Modern Western Civilization, Essay Example

Benjamin Ward Richardson, Hygeia, A City of Health, available on Blackboard

The author puts forward a theoretical outline of a community, which is circulated and maintained by the existence of its own freewill. This community is guided by scientific knowledge in whose perfection of sanity leads to the realization of optimal results. In my view, the author tries to show a working community in which death is kept as nearly as possible in its proper or natural place of life.

In the first section, the author asks for the past, and tries to find out if at all there is any information that can enhance the advancement of human progress. In this regard, the author observed that from 1790 to 1810, mortality in England reduced significantly. As pointed out by the author, I make out from the article facts that show how the actual organic strength and build of the man and woman increases in tandem with the progress of civilization. From the study of the past, one makes out that in assuming that civilization that is unaided by special scientific knowledge, reduces diseases and lessens mortality, and that the hope of doing more by systematic scientific art is fully justified. However, the author argues that the disease is now as it was in the beginning only that in some example is less severe. It is imperative that the science of extinguishing any one disease is yet to be learned. According to me, as the bases of the diseases exist, and remains untouched by civilization, the danger of diseases is imminent, unless we specially provide against it. I also tend to think that the development of the disease may occur with original virulence and fatality, and at any moment may be made active under accidental or systematic ignorance.

In the next section, the author argues that it is possible to have a city that shows the lowest mortality rates. The author names a model city Hygemia, where mortality rate is close to natural. Some of the features of such city include supply of clean and unpolluted water, absences of drinking and smoking behaviors. The author predicts that in such a model city, there would be no risk of emergencies of diseases such as Cholera. In my view, the outbreak of diseases such as small pox would be limited in such a city. I agree with the author that with such city, mortality of five deaths per a thousand can be attained.

Drake, “Current U. S. Air Force Drone Operations and Their Conduct in Compliance with International Humanitarian Law—An Overview,” Denver Journal of International Law and Policy 39 (Fall, 2011): 629-661

The article’s focus is on United States Air Force RPA operation. In the first section of the article, the author gives an overview of a typical USAF RPA (United State Air Force, Remotely Piloted Aircrafts) cooperation in terms of command and control. The section also addresses the compliance with IHL, which governs the use of force particularly distinction and proportionality. The next section addresses the evolution of semi or fully autonomous drone and their implications on command and control of the battlefield. In the final section, the author identifies commander responsibility as the principle under IHL that holds accountable those commanders and military members who might fail to comply with IHL during RPA operation.

The author notes that the current USAFRPA operations in the battlefield are similar to the commanders at various levels of exercise commands, and control during their correspondent mission. The author further notes that at no time during the operation is there a command and void, where the RPA might command itself.

It is important to note that, regarding the USAF RPA operation compliance with distinction and proportionality, I tend to think that regardless of the classification conflicts, certain principles of IHL governs the use of air force. In my view, the Principe of distinction and proportionality are memorized in international treaty that is applicable during the targeting operations. The principle applies whether the operation is conducted with manned aircraft, long-range cruises, small arm, or RPA.

I tend to think that the IHL favors weapon systems that enhance an operation ability to verify that an object to be attacked is combat and not civilian. I fully agree with the author that RPA pilots are in a better position to distinguish between civilians and combats than the pilots in manned aircrafts are; due to RPA capabilities. The author observes that due to the perceived capabilities of RPA, it is difficult to launch RPA strike without distinguishing the civilians and combats. USAF should do anything feasible to avoid targeting civilians and civilian objects. However, the authors note that there are some situation that limits the limits the ability to distinguish thus increases the vulnerability of the mission.

Kristin Asdal, “The Problematic Nature of Nature: The Post-Constructivist Challenge to Environmental History,” History and Theory 42 (4) (December 2003): 60-74. Available

The article discusses the program of the environment history within the larger discipline of history. In addition, the author contrasts the program with more recent contribution from the post constructivism within the history of science and the anthropological studies of science and technology. The anthropological study of science and technology represents the contribution that may seem less relevant to the environmental challenges and for history as discipline. In my view, this has led to the dismissal of constructivist contribution by environmental historian due to constructivism. This is because of the supposed potential, which is pushing the historical analysis even further away from the concern for our physical world. In this article, the author attempts to show that post-constructivism has a potential to address many of the environmental shortcomings of the environmental history theories, and model that environmental historians have began to criticize. The author argues that, not until the challenge from this post constructivist fields are taken seriously, will environmental history be able to represent any truly viable turn in the discipline of history.

Environmental history is represented as a field that would address the role of nature and its role on people’s lives. The author reviews the literature to support his argument that; post-constructivism can help address the issues of environment. For instance, the author quotes the work of a number of environment historians and the contribution they have been made. The author quotes environmental historians such as Bramwell who points out that; nature and ecology are problematic concepts. In addition, the author also quotes the French anthropologist and historian of science Bruno. The American feminist’ work who attempted to challenge two traditions is also quoted. The author notes, neither of them sees nature as pure unadulterated category. At the end, the author shows that Post-constructivism shows environmental historians how to avoid this pernicious dualism, and to bring its elements into a constructive harm

George Warrington Steevens, “After the Conquest,” from With Kitchener to Khartum, available on Blackboard

The article highlights the analysis of Sudan’s post-invasion. The author of the article argues that although much was lost in terms of lives of men, women, and children- during the war, much was also gained in terms of precious national respect. In the first paragraph, the author highlights on loses experienced because of war. In the next chapter, the author presents the gains. In his third chapter, the author argues that though a lot were lost, things will be better in future. The author narrates that it is hard to count money, blood, and the money lost. The author proceeds and point out that we gave more money; we gave more lives; and acquired Sudan again. What to show in return to our self-respect is the treasure we won from Khartoum.

About the future of Sudan, the author says it will recover though it will take considerable time. The recovery will take time and will attain its initial status after several years. The author also notes that Egypt played a key role, and made notable gains from the victory of the invasion. He alludes that Egypt gained in its existence today, the world’s gain is the downfall of the worst tyranny in the world and Sudan’s gain is immunity from torture and extreme misery.

George Orwell, “Chapter One,” Homage to Catalonia.  Available on Blackboard

In this article, the author narrates his story in Spain during the revolution. The author went to Spain with a notion of writing a newspaper article but joined militia almost immediately because at that time, the anarchist were still in virtual control of Catalonia and revolution was still in full swing. In the first section, the author narrates the state of the Barcelona, when he first reached there. He writes, particularly every building of any size had been seized by workers and was draped in the anarchist flag. A gang of armed workers were systematically demolishing churches here and there. There was no private motorcar that was commandeered and most of other public transports were mostly painted red and black. The revolution posts were all over, and according to the author, this situation justified his move to join militia. It seemed as the right thing to do, in the next chapter, the author narrates the event of the war and the difficulty of winning it. The author narrates how the militia was un-trained, un-organized, and lacked the appropriate tools. For instance, the author writes that the first instance of the war front was horrifying. How, on earth could the war be won by an army of this type?

In the last chapter of his publication, the author contrasts the happenings in the England camps with those in the militia camps. The England has gotten into habit of saying that; the battle was not war and that, it was a bloody pantomime. He alludes that it was handily under direct fire from the fascist. The only danger was from stray bullets, which as the line curved forward on either side came from either direction.

Works Cited

Benjamin Ward Richardson, Hygeia, A City of Health, available on Blackboard

Drake, “Current U. S. Air Force Drone Operations and Their Conduct in Compliance with International Humanitarian Law—An Overview,” Denver Journal of International Law and Policy 39 (Fall, 2011): 629-661

George Orwell, “Chapter One,” Homage to Catalonia.  Available on Blackboard

George Warrington Steevens, “After the Conquest,” from With Kitchener to Khartum, available on Blackboard

Kristin Asdal, “The Problematic Nature of Nature: The Post-Constructivist Challenge to Environmental History,” History and Theory 42 (4) (December 2003): 60-74.