Source: Sen, Ronojoy. "India's Changing Political Fortunes." Current History 113.762 (2014):
131-136. Print.
Author: Ronojoy Sen is a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore's Institute of South Asian Studies and Asia Research Institute.
Summary: In India the new elections are coming up and there is room for a change in the politics concerning the country. For most of India's time as a free country, the political party has been the Indian National Congress (INC). There are very few times in the history of the country where another party has dominated however now it seems that the tides are changing. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have recently dominated the country in the polls. It was expected that the BJP would overcome the INC, however the margins of victory were not expected. The BJP have put forth Narendra Modi as their face and he has been a larger than life leader for the party. He has the respect of Indians across the nation. This is what the article has been describing.
Analysis: Ronojoy is a credible source, as his background focuses on Asia and more specifically South Asia which is dominated by India. He makes a very strong argument that it may be time to put the INC onto the shelf and embrace the new party. He backs this up by providing facts from recent polls. He describes how the BJP is starting to control the congress in India as well as historical facts that put Modi at the top of the candidate list. I think that he presents his argument well and he has plenty of facts to back up his reasoning for making this statement.
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Monday, January 18, 2016
PDP8- An Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico
Author's Credentials: Mark A. Kishkansky completed his undergraduate degree at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1970. He proceeded to graduate study under David Underdown at Brown University, receiving his M.A. in 1972 and his PhD in 1977.
Date and Context: The text is translated from a preserved original copy in a Parisian museum. The author is anonymous, however it is known that they were a Native Mexican fighting against the conquering Spanish. At the time the new world was recently discovered and the Spanish were looking to regain their wealth they lost during the Reconquista. This meant capturing the native's land and colonizing the area.
Summary: The document talked about the troubles that the natives faced while fighting the Spanish. There was a major moral factor, the natives believed that the Spanish were their gods. They had inferior arms compared to the Spanish. The native leaders left their soldiers and fled from battle. These were many of the reasons the natives didn't even stand a chance against the Spaniards.
Key Quotation: "Where are our Chiefs? They have fired scarcely a single arrow! Do they think they have fought like men?"
Date and Context: The text is translated from a preserved original copy in a Parisian museum. The author is anonymous, however it is known that they were a Native Mexican fighting against the conquering Spanish. At the time the new world was recently discovered and the Spanish were looking to regain their wealth they lost during the Reconquista. This meant capturing the native's land and colonizing the area.
Summary: The document talked about the troubles that the natives faced while fighting the Spanish. There was a major moral factor, the natives believed that the Spanish were their gods. They had inferior arms compared to the Spanish. The native leaders left their soldiers and fled from battle. These were many of the reasons the natives didn't even stand a chance against the Spaniards.
Key Quotation: "Where are our Chiefs? They have fired scarcely a single arrow! Do they think they have fought like men?"
Sunday, January 17, 2016
SJS8- "Overcoming Cuba's Internal Embargo"
Source:
Henken, Ted A., and Archibald R.M. Ritter. "Overcoming Cuba's Internal Embargo." Current History 114.769 (2015): 73-76. Print.
Author Credentials:
Ted A. Henken is chair of the Sociology and Anthropology Department and an associate professor of Black and Latino Studies at Baruch College in New York. He has also extensively studied Cuba's history and culture as well as its contemporary enterprises and economic status. Archibald R.M. Ritter is an emeritus research professor of economics and international affairs at Carleton University. Also, he has expertise in economic relations between developing countries and developed market economies. He has published several works regarding developments in Latin America, especially Cuba. They are coauthors of Entrepreneurial Cuba: The Changing Policy Landscape. Both of the authors' experience and knowledge prove them to be very qualified to discuss the current issues of Cuba.
Summary:
After the 2014 historic agreement between Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro to restore diplomatic relations, the US embargo has began to crumble. Although there is now less of an external embargo on Cuba, it is just a matter of whether or not Castro and the Cuban government will relinquish its tight control over private enterprise and the Internet. Between 1996 and 2006, President Fidel Castro pursued an economic policy that gradually phased out of the pro-market reforms of the 1990s. When Raúl Castro became president in 2006, he eased this resistance to a degree and began to allow for small new enterprises to emerge. The Cuban government is also starting to support business education and implement entrepreneurship workshops as well as provide financial backing for small-business owners. Furthermore, in recent years, Cuba has seen some significant developments in information and communication technology capabilities, including internet access and uncensored news. Even though there have been these developments, the Cuban government has still placed many restrictions on service providers and the electronic gadget market. If American data, service, and hardware providers are given access to the Cuban market, the island's digital media environment will be significantly transformed. In conclusion, the US has opened gates for Cuba's economic and technological developments, and although Cuba has made progress towards being more globally interconnected, President Castro has imposed several difficulties on the country's efforts.
Analysis:
Overall, the authors provided a descriptive explanation of Cuba's internal embargo and how it has affected entrepreneurs as well as public Internet access. They explore the opposing views of the US and Cuba while clearly differentiating between fact and opinion, allowing for an unbiased article. I feel that the US has done everything they could to support Cuba and now it is up to the socialist government of Cuba to allow for increased private enterprise and Internet connectivity, which would allow for a vibrant economy.
Henken, Ted A., and Archibald R.M. Ritter. "Overcoming Cuba's Internal Embargo." Current History 114.769 (2015): 73-76. Print.
Author Credentials:
Ted A. Henken is chair of the Sociology and Anthropology Department and an associate professor of Black and Latino Studies at Baruch College in New York. He has also extensively studied Cuba's history and culture as well as its contemporary enterprises and economic status. Archibald R.M. Ritter is an emeritus research professor of economics and international affairs at Carleton University. Also, he has expertise in economic relations between developing countries and developed market economies. He has published several works regarding developments in Latin America, especially Cuba. They are coauthors of Entrepreneurial Cuba: The Changing Policy Landscape. Both of the authors' experience and knowledge prove them to be very qualified to discuss the current issues of Cuba.
Summary:
After the 2014 historic agreement between Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro to restore diplomatic relations, the US embargo has began to crumble. Although there is now less of an external embargo on Cuba, it is just a matter of whether or not Castro and the Cuban government will relinquish its tight control over private enterprise and the Internet. Between 1996 and 2006, President Fidel Castro pursued an economic policy that gradually phased out of the pro-market reforms of the 1990s. When Raúl Castro became president in 2006, he eased this resistance to a degree and began to allow for small new enterprises to emerge. The Cuban government is also starting to support business education and implement entrepreneurship workshops as well as provide financial backing for small-business owners. Furthermore, in recent years, Cuba has seen some significant developments in information and communication technology capabilities, including internet access and uncensored news. Even though there have been these developments, the Cuban government has still placed many restrictions on service providers and the electronic gadget market. If American data, service, and hardware providers are given access to the Cuban market, the island's digital media environment will be significantly transformed. In conclusion, the US has opened gates for Cuba's economic and technological developments, and although Cuba has made progress towards being more globally interconnected, President Castro has imposed several difficulties on the country's efforts.
Analysis:
Overall, the authors provided a descriptive explanation of Cuba's internal embargo and how it has affected entrepreneurs as well as public Internet access. They explore the opposing views of the US and Cuba while clearly differentiating between fact and opinion, allowing for an unbiased article. I feel that the US has done everything they could to support Cuba and now it is up to the socialist government of Cuba to allow for increased private enterprise and Internet connectivity, which would allow for a vibrant economy.
SJS8- "Rebuild Haiti, Not Just Its Capital"
Source:
Maguire, Robert. "Rebuild Haiti, Not Just Its Capital." Current History 110.733
(2011): 81-82. Print.
Author Credentials:
Robert Maguire is often classified as an expert in numerous areas including Haitian development and poverty and Caribbean populations. He earned a PhD in Geography from McGill University, an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida, and a B.A. in Social Studies Secondary Education from Trenton State College. In 2002, he served as Haiti Specialist in the State Department's Bureau of Western Hemispheric Affairs, making him exceedingly qualified to discuss topics relating to Haiti's government and population.
Summary:
On January 12th, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti's capital and the areas surrounding it. The earthquake left approximately 7.8 billion dollars of economic damage, and initiated president Bill Clinton to underscore an important point that the whole country of Haiti must be aided, not just one part of it. Haiti's infrastructure is centered in the capital, Port-au-Prince, causing there to be large amounts of people from smaller secondary cities in Haiti moving to the capital every year. Because of this, the capital city is becoming increasingly dilapidated. The issue of improving Haiti was of great importance even before the 2011 earthquake. The Haitian government developed a post-earthquake plan that received large sums of money from donors, but it is still clear that there will be large imbalances in Haiti's development. Many who survived the earthquake left the capital city and fled to their families in Haitian villages. This put even more emphasis on the imbalance. Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive attempted to obtain humanitarian relief help, but by doing this in neighboring areas to the capital "Republic" there were less large financial human resource organizations because the aid was no longer centered in the capital. As predicted, many who fled the capital ended up returning. The devastating cholera outbreak of 2010 brought attention to an inequality in disease-prevention efforts as well. In order to improve all of Haiti, the Haitian government must take the lead and extend Haiti's recovery beyond Port-au-Prince.
Analysis:
The author was very efficient in not showing any clear bias or favoring Port-au-Prince over the rest of Haiti, or favoring the Haitian government over the humanitarian help organizations. His background is extensive in Caribbean studies, making all of his statements well supported with facts and figures. The only instances that the author would insert his opinion was when he would state what he believed would be the effect of specific actions taken by the Haitian government. Even with these predictions, there would be facts to support his declarations.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
SJS7- Indonesia's Image and Reality
Source: Weatherbee, Donald. "Indonesia's Image and Reality." Current History 110.737 (2011): 249-50. Print.
Author Credentials: Prof. Weatherbee is a close Indonesia-watcher. He lived and taught in Indonesia for four years. Donald E. Weatherbee has been described as the dean of the American scholars of the international Relations of Southeast Asia. His new book (2005), International Relations in Southeast Asia: The Struggle for Autonomy caps more than four decades of teaching, writing, and analyzing politics and foreign policy in the region. He was awarded the U.S. Army’s Distinguished Civilian Service medal for his work on the post-Vietnam war profile of Southeast Asia “guiding senior Army planners in the redefinition of United States national strategy.”
Summary: Early in Indonesia's history, under their first president, it was viewed as a political and economical success story. They have overcome many obstacles once the fall of the authoritarian regime. Even today, Indonesia is still a powerful middle-power player on the international stage. However, there are still regional and domestic restrict the nation's progress. Indonesia is he worlds fourth most populous country with 240 million citizens. Nearly 90% of the population is pledged to Islam, making it the largest Muslim population. It also has a GDP of over $700 billion, and has the largest economy in Southeast Asia. However they still need greater infrastructure and education. There is also regional resistance within Indonesia itself. The members within Indonesia is also hurting it from the inside. This is the complete opposite of what it looks like to the international community.
Analysis: Weatherbee provides a great discussion as to what Indonesia is and what it looks like. The points that he made about its international attention really explains how it looks from the outside. The large population and high GDP help it to look like a strong middle-power. However the focus on the inner Indonesia showed how the country is restricting itself from further progressing.
Author Credentials: Prof. Weatherbee is a close Indonesia-watcher. He lived and taught in Indonesia for four years. Donald E. Weatherbee has been described as the dean of the American scholars of the international Relations of Southeast Asia. His new book (2005), International Relations in Southeast Asia: The Struggle for Autonomy caps more than four decades of teaching, writing, and analyzing politics and foreign policy in the region. He was awarded the U.S. Army’s Distinguished Civilian Service medal for his work on the post-Vietnam war profile of Southeast Asia “guiding senior Army planners in the redefinition of United States national strategy.”
Summary: Early in Indonesia's history, under their first president, it was viewed as a political and economical success story. They have overcome many obstacles once the fall of the authoritarian regime. Even today, Indonesia is still a powerful middle-power player on the international stage. However, there are still regional and domestic restrict the nation's progress. Indonesia is he worlds fourth most populous country with 240 million citizens. Nearly 90% of the population is pledged to Islam, making it the largest Muslim population. It also has a GDP of over $700 billion, and has the largest economy in Southeast Asia. However they still need greater infrastructure and education. There is also regional resistance within Indonesia itself. The members within Indonesia is also hurting it from the inside. This is the complete opposite of what it looks like to the international community.
Analysis: Weatherbee provides a great discussion as to what Indonesia is and what it looks like. The points that he made about its international attention really explains how it looks from the outside. The large population and high GDP help it to look like a strong middle-power. However the focus on the inner Indonesia showed how the country is restricting itself from further progressing.
SJS8 - Haiti and the Crisis Caravan
Source: Finan, William. "Haiti and the Crisis Caravan." Current History 112.751 (2013): 77-8. Print.
Author Credentials: William Finan is an author of many published works that are found in scholarly journals dealing with many areas of the world. Overtime, Finan became the editor of the journal and all in all still publishes his works throughout the series. He has traveled to many places and has experienced the lifestyles of many other across the world in which he uses throughout his articles.
Summary: Throughout this article, Finan talks about the book Farewell Fred Voodoo in which he believes summarizes the struggles Haiti is facing after the earthquake that hit it not too many years ago. There are people who are starving, unemployed, underpaid, don't have electrical services, etc. who live here and are struggling to survive. The earthquake left Haiti in great poverty in which Finan blames the United States for. William Finan says that it was the United States who backed out of supporting Haiti and leaving the country in a pit. This can be referred to 1915-34 when the U.S. left Haiti, taking their military and leaving them with less money and a corrupt governmental system. When the earthquake hit, the poverty only made things worse for Haiti. With next to no money, people who suffered were not getting the correct medical treatments and when celebrities showed up to "help" the country restore itself, it was seen as an insult to the who lived in Haiti. An example would be how Kim Kardashian showed up to help those struggling in clothing that was expensive while those who were living there wore worn-down fabrics. Many critics believed that it was publicity stunt for the celebrities own image as suppose to helping the country all in all.
Analysis: Finan provides a strong argument on the issues that the Haitian people face in today's world. Poverty and unemployment being among some of the major aspects that have shaped Haiti to this day. Finan is very supportive of the fact that the United States was the first to impact the country towards poverty by suddenly leaving Haiti and how now the country is extremely unstable.
PDP6 - The Azamgarh Proclamation
Author Bio: For this document, there is no specific author. There are, however, a group of rebels who were against the BEIC that composed the proclamation in the name of the grandfather of the king, Abul Ghazee. The rebels believed that using the grandson of the king of India would have gotten together a larger rally to protest the English rule occurring in India. Unfortunately, the rebels who formed the Azamgarh Proclamation realized that even with the help of the royal name, the proclamation all in all was rendered useless.
Date/Context: This proclamation was established in the late 18th century when the Mogul Empire fell. The writers(rebels), experienced the harsh times and felt the need that a new proclamation was necessary to get their country back on track.
Summary: This article is about the establishment of the Azamgarh Proclamation. Written by rebels to the British East India Company, the idea was to rally together more Muslims and Hindus who were against the de facto rule of the business in India. The proclamation states that those who are against the EIC were praised and protected by the "new government", the Badshiah, those who were supportive of the EIC ruling India were treated differently. The supporters of the rebels were granted land, free trade, higher posts and salary, etc. This was supposed to attract many others who either strived for a better life or who were against the EIC. They argued that the english were against both Hinduism and Muslim which is another reason as to why they are considered a threat the India. People who supported the EIC were stripped of their land, sent to prison with their entire family, and eventually executed under the rule of the new government.
Key Quotation: "Parties anxious to participate in the common cause, buy having no means to provide for themselves, shall receive their daily subsistence from me; and be it known to all, that the ancient works, oath of the Hindoos and the Mohammedans, the writings of the miracle-workers, and the calculations of the astrologers, pundits, and rammals, all agree in asserting that the English will no longer have any outing in India or elsewhere..."
Date/Context: This proclamation was established in the late 18th century when the Mogul Empire fell. The writers(rebels), experienced the harsh times and felt the need that a new proclamation was necessary to get their country back on track.
Summary: This article is about the establishment of the Azamgarh Proclamation. Written by rebels to the British East India Company, the idea was to rally together more Muslims and Hindus who were against the de facto rule of the business in India. The proclamation states that those who are against the EIC were praised and protected by the "new government", the Badshiah, those who were supportive of the EIC ruling India were treated differently. The supporters of the rebels were granted land, free trade, higher posts and salary, etc. This was supposed to attract many others who either strived for a better life or who were against the EIC. They argued that the english were against both Hinduism and Muslim which is another reason as to why they are considered a threat the India. People who supported the EIC were stripped of their land, sent to prison with their entire family, and eventually executed under the rule of the new government.
Key Quotation: "Parties anxious to participate in the common cause, buy having no means to provide for themselves, shall receive their daily subsistence from me; and be it known to all, that the ancient works, oath of the Hindoos and the Mohammedans, the writings of the miracle-workers, and the calculations of the astrologers, pundits, and rammals, all agree in asserting that the English will no longer have any outing in India or elsewhere..."
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