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Showing posts from May, 2006

Book Assessment

The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order The summary After the Cold War, the world politics would be multi-polar and multi-civilizational while nation states remain the most pivotal actors in world affairs. Although there are other alternative paradigms for the future of world politics, such as “one harmonious world”, “two worlds”, “184 states, more or less” and “sheer chaos”, the civilizational approach can solve the others’ deficiencies and incompatibility. Seeing the world affairs from the fault lines of civilizations can maintain the simplicity of the paradigm because there are only 7 or 8 major civilizations. Moreover, this approach can predict the emerging conflicts. There are 7 or 8 civilizations: Sinic used for the common culture of China and the Chinese communities, Japanese, Hindu, Islamic, Orthodox, West, Latin American and perhaps African civilizations. Civilizations, since ancient times, have encountered, competed against one another, and interacted...

A Multiparty Conflict and Negotiations

The background of the conflicts Roommate problems have been a nightmare for most college students. Good roommates would become a person’s best friends for life, but the discord between roommates could cause a lot for students who aim at studies. International Student House (ISH) is a private dormitory founded by Quaker Foundation, accommodating up to 100 people. Paulina, Li-Ting and Jackie share a triple room in ISH. Three girls sleep in a big room; there is a bathroom and a walking closet in the room. Three girls are from different continents: Li-Ting is Taiwanese, Paulina is from Finland and Jackie comes from South Africa. They are getting along well because they can talk about many things and enhance the global understanding. However, some problems have emerged. First of all, Li-Ting found out that three people’s schedules are very different and sometimes their schedules clash. Paulina and Jackie need to go to work early in the morning while Li-Ting is still in bed. Pauli...