Artificial River Essay

APUS, Section 4 Mr. Gordinier January 8th, 2013 All situations and topics have multiple views and perspectives to them. A paradox exhibits contradictory aspects in which there is not either a single good or a bad, positive or negative. In The Artificial River The Erie Canal and the Paradox of Progress, 1817-1862, written by Carol Sheriff, there are many different examples of paradoxes. Towns initially saw the Canal having a negative impact on them, but realized it could help. The Canal provided for faster transportation, but in the case of a crash would take a long time to recover from. Also businessmen benefitted from the Canal, but other lost a lot of money because of it. The Canal provided dramatic change to the upstate New York area. In some cases this change resulted in prosperity and in others it resulted in failure and loss. At the time prior to building the Canal many negative impacts were the only things being considered. In 1826, a Canal Board was set up to deal with many of these complaints and problems. Most of the agreements and compromises were expressed through contracts made between the Canal Board and the people of the towns. Individuals questioned the right to take land to build the canal, water resources being used, and also commercial structures being built along the Canal. The thought of how much these commercial structures could drastically benefit these towns were not contemplated. When the Canal was built towns all along the route from Buffalo to Albany prospered from the revenue and the attraction the Canal brought with it. Whether the Canal was being used for business people, immigrants, settlers of the region, or tourists, the border-towns all had some appeal to these persons. After some time the state was continually asked to expand the Canal from the original route to include connecting canal routes. However, the same towns along the route from Buffalo to Albany had already been established along the lines of the original canal. These towns would need to be relocated in order to obey these new requests. This presented a major problem because the people in these towns had formed a life around the Canal and many of them made their income based of the Canal. The inhabitants of the towns changed their mentality from not wanting the Canal to invade on their lives, to it being an essential part of their lives they depended upon. The Erie Canal provided an extremely fast source of transportation compared to other ones of that time. A lot of the land that the Canal went through was uninhabited and therefore people weren’t able to move through these areas. Once the Canal was built it served as that pathway through these areas. The Canal also was a much cheaper source of transportation that was used by residents, tourists, emigrants, and workers during this time. Evangelical preachers used the artificial river to seek salvation among these people. Also the Canal helped to serve as an underground railroad, transporting slaves from Syracuse to Buffalo, near the Canadian border (Sheriff 53). The Canal not only sped up transportation, but also cost much less for goods to be delivered. Before the Canal goods from Albany to Buffalo would increase to five or six times their actual value just because of transportation. This helped business prosper and served as a positive aspect for the Canal. Although transportation was faster if a boat along the Canal crashed it would hold things up for a long time. A boat crashing had a chain effect on other boats because they then would be slowed down as well. People would not get where they needed to be on time was well as goods. A lot of the times if a boat did crash the goods were not able to be salvaged and hurt the business that owned them. There was also the issue of passing under bridges and how low they were. In a play of William Dunlap the brother of Amelia describes the inconvenience this was saying â€Å"In constant dread of lifting your head above your knees for fear of having it knock’d off your shoulders by a bridge† (Sheriff 55). Inconveniences such as these eventually encouraged travelers to find a different source of transportation; the railroad. The railroad had advantage over the Canal in the fact that it could run all year round. Individuals took advantage of the Canal and used it to help themselves gain profit. Businessmen and entrepreneurs saw the Canal as an opportunity to make money. Some bought their own boats and turned them into their business place. Boats were transformed to stores and markets in which people would buy off of them. Business was not only done on the Canal, but other men would use all the people, especially tourists, and try to sell consumer goods to them. A lot of times these vendors would scam people buying from them. They would sell fake remedies with false claims. Many times they would also trade counterfeit bills for items of actual value. The Canal helped solo merchants in a way that had never been done before. On the other hand the Canal was also very detrimental to many people as well. The people it affected were those whose land and water supply it had taken. When the Canal was built it ruined early settlers property such as the Archbalds. Frequently properties were cut in half. Once water was let into the Canal it caused a number of problems. Majorly because of poor workmanship and laziness water would stream out of the Canal and into farmers’ land. Fields and basements would be flooded, livestock would be injured, and gardens would be damaged. Also the workers feet would trample over fields, showing no regard or carefulness of their surroundings. One farmer claimed that workers torn down his fence simply for their own amusement. Without a healthy stock of crops the farmers would not make as much money and financially were negatively affected by the Canal. The Erie Canal had widely varying results on the people it impacted. Businessmen and entrepreneurs received financial success through the Canal while farmers and people already established along the lines of the Canal seemed to be negatively affected by it. There is no question transportation was faster and cheaper than any other source around that time. Communities and towns both benefitted from the Canal being around them. Initially there was a great amount of hype surrounding the Canal and all this hype brought people. Businesses thrived off these tourists and newcomers. Positives and negatives came from the opening of the artificial river that would change history forever.

Kantian Ethics concerning human Cloning Essay

Cloning is a procedure conceived to notion in the late 1960s, but it is only recently that it was fully understood and that scientists have started to figure out how to successfully copy the genetic composition of one organism to another. Since science already knows how to do this, the only problems and obstacles that remains is efficiency and the success ratio of each operation. The cloning process consists of taking the nucleus of an organism, and placing it, along with the DNA that contains all the genetic material, in place of the nucleus of the host egg. The egg then forms an embryo and matures into the same exact â€Å"copy†, at least genetically, as the original organism. Already done on mammals, cloning is something that can be extended to utilize humans as subjects. In the future it will be wholly possible to create human clones to serve whatever purpose they were conceived for. However, presently there are numerous ethical issues surrounding cloning and there are pro blems about the implications of the use of cloning for the purpose of medicine. This issue plagues us so much that the constant objections of bioethicists and political and religious leaders have caused the US Government to propose a ban on all research concerning human cloning until a conclusion is reached on the moral and ethical aspects of the process. (Macer, 2) In this paper, I will discuss how Kantian views and ethics help us understand whether it is morally ethical to clone for the purpose of bettering our lives. Two points have to be distinguished. How exactly will human cloning aid medicine and society, and the implications of human worth and dignity when applied to clones. Kantian ethics were proposed by Immanuel Kant in his critical writing of the â€Å"Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals†. Kant argued that â€Å"non-rational things have only a relative value as means and are consequently called things. Rational beings, on the other hand, are called persons because their nature already marks them out as ends in themselves†¦ for unless this is so, nothing at all of absolute value would be found anywhere†. (Britannica, 473) All persons are able to adjust their behavior to what they reason to be moral behavior, but in using this capacity that all humans possess, they must act upon a categorical imperative to treat all similarly situated  people equally. They must uphold to their moral maxims and make their actions universal law, extending it equally to all persons. Kant reformulates this idea and states that we should â€Å"act in such a way that you always treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never simply as a means, but always at the same times as an end†. (Britannica, 472) This means that we should never use people as only a means, and that because all persons have intrinsic human worth they should all be considered as ends in themselves. Kant’s vision involves only persons or rational agents. If no ‘person’ or rationality is present then it can be argued that the agent is simply a thing. Something that cannot rationalize and is not conscious of its existence cannot be argued as having human worth. So it is wholly possible, through some applications of science, to create â€Å"headless† clones that are not fully developed in the forebrain and who therefore cannot rationalize or exist consciously. (Friedman, 3) If able to be kept alive after their conception in order to mature, these clones can be used for harvesting of their organs for various medical purposes. Kant would not object to these kinds of clones because his concept of rationality is respected in accordance to the categorical imperative. If only rational agents are to be used as an end, and if no rationality exists, then whatever is left can be used only as a means to further some goal with no ethical wrongdoing involved. Developing a â€Å"headless† clone involves a process that prevents rationality and consciousness from ever being formed. This can be paralleled to other procedures that involve the same block of formation of rationality, particularly any form of birth control. Not allowing the development of â€Å"headless† clones because it is immoral makes any sort of birth control thus immoral too, because they also involve the preventing of the development of consciousness and rational thought. (Friedman, 4) If this imperative were to be upheld to a moral maxim, then we would need to be consistent in our actions and ban birth control just as human cloning is banned now. However, if human clones are developed as persons (with a whole brain and  fully functioning in every aspect) then our perspectives need to be changed to take a more moral view. Is it possible to morally clone a human to become an end in themselves? Suppose the case of a childless family where the mother is unable to conceive for whatever reasons. Somatic cell cloning can provide the family with a way to obtain a child through surrogate birth. (Friedman, 2) Even though copying the genetic composition of one parent and making the child a copy of them is somewhat strange, it is understandable from the parents’ point of view. If they are unable to naturally conceive, they should still be given some sort of chance to have a child. Cloning gives the parents this chance to have a child and have a somewhat normal family as an outcome. In this case the clone is treated as an end. He will grow up to be healthy and hopefully be regarded the same as a naturally conceived child. When he grows up, the clone will not denounce his existence. If asked the question of whether he would have rather not been born, the child would most likely thank cloning for his conception. The similar can be said for a clone that is used as a means for something but eventually becoming an end in themselves. Suppose the case of a family where a serious disease plagues an existing child and that only a specific blood type or a certain type of bone marrow will save him. If no donors are available, the child’s only ticket to survival might be a clone. Using the same genetic composition, his twin can be cloned in order to save his life. If this cloned twin is afterwards discarded, because he no longer serves a purpose or if he dies during the transfusion, this would in turn be highly unethical and immoral. However, if the parents exercise the human right of the clone as a person to exist, they are acting in accordance with the categorical imperative as stated above. They are extending the moral maxim to a universal law, and are treating the clone as a person, justly. The clone then becomes not simply a means to save a child’s life but an end in themselves also . The clone’s rationality and consciousness is not jeopardized. And in the same way as above, the clone would be thankful for having saved someone with his existence and would not regret his life. The immediately foreseeable problems with cloning for the purpose of childbirth might be seen when parents want to dictate the genetic makeup of  their child. They might not only want to eradicate genes that make a person susceptible to certain diseases, but they also might want to eliminate other unfavorable genes. Genes that control a person’s susceptibility to violence or other emotional factors, or genes that control a person’s appearance, such as height, hair and eye color and physical condition. In this way, parents might be able to mold genetically superior children to their liking. This would is most probable to eliminate uniqueness and individuality. There would be no randomness or pureness of nature in humans. Everything would be similar because certain specific qualities would be more favorable and popular. Also gene superiority would label clones as of higher value and might cause discrimination based solely on one’s genetic makeup. Only through tot al anonymity would this be preventable, and this condition is impossible. This problem can be directly related to the categorical imperative so crucial to Kant and Kantian ethics. Because morality must extended to be universal, it is imperative that both the superior clones and regularly genetically endowed humans are treated with similar regard. This however would seem to not be the case; the clones would always be favored in any situation. Therefore, this treatment would be immoral, as it would be immoral to clone human persons for such purposes, which are based only on vanity of people and discrimination of less favored genes. Many ethical issues and moral aspects of human cloning must be observed to get a larger picture of its implications. Kantianism gives us a way of differentiating in which situations will cloning be ethical or, the opposite, immoral. However, Kantian ethics is pretty specific in its situations and it can’t give a much more general and broad understanding of the ethics of cloning. It doesn’t tell us what to do, it only tells us whether something is moral or not. Kantianism is not a guide of morals but it is a very good understanding of them. Bibliography Friedman, Dan. â€Å"Cloning† Macalester Journal of Philosophy Vol. 9, 1999 Gardner, Jennifer. â€Å"To Clone or Not to Clone† http://pages.prodigy.net/darvi/clone.htm (12 Feb, 2001) â€Å"Kant, Immanuel† Encyclopaedia Britannica: In Depth Knowledge 1999 ed. Macer, Darryl R.J., Ph.D. â€Å"Ethical Challenges as we approach the end of the Human Genome Project.† N.p: n.p. 2000 Ruse, Michael, and Sheppard, Aryne. Cloning: Responsible Science or Technomadness? Prometheus Books, December 2000

Hrm 590 Compendstion Decisions

HRM590: Compensation Decisions Your job now is to pull together all the information you’ve completed so far in class and make salary decisions for your team. You have completed Cathy’s evaluation and received assignment feedback. This is the first year that you’ve made salary decisions for this team. Be sure to carefully review the information provided. You may simply type in the cells as the text will automatically wrap. You are required to: 1. Enter Cathy’s appraisal rating (she is last on the list); 2.Within your budget dollars, make your salary decisions based on performance for your team taking into consideration their Salary Grade and the Pay Ranges identified for the Salary Grades (fill in the Salary Decision Column); 3. Within your budget dollars award bonus money (fill in the Bonus Dollars Column); 4. In the green line areas, provide your substantiation and risk analysis for the salary decisions made; and 5. Identify any items from this scenario i n whole you may want to address. Evaluation ratings are 1 = Needs Improvement to 5 = Exceeds Expectations Salary Budget: $9,000Bonus Budget: $5,000 Company Designated Salary Pay Ranges A2 = $12,750 – 17,000 A3 = 16,500 – 22,000 A4 = 21,000 – 28,000 |Employee Information |Salary |Current Salary |% at Pay Scale* |Appraisal Rating |Salary Decision |Bonus Dollars | | |Grade | | | | | | |Substantiation and Risk Analysis: John is a major asset to the company and the appraisal rating justifies that.His skills and experience may be hard to replace if he decides to retire early. He was given the | |highest salary decision of 8% which exceeds the company designed salary pay range. It would be a loss to the company to lose such a valuable employee. His bonus was also outstanding based on his appraisal rating | |given. | |Alice is a Hispanic female, 42YO with 17 years’ service. Alice is a good worker. She has a lot of |A4 |$22,500 |80. 4% |3 |3% |600 | |potential, wh ich netted her the higher rating.She needs some more skills and experience at this level| | | | |$675 | | |though. | | | | | | | |Substantiation and Risk Analysis: Alice has been with the company for 17 years and does a good job, however, she has much to learn at this level and still may need more training to improve in her skills and | |experience.Her appraisal rating was average but still enough to earn the lowest salary increase of 3% and a bonus. | |Calvin, 28YO black male with 9 months service. Calvin is a real go getter. He hasn’t been with the |A4 |$26,500 |94. 6% |4 |3. 75% |600 | |company long enough to earn a higher rating, but his work is outstanding, high skill set and is looking| | | | |$994 | | |to stay with our company for a career. | | | | | | |Substantiation and Risk Analysis: Calvin is an outstanding worker and will be a major asset to the company. Even though he has not worked with us for too long, we were able to give him at 4 rating which shows that he| | is doing exceptional job in his position. Normally, employees with ratings of 4 would earn a 5% salary raise, but since Calvin has only worked for us for 9mths, we pro-rated his bonus and percentage to 3. 75%. | |Jane is a 32YO white female with 12 years’ service.Jane joined the company as an A3. Her work is |A3 |$19,100 |86. 8% |3 |3% |400 | |satisfactory, nothing to brag about, but she’s been with the company awhile and can be dependable. | | | | |$573 | | |Substantiation and Risk Analysis: Jane does get her job done but has not shown any more exceptional work. She is reliable and dependable in her work and there has been no complaints or issues.She earned a 3 rating| |which is average; this gave her a 3% raise and a small bonus. | |Beth is a 64YO Asian female with 41 years’ service. Beth stated she would probably retire this year, |A3 |$19,700 |89. 5% |3 |3% |400 | |but has yet to turn in her paperwork. She’s had a history of higher ratings, but her ra tings have | | | | |$591 | | |slipped over the last 6 years. | | | | | | |Substantiation and Risk Analysis: Beth has been an outstanding worker but in the last 6 years, her ratings have dropped. She meets expectations of her job which gave her a ranking of 3. She was able to get the lowest| |raise of 3% and a small bonus. | |Ben is a 47YO white male with 27 years’ service. He’s a good worker, been with your group for a couple|A3 |21,000 |95. 5% |4 |5% |600 | |years.Hasn’t yet expanded his skills, which you thought he’d do even though hired for a specific job. | | | | |$1050 | | |What he does, he does outstandingly. | | | | | | | |Substantiation and Risk Analysis: Ben proves to provide excellent work when performing a specific job, but still has not stepped out to expand new skills. He earns a 4 rating which gives him a 5% raise and a $700 | |bonus. |Alex is a 30YO white male with 9 years’ service. He’s quite a guy, performs well at his job. Started |A2 |$15,800 |92. 9% |5 |8% |600 | |as an occupational worker and has worked his way into management. | | | | |$1264 | | |Substantiation and Risk Analysis: Alex has work his way up to earn what he does now in management. He has shown work that proves that he produce his job well in the manager level.He has earned the highest salary | |raise of 8% based on this appraisal rating with a bonus. | |Ken is a 20YO Hispanic male with 1 year service. Ken is young and fresh. You think he should have |A2 |$17,000 |100% |4 |6% |400 | |been hired at a higher level because his skills are so good. You don’t want to lose him because he | | | | |$1020 | | |adds value to the business.You’ll probably jump him to an A4 position soon. | | | | | | | |Substantiation and Risk Analysis: Ken should have been hired at a higher salary grade and does outstanding work for the skills that he has. He is currently paid 100% of his the salary pay scale but will most likely | |be moved to the A4 salary grade soon. To keep him within the company, we are offering him 1% more than the offered increase for the rating of 4 (which is 5%).He would be a great addition to the company and we may | |not want to lose him since we plan on moving him up. | |Cathy is your 19YO (ethnicity unknown) femaleHR Receptionist. She has been with the company for 1 |A2 |$12,000 |70. 6% |3 |3% |200 | |year. You recently completed her performance evaluation. | | | | |$360 | | |Substantiation and Risk Analysis: Cathy has been with our company for 1 year and does average work.She still has areas that she needs to focus on but also has areas of work that she completely exceeds. She does | |need much improvement in certain areas for a new hire. She was rated 3 since she meets work performance which gives her a 3% raise and a small bonus. | *This shows the pay scale range for each employee by percentage. Formula is current salary ? top salary range. This percentage range should be between 75% – 100 %. Overall Comments: The salary decision was decided based on the appraisal rating.Ratings of 5 earned an 8% salary raise, ratings of 4 earned a 5% raise, and ratings of 3 earned a 3% raise. Anyone with a rating of 2 or 1 did not earn a raise, which no employee was rated that this year. These salary raise percentages were also considered based on the salary budget given of $9,000 which $8,729 was the expected salary raises overall. The decision was made to give any employee with a 3 rating earning or higher a raise because they did met, highly met, or exceed expectations.Employees that ranked 2 or lower in the appraisal rating needed some improvement or needs lots of improvement, therefore would not earn a raise or a bonus. There was 1 employee, Calvin, that we pro-rated his salary and bonus since he has only been with the company for 9 months. The bonus decision was decided by appraisal ratings and the salary grade the employee was in. Employees in A4 salary received a higher bonus and the lower salary grade received a lower bonus. Also, amounts were distributed based on the bonus budget of $5,000.See chart below. Estimated Bonus Given Based on Salary grade and appraisal rating Appraisal Ratings | |5 |4 |3 | |A4 |1000 |800 |600 | |A3 |800 |600 |400 | |A2 |600 |400 |200 | Salary grade Actual Bonus Given Based on salary grade and appraisal ratingAppraisal Ratings | |5 |4 |3 |Total | |A4 |1000 |600* |600 |2200 | |A3 |0 |600 |800 |1400 | | | | |(2 employees x 400) | | |A2 |600 |400 |200 |1200 | |Total |1600 |1600 |1600 |4800 |Salary grade We were able to keep the bonus within budget of $4800. The amounts estimated happened to work with the bonus budget given. If bonus budget were a different amount, amounts estimated would change also. There were possibilities that not all employees, even if they have a rating of 3 or above, would have gotten a bonus, however, for this year, it worked out that all employees were able to earn a bonus. The remaining amount of $200 not used in the bonus budget was the pro-rated amount from employee, Calvin, which has only worked for us for 9 months.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner; Quality Management Problems Research Paper

Boeing 787 Dreamliner; Quality Management Problems - Research Paper Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that Boeing company has grown tremendously and merged with other companies such as McDonnell Douglas among others to become the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer. In the 1950s, Boeing put its first jet aircraft to start exerting its control in the commercial airline market. Boeing is a global example of state of the art technology business dealing with aircraft manufacturing and it is the largest product exporter in U.S. Boeing has produced more than a hundred aircraft model since its inception and has currently launched the most recent model called Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In the midst of the overwhelming competition for efficiency and productivity in the airline industry, Boeing decided to produce one of the most fuel-efficient planes ever made. Whereas this was a courageous move for Boeing, the same has been faced with a myriad of problems in the production process. This is quite understandable considering tha t Boeing opted to use some of the best technologies and expertise in the world. Additionally, Boeing had to take a gamble with technologies that have never been used before, especially with such a large commercial aircraft. The outsourcing strategy and the leading edge technology of the relatively new plastic composite: carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic are the leading causes of high-cost quality and design problems. This was a change from the typical use of steel or aluminum in the manufacture of aircraft. The use of the composite material would guarantee durability, fewer repairs and maintenance cost, and long-distance flights. For a fact, only the manufacture of the tail of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner takes place in the Everest facility that is the home factory. However, it is worth noting that the risk of outsourcing in the production of Boeing 787 Dreamliner hails from the management’s decision to relinquish the design and engineering of the plane, the use of untried sources and stiffness of loyal vendors, and the use of many technological approaches at once. The outsourcing was preferred for various reasons like the commonality in outsourcing in the Boeing Company, the cost savings from the fewer employees’ in-house, lower labor rates in other countries, and the time factor necessary to manufacture the Dreamliners. Additionally, the outsourcing was an opportunity to do business in the different countries, a show of ability to compete with other aircraft manufacturers legally, response to the vulnerability of Boeing engineer strikes, the shrinking employment pool and the increasing demand of engineers at Boeing. Outsourcing is one of the management strategies widely used in the corporate scene However, many problems result from the adoption of the outsourcing strategy leading to the company’s eminent inability to reach its target of producing 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners every year. While the management thought that the new airframe composit e warranted an all-new production approach, this was a strategic mistake since they should have accommodated the good old aspects hence keep the loyal and most proficient vendors in check.

Business operation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business operation - Assignment Example Finished goods are the end results of production. Production process is the process converting input into output and it consists of raw materials, working or intermediatery processes and finished goods. â€Å"The production process is concerned with transforming a range of inputs into those outputs that are required by the market† (Operations Theory para 1). From the above example sausage is the product. There are a number of materials used in the process of making sausages. The most important raw material is meat. Other ingredients used for making sausages include salt herbs, spices, pepper, ice as well as the casing. Additional ingredients can be used for further seasoning and flavor, such as onions, potatoes, eggs, flour, protein powder, rice, dried milk, celery and bread. The working process includes cutting the meat, preparation of ingredients, mixing the ingredients and meat together, stuffing them into cellulose casing, tieing the casing at both ends, steaming the sausage and completing the process by using ice flakes . The finished good thus obtained is sausage. There are some steps involved in making available the finished goods to the market and eventually the customers. From the above example, the finished good, that is, sausage is to be taken to a place where consumers can access it. This process includes various functions, of which the most important function is trasportation. It ensures time utility and place utility. Warehousing, another function, is also essential for all types of products. Warehouses help to store the products and then supply them as and when more demand is seen. This covers the gap of demand from customers and the time taken to produce the goods. In case of sausages, frozen good warehouses are used. The function of warehouse is also to protect the product against any damage. Movement of sausage from manufacturing unit to the warehouse comes under the working process. Baggage carousels are electronic devices that are

Cold and Green in Gawain and the Green Knight. How does the season and Essay

Cold and Green in Gawain and the Green Knight. How does the season and the color green convey some of the themes in Gawain and the Green Knight - Essay Example This goes well on the first two days, but on the third, the Lady hands him a girdle which will prevent Gawain from being harmed during the return blow. Gawain is tempted into keeping the girdle, when he should have handed it over, and when the Green Knight comes to give the blows, makes two feints with the axe, and then strikes Gawain with the blunt end of the axe. The Green Knight reveals himself as the Lord of the Castle, and explains that the two feints stood for the two days when Gawain kept his promise, and the small cut was for the third day, when Gawain was tempted into keeping the girdle. The poem itself contains a number of symbolic sequences, the most commonly noted being the number three (three nights at the castle, three kisses, and three swings with the axe). The beheading game itself is part of an older tradition which celebrates the symbolic killing of the Holly King by the Oak King, and the Holly King's return of the favour with the next season. Indeed, although this is an outwardly Christian allegory, there are plenty of references to pagan and nature religions as well. Many commentators have associated the Green Knight with one element of nature worship, the Green Man. Traditionally, this figure is a 'wild man' deity, closely tied in to nature and the changing seasons. The Green Man represents all that is wild and awesome in nature. The Green Knight clearly symbolises this element when he gatecrashes the King's Christmas party to lay down his challenge: The butterflies and birds embroidered thereon In green of the gayest, with many a gold thread For much did they marvel at what it might mean That a horseman and a horse should have such a hue Grow green as the grass, and greener, it seemed Than green fused on gold more glorious by far. (Abrams, page 237-239) However, as well as nature, ancient texts associated green with death and magic, two other unpredictable forces which the medieval audience would be familiar with. The Green Knight's association with Morgan Le Fay emphasises his connection with magic, as does his appearances during the Christmas period: During the twelve days of Yule the forces of death and chaos Were unleashed upon the earth.We see himas the force Of both, life and death which intrudes into the human world. (Rowan 1995) In this interpretation, the beheading contest is a test of Gawain's courage and mettle, a knightly adventure which ends with Gawain's symbolic death and rebirth - a ritual with meanings in European societies far into the Christian period. Green is mentioned more than fifty times in the poem, and is the most frequent colour used by the poet. The Green of the Green Knight would bring to mind all of these issues to medieval listeners; and his role as a tester of Gawain in order to initiate him into the mysteries of life and death. Gawain returns to Arthur's court wearing a green sash, emphasising that he has passed the test and become a member of the Green Knight's court. In this interpretation, the meaning of Gawain's journey through the winter wastelands is clearly associated with the test. If the Green Knight is the lord of Life and Death, then the wasteland is the symbol of Gawain's moving from the reality of

Egypt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Egypt - Essay Example The Giza Pyramids are a symbol of Egyptian beauty and charm and tourists remember Egypt with the picture of the great pyramids in mind. Indeed these pyramids are one of the wonders of the world. (Rosalie, 1997) Around 8000 BC, the Sahara Desert was formed due to the desiccation of the pastoral lands within the country. By about 6000 BC, the Neolithic culture started to have its roots within the Nile valley. There have existed a number of different dynasties within Egypt since time immemorial. As far as the geography of Egypt is concerned, it is the world’s 38th largest country and its size is comparable to that of Tanzania. Most of the population within Egypt lives around the Nile valley and Delta since the climate is conducive enough for populations to settle around these areas only. Around 99% of the total population uses only 5.5% of the Egyptian land area. Its borders are shared by Libya on the west, Gaza strip and Israel on the East and Sudan on the south. Egypt’s strategic location makes it a very dominant player within the geopolitical scenario and its transcontinental location asks for significance in terms of forming a bridge between Asia and Africa. The climate of Egypt is usually dry and the country receives showers only in the winter months. The rainfall averages south of Cairo are 2 - 5 mm each year and sometimes frequent after quite a few years in essence. The temperatures within Egypt range between 80o F and 90 o F in summer while goes up to 109 o F in the area of the Red Sea coast. Thus the temperatures usually average within 55 o F and 70 o F in the winter season. There is a steady wind which blows from the northwestern region which makes the weather pleasant near the Mediterranean coast. The global warming regimes hamper Egypt’s densely populated coastal strip and the same could have ramifications for the country’s economy,

Uses of calculus in business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Uses of calculus in business - Research Paper Example Researchers have indicated that calculus is one of the modern facets of mathematics that has been effectively used to assess certain changes or arrive at certain decisions in the current business world. The use of directives to calculate certain aspects of business has been evident in various ways. People engaged in undertaking real estate business have applied the concept of derivatives in calculus to determine their overall income for instance: If a land owner with a complex apartment with 250 houses, each house rented on a monthly rate of y. How many houses should the owner of the apartment rent in order to ensure that he maximizes his income? The main concern in this case is to maximize the income by determining the number of maximum houses to be rented meaning; y ranges between 0 and 250 whereby: 0≠¤ y ≠¤ 250. In order to determine the solution, it is important to determine critical points that occur between 0 and 250. Therefore: Owing to the fact that the profit function is in a continuous dimension, the maximum value can be attained by plugging in the already identified critical value which is 200 at the end point existing in the range as follows: On the other hand, differentiation has also been used to perform various business activities in the contemporary society for example it has been widely used to calculate the maximum sizes of packaging materials with a few known dimensions while missing other important dimensions. A real example of the application of differentiation has been evident i.e. in a scenario where a sales person wants to determine the maximum size of a packaging box with a known length= x and known width= y, but without a known height. This can be arrived at

Casual Argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Casual Argument - Essay Example t this point that the act of US in going to war and continuing the war has been act of self-defense and preventing more terrorist attacks in its homeland, hence it can be stated that continuing the war and eventually ending it successfully is a strategic US move that is aimed in making the American life safer. To say that one will be safer is to be assured that there will be less peace disturbance than expected within a given time frame. Since a time frame may be divided into short term and long term, this paper asserts that in the short term, while US will have to address the short-run reactions of its enemy, especially the effects on a considerable of Muslim community who may see martyrdom in the hanging of Sadam Hussien. Dickey and Barry talked of the feeling a little safer for US, at least for a short time, when the world has witnessed the putting to death of Sadam Hussein of Iraq but they seem now to paint a different picture by their reports of not seeing many American flags in Iraq, except on soldiers uniforms due to the U.S. commanders’ decision that the American insignias might offend local sensibilities of the Iraqis. They even cited a mob in the dusty Iraqi town of Fallujah displaying a new and shocking image to bear in mind the war by the slaughter of four American civilian security men, by burning them, butchering them, dragging them through the streets, and then eventually hanging pieces of them from power lines and the girders of a bridge.1 In dramatizing the effects of the war, the same authors described the incident as simply gruesome as they convey the message of â€Å"inhuman brutality of a worldwide terrorist campaign that seems to be spreading.†2 Given also the report s that U.S. soldiers are being attacked, with at least one dying every day; it would only mean in the short term, that a less than safer scenario for the US might be expected. It does not take too much time however to allow things to normalize in Iraq. Since the US has

Consumers as Individuals Essay Example for Free

Consumers as Individuals Essay The self-concept refers to the beliefs a person holds about their attributes, and how they evaluate these qualities. Components of the self-concept It is composed of many attributes, some of which are given greater emphasis when the overall self is being evaluated. Attributes of self-concept can be described along such dimensions as their content (for example, facial attractiveness vs. mental aptitude), positivity or negativity (i. e. elf-esteem), intensity, stability over time and accuracy (that is, the degree to which one’s self-assessment corresponds to reality). Self-esteem Self-esteem refers to the positivity of a person’s self-concept. People with low self-esteem do not expect that they will perform very well, and they will try to avoid embarrassment, failure or rejection. People with high self-esteem expect to be successful,, will take more risks and are more willing to be the centre of attention. Self-esteem is often related to acceptance by others. Marketing communications can influence a consumer’s level of self-esteem. Exposure to ads can trigger a process of social comparison, where the person tries to evaluate their self by comparing it to the people in these artificial images. Real and ideal selves Self-esteem is influenced by a process where the consumer compares their actual standing on some attribute to some ideal. The ideal self is a person’s conception of how they would like to be, while the actual self refers to our more realistic appraisal of the qualities we have or lack. And we often engage in a process of impression management where we work hard to ‘manage’ what others think of us by strategically choosing clothing and other cues that will put us in a good light. The ideal self is partly moulded by elements of the consumer’s culture, such as heroes or people depicted in advertising who serve as models of achievement or apprearance. Products may be purchased because they are believed to be instrumental in helping us achieve these goals. Some products are chosen because they are reaching the standard set by the ideal self. Multiple selves We have as many selves as we do different social roles. Depending on the situation, we act differently, use different products and services, and we even vary in terms of how much we like ourselves. A person may require a different set of products to play a desired role. The self can be thought of as having different components, or role identities, and only some of these are active at any given time. Symbolic interactionism If each person potentially has many social selves, how does each develop and how do we decide which self to ‘activate’ at any point in time? The sociological tradition of symbolic interactionism stresses that relationships with other people play a large part in forming the self. This perspective maintains that people exist in a symbolic environment, and the meaning attached to any situation or object is determined by the interpretation of these symbols. Like other social objects, the meanings of consumers themselves are defined b social consensus. The consumer interprets their own identity, and this assessment is continually evolving as they encounter new situations and people. The looking-glass self When you choose an article of clothing, the mirror superimposes it on your reflection so that you can see how it would look on you. This process of imagining the reactions of others towards us is known as ‘taking the role of the other’, or the looking-glass self. According to this view, our desire to define ourselves operates as a sort of psychological sonar, we take readings of our own identify by ‘bouncing’ signals off others and trying to project what impression they have of us. Self-conciousness There are times when people seem to be painfully aware of themselves. If you have ever walked into a class in the middle of a lecture and noticed that all eyes were on you, you can understand this feeling of self-conciousness. Some people seem in general to be more sensitive to the image they communicate to others. A heightened concern about he nature of one’s public ‘image’ also results in more concern about the social appropriateness of products and consumption activities. Several measures have been devised to measure this tendency. Consumers who score high on a scale of public self-conciousness, for example, are also more interested in clothing and are heavier users of cosmetic. A similar measure is self-monitoring. High self-monitors are more attuned to how they present themselves in their social environments, and their product choices are influenced by their estimates of how these items will be perceived by others. High self-monitors are more likely than low self-monitors to evaluate products consumed in public in terms of the impressions they make on others. Products that shape the self: you are what you consume Recall that the reflected self helps to shape self-concept, which implies hat people see themselves as they imagine others see them. People use an individual’s consumption behaviours to help them make judgements about that person’s social identity. A consumer exhibits attachment to an object to the extent that it is used by that person to maintain their self-concept. Objects can act as a sort of security blanket by reinforcing our identities, especially in unfamiliar situations. Symbolic self-completion theory predicts that people who have an incomplete self-definition tend to complete this identity by acquiring and displaying symbols associated with it. Self/product congruence Because many consumption activities are related to self-definition, it is not surprising to learn that consumers demonstrate consistency between their values and the things they buy. Self-image congruence models predict that products will be chosen when their attributes match some aspect of the self. These models assume a process of cognitive matching between these attributes and the consumer’s self-image. Research tends to support the idea of congruence between product usage and self-image. Congruity has also been found between consumers and their most preferred brands of beer, soap, toothpaste and cigarettes relative to their least preferred brands, as well as between consumers’ self-images and their favourite shops. Some specific attributes that have been found to be useful in describing some of the matches between consumers and products include rugged/delicate, excitable/calm,†¦. The extended self. Many of the props and settings consumers use to define their social roles in a sense become a part of their selves. Those external objects that we consider a part of us comprise the extended self. Many material objects, ranging from personal possessions and pets to national monuments or landmarks, help to form a consumer’s identity. Four levels of the extended self were described. These range from very personal objects to places and things that allow people to feel like they are rooted in their larger social environments. †¢ Individual level. Consumers include many of their personal possessions in self-definition. These products can include jewellery, cars, clothing and so on. The saying ‘You are what you wear’ reflects the belief that one’s things are a part of what one is. †¢ Family level. This part of the extended self includes a consumer’s residence and its furnishings. The house can be thought of as a symbolic body for the family and often is a central aspect of identity. †¢ Community level. It is common for consumers to describe themselves in terms of the neighbourhood or town from which they come. †¢ Group level. Our attachments to certain social groups can be considered a part of self. A consumer may feel that landmarks, monuments or sports teams are a part of the extended self. Sexual identity is a very important component of a consumer’s self-concept. People often conform to their culture’s expectations about how those of their gender should act, dress, speak and so on. To the extent that our culture is everything that we learn, then virtually all aspects of the consumption process must be affected by culture. Gender differences in socialization A society’s assumptions about the proper roles of men and women are communicated in terms of the ideal behaviours that are stressed for each sex (in advertising, among other places). Gender goals and expectations In many societies, males are controlled by agentic goals, which stress self-assertion and mastery. Females, on the other hand, are taught to value communal goals such as affiliation and the fostering of harmonious relations. Every society creates a set of expectations regarding the behaviours appropriate for men and women, and finds ways to communicate these priorities. Gender vs. sexual identity Sex role identity is a state of mind as well as body. A person’s biological gender does not totally determine whether they will exhibit sex-typed traits, or characteristics that are stereotypically associated with one sex or the other. A consumer’s subjective feelings about their sexuality are crucial as well.

Leadership Skills of Paul of Tarsus

Leadership Skills of Paul of Tarsus Carmel Gittens In the light of Romans, 1 Corinthians and Galatians, what sources of authority does Paul draw on to reinforce his case and what can be learned from the apostle in this respect for contemporary church leadership? Following his conversion on the road to Damascus, where Paul of Tarsus, one time persecutor of the followers of Jesus met with the risen Lord, he became the greatest defender of the newly forming Christian faith. His zeal and fervour once so attuned to ridding the world of this perceived threat to Judaism now turned to promoting the same. However, such was his dramatic and life changing meeting with Jesus, that Paul not only devoted his life to growing and nurturing early Christian churches, and spreading the gospel across the Mediterranean and beyond, but was willing to endure persecution and indeed martyrdom himself in the pursuit of his divine mission. It is widely held that Paul was uniquely equipped for this mission as he had many of the qualities needed for such an enormous task. In this essay, I will look at Pauls journey from persecutor to proselyte, a journey that took him many thousands of miles and one that required him to assert his message with conviction and authority. Paul would have to defend his teachings and the gospel he proclaimed in many varied and often difficult situations. To do this he used a variety of sources, for example, when Paul defends his apostolic status or challenges lax moral behaviour or advocates his gospel message he draws on his conversion experience, the Hebrew Scriptures, his finely honed and excellent rhetorical skill, and subsequent force of argument, to strengthen his case. Finally, I will look at how his leadership skills and methods may give us an insight into contemporary church leadership today. Let us first look at Pauls apostolic authority. There is no doubt that Paul claimed to be an apostle, and he certainly exercised authority, but when he did would he have claimed this to be as an apostle? He would not particularly have claimed that his authority came from his appointment as an apostle, but there are times when in defending his status he does assert his apostolic position. In the first two chapters of Galatians and in the letters to Corinth Paul hotly defends the position of being an apostle. In Galatians, some had argued that because he was not one of the original apostles appointed by Jesus he is somehow inferior to them, but more importantly as inferior to Peter. Of course, this is at the heart of the debate over apostleship. Pauls response to this was furious, he was furious with the old teachers who questioned his authority and tried to tie up the Christians with the old laws. But he was even more furious with the Christians for succumbing to their intimidation. Paul begins his letter with a strong and clear account of how his commission is not by vote of man, but God given. He continues to state how once James, Peter and John have recognised this they shake hands with him and Barnabus and assign them to a ministry with the non-Jews, while they continue with the Jews. He is stating here also that even as he rebukes Peter for certain practices that he thinks are out of line, Peter recognises his authority and equality with himself. In 1 Corinthians 9.1; 15.8-11 Paul asserts his right to be included as an apostle. He had after all seen the risen Christ, and the mission work he was doing with the Corinthians attested to his position (1 Cor.9.1-2) Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. But this claim is not one that Paul constantly refers to. He actually only claims to be an apostle in Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians and Galatians. In both Corinth and Galatia some denied that he was an apostle so it is here in his letters to them that he launches his defence. But in Romans he speaks from the outset as being an apostle perhaps because having never personally visited these churches he wants them to be clear from the outset that the gospel he proclaims is on the same standing and has the same authority behind it as that proclaimed by Peter and the twelve. He does not however have to defend his position as much in Rome as he does in Corinth and Galatia. But rather he gently reminds in Rom 11.13: 13 I am talking to you Gentiles. In as much as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry. It is clear from this that Paul only therefore claims his apostleship when this has been called into question by others, and not on the basis that he needs this authority in order to be a witness to the gospel. Pauls self-professed authority comes from God himself via Jesus the Son. Paul claims this has come from his road to Damascus vision of Christ, and as such he believes that he speaks authoritatively as one the Lord trusts. For example, when speaking to the Corinthians on the subject of marriage (1 Cor 7.25) 25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lords mercy is trustworthy. Although he does at times directly speak of the Lords teachings; as when instructing about the proper way for the Lords supper to be celebrated (1Cor 9.14), 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, he does not regularly use the words of Jesus but claims that his authority comes directly from the Lord e.g.,for building up not tearing down (13.10). Scuhz1 argues that Authority is the interpretation of power and for Paul that power would be the gospel He claims that the thing that makes Paul so authoritative is his ability to interpret the gospel. This act of interpretation unlocks the source of power in the gospel and thereby makes that power accessible to those who respond in trust and obedience to it. Pauls ability to be a vessel of this power to people is what establishes his apostolic authority. Because the gospel has both an initial and ongoing task to accomplish in the community, Pauls authority extends past the initial acceptance of the gospel and well into the intricacies of the communities everyday forms, patterns and practices. His right to speak to the communities he founded arises out of the foundational power which they both have experienced, the gospel that he both mirrors in his life experience and which he preaches. The restraint on apostolic authority has its anchor in the nature and meaning of that same gospel. Power through weakness. No egotistical or authoritarian style for Paul. His authority and leadership are informed, shaped and regulated by the paradoxical content of the gospel he preaches. see I Cor 1:18ff Bibliography Dunn, James D G (ed), The Cambridge Companion to St Paul (Cambridge: CUP, 2003), especially the essays in Part 3. Furnish, Victor Paul, Theology and Ethics in Paul (Nashville: Abingdon, 1968). Longenecker, Richard (ed), The Road from Damascus: The Impact of Pauls Conversion on His Life, Thought, and Ministry (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1997). Malherbe, Abraham J, Paul and the Popular Philosophers (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2006). Sampley, J Paul, Walking between the Times: Pauls Moral Reasoning (Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991). Kim, Sayoon, Paul and the New Perspective: Second Thoughts on the Origin of Pauls Gospel (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002). 1Schà ¼tz, John Howard, Paul and the Anatomy of Apostolic Authority (Cambridge: CUP, 1975).

Argument Supporting Gay Marriage Essay -- Same-Sex Marriage Essays

People are born homosexual. If you are homosexual you cannot get married. That idea is ridiculous. On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that the US Constitution guarantees the right for same-sex couples to marry. Marriage is defined as a sacred bond of love between two people. Gay people also feel love therefore, they should be allowed the same rights as everyone else in this country. Homosexuality is an accepted lifestyle nowadays with a proven biological causation. The only thing that should matter in marriage is love and denying them this is a violation of religious freedom. According to studies done by Simon LeVey, being gay is a biological cause, not a choice made when one is very young. It is also an accepted lifestyle today. For far too long being homosexual has been considered a form of â€Å"devilish acts†. The people making these accusations should check the history books, and the psychological research done by LeVey. According to Wikipedia.com homosexual activates have existed since early Greece. The word lesbian comes from the Greek word â€Å"Lesbos,† which were islands where many couples of that orientation lived. The easiest way to think of it is as a hormonal switch that gets thrown one way or the other. If you think about it, it makes logical sense. Consider many gays and lesbians you've seen. Not always, but in many cases, some characteristics resemble that of the opposite sex. That means that, for example homosexual males have softer voices, and most lesbians have a masculine body shape. Those hormone switches affec t it all. And still yet again, why would someone choose to be gay? Even though gay people are different and their hormones are different, they still have the same emotions as everyone... ... only one was injured, the other might not even be allowed to see the other because he/she is not a direct family member or spouse. It’s hard to know that love is being thrown out by so many states and countries, they are willing to hurt other people just so they can say that the institution of marriage is saved. Gay people are normal, just another minority. Like any other black guy walking down the street. Are you going to tell him he can’t get married because he’s black? No, because he can’t help that he’s black, just how gay people can’t help that they are gay. They love just as we do and we are in no place to be holding them back of expressing it to their fullest. They want to get married, then let them. Even though it isn’t a man and a woman, it’s still two people who want to share all they joys of the world together. Love is a feeling, not a gender.

The Patriot Act Essay -- essays research papers

The Patriot Act The patriot act: â€Å"THE UNITING AND STRENGHENING OF AMERICA BY PROVIDING APPROPRIATE TOOLS REQUIRED TO INTERCEPT AND OBSTRCT TERRORISM.† What do you think of when you hear this phrase? This is the phrase used to introduce what we call the patriot act. Pretty much the patriot act allows government officials to search your house which is called a â€Å"sneak and peak† without you being aware of it, or even the tracking of your car, or maybe even listening to your phone calls.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Patriot Act was designed to protect the United States from further terrorist attacks by allowing more information to be recorded for investigation on people that could be possible terrorists. This is needed because in order to arrest someone, they need to commit a crime firs...

Freedom of Speech and Expression and Responsibility -- Argumentative P

Freedom of Speech and Responsibility       No matter how fervently someone believes in the justice of his cause, suppression of the free exchange of ideas is failure at best or downright wrong. The power or might behind an idea does not make the idea right. Many powerful people throughout history have been wrong. Few people, if any, would judge "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" to be subversive or wrong. In 1939 Ambassador Kennedy was so caught up in the fears of the times that he was willing to use the power of his money to protect the world against a film. When people are caught up in the movements of their time, all people must be extra zealous to guard and encourage freedom of expression. Otherwise, a mob mentality reigns, and people rush to do things that are not thought out and often regretted later.    The founders of our country knew from experience how important free expression of ideas is. Many of them, along with popular demand, insisted that the Constitution immediately be amended by the Bill of Rights. The first article of the Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of expression:    Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.    Without freedom of expression, no people are truly free. Sometimes a person will hide repression by telling people under his authority that they are free to believe anything they want--they just can't voice their beliefs. They are free to think anything, but aren't allowed to say what is on their minds.    What are some examples of this men... ...19. "House Passes Free Speech Exception."   7 Feb. 1998.   <http://www.scimitar.com/revolution/express/flag.html>   (17 March 1998). LaMarche Gara.   "Hate Speech Should Not Be Outlawed."   Civil Liberties: Opposing Viewpoints. Ed.   Charles P. Cozic.   San Diego:   Greenhaven Press, 1994.   90-95. Otto, Jean.   "Freedom of Expression Should Not Be Restricted."   Civil Liberties: Opposing Viewpoints. Ed.   Charles P. Cozic.   San Diego:   Greenhaven Press, 1994.   79-84. Rupke, Roxanne.   "Zeeland students to recommend T-shirt rules."   Herald Sentinel.   25 March 1998:   A1, A5. Showers, Robert H.   "Pornography Sould Be Prohibited."   Civil Liberties: Opposing Viewpoints. Ed.   Charles P. Cozic.   San Diego:   Greenhaven Press, 1994.   96-102. "T-shirt ban: Pepsi shirt gets him in trouble on Coke Day at Greenbrier High."   Herald Sentinel.   26 March 1998:   A1.

Marriage In The Renaissance Era

Irvin Alfalfa Mrs.. Fever English 1 (College Prep) April 26, 2013 Marriage in the Renaissance Era Marriage customs today are very different than those of the Renaissance era. During this era women had limited options in marriage and life. In Michael Best's article, â€Å"The Age of Marriage,† he indicates that although people did not get married as young as people believed, marriage was still not so much about love. For example, â€Å"in some noble houses marriages were indeed made at a young age for reasons of property and family alliance,† (Best, 1).A clear example of this is that Caplet wants Juliet to marry Paris to expand their name and alliances. Juliet did not love Paris but was being forced into marrying him by her parent's. In addition, girls were obliged to marry a man that was successful and rich. This narrowed down the limited choices for women and although young girls had no interest in marrying they had to in order to get wealthier and have a better life. However, children of noble birth ran a great risk if they tried to marry without their parent's prior approval, since they would be feet with no resources.Some marriages were in fact based on love but it was very rare because the bridegroom may not have been wealthy or known. Novel Guider's article, â€Å"The Institution of Marriage in Renaissance Era,† implies that marriage was both secular and sacred. For example, secularly, it served as a coming together of two parties interested in obtaining property, money, or political alliances. This was the main goal of noble homes. Some marriages were also sacred in that it assured the love of a man and woman and searched for reproduction.William Shakespearean ark displays the sacredness of love and marriage. However, some families did not force marriages because, â€Å"the best marriages were those that were equally consensual and desired by both parties,† (novel guide, 1). Freedom of choice varied for each child in a family. Each child had a certain amount of freedom in choosing their mate. The eldest son was under the greatest pressure since he inherited the majority of the land. His marriage was often critical to the families survival because they depended on him for financial support. This article somewhat contradictsMichael Best's article in which he states that all marriages where forced on. Jeremy Goldberg article, â€Å"The Right to Choose: Woman, Consent and Marriage in Late Medieval England,† suggests that marriage was indeed forced on, but by not only parent's. Jeremy Goldberg provides an example in which a girl was forced by her attacker to agree to marry him. This was very common during this era. Men eager for money and land would force wealthy and innocent girls into marrying them. John Dale was a man who used physical violence and the threat of it to con Agnes into marrying him.In all, these three articles provide examples of marriage being an important for both men and woman. Some marriages were made to have more wealth and land while others were made simply because two partners loved each other very much. Some marriages were so important that men would take drastic measures in order to have a wife. And although women had very limited options and were considered a minority, they managed to have a good life if they chose the right man. Very much has changed during the years. Best, Michael. â€Å"The Age of Marriage. † Roughage Ballads. University of Victoria

Nicolò Paganini

When Paganini walked along the street, people eyed him closely, wondering whether they might detect his cloven foot-a mark of the devil. Once, shortly before he was to go onstage, he felt a nail in his shoe, which caused him to limp slightly as he arrived on the podium. Some members of the audience looked at each other knowingly, for it was widely believed that there was something mysterious, supernatural about his playing. Even people who did not believe in the devil were convinced of it. Ever since they have tried to discover his secret. For almost a year, an Englishman followed him on his tours, taking an adjoining hotel room and listening constantly. While on the road, however, Paganini hardly ever practiced, and when he briefly warmed up before concerts, he used such a heavy mute that no one could hear him (Prod'Homme 13). Countless books and pamphlets have been written about the secret of his practicing and about other, hitherto unknown, explanations of his virtuosity. Much has been brought to light that is interesting and informative, but no secrets have been revealed. Paganini's accomplishments must be attributed to a handful of quite understandable factors, as is true of above-average achievement in any field. In his case we are aware of great musicality; a distinct talent for the violin that included certain physiological characteristics; a strict practicing regime supervised by his father, who soon noted the unusual gift; and a highly developed desire to excel as an artist. All produced astonishing results (Anders 39). Paganini was born in Genoa in 1782, the son of a dockworker whose hobbies included fortunetelling and playing the violin and mandolin. He taught Nicolà ² both instruments. â€Å"It would be hard to imagine a stricter father,† the boy recalled. Further instruction by two orchestra violinists led to lessons by Giacomo Costa, music director at the cathedral, whose pupil soon performed solos there. This was a customary eighteenth-century venue, as it had been for Tartini, and such appearances in church were occasionally reviewed in the press. On 31 May 1794 a notice was printed in Avvisi, a Genoa newspaper: â€Å"[During high mass] Nicolà ² Paganini, a highly gifted eleven-year-old boy, performed a concerto, for which he was greatly admired.† (Prod'Homme 7-8) Encouraged by such successes, the father entrusted the thirteen-yearold Nicolà ² to Alessandro Rolla, then teaching in Parma. Though Rolla declared that there was nothing he could teach him, he gave his young student a solid foundation in music theory, and probably good advice as well. While in Parma, Nicolà ² also studied counterpoint with Ghiretti and Paà «r, for whom he wrote, among other exercises, twenty-four fugues in parts. Years of intensive practice under the father's strict supervision followed his return home. During this period he acquired the phenomenal command of the violin that amazed musicians and music lovers everywhere (Anders 40-41). Paganini stands at the threshold of a new era in violin playing, if later in life he referred to himself as self-taught, this does not imply a lack of gratitude to his teachers. He developed his very individual style of playing on his own, during his up to twelve hours of daily practice, as he recalled. In 1801 he freed himself of his father's relentless supervision by joining the orchestra in Lucca as a first violinist. Five years later he moved on to the court of Napoleon's sister Elisa Bacciocchi, then princess of Lucca. He remained there until 1809, active as a soloist, music director, orchestra member, and chamber music player. His career as a touring virtuoso did not begin until 1813 when, thirty-one years old, he reaped such spectacular successes in Milan that the world took notice (Anders 42). Paganini was a compulsive gambler who at times came close to being sent to debtor's prison, and who once had to use his violin to pay his debts. In this dilemma, someone presented him with a Guarneri violin so that he could play a concert that had already been scheduled (McGinnis 117). The sensational aspects of Paganini's public appearances were heightened by a wealth of freely invented stories, such as the one about his prison sentence, for which there is absolutely no foundation. While he played the violin in prison, it is related, three strings broke, one after another, until only the G string remained, so that he was forced to develop his uncanny ability to play on one string alone (Athanassoglou-Kallmyer 1). The later â€Å"Moses† Fantasy is one of his compositions demonstrating this skill.) According to another wild story he strangled his wife (in fact, Paganini never married) and used her intestines as raw material for strings. Such stories may have been inspired by the virtuoso's fondness, reminiscent of Don Giovanni's, for the fair sex, which indeed accounted for many romantic adventures in his youth. Stories persisted, even late in his life, about wealthy countesses and others who offered him their money and their everything-stories that of course were good publicity. It is a fact that his profoundly melancholic appearance and his haggard, mephistophelian figure held a strong fascination for women, which he did not mind at all (Prod'Homme 24). Behind the virtuoso facade he cultivated, there was another Paganini-the one who in private gatherings played Beethoven quartets well and with great enthusiasm, including the late quartets. When on tour, he missed no opportunity to hear Fidelio or Don Giovanni. He also was quite fond of older vocal music, especially Palestrina's (Prod'Homme 24). Paganini's fame was restricted to Italy until 1828, when, at the age of forty-six, he traveled to Vienna for his first engagement abroad. The impression he made there defies imagination. The first recital took place on 29 March in the Redoutensaal, filled to capacity (Athanassoglou-Kallmyer 2). All local violinists were there, along with Schubert, the poet Grillparzer, the Esterhà ¡zy family, and everyone who was anyone in the arts and in society. Thirteen more concerts followed, all equally crowded. A veritable Paganini mania broke out (Prod'Homme 35). Strauss wrote a â€Å"Paganini Waltz,† merchants offered Paganini schnitzel, cravats, and haircuts. When Paganini's good business sense led him to raise the price of admission to one gold florin, that coin became known as a â€Å"Paganinerl.† There were poems of fulsome admiration, and the critics outdid each other writing hymns of praise. Until 1831, Paganini chiefly concertized in Germany, residing in Frankfurt on the Main. Some during this period refused to be caught up in the delirious adulation and were all the more critical of the violinist and his mesmerized public. Others were more insightful and understanding of the changing times (Athanassoglou-Kallmyer 1). Serious scholars, eccentrics, journalists, and charlatans ever since have tried to discover the miracle of his playing and its effect on audiences. Some significant details were established, but anyone who tried to build an entire system on such discoveries, even a philosophy of violin playing, lost their credibility. As Flesch (The Art of Violin Playing, vol. 2) said, â€Å"A publication whose title uses the name Paganini as a sales placard impresses one at once as a mere advertising puff† (Flesch 85). Paganini must be credited with inaugurating a new era, not only for violin playing but for instrumental accomplishment in general. The standards he set are still valid in our time. Liszt, a genius, was able by virtue of great effort and superhuman concentration, to adapt Paganini's technique to his own piano playing. It took violinists almost a century to accomplish this for their instrument and to develop pedagogical methods based on Paganini's achievements. Works Cited Anders, G. E. Nicolo Paganini: His life, personality, and secrets. Dover Publications, 1991. Athanassoglou-Kallmyer, Nina. â€Å"Blemished Physiologies: Delacroix, Paganini, and the    Cholera Epidemic of 1832†. The Art Bulletin, Vol. 83, 2001. Flesch, Carl. Art of Violin Playing: Book Two. Carl Fischer Music Dist, 2000. McGinnis Ferguson, Hugh. No Gambling at the casino Paganini. The Phi Beta Kappa Society   Ã‚   in The American Scholar, 1994. Prod'Homme, Jacques Gabriel. Nicolo Paganini. Ams Pr Inc, 1975.      

Criminal Justice Wedding Cake

The criminal justice wedding cake is a diagram to show the importance of a crime and where it would be categorized. There are four layers on the cake that signify each of the major types of crimes: (1) misdemeanors, (2) less serious felonies, (3) serious felonies, and (4) celebrated cases. Also, the size of these layers depends on the importance of the crimes, with misdemeanors being the largest and at the bottom and the celebrated cases being at the top and the smallest layer. The bottom and largest layer of the criminal justice wedding cake pertains to the misdemeanors.A misdemeanor is a lesser crime and the person being punished is given either a fine or a few days of imprisonment depending on the type of crime committed. Misdemeanors range from a number of different things from a possession charge to a minor traffic violation, like a hit and run accident with another person’s vehicle. But it depends upon the state that these offenses are listed as misdemeanors. The next la yer would consist of the less serious felonies. These are usually committed by first time offenders.Some of the cases include small robberies of a low dollar value with no weapons involved or something as simple as a fight that ended with assault charges. Most of the time, depending on the severance of the case, these felonies are not dealt with like they should be. The punishments for these types of cases are things like probation or home incarceration. The third layer of the criminal justice wedding cake would include the more serious felonies. Some of these crimes would consist of murders, high dollar robberies that involved weapons, such as bank heists or home invasions, or a probation violation.These felonies are taken very seriously and they often require a minimum sentence of at least one year in prison. At the very top of the cake rests the celebrated cases. These cases are the high-profile cases and they attract a lot of media attention. The people involved in them can incl ude someone famous, or very wealthy, like OJ Simpson, Martha Stewart, and Lindsey Lohan. Celebrated cases can also be someone unknown who committed a very wrongful crime like a serial killer, or simply because they attract the media.

“A Rose For Emily” by William Faulkner †Foreshadowing Essay

Foreshadowing is often used by an author to heighten the interest in the story. The author of â€Å"A Rose for Emily† foreshadows the discovery of Homer Barron’s body in a few different ways. The smell that develops around Emily’s house, and Homer never returning to Emily’s house are both foreshadowing what happens later in the story. When Emily went into the drug store saying â€Å"‘ I want the best you have. I don’t care what kind'†,(William Faulkner) and purchased rat poison, it immediately informed the reader that somebody is the story was going to die. While reading this story, I believed that Emily purchased the rat poison in order to kill herself, not Homer Barron. Right at the end of the story, when the door to the house gets opened, the Negro immediately leaves, which indicates that he has got something to hide. We soon find out that he indeed had something to hide, Homer Barron’s body. Emily Grierson’s portrayal of reality is completely different from the reality surrounding her. Emily doesn’t allow the mayor to put up a mailbox in front of her house, and refuses to accept the fact that there might be mail coming to her house. She believes that since she doesn’t have any actual friends, there will be no mail getting delivered to her house. She believes that since nobody is friends with her, she should have no mail. Emily refuses to accept a lot of things. She also refuses to pay taxes because she has â€Å"‘no taxes in Jefferson (William Faulkner). After her father’s death Emily had been dismissed of paying taxes and had still not realized that time had gone by and things had changed. Emily also refused to accept her father’s death and follow the rules at the pharmacy when asked to identify the reason she that she needs rat poison. Emily Grierson does not seem to understand that things change as time passes by. Homer may have changed his mind about being with Emily, but Emily did not want to accept this fact. This may have c aused her to keep Homer with her forever, in her own, sick, twisted way.

My Favorite Movie The Million Pound Note Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

My Favorite The Million Pound Note - Movie Review Example After some time, he comes across Oliver and Roderick wealthy British brothers. The two brothers take advantage of Adams situation and try to experiment out their theories on Adam. The brothers take advantage of their status to acquire a note printed one million pounds from the bank. The first brother Oliver purports that the idea of owning a note of such a value is a key to the owner receiving whatever he requires, however, the second brother Roderick, expresses that the owner of the million pound note is bound to spend the money in order to attain whatever he needs. Adams gets the note, but under one condition from the brothers, he must keep it for a period of one month without using it till the brothers’ return. Everything changes from that point on, people coming in contact with Adam; treat him with a lot of respect since he is now a millionaire. Whenever he needs a good or a service it is efficient for him since he only needs to show out the million pound note. This trend goes on and in the process his popularity grows all over Britain to the extent of being invited to socialize with the nobility. In particular, he meets up with the English nobility and the American Ambassador. The intriguing life of Henry Adams is disrupted one time when he is unable to produce his note at a critical moment when it is needed at the stock market (Molyneaux 125). One of the main reasons I like this movie is its classical nature, all the characteristics and issues, which are expected to be in a classical film are embedded in this one. Gregory Peck is one of my best classical actors. Since I am a fan of classical music, the movie is more appealing with the use of classical music as the soundtrack. I also like the idea of old eliminated denominations used in the movie, the comparison of the value of money at that time and today is funny and absurd. The movie’s running time of one hour thirty minutes is convenient for me; the time is enough for me to watch without getting bored or restless. This movie inspires me when I think of the downfalls and unfortunate situations, which Adam had gone through before he met up with the eccentric brothers and his life changed for the better (Molyneaux 122). I am a lover of comedy movies such as The Million Pound Note, and the central actor who gives me laughter in the whole movie is Henry Adams. An interesting part in that movie is the scene in which Adam takes a meal in a restaurant after which he is asked to pay for it. An irony that brings out laughter is when Adam has to pay some small amount for the food he has eaten, but he only has the million pound note. He apologizes to the waiter that he does not have any small denomination to pay for the bill. It is a fun moment in that the person saying that he only has a million pound note, some days back could not claim anything as his own. Another interesting episode in this movie is the scene in which Adam is not recognized or welcomed when he enters a suit store. The situation changes when he shows out his million pound note. I like the fact that Adams is later treated like a king in the suit store when the attendants notice his million pound note, they bring out the best suits in the store to Adam. The climax of fun moments in the movie, which I like is when Adam is at the stock mark

Managing risk through a global capital strategy. Financial situations Research Paper

Managing risk through a global capital strategy. Financial situations of hospitals (especially in US) - Research Paper Example Back in 1958 in the Economic Review Modigliani and Miller proposed two very different optimal capital structures and since then there has been much debate going on as to what exactly is an optimal capital structure. Their first proposition concludes that in economic equilibrium conditions and perfect capital markets on which there is no tax liability, a firm is independent of an optimal capital structure to maximize its value. Five years after that, in 1963, they propose a different theory stating that introduction of corporate taxes provides a tax shield for debt that can escort a firm that is financed with 100% of debt. This props further questions like; aren’t firms wasting tons of money in tax payment to underuse debts (assumptions are; bankruptcy costs moderately) or other factors can take part in diminishing debt’s tax advantage? One such factor is the personal-corporate tax interaction where slightly different treatment of equity and debt (at personal level) that lessens the observed debt value. Corporate tax advantage is fractionally balanced by personal tax disadvantage by paying interest payments (Miller, 1977). The good thing is it confirms to both Miller and Modigliani. If there are no tax disadvantages then debt level returns back to the levels defined back in 1963. On the other side, advantages of debt get terminated by terminating personal equity tax. Personal income tax rate becomes equal to marginal corporate rate while suffering losses at corporate level. Probably in the long run, a capital structure under these forces may not be of much help in explaining the phenomenon of optimism but when tax code and variations are considered, business risks help explain the short term optimal capital structure of a firm. The capital structures constructed by health care providers have both negative and positive effects on the hospital business and success of organization. These capital structures built by combinations of debt and equity are now relatively modified as compared to previous decades’. In the aftermath of financial crisis of 2007-2008, the volatile situation of stock market, interest rate indexes, innovations in financial products especially in OTC markets for bonds and derivatives and changing dimensions of credit markets present a new challenge for providers. Specification of thesis – main point   What is an optimal capital structure and what are the ways to determine an optimal capital structure of a firm? And how risk can be managed through a global capital structure? Risk is present all the time, in capital markets, which affects the capital structure of firms. So instead of avoiding it, a better strategy is to have well managed capital strategy in place. c) Three supporting opinions/reasons   1. Enterprise Risk Management Balance sheet risk management will always remain most important in overall financial risk management. A well established and well operated risk management for treas ury practices is the major force in mitigating the financial stress of a balance sheet risk. Hospitals and health care facilities have different profiles and risk/return objectives with different market share and risk exposures, therefore there isn’t a standard capital structure that fits all. Every hospital and health care facility will need to have their custom made. One move that definitely fits almost all health care providers is to have a global capital strategy. A strong liquidity packed with position low forward capital needs would probably call for floating rate debt and appropriate interest rate

How to Find, Capture, and Control the Most Lucrative Markets in Any Assignment

How to Find, Capture, and Control the Most Lucrative Markets in Any Business - Assignment Example In order to compete effectively, the business unit needs to adopt the strategy which motivates the customers to buy the product and use the service of this business unit.   For example, the product line can be very differentiated or innovative, the appealing marketing campaigns, the exclusivity of the service, and, of course, the price should be maintained lower than competitors.   Nevertheless, the lowering of price does not guarantee success on the market.   The monopolistic or perfectly competitive firms do not have to consider the price setting of the rivals but the oligopolistic or the monopolistically competitive firms do.  If the company is producing the unique good and no substitutes exist, and the other firms are prevented from participation in production by some barriers, such as patent rights, the market for this good becomes monopolistic. The perfectly competitive firm has an influence over the market price by deciding how much the good should cost – the pr oducer does not have to adjust the price of the good to the market price. Monopolistic firms are price seekers, not price takers (Lele 2005). Therefore, monopoly grants the right to control the market, even though the firms still have to find the optimum price for their product – the buyers can refuse to buy at the price they consider too high for the value they get.  The monopolistic business unit has the strategy of finding the level of output that maximizes the profits and minimizes the losses – the same for perfectly competitive firms. The most profitable level of production in monopoly is when marginal cost equals marginal revenue – in the case with perfectly competitive firms, the marginal cost should equal the average revenue (price). Monopolistic firms are profitable, but unlike competitive firms, the new firms are not attracted into the industry. If the market is competitive, the new entrants ensure the increase in output and, as a result, the fall in price. Monopolistic market structure blocks such entries and therefore the price remains at the most suitable for the firm level (Kreps 1990).

No topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 71

No topic - Essay Example Furthermore, vertical marketing systems can take numerous forms. Moreover, in a company VMS, one associate of the distribution channel possesses the other associates. Though they are owned mutually, every corporation in the chain remains to do a discrete task. However, in an ordered VMS, one associate of the channel is significant and influential ample to organize the actions of the other associates deprived of an ownership stake. Whereas. Horizontal marketing is the union of organizations on the equal level to follow marketing prospects. Moreover, the organizations join their capitals like production abilities and supply to exploit their incomes probable. For instance, a soft drink firm may cartel with a bread producer and the two foodstuffs are marketing and distributed jointly. I think the best form that best describes Costco Company is the vertical approach. Vertical organizations give clear lines of power and a fitted extent of control; these can result in high operating effectiveness. Overall, the business is encompassed of comparatively minor departments, allowing bosses to observe carefully and control the actions of their underlings. However, workers at the bottom of a vertical structure might feel less esteemed than those upper in the Chain. Moreover, for the company to cut cost, the number of chains should reduce. That will ensure that the value drops

Write paragraph on (1) Sun Centered Universe and (2) Earth Centered Assignment

Write paragraph on (1) Sun Centered Universe and (2) Earth Centered Universe (Maximum one page, half page for each) - Assignment Example According to the Holy Scriptures (the Genesis), God created the earth and later added sun, moon, stars and planets to beatify it. The earth centered model also projected heaven and hell as the outermost space (Wils S, Wils S R, 2001, p.31). Aristarchus (310 BC-230 BC) introduced Heliocentrism (Sun Centered model) but was unfortunately ignored for centuries. However, the theory was later revived by Nicholaus Copernicus in 16th century AD. Heliocentric model challenged the Earth Centered theory stating Sun as the center of the universe. Although Copernicus could not gain appreciation for his findings, Johannes Kepler (1571-1630) and Galileo Galilei (1564-1642), the supporters of heliocentrism, contributed to the growth of the theory. Kepler introduced the law of motion and described how satellites revolving the sun and how the moon orbiting the earth (Kuhn K F & Koupelis, 2004, pp.41-42). Galileo invented telescope and made star observation rather easy. However, Catholic Church which was the emerging political and religious power of the age opposed and persecuted Galileo for his

Environment analysis of Germany and Expansion of BYD Co., Ltd 03013 Essay - 1

Environment analysis of Germany and Expansion of BYD Co., Ltd 03013 - Essay Example The Third section is based on the recommendations of market entry strategy, and Section four includes marketing mix. The last section is based on the conclusion. Environmental factors have a huge impact on businesses; therefore, organization before taking start conducts the environmental analysis. Firm that are involved in systematic environmental assessment is more effective than those that do not conduct or analyze the environment. Environmental analysis is the study of factors that make impact on business and helps in identifying the opportunities for the organization and guide organizations to take actions that are appropriate in order to have the full advantage of opportunity (Jain, Trehan and Trehan 2009).Environment analysis can be divided into two segments macro and micro. The best common tool that is used to conduct the macro environmental analysis is PESTLE analysis (Bensoussan and Fleisehr 2012). 1) In Germany political conditions are in favor of the automobile industry, the government has policy to support the car industry through funding. In 2013, according to the estimates, the government made $1303 funding on per vehicle produced (The Conservation 2013). 2) The Country has policy to give a political response to the industry in case of crisis. For example, in response to 2008 crisis, a significant downturn in the European market by 11% was encountered; in response to the downturn, Germany introduced several scraping schemes that helped in increasing the demand of cars (OECD 2009). 3)The Governmenthad significant policies to encourage the electro-mobility initiatives and had introduced a â€Å"national electro-mobility development program† with more than 500 million euro investment (Germany Trade & Invest 2013). 4) The Government has policies to invest in new technologies and committed to spending EUR 70 billion on research and development on annual basis. Germany is the

Edward Joseph Snowden and the National Security Agency (NSA) Assignment

Edward Joseph Snowden and the National Security Agency (NSA) - Assignment Example The amount of disclosure availed by Snowden has been termed as immeasurable. And has been in terms of files and email accounts of many key individuals. Moreover, the areas covered the range from uninformed surveillance, security details, and what the NSA terms as very sensitive for the operation of the security affairs of the state. Snowden’s actions instigated debates over government’s secrecy, the extent the government can go when it comes to surveillance and the rights of the public to the privacy of information (ONeill, 2013). It was clear that the government was snooping on civilians and would tap servers of major Internet companies for emails and documents without the public’s consent (Dickson, 2013). This would leave the public perplexed especially this being a government it had trusted for long and was aware of the laws and what the constitution deems as unalienable with the people, that is their right to privacy. The matter had some moral implications in general. Edward Snowden revealed a dozen of things that the government was doing behind our back. Taking our information without our involvement and in a secret way was a violation of rights considered inseparable from the people and deemed as so by the constitution (ONeill, 2013). The data collection is unconstitutional and happens to be an infringement of the right to privacy (Cohn, 2014). Every democratic society considers privacy as a human right that is fundamental to the liberty of the people. The government has no right to commit arbitrary interference with privacy, as that would constitute a constitutional attack. It insults people dignity and autonomy. The government has termed such encroachment on privacy as modest yet it felt the need to perform it undercover, an element that suggests that there could be more to hide (Dickson, 2013). Snooping calls with no intention to listen to the conversations would be

Information Sensitivity and Protection of Data (SLP) Essay

Information Sensitivity and Protection of Data (SLP) - Essay Example Moreover, constant review of data and information security conducted by the company is also an important part of the Information Security Policies of OSF ([1] OSF Healthcare, 2013). Hence, it can be stated that the Information Security Policies of OSF Healthcare is quite well developed being in alignment with the strategic goals of the organization. Information Security Policies and Measures of OSF Healthcare OSF has implemented certain crucial measures with regard to ensure confidentiality, availability and reliability of data and information related to operational activities of the organization. For instance, OSF has taken the initiative to maintain secrecy of the personal information of the patients they serve in front of any unauthorized party. Furthermore, the company also ensures optimum security in its computer database as well as memory storages of other communication networks, in order to protect all the confidential information related to the operations of the organization and the people they serve. The organization is further tied up with well known and leading data warehousing services providers, i.e. Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW), that is entitled to look after each and every aspect of data and information storage related operations of the organization. ... ross-Community Access (XCS) system that enables it to ensure availability of the data related to patients throughout its various other branches with utmost convenience and security. Hence, it can be stated that this measures or approaches of the company strengthen information security and sensitivity altogether by facilitating data disbursement and simultaneously, preserving information security (Informatics Corporation of America, 2013; OSF Healthcare, n.d.). The ways through which OSF could protect from the loss of its data and steps to make sure that data remains accessible in the event of a catastrophe Protection of Data Lost Losing any important information or data from the data base and other data storage system might significantly impact the operations of OSF, hindering its strategic goal to suffice the medical needs of the patients within due time and involving minimum costs. To mitigate such situations, OSF has adopted many strategies, as described above. Apart from those, t he organization could adopt certain measures that might deliver effective and noteworthy results regarding the concerned issue. For instance, EDW, which is responsible for managing all the data recorded by OSF, should ensure multiple powers and battery back-ups, which are accounted to be the most common causes of data loss. Regular data backups is also another basic and effective measure that EDW could implement in order to mitigate data loss from system failures or other incidents (Knox, McNitt & Westman, 2013). Steps To Ensure Security of Data and Information from Catastrophic Event Data and information of any organization remains in constant threat from various external and internal agents, like unauthorized access and other distortions when transmitting information. However, the threat

Womens Political Participation in Afghanistan Essay Example for Free

Womens Political Participation in Afghanistan Essay â€Å"As a global trend, rising number of women in politics will indicate that human beings are making progress towards a more humane world-not because women are necessarily more humane than men, but because any society that categorically excludes half of its members from the process by which it rules itself will be ruled in a way that is less than fully human† Kathlene Introduction The world over women are struggling to break the shackles that bind them challenging the unequal distribution of power in society. Transforming the existing in egalitarian pattern of gender relationships necessitates leadership in the state, markets and civil society- the key centers of power in the present globalizing economy. It is, therefore, imperative for women to be in the corridors of power and have the power to negotiate a better deal for themselves, if they are to influence policy decisions which have an impact upon them. Empowerment of women in all spheres, in particular the political sphere is crucial for their advancement and foundation of a gender-equal society. It is central to the achievement of the goals of equality, development and peace. Women’s political empowerment is premised on â€Å"three fundamental and non-negotiable principles: a) the equality between women and men; b) women’s rights to self representation and self determination.†(1) In empowerment, the key indeed is ‘power’; it is power to ‘access, ‘control’ and make ‘informed choices’. According to the Jakarta declaration â€Å"empowerment of women is not only an equity consideration, it was also a necessary precondition for sustainable economic and social development. Involvement of women in the political arena and in decision-making roles in an important tool for empowerment as well as monitoring standards of political performance.† (2)The application of the philosophical underpinnings of Jakarta Declaration are necessary ,because in the countries where women have gained near equal representation such as in Scandinavian countries, they have begun to alter the very nature of politics. Women are, however, virtually invisible in the political sphere. The notions of a distinct public/political sphere have been used to legitimize the exclusion of women from the public sphere. Under-representation or invisibility of women in decision-making reinforces their deprivation, leading to an unequal distribution of resources, neglect of their interests, needs, perspectives and priorities and no say in policy making. Their voices fall on deaf ears, and as Alida Brill vehemently insists, â€Å"without our own voices being heard inside the government arenas and halls of public policy and debate, we are without the right of accountability _ a basic entitlement of those who are governed â€Å".(3) To effectuate feminization of politics a critical mass of women in the decision-making bodies is yet to emerge. The substantial gains made by the women’s movement over the decades, are not adequately reflected in representation of women in positions of power. The 30 percent target of women’s representation fixed by the Economic and Social Council is not included in the International Development Targets. (4) The world average of women in legislative bodies continues to be merely 12-13 percent; only a few countries have 30 percent or more women in decision-making posts. (5) According to the United Nations Division for the advancement of women (UNDAW), Fact sheet on women in government of 1996, the percentage of women in both ministerial and sub-ministerial levels ranges from 0 percent (in about 15 countries, to 30 percent in 2 countries. 15 countries had 0 percent of women in governmental positions in 1996, out of which 8 were Arab countries. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) statistics, from 1945 to 1995, the percentage of women MPs worldwide has increases four-fold. Their latest statistics indicate that, in 2000, the world average of women in parliaments (both houses combined) is 13.8 percent. The regional variations, however, are significant. The highest percentage of women in parliaments in the Nordic countries at 38.8 percent, followed by Europe (including the Nordic countries) at 16.0 percent, Americas at 15.5 percent, Asia at 15.0, Europe OSCE member countries (excluding the Nordic countries) at 14.1 percent, Sub-Saharan Africa at 11.6 percent, Pacific at 8.3 percent and the lowest in the Arab states at 3.3 percent. (6) Among the individual countries Sweden ranks first with 44.7%percent of women in Parliament, followed by Denmark at 39.1%percent and Finland at 36.5 percent. Afghanistan ranks 37 With mere a 27.7% Percent of women in parliament. It is noteworthy that at least 9 states including Kuwait and United Arab Emirates have no women in Parliament. Given this factual background , there is a need for examining the existing power structures, the extent of women’s participation in the political process and suggest measures to increase the ‘critical mass’ or the member of women in politics, thereby paving the way for transformative politics. The issue is vast and to attempt to compress it within the confines of one paper is like putting an ocean into a jar. The present paper attempts to identify some of the key issues relating to women’s political empowerment, thereby helping to clarify and advance the debate. There are no claims here to produce an exhaustive analysis. The paper, keeping in view editorial guidelines, is structures along the following lines: * A review of international actions for women’s empowerment * A n overview of national efforts * Analyze the challenges faced by women in attaining de facto equality in Afghanistan * Identify future steps to enhance women’s political participation International Initiative for women’s empowerment The question of women’s political participation is now on the international agenda, and permeating many regional and national plans of action. Much hope has been invested in the United Nations and it has consistently been the engine for keeping the gender issues on political rights of women in 1952.Since 1975 four international conferences on women have been held under its auspices; all the conferences have emphasized women’s political empowerment as a key concern. (7) The issue of women’s political empowerment, while attracting considerable attention earlier, actually came to the forefront of the global debate for women’s rights at the time of Fourth World Conference on women held at Beijing in 1995.Henceforth, the issue continued to hold centre-stage of all discussions on gender justice and equality. Women’s equal access to, and full participation in decision- making was emphasized in the platform for action, as one of the critical areas of concer n. It unequivocally declared, â€Å"Women’s equal participation in political life plays a pivotal role in the general process of the advancement of women. women’s equal participation in decision-making is not only a demand for simple justice or democracy but can also be seen as a necessary condition for women’s interests to be taken into the account† .(8) A detailed set of recommendations were issued therein to all governmental and non-governmental communities, nationally and internationally , to enhance women’s political participation and decision-making.it recommended governmental commitment to gender balance in all spheres, reform of electoral systems, monitoring and evaluation of progress in women’s representation, revamping of party structures to remove barriers to women’s political participation, incorporation of gender issues and initiatives in the agenda of political parties, affirmative action, create or strengthen mechanisms to monitor women’s access to senior levels of decision-making among others. (9) it affirmed that women should have at least a 30 percent share of decision-making positions. However, recommendations are exactly that; they rarely, if ever, can be enforced with full authority and extent of law. Women’s political participation was equally focused upon at the Asia Pacific Regional NGO Symposium (1999) held in Thailand on the theme ‘Asia Pacific Women 2000: Gender Equality Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century† too focused on women’s political participation as one of the critical areas of concern recognized in BPFA. It noted the gains but recognized that power structures continue to be dominated by men; women’s representation continues to be low and recommended that timeframes be set and monitors to meet assigned quotas on women’s representation in politics. Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) has launched a campaign for 50-50, that is, equal representation. This brief review reveals that women’s political empowerment is at the centre-stage of all discourse on women’s issues at the international level. Corresponding to the international efforts, various initiatives have been/ are being taken for the purpose at the national level too. Women political empowerment in Afghanistan The status of women in Afghanistan has been of deep concern since they were stripped of their fundamental rights under Taliban rule. Today, The Asia Foundation works to promote opportunities for Afghan girls and women through collaboration with a broad range of local partners, including government agencies and influential non-state actors, including civil society, and tribal and religious leaders. The Foundation provides growing support for girls to access education and programs that increase women’s economic participation and access to justice. The Foundation is helping build the capacity of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs to be an effective advocate for policy reform and provision of services to women. Although Afghan women still face significant challenges, there have been some notable achievements, including a national constitution that guarantees women’s equal rights, the adoption of the National Plan of Advancement of Women of Afghanistan 2008-2018, and the growth of civil society organizations working to advance women’s rights and deliver much-needed services for women. There has also been significant progress in getting girls, who were banned from attending school under the Taliban, enrolled in public schools. Today, more than two million girls attend school, representing 35 percent of the total K-12 student population, and women’s university enrollment is also increasing. Four hundred women contested the 2010 parliamentary elections and for the first time, women served as election observers in all 34 provinces in Afghanistan. According to Women’s â€Å"Empowerment† in Post Conflict Afghanistan, After decades of war, among the many challenges of post-war reconstruction in Afghanistan, is women’s â€Å"empowerment†. But what does â€Å"Empowerment† mean? â€Å"Empowerment† is a very dynamic and context dependent concept. It can be conceived on different levels and domains, as debated by different development agents and feminists (Afshar, 1998). However, in feminist discourse, â€Å"power† is de fined in a more relational form. It is not defined in isolation but in consideration of the role and relationship of women with women, men and the wider community. The emphasis is not on the â€Å"power over†, as observed by Rowland (1998), which is a more traditional interpretation of â€Å"empowerment†. Rowland reflects on different interpretations of â€Å"power†, with the most possible different connotations, which change the terms of women’s â€Å"empowerment† out of its usual interpretation of being threatening to the power of the opposite sex. Some of the other interpretations, instead of â€Å"power over†, that she uses are: â€Å"power with†; â€Å"power to†; and â€Å"power within†. The interpretations in these other cases are in a more generic form, such as, â€Å"power with† refers to the collective action of tackling a problem together, â€Å"power to† as generative or productive power, which creates new possibilities and actions. Before I go further into women’s emancipation and their participation in social and political life of the country as cit izens, it is important to look at the power structure in a traditional society. What does women’s â€Å"empowerment† mean in a country where the question of â€Å"women† has been part of clashes between the modernists and the traditionalists, throughout the history? Considering the complexity of the â€Å"power† structure within the Afghan society and womens status within the family, community / tribe and finally the state, this research highlights the fact that womens â€Å"empowerment† cannot be discussed in terms of individuality, but, according to a feminist definition â€Å"in relation to men, women† and the community, not in isolation (Rowland, 1998). Afghan women are not a homogenous class. There are a number of significant socioeconomic factors, which contribute to the diversity of womens emancipation in the Afghan society, such as, age; educational level; and, the urban-rural divide. However, in general, Afghanistan is a traditional society where the notion of power is embedded in the patriarchal nature of the culture: reinforcing male supremacy and control over women to uphold family â€Å"honor† with conformity to accepted â€Å"behavioral norms†, which limits women’s life choices (Dupree, 199 8). As in other contexts, womens empowerment in Afghanistan cannot be discussed in a void, but should develop, through an understanding of the complexity of power and control structures in different layers around women. Stumbling Blocks and stepping stones The problems facing women wishing to run for parliament have been described as the ‘four Cs’- culture, childcare, cash and confidence. (10) The unequal participation of women in power and decision-making structures as the local, national, regional and international levels reflects structural, attitudinal and cultural barriers prevailing in all societies. Stereotypical gender roles remain a major obstacle in women’s political empowerment. On the one major obstacle in women’s political empowerment. One the one hand women are considered unfit for leadership. The public-private domain theory has been used as Vicky Randall observes, â€Å"ideologically to justify women’s exclusion from public politics, while women’s actual confinement to a narrow domestic sphere has been a major brake upon effective political participation. At the same time the public-private convention has masked the crucial interdependence of these spheres. Not only have women’s private roles limited and largely defined their public contribution, but public policies have confirmed their ‘private’ obligations. The impact is that political parties are hesitant to select women candidates from â€Å"winnable† seats. Women are usually fielded from ‘losing’ constituencies where the party does not want to waste a male candidate. â€Å" Male equivalence† the assumption that women access political life with the support, backing and contacts of family, in particular, that of the husband has been a dominant explanation for how women enter political life. It is difficult for women to establish a foothold without patronage from powerful men in the party- that too through close personal relations, as wives, daughters or sisters. The criterion for selection of women in constituency , but other apolitical considerations. Very few of the women in politics have an independent base as their entry point. Most enter politics as a sister, daughter, and wife of some men, who for some reason cannot contest election. A compartmentalization of the stumbling blocks leads us to the following points: social barriers include double responsibilities of women; traditional division of labor where women’s roles are ascriptive; lack of social services and support network; illiteracy; and socialization into gendered roles. Economic barriers may categorized as changes in a global economic market; biased theories and practices of development ; and feminization of poverty. Political barriers include type of electrol system; structures and agendas of political parties; lack of sufficient training and communication skills; and access to technology. Strategies Despite all the roadblocks that are clearly evident, it is possible to imagine and revision a more inclusive political system that allows for all the citizens to be democratically present in the political processes. In view of the need to ensure accommodation of the voice, ideas and the needs of women and to rectify imbalances in political representation, participation as the pre-requisite for facilitating and nurturing leadership is essential. The government must create an enabling environment for active leadership generating participation, which would ensure that women’s voices are heard in Afghanistan. Leadership too needs to be transformational, effecting changes in institutions of governance. Special mechanism must be introduced in order to induct women at all levels of decision-making to ensure that they form a critical mass and contribute to policy planning and implementation. The need is formulate institutional mechanisms and work out concrete measures to ensure and enhance women’s involvement and representations in positions of power and decision-making. Enhancing women’s political representation also entails reviewing of the process of selection of candidates within the political parties. The Beijing +5 Outcome Document too recognized the need to â€Å"encourage the nomination of more women candidates through political parties, quotas or measurable goals, or the other appropriate means for election to parliaments and other legislative structures, to increase their share and contribution in formulation of public policy†. The political parties must honour their commitment to gender justice and equality and ensure women’s representation all all levels of party hierarchy. Women, moreover, need to be actively involved in defining the political, economic, and social agenda. 26 This necessitates enhancing the performance and political skills of those women already in decision-making positions through imparting of formal as well as formal training, which could impart the art of lobbying, raising funds, networking as well as campaigning. Some systematized politicians would benefit new entrants to the political field. Women in senior positions, those who are already at the zenith of power could act as role models and mentors for the struggling ones. A massive grassroots movement must be initiated to change the perceptions of both decision-makers and voters. In this context, there is a need to develop strong linkage with already elected nearly one million grass root women. Lastly, it is absolutely essential to have a fixed time frame for achieving gender parity in political representation, without which governments and political parties cannot be held accountable. Conclusion â€Å"It’s not about simply mainstreaming women. It’s not about women joining the polluted stream. It’s about cleaning the system, changing stagnant pools into fresh flowing waters†. 27 when the interests and voices of half of humanity are not reflected in decision-making processes, the very legitimacy of the institutions, legislative and executive becomes questionable. Women are marginalized in the political process through co-operation, repression, socialization and sabotage. Women have been unable to find or create a space for themselves in decision-making sphere. The discourse, procedures, structures and functioning of political institutions remain heavily skewed in favor of men, as evident from disproportionately small number of women in decision-making bodies. The level of political participation among women in any society acts as a reliable barometer of the health of its system; it is clear that there is a systemic disease. Afghan women’s qualitative as well as quantitative participation at all levels of governance structures is absolutely essential for their empowerment. Bringing women into power is not only a matter of equity, of correcting an adjust and unrepresentative system, but is a means of addressing wider social issues of poverty eradication, employment, health and like, in short, facilitating a just , peaceful and humane social order. It is not an end itself, but a means to effectuate a change in the system. References: 1. CAPWIP , â€Å" Issues in Women’s Political Empowerment in the Asia-Pacific Region†, Proceeding of women in Asia and the Pacific: High-Level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, ESCAP, Manila, October 26-29,1999,p.281. 2. Jakarta declaration For the Advancement of Women in Asia and the Pacific, Second Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference on Women in Development, Jakarta, June 7-14, 1994. 3. Brill Alida. (ed), A Rising Public Voice : Women in Politics Worldwide, New York, N.Y.: The Feminist Press, 1995, p.1. 4. UNIFEM, Progress of the World’s Women 2000: UNIFEM Biennial Report, New York, N.Y.: UNIFEM, 2000, P.9. 5. Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands are a few examples of countries having more than thirty percent of women in decision-making posts. 6. IPU Website, http://www.ipu.org 7. In 1975, The World Plan of Action, adopted in the First World Conference held in Mexico City, put forward various suggestions, for the recruitment, nomination and promotion of women in various branches of government, public bodies, trade unions and pressure groups: In Copenhagen, in 1980, further steps were recommended to promote international cooperation and strengthen peace through women’s participation. The Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies, adopted in the Third World Conference on Women, Nairobi (1985) stresses that â€Å"Women by virtue of their gender, experience discrimination in terms of equal access to the power structure that controls society and determines development issues and peace initiatives† (Para 46) It was further pointed out that â€Å"For true equality to become a reality for women, the sharing of power on equal terms with men must be a major strategy.† ( para 51) the importance of governmental and non -governmental organizations in educating women to exercise their newly-own civil, political and social rights was emphasized. In this process of consciousness rising, efforts would have to be made to fix definite time-bound targets and even resort to be quota system. 8. Beijing Platform for Action , p 109 9. For details see Beijing Platform for Action, p 109-115. The goal of equal participation of men and women in decision-making as a crucial element to strengthen democracy was equally emphasized by commission on the Status of Women at its 41st session in 1997. The efforts for women’s political empowerment made by governments of Asia and the Pacific were also analyzed at the ESCAP High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review Regional Implementation of Beijing Platform for Action , October 26-29,1999, The report reveals that of the 40 countries in region, the proportion of women in the national legislatures increased in 28 countries, declined in 8 and remained the same in 4.Yet women remained in a minority in the legislatures.( Report of ESCAP High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, October 26-29, 1999 , p.86) 10. The best man for the job? The Selection of Women Parliamentary Candidates,† Finding of the Fawcett Society, February, 1997. Presented at listen to Women’s Vote. 1998, p. 19