Tradition and the Rights of the Individual

Molly Burke, Rutgers University, Spring 2005

Assignment 1

Kaldor explores the differences between 'modern' and 'new' or postmodern warfare--how hierarchical, disciplined armies dedicated to eliminating competitors, protecting borders and upholding the rule of law have given way to compartmentalized, unstructured coalitions generally held together by extreme political ideology. She cites two, interlinking developments for this change--the destructiveness of war and globalization.   

For your first paper I want you to develop an argument in which you explore how social structure, national identity and political ideology have effected these changes.  

Questions to ponder:

• How has the fear of the unthinkable (mutual annihilation) given way to fear of the unacceptable (occupation by a foreign country, religious intolerance)?   What are the effects of these changes
• How does the U.N. peacekeeping efforts effect regional or cultural conflicts?  Is peacekeeping another form of cultural hegemony?
• How are contemporary ideologies being addressed under the auspices of globalization?

Assignment 2

In your first paper you explored the effects of war on contemporary social structure. You began to think about how the world has reacted to globalization, rising nationalism/fundamentalism and new technology. Kaldor talks of the 'new' warfare as having a vested political and economic interest in continued violence (Kaldor 388).  Now Chua discusses reaction to globalization and efforts by highly focused groups to find satisfaction by violently appropriating that which is owned and controlled by the market dominant minorities. What are the connections between Americanization of other cultures, loss of national identity, and a single world community? How is this attempt at homogenization an answer to the violence in contemporary culture? In what way might you believe it is the reason for it?   

Questions to Ponder:

• Is it right to try to impose our values and culture on other countries and societies? 
• Would a more culturally sensitive approach by American businesses to the community make our presence there more palatable?
• Why do you think 'they hate us'?
• How does the 'new' warfare give radical organizations like Al Qaeda, Shining Path, and others a feeling of righteousness, power, and control?

Assignment 3

In "Women and Cultural Universals," Nussbaum maintains that it is important to have both internal and external capabilities to achieve Central Human Functional Capabilities. Although her immediate concern is the plight of women in achieving these capabilities, they have implication for all humans. In previous papers we have discussed globalization and the effect it has had on changing cultures. We recognized that there are several ways to view globalization--some observers might argue that globalization will produce a richly diverse world society. These people might point out that just as American culture flows into places like India and China, so the values and outlooks of other societies flow into the US as well. Others will argue that globalization is a form of cultural hegemony that consumes local culture in an effort to create a single world culture. 

For your next paper, I would like you to examine the concern of balancing society's responsibilities as outlined in Nussbaum's list of Central Human Functional Capabilities against globalization and its effect on established local customs. Rather than arguing "for" or "against" globalization, however, I want you to explore the complexities of the issue.  

Questions to Ponder:

• Is there a connection between the fears that market dominant minorities will "swallow up" a country's culture and the idea that giving women autonomy will undermine the morals and values of society?
• Is Nussbaum's list of Central Human Functional Capabilities biased by her upbringing? Would these capabilities make sense in China, Japan, Senegal, Egypt or Brazil?
• What is the impact of the military and war--in its new and traditional forms--on human functional capabilities?
• What similarities are there to America's global cultural, economic, military and political might to those same controls wielded by countries that oppress women by denying them personal autonomy? 

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