The Constitution of the United States - 871 Words

If someone asked you what document most significantly affected America, what would your response be? In early 1787, Daniel Shay led a rebellion in Massachusetts in which the response time to put it down caused a meeting for the complete re-evaluation of the efficiency of the Articles of Confederation. The final result of that meeting was not an amendment of the Articles, but an entirely new draft called the Constitution of the United States. Since then, this document has not only been referred to as the â€Å"supreme law†, but as the cornerstone and foundation of the United States government. Time after time in American history, its guidelines and effectiveness have proven that the Constitution is not a document to be disregarded. Therefore,†¦show more content†¦But, the Congress, within each state, has the power to amend the Constitution (Mahler, 1983 and 2000). (See fig. 1.) This exemplifies that the check system in our government helps to maintain a cyclic balance of power – hence the term â€Å"checks and balances† – in order to prevent corruption in the political ideology of the nation. Equally important to the nation is the basic and constitutional rights given to each American citizen; though these are better known by a more popularized name: The Bill of Rights. One of the cardinal reasons that settlers came from England to America was to seek the freedom to practice the religion of their choice. The American Revolutionary War was fought for the right of representation and self-determination. Within the following century, the right for all persons to be free was one of the many reasons our Civil War was fought (â€Å"The Bill of Rights†). From America’s beginning, its people have always been concerned with the rights they will have. While the wording and order of the first ten amendments may have changed since their original writing (See fig. 2.), their meaning and interpretation will always be the same . And that is to ensure the civil liberties of each and every American citizen. Not only that, but the framers of the Constitution had the utmost intentions to address the needs of a fully unified nation. AllShow MoreRelatedThe United States Constitution And The Constitution Essay1491 Words   |  6 PagesThe United States Constitution, this very detailed group of words was written in 1787, but it did not take effect until after it was ratified in 1789, when it replaced the Articles of Confederation. It remains the basic law of the United States then and till the present day of 2016. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware; the last of the original thirteen to ratify was Rhode Island and since only nine were required, this was two years after it went into effect. When the U.S. ConstitutionRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States Constitution Essay1185 Words   |  5 Pages(framers’ of the U.S. Constitution) position on the Presidency: The framers experienced the abuse of the English monarchs and their colonial governors. As a result, the framers were skeptical of the excessive executive authority. Furthermore, they also feared excessive legislative powers. This was something that the Articles of Confederation had given their own state legislatures. The framers of the constitution deliberately fragmented power between the national government, the states, and among the executiveRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States885 Words   |  4 Pages In 1787, our founding fathers came up with a few principles that would establish what we now know as the United States of America. These principles were put on paper to serve as a guideline for how the United States would be operated and structured. This historical piece paper became known as the Constitution of the United States. In the Constitution, a Preamble is implemented at the beginning that essentially tells what the founding fathers set out to do. â€Å"We The People, in order to form a moreRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States894 Words   |  4 Pagesthe substratum for that country. A Constitution can be defined as a document that is the substratum of the country’s principles. Elements in the Constitution may contain sundry information. Which can include: how many terms a leader may serve, what rights the citizens have, how the judicial system works, etc. The United States in no different from those countries. Every constitution is different, no country has the exact constitution as another. The U.S Constitution is a four-page document detailingRead MoreThe United States Constitution Essay1515 Words   |  7 PagesThe United States constitution was written in 1787 by the founding fathers of this country. Now it might be appropriate to question why a document that is the basis of the government for one of the most culturally and racially diverse countries in the world, was written by a group of heterosexual, cisgender, rich, white men. Some might think that a constitution written well over 200 years ago would be outdated and irrelevant to the American society of today but with some research, it is quite theRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States756 Words   |  4 PagesPromulgation and Legislation in the U.S. Constitution: The federal system of government of the United States is based on its constitution. The Constitution grants all authority to the federal government except the power that is delegated to the states. Each state in the United States has its own constitution, local government, statute, and courts. The Constitution of the United States sets the judiciary of the federal government and defines the extent of the federal court’s power. The federalRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States1007 Words   |  5 PagesThe United States of America has previously experienced failure every now and then. With trial and error, the country has learned to correct its ways and move toward(s) perfecting itself. Realizing the ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation is a prime example of the U.S. learning how to better itself. Subsequent to the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution of the United States was set as our new and improved framework of government. Possessing knowled ge on how America, although strongRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States951 Words   |  4 Pageshappening again. Unlike the artifacts, The Constitution of the United States has not been forgotten, it is actually still very alive today. Unlike most relics, The Constitution still holds a very heroic and patriotic implication, freedom. With freedom comes self-government, freedom of speech, religious tolerance, etc. With all these things comes the great responsibility to adapt and fit to the wants and needs of the decade. Even though the Constitution was made for the interests of the people ofRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States1338 Words   |  6 Pages The Constitution is the basis of law in The United States and has been since it was written in 1789. Since then it has been amended 27 times with the first ten amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights. The US Constitution was preceded by the Articles of Confederation and supported by the Federalist Papers which we will touch more on later. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson all wrote or influenced The Constitution in a very important way. Alexander HamiltonRead MoreThe Constitution Of The United States1388 Words   |  6 PagesInterpretation of the Constitution is one of the biggest conflicts within the United States–the highly contentious issue of states’ rights resulted from two different interpretations of what powers should belong to the federal government versus what powers belong to the individual states. No issue has ever caused as much turmoil as the issue of states’ rights–but one side must have more v alid arguments. Should the federal government’s power be superior, or should the authority of the individual states be held

Honesty Within free essay sample

Mirrors exist to show a perfect reflection of our physical bodies, but nothing more than that. Only our words and thoughts represent our personal qualities that mean so much. The honest valueof a human is reflected in the small views of light while caught up in darkness and adversity. The trait i hold the most value to is honesty. Honesty is to see the truth for what it really is, act upon the truth when conflict arises, and to believe the truth. I acquired honesty when i admitted i didn’t know what â€Å"truth† actually meant and choose to be naive rather than denouncing others. When emerging into adulthood i was quick to judgement and easily accused other, but learned that my proofless assumptions were as bad as lies. In the dark times i hurt others. I learned from that and realized the truth as it is, is better than what i want the truth to be. We will write a custom essay sample on Honesty Within or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The greatest part about honesty is that if you see yourselfas you truly are, and not as you want to be, then you can mold your future into anything you want. It may sound drastic, but i believe that if you are honest with yourself, you can assess your actions and reactions to strive for change accordingly. I believe so much in honesty because i believe integrity is one of the most sought after human qualities. Honesty creates bonds with fellow humans which help us continue on. The golden rule taught us to, â€Å"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.† Honesty can be thought of in the same way. Be honest to others and expect honesty in return. Through my actions, beliefs ,and with honesty, the smiles i have put on peoples faces my true character is shown. Honesty has granted me the ability to shape my future based on past events, making it possible to not repeat it. Only those who dont acknowledge their faults in the past are the ones who sealed their fate and are condemned to repeat the past. I for one hope I never repeat the childish ways of my past by pointing my finger trying to find blame. Honesty is the very aspectof personal authority, and beinghuman i am liablefor the prospective future i create. My future could provide an individual with the push they need to strive for total honesty. Its like being the seed that creates a giant redwood tree, which provides shade and shelter for other seeds to germinate and grow. I see myself while looking into the mirror with a tangible copy looking back. I see myself for who i really am, not who i want to be. With that each one of us has the seed with in, but only you can decide what tree you become.

Weapons Training Essay Example For Students

Weapons Training Essay Weapons Training Bruce Dawe ‘Weapons Training’ was written by Bruce Dawe. Who became one of Australia’s most well known poets in the 1960’s. In 1959 he joined the RAAF, Royal Australian Air Force, and left to become a teacher in 1968. As his occupation in the RAAF, Bruce served as an air force officer, a person of high rankings. And from his years fighting in the Vietnam War, and serving our country, Dawe – along with many others, wrote a substantial amount of protest, or anti-war poems. Many of which became extremely well known. My personal interpretation of this poem is an instructor, or person of high authority, teaching new recruits about their weapons, and the true experience of war. This is done to ensure that the new soldiers are prepared and completely understand what is to be expected of the coming months. The poem is about an experience, rather than a person. This was most likely a personal experience of Dawe’s, as many people in his position wrote poetry about everyday experiences throughout the war. Bruce Dawe is an Australian that hated war; thus this poem represents the viciousness and brutality of war. We will write a custom essay on Weapons Training specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Therefore, since he hated war, he only represents the brutality of war; he makes use of a silence and simply doesn’t bring up the issue of the reasons for war. He simply thinks of was as an unnecessary for the war to take place, no ifs, buts or maybes. The reason behind soldiers writing poetry while at war, besides them removing their bottled up emotions in a healthy manner, was to bring truth to the public. The views that an average person, living in a standard society has on war, differ extremely to one that has fought the hardships of war themselves. The way in which people think of war is that it’s a heroic journey taken by strong people that want to defend their country, and will return home equally as strong. Now, to a certain extent this statement is true. However, these strong people do not always realise how horrifying the occurrence of war may be before leaving. Once it is realised, many soldiers brake down, and when they return it seems impossible for them to live life to the fullest, as they have seen many that no longer have the capabilities of doing so anymore. The main theme of ‘Weapons Training’ is simply, war. This is obvious as it is what the poem is based upon. It is a truthful poem written to ensure all know that war isn’t everything it seems to be. War is an extremely traumatic experience for those involved, and their families and surrounding friends need to realise this – and many do, through the poetry written during these times of heartache. One of the ideas portrayed in this poem is that of the male sexuality. During the years of war, the male soldiers would usually be in close proximity to one another. This then brings up the argument of homosexuality. As is brought up in the text, ‘you there what’s the matter, why are you looking at me, are you queer? ’ This poem is a cynical and harsh protest poem. The poet sounds aggressive and demanding, this is shown through the language used throughout the poem. ‘Open that drain you call a mind and listen. ’ Similar language is present throughout the entire text; the poet does not change the way in which the poem was written, as therefore the mood does not change. It is easy to imagine the sergeant speaking forcefully, telling the soldiers that they won’t return the same. .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 , .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 .postImageUrl , .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 , .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4:hover , .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4:visited , .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4:active { border:0!important; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4:active , .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4 .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue462c068f472774a61526bea13025ab4:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Social Work Interventions and Strategies to promot EssayHis tone is disciplined, yet harsh towards his students. The poem is created to be said in a negative tone, because the subject portrayed it that of a negative incidence. The poet isn’t holding anything back; he says exactly what he thinks, without the concern of how, neither the soldiers nor the reader will react. The reader’s response to the poem, filled with harsh sayings and aggressive language, is a realisation of the reality and brutality of war, thus, making the reader feel sympathy towards those that have spent part of their lives fighting for our country in the war. Their realisation of this has made a difference, and the poet is successful in bringing truth and emotion to the public. Dawe uses gaps in his text. He expects the readers to know to some extent the horrors of war and conflict. Although he provides graphic imagery, he expects the responders to be able to relate them to their own personal experiences, therefore enhancing the quality of this poem by creating a link between the readers and death due to war and conflict. Most importantly, he uses language to attract attention to his views on war and its horrors. He represents this conflict in the form of vivid imagery which adds to the motional aspect of the text; thus creating interest through tension and the readers’ past experience. Beginning with ‘and’ shows that the sergeant has been talking when the reader enters the picture, and his language is a continuous stream. Therefore, giving the impression to the reader as if they are inside a soldier and he had not bee n listening and only rejoined the conversation. The speech never does come to a full stop; there are rhetorical questions to raise the involvement of the reader â€Å"only to find back home because of your position; your chances of turning the key in the ignition; considerably reduced? Alright now suppose In this example, Bruce Dawe uses a rhetorical question to create an atmosphere that is strict and disciplined. The type of language used, is definitely a technique that attracts the audience. Different forms of poetry are used in the text. On the second line of the poem, an onomatopoeia is used ‘and when I say eyes right I want to hear those eyeballs click and the gentle pitter patter of falling dandruff’. Onomatopoeia is the formation or use of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to. Pitter patter’ is an example of this. This poem includes a hyperbole, which is defined as a figure of speech in which exaggeration is used for emphasis or effect. The poem builds up to the end saying ‘you know what you are? You’re dead dead dead’ this is an exaggeration to emphasise the conflict of war. Bruce Dawe is saying that all that war turns out to be is men having to kill others, as a resoluti on – when nothing should come to this. My personal response in reading this protest poem is that war is an event that no person should ever be subject to. I’ve learnt through reading this poem and doing research on war that it affects the soldier in many ways. The biggest negative affect seen in military members is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. ) Its said to have been caused by a traumatic experience (fellow soldier dies, shot a civilian by mistake) in which the human mind doesnt know how to recover from. The effects mimic depression: feeling separated from others, thoughts of suicide, and some are different, such as increased sensitivity to loud noises. This poem had a rather large impact on me; it brought reality to my previous thoughts of war. Thus, making me consider not only the soldiers themselves and the way they have had to live their lives and the tragedies they have faced, but their families as well. These families of the soldiers have had to spend each and every day wondering whether their child, father, mother or siblings were alive or lay dead on the floor in an unknown area. All aspects of this poem work together in order to create a desired impact on the reader, the language and use of structure has helped in to develop the mood intended.

Circumlocution

Circumlocution Circumlocution Circumlocution By Maeve Maddox The noun locution comes from a Latin verb meaning â€Å"to speak.† As an English noun it means â€Å"a form of expression.† The prefix circum- is also from Latin and means â€Å"around.† Circumlocution, therefore, means â€Å"expressing oneself in a round about way.† Circumlocution has its uses. Alexander Pope uses it to comic effect in his mock epic, The Rape of the Lock, as when he refers to a little pair of scissors as â€Å"a two-edged weapon† and a â€Å"little engine.† Politicians, educators, and other people who want to manipulate our perceptions of reality find circumlocution an effective means of obscuring meaning or making something ordinary seem special or profound. For example, collateral damage ethnic cleansing economical with the truth mistakes were made text-to-text connections (comparison of two books) extended constructed response (essay) brief constructed response (paragraph) selected response (multiple choice) As can be seen from the examples, euphemism is a type of circumlocution, as are many clichà ©s. Euphemism: referring to something unpleasant by more pleasant words, for example, passed away for died. Clichà ©: a stereotyped or commonplace expression, for example, It was raining cats and dogs. Here are some examples of circumlocution from the web; italics mine: The Committee must afford an opportunity for public comment at each of its meetings. –Illinois General Assembly statutes. At this point in time, we do not have evidence of consumers postponing expenditure plans, which is something one would observe in a deflationary environment,† Draghi told a symposium organized by the Bundesbank. –European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. Why does the University have a requirement for health insurance as condition of enrollment? According to Brandimonte this was due to the fact that the subtraction task was easier The department may peremptorily suspend the driving privilege of the person until such time as the licensee shall have submitted to re-examination. The examples could be rewritten to avoid circumlocution: â€Å"The Committee must permit public comment† â€Å"At this time, we do not have evidence† â€Å"Why does the University require health insurance† â€Å"According to Brandimonte this was because† Here, with suggested translations, are some prepositional phrases that often contribute to circumlocution: in light of the fact (because) in reference to (about) with the exception of (except) in the event of (if) in a timely fashion (quickly) notwithstanding the fact that (although) on the grounds that (because) in view of the fact that (because) Circumlocution for stylistic effect can be useful to create a humorous effect or to create a pompous or deceitful fictional character. In writing intended to convey information in a straightforward manner, however, circumlocution is a major stylistic defect. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Style category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Program vs. Programme25 Russian Words Used in English (and 25 More That Should Be)10 Terms for the Common People

Argumentation with Rhetorical methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Argumentation with Rhetorical methods - Essay Example In an attempt, to have a clear understanding of this theme it is important to put into perspective various quandaries. First, considering if working in a dumpster is a solution for not working in a ‘sweatshop’ would be beneficial. Secondly, at the same time it is important to consider whether working in ‘sweatshops’ is a form of slave labor and lastly, if the improvement of ‘sweatshops’ would make them be accepted in society. Human rights organizations play a great role in giving shape in the matter of sweat shops. The organizations also ban governments from importing goods originating from factories with poor working conditions. Giving a shape to a problem is one thing and not giving a solution on it is a different thing. Talking out the government into stopping ‘sweatshops’ is possible, but stopping the people themselves from working in dangerous environments, without giving them an alternative is not possible. This is because individuals will take into slave labour as the only option. When dealing with this only two options take shape; make ‘sweatshops’ have favorable conditions for people to work in or let people face poverty due to their levels in society. As much as slave labor is inhuman, but with standards improvement of working conditions can lead to the acceptance of sweatshops. In an instance, where all ‘sweatshops’ are disguised as inhuman and shut down; and in another scenario, ‘sweatshops’ are provided with favorable working conditions, as a result, employment goes a notch higher. In the first scenario, poverty levels mostly in developing countries will by far increase. This is an interpretation of the fact that, even though, there are no poor working conditions, poor livelihoods are existent. In the second scenario, there will be good working conditions, in that the society will be alleviated out of poverty, and increased factory output from within the particular country. In this case study, I am

Assignment critical thinking questions Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Critical thinking questions - Assignment Example ast part of the paper is an analysis of a problem in my workplace and a summary of how I can implement a change that will bring solution to the problem. The problem in discussion is the allocation of shifts among nurses. There have been occurrences of inexperienced nurses being allocated shifts together affecting the effectiveness of the hospital. My recommendation is that a more balanced should be used where experienced nurses are combined with nurses who have little experience. 1. According to Bleach’s tasks of management and Bleach’s tasks of followership, what are the differences? Where do the two tasks overlap? Give specific examples from your workplace for each task and support your answer with scholarly resources. In nursing and generally health care, management skills are very crucial as well as the relationship people in management create with the rest of the staff. According to Grossman & Valiga (2012), the aspects of management and fellowship both are associated with behaviors of either the general organization and that of the individuals in the organization. It is important to know the difference between these two aspects. A better understanding can be established by understanding their different tasks. Management, in a more clear definition are behaviors as well as activities that create a structure and guidance in carrying out patient care as well as organizational functions where the objectives and outcomes to be attained and achieved are known, and where an intended sequence to achieve these outcomes is detailed, either in writing or through past practices founded in the culture of an organization. According to (Roussel, 2013) management in nursing involves constructively using professional power to guide the accomplishment of tasks that are instrumental to clinical as well as organizational success. This success can be achieved through managerial tasks which were outline by Bleich and they include; On the other hand fellowship in nursing

French Revolution Essay Example for Free

French Revolution Essay Modernity by itself is a very abstract concept which can be associated with all new experiences in history. It is largely temporal because what is modern today is the old or obsolete tomorrow. Modernity is said to be a logic of negation because it tends to give importance to the present over the past, and at the same time also frowns over the present with respect to the future. From a purely historical perspective however, the society which evolved in Europe after the French Revolution of 1789 can be termed as modern in so much so that there is a marked difference or break in the way of thinking, living and enterprise between the societies after and before the French Revolution. The evolution of the modern society was not a process that happened overnight. The roots of the modern society and its gradual evolution can be traced back to the beginning of the eighteenth century. In fact the period from that point in history to the French Revolution is termed as the period of intellectual Enlightenment when there was a radical change in philosophy, science, politics, arts and culture. It was on these new forms of knowledge that the foundation of the modern society or modernity was based. Defining the Traditional Many scholars have tried to analyze the basic or instinctive nature of human beings in attempts to track back how modernity could have affected the core individual. In his book Leviathan, Hobbes deduced that in an environment uninfluenced by artificial systems or in a ‘state of nature’ human beings would be war like and violent, and their lives would consequently be solitary, poor, brutish and short. Rousseau however contradicts Hobbes. He claims that humans are essentially benevolent by nature. He believed in the ‘noble savage’ or the concept that devoid of civilization human beings are essentially peaceful and egalitarian and live in harmony with the environment – an idea associated with Romanticism. Human beings have however lived in communities and formed societies since the very early ages. In what is now known as the ancient world or the world of classical pagan antiquity typical of the societies of Greece and Rome, the concept of the ‘new’ or ‘change’ was absent. Time, like the seasons, was supposed to move in cyclical order, repeating itself with regularity cycle after cycle with nothing new or changed to break away from the established order. The people were steeped in more superstitious and religious beliefs which ruled almost every aspect of their lives. Christianity brought about changes in the belief systems of the ancient world. Christianity postulated that time was linear, that it began from the birth of Jesus Christ and would end with the apocalypse and the second coming of Jesus. This was a linear concept of time that moved in a straight line and not in a cycle that kept coming back to the same point. The Foundations of Modernity It was during the Enlightenment period that the Christian concepts of time and history were secularized to give way to the modern approach to change and progress. There were many other basic changes during the Enlightenment. The key ideas which formed the basis of the enlightenment period were autonomy and emancipation, progress and the improvement of history and universalism. The development of scientific knowledge gave rise to religious skepticism. People were no longer willing to submit blindly to the dictates of ordained religion. In other words they attained emancipation from the shackles of religion that had governed almost all aspects of their lives. This emancipation led to autonomy of the individual. Individuals began to decide for themselves instead submitting to an external authority such as religion. The people now decided by themselves what kind of authority, rules and regulation would be good for them, and such authority must be natural and not supernatural. Enlightenment encouraged criticism. Enlightenment thinkers did not hold anything sacred and freely criticized, questioned, examined and challenged all dogmas and institutions in their search for betterment or progress. Thinkers such as Voltaire defended reason and rationalism against institutionalized superstition and tyranny. The belief that there could and should be a change for the better came to be a prominent characteristic of modernity. The critical attitude of enlightenment thinker to contemporary social and political institutions paved the way for scientific studies of political and social studies and subsequent evolution of better forms of such institutions. The scientific revolution during the period, culminating in the work of Isaac Newton, presented a very practical and objective view of the natural world to people at large, and science came to be regarded very highly. Scientific inquiry was gradually extended to cover new social, political and cultural areas. Such studies were oriented around the cause-and-effect approach of naturalism. Control of prejudice was also deemed to be essential to make them value free. Enlightenment thinking emphasized the importance of reason and rationality in organization and development of knowledge. The gradual development of the scientific temperament with a paradigm change from the qualitative to the quantitative is also very evident in Europe of the time. People came to believe that they could better their own lot through a more scientific and rational approach to everything. The concept of universalism which advocated that reason and science were applicable to all fields of study and that science laws, in particular, were universal, also grew roots during the period. People began to believe in change, development and progress – all basic tenets of modernity as we know it today. Autonomy to decide for their own good, gave the people the right to choose the form of authority that could lead them as a society or community towards a better future and progress. This opened the doors to the emergence of states with separate and legally defined spheres of jurisdiction. Thus we find that modernity represents a transformation – philosophical, scientific, social, political and cultural – at a definite time in history at a definite spatial location. This transformation also represents a continuum up to the present in so much so that its basic principles are inherent in the societies and nations of today. The period of enlightenment can be seen as one of transition from the ‘traditional’ to the ‘modern’ forms of society, from an age of blind beliefs to a new age of reason and rational. Different Perspectives on development of Modernity Different political and philosophical thinkers have however developed different, and sometimes contradicting, theories of the development of modernity. Friedrich Hegel and Karl Marx are two of the leading thinkers whose theories run counter to each other. For Hegel, the development of modernity was a dialectical process which was governed by the increasing self-consciousness of what he termed as the collective human ‘mind’ or ‘spirit’. According to Hegel, the dialectic process of development of the mind comprised three stages, with two initially contradicting positions synthesizing into a third reconciled position. Human beings live what Hegel called an ‘Ethical Life’ or in a social environment shaped by customs and traditions. This ethical life has three stages: the first is the family, which is dissolved in due course, the second is the ‘civil society’ that a person builds up as a result of his social interactions beyond the family and greater relations, and finally the third stage of the ‘state’ which Hegel defines as the highest form of social reason. For Hegel therefore, the formation of the modern state is the mark of modernity when human beings achieve the ultimate stage of social existence. Hegel believed as individuals or families, human beings are too selfish and self-centered co-exist in harmony and work for development. It is the state that is able to integrate the contradictions of different individuals, and not market forces. Since the state by itself is composed of political institutions, Hegel’s theory equates the development of the modern state or modern political institutions with modernity. Marx took a completely opposing view, when he asserted that material forces drive history. For him the state by itself is not an ideal entity for the integration of human beings into a cohesive whole for their development as a nation or a society. According to him it is the material forces comprising social and economic forces that drive history towards modernity. People engage in production for their means of subsistence, they bind together and form states for the sake of production. Different forms of productions create different class relations. It is to maximize production and gain the maximum benefits and advantages that people bond together in different classes in the form of the modern state. The different ways in which production is organized give rise to complex forms of social organization because a particular mode of production is an entire way of life for the people who are involved in it. For Marx social existence is not consciously determined by human beings, rather, it is the other way round: their social existence determines their consciousness. When there are contradictions between productive forces and the social relationships of production, class conflict arises. For Marx, therefore, modernity is defined by the state of social existence. Marx acknowledges that ‘capitalism has been the most productive mode of production, and it contains the most potential for the realization of human freedom’. This very dynamic characteristic of capitalism is born out of its destructiveness for all traditional social constraints such as religion, nation, family, sex, etc. But it is the same destructiveness and creativeness that creates the experience of modernity in Capitalism. This vital association between capitalism and modernity from none less that Marx himself establishes that the capitalism that evolved after the period of enlightenment in Europe has been acknowledged as the modern era of the period of modernity by Marx. Marx however states that capitalism is exploitative, and because it is exploitative, its full potential cannot be harnessed for the benefit of all. He therefore advocates communism which is a system of planned and conscious production by men and women of their won free will. This brings us to the question whether humanity has already passed through a stage of history that has been termed as modernity, and has moved on to the postmodern era (Mitchell, 2009). Another important point is regarding the placing of modernity. Modernity is understood to be a process that began and ended in Europe, and was later exported to other parts of the world. Thinkers like Marx tend to differ. He saw Capitalism emerge as a ‘rosy dawn’ not in England or the Netherlands but in the production trade and finance of the colonial system (Marx, 1967). Therefore, though the concept of modernity can be defined in various ways, it definitely refers to the process of evolution of the human mind and the society to a point where people were able to come together for their own advantage and benefit and work for unceasing development under a collectively formalized authority such as the nation state. It can also be state with a certain degree of assertiveness that the period from the beginning of the Eighteenth Century to the French Revolution in 1789 actually marked the period of active development of modernity in Europe. The concepts that were nurtured during the period bore fruit immediately afterwards in Europe and the West and later spread to the rest of the world. The world has continued since on very much the same basic principles but with far more advanced technologies and superior social, economic and political approaches. Influence of Modernity on Literature Modernity had a profound influence on literature. As people began to think differently, they also began to write differently. The modernist ideas of religious emancipation, autonomy, reliance on reason, rationality and science, and on development and progress began to find expression in the literature that developed even during the period of enlightenment and thereafter. This new form of literature came to be known as the Modernist Literature. Modernist literature tended to vent expression to the tendencies of modernity. Modernist literature, as also modernist art, took up cudgels against the old system of blind beliefs. Centering around the idea of individualism or the individual mind, modernist literature displayed mistrust of established institutions such as conventional forms of autocratic government and religion. It also tended not to believe in any absolute truths. Simmel (1903) gives an overview of the thematic concerns of Modernist Literature when he states that, â€Å"The deepest problems of modern life derive from the claim of the individual to preserve the autonomy and individuality of his existence in the face of overwhelming social forces, of historical heritage, of external culture, and of the technique of life. † Examples from two Greats A few examples of Modernist literature will serve to make its characteristics more clear. Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650) is considered to be one of the early enlightenment thinkers whose literary works opened the avenues to the modern era. Known as the founder of modern philosophy and the father of modern mathematics, Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician and scientist whose influence has served to shape the beginnings of Modernist literature. In his famous work, The Discourse on Method, he presents the equally famous quotation ‘cogito ergo sum’ or ‘I think, therefore I am’, which about sums up the very principle of the basis of the modern era. â€Å"I observed that, whilst I thus wished to think that all was false, it was absolutely necessary that I, who thus thought, should be somewhat; and as I observed that this truth, I think, therefore I am (COGITO ERGO SUM), was so certain and of such evidence that no ground of doubt, however extravagant, could be alleged by the sceptics capable of shaking it, I concluded that I might, without scruple, accept it as the first principle of the philosophy of which I was in search† (Descartes, 1637). In this work, Descartes drew on ancients such as Sextus Emiricus to revive the idea of skepticism, and reached a truth that he found to be undeniable. â€Å"Descartes started his line of reasoning by doubting everything, so as to assess the world from a fresh perspective, clear of any preconceived notions. In other words, he rejected man’s reliance on God’s revealed word, placing his own intellect on a higher plain† (McCarter, 2006). David Hume (1711 – 1776) was a philosopher, economist and historian from Scotland, and was considered a notable personality both in western philosophy and of the Scottish Enlightenment movement. In his works, he had a way of projecting the errors of scepticism and naturalism, thus carving out a way for secular humanism. In his most famous work, ‘An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding’, Hume asserts that all human knowledge is imbibed through our senses. He argues that unless the source from which the impression of a certain entity is conveyed to our senses is identified, that entity cannot exist. The logic would nullify the existence of God, a soul or a self. â€Å"By the term impression, then, I mean all our more lively perceptions, when we hear, or see, or feel, or love, or hate, or desire, or will. And impressions are distinguished from ideas, which are the less lively perceptions, of which we are conscious, when we reflect on any of those sensations or movements above mentioned †¦It seems a proposition, which will not admit of much dispute, that all our ideas are nothing but copies of our impressions, or, in other words, that it is impossible for us to think of anything, which we have not antecedently felt, either by our external or internal senses†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Dover Philosophical Classics, 2004) In the same work Hume also postulates two kinds of human reasoning – Relation of Ideas and Matters of Fact. The former involves abstract concepts such as of mathematics where deductive faculty is required, and the later is about empirical experiences which are inductive in nature. This postulate has come to be known as Hume’s Fork. Hume, along with his contemporaries of the Scottish Enlightenment, also proposed that the basis for principles of morals is to be sought in the utility that they tend to serve. This shows the questioning nature of modernist literature not only of religious but also of moral and social norms and values. A very visible influence of modernity is therefore seen in the works of Hume. Present-day Modernist Literature If modernity influenced literature, it also used literature to shift from a philosophical and theoretical domain into the practical lives of people. Modernity could infiltrate into the lives of people through literary works that defined and reiterated the legitimate new modes of classification. Old literary forms with traditional meanings attached to them were reworked, allowing readers to modify or contravene the older meanings. â€Å"This opening-up process allowed readers to glean new meanings that modified or contravened the older ones. In the course of these changes, words, forms, and institutions altered their meaning in British life: they, and the practices they comprised, referred differently†¦. modifying ‘reference potential’ in literature fed back into how readers responded to changes in life†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Rothstein, 2007) In art and literature, many critics view ‘modernism’ as a new trend in the field of art and literature, defined basically by stylistic and structural variations. They would not accept the fact that ‘modernism’, it is basic approach, was the principles of modernity rendered plausible in literature and art. Modernity has always tried to hold up the world in new perspectives. Similarly, modernist literature opens up the world in all its forms – theoretical, philosophical, aesthetical and political – for fresh scrutiny. Even in its present form, modernist literature attempts to break the objective world of the realist. â€Å"Modernist writing †¦ takes the reader into a world of unfamiliarity, a deep introspection, a cognitive thought-provoking experience, skepticism of religion, and openness to culture, technology, and innovation† (Melton, 2010). Modernist literature exhibits a fascination with the workings of the mind, and how reality is reflected by the mind. The questioning of life, with or without the presence of God, is another trademark of the philosophical and theoretical moorings of modernist literature. Charles Darwin’s work challenges God as the Creator and presents the process of natural selection in the survival of life. This led to modernist literature of time travel, of questioning the existence of individuals and the purpose of the universe. Modernism brought about a new openness in the areas of feminism, bisexuality, the family, and the mind. In the world of today, modernist literature still display much of the characteristics of the times in which it first took shape. A very important theme of modernist literature today is a feeling of being alone in the world – a feeling stemming from estrangement or alienation. Characters are often presented as being depressed or angry. A second common trait is that of being in doubt. â€Å"It may be disbelief in religion, in happiness, or simply a lack of purpose and doubt in the value of human life. Finally, a third theme that is prevalent is a search for the truth† (Foster, 2010). Then there is a third theme in which the alienated character is always in the search for truth and seeks answers to a plethora of questions relating to human subjectivity. In all these characteristics are to be found the same questioning nature, the same denouncement of blind beliefs and the same dependence on reason and rationality that the Eighteenth Century enlightenment thinkers had pursued. The character is alienated and estranged because he or she questions all that is deemed not right by his or her own mind; the character questions the beliefs of religion and other institutions which are not based on reasoning; and finally the character seeks answers and the truth. â€Å"Modernist literature encompasses the thematic fingerprints of a rebellious, questioning, disbelieving, meditative, and confident type of form, which was conceived out of a change in the belief of humanity, the mind, a God, and the self brought on by the shift from capitalism to an ever-increasing society of revolutionary changes† (Melton, 2010). References Descartes, R. , 1637, The Discourse on Methods. Dover Philosophical Classics, 2004, David Hume, An Enquiry concerning Human Understanding, Dover Publications Inc. Foster, J. , 2010, Modernism in Literature and History, Available: http://www. helium. com/items/743749-modernism-in-literature-and-history Karl Marx, 1967, Capital: A Critique of Political Economy, 3 vols. , New York: International Publishers, 1:703. McCarter, J. , P. , 2006, Literature of the Modern Era, The Puritans’ Home School Curriculum. Melton, L. , 2010, Modernism in Literature and History, Available: http://www. helium. com/items/809291-modernism-in-literature-and-history Mitchell, T. , 2000, The Stage of Modernity, Available: http://www. ram-wan. net/restrepo/modernidad/the%20stage%20of%20modernity-mitchell. pdf Rothstein, E. , 2007, Gleaning Modernity, Earlier Eighteenth Century Literature and the Modernizing Process, Rosemont Publishing and Printing Corp. , Associated University Presses. Simmel, G. , 1093, The Metropolis and Mental Life.