Topic: Polygamy
Polygamy is a term used to describe any form of marriage in which a person has more than one partner. A person is available for two or more people to mate with. Polygyny is practiced when a man has more than one wife. Polyandry is a practice in which a woman has more than one husband. The less common practice is known as a group marriage, it is known as a marriage which includes multiple husbands and wives. In contrast "monogamy" is a marriage that consists of two people. Different religions have various views on the practice of "polygamy". It is considered legal in countries such as: Egypt, Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Malaysia, and Morocco. It is illegal in countries such as: Canada, Iceland, and Israel, in the USA it is illegal in all 50 states; it is legal in all the 27 countries in the European Union.
Article 1
Egypt
Egypt paper promotes Polygamy for women
http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2009/12/16/94383.html
The article discusses an article that was published in an Egyptian newspaper, which called for women to have the right to marry more than one man as a part of gender quality. In the article a woman called Bedair is wondering why do men have the right of beimg bored with one woman and women are more faithful to their men. Yet the traditions and the clerics oblige her to stay at home and be quiet. She is proposing that polygamy should be allowed for both men and women or a new way of thinking towards marriages should be introduced in order defeat the men’s “lame excuses”. Therefore the discussion of why men could have another three wives, while women do not have the right to act the same.
Article 2
Australia
Why should polygamy be a crime?
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/why-should-polygamy-be-a-crime-20091002-gfdg.html
The article gives some setting information about polygyny. It also talks about Western society’s perspective on affairs are stigmatized. The Attorney-General Robert McClelland introduced legislation granting rights to the second woman so that she could share the state with her married lover. The article argues that the problem is still present and that the practice of polygamy is essential for a marriage and one way or another people tend to lie to each other even in monogamous marriage. It also asks some rhetorical questions like “Why in the liberal 21st century must we live a lie in relationships? And why do we continue to maintain a facade that monogamy is a perfect institution, when studies consistently reveal that most men admit to having affairs?” It presents an argument that Polygamy is as normal for a marriage as monogamy, and it is more is as necessary for some people more than others. The article discusses the Islam view on polygamy as a support to the argument. Islam acknowledges the fact that human nature “stipulates a regulatory framework for plural relations” In addition it gives a contrast view on polygamy mentioning the Emperor Justinian who criminalized plural unions under the influence of Augustine. Then the article provides the evidence of Polygamy being illegal in Australia. Yet polygamy is recognized under the family law for the purpose of property settlements. Toward the end of the article it supports its bias point of view by a concluding argument “Who someone marries first is an accident of history. If a man who has an affair had met his mistress before his wife, he may have married her. Why maintain the facade that is the Justinian doctrine of monogamy knowing it has failed as a social experiment?”
Article 3
Yemen
Yemeni women: Polygamy faces off spinsterhood
http://infoweb.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_product=AWNB&p_theme=aggregated5&p_action=doc&p_docid=12823EB25A3E8950&p_docnum=1&p_queryname=2
The article gives some background information about Polygamy in such Islamic and Arab countries such as Yemen. Polygamy was more commonly practiced in rural areas where women could easily become the second, third and fourth wives. Even in urban areas women are begging to consider and accept the idea of entering polygamous unions. In Muslim countries such as Yemen polygamy is legal. An Islam man is allowed to have up to four wives at a time. However, the Yemen law does not legislate a set structure for controlling the polygamous marriages and leaves it up to the individual families. In addition the Personal Status Law arbitrates against women and gives the man an absolute right to practice polygamy without provisions that he should inform his wife of any plans that he has. Hooria Mashour, Deputy Chairperson of the Women’s National Committee, said that the law does not restrict polygamy and support non-harassment,equality and justice among the wives. The article further discusses the problem with polygamy in Yemen, especially women rights which are being unconsidered.It gives some statistics on the numbers of women who married an already married men. It follows with its one line opinion of taking the readers attention into thinking about the substantial problems with polygamy in Islam and Arabic countries. It presents some of the better argument points are “Most Yemeni men and some Yemeni women think of it as a religious right with no moral or even economic obligations to any of the wives, especially the first one.” In the last concluding point it talks about the fact that society should take into account the major role that it is playing in guiding women towards polygamy as opposed to monogamy.
Reflection / Analysis
It was very interesting to read all the different articles written about polygamy through different perspectives. The article taken from an Egyptian newspaper provides a better outlook in the world of Egyptian women, who are wondering why polygamy is only legal with men having more than one wife. While the women have to stick to just one man, without having the right of choosing more than one husband. The Australian article really surprised me with its open argument that there is nothing abnormal about polygamy and that it is an essential process for a human’s mind. As well some individuals prefer polygamy more than monogamy and that should not be considered a crime, rather than a logical desire of the human mind. The contrary example with Emperor Justinian was a good point to persuade the reader into thinking otherwise about the practice of polygamy. Especially I liked the usage of the example with Justinian in such a context as “Why maintain the facade that is the Justinian doctrine of monogamy knowing it has failed as a social experiment?” The Yemen article discusses a global problem that is created by making polygamy legal and giving the man an autonomous right to control the marriage. As a result the women’s rights are violated and their interests are not taken into the account by the Yemen law. The article gives a serious anti-religious view from the post-reviewer on the practice of Polygamy. The article was really interesting in the sense that it gibes an internal view from a female’s perspective who presently experiences the practice and lives in an Arabic or Muslim society.
I personally think that Polygamy is not a great practice for a marriage, as it underlines the insignificance of each person involved in a marriage. I am an adherent of a monogamous unity, because it is more of a logical route to love. Polygamy does not seem to present love as a soulful need for both people, it rather distorts the primary meaning of love and a mutual unity. Polygamy also alters the moral values of a single person creating a form of a harem where the women serve as slaves to the men who chose them for their collection.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Elections in Ukraine
Topic: Elections in Ukraine
The Ukrainian presidential elections of 2010 are the fifth election since Ukraine has declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The two final candidates who gained the most and similar amount of votes were Julia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yanukovich. Although as a result of the final election Yanukovich gained the most votes and became the President. Yulia Tymoshenko has been a Prime Minister of Ukraine from the year of 2005 to 2007. Tymoshenko gained her popularity through her scandalous image and has also been a close ally with Ukrtaine’s ex President Viktor Yushchenko. She was a strong figure in the Orange Revolution and a series of mass street protest. In addition she chose the pro Western course of action leaving behind the Russian sphere of influence. Yanukovich was the Primer Minister of Ukraine from the year of 2002 to 2004. Yanukovich unlike Tymoshenko is a success for Moscow in its struggle for the influence with the West in the former Soviet Union. After Yanukovich’s victory by 3.5 percentage,soon followed Tymoshenko’s speech in which she publicly accused President Yanukovich of "openening the door to massive and flagrant election rigging”. She also declared that she will challenge the results of the election in court.
Article 1
UK
Ukraine: Tymoshenko vows to contest election result http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8514517.stm
The article provides a good overview on the situation in Ukraine after the Presidential Elections of 2010. It gives a good impression about Tympshenko’s behavior after the elections. Tymoshenko declared that Viktor Yanukovich was not legitimately elected, she also publicly stated that “Yanukovich is not our president” and he will never become a legitimately elected president of Ukraine. While, Yanukovich has called Tymoshenko to abandon her protest and resign. The article also shows good examples of both of the opinion from Yulia Tymoshenko’s position and Yanukovich. Tymoshenko stated that the only way to defend the state and the choice that has been made is to challenge the results of the election in court. Yanukovich’s reply was very straightforward, he stated that democratic leaders always accept the results of the elections and the country does not need another crisis. Analysts tend to challenge Tymoshenko’s position, by explaining that it would only continue instability.
Article 2
France
Ukraine: Elections or Emergency Rule?
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=17318
The article provides a better analytical reading for a better understanding of the situation with the elections in Ukraine. The public’s opinion on Yanukovich’s victory suggests that it was natural and the majority of experts seem to agree with this assumption. The only questioned that is left unanswered is whether there will be a compliance with democratic norms this time. The article also supports the opinion that Julia Tymoshenko’s ascension to power was a result of the West’s investment in the Orange project. When the results of the first round were announced Tymoshenko immediately responded by ensuring that mass rigging would take place in South-East Ukraine. She also would not admit it and search for every opportunity to oppose the elections by supporting mass falsifications, provocations and protest rallies and court hearings.
Article 3
Political crisis in Ukraine not yet over – analyst
Armenia
http://www.news.az/articles/9369
The article provides an interview of Anton Finko who is an expert at the Kiev Center for Political and Conflict Studies. The interviewer questioned Mr. Finko about his assessment of the elections in Ukraine. Mr. Finko explains that there was a traditional split of the country between the Russian-speaking and industrial south-east of Ukraine, where the main capital in the country is filled with elite and predominantly agrarian and Ukrainian speaking center and the west. He views Ukrainian election as being pretty much repeated from the years of 1994 and 2004, as there were voters in the West and center on one side, and voters in the south-east. There is also a minority close to the south-east and some voters; in this case Yanukovich gained some advantage. Mr. Finko was also asked if the elected candidate would really be able to unite the country. He replied that many voters who are not from his main regions will be extremely cautious about Yanukovich and even Tymoshenko’s supporters are not all radical and some believe that Yanukovich has the right to prove his effectiveness. Mr Finko states that if Yanukovich manages to meet the socioeconomic prospects he will be able to unite the greater part of the public around him. Yet his success depends on whether he will be able to take the appropriate steps in the Chain to overcome the political crisis.
Reflection/Analysis
The three articles provide a good summary of the events in Ukraine with the Presidential election of 2010. The BBC article informs about Tymoshenko’s behavior after the elections. It also is a good source that shows arguments with both of the sides and their direct accusations about each other’s position. Towards the end the article sums up the arguments and gives the analytical view on the matters. The second article taken from a French source, presents a deeper analysis on the situation with elections. The main arguments which I found interesting were that if Yanukovich would really be compliant with the democratic norms. Also that Tymoshenko’s influence in the Orange Revolution was a result of West’s investment. The third article taken from an Armenian source provided an interview of a Ukrainian expert for Political studies, who informs that Yanukovich needs to certain steps to surmount this political crisis. In my opinion the situation in Ukraine is very exacerbated with the elections. Although personally I think that Yanukovich’s victory is beneficial to Ukraine more than it would have been if Yulia Tymoshenko gained victory. As Yanukovich has more chances of stabilizing and improving the relationship between Russia and Ukraine. Mainly due to the reason that Yanukovich is a businessman in whose interests it is to resolve the previous conflict with Russia. Unlike Tymoshenko who previously failed to deal with the gas conflict between Russia and Ukraine. She and the ex president Yushenko rather supported the confrontation with Russia rather than tried to stabilize their relationship.
The Ukrainian presidential elections of 2010 are the fifth election since Ukraine has declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The two final candidates who gained the most and similar amount of votes were Julia Tymoshenko and Viktor Yanukovich. Although as a result of the final election Yanukovich gained the most votes and became the President. Yulia Tymoshenko has been a Prime Minister of Ukraine from the year of 2005 to 2007. Tymoshenko gained her popularity through her scandalous image and has also been a close ally with Ukrtaine’s ex President Viktor Yushchenko. She was a strong figure in the Orange Revolution and a series of mass street protest. In addition she chose the pro Western course of action leaving behind the Russian sphere of influence. Yanukovich was the Primer Minister of Ukraine from the year of 2002 to 2004. Yanukovich unlike Tymoshenko is a success for Moscow in its struggle for the influence with the West in the former Soviet Union. After Yanukovich’s victory by 3.5 percentage,soon followed Tymoshenko’s speech in which she publicly accused President Yanukovich of "openening the door to massive and flagrant election rigging”. She also declared that she will challenge the results of the election in court.
Article 1
UK
Ukraine: Tymoshenko vows to contest election result http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8514517.stm
The article provides a good overview on the situation in Ukraine after the Presidential Elections of 2010. It gives a good impression about Tympshenko’s behavior after the elections. Tymoshenko declared that Viktor Yanukovich was not legitimately elected, she also publicly stated that “Yanukovich is not our president” and he will never become a legitimately elected president of Ukraine. While, Yanukovich has called Tymoshenko to abandon her protest and resign. The article also shows good examples of both of the opinion from Yulia Tymoshenko’s position and Yanukovich. Tymoshenko stated that the only way to defend the state and the choice that has been made is to challenge the results of the election in court. Yanukovich’s reply was very straightforward, he stated that democratic leaders always accept the results of the elections and the country does not need another crisis. Analysts tend to challenge Tymoshenko’s position, by explaining that it would only continue instability.
Article 2
France
Ukraine: Elections or Emergency Rule?
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=17318
The article provides a better analytical reading for a better understanding of the situation with the elections in Ukraine. The public’s opinion on Yanukovich’s victory suggests that it was natural and the majority of experts seem to agree with this assumption. The only questioned that is left unanswered is whether there will be a compliance with democratic norms this time. The article also supports the opinion that Julia Tymoshenko’s ascension to power was a result of the West’s investment in the Orange project. When the results of the first round were announced Tymoshenko immediately responded by ensuring that mass rigging would take place in South-East Ukraine. She also would not admit it and search for every opportunity to oppose the elections by supporting mass falsifications, provocations and protest rallies and court hearings.
Article 3
Political crisis in Ukraine not yet over – analyst
Armenia
http://www.news.az/articles/9369
The article provides an interview of Anton Finko who is an expert at the Kiev Center for Political and Conflict Studies. The interviewer questioned Mr. Finko about his assessment of the elections in Ukraine. Mr. Finko explains that there was a traditional split of the country between the Russian-speaking and industrial south-east of Ukraine, where the main capital in the country is filled with elite and predominantly agrarian and Ukrainian speaking center and the west. He views Ukrainian election as being pretty much repeated from the years of 1994 and 2004, as there were voters in the West and center on one side, and voters in the south-east. There is also a minority close to the south-east and some voters; in this case Yanukovich gained some advantage. Mr. Finko was also asked if the elected candidate would really be able to unite the country. He replied that many voters who are not from his main regions will be extremely cautious about Yanukovich and even Tymoshenko’s supporters are not all radical and some believe that Yanukovich has the right to prove his effectiveness. Mr Finko states that if Yanukovich manages to meet the socioeconomic prospects he will be able to unite the greater part of the public around him. Yet his success depends on whether he will be able to take the appropriate steps in the Chain to overcome the political crisis.
Reflection/Analysis
The three articles provide a good summary of the events in Ukraine with the Presidential election of 2010. The BBC article informs about Tymoshenko’s behavior after the elections. It also is a good source that shows arguments with both of the sides and their direct accusations about each other’s position. Towards the end the article sums up the arguments and gives the analytical view on the matters. The second article taken from a French source, presents a deeper analysis on the situation with elections. The main arguments which I found interesting were that if Yanukovich would really be compliant with the democratic norms. Also that Tymoshenko’s influence in the Orange Revolution was a result of West’s investment. The third article taken from an Armenian source provided an interview of a Ukrainian expert for Political studies, who informs that Yanukovich needs to certain steps to surmount this political crisis. In my opinion the situation in Ukraine is very exacerbated with the elections. Although personally I think that Yanukovich’s victory is beneficial to Ukraine more than it would have been if Yulia Tymoshenko gained victory. As Yanukovich has more chances of stabilizing and improving the relationship between Russia and Ukraine. Mainly due to the reason that Yanukovich is a businessman in whose interests it is to resolve the previous conflict with Russia. Unlike Tymoshenko who previously failed to deal with the gas conflict between Russia and Ukraine. She and the ex president Yushenko rather supported the confrontation with Russia rather than tried to stabilize their relationship.
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