Korean Conflict Essay Example for Free

Korean Conflict Essay Abstract In this essay you will learn about the Korean War conflict and how it ended and what went wrong. Also how the United States deals with the conflict of the Korean War. How did this war affect American sensibilities, including the way Americans viewed the war and themselves? There were many different consequences occurred as a result of the Korean Conflict, which ended in 1953, with thousands of fatalities but no clear victor and no peace treaty signed. The north continued to be occupied by communist forces, and the South becomes an American ally. Also, Korea illustrated how a relatively contained conflict could turn into a much broader regional conflagration. As the conflict escalated, there were points in time in which China and the Soviet Union could have conceivably been drawn into the conflict, potentially resulting in another regional, or even general war. Perhaps most importantly, Korea illustrated how tension between the U.S.S.R. and the United States could become full-scale conflicts. Other long-term consequences include the establishment of permanent nuclear installations in South Korea and the commitment of conventional U.S. military equipment and troops to South Korea for decades afterwards. Did the war change America’s world and why? Other important legislative changes include the passage of the War Power Act (1973), requiring U.S. presidents to receive explicit approval from Congress before forces could be deployed overseas for combat purposes. Politically, the conflict resulted in an aversion to further American casualties, which fundamentally changed U.S. intervention in later international conflicts. The Democratic party also experienced serious consequences in 1968. Democratic voters, split over U.S. involvement in Vietnam, divided their votes between Hubert Humphrey and George Wallace, resulting in a Republican presidential victory a Democratic party whose politics were changed fundamentally. Economically, the Vietnam Conflict resulted in inflation as spending for Vietnam continued, but the United States remunerated largely through monetizing of the money supply. Because the Americans did not know if the Korean War was over or not so the Americans try to go on with their lives but it was hard to do so. Was the outcome of the war beneficial or detrimental to the United States (or a combination of both)? I do believe that the Korean War was beneficial to the United States than it was detrimental. The United States gained knowledge from the Korean War; it was beneficial to them in the long run. The United States also gained awareness from the War. The United States of America became aware and more understanding of the â€Å"falling domino† effect of communism. After the Korean War the United States rearmed and become a world power and the United States realized that they needed to double the size of their army. For the next war that may to become of may be coming to the United States. References My campus.aiu-online.com/library/CourseGuide/5/Tutorials/AIUAPA/ebook.htpl Editorial Board. (2012). History. Schaumburg, IL: words of wisdom. Retrieve from http://mycampus.aiu-online.com/pages/bookshelf.aspx Course Materials: HIST105-1205B:U.S.History U.S. Relations: The Korean War http://www.pbs.org/newshour.uh.edu/database/Subtitles.cfm?titleID=75

The Architecture Of The Mosque

The Architecture Of The Mosque Philosophically, the whole Earth is a mosque and by this principle namaz will be complete wherever performed. Initially there was no specific building to spread the message of Islam. The Muslim Arabs, being nomads, had a minimum approach and preclude the use of permanent buildings and everything they possessed had to be demountable and portable. Thus there was no specific edifice as such. Only a square area marked out by a line drawn in the sand was sufficient for communal prayer. The only basic necessity was that one side of the square had to face Mecca to indicate the direction of the prayer. Knowing the importance of the mosque to the religion of Islam today it is quite surprising to hear the ironic story behind its evolution. From the start, monotheistic religions like Islam were opposed to the idea of building specially designed to house the faithful for prayer. The mosques (literally meaning place of prostration), are the Centre of religious life throughout the Muslim World and develops as one of the major forms of religious architecture. In one of its most evolved forms, it has one or more minarets, arches, domes and is often decorated with elaborate tracery and Arabic calligraphy from the Koran. The evolved mosque forms are known to be some of the finest structures in Islamic architecture. The mosque is the only building type, which has spread throughout the entire Muslim world, from the beginning of the religion in 610 A.D. A mosque is a building, where Muslims congregate to pray. Mosques can be small, at a neighborhood scale or large, at the town/ city level. Such as a neighborhood mosque or they can be large and used by Muslims of a large town, or city. The large mosque is called a Jami Mosque. Jami means Juma or Friday. All Muslims are required to pray together every Friday at midday and the large mosques were constructed for this purpose. Mosque is used for worship usually for which there is a hall and open court, but could also have other functions like that of a Madarsa, a school for education and a community center. It consists of many architectural elements like, minaret, arch, dome, color, calligraphy and other decorative forms ornamenting the surfaces. Like all other liturgical edifice, the mosque has a standardized assembly of components, which vary in accordance with the size of the prayer (i.e. whether its for prayer for an individual or congregation-small/ large). There is a demarcated space, partly roofed and partly open to sky, varying in size and form, from region to region depending on the harshness of the climate. The roofed part is the prayer hall, rectangular or square in plan, supported by a trabeated structure or arcuated structure. The Prayer hall must have one wall facing Mecca (Qibla wall) with a niche or series of niches (Mihrab), which is the central and most decorated part of every mosque. The pulpit (Minbar) consisting of steps of varying height is stationed to the right of the mihrab and the imam during Friday prayer delivers the oration (Khutba) from it. The minbar is however absent in smaller mosques. A wooden platform (dikha) of single storey height is positioned in line with the Mihrab. From there the respondents (qadi) of the mosque repeat the ritual postures of the imam and give their response. Next to the Dikha, the lectern (kursi) is placed on which the Quran rests. Another most necessary feature of many mosques is the water pool or fountain intended for the prescribed ritual of ablutions (wazu) before the prayer. The five times daily call for prayer (azan) is heard from the minaret, a tower like structure, originally serving as more of a local landmark. A portal is created as a general characteristic of the architecture of the Islamic world as the concealment of the interiors of a building from outside view. Thus, most mosques are surrounded by high walls. With reference to architectural elaboration, the art of writing is taken to higher level of visual expression in mosque architecture. Certain calligraphic scripts are used in the Qibla wall and direct focus, helping substantiate the religious importance of the mosque. The writing often quotes from the Quran or is information about the builder of the mosque. Another mode is geometric patterns and vegetal forms used in screens (jali) and as surface ornamentation. Geometric patterns result from taking a simple form and replicating/ extending it in various directions to arrive at the final. The patterns in their dizzying and unending configurations connote unity in God. In the present time, modern mosques designs have been modified as per newer technologies and ease of building construction. The size of mosque has been decreasing due to lack of space in cities. The main components of the mosque have been reduced and elements have lost their original meaning and serve as symbols. The geometric patterns rich with meaning are devalued to mere decoration. The architecture of mosque has been changing to modern, to contemporary but to what end? 1.2 Research Question: How did local/ regional/ vernacular architecture affect mosque architecture in the past and how/ why does the contemporary mosque differ from the traditional mosque? 1.3 NEED IDENTIFICATION In modern society the mosque served as the single most important visible representation of identity and value. More mosques are being built today than any other liturgical edifice of any other religion. However for a structure representing one religion and a specific body of people, it is odd that it should be so varied in style and divergent in beauty. The reason for this lies in the mosque located in different parts of the world representing different perspectives of different clients. Each mosque is differing in traditions, climate, building materials, local condition of nature and diverse aesthetic and social requirements. As a student of architecture and representing a Muslim region from India, I share a keen interest in Islamic Architecture. And since the mosque lies at the very heart of Islamic architecture, there is a feeling of even a greater need to study this specific structure. Due to time and space constraints, there are certain limitations; hence, I will focus on contemporary Mosques Delhi regions as primary case studies. The architecture of the modern mosque is much at variant when compared with the mosque of the past due to globalization, advanced technology, tendency to go towards the sky due to lack of ground space, the use of architectural elements as symbols and reduction of patterns as surface decorations. 1.4 OBJECTIVES To trace the development and follow along the different established types of mosques, starting from Early Islamic period in the 7th century times. To identify the basic principles behind the specific vocabulary of the mosque. To study symbolic and functional attributes of the mosque and its evolution. To study various differences in space configuration, built expression, material, elements /components and technology between modern and traditional mosque. 1.5 SCOPE This dissertation is not intended as a historical survey of Islamic mosque architecture and therefore does not include all the fine monuments, which exist. The origin and development of the mosque would be understood only to get the bearings right to analyze contemporary examples. The general history of the advent of Islam in Arab, India and the mosque forms that evolve henceforth would be discussed briefly to build a context. From vernacular mosque form, the shift is to, what is built now- what is the vernacular of today? And hence what happens to the mosque and is the use of symbols necessary to be able to identify the building as a mosque? 1.6 LIMITATIONS It is not possible to study all the mosque architecture of all Islamic regions under the given time frame. Therefore, the study is limited to mosques in India focusing on the Northern region with a brief study of the contemporary mosque outside India. As result of time and space constraints, mosques of the entire Indian sub-continent will not be discussed in detail but only to form the overall context, with brief analysis of mosques of the South, East, West, and North. Detail account of the history of the one region is beyond the scope of this dissertation, thus only relevant pieces of their history will be mentioned. The focus will be on selected mosques, which reflect the most prototypical form of particular periods of the respective region. Thus, only a few mosques will be discussed which act as indicators of that particular architectural form. 1.7 METHODOLOGY The first step is to analyze the topic and define what direction this dissertation takes, and what the author wants to come up with at the end of it, the end result may be documentation, a detailed analysis, or a set of solutions. The regions selected for the study are not easily accessible and this dissertation will rely mainly on literature survey from secondary sources rather that from primary data for major sections of the work. Primary data would be collected through site visits limited to mosques in Delhi and discussion with experts. Secondary sources include literature survey. Literature Survey: This involves data collection, reading and understanding literature from various sources like SPA (New Delhi) libraries, Jamia Milla Islamia Architecture library and the internet. Analysis of nature of open spaces, the role of open spaces in the mosque and role of closed spaces is understood. After the collation process, the next stage would be, systematic representation of data. Interaction With Experts This involves opinion of various architects, discussion about what is happening in India and exposure to other related issues, along with discussion on primary case studies. Identifying issues, discussion on various issues and analyzing their opinion would be the major tasks. Primary Data collection Methodology for the study of Delhi mosque architecture: A brief account of the mosque architecture in Delhi is essential to contextualize the primary studies, as these were the immediate references for what is happening now. The first mosque developed in 11th century in Delhi by the Slave dynasty. Each changing phase will be studied by taking the significant mosque of that period. Though a personal visit would be made to these sites, information will be obtained through literature survey also. The mosques of contemporary times would be the primary study, with a complete analysis of the determinants of form. The process for case studies: Selection of case studies of new mosque buildings. Collection of information- basic plan and maps showing site surrounding areas, site boundaries, built mass and visual readings of mosque as landmark, materiality and building elements. Analysis of the chosen case studies. IV. Survey methodology for case studies Few case studies of contemporary mosques of Delhi are considered- one is under construction and the other mosques have been in use for considerable amount of time. This dissertation includes survey through discussion with the people who are users of the mosque. The drawing and other important data would be collected from the architects office. All photographs are taken at the site. After doing all case studies conclusion are drawn and recommendations are made for design strategies of the future mosque architecture. With the help of three examples of mosques, which are built in different time periods, I want to illustrate that architecture of mosques is in a process of complete transformation because global culture and technology is constantly affecting it, along with highlighting what helps maintain its identity. V. Analysis of case studies The case study is analyzed as per following: Built /open spatial spatial configuration (arising from basic needs of religion itself) Purpose and use of space. Visual expression of mosque- includes massing, elements, surface elaboration and materiality. Chapter 2 EARLY ISLAM 2.1. HISTORY OF ISLAM AS A RELIGION Islam began in Arabia, where the revelation was first received by the Prophet, but spread rapidly among the Persians and Black Africans, and soon thereafter among Turks, Chinese, Indians, and many other ethnic groups. Muhammad was born in the city of Mecca in 570 CE. At the time, people were busy with their business, markets were crowded with nomads and residents alike, buying and selling goods. His parents died when he was 6 years old. He cared for by his grandfather, and uncle, Abu Talib and eventually became head of the Hashim clan. Young Muhammad was a camel driver and roamed the peninsula with his uncle, to know about various cultures and religions including Christianity and Judaism. As idol worship had come to dominate Mecca, this contact turned out to be significant for later times. The Kabah itself housed many idols, including those representing the three main goddesses. He continued travelling in Arabia, encountering different faiths and customs, but riches did not satisfy Muhammad and he developed enemies in Mecca. Therefore, he decided to leave Mecca. And he started a journey. This journey was known as the Hijri. Muhammad arrived in Medina as the new leader, bearing tremendous responsibilities. While receiving communication from God and teaching his devotees, he had to protect Islam from opposition and find a peaceful solution to the local feuds. He was able to unite the feuding clans through his teachings the Jewish and Muslims prayed together. First time the prayer was read in the direction of Jerusalem, and after some years the prayer was read towards Mecca instead of Medina, as Muhammad instructed. For this reason some followers turned against Muhammad, and they created a separate group. Violence erupted, ending in the expulsion of some Jewish tribes from Medina. He established a new community with his followers and began raiding caravans bound for Mecca. These kinds of raids were not uncommon at the time, and they provided sustenance for the Muslims. This angered the Meccans, and a series of battles followed. Despite a few setbacks, the Muslims gained power and recognition. After destroying or converting his tribal enemies, Muhammad controlled the entire Arabian Peninsula. Finally, in 629 CE, Mecca submitted to the Muslims. Muhammad entered the city and headed directly to the Kabah. After circling it seven times, he smashed the stone idols. He spoke of the oneness of God, or Allah, and proclaimed himself a prophet. The spread of Islam occurred in waves. In less than a century after the establishment of the first Islamic society in Medina by the Prophet, Arab armies conquered a land stretching from the Indus River to France and brought with them Islam, which, contrary to popular Western conceptions, was not, however, forced on the people by the sword. Periods of Islamic history Mosques were built outside the Arabian Peninsula as Muslims settled in other parts of the world. Egypt became occupied by Muslim Arabs as early as 640 AD. Islamic architectural history can be roughly divided in to three main periods, during which one or more traditions were dominant: the Early Islamic (650-1050), which may be called the age of Arab Dominance; the middle Islamic (1050-1450), the age of Iranian Dominance; and the later Islamic (1450-1850), the age of Turkish and Indian Dominance. 2.2 Origin and evolution of mosque Origin It is a strange face of history that the Muslim tradition of architecture, productive of some of the worlds outstanding monuments, was first patronized by a people, the Arabs, who had none but the crudest notions of building. For them the finest architecture was a tent. In the starting of Islam, the Kaaba had only four walls in 608. In the age of the orthodox Caliphs (632-661), the eras brought nothing architectural to the conquered countries beyond what would serve their orthodoxy than by their taste. The building of their time ware utilitarian, without architectural pretense, and consisted of mosques (Basra, 638-639; kufa, 638-639; and fustat, 642) and government buildings. The first mosque was built in Mecca. This area was surrounded by pre Islamic buildings. The Kaaba mosque is the holiest structure of Islam. The earliest mosque is Prophet Mohammad house in Medina which was built in 622CE. This qibla wall was facing toward the direction of Jerusalem. Mohammad house is situated left side of the qibla wall. There were three entrances into the courtyard. The courtyard area was roofed, and the prayer was performed here. After one or one and half years, the qibla wall direction was changed, and was made to face in the direction of Mecca, as it is today. The Medina mosque had social, political and judicial functions, in addition to being the house of the Mohammad family. The religious functions were merged with other functions. Rules of the performing prayer were not decided that time. And in the Koran, the rules had not been given till now. In addition to early mosques of Medina and Mecca, now the cities have contemporary mosques, which are more complex as per the demands and needs of the people and their religion. After the death of Muhammad, mosques became important symbols of Islam. The Muslim conquerors established mosques everywhere. They built the mosque first and later built the military camp around the mosque. The Muslim conquered Medina or Mecca city and constructed mosque in the place. This became the center of the region of Muslim conquered people. Muhammads house was divided into hall and courtyard, which was surrounded by the columned verandah. This was an ideal mosque where the faithful conjunct for prayer, but also one for social assembly and political deliberation. A building without architectural pretensions, it was a hypo style hall and was deep, apparently having three aisles, divided by three rows of nine columns each. The most significant aspect this house offers to Islamic architecture of later was that it provided the orientation (Qibla) of praying area towards the sacred city of Mecca. Evolution The Masjid as a type of architecture intended for congregational prayer did not exist at Mecca before the hijra. In Medina, the stronghold of Islam, however, the two concepts of Musalla and Masjid came to receive distinct interpretations. The controversy among the traditionalists over the performance of prayer in either the Musalla or the Masjid was surrounded around the fact that they were structurally different. Kaaba mosque was the first newly built mosque of Islam and Abraham assisted by his son Ismail, when he found the order of Allah, built the existing foundation. They performed prayers together with their followers at this site. The site of Kaaba was also believed to be place of angles of Adam, erected by Allah and used for worship. The orthodox Caliph leaders were succeeded by the caliph dynasty of the Umayyads (661-750), who were held by many Muslims to be upstarts. After this the philistine people started the taunt type structure. The kaaba was rebuilt in 684 AD and was decorated with mosaic marble, which was collected from Yemen churches. Iranian architectural elements were also used in the building. The location of the mosque was decided by Prophet Muhammad when he did the first time Friday prayer there. He lived beside the masjid in Medina, which was use as doubled purpose as both a religious and political center for the early Muslim community. The Umayyad Mosque is an example of the form of mosque derived from the Prophets house, and was built in (705-715) in Damascus. In the 10th century, different types of mosque started to develop because of influences of local traditional material and techniques of building. Distinctively different types of mosque developed in the different countries. Mosques are usually ornamented with stone, marble, wood carving, patterned brick, mosaic, glass, murals. Contemporary mosques are built using new technologies of construction, and are adopted in most parts of the world, but it is remains traditional in layout. When Islam spreads out of the deserts of Saudi Arabia and into the cities like Damascus and Cairo, the rapidly expanding Muslims population required house for worship to meet their spiritual and social requirements. The mosques that followed are innovative and magnificent examples of architecture, original in their own way with reminensces of their culture. 2.3 Concept of mosque The Space: The mosque comprises of a demarcated space, partly roofed and partly open to sky. This proportion of covered and open space varies from region to region depending on the harshness of the climate. The open space is a court used for performing prayers for large gatherings on occasions. Local community mosque Chapter 3 Local culture and Variation in the Mosque 3.1 Vernacular variation across the World The Islamic world extents its boundary from Spain and West Africa eastwards to as far as China, in south- East Asia. It is therefore not surprising to hear that Muslims comprise around one fifth of the world population and constitute a majority of more than forty nations of the Middle East Asia and Africa. Islam holds a strong position in the world. The religion must not only be powerful by faith and logic but also have charm and beauty to attract such an immense audience to brace the religion and look upon it with awe. There is no other more suitable edifice to depict this elegance and act as symbol of the religion as well as the mosque. In the early day, Islam borrowed features from existing religious and cultural buildings. They gave them harmony with the existing and yet originality and proved beyond doubt that Islamic leaders not only possess the power of assimilation, but that of organization and adaptability as well. These borrowed styles were recognizable at first but the new styles that evolved started forming their own architectural identity and style. In the various new lands, the mosques were built by exploring local traditions and materials available. Each region had with its own craftsmen, their own building methods. Combined with extreme differences in climate, this gave rise to highly disparate styles and each region introduced to the world a diverse style of architecture of their own. Thus it is seen that despite an essential feeling of cultural unity which pervades the entire Islamic world, there exists an investable diversity in the styles of architecture of each region. Generally, the Islamic world had divide in to the eastern and the western regions where one gets influenced by the other. The eastern part of the Muslim world looks to the Persian Language and culture for inspiration. Iran was one of regions which is covered vast area including Central Asia and Afghanistan and spread into the Indian. Initially Iran had accepted Western architectural forms and stemming from Arab style. However with the emergence of local dynasties awareness was created. These divergent styles may be categorized in to five basic types of mosque. These are 1.the hypostyle hall with a flat roof and possibly one or more small domes (as seen in Arabian and African Examples) 2. Building with a very large central space often covered by massive domes provided with lateral support by the weight of hall domes (such as those in the Ottoman style) or having pyramidal pitched roof (as in Indonesia) 3. The layout with an Iwan (vaulted hall) placed each side of a bi-axially divided central rectangular courtyard (as developed in Iran and Central Asia) 4. The triple domed mosque with courtyard (typical of Mughal architecture in India). 5. And finally the walled Complex with a number of pavilions set in the enclosed landscaped spaces (as found in China). Case study of vernacular mosque 1. Great mosque of Djenne in Mali, Africa. Economical Approach (Regional Resources) -1907 The Djenne mosque of Africa is the largest mud brick mosque of the world. This is the famous mosque of Africa and boasts of impressive mud structures. Mud construction is a friendly environment material. Mud is appropriate according to the climate and is less expensive to build with, as it is locally available. Easy construction to create mud mortar and plaster. Palm wood use for the scaffolding and roofs. The walls are thick in size and tapered and provide protection from heat. During the day, the wall absorbed the heat of the sun that is released throughout the night time; this helps to maintaining cool environment during the day time. It also has roofs vents with ceramic cover, which is removed at night to ventilate the interior parts and spaces. 2. Traditional Kampung Hulu Mosque, Malaysia (1728AD) The traditional mosque design of south- East Asia has inspired the simple pyramidal layered roof, which becomes an important element of design. It relies on the roof over hangs with open serambi and the recessed walls to respond to local climate high rain fall Æ’Â   excellent rain water discharge. Wall openings are crucial in the mosque design. The wall openings are at the ground floor and segmented roofs wall level of four-and-a-half storey building. These openings induce natural cross ventilation and stack effect. The emphasis is on cross air ventilation. Recessed wall help tackle the problem of direct exposure from tropical sunlight, luminosity, solar radiation and this concept only works well to block high angle sunlight but not low angle sunlight. VERNACULAR TYPOLOGY IN INDIA Islam arrived in India via the Malabar Coast in 600 AD. It was just about the same time that it was spreading into Arabia. This is not surprising, considering the proximity of the two coastline trade links from pre-Islamic times. Arab merchants traded Indian spice with other parts of the known world. A number of them set up households in the Malabar as well, and it is through them that Islam was introduced into the Indian subcontinent. According to the legend, Malik-ibn Dinar- Mohammads message reached king Crangannur in AD 642-643 on Hijri 22, and the Chera king, Cheraman Perumal to accept Islam. Malik-Ibn-Dinar built the first mosque there. This was followed by eleven more along the coast. These mosques are some of the oldest to be established, not only India but within the Islamic world. South India Kerala Mosques Introduction- Kerala is in the middle of a mosque-building boom. Proposals for new mosques and the redevelopment of older structures have consequences on the urban landscape of this west coast state. Pan- Indian and pan- global influences sweeping across Kerala fuelled by migration to the rest of India and abroad may be the reason for this activity. Traditional mosque of Kerala (vernacular mosque) The traditional mosques in Kerala are different from those in the imperial and provincial Indo- Islamic architecture. In Kerala built form of the mosque derived enough from local domestic building traditions. In traditional dwellings like Nalaketts, the concerns of torrential rain and the need for the ventilation found expression in remarkable roof and wall elements, executed in abundantly available timber. In Kerala, the temple, churches and the Mosque (palli) take from the local architecture evolved from local climate, materials. The mosque was constructed under the guidance of religious leaders whose requirements were functional and simple, using the model of existing places of worship. A traditional mosque in the Malabar comprises of a rectangular prayer hall with a mihrab on the western wall (qibla) and enclosed verandah on the sides that serve as spill over space. A front verandah facing the street becomes a space that often leads to a front hall preceding the main prayer hall. An ablution tank is accommodated on one side. The entire structure is raised on a high plinth/ base, similar to the adhisthana of a temple. The tiled roof has elaborate covered gables. The structural system for the hall is of timber posts, beams, and brackets and often the columns are square or octagonal as in the temple mandapa pillar. Nakhudas or ship builders sculpted the mimbars in many Mosques, representing the very best skills in wood-carving. Mishkaal mosque Kuttichira Most of the Malabar mosques built in the 6th centuries are in Kozhikoda(Kalikat), Mallapuram, Thalassery and cochin. This time the basic building construction material was bamboo. A brief case study of two mosques in Kuttichira, a Mappila neighborhood in Kozhikode is presented here. In Kuttichira, centered on the sacred Kuttichira tankand all mosque of Kuttichira was construced with local timber material. Miskaal palli mosque is having a largest rectangular hall and tiled roofs at fourth levels- housing subsidiary space. The existing building is dated as 1578. It sits in close association with the tank. Not very far is the Jamaat Palli, the Friday mosque, on the other side of the tank. This is smaller in size and at am awkward angle to the narrow street, proclaiming an exact orientation to Mecca. Its front porch is marked by the heavily carved gable; matched by an exquisite timber ceiling, with floral, geometric and calligraphic motifs. It has two light wells, one over the ablution tank and another in side in the prayer hall. The forms of light wells remind us of the four sides. The oldest inscription in the mosque dates from 1480-81 covered on a wooden lintel on the ante chamber. CHERAMAN JUMA MASJID, KODUNGALLAUR. This is the first and oldest mosque of India. The first renovation of the mosque was completed in the 11th century. And later in 1974, the masjid president P.A. Mohammed Sayed added the extension, after demolishing the front portion of the old mosque during renovation. The oldest part of the mosque, including the sanction sanctorum, was left untouched. It was renovated again in 1996 and 2003, by adding extension to accommodate more capacity of 3000 people. While the oldest part will be restored, the desire for a grand size still remains. Surrounded by shops and homes. And a community institution is situated within the building. The original structure did not look like the mosques of the west and rather resembles vernacular buildings. This was double stored with sloping tiled thatched roof. This mosque also does not not look like the mosques of north India, with no calligraphy used on the wall and no minarets found with the mosque. The entrance gate is very simple and inviting. The main room is part of the original structure. This is a very small area for the mosque. Only 15 people can stand in a single row for prayer. The main room was built with old timber, with a big brass lamp hanging from the roof, which may have been a Hindu temple lamp. West JAMA MASJID OF AHMEDABAD Location This is the vernacular mosque of Ahmedabad.it is made of yellow sand stone.This is the oldest mosque of Ahmedabad, built during in 1424 the reign of Ahmad Shah. This mosque is laying in the Mahatma Gandhi Road of teen Darwaza,

Educational Goals and Philosophy :: Philosophy of Education Teaching Teachers Essays

Educational Goals and Philosophy There are several reasons why I want to be a teacher. One reason is that I love being around children. Another reason is that I love to see the look of amazement on child's face when they learn something new. I also love the look on their face when they discover that they can do what they just learned. During my observation, I met a little boy who had just moved back to West Virginia. This little boy is in the first grade and he has a learning disability. The class that I was observing was a special education class and I had the pleasure of helping the teacher with this little boy. The teacher thought that one of the best ways to help the little boy with his disability was to begin by playing games; we played games with flash cards, numbers, and the alphabet. The teacher asked him to spell his name with the alphabet cards, which he did, then she spread the cards out on the table and asked him to find the letter that she said. Each time he found the correct letter, his face would light up at the teachers praise. He was really excited when he found the "difficult letters". After watching the little boy I was just as excited as he was that he was doing a great job. Being a teacher would mean that I would have the opportunity to teach children new things everyday, and I would be able to share in their joy of learning. In my classroom I would use essentialism, the back to basics approach, I believe that all students should be taught the basic subjects. I would incorporate games into each subject so that the children will have fun while they learn. For example, we would play math bingo, and do crossword puzzles for reading. For science, I would have them bring leaves to class and then we could learn what type of leaf it is and what tree it came from. I think that if you make learning fun, a child will want to learn, they won't just look at it as something that they have to do. I also believe that the classroom environment contributes to the learning atmosphere.

the atomic bomb :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Atomic Bomb was used more as a weapon of surrender upon the people of Japan than it was used as a display of power towards the Soviets in 1945. The Japanese military had already shown an unwillingness to surrender throughout the war, and this feeling was made famous by their infamous use of suicide pilots, called kamikazes. They had 5,000,000 troops scattered throughout the Pacific Theater of Operations, and an American invasion of the Japanese homeland would have lasted until late 1946 at the least, resulting in no less than 1,000,000 American deaths, according to Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson. Although such an invasion was the initial plan of action, after testing of the Manhattan project in New Mexico was completed, the Atomic Bomb seemed to be a quicker solution to an already drawn out war.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Although people such as James Byrne and General Arnold believed that the surrender of the Japanese was imminent, I don’t think that this was the case. Yes, we had done sufficient damage to their mainland already with conventional bombs, crippling their shipping routes and their military. They were in no state to continue a war, but this doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t have implemented every possible way to end American lives. I am not quick to think that a nation which is willing to go to such extremes for victory as Japan was willing to go through was on the brink of surrender. Byrne predicted that the war would have only taken 6 more months to end conventionally, but I doubt that the American military would have been able to conquer an empire with the willpower of Japan in a mere 6 months. And even if this was the case, as I stated before, American casualties would reach 7 digits in the conquest, numbers that would cripple the American economy even after the wa r was to be over.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   And finally, I think President Harry S. Truman’s radio address in August 1945 basically outlines that the dropping of the bomb was somewhat morally acceptable. President Truman states that he believes that if Japan was in our position and they had the bomb, they would not have even thought twice before using it. He reminds the people that the bomb was dropped on the same people who surprise attacked us at Pearl Harbor in December 1941, and the same people who tortured so many of our P.

Bush Imposes Gag Rule :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

Bush Imposes Gag Rule On January 25, 2001, on his first business day in office (and the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision establishing a woman's right to an abortion), President George W. Bush stupidly re-imposed the Global Gag Rule on the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) population program. This policy restricts foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that receive USAID family planning funds from using their own, non-U.S. funds to provide legal abortion services, lobby their own governments for abortion law reform, or even provide accurate medical counseling or referrals regarding abortion. See what damage he is doing! The 1973 Helms Amendment is a legislative provision that already restricts U.S. funds from being used for these activities, but Bush had to get involved for political purposes. About 2 million women die every year from unsafe abortions, a statistic that could be virtually eliminated by the provision of appropriate health information and services and law reform efforts. Despite this, President Bush's Executive Memorandum directs USAID "to reinstate in full all of the requirements of the Mexico City Policy in effect on January 19, 1993." According to this policy, foreign organizations--often the only health care providers in remote, rural areas--are prohibited from using their own, non-U.S. funds for: * providing legal abortions even, can you believe, where a woman's physical or mental health is endangered (the only exceptions are in cases of rape, incest, or where the woman's life is endangered); * providing advice and information regarding the availability and benefits of abortion and from providing referrals to another health clinic; * lobbying their own governments to legalize abortion, to maintain current law and oppose restrictions, or to decriminalize abortion; and * conducting public education campaigns regarding abortion. In addition, even the provision of services that are "permitted"1 on paper, such as life-saving abortions and post-abortion care, are often curtailed because NGOs fear jeopardizing their funding through any association with abortion - what cowardice!! Providers may even be reluctant to dispense emergency contraception--which acts to prevent pregnancy and is not an abortifacient (despite the lies you may hear from the antichoice groups and the Catholic Church --because of the Global Gag Rule.

Juliet †Baz Luhrmann production Essay

Romeo seems like a passionate, romantic and excitable young man. He seems to like the idea of being in love, although I would suggest the feelings he has for Juliet begin only as infatuation and grow throughout the balcony scene. In the beginning of the scene Romeo is portrayed as determined, wary and possibly a little frightened as he knocks over furniture and scrambles up the trellis. His eyes are continuously darting around and you get a sense of desperation because he is panting. When he climbs the trellis in the hope of seeing Juliet but discovers the nurse instead, his facial expression turns from one of lust and longing, to one of utter disgust and horror. When Romeo scurries down the trellis, his demeanour is hurried and rushed and we get a sense of urgency as he holds his breath. When Juliet appears from the elevator, he is flattered that she is speaking of him â€Å"O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? † After a short while he begins to shadow her, seemingly taken aback by her affectionate remarks and breathtaking beauty. Romeo seems almost intoxicated by Juliet; he continuously gazes deep into her eyes and follows her very closely throughout the scene. When he kisses her although tenderly, I get a sense of hunger and passion; he is smitten by every word, which seems to make his infatuation grow. However, he also shows foolish bravado in the swimming pool when he shouts, â€Å"thy kinsmen are no stop to me†. Romeo’s character in this film also outlines how impulsive and rash he is, as he does not object when Juliet proposes marriage, but instead smiles dreamily into her eyes. He seems devastated when they have to part â€Å"Love goes toward love as schoolboys from their books, but love from love, toward school with heavy looks. † Romeo is in love with the idea of love and during the course of the scene he is portrayed as romantic and passionate but also appears to be irrational, impulsive and desperate because he is so agreeable. Karen Clark 27th October 2003 Romeo & Juliet Baz Luhrmann Production 1(i) Characters and Characteristics Juliet Capulet Juliet seems like a thoughtful, sensible and practical young girl. When she enters the scene we see her deep in thought. It is soon obvious that she is quite upset as she leans against the statue with her hand on her hip and a look of dismay on her face as she says â€Å"Ay me! † Juliet’s body language expresses her annoyance; her arms are folded when she talks about rebelling against their family names; â€Å"What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet;† Although when she remarks â€Å"Doff thy name† her expression and speech has changed and become quite dreamy. In this section of the scene we also see the child in Juliet; When she says â€Å"nor any other part belonging to a man† she almost laughs, as a child would laugh with innocent embarrassment about a mans anatomy. She appears frightened but practical and dwells on the word â€Å"death† in the sentence â€Å"And the place death, considering who thou art† she pushes him in desperation under the water when a security guard appears to check that all is well, then smiles sweetly at the guard until he leaves. When they engage in their first kiss you see Juliet close her eyes in anticipation, she gently caresses his face before pushing him away in embarrassment. Again, during this section of the scene we see the inquisitive child in Juliet as she almost whispers â€Å"Dost thy love me? † it shows how young and immature she is, she is looking for confirmation of his love and looks at Romeo the way a child would look at her father for approval. When Romeo asks â€Å"O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? † her reply is one of anger and shock as she replies â€Å"What satisfaction canst thou have tonight? † the expression on her face is one of annoyance and disbelief, I believe that this is the only time throughout the scene that she may question his love for her. Juliet is a very capable young lady who truly believes she is in love with Romeo; during the scene she is portrayed as a shy, nai ve and innocent child, but also appears to be a very determined, sensible and practical young lady. Karen Clark 27th October 2003 Romeo & Juliet Baz Luhrmann Production 1(ii) Dramatic Devices In the beginning of the scene we see Romeo climbing the orchard wall in complete darkness, but when he enters the swimming pool area the fairy lights illuminate the immediate vicinity, coupled with the floral trellis this makes the setting quite romantic. You get a sense of the era because the house is traditional in style, from the authentic continental windows to the ageing balusters on the balcony. The size of the house, together with the presence of a swimming pool gives the impression that Juliet comes from a very affluent background. The costumes seem appropriate for the period; Juliet wears a simple plain white dress, possibly portraying virginity and virtuosity and Romeo wears the costume of a knight, which could signify valour and gallantry. In contrast we see the security guard sporting a very modern outfit complete with baseball cap, earpiece and headset. The music used throughout the scene is somewhat soft and subtle, although at times it becomes a little bit eerie and has a sense of mystery. The majority of the scene is quite close and the camera angles depict this, although the shot of the Virgin Mary through the curtains and the dropping of the cross on the chain deliver a sense of foreboding. Most of the scene takes place in the swimming pool rather than on the balcony and this is dramatised by Romeo and Juliet falling into the pool on two occasions and the subsequent underwater scenes. Karen Clark 27th October 2003 Romeo & Juliet. Baz Luhrmann Production 1(iii) Themes The theme of the film immediately tells of a forbidden love, this is shown with Romeo’s movements at the beginning of the scene; He is skulking around in the shadows, panicking when he smashes a statue and hiding when he thinks someone may have heard him. Some other examples of the prohibition are when Juliet addresses the outrage her family would have upon the discovery of Romeo in the orchard; and when the security guard appears to check that all is well and Juliet immediately submerges Romeo in the swimming pool in an attempt to conceal him. From Juliet’s aspect we perceive her first love, she gently caresses Romeo wherever possible and we feel a sense of longing and anticipation, possibly because she may feel disloyal and treacherous towards her family if she continues with the alliance. Lust plays a large part during this scene, although you get the sense that Romeo believes he is in love with Juliet, at the beginning of the scene while he is still hiding, you get the impression that Romeo wants to touch and be intimate with Juliet from the expression on his face and his body language. There is also a sense of impending doom, earlier in the scene Juliet says â€Å"I have no joy of this contract tonight, it is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden, too like the lightening, which doth cease to be†, this could mean that once lightening has struck all that remains is an empty space and charred remnants of what once was, therefore lightening may strike because of the family feud and if they continue to love each other they will cease to exist. Karen Clark. 27th October 2003 Romeo & Juliet Baz Luhrmann Production 1(iv) My Response The balcony scene in the Baz Luhrmann production of Romeo and Juliet is in my opinion inadequate. It does not seem to portray Romeo and Juliet as â€Å"young lovers† and the setting is too modern for the Shakespearean language. Had the speech been translated to modern text the film would have been a massive hit as the story of Romeo and Juliet is still extremely relevant in our modern society. In my opinion the actors did not do the characters any justice, their faces were not innocent enough and they appeared to be much older than we believed Romeo and Juliet to be. I expected the scene to be quite romantic and was most disappointed and quite bored very early into the scene. I get the impression from the scene that Juliet is neither virginal nor innocent; she seems to know what she wants and has a very adult like way of getting it. She is practical, calm and pushy, more like a manipulative woman than an innocent child. Although in the scene we do see aspects of Juliet’s inner child, like when she innocently asks â€Å"Dost thy love me? † she is seems to be seeking assurances as a child would; We also see a mature and confident young lady, from the way she reacts to his plea of dissatisfaction to the way she kisses him so lustfully and skilfully. If she were a child at the age of 13 or 14, I would presume that the physical aspect of their relationship would be pretty new to her and she would be very clumsy, awkward and uncomfortable. On at least two occasions during the course of the scene she pushes him away and then captivates him again, and in my opinion only a more mature and experienced woman would do this, not an innocent child who has met her first love. Romeo is portrayed as a determined and desperate young man, although we see what seems to be romance during the scene, I believe that Romeo is only infatuated with Juliet. I get the impression that all he wants to do is appease her so that he can return to her bedroom to be more intimate. When he says, â€Å"O wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied? † the reply that he really wants to hear is â€Å"Let us depart to the bedroom and seal our vow of love† so he is taken aback with her reply. The way Romeo looks at Juliet throughout the scene is more lustful and hungry than loving and romantic and in my opinion although I would expect this of a 15 or 16 year old boy, the story is meant to be one of love and the balcony scene is the epitome of this love, instead of desperation Luhrmann should have played more towards the romantic side of Romeo rather than the overbearing and ingratiating character he is portrayed as. Karen Clark 27th October 2003 Romeo & Juliet Baz Luhrmann Production 2 Imagery In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses a variety of languages for various purposes; throughout the balcony scene we see many different linguistic devices including similes, metaphors and oxymorons. These devices are used to build a picture of the scene and also show Shakespeare’s talent as a playwright. The language of love is particularly powerful within the balcony scene; â€Å"O speak again, bright angel, for thou art as glorious to this night, being o’er my head as a winged messenger of heaven† Shakespeare uses this simile to describe how beautiful Juliet is, he compares Juliet to an angel because she appears at the window above Romeo and is silhouetted by the lamp light from within. Later in the scene Shakespeare uses a metaphor to describe how Juliet recognises Romeo’s voice, even though they have only just met; â€Å"My ears have yet not drunk a hundred words of thy tongue’s uttering, yet I know the sound. † In my opinion this metaphor adds warmth and a strong sense of feeling and atmosphere. Alliteration is used several times throughout the scene â€Å"The orchard walls are high and hard to climb† and â€Å"How silver-sweet sound lovers’ tongues by night, like softest music to attending ears! † This adds emphasis and significance to the descriptions. Towards the end of the scene there are two oxymoron’s in close proximity, both spoken by Juliet, â€Å"So loving-jealous of his liberty† and â€Å"Parting is such sweet sorrow† Although contradictory, they give importance to the statements. You may also note that Romeo’s final speech is delivered as poetic imagery, which is especially effective in portraying love. Some of Shakespeare’s imagery presents popular representations of that era. At the time, religion was very important, so by including religious imagery, for example Juliet appearing angelic, it portrays Romeo and Juliet’s love as heavenly and beautiful, something that was fated or meant to be. Shakespeare’s natural ability for the language of love is astounding and impressive and he applies this with unmistakable talent. Without Shakespeare’s competence with rhyme and imagery, the dialect would never have been so rich. The language of Shakespeare is full of humour, insults, irony and word play and is a joy to observe and a delight to study.

Plato †The Republic, Machiavelli †The Prince, Hobbes †Leviathan Essay

1. The Lessons of Nature The most important lesson I believe I have learned about modern and historical politics from my reading of Plato, Machiavelli, and Hobbes, is that Western society has historically viewed politics as a way to grapple with human nature and the self-interests which are believed to drive human behavior. Although this perception of human nature has opposing views among Western philosophers such as Locke, I took the collective impact of The Republic, The Prince, and Leviathan as penetrating insights into the hierarchical and self-interested aspects of humanity, which in some ways, by some points of view seemed contrary, to me, to the essential viewpoint and philosophical perspective which may be necessary for Western society to embrace in the future. So an important insight for me, in fact, the most important insight in my opinion is that these great philosophers denote, to a very large degree, the visions of the past, and ideas about politics, which, while still very current, are probably apt to evolve in the future.   One might even go so far as to suggest that the present, with its global discord and challenges presents a time of â€Å"punctuated equilibrium† for Western philosophical and political thought. 2. Hobbes’ Lesson of the Leviathan To begin with, viewing the massive, sometimes oppressively â€Å"omnipotent† government in contemporary times as something which is not only necessary, but — in fact – demonstrates both the triumph of humanity over the hostilities of nature, but also the attainment of â€Å"justice† is sometimes difficult for me to see.   On the other hand, I have no issue with seeing that many other people, and in fact, people in powerful positions in government, belive this completely. When Hobbes writes that: â€Å" Hitherto I have set forth the nature of Man, (whose Pride and other Passions have compelled him to submit himselfe to Government;) together with the great power of his Governour, whom I compared to Leviathan, taking that comparison out of the two last verses of the one and fortieth of Job; where God having set forth the great power of Leviathan, calleth him King of the Proud†Ã‚   (Waller,1901, p. 231), I shudder to think that actual people in positions of power in the real world believe this as gospel. I think, specifically, of the Bush administration’s recent attempt to expand Presidential authority: â€Å"There is nothing, saith he, on earth, to be compared with him. He is made so as not to be afraid. Hee seeth every high thing below him; and is King of all the children of pride.† (Waller, 1901, p. 231) 3. The Lesson of the Modern Presidency The logical outcome of the modern vision of the President as the leader of a specific political party, rather than the Constitutional conception of the President as a non-partisan arbiter of the Congress, is that individual Presidential candidates, rather than the political parties themselves, would emerge as the foremost consideration in Presidential elections. Hobbes’ Leviathan needs a â€Å"head† and in modern times his admonition, quoted below, seems especially frightening: â€Å"The maintenance of Civill Society, depending on Justice and Justice on the power of Life and Death, and other lesse Rewards and Punishments, residing in them that have the Soveraignty of the Common-wealth; It is impossible a Common-wealth should stand, where any other than the Soveraign, hath a power of giving greater rewards than Life; and   of inflicting greater punishments, then Death  (Waller, 1901, p. 326) In practical terms, the rise of the â€Å"candidate† campaign has eliminated the old method of â€Å"platform† politics where a political parties ideological and issue-related stances are measured against one another with the direct contest between one   candidate and another.   One clear result of this practice is that individual candidates are now virtually dissected by the media and by prospective voters to measure their probable â€Å"characters† and â€Å"defects.† The fascination with individual manners, faux pas, manner of dress, speech, religious affiliation, past memberships in social organizations or clubs, or even past associations with friends or acquaintances now play, arguably, a more important role than issues in recent Presidential elections. In modern Presidential politics, the political parties often seem like afterthoughts. The present day situation presents a precisely opposite vision of a Constitutional model for the American Presidency. Because the Presidential candidates are now regarded as leaders of their respective parties and not simply as nominees of them, the expectation is that a given candidate will follow, to partisan exclusion, the   aims and desires of his or her party. In fact, the expectation in modern politics is that the party and the candidate are virtually identical, but that in the long run executive, rather than democratic, authority is the final word. An entire library of observations could be written about the expansion of Presidential authority — indeed, the tyranny of Presidential authority — relative to political parties which is exemplified by the Bush administration. 4. The Lesson of Plato and Slavery When reading political philosophy, I am usually aware of historical relationships that might seem a bit odd to others. Therefore, my thinking about not only the historical, but contemporary, impact of African American slavery in America while reading Plato’s Republic may seem off-beat at first, but the thought-process I underwent, and the conclusions I drew are part of the important lessons about political philosophy I learned from class-readings. One thing that stood out for me in all three writers was the hierarchical fundamental assumptions that comprised the core-beliefs of all three philosopher’s works. An example of this rigid, hierarchical thinking is found in the following passage of the   Republic: they should receive the laws from us in the finest possible way like a dye, so that their   Ã‚   opinion about what’s terrible and about everything else would be color- fast because they had gotten the proper nature and rearing, and their dye could not be washed out by those lyes so terribly effective at scouring, pleasure  (Plato,1991, p.108) The kind of cultural schism encouraged by this kind of thinking, is, in reality, both profound and of long duration. I started to wonder what it would be like if one ruling class, reared on the airy ideas of Plato, the â€Å"objective† and hierarchical ideas of Hobbes, and the self-interested mastery of Machiavelli enacted the principles set forth in these philosophies, not as mere ideas, but as deep culturally encoded principles. Obviously, it was not a stretch to think fo the history of African Americans, first subjected to the tyranny of slavery, then cast into the role of â€Å"other† after the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery, who became a culture without any identity other than that which had been thrust upon them from their former â€Å"masters.† However, African Americans were cast into an equally prejudicial cultural role in America and this time, the justification for both Northerners and Southerners was that slavery, though evil, had at least allowed for the â€Å"humanization† of the African race. This deep-seated racism obstructed any chance for the African Americans in the post Civil War era to geminate a specifically African American culture of their one making and instead cast them back into a role   very similar to the one they had occupied as slaves. The institution of slavery in America was malicious enough and long-lasting enough to genuinely sever African Americans from their historic cultural roots. The loss of their indigenous culture gave rise to hybrid African American cultures and a search for African American identity which, although many gains in civil liberties and social awareness have taken place,   continues to this day. My thought is that any distinction of hierarchy where the intimation is that the rule of one class over another is both natural and necessary, will result in the erosion of culture in both the ruling and subjected classes.  Ã‚   Plato ridicules such an idea: if the people are discontented and say that it is not just for a son in his prime to be supported by his father, but the reverse, the father should be supported by the son; and that they didn’t beget and set him up so that when he   had grown great they should be   Ã‚   slaves to their own slaves and support him and the slaves along with other flotsam, but so that with him as leader they would be freed from the rich and those who are said to be gentlemen in the city; and they now bid him and his comrades to go away from the city   like a father driving a son along with his trouble- some drinking fellows out of the house?  (Plato, 1991, p. 118) However, I would suggest that the historical case of African American slavery represents a very apt model for how the political philosophies of hierarchy can lead to enduring corruption because the contemporary political situation of the United States both domestically and internationally, is still very much connected to race and race-based hierarchies. By following Hobbes’ idea that the ruled must be led by their rulers, or Plato’s idea that the ruled should be indoctrinated to love their station in life, or Machiavelli’s idea that the ruled should be placated or tricked by their rulers into a state of   passivity, there is a feeling in my mind that an entirely different mode of thinking could be and should be engaged, not to vindicate, but to rescue the world from the antiquated philosophies of the past. 5. The Lesson of Machiavelli and Assassination The point at which the self-interest of leaders becomes, itself, the most dangerous threat to any nation, culture, or society, is among the most important lessons I learned from the class readings and I most specifically learned this from reading The Prince, which I found to be, like Hobbes and Plato, much more illuminating on   the subject of how Western society has viewed itself and its political institutions than as a penetrating glimpse into humanity’s essential nature   or future cultural and political existence. Machiavelli stresses that all acts of a political nature are rooted in self-interest. It is not a matter of public-service, but of public passivity and censure that drives the politician. Speaking of Oliverotto’s murder of his enemies, Machiavelli remarks: â€Å"After this murder, Oliverotto mounted his horse, paraded through the town, and besieged the chief officials in the government palace; so that out of fear they were forced to obey him and to constitute a government of which he made himself prince† (Machiavelli, 1998, p. 32). Implicit in this remark is not only the idea that murder can be an expedient political strategy but that any political act is partially only what it is perceived to be.   Machiavelli mentions of Oliveratto â€Å"And when all those were killed who, because they were discontented, might have harmed him, he strengthened himself by instituting new civil and military institutions; so that, in the space of the year that he held the principality, (Machiavelli, 1998, p. 32). In conclusion, the political philosophies of Hobbes, Machiavelli, and Plato represent a compelling collection of ideas which seem to have driven Western politics for centuries. However strong the rational conclusions, observations, and inspired thoughts of these past philosophers –to my mind — none of the theories offered seem to address the issues which seem most problematic and current in contemporary society. By following the ideas in these philosophical systems which elevate self-interest, social schism, warfare, and political expedience, the social, political, and cultural resources of the West are weakened, not strengthened.