Political economy Essay

Most people don’t think about their country’s economy unless it happens to be the nature of their business or unless it somehow directly or indirectly has an impact on the manner of living to which they’ve become accustomed. Economy is the financial circumstance of a country based on its level of prosperity which is determined by the success or failure of it business practices and dealings and proved by the lifestyle of its citizens. The economy is only as good as its management while management is only as good as its political economy. The political economy is a combination of economic and political factors that determine the methods of management or governing. Just what method of governing is best for a country’s economy remains a topic of debate. According to David Coates, â€Å"†¦capitalism as an economic form can be distinguished by the qualitatively distinct mixes of technologies, forms of business organization, characters of labor forces and state functions that come to predominate within it. (Coates) There are three methods of governing capitalism: market-led capitalisms, state-led capitalisms, and negotiated or consensual social capitalisms. The United States is an example of market-led capitalism. In this form, decisions are left to the discretion of private companies. While lucrative to the higher-ups within the company, employees are often only minimally compensated in the wages they earn and in industrial and social privileges. In this form of capitalism, the states involvement is constrain ed and extends only to creating and protecting the market. Ideals related to morality and business ethics are unique to individual companies and tend to be permissive. In state-led capitalism, decision making is left up to the private companies, but only after they’ve met with the approval of administrative leadership within the banking system. Japan is a shining successful example of state-led capitalism. In consensual social capitalism state regulations are minimal, but the political system supports the rights and welfare of the labor and allows them to cast their votes in decision making. Sweden and Germany are strong examples of consensual social capitalism. (Coates) Scholar, Milton Friedman contends that democracy and the rule of law are key factors that together, are instrumental in growing a strong economy. While research ratifies the benefits of property rights and the rule of law, it conveys ambivalent reactions towards the benefits of democracy. Stable property rights and an effective legal system are positive reinforcements, but even when property rights are unstable it doesn’t necessarily affect the economy adversely. Situations such as this tend to increase business activity. When the government spends money to help maintain and protect the rights of businesses, it can actually strengthen the economy. When regulations are tightened to the point that they hinder businesses and increase tax rates, it’s then that the economy is negatively affected. In a democracy, redistributions of income by means of land reforms and social welfare are implemented in order to alleviate social discord. When the governments response is exorbitant, this too will have and adverse affect on the economy. Democracy does have its flaws, but it has greater potential and is more favorable than that of an autocracy. (Robert J. Barro) In the context of rapid marketing and global integration, the consensus was that capitalism adversely affected the labor wages in countries with low labor costs. Brazil, however, has a renewed eagerness for capitalism. According to Arminio Fraga, with Gavea Investimentos, â€Å"Taken together, these things have created a new enthusiasm for capitalism, a feeling that the stockmarket is not a casino and that being part of the world economy is a good thing. (Sen) Their currency is strong and the economy is getting stronger. Companies have a more positive outlook in regards to international integration. The citizens of Brazil are also reaping the benefits. Although Brazil remains closed for the most part, they are reaping the benefits of their limited involvement in the international market. Despite the fact that Brazil is closed, it’s not unaffected by e conomic situations in the United States. A short time after the stock market crashed in 1929, Brazil’s democracy ended and a dictatorship rose up out of the dust. Brazil’s economy was hit again in the 1950’s when coffee prices soared in the U. S and again in the 1970’s when oil prices rose. It’s also been adversely affected by economic crises in other countries. Author, Sen sums it up this way, â€Å"Its politics are frustrating: corruption is rife in public life, violence widespread, illiteracy normal, poverty stubborn. And yet compared with the Brazil of old, this has the feel of a golden age. † (Sen) Trade liberalization has been a slow and steady process in Brazil. Attempts at policy reforms have met with road-blocks and often the progress that was made was lost. Despite setbacks, Brazil has made more progress in building an industrial base than other Latin American countries. They fought back against the debt crisis by pushing its exports. This move proved to be smart and effective in that it stopped the grouping of economic conglomerates. Other countries didn’t fair as well but, between 1982 and 1992, Brazil showed a trade balance of over $11 billion. (Schamis) The economy is gauged in various ways. Peter Gourevitch says, â€Å"Economic performance derives from political choices, social organization, culture, circumstances, history. † (Gourevitch) Investors measure the performance of the economy with specific indicators including the gross domestic product, job growth, consumer confidence, weekly retail sales, monthly retail sales, earnings growth rates, and the Institute for Supply Managements index. Some of these indicators, however, are determined by the spending habits of the citizens. Spending habits can also be a reflection of consumer confidence. When sales are up and the public is investing their money, it’s a fairly reliable indication that the economy is in good shape, at least from the people’s perspective. Unknown) The quality of life of the citizens should definitely be considered when gauging the performance of economy. Brazil’s economy is fairing far better now than it did for twenty years. Since 2004, the economy has shot up at a rate of 4. 5%. The economy is stable and growing. Paulo says, â€Å"In fact, for those excited by economic meltdowns and political turmoil, the place has become r ather dull. † (Sen) As recent as 2007, the stockmarket experienced growth by 44%. Overall, growth increased to 5. 4%. In comparison to Russia, India and China, one might think that Brazil’s economy is dormant and insignificant, but nothing could be further from the truth. Although out-ranked in size, Brazil’s economy is growing and strong. Once hounded by the persistent problems of inflation, debt and democracy, the country has successfully overcome them and now their economy is in good standing. Due to considerable reforms, Brazil’s corporate and financial future looks bright as well. Growth is fixed and holding. Inflation is no longer out of control and has stabilized. Foreign exchange has gradually increased and so has foreign investment. International reserves have also stepped up. Domestically speaking, retail sales have increased to 9. 7 percent and auto production has reached 13. 9 percent. The unemployment situation is improving and new jobs are being created. There has even been a rise in social mobility. Now, 49 percent of the population is in the ranks of the middle class compared to 32 percent 2002. Success has been a long time coming for Brazil. According to Mauro Leos, Vice President of the Sovereign Risk Unit, these achievements were reached by means of good luck and hard work.

Why, according to Lee Kuan Yew, are Western democratic systems unsuited to East Asia?

Lee Kuan Yew, prime minister of Singapore between 1959 and 1990, and now Senior Minister of his country, commands much respect and influence in both the East and the West. This respect and influence reaches to the highest echelons of world leaders, to the vast multitude of academics, commentators and development strategists, and to the millions of people who live in East Asia. Regardless of whether or not this esteem is justified and deserved, ti is real, and therefore must be analysed, interpreted, criticised or praised while not forgetting the importance and effect his beliefs and proclamations have had, and will have. Any discussion of world politics, especially in East Asia, cannot ignore the hows, whys and wherefores of the current situation and the influence that current ideas and thought may have on the future. Lee's views have undoubtedly shaped his own country, certainly have influenced other governments in the region, and will definitely bear their markon the short- to mid-term future of East Asian politics. This explains the reasons why this essay solely deals with him. The essay is divided into three main sections. Firstly, I will discuss Lee's ideas and policies, and why he believes in an ‘Asian values' view of the politics of the region. Secondly, I will explore some of the responses that have been made in opposition to his views, and thirdly, I will present some observations and conclusions of my own. These observations will draw on some other problems and inconsistencies with Lee's ideas. Let us turn then to the man and his ideas. The central theme running through any study or discussion of his political ideas and actions is the importance that culture has on shaping the society and its structures. The shared history, traditions, make-up, worldview and social relationships are the key factors that determine how a state should be organised and governed. Thus, if the culture is different between two sets of peoples, then the resulting state structure and government type will also be different. Culture is the driver, the basis of society and the legitimacy used by those in power to decree what is best for their people. This viewpoint is often referred to as the ‘Asian values' system (Ng, 1997, Theodore de Bary, 1999, Hague & Harrop, 2001) and is summed up succinctly by the title of a famous interview with Lee which appeared in a 1994 edition of Foreign Affairs – ‘Culture is Destiny' (Zakiria, 1994). The importance that Lee places on the cultural aspect of a society does not mean that what is right for his country is also right for other countries. Whilst consistently dismissing Western-, and in particular, US-style democratic systems as valid models for Singapore, he does not suggest that the US-style system is neccessarily wrong for the US. It is not my business to tell people what's wrong with their system. It is my business to tell people not to foist their system indiscrimately on societies in which it will not work (Zakiria quoting Lee, 1994, p. 110). This can be seen as a statement recognising the particularity of political systems depending on the society / culture in question. Whilst Lee has been described as being authoritarian, semi-, or soft-authoritarian, he certainly doesn't make claims for the world to be based on an Asian values system. It appears that his position is more concerned about keeping hold of power in Singapore rather than exporting it around the world. The main, fundamental as Lee calls it, cultural reason why Western democratic systems are unsuited to East Asia is the difference between the place and status of the individual in those societies. The fundamental difference between Western concepts of society and government and East Asian concepts†¦ is that Eastern societies believe that the individual exists in the context of his family. He is not pristine and separate. The family is part of the extended family, and the friends and the wider society. The ruler or government does not try to provide for a person what the family best provides (Zakiria quoting Lee, 1994, p. 113). This focus on the moral and virtuous notion of society is stongly linked to Confucianism, so often portrayed as being fundamentally East Asian and always compared with Western systems. Lee's manifestation of this doctrine is used by him to legitimate and promote an East Asian society based on strong hierarchical structures to bring about social and political stability. In the East the main object is to have a well-ordered society so that everybody can have maximum enjoyment of his freedoms. This freedom can only exist in an ordered state and not in a natural state of contention and anarchy (Zakiria quoting Le, 1994, p. 111). These three main features of Lee's take on East Asia's political and social climate – culture, the place in society of the individual, and a well-ordered society – are admittedly affected and influenced by the West over time, and are not seen as developing without the impact of colonial rule and imperialism. †¦ ur Confucianism has been attenuated by 120 years of British rule and education in British and other English-speaking universities (IHT, 2001). But, despite this impact Lee steadfastly denies any further infusion of Western democracy into East Asia, especially Singapore. †¦ this doesn't mean we are going to be like a Western society. The values are different (de Borch, 2001). Lee is not the torch-h older for everyone though. Whilst he receives praise from his counterparts around the world, there are many in the academic and development strategist world that strongly disagree with him. Of course, it is not just a simple case of disagreeing over a matter of opinion, there are many valid and strong arguments against Lee's ideas. From this myriad of arguments, I have identified three main strands of contestation – historical arguments against Lee's ‘Asian values', the theoretical arguments concerning discussions of what democracy should be and how it should be followed in East Asia, and the problems and criticisms of the actually existing governing style of Lee. First then, arguments against Lee taken from history. There are two key aspects to this – the relevance of Confucianism to East Asia today, and evidence of a democratic tradition throughout East Asia's past. Famously, Max Weber theorised about the particular contribution to advanced capitalism of the ‘Protestant ethic'. This, in turn, explained how other cultures, including Confucian cultures, were not suited to advanced capitalism. Clearly this can now be questionned, especially if, as many commentators have said, that East Asia is economically dynamic. If Confucianism explains the economic boom in East Asia today, does it not also explain that region's stagnation for four centuries? Zakiria, 1994, p. 125). Kin Dae Jung, writing in response to the ‘Culture is Destiny' interview, identifies a strong tradition and history of democratic ideals and institutions in East Asia's past. This suggests that an argument could be made for ‘Asian values' actually referring to a much more democratic system than the Confucian-based one that Lee propagates. A thorough anaylsis makes it clear that Asia has a rich heritage of democracy-oriented philosophies and traditions. Asia has already made great strides toward democratisation and possesses the necessary conditions to develop democracy even beyond the level of the West (Jung, 1994, p. 91). The second major criticism of Lee comes from studies of the theoretical nature of democracy and what it means, shuold mean, or can mean to East Asia. The basic premise is that why should democracy only be relevant to particular cultures and why should particular cultures have to follow other political paths? This highlights the argument for democracy's universality. There is nothing special about torturing the Asian way†¦ human rights are human rights (Vatikiotis cited by Hague & Harrop, 2001, p. 29). The rejection of Western-style democracy by East Asian leaders is also seen by some as merely an excuse for not moving beyond ‘soft-authoritarianism' and into democracy. This is strongly tied up with the observation that this is simply the most effective way for leaders such as Lee to rule their countries. The biggest obstacle is not its cultural heritage but the resistance of authoritarian rulers and their apologists (Jung, 1994, p. 194). The third area of opposition to Lee's ideas that can be identified is that of problems with the actually exisitng state and society structures and institutions. For some, just observing Lee's form of rule is enough to reject his notions of what is the correct way to govern. These doubts stem chiefly from the Singapore government's undeniably harsh treatment of the opposition, as evidenced in its most recent elections (Ng, 1997, p. 21) Also, there appears to be two threats to the whole ‘Asian values' theory. Firstly, we have on the one hand Lee purporting to leave the individual's private matters to the individual, whilst on the other it can be observed that his government is actually intruding into the private sphere more than ever (Jung, 1994, p. 90). Secondly, an external threat is apparent from the global spread of modernisation. †¦ as an inevitable consequence of industrialisation, the family-centred East Asian societies are also rapidly moving toward self-centred individualism. Nothing in human history is permanent (Jun, 1994, p. 21). In conclusion it must be said that Lee's position in East Asia, and his reverance amongst Western opinion-formers should not distract us from dissecting and criticising his ideas. It is not good enough to assume that cultural traits should determine, worse still, justify the actions of governments, particularly Lee's. There should be certain aspects to a government and society that are unacceptable no matter what setting. Lee makes much of the need for a ‘well-ordered' society. The heavy-handed way this society is brought about blatantly contradicts Lee's notions of freedom. He talks of East Asians being able to have â€Å"maximum enjoyment of his freedoms† but Lee's notion of what is behaving and what is misbehaving sets a Singaporean's realm of freedom for him. This is certainly not the freedom that John Stuart Mill wrote about. It could be argued that it is better to have a society that is not so ‘well-ordered' but democratic, than it is to live in a society such as one that Lee envisages; faith must be placed with society to check its members' activities rather than have all aspects of life limited by an all-seeing government. Lee's ways may also only be suited to a small state such as Singapore. Even he admits that, within that small population, total control is practically impossible. This for me leads to the heart of the importance placed by Lee on ‘Asian values' and why Western ideas of democracy are unsuited to East Asia. It is very hard to escape the conclusion that the justification of ‘Asian values' is solely a political smokescreen to maintain power. It is even harder to escape this conclusion when the man himself proclaims: So when Americans tell me: you ought to govern in this way, I say thank you very much, I have listened to you very carefully, if I don't think we are ready for that, I have to do it my way (IHT, 2001, my emphasis).

Group Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Group Decision Making - Essay Example Various factors like the number of people in the group, group structure and purpose affect the functioning of group decision making process. Over the years, research has revealed that group decision making is an integral part of organizational life which has certain advantages and disadvantages. However one should be very careful during the group decision making process because it creates an environment in which fears and weaknesses of individual members can be overshadowed by the effects of group cohesiveness, causing the group to agree on extreme solutions to the given problem. Five Major Categories of Group Decision Making In the following pages, I will discuss the five major categories of group decision making as described in the text book and assess how two subcomponents, within each category, may help or hinder the value of an effective decision. Individual vs. Group Decision Making Over the years, research has proved that groups are far superior to individuals when it comes to problem solving and decision making (Blinder & Morgan 2005). The interaction among group members have been found to generate better ideas, insights and strategies that are unique to the group decision making process. ... The presence of other officers would have a positive impact on his performance and he would execute his work well. However, if this new recruit is placed in a board room where an army commander is developing a battle plan with senior officers, the presence of other officers would have a negative impact on his performance. This is so because of his lack of adequate training, expertise and inability to contribute to the task at hand. In this case, the presence of this new recruit may also turn out to be a hindrance to making an effective battle plan. Involvement and Commitment Involvement of group members in the decision making process has been found to have a positive and potentially strong relation with performance (Black & Gregersen, 1997). It not only gives an opportunity to explore knowledge but also helps identify innovative ways to find a solution to the problem (Black & Gregersen, 1997). As part of my role as a manager of a linguist program in Afghanistan, I recently called for an internal meeting in my organization with about 15 local national linguists (LNL) so that I can assign them to military units where their services can be utilized. I presented a situation and then asked each LNL to respond with their thoughts on the issue. This exercise helped us to improve the quality of the decision as each member was involved in the analysis of the situation and presented their view of how they would address the issue. This was helpful for us as a group to identify the skills and talents of each LNL and place him in a unit where he can be most effective. This process also helped each LNL to feel committed to the mission and goals of the organization. In this situation, involvement of LNLs in the decision

Ninth world by Jewell Parker Rhodes book question Essay

Ninth world by Jewell Parker Rhodes book question - Essay Example Moreover, despite not related by blood, Mama Ya-Ya had a incredibly strong love with the young Lanesha. However, despite having outstanding similarities, Jewell Parker Rhodes the author of the ninth world has demonstrated considerable level of differences between young Lanesha late mother and Mama Ya-Ya. The essay below will compare and contrasts the relationship between Mama Ya-Ya and the death mother. Similarities Both the death mother and Mama Ya-Ya had a strong affection on Lanesha. The death mother took great care of Lanesha for nine month until her demise in the delivery process. Similar to Mama Ya-Ya, the death mother hoped for a better future to the new born. She had a great plan to ensure the young girl prosper in her life. However, death could not have allowed her to take care of the new born. Lanesha admits that, she could have died at her tender were it not for the good care of Mama Ya-Ya. According to Lanesha, Mama Ya-Ya sliced the bloody membrane that covered her face d uring birth. Moreover, Mama Ya-Ya took good care of the child until her adult age. In some instances, Lanesha asserted that â€Å"I would have died, too, if Mama Ya-Ya had not sliced the bloody membrane from my face† (Rhodes 12). ... Mama Ya-Ya asserted that, the death mother used to narrate to her stories on past phenomena like earthquake and droughts. Just like the death mother, Mama Ya-Ya talked about past occurrences. It is also through Mama Ya-Ya that Lanesha understand the reality that, she was born with skin netting that covered her face. Moreover, Lanesha explains that, in every year’s birthday Mama Ya-Ya told her about the situation that surrounded her birth. According to Mama Ya-Ya â€Å"Lanesha, your eyes were the lightest green, with the tiniest specks of yellow. I knew you would have the sight. † (Rhodes 17) Differences Contrary to the death mother, Mama Ya-Ya was in a position of predicting future incidences. The same spiritual power was as well transferred to Lanesha. Lanesha held the spiritual ability of interacting with the spirits of deaths while Mama Ya-Ya predicted the coming of Hurricane Katrina and its impacts. As stated in the novel, â€Å"Lanesha can see the spirits of the d ead, and Mama Ya-Ya is a midwife, able to predict the future† (Rhodes 67). However, the death mother lacked the spiritual power of predicting future occurrences. The death mother was also not linked to spirits of the deaths. Despite presences all indicators in her delivery, the death mother could not envisage her death. In addition, although Lanesha intended to rely on her mother spirits to predict the future, the spirit of the death mother lacked the ability to forecast the occurrence of Hurricane Katrina. The death mother was composed and had independent minded traits. She lacked direct and strong connection with other people in the society including her relatives and friend. Despite being too friendly and lively to her family, the death mother

Plato Rebuplic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Plato Rebuplic - Essay Example describing the four types of constitution he specified them in this order – first, there is the constitution praised by most people, namely, the Cretan or Laconian. â€Å"(4)(544 c) the second was oligarchy, the third democracy and the last one was genuine tyranny. In trying to weigh the happiness or wretchedness of people within a certain government one could investigate the justice or injustice that is practiced. (545 a pg. 215) he goes on to explain that nothing is permanent be it a city, the government or a constitution – everything has to face dissolution and decay. (546 a, pg 216) Plato explains that both plants and animals have gestation periods that are fixed and represented by circles and says that if a seed is sowed during the fertile part of the cycle, it grows well to maturity; but unfortunately, if it is sown during the barren period of the cycle, it either does not germinate at all, or it becomes an inferior crop. (pg. 216, 8) The same thing is applied to humans. In ignorance of the above fact, if humans join their brides or grooms during the wrong period, their offspring would not be good natured non fortunate. (545d, pg 217) Therefore rulers chosen from among such descendants would be inferior and would not be good rulers. Whenever they go there would be inequality, disharmony, hostility and war. (547a, pg.

World Bank Anti-Corruption Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

World Bank Anti-Corruption - Essay Example Across several studies it has been shown that one standard deviation above the mean of corruption lowers investment rates by approximately three points, and lowers the average growth by almost one point per year (Kaufmann & Vicente, 2005). The World Bank (WB) seeks to monitor corruption across aided projects and developing nations (WB, 2006 a, b). To enable this to occur, the WB employs a multi-disciplinary staff with almost half of its employees located in country offices, who actively contribute to international policy formation (WB, 2006b). This paper is a formal application to the WB to demonstrate understanding of corruption issues and commitment to upholding anti-corruption business practices as determined by the WB. Firstly, a clear definition of corruption for this paper will be presented. Secondly, developing countries that currently experiences corruption will be highlighted. Thirdly, WB anti-corruption policies and protocols will be discussed, including a brief about anti-corruption considerations as a WB staff member. Next, the ability of the WB to address corruption will be debated, and best practices from around the globe will be outlined. Then, suggestions as to how the WB could effectively tackle corruption will be proposed. Finally, a conclusion shall synthesize the main points and demonstrate that this application aligns with the WB ethos of anti-corruption. Traditionall Traditionally, corruption has been defined in terms of 'the abuse of public office for private gain' (Kaufmann & Vicente, 2005). In this regard, corruption is viewed illegal, such as in the form of administration bribery, fraud or misappropriation of resources (Kaufmann & Vicente, 2005; WB, 2006a). Recently though, the term corruption has become associated with other less obvious acts, such as complicity between representatives of both the public and the private sectors. Further, collusion between parties may be considered a legal activity in some countries, such as lobbying contributions that allow legislations to be passed.Kaufmann and Vicente suggest an alternate definition to clarify corporate corruption, which in turn affects public corruption. Corruption can thus be described as "a collusive agreement between a part of the agents of the economy who, as a consequence, are able to swap [over time] in terms of positions of power (i.e. are able to capture, together, t he allocation process of the economy) (2). In this form, corruption represents high-level 'influence,' extending on the act of bribery and reflects "a particular sharing pattern of the joint payoff from the referred relationship" (3). They provide the example of a politician with strong business relationships within the private sector that are exploited for the benefit of each party, also known colloquially as "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours". Kaufmann and Vicente's comprehensive and salient definition will be used for this paper.With regard to nations that are acknowledged to have experienced widespread corruption, they include Bangladesh, Indonesia, Chile, Paraguay, Lithuania and Russia, as just a few of the countries noted by the WB to have had extensive corruption practices (WB, 2006e). These nations have firms and individuals listed as ineligible for future WB aid for a proscribed period as they were identified as having broken anti-corruption standards as determined b y the Procurement Guidelines or the Consultants Guidelines,

Media Diary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Media Diary - Essay Example The trends accumulate and spread to individuals who then show different groups the same trend. This leads to a sense of popularity with a given association and the relationship that it holds to a main organization, allowing the central area to continue to grow because of the associations that have been used for networking and development. b. The concept of networking and growing with trends and ideals is one which is specific to professional associations that are working for civic engagement in American democracy. Different associations will have a specific agenda related to political leaders, rights, bills and other changes needed in society. The associations are able to take a specific issue and advertise this to society. As this is done, individuals are able to decide for or against the leader, policy or other issue from the association. This allows the democratic decisions and trends to take shape and to push specific issues into the center of politics. More important, different types of associations are able to create different trends and associations. Many of the associations will have a hierarchical structure based on the importance of the political engagement needed. These will be pushed to create a specific trend in society and to alter the way in which many respond to the given issue. This creates a sense of civic orientation within society and structures democratic issues and the level of responses and trends which are seen among groups of individuals (Schofer, Gourinchas, 806). c. The organizational concerns which occur over time happen because of the patterns and changes within society. Authors note that the changes which become of concern are based on both the internal and external environment. In the internal environment, there is a concern because of the employee dynamics and the diversity which is a part of the work force. Different cultural influences, personal preferences and understanding of the organization changes the dynamics of the worki ng area and what occurs within the organization. For most, this leads to the need to create an organizational environment which can match the needs of individuals and groups. More important, there is the need to create a sense of changes to ensure that there is organizational growth and which meets the challenges for competition and within the marketplace. The changes in organizational concerns are furthered by the societal trends which occur and which influence the patterns in buying habits. A business is primarily focused on providing products and services to customers. However, there are dynamics which change the success of this main goal. This includes alterations in societal demands, trends and behaviors, political alterations, belief systems by groups, advertisements and competition. There are also influences within the economy which changes the popularity of a corporation. The trends which are in society then influence the patterns of a businesses success and their ability to move forward with specific alterations that are able to build into the needs of societal trends (Coplien, 43). d. The impact which is given from professional organizations and civic engagement is based on the way in which each influences the other. Professional organizations develop with a specific purpose or need to influence society in a given manner. This is done by providing information and by showing the benefits or downfalls

All Fungi Are Not the Same Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

All Fungi Are Not the Same - Essay Example Basidiomycota phylum develops through sexual means. Basidiospores are formed on club-shaped structures known as basidia. A terminal hyphal cell produces spores called basidium. In this phylum, asexual reproduction occurs, but occasionally. Some of its typical examples include the mushrooms rusts and toadstools. The Zygomycota phylum develops by both sexual and asexual means. They have thallus, which is composed of hyphae, which elongates through the growth of a tip. Multinucleate hyphae do not have septa except for the reproductive structures. When hyphae fuse, this directly leads to the formation of a zygote. In the process of zygote formation, meiosis occurs shortly before it germinates. The typical examples of the phylum include the Rhizopus commonly referred to as the black bread mold. As Vandenkoornhuyse, et al. (2002) observes, generally, fungi are eukaryotic organisms that are neither plants nor animals. As heterotrophic organisms that are devoid of chlorophyll, they obtain their nutrients through absorption. Glycogen is the primary carbohydrate stored in fungi. Fungi excrete enzymes into their food source and live within an external digestion. Ascomycota live in specific locations often forming symbiotic relationships with plant roots, stems, leaves and algae to obtain nutrients. Basidiomycota are mutualistic symbionts and obtain nutrients from living hosts, roots, vascular plants and insects. They obtain sugars and nutrients produced through photosynthesis. Zygomycota makes use of light regulation for its development and growth. Light directs the growth of structures and activates the metabolic pathways. Zygomycetes grow in a wide range of environments and temperatures, with some growing in aerobic conditions. However, most are terrestrial meaning that they g row in liquid culture, at salty concentrations and high water activities to obtain nutrients. They can also be found in decaying animal and

Dicussion questions Essay Example for Free

Dicussion questions Essay How do organizational functions affect organizational structures? How do your organization’s functions affect its organizational structure? How do organizational structures affect organizational functions? How does your organization’s structure affect its organizational functions? An organization is defined as a social unit of people that is structured and managed to meet a need or to pursue collective goals. The function of an organization directly relates to its structure. To succeed as an organization, all the functional areas must work together. There are different levels of structures: Vertical and Horizontal. Vertical organizational structures means a strict top down or bottom up structure (chain of command is important); horizontal, flat or closer to flat organizational structure (no leaders). While the organization I work for does not participate in any sort of sales, we do protect America through research and being knowledgeable in different aspects of careers. The Air Force follows a vertical organizational structure. There is always a person in charge of someone. To file a complaint, you have to start with the lowest level and work your way up. Organizational structures affect organizational functions depending on the main goal/strategy. The functions and structures of organizations go hand in hand. What are the different types of organizational structures? Which type of structure do you think is the most effective? Why is this structure the most effective? How can organizations determine if they are structured in the most effective and efficient manner? The different types of organizational structures are functional, divisional, and matrix. Functional structure is departmentalization around specialized activities such as production, marketing, and human resources. Divisional structure is departmentalization that groups units around products, customers, or geographic regions. Matrix structure is an organization composed of dual reporting relationships in which some managers’ report to two superiors –a functional manager and a divisional manager. The most effective structure is the matrix structure because it consists of the other functions, both of which would fail without them. Organizations can determine if they are structured in the most effective and efficient manner by analyzing how their business operates. Consider an organization in which you have worked. Draw it’s organization chart, and describe it by using terms from Ch. 8 of the text. Describe your experience with the organization. Did you enjoy working there? Explain your response. The experience I have had with the organization is good. Our organization makes charts for each unit’s supervision. Everyone knows who to contact in case of an emergency or if there is a problem with the chain of command. So far, I have enjoyed working for the military. I appreciate structure and reliability. What evidence have you seen of the imperatives for change, flexibility, and responsiveness faced by today’s firms? By firms becoming learning organizations they can be skilled at creating, acquiring, and transferring knowledge, and at modifying its behavior to reflect new knowledge and insights. Firms should also have a high-involvement organization, which top management ensures that there is consensus about the direction in which the business is heading.

Psychology and Pure Entertainment Purposes Essay Example for Free

Psychology and Pure Entertainment Purposes Essay It is a known fact that there is a great diversity of entertainment options. There are many forms of entertainment targeted towards population for different purposes such as educational, informative, or pure entertainment purposes. To begin to talk we would say that as everything, entertainment may be looked whether as a positive or negative thing. Of course, opinions about this topic can be many, depending on the angle we might be looking at it. On the one hand, entertainment is seen as a good thing for society. Referring to television for example and taking the subject from an educational point of view, there are several channels which are mainly about nature and even can provide information about physical phenomena affecting our Earth, things which can be found interesting mostly for children. Nevertheless, television has become a bad influence in the opinion of many people, as there is a lot of perversion and violent things they would prefer not to see. On the other hand, we could take the psychological field. Referring to this topic, entertainment seems to be very positive and relaxing, for example watching television when we get home after a long period of working. It certainly can help to open up our minds and stay calm for a while. However, when it comes to adolescents this can become a bad habit and abusing of its benefits can keep them apart from their obligations and their study. To sum up, I would say that we all enjoy the occasional escape from reality; but more and more entertainment is shoving its way into our world. It’s everywhere we look, we are forced to deviate from the path it leads us down. Entertainment could be a good aspect in our society if we learn how to take control of its advantages and disadvantages.

The Character Of Henry Perowne In Saturday English Literature Essay

The Character Of Henry Perowne In Saturday English Literature Essay Ian McEwans Saturday is a novel that introduces the present-day world to readers through the perspective of its protagonist, Henry Perowne. Throughout this novel, readers are exposed to an impressive evaluation of what makes up life in this modern century, in which the future appears unpredictable for anyone. By reading every detail about this particular Saturday in the life of Perowne, readers begin to appreciate elements of life that may go unnoticed, the aspects that make each day unique. Perowne ends up interacting with all his family members on his one day off from work. His day is filled with thoughtful reflections and evaluations of the fine points of human behaviour in the modern life. McEwans portrayal of Perowne and his thoughts and actions are what drives this novel from beginning to end. Perowne is a model of a comfortable, contemporary man who lives in a present-day age of uncertainty. All he longs for are possession, belonging, and repition (McEwan 40). However, this un certainty of the future causes even content men such as Perowne to be thrown off into a world of chaotic events and brings out their strengths and weaknesses. The entire novel takes place in London on February 15, 2003. As Perowne, a man in his late forties, gets out of his bed at four oclock in the morning to look out his window, readers begin to sense some foreshadowing of the uncertainty that is waiting ahead of him. He watches a plane on fire fly over London during a post-9/11 time when words like catastrophe and mass fatalities, chemical and biological warfare and major attack have recently become bland through repetition (McEwan 12). But Perowne is not fully shaken by the event he witnesses. He comprehends that this obligation to the news adds to the unease of people in the contemporary world: Its a condition of the times, this compulsion to hear how it stands with the world, and be joined to the generality, to a community of anxiety. The habits grown stronger these past two years; a different scale of news value has been set by monstrous and spectacular scenes. The possibility of their recurrence is one thread that binds the days. The governments counsel that an attack in a European or American city is an inevitability isnt only a disclaimer of responsibility, its a heady promise. Everyone fears it, but theres also a darker longing in the collective mind, a sickening for self-punishment and a blasphemous curiosity. Just as the hospitals have their crisis plans, so the television networks stand ready to deliver, and their audiences wait. Bigger, grosser next time. Please dont let it happen. But let me see it all the same, as its happening and from every angle, and let me be among the first to know. (McEwan 176) However this 21st-century apprehension of a catastrophe about to happen fails to let people see the casual details that affect lives at a deeper and personal level. Perowne is surrounded by people that need his help. His mother is a dementia patient who cannot identify any of her friends or family. His patients at work come to him to rescue them from a sickness or mishap that they couldnt evade or control.He is determined to use science and his skills to better others lives, as well as his own since God chooses to afflict people with these tragedies. He never held a belief in destiny or providence, or in creationism. In its place, he believes that at every instant, a trillion possible futures are possible. To him, the unpredictability of possibility is more real than a God who is in control of the universe and everyones life outcomes. Perowne is introduced in the novel as a man who is happy and satisfied with his life. He lives in an enormous house in London, and leads a prosperous, upper-middle class life. He is content with his work as a respected neurosurgeon, his family of four, and particularly his successful wife: What a stroke of luck, that the woman he loves is also his wife (McEwan 38-9). Readers are then introduced to Perownes unease as a man. He observes the adventures that his married friends have with younger women and begins to think he may be lacking an element of the masculine life force, and a bold and healthy appetite for experience (McEwan 40). Perowne is very self-aware and is a habitual observer of his own moods (McEwan 5). He is a dreamer sometimes and lets a shadowy mental narrativebreak in, urgent and unbidden, even during a consultation (McEwan 20). He mocks at known postmodern suspicions: If the present dispensation is wiped out now, the future will look back on us as gods, certainly in this city, lucky gods blessed by supermarket cornucopias, torrents of accessible information, warm clothes that weigh nothing, extended lifespans, wondrous machines (McEwan 77). Perowne is so aware of the present that he even continues his amusing evaluation of contemporary life in the shower. The more time the reader spends with Perowne, the more one can see a man who is dedicated to doing the correct thing instead of doing the practical thing. McEwan portrays Perowne as a man who in some ways has got it all: happiness and success. However, in the end Perowne sees something in Baxters character that he himself has not got. He realizes through encountering the random yet chaotic events with Baxter that there has to be more to life than merely saving lives (McEwan 28). Baxter is gifted in something that Perowne is not-appreciating the meaning of poetry. It may have been love that changed and touched Baxter, not the scientific activity occurring in his brain. Perownes frame of mind changes throughout the course of the novel, and therefore throughout his Saturday. He goes from being cheerful to cross to optimistic. Schrodingers cat could either be alive or dead in a box, the war could either happen or not happened. Whatever the case may be, the world continues to go on anyway. As this particular Saturday in the life of Perowne unfolds itself, he demonstrates to readers that uncertainty of the future will always exist. It is something that cannot be predicted but can only be responded to.

Man For All Seasons By Robert Bolt - Henry VIII :: English Literature

Man For All Seasons By Robert Bolt - Is Henry VIII an important character in the play? Is he the villain? Thomas More was the hero in the play because his standard up for his beliefs, he was not scared of anyone, he knows it was a sin if Henry VIII divorced Catherine of Aragon and gets married to Anne Boleyn. Robert Bolt thinks Thomas More was a faithful Catholic and could not accept this, or swear the oath of loyalty to the king. Henry VIII wanted to get a divorce with Catherine of Aragon and get married to Anne Boleyn. In the eye of the Catholics he could not divorce Catherine of Aragon. Henry VIII wants his children inherited the throne; he introduced the act of succession and made himself head of the Church of England. When Henry VIII made Thomas More the Lord Chancellor, Henry VIII expected Thomas More to support him but Thomas More did not support him. Thomas More did not like the idea of Henry VIII getting divorce. Thomas More resigned as Lord Chancellor because he did not want to give Henry VIII a divorce so he resigns. Thomas More found it impossible to support the king in the end because Thomas More knew it was the wrong thing to do. Thomas Cromwell part played in the downfall of Thomas More was planning all the evidence and make sure he dies. Thomas Cromwell want Thomas More to come over to the king's side, Thomas more did not come over to the king's side so Thomas Cromwell said he had to get rid of him. But Thomas Cromwell and Duke of Norfolk are trying to get Thomas More killed, they are trying to find the person that gave Thomas More a cup for a bribe and they try to convict him of treason. I think Henry VIII was Thomas More's friend because Henry VIII did not want to put Thomas More on the rack. As we saw earlier in the Garden scene, Henry VIII has come to put pressure on Thomas More he wanted Thomas More to sort out the business with the divorce with Catherine of Aragon. He use a number of different techniques, first he tries to scare him by shouting at him but he also appeal's to be a friend. Henry VIII said he was joking but we know he was bulling him. Henry VIII use originates from the bible but it does not work, because Thomas More knows the bible inside out. There is a scene in the video which is missing in the book, it's when Henry VIII is having a party

How to cheat on your spouse :: essays research papers

How To Cheat On Your Spouse "Oh the weather outside is frightful, but your thighs are so delightful. She has no place to go, let her blow, let her blow, let her blow." I caught a bit of the holiday spirit on the way to the mall and began humming the Christmas song while driving down the highway. Somewhere along the way I changed the words a bit and laughed. Don't I wish! I mean, my secretary was a cutie, and yes, she would have made an excellent partner in the sack. But there was a little problem: I was married with three children, and the little woman at home frowned upon marital transgressions. I know that for a fact, because it wasn't all that long ago that she caught me in the act. That was not a pretty scene. After some time and counseling, we mended fences, but I got the ultimatum: even flirting with another woman was cause for her to give me the pink slip, kissing her, my kids, our house and most of our bank account, goodbye. I took those words to heart, and have been a model husband for more than half a decade. Then there are guys like Artie, a manager in the Accounting Department at the company where I'm employed. On the outside he's a pleasant enough guy in his early 30s with a wife and two lovely children. Behind the scenes, though, he's a wolf. A certifiable louse. He's strayed more times than a barnyard cat, and somehow has never been caught. I thought of this while driving to the mall, and given my past history, decided to ask him how he does it. I didn't think he would answer, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. So I did. Much to my surprise, Artie was agreeable, and over a few beers at our local Irish pub, we spoke about the ins and outs, so to speak, of cheating on one's spouse. What follows are his frank answers to my probing questions. Q: We've talked in the past about some of your, well, dalliances, and I wondered if you could answer a few questions, anonymously, of course. A: Ask away! Q: Do you love your wife? A: Of course. She's a darling, the mother of my children, and a great friend too. Q: Then why...? A: (Interrupting) Why do I, uh, stray?

What Similarities and Differences Are There Between Historical and Scientific Explanations?

It is in our human nature to explain everything. Naturally, there are many ways of knowing. Application of these, often defined by certain methodology, are frequently classified into areas of knowledge. Therefore it is natural for one to see similarities and differences within the process of attaining knowledge in different areas of knowledge. When the method forming scientific and historical models for human understanding of the world are examined, many similarities can be seen. These differences and similarities can also be seen when products of explanations are assessed. When scientific and historical explanations are compared one can see many similarities. Empirical evidence are used in both scientific and historical explanations. For example, scientists have found a viable model of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) replication through empirical evidence. In 1958, Matthew Meselsohn and Franklin Stahl devised and executed an experiment to study DNA replication1. They attached two isotopes of nitrogen to each strand of DNA to determine what proportions of the isotope were present in DNA strands after multiple replication process. They observed that after one replication of DNA, each new molecule of DNA possessed one strand with the heavy isotopes of nitrogen. This evidence showed that the replication of DNA is semiconservative – the idea of copying via template2. The use of empirical evidence helped to explain the DNA replication process, even though one could not see the actual strands of DNA replicating. Looking at historical explanations one can see similar applications of empirical evidence. For example, historians such as John Lewis Gaddis came up with theories about the cold war. From observing policies of the United States and the Soviet Union, Gaddis have formulated theories about spheres of influences, and how these spheres of influences led to rising tension between the two super powers and eventually to the cold war. One may conclude that this explanation was formed by analyzing historical evidence such as foreign policies at the time, internal documents, and general events. The process of â€Å"analyzing† these sources produce empirical evidence. The use of empirical evidence is used to explain a point in time that one cannot experience the second time. Similarities also exist in the limitation of scientific and historical explanations. If one were to use invalid empirical data then the final conclusion would be false. For example, it is known that all matter is equally effected by gravity. Yet if one were to observe objects falling in a normal environment it would be hard pressed to come to the conclusion that all objects fall at the same rate. It is difficult for 1 Damon, Alan, Randy McGonegal, Patricia Tosto, and William Ward. Higher Level Biology. Harlow: Heinemann International, 2007. Print. 2 ibid one to conceive that a lead ball and a feather would fall at the same rate. Naturally one would reach the conclusion that a lead ball falls faster than a feather – which is essentially false unless observed in a vacuum. Also if one were to apply laws of Newton, that are constructed by empirical data, to subatomic particles that are moving near speed of light one would reach false conclusions. This is because concepts such as gravity appear to be negligible when particles are moving at near speed of light. In history one must often rely on the use of evidence such as artifacts, eyewitness accounts, and formal documentation to gain knowledge. For example, empirical evidence such as the carved face of the Great Sphinx of Giza can provide how the creator of the statue looked like. If the creator decided to enhance the facial features of the sphinx a historian would lead to the false conclusion about the appearance of the creator. Some key differences can be seen in historical and scientific explanations. Historical explanations are generally open for interpretation. Historical evidence may be chosen and aggregated in certain ways to support one's argument. As a student of history I constantly shape facts in accordance to my thesis. The thesis comes from my own beliefs. For example, such thesis is claiming that differing ideologies played a major role in the development of the Cold War. Most scholars like J. L. Gaddis and Sewell agree that ideology played only a minor role in the development of the Cold War in the late 1940s. However, I can claim that ideology played a very important role in the development of the Cold War and present my evidence to support the argument. Unlike most science my explanation of ideologies in the Cold War does no need to be accepted by the community. In history two or more different explanations may exist and both would be valid. In science, most explanations are not regarded as valid unless the majority of the scientific community accept the explanation. One salient example of this is the discovery and explanation of cold fusion. In March of 1989 Martin Fleischmann, one of the world's leading electro-chemists, and Stanley Pons announced cold fusion3. Nuclear energy, like that which power the sun produced at room temperature, giving off more energy than what was originally put in. This promised to produce energy that is clean and efficient; ending energy problems such as global warming4. Immediately after the announcement prestigious labs such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and California Institute of Technology (CALTECH) rushed to reproduce the experiments of Fleischmann and Pons. 5 However, MIT and CALTECH did not produced the same results and could not come to accept explanation. In science, generally, if one cannot reproduce the same result from experiments the explanation is regarded as invalid. Therefor in science only one 3 Cetta, Denise S. â€Å"Cold Fusion Is Hot Again – 60 Minutes – CBS News. † Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News – CBS News. 9 Apr. 2009. Web. 27 Jan. 2010. 4 ibid 5 ibid explanation can exist. However, one can claim that similarities exist in scientific and historical explanations because some scientific explanations are rejected by the community even though they are true. In this case there would be two scientific explanations but one would be invalid. In the case of Cold Fusion it was later discovered that even though nuclear fusion was taking place, results were always varied. The scientific community originally rejected the explanation and discovery because they were unable to reproduce the results of Fleischmann and Pons. Both scientific and historical explanations are generally supplied by empirical evidence. In science one draws explanations from empirical evidence according to predefined rules. For example, a negative charge is repelled from the center of what is named an â€Å"atom†, therefore something must exist in the center of the â€Å"atom† and it must have a positive charge. This explanation is drawn from the rule â€Å"positive and negative deflect†. In history, however, there are no such apparent rules. A key difference that is evident in scientific and historical explanations are the extent to which one can draw empirical evidence. In science one must follow precise rules weather to accept or reject empirical evidence to support explanations. In history, however, there are no such rules one must follow – other than considering the validity of evidence. Some people, such as Henry Gee, an editor of the prestigious science journal Nature, claim that historical explanations do not have similarities with scientific explanations. â€Å"they [historical explanations] can never be tested by experiments, and so they are unscientific. . . . No science can ever be historical†6. This suggests that unless the explanation is adequately â€Å"tested† it is not science. One can see that this is true to a certain extent. As said before, science follow certain rules in which the extent to which one can extrapolate evidence is limited. This generally leads to explanations that are much more integrated and logical. However when considering scientific explanations that cannot be â€Å"tested† in a laboratory that are generally regarded as valid in the scientific community, one can see that they bare similarities to historical explanations. An example of this is the asteroid-impact hypothesis, which explain the fossil records of the dinosaurs in terms of an impact of large asteroid. This cannot obviously be tested in a laboratory, but provide a viable explanation. It is evident that historical and scientific explanations have many similarities and differences. Use of empirical evidence is present in both historical and scientific explanations. They both have the same limitations when using empirical evidence. Similarities and differences are also present in the community aspect. By seeing what similarities and differences exist in science and history it is evident how limitations and advantages of ways of knowing play a role in their respected explanations. Cleland, Carol E. â€Å"Methodological and Epistemic Differences between Historical Science and Experimental Science. † Print. Works Cited Cetta, Denise S. â€Å"Cold Fusion Is Hot Again – 60 Minutes – CBS News. † Breaking News Headlines: Business, Entertainment & World News – CBS News. 19 Apr. 2009. Web. 27 Jan. 2010. . Cleland, Carol E. â€Å"Methodological and Epistemic Differences between Historical Science and Experimental Science. † Print. Damon, Alan, Randy McGonegal, Patricia Tosto, and William Ward. Higher Level Biology. Harlow: Heinemann International, 2007. Print.

In the arms of the angel

Many debilitate feelings come from irrational thoughts, called â€Å"fallacies† here. Often times we are not aware of these thoughts, which makes them particularly powerful. 1. The Fallacy of Perfection: the belief that you should be able to handle every situation with confidence and skill. Once you believe that It Is possible to be a perfect communicator, the next step is to believe that others wont Like you If you're not perfect. If you feel this way, sharing feelings of uncertainty or admitting your mistakes seem like social defects.Trying to appear perfect uses up energy and risks friendships. Your self-esteem suffers as well when you don't measure up to your own expectations. It is a relief when you accept the idea that you're not perfect, and that: Like everyone else, you sometimes have a hard time expressing yourself. Like everyone else, you make mistakes and there Is no reason to hide this. You are honestly doing the best you can to reach your potential and to become t he best person you can be. 2. The Fallacy of Approval: is based on the belief that you must have the approval of almost everyone.You may sacrifice your own principles and happiness to seek the acceptance of others. Accepting this leads to some ridiculous situations; Feeling nervous because people you really don't Like seem to disapprove of you. Feeling apologetic when others are at fault. Feeling embarrassed after behaving unnaturally to gain approval. The fallacy of approval is irrational because it implies that people will like you more f you go out of your way to please them. Ultimately people won't respect you if you compromise your own values.Striving for universal acceptance Is not a realistic or desirable goal. This does not mean you should be selfish, and not try to please others. But, If you must abandon your own needs and principles to seek approval, the price Is too high. 3. The Fallacy of Should: is the inability to distinguish between what is and what should be. Some pe ople constantly make complaints about the world: â€Å"There ought to be no rain on weekends. † â€Å"There shouldn't have been school today. † â€Å"Money should grow on trees. † These may be foolish, but wishing that the unchangeable should be changed won't affect reality.Many of us torture ourselves by engaging in this irrational thought, infusing is and ought: â€Å"My friend should be more understanding. † â€Å"She shouldn't be so inconsiderate. † â€Å"They ought to be more friendly. † â€Å"He should work harder. † change things is O. K. , it's unreasonable to insist the world operate the way you want it. Becoming obsessed with â€Å"should† can have troublesome consequences: First, it leads to unhappiness for people who are constantly dreaming about the ideal, and are, therefore, unsatisfied with what they have. Merely complaining without acting can keep you from changing less than satisfying conditions. Should can bui ld assistance in others who resent being nagged. It's more effective to tell people what you want them to do: â€Å"l wish you'd be on time,† is better than muff should be on time. † 4. The Fallacy of Personalization: includes two types: The first is when we base a belief on a limited amount of evidence: â€Å"I'm so stupid! I can't even figure out my income tax. † â€Å"Some friend I am! I forgot my best friend's birthday. † When we do this we focus on one shortcoming as if it represented everything about us.We must remember times that we have solved tough problems or times we have been caring and Houghton. The second occurs when we exaggerate short comings: Mimi never listen to me. † mire's always late. † â€Å"l can't think of anything. † These statements are almost always false and lead to disappointment or anger. Replace these with more accurate messages: muff often don't listen to me. † movie been late three times this week. † â€Å"l haven't had any ideas I like today. † 5. The Fallacy of Causation: is based on the irrational belief that emotions are caused by others rather than by one's own self-talk.You are not the one who causes others' feelings. It is more accurate to say that they respond to your behavior with feelings of their own. It's incorrect to say that you make others angry, upset, or happy. Others create their own responses to your behavior. This is also true when we believe that others cause our emotions. It may seem like they do, by lowering or lifting our spirits. The same actions that will cause you happiness or pain one day may have little effect at others. The insult that affected you strongly one day may not phase you the next. Why?Because you attached less significance to it the latter time. You certainly wouldn't feel some emotions without others' behavior, but it's your thinking, not their actions that determine how you feel. 6. The Fallacy of Helplessness: suggests that forces beyond your control determine satisfaction in life. People who see themselves as victims, make such statements as: â€Å"There's no way a woman can get ahead in this society. It's a man's world, and the best thing I can do is to accept it. † â€Å"l was born with a shy personality. I'd like to be more outgoing, but there's nothing I can do about that. â€Å"l can't tell my boss that she s putting too many demands on me. If I did, I might lose my Job. † Most â€Å"can't† statements are more correctly phrased as â€Å"won't† (â€Å"l can't tell him what I think† interesting conversation† becomes â€Å"l don't know what to say'). When viewed this way, it's obvious that many â€Å"cants† are really rationalizations for not wanting to change. Lonely people, for example, tend to attribute their poor interpersonal relationships to uncontrollable causes. â€Å"It's beyond my control,† they think. Also, they expect their re lational partners to reject them.This is a self-fulfilling prophecy: Believing that our relational prospects are dim can lead you to act in ways that are unattractive. You must assume responsibility for change. It can be done. 7. The Fallacy of Catastrophic Expectations: operates on the premise that if something bad can happen, it will: â€Å"If I invite them to the party, they probably won't want to come. † â€Å"If I apply for the Job I want, I probably won't be hired. † â€Å"If I tell them how I really feel, they'll probably laugh at me. † Once you start to expect terrible consequences, a self-fulfilling prophecy starts to build.One study valued that people who believed their romantic partners would not change for the better were likely to behave in ways that contributed to the breakup of the relationship. Minimizing Debilitate Emotions 1. Monitor your emotional reactions. Be aware of when you're having debilitate emotions. 2. Note the activating event. Some times it is obvious. For example, a common form of anger is being accused unfairly (or fairly) of foolish behavior; being rejected is a source of hurt, too. Sometimes it may not be a single incident, but a series of small incidents that build up and trigger a debilitate feeling.The best way o track down activating events is to notice the circumstances in which you have debilitate feelings. They may occur around certain people, types of individuals, settings, or during certain topics of conversation. 3. Record (or be aware of) your self-talk. Recognize what you are saying to yourself, your â€Å"internal monologue. † 4. Dispute your irrational beliefs. Use the list of irrational fallacies to discover which of your internal statements are based on mistaken thinking. Follow 3 steps: Decide whether each belief you've recorded is rational or irrational. Explain why the belief does or doesn't make sense. If the belief is irrational, you should write down an alternative way of think ing that is more sensible and that can leave you feeling better when faced with the same activating event in the future. These classmates quote or paraphrase information found in: Adler, Ronald and Neil Town. Looking Out Looking In. NY: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1996. Assignment: Listen carefully to family, classmates, and others. Describe, in detail, one incident where you or others engaged in fallacious, emotional reasoning. This assignment must be typed and at least one page in length (Times New Roman, 12 font).

Hysteria Comparison of the Salem Witch Trials and the Holocaust Essay

During both the devastating Holocaust in the Germany and the tragic Salem Witch Trials in the small town of Salem, innocent people were brutally killed, causing hysteria among the people. Both groups of people endured hardships because of the hysteria that occurred among them. This hysteria caused people to react in ways that they would not usually act. Both of these events are very historical and help The United States of America be a unified and prosperous country that it has grown to become today. Hysteria is defined as an uncontrollable outburst of emotion or fear, often characterized by irrationality, laughter, weeping according to the Webster’s Dictionary. The Holocaust is often defined as the brutal killing of about eleven million innocent people because of a racial prejudice against the Jewish race. This tragic occurrence was conducted by the awful and merciless dictator known as Adolf Hitler. The Jewish people were not the â€Å"perfect† race that Adolf Hitler wanted to create. He contradicted himself because not even he fell under the requirements that it took to become this perfect race. The Jewish people, such as ones that were only small babies and the elderly, were inhumanly killed in multiple ways. One example of this brutal killing of the innocent was when small children could be ripped away from their parents to be sent to the work camps that were scattered throughout the country of Germany. These work camps often worked the children so hard that a because of their lack of food and water killed them. This thing that these innocent people endured inside of these ruthless work camps is sometimes unimaginable to the human mind. The Salem Witch Trials took place in the little town of Salem. These events were sparked by a group of adolescent girls who were caught dancing in a forest and supposedly conjuring spirits. Witchcraft was very much frowned upon during those times. Religion was very important and in this circumstance many of the people of Salem were put to death. The girls had convinced themselves that if they lied and accused other people of being witches, they could take the blame off of themselves. John Proctor, who was a farmer in Salem that was accused of witchcraft, was willing to taint his own soul by admitting that he had an affair with Abigail. Abigail, who can be seen as the antagonist of this story was one of the girls that was accusing others of witchcraft. After John Proctor had be practically condemned by his once loyal servant Mary Warren and the other girls he knew that there was no more hope for him ever becoming an innocent man. â€Å"A fire, a fire is burning! I hear the boot of Lucifer, I see his filthy face! And it is my face and yours, Danforth!†(Miller 111).When John Proctor said this, he being a somewhat religious man himself, knew that only the Devil could be behind all of these horrible things that were happening in his hometown. He felt that if he was going to go to hell so were the rest of the people that accused him of witchcraft. The people that accused him had done no better. John Proctor was led to react like this solely because of his fear of being put to death and leaving his wife, Elizabeth, alone. The lies turned into a large scandal among the people. The religious conflict in Salem deeply affected the outcome of the trials. This led to many innocent people being put to death because they were accused of being witches. In both the Holocaust and the Salem Witch Trials innocent people were put to death. Elderly people were not respected throughout the trials and their opinions about what should happen were never really listened to. The elderly people in the holocaust had no say so in anything and often they were looked at as a complete waste of space. According the Nazis, the vicious soldiers who ran these brutal camps, the elderly people could easily be killed so that they could make room inside of the often over crowded work camps. Poor people were also were frowned upon during the Salem Witch Trials. Many of the people, who had money and were well off, thought of them as scum. In a lot of cases there are people that tend to think that because someone does not have money they cannot make logical choice or decision. In the Holocaust many people that were poor were imprisoned. These people were not considered important. They were often considered to be the lowest of the low. During both of these events it is sad that just because someone is old or someone that lacks money could be treated as any less of a person that was younger or had money. There were deep rooted issues in both Germany and Salem that led to these dysfunctional occurrences that caused a mass hysteria among the people. Unity was the key factor that lacked among the people in the town Salem and the country Germany. Although Germany was united patriotically they were not united religiously. In Salem the people lacked a religious unity. They were not confident in their faith in God. If they were strong in their faith they would have had some sort of conscience and feel bad that they knowingly put innocent people to death. Lying was the main thing that led to the downfall of Salem. These lies left the town devastated both emotionally and economically. Germany also suffered from being economically and emotionally hurt. The very minimal amount of people that were still alive after the dreadful Holocaust had to recover from the devastating loss of all of these people. The emotional toll must have been huge amongst the people that lost loved ones. Also, with the amount of people that were gone it greatly affected the amount of money flow. Without all of these people to work in many of the businesses and make money for the country also caused Germany to struggle deeply. The Holocaust caused far more issues for Germany than there ever was before World War II. In conclusion, a mass hysteria can occur at any place or at any time. Being religiously unified as a country or as a small town should be one of the main goals because without it there will as we have seen in both of these events be a mass destruction of people and economy. God helps those who are desperate in times of need, and also those who surround their life with God. So if a country or town were to surround its laws around Also, man should be able to stand for what he believes in no matter what the situation or occurrences. Staying strong in your faith will eventually benefit one in the end. Works Cited â€Å"Effects of World War II.† Www2.sunysuffolk.edu. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2012. Jewish Life during the Holocaust.† Www.jfedpgh.org. N.p., 2012. Web. 30 Oct. 2012 Miller, Arthur. The Crucible. New York, NY: Penguin, 1996. Print. â€Å"Religious Persecution and Its Impact: The Holocaust.† Msbyrneatalex.edublogs.org. N.p., 12 Nov. 2011. Web. 30 Oct. 2012.

American Indians Essay

The people now known as Indians or Native Americans were the first people to live in the Americas. They had been living there for thousands of years before any Europeans arrived. The Vikings explored the east coast of North America around A. D. 1000 and had some contact with Indians (Watson & Howell 1980). But lasting contact between Indians and Europeans began with Christopher Columbus’s voyages to the Americas. In 1492, Columbus sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Spain. He was seeking a short sea route to the Indies, which then included India, China, the East Indies, and Japan. Europeans did not then know that North and South America existed. When Columbus landed in what is now known as the West Indies, he did not realize he had come to a New World. He thought he had reached the Indies, and so he called the people he met Indians. Almost every Indian group had its own name. Many of these names reflected the pride of each group in itself and its way of life. For example, the Delaware Indians of eastern North America called themselves Lenape, which means genuine people. Today, many Indians refer to themselves as Native Americans. The first Indians came to the New World from Siberia, in Asia. Most scientists think they arrived at least 15,000 years ago. At that time huge ice sheets covered much of the northern half of the earth. The Bering Strait, which today is a narrow area of water that separates Asia and North America, was easily walked across by the Indians who were following the animals that they were hunting. Much later this ice sheet melted and the land bridge became covered with water. By then, Indian groups had already spread throughout the New World, all over North and South America. These Indian groups developed different cultures because of the different climates and landforms in the regions in which they settled. Body Anthropologists, scientists who study human culture, classify the hundreds of North and South American Indian tribes into groups of tribes that are alike. These groups are called culture areas. Some of the cultures of North America are the Arctic; the Northeast, or Eastern Woodlands; the Plains; and Southwest. The Indians spoke hundreds of different languages and had many different ways of life. Some groups lived in great cities and others in small villages. The Aztec and the Maya of Central America built large cities. Some of the Aztec cities had as many as 100,000 people. The Maya built special buildings in which they studied the moon, the stars, and the sun. They also developed a calendar and a system of writing. Many of the Indians of Eastern North America lived in villages. They hunted and farmed, growing such crops as beans, corns and squash (Bains, 1985). Most of the Indians were friendly at first and taught the newcomers many things. The European explorers followed Indian trails to sources of water and deposits of copper, gold, silver, turquoise, and other minerals. The Indians taught them to make snowshoes and sleds and to travel by canoe. Food was another of the Indians’ important gifts. The Indians grew many foods that the newcomers had never heard of, such as avocados, corn, peanuts, peppers, pineapples, potatoes, squash, and tomatoes. They also introduced the whites to tobacco. The Indians, in turn, learned much from the whites. The Europeans brought many goods that were new to the Indians. These goods included metal tools, guns, and liquor. The Europeans also brought cattle and horses, which were unknown to the Indians. The Europeans and the Indians had widely different ways of life. Some Europeans tried to understand the Indians’ ways and treated them fairly. But others cheated the Indians and took their land. When the Indians fought back, thousands of them were killed in battle. At first, they had only bows and arrows and spears, but the Europeans had guns. Even more Indians died from measles, smallpox, and other new diseases introduced by the whites. As the Europeans moved westward across North America, they became a greater threat to the Indian way of life. Finally, most of the remaining Indians were moved onto reservations. Most daily activities of an Indian family centered on providing the main necessities of life such as food, clothing, and shelter. Men and women usually had separate tasks. For example, both men and women were often involved in providing food. But they did so in different ways. In some areas, the women gathered wild plants for food, and the men hunted. In the Northeast and Southeast culture areas, the men hunted, and the women farmed the land. In parts of what are now Arizona and New Mexico and in Middle and South America, the men did the farming. The women gathered plants. In all areas, women were generally responsible for preparing the food. Many Indians married at an early age, the girls between 13 and 15 and the boys between 15 and 20. In some Indian tribes, the parents or other relatives chose the marriage partners for the young people. In other tribes, especially those of North America, a young man could select his own mate. He had to convince the girl and her parents that he would make a suitable husband. In many cases, he offered them valuable gifts to win their approval. Throughout most of the New World, marriage was a family affair and not a religious ceremony. The boy’s family usually gave presents to the bride’s family. Many newly married couples lived with the girl’s family and the husband worked for her family until the birth of a child. Then the couple might establish their own home. But they generally did not move to a new home in a new area. Many other newly married couples joined an existing family group or lived close to one. Some of the couples moved in with other relatives of the woman or with the relatives of the man. This extended family shared with the daily work of the household, including the raising of children. Many Indian groups allowed men to have more than one wife. But this practice was common only among rich or powerful men. After a man died, his wife would often live with his brother as husband and wife even if the brother was already married. Similarly, if a woman died, her family would probably be expected to give her husband another unmarried daughter to replace her. Most Indian families were small because many children died at birth or as babies. Indian children were praised when they behaved well and shamed when they misbehaved. Only the Aztec and Inca tribes had regular schools. Boys and girls of other tribes learned to perform men’s and women’s jobs by helping their parents and older brothers and sisters. After most boys reached their early teens, they went through a test of strength or bravery called an initiation ceremony. Many went without food for a long period or lived alone in the wilderness. In some tribes, a boy was expected to have a vision of the spirit that would become his lifelong guardian. Some groups also had initiation ceremonies for girls. A teenager who successfully completed an initiation ceremony was considered an adult and ready to be married. Food that Indians ate depended on where they lived. Indian tribes that lived on the plains of the United States, where buffalo and other game were plentiful, ate mainly meat. Meat was also the principal food of those Indians who inhabited the woodlands and tundra (frigid treeless plain) of Alaska and Canada. The Pueblo of the Southwest and other farming groups lived chiefly on beans, corn, and squash. Potatoes were an important crop among the Inca. MacNeish (1992) stated that Indians in the tropical areas of South America made bread from the roots of bitter cassava, a small shrub. Tribes that lived near water caught fish and gathered shellfish. Most Indian groups ate berries, nuts, roots, seeds, and wild plants. They also gathered salt and collected maple sap wherever they could. Indians made a kind of tea from such plants as sassafras and wintergreen. Many Indians drank a mild beer that was known as chicha. They made this beer from corn, cassava, peanuts, or potatoes. Indians who ate mostly meat cooked it by roasting, broiling, or boiling. Farming Indians and others who ate chiefly vegetables developed various methods of boiling or baking. They often made pit ovens by lining holes in the ground with hot stones. Indians preserved meat by smoking it or by drying it in the sun. North American Indians mixed dried meat with grease and berries to make a food called pemmican. Most Indians ate with their fingers, but some used spoons made from animal bones, shells, or wood. Indians built many kinds of homes because they lived in different climates and had different building materials available to them (Brandt & Guzzi, 1985). Those who moved about a great deal had simple shelters they could carry easily, or they built temporary shelters. Indians who stayed in one place built larger, more permanent homes. Some groups built large houses where many families lived together. Others had simple dwellings that housed only a few people. In some cases, shelter changed with the season. Some Indians in Canada built snow houses during the winter. But in the summer, they lived in tents made of animal hides. In the United States, these Indians are sometimes called Eskimos. In other areas, the Indians covered their tepees with animal skins or with tree bark. Indians at the southern tip of South America also used skins to cover shelters called windbreaks, which were open on one side. Some tribes of the Northwest made cloth of bark and reeds, and the Pueblo wove cotton cloth. The Aztec, Inca, Maya, and some Caribbean tribes wove beautiful cotton and woolen cloth. Indians in the hot South American areas often wore no clothing at all. In many tribes, a man wore only a breechcloth, a narrow band of cloth that passed between the legs and looped over the front and rear of a belt. Women wore simple aprons or skirts. Indians in colder climates wore leggings, shirts, and robes. Some wore sandals or moccasins to protect their feet. Travel by water was the most common means of transportation. Many Indians used bark canoes, which were light and easy to carry. Some large dugout canoes carried as many as 60 people. The Plains tribes used dogs and, later, horses to pull a load-carrying frame called a travois. Andean Indians used alpacas and llamas as beasts of burden. But these animals could not carry heavy loads, so the people themselves carried most of their goods. People often supported a heavy load on their back with a pack strap called a tumpline. Indians of the Arctic and the Northwest Coast and some other areas hunted or fished for most of their food. They also hunted some birds only for the feathers, and they prized the fur of beavers and certain other animals. Indians in the West got most of their food by gathering wild seeds, nuts, and roots. Even in the Southwest and other farming areas, hunting, gathering, and fishing were important. The most important game animals of North and South America included deer; rabbits and other small game: ducks, geese, herons, seals, sea lions, whales, turtles, and snakes. Bear, buffalo, caribou, elk, and moose lived only in North America. Animals that were hunted mainly in South America included the guanaco, jaguar, peccary, rhea, and tapir. Indians hunted with the same kinds of weapons they used in war. Many bows and arrows, spears, and clubs had special features for hunting. For example, some Indians used unsharpened arrows to shoot birds in trees. These arrows stunned the birds so that they fell to the ground. The Hopi stunned small game with a kind of boomerang. The Indians caught fish with harpoons, hooks and lines, spears, and traps and nets. Tribes of the Northwest Coast also used long poles called herring rakes. These poles had jagged points and could catch a number of herring at one time. In tropical South America, Indians stood on river sand bars and shot fish with bows and arrows. Both North and South American Indians used drugs to catch fish. In one method, Indians chopped up certain plants and threw them in the water. These plants stunned the fish. Then the Indians could easily scoop them out of the water. Indians of the Northeast and the Tropical Forest used slash-and-burn farming methods. They cut down a number of trees and burned them. Then they planted their crops among the trunks. The ashes from the burned trees served as fertilizer. Indians in Mexico and the Southern United States raised turkeys. Wars occurred from time to time among the tribes of the Americas. But not all tribes took part in warfare. Many tribes opposed fighting, and others were so small that they did not have enough warriors to fight a war. Many of the Indian leaders who tried to defend their tribes and land against the white people became famous warriors. They included King Philip, a Wampanoag; Pontiac, an Ottawa; Tecumseh, a Shawnee; Osceola, a Seminole; Crazy Horse, of the Sioux; and Geronimo, an Apache. The bow and arrow was probably the most common Indian weapon throughout North and South America. Some South American tribes put poison on their arrowheads. Many Indians fought with spears and war clubs (Steele & Galdone 1992). The Indians of eastern North America developed a special type of club known as the tomahawk. A weapon of the Aztec consisted of pieces of obsidian (volcanic glass) stuck into a wooden club. South American Indians used blowguns and slings. Warfare gave Indians a chance to achieve high rank in their tribes. On the Plains, it was considered braver to touch a live enemy and get away than to kill the enemy. This act was known as counting coup â€Å"koo†. Warriors on the Plains carried a coup stick into battle and attempted to touch an enemy with it. Those warriors who counted coup wore eagle feathers as signs of their courage.

A study of the characters Odysseus and Poseidon as depicted in Homers Odyssey

A study of the characters Odysseus and Poseidon as depicted in Homer's Odyssey After the events of the Trojan War, Odysseus and his men headed back home to Ithaca. En route, they unknowingly stopped at the island of the Cyclopes to gather supplies for their long journey home. Unfortunately, the inhabitants of the island were not very friendly – particularly one Cyclops named Polyphemus. In an attempt to hide from the other giants, Odysseus and his men hid in Polyphemus’s cave. Polyphemus then trapped the men inside with a massive boulder blocking the only way in and out. One by one, Polyphemus ate Odysseus’s crew. Odysseus, keeping a level head, came up with a plan to escape. Odysseus had some undiluted wine on his person, and cleverly offered it to Polyphemus without telling him how strong the wine was. Polyphemus eagerly took the wine, became drunk, and promptly fell asleep. Odysseus and his remaining men heated a wooden stake in a fire, and proceeded to blind Polyphemus’s one eye. After howling in pain, the men hid under the giant’s sheep, where they could not be felt and eaten. The next morning, when Polyphemus let his sheep out to graze, Odysseus and his men snuck out underneath the sheep’s wooly bellies, and escaped to their ship. Polyphemus realized that the men had escaped after Odysseus was already at sea. Polyphemus threw a (poorly-aimed) boulder at the ship, and called out to his father Poseidon for vengeance. Poseidon, in his rage, destroyed Odysseus’s ship, as well as his entire crew, over a ten-year journey back to Ithaca. Odysseus only survived becaus e he had Athena’s favor and protection. Odysseus’s Argument: Odysseus was acting out of self-defense. As captain and king, he had a duty to protect himself and his men at all costs. He used his wits to escape a life-threatening situation. He also did not know that Polyphemus was son of Poseidon. Regardless of who Polyphemus was, Odysseus did not kill him, despite the threat against Odysseus and his crew; it would have been just as easy to kill him while drunk or asleep. Poseidon, being a god, acts out of extreme emotion, and decides that the injury of his son warrants mass-murder. Odysseus thought rationally and spared the man-eating Polyphemus; Poseidon acted irrationally, and eradicated Odysseus’s crew. Poseidon could have been more merciful and wiped out Odysseus and his crew quickly. Instead Poseidon extended Odysseus’s punishment and caused him to suffer as he watched his entire crew die over the course of ten years. Furthermore, this extended journey caused turmoil in Odysseus’s Kingdom of Ithaca. When Odysseus left for Troy, his son, Telemachus, was too young to take the throne. This left Penelope running the entire country. While Odysseus was gone, suitors came to court Penelope, raiding his palace while they were there. Since there was no proof that Odysseus survived the Trojan War, the suitors constantly pressured Penelope to remarry. She did not want to, instead stalling the suitors until Odysseus returned because she believed that he was still alive. Poseidon’s Argument: Before Poseidon did anything to Odysseus, he had to get his idea approved by Zeus, king of the gods. Furthermore, Odysseus was in Poseidon’s domain, the ocean, for most of his journey, which puts Odysseus in a precarious position already. Poseidon’s intended target was Odysseus; the rest of the crew was collateral damage, but also emotionally hurt Odysseus. Odysseus knew he was in the domain of a deity that could wreck him on every level; he had plenty of opportunities to brace himself in case things went wrong. Poseidon, as a deity, demands more respect than a typical human. In Poseidon’s mind, this special treatment extends to his son. Injuring his son Polyphemus was considered a personal insult. Unknown to Odysseus, he had divine protection from Athena – a rival deity to Poseidon. Therefore, Poseidon already did not like Odysseus; stabbing Polyphemus in the eye just added to Poseidon’s hatred. Poseidon did not harm Odysseus, but made him suffer, just like his son, by killing his men slowly. Let the punishment fit the crime. Moreover, there are times when Odysseus was not only selfish, but genuinely irreverent. While Penelope was upholding her marriage vows, Odysseus had an affair with Circe, a sorceress who had turned his men into pigs while he had his fling. He also deliberately went past the island of the Sirens, just because he wanted to hear their song for himself. Finally, he allowed his men to eat sacred cattle of the god Helios for a week. This one act condemned his entire fleet, ship and men, to destruction. Zeus struck the ship with lightning, forcing Odysseus to swim to an island and live with a Calypso, a sea nymph, for seven years. The rest of his men drowned. This shows that Odysseus did not always respect the gods, and acted selfishly whenever it suited him.

Human Resources Administration - Week 7 Scenario Assignment

Human Resources Administration - Week 7 Scenario - Assignment Example The main elements in a workplace include the human resources and other aspects of production like time and efficiency in duties (Jagdev 67). In this context, John is skilled and knowledgeable in his area of expertise. However, he has a weakness in articulating his expertise skills with other aspects of production in the workplace. The main problems are concerning his relationship with team members and the efficiency of documenting company data in an orderly manner. Some of the opportunities that can help John develop his competence include administering training programs to subordinates, leading and directing projects and attending workplace-competence related seminars ( Jagdev 72). Administering training to company subordinates will enable John to integrate his teachings into his workplace practices. John will be expected by the trainees to lead by example; hence, he will have the responsibility of upholding his teachings. In addition, attending workplace-competence seminars like those concerning teamwork will facilitate his understanding on the principles of workplace competence. Lastly, the opportunity of leading proj ects will improve his skills on data collection and documentation of the resulting information. This will help him to become organized (Jagdev

Corporate Social Responsibility always adds value to the brand Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility always adds value to the brand - Essay Example Whether reacting as a result of peer pressure or because of basic human decency, corporations that choose to implement corporate social responsibility initiatives improve their image and increase their brand value. This increases their competitive advantage and can enhance their image thus attracting talented or skilled workers who may wish to be hired by respected companies. The improved image will also positively affect the attractiveness of the organization’s goods or services. In all circumstances, CSR initiatives that are meant to improve the community or preserve the environment also generate environmental as well as social value, while simultaneously supporting the organization’s corporate objectives, improving relationships with all stakeholders, and reducing overall costs. In modern times, the trend of social consciousness is affecting every facet of public life. The business scene has particularly been impacted by the notion of giving back to the community that has given its support. Being socially conscious basically has to do with having additional commitments other than just meeting financial organisational objectives. The push for businesses to take on more socially-related responsibilities has produced a noticeable change in organisational stakeholders like workers, customers, contractors, and shareholders in most industries. This is because these stakeholders are usually vested in ensuring that their brands remain in the minds of present clients as well as potential customers. For brands to be marketable in Western nations today, they have to be linked to some type of socially conscious agenda. Organisations can no longer create interest by defining their brands in terms of their functions or abilities; they also have to include culturally rela ted, environmentally-related, or socially-related statements in their marketing messages in

Reading Reflection Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 7

Reading Reflection - Assignment Example The government used such agencies like the media to convince the public and suppress the truth, thus acting on false information which contradicted the democratic â€Å"marketplaces of ideas† which the country is based on. The question on the threat of inflation is quite confusing because democratic â€Å"marketplaces of ideas† are known for making accurate decisions, but as the case of Iraq may suggest, they flaunted this and acted on their own personal and selfish interest. A closer look at why the marketplaces of ideas was not applied into the case of Iraq is that US as a country had various strategic advantages which propelled both the citizens and leaders to declare war on the country. An example is that the media and the atrocities of the September 11 were responsible for the failure of marketplaces of ideas in the case of Iraq. Failure of the â€Å"marketplaces of ideas† in Iraq’s case was because of a number of reasons like biased manipulation of democracies buy selfish individuals for their own gains. Secondly, is that the control of information was only restricted to a fraction of individuals who were thought to have the country’s interest at heart and lastly the authority exerted in foreign