...Trauma of Shin Dong-hyuk Do you know about North Korean’s political prison camps? Many people might do not know what there are. They have existed twice as long as Stalin’s Soviet gulags and twelve times as long as the Nazi concentration camps. No one born and raised in these camps is known to have escaped. But Shin Dong-hyuk did. He was destined to a life of hard labor and an early death. Thinking of love and family were no meaning. He just saw his mother as a competitor for food. He is taught to trust no one, to snitch on everyone and to be loyal only to the guards. When he was 23, Shin managed to evade the guards and crawl through an electrified fence over the dead body of his friend to escape. He found his way to China, then to South Korea and eventually to the U.S. He is the only prisoner born and raised in one of North Korea's prison camps who is known to have escaped. Reporter Blaine Harden has written an account of Shin's journey called Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West. Not surprisingly, Shin's PTSD and learned way of life make it very difficult for him to open up and share the brutal details of his life. Not just because he had bad things done to him, but because he believes he did some very bad things himself. Although Shin has physical freedom, he cannot achieve psychological freedom evidenced by his distrust of others, others’ distrust of him, his lacks of loving role models, his shame of surviving Camp 14, and...
Words: 1899 - Pages: 8
...Freedom of speech is like breathing air, you don’t realize you need it until it’s gone. Can you picture an environment without freedom of speech? But unfortunately this is a reality for the most third world countries. Approximately 40% of the worlds population does not have freedom of speech. In the countries Vietnam, North Korea, and Pakistan many of its people are victimized through stringent laws such as killing of future generations, beheading of innocent people, and jailing for many years. The South Asian country of Vietnam is well known for its restriction on freedom of speech. Vietnam has been through many wars and revolutions that have affected its laws. In Vietnam’s penal code it states that the people of Vietnam have Freedom of speech,...
Words: 1797 - Pages: 8
...Theorists in the Enlightenment era such as Hobbes and Locke began to apply concepts of reason to all functions of society. Politics and the role of government had a major impact on theorists like Hobbes and Locke. In this paper, I will focus on what is the difference between Hobbes and Locke in regards to the role of government? And why are their theories important to today’s government? To respond, I will be arguing that Hobbes and Locke have two completely different views on how governments should be run; Hobbes focuses on authoritarian regime and Locke’ main idea is there should be a civil society. To answer the latter, I will analyze Hobbes’s theory of government with today’s government and I will also analyze Locke’s Theory of government with today’s government. Thomas Hobbes believed in a form of government in which people were controlled by an absolute ruler (Leviathan). For Hobbes, he believed that all human beings were naturally selfish and cruel; he believed that the State of Nature is short, poor and disorderly (Lecture). People in the State of Nature pursue their self-interests (material gain and personal safety), and this will lead to human beings to make enemies and create conflict (Lecture). Therefore, without government there will be no control over humans and life would be disorganised. In his eyes, a ruler is necessary for a state to thrive and flourish, without a leader, society would be chaotic (Leviathan). In this type of government, people would need to...
Words: 2209 - Pages: 9
...classification by degree of government control. The three economic systems are Command Economy System (Socialism). A system where the government, rather than the free market, determines what goods should be produced, how much should be produced and the price at which the goods will be offered for sale. The command economy is a key feature of any communist society. Example of country that under this economy system are North Korea, Cuba and Russia. Market Economy System (Capitalism) is an economic system in which economic decisions and the pricing of goods and services are guided solely by the aggregate interactions of a country's citizens and businesses and there is little government intervention or central planning. This is the opposite of a centrally planned economy, in which government decisions drive most aspects of a country's economic activity. Example of the country are Hong Kong and USA. Mixed Economy System is an economic system that features characteristics of both capitalism and socialism. A mixed economic system allows a level of private economic freedom in the use of capital, but also allows for governments to interfere in economic activities in order to achieve social aims. This type of economic system is less efficient than capitalism, but more efficient than socialism. Example of the country are Malaysia and Japan. Command Economy System (Socialism) The Command economy system is the economy system that completely control by the central government. Under this...
Words: 2150 - Pages: 9
...entanglement in Europe beyond the time it took to establish political and economic reconstruction there. * Each side regarded the other as a threat to national security and being expansionist and a global strategic threat. * By September 1946 the emergence of the Cold War was seemingly irreversible. Why Truman introduced his Doctrine (first step containment?) * Keep the SU from aiding the Greek communist movement * Protect democracy and freedom in response to Soviet aggression and ideological expansionism in Eastern Europe * Demonise SU and Communism * Threaten and provoke USSR * Truman wanted a Cold War because that would justify the US’s role as a defender of the freedom and function as world power * Develop the US’s global economic power – if the US is protector, other sates would be militarily and economically dependent of the US – close trade relations. Truman emphasised in his doctrine the differences between Capitalism and Communism. The US would support ‘freedom’ through economic and financial aid, which was essential to stable and orderly political process. * Historian: Richard Crockatt (The Fifty Years War 1995) commented ‘Bipolarity (two opposite or contradictory ideas or natures) was not merely a matter of structure of international relations but a state of mind.’ The European Recovery...
Words: 1517 - Pages: 7
...Women’s Rights in the Hermit Kingdom Both before and after its division, North Korea has been shrouded in mystery, especially in social terms. Today, there is relatively little known about how its citizens lead their daily lives, and what is known is based mainly upon speculation. However, due to the high ratio of defectors, it is possible to see beyond propaganda and realize the treatment of those on the inside. It is a widely understood fact that women and men both face many of the same hardships in such a restrictive state, but the troubles are nonetheless very different. The female demographic of this nation faces, in spite of the state’s pleas for other countries to understand their breed of equality, more restriction and segregation in menial tasks, less influence on politics and family life, fewer chances for high-ranking jobs, and higher chances to be sold or smuggled into human-trafficking organizations. Women in...
Words: 1873 - Pages: 8
...Orwell was also particularly concerned by the role of technology that was increasingly developing in enabling governments to monitor and control their citizens. Today, around 66 years after...
Words: 897 - Pages: 4
...perfect totalitarian society in which the government monitors and controls every aspect of human life to the extent that having a disloyal thought is against the law. They do so with the use of technology such as tele screens and microphones across the city which allowed the government to monitor all the citizens almost all of the times. In order to keep the citizens of London loyal and obedient to the government, they use psychological manipulation designed to overwhelm the minds capacity for independent thought. Every citizen has a giant tele screen which not only monitors their behavior, but also feed citizens with positive propaganda of the government which makes them believe their government is successful in every way. "WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY,...
Words: 2560 - Pages: 11
...Why did the US become militarily involved in Korea? In June 1950, 90,000 soldiers from the communist Korean People’s Army crossed the 38th Parallel into South Korea. The most important reason for a military response from the US was the document NSC 68, which stated that they must meet communism wherever it arises. Due to this document, it was the US assumption that the invasion on South Korea was not a Civil War due to the events in Korea, and the permanent divide in 1948. However, there was also US domestic policies, and Truman’s fear of being accused of being ‘soft on communism,’ as well as the US based organisation, the UN, which was a new institution, which Truman had to support. Furthermore, containment in Europe and Asia and the threat to the balance of power in these continents prompted US retaliation, as did the threat to Japan and the US defence perimeter. NSC 68 highlights the importance of the defeat of Communism due to the threat of the ‘destruction of civilisation itself,’ and that the ‘peace of the free world’ is in peril. Due to the US assumptions that communism is evil, which is demonstrated in countries such as Czechoslovakia, where political parties and freedom of speech were banned, Hungary, where political opposition meant imprisonment, and Bulgaria, when any opposition was executed, Truman understood the importance of this document. It recommended rearmament and increase of defence, as well as ‘keeping the US public fully informed and cognizant of...
Words: 1727 - Pages: 7
...On January 6, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt articulated in his State of the Union speech the fundamental freedoms that “everyone in the world” are entitled to enjoy. These four freedoms are: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear. Although this speech was given almost a year before Americans involvement in WWII, it set the tone for how Americans will view foreign affairs from that day forward. From the end of World War I until the United States involvement in World War II the United States held a position of non-intervention in foreign affairs. Even as World War II raged on in Europe, the United States held off sending American combat solders until December 7, 1941, the day Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The very next day the United States declared war on Japan and changed how its non-intervention policies for good. With Nazi Germany, Japan and the rest of the Axis powers defeated, World War II came to a close in 1945. From the rubble emerged the United States, by far the world’s greatest super power. The United States had the world’s most powerful military, accounted for half the world’s manufacturing and possessed the world’s only atomic bomb. They now had the opportunity to give the world Roosevelt’s four freedoms. Knowing that for their capitalistic government to continue to succeed and grow there needed to be a global economic reconstruction. Simply put, capitalism requires free trade to grow and the other countries of the world were...
Words: 1060 - Pages: 5
...Economic Freedom and Living Standards April 24, 2008 Research Paper Sweden, Ivory Coast, India, North Korea, Singapore, and Brazil April 24, 2008 Research Paper: Sweden, Ivory Coast, India, North Korea, Singapore, and Brazil A country with a free economy have a higher standard of living than countries with poor economies. The standard of living can be determined by the overall economic standing, policy or reforms, political, social, and cultural conditions that a country displays. These factors can be measured in different ways such as the GDP, population, history, and various sources. In this paper, I will examine the economic structure of six countries and emphasize factors that contribute to the standard of living. Sweden Sweden is the world's 27th freest economy. According to the 2008 Index of Economic Freedom (IEF), it has an economy that is 70.4% free. Services, industry, and agriculture account for 59.8%, 38%, and 2.8% of GDP (World Factbook). It relies heavily on international trade, accounting for more than 50% of GDP. Main exports include paper products, machinery and transport equipment, and chemicals. The population is 9 million with a GDP of about $308.9 billion. Citizens are provided with a broad spectrum of public services and social welfare benefits that guarantee a minimum living standard and all residents are covered by national health insurance (Soldenberg). It is known to have one of the highest living standards in the world. Factors...
Words: 4356 - Pages: 18
...His name known throughout all tribes and nations. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the Bible presents God’s missionary purpose for humanity. For this reason, Christians involved in missions will travel to dangerous places to proclaim God’s name and saving power. According to the People Groups website, since the year 2014, there are a total of 11,168 people groups in the world and 6,544 are unreached people groups. All unreached people groups are in dire need of the Gospel and it is God’s intention to have His people reach them. One unreached people group who are in desperate need for God is the Koreans in North Korea. With a population of 25,360,100 and a communist government that regulates all aspects of freedom, including religion, for its people, explains why North Koreans are approximately one percent evangelized. North Korea is ranked as the number one country where Christians are most persecuted for their belief. God remains faithful to His intent on reaching all peoples and Koreans are not the exception. In order to bring the Gospel to them, much planning, preparation, and training must take place before taking such a dangerous journey. It is the intention of this paper to devise a strategy to bring God’s name to this unreached people group. This paper will first discuss their background, historical events, language, society, and religions. Second, this paper will include a brief review of the history of...
Words: 4571 - Pages: 19
...Bailout Battered women SEE ALSO Wife Abuse Abused women Conjugal abuse Birth control Birth control; Contraception Birth control; Contraception Black Reparations Movement Reparations; Slavery--Law and legislation Reparations Body language Body language; Gesture; Nonverbal communication Nonverbal communication Bullying Bullying Bullying; Cyberbullying Business ethics Business ethics; Corporations - Corrupt practices Business ethics; Business enterprises, Corrupt practices Capital punishment (Death Penalty) Capital punishment; Death row Capital punishment Cancer Cancer--Prevention SEE ALSO types of cancer, such asBreast--Cancer Neoplasms--Prevention and Control;Cancer Treatment Censorship SEE ALSO Freedom of the Press Censorship; Prohibited books Censorship; USA Patriot Act 2001-US AND Civil liberties; Filtering software;Banned books Child abuse SEE ALSO Domestic violence Abused children; Child abuse Child abuse Child custody/support Custody of children Child custody Children of alcoholics Children of alcoholics; Alcoholics--Family relationships Children of alcoholics Cloning...
Words: 1762 - Pages: 8
...A Bill to Remove Marines from Japan to be relocated to South Korea (Affirmative) Two factors have driven the debate over the planned U.S. military realignment in Japan: campaign pledges made by the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) and complaints from Okinawans about the presence of the U.S. military. These factors have had a particularly strong impact on efforts to preserve the Marine Corps Air Station on Okinawa. However, other critical factors—national interests, regional threats, and the U.S.–Japan alliance’s military requirements—are absent from the discussion over the station’s scheduled relocation from Futenma to a more remote locale. As a result of this lopsided debate, a number of military fallacies have taken hold in both the Japanese and the American publics. Reason #1: The U.S. Marine presence is a tangible sign of America’s commitment to defend Asia. U.S. forward-deployed forces in Asia are indisputable signals of Washington’s commitment to the obligations of its 1960 security treaty with Japan to defend its allies and maintain peace and stability in Asia. The U.S. Marines on Okinawa are an indispensable component of any U.S. response to an Asian crisis. The Marine presence is also a clear rebuttal to perceptions of waning United States resolve in the face of a rising and assertive China. Withdrawing the U.S. Marines from Okinawa would only affirm that perception and lead Asian nations to accommodate themselves to Chinese pressure. As a senior U.S. military...
Words: 651 - Pages: 3
...Truman Doctrine would ultimately be the basis of United States strategy during the Cold War. Turkey & Greece On March 12, 1947, President Truman introduced the doctrine that was destined to bear his name. In the body of his doctrine he described the struggle between Communism and the free world. One way of life is based upon the will of the majority, and is distinguished by free institutions, representative government, free elections, guarantees of individual liberty, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom from political oppression. The second way of life is based upon the will of a minority forcibly imposed upon the majority. It relies upon terror and oppression, a controlled press and radio, fixed elections, and the suppression of personal freedoms. (Truman, 1947. p.178). Using the doctrine as a prerequisite for intervention into nations that were under Communist threat, the United States became involved in Greece and Turkey. Since the end of World War II, Great Britain had taken the role of providing economic support to both Greece and Turkey. After a few years Britain came to the conclusion that they could no longer support the two nations and requested that the United States provide support. Due to Soviet influence sweeping into the nations the United States agreed to provide military and economic support to the two...
Words: 1012 - Pages: 5
