Globalisation, power and the global order Essay

Globalisation, power and the global order - Essay Example In return, this is creating a change in opportunities and challenges among different national orders, specifically because of the shift in power that is occurring in the 21st century. The definition of power is one that has been debated because of changes in political involvement and social alterations. However, the definition is known to directly relate to human social life and structure as well as natural components that are able to assist in the building of leadership and power systems. According to the standard theory, the concept of power is defined as an influence that a person, society or system has over others. The influence that is created is based on the number of resources that are a part of society as well as how these are valued or desired by others. More important, power creates a sense of group identity, social organization and dependencies that are a result of an individual who has this power. For one to hold power through organizations that create dependencies is also the need to influence and motivate others to create a belief that the resources are needed by others. In turn, this creates a sense of power over a component of society while making the resource a standard for others (Turner, 1, 2005). The concept of power in the contemporary period expands on the process of gaining power through resources and the structures which are associated with this. In the past, this concept of power was based on isolation, exclusiveness to other societies and boundaries which were associated with other identities. However, the global and domestic politics are now changing into new dynamics that are creating a power struggle and sense of dynamics between national and international spheres. The new source of power is one which is reliant on a meta – power, which provides an international space and an open realm that is based on economy, politics and resource sharing between

Are minority perspectives in psychology a option for the reduction of Essay

Are minority perspectives in psychology a option for the reduction of prejudice - Essay Example To be sure, prejudice against ethnic and gender minorities impedes upon the progression of the social sciences. Solutions to this substantial problem have been proffered. One such recommendation has been that an increase in minority perspectives in psychology may reduce the amount and level of ethnic-based prejudice in the field. On many levels, this seems like a viable option; minority doctors are more socially equipped to handle the cases of minority patients. There is, however dissent from this theory. Here we will discuss both the problem and this possible solution to minority and gender prejudice in the field of psychology. The traditional framework for psychological assessment uses Eurocentric masculine behavior as the standard of normality. The western male model is not only seen as universal, but as ‘good’. Eurocentric standards of mental health are often inappropriate for ethnic minorities, because they are based on the philosophies, values and other aspects of the European culture, and these combinations are used as a basis for normative standards of mental health. These standards are routinely used for assessment and diagnosis. Likewise, masculine standards have proven to be somewhat ineffective in the diagnosis and treatment of women What is considered as sane or insane behavior, mental health or mental illness, normal or abnormal behavior is therefore always in relation to a white male normative standard. These standards are applied to minorities, and result in increased rates of misdiagnosis. The Eurocentric approach does not take into account cultural and language differences and how minorities express their inner feelings. The masculine approach does not take into account feminine sensitivities and varied modes of thinking and feeling. In the earlier days of Eurocentric practice, diagnosis like drapetomania (the escape behavior exhibited by enslaved Africans) was