Review On Paul Kennedys Book Essay Example

Review On Paul Kennedys Book Essay Example Review On Paul Kennedys Book Essay Review On Paul Kennedys Book Essay A brief knowledge of Historical events Is useful when reading this book as Individual Wars and Battles are not covered in too much detail because of the vast number of conflicts since the Renaissance period, however a reader with no historical background can read this book and gain a lot of knowledge, It has an easily read neural textbook feel about it, and It Is divided chronologically into three sections: pre-industrial 1500 1800, Industrial 1800 1943 and Today Tomorrow 1943 21st Century, which allows the book to be easily used as reference material for people interested In a particular period. A particularly Interesting feature of this History book Is that Instead of finishing when the author wrote It, Kennedy continues and makes his predictions for the future, he accurately predicted the fall of the Soviet union as well as the relative decline in the American economy with regards to the sis of new Powers such as China and the cooperation of the European states, which helps convince the reader in the 21st century that Kennedy Is somebody who knows what he Is talking about and that his arguments and predictions should be considered! The main line of the authors argument is that the Great Powers strength can only be tested against that of other Great Powers, one is by necessity always stronger than another due to factors such as the constantly differing growth rates, population and resources that each Power has. Kennedy time and again links the Roth or decline of an economy with the respective Powers military capability and eventual rise or fall. Whilst reading the book, backed with the wealth of examples and evidence Kennedy cites giving tables, charts and maps; it is easy to be convinced by Kennedys arguments. After all It makes sense that the bal-polar world of the Austrian and Spanish ended as they overextended themselves, creating the multi polar eighteenth century including Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia. Kennedy then states that the economical power created by the Countries that were prepared o industrialist created a new series of superpowers: The nineteenth century British Empire then the t wentieth century Soviet union and the united States, and as the growth of these states stagnates and others grow world power will become multi polar once more encompassing five more possible powers; LISA, Russia, China, India and the ELI. Personally I agree mostly with what Kennedy says but In my opinion there are several difficulties, firstly he argues that Europe rose to dominate the rest of the world as opposed to because of fragmented states, increasing competition and 1 OFF actors for the decline of the Spanish Empire caused through lack of cohesion When I read this part for the first time, I though that this seemed like a contradiction, but on further thought could Kennedy mean however that these factors are beneficial to the rise of a power, however once they have reached a Great Power status begin to become a burden and can act as a factor in the Powers decline? I also think that an important factor which appears to be understated in the book are the leaders of Powers, I dont want to appear biased towards elite history as opposed to economic story, but using the Spanish Empire example from earlier, Spain did had ineffectual monarchs certainly from the mid seventeenth century, and was the time at which the Empire started to decline, cumulating in the Spanish war of Succession which in effect made Spain a second rate power. If Spain had more capable leaders they would have been in a better position to remain a major world player. In conclusion I would recommend The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers, it is easily read, there are maps and charts which help the reader visualize the political boundaries of the time. The main arguments are well backed up, and it is interesting as the focus is constantly changing from state to state. It is a good book for students but anybody with an interest could read and understand it. The Book I am about to review The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers is one of fourteen books written by Paul Kennedy, the author is considered an expert in the fields of Grand Strategy and International Relations, he previously studied under the famous historian GAP Taylor and this is Kennedys best known book to date; it being translated into twenty three languages, reaching no. N the Bestselling Hardcover Books when it was released in 1988 and also winning Kennedy the Williston History Prize for his work. The Book is rather long; owing to the fact it covers five hundred years of World History of the Great Powers, yet focuses largely towards European Powers, as that is where the majority of power lay until the early twentieth century. A brief knowledge of Historical events is useful when reading this book as individual Wars and Battles are not covered in too much detail because of the vast number of conflicts since the Renaissance period, however reader with no historical background can read this book and gain a lot of knowledge, it has an easily read general textbook feel about it, and it is divided chronologically into three sections: Pre-industrial 1500 1800, Industrial 1800 1943 and Today Tomorrow 1943 21st Century, which allows the book to be easily used as reference material for people interested in a particular period. A particularly interesting feature of this History book is that instead of finishing when the author wrote it, Kennedy continues and makes his predictions for the future, he accurately redirected the fall of the Soviet Union as well as the relative decline in the American economy with regards to the rise of new Powers such as China and the cooperation of the European states, which helps convince the reader in the 21st century that Kennedy is somebody who knows what he is talking about and that his arguments and predictions should be considered! The main line of the authors argument is that the Great Powers strength can only be tested against that of other Great Powers, one is by necessity always stronger than another due to factors such as the constantly offering growth rates, population and resources that each Power has. Kennedy time and again links the growth or decline of an economy with the respective Powers wealth of examples and evidence Kennedy cites giving tables, charts and maps; it is easy to be convinced by Kennedys arguments, after all it makes sense that the bi- polar world of the Austrian and Spanish ended as they overextended themselves, creating the multi polar eighteenth century including Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia. Kennedy then states that the economical power created by the Countries hat were prepared to industrialist created a new series of superpowers: The nineteenth century British Empire then the twentieth century Soviet Union and the United States, and as the growth of these states stagnates and others grow world power will become multi polar once more encompassing five more possible powers; USA, Russia, China, India and the ELI. Personally I agree mostly with what Kennedy says but in my opinion there are several difficulties, firstly he argues that Europe rose to dominate the rest of the world as opposed to because of fragmented states, increasing competition and the freedom for merchants to do as they wish, yet he later cites the same reasons as factors for the decline of the Spanish Empire caused through lack of cohesion When I read this part for the first time, I though that this seemed like a contradiction, but on further thought could Kennedy mean however that these factors are beneficial to the rise of a power, however once they have reached a Great Power status begin to become a burden and can act as a factor in the Powers decline? I also think that an important factor which appears to be understated in the book are the leaders of Powers, I dont want to appear biased towards elite history as opposed to economic history, but using the Spanish Empire example from earlier, Spain did had ineffectual monarchs certainly from the mid seventeenth century, and was the time at which the Empire started to decline, cumulating in the Spanish war of Succession which in effect made Spain a second rate power. If Spain had more capable leaders they would have been in a better position to remain a major world player. In conclusion I would recommend The Rise ND Fall of the Great Powers, it is easily read, there are maps and charts which help the reader visualize the political boundaries of the time. The main arguments are well backed up, and it is interesting as the focus is constantly changing from state to state. It is a good book for students but anybody with an interest could read and understand it. The Book I am about to review The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers is one of fourteen books written by Paul Kennedy, the author is considered an expert in the fields of Grand Strategy and International Relations, he previously studied ender the famous historian GAP Taylor and this is Kennedys best known book to date; it being translated into twenty three languages, reaching no. 6 in the Bestselling Hardcover Books when it was released in 1988 and also winning Kennedy the Williston History Prize for his work. The Book is rather long; owing to the fact it covers five hundred years of World History of the Great Powers, yet focuses largely towards European Powers, as that is where the majority of power lay until the early twentieth century. A brief knowledge of Historical events is useful when reading this book as individual Wars and Battles are not covered in too much detail because of the vast number of conflicts since the Renaissance period, however a reader with no historical background can read this book and gain a lot of knowledge, it has an easily read general textbook feel about it, and it is divided chronologically into three sections: interested in a particular period. A particularly interesting feature of this History book is that instead of finishing when the author wrote it, Kennedy continues and Union as well as the relative decline in the American economy with regards to the alps convince the reader in the 21st century that Kennedy is somebody who knows what he is talking about and that his arguments and predictions should be Kennedys arguments, after all it makes sense that the bi-polar world of the Austrian Empire then the twentieth century Soviet Union and the United States, and as the polar once more encompassing five more possible powers; USA, Russia, China, India and the ELI. Personally I agree mostly with what Kennedy says but in my opinion the freedom for merchants to do as they wish, yet he later cites the same reasons as with an interest could read and understand it.

Chinas Hukou System

Chinas Hukou System Chinas Hukou system is a family registration program that serves as a domestic passport, regulating population distribution and rural-to-urban migration. It is a tool for social and geographic control that enforces an apartheid structure that denies farmers the same rights and benefits enjoyed by urban residents.    History of the Hukou System The modern Hukou system was formalized as a permanent program in 1958.   The system was created to ensure social, political, and economic stability.   Chinas economy was largely agrarian during the early days of the Peoples Republic of China.  In order to speed up industrialization, the government prioritized heavy industry by following the Soviet model.   In order to finance this expansion, the state underpriced agricultural products, and overpriced industrial products to induce an unequal exchange between the two sectors, essentially paying peasants less than market price for their agricultural goods.   In order to sustain this artificial imbalance, the government had to create a system which restricts the free flow of resources, especially labor, between industry and agriculture, and between city and countryside.    Individuals became categorized by the state as either rural or urban, and they were required to stay and work within their designated geographic areas.   Traveling was permitted under controlled conditions, but residents assigned to a certain area will not be given access to jobs, public services, education, healthcare, and food in another area.   A rural farmer who chooses to move to the city without a government-issued Hukou would essentially share the same status an illegal immigrant in the United States.   Obtaining an official rural-to-urban Hukou change is extremely difficult.   The Chinese government has tight quotas on conversions per year.    Effects of the Hukou System The Hukou system has historically always benefited the urbanites.   During the Great Famine of the mid-twentieth century, individuals with rural Hukous were collectivized into communal farms, where much of their agricultural output were taken in the form of a tax by the state and given to city dwellers.   This led to massive starvation in the countryside, and the Great Leap Forward would not be abolished until the effects were felt in the cities. After the Great Famine, rural residents continued to be marginalized, while urban citizens enjoyed a range of socio-economic benefits.   Even today, a farmers income is one-sixth that of the average urban dweller.   Farmers have to pay three times more in taxes, but receive a lower standard of education, healthcare, and life.   The Hukou system impedes upward mobility, creating essentially a caste system that governs Chinese society.    Since the capitalistic reforms of the late 1970s, an estimated 260 million rural dwellers have illegally moved to the cities, in an attempt to partake in the remarkable economic development taking place there.   These migrants brave discrimination and possible arrest while living on the urban fringe in shantytowns, railway stations, and street corners.   They are often blamed for rising crime and unemployment.    Reform With Chinas rapid industrialization, the Hukou system needed to be reformed in order to adapt to the countrys new economic reality.   In 1984, the State Council conditionally opened the door of market towns to peasants.   Country residents were allowed to get a new type of permit called, â€Å"self-supplied food grain† Hukou, provided that they satisfied a number of requirements.   The primary requirements are that a migrant must be employed in enterprise, have their own accommodations in the new location, and be able to self-provide their own food grain.   Holders are still not eligible for many state services and they cannot move to other urban areas ranked higher than that particular town.    In 1992, the PRC launched another form of permit called the blue-stamp Hukou.   Unlike the self-supplied food grain Hukou, which is limited to certain business peasants, the blue stamp Hukou is open to a wider population and allowed migration into bigger cities.   Some of these cities included the Special Economic Zones (SEZ), which were havens for foreign investments.   Eligibility was primarily limited to those with familial relations with domestic and overseas investors.   Ã‚  The Hukou system experienced another form of liberation in 2001​ after China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO).   Although WTO membership exposed Chinas agricultural sector to foreign competition, leading to job losses, it galvanized the labor-intensive sectors, particularly in textile and clothing, leading to an urban labor demand.   The intensity of patrols and documentation inspections were relaxed.    In 2003, changes were also made to how illegal migrants are to be detained and processed.   This was the result of a media and internet-frenzied case in which a college educated urbanite named, Sun Zhigang, was beaten to death after he was taken into custody for working in the megacity of Guangzhou without the proper Hukou ID. Despite the reforms, the current Hukou system still remains fundamentally intact because of the continuing disparities between the states agricultural and industrial sectors.   Although the system is highly controversial and vilified, a complete abandonment of the Hukou is not practical, due to the complexity and interconnectedness of the modern Chinese economic society.   Its removal could lead to a migration so massive that it could cripple city infrastructures and destroy the rural economy.   For now, minor changes will continue to be made to the Hukou, as it coincides with Chinas shifting political climate.