Edgar Allan Poe – Theme of Death

Picture this. The father of modern crime and detective stories, known as Edgar Allan Poe, is sitting down about to write a beautiful piece of writing and BAM! He whisks away into a story of love, death, and just plain out horror; either characters are losing someone near and dear to their hearts or they are plotting to kill. Edgar Allan Poe, at a very young age, lost both of his parents, and later on in life, lost his wife to tuberculosis, so in one way or another, these stories reflect off of his personal experiences. A major theme in Poe’s writings is death.The theme of death is seen throughout the works of Annabel Lee, the Cask of Amontillado, the Raven, and the Black Cat. In the poem Annabel Lee, death is the dominant theme. Poe has experienced the death of his one and only true love. â€Å"And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride, in her sepulcher there by the sea,† shows how Poe is going through the loss of his love in a more strange way by â€Å"lying down† by the side of Annabel Lee’s lifeless corpse, inside her tomb. You also know that the theme is death because he mentions how angels and demons could never truly separate them.â€Å"But our love it was stronger by far†¦ and neither the angels in Heaven above nor the demons down under the sea can ever dissever my soul from the soul of the beautiful Annabel Lee,† expresses the more grieving and less obsessive side of Poe. Although his darling has been taken from him and death physically separated them, they are still â€Å"together† for their love was more than love and their souls had become one. Death is an important theme in The Cask of Amontillado. The entire plot is fixated around the revenge Montressor must take against Fortuanto.â€Å"-He did not perceive that my smile was now at the thought of his immolation,† is pretty much self-explanatory; Montressor smiles at the thought of Fortunat o’s destruction†¦ His death. Once Fortuanto agreed to go down to Montressor’s catacombs, his fate drastically changed. â€Å"-He stepped unsteadily forward, while I followed immediately at his heels. † Right here, Fortuanto’s fate completely changed for shortly after this, Montessor had chained him to granite and began to â€Å"throw links about his waist;† this is where he was going to die. Once Fortuanto was officially dead, Montressor’s revenge had been fulfilled.â€Å"For half a century no mortal has disturbed them. In pace requiescat! † Fortunato’s corpse is now amongst other dead family members belonging to Montressor, and although Montressor was the cause of Fortunato’s death, he still says â€Å"may he rest in peace. † Montressor didn’t really mean it because if he did feel any remorse towards Fortuanto, he wouldn’t have killed him in the first place. Death is definitely an important the me for this short story. The Raven analyzes the theme of death. In the poem, the narrator is seeking hope and wisdom after the death of Lenore.â€Å"Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there†¦ But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token, and the only word spoken was the whispered word, Lenore? This I whispered, and an echo murmured back Lenore? Merely this and nothing more,† describes how the narrator believed he heard the name of his love, but then his hope fades as nothing more is said. The narrator had to face that his love was no longer there with him because she was dead. â€Å"Nevermore† is the only response the raven gives to the helpless narrator, and it makes him increasingly agitated because he is starting to believe that his love is never coming back.Through this, the raven, a sign of despair, helps him realize that he will â€Å"nevermore† see Lenore. Death is explored in the Black Cat. Death was experienced when the n arrator’s intoxicated actions went too far. â€Å"I withdrew my arm from her grasp and buried the axe in her brain. † This shows just one consequence of the narrator’s horrifying mind set, and after he had killed his wife, he stated, â€Å"this hideous murder accomplished, I set myself forthwith, and with entire deliberation, to the task of concealing the body.†The narrator isn’t so worried that he just killed his wife in a drunken stage; he is more worried about where to hide the carcass of his once beloved wife. Although not feeling much remorse for his wife, the narrator feels guilt after he abused what used to be his most favorite pet. â€Å"-I experienced a sentiment half of horror, half of remorse, for the crime of which I had been guilty. † This expresses how the narrator, although a murdered, actually feels sorry; after he harmed the black cat, known as Pluto, he actually felt true remorse.The narrator may have felt sorry, but he did n’t give up his story until the cries of the cat did for him. â€Å"- Then I was answered by a voice from within the tomb! – by a cry, at first muffled and broken, like the sobbing of a child, and then quickly swelling into one long, loud, and continuous scream – a howl – a wailing shriek, half of horror and half of triumph†¦Ã¢â‚¬  The narrator’s crime was then exposed by the in-human screams. Once heard by the police, they tore down the wall that was covering the tomb of his once beloved wife.Not only did the narrator wall up his wife, but he also â€Å"walled the monster up within the tomb! † One could say the black cat got its revenge and the narrator would forever pay in guilt. Death has been seen throughout the stories of Annabel Lee, the Cask of Amontillado, the Raven, and the Black Cat. The theme of death is not limited to these stories; death is a major theme in all of Poe’s works. Poe's life-long struggle with depressi on and alcoholism worsened after the death of his own loved one, and could have possibly caused his own death. Poe will forever be remembered as the father of crime and detective stories.

Britain & Euro reivised

This paper looks at the definition euro, its origin, implications and reasons why it Britain should join it or not. There are benefits of Britain will gain by joining the euro rather greater than staying away. These include improved living standards, access to larger market, stabilization of prices, minimization of exchange risks and business risks, reduction of effect of investment loss and influence in the European Union. On the hand joining the euro may bring about difficulty in integrating to single currency, low flexibility in labor and migration movement as well as financial burden to be incurred when joining the euro.Thus it is better to join than to avoid. THE EURO AND BRITAIN The euro is the official name of the single currency which became operational from January 1, 1999. Then it became the official currency for thirteen countries in Europe referred as Euro zone or Euro Area. The name â€Å"euro† was adopted in December 1995 at the European Union Council of Minister s meeting in Madrid. The symbol for the euro was derived from the Greek letter epsilon. First letter E refers to Europe while Greece represents the origin of European civilization. The horizontal parallel lines in the euro symbol stands for stability.Banks started depositing cash in Euro currencies that is the euro time deposits of cash held outside the country of its origin in a banking system (Banking glossary 2006; European economic & monetary union, 2008 The introduction of the euro is of great significance to Europe because since the collapse of the Roman Empire there has been no common currency in Europe, trade with different currencies was difficult and travelers had additional fees when exchanging the currencies. There was a risk to the investors because there was unexpected profit that can turn into loss if the exchange rate fluctuated.Hence, the need for a common currency which will facilitate trade in Europe (Mitropolitski, 2003) Common currency makes EU foreign investors reduce risks for their investments. The market enlarges and the regional price imbalances are rectified. Consumers will have common currency to measure the different goods and services and the people from the Euro area feel closer and build a common identity. They have demonstrated that people can come together without foreign influence. The Euro is then counterweight to the US dollar in foreign exchange (Mitropolitski, 2003)The history of producing European currency as a financial pillar of EU is quite recent. In the Treaty of Rome (1957) that was the foundation of EU did not mention common currency. But subsequent Acts of 1986 and 1992 became the foundation of a single currency. From January 1, 1999 the Euro was introduced (Mitropolitski, 2003) The implication of changing to Euro is diverse as the benefits of joining it. By having a single currency, the European Economic Monetary Union (EMU) members aim at promoting a single European market, similar in the size to that of US mark et.By combing these countries like Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain under one European market the economy is capable of growing at a faster rate. This means increased job opportunities and a higher standard of living. Bowman 1999 The nationals in the countries had to shift their loyalties to the euro. Since people are usually emotionally attached to their money and feelings of nationalism being involved this would differ from country to country in varying degrees (Bowman, 1999)The businesses will have noticeable changes to the way they will conduct their business such that there should be transparent prices. Consumers will have easy choice to compare prices in different countries and businesses which used to exploit the difference in currency values through price discrimination will have to contend pricing in euros. Businesses will have to restructure their pricing policies for a much wider markets (Bowman 1 999). The euro will accelerate business efficiency; company costs will be reduced, consumers will enjoy low and stable price. Individual countries made specific adjustment in order to benefit e. g.adjusting their expenditure and taxes. Germany had to take economic measures by limiting their fiscal stimulatory policy when economic growth was slow while unemployment rate increased. These measures were taken in order to harmonize their economies and make it less risky to function under one currency (Bowman 1999). There were complex logistical problems which Europeans had to overcome in adjusting to the euro such as the financial institutions had to change their systems and train staff. Prices had to be adjusted in euros when national currencies were still circulating for three more years after introduction of virtual currencies.Parking meters, vending and cash machines had to be converted for the introduction of euro notes and coins (Bowman 1999). Other service sectors had changed thei r system operations e. g. Mail services printed new stamps and revenue collection and payment done new tax forms as well as in advertisement campaigns. However, it took more time before consumers and businesses had completely adjusted following their countries giving out authority on the exchange rate and monetary policies under one currency (Bowman 1999) For US companies doing business in Europe, the shift to euros brought many changes i.e. Business operation became easier and cost-effective, especially those with branches in Europe. They now have a larger market, consumers and customers billed in dollars were least affected by the change but as the euro's role grows internationally, pressure may be put on US companies to start pricing in euros. Then they would have to start absorbing the exchange rate costs and risks that their customers had experienced. Although doing business in Europe by American companies’ became easier competition increased as well (Bowman 1999). There are arguments for and against Britain joining the euro.We will first look at the reasons why the British should join. This is because in 1956 Britain failed to join the European Common Market and its economy failed to grow compared to other countries like France and Germany. When it later joined in 1973 the economy grew but did not close the gap between the Britain and those which entered earlier. The benefit of Britain joining the European market through the euro will be largely affected by the access in which it will enjoy of having large market and large economies of scale. In this case trade barriers are eliminated.The products of British companies will be able to reach a wide selection of clientele and operate in large scale. This will contribute to producing goods more efficiently as seen in United States. The companies will restructure and merge in order to benefit from single market and single currency. The large market will also make it easier for medium sized companies to get cheaper intermediate goods and raw materials from a wide range of suppliers (Layard et al. , 2002). Although Britain joined the free trade market it really did not make a single market because of different currencies used by those countries.Hence, prices of goods varied considerably between and within countries. For example, United Sates and Canada have a common language and culture but they have different currencies. Prices of goods vary significantly in US and Canada than between provinces in Canada. This makes the markets of these two countries significantly different mainly due to currencies (Layard et al. , 2002). When Britain joins the single currency market its nationals and companies will enjoy wide variety of goods and services at cheaper value. The living standards of consumers will improve.For an economy to grow of such nature like that of Britain there is need of single currency. This is because Britain has high tradable sector to European market. The single currenc y will have great effect on its economy. For example, before the introduction of euro in 1999, in the previous year, Britain had high percentage trading between countries of Euro Area. However, after the other counties joined the trade exchange of Britain decreased by -1% between 1998 and 2001 while those of countries in the Euro Area increased by 20%.See the table below (Layard et al. , 2002). Single currency is quite significant in trade and productivity because it leads to absence in currency fluctuation. Companies are able to restructure their systems so that they can achieve maximum efficiency and improve their productivity. Also single currency will ensure there is price transparency. Companies will have to change the price of their goods across all countries which may be relatively stable. Otherwise customers of business and consumers will cross the border for buying and shopping their merchandise.This will result in public outcry and a response will be inevitable. Thus, it w ill stimulate productivity of companies (Layard et al. , 2002). In joining the euro, capital market integration will occur and barriers between capital markets will breakdown. This is different from where previously companies within individual countries will hold their assets and liquidity in the same currency. But with the introduction of euro companies can invest across EU countries which will definitely stimulate productivity (Layard et al., 2002). The floating pound poses a disadvantage to British companies since the pound will fluctuate against the euro. This will make businesses lose profit and may later degenerate into bankruptcy. Their profitability will fluctuate with fluctuation of exchange rate thereby increasing business risk for exporters and importers. The companies cannot insure their companies against such risks in case they would want to invest in other EU countries where there is uncertainty in quantities and prices of goods to be sold.Therefore British companies w ill have to sell its goods in euro rather than in pounds (Layard et al. , 2002). The uncertainty in exchange rate deters the formation of unified market and investment. This is because of arbitrary fluctuation of exchange rates over a period of time against the allowable adjustment margin. This brings about economic shock where the independent exchange rate cannot offset. The dysfunctional movement of exchange rate will impact negatively on the economy because of large tradable sector compared to a large economy (Layard et al., 2002). The disadvantage of floating exchange rate may escalate making it unattractive of which it will continue to do so as a result of capital markets being integrated and more liquid. Optimal currency size is a reflection of balance between the benefit of independent interest rates and exchange rates in economic adjustment. But the danger lies in the flexibility of exchange rate which may induce economic shock or the larger financial markets integrating and becoming more liquid (Layard et al. , 2002).Britain has to join the euro because it trades more with it than any other country in the world. For example it trades three times more than in USA which is the second largest trading partner. See the table below showing trading shares in percentage for year 2000 It also necessary for Britain to join because of the currency for which goods and services traded is invoiced. For instance 44% are invoiced in pounds, 32% in US dollars and 20% in euros. Therefore to minimize exchange rate risks it will be important to join the euro rather than the dollar (Layard et al. , 2002).Britain stands to lose it investment from foreign investors who not only target sales in Britain but also Euro zone. Most companies will want to avoid currency risk associated with exchange rate e. g. Toyota and Nissan companies have intended to relocate to Euro area. The risk of London as a hub of business transaction associated with its dominance in bonds, mergers and a cquisition will be experienced if they do not join because the European Central Bank located in Frankfurt in which Finance ministers from Euro countries make decision that affect the whole of EU members can do so in their favor (Layard et al., 2002). Britain also stands to lose its influence in European economic decisions if it opts to stay out of the euro. This is because they view US influence to EU through Britain will be lost. But the fact remains that they can only influence more when they are inside than out. Layard et al (2002) explains a number of reasons for not joining the euro. These are; by joining euro, Britain will not fit well since its economy is more related to US than the rest of Europe. The single currency will require enormous European budget.The labor market will respond differently than the present because it will be less flexible and migration will be lower. Britain will lose the economic importance of exporting oil to European market. The euro will link Brita in to a failing economy because it will be surpassed by other countries. The tax policy of Britain will be altered and that the British financial system is different from the rest of Europe hence making single currency policy difficult. Lastly, Europe’s pension liabilities which are unfunded will be borne by Britain is unnecessary. CONCLUSIONThe above discussion gives elaborate reasons for which Britain will have to join rather than avoid. Since the world economy is going through transformation, the European Union economy has great impact to Britain economy. So it will be of best interest for Britain to join the euro. REFERENCES Banking glossary. Definition. 2006. 16 April 2008 Banking glossary. Euro currencies. 2006. 16 April 2008 Bowman, Jennifer J. Economic Implications. Ed. 1999. Western Pennsylvania International Business Newsletter. 16 April 2008 European economic & monetary union. Euro. 2008. 16 April 2008 Layard, Richard et al. Britain should join. 1 August 2002. 1 6 April 2008 Miltropolistski, Simeon. Euro is important. 26 July 2003. IRED. 16 April 2008

Erik Erikson and Adult Learning Essay

Born on June 15, 1902 in Frankfurt, Germany, Erik Erikson was regarded as a major influence in contemporary psychoanalysis. Erikson was interested in arts so he moved to Florence after finishing high school. In 1927, he taught arts in a school psychoanalytically influenced children school spearheaded by Dorothy Burlingham and Freud’s daughter, Anna, in Vienna (Erikson Institute, 2003). This move would have a major influence in the life and works of Erik Erikson. Upon recognizing that he has skills with children, Anna Freud, Sigmund’s daughter, placed him under her wings and began teaching him. Eventually, he trained and eventually received certification from Vienna Psychoanalytic Society.   After getting certified by Maria Montessori School, he underwent training in psychoanalysis at the Vienna Psychoanalytic Institute. In 1936, he became a member of the Institute of Human Relations, which is a branch of the Psychiatry Department of Yale University (Erikson Institute, 2003). Major Contribution in Psychology Erik Erikson became famous because of his eight stages of development. According to him, every stage in a man’s life is accompanied by certain psychological conflicts. He theorized that the development of personality of an individual is a life long process. The events they encounter in the latter stages of life can treat early childhood problems. His eight stages of development explained why an individual who was not able to resolve a childhood problem finds it difficult to resolve it during adulthood (Erikson Institute, 2003). Each stage of life is important because how well the child performed during the previous phase determined how they can cope with the next stages. Erikson called this the epigenetic principle (Boeree, 2006).   Erik Erikson authored several books that explained his theory, the most notable of which is Childhood and Society which was released in 1950. In 1969, Erikson won the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award for his book Gandhi’s Truth, which delved on the application of the eight stages of development in the latter portion of an individual’s life cycle(NNDB, n.d). Stage Six: Intimacy vs. Isolation This is the sixth stage in Erik Erikson’s stages of psychosocial phases of development. It takes place from 18 to 30 years old. In general, the child faces the dilemma of achieving intimacy or staying isolated. This stage likewise involves a struggle for promiscuity, which is a trait of being too close for comfort and not being able to follow through with the momentum, versus exclusion, which is characterized by rejection of relationships (Boeree, 2006). Intimacy, according to Erikson, is the ability to develop social relationships with other people either as a partner, friend, or member of a community. If the child was able to develop a clear picture of themselves during the early stages, they should no longer be intimidated by other people (Sante Fe Community College, n.d). According to this stage, when an individual has established a strong sense of identity, they can start expanding to the people around him. Intimacy is best seen in a person’s capacity to enter relationships, making friends, getting married, and finally settling down. An individual who successfully pass through this stage can experience feels comfortable with relationships and has a strong sense of commitment (Santa Fe Community College, n.d). On the other hand, the consequence of being unsuccessful in completing this stage of development is isolation. The individual is not comfortable with being with friends, entering relationships, or being intimate with another person. Isolation results from the failure to establish self-identity (Niolon, n.d). A child who experiences isolation prefers to be alone excludes themselves from the company of others. The end result of isolation, in the context of Erikson’s stages of development, is loneliness, despair, or depression. People who are unable to successfully pass this stage prefer working on lowly jobs which offer below minimum wage (AllPsychOnline, 2004). References AllPsychOnline(2004 March 21). Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development. Retrieved June 26   Ã‚  Ã‚   2008 from Boeree, G. Erik Erikson. Retrieved June 26 2008 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Erikson Institute(2003 May 1). Erik Erikson(1902-1994). Retrieved June 26 2008 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   NNDB(n.d). Erik Erikson. Retrieved June 26 2008 from   Ã‚   Niolin, R(n.d). Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Development. Resources for Students and   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Professionals. Retrieved June 26 2008 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Santa Fe Community College(n.d). Self-Reflections on Young Adulthood using Erikson’s Theory of   Ã‚  Ã‚   Psychosocial Development. Retrieved June 26 2008 from   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

The UK Corporate Governance Code Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

The UK Corporate Governance Code - Coursework Example From the research it can be comprehended that corporate governance is the system by which companies are directed and controlled. Boards of directors are responsible for the governance of their companies. The shareholders’ role in governance is to appoint the directors and the auditors and to satisfy themselves that an appropriate governance structure is in place. The responsibilities of the board include setting the company’s strategic aims, providing the leadership to put them into effect, supervising the management of the business and reporting to shareholders on their stewardship. The board’s actions are subject to laws, regulations and the shareholders in general meeting. The Code guides the board towards more effective practice. Its underlying principles are all those of good governance, they include accountability, transparency, probity and focus on the steady success of an entity over long term. The code is continuously changing to incorporate the alterati ons in the socio-economic environment. It has been reviewed in 2005, 2007 and 2010 in the recent past. The new code applies to the accounting periods beginning on or after 29 June 2010 and is applied to all the companies whether they are incorporated in UK or not. The approach that is followed since the beginning of the Code is to comply with it or explain why it is not being followed. It is referred to as â€Å"Comply or Explain†. ... According to the latest report on UK Corporate Governance Code by the FRC, the main principles for The Code are: Leadership. The board should be led by an effectively. The responsibility of heading the board by the Non-executive directors and the responsibility of heading the company’s operations by the executive directors should be equally divided. The Chairman is the head of the board as a whole whereas the executive directors are also led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Company. The Chairman is responsible for the effective functionality of the board. He is responsible for ensuring the clear and efficient flow of information between the shareholders and the board. As per new reforms passed in 2011, female directors will also be introduced into the board structure (FRC, Consultation Document 2011). The board of directors has the power to hire fire and compensate senior management. Their purpose is to resolve the issues, specially relating to conflicts of interest s, between the decision makers and the risk bearers. Their control resolves the issue of high agency costs and facilitates the existence of an open corporation. Recent economic theory implies that the balanced structure of the board of directors is a crucial part of good governance (Baysinger, Butler, 1985). According to agency theory, shareholders interests are better protected if there is segregation between the duties of CEO and the Chairman. Where as, stewardship theory argues that the shareholders interests are maximized if both the roles are entitled to the same person. According to the author, a few test results show that stewardship theory is supported more than the agent theory (Donaldson, Davis 1991).

Health Care Reform (OBAMA) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Health Care Reform (OBAMA) - Essay Example These two bills were the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) that was signed into law by President Obama on March 23rd, 2010. The second bill was the Health care and Education Reconciliation Act, which was also signed into law by President Obama on March 30th, 2010. There are further reforms intended for the future and have been proposed including a reduction fee for service medical care and single payer system. This paper seeks to discuss the impact of the two-abovementioned legislations on healthcare on doctors, coverage, access, costs, employees and its impact on businesses. A major characteristic of ObamaCare is that it is primarily targeted at low and middle-income families and businesses. ObamaCare also contains some obstacles for high earners, larger firms that do not insure their employees and certain sectors of the healthcare industry (Carrigan 81). As with any other law, ObamaCare poses a lot of benefits and gains for the average American and little disad vantages. High-income earners might criticize ObamaCare and large corporation for targeting them in what might seem a witch-hunt against corporate America. However, this is in an effort to cushion the average American who is at disadvantage because of their meagre income and they cannot afford health insurance. As an insured adult with an uninsured 22-year-old child, the new healthcare reforms are an added advantage. This is because it increases access and coverage for healthcare insurance and increased the maximum age for coverage from 22 years to 26 years (Carrigan 77). Through ObamaCare, insured adults with uninsured young adults as dependants will experience extended covers for up to the age of 26 years of age for the dependants (Ciocchetti np). This will result in an 82% increase in the number of insured adults through the availability and accessibility of low cost insurance and the availability of free healthcare insurance for qualifying adults. This new legislation will see t o the introduction of new rights and protection characteristic of guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions and the elimination of gender discrimination in the health care system (Carrigan 80). Despite that fact that medical insurance premiums are set to be higher, the quality of medical insurance will be of guaranteed quality and standard for all registered individuals. Obamacare will make it possible for millions of people to access affordable and quality medical health insurance through the marketplace (Ciocchetti np). This will be a boost to low income earners who did not have access to health insurance because it was inaccessible. The cost of healthcare will increase because of the widened coverage criteria, which will result in higher premiums for some sections of society. The cost implications of the healthcare reform will not affect me because I belong to the category being shielded by the legislation. This will be through increased coverage and access. ObamaCare is bo und to have different impacts on employees and employers, with some benefiting more than others. Their employers guarantee them a mandatory coverage over the period of tenure as employees of any firm. Small and medium scale enterprises and businesses will get tax credits for up to 50% of their employees’ health care insurance premium costs (Carrigan 78). This will translate to better working conditions and

Public Officials and Public Opinion Polls Assignment

Public Officials and Public Opinion Polls - Assignment Example Policies are formed in a state for benefiting the citizens in various ways. For this reason, consents of people are important for selecting and developing appropriate policies for a state. In most of the country, the government is selected by the people. The citizen expects that the government will work for developing the country and facilitating the lives of people. The government needs to consider the opinion of the citizen while taking any major decision. By this process, the government will be able to understand the expectation of the people for the state and the things which create strong impacts on them (Burstein, 2003). Generally, policies are formed for improving the condition of the country. People of the state face different types of situations and circumstances for living their life in the state. They are the most appropriate people who can recommend the best policy for the country. With the help of public polls the government is able to understand the wants of the people and according to that, they can form effective policies for the state. Polls are the most powerful and effective tool in getting information and feedback from the people. Public opinion polls indicate the number of people interested in taking part in politics and decision process of the state. The opinions of maximum and a minimum number of people can be analyzed with the help of public opinion polls. When a government takes policy decision according to the majority opinions the citizens then the people tend to support the government. Public opinion polls are used by the public officials for giving importance to the people. With the help of public opinion polls, a government can show it’s concerned towards people opinion.

Stakeholders Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Stakeholders - Essay Example This turbulence is caused by the existence and emergence of different groups of people in the business arena all of whom have interest in the business. The business is therefore endowed with the responsibility of serving the interest of the so called, â€Å"stakeholders† in equal measure. This will ensure that they are all satisfied to enable the business operate profitably (Savage 1991). In dealing with the stakeholders strategic management skills come in handy to ensure the corporate objectives are also met. This report has the obligation of finding the appropriate stakeholder approach and the decisions to be made with regards to the stakeholders for the realization of the organization’s goals. Contents Executive summary I. Introduction II. Preble six step process III. Selection and discussion of two important stakeholders IV. Freeman’s Model Approach V. Conclusion References I. Introduction To catch up with the unstable environment facing many U.S. industries and businesses, business executives are required to efficiently and effectively manage all their stakeholders. Stakeholders is a wide term which is used to refer to those individuals, groups, and other organizations who have an interest in the actions of an organization and who have the ability to influence such actions either to the benefit or detriment of the organization (Post, Preston & Sachs 2002). This integrative approach assumes that an effective organization strategy requires consensus from a plurality of key stakeholders about what it should be doing and how these things should be done for the success of the organization. The case also demonstrates that executives should use an overarching strategy to change relationships with stakeholders from less favorable categories such as non-supportive that may be dangerous to the business; to more favorable ones like the mixed blessing who the business really need (Ravindra, Moray & Tom 2003). II. Preble 6-step Stakeholder Manageme nt Process Model Step 1: Stakeholder Identification Stakeholders can broadly be categorized as either primary or secondary stakeholders. Primary stakeholders are those whose continuing participation is required if an organisation is to survive and prosper (Savage 1991). They include the Shareholders, Investors, employees, customers and suppliers. Secondary stakeholders on the other hand are those who influence or affect, or are affected by, the corporation, but are not engaged in direct transactions with it and are not essential for its survival. They include the media, students and academics, unions, socially responsible investor, special interest groups (experts from social and environmental areas relevant to Nestle) and Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), activist groups, environmental organisations, human rights group. We also have Public stakeholders who provide the firm with infrastructure and legal frameworks in which to operate: Governments, community and recipients of co rporate giving and so forth (Preble 2005). Step 2: general nature of stakeholder claims and power implications We start with ownership where; Shareholders have a financial equity stake in the firm, which gives them voting power, economic power in that they can sell their stake and political power which could be exercised at the company’s annual meeting as in the case of a dissident shareholder (Post, Preston &

Accomplishments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Accomplishments - Essay Example It was she who arranged me a music class every Saturday afternoons with the little bucks she obtained from her tailoring shop. As music was my passion, I learned all the lessons that my teacher taught me with great interest and enthusiasm. It took only six months for me to master the primary notes though they were really hard to practice. But still there was a problem; I never had a guitar to practice at home. As for me, a guitar was necessary to practice the long notes and rather difficult codes. For, the time that was available for me in the music class was quite little. Attracted by my enthusiasm my teacher promised me to grant me an old guitar with which he used to practice us. I was excited to hear it from my master because, getting a guitar for my own was a priceless gift for a child like me. I practiced with it earnestly and became a little expert at the age of nine. Until I finished my studies, I never paid much thought to showing my talents to the public.

Import and Export Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Import and Export - Essay Example Due to high GDP per capita income Kuwait is an attractive market for luxury and high end vehicles. Kuwait heavily depends on importing vehicles from other countries due to lack of manufacturing facilities and the value of auto imports rose to 23% during 2012 (Kuwaitstay, 1). We are focusing on exporting luxury car segment as its demand is very strong in Kuwait. In Kuwait due to high cost of production because of lack of resources and high cost of labor, manufacturing facilities for vehicles are not profitable, therefore almost all vehicles are imported from other countries (Kuwaitstay, 1). Our vehicles have great demand all over the world and in Kuwait because of high quality, engineering and economies of scale in production. 2. Logistics infrastructure elements important to our export and their significance. Infrastructure logistics elements that are important to export of luxury vehicles in Kuwait are transportation and communication facilities, public utilities, banking services a nd retail distribution channels along with presence of good quality court system, protection of intellectual property rights and standards (David and Stewart, 41). 2.1 Transportation infrastructure : Good Transportation facilities are very important because international movement of goods is highly affected by infrastructure without which shipment faces delays, merchandise gets damaged and leads to inappropriately packaged product. In case of luxury vehicles quality and time is utmost important and any delay or defect will not be tolerated by the customer and results in huge loss to the company (David and Stewart, 41). However in Kuwait transportation infrastructure is well developed with international standard airports, merchant marine and ports and terminals, well connected paved roads and good warehousing facility to store imported vehicles (CIA, 1). 2.2 Communication infrastructure : For international transactions smooth communication with customers and suppliers by different ch annels like mail, phone or digital and electronic media is crucial for smooth business transactions, sharing of information, product promotion, timely decisions and delivery of product and in different countries importance of different channels varies (David and Stewart, 62). Kuwait is a developed country with highly developed communications infrastructure. 2.3 Public Utilities infrastructure : Public Utilities infrastructure like electricity, water, sewage and gas are crucial for operating a warehouse and establishment of corporate office because lack of adequate and reliable supply of these things disrupt the functioning of business and increase the cost of operations (David and Stewart, 65). In Kuwait electricity and gas are cheap and easily available and water supplied by desalination is affordable and reliable with good sewage system. 2.4 Banking Service and Retail Distribution Channels : Banking system is critical for financial transactions and reduces the risk of internationa l business transactions and facilitates various services like options market hedging for hedging currency fluctuation risks. A well-developed retail distribution channel provides customers with product availability at convenience and proximity and helps a great deal in promoting the vehicle by store promotion and increase the point of

Adidas competing with Nike in china Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Adidas competing with Nike in china - Essay Example bout combining the consumers to the product design and create solid plans and methods in building long-lasting relationship between the business and the customers. Marketing is seen not only in business but also in other aspects of life like arts, fashion, retailers, publishers, people, internet providers, tourism, education, government, non-profit organizations and even sports (Groucutt, Leadley and Forsyth, 2004). In the 20th century it is note-worthy to take note of the globalization of business which is affected by internal factors such as mission, systems, management and resource structures; external factors like customers, suppliers, labor force, shareholders, society, technology, governments, economy and competition (Lussier and Kimball, 2009). According to Heizer and Render, most companies that enter the global markets like Europe, South America and China expand their businesses especially supply chains with challenges. Proper and innovative strategic planning and careful research must be conducted to reduce the high political and currency risks in all countries around the world. Some key points for global supply chains are: to be able to adjust to quick changes like currency exchange fluctuations, distribution channels and parts availability; to be able to use the computer and internet technology to manage the system, schedule and distribution; to be able to seek help from teams made u p of specialists to handle all sorts of issues. A good example is Mc Donald’s, the fast food chain had planned six years ahead before expanding in Russia and had a supply chain there to lower the cost of distribution and to keep the quality of the food (Gaspar et. al, 2006). Nike and Adidas have been competing in the arena of shoe industry. Currently Nike get the most market share especially in East Asia which many sports fans are located. The technique done by Nike is subcontracting. The company harnessed the vast man power of China by subcontracting some Chinese shoe

Art prize Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Art prize - Essay Example For an instant, watching or viewing a play being performed live gives the viewer a different experience from when one is reading the same play from a book. In artwork exhibition, the viewer is can have a physical description of the piece. It allows a closer look for a piece of art; thus, giving a real attitude and emotional reaction to the piece and one can see it more clearly. When I attended the exhibition of at ArtPrize of Always Nowhere by Liz Roberts, I was able to broaden my horizon and gained unique insights of the piece and the diversity of cultures. The piece was in the second from of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. At the exhibition, there were quite a number of beautiful and great pieces of artworks from various artists, but Always Nowhere capture my attention for its creativity and artistic features. In the ArtPrize, I could listen to the views of other viewers on various art pieces; look at the facial expression on the pieces they were viewed in order to understand what they thought of the piece. Always Nowhere was a breathtaking piece; many viewers seemed to be carried away by this amazing piece. The pieces made me feel as though I saw something different from what I heard and read. It was the best-time-based artwork I had such high emotions of joy while viewing it. The piece gave me a peaceful and calm experience under the guidance and endorsem ent of the thematic exhibition. It was a very welcoming moment to view all this incredible piece of arts from the finest artists in the region. Always Nowhere gives me an imaginative sense of space and memory, with an impact of the presence. Always Nowhere is a road movie that depicts that no one can go anywhere. It is an experiential video sculpture, which transposes windows for screens thus evoking the dichotomies that occur when one is riding in a car (MLive 1). Through the inherently cinematic driving experience, we are together, but feeling alone - we are sited still, however, moving and

Men continuous search for the avenue of the known and unknown reality Essay Example for Free

Men continuous search for the avenue of the known and unknown reality Essay The title itself gives a fascinating debate. The â€Å"Known Reality† can be broadly explained because humans already know what it is. It is already known by many people. If we give meaning to the â€Å"Unknown Reality† it is something we haven’t seen yet, went yet or even discovered. How will man find the access to that reality? Will we know if it is the unknown we’ve been searching for? I’ll give my opinion on the â€Å"Unknown†, maybe it is the reality that is already in front of us but we don’t see it because we neglect our understanding for it. Maybe we don’t open our minds and make that reality unknown. The avenue between the known and unknown is being open minded, trying to listen in both sides for us to understand both realities. If we keep tolerating ourselves in neglecting our capability to understand, then man will have an endless search for that avenue. Contradiction to that, if man has the determination and hunger to seek the truth, then they will find what they are looking for that both reality is there, and will realize that the avenue to it is the ability to listen and understand. If man continues to be blind, they will never reach that avenue and the â€Å"Unknown Reality† itself. Both realities are in front of us. But people only pay attention to only one side and brings an effect of ignorance to people. Many people have not yet realized the truth that is being laid down to them for being ignorant. I believe that what they are searching for is easily seen when we give understanding to it.

Jax Ws And Its Comparison With Axis2 Information Technology Essay

Jax Ws And Its Comparison With Axis2 Information Technology Essay In todays world with the rise in development of newer and newer different stand-alone applications, the organizations and enterprises faces the difficulty in integrating all these incompatible applications for the ease of their business. In order to overcome this technical complexity more and more enterprises have started implementing the Web Services to make these heterogeneous applications work together. Web Services can be defined as the application components that can be accessed over the network. Web Services makes the applications compatible by providing cross-platform interaction possible. Web Services provides a means of communication for applications developed in different programming languages using different technologies and running on different platforms. Thus, Web Services introducing interaction between such widely different applications makes the applications more flexible, loose and compatible. In todays trend of Service Oriented Architecture, Web Services play an important role. These Web Services functionalities are accessible using standard internet protocols. The keywords related to Web Services are HTTP, SOAP, WSDL, XML and UDDI. Any Web Service is defined in XML format, known as the Web Service Description Language. The service provider registers its services in the Universal Description Discovery and Integration (UDDI). The service requestor looks into the UDDI for a particular service. The client then uses a particular WSDL and its service end point to establish a connection with the service provider. The client establishes the communication by sending SOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol) messages over the HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). There are many web services framework available such as Spring framework, Apache Axis2, Apache CXF, JAX WS, JAX RPC etc. This paper throws some light on JAX WS and Apache Axis2. JAX-WS (JAVA API for XML-based Web Services) JAX WS provides the Java API for creating and developing XML-based Web Services. JAX WS is the successor of JAX RPC (Java API for XML-based Remote Procedure Calls). Many enhancements and developments have been introduced in JAX WS from the JAX RPC mechanism. The main difference between these two mechanisms is that the JAX RPC provides call interface web services whereas the JAX WS provides the document style web services. JAX WS is the sun standard for the implementation of Web Services. Many big companies like Yahoo!, Google, Amazon do use JAX WS for the implementation of Web Services. The JAX WS architecture unlike its forerunner also supports message based services along with remote procedure based services using the SOAP for communication. JAX WS Implementation Java API for XML-based Web Services makes it easier for developing XML-based Web Services using the Java programming Language. JAX WS supports its own implementation of JAX WS programming model and does not support Axis2 programming model. JAX WS defines model for developing application handlers that deals with data during Web Services runtime. The JAX WS converts the calls matching it with the SOAP messages. Annotations used in the JAX WS simplify the deployment and development of these Web Services, their service end points and the service requestors, clients. JAX WS requires Java EE 5 or later version of Java. JAX WS provides two tools for generating Java artifacts, namely wsimport and wsgen for top-down and bottom-up approaches respectively The wsimport tool is used for the top-down or the contract first approach that is the Java files are created from the WSDL file. And the wsgen tool is used for the bottom-up approach or the code first approach that is the WSDL file is generated from Java classes. JAX WS uses Java annotations to make the simple POJO classes work as the Web Services. For example, the annotation @WebService is used along with a Java class, to declare simple POJO class to act as a Web Service. Considering a simple example import javax.jws.WebService; @WebService pubic class MyService { System.out.println(Hello WORLD); } Advantages The JAX WS 2.0 uses annotations for declaring and attaching any data related to Web Services. Using the annotations makes it simpler for the user to create Web Services. It provides better cross-platform interaction, making the communication platform independence. The JAX WS supports both synchronous and asynchronous calls. JAX WS supports asynchronous polling and callback. Along with SOAP 1.1, the JAX WS 2.0 also supports 1.2 It also supports MTOM (Message Transmission Optimization Mechanism) for dealing with binary data among the Web Services and better optimization of the SOAP messages format. JAX WS supports both REST and SOAP Web Services. Axis2 The Apache Axis is the Web Service project from the Apache Software Foundation. It is an open source web service framework for XML-based web services. The Axis has its implementation in Java and it is being developed in C++. Using Axis2, we can implement Axis framework. The Axis2 is a Web Service container for the Axis framework for creating and developing XML-based Web Services. Axis2, as compared to its forerunner Axis1, has a much better, configured and flexible architecture. It also provides more scalability as well as productivity as compared to axis 1. Axis2 Implementation While creating and developing Web Services, the Ant build tool has an important role in the development process. The WSDL2JAVA and JAVA2WSDl are the two build tools that important for developing the Wed Services. The WSDL2JAVA tool is used for the top-down or the contract first approach that is the Java files are created from the WSDL file. And the JAVA2WSDL tool is used for the bottom-up approach or the code first approach that is the WSDL file is generated from Java classes. For deployment of the Axis2 Web Services, it is necessary to create its own format aar file, and deploy it to the services folder of your axis2. The aar file is similar to a jar file and can be developed using the following command jar -cvf MyService.aar Benefits of using Axis2: Axis2 supports both SOAP and REST Web Services Axis2 also supports both, synchronous and asynchronous calls. Also Axis2 supports Message Transmission Optimization Mechanism for binary data handling. But it has some limit to the size of the binary data it can handle. Comparing Axis2 and JAX WS Axis2 can be considered as more mature framework as compared to JAX WS framework Axis2 supports ADB, JIXB, XMLBeans whereas JAX WS supports only JAXB for binding support. JAX WS supports its own implementation of JAX WS programming model and does not support Axis2 programming model. At the core of Axis2 is the AXIOM, while for JAX WS its the Java Annotations that works as the core JAX WS in transport neutral but the Web Services feature pack only supports HTTP/HTTPS Axis2 and JAX WS both handle the Bottom Up approach equally good The Axis2 supports the Top Down approach a bit better as compared to JAX WS Unlike Axis2, the JAX WS does not require any configuration file such as service.xml. It is all handled by the Java annotations. Conclusion: Comparing these two Web Services frameworks, the choice cannot be deduced to either of the Web Service framework completely, because each one of them has different qualities. The Axis2 has better and more mature architecture as compared to the other one. But at the same time, this adds to the complexity in implementation. Whereas the JAX WS, though a bit immature comparatively, is simpler and easy to implement. Plus, it also has an advantage of being the sun standard for the Web Services implementation, adding a feather to its hat. Thus, depending on the service or implementation to be carried out, the appropriate Web Service framework can be selected, though the JAX WS is comparatively pretty simple to implement.

Social Issues With Multiculturalism

Social Issues With Multiculturalism What are the main sociological issues raised by the idea of a multi-cultural society? ‘Multiculturalism is not about difference and identity per se but about those that are embedded in and sustained by culture’ (Parekh, 2000:2). Despite the fact that most countries today are culturally diverse, it would be impossible to discuss the main sociological issues raised by the idea of a multicultural society without explaining first, what is the meaning of culture itself? The most common definition of culture refers to a complex entity which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, customs and habits acquired by members of a society. Claire Alexander sees culture as a set of traditions and beliefs linked to ethnicity and common origins which led to the realisation that culture is not a fixed set of beliefs, but it is made and unmade in daily life. (1996) The query of multiculturalism is not a recent topic for debate since it has been present in the political life of European countries since 1945, year that does not only mark the Second World War but also the beginning of an era of concerns and changes. The main issues raised by this matter refer to immigration, delegation of power and growing numbers of political refugees and asylum seekers. Yet, further problems emerge concerning collective and political rights, liberal ideas, identity, and individual freedom. (Rex, 2003) Furthermore, Kymlicka suggests that the diversity of cultures we are experiencing today has led to a conflict between majorities and minorities over matters such as language, autonomy, political representation, and national identity (1996). He also argues that this, mainly affects democracies: ‘attempts to create liberal democratic institutions are being undermined by violent nationalist conflicts; volatile disputes over the rights of immigrants, indigenous peoples, and other cultural minorities are throwing into question many of the assumptions which have governed political life for decades’ (1996: 2) Until recently, multiculturalism was seen by politicians and monarchs as a positive trait of modern and nation-states. However, this perception changed due to ethnic conflicts within nations such as the ethnic cleansing in Yugoslavia or the riots in the United Kingdom between Asians and native British citizens. In the past few years, many philosophers and social scientists have taken an interest into the idea of cultural diversity and tried to define the image of a liberal society, answer the question whether individual rights should be expanded to groups and solve the problem of recognition which appeared it implied the denial of individual rights in the first place. (Rex, 2003) On this matter, Charles Taylor argues that in fact, recognition is an essential component of the concept of rights and individuals could be recognised as part of a group (1994). In order to expand his argument, he goes as far back as the collapse of social hierarchies and the ancient regime and states the common element that constitutes both a hierarchy and a democratic society. He claims that the ancient hierarchies were based on the notion of â€Å"honour† which even though it was a matter of choice, it defined the individuals of the society; the term we use today is â€Å"dignity†. On the other hand, Taylor states that recognition has acquired a different meaning with the new understanding of individual identity that emerged at the end of the eighteenth century. This new idea focused on the inner voice of the individual and on the concept of authenticity: ‘on the original view, the inner voice was important because it tells us what the right thing to do is; bei ng in touch with our moral feelings matter here, as a means to the end of acting rightly’ (1994:28) He also argues that identity is necessarily collective and that cultural rights cannot be enjoyed by individuals alone because they are collective by nature. However, Taylor’s position collides with the liberal tradition which is based on the idea of individual freedom and the neutrality. According to Henri Giordan, the pillar of the modern society is fighting for individual freedom rather than the traditional structures of societies. Thus, the progress of civilizations was reflected in the freedom of speech and press, liberty to gather political parties and vote, concepts which defined human rights that in Pareks` view: ‘represent a great historical achievement’ (2006: 17) Furthermore, he explains that: ‘for the first time in history (human rights) provide a universally accessible moral and political language in which to articulate our shared concerns and differences. In so doing it builds moral bonds between human beings in different parts of the world and helps create an awareness of our shared humanity.’ (2006:17) Nonetheless, Parekh suggests that human rights should follow three conditions: ‘firstly, they should be integrally related to and indispensable for a life of dignity; secondly, they should be universal or rather universalizable in the dual sense that all human beings are entitled to claim them and that this claim extends to all societies; thirdly, human rights should be widely accepted as such by a cross-cultural consensus.’ (2006:25) In order to sustain this point of view, Kymlicka states that minority rights are inseparable from human rights and mentions UNESCO: ‘the defence of cultural diversity is an ethical imperative inseparable from respect for human dignity. It implies a commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms, in particular the rights belonging to minorities and those of indigenous peoples. Cultural rights are an integral part of human rights, which are universal, indivisible and interdependent.’ (UNESCO, Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, 2001) However, the rise of democracy was brutally interrupted by the First and Second World War. National identity became a threat for ideologies such as fascism and Nazism which led to a tragic outcome (Kym1icka, 1992). Some minorities were exterminated, either by expulsion or by genocide while other minorities were assimilated and force to adopt the language, customs and religion of the majority group and were denied political rights. It became evident at the end of the Second World War that a different approach to minorities’ rights was necessary and attempts were made to redistribute collective rights to individuals rather than granting special rights to members of a group. (Kymlicka, 1996) Starting with the 1980s, a new dimension was given to minorities rights and Kymlicka suggests that ‘these changes have followed two tracks: there is one track for the specific case of â€Å"indigenous peoples†, and another track for â€Å"minorities† in general’ (2007:31) He goes on explaining that the rights that were exclusively given to indigenous peoples (the Indians and Inuit in Canada, Aboriginal in Australia, Indian tribes in the United States, the Maori of new Zealand) included land claims, language rights, customary law and representation in the central government: ‘this is a perception that is sometimes promoted by indigenous peoples themselves and their advocates, who assert that the status of indigenous peoples has nothing in common with the claims of â€Å"minorities†, and that the ideology of â€Å"indigenism† has no connection with more general theories of multiculturalism’ (2007: 34) The latter track that Kymlicka explains refers to the distinction between â€Å"historic minorities† (that were traditionally settled in the country and included groups that were considered â€Å"indigenous peoples† and long-standing â€Å"national minorities†: the Scots and Welsh of Britain, the Catalans and Basques in Spain, Puerto Rico in United States) and the â€Å"migrants† (2007). In what immigration is concerned, it appears that the countries with a high density of migrants (Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the United States) have approached the problem of immigration through a process of assimilation with the hope that they will blend in with the native-born citizens. Solid evidence for the progress of minority rights was given by the European Union when they declared that the promotion of minority rights was the â€Å"ascension criteria† for the countries that wanted to join the Union (Kymlicka 2007) Another topic that Kymlicka approaches in his theory refers to the distinction and the connection between â€Å"collective rights† and â€Å"individual rights†. He begins by explaining that there are two meanings of â€Å"collective rights†: ‘collective rights could refer to the right of a group to limit the liberty of its own individual members in the name of group solidarity or cultural purity (â€Å"internal restrictions†); or it could refer to the right of a group to limit the economic or political power exercised by the larger society over the group, to ensure that the resources and institutions on which the minority depends are not vulnerable to majority decisions (â€Å"external protections†)’ (1996: 36) The internal restrictions imply intra-group relations- the group may use the state power to limit the liberty of its own members which raised the question of individual oppression. As an example, Kymlicka refers to culture where women are oppressed or cultures were the religious orthodoxy is enforced. Moreover, he argues that some minorities would limit even further the rights of their members: ‘it is one thing to require people to do jury duty or to vote, and quite another to compel people to attend a particular church or to follow traditional gender roles. The former are intended to uphold liberal rights and democratic institutions, the latter restrict these rights in the name of cultural tradition or religious orthodoxy.’ (1996:36) External protections imply inter-group relations- the ethnic/ national group seeks to preserve its distinction and identity by limiting the effect of the decisions taken by the majority group. Doing so, this also raises yet another issue: not of individual oppression but of inequality between groups. However, Kymlicka makes it clear that ‘collective rights’ are indeed opposed to individual rights: ‘On one natural interpretation, ‘collective rights’ refer to the rights accorded to and exercised by collectivities, where these rights are distinct from, and perhaps conflicting with, the rights accorded to the individuals who compose the collectivity. This is not the only possible definition of collective rights—indeed there are hundreds of definitions in the literature—but almost everyone agrees that collective rights are, by definition, not individual rights.’ (1996: 45) This matter led to a conflict of ideas between individualists and collectivists on the priority of individuals within a community or the community itself. It appears that individualists argue that the individuals are essential for a community seeing that a community only matters if it contributes to the well-being of its constituent members. On the other hand, collectivists deny the idea of a community that`s meant to attend to its individuals. (1996) ‘Collectivists and individualists disagree about whether communities can have rights or interests independently of their individual members (). Most such rights are not about the primacy of communities over individuals. Rather, they are based upon the idea that justice between groups requires that the members of different groups be accorded different rights.’ (1996: 48) Despite the fact that multiculturalism and immigration have always been present in our lives and are essential components of the modern world, it is still impossible to find the answers to the always-present sociological issues that a multicultural society rises. What triggers the majority of problems is immigration: with it, emerge matters concerning minority rights, individual freedom and identity, oppression, riots, protests for human rights, violence and racism. Economical and political issues, religion and race concerns, language and culture barriers are also consequences of this cultural diversity that we are experiencing today. The topic looks as if it appealed to theoreticians and social scientists and it still remains an ever-present subject of discussion. It also led to conflicts of ideas between theoreticians such as Charles Taylor and Will Kymlicka, both Canadians but with opposing views. It is quite obvious that multiculturalism is now seen as a persistent problem, taking into account the changes that took place in the structures of societies. However, there is no doubt that immigration improved our knowledge of different cultures, languages, traditions and food; it had also thought communities to be tolerant and accept diversity even embrace it. Economy and trade between countries has developed and societies became â€Å"cosmopolitan†. Even thought, migrants have always been put in a bad light, they are not in fact, trying to deter natives. They have good working skills and are willing to work for low-paid jobs and extra hours. Usually, they do the jobs that the natives would not do and it app ears that there are more immigrants than natives that have a permanent job. It seems unfair to argue that migrants do not help the economy of the country they live in seeing that they still pay taxes and have less claimed benefits than the unemployed natives. Moreover, due to the fact they have a low wage they can always be found in the rough area of big cities, living in modest and dangerous conditions. On the other hand, language it is definitely a cause of having low-paid jobs since most migrants do not speak the language, thus making it more difficult to find employment. Another factor of immigration is religious discrimination. Considering the recent events in the United States, Arabs and Islamists in particular are discriminated and put in a bad light. Romanians and Bulgarians also have a bad reputation around Europe and a false image which may lead to cultural conflicts between migrants and natives. Somehow, it appears that the society makes it harder for migrants to obtain necessary documents in order to reside and work legally in the country. Until recently, Romanians and Bulgarians were bound to apply for a work permit in order to work legally in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, attempts are being made to improve and solve these problems and it is quite obvious that many advantages have been gained from this. Moreover, it is evident that multiculturalism is the way forward and while modern societies need to become more tolerant of migrants and their values, the migrants have to accept the majority`s way of life and integrate in their community and nation. Unfortunately, these changes might not occur in the near future considering that minorities have more and more claims for rights and benefits and natives are becoming more and more reluctant to the controversial idea of multiculturalism, which seems to lead their lives.

Karl Marx :: Biographies Philosophy Papers

Karl Marx Karl Heinrich Marx was born on May 5, 1818, in the city of Trier in Prussia, now, Germany. He was one of seven children of Jewish Parents. His father was fairly liberal, taking part in demonstrations for a constitution for Prussia and reading such authors as Voltaire and Kant, known for their social commentary. His mother, Henrietta, was originally from Holland and never became a German at heart, not even learning to speak the language properly. Shortly before Karl Marx was born, his father converted the family to the Evangelical Established Church, Karl being baptized at the age of six. Marx attended high school in his home town (1830-1835) where several teachers and pupils were under suspicion of harboring liberal ideals. Marx himself seemed to be a devoted Christian with a "longing for self-sacrifice on behalf of humanity." In October of 1835, he started attendance at the University of Bonn, enrolling in non-socialistic-related classes like Greek and Roman mythology and the history of art. During this time, he spent a day in jail for being "drunk and disorderly-the only imprisonment he suffered" in the course of his life. The student culture at Bonn included, as a major part, being politically rebellious and Marx was involved, presiding over the Tavern Club and joining a club for poets that included some politically active students. However, he left Bonn after a year and enrolled at the University of Berlin to study law and philosophy. Marx's experience in Berlin was crucial to his introduction to Hegel's philosophy and to his "adherence to the Young Hegelians." Hegel's philosophy was crucial to the development of his own ideas and theories. Upon his first introduction to Hegel's beliefs, Marx felt a repugnance and wrote his father that when he felt sick, it was partially "from intense vexation at having to make an idol of a view [he] detested." The Hegelian doctrines exerted considerable pressure in the "revolutionary student culture" that Marx was immersed in, however, and Marx eventually joined a society called the Doctor Club, involved mainly in the "new literary and philosophical movement" who's chief figure was Bruno Bauer, a lecturer in theology who thought that the Gospels were not a record of History but that they came from "human fantasies arising from man's emotional needs" and he also hypothesized that Jesus had not existed as a person. Bauer was later dismissed from his position by the Prussian government. By 1841, Marx's studies were lacking and, at the suggestion of a friend, he submitted a

First Amendment And Music Censorship Essay -- Censorship

The First Amendment to the Bill of Rights exists because the Founders of our country understood the importance of free expression. The First Amendment states "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . ." (Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution 17). One of the ways the American people use this freedom of speech and expression is through the creation of the art form known as music. Music's verbal expression bonds our society through our emotions and experiences. This fundamental right of freedom of expression is being threatened by public and governmental groups who believe they have authority to monitor and decide what others should experience. The censorship of music lyrics is a violation of our First Amendment right, and public groups should not be allowed to bypass this right to censor obscene lyrics produced in the music industry. Through the decades, artists such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones have raised controversy over their seemingly explicit acts that are now viewed as legendary. Parents banned their children from watching Elvis Presley and his outrageous hip movements though today these moves are copied by Britney Spears, pop groups, and dancers all over the world. In 1956, Ed Sullivan deemed Elvis "unfit for a family audience." However, in 1970 Elvis met the President in the Oval Office, and now his face appears on a postage stamp (RIAA; History 2 of 4). On June 15, 1966, The Beatles released their album Yesterday...and Today featuring a shocking cover with the foursome surrounded by raw meat and butchered baby dolls. Immediately the album was withdrawn from music shelves everywhere and returned only with a new approved c... ... something we have not yet discovered. We have seen the objections of yesterday as the legends of today. Now we must stand strong to make our own decisions and see things through our own eyes and touch it with our two hands, because it is through experience and challenge that we all grow and discover new ideas. Works Cited: Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. 1791 - 1991 The Bill Of Rights and Beyond. Commission on the Bicentennial of the Unites States Constitution, 1990. Duin, Julia. "Warning Labels Don't Keep Kids From Shock CDs." Insight 12 Jan. 1998: 1-2. Hald, Karen. "Music - A Human Right." . Recording Industry Association of America . "Freedom of Speech." Brief History . Recording Industry Association of America. "Parent's Page." Background . Walters, Shari. "About Music for Teens." Parental Advisory Labels . First Amendment And Music Censorship Essay -- Censorship The First Amendment to the Bill of Rights exists because the Founders of our country understood the importance of free expression. The First Amendment states "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . ." (Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution 17). One of the ways the American people use this freedom of speech and expression is through the creation of the art form known as music. Music's verbal expression bonds our society through our emotions and experiences. This fundamental right of freedom of expression is being threatened by public and governmental groups who believe they have authority to monitor and decide what others should experience. The censorship of music lyrics is a violation of our First Amendment right, and public groups should not be allowed to bypass this right to censor obscene lyrics produced in the music industry. Through the decades, artists such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones have raised controversy over their seemingly explicit acts that are now viewed as legendary. Parents banned their children from watching Elvis Presley and his outrageous hip movements though today these moves are copied by Britney Spears, pop groups, and dancers all over the world. In 1956, Ed Sullivan deemed Elvis "unfit for a family audience." However, in 1970 Elvis met the President in the Oval Office, and now his face appears on a postage stamp (RIAA; History 2 of 4). On June 15, 1966, The Beatles released their album Yesterday...and Today featuring a shocking cover with the foursome surrounded by raw meat and butchered baby dolls. Immediately the album was withdrawn from music shelves everywhere and returned only with a new approved c... ... something we have not yet discovered. We have seen the objections of yesterday as the legends of today. Now we must stand strong to make our own decisions and see things through our own eyes and touch it with our two hands, because it is through experience and challenge that we all grow and discover new ideas. Works Cited: Commission on the Bicentennial of the United States Constitution. 1791 - 1991 The Bill Of Rights and Beyond. Commission on the Bicentennial of the Unites States Constitution, 1990. Duin, Julia. "Warning Labels Don't Keep Kids From Shock CDs." Insight 12 Jan. 1998: 1-2. Hald, Karen. "Music - A Human Right." . Recording Industry Association of America . "Freedom of Speech." Brief History . Recording Industry Association of America. "Parent's Page." Background . Walters, Shari. "About Music for Teens." Parental Advisory Labels .

Positive Outcome for Children Essay

Outcome 2: Understand how practitioners can make a positive difference in outcomes for children and young people. Question 1: Identify the positive outcomes for children and young people that practitioners should be striving to achieve. As we already discussed this in one of the five outcomes in Every Child Matters. As a qualified child care worker I should be aware and make positive contribution in the entire are of child development and support and improve them to achieve all across the five ECM outcomes. Be healthy Stay safe Enjoy and achieve Make a positive contribution Achieve economic well-being. All the children Trust have a board of representatives to ensure that children have accessible and develop plan in a comprehensive and simple manner. A Trust is a partnership which brings the entire organisation together for example schools, police, Family Doctors, Social Workers, and so on. Their aim is to take responsibility for services for children and young people with their families’ to share information, protect and committing to improving children and young people’s lives and each one of them will plan and show how to meet these five outcomes in their area. Every Child Matter is cover from birth to 19 years old. This was highlighted by the tragic death of Victoria Climbie at the hands of her cares, resulting in a independent inquiry into her death. The Laming Report in 2003, in common with other inquiries into child deaths over years, criticised the approach to protecting children on our society. The Laming Report resulted in a green paper, Every Child Matters, which in turn led to the Children Act 2004 in England and other four countries in the UK. 1.To achieve positive outcome in Early Years Foundation Stage whatever their religion or background the government introduce free health meal at school with milk and five a day to all children in which help to reduce obesity in some way because there are most children who don’t have chance to eat at least two or three variety of  fruit a day also it help the parents to achieve the healthy way of living for the seek for the wellbeing for their children. 2. We must comply with law for the safeguarding for children to be safe at all times and we can encourage them, doesn’t matter of age of child that any point they make is valuable to us and must be considerable. We must let them know that they have the voice and they must be heard if they feel any dough or danger. We can make positive difference by keeping children safe from accidents, crime and bullying, forced marriages, missing children, safe environments, FGM, and many more. At Early Years Foundation Stage by the ag e of five a child must achieve 90% of success in school in all area that needed of child development. 3. Every child have right to enjoy and achieve in their study. We are requiring following a child holistic development to observe children doing rather than assuming that you know what are interested in and become familiar with their needs. By the age of Eleven (secondary school) children are expected to achieve a very height expectation in English and Maths skill for adult life at least 90% and in most of the subjects at the age of 15. When the children are well supportive at school their achievement are high expectable by the age of 15, 90% must achieve 5 equivalent GCSEs and at age 19 at least 80% will achieve two to three equivalent A Levels. 4. Making positive contribution for children and young people which include create environment for the children that will help them to develop self-confidence. In my setting we encourage the children to make their own choices and for them to know that us as practitioners are there to support them if they so need it. Making positive contribution which could lead children and young people to participating in positive activities for skills for their lives which motivate their emotion, behaviour, personalise, socialise and promote their well-being I which will reduce the risk of young people getting involved in crime. 5. Achieve economical well being for children and young people we must ensure that all the children’s activities and play areas encourages them to develop their own independent skills that meet with curriculum which will help and lead them to achieve all the learning outcome in their lives for the better future or career for them to be Doctor, Scientist, Pilot and so on. The better achievement economic we plan, the better it will be for children and young people to exceed in their education which will help us beat poverty and many more. BIBLIOGRAPHY Textbook: Children And Young People’s Workforce Early Learning & Childcare Level 3 Author names: Penny Tassoni, Kate Beith, Kath Bulma and Sue Griffin Series Consultant: Maureen Smith Publisher’s name: Heinemann Work-Based Learning. Published on 2010.

The Mexican Drug War and Its Consequences

The Mexican Drug War and Its Consequences Despite President Felipe Calderon’s good intentions and determination to eliminate the drug cartels in Mexico, the Mexican government has not been able to stop the drug cartel’s operations (smuggling drugs, people and weapons to and from the USA) for many reasons. The drug cartels have proven to be powerful, well connected politically, well trained, well- armed, and manipulation of the masses. Therefore, it has been impossible for the Mexican government to stop cartels like La Familia from operating, and now the cartels have become a problem for the Unites States too.The Mexican cartels have proven to be unstoppable for the Mexican government. President of Mexico Felipe Calderon’s decision to send fifty thousand soldiers and twenty thousand federal police has not been enough to stop the cartel’s indiscriminate killings. According to the University of San Diego Trans-Border Institute of Analysis and Data, since Janu ary of 2007, 28,228 people have died in drug-related violence in Mexico (Sandiego. edu). Going muscle to muscle with the cartels has proven to be the wrong decision. Sending all those troops and federal police has only served to increases the death toll.Cartels like La Familia are well armed and trained. According to intelligence, members of La Familia must complete three to six month training camp in Michoacan, conducted by ex-members of the Colombian or Mexican Special Forces. La Familia uses equipment, weapons, and uniforms similar to those of the Federal Investigations Agency, therefore operating without being detected in cities and on highways (La Familia Michoacana fact sheet, DEA). It is a fact that La Familia is well armed with weapons that come from the United States.La Familia has the connections and the money to buy these weapons; Calderon continues to send more troops to combat the cartel, but this military effort will not work. La Familia cannot be stopped since they kn ow how to manipulate the masses, by threats and targeting opposing citizens, and this makes the situation even worse for the Mexican government as they try to obtain help from citizens to capture the leaders. La familia has won the loyalty of many people through political and Christian beliefs, but mostly through intimidation.In the article â€Å"Silver or Lead,† we can see how a regional official named Veronica Medina has selective hearing in favor of La Familia. Medina is clearly in favor of La Familia even though she works for the Mexican government. It could be quite possible that Medina is on La Familia’s payroll. La Familia is known to win favors by offering monetary rewards. La Familia also intimidates people with violence; they take over a town and tell the mayor, â€Å"We want to work here. There will be no trouble, no crime, no drunkenness, nothing. † Then, they enforce their rules.Mayors are usually paid for their hospitality. It is silver or Lead (Fi nnegan 48). How can regional officials decline? Since they are substantially underpaid and their lives are threatened, they are almost forced if they don’t they face almost certain death at the hands of the cartel. As long as the Mexican government continues with this plan of combatting cartel, it will never see the end of the cartel. Mexico is a traditional Catholic country; most of the Catholics practicing in North America live in Mexico. La Familia uses this religious fervor to gain the sympathy of the people’s town.La Familia knows they will gain sympathy and new people who want to work for them if their organization somehow shows they are Christian believers. La Familia wants people to think that they only kill those who have committed a crime. According to William Finnegan â€Å"La Familia doesn’t kill for money, it doesn’t kill women, it doesn’t kill innocent people–only those who deserve to die. Everyone should know: this is divine justice† (Finnegan 40). These words were actually written on a sign left by La Familia at one of their assassination sites. Their propaganda implies the need for divine justice.They are trying every way possible to make people believe they are doing God’s work. The Mexican church has not said anything about it, and there are people who are led to believe that perhaps some of the violent works of the La Familia are necessary and maybe even justified. La Familia’s smuggling business has a big negative effect on America society and economy. Since La Familia is willing to pay the exorbitant amounts of money for necessary costly weapons, it entices Americans into breaking the law by getting involved in the illegally sales of arms.In February 2007, drug cartels gunmen attacked two offices of the Guerrero state attorney general’s office in the resort town of Acapulco, killing four officers and three secretaries. One of the rifles used in the attack was traced bac k to the United States (guns without borders). Federal agents say about 90 percent of the 12000 pistols and rifles that the Mexican authorities recovered from drug dealers in the United States are mostly from Texas and Arizona (McKinley 1). Every gun smuggler captured is sent to prison, and the government has to house him and fed him, costing taxpayers thousands of dollars a year.Drug addiction costs the U. S. billions in health care. According to the 2008 National Survey of Drug Use and Health, approximately three million Americans 12 or older initiated the use of an illicit drug. That is nearly 8000 people per day (2008 national survey of drug and health). More than half of all people arrested in the United States test positive for illegal drugs. Drug use is closely connected to robbery and property crime. Substances abused led directly to the death of 38000 Americans (Executive Office of the President of the United States).The drug cartels are clearly affecting America Society an d their economy. The U. S. government needs to work harder to implement regulations on its side of the border. The Mexican government has tried almost everything, but it has not been successful. If the Mexican Government continues with the same approach to the drug cartel problems ultimately the drug cartels will overturn the government. Mexico is a civilized nation, and will not likely go to civil war over the drug cartels; still nobody has tried to take the drastic measures needed. La Familia is more brutal. La Familia is more motivated to keep their power than the government is to stop them; consequently they are impossible to stop.Works Cited Executive Office of the President of the United States. Web. 7. Nov. 2010 â€Å"Guns Without Borders† The New York Times. Web. 6. Nov. 2010 James Mckinley, â€Å"U. S. Stymied as Guns Flow to Mexican Cartels†, The New York Times, April 15, 2009 â€Å"La Familia Michoacana Fact Sheet†, DEA. Web. 5. Nov. 2010 Sandiego. ed u. Web. 6. Nov. 2010 William Finnegan, â€Å"Silver or Lead†, The New Yorker, May 31, 2010, 40, 48 2008 National Survey of Drug Use and Health. Web. 6. Nov. 2010

Stride Toward Freedom

Identical Thought in â€Å"Patient† and â€Å"Topic of Cancer† Once I was exposed to reading â€Å"Patient† and â€Å"Topic of Cancer† I put myself in Christopher Hitchers and Rachel Reedier shoes and realized how humor, can be used in a horrendous situation. Not everyone may know what a cancer patient has to go through but as days go by everyone has been through a situation that cannot handle on his or her own. By reading these two articles, I automatically had a mental mage of what and how the narrator felt.In the article, â€Å"Patient†, Reedier is trying to lighten the mood by using humor throughout the whole article. Both articles have multiple similarities that have personal anecdotes that explain their life story. The articles are similar with Hitchers and Reedier with the use of tone in the â€Å"Patient† and â€Å"Topic of Cancer† through humor, images and horrible situations. Humor can be comical in many situations, but in th e â€Å"Patient† and â€Å"Topic of Cancer†, the authors indicate the reader that pain can be a wholesome situation.In the article, â€Å"Patient† a teenager was hit by a bus and later on was informed that her leg may need to be amputated. The author uses phrases saying, â€Å"l feel like I got hit by a bus† to show his expression on how he truly feels about this situation (Reedier 166). Hitchers, the author of the â€Å"Topic of Cancer† expresses humor throughout the article in ways of saying, â€Å"The chest hair that was once the toast of two continents hasn't yet wilted, but so much of it was shaved off for various hospital incisions that it's a rather patchy affair† (Hitchers 88).Hitchers is expressing how he has lost all of his hair, and he can still look at it in a humorous way (The Best American Essays). Reedier and Hitchers explain how situations like these can be engaged in many different ways. Anyone can take these essays as serio us as possible but can also take them as a humorous situation. As Reedier and Hitchers went through the essays, the narrator explained how they had struggled through their situation and still found positive attitude.Reedier uses a positive attitude by saying, â€Å"It is easy to be calm cause I cannot really have been run over by a bus† (Reedier 165). As horrible as the situation may sound the narrator makes it out to be not as bad is it seems to be. Hitchers explains how the situation needs to be in a positive way, â€Å"l sometimes wish I were suffering in a good cause, or risk my life for the good of others, instead of being a gravely endangered patient† (Hitchers 88). The narrator expresses how she would rather be suffering for a good reason instead of being in the hospital with cancer (The Best American Essays).Both of the articles prove that you can fight through any kind of injury or disease no matter how critical the situation can accrue. The narrator shows his faith by saying, â€Å"She would make the driver move that bus, but I can't see her† (Reedier 165). In the â€Å"Topic of Cancer† Hutchins shows, how he feels about his conditions and diagnoses with the quote, â€Å"To the dumb question â€Å"Why me? † the cosmos barely bothers to return the reply: â€Å"Why not? † (86). He is obviously looking at his illness as a positive outcome when many people look at it as their life is over (The Best American Essays).Even though cancer can kill someone and losing a leg can cause death, both of the narrators kept a positive attitude. Both of the narrators start out by asking themselves â€Å"why me†, as the articles continue the â€Å"Patient† goes on living a healthy life, but in the article â€Å"Topic of Cancer† he is still fighting for his life. There are similarities throughout the stories showing the way they feel, and showing their emotions through humor but in the end there is a differe nt outcome.

Death on Pine street Essay

In this essay I will be comparing two detective stories. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story ‘The Speckled Band’ was written in the 1890’s and set in England. It follows Sherlock Holmes as he investigates the unusual death of a young woman. Through clever logic he manages to solve the case entirely by simply investigating the scene of the crime. ‘Death on Pine Street’ was written in the 1930’s and set in America. The detective in this is a more â€Å"street-wise† roughed up detective, investigating the murder of a woman’s husband. His sly and even dishonest methods of investigation solve the case, however there are a few complexities. Both stories are first person narratives. In ‘The Speckled Band’ Dr. Watson is the narrator but in ‘Death on Pine Street’, the Op himself tells us the story. This means that in the Holmes story the reader is kept in the dark about what is happening because we only know what Watson knows and, therefore, have to wait to the end of the story for Holmes to explain how he solved the crime to Watson. In the other story, because the Op is the narrator we know what he is thinking and what is happening to him. This different style works well, because although we know what he is thinking, we still have to wait to the end for the Op to explain how he solved the crime to the police; this way it doesn’t ruin the element of interest that keeps the reader going on. The detectives in the two stories, Sherlock Holmes and the Continental Op, have some things in common, but are also very different characters. This is due to the very different places and times in which the stories are set. Both are private detectives solving crimes for money. They are both loners with no wives, families or girlfriends. They are both quick thinking, clever and observant – they see clues and evidence that nobody else can see. They are both brave and strong, and can use weapons and know how to defend themselves. These are important factors in a good detective, which I think is why they share these traits whilst being from such different places and times. Sherlock Holmes was the first fictional detective ever, so it is probable that some of the inspiration for the Continental Op came from him. However they differ in many ways. Holmes is a more upper-class, well spoken and well-educated man. The Continental Op is more of a slang-talking, lower-class working man. He works for a company, and has to travel to meet clients. Holmes works from home; Miss Stoner comes to see him. He seems to do detective work simply for enjoyment, he tells Miss Stoner she need not pay him. Holmes seems more calm and collected, he doesn’t carry a firearm or get into fisticuffs – the Continental Op does both of these. Since Watson is narrating ‘The Speckled Band’, we get a good description of Holmes; the Continental Op does not describe himself at all – infact the only description of him is given by the Tenant, referring to him as â€Å"our little fat friend†. The Continental Op is always skulking around bad areas and apartments, Holmes usually takes a safe journey to the scene of the crime (in this case a mansion). It is the difference in location and time that plays an integral part in shaping these completely different characters that share similar and almost universal traits. ‘Death on Pine Street’ is set in America in the 1930’s; this was during the Great Depression when times were very hard on people. Unemployment was high, many people could barely afford to live and so naturally people were more highstrung or ill-tempered, and crime rose. It was this kind of tough way of life that forms the environment and the character in ‘Death on Pine Street’. ‘The Speckled Band’ is set in England, in the 1890’s, a fine period for upper-class people. Holmes would have been raised comfortably, and it would not have been a necessity for him to be â€Å"tough† like the Continental Op. He does not deal in the same way as the Continental Op; he quietly investigates a single place, and works without any interrogations or interviews. This greatly seperates the feel of the story from ‘Death on Pine Street’, as the Continental Op interracts far more, with many more characters.

Marketing Diary

ZAGREB SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT Academic year 2010. /2011. Written by: Tanja Igic Marketing diary Course: Principles of marketing Zagreb, 2010. Topic 1: Competition Uniqueness as an absolute advantage Source: http://www. fashionunited. com/news/leads/custo-and-desigual-in-legal-war-200823070855 (08. 10. 2010. ) The topic I chose as the first one is the legal war between two famous Spanish fashion brands- Custo Barcelona and Desigual. The reason why it is the first entry is because I am very interested in fashion and Desigual is my favourite brand.This summer I went to Spain and I realized that there is a brand very similar to Desigual, both in design and prices. This was the first time that I have heard for Custo Barcelona. Unlike Desigual, Custo is not an internationally known and famous brand. Oppositely, in Spain, the competition between the two is very high. I can even compare it with two major soccer clubs –Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. In most cases, if you pre fer Desigual, you would never buy from Custo and vice versa. Shock for Desigual lovers came in 2008, when Custo Barcelona filed a plagiarism lawsuit against Desigual.Custo accused Desigual for copying its mixtures of patchwork and materials and also for following their shop openings and contacting Custo’s distributors to market its products. No one ever wrote about the end of this lawsuit and that is why I cannot give my comment on the final decision, but I can comment on Custo’s decision about filing Desigual. I consider it as a desperate action of trying to get more of a target market. What they didn’t consider is that Desigual lovers, after this affair, sticked even more with Desigual.Unfortunately for Custo, Desigual is still existing, not only on the Spanish market, but worldwide, and it is stronger than ever. Topic 2: Controversial marketing Shock advertising Source: http://press. benettongroup. com/ben_en/about/campaigns/history/ (02. 11. 2010. ) It was f ew years ago when I heard for Benetton’s and Sisley’s controversial advertisements for the first time. Since then, I have been checking out their new ads every now and then, because they keep shocking me every time I see them. Recently, there has been a new billboard by Sisley on the streets of Zagreb.The picture is representing a young women on the floor with lots of cucumbers around her and one in her mouth. They just keep shocking, but why? Probably because controversial marketing is known to have an impact on drawing attention to the brand. When searching about the reasons why Benetton is doing such commercials, I found out that they want to raise the awareness about global problems and concerns among their global customers. They have officially divided their advertising campaigns in three separate phases and the first one started in 1986, when Benetton began cooperation with Oliviero Toscani.The phases where named: cycle of difference, cycle of reality and cycle o f free speech and the right to express it. Each released campaign, such as the one against capital punishment, resulted in widespread protest against the company, from the customers as well as governments. Usually, it ended up with lots of free publicity and an increase in sales, but after the ‘death row’ campaign, they decided to stop controversial advertising. They faced the fact that they have repeated using controversial subjects for too long and that the impact on the customers was rather negative. Topic 3: TV advertisingEffects of television food advertising on eating behavior Source: http://www. yale. edu/acmelab/articles/Harris_Bargh_Brownell_Health_Psych. pdf (21. 11. 2010. ) Topic 4: Market impact teams in Coca Cola HBC Does it really increase sales? Few weeks ago, I have received an e-mail offering a student internship in Coca Cola HBC in the selling department. It seemed very interesting from my point of view and that’s why I decided to sign up for do ing the internship. I had been invited for an interview and the week after I have started my internship in Coca Cola. It lasted for a week only.First day of my internship, we all gathered together and were explained what are we going to do in the next five days. Firstly, I was disappointed, but now, after I have finished those tough five days, I am really glad because of that experience. Market impact teams are teams of two or three people, one student and two Coca Cola employees usually, who are going around coffee bars and shops and are trying to have an impact on buying behavior by ordering shelves, cleaning fridges, putting promo material all over the place, thus creating a brand awareness. MIT is organized two times a year, before Christmas and before Easter.In Coca Cola, they are very proud of this actions, but I have always been asking myself, does it really increase sales? The answer was given to me by a young manager, who I was working with. He told me that in the short run and in general, it does not increase sales, but it creates a brand awareness which is really important for every product and company. It wasn’t an answer that satisfied me. I went further by asking: â€Å"But Coca Cola is a well known brand, actually, probably the best known brand in the world. Why are you still trying to raise brand awareness? † That’s when I got an excellent answer, which I will never forget.He told me: â€Å"Yes, everyone knows about Coca Cola, but sometimes you just have to remind people that your product still exists! † That is probably the best explanation of advertising I have ever heard. This experience was unforgettable for me. Source: my student internship ( (02. 12. 2010. ) Topic 5: Packaging and price Is the price, package or smell of a perfume what matters the most? Going into a perfumery and having a glance at all of the beautiful and colorful perfumes, makes me buy them all. After approaching the most beautiful and attract ive one, with the amazing desire of having it, you smell it and amazingly, it smells really bad.What are you doing? If you have money, probably you end up buying it anyways. If you don’t, you wouldn’t probably buy the better smelling one either. This question arises in my head every time I see millions of amazingly looking small packages of perfumes. The other fact that I have realized is that perfumes for male population are not even comparable to female ones. Is the package of the perfume what really drives our purchase behavior when buying perfumes? Some researches show that associating a beautiful design and color of a perfume with the smell makes the perfume more attractive, which increases the purchase.But what if a perfume is a great looking, with average smell and high price? That makes him even more attractive. It is well know that expensive perfumes are luxury goods. Higher price will make them more desirable because when seeing a beautiful package and a high price, we are creating an image of it before even smelling it. Not only for perfumes, this phenomenon happens with other luxury things as well. Human nature is just not strong enough to resist a beautiful package. Topic 6: Brand image / Business ethics Procter and Gamble testing on animals Source: http://www. pandgkills. om/main. html (05. 11. 2010. ) I have been avoiding Procter and Gamble’s products ever since I’ve heard that they are testing one animals. I am a huge animal lover and for me, animal killing is almost as cruel as human. The Procter and Gamble’s testing on animals was also a topic of my speech on the second year of college and that is when I did a little research on this topic. Not only that Procter and Gamble is one of the most famous brands in the world, but it is also one of the richest companies. It’s cruel method of testing can be easily replaced by an alternative.Despite this fact, P&G refuses to stop testing on animals, even though more reliable and humane alternatives do exist. By testing on animals, not only that they are creating a bad brand image and are representing a company’s unethical behavior, but they are also losing a lots of customers each day. Still, it is not important for them. Their earnings are probably still so high, that they don’t have to take care about those 100 people giving up from their brand each day. I am one of them and I can tell for myself that I would never buy from Procter and Gamble again, neither from the other brands testing on animals.Despite their global popularity, the brand image they are creating is not as good as it could be if they spent the huge amount of money they have on behaving more ethically and switching to a less cruel ways of testing their products. Topic 7: Design Ugly, comfortable and expansive-perfect combination I have tried hard to resist buying UGG boots this and last winter, and fortunately, I have succeeded. Different story is with my C rocs slippers. In fact, I have 3 pairs and I just love them. Those two brands I choose because they are well known for being ugly and expensive, but extraordinarily comfortable.I have never tried UGG boots myself but from other people’s stories they seem extremely warm and cosy. Since I have been seeing them every day, they are not even so ugly for me anymore. Crocs slippers neither. From my own experience, I can say that Crocs slippers are so comfortable that when you wear them once, you just don’t want to take them off. They are perfect choice in lots of situations and places, such as home, beach or long way walking. From these two examples, we can see that recently, people changed their points of view a bit.Of course, people still take care about how they look but sometimes, the way they feel in their clothes and shoes leaves a stronger impression than the clothes itself. UGG Australia and Crocs are two perfect examples for this statement and after writing this diar y I will probably give up from my decision to never wear UGG boots and go buy a pair for myself. Topic 8: Business ethics Lying about price reductions Last winter, I was in shopping for a jacket. While walking along Ilica, I entered a Miss Sixty store to see if they have something interesting for me.I came across a really nice, but for me, very expensive jacket. On the price tag, it said that it costed 3000 kunas but it is 50% off, so it costs ‘only’ 1500 kunas. The jacket was from the winter before and that is why the price was reduced. I never got over that jacket and that’s why I still remember the story. This year I was walking along Ilica again and went in the Miss Sixty store to see the new interior of the store. The very same jacket from the last winter, that was actually from the winter before, was still on the hanger. The thing that surprised me the most was the price on the price tag.It said that the jacket costed 4500 kunas in the beginning, but the pr ice was reduced to 3700 kunas firstly and now, it is even more reduced, and costs ‘only’ 3000 kunas. That really shocked me. After telling this story to other people, I heard very similar experiences but with other stores and brands. It usually happens that, if a product is not sold on the discount the year that it has been produced, the price next year appears to be the same, even though they say it is on sale. From my own experience and point of view, words like ‘sale’ or ‘discounts’ or ‘price reduction’ are very influential on human brain and thus, buying behavior.Sometimes you just can’t let other people buy that great shirt or a jacket that is on sale and you end up buying it, even though you might not need it or its price is still high. Experts dealing with selling products and services are very aware of the basic facts in buying behavior and human nature. They know that only a word ‘sale’ will increase sa les even if there is no sale at all. What bothers me is that I am probably falling for that trick almost every day but I do not realize it. As well as experts know how to sell, we should know what we want to buy and we should never follow the words, because sometimes they are just misleading.Topic 9: Brand loyalty Waiting up to 6 months to get on the waiting list – Hermes Birkin bag http://www. dailymail. co. uk/femail/article-1184169/Bag-lady-Victoria-Beckhams-100-strong-Birkin-bag-collection-thats-worth-1-5m. html (05. 12. 2010. ) Since I am desperately waiting to get my degree and have a chance to go for a Master programme in Milan and have my dreams come true, I have focused on a fashion industry and happenings from this field, to be up to date. That’s is how I came across the article about very famous Hermes Birkin bags.Everyone knows how expensive and popular they are but I would never expect that people would wait up to 6 months to only get on a waiting list. On e of their most loyal customers is famous Victoria Beckham, who has a huge collection of their bags, worth about 1. 5 million pounds. This shows a great brand loyalty they have, among the celebrities but the rich part of population also. Birkin bag is a luxury, rather then a need and from that point of view we can say that each person who buys it is loyal to the brand. If it wasn’t for loyalty and the status symbol, no one would ever buy a million pounds worth handbag.Topic 10: Color psychology and marketing Do colors really impact consumer behavior? http://www. syncrat. com/articles/color-psychology-in-marketing (27. 11. 2010. ) On my way to new Arena center, whose logo is by the way, also in red color, I have given some attention to the advertisements around me. I have noticed that most logos are in the red color. I didn’t know if it was for a reason and that’s why I checked it on the internet as soon as I came home. There really is an amazing relation between the two and that’s why firms pay a lot of attention when designing a logo or making a commercial.It is said that red color is a symbol of aggression and passion and it is used to motivate an individual to take action or convey a warning. It is also believed that is stimulates appetite. Oppositely to aggressive red color, green color is way more relaxed, symbolising growth and wealth. It is often used in commercials for natural products. It calms the mind and creates a feeling of happiness. Black color, an example of a neutral color, is well know symbol for elegance, power and sadness, as well. It is said that black color shouldn’t be used a lot when advertising.It can cause sadness and depression. On the contrary, white color symbolises cleanliness, purity and spirituality. It is used a lot in advertising but mostly as a background color, because it makes other colors seem more vivid and bold. All of these examples show that my question about the relation between colo rs and logos wasn’t foolish at all. When seeing advertisements and commercials, but buying also, people do not consider a color as something that influences their buying behavior, but researchers and marketing specialists are more than aware of this great marketing weapon. ———————- IN LEGAL WAR [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] I have never been a big fan of television, in fact, I have been avoiding watching TV and trying to do something else instead, since I have started high school. When I was 15 I went to United States for a year as an exchange student. Living there, surrounded with lots of overweight people, junk food and starting to have weight problems myself, I have realized what a damaging effect on human health a food can cause. Since my host mother was a nurse, she was taking a lot of care about mine and my host sister's healthy diet.I have never heard about the topic before, becuase the problem is not so spre ad in our country, but my mom was always talking about negative effects of television food advertising on eating behavior. If it wasn't for her, I would probably never realize the shocking effects of TV on the eating behavior. All of us know how unhealthy is to eat in front of the TV. It is because our brain isn't getting signals fast enough and we don't stop eating as we would stop if we were concentrated only on eating.Effect which is related to this one is the effect of food advertising on TV and our eating and purchasing behavior. Nowadays, obesity is the fastest growing cause of disease and death in America, caused by reductions in physical activity and overconsumption of unhealty food. A lot of people consider that unhealthy messages communicated to children through food advertising is a leading cause of unhealthy consumption. It is also confirmed that food advertising leads to greater preferences and purcahse of the products advertised.What we can conclude from these facts is that we should try to avoid eating in front of TV or eat whatever is advertised on TV at that moment. When going to the store we should be led by the healthiness of a product purchased and not its package and great TV commercial. [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] SALE!!! [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] hRQh!. 5? >*[pic]B* CJaJphâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€š ¬0h? )? h? )? B*[pic]CJ aJ hmHnHphsHt INCLUDEPICTURE â€Å"http://www. frechen20. de/include/downs/Editor_files/image/Sponsoren/Topsponsor/bauhaus%20Logo%20sahin(1). jpg† * MERGEFORMATINET [pic]