A Second Look At The History Of Christianity Annotated Bibliography

A Second Look At The History Of Christianity - Annotated Bibliography Example The primary focus of this paper is to take a second look at the origins of Christianity specifically in the teachings of Jesus Christ and study this in the light of the historical flaws in the life of the church. What was the original message of Jesus Christ and did he really plan to build a big institutionalized church named after him? Did Jesus Christ really want to have more than 41,000 feuding denominations all claiming to be Christian churches and almost all claiming to be the only way towards salvation? Is Jesus Christ now smiling at how the Catholic Church, the Mainline Protestant Churches, the New Religious Movements, the Pentecostals, the Evangelicals, the Fundamentalists, the liberation theologians not to mention fanatical sects and cults are now behaving? What really happened to the history of the church and is there a possibility that all these churches be One? Although there are now different versions and translations of the Bible, it cannot be contested that Christ want s all to be one, just as he and the Father are one. In the Gospel of John chapter 17:21, Jesus prays, â€Å"that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (International Council of Religious Education, 1977). The fact remains that christian churches are divided. This is not to mention the 30 years war betweeen the Protestants and the Catholics, the Wars during the Reformation, and the countless martyrdoms on every side all in the name of Christianity. The fact remains is that these shisms are not simple differences as they have already led to bloodshed and religious discrimination and even major wars. Simply look at the illustration below (The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, December 19, 2011): The Protestants, claiming that they have found the original message of Christ, were not exempted from division. See the figure below (Protestant Branches, 1997). To date there are about 41 ,000 registered Christian sects and denominations all claiming to be unique, different, and having the right path to salvation (The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life, December 19, 2011). In fact most of these organizations would affirm the call for unity. There is also a recent encyclical by Pope John Paul II entitled Ut Unum Sint meaning, â€Å"That All may be One† calling for oneness and ecumenism. This encyclical recognizes that Christian prejudices have become too heavy a burden and outlines the processes towards mutual respect and unity among the different Christian denominations. (Paul, 1995). Despite Jesus’ prayer for unity, Christian churches became divided. Here is a detailed study of the various divisions that occurred within the Christian churches. In a sense, it is going to be a second look at church history and in the end, this paper will ask the question if it is possible to overlook the differences for the sake of a higher principle which is the messag e of the Gospel and Christian unity. The Debate between Saint Peter and Saint Paul James Dunn gives an enlightening discussion on the early church specifically on the debate of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Both of these saints believe that the second coming of Christ will come within their lifetimes but both advocated different pathways. In his book, Jews and Christians: The Parting of the Ways, Dunn relates how Saint Peter wishes the Gospel to be preached to the Jews first and how Saint Paul advocates the preaching of the Gospel to the gentiles. It must be noted however that Saint Peter was not exclusivist. He only wanted to preach to the Jews first as a matter of priority but he is open to convert other people besides Jews. Besides the issue of who to prioritize the preaching of the Gospel to, considering the imminence of Christ’s Second Coming, there are also major cultural differences among the two

The Tryals of Joseph Dawson, Edward Forseith, William May, [brace] Essay

The Tryals of Joseph Dawson, Edward Forseith, William May, [brace] William Bishop, James Lewis, and John Sparkes for several piracies and robberies by them committed - Essay Example 3-7). On the other hand, the witnesses for the kings were sworn in whereby, the Grand Jury withdrew and returned back afterwards and the case proceeds (Dawson, p.3-5). Five men were found guilty namely John sparks, William Bishop, William May, Edward Forseith, James Lewis. This is because the five men participated directly or indirect in piracy crime (Dawson, p. 24-26).On the other hand, Joseph Dawson was considered innocent because he was not on board unlike other culprits who witnessed the crime and decided to remain quite(Dawson, p. 24-26). Additionally, the judges considered group involvement to commit a felony as complicity whereby, a syndicate or a group of gang located in different locations whether on the sea or in the land corporate to commit a felony (Dawson, p. 23-27). The result of poor circumstance may be attributed to lack of a comprehensive structure that defines the rimes of piracy crime (Dawson, p. 24-26). In above connection, judge Charles Hedge an expert in law defined crime of piracy as robbery of the sea whereby, sea bandits hijacked captains, ships and cargo on board and take cargo and money. This crime may include all crimes but not limited to those committed on air, land, internet and water bodies (Dawson, p. 18-25). Additionally, crime of piracy may involve unlawful acts or attempts to steal from pirates both from the water bodies and even out side the sea (Dawson, p. 18-25). On the other hand, defense attorney asserted that their clients did not commit any acts of piracy because they did not forcefully rob or removed any thing of value from the ship. Therefore, their acts were not within the scope of piracy crime as defined by the judge (Dawson, p. 22-24). Additionally, future lawyers should focus on the actual structure and organization of a pirate trial. This is because, the structures in this case were not specific and therefore, those who were guilty went unpunished. This could have been prevented if there was specific

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM This term paper will outline the environment where the travel and tourism industry operates. It will deliver the overview of the importance and the impact of this industry. It will consider the forces that shape the industry and the issues which affect the management of the industry. Overview The word travel and tour can be used interchangeably. Tourism can be defined as the movement from place to place with the aim of recreating ones self and provision of services for this movement. Therefore tourism can be taken as a service industry with lots of tangible and intangible parts. The tangible things may be classified into the transport systems and the hospitality services. The transport services and systems include road, air, waters and even rail. The hospitality services include accommodation, food and beverages, tours, safety, insurance and banking. The intangible services include, rest and relaxation, escape, adventure and other more new experiences (Word, 2010).Tourism started as travel for leisure and adventure in different fields and now it has come to be broadly ventured into by so many individuals. This has become a day to day event which can be broadly classified as; pilgrimage tourism, health tourism, winter tourism, and niche tourism. These classification are ta ken from the kind of activity is involved in the travel (National Database, 2010). Types of Tourism Pilgrimage tourism is a travel taken most by people of different religions to the shrines or sacred places to undertake the divine help or acts of thanks giving to demonstrate how devoted they are to their supreme. Health tourism also is associated to the welfare and believes by different people. They travel to areas thought to be of health benefit like bathing in sea water to cure skin disease. On the other hand winter tourism has increased more rapidly due to the rise in winter sports and winter board lessons. This affects areas with warm climates where people travel to for short holidays. People travel to cold areas for sled and ski competitions. This winter tourism has increased tremendously with increased speed in the railway transport and the safety of the air travel and broadly on the improved technology (Newkerala, 2008). Niche tourism is mostly oriented with risky taking activities. This is an adventure tourism which includes activities such as mountaineering and hiking. Thi s mostly involved with experimentation on the natural environment and trying to figure out the out come. Niche tourism is mainly nature and environmental oriented adventures. These adventures include what is commonly known as dark tourism which is associated with visiting the areas known to be death threatening and suffering. There are more common kind of tourism market where tourists choose to take their accommodation, food and transport avoiding using the known or established systems. There are so many types of tourism in the world today since each type is unique on itself depending on the motive of the tourists (Newkerala, 2008). Tourism and travel and its impacts Travel and tourism has become one of the major boosts in the economy of any country. Every countrys aim is to increase its income through tourism. Therefore each ministry of tourism in any country is seeking for the best ways of promoting and developing the industry. The African countries have become major beneficiaries of the industry. This has been brought about by the stability in the jobs on the developed countries. These people have a low limitation in their spending power therefore in a position to manage high budget restaurants, hotels and other recreational parks. The domestic tourism is also on the rise because of the change in the security level in the world and the improved technology (Economywatch, n.d.). The tourism industry has to adopt policies which are aimed at attracting a big number of tourists. These policies are geared to improving the products offered and raising the standards to reach the world standards. The many countries are offering promotional tools and deploying well trained personnel to undertake research activity on tourist requirements in the betterment of the industry. There is need of countries to improve the industries related to tourism for the industry to grow steadily. These industries include; food and beverage industry, hotel and lodging services, banking and insurance industry, retail market, transport and communication industry (Diaz 2001). Effects of Tourism in Developed Countries Tourism in the developing countries has come as a two way activity. It has increased the activity and the way culture is viewed and has raised curiosity exposing all cultural ways. Tourism has now become economically exploitive and upcoming side-effect of globalization. The indigenous people in the developed countries are taking this as a new source of income as service workers in tourism industry. They are also becoming tourism exhibits themselves, selling their different kinds of art, organizing dances in their villages for the visitors, preparing traditional foods and showing different types of customs. This has come as a good way of fighting the great enemy of unemployment but this has hampered the communities negatively. While this incorporates them in the new economy, they also affect them culturally as this lowers their rate of civilization. This has become more evident in the Maasai pastoral groups in Kenya and Tanzania (Azarya, 2007). Tourism and the economy Tourism has proved to be a pillar in most world economies. It is the only service sector which has proven as an economic activity depended upon by many nations irrespective of their level of development. In the developing countries it is the major foreign exchange earner than such other exports like export of agricultural produce. Tourism has affected many youths positively in these countries since their concentration is now focused on improving their services and commodities to earn a living through the tourism industry (Twarog, 2004). Tourism in the developing economies has come as welcoming activity and service. It has changed many peoples life and way of thinking towards environmental conservation. Tourism has now become a sector offering employment opportunities to many due to its links to other related economic activities. Other sectors are growing to support the running of Tourism. This has raised the need of developing policies so as to capitalize on the advantages of internationalization of markets (Diaz, 2001). Risks threatening Tourism As much as tourism is one of the world leading economic activities, it is the most vulnerable trade. This economic activity is affected by many risk factors. This leads to its unreliability in the business world. Global events such as political instability affect the trade negatively. People moving from country to country as tourists have become a threat to worl security. The terrorists are maculating as tourists to complete their evil missions. The impact felt is so much in that if this is the most valued source of income for a country then it will be fixed. Tourism has also been affected by the health-related issues such as the swine flu menace hindered free travel hence affecting the income reacted during travel. Climatical change has also affected free travel need changed the movement, pattern and position of the attractive scenes and world animals especially in African countries. This has to impact on the increased spending to promote the industrys continuity and prevent environ mental degradation (Twarog, 2004). Tourism scope Tourism has been on the limelight in the world because of the scope it covers. It is the largest harp of jobs across all regions. The jobs created by tourism are far more affecting all the sectors of any economy. It has affected the contraction, transport, agriculture, cultural issues, manufacturing, telecommunications and many more organized groups. This industry has changed the world to one large community. Due to the interaction between the many cultures and language, a common compromise is reached to bring all these people from diverse backgrounds together. This has led to positive rating given to tourism and travel as the best economically, socially and ecologically sustainable development. This has been taken due to its low impact on the environment and the natural resourced than most other industries. This industry has been directed to enjoyment and accepting of diverse cultures and building heritages and has a powerful motivation towards protecting and improving these assets. To a large extent, tourism and travel has taken root in cultivating and increasing other economic enhancers. It has lead to improved and acted as a catalyst to major economic boosters like infrastructure and local cultural diversity. Promoting tourism will help in making the income gained sustained. Due to coming up of new things each day making every area attractive for tourists, away must be devised to encourage continuous flow of income. This can only be done through advertisement via different media. Many take that the only way tourism can be sustained is through foreign visitors. This has locked many potential internal tourists who will bridge the gap created by any instability in foreign tourist. The existing attractions need to be improved and preserved. New attractions need to be identified and shown light through advertising. Irrespective of the attractions the tourists need good accommodation and better health services. The industry is mainly luxurious, these calls for improved communication, good modern tour vehicles, building modern roads (clark, 2010). Level of performance and sustainability of tourism Tourism and travel has been affected by the environment. Attractive environment appeals to tourists may it be naturally found or built. The environment in which tourism takes place include, coastal resorts, cultural interest historic sites and mountainous ranges and many more which stimulates travel are affected by tourism positively and negatively. Tourism has increased investment, conservation of features which encourage buildings, wildlife increased income. On the other hand the appealing environment is spoilt by displacement of people due to overdevelopment, increased pollution of air and noise and destroying of natural flora and fauna (Rowe et al, 2002). As any other economic activity, Tourism has to be sustainable for it to benefit the community. Tourism is set in a platform with has to support both the tourists and the host local communities. This is achieved by laying down laws and regulations which protect the rights of the community and preserve their environments. These have to be passed through proper education to both the tourists and the community for them to be enforced. Tourism also raises concerns on issues such as abuse; therefore pertinent laws have to be set as well to curb the vice. A police force has also to be set up to guard the community and the tourists maintaining peace and harmony. There should be continued training of staff handling tourists because they will be willing to pay more when they know they are going to be served by the qualified staff offering better service. With the increase improved technology, always then advertisement will look more appealing when posted on the internet. Therefore having a web site showing all the provisions tend to lower the worried of the tourisms since now they have a glimpse of what to expect. With this the industry will be giving good results (Clark, 2010). Tourism and Climate With the increase in industrialization, tourism has changed tremendously. With its close relationship with climate and the environment, Tourism in a climate sensitive sector just like other sectors such as agriculture, transport, insurance, energy and destinations. With the continued change in the climatical conditions of the world, the tourist destinations are also altered to meet the expected standards. This has raised alarm to the tourism stake holders to change and start practicing adoption to meet the tourist demands. Climate change has become one of the most influential factors in decision making. This is so because climate change is not anymore a future event but a day today occurrence. Apart from tourism being a contributor to the general country economy, it in a contributor to the climate change through greenhouse gas through transport and accommodation of the tourists. This has become another big challenge to the tourist industry. Tourism therefore has the obligation of fig hting to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions as stipulated by the international community. But also tourism sector cannot fight this war in isolation. It has to get a hand from the broad and within the context of the international sustainable development agenda. (Daniel et al (2007). Conclusion Tourism is a global harp of the countrys economy. With tourism, ideas, cultures and experiences are shared. Therefore there is a need to improve the sector by all means. Cooperation promotions should be encouraged by all means to inducement to increase the spending power of the tourists through continued research. There are recurrent problems in the sector which should be fought. The problems can only be solved by decision-makers who have the knowledge of the industry and the procedural knowledge. The wealth of knowledge can be derived from the already existing experiences and the generated knowledge from the field through watching the customer behaviors and market competitions (Wober, n.d.). With the increase in environmental changes still tourism is gaining momentum. People are moving fast to see the attraction places before they disappear rendering tourism still the most interesting part of the economy. With the interest of people wanting to visit places before they change give a reason why the contemporary issues in tourism need considered to avert the vices in the industry.

The Drunk Bus Should Be Kept Around Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive

The â€Å"Drunk Bus† Should Be Kept Around I remember hearing stories of such a thing called the â€Å"drunk bus† before I came to college, but I was not exactly sure what it was. I just figured the bus took a bunch of drunken college students to the bars when they wanted to go. Now that I am a first-year student at State U, I understand I was not that far from the truth. Some say the bus should be taken away, but the fact of the matter is the bus is a necessity at college since there will always be drinking. This way, when all of the students are done drinking at school and want to go to the bars, they are not putting themselves or any other members of the community in danger by drinking and driving. Safety is always a factor Of course, the community is concerned about safety, since most of the students at State U take advantage of the nickel pitcher nights at the popular local bar Malarky’s, they always know they have a safe ride back home without putting anyone else in the community at risk. I am certain the townspeople feel much safer knowing all the intoxicated students are on a bus...

The Theory of Social Contracts

The period of Enlightenment ushered in an age of intellectual development as well as theoretical formations on the concept of society. English political thinker Thomas Hobbes and French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau posit political treatises on the formation of social contracts as a necessity of man and eventually leads to the establishment of an ideal government. The paper will discuss first the concept of man’s nature according to both philosophers in order to determine the reason behind the formation of such contracts which will subsequently lead to the conception of governments and sovereignty. Hobbes proposes that man is essentially at war with other men, motivated by personal desire and fear of death that inhibits the formation of a peaceful society. Rousseau however, contradicts Hobbes argument of man as naturally at war but looks into a different state wherein man possesses compassion which enables the formation of ideal relationships and eventually, social contracts. We look into Hobbes’s viewpoint in his treatise Leviathan and compare and contrast several arguments with Rousseau’s On The Origin of Inequality and Social Contracts. Hobbes’ Natural Man and Covenants Hobbes’ political theory in Leviathan stipulates the formation of covenants as the final end of man’s actions, transgressing from his natural state wherein man is in constant war with himself and with others. First, we define Hobbes’ argument on the natural state of man that provides the basis of conflict. In comparison with Rousseau’s viewpoint, the nature of social contracts is reversed, wherein Rousseau’s notion of social conventions is negative compared to Hobbes’ notion of contracts as a deviation from the erring state of human nature. Hobbes argues: â€Å"For every man look that his companion should value him at the same rate he sets upon himself, and upon all signs of contempt or undervaluing naturally endeavor to extort a greater value from his condemners. So that in the nature of man, we find three principal causes of quarrel. First, competition; secondly, diffidence; thirdly, glory (Hobbes 84). The primitive state of man is bordered on Hobbes’ statement â€Å"where every man is enemy to every man† (Hobbes 85). Each individual is focused on the aspiration for personal gain, thus creating conflict or an unharmonious relationship because of completion (gain), diffidence (safety, self-preservation), and glory (reputation). The chaotic context provided in Hobbes argument consequently inhibits the concept of justice in a particular social setting. Since man is motivated by personal gain, the fear of death through self-preservation, and personal glory, there is no concept of right and wrong or even justice. Where there is no common power, there is no law; where no law, no injustice† (Hobbes 85). Thus, we see Hobbes attempt to present his first law on man’s natural state: that man, motivated by personal gain, sets himself in conflict with other men who pursue the same object. He then narrates â€Å"the passions that incline men to peace are: fear of death; desire of such things as are necessary to commodious living; and a hope by their industry to obtain them† (Hobbes 86). According to Hobbes, the natural law governing social relationships is motivated by the passions; specifically, man’s fear of death. Thus, the first natural law, in context with the natural state, is that every man has innate rights or liberty to will himself to self-preservation and that one can do anything to his body, even to another person. As long as this natural law exists, there can be no harmonious buildup of society. The second law then obligates man to create peace or to achieve peace through any means necessary and from here, man is then obligated to set such rule to all and that every right of man is necessary to be withdrawn or transferred in order to build peace; since to maintain the second rule, man will be constantly at war. The renouncement of rights is essentially good in itself because it aspires for the majority rather than the self, governed by selfish passions. However, such rights are not to be taken away by force or for an individual to force himself of withdrawing his own, since â€Å"he cannot be understood to aim thereby at any good to himself† (Hobbes 91). Renouncement of rights should be voluntary and by choice, in order to determine the goodness which will benefit the majority. Thus, social contracts or covenants are formed. Hobbes argues that for a man to achieve peace, it is necessary to break away, through the tenets of reason, from the natural state wherein every individual is motivated by personal gain and fear of death. This fear motivates the individual, in relation to self-preservation, to create contracts with other men in order to achieve peace, wherein the value of life becomes the unifying factor for all; thus creating peace and harmony. Covenants are then considered to be the agreements that will benefit two parties aspiring for different objects. Justice then presents itself in the presence of covenants, for justice occurs when an individual performs or acts upon the agreement or covenant while injustice is the failure to establish covenants which inadvertently places the individual in his former natural state. Hobbes definition of the natural state and the natural law focuses on the importance of self-preservation or the fear of the death in relation to the individual. In contrast with Rousseau, the formation of contract is that of beneficial to man rather than Rousseau’s argument that society itself that provides inequality and conflict. Contracts, through reason, necessitate a societal framework that is governed by the inexpressible right of every man to survival and preservation of life. The Commonwealth. For Hobbes, the ideal form of government is the formation of the commonwealth which acts as the â€Å"final cause, end or design of men (who naturally love liberty and dominion over others) in the introduction of that restraint upon themselves, in which we see them live in Commonwealths, is the foresight of their own preservation, and of a more contented life thereby† (Hobbes 116). The formation of covenants, which represent a duty-bound notion to aspire for peaceful societal conditions, inevitably leads to its conception wherein the withdrawal of individual rights is penultimate toward its formation. Conventions serve the function as a mean toward the aspiration of the common power or will of the majority. Common power acts as a protection against external attack or injuries that an individual may cause upon the other and is formed through the transcendence of personal right to a man or an assembly: â€Å"Confer all their power and strength upon one man, or upon one assembly of men, that may reduce all their will, by plurality of their voice, unto one will: which is as much to say, to appoint one man, or assembly of men, to bear their person† (Hobbes 118). Every man should then willingly state: â€Å"I authorize and give up my right of governing myself to this man, or to this assembly of men, on this condition; that thou give up thy right to him and authorize all his action in like manner† (Hobbes 118). We take into context a mix between a democracy (representation of the few) and monarchy (rule by a sovereign). However, Hobbes’ monarchy is not entirely absolute, ruled by the elite or loyalty; rather Hobbes’ conception of monarchy focuses on the rule of a sovereign where powers are granted by the conventions of the majority. From such, the sovereign is then obligated to perform the powers bestowed upon the social covenants; the sovereign itself being a representation of the general will of the people. The Commonwealth The sovereign, either instituted in one man or an assembly of men, is bestowed power of the withheld rights by society or subjects. As sovereign, its responsibility lies on any action or authorization to ensure the presence of duration of peace and to create any means necessary to protect individuals from others as well as to protect attacks from other societies. According to Hobbes, there are only three kinds of commonwealth and nothing else; a democracy, monarchy, or aristocracy. Hobbes does not believe that no man aspires for a turbulent and rocky society. However, Hobbes is partial toward a monarchial government, which, according to him, generally embodies the conventions made by man, and in essence, the nature of a commonwealth: â€Å"The riches power and honor of a monarch arise only from the riches, strength, and reputation of his subject. For no king can be rich nor glorious, nor secure, whose subjects are either poor, or contemptible, or too weak through want, or dissension† (Hobbes 130). Amor Propre and Civil Society On the other hand, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s work Discourse on Inequality and Social Contract primarily present arguments against Hobbes’ definition on the natural state of man in contrast with social systems and conventions. Rousseau argues on the condition of the human soul as it progresses from its distinct natural form up until the pure state of man is transformed through social relationships or systems. First, he argues the physical differences of man, which in essence, does not ultimately provide a firm basis of inequality: I conceive that there are two kinds of inequality among the human species; one which I call natural or physical, because it is established by nature, and consists in a difference of age, health, bodily strength, and the qualities of the mind or the soul; and another, which may be called moral or political inequality, because it depends on a kind of convention. (Rousseau 1) Apart from physical differences, inequality falls under the moral or political sense. In the context of social structure, inequality lies on the ladder of power and wealth, wherein the notion of civil society is created by the rich in order to suppress the poor of wealth and maintain power among the elite few. In contrast with Hobbes, Rousseau presents a different view of man’s natural state wherein man is savage in nature wherein ideas are generated by sense experience. But in opposition to regular animals, man has reason that establishes himself apart from common animals. The natural behavior of man is similar to that of Hobbes’ viewpoint but differs in motivation. According to Rousseau, the basic instinct of man is self-preservation, free will and compassion; the last being the most important part in man’s natural state wherein Hobbes contends to man’s natural war with the other. He contends Hobbes’ view of man’s nature which compels him with the fear of death. However, Rousseau argues: â€Å"the knowledge of death and its terrors being one of the first acquisitions made by man in departing from an animal state† (Rousseau 17). In contrast, Hobbes’ provides death as a motivator for withdrawing personal rights in order to achieve peace while Rousseau presents reason as a way of fighting the irrational passions that push him out of his natural state. In addition, compassion is the important natural virtue that contradicts selfish impulses or vices which come from the passions or irrational tendencies of man. Rousseau narrates that Hobbes’ definition of man does not provide himself with an idea of goodness, that man may be considered as evil. Rousseau’s view presents man, in his primitive state, as essentially good, and possesses virtue. â€Å"so many writers have hastily concluded that man is naturally cruel, and requires civil institutions to make him more mild; whereas nothing is more gentle than man in his primitive state, as he is placed by nature at an equal distance from the stupidity of brutes† (Rousseau 47). Compassion is the most important aspect of man, along with innate desires of preservation, reason and free will. It is this compassion that hurries us without reflection to the relief of those who are in distress: it is this which in a state of nature supplies the place of laws, morals, and virtue, with the advantage that none are tempted to disobey its gentle voice† (Rousseau 31). Compassion generates interaction with other men and the natural instinct of self-preservation, as times continue to progress, enables the individual to improve living conditions. Thus, the combination of compass ion, reason, self-preservation enables the individual to form conventions with other men. However, the problem lies with the development of amour propre, the subsequent regularity of conventions where man’s reason is garbled to a false sense of dependency on the individuals through improvement of self-perception and acquiring favor. The natural, non-invasive self-love is transformed to a more self-centered and jealous love of others. â€Å"Man must now, therefore, have been perpetually employed in getting others to interest themselves in his lot and in making them, apparently at least, if not really, find their advantage in promoting his own† (Rousseau 51). This corrosive notion of self-love produces competition, comparison with others, hatred, and the continuous search of ambition and power: â€Å"In a word, there arose rivalry and competition on the one hand and conflicting interests on the other, together with a secret desire on both profiting at the expense of others† (Rousseau 51). The Social Contract Thus, Rousseau defines man’s state of nature as it develops amour propre. To deviate from the natural state, the formation of social contract is evident in order to rid of the evils pertaining civil society. According to Rousseau, the conception of social contracts delimits the individual from inequality and therefore frees himself from the trappings of social classification. The purpose of the contract is to establish a body that will inadvertently defend the rights of the individual and the right of society as a while. Similar to that of Hobbes’ notion, social contracts are meant to deviate the condition of human nature from its amoral/evil sense in order to create society focused on peace. The social contract, in Rousseau’s perspective, is founded on the presence of the general will: â€Å"Each of us puts his person and all his power in common under the supreme direction of the general will, and in our corporate capacity, we receive each member as an indivisible part of the whole† (Rousseau Social Contract, 59). The general will is the summation of all opinions of the majority, which in turn acts as an abstract form that aims toward the good of all. Rousseau also posits the idea of a sovereign which acts a representative of the people. The people however, in Rousseau’s form of government, are not represented by senators or magistrates but represent themselves as a symbol of the general will. Sovereign Similarities Both philosophers argue on the importance of social contracts in establishing relationships with people in order to construct an acceptable and peaceful social framework. Both stress the importance of the ‘natural’ law of man to deviate himself from his primary state and is obligated to create a world without indifference and conflict through commonality of opinions and desire. The difference lies on both philosophers account of man’s nature, wherein Hobbes argues that man is essentially evil and it is through civil relationship that man refines himself and achieves peace. Rousseau contradicts Hobbes’ arguments that he had failed to include compassion as a virtue in man’s natural state. Rousseau opines negatively toward civil societies, that conventions itself ruin man’s natural state through social classification and levels of power. Instead, Rousseau posits man as a docile creature until society corrupts his natural state. On the subject of contracts, both thinkers apply the same rule for the formation of social agreement as majority of society transfers its rights toward a sovereign that which governs and protects them. However, Hobbes is partial toward a monarchial government wherein it is suited with the embodiment of his covenants while Rousseau proposes the same powers for a sovereign but also adds the presence of the government to mitigate the function of the sovereign who acts as the representation of the general will while the government attends to particular or private wills. Smith’s Theory of Moral Sentiments Economic theorist Adam Smith proposes on his treatise Theory of Moral Sentiments the formation of a consciousness in the perspective of a leader, or in Rousseau’s/Hobbes’ context, a sovereign, in order to determine, apart from proper behavior, the rules and regulations that one must impose upon the subjects of society. Smith narrates: â€Å"We suppose ourselves the spectators of our own behavior, and to endeavor to imagine what effect it would, in this light produce upon us† (Smith 112). In context of a sovereign, it is essential, according to Smith, to examine actions and decisions through a detached position wherein the leader supposes himself to be a common citizen that according to theory, provides the power and responsibility of governance. Thus, rules imposed upon the subjects of sovereignty should be taken into proper consideration by the sovereign, so as to measure the worth and value of behavior reflection upon society, according to Smith. For example, a ruler’s ethical behavior is dependent on the laws in which he imposes over the ruled. Harsh policies that generally disfavor society imply that the ruler may be arrogant and selfish and therefore does not suit the position. Lenient policies on the other hand may imply a carefree attitude with the lack of seriousness that a good leader must possess. Thus, rules and impositions should situate itself in the middle rather than the extreme and through Smith’s propositions, the leader must then view rules as an ordinary citizen. In relation to Hobbes’ and Rousseau’s social theories, the concept of the sovereign is created by the people and represents the general will. Therefore, there is an implication of a natural balance of power between the governed and the sovereign. In Hobbes view, the sovereign’s duty is dictated or authored by the subjects and therefore cannot harm the governed whether through abuse or dereliction of duty; rather, the formation of laws and policies are in relation toward the fulfillment of the commonwealth’s purpose – that is, the preservation of peace. However, Hobbes monarchial standpoint does not entirely agree with Smith’s proposition since the monarch, utilizing the commonwealth’s purpose, has the power of censorship on speech, publication or any other form of expression that may disturb the peaceful status quo. Thus, Smith’s proposal cannot be applied with Hobbes’s notion of government. However, Rousseau takes into consideration the general will of the populace that also gives right and power to the sovereign. But Rousseau does not imply the purpose of peace in his government; rather, he focuses on the general will as given power. The sovereign has then the duty to make sure that laws do not violate the freedom of every individual for it is they who had created power in the first place.

The US National Debt

â€Å"Spending financed not by current tax receipts, but by borrowing or drawing upon past tax reserves. † Is it a good idea? Why does the U. S. run a deficit? Since 1980 the deficit has grown enormously. Some say it is a bad thing, and predict impending doom, others say it is a safe and stable necessity to maintain a healthy economy. For nearly 150 years the U. S. government managed to keep a balanced budget. The only time a budget deficit existed during these years was in times of war or other catastrophic events. For instance, the government created deficits during the War of 1812, the recession of 1837, the Civil War, the depression of the 1890s, and World War I. However, once each incident ended the deficit would be eliminated. The economy was much stronger than the accumulated debt and would therefore quickly absorb it. The last time the budget ran a surplus was in 1969 during Nixon’s presidency. Budget deficits have grown larger and more frequent in the last half-century. In the 1980s they soared to record levels. The government cut income tax rates, greatly increased defense spending, and didn’t cut domestic spending enough to make up the difference. The deep recession of the early 1980s reduced revenues, raising the deficit and forcing the Government to spend much more on paying interest for the national debt at a time when interest rates were high. As a result, the national debt grew exponentially in size after 1980. It grew from $709 billion to $3. 3 trillion in 1990, only one decade later. (See Table 1) Federal spending has grown over the years. If you compare actual dollars and their proportion to the economy (Gross Domestic Product, or GDP), much of it began in the 1930s. Beginning with the â€Å"New Deal†, the Federal Government came to play a much larger role in American life. President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to use the full powers of his office to end the Great Depression. He and Congress greatly expanded Federal programs. Federal spending, which totaled less than $4 billion in 1931, went up to nearly $7 billion in 1934 and then over $8 billion in 1936. U. S. entry into World War II sent annual Federal spending soaring to over $91 billion by 1944. Thus began the ever-increasing debt of the United States. Is our debt increasing as fast as we think it is? The dollar amount of the debt may increase but often times so does the amount of money or GDP to pay for the debt. Some believe a deficit allows more people to work, increasing productivity. A deficit does this because it is invested into the economy by government. For example, if the government spends deficit money on new highways, trucking will benefit and more jobs will be produced. When an economic system is in recession all of its resources are not being used. For instance, if the government did not build highways we could not ship goods and thereby decrease demand for them. Because we cannot ship the items, the supply remains low even though we have the ability to produce more. This non-productivity comes at a cost to the whole economic system. If deficit spending eliminates non-productivity then its direct monetary cost will be offset, if not surpassed, by increased productivity. In the 1980’s when the huge deficits were adding up, the actual additions to the public capital or increased productivity were often as big or bigger than the deficit. This means that as long as the government spends the money it gains from a deficit on assets that increase its wealth and productivity, the debt actually benefits the economy. But what if the government spends money on programs that do not increase its assets or productivity? Consider small businesses for instance. A company invests money to hire a new salesman. He will probably increase sales and the company will regain what it spent hiring him. If the company spends money on paper clips when they already have staplers they will just lose money. This frivolous spending is what makes a deficit dangerous. The government’s net worth decreases which risks putting it into serious debt. Debt should not be a problem because we can just borrow more, right? This statement would be correct if our ability to borrow was unlimited, but it is not. At first the government borrowed internally from private sectors. The government did this by selling bonds to the private sectors, essentially reallocating its own countries funds to spend on its country. This works fine in a recession, but when the country is at or near its full capability for production it cannot increase supply through investment of deficit dollars. Deficit dollars then translate into demand for goods that aren’t being produced. Referring back to the small business example, if a company is selling all the products it can produce they can still hire another salesman. However, since there are no more goods to be sold, the salesman only increases the number of consumers demanding the product. The problems of deficit spending out of a recession even out through two negative possibilities, inflation and crowding out. Inflation means there is more demand or money than there are goods this causes an increase in prices and drives down the worth of the dollar. This depreciation of the dollar counters the cost of the deficit but destroys the purchasing power of the dollar. A five-dollar debt is still a five-dollar debt even if the five dollars are only worth what used to be a five-cent piece of bubble gum. Despite its danger, inflation is used to some extent to curb the debt. Crowding out is when the government is looking for the same capital that the business sector wants to invest. This causes fierce competition for funds to invest. The fierce competition causes an increase in interest rates and often business will decide against further investment and growth. The government may have the money to build new highways but the truckers cannot afford trucks to use on them. The governments needs will â€Å"crowd out† business needs. This turns potential assets into waste. However, there is a third option that would allow the government to run a deficit and avoid the negative aspects of inflation and crowding out. Borrowing from foreign sources is a tangible and recently very common practice. Attracted by high interest rates and stability, foreigners now buy huge amounts of U. S. national debt. Of course this cannot be the perfect solution otherwise no one would be concerned about the debt. The problem with borrowing from external sources is the lack of control the government has over foreign currency and debts. Internal debts can be paid with increased taxes, inflation, and other monetary controls the government has. External debts can extremely damaging to a country if it cannot buy enough of the foreign currency to pay the interest. Running a deficit is apparently good for an economy that is operating inside its production possibilities curve but it can be damaging to an economy otherwise. A deficit managed properly has the effect of increasing demands. An economy inside its curve can increase supplies in reaction. An economy on the curve can increase demand but its supplies cannot increase causing prices to rise, or inflation. If there is no deficit and the curve shifts to the right then supplies will not increase and the country will no longer be operating on the curve. A deficit must be maintained to insure that the economy grows with its resources. Is the US’s current debt bad or good? The trick is finding out how large the deficit should be in order to allow for growth without waste. The US’s deficit is bad at this point because the U. S. is close to its maximum production capabilities, and deficit money is being wasted. For example two of the largest portions of the budget: defense and social security. Defense spending produces little or nothing except in times of war. The way social security is managed creates a huge waste. As managed, social security is money spent to immobilize a large and fairly capable part of the work force. It encourages elderly people not to work by spending deficit money on them. Reducing productivity and increasing the debt at the same time. In its current state, the U. S. should attempt to reduce its deficit. However, eliminating it is not necessary and could do more damage than good.