Democratic Outlaws Essays - International Criminal Law, Piracy

Democratic Outlaws DEMOCRATIC OUTLAWS ? Pirates, the outlaws of the sea. If like me, the first idea that comes to mind regarding pirates is a group of raiding and plundering individuals. This is due to todays society glamorizing the pirates as fascinating characters. Historically, not much written information has been left behind. The pirates did not leave ship logs or accounts of plunders, because it could be used to incriminate them. Society today has invented the pirates to fit a romantic mold. Therefore, we grew up thinking of treasure hunts, sea battles, sword fights and plank walkers, when in actuality the pirates of old were loathed by society. During the Golden Age of Piracy, during the 17th and 18th centuries, pirates were regarded as common criminals of the seas without thought to democracy/justice or civility. In short, the pirates had no decency. However, is there some truth to the glamorized legends? Could the legendary characters have upheld the same ideals? In the course of the semester, we have learned some of the truths behind the glamorized pirate facade. Throughout life I have seen that good is more often than not overshadowed by bad. I decided to give these characters the benefit of the doubt and do some investigating. In this essay, I will attempt to prove that human decency among the pirates could have existed. Civility is one trait rarely associated with pirates. Why should civility be associated as a trait of pirates? After all, pirates raid, plunder, steal, rape, drink and swear. Civilized people do not participate in lowly, unlawful behavior. Pirates were know to be excessive drunks, ruthless killers, indulgers of women and unruly individuals. In defense of pirate civility, I must point out a few examples. Lord Byrons The Corsair is an excellent example of pirate decency. Conrad, Byrons hero and captain of a pirate crew, shows remarkable civility for a pirate. While The Corsair is a fictional work, many of the pirate tales, as in other fictional works, derive from actual occurrences. While Conrads crew is toasting spirts and carousing about, he remains composed. Neer for his lip the purplng cup they fill, That goblet passes him untasted still . . . But while he shuns the grosser joys of sense, His mind seems nourished by that abstinence (Byron 152). Conrad does not overindulge and does not become unruly. Conrad does not kill unnecessarily and when forced to kill, it is in defense. Conrad does not ravage women. He is married but loves only one. Jean Lafitte is a factual example of civility. Lafitte was a pirate masked in gentlemans clothing. It is said, Lafitte hobb-knobbed with high society. The majority of the descriptions of Lafitte portray him as well dressed, well mannered and well spoken, as a gentleman should be. Lafitte was also a patriot playing a significant role in the Battle of New Orleans, in which he received honors. Democracy/Justice among the pirates is another unlikely topic to ponder when thinking of pirates. How can outlaws be democratic or just? The pirates bluntly disregarded the law when raiding and plundering. However, within the pirate community, was a democratic structure. The community had its own way of government and enforcing justice. Life amongst the pirates in the 17th and 18th centuries was more democratic than those of most countries. Esquemelings Buccaneers of America, gives an account of pirate democracy. Each ship had a code they lived by. The crew aboard a pirate vessel selected their captains by casting votes. Although the captain is an elected position, the captain of the vessel was in complete control and was to be obeyed and respected. However, if a captain loses the favor of his crew, mutiny occurs and he is voted out. The replacement captain is then voted in usually coming from within crew. The quartermaster is the chief authority save in battle. He acts as ships magistrate for small offenses. Serious offenses are tried before a pirate jury. In addition, the quartermaster served as the trustee for the whole ships company in Defoes words, for the captain can do nothing which the quartermaster does not approve of . . . for he speaks for and looks after the interests of the company (Mark 202). Before setting off on a voyage, the pirates called a council to delegate duties in preparation for departure. The council delegated a duty to each crew member such as getting needed provisions. Another council was

Free Essays on A Dolls House

In today’s society women are not only the backbone of the family but sometimes considered to be the one to hold the family together through thick and thin. Women want to be treated as an equal to the man. Women have fought and even boycotted but still men continue to control our society and most of the time they tend to have the final say so especially in the household. In the stories A Doll’s House and Sweat this idea of what we now call a â€Å"woman† does not even exist. Women have the right to every thing a man has a right to and more. In examining these two stories they are very similar in a great deal that they both dealt with the fact that the man in their life, in my opinion, could not handle an educated or dependent woman and they really felt intimidated. Women are people too and they should be treated as such. In the earlier days women spent most of their time in the household. Women were expected and taught to be a foot pedestal to men. The men were taught to â€Å"bring home the bacon† and provide for the family. Women, on the other hand, were expected to support their man and â€Å"do as they were told† and if their husband’s wanted anything they were to cater to his every need, no questions asked. Women had no voice, they were basically considered as property to their husbands instead of a wife or helpmate. In some cases even daughters were treated like this also. If a man wanted to marry another man’s daughter he would have to get her father’s permission and in some cases pay the father to marry his daughter. This was done because the father would be loosing help, sort of like an employee, so the man had to pay him so that he could continue with his work. In the story A Doll’s House Torvald, the husband, treated Nora, his wife, more like his daughter. But one day she finally got a backbone and left. She wanted to learn, to be educated, and to find out who she really was. In one part of the pl... Free Essays on A Dolls House Free Essays on A Dolls House In today’s society women are not only the backbone of the family but sometimes considered to be the one to hold the family together through thick and thin. Women want to be treated as an equal to the man. Women have fought and even boycotted but still men continue to control our society and most of the time they tend to have the final say so especially in the household. In the stories A Doll’s House and Sweat this idea of what we now call a â€Å"woman† does not even exist. Women have the right to every thing a man has a right to and more. In examining these two stories they are very similar in a great deal that they both dealt with the fact that the man in their life, in my opinion, could not handle an educated or dependent woman and they really felt intimidated. Women are people too and they should be treated as such. In the earlier days women spent most of their time in the household. Women were expected and taught to be a foot pedestal to men. The men were taught to â€Å"bring home the bacon† and provide for the family. Women, on the other hand, were expected to support their man and â€Å"do as they were told† and if their husband’s wanted anything they were to cater to his every need, no questions asked. Women had no voice, they were basically considered as property to their husbands instead of a wife or helpmate. In some cases even daughters were treated like this also. If a man wanted to marry another man’s daughter he would have to get her father’s permission and in some cases pay the father to marry his daughter. This was done because the father would be loosing help, sort of like an employee, so the man had to pay him so that he could continue with his work. In the story A Doll’s House Torvald, the husband, treated Nora, his wife, more like his daughter. But one day she finally got a backbone and left. She wanted to learn, to be educated, and to find out who she really was. In one part of the pl... Free Essays on A Dolls House â€Å"A Dolls House† Henrik Ibsen In the play, â€Å" A Dolls House†, Henrik Ibsens core message is to evaluate society in the nineteenth century European life. The play shows notorious issues that the audience can relate to because they take part in the similar situations every day of their own lives. Unwittingly the leading actress solves the trouble at the end of the play and in some way sends a message to the audience on how to solve their own problems. Ibsen takes a look at the issues through a different angle in which his society never knew were ever really wrong to begin with. Ibsen takes a look at one critical thing in society, and that is women’s rights. Back in the society Ibsen wrote this play in, women were not supposed to borrow money or do anything â€Å"legal†. Women were supposed to be mute and leave this up to the men. (Example on page 1774, Literature Text, 8th Edition.) On this page (1774) Nora, the main character, supposedly borrowed the money for their trip from her father. But Nora confesses to her friend Christine that she in fact did not borrow the money from her father she herself was the one who raised it. Ibsen shows the traditional look at women in which they were to stay at home, cook, clean, take care of the children and tend to her husband. Torvald (Nora’s husband) calls Nora by pet-names and speaks down to her because he thinks that she is not intelligent and that she can not think on her own Ibsen takes a look at the lack of power or â€Å"say† a women has in nineteenth century, he shows through Nora how some women would hide their strength and go above and beyond what’s expected. Like in the above paragraph we discussed how women were not supposed to do anything legal, such as taking loans from banks or other resources. In the play, Nora takes a loan from Kragstad to pay for her husband’s trip without her husband knowing. (Pg 1783, Literature Text, 8th Edition) Nora never bein...

Question and Case Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Question and Case Analysis - Assignment Example ing Aoki is manufacturing to China, Mexico, or Eastern Europe, the company must first carry out thorough scanning to understand the political and economic laws in these countries. China has religious law, which may not affect Aoki firm greatly in its operations. China and Mexico do have a mixed economy where both government intervention and market mechanisms operate. The Chinese government encourages foreign investors as compared to Mexico and Eastern Europe states. In Mexico, businesses are marred with violence thus discouraging investments. Nonetheless, there is socialism system of government in some parts of Eastern Europe such as Russia that controls all economic and political matters. Most of the businesses bribe to acquire important documents such as licenses and there are increased crimes and killings that involve seizing of individual businesses. Russia and some countries in Eastern Europe do not have a strong antipiracy law hence may weaken the business by manufacturing fake glasses as the ones manufactured by Aoki firm. Aoki Company should therefore consider manufacturing in China than in Mexico and Eastern Europe. Aoki’s decision to sell its products to Latin America and Europe is welcomed due to political stability in these regions that comprises deeper application of civil law. There are also good quality infrastructures such as communication that may help in doing business. Furthermore, market forces are left to control trade hence democracy in trade and economic freedom. Aoki will be able to make economic decisions to facilitate its operations thus maximizing its profits. According to the American corporation policy, Aoki will repatriate a given percentage of its taxable profit to the home country. Emerging markets have a large number of middle class that provide a good market for commodities in their countries. The middle-income earners have enough disposable income that enable them purchase electronics. The ability to purchase electronics

President Obama's Inaugural Address Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

President Obama's Inaugural Address - Essay Example In the very beginning of his address, President Obama displays this forgiving attitude when he said â€Å"I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition†. The other discernible quality of the speech is its minimal rhetoric. President Obama, having spent close to two years on the campaign trail – initially for the primaries and later for the Presidency – might have been excused if he had resorted to the usual rhetorical flourishes. Breaking away from this tendency, the speech focused more on substance than style. The speech is also informed by historical context. For example, toward the beginning of the address, President Obama says â€Å"Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms†¦We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents. So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans†. This passage perfectly illustrates how the new President weaved aspects of t he past and present in revealing his vision for the country’s future. The usage of the phrase ‘We the people’ is a particularly clever implementation, for it connects the present historic moment to the event of the Declaration of Independence nearly three centuries ago. On the flip side, one could argue that the inaugural address was not the most inspiring speech Mr. Obama had delivered in his political life. The speech that he gave in the 2004 Democratic convention brought him widespread attention. The force and spirit of that landmark speech is not matched in the inaugural address. Probably, the gravity of the current economic crisis and the restraint of high office might have had a subduing effect. On the positive side, the speech was

Preservation of Biodiversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Preservation of Biodiversity - Essay Example In pre-Colombian times, this area supported an estimated 700,000 persons (a multiple of todays population) in a sustainable form† (Lutz, n.d.). Interest of human beings needs to be served first. All countries should not be held to the same standards in the preservation of endangered habitats and species because different countries have different levels of economic strength, and socioeconomic and political issues. It is not practicable to establish same standards of preservation in all countries because different countries give different priority to the conservation of biodiversity, and the stance of individual nations is governed by their cultural and religious beliefs, that often vary across nations. Traditional practices such as whaling and killing wildlife for ivory, tiger bones, and rhinoceros horns, etc. are not justifiable because there are better alternatives to these which are not only environment friendlier but also good for the well-being of animals. Conventionally, b ones retrieved from animals have been of little to no use for humans. Mostly, these bones have been used for ornamental purposes which can be lived

How Horror Movies Have Changed Film Studies Essay

How Horror Movies Have Changed Film Studies Essay Horror as a whole has been around for many years. Writers have unfolded tales of fear and fright in novels. Directors bring terror to life on the big screen. People have enjoyed being scared time and time again. But why do they like this? How has Horror become such a successful genre? Chilling stories were the humble beginnings of horror. In ancient times, the Greeks shared tales of hideous beasts with three heads, or powerful monsters that could turn a person to stone with a mere glance. Egyptian hieroglyphics told of a great beyond in which evil spirits, demons, and otherworldly beings dwelled. The Chinese worshiped and venerated their ghostly ancestors who would haunt them if they did otherwise. Every civilization had their share of myth and mystery, real or not. Horror novels originally come from a traditional Gothic writing style. The first mention of horror in literature comes from Horace Walpoles book The Castle of Otranto in 1764. Inspired by writers such as Ann Radcliffe and Matthew Gregory Lewis, Mary Shelley wrote the first rendition of Frankenstein in 1818. The nineteenth century in particular exploded with horrific literature writers, including Bram Stoker with the famous daunting tale of Dracula. Other well-known authors were Edgar Allen Poe, Wilkie Collins, and H. G. Wells. The first horror movies appeared on-screen in the 1920s. Credited as the first movie ever made, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was silent, dark and surreal, the specialty of the Grand Guignol Theater Company. The first monster movie, The Golem was released in 1920, which set the stage for the first vampire to appear on-screen in 1922. Though Nosferatu was the unauthorized German reproduction of Bram Stokers novel Dracula, it was nonetheless successful for the first film featuring these inhuman bloodsuckers. During the Depression of the thirties, people wanted something to keep them occupied and entertained. More people flocked to theaters and cinemas than ever before; 65% of the U.S. population saw films each week. Another reason for horrors sudden popularity was the invention of talkies, or movies with audio. Audiences now had soundtracks to keep them at the edge of their seats. Superb actors left guidelines for horror films for years to come. The thirties were one of the most successful eras in horror movie history. ((Karina Wilson, 2011)) The thirties were also explosions of the classic Universal monster movies. The franchise began with Dracula in 1931; although true to the original novel, the actor starring as Dracula never wore fangs! The same year, the original Frankenstein premiered. The next to appear was The Mummy in 1932. Finally in 1935 Werewolf of London came to the big screen; the actor, Henry Hull, also made alterations to his costume, using less fur and make-up that would otherwise cover his face entirely. The saga of these characters would continue until 1948, with Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein, which was the last nail in the coffin for the golden days of Universal monsters. ((Monsters in the Movies, 2011, pg. 1, 26, 27, 53, 54, 126)) In the forties, American citizens wanted anything to get their mind off of war. They wanted good, quality movies which the Horror genre was all too happy to make. Lon Chaney Jr. was now the man in the yak hair suit starring as his most famous role the Wolf Man. All of Americas fan favorites grouped together in numerous movies, such as House of Dracula and the many Abbot and Costello Humor Horrors. After the craze died down, zombies, gigantic apes and ghosts took their place. ((Karina Wilson, 2011)) Atomic mutations were the craze of the fifties. Radiation exposure, mutations and gigantic beasts could be seen in just about every movie created during this time. Titles such as Godzilla, Them, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and Attack of the Crab Monsters appeared in every drive-in and were huge hits. ((Monsters in the Movies, 2011, pg. 202-207)) Then came what is now called the worst film ever made. Plan 9 from Outer Space was a horrid mash-up of mutants, zombie slaves, and alien vampire overlords. Though this did not mar the fifties in horror history, it is still a prime example of how not to make a movie. ((Karina Wilson, 2011)) In 1959 Jack the Ripper began an era for serial killers and slasher horror. The most well-known horror film director Alfred Hitchcock makes a name for himself with his film Psycho during this time. Hundreds of directors have attempted to copy this brilliantly terrifying film, but none can match it. Also made by Hitchcock in 1963 was The Birds. During the same year, the first splatter film Blood Feast was released. This was the first of many to have seemingly endless gore for no apparent reason. All of these films have one thing in common: They were created on low budgets. This was common in most sixties films, but nearly all of them were huge hits. ((Monsters in the Movies, 2011, pg. 290, 293)) ((Karina Wilson, 2011)) Seventies horror had audiences with nightmares for weeks. From Piranha to The Legacy, there was almost no humor in these movies. The Exorcist in 1973 set a gold standard in Horror and was voted the scariest movie of all time in October of 1999. People are said to have passed out in audiences watching this film. Not only were there possessed demonic children, but cannibals as well. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre made in 1974 barely showed the audience any gore, but mixed with a chilling soundtrack and terrifying characters, the viewers imagination filled in the gaps. Psycho-killers were re-defined entirely because of the seventies. The eighties were as terrifying as the decade before, with chainsaws, cannibals, and even more deranged predators prowling the night. The horror franchise skyrocketed with Friday the 13th, having eleven sequels to this brutal splatter film. A Nightmare on Elm Street wasnt much better, as audiences feigned sleep entirely because Freddy might get them. However, as proven by popularity, people couldnt get enough of horror. ((Monsters in the Movies, 2011, pg. 226)) The beginning of the nineties was when horror directors truly saw how de-sensitized the common person was. Those horror films of the past merely made them laugh. They needed something new, something that hit closer to home. The serial killer is a big part of nineties horror, such as in Se7en and Silence of the Lambs. Also coming into play were space monsters, aliens bent on destroying or taking over and then destroying all mankind. Unlike the fifties, these aliens looked real, had real motives, and were genuinely scary. ((Monsters in the Movies, 2011, pg. 258, 259)) ((Karina Wilson, 2011)) In 2000, the sequel to Final Destination was produced, marking the beginning of a chain of movies that hit the modern American harder than Saw ever did. These were events although typically never to happen on a normal day that could in fact happen at any given time. ((www.horrorfilmhistory.com/index.php?pageID=2000s )) Nowhere seemed like a safe place anymore, especially when viruses and zombie apocalypses were taken into account; 28 Days Later is a prime example of this. An on-going series that also goes along with this idea is The Walking Dead, first aired in 2010. ((Monsters in the Movies, 2011, pg. 227, 307)) Old horror films were scary in their time because the general public had never been exposed to movies that targeted fear before. They are not as impacting to us today because they were made to frighten audiences in that time period, who were not as de-sensitized as the modern human being. What a person was afraid of in the 1920s is certainly not the same as what we fear. ((Richard Sine, WebMD)) Newer horror movies are made for those who enjoy being scared. If a person intends to see the newest slasher film at a theater, theyve obviously been exposed to those elements before. Directors of these films assume that their audiences like the thrill of being terrified. A killing spree in a movie might seem harsh, but you may get little to no response from a seasoned audience. ((Richard Sine, WebMD)) Over the years the definition of horror may have been altered and re-defined, but as always the general public is satisfied. As long as there is fear, there is a director willing to put that fear into the next box office hit. Horror films have been cherished for years, and will continue on for decades to come. Who knows what the newest advertisement or feature presentation will bring? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™ à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã†â€™

Natural Order and Phenomena in Shakespeares Macbeth Essay -- Macbeth 2

"Is 't night's predominance or the day's shame / That darkness does the face of Earth entomb / When living light should kiss it?" (Macbeth 2.4.9-11). ¹ The reversal of night and day in William Shakespeare's Macbeth represents a reversal far more permanent and unnatural: that of a nation's hierarchy. When the title character makes the tragic decision to commit regicide and begin a dishonest ascent to kingship, the destruction of the natural order of Scotland commences, and this turn of events is reflected by the violent reaction of natural phenomena in the country. William Shakespeare, as an author contracted by King James I, sought to preserve a conservative monarchical system, promote the philosophy of the Divine Right of Kings, and please his patron through Macbeth: Pairing Macbeth's murder of Scotland's King Duncan with a series of unnatural events, Shakespeare illustrates to audiences the severity of such a crime and the displeasure of nature and God with its perpetrator. The use of violent natural imagery in Macbeth solidifies a monarch's place as the divinely appointed leader of a nation by displaying God's consternation with Macbeth, embodying the interruption of a nation's natural hierarchy, striking terror into the hearts of those disloyal to their monarch, and portraying the witches as supernatural forces of evil upon Earth. In order to understand Macbeth's historical context, one must examine the political culture of the reign of King James I Stuart. James reigned over Scotland from 1567 to 1625 and England from 1603 to 1625, and was the first of a wave of monarchs claiming a divine right to rule (BBC). As the first ruler of a consolidated Kingdom of Great Britain, James issued public statements affirming his... ...ial conservatism and makes for interesting analysis. Just as an eclipse darkens the sun, regicide creates a series of events that reverses the natural order of a divine right monarchy, and William Shakespeare effectively illustrates this idea through the use of natural imagery in Macbeth. Works Cited "BBC - History - Historic Figures: James I and VI (1566 - 1625)." BBC History. BBC, 2011. Web. 08 Apr. 2011. . Kreis, Steven. "James I, Speeches to Parliament (1609)." The History Guide. 12 May 2004. Web. 08 Apr. 2011. . McDonald, Russ. The Bedford Companion to Shakespeare: an Introduction with Documents. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001. Print. Shakespeare, William, and Sylan Barnet. Macbeth. New York: Signet Classics, 1998. Print. Natural Order and Phenomena in Shakespeare's Macbeth Essay -- Macbeth 2 "Is 't night's predominance or the day's shame / That darkness does the face of Earth entomb / When living light should kiss it?" (Macbeth 2.4.9-11). ¹ The reversal of night and day in William Shakespeare's Macbeth represents a reversal far more permanent and unnatural: that of a nation's hierarchy. When the title character makes the tragic decision to commit regicide and begin a dishonest ascent to kingship, the destruction of the natural order of Scotland commences, and this turn of events is reflected by the violent reaction of natural phenomena in the country. William Shakespeare, as an author contracted by King James I, sought to preserve a conservative monarchical system, promote the philosophy of the Divine Right of Kings, and please his patron through Macbeth: Pairing Macbeth's murder of Scotland's King Duncan with a series of unnatural events, Shakespeare illustrates to audiences the severity of such a crime and the displeasure of nature and God with its perpetrator. The use of violent natural imagery in Macbeth solidifies a monarch's place as the divinely appointed leader of a nation by displaying God's consternation with Macbeth, embodying the interruption of a nation's natural hierarchy, striking terror into the hearts of those disloyal to their monarch, and portraying the witches as supernatural forces of evil upon Earth. In order to understand Macbeth's historical context, one must examine the political culture of the reign of King James I Stuart. James reigned over Scotland from 1567 to 1625 and England from 1603 to 1625, and was the first of a wave of monarchs claiming a divine right to rule (BBC). As the first ruler of a consolidated Kingdom of Great Britain, James issued public statements affirming his... ...ial conservatism and makes for interesting analysis. Just as an eclipse darkens the sun, regicide creates a series of events that reverses the natural order of a divine right monarchy, and William Shakespeare effectively illustrates this idea through the use of natural imagery in Macbeth. Works Cited "BBC - History - Historic Figures: James I and VI (1566 - 1625)." BBC History. BBC, 2011. Web. 08 Apr. 2011. . Kreis, Steven. "James I, Speeches to Parliament (1609)." The History Guide. 12 May 2004. Web. 08 Apr. 2011. . McDonald, Russ. The Bedford Companion to Shakespeare: an Introduction with Documents. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2001. Print. Shakespeare, William, and Sylan Barnet. Macbeth. New York: Signet Classics, 1998. Print.