History and Political Science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

History and Political Science - Essay Example However, with independence and exacerbated peace missions across warring countries, this has changed over time. Many states around the world are independent and sovereign. China and Germany for example were ruined after the Second World War, but have emerged as leading world powers today, right from the post-war period. Security measures, trade and financial systems are essential factors that are promoting global relations today, enhancing the persistent globalization process. Modernization and contemporary trends in cultural, social, economic and political aspects define globalization today. Globalization is a process that has been going on for quite a long time now. It is this process that has resulted in global power shifts between states. The start of globalization is a historical phenomenon. It is dated decades of years ago, when states began to unite against others. Different states were objective about accumulating significant authority and power against others. The idea was t o dominate weaker states by strong states. In this regard, it was necessary that states unite to concentrate their powers and authority. On the same note, other objectives were realized in the process, characterized by global powers that keep shifting from time to time. Globalization is a diverse concept that is defined by numerous concepts, each of which is unique from one state to another. Converging cultural, social, economic and political practices are central to globalization in the modern times. It is highly characterized by interconnectedness of modes and means of communication that make it easy for the entire world to keep in touch. Populations in many states today have both locals and foreigners. The slave trade and migration of persons from one state to another marked the start of contemporary globalization. The moving out of business enterprises from their locales to international locations further exacerbated globalization and state relationships. The start of globalizat ion is basically seen from its definition. Globalization in the global power between states context is defined as an expanded economic integration, characterized by interdependence of states through international free trade, market economies, investments and capital flows (Raymond, Barbara and Bob, p.121-122). This process started as soon as world states began to realize their rights and freedoms at a time when weaker states were dominated by string states. The fading away of colonialism, slave trade and war between states marked the start of globalization. This was also the start of the realization of global power between states. Global politics have from then become diversely distributed, with globalization acting as the shaping power of the said distribution. The influence of global commerce has significantly led to the realized trends in global power between states. Multinational corporations and Bretton Woods institutions have further accelerated the influence of globalization on global powers and authorities. This has been aided by ease in international communication and transport, collaboration between states and technological advancements from time to time. (Raymond, Barbara and Bob, p.122) says, â€Å"global commerce linked with the spread of global fibre-optic networks, digitization, satellite communications, the world wide web and computer technology have impacted state-to-state power relations dramatically.† The effects of globalization

AN EXAMINATION OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH IMMIGRATION AND ETHNIC RELIGIOUS Essay

AN EXAMINATION OF THE EXTENT TO WHICH IMMIGRATION AND ETHNIC RELIGIOUS PLURALISM THREATENS THE WELFARE - Essay Example As briefly indicated in the above, ethnic and religious plurality constitute a potential threat to the very notion of the welfare state and its associate welfare citizenship. Plurality, implying conflict and difference, is antithetical to the very principles upon which the welfare state is predicated; the principles of shared identity, commonality and homogeneity. Even while conceding to the reality of the stated threat, however, this research will posit the claim that the management of plurality through multiculturalism has the potential to control and limit this threat. Understanding the extent to which ethnic plurality and religious diversity can function as a threat to the welfare state, is predicated on an appreciation of the implications of nation-hood and the social citizenry to which it gave rise. If the idea of the nation was invented, imported, and implemented by elites, it had also to appeal to the rest of the population who had not known dignity before the age of nationalism. Weber observes that "the idea of the nation for its advocates stands in very intimate relation to [their] prestige interests" (Weber 1978: 9251530). While the dominant political strata, such as feudal lords, modern officers, and bureaucrats are the primary exponents of a desire for the political power of the state, since "power for their political community means [political, economic, and social] power for themselves" (Weber 1978: 911/520), it is those who appropriate leadership in a community of culture, the "carriers of culture." who promote the idea of a nation (W eber 1978: 9261530). These are, for Weber, primarily intellectuals, but also artists, editors, authors, journalists, etc. (Weber 1946a: 1791485). While, originally, the "masses" had little to gain and little to lose within the political project of the state, or within the "cultural" mission of the nation (Weber 1978: 9211527, 9251530), they can increasingly identify with the nation-state's prestige due to the "democratization of state, society and culture" (Weber 1946: 1781485). The implication here is that the nation emerged as an imagined entity but attained concrete reality because of a shared social identity, a common culture which, in turn, gave rise to shared historical memories and heritage. In other words, the state is inherently founded upon shared social identity and it is the latter which gave rise to the nation, and not vice-versa. Within the context of the stated, the nation may very well be an imagined entity but it, nonetheless, bestows identity upon its populace (Gre enfield, 1992). Citizenship derives from the nation which, in turn, emerged as a direct outcome of