Citizenship

The citizenship test was introduced by the Australian Government fairly recently. As a western country, Australia is currently the most recent developed western country to have a citizenship test. However, there is a current debate being held on why is the citizenship test held for and what is the government really testing?

According to the SBS news site, the Australian Government has now changed some of the content that is to be tested in the citizenship test and states that “would-be new Australian citizens will be quizzed on their understanding of their civic duty and responsibilities of citizenship rather than facing questions about Australia’s sporting heroes ” as it had previously asked questions about a Australian cricket player, Sir Donald Bradman and other irrelevant information.

However, when questioned to why was the citizenship test was even introduced, a minister who appeared on an SBS program called ‘Insight’ argued that this test was made to test English proficiency of the ‘new’ Australians. The test was also made to give the new-comers a view on what is it mean to be Australian and what Australian values are? ,while stating all this information in a book that the participants would need to read.

In my opinion, I do not think that this is a worthwhile test as a test can’t possibly test whether the people sitting for it actually believe and practice these values but will only test their ability to memorize and learn facts and information out of a book. The test also doesn’t use complex English but simple and easy-to-understand words. Therefore if the main point of having the test was to test English proficiency, it would be better to hold an English exam and to be able to apply for citizenship, the person applying would need to have been a permanent resident and would have needed to sit for an English proficiency test then anyway.

This test is also a waste of time as the people sitting the test could use the time that was spent on taking the test and preparing for it on work and practicing ‘Australian values’ to help Australia’s community and economy. We have seen both sides of the argument here and to some others who may feel strongly for or against this issue, we can see that the Australian Government is trying its best to please the masses and that it looks like the citizenship test is here to stay for the long run.

In Rome, there are three social classes, arranged according to wealth; Patricians, Plebeians, and Slaves. Patricians are the upper class citizens; they are very wealthy and highly educated. They make up the majority of the senate and therefore control the laws. Plebeians are the poor, lower-class citizens. They greatly outnumber the Patricians, make up most of the army, and pay most of the taxes. They are not allowed to marry Patricians or take part In government. Slaves are at the bottom of the Roman social order; they make up over 25% of Romeos population, and are essential to Its survival.

Wealthy citizens often own many slaves, which they use to complete various tasks around the home. They consisted of prisoners of war, Plebeians whom were In debt, or children born of slaves. Slaves often work on farms, In mills, at shops, doing city construction, or are servants. Roman writer, Seneca, believes that masters should treat their slaves well, as a well-treated slave will work better for a good master rather than Just doing enough begrudgingly for someone who mistreats their slaves.

Slaves can receive freedom from their masters if they mom up with enough money, or are released upon the master’s death. Women are not considered equal to men. Their primary duty is to care for their family. The amount of work that they do is correlated to the amount of wealth they have, with rich women usually having servants to do most of their work. Women from lower class families have to do daily chores on their own, or assisted by daughters. This usually includes washing dishes, sweeping floors, and cooking. Rome is home to some of the finest pieces of art in the world.

This includes architecture, paintings, sculptures, and mosaics. The sculpture is the most important piece of artwork, with thousands of sculptures located all over Rome. If you’re looking for entertainment, Roman citizens often gather in The Coliseum to see fights between gladiators, slaves, prisoners, and wild animals. These fights are very violent, and therefore enjoyable. They only end when the loser is dead. Chariot racing at The Hippodrome is also very popular in Rome. The Coliseum, The Pantheon, and Circus Maximum, are mongo some of Romeos grandest buildings.

Greece: The Greek social structure is broken Into three groups; citizens, emetics, and slaves. A citizen Is born of Athenian parents, and they are the most powerful group In Greece. After compulsory service In the army, they often became government officials, and took part in Jury service. A emetic Is of foreign birth and has migrated to Athens to trade or practice craft. They must pay taxes and are sometimes required to serve In the army, despite this, they can never achieve the full rights of a excellent. This

Includes the ability to own houses, and the ability to speak In court. Slaves were servants and laborers without any legal rights. Slaves can be prisoners of war, or bought from slave traders. These social statuses only apply to men, as women adopt their social status from their husband. Women In Greece are not permitted to take part in public life, making it a prime destination for the whole family! Greece is the sculpture is our preferred form of artistic expression, as it shows an expression of individuality, and the beauty of the human body.

Aphids, Polytheists, and Myron are three of our most prized sculptures. One of the most distinguishable art feature of Greece, are our columns. They are crafted in three different styles; Doric is the simplest of these three styles. Ionic is thinner and more elegant with a scroll-like design. Corinthian is the rarest but most elaborate column, with many complex designs; it is often decorated with acanthus leaves. In Greece, there is no shortage of entertainment. We have invented the theatre, a place in which audiences come from all around to watch comedies or tragic plays.

Greece is also home to the Olympic Games, the world’s premier sport event. Held in honor of Zeus, athletes from around Greece compete in various events in front of thousands of spectators. There are also many marvelous building in Greece, such as The Parthenon, a temple overlooking Athens. The Erection is a temple north of the Acropolis, dedicated to Athena and Poseidon. The Temple of Olympian Zeus is a temple in the center of Athens, with enormous columns. Greece is the premier destination of the World, so why not come by?

In exploring the relationship between Hong Kong and its sovereign ruler, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), I will proceed by first examining the history behind the 1997 union. In doing so, I will introduce the Basic Law, a constitution which guarantees certain Hong Kong rights. Next, I will explore the political and civil rights of Hong Kong as stated by the Basic Law. Moving forward, I will examine each party’s economy, commenting upon the commercial interplay, and establishing each as an economic superpower. Thirdly, I will address some of the tensions that exist between the two regions by looking at one hotbed issue: the birthing of newborns in Hong Kong. Finally, I will consider what the future holds for this relationship, concluding that it is at-once troubled and promising.

Background: The Handover & Guaranteed Rights

In order to fully grasp the relationship between Hong Kong and China, one must first develop an understanding of the history. After 150 under British control, Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997 as a Special Administrative Region (SAR). The Hong Kong SAR was instituted under a Chinese policy or mission statement of “one country, two systems.” This slogan embodies the Chinese leaders’ goal of reunifying Hong Kong with mainland China, while permitting a co-existence of different political, social, and legal systems.

Autonomy was delivered to the HKSAR in the form of the Basic Law. The Basic Law laid out some pertinent rulings in regard to the Hong Kong-Chinese relationship. First, it is important to note that the Basic Law was created with a shelf-life of 50 years; meaning that its ruling power will expire in 2047. This allows Hong Kong residents to have freedom of speech, freedom of press and publication, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, freedom of procession, of demonstration, of communication, of movement, of conscience, of religious belief, and of marriage.

Furthermore, HK citizens enjoy the right and freedom to form and join trade unions, and to strike. In addition, the laws that were previously in force in Hong Kong, such as the common law and rules of equity shall be maintained by the HKSAR under the Basic Law. Thus, the Hong Kong SAR has a high level of autonomy, enjoying many levels of independent power. This autonomy is however limited and in daily dispute, as I will address in the subsequent Politics and Tensions sections.

As I just listed in the guaranteed rights runthrough, Hong Kong citizens may speak their mind, and are even able to engage in street demonstrations – where such acts are banned in the PRC. It must be noted that there are, however, certain restrictions to these freedoms. For example, the law requires that police be informed of the demonstrations beforehand, and all protests are subject to interference or destruction on the grounds of “national security.” In the sixteen years the two have been linked, this has been a nagging issue for HK people as the PRC takes the form of an overbearing ruler. For example, Hong Kong citizens have historically been unable to exercise their voice in advocating for the independence of Tibet or Taiwan. Despite these impediments to wholly free speech, this is much more than that afforded to those in the PRC.

Government Form and Political Parties

Similar to the United States and other large nation states, China utilizes its sovereign power through a federal system that distributes authority between the central government and local governments. While these local governments may institute a variety of differing policies, the “political character” of each government is usually uniform. Hong Kong is a large exception to this norm as it has been allowed to enjoy a semblance of democracy.

Hong Kong has its own parliamentary system, or Legislative Council. Members of the Legislative Council, known as LegCo, are elected by processes of both direct election and electoral college. All Hong Kong citizens are able to vote in direct elections, on the stipulation that they have been living there for a minimum of seven years. This sounds similar to the American voting system that we are familiar with, however only one-third of LegCo is elected with this format. The other two-thirds are elected by a group known as a “functional constituency.” The functional constituency is a group of professionals represented by fields of specialty, such as Accounting, Engineering, Legal, and Medical. It is noteworthy that this election form draws much criticism from pro-democracy supporters as it allows a minority to hold a majority of influence and power.

One of the requirements of democracy, beyond free speech guarantees that HK enjoys, is the need for a variety of political parties. Political variation allows for multiple viewpoints, allowing citizens to build fuller view and stronger opinions on significant socio-political issues. While the PRC can be described as having just one political party, Hong Kong houses five major parties. Surprisingly, some of these even speak loudly regarding their opposition to Beijing and its policies. This extreme difference in political composition serves as a lens through which we can see the PRC and Hong Kong as a potentially uncomfortable pairing. In times of constitutional disagreement though, it is mainland China’s governing power that prevails.

One Country, Two Economic Superpowers

In covering Hong Kong and China, we are dealing with two of the world’s greatest economic superpowers. China surpassed Japan in 2010, becoming the second-largest economy in the world and the Chinese are now well on their way to becoming the world leader, as they are expected to surpass the United States in a matter of years (if not months). While Hong Kong and China exchange heavily with one another, they maintain separate economic systems and forms of currency.

Articles of the Basic Law dictate that Hong Kong, as a special administrative region, is able to determine its own monetary policies. As such, Hong Kong has continued to use its pre-1997 currency, the Hong Kong dollar, while the PRC uses its own currency: the Renmibi. Interestingly, the HK dollar is treated as foreign tender within the mainland, and the same goes for the Renmibi within Hong Kong.

While China and Hong Kong may treat each other’s currencies as foreign, they are intricately connected and highly circulated. For example, Hong Kong is China’s number one foreign investor, as they account for over half of the country’s total foreign capital. Thus, Hong Kong holds an important role for the soon-to-be largest world economy, as its premier trading partner and “foreign investor.”

Hong Kong: Model of Wealth but Lacking Complete Representation

To explore the power and ever-increasing potential of the Hong Kong economy, I am shining light on the Economic Freedom of the World index (analysis performed by the Fraser institute, a Canadian think tank). According to this institute’s study, Hong Kong’s economy ranks as the freest in the world (and has held this #1 ranking since 1970). The institute’s Economic Freedom of the World index bases this assessed freedom on three primary elements: government size, regulation of economic activity, and openness to international trade.

The smallness of Hong Kong government is evidenced by government spending as a percentage of GDP, which rests at 19.2%. Compare this to the United States, which is over double that figure, at 38.9%. Furthermore, Hong Kong citizens enjoy a flat income tax rate of 15% while businesses pay a corporate tax rate of 16.5%. If that was not economically appealing enough, take into consideration that there is no sales tax nor taxation of dividends or capital gains.

The second Economic Freedom of the World index element reveals Hong Kong as possessing a flexible and efficient regulation of economic activity. In assessing this aspect, the Fraser Institute defers judgment to the World Bank and its Doing Business project which produces a report measuring the cost of business regulation for companies each year. The results place Hong Kong as the second easiest place to do conduct business in the world. This high ranking is based on HK’s flexible labor market and the view of the Hong Kong dollar as a stable form of currency.

The final element in the Fraser Institute’s model of assessing economic freedom is an economy’s openness to international trade. Hong Kong does not impose quotas nor does it charge customs duties. In addition, there are no Hong Kong restrictions to the inflow of investment capital. These factors make HK very friendly to international business and greatly contribute to the region’s standing as third-ranked world-wide in terms of inflow of foreign investment. Furthermore, Hong Kong ranks as fourth overall in terms of investment outflow – only behind the United States, Japan, and mainland China.

Considering its worldwide economic power and attractiveness, it may seem odd that HK lacks true international representation. For example, Hong Kong is not directly represented in the United Nations. However, because of its economic weight, HK does have its own representation in trade and commerce bodies, such as the World Trade Organization. Interestingly, Hong Kong is even represented by the International Olympic Committee, a sporting body. It follows that the PRC has direct representation in all of these. This overview of representation shows the level of Hong Kong’s autonomy, which is covered in most areas except for “high politics,” where the PRC serves as the authority.

Tensions: Birthing Trouble

A survey conducted by the University of Hong Kong in 2011 found that twice the number of responders referred to themselves as Hong Kongers versus identifying themselves as Chinese. There are a number of factors leading to feelings of “us versus them.” It is difficult for Hong Kong citizens to see themselves as being the same as the mainland Chinese because of their years under British rule. While there were downsides to the years under foreign control, it was this exposure that has led to their current attractions, in terms of common law and personal freedoms.

The disparity between mainlanders and Hong Kongers is seemingly growing. The aforementioned number of survey respondents identifying as Hong Kongers hit a 10 year high. This may be attributed to the fact that some HK citizens loudly voiced a fear of “becoming just one more city in China.”

We can examine one instance of this relationship’s unrest by looking at the process of birthing in Hong Kong, and how the PRC is involved. Great numbers of mainland pregnant women enter Hong Kong to birth their babies. This is politically-heavy for two reasons. Firstly, these HK women are evading the mainland policy which limits the number of children a family may have. Second, babies born in Hong Kong are automatically granted residency.

With residency comes access to the SAR’s high-grade healthcare and free schooling. With 37% of the Hong Kong babies born in 2010 belonging to mainland families (where neither parent is a HK resident), the resources are heavily constrained. Beyond the implications of supply and demand for future healthcare and schooling, HK residents are having to fight to simply reserve maternity ward hospital beds.

The people of Hong Kong are not taking such strains lying down. HK residents are exercising every freedom of speech right that they have in order to let their voices be heard and to advocate for change. In the case of mainland mothers overtaking HK maternity wards, Hong Kong citizens took protested in great numbers. Dozens of pregnant women, along with their husbands and hundreds of other supporters, marched in streets in demand of resource protection. The people are demanding that the legislative powers disallow citizenship through local birth. This serves as just one example of the clash between Hong Kong and mainland citizens.

Evidence of Hong Kong’s Influence on China & An Uncertain Future

While the “one country, two systems” policy was created to allow the territory of Hong Kong to continue in its prosperous ways of capitalism while the keeping the rest of China socialist, it has not exactly remained that way. Since the 1997 handover, China has created dozens of zones that are designated as free-trade zones, industrial high-tech development zones, and “Special Economic Zones.” For example, two major Chinese cities that fall into this categorization are Shanghai and Shenzhen.

This case of zone example serves as an indicator of mainland China’s eyes being opened to the possibilities of capitalism and other aspects of Western culture. Despite how slow China is to make changes, it is evident that the PRC’s adoption of these practices is directly connected to their involvement with Hong Kong. Thus, HK is serving as somewhat of a blueprint for the PRC’s progress.

The futures of China and Hong Kong remain very much uncertain, however one thing is clear: they will remain intricately entwined for decades to come. Evidence of Hong Kong’s influence on the People’s Republic of China begs the question of “what is next for China as a whole?” If one of the world’s longtime socialist superpowers has begun a shift toward capitalism, what is stopping them from expanding consideration to human rights and rule of law? It is with such a jump that China could carry not only the banner for national worldwide GDP (as they certainly will), but also finally provide the first-world living conditions that are expected from a worldwide economic superpower.

Differences

There are some significant differences between the two agreements. The central and obvious difference is that the NAFTA is an agreement between three nations, joining Mexico to the two original parties. The attachments of the labor and environment treaties are also specific only to NAFTA, having generally resulted from the increasing awareness on the part of concerned non-governmental organizations. These have brought concerns from the globalization arena into the heart of a limited nation environment.

Additionally, this agreement has moved further on these issues, creating the North American Development Bank, whose roles is to assist with the funding of environmental projects, from which Mexico has benefited to the level of 36 projects to date, the majority relating to water projects. NAFTA also differs from the previous agreement in that it covers a far wider range of goods and services within its remit. Benefits and Improvements We have already indicated the economic gains that Canada has enjoyed as a result of being a signature to the two treaties.

We have already mentioned the increase in exports this country has enjoyed and, since Mexico joined the NAFTA treaty, Canada has seen similar growth in its trade with Mexico. Mexico has experienced similar gains in a number of areas, as well as the water projects outlined in the previous section. Commercial and industrial trade revenues have increased for Mexico and this does outweigh the losses it has suffered in its agricultural. Despite the successes of the treaties, there are still areas that, if addressed, could improve the workings of the agreement.

We would recommend a review of the following options.

• a) Freedom of Citizen movement.

Whilst this matter has been basically shelved at present, for an agreement of this nature to be truly effective, it is our opinion that this area needs to be addressed. If one looks at the example of Europe, where citizens are able to travel and work with freedom within the member states, this has had the effect of increasing the status of the less developed countries, rather than adversely affecting the stronger economies.

In fact this strengthening has improved trade for wealthier countries. Economically we would see the same result for the NAFTA countries. To address the concerns regarding drug trafficking and terrorism, they could introduce an ID card system similar to that introduced in the UK in April 2006. With a central register, this would be more effective than border controls.

• b) Expansion of Free Trade. We would advocate that freedom of trade and services be extend to cover all goods and services, and that there should be no exceptions.

If one takes the example that can be drawn from globalization, such freedom does have the effect of increasing, rather than reducing revenue. It also contributes towards the improvement in standards of the citizens and corporations of all the nations concerned. Retaining exclusion only leads, as has been seen, to areas of concern and discontent, all of which hinders the relationship development between the three countries.

• c) Worldwide representation Again, taking the example of Europe, this union works as a global force as well as a market within itself.

A central part of this is the development of a EU currency, the Euro, which in itself is becoming a force on the money markets. Our opinion is that, should the United States, Canada and Mexico work on a similar model for their treaty, it would be of benefit to all of them. Conclusion From our study of the content of the two agreements, although it is clear that NAFTA is a replacement for the first, together with the additional research that we have undertaken, it is apparent that this agreement is possibly the most extensive of its kind globally.

Whilst media articles and other commentators tend to have concentrated upon the negative aspect of these agreements, there is no doubt that it has achieved a considerable amount of the targets that it had set itself. There is no doubt that there will be industry casualties with any agreement of this nature, as the Mexican Farmers have found to their cost, but the reverse of that situation is that other industries are prospering, in particular the Information and Technological industries.

In the longer term the benefits achieved in these areas, will have the advantage of making industries such as agriculture more efficient in the future, thereby reversing the current adverse trend. However, it is our opinion that, to gain the maximum benefits and advantages from an agreement of this nature, there is a need for improvement. It is our opinion that, if the treaty is improved in accordance with the measures within the last section, there will be an opportunity for all three countries to realize the full potential of their agreement.

References

• Canadian-American Reciprocity Treaty. (2006, June 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 15:49, July 4, 2006, from http://en. wikipedia. org/w/index. php? title=Canadian-American_Reciprocity_Treaty&oldid=58546701. David Bacon. The Children of NAFTA: Labor wars on the U. S. /Mexico Border. Berkeley: University of California Press. 2004 Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (2006).
• Basic Terms of a Canada-United States Agreement on Softwood Lumber, Retrieved, July 2006, from http://www. dfait-maeci. gc.ca/eicb/softwood/what-en. asp Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (2006). Terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Retrieved 4 July 2006 from http://www. dfait-maeci. gc. ca/nafta-alena/agree-en. asp Off, Carol. (1997).
• Deal of the decade Broadcast Dec. 10, 1997 CBC Television Proulx, Pierre-Paul, (2003). Selected features of the North American integration process and suggestions for an agenda for negotiations. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. Retrieved from http://www. dfait-maeci. gc. ca/nafta-alena/proulx-en. asp.

Education is one of societal establishment that makes society and the state sustainable and development. With instruction, people get cognition, accomplishments, wont, value, and morality, and attitude ( Roth Hok, 2004, p 3 ) . It provides the state work force in order to run into the challenge of globalisation of today competitory economic and technological development. Accord with the demands above, each state seek to construct up quality of instruction, enlarge and widespread the educational edifice centres, schools and universities everyplace in the state. Furthermore, they provide the opportunity to those who want to work on the educational sectors which aspect as private sector or organisation. Additionally, the educational establishment attempts to reform and bring forth more method, construction or other techniques to better the educational system. There are four maps of instruction: socialization, making, allotment and legitimation ( Historical Root Document ) in which each map plays really of import function and works in deferent facet that instruction go more and more effectual.

In order to stabilise and develop the state more efficaciously, legitimation is one of the most of import maps, which have been using actively in instruction. In term of educational facet, legitimation is the tool to set up and associate the people in society. It provides norm, values and political orientation to stabilise the political power and besides cultural and societal individuality ( Historical Root Document ) .

Cambodia is one of the development states which has merely emerged from the war that the instruction had been distracted to about nothing. Harmonizing to Mr. Heng stated that “ Having passed four old ages of the barbarian genocidal government of the Pol Pot- Ieng Sary clique our substructure in the sphere of instruction and instruction is wholly shattered. “ ( Ayres, 2003 ) . Now it has been fighting really hard to go the developed state by concentrating much on the instruction as the chief sector that instruction in term of legitimation has been applied more potentially in the Kampuchean context in order to stabilise, nationalise the state as a whole.

Research Questions

What is the chief factor to determine the course of study in Education?

How did the instruction course of study in PRK and subsequently use the societal and national vision to the citizens?

How effectual have the instruction system work in gestate the citizen for stabilising the state?

Education in Cambodia in term of Legitimation

In Cambodia, from one period to another, the course of study has been changed and reformed steadily to acquire a better quality and apprehension of the function of instruction policy in aspect societal and civic individualities and redefining or retracing national citizenship within the Kampuchean context. The course of study has been set and assimilated the political orientation to the immature Kampuchean to be harmony, peace, stableness and feeling of loving state and society and besides supports and serves their political power. The implicit in premise is that for procedures of educational alteration to be meaningful parts to national rapprochement and peace edifice in the context of individuality. Of cardinal concern were the policy issues that determine the function of schooling in the formation and transmittal of corporate individuality, memory, and sense of citizenship and of shared fate. Harmonizing to the course of study the pupils are provided to larn the topic that tell about the manner of life, the manner to talk, frock, base, sit, and walk, it besides provides norm, value and carry the immature Kampuchean to love and protect their ain national heritage ; moreover, the information the pupils get is to follow and back up the authorities context that the state become stableness, prosperity and development.

General end of course of study in term of legitimation

The ends and purposes of instruction are to develop human resources mentally, emotionally, and physically. It maintains accomplishments, experiences, morality, tolerance, cognition, cooperation, solidarity, patriotism, love of justness, human rights, environmental advocator, individuality and valuing national civilization and civilisation, regard for jurisprudence, holding self-independence, assurance, ability to work out day-to-day life jobs, creativeness, industry, duty, ability to advance one ‘s household wellbeing, engagement in national rehabilitation and development based of democracy and pluralism, , ( UNESCO statistical yearbook,1999 )

In PRK period

In the period of People Republic Kampouchea government, the authorities was in left with nil in the custodies every bit good as the instruction system. ( Aryes, 2000 ) With the official authorities was empty thought related to the instruction theory and patterns, most of them were in the ground forces sectors. In add-on to this, the influence of cold war in the current flow of universe power between Russia and the United State ( Nayan Chanda, 2007 ) led to distribute the political orientation of socialism which affected on Cambodia authorities in instruction course of study. However the new educational plan had been announced officially in on July 30, 1979 in the PRK. The system had been put an consequence by Heng samrin. The new educational construction had been replaced by the disposal of Vietnamese and Gallic educational pattern. The primary school class had been divided into two three-year rhythm prior to 1975, was reduced into four class, secondary school six old ages to maximum three old ages rhythm. The 10 old ages construction and go uping totaling system followed the denote school classs, were really similar to those Vietnamese. Another characteristic of the system which the same as Vietnamese ‘s was the decentralized control. Provincial instruction commissions were vested with a high grade of duty for doing determination. ( Ayres, 2003 )

In that manner, instruction is to protect and construct the People ‘s Republic of Cambodia in to socialist state, ( Ayres, 2003 ) , so in the period the instruction is provided to the people in order to stabilise the state and better the political power.

After PRK period 1990s

After the election in 1993, The Cambodia fundamental law has rehabilitation programs, the schemes of MoEYS, the schemes of socioeconomic, and the existent national state of affairs the instruction reform policy had been accepted by the instruction system development commissions as the followers:

The general instruction system from grade 11 to 12 old ages added 1year to primary school that the expression is 6+3+3, which is 6 old ages in primary school, 3 old ages in secondary school 3 old ages in high school. They besides increase up 6 hours per twenty-four hours in order to acquire the international criterion of 5,000 hours in which one category period 45 proceedingss in primary school and 50 proceedingss in secondary school. There 6 capable countries in primary and 8 topics in secondary school include foreign topics ( English or Gallic ) grade 5 in primary school upward. ( UNESCO statistical yearbook,1999 )

The end of course of study is to construct up the scholars life experience, work experience, cognition, accomplishments, values, personality, and wonts of making indispensable activities in their ain society every bit good as their ain state. Therefore they can be really of import plus to work more efficaciously to develop the state and broad pluralistic democracy. ( UNESCO statistical yearbook,1999 )

Decision

The end of Basic Education is to develop utile citizens into a adept work force that possesses accomplishments and ability and general cognition to use for their existent societal life. They have ability to better their ain wellness ( physical and mental ) every bit good as the wellness households and their society. They besides feel assurance to hold ability to work out the jobs of their households and society, and the ability to do determinations and programs for a successful life. Tolerance and acknowledgment of the public assistance of other people, and public spirit with the sense of equality and empathy. Love of self-study to better their life accomplishments. , love of modern engineering, willingness to work with others, cognition and accomplishments in direction, and preparedness to keep occupations suited to their makings and penchants. Awareness of societal alterations and ability to accommodate themselves in order to develop their state with the spirit of national pride, love of their state, faith and male monarch and saving of the natural environment, natural resources and their traditional every bit good as international humanistic disciplines and civilization.

The country of Greece in 400-500 B.C. was led to greatness by two great city-states. These city-states were Athens and Sparta. These two states were as different as night and day. They were rivals and very diverse. As you read you will find out their differences between their form of culture and government.

The city-state of Athens adopted a form of government which is now called democracy. Democracy is when the government is ruled by the people. This government consisted of an assembly , a jury , and there was a council of 500 men over 30 . The council decided such matters as to declare war or to spend money. The council was used to make decisions for the Athenian government. All men that were citizens were able to participate in an assembly , hold office , vote , and serve on a jury. Slaves could not do any of these things because they were not counted as citizens . The Athenian government was as similar as the American government today (Meigas 32).

Unlike the government of Athens the government of Sparta flourished as an aristocracy . This type of government is when a place is ruled by a small number of people from the upper class . There was a Council of Elders , an assembly , and the five ephors. The Council of Elders was made up of two kings and 28 men over the age of 60. This council decided on making laws. The assembly was made out of all male citizens over 30. The assembly did many things. It elected government workers and voted on laws that were introduced by the Council of Elders. The ephors were selected by the assembly. The ephors were overseers. They controlled slaves , conducted business with foreign countries , and negotiated with the kings (Hornblower 35).

The men of ancient Athens were very educated. From their childhood until the ages of six or seven the men were taught home by their mother or a male slave. After the age of seven they attended a normal day school. At school they learned drama, public speaking, reading, writing, and mathematics . When they reached the age of fourteen they attended a higher school for four more years. At the higher school they learned more math , more science , and things about the government. When the men reached the age of 18 the were required to attend military school for 2 more years. The Athenian men were skilled architects , poets , and artists. From them is where we get great works known as The Odyssey and The Iliad by the writer known as Homer (Meigas 123).

The men of ancient Sparta were very cunning , slick , and strong. During their childhood the Spartan men were taken away from their parents. Being taken away at the age of seven , they were sent to military school. If a child was not strong , he/she was left on a cliff to die of exposure. In the military school they lived in barracks. They were taught survival skills , the endurance of pain , discipline , and toughness at the school.

They were given little food and were encouraged to steal. If they were caught stealing they would get a beating. They were also beaten up by older children in fights , so they could become tough and strong. At the age of 20 the Spartan men finally became soldiers. Once they got married , they were only allowed to live in their own homes with their family at the age of 30. At this age they were considered equals. The military service for the Spartan men ended at the age of 60 (Connolly 230).

The Athenian women were very literate and educated. The women were not counted as citizens and they were not allowed to hold property. The women received the same education as the Athenian men did. Although the education was the same, the women were not allowed to leave the household. They did not go shopping or to run errands. Their husband did most of these things. The main job of the women was to run the household. She managed the family”s money , the children , and the slaves. She also spun wool and created artistic pottery (Hornblower 145).

In Sparta the lives of women were unlike the lives of any other Greek polis. The Spartan state didn’t take the academic education of a female seriously. The physical education that the women had was very tough and grueling. They learned gymnastics and aerobics. They also had more freedom then women of other city-states. They were able to move from place to place , do the shopping , and control the house. They also had a lot of freedom from their husbands because their husbands lived in barracks. Most of the time the Spartan women worked on fields and were medics to the injured Spartan soldiers. They were considered as mothers to all Spartan soldiers (Connolly 260).

This is how the culture and the government of the Greek city-states of Sparta and Athens was different. Each state had a different type of education and a different momentum of how the government wanted their polis to be. These city-states again were very diverse and different. In my writing you saw how different they were.

Wealth and Power in the United States Hugo Lindgren Chief Editor New York Time Magazine nytnews@nytimes. com This letter is to inform the public of how social class division is related to the concentration of wealth in the United States and support the need to redistribute wealth in America. Today our communities are divided by social class poor citizens live in poor areas of the community while citizens who make more money live in better areas of the community. Social class determines a great deal about citizens circumstances.

Circumstances like education, health care, shelter, food and clothing. Generally the wealthiest or privileged citizens only associate themselves with other citizens who are in the same social class. The same concept comes into play with the middle, working and poor class. Today the top 1 percent is increasing in wealth while the middle and working class are decreasing. This inequality of wealth in America is becoming more and more of a problem for the middle and working class. Wealth is the positive value of what a citizen owns. For example if a citizen owns a house the bank ay own half of the house until the loan is paid off but whatever the value is of the other half is how much wealth the citizen has from the house. Redistribution of wealth is raising taxes on citizens that have already made it to provide relief for the ones who haven’t. The Class theories best describes the distribution of wealth because it breaks down how the wealth is broken up amongst citizens of the United States. The rich have done much better than the middle or working class. The Top 1 percent had 22. 9 percent of national income in 2006 a number that hasn’t been matched since 1929 said CBS News Jeff Green in

America’s Class Warfare. While a citizen from the top 1 percent has already achieved success, wealth and power. The middle and working class has not and with a constant increase in cash flow for the wealthy and a constant decrease in cash flow for the less fortunate come a concern for those in public office. President Obama proposes lowering taxes for the less fortunate and a small increase for the citizens who have achieved success with wealth and power. However, other Officials have opposed President Obama’s approach to redistributing wealth.

Mitt Romney stated “I think it’s about envy, I think it’s about class warfare When you have a president encouraging the idea of dividing America based on 99 percent vs. 1 percent those people who have been most successful will be in the 1 percent you’ve opened up a whole new wave of approach to this country which is entirely inconsistent with concept of one nation under god”. President Obama insists that by helping others will spread the wealth by having the rich pay a little more taxes so the middle class receive a tax credit because the middle class needs it most (Obama, 08).

President Obama stated “I believe in redistribution at least at a certain level to make sure that everybody’s got a shot” Everyone has the chance to maintain a roof over their heads and send their kids to college. Everybody that works hard can make it. Social class segregation is visible in all 52 states of America. Upper, middle and working classes have their own geographical residential areas within communities. Ethnic segregation begins within the social class groups because the majority of working and poor classes of Americans are minorities. The high class and elites are mostly white Americans.

Therefore, geographically America is in fact more divided by this social class system. In 2006 10 percent of whites have been recorded as being below the poverty line while 24 percent of blacks remain below the poverty line (Harrison & Dye, 2010). In 2010 the top 1 percent had a 35. 4 percentage over the bottom 80 percent with 11. 1 percent of total net worth (Domhoff, 2005). However, it is this system that provides America with the unique opportunity that people from all over the world are drawn to. The fact that in America if you work hard and play by the rules you can reap he rewards by becoming successful and climbing up the social class ladder. Power in America is achieving higher education, owning property, financial freedom, maintaining a good credit. Power is measured by materialistic items such as expensive cars, jewelry, clothing, electronics, Vacations. It was William Thompson who said “Our position in the social hierarchy affects our health, happiness, and even how long we will live” (Thompson, 2005) Reference Harrison, B, C &Dye, T. R. (2011) Power and society: An introduction to the social sciences (12th Edition) Boston, Ma G.

William Domhoff, September, 2005 retrieved October 15 2012 from http://www2. ucsc. Edu /who rules america/power/wealth. html Jeff Green (2006) America’s Class Warfare retrieved October 15 2012 form http:// www. youtube. Com /watch? v=bGS2G79IxTc&feature=fvst Mitt Romney Quote retrieved October 15, 2012 from http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=5wtLKcAU4wQ Barrack Obama Retrieved October 15, 2012 from http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=BRPbCSSXyp0 Obama Loyola University, C-SPAN October 19, 1998. http://www. youtube. com/watch? v=z0PUUpa5X4E William Thompson, Joseph Hickey, Society in Focus, 2005