Papers by Costantine Kawalya-Tendo
Identifying and reflecting on the contradictions and tensions between the concepts of citizenship... more Identifying and reflecting on the contradictions and tensions between the concepts of citizenship and identity is an exercise that is crucial especially in the time that we live in. It has become my understanding that, unless one is fully aware of the role that citizenship and identity play in how we live our lives; they might pass off crucial events in their lives as trivial, yet they are in fact critical.
Of chief importance is the need to understand the role of citizenship and identity as it might en... more Of chief importance is the need to understand the role of citizenship and identity as it might enlighten us in the process of identifying the key differences and similarities between what we know as the greatest atrocities in the History of Mankind; the Holocaust and The Rwandan Genocide. The main differences between the two include: the methods of killing, who killed, and where people were killed. Whereas the similarities are best understood with an analysis of the role that institutions in power played in shaping the concept of citizenship and political identity. To better understand the principal differences and similarities in juxtaposing the two tragedies, this paper will first employ the analyses of the authors whose various works we have engaged over the course of this unit. Whereas to bring the issue of citizenship and political identity into conversation; a focus on the features of the relationship between these two core concepts will be pursued.
The Miriam Webster dictionary defines environment both as the natural world, and a particular geo... more The Miriam Webster dictionary defines environment both as the natural world, and a particular geographical area, that is affected by human activity. It goes on to define security as an amalgamation of measures taken by states and international organizations. By way of introduction, I shall seek to define the two as put forth by one of the best researchers on this topic, Jon Barnett. His study on environmental security and peace defines security as the assurance people have that they will continue to enjoy those things that are most important to their live
Regis University Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, 2018
The media is the most omnipresent and powerful force due to its influences on how we perceive at ... more The media is the most omnipresent and powerful force due to its influences on how we perceive at men and women today. The depiction of Black athletes by the visual media (film, television, talk shows) as well as the printed media (news, sports magazines, internet blogs) is therefore crucial to examine. In the printed media, Black athletes receive more negative coverage in comparison to White athletes. The effect of negative coverage is that, it puts the athletes’ careers under constant surveillance that robs them of living their lives. In film and television, Black athletes are depicted as more violent people who are self-centered, selfish people and have sublime mental capabilities in comparison to their White counterparts. The effect of these characterizations by the visual media is that they reinforce negative stereotypes about the Black race. My concern is that since many Black athletes are role models in society, the caliber of LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and Colin Kaepernick; therefore, it is an urgent necessity not just to examine how the media talks about them but, to also understand how their stories are told in film and acted out in television.
Regis University Department of History, Politics and Political Economy, 2018
During the ratification of the constitution, the founding fathers heavily debated the idea of qua... more During the ratification of the constitution, the founding fathers heavily debated the idea of quality of representation. The belief that was held by the anti-federalists was that Congress should be a “microcosm” that reflects our society. The anti-federalists also believed in the idea that groups have intertwined interests. With the need to be reelected, members of congress would see to it that their policies reflected the key elements and most importantly the interests of their constituencies. To date, the debate persists as theorists contemplate the importance of representation of a whole electorate against the dichotomization of groups based on demographic characteristics. In fact, one of the questions that encouraged me into writing this paper was whether our “great” country would be a more democratic society if we were to have the ideal of descriptive representation as a part of our legislative branch and elected offices?
Drafts by Costantine Kawalya-Tendo
Regis University Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice, 2018
The use of death as a punishment in African Countries stems back to pre-colonization. Before the ... more The use of death as a punishment in African Countries stems back to pre-colonization. Before the juxtaposition of death being a cruel and unusual punishment, African structured monarchies used death as a way to control the vices in their communities. These vices could have been, stealing, witch craft, treason etc. With the globalization that was brought about with colonization, death penalty eligible crimes changed in Africa. However, in terms of national security, I would strongly argue that authoritarian governments keep the death penalty in their deterrent tool box as a way to politically control their population and substantiate eventual uprising that would oust their government(s) from power.
Regis University Department of History, Politics and Economics, 2019
The world that we have created for ourselves and our future generations to inhabit is one that is... more The world that we have created for ourselves and our future generations to inhabit is one that is really macabre that is, if we are to come to terms with our impact on it. With each day that we continue to ignore the effects of the ‘threat multiplier’ that is- man made climate change; one could see that we are continuing to dig our graves deeper. Since climate change is likely to have profound effects on agriculture, settlement patterns, natural disasters, livelihood, diseases and economic activity, many have begun to speculate about future scenarios and potential impacts on humans. In fact, some groups of scholars, policy planners, and activists have suggested that climate change will exacerbate resource scarcity by creating mass population dislocations that will ultimately fuel violent conflicts. It is therefore not surprising that a call to action has been made by many important figures with different spheres of influence. Most notably, the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis; whose writing in the Encyclical (Laudato Si’) will be discussed in the conclusion of this writing. Pope Francis’ writing is important because it signifies that if an institution as conservative as the church can change its perspectives on the relationship between man and the environment, then why can’t the leaders that we elect into office make the same connections?
Thesis Chapters by Costantine Kawalya-Tendo
Democracy in a post-colonial Africa has not replicated the “Westminster model” that was inoculate... more Democracy in a post-colonial Africa has not replicated the “Westminster model” that was inoculated upon the continent by its former colonial masters. African democracy, which is flawed mainly in comparison to the West, has posed different characteristics mostly, an extended stay in power by some of its leaders. The emergence of the strong man leader has been a critical point of debate as scholars in the field of comparative politics and government continue to wrestle with the question of how African dictators have maintained a stronghold on power. These extended incumbencies, which are becoming the norm, are best understood if they are analyzed using the theoretical frameworks of; cooptation, coercion, repression, colonial legacies, and elements of foreign direct investment/ influence. To put democracy and dictatorship in conversation, this paper examines Libya’s Muammar Gadhafi, whose rule discombobulated the young nation. Gadhafi’s reign, in its nativity, was a harbinger for hopes of democracy in Africa as it promised participation of all citizens; however, relations soured throughout what was an egregious 42-year presidency.
Uploads
Papers by Costantine Kawalya-Tendo
Drafts by Costantine Kawalya-Tendo
Thesis Chapters by Costantine Kawalya-Tendo