Is Globalization Good for Africa: The Problem of Theory Versus Reality
Paper in Progress
October 22, 2018
The continent of Africa occupies a special place in the history and consciousness of humanity. As the cradle of human civilization and the womb of mankind, its future is inextricably linked to our common future as a species on Earth. (Rashidi 2000). As such, it is important that we examine and attempt to determine whether globalization is in the long-term benefit of the continent. To best analyze this question, one must first delineate the cultural, socio-political, and economic aspects which define globalization. Then, properly associate those aspects to both the current circumstances and future outcomes of the African continent. Lastly, one should integrate this agreed upon definition of globalization, along with its social, political, and economic impacts, to a notion of what is ‘good’ for Africa’s future. Here, I will do so by presenting opposing theoretical socio-economic lenses, statistical evidence in various areas of the African continent, and local anecdotal narratives.
The Browning of Europe:
A Case Study of Post War European Immigration from a Realist and Neorealist Perspective
May 01, 2007
This paper will examine the rise in non-European immigration, and the resultant public policy responses by the UK, France, and Germany over varying levels of analysis through the theoretically prism of classical realist and neoliberal theories as a means of exploring their respective philosophies as well as positing potential public policy implications for the continent. The paper will also attempt, through historical literature on the topic, to describe ways in both neoliberal and realist theory would explain these responses and policies. In so doing, the paper will conceptually envisage the large post-World War II non-European immigration of three states as one case and thus analyzes both their domestic, and international political and policy responses reactions to this case.
Money, Not Melanin:
Illustrating African American Socio-Economic Disparity as a Factor to Political Participation
April 01, 2009
This paper will examine the degree to which three crucial features of political incorporation; voter turnout, external political efficacy, and campaign contributions are more closely related to the current socio-economic characteristics of African American than to their ethnic identity alone. More specifically, it will argue that the post-Civil Rights era emphasis on African American political incorporation solely by expanding their electoral participation through an increase in the number of Black voters and elected officials is ineffective.
A Congress That Looks Like America:
Can A Government Be For The People If It’s Not Of The People
December 01, 2006
Americans have had for many years a deep and growing sense of disconnection from their representatives in Congress. The public increasingly feels that not only doesn’t Congress look like them demographically, but also that their opinions and concerns are also being ignored (King 1998, 32). This disaffection is a result of both a built in distance between the people’s will and their representative, and powerful effects money, class, race, and gender have within our political institutions.
Pulling Back For a Better View:
An Examination of Exogenous Urban Policy Constraints
December 01, 2009
There can be no disagreement that poverty, its causes, effects, and persistence are at the heart of the political development, functioning, and public policy debate of American cities. The very discussion of urban politics, from the standpoint of those residents and academics outside the city, which often wield inordinate political power over the lives of city residents, often revolves around the perception of cities solely as of havens concentrated poverty and crime (Wilson, 1990, pp. 6-18).