Thursday, December 26, 2019

Theme Of Racial Intolerance In To Kill A Mockingbird

There are many themes shown throughout the book To Kill a Mockingbird. The author, Harper Lee made the novel take place in the 1930s and in a fictional town called Maycomb County in Alabama. The narrator was a young girl in the novel names Scout Finch. Throughout the book Scout, her older brother Jem, and her best friend Dill discover new things and become more mature. Then towards the end of the book Atticus, the father of Jem and Scout, agrees to defend a black man named Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping a white girl. In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, racial intolerance and courage are two of the many themes demonstrated throughout the novel. Racial Intolerance is a theme encountered all throughout To Kill a†¦show more content†¦It shows that whites are treated differently than blacks. If Boo Radley was black, he would’ve probably went to jail and not the courthouse basement. As a result, throughout the book whites and blacks are treated differently and the blacks are kinda afraid of the whites. Another theme that is shown in To Kill a Mockingbird is courage. In the book, a blacked man named Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white girl. The father of the white girl, Bob Ewell is the one that said he saw Tom Robinson rape his daughter. Atticus, the father of Jem and Scout, shows a lot of courage by defending Tom Robinson in court. In the book Atticus says, â€Å"In our courts, when its a white mans word against a black mans, the white man always wins† (Lee 295). This shows that he basically knows that its impossible for Tom to win in court, but he defends him anyways because he thinks it’s the right thing to do. Atticus tried his best to help Tom win, but in the end it didn’t happen. Tom should’ve won but just like Atticus said there’s no way a black man is going to win against an all white jury. If somebody else would’ve defended Tom, he probably would’ve lost in court right away, but Atticus tried really hard to win it for him. Therefore that is how Atticus showed courage in the book, he went along by himself to go against all the whites and defend the black man, Tom Robinson, because he thought it was the right thing to do. Boo Radley also shows courage throughout the novel.Show MoreRelatedTo Kill A Mockingbird Analysis1378 Words   |  6 PagesThe Influence of Setting on Themes and Events in To Kill A Mockingbird Vs. A Time to Kill A setting is used in literature to highlight the major themes and also shape the events of the narration. Though set in different time periods, the settings of To Kill a Mockingbird by Lee Harper and A Time to Kill by Joel Schumacher serves to reinforce various themes that highlight various aspects of American history. Racial segregation and issues associated with it such as the lifestyle of the Southern stateRead MorePrejudice And Intolerance : Societal Values And Traditional Values2159 Words   |  9 PagesRacial Prejudice/Intolerance Created By Societal Values And Traditional Values In â€Å"Desiree’s Baby† and To Kill A Mockingbird â€Å"Racism isn t born †¦ it s taught †¦Ã¢â‚¬ , said by Denis Leary is true. Racism is not a physical obstacle one can conquer, but a mental challenge which is created through one’s experiences in life. The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee tells the story of a white man, Atticus Finch defending a black man, Tom Robinson against the rape of a white girl. Throughout the novelRead MoreRacism and Discrimination in to Kill a Mockingbird Essay870 Words   |  4 PagesRacism and Discrimination as the theme in To Kill A Mockingbird To Kill a Mockingbird written by Harper Lee is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel, that offers a view of life through a young girl’s eyes. The novel is focused on two main themes which are racism and discrimination. Racism is probably the biggest theme of the novel. It comes in as an open and subtle manner that is being displayed through speeches and actions. Racism in Maycomb takes mainly the form of having white people against blackRead MoreTo Kill A Mockingbird Southern Injustice Analysis853 Words   |  4 Pagescommunity. Sadly, in To Kill a Mockingbird, the people of Maycomb allow the town to fall into traps of racial and personal injustice, treating others without common respect and courtesy. This in turn results in a community characterized by unfair thinking and assumptions. The theme of injustice surfaces throughout To Kill A Mockingbird, as shown by the false accusation of Tom Robinson, the attacking of Jem and Scout, and the way the town treats and talks about Boo Radley. With racial bias at a high pointRead MoreEssay about Prejudice Runs Deep in To Kill A Mockingbird1650 Words   |  7 PagesPrejudice Runs Deep in To Kill A Mockingbird    To Kill A Mockingbird takes place in small town Maycomb, Alabama, a depression era town where people move slowly and twenty-four hours seems longer.   The narrator of the story is a six-year-old girl named Jean Louise Finch, a tomboy who hates wearing dresses and goes by the nickname Scout.   Scouts being a tomboy is of no little significance because while we are treated to a sweet and affectionate portrayal of Maycomb at the novels opening,Read MoreKill A Mockingbird By Harper Lee1547 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† is a classic piece of American literature written by Harper Lee. She illustrates a theme of the intolerance of prejudice and the quick judgments of others. The book takes the reader back to the 1930’s in a small town known as Maycomb. Harper Lee chose to give the reader an innocent, pure view of the different situations in the book through the eyes of a young girl named Jean Louise Finch who is also known as Scout. To Kill a Mockingbi rd is a pleasurable read for people ofRead MoreEssay on Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird1054 Words   |  5 PagesHarper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird Courage is the quality of mind that enables one to face danger with confidence, resolution, and gain a firm control of oneself. Many of the characters in To Kill a Mockingbird showed courage in their own way. Courage can come in many different forms: physical, mental, emotional and moral. Courage is not the only main theme displayed in To Kill a Mockingbird; prejudice and education are also very important themes exhibited throughout the progression of theRead Moreâ€Å"Shoot All The Blue Jays If You Want, If You Can Hit’Em,1224 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Shoot all the blue jays if you want, if you can hit’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird,† ( Lee pg 90) In Harper Lee’s famous novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, the author emphasizes the major issue of justice representing the symbol of a mockingbird. Taking place in the 1930s in the Deep South, a time when racial inequality and great intolerance were highly prevalent. The novel come s out as an injustice to the most gracious and thoughtful but unjustly accused citizens from the townRead MoreTo Kill a Mockingbird Identity1239 Words   |  5 Pageslives shape our identity? I will explore how this quotation is reflected in the novel â€Å"To Kill a Mockingbird† by Harper Lee, the film ‘Witness’, by Peter Weir, and the film ‘The Lion King’ by Roger Allers. The meaning of identity is not easily defined. Identity generally refers to the stable defining characteristics of a person that makes them an individual. I will explore a number of parallel themes evident in all three texts; the influence of courage, violence, discrimination, religion andRead MoreRacial Prejudice2231 Words   |  9 Pagesthere is still resistance to accept those who appear different amongst us. Racial Prejudice is an insidious moral and social disease affecting populations all over the world. It can be diagnosed by its various symptoms and manifestations which include fear, intolerance, separation, segregation, discrimination and hatred. While all of these symptoms of racial prejudice may be evident, the single underlying cause of Racial Prejudice is ignorance. While all humans belong to the same species, races are

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Direct Compensation vs. Benefits - 3008 Words

1. Introduction System of rewards is one of the key aspects in managing human resources within any organization. It has profound impact on attracting, retaining and motivation of employees and as a result on the overall performance of an organization. There is no doubt that employee compensation, which according to Dessler refers to all forms of pay or rewards going to employees, is the crucial factor in employee motivation. There are different two types of compensation: direct and indirect compensation. Direct compensation refers to monetary benefits offered and provided to employees in return for doing their job. The most common forms of direct compensation are wages, salaries, incentives, commissions and bonuses. Indirect compensation†¦show more content†¦The most notably advocate was Henry Ford who used these methods to design the first ever production line, making Ford cars. [http://www.hsfg.gloucs.sch.uk/Intranets/Business%20Studies/Motivation%20Theory.pdf] Although Taylors methods produced higher productivity, they also led to workers’ unrest and dissatisfaction, as they were only given boring, repetitive tasks and felt been turned into human machines. The main criticism of Taylor’s theory is related to the belief that workers are rational in their economic choices and are satisfied by only money itself. Later Taylor’s Theory of Scientific Management was opposed by content theories of motivation. Content theories focus on internal factors that direct behaviour of an individual. Such theories regard motivation as â€Å" the product of internal drivers that compel an individual to act or move towards the satisfaction of individual needs†. [Human Resource management A contemporary approach] The major content theory of motivation is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. 2.2 Hierarchy of Needs Theory The hierarchy of needs theory was developed by american psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1940s. This theory focuses on the psychological needs of employees. The basis of Maslow’sShow MoreRelatedBenefits And Benefits Of Employee Compensation1395 Words   |  6 PagesEmployee compensation is all forms of pay and rewards which are received by employees for completing their job duties as outlined by their employer. Compensation is classified two ways, direct and indirect compensation. Direct compensation covers wages and salaries, bonuses, commissions and incentives. With indirect compensation, benefits are supplied by employers, and nonfinancial compensation includes recognition, rewarding jobs, and flexible work hours in order to accommodate each person’s ownRead MoreBackground of Human Resource Management1652 Words   |  7 Pagesworking there, who individually and collectively contribute to the achievements of the objectives of the business. ⠝â€" HRM is the organizational function that deals with issues related to people such as compensation,  performance management, organization development, safety, wellness, benefits, employee motivation, communication, administration, and training. ⠝â€" HRM is also a strategic and comprehensive approach to managing people and the workplace  culture  and environment.   Read MoreThe Case Of Mandatory Vaccination922 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"other regarding.† This translates as no one can or should want to harm their neighbor; therefore, society can willingly accept vaccination to protect others (Colgrove 2006, 4). Opponents argue that â€Å"harm principle† is not applicable because the only direct consequence is the side effects and harm a person receives from the vaccination (Colgrove 2006, 4), not the indirect effects such as a susceptible person obtaining the disease from lack of herd immunity. In response, I would argue, it is impossibleRead MoreEmployee Performance Management At International Operations1621 Words   |  7 Pagescompetitive and international environment is nowadays more important than ever to maximize employee performance. In this report we are going to see how we can improve the employee’s contribution to company goals with special emphasis on the possible benefits and drawbacks of having a uniform syste m of performance management across international operations. Performance management Create value in a way that is difficult to imitate is the only way to create sustained competitive advantage according toRead MoreCopyright Laws Should Be Abolished Essay1302 Words   |  6 Pagesthey are economically unsound. If a person obtains information, his or her decision-making capability is likely to improve, thus benefiting both the person and other people. Using information does not hurt its original discoverers since the only direct impact is on the user and the decisions made. Thus, obtaining and using information is generally beneficial regardless of whether it violates copyright laws. By infringing on peoples rights to obtain, use, and give information, copyright lawsRead MoreBusiness Research Methodology - How to Write Research Purpose, Objectives and Summary1536 Words   |  7 PagesSo from HR planning, recruitment and selection to training, performance appraisal, compensation, all practices of HRM are now considered as equally important as any other aspects of the organization such as marketing, financing, etc. 2. HRM is the organizational function that deals with issues related to people such as compensation, hiring, performance management, organization development, safety, wellness, benefits, employee motivation, communication, administration, and training (Heathfield, 2006)Read MoreHuman Resource Management: Performance Management Objectives Based on Reward1247 Words   |  5 Pagesdevelopment. 5. Document performance for personnel records. 6. Clarify what the organization expects Reward management system One of important attributes of work organization is the ability to give reward to their members. Pay, promotions, fringe benefits, and status symbols are perhaps the most important rewards. Because these rewards are important, the ways they are distributed have a profound effect on the quality of work life as well as on the effectiveness of organization. Therefore reward managementRead MoreMcdonalds 10-K Sec Report2194 Words   |  9 PagesMcDonald’s 10-K SEC Report Intermediate Accounting III TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 2 Deferred Taxes 2-4 Permanent and Temporary Differences 4 Tax Provisions 5-6 Defined Benefit and Contribution Plans 6-7 Earnings Per Share 7-8 Share Based Compensation 8 Direct vs Indirect 8-9 Investing and Financing Activities 9 Noncash Transactions 9 Conclusion 9 Works Cited 10 Introduction In this report I will be reviewing McDonald’s 10-K SEC Filing for the year ending in December 31Read MoreHistorical Development Of Personnel And Human Resource Management1107 Words   |  5 Pagesemployee relations, compensation and benefits, safety, training and development and finally compliance (Mayhew, 2014). An efficiently run human resource management department can present your company with structure and the ability to meet business aims. HOW HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DIFFERS TO PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT There is much confusion over human resource management and the difference it has to personnel management. â€Å"The major difference between personnel management vs. human resource managementRead More The FLSA: Exempt Vs. Non-exempt Employees Essay903 Words   |  4 PagesThe FLSA: Exempt Vs. Non-exempt Employees President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the FLSA on June 25, 1938. It was signed in as a federal labor law to provide criteria for governing general labor practices such as overtime, minimum wages, child labor protections and equal pay. The Fair Labor Standards Act is a long and extensive document in and of itself. It defines many exceptions and exemptions. For purposes of this paper the portion of the FLSA that will be concentrated on is the difference

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Minister of Pensions and Insurance System †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Minister of Pensions and Insurance System. Answer: Introduction: In the case of Pipe Industries Ltd v Occidental Life Nominees Pty Ltd[1] it had been stated by the court that when an act is done in the course of employment by an employee, the act is binding upon the employer even if the act had not been authorized by him. Thus through the provisions of this case it is clear that if it is provided that a person A is an employee of a person B, than any act which is done by A during the course of employment would bind B in a way as if the act has been done by B. The injured party has the right to claim compensation from B where the negligence has been committed by A[2]. At common law whether a person is an employee or not is determined by putting in place particular legal tests which have been provided through and used by various cases. The cases and the test which have been provided by them in relation to the determination of employment status of a person are as follows. Control test- The control test had originated from a landmark case in employment law which is -- Yewens v Noakes[3]. In this case the control test had been initiated by the court. It had been stated by the court in this case that the extent of control which a person has in relation to the work of other is used to determine whether the person in a contractor or an employee. The more the degree of control the employer has the likelier it is that the person employer for doing the work is an employee. Conversely if the person has less degree of control over the work done by the other the other person is likely to be a contractor. However in the case of Cassidy v Ministry of Health[4] the court ruled that merely establishing control does not make a person an employee of the other. Thus the case provided another test which is called the business integration test. The court in this case stated that the more the work is integrated into the business the more likely the person would be an employee. In the case of Ready Mixed Concrete (South East) Ltd v Minister of Pensions and National Insurance[5] the court ruled that a single test cannot be used to determine whether a person is an employee or a contractor. Various elements needs to be analyzed together to determine the employment status of the person. This test is known as the Multiple factor test. According to the principles of the test in order to ensure that a person in an employee or an independent contractor a three step analysis needs to be applied. In the first step it has to be analyzed that whether the person had the duty of providing personal services to the employer. In the second step the degree of control which the employer has on the person is analyzed. In the final stage it has to be established that all terms of the contract are in accordance to the contract for service and not for contract of services[6]. In the case of Digby v The Compass Institute Inc and Anor[7] it had been ruled by the court that the employer is liable the injury caused to the employees during the course of employment where the employer has failed to exercise reasonable care to protect the employees from such injuries[8]. Further it has been stated in the court of Scott v Jackson Garden Landscape Supplies Pty Ltd[9] that the employer cannot be held liable for the injury which has been caused to the employee where proper measures had been taken by the employer to avoid such injury such as a cleaning system being present in this case. As defined by Holland, Burnett and Millington (2015) vicarious liability which is also associated to the Latin phrase respondeat superior, is the rule through which a person or entity is held responsible for the acts which have been done by any other person[10]. The rule is most commonly applied in the relationship between an employee and employer. The provisions have also been discussed in the case of Prince Alfred College Incorporated v ADC[11]. In the case of In Pioneer Mortgage Services Pty Ltd v Columbus Capital Pty Ltd[12] the judge stated that the employer is liable to be held responsible in relation to the conduct of the employee during his or her job. However for the act to be considered in the course of employment the act must have been directed or authorized by the employer or the employer must have to be associated with the conduct. However it is not within the scope of liability of the employer to be held responsible for actions which have not been done in the course of employment[13]. The elements of vicarious liability have to be present in order to make an employer liable for the conduct of the employee. The main element which needs to be established in order to prove vicarious liability is that the agreement which was present between the employee and the employer has a condition which requires the employee to work under the control of the employer. The action must however be within the scope of employment of the employee[14] In the given situation it has been stated that Tom has injured Annie and Fred has been injured due to the assumed negligence of Tom at the workplace owned by Will. In order to determine that whether Annie can claim compensation from Will, the provisions of Vicarious Liability along with the tests to determine employment has to be applied. If it is provided that Tom was an employee of Will and the act has been done in course of employment Annie would be entitled to claim compensation from Tom. It is been discussed through the above discussed cases that whether a person is an employee or an independent contractor is determined by deploying the control test, the integration test or the multiple factor test. It has only been discussed above that the above that the control or integration test are not alone capable of effectively determining employment. Thus the multi factor test has to be applied in the situation to analyze the relationship of Tom and Will. It has been provided through the scenario that Tom is a house painter and uses his own work van and equipments to do his job. He also has a registered business. Tom has been invited by Will to paint his shop. However for this he does not pay him cash but only beer bottles to which Tom agrees. Will has control over the way in which Tom will paint his shop as he directs him how to paint or what paints to use for the Job. The case of Ready Mixed Concrete (South East) Ltd v Minister of Pensions and National Insurance provides a three step test in relation to determining employment status. In the first step it has to be analyzed that whether the person had the duty of providing personal services to the employer. In the second step the degree of control which the employer has on the person is analyzed. In the final stage it has to be established that all terms of the contract are in accordance to the contract for service and not for contract of services. Through the application of the first stage of the three fold test it can be stated that Tom has agreed to provide personal services to will in relation to painting his shop. Therefore the first stage of the three fold test is satisfied that Tom is an employee of Will. Through the application of the second stage of the three fold test the degree of control which the employer has on the person is analyzed. In the given situation it has been provided that Will controls the way in which Tom does his work and also directs him on what paints to use. Therefore it can be stated that Will has sufficient control over the way in which Tom works and the second stage of the three fold test is also satisfied in favor of the conclusion that Tom is an employee of Will. According to the third stage in the three fold test it needs to be proved that the terms of the contract between Tom and Will are predominantly in compliance with a contract for service rather than a contract for services. In the give n situation Tom is not provided weekly or monthly remuneration by Will and is only being paid on a one time basis in form of the beer bottles. This suggests that Thomas nearly an independent contractor as he is not provided with regular remuneration. In addition it has been provided that Tom uses his own tools and van for the purpose of completing the paint work. An employee is usually provided with tools and equipments to do the work by an employer. Therefore in the given situation it can be stated that the type of the contract between Will and Tom also indicates that Tom is an independent contractor and not an employee. The facts of the case study further provide that Tom has a registered business under which he operates the painting job. An employee cannot have a registered business of his own and has to work under the control of the employer. Thus this provision of the arrangement between Will and Tom also suggest that Tom is an independent contractor rather than an employee. Th us through the application of the above discussed multiple factor, 3 fold test it can be stated that Tom is not an employee of Will but rather an independent contractor. Conclusion Thus through the application of the case of Prince Alfred College Incorporated v ADC it can be stated that as Tom is not the employee of Will he cannot be held liable for the actions which has been committed by Tom. The provisions of vicarious liability are only applicable when it is proved that the person who has indulged induction is under the control of the employer. In this case study it has been further stated that Will did not authorize Tom to be drunk and go on a bicycle. The act has been committed by Tom against authorization provided by Will therefore in the given situation Will cannot be held liable for the accident which Annie and Tom has been indulged into. Any loss which has been faced by Annie can be claimed against Tom but not Will as there was any employment relationship between them. Through the analysis which has been discussed above I would like to advice Annie that she does not have any claim against Will as Tom was not in an employment relationship with Will when the accident took place. Bibliography Cassidy v Ministry of Health [1951] 2 KB 343 Craven, Judith A. "The Employment Relationship." NY Practice Guide: Business and Commercial 4 (2016). Digby v The Compass Institute Inc and Anor 30 October 2015 [QSC 308] Garrison, Joseph. "The New Restatement of Employment Law." Judicature 100 (2016): 30. Holland, J. A., Burnett, S., Millington, P. (2015). Employment Law 2016. Oxford University Press. Pioneer Mortgage Services Pty Ltd v Columbus Capital Pty Ltd [2016] FCAFC 78 Pipe Industries Ltd v Occidental Life Nominees Pty Ltd (1992) 10 ACLC 253 Prince Alfred College Incorporated v ADC [2016] HCA 37 Ready Mixed Concrete (South East) Ltd v Minister of Pensions and National Insurance [1968] 2 QB 497 Rose, Emily. "David Cabrelli, Employment Law in Context." (2016): 105-106. Schipani, Cindy A., Frances J. Milliken, and Terry Morehead Dworkin. "The Impact of Employment Law and Practices on Business and Society: The Significance of Worker Voice." U. Pa. J. Bus. L. 19 (2016): 979. Scott v Jackson Garden Landscape Supplies Pty Ltd [2015] QDC 018 Walsh, D. J. (2015). Employment law for human resource practice. Nelson Education Yewen v Noakes [1880] 6 QBD 530

Monday, December 2, 2019

The Battle of Tropical Islam struggle for an Islamic Identity in Indonesia

Introduction Indonesia is ranked fourth in the world among the most populous Muslim nations. The spread of Muslim faith in Indonesia can be graded as â€Å"moderate† with the country being strategically positioned along the sea lines, which appropriately connect to the energy resources of the Middle East (Vaughn, 2009).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Battle of Tropical Islam: struggle for an Islamic Identity in Indonesia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Many peace consultants look at Indonesia as being the most critical partner in waging a struggle against radical Islamist Militants in South East Asia. Over time, Indonesia has continued to persue democracy and develop the realms of civil society and law under new reforms by the current president, Susilo. Nevertheless, there exist unhealed wounds caused by the abuse of human rights with the major culprit’s being the military under the r eign of former President Suharto for three decades. Islam Identity in Indonesia: The escapade Indonesia started as a secular state and managed to survive as one (Paris and Schwarz, 1999). This is because Islam in Indonesia has integrated or adapted with ancient local customs and beliefs that emanate from a moderate and benign version of Islam. The majority of Muslims in Indonesia are traditionalists; a tendency that incorporates strong elements of Sufi mysticism and pre-Islamic Javanese traditions (Haseman and Rabasa, 2002). They follow the local based law called â€Å"adat† which takes precedence over strict Islamic custom (Gocher and Vatikiotis, 2006). Additionally, Indonesia originally faced a peaceful spread of Islam that was not accompanied by force; instead, winds of Islamic reform had reached Indonesia from the Middle East gracefully uniting with the local beliefs (Paris and Schwarz, 1999). This is why rigid adherence to Islamic shariah law is found to be an unfruitful venture due to the strong mismatching foundations. During the early part of the twentieth century two different views of Islam in Indonesia started to emerge that caused a split emerged between the modernists and the more conservatives (Paris and Schwarz 1999). The modernist could not accept the integration of Islam with local customs, but demanded that Javanese Islam be purged of its non-Islamic superstitions. This division was greatly highlighted during the early years of Indonesia’s independence. This occurrence shows that even with the different ideologists about Islam that exist within Islam, there is an internal fight on superiority; each strain would want others to declare them as the true faith of Muslim. There exists the most basic fact here: Indonesia as a Muslim country has been faced with a lot of political unrest over time, with Muslim being the salient factor Indonesian Politics (Bull and Woodward, 2009). Nevertheless, after the democratic transition, many Isla mist groups both in Indonesia and the Middle East have risen up and gotten very active, some being violent and others with an approach of Islam social norms.Advertising Looking for research paper on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The irony in this happening is that Islamist groups that would otherwise have been outlawed by today’s democratic rule are being allowed to exist as active political players. The most worrying issue as far as a conflict in the minds of Muslim radicals is concerned is that war cannot be won without being fought (Peters, 2002). The idea here is that this tiff has spread to a national level, eminent before an international platform. Transnational terrorism was made active mostly after the occurrences of September 11. That very date has since then left an unforgettable mark on the whole world. Relations between different states faced a lot of tiffs with little or no benign subsequent relations whatsoever (Kadir, 2002). September 11 twisted the idea of international relations to take another course; there became a general picture of the abundance of a grudge between the extremist Islam and the Liberal, capitalist and the Christian West. Kadir (2002) explains that after the tragic occurrence, leaders of the Islamic communities in Indonesia distanced themselves from the radical Muslim faiths that would encourage terrorism, terming them as deviant faiths. The leaders of Muslim faith and the government leaders in Indonesia and South East Asia refuted to have such radical versions of Islam to spread to their countries. Nonetheless, their hopes can be seen as denial of the past political Muslim experiences of the country. This is basically because, Indonesia faced many years of Islamist military oppression where violence was clear and pronounced (Vaugh, 2009). In the same case, it is the same occurrences, which left nearly 500, 000 Indonesian dead during th e â€Å"new order† rule of President Suharto. The association of such actions with radical Muslim faith have resulted to the Indonesian Muslim leaders to have a distant attitude towards Radical Muslim faith. On the other hand, there exists a number of Radical or â€Å"fundamentalist† Muslims within Indonesia especially during periods of both Sukarno and Suharto where several attempts to establish an Islamic state in Indonesia were made (Indonesia Backgrounder, 2004). Their jubilance has been given so much media attention in recent years, which has created a misconception that Indonesian Islam, is radical. According to Fox (2004), there arose a new Islamic movement called â€Å"Hitbut Tahrir† that had foundations outside Indonesia. This group sought to revamp and attain the inclusion of global fundamentality in the Indonesian national landscape, against nationalism and state power (Fox, 2004). This notion has overshadowed the truth about Indonesian Islam, which i s actually accommodating and moderate as compared to other fundamentalist Muslim traits (Jones, 2007). Indonesia is composed of a diverse set of communities spread across thousands of islands. It is because of this that during the early years, the focus of the government was to strengthen nationalism and independence. It was during the Japanese occupation of Indonesia that Islam officially recognized (Gocher and Vatikiotis, 2006). This was a first step that would ensure future pressure on the government to accommodate Islamic political aspirations.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Battle of Tropical Islam: struggle for an Islamic Identity in Indonesia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There eventually arose two major opposing Islamic parties (Masjumi and Hisbullah), which always had heated constitutional debates about the form that new Indonesia state was to take. On one hand, the Masjumi demanded tha t Islam be declared the state religion, while other groups demanded for the adoption of an Islamic state that is purely based on the Sharia law (Marshall, 2005). It was here that the government decided to marginalize those advocating the movement for an Islamic state in Indonesia because there was fear that the idea of an Islamic state would destroy Indonesia even before Independence (Paris and Schwarz, 1999). According to Geocher and Vatikiotis (2006), so as to tone-down the tension between the government and the Muslim community, there was an introduced state philosophy which insisted that the state was to be based on a single belief of a â€Å"one supreme God†. Additionally, it was also made clear that God applied not specifically only to Islam, but rather of the five known official religions: Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholic and Islam (Marshall, 2005). This unclear idea about the superiority and clarity of Islam created high tension between the Muslim community and the new independent government, of which it had helped install during the fight for independence. During the â€Å"New Order† regime, Islam was greatly marginalized through the oppressive centralized government at the time. The new regime was determined to establish the military as the primary broker in Indonesia. With the defeat of the communists, Muslims groups expected to be rewarded for helping the army, instead the â€Å"New Order† acted promptly to rollback abuse to the camp of the Muslims (Gocher and Vatikiotis, 2006). The Muslim were the only religious group left who had the numbers and organizational strength to compete for power with the army. Consequent events saw Suharto acting quickly to more drastically kill the Influence of Islamic idioms in to the government policies (Paris and Schwarz, 1999). In 1973, Suharto forced the merger of Muslim groups, as an attempt to kill the upcoming unrest.Advertising Looking for research paper on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As a result, Islamists viewed this as a potential policy that sought to view Islam as lacking the viability to influence the government policies or participate it Indonesia’s political landscape (Marshall, 2005). This was followed by an even greater blow to Muslim interests; the government’s decision to require all political and social organizations to adopt â€Å"Pancasila† as their sole ideological basis. There was a general belief by the Muslims that Pancasila sought to place man over â€Å"Allah† and that the idea was heretical (Paris and Schwarz, 1999). Gocher and Vatikiotis, (2006) summed up the New Order’s primary social achievement; Delivering Indonesia from the tangles of the vigorous tides that had sweeping the world as from the late 1970s. Nevertheless, there are critics who believe that the attempt the curb Islam in Indonesia, has made Indonesia Islamic. There are a number of forces for Islamic revivalism that has re-introduced debates on whether or not Indonesia should be an Islamic state. First, international influences from Islamic revolutions in countries like Iran have spurred up Indonesian interest in Islam (Paris and Schwarz, 1999). Additionally, the spread of Islam in campuses and the growing Islamic intellectual influences on the attitudes towards national, social and economic developments have directed such views on the basis of Islam. This force to Islamic revivalism were especially evident in the younger generation, who are seen to be more vigilant in making Muslim faith to be more applicable to life in the modern world than it already is. Lastly, political dynamics where Suharto was losing his power base as he encountered greater opposition within the ranks of the military; occurrences that twisted his arm and got him to break-ice and coincide with the Muslim groups so as to ensure that the relationship with the military stayed alive. The most alarming thing about this whole Muslim revival issue is th at, on the occurrence of the Asian crisis in the late 1997, there was no shift. More concern and precedence was given to the reviving of relations with the Muslims. This event lead to the fall of the â€Å"New order† regime that eventually saw Suharto’s thirty two years of rule come to an end. The result was a major power gap that was space enough for the Radical Islamists to step in (Marshall, 2005). According to Marshall (2005) the unexpected occurrence has brought about the resurgence of earlier Islamists ideologies and aspirations. More critical is the drastic proclamation of Indonesia as a state of Islamic religion as a defiance to Suharto’s Pancasila regime. This is proven by attempts by Muslim groups to reintroduce the â€Å"Jakarta Charter† which would allow the application of shariah law and transform Indonesia into an Islamic state. For now, they have been kept democratically at bay as the â€Å"People’s Consultative Assembly† avoi ded a direct vote on the issue, rebuffing the Islamic parties in favor of maintaining the original, more pluralist phrasing. Although the New Order has made it compulsory in the past, a number of parties have recently adopted Islam as their ideological basis instead of Pancasila. Increased freedoms in the post-Suharto period have radical strains of Muslim groups after years of being marginalized politically and socially. There has also been increase infiltration by radical international Islamist groups seeking to spread their beliefs into Indonesia. The traditional threat of shariah law in Indonesia is now back stronger than ever, and it is important to further strengthen democratic elements among mainstream Indonesian Muslims. Attempts to solve the Conflict There are basically three models of government that Indonesia can preside in; a democratic regime, a religious regime, and a democratic religious government. These different models lie in the ancient argument between the compati bility of democracy and political Islam (Berger, 1999). The traditional school of thought holds that democracy and political Islam are not compatible. It is a radical belief, that the â€Å"institutionalization of shura and ijma provides the state, which expresses the general will, with a normative role in making basic choices in people’s lives† (Safi, 2003). The idea that the state is now responsible for our salvation is now brought about as a result. As Safi (2003), explains â€Å"individual religiosity is transformed by the radicals into a communal public will, itself transformed into state control, both moral and political. This model involves the implementation of Shariah law and the transformation of an Islamic state. Scholars argue that this model is inherently inconsistent with the divine sources as Islam can only be understood through human reason; â€Å"the institution that emerges from that combination is not a theocratic state† (Berger 1999). This i s an absolute model that demands exclusivity which stops short of a pluralistic understanding of Islam. It is the revisionist school of thought that believes that democracy and Islam are only compatible in an oppressive or despotic form of government. This is happens because in most countries in the Muslim world, democracy is only practiced as the giver of proper legality (Safi, 2003). So while these countries have democratic institutions, in reality none of these processes is really observed. This was evident in the New Order regime, where Suharto was at the apex of politics in Indonesia. It is in fact these forms of regimes that push people away from such institutions to a more radical form of a complete unity between state and religion; an Islamic state. The post-revisionist school of thought now holds that there are in fact two different ways to articulate Islam and democratic regime forms without transforming into an Islamic state. This view holds that the relationship between Islam and politics was â€Å"never premised on the so-called Islamic state or the comprehensive application of the Sharia† (Berger, 1999). It rejects exclusive reliance on the religious laws in order to confirm whether or not democratic religiosity is wrong (Sadri, Sadri and Soroush, 2002). This school of thought believes that the underlying choice should be made based on the society; because in a religious society an innocently secular government would be against democracy (Sadri, Sadri and Soroush, 2002). This school of thought, believes that the success of each models depend on whether the majority is a secular or a religious one. According to Berger (1999), the former believes in the European way of keeping political authority at bay from Islam while the latter calls for clarify the relations between Muslim and politics instead of either commenting the unity or totally fragmenting them. The first model believes in a secular democratic regime, whereby there is a clear sepa ration between religion and the state. This is a valid model basically because many people believe that a democratic religious government will lack the humility to be accountable to people (Sadri, Sadri and Soroush, 2002). According to Berger (1999), Oppositions to the first model claim that â€Å"advocates of secularism will appear to be calling on their own societies to abandon their Islamic cultural and religious foundations.† They also believe that secularism came to â€Å"Islamic societies in the dubious company of Western colonialism and post-colonial hegemony.† (Berger 1999). On the other hand, the second model demands the clarification and specification of the relationship between Islam and political authority on the basis of an Islamic approach to secularism. In this model, the â€Å"protection of basic human rights, especially freedom of belief, expression, and association, is an Islamic imperative and not merely a requirement of international treaties.† (Berger 1999) One cannot forget that in democratic societies, religious tolerance is practiced, as â€Å"the path of examined religiosity is more open and inviting† (Sadri, Sadi and Soroush, 2002). Either way, one must understand that in order for both these models to work, democracy cannot adjust to religious understanding; it is religious understanding that should adjust itself to democracy. Beyond the obvious The description of constant unrests in Indonesia has always been rotating around one issue: Muslim religion. As stated earlier, the problem from a single religious unit has grown to be the most difficult puzzle that not even the smartest person in the country with his well thought- out and profound intelligent ideas can solve. This bid dilemma calls for a more rationalized, out of the norm idea so as to solve the rationalized and unprecedented turmoil that lingers in the lives of the world’s most populous Muslim country. I suggest that is time for us to chan ge gears and look at the issue with an open mind; Indonesia as a country is in deep trouble as far as National democracy is concerned and, the USA is the world’s strongest country as far as democracy, economy and internal liberty is concerned. I the itching query about this should be: what does the USA have to with Indonesia? My idea is not at all based on the lines of Indonesia having to solicit for military assistance or any other donations of some kind from the world’s strongest country, no. If we take another direction and look at the current president to the United Sates of America, president Obama, we will discover that his connection to Indonesia is deep! As a matter of fact, Barack spent part of his childhood in Indonesia and, yes he was born to an Indonesian mother. Needless to mention, he previously had an Indonesian name; Barry Soetero. I think Barry Soetero was the guardian angel given to Indonesia so as to bring its deepest problems to an end. It is a fact that President Obama is also known as â€Å"Hussein†. This tells us that he has a Muslim background. Both Barry Soetero and Indonesia need not to be told that there is a clear indication of an easy way to solve the problem here. The Bombshell President Barack Hussein Obama is of an Indonesian Background. He also has a Muslim background. Currently is the president of the World’s strongest country ruling without any problems arising from religious clashes. Barack is a modernized Muslim ruling in a country with no Muslim backgrounds. President Barack Obama should therefore finish his term in the USA, then head back to his roots, apply for citizenship of which I am pretty sure he will get basing on his current friendly relations with Indonesia. Ultimately, he should plunge himself in to the Indonesian political landscape and vie for presidency. Basing on his roots being from Indonesia and him having a Muslim background coupled with good speech and a likable character he s hould win. Eventually o attainting presidency, he should channel American ideas that will help Indonesia attain a â€Å"super-power level† of democracy. In this regard, Muslim will be a peaceful religion, as peaceful as a second middle name (Hussein). The Islamic Identity in Indonesia will therefore have gotten its place without any bloodshed, and with the most suited ambassador of them all. Reference List Berger. L., P. (1999). The desecularization of the world: resurgent religion and world politics. Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. Fox, J., J. (2004). Currents in Contemporary Islam in Indonesia.  Web. Gocher, J., Vatikiotis. M. (2006). Indonesia: Islands of imagination. New York: Tuttle Haseman, B., J. Rabasa, A. (2002). The military and democracy in Indonesia: challenges, politics and power, Issue 1599. California: Rand Corporation Indonesia Backgrounder. (2004). Why Salafism and terrorism mostly don’t mix. Web. Jones, C. (2007). Fashion and faith in urban Indonesia. Web. Kadir, S. (2002). Mapping Politics in Southeast Asia After September 11.  Web. Marshall. A., P. (2005). Radical Islam’s rules: the worldwide spread of extreme Shari’a law. New York: Rowan Littlefield. Peters Ralph. (2002). Rolling Back Radical Islam.  Web Paris. J., Schwarz. A. (1999). Politics of post- Suharto Indonesia. Washington: Council of foreign relations Sadri, A., Sadri, M. Soroush, A. (2002). Reason, Freedom and Democracy in Islam: essential writings of Abdolkarim. New York: Oxford University Press. Safi, O. (2003). Progressive Muslims: on justice, gender and pluralism. London: One world. Vaughn, B. (2009). Indonesia: Domestic Politics, Strategic Dynamics, and American Interests.  Web. Woodward. M. Bull, L., R. (2009). Israeli Nukes versus Palestinian Slingshots: David and Goliath in Indonesia. Web. This research paper on The Battle of Tropical Islam: struggle for an Islamic Identity in Indonesia was written and submitted by user Farrah Huffman 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.