Why US foreign policy towards Cuba has not thawed since the end of the Dissertation

Why US foreign policy towards Cuba has not thawed since the end of the cold war - Dissertation Example s in the field of foreign relations. More specifically, most of the researches involving this particular topic focused on the development of the foreign relations between the two. Indeed, the relationship between the United States of America and Cuba can be traced as far as the Spanish-American war, when Cuba attained its independence. The two began a good relationship but eventually became bitter after accession of Fidel Castro into power. This research offers an extensive review of the foreign policy of the United States of America towards Cuba, focusing on the primary sources such as the speeches of Fidel Castro, his books and the like. Chapter 1: (Condensed to 1,420 words) Introduction Background of the Study The relationship between Cuba and the United States started when the Spanish-American war ended. Spain was defeated by the United States in this particular war (Osieja, 2006; Wittkopf & McCormick, 2007). As such, the United States granted the then colonies of Spain their ind ependence with the condition that the United States could intervene in their internal affairs if it becomes necessary (Aronson, Rogers, Sweig & Meid, 2001; Gibbs & Gibbs, 2011). In line with this agreement, Cuba has also granted a perpetual lease in favor of the United States of its naval base at Guantanamo bay (Haney & Vanderbush, 2005). The two countries cooperated with one another for the next fifty years after the independence of Cuba (Wittkopf & McCormick, 2007). The United States play an important role in terms of aiding Cuba in quelling down rebellions (Wittkopf & McCormick, 2007). Furthermore, the United States also began to pour in economic investments into the country in order to help them develop. However, things began to change with the 1959 Cuban Revolution (Gibbs & Gibbs, 2011). Primarily, the United States expressed support towards Castro by imposing an arms embargo against the administration of then-President General Fulgencio Bautista. In fact, the United States imm ediately recognized the government of Castro (Wittkopf & McCormick, 2007). However, the Castro government began seizing private lands and nationalized private companies, including those of American origin (Haney & Vanderbush, 2005; Osieja, 2006). As a result thereof, the administration of then-President Eisenhower responded by imposing trade restrictions except for the basic necessities such as food and medicines (Gibbs & Gibbs, 2011). As a response to the alleged â€Å"Yankee-Imperialism,† Castro decided to start trading with the Soviet Union instead (Meacham, 2009). In this regard, the United States dissolved all diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and from then on, the unfriendly relationship between the two begun (Wittkopf & McCormick, 2007). Indeed, the bitter relationship between Cuba and the United States worsened upon the accession of Fidel Castro in 1959. The relationship between the two has evolved into bitter arguments, political grandstanding and eventually resorted to an international crises (Wittkopf & McCormick, 2007). In fact, since 1961, the two countries have failed to enter into a bilateral agreement and would often call upon Switzerland as their mediator should they need to negotiate on certain matters (Aronson, Rogers, Sweig & Meid, 2001; Haney & Vanderbush, 2005). The relationship

What Is The Most Important Virtue For Human Fulfillment Essay

What Is The Most Important Virtue For Human Fulfillment - Essay Example In the same regard, it is interesting to note the work of four prominent thinkers of their respective times, namely: Descartes, Spinoza, Emerson and Tolstoy, a brief discourse of which is presented hereunder. The stance of Rene Descartes on the said issue can be summarized as, "I think, therefore I am" (Descartes, 1641). Now a very popular statement, this means much more than the literal meaning. This can be taken as the essence of the entire philosophy of Descartes, wherein he began to understand himself by virtue of his thought processes. On the same lines, his thoughts can be extrapolated upon mankind as a whole. The fact of the matter lies in the fact, that man cannot achieve fulfillment if he does not think; this, even as a proposition is considered to be impossible according to the stance of Descartes. By virtue of undertaking things, dealing with them, and ultimately being deceived by them, it becomes all the more evident to man that there is a reality that exists. This reality can be identified with, and the highest virtue can subsequently be attained by means of thinking. Contemplation gives insight, and ultimately self-actualization. There can be no better strength than realizing one's true potential of existence. Ethics by Spinoza Spinoza's views advocate, "All our endeavors or desires so follow from the necessity of our nature" (Spinoza, 1677). This concept given by him refers to the identification of the power that the human being yields and associates from within himself. Whatever one might seek or ask, it is basically a product of how one identifies with the concept of self. The most significant virtue here becomes knowing about oneself. A person, who realizes himself, is truly the most potent of all. Desires, passions and restraints of the material world, can only be understood with reference to the person. Therefore, if and when a person appreciates his own personal standing and inception, it subsequently becomes the greatest source of endowment and fulfillment for the person. Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson Ralph Emerson here postulates, "Insist on yourself; never imitate" (Emerson, 1841). This again is a propagation of the belief that an individual should at all times try to be what he/she is, and not impose a figure, picture of personality which is not a true depiction of the same. If one has the tendency to falsify one's self-image, then true actualization of self can never be there. To be able to appreciate and attain the highest order of fulfillment, the greatest virtue here would be to not pay heed to social and extraneous challenges, and keep representing one's own personality as it is. If in the face of conflict, one tends to shy away from the true sense of being, then it can never really come out. Under normal circumstances, it is always simple to portray oneself; however, the true test of character is when there is antagonism, and yet still a person can attain virtue by means of beings what he truly is. The Death of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy Leo Tolstoy deliberates upon the topic in the following way, "In place of death there was light" (1886). Though this may seem ironically contrary to the actual concept of life itself, yet this line answers probably the greatest mystery of life - death. So is the virtue of human fulfillment embedded in death Not exactly; it is in understanding the concept of death. It refers to establishing a belief that this entire struggle in life is death itself, and the absolute moment of death, is just the termination of this struggle. The ultimate attainment in life