The French revolution and human nature - 1925 Words

The French revolution and human nature (Essay Sample) Content: The French revolution and human nature A review of the literature Name School Abstract The French revolution was a time of great change in France. It was sparked by rebellion and necessity for change. It was dominated by social antagonism between the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy. The paper aims at providing an insight into the factors that caused the French revolution and the themes that emerged during the revolution. It further explores the significance of the revolution and its significance to date towards our system of thinking and interaction. This literature also examines the French revolution and how human nature was viewed. It elaborates on how human beings can be self-interested, savage and yet socially conscious or kind. It also explores how we see the effects of the revolution and its relevance. By drawing on a variety of sources, the paper shows how we relate to the enlightenment concept of humanism. How did The French revolution influence human nature? The  French Revolution of 1789  sets itself apart from every revolution that had gone before by being a revolution centered on  theories. The French king did not call parliament between 1614 and 1789. There existed a state of absolutism within that period. Absolutism refers to the idea of a monarch ruling without a consultative body of the people (parliament) to approve laws and thus limit the monarchà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s power. Unlike Scotland and England, the powers of the king was not limited by any constitution. The absolutism by France was so severe in the seventeenth century to an Extent of the English people calling absolutism the French disease. To make matters worse, the French disease was also the name given to syphilis. The French king Louis 14 took absolutism to a whole new level. He ruled through a bureaucracy through sycophants (Evelyn, J.1818 volume 1, p.268). The system was too expensive since the nobilityà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s lavish lifestyle had to be funded and something had to be done. In the eighteenth century, absolutism went bust and what followed was a revolution. For the first time in 175 years the French parliament (States General) was recalled. France entered a war in 1778 and it cost too much (Evelyn, J.1818 volume 1, p.268). In May 1789, King Louis 16 called a meeting of the States General so that they could find ways to raise new taxes since the war had ravaged the economy. The parliament was divided into three parts: the first estate which also referred to as the clergy, second estate which was referred to as the nobles and the third estate which was referred to as the others (Cody, 2010). The three estates sat apart but the third estate was against this. The third assembly was crusading for unity in the assemblies. They wanted all the estates to sit together and form one assembly. On June 20th they decided to meet even if the king dissolved them. Favorably, they were successful in their struggles ion 27th June. The first and second estates joined the third to form a uniform assembly. The powers of the king were now limited and France became a constitutional monarchy (Cody, 2010). Themes portrayed by the French revolution Enlightenment Enlightenment can be defined as the liberation of man from a self-imposed state of minority which limits interaction and understanding without directions from other people. In simpler terms, it refers to a process in which human beings create their own theories about the world while ignoring other theories and stories from other people. Enlightenment is a result of oneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s own thinking after contradicting stories and experiences that we are told. Hegel argues that these contradictions stimulates one to come up with his/her own theories (Fortescue, 2000). This brings us to our first theme which is enlightenment. When the French faced division in the three estates, enlightenment was established. It changed the way people lived as the political and social barriers were broken down. Scholars such as Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire and Rousseau questioned the operations of the government and rejected traditional ideas (Roche Goldhammer, 1998). The scholars claimed that a liberated monarch was the best government that would divide sovereignty between several centers of power. To date, most of the countries in the world have liberal constitutions that govern people. Due to lessons from the past, countries have abolished autocracies since they limit the freedom of people and cause great oppression once the rulers of the nation decide to become greedy and rule with an iron fist. Countries facing such problems frequently face problems and internal wrangles when citizens of such countries cannot take the oppression from their rulers anymore. This leads to military coups, wars and atrocities that leave thousands of people displaced, maimed and killed due to irresponsible actions of greedy rulers who are hungry for power and money (Fortescue, 2000). Conflict between groups The French required a better government. They had to fight for social equality since absolutism had ravaged their economy. This solicited action from scholars who had the vision of changing the state of France. But amidst the strife for a better French government, there were other fights France had to participate in. The country was in a fight with its neighboring enemies namely the Prussians and the Austrians who wanted to restore the old French monarchy (Fortescue, 2000). The theme of conflict between groups illustrates the nature of human beings as being greedy, violent and destructive. During the French revolution, countries often went to war because of wrangles related to territory encroachment, colonization and superiority battles. The French revolution clearly indicates that human beings can easily involve themselves in conflicts due to reasons such as superiority battles, fight for power and other factors that the French revolution has outlined. To prove that conflict is a major theme currently affecting us, some countries still fight each other for the same reasons as depicted in the French revolution especially in the Middle East. This is a fact that proves it is in the nature of human beings to fight and have conflicting views, ideas or opinions (Roche Goldhammer, 1998). Technology and its impact Not only was the revolution period filled with freedoms, challenges and personal liberties but also technological advancements. French revolution was a period in which innovative advances occurred in quick succession. The revolution brought about a major technological impact to the livelihood of human beings. Major technological innovations included the millennium clock and other innovations that were develop in from the eighteenth century such as steam as an industrial power source, machine boring and spinning jenny. There was a tremendous improvement in paper printing also. Paper printing machines were improved so as to cater for mass production. It made it easier to communicate through different types of prints such as newspapers and other forms of printed material. This goes to show that human beings are very innovative. To date, countless innovations have been made. Some have simplified the way of doing things while others have added productivity to task and other activities human beings can do. Economics and its impact The French absolutism caused the nation to suffer from major financial troubles since the lifestyles of the elite had to be financed by the tax payers. The absolute rulers actually spent more money than the country earned. As a matter of fact, Marie Antoinette who was Louisà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s wife was extremely hated due to her overspending. She was viewed as a symbol of Economic hardships and generated discontent and chaos due to food shortages and other problems. She was out of touch with the people of France and was also very ignorant. The Peasants had to rent land from wealthy individuals who imposed huge taxes on them so as to be granted the right to live and grow crops on the land. Faced with all these problems, King Louis needed a lot of funds so as to effectively govern his country (Hunt, 1996). Turgot, one of his financial advisors, tried to find a way in which the nobility could pay more taxes. He would achieve this by proposing a bill in parliament that would lead to more taxes. The king also attempted to introduce a law in parliament that would allow him to borrow a significant loan so as to mop up the huge French deficit but unfortunately the parliament did not agree with him. This pushed the king against the wall. He was at an impasse. He could not find a way to raise taxes since he did of have the power. The nation then faced another financial blow when it was involved in wars w...

How to ace your classes at Hult International Business School

Whether youre an existing student, an incoming student, or still considering a degree at Hult International Business School, youll need to be prepared for a rigorous and rewarding academic experience. Ive got you covered with some essential study tips to help you succeed and ace your classes as a Hult student. 1. Attend all classes and be an active listener This may sound obvious, but without attending class, you cannot fully understand the concept or know the materials that will be covered on an exam. Moreover, research shows that 80% of what we know is acquired through listening. So come to class prepared, be attentive, and listen effectively. Hult professors love to engage with students during class to discuss, ask for ideas, or offer opinions. Professor Chivukula, one of my management professors, once told me, You are a masters student, which means I will treat you like an adult and a future colleague. That’s why it’s no longer one-way communication but two.† Through engagement and participation, not only will you gain deeper knowledge about the concept, your personal experience or opinions could inspire others. Research shows that 80% of what we know is acquired through listening. So come to class prepared, be attentive, and listen. 2. Take notes during class Good notes from a lecture are one of the most important things to have when it comes to preparing for an exam. If you have all of your notes (that is, a summary of everything that you have learned) these will prove an invaluable review tool. Furthermore, research shows that students who dont take notes tend to forget the vast majority of the content of a lecture after just two weeks. So always be ready with paper, a pen or pencil, and listen carefully to take good notes. 3. Do the required reading in advance Most Hult classes have required reading, either in the form of a case study or an article related to the concept being taught. The purpose of the required reading is to equip you with basic knowledge of the concept and the ability to understand your professor’s presentation. Also, if there are any concepts that you do not fully understand, you can be better prepared to ask your professor for more information. 4. Attend a TA session if needed TA sessions are additional classes that are arranged by your professor and led by a Teaching Assistant (TA). Theyre designed for students who would like a little extra help to go through class exercises, quizzes, or to review concepts again. During a TA session, you can ask the TA to re-explain the course materials, re-do math problems, or help to solve any exercise or quiz questions that you may have gotten incorrect. The benefit? Youll get a better understanding of core concepts and how to solve these types of questions in the future. There is always a possibility that there will be similar questions during the exam, so use this TA session as a helpful review tool. 5. Come to peer-to-peer review Based on my experience, peer-to-peer review is one of the best ways to study for finals. Studying together with friends who face the same problems, or learning from friends who excel in class is invaluable. With our friends, we can use our own language and we dont have any time limitation, so we can work together and help each other to gain an even better understanding of the materials. Studying together with friends who face the same problems, or learning from friends who excel in class is invaluable. Using these study tips, I hope youll be able to find your own best way of studying. Curious to find out more about the academic experience that awaits you as a Hult student? Download a brochure. Hult offers a range of highly skills-focused and employability-driven business school programs including a range of MBA options and a comprehensive one year Masters in International Business. To find out more, take a look at our blog My Masters in International Business: Looking back on a life-changing year. Download a brochure or get in touch today to find out how Hult can help you to learn about the business world, the future, and yourself. Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Hult Rotation offers you a chance to study in a truly global way. Our rotation program allows you to study and be immersed in some of the finest cities in the world. 📠¸: @jasminmanzano . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . Each year, Hult seeks to enroll a talented and ambitious incoming class from all over the world. We look for diverse students with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests—students who will thrive in our unique educational atmosphere. Are you ready for a truly global experience? 📠¸: @iambrunadiniz . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . We’re excited to start 2020 on a ranking high! Hult is proud to have been placed #28 in Poets Quants 2020 rankings for Best Undergraduate Business Schools in the US. Taking a huge leap of 32 places from our 2019 position, we’re also very happy to have secured top positions in key categories like: life-changing experience, practicality of the degree, and global immersion. . With five global campuses, a student body of over 130 nationalities, and a learn-by-doing approach—Hult offers a student experience like no other. . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . â€Å"I’m from an engineering background and needed a whole new skill set for the industry I wanted to switch to. I learned a lot about myself and how I deal with being out of my comfort zone. I learned both soft and hard skills, from how to work in very diverse teams to key accounting metrics and strategy. I was surprised by how weak I was at certain tasks in English or how strong I actually was in other areas. Hult gave me opportunities to try new things and meet people from places I never thought I would have friends. . My internship experiences gave me the chance to broaden my view of different cultures and different companies. I had the opportunity to work and live with people whose values differed from people in my home country. I thought that this would be difficult, but it gave me the chance to reflect on my own values and assess if they were a result of my home country environment or if they were intrinsically mine. . Diederick ter Kulve (@diederick.terkulve) Netherlands Masters in International Business . Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021 Say a big hello to our Bachelor of Business Administration program cover star, Elisa Orus Plana âÅ" ¨ . â€Å"I’m excited for the future—especially that I cant predict whats going to happen. Maybe Ill end up in Mexico working for a trading company or maybe in Africa, developing my own business. Everything is possible, and the options are constantly changing. I love the idea that Im never going to be stuck doing the same job until the end of my life if I dont want it to be like this. . Hult really supports me and my ambitions and truly believes that we deserve to be considered as professionals as well as students. Here, I get to express not just my opinions but all elements of myself. From my creative side with the Fashion Society to my finance and business sides in Trading Club and the Management Consulting Club. We get a different type of learning here. Not just essential knowledge and theory, but practical skills and mindset. The school is always evolving. We’re encouraged to innovate and to always look for new ways of doing traditional things. We learn how to be more confident and become aware of how we can impact our environment. The school aims to help you become a better version of yourself and to stand out from the crowd.â€Å" . Elisa Orus Plana French Bachelor of Business Administration Class of 2021"> During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. During the final days of 2019, you probably reflected on what you’ve accomplished this year—and even this decade—and what you’d like to achieve in 2020. Let us know in the comments below. â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"The first time we did group work on the program, I went head-to-head with a colleague. It taught me a lot about how I see people, how people see me, and how conflict can be resolved in a kind and productive way. The best feedback you get, when delivered constructively, is the most critical because it really feeds into how you lead. I’ve completely reversed my leadership style—the result is so much richer and more powerful when you lead from behind and lead with strength. . Studying in tandem with working, whilst challenging, gave me the perfect platform to directly apply learning concepts into my business environment, the competitive landscape, and the real-estate industry as a whole. When I started the program, I was very happy in my corporate role. But my courage and aspirations grew to the point that I took on a whole new direction. Having my career coach, Joanna, as a sounding board allowed me to really be strategic and get to know myself. She coached me thro ugh all the interviews, the research, and the questions. It went in parallel with what I was doing academically and after six months everything just clicked. . I went into the EMBA knowing I had nothing to lose and I’ve come out with everything. Great strength, global friends, amazing learning, mentors from professors, a job I love, and the knowledge that I can set my mind to achieve anything and with the right support and resources I’ll get there.† . Kashani Wijetunga British, New Zealand Sri Lankan Associate Director Senior Strategy Consultant CBRE EMBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . â€Å"It was now or never. I knew that I’d have likely stayed in my neighborhood for years to come if I didn’t take this opportunity. I’d not lived or studied outside of the U.S. before. So I left my job as a global strategist at an advertising agency and moved halfway around the world. I’ve come back a more culturally aware, well-versed person. I’ve realized that everything is a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Ill definitely carry this mindset with me into the future. Technology and social media allow us to be different people in several places at once. Im excited to see how I can establish myself in whatever city Ill be lucky enough to call home and still maintain deep connections with people all over the world. I’m inspired by my classmates every day. Hearing some of their life stories and how getting this degree fits into their greater mission has been very humbling. My biggest challenge has been finding the ‘right’ path for me. There have been rooms Ive felt like I shouldnt be in, but now Im proud to feel as though I truly belong, wherever I am.† . Dwayne Logan, Jnr. American MBA Class of 2019 . Happy New Year, Hultians! . Happy New Year, Hultians! .