Can someone define what nation-building means?
EC911Dude hit the nail on the head (funny answer, BTW!)..."Nation-Building" is a euphemism the US government has used to describe the act of realigning a foreign government to have a friendlier relationship with the US, thorough either political means, financial means, or through direct force. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nation-buil... : Traditionally there has been some confusion between the use of the term nation-building and that of state-building (the terms are sometimes used interchangeably in North America). Both have fairly narrow and different definitions in political science, the former referring to national identity, the latter to the institutions of the state. The debate has been clouded further by the existence of two very difference schools of thinking on state-building. The first (prevalent in the media) portrays state-building as an interventionist action by foreign countries. The second (more academic in origin and increasingly accepted by international institutions) sees state-building as an indigenous process. For a discussion of the definitional issues, see state-building and the papers by Whaites, CPC/IPA or ODI cited below. The confusion over terminology has meant that more recently, nation-building has come to be used in a completely different context, with reference to what has been succinctly described by its proponents as "the use of armed force in the aftermath of a conflict to underpin an enduring transition to democracy." In this sense nation-building, better referred to as state building, describes deliberate efforts by a foreign power to construct or install the institutions of a national government, according to a model that may be more familiar to the foreign power but is often considered foreign and even destabilising. In this sense, state-building is typically characterised by massive investment, military occupation, transitional government, and the use of propaganda to communicate governmental policy. The way the term is used in the US, it has a bit of a imperialistic tone to it (yes, I'm being sarcastic).
As Hindus, can someone define the criteria for us to called Hindus? To be a Muslim you must believe in Allah, and for Christians you must believe in Jesus. What about the Hindus?
Though people say that the Sanatan Dharma or the Hindu faith is a way of life but one must notice it is also a religion which comprises of a few concepts, some traditions and rituals which generally every Hindu follows.The most basic tenets of the Hindu faith include:Karma(Correct action according to the situation).Dharma(The path of Righteousness).Punarjanam(Rebirth) which is attributed to the soul that never dies.Cremation of the dead.God is inside everyone of us and not a separate entity who will judge us at the end of judgment day where we will be either in heaven or hellfire forever. The Hindu faith says that we are one with God and can change our fate through appropriate actions(Karma) so there is no "eternal damnation". It teaches us to be God Loving and not God fearing.Any person who believes and practices the above tenets is unquestionably a Hindu.Hinduism as used in the current time is the term used for a set of beliefs that Hindus follow. There is a huge diversity within Hinduism and set of rituals, culture, traditions and language of Hindus of a particular region can differ from the Hindus staying in a different region. It is because Hinduism can be modified according to your needs and surroundings.But this diversity is only at the surface and from the inside all Hindus believe in the "tenets" that I quoted above. So on the top the Hindus might seem different from each other but from the inside they all are the same as they follow the same principles and philosophy.Sanatan Dharma is not limited to a holy book or a Prophet. It is not living by rigid rules but by experiencing life and then through that reaching in unison with the creator.People say you cannot convert to Hinduism but I say you can by simply believing in it's teachings or the above tenets. Once you "think or believe" you are a Hindu you become a Hindu.
How would you define an 'American'?
Being an American citizen is the only qualification to considering yourself an American.In the 50’s people were called “un-American” if they sympathized with left-wing politics. In the 60’s and 70’s, it was if they fought for civil rights or protested wars overseas. In the 2000’s, it was un-American to oppose the Iraq War or government invasions of our privacy. Today, some will call you un-American if you want to take down memorials that honor Confederate Generals, a logic so twisted I struggle to understand it.You can thank the Constitution that nobody gets to tell you whether you’re an American based on your beliefs, and no one can strip you of your identity or citizenship because of them either..America is imperfect, unfinished, and a work in progress. What makes America “America” is undefined, and changes as the nation grows. The only value that has been consistent since our founding is that the only qualification to being an American is citizenship itself.The Constitution defends and protects your rights, even if you advocate for ripping it up altogether. You can plot a violent overthrow of the US government, and you’ll still be entitled to a fair trial, by a jury of your peers. All thanks to the Constitution.What could be more “American” than that?Disagree with every word I’ve written? Still American.
Define "being used". Would you use someone to get what you want?
Using seems to work when the person makes it easy for you to do. Then you give in to the temptation a lot easier, and a lot more frequently when there is a group involved that will do it with you. For example, an annoying kid who would never leave us alone, annoyed the crap out of us. But everytime he came over, he would smoke a lot of his weed with us. So when he came over (he would just show up), we would let him until we got high, then kick him out. Mean, yes. But that stuff kinda just happens. It's best to not do that kind of stuff to people.
How do you define normal?
For all intents and purposes, normality is not always seen the same way by everyone.Much like morality, normality is often defined by society and/or those whom you surround yourself with and/or your personal beliefs. But, really, what is normal?How can we define normal when normal for us may not be normal for someone else?Do you believe your normal is the only normal?Do you think someone else might see you as abnormal? How do you define normal?
What is a definition of being a foreigner?
trying to get some input from here. I've been going to my doctor for my back pain due to a no fault car accident, and was consulting with him in re. to the bills as I only have so much coverage with my own car insurance, i wanted to know more about how the at fault insurance com. covers the rest of my bills. well, he said this...it's best to consult with a lawyer and have the lawyer negotiate with the at fault insurance com. on top of that, he said some people might take advantage that I'm a 'foreigner' (I'm Asian) and settle for less, so it's best to have a lawyer handle this for me. at first when I heard this, I was a bit irritated, but did not want to talk back. My question here isn't about the insurance, but if you consider me as a foreigner here: I was born in the U.S. went to Asia at the age of 8 to learn the Asian language and came back at the age of 21, however, I am an U.S. citizen no matter what, what is a definition of being a foreigner? where we were born? where our ancestors came from? (China) or simply by the color of our skin? every time I explained that I was born in the U.S. I'm still considered as a foreigner, or I get asked all the time where I'm from. I'm from the United States, just as you!! why do I get ask this every where I go? Perhaps it's really just the color of my skin. Any inputs and similar experience to share? thanks
What makes someone an American?
I am an American citizen of the United States of America. I came from China and entered the USA legally. I did not sneak across the border at night. I studied hard to become a legally naturalized citizen. I learned the history and laws of my new nation and how the government works. I took classes, an exam, and then swore an oath of loyalty to the United States. I am thankful for my right to vote in elections. I work hard every day and respect others but those qualities alone did not make me a citizen. I obey the laws of my new country, not just the ones that are convenient for me. I also learned how to speak, read, and write English and did not expect Americans to learn my native language in order to understand me. I am proud to be able to communicate effectively with other Americans and would be ashamed if I could not speak to them in their own language. When I am in public, I do not speak Chinese around other Americans. It is rude. I have no secrets to hide so I speak English. I followed the legal system and obeyed the laws of the land. I love the USA and am very proud be be an honest, productive, and legal part of her. I do not display a Chinese flag, Mexican flag, or the symbol of any other nation on my home or car. I only fly the flag of the United States. If you are going to live in the USA and take part in the freedom and prosperity of the USA, then you should honor the USA and NOT display the flag of some poverty-stricken country that is full of crime and corruption. God bless America! .
Does your past define you?
In my opinion yes, especially early childhood experiences will define a person perhaps forever. If they are awful experiences, even pre-memory, they will leave traces of trauma that may never heal. This can cause someone to grow up depressed, or conversely, become a violent predator. Doesn’t matter which gender.I spent my first year or so without my mother and separated from the family so did not form a ‘secure’ bond, I suppose. As a kid, I wanted to please others, was wimpy, depressed, had sleep problems, phobias, nightmares, sucked my thumb and was not a happy person. As a teenager I became a beast that no one could control. But those years went fast and I was GONE by 16–17. Still, my past defined me in that I chose my path early and was a sort of wandering minstrel for most of my 25 years as a musician. I at least had the sense to run away from bad situations and search for happiness as much as I could.Maybe if my early past had been different, like with a steady home life and more attention given to school and lessons I could/would have been someone who could read music, learned art techniques or had diplomas or something. Perhaps it would have helped me be a happier person but then again perhaps not, and I would have been born with the blues no matter the circumstances.I ended up fine; an expat with two houses and everything I could want or need. Aside from health, though. And lifelong depressive episodes.It’s the old nature vs. nurture thing, I guess. Hard to pin down in a concrete way. Good chance it is different for each individual, depending on what kind of feelings the mother had while pregnant, what drugs passed through to the fetus, how the fetus was nourished in the womb. We know now how important it is to the fetus that the mother eat well, not suffer too much stress, no drugs or booze.Back in the good old days (the 50s, when i was born as a preemie in an incubator) women were guinea pigs, given all kinds of drugs while pregnant, smoked up a storm, drank, took tranqs, and given horrible stuff that ended up maiming the fetus (like thalidomide for morning sickness, for example). This surely has an effect on the future health of the child. So, in this respect yes, the past defines us.A2A
How would you define "American idealism"?
I have to write a paper for my AP US History class that "examines how the physical expansion of the US has reflected the ideals of American philosophy". I also need to be able to explain how expansion can bee seen as positive/negative outgrowth of "American idealism" I'm pretty certain that I can come up with all the examples of this [ex. Manifest Destiny, Indian Removal Act of 1830, etc] by myself, but I just wanted to make sure what "American idealism" actually is. Would it be like the importance of democracy? I'm not sure if that's too broad or not, since I am also expected to have a strong thesis statement.