What are 3 examples I could use to back up my argument in my research paper about this:?

Question

I'm proving that people are good by nature and that civilizations and institutions make them evil. So far I'm using the example of famous criminals, such as Ted Bundy, and the example of the oppression of people leading to evil acts, such as the rise of the Nazis after WWI and the treaty of Versailles. I'm having trouble finishing off my second idea and developing a third argument. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.

Answer 1

Hope this offers some insight to you:

Sub topic: School shootings and other forms of violence.

Whether the proper focus of Cloward and Ohlin's theory is serious crime is questionable. My contention is that they were concerned with persistence, not seriousness. Elliott's (1962) research showed that lower class youths do aspire to middle class status in terms of jobs but engage in crime only when they do not expect to go far in school. Further, the relationship held when social class position was held constant. Spergel's (1964) research showed low educational expectations explained both lower and middle class crime regardless of illegitimate opportunity structure. Both Epps (1967) and Hirschi (1969) found variation in expectations to be more significant in explaining self reported crime and deviance. Inability to revise aspirations downward signifies persistence with deviance or trivial crime because of an unwillingness to expect being "less well remunerated" (Cloward & Ohlin 1960:94).

Sub Topic: Gang Violence.

Agnew’s Three Major Types of “Deviance-Producing Strain”

Failure to Achieve Positively Valued Goals -- The first of the three major types, the failure to achieve positively valued goals, is subdivided into three further categories. These are the traditional concept, the gap between expectations and actual achievements, and the difference between the view of what a person believes the outcome should be and what actually results. Under the first subcategory, Agnew includes personal goals that are both long term and immediate. In addition, he adds the personal realization that some of the set goals will never become true because of certain circumstances that are unavoidable in life, which include individual weaknesses and blocked opportunities. The second subtype continues to increase personal disappointment and the final subtype encourages the person to stop desiring to put as much effort into relationships.

Removal of Positively Valued Stimuli -- The next major type of “deviance-producing strain” identified by Agnew occurs primarily during adolescents when a dramatic change or loss happens. Examples of this type include experiencing the stressful impact felt before and after moving and when a death or serious illness befalls a family – to include close friends or other individuals that have close ties to the person.
Confrontation with Negative Stimuli -- The last major type of “deviance-producing strain” also applies most to adolescents than any other age group. Usually the individual is forced to remain among negative actions that through an anger-induced response create deviant behavior. Examples of negative inescapable stimuli include peer pressure and child abuse.

Sub Topic: The illicit drug trade.

MESSNER AND ROSENFELD'S STRAIN THEORY

Messner and Rosenfeld (1994) developed an institutional anomie theory similar to Merton's, sometimes called "American Dream" theory. The American dream is a broad, cultural ethos that entails a commitment to the goal of material success, to be pursued by everyone, in a mass society dominated by huge multinational corporations. Their argument is not only that concern for economics has come to dominate our culture, but that the noneconomic institutions in society have tended to become subservient to the economy. For example, the entire educational system seems to have become driven by the job market (nobody wants to go to college just for the sake of education anymore), politicians get elected on the strength of the economy, and despite lip service to family values, executives are expected to uproot their families in service to corporate life. Goals other than material success (such as parenting, teaching, and serving the community) are just not important anymore.

The cause of crime is anomie, and the American Dream fosters anomie. Since the emphasis is upon seeking the most efficient way to achieve economic success, crime is often seen as the most efficient way to make immediate monetary gain. Beliefs, values, and commitments are the causal variables, and the closer they are to those of the marketplace, the more likely the logic of the economy (competitive, individualistic, and materialistic) will dictate a powerful social force that motivates the pursuit of money "by any means necessary." Since this lawlessness-producing emphasis is caught up in society's structural emphasis upon the economy (and little else), none of the many "wars" on crime will ever be successful (since they indirectly attack the economy).

Answer 2

Between the 3, I'd say go with 1 or 3. Number 3 isn't too controversial and there are lots of hard facts and figures available to support your argument. Most, if not all, of the data available supports one side of the argument. You may have a hard time finding resources that support the other side of the argument. A good research paper should present both sides of the argument and draw a conclusion based on the data available on both sides. Number 1 is VERY controversial, and I think you'd find plenty of material on both sides of the argument. Problem is, a lot of the material supporting either side is subjective, which is much harder to quantify. You'll need to sift through a lot of subjective material to find quantifiable data that you can use to present both sides of the argument and come to a compelling conclusion. I think most people would choose number 3 because it's easier. If you're up to a good challenge though, chose number 1. Good luck!

Answer 3

Third arg. C.E.O's are recently turning out to be professional
thieve's in the latest edition: Mr. Nardelli or Home Depot CEO.
just left the company when stock price of H.D. has fallen drastic-
ally & company has started its decline in rating's. He left with his
sign in bonus of 210 million dollars after six years of the company
going on a down-hill trend with him in charge. His six year stay
was considered a failure to the company, but he gets to keep
his money under contract & his rules as C.E.O. He is ina growing
line of C.E.O.'s with this grab the money & run philosophy. The
problem among them seems to be getting worse as this is a growing trend.

Answer 4

hmm...going way back to high school for this one

but it was either
John Locke or Thomas Hobbes who developed an idea similar to yours.

you may want to check them out.

Answer 5

The man who was just hung might be a great and current example.

Answer 6

www.smartthinking.com