Origins of Political Parties free essay sample

Reasons for parties emergence despite Founding Fathers efforts to prevent them their divisiveness. This research addresses the question of why, despite George Washingtons warnings, political parties emerged in the United States so soon after the nations establishment. Political parties are among the most researched yet elusive political institutions in the United States. Parties are not sanctioned in the U.S. Constitution as legitimate institutions of government, yet they have become a centerpiece of political life. In Western Europe, parties perform rather obvious functions in government. European parties are most distinctive as cadre organizations in which dues-paying members, staff, candidates and officeholders often interact in a face-to-face setting. The party-in-organization can be a powerful institution in promoting candidacies and disciplining its member and officeholders. American parties are very different. With few exceptions, no..

Free Essays on Existential Essentials

What am I doing? Why am I here? What’s the purpose of all this? These are the burning questions that a branch of psychology called existentialism seeks to provide answers to. Existentialism is often seen as a revolt against traditionalist philosophy (History). Existentialism says that the only meaning in life is the one that each individual gives to it; everyone is free to choose their own meanings to their sufferings and that there is no meaning outside of this context, certainly not one sent down from heaven (Ratnaningsih 3). But this one sentence summary, although thorough, still leaves many questions unanswered about existentialism. A proper way to better understand existentialism is through a review of its history by understanding the people that shaped this particular way of thinking, and a discussion of five general themes of existentialism. There is a line of ancestors that gave birth to existentialism in its current form, starting with the work of Soren Kierkega ard, which inspired both Karl Jaspers and Martin Heidegger, and the post World War II work of Jean-Paul Sartre. Soren Kierkegaard was a strange, captivating, and quite unclassifiable Dane; whose important writings appeared in the 1840’s (Barrett 20). He believed that his own life, his freedom, developed in stages. First was the Aesthetic Stage in which he solely enjoyed himself and his freedom but it turned out to be an illusion. His second stage was the Ethical stage, where he found himself bound by absolute and universal laws, but these laws were just an illusion derived from human requirements, and social standards (Warnock 6). His third stage was faith, he himself was converted to Christianity, this third stage required a belief, a non-rational commitment. The point in time that his self-realization of his existence occurred is documented in The Point of View: So there I sat [at the cafà © in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen] and smoked my cigar until I... Free Essays on Existential Essentials Free Essays on Existential Essentials What am I doing? Why am I here? What’s the purpose of all this? These are the burning questions that a branch of psychology called existentialism seeks to provide answers to. Existentialism is often seen as a revolt against traditionalist philosophy (History). Existentialism says that the only meaning in life is the one that each individual gives to it; everyone is free to choose their own meanings to their sufferings and that there is no meaning outside of this context, certainly not one sent down from heaven (Ratnaningsih 3). But this one sentence summary, although thorough, still leaves many questions unanswered about existentialism. A proper way to better understand existentialism is through a review of its history by understanding the people that shaped this particular way of thinking, and a discussion of five general themes of existentialism. There is a line of ancestors that gave birth to existentialism in its current form, starting with the work of Soren Kierkega ard, which inspired both Karl Jaspers and Martin Heidegger, and the post World War II work of Jean-Paul Sartre. Soren Kierkegaard was a strange, captivating, and quite unclassifiable Dane; whose important writings appeared in the 1840’s (Barrett 20). He believed that his own life, his freedom, developed in stages. First was the Aesthetic Stage in which he solely enjoyed himself and his freedom but it turned out to be an illusion. His second stage was the Ethical stage, where he found himself bound by absolute and universal laws, but these laws were just an illusion derived from human requirements, and social standards (Warnock 6). His third stage was faith, he himself was converted to Christianity, this third stage required a belief, a non-rational commitment. The point in time that his self-realization of his existence occurred is documented in The Point of View: So there I sat [at the cafà © in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen] and smoked my cigar until I...

Literacy in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Essay

Literacy in Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass - Essay Example The paper discusses the value of narrative. Douglass’s narrative is important since it debunks many of the theories that had currency during the period of slavery and it also, makes clear the importance of literacy in the movement against slavery. The ability to read is continually held up as the magic wand that would enable African-Americans to lead lives of dignity and respect. The instruction that Douglass received from the mistress of the household where he was a slave in the knowledge of language is a turning point in his life. He is able to expand his horizon of knowledge through reading. As is the case with education that was introduced in colonies by colonial powers, this education that Douglass receives makes him want to learn more. Moreover, the knowledge that he receives also awakens in him a thirst for freedom. It is literacy that impels him to question the ways of the world and the organizing structures of southern society that believed in the inherent inferiority of African Americans. The people of these parts were characterized by an urge to retain the structures of slavery even after it had been abolished in the north. This was for economic reasons, since the labor on the cotton plantations that sustained the economy of the old south was almost entirely black. The immense profitability of the plantations depended a great deal, on the almost free labor that was extracted from the black slaves who were also subjected o inhuman torture on the plantations. The need for documentation is what the production of the book stands for. A documentation of the sufferings of the black slaves of America was necessary for a solution to the problem to be found out. This was however, not in the best interests of the people who drew their livelihoods and their luxurious lifestyles by exploiting the poor slaves. This is the reason why Mr. Auld is always critical of the efforts that Mrs. Auld puts in into helping the education of Frederick Douglass. He fears that Douglass too would attempt to escape to the north in search of his freedom. This betrays an understanding of the cruel and exploitative nature of the institution of slavery on the part of white landowners who employed black slaves under conditions that were extremely inhumane. When Mr. Auld denies Douglass the permission to learn how to read, Douglass reflects, Whilst I was saddened by the thought of losing the aid of my kind mistress, I was gladdened by the invaluable instruction which, by the merest accident, I had gained from my master (Douglass, 45). The â€Å"invaluable instruction† of knowing the value of literacy and the associations of freedom that literacy carried changes the way in which Douglass looks at the manner in which he led his life. The knowledge sows in him the seeds of rebellion and makes him want to escape to the north. Behind this urge is the love for freedom which Douglass feels is a natural impulse on the part of any human being whose senses have not been deadened by the yoke of slavery for ages. This impulse leads him