Causes of the Break-Up of Czechoslovakia

Causes of the Break-Up of Czechoslovakia The new world order, followed by the post-Cold War era (Collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 to present) has developed to a rather stable state. Contemporary Europe, the plural ethnicity region, on one hand, Ishiyama et. al., (1998: 2) argued that military force or â€Å"violence follows ethnic tensions as night follows day.† It is therefore, naturally de facto defined as â€Å"dissensus and pregnant with conflict† (Ishiyama et. al., 1998: 2). On the contrary, different in ethnicity and ideologies do not inevitably translate into violent political action (Fearon et. al., 1996: 715-735), for instance: the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993 underwent peacefully with no bloody ethnic conflict involved between the Czechs and Slovaks. Stated succinctly, Czechoslovakia was regarded by many observers as a stabilising element in Central Europe, and many people hoped that it would become a model for the democratic transformation of multinational post-communist state. Structural violence, moreover, is another form of force, which means the social arrangements that place individuals and populations in a harmful way, Farmer et. al., (2006: 49) described the social arrangements are ‘structural’ is mainly due to the embedded political and economic organisation of the social world. The subtle but oftentimes invisible force plays a vital role on the disintegration of the nation. Particularly from Czechoslovakia’s perspective, the differences of the factors such as: the level of economic development, social, structure, culture, political organisation and traditions, along with the values, attitudes, and beliefs of the population, would have an immense impact on the way in which the communist system and the country were set up. (Welchik, 1991: 1) The ostensible contradiction on military force in Czechoslovakia, and the existence of structural violence have led this essay to endeavour whether force (military and/ or structural) is/ are the main means that the nation covers the same geographic areas as the state. The structure of the essay aims to evaluate the above mentioned statement by analysing the Velvet revolution and structural force such as: different in value orientations and political ideologies, imbalanced division in powers, and role of the political elites. Prior to laying the argument any further, brief historical facts behind Czechoslovakia needs to be mentioned. Czechoslovakia was created with the dissolution of Austria-Hungary at the end of World War I, the philosophy of greater unity and a single nation for the sake of economic development and political stability were proposed, hence the integration. Moreover, the integration was characterised by major discontinuities. Czech and Slovak leaders faced many of the same challenges â€Å"including the formation of a new state, its occupation and dismemberment in the WWII, and the imposition of a communist system, that confronted other states in the region† Prucha (1995: 40). Viewed from Slovak’s perspective, it was an independent country that never existed till the end of WWI, and was pulled from Hungary, which ruled those lands for centuries, by Czechs due to relatively close ethnic similarities of both nations, on the basis of panslavic movement, very popular among Czech s. Welchik (1990: 316). In terms of its population, it was evenly shared by Czechs and Slovaks, each made up to approximately fifty per cent of the initial population, and rest of the population were German, Hungarian, and Polish etc. In spite of the ethnic complexity, in the early 1920s, Czechoslovakia was identified as an island of stability in central Europe, to which its credit abroad was greatly enhanced. After 1989, due to Czechoslovakia’s political habitual moderation and the fact that no bloody ethnic conflict had arisen between Czechs and Slovaks in the past, it was regarded by many observers as a â€Å"stabilising element in Central Europe, and many people hoped that it would become a model for the democratic transformation.† Musil (1995: 1). The widespread set of peaceful protests which became widely known as â€Å"Velvet Revolution† occurred in autumn 1989, and eventually led to the disintegration. Moreover, the dissolution was undoubtedly a surprise for many people because two nations share many similarities, for example: linguistic, cultural and historical background. Wilde (2013) summarised three main factors that caused the revolution in 1989: Gunpoint cement of communism had gone, newly democratic Czechoslovakia came to discuss the new constitution, and emergence of discussion on the new constitution and how to government. The Velvet revolution, a resu lt of fall of communism in Eastern Europe, is extremely significant as it highlights a remarkable distinctive result of the disintegrations in Eastern Europe – Czechoslovakia experienced the disintegration with no bloody ethnic conflict and new states formed without the need for welfare; whereas the bloodshed of Yugoslavia made a stark contrast because the state collapsed into welfare and ethnic cleansing. To conclude briefly, the breakaway of the Soviet Union and the Velvet Revolution are two factors that led to the disintegration. In this case, military force and violence, in Czechoslovakia, were not the main means that had integrated nor disintegrated the state. The break-up of the Czechoslovak federation reflected the influence of many factors. Different in conceptions and opinions concerning the division of powers between Czech and Slovak political institutions are highly accountable for the disintegration. Musil (1995: 2) argued regardless of the extra efforts by politicians in the interwar period (1918-1938) and partly after World War II: â€Å"The idea of a common Czechoslovak state did not put down deep roots in Slovak soil†. Indeed, the abstract, yet tangible force – structural violence such as: different structural (level of economic development) and psychological (ideologies), division in powers between Czech and Slovak political institution, and the actions of the political leaders of two nations, can be attributed to the disintegration. Different in level of economic development led to a paternalistic attitude, which continued to exist since the integration of Czechoslovakia. To explain further, Czech was relatively stronger and more active in economic and cultural progress, whilst from Slovaks’ perspective, the junior partner was expecting an ‘equal’ relationship, with regard to economic and cultural development – â€Å"underestimated, discriminated against and underused in state administration and generally handicapped by the Czechs† as KrejcÃÅ'Å’iÃÅ'  (1990: 225) described. Indeed, some Slovaks believed Slovakia to some extent was exploited by its more developed partner, meanwhile the Czechs, held a thought that the Czech Republic’s economic growth would have had a better performance without being obstructed by Slovakia because an excessive transfer of resources was required. Although Ishiyama et. al., (1998: 41) argued the lack of aggressive hostility between the two communities is an apparent evidence to support the statement that structure force/ violence between Czechs and Slovaks were merely existent. It is, however, obvious that such ill-considered misunderstanding underpinned the roots of the tensions between the two communities. Purcha (1995: 41) explained the already fragile concept of a unitary Czechoslovakia was â€Å"eroded by the attitudes of mutual distrust†. Because of the lack of opportunities and willingness to address to the misperceptions and misinterpretations, it gradually became stereotypes, and led to the dissolution. Prihodo (1995: 130) explained the importance of the role of stereotypes â€Å"the dissolution in 1993 was not provoked by external force, so it (the importance of these stereotypes) may be greater than it seems at first glance.† Apart from different in structural perspective, the reasons for the break-up of Czechoslovakia must be sought in the principles of the development of the modern nation, i.e. â€Å"a (rising) separate national awareness of Czechs and Slovaks† Rychlik (1995: 97)

Inequality: Education and High Income

There are gaps between the rich and poor. The world has income inequality, inequality of opportunity such as education, and environmental inequality. In Toni Cade Bambara’s short story, â€Å"The Lesson† she talks about social status and economic inequality. Most people do not have the same equal opportunities to be successful because of numerous social issues. The main social issue that Bambara wrote about in her short story is economic inequality is a big social issue in society. But this social issue inspires people to make a change and not keep repeating the cycle. Why does economic inequality exist? What causes inequality of opportunity? This paper seeks to define these questions and how it is important in society and its impact. To fix the main cause of inequality it must be taken care of early on in a child’s education. People that do not have a high income should be more supportive of programs that effectively involve, low-income students in school, and programs such as Head Start. These different types of programs in a child’s life can provide students with an early start in school and decrease privileged students. Tackling and fixing these problems from an early start is a primary solution that can create a small effect of great outcomes to solve the problem of educational disparities at the root of the cause. People can solve these types of problems in society as a community. People must change their mindset and actually support and work together for a better educational system. It is hopeless to try to create a change without first changing and questioning the way society thinks and functions. The way the educational department is established is not providing the results it should be having with students, and the way it is designed is not benefiting students equally, in fact, it is leaving many students behind. It is only by changing the way the education system functions that the people can create a better system more suited to improving the learning conditions among everyone equally. There are many reasons why inequality can be caused in society. It is caused by a person’s skin color, or the simple fact a person’s growth in overall income. Inequality is caused by just being born into. For example, if a person is born into a family that has wealth and assets they basically got a head start, verses someone that is born into a low income home. Families with wealth can pay for better education for their children which will open opportunities for them. On the other hand, people hat are born into a disadvantage home that cannot afford better education will most likely stay with a disadvantage. Education makes a difference whether a person has a high paying or low paying job. In Bambara’s short story â€Å"The Lesson† Sugar says â€Å"this is not much a democracy if you ask me. Equal chance to purse happiness means an equal crack at the dough† (Bambara, 362). Sugar expresses that people with high income buys toys that cost more than th eir home income. The people that can afford toys that cost $300-$1,000 obviously have a good job which came from a good education. But if schools in low income communities do not educate like schools in high income communities, the low income schools do not have the same opportunities as the high income schools. Sounds like environmental inequality. People get what their environment hands them, which is bad education, low paying jobs and small income. Equal opportunity is a law that all people should be treated the same. It is not an equal opportunity if a person cannot go to a better school to get a better education to make a better income because they do not have enough money for that better school. Inequality of outcomes often goes hand in hand with inequality of opportunities, as poor people endure various forms of social exclusion, including unequal access to education and health care, high rates of youth unemployment of precarious work and an absence of social recognition. † (F Bourguignon) They say important jobs go to people most qualified, which is reasonable but if a person with a high income cou ld afford a better education that a person that could not afford a better education the job would automatically go to the person with the higher income. Does not seem fair, and it is probably hard to break that cycle. Economic inequality is a big social issue in society. Economic inequality is known as the gap between rich and poor, income inequality, and wealth differences. There are many reasons why inequality is caused such as, educational issues, skin color, or even wealth. Nevertheless, inequality does make people want to change. In Toni Cade Bambara’s short story, â€Å"The Lesson†, she expresses about a social problem in the world called economic inequality.

African American Outline Essay

It happens to be common knowledge that throughout history African Americans have been oppressed, segregated, and disregarded as civil human beings. In the dawn of history Africans were regarded as animals and as such they would do the job of animals, however this paper will look at their sacrifices and fights to be treated as equals. United States Congress. (1866, April 9). Civil Rights Act. Retrieved from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/exhibits/reconstruction/section4/section4_civrightsact1.html Amendments to the Constitution of the United States (2007)| Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0749825.html#A0749838#ixzz2VD3iU0JEhttp://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0749825.html#A0749838 Abolishment of slavery.    See more: what is essay format    The abolishment of slavery brought on a war, not between two countries but a war that divided a country, one that is still spoken of today. The southern or â€Å"rebel† states rose against the President of the United States in retaliation of his and many others view that no man woman or child should be a slave. All people were created equal. Amendments to the Constitution of the United States (2007)| Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0749825.html#A0749838#ixzz2VD3iU0JEhttp://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0749825.html#A0749838 (13th, 14th, and 15th amendments). Africans in politics. Although four million African American slaves were now free they had codes placed against them, the Black Codes restricted the lives and movement of these people. In order to override the codes the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments were drafted and passed. Not only was slavery abolished but all slaves were now citizens and in such race could no longer be used to prevent the vote of a person. Africans now had a voice on who was elected and soon they had African Americans running for government offices. Corbould, C. (2009) Becoming African Americans: Black Public Life in Harlem, 1919-1939 Harvard University Press. Cambridge, MA, USA. Harlem Renaissance African Americans soon were cast aside again, during the age of imperialism and leading into World War One Africans were struggling to make a life. Some fought in another war, this time not for their freedom but for the freedom from communism alongside their white counterparts. After the war ended blacks started to come together, the Harlem Renaissance was born. King, M. L. Jr. (2010) Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story. Beacon Press. Boston, MA, USA. Black power movement 1954 to 1963 America saw a strong struggle for the advancement of civil rights, equality and desegregation. From every day citizens expressing their belief in being equal to their white counterparts to lawyers fighting for the equality all had deserved. These times were pivitol in an unstable America. Not only were there these movements of civil equality and black power but also a war in a far land that many Americans were against at the time. Inventions and impact. From writers, inventors and powerful leaders throughout black history there are some that are household names and some that may be forgotten. I plan on taking a look back on those who through oppression continued to strive for better for themselves and for all. African Americans today. Not long ago segregation was prominent, civil rights were abused, racism and hate were common. Today we have CEO’s, congressmen and senators, military leaders and the President of the United States who are all African Americans. No longer considered a minority in many’s eyes, African Americans have literally built themselves from slaves to leaders and teachers.

Essay about The Social Security Program - 1401 Words

Introduction Social Security provides for the needs of a country’s citizens when they are no longer able to provide for themselves through gainful employment, is an issue that evokes multiple viewpoints. Before laying the framework of the argument for meaningful change to social security program, the program itself must be defined. The Social Security Program is based on the premise during your productive working years you pay a percentage of your income as a tax into the social security system, at some point in the future either by retirement or disability you or your beneficiaries (dependents, children, or survivors) receive monthly benefits; based on your reported earnings (United States Government, 2014). As actuaries, policy makers,†¦show more content†¦The OASI Trustees’ 2012 report estimates that an additional 1.75% of payroll tax would fund the current and future generations’ benefits at the current level (The Board of Trustees, 2012). The report further stat es that a reduction in benefits for future generations, not past or current generations must also come into effect (The Board of Trustees, 2012). The report however highlights that an optional additional level of pay in should be created, allowing persons of future generations who would like to maintain the current benefit level to do so (The Board of Trustees, 2012). The final step to making social security structurally viable is the restructuring of its debt; to past generations by allocating 2% of current payments towards it exclusively (Gokhale, 2013). With these changes past, current, and future generations can continue to benefit from social security, while the program stay’s true to its core values of providing persons with the minimum level of income, when they are no longer capable of working due to their age. The final structural change that will improve the viability of social security is raising the age requirement to receive the full benefits of social security. The obvious effects of lifting the age requirements is the number of payments to individuals is reduced, the number of personsShow MoreRelatedThe Social Security Program of USA1175 Words   |  5 PagesWhat is the specific policy or program? When was it established? How does it serve older adults? (You can answer this last question in a few sentences.) For example, the program could fund long-term care, social services, or provide income support.) This does not have to be the longest section. Social security program is a retirement program for Americans aged 65 years and over. This consists of 92% of the entire American populace. 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