Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
1. Identify an IR issue you want to discuss: economy, migration, race, education,
COVID-19, foreign policy, or something else. Try to be specific and factual.
2. Identify the media reactions, positions, and proposed solutions. Compare
reactions by different sources/authors, and media. Be specific and cite some
statements by officials, or expert opinions from the media.
3. Explain the different reactions in terms of differences between IR perspectives
(say Realism vs Liberalism). For example, why Russia is critical of U.S. policy? Is it because the Russian political system is non-democratic or because the U.S. does not recognize Russia’s national interests and the US’s dominance in the world? Cite evidence, such as quotes from an expert, statistics, or historical facts.
4. In conclusion reflect on what your analysis implies for practical policy and democracy across the world. Are there lessons to draw? What should be (not) done to promote U.S. interests abroad?
5. Identify 3 academic sources pertinent to the issue’s background
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan: A Focus on Migration
Media Reactions and Proposed Solutions
Media reactions to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan have been varied, with a focus on the mass exodus of Afghan refugees seeking safety and stability in neighboring countries and beyond. Some sources highlight the urgent need for international assistance to address the growing refugee crisis, while others emphasize the importance of ensuring the protection and rights of displaced individuals. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called for increased support for countries hosting Afghan refugees and stressed the importance of a coordinated international response to the crisis.
In contrast, there have been concerns raised by certain political leaders and media outlets regarding the potential security risks associated with the influx of Afghan refugees. Some argue for stricter border controls and screening processes to mitigate security threats posed by displaced populations.
Different Reactions from IR Perspectives
From a Realist perspective, countries like Russia may be critical of U.S. foreign policy in Afghanistan due to concerns about U.S. dominance in the region and perceived threats to their national interests. Realist views prioritize national security and power dynamics, leading to skepticism towards interventions that may disrupt the existing balance of power.
On the other hand, Liberal perspectives may emphasize humanitarian considerations and international cooperation in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Liberal views advocate for multilateral approaches, human rights protections, and support for refugees, which may clash with the more self-interested motivations of Realist actors.
Implications for Practical Policy and Democracy
The analysis of diverse reactions to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan highlights the importance of balancing national interests with humanitarian concerns in shaping foreign policy decisions. Practical policies should aim to address both security challenges and humanitarian needs, recognizing the complexities of the situation and the interconnectedness of global issues.
Lessons can be drawn regarding the significance of international cooperation, respect for human rights, and the need for comprehensive strategies to address humanitarian crises effectively. Promoting democracy across the world requires a nuanced understanding of different perspectives and a commitment to upholding democratic values while engaging with diverse actors on the global stage.
Academic Sources
1. Betts, Alexander, and Paul Collier. “Refuge: Transforming a Broken Refugee System.” Penguin UK, 2017.
2. Loescher, Gil. “The UNHCR and World Politics: A Perilous Path.” Oxford University Press, 2001.
3. Weiss, Thomas G., et al. “The Oxford Handbook on the United Nations.” Oxford University Press, 2008.
