Don Pepe :: essays research papers fc

Like Castro, Gueverra, and Sandino, Jose Figueres Ferrer holds a place as one of the most important revolutionary and political forces in Latin American history. This so-called “father of modern Costa Rica'; led his country to revolution and eventual democracy. Known affectionately as “Don Pepe'; by his admirers, Figueres was both an enemy of communist and a thorn in the side of the United States. While putting down a communist regime and allying himself consistently with the U.S., Figueres was also a strong socialist and nationalist and would prove to be an enigma to U.S. policy makers during his terms as president. Despite the praise and admiration that Figueres enjoyed, a much darker side to his administration as well as an unmistakable duality in his dealings with the U.S. and democracy itself is seen in his political history.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Following a time of democracy in Costa Rica, in the early 40’s, then president Rafael Calderon allied himself with the Costa Rican communist party, Vanguardia Popular as well as the Nicaraguan dictator Somoza. Figueres would then give a radio speech disdaining Calderon and his actions which would lead to Figueres’ exile to Mexico in 1942. (Cockcroft, 232) Figueres returned in 1944, and an alleged fixing of the 1948 Costa Rican election was the window that he had been waiting for. Supported by the governments of Guatemala, Cuba, and the U.S., Figueres and his Army of National Liberation would force the surrender of President Picado, a puppet of Calderon, and the Vanguardia forces, Figueres would seize control of Costa Rica as the head of the revolutionary junta for eighteen months. Control was then turned over to the rightful winner of the 1948 election, and Figueres would return for three terms as president, the first in 1953 and the final beginning in 1970. (Longley, 3)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During his interim term following the revolution and his subsequent terms as president, Figueres would institute a number of changes that would steamroll Costa Rican democracy. Don Pepe began by extending suffrage and full political rights to blacks and women, a certain democratic move. He then instituted a ten percent tax on the very wealthy, which had no considerable backlash politically in Costa Rica due to the surprisingly large middle class. Figueres also established a presidential term limit and created an independent Electoral Tribunal to oversee future elections. In perhaps his most amazing and debated decree, Figueres disbanded the government army, thus protecting himself from the possibility of an out of hand military. Don Pepe :: essays research papers fc Like Castro, Gueverra, and Sandino, Jose Figueres Ferrer holds a place as one of the most important revolutionary and political forces in Latin American history. This so-called “father of modern Costa Rica'; led his country to revolution and eventual democracy. Known affectionately as “Don Pepe'; by his admirers, Figueres was both an enemy of communist and a thorn in the side of the United States. While putting down a communist regime and allying himself consistently with the U.S., Figueres was also a strong socialist and nationalist and would prove to be an enigma to U.S. policy makers during his terms as president. Despite the praise and admiration that Figueres enjoyed, a much darker side to his administration as well as an unmistakable duality in his dealings with the U.S. and democracy itself is seen in his political history.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Following a time of democracy in Costa Rica, in the early 40’s, then president Rafael Calderon allied himself with the Costa Rican communist party, Vanguardia Popular as well as the Nicaraguan dictator Somoza. Figueres would then give a radio speech disdaining Calderon and his actions which would lead to Figueres’ exile to Mexico in 1942. (Cockcroft, 232) Figueres returned in 1944, and an alleged fixing of the 1948 Costa Rican election was the window that he had been waiting for. Supported by the governments of Guatemala, Cuba, and the U.S., Figueres and his Army of National Liberation would force the surrender of President Picado, a puppet of Calderon, and the Vanguardia forces, Figueres would seize control of Costa Rica as the head of the revolutionary junta for eighteen months. Control was then turned over to the rightful winner of the 1948 election, and Figueres would return for three terms as president, the first in 1953 and the final beginning in 1970. (Longley, 3)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During his interim term following the revolution and his subsequent terms as president, Figueres would institute a number of changes that would steamroll Costa Rican democracy. Don Pepe began by extending suffrage and full political rights to blacks and women, a certain democratic move. He then instituted a ten percent tax on the very wealthy, which had no considerable backlash politically in Costa Rica due to the surprisingly large middle class. Figueres also established a presidential term limit and created an independent Electoral Tribunal to oversee future elections. In perhaps his most amazing and debated decree, Figueres disbanded the government army, thus protecting himself from the possibility of an out of hand military.

Environment, Geographical Location, and its Affects on The Early River-Valley Essay

Food, shelter, fertile land, and trade were essential for early river-valley civilizations. Without food, shelter, fertile land, and trade early river-valleys where doomed for any future success in the land. Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley are examples of some early river-valley civilizations that relied heavily on its geographies and Mother Nature. For early river-valley civilizations in Egypt the Nile River played a crucial role. Without the Nile, Egypt would be a bleak and hospitable desert filled with mountains, and rocks. The Nile provided water for the people of Egypt. With the Nile being really the only source of water for all of Egypt, I would imagine that these civilizations cherished the Nile heavily. The Nile also, helped the farming in Egypt improve. Every September, the Nile, overflowed its banks, spreading water out into the bordering depressed basins. When the waters receded, they left behind a fertile layer of mineral-rich silt, and the farmers could easily plant their crops in the moist soil. The early river-valley civilizations of Mesopotamia relied greatly on the Tigris, and the Euphrates Rivers. Mesopotamia means, â€Å"Land between the rivers.† Mesopotamian civilization developed in the plain alongside and between the Tigris and Euphrates, which originate in the mountains of eastern Anatolia and empty into the Persian Gulf. Without the rivers, the civilizations would have struggled greatly to survive. Reed plants, which grew on the riverbanks and in the marshy southern delta, could easily be woven into mats, baskets, huts, and boats. Also, fish from the rivers and marshes were an important part of the people’s diet [http://search.targetwords.com/u.search?x=5977%7C1%7C%7C%7C%7Cdiet%7CAA1VDw]. Another benefit that the rivers gave to the early civilizations was that, herds of sheep, and goat which grazed on the fallow land provided wool, and milk. Finally, the early river-valley civilizations in the Indus Valley relied significantly on the Indus River. Twice a year the river overflows its banks and spreads for as much as 10 miles. In March and April melting snow would melt and feed the rivers. Then, in August, the great monsoon would blow off the ocean to bring rains that swell streams flowing into the Indus. As a result, farmers in this region of little rainfall were able to plant and harvest two crops a year. With a bad environment and a bad geographical location an early river-valley civilization didn’t have much of a chance surviving. Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indus Valley were some of the lucky locations where their environment and geographical location benefited them greatly. Egypt would have had barely any water, Mesopotamia wouldn’t have been able to trade, and the Indus Valley would have had been deserted without each locations geographical gift.

Consumerism Of The United States - 1411 Words

Every so often†¦ to correct that every day, hour or minute something new comes out. May it be the daily smartphone that aims to fill the already deep pockets of the big CEO’s sitting in their high-rise office, adding to the growing multibillion dollar electronics industry? Or the clothing line from the new designer that everyone hypes about? Consumerism is something that flues the fire, also known as the 21th century disease of materialism. Although an alarming issue everywhere today, I believe none is more precedent that of the United States, a society in its own right whose consumerism is as staggering as it is worrying. Why the United States? Because it is a symbol of the Western society, the consumerism capital. Further this is in conjunction with the generation of today, us the fore-runners of this blind quest for material dominance, within an ever expanding materialistic society. We buy more, receive more, and want more, yet we don’t seem to be any happier, a coloration to consumerism that finds it roots within the American society, the generation of today and its values. More money, more problems? It might just be a fact. Recent statistics reveal that â€Å"Americans today, compared to 55 years ago, own twice as many cars and eat out twice as much per person, but we don t seem to be any happier because of it†(Carolyn Gregoire). Big is best, is the motto of the American culture, a culture that has spread its root to every corner of the globe, especially among the youth ofShow MoreRelatedConsumerism in the United States1461 Words   |  6 PagesDefining consumerism can be complicated. Consumerism is a term used to describe the effects of equating personal happiness with purchasing material possessions and consumption (Fritsh). In other words, consumerism is the wants and needs of people based upon standards that are set in a given society and how those people acquire wealth. Throughout history, consumerism has evolved drastically since the first records of civilized society were recorded. The evolution of consumerism in the United StatesRea d MoreAmerican Consumerism And The United States Environmental Protection Agency Essay1608 Words   |  7 Pages Regardless of what one thinks about American consumerism or our high levels of production, it is a fact that we live in a throw-away society. What that means is that we produce a lot, throw away a lot, and most things are planned to become obsolete within a few years. Recently, there has been an unprecedented effort to correct these negatives habits of our society, seeing as they can’t last forever. This effort, aptly called sustainability, is one of the most grandiose undertakings in American societyRead MoreAnalysis Of Coca Cola And Coco Frio By Martin Espada856 Words   |  4 PagesAmerican Consumerism in â€Å"Coca-Cola and Coco Frà ­o† by Martà ­n Espada In today’s world, every person in every country has a similar image in mind when they think of the United States. Common words that come to mind are ideal, lazy, superior, and consumer. These words are associated with the United States due to American consumerism, or the practice of an increasing consumption of goods. In Martà ­n Espada’s â€Å"Coca-Cola and Coco Frà ­o,† he criticizes American consumerism by relating the people of PuertoRead MoreThe Problem Of Extreme Consumerism926 Words   |  4 Pagesextreme amount of consumerism, but why exactly? What are the possible causes of extreme consumerism? Some of the few possible causes contributing to mass consumerism would include: the want for consumption, the need for consumption, and possibly even hoarders. Although many of the possible causes listed above tie together, it’s quite interesting exploring these causes of extreme consumerism and being able to shine a small light on the subject. As mentioned, extreme consumerism is what makes theRead MoreModern Society and Consumerism Essay1035 Words   |  5 PagesConsumerism is defined as â€Å"the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable† (â€Å"Consumerism†). Its primary motivation is the idea that if one does not have all that money can buy, then he or she cannot be happy. This school of thought has become an integral part of modern society not only in the United States, but internationally as well. While the exact source of this term and ideology are debatable, it is certain now that consumerism is here to stay, intertwining withRead MoreThe Evils of Consumerism Essay1114 Words   |  5 Pagesthe 1920s, the United States enjoyed a great economic growth, which enabled millions of Americans to spend larger amounts of money. Recently invented items, such as cars, also contributed to this dramatic rise of consumerism that occurred during this period. Advertising campaig ns helped to fuel the demand for the newly invented items. However, many economists believe that this over indulgence and over spending were harbingers to the Great Depression of the 1930s. The consumerism in the 1920s pavedRead MoreUse Of The Handheld Camera And The Rise Of The Black Tourist Social Class Essay1651 Words   |  7 Pageson how the creation of the handheld camera and the rise of the black tourist social class appeared at the same time in history – in the late nineteenth century – and resulted in the documentation of wealthy blacks enjoying leisure activities in the United Sates. The article includes several of photographs taken by and of black tourists during the late 1880s into the mid-1900s. Furthermore, The Negro Motorist Green Book by Victor Hugo Green is mentioned within the article and documented through severalRead MoreFordism, Post-Fordism and the Flexible System of Production1199 Words   |  5 Pages----------------------------------------- -------- Top of Form Bottom of Form Other Free Encyclopedias  » Science Encyclopedia  » Science amp; Philosophy: Condensation to Cosh  » Consumerism - Consumerism And Mass Production, Consumerism And Post-fordism, Soap, The Politics Of Consumerism Consumerism - Consumerism And Post-fordism soap particular class world fordist consumption market mass Ads by Google Mr Power Giant Controller Saves 50% of your GEYSER costs! Pays for itself within monthsRead MoreThe History of Consumerism in America827 Words   |  3 PagesConsumerism is both a social and an economic system that is based solely on the creation and dissemination of the purchasing of goods at an ever increasing rate. After the founding of the United States, and particularly after the Civil War, America was growing by leaps and bounds. Railroads opened the West, factories increased in urban areas producing steel, building was rampant, and all of these activities took a larger labor force. Because these vast numbers of workers were unable to produce theirRead MoreHow The Consumerism Of Buying Changes One s Attitude Towards Others, Ourselves, And Our Behavior Of Responsibility1679 Words   |  7 PagesIn the United States, companies have created the average American to be a consumer. However, the consumerism mentality that most Americans have is akin to Godzilla. Rampaging on deals and the opportunity to take what they think is rightfully t heirs. My aim for this project was to discuss how the consumerism of buying changes one’s attitude towards others, ourselves, and our behavior of responsibility. Behavior of Others The Christmas season is upon us, and an event that is always relevant to discuss