arabia, Persia and India respectively. They were from east and they traveled to Bethlehem to see the baby and give him gifts. They gave the baby gold, frankincense and myrrh. The presents were valuable but the magi valued the life and the presence of the world (Henry, & Zweger, 91).

Della and Jim are also considered to act like the wise men. The wise men carefully thought about the gifts to take to the baby. It is interesting to observe their humility. They were kings yet they went looking for the baby to worship him. Kings are selfish and feel superior. This is why Herod wanted to murder the baby. He did not want competition. The magi are not proud and arrogant. They considered the baby to be a king too. The same kind of humility is seen in the Young family. They chose wise gifts and went to preset them. Della and Jim carefully figured out how to get gifts for each other. Just like the way the magi traveled far, is equivalent to how the couple went out of their way to get the presents for each other. Though they were simple presents, they were very important to them (Adams, Andy et al, 2000).

Irony is depicted in this story. It was ironical for the couple to go t the extreme ends and the gifts became irrelevant to them at that moment. Della sold her hair yet Jim had bought her combs for Christmas. This was after selling his valuable pocket watch. Della decides to cut off her hair and sell to buy a chain for Jim’s watch. When the two meet to present their gifts to each other, they realize what is wrong (Henry, 1992). However, the most important thing is the intention of the action. They traded their valuables because of love. They did no get angry or regret their actions because they believed it was worth the effort. Della will just have to wait for her hair to grow and Jim will figure out something with the chain.

The story has made of use of number three as a symbol. The story has three characters namely Della, James and Sofronie. When Della is trying to analyze how much there is for her to buy a present, she counts her money thrice. This could be a sign of disbelief and disappointment because she does not have enough money (Porter, 2006). The persona says that life consists of sobbing, sniffling and smiling. These are three types of emotions mostly experienced by poor people. They do not have enough so they lament and feel sad but sometimes they get a reason to smile.

In “The Gift of the Magi,” the number three tends to appear prominently in the entire story. This symbolism and allusion first appears in the title of the story. The Magi are also known as the three wise men that traveled a long distance following the star in the search of the baby Jesus. In addition, these three Magi brought with them three gifts to present to this child, the gifts being gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In the belief that he was the promised one, the three wise men presented these three gifts to him unselfishly (Henry, 1992).

The symbolism of number three is further used the types of gifts that the queen of Sheba brought King Solomon. In order to display her royal nature, the queen brought with her spices, gold and jewels to present the wise king. The main characters depicted in the story also number to three: Della, Jim, and Madame Sofronie (Adams, Andy et al, 2000).

The setting of this story is in New York. The descriptions given by the author suggest it is in this city. The narrator talks of the couple living in a decent apartment and Della went to the hair shop across the street, from their apartment. He mentions an amusement park that is found in New York. It is called Coney Island. It is the most popular park in this city and it is Brooklyn. Another reason suggesting the setting of this story is where the author lived when he wrote and published this story. He lived in New York therefore; he used the city as the setting of his story (Moser & Henry, 79).

There are two main characters and one minor character. The major ones are Della and James and the minor is the hair shop owner called Sofronie. Della takes up a character of a woman with a positive attitude and never gives up. Even when money is not enough, she figures out what to do. She is submissive, loving and determined. She does everything possible to get a gift for his husband. It is evident she always wanted to make her husband happy. When she cuts her hair, she tries to style it appropriately and made nice food for her husband. She hoped that he would not be upset with her (Henry, & Zweger, 132).

James Young is a committed husband who evidently shows his love for his wife. He sells a valuable gold watch to buy her wife a simple present for Christmas. This is a noble act and it shows how much he could sacrifice for the happiness of his wife. He is good at adjusting to change. When she notices her wife has cut her hair it does not alter his love for her. What only worries him is that she will not use the combs he bought her. The minor character Sofronie is the owner of the shop where Della sold her hair. This story is a good example of lessons about love (Sauber, & Henry, 110).

Works cited

Adams, Andy, Alger Horatio et al. The literature network. Gift of magi. 2000. Web. Retrieved 24 March 2012.

Henry, O. Auburn. The gift of magi. 1992. Web. Retrieved 24 March 2012.

Moser, Barry, and O Henry. Good and Perfect Gifts: An Illustrated Retelling of O. Henry’s the Gift of the Magi. Boston: Little, Brown, 1997. Print.

Porter, William Sidney. Cumming study guides. The gift of magi. 2006. Web. Retrieved 24 March 2012.

  Sauber, Rob, & O Henry. The Gift of the Magi. Morris Plains, N.J: Unicorn Pub. House, 1991. Print.

Henry, O. & Zweger, Lisbeth. The Gift of the Magi. Paw Prints, 2009. Print.

 

Women’s issues in American Politics

During our grandparents’ time, a woman’s place was considered to be in the kitchen or giving birth and raising children. It’s not easy to change tradition overnight, so this was passed on from generation to generation and we grew up knowing that our mothers job was to cook and feed us well in order to bring up a happy family. This is why during the nineteenth century some American women became involved in abolitionism to end this tradition in the United States. This was done to confront men who did not think that women should play a role in social or political affairs (Rourke,110).

Without asking for anything in return, they worked their backs off to make sure that we never go without food, a place to sleep, and more importantly love. The women whom we owe our lives to are the same women that we discriminate against, the same women we under appreciate and insult. It is a shame since we ought to be proud, very proud of the women in our lives. Were it not for them we would not be who we are and where we are today. They brought out the good in us; they made us a better people. We owe them much respect, we owe them our gratitude.

In this year coming general elections we ought to vote for a leader who has the best interest of women at heart. A leader who is more considerate when it comes to women’s issues, a leader who listens, acts, and a leader who is not selfish. Governor Eric George McLain the governor of Illinois would be the perfect man for the job. He has fought more for the rights of women in society as an individual than the society has in the last four years. He believes that a woman is just as important as man is. He believes involving women in reform and law making decisions will take this state to a higher level. He promises to fight for women rights to the end. His stand is to ensure that every woman is respected as a person and is able to enjoy her every right as a woman.

The governor has built colleges and universities and included women education in their programmer in order to educate women of their rights in society. He has opened up savings and credit societies in different parts of the state, to help women save and get loans to start up businesses or expand the ones they already have. In his campaign, he promises to amend the constitution for gender equality, by doing this women will have equal rights to men. Women will be able to inherit property, have equal representation in parliament and own businesses. A woman will be considered an important person in society. Respected and appreciated.

No matter how good the governor’s promises sound at the end of the day, he is a politician. We all know all politicians play dirty politics. Dirty politics often has more to do with motive than the substance of the decision; it is an important part of the political landscape and key reason for building rigidity and oversight mechanism into institutions as part of the rule of law (Doremus & Tarlock, 152).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Doremus, Holly D, and A D. Tarlock. Water War in the Klamath Basin: Macho Law, Combat Biology, and Dirty Politics. Washington DC: Island Press, 2008. Print.

Rourke, John T. You Decide! 2011: Current Debates in American Politics. Boston: Longman, 2011. Print.

 

 

 

White Man’s Burden

Coming from a worldwide historical perceptive, the most noticeable historical trend in the late nineteenth century was European domination of other nations. This domination took many forms ranging annexation, economic penetration, imperialism, as well as gunship diplomacy. In this case, there was no global region free from European colonization, adventurers, explorers, merchants or western missionaries. This domination, otherwise known as imperialism, mostly resulted in resistance from the natives of the dominated nations (Jordheim 2011, 16). To the Europeans however, they had relevant social, religious, and cultural excuses for their domination.

Resistance among the non-European nations was usually answered with the Gunship diplomacy. This was an aggressive diplomatic activity executed through explicit or implicit implementation of naval or military power. This period witnessed the constructed of relatively shallow draughts steel hulled vessels referred to s gunboats. These ships were heavily armed thus providing new opportunities of attacking options towards any resistance or otherwise imperial competition from other European powers (Jordheim 2011, 25). In the United States case, gunship diplomacy as normally associated Washington’s military and diplomatic interventions in the Caribbean during the twentieth century period.

The social reasons used to justify gunship diplomacy and imperialism involved ideologies on holding together fractured societies as well as preserving the existing the existing social order. Another major social excuse used for justifying gunship diplomacy and imperialism lies behind the European belief in social Darwinism. However, this concept had nothing to do with what Darwin applied in his theories. It was more of a euphemism method of suppression of altruism. Normally, this would mean that people were left to die without any concern paid to them in terms of food shelter or clothing (Jordheim 2011, 35).

The other social excuse normally given for justifying diplomacy and imperialism is the great desire to spread the western culture to other regions. The European nations had great belief that they were far superior to the less developed and primitive communities of the dominated African countries. To them this was sufficient reason to impose imperialism by spreading their societal values. At some point, this was considered to have bourn negative implications but this form of imperialism had a positive impact on the eastern region. Ultimately, these communities were introduced to new forms of civilization such as technology as wells a wider variety of foodstuffs (Jordheim 2011, 57). In addition, the western community had an increased sense of confidence and thus felt they can explore other parts of the world such as the eastern region.

Religion is also a frequently used excuse for imperialism and gunship diplomacy expansion to the eastern society. In this case, this was just a cloaking excuse to extend a nation’s political and economic interests to other communities in the name of religion. This was mainly done through governments that intended to use religious imperialism as a means of gaining support for their invasion plans. It was either this measure or conservative Christianity through the form of missionaries that had a view of spreading Christianity to all corners of the globe. Missionaries emerged in the twentieth century period considering themselves obligated to spread their religion to the heathenish Eastern regions.

However, rather than a theological point of view, missionaries in the nineteenth century had a view of being culturally invasive. They lacked an explicit view of separating evangelism from cultural and political issues. With regard to the missionary point of view, they argued that their movement was on the beginning phase against secular rationalism and therefore were dully justified for their imperial diplomacy. However, their endeavors were seen as parts of attempting to instill cultural pre eminence in the dominated communities (Jordheim 2011, 84). Other excuses involved attempts to end slave trade in Africa, and their achievement of this particular feat was greatly commended.

According to the western civilization, they possessed superior culture to the inferior one practiced by the eastern inhabitants. In this case, imperialism was implemented for the sole creation and maintenance of relationships among civilization where the culture of the more powerful civilization was favored. This form of imperialism took several forms such as formal polices, attitude, military which in this case was gunship diplomacy when reinforcing cultural homogeny. The main excuses offered in support of cultural imperialism and gunship diplomacy therefore lay behind spreading the superior European culture to the Eastern region.

Other than extending their own culture, the western nations gave an excuse of an exploratory view. In this case, they argued that they were also interested in learning what eastern communities undertook in their cultural practices. Moreover, they saw it fit to practice imperialism and gunship diplomacy in the Eastern region as a means of easing their fast growing populations (Jordheim 2011, 94). Finally, the European imperialists had a view of advancing their exploration in oversees traveling. Since taking oversea journeys was their culture, they were therefore justified to extend their control over the Eastern region, especially Africa.

In today’s western part, these tactics are less often employed but few cases of religious and cultural imperialism do emerge, but the idea of gunship diplomacy is no longer implemented. Communities being imperialized with new forms of religion and culture today have a choice of either accepting or rejecting. It is no longer imposed on them similar to the nineteenth century imperialistic period. For example, the Christian community is still engaging in non-violent activities of instilling their religion to non-believers. In the United States for example, the Chinese culture has notably been instilled in the society such as their food delicacies in certain states. However, it has been noted that the Muslim community in the recent past has attempted to dictate its religious and cultural beliefs to other communities through violent means. A good example is 11 September 2001 attack on the American Embassy New York in the United States of America (Jordheim 2011, 43). This action was greatly condemned and in one way or another could be regarded as gunship diplomacy.

 

Reference

Jordheim, Helge, and Iver B Neumann. 2011. Empire, imperialism and conceptual history. Journal of International Relations and Development 14, no. 2: 153-185. http://www.worldcat.org/title/empire-imperialism-and-conceptual-history/oclc/780840817&referer=brief_results