Aztecsinga Clendinnen Essay -- Essays Papers

Aztecsinga Clendinnen Inga Clendinnen has had a fascination for the MesoAmerican area and it's history for over 30 years. Having wrote many books on the peoples and history of the region, her knowledge makes her well qualified to write a book such as Aztecs. The book is not one based on historical facts and figures, but one which is founded on interpretations of what the author believes life was like in different spheres of Aztec life. Clendinnen refers to the Aztec peoples as Mexica(pronounced Meh-SHee-Kah)as that is what they called themselves and her interpretations of Mexican ceremony as a form of visual performance is breathtaking. We firstly delve into the city and what it means to the Mexica people. Then, we enter the minds of the people who enjoy their part of society in different ways. From the warriors and priests, to the mothers, wifes and children of Tenochtitlan. Next, Clendinnen enters the world of rituals, sacrifices and aesthetics before finishing off with the defeat of the Mexican city of Tenochtitlan by the forces of Cortes in 1521. Studys into the Aztec way of life have usually focused on the Spanish conquests, rise to power of Tenochtitlan and especially into the ritual performances conducted by the peoples of Mexica. Aztecs:An Interpretation focuses more on the authors interpretations of what the Mexica people may have thought, felt or understood about the world around them. Clendinnen attempts to understand Mexica belief `not in belief at this formal level,but in sensibility:the emotional,moral and aesthetic nexus through which thought comes to be expressed in action,and so made public,visible and accesible to our observation.'1. Clendinnen states that the `account will unhappily,but by necessity,lack historical depth,'2. The sources that she has access to are numerous but Clendinnen chooses to concentrate on General History of the Things of New Spain. A book written by Bernado de Sahagun, a Franciscan monk. This book is commonly called the Florentine Codex and deals with information gathered by Indian scribes. The codex is twelve volumes in length and was collected after the conquests of the Mexica by Spain. Clendinnen states that though the Codex has fallen out of favour with scholars,`they still use them extensivly' 3. The main writing format consists of `essays-tentative,discusive explorations'4. usi... ... A few photos of Tenochtitlan and warriors headdresses, clubs and obsidian blades would increase the pleasure 10 fold. Also in places the author tends to divert to other Ameriindian cultures and use their ritual practices as examples. These comparisons can bring the ritual practices of a 500 year extant culture into modern day belief. Inga Clendinnen's Aztecs:An Interpretation is an outstanding book dealing with investigations into how the Mexica peoples may have veiwed the world in which they lived. From the daily life of a commoner to the explosively, awe inspiring lives of the priests and warriors. Clendinnen has used thoughtful insights and a fresh perspective that will have general readers and specialist readers alike engaged in a powerful and elegantly written interpretation that is hard to put down without reflection upon this lost culture. Bibliography: 1: Clendinnen,Inga.Aztecs:An Interpretation.(New York:Cambridge University Press,1991),pg 5 2: ibid.,p.7 3: ibid.,p.9 4: ibid.,p.11 5: ibid.,p.11 6: ibid.,p.17 7: ibid.,p.112 8: ibid.,p.219 9: ibid.,p.269 10: ibid.,p.269 11: ibid.,p.269 12: ibid.,p.270

Majority Rule and Minority Rights

In a free government system, it can be said that the corner stone is the concept of majority rule and minority rights. The majority is the group of people that is composed of more than half of the entire population that participated in a certain event or in an election. On the other hand, the minority is considered as the subordinate group and is not politically dominant in a given society that is ruled by the concept of majority rules.The president together with all the other officials that are to take the responsibility of governing the country is determined through the votes of the people and whoever has the largest vote takes the position. The election procedures and requirements regarding the election of the president and other officials are under Article 2, Section 2 of the United States Constitution. However, the power that is given to the elected president is also limited and restricted under the same Article.As stated earlier, the representative with the most number of votes will act for the majority whom in the first place was chosen by the majority to be in the position. However, although the elected official represents the majority, the minority still retains the rights given by the government and expects the majority to acknowledge their rights as well. The minority will not remain the minority forever and in every issue and situation. The minority are free to the idea that in order to have a government competent enough, the will of the majority must be fulfilled.It is not only the concept of majority rule that is important not only on the American government but in all democratic government as well but also the concept of minority rights. The rights of the minority must also be acknowledge and protected. To ensure that the minority retains their rights, the constitution has limited the power of the elected officials and embedded in the constitution are certain laws that will guard the rights and interest of the minority.An example would be the I A mendment of the Bill of Rights that secures the rights of individuals within the state regarding matters of religion, press and speech. The IV Amendment also ensures all persons within the state are free from the fear of abuses from law enforcements regarding unreasonable search and as well as seizure of property. In This case not just the right of the minority is protected but the majority as well. Since the majority constitutes the larger population, their interest is respected which also involves decision making.It is also based on the idea that the majority knows what is best for the community as a whole. It is important to guard the rights not just of the majority but of the minority as well. The Constitution ensures that the right of all individuals in the State is respected and protected. Majority rule had been limited in order to ensure that the majority will not oppress the minority therefore protecting the rights of the minority while the majority rules.This is important b ecause the minorities are also people of the State that also contributes to the economic aspect of the State that is important in maintaining and strengthening its power. If the minorities are oppressed there will be divisions within the State, something that is even harder to addressed, even harder than problems that the State encounters with other nations. Conflicts within the state may also result in the fall of the State as a whole, not just economically but in all aspects as well especially in maintaining its power and status.The tension between the concept of majority rule and minority right is always present in every democratic constitution. Thus, it is important for public officials to be able to make decisions on when should the rule and interest of the majority be reduced in order to protect the rights of the minority and when should the right of the minority be restricted in order to avoid the submersion of the majority rule. These questions must be addressed properly to prevent irreparable damage that can be brought on either the majority or the minority.It is important that while the majority has the power, the will and interest of the minority are also considered and valued in order to maintain the peace and good relations of the people within the State as well as the political and social power of the State. As stated earlier, the principle of majority rule over minority right can be clearly observed in politics especially in elections. This principle will again be seen in the 2008 presidential election wherein more than 10 candidates are involved.Whoever gets the vote of the majority will govern the country in the place of the majority. Although the winner will be governing the country, the constitution limits the power given to the elected president in order to protect the rights and interest of the majority whom in the first place do not chose the elected. Another event in which the concept of majority rule and minority right can be seen is in the case of the Jena 6 in Jena, Louisiana. It can be said that racism is a part of the system wherein the white are considered to dominate.In the case of the Jena 6, although white can be said to represent the majority, the rights of the minority are still respected through many the rallies that were performed. This also shows the importance why the right of the minority must be respected and protected, to avoid factions among the members of the community as well as revolt against those who are in the position that were representation of the majority and even to the majority itself. Indeed, the principle of majority rule with respect to minority right is the foundation of every democratic country such as the United States itself.It is also a key for development and unification.ReferencesDavison, B. (02, December 2006). Majority rule with respect to minority rights.Retrieved January 19, 2008 from http://www. associatedcontent. com/article/93543/majority_rule_with_respect_to_minority . html Patrick, J. (2007).Majority rule and minority rights. Retrieved January 19, 2008 from http://www. student-voices. org/Dictionary. aspx? myTerm=Majority+Rule+and+Minority+Rights Legal Information Institute. (No Date).United States Constitution. Retrieved January 19, 2008 from http://www. law. cornell. edu/constitution/index. html.

Factors That Influence Teenagers On Alcohol And Effects

Kassandra Marie N. Romero English 27- NB Sir Andre Dominic Peralta Factors that influence Teenagers in alcohol and Effects Introduction The teenage years are the time of searching ourselves, engaging in different activities, doing something to fit to our peers and trying to form what we want to be. They are usually under the pressure on the school activities and performance. Sometimes, pressure from their parents who has big expectations from them is the reason why they engaged alcohol. In the present, numerous teenagers are already engaging alcohol consumption. Despite of negative effects that they can get, they prefer to ignore it for a certain reason that they wanted to prove something for themselves, pressures from the people surrounds†¦show more content†¦Peer pressure has a significant impact on perceived acceptability of alcohol use. This influence is one of the most reason why teenagers initially take alcohol especially males. There are some factors that influence teenagers in drinking. 1. Family Problem A teenager who has family history of alcohol abuse or they witnessed adults drinking during their younger days has a risk for engaging alcohol. Unhealthy family influence teen to may be a factor in teen’s initial introduce of alcohol. They assumed that it is normal or acceptable behavior if they grown up to this kind of household. Teens get many values from their parents and other older influences, and often mimic them. Moreover, one of the reasons of teenagers engaging drinking is family problem. They tend to engaged drinking to forgot it for a while. As an escaping mechanism, they use alcohol to as part of 2. Peer Pressure Peer pressure can be a major factor that can led teenagers to try drinking. Teenagers’ years is the time trying to figure out who they are and where they can fit. This stage curiosities and insecurities develop. 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