Ch 22, 23

The idea that we experienced the end of empire in our modern world kind of doesn't sit right to me. Sure, we pulled out from directly controlling other countries' governments and exerting direct military control, but its not like economic relationships dissolved. Resources and 'stuff' is why European powers colonized people and just because they pulled out of their respective foreign countries doesn't mean that they still don't get their stuff. Africa can govern itself now and control its affairs, but we stripped the whole place bare and we still dump our toxic waste there. I think empires never went away.

I think empire just took on a new form allowed by capitalism, which basically means exploit other people to get rich. Sounds kinda like imperialism right? Instead of waging war for resources and 'stuff' we use money and economic pressure. Corporations control our government today and exert influence in countries all around the world. I don't think a private company should be allowed to pay millions of dollars to a legislator to make laws that favor their acquisition of extreme wealth. We mentioned in class that corporations are slightly different in that they don't exert military force, but don't they? We invaded iraq because of oil didn't we? and I guarantee you that weapons companies heavily lobby politicians to continue blowing people up so they can keep getting rich off of destruction. Personally, I think we are one step away from mega corporations being allowed to have their own private armies and once some major world catastrophe strikes, they will be poised to assume control of our government and establish their United States of Corporation, where they will proceed to enslave us all. Full circle.

Ch 19,20,21

I thought it would be good to talk a bit about the flappers that arose in mainstream culture after world war 1. Finally for the first time in history, women were starting to gain a level of independence not seen for a long time and even not at all in some cultures. Resulting from the war, women were working in factories and making good money and for the first time began to express themselves more publicly. They smoked in public and drank and partied. I didn't know this was unacceptable before then or stigmatized. It's also interesting that this cultural phenomenon occurred during prohibition, which in my opinion seemed to be more of a return to traditional values.

Prohibition seemed to me to be so silly, but when looking at why it happened i am not surprised. Groups who valued extreme ideas of morality still exist today. Back then it was alcohol. Today, its things like LGBT rights. These people are scary and many of them hold a considerable amount of lobbying power. Special political climate allowed them to pass an amendment to the constitution. That is so crazy to me! How much influence would be required to amend the constitution today? It happened once and it definitely can happen again. I just hope that the next amendment to the constitution gives people more protections and freedom. If its the banning of something of the stripping of someones rights, I am leaving the country.