...The Struggle for Power: Key Players Joseph Stalin Background * Born into a family of Georgian peasants in Gori in 1879 * Educated in a local religious school because his parents wanted him to become a priest. * Continued his spiritual education in Tbilisi upon leaving the seminary and converted to Marxism * Joined the Communist Party in 1902, and in 1912 he was made a member of the Central Committee. * Throughout this time, he was continually in trouble with the police, and was eventually exiled to Siberia, from which he escaped 5 times. Position(s) * General Secretary * Controlled the Politburo agenda * Selected delegates for the Party Congresss * Controlled promotions and appointments within the party. * Head of Rabkrin * Controlled party discipline Revolutionary Record * Was a committee member during the October Revolution and the years that followed * Saw himself as a military tactician and refused to accept Trotsky’s authrotiy during the Civil War. * Never distinguished himself as a revolutionary hero during this period, but in spite of this, by 1921, his presence on many senior committees secured him a position at the highest level of government. Relationship with Lenin * First meeting occurred in 1905. * In the period prior to the Oct. Rev, Lenin came to rely on Stalin’s administration ability and loyalty. * Prior to Lenin’s illness, Stalin was careful to back him on controversial issues. ...
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...To live in a civilized society, law, order, and authority must be present. In The Lord of the Flies, written but William Golding, a group of young boys are stranded on an island without older authority and are forced to survive with their own rule. Written in World War II, this novel is based on the battle for greater power and violence that occurred during the war, and is similar to the fight for power between the boys’. Without the authority of an adult, Ralph and Jack fight to win the position and leader. The struggle of power between Ralph and Jack resulted in civilization turning to primitivism on the island as Jack gains control. Jack gains control in the struggle of power with Ralph from the early stages of the novel, when the huts and...
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...woman” The Economist, 12 April 2006 Until the late 1980s, women remained invisible as managers, and mostly few regretted their absence. But the last two decades of the 20th century saw rise of women in management. And ‘this is the first time in history that women have been working alongside men in the same job and the same companies, with the same levels of education, the same qualifications, and comparable ambitions’ (Adler and Izraeli, 1994). But, there are barriers which thwarts talented women from advancing to senior leadership positions. Women are generally considered politically naïve and someone who wields soft influential tactics such as joint action to gain power. This ‘old boys club’ thinking is supported by the cliché that ‘men are bad but bold, and women are wonderful but weak’. (Huczynski & Buchanan, 2013)This review sheds light on a woman’s journey from an executive to a managerial position in ABC. (ABC is India’s second largest IT Company, which provides business consulting, Software and outsourcing services). The review studies the barriers that impact her journey such as the phenomena: glass ceiling, the widespread stereotype that women lack ambition, aggressiveness, assertiveness and risk taking attitude. This review lays emphasis on the fact that an organization must use its best talent, irrespective of the gender and the organizations should strive to become equal opportunity employers...
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...It is often argued that identities like race, religion, class, and others are often the drivers of conflict in societies. At the center of most conflict is the struggle for power, with lines being drawn between those who have power and will fight to keep it, and those who are kept from power and would give anything to have their fair share. This fight – one against exploitation of those without power – is the type of conflict that is described in the book I, Rigoberta Menchú, which is titled for its author (Section XVI, 2368). In this book, Menchú, known for her work as a human rights activist for indigenous peoples, especially in Central America, recounts the hardships she faced growing up as a poor and marginalized girl and puts the reader...
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...In Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible,” Abigail displayed one of the strongest human drives; the desire for power. Abigail created chaos in her struggle for power. She lied and deceived those around her and wrongly accused people of witchcraft. An example of this would be when Abigail Williams, the niece of Reverend Parris, tells the other girls that if they say anything that happened that night she will “bring you a pointy reckoning that will shudder you” and “make you wish you had never seen the sun go down!”(pg. 1097, para. 17) This Shows that Abigail holds power over these girls with her threats.The syntactical arrangement of the sentence shows that she was trying to threaten the girls into complying. Another piece of evidence is when...
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...to understand why he did most of what he did while fighting for freedom. Robert Williams was a veteran of World War II, he is a figure that most history books have left out, and he did not preach violence but was willing to use a gun in order to defend women, children, and the community. I was a bit shocked to discover that he practiced self-defense before Malcom x Besides elevating Williams to his rightful place in civil rights history alongside Malcom X and others Timothy B Tyson's article challenges the concept that Black Power and armed self-defense emerged only after 1965. Rather, Tyson points out that the roots of Black Power stretch further back and often worked "in tandem and in tension" with non-violent direct action. This is an important reconceptualization of a critical era in American history. As a matter of course, Historians have depicted the civil rights movement as a nonviolent call on the morals of America and following the Black Power as a violent disapproval of what was considered to be the right way of gaining equality and freedom, Timothy B Tyson in...
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...How important were the mistakes of his opponents in explaining Stalin’s victory in the power struggle between 1924 and 1928? Many historians would argue that the mistakes of his opponents played a vital role in explaining Stalin’s victory in the power struggle. However, whilst this did contribute, it is likely that Stalin’s role as General Secretary was the most important factor, with the Lenin Legacy also playing a role. The mistakes of Stalin’s opponents aided him in his victory in the power struggle because these mistakes made them easier to defeat and led instead to Stalin becoming increasing popular. For instance, Stalin’s main opponent was Trotsky, but that face that Trotsky supported the notion of “World Revolution” made him unpopular, as it was a policy that was viewed as putting the needs of other countries before those of Russia and it didn’t show faith in the Soviet people. Additionally, Zinoviev and Kamenev made the mistake of not initially supporting the 1917 October Revolution, which meant that they were therefore considered disloyal to the Bolshevik party and to Lenin. Stalin was consequently able to accuse them of factionalism and eliminate them as opposition. However, another historical interpretation could be that the Lenin Legacy contributed to Stalin’s victory. This is because, by linking himself to Lenin, Stalin portrayed himself to be loyal to Lenin and a suitable successor. For instance, by expanding the party in tribute to Lenin through the...
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...outcome of the responsible for the outcome of the power struggle in the ears 1924-1929? NEP (New Economic Policy) was created on the 21st March 1921(till 1922) was deemed after the Russian civil war, it represented more a Capitalism economy than a communist one. NEP was a solution to the problems which were faced by War communism. Introduced in 1918 War communism was used to replace the system of state capitalism. It was mainly enforced by the Cheka and Red Army, it led to a deprived industry with a lack of resources and workers and a famine in 1929 with attack on agriculture. This led to uprisings, most infamous was the Konstadt rising of 1921. The Kronstadts originally were strong supporters of the Bolsheviks however they saw of the oppression of War communism as unfair. The result was 60, 000 ordered by Trotsky to attack the Konstadt base. The uprising was supressed. Lenin took the lesson of the Kronstadt to heat and to avoid public embarrassment he decided it was time to end war communism and lead towards more to NEP. At the Tenth Conference of the Communist Party, which opened in March 1929 Lenin announced that the Kronstadt rising had lit “lit up like a lightning flash”. Therefore NEP was introduced as a temporary matter to solve the problem of famine and Bolshevik opposition. However NEP managed to cause divisions in the party between the left and right. I would say NEP was an important factor in the outcome for the power struggle however they were factors involved. NEP was...
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...unclear, confused or not present. In the conflict perspective, society is viewed as a struggle. The theorists involved are Karl Marx, W.E.B Dubois and Ida Wells-Barnett. Karl Marx concluded that the power struggle between social classes was inevitable, in the Marxist View. Lastly, the interactionist perspective focuses on everyday social interactions and explains society as a whole. The theorists involved in the interactionist perspective are George Herbert Mead, Charles Horton Cooley and Erving Goffman. With all three of these sociological perspectives, there are both similarities and differences. The functionalist perspective and the conflict perspective are similar in that they both focus on the relationships and behaviors amongst themselves. They both explain how the effects that society has on people and how people affect the society. Both the functionalist perspective and conflict perspective have a macro level analysis, meaning that they focus on large-scale phenomenon or entire civilizations. The differences between the functionalist and conflict perspectives are that the functionalist emphasizes stable and well-integrated societies, whereas the conflict perspective emphasizes tension and struggles between groups in the society. The functionalist perspective views society as a whole and how each member contributes to society and the conflict perspective involves competition and power between...
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...Updike’s short story, “A&P” takes place in a small conservative town. Sammy the protagonist struggles between conforming and rebelling against the conservative society of the 1960s. I argue that the narrator’s point of view, setting, and dialogue relates to Sammy being overwhelmed by internal struggle, power and pain. These rhetorical devices will allow younger audiences to feel Sammy’s struggle. The first person narrator Sammy has an internal struggle between conformity and rebelling against the status quo. The story begins by Sammy stating, "In walks these three girls in nothing but bathing suits. I'm in the third check-out slot, with my back to the door, so I don't see them until they're over by the bread". The first sentence establishes a connection and draws interest to readers. Sammy’s colloquial tone allows younger adults to relate to Sammy and the position he is in. Also his tone allows readers to experience the situation at first- hand. Although the reader’s view of the character is limited through Sammy lens and what he sees as his truth, he shifts back and forth of his limited opinion of people he sees For example, he refers people as sheep’s and followers. The author incorporates the use of animals and clothing as symbols in ways to characterize the town and people throughout the course of the story. Sheep’s are described as close group animals that do the same routines and don’t have a mind of their own. This symbolizes how the people in this town are not risk-takers...
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...Nest by Ken Kesey, Randle McMurphy struggles to free himself under the dominating power of Nurse Ratched. The power struggle between the two demonstrates the need for free will. When McMurphy enters the halls of the mental ward in Oregon, he finds a group of men beaten into obedience by the head nurse of the ward. Nurse Ratched’s power over the patients extends beyond their actions into their minds. She controls their every second from where they have to be at eight o’clock in the morning to what their beliefs are. McMurphy disrupts this routine by openly disregarding the rules that Nurse Ratched placed. Throughout the novel, McMurphy continuously attempts to eliminate Nurse Ratched’s power in the ward. The first thing that McMurphy does when he is placed in the ward is to introduce himself to every patient. This unusual behavior allows McMurphy to gain the trust of the other men. McMurphy helps to unite the men and works to become the leader. Through this turn of events, readers see the power struggle between Nurse Ratched and McMurphy begin. Nurse Ratched retains her power by hiding her...
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...| May 29, 2012 Editor's Note - The following paper by Abebe Gellaw was first published in March 2011. Given its timelessness, the paper is being published for the second time. “Freedom is not free; you have to pay for it.” Anonymous In May 2005, over 2 million Ethiopians came out in full force to demand change Imagine the power all these people wield collectively when they decide to act together for radical change, dignity and freedom Nonviolent struggle is a smart option for Ethiopians to end tyranny As ordinary Egyptians have erupted in jubilant euphoria at Tahrir Square and on the streets of Egypt after the fall of the three-decade long dictator Hosni Mubarak, Ethiopians in and outside of the country have been keenly watching the wind of change from North Africa. We have witnessed history unfolding once again. When people are determined to be free, nothing can stop them. After an epic struggle against him, Mubarak had no choice but to surrender. The world is a better place with the fall of one more dictator. What a beautiful moment to celebrate and watch! The momentous events in Egypt and Tunisia are testimony to the power of nonviolent struggle. When people are united and speak in one voice, nothing can stop them. No guns and tanks have stopped the peaceful revolutions that have ended tyranny and ushered in liberation to ordinary people in many countries across the world. Ethiopians also know what revolutions are like. But they have never tasted the sweetness of freedom...
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...How far do you agree that Stalin’s ability to manipulate the party machine was the key to his success in the leadership struggle? Following Lenin’s death in 1924, the Communist party and their leadership over Russia was set into disarray. Many different ideals and views about the future of Socialism were unveiled and adapted over and through this ideological confusion; with various contenders for the party leader emerged. Throughout 1924-1929, in which a turbulent period of struggle occurred in the power vacuum post-lenin. Stalin eventually emerged as the successful new leader of the USSR. Stalin’s position as General Secretary of the party, among other factors His ability to manipulate the party machine through his position as General Secretary would eventually enable him to become the leader. Stalin’s position of General Secretary allowed him to use and abuse Lenin’s systems to get to the top. Stalin had the power to control what was discussed and how politburo decisions were to be carried out, and he had the significant influence of patronage. This allowed him to access every strand of the Communist party – the orgburo, politburo, and secretariat. His power of patronage allowed him to use his authority to place his most reliable supporters in key and enviable positions within the party. As a result, these people were extremely loyal to Stalin since they effectively owed their place to him, and so therefore he could count on their support. These appointed people became...
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...the life and struggles of a black woman named Janie Crawford. Hurston uses the literary technique of symbols to represent the plot and emotions of Janie throughout the work. The two prominent symbols pertaining to the growth of Janie is the symbolization of her hair and the hurricane, which act as a symbols for restraint and oppression. Although the hair symbolizes confinement, while the hurricane representing Janie’s continual struggle, they also reveal her strengths and advancement as a character when she breaks free of those bonds. Through the symbolization of Janie’s hair and the hurricane, two themes are highlighted: the struggle to discover the individual stems from language and power, and liberation comes from self discovery found in personal loss. Hurston utilizes the connection between themes and the symbolization of Janie’s hair and the hurricane to give meaning of Hurston’s interpretation of Janie. Their Eyes Were Watching God is unique as a novel because of Hurston choice of conversational dialect for the characters. Throughout the novel Hurston uses the Southern black dialect in order to bring a realistic feel to the setting and plot line for the reader. The irony in the novel’s unique choice of conversational dialect is that the protagonist, Janie, is often hidden behind the other characters in the novel. This brings about the first theme which is, the struggle to discover the individual stems from language and power. The reader can best see the struggle between language...
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...conflicts between classes and uses examples and rhetorical techniques as a way to gather support for his statement. These techniques are the use of allusion, cause/effect, and his choice of words and manner of speaking. Marx uses allusion as a way to inform others of how class struggles and antagonisms has always been present throughout history. While the names of such societal classes have changed over time, they have effectively remained very similar, if not the same. Rome's social classes consisted in order of power as, "patricians, Knights, Plebeians, slaves", while later in the Middle Ages, these classes were replaced by, "feudal lords, vassals, guild-masters, journeymen, apprentices, serfs" (paragraph 2). These...
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