Julius Caesar The Corruption Of Power Essay - 916 Words

Brutus, Cassius, Caesar, and the other Senators held the power to do things others could not. With this authority came their ability to use poor judgement. In William Shakespeare’s tragic play Julius Caesar the theme Power Corrupts is arrayed thoroughly. Murder, treason, and ethical/moral corruption were three prevalent themes that proved the overall topic of Power Corrupts. In Julius Caesar corruption led to dangerous outcomes, such as death. quot;Et tu, Brute? Then fall Caesar!quot; (Shakespeare 3.1.77). The last words of noble Caesar could be heard, as Brutus, the last of the conspirators, took a plunge at Caesar with his knife. Caesar laying there on the senate floor, illustrated the murderous intentions of the senators.†¦show more content†¦Power was abused, murder was committed, and corruption had taken place. There were many forms of corruption caused by power in this play, one of which was treason. If even a single whisper of assassinating someone with a high rank was heard, you were thrown in jail. An example of this would be when Cassius and the other conspirators discussed their plan to kill Caesar and Mark Antony: Decius, well urged. I think it is not meet, Mark Antony, so well beloved of Caesar, Should outlive Caesar: we shall find of him A shrewd contriver; and you know, his means, If he improve them, may well stretch so far As to annoy us all; which to prevent, Let Antony and Caesar fall together. (Shakespeare 2.1.155-161) In this situation Cassius had a conversation about killing Mark Antony as well as Caesar. This was a form of Treason. Cassius would never have said such things if he did not have the power to. Being a senator he felt he had the right to decide what was good for Rome. He not only said this for Rome, but for himself as well. If Caesar had become King, he would have been able to get ride of Cassius. This thought did not please Cassius. quot;Casca, you are the first to that rears your handquot; (Shakespeare 3.1.30). This was another point in the story where treason was committed. It took place in the Senate House, as Caesar approached. Cassius and the other senators discussed how Casca would attack Caesar first.Show MoreRelatedJulius Caesar : Corruption And Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely1028 Words   |  5 PagesJulius Caesar Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This illustrates the theme in the historical play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. Julius Caesar was a man full of arrogance and he had a sense of being self-absorbed. This kind of personality lead to bad things, it eventually led to death. Caesar was a well-known man in Rome. The people of Rome didn t care what he did. Everyone thought he was perfect. I ii 273 He was married to a woman named Calpurnia. SheRead MoreEssay on Madness and Ambition in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar903 Words   |  4 Pagesseduced by power; it has the power to kill, to distort, and to corrupt† Through this passage, Matthew Sims captures in essence how individuals often turn to betrayal and deception in order to gain their heart’s desires. This characteristic is not only present in life, but can also be seen in modern and classical literature, including the well known work of Julius Caesar. In Shakespeare’ s Julius Caesar, the lust for power transcends any one individual and ultimately leads to death and corruption of notRead MoreJulius Caesar : A Reflection Of Politics934 Words   |  4 Pagescall Revolution. The powers that be are doubted due to jealousy or corruption and are attempted to be overthrown, this cycle of human interaction is what not only binds Julius Caesar to today’s politics but to history in general.Throughout this assignment I will be speaking on how Julius Caesar is reflective of politics today. The first reason I believe that the story of Julius Caesar can be a reflection of todays politics is because of the personalities that we see in power or attempting to obtainRead MoreCorrupted Imperial Rome1089 Words   |  5 Pagesdynasties ruled after the assassination of Julius Caesar. He was thought to be a conspirator of corruption, but his death was to promote corruption. Among the leaders of Rome, corruption was widespread. Augustus was one of many leaders that supported corruption. Julius Caesar was executed for supporting corruption. Coincidentally, Julius Caesar’s successors were more corrupted than he supposedly was. The reason why Julius was killed was because Julius Caesar was for not doing his actions in secrecyRead MoreJulius Caesar: Conqueror, General, Builder, Dictator for Life755 Words   |  4 Pages Julius Caesar, an important figure in Roman history, lived during the end of the Roman Republic. His actions would shape the world around him forever. He was an important figure because he grew the Roman Empire, he brought about the end of the Roman Republic , and was able to grow his status within his lifetime and become dictator for life. Julius Caesar was born on July 12 , 100 BC and died on March 15, 44 BC. Caesar was born into a patrician family. This meant that they were noble andRead MoreImagery Usage in Shakespeare ´s Julius Caesar760 Words   |  4 PagesWhat comes to mind when one thinks of â€Å"Romans†? Power, dominion, or even greatness could describe these noble people. The Romans were arguably one of the most powerful civilizations in history, so how could a people of such greatness come to such ruin? Power is a dangerous privilege for any worldly nation to possess, and when mixed with a scandalous concoction of greed and corruption, could spell the end of an entire civilization. Julius Caesar showcases Shakespeare’s own interpretation concerningRead MoreA Roman Tribune And What Are Their Role Society? Why Are Marullus And Flavius Worried?1081 Words   |  5 PagesFlavius worried about Caesar? During the 100 B.C (the year Julius Caesar was born), one of the most successful empires was the Roman Empire. Emperor after emperor, it kept being successful and conquering the land it needs by inventions and different contributions the known world today. The reason for this empire’s success is that it was very organized in everything it conducted. The Roman Empire was very well known for its different leaders such as Pompey, Julius Caesar, and Pontus PilateRead MoreThe Downfall Of The Socially Inclined Essay1073 Words   |  5 PagesPower is a dangerous thing, every type of power carries with it temptation, the more power the more temptation. Although in most cases it is used to better the world we live in, it can be easily abused for the benefit of the those with disturbing intent, bent on bringing the world they imagine into reality. The two novels Oryx and Crake by Margret Atwood and Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare explore the negative effects of gaining power along with a higher social status. They stray from theirRead MoreComparing Julius Caesar s The Twelve Caesars 1729 Words   |  7 PagesJulius Caesar’s mindset influenced the history of his people. He was born July 12, 100 b.c in Rome as Gaius Julius Caesar, known today as Julius Caesar. He was a Praetor, Aedile, Consul, Pontifex Maximus, and dictator for life, and his greatest achievement is changing the Roman republic to the Roman empire. His life ended tragically when he was stabbed twenty three times by his political enemies. Creating the Roman empire changed the history of his people. The three main sources used in this essayRead MoreThe Inability of Brutus to Assume Political Leadership of the Conspiracy Against Julius Caesar in Shakespeares Play1055 Words   |  5 PagesLeadership of the Conspiracy Against Julius Caesar in Shakespeares Play In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare presents a broad range of historical personalities as complicated human beings in agonizing conflict with one another and with themselves. Literary authors A.L. Rowse once wrote, No issue hinders a mans leadership capabilities more than his confusing perception of honor, noble idealism, and inner self-conflict (15). In his drama about power, nobility, assassination, and revenge

Essay on Christianity to Japan - 3497 Words

Christianity In Japan Japan has been a home for Shinto and Buddhist religions for centuries. The Christian missionaries during the 16th, 19th and 20th centuries worked hard to evangelize the Japanese nation but could not get desired success. There efforts in past failed partly due to sanctions imposed by the local rulers. The Jesuits missionaries traveled with Spanish and Portuguese traders to many areas of America and Asia-Pacific and established their churches and religious missions. They were funded, sponsored and trained by their respective governments in order to spread Christianity. At several places they preached the Christian faith by force but the aboriginal population did not accept it wholeheartedly. Initially the Jesuits†¦show more content†¦As a missionary, Xavier went to Asia and carried out his missionary activities in India and Malacca. In Malacca he met a Japanese rebel, Anjiro who urged him to visit Japan. Xavier went to Japan with two other missionaries and started his mission. He confronted some problems because of the language barrier. The Kodanshas Encyclopedia of Japan describes Xavier’s arrival in Japan as, â€Å"In 1547 he met in Malacca a Japanese fugitive named Anjiro, whose glowing account of his naive country fired Xavier with enthusiasm to evangelize Japan. Xavier reached Kagoshima with two Jesuit companions on 15 August 1549, and with Anjiro as his less than adequate interpreter, he preached Christianity and compiled a simple catechism, with the result that about 100 people accepted baptism. A year after his arrival Xavier visited Hirado and Yamaguchi, but wishing to obtain permission to preach throughout Japan, he made his way to Kyoto in an unsuccessful bid to meet Emperor Gonara. He left Japan for India at the end of 1551†. The activities of missionaries were generally supported by the local landlords and rulers who wanted to get monetary benefits from the foreigners. The main centers where the missionaries were settled include Kyushu, Nagasaki and Honshu. The religion of Jesus was initially taught to ordinary masses however, by 1563 Omura Sumitada, a daimyo (regional military lord) was converted to the new faith. It was followed by the conversion of six moreShow MoreRelatedSilence By Shusako Endo : Cultural Clash Between Christianity And Japan1927 Words   |  8 Pages Throughout the Novel Silence, Shusako Endo depicts the cultural clash between Christianity and Japan. We feel the frustrations that this brings, and are provoked to ask questions such as, why is God silent in the midst of his people’s suffering? But the greater question it begs is what cultural implications have we placed on Christ? Do we expect him to act as a hero in our culture would? He transcends time and culture, but do our expectations and experiences cast a shadow on our impression ofRead More Victimization of Minor Characters in Laura Esquivels Like Water for Chocolate and Shusaku Endos Silence1168 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Japanese concept of Christianity is not the same concept as Father Rodrigues?s. Another impact Monica had on Father Rodrigues was also during their first meeting. As soon he joins Monica and her band of captured Christian peasants, he was welcomed. Monica offered Father Rodrigues a cucumber, showing her respect for him by giving him what little food she had to offer. From this small yet generous offer made by Monica, Father Rodrigues reflected on his mission to Japan. Since coming to thisRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book Silence, Sh Ã… ª Saku End Ä€ By The Hell Of Boiling Water 1818 Words   |  8 PagesWithin the first few pages of the novel, Silence, ShÃ… «saku EndÃ… Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s throws his readers head on to the cruelty and darkness that the Christians had faced in 17th century feudal Japan. Father Rodrigues, a Jesuit priest sent to covert the Japanese to the Christian faith, he described the â€Å"immersion in the hell of boiling water at Unzen.† the five of priests and two women went through to give up their faith. However, with all the tortures methods used and being immersed in the boil water and being in prisonRead More China and Japan Essay1013 Words   |  5 Pages Throughout the dynasties in China and Japan, religion, economy and politics have been affected by each other in various ways. In the book â€Å"Religion and Making of Modern East Asia†, Thomas Dubois brings to light the impact religion made on both p olitics and economy in China and Japan throughout the historical period up till date. In his words, he describes â€Å"religion as an extremely political force† (Dubois, 2011, pp. 7-16). As various religions were introduced, it shaped the politics ofRead More Comparing Buddhism and Christianity Essay1410 Words   |  6 PagesComparing Buddhism and Christianity In the early sixth century Christianity was evolving at a rapid pace. The spread of Christianity was not only moving westward through Europe, but it was also moving eastward down the Silk Road. The eastward spread of Christianity was primarily a form of Christianity known as Nestorianism, after the teachings of Nestorius, a fifth century patriarch. By 635 Nestorian Christianity had reached the heart of China spreading through all of Persia and India. DuringRead MoreBuddhism and Christianity1411 Words   |  6 PagesIn the early sixth century Christianity was evolving at a rapid pace. The spread of Christianity was not only moving westward through Europe, but it was also moving eastward down the Silk Road. The eastward spread of Christianity was primarily a form of Christianity known as Nestorianism, after the teachings of Nestorius, a fifth century patriarch. By 635 Nestorian Christianity had reached the heart of China spreading through all of Persia and India. During the middl e of the seventh century NestorianRead MoreThe Isolation Policy And Its Effect On Japanese Society1565 Words   |  7 Pagespolicy, as the name suggests, meant that Japan was isolated from the most of the world. The bakufu (military government), accomplished this state of isolation by closing the borders, though contact with China and the Netherlands was still maintained through a single port in Nagasaki. The policy also meant that Japanese citizens could not leave the country. This isolation was to last until 1854, during which time the shoguns (military leaders) managed to keep Japan relatively peaceful. The growing westernRead MoreEast Asian Reaction to European Presence Essay548 Words   |  3 Pagescentury, Europeans started to seek â€Å"treasures† in Asia. Their goals were to search resources and markets and spread Christianity. They found spice and sugar in South Asia. At that time, South Asian countries were not strong enough to restrict European’s activities on their own land. However, when Europeans tried to enter East Asian, the East Asian countries such as China and Japan set strict rules to prevent their countries from European powers. Chinese emperors strictly limited European merchants’Read MoreInfluence Of The Jesuits During The Sengoku Period1011 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Sengoku Period During the mid-15th century, Japan entered one of its bloodiest civil wars in its history. It was a time of social upheaval combined with political uprising due to constant military conquest. This drastic phase in Japan’s history is known as the Sengoku Period or Japan’s Warring State era. During the Sengoku Period, Japan also entered the international stage through European countries. Nations such as Portugal and Spain came to Japan in the 1540sbrought their merchants with EuropeanRead MoreThe Most Convincing Approach Of Japan And China1649 Words   |  7 Pages21 October 2015 The Most Convincing Approach For many years Western nations in Europe and North America had wanted to expand their trade with Japan and China; however, the people of the two Asian countries believed that the Westerners were barbarians with useless goods and religious beliefs that would challenge their traditions. Up until the 1800s, Japan and China had successfully restricted the influence of Western nations within their countries. Their ability to remain isolated from Westerners

Deep South free essay sample

My fast-paced, African-American, Yankee family and my Southern, suburban, small-town classmates come from two historically clashing cultures. In retrospect, growing up in both groups has given me personal insight and empathy for people of different backgrounds and perspectives. However, I definitely was not always pleased with my situation. At age six, my life took a 180-degree turn when my family moved from Detroit to Jackson, Tennessee. I would not live three blocks from my loud, laughing, porch-smoking nana any longer. Her beautiful, grand yellow house was the hub of our family every holiday, which were so magical for me and my cousins. My cousins were more like my lower East Side brothers and sisters. Together, we formed the age-respective â€Å"Big Kids† and â€Å"Bay-bay† kids, and our dance routines and skits were the stuff of family concerts on Christmas Eve. â€Å"Detroit is still a trash can,† my cousin always told me, but I didn’t care. We will write a custom essay sample on Deep South or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page My family and I sang and laughed away the 10-hour drives there, but I was the only one who screamed and cried the whole way back. When our trips became less frequent and my tantrums less tolerated, I began to accept that I would live here, in bland old Jackson, a town most travelers know only as a rest stop. â€Å"Oh, it’s the town you pass through between Memphis and Nashville.† Silence. â€Å"People live there?† I was â€Å"supposed† to grow up amid the urban, black culture of the Hub-City, Detroit. I would have learned African dance and performed at Hart Plaza festivals and attended a Montessori school full of diversity. Instead, I attended one of the whitest schools in Jackson, brimming with Southern twang. Despite my parents’ appreciation of Southern hospitality and warm weather, I resented the South from the start. It was the most difficult for me in middle school when I was a chubby mixture of resentment and paranoia. I knew I stuck out. I felt I had to earn my classmates’ approval, and I resented them for it. To me, Jackson could never replace Detroit and the people I had loved and known for so long. It never felt like home until one pivotal moment in an unlikely place. During a family trip, I was waiting in line at a gas station with my dad when I noticed a man behind me. As I turned toward him, he glanced at me and bent to grab a bag of beef jerky. When he stood, I noticed his faded flannel shirt tucked into light blue straight leg jeans. Dark boots showed at his ankles. His face was tanned and leathery, and his top lip was hidden by a wiry gray bush of a mustache. Everything about him represented my idea of the people I disliked: insensitive boys at my suburban school and the Confederates and cowboys in history books who fought for slavery and waged war against Native Americans. Everything about him carried a negative connotation. When he turned away, I felt a wave of air reach me, and I prepared to smell alcohol or unwashed clothes, or both. But as I braced myself, I noticed that it wasn’t either of my prejudiced first assumptions. The smell was cigarettes – a brand my nana had smoked for as long as I could remember. It was the smell of my friend’s â€Å"hammy-down† truck that we drove around in when we grew tired of sitting in Starbucks. It was the smell of grass-filled air on a warm night under a beautiful, small-town sky. For the first time, my Southern environment was familiar and comforting. This warmed and unsettled me. On one hand, I felt connected to the city I’d lived in for so long. On the other, I had not known anything about this man yet found him off-putting. I had immediate repugnance for him, something I expected him to have for me. I had considered myself an unbiased and fair person. Inadvertently, I had discovered I was prejudiced, close-minded and, ultimately, hypocritical. My actions suddenly seemed so disconnected from my principles that I was determined to never let it happen again. I was motivated to understand different people and their cultures and to bridge cultures like mine with others. I would do this with the hope of eradicating prejudices as I once had, by promoting knowledge about art and music – two fundamentally essential and universal facets of culture – in order to make diverse groups more familiar to one another. This experience clarified my choice to study anthropology and to try to reveal the inner workings of human nature. I have begun service efforts within my city, spearheading community projects like a monthly art workshop at a center for abused children; â€Å"Note-able,† an organization that recruits children into music programs in the Jackson area; and a community art festival in downtown Jackson. I believe that my endeavors as an artist, musician, and traveler have led me to better understand the connectivity between cultures and to grasp what it is that makes us different and the same.

The social cultural impacts of the Montserrat Volcanic Crisis placing the experience in a wider Caribbean context Essay Example

The social cultural impacts of the Montserrat Volcanic Crisis placing the experience in a wider Caribbean context Essay Montserrat is a small Caribbean island of approximately 102km2 in size and is situated to the South of its closest neighbour, Antigua. Both islands form part of the Leeward Islands chain as shown below: The island itself is a British overseas territory of volcanic origin, and until recently remained dormant. However, since 1995, the island has been severely affected by eruptions of the Soufriere Hills Volcano and the subsequent pyroclastic flows and mudslides associated with the volcanic activity. Such events have destroyed Plymouth, the Islands capital, the Airport situated on the East coast and much of the Southern third of the island. We will write a custom essay sample on The social cultural impacts of the Montserrat Volcanic Crisis placing the experience in a wider Caribbean context specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The social cultural impacts of the Montserrat Volcanic Crisis placing the experience in a wider Caribbean context specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The social cultural impacts of the Montserrat Volcanic Crisis placing the experience in a wider Caribbean context specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer This has resulted in considerable social implications as a consequence of de-territorialization defined by Rozdilsky (2002) as the process of losing the natural relationship between culture and social territory, including the old new forms of symbolic production. The island once had a population of over 11000 people, which decreased considerably by approximately 2/3 to just 4500 in 2000 and is now home to only 80% of the original population figure approximately 8 000 people. In response to the eruption, approximately 2500 people relocated to other Caribbean islands and 3300-3700 had relocated before 1998 (DFID, 1999). Currently, the population is concentrated into the Northern third of the Island following the introduction of an Exclusion Zone encapsulating the most dangerous areas surrounding the Soufriere hills as shown below: The evacuation of people from dangerous areas of the island caused localized unrest and placed enormous pressures on the islanders. As Shotte describes the effect of these movements: Life for Montserratians has never been the same since July 1995. Three phases of internal displacement within the first nine months of the volcanic crisis, proved to be a frustrating and emotionally draining experience. Thus began the roller-coaster existence of a people whose lives were forcefully propelled on to unexpected and challenging roadways. The considerable reduction in land available for housing created serious social impacts; Those who chose not to leave the island following evacuation from the South where faced by two possibilities share with friends/family or be placed in temporary accommodation such as the Montserratian Defence Force barracks at Geralds. Eventually 1 in 7 people were housed temporarily in shelters. For many, a sense of order and stability in life is represented by land and home. For many Montserratians, this has been removed, producing disassociation and a confusion as to the sense of belonging. The people of Montserrat pre-1995 had a particular emotional attachment to their land. Plymouth and other areas around the island not only symbolised their identity and sense of being but also their ancestors struggle against colonialism and slavery. The land was previously seen as a type of security that can be handed down (Skelton. 2000. p70). Evacuation from the South has placed a strain on the areas of Davy Hill and Geralds where a large proportion of relocation has taken place. Geralds in particular has and is facing major changes through the construction of the new Airport to replace Bramble Airport, which was lost under pyroclastic flows on the East Coast. Despite offering 35 new jobs when completed and many during construction, at a cost of $EC42.6 million, the airport will dramatically change a large area of cultivated and inhabited land in the North of the Island meaning yet more relocation for those unlucky enough to be living where the airport is being built. Angela Greenaway (2002) comments that: for sustainable development to be achieved, there must be planning which caters for the local community but also has a healthy respect for the environment. This statement supports the need for sustainable development incorporating the airport but will come as little relief for the residents of Geralds who could well be relentlessly affected. The airport is however, very important to the development and safety (in terms of evacuation) of the island as more passengers will be catered for in light aircraft than the heliport could ever support. The questionable closure of the port (Osbourne, 2003) however, and removal of a twice-daily ferry service capable of carrying over 300 passengers is likely to hinder the development process until larger aeroplanes are able to service the island. For this to be the case, the runway must be extended which, according to the head of construction for the airport, is impossible given the shape of the land. Montserrat is characterised by a unique social and economic structure following the recent volcanic activity. Once self-sufficient and striving for independence, Montserrat is now more dependent than ever on Britain. The island once boasted low levels of unemployment and one of the highest standards of living in the Caribbean and up until the 1995 eruptions, had not received budgetary aid from the UK since 1981 (Skelton, 2000). The extent of Montserrats substantial borrowings (Cassell-Sealy, 2002) following 1995 was highlighted by the Chief Minister John Osbourne, who when interviewed, estimated that 80% of development funding post-volcanic event was received from the UK and EU. A return to self-sufficiency by 2007 is a target set out by the Montserratian government despite the admittance that independence is now impossible for the foreseeable future (Osbourne, 2003). As a direct result of the volcanic activity and threat of future such occurrences highlighted by the introduction of the exclusion zone in October 1996, much of the aforementioned population reduction was through migration to other Caribbean islands (predominantly the neighbouring Antigua to the North and Guadeloupe to the South), North America and most importantly the United Kingdom (Mainly due to colonial links). The decrease in population generated several negative effects such as the dramatic reduction in revenue from taxes and a productivity base loss of 95% (resulting from the dramatic reduction of both males and females in the main productivity age group of 15 64 years old) (DFID, 1999). Similarly, the island is experiencing the brain/skill drain, which symbolises the loss of talent and intellect to other countries from the same age group. Attracting Montserratians back to the island is proving a difficult task mainly due to the rates of pay, which are low in comparison to other countries such as the UK. Services such as education suffer considerably as a result with the lack of teachers hindering future development of the education system. This is a problem which the government hopes to ease with the use of subsidies from the UK, should they become available. Pre-1995 the economy was primarily service-based with a significantly large female workforce acting as both producers and reproducers (Skelton, 1989). Since the volcanic activity began, the depletion of the service industry has meant the majority of job vacancies now exist in the construction industry, an industry dominated by male intake. This male preference is causing a detrimental psychosocial fallout (Barnes, 2001) which has lowered self-perception and worth for women. According to Lee (1996), Montserratians are experiencing the pull of the UK and other locations away from the threat of volcanic activity as well as the push of poverty. In an attempt to achieve sustainable re-development of the island, three major government-backed agencies have been introduced. Firstly, the Montserrat Volcanic Observatory (MVO) provides the siland with detailed analysis of the volcanic activity, mainly through Radio Montserrat. As Jill Morten, director of the MVO (2003) states: The level of trust the people hold for the observatory is evident and the government and emergency department rely heavily on data from the observatory when changing the exclusion zone area or in case of an evacuation. Secondly, the Emergency Planning Department (EPD) was introduced to ensure the minimal impact of any natural disaster possible is experienced. As Horatio Tuitt (2003) from the EPD explained: The department have plans for every conceivable eventuality including Operation Exodus the plan to evacuate the entire island should it be necessary. Finally, the Physical Planning Department (PPD) ensures the most effective use and management of land on the island. Modern techniques are used to develop the island as Angela Greenaway (2003) states: Using base maps, surveying techniques and aerial photography, the department is working towards having the entire island plotted using GIS (Geographical Information Systems). It is hoped that with the successful management of the natural hazards which affect the island, the Tourist Industry will be able to re-develop itself and the national economy. The Government is targeting tourism as the main source of income as it was pre-1995 through re-development and since 1998, figures have steadily increased: * 1999 saw a 37% increase on the figures for 1998 * 2001 saw a further 9% increase on the figures for 2000 (West, 2003) Achieving sustainable development is key to the re-development of the island if it is to build for the future, this is possible in many ways including using the remnants of the eruption for tourism (such as Plymouth in its inundated state) and using the unique culture and habitat that characterises the island as a whole. The second method is perhaps one of the most important. As those who visit the island soon realise, Montserrat features a unique culture which welcomes visitors and when combined with the natural beauty of the island, creates an alternative to many other holiday destinations. Key to the re-development of the Montserratian tourist industry is for the UK to assist in the promotion of the island as a safe tourist destination and to curb the negative media attention surrounding the volcanic eruptions of recent years. Similarly, the promotion of the island needs to be enhanced with help from the UK (where many tourists are likely to come from) and a reduction in the reliance upon word-of-mouth and repeat visitors as mediums. The problems faced by the tourist industry in Montserrat are highlighted by Roselyn Cassell-Sealy of the National Development Fund (2002): Our incapacity to control the quantity and quality of the context of international news releases continues to handicap our attempts to market ourselves as an alternative small island tourist destination as well as a very real potential investment option. Currently, the Caribbean economy as a whole is a very complicated system originating from its colonial history (Boxhill, 1999). Most of the islands are still influenced or governed by their previous colonisers. More recently, the Caribbean countries are in the process of developing the idea of a Caribbean Single Market and Economy. Key features of which include the introduction of a single Caribbean currency, which would be utilised by all the full members of CARICOM (Caribbean Community Common Market) in an attempt to prevent marginalization and the influence of Trans-national Corporations. (Boxhill, 1999) Although Montserrat is a British Territory and is likely to be so for the foreseeable future, it is a member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), using the Eastern Caribbean Dollar ($EC) as its main currency. Despite its reliance upon the UK and EU for funding, Montserrat maintains full independent status within the OECS (Skelton, 2000). However, the Chief Minister has highlighted the islands intentions to join the Single Caribbean Currency should the plan come to fruition. Montserrat purveyed one of the stronger Caribbean economies prior to the volcanic crisis (Skelton, 2000). Despite the activity since 1995, the standard of living on the island is still of a reasonable quality and is much higher than on other Caribbean islands areas of Africa and South America. Processes such as Globalization (featuring increased communication and transport links), have attracted migrants from such areas. Montserrat is keen however not to allow the introduction of possible detrimental activities to the island such as drug and gun cultures which could spoil the image and portrayal the island is striving to achieve as part of its sustainable development. The Governor, Chief Minister and Press officer Keith Greaves highlighted such matters as well as the already evident cultural changes which are a feature of the modern global community and are brought to the island by tourists and migrants alike. Such actions do however introduce the possibility of a sense of confusion as to the national identity which Montserratians are attempting to ascertain. As Fergus (1994) comments; Montserrations are still not certain what they are. One part of the Monserratian culture which is evident, and indeed prominent, is the importance of religion to the people. Walking or driving through villages on a Sunday morning immediately presents the level of importance the church holds to the people. There is very little activity, except for those going to or from church. Communities appear to be based around religious activities and groups with most activities being held in the local church hall. It is difficult if not impossible to determine what the future holds for Montserrat and its people. The volcanic activity since 1995 has had several socio and cultural impacts on the Island. The people have been relocated, sometimes on several occasions and are uncertain where their future lies perhaps this is why so many have moved to security and a certain future associated with an alternative sense of being. Many of those who took advantage of the UK governments 2-year exceptional leave to enter granted in April 1996 allowing free entry to the UK for Montserratians. It is also important to point out that those who chose to remain or moved to the island are now located in one third of the original size of the island. Islanders are now therefore living more on top of each other and the scope for future conflicts greater than those already experienced through activity such as relocation is increased. If the island is to achieve sustainable development, the reliance upon the UK and EU will continue for some considerable period and it is difficult to see how Montserratians will be able to achieve a real sense of nationalism and complete identity until the island re-develops considerably. It is not of course a foregone conclusion that volcanic activity will cease in the short term. This raises the question as to whether the Southern area of the island will ever be safe to use again in light of recent events. Either way, the socio-cultural impacts on Montserratians lives are likely to continue until the island achieves a stable economy and structure similar to that which existed pre-volcanic activity. The question remains as to when and indeed if this will happen.