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Steinbeck's People in Flight: An Analysis of the Transformative Forces of the Road Taken
Purkrábková, Petra ; Robbins, David Lee (advisor) ; Ulmanová, Hana (referee)
This thesis focuses on the theme of the journey and the changes that occur in the socio-historical context of the Great Depression as well as in John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath. The thesis is an expository piece on road literature, its features and how the chosen novel has earned its rightful place in the American oeuvre, specifically that of road literature. The thesis is separated into two major parts. The former part provides the reader with a socio- historical context of the Great Depression as well as a background on the historical patterns of the 'journey' in America and how these two aspects are interrelated in the context of this thesis. The latter part constitutes the analysis of John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath by including the authorial relationship to the novel and the many aspects of the novel as studied through the scope of road literature. This part is further expanded by a close-up analysis of the changes in identity of characters in The Grapes of Wrath. The primary focus is on the notion of change and how it is connected to the notion of the road, including how the human being stands between these notions and is transformed in the process. Keywords: change, mobility, flight, escape, John Steinbeck, The Grapes of Wrath, American Dream, hope, depression, 1930s, Great...
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Comparison of population and economic development in California and Illinois in 1980 - 2010
Kopáčová, Markéta ; Jeleček, Leoš (advisor) ; Svoboda, Peter (referee)
The thesis is focused on the comparison of the population and economic development in California and Illinois between 1980 and 2010. The main purpose is to discover the major trends, differences or agreements in the development of both of these states and State Economic Areas they belong to, i.e. Pacific and East North Central. The official statistics were used for the analysis. Population development is examined by the number of residents, race and ethnicity and migration. Economic development is studied by the gross domestic product and selected characteristics related to the population and its standard of living. Results demonstrate that the population of California is growing and its racial and ethnic composition is changing whereas the population of Illinois is stagnating or growing moderately. Both states undergo the economic growth, which was however interrupted by the financial and economic crisis in recent years. Results of the comparison of the development of Pacific and East North Central indicate that the differences between divisions correspond to the differences between states. Key words: comparison, population and economic development, major trends and differences, California, Illinois, Pacific, East North Central, 1980-2010
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Differences in legal status of same-sex marriage between selected US states: California, Texas, Florida
Hodboď, Dominik ; Anděl, Petr (advisor) ; Kozák, Kryštof (referee)
This thesis deals with the issue of same-sex marriage in California, Texas and Florida. Gay marriages is a very hot topic nowadays in the US. After the Supreme Court decision in June 2013, which struck down a law that explicitly defined marriage as a union only between a man and a woman, ensued a wave of states legalizing gay marriages. After another Supreme Court decision in October 2014 on the issue, it became legal in the majority of US states to wed couples of the same gender. Texas and Florida did not join these states. California on the contrary legalized same-sex marriages. The thesis searches for reasons of this disparity in legal status of gay marriages between the three states. Particularly it looks at political aspects of the issue. The thesis describes the political situation in the examined states and approach of the politicians to the question of same-sex marriages. It also deals with relevant court cases which are essential to the issue. From the researched outcomes it finds reasons for differences in legal status of same-sex marriages between California, Texas and Florida before the October 2014 Supreme Court decision.
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Proposition 8 on Same-Sex Marriages in California in 2008: Campaign and Opinion Polls
Navrátilová, Kristýna ; Calda, Miloš (advisor) ; Schulzová, Helena (referee)
This bachelor thesis deals with same-sex marriage in California. In November 2008 Californian voters approved with small margin constitutional amendment called Proposition 8. This amendment defined marriage as union of one man and one woman. There was very intensive campaign by both opponents and supporters of this ballot initiative. In the first part this thesis analyzes the arguments used in the campaign and tries to clarify them using the previous court decisions and valid laws. The most important and used arguments are about upbringing and education of children, religion, civil rights and traditional marriage. The analysis shows that almost all the arguments that opponents of same-sex marriage are using, were rejected by courts in previous cases or the statements don't rely on facts and existing laws. The second part deals with public opinion polls before voting day and hypotheses, why Proposition 8 succeeded even though the polls indicated otherwise. The most probable explanation appears to be that majority of voters still opposed same-sex marriage. Only some of them didn't realized that if they are against same-sex marriage, they should vote for Proposition 8.
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The use of referendums in USA
Nekovařík, Tomáš ; Dvořáková, Vladimíra (advisor) ; Školkayová, Marta (referee)
The aim of this thesis is to analyze the importance of the elements of direct democracy in the U.S. political system, or at the level of single U.S. states. In this thesis I find out in which connectivity the elements of direct democracy came into the political systems of some states, what types of elements of direct democracy are most frequently used, and what topics are the subjects of referendums and popular initiatives. In the first part I briefly focus on a general definition and history of direct democracy, including the definition of individual elements. Furthermore, I write about direct democracy in the United States, specifically its history, its development and uses. The main part contains a case study of the use of direct democracy in one of the U.S. state. For these purposes, I chose California, which uses various elements of direct democracy: referendum, popular initiative and recall, very often.
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California´s debt crisis
Průšová, Martina ; Jílek, Josef (advisor) ; Halás, Vladimír (referee)
The topic of my diploma is analysis of debt crisis in California. This one of the most wealthy state in USA has faced serious financial problems from year 2008 and almost fell in bankruptcy. State has a huge debt. At the beginning I will focus on short resume recent economic situation in United States. Rest of the thesis is devoted to situation in the state California. In the fist part is describe development of californian state budget. Next is explanation of main causes of current fiscal problems of California. This thesis also contain evaluation realised solutions these fiscal crisis, designe my own solution and estimate of future fiscal development in California. A part of this work also cover impact of this budget crisis on banking and consumer expenditures. At the end I will draw lesson from this crisis, which is important not only for future of California but also for other countries. The main point of my thesis is if the Califonia now go in the right way and if the solutions of current budget crisis are sufficient.
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California debt crisis
Surovec, Jan ; Jílek, Josef (advisor) ; Běláčková, Vendula (referee)
The topic of this thesis focuses on debt and budget crisis in California. First two parts introduce specifics of California economy and the process of enacting budget. Third part surveys economic-political development of California since fiscal year 1975-76. Further part provide evidence of changing structure of tax revenues and real growth of expenditures per capita. Fourths part focuses on long-term debt in California and its comparison with other U.S. states and also analysis of cash flow crisis. Final part proposes some measures, which could moderate future crisis.
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