SJS 6- "Protecting Climate Refugees: The Case For A Global Protocol"

Article: Protecting Climate Refugees: The Case For A Global Protocol

Biermann, Frank, and Ingrid Boas. "Protecting Climate Refugees: The Case For A Global Protocol." Environment 50.6 (2008): 8-17. GreenFILE. Web. 5 May 2016.

Author Bio: Both Frank Biermann and Ingrid Boasare are college professors and climate scientists in the Netherlands. One bias that they could have is that they may feel that not all first world countries should be responsible for climate change refugees because Europe is already inundated with refugees from the Middle East. However, their views are completely contrary to this, eliminating the possibility of this bias. Another bias that they might have is that the Netherlands is a first world country, but not one of the top powers. A government such as that of America's may have a different viewpoint because America would be contributing a large amount of money to this fund.

Date/Context: This article is concerned with the current policies regarding climate change, along with future policies that would ensure the safety of people in coastal areas. Because of climate change, the sea level is expected to rise one to two inches in the next twenty years. This will cause mass destruction and displacement of people from these coastal and island areas. The article focuses mainly on ways to create future programs that will help countries to manage displaced persons.

Summary: This piece first discusses how climate change creates refugees, stating that a 1-2 inch sea level rise would endanger countries like Maldives and Tuvalu because it would greatly increase the severity of storms and floods. The piece then discusses a proposal at the Geneva Convention that suggested that climate refugees be groups with political refugees, but would remain under the jurisdiction of their own governments. This would create many problems because of the disputes that would occur between the rights of the host country and the person's home country. The article goes on to explore the idea of the UN Security Council handling this issue, but then proposes that a separate organization would be better suited. Lastly, the modification of the UN's definition of "refugee" is discussed, and how the inclusion of climate refugees would grant these people the same rights as other refugees. It also proposes that the UN create a list of all countries threatened by climate change, so that there would be a solid definition for climate refugees, as there is for political refugees.

Key Quotation: "The planning  for  a  climate  refugee  protocol and the related institutional settings can- not wait until 2050 when it might be too late for orderly and organized responses. It must begin now."

SJS6 Chasing Dreams and Dollars: India and the H-1B Visa

Source: Ghosh, Padmaparna. "Chasing Dreams and Dollars: India and the H-1B Visa." San

    Fransico Chronicle. N.p., 29 Apr. 2016. Web. 6 May 2016. <http://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/

    Chasing-dreams-and-dollars-India-and-the-H-1B-7382822.php>.

Author: Is a native Indian freelance writer.

Summary: The H-1B visa a temporary work visa reserved for skilled-technical workers and grad students to work within the U.S for a period of 3-6 years without citizenship or residency. The program has been running since 1990 and currently accepts over 75,000 new workers every year. Most of these workers are part of the entry level IT industry which is for the most part concentrated on the west coast. This system however is not without its side effects. The system itself is run as a lottery for all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. This in many instances can result in applicants who may be more deserving of acceptance being denied based off the lottery. Other downsides include the criminal racketeering within the Indian outsourcing industry, discrimination of visa holding employees and anti-indian sentiment in the US under the banner of stolen jobs.

Analysis: This relates to our unit in the respect that it reflects upon the darker side of the economic globalization and flattening between the US and India. While many a time we only look at the tangible aspect that some Indians are earning better money and the US corporations get cheap labor. We fail to address the envy it causes amongst the rest of the Indian populations and the repercussions it has on them and the distaste it creates in America for foreign workers and effect that has on ethnic relations. So in the end the true power of this article does not lie in its’ inherent argument but rather in the reality that it shows how not very often do we ever fully see the whole picture of any situation.

PDP 6-Bhagavad Gita

Author Bio: There is no author of this document although this epic was ascribed to the Sage Ved Vyasa. The Bhagavad Gira, being a portion of the Mahabharata's Bhisma Parva, is also ascribed to him.

Date/Context: This famous work was put into writing around 200 B.C.E. Before that, it was proclaimed orally for many centuries. This was typically the case for many epics during this time period. The Gita is written in Sanskrit and has been translated into virtually every language. It was dated close to when recorded history began in India, and when the battle that became the Mahabarata supposedly occurred.

 Summary: The Bhagavad-Gita is a notorious work of the Hindu tradition. This epic is a a portion of a bigger epic called Mababbarata. To sum it up, this story is about two branches who are apart of one family, and are in constant conflict over competence. Through this conflict, Hindu Gods are intertwined to help break up this conflict. Arjuna is caught in the middle of this conflict and searches for help in this constant war with his own  fleshly desires. This passage offers a deep insight into Hindu beliefs regarding the soul and reflects India's caste system. He expresses his dilemma of how he doesn't understand why he has to shed his family's blood for a kingdom that he doesn't even want. From his perspective, killing his family outweighs any other sin. He puts down his weapons and tells Krishna that he refuses to fight, Krishna explains that he has to fight so he can restore his karma. Krishna begins by explaining the samsaric cycle of birth and death, This cycle allows one to work off their karma, and if one serves God, this leads to a dissolution of the soul, eventually achieving enlightenment. Three elements are presented throughout the God's advice. Krinsha says that one who achieves divine union with him in meditation will in the end, find freedom.

Key quotation: Have thy mind on Me, thy devotion toward Me, thy sacrifice to Me, do homage to Me. Thus guiding thyself, given over to Me, so to Me shalt thou come."

PDP 6- The Azamgarh Rebellion

Author Bio: The document, The Azamgarh Proclamation has no one author. The document was composed by a group of rebels who believed that if they were to write this proclamation that the king of India would have put together a protest to change the British rule in India. These rebels were against the British East India Company, and they later realized that the company was far more powerful then them and the proclamation would mean nothing to the company.

Date/Context: This proclamation was written in the late 18th century during the time in which the Mogul Empire fell. The proclamation was written to hope of improving their country after the difficult times the country, and writers of the document, were facing.

Summary: This document is about the creation of the Azamgarh Proclamation. This article was written by rebels who it was addressed to the British East India Company. The motivation for the proclamation was to bring together more Muslims and Hindus who were against the British business in India. The proclamation was calling for the Muslims and Hindus of all classes and castes to rise against the faithless English who has taken control of their land. The proclamation also stated that all non-native traders and merchants were to be subject to public treason and this practice would be dispelled immediately. The proclamation failed in further spreading the sepoy rebellion, however, it brought light to the acts of the British East India Company on the native Indian peoples.

Key Quotation: "Lastly, be it known to all, that whoever, out of the above-named classes, shall... still cling to the British government, all his estates shall be confiscated, and his property plundered, and he himself, with his whole family, shall be imprisioned, and ultimately put to death."

PDP 6- "Speech at the UN Conference on Women (1995)"

Author Bio:

Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto was the 11th prime minister of Pakistan and a steadfast advocate of peace. She served two terms from 1988–1990 and 1993–1996. Her role in this conference is significant because she was the first woman to be democratically elected to lead any Muslim nation. As the leader of Pakistan, a largely Muslim nation, Bhutto cites elements of the Muslim faith in her argument for womens' rights by describing the fact that the fundamental principles of Islam promote women as equals and do not support or condone discrimination of any kind. Her position of political power and the faith that largely represents her country draws legitimacy to the argument posed in her speech at the conference. It is clear that she has some significant bias in the matter of womens' rights given that she is a woman. The argument would most likely have been presented differently if the speech was given by a male; however, the bias that she held translated into a display of true passion and belief in her cause, thus deeming her presentation significantly more effective at rallying support. Moreover, she has a unique perspective on the issue given that she is a woman from Pakistan. The problems that she addresses, while very pressing in Pakistan and its neighboring regions, do not hold such a glaring presence in places such as America. Her cultural bias on this matter contributes to her argument because she speaks from experience and is able to enlighten those who are generally removed from the problem. 

Date/Context:

This speech was presented in 1995, so the issues that it describes are very modern. The concerns about womens' rights that were discussed by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto are still present in societies all over the world today. The  speech was given at a conference just four years after the culmination of the Cold War in 1991. The speaker even denotes this war as a contributing factor in the discrimination and exploitation of women in modern society. 

Summary:

In September of 1995, a conference was held in Beijing as an effort to rally world leaders in the fight for womens' rights. As stated by the guest speaker, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the assembly proved that women had not been forgotten, and there is a resounding effort to increase true gender equality. Bhutto explains that some of the core issues that create and contribute to gender inequity are the facts that women all over the world tend to have little to no education and very limited job opportunities. Thus, women are unable to support themselves independently, resulting in maltreatment, exploitation, and often poverty. The Pakistan Prime Minister and advocate for womens' rights also denotes that Pakistan has been implementing numerous policies to increase the status of women, such as investment in the education of girls, increased employment opportunities, and organizations such as the Womens' Bank, which helps to build financial stability and independence for women all over the country. Furthermore, the speaker acknowledges the substantial but still insufficient progress that has been made throughout her lifetime. She explains that most women are now free to leave the house and have their choice in marriage; however, Bhutto repeatedly reminds the delegates that equality has not yet been reached. She concludes the speech with a final effort to rally support for her cause and urges her audience to commit to the improvement of womens' rights. She explains that women cannot fight this battle alone and that it will require a world of commitment for the final goal to be achieved. Finally, she adds that the equality that she seeks for women all over the world must reach beyond solely political and legal means, and must extend into all other aspects of society as well. 

Key Quotation:

"This conference needs to chart a course that can create a climate where the girl child is as welcomed and valued as the boy child, that the girl child is considered as worthy as a bot child."

PDP 6- Hind Swaraj

PDP 6- Hind Swaraj 

Author Bio: Mohandas Gandhi was the leader in the Indian fight for independence from British imperialism and is considered the Father of Modern India. He initiated a campaign of non-violent civil disobedience. Gandhi received secondary education both in India and England. He is known for his high moral standards and quest for the truth. This leads one to believe that Gandhi is a reliable author due to his objections against lies and extensive schooling. However, in Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj it is apparent that he is biased against kings and rulers. For example, he states “Kings will always use their kingly weapons. To use force is bred in them.” In the passage Gandhi explains how people can become passive resister, but he excludes kings from being able to do so. This bias could have arose out of his Jain upbringing that stressed non-violence and then viewing rulers repetitively use violence throughout history. Lastly, it is important to note that most of Gandhi’s writing is opinion and not fact. For example, there is no way to prove that “those who defy death are free from all fear.”

Date/Context: Hind Swaraj was written by Gandhi in 1908 on his way back to South Africa from a visit in India. In the early 20th century, India was being transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. Gandhi did not support the industrialization that was taking place. Moreover, Great Britain was beginning to loose power in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Making it the perfect time for Gandhi to publish a book that ultimately explained the way he believed the British should be “overthrown”. In addition, there was a growing unwillingness to accept oppression by the British in India. For example, the railroads built by the British in the late 19th century helped unify India and spread ideas of Indian national identity. Once again, this made it the timing near perfect for Gandhi to produce a book that outlined methods to allow Indians to rule India. Ideas of passive resistance and non-violence found in Hind Swaraj went on to inspire people throughout the 20th century. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. credits Gandhi for his peaceful approach in the American Civil Rights Movement. 

Summary: The main idea of Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj is that through personal suffering the individual can become free and overcome the state. Gandhi strategically sets up the passage in a question and answer format. He asks criticizing questions and then proceeds to answer them. This strengthens his argument because it addresses and refutes any opposition to his ideas. The first question posed is if there is any historical evidence that soul-force can be successful. Gandhi explains that history only tells of the interruptions in the natural flow of the world. In other words, no one records the times of harmony and natural ways of the world. Therefore, since soul force is natural, it is not recorded in history. He explains that solely the amount of people still alive today despite hundreds of wars is enough proof that soul force continues to live on. Next, he is asked to further clarify passive resistance. Gandhi explains passive resistance as self sacrifice that allows one to gain personal rights. Following, he is asked if would suggest disregarding laws in order to carry out passive resistance. Gandhi replies that a person who only believes in the judgement of God is not bound by man-made laws. He continues to say that it is only unmanly to follow unjust laws. Furthermore, Gandhi discusses how it is cowardly to stand behind a canon while it is courageous to stand directly in front of a canon knowing that death is upon oneself. Gandhi ends by examining the importance of a strong body, chastity, and poverty in becoming a passive resister. 

Key Quotation: “Passive resistance is a method of securing rights by personal suffering; it is the reverse of resistance by arms.”

PDP 6: “Sermons and Teachings”

PDP 6: “Sermons and Teachings”

Author Bio: The author of this article is Siddhartha Gautama, or more commonly referred to as “The Buddha”. He was the son of a king and raised in luxury. Legend said that he was to either grow up to be a great monarch or a great Buddha. Around the age of 29, Siddhartha saw human suffering and began a journey as a wandering ascetic. One night, he attained his goal of the highest truth while meditating. He then set to spreading his teachings throughout east Asia.

Date/Context: The article is dated 6th century B.C.E which is not too long after Buddhism was created. One can imply from this that the religion had not reached a vast number of followers yet and was still being discovered. The article contains the Buddha essentially teaching the bhikkus about the concepts of Buddhism and further develop their understanding of the philosophy.

Summary: This article essentially describes the Buddha explaining and teaching the ways of the Buddhists religion to five bhikkus. These disciples honor and respect the Buddha, but do not refer to him as their master. He lives amongst them equally, but is still considered the Buddha, or Holy One. He begins by describing the middle path which is basically finding a medium between good and evil. From here, he is led to the four noble truths. These essentially state that life consists of suffering, people suffer due to desire, to eliminate suffering, eliminate desires, and in order to eliminate desires, one must follow the eightfold path. After this explanation the bhikkus begin to realize the that the Buddha has discovered the truth to life. He then discusses Nirvana and makes as comparison to the wind. He says that although one cannot see wind, one knows it is there, the same goes for Nirvana.

Key Quotation: “‘He who fills his lamp with water will not dispel the darkness, and he who tries to light a fire with rotten wood will fail.’”