Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Collective behavior is spontaneous and non-regular behavior, and in response to a specific event, usually involving more than one person.  While institutionalized behavior consists of behavior that is regular and consistent; a pattern.  

An example of collective behavior is when a disaster hits and the way people respond.  Something unstructured and dependent on that specific event.  

An example of institutionalized behavior is when you go to church every Sunday, go to your classes for school, going to work (your job 9am-5pm).  

In college the students who gathered together are called a crowd, all of us who were there were there to learn.  We had the same common interest to learn and gain our degree.  The sport events or clubs that got together are conventional crowds. And a casual crowd could be given the example of those who will go and see the Honolulu Hale's city lights.  

Propaganda is the use of manipulation on the publics emotions to con them into accepting a particular view. And censorship is when the public is kept from certain information, or for example...when the Government puts an age on buying cigarettes, alcohol, buying porn, seeing X-rated movies.  Censorship is different from propaganda because censorship doesn't give false information, they just withhold certain bits of information completely.  An example of each is when I tell my son that the store ran out of Ninja Turtles, when in fact they did not but I told him this so that I do not have to buy him yet another toy and so that he is given a "good" enough reason that he will stop asking for it, propaganda.  And an example of censorship would be that the toy is too expensive but I do not tell him that I have a coupon for it making it cheaper...in the end I still don't want to buy him more toys ;0P   

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

It is because of the way pathological and statistical illnesses are defined and how the United States have created the norm that makes understanding what each illness is and how they are different. 

Statistical illnesses are defined by comparing ones results to the norm and if those results are outside the norm, which is set by the United States, then that individual is ill. The norms are set but are not necessarily the healthiest norms, it could be better than what it is now for optimal health.  Pathological illnesses are something that you can see with your eyes, whether it'd be through an xray, microscope or some other advanced technology or not.

Different societies have built ways to cope with illnesses. Society defines who is well or sick and how the illness itself is treated.  So it is important to differentiate the two kinds of illnesses to better prepare on how to deal with them. It's important to understand the two because in order for a society to survive and live on it needs healthy people...people who are healthy and alive.

In the Republic of China, people were suffering from malnutrition, poor sanitation and health because medical care was almost non-existent. There were very few doctors in China and they did not want to develop medicine like Western physicians so they combined the two, using Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (acupuncture and herbs). China is/was a communist country and the communist trained "barefoot doctors" to serve as health workers, who were not paid. These health workers, aka peasants, trained for 3-18 months and had to have have same political attitudes as other communists.  

In the underdeveloped nations use herbs and religion for healing.  There is a three year program that one must go through. The first year consists of ritual and ceremonies which include abstinence from sex and a ritual to contact their ancestors.  This first year to set those in the program apart from the rest of the community. The second year is about going through identifying and usage of herbs, observing the natural habitats of the herbs.  The third year is going through ceremonies and rituals and taking an oath of allegiance to the trainer and have a graduation ceremony, very similar to that of those physicians that graduate in the United States.  The use of herbs by those in third world countries were not only beneficial but also tradition and the ceremony done was a placebo effect for the patient.  

Chapter 15 & 16

Chapter 15

It's hard to say which type of government works best, because sometimes what the people "want" isn't always what's best for the people and sometimes what the people "need" they don't get if others who are in control are seeking to only benefit themselves. 

I believe it was in the late 1600's or early 1700's Europe (Denmark) was ruled by a King who had to go through his Court. The Court ultimately had the last say in what is to be approved or denied. Often times, they would deny things to benefit the people and approve the things to benefit those in the Court and those of high standing/position. So this type of system, totalitarianism only works in the right hands.

As for democracy, people being able to govern themselves is only as good as the information they educate themselves with. They know what they want but perhaps not what they need, and what they need may be based off an uneducated decision. Sometimes it is based on the fact that people in certain areas are not being given the ability to be educated about certain things regarding politics or their benefits and sometimes some people are too lazy and make an uneducated decision that in turn affects everyone else. 

For me, if the people are made aware of and educated on the matters of politics and their benefits then the people would be able to govern themselves knowing exactly what they "need" and to get a little of what they "want." And if in a totalitarian system, those who govern and choose for the people did so honestly and with main concern for those they are governing over then perhaps that kind of system too would work.  But what we lack for both are honest and educated people.

To me, the types of abuses that stem from PACs and lobbies are pretty self evident. Those PACs organizations with deep pockets and whatever politician wants that money is in some way persuaded by that PAC and what they stand for. PACs will support whoever will fight with them in their cause and sometimes I see that politicians change their point of views and what they believe in to get that $$$.  So certain politicians morals and values are eventually changed so that they might get their seat.  As for lobbies, it seems those with the most money tend to abuse the system for their own benefits (shocker o_O), whether it'd be trying to work around it or prolonging the inevitable so in the meantime something else can be cooked up and make more $$$. Lobbies aren't all bad, just like PACs aren't all bad too; but there are those always seeking to abuse the system for their own benefits while seeking others who will help them in their corrupt cause. 

Chapter 16

One obvious disadvantage for higher taxes, like that of Sweden, is simply those who collect a paycheck would collect less. An advantage for higher taxes is also obvious, that we would have more money to allocate to programs in dire need of it. America is running out of funds for government funded programs and most of them we need and should not go without. The one I can think of at the top of my head is the snap or welfare. I truly feel that if we had enough money for this program then the ability to get snap and welfare might not be as easy as it is now. Parameters could be set in place that would cost more because we need an extra body and time put into a new process. In the beginning I do believe that it would cost more but in the long run this sort of thing would help the State and Governments budget increase and another plus for this is that we could weed out those that shouldn't be on snap or welfare; thus saving even more money.  

Another thing that I have heard and read about is that maternity leave for mothers is 1 year and you get paid maternity leave as well. But Sweden finds that the first year for a child is the most crucial and to have a mother be there for her child and to teach her child is best kind of support that a child could receive (of course from a capable mother). I believe that the Sweden government is able to do this partly due to the higher taxes that working individual must pay. 

I feel that raising the taxes for America would be a good idea but it would be in vain if there were no changes to the programs and no set parameters for these programs. The programs themselves will have to change and in the way that one would be able to get into or something from those Government assisted programs. I believe it could work just like it does for Sweden, but we must look at the WHOLE picture and not the just $$$ amount, or the bottom line. 

I feel that with any amount of welfare assistance, the Government and the State should be more concerned about helping those who need DURING their time of need; not as an alternative to not working. The Government and the State should focus more on helping individuals through this rough time but also help them and aide them in finding another job or a way out of just getting buy and living off Government and State assistance. After a while the amount should lessen to serve as a little motivation that after a certain said amount of time you need to get off your butt and do something with your life. I can understand if there was something physically/mentally stopping an individual from doing so, but then that individual would need to be referred to another department to be examined or get assistance for different reasons and to eventually help this individual get back on their feet and help to diagnose the problem, if there is one. 

An advantage for China's development into a socialist system is that China has grown into their successful industries quickly. China has since made great advancements in their services to education and health care. Schools were opened and those teaching well getting trained properly; one great importance is that the Chinese language was being simplified. The teachings in schools had changed to love and assistance and contributing to the good of society. Although China's society isn't like the United States and to "our" standards, it still has come a long way from the poor nation it once was. Chinese still go without a lot of things that us Americans have but they have learned to love and appreciate what they have and can simply do without all the fancies of America. 

A disadvantage is that there are still some who do not support this change for China and outwardly express themselves badly to those that do.  As being an individual who does show the support to an ever changing socialist system China must be rather difficult to deal day in and day out with those that do not share the same ideas and values as yourself. I would imagine that is the hardest part, emotionally dealing with those who's ideas are so radically different from your own and especially if those are your own family who are from the older generation and are not willing to change and grow for the better of China.