Dr. Peter J . Moons | Salve Regina University (original) (raw)
Welcome!
I completed my PhD in Humanities at Salve Regina University, Newport, Rhode Island in 2019.
My dissertation is titled "El Jefe Maximo: How Manuel Noriega Came to Power and Sustained His Regime."
Abstract: https://search.proquest.com/docview/2226585900/
My area of expertise is in conflicts and crises in Latin America, particularly Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela. I also have operational experience in humanitarian assistance / disaster relief operations in Panama in1994-95 for Cuban migrants and in Haiti in 2010 for earthquake relief.
My documents you see in Academia.edu are from my PhD program at Salve Regina University. Feel free to read and use but source accordingly.
My academic background includes the following:
• BA, Political Science, University of California, San Diego, 1987
• Master of Strategic Intelligence, American Military University, 2002
• Master of Business Administration, Touro University, 2003
• Master of Arts, International Relations, Salve Regina University, 2006
• Master of Arts, Humanities, Salve Regina University, 2012
• Master of Strategic Studies, US Army War College, 2013
• Doctorate, Humanities, Salve Regina University, 2019
Ways to reach me:
• Connect with me via www.linkedin/in/petermoons
• Follow me on Twitter @PeterMoons
• Read my About.me biography: http://about.me/petermoons
• My ebooks are on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Peter-Joseph-Moons/e/B00B36XG6U/ref=sr\_ntt\_srch\_lnk\_1?qid=1419041331&sr=1-1
Regards,
Dr. Peter J. Moons
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Papers by Dr. Peter J . Moons
From 1988 to 1989, General Manuel Antonio Noriega ruled Panama in just such a manner, taking cues... more From 1988 to 1989, General Manuel Antonio Noriega ruled Panama in just such a manner, taking cues from Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince as if this book was his own instruction manual. Noriega seized power from the political leadership of the country and ruled in his own interest.1 He was deeply implicated in the murder of a political rival, Dr. Hugo Spadafora, he ruled the drug trafficking trade, abused rival presidential candidates, and detained and grossly maltreated one group of officers involved in an attempted coup before executing other coup-plotters later. In total, he followed the princely dictum that being feared is better than being hated.2 However, his downfall came when he rhetorically challenged a foreign power, the US, and his sympathizers took his hyperbole to heart. Essentially, Noriega followed Machiavelli's playbook well and doing so enabled him to rule for a few years, until another power dethroned him.
Peter Moons is a US Army officer who served in Operation JUST CAUSE. The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not reflective of the official positions of the United States Army, the Department of Defense, or the United States Government.
Saddam Hussein practiced many of the principles of Machiavelli, including ruthlessness, manipulat... more Saddam Hussein practiced many of the principles of Machiavelli, including ruthlessness, manipulation of his citizens, expansionism, militarism, and crushing his enemies. This paper explores those themes in light of Saddam's historical record.
While Nick Bostrom offers some issues of concern on the topics of Transhumanism, Transcendence, S... more While Nick Bostrom offers some issues of concern on the topics of Transhumanism, Transcendence, Superintelligence, and the Singularity, Ray Kurzweil sees only potential. These two authors offer a wide range of ideas on the potential of Transhumanism, not all of which agree, except for the fact that the way humanity currently lives may change greatly. The question to ask is this: Will the age of Transhumanism bring humanity closer together or push people apart?
Religion and the concept of spirituality will change when man can live forever in the Transhuman ... more Religion and the concept of spirituality will change when man can live forever in the Transhuman and Posthuman environment.
An essay on God using Orwell’s "Nineteen Eighty-Four" and Rene Descartes’ "Meditations on First P... more An essay on God using Orwell’s "Nineteen Eighty-Four" and Rene Descartes’ "Meditations on First Philosophy."
Two films, Gattaca and Autómata, have broached scientific topics that are noteworthy for their mo... more Two films, Gattaca and Autómata, have broached scientific topics that are noteworthy for their moral and societal impacts. Gattaca presents a vision of the future that means, variously, a society further delineated by looks, abilities, health, and intelligence, with all these characteristics chosen when a child is still just a fertilized zygote. Autómata, portrays robots that aid humanity in surviving a global cataclysm, but then humankind is left with being on the verge of an existential crisis owing to the robots' own sentience. Thus, both Gattaca and Autómata offer two visions of the future, neither of which bodes well for humanity.
Religion, spirituality, and a belief in a higher being will be part of human existence in the s... more Religion, spirituality, and a belief in a higher being will be part of human existence in the singularity, unless deliberately excluded, when human's' minds and consciousness meld with machines. The short essay is found by clicking the link to LinkedIn, above.
At the 15th annual conference of the Science and Technology Global Consortium on April 10, 2015 i... more At the 15th annual conference of the Science and Technology Global Consortium on April 10, 2015 in Washington, DC, I presented my paper titled "Techethnie: Can Technology Create a Singular Cultural Identity?" Attached is the slideshow of the presentation. The final paper will be available at www.stglobal.org
An essay studying Jean Jaques Rousseau’s Views on The Corrupting Effects of Society and Technology.
The role of new media aids in the diffusion of beliefs and in the dissemination of information. O... more The role of new media aids in the diffusion of beliefs and in the dissemination of information. One must remember that the new media, mainly meaning any electronic technology, is merely part of the evolutionary process of communication between humans. Only now, the information about a religion, the sharing of religious experiences, and social encounters happen nearly instantaneously, with very little cost, and from anywhere with web connectivity. In sum, the communication styles that existed pre-Internet circa 1991 are the same today, only now the happen faster, anywhere, and with reduced cost; these three factors of new media change the dissemination of religious information for all types of online religious activity.
Now that there is a world enveloped in electricity and silicon chips, religious activity continue... more Now that there is a world enveloped in electricity and silicon chips, religious activity continues online. What once existed only in a physical religious environment now occurs in cyberspace, which provokes some questions about man and his relationship to religion.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which President Ronald Reagan signed on November,... more The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which President Ronald Reagan signed on November, 6, 1986, along with the manufacturing plants known as maquiladoras, and the film, 'The Three Amigos, together form a unique Hegelian zeitgeist.
From 1988 to 1989, General Manuel Antonio Noriega ruled Panama in just such a manner, taking cues... more From 1988 to 1989, General Manuel Antonio Noriega ruled Panama in just such a manner, taking cues from Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince as if this book was his own instruction manual. Noriega seized power from the political leadership of the country and ruled in his own interest.1 He was deeply implicated in the murder of a political rival, Dr. Hugo Spadafora, he ruled the drug trafficking trade, abused rival presidential candidates, and detained and grossly maltreated one group of officers involved in an attempted coup before executing other coup-plotters later. In total, he followed the princely dictum that being feared is better than being hated.2 However, his downfall came when he rhetorically challenged a foreign power, the US, and his sympathizers took his hyperbole to heart. Essentially, Noriega followed Machiavelli's playbook well and doing so enabled him to rule for a few years, until another power dethroned him.
Peter Moons is a US Army officer who served in Operation JUST CAUSE. The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and are not reflective of the official positions of the United States Army, the Department of Defense, or the United States Government.
Saddam Hussein practiced many of the principles of Machiavelli, including ruthlessness, manipulat... more Saddam Hussein practiced many of the principles of Machiavelli, including ruthlessness, manipulation of his citizens, expansionism, militarism, and crushing his enemies. This paper explores those themes in light of Saddam's historical record.
While Nick Bostrom offers some issues of concern on the topics of Transhumanism, Transcendence, S... more While Nick Bostrom offers some issues of concern on the topics of Transhumanism, Transcendence, Superintelligence, and the Singularity, Ray Kurzweil sees only potential. These two authors offer a wide range of ideas on the potential of Transhumanism, not all of which agree, except for the fact that the way humanity currently lives may change greatly. The question to ask is this: Will the age of Transhumanism bring humanity closer together or push people apart?
Religion and the concept of spirituality will change when man can live forever in the Transhuman ... more Religion and the concept of spirituality will change when man can live forever in the Transhuman and Posthuman environment.
An essay on God using Orwell’s "Nineteen Eighty-Four" and Rene Descartes’ "Meditations on First P... more An essay on God using Orwell’s "Nineteen Eighty-Four" and Rene Descartes’ "Meditations on First Philosophy."
Two films, Gattaca and Autómata, have broached scientific topics that are noteworthy for their mo... more Two films, Gattaca and Autómata, have broached scientific topics that are noteworthy for their moral and societal impacts. Gattaca presents a vision of the future that means, variously, a society further delineated by looks, abilities, health, and intelligence, with all these characteristics chosen when a child is still just a fertilized zygote. Autómata, portrays robots that aid humanity in surviving a global cataclysm, but then humankind is left with being on the verge of an existential crisis owing to the robots' own sentience. Thus, both Gattaca and Autómata offer two visions of the future, neither of which bodes well for humanity.
Religion, spirituality, and a belief in a higher being will be part of human existence in the s... more Religion, spirituality, and a belief in a higher being will be part of human existence in the singularity, unless deliberately excluded, when human's' minds and consciousness meld with machines. The short essay is found by clicking the link to LinkedIn, above.
At the 15th annual conference of the Science and Technology Global Consortium on April 10, 2015 i... more At the 15th annual conference of the Science and Technology Global Consortium on April 10, 2015 in Washington, DC, I presented my paper titled "Techethnie: Can Technology Create a Singular Cultural Identity?" Attached is the slideshow of the presentation. The final paper will be available at www.stglobal.org
An essay studying Jean Jaques Rousseau’s Views on The Corrupting Effects of Society and Technology.
The role of new media aids in the diffusion of beliefs and in the dissemination of information. O... more The role of new media aids in the diffusion of beliefs and in the dissemination of information. One must remember that the new media, mainly meaning any electronic technology, is merely part of the evolutionary process of communication between humans. Only now, the information about a religion, the sharing of religious experiences, and social encounters happen nearly instantaneously, with very little cost, and from anywhere with web connectivity. In sum, the communication styles that existed pre-Internet circa 1991 are the same today, only now the happen faster, anywhere, and with reduced cost; these three factors of new media change the dissemination of religious information for all types of online religious activity.
Now that there is a world enveloped in electricity and silicon chips, religious activity continue... more Now that there is a world enveloped in electricity and silicon chips, religious activity continues online. What once existed only in a physical religious environment now occurs in cyberspace, which provokes some questions about man and his relationship to religion.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which President Ronald Reagan signed on November,... more The Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which President Ronald Reagan signed on November, 6, 1986, along with the manufacturing plants known as maquiladoras, and the film, 'The Three Amigos, together form a unique Hegelian zeitgeist.
This book is a 270+ page collection of essays and research papers covering a wide variety of topi... more This book is a 270+ page collection of essays and research papers covering a wide variety of topics in the humanities including technology, transhumanism, ethics, politics, economics, and art, from the perspective of philosophers ranging from the ancient Greeks through Rousseau, Descartes, and Locke. This compilation is the academic output from just one student in the doctoral program at Salve Regina University, Newport, Rhode Island, from August 2013 through December 2014 from the required ten graduate classes needed for the degree.
Clausewitz College Knowledge is a compilation of examples of strategy from the perspective of Wes... more Clausewitz College Knowledge is a compilation of examples of strategy from the perspective of Western military history, crises, and conflicts, grounded upon the teachings of the famed Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz. These essays will allow readers to develop an understanding of how strategy applies to historical case studies of leadership and military affairs. The title of this book is “Clausewitz College Knowledge” as the current doctrine of Western nations, including the US, is still focused on von Clausewitz's “decisive battle."
The lessons learned during the last 15 years of the Colombian insurgency are varied and are indic... more The lessons learned during the last 15 years of the Colombian insurgency are varied and are indicative of a complex problem. From 2000-2012, the Government of Colombia has had to simultaneously address illegal narcotics farming and trafficking, which benefited several illegal armed groups actively fighting the government, while attempting to increase governance and extend the rule-of-law. Several factors contributed to the recent gains by the government in beating back the principal guerrilla group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC). These are: The value of strong presidential leadership; an interagency/whole-of-government problem-solving approach; decreasing ungoverned areas; military efficacy on the battlefield against the FARC; and diplomatic efforts to maintain positive working relationships with sometimes unfriendly neighbor states. To solidify their gains, the Colombians must capitalize on their operational gains by increasing governance and addressing citizens’ concerns, particularly about land reform.
In 1989 - 1990, Panama's General Manuel Antonio Noriega and the United States Government fought a... more In 1989 - 1990, Panama's General Manuel Antonio Noriega and the United States Government fought a propaganda battle before, during, and after the US invasion. Panama and the US sought to influence their own and each other’s population by using propaganda and disinformation through print, television, radio, the spoken word, and physical action. This book is a unique and valuable case study for historians, academics, students, and general readers interested in how nations engage in propaganda and disinformation in order to influence internal and foreign audiences, as well as other countries' governments.