Ratification of the US Constitution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sanction of the US Constitution - Essay Example Contemporary researchers depict this day as follows: â€Å"two hundred years back, the United States Constitution supplanted the Articles of Confederation as the major tradition that must be adhered to when New Hampshire turned into the ninth state to sanction the Constitution on June 21, 1788.† (McGuire and Ohsfeldt 219) At that crossroads in American history, there were the individuals who were against the possibility of a government that would have the option to practice control and management over the States. In this way, there were two essential groups with different points of view on the issue: the antifederalists and the federalists. While the Constitutional Convention was continuous, hearty discussions were additionally occurring in the lanes, in townhalls and such. The federalists had a place with the higher classes in the public arena, while the counter federalists would in general have a place with the center to bring down classes. The Federalists and the Anti-Feder alists The federalists had for its delegates statemen and American legends as George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, who were in huge part liable for stirring help for the government state. In the psyches of the federalists, a solid government and increasingly joined together, coordinated states would be progressively useful and suitable in accomplishing the interests of the American individuals. They additionally felt that it was a stage over the Articles of Confederation. It was their conviction that a powerless joining between the states will just make it defenseless against outer and even inner dangers. The counter federalists, then again, were joined by the view that the United States was such an enormous nation and it is hard to join together and oversee a nation of the size and decent variety as that. They likewise censured the Federalists for â€Å"overreaching† †in other words, practicing power in an over the top, if not authoritarian way. They communicated an inclination for neighborhood rule, saying that a government would just act as if there was a government. A significant issue that the federalists raised was the absence of the bill of rights in the received Constitution. This was a significant issue for the counter federalists. For present day supporters like Nedelsky, (340), â€Å"the Anti-federalists contended for a commonwealth wherein the resident stands in close connection to the State, wherein dynamic and capable cooperation is a genuine concern, and in which balance holds a high place.† It was in actuality on account of the legitimate issues on common freedoms raised by the Anti-federalists that the Amendments to the Constitution was presented †a sacred bill of rights articulating our treasured standards. The counter federalists additionally felt that the Constitutional Convention violated its limits when it embraced the Constitution. The main consent conceded to the Convention was to revise the Articles of Confe deration, not nullify them through and through to make a totally unique Constitution. Curiously, the Federalists were against the Bill of Rights. As per them, since the legislature was in power through the command of the individuals and so as to speak to them, it appeared to be strange to set up a Bill of Rights to control government’s activities

Factors that Shape US Energy Policy for Central Asia

Elements that Shape US Energy Policy for Central Asia Numerous components impact the detailing of US vitality arrangement. This section spreads out the far reaching depiction of the establishments which shape US vitality arrangement towards Central Asia when all is said in done. Further this part would investigate the universal situation, which has made US Congress, Federal Bureaucracy and Interest Groups in molding Energy Policy towards Kazakhstan. What's more, Turkmenistan All through the 1980s and before US encountered a significant sifting through procedure, figuring out who might take an interest in vitality policymaking and what the hierarchical courses of action for resident inclusion would be, however by 1980 the President and the Congress had the option to arrive at settles on the essential issues looked by them following the beginning of the vitality emergency. With choices on these essential issues the establishment for a steady national vitality approach framework had all the earmarks of being set up. The simple vitality approach framework that was set up by 1980, gave the system important to oversee both vitality flexibly and request and to grow new assets (Barkenbus: 1982:413-414). Before going into the point by point center around the job of iron triangle towards Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan specifically a short comprehension of how the strategy is affected by the Congress, Interests Groups and the Bureaucracy would be suitable. Congress: Decision making in Congress where law is figured, vary from dynamic in the organization, where it is actualized. The organization setting extraordinarily impacts the approach outcome.[1] If not sovereign, Congress is viewed as unmistakable in figuring national vitality arrangement. The president may order or restrict vitality programs. In any case, he is generally directed by the Congress. The congress can enact on vitality arrangement and raise the assets to endorse it. The presidents opportunity to act freely of congress on vitality matters is restricted seriously by law, custom and political conditions. Approach might be defined by judges or managers by deciphering or executing a congressional sanctioning. In any case, strategy making by them is constrained by congressional rules and over move (Cowney: 1985: 82-86). Congress is portrayed as house separated and authority scattered between its two chambers. Its individuals are even torn by clashing cases of nearby and national intrigue. Despite the fact that congress is divided, it cannot be denied that there is open door for strategy advancement. From the obvious authority of the congress, it turns out to be evident that congress regularly uncovers not power practiced yet power scattered, not strategy made but rather approach paralysed(Victor:1984:313) The quantity of boards of trustees and subcommittees with vitality as their title developed consistently from two in the 92nd Congress (1970-1972) to various in the110th Congress In the 96th Congress ward over some part of vitality arrangement was asserted by in excess of 38 advisory groups of the House of Representatives. The Senate generally has less boards of trustees than the House. In any case it had in any event ten significant boards of trustees and a few dozen subcommittees practicing some authority over vitality enactment. The boards are proposed by the lawmakers want to practice some authority over significant open issues. There additionally sustains desirously and rivalry among subcommittees and their pioneers in vitality approach making. Overwhelming clash over vitality approach delivered by every chamber over quarreling boards of trustees is strengthened by competitions among House and Senate vitality councils. Such rivalries are because of conventional contrasts between the two chambers, their disparate voting public, established duties, institutional chronicles, clashing characters and boards of trustees goals. Also, the different vitality panels inside and between the two chambers, frequently react to various vitality intrigue (Raycraft and Kash: 1984:239-249). The fracture of intensity in the Congress isn't just because of the proper division of power among panels. There are other huge causes also, for example, there are 500 and thirty five topographical units the states and the congressional locale. These various components comprise an immense range of different parochial interests with incredible impact in the administrative procedure. The Senator and the Representatives diplomat to Washington are viewed by the constituents as the watchman of the nearby intrigue. The Senator and the diplomats are upheld to assume the job of vitality supplier and defender (Chubb: 1983:30-56). Organization: The official part of the central government is a sacred unit. Inside the official branch there are thirteen bureau offices, fifty two autonomous offices, five administrative commissions and various lesser elements. More than 2.8 million bosses separate their loyalties among these foundations. When firmly watched, the official branch is seen as a mosaic of different bureaucratic interests, each fanatical to accomplish its extraordinary crucial. It is extremely trying for the president to carry these various interests into accord with his own managerial projects. Its prosperity relies on his character to a more noteworthy degree. The plans for the authoritative administration by the White House are consistently blocked by the political hindrances. So as to join the administration, the president should continually battle for the contending cases of offices personal circumstance, the political weights upon the organizations from Congress and the weight from an agencys own customers. The government organization is a majority of institutional interests. They are consistently dynamic in molding the strategies which will be regulated by them. The organization is governments intrigue campaign (Chubb: 1983:30-56). Intrigue Group: The quantity of intrigue bunch endeavoring to put forth their will for government is army. Among one hundred thousand broadly composed intrigue bunches in the United States, high extents are associated with governmental issues. At the point when the politically dynamic state and nearby gatherings are added to the previously existing various intrigue gatherings, it becomes clear that the intrigue bunches are unavoidable in the United States legislative framework. They speak to for all intents and purposes each significant social gathering with certain cases upon government (Barkenbus: 1982:413-414). The developments of new gatherings are regularly activated by the ascent of new issues on the legislative plan. Also, then again, new issues on the plan mirror the developing political impact of new interests. The quantity of intrigue bunches in national vitality approach expanded essentially after 1973 oil stun. Oil organizations have been the significant intrigue bunches as far as vitality strategy plan. While dissecting the job of oil organizations it tends to be said that they are assuming the job of nongovernmental bodies. They have changed up universal political relationship. Now and then they have even made the universal connections muddled which may some way or another have been very agreeable. Be that as it may, in actuality oil ventures are fundamentally financial establishments. One of the attributes of the financial on-screen characters is that inasmuch as they can work sensibly well, they for the most part acknowledge business as usual. No industry can forfeit its benefit for political rule. None of the oil business can turn down the opportunity of creating significant new stores. Obviously organizations need to pick between potential endeavors. The political atmosphere of the nations wherein these endeavors fall is the just one of the elements considered. The political strategie s accessible to organizations for accessing promising markets are restricted (Scott: 2005:12-149). The systems embraced by the oil organization are normally unsurprising yet alongside the techniques, the authority of the organization likewise matter to a more prominent degree. The hidden financial matters of the business make it conceivable to anticipate the general course in which organizations will move. The improvement of oil organizations can be animated by straightforward entry of the different oil store the wellspring of existing oil creation the size improvement and area of the universes driving economies a few realities about the inspiration of the magnificent forces a few suppositions about the conduct of organizations in a universal oligopoly Some data about the degree of government involvement with a large portion of the potential delivering nations. The sheer size of the US advertise and the way that there was a critical oil industry in presence in USA implied that American oil organizations where bound to assume a predominant job. As an examiner has noticed that US had no history of huge commitment with the Central Asian Region before 1990s. It is the disclosure of vitality assets of the Caspian Sea that made the district significant of the US international strategy producers. The Central Asia and the Caspian Region is honored with rich oil and gases that can upgrade the lives of the locales occupant and give vitality to development in both Europe and Asia. The effect of these assets on US business interests and US international strategy is exceptionally noteworthy. The United States first authority raid into the Caucasus and Central Asia came in 1991 during the Bush organization. In any case, it was not until significant oil contracts were marked between US oil organizations and the administration of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan in 1993-1994 that the district truly started to enlist on the radar screen of the American open. The business interests of US oil organizations in misusing new vitality saves gave US policymakers a particular enthusiasm to secure in the Caucasus and Central Asia the US has come to consider Caspian to be as one of only a handful hardly any possibilities for enhancing world vitality gracefully away from the Middle East. The job of the iron triangle in defining US vitality strategy towards Central Asia can be comprehended by 1998 Congressional Hearing. In this conference the subcommittee on Asia and

Dorm Bathrooms

Dorm Bathrooms Every so often I am begged to write a blog entry about a specific subject. Begged. Were talking knees, clasped hands, tears, and offers of first borns. The topic in question? Bathrooms. Apparently bathrooms are a hot topic among applying students. I think back and I realize that Ive gotten asked about bathrooms before and during most of my dorm tours I end up having to explain how bathrooms work here, so I guess I could give you a bathroom primer. Now, I only live in one dorm, so I cant speak for all the dorm bathrooms (which Ill leave to blog readers to describe in the comments), but Ive had some experience with the bathrooms of the other dorms and have heard some stories, so Ill just do the best I can. Burton-Conner, my dorm, has bathrooms. Yay! We dont have to use the bucket! First, the biggies: 1) The bathrooms are coed 2) The bathrooms do not have locks on them 3) Yes, two people may very well be showering in the same bathroom at the same time 4) Nobody cares Thats right guys, if you get into MIT theres a high likelihood that youll get to stand 6 inches away from a naked senior on just your first or second day here! That goes for you too ladies, naked guys standing just 6 inches away! Oo la la! Theres a slight caveat though. Those 6 inches are tiled, so unless youve got x-ray vision or some crazy quantum tunneling ability, those 6 inches might as well be 6 miles. But maybe talking about this is a little abrupt, lets start from the beginning. In Burton-Conner there are suites of people that live together, kind of like mini-apartments. The suite Im sitting in right now houses 8 people, the largest suite on our floor. It is comprised of both males and females (in fact, only one dorm at MIT is single sex, all the rest are coed) and we get along swimmingly. In addition to our suites there are several others, one of which is single sex. Dorms = coed. Floors = coed. Suites = potentially single sex, if you manage to do rooming right (but well save that for a later entry). There are 7 bedrooms, one kitchen, a lounge, and two bathrooms per suite. Each bathroom is normally left open, indicating that nobody is using it. Upon entering a bathroom you are usually faced with one of three things, either sinks, showers, or a toilet. Starting with sinks . . . This particular bathroom has two sinks and a little shelf above it. The shelf is a convenient place for the necessities: gel, deodorant, toothbrushes, razors, contacts, cologne, lalalalala! Variations on a theme As you can see in that last picture, Dorothy is bad at getting out of pictures, and there are additional shelves in each bathroom for more storage. Next are the actual toilets. Nothing too exciting here, just a typical stall with toilet. As a general rule there is only one toilet per bathroom (at least in Burton-Conner), evidence that my dorm doesnt encourage cooperative bowel relief sessions. Other dorms? Well . . . . jk Several dorms have bathrooms with multiple stalls and are coed as well, but again, nobody cares. Its not like somebodys going to walk in, kick open your stall door, plop down on your lap and start up a conversation. Next, duh duh duuuuuh, the showers! As I said earlier, there may be multiple showers per bathroom, but theyre quite separate. Then again, there are also bathrooms with just one shower. There are also some people who are extremely excited about their toothbrushes. Now, since were going to have guys and dolls in the same bathrooms we should probably talk about some rules. These rules probably differ from bathroom to bathroom, but these are the rules for our suite. 1) If the door is open, you may enter the bathroom. 2) If the door is closed you MUST knock. 3) If nobody replies, you may enter, cursing the last restroom user for not propping the door open when they were done. 4) If somebody replies, wait patiently for them to be done using the bathroom. 5) If you hear somebody in the shower, knock hard. Generally they will say come in and then you can shower too. Thats it, just that simple. But college students are slobs, who cleans the bathrooms? In Burton-Conner? The cleaning staff! Not so for all the other dorms. I dont know specifics for each one, but I know that in Simmons nobody cleans the bathrooms for you : ( Two ply? Only on special occasions Fans? Nope, windows! Foot disease? Probably, always wear flip-flops. Accidental walk-ins? None that Ive heard of. From my experience, there are so many things at MIT that are important, difficult, and take adjusting to, worrying about bathrooms just isnt that critical. Were grown ups now, just be civil and polite and everybody gets along alright. You may not be used to having to share a bathroom with a girl or a guy, but youll find that very little changes (except the length of the hair you find in the shower), so dont sweat the small stuff and worry more about, well, anything, more than bathrooms at MIT. Post Tagged #Burton-Conner House

Age of Enlightenment and Century - 5169 Words

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ESSAY QUESTIONS RENAISSANCE 1. 77: To what extent and in what ways may the Renaissance be regarded as a turning point in the Western intellectual and cultural tradition? 2. 81: Compare the ways in which two works of art reproduced below express the artistic, philosophical and cultural values of their times. (Pictures of Michelangelo s David and Giacometti s Man Pointing 1947). 3. 82: Compare and contrast the cultural values of the Enlightenment with those of the sixteenth century Northern Renaissance. 4. 84: Compare and contrast the views of Machiavelli and Rousseau on human nature and the relationship between†¦show more content†¦The pictures below and on the next page show the interiors of a Protestant church and a Roman Catholic church as each appeared in the first half of seventeenth century. Using these pictures as a starting point, explain how these interiors reflect the differing theologies and religious practices of Protestantism a nd Catholicism at that time. 10. 95: Compare and contrast the attitudes of Martin Luther and John Calvin toward political authority and social order. 11. 96: Assess the extent to which the Protestant Reformation promoted new expectations about social roles in the sixteenth century. Refer to at least two social groups in your assessment. 12. ’98 Compare and contrast the Lutheran Reformation and the Catholic Reformation of the sixteenth century regarding the reform of both religious doctrines and religious practices. 13. ‘01 Discuss the political and social consequences of the Protestant Reformation in the first half of the sixteenth century. 14. ’05 Compare and contrast the motives and actions of Martin Luther in the German states and King Henry VIII in England in bringing about religious change during the Reformation. COMMERCIAL REVOLUTION: EMERGENCE OF TERRITORIAL STATES 1. 78: Why were Europeans able to achieve economic and political control over many non-European peoples between 1450 and 1750? 2. 79: European monarchs of the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries are often referred to as theShow MoreRelatedThe Eighteenth Century : Age Of Enlightenment2647 Words   |  11 PagesCatherine Liang Mr. Pointer Hon. History 1 29 August 2014 Cornell Notes: Chapter 17: The Eighteenth Century: Age of Enlightenment Key Topics/Questions Notes Marie-Therese de Geoffrin: The Enlightenment: -Was religion becoming unreliable? Path to Enlightenment: Popularization of Science: - Bernard de Fontenelle New Skepticism: -Pierre Bayle Impact of Travel Literature: -Did other cultures effect society back in Europe and the way they thought about their government? Legacy ofRead MoreOverview of The Enlightenment Essay949 Words   |  4 PagesThe Enlightenment was a period of history throughout the mid-decades of the seventeenth century and during the course of the eighteenth century, in which intense revolutions in science, philosophy, society and politics occurred. This part of history was important because it was an enormous departure from the Middle Ages. Seldom before and after this time, did the Church have as much power as it did during the Enlightenment. There were three main eras of the Enlightenment: The Early EnlightenmentRead MoreThe Enlightenment1278 Words   |  6 PagesWorld The Enlightenment, Age of Reason, began in the late 17th and 18th century. This was a period in Europe and America when mankind was emerging from centuries of ignorance into a new age enlightened by reason, science, and respect for humanity. This period promoted scientific thought, skeptics, and intellectual interchange: dismissing superstition, intolerance, and for some, religion. Western Europe, Germany, France, and Great Britain, and the American Colonies generally influenced the age of reasonRead MoreThe Age Of Enlightenment And The Scientific Revolution1675 Words   |  7 Pagesrepresented a giant leap forward in human development, the Age of Enlightenment delivered the greatest influence for the future American society and planted the way for cultural and humanistic enrichment. The Age of the Enlightenment raised new concepts in education, democracy, and human freedom. The new humanistic philosophy promoted the polish of the human intelligence and made education a longing tha t lasted in the following centuries. Names like John Locke, Montesquieu, Voltaire, Rousseau, DiderotRead MoreEnlightenment Essay example532 Words   |  3 PagesEnlightenment Do we at present live in enlightened age? What is enlightenment? Immanuel Kant attempts to clarify the meaning of enlightenment while composing the essay, What is Enlightenment?. The goal of Kants essay was to discuss what the nature of enlightenment was. It also taught one how enlightenment can be brought about in the general public. Kant explains that, enlightenment is mans release from his self-incurred immaturity. Immaturity is mans incompetence to have directionRead MoreThe Renaissance And The Enlightenment757 Words   |  4 PagesRenaissance Values and Enlightenment Ideals - Conflict or Progress on the Same Journey? The Renaissance and the Enlightenment are two significant periods in world history, specifically in European history. The Renaissance and the Enlightenment have distinctive characteristics, but share the notion of being periods of discovery in many aspects of life. Each period has its own set of beliefs, values, and ideals otherwise known as a â€Å"worldview†. It can be thought of as a framework of principles throughRead More Was The Enlightenment Really The Age of Reason? Essay1569 Words   |  7 Pagesconstantly building on previous insights. The Enlightenment is a historical period referring to the intellectual movement that swept across Europe in the 18th century. To tackle this question, I will be looking at two texts. The essays, ‘An Answer to the Question: What is Enlightenment’ by Immanuel Kant, an 18th century philosopher, and ‘What is Enlightenment’ by Michel Foucault, a 20th century philosopher. The texts show that the Enlightenment was the age of reason because it allowed individuals toRead MoreThe Enlightenment Paradigm Shift Within The Era1628 Words   |  7 PagesThe Enlightenment Paradigm Shift The Enlightenment era, between the 1500s and 1800s was a predominately intellectual movement that saw the development of new ideas, major changes in Church-State relations and scientific discoveries that are still fundamental today. Until the Renaissance and Reformation period the Church, from the ancient to medieval ages, had total domination. The Renaissance era set the ball rolling for the Enlightenment with the beginning of scientific inquiry and search forRead MoreAge of Enlightenment: Revolutionary Viewpoints Spreading Essay830 Words   |  4 PagesThe age of enlightenment is a term used to describe a time in Western philosophy and cultural life centered upon the late 17th and 18th century. (wikipedia.com) When the word enlightenment comes to mind your first thought is of change for the better. A time of prosperity and success within a country. Several individuals have been credited and blamed for leading and contributing to the Enlightenment. These thinkers not only changed their views, but also spread revolutionary ideas to others. TheseRead MoreEnlightment: The Age of Reasoning919 Words   |  4 PagesIntroduction The Enlightenment, or the Age of Reason, was a period of great intellectual ferment that stirred up scientific discoveries and new belief systems which shifted paradigms in Europe. It was a logical continuation following on the heels of the Renaissance that saw a revival in the arts. During the Enlightenment, knowledge was created through explorations both geographical and scientific, and subsequently dispersed via a print revolution. A virtuous cycle was formed when enhanced accessibility

The United States And The Civil War - 1565 Words

The lives that we live and the freedoms that we have today may be considered great for the majority of our population. This could be attributed to the history of the United States and the civil war. What would our country be like if the Confederacy won the war? How would our lives be impacted and what freedoms would we have today if that were the case? What if the major Union victories were actually Confederate victories? The following is just an idea of what potentially could have happened if this were the case. There was intense fighting that occurred throughout the United and Confederate States of America ranging from Texas and as far north as Pennsylvania as well as Naval battles Atlantic Ocean and a few in the Gulf of Mexico. Coupled†¦show more content†¦If the Confederate Army had been in control, the slaves would have eventually been freed due to the Emancipation Proclamation established by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. The battle of Fort Donelson took place in Tennessee during February of 1862. The significance of this battle was that Fort Donelson was considered to be the heart of the Confederacy. Fort Donelson was a Confederate built fortress used to control the Cumberland River. Fort Donelson was quickly over-run by General Ulysses S. Grant and Union Forces. If the fighting at Fort Donelson were reversed, the Union would not be able to use the fort as a staging area and would not allow them to advance the front lines in their favor. With the Confederate Army occupying Fort Donelson, they would be able to have a central point to bring casualties, make plans for future battles in the area, and house their soldiers allowing for higher morale and a better rested fighting force. Remaining in control of Fort Donelson would also allow for the Confederate to have better vantage points for potential Union attacks. Virginia was the location of the Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse, which were the first and last battles of the American Civil War. Virginia was also the home of the Confederate capital, Richmond. The majority of the notable battles in Virginia were Confederate victories, until around 1864-1865 when Richmond was set ablaze by the retreating Confederate soldiers during a UnionShow MoreRelatedThe Civil War : The United States1622 Words   |  7 PagesThe Civil War divided the United States with its’ origin in the struggle to preserve the Union from the Confederacy’s succession. A war to maintain the United States quickly progressed to battles fought because of the controversial beliefs on slavery in the North and South. In the coming of the Civil War there were questions and confusion that many Americans were faced with in the words of the South’s succession. During the war, families were torn due to the men lost to the Union or Confedera te causesRead MoreThe United States Civil War918 Words   |  4 PagesThe United States civil war is thought of as what determined what kind of country we would be today. The U.S. civil war, otherwise known as the war of the states, began on April 12, 1861, and lasted until 1865. It consisted of the North (the Union) or the â€Å"free states†, against the South (the confederates) the slave states. When Abraham Lincoln became president in 1860 he made promises of free territories, which caused a division between men who owned slaves and men who agreed with Lincoln. SlavesRead MoreUnited States And The Civil War1668 Words   |  7 PagesUS Civil War United States of America was formed as a result of the revolution that continued from 1776 to 1783. After that, United States was divided into two wings/ parts that are the southern and the northern parts. Then conflict between the two aroused because the northern and the southern societies were totally different of each other in terms of economic structure, social class, politics and other social matters especially slavery. The civil war, that started in 1861 and ended in 1865, wasRead MoreThe Civil War : The United States909 Words   |  4 PagesThe Civil War was one of the most pivotal and significant moments in the history of the United States of America. Therefore, its impact of the Civil War was tremendous, and in many ways has shaped the way the United States has evolved into the present. The Civil War brought lots of beneficial changes to America including economic, agriculture, military, and people’s lives. During the Civil War, women stepped out of their domestic do mains to help or support their husbands in the field, or other soldiersRead MoreThe Civil War Of The United States1605 Words   |  7 PagesThe Civil War of the United States was a major and influential event in the history of our country. The Civil War shaped our nation and how we think of liberty in general. Such a big event in our antiquity must have been caused by a series of dominant events. However, a War of this size has many effects to go along with it. The most common effect thought of is the freedom of slaves, however, the Civil War was not just a war fought for freedom. One major cause of the Civil War was the issue of slaveryRead MoreThe Civil War Of The United States1561 Words   |  7 PagesCivil War Slaves Freedom can be defined as, â€Å"the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint†. (Definition) Everyone in the United States of America is entitled to this basic human right, presented to us by our founding fathers, though it was not always that simple. Even though it was in the Constitution, many people living before the mid 18th century in the United States were not extended this right, due to their nationality or lack of fortune. Someone lackingRead MoreThe United States And The Civil War920 Words   |  4 Pagesknown in the United States as simply the Civil War as well as other sectional names, was a civil war fought from 1861 to 1865 to determine the survival of the Union or independence for the Confederacy. Among the 34 states in January 1861, seven Southern slave states individually declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America. The Confederacy, often simply called the South, grew t o include eleven states, and although they claimed thirteen states and additionalRead MoreThe Civil War Of The United States1233 Words   |  5 Pages â€Å"Blundering Generation† Division among a population for opposing goals wasn t a new concept brought to light by the Civil War. Almost one hundred years prior to the Civil War, inhabitants of the thirteen colonies fought against each other towards their differing support for their wages of unity. Patriots fought Loyalists for coalition of the colonies, and likewise Northerners now fought Southerners for the preservation of the Union. The imminent breakup of the Union, likewise to the dissolutionRead MoreThe Civil War Of The United States1440 Words   |  6 Pages The Civil War was one of the most deadly wars the United States ever fought it was fought between the North and South and to this day still leaves a big mark on the history of the United States. Though the Civil War seemed to be clear cut on what happened during the conflict its cause is to this day seemingly undecided. Was it the simple piece of legislature called the Kansas-Nebraska act that started it or the election of the United States president Abraham Lincoln that caused the turmoil? EitherRead MoreThe Civil War Of The United States1082 Words   |  5 Pagesof the United States was the Civil War. The Civil War is often remembered as the war to end slavery. While that did play a part of the Civil War the larger issue at hand was the annihilation of the United States of America. The Confederate States of America wanted to break away from the United States and form their own country. The Confederate States of America, or more commonly known as the Confederacy, was formed by seven slave states located in the southern region of the United States. The economy

My Vacation At The Restaurant - 1301 Words

It was like any other Saturday night. After a long stressful week, my boyfriend, Erik, and I decided to unwind by having a romantic dinner in downtown Harrisonburg. The weather was beautiful that night, so we decided to take advantage of it. We were hoping to find a restaurant in the area that offered a great outdoor dining experience. We settled on Capital Ale House, a restaurant highly recommended for its extensive menu and beer selection. When we arrived at the restaurant, the hostess immediately greeted us at the door. Without batting an eye, she grabbed two menus and escorted us upstairs to an outdoor table. â€Å"Your server will be right with you,† our hostess said as she placed the menus down on the table in front of us. We had only a†¦show more content†¦While I was in the ladies room, my boyfriend took the liberty of communicating both of our orders to the server. When our entrà ©es arrived at the table, there was a great deal of confusion. The server insti nctively placed the salad entrà ©e in front of me, regardless of the fact that my boyfriend was the one who order it. My boyfriend shrugged nonchalantly, grabbed the plate of salad and switched the plates to our liking. As we approached the end of dinner, I waved the server over to the table to signify that we were ready for the check. The server walked over and placed the bill directly in front of my boyfriend. Regrettably, the server was not aware that I had promised to take my boyfriend out to dinner to celebrate his recent promotion at work. I looked up to see my boyfriend’s reaction to the placement of the check. His eyebrows remained raised staring at me, like he already knew what I was thinking. He continued to roll his eyes and tilt his head subtly in my direction. As I reach my hand out across the table to grab the check, it was at that moment I knew he felt completely emasculated. Without sounding clichà ©, every man wants to feel like a â€Å"real man.† A man who does not pick up the tab for dinner feels like less of a man because society tells him real men are expected to provide for women and never complain about it. Real men

Costco company analysis free essay sample

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates an international chain of membership warehouses, manly under the â€Å"Costco Wholesale† name, that carry quality, brand name merchandise at substantially lower prices than are typically found at conventional wholesale or retail sources. The company is in rapid growth in recent years. Its number of warehouses increased to 634 in 2013 with its net sales and net income grew to 103 billion and 2 billion respectively. However, as the company is entering different geographic market segmentations and expanding its business in North America, it is facing fiercer competition in nowadays than in any other period before. Meanwhile, its potential problems in membership format are in exposure. Effective measurements and solutions are in urgent need for the company. In this report, we will basically cover four areas: examine and identify key information and issues about â€Å"Costco Wholesale Corporation† for business intelligence requirements; study the company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and objectively report its operational business information; provide data on company financial performance and competitive benchmarking; make recommendations to the company. We will write a custom essay sample on Costco company analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Summary of Costco SWOT analysis: Strengths 1. premium services and products for club members 2. Price positioning leads to increased customer loyalty 3. Low cost operating model 4. favourable employee relationship Weaknesses 1. Limited product choice 2. strained relationship with suppliers Opportunities 1. Ancillary Business 2. Strong growth in Asian markets 3. Growing demand for private label brands Threats 1. Business and operating threats 2. External threats 3. Legal and regulatory threats COMPANY ANALYSIS Continued†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. working on it INDUSTRY ANALYSIS As a giant warehouse-retailer, Costco Wholesale Corporation is in the warehouse club industry that comprises retail stores selling a selection of nationally branded and private label merchandise within a wide range of product categories on lower prices. The nature of warehouse club industry is a small part of retail industry, whose customers are annually paid members in exchange for receiving low retail prices on a wide range of merchandise. Studies have shown that on average, consumers who are members of a warehouse club typically save 30% off of brand name products (wiseGEEK). Warehouse clubs offer their paid members low prices but require them to purchase comparatively large or wholesale quantities of products. This, to some extent, makes the industry to be attractive to bargain hunters and owners of small businesses (Kotler, et al 2013). In addition, rapid inventory turnover, high sales volume and reduced operating costs enable warehouse clubs to operate at lower gross margins of 8% to 14% than discount chains, supermarkets and supercenters, which operate on gross margins of 20% to 40% (Warehouse Club Industry Guide, 2010). On the other hand, the global retail industry continued to grow despite challenging economic conditions and built on the rebound in growth that started in 2010. Sales-weighted, currency-adjusted retail revenue rose 4. 9% to US$4. 29 trillion for the world’s Top 250 retailers in fiscal 2012, building on the previous year’s 5. 1% growth. Nearly 80% of the Top 250 retailers (199 companies) posted an increase in retail revenue (Deloitte, 2014). According to research from MarketLine, market expansion is expected to record yearly growth of close to 5% through 2015 to exceed $13. 2 trillion in global retail market (ReportLinker). According to Deloitte’s 2014 Global Powers of Retailing Report, it identifies the 250 largest retailers around the world based on publicly available data for fiscal 2012 encompassing companies’ fiscal years ended through to June 2013; however, here mainly focuses on the Top 10 retailers’ analysis. As shown on the above table in Deloitte’s report, with 5% revenue growth, retail giant Wal-Mart increased its lead in 2012. Carrefour, formerly the world’s second largest retailer in 2011 (see Appendix A), fell to fourth place since its declining sales. Tesco, second place in the ranking, was also impacted by discontinued operations, having decided to shutter its Fresh Easy operations in the United States. It was also a year of transformation for Metro Group. The changes that Metro sold its parts of unit and operation dropped it from fourth to seventh place. Meanwhile, a double-digit sales gain boosted Costco from sixth place to third in 2012. And Target joined the top 10 leader board for the first time in 2012, replacing Walgreen (Deloitte, 2014). As a group, with retail revenue growth of 4.2% vs. 4. 9%, the top 10 grew more slowly than the Top 250 in 2012. Profitability for the broader group also has been lagged by that of the leaders. At 2. 8%, the composite net profit margin of top 10 was moderated by the restructuring activity that occurred in 2012. Lower overall profitability also reflects the focus of most of the top 10 retailers on lower-margin, fast-moving consumer goods. Despite a slimmer profit margin, the top 10 generat ed a higher return on assets, posting a composite ROA of 5. 8% vs. 5.0% for the Top 250. The leader group as a whole is much more globally active than the Top 250 retailers overall. On average, the top 10 had retail operations in 16. 3 countries in 2012, compared with 10 countries for the Top 250 (Deloitte, 2014). The world’s 10 largest retailers generated almost one-third of their combined retail revenue from foreign operations in 2012; this compares with less than one-quarter of total Top 250 revenue. Notably, two of the five U. S. companies in the top 10 had no international operations. Conversely, four of the five European companies in the top 10 derived the majority of their revenue from outside their home countries (Deloitte, 2014). Throughout the analysis, with many retailers facing challenging economic conditions in local markets, there has been a clear drive to seek growth opportunities overseas in countries with stronger economic conditions and growth prospects. Overall, this is a strong and growing industry. The major challenge to the growth would be a loss in stability. This makes survival more of a concern and lessens the need for new challenges.

Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation

Abstract This paper presents a critical analysis of the document that is titled â€Å"Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China: To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation?†. The paper seeks to explore the extent to which industries in China implement issues of environment management as exemplified in the codes of environmental management.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China: To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More China is one of the countries that are recording a high pace of industrial development, yet it often comes out in the headlines as a country that does not pay attention to environmental management. The assessment of environmental sustainability standards in China is, therefore, measured against ISO 14000, which is one of the critical codes of env ironmental sustainability. A critical analysis is done on the scope of issues of sustainability in China as it is explained in the article. The analysis brings out the objectives of the research and the methods that are used for exploring issues of sustainable development in China. The paper pays attention to the sustainability standards that are used as a basis for judging the rate of compliance to ISO 14000 by Chinese firms. The research methods used in the paper are restrictive in the sense that they seem to embrace conclusive results, which hinders the exploration of the adaptive level of Chinese firms to ISO 14000. The conclusion arrived at is that Chinese companies are fond of seeking for the fulfillment of minimum requirements for ISO satisfaction, yet they do not go ahead to enforce the standards that are stipulated in the codes. Article Critique Introduction Sustainability standards are increasingly incorporated in systems of corporate governance. This paper presents a crit ique of one of the articles that expound on the level at which corporate governance policies in mainland China reflect the international sustainable standardizations, particularly the ISO 14000. The article is titled â€Å"Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China: To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation?† In the review, the paper focuses on two main areas: the scope of the article and the research methods used. Discussion of Article (scope/content) China, which is a country that has attained a rapid pace of industrialization, has been in the limelight for having a poor system of waste disposal. This emanates from the lack of effective policies to enhance waste management and the prevention of pollution.Advertising Looking for critical writing on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In their study, Chung, Fryxell and Carlos (2005) sought to explore the policy stateme nt on the environment of a total of 106 certified plants in mainland China against the link with the environmental requirements of the environmental standardizations rules: ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 in relation to the enforcement of ISO 14000. Owing to the prevailing state of environment management in China, it is important to establish the pace and intensity with which the sustainability standardization codes are being enforced, especially in a country like China that is quite highly aggressive in terms of establishment of industries. The paper goes deep into exploring the tangible aspects in as far as the implementation of the sustainability standardizations is concerned. The rationale behind this is that one of the impediments in environmental management and the embrace of sustainability is that most firms ensure that they fulfill the requirements of satisfaction and registration, but they stop at that. They do not embrace the implementation of the standardizations, which inhibits the attainment of the goals of environment management. The continual improvement is a critical factor in ensuring the effective of environment management systems (Northern Ireland Environment System, 2009). The paper bases on other standardizations ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 to explore the commitment of the plants on enforcing ISO 14000. While this broadens the scope of the results, it depicts some aspects of weakness. The conclusion that points out that adherence to ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 justifies the application of ISO 14000 is, therefore, not desirable. This is a mere extrapolation of results since there is a variation between the diverse sustainability standards. The justification of one sustainability standard by using other standards results in a summative assumption. Using such an assumption to develop results and conclusions drives away the aspect of exploring the main goal of the research. Objective of the article The article is one of the most incisive steps that seek to es tablish the gaps that prevail in China’s system of environmental management. The ultimate goal of the researchers is to establish the level at which plants in mainland China adhere to ISO 14000.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China: To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These standardizations are the key tools that can define the level at which China, which is an emerging economic giant in the world, responds to the concepts of environmental management and sustainability. Environmental policy statement is a critical element in the adoption of environment sustainability standards. Relating the policy statement to the sustainability standards as has been done in the paper, therefore, aids in bringing out the underlying issues. Evaluation of Research Methods The paper uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. However, there seems to be a high level of dependency on secondary data. The paper uses two standards as the dependent variables and the main standard that is being investigated as an independent variable. The number of sampled plants is quite convincing, considering the fact that there are a lot companies in mainland China. The amount of literature carried in the paper also reflects most of the issues of managing the environmental systems in China. However, the data collection method used in the research, postal questionnaires conducted in 2002, is not convincing. The information in the questionnaires cannot be used as a basis for concluding on the environmental management codes in the companies. It implies secondary information was used, which cannot be relied upon in in delivering an up to date content. Secondary information bars researchers from exploring the emergent issues in China. By using ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 as standards as dependent variables, the researchers come up with a general assumption about the application of ISO 14000 standards. The research holds an assumption that adherence to certain standards translates into application and enforcement of other standards. This can be misleading since it results in the ignorance of certain critical aspects of sustainability that are embedded in the main standard being investigated. Conclusion The article is quite comprehensive. The article takes an exploratory approach in unearthing the practices of sustainability in Chinese firms. According to the paper, the level at which firms in China deploy practices of environmental standards is not desirable. There is a tendency that only firms that work at that their environmental management systems qualify as per the international environmental standardization.Advertising Looking for critical writing on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More References Chung, S., Fryxell, G., Carlos, W. (2005). Corporate environmental management policy statements in Mainland China: To what extent do they conform to ISO 14000 documentation? Environmental Management, 35(4), 468-482. Northern Ireland Environment System. (2009). Measuring the effectiveness of Environmental Management Systems. Web. This critical writing on Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China: To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation? was written and submitted by user Malice to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive and chronic disease. The passageways in many of the body’s organs, especially the lungs and the pancreas become clogged as a result of this disease. The passageways become clogged because mucus in the body because thick, dry and sticky. People with cystic fibrosis only have an average life expectancy of about 30 years. This is mainly a result of the complications of the disease. In the lungs, it can cause serious breathing problems and in the pancreas, it can result in malnutrition and corresponding problems in growth and development. Cystic fibrosis is a type of genetic disorder. This type of genetic disorder is known as an autosomal recessive disease. This means that to have the disease, a person must inherit a certain gene from both of their biological parents. If a person inherits the gene from only one parent, he or she is only classed as a carrier. This means that the person carries the gene for this disease, but does not suffer from the effects of the disease itself. If someone has received the gene from both of their parents, than this defect that occurs causes problems with the way salt and water move in and out of mucus-producing cells in the body, which causes the mucus to become thick, dry and sticky. Things such as the environment, diet, exercise or other external factors do not cause CF. It is not contagious so it can only be passed from one person to another through inheritance. Cystic fibrosis is usually diagnosed during childhood. Some babies who have the disease may show signs of it immediately but other may not develop symptoms until later on in their lives. The first respiratory symptom of CF is a cough. This will most develop into a repetitive cycle between lung infection and inflammation. This cycle results in lung damage, and as this increases, things such as shortness of breath occur and it becomes harder for the individual to exercise. This lu... Free Essays on Cystic Fibrosis Free Essays on Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a progressive and chronic disease. The passageways in many of the body’s organs, especially the lungs and the pancreas become clogged as a result of this disease. The passageways become clogged because mucus in the body because thick, dry and sticky. People with cystic fibrosis only have an average life expectancy of about 30 years. This is mainly a result of the complications of the disease. In the lungs, it can cause serious breathing problems and in the pancreas, it can result in malnutrition and corresponding problems in growth and development. Cystic fibrosis is a type of genetic disorder. This type of genetic disorder is known as an autosomal recessive disease. This means that to have the disease, a person must inherit a certain gene from both of their biological parents. If a person inherits the gene from only one parent, he or she is only classed as a carrier. This means that the person carries the gene for this disease, but does not suffer from the effects of the disease itself. If someone has received the gene from both of their parents, than this defect that occurs causes problems with the way salt and water move in and out of mucus-producing cells in the body, which causes the mucus to become thick, dry and sticky. Things such as the environment, diet, exercise or other external factors do not cause CF. It is not contagious so it can only be passed from one person to another through inheritance. Cystic fibrosis is usually diagnosed during childhood. Some babies who have the disease may show signs of it immediately but other may not develop symptoms until later on in their lives. The first respiratory symptom of CF is a cough. This will most develop into a repetitive cycle between lung infection and inflammation. This cycle results in lung damage, and as this increases, things such as shortness of breath occur and it becomes harder for the individual to exercise. This lu...

How the jewish american lobby influences congress on us foreigh policy Research Proposal

How the jewish american lobby influences congress on us foreigh policy towards israel - Research Proposal Example Among the most prominent are the Zionist/Jewish groups that have been joined by various Christian groups to form a powerful pro-Israel lobby group. The predominant lobby group among the pro-Israel supporters is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which together with other powerful Israel friendly groups have been accused of adversely influencing US foreign policy ‘dominating American foreign policy while disguised as a domestic lobby (Gates, 1). However, there are over 60 pro-Israel lobby organisations with the most powerful being AIPAC, Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the American Zionist Council (AZC), and the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Among these, 52 are affiliated to the umbrella body The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish American Organizations representing American Jews. The Israel lobby has also prospered with the addition of the powerful Christian evangelicals to their cause as the evangelicals enjoy massive support in rural America even though there very few Jews found there. In the UK veteran Labour legislator, Tam Dalyell declared in 2003 that, â€Å"A Jewish cabal have taken over the government in the United States and formed an unholy alliance with fundamentalist Christians †¦ There is far too much Jewish influence in the United States† (Nelson). United States as the only remaining world superpower has thus immense influence on most of the global foreign policy unmatched by any other nation. Since the demise of world communism and the fall of the Berlin Wall, much of the world attention has been expended on the Middle East agenda, which mainly evolves around the toxic Israel-Palestine relations or rather Arab-Israel conflicts. In this regard, the US actions and inactions have shaped its relations with both set of antagonists. The United States unwavering support of Israel has thus shaped its relations with the Arab countries of the Middle East leading

Chinese Media & Culture Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Chinese Media & Culture - Term Paper Example Chinese media is commercial market and people are media addicted. Chinese people are highly media active and they socially interact more on internet than in person. Chinese people are creative and professionals and they use media effectively to benefit their lives. Chinese use media for education, information purpose, industry, art and entertainment. China is a producing country and many products and services are provided by them and use media creatively and they earn more benefits from it .China has more social media user than Face book has and it is very large. Chinese used Face book and Twitter for many purposed like educational, employment and entertainment but lately it is banned. The Chinese had been using radio and television for discussion matters of sensitive nature like politics and cultural issues. The media are advantageous in informing the Chinese people on crime, disaster and matters of human interests. The Chinese media activism is rigorous and hence been an integral part of their lives. The newspaper and radio had been the main media for the Chinese people to sell advertisement and compete in market place. Now internet and television has become a source for entrepreneurs to sell their products and services. The search engine Google is used by elite group of China and academics on a wide basis. Newspapers and radio had been a media extensively used by students and politicians. Now internet is a media which the Chinese use to learn local and international affairs. Online communication has become a vital part of Chinese society and people connect with world instantaneously with the use of media. The media in China is growing especially social media as it is the key way for individuals and businesses to communicate. They also use mobile internet because many people have smart phones and other wireless devices. The communication was Chinese have become much more open with internet and they have immediate

Strategic Management Case Study: Honda

Strategic Management Case Study: Honda Ever since the days of Henry Ford, the global car manufacturing industry, one of the worlds biggest employers, has blazed the trail in both the product innovation, and perhaps most notably for the Japanese motor industry, the development of leading manufacturing methods. The industry is not unlike many others, with blistering competition on all fronts, which makes strategic planning utterly important for both the sort as well as long term survival of any industry player. The ratification of the Kyoto Protocol for instance, spurred car manufacturing companies into the adoption of strategies such as the closed-loop-strategies, in the not only the development of more efficient engines, but also the production, distribution, operation and ultimately recycling of decrepit cars etc. This report presents a review of a number of strategic alternatives by Honda and other automotive industries both in the West as well as Japan, in an attempt to establish the driving force behind Hondas success and growth. The first part of the report gives a description of Honda, followed by the reconciliation of several divergent strategies. Discussion of the differences, if any, between the western and Japanese styles of corporate leadership will unearth the myth behind Japans corporate culture before ultimately concluding with a discussion of the importance of both corporate governance as well as CSR. Contents (Jump to) HONDA, COMPANY PROFILE RECONCILIATION OF DICHOTOMIES PLANNING v. LEARNING POSITIONING VERSUS DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNAL RESOURCES CORE COMPETENCIES VERSUS CORE CAPABILITIES MANAGEMENT STYLES Lifelong Tenure CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CONCLUSIONS RECOMMENDATIONS HONDA, COMPANY PROFILE With over 182,000 employees, ÂÂ ¥ 10,011, 241 million in annual revenues in 2009 coupled with upwards of $ 1370.1 million$ and 1896.4 in operating profits for the FY 2008 and 2009 respectively, Japans Honda is easily the industrys biggest manufactures of motor cycles, besides being a among the leading automobile producers. Operating across the globe, Honda is involved in the development, manufacturing as well as marketing and distribution of motor cars, motor cycles and a range other power products (Honda Ltd, 2010). It was founded in 1946, by Soichiro Honda and subsequently incorporated two years later, followed by years of success and growth as a motor cycle maker. Away from its core business, the companys 105 affiliates and 396 subsidiaries across the world provide financial services to thousands of its clients. It operates a four tier business model which includes the financial services division, motorcycle, automobile as well as power products (Honda Ltd, 2010). Besides multi wagons, Honda also produces a range of passenger cars, SUVs, mini vans, passenger cars, mini vehicles as well as sports coupes among others. Hondas flagship car and motor cycle models include the Accord, Civic, Legend, Insight, Acura CSX and Acura RL, CR-V, Cross Road, ASIMO Robots as well as the scooters among many others. The company recorded sales of over 10,114,000 units mainly in Japan, North America and Europe, representing an 8.5% rise over the previous years figures. Its sales have been on the rise despite through the global economic down turn that hit its American competitors, and largely driven by Toyotas PR woes over alleged flaws in the breaking system in its flagship Prius model. This success is largely attributable to the company strategic preparedness. Case in point, in 2002, it launched a hybrid car model to tap into the ever growing environmentally conscious clientele, besides launching the Environmental Learning Center (based in Texas), while in 2004, the company entered into a strategic partnership with GE, that led into the development and production of a trail blazing light jet engine, suited for business jets. Sethi and Swanson (1984), commencing in the year 2000, the company has embarked on an ambitious program to set up production plants in the emerging car and motor cycle markets, notably China, Argentina, Russia and the motor bike hot spot, Vietnam. The company prides itself with the twin principles of respect individuals and the Three Joys Principle i.e. buying, selling as well creating. These values reflect the company does wish to build on each persons unique abilities and its endeavor to ensure that everyone who comes by purchasing the products or by other means should have a great/joyous experience. Honda ensures this by relentlessly, lead in the creation of value, innovation, new products at accessible prices. RECONCILIATION OF DICHOTOMIES Honda ltds strategic innovation is founded on a process of dichotomies reconciliation which include both learning and planning, positioning on the market vs. internal resources development and lastly, core competencies related to the product against the core capabilities related to the processes. These three dichotomies do representing divergent strategies etc that drive Honda as a company since its establishment and through years of exemplary growth and expansion. De Wit Meyer (2010), assert that a critical look at Hondas strategies points especially its successful entry and dominance of new markets raises questions as to whether, Hondas strategy and subsequent decision making is solidly based on a meticulous, analytical and rational planning or whether its strategies are a direct result of the some decisions/ strategies reached at by the company, which evolved or became modified due to the environmental influences of the industry in which the company operates. PLANNING v. LEARNING While designing its strategies, the company has consistently followed a rational approach based on a critical analysis of the market and the industry environment. This strategy hinges on and it suited for a seasoned industry player such as Honda, since it seeks to built on, and exploit the companys immense experience in the automotive industry (Johnson et al., 2005). As a strategy, this is an important bottom up strategy that uses the already gained knowledge to optimize the companys needs. Planning takes into consideration both the companys resources as well as the environmental factors, as such will most likely utilize the companys set objectives within the constraints. Hondas largely seen as having successfully employed the planning strategy while entering into new markets notably while launching into the US motor cycle industry. Its recent strategic alliances with GE as well as its design and launch of innovative new products and expansion of manufacturing plants, in the ultimate attainment of huge scale economies and extremely law costs represent examples of internal planning. Planning is largely apparent from an outsiders point of view. However, interviews with the companys top management reveal a far different picture that suggests at best a company that is far from an overly rational, academic planning seeking to impose its corporate values and policies on the market and the industry, but rather a company, with a management structure that is at all times willing to learn. It is evident and widely accepted by many observers that Hondas strategies have evolved, without a clear plan or analysis of the industry. Case in point, the huge success attained by the companys 50 cc Supercab surprised everyone including the companys management. Mintzberg et al. (1998) observe that though the companys strategy may have looked analytical and well thought out, the management did blunder severally up until the market gave them the correct formula. Rational planning on its own is hardly, suited to many organizations and is in fact removed from the day to day running of a business as compared to learning, which permits management to continually develop and adjust their policies and strategies as they are implemented, in the light of new experience (De Wit Meyer, 2010). Hondas development of hybrid vehicles and energy efficient models e.g. the Honda Civic Sedan, in the wake of Toyotas success in the same field represent examples of learning from the environment. Honda has as well launched joint ventures in RD with other companies. Using both strategies gives the company an advantage, not least because it only allows the formulation of strategies that best meet both the internal resources as well as the environmental factors prevailing in the industry. POSITIONING VERSUS DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNAL RESOURCES Hondas positioning helps its brand to be associated with a given market segment. It is an equally helpful guide to the companys other strategies, particularly the marketing strategy, not least because it does clarify the essence of the brand and the helps the consumers to better identify the goals that the product seeks to meet in a unique way. In positioning a product or brand, managers must make decisions, seeking to appeal a given segment of the population, while at once risking losing the other(s). Honda has placed its various products on the basis of benefit, target, distribution as well as prices. The company offers competitive prices owing to its scale and technology advantages, which in turn permits it to achieve better client franchises. This strategy does however; affect the prestige of the brand, besides reducing the profit margins. Target, distribution and benefit positioning, that has seen the introduction of green models to serve the needs of green conscious clients, co upled by Hondas expansion into India, China and Vietnam, which was entirely meant at catering for emerging middle class in those countries. As against, development of internal resources, Hondas product positioning allows it to use fewer resources but still reach the target markets. It however, has enormous resources in capital, management, cutting production technology as well as manpower, which have driven the companys expansion across the globe. More investment in RD is, and has been possible, leading to greater innovation. While other smaller industry players struggle with limited resources constraining their RD as well as expansion, bigger companies like Honda, Toyota and GM can attain a better edge in the industry. Hondas has been able to pursue both strategies owing to the availability of niche products that it has successfully positioned e.g. motor bikes in Vietnam (over 400,000 units in annual sales), coupled by its huge availability of resources which allows it rope for RD, diversification and expansion. This does not entirely hold though, Honda spends just a fifth of GM expenditure on RD and launches fewer mode ls than the latter, yet it products/models are more successful than GMs. CORE COMPETENCIES VERSUS CORE CAPABILITIES Competencies are as a result of coordination of multiple production skills as well as a complex coordination of numerous technologies. They give a company access to newer markets; provide high barriers for competitors to enter the market, besides contributing considerably to the benefits of the end product(s). Hondas core competencies as regards products are the driving force behind the development of the numerous, innovative end user products. Hamel Prahalad regard Hondas product competencies as a brilliant example of how a small company can break into, and establish itself in a mature, stable market. In 2010 alone, Honda has set up a solar H2 station (Los Angeles), introduced the versatile iGX and GX engine series for general purposes. The company has as well produced lithium-ion based batteries intended for the new range of hybrid motor vehicles, alongside an ELC to spear head its green agenda. Honda is famed for its ability to recycle technologies in all its range of products, affording it RD efficiency. There are elements of core capabilities associated with its processes, but perhaps far lacking behind Toyota and many other industry players. These include efficient distribution channels, cost effective production processes. It trains dealers, determines shop floor plans and has strict operating procedures among others. Core product competencies in the automobile industry are far superior to the process capabilities and Hondas success is an outstanding testimony to this fact. MANAGEMENT STYLES Japanese and Hondas management styles do differ from the American style in at least six distinct aspects. These include differences in the interdepartmental relationships, communication patterns, and supervisory styles, mechanisms for control as well as existence of, or lack of a paternalistic orientation. According to Hofstede (2004), these differences largely stem from the inherent cultural differences between the two countries, which in turn influence the respective corporate cultures. Lifelong Tenure Most of the companies in Japan do provide lifelong jobs to their employees, with greater emphasis being laid on not age, but also seniority. Promotions are thus much more difficult, just as there is greater job security for the workers. Many organizations effectively hire employees for the, and are interested in the long term objectives as against Americas corporate worlds obsession with short term goals. Case in point, Hondas top management i.e. Satoshi Aoki (Chairman), Takanobu Ito, Koichi Kondo and Atsuyoshi Hyogo joined the company in 1968, 1978, 2000 and 1972 respectively, during which time they have risen through the ranks to reach the top management. On the contrary, the western corporate world is characterized by short term contracts for both managers and workers, charged with meeting short term objectives. Teams v. Individuals In contrast with the Western model where managers are responsible for decision making and subsequently accountable for the decisions reached, the Japanese system recognizes the importance of individual expertise, but the performance of the entire team is more emphasized than an individuals. In the western corporate world (Germany and American), certain employees have the star statuses e.g. in Germany, the engineers play central roles to the success of motor companies. Some elements of convergence exist though. Long apprenticeships and cadres (seniorities in Japan) do exist both in Germany, France as well as the Netherlands. Employees attain positions, promotions etc. through years of internships, apprenticeships or memberships to given classes-attained through education and or experience. Decision Making While most western corporations are characterized by top down decision making, the Japanese style of management is largely characterized by collective decision making by individual teams. Hondas decision making is characterized by the Ringi system, where decisions are passed based on a consensus of all the employees in a department or even the entire organization. This management style is identical to that practiced in Holland, except that the latter is anchored on existing contracts or class differences of among the employees. Communication As against the largely bureaucratic communication, hierarchical channels characterizing western corporations, which is largely effective and efficient, the Japanese channels of communication compromise in large part of face-to-face communication. These comprise everything from provision of information regarding assignment of tasks, responsibilities, organizational goals and the development and rechanneling of feedbacks. Implicit Mechanism of Control Honda ltd is concerned with building of its relationships with it biggest assets, the employees. Inspired by its philosophy Respect for the Individual, the company always seeks to develop collaborative relationships with each and every employee, where all mechanisms of control and supervision are largely informal. Supervisors work alongside other employees, who are involved, the decision making, which in turn renders decision making, execution of decisions and reception of feedback a lot more expedient. On the contrary, Hondas competitors run on a rigid, formal control mechanism. This sets goals, measurable, complete with targets that must be met by departments, franchises and individual employees, while the Japanese system is anchored on the management philosophies that all employees as well as managers identify with. Departmental Relationships Pascale Athos (1981), states that attainment of the goals set for a department etc requires inputs not just from the concerned departments, but perhaps most importantly, close collaboration with other departments in the company or even other organizations. Formal (necessary) relationships largely accomplish these goals (characteristic of the western model), while the Japanese style has an extra dimension; voluntary collaboration which is far more productive and results in greater knowledge sharing. Paternalistic Orientation Honda and many other Japanese companies are concerned by the holistic needs of every employee, including the concern for the well being of their families (Culpan, 2009). This imposes a social support role on the managers, a feature which is largely absent in the western world, safe for a limited number of family organizations. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY With car markets in the developed world already saturated, most car companys are looking abroad in the emerging markets notably China, India and Brazil. A recent study by TNS shows that car buyers rate car makers more according to their CSR than those consumer in the first world, thus companies that perform better in this sphere stand a far greater chance of winning the hearts and minds of the new middle class is guaranteed success. In 2005, Honda was ranked the UKs best car company based on its social responsibility initiatives, by the foremost research company on automotives, TNS Automotive. It performs equally well in the US, Indonesia, Italy and Spain among other countries alongside BMW, Shell, Malaysias Petronas, Michelin and Germanys Porsche (Nissan Corp., 2010). Honda spent over 2.3% of its annual revenues in 2009, on its CSR commitments, with the environment taking the lions share of the budget. The company has undertaken numerous actions in an attempt to meet the challenges posed by global warming and climate change. With the reputation of the automobile industry and fossil fuels already damaged, due to its huge carbon footprints, and the growing fears among the public of air pollution, it is only reasonable that companies act in accordance to the wishes of the consumers. Honda has initiated the LCA system, which identifies and sets targets for the required actions. The company develops energy efficient models, adheres by the 3Rs (in design) and noise reduction etc. Hondas corporate governance is a typical Japanese style bottom down structure, characterized by collective decision making and a collective sense of belonging among to the company that in turn reflects on the companys performance (Honda Ltd, 2010). Any companys corporate governance does determine the direction that it assumes, which ultimately reflects on its financial performance. Nissans corporate philosophy, governance as well CSR activities are not different from Hondas. It seeks to bring enrichment of the peoples lives and the environment in which they operate. It has made CSR an important part of its corporate management policies. It has devised its green purchasing guidelines, coupled with Nissan-Renault Suppliers Guidelines, which ensure that the companys entire supply chain is green and serves the purposes of the policies set by its top management. Through its charitable arm, Chryslers management makes annual donations to needy communities, projects and causes (Chrysler, 2010). In 2009, the company advanced upwards of $100000 to Good Harvest geared at combating hunger. The companys CSR initiatives are not as extensive as both Nissan and Hondas partly because the company caters for the luxury market segments that are in the main concerned about the quality and luxury as against a companys CSR etc. CONCLUSIONS Honda is largely touted by observers and varied literatures in strategic management. Its strategies have largely been used either rightly or wrongly to back up a number of conceptual dichotomies, with contracting positions i.e. learning v. analytical planning, core capabilities v competencies etc. Most of these assumptions, and evidences have however, proven erroneous owing to empirical mistakes that result into the over emphasis of the companies strengths, while its mistakes go largely unnoticed. Further, strategies and explanations are expressed in form of reductionist, single-sided theories that largely fail to portray the actual strategic orientation of Honda. Hondas thrives on reconciling dichotomies. Thus many observers in the west have largely missed out in studying, learning from and understanding Honda. Rohlen (1974), it is evident that capabilities as well as competencies can possibly complement one another, forming into one theory. The latter does focus on the production expertise and technologies while the capabilities serving to improve the whole chain of value. Capabilities are far more visible and easily appreciated by the clients than are product competencies. Hondas ability to meet high targets and post tremendous growth rates is largely due to its tendency to set stretched targets, which brings into direct competition with the biggest players in the automotive industry. In order to compete, it uses its resource base to compete by either providing niche products or undercutting competitors on basis of cost advantages, attained through scale economies. This ability to leverage her resources offers the key to its success, as against the widely fabled Japanese management styles. This style is widely different from and more appealing that the western style corporate management is only suitable for the Japanese and Asian environments. There are aspects in both management styles that could beneficially be, and have largely been adopted by either side to the great advantage of the corporations, but not the complete management packages as they will be utter failures in the other ones environment (Schein, 1981). Finally, this report has demonstrated the importance of corporate governance, policy and CSR is important in the ever changing consumer tastes as well as preferences, and most importantly, increasing consumer awareness. RECOMMENDATIONS Increased spending and expansion of Hondas and other automotive companies in CSR, environmental protection and production of innovative environmentally friendly models should continue as the only way counter changing consumer needs as well as the changing times. The Western and Japanese styles of corporate management should be blended to suit both the practical and strategic objectives of each organization. Reconciliation of strategies is crucial for success and helps companies reap the benefits of divergent strategies, thus companies must seek common grounds between strategies rather than opting for only one.

Free Oedipus Rex Essays: The Role of Characters :: Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex

The Role of Characters in Oedipus the King Characters play a very important role in the play "Oedipus the King" by Sophocles. Without characters, the play would lack a certain dimension and be very difficult to read. The presence of characters in the play make it more easily understood. If characters did not appear in the play it would be close to impossible to understand it since everything that takes place is through the words of the characters. Also if there were no characters the outcome of the play would be different. The significance of characters in the play is very obvious. Without them the play would be much shorter and much more boring. The role of characters is very important to the play. Characters make the play possible just by the virtue of existing. If they did not exist the play would not either. If the play did not exist then the characters would not either. The characters and the play are codependent and need to have a symbiotic relationship to ensure their mutual survival. A lack of characters in the play would make very difficult reading and perhaps more difficult viewing. A lack of characters would necessitate some other device to be used and a substitute has not been found that replaces the role characters play in a play. An example from the play is when Oedipus was speaking to Teiresias: "I did not know then you would talk like a fool ­or it would have been long before I called you". If there had not been any characters in this play, this could not have happened. If the play did not have characters the outcome would be much different. All the actions and conversations could not have taken place without the use of characters. Characters made the play and its tragedy possible. Without characters nothing could have taken place. They made it possible for Oedipus to kill his father and have sex with his mother and for everything that was bad to happen. If Jocasta or better Oedipus did not exist within the context of the play everyone would have been much happier and the tragedy could have been avoided. Even if the herdsman who saved Oedipus as a child did not exist or the messenger from Cithaeron the tragedy of the play would have been avoided and made for a much happier ending.

Vannah

Two hundred and six years ago, high officials of two nations deliberately turned 5,000 square miles of Southwest Louisiana into a safe refuge for violent criminals who flocked to it from all over the young nation. This is how it happened. In 1803, the united States had paid France $15 million to abandon its claim to 828,00 square miles of land in the brand-new America. It was called the Louisiana purchase, but we TLD actually buy the land. America and France both claimed the land, and e paid France SSL 5 million to abandon its claim, leaving us as sole owners of the land.When the Louisiana Purchase was announced, Spain protested, saying France had no right to include a 5,000-square-mile strip of land in what is now Southwest Louisiana in the Louisiana Purchase. Spain said the land had been found by Spanish explorers and claimed for Spain. We argued that the Louisiana Purchase was history and we wouldn't try to change It. Spain said It wanted its land. The argument got hotter. When bo th sides hinted they might use military force to support their claims, lore but not wiser heads stepped in.The cool heads suggested that the disputed land be set aside and belong to nobody until ownership was decided by peaceful negotiation. Both America and Spain liked the idea. Thus was born the Neutral Strip. The disputed land being put aside was bound on the West by the Sabine River in East Texas. It was bound on the East by El Arroyo, the Spanish name for what is now the Calcifies River. It was bound on the South by the Gulf of Mexico, and on the North by the 32nd parallel, which was near Southeast in Red River Parish.The Neutral Strip included all or portions of the present Louisiana parishes of De Sotto, Sabine, Nuthatches, Vernon, Rapider, Beauregard, Allen, Calcifies,Jefferson Davis and Cameron. The rules or the Neutral Strip were simple: I For whatever time it took to peacefully negotiate ownership, the disputed land would belong to nobody. I Nobody would be allowed to liv e on the disputed land, which would also be off-alms or anyone In the military or law enforcement. I Since the Neutral strip would have no Inhabitants, there was no need for laws, ordinances, ales or regulations.The Neutral Strip opened in 1806, and the response was immediate. The strip became known as No Man's Land, and it seemed that every criminal in our young nation heard of it and moved into No Man's Land. Squatters took over land uninvited. It seemed that anybody who asked got grants from Spain for small tracts of land. Runaway slaves sought refuge there. Convicts who escaped from prison disappeared Into No Man's Land. So did military deserters , criminals sought for smuggling contraband goods, murderers, robbers, counterfeiters and rapists.Bands left No Man's Land to rob trade caravans, then disappeared again in No Man's Land. Other bands left long enough to rob homes and businesses before returning and melting into the lawless crowds in No Man's Land. Even joint military uni ts hesitated before entering No Man's Land. Two raids, in 1812 and 1816, netted few arrests and caused little Interruption of criminal activities. Inside the strip, there Land kept loaded guns in their houses. A curious mind-set developed that was copied years later by lawmen in some cities.The feeling was that having the worst elements of society gathered into one area created more safety in other parts of the city or parish. The same mind-set that led to red light districts and allowed criminals to congregate in specific areas of a city or parish. There were several roads across the 50-mile width of the strip that retained the Spanish names of Camino Real (Royal Road) which became routes of terror for traders. Some traders skirted No Mans' Land to the South by using schooners to carry goods to Galveston and other Texas ports for distribution.To the North, traders skirted No Man's Land by going through upper Red River Parish. After 13 years of crime and violence in No Man's Land, r elief came from an unexpected source. The Adams-Ions Treaty of 1819, known as the Transcontinental Treaty, was a pact between the United States and Spain. It was mainly directed at Florida. Under the agreement, we paid Spain $5 million and Spain withdrew its claim on Florida. In what was considered a lesser clause in the Transcontinental Treaty, Spain also gave up its claim on any land in Louisiana. With that silent stroke, No Man's Land died.

`` Beloved `` By Toni Morrison Essay - 1726 Words

Distinguished African-American novelist, Toni Morrison, in her notoriously suspenseful anachronic masterpiece, Beloved, tells the story of a fugitive slave named Sethe who escaped from the Sweet Home plantation in Kentucky to Cincinnati, Ohio, a free state. She lives freely with her husband’s grandmother for twenty-eight days until the slave masters come to capture her. Frightened, she attempts to murder all of her children to prevent them from living a life of dehumanized servitude but only succeeds in killing one – her eldest baby girl. As time progresses, while living at 124 Bluestone Road, the baby ghost begins to haunt Sethe and her family. The purpose of the novel was to show the horrific consequences of slavery and its impact on the American environment as a whole with emphasis on black families. The novel has a melancholic tone that is best represented by the unsatisfied baby ghost in connection to the book’s epigraph â€Å"sixty million and more† (Morrison), which represents the number of African slaves who passed away during the Middle Passage. The aim of this dissertation is to study Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (PTSS) in the main characters in Beloved with regards to ecology. Ecology is the branch of biology that observes organisms and their relationship to their environment. The theory born from ecology’s combination with literature is Ecocritical Theory. Ecocriticism (or Ecocritical Theory) is the study of the relationship between literature and the physicalShow MoreRelatedBeloved, By Toni Morrison Essay1576 Words   |  7 Pagesreading Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved, I could not help but feel shocked and taken aback by the detailed picture of life she painted for slaves at the time in American history. The grotesque and twisted nature of life during the era of slavery in America is an opposite world from the politically correct world of 2016. Morrison did not hold back about the harsh realities of slavery. Based on a true story, Toni Morrison wrote Beloved about the life of Sethe, a slave and her family. Toni Morrison leftRead MoreBeloved by Toni Morrison1455 Words   |  6 Pagesthese hardships to light and shed insight on the pain and suffering of slaves, narratives such as, Incidents in The Life Of A Slave Girl..by Harriet Jacobs,The narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. Novels such as Beloved by Toni Morrison blend the slave narratives with fiction highlight the life after slavery and the struggle faced by former slaves to adjust their lives to freedom. According to Paul E. Lovejoy’s ‘Freedom Narratives’ of Transatlantic Slavery, he states thatRead MoreBeloved, By Toni Morrison1571 Words   |  7 PagesIn the novel, Beloved, written by Toni Morrison, many themes and symbols played a crucial role when analyzing a variety of different characters. One specific theme that has had an everlasting effect between characters and relationships throughout the novel is the transformation of the theme thick love. The idea of love in Toni Morrison s Beloved is a complicated subject to understand. If love wasn t hard enough to figure out, it is made more complex through the evils of slavery during this timeRead MoreBeloved by Toni Morrison2137 Words   |  8 PagesToni Morrison explores the idea of slavery through her novel, Beloved, by using a variety of literary techniques and postmodern concepts. The idea of the rememory is a major theme throughout the novel that Toni Morrison uses to introduce the lives of Denver and Seth e and the idea of slavery. Rememory is the act of remembering a memory that happened in the past. Beloved, depicted as a ghost, exemplifies the idea of rememory for Sethe because she brings back many memories to Sethe’s mind. ThroughoutRead MoreBeloved by Toni Morrison622 Words   |  3 Pages In the novel Beloved by Toni Morrison, Morrison has created two very powerful characters: Denver and Beloved. Denver and Beloved are sisters, but in a sense, they werent always. It used to just be Denver and her mother, Sethe, that lived together in a house. That house was passed down to them by Denvers grandmother, Baby Suggs, which was given to her by a white couple who were out to help the blacks. Sethe and Denver were very content with the way things were. Sethe had a paying job as a cookRead More`` Beloved `` By Toni Morrison2097 Words   |  9 Pages â€Å"Beloved† by Toni Morrison is a historical/fictional novel that deals with the idea of the supernatural and the repercussions of slavery towards a society and the individual persona. The novel explores the wreckage slavery brings upon its characters in all senses of the self. They have been freed from slavery but the psychological trauma endured remains constant; leading them to do the unthinkable. In the novel Morrison utilizes the character of Beloved to represent the ghost of slavery in anRead MoreBeloved, Beloved By Toni Morrison1774 Words   |  8 PagesIn Toni Morrison’s novel, Beloved, Beloved is an enigmatic character. Throughout the novel, it is implied that Beloved is a reincarnation of Sethe’s dead child. However, Beloved is not just a physical embodiment of Sethe’s dead baby. Instead, Beloved is a representation of slavery and the suffering associated with slavery. Morrison displays that Beloved is a representation of slavery by the conv ersations and thoughts characters have about Beloved. Morrison also displays Beloved as a representationRead MoreBeloved by Toni Morrison769 Words   |  3 PagesBeloved is the character who lends her name to the title of Morrison’s novel, isnt really a flesh-and-blood character at all, she’s is a ghost. It is this fact that makes the presence of the character a symbol in terms of her effect on the narrative and the other characters so profound. For a ghost, Beloved exerts a ton and control over most of the characters, affecting nearly every part of their lives, their ability to live in peace, their ability to love one another, and to move on with theirRead More`` Beloved `` By Toni Morrison906 Words   |  4 PagesGothic Literature normally, if not always, has a haunting. In â€Å"Beloved† by Toni Morrison there is a haunting of 124. 124 is being haunted by Sethe’s daughter who is the character Beloved. The haunts in Gothic Literature can also be a no n-physical haunting, a haunting in the head. Sethe has not been haunted by Beloved physically, but mentally. The bond that a mother has for a child is so tight and loving. There is no real way to understand this bond unless someone has personally been a mother. TheRead MoreToni Morrison s Beloved And Beloved1376 Words   |  6 PagesToni Morrison brings another surprise to the story of Beloved. The addition of character Beloved conceals whole meaning Morrison tries to conduct to the readers. So far, character Beloved is portrayed as an innocent, pure, yet egotistic girl. Beloved also presumably the incarnation of Sethe’s dead baby, whose tomb is engraved Beloved. Morrison offers supernatural element in the story to create mysterious and spooky atmosphere, which raise curiosity and excite readers even more. Beloved is seen