Abstract
The paper takes a wide-ranging look at human rights around the world today, showing the key themes and issues currently affecting the international community. The introduction explains key terms necessary for the paper and gives a history of the development of human rights. The paper focuses on Japan as a case-study (though numerous other examples are cited where applicable). The author of the paper goes undercover in Japan to show that, despite "successes" in improving human rights in countries such as South Africa, shocking human rights violations still occur today worldwide even in developed countries and these need to be exposed and then dealt with.

From the Paper
"At least the Japanese of Korean and Chinese ancestry blend in to the Japanese population at large but human rights violations can be far worse for those who do not. An unofficial but widely accepted racial-pyramid stereotyping exists amongst Japanese society at large. Japanese, naturally, are at the top of the ethnic groups. It could be argued that an inferiority complex with whites (particularly European and American) still exists but this has gradually eroded with Japan's economic ascension and the increasing crime and disorder in Western cultures. After Westerners follow Asians (first Chinese, then Koreans and finally other Asians) who Japanese look down upon as inferiors and finally blacks (except, paradoxically, musically and athletically gifted blacks whom the Japanese detachedly admire)."

Tags:capital, death, imprisonment, punishment, racism, row, xenophobia

Abstract
This paper takes a critical and evaluative look at the use of computers in public junior high schools in Japan. It shows that Japan is harnessing technology and the Internet to help give its younger population a competitive advantage in what is set to become the 'information age'. The paper uses the case study of a British English language teacher, Lyle De Souza, who pioneered the use of advanced technologies to help learning in general and the teaching of English as a foreign language (TEFL) in particular.

From the Paper
"Much is made in the media in both the West and Japan of the uniformity of the Japanese education system. To Japanese traditionalists, uniformity is the solid rock of Japan's post-war economic success. It is the 'glue' that forms the cohesiveness of Japanese society--where standards of behavior are learned to be later obeyed. Modern day reformists and detractors have argued that such a system discourages individualism and creativity. They argue that--at any given time on any day--schools the length and breadth of Japan are likely to be teaching exactly the same things from exactly the same textbooks using exactly the same teaching methods. This would be fine assuming the teaching methods were effective but sometimes in Japan (particularly in English language teaching ) they are not and, even if they are aware of the shortcomings, Japanese teachers are reluctant to challenge the system."

Tags:technology, Internet, Japan, junior, high, school, Windows, speech, recognition, software, XP, Vista

Abstract
This paper discusses the political motives behind the marriage of Generalissimo Chiang Kai Shek and Soong Mei Ling and the advantages it held for both parties. It analyzes how whatever Soong Mei Ling?s motives may have been, there is no doubt that her marriage to Chiang Kai Shek had a distinct influence on national politics. It evaluates how it united the young soldier with the influential Soong family and its wide ranging contacts, raising his status in China. It looks at how Soong Mei Ling introduced Chiang to Western culture and thought and how her fluency in English was highly beneficial to him. It examines how as a husband and wife team, their effects on national politics are seen even today as Taiwan remains an autonomous and capitalist area, a result of their long term anti Communist attitudes.

From the Paper
"Coupled with her understanding of the West, and her fluent English Madame Chiang was an essential aid to the Generalissimo. She was translated documents and English news, giving him instant access to any developments in the West, and of course translated his writings into English, as well as writing her own essays in both Chinese and English. As an example, she supplemented his paper "A fortnight in Sian," with her own, "Sian; A coup d'Etat." She also translated all his essays on the New Life Movement, among many others. Some critics have claimed that she used her skill in translation to influence people according to her will; that is a matter which requires closer investigation, although it cannot be entirely overruled. In short, Mei Ling was Chiang's extremely glamorous connection to the western world."

Tags:china, nationalist, party, western, culture

Abstract
This paper studies the reasons behind as well as the effects on society of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) land reform policy of the early 1950s. It examines how, when the Communist Party came to power in China in 1949, it became evident that there would finally be a complete overhaul of government policies. It also analyzes how land reform in a predominantly agriculturally based economy was essential to the creation of a new social order and the eradication of the previous Qing and Guomindang elements.

From the Paper
"The living conditions and quality of life for many peasants before land reform, or Liberation were certainly very low. This gave the Communist Party a distinct advantage; most peasants had nothing to lose, and the idea of a society that would empower the exploited classes should prove immediately popular. However, there were setbacks. Although the peasants had nothing to lose, landlords, wealthy peasants and people related to the Guomindang were extremely worried, and this resulted in many people fleeing, to Hong Kong in particular. Many peasants were reluctant to join the revolution, being fearful of retribution should the Guomindang come back into power. They had never been involved in political life before, did not understand Marxist ideology, and could not perceive the class struggles within which they were told they were caught up. For this reason it was necessary to raise their class consciousness, a daunting task since peasants were mostly badly educated. Educated people who might be able to understand the Communist Party's social policies were often unwilling to wait around and find out the outcomes of these policies."

Tags:peasants, politics, propaganda, revolution, agriculture

Abstract
This essay looks at the benefits Mongolia and the former U.S.S.R. stood to gain from their relationship with each other. The political, ideological, strategic, geographical and industrial perspectives of both countries are considered. Also considered are the feelings of the Mongolian people towards the Chinese, and how these feelings may have been manipulated.

From the Paper
"The relationship between the USSR and the Mongolian People's Republic in the latter half of the 20th century is one that has its roots in a time before the creation of either Communist state. Chinggis Khan's Golden Horde had subjugated areas of Russia many centuries earlier. Russian letters from the mid 19th century proposed preparing a plan to annex Mongolia to Russia should the Manchu overlords ever withdraw into their Manchurian homeland. The Mongols had even appealed to the Russian Tsar for help whilst the Manchu ruled as the Qing dynasty. The crucial point though, is the early 20th century, when the relationship became more one of Elder Brother Younger Brother status, than one with views to colonization. This period formed the basis to a tight bond between the two countries lasting until the fall of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s."

Tags:china, communism, ideology, mao, mongolia, mpr, personality, soviet, trade, union, ussr

Abstract
This paper takes an academic but practical look at this diverse belief system of the Hindu religion. The origins and development of Hinduism are discussed as well at its role in the world of today and in the lives of its adherents. Contrasts are made with Christian belief systems and Hindu and non-Hindu scholars are quoted.

Outline
Hinduism's Ancient Roots
Hinduism's Holy Writings
Teachings and Conduct - Ahimsa and Varna
The Frustrating Cycle of Existence
The Pantheon of Hindu Gods
Hinduism and the River Ganges
Hinduism and the Soul
Hindu Teaching of Hell
Hinduism's Rival

From the Paper
"Brahma, although central to Hindu mythology, does not occupy a place of importance in the worship of the average Hindu. In fact very few temples are dedicated to him, even though he is called Brahma the Creator. However, Hindu mythology attributes the assignment of creating the material universe to a supreme being, source, or essence-Brahman, or Brahm, identified with the sacred syllable OM or AUM. All three members of the triad are considered part of that "Being," and all other gods are viewed as different manifestations. Whichever god is then worshiped as supreme, that deity is thought to be all-embracing. So while Hindus openly venerate millions of gods, most acknowledge only one true God, who can take many forms: male, female, or even animal. Therefore, Hindu scholars are quick to point out that Hinduism is actually monotheistic, not polytheistic. Later Vedic thinking, however, discards the concept of a supreme being, replacing it with an impersonal divine principle or reality."

Tags:brahma, ganges, soul, hell

Abstract
This paper is on the Peter Brook production of the "Mahabharata", the Indian epic. The author contends that the process of de-contextualization of characters, plot elements and pieces of narration out of the Mahabharata's original context and into a Western mode of performance, plot construction and interpretation exhibits the latent Orientalism of the Brook production, and represents the profound and perverse commodification of the India classic. The author further explains how it was Brook's perspective and alteration of this epic that reached a broader Western audience.

From the Paper
"As a world defined by over 200 nations, and thousands of cultures, an incredibly rich history and set of traditions exists. The last century has marked a turning point in our planet's history. As never before, the distance and separation of cultures is becoming ever smaller, due to better transportation and communications infrastructures, and a desire to conduct business on a global scale. There is also an interesting and concerning adoption and synthesis of cultural practices and traditions. One could debate rather academically the merits of cultural encounter and interaction, and to say that perhaps with a synthesis of different cultural practices, a new culture is born. That may be, however the focus of this essay is to critically investigate and discuss the adoption or representation of other cultural traditions, without comprehending their meaning or significance. This is demonstrated through the Western commodification of cultures, the notion of Orientalism, and specifically focusing on the Brooks/ Carrire production of the Mahabharata."

Tags:culture, india, indian, movie, performance

Abstract
This paper examines reasons for the East Asian economic crisis during 1997 and 1998. The World Bank report of 1993 praises many of the practices that ultimately led to the crisis. Currencies, stock markets, 'crony capitalism' and financiers are examined. The paper argues that both economic and cultural reasons are ultimately to blame for the economic crisis.

From the Paper
"In recent decades international financial institutions, most notably the World Bank, have held up East Asia as a capitalist miracle, a role model for the rest of the world to follow. The Newly Industrializing Countries (NIC's) took off during the 1970's and included countries from around the world. But is was almost exclusively the NIC's of Asia who maintained their high growth rates through the 1980's and 1990's. While the South American NIC's were left behind in the debt crisis of the early 1980's, the Asian 'Tigers' continued to surge ahead. South Korea, for example, maintained a manufacturing growth rate of nearly 9% a year during the 1980's, while exports grew by 10% a year (Hadjor: 1992). Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore also enjoyed such success, and they were soon joined by other Asian countries such as Malaysia and Thailand. By 1987 the combined manufacturing exports of South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore totaled about half of all third world exports compared with 6% for Mexico and Brazil combined (ibid). The World Bank firmly believed that the experience of the Asian tigers constituted a viable model for other Third World countries. In 1993, the Bank published its seminal work 'The East Asian Miracle' as a guide to how the Tigers had been so successful. But disaster hit the East Asian region in 1997/98 when the economies in that part of the world took a massive beating from what became the 'Asian Crisis'. Suddenly the World Bank report and hopes for the region looked decidedly inaccurate. Here we will summarize the various views taken by the World Bank on Asian economic development before the crisis hit, together with how the effects of the Asian Crisis threw into doubt the Banks judgment."

Tags:asian, crisis, capitalism, crisis, crony, globalisation, world, bank, asia

Abstract
This paper defines key terms necessary for the paper ('human rights', 'civil rights' and 'civil liberties') and gives a brief history of the development of human rights (from Socrates through to the U.S. Bill of Rights and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights). The main paper is split into two parts. Part one looks at alleged human rights violations from both an external, generally 'Western', perspective and an internal, Chinese (Asian-Islamic) perspective. It argues that human rights as an issue is being manipulated by both Western and Eastern governments for political purposes. Examples used in the paper include alleged oppression in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Tianenmen Square; as well as suspected torture based on religious, political and socio-cultural intolerance by the Chinese government. Part two looks at possible solutions to the human rights issue. It again uses both internal (Chinese) and external (U.S. and U.N.) perspectives and leads to the thought-provoking conclusion. The full text of the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights is included in the appendix.

From the Paper
"'Human rights' are rights that all humans are entitled to such as the right to live, the right to liberty, the right to freedom of expression and the right to equality within society. 'Civil rights' and 'civil liberties' refer to the guarantees that a state may make to its citizens and are offered in addition to one's basic human rights. Perhaps the best quantification of human rights (and the mostly widely accepted in the West) is the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Although the UN's Declaration is over half a century old and has been savagely criticized at times it still serves as a useful guide to general ideals of human rights."

Tags:tianenmen, tibet, xinjiang

Abstract
A look at the origins of Indian culture with emphasis on Indian music and dance. The author examines the roots of music and dance from legends, myths and ancient scripts and provides an understanding of the historical foundation of Indian music and dance.

From the Paper
"The history of Indian music and dance is one of the oldest unbroken artistic traditions in the world. It is said that the origins of this system go back to the Vedas, the ancient scripts of the Hindus. Numerous legends have grown up concerning the origins and development of Indian classical music and dance. Such legends illustrate the importance both that music and dance have had in defining Indian culture, especially from a religious perspective. This investigation is meant to explore the historical foundation of Indian music to ascertain a better understanding of the classical form."

Tags:continent, india, sub