Inverted Totalitarianism

While the Nazi totalitarianism strove to give the masses a sense of collective power and strength, Kraft durch Freude (“Strength through joy”), inverted totalitarianism promotes a sense of weakness, of collective futility. While the Nazis wanted a continuously mobilized society that would not only support the regime without complaint and enthusiastically vote “yes” at the periodic plebiscites, inverted totalitarianism wants a politically demobilized society that hardly votes at all. Recall the President’s words immediately after the horrendous events of September 11: “Unite, consume and fly,” he told the anxious citizenry. Having assimilated terrorism to a “war,” he avoided doing what democratic leaders customarily do during wartime: mobilize the citizenry, warn it of impending sacrifices and exhort all citizens to join the “war effort.”

I believe that this paragraph spoke about the generalized concept of totalitarianism and how it was used regarding the Nazi. It also compared the action America took after September 11 and how it's forms and ways were very direct and demanding. Action was made right away in a firm form. These techniques represent control over people. When control and action is taken it may cause individuals to make certain actions even when they do not agree with the decisions that are being made.

I chose this paragraph because the text decided to give examples of totalitarianism. The two example showed different way in which people can take control of other people or how the government can take control of their country. War seem to always start because of peoples actions. I believe that everyone may not agree with their leader, or president but follow the law in order to avoid problems. This is a great concern because groups of people, like I've said in other texts, may influence an individual to do something they may not want to do.

Olson

What is significant in this quotation is not the neglect of the fact that monopolistic and imperfect competition alike are in fact based on assumptions fully as individualistic as perfect competition, but rather the belief that group interests and group behavior are the primary forces in economic as well as in political behavior. The essence of this tradition in political science seems to be that one looks to group interests rather than to individual interests to see the basic forces at work in both the economy and the polity. For Commons and Latham alike, group interests are dominant, individual interests secondary.

I believe this paragraph is talking about politics and the work they do within a group. Working within a group consist of opinions, behavior and certain pressure. Working together brings unity and having group ideas as is believing in one thing. Having the group interest brings dominance to the politics but having one's thought is left as secondary. It seems as if this has been a traditional action that helps the group work together in bringing the economy to a better place.

I chose this paragraph because I can see how the pressure of a group coming to an understanding may bring one's belief and interest down. Sometimes if a group decision is persistent and strong some people may hold back their own personal opinion and agree with the group. When it comes to the political system I do question their decision; will this really bring a positive outcome in any economical decision that is made?

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering is easier to get away with in more densely-populated areas. -You'll notice that many of the highly irregular districts are clustered around cities and metro areas. When there are more people in a given area, partisans have more leeway in how to draw their districts.

I believe that this article is talking about the density of certain communities and how it makes Gerrymandering easier to divide the people. When I think of Clustered cities and metro areas I honestly think of New York. Partisans are able to see the populated community and are able to draw their districts in a form where one community can be changed into two or three.

I chose this article because  Legislatures use Gerrymandering and I believe it has a strong Leadership in a state. Changing the Districts especially to have a certain society here or there is a sense of manipulation. Manipulating the amount of votes in community can make a difference in electoral votes, especially New York. They have control of making the majority group of people exactly what they want. One example i can give might be Washington Heights and how it has been divided to the point where the majority of the people are Hispanics. It actually has me thinking if they can control how we are divided within communities then are they able to control the amount of incoming votes in big and small states. 

Inauguration 2009

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4

President Barack Obama's 2009 Inauguration. In this video he speaks about the changes that will be made. It's not going to be a easy fight but if we stick together anything can be done. How we become faithful to each other he didn't single out by saying I but we as the unit have to stick together. Our nation is at one but we are preparing the nation for new H. We live in a time of crisis but these challenges are real and serious but they will be next. We have chosen hope over fear unity of purpose. And this will help to rise as a nation and conquer all things.

I chose this article because I feel that is important to know what is going on in our country. I'm not really into politics but this is very important to me in the time that we are living in. Our country has been through a lot and we have seen many wars. And with that being said I hope that one day we will be free from violence crime hate pestilence makes me feel some type of relief that one day it'll be all over and we can live in peace.President Obama brings out important factors and states that things will change.

Aortions

The Court held that, in regard to abortions during the first trimester, the decision must be left to the judgment of the pregnant woman’s doctor. In regard to second trimester pregnancies, states may promote their interests in the mother’s health by regulating abortion procedures related to the health of the mother. Regarding third trimester pregnancies, states may promote their interests in the potentiality of human life by regulating or even prohibiting abortion, except when necessary to preserve the life or health of the mother.

I believe that this article is speaking a bout a single woman that wanted to get an abortion. She bought a class action suit challenge in Texas. this article talks about this little food in the laws in the State. This article also brains out so I am right that women have when it comes to their body and what the law says. The importance of what the laws say about abortions and the rights of a woman. The article also talks about who won the suit in the state laws.
I chose this article because I'm also a woman and I also would like to learn the rights that I have when it comes to my body. It is always important to know what we can do. Although we are all created equally there are certain laws that we all have to abide by. I found this article to be very interesting. And I hope that I will be able to educate others on the certain Laws.

HISTORY IS A WEAPON, THE MEANING OF JULY 4TH

In prosecuting the anti-slavery enterprise, we have been asked to spare the church, to spare the ministry; but how, we ask, could such a thing be done? We are met on the threshold of our efforts for the redemption of the slave, by the church and ministry of the country, in battle arrayed against us; and we are compelled to fight or flee. From what quarter, I beg to know, has proceeded a fire so deadly upon our ranks, during the last two years, as from the Northern pulpit? As the champions of oppressors, the chosen men of American theology have appeared-men honored for their so-called piety, and their real learning. The Lords of Buffalo, the Springs of New York, the Lathrops of Auburn, the Coxes and Spencers of Brooklyn, the Gannets and Sharps of Boston, the Deweys of Washington, and other great religious lights of the land have, in utter denial of the authority of Him by whom they professed to be called to the ministry, deliberately taught us, against the example of the Hebrews, and against the remonstrance of the Apostles, that we ought to obey man's law before the law of God.

I think this article is talking about the true meaning of why we celebrate the Fourth of July. How Americans have fought for what they want. The true meaning of people sticking together to fight for what's right. The history of weapons of coming together as a unit. And how God plays an important role on why we believe what we believe.

I chose this paragraph because it is a playful on American said no how and why we celebrate the Fourth of July. Also how we as humans come together it's a stand for what is right. I feel that is important to put God first in all things we do without gotten nothing is possible. Of course sometimes when we have a focus on something like religion, all of the negative things that is going on in our lives seem to become a bit easier to deal with. 

A Lecture on the Anti Slavery Movement 1865

A L E C T U R E O N T H E A N T I - S L A V E R Y M O V E M E N T 1 8 5 5 ––––––––––––––––––––– Frederick Douglass ––––––––––––––––––––– Frederick Douglass (1818–1895) was born a slave in Maryland and escaped bondage at age 20. As a free black in the North, he became an active abolitionist, traveling the region and using his outstanding skills as a speaker and writer to rally support for the anti-slavery cause. Douglass delivered this address to the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society in 1855. In the mid- 1800s, many middle-class Northern women worked to end slavery by joining moral reform societies, where they established networks of women and learned political organizing skills. T H I N K T H R O U G H H I S T O R Y : Forming and Supporting Opinions How might a member of the Garrisonians, the anti-Garrisonians, or the Free Soil Party have countered Douglass’s criticisms of their tactics and organizations? 

Ladies and gentlemen, I am not superstitious, but I recognize an arm stronger than any human arm, and an intelligence higher than any human intelligence, guarding and guiding this Anti-Slavery cause, through all the dangers and perils that beset it, and making even auxiliaries of enemies, and confounding all worldly wisdom for its advancement. Let us trust that arm—let us confide in that intelligence—in conducting this movement; and whether it shall be ours to witness the fulfilment of our hopes, the end of American slavery or not, we shall have the tranquil satisfaction of having faithfully adhered to eternal principles of rectitude, and may lay down life in the triumphant faith, that those principles WILL, ULTIMATELY, PREVAIL. Source: The Anti-Slavery Movement: A Lecture by Frederick Douglass Before the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society by Frederick Douglass (Rochester, NY: Lee, Mann, and Co., 1855), pp. 3–4, 28–40, 44.

I think this article is talking about Frederick Douglass. When he was born and when he died. He was born in a time where many people didn't even know what it was the light. It was a time of slavery. Where many people had to fight to be free and fight for their rights.
I chose this paragraph because I see that time has really changed from when slavery was and important matter in the past. This article and like it's me on how people have have to fight for what they wanted. It was very hard in those days and this article reminds me of a time when the struggle was real and just like today we have to fight for what we want.

Revisiting the Constitution : What's cruel and unusual punishment

"AS I have suggested elsewhere, clarifying and expanding the Eighth Amendment could help. It should specifically state that excessive terms of incarceration are prohibited, just as it bans excessive fines. It should expressly prohibit mandatory sentences so that every case gets the benefit of individualized attention by a judge. And it should insist that legislatures create a record showing that they considered empirical evidence about the law's likely impact. "

This article written by Rachel E. Barkow was very clear on how she felt about the eighth amendment. She would like for the eighth amendment to be reevaluated and expanded so it can help out individuals whom are given sentences for their crime.She is against mandatory sentences because she believes people who are being sentenced should be given individual attention by a judge and given thought about their case in order to give the right sentence.

I chose this paragraph because she was very clear about the changes she would like to see happen with the eighth amendment. The author believes in liberty and equality and making this simple change can affect many peoples lives in a positive way. in another paragraph she even states how the eighth amendment states that it bans cruel and unusual punishment but she strongly believes this contradicts what the eighth amendment is actually doing. I completely agree with Rachel and I think if taken into considerations a lot of changes may occur.

The Federalist NO 10

No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause, because his interest would certainly bias his judgment, and, not improbably, corrupt his integrity. With equal, nay with greater reason, a body of men are unfit to be both judges and parties at the same time; yet what are many of the most important acts of legislation, but so many judicial determinations, not indeed concerning the rights of single persons, but concerning the rights of large bodies of citizens? And what are the different classes of legislators but advocates and parties to the causes which they determine? Is a law proposed concerning private debts? It is a question to which the creditors are parties on one side and the debtors on the other. Justice ought to hold the balance between them. Yet the parties are, and must be, themselves the judges; and the most numerous party, or, in other words, the most powerful faction must be expected to prevail. Shall domestic manufactures be encouraged, and in what degree, by restrictions on foreign manufactures? are questions which would be differently decided by the landed and the manufacturing classes, and probably by neither with a sole regard to justice and the public good. The apportionment of taxes on the various descriptions of property is an act which seems to require the most exact impartiality; yet there is, perhaps, no legislative act in which greater opportunity and temptation are given to a predominant party to trample on the rules of justice. Every shilling with which they overburden the inferior number, is a shilling saved to their own pockets.

I found this article interesting in many ways. It states how a person cannot basically choose his own fate when it comes to court. A person may not properly be able to see his/her own fault. When a trial goes on a group of people, citizens, are chosen to make a decision. 


The specific part that states "but concerning the rights of large bodies of citizens? And what are the different classes of legislators but advocates and parties to the causes which they determine?" Is what caught my eyes. To be honest with all of the crimes going on in today's world, the opinion of the jurors truly matters. Not only the jury but the judge final decision impacts the life of the person who is on trial and who's fate is being decided. A lot of unfair decisions goes on and many people suffer because of this. In my opinion people who are chosen to be a juror may not always reach the right decision. 

Randolph Bourne,

"We are all foreign-born or the descendants of foreign-born,and if distinctions are to be made between us, they should rightly be on some other ground than indigenousness. The early colonists came over with motives no less colonial than the later. They did not come to be assimilated in an American melting pot. They did not come to adopt the culture of the American Indian. They had not the smallest intention of 'giving themselves without reservation' to the new country. They came to get freedom to live as they wanted to. They came to escape from the stifling air and chaos of the old world; they came to make their fortune in a new land. They invented no new social framework. Rather they brought over bodily the old ways to which they had been accustomed. Tightly concentrated on a hostile frontier, they were conservative beyond belief. Their pioneer daring was reserved for the objective conquest of material resources. In their folkways, in their social and political institutions, they were, like every colonial people, slavishly imitative of the mother country. So that, in spite of the 'Revolution,' our whole legal and political system remained more English than the English, petrified and unchanging, while in England law developed to meet the needs of the changing times."  http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1916/07/trans-national-america/304838/
     This paragraph brought a sense of comfort to me. I actually agree with what it has to say about the American melting pot and what happens when more then one culture comes together. Most of us are not from here and are mostly foreigners. It states how colonist did not come to adopt the american Indian culture but to also embrace theirs. A part of coming to America is to come as we are, whether accepted or not. Many came to find relief from their old lifestyle. "To make fortune in a new land" as the paragraph states is something that can be a priority as well. 
     I found it amusing how the paragraph states how the English stayed more English while being petrified and unchanging and those who were in England developed needs of changing time. I can see the correlation to our time right now. Many people from different culture come here and try and stay close to their culture and beliefs, while those back at home are trying to open their minds to change. This paragraph stands out to me because of what is going on now in America. Many people come and place a piece of their culture and beliefs, whether it was intentional or not, to America. America is a place that can bring opportunity regarding working and can also be a better living situation compared to the olf life foreigners had. 

Chesterton - What I Saw In America

     "But citizenship is still the American ideal; there is an army of actualities opposed to that ideal; but there is no ideal opposed to that ideal. American plutocracy has never got itself respected like English aristocracy. Citizenship is the American ideal; and it has never been the English ideal. But it is surely an ideal that may stir some imaginative generosity and respect in an Englishman, if he will condescend to be also a man. In this vision of moulding many peoples into the visible image of the citizen, he may see a spiritual adventure which he can admire from the outside, at least as much as he admires the valour of the Moslems and much more than he admires the virtues of the Middle Ages. He need not set himself to develop equality, but he need not set himself to misunderstand it. He may at least understand what Jefferson and Lincoln meant, and he may possibly find some assistance in this task by reading what they said. He may realise that equality is not some crude fairy tale about all men being equally tall or equally tricky; which we not only cannot believe but cannot believe in anybody believing. It is an absolute of morals by which all men have a value invariable and indestructible and a dignity as intangible as death. He may at least be a philosopher and see that equality is an idea; and not merely one of these soft-headed sceptics who, having risen by low tricks to high places, drink bad[Pg 18] champagne in tawdry hotel lounges, and tell each other twenty times over, with unwearied iteration, that equality is an illusion."   http://www.gutenberg.org/files/27250/27250-h/27250-h.htm
     My interpretation of this paragraphs is that being a part of a community is looked highly in the american culture, or "dream". Some are able to agree on this dream and one's who oppose are simply not questioned. The English community do not focus on this idea but it does bring comfort to an Englishman to know that there are options. These opportunities are viewed in a respectful manner. Overall the paragraph speaks about equality and how it is talked about and in his eyes it is just an idea, a simple illusion given to create idolization of a better place. He referred it as a fairy tale which was very interesting to me. 
     I chose this paragraph because I believe that this belief system, in some sense, is still accurate. America is the land of "the free" and it is a place people come to have their american dream. Part of that dream for many is to become better and like this many doors will "open" for those who are citizens. It is believed that there is equality. When we look at what was stated in this article over many years ago and even in today's world, can we truly define equality and freedom in America? Like it was stated, in a way it is a fairy tale for some. Even if there is a chance people become a part of the American dream, and community; or even considered equal, there are many small obstacles that will still restrain us from true growth. I think it's important to know what comes with what we desire; of course the good and the bad should always be considered when trying to do better for one self. 

Power

      In a modern setting, the media plays an important role in determining "key issues." Simply by reporting on certain issues or focusing on certain aspects of issues the media gives the impression that these are the important issues. To properly analyze power requires you to investigate how issues are framed, what is excluded, and most importantly who benefits from this. Only once this step has been taken can you analyze power in the way described by pluralists.
     This particular paragraph caught my attention because of how it was able to break down the perspective of power. Power is able to change ones image, mind and thoughts on a certain issue and persuade people into thinking right from wrong. It states To properly analyze power requires you to investigate how issues are framed, what is excluded, and most importantly who benefits from this. my interpretation would be that in order to understand power we have to understand what is given to us and how it is given to us. We, people without power, have to do our research and fill ourselves with knowledge as well as realizing who benefits from the truth and the lies that is given to us,
     The whole article on Power was very interesting. As I was reading the different points of view I said to myself, I must see power in a completely different light. As a minority power in my eyes cannot only be someone above me but being able to make a change in a blink of an eye. This of course is a form of power. I chose this paragraph because I agree with what it says. The media does portray one thing, when in fact the issue of power is something different. When we look at the minority population, can we say we are powerless? or powerful? Truth is if everyone comes together and realize that as a whole we are able to be strong and make changes we can be able to overcome different obstacles and get what we want. I think it is important to understand true power.You see people in power, which are a small portion, know that the minority group is pretty large compared to them, now I'm talking in general.  Of course being fearful of what the minority group might do, people in power portray false information in order to keep a sense of control. We have to understand that once there is no control there is no power over peoples actions and what they do becomes unpredictable.