Core Ideas Of Liberalism and Conservatism

Struggle between liberal and conservative tendencies is, perhaps, the key element for understanding the political life of the west in the last three centuries. So, in order to understand this struggle one needs to understand what are the core ideas of liberalism and conservatism. This paper aims to investigate some of the most prominent example of liberal and conservative political thought. The first basic ideas of liberalism have been explained by John Locke, who explained that â€Å"Adam had not, either by natural right of fatherhood, or by positive donation from God, any such authority over his children, or dominion over the world, as is pretended† (1. 84). Later the state of natural freedom has been replaced by different forms of unjust oppression, and freedom can be restored only by agreement of free individuals making a civil society.   In the world of monarchism this idea sounded revolutionary, but was still far from practical application. Liberal concepts gained much popularity between the Founding Fathers of the United States, as well as later American publicists. Among others they have been explained and practically developed in the Federalist Papers. For example in Paper 51 James Madison investigated the system of checks and balances as a foundation for independent and responsible state power and a guarantee of reservation of liberty and against usurpation. The source of power for Madison is not God or king, for â€Å"the supreme executive, legislative, and judiciary magistracies should be drawn from the same fountain of authority, the people, through channels having no communication whatever with one another† (1. 118). However, liberalism concerns not only the formation of political power, but relations inside the society as well. British philosopher Thomas Hill Green in 1861 wrote about â€Å"the liberation of the powers of all men equally for contributions to a common good† (1.132). And so paradoxically liberalism restricts some forms of civil transaction such as trade of slaves or, for example, those, which jeopardize public health. Liberalism is understood as general state of freedom in the society, which is limited only by freedom of the others and the function of the state in such society is only to protect freedom and never exercise more power, than needed for the interests of liberal society. In contrast to liberalism, conservative ideas gained more popularity in the XIX century and were a sort of reaction to the spread of revolutionary ideas, especially after American and French revolutions, therefore, they have been aimed to limitation of liberalism. As explained by Michael Oakeshott, â€Å"adults who do not consider themselves under any obligation to justify their preferences for making their own choices; and that it is beyond human experience to suppose that those who rule are endowed with a superior wisdom† (1.193). Humans are week, and too much freedom is likely to corrupt the power and ruin the society. Oakeshott’s example is brutal but very persuasive: â€Å"we tolerate monomaniacs, it is our habit to do so; but why should we be ruled by them?† (1.194) Conservatism can be helpful at unstable times and conservative methods of rule like cutting tax rates in order to stimulate steady economic growth or taking control of the media may sometimes serve the public good. Liberalism and conservatism are therefore the two opposite political foundations, neither of which can be obviously preferred of disfavored. The application of liberal and conservative ideas is not a matter of principle, but a matter of current situation. Works Cited: 1. Nancy S. Love. And Dreams: A Reader In Modern Political Ideologies. (CQ Press; 3 edition, 2005)

Realism and the Future of World Politics Essay

First and foremost it is important to remember that state interest or state preference operates in an anarchic environment. The international system is inherently unstable and is aptly characterized by widespread anarchy. Due to the absence of a suprastate or overarching Leviathan authority, states are placed in inevitable and perpetual competition, described as the security dilemma. This has been evidenced by the state of European affairs since 1789. Because of the anarchic nature of international affairs, states are perpetually concerned with their survival. For realists, the international system is a â€Å"dog-eat-dog world† and ensuring survival is paramount for any and all states. According to Hans Morgenthau, pioneering German political scientist and an early proponent of realist thought, due to the inherent instability of the international system, the fundamental national interest of all states is to â€Å"protect [its] physical, political, and cultural identity against encroachments by other nations† (Morgenthau, 1952). Specifically, threats to states are determined by their relative power vis-a-vis one others in the international system. The structure of the system – the distribution of power and capabilities state wide – is important because threats or challenges facing a state which affront the national interest should be â€Å"calculated according to the situation in which the state finds itself† (Waltz, 1979). Thus, power and security requirements are paramount in attempting to define state interest and what motivates states to act. Furthermore, Power and wealth supply the means for states to survive, to meet their security requirements, and thus to continue to compete in a system in which other states are necessarily either actual or potential threats. State officials ad policy analysts are therefore advised realistically to asses the distribution of power; they should overcome their ‘aversion to seeing problems of international politics as they are’ in order to objectively asses the national interest in light of the distribution of power. Every state, that is, must pursue its national interest â€Å"defined in terms of power† (Morgenthau 1952) because this is the surest road to security and survival (Weldes, 1999). If we apply the realist conception of states power and apply it to the future of the international world, conflict over resources and war will be a defining feature of the international system. Europe has been plagued by conflict since the late 18th century and despite global interdependence and the existence of multilateral organizations in the form of the UN and the European Union, there is little evidence to suggest that armed conflict is not the future of international affairs. Nationalism, a concept created in Europe, has been responsible for much armed conflict over the past three centuries. Nationalism in International Affairs Nationalism is an important force in international relations and has been so for centuries. As a basic principle of the international order, concepts of state sovereignty are intrinsic to our understanding of the world system. Accordingly, the international system is predicated upon the existence of nation-states and nationalism is a belief or sense of identity within the nation. The Treaty of Westphalia established the principle of state sovereignty, another fundamental principle of the international order which established the nation-state as an autonomous political entity. Similar to tribalism or a sense of social kinship, nationalism as a potent political force began in Europe in the late eightieth century and was connected with a decline in overall religiosity, the development of industrialization, Enlightenment thoughts and a concerted effort by political elites to â€Å"build states†. By inculcating a sense of nationalist fervor in the citizens of their respective countries, elites have been able to manipulate nationalism for political purposes. Mass mobilization towards a variety of specific causes through an appeal to nationalist sentiment has been used as a political tool for centuries. Although not exclusively a negative force, nationalism remains an important ordering principle of the international system and a force to be reckoned with (Waltz 2000). Concluding Remarks Keeping in mind our realist conception of state interest, conflict will be an inevitable feature of the international system in the next 50 years. Europe has descended into bloodshed and armed conflict and has been the feature of the European continent for centuries. When global war broke out in 1914 dreams of world peace and prosperity were shattered. Accordingly, the First World War was arguably one of the most traumatic episodes in the history of international affairs. Geopolitically speaking, the First World War (also described as WWI in this essay) was unprecedented in both scale and sheer loss of human life. Never before had the world witnessed such carnage and violence perpetuated through the use of modern technology. The First World War touched much of the world the implications of this conflict reverberated across the globe. In addition to WWI, Europeans states fought dozens of wars and were home to countless revolutions aimed at changing the political order. From the French Revolution to the Spanish Civil War and the â€Å"War to End All Wars†, World War II, the history of Europe since 1789 has been wrought with conflict with nationalism playing an important role in the outbreak of violence.

A report for Real Coffee LTD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

A report for Real Coffee LTD - Essay Example Under such circumstances entrepreneurs face non-negligible challenges in controlling and executing the business functions in a smooth fashion, given the obstacles in the form of staff management, delegation of power and business opportunities identification as well as their subsequent achievements (Welter, 2010). Correspondingly, it has been viewed that Real Coffee Ltd., which is a small chain of coffee shops has been facing challenges to maintain a desired level of employee retention rate. The main objective of this paper is therefore, to provide a detailed analysis of the external and internal analysis of the business. Based on the analysis, the discussion further intends to provide rational suggestions that would help in understanding on how curtained changes in the business can help Real Coffee Ltd. to meet its organizational goal. Part 1: External Analysis Consumer Buying Behaviour UK is observed to be amongst the top ten countries that dealt in coffee around the globe as of 201 1. It is worth mentioning that coffee is also measured to be the third-favourite non-alcoholic drink in the country. Over the year, it has been viewed that in the UK, the chain of coffee shops had grown 5.6% and contributed almost 29.1% market share by 2005. However, it has been viewed that independent and local coffee shops only grew by 2% and faced considerable amount of challenges over the year. Economic disturbance in the UK is also assumed to have affected the customer’s behaviours of drinking coffee. For instance, it was viewed that the coffee market grew by 17% from 2005 to 2009, again out of which, 57% of the total consumers 47% of the customers preferred sitting in coffee shops and 8.3 preferred take away services (Business Case Studies LLP, 2013). Moreover, it has also been viewed that today’s teenagers and young adults frequently visit cafes, which replicates it to be a growing trend. A thorough understanding of the consumer buying behaviour also revealed th at about 37% of the coffee consumers prefer black coffee in the UK, while the remaining 63% like to add sweetener with it. 57% of the total consumers further stated to prefer having it at breakfast (Liang & Wu, n.d.). Increasing Competitors Globalization and the rapid technological aspect is not only considered to be a boon for every individual and business house, which aims at establishing themselves at the global market, but is also stated to be a course for small business houses with limited resources. Coffee market in the UK is considered to be one of the largest industries. With the increasing adaption of coffee by the people worldwide, whereby many multinational organizations are being established in the nation creating greater competiveness for smaller coffee shops, it has been viewed that although, small shops provide better quality products at lesser price, people prefer going to branded stores like Costa and Starbuck as a symbolisation of economic status in the society (Ho spitality & Catering News, 2013). According to a survey conducted by Euromonitior international (2012), it was viewed th

The Second Industrial Revolution Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Second Industrial Revolution - Assignment Example Because the First World War came immediately after the Second Industrial Revolution, no one really understood the effect that mass production could have on warfare. The result was that developments of mass production, such as an unlimited supply of bullets, machine guns and semiautomatic weapons which were machined to exact standards through assembly lines, allowed a single soldier to kill countless more than ever previously in history. The Second Industrial Revolution, by making the production of all human devices, including weapons, more efficient, allowed governments in war to kill each other on an unprecedented scale. The Revolution also had economic downsides. It allowed economic ‘bubbles’ to build up on scaled previously unseen, the bursting of which had a part to play in the great depression. Furthermore, the mechanization of production tasks meant that a lot of things that used to need several people to accomplish could now be done by one, leading to unemployment . The solution to this, brought around in part by Roosevelt’s New Deal, was a shift of the workforce from production to services, leading to a better quality of life overall. The Second Industrial Revolution was just as influential as the first, but in very different ways. And also like the First Industrial Revolution, the progress it brought on came with significant costs.

Education Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Education - Research Paper Example It is a holistic process and continues through our life (http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com, Importance of Education). Thus taking the definitions given by our sources, we can say that education is a continuous process of acquiring knowledge to prepare oneself or others for the future. 2 The Importance of Education Education makes a better citizen (http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com, Importance of Education). Through education, we will know our history and culture and absorb those values taught. It opens our mind and develops our skills and capabilities. Education allows us to understand our duties as a citizen and uphold us to follow these duties. A good citizen knows how to do his duties and responsibilities. I believe that through education, a person acquires the knowledge to understand and recognize his value as a citizen of the country. 3 Another significance of education is that it ensures a productive future (http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com, Importance of Education). As defined, it is a continuous process and futuristic in character. Once a person receives a good education, he gets a secure future. A person is productive once he acquires new skills and talents through education. It is well acknowledged that education is a way for a better future. An educated man is guaranteed to a future full of opportunities to work. The jobs and professions require education as one of the basic prerequisites before a person can be hired. Each position requires a different standard or level of education. Thus a person’s future career greatly depends on his education. 4 Education opens new vistas (http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com, Importance of Education). It has the capability to open new vistas for us. Our education teaches us to expand our outlook and it widens our mental capacity to understand different point of views aiming for a greater enlightenment. Being educated, we are trained to accept and respect varying opinions and outlook of other people. Each person has his own stand and ideals to live. Our education helps us understand these variances in life. 5 Education helps spread awareness and in decision-making (http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com, Importance of Education). Education teaches us to distinguish right from wrong. It gives us the right answers. Decision making can be a very tough and challenging process. Since it is a fundamental part of our life, education enables us to take the right decision and prevent losses. 6 Another importance of education is that it bolsters confidence (http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com, Importance of Education). When a person is educated, he develops his self-confidence. A person with confidence shows he has belief in his self and his capabilities. Education helps us strengthens our self belief that we can face any challenges ahead of us. By relying to our capabilities, we are ready to take any risk and conquer all the tests in our life. 7 Education and the Future Our future greatly depends in our education. Our education is a very important tool in life. This is a key to our future and our success. We desire to achieve the goals we dream in our lives. Without education, people wouldn’t have high developed skills and talents that would help them become successful both in our careers,

Psychology human development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Psychology human development - Essay Example The playground has swings and other recreational equipment such as see-saw, slide, monkey bars and overhead ladder for children. The children found in the playground are usually between the ages of 3 to 11 years old. The subject visits the playground with her mother who usually sits on the benches with mothers of other children. The subject of this naturalistic observation is a girl between the age of four and six years old. She is the eldest child with a younger brother who is between three to five years in age. During the observation, the subject showed a variation in behavior and opened up gradually. The observation was for about half an hour during which the mother was present at the location and was looking over the subject. However, she was in close proximity throughout the observation. The observation initiated when the subject was brought to the playground early evening accompanied by her mother. For some time, she stayed alongside her mother and observed the children who were playing on the swings and other activities. Finding comfort with her mother in a place where everyone else was unknown to her displayed her reliability over her mother. According to the development theory of Erik Erickson, this shows that the subject has overcome the stage of Trust Vs Mistrust. The subject was not reluctant to go play in the ground, but since she did not know any of the children she stayed with her mother and observed. As the subject began to interact with the children, she started the conversation about the game that they were playing. She had been observing them and went to the group where she thought she would best fit. This decision was made by her own judgment and could prove that she was demonstrating Ericksons development theory stage of Initiative vs. Guilt. As the girls she approached were swinging, she found a common interest. She said to them that she could do it to and said "you know I can swing faster than that." The

Mathematical Focus on RSA Public & Private Key encryption Research Paper

Mathematical Focus on RSA Public & Private Key encryption - Research Paper Example ted States code gives a definition of an electronic signature as a sound, symbol, process that emanates from an electronic means, with the purpose of sealing a contract, or an agreement, and adopted by an individual with the intention of signing the record. One of the laws guiding the operations of digital signature in America is the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act of 1999 (Batten, 35). This act adopts the definition of a digital signature in relation to the stand taken by the American Code. Another American law regulating the use of a digital signature is the U.S. Electronic Signature in Global and National Commerce act of 2000. This law regulates the use of electronic data and signatures in relation to foreign trade and interstate relations. This law protects contracts negotiated electronically by giving them a legal recognition. Section 101(a) of the ESIGN act states that a signature or a contract negotiated by electronic means enjoys legal recognition and validity. This contract shall not deny the advantages of a legal procedure simply because it is electronic. Section 101 (c) of the act requires a consumer to consent to the use of an electronic signature, while section 101 (d) denotes that a business organization can use an electronic signature as long as it is accessible to the parties concerned, and the business can produce it without an alteration for reference (Batten, 41). Various States in America have their own laws guiding the use of digital signatures. For example, in Indiana, there is the Uniform Electronic Transaction Act. This act recognizes digital signatures, and the transactions. For instance, section 102(5) defines an electronic signature as a means that relates to technological know-how that produces magnetic, optical, wireless, electronic, digital, and/or similar capabilities. Section 102 (8) defines electronic signature, and its definition agrees with the definition contained in the American Code and ESIGN act. In Hawaii, the

In God We Trust as U.S. Motto Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

In God We Trust as U.S. Motto - Essay Example So, who is that "God Americans trust" And the word "trust", why not in God Americans believe or to God they aspire or to God they pray No Holy book has the word in God we trust And why the masons call god the grand architect God is the creator not only the architect, the architect does not create, make or touch anything except his instruction pencil, but God said in the Koran: So, God is not only architect, but He is the Creator of whole humanity, and the whole thing else (Adel, 2004, p. 57). So, why they say the majestic designer If they didn't mean supernatural being, then whom are they complaining or talking about What is the drawing of this majestic designer How his design does look like So, who is the architect of the seal, and the U.S. one-dollar There have been two notable developments since World War II, both of which are gaps between "what everybody knows" and what in fact the case is. One is that religious learning, which traditionally has been a sectarian study of Christianity-centered in the seminaries of different values, has moved to the universities. U.S. citizens remain largely unaware of the secular scholarship of religious conviction (Judith, 1996). This gap has very real results and consequences, for instance in deciding public policy issues such as women's choice2 - when does a fetus have a 'soul' And become a 'person' - stem cell research, and the study of evolution in public schools (Judith, 1996). The other worth mentioning development is the hotheaded expansion of Eastern religious faiths in the U.S. Conservative estimates of the growth of Buddhism suggest a ten-fold increase in the last 40 years, to approximately two million supporters (Lewis, 2007). That is about half the number of Muslims and a third the number of Jews in America, in just 40 years (Samuel 1998, p. 65). Who, immediately after World War II, would have guessed there would be a major Buddhist center, Deer Park, in rural Oregon, W I, a few miles from Madison, W I and one of the American headquarters of the Dalai Lama (Lewis, 2007) A similar story could be told about the number of Hindus and Taoists in the U.S. since World War II. This gap between religious diversity and whatever everyone knows leads to both funniest stories and unnecessary conflicts (Lewis 2007). This image of "a wall of separation between church and state" has become a classic metaphor and legal concept in American judicial history, but the reality is far more complicated and compromised. As Ronald Thiemann examines with no small biting wit, "The day Justice Black penned those historic words; the U.S. Court of Law was summoned with the chant, 'God save this honorable court'" (Robert, 2006, p. 25). A few hundred yards

Tourism and Western Influence on the Sherpa Culture in Nepal. A brief Research Paper

Tourism and Western Influence on the Sherpa Culture in Nepal. A brief history of Sherpa society and how today's tourism to Mount Everest affects and influences their culture - Research Paper Example They practiced high attitude farming in a region known as Khumbu. This was home for the Sherpa who practiced subsistence farming and animal herding in high attitude, for example, raising yak for their products such as hides, dairy and wool. The children would be sent to collects yak dung that would be used as a source of fuel. Women dug potatoes in the snow and this could be due to peaks could not be of interest to them apart from the few sacred mountains (Furze 24). The Sherpa became involved in climbing at around 1020s. This could be due to the mountain climbing expeditions planned by the British. This led to the involvement of the Sherpa in mountain climbing as they would be hired as porters. Mountaineering became the Sherpa’s culture around 1950 during the time Nepal could be exposed. Countless climbers began flocking at the Khumbu Village which was the Sherpa home and together with Mount Everest; it later became the Sagarmatha National Park (Haimendorf 72). Mountaineering and trekking business became the cultural phenomena of the Sherpa community. The Sherpa themselves acted as a tourist guide for Westerners and also as cooks and base camp staff. They would be referred to as porters which resulted from their ability to climb and assist the westerner in climbing the tallest peaks in the world (Furze 68). This became part of their culture as many of them welcomed the changes as it provided employment opportunities, which led to the increased standards of living and comfortable lifestyles. The transformation of Sherpa’s culture led to the development of the region such that they shifted from the previous harsh life to the prosperous one. This could be brought by the establishment of trekking and mountain climbing. Trekkers brought steady income, which could sustain shops and guesthouses owned by the Sherpa along the route, the porters, guides and cooks who assisted

Approaches of New Criticism Essay Example for Free

Approaches of New Criticism Essay A literary movement that started in the late 1920s and 1930s and originated in reaction to traditional criticism that new critics saw as largely concerned with matters extraneous to the text, e.g., with the biography or psychology of the author or the works relationship to literary history. New Criticism proposed that a work of literary art should be regarded as autonomous, and so should not be judged by reference to considerations beyond itself. A poem consists less of a series of referential and verifiable statements about the real world beyond it, than of the presentation and sophisticated organization of a set of complex experiences in a verbal form (Hawkes, pp. 150-151). Major figures of New Criticism include I. A. Richards, T. S. Eliot, Cleanth Brooks, David Daiches, William Empson, Murray Krieger, John Crowe Ransom, Allen Tate, F. R. Leavis, Robert Penn Warren, W. K. Wimsatt, R. P. Blackmur, Rene Wellek, Ausin Warren, and Ivor Winters. Archetypal/Myth Criticism A form of criticism based largely on the works of C. G. Jung (YOONG) and Joseph Campbell (and myth itself). Some of the schools major figures include Robert Graves, Francis Fergusson, Philip Wheelwright, Leslie Fiedler, Northrop Frye, Maud Bodkin, and G. Wilson Knight. These critics view the genres and individual plot patterns of literature, including highly sophisticated and realistic works, as recurrences of certain archetypes and essential mythic formulae. Archetypes, according to Jung, are primordial images; the psychic residue of repeated types of experience in the lives of very ancient ancestors which are inherited in the collective unconscious of the human race and are expressed in myths, religion, dreams, and private fantasies, as well as in the works of literature (Abrams, p. 10, 112). Some common examples of archetypes include water, sun, moon, colors, circles, the Great Mother, Wise Old Man, etc. In terms of archetypal criticism, the color white might be associated with in nocence or could signify death or the supernatural. Psychoanalytic Criticism The application of specific psychological principles (particularly those of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan [zhawk lawk-KAWN]) to the study of literature. Psychoanalytic criticism may focus on the writers psyche, the study of the creative process, the study of psychological types and principles present within works of literature, or the effects of literature upon its readers (Wellek and Warren, p. 81). In addition to Freud and Lacan, major figures include Shoshona Felman, Jane Gallop, Norman Holland, George Klein, Elizabeth Wright, Frederick Hoffman, and, Simon Lesser. Marxism A sociological approach to literature that viewed works of literature or art as the products of historical forces that can be analyzed by looking at the material conditions in which they were formed. In Marxist ideology, what we often classify as a world view (such as the Victorian age) is actually the articulations of the dominant class. Marxism generally focuses on the clash between the dominant and repressed classes in any given age and also may encourage art to imitate what is often termed an objective reality. Contemporary Marxism is much broader in its focus, and views art as simultaneously reflective and autonomous to the age in which it was produced. The Frankfurt School is also associated with Marxism (Abrams, p. 178, Childers and Hentzi, pp. 175-179). Major figures include Karl Marx, Terry Eagleton, Fredric Jameson, Raymond Williams, Louis Althusser (ALT-whos-sair), Walter Benjamin (ben-yeh-MEEN), Antonio Gramsci (GRAWM-shee), Georg Lukacs (lou-KOTCH), and Friedrich Engels, Theordor Adorno (a-DOR-no), Edward Ahern, Gilles Deleuze (DAY-looz) and Felix Guattari (GUAT-eh-ree Postcolonialism Literally, postcolonialism refers to the period following the decline of colonialism, e.g., the end or lessening of domination by European empires. Although the term postcolonialism generally refers to the period after colonialism, the distinction is not always made. In its use as a critical approach, postcolonialism refers to a collection of theoretical and critical strategies used to examine the culture (literature, politics, history, and so forth) of former colonies of the European empires, and their relation to the rest of the world (Makaryk 155 see General Resources below). Among the many challenges facing postcolonial writers are the attempt both to resurrect their culture and to combat preconceptions about their culture. Edward Said, for example, uses the word Orientalism to describe the discourse about the East constructed by the West. Major figures include Edward Said (sah-EED), Homi Bhabha (bah-bah), Frantz Fanon (fah-NAWN), Gayatri Spivak, Chinua Achebe (ah-CHAY-bay) , Wo le Soyinka, Salman Rushdie, Jamaica Kincaid, and Buchi Emecheta Existentialism Existentialism is a philosophy (promoted especially by Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus) that views each person as an isolated being who is cast into an alien universe, and conceives the world as possessing no inherent human truth, value, or meaning. A persons life, then, as it moves from the nothingness from which it came toward the nothingness where it must end, defines an existence which is both anguished and absurd (Guerin). In a world without sense, all choices are possible, a situation which Sartre viewed as human beings central dilemma: Man [woman] is condemned to be free. In contrast to atheist existentialism, SÃ ¸ren Kierkegaard theorized that belief in God (given that we are provided with no proof or assurance) required a conscious choice or leap of faith. The major figures include SÃ ¸ren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre (sart or SAR-treh), Albert Camus (kah-MUE or ka-MOO) , Simone de Beauvoir (bohv-WAHR) , Martin Buber, Karl Jaspers (YASS-pers), and Maurice Merleau-Ponty (mer-LOH pawn-TEE). Structuralism Structuralism Structuralism is a way of thinking about the world which is predominantly concerned with the perceptions and description of structures. At its simplest, structuralism claims that the nature of every element in any given situation has no significance by itself, and in fact is determined by all the other elements involved in that situation. The full significance of any entity cannot be perceived unless and until it is integrated into the structure of which it forms a part (Hawkes, p. 11). Structuralists believe that all human activity is constructed, not natural or essential. Consequently, it is the systems of organization that are important (what we do is always a matter of selection within a given construct). By this formulation, any activity, from the actions of a narrative to not eating ones peas with a knife, takes place within a system of differences and has meaning only in its relation to other possible activities within that system, not to some meaning that emanates from nature or the divine (Childers Hentzi, p. 286.). Major figures include Claude LÃ ©vi-Strauss (LAY-vee-strows), A. J. Greimas (GREE-mahs), Jonathan Culler, Roland Barthes (bart), Ferdinand de Saussure (soh-SURR or soh-ZHOR), Roman Jakobson (YAH-keb-sen), Vladimir Propp, and Terence Hawkes. Post-Structuralism and Deconstruction Post-Structuralism (which is often used synonymously with Deconstruction or Postmodernism) is a reaction to structuralism and works against seeing language as a stable, closed system. It is a shift from seeing the poem or novel as a closed entity, equipped with definite meanings which it is the critics task to decipher, to seeing literature as irreducibly plural, an endless play of signifiers which can never be finally nailed down to a single center, essence, or meaning (Eagleton 120 see reference below under General References). Jacques Derridas (dair-ree-DAH) paper on Structure, Sign, and Play in the Discourse of the Human Sciences (delivered in 1966) proved particularly influential in the creation of post-structuralism. Derrida argued against, in essence, the notion of a knowable center (the Western ideal of logocentrism), a structure that could organize the differential play of language or thought but somehow remain immune to the same play it depicts (Abrams, 258-9). Derridas critique of structuralism also heralded the advent of deconstruction thatlike post-structuralismcritiques the notion of origin built into structuralism. In negative terms, deconstructionparticularly as articulated by Derridahas often come to be interpreted as anything goes since nothing has any real meaning or truth. More positively, it may posited that Derrida, like Paul de Man (de-MAHN) and other post-structuralists, really asks for rigor, that is, a type of interpretation that is constantly and ruthlessly self-conscious and on guard. Similarly, Christopher Norris (in Whats Wrong with Postmodernism?) launches a cogent argument against simplistic attacks of Derridas theories:

Religious Views on Right to Die

Religious Views on Right to Die Julian Martin Public Policy: Right to Die The right to die is one of the most controversial topics addressed by government that has been interpreted into the state laws that have either debated the right or allowed it, however recently with the â€Å"Gonzales vs. Oregon† case where instead of the case being on constitutional grounds where it conflicts with the right of life, was put mainly on administrative law grounds which was shocking for many people. It helped reestablish the power of the â€Å"Death with Dignity Act†, which allows anyone who has a terminal disease to have the permission through voluntary help from a physician to be given lethal medications. The idea of ending someone’s life out of mercy for them with their permission has always been an idea that seems very favorable to those who know they will die and don’t want to suffer, but also of issue to other people especially concerning their religion. Some diseases such as several forms of cancer, Ebola, Creutzfeldt-jakob, AIDS, and others all have a form of pain it inflicts on people either cognitively or through actual unbearable pain that puts into the idea of allowing people to be able to kill themselves civilly and with dignity rather than have them suffer extensively and prolonging the inevitable. Most states, however, see the matter differently and do not allow for terminal patients to kill themselves through the careful attention of a physician who would administer the medications to them, for most argue that it conflicts with the freedom of life as it is protected through the first amendment of the constitution, and although many bills every year pass to enact the right to die in other states, most never are passed. Religion also comes into play when arguing to make the right to die nationwide as it conflicts according to parts of some religions. Christianity and Catholicism both recognize suicide as a form of sin and although it is assisted and done through careful procedures administered from physicians, it is mostly still seen as wrong through most church’s and Christian’s and Catholic’s views. Hinduism has varying points of view on assisted dying as they say it conflicts with the body and soul separating at separate times, along with it affecting both the doctor’s and the patients karma. Some religions, however, are actually very tolerant with the right and actually try to advocate for it to passed as a law, for example, Methodists recognize the right to die as a form of the individual’s freedom, Unitarian Universalists see it as the right of self-determination and allow it, and Evangelical believe it as a moral thing to do, so while most major religions wo uld not normally approve, other religions recognize it through morals. Rabbi Yitzchok Breitowitz also reveals the Jewish standing on the right to die and stresses that, the preservation of life, also known as pikuach nefesh in the Torah, is a very important thing that passes up basically all other commandments of the Torah. Breitowitz also explains that because as a Jewish belief, they believe in the soul rather than just the body, because they see the body as just a vessel for the person’s true spiritual essence. Judaism doesn’t accept the notion of sustaining life for longer than a human should be alive, because Judaism attempts to try and find a balance between the great mitzvah of prolonging life and the recognition that life may be unbearable or difficult as it’s said in the Torah. The Torah also states that the body and the life a person is not our own to do whatever with and with that, have no moral right to kill or hurt anyone else, or to hurt, kill, maim authorize another person to do those things to the person. Frank Pavone, the international Director for the organization â€Å"priests for life† states the Christian view on the right to die comes from the idea that their life is not truly there’s to own, including their death. Pavone states that although the body is in a sense the person’s possession as it was given to them by God, it is still not their body alone as they are not the source of their own existence and is accountable for it to God. With not truly owning the body, Christians do not have the right to claim they have a right to die because a right is a moral claim and that there is no claim on death, rather it has a claim on them and that to this idea, Christians don’t have the authority to prolong their life. Damien Keown, a professor of Buddhist ethics at Goldsmiths College in the University of London, expresses the Buddhist’s stand on the right to die and whether it should be legalized or not by stating that Buddhists generally oppose assisted suicide and euthanasia. This is due to the teachings that show the person that it is morally wrong to destroy human life, including one’s own, even if the intentians are just by attempting to end suffering, insteasd they are taught to have a great respect for life in general even if it is not being lived in an optimal way and by helping another or giving the authorization or being killed in a humane way, it affects both the doctor’s and the patients karma. Buddhists also believe that life really has no reason to be extended further than is required and that one should not go to any extrodinary lengths to try and preserve the life as all that matters is the spirit being in line with life and sustaining good morals and having go od karma. Ayman Shabana, a member of the Islamic Legal Studies Program at Harvard Law School, shows the Islamic point of view on rejecting the legalizing of the right to die by stating that the Islamic teachings condemn the idea physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia because Islam Teaches the idea that God alone and determines how long someone should live and when they should die, which leads to a general reluctance that any kind of idea to end life prematurely because it’s believed by many islams that those decisions should only be held only in the hands of God. The stand on the right to die is also influenced greatly by the belief that the suffering a terminal patient goes through is beneficial as there is a notion that the person has no idea whats good for them or not which leads to the traditional idea of the suffering viewed as a test of fate. The United Church of Christ, however, is one of the few minorities that support the passing of the right to die to be in all states, because according to Reverend Timothy Tutt, the senior minister at Westmoreland Congregational United Church of Christ, they are taught to believe that each and every single person approaches God on their own terms, including the end of life. Despite the minority groups and religions that do support the right to die as both a moral idea and decision, many major religions do not agree with the passing of any bill that would allow this method of death as it would violate their First Amendment right of religion and until the day that major religions such as Christianity or Judaism accept the idea, the right to die will never be seen in any other states other than the few that have already passed it.

Relationship Between Gods And Humanity :: essays research papers

The relationship between the gods and humanity in The Epic of Gilgamesh and The Odyssey are the same. In each saga, the gods seem to live nearby and are always present. Both epic poems portray humans as simply at the mercy of the gods. The gods feel that it is their duty to intervene if they feel that man is traveling off course from his destiny. However, the gods are not all powerful. Each god has a certain domain and cannot control another gods’ domain. All the gods including Zeus, the father of the gods, want Odysseus to be able to return home in The Odyssey. However, Poseiden, just one god, prevents Odysseus from returning. It is only when Poseiden is absent from Mt. Olympus that the other gods are able to take control and assist Odysseus in returning home. Gilgamesh also has the same misconception that the gods are all powerful. After he and Enkidu kill the Bull of Heaven, the gods Anu, Enlil, Ea and Shamash convene and decide that one of the brothers must die for their evil deed. Shamash, Gilgamesh’s protector, pleads with the other gods to spare his life. The other gods disregard Shamash’s appeal and Enkidu dies. In each instance, one god is not able to impose his agenda against the wishes of the other gods. Enkidu’s death evokes a disturbing thought in Gilgamesh. He finally realizes that he is mortal. He then goes about trying to find the key to immortality. Gilgamesh first seeks out Utnapishtim, the only human to gain immortality. When Gilgamesh cannot pass the test of staying awake for seven days, Utnapishtim then gives him the plant "Old Men Are Young Again." Despite this second opportunity, Gilgamesh is not triumphant in his search for immortality because a serpent eats the plant and Gilgamesh’s opportunity is lost forever. He does not realize that Enlil, the father of the gods, had already determined his destiny. It is clear from the events of the story that Gilgamesh was not to obtain everlasting life and it is no coincidence that all of his efforts fail in one way or another. This is another example of man’s lack of control where the gods are concerned The Odyssey demonstrates how the gods favored certain men over others. When man had the gods "on his side," he was sure to complete whatever task was at hand.

Sarbanes Oxley :: essays research papers

â€Å"Effects of a widening trade deficit and the necessary government policy† â€Å"Trade Gap Widens, Fuels Calls for Tougher Stance on China† WSJ, 4/13/05, A2.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The U.S. current account (trade deficit) hit a monthly high rising 4.3% in February to $61.04 billion. The increased deficit reflects the rising costs of imported oil and increased consumer demand for foreign goods. Imports rose by $2.58 billion from January to February as Exports remained constant.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The widening trade deficit over the past two years has economists concerned about the longevity of attracting foreign capital. This is especially true between China and the U.S. where the deficit has increased 50% from 2004, making it the largest deficit of any single country.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As a result, there is pressure from industry officials to consider stronger trade guidelines to correct for this widening deficit. The U.S. cites the fixed yuan-dollar exchange rate for keeping China’s currency relatively weak and therefore encouraging the consumption of Chinese goods in world markets.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The U.S. government is considering a 27.5% tariff on all Chinese products entering the U.S. if Beijing refuses to raise the value of their currency. This purpose of this tariff would be to offset China’s currency advantage, but critics argue it may increase the price of Chinese-made goods more than a currency adjustment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To assess the validity the proposed policies for this scenario, we will analyze this issue using intermediate economic theory as a framework.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The current account is of great concern to U.S. policymakers as a long-run surplus or deficit may have undesirable effects on the national welfare. Large imbalances can also create political pressures for increased trade restrictions, as is the case in our study. Therefore, it is important to determine how monetary and fiscal policies will affect the current account with respect to output and the exchange rate. We can illustrate the relationship between the exchange rate, output, and the current account in terms of the AA-DD framework. The XX curve shows the combinations of the exchange rate and output where the current account balance would be equal to some desired level (equilibrium). The XX schedule is upward sloping because, ceteris paribus, an increase in output encourages spending on imports and worsens the current account if it is not accompanied by currency depreciation. The point labeled A, is where the graph is in equilibrium and the economy is at full employment (Yf) with a given exchange rate, Eo.

Marketing & Sustainability Essay

What exactly is marketing? Is it just convincing people to buy products through various media? Billboards, TV commercials, junk mail and magazines filled with advertisements? From the consumer’s perspective, that is how it seems (Kotler et al. 2010, p. 5). But from a business’s standpoint, marketing is viewed very differently. Marketing is viewed as being based on an exchange relationship between a business and its customers, where a business offers something of value, and customers purchase this product, which provides the business with the means to continue producing this item of value (Moscardo et al. 2010, p. 277). Where does sustainability fit into marketing? In the past, the discipline of marketing has been accused of stimulating unsustainable levels of consumption amongst consumers (Rettie, Burchell & Riley 2012 p. 420). Now with the impact of our overconsumption starting to take its toll on our earth, marketers must reassess its strategies and practices to accommodate the reality of limited resources and the environmental impact our consumption is having on the planet. In order to sustain our valuable resources for future generations, businesses need to re-evaluate their research and development strategies, production methods and financial and marketing practices (Kotler 2011, p. 132). This involves integrating social and environmental concepts into conventional marketing strategies (Peattie & Belz 2010, p. 9). Consumer behaviour In the chapter by Wells, et al, the relevance of consumer behaviour in marketing is discussed and broken down into the â€Å"four A’s† of sustainable consumer behaviour, Awareness, Acceptance, Ability and Action. This addresses a method that can be used to encourage consumers to support and engage in sustainable behaviours (Moscardo et al. 2010, p. 277). Awareness In order for a customer to buy a green product, they must be aware of the sustainability issues that are being addressed by the product. If you are not aware of a problem, how can you make changes to address it? A study conducted by whirlpool discovered that because its customers were not aware  of what CFC’s were, they refused to pay a premium for a CFC-free refrigerator (Kotler et al. 2010, p. 23). Although many consumers remain uninformed about the seriousness of sustainability issues, the number of people considering the environment and social issues when making a purchase is on the rise. A study in Norway in 2011 discovered that most participants were aware of the sustainability concept, which when compared to a similar study performed in 1995, showed an increase in the familiarity of sustainability. It is plausible that this could be due to increased media coverage on the issue and is an encouraging finding for sustainability marketing (Hanss & Bohm 2012, p. 679). Acce ptance In order to want to solve a problem, you need to accept the problem as true and relevant. One factor influencing the acceptance of a particular behaviour is the individual’s level of concern about an issue (Galbreth & Ghosh 2012, p. 128). Is climate change really an issue or is it just another far-fetched theory being hyped up by the media? (Moscardo et al. 2010, p. 284). People believing the latter may be more likely to disregard products promoting their efforts of reducing their impact on climate change. Another factor that can affect a consumer’s willingness to participate in sustainable behaviours is the social acceptability of that action. The social acceptability of sustainable behaviours as a whole is becoming less of an issue in recent times, as environmental consciousness has seen things like locally and organically grown produce become more mainstream (Sheth & Sisodia 2012, p. 77). Personal biases can also play a role in acceptance. Some consumers may believe that products made from recycled materials may be of inferior quality and therefore their performance and reliability would be negatively affected (OECD 2009, p. 46). Ability Ability refers to whether a person has the means in which to pursue the desired action. Products labelled as â€Å"organic†, â€Å"biodegradable†, â€Å"made from recycled material† or other similar green claims are generally priced higher than conventional products (Kotler et al, 2010 pg 405). Low income earners, students, pensioners and the unemployed may not be able to afford a premium on sustainable products and will buy the cheapest alternative conventional product. Also, not all products on the market may have an available green  alternative and therefore the consumer has no choice but to purchase a non-green product (Moscardo et al. 2010, p. 284). Greenwashing In the text, the issue of greenwashing was addressed and its impact on consumer purchase decisions and on the sustainability market. Greenswashing can be described as â€Å"the practice of overemphasising a company’s environmental credentials, often by misinforming the public or understating potentially harmful activities† (Doyle 2011). The practice of greenwashing has led to consumers being more sceptical of products marketed as ‘green’ or ‘environmentally friendly’. This scepticism may result in consumers avoiding sustainable products for fear that the ‘green’ labelling may indicate an inferior product using promises of sustainable resources and production to increase its prices (Rettie Burchell & Riley 2012, p. 422). One Study in Norway showed that labelling of products was considered the most indicative way to ensure the sustainability of the product and that consumers tended to favour labels in which they were familiar. As there are a large number of eco and fair trade labels used in Norway, customers intending to purchase sustainable products may avoid perfectly good sustainable products due to the lack of familiarity of the label and therefore trust and confidence in the product (Hanss & Bohm 2012, p. 685). Convenience As stated in the text, convenience and green products are not generally two terms that go together, and there has often been a trade-off between convenience and sustainability. Although rechargeable batteries are more environmentally friendly, It is a lot more convenient to just replace old used batteries with new ones and throw the old ones away. In a constantly moving, time poor world, convenience is highly valued by customers, and sustainable products that cannot match the convenience of its conventional rivals may be unsuccessful in the marketplace (Peattie & Belz 2010, p. 13). Communication When all is said and done, it all comes down to effective communication. Communication is vital to make consumers aware of the development of products and solutions tackling the issue of sustainability, and how they can meet customer’s needs and be efficiently integrated into their life style (Peattie & Belz 2010, p. 13). Conclusion This article effectively examines the challenges presented to companies in the sustainable production and marketing of their products. The movement towards the use of renewable materials is clear, nevertheless, consumers may be reluctant to accept these products for a variety of reasons. By examining the issues confronted by businesses today the chapter addresses the main concepts of consumer behaviour and the challenges for the future. Customer expectations are one of the main considerations in producing and marketing a product. While the author discusses the concept of awareness, one aspect that may have been mentioned is possible strategies a company might use in order to effectively increase awareness and methods for effective communication. References Doyle, C 2011, A Dictionary of Marketing, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, NY. Galbreth, MR & Ghosh, B 2012, ‘Competition and Sustainability: The Impact of Consumer Awareness’ Decision Sciences, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 127 – 159. Hanss, D & Bohm, G 2012, ‘Sustainability seen from the perspective of consumers’, International Journal of Consumer Studies, vol. 36, no. 6, pp. 678 – 687. Kotler, P 2011, ‘Reinventing marketing to Manage the Environmental Imperative’, Journal of Marketing, vol. 75, pp 132-135. Kotler, P, Brown, L, Burton, S, Deans, K & Armstrong, G 2010, Marketing, 8th edn, Pearson Australia, Frenches Forest, NSW. Morcardo, G Lamberton, G, Wells, G, Fallon, W, Lawn, P, Rowe, A, Humphrey, J, Wiesner, R, Pettitt, B, Clifton, D, Renouf, M & Kershaw, W 2013, Sustainability in Australian Business: Principles and Practice. Wiley-Blackwell, Milton, QLD. OECD 2008, Promoting Sustainable Consumption: Good Practices in OECD Countries, OECD, viewed on March 28th, www.oecd.org/greengrowth/40317373.pdf. Peattie, K & Belz, FM 2010 ‘Sustainability Marketing – An Innovative Conception of Marketing’ Marketing Review St. Gallen, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 8-15. Rettie, R, Burchell, K & Riley, D 2012 ‘Normalising green behaviours: A new approach to sustainability marketing’, Journal of Marketing Management, vol. 28, no. 3-4, pp. 420-444. Sheth, JN & Sisodia, RS 2012, The 4A’s of Marketing: Creating Value for Customers, Companies and Society, Taylor & Francis, NY.

Marketing Management Essay

Executive Summary What if I told you that you can get stylish clothing and accessories and the only catch was that you have to clean out your closet? If you said yes, then Jenny’s Closet Party is the dynamic answer for you. Jenny’s Closet Party LLC is designed with you in mind, by creating the ultimate â€Å"Girls Night Out† experience, combining fashion, food, and fun while mingling amongst friends. Uniquely swapping from one fashionista’s closet to another and the remaining items are donated to a local charity. Sounds the perfect win-win scenario right? Jenny’s Closet Party, â€Å"A great excuse to clean out your closet†. First Step: Upon receipt of an invitation or retrieval of flyer, specific details will be highlighted as to a theme, what items are being requested, deadline for dropping of your items and also what you should expect the day of the event. Go through your closet and find articles of clothing or accessories that you would like to swap. The it ems must be in style, of good quality and condition. Some of the categories (depending on theme) may include: clothing, shoes, earrings, scarfs, jackets etc. Second Step: Bring the items to the Donation Center at the Porter County Expo Center two weeks prior to events (Fridays) from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. At this time you will be given a voucher at this time in which you will redeemed for tokens to shop with the day of the event. Third Step: The day of the event doors will open an hour and thirty minutes prior to shopping. At this time while mingling, you can enjoy complimentary wine and horderves that will be accompanied with light music to enhance your fun filled evening. Also, vouches can be redeemed for tokens during this time. Fourth Step: Prior to the scheduled shopping time, guest will be reminded of how  all this works, rehashing the guidelines that were laid out on the initial invitation/flyer. Guests are encouraged to keep what they have donated anonymous while picking. However, displaying and sharing their great finds amongst everyone creates sure excitement. Once the shopping time has been launched, participants will be able to go in rounds and selected two items at a time (to keep it fair) to purchase with tokens. Final Step: When the event is over and guests have gone home, the remaining items will be rounded up donated to a local women’s shelter. Sales Forecast During the first two years of business, Jenny’s Closet Party anticipates generating $300,000 from endorsements and corporate sponsorships. Each member of this company is responsible for the minimum of two sponsorships ($500) in order to reach our strategic goals. We expect to generate the most sales during the summer months. Environmental Analysis Jenny’s Closet Party LLC is a small company whose headquarters is located at 2143 Freedom Street Portage, Indiana; however, events will be hosted at the Porter County Expo Center located at 217 E. Division Road Valparaiso, Indiana. The company consists of eight employees; 5 full-time and 3 part-time employees. Jennifer Smith (CEO) will provide the executive leadership and oversee operations of every entity of the company. She will also be instrumental in developing strategies, vision and key performance indicators, to ensure goals are being met. She will be the face of the organization and will concentrate with building rapport and relationship with businesses. Taquanna White (Business Manager) will work closely with the CEO, manage the day-to-day business operations. Serve as our technical expert with keen knowledge in finance and computers. Serves as back up in absence of the CEO a, ensures tasks are being carried out, mentors and manage staff. Bonita Sims is the (Bookkeeper). Her responsibilities include keeping track of financial transactions, audits, payroll, procurement and inventory. Georgia Manuel (Head of Marketing) is our fashion expert. She will be in the community, charge of sales and marketing  and maintaining our Social Media/Blogging keep the company abreast of the latest trends and fashion news. Dionne Payne (Administrative Worker/Hostess) serves as supportive staff doing: project coordination, prepare reports, meeting arrangements, manage calendars, answer phones calls and serve as a hostess at the events. Our three part-time employees will assist with preparations leading up to the event as well as working on the day of the event. Competitive Forces: Jenny’s Closet Party has been facing challenges over the last few years with consumers shopping in the thrift and resale arenas. The once known dismal second-hands stores offering outdated clothing have become the ultimate treasure hunt for unique finds at a great price. Much of the recent growth can be attributed to young shoppers, many of whom are passing on trips to the mall in favor of thrift stores (Tully, 2012). Resale stores offer a variety of unique finds at a fraction of the cost of retail stores and propose great risk to new startup companies like Jenny’s Closet Party. The Goodwill industry is a well-known non-profit organization that has been around for over 100 years. There huge targeted audience loves bargain shopping who are drawn by shopping incentives and those by who donate to their cause of giving back to the community. â€Å"We provide employment, job training and other community-based programs for people looking to advance their careers, build their skills and further their education† (Goodwill Industry International, 2014). Economic Forces: With a fluctuated economy and staggering unemployment rates many consumers have become more frugal with how they spend their money. Although the retail industry has experienced growth, the resale industry is blossoming and is making great head way to become the new trend for preferred shopping. While many businesses close their doors every day, resale remains healthy and continues to be one of the fastest growing segments of retail (NARTS, 2014). Consumers are seeking cleaver ways to save money and the affordability of shopping at malls with high markup priced garb is not an option. With millions of people looking for ways to save money in tough economic times, a growing number of consumers have turned to resale shops to find their clothes, furniture and household goods (Tully, 2012). The  Northwest Indiana Region’s Gross Revenue Product (GRP) over the past 3 years (2009-2011) has gradually increased by 3%. Porter County’s population is 166,557 (2008-2012) with the median household income was $62,457 compared to the states average of $48,374, of this population 50.95% are women (U.S. Census Bureau, 2014). Over the course of the year, household purchases rose by 0.5 (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2014). This shows that women in the Northwest Indiana Region have buying power which has influentially contributed to the region’s economic growth. Technology Forces: Technology is rapidly evolving and is unprecedented in the business industry. Technology is vital and plays a major role in the success or demise of a company; ultimately impacting processes, pricing, promotions and placement of products and services. Technology force is used just about in every capacity of a business operation, from finances, book keeping and cash registers down to marketing. Social Media mediums such as Pinterest, YouTube and Facebook are some of the most popular ways in which technology has to connect with consumers. Retailers with Wi-Fi allows customers to use their Smart Phones to research products, compare prices, and download coupons with apps to make purchases. Due to the rapidly growing competition of on-line shopping, in-store retailers and swapping businesses must set themselves apart by meeting the customers’ needs and provide them with the ultimate one-on-one experience and technology can effectively help with this. Legal and Regulatory Forces: Jenny’s Closet Party is a limited liability company. A legal limited liability company is a hybrid-type of legal structure that provides the limited liability features of a corporation and the tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership (small business association 2014). Although, LLC’s have similar characteristics as corporation and partnership, the government does not hold them accountable to the same standards, structure and tax laws. To start an LLC one should research and decide what type of business they would like to organize. Specific documents to establish a business should be filed with the Secretary of State to start a business (procedures may vary from state to state). Information submitted should include: Business name, registering, creating agreements and articles  of incorporation. Once the company has been incorporated you will required to secure licensures, permits, EIN number, tax status and other required paperwork. Once all the necessary paperwork is complete and the business is established, the next steps should include obtaining insurance and doing the necessary footwork to get the business up and running such as networking, creating the brands image, and securing the necessary finances. Political Forces: The political forces that have a direct effect on Jenny’s Closet LLC and other business are the stability or instability of the government, economic/trade policies, tax rates and different events that happen in our communities and throughout the nation. These factors can affect how consumer spending. Consumers are more incline to shop at stores like Jenny’s Closet and resale outlet stores. The resale, consignment and thrift store industries has boomed in the aftermath of recession in the 1990’s. For this included an increased need for households to sell unused items for cash and reduced quantities of disposable income that made it necessary for people to shop at cheaper outlets (NARTS, 2014). Social Cultural Forces: As society and cultures change, so should your business. In order to have a successful business, one must recognizes and adjust (according to the current times) in order to succeed. Some socio-economical dynamics that businesses must adapt to as the world evolves: demographics, marketing/advertisement, trends (staying on top of consumer preferences) and external factors that may require adjustments within the company.

Multilingual Education Essay

In the long years of educating children, the school and the curriculum designed to use Filipino and English as a medium of instruction. Although English is a foreign language, we use it to serve as our language especially communicating and expressing ideas. By using it, we are being globally competitive that we can align in other countries. And to show also that we are not behind among the competitive countries worldwide in the field of education. Filipinos were considered smart and flexible as we can easily learn foreign language. However in the long time of using it, not all may have the skill to understand and speak it. Those other children could not express their ideas freely because they find it difficult. Sometimes it leads them to have a low self-esteem. One of the changes in Basic Education Curriculum brought about by the new K-12 program is the introduction of Mother Tongue- Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) specifically in Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2 and 3 to support the goal of â€Å" Every Child- A- Reader and A –Writer† by Grade 1.† Multilingual Education typically refers to â€Å"first-language-first† education that is, schooling which begins in the mother tongue and transitions to additional languages. It is meant to address the high functional illiteracy of Filipinos where language plays a significant factor. Every area has different lingua franca, the most common language in an area. Mother tongue means we are using the language in our community. The language you already heard and used by the people around. It’s the language that was used in daily conversation with the family and neighborhood. We use our own dialect as we say. During kindergarten and Grade One the child starts to learn how to read. During this stage, they struggle to learn reading. Not all are fast learners; some are poor because they could hardly recognize words especially in English. In this stage they need follow up in school and at home. Many children are found to be poor-readers and having difficulty to comprehend stories and paragraph. That is the common problem in school. A child who suffers this situation became passive and doesn’t want to go to school anymore. When the teacher is having a discussion, a child will not participate and afraid to commit mistakes in answering because they don’t know how to express their answer. The mother tongue was implemented because many children are not comfortable using foreign language as medium of instruction. A child could not express an idea if it is in English because other children find difficulty to use it. Mother Tongue will serve as a foundation to learn Filipino and English easily. Starting kindergarten, the children will use mother tongue. They will learn their lesson using stories, poems, illustrations based on their local culture. Learning will be continuous to the child as they use their own language. They will express ideas freely and have confidence within themselves. It is easy for them to construct sentences, make paragraphs as they identify the terms use. Easy to converse and recite because the words use are familiar and they use it every day. They would count numbers, sing songs, recite poems in the language use in the community. Understanding occurs instantly in them. Studies show that students learn better when taught in their native language than in a foreign tongue. Through the use of the mother tongue, it will develop their reasoning skills and higher thinking skills of the students. Pupils can easily express their different views and ideas during class discussion. Further, students will understand their lessons better; at the same time infuse a sense of nationalism and they will also gain fluency in their L1. MTB-MLE benefit pupils because they easily understand their lessons and the learning skills of students can be easily achieved. The objective in lessons of the teachers can be achieved as pupils comprehend well. They can understand what the teacher is talking in front. They can give examples and interact well in discussion. Their self-esteem develops and confident to deal with the lessons. It is easy to the teacher to establish rapport among her pupils. We are also promoting nationalism because we use the native language rather than the foreign language. If there are benefits we get from this, there are also disadvantages. The implementation of MTB-MLE will demand more time to translate books into different dialects knowing that Tagalog is not the only dialect that Filipino people speak. In different areas in the Philippines, we use different dialects so it will take more time to study and translate it to our own dialect. I find it difficult to other pupils who are transferee .If they come from a school where they had different language use, they will find it hard because they need to adapt and study the dialect of that particular area in order to communicate. It will create confusion also on the side of the child due to different terms use. Example if a child came from Cebu then transferred to Iloilo. Cebuano’s language is different to Hiligaynon. So a child does not know the words to speak or might his/her classmates laugh at him/her. Maybe the child can speak words that had different interpretations to that certain place and could create misinterpretation. And also in Iloilo we have different languages use in every town. We have different versions of Hiligaynon. And every word has different meanings. It would cause misinterpretations and confusions. Because some words are easy but other words are very difficult to understand even it is in Mother Tongue. It is also difficult for those who are comfortable using English as their medium of instruction. They are used to speak and use English well so they could not comprehend well in the Mother Tongue. They become confuse what are the exact words to use when it is translated in Mother Tongue. And some pupils who studied their kindergarten from private schools whose instruction is on English will find difficulty interpreting the translation of the subjects in Hiligaynon because they are not used by it. Sometimes they could not get the instructions well. Their performances were affected of this language acquisition. Another problem with Mother Tongue is when children already familiarized with it, they will be poor in speaking English. They will less prioritize the use of it. They would only stick to mother tongue because it’s the only easiest language for them in order to communicate. Hope that all the programs that were implemented will pave way to an improved and quality education no matter what language should be use as an instruction. And all children will be given equal opportunity to avail the quality of education that the government offers. That will help to lessen non-readers and poor readers of the country. That Mother tongue will make the lessons easy for every child in recognizing and comprehend to lessons and stories. That they will learn to express their ideas well and eliminate illiteracy and become fast readers in the future.

Genetically Modified Foods One World Essay Essay

Did you know that we’ve been eating genetically modified foods for the past 10 years? It’s in about 70-75% of our nation’s food. Our food supply has greatly improved. Today we are going to find out what are genetically modified foods. Genetically modified foods are foods that have been engineered in the laboratory. They are improved in many ways. In the first part of my speech I will talk about the genetic modification technology in food and agriculture, locating improvements. In the second part I will include a debate about food safety, consumer attitudes and other concerns. Newspapers frequently carry stories about genetically modified food. The biotechnology agricultural age is occurring. Scientists had an idea to make food have better appearance, growth, and taste. In genetic engineering you take the best food available and add the few characters you are interested in so that you’re breeding efficiency is increased. The last century was a time of big changes in genetic engineering. Humanity made huge steps toward creating new life. Experiments with creating human were not successful, but the whole world was watching the experiment with sheep Dooley, which became first cloned animal. It was first such a big succeeded experiment and as a result almost everyone knew the last news about the sheep. However a big achievement was made in modifying new plants and crops. In the 21st century genetically modified products already became a part of our life. Every day new genetic products appear in shops and it becomes harder to find healthy food which does not contain any added chemical components. Apples during the winter time, oranges which become ripe twice faster than their period of ripening and tomato bushes which can survive very cold weather prove that biological world had experienced a lot of changes. Experiments are being made, new plants are being produced for a quite a long period of time, however genetically modified products is one of the hotly debatable topics today. The benefits of gene technology in terms of food production are enormous. The most common genetically engineered crops contain modifications that make the plants resistant to certain diseases and herbicides, or allow them to produce their own pesticides, thereby eliminating or reducing the need to spray. So-called â€Å"Bt corn,† for example, contains a gene resistant to the harmful mycotoxin fungus and herbicide producers, Monsanto have created a strain of soybeans genetically modified to be unaffected by their product Roundup. The soybean farmer therefore can avoid targeting specific weeds and require just one application of a general weed-killer, reducing costs and agricultural waste run-off. Genetically modified crops are also being adapted to grow in salty, dry or frosty environments, contain edible vaccines, have a longer shelf life and be more nutritious. A group of Swiss and German scientists recently developed a strain of GM rice known as ‘golden rice’ due to its altered color. Containing genes that produce a unusually high amount of beta-carotene (vitamin A), this rice could be a solution to the thousands of poor children in Asia who eat little but rice and go blind or die from lack of vitamin A. Public reaction to the use of recombinant DNA in genetic engineering however has been mixed. Sliding US export commodities such as genetically modified soybeans and corn have highlighted hardened public opinion and widespread resistance to biotech crops, especially in the European Union. Concerns about GM foods fall into three categories: economics, environmental hazards and human health risks. The latter two have been the subject of hot debate, both in Australia and overseas. Environmental damage from GM crops can be caused through various channels. One of the main concerns has been the possibility of gene transfer to a non-target species, that is crops engineered for herbicide tolerance and weeds cross-breeding, resulting in the transfer of the herbicide resistance to create ‘super weeds’. In addition, environmentalists fear that transgenic plants may proliferate rapidly, pollinating natural plants in their surroundings eliminating existing species. Further environmental suspicions include those of unintended harm to other organisms and of the reduced effectiveness of pesticides once insects become tolerant to a crop’s natural pesticide. Questions have also been raised on the human impact of genetically modified organisms. Critics of recombinant DNA fear that the pathogenic, or disease-producing organisms used in some recombinant DNA experiments might develop extremely infectious forms that could cause worldwide epidemics. Likewise, the unknown effect of foreign genes introduced into GM food crops in terms of human health also presents a controversial issue. Furthermore, there is a possibility that introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals. A proposal to incorporate a gene from Brazil nuts into soybeans in order to increase their nutritional value was abandoned when it was found that the genetically engineered soybeans caused an allergic reaction in people sensitive to Brazil nuts. For these reasons, extensive testing and labeling of GM foods may be required to avoid the possibility of harm to consumers with food allergies. Biotechnology has started to revolutionize food production, with fantastic results. With the world population of 6 billion expected to double in the next 50 years and an adequate food supply becoming a major challenge it will no doubt continue to do so in the future.

Ethical Lens Reflection

Ethical Lens Reflection US101 I use my reasoning skills (rationality) to determine what duties are as well as the universal rules that each person should follow (autonomy). By prioritizing the value of autonomy over equality my primary concern is prospecting individual rights. I believe this is always the best way to assure that everyone in the community is treated equally. Believing all person should follow the same set of universal rules so strongly that I resist making exceptions even when intuition suggests a more passionate result. I found this result to be very true of myself.My personal ethical lens may direct my academic behavior into the positives. If all is true as the ethical lens states then when I set my mind to a project, being the discussion questions or an assignment, I fulfill those tasks. Doing this will get everything in on time. My ethical lens influences my critical thinking knowing that I have to think things through, I ask questions when need be, and ensure all resources are verified as scholarly or peer reviewed. By following my ethics I will refrain from plagiarism making sure to cite or reference all sources as needed.Keeping my conscience clear in classes. One of my results was: Tools for analyzing problems, Reason. Using critical thinking skills is my preferred method for learning and problem-solving. It states that I tend to think through a problem carefully and dutifully research options to find the one that will allow myself to fulfill my duties. My focus on gathering and carefully analyzing all the available data so I can make fully informed decision. The classical value of Temperance shows that I value individual balance and restraint in the desire for pleasure as I seek to satisfy my duties.I also know who I am, so I can act with integrity in the exercise of all virtues. â€Å"I am responsible† is my key phrase. Because I value autonomy and rationality, I tend to assume that my own definitions of what a responsible perso n should do applies to everyone. I define an ethical person as one who fulfills their duties and does the right thing as an autonomous, fully responsible adult. For me, this is the fullest expression of fairness and justice. My gift of self-knowledge shows I am concerned with figuring out my duties, when I am at my best I know myself – I know what I am doing and why.Because of this, when I say that I will do something or care for someone, I follow through. I am also able to live in the present, to determine what I need to do at any given moment to fulfill my responsibilities. I risk being autocratic or bossy. I require everyone to do things my way in order to measure up ethically. I tend to not consider other interpretations of facts or listen to other approaches once I have made up my mind. If I am not paying attention I can be tempted to excuse myself from following the rules. I insist that I really am being true to my core values, even when I am not.I’ll convince my self that the rules were meant for other people or that the action I want to take really does meet my responsibilities, even though my responsible self tells me otherwise. My vice is that I can become overly judgmental and unrealistic. I must remember to think about the impact of a decision on the whole community. Sometimes individuals actually benefit by restraining autonomy for the good of the community. As I learn to consider other perspectives in my decision making process, I will live out the best of my ideals with compassion and care for others.Using the results from the aptitude competency exercise can help with my current career as well as in class. By focusing on customer needs and satisfaction; I can set high standards for quality and quantity; monitor and maintain quality and productivity, working in a systematic, methodical and orderly way, and consistently achieve project goals. By producing new ideas, approaches, or insights; I can create innovative products or designs , and produce a range of solutions to problems.

Nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Nursing - Essay Example Peter is 14 and in high school. He was 11 when his mother passed away and is now raised by his older siblings. His father is always at work and is rarely home. Peter is exhibiting signs of depression and seclusion by spending hours in bed, in his room. Based on his reclusive behavior and self professed sadness, Peter may even be at risk for suicide. Peter is also at risk for substance abuse and other self destructive behaviors. Many types of depression that surface in adolescents can lead to long term psychological disorders which contribute to lifelong mental illness, if left untreated. Peter is obviously displaying signs and symptoms such as decreased energy, decreased interest in activity, sadness and hopelessness. Due to the early death of Peter’s mother, his family dynamics have changed drastically. Peter is without a parent as his father is mostly always at work and Peter is left to the care of his older siblings. It is likely that at the time of Peter’s motherâ⠂¬â„¢s death, proper grief counseling intervention did not take place leaving Peter with an overwhelming feeling of loss and grief. Peter is obviously in a situation where he feels alienated and therefore is retreating farther into an antisocial shell which only serves to fuel his depression. In looking at how the Mental Health Act addresses specific cases of depression, namely teen depression, it is clear that individualized care within an individual’s community is provided for. The Mental Health Act is meant to protect those who suffer from mental illness where in many cases, a stigma may exist. Prior to the Mental Health Act of 1983, those who suffered with mental illnesses may have been allowed to fall through the cracks of the system while remaining untreated. The Mental Health Act is meant to change that in order to address mental health cases before they manifest into more serious conditions. In Part II of the Mental Health Act, labeled â€Å"Compulsory

What is the impact of empowerment on the factors of organizational Essay

What is the impact of empowerment on the factors of organizational behavior in five star hotels in the USA - Essay Example Empowerment has become a global trend and only those hotels which properly empower their employees will succeed. Research carried out by, Wagner Iii, John A. (1994) found the following as impacts of empowerment: †¢Meaning †¢Results †¢Challenge and an opportunity to learn †¢Respect and recognition †¢Freedom at work †¢Affiliation. According to Betttencons, Lance E. A and Steven W.Brown (1978), empowerment in USA hotels has been implemented to some degree of success in some states. In a subsequent study on New York hotels, Fasa (1995) critically analyzed how empowerment can drive businesses to excel. In his findings he came up with three important levels of empowerment in organizations: employee-employer relations, employee – customer relations as well as the employee-job. Empowerment and Organization behavior. In a study conducted on empowerment in Canada, Whitener, Ellen M. (2000. p 234) observed that: â€Å"Workers are empowered through giving them authority and responsibility to make decisions affecting their work with a minimum of interference and second guessing by managers.† Role of employee empowerment Hotels depend on employee interactions with customers to earn business. Whether a hotel is going to continue attracting customers or not depends very much on how its employees interact with customers. Therefore, customer perception on an organization is very much dependent on behavior of the workers .It can therefore be argued that, the behavior of employees working in hotels must constantly be assessed and modeled to ensure that it reflect the hotels standard and mission.

Strategic corporate finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Strategic corporate finance - Essay Example Price-to earnings ratios as a method of share valuation aids in the determination of whether a company is undervalued or overvalued, however, P/E ratio has a number of limitations or pitfalls and is only valid in specific circumstances. Its usefulness is undermined by the following factors. The first factor is accounting. Earnings from which is it derived is an accounting figure that is determined under the guidance of accounting rules known as Generally Accepted accounting Principles, GAAP) that are subject to change and they usually vary from one country to another (Barnhart & Giannetti 2009: 79). Therefore, EPS can be squeezed, twisted and prodded into numerous numbers depending on how one decides to do the books. It is therefore subjective and the figures being compared may not be the same. The second factor that limits the usefulness of P/E ratio is inflation. During times of high inflation, P/E ratio tends to e much lower because the market normally views the earnings as bein g artificially distorted upwards (Ball 2012: 327). During such times, depreciation as well as inventory costs tends to be understated since the replacement costs of equipment as well as goods increase with the rise in general level of prices. Information therefore, makes it hard to value the shares because past information is often less useful today. P/E ratio cannot therefore give a clear picture regarding the valuation of the shares of the company in times of high inflation Another limitation is about market interpretations. The values of P/E can be interpreted in a number of ways, for instance, a low P/E ratio may mean that the company is undervalued. On the other hand, it may indicate that the market thinks that the firm in question is headed for trouble or problems in the near future. This implies that the earnings of the company will reduce lower than expected (Ball 2012: 330). It is clear that companies are able to manipulate

European Parliament Elections Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

European Parliament Elections - Essay Example BULGARIA Parliamentary elections of 2007 resulted in the victory for a new center-right party: Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) under Boyko Borisov. Georgi Parvanov has been the president of the country since 2002. The center-right GERB opposition party won 26.2% of the vote and five seats in the 2009 election. They beat the ruling Socialists (18.9%/4 seats). CZECH REPUBLIC The two round parliamentary elections which were conducted in 2006 was shaded off by a dishonor, resulting in reformation of government in 2007. Mirek Topolanek who leads the Civic democrats formed a new center-right government in January 2007. This government consisted of Topolanek's Civic Union, the Greens, and the Christian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party. Jan Fisher has been the prime minister since 8 May 2009. FRANCE Legislative elections for the national assembly took place in June 2007 in France. President Nickolas Sarkozy's UMP won the elections. Sarkozy was elected as the president in 2007. This was only because of the center-right voters. They elected Francois Fillon of the UMP as their prime minister. In the 2009 elections, Sarkozy's UMP received 28%. French MEP Joseph Daul who is theEPP-ED group chairman stated his party had won because it had verbalized "about Europe" andwas away from any controversies. ITALY Italy's President Giorgio Napolitan, who is a former leader of the Italian Communist Party, was elected in April 2006. But in the 2008 elections Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's People of Freedom Party won the elections. Berlusconi constituted a center-right cabinet of ministers which included his People of Freedom coalition and the Northern League. Berlusconi's 'Party of Liberty' (PdL) secured 39%, of the votes against 27.5% which its main rival, the centre-left PD secured. IRELAND Ireland's elections to the lower house of parliament were conducted in May 2007. Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and his Fioanna Fail Party were victorious. Fianna Fail continued as the largest party but its coalition partners -the Progressive Democrats- were not as victorious. Mary McAleese has been the president of Ireland since 1997. LATVIA The Center-right party won the June 2004 elections in Latvia. The majority coalition consisted of People's Party and other center-right parties. The party led by Aigars Kalvitis became a minority coalition with the departure of one party. In 2007, Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis the head of the center-right Latvian Way party formed a center-right coalition government. LITHUANIA The center-left government was replaced by the center-right in the elections conducted in October 2008. The center-right party is headed by prime minister and leader of the Homeland Union Lithuanian Christian Democrats Party Andrius Kubilius. Dalia Grybauskaite is Lithuania's first female president who was elected in May 2009. POLAND Lech Kaczynki was the elected president in October 2005 elections. But in the Snap elections on October 21 2007 resulted in the victory of the center-right opposition party which is led by Donald Tusk. Tusk became Poland's prime minister in November 2007 and led a coalition government of his civic platform party and the Polish People's Party. SPAIN Prime Minister Zapatero's Socialists won the Parliamentary elections which

Writting exercises Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Writting exercises - Research Paper Example Perhaps this is a new way of saying that like poles attract but indeed, the male gender has a habit of concentrating more on movies that have been presented in the feminine form. Most masculine gender has been noted to take a keen interest in movies, be they in nudity, in clothes or half dressed as long as they represent the female roles and character. Recent developments have been made to the movie industry with the introduction of male actors in the female roles. Among such epics is the ` Law of Desire’ which is a representation of the much renounced representation of moral deterioration in the society. However, the shifting of the roles here is commendable as men go on stage to represent women in active roles. The epic is set in Madrid and has been integrated with a world of male passion deep and intriguing to internalize. Pablo is a homosexual movie director whose latest release is being celebrated. Having sent off his love Juan to the countryside so as to create some distance between them, he meets Antonio after the party and the two get acquainted. Antonio who is obsessed with Pablo soon moves in to fill the space Juan left. At the end of the party, the two leave together for the home and Antonio has the first experience of anal sex in his life. Antonio thus develops a deeper sense of attachment to Pablo which is unknown to him but begins to show. While Pablo does not recognize this love feeling by Antonio terming it as a lusty occurrence because he remains to be in love and attached to Juan, the other party, Antonio misunderstands him and shows his possessive attitude as a lover. Another scene is then presented of the sister to Pablo, Tina who has her own problems to deal with and is struggling with her niece Ada. Tina who was once a boy and has a sexual transformation to construct a sexual relationship with her father has her own issues to solve. The father has left her for another woman, which devastates her and she begins to hate all men such

Nursing Theory Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nursing Theory - Article Example Moreover, the key purposes nursing theories emphasized overproviding specific guideline for establishment of nursing knowledge and practice. Moreover, nursing theories serve as a tool for determining the roles and responsibilities that are associated with specific job role, such as intensive care by nurses and further outline the reasons behind performing such roles. Nursing theories serve several purposes and are attributed to a number of characteristics that makes it necessary to ensure that people engaged in nursing and healthcare profession are able to understand such theories and implemented for providing superior care to the patients. An understanding of the nursing theories is important since they are associated with providing specific path for developing the nursing practice and knowledge and further assist in fostering of successive knowledge regarding various dimensions underlying in the nursing practices. Additionally, the prime necessity behind understanding of nursing theories is that they help in developing successive understanding variables associated with health, human beings and environment (Crossan & Robb, 1998). In self-practice while performing the job role of an intensive care nurse, knowledge regarding nursing theories is regarded to be highly essential and provides a definite path to perform the nursing tasks. Moreover, substantial level of knowledge regarding nursing theories enables healthcare executives to gain deeper understanding of the job responsibilities and further helps in taking effective decision-making while practicing. Moreover, in actual scenario, nursing practices is associated with development of substantial understanding of the factors related to nursing, such as performing job roles effectively, and ensuring patient care amongst others, which are determined with the help of knowledge established through nursing theories (Sousa & Hayman, 2002). The online journal of ‘Nursing Theory Development’ published

Electoral college Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Electoral college - Coursework Example The government of the United States is comprised of three branches. The separation of power is provided by the constitution. The three branches are executive, judiciary and the legislature (Campbell, 2004). The executive is comprised on the President, Vice President and the Departments. The body makes up the most superior governmental position. In addition, the branch implements the laws created and stated in the constitution. The legislature is comprised of the House and the Senate. The two bodies are less superior to the executive. However, there are responsible for the creation of laws. Additionally, the two bodies act as supervisors to the functions of the executive (Campbell, 2004). They analyze the effectiveness at which the executive implements the provision of the constitution. The judiciary contains the court system and the Supreme Court. The branch is provided with the responsibility of interpreting the provision of the constitution. The branch also oversees the function of the executive and the legislature as provided by the constitution. The separation of power allows for the effective operation and completion of duties by the three branches. In addition, the separation of power allows for the measurement of the effectiveness of the three branches. Regardless of separation of power, there is the need to create a mechanism that would enable the control and restriction of excessive dominance by one body. Specifically, the dominance of one branch of government should not be allowed. In most cases, the executive may implement policies that depict dictatorship. To avoid such occurrences, the constitution provides for checks and balances (Kilman & Costello, 2000). The provisions are aimed at increasing the ability of each body of the government to effectively carry out its functions. In addition, checks and balances minimize the occurrence of one body having greater power and

Deals with the Devil Essay Example for Free

Deals with the Devil Essay The Devil is portrayed in many ways and throughout many different types of literature, movies, and music. The most iconic image of the devil is a red beast with horns, a pointed tail, and a pitchfork in his hand. This famous image depicts an evil monster that is in the depths of hell where he rules over the other evil beings of the world. This is only one image of many that you can find in a vast amount of literature and media both past and present. In The Devil and Tom Walker, the devil is described as a black woodsman, human in form but with red eyes. Similarly in The Devil and Daniel Webster, the Devil is described as a â€Å"dark-dressed stranger,† who is soft spoken but has an evil smile. In these descriptions you still get a sense of evil from the Devil but he is in human form. So what or who is the Devil? From early stories in Christianity, Lucifer commonly known as Satan or the Devil is originally an archangel created in the image of God. He is the highest form of an angel, but challenges God and is cast down to rule the pits of hell. Can someone created in the image of God as Christianity suggests be a dark stranger or a red beast? The Devil can be depicted in many ways, but what the Devil really represents is the existence greed and moral corruptness in society. Regardless of the imagery, the Devil plays a similar role throughout literature and media both past and present. One of the earliest stories of a man making a pact with the Devil is a character named Faust, from an old German legend. Faust was a brilliant scholar but always wanted more knowledge. The Devil comes to him one night and promises him infinite wisdom for a certain amount of time after which Faust’s soul would be owned by the Devil. Faust readily agrees and signs a contract with the Devil. Faust lives with his infinite knowledge until the year comes when the Devil comes to collect his soul. Faust is then taken by the Devil and spends the rest of eternity in hell. This story maybe one of the original stories of the Devil making a deal with a man for his soul. The Devil knows and uses the man’s greatest desire to lure him into signing a contract to get his soul. Man is easily corruptible when promised his deepest desire and choses instant gratification without fully understanding or thinking of the repercussions. In Anne Rice’s novel Memnoch the Devil, the Devil begins to stalk Lestate until one evening he appears to him and takes him on a voyage. Lestate is a very old and powerful Vampire, known to only look out himself and his own needs. The Devil takes Lestate to Heaven and Hell where he tells Lestate the story of the beginning of time when God created the world and human beings. Memnoch, or the Devil, spent a lot of time on Earth admiring God’s creation, but begins to notice the suffering and pain of human beings and the souls of deceased that are stuck in between Heaven and Earth. He describes God as uncaring of the evil in the world he created and begs God to do something to help the humans that are suffering on Earth and Sheol, which is the afterlife. Memnoch claims that he is not evil in fact he was an archangel created in God’s image, but because he questioned God several times about why he is letting humans suffer God gets angry. God casts him out of Heaven to find all the lost souls on earth and Sheol that he thinks deserves to be in the Kingdom of Heaven, before Memnoch can return. This turns out to be a daunting task and he enlists Lestate to be his partner and adversary of God. This journey throws Lestate to question everything he has ever known about God and the Devil, sfor he has lived centuries and had dismissed such notion that Heaven and Hell exist. Lestate ends up running from the Devil and when he returns to Earth he steals a biblical artifact, Veronica’s Veil, he reveals the artifact to the world. In the end it is revealed that the Devil was only using Lestate by allowing him to return with an artifact that would renew faith in God and therefore limit the amount of souls sent to Hell. In this story the Devil is manipulative and cunning though he claims he is not evil. Although Lestate never made a deal with the Devil, the Devil won by using Lestate’s narcissism for his own purposes. In the Phantom of the Opera, a popular Broadway show, one can view the Devil as the representation of the masked phantom in the opera house. The young understudy Christine hears a beautiful voice calling to her when she arrives at the opera house. She had heard stories of an â€Å"Angel of Music† who could give her a more powerful and beautiful voice and readily begins to sing with the Devil. A series of mysterious accidents forces the lead singer to lose her voice therefore losing the star role in the opera. Christine is the given then given the lead role after her voice improves drastically while practicing with the Devil. â€Å"The Angel of Music† takes Christine to the depths of the opera house tunnels against her will. Christine is in love with another man, who searches for her in the tunnels of the opera house. The Devil captures Christine’s love and tells her he will kill him if she doesn’t stay with him. This story is similar to the short stories of The Devil and Tom Walker and The Devil and Daniel Webster, in that the characters make a deal with the Devil to improve some aspect of their lives but when the Devil wants to collect on their deal none of the characters want to go willingly. One noticeable difference between the stories is that in the end of The Phantom of the Opera Christine shows kindness to the â€Å"Angel of Music† and he lets her go and he disappears forever leaving only his mask behind. Overall mankind has shown a pattern of making deals with the devil for their desires to their own detriment. From the short stories of, The Devil and Daniel Webster and The Devil and Tom Walker, to the legend of Faust, and the Phantom of the Opera musical you can see similarities in all the characters desiring something unattainable. The Devil then comes to them and promises to deliver their wishes for a small price, merely their souls for the rest of eternity. The Devil feeds on the lack of moral integrity and uses this to gain power over these characters souls. On the other hand, in Memnoch the Devil, Anne Rice changes the â€Å"deal with the devil† theme because Lestate never actually bargains with the devil, none the less the Devil gets what he desires. As you can see, literature and other mediums have adapted the story of making a pact with the Devil in many ways. Works Cited Faust. (n.d.). Retrieved 10 8, 2012, from Wikipeadia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faust Rice, A. (1995). Memnoch the Devil. Knopf. The Phantom of the Opera. (n.d.). Retrieved 10 8, 2012, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera