Importance Of The Trade Unions In Thatchers Downfall Politics Essay

Importance Of The Trade Unions In Thatchers Downfall Politics Essay To what extent was the conflict with the Trade Unions the main reasons for Thatchers fall? The conflict with the trade unions played a significant part in relation to Margaret Thatchers resignation, in November 1990, however there are other reasons which led to her fall in November 1990. The main issues that occurred were that Mrs. Thatchers hostility towards the European Union which caused division within the Conservative Party and a European diplomatic crisis and the introduction of poll tax. Mrs. Thatcher was committed to reducing the trade unions power because she believed their leadership was undermining parliamentary democracy and economic performance  [1]  . A view also shared by Walsh-Atkins who stated that before Mrs. Thatcher became Prime Minister, the Trade Unions had a high and possibly damaging influence on the economy.  [2]  Collins and Seldon state Thatcher was determined to prove that it was she and not the NUM that ruled Britain  [3]  . This shows the trade unions influence over how the country was run and Thatcher was determined to reduce the unions power. The miners strike in March 1984 was the climax of confrontation between the unions and Thatchers government. The strike was ordered without a national ballot. However, Lynch states Scargills NUM never had any real hope of success  [4]  as the strike was weakened by breakaway miners who remained at work, and the refusal of key unions, such as power-station workers, to join the struggle.  [5]  Eventually, the miners lost the British publics support due to the violence and economic crisis the strikes caused. Thatcher states The Battles at Orgreave had an enormous impact and did a great deal to turn public opinion against the miners  [6]  .Also backed by Walsh-Atkins stating polls had revealed the public to be strongly anti-Scargill  [7]  a view also supported by Lynch stating public opinion became largely pro-government  [8]  . Eventually the National Union of Miners conceded defeat and mines closed. This strike boosted public opinion for Thatchers government and improved relationships with the TUC. The Sunday Times states The memory was still fresh of Mrs Thatchers commitment to defeat with the enemy within  [9]  and that The polls showed throughout that most people rejected Scargills interpretation of what was at stake  [10]  and shows this was not the main reason for Mrs Thatchers downfall in 1990. Running Word Count: 560Mrs Thatcher had a very hostile approach to the EU, her views and entire debate on the EU was to arouse huge controversy  [11]  during her premiership, her views subsequently began to question her leadership, playing a key part in her fall in 1990. In 1986, when the Single European Act was signed, against Mrs. Thatchers policies of trying to denominate the neoliberal revolution  [12]  . Throughout her premiership, she was strongly against European integration and was determined to reduce the British contribution to the ECC budget  [13]  . In 1987 she had agreed to something that went against what she hoped for the UK  [14]  and Walsh-Watkins states other key figures in the party.were obviously moving in a different direction.  [15]  The Single European Act was to divide the Conservative Party and the country even more. Mrs. Thatcher had an out-and-out policy against advancements in European integration  [16]  ; however Walsh-Watkins stat es that what she argued for was a willing and active co-operation between independent sovereign nations'  [17]  . In October 1990, Thatcher was persuaded to join the Exchange Rate Mechanism by Lawson, Lowes and Major. It led to Black Wednesday and economic disaster on 16th September 1992 leading to Britain humiliatingly withdrawing from the Exchange Rate Mechanism in late 1992. As a result of her European policies, in 1990, her cabinet was divided over the issues including the European Community  [18]  . The relationship between the party and PM was edgy as most Conservatives didnt support Mrs. Thatchers ideas or views, commonly referred to as Thatcherism. This view is shared by Vinen who states European policy distance her from the two men who had been most influential in her governments during the 1980s Howe and Lowes.  [19]  Howe later resigned from office after Mrs. Thatcher refused to join the Euro, and Thatcher lost support as Howe was a key political figure in th e Conservative party. Howes resignation is seen as the key catalyst for the leadership challenge of Michael Heseltine à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. as well as Thatchers subsequent resignation.  [20]  This view is also shared by Seldon and Collings who state Howes departure made even loyal Tory MPs feel that perhaps she had to go now.  [21]  Howes resignation speech is seen as an invitation for others to come forward and challenge her  [22]  This speech was seen by many Conservative MPs as having witnessed the undoing of the Prime Minister.  [23]  Therefore, the issues regarding Europe are seen as the main reason for Thatchers fall. Running Word Count: 1,213The introduction of the poll tax, or community charge, in 1990 created civil unrest in Britain. Mass riots occurred in Central London on 31st March 1990 and support for the government dropped significantly when opinion polls were showing 2% support  [24]  Conservative MPs joined the demonstrations against setting poll tax limits and against poll tax generally. As demonstrations unfolded, speculation developed for the first time about Thatchers position as leader  [25]  . This view is also shared by Charmley stating the poll tax riots had echoes of the Peasants Revolt of 1381, which threatened to dethrone the Monarch; there were echoes of that in a contemporary situation, too, with Mrs Thatcher now cast in the role of Richard II  [26]  . One of the PMs closest advisors, Nigel Lawson, hated the idea of poll tax because he believed it put people into the tax system  [27]  rather than taking people out and Michael Heseltine walked out of the cabin et on another issues minutes before it was due to endorse the poll tax  [28]  . Heseltine later voted against the implementation of poll tax in England. After the implementation of poll tax, Vinen states Sir Anthony Meyer announced that he would challenge  [29]  Thatchers position as Prime Minister. He became anti-Thatcher due to Mrs. Thatchers anti-Europe views. Michael Heseltine also launched a leadership challenge against Mrs. Thatcher but lost by 52 votes (204-152) but Gibson states in the actual election contest Europe became relegated to a minor role and domestic issues, especially the poll tax, emerged as much more important  [30]  and thus the leadership challenge led to Mrs. Thatchers resignation and therefore shows that poll tax was the main reason for Mrs. Thatchers resignation in 1990. This view is reinforced by Lynch who states this created fury in the country at large, provided a cause around her opponents rallied and alienated some of the Conservative Part ys staunchest supporters  [31]  this is evident as Gibson states in the parliamentary by-elections in Eastbourne, where the Conservatives had a majority of 16,923 in 1987  [32]  , the Conservatives lost the by-election to the Liberal Democrats on a 20% swing  [33]  . Lynch further states that the poll tax was to destroy her position  [34]  as PM, along with Britains relationship with Europe, Gibson also states that could the government, in this case, simply made a mistake?  [35]  thus showing that questions about Thatchers leadership was under question therefore, shows that poll tax played a big part in Mrs. Thatchers resignation later on in November 1990. The Falklands War was a pivotal moment in Thatchers premiership, putting Britains foreign relations to the test and Vinen states that Sir Henry Leach  [36]  the most senior Royal Navy officer said that if Britain didnt re-capture the Falklands, Britain would be living in a very different country whose word means nothing  [37]  which implies that Foreign relations would become complex. When Britain declared war with Argentina it caused a diplomatic crisis, with the EEC and United Nations giving its support to Britain, announcing economic sanctions against Argentina  [38]  , straining Britains foreign affairs. However, when Britain reclaimed the Falklands Mrs. Thatchers support was at its highest and Baker states by transforming the spirit of the nation the Falklands war also transformed the spirit and fortunes of the Government  [39]  therefore, the outcome of the war helped Mrs. Thatcher to win the 1983 elections. This view is supported by Sergeant who states the succ ess of the Falklands War helped produce a landslide for Mrs Thatcher in 1983.  [40]  Lynch agrees stating The reward for her leadership during the Falklands crisis came in the 1983 election  [41]  therefore, clearly showing that the Falklands War was not behind Mrs Thatchers downfall in 1990. Running Word Count: 1,909To conclude based on the evidence, I think that the conflict with the trade unions was not the main reason for Margaret Thatchers fall and that the introduction of the poll tax, in 1990, was the cause of her fall.

Science Vs Religion :: essays research papers

Science and religion cannot co-exist. What are your views on this? In the begining there was darkness. Then there was light. Then there was consciousness. Then there were questions and then there was religion. Why are we? Where do we come from? Why does the world and nature act as it does? What happens when we die. Religion tended to the answer to all these questions with the stories of gods and godesses and other supernatural forces that were beyond the understanding of humans. Where as science seems able to explain everything with prof and evidence right before your eyes. Science deals with subject matter and account for civilizations while religion is concered with the civilization, but looks at its spiritulisation and faith. As the scientists looks at the building, materials and whereas religion is not focusing on these physical components. This also gives birth to the question that whether science is able to explain all or whether religion is able to explain all aspects of life?science does seem to explain all. It is because of the fact that science has enabled humans to fly, explore the depths of the oceans,walk on the moon. It makes the life of humans easier than before with lots of facilities. Howerver, strong and almost perfect the view of science is in today's society it cannot cover the entire spectrum of the human experiences. Nor does it explain some of the striking similarities present in the various religions of the earth. There have been many clashes between religion and science in history. Some past leaders were used to imprisoned scientists. Now much has changed. People asks for the facts and figures, but spiritualisation, your character building is not the things provided by science. So, science and religion are different in the sense of facts and faith. These both are important for our lives, because you cannot write on walls without pens and brains.

Langston Hughes’s Harlem

His parents divorced when he was a small child, and his father moved to Mexico. He was raised by his grandmother until he was thirteen, when he moved to Lincoln, Illinois, to live with his mother and her husband, before the family eventually settled in Cleveland, Ohio. Hughes had a very poor relationship with his father. He lived with his father in Mexico for a brief period in 1919. Upon graduating from high school in June 1920, Hughes returned to Mexico to live with his father, hoping to convince him to support Langston's plan to attend Columbia University.Hughes later said that, prior to arriving in Mexico: â€Å"l had been hinking about my father and his strange dislike of his own people. I didn't understand it, because I was a Negro, and I liked Negroes very much. Initially, his father had hoped for Hughes to attend a university abroad, and to study for a career in engineering. On these grounds, he was willing to provide financial assistance to his son but did not support his de sire to be a writer. Eventually, Hughes and his father came to a compromise: Hughes would study engineering, so long as he could attend Columbia.His tuition provided; Hughes left his father after more than a year. While at Columbia in 1921, Hughes managed to maintain a 8+ grade average. He left in 1922 because of racial prejudice, and his interests revolved more around the neighborhood of Harlem than his studies, though he continued writing poetry. In Lincoln, Illinois, Hughes had begun writing poetry. Following graduation, he spent a year in Mexico and a year at Columbia University. During these years, he held odd lobs as an assistant cook, launderer, and a busboy, and travelled to Africa and Europe working as a seaman.In November 1924, he moved to Washington, D. C. Hughes's first book of poetry, The Weary Blues, was published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1926. He finished his college education at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania three years later. In 1930 his first novel, Not without L aughter, won the Harmon gold medal for literature. Hughes, who claimed Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Carl Sandburg, and Walt Whitman as his primary influences, is particularly known for his insightful, colorful portrayals of black life in America from the twenties through the sixties.Langston Hughes died of complications from prostate cancer in May 22, 1967, in New York. In his memory, his residence at 20 East 127th Street in Harlem, New York City, has been iven landmark status by the New York City Preservation Commission, and East 127th Street nas been renamed â€Å"Langston Hughes Place. † First published in The Crisis in 1921, â€Å"The Negro Speaks of Rivers† became Hughes's signature poem which was collected in his first book of poetry The Weary Blues in 1926. Hughes's first and last published poems appeared in The Crisis; more of his poems were published in The Crisis than in any other Journal.Hughes's life and work were enormously influential during the Harlem Renaissan ce of the 1920s, alongside those of his contemporaries, Zora Neale Hurston, Wallace Thurman, Claude McKay, Countee Cullen, Richard Bruce Nugent, and Aaron Douglas. Except for McKay, they worked together also to create the short-lived magazine Fire, devoted to younger Negro artists. Hughes and his contemporaries had different goals and aspirations than the black middle class. They criticized the men known as the midwives of the Harlem Renaissance: W. E. B.Du Bois, Jessie Redmon Fauset, and Alain LeRoy Locke, as being overly accommodating and assimilating Eurocentric values and culture to achieve social equality. Langston Hughes is famous for his poems during the Harlem Renaissance. In his poems he incorporated the real lives of blacks n the lower social-economic strata. He criticized the divisions and prejudices based on skin color within the black community. Hughes wrote what would be considered their manifesto, â€Å"The Negro Artist and the Racial Mountain† published in The Nation in 1926.Hughes identified as unashamedly black at a time when blackness was d ©mod ©. He stressed the theme of â€Å"black is beautiful† as he explored the black human condition in a variety of depths. His main concern was the uplift of his people, whose strengths, resiliency, courage, and humor he wanted to record as part of the general American experience. His poetry and fiction portrayed the lives of the working-class blacks in America, lives he portrayed as full of struggle, Joy, laughter, and music.Permeating his work is pride in the African-American identity and its diverse culture. â€Å"My seeking has been to explain and illuminate the Negro condition in America and obliquely that of all human kind,† Hughes is quoted as saying. He confronted racial stereotypes, protested social conditions, and expanded African America's image of itself; a â€Å"people's poet† who sought to reeducate both audience and artist by lifting the theory of the black aesthetic into reality. Langston Hughes has many famous poems; Mother to Son, 50:50, but my favorite is Harlem (A Dream Deferred). Harlem† is a lyric poem with irregular rhyme and an irregular metrical pattern that sums up the white oppression of blacks in America. It first appeared in 1951 in a collection of Hughes's poetry, Montage ofa Dream Deferred. In 1951 †the year of the poem's publication†frustration characterized the mood of American blacks. The Civil War in the previous century had liberated them from slavery, and federal laws had granted them the right to vote, the right to own property, and so on. However, continuing prejudice against blacks, as well as laws passed since the Civil War, relegated them to second-class citizenship.Consequently, blacks had to attend poorly equipped segregated schools and settle for menial Jobs as porters, ditch-diggers, servants, shoeshine boys, and so on. In many states, blacks could not use the same public facilities as w hites, including restrooms, restaurants, theaters, and parks. Access to other facilities, such as buses, required them to take a back seat, literally, to whites. By the mid-Twentieth Century, their frustration with nferior status became a powder keg, and the fuse was burning.Hughes well underst what the tuture held, as ne indicates in the last line ot the poem. Langston Hughes's poem â€Å"Harlem (A Dream Deferred)† is about what happens to dreams when they are put on hold. Hughes probably intended for the poem to focus on the dreams of African-Americans in particular because he originally entitled the poem â€Å"Harlem,† which is the capital of African American life in the United States; however, it is Just as easy to read the poem as being about dreams in general and what happens when people postpone making them come true.Ultimately, Hughes uses a carefully arranged series of images that also function as figures of speech to suggest that people should not delay their dreams because the more they postpone them, the more the dreams will change and the less likely they will come true. Harlem (A Dream Deferred) is my favorite Langston Hughes's poems because he is talking about how problems are in the world we are living in. He knows that African Americans have their freedom and rights now but, they are still issue with unfair treatment. Hughes dreams that his race keeps battling through adversity and hopes that things will get better.I think what makes Langston Hughes poems so popular is his interaction to his audience. Hughes relates and involves real world events in his poems. Langston Hughes was one of the most important writers and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance, which was the African American artistic movement in the 1920s that celebrated black life and culture. Hughes's creative genius was influenced by his life in New York City's Harlem, a primarily African American neighborhood. His literary works helped shape American literature and po litics. Hughes, like others active in the Harlem Renaissance, had a strong sense of racial pride

Alcoholism Of The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

What is alcohol? Is it just a drink? Is it the reason teenagers party? Does it bring a fulfillment into the body? Or is exactly a drink of a lifetime? From stories, movies, and novels, like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, alcohol portrays its own underlying character in today s world. Realizing it or not, alcohol fills up the society and individuals are drowning in a seven letter - word - riptide. The understanding of alcoholism changes from day to day, subscribing to the idea that alcohol stays the constant variable in the picture as a whole. The symptoms, effects, developments, and causes may vary from individual to another, but the alcohol itself continues to lead the structure of a chronic alcoholic. While the symptoms of alcoholism may seem to disappear and one may no longer depend or abuse alcohol, an alcoholic will always be an alcoholic. At the beginning of the 21st century, it was estimated that the annual number of deaths related to excessive drinking exceeded 100,000 in the United States alone (â€Å"Alcoholism†). In fact, in 1995, 140 million Americans were using alcohol is an abusing way (Ammerman, Ott, and Tarter). â€Å"It is a chronic and progressive illness that involves the excessive inappropriate ingestion of ethyl alcohol† (â€Å"Alcoholism†). Equally, it can be characterized as an emotional and many times, physical dependence on alcohol. It is thought to come from a combination of a wide range of physiological, social, and genetic factors (â€Å"Alcoholism†). EvenShow MoreRelatedThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald998 Words   |  4 PagesHow came people did not respected Fitzgerald writing in 20th century , but why people are respecting and valuing Fitzgerald work in 21th century? Fitzgerald had hard time to get profit from his writing, but he never got good profit after his first novel. 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