A Short History of Reconstruction by Eric Foner †A Review Essay Example

A Short History of Reconstruction by Eric Foner – A Review Essay A Short History of Reconstruction by Eric Foner is an important addition to documented American history. The American Civil War and its aftermath is a critical period in the nation’s history and one that profoundly influenced subsequent socio-political developments. The Civil War would have its most important effect on the lives of millions of African American slaves, as a large proportion of them would be decreed ‘free’ toward the end of the war. Having achieved this concession from their white masters, African Americans would rejoice their newly won liberties and rights in the years following the war – also referred by historians as the period of Reconstruction. Eric Foner’s book offers an in-depth analysis and commentary on this crucial period in American history. Since there are already numerous books dealing with the Reconstruction era, the necessity for yet another authorial perspective and interpretation is to be questioned. But Foner a nswers such questions satisfactorily in the book, making it a valuable (if not the definitive) resources on the subject for students of history, culture and political science. Throughout the book Foner maintains an unequivocal stance on the failure of the Reconstruction project. The acceding of eleven defeated Southern states into the Union was going to be a highly challenging process, given the cultural and political dissimilarities between the two formerly warring factions. Indeed, the inviability of this proposition had what ultimately led to the abandonment of Reconstruction efforts; and much of the bipartisanship seen in American politics today is a testament to this deep fissure in the country’s socio-political fabric. Author Eric Foner understands well the importance of connecting the past to the present and throughout the book the reader is able to see the contemporary relevance of events of a bygone era. Immediately after the Civil War an atmosphere of euphoria prevailed, when the intellectuals and common people alike dreamt of a radically new American society. But as the initial excitement of the Reconstruction era faded out, people ca me to the realization that old, entrenched institutions would not dismantle readily. In many ways the Civil Rights movement that occurred a century later was precipitated by the failure of the Reconstruction project. And Foner implies that the progress of American society had been held back for a hundred years, during which many of the injustices prevalent prior to the Civil War had continued unabated, albeit in less oppressive forms. We will write a custom essay sample on A Short History of Reconstruction by Eric Foner – A Review specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on A Short History of Reconstruction by Eric Foner – A Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on A Short History of Reconstruction by Eric Foner – A Review specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Where Foner also succeeds is in capturing the intricate political and economic complexities of the Reconstruction era. There is a tendency among contemporary scholars to give simplistic explanations for the overall failure of the project. But Foner does not fall into this mode as he gives detailed explanations (including making references to the dominant economic policy paradigms of the time). That the emancipation of black Americans was a bottom-up process rather than vice-versa is emphasized by the author. While often the key role played by white political leaders and a few black radical thinkers are mentioned, the cumulative political force of ordinary and obscure black slaves is usually discounted. But Foner gives emphasis to the latter and documents at length the small but vital contributions made by thousands of blacks during the Civil War. In essence, Foner succeeds in illustrating how the thrust toward emancipation was a grass-roots movement. At places like this, Foner ’s style and tone of argument is similar to that of Howard Zinn – another great contemporary historian. But Foner doesn’t employ subaltern narrative perspectives to the extent Zinn does. The perusal of anecdotal first-hand accounts of those who participated and survived the war is another attractive aspect of the book, but conservative historians wouldn’t approve of this technique. But in the book in question, it works very well and infuses an element of authenticity to historical accounts. There are passages in the book when the reader is overwhelmed by the poignant emotions they evoke. One such is the depiction of black Americans’ exhibition of bravery in the battle grounds. Despite historical injustices suffered by them, they joined forces with fellow Unionists and staked their lives for the promise of emancipation. The author puts such sacrifices in the context of the fruits they bore. In other words, looking back at the 150 years since the ushering of the Reconstruction era, one sees examples of tokenism without much substance behind them. Admittedly, the station of blacks and other minorities in the country has improved over the years, but these improvements don’t add up to deem them as equal citizens to their white counterparts. As Foner subtly reminds the reader, today the practice of discrimination against blacks continues in politics, commerce and broader society, although their manifestation has taken more palatable forms. As for where the book falls short, it surely lacks the rigorousness of research and presentation that the unabridged version ‘Reconstruction: America’s Unfinished Revolution’ possessed. But this deficiency is reasonably compensated by the author by compressing most of the unabridged content into a concise yet factual narrative. Hence, for the numerous other merits associated with the book, it is highly recommended for scholars as well as the general audience. Reference: Eric Foner, â€Å"A Short History of Reconstruction†, published by HarperCollins in 1989.

The Values And Ethics Of The Profession Social Work Essay Essays

The Values And Ethics Of The Profession Social Work Essay Essays The Values And Ethics Of The Profession Social Work Essay Essay The Values And Ethics Of The Profession Social Work Essay Essay the service users pick can non ever be guaranteed. Utilitarianism would propose that this is because if service users ever received the services they wanted, the societal worker would non be advancing the greatest good for the greatest figure, alternatively would be taking a more Kantian attack of advancing moral good. These two philosophical attacks cause struggle within themselves. The Mental Capacity Act ( 2005 ) says a individual lacks capacity in relation to a affair if at the stuff clip he is unable to do a determination for himself in relation to the affair because of an damage of, or a perturbation in the operation of, the head or encephalon . ( s2 ) . This leads to challenges and struggles for societal workers. If the service user had capacity, there could be conflict over the manner they spend their budget which could take to the societal worker handling that single without regard. Following the BASW codification of moralss ( 2012 ) , it states that societal workers should esteem the right to self-government. Kant would back up this position as, by the societal worker back uping the person to run into their ain self-defined demands, the societal worker is advancing good actions that will in bend produce good results for the person. The societal worker demands to recognize that the person has human rights and freedom to voice their positions. Burton ( 1996 ) showed that there was a failure to recognize the unequal power dealingss between the societal worker in control of proviso of services and the service user who relies on the services. This therefore would sabotage Beistek s rules of self-government as, although the service user is voicing their sentiment, the societal worker is non listening and this could be seen as endangering the rules of personalisation and the codification of moralss that are imperative. The execution of The Mental Capacity Act needs to be reviewed to guarantee workers are following statute law and moralss. It should non be assumed person lacks capacity because they have a disablement. On the other manus, if the service user did nt hold capacity, it could do struggle between the societal worker and the paid carer and/or unpaid carers. If the service user lacks capacity, how would the societal worker or the carers be able to measure what was best for the person? A societal worker would hold to uphold and promote human self-respect and wellbeing every bit good as authorising the person. ( BASW, 2012 ) . These moralss and values are supported by Beistek s theory. Workers need to handle the service user with regard, be non -judgemental and accept the state of affairs the service user may be in. The societal worker hence would merely be able to move upon their appraisal which should include the carer s positions on what is best for the service user. Utilitarianism, an alternate statement, would reason what s the greatest good for the greatest figure? What would profit the service user more? The societal workers positions or the carer s positions? The results need to gua rantee that the maximal people are happy. The societal worker could make the maximal felicity and cut down struggle by utilizing authorization. The societal worker would esteem the demands and penchants of the service user, via the carers and household members every bit good as recognizing their ain biass to guarantee the correct services are offered. The Community Care Act ( 1990 ) promotes attention in the community and people remaining within their ain place, leting the person to utilize their personal budget and have carers to advance independency. There is grounds to propose for illustration, persons who have fractured a limb, menu better when they recuperate in their ain places. ( Pignolo, Keenan and Hebela, 2011 ) . Adjustment is a major concern for many service users ( Davis and Wainwright, 1996 ) . One facet that could do struggle is the pattern of puting immature people in immature disablement units, belongingss that are specifically designed for people with learning disablements. Although this could be seen as a solution for people to interact and hold support, there is a possible struggle as the person can non take where they want to populate and may populate a distance from family/friends. If placed in a intent built constitution, the persons are classed as being housed by the local authorization and hence do non acquire to take alternate locations ( Oliver, 1996 ) . The quandary for the societal worker is the demand to take the persons positions into history whilst equilibrating their demands and wants, peculiarly if the service user lacks the capacity to do the determination. It is improper for anyone to subscribe a occupancy understanding on behalf of an person who lacks capacity. A capacity appraisal needs to be undertaken to guarantee the service user understands how to keep that occupancy. In order to continue, an application needs to be made to The Court of Protection. This could take to conflict as the societal worker and lodging section demand to continue the jurisprudence, nevertheless many households feel they have the right to subscribe a occupancy for their handicapped household member and happen it hard to accept that this is non the instance. Harmonizing to BASW ( 2012 ) , the societal worker demands to develop professional relationships with the service user and the household, uphold the repute and values of the profession every bit good as recognizing diverseness and handling the person as a whole. Utilitarianism would urge looking at what benefits the whole household, instead than merely the service user. Challenges arise when the service user lacks capacity. Using the useful attack, it could be said that the service user should nt be given a occupancy as it does nt advance the greatest good for the greatest figure. This position is in struggle with BASW codifications of moralss. It could be seen as unethical pattern and lead to farther struggle. Beistek would back up the position of BASW in utilizing the specific value base that service users should be allowed to freely show their feelings, both positive and negative, and the societal worker should listen and do a determination in an accepting and non-judgemental manner. However, Kant would state that although the effect of non acquiring a pick in where the service user lives is a negative result, the purpose of puting them in a place, with other people to socialize is a good moral opinion that is entirely profiting the person. Another possible struggle could be older handicapped persons being forced into attention. The Sutherland Report ( 1999 ) claimed that older handicapped people were being forced into institutional attention excessively early due to the deficiency of alternate attention at place. Sixsmith and Sixsmith ( 2008 ) provided grounds that by 2008 there had been a displacement in attention proviso and that the Personalisation Agenda meant that people were staying in their place for longer and having appropriate services. However there is a farther potency for struggle when suiting people, with disablements, to remain in their places. Persons may desire to turn old at place but is this possible for people with significantly reduced mobility? Many places are unaccessible to wheelchair users and those with important mobility damages ( Burns, 2004 ) . There is a Government strategy whereby handicapped people can use for a handicapped installation grant to hold their places adapted, and certain per sons have to re-pay the Government, therefore the Government is non financing expensive attention bundles. The function of the societal worker would be to negociate, support and authorise the service user to hold their demands met in the most appropriate, coveted manner. Harmonizing to Kant s theory, holding a loan is the moral good as people will be able to stay at place for longer, advancing felicity and community attention. This would be supported by the values of BASW which states societal workers need to handle the service user as a whole and respect their right to self-government. In contrast to Kant s theory, Utilitarianism would see weighing up the effects of taking the service user from their house and into an altered and safe environment. I.e. a attention place could be seen as an easier option for handicapped people to have attention. This position could do struggle because the societal worker is traveling against the wants and desires of the service user. Utilitarianism looks at the best result for society instead than on an single degree. Therefore, by traveling persons out of the house into the attention place may supply maximal felicity for society, although it disregards the person s positions and sentiments. This is a unfavorable judgment of the theoretical account as many service users could potentially non hold their demands met in a mode that is acceptable to them due to the focal point being on the benefit to society. This could be peculiarly true e.g. for people with English as a 2nd linguistic communication or who follow a spiritual religion. However, Beistek would hold with Kant in advancing self-government. A cardinal subject running throughout this essay is respect for the single individual as a ego finding being. Both Kant and Beistek promote this and hence look to be the societal philosophical theoretical accounts best tailored towards societal work values and moralss. There are clear struggles between traditional societal work and the personalisation docket for people with disablements. These struggles have been reduced with the debut of HCPC moralss. If the societal worker systematically uses these theories whilst working with struggle and disputing service users so the BASW moralss will be maintained and the service users will have the best appropriate service available within Fair entree to care standards.

Discuss Greek ideas of Democracy, Citizenship, voting Essay

Discuss Greek ideas of Democracy, Citizenship, voting - Essay Example The best example we have of citizenship in Greek times, is Athens where only adult males born to Athenian parents that had gone through military training were known as citizens who had the right to vote. Women, children, slaves and anyone who owed a debt to the city would not be allowed to vote. However, as was the case in later democratic systems, owning land or property was not a qualification required for voters or citizenship. In terms of political action and the number of votes cast, some citizens were more participatory than others just as it happens in the world today (Fotopoulos, 2008). The voting on various matters took place in an assembly of the citizens but these citizens were not elected as in a parliamentary system. The democracy as well as the functioning of the government was based on a direct system in which any adult make citizen could take part in the decision making process and it was considered an important duty of the citizen to do that. The officials who government this process could be elected or might be selected randomly from the assembly itself. The matters before the assembly varied in terms of their magnitude ranging from granting citizenship to some to dealing with political crimes (Fotopoulos, 2008). Before the vote was cast, speakers could make speeches supporting or opposing the motion before the assembly and then citizens would vote on the motion by a show of hands. The system worked without any political parties and the motion was carried or defeated simply by plain majority. The votes were not counted but simply reported by plain sight since thousands of people may be attending the assembly. Not only was the system quite simple at the heart of it, it also seems to be quite participative (Fotopoulos, 2008). This becomes the very root of the democracy that it was participative since the people present at the assembly had to cast their vote according to the conscious they had and the information

Discuss The Effects That Multinational companies can have on a host Essay

Discuss The Effects That Multinational companies can have on a host acountry - Essay Example The many economic benefits to host countries have prompted many countries around the world, including developed and developing countries to focusing on attracting multinational companies or foreign direct investments as they are also called. Even countries that were otherwise hostile to these types of investments have been seeing them in a positive light. The targeting of these multinational companies has become an important development strategy as countries such as Ireland provide grants towards start up costs and research and development (Jensen 2006:38 ). One effect that multinational companies have on a host country is the economic and financial benefits that are gained by the host country. Especially in developing countries this is a welcome change for both the worker and the political directorate. High employment levels are a panacea for political and social stability. In many cases multinational companies pay higher wages than local companies. The high demand for workers also contributes to the higher wages. The workers also receive training in technology, management, and entrepreneurial expertise that can be transferred to other facilities and areas in the country. Some employees also receive training in the parent company overseas. Consequently, the host now will now have a more highly skilled workforce that will be better able to compete with other countries. The host country will also receive economic gain through revenues paid to the government. Generally the companies are subjected to the different tax guidelines of the countries. In many cases the bargaining power of the host country helps these countries in securing major financial benefits. These tax incentives will increase economic growth and progress and will also help in stabilizing local currencies. The host country will also benefit from improved and new infrastructure. These developments help not only as an immediate benefit but in the long run as well.

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 17

Leadership - Essay Example His simple formula is Humility + Will = Level 5. ‘Level 5 leaders are a study in duality’, notes Collins, ‘modest and wilful, shy and fearless’ (Management – Issues, 2011, par. 3). As indicated in the scenario, Executive A â€Å"shies away from the attention and often gives credit for the company’s success to other leaders in the organization. Executive A is quick to accept responsibility for mistakes and poor results and takes pride in developing strong leaders within the company† (Case Scenario). The ability of Executive A to elevate the organization from poor financial performance to a highly productive one within a short span of time during his governance was an exemplary feat supporting the â€Å"level 5† leadership style. Leader B exhibits the transactional leadership style as it was revealed that he focuses on goals setting and guide personnel towards achieving these defined objectives through specific tasks and roles, consistent with the transactional style, as described by Robbins & Judge (2007). Further, Leader B applies both rewards and punishments, depending on performance and on delegated tasks. This practice is likewise parallel with the transactional style as revealed: â€Å"when the Transactional Leader allocates work to a subordinate, they are considered to be fully responsible for it, whether or not they have the resources or capability to carry it out. When things go wrong, then the subordinate is considered to be personally at fault, and is punished for their failure (just as they are rewarded for succeeding)† (Changing Minds, 2011, par.7). The transformational leadership style is used and applied by Leader C was seen to be manifested through providing inspiration (â€Å"believes that people can achieve great success when they are inspired† (case facts); shows idealized influence (â€Å"values the missions and goals established by Executive A† (case facts); provides

Investigating the effect of Temperature on the reaction between Sodium Thiosuphate and hydrochloric acid :: GCSE Chemistry Coursework Investigation

Investigating the effect of Temperature on the reaction between Sodium Thiosuphate and hydrochloric acid  · Planning I am investigating the different temperatures on the reaction between Sodium Thiosuphate and Hydrochloric acid. The factors I could investigate would be temperature, concentration and substances. I have chosen to investigate Temperature. I predict that the higher the temperature the more rapidly the cross would obscure. This is because the higher the temperature the more often the particles collide and react, when the particles collide more often they would collide harder because they have more energy, making the collisions bigger and faster, the collision success rate is higher. I will make my investigation a fair test by keeping the quantities of the Hydrochloric acid at room temperature and Sodium Thiosuphate heated as accurate as possible. Also make sure the stop clock is started at the same point each time a measurement is taken. I will carry out the investigation by: 1. Set up the Diagram 2. Put the test tubes of Sodium Thiosuphate into the beaker above the Bunsen burner 3. Put a thermometer into it 4. Remove the test tube once its reached the desired temperature and pour contence into the empty beaker 5. As you begin to pour the test tube of Hydrochloric Acid contence into the beaker start the stop clock 6. When the cross on the paper becomes obscured stop the clock and record the result 7. Rinse out the beaker where the reaction took place 8. Repeat with five different temperatures, using ice to cool down the Sodium Thiosuphate, and repeat it all twice. The equipment I will use is:  · Hydrochloric acid  · Sodium Thiosuphate  · 2 x Measuring cylinders  · 2 x Test tubes  · stop clock  · 2 glass beakers  · 2 thermometers  · Bunsen burner  · water  · tripod  · heat mat  · gauge  · paper with pencil cross I will make sure my results are accurate by referring to graphs, e.g.: if one point is greatly out of alignment, it should be repeated. Also I will make sure that the meniscus of the hydrochloric acid and Thiosuphate is flat and not to one side of the test tube or measuring cylinder. I will take five measurements with a 10 gap interval and I will repeat this twice and take an average to make my results more accurate. Back ground Research - Trial Experiment I conducted a trial experiment to find out the correct quantities of sodium thiosulphate and hydrochloric acid for the main experiment. We were aiming for the cross to disappear in around one minute. We found the more hydrochloric acid the slower the X disappeared.