Major Themes of the Quran

Introduction Various people have written about the Quran seeking to find out what it says about God. The Qur’an is an important book to the Muslim society. It provides guidance and directions about God or rather Allah according to Muslims. Muslims believe that the Quran speaks for itself.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Major Themes of the Qur’an specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Various interpretations that have been advanced by different people serve to join the ideas together. Therefore, the Qur’an is a book that contains God’s message to man. The paper delineates on Rahman’s book ‘Major Themes of the Qur’an seeking to explain the relationship between people and God, as well as the main principles that God expects from people. Relationship between people and God according to Rahman’s book â€Å"Major Themes of the Quran† Qur’an is a b ook that is aimed at communicating spiritual information to man. According to Rahman, the relationship between God and man is special and one that is above any other thing that God created. God is the creator of the universe and its composition that includes man to whom he provides guidance. In fact, Rahman says, â€Å"He is Creator and Sustainer of the universe and of man† (1). Accordingly, He will judge man both on individual and collective basis. Everything that goes in the mind of man is known to God because He is the maker and source of life to man. This is captured in the quote, â€Å"We created man and we know the negative whisperings of his mind are and we are near to him than his jugular vein† (Rahman 2). This shows that man is indeed close to God in terms of appearance and likeness. He is the only one who understands what is going to happen to man. God is a merciful God. His judgment to man is based on mercy after man having fallen short of His glory. God hav ing created man in His own image explains the reason behind His mercy. The relationship therefore between God and man is that of a master and a servant. Man is required to serve God besides being obedient to Him because He is the one who created him. â€Å"Qur’an is man and his behavior, not God’s’ (Rahman 2). Therefore, the relationship that exists between God and man is centered on judgment, either as individual, collective, or social existence. Qur’an is centered on the behavior of man, as it seeks to highlight the conducts of man and the need for man to respect and obey the teachings of God. Man has a duty to seek God to be able to find Him and know him. Man has this duty and should he be unable to find or seek God, he cannot find his grace and love. â€Å"If you cannot find God you will never prove him†, â€Å"the only straight path leads to God† (Rahman 2).Advertising Looking for research paper on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Therefore, the relationship between God and man is based on seeking and finding. Man has needs/problems. To find a solution to the challenges, he is mandated to seek God’s indulgence. Rahman argues that God is infinite. He cannot be equated to any other thing that He created. Everything that is on earth is going to vanish except God. Human beings or rather man is one of God’s creations that will be taken away when the last day comes. â€Å"Everything thereon is vanishing†¦remaining only the Face of Your Lord† (Rahman 3). Therefore, man has the duty to continue serving Him to enter God’s kingdom. Those who discern Him or run away from Him will face His wrath. â€Å"Do not be like those who forgot God and [eventually] God caused them to forget themselves† (Rahman 3). According to Rahman, the purpose of man is to â€Å"serve God† (6). God has entrusted man with knowled ge and potentialities to use the armor of God and the nature that God has created him to serve Him. Man has the discretion to use the knowledge and everything that God has created in the universe to do according to His will. Man has the freedom of doing either good or bad. The decision is dependent on man’s choice that God has given him. God communicates with man through various messages that He sends to help in his judgment and choice of doing either good or bad. The relationship between God and man is based on faith in God. Man is required to have faith in God and besides abiding by His words. Therefore, those who deny the existence of God such as the materialistic atheists who do not believe in God have their places when God comes back to judge their deeds. The relationship of God and man comes into reality because God provides unity and value to man. God and man are friends. In fact, Rahman says, â€Å"God, then, becomes the friend of and cooperates with a person who has ‘discovered Him† (8). This friendship is only established when man seeks or finds God. When man searches for God and finds Him, they two form a positive/mutual relationship. Man can therefore find shelter and a home in God. He can therefore seek assistance from God. According to Rahman, God will not judge people based on all the lapses that they committed. However, He is gong to judge them based on their overall performance. If their performance is good, the other lapses that human beings or man has committed shall not be factored in during the judgment day. The Quran, as Rahman reveals, has various scriptures that â€Å"indicate that God will pardon or overlook men’s lapses provided the overall performance is good and beneficial† (21). This shows that the relationship of God and man is indeed not bad but one that is formed based on sympathy and mercy. This is also demonstrated in the quote â€Å"God does not require from any person what is beyond his or her power† (Rahman 21). God will only judge individuals based on their scope of knowledge and power.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Major Themes of the Qur’an specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Main principles that God is expecting from people according to Rahman’s book According to Rahman book, God expects man to follow and do according to His will. God has given man wisdom and knowledge. He has given him the mandate to rule over other creations in the universe. However, God expects man to serve Him by always doing well according to His will. Those people or human beings who go against the will of God are expected to face harsh treatment or punishment. This is quoted in the book, â€Å"for his real nature is to be exalted† (Rahman 15). Man has to struggle through thick and thin to find the path of life. God has done this intentionally and out of His mercy to ensure that Man do es not suffer or go into hell. Furthermore, God requires people to trust and believe in Him. He is the alpha and omega. Therefore, people should not go in their own ways. Any person who removes God in His/her conscience removes the purpose and the meaning of his/her life. He/she is classified as an unrighteous person. God expects man to follow His own nature as opposed to other creatures, which must follow their nature automatically. God has given man the privilege to choose from what is good and bad. There are many vicissitudes in the life of human beings. Therefore, man should be very careful to avoid falling away from God. God expects people to follow His commandants. When God created Adam and breathed in him life, He expected him to abide by the laws and the rules that he was given by God. However, he went against the will of God to commit sin. Rahman says, â€Å"they are contented to live their lives from day to day, indeed from hour to hour, â€Å"they are like cattle, indee d, worse† (14). God also expects people to respect and uphold the principle of equality. All human beings are equal before God. Therefore, they should respect one another. People should not be proud even after God uplifts them. People need to respect their fellow human beings. This is even agitated by the Quran, â€Å"the reason the Quran emphasizes essential human equality†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Rahman 31). Furthermore, God expects people to respect His commands because He is the creator of all the living things, people inclusive. God has created every living and nonliving thing with measure. Therefore, people need to abide by God and respect His commandments. â€Å"We have created everything with a measure†¦if things should break their laws and violate their measure; there would be not an ordered universe, but chaos† (Rahman 46). Rahman also asserts that men are selfish, pride, and narrow-minded, as they worship their gods instead of worshipping God who created them. Th ey run away from the truth by opting to shortcuts where they engage in activities or actions that are against the will of God. God however expects people to come near Him to know Him better besides worshipping Him to be set free. People get involved in falsehood. According to Rahman, men â€Å"†¦worship of false gods, the holy seems unholy, and vice versa† (Rahman 74).Advertising Looking for research paper on religion theology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More God expects people to have fear of His name. The fear of God in literal sense means that people need to respect and recognize the existence of a supernatural being who is beyond them and one who requires honor and praise. God is the one who formed the universe and created man. Therefore, He has the mandate to command everything under the universe because it is through His name and powers that all the things under the universe came into being. Rahman refers it as the â€Å"fear of God, and piety† (Rahman 18). Muslims are discarding these words because they take the meaning of the words literary. Every person has the freedom to interpret the words in his/her own way. Hence, men have the right to interpret the words the way they wish. However, the words mean honoring and recognizing God as the only one requiring their praise and fear Conclusion Through his book, ‘Major Themes of the Qur’an’, Rahman has managed to simplify the meaning of the Qur’an. He has interpolated the relationship that exists between God and people. Besides, he has gone further to portray some of the principles that God requires people to uphold. Thus, the book is interesting and a must-read based on the way it provides a limelight of what Qur’an entails. Works Cited Rahman, Fazlur. Major themes of Quran. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2009. Print. This research paper on Major Themes of the Qur’an was written and submitted by user Sharon Kaufman 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.

Everything You Need to Know About Writing an Interesting Paper Outline

Everything You Need to Know About Writing an Interesting Paper Outline After choosing a great topic and stating strong arguments, it can be hard for many people to write interesting academic papers. You may have many points or thoughts about where you prefer assignment to go, but you will fail to write a good one without your detailed plan of action. This is when an outline comes in handy. It’s a general plan of everything you will discuss in your essay. It’s an effective tool to organize the main facts, connect all ideas, and find the best order to present your major point in a concise manner. What is a Paper Outline? You can easily define it as an efficient organizational plan (about 1 page long) that will help you complete academic assignments. It’s the best way to organize or guide your ideas. An outline breaks down your paper in a hierarchical and clear manner to help you determine its final format or flow. Include such basic parts of any paper outline as body paragraphs, your strong conclusion, and introduction with a thesis statement. Why do You Need a Paper Outline? Spending your time on making a paper outline will improve your understanding of a specific subject and simplify the entire writing process. Some teachers even ask their students to submit a plan before they start completing academic assignments because it’s very helpful. Why should you create a paper outline? There are different reasons to do that, including: Showing the logical order or hierarchical links of background information; Keeping track of your search; Organizing different threads. ORDER PAPER OUTLINE 6 Basic paper outline purposes Helping you to organize a list of all thoughts; Simplifying your process of writing; Showing connections in ideas; Presenting your writing in its logical form; Determining groups or special boundaries; Constructing a brief and ordered overview of your essay. How to Plan your Paper Outline It can help you organize all ideas before you start, but you should pick a brilliant topic first. You can choose a broad subject because creating a detailed plan will help you narrow it down to come clear arguments. Your outline will help you plan the structure of any paper. What is an Introduction? In this essay paragraph, it’s necessary to clearly state your major argument, purpose of your academic assignment, and how you will approach a particular topic. Briefly explain the points that your paper outline covers, why targeted readers should feel interested in your subject, and answer a few basic questions. Why are you writing your essay? Is it a book review or a problem analysis? Body paragraphs - in body paragraphs, you present strong arguments, develop relevant discussions to support your thesis, and make readers believe that your stance is correct. Find a few supporting facts for every major point. Start with a strong argument, write separate topic sentences and transitions. What is a thesis? It declares your beliefs and what your essay will prove. A strong thesis can make a huge difference in retelling facts and your thoughtful academic assignment, so state it powerfully. It helps you focus your research because you should check many sources of information to identify key questions and choose suitable materials for your paper outline. Place your thesis at the end of your introduction. A concluding paragraph - this section should reword or restate your thesis, sum up all arguments, and explain why you make a specific conclusion. How to Write your Paper Outline Start with ordering your major subtopics in a chronological or any other suitable order and label them with Roman numerals. Choose a few points for every category. Make this choice based on the purpose of your writing and all the supporting materials that you have because they will structure the second level of your paper outline. Indent and label them in letters. Feel free to expand your ideas with sub-points if needed. If any of them are big topics that require extra details to explain, put them in the next level of your paper outline. Indent and label them in ordinary numbers. Add more layers if needed and use lowercase letters, numbers, and lowercase Roman numerals to create your logical paper outline. Most students prefer to include 3-4 layers in their paper outline. Look at your prepared outline and think about a conclusion and if it matches the goals of writing your academic paper. Add more subtopics if you don’t have enough facts to support it. GET HELP WITH AN OUTLINE FOR MY PAPER Set important paper outline goals Your essay can inform other people about a given topic, persuade them of your stance, or reflect on personal experiences. Set basic goals for your academic assignment and use these effective approaches: Present causes and effects of any significant historical event (conduct your in-depth research); Compare and contrast events, people, or books (apply your critical analysis skills); Describe how personal experiences shaped you (practice excellent communication skills). Gather supporting materials They’re useful for your paper outline and final drafts. Pay attention to subtopics with relevant ideas, stats, or quotes because they will become major parts of your detailed plan. Note down where you get any information to avoid plagiarism. Pick the best paper outline type There are two basic options to choose from: A sentence outline of your paper uses complete sentences, relies on many details, and lists separate bullet points; A topic outline of your paper uses short phrases. If you have any difficulties with your paper outline, our helping hand is only a few clicks away because our professional writers are ready to complete assignment for you at affordable rates.

Humanities is enjoyable Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Humanities is enjoyable - Essay Example It is a prerequisite for many courses. It builds foundation for further learning in many areas of study. It introduces students to fields that deal with studies of human beings and their culture (Blessinger and Carfora, 2014). Learning humanities was helpful in acquiring knowledge on how human beings process and document human experience. The discipline included studying religion, music, philosophy, history, literature, and language of understanding the world. I realized that humanities have objectives that are speculative and critical. We also covered classical studies, law, anthropology, archaeology, semiotics, and communication studies (Zepeda and Mayock, 2014. We were able to discover historical backgrounds behind certain cultural events. After learning humanities as a discipline, I developed a comprehensive understanding of the human culture and social relations. During the sessions, we learnt that there are modes of expressions concerning some subjects that fall under the classification of humanities. After gaining knowledge on the discipline, we felt a sense of connection and appreciation towards our various cultures. Blessinger, Patrick, and Carfora, J, M.. 2014. Inquiry-Based Learning for the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences A Conceptual and Practical Resource for Educators. Bradford: Emerald Group Publishing

Multi-generational Sustainability Perspectives and Practices Research Paper

Multi-generational Sustainability Perspectives and Practices - Research Paper Example In addition, this study aims at identifying the similarities and differences between the environmental perspectives between the two generations. The respondents were asked to rate the environment in their local community, their nation, and the world. Data was obtained through interviewing grandparents, parents, and fellow students. The data obtained was qualitatively analyzed to determine the similarities and differences in environmental perspectives between the two generations. The results, except for few surprises, were what one would expect. Most of the respondents believed that their local environments were to some extend satisfactory, while the global environment was in immense trouble. In addition, the respondents differed and concurred on some perspectives towards the environment Discussion People hold different perspectives about the environment. The way people perceive the environment determines the way they use natural resources, their consumption practices, recreation, tra vel, and food sources and storage. People’s perspectives on the environment have been divided into four classes: imperialism, utilitarianism, stewardship and romanticism. These groups of perspectives account for majority of the opinions and perspectives that most individuals hold about the environment. The opinion of stewardship holds that people have a certain responsibility and privilege in relation to their surroundings, as stewards of the environment. This is similar to what nearly all the grandparents and parents hold towards the environment. Most of the elderly noted that they believe that it is their duty, as human beings, to take care of the environment, and to treat anything that is on it with respect. One thing that came out of the interview with the elderly is that, the environment consists of both the living and non living things. The elderly consider the environment as sacred and that it is biblical to take care of it. They consider it a religious duty of every i ndividual to take care of the environment. These respondents viewed the environment as uncontrollable, unpredictable and powerful, and the only thing they can do is to be fatalistic, and accept the good and the bad that comes from it. This view implies that people can only be submissive in the face of environment. This submissive nature of the environment dates back to history, according to Nash (1967), and is based on the inability of the people to control nature and on the association of the environment with the supernatural. Just like stewardship, imperialism is connected to the biblical perspective of the environment. Some of the fellow students believe that the environment was created and given over to mankind to explore and rule over it. Among the youth and the parent respondents, they feel that there is no sacred bond that exists between God and the environment. They believe that by ruling over the environment and controlling it would earn them respect from God. This gives th e reason for the extreme actions against the environment while trying to control and rule over it. This can be attributed to the rapid increase in environmental degradation among the youths. Ancient imperialists practiced and offered sacrifices to God. One of the ancient imperialists suggested that conquering nature is the highest aspiration an

The Oil Politics Essay Example for Free

The Oil Politics Essay The controversy over oil has been raging for quite a while. It has played into the international politics and the politics of terrorism. The Middle East is the most volatile area of the world at present. Israel is viewed as a satellite of the United States located in the Arab world to represent the superpowers interests in the region. Incidentally the Middle East is a region endowed with oil, a precious commodity sought after by every government. The main occupation and foreign exchange earner for these countries is therefore oil and petroleum products with which they use as a bargaining chip in the global arena. The current fluctuation in the price of petroleum around the world is a cause of worry. Some analysts are leveling blame on the oil producing countries claiming they have deliberately raised the oil prices. On their side, the countries have refuted the allegations instead blaming the rise to private entrepreneurs who hoard the commodity with the hope that prices would increase even further. Apart from the Middle East, North Africa has got also oil deposits. Coincidentally the region is also dominated by Arabs, who have formed grouping the organization of petroleum exporting countries OPEC. As importers complain of the rising oil prices, oil exporters celebrate the economic boom as a result of the rise in prices. Their gross domestic product increases and the general standards of living appreciate. As usual with the developed world to get their hands into any opportunity presenting itself, the oil industry is attracting foreign companies into Africa to help in the exploration of oil. New exploration sites are discovered in the vast continent of Africa, especially in the north. The bedeviled state of Mauritania is so far the latest country in Africa to join the league of oil exporters after explorations proved positive results. Since Exploration costs are damn expensive but this is not a hindrance to the exercise Africa is witnessing the largest investment in the continent ever, in the oil exploration field. Since the year 1990 more than US $20 billion has been spend on explorations around the continent and a further $50 billion is expected to have been spent by the end of the decade. Dominating the oil industry are three international companies, shell, Total and Chevron. Shell is a British Dutch consortium which invested 15% of its global exploration and production budget in the continent of Africa. France-based Total and America-based Chevron has invested 30% and 35% respectively in the industry in Africa. The American oil company has planned for United States$20 billion to be invested in Africa for a five year period. The Gulf of Guinea is the most appropriate part of Africa at the moment attracting the different exploration companies. It is an area with deep waters. This area found in the Western Coast of Africa just at the â€Å"armpit† is suspected to be having large deposits of the precious commodity. Some oil has already been discovered within the coverage area of the Gulf but more is still to be discovered as exploration progresses. Other sub-Saharan countries endowed with oil albeit smaller in quantities are southern Sudan and Southern Chad both under semi desert conditions. They have been producing oil and exporting in small quantities. The explorations are however taking place to find out if more can be tapped. The East Africa margin covering Kenya, Somalia and Tanzania are among targets of explorers for oil. The United States is warming up to reap from the harvest of oil and petroleum products from Africa. The country has been watching Africa from a distant making its calculations on how to have the continents oil. Discoveries in Africa increased making headlines in the last decade. The United States predicted an increase of its oil sourced from Africa by 10% from 16% to 25% by the 2015 the year when the United Nations’ millennium Development Goals are expected to have been achieved. In a report released in December of 2000 the United States National Intelligence Council predicted sub-Saharan Africa’s raise to prominence in the global energy markets. The council is a consultant for the central Intelligence Agency. If the predications come true, then the continent would be ahead of Saudi Arabia in terms of oil export to the United States. In close relation to this, the United States Vice President Dick Cheney formed a taskforce to compile a strategic report on oil. The report finalized by stating that West Africa will soon be among the fastest growing sources in the world in production of oil and gas for the United States (Basedau) As stated earlier, the United States receives around 16% of its oil from Africa a figure is expected to increase to 25% in 2015. at the current consumption rate the United States feels there is due need to increase oil energy inputs. This, the National Security strategy notes will be achieved by the United States strengthening its ties with the continent. In an effort for the United States achieving its dream it plans to invest in democracy crusades to strengthen the political systems in prospective source countries of oil. This is time as some of the target areas are marred by violence a situation that may make it difficult for exploration and transportation of oil. Examples in this case are Nigeria, a country rocked by a rebellion in the Niger Delta where oil is mined. The rebellion is led by people complaining of unfairness in the way resources are distributed. Chad is also facing the same problem with so many attempted coups, necessitating intervention by France to bring order and due process. Southern Sudan is equally bedeviled by the political instability problems. Of late, the Southern Sudanese leader Omar Hassan El Bashir has been recommended for arrest by the international criminal court prosecutor Moreno Ocampo for committing acts of genocide among other crimes against humanity. The fact that oil is in Southern Sudan a section that is demanding its independence from the mainland is a sign of worse times to come. This explains why the United States is busy pushing for a democratic regime in the region. On the 17th of May 2001 President Bush remarked on the importance of diversifying the source of energy used. He mentioned that overdependence on one source may result into a rude shock subjecting the United States to blackmail, supply interruptions and price shocks. The alternative available then remains to search for other sources west cost of Africa being in the list. Other areas are Latin America and the Caspian Sea basin (Klare, 2004). In Africa therefore, United States is planning for Nigeria, Angola and the states within the Gulf of Guinea. However the greatest hindrance for the United States would be as mentioned earlier, the political and ethnic tensions in the oil producing countries. The Delta region in Nigeria had the United States and other explores sent packing in 2003 due to the ethnic animosities and demands for more community project funding. The site produces much of onshore oil in Nigeria. The demands of these groups brought about massive vandalism of oil exploration sites causing a downsizing of Nigeria’s oil production instead of increasing. In its commitment to tap oil from Africa, the United States has therefore opted to give military assistance to friendly regimes to help them fight the menace of the cartels and armed groups blackmailing the government. Nigeria and Angola received United States assistance totaling to three hundred million American dollars from 2002 to 2004. The Excess Defense Articles program of the Pentagon also advanced eligibility to the two countries to receive surplus arms for the same reason. The United States has also been considering establishing naval bases especially in Nigeria and the Sao, Tome and Principe Islands. Currently the United States is supplied with oil from various countries with the highest supplier being Canada. Mexico and Saudi Arabia follow in the list in that order with Venezuela and the African country of Nigeria closing the top five list. Five to eight percent of 20 million barrels total United States demand per day is what each of these countries supply to the United States. An analysis of the 2005 oil supply to the United States puts Latin America highest at 34% of the total imports to the United States. The Middle East comes second supplying 24% while Africa supplied 19%. Canada stood at 16% and lastly Europe and Asia exported seven percent to the United States (Kern 2006). Africa’s oil is advantageous for its lack of sulphur thus making it preferable for stringent refined product requirements. It gives it a growing share in the market for refining centers in the United States. It is estimated that the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, holds 3% of the total oil reserves globally. This is to the environs of 40 billion barrels, in the West African region alone (Kern 2006). The figures provided are conservative as the total estimates proven or otherwise may be more by four percent- that is 7%. West Africa countries the Bush Administration is targeting include- and the order remains arbitrary- Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Chad, Nigeria, Gabon and Congo. The fifth largest supplier of oil to the United States, Nigeria is the largest producer in Africa with a daily pumping of 2 million barrels. The figures also represent the quantity produced per day by Iraq before it was unilaterally invaded by the United States in March 2003. Being a member of the international cartel- the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries- Nigeria has to go by the policies and standards set by this grouping. They include limiting production to a certain level subject to the world market conditions. Due to a weak political system, Nigeria, with a population in excess of 130 million people is wallowing in the miasma of corruption and bad governance. Its annual per capita income reduced substantially from US $1000 to a mere $390 in 2006 with most of the proceeds from oil finding its way into individual’s pockets. The continent’s most populous nation earned more than US $300 in 25 years to 2006 but the revenue was shared among the bourgeoisie and the political elite. Only 1% of the population benefit effectively from 80% of the oil proceeds according to the World Bank (Kern 2006). In its recommendation, a 2005 report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies pointed out that America should prioritize explicitly the security and governance issue in the Gulf of Guinea in its foreign policy towards the continent. Titled â€Å"A Strategic US Approach to Governance and Security in the Gulf of Guinea† the report called for a promulgation of a robust and comprehensive policy for the West African region (Kerk 2006). As a matter of strategy the United States is considering softer military interventions in the continent. Through the Pentagon’s Trans-Saharan Counter-Terrorism Initiative, the United States provides military training to some nine African countries on ways of dealing with terrorism and on how to effect regional security. The US is further planning on establishing military bases in some African countries bordering the ocean for strategic reasons. Nigeria The damning story is the bloodshed and the hostage taking in Nigeria in Ogoniland. Hostage taking of foreigners is a way of life with the perpetrators demanding for resource control and access to oil money. The continent in general is a hotspot for oil, as east Africa is just about becoming the next oil boom for the continent, after the successful explorations in the west. In the East however, China would be the beneficiary due to proximity, the reason why it has its explorers in Kenya and Sudan. Nigeria is a strategic partner for the west. As the anchor for British and American foreign policies in Africa, the country has developed warm relations with the west. It is the most populous country in Africa with one out of every six Africans being a Nigerian (Ghazrinian 2007). The country has a large experienced army participating in peace-keeping missions around the world. The oil in Africa has not been used to its optimum potential. It is a bad news in some countries bringing on to the continent proxy wars of the west. China for instance gets 30% of its oil from Africa (Ghazvinian 2007). Of this 10% is from the Sudan where the Asian country has been accused of supplying ammunitions to the Sudanese Government, the ammunitions which are used to terrorize the people of Darfur in southern Sudan. The positive side of the Chinese is however, the human resource base they help build in Africa. They have participated in the development of infrastructure in Africa, as is the Angolan case where they jetted in for construction of railway line and tarmac roads with minimal conditions. Getting to the central African country of Chad, a country marred by violence and political instability. The country is in the Sahel region, twice the size of France with a 400 km-long paved road. It is among the poorest countries on earth, with the national airline having only one airplane. Ironically, the country lacks any gas station yet it produces the commodity. Its people are languishing in hell yet the country exports crude oil through Cameroon to Europe and America. The oil is traded through ExxonMobil Company. Worth mentioning also is the fact that some of these oil producing countries have the largest gaps between the poor and rich. In fact they are gulfs, not even gaps. The rich continue flourishing out of oil proceeds with the lower cadre of society languishing in abject poverty, malnutrition, diseases and low education, and living on less than a US$ a day! This then encourages prostitution as the effluent individual use the poor fellows as sex objects thus contributing to the spread of HIV/AIDS among other infections venereal diseases (Ghazvinian 2007). The oil factor is a cause of anarchy in most African countries. Democratic reforms are poised to increase with the decrease of oil revenues, as taxes would take up the position currently received for oil revenue. The regime has been neglecting the tax-paying middle class, concentrating instead on oil revenue thus neglecting social reforms. The case in Gabon is a pretty example. It is only when world oil prices fell and prospects for a decline in Gabonese oil realized that the Omar Bongo regime considered the economic reforms by the Breton Woods institutions aimed at democratization. The opposition gained a voice in governmental affairs as was a rise in civil society groups. He had to limit state allocations in 1986 after facing a rear break in the oil industry (Basedau). The presence of petrol-dollars retards people’s thinking on alternative income. Banana project, for instance, has been neglected yet it can earn handsomely to the nation and entrepreneurs in particular. Now they have left unpicked bananas as they import goodies from abroad. Sao Tome and Principe is yet another tiny African Island rocked in political instability but rich in oil resources yet to be exploited. It is facing a dilemma over how to share billions of barrels of oil reserves, offshore its territory. Anticipated are hostilities from its neighbors including the popular Nigeria. As tiny as it is, the country is so different from Africa: from its politics, society and culture. It is more European with little if any traces of African lifestyle (Ghazvinian 2007). In a 2003 speech in Washington USA, Sao, Tome and Principe President Fradique de Menez reiterated his hope and commitment that his Island would not drown into civil war, ethnic hatred and economic regression, because of oil. Oil is instead supposed to bring more development and economic satisfaction to the population (Ghazvinian). The country is however miserably poor with only high school but without any university. Half of the capital city is occupied by government officer. The national budget sums to a meager $50 million financed majorly from agriculture and fishing. Agricultural produce are coffee and cacao, putting the island in the list of the major recipients of direct aid relative to GDP as 35million is received annually in the form of international development aid. The country is not strange to armed coups. It is among the African countries who political cultures are informed by armed coups. Between 1991 and 2007, the island experienced fourteen changes of guard, with more uncertainties expected in case oil would be discovered. Nigeria is on record as having help crush an armed rebellion in Sao Tome in 2003,a clean indication of its involvement in the tiny African state.

The Russian Revolution at the Kronstadt Navel Base Essay -- European E

The Russian Revolution at the Kronstadt Navel Base Most popular uprisings in recent history have been characterized by a brief period of incredible potential and hope, only to collapse in failure and despair. Even the supposedly 'successful' Russian Revolution of 1917 followed this pattern. Revolutionaries threw off centuries of imperial rule and oppression in order to create a new world of freedom, peace and equality... only to end up with Stalin, purges, gulags, dekulakization - and ultimately decades of Bolshevik1 rule and oppression. Although it can sometimes be disheartening to review this long history of failure and oppression, valuable insights can be gained by investigating these past revolutions. The achievements and promise of the revolutionaries can be studied and their strengths marked. The weaknesses that led to their eventual defeat and decay must also be understood, so that the same mistakes are not made again. This article will address these themes in the context of the Russian Revolution at the Kronstadt navel base.2 Kronstadt deserves special attention for several reasons. The workers, soldiers and sailors at Kronstadt used the Revolution to build "a bustling, self-governing, egalitarian and highly politicized Soviet democracy, the like of which had not been seen in Europe since the days of the Paris Commune."3 This was the great promise of Kronstadt, which Trotsky praised as "the pride and glory of the Russian Revolution."4 Nowhere in Russia, however, was the failure of the revolution so dramatically illustrated as at Kronstadt. After the Bolsheviks consolidated their control of the base in mid-1918, Kronstadt made one last "desperate attempt to restore and reactivate its radical Soviet democracy."5 This... ...or illegally celebrating May Day. 13. Quoted in Getzler, Kronstadt 1917 - 1921 , 18. 14. Ibid., 22 - 26. 15. Ibid., 23 - 24. 16. Ibid., 246 - 247. 17. Ibid., 22 - 24. 18. Ibid., 248. 19. Ibid., 49. 20. Ibid., 36 - 37. 21. Ibid., 42, 254. 22. Ibid., 50, 36. 23. Ibid., 251. 24. Ibid., 58. 25. Ibid., 119. 26. Ibid., 181, 250. 27. Ibid., 186 - 187. 28. Ibid., 188. 29. Ibid., 190 - 191. 30. Ibid., 202. 31. Ibid., ix. 32. Ibid., 204. 33. Avrich, Kronstadt 1921, 78 - 81. 34. Ibid., 75 - 76. 35. Ibid., 5. 36. See, for instance, David Schaich, Kronstadt 1921: An Analysis of Bolshevik Propaganda (Unpublished, 2001), http://halogen.note.amherst.edu/~daschaich/writings/academic/kronstadt1921.html 37. Figes, A People's Tragedy, 768. 38. Avrich, Kronstadt 1921, 3. 39. Ibid., 229. 40. Getzler, Kronstadt 1917 - 1921, 46. 41. Ibid., 246. 42. Ibid., 252.

Surface Tension

Processed Data: Table 1: Data in measuring the height of the water Trial| Height of water (m)| 1| 0. 032| 2| 0. 032| 3| 0. 032| Average:| 0. 032| Table 2: Values for measuring the radius of capillary Temperature| 30 degrees Celsius| Density @ 30 degrees Celsius| 995. 67 kg m-3| Acceleration due to gravity| 9. 8 m s2| Height of water| 0. 032 m| Surface tension of [email  protected] 30 degrees Celsius| 7. 118 X 10-2 N m| Radius of capillary tube| 4. 5592825 X 10-4 m| Table 3: Values for the height of n-butanol solutions in capillary tube Temperature| Trial| 0. 1 M| 0. 2 M| 0. 4 M| 0. M| 0. 8 M| 30 degrees Celsius| 1| 0. 022| 0. 023| 0. 023| 0. 024| 0. 025| | 2| 0. 022| 0. 023| 0. 024| 0. 025| 0. 026| | 3| 0. 022| 0. 024| 0. 024| 0. 025| 0. 026| Average| 0. 022| 0. 0233| 0. 0237| 0. 0247| 0. 0257| Table 4: Values for surface tension Concentration| Density (kg m3)| Acc. due to gravity (m s-2)| Height (m)| Radius (m)| Surface tension (N m-1)| 0. 1 M| 910| 9. 8| 0. 022| 4. 5592825 X 10-4 | 0. 04472564947| 0. 2 M| 920| | 0. 0233| | 0. 04788906204| 0. 4 M| 930| | 0. 0237| | 0. 04917091975| 0. 6 M| 940| | 0. 0247| | 0. 05187013633| 0. 8 M| 950| | 0. 0257| | 0. 545442923| Table 5: Values for excess concentration, cross-sectional area, & molecular radius of n-butanol Temperature| 303 K| Excess concentration| 7. 9387 mol m-2| Cross-sectional area| 2. 09 X 1048 A| Molecular radius of n-butanol| 8. 156394192 X 1023 A| Figure 1: Plot of n-butanol concentration versus surface tension Figure 2: Plot of surface tension versus ln C Discussion: The objective of the experiment is to use the capillary rise method to determine the surface tension of the working solution – in this case, the increasing concentrations of n-butanol solution.In a solution, molecules experience intermolecular forces with each other. However, the molecules in the surface of the solution experience less intermolecular force because part of it is exposed to a different phase. Therefore, there is a ten dency for the â€Å"bulk† solution to pull the molecules from the surface towards them. This concept is applied in a rain droplet, where because of the pull by the bulk part of the solution, it shapes into a form of a sphere – a shape with the least surface area. The rise of the solution in the capillary tube is the result of cohesion and adhesion.Cohesion is the attraction of molecules within the same phase while adhesion refers to the attraction of molecules of different phases; say the n-butanol solution and the walls of the capillary tube. If the adhesion force is stronger than the cohesion force, the walls of the capillary tube will be wet, which in turn attracts molecules from the bulk of the solution upward until the pressure exerted from outside (environment) of the capillary tube is equal to the forces that lifts the solution upwards.This equilibrium point will be used to determine the height of the rise of the solution, which is a factor in determining the su rface tension of the solution. Different concentrations of n-butanol solution were prepared in volumetric flasks. Then the radius of the capillary tube was identified by performing the capillary rise method using deionized water. With the given surface tension of water at 30 degrees Celsius, the radius was calculated: r=2? pgh Surfactants are molecules that have a nonpolar tail and a polar end.It lowers the surface tension from two different phases because of its ability to â€Å"pull† the molecules toward the molecules in the surface area. N-butanol is a surfactant therefore, it is hypothesized that the surface tension will decrease as the concentration of this surfactant in the solution increases. However, in the experiment, the results stated otherwise, that the more concentrated the n-butanol in the solution is, the higher the surface tension it manifests, as shown in figure 1.The equation used to compute for the surface tension is: ? = pghr2 where p is the density, g is the acceleration due to gravity, h is the height of the solution and r is the radius of the capillary. Sources of error can come from the deviating temperatures of the balance room and the laboratory. The capillary rise method should have been performed immediately right after identifying the density of the solution since a little change in temperature could greatly affect the behavior of the solution.Moreover, the long duration of time in performing the capillary rise method could possibly turn the solution back again to two layered phases, instead of a homogenous mixture therefore, what is measured is the height of the crude deionized wated rather than the solution. Also, another source of error could be the prolonged â€Å"stagnant† state of the other solutions in the volumetric flask where the alcohols present in the solution could possibly be turned into vapor state inside the flasks.The behavior of the n-butanol is to converge to each other and replace the water molecul es at the surface. The concentration of this surfactant becomes bigger than the molecules in the bulk which gives the excess of concentration denoted by: ? = -sRT where s is the slope of the best-fit line by plotting the surface tension against ln C (concentration in mol m-3), R is the ideal gas constant, and the T is the temperature in Kelvin. The value of ? , is used to calculate the value of the cross-sectional molecule of n-butanol, as well as the molecular radius of the chemical.Conclusion: Although the result stated otherwise, the concept of surface tension and the relationship of the concentration of the surfactant were understood with further research of other related experiments. Despite this, the use of capillary rise method gave way to compute for the radius without directly measuring it, but instead by having a given surface tension and determining the other sufficient factors in the Laplace equation. Sample Calculations: radius of capillary= 2(0. 07118Nm)995. 67kgm39. 8 ms2(0. 0320m)=0. 00046m urface tension= 910kgm39. 8ms20. 022m(0. 00046m)2=0. 045Nm excess concentration= -0. 0028. 314JKmol(303K)= 0. 00000079Jmol cross-sectional area= 10. 00000079Jmol10101m216. 022X1023molecules=2. 09X10^48A molecular radius= 2. 09X10^48Avalue of pi=8. 16X10^23A Literature Cited: Chang, Raymond. Physical Chemistry for the Chemical and Biological Sciences. 3rd ed. Sausalito, CA: University Science Books, 2000. Print. Page 840. csustan. Surface Tension and Soap Bubbles . 03 February 1999. 25 June 2012. . Prpich, A. , et. al. Tension at the Surface: Which Phase Is More Important, Liquid or Vapor?. 2009 Value of density @ 30 degrees Celsius taken from: Value of ideal gas constant taken from: < Mohr, Peter J. ; Taylor, Barry N. ; Newell, David B. (2008). â€Å"CODATA Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants: 2006†. Rev. Mod. Phys. 80 (2): 633–730. >. Value of surface tension of water @ 30 taken from: < Lange, p. 1663>