Canadian Provinces and the Confederation

The Evolution of American Exceptionalism Essay - 726 Words

The meaning of American exceptionalism has evolved, but the era of American exceptionalism as a providential mission is drawing to a close. The meaning of American exceptionalism has evolved from the two definitions of â€Å"unique† and â€Å"special† to include an appointed mission and has been used to justify action and consolidate people around ideas. The U.S. went from identifying itself as an exemplar nation for the world to emulate, to creating an interventionist mission of exceptionalism. Today â€Å"American exceptionalism† is a term of polarization that divides the right and the left in America. Alexis de Tocqueville toured America in 1831, and wrote of the uniqueness of American in relation to other nations to differentiate what was†¦show more content†¦He applied this principle to send American troops into Mexico twice, to Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Nicaragua, and to intervene militarily twice in the Russian civil war. Intervention in World War I was framed as a just cause in idealistic terms consistent with the belief in American exceptionalism to counter the prevalent isolationism of the time. Even after the devastating military strike on Pearl Harbor silenced isolationist claims, President Franklin Roosevelt’s The Four Freedoms employed exceptionalsim rhetoric to justify the World War II war effort in the central ideas of American political culture. During the Cold War, capitalism was cast as American liberty engaged in a battle against the tyranny of communism and justifying international expansion. Peans of American greatness and appeals to Americas distinctive history were a direct and deliberate appeal to the public and a way to help silence opposition to American military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. American exceptionalism today is an incarnation of national hubris, the idea that the U.S. has a right to act in the international sphere without regard to other countries. This sort of illusory nationalism worked during the Cold War, but America’s capacity to project power in the world is slipping in the wake of two expensive wars and a global crisis engineered by Wall Street. The mythology and ideology of American exceptionalism isShow MoreRelatedThe Museum Of Natural History1242 Words   |  5 Pagesincreases knowledge, and sparks interest in anthropic history. Yet for others, this exhibit sticks out like a sore thumb, due to the fact that an exhibit based on the premise of evolution goes entirely against what a large majority of Americans still hold to be true- creationism. The support for creationism and backlash against evolution has remained ever present despite years of knowledge accumulation within the scientific community. This plethora of discovery is laid out on the table as the sections ofRead MoreManifest Destiny Essay1346 Words   |  6 Pagesthat would evolve into the American ideology known today as Manifest Destiny. 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The first and fourteenth amendments essentially protect the establishmentRead MoreThe Struggle Of The Civil War1684 Words   |  7 Pagesto split Battle Cry Of Freedom into five different parts and each of those parts tying back to his five themes established in the preface of the book. Those themes being slavery being a polarizing issue that split the country and brought the war, evolution of a conflict from limited war for restoration of the old Union to a total war for a new birth of freedom, role of blacks in the war, politi cal and military leadership, the enduring impact of the war on consciousness and institutions abroad asRead MoreEssay on Impact of Baseball on American Culture and Society1618 Words   |  7 Pages Baseball has for a long time been a staple in the American sporting culture as baseball and America have grown up together. Exploring the different ages and stages of American society, reveals how baseball has served as both a public reflection of, and vehicle for, the evolution of American culture and society. Many American ways including our landscapes, traditional songs, and pastimes all bear the mark of a game that continues to beRead MoreThe effects of Corruption and Capitalism Essay1724 Words   |  7 Pages The American Dream is characterized by the ideals of liberty, opportunity, and contentment. When an individual thinks of achieving the American Dream, they only see the light at the end of the tunnel and not the st ruggles that come with it. In the political fiction novel, The Jungle, Upton Sinclair portrays the effects of corruption and capitalism on the world. Sinclair does so by showing how depraved the capitalist government can be and how tremendously this affects the lives of the innocent. ThreeRead MoreImperialism In Frantz Fanons The Wretched Of The Earth1424 Words   |  6 Pages In his book Culture and Imperialism, Edward Said articulates on the hybrid nature of postcolonial identities: No one today is purely one thing. Labels like Indian, or woman, or Muslim, or American are not more than starting-points, which if followed into actual experience for only a moment are quickly left behind. Imperialism consolidated the mixture of cultures and identities on a global scale. But its worst and most paradoxical gift was to allow people to believe that they were onlyRead MoreThe Contemporary Foreign Policy Of The United States2001 Words   |  9 PagesThe contemporary foreign policy of the United States represents an evolving continuum of principles, conceptions and strategies that in part, derived from the particularistic American Cold War experience. As such, United States foreign policy is neither a static entity, nor is its intentions or direction uncontested. This essay will examine the underlying issues of identity and how, beginning with the Truman Doctrine, a distinct articulation of the national interest was evinced that has defined America’sRead MoreBig Bu siness vs. Labor, 1870-19254685 Words   |  19 Pagesof peace and prosperity calmed the American people. Given hope by their success in maintaining the Union, the Progressive Era ensued. The previously forgotten vision of Alexander Hamilton was reborn and finally implemented. America was no longer the land of the yeoman farmer. Denizens of rural areas moved to the city and sought to work in the gradually industrializing regions of the country. As big business gained power, the laborers sought to achieve the American Dream of economic prosperity through

The Giant Panda Conservation Project Free Essays

Although pandas are highly regarded and have a relatively low number of natural predators, they are an endangered species. Humans have severely threatened the panda’s existence also so that now there are fewer than 1,600 of them left in the wild. This peaceful creature with a distinctive black and white coat is adored by the world and considered a national treasure in China (WWF, 2013). We will write a custom essay sample on The Giant Panda Conservation Project or any similar topic only for you Order Now The bear also is of special importance to the World Wildlife Fund. The panda has been WWF’s logo since its founding in 1961. This paper will examine the effectiveness of, and problems related to, the giant panda conservation efforts. The rarest member of the bear family, pandas live mainly in bamboo forests high in the mountains of western China, where they subsist almost entirely on bamboo. They must eat from 26 to 84 pounds of it every day. China’s Yangtze Basin region, which holds the panda’s primary habitat, is the geographic and economic heart of this booming country. An increasing number of roads and railroads are being created throughout the forest, which isolates panda populations and prevents mating. Forest destruction also reduces pandas’ ability to access the bamboo they need to survive. The Chinese government has established more than 50 panda reserves. However, only around 61 per cent of the country’s panda population is protected by these reserves. With the help of conservation organizations and other groups, they have protected more than 45 per cent of the last mountainous regions, equaling over 6,000 square miles of mountain and forest terrain known to be inhabited by wild pandas. They have also set aside corridors of new bamboo for their protection from domesticated animal grazing, and human interference (International, 2013). Chengdu is known for being the hometown of the giant panda. Back in 1987, when it became apparent that pandas were seriously endangered in the wild, the Chinese created the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Starting with just six pandas from the wild, they’ve successfully bred more than 100 pandas. The work done at Chengdu and other breeding centers costs millions of dollars a year. Experts believe that of all species in the world, the giant panda is the one species in which the most money is being invested in to save. This has lead some conservationists to argue that too much is being spent to save the giant panda. â€Å"I think we have to make tough choices,† British wildlife expert, Chris Packham, said. â€Å"I think that, ultimately, we have to be pragmatic as well as sentimental. You know, we can’t allow our heart to rule our conservation head†¦ and if we channel this much into just one species, then many others which could be far better helped, many others not just species, but communities and ecosystems, could be better protected at the expense of one fluffy, cuddly bear† (Snow, 2013). Packham is in the minority here, but more and more scientists are starting to agree with him. The Chinese government has had much success in educating the public about the future of the giant panda, by setting in place protection against poaching, and even gun control for the reserves. By educating the public, more and more pandas have been brought to the Research Center for recovery and medical care due to injuries or illness. Logging has been banned in the reserves and the bamboo corridors. The roads providing access to the reserves are also being patrolled to help prevent anyone entering without express authority, for the care or study of the environment or the pandas. However, as Packham states, â€Å"Pandas are extraordinarily expensive to keep going. We spend millions and millions of pounds on pretty much this one species, and few others, when we know that the best thing we could do would be to look after the world’s biodiversity hotspots with greater care. † His way of thinking is that without a habitat, there is nothing to work with. His suggestion is that we take all the cash we spend on pandas and buy rainforests with it. He realizes that it is the natural response to want to spend money and time on the panda because they are so cute and cuddly. They just pull at peoples’ heart strings because of their appearance. The pandas are symbolic of what he refers to as single-species conservation: i. e. , a focus on one animal. This approach began in the 1970s with Save the Tiger, Save the Panda, Save the Whale, and so on, and it is now out of date. His belief is that pandas have had a valuable role in raising the profile of conservation, but perhaps ‘had’ is the right word. Panda conservationists say that the panda is a flagship species. But we’re also conserving Chinese forests, where there are many other species. As long as this conservation works, Mr. Packham states that he is all for it. But some species are stronger than others. The panda is not a strong species of bear in his opinion. It has gone herbivorous and eats a type of food that isn’t ll that nutritious, and so is dying out little by little. It is susceptible to various diseases and, up until recently, has been almost impossible to breed in captivity. This species also has a very limited area of habitation, which is decreasing, since the Chinese population keeps finding ways to use their land. While Mr. Packham’s points are valid, it seems he ignores the fact that pandas play a crucial role in the bamboo forests where they roam by spreading seeds and facilitating growth of vegetation. Also, in the Yangtze Basin where pandas live, the forests are home to wildlife such as dwarf blue sheep, multi-colored pheasants and other endangered species, including the golden monkey, and various birds that are not found anywhere else in the world (WWF, 2013), making the panda a very effective flag ship species, which is something that Packham himself stated was worth preserving. One belief is that large animals can be extremely useful in the cause for conservation. Smaller creatures often don’t need a big habitat to live in, so in conservation terms, it’s better to strive to save something further up the food chain. By doing this, you are protecting a much larger area, which will also include the smaller animals. Pandas are a good example for the messages you want to put out on habitat conservation. We associate Borneo with the orangutans, the southern oceans with the blue whale, and the North with polar bears. So it is with China and the panda bears (Snow, 2013). Many revere the panda bear and their preservation is important to the Chinese culture. People respond to their situation, which does make a difference. References Benedictus, L. (2009). Should pandas be left to face extinction? | Environment | The Guardian. Latest US news, world news, sport and comment from the Guardian | guardiannews.com | The Guardian. Retrieved April 27, 2013, from http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/23/panda-extinction-chris-packham International, C. (2013). Threats to Pandas. Conservation International. Retrieved April 28, 2013, from http://www.conservation.org/learn/biodiversity/species/profiles/pandas/pandas/overview/Pages/threats.aspx Snow, K. (2013). Are giant pandas worth saving? – Rock Center with Brian Williams. Rock Center with Brian Williams. How to cite The Giant Panda Conservation Project, Papers

Rust In Peace by Megadeth free essay sample

Throughout the years, Megadeth has hidden in Metallicas shadow. At first it made sense, as Megadeth had a rocky start with their music. However, at their fourth studio release, Rust In Peace, Megadeth outshines everything that both of them have ever done before. Being Megadeths most praised album, Rust In Peace doesnt disappoint. From start to finish the album never gets dull. The lyrics are interesting as well, with topics ranging from religion (Holy Wars)to relationships (Poison Was The Cure and Tornado Of Souls) and even to aliens (Hangar 18) Theres no filler to be found here; each track feels as if it was delicately crafted to perfection. The album starts with its two singles, Holy WarsThe Punishment Due and Hangar 18. These are both easily highlights of the album. Holy Wars is just constant thrash for six minutes, never stopping until the end. Hangar 18 starts slow, but gets faster and faster till the end. We will write a custom essay sample on Rust In Peace by Megadeth or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It also has eleven (yes, eleven) face melting guitar solos in just five minutes. Take No Prisoners and Five Magics, the next two tracks, revel in their complex guitar work. Riff after riff after riff, all different and amazing. Take No Prisoners has an obvious theme of war and Five Magics is about an evil sorcerer. Next up, Poison Was The Cure, has tight guitar work and a cool opening bass line. It is a short track, however, leaving the listener wanting more. Track 6, Lucretia, is a great one, with some short lyrics dealing with a ghost and then two amazing guitar solos. This, too, is short but the music itself makes up for that. Tornado Of Souls explodes from the start with great riffs and drumming. This is another album highlight, mainly due to the guitar solo by Marty Friedman. Its god-like, ranging from soulful playing to finger blistering shredding at the end. Dawn Patrol slows it down a bit, with a single bass line played over and over while Dave Mustaine eerily sings about th e environment in a thought provoking manner. Last but least is the title track, Rust In PeacePolaris. Fast from the start with a jaw dropping drum solo, this song is infectious and catchy. The music matches the intense theme of nuclear warfare (Launch the Polaris, the end doesnt scare us, when will this cease? The warheads will all rust in peace). The song is really repetitive, but it helps to send the important message. All in all, Rust In Peace is a masterpiece from the guitars to the drums to the lyrics. This is a must-have for any metalhead.