Democracy and Technology Essay

While technologies such as the use of internet and e-democracy have made the dissemination of ideas quicker, they have also resulted in the increase in a group’s power to manipulate general opinion. The technologies aiding democracy today, such as computers, satellites, radio, telephones and television have undeniably changed the face of modern democracy. What constitute positive spill outs of these technologies for democracy also in some cases have a detrimental effect on it. While it increases the reach among people and nations, enriching both formal and business communication, it also provides these opportunities to fundamentalists to create rumours and channels individuals or a group of people against democracy. However a little caution such as verifying the news from multiple sources will easily reveal these elements and thus the negative influence of misleading a large group of rational individuals can be easily curtailed. The rise in literacy level and the positive trend of e-democracy deepens the process of democracy and empowers the individuals not only to have a say in the election of their government as earlier, but also empowers the citizens to have greater say in the decision making process of the government. With increasing literacy levels, as the citizens become more aware of the power of technology, they will find it easier to organise themselves for pressing on social, economic and political reforms from the government at helm thus ushering a truly democratic era where the citizens role is not only limited to electing their representatives but also to correct them if they are being found negligent in fulfilling their duties. However for this to happen in the future, it should be ensured that technology and their benefits are not limited to a select few in the upper echelons of society and that they are made available to those at the lowest level for complete integration of the masses to the democracy. References Allison, Juliann Emmons. (2002). Technology, development, and democracy. SUNY Press.

Wgirl Wboy

CASE STUDY ON WBOY AND WGIRL CALENDARS Case study refers to the collection and presentation of detailed information about a particularparticipant or small group, frequently including the accounts of subjects themselves. A formof qualitative descriptive research, the case study looks intensely at an individual or smallparticipant pool, drawing conclusions only about that participant or group and only in thatspecific context. Researchers do not focus on the discovery of a universal,generalizable truth,nor do they typically look for cause-effect relationships; instead, emphasis is placed onexploration and description. CASE ANALYSIS INVOLVES THE FOLLOWING STRATEGIES: ? Situation Analysis ? External Environment-Opportunities and Threats ? Internal Environment- Strengths and Weakness ? Key Marketing Issues ? Statement of Objectives ? Generation and Evaluation of Alternatives ? Recommendations ? Implementation Plan Situation Analysis: Luke Atkins, from Richard Ivey school of Business at The University of Western Ontario-a personinterested in raising fund for charity purpose, planned to launch Wgirl and Wboy calendars whichwould feature both male and female students of Western Ontario. Atkins previously had experiencein using calendars for fund raising purpose. He used pictures of his rugby team for it. Now he isconcentrating for charities like Breast Cancer Society (women) and Jesse ’ s Journey Foundation (men)for patients with neuromuscular disease. The university also provides free calendars for studentswho can use them throughout their academic career. Other than that there are potential buyers forLondon Fire fighters who also provide free copies which student use them for exam notifications,assignment reminders. Luke Atkins targets local business-primary focus on the students on campus. He has potential threatsfrom the competitors as well as the cost they provide for sale of each calendar, So Atkins mustprovide a calendar of such quality and price that would satisfy the needs of students on campus. Forthis he has to analyse the environment for marketing as well as the cost for production of eachcalendars, promotion through ads and Internet, 12 models for each calendar type, their salary basedon sales, and all other cost for post production works etc. Atkins has two formats in mind forpublishing this calendar. 6 page model and 28 page model both of varying cost, the latter one he isnot sure of producing it. He is short of time to accomplish this project; he has to approach thecharity first and had to frame a marketing strategic plan for generating funds to achieve his goal. External Environment: [pic][pic][pic] [pic][pic][pic]Opportunities: The experience that Luke Atkins has in the field of Calendar Marketing will be of high value forpromoting his new business plan. So he can get his previous customers and also he can generatenew set of potential customers with his experience. The fund raising activity is meant for charity well being, so there will be a huge set of customers whoare light hearted and willing to help the needy. This can bring enormous scope and opportunity forhis new product. By concentrating on students community Atkins can generate customers who were in link with thosestudents too (like relatives and friends) and the marketing circle widens and create moreopportunity. Atkins should find his workforces who were interested to serve the charity and get the maximumamount of work from them. This will be highly useful since there is no need for huge investment foremployer ’ selection. The profits can be shared as commission which will be very low whilecomparing salary or incentives. Advertisement on calendars regarding the charity and other useful information ’ s will attract thecustomers. Threats: Very short amount of time is only remaining to complete this new project plan. So each and everydecision must be accurate and quick to meet the requirements. The manpower that Atkins has is not sufficient. To perceive the complete benefit he should reactquickly and improve the workforce limit to a high number. Atkins faces a serious threat from the Western University free publication of calendars to students,and also from its competitors London Fire fighters and others who were issuing different varieties of calendars in an attractive price. Sexy and attractive models should be utilized only for charity and their pictures should emphasizethat. If it is a little vulgar to what expected then the whole project is in threat. Internal Environment: Strengths: Atkins experience in calendar marketing will be a great strength for him in facing difficult situationduring the process of his new calendar. The reason for fund raising is for charity purpose. So he can market his product more efficiently thanany other since there is a soft corner for everyone to help the needy. Since he is targeting the students, he get expose to huge customer group which will be useful tolaunch his new calendar effectively. [pic] [pic][pic]Selling his product $3 less than his competitor will be a great strength to meet his all requirements. Marketing through Student sales representative and advertising through student union and radiostation and internet will be of great importance and strengths for his products. Since students themselves turn out to be a model, there will be a direct customer relationship development which will influence the students and anticipate them to buy his product. A separate photographer to enhance the quality of te product will be an additional strength. Advertisement on calendars can be helpful to increase profit as well as customers. Weakness: Lack of time to accomplish Atkins project efficiently. Cost of production will vary according to different format which may influence in reduction of profit. Compensation for models will increase the cost of production. Return on investment is still not clear before product promotion. Feasibility of the project and different strategy for marketing are yet to be finalized. The profit generated should be more in order to help the charity as well as to compensate theproduction and wages expenses. The location of marketing is very competitive since there are many competitors who are wellestablished. Work force is not ready yet, and Atkins has to find them quickly. Production cost for promoting the product through student union and internet seem to be costly. Photographer charge and the time he takes for preparing designs turns out to be a serious matter of concern. Confusion in designing two different formats of calendars and their cost is also a major problem. The start up cost is also not very clear. Key Marketing Issues: The selection of models and start up production cost should be finalized for initializing the newbusiness plan. Potential customers should be identified for targeting the market. Cost of eachcalendar and its quantity in production must be beneficiary to the management. Since the cost of single calendar is rated for $12, and 1000 copies of 16 page format calendar rated $2500, the cost of production matters that Atkins should produce each calendar with high quality ( both for black andwhite or colour) in order meet the expectation and goodwill. The promotional events planned forlaunching this new calendar must be effective and there must be no compromise of cost allocatingfor that. Photographer should be hired more in numbers in order to get positive benefits in qualityas well as variety in the model selection for the calendar to be attractive. The manufacturer ’ s [pic]

Group dynamic discussion board Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Group dynamic discussion board - Essay Example To be specific, a person will stay back and monitor what others think of the topic, thus opt to go by their decisions due to fear of criticism from others. Similarly, this approach will most likely compromise other participants into supporting ideas and solutions that they do not support deep from their hearts. It is these individual ideas that create much impact on the company, rather than speeding the process of reaching solutions. The recommendations that the author made in this article were all relevant to the situation. Particularly, the author was aware that the key decision-makers were the Japanese, hence making the entire recommendations favor the use of namawashi in discussions on matters concerning the company. For example, the author states, â€Å"seek out with the Japanese counterparts through casual basis to find out their views on various subjects† (Rochelle, 2012. P 2). In the similar capacity, the author advice the Japanese to consider including the Americans in pre-meeting discussions, even the casual discussions. The only part that I disagree with the author is the failure of promoting the American style of approaching solutions. If I were in the authors shoes, I would have promoted the American approach to the debates by addressing the key decision-makers on the importance of using approaches of open discussions, hence finding a way of reaching a mutual

Reaction from Christian Bible Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reaction from Christian Bible - Essay Example He assumed that the church in Rome was beset by in-fighting within itself which required for them to become united and work with each other and not against each other. The other assumption that was in Paul’s letter was that the Christians in Rome needed to have the faith interpreted to them in a way that made sense to them and in a way that strengthened their faith and belief in Christianity. Another assumption was that there was a lot of misinformation about the Christian faith in Rome and he needed to explain the truths and inner workings of Christianity in a way that made sense to the Christian group in Rome and in a way that made their stand on ethics, their lifestyle and their beliefs clear and understandable to all and sundry. He assumed that the Christians needed advice on how to live with each other and how to live with their Roman rulers. Finally he made clear his assumption that he was not the only one with all the answers but that he also needed the prayers and supp ort of the Christians in Rome (Bright and Simons 4). In â€Å"Resident Aliens†, several assumptions are made. The first one is that the Christian life is much like life in a colony of believers immersed in a sea of unbelief. It assumes that though libertarian theory promises freedom it instead endowed society with self-centeredness, exclusivity, loneliness and an ever-challenging environment full of crime and all sorts of inequity and inequality (Hauerwas and Willimon 50). The article assumes that life in the Christian †colony†, far from being a smooth journey was instead a treacherous adventure full of unknowns and likens it to jumping onto a moving train (Hauerwas and Willimon 52). Another assumption made is that Christians do not know what’s in store for them when they join the Church or go through baptism. It assumes that Christianity promises a never ending journey whose details are vague and whose promises may not always be realized. It assumes that C hristianity is made up of nothing more than stories usually with a happy ending at the end of the misery and drudgery of life as we know it. The similarities between the Christian life article and Paul’s letter to the Romans are quite stark. In both narratives, the Christian community lives in a world where they are surrounded by unbelievers who make it both difficult for them to practice their faith as detailed in the Bible but also affect relations within the Church itself. The story of Shady Grove and its slow but definite assimilation of the black population is similar in many ways to the way the early Roman Christian church included the non-Jews or Gentiles in their ranks. The assumption of the â€Å"restlessness† of the Christian journey today has similarities to the uncertainties of early Roman church life. Even the whole conundrum of whether or not to have children and the kind of sexual lifestyle that one adopts are likened to the struggles of the Christian mi nority in Roman times against a very un-Christian standards of the external Roman community. Matthew’s description of the life of Jesus Christ, which is in many ways quite similar to those of Mark and Luke, takes the form of an introduction to the life and times of Jesus Christ, placing it firmly in the Jewish society of the time and relating what the coming of Christ, his life, teachings, his suffering and resurrection. The book is detailed and well laid out, placing the

Science Fiction, Technology, and Our Modern World Essay - 6

Science Fiction, Technology, and Our Modern World - Essay Example The batch enables him to give back certain Chinese symbols, he will, therefore, give answers to questions. The answers are exactly similar to those of a native Chinese just by looking correlating the symbols and reading instructions in English. The man in the thought experiment does not comprehend Chinese but still produce coherent answers. A computer cannot possibly become conscious because of following code to produce answers, which it does not understand. This experiment proves that computers do not understand communication, and the programs will never be able to create minds or learn. Q2. Factionalism theory is a doctrine that states that what makes something a mental state such as thought, pain or desire does not depend on its internal constitution. It solely depends on its functionality or the role it performs on its cognitive system in which it is part. It explicitly means that its causal relations to sensory stimulations, and not mental state and behavior determine mental state identity. Language of thought theory postulates that thinking and thought happen in a mental language. The language consists of a representation system realized physically in the thinkers’ brain and has combinatorial semantics and syntax such that representation operations are only sensitive to the synaptic properties of representation. The thought is, therefore, a representation token that has a syntactic structure with relevant semantics. Looking at Data in The Next Generation (TNG) on the Star Trek, an Android strives to understand emotions and become a human being. Data and almost all Sci-fi related robots, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and androids that scientists have created are all anchored in the theories of functionalism. Q3. Arguments refuted by Dennett against robotic conscience include an old fashion dualism that robots are purely material while consciousness require immaterial mind-stuff.

Thomson One - Business School Edition - Walt Disney Prospectus Essay - 1

Thomson One - Business School Edition - Walt Disney Prospectus - Essay Example This is a type of debt whereby the investors are paid an interest rate for their money. This debt is different from others in that its interest rate resets after every four months. A company that offers this kind of debt has the right to sell bonds whose benchmark is different from those that are linked to the United States of America. Companies embrace this type of debt since they are able to hedge against risks related to interest rates and at the same time remain in corporates. Its main aim was to attract long term investors into buying the stocks. The company targeted both the existing as well as new investors. The fact that the debentures were offered as floating debt was one major factor that increased their marketability. The interest rates were to be offered in quarterly basis and this served to attract many people to buy the bonds. In addition, the bonds’ interests could be reviewed after every four months, a factor that could also increase its marketability. They wer e to be sold on the basis of shareholding. Those who already have shares at the company would fill an enrolment form to get the bonds at a minimum lower amount. Those who do not hold shares were also given a chance to buy the bonds but their minimum amount was set at a higher than the existing shareholders. 2) List the dollar amount of debt Disney proposed to sell to the public. Indicate whether this amount has increased or decreased from 2008 to 2010. Discuss some potential causes of this increase or decrease. At the time when Disney proposed to sell its debentures to the public, the amount to be sold was stated to be $1 billion (High Beam Business, 2013). The bonds were to be issued in the denominations of $2, 000. For the excess of $2, 000, there was to be issues of integral multiples of $1, 000. It is important to note that the proceeds that the company was to receive equalled $989, 760, 000 with the rest being commission to agents which was stated at the rate of 0.35% (High Bea m Business, 2013). Between the years 2008 and 2010, the amount in dollars increased. There are a number of reasons that could have led to this increase. One of them is the fact that the company needed more money as the expansion plan changed as the business environment changed. In addition, the company’s profitability may have reduced due to the global economic crisis that hit most countries. This reduced the amount of profit that the company could have re-invested and hence it had to borrow more. 3) Determine the percentage of the sales price Disney nets after discounts and commissions. Indicate whether this amount as decreased or increased from 2008 to 2010. Discuss some potential causes of this increase or decrease For every sale of shares or any kind of securities including bonds and debentures, the company usually does not sell them directly. The securities are normally sold through a broker or an agent who has to be paid a commission. In addition, the company may opt to sell its securities at a discount or at a premium. Discounts are expenses to be charged on revenue while premium is recorded as an income. In the case of Walt Disney, the bonds were not sold at a discount. However, there was a commission fee that was pain to the agents who were selling the bonds on behalf of the company. As it has been mentioned earlier, the discounts/ commissions

Origins of the idea of american Exceptionalismin history. and give Essay

Origins of the idea of american Exceptionalismin history. and give many examples from the book uncle tom's cabin(first publ - Essay Example Throughout the history of the nation, the country experienced unique historical occurrences, which sustained the concept of exceptionalism as most of the historical occurrences different from those that had taken place elsewhere in the world. Based on the analysis of such historical occurrences and a reflection of the novel Uncle Sam’s cabin, the essay below analyses the development and the use of the concept. Among such historical occurrences was the American Revolution, while historians have referred to the conflict in the first half of the 18th century as a revolution, the war was merely a nationalist movement seeking independence from the colonial masters. In a unique development and being the first of its kind, thirteen American colonies in the North concerted their effort to oppose the British colony thus push for self-rule. The thirteen states rejected the use of the legislations from the English parliament thus setting stage for one of the greatest wars in the history of the United States. In its uniqueness, the American Revolution became some of the forces beyond the formation of the United States. In their show of unity, the thirteen states joined together thus pooled their resources to form one of the greatest resistance in the world thus showing the power of unity. Some other historians on the other hand have sought to validate the resistance movement as an actual revolution; the war portrayed certain features that qualify it as a rebellion. The resistance against the British colonization of the land required great planning especially given the fact that it united thirteen expansive states. Just as many other revolutions elsewhere in the world, the American Revolution sought to introduce a change in regime. It was a great rebellion whose key objective was to topple the colonial government thus earns the thirteen regions in the north their independence. The resistance from the North compelled the government of England to send its troop to the land thus beginning on of the largest military inversion in the world. However, in their strong resolve and spirit of nationalism, the leaders of the revolution used their knowledge of their land to their advantage thus outsmarting the British soldiers thus sending he wave of the resistance to other parts of America such as the south. The other exceptional development in the American history was the American colony in Massachusetts. The expansive region exhibited cosmopolitan structure since it habited both the natives and the colonialists. While the colonialists strived to amass as much wealth from the country’s expansive resources, the locals exhibited resistance from the initial stages of the entry of the colonialists. However, their plan was to integrate with the colonialists and conduct their business alongside the colonialists thus learn their ways and formulate a massive resistance an occurrence that began the American Revolution. In the novel, the author portrays a cl ose relationship between the natives and the colonialists. The growth of the slave trade would revolutionize the economy of the world, the locals thus appreciated the trade and often invested in slave trade often purchasing the slaves from the slave markets all over Africa and selling them to the settlers. The treatment of the African American slaves in the country however became the longest American holocaust. The country abandoned Marxist theories and developed a liberal

How China attained regional economic dominance by the first century up Essay

How China attained regional economic dominance by the first century up to the fifteenth century C. E - Essay Example How China attained regional economic dominance by the first century up to the fifteenth century C. E.? This paper examines, explores, and discusses how China attained regional economic dominance by the first century up to the fifteenth century C. E. but then suddenly and almost inexplicably went into decline afterwards, and got conquered by the Western colonial powers. In other words, a perceived and nascent global power became weak instead of continuing its remarkable trajectory of both growth and dominance: economically, politically, and militarily. Historians generally concede China was a dominant power for eighteen of the last twenty or so centuries and is now out to regain its lost glory with an unprecedented rate of growth. China today has the world's continuously existing civilization, dating back to at least 5,000 years ago, although it is admittedly not the world's first civilization to have sprung up. That distinction belongs to the Sumerian civilization in the Middle East near modern-day Iraq, and there were also other older civilizations like the Egyptian, Greek, and Indian civilizations but these much earlier civilizations no longer exist. Chinese civilization is a very unique one because it developed independently on its own, without any outside or external influences. It is manifested in its discoveries and inventions which rank being among the world's firsts such as paper, ink, gunpowder, and most of all, its inherently difficult system of writing with its use of characters in Chinese calligraphy. Linguists are gen erally agreed it is the most difficult language to learn. China developed the first currency in the form of coins and paper money, the first bureaucracy in civil service to manage a vast empire, and a strong navy but it was essentially a land power. The chief reason why China declined was the rot from within. Discussion An empire can grow to a certain size, after which it becomes unmanageable due to its sheer size. Problems of administration, control, tax collection, and imposition of a certain cultural mindset can be unwieldy for its rulers. Sooner or later, conquered people will start to agitate for reforms and freedom from imperial rule, especially if it is an oppressive rule. This had been the problem with the Chinese empire, after it was unified by Emperor Shihuang Ti (259-210 B. C. E.) after he defeated all the local warlords. As the first and foremost emperor of the Qin dynasty, he introduced a lot of reforms which expanded and strengthened the vast territories under his cont rol. He imposed and adopted the Legalistic principles as a foundation of his dynastic rule, in which laws were imposed without exceptions, because the empire then was composed of many ethnicities and rule would be difficult otherwise. However, his dynasty that was supposed to last 10,000 generations did not survive; it lasted just four years after his death, as his successors were weak and got deposed. During his time, he imposed high taxes on the people, which discouraged farmers from tilling the land as they could no longer afford to pay those taxes. He embarked on many grandiose projects that drained the state coffers, plus the cost of maintenance of a large army to protect its frontiers. Similar to the Late Roman Empire (circa 250-450 C. E.), the Chinese elites did not produce at all but relied on taxation to maintain and subsidize their opulent lifestyles. A number of causes, both internal and external, can threaten and weaken an empire; in the case of China, it was internal de cay, as subsequent rulers did not take advantage of the so-called â€Å"geographical pivot of history† with its strategic location in the central Euro-Asian landmass (Mackinder 28). It could have pressed and exploited its advantage in being a great land power, as its territories formed a contiguous empire, unlike other empires in history. This glaring failure to press its advantages caused its decline starting in the fifteenth century. Other empires,

Politics, Society and Business in the New Europe Essay

Politics, Society and Business in the New Europe - Essay Example Germany's employers increased vulnerability to conflict that showed up centralized bargaining agreement and its effects will distabilize its system in the longer term (Steele,2005). Because globalisation pushes all countries toward neoliberalism and deregulation, encouraging firms to lower labor cost and increase labor market flexibility, (Thelen, 2003) which result to distabilization of Germany's economy. It would create trouble between employer and union e.g. labor strike and lockout in some companies if the problem will not be resolve . Besides, the state could no longer depend the welfare of their citizen because in globalization it is the multinational who is powerful. They are the one who detates the state in the removal of some Tariffs, Regulations, Certain Standards, Laws, Legislation and Regulatory measures and the restriction of capital flows and invesment. Germanys' were able to realized that the rich (multinational) grow richer and the poor grows poorer around the world. In otherwords, globalization is beneficial only for those who prososed the theory like the first world countries. ... manys' as second world exporter their employers are trying to come up a bargaining agreement to sustain economic activity by maintaining labor peace and closure or lockout of some establishment.. Martinez and Garcia (Cited by Shah,2007), revealed that there are five (5) points in neoliberalism as follows: 1. The rule of Market- freedom of capital, goods and services these is to trickle down of "Wealth distribution." It is the deunionizing of labor forces and removals of any impedements to capital mobility regulated by the state or government. 2. Reducing public expenditure for social services e.g. health and education, by the government; 3. Deregulation to allow market forces to act as a self-regulating mechanism; 4. Privatization of public enterprise ( things from water to even internet); 5. Changing perceptions of public and community good to individualism and individual responsibility. Robbins and Bacon (Cited by Shah, 2007) pointed out five (5) principles of ideology of neoliberalism: 1. Sustained economic growth is the way to human progress; 2. Free markets without government "interference" would be most effecient and socially optimal allocation of resources; 3. Economic globalisation would be beneficial to everyone; 4. Privatization removes inefficiencies of public sector; 5. Government would provide the infrastructure to advance the rule of law with respect to property rights and contracts. Gounet (n.d.) stated six (6) characteristics of neo-liberalism /competition/free trade and laissez-faire as follows: 1. Bourgeois ideology preponderates by awakening industrial capitalism against feudality and parasitism by abolishing the previleges, for free competition, free trade and laissez faire to bring about wealth. 2. Age of mondialisation is the

Marketing Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marketing Plan - Essay Example 450). John Lewis departmental store describes its customers in terms of demographics and psychographics. According to Attwood (2007), John Lewis departmental store serves the affluent and middle classes whose income may not be reduced so much by high bills. This is shown by the high priced goods sold in stores. John Lewis customers are also trendy and value fashion. This organization can increase its market share by coming up with new products, which can best serve the low income earners. John Lewis will come up with low-priced differentiated products. United Kingdom’s retail market is dominated by six huge retailers who account for 60 percent of all goods sold in the region (Board Bia, 2012, p. 3). As a result, this market is extremely competitive. This market is fast moving and at the vanguard of initiatives. Because of the continuous changes in the market, John Lewis has developed exceptional points of difference to attract new patrons and entice the existing customers to s pend more (Capon and Hulbert, 2007, p. 345). Any departmental store or a supermarket is considered John Lewis’s competitor. ... Mark and Spencer is also a chief retailer in United Kingdom with more than seven hundred stores across United Kingdom and more than three hundred in other nations. Its products are luxury food items and clothing. It is the biggest retailer and controls 24 percent of the market (Board Bia, 2012, p. 5-7). Because of the intense competition John Lewis has developed exceptional points of difference to attract new patrons and entice the existing customers to spend more. The Buying Process of the Targeted Customers The buying process involves numerous activities by both customers and the company personnel. John Lewis has majored in customer service, which has made its profits grow over the past few months (John Lewis, 2012). Therefore, this process starts from the point where the customer recognizes his or her need or becomes aware of his or her problem (Lamb et al, 2009, p. 224). This may be the need for a new cloth, new phone, new car insurance or body cream. After identification of the need, the customer sets his or her quest for information on the products that can adequately satisfy his or her needs (Lamb et al, 2012, p. 256). This is adequately assisted by the internet which provides a wide range of information of the products available that can satisfy the need. John Lewis has stand-by personnel on the internet ready to assist consumers seeking information on a product or a service (John Lewis, 2012). John Lewis deals with numerous products. Therefore, the customer is provided with all the information on the available products in the market. The company personnel are expected to entice the customers into buying the product (John Lewis, 2012). As according to Brassington and Pettit (2006, p. 346-50), after the customer acquires all the

Foregrounding Techniques in the Yellow Dog by Martin Amis Essay Example for Free

Foregrounding Techniques in the Yellow Dog by Martin Amis Essay The second half of the XX century is defined as the Postmodern Era in the development of civilization. It has been singled out into a separate period because of certain changes in human thought, world view and mode of living. The world has changed much since the beginning of the twentieth century – there has occurred a rapid development in contemporary technology which revolutionized our way of thinking. Postmodern literature, like postmodernism as a whole, is hard to define and there is little agreement on the exact characteristics, scope, and importance of postmodern literature. However, unifying features often coincide with Jean-Francois Lyotard’s concept of the ‘meta-narrative’ and ‘little narrative,’ Jacques Derrida’s concept of ‘play,’ and Jean Baudrillard’s ‘simulacra. ’ For example, instead of the modernist quest for meaning in a chaotic world, the postmodern author eschews, often playfully, the possibility of meaning, and the postmodern novel is often a parody of this quest. This distrust of totalizing mechanisms extends even to the author; thus postmodern writers often celebrate chance over craft and employ metafiction to undermine the authors ‘univocal’ control (the control of only one voice). The distinction between high and low culture is also attacked with the employment of pastiche, the combination of multiple cultural elements including subjects and genres not previously deemed fit for literature. A list of postmodern authors often varies; the following are some names of authors often so classified, most of them belonging to the generation born in the interwar period. Her father was a barrister and later a judge; her mother was a former elementary schoolteacher, neurotic and frustrated, angrily unhappy at being a full-time housewife. Both came from working-class families but had studied at Cambridge, and the household was one of books, book talk, and slamming doors. Many comparisons are possible in discussions of these novellas, both comparisons of the novellas to each other and of one or both to other works by A. S. Byatt. The Victorian setting, not paralleled here by a modern setting as it is in Possession, may stimulate discussion of the strengths and shortcomings of [pic]Victorian society and how it compares to modern society. The double voice of postmodern fiction presents a challenge because it requires that we question the way we read and interpret not only postmodern literature but also literature as a whole.

Treating Foxconn Workers As Machines

Treating Foxconn Workers As Machines Foxconn Technology Group is a multinational anchor company of Hon Hai Precision Industry CompanyLtd., a Taiwanese company that is the worlds largest leading of electronic manufacturer. Foxconn is the largest exporter in China which has a workforce of 90,000 workers all over China. Its well-known clients include Apple, Dell, Nokia, and Microsoft and so on, which take comparative advantages of labour cost and production resulting in profit maximisation (BBC, 2011). For satisfying rapid and huge demand on IPad, Foxconn has promised Apple Company to boost the productivity to fulfil their orders. Unfortunately, Foxconn did not be concerned on the employees of job stress due to intensive manufacturing process. According a report from Student and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehaviour (SACOM) (2010), it stated that 14 frontline workers died from suicides between January and August 2010, due to excessive working quantity and depressed emotion. It reflected that the boosting productive manag ement would lead the workers as dehumanized machines and the deterioration of dignity and well-being. In respond to the tragedy incidents, then the CEO Terry Gou Tai Ming advised that the workers signed the commitment of all kinds of suicides disregarding as the companys responsibility. He also attributed the suicides to personal problems, such as bad socialisation and finical debts, in order to obtain the grant amount of compensation offered by the company. Although the company initiated the action for the recovery of job satisfaction, the harsh management methodology was eventually not changed to contribute to job stress and burnout. For instance, the action invited counsellors to the factory, negotiated to make higher wage, established the hotline and Employee Care Centre, held an anti-suicide assembly and organised the activities for inspiration, but it is useless for reduce in job stress. Despite to carry out the emergency decision-making, there is a close relationship between poor wage and accommodation, harsh management and lack of health and safety protection (Chamberlain, 2011). First, the raised wage was slightly increased CNY 100 compared to the minimum wage (CNY 1250 per month) set by local government. This improvement is insufficient for living condition especially in Shenzhen where the monthly living wage should be CNY 2293 (Students Scholars Against Corporate Misbehaviour, 2010). In addition, each crowded dormitory can accommodate 24 workers and observer was told by a worker who was forced to sign confession letter after illicitly using a hairdryer (AM 730, 2011). Second, excessive and involuntary overtime is an apparently serious problem led to job stress and burnout. The report of SACOM (2010) revealed that workers had to work 10 hours and 6 days per week which means overtime adding up to 84 hours during the midst of series of suicides. The premium should generally be 1.5 or 2 times weekend hourly wage conformed to Labour Law, yet there is no bonus for overtime during weekend. Then, the frequent change of work shifts may be irregular that probably arrange the day and night shift in a day, are changed 2 to 3 times a month. The workers would not allow talking at work. Finally, the employer has responsibility to provide a safe work place and the effective protection and training the employees on occupational health by Occupational Disease Law of China. Unfortunately, 3 workers were diagnosed with leukaemia and 1 worker is anxious related to the harmful chemicals. Meanwhile, no personal protective equipment liked goggles and gloves would be provided when the workers operated a drill on his duty. The victims even need to pay medical fees themselves. An assistant of CEO explained to the criticism of anti-suicide commitment becoming over intensive and to the prohibition of talking during working in order to enhance the quality of productivity (The Liberty Times, 2011). Introduction While Economy becomes booming period, employer would make generous incomes by fulfil the demand. For example, the manufacturers would like to use existed production machines and a number of workforces in order to complete the orders and satisfy their clients. Responding to accomplishment of goals and targets, management may underestimate the front-line employees job difficulties and anxieties that results in turnover or potential negative outcome. This purpose is to analyse the threats of employees health and safety in Foxconn and to research the implication of leading organisation. Job stress and Burnout Job stress is defined as a relationship between employees mental or physical distress and working environment (Kahn Boysiere, 1994). Other definition may allow stress for improving performance that is the interaction of work conditions and employee personality with changing psychological functions (Beer Newman, 1978). However, the workers in Foxconn would not contribute to this improvement, the tragedies occurred under stress and harsh management instead. The main three stressors are job quality, relationship, and physical quality that yield to job burnout. Job burnout refers to a result of job stress that develops from the sustained situation that employees are unable to deal with the excessive demand resulting in physical, emotional and cognitive exhaustion (Hu Cheng, 2010). The degradation of job quality in Foxconn may compose of low wage and excessive work hours. The workers could not receive the compensation on overtime; even there is no internal (mental) or external (monetar y) reward. It would damage the job security and relationship between the employer and workers, then the company would be decreased the labour force due to the increasing resignation of workers. Another stressor is a lack of physical quality that results from irregular work hours and work-life imbalance. Consequently, the company should face the potential loss of revenue and take the responsibility of turnover. Emotional Labour Emotional labour plays a significant role in daily work life for employees and direct or indirectly influence to the company. For instance, the employees become emotional exhaustion and cognitive withdrawing from the job, and then finally resigned. Emotional labour is the regulation of emotion and emotional display at work that interact with customers, co-workers, and the public (Chau et al. 2009). The emotional labour consists of two categories are surface acting and deep acting. Surface acting refers as suppressing ones emotional and pretending to the desired emotional expression, while deep acting involves modifying actual ones feeling to show proper emotional display. Chau et al. stated that the surface acting would relate to the negative outcomes, such as turnover, or withdraw behaviour, due to emotional dissonance and internal exhaustion, whereas deep acting may reduce negative outcomes due to authentic and positive emotions. Acknowledge of deep acting for the employees perform s in Foxconn that can lead to decrease the emotional exhaustion and avoid the turnover intentions. Psychological Contract A psychological contract (PC) is considered as a mutual obligation that was established by both the employees and their employers regarding the terms and conditions of exchanging relationship (Kotter, 1973; Rousseau Tijoriwala, 1998). In other words, the expectations concern on what the employees owe their employers and on what their employers owe the employees in return (Ng Feldman, 2009). For example, the employers may provide the inducement, such as high pay or potential promotion, for the motivation to encourage the employees maximise effort. Nevertheless, the breach of psychological contract (BPC) could not reach the promise by either the employers or employees. Chen, Tsui and Zhong (2008) categorised into two types of BPC which are reneging and incongruence. Reneging occurs when employee breaks the promise, or the employer is unable to satisfy the promise. Incongruence occurs when the employee and employer have misunderstanding of the contract and promise. Obviously, the form er PBC is the Foxconn employers who violate the law and could not pay the overtime rate wage to compensate the employees effort. The excessive work quantity would be detrimental to their physical and psychological health that lead to depressive work condition and finally happened suicides. The latter BPC was analysed misunderstanding of the Foxconn employers driving the additional work hour into daily work quantity; on the other hands, employees would like to have a normal socialisation with certain work hour and well-being. Ironically, the employers made military management in order to achieve the productivity maximisation, but they neglected the employees job stress to seriously misunderstand that was the employees needs. The four methods can deal with BPC depending on age and work experience, because PC focuses on relatively young employees with relatively low work experience (Ng Feldman, 2009). The first method is exit that refers to voluntary withdraw behaviour. Flaherty and Pappas (2002) demonstrated that the older and more experienced workers have more likelihood to stability in their work live and less likelihood to intend to leave their employers. The second method is voice that the employees attempt to voice out to the employers yielding to improvement in work condition. On the other hand, it may increase the risk of retaliation from employers. Consequently, the younger and less work experienced employees should express their disappointment due to less malleable PC, while the older and more experienced employees should avoid using voice direct to employers in order not to decrease their job security. The third method is loyalty which involves silence or passion to negative work condition for remaining with an organisation. Generally, older and more experienced employees may have more flexible expectation to deal with interpersonal relationship problems. According the suicides at Foxconn in China record of SACOM (2010), the victims age range from 18 to 25 that belongs to young age or junior work age group. It implied the younger or less experienced employees that could not have appropriate expectation to overcome the difficulties. The last one is neglect in term of counterproductive behaviour that is lower involvement and greater workplace withdrawal. The older and more experienced employees would be less to engage in this method because of more malleability within the current firm and less replication in outside firm. In additional, other research showed that mentors and supervisors can support with BPC by providing career-related information and psychological support (Zagenczyk et al., 2009). The career-related support includes the provision as protection, visibility a nd sponsorship, while psychological support includes friendship, confirmation, acceptance and counselling. The supervisors would like to evaluate the performance as well as giving feedback to subordinates. Organisational Misbehaviour Organisational misbehaviour (OMB) is the intentional action that violates the shared organisational norms and expectation or unconventional practices which are not supposed to do at work (Vardi Wiener, 1996). Vardi and Wiener (1996) distinguished OMB into three types to influence in personal, organisation and others or organisations. OMB type S is intention to benefit self-interest which often occurred in internal organisation. For example, distorting data may obtain the high evaluation in order to increase the chance of promotion; stealing and selling the property from organisation take money into personal account; and harassing peers by handling the personal work task or gossip others is detrimental to other accounts of reputation. Type O OMB intends to benefit the employing organisation that usually occurred in external organisation. For instance, cheating other firms members is to obtain the contracts for the employing organisation. Type D OMB intends to hurt others or to damage the organisation that associated with both internal and external organisation. An example of type D is revenge in order to deriving the own satisfaction and responding to actual or perceived mistreatment. In addition to three types of OMB, workplace deviance and dysfunctional behaviour are important to analysis in the case. Workplace deviance refers as voluntary behaviour of organisation members that infringe upon the organisational norms due to threaten to the organisation or organisational members (Robbinson Bennett 1995). The latter considered as the behaviour instead of motivation, the action will carry the negative effect and consequence for an individual or group within organisation (Griffin, O Leary-Kelly Collins, 1998). Hence, dehumanised management in Foxconn belongs to type O that excessive work hours and low overtime paid would benefit to the organisational interest that encourage the profit maximisation. This action would deteriorate the relationship between employers and employees, and damage the employees socialisation and physical quality. Then, the supervisors forced to sign confession letter due to unintentional faults that attributes to workplace deviance because it should directly be detrimental to employees physical and mental aspects. Although the company attempted to allow the activities such as hotline and anti-suicide assembly, for motivating the employees, those activities would be compulsory to join and not be counted in their work hours. As a result, the behaviours would reverse the function of motivation that considered as dysfunctional behaviour. However, Shamsudin (2006) showed the ways to resist OMB that are personal counselling and surveys with questionnaires. Personal counselling is a primary solution that understands the reasons of OMB and the different standards of behaviours because employees may possess the different values, perception and norms. But personal counselling might not work when the OMB is in group, violent or criminal in nature, surveys can collect and analysis the whole employees perception and norms in order to avoid the conflicts in the relationship of employers and employees. Job quality Job quality can come from many dimensions that enhance job security and satisfaction. Consequently, understanding of job quality is significant to maintain employees in the organisation, and the likelihood of BPC can be decreased within the interaction of employees and employers. Job diagnostic survey is a job measurement that understands the degree of job quality (Hackman, 1975). The motivating potential score that add up skill variety, task identity and task significant to divided by three and then combine with autonomy and feedback. In addition, other studies expressed the job quality in America and Europe, so that can help to improve the situation of Foxconn. Handel (2005) explained that Fordism is a period which is the context of stable industrial system including American economic dominance, rising productivity and earning, steady or decreasing inequality, and robust employment growth. Neo-Fordist theory claims that job quality for most workers is in term of material reward and work pace which is the base principle of high pay, job security and career mobility due to inequality between management and labour in post-war market. Increasing job quality through Post-Fordist theory means the respect to both material (e.g. pay) and intrinsic (e.g. job challenge, autonomy and workplace cooperation) rewards and working condition (e.g. decreased physical workloads). Referring to Handels theory, post-Fordism period is similar as booming economy in China where real GDP grew at an average rate of 9.3% by foreign investments and become the worlds largest economy (Morrison, 2005). The Foxconn should increase the wage by the material reward, offer sufficient time and independence by intrinsic reward, and decrease the quantity of workload to diminish the possibility of job burnout. In European work market, the work-life balance and working time and training and career development are principles of job quality (ETUL, 2009). The management of Foxconn could provide the flex ible working arrangement by employees choosing working pattern themselves for balance the job stress and well-being in order to enhance the socialisation (Kelliher Aderson, 2009). Also, training and career development can expand the confidence in job task and identity. Conclusion In conclusion, Foxconn has made a military management to its employees as dehumanised treatment that drove the suicide tragedy. Job stress may contribute to job burnout that composed of excessive work quantity and low wage in Foxconn. Emotional labour could help to improve the turnover intention and emotional exhaustion by deep acting. PC is s mutual expectation involving employers and employees and BPC would fulfil PC which can use exit, voice, loyalty and neglect method to eliminate BPC depending on age or work experience. OMB type O should attribute to overtime and low wage deteriorate the relationship between employers and employees. In addition, the workplace deviance and dysfunctional behaviour could be detrimental to the relationship as well. Job quality is also significant to raise job security and satisfaction because job redesign is to change the role and return of career when the economy changed.

Powers Of and Limitations On the UK Prime Minister

Powers Of and Limitations On the UK Prime Minister Parliament is the legislative body of the UK; it is composed of bicameral parliaments; The House of Commons (HOC) is responsible for considering and proposing new laws as well as scrutinizing governmental policies and legislation, oversees governments finances and administration. The House of Lords (HOL) participates within the law-making process, investigates matters of public interest independently and examines the administration of government. The party with the largest number of members in the HOC forms the government under the office of the Prime Minister (PM). This arrangement exists by a whereby the Monarch must appoint a PM to oversee government and lead the HOC; this position has evolved overtime as a consequence of historical and political acts with origins in the early 1680s. This appointment results in a transfer of power from the sovereign to parliament under the Royal Prerogative Powers (Bradley 2011). The role of the PM is to serve as the head of the Her Majestys government having been elected as the premiership winning party in the UK elections. He / she are not elected as head of their respective party by the public but from within their respective party (Braizer, 1999). Serving as the Chief of the Executive, the PM has a number of functions which include; overseeing Parliament, overseeing the operation of the Civil Service and government agencies, serving as the link among the executive and legislative branches of the assembly, responsibility for policy and governmental decisions ensuring that they are scrutinized and implemented once Royal Ascent has been granted and serving as the figure head in the HOC (Heffernan, 2005). They are responsible for managing a number of relations which include those between; the Government and the Monarch, Government and the Opposition and between the UK and the devolved assemblies. Through the power of patronage, the PM has the power to select the Cabinet The Executive and can appoint ministers to the Cabinet and appoint ministers to lead on specific policy areas such as education, health, foreign and commonwealth; extending the ministerial responsibility for the respective areas of work to them. The PM will also appoint special advisors and other political advisors within the Cabinet, on the basis of political viewpoint, skills and expertise. The PM is required to ensure that the order of precedency is upheld in Cabinet as well as ensuring that ministers adhere to and uphold the ministerial code. Holding power over ministerial conduct (1997 revised 2007) and if required they can appoint, reshuffle or dismiss ministers. The PM can use their power of collective responsibility to silence any critics avoiding dissention and ensuring cohesion exists with the cabinet. Decisions made with Cabinet meetings chaired by the PM must have support of the ministers irrespective of agreement on such matters, they are required to publicly support the PMs decision / mandate, failure to do so can result in dismissal / resignation as was the case of the late Robin Cook, Leader of the Commons and former Foreign Secretary, 2003. In order to encourage support from the cabinet the PM can use their power of patronage as a tool for reward and recognition bringing about change in behaviour and ensuring loyalty. It could be argued that this is both a power and a limitation, to some it is perceived as an elitist method of promotion on the basis of political support and rather than on the merit of work. Whilst the PM has many powers, one of the greatest limitations is the threat and in fighting from within their own respective party; without majority support, their position is weakened significantly as was the case with Margaret Thatcher in 1990, her former cabinet colleague Geoffrey Howe initiated a revolt against her leadership style leading to her resignation as PM. Interestingly, her successor John Major was subjected to a revolt following the lack of support from his party on the issue of Britain developing greater links with Europe, when the 1997 general election was undertaken he and the Conservatives suffered the largest electoral defeat in history. Without consulting the electorate, the governing party can at any time seek to replace the PM, as was the case in 2007 when Tony Blair was replaced by Gordon Brown as PM. The style of leadership style (Norton) of a PM can work for or against them during their time in office (Norton 2013). Thatcher gained significant popularity in the early 80s but went on to lose support as she was perceived as being too over-bearing and out of touch. Her famous statement This Ladys not for turning demonstrated how aggressive her leadership style was. Blairs leadership was strong and presidential like, he, like Thatcher did not always use his Cabinet for scrutiny or consultation giving rise to accusations of utilizing a kitchen-cabinet and increased use of special advisors, ultimately this caused much mistrust and dissention within the party and executive (Buckley, 2006). Although the PM serves as head of Cabinet; Ministerial members of the cabinet have equal powers primus inter pares, yet the PM is accountable to the nation and the electorate and is not above reproach. They are responsible not just for their decisions but those of their ministers. How the PM deals with contentious political or social issues and how they seek resolution can impact greatly on their popularity and confidence in them as a leader (Quinn, 2012) as was the case with Heath (Miners Strike 1974), Thatcher (Poll Tax 1989) and Blair (Iraq 2003). Browns popularity waned over the issue of calling a general election (2007) and tax rate reductions (2008) resulting in a call for leadership contest, this was usurped on the basis of his handling of the financial crisis (2008). Media can grossly influence public perception on the PM depending on their readerships left or right wing views (McCombs, 2013). To conclude, the PM is granted numerous powers, many of which bestowed from the Monarch and others from their position of PM and leader of their respective party. All powers come with limitations; the powers will work for or against a PM. Fundamentally their position is dependent on their interpretation and execution of said powers, a majority support of ministers on their mandate or how well he or she can secure their support. The office of Prime Minister is what its holder chooses and makes of it H H Asquith (Hennessy, 2001). Their leadership style can affect how ministers react; their position on changing legislation, how accountable they are politically and socially or when subjected to scrutiny can sway the balance of power to eventually become a limitation. (Word count 1094) Bibliography BRADLEY, A., 2011. The sovereignty of Parliament-form or substance? The changing constitution, 23, pp. 54-56. BRAIZER, R., 1999. Constitutional Practice: The Foundations of British Government. Oxford University Press on Demand. BUCKLEY, S., 2006. Prime Minister and Cabinet. Edinburgh University Press. HENNESSY, P., 2001. The Prime Minister: the office and its holders since 1945. Palgrave Macmillan. MCCOMBS, M., 2013. Setting the agenda: The mass media and public opinion. John Wiley Sons. NORTON, P. and JONES, B. 2014. Politics UK. 8th Edition. Harlow, Pearson QUINN, T., 2012. Electing and Ejecting Party Leaders in Britain. Springer.

The Merchant Of Venice :: Free Merchant of Venice Essays

In The Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare, there appears Shylock. He is a Jew, that much we are told in the cast list. But, as the play unfolds Shylock is seen to be the villian. He is protrayed as being cold, unbending, and evil. But is he? Is Shylock really the antagonist in this play or can he also be viewed as persecuted individual who resorts to revenge only after he has been pushed too far.To fully understand the character of Shylock we must first look at Elizabeathen attitudes towards Jews. In the sixteenth century Jews were rarely if ever seen in England. In the Middle Ages Jews had fled to England to escape persecution in France under the Normans. They were granted charter in England by Henry I in return for a percentage of their profits from trade and moneylending. It is here that the stereotype of Jews lending money was started. Because of the tariffs placed on them by the crown Jews took to charging high interest rates to secure profits for themselves. Here we see echos of Shylock with his usury. Finally the Jews were ordered out of England in 1254 by Edward I. They did not return to England until the later half of the seventeenth century. (Lippman 3-4) Jews were also viewed as devils by Elizabeathan audiences. Old stories portrayed them as "blood-thirsty murders" that poisoned wells and killed Christian children for their bizarre Passover ritu! als. (Stirling 2:1) These were the stereotypes which Shakespeare's audience held in regard to Jews. Shakespeare himself had never seen a Jew but he goes to great lengths to humanize Shylock even while perpetuating the stereotype.In Act 1:3, before Shylock ever says a word to Antonio, he lets the audience know in an aside that he hates Antonio. He hates him for having hindered him in business and for having humiliated him in public by spitting on him and calling him names such as "dog" and "cutthroat Jew". Shylock tells the audience he hopes to exact revenge on Antonio both for his own humiliation and for the persecution that the Jews have long suffered at the hands of the Christians. I hate him for he is a Christian;. . . If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.He hates our sacred nation . . . Cursà ©d be my tribe if I forgive him (I,iii,40-49) Shylock then tells Antonio that he wants to be friends with him and will conclude the bond for a pound of flesh as a "merry sport.

Frederick Douglass Essay -- Biography

Frederick Douglass's Propaganda Behind the Narrative Frederick Douglass, a firm believer in equality, was one of the most influential leaders of the abolitionist movement in America. An ex-slave, Douglass pushed for abolition and brought attention to the subject through his commanding speeches and his powerful writings. Among his writings Douglass published his autobiography "Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave" , which is indeed one of his more famous pieces of work. Although seen as a simple autobiography of his life, the narrative includes a strong abolitionist message that would aim to change the northern audience's view on southern slaveholders. Douglass knew changing the north's view on the subject would create an anti=slavery majority, and with that bring abolition even closer. Douglass used his life story as a disguised propaganda device to promote and drive the abolition movement among northerners. Before Douglass begins his life story , the preface written by Wm. Lloyd Garrison, prepares the reader for the abolitionist message that is really behind Douglass's Narrative. The preface focuses on Garrison's admiration for Douglass and his cause. He describes hearing Douglass speak for the first time and states "I think I never hated so intensely as at that moment..."(2065). Garrison also demonstrates how persuading and devoted to abolition Douglass is by writing "..if Mr. Douglass could be persuaded to consecrate his time and talents to the promotion of the anti-slavery enterprise, a powerful impetus would be given to it, and a stunning blow..inflicted on northern prejudice against a colored complexion."(2066). To further establish the abolition message within the text, Garrison asks ... ..., being separated from his mother, how the slaves were treated like animals, and the brutal punishments and killings without justice. Douglass also expected to place a black mark on southern slave holders by telling us how they had affairs with the slaves and used religion as support for their actions. Using his narrative as a mask for his propaganda message, Frederick Douglass worked to make his northern audience feel distanced, and feel great anger towards the southern slave owners. The themes he used as propaganda: family, foul treatment, cruel punishment, and the false use of religion, were all subjects that northerners held to their heart. Douglass understood this and realized if he demonstrated how the slave owners were contradicting those beloved values, he could make a great impact and recruit a large support for the abolition movement.

John Rawls A Theory of Justice Essay -- Politics Political Essays

John Rawls' A Theory of Justice John Rawls' "A Theory of Justice" has long been revered as a marvel of modern political philosophy. It's most well-known for the two principles of justice outlined by Rawls: (1) that all persons have an equal right to liberty; and (2) that (a) all inequalities in society should be arranged to benefit the least advantages, and (b) that all positions and offices should be open and accessible as outlined by fair equality of opportunity. Rawls' conception of society, as a "co-operative venture for mutual gain", forms the basis for both principles, and he is at all times concerned with creating a stable concept of fair and just society. Rawls' second principle, dealing with distributive justice and equality of opportunity, outlines a theoretical procedure whereby the maximum social primary goods (i.e. wealth, health, respect, happiness) can be distributed o those with the minimum advantages ("maximin"). Rawls introduces this concept by establishing a social contract between people behind a "veil of ignorance". This veil would remove the identity and characteristics from an individual (age, sex, social status, race, religion, etc.) so that he or she would be forced to support a Basic Social Structure (where controls are set on the activities of individuals to maximize total primary goods and liberties) that is fair, just and equal. Rawls reasons that all inequalities that do not arise from such social circumstances are just, and therefore searches for a way to make social inequalities fair. In accordance with his policy of "justice as fairness", Rawls creates, and later defends, what is known as the "difference principle" (principle of justice #2). This principle stipulates that those who are adv... ...nis player and a gardener, both of equal social advantage and natural endowment. One (the tennis player) chooses to waste resources and barely sustain himself, thus spiraling into the least advantaged spot. The gardener, on the other hand, continues to produce resources, and thus would have to, according to Rawls, subsidize the tennis player's decision not to work (as she would be in the great economic standing). Kymlicka calls this situation unreasonable, and states that Rawls needs to make his theory more "ambition-sensitive" to account for personal decisions. In cases like these, the worry is that individuals would lose ambition and their drive to succeed, as those who do had such characteristics would only end up supporting others. Overall, however, Kymlicka supports Rawl's principles of justice, sighting their utility in society, even if at time impracticality.

Fashion and Social Media Essay

Due to the changes in technology British luxury brand Burberry has changed its global product and marketing strategy. Burberry is using social media to reposition and better market its product. For small fashion companies like 3. 1 Phillip Lim the use of social media to generate business internationally can be harmful to its reputation. I will discuss the pros and cons each company could face while using social media to generate business internationally. Burberry was founded in 1856 by Thomas Burberry, who opened his first store in Basingstoke, Hampshire, England. By 1870 the business had established itself by focusing on the developing of outdoor attire. Burberry is most famous for its trench coat. The company has branded stores and franchises around the world, and also sells through concessions in third-party stores. Queen Elizabeth II and The Prince of Wales have granted the company Royal Warrants. Royal warrants give companies the right to advertise the goods and services that they provide to the royal family. According to Business Weekly, Burberry is one of the most valuable brands in the world. For Burberry to maintain its presents in the fashion industry they have to be the forerunner when it comes to marketing. Today fashion designers are currently working on their spring collection for 2013. Technology has changed the way the fashion industry markets products. A collection of clothing that is presented by a company is created two years before it hits stores. Before a collection makes it to fashion week, samples of the designs are made and approved by the staff of the designer. A company would then showcase the designer’s collection at small private venues for a critique from potential buyers. Finally, The Fashion Company presents its collection to the world at fashion week. The response from the fashion show determines where that product will be placed, the price point and its exclusiveness. The problem with this way of marketing is forecasting. Fashion week occurs in New York, Milan, Paris and London. If you do not have a ticket to the fashion shows in any of these countries you can forget about a sneak peek at the â€Å"the future fashion†. Those who attend fashion week determine the look of the â€Å"masses†. Based on the response from the audience and press’s feedback fashion companies would have to predict how many units of each product would be produced. This number is determined one year before the product is placed on shelves. The decision of how many units of a product a company should make is vital to a fashion company. The last thing any company would want is to have inventory from a previous year on hand. Today, Burberry has come up with the perfect solution through social media. During Burberry’s Spring/Summer 2012 Fashion Show that aired September 19, 2011, Burberry also launched their first â€Å"Tweetwalk. The company premiered every look on Twitter moments before the models hit the runway. This action created a huge amount of interest on Twitter, both â€Å"#Burberry† and â€Å"Christopher Bailey† (Chief Creative Officer) trended worldwide. Conversations about the brand peaked shortly after the show began hitting number two on the global trending charts and breaking Burberry’s personal mentions-per-minute record (Indvik 2011). Instead of dictating the trends, brands are throwing the ball into the consumer’s court. Burberry now participates in crowd-sourcing. Crow-sourcing allows your audience to decide on your product through the use of social media, forums, and high-tech web customizing programs. This action illuminates the prediction of the amounts of units to produce as a company. Broadcasting a runway show through Twitter gives instant feedback to Burberry about what their customers want. Not only are they finding out what their customers want and providing that need, they are allowing their customer the opportunity to dictate the future of fashion with the option of customizing the products that are produced. The customers can begin placing orders during the fashion show. Earlier this year, for a show in Beijing, Burberry introduced a 3D holographic runway. Christopher Bailey states, â€Å"Burberry is now as much a media-content company as we are a design company. † Baily believes that the online experience Burberry has developed on its own behalf doesn’t detract from or diminish the role of traditional media, but provides another channel for consumers to experience the brand. He believes a brand is not a product, it’s and experience as well, and experiences need to come from the center of a community. Burberry uses all those platforms to communicate to all of their different communities around the world about what they are doing (Indvik 2011). Burberry believes that digital communication and technology are part of the way everybody lives. Burberry is a 155-year-old company with a very young team, for any company to last that long they would have to accept and adapt to the changes in technology. For small companies like 3. 1 Phillip Lim the use of social media to generate business internationally can be harmful to its reputation. . 1 Phillip Lim was a global company from day one. The first collection for fall 2005 womenswear, was sold in 20 countries. Within six months, sales reached $2. 8 million. Today, there are 60 full-time employees and retail flagships in New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Seoul, and Singapore. A Hong Kong store is in the works. His New York headquarters has outgrown its Garment District digs and will move, in November, to a 25,000 square foot SoHo loft (Chang 2011). Lim states, â€Å"I want my work to speak for me. He is elusive, shy and distant as a person and he wants his brand to represent him. He isn’t caught up in the red carpets, paparazzi or social media. His main focuses are his designs and presentations for fashion shows. The company has a profile on Facebook that only post upcoming events and a brief history of the company. There aren’t any wall posts or comments on designs from consumers. The page isn’t maintained or up dated daily with posts. Burberry posts something new every week, you can shop from their page and they allow they’re friends to comment. . 1 Phillip Lim is still new to the fashion Industry compared to Burberry. 3. 1 Phillip Lim can’t afford negative press. Any negative press can affect their position in the market. The company is still growing and they’re not where they want to be. Indulging in social media sites like Facebook and Twitter isn’t the company’s focus. Whereas, Burberry has the leverage to do what they want because of the relationships they built with their customers. If Burberry had negative press it would not outweigh the positive.

Examine the Advantages and Disadvantages to the Possible Future

There is a growing crisis over the world’s energy resources to try and find sustainable solutions to the world’s problems. There are 3 responses to help cover the crisis; Business as usual, Multi-energy solution and energy conservation. The business as usual scenario involve the world to keep using the fossil fuels and the International Energy Agency predicts that fossil fuels will still dominate energy into 2030, which cancels out the predictions of fossil fuels running out by then with the growing population and the rapid development of nations such as China and India.This solution would involve natural gas consumption doubling and oil to increase by 1. 4 billion barrels a day. There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to this solution. One advantage is that that development will continue without constraints which mean countries won’t have to spend time and money on developing any sustainable solutions, they can just continue with fossil fuels and deve lop as nations which would increase economic growth and the wealth of the countries would increase.Another advantage would include that it is very costly to switch to a sustainable solution because the energy will need to be collected and stored and would need to be implemented around the whole country which costs a lot, and for developing nations this would mean that they can’t use that money for better purposes. Disadvantages would include fuel cost increasing. Because of the growing demand from developing nations and the increasing populations within countries, this would mean a higher price because supply is running out so eventually only the rich countries would be able to afford the oil.Also, as it is such a necessity good, consumers are willing to pay any price to get the oil or resource. Another disadvantage is that global warming would accelerate faster. With this response, more fossil fuels are being burnt, hence increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the air wh ich would enhance the greenhouse effect. The second possible solution is Multi-Energy Solution which is meeting future energy demands from a mixture of renewable, recyclable and non renewable sources.This would mean countries would have energy security to maintain an affordable supply for people and industry. Some advantages of this solution are that the country is not dependent on one type of source meaning that its energy secure. For example, wind power is useful for windy places but if for some days there is a lack of wind, people won’t have energy, so the country could use solar or nuclear energy to support their needs.Another advantage would be using enough of the fossil fuels now, while developing the new type of sustainable renewable sources which will be very useful, thus creating jobs into that type of research and development. Disadvantages would include renewable energy has its costs such as it is very expensive to build and maintain, collecting and storing the ene rgy is difficult and it is very inconsistent. This type of energy would include solar and wind power, so they might not choose to use it when it is still developing as a type of sustainable source of energy which would ensure security.If a country is using nuclear power, then it could be very dangerous as the storing of the waste would become expensive and might harm the surrounding environment. Although it is a very reliable energy source, countries are unlikely to use it because of Chernobyl and if that happened today, the effects will be much worse. The last possible solution is Energy conservation which is a response to meeting the increasing demand based on decreasing the amount of energy we use.Reasons why they would want to reduce consumption are based on reducing costs, reducing harmful emissions and promoting energy security. Advantages are that it will satisfy environmentalists because they would be using sustainable solutions and cutting down on fossil fuels which would d ecelerate the greenhouse effect. Another possible advantage is that renewable energy would develop as the main source of energy countries would use, which means not using fossil fuels and so unnatural weather patterns and disasters won’t occur.Some disadvantages are that the transition from non-renewable to renewable is very expensive as installation, storing and distributing the power will all cost money and could be very unreliable at the start meaning countries won’t be energy secure. Also, countries will reject the plea of changing to renewable energy sources as they will want to develop as nations like we did and would want to have the industrial revolution and use up as much as they can to grow the country economically.

In her novel Charlotte Bronte details and develops the life and experiences of narrator and main character William Crimsworth

In her novel The Professor, author Charlotte Bronte details and develops the life and experiences of narrator and main character William Crimsworth. After graduating from Eton College in England, Crimsworth is in need of an occupation. He stubbornly refuses offers from his uncles, and consequently finds himself with no other choice than to work for his tyrannical brother in the menial position of clerk. However, his conditions soon become unbearable, and through an acquaintance's recommendation, William secures himself employment as a professor at a boys' school in Brussels. William's arrival in Belgium presents him with new opportunities both professionally and personally, as he almost immediately meets two women who are to change his existence dramatically: Zoraide Reuter and Frances Henri. Bronte creates and emphasizes many differences and similarities between these two women using various techniques and methods, which primarily include comparison and contrast. Zoraide and Frances each have their own significant and individual role in the life of and interaction with William Crimsworth. Each woman possesses different kinds of physical and mental attributes, comes from a unique background, and enters into and affects his life in a contrasting way. These differences, along with a few similarities, are explored through the author's use of imagery and irony. Initially, Zoraide and Frances become involved in Crimsworth's life in completely dissimilar ways. These conditions reflect a hint of irony, as their initial roles are complete reversals of their ultimate functions. Zoraide and William's initial encounter is one that has been arranged by her mother, who has offered him a teaching position at the girls' school over which Zoraide presides as directress. Thus, Zoraide appears suddenly and pronouncedly; the importance of her and Crimsworth's interactions, and her influence upon his life and work are immediately made evident. Their relationship is established as one in which she is his superior both in position and in age. However, a romantic possibility is also suggested in the scene containing their introduction. While walking together in her garden, William implicitly compares Mdlle. Reuter's form to the â€Å"well-trimmed beds and budding shrubberies† of her garden, and her complexion to â€Å"the bloom on a good apple† (108). William and Zoraide's affections are further developed in this natural setting, as the majority of their romantic interactions take place in her garden, a sort of forbidden Garden of Eden into which she allows him access. The nature and plant imagery that pervades his descriptions is continued throughout the novel and is also used in portrayals of the other primarily influential character in his life: Mdlle. Frances Henri. As opposed to the entrance of Mdlle. Reuter, Frances arrives in William's life quietly and without notice as a sewing teacher of whom he has previously observed but never taken notice. This condition is made evident in his statement, â€Å"A†¦ maitresse I sometimes saw†¦ but of her I never had a more than passing glimpse†¦ I had no opportunity of studying her character or†¦ observing her person† (132-133). Her important and influential role develops gradually throughout the subsequent months. She later becomes one of his pupils, thus establishing their relationship as one in which William is the superior: he is the authoritarian teacher and she the submissive student. However, as her intellect and admirable nature soon become apparent, Crimsworth's regard and affection for her grow and develop. In response to his newly displayed attentions and consideration, Frances â€Å"blossoms† both physically and mentally. This nurturing relationship is manifested in the metaphor that compares her to a plant and Crimsworth to its caring gardener (176). In yet another nature-related metaphor, she is compared to a â€Å"lost jewel†¦ nestling in the mossy and mouldy roots of yew-trees† (194). Crimsworth's many descriptions of each woman play an integral role in the development of both their physical features and mental attributes. Although plant and floral imagery is used in the portrayals of both women, there are metaphors drawn between other natural elements that highlight the differences between them. An aspect of descriptive imagery in which the two women differ completely, is that of fire and temperature. Zoraide is constantly being related to coldness and ice; her gaze is described as â€Å"hard, dark,† her eye as glittering with â€Å"nothing of a flame ever kindled in its temperate gleam† (180,183). Furthermore, as William becomes further acquainted with Mdlle. Reuter, she essentially â€Å"withers† as her true nature is discovered. This condition is made evident when she and Crimsworth return to the bench in her garden, once a place of affection and fascination for him, which has now been transformed into a location of cold, emotional emptiness, due to his discovery of her real character (181-185). Zoraide's true nature is a manipulative one, which is exhibited and manifested several times in the course of the novel through her actions. For example, upon realizing that she has lost Crimsworth's regard (due to her own manipulations and dishonesty), Zoraide immediately results to underhanded methods in an attempt to regain his affection. She uses false flattery of William, and criticism and condescension of Frances hidden under a guise of concern in order to elevate her own status and appearance ( ). In contrast, Frances is constantly being associated with warmth and fire; her eye is portrayed as clear and light, her countenance as bright and warm, â€Å"glowing in the animated flush†¦ shining in the expansive light [of] the summer sun flashing out†¦ urning almost like fire† (195). Mdlle. Henri is likened to fire, light, and warmth over and over again throughout the novel, as the â€Å"silent possessor of†¦ a flame†¦ of passion† (196). As a further testimony to the importance of their association, without Crimsworth, she has grown â€Å"wasted and pale,† her blaze â€Å"humble[d]†¦ to embers† (195, 196). This imagery further reiterates the appropriateness of her and Crimsworth's relationship, as he himself is often described as the possessor of an inward fire, his heart burning and â€Å"hot within [him]† (181). Such interactions and descriptions develop the nature and character of the principal relationships of the work. As far as character is concerned, Mdlle. Reuter and Mdlle. Henri have defining character traits that are quite opposite from one another. The true nature of each woman is made evident as the novel progresses and their respective relationships with William develop. The expression of these internal characteristics, in turn, contributes to Crimsworth's desire for each woman. Although it is Zoraide to who he is initially attracted, her inconsistencies and shallow nature result in a short and meaningless romance. Her presence is aggressive and noticeable; she makes her romantic feelings for Crimsworth obvious, and then engages in psychological and emotional â€Å"games† with him. They participate in an almost â€Å"cat and mouse† relationship, with each individual constantly trying to gain the upper hand and outsmart the other. William's affections for and infatuation with her are short-lived as a result of her deceitful character and lack of integrity. Frances, on the other hand, possesses much more dignity and humility than Zoraide, and never engages in deceitful and base actions. She maintains a quiet and demure, almost unnoticeable existence. Her feelings for William are not discovered until much later in the novel, and are not revealed as a result of her actions but are rather made known through his own pursuits. The more lasting and true love is formed with Frances, who is the possessor of redeeming and admirable qualities-she is the embodiment of all that composes a truly â€Å"good† individual. These characteristics form the kind of foundation upon which a steady and real love can be based, and thus, it is this relationship that develops harmoniously and remains intact throughout the novel. Her love and compassion ensure the marriage just as Mdlle. Reuter's dishonesty and selfishness ensure her downfall. Another note of irony enters the novel here, as it is Mdlle. Reuter who has had a more formal and proper upbringing, while Mdlle. Henri was raised in virtual poverty and want, with almost no formal education. Thus, it should be Zoraide who is the possessor of these more â€Å"lady-like† qualities. This difference in background and its end result further reflects the contrasts in the inherent nature of each woman, elevating the reader's view Frances and reducing that of Zoraide. In the final chapters of The Professor, Frances finds herself in the position of directress of a school that she and William have founded and thus maintains the same occupation as Mdlle. Zoraide. This condition serves to heighten both the similarities and contrasts of the two women. Bronte characterizes and explores the two primary women characters of Zoraide Reuter and Frances Henri in her work The Professor through the use of comparison and contrast. These two individuals are defined through their relationship with the narrator and main character, William Crimsworth. These interactions are developed through the revelation of certain characteristics and information that pertain specifically to each woman. In turn, imagery and irony develop and add depth to these qualities, which include physical and mental attributes, background and history, and intrinsic disposition and nature. Without the skillful use of these devices, the characters in the novel would not appear so realistic and possess such a great degree of depth and complexity.

Ben Franklin and Booker T. Washington

Benjamin Franklin and Booker T. Washington were both American personalities that assumed great importance in the history of the United States. Franklin was born in 1706, in Boston, to an English father and an American mother. Washington, on the other hand, having a family history of slaves, did not know his origins or anything about his ancestries. As the author himself says in his autobiography, â€Å"My life had its beginning in the midst of the most miserable, desolate, and discouraging surroundings. (Washington, p. 15). He only knew his mother, a brother and a sister and he did not even know the time or the place of his birth. In spite of some significant differences in their early lives and, after, along their trajectories, Benjamin Franklin and Booker T. Washington’s autobiographies reveal that similarities between them are prevalent. Even separated by a gap of a hundred and fifty years between their birth dates, they shared same thoughts, same principles and resembling aims. Since they have so much in common, it is valid to say that Washington’s â€Å"Up From Slavery† can be considered a black version of Franklin’s autobiography. Born in a family of slaves, Booker T. Washington was a typical African-American of the 19th century, used to be a working-man. After the Civil War, which had as its main consequence the emancipation of the slaves, Booker worked as a salt-miner and as a coal-miner, before he becomes a houseboy, working as a servant for the wife of the owner of the mines. After that, he applied to Hampton Agricultural Institute and had to split his time between working and studying. Benjamin Franklin was an important personality of American History, a versatile man who was an intellectual, a scientist, an inventor, a diplomat, a politician and best known for being among the political leaders who took part in the American Revolution, by signing the United States Declaration of Independence, as one of the â€Å"Founding Fathers†. Born to a middle-class family, Franklin went to a grammar school but, for financial reasons, he had to be transferred to another one to study writing and arithmetic. Yet, just like Booker, he was also a working-man during his boyhood. He left school to work as a chandler, making and selling candles with his father, who, later, noticed Franklin’s interest in books, so he was sent to work with his uncle as a printer. Perhaps because of the previous tough time they had in life, each one his particular ways and in specific situations, both of them put all of their efforts on an attempt of eaching better ways of living, and they succeeded. That is why they are considered examples of what is called the â€Å"self-made man†, the man who makes himself by what he does and command his own destiny; people who rise from poverty and bad living conditions and who are able to achieve success and recognition on their own merit. Since he was not enrolled at school, Benjamin Franklin pro vided himself a self-education, based on the Socratic method, which he ended up abandoning later on. He also was trying to improve his English. Also trying to fight for a chance of acquiring some knowledge, Booker had to cheat on his boss to be on time for school, face his classmates who were more well off than himself and invent a last name, considering it was a request of the school and, as an ex-slave, he did not have one. When he went to Hampton Institute, he was refused shelter for being black and he could not count on anybody, so he had to sleep on the streets and work for meals. He could not even afford his books and clothes, but he did not give in and he did not give up on his studies. Further on, he would say â€Å"Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work† (Washington, p. 135). Both Franklin and Washington believed that education and a good job would guide people to self-respect and an economic independence. Moreover, their entrepreneurial spirit was a common outstanding aspect of their personalities. Under his direction, Booker inaugurated the Tuskegee Institute, a school for black people which was focused on industrial training, praising the virtues of thrift and patience, mainly: â€Å"[†¦] by patience and hard work, we brought order out of chaos, just as will be true of any problem if we stick to it with patience and wisdom and earnest effort† (Washington, p. 60). Earlier, in 1729, Franklin had begun a newspaper called The Pennsylvania Gazette. â€Å"Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions† (Franklin, p. 4), this is what leads people to success; industry is the way to get there. Booker T. Washington was a humble man, but he knew how to balance his modesty with a touch of ambition. However, he attributes his success to his belief in many of the virtues that were also praised by Benjamin Franklin, as selflessness, industry, pragmatism and optimism. Franklin based the course of his entire life on a list of th irteen virtues he thought were a must in the process of arriving at moral perfection. There are some of them that can summarize everything he used to preach along his life, which would be: order – â€Å"Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time†; resolution – â€Å"Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve†; frugality – â€Å"Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i. e. , waste nothing†; sincerity – â€Å"Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly† (Franklin, p. 94); and, of course, industry. Franklin was raised by a Presbyterian family, but he turned out to become a Deist. Thus, he thought he would succeed in the pursuit of his moral improvement as an individual – by following some virtues and putting their concept into practice – not as a member of any church. Nevertheless, he believed in the existence of a deity, a God that has to do with the creation and maintenance of the world, but has nothing to do with one’s life. To this God, he thanks for the blessings that were given to him through his way to a successful life. â€Å"And now I speak of thanking God, I desired with all humility to acknowledge that I owe the mentioned happiness of my past life to His kind providence, which lead me to the means I used and gave them success† (Franklin, p. 7). Likewise, Booker also expresses his gratitude to God for the same kind of support, but, in opposition to Franklin, he was thankful to a Christian divinity and faithful to the doctrine of his church. Due to their ideal conduct, Benjamin Franklin and Booker T. Washington were considered examples of good citizens. Franklin wrote his life story as an intent of immortalize himself through his behavior, also immortalizing his actions by featuring all his great deeds. This way he could motivate and encourage people to do the same: â€Å"†¦and having gone so far through life with a considerable share of felicity, the conducing means I made use of, [†¦], my posterity may like to know, as they may find some of them suitable to their own situations, and therefore fit to be imitated. (Franklin, p. 6). And so did Washington in â€Å"Up From Slavery†, through which he intended to serve as a model for others to follow but, differently from Franklin, he didn’t have the self-promotion as one of his purposes. Booker expected his readers to feel instigated and stimulated to keep going on with his good manners and become followers of his moral principles. Besides the will of telling people their lives, the attempt of helping others to pursue their own self-making was among their objectives. In conclusion, both the autobiographies narrate two lives that, despite of the time, were founded on similar values that were regarded as tools to achieve a better future life. These two works aim to inspire people to do things that could lead them to social ascension. Besides, their authors used a literary style and a structure very much alike – enlightening some virtues and speaking with a sense of humor, employing direct prose and punctuating the narrative with lively illustrative anecdotes. The main difference between them is that Booker T. Washington was involved with black people issues, since he was born a slave and had been always dealing with the Negroes turbulent and troubled reality as a â€Å"tough-minded analyst of power who had to balance the demands of blacks with the constraints imposed on him by whites† (http://ukcatalogue. oup. com), whereas Benjamin Franklin acted in the white majority scene, with no need to be worried about any racial question as a priority.