The Fall of State Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Fall of State - Article Example Health care, education and pensions for retirement are some of the most popular. These obligations caused states to start taxing their citizens. At this point, some of the richest states in the world are in debt because they can not meet these obligations. A final trend in the state of the state is the blurring of national identities and borders due to technology such as telephone and rail lines. The author argues that technology will continue to erode the relevance of the state because information and trade that was once under the control of the state will now be controlled by corporations that operate with impunity across national boundaries. I think that the most important trend is the second one because it affects people the most directly. Citizens of established states expect to be protected by the military of their respective state, but it usually isn’t something they walk around thinking about all of the time, especially in Europe and North America, where there hasnâ₠¬â„¢t been conflict between states for many decades. What people do worry about is their state pensions for retirement, protection against crime, healthcare and education. The failure of the state in this area is what makes people angry on many different levels. In some states, the basics of economic prosperity and independence such as being able to find employment or have money beyond your immediate needs are not being met. In these instances, the future of those individual states is in question. Even if the state is ruled by a tyrant, eventually a populist uprising is sure to occur. Citizens are not willing to be taxed forever without getting the most basic services from government. This is the most important trend because it is the cause of radical ideas that offer solutions to problems that might actually be worse than the existing problems. My major critique of the article stems from the fact that it is almost fifteen years old and so much has happened in the world since it was written to refute some of the basic premises outlined in the articles thesis. At the writing of this article, the internet was still a novelty. Now it is a major engine for communication and business worldwide. While it has provided challenges for the state, there is no sign that it is really going to replace the state. That the internet and technology such as satellite phones has provided to terrorist organizations is an ease of communication that was not possible in the past. These international organizations pose the greatest real threat to the existence of the state as we know it because they are fluid, dynamic and operate across international borders with relative ease. But the thought that technology is affecting the stability of the state is not valid for states with freedom of communication, expression and press. In the state that prohibits certain communication, especially that which is against the current rulers of the state, then this technology poses a real threat. Anot her critique I have is the supposition that because the nature of a state changes, then the state is weak. Currently, Sudan is breaking into two new states. The author feels that this is somehow proof that states in general are weakening. Actually, what is happening is a replication of a system that most humans have found to be desirable. Simply because there are now two states where there once was one does not show the idea of statehood is weakening. It actually

Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Questions - Essay Example QUESTION TWO In his poem, ‘Puerto Rican obituary,’ Pedro Pietri urges the New York Puerto Rican community to switch to their own imaginations instead of turning to the televisions that are only filled with American influence. As reflected from the tone in the twenty third stanzas, the author makes several suggestions to the New York Puerto Ricans. He argues that the Puerto Ricans should solely rely on Latina souls as the sole religious background for their race, and not on the bibles. The New York Puerto Ricans ought to have learnt from the manner in which their fellow citizens were buried shamefully; â€Å"without underwear’s† as he claims. Pedro concludes his poem by stating that, living the Puerto Rican mode of life; where beautiful people work, sing and dance together is way much better. The weather conditions are favorable and they do a need a dictionary to communicate to each other. QUESTION THREE Most Puerto Ricans in the poem went to America with dr eams of living a luxurious life, and earning hefty pay, only to end up as well trained janitors who were laughed at. Those from the island spent their last days working as porters, maids, factory workers, stock and shipping clerks, messenger boys, and mailroom assistants. They only ended up in their island cemetery after all the hard work. The situation is no different from the case in ‘Chango fire’ by Quinonez. ... The seller gave her instructions on how to perform a ritual as she was supplied with the required items. Despite her attack by some boys in the park she was able to get home and perform her ritual. The ritual revealed that she should go back to Santeria with her mother. Lourdes also some magical encounters; as she was an auxiliary policeman she would encounters her father’s spirit on a regular basis. Felicia suffers physical abuse from her husband Hugo Villaverde. Hugo constantly vanishes from her life; he later on infects her with syphilis. Felicia attempts to kill him in his sleep by dropping a torched rag on his face; Hugo decides to disappear completely. At an early age Felicia befriended the high priest daughter; Herminia Delgado. She helps guide Felicia into their religion. Felicia constantly descends into madness: During her second pregnancy, after the death of Ernestro, of which she had to leave Santeria. She did not know her identity and she suffered memory lose for m onths. After the death of her third husband, Felicia returned to Santeria and embraces priesthood. QUESTION FIVE In relation to revolutionary affiliations; Celia portrays an unwavering support for El Lider and the revolution. She uses her role as the Santeria judge in the peoples court, to suppress creative work. She only gathers support from her son Javier. Her perception distances her from Lourdes, Felicia and Pillar of whom she was close to. Lourdes is also distant from her own daughter Pillar due to her anxiety for the pro U.S. patriotism. However Lourdes defends her daughter when she painted a punk statue of liberty for those that were not veiling. The impact of this political division was so significant that