Neorealism Kenneth Waltz Theory of International Politics

Introduction A theory is a set of ideas which provide an explanation of something. Theories act as frameworks for guiding scholars and researchers in their work so as to avoid duplication of ideas or repeating the mistakes which were made by previous researchers or scholars.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Neorealism: Kenneth Waltz ‘Theory of International Politics’ specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In international relations, theories are used to explain the relationships between nations of the world. The theories look at the philosophies which shape the relationships between nations and the key interests of the nations which participate in international relations (Acharya Buzan, 2009). Various theories have different explanations about why, how and to what extend do nations interact. However, the overriding principle in all international relations theories is that nations relate for specif ic interests and in their relations, they usually try to create a win win situation which is characterised by a symbiotic kind of relationship. One of the theories of international relations is neorealism which was derived from the classical realism theory (Brown Ainley, 2009). Realism This is a state-centric international relations approach in that it looks at states as the key actors in international politics. The theory is based on historical writers such as the works of Rousseau, Machiavelli and Thucydides (Edkins Vaughan-Williams, 2009). The main argument of realism is that international relations is characterised by anarchy, in which states interact for their selfish interests. Realism therefore negates the mutual understanding of states in their relations but rather puts more emphasis on the struggle of nations to amass as much resources as possible in order to advance their own interests. With realism, economic success is the leading interest in international relations (Bo oth Smith, 1995). Neorealism As mentioned above, neorealism is a reformulation of classical realism. Its key proponent is Kenneth Waltz, who outlined it in his book titled ‘Theory of International Politics’ published in 1979 (Baldwin, 1993). For the last decade, the neorealist approach has gained popularity in the field of international relations.Advertising Looking for research paper on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The theory is critical of classical realism because of the persistence use of the concept of human nature in the explanation of relationships by nations. According to neorealists, international relations are shaped more by the structural constrains rather than human nature which includes motivation and strategy. It is also shaped by the anarchic principle, which has been widely decentralized meaning that all states have similar needs but what separate them are their capabil ities to achieve those needs. States therefore have to be very careful when choosing which state or states to partner with in efforts to increase capabilities of meeting their needs. What this means is that nations have to enter into a relationship only with nations which have the potential of improving their capability of meeting thier needs. If this is not done carefully, the result is that some nations end up losing and others benefiting from the relationship thus creating a situation reffered to as security dilemma (Baldwin, 1993). In order for nations to improve their capabilities of meeting their needs in the international platform, they engage in what is reffered to as balance of power which takes place in two forms namely internal and external balancing. Internal balancing of power entails the acceleration of economic growth and investing more in military. External balancing entails entering into alliances with other nations so as to keep the power of other powerful nations or alliances of nations at check (Baldwin, 1993). According to neorealists, there exist three systems of capability distribution in the international arena. They include a unipolar system, a bipolar system and a multipolar system. In international relations, polarity is defined as the distribution of power within the international system. A unipolar structure constitutes of one state, whose capabilities (economic, military, cultural and geopolitical) are too high to be counterbalanced by other states. Bipolarity has to do with a situation in which two states are predominantly powerful over the others while muiltipolarity has to do with a situation in which more than three states are powerful and can act as centres of power in the world at the same time (Krauthammer, 1991).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Neorealism: Kenneth Waltz ‘Theory of International Politics’ specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Realists are of the view that the current international system is a bipolar one, pitting the United States (US) on one hand and the other nations on the other. According to them, bipolarity is the least prone structure to war because the second tier states (those which are close to the super power in terms of capabilities) usually foster their good relationships with the super power, each of them having the interest of forming an alliance with the super power to outwit the others in the fight for supremacy. The closest rivals in the supremacy for bipolarity include Britain, German, Japan and China. All these are known to partner with the United States in many ways, both as strategies for increasing their internal stability and increasing their supremacy (Kugler Lemke, 1996). However, critics of neorealsim are of the view that since unipolairity is characterized by one state whose capabilities are too high to be counterbalanced, it means that the threat of rivalry between pow er hegemons is not a possibility. According to the hegemonic theory, the presence of a powerful state enhances international peace because there is no competition for supremacy. The given state therefore enhances international peace as long as it is able to retain its power differences and suppress any efforts by other states to close the gaps in power (Huntington, 1999). References Acharya, A., Buzan, B. (eds). (2009). Non-Western International Relations Theory.London: Routledge. Baldwin, D.A. (1993). Neorealism and neoliberalism: the contemporary debate. New York: Columbia Univ. Press.Advertising Looking for research paper on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Booth, K., and Smith, S. (eds). (1995). International Relations Theory Today, Oxford:Polity. Brown, C., Ainley,K. (eds). (2009). Understanding International Relations (4th, Ed.). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Edkins , J., Vaughan-Williams, N. (eds). (2009). Critical Theorists in InternationalRelations. London: Routledge. Huntington, S.P. (1999). â€Å"The Lonely Superpower,† Foreign Affairs, Vol. 78, No. 2, p. 36. Krauthammer, C. (1991). â€Å"The Unipolar Moment,† Foreign Affairs, Vol. 70, No. 1 winter, pp. 23–33. Kugler, J., Lemke, D., eds., (1996). Parity and War: Evaluation and  Extension of the War Ledger. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. This research paper on Neorealism: Kenneth Waltz ‘Theory of International Politics’ was written and submitted by user Asia Lott 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.

Information Security Privacy in Healthcare Discussing the HIPAA Standards Requirements

Information Security Privacy in Healthcare Discussing the HIPAA Standards Requirements Introduction Today, more than ever before, it has become increasingly apparent that the daily functioning of a healthcare institution fundamentally depends on the integrity, availability and dependability of its information systems. Patient health information, research, operations, and finance all depend on highly accessible, reliable, and robust software applications, data, and information technology infrastructure (Glaser Aske, 2010).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information Security Privacy in Healthcare: Discussing the HIPAA Standards Requirements specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consequently, healthcare providers are required by law to strictly observe a complexity of standards as outlined in the privacy provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). This paper reviews some underlying issues related to organizational policies, procedures and documentation requirements govern ing health entities for HIPAA compliance. Issues in Information Technology Reporting Data One of the underlying issues covered in the document is the need for covered entities to tighten internal and external compliance procedures by ensuring that their business associates subscribes to a set of standards and requirements aimed at ensuring the integrity and reliability of the electronic protected health information (EPHI). This objective is achieved by ensuring that the covered entity obtains signed privacy agreements with the business associates, particularly on the use and disclosure of EPHI (HIPAA, 2007). The second issue concerns the need for the covered entity and its associates to conduct regular audits on EPHI not only to ensure compliance with the requirements and standards outlined in the Act, but also to guarantee that EPHI is used for the intended purposes. Business associates, such as software developers, must therefore develop and implement record-level security aimed at restricting access to EPHI sorely to those who are allowed by the Act (Sarrico Hauenstein, 2011). The variables of EPHI that requires safeguarding as outlined in rules and regulations of HIPAA also comes out strongly in this document. Indeed, the Act requires all stakeholders – covered entities, sponsors, business associates, and subcontractors – to always ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of EPHI (HIPAA, 2007). For example, a sub-agent contracted by a business associate of a covered entity to create a component of the electronic health register (EHR) must not only ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of EPHI under its possession, but must agree to sign compliance agreements that appropriate the task of implementing reasonable and appropriate safeguards to the subcontractor (HIPAA, 2007; Cannoy Salam, 2010).Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Fourth, the article has comprehensively discussed how breaches to the security of patient health information should be addressed either by the covered entity or by the business associates, sponsors, or subcontractors. Lastly, the document has outlined how policies and procedures required by the Security Rule should be incorporated with the organization’s mission and culture to enable effective implementation. Here, the covered entities are given a leeway to modify the rules and procedures of the Security Rule to fit their current business practices for policy development and implementation, as long as the modifications are documented and implemented in accordance with the requirements of the Act (HIPAA, 2007). Security Breaches The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) defines a breach as the â€Å"†¦acquisition, access, use, or disclosure of protected health information in a manner not permitted under [th e HIPAA privacy rule] which compromises the security or privacy of the protected health information† (Brown, 2009, p. 27). As such, any use, disclosure of, or access to, electronic patient health information that is not expressly permitted by the HIPAA privacy rule constitutes a security breach. For example, improperly disclosing patient health information that contains the name of the patient and dates of his/her appointments to a third party who is not allowed by the HIPAA security rule to have access to such information constitutes a violation of the privacy rule but not a substantial risk; however, the improper use or disclosure of sensitive patient information, such as the type of services received by the patient, constitutes a breach since such disclosure could result in harm to the patient (Brown, 2009) Technologists working in the covered entity should report the breaches to the individuals who could be harmed as a direct consequence of the breach. Serious breaches, su ch as those involving more than 500 patients in a given state or jurisdiction, must be reported to the media and the Secretary to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For breaches involving less than 500 patients, however, the technologists need to report to the administration of the covered entity, who then maintain a log of the reported breaches with the aim to notify the HHS not late than 60 days after the expiry of the calendar year (Brown, 2009).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information Security Privacy in Healthcare: Discussing the HIPAA Standards Requirements specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Requirements The requirements noted in the document include: organizational requirements; requirements for group health plans, and; policies, procedures and documentation requirements. Under the organizational requirements, the covered entity is required to enter into binding contracts or other arrangem ents with business associates who will have direct access to the covered entity’s EPHI with a view to ensure the effective implementation of administrative, physical, and technical safeguards that realistically and correctly protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of EPHI. This requirement also outlines ways through which the business associates should report breaches to the security and privacy of patient data, and the consequences for non-compliance (HIPAA, 2007). The standard on the requirements for group health plans obliges the â€Å"†¦group health plan to ensure that its plan documents require the plan sponsor to reasonably and appropriately safeguard EPHI that it creates, receives, maintains or transmits on behalf of the group health plan† (HIPAA, 2007, p. 5). This implies that the plan sponsor of the group health plan who has access to sensitive electronic patient health data is required by the Security Rule to plan documents using a langu age which is similar to that already required by the Privacy Rule. Consequently, the sponsor must not only ensure reasonable and appropriate safeguards to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of EPHI under its disposal, but must also ensure that any agent, including a subcontractor, to whom it avails this data is obliged to implement rational and appropriate security directives to safeguard the information (HIPAA, 2007). Lastly, the requirements deal with issues of how a covered entity may modify its policies and procedures to fit its mission and organizational culture, provided that the modifications are documented and implemented in accordance with the Security Rule (HIPAA, 2007).Advertising Looking for essay on health medicine? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Withrow (2010), these requirements provide the covered entities with the flexibility they need to implement the policies and procedures of the Security Rule according to their standard business practices, but they must take caution not to circumvent the requirements as enshrined in the Security Rule. In documentation standard, covered entities are not only required to retain documentation for a specified number of years (6 years) from the date of its creation or up to the date when the document was last in effect, but they are also supposed to make the documentation available to the individuals responsible for implementing the procedures to which the documentation pertains (HIPAA, 2007). Reviewing and updating the documentation as needed is also a requirement. IT Workers To ensure adherence to the requirements discussed above, the covered entities must embrace extensive and regular training of all employees, but with particular emphasis to employees in their information technology departments (Sarrico Hauenstein, 2011). The rules, standards, and requirements contained in the HIPAA are complex, thus the need for IT workers to undertake comprehensive training aimed at enlightening them on scenarios that may compromise the security and privacy of EPHI to a level that may make the entities non-compliant. Indeed, the extensive training and education should be extended to the employees of the business associates. Non-Compliance of the Requirements Organizations are often found to be non-compliant to the standards and requirements discussed in this paper due to a number of reasons, with the major one being the lack of proper understanding of what may be considered as a breach to the security and privacy of EPHI (Withrow, 2010). For example, healthcare organizations may not know that some simple acts such as a nurse giving a hospital discharge sheet to the wrong patient may constitute a breach if the health information (e.g., treatment for drug abuse) of the rightful owner is included in the discharge sheet. Varied interpretations of the standards have also been cited as a major cause of non-compliance (Sarrico Hauenstein, 2011). Lastly, failure on the part of the covered entity to implement policies and strategies that lead to reasonable and appropriate protection of the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of EPHI occasions non-compliance. Conclusion The legal liability for non-compliance of HIPAA may be a turning point for any healthcare organization – from a profit-making entity to sudden demise (Sarrico Hauenstein, 2011). Equally, EPHI is sensitive in nature and all efforts should be made to protect and safeguard this information with a wider scope of safeguarding the character and reputation of individuals. It is therefore imperative for health institutions to follow the standards and requirements contained in HIPAA to the latter if they are to kill the two birds with one stone. Reference List Brown, B. (2009 ). Notification requirements for breaches of protected health information. Journal of Health Care Compliance, 11(6), 27-30. Cannoy, S.D., Salam, A.F. (2010). A framework for healthcare information assurance policy and compliance. Communications of the ACM, 53(3), 126-131. Glaser, J., Ake, J. (2010). Healthcare IT trends raise bar for information security. Healthcare Financial Management, 64(7), 40-44. HIPAA. (2007). Security standards: Organizational, policies and procedures and documentation requirements. Web. Sarrico, C., Hauenstein, J. (2011). Can EHRs and HIEs get along with HIPAA security requirements? Healthcare Financial Management, 65(2), 86-90. Withrow, S.C. (2010). How to avoid a HIPAA horror story. Healthcare Financial Management, 64(8), 82-88.

Protection of Organizations Assets Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Protection of Organizations Assets - Essay Example The first is the measurement of the actual risks to the organisation. The second part, based on the identified risks, is an audit. This is the measurement and identification of the steps that the organisation has or has not taken to meet and nullify the risks. There are however other issues that have to be considered throughout the discussion and this would be related to delineating the organisation's assets, specifying the security risks, understanding why there are security risks within an organizations and what are these risks and how these can be measured and identified. It is also necessary to understand how these security risks could be determined and what are the methods used for analysis and examination of these security risks. These are issues that have been elaborated on in this discussion and the methods for analysis of security risks are discussed in a step by step approach. This is dealt with in the methodology section and shows the various methods used for determining the risks of any business and especially the risks that have to do with security of an organization and in management and protection of assets within a business organisation or company. A literature review is drawn up here considering recent studies on risk assessment and perceived threats to a business organization. Several kinds of risks are highlighted and this would relate to security, management, information technology and privacy, operations and decision making. In a recent paper, Jones (2007) discusses the possibilities and needs of developing a framework for information security assessments in any organisation and a risk framework is essentially used to describe the components of security risk management within an organisation. The framework is also used to identify, assess and treat the risk exposure of an organisation and provides certain regulations that are used by board members, staff and management for improved communication and understanding. Risk management frameworks within an organisation provide the outline for implementation of security risk management and define the role of participants, employees and management within an organisation. The techniques supporting risk management in product development philosophy have been analyzed by Ahmed et al (2007) and a standard for product development in CE has been identified. The applicability of processes in risk management, risk identification, assessment as well as techniques for the context are considered within the risk management framework and the concept of managing risks has been gaining importance within global business focus and competition. A risk focused approach shows integration of several techniques with increased effectiveness of project management. Risk management tools are effectively used for the development of engineering and product development projects (Ahmed et al, 2007). The evaluations of risk related decisions could be driven by biases of risk propens ity and these could be categorized in terms of reference levels, assumption of accounting methods, bias or overconfidence, decision makers' perception, and desire for gratification. A study of biases can highlight decision making by executives using any representative and typical business decision. Decision makers usually face choice of several alternatives and Coleman (2007) studied decision making in several management executives and noted their attitudes and decision styles. Data were collected through electronic

Reflective paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Reflective paper - Essay Example Pieces of art communicate to the art lovers in different ways but a precise knowledge of the gender of the artist would shed some light on what they wanted to put across. Through art, men could express appreciation of the female figure or shape as well as exploitation of the same while feminists have used art to their advantage to express woman power and their solidarity as women. Gender difference means that gender constitutes a system of meanings consisting two exclusive and opposite categories, which encompass all people. Gender has its basis on cultural interpretations of existing biological differences between men and women and not so much as the differences that exist biologically per se. Gender difference is represented in the physiological features and the appeal that revealing of body parts by women has to men even in advertisement (Leder & Geger et al. 2-10). The man is represented with a flat burst while that of women is protruding in form of breasts. The physical features themselves show a clear difference between the masculine and the feminine. The muscle in the forearms suggests masculinity while curves and hips suggest femininity. Human beings are sensate beings and our interpretation of the world is through our senses (Leder & Geger et al. 2-10). Gender and family are very significant determinants of the physical as well as social environments represented in art. The physical constructions order as well as direct activities, feelings of identity, and relationships in very profound ways. These quite different construct types share a unique mutually determinant relationship with one another. At any specific time in history, ideas concerning family and gender are used in art to determine the physical location and design of open places, places of work, and dwellings including other designed settings. It is these environments that eventually reinforce and support the ideas of gender in art that were used to generate them.

The Predictions Of Nostradamus

The Predictions Of Nostradamus Thesis Statement: The accuracy and basis of Nostradamuss prophecies should be enough to persuade people to consider the prophecies as a reference to future events that may happen in the world. Nostradamus Life and times of Nostradamus Educational background Work experiences Religion and beliefs The prophecies of Nostradamus The prophecies that were said to have happened exactly the way Nostradamus stated Century 1, Quatrain 35 prophecy and the Death of Henry II Century 2, Quatrain 51 prophecy and the Fire of London in 1566 Century 1, Quatrain 14 prophecy and the French revolution Century 8, Quatrain 1 prophecy and the first anti-Christ, Emperor Napoleon Century 1, Quatrain 25 prophecy and Pasteurs discoveries Century 9, Quatrain 11 prophecy and the effect of the death of Dr. Jose Rizal to the public Century 1, Quatrain 26 prophecy and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert Century 2, Quatrain 24 prophecy and the occurrence of World War II Century 4, Quatrain 13 prophecy and Ferdinand Marcoss end of supremacy as the president of the Philippines Century 10, Quatrain 98 prophecy and the rise of Corazon Aquino as the president of the Philippines after Marcos Century 2, Quatrain 28 prophecy and Princess Dianas death The prophecies that were said to have happened but not exactly the way Nostradamus predicted Century 3, Quatrain 35 prophecy and the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan Century 5, Quatrain 29 prophecy and the existence of Adolf Hitler as the second anti-Christ Century 6, Quatrain 97 and Century 10, Quatrain 72 prophecies and the 9-11 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City Future predictions of Nostradamus and interpretations by some experts Century 8, Quatrain 77 and Century 9, Quatrain 92 prophecies and the existence of a third anti-Christ Century 2, Quatrain 39 prophecy and the beginning of World War III Century 2, Quatrain 65 prophecy and the earthquakes in Los Angeles and Lombardy Century 10, Quatrain 74 prophecy and the start of the end of the world Possible basis of Nostradamus in making prophecies Culture His religion His studies Effects of the prophecies that came true to the people and the world Beliefs of people and impressions on Nostradamus Nostradamus versus religion Using the prophecies as reference to future events Accuracy Basis Table of Contents Title Page Introduction 1 Life and times of Nostradamus 1 Discussion 4 1.Accurate Prophecies 5 The Death of Henry II 5 Fire of London 6 French Revolution 6 Napoleon Bonaparte 8 Louis Pasteur 8 Dr. Jose Rizals death 9 Kennedy Assassinations 10 World War II 10 Ferdinand Marcoss fall 11 Rise of Corazon Aquino 12 Princess Dianas death 12 1.Precise and Vague Prophecies 13 a.Expedition of Ferdinand Magellan and Adolf Hitler 13 b.Adolf Hitler as the Second Anti-Christ 14 c.9-11 bombing of World Trade Center in New York City 15 Nostradamuss predictions for the Future 16 Existence of a third Anti-Christ 16 2. Beginning of World War III 17 2.Earthquakes in Los Angeles and Lombardy 17 3.Start of the end of the world 18 Possible basis of the prophecies 18 1.Beliefs of people and their impressions to Nostradamus 21 2.Nostradamus versus religion 23 Conclusion 24 References 25 A.Books 25 B. Thesis 26 C. Online Sources 26 Introduction Seeing the future is a one of a kind talent. Fortune tellers, palm readers, psychics and the like are people who claim that they have this gift. Some believe them although some say that they just want to make money. But a few of these psychics are famous because some of their predictions really did come true. The tendency is that people uses the predictions of this few psychics as a reference to future events. One of these few is Nostradamus, the seer of the century (Visions and Prophecies, 1988). Life and times of Nostradamus Nostradamus or Michel De Nostredame was born to James de Nostredame and Renee de Saint Remy on December 14, 1503 in Provence, France (Nostradamus, 2003). His family was originally Jewish but they were converted to Christians after his grandfather was converted due to the government in France. Nostradamuss mother has ancestors that were experts in both mathematics and medicine. One of the family members was the doctor of Rene or Renatus, the ruler of Jerusalem and Sicily, and the count of Provence. Another member is also a doctor to the Duke of Calabaria named John who was the child of King Rene. Nostradamus indicated in his commentaries that he inherited a great understanding of mathematics from his ancestors. He also claims that his ancestors are from the tribe Issachar where he got his gift of prophecy. The tribe Issachar were said to be me that comprehend time or the seven wise men that knew the times, according to Esther i. 13 (Ward, 1940). Also, Michael De Nostradame is the gran dson of two famous physicians-astrologers John de Saint-Remy and Peter De Notradame (Henson, 1959). At 15, Nostradamus studied humanities courses at the school in Avignon. But after a year, he was forced to leave the university because of a breakout of a plague in the place. He then studied philosophy and theory of medicine at the University of Montpellier, the most well-known school of medicine in France. When Huguenots had taken over Montpellier in 1561, the churches and other religious establishments disappeared and the place became the head office of the Huguenots. That was what Nostradamus saw when he was studying there. Being a devoted person to his religion, the conquering of the Huguenots may have irritated him and influenced his writings like Sixains and Presages (Ward, 1940). After graduating, Nostradamus was able to find a cure to the plague that was poisoning some of the places around Montpellier (Visions and Prophecies, 1988). He then travelled and passed by a town on the Garonne called Agen when he was coming back to Toulouse. Here he met a friend named Jules Cesar Scaliger that encouraged him to live in the town. But then their friendship didnt go well until they treated each other as rivals and remained cold to one another. Nostradamus married a lady described as une fort honorable demoiselle in Agen but history didnt reveal her name. This wife and his two children died because of the plague in 1543. People were furious at Nostradamus since he wasnt able to protect his own family from the plague that he was able to cure years before that. He then went back to Provence after that (Ward, 1940). And then Nostradamus travelled again. When Nostradamus arrived at Marseilles, the Parliament of Provence induced him to come to Aix. He lodged there for three years being paid by the government, since the disease went out in 1546. The disease spread severely and it is said that the he deliver his reports in his book Le Theatre du Monde to Seignuer de Launay (Ward, 1940). In Salon de Craux, which is between Avignon and Marseilles, he married a woman named Anna Poussuart Genelle. Nostradamus and the second wife had six children, three boys and three girls. He was in that moment when he was foretelling that a great change is about to happen in Europe and there are a lot of troubles that are soon to happen in the kingdom of France. Nostradamus experienced eagerness in his mind that made him write his Centuries and other Presages. The famous book Centuries features his now famous prophecies. In this book, he included two important letters to two important persons: his son, Cesar and Henry II, who was the reigning King during his time (Ward, 1940). One of Nostradamuss journalist says that Nostradamus published the books because he wants to be of help to the community. He kept the books with him for so long because he was a little frightened. He saw threats that would happen if he publishes the books and that would lead to many other problems. He could have been a target for the government if he says that he used Astrology in predicting. According to Ward (1940), some quatrains of Nostradamus refer to planets and the others that are harmony to the sacred scriptures. After the publishing, rumors began to spread locally and internationally and that rumor says that something marvelous and admirable appeared. Obviously, he published the books because he wanted to; and when a person really wanted something, he would find a way to make what he wanted to happen (Ward, 1940). There was a story about Nostradamus that says he knelt down in front of Felice Peretti, a young monk, and said, Your holiness. Before becoming Pope Sixtus V in 1585, Peretti first became an investigator for Venice (Visions and Prophecies, 1988). In 1586, Peretti published a book Judicial Astrology that notifies the readers that God is the only one who can identify the future. Nostradamus gave up on the use of Astrology, maybe because he was affected by the rumors about his prophecies, but he thinks it can still be practiced if the Church allows it to be able to make predictions about the weather and other natural phenomenon (Pocock, 1995). Another story about Nostradamus was told. Seigneur de Florenville dared Nostradamus to predict the future of one black pig and one white pig. Nostradamus said that de Florenville will eat the black one while the white one will be eaten by a wolf. De Florenville, being a skeptic, wanted to disprove Nostradamus. He asked his chef to cook the white one for him. When dinner was served, de Florenville thought that he had won but Nostradamus stayed firm in his statement. So de Florenville asked his cook to tell the truth and the cook confessed that the white one was taken by a wolf so he served the black one (Visions and Prophecies, 1988). On the 2nd of July year 1566, Nostradamus died because of the arthritis that went worse for days before that day. Jean Aimes said that Nostradamus knew very well what time, hour and day, he will die. Nostradamus reminded himself about the end of June and he wrote on his hand, in the Ephemerides of Jean Stadius, Hic prope mors est (Here is death at hand.). The day, says this friend, before he exchanged his life for a better, after I had spent many hours with him, and late at night I was taking leave of him until the following morning, he said, You will not see me alive at sunrise'(Ward, 1940). Discussion Accuracy of the Prophecies of Nostradamus Nostradamus wrote his prophecies in quatrains. Each Centuries book has 100 prophecies except for Century VII (Galang, 1983). Century VII only has 42 prophecies summing up to 942 four-line verses of prophecies. The prophecies of Nostradamus start in the year 1560 and it ends in the year 3797 because he believed that the world will come to an end in that year. It is written in French, German or Latin with words that are ambiguous and some words that the writer had invented (Emery, 2009 12 September). Nostradamus said that he wanted to write the exact dates to the prophecies but did not do so to avoid being tagged as a sorcerer (Visions and Prophecies, 1988). Evidences here are to show the accuracy of the prophecies made by the seer. Accurate Prophecies Some of the prophecies made by Nostradamus can be linked to a famous event. It was said that Nostradamus predicted the following events that became a huge hit to the community (Fedalizo, 1997). Here are some of the prophecies of Nostradamus that came true exactly the way he said it. The Death of Henry II The start of the rise of Nostradamuss prophecies was when he was called by King Henry II and his wife, Catherine De Medici (Roberts, 1994). The queen was aware of the writings of Nostradamus. When she read the following prophecy, she immediately called the seer to court to interpret his prophecy. The young lion will overcome the older one, in a field of combat in single fight: He will pierce his eyes in their golden cage; two wounds in one, then he dies a cruel death. (Century 1, Quatrain 35) Nostradamus interpreted the prophecy as the process of the death of King Henry II. The king ignored what Nostradamus said. In July 1559, he joined a jousting tournament of St. Antoine for a double celebration of the unions of his sister Elisabeth to Philip II of Spain and his daughter Marguerite to Duke of Savoy (Roberts, 1994). There, Henry II went to a fight against Montgomery, the captain of the Scottish guards, who is six years younger than him (Visions, and Prophecies, 1988). The two fighters each have a lion engraved in their shields. On the first bout, King Henry II lost. Being a king, he wanted to win so he pleaded for a rematch. On the next bout, the two fighters splintered lances successfully but Montgomery accidentally wounded Henry II right in the kings eye through his golden screen (Cheetham, 1989). The wound caused his eye to bleed and damage his brain as well. After 10 days of hardship, King Henry II died. Fire of London Another prediction of Nostradamus that is unbelievably accurate was the prediction about the Fire of London. The blood of the just will commit a fault at London, Burnt through lightning of twenty threes the six: The ancient lady will fall from her high place, Several of the same sect will be killed. (Century 2, Quatrain 51) In the year 1666, there was a big fire in the city of London that damaged almost four-fifths of the city. All the landmarks: the houses made of wood, city streets, churches including the St. Paul Cathedral were destroyed. The fire lasted for five days. Fortunately, only sixteen people died in this accident. Interpreters say that the just or justice Nostradamus was talking about was the disappearance of the plague in London since many rats carry the Black plague that was spreading that time (Cheetham, 1989). French Revolution Next in the many prophecies of Nostradamus that came true is the prediction about the French revolution. There are 2 prophecies that best describe the condition during the French revolution. From the enslaved populace, songs, chants and demands, while Princes and Lords are held captive in prisons. These will in the future by headless idiots be received as divine prayers. (Century 1, Quatrain 14) This prophecy can be interpreted literally because it described exactly what the situation during that time is. The songs, chants and refrains in this quatrain are said to be refer the prayers or pleads by people under the new governance. Every single person during the time of the French revolution is not exempted to the cruelness because even princes and kings were imprisoned (as described by the 2nd line) and also beheaded (as suggested by the 4th line). This quatrain served as a warning to the people of France (Roberts, 1994). Another prophecy that describes the Common Advent (as Nostradamus calls the French revolution) is the following (Roberts, 1994). When the litters are overturned by the whirlwind and faces are covered by cloaks, the new republic will be troubled by its people. At this time the reds and the whites will rule wrongly. (Century 1, Quatrain 3) Just like the first quatrain describing the French revolution, this prophecy can also be interpreted literally. As described in the prophecy, the upper classes were always accepted but this situation was changed by the revolutionists. Nostradamus refers to the France as a republic which is troubled by the new leaders. White was the color of Bourbon kings and red was the color of the revolutionaries. As people know, red is a color of war or rebellion. The last line can be interpreted as the rulers of the republic, the church and upper classes are not suitable for the work which is the aim of the revolutionaries (Roberts, 1994). Napoleon Bonaparte After the prediction about the French revolution, the prediction about the existence of the first anti-Christ which was interpreted to be Napoleon Bonaparte came true. Pau, Nay, Loron will be more of fire than blood, to swim in praise, the great one to flee to the confluence (of rivers). He will refuse entry to the Piuses Pampon and the Durance will keep them confined. (Century 8, Quatrain 1) If the words PAU, NAY, LORON will be used as an anagram, it can form the word NAPAULON ROY which can be interpreted as Napoleon, the King. The praise more of fire than of blood is interpreted as Napoleon being a man of war rather than royal lineage (because he was not really a royal blood). The Piuses that were mentioned in the prophecy is about the two popes named Pius VI and Pius VII that Napoleon imprisoned during his time (The Prophecies of Nostradamus, 1973). Louis Pasteur Next is the eerie prophecy that was said to be pertaining to Louis Pasteur and his amazing discovery. The lost thing is discovered, hidden for many centuries. Pasteur will be celebrated almost as a god-like figure. This is when the moon completes her great cycle, but by other rumours he shall be dishonoured. (Century 1, Quatrain 25) This prophecy is one of the weirdest prophecies Nostradamus made because in here, Nostradamus revealed the name of the person he was pertaining to and the date that this prophecy would happen. The existence of the scientist Louis Pasteur who discovered the germs or microbes that is of great help to each and every living thing in this planet. Pasteur was considered as demi-god by his people and was dishonored because of the jealous people in his area that opposes his work. In accordance to the third line of prophecy, at the end of the Roussat Moon Cycle in the 1880s, Pasteur studied the three most common human plagues called streptococcus, staphylococcus, and pneumococcus (Cheetham, 1989). Dr. Jose Rizals death After the famous Louis Pasteur prophecy, there comes the prediction about the effect of the death of Dr. Jose Rizal to the Philippines. Wrongly will they come to put the just one to death, In public and in the middle extinguished: So great a pestilence will come to arise in this place, That the judges will be forced to flee. (Century 9, Quatrain 11) The just one of the Philippines, Dr. Jose Rizal was said to be proven guilty in fighting against the Spaniards. He was shot at Luneta on December 30, 1896 in front of his fellow Filipinos which served as the start of the revolution in the Philippines. By shooting Rizal, the Spaniards created their own plague and after two years, their supremacy in the Philippines was ended. Governor-General Polavieja, who was the one who signed the warrant for Rizal, left his job and went back to Spain (Pocock, 1995). Kennedy Assassinations In addition to the prophecies that came true exactly the way Nostradamus stated it is the prediction about the Kennedy brothers assassination. The great man will be struck down in the day by a thunderbolt. An evil deed, foretold by the bearer of a petition. According to the prediction another falls at night time. Conflict at Reims, London, and pestilence in Tuscany. (Century 1, Quatrain 26) The first three lines of this prophecy is said to be referring to the assassinations of the two Kennedy brothers. John F. Kennedy was shot down by an insane man named Lee Harvey Oswald on the morning of November 22, 1963 at Dallas, Texas. While his brother, Robert F. Kennedy was killed on the night of June 5, 1968 while rejoicing his success in an election. The Line 4 suggests the effects of these assassinations in France, England and Italy (Cheetham, 1989). Also, these assassinations was predicted by Jeane Dixon, which can be the bearer of the petition Nostradamus was pertaining to (Roberts, 1994). World War II Another prophecy of Nostradamus that came true is the prophecy pertaining to World War II. Beasts ferocious from hunger will swim across rivers: The greater part of the region will be against the Hister, The great one will cause it to be dragged in an iron cage, When the German child will observe nothing. (Century 2, Quatrain 24) The first line applies to the invasion of France made by the German Army headed by the famous Adolf Hitler. There were alliances during the World War II whose aim is to defeat Hitler which eventually succeeded. People believed that the Hister in Nostradamuss prophecy is the Hitler that the nation knows today. The last two lines were interpreted as the things that were involved in the war like bunker and tanks (Roberts, 1994). Ferdinand Marcoss fall Nostradamus also predicted the downfall of the Marcoss government in the year 1986. News of the greater loss reported, The report will astonish the army: Troops united against the revolted: The double phalanx will abandon the great one. (Century 4, Quatrain 13) On the Snap Election that Marcos initiated, the COMELEC declared Marcos as the winner. On February 22, 1986, Enrile and Ramos, who are both working under the government, announced that they no longer work for Marcos. Enrile asked for the citizens to be of aid to any member of the military who will do what they did. The camp in the second line may be interpreted as Marcoss political camp or the military camp. The next day, February 23, people went outside the Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame to guard the people that also abandoned Marcos. Nostradamus predicted, as said in the third line, the civilians united with the soldiers that defected. The word phalange is the plural word for phalanx which pertains to a bone on the finger. Enrile and Ramos pointed their fingers to Marcos after their great announcement. Also, the laban sign that was used by Ninoy Aquinos political party can indicate the phalange (Pocock, 1995). Rise of Corazon Aquino The next great event that Nostradamus predicted is the rise of Corazon Aquino as the president of the Republic of the Philippines. For the merry maid the bright splendor Will shine no longer, for long will she be without salt: With merchants, bullies, wolves odious, All confusion universal monster. (Century 10, Quatrain 98) Cory Aquino, being the merry maid in the prophecy, had the shine when he married a star (Ninoy Aquino). But this star doesnt shine anymore when he was murdered and the maid was given the task of a leader of a nation. Aquino, being a housewife, have no salt (no good sense) for trading or bargaining with other countries. The universal monster that was included in this prophecy is the lack of leadership that became the problem of the presidency of Mrs. Aquino (Pocock, 1995). Princess Dianas death Last but not the least; Nostradamus foretold the death of Princess Diana of England in Paris. The penultimate of the surname of the Prophet Will take Diana for his day and rest: He will wander far because of a frantic head, And delivering a great people from subjection. (Century 2, Quatrain 28) In this prophecy, Nostradamus again named the person he was referring to. The owner of Harods department, Dodi al-Fayed, had a father whose name is Mohammed. Mohammed is the name of the prophet of the Muslim people. Dodi al-Fayed was with Diana up to the day the princess died. The other two lines was the effect of the death of the Princess to her people (Cheetham, 1989). Precise and Vague Prophecies Evidently, not all the prophecies of Nostradamus came true exactly the way he narrated it but some came true but not in the way that Nostradamus said. And some of the prophecies were a little vague that it can be interpreted to two different events or people. Here are some examples of that scenario. Expedition of Ferdinand Magellan and Adolf Hitler From the very depths of the West of Europe, A young child will be born of poor people, He who by his tongue will seduce a great troop: His fame will increase towards the realm of the East. (Century 3, Quatrain 35) Portugal is in the western part of the Europe continent and Portugal is where Ferdinand Magellan came from. Ferdinand Magellan was the one who discovered the Philippines in his exploration. He was born in the poor province of Tras-os-Montes on 1480. When Magellan joined a voyage headed by Francisco dAlmeida, he was an ordinary seaman which also implies that Magellan really came from a poor family. Magellan had dreams to explore to the Spice Islands and he was able to captivate the heart of a respected astronomer named Guy de Failero. Coincidently, de Failero and Nostradamus have something in common: they were judicial astrologers and had been accused of the use of occult. Magellan travelled to Spain to pursue his dreams when he was turned down by King Manuel I. In Spain, he was able to convince his father-in-law, Diego Barbosa, with his plans. Barbosa, having influences, made arrangements to get Magellan to talk with the young King Charles I of Spain. And it was the start of Magellan s expedition. Magellans tongue was also able to persuade Filipinos to convert to Christians. As the line 3 suggests, Magellan really did have the power to seduce people with his words. When Magellan died, he became famous because of his explorations in the Philippines (Pocock, 1995). This particular prophecy also suggests the existence of Adolf Hitler. Hitler also came from a country that is a part of Western Europe which is Germany. As charismatic as he was, Hitler was able to convince many people to be his allies in the World War II. And one of these allies is Japan (which can be interpreted as the Eastern Kingdom) (Fedalizo, 1997). This prophecy shows the vagueness that some of Nostradamuss prophecies possess. People will find it hard to interpret his prophecies that shall take place in the future if there is this vagueness. Adolf Hitler as the Second Anti-Christ Liberty will not be recovered, A proud, villainous, wicked black one will occupy it, When the matter of the bridge will be opened, The republic of Venice vexed by the Hister. (Century 5, Quatrain 29) Interpreters believed that Nostradamus uses the anagram Hister to be pertaining to Adolf Hitler. Hister is an area near Danube river where Hitler was born. Since almost all the prophecies were interpreted literally, then this Hister should be pertaining to the area which will make the prophecies senseless. Again, vagueness strikes (Cheetham, 1989). 9-11 bombing of World Trade Center in New York City At forty-five degrees the sky will burn, Fire to approach the great new city: In an instant a great scattered flame will leap up, When one will want to demand proof of the Normans. (Century 6, Quatrain 97) The year 1999, seventh month, From the sky will come a great King of Terror: To bring back to life the great King of the Mongols, Before and after Mars to reign by good luck. (Century 10, Quatrain 72) Interpreters say that these two quatrains describe the phenomenal and tragic event of the World Trade Center bombing. New York is in 40Â ° 5 N latitude which is close to the forty-five degrees which is indicated in the prophecy. The bombing happened on September 11, 2001 which makes Nostradamuss date (July 1999) a little off. There are only a few prophecies which have specified dates and this one is not accurate. Also, in the original prophecy, Nostradamus indicated new city which can also pertain to a town in Paris close to 45 degrees latitude. According to this prophecy, after the Great King of Terror appears, war will begin (the indication of God of War) which didnt exactly happen between United States of America and Afghanistan (Emery, 2001 12 September). Nostradamuss predictions for the Future The prophecies of Nostradamus have a simple and easy to understand objective: to predict the future. It is essential to look for prophecies that indicate major events that may happen in the years to come (Fedalizo, 1997). Existence of a third Anti-Christ The antichrist very soon annihilates the three, twenty-seven years his war will last. The unbelievers are dead, captive, exiled; with blood, human bodies, water and red hail covering the earth. (Century 8, Quatrain 77) Nostradamus indicates the existence of an anti-Christ which will give a terrible problem to the world. For twenty seven years, the possible World War III will occur with this person. Lines 3 and 4 suggest the horrifying things that are bound to happen in this time (Howell, 2004). The King will want to enter the new city, Through its enemies they will come to subdue it: Captive free falsely to speak and act, King to be outside, he will keep far from the enemy. (Century 9, Quatrain 92) This prophecy suggests the terrorism that will happen in accordance with the third anti-Christ. Traitors in exile will be set free and this king will give greater troubles than the two anti-Christs had given (Howell, 2004). 2. Beginning of World War III One year before the Italian conflict, Germans, Gauls, Spaniards for the fort: The republican schoolhouse will fall, There, except for a few, they will be choked dead. (Century 2, Quatrain 39) In accordance with the third anti-Christ, this prophecy also indicates the terrorism in one republican country. There will be a problem between Germans, Gauls and Spaniards in this War. There is no indication of any alliances. (Martinez, 2000) Earthquakes in Los Angeles and Lombardy The sloping park great calamity To be done through Hesperia and Insubria: The fire in the ship, plague and captivity, Mercury in Sagittarius Saturn will fade. (Century 2, Quatrain 65) Hesperia is a city in California, USA along Los Angeles and Insubria is a place along Lombardy in Italy. The sloping park can mean that a great movement of the grounds shall happen in these places. This earthquake shall happen in the place when Mercury is in Sagittarius and Saturn is in vanishing position and astrologers say that this will be on November 25, 2015, Novermber 23, 2016 and December 7,

An Ethical Issue in Human Behavioral Pharmacology

An ethical issue in human behavioral pharmacology is the methodological one. The control group is a control condition that scientist use to see whether the drug they are investigating is really causing an effect on a person or persons through the control group. The placebo control is when psycho-pharmacology is essential to determining the pharmacological drugs effect that arose from long ago, when placebo effects were being discovered. A lot of how a drug affects a person is really in their belief of how the drug they are taking will influence their over all. I believe if you tell yourself, I will get a high from this medication, the mind accepts this and you have programmed yourself to believe, I will and the person does. I also believe if we tell ourselves, â€Å"This isn't going to really help me, it will not. † There are the experiments of participants that are told they may or may not get the actual drug some do and some don’t. The double-blind method according to their beliefs and expectancies can certainly affect the results of the study. The person who administers the drug will have expectancies about the drug, the person receiving the drug will have their belief about the drug, the drug with its actual effect is still under drug research. the professionals are still so skeptical about so many drugs and their affects on people. So placebo controls are definitely needed to interact with groups of people and see whether or not the drug really is needed for a person, if it is really working for their situation of illness at hand. I think there has been so much medication given to people when really, they didn't even really need it at all. Once the drugs is into their system and they get hooked, that person's life is destroyed and sometimes I think it was so uncalled for. Placebo Controls is really needed so much more in our drug administration. It seems every time you look at a physician, it's a super list of med. We definitely need more placebo controls. I encourage this all the way. If not a proven fact a person really needs drugs, then not to dispense any at all, our world would be in such a better shape.

Reconstruction DBQ Essay

The era of Reconstruction in the 1870s in both the North and South experienced battle for equality for men freed by the 13th Amendment. America was on the brink of recreating the American government, showing genuine signs of a better and brighter future for the African American population. Economic and political practices limited the liberties of black men. Vicious hate groups struck fear unto those who supported the integration of freedmen. The political realm during the time saw a regression of pro-equality emotions in both the Union and in the South. In spite of the promising hope for African Americans that surfaced in 1876, political, economic, and social aspects laced throughout the American government altered the potential for the assurance of equal rights for freedmen. The South exhibited extreme disdain for freed African-American men and women. Restrictions were placed on freedmen in order to hinder their success in a recently freed nation. These laws, often called â€Å"Black Codes†, prohibited the freedman from practicing basic rights. In Opelousas, Louisiana, black men and women were not allowed to live in town, go into town, or hold public meetings in town, and they were required to be â€Å"in the service of some white person, or former owner† (Document A). Enacted immediately after the Civil War, these laws suppressed the equal rights that freedmen were supposed to have. These laws were put into effect by state governments, and they desperately called for interference by the federal government that would not come as soon as it should have. In addition to the Black Codes, sharecropping in the south forced freedmen into an endless cycle of labor and death. This â€Å"cycle of poverty† received land, in turn for promising t he landowner half the crop. At the end of the harvesting cycle, after the sharecropper has given half the crop to the landowner, the sharecropper owes more than he has earned, and the in-debt sharecropper must remain in service next year for the owner (Document B). By 1870, sharecropping was the dominant means by which African Americans could gain access to land in the South, but the southern landowners made it so that the sharecroppers would forever remain owing money to the owner. These limitations placed on the freedmen did not allow them to practice their newfound freedom. Groups of previously Confederate southern men sought out those who condoned the recognition of equality for all races. In a specific account, a white, Northern soldier by the name of Albion Tourgee alerted the North Carolinian Republican Senator of a murder of a man murder by the Ku Klux Klan. This murder was the murder of an honest Republican man, and his support for equality for freedmen got him killed (Document C). This murder acted as a precedent for Tourgee, showing him and any other person that defied the ideals of the KKK would not be tolerated. The KKK wished to abolish any racial toleration in society, and their efforts successfully made the Union members fearful of what they were capable of. In another account, a freed slave was kidnapped by the KKK and beaten mercilessly because he refused to allow a white man to take his place in the legislature. The slave explained that the members of the Klan were in fact first-class men who would be expected to abide by higher morals. Abram Colby, the slave, states â€Å"no man can make a free speech in my country†¦ it can not be done anywhere in Georgia† (Document D). There is a clear violation of rights that all men in United States are given. White men found it necessary to gang up on the innocent black population and let it be known that the participation of freedmen in government would not be tolerated. This example set by the KKK for the government portrayed the lack of support of equality in America. The election of 1876 shaped the future of Reconstruction in the United States. In the election, electoral votes were disputed over, and the Electoral Commission was formed. The argued-over states of Florida, Louisiana, Oregon, and South Carolina saw accusations of fraud in the elections. Republicans dominated electoral commissions and they were able to throw out enough votes to allow Hayes to win (Document F). Despite the win for Democrat Samuel J. Tilden in terms of popular vote, Republican Rutherford B. Hayes ended up winning the election, thus crushing any chance of permanent Reconstruction for the nation. The Compromise of 1877 granted Hayes the presidency, and he removed all Federal soldiers from the South, ensuring success for all-white governments. The once promising future of Reconstruction was officially dismissed due to this election, and racial equality became a forgotten cause. Despite the potential that the United States saw for a Reconstruction of the way of living in the country, key events catalyzed the digression of thoughts of equality in the 1870s. Democrats were steadily regaining control of the South, as the already-weak Republican presence in region only became weaker as northerners lost interest in Reconstruction. The Depression of 1873, along with continued pressure from the Ku Klux Klan, drove most white Unionists, carpetbaggers, and â€Å"scalawags† out of the South by the mid-1870s, leaving blacks alone to fight for radical legislation. By the end of the decade, the fight was over, and equality for freedmen remained an unsolved matter.