Sociology Wk-1 DQ-1. One Problem Essay

These problems can hinder the development of a high quality of life for all Americans by creating structural barriers to success. Some important steps would be to increase political participation at the roots level of all underrepresented members of society and to lend a voice to those who currently have little say in the governance of the nation.

Wk-4 DQ-1. The political-economic system is generally set up along the lines of specific economic ideology that helps to define the role of government in the development of American society. The nature of work is in part defined by economic principles as well, for example the prevailing view that low-priced labor is key to competitiveness. This ideology intends to promote maximum economic development but it differs from the reality of work, in which economic distribution fails most Americans while benefiting few.

Wk-4 DQ-2. Some of the major causes of illiteracy are inadequate education and a societal attitude that allows for illiteracy. Education can be addressed both at the school level and the home level, where students can be regularly tested for literacy and steps taken to help improve literacy levels in early education. In addition, society fails to adequately stigmatize illiteracy -- a public education campaign could help to encourage Americans to become literate because it is considered unacceptable to be illiterate in this day and age.

Wk-5 DQ-1. The family creates an environment in which behaviors both healthy and unhealthy are developed. The economy impacts health because America relies on private health care, which is dependent on both rising profits and demand for workers. Polity impacts health by setting the policies by which our health care system functions. Some innovations that could help to ameliorate the health problem are a greater emphasis on preventative education (with respect to diet, exercise, healthy habits and prescription drugs), combined with financial incentives such as "fat taxes" on relatively unhealthy products to convince Americans to consume less of these products.

Wk-5 DQ-2. There are many attitudes and ideologies that legitimate wars and terrorism. Many wars derive from personal ambitions of leaders, who bring their nations to war in order to amplify their own power or prestige. Many ideologies that lead to war are rooted in a belief in the given society as superior to others, justifying the use of force against the allegedly inferior societies. In other cases, the belief that a nation deserves or has rights to the resources of another nation -- again rooted in an attitude of superiority -- is the cause of conflict. Occasionally, historic wrongs are at the root of conflict, for example the attitude that such wrongs must be righted and the only way to accomplish this is through the use of force. In addition, many societies believe in a "sphere of influence," regions they feel they inherently should control over the interests of rivals.

To help diminish the possibility of war, it is necessary to ensure that the world has adequate access to critical resources. Nations with surpluses should help those that do not. Education should be increased everywhere to ensure that all societies understand the beliefs about the equality of all people and the inherent value in all societies. This will allow societies to be confident while preventing the attitude of superiority.