Sharia

Sharia system is a religious law associated with Islam. Majority of the Islamic states abide to Sharia law, but not entirely. However, radical Islamist groups in the recent times have tried to change this perception by advocating for an Islamic Sharia law. With the current modernization progress as a result of globalization, a need to have Sharia system in an Islamic state raises concerns.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Sharia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Adopting Sharia law in a modern society is challenging considering the politics associated with the establishment of the mentioned system. The use of Sharia will continue to attract a contentious debate in the future. In the meantime, it is essential to understand the politicization of Sharia. Globalization is a critical factor in determining the politics of Sharia (Vikor 220). The globalization phenomenon contributed to the formation of the Islamic world, as well as integration of religious, cultural and social regulations. In this regard, the use of Sharia law as the field of law in social environments becomes difficult. Apparently, Sharia entails regulations and rules applicable in various social conditions. Modernist scholars in Islamic states argue that implementation of Sharia can violate the fundamentals of the Islamic law. In this regard, Sharia is disqualified from the field of law. According to Islam theologians and from the religious point of view, there is no clarity on what is Sharia. In this context, Sharia is not based on the Quran, which is the ultimate authority in the formation of Islamic law. Sharia is described as shared opinion by members of an Islamic community. Modern theologians’ opposition to adoption of Sharia law in Islamic law is based on the fact that Sharia is not part of codified laws (Vikor 221). This explains why Sharia is not a written law and does not conform to any field of law. Using non-cod ified law like Sharia in the modern society is impossible. This is contrary to what many countries around the world are practicing. However, radical Islamic groups still insist on using Sharia law since the codified law is westernized. This shows how Sharia issues have caused logical and political problems. Pundits argue that integrating Sharia law into a codified system is better than discarding the entire codified law. Another argument that explains the controversial position of the Islamic state about Sharia is the unending political indifferences between the western countries and the Arab world.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The reason why Sharia is not enshrined into the codified law is entirely based on Islamic politics. Islamic scholars believe that Sharia is an explanation of God’s will, but not the legal precepts of man. The Islamic religion relies on fixed wording of God’s authority enshrined in the Quran. In this context, Sharia becomes integral in formulating the Islamic law. Initially, the Islamic law was written by legal scholars, who developed the law without acknowledging the state’s authority. In fact, Islamic lawmakers were considered as the civil society who opposed the state apparatuses. The opposition of state apparatuses by the civil society led to conflict of ideologies as can now be evidenced between Islamic radicals and contemporary Islamic scholars. As indicated earlier, Sharia was to be used in various social conditions. In this respect, law making scholars were required to be independent and widely travelled. Therefore, Sharia was divisive in nature since its application depended upon the ruler, the region and political ideologies of the immediate time (Vikor 231). This explains why it became difficult to solidify Sharia as the only law in Islamic world. In any case, the applicability of Sharia required state apparatus and a methodology known as the Usul. Islamic lawmakers argue that the Usul also exhibited political problems between the Shiite and the Sunnis, which are considered as major Islamic groups. The Usul methodology entails analogical deduction of general Islamic rules, which can be interpreted differently. From this perspective, possible variants could result in a disagreement among jurists. This phenomenon was integral in politicizing the Sharia since they lacked a unitary political authority to arbitrate the disagreement. Lack of a unitary authority for Sharia continually led to the formation of four legal systems that were different in terms of methodology and practicability. This meant that a legal system of acceptable practical regulations among the majority was applied as the law of the day. A political aspect of lobbying among the majority of scholars and jurists made Sharia a political tool. Lack of a code in Sharia led to abuse of references made against renown ed Islamic scholars. The Islamic scholars influenced the Islamic legal system and school of law. This meant that a judge would directly quote any opinion shared by the influential scholars without acknowledging facts about a case (Vikor 244). In due time, contemporary scholars who challenged rulings made by influential scholars were disregarded as non-conformists. The application of Sharia by rulers is suspicious considering that most of the judges used to act under the ruler’s directives. Contemporary Islamic scholars argue that Sharia is an adversarial model that is strict and rarely leads to a conviction in a criminal case. This explains why Sharia does not adopt the public prosecution concept and relies on personal confessions and public opinion.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Sharia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As indicated earlier, Islam cannot isolate itself from modernization. The introductio n of criminal law in the Islamic law is evidence of modernization in the Islamic world. Apparently, Sharia system focuses on family and interpersonal issues in the society. This is contrary to other social aspects such as crime, business practices and politics. The secular aspect of the society requires a legal system that is moderate and not punitive on the basis of religious beliefs (Klausen 7). The world is becoming a global village and people now move and reside in any part of the world. In this respect, fair treatment and justice for all is expected without discrimination by using religious legal systems. Pro-western legal systems argue that Sharia does not conform to international law standards and may not meet universal human rights threshold if implemented. A modernist solution is to use Sharia system in addressing aspects such as family and personal issues (Vikor 250). On the other hand, developing a codified law that respects human rights, diversity of religion and interna tional obligations is necessary. A political and legal initiative to adopt Sharia in non-Muslim states is recommendable (Klausen 11). This is to address issues of pertinent value to Muslim residents. However, this should be implemented cautiously since fears of Islamization in non-Muslim states cannot be ignored. Politicization on who is to implement the new Sharia system in the modern world is a common phenomenon (Klausen 12). The reason is that the Islamic lawmakers are known to differ in terms of ideologies. Politics about the authority of Sharia lawmaker should be expected in a future debate. Works Cited Klausen, Jytte. The Islamic challenge: politics and religion in Western Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005. Print. Vikor, Knut S. â€Å"The Sharia and the nation state: who can codify the divine law?† In the Middle East in a globalized world. Ed. Bjorn O. Utvik and Knut S. Vikor. Bergen: Nordic Society for Middle Eastern Studies, 2000. 220-50. Print. This essay on Sharia was written and submitted by user Finnegan Gallegos to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The god of small things Essay Example

The god of small things Essay Example The god of small things Paper The god of small things Paper Essay Topic: The God Of Small Things Velutha had worked at the Paradise Pickles and Preserves Factory for a number of years and had been a worker (caste aside) who was appreciated for what he does. He had become an invaluable worker, with Mammachi giving him the accolade that if only he hadnt been a Paravan, he might have become an engineer. [7] I think Roy adopts a more lenient portrayal of Velutha as a Paravan. Mammachi pays him less than a touchable carpenter but more than a Paravan[8]. Veluthas presence is unsettling to many who believe he acts above his station. Veluthas oppression is compounded by the fact that his own father seems to reject his behaviour. : Perhaps it was just a lack of hesitation. An unwarranted assurance. In the way he walked. The way he held his head. The quiet way he offered suggestions without being asked. Or the quiet way in which he disregarded suggestions without appearing to rebel[9]. In the context of this novel, Roy portrays Velutha as someone who doesnt really adopt a different lifestyle simply because he is of an apparent lower class. In simple terms Velutha doesnt adhere to the unfortunate limitations placed upon him to the idea of being of a lower class and he openly acts in a way that implies he doesnt regard him being an inferior person. I dont think that this is ignorance on Veluthas part, simply Roys ability to expose and explore peoples reactions to those who go against the social conventions of the time. Hindus believe that being an Untouchable is punishment for having been bad in a former life. By being good and obedient, an Untouchable can obtain a higher rebirth. Veluthas lack of complacency causes him many problems throughout the novel. It was not entirely his fault that he lived in a society where a mans death could be more profitable than his life had ever been [10]. Although he is a dedicated member of the Marxist Party, his Untouchable status makes other party members dislike him. This idea is comical in its entirety; Velutha is accepted into this party and yet still manages to be denied full recognition as a party member. When Velutha has an affair with Ammu he breaks the rigid love laws, he breaks the rigid social rules of the caste system and therefore he must be punished for his actions. Roy describes the policemens violent actions as being done out of fear, civilizations fear of nature, mens fear of women, powers fear of powerlessness[11]. The division between the Touchables and Untouchables is so ingrained in Kerala society that Velutha is seen as a nonhuman. If they hurt Velutha more than they intended to, it was only because any kinship, and connection between themselves and him, any implication that if nothing else, at least biologically he was a fellow creature- had been severed a long time ago. [11i] Looking at the History House, it demonstrates exactly how those who go against the rules of society are treated. It seems as though the police use force and then hope to answer questions later. Society responds to this act swiftly, with unwavering harshness[12]. Roy doesnt treat the beating of Velutha with dignity or nobility, to which I thought she might, but with gritty detail thud of wood on flesh boot on bone[13]. This grittiness is used by Roy to perhaps contrast with the graceful and enchanted[14] use of vocabulary that goes before. The book as a whole has been acclaimed for its flowery and extravagant use of words and the way theyve been put together. But with this chapter in particular this typical Roy technique subsides to become a more real representation of whats happening. She uses short, sharp sentences to mirror the continual attack of Velutha. Roy makes it clear that the police hold no regard for Velutha, and presents it in such a way that the police feel it is their duty to do what they did, they were merely inoculating a community against an outbreak. [15] I think the image of one policeman flicking at his (Veluthas) penis with a stick[16] expresses his and perhaps societys need to be dominant. This mocking of someones manhood, someone who cant argue back is suggestive of society as a whole where people are oppressed because of their caste, sex, even age. But I think that Roy does go too far in trying to glorify the character of Velutha. Although I think his death was acceptable within the context of the novel, Velutha as a character doesnt seem to fit in with gritty realism and despair of others. Roy liked to use symbolism in the novel and the Untouchable could therefore be more a symbol than a person, necessarily distant from the middle class embroilments that engulf him. [17] It could also be argued that Roy suffers from constraints, that she follows political correctness in the novel and feels compounded to depict the oppressed untouchable without criticism. Similarly the death of Ammu seems too much as if Roy is succumbing to the power of the Indian-woman-as-victim[18]. Limitations placed on females are inherent in Indian society, perhaps all over the world, and Arundhati Roy uses this prejudice to good effect in the novel. Mammachi is a character who is weighed down heavily by male dominance. As the founder of the family pickle factory, this is one of only a few acts of female assertiveness. And yet she is still not given the respect that she deserves, One night Pappachi broke the bow of Mammachis violin[19]. Mammachi runs the business and Whenever anything serious happened in the factory, it was always to Mammachi and not Chacko that the news was brought. [20] But still it is Chacko who assumes the position of the leader of the factory. It seems, inbuilt into the minds of men is the impression that they shall take a dominant role in affairs whether it is their rightful place or not. Chacko arrogantly says My pickles, my jam, my curry powders. [21] However it could be argued that this arrogance is not in Chackos character but merely representative of mens attitudes towards women in India as a whole. Not only is Mammachi contending with her chauvinistic son who frequently uses the women at the factory for sex she also has to contend with her husband, Pappachi. We clearly see the relationship that Mammachi has reluctantly stayed in for many years is wrong. And we find it hard to understand why Mammachi has put up with the beatings for so long. However what Roy is trying to say is that in Indian society leaving your husband is not the done thing, whatever the circumstances. Roy beautifully and yet painfully uses the description of the great grandmothers portrait With her eyes she looked in the direction her husband looked. With her heart she looked away[22] to reveal to the reader the true feelings of Mammachi- a feeling that we as readers suspect to be true but which hadnt been revealed to us. Roy deals with this concept without emotion, which allows the reader to impart the emotion. Perhaps she feels that as English readers we can empathise more with the wife beating because we live in a society that holds no regard for the abuser, whereas Indian readers may be more used to a husband beating a wife, and therefore accept that it happens. Although Roy introduces us to a culture that has many differences to the one that we are part of she does try to make it more accessible to western readers. Now and again Roy will use a minor detail such as television to remind us that this country is not alien. When reading the novel it is hard not to get encapsulated into the unfolding story and at times Kerala does seem like another world. However these minor touches to detail remind us that this is a country that is not so different, albeit that it has differences with respect to traditions. I think Baby Kochammas encounter with the material world is quite amusing- the idea that she has lived her life backwards. As a young woman she renounced the material world, and now, as an old one, she seemed to embrace it. She hugged it and it hugged back[23]. This possibly shows a warmer side to Baby Kochamma or most probably is symbolic of the idea that if someone shows a little love they would receive a little love. This love is evidently missing from the life of Baby Kochamma. For Roy to fully exploit and explain the culture in Kerala would be intensely difficult; and to accomplish it in a novel is simply impossible. We mustnt forget that The God of Small Things is a novel, and that Roy dictates what happens- Velutha is not a real person, Sophie Mol didnt die and probably doesnt exist. But as the reader we are drawn into her [Roys] story and can only be intrigued by the new ways of life introduced to us by Kerala, India. One critic has said that the women in Kerala are relatively free[24]. But as the Western reader we can only take the perspective of how we expect women to be treated in society. It can be argued that we still place limitations on women, yet when presented with the restraints on women in the novel we feel astounded at how confined women are. Roy allows us as readers to make up our own mind about the culture of India; she doesnt simply condemn the caste system or the repression of women. Vulnerability, the ability to be physically and psychologically wounded, appears in this novel as the condition almost all the characters; whether likeable or unlikable, share. I think the role of the bitter and resentful Baby Kochamma is used by Roy to show how people, especially women, can be affected by their surroundings and moulded into the person they become. Roys intentions in writing the novel were probably to move away from the conventional exotic post-colonial novels about the land of heat and dust, incense and spices[25] and impart some gritty realism into Indian society. She shows death, family decay, incest, paedophilia for what they are but intertwined with them is exotic and vibrant language. This antithesis I feel is what makes the novel more tragic because on one hand you are tempted by the bright mangoes Red bananas[26] and on the other are repulsed by the gurgle of blood on a mans breath[27]. It is these stark contrasts that will forever alter the course of the lives of all the members of the family, sending them each off on spinning trajectories of regret and pain. [28] The problem is, its a very sad book and somehow the sadness of the book is what stays with me. [Arundhati Roy][29]. I think the sadness is not simply the deaths of Sophie Mol and Velutha, or the destruction of lives but why these things occur: caused by the unlawful set of laws that dictate the lives of Indian society. Word count: 2567 words References [1] www. freespeech. org/manushi/103/review. html [2] http:/website. lineone. net/~jon. simmons/roy. com [3] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [4] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [5] www.emory. edu/ENGLISH/Bahri/caste. html [6] Mr. Williams English teacher [7] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [8] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [9] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [10] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [11] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [11i] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [12] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [13] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [14] www. londonstudent. org. uk/4issue/arts/godofsmall. htm [15] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [16] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [17] www. freespeech. org/manushi/103/review. html [18] www. freespeech. org/manushi/103/review. html [19] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [20] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [21] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [22] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [23] www. freespeech. org/manushi/103/review. html [24] www. wsu. edu:8080/~brians/anglophone/roy. html [25] www. freespeech. org/manushi/103/review. html [26] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy [27] The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. [28] www. curledup. com/godsmall. htm [29] Arundhati Roy Bibliography i The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy i www. freespeech. org/manushi/103/review. html i www. emory. edu/ENGLISH/Bahri/caste. html i www. londonstudent. org. uk/4issue/arts/godofsmall. html i www. wsu. edu:8080/~brians/anglophone/roy. html i www. india50. com/arundhatI. html i www. postcolonialweb. org/india/roy/nishant1. html i endeavor. med. nyu. edu/lit-med/ /webdocs/webdescrips/roy1177-des-. html i www. becal. net/toolkit/damaris/godost. html i www. greenville. edu/~hayes/roy. html.

Definition and Examples of Drawl

Definition and Examples of Drawl Definition A drawl is  speech that is characterized by drawn-out vowels and syllables. This informal term is often used by non-linguists in a pejorative way. Contrary to popular belief, Americans in the southern states dont pronounce words more slowly than other speakers of American English. The phenomenon perceived as  a drawl is  a result of adding glides to vowels to create diphthongs and triphthongs. Words may seem slower because they contain more sounds (World Englishes Vol. 2: North America, 2012).   See Examples and Observations below. Also see: AccentAccent PrejudiceBrogueDiphthongLinguicism Voice (Phonetics) Examples and Observations [The mission of Trident submarines] is to launch a massive and final lethal blow in the event that the worst has happened: nuclear combat toe-to-toe with the Ruskies, in the memorable drawl of Major T. J. King Kong, the Slim Pickens character in Dr. Strangelove.(Timothy Egan, Run Silent. Run Deep. Run Obsolete. The New York Times, July 14, 2010)All of the children of the Fox say feerst for first, beerst for burst, theerst for thirst. Why, no one knows. It seems to be a tribal accent, not only among all of Foxs children, but among all of their young cousins on the Foxs side. It is almost as if they were creatures of some isolated family, immured for generations on some lonely island, cut off from the world, and speaking some lost accent that their ancestors spoke three hundred years ago. Moreover, their tone is characterized by a kind of drawlnot the languorous drawl of the deep South, but a protesting drawl, a wearied-out, exasperated drawl, as if they have almost given up hope of ma king Foxor someoneunderstand what ought to be obvious without any explanation whatsoever.(Thomas Wolfe, You Cant Go Home Again, 1940) When it started kicking off, someone said to me, This is your time in the sunshine, [John] Bishop explains in a warm Liverpudlian drawl so thick it’s as if his words are forming in a cement-mixer. That sentence hit home because it really feels like that.(Dominic Cavendish, John Bishop: Ordinary Bloke, Comedy Star. The Daily Telegraph, August 6, 2010)Xiaowei had mastered those tricky English irregular verbs, perfected a convincing American drawl and could rattle off the 10 biggest U.S. cities by heart.(Hannah Beech Shanghai, High Hopes. Time magazine, December 17, 2001) The Southern DrawlThere are two distinct interpretations of the term southern drawl: the common or folk notion and the linguistic definition (Montgomery 1989a: 761). In common parlance, the southern drawl is a synonym for southern accent or southern speech and refers to the putative slowness of southern speech, often attributed to the heat or to the laziness of its speakers. It is thus often used derogatively, a s is the term brogue or even the term dialect itself. In contrast, linguists use the term to refer to the lengthening and raising of accented vowels, normally accompanied by a change in voice pitch. It involves the addition of a second or even a third vowel but does not necessarily entail a slower overall speech tempo (Montgomery 1989a: 761).(George Dorrill, The Phonology of English in the South. English in the Southern United States, ed. by Stephen J. Nagle and Sara L. Sanders. Cambridge University Press, 2003) Tom Wolfe on the Drawl of the Airline PilotAnyone who travels very much on airlines in the United States soon gets to know the voice of the airline pilot . . . coming over the intercom . . . with a particular drawl, a particular folksiness, a particular down-home calmness that is so exaggerated it begins to parody itself (nevertheless!its reassuring) . . . the voice that tells you, as the airliner is caught in thunderheads and goes bolting up and down a thousand feet at a single gulp, to check your seat belts because it might get a little choppy . . ..Well!who doesnt know that voice! And who can forget it,even after he is proved right and the emergency is over.That particular voice may sound vaguely Southern or Southwestern, but it is specifically Appalachian in origin. It originated in the mountains of West Virginia, in the coal country, in Lincoln County, so far up in the hollows that, as the saying went, they had to pipe in daylight. In the late 1940s and early 1950s this up-holl ow voice drifted down from on high, from over the high desert of California, down, down, down, from the upper reaches of the Brotherhood into all phases of American aviation. It was amazing. It was Pygmalion in reverse. Military pilots and then, soon, airline pilots, pilots from Maine and Massachusetts and the Dakotas and Oregon and everywhere else, began to talk in that poker-hollow West Virginia drawl, or as close to it as they could bend their native accents. It was the drawl of the most righteous of all the possessors of the right stuff: Chuck Yeager.(Tom Wolfe, The Right Stuff, 1979)

Thomas Jefferon - Time as President ONLY Research Paper

Thomas Jefferon - Time as President ONLY - Research Paper Example As public official, historian, philosopher, and plantation owner, he served his country for over five decades.† (Brief Biography of Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson's Monticello 1) The election of President Thomas Jefferson was regarded as the coming of revolution in the United States. Thomas Jefferson initiated many changes and developments in the state of United States. One of the main changes and developments with regard to annexation of different territories was the Louisiana Pact from France in 1803. In domestic affairs Jefferson tried to weaken Federalist influences, especially in the judiciary, and succeeded in limiting the size of government by reducing taxes and the national debt. Other actions taken by Thomas Jefferson were to weaken the federalist influence in the state administration and the machinery. He did this to enable greater participation of people in the State institutions such as the Judiciary, the executive and the legislature. He also pioneered in the r eduction of the size of the total number of the people in the Government by reducing the nation al debt of the country as well as scaling down the total taxation in the great country of United States. This heavily contributed to the growth of United States in the early 1800s. (Mannix, Richard 121) Jefferson’s Democratic Views: Thomas Jefferson was by nature a liberal politician who devoted the idea of freedom more than anyone else during his days in the office. Following is a quote from the great man himself on his idea of democracy: â€Å"A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities.† (America's Homepage and the Virtual Tour of Washington, D.C 1) The concept of Jeffersonian Democracy was quite prominent at the time of the term of office of Thomas Jefferson in the White House. He believed that the republican ideals of democracy best suited the United States. He envisaged a state where each and every individual would take part in the public duty and would strive to reduce or diminish corruption at every level in the country. The Domestic Policy of Jefferson: Thomas Jefferson was a liberal at heart. His domestic policies included the reduction of national debt by keenly focusing on federalism in the state. In the office of President, Jefferson appointed his own cabinet people and other high level office bearers as he was given the freedom to choose the people he wanted in the Government. Thomas Jefferson was a big supporter of the Lewis and Clark expedition and was instrumental in making it happen since he gave his total commitment for that project. Jefferson released the prisoners under the Sedition Act, which was repealed at the beginning of his Preside ncy. He took the initiative to remove the Act since according to his vision it was obstructive in nature and did not confine to the principles of free speech in the country. The Judiciary: Thomas Jefferson was quite skeptical of the judges appointed by his predecessors in the judiciary. He said that the

Home work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Home work - Essay Example Nonetheless, the expos expanded the countries’ economies by opening them up to the international arena (â€Å"China’s Economic Miracle,† 2008). Environmental problems are inherent in the two countries although Japan faced its challenges after war while China experiences environmental problems and challenges to date. Critics point out that China puts economic advancements at the behest of its environment. In effect, this has led to Beijing acquiring the name â€Å"Greyjing† as an indication of the amount of pollution experienced in the city. In a similar way, Japan faced criticism over the photochemical pollution experienced in Tokyo in the early 70s, which was due to industrial developments without considering the consequences on the environment. Despite disparate political institutions, the path towards economic growth in China is similar to the Japanese approach towards growth. Consequently, there is an indication that China may face challenges characterized by a slowdown in its economy, similar to Japan’s, if the country failed to adopt approaches aimed at lessening the effects of an economic slump. In effect, the failure to implement approaches that addressed the challenges faced by an economic slump will ensure that China’s economic progress slowed in a similar way to Japan’s due to their similarities in economic growth. Popularly known as MCB, Monfort College of Business is the leading college in terms of the value it creates. In this case, the college provides an excellent learning environment that was better than the environment provided by its peers. Using high technology to support its curriculum, the college produces graduates by preparing them for the competitive job market in the United States. To achieve this, the college affiliates itself with the business community in order to provide students with hands-on experiences by providing the students a chance to have a professional overview of their future

Grapes of Wrath Essay -- essays research papers

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck is a novel depicting the struggle and distraught brought towards migrant workers during the Great Depression. The Grapes of Wrath follows one Oklahoma family, the Joads, as they journey down Route 66 towards the earthly paradise of California. While on route to California, the Joads interact with fellow besieged families, non-hospitable farmers, and common struggles due to the Depression. Steinbeck uses these events to show strong brotherhood through biblical allusion, character development, and inter chapters.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Biblical allusion is found extremely often in the pages of The Grapes of Wrath. Through biblical allusion, Steinbeck portrays the brotherhood of the migrant workers. For example, in the Bible, Moses’ mother puts baby Moses in a basket, which takes him down a river. Later, Moses tells his slaves that he will lead them to freedom. In The Grapes of Wrath Rose of Sharon, the Joad’s eldest daughter gives birth to a dead baby because of the starvation and poor conditions of the migrant farmers. The Joad’s do not have enough money to give the baby a proper burial so Ma, the backbone of the Joad family, instructs Uncle John to bury the baby himself. Instead of following Ma’s orders, Uncle John sends the deceased infant down a river in an apple box. He said fiercely, â€Å"Go down an’ tell ‘em. Go down in the street an’ rot an’ tell ‘em that way. That’s the way you can talk. Don’ even know if you was a boy or a gi...

Global Media and Cultural Homogenisation Essay

In the 21st century, economic globalization has finally become an irresistible reality. Information, technology, goods, people, especially monetary capital are frequently exchanging worldwide unprecedentedly. The development and expansion of markets have effectively broken through the national, ethnic, cultural customs and ideological boundaries (Fairweather & Rogerson 2003). From multinationals, satellite TV, Internet to McDonald’s, Mercedes-Benz cars, cartoons, various cultures are now crossing huge distance and national borders, more densely implanted in different countries, and finally resulting in the phenomenon of cultural homogenisation. This essay is going to discuss whether globalisation implies cultural homogenisation, which will mainly focus on the role that global media has played in causing this phenomenon. To better understanding whether globalisation could lead to cultural homogenisation, this essay is about to define globalisation first. More specifically, globalisation is a terminology in economics, and scholars have three main kinds of explanation for globalisation: the first is that globalisation is Westernisation or Americanisation (Appadurai 2001), the second is that globalisation is the worldwide optimising allocation of economic and technical resources (McChesney 2001); and the third is that globalisation is to solve global problems such as environmental pollution, population explosion, drugs proliferation and transnational crimes, etc. (Mehlika 2013). In this essay, the meaning of globalisation is referred to the second explanation. When it comes to the effects of globalisation, it could be seen in various aspects, and living space of people has been associated with the world as a whole. For instance, London’s stock market or the European Football League is not a regional event, shockwave of these events quickly spread to every corner of the globe (Mehlika 2013). â€Å"Global village† is a more realistic word to describe the current world (Appadurai 2001). No matter international relations, political interests, social wealth distribution, cultural homogenisation or everyday life, globalisation has shown their significant role in those fields, and has contributed to profound consequences. Cultural homogenisation, which could be expressed as one of the significant impacts  of cultural globalization, that is local unique cultures all over the local culture will tend to become a single global culture, contributing to different lifestyles, values and beliefs of differing ethnics and communities are becoming increasingly similar (Mihailidis & Moeller 2010,). According to the view of Marxist (Mehlika 2013), the economic base determines the superstructure; economic and cultural globalization inextricably has linked and influenced each other. With the impact of the trend of globalisation, previously diversified culture has been influenced by the stronger culture and fashionable trend which are normally propagated by global commercial media system (McChesney 2001). In addition, McChesney (2001) holds the view that economic and cultural globalization arguably would be impossible without a global commercial media system to promote global markets and to encourage consumer values. Therefore, this essay believe that global media has played a crucial role in the development of globalisation and cultural homogenisation, and the following part of this article will mainly focus on the how global media has impacts on cultural homogenisation. At present, when reading newspapers or magazines, or turning on the TV, a confusing phenomenon could be the hom ogenisation of media culture, and sometimes similar entertaining programs could be seen in dozens of TV channels. Homogenization of media culture is very fast, often like a plague epidemic (Jan 2009). For example, a popular talent show called American Idol in the U.S. had a new name in China called Chinese Idol, which completely copied the main contents of American Idol. In addition, the successfulness of open copy experience has immediately provoked a chain reaction, almost all the local TV stations are following this trend, for a time, from national TV station (CCTV) to the local ones, and more than ten similar talent shows hurriedly came out. Another example is the Quiz Millionaire, this TV show has numerous versions in China, such as Happy Dictionary, Lucky 52, and so on. And there are various other TV programs in China are just Chinese version of famous TV programs around the world. In terms of the homogenisation of media culture, what most people may consider first is to criticize the lack of creativity of TV people or media workers. However, to explore further, more problems will involve in this problem. That is the globalisation of commercial media will unavoidably lead to the homogenisation of different cultures (McChesney 2001). A problem that may  be ignored is the convergent environment of media. More specifically, people tend to accept the fact of the homogenization of economic life; however, it is difficult to accept the homogenization of culture. The majority people still hold the view that different cultures should own their unique national, ethnic, and local characteristics (Fairweather, & Rogerson 2003). In other words, individuals could drive multinational or foreign designed automobiles, wear foreign produced perfume, but should remain vigilant when enjoy foreign films and television programs or other cultural products (Dumas, et al. 2010). However, little do these people know that the production mode of the media culture determines the globalisation of it, especially since the mid-twentieth century , new media and new media culture comes along with it, are emerging and developing in the international environment with relatively frequent exchanges (Appadurai 2000). That is to say, what we call the media culture of today is not entirely follow the traditional method that brought to the global market after its completion in certain developed countries, but gradually generated in the broader context of international exchanges which are contributed by the modern commercial media system (McChesney 2001). Taking the Hollywood films as an example, it is totally different form what it was half a century ago. Today’s Hollywood has a broader global context; its creators and performers are white, black or yellow from Europe, Asia or Oceania and other regions around the world. Additionally, technical means or electronic producing technologies of Hollywood films are also the most advanced, regardless of the technology are coming from the United States or from other countries. Another example could be the footboard culture, before the Western football culture was introduced to China, China does not have similar local cultural phenomenon about football. Because there is no similar local media environment of football in China, the popularity of football media culture in China is not resulting from the public choosing the Western media culture in the competition with local media culture (just like choose the team which that is liked best), but the decision has been make before individuals have the right to choose, or that the decision is made by the convergent media environment (Jan 2009). For the football culture in china, it is either existing or not existing; and once it exists, it would be derived from western culture. Here, the most difficult to imagine is the development of  China’s own local football culture. The development of culture cannot be delimited and designated by people in a relatively closed space (Bredin 2009). In other words, culture is not static, but dynamic, and acquiring development in the exchanges and communication with other cultures. Ethnic and local cultural could be regarded as closed culture in certain degree, but only with respect to the degree of globalisation and internationalisation (Bredin 2009). In fact any so-called ethnically local culture cannot grow in a completely closed environment, just like running water is never stale, any viable culture must obtain nutrients and support in the exchanges and communications with other cultures (Bredin 2009). For example, Chinese culture, which originated in the Yellow River Basin, but in the long years later, it is in contact with the south Chu culture and western culture it becomes vibrant. People may be sceptical for the single origin of Chinese culture, but they will not deny that the development and prosperity of Chinese culture is owing to the time after time collision and exchanges with other cultures. Cultural homogenisation may emerge during the exchanges and collision, which contains various types of convergence of this case (Fairweather, B & Rogerson, S 2003). For instance, some cultures could be complementing each other’s advantages. Additionally, there are weak cultures naturalised by the dominant culture, as well as the repression of strong cultural to weak culture. Besides, there are also new cultures created in the collision and interaction of differing cultures. All these situations discussed above exist in the development of today’s media culture; however, the convergence of media culture is obvious more than ever of any age. Here, admirations should be given to McLuhan’s prophecy of â€Å"earth village†, his conclusion was drawn from â€Å"media is the message†, rather than deduced from the globalisation of capital and markets (Jan 2009). Moreover, perhaps another deduction could be made that the globalisation of capital and markets are also a result caused by the modern media system in some degree. Besides, as what has been discussed above, global media will also contribute to cultural homogenisation. In fact, media culture reflect the conformity or group psychology of individu als, it could absorb essence and advantages from other cultures, and then turn into a form of global media culture. Therefore, from what has been discussed above, in order to find out whether the globalisation implies cultural homogenisation,  this essay has made the following discussions. On the one hand, the globalisation is an economic term which is promoted by global commercial media system. On the other hand, various studies has found out that it is the global media commercial media system that promoted the convergence of the media culture, and influence the national, ethnic and local culture through media values. Nowadays, individuals are deeply influenced by the wide broadcasted media systems, thus, more and more people have the tendency to pursue the latest fashionable elements, or other items to keep up with the time. Moreover, According to Appadurai (2001), the globalisation of culture is no the same as its homogenisation, however, globalisation involves the use of a variety of instruments of homogenisation. This also indicates that it is not the globalisation that completely leads to the cultural homogenisation. Cultural homogenisation is more likely to be regarded as a coexistence with the globalisation, which are caused by the increasingly homogeneous comm ercial media system. In conclusion, in order to investigate the relationship between globalisation and cultural homogenisation, and get a better understanding of both these items. This essay has defined the meaning globalisation and cultural homogenisation based on the previous studies. Moreover, this article has discussed the emergency and development of cultural homogenisation, and then finds out that the global commercial media system has played a vital role in causing this phenomenon. The following parts of the essay discussed the how the global media culture is formed and its impacts on the result of cultural homogenisation. Finally, this essay hold the view that, the fact of globalisation does not completely imply the emergency of cultural homogenisation, however, it is the increasingly homogeneous global commercial media system that plays a more important role in both causing the globalisation and cultural homogenisation. Reference list Appadurai, A 2000, ‘Disjuncture and Difference in the Global Cultural Economy’, in Frank Lecchner and John Boli (eds), The Globalization Reader, Blackwell, Oxford, pp. 322-330. 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