The Problems With The American Anti Intellectualism Movement Politics Essay

The Problems With The American Anti Intellectualism Movement Politics Essay The anti-intellectualism movement facing America today is a problem with far-reaching implications. There is currently a revival of this movement in American political life. Anti-intellectualism is defined as the opposition to or hostility towards intellectuals, or to an intellectual view or approach (Merriam Webster). The anti-intellectualism movement is characterized by the contempt for advanced education, the liberal arts, and science. Anti-intellectualism in the political sphere has founded itself on contempt for intellectuals, claiming that they are elites who are committed to ideological playfulness rather than practical application. However, it seems that toying with past and present ideas is necessary to engender the most effective political policies. Anti-intellectualism is a result of a failing education system, the integration of church into state, and the ease with which political pundits can drive the media. Currently, anti-intellectualism is spreading like a plague thro ugh the American political landscape. We as citizens can inoculate this disease through a complete overhaul of the US education system. An improvement to the educational system could occur with increased liberal arts integration into primary, secondary, and university education curriculums. In addition to the education system, the general American public needs to be edified about the basic American democratic tenant of separation of church and state. Furthermore, implementing more regulation on political pundits and demagogues in the media is necessary for the progression and success of politics in America. Anti-intellectualism seems to promote the attitude that knowledge which is not profitable has no value and is not worth learning knowledge for knowledges sake (DeFilippis, The Oklahoma Daily) is of little importance in anti-intellectualism. However, knowledge for knowledges sake (liberal arts education) could prove to be very beneficial in politics. Neither primary nor secondary schools consider the liberal arts a priority, and at the level of university education, students are expected to declare majors that funnel them into profitable jobs a very small percentage of university students are encouraged to engage in the liberal arts. Our current education system will eventually lead us to be alienated from one another because people will only be educated in their particular profession. Liberal arts education, because it educates the whole individual, gives citizens an understanding of why their particular profession contributes to the whole. Therefore, all people will be able to see why all jobs are important. Liberal arts education encourages knowledge of many subjects. It would seem that knowledge of many subjects would be most effective in impacting political ideas since politics incorporates so many facets of life. Liberal arts education infuses students with knowledge of the historical and philosophical underpinnings of the US. Having historical and philosophical knowledge of America is fundamental to making informed political choices that best reflect what was intended for this country- we would not want to collapse into what our founding fathers escaped from. Liberal arts education would create more informed and progressive voters and politicians because they would be acquainted with a broad scope of policies that have not worked in the past; this would allow us as an electorate body to spring into the future by creating new ideas and better political policies. Furthermore, people educated in the liberal arts who have developed ordered intellects seem n ecessary in politics since these people are more educated in a variety of issues that affect a variety of people. As a result, those educated in the liberal arts will have the ability to understand and undertake issues that apply to many persons (the entire American populous), and not just one group. Liberal arts education promotes the progression of the individual mind which in effect promotes the progression of the collective mind which then positively affects the electorate and the decisions they make in the face of new problems. Furthermore, with the emergence and further development of the globalized world, American citizens need to be educated on global issues now more than ever in order for America to be a respected nation and one that can pride itself on having substantial knowledge of nations we interact with the most. We are only a respected country insomuch as other countries respect us, but we are currently looked upon unfavorably in the world market. Americas main competitors and closest partners in the world are very committed to education with liberal arts based curriculums- if we expect to be a competitor in the world market, it would be in our best interest to implement a stronger liberal arts education system. Liberal arts education would give people the knowledge necessary to understand the foundation of America and our position as a nation relative to other countries. In addition, liberal arts education would give us a better understanding of the global political issues America faces because we would have knowledge of global problems and how these problems evolved. One of the main tenets the founding fathers implemented in America was the separation of church and state; the fact that religious values and principles are gaining importance in political rhetoric is inconsistent with this basic American democratic tenet. The anti-intellectualism movement caters to folksy type Americans who are generally committed to tradition and faith. This integration of religion into American politics is aided by the anti-rationalism component of anti-intellectualism which is characterized by relying on faith rather than rational ideas to formulate the best political infrastructure for society. This relegates us to the level of animals; our rational faculty is something that constitutes us as humans, so it seems odd that we would want to denounce such a faculty. America is a secular nation, and as a result, religion should not have a place in the political sphere nor in the realm of education. This anti-intellectualism movement favors faith; as a result, evoluti on theories are considered controversial, and creation theories find a place for themselves in the US education system. Schools are supplementing textbooks with creation theories as an alternative to evolution. This contradicts the basic tenet of the separation of church and state and the secularism of America. Creation theories should not have a place in our nations public schools, and implementing such values in education steers young minds away from the basic principles of America. In addition, the anti-intellectualism movement has managed to bring Barack Obamas religious affiliation to the forefront of our political discourse. This should be a non-issue- America is a secular nation and therefore, politicians religious affiliations should be of no consequence to our political forums. Liberal arts education would teach people about the basic tenets of America and it would reaffirm the history and philosophical reasons behind the separation of church and state and why it is so vita l to this country. As a result, commitments to faith would not enter the political realm because citizens would understand that they have no place in American politics. Lastly, there needs to be more regulation on political pundits and demagoguery in American politics. The ease with which political pundits can spew political rhetoric and gain a respectable following is an indication of the anti-intellectualism problem we are facing in America. Political pundits in mainstream media have no substantial ideas to propose- they are quick to complain about current presidents and politicians, yet they never really propose solutions; they merely champion principles. However, principles are not enough to carry a nation in the political arena- policies are necessary, and implementing policies requires intellectual people. In essence, politics are constituted by policies and policies are constituted by ideas; as a result, ideas are fundamental to politics. Ideas are things which we come to know through rational, intellectual thought- we have to toy with ideas from the past and ideas for the future in order to come up with creative, effective political policies . Having a broad scope of knowledge makes coming up with new, creative ideas easier. If people are educated in the liberal arts, they will have this broad scope of knowledge which will help them come up with new and improved political ideas. Anti-intellectualism seems to contradict what politics really are- one must engage in intellectual discourse in order to achieve effective political policies. The political pundits and politicians most involved in the anti-intellectualism movement often cite the founding fathers and the constitution in order to support their political rhetoric this has implicit contradictions. This is because America was founded by intellectuals- the leaders were the intellectuals (Hofstadter, 145). If the intention of the founding fathers at the inception of America was to place intellectuals at the helm, anti-intellectualism seems contrary to their intentions. Glenn Beck is a perfect example of a political pundit and a demagogue. He plays the side of the common people, yet he makes millions of dollars a year for his talk show- he is not a common person. The trend we are seeing in America is the attainment of good jobs via bachelors degrees and more recently the move towards advanced degrees for any hopes of advancement. Yet someone like Glenn Beck, who is not university educated, has a very powerful, high-paying job engaging in controversial political d iscourse citing religion and the founding fathers. People idolize Glenn Beck and obtain their political ideas from him, and while he is not university-educated and is making millions of dollars a year, those who champion him the most have to make it in this world via their merit. Furthermore, Glenn Beck is skewing what is fundamental to America- one of his hot topics, religion, is NOT fundamental to America- the separation of church and state is fundamental to America. The only thing we have as citizens to represent ourselves and our ideas is our vote; it should be the most informed, intellectual, reliable vote possible. It is critical that we feel confident in our own education and in our own intellectual capacities and not rely on someone else to tell us what is important. The demagoguery that people such as Glenn Beck participate in would be a non-issue if people were liberal arts educated. This is because the false fears that Glenn Beck incites in people would collapse if people had their own knowledge of current issues and the liberal arts backgrounds which would enable them to think for themselves. People fail to realize the absurdity behind his rhetoric because of their lack of education. Anti-intellectualism will eventually lead to the destruction of the American democratic state and the ideals to which democracy is committed. The anti-intellectualism movement needs to be destroyed, otherwise our weak political structure will continue to fail, and America will continue to endure the bad reputation it has gained in the world market. It is most likely no coincidence that the peak of the political anti-intellectualism movement is at a time in which we have an abundance of political policy crises. We will gain respect as a country and as a competitor in the world if we rid ourselves of this anti-intellectualism movement. Liberal arts education can cure our problem by giving citizens a broad scope of knowledge which would allow us to make informed and thoughtful political decisions rather than relying on the ill-advised rhetoric spouted by anti-intellectuals. Liberal arts education would also afford us the knowledge of what basic tenets shape the American political infras tructure.

Summary of Rizal The Movie

The film started with a scene showing Rizal writing a letter. The letter contains his thoughts that the Philippines has a serious illness and that it is plagued by the Spanish domination over our country. Crisostomo Ibarra was also introduced in the film, and it is Rizal’s alter ego. Ibarra had been forced to have two personalities because of the worsening problem in our country. Rizal had published books such as the Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo, as his weapons against the dominions of Spain in our country.These novels became an inspiration over the â€Å"KATIPUNAN† or the â€Å"Sons of the People. † The Katipunans tear their ‘cedulas’ that symbolizes to end all of their ties with Spain and unity with revolution. The friars have discovered such revolution; they even interrogated Paciano (Rizal’s older brother) just to gain information about the uprising in the country. The male members of Rizal’s family left their home at Tondo , Manila because they were being hunted by Spanish forces. On November 1896, Rizal has been brought to Fort Santiago in Manila, and he was being interrogated by a colonel of Spain.He refuse to admit that he knows anything about the revolution and the colonel accused him as a traitor, just like Fr. Burgos. Father Burgos has been sentenced to death together with other priests such as Father Gomez and Father Zamora (GOMBURZA). The death of Father Burgos was witnessed by Paciano. Paciano opened Rizal’s eyes to the injustices at that time. Rizal believed that education is important, but what matters most is how you have learned the things in your life. Rizal’s first teacher was his mother and she had inspired him to learn more.Soon, Rizal was sent to Ateneo Municipal in 1872 and University of Santo Thomas in 1878. Her mother taught him the story of the moth; and she told him not to be like the little moth who was fascinated with the fire and it had burned his wings and fall completely into death. Rizal not only wanted to learn everything, but he wanted to see everything. He became a physician, and he cured his mother’s eye illness. He became a novelist and wrote about the current status of the country. He became a good son and good brother in his family.In the film, Rizal’s mother was accused of attempting to poison her sister-in-law and she was imprisoned for almost two years. This is a revenge of the friars to Rizal’s family and to protect Jose Rizal, Paciano advised him not to use ‘Mercado’ anymore, and only ‘Rizal. ’ Rizal was exiled and Signor Luis Taviel de Andrade became his Defense Counsel (the brother of Jose Taviel, Rizal’s former bodyguard). Luis has unleashed the stories behind Rizal’s intent of writing the novels, his life, his relationships, his education, and his beliefs.Luis believed that as a writer, what Rizal did is not art, but propaganda. Rizal defended that what the Fil ipinos really wanted is recognition that Filipinos are equal with Spaniards and peaceful reforms through education and civic development. Rizal went to Europe to study medicine and do whatever is necessary to help liberate the people, as requested by Paciano. He left Leonor (his cousin and his lover) and his family to help his fellow countrymen. Rizal did well in school of medicine and he was inspired by the uprisings in Spain.He talked some of his fellow Filipinos in Spain in how shall they help in changing the system in the Philippines. Rizal’s novels stimulated uprisings in our country and some copies of it were burned by the friars. Innocent people were imprisoned by the government by illegally possessing the books of Rizal. ‘La Solidaridad’ was founded and writings about the system were once again published. Some misunderstanding happened between the members of the organization and Rizal went back to the Philippines to face the Spaniards.In Manila, Rizal fou nded the ‘La Liga Filipina’ in July 1892. It aims to fortify the foundations of man and his family, give importance to education and agriculture for the development of our country. Rizal was exiled at Dapitan and there he met Josephine Bracken. Monsignor Nosaleda is not contended with the exile of Rizal and he wanted him dead. He asked Governor General Blanco to execute Rizal, but refuse to do so. A new governor general, Governor General Polavieja was sent by Spain to grant Monsignor Nosaleda’s wish. The revolution sparked despite Rizal’s disapproval.For him, we are not yet ready and it is not the right time. Rizal however was charged with being the leader of the revolution and he was sentenced to death. Rizal was fired on December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan, Manila. His family and the Filipino people mourned for his death. Filipinos joined the uprisings and with Rizal’s death, we have achieved independence on June 12, 1896. Rizal died with honor and di gnity for his country and for his fellow countrymen. He had fought for our freedom till his last breath. He had fought for his principles no matter how hard it is.

Cultural Differences Between France and Middle-East (Maghreb)

Western European culture (France) Over the past 500 years, France has been a major power with strong cultural, economic, military and political influence in Europe and in the world. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, France built the second largest empire of the time, including large portions of North, West and Central Africa, Southeast Asia. After the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, the absolute monarchy was abolished and France became a constitutional monarchy. Through the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, France established fundamental rights for French citizens and all men without exception. The Declaration affirms â€Å"the natural and imprescriptible rights of man† to â€Å"liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression†. Freedom of speech and press were declared, and arbitrary arrests outlawed. Government The French Republic is a unitary semi-presidential republic with strong democratic traditions. Demographics With an estimated population of 65. 8  million people (as of 1 Jan. 2011), France is the 20th most populous country in the world. In 2004, a total of 140,033 people immigrated to France. Of them, 90,250 were from Africa and 13,710 from Europe. In 2008, France granted citizenship to 137,000 persons, mostly to people from Morocco, Algeria and Turkey. It is illegal for the French state to collect data on ethnicity and race, a law with its origins in the 1789 revolution and reaffirmed in the constitution of 1958.. While official data on the size of the country's ethnic minorities is not available, it has been estimated that between three million and six million people are of North African ancestry while an estimated 2.   million people are of Black African ancestry. It is currently estimated that 40% of the French population is descended at least partially from the different waves of immigration the country has received. Between 1921 and 1935 about 1. 1  million net immigrants came to France. Religion Roman Catholicism has been the predominant religion in France for more than a millennium, though it is not as actively practiced today as it once was. According to a Ja nuary 2007 poll by the Catholic World News – 51% identified s being Catholics, 31% identified as being agnostics or atheists 10% identified as being from other religions or being without opinion, 4% identified as Muslim, 3% identified as Protestant, 1% identified as Buddhist, 1% identified as Jewish. So we could see that France is one of the most multinational and multicultural countries in Europe. The main motivation for the law seems to be Sarkozy’s desire to do something to improve his dismal approval ratings. By appearing tough on Muslims he, perhaps, can counter the growing appeal of the right. His military adventures in Libya also seem calculated to that end. Obviously enough, this reason hardly justifies the law. Middle Eastern culture (Maghreb from Arabic – ‘West’) Actually in our case we will talk mostly about the region of Northwest Africa called Maghreb (also Maghrib). It includes five countries: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania and the disputed territory of Western Sahara. Because of Sahara desert contact between the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa is limited. That’s why the biggest influence was coming from Middle Eastern cultures. The Arabs reached Maghreb in 7th century and brought their own religion Islam and Arabic language. After the 19th century, areas of the Maghreb were colonized by France, Spain and later Italy. In 1950th and beginning of 1960th all five countries became independent with their own government and low which is similar to French system board. Today more than two and a half million Maghrebi immigrants live in France, especially from Algeria and Morocco. In addition, there are 3 million French of Maghrebi origin (in 1999) (with at least one grand-parent from Algeria, Morocco or Tunisia) Family is extremely important in Asian cultures with much importance being placed on the elderly members of the family. The elderly are much revered in Asian society and it needs to be said that we don't show the same respect to the elderly in Western culture. Approximately 5 -10% of the adult population in North Africa is illiterate. In the majority of Asian countries the social infrastructure is set in a class system and it really is the poor versus the wealthy with little opportunity to rise above poverty line certain Asian countries the name given to you at birth depicts where you are placed as a person in the scheme of things. Money tends to bypass he general populace in regards to support systems, such as improving hospitals, availability of fresh water, and implementing crisis agencies or whatever is required to enable people to seek shelter in times of need. All these things are high on the list of priorities and available in most Western cultures. We also take advantage of the fact that due to the rate of cheap labor in Asian countries it is more economical for Western businesses to manufactu re goods offshore, so their profit margins are increased. Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia are all republican democracies, meaning they are governed by elected legislative bodies. Both Algeria and Egypt have bicameral legislatures while Tunisia is unicameral. Libya is a unique government in the region for two reasons. First, in theory, it is a socialist democracy in which people govern themselves through local political councils. Second, though these councils do exist and function, in reality the nation is governed by a military dictatorship which hasn’t changed since it took over in 1969 when cornel Muammar Quadhafi took power in a military coup. Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with bicameral parlament.

Women s Shelter And North York Woman s Resource Centre

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Their website states that the organization was funded 40 years ago when it dawned onto a group of women, including one named June Callwood, that there were only 40 beds available for homeless women in Toronto, in comparison to the 400+ beds for homeless men (nellies.org). This resulted in the establishment of Nellie’s shelter in 1973 (nellies.org). They had 16 beds to start with in their first shelters in Toronto for homeless women (nellies.org). The group named themselves after one of Canada’s Famous Five, Nellie McClung, who challenged the Supreme Court of Canada and the Privy Council of Great Britain to include womenShow MoreRelatedTerrorism And Its Impact On Global Politics1734 Words   |  7 Pagesterrorism suspects. The Paris attacks prompted reactions from states around the world, with many European nations forced to reconsidering immigration policies over increased fear that refugees will increase the threat of terrorism. 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