Doe the Book This Present Darkness Apply Today Essay Example

Doe the Book This Present Darkness Apply Today? Essay Do you wonder what the end times might be like? Well look out our window. You are a part of them. Our everyday events such as the election coming up and all the fighting we seeing on our little tv screens are all building up to create the last days. This Present Darkness is a book which uses themes to tell of the social and intellectual milieu of the time and its relationship with biblical prophecy. This book’s author, Frank E. Peretti, is a world famous and successful Christian writer of adult novels and children’s books. Through his use of monsters, demons, angels, and common day events, Peretti creates a more appealing way of viewing biblical prophecy and its importance in today’s society. One thing often heard of in today’s society is talk of freedom and the fight for it. Peretti demonstrates how there is also a spiritual fight for freedom of our souls especially through Sandy Hogan and her search to have her own chooses in relation to her religious beliefs and her schooling courses on page 46. The people of Ashton were also fighting for their freedom such as the retired Reverend James Farrel on page 83, Ted Harmel on page 142, Hank and Mary Busche on pages 83 89, and many others. All of these people fought for their freedom though religious ways, political, or spiritually within themselves. Only one person could grant the true freedom that they were looking for and this is seen in the peace that all those, who have accepted God, have at the end of the battle at the university on page 508. We will write a custom essay sample on Doe the Book This Present Darkness Apply Today? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Doe the Book This Present Darkness Apply Today? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Doe the Book This Present Darkness Apply Today? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Peretti is showing that we will always have trials and hard times, no matter if you are a Christian or not, but it is the peace that you have through God at the end that is your true freedom. The main aspect of the social and intellectual milieu of the time was the New Age Movement. Peretti uses the New Age Movement in many of the themes of This Present Darkness, such as that God will prevail over darkness and that truth is the key. According to an article written by Mark Slick, the New Age Movement is an eastern- influence meta physical thought system, with a theology of ‘feel goodism’, ‘universal tolerance’ and ‘moral relativism’. With its belief and teachings that man is central, divine, co-creator, and the hope for all future peace and harmony, its appeal amongst a divided world grows. Peretti displays this through once again Sandy’s struggle with her father on page 97. Biblical prophecy seemed to be becoming more and more real every day during the years of 1985 and 1986. The social and intellectual milieu of the time seemed to strengthen these thoughts of fulfilled biblical prophesies also. With talk of Nuclear warships, protests, missiles, murder and mayhem in the streets of America, it leaves little to wonder why Peretti believed to focus his book on Biblical prophesies coming true through the creation of the New Age Movement. With the need for peace so great, the peace- hippy style of the New Age Movement was willingly accepted into society without a close examination of its darker interior. It was with this reason that Peretti’s book is written to expose this dark nature of the New Age Movement through the demonstration of its appeal to Sandy Hogan on page 153 and 154 and later her destruction by it on page 491. It is a dangerous movement, which Peretti has taken upon himself to expose to the world to be careful of the social and intellectual milieu of the time which was in the preparation for the fulfilling of biblical prophecy. It can clearly be seen throughout the themes of This Present Darkness that Peretti was writing on the New Age Movement, its impact on the social and intellectual milieu of the time and its relationship to biblical prophecy. Both Frank Peretti’s book, This Present Darkness, and his view of biblical prophecy had also been affected by certain events in Peretti’s lifetime, such as his disability and rough childhood, which lead him to write this book. Peretti’s search for truth and his need to expose the truth of the New Age Movement comes clear through the use of the theme of truth in the book. The resulting factor of this book may very well be to cause the reader to question their own view and concepts of the New Age Movement and a sense of precaution developed about dealing with it. These people might not realise how serious this stuff is otherwise. Peretti’s ultimate reasons for his book shown through the themes of This Present Darkness would have to be said to be the representation of the truth about the New Age Movement and how the end times are becoming closer each and every day. There is a battle waging, not quite like the one in Peretti’s books, but God is in control and he still has power over both angels and demons. Peretti urges all Christians through his book to put on the armour of the spirit and prepare for the spiritual war of all time (pg76). It’s going to be huge so get ready.

Writing pedagogy Essay Example

Writing pedagogy Essay Example Writing pedagogy Essay Writing pedagogy Essay Writing pedagogy is as varied as any other kind of instruction although there are stand-bys that seem to guide effective writing instruction. Many of those common elements have been listed in the plan below for teaching expository paragraphing. The writing key writing strategies I world use to teach expository writing are brainstorming (advance organizers), drafting, modeling, and peer review. These are writing techniques that would be beneficial to all writing. First off, a teacher would want to make sure that students understand the content and the structure of expository writing. In order to teach expository paragraphs, I would first have a question on the board when students come in- What does expository mean? They would use the cooperative technique of Think-Pair-Share, and we would develop a working definition. This would take less then five minutes. Then, I would present the various components of exposition, like comparison/contrast, cause/effect, steps in a process, description, etc. to the whole group. I would inform that class that descriptive is what we will focus on and brainstorm with them about about what makes good description to the whole group (Informing learners of objective). To stimulate some good descriptive writing, thought provoking pictures will be placed at various points around the room (gaining attention). Students will be instructed to choose a picture and free write about that picture using what they know about good description. All students who wrote on the same photo will form a group, which would be the beginning of small group instruction. They will read what they have written to each other, commenting on examples of good description in the works of others. I would allow 15 minutes for this. These same groups will brainstorm about possible thesis statements for their paragraphs, using previous knowledge of thesis statements (stimulating recall of prerequisite knowledge). They will rely on this prior knowledge to come up with a thesis statement. I would allow another ten minutes for this. Groups would share their possible thesis statements and we would critique them as a class. They would receive a handout with definitions and examples of basic elements of description, like effective vocabulary and figurative language. At this point, we would look at both a professional model and a student model of a good descriptive paragraph as a whole group and have a class discussion about what makes these good and how we would incorporate these methods into our own writing (presenting stimulus material). A rubric will also be provided and explained. This rubric would highlight voice, sentence structure, and various elements of description like use of figurative language, effective verbs, connotation, etc. Modeling is an essential part of the writing process and one that many teachers miss. Rubrics simply make the end results much more tangible for students rather then just the subjective grade that instructors sometimes give. Students would then draft or revise what they have already written on a computer, including a thesis. They would then email their paragraphs to a partner in the class who would use Word Track Changes to offer helpful suggestions/improvements and email the paragraph back (peer conferences). Each person would fill out an evaluation form including strengths of the paragraph, suggestions for improvement, areas where more development is needed, and questions for the writer (providing feedback). These will be submitted to the teacher (providing feedback). They would then go so far as to fill out the rubric for their partner’s paper as if they were grading it themselves. When they turn in a final draft, they will write reflectively about their paragraph relating to each point on the rubric and give themselves a grade based on the rubric (providing feedback). The teacher will then grade these according to the rubric. This lesson or series of activities would provide students with all the essentials of expository writing while hitting on a variety of learning styles and instructional techniques. Expository writing is an important skill for students to have and needs to be taught in a scaffolded approach. Romano, Tony and Anderson, Gary, Expository Composition: Discovering Your Voice, EMC Publishing, St. Paul, MN, 2008.

Intermediate Macroeconomics Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Intermediate Macroeconomics - Research Paper Example The decrease in the interest or cash rate will encourage the consumers and investors to spend more money. This, in turn, will increase the overall output and, as a result, will force the GDP growth rate to increase in the next two quarters. Hence, the decreasing inflation rate will contribute towards the real GDP growth for 2012 quarter IV and 2013 quarter I. This is also supported by the depreciating Australian currency. 2. Inflation Rate for 2012 Quarter IV and 2013 Quarter I: It is being forecasted that the inflation rate will be 0.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 and 0.6875 percent in the first quarter of 2013 (derived from the Australian Government Budget 2012–13). The inflation rate is being forecasted to be down in the fourth quarter of 2012 because of the less capital investment in response to the weakening economic conditions all over the world (RBA statistics). However, this low inflation rate will push the RBA to decrease the cash rate and, thus, force the in vestors to invest in the market. This, in turn, will increase the money circulation and spending and, hence, will increase the demand which will force the inflation rate to increase in the first quarter of 2013. This is also supported by the decreasing interest rates (RBA statistics). ... This is because of the decreasing inflation rate in the previous quarter and underestimated market demand (RBA statistics). Hence, the decrease in the inflation rate and market demand will force the RBA to take necessary measures to increase the overall economic growth of the country. In order to increase the demand and improve the investment activities, the RBA will decrease the cash rate. The decreasing cash rate will discourage the investors and consumers from saving their money and will, hence, increase the consumer spending, investment and market demand, which, in turn, will result in increasing the overall economic growth in the country (Mankiw, 2009). The RBA will keep this decrease in the cash rate for a couple of months and will monitor the domestic and international market. The increasing market demand will eventually result in increasing the inflation rate and, hence, RBA will be forced to again increase the cash rate in the second quarter of 2013. 4. Average Exchange Rate between the Australian Dollar and the US Dollar to Prevail from November 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013: The average exchange rate between the Australian Dollar and the US Dollar, which is more likely to prevail from November 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013, is 0.98 US dollars per Australian dollar (Derived with the help of Australian Dollar Currency Exchange Forecast). This can be directly related with the decision of the RBA to decrease the cash rate and interest rates. One reason behind the lengthened high exchange rate or value of the Australian dollar has been the difference in the interest rates prevailing in Australia and United States. The decreasing interest rate will force the investors to look for some other places for investment and hence, there

What dominates the relationship between the Mideast and the Western Essay

What dominates the relationship between the Mideast and the Western powers - Essay Example the worlds that are endowed with a lot of natural resources wealth, especially the oil deposits, which then make it one of the strategic sources of petroleum globally. In this respect, the resource question dominates the relationship between the Mideast and the Western powers, since despite the fact that the two ends of the world have major differences regarding the political, social and economic orientations, the Western powers must keep cooperating with the Middle East as a major source of raw material for their economy (Bew, n.p.). Thus, despite the fact that there is a high degree of violation of the human rights and other democratic principles that are held in high esteem by the Western powers, they still find it necessary to keep a cordial relationship with the Middle East, for the sake of continued benefit from the oil resource. It is even difficult to imagine what would happen should the Middle East severe its relationship with the West, since there would be a dire shortage o f the oil resource to the West, which is a major driving force for the Western powers’ economies. Market is yet another major factor that dominates the relationship between the Mideast and the Western powers. The Middle East offers a huge market for the Western Powers products on top of producing essential raw materials for those economies, such that trade with the Middle East is a fundamental determinant of the Western Powers dominance in global economy (Hourani, 45). During the World War II, the USA stationed its troops in Iran so that the troops would protect the Iranian oil deposits from being exploited for the advantage of the USSR (Fawcett, 102). Since then, the interest in the Middle East oil resource has informed the relationship between the western powers and the Middle East. In this respect, the Western powers have formulated their foreign policies such that they still reflect a cordial relationship with the Middle East, even when the middle East countries are advancing

Rabbi Kushner Postulates Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rabbi Kushner Postulates - Essay Example According to Kushner, it can essentially therefore be perceived to be rather impossible for one to be able to effectively answer this question as attempts to try and answer it generally result in the asking of more complex questions that cause people to start doubt in God or have wavering faith (WTVI 1985). Rabbi Kushner postulates that we are probably not asking the right question as we tend to mostly concentrate on asking the question of why. Why tends to more frequently dwell on the past as opposed to trying to establish a way forward. No matter how pious one might happen to be, it is not possible to change the past and we should instead concentrate on the future. In line with this, Rabbi Kushner theorizes that the answer to a question does not necessarily have to be a response, but it can instead be in the form of an explanation. Perhaps, the answer to the question on why bad things sometimes tend to happen to good people is that there is no solution to this answer as we live in an imperfect world. Question 2: There are three key terms that Rabbi Kushner postulates as being of critical importance if one is to be able to adequately discuss the problems relating to the everyday reality of human suffering and grief and the God of the Jewish revelation. The first term is that there is a common assumption that God happens to be all powerful and absolutely nothing can ever be impossible for him to do. We think of God as being in charge of every single aspect of creation and controls everything that happens to us. The second term that Rabbi Kushner puts forth is that God’s nature is exceedingly just, kind and fair and He always gives us more than we happen to actually deserve while forever giving us the benefit of doubt by providing us with a second chance. The third term is seen to be personated by the assumption that Job was a good man since he was seen to be initially respected, healthy and extremely wealthy (Job, 614-644; WTVI 1985). It is evidently not possible for all of these three to be mutually compatible in the event that one attempts to use them in attempting to explain an encounter with a grave misfortune. This is because of the human tendency to try and shift the blame to a given individual thus disputing the third term that the individual is a good person. The other two terms can be viewed as being of a sacrilegious nature as trying to dispute them goes against all the tenets governing religion as we currently know it. Question 3: Rabbi Kushner has a unique perspective in his understanding of miracles in that he does not believe in the big miracles such as miraculously dividing the entire red sea into two or even stopping the sun at high noon. Rather, he thinks of these as being special effects. Instead, although he does believe in miracles, he chooses to believe in the small miracles such as weak people all of a sudden gaining strong characters that help them deal with situations that they would not have been able to ef fectively cope with before the change, when timid people change and portray extremely brave personalities and when the selfish change their nature and become generous. Rabbi Kushner points out that to effect such changes in people, it is imperative for one to be God as these cannot simply be achieved by camera effects as commonly happens in movies. God is the only person that can bring about exceptional qualities in individuals, qualities that these individuals did not previously happen to possess (WTVI 1985). Rabbi Kushner has

Analysis of UK Basic Chemicals Company

Analysis of UK Basic Chemicals Company BASIC CHEMICALS IN UK ANALYSIS HEADLINES The market size of basic chemicals in UK has declined to GBP12,422 million recording a decline of 2.6% in 2013 due to lower sales to manufacturers of plastic and synthetic rubber in primary form Reach regulation tightened in 2013 limiting competition of non-EU companies in UK Profit margin declines to a record low of 3% preventing production expansion in UK Shale gas remains an ace for basic chemicals producers in UK UK basic chemicals industry is matured. It is expected to grow at CAGR of 0.7% during 2013-2019 MARKET TRENDS The market size of basic chemicals in UK has declined to GBP12,422 million recording a decline of 2.6% in 2013. Contraction of the industry was driven by falling revenues from plastics in primary forms, household cleaning and personal care, photochemicals and explosive, as well as pharmaceuticals segments. Purchases of basic chemicals by plastic in primary forms and synthetic rubber industry declined by 23% to GBP1,360 million. The plastics industry in UK was having trouble competing with producers abroad as oversupply in the world settled-in. UK producers do not have access to cheap raw materials. Consequently, production of plastics and rubber in primary form declined by 23% in UK during 2013 negatively reflecting on revenues of basic chemical industry. Household cleaning and personal care producers reduced their purchases of basic chemicals by 15% in UK during 2013 as turnover of household cleaning and personal care products at constant prices declined by 5.1%. Declining prices of specialty chemicals caused by increasing competition from China was the main reason of lower sales. Competition from abroad is limited by high infrastructure barriers for certain products. Currently ethylene production is concentrated in Grangemouth, Mossmorran and Wilton, UK and there is a network of 8 pipelines connecting major producers and consumers in UK. It is also proposed to connect ethylene network with Rotterdam. Potentially increasing imports if competition kicks-in. As of June, 2013 the regulation of chemicals in EU territory became stricter based on REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances) regulation. The requirement to register chemicals manufactured or intended to import into EU in quantities greater than 100 tons per year forces companies to register within ECA (European Chemicals Agency). Registration within ECA results in higher costs as extensive research to confirm their safety is needed. Imports were pushed out as local producers were able to win-back their market share. Though market of basic chemicals in UK contracted by just 2.6% during 2013 but imports of basic chemicals declined by 25%. Imports made 63% of the basic chemicals market in 2013 in comparison to 81% in 2012. Local producers were pushing out imports of hydrocarbons, oxygen-function compounds and other organic chemicals as their import declined by 31%. PRODUCTION TRENDS Despite declining markets, production of basic chemicals was booming recording an 11% growth in 2013. The growth was driven by hydrocarbons, oxygen-function compounds and other organic chemicals expansion as the segment was winning back market share from imports. As competition in hydrocarbons, oxygen-function compounds and other organic chemicals got tense world-wide, domestic producers chose to compete in local market cutting down segment exports by 20% and total basic chemicals export by 17%. Cost pressure to the basic chemicals industry declined. Total costs related to basic chemicals increased by 12% in UK during. However, cost per unit of produce declined by 5% as turnover at constant prices increased by 17%. As production of hydrocarbons soared, costs related to refined petroleum products by 17% in 2013. The rise in costs in relation to growth in production at constant prices is related to increased share of basic chemicals manufactured from oil products as PPI of refined petroleum products decreased by 5%. Purchases of gas has increased by 21% due to 9.4% rise in prices for industrial uses. Increase in production of hydrocarbons drove the purchases of gas upwards as well. The gas supply is well diversified with most of the gas coming from domestic supplies and Norway. Electricity costs increased by 20% in production of basic chemicals in UK during 2013. Mostly it was related to increased production in quantity though, electricity price rose by 2.6% for industrial users in UK during 2013. UK’s electricity generating capacities are outdated and plants one by one are turned off. Investments are increasing consequently raising electricity wholesale price. Despite an 11% growth in production, profits declined by 21% to GBP284 million in 2013. Profit margin has declined to a record low of 3% as producers were not able to cut costs at same amount as producer prices decreased by 5.7% in 2013. Low profitability repelled new companies and prevents the industry from expansion in the next couple years. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE Economies of scale is a major drive force in the industry. Though 27 companies with over 250 employees make less than 2% of companies in the industry, they generated 90% of turnover in 2013 as costs. Largest companies in the industry were Ineos Group Ltd, BP Aromatics Ltd, BASF Plc, Air Products Group Ltd and Croda International Plc. Ineos Group Ltd, a UK-based subsidiary of Ineos AG, manufactures petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and oil products as polymers, chlorvinyls, ethanol, esters, ammonia and nitric acids, plastics, melamines, pnenols, oligomers, olefines, oxides and styrenics. The company sold its INEOS ChlorVinyls divission of chlorine business to 2M Group Ltd that operated in UK in August, 2013. Ineos Group also acquired a powerplant from Fortum in Grangemouth, UK in October, 2014 for GBP54 million. BP Aromatics Ltd is a UK-based subsidiary of BP Plc engaged in manufacture of purified terephthalic acid, acetic acid and olefins and derivatives that are derived from crude oil or natural gas. The company opened a brand-new bioethanol plant in Hull, UK in July, 2013 that cost GBP350 million. BASF Plc is a UK-based subsidiary of BASF SE. The company operates under 6 business segments: chemicals, plastics, performance products, functional solutions, agricultural as well as oil and gas. The chemicals segment is further divided into inorganics, petrochemicals and intermediates divisions. in January, 2013 the company completed acquisition of Pronova BioPharma. In 2014, the company sold its styrolution divission to Ineos as well as began building ammonia plant in Texas, US together with Yara. Air Products Group Ltd is a multinational subsidiary of Air Products Chemicals Inc, which divides its busines into 4 divisions: gases, chemicals, equipment and services solutions. Air Products Group Ltd and Oman Oil Co have signed a joint venture that will provide full range of industrial gases in Oman in December, 2013. Croda International Plc is a multinational company engaged in manufacture of natural based speciality chemicals: consumer care which consists of global businesses in personal care, health care and crop care as well as Industrial Specialities which comprises home care, base oleochemicals, additives for polymers, polymers and coatings, lubricants and lubricant additives, and processed vegetable oils. The company has manufacturing facilities throughout the UK and mainland Europe, North and South America, India, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia and Japan. Croda has invested GBP12 million in April, 2013 in new manufacturing facility in East Yorkshire, UK for processing specialty acrylic-based polymers. The company acquired Sipo to boost its presence in emerging markets in September, 2013. PROSPECTS UK basic chemicals industry is matured. It is expected to grow at CAGR of 0.7% during 2013-2019. The growth will be strongest in bases, gases and other inorganics of 2.5% CAGR during same period. The growth will be hold back by increasing overproduction in world market. Prices of most basic chemicals will continue to be on decline in 2014. It is expected that the price of inorganic and organic chemicals will continue to decline in UK by up to 10% due to sluggish demand in EU and increasing oversupply globally in 2014. Meanwhile, organic chemicals prices should decline by up to 4% in France in 2014 as production continues to increase in N. America with further rapid decline in 2015 as oil and gas prices collapse. Shale gas revolution in US is causing a major headache for UK basic chemicals producers as UK manufacturers have to pay up to 3 times more for gas than US producers. Consequently, producers in N. America are increasing production capacity and might further pressure prices of hydrocarbon-based chemicals down. UK shale gas reserves are estimated between 2.8 and 39.9 trillion cubic metres. Though it remains unclear how much of it is technical extractable. Exploration of shale gas and its extraction is a slow-going process in UK but if successful it could give a boost to basic chemicals market Electricity price most likely will continue to rise as demand of investment increases. Currently, the generation capacities and grid is outdated and a third of power plants are projected to be shut down by 2015. Consequently, investments and price of wholesale electricity should increase deteriorating UK industry’s competitiveness. Recent events in Ukraine and Russia pose little threat to supply of gases in UK as 73% of it is supplied by domestic production and Norway. Qatar supplies another 12% and only 15% of gas that is supplied by Belgium and Netherlands might be redirected from Russia. Though price issue remains if supply struggles in continental Europe, prices of gas might increase. However, supply issues in continental Europe could boost basic chemicals export from UK as producers in other countries might have to cut production. Tightening REACH regulation creates barriers of imports of mostly specialty chemicals as extensive and costly research is required before chemicals are approved by ECA for trade and use in EU. As EU companies tend to have higher market share they gain competitive advantage in distributing their overhead costs in comparison to non-EU producers.

World History: How Can a Discipline Remain Relevant? Essay -- World Hi

â€Å"Historians are a contentious lot. While their arguments are usually conducted in polite language, the disputations are conducted on a number of fronts at once, and the frame of mind of the disputants ranges from a sporting pleasure with making point after point to a savage determination to win the day.† Although a sense of negativity creeps into this notion of Manning’s, a strengthening of world history can also emerge from this back and forth debate. World history will take shape as scholars push each other to clarify and defend ideas, while remaining skeptical and critical readers. This debate is key to avoiding either a stagnation of ideas or a dilution of possible new insights. As Manning asserts, â€Å"The exciting debates and the real advances in knowledge come when multiple scholars are working on related topics, testing their assumptions, data, and interpretations against each other’s.† As world history moves forward, as a disc ipline, historians would do well to keep this in mind. In addition to internal debate, a need to defend world history as a discipline is still necessary. A significant amount of work was done on defining and defending world history in the early to mid 1990’s. Any cursory look at the Journal of World History during this time period highlights this fact. In addition if you look to the May 1995 issue of History and Theory you see a thematic take on world history. As a result of this scholarship the discipline of world history gained momentum in academia, especially at the teaching level. Despite this trend, world history still finds itself defending its ideas. World history has yet to gain support from the elite universities and those that wish to pursue a PhD in world history have limi... ...r than a series of airtight specialist monographs.† Only by engaging in the debate within and from outside of world history will the discipline continue to be relevant on both an academic and popular stage. Works Cited Duchesne, Ricardo. â€Å"Asia First?.† The Journal of the Historical Society 6, no. 1 (March 2006): 69-91. Frank, Andre Gunder. ReOrient: Global Economy in the Asian Age. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. Hobson, John. â€Å"Explaining the Rise of the West: A Reply to Ricardo Duchesne.† The Journal of the Historical Society 6, no. 4 (December 2006): 579-599. Landes, David. The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Some Are So Rich and Some So Poor. New York: WW Norton and Company, 1999. Manning, Patrick. Navigating World History: Historian Create a Global Past New York: Palgrave/MacMillan, 2003. World History: How Can a Discipline Remain Relevant? Essay -- World Hi â€Å"Historians are a contentious lot. While their arguments are usually conducted in polite language, the disputations are conducted on a number of fronts at once, and the frame of mind of the disputants ranges from a sporting pleasure with making point after point to a savage determination to win the day.† Although a sense of negativity creeps into this notion of Manning’s, a strengthening of world history can also emerge from this back and forth debate. World history will take shape as scholars push each other to clarify and defend ideas, while remaining skeptical and critical readers. This debate is key to avoiding either a stagnation of ideas or a dilution of possible new insights. As Manning asserts, â€Å"The exciting debates and the real advances in knowledge come when multiple scholars are working on related topics, testing their assumptions, data, and interpretations against each other’s.† As world history moves forward, as a disc ipline, historians would do well to keep this in mind. In addition to internal debate, a need to defend world history as a discipline is still necessary. A significant amount of work was done on defining and defending world history in the early to mid 1990’s. Any cursory look at the Journal of World History during this time period highlights this fact. In addition if you look to the May 1995 issue of History and Theory you see a thematic take on world history. As a result of this scholarship the discipline of world history gained momentum in academia, especially at the teaching level. Despite this trend, world history still finds itself defending its ideas. World history has yet to gain support from the elite universities and those that wish to pursue a PhD in world history have limi... ...r than a series of airtight specialist monographs.† Only by engaging in the debate within and from outside of world history will the discipline continue to be relevant on both an academic and popular stage. Works Cited Duchesne, Ricardo. â€Å"Asia First?.† The Journal of the Historical Society 6, no. 1 (March 2006): 69-91. Frank, Andre Gunder. ReOrient: Global Economy in the Asian Age. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1998. Hobson, John. â€Å"Explaining the Rise of the West: A Reply to Ricardo Duchesne.† The Journal of the Historical Society 6, no. 4 (December 2006): 579-599. Landes, David. The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Some Are So Rich and Some So Poor. New York: WW Norton and Company, 1999. Manning, Patrick. Navigating World History: Historian Create a Global Past New York: Palgrave/MacMillan, 2003.