Principles of Democracy Essay

1. Bill of Rights This document explains guaranteed freedoms to all people in the country and gives limited power to the government. It protects the people from a government who try to abuse its power. 2. Economic Freedom Economic freedom allows some private ownership of property and businesses. People are allowed to choose their own work and to join labor union. 3. Equality Equality is having all individuals valued equally, have equal opportunities, and no discrimination of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. All people are equal before the law and have equal protection of the law without discrimination. 4. Human Rights Movement: Everyone has the right to move within the borders of their country and to leave and return to his or her country. Religion: Everyone has the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. The people can change their religion or not worship or hold religious beliefs. Speech: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Assembly: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. 5. Multi-Party Systems A multi-party system allows for organized opposition to the party that wins the election. It provides the government with different viewpoints on issues and provides voters with a choice of candidates, parties, and policies. 6. Regular Free and Fair Elections Elected officials are chosen by the people in a free and fair manner. Regardless of the people’s race, gender, ethnicity, and level of wealth, most adult citizens should have the right to vote and to run for office. 7. The Rule of Law No one is above the law. Everyone must obey the law and will be held accountable if they violate it including a king, president, police officer, or member of the military.

How Does Wal Mart Motivate Their Employees

Wal Mart motivates their employees with health and financial benefits. Some of these include health, dental and life insurance, and an eyewear program. Employees also receive a 401(k) plan, have the opportunity to purchase stock, receive a discount card and can receive special discounts on travel and entertainment.My work at Walmart is about savings, but my benefits are about security. I'm Making Better Possible. Melissa, Pharmacy TechOur Benefits team works hard to offer associates comprehensive and affordable benefits to help you stay healthy. When you become an associate, you can take advantage of a variety of great benefits for you and your family, including: Health & Well-Being BenefitsConsumer-directed health plans, including Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA) plans and a high deductible plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Highlights include: 100 percent coverage for eligible in-network preventive care $4 co-pay on eligible generic drugs at Walmart or Sam’s Club p harmacies Free access to nurse care managers and health care advisors HMO plans (available in certain areas)Vision plan Dental plan Resources For Living ® – a free confidential counseling and health information service Company-paid life insurance Accidental death & dismemberment insurance (AD&D) Critical illness insurance Short- and long-term disability insurance Business Travel Accident Insurance Illness Protection (Sick Time) Financial BenefitsMatching contributions to your 401(k) up to 6% of your salary Associate Stock Purchase Plan with a company match Associate Discount Card for Walmart and Home Office associates and Sam’s Club Home Office associates, spouses and dependents Sam’s Club associates receive a complimentary membership Exclusive discounts on everything from brand new cars and wireless services to travel when associates visit our online Associate Discount Center – more than 375 discounts available

Business Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Environment - Essay Example Others macroeconomic factors like production, inflation, employment, investment, domestic income, international business relationships etc are discussed in Macro Economics (Childs, D, and Deitrich, S. 2003). P4: Economics can be described as social science. It is a study of how individuals, households, firms, consumers, nations maximizes there profit with limited resources and availabilities. In economics way we can term it as generating characteristics or optimizing their behaviours. Optimizing or maximizing behaviour means generating more gain for the concerned authorities with limited amount of resources. So in this type of economic social science people came to know how to utilize the limited resources to reach the targeted result. For example for an individual household it is like distributing their limited resource (income) into several household goods and services to gain maximum satisfaction for the all family members. It’s very hard for the households to decide (what to buy and how much to buy?) to maximize their satisfaction level. Three economic systems are Capitalist Economy or free market economy, Socialist Economy or state-run economy and mixed economy or public sector economy. Examples of free market economy are United States Economy. For socialist economy or command economy example can be North Korean economy and for mixed economy it can be United Kingdom’s Economy. In a free market economy capitalist society runs with the method of free organization network. Government’s role in this economy is like- Whenever government get a chance to promote competition it does that. Clear all the restrictions for the organizations to operate in a free market. To control the free competitions government should intervene with the market time to time. Sometimes government interventions motivate free market economy so that other way it wouldn’t be possible. In a command economy government role in it is very prominent and strict. For c apitalist economy where government had minimum role in the economy but for socialist one government plays a huge role regarding markets rules and regulations. Nations with this system not only dislike free economic systems but also they made strict law against it. In this system all the productions units and natural resource are controlled by government and no private organizations are allowed to do that. Another economic system where simultaneously free economic system and socialist economic system works is known as mixed economy. There two sectors private and public resides simultaneously. Here private sector can work as a free market entity in broader economic and political restrictions. Main four questions for any economy is ‘what to produce’, ’how to produce’, ’when to produce’ and ’whom to produce’. All the country cannot produce everything by them. Resources are limited and fixed in this world. If a country wants to produ ce everything by them then that country will not going to make a single thing perfectly and because of lack of resources in middle of the work everything will be stopped or jeopardise. P5 To acquire certain economic goal government policies regarding taxation, current account deficits, subsidiaries and other financial matters which are under government’

Characteristics of Servant Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Characteristics of Servant Leadership - Essay Example This essay would describe the leaders’ attitudes and values and the leaders’ behaviors and actions that have been observed. Further, the areas Jack Welch focused on that demonstrated how he served employees, other stakeholders, community and society would be identified. Likewise, the impact that these behaviors and actions in these areas of service had on the organization, in terms of its performance and its contribution to the greater good, would also be proffered. Finally, the four values for the personal leadership model (honesty and integrity, open communication, accountability, and perseverance would be defined. One observable leadership behavior which this value is likely to enable would ultimately be identified. According to Byrne (1998, par. 12), â€Å"No one, not Microsofts (MSFT) William H. Gates III or Intels (INTC) Andrew S. Grove, not Walt Disneys (DIS) Michael D. Eisner or Berkshire Hathaways (BKR.A) Warren E. Buffett, not even the late Coca-Cola (KO) chieftain Roberto C. Goizueta or the late Wal-Mart (WMT) founder Sam Walton has created more shareholder value than Jack Welch.† He has a charismatic personality, â€Å"coupled with an unbridled passion for winning the game of business and a keen attention to details† (Byrne, 1998, par. 16). He demanded an informal structure where the traditional chain of command was violated; enforced an open communication at all times encompassing all levels; and regularly and frequently interrelated with all personnel regardless of ranks. He has great faith in people’s creativity and believes in the value of surprise. As emphasized, â€Å"there are no bounds to human creativity. The idea flow from the human spirit is absolutely unlimited, Welch declares. All you have to do is tap into that well. I dont like to use the word efficiency. Its creativity. Its a belief that every person counts.† (Byrne, 1998, par. 31) Concurrent with his philosophy of enforcing

Behavioral economics & game theory in managerial microeconomics Research Paper

Behavioral economics & game theory in managerial microeconomics - Research Paper Example Consequently, rules are set in a complex manner to ensure a win-win situation for all. This creates difficulties and necessitates systematic analysis prior to the actual occurrence of the situation. In some cases, challenges might arise when a situation is in progress, creating much complexity leading to multiple systems being set up to counter the challenge. In managerial microeconomics, managers face similar situations especially in marketing of products and services. Competitors may keep changing their tactics, in order to keep up with the changing trends in the market. Competitors actions as well as micro and macroeconomic factors beyond the control of firms such as government policies on taxation, social corporate welfare, interest rates, and currency deflation or inflation creates complexity in the business world. In addressing the above challenges among others, managers must thus adopt a game like approach. Representing and Solving Games by Managers in the Business World Assum e the following payoff scenario Company a’s actions High price Low price Company B’s action High price 200A 200B 200A -40B Low price -40A -120B 100A 50B Solution If company B has set a high price then A chooses low price, the B high/Ahigh approach can be ignored. If B sets a low price, then A chooses a low price, the Blow/ Ahigh branch will be impractical. Consequently, B is forced to choose between high price (-40) and a low price (50). In these two scenarios, A must follow B price strategy because they are the dominant strategies. The above scenario illustrates a number of key ideas for managers. In decision making, a set of strategies such that each is best for each player, given that the others are playing their own equilibrium is the...This research paper analyzes the place of game theory and behavioral theory in managerial economics in isolation, then integrates them together, in applying their arguments in addressing real business situations Game theory is complex and involves a lot of difficulties in reasoning A game is any circumstance comprising interdependence amongst players. There are different types of games. This study focuses on co-operative versus non-co-operative games because they involve competition among economic entities, challenging leaders and their management skills. They are characterized by aggressive competition in the business world. Behavioral economics assimilates psychology and economics by recognizing systematic inconsistencies in decision making. These are now recognized to be an essential basis of error in business decisions, they deliver the underpinning for both marketing and finance. At the principal of behavioral economics is the principle that increasing practicality of the psychological underpinnings of economic exploration will improve economics on its own terms, creating theoretical insights, making better predictions of field phenomena. Managerial economics encompasses use of economic approaches of thought to scrutinize business condition. It is the incorporation of economic theory with business practice for the resolve of aiding decision making and accelerative forecasting. In attempts to making optimal decisions, managers should be open minded and extremely flexible, as there is no individual with optimal knowledge.

The French Language And The Slave Trade Assignment - 1

The French Language And The Slave Trade - Assignment Example The effects were both social and economic. In terms of social effects, it led to conflicts among Africans themselves. The French used to bribe some Africans to lure and capture their own. After the others had begun realizing what was going on, they started revenging against the collaborators. It led to â€Å"misery and loneliness. This is because the French were capturing on the active and healthy individuals who would look after cows, plow their farms or go out hunting for food so that their children and older parents and other beneficiaries could benefit from them† (Parkman, 36). Another social effect of the slave trade is language. The local languages of the Africans where the French were carrying out their trade changed drastically. The languages were mixed in some instances with the French whereas others the Africans adopted the French language entirely.In West Africa where these incidences were highly reported, the national and official language is French. This is evident in countries such as Mali, Senegal, Cameroun, and others. The trade hence led to a change in languages (Leroy, 04). Additionally, the mixture of the traditional African culture with foreign French culture resulted in the erasure of the African culture. The French ensured that their culture is superior and more felt on the ground than the traditional African culture. Since then, the African culture in those countries was erased and replaced with the French thus affecting Africans more. In fact, most of the children who were born after the transatlantic trade do not recognize a lot of their cultures (Dubois, 51). The economic impacts were as many as the social ones. First, there was exploitation of Africa’s resources by the French. â€Å"After they realized that the West African countries were rich in natural resources, the French began exploiting them and sending to France where they would benefit them.

Bolton Thermal Recovery Facility Case Study Essay

Bolton Thermal Recovery Facility Case Study - Essay Example The construction of Bolton thermal recovery facility is meant to generate electricity and other sources of energy for Manchester and its surrounding. The facility seeks to create enough energy that can power over 7,000 homes in the city and its neighbourhood. The operation of the Bolton thermal recovery facility has a number of environmental impacts and issues that must be considered. The operations of the facility are also governed by strict environmental legal requirements and provisions that must be adhered to. Analysis of the impacts that may arise from operating the facility which are economical, environmental and social must be done by the management. Introduction The purpose of this report is to provide a critical analysis of the operations of Bolton thermal recovery facility that is based in Manchester. ... There is need for the management to be well averse with the laws, regulations and provisions that influence the operation of the facility. This report will provide a detailed description of the available environmental laws, legal notices and statutory provisions that affects the operation, profitability and efficiency of the facility. The aim of Bolton thermal recovery facility environmental laws and regulation assessment report is to provide benchmark for the implementation of the various environmental requirements that guide operations of such facilities. To facilitate this study, a number of literatures that have been done on the environmental impacts of operating a thermal facility were analysed. These ranged from academic materials and scholarly articles written by academic institutions and departments on their research results on the facility. Literature reviewed articles will also be evaluated to understand the environmental impacts of a thermal recovery facility. To gain insi ghts on the available environmental laws and provisions that govern the operation of a facility of this magnitude, environmental based peer reviewed, academic and university research articles will be evaluated. The press release and legal announcement by bodies and government agencies on the environmental impacts such a facility and the legal requirements that govern its operation will be evaluated. Workshops and symposiums conducted on environmental assessment of thermal recovery will also provide accurate data on the emerging regulatory issues that may affect the operations and smooth running of the firm. Bolton Thermal Recovery Facility The energy produced powers the activities of the

Viral Marketing and Social Networking Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Viral Marketing and Social Networking - Thesis Example , the observation of covering ones nose or mouth when sneezing becomes critical for the major prevention of mucus fluid getting to others because they can be infected by the influenza virus. In our discussion here, no infection is being passed on through marketing, but we are trying to gather more knowledge through expounding on the term to get a better understanding of its meaning. Marketing on the other hand, is passing of information about products available for sale to customers at a time with the aim of creating value. Thus, viral marketing can be described as the passing of information in a large quantity through the media, about the available product and its value to the mass. This can be done through communicating in online social network. Social networking is the coming together of likeminded individuals in an online portal to share their thoughts to advance to better solutions of life. On increasing brand awareness, aids product or brand or service outreach to the targeted customer segment, and achieve related aims to the product or service promotion and or selling the technique encourages all this. So targeting the social networks by word of mouth, the users can convey the information through their sites to, many within a period of time and create a massive awareness for many if it is a targeted part of the customers to the product. The advertisement on the internet is the important aspect in the moment now because of globalization. Today all products are marketed worldwide with technology making a global village what has been a large globe. Take for instance the social media which has become an important part of advertising, it has two components (Bryce 34).The first can be traced through social channels like tweeter or a blog, where your voice gains credibility, in earning a following when you provide regular and useful information through them. The second one is that a word of mouth over the internet about your product through the social media

The analysis of project plan of TUI travel agency Essay

The analysis of project plan of TUI travel agency - Essay Example TUI is abbreviated for Touristik Union International. It was established in 1968. TUI headquarters are located at Berlin, Germany and its official website is www.tui.com. TUI is the largest integrated tourism group in Europe, lagging far behind its competitors with a turnover of about â‚ ¬ 21,866 million in 2008. Initially, it company worked as Preussag AG, and gained a renowned fame in the field of transportation and industrial sector till 2001. This year, it became a 100% subsidiary of Preussag AG. In next year, Preussag AG was transformed into TUI AG. During next few years, TUI developed and changed its production from industrial segment to a modern tourism and shipping company. At present, the company has an extensive network all over the world and is a market leader of tourism industry in Europe. The main areas of operations include tourism, shipping, tour operators, airlines, travel agencies, hotels, resorts, retail stores, cruises, ship containers, and incoming agencies. TU I has â‚ ¬14,917.5 million current and non-current net assets and liabilities. On December 2008, TUI had 70,200 employees , 285 hotels in 28 different countries including 84% four or five star hotels, 79 tour operators in 18 countries, 120 aircraft, 10 cruise liners, and 443 subsidiary companies. One of the unmatchable entrepreneurial landmarks of TUI is its continuous structural progress and upgrading services offered to worldwide customers. Contrary to its rivalry, TUI is very successful in both the tourism and shipping divisions because of its advanced attractive products and services as well as the expansion of new and strong brands. However, the performance of TUI has been affected badly due to ongoing war against terrorism, natural calamities, global recession and lack of customer confidence. Prior to 9/11, TUI had more dynamic growth from 1995 to 2001. Post 9/11 affects really restricted the TUI’s expansion strategy especially in various countries of Asia. Since China is an emerging market, therefore TUI had planned a broad strategy but war in Afghanistan and its further affects in Pakistan kept TUI to hold up its venture

Case Analysis Essay Example for Free

Case Analysis Essay This case focuses on how Toyota as a vehicle manufacturer is looking to get more people to migrate from gas powered vehicles to environment friendly hybrid car variety. The case looks at the automobile market and specifically the hybrid and fuel cell category market in great detail. The automobile industry in general is highly dependent on government regulations and legislatures. There were a lot of pro hybrid and pro Fuel cell legislations that were passed by the California State government which the experts felt that was a matter of time before it would be adopted by other states and would soon become Federal Law. The general trend amidst American customers has been to move from larger cars of American manufacturers to the smaller and better fuel efficiency Japanese cars. It has also been noted that with time the acceptability of hybrid vehicles has been increasing and some states like California are adopting it more easily than others like Memphis. Technologically, whilst Fuel Cells were the cleanest form of vehicle power available, studies had proved that the total impact of extracting hydrogen and then using it in a cell was even greater than a gas powered vehicle. Also, experts felt that it will be 10-20 more years before the fuel cell technology is strong enough. Toyota had invested and committed to developing capacity for the hybrid vehicles while its competition had only looked at hybrids as a temporary fix and were lobbying against certain laws. If imposed, these laws would result in a much higher demand of hybrids. The new hybrid technologies put in place by Toyota also ensured the same driving experience as with other American muscles cars. Problem Definition : The Problem in front of Toyota was simple. Although the Prius had done reasonably well , it was still largely a niche product. Toyota now wanted to move from that stage into mainstream acceptance. It wanted to move up the bell curve into the growth phase of its PLC. Most of the Prius buyers were â€Å"Innovators and Early Adopters – people who had the understanding of technological products and those belonging to urban and semiurban areas. As a company Toyota now had to take Prius and make it more acceptable to the late adaptors and induce people to buy hybrids. Alternatives : The advertising and marketing campaigns of Prius have always revolved around its technical superiority over all other gas powered vehicles while still maintaining the basic performance attributes. However at this stage of the PLC, Prius has to communicate and connect to new customers at an emotional level. Since Late adopters and laggards usually tend to have a delegatory buying behavior, they often tend to make decisions based less on technical aspects of the product. Thus the marketing campaign should focus on portraying the act of being caring about the planet a desirable trait in people. It should also depict the ownership of Prius as a point of Pride – as a medallion of one’s contribution to the planet’s wellbeing. To overcome geographical and demographic biases, the ads should depict different kinds of people, men and women from different states, professions and backgrounds displaying their pride at owning a Prius. Owning a Hybrid should be portrayed as a patriotic duty of every car owner in order to protect the environment and thereby the future of the nation. The more interior states of Memphis and others could use some American Celebs who the people identifies with become brand ambassadors for promoting Hybrid technology. The other possible method could be to focus the attention of the customer to the overall benefit of shifting to a Hybrid both in financial terms and otherwise. The advantage of using such a strategy will be that the differences will be highly tangible and therefore very easy to communicate. At the same time, it will continue to focus on technicalities alone and may be continue to appeal to the technical bent of innovators and early adopters only, in which case it will be difficult to graduate to the next phase of the PLC. Also, we need to understand that the American consumer is not very much price sensitive when it comes to cars, and therefore might not respond to the financial benefit appeal. Recommended Alternatives: The more sensible foot forward would be to primarily work on consumer’s acceptance of the product at a psychological level. This can be achieved if the product can establish an emotional connect with the consumers and then move ahead from there. Thus Toyota has to work on making Prius a preferred brand my making it more American and a more responsible choice. Implementation plans : ? ? ? ? Shift from a technical attribute focus to a more emotional focus Work on advertising campaigns along different media channels to project Prius as the obvious least that one could do to keep the planet clean. Reach out to the semi urban and rural consumer by focusing on how a hybrid makes sense for consumers of different ages, class and category. Make the brand more acceptable to them by using local celebs and building confidence and identity with the brand product.

Women In Bollywood Movies Film Studies Essay

Women In Bollywood Movies Film Studies Essay Bollywood Films are very unique and a different style of movie when compared to Hollywood. There are many things that are dissimilar in Indian films but here the different viewpoints of women in Bollywood will be explored. Female roles are a major aspect in the Indian film industry. Bollywood films are a major reference to Indian culture. The women in Indian society follow an idol that only does what pleases their beloved other and does not go against his demands. This is a tradition that has been followed for many centuries, to their women society for them to respect and do what the husband wants. These may also alter depending on the environment in which they live in and it is seen in some recent films as the directors are trying to show us the contrast of the modern feminism as it comes into contact with traditional values. The films influence the viewers to observe parts of their own lives. The two films, Mother India and Kal Ho Na Ho will be further discussed which illustrates d ifferent points of view towards women. In these films you can also see how the directors have brought out the roles of each female actor based on how they perceived various aspects in life. It is an Indian tradition that women are supposed to show extreme devotion to their husband which is well known as Sakthi or Sati in short (reference). Only those who live by these traditional norms will gain happiness but as they try to disobey these traditional norms they will be punished have to face the consequences. These traditional norms have been followed since the story of Raman and Sita as Sita cherishes and only does what the husband tells her to. Sita is known as the idol women that every woman should follow. The female role is a major role in the Indian society where the wife is supposed to be dependant on the men and those who arent are considered to be one that is seeking for western life such and usually go with the name of Rosie or Mary (reference). Others usually look at these types of women as the ones that would smoke, drink, go to parties and believed to be easily able to get into relationships with, which is very stereotypical. Of courses, these women are consta ntly punished for such behaviours. Basically Indian Films are a product of their culture and how it is developing as the modern society is taking over. Indian Films do contain scenes of romance although it is very rare where you would find a kissing scene as oppose to more Hollywood or western movies. This is because public kissing in Britain is a code of censorship and therefore it is considered something that is applied with western life (reference). There is a certain extent to where these scenes may go to in their industry and usually to convey their message to the viewers they start the romance scenes but would slowly end it off with taking it behind a bush or with a dreamy sequence with music that would be suitable for that type of situation. There are certain kinds of songs and instruments that are used for situation likes these and those are what will fill in the blank for these scenes in Indian films. In the film Mother India the ideal form of mother was the played by the f emale actor and after she got married she went and lived with her husband. She did everything as her husband wished and even after his death she raised her two sons on her own even in the hardest times. These are the typical characteristics required in the Indian society of a mother. At a point she was unable to feed her children and an old man said that if she pleases him then he will give her food and even then she refuses as she finds other ways to earn money. Here she is still committed to her husband having hope he will return which shows the love and respect she shows as an Indian women, which as another value seen in the Indian society. We can see that in many Indian film women are brought up like this for many years and it is their traditional norm for them to behave in such a manner. The environment in which a woman is exposed to is also a major impact on the way they feel, think and behave. Women that were raised in a village in India would behave more culturally and homely as for a girl that was to be exposed to an urban environment. These women that live in an urban environment find that they have more freedom in their Indian society. This is because in urban countries such as America, the perspectives of womens roles are seen differently from the Indian tradition. When these women go to live in an environment like that, they are expected to do what other women there would do and adopt to the societal values seen there. Most women there do more work outdoors like men; they would go to work, they drive, they take care of other business outside along with the men. So as they move into a place like that they would be largely impacted on how they feel and see the role they play from a different view. Women at times can also be treated as if they are in prison, imp lying that they have no freedom and if they were to do as they wish they would be punished for it. Directors that are associated with the new films are trying illustrating the present of a very different image of women. They are trying to explore their modernity, past and present individuality and community (reference). This can be clearly seen in the movie Kal Ho Na Ho where the film is set in America. The female actors in the film have a completely different role in comparison to the mother role in the film Mother India. The women in this movie had a different attitude with more confidence in their actions and speech. They took on roles of what only men were allowed to do according to the Indian norms and even dressed differently. Usually the female characters are seen wearing saris as in Mother India and more covered clothing because that is considered appropriate, but in more urban areas the society is more lenient so they are able to wear clothing as they wish. In the Indian so ciety traditionally pants and shirt was seen as clothing for only men but these directors try to show us the difference of how it is in present days which can be seen in this movie as well. The styles of songs that are given to female actors in the past were more village type of movies where the songs were more cultural with traditional instruments being mainly used. In the more recent films that were taken, such as in Kal Ho Na Ho the songs are more modernised with more different types of instruments used to establish that modern feel. These instruments may vary that including violin, piano, flute and so on. Westernized instruments have been given emphasises on to create the different environment that the film is taken in. So the way they act and present themselves is very important to the way the music and songs are conveyed in the movie as well. A correlation can be in the environment on Indian women. The issues that have influenced the life of women in India are being deeply examined and illustrated through the films by directors. The directors of the movie are the creators of the story and give each character a role in the movie. So basically, it is what the directors have seen and observed throughout their lives that they will put forth in a movie. The roles of the female characters are based on their own opinion on how they perceive them since they were raised. The majority of the directors are males than females, which is why we can get a clear understanding of how males assign the roles for females even in the two films that have been discussed in this essay; Mother India by Mehboob Khan and Kal Ho Na Ho by Nikhil Advani. The directors have been trying their best to illustrate in their films how a woman feels about their life, their experiences and problems that they come across from a womens perspective (reference). Lately there have been many female directors that have bee n entering the Indian Film industry. A difference can be seen in films directed by females, as the viewpoint is taken from more of the womens side and it brings out different perspectives of females. Many conflicts have occurred by women based on the critics of the movies taken by male directors, because they feel that the male directors still base their movies on patriarchal leanings (reference). Female directors try to avoid basing their movies on patriarchal leaning and express the capabilities and values of women that are usually omitted. The female director also wants to establish the hardship that they have gone through when obeying this theory and the outcomes of how the consequences that leads to it. Although male directors do attempt to show the past and the present roles of females in their films, however it is still to a minimum extent as opposed to the roles given to men. This can also be seen in some songs in the Bollywood films as the directors are trying to give the f emale characters a more modern style of singing and behaving, but when observed can be seen that they still shyly base it on the whole theory of patriarchal leanings. An example of this would this would be to see females in songs that rap which is very rare but men would do those roles. However, as society progresses sooner or later this will also be changed by the female directors along with the few other things that are outstanding. Bollywood films have very different viewpoints on women than you would see in Hollywood films. There are many factors that affect and lead to the outcome of this including the tradition that has been followed for many years. Female appearance is displayed in the Indian film industry based on a culture-specific theory (reference). The environment has also been a huge impact on how females are in the world and this has been explored in the Indian film industry as the recent product of Indian cinema is cultural modernity. Finally it is has been seen that the ideal image of the female role in the films only up to the directors of the movie as they are the one that expose these characters to the world. ***bollywood films and the different viewpoints it has on women** tradition: women are supposed to be more at home and not go outside Raman and Sita: wife respects and does what the husband wants, womens idol women who seek to live by the traditional norms find happiness, while those who dare to transgress them are punished and victimised ; moodle women in Indian cinema Mother and wife roles are very important roles in Indian cinema as it can be seen in the movie Mother India ; Sakthi or Sati: extreme devotion to her husband codified behaviour patterns that require the woman to remain secluded, confined to the domestic domain and dependent on the husband the opposite of the wife is the vamp, normally a decadent modern woman, generally with a name like Rosie or Mary. She flouts tradition and seeks to imitate western women. She drinks, smokes, visits night clubs and is quick to fall in and out of loveà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ And she is almost always punished for her unacceptable behaviour. Indian cinema is a product of cultural modernity in India as few other media have. Yet the woman who chooses to identify herself with modernity is almost always portrayed as decadent and punished for it. Courtesan à   devadas -..the ways in which the female form is displayed in Indian popular films are culture-specific. Public kissing ; British code of Censorship applied in Britain : it is associated with western life, so is alien to Indian culture. How this is conveyedà   tribal dress, dream sequences/ wet saris, behind the bush in the artistic cinema, directors associated with the New Cinema sought to present a very different image of women.. : modernity, past and present, individuality and community. The urban environment to which she is exposed is clearly having a profound impact on the way she thinks, feels and acts. ** issues influencing the life of women in India are being increasingly explored through cinema by directors associated with the New Indian Cinema. 2) the representation of women by women film makers/directors; almost all these directors have shown a great interest in examining the experiences, problems and hardship encountered by women, from the viewpoint of women. environment: women have more freedom and do more stuff outside in cities than in their villages

The Power of T.S. Eliots The Waste Land Essay -- T.S. Eliot Waste Lan

The Power of T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land       T. S. Eliot, perhaps one of the most controversial poets of modern times, wrote what many critics consider the most controversial poem of all, The Waste Land.   The Waste Land was written using a fragmented style.   This is a style that is evident in all of Eliot's writings.   There are several reasons for his using this approach, from a feeling of being isolated, to a problem articulating thoughts (Bergonzi 18, Cuddy 13, Mack 1745, Martin 102).      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What influenced Eliot the most in writing poetry was a book he read written by the English critic, Arthur Symon, titled The Symbolist Movement in Literature.   This book is about French symbolist writers of the 19th century.   From this book, the author who had the greatest influence on Eliot is by far   Jules Laforgue.   Laforgue's influence is evident in many of Eliot's poems, sometimes to the point of plagiarism.   Like Laforgue, Eliot uses dialogue between men and women that doesn't seem to communicate a thing.   Other author's had an influence on Eliot as well, like Henry James and Joseph Conrad.   All of these poet's had the common themes of estrangement from people and the world, isolationism, and the feeling that they were failing to articulate their thoughts (Bergonzi 7, 50, Cuddy 30, Mack 1743, Martin 41, Unger 8).      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Henry James influence on Eliot's poetry is evident in the Jamesian qualities he uses.   For example, the opening verse of   The Waste Land   ends with the Jamesian note, "I read, much of the night, and go south in the winter" (Mack, 1751).   Although Lafourge, Conrad, and James were used as sources... ... real influence on mankind's morals, but he certainly impacted modern literature (Unger 36).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Works Cited    Bergenzi, Bernard. T. S. Eliot, Collier Books, New York New York, 1972    Cuddy, Lois A., and David H. Hirsch, eds. Critical Essays on T. S. Eliot, The Waste Land.   G. K. Hall & Co., 1991.    Kenner, Hugh, ed. T. S. Eliot: A Collection of Critical Essays.   Prentice Hall Inc., 1962.    Mack, Maynard. ed.   The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces Sixth Edition. W. W. Norton and Company, 1992: 1743 - 1770.    Martin, Graham. ed. Eliot in perspective.   Humanities Press, 1970.    Ricks, Christopher.   T. S. Eliot and Prejudice.   University of California Press, 1988.    Unger, Leonard.   T. S. Eliot.   University of Minnesota Press, 1970.

Selma Alabama :: essays research papers

Selma, Alabama became the focus of the civil rights movement as activists worked to register Black voters. Demonstrators also organized a march from Selma to Montgomery to promote voting rights. "Bloody Sunday" occured when state troopers attacked demonstrators. Despite the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the active attempts of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to register the Black voters of Alabama no significant progress was made . One such place was Selma Alabama. This small southern town of 29,000 soon became the focal point of the Civil Rights movement. Of the 15,156 blacks in Dallas County, Alabama only 156 were registered to vote. On January 2, 1965 Reverend King visited Selma and gave a fiery speech in it he stated: "Today marks the beginning of a determined organized, mobilized campaign to get the right to vote everywhere in Alabama." On Monday January 14th King returned to Selma, registered in the Hotel Albert, becoming the first black to do so. He then went on to lead to the courthouse to register to vote. Nothing happened the first day, but on the second 67 people were arrested. So it went day by day. Reverend King was arrested during one of the marches and his presence in jail attracted additional media attention to Selma. On February 18 the SCLC leader James Orange was arrested in Perry County. That evening hundreds of blacks gathered and marched on the jail. On the way they were attacked. Among the victims of the attacks were Jimmey Lee and his mother. Lee was beaten and then shot in the stomach, later dying in the hospital. At a large memorial service for Lee, a march from Selma to Montgomery was announced that would take place on March 7th. The marchers set off for Montgomery, but as they crossed the Pettus Bridge, they were attacked by troopers. As the New York Times reported the next day: "The first 10 or 20 Negroes were swept to the ground, screaming, arms and legs flying, and packs and bags went skittering across the grassy divider strip and onto the pavement on both sides.

Somalia vs United States Essay -- Compare Contrast Comparison

Somalia vs United States Somalia, which is about the size of Texas, is a small country located in Eastern Africa next to the Indian Ocean. The United States, which is located on the Western Hemisphere, is bordered by Mexico and Canada and is between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Separated not only by the Atlantic Ocean, Somalia and the United States are also separated by the differences in economies and populations. These two countries that are quite opposite in size have some similarities in their governments and education systems. Somalia is one of the world’s poorest and least developed countries (Campbell). Because of the Civil War, which broke out in 1991, much of Somalia’s economy has been devastated. The war left many homeless and drove them to raise livestock as a means of survival. The economy used to be based on exports of cattle, goats, and bananas but as of early 1992 much of the economic trade had come to a halt. Now the economy is primarily based on the raising of livestock, which accounts for 40% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (Alhaus). Due to overgrazing, soil erosion, and the clearing away of many trees, Somalia has very few natural resources, which have not been exploited. Known deposits include petroleum, copper, magnesium, gypsum, and iron (â€Å"Somalian Economy"). Before the war, Somalia had a well-functioning democratic republic government. Under the 1979 Constitution, the president held executive power. The president was the head and leader of the country’s sole legal political party, The Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party. Elected to serve a 7-year term, the president was nominated by the party’s central committee. Ever since the civil war in 1991, when the government collapsed, Somalia has been in a state of civil war and anarchy (â€Å"Somalian Government†). Somalia is one of the countries in the world with the least diversity among the people. 98.8% of the population is made up of ethnic Somalis (Kraus). Other minority groups include Arabs, Indians, Italians, and Pakistanis. Most Somalis are nomadic or semi nomadic herders of livestock. The rest are either crop farmers or inhabitants of the few urban centers. The official languages of the country are Somali and Arabic and the state religion is Islam (â€Å"Somalian People†). Primary education for children of at least six years was mandatory for Somalians. Many ... ...CD-ROM. Rediman: Microsoft, 1999. 7. â€Å"Somalian Economy.† 1 March 1999. Country Profiles. 8 Sep. 2001 Photius.com/wfb/wfb1999/Somalia/Somalis_economy.html>. 8. â€Å"Somalian Government.† 1 March 1999. Country Profiles. 8 Sep. 2001 Photius.com/wfb/wfb1999/Somalia/Somalia_government.html>. 9. â€Å"Somalian People.† 1 March 1999. Country Profiles. 8 Sep. 2001 Photius.com/wfb/wfb1999/Somalia/Somalia_people.html>. 10. â€Å"United States.† The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia 6th Edition. Columbia University Press, 2001. 8 Sep. 2001 13247.html. 11. â€Å"United States of America.† Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of Nations, 2nd ed. U*X*L, 1999. Reproduced in Student Resources Center. Farmington hills, Mich.: Gale Group. December 2000 . 12. â€Å"United States Economy.† The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia 6th Edition. Columbia University Press, 2001. 8 Sep. 2001 articlesnews/13247Economy.html. 13. â€Å"United States People.† The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia 6th Edition. Columbia University Press, 2001. 8 Sep. 2001 13247People.html. 14. Vick, Karl. â€Å"Building a government form scratch. After 10 chaotic years, Somalia has a president.† Washington Post 24 Nov. 2000: A45.

Betrand Russell – Problems of Philosophy

As humans we naturally believe that the sun will rise tomorrow. But why is it that we believe this? In the following essay I will explore the logic behind this question focusing on Bertrand Russell’s arguments of induction, and the uniformity of nature as presented in his book â€Å"The Problems of Philosophy† Russell’s principle of the uniformity of nature suggests humans and animals fall into the trap of believing that everything that has and will happen becomes a â€Å"general law with no exceptions† (Russell, 63). In other words, the more frequently something occurs, the more certain it is to occur again.Russell provides an example citing the relationship between a chicken and a farmer. When the chicken sees the farmer coming everyday, he assumes, as per usual, that he will be fed, but ultimately one day the farmer will kill the chicken (Russell, 63). This is the trap that we frequently fall into by becoming too accustomed to what has already occurred, and assuming that it will always happen again. Russell argues that this is because humans use inductive logic to generate these general laws, which are used as the basis for the uniformity of nature (Russell, 66).This principle of induction states that the more times we see two things to be associated, the greater the certainty that this association is accurate (Russell, 67). An example is the rising of the sun. Through inductive logic we have determined that every morning, the sun will inherently rise (Russell, 64). There is however, a small chance that the world’s rotational force could stop which would result in the sun not rising. However, as inductive logic brings us to â€Å"certainty without limit†, it is seemingly impossible that the sun wouldn’t rise, based on the billions of times it has risen in the past (Russell, 69).This is where I believe there is an issue in Russell’s argument. I believe that there is no legitimate evidence supporting the relationship between induction and the uniformity of nature. In my opinion regardless of how many times the sun comes up; the chance of the sun rising the next day, does not change. From this I conclude that induction is not a proper way of determining whether or not the sun will rise, because there is still an unchanging probability that it will not.Russell counters this by arguing that through induction we can approach a level of â€Å"almost certainty, without limit† (Russell, 67). I believe this to be a fallacy as well because this statement in itself is an oxymoron. It suggests that there are different degrees of certainty, which is contrary to the definition of certainty itself. While I do believe that the sun will rise tomorrow, my belief is routed in the uniformity of nature, not in induction, as I am not convinced of this â€Å"certainty† which induction requires.Russell would once again refute this suggesting that it’s not the level of certainty, but r ather the probability of the sun rising that increases. I however, believe that this probability cannot change. Each sunrise is independent of one another, just as each flip of a coin is. Regardless of how many heads in a row I get, I cannot by any logical measure deduce that the coin will always flip heads. Similarly, I cannot conclude that the sun will always rise just because it has in the past. Based on these grounds, the argument of induction does not stand, and hence, is not related to the uniformity of nature.

Creative Thinking Week 4

How might you use the strategies for applying creativity to problems and issues in addressing this topic? I would use the novel approach with a few things, first I would use it to encourage readers to research each candidate, get all the facts available and second I would be sure to have both good and bad facts as part of the article its self not as part of the end of the article, however I do like the links to other articles that pertain to that issue.I would also try to improve what the writer of the article said; I think I would have added more about this year’s campaign slogan and what the president has on his to do list. I might even ask for reader comments, or their answer to a particular question. This would incorporate the reader’s views and help me to appeal to them more. I would also try to redefine the first campaign to show how while not everything that was promised has been done, progress has been made, and we are still moving forward but we have to give th ings time, none of this happened over night and it is not going to be fixed overnight either.Most importantly I want to be sure that I present facts but in a way that sounds like I am actually saying it, I want to give it my own twist of creativity. How might you use the strategies for promoting curiosity in addressing this topic? Why do you think these strategies might be effective? By using the strategies for promoting curiosity in addressing this topic you are going deeper into your work and getting the whole picture.Curiosity is having the desire to learn, that means you ask questions, research, do everything in your power to know more about whatever it is you are curious in. I think these strategies might be effective because it allows you to go deeper and see what is lying beneath it all. You will be able to find out information that you wouldn’t be able to know from the first glance. Being curious makes you gain more knowledge, in this situation you would be able to pr ovide the best information on the topic and provide all the right answers for both sides to your readers.How might you use the various methods for producing ideas to eliminate the bias from the original article and still present a factual and persuasive case? To make my topics and articles more interesting I will use all the strategies. The reason being for using all the strategies is because I want to add more life to the article and get the viewers to fully read through my article. One of the strategies is taking a novel approach, I believe that if I take a novel approach in the article that I wrote then I ill have the readers reading the article as a story so they can get more in depth with the article. Another strategy is devising or modifying a process or system, with this I will make sure that I have a plan so that I will not be free handing through my entire article. I will also use finding new uses for existing things because the stories in the article may involve old storie s but adding new stories will brighten the article more. Lastly, inventing or redefining a concept so that my article looks the part and looks new and improved.

Cost Effectiveness And Commitment

Human resource managers in organizations have various tasks to carry out in an organization. One of the tasks is carrying out cost effectiveness in an organization. They also have the responsibility of ensuring that there is commitment both at the individual level and organizational level. Carrying out cost effectiveness in an organization has got its own effects both positive and negative. Human resource managers need to ensure that the consequences of cost effectiveness and commitment are reconcilable. In each and every organization, there is normally the pressure of reducing cots so that profits are maximized.As human resource managers develop a cost reduction strategy, it is important that there be some reconciliation with the commitment in the organization. Before looking at the extent that consequences of cost effectiveness and commitment reconcile one has to have the broader picture of the effects of reducing costs within an organization. (Condrey, 1998) Cost reduction or cost effectiveness can be carried out through various means. One of them is through minimizing the number of employees within the organization.There are some cases where human resource managers are compelled to carry out retrenchment of some employees in order to minimize costs. This means that the few employees that remain in the organization have to carry out multitasking. Cost effectiveness in an organization can also be implemented by reducing employee’s bonuses and allowances. This includes scraping off of medical allowances from employees’ salaries. The other way that cost effectiveness is carried out by human resource managers is through introducing of technology. This includes having computers and internet in an organization.Instead of having messengers in an organization, use of emails is incorporated. This is very cost effective. Human resource managers also increase employees’ working hours so that there is more productivity in an organization. All these ventures carried out with the motive of enhancing cost effectiveness have got various consequences to an organization. For instance when retrenchment is carried out, there is a likelihood that that the remaining employees will do their best at work. When salaries are reduced and also allowances and bonuses reduced, this can greatly de-motivate employees. Maund, 2001)Research indicates that it is a very tricky venture to incorporate cost effective practices like the ones that are listed above without affecting or compromising the organization’s growth potential by having employees being less committed. While carrying out cost effectiveness in an organization is a venture of trimming the fat, human resource managers have to be very careful such that they do not cut into the bone too. This simply means that everything carried out within an organization to help minimize costs has to be very well planned and the consequences of the same well evaluated.Many human resource managers just carry out cost effectiveness without having any buy in from the employees in the organization. Even as this venture is carried out, there is the need of identifying the core competencies in relation to improving the entire efficacy within the organization. Outsourcing is also one of the consequences or the outcomes of cost effectiveness. This has got adverse effects on the general commitment of employees. Employees can feel that they are not that important or rather qualified to carry out the tasks within the organization.That is why it is important that consequences of carrying out cost effectiveness within an organization be clearly evaluated such that they do not have such adverse effects on employees’ commitment. (Wintermantel, 1997) There are various steps that can be taken by human resource managers in the motive of implementing cost effectiveness. This includes contracting out some of the business in the organization that is not very core in nature. One has to und erstand the consequences of these ventures can affect the company’s relationship with customers such that they change focus and become less committed to the company’s products or services.In this case, whatever step that is taken has to be done with great caution and after very extensive consultation such that an equilibrium state can be reached. This is whereby there is cost effectiveness and yet the organization continues to experience growth. The extent to which the consequences of cost effectiveness and commitment can reach a reconcilable state is ensuring that proper planning is carried out. Cost effectiveness as many scholars say is not rocket science. It is said that anyone can actually carry out cost cutting in an organization, but very few do it well such that the organization suffers a great deal.For the consequences of cost effectiveness and commitment to reconcile the whole process has to be carried out very efficiently and effectively. The following consid erations have to be put in place. †¢ One has to remember that money is not everything †¢ Change has to be carried carefully When costs in an organization are cut, there is great realignment that occurs in an organization. Cost effectiveness sometimes means elimination of departments, people, customers, research and development projects and even initiatives.This affects the Company’s activities and therefore human resource managers need to know that it is not just an issue of what or who to eliminate. Rather it is an issue with adequate preparation for the same, anticipation and consequences of the changes that help in overall determination of the success within an organization. The extent to which the desired consequences of cost effectiveness and commitment can merge is just having an initial focus in the whole venture. The human resource manager has to clearly ascertain that the desired change in cost effectiveness in the organization is actually very necessary â € ¢ How the success will be measured†¢ The areas that have priorities be clearly defined †¢ How the consequences of cost effectiveness will be managed The other way through which the consequences of cost effectiveness and commitment can be merged is through building of local support within the organization and also simple listening to the local voices within the organization. It is said that good listeners are quite hard to find. This is where there is picking up of messages that are conveyed through gestures, expressions silence and behavioural cues.This is quite important when carrying out cost effectiveness in an organization. Carrying out cost effectives in an organization is known to be a very difficult task. This is the case especially when employees or team members speak different languages and come from different cultures. For instance in multilingual environments, problems are bound to occur in relation to intent and meaning of speech. Human resource managers ha ve the hard task when carrying out cost effectiveness such that not only people from a certain tribe have to be laid off.This has got its own effects on the commitment of employees that remain in the organization. Human resource management consequences of commitment and cost effectiveness are only reconcilable when various measures are put in place. This includes empowering employees in the organization to develop solutions which can be owned locally. Human resource managers need to set the vision and then have the team coached. This allows the local stakeholders to own the whole process of ensuring cost effectiveness. This makes employees be held to their commitment.Cost effectiveness change can only be effective or successful when the projects have people who are empowered in control and planning of the whole process. (Thomson, 2003) Commitment can be build to ensure success among employees, vendors, customers, local managers and partners. It is good that good communication networ ks be carried out so that so that commitment of the stakeholders within the organization is enhanced. Human resource managers have to clearly understand that success within an organization is not just in monetary values. It is also through commitment of stakeholders within the organization too. Wintermantel, 1997)Top human resource manager in an organization has to demonstrate simultaneously the commitment to listening, cost reduction and listening from employees and other stakeholders within the organization. One of the critical tools is having effective communication. This helps a great deal to maintain the commitment of employees within the organization even if ventures of cutting costs are implemented. Cost reduction is known to be a matter of survival for very many organizations. While there can be consensus on this issue, the challenge normally lies in delivering the whole process of cost reduction. ConclusionThe desired human resource management consequences of commitment and cost effectiveness are reconcilable. This is when proper measures are considered when implementing cost effectiveness within the organization. Communication is a very important factor that has to be considered when carrying out cost effectiveness. Proper communication has to be carried out to the various stakeholders within the organization like customers, vendors and employees. Change even if it is in line with cost effectiveness has to be carried out carefully. Human resource managers need to know that success in an organization is not just in monetary terms only.

Comparison and Contrast Essay of Two video games

Now a days technology become too much advance. Some of the greatest improvements in new technology have been the creation of computer games. In the present century lots of children’s play computer games. For children’s games have become a luxury more than a need. This demand is increasing for develop new and advance games. Similar there is a Rockstar Industries, they develop video games likewise Grand Theft Auto 3 and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. These game two games are most famous.First of all Grand Theft Auto 3 release on October, 2001 developed by DMA Design in United Kingdom and publish by Rockstar Games. This game is a first 3D game in the series of Grand Theft Auto. First it was release for PlayStations later on PC Xbox. Moreover GTA 3 also develops for Apple App store and Android devices. On other hand Grand Theft Auto vice city release on October 29, 2002 developed and as well as publish by Rockstar Games in United Kingdom. GTA Vice city is second 3D game in th e series of Grand Theft Auto.It also releases for Playstation later on PC Xbox. But now it also realease for Apple App store and Android devices. Moreover, Grand Theft Auto 3 game graphic not much as compare as Grand Theft Auto vice city it is too dark. GTA3 player can’t spend his money on purchasing properties and make money from them. And it has better missions and vehicles but in smaller numbers, such as cars, trucks, train, some boat are not used much. GTA vice city have too much colorful graphic and players enjoy too much, once they played vice city they unlike GTA 3.In Grand Theft Auto Vice City player can spend his money on purchasing properties and make money from them. And more missions and vehicles, such as new shaped cars, bikes, helicopter, planes, and more useful boat. Furthermore, GTA3 System Requirements for players are should have Pentium 3 or 4, and need 450 MHz plus 128MB RAM. And 16 MB direct 3D Video Card, Sound Card, 8X CD-ROM and 500MB free hard disk spa ce should need.GTA Vice City System Requirements for players are should have 800 MHz Intel Pentium 3 or 4, and want 1.2GHz plus 128 MB of RAM, 8 speed CD / DVD drive, plus 32 MB direct 3D Video Card, Sound Card as well as 915 MB of free hard disk space. Mostly people say that GTA Vice City the better than GTA 3. Because in gta vice city has more missions and it also have good graphic more vehicles etc. GTA Vice City is more interesting game than GTA . 3 Today generation like these games very much, it look like real live game. And it have look of thing to do. For Instance, you can do racing, fighting shoot driving swimming and lot of things.

International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

International Business - Essay Example What can describe corporate governance is a structure of responsibilities and rights shared within parties who posses a stake in a company. According to the article, researchers direct too much of focus on corporate governance on developed countries leaving emerging economies like China and India with relatively too little focus on research (53). Due to their weak governance, firms in developed countries tend to discount firms in emerging economies. As such, it will be of paramount importance if policy makers could employ corporate governance reforms since they would in turn increase firms in emerging economies access to capital as well as enhance investors’ confidence in these firms. Given the perspective of most foreign investors that emerging economies of China and India are increasingly growing to be of great importance in terms of investment opportunities and source of growth, there should be availability of reforms set to revolutionize the systems of governance in firms in these economies (55). The four challenges include lack of incentives, power in the hands of dominant shareholders, and inadequate number of qualified independent directors deters growth in these emerging economies as well as underdeveloped systems of external monitoring. The main driving forces Arguably, even though there many other factors that are contributing to corporate governance reforms, it is clear that globalization and privatization take the biggest part. There are a number of effects that privatization has on corporate governance reforms. For instance, documented evidence shows that, since when emerging economies started privatizing state owned enterprises a few years ago, there emerged a huge volume of privatization cases ranging from $8 billion in 1990 to more that $65 billion in 1997 (57). In privatization, transfer of ownership is from the sate to new private owners in which it may include local individuals, management, employees, and institutions as well as foreig n investors. Following this state of ownership, the new and diversified structure of ownership renders corporate governance a vital aspect in emerging economies. In the vein of privatization, however, challenges and obstacles occur when a few dominant executives resolve to foster their self-interests by maximizing on their private interests as opposed to owner’s interests. This creates the old or traditional agency problems that in turn make the emerging economies rigid in terms of exercise of authority (59). Additionally, the aspect of privatization led to creation of principle-to-principle agency problems that appear unique and different to emerging economies. As a result, within these indifferent contexts of agency, the majority or large number of shareholders end up controlling the firm and on the other side expropriate the interest of the minority shareholders in the firm. Both China and India became increasingly integrative into the international business at a time when they started reforming their economies with India embarking on liberalism in the wake of 1990s. Globalization led to great and tremendous contributions towards reforming corporate governance of both China and India. This is because, 2002 witnessed China replace the US as the world’

American History Since 1865 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

American History Since 1865 - Essay Example Roosevelt was more concerned about the general public and believed in the notion of relief, recovery and reform. Soon after gaining office, he introduced different relief programs which provided employment to thousands of unemployed persons. He reduced the expenses on military, research and education to increase the funds required to boost the economy. His approach was very successful and provided a head start for the nation to recover from the Great Depression. 2. What can you understand about the problems facing the nation or about American culture and society of the day? The primary problem faced by the American nation was unemployment. However it had not resulted only from the crashed economy but also due to materialistic work practices of the people. The people were more concerned about earning easily rather than through hard work. The other major problem faced by the society was the improper utilization of the natural resources. The land was abundant in natural resources but la ck of leadership and coordination among the people had hindered in its proper utilization. The nation lacked a stable currency that could suffice for all the trade and commerce. The competition and monopoly of big organizations had throttled the small scale businesses and caused widespread unemployment.

Workforce planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Workforce planning - Essay Example Sloan (2010) notes that the strategic work force planning seeks to look into the current, transitional and future needs of the business. Operational workforce planning, on the other hand, takes about twelve to eighteen months. It forms the basis of the strategic workforce planning. Work force planning occurs in five basis steps. The first step is the context and environment consideration. It entails looking at why the process is required and the goals that the business seeks to achieve by having a workforce plan. It is in this stage where the performance measures for the plan are also identified and spelt out. Bechet (2002) notes that one of the key procedures in the initial stage of workforce planning is linking the strategic goals and objectives of the business with the plan. It allows for the team involved to know how to shape the plan so that it is part and parcel of the overall goals of the business. The second step is the generation of the current workforce profile. It requires focusing on the current skills, competencies, experience and strengths of the workforce that the business has. Step two also necessitates the identification of the key issues which need to be considered so that the capability of the workforce can be improved. Step three of the plan is the generation of the future workforce profile. According to Hill & Jones (2001) a plan is supposed to take an organization to a desired future state. It therefore means that the business must look at the implications that the plan will have on its future as well as the environment which will be needed for the effective implementation and use of the plan. Future priorities must also be identified at this stage. The fourth step is the analysis of the gaps and coming up with strategies to close them. Step four entails the identification of the key areas where action will be obligatory so that the gaps are filled for the benefit of the business. The final step is the conclusion,

Equality, Diversity and Difference Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Equality, Diversity and Difference - Essay Example This paper illustrates that Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that, â€Å"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.† However, as this definition does not relate to any law, various nations across the globe have put a legal standpoint to the definition of equality. ‘Equality’ (or ‘equal’) signifies correspondence between a group of different objects, persons, processes or circumstances that have the same qualities in at least one respect, but not all respects, i.e., regarding one specific feature, with differences in other features. Therefore, striving to achieve equality is generally defined as â€Å"the incorporation of Equal Opportunities issues into all actions, programmes, and policies from the outset†. As equality has been a cause of global concern, the new age government keep this aspect in mind each time when they consider a new policy or a law. When we look back historically, we know that human beings have always had the tendency to dominate over the weak. This resulted in the creation of a social structure where some sections became the privileged and other sections were considered less-equality. This craving for power and dominance started contributing to a society where inequality started existing. For example, areas of residences of various groups were demarcated. The affluent and dominating section of the society tried to ensure that the laymen do not live near to their places of residence To clarify further, we can also define equality in terms of non-discrimination. Equality means the absence of discrimination, and upholding the principle of non-discrimination between groups will produce equality. Therefore, discrimination can be defined as any act that denies equality that an individual or a group wishes for. It is widely accepted that equality and non-discrimination are positive and negative statements of the same principle.

The Evolution use and design of research centers in the world - 2 Essay

The Evolution use and design of research centers in the world - 2 - Essay Example Research Centers, Evolution and Architecture 1. Introduction The ongoing trend of research centers in the contemporary world is attributed to the formal beginning of research center in the 9th century. The importance of research centers is identified in the 9th century from where its benefits are being acquired in a significant manner today (Tash 9-11). The initial research centers were limited to observatories, which have expanded to several other disciplines by the evolution of time. In the contemporary world, there are several research centers which precisely deal with distinct important disciplines including medical and health sciences, chemistry, physics, sociology, psychology, astronomy and many more (Tash 22-27). Since the beginning of this significant trend in the world, the discipline of architecture has played an intrinsic role in the design and structure of research centers’ buildings (Narvaez, Panksepp and Schore 13-15). The evolution of this trend was accompanied with the evolution of architecture in which specific research facilities were designed in the latest state of the art with its contemporary times (Colquhoun 7-11). Out of many research centers, which are designed in concordance with its domain of discipline, there are specific research centers, which precisely incorporate the issues related to children. The idea of children research center is associated with the evolution of child development (Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development 31-33). This concern has hatched the initialization of children research centers. As the evolution in the consideration of child development led to the persisting trend of children research centers, the discipline of architecture has also pertained to the influence of this evolution (O'Connor 3-5). There are several significant elements, which are being incorporated in the architectural design of children research centers in the contemporary times. These elements include arts, spacious interior design, modernistic exterior of building, numerous levels of buildings with utility of glass, and friendly decor to the architecture of building (Colquhoun 45-51). These are the elements which have been illuminated through the evolution in the children research centers’ architecture. 3.1 History/Evolution (International & National) of Development of your Project. If your project has multiple functions/mixed use you should trace the evolution of these functions/types/uses. Offering examples is necessary The Beginning of the Children Research Centre The very first recorded children’s research and learning center was the Victoria Hospital for Sick Children that was built in 1892 by Darling and Curry Architectural Firm. It was built in Toronto, Canada as a hospital to serve sick children. It became the first children’s hospital to open a school within its walls (Hamilton & David 65). This school was meant to facilitate the transfer of skills and k nowledge that nurses and doctors had learnt in the hospital to new staff. In addition, it was meant for doctors, professionals, and scientists to exchange information on various children illnesses. Starting off as a hospital, the building was later abandoned as it became less suited for multiple departments. The building, first made

Website for an organization which has a campaign promoting a core Assignment

Website for an organization which has a campaign promoting a core issue that interests you - Assignment Example Morris Dees SPLC uses current laws to bring lawsuits to change current unjust laws. One example is when Dees sued the United Klans of America on behalf of Beulah Mae Donald. Donald’s son had been killed due to the Klan’s incitement toward violence against blacks. This suit bankrupted the last majorly nationally organized Ku Klux Klan in the United States. By challenging unfair laws and bring lawsuits, the SPLC has challenged and won lawsuits against discrimination against those living in the United States. The primary message is written with photographs at the top. These messages are informative. The website is set up like a news organization. Articles are current news around the United States involving issues of discrimination against minorities, Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT), and immigrants. The message is clear. Although America does have more tolerant laws today than in the 1950’s, there is much work to still be done. The target audience is average Americans that might not be aware of incidents of discriminations in their area. An example is the Hate Watch map. The Hate Watch map tracks hate groups. These groups are skinheads, KKK, black panthers, anti-government groups, and any group that promotes hate against others. The map shows the locations of hate group members and more information on each group. It must be noted that although the SPLC was founded during the Civil Rights Movement, the group is not anti-white or pro-black. The SPLC was founded to promote equality among all Americans. The SPLC also has teaching material for educators to teach children. These messages are targeted toward the younger audience. These materials, books, worksheets, videos, and recordings are provided for free. History and current events are covered in these materials. The materials can be requested by a teacher or adult for free. The noise or confusion that

The Formation of Islamic Art and the Amalgamation of Different Literature review

The Formation of Islamic Art and the Amalgamation of Different Cultural - Literature review Example â€Å"Arts of the Islamic World† and â€Å"Islamic art† are significant phrases which refer to the various artistic traditions which have flourished since the advent of Islam across a vast geographic area ranging from southern Spain and North Africa to the islands of Southeast Asia in the late seventh century. (Arts of the Islamic World 2008). One most relevant factor about the formation of Islamic art has been the influence of the varied culture of the world on its formation. â€Å"The cultural influences ranged from Byzantine (inherited when the Ottomans made Constantinople their capital in 1453) to Italian, French, Central Asian, Persian and Arab.† (Sajoo 2001, p. 16-18). There was also important influences from Roman architectural elements, Spanish mosaic decoration, Chinese ceramics, and Iraqi calligraphic styles in North Africa under the Fatimid dynasty. One of the most important elements of Islamic art has been its architecture consisting of a unique relig ious architecture which comprises the mosque (masjid), and the madrasa and a secular architecture including palaces, caravansaries, cities and the mausoleum. The Islam from the Arabian Peninsula had no native artistic traditions, but as it began to spread politically and socially, it also absorbed and adapted indigenous art styles. â€Å"Islamic art thus developed from many sources. Roman, Early Christian, and Byzantine styles were taken over in early Islamic architecture; the influence of Sassanian art—the architecture and decorative art of pre-Islamic Persia under the Sassanids—was of paramount significance.

Last two hundred years Essay Example for Free

Last two hundred years Essay The 19th and 20th centuries are very rich about inventions that changed our lives. The automobile is one of those inventions changed peoples lives. Short after its invention automobile became a necessity in daily life more than being luxury or a symbol of nobility. Today the numbers of cars are close to half of earths population. Almost every family in developed countries owns a car. The automobile has had the greatest effects on our lives in last two hundred years because it is a necessity, it has an important effect on the world economy and it affects our lives directly. There are some reasons why automobiles become a necessity in todays life which of those reasons are being the cheapest, fastest and easiest way to travel when compared against other inventions like planes, ships or trains. Before the invention of automobiles humanity used to travel with domestic animals, which cause more expanses than, cars do in todays conditions. A traveler has to pay great amounts of money to travel from one town to another to the animals owner also if someone owns his own animal it will probably costs much more because he has to feed and look after that animal. Even today when compared against planes, ships or trains; the automobile is still the cheapest way to travel. The automobile is also the fastest way to travel when compared to old traveling methods. For example horse back riding from France to Germany will take months while driving the same distance with a car will take a day or less. The last important thing that made automobile a necessity is its being the easiest way of traveling and transportation. Traveling with automobiles gives people freedom of going wherever they want; only thing they have to do is to have wish of going and the money to afford an automobiles expanses. The automobile gives a freedom of traveling which other traveling methods do not offer. Trains are limited with the rails whereas planes are also limited with aerostations but cars can reach everywhere roads reach and even far. Today automobile is a necessity like sleeping or eating. The busses people go their work with, the lorries that people transport their goods, the ambulances that saves peoples lives and lots uncountable more examples there are which shows us how necessary automobiles are. As a result a necessity is something that affects peoples lives deeply. Without cars it will be impossible to the things we do in daily life like traveling, transporting and reaching. Another important point that makes the automobile effect on peoples life is its effect on world economy with the automobile industry and its subsidiary industries like car accessories. Today almost every developed countrys economy is based on the automobile industry while developing countries depend on the automobile industry also. A large rate of world trade is about automobiles. For instance there are big car companies in both Europe and USA that has big factories in which millions of people work. This causes a great income for the world economy and keeps it running. Because economies depend on and based on the automobile, peoples lives are depended on automobile and this is why this invention affects humans lives too much. Peoples are depended on the automobile economically because lots of peoples job involves cars, lorries, trucks or buses and also lot of peoples job is to produce vehicle. For those reasons the automobile affects peoples lives too much as an economic support, it is what people earn their lives from. The last and the most important reason why the automobile affect peoples lives are because it affects their lives with its side effects like; pollution, accidents, transportation and automobile based lifestyles. All kinds of automobiles are based on the same principle, which is the creation of energy by using petrol and its side products. As a result automobiles produce harmful gases and release them through the air people breathe. Automobiles pollute the air and are a danger for all living creatures with the air pollution it causes. In addition to air pollution automobile also causes sound pollution with the sound of horns and motors, which depress people and create negative social effects on them. Because automobile is the fastest way to achieve somewhere, the wrong use of it causes accidents resulting with injuries or even deaths. As a result deaths and injuries cause incorrigible social effects like depression and suicide because it affects people negatively. With the automobile, transportation becomes easier and more common. That created an enormous effect on trade, which also means an enormous effect on peoples lives because it affects economy with this way, which means an affect on the way people, earns their lives. The last direct effect the automobile created on peoples lives is that some lives are based on the automobile passion. For example car and motor racers,  Harley Davidson cycles collectors, Chevrolet fans and lots more. Because of those reasons the automobile is a piece of peoples lives that affects them directly with a lot of reasons. In conclusion the automobile has had the greatest effect on peoples lives because it become a piece of their life with its usage and effects. It is the invention that gave man freedom of traveling wherever he wants, it changed his life and it is a necessity of life for him. In todays world cars save peoples time, power and even lives. The automobiles allow people to reach places quickly, lorries, trucks carry their goods and finally ambulances save lives. All those create enormous effects on peoples lives.

Effects of Population Density and Noise Essay Example for Free

Effects of Population Density and Noise Essay Effects of Population Density and Noise Density and noise is able to effect people differently, a person’s personal space; territory and privacy can be disrupted by other people, chronic noise, and short-term noise. The different effects can be from an annoying noise to a more strong intrusive and anxiety forming illness. When population density increases the personal space, privacy and territory are approached a person may demand the acknowledgment to help stop or prevent crowding, and to help maintain the anxiety and frustration levels that a person could reach. Personal space is defined as â€Å"a physical distance that people choose to keep in interpersonal relationships† (Hutchinson Kowalski, 1999). Personal space can also be defined as a invisible space or boundaries that surrounds a person’s body and where other people would be considered an intruder if the individual gets to close to that person. Territorial space is when a person uses durable but preventative behaviors such as a defense of a home, place, person, objects, etc. This could also be done by verbal, signs, self-markers, this can imply to a person the one in or on that property or near the property will react in a manner that will help keep that space safe. People are not the only one’s or things that use territory. Animals use territory to show ownership. Privacy is defined as â€Å"a control over information about a person and have control over interaction with others† (Hutchinson Kowalski, 1999). Privacy is a major concern especially with tec hnology today, people have information that is suppose to stay private where some information can be made very public, the individuals place the values and needs of this information through technology can cause a huge risk on privacy. According to Straub (2007), a study done by John Calhoun experimented with a population density with living conditions of rats. Through his study the  rats would behave as normal and were given ample living space and as the rats population increased the rats social environment starts to deteriorate. The rats would kill the young, reproduction would decrease, the rats would fight, and some even became cannibals. Although the study does not completely compare to people, the behavior of people can have certain affects as the population starts to get denser. Population density can start to affect crowding, which can ultimately lead to people feeling confined and very limited to the surroundings. In crowding a person can â€Å"start to feel aggression, inappropriate social interaction, social withdraws, and sometimes even criminal actions† (Stokols, 1972). If crowding becomes a factor but is able to be decreased the personal space, territory and privacy could be restored. This be comes a high demand and needs to be acknowledged so that others do not feel controlled or start to react to such annoyances. Having the perception of population density gives components, one being ample space provided to that person, and two having crowding diminish. This giving the perception of space an influences to give more space if needed. Since crowding is inevitable a person psychological mindset is to change with the space that is given. If the person is able to get the space they need the likelihood of the person not having high anxiety and stress could look into a positive spectrum. Natural settings are typically managed, such as zoos, green spaces, even parks, this can create a social context as well as a support, this leading to interaction, and nurturing the environment, especially in urban living situations. People who are able to live in urban settings and are able to encourage the perception to live with nature are more influenced that people were to believe that nature would reduce disease, it would increase health and would reduce crime, although most theories are able to support this evidence. Urban parks can play a significant role in not only physical activity but some evidence even support fewer health issues. Some studies found that people who live in green spaces have a â€Å"lower mortality rate then those who do not live in green spaces, this study was shown through the culture of the Japanese, and has also shown that the stress from urban  settings can be reduced with green spaces† (Gidlofgunnarsson Ohstrom, 2007). Having a neighborhoo d with more green space is also known to cause closer interpersonal relationships, less aggression and violence, more positive social interaction with in the community, and even better school performance. Noisy environments have also shown to be a cause in negative health issues. Through, studies of people and animals the noise in an environment can cause an â€Å"increase in cortisol levels, and blood pressure† (Staub, 2007). Studies show even chronic exposure to noise can even cause risk of cardiovascular disease, and even a decrease in learning. This can become an issue for children as well, as children grow they learn maladaptive skills and how to block certain stimuli. Having to much noise in the environment can have them learn to block the wrong stimuli’s which can have the child lack verbal skills. Due to some studies in â€Å"chronic noise effects the louder noise can start to disrupt the short term memory as decrease the ability to be able to perform even the simplest tasksâ€Å" (Straub, 2007). Although noise can not be directly responsible for stress, it does however relate to sleep disturbance, it provokes anxiety, and can affect a person’s attitude. People may not have access to control the noise outside the homes, but the ways of decreasing the noise would be putting drapes up, objects on the wall, more objects within the home such as furniture. Being able to trap the sound waves from outside to the windows by layering things like blinds, and curtains, having carpet instead of wood floors would help muffle the noise that would have a tendency to bounce off the walls. There is a perception of noise that one sound will affect a presence of another sound, natural sounds like water running, is considered a white noise this ultimately effects the sound waves in an environment that are typically used in a home setting live a bath or vacuum. This can help reduce stress levels especially in young children. Some people are known to purchase sound machines, which can be inexpensive and take only a small portion of electricity. Auditory Masking is what creates this noise on top  of noise. This does not change the noise that is around but it will be able to decrease the awareness of such noises. Infants seem to be the ones who adjust more to auditory masking, if a mother/father is vacuuming as the child is crying to constant noise of the vacuum starts to soothe the child into a sleep (in most cases). Looking back, privacy, territoriality, and personal space are involved in a personal choice and is that person’s individual perceptions of how the space is used for a normal functioning day. Privacy can be subjected by technology, which in some cases cause the privacy to be leaked to the public. There are some psychological effects that the perceptions of the choices that person has made, does vary individual to individual, however limited space has a toll on every person. In urban, environments having limited space can increase aggression, and even violent behavior. The average academic performance decreases, and there is more negative reactions that is observed between the community. Intrusive noise, can cause a large amount that can cause annoyance, and depending on the individual this could lead to an interpretation of an intrusion. The access of a noise reduction can help strategies from complex to even simple annoyance. When the outside noise can not be controlled a pers on may look at internally controlling the situation which then decreases the anxiety and stress that noise can make. Having objects such as fans, or running ponds, can help reduce levels of stress due what is called â€Å"white noises†. Many people can have their personal space intruded by outside noises, especially when a person has state or county construction going on in the area. There are laws that help prevent certain times that are allowed to start and finish, just as a homeowners community does for daily noises such as mowing a lawn. Reference: Hutchison, E. D., Kowalski, S. (1999). Dimensions of human behavior: person and environment. Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press. Stokols, D. (1972). On the distinction between density and crowding: Some implications for future research. Psychological Review, 79(3), 275-277. doi: 10.1037/h0032706 Straub, R. O. (2007). Health psychology (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Worth.

The Concept Of Identity Politics

The Concept Of Identity Politics Identity is about belonging, about what you have in common with some people and what differentiates you from others. At its most basic it gives you a sense of personal location, the stable core to your individuality. But it is also about your social relationships, your complex involvement with others, and in the modern world these have become ever more complex and confusing. Each of us live with a variety of potentially contradictory identities, which battle within us for allegiance: as men or women, black or white, straight or gay, able-bodied or disabled, British or European The list is potentially infinite, and so therefore are our possible belongings. Which of them we focus on, bring to the fore, identify with, depends on a host of factors. At the centre, however, are the values we share or wish to share with others. Identity politics was initially defined by and for the new social movements that came to public consciousness from the late 1960s: the black movement, feminism, lesbian and gay liberation and so on. The question of integrating these creative but diffuse and potentially divisive forces into the political mainstream has been part of the agony of the Left during the last decade. Issues of identity are now, however, at the centre of modern politics. When Mrs Thatcher utters anathemas against Brussels and all its works, or interfers in the details of the history curriculum, she is engaged in an exercise in delineating a cultural and political identity, in this case of Britishness, which she wants us to share. When President Gorbachev discourses on our common European home he is striving to re-form our perception of the Soviet identity, and to re-fashion our idea of Europe. When the Bradford mullahs organize simultaneously affirming and fashioning an identity as Muslims, but also as a bla ck British community entitled to the protection of the blasphemy laws like Anglicans and Catholics and evangelicals. When we mourn with students in Beijing, or express solidarity with black South Africans, or run (or sing, or joke) for the world, we are striving to realise our identities as members of the global village, as citizens of the world. Identities are not neutral. Behind the quest for identity are different, and often conflicting values. By saying who we are, we are also striving to express what we are, what we believe and what we desire. The problem is that these beliefs, needs and desires are often patently in conflict, not only between different communities but within individuals themselves. All this makes debates over values particularly fraught and delicate: they are not simply speculations about the world and our place in it; they touch on fundamental, and deeply felt, issues about who we are and what we want to be and become. They also pose major political questions: how to achieve a reconciliation between our collective needs as human beings and our specific needs as individuals and members of diverse communities, how to balance the universal and the particular. These are not new questions, but they are likely, nevertheless, to loom ever-larger as we engage with the certainty of uncertainty that characterise s new times. The Return of Values This is the background to a new concern with values in mainstream politics. Most notoriously, Mrs Thatcher has invoked Victorian values and has pronounced about everything from soccer hooliganism, to religion, to litter. Even the Labour Party, in an uncharacteristic burst of philosophising, has produced a statement on Democratic Socialist Aims and Values. And these are but the tips of an iceberg. Such flurries have not been entirely absent in the past from British political and cultural history. But on the whole, from the Second World War until recently, the political class eschewed too searching a discussion of values, preferring, in Harold Macmillans world-weary remark, to leave that to the bishops. During the years of the social-democratic consensus, welfarism, with its commitment to altruism and caring, provided a framework for social policy, but offered little guidance on the purposes of the good society. Similarly, in the sphere of private life, the most coherent framework of moral regulation, that enshrined in the permissive reforms in the 1960s of the laws relating to homosexuality, abortion, censorship etc, is based on a deliberate suspension of any querying of what is right or wrong. It relies instead on subtle distinctions between what the law may accept for public behaviour in upholding public decency, and what can be tolerated in private when the curtains are closed. Most of us are probably quietly grateful for such small mercies. As the postwar consensus has crumbled, however, the search for more or less coherent value-systems has become rather more fevered. On a personal level some people have moved promiscuously through drugs and alternative lifestyles to health fads and religion; a number seek to be born again. Perhaps most of us just share a vague feeling that things are not quite right. On the level of politics, various fundamentalisms, on Left and Right, have burst fort h, each articulating their own truth, whether it be about the perils of pornography, the wrongs done to animals, the rights and wrongs of this or that religion, or the marvels of the market economy.   There is a new climate where values matter, and politicians, willy-nilly, are being drawn into the debate. Speaking of values, as the philosopher Paul Feyerabend has said, is a roundabout way of describing the kind of life one wants to lead or thinks one wants to lead. 1 Mrs Thatcher has been clearer about the sort of life she wants us to lead than any other recent political leader. She does not trust her bishops, so the values of the corner-shop and the cautious housewife have expanded inexorably into the culture of enterprise and the spiritual significance of capitalism. From her paean to Victorian values in the run-up to the 1983 General Election to her address to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in May 1988, Mrs Thatchers moral outlook has had, in Jonathan Rabans phrase, a peculiar integrity. 2 Questions of value have traditionally been more central to socialist debates than to conservatism but during the 1970s and early 1980s the nervous collapse of the Left allowed little room for such niceties. Recently, there have been welcome signs of a revival of concern with basic values. The Labour Partys 1988 statement, Democratic Socialist Aims and Values, intended to frame the partys policy review, may have been too bland for many peoples taste (The true purpose of democratic socialism is the creation of a genuinely free society) but it was the first time since 1917 that the Party had attempted to define its purposes, and in a recognizable philosophical tradition (essentially the rights based liberalism of the American philosopher, John Rawls). At the same time the Party seems to be attempting to resurrect the half-buried collectivist traditions of the British population. The lyrical Kinnock election broadcast in 1987 subliminally told us of the importance of rootedness and be longing as the basis for political advance. The Labour Partys poster campaign early in 1989 The Labour Party. Our party similarly articulated a sense of shared values, of communal spirit, lying latent in the collective unconscious. In part, of course, these Labour Party innovations illustrate the wizardry of ad-agency skills, but it is not too fanciful to see them as a reflection of broader tendencies towards reasserting universal humanistic values, which transcend conventional political divisions. In their different ways, President Gorbachev and green politics have made an impact because of their expression of a human solidarity underlying the divisions of the world. Gorbachevs address to the United Nations in 1988 turned on a call to respect universal human values, and looked forward to an ending of the arbitrary divisions between peoples. Green philosophy calls on the same sense of our common destiny and interdependence, as human beings and as fellow inhabitants of spaceship ea rth, and in doing so claims to displace traditional divisions between Left and Right. It is impossible to underestimate the power of these various (and perhaps sometimes contradictory) appeals to human solidarity after a decade dominated by an ethic of human selfishness. We are reminded that what we have in common as human beings is more important than what divides us as individuals or members of other collectivities. Difference Nevertheless there are difficulties for the Left in an all-embracing humanism. As a philosophical position it may be a good starting point, but it does not readily tell us how to deal with difference. As President Gorbachev could bitterly affirm, it is difference economic, national, linguistic, ethnic, religious and the conflicting identities and demands that diversity gives rise to, that poses a major threat to perestroika, and to human solidarity. If ever-growing social complexity, cultural diversity and a proliferation of identities are indeed a mark of the postmodern world, then all the appeals to our common interest as humans will be as naught unless we can at the same time learn to live with difference. This should be the crux of modern debates over values. In confronting the challenge of social and moral diversity, the responses of Left and Right are significantly different. The Right has a coherent, if in the long run untenable, view of the moral economy. At its most extrem e, expressed in Mrs Thatchers dictum that there is no such thing as society, only individuals and their families, difference becomes merely a matter of individual quirks or pathologies. Social goods are products of individual wills or desires, mediated by family responsibilities. In the economic sphere, this leads to a privileging of individual choice, the essence as Mrs Thatcher put it during the 1987 election campaign of morality. Rut moral choice, in turn, particularly with regard to issues such as sexuality, is limited by the commitment to a traditional concept of domestic obligation, in and through the family. The Left, on the other hand, is heir to a strong sense of collective identities, of powerful inherited solidarities derived from class and work communities, and of different social constituencies, however inadequately in the past it has been able to deal with them. Multi-culturalism, as it was articulated from the 1960s in the legislation on racial equality, embodied a notion of different communities evolving gradually into a harmonious society where difference was both acknowledged and irrelevant. In rather less hopeful times, the commitment to the co-existence of different value-systems is implied in the statement on Democratic Socialist Aims and Values: Socialists rejoice in human diversity. But the Left has been less confident and sure-footed when faced by the reality of difference. When the Livingstone-led Greater London Council attempted to let a hundred flowers bloom at County Hall in pursuit of a new majority of minorities, the response of the Labour Party establishment varied from the sceptical to the horrified. Nor should we be entirely surprised at that: despite its political daring, and commendable commitment to those hitherto excluded from the political mainstream, it was difficult to detect behind the GLC policy anything more coherent than the belief that grass-roots activity and difference in itself were prime goods. Empowerment, yes; but whom should the Left empower? The Salman Rushdie crisis has dramatised the absence of any clear-cut philosophy on the Left. The Rushdie affair is important for socialists not simply because it concerns the fate of an individual (and an individual of the Left at that) but because it underscores in the most painful way the dil emmas of diversity. At its simplest we have an apparent conflict of absolutes: the right of an author to freedom of speech, to challenge whomsoever he wishes in a democratic society, set against the claims of a distinctive moral community not to have its fundamental religious beliefs attacked and undermined. Rut of course the real divisions are more complex and profound. The Left has not on the whole been willing to endorse an absolute right of free speech. On the contrary it has supported campaigns against racist and sexist literature, whilst a strong minority has supported the banning of pornography.   On the other side, the Muslim communities at the centre of the crisis are themselves not monolithic, bisected as they inevitably are by antagonisms of class and gender, and by political conflicts. At the same time the issues raised do not exist only in a meta-realm of principle: they work their way through the murky world of politics, in this case the complexities of international politics as well as the ward by ward, constituency by constituency problems of Labour politicians. Nevertheless, there is a central question at the heart of the Rushdie affair, and it concerns the possibilities and limits of pluralism in a complex society. Lets take as an example the question of religious education in schools: the government by insisting under the 1988 Education Reform Act that there should be a daily act of Christian worship in maintained schools is in effect asserting the centrality of the Christian tradition to, in Mrs Thatchers words, our national heritage For centuries it has been our very life-blood. People with other faiths and cultures are always, of course, welcome in our land, but their beliefs can only, by implication, ever hope to have a secondary position in relation to ours. Labour, however, accepts a less monolithic view of our religious past and present. As a result it seems prepared to support the principle of state-funding of separate fundamentalist Muslim schools. There is a certain multi-cultural rationale in this: if Anglican, Jewish and Roman Catholic schools are supported by the state, there seems no logic in not supporting the schools of other faiths as well. But schools transmit cultural values, some of which in the case of fundamentalists run counter to oft-declared values of the Left. In this case, the schools will be based on a principle of sex-segregation which elsewhere Labour opposes. As a letter to the Guardian from Southall Black Sisters put it, the Labour Party is prepared to abandon the principle of equality where black women are concerned. Instead, they deliver us into the hands of male, conservative and religious forces within our communities, who deny us our right to live as we please.5 This underlines the danger of seeing communi ties as unified wholes, rather than as the locus of debate and divisions. Not surprisingly, the multi-culturalist values of the Labour Party seem as likely to cause confusion, conflict and distrust as the explicitly mono-culturalist views of the Right. It is ironically appropriate that these dilemmas should have been brought to the surface by the publication of, and reaction to, Rushdies The Satanic Verses. Not only was the book written by an immigrant and about immigrants, but the book itself, as Malise Ruthven argued on its publication, is about changing identities, about the transformations of identities that affect migrants who leave the familiar reference points of their homeland and find themselves in a place where the rules are different, and all the markers have been changed. This is not simply the experience of the migrant: the sense of dislocation and disorientation, of the rules of the game subtly changing, of the co-existence within us of conflicting needs, desires and i dentities, is becoming a major cultural experience for us all. Choice The basic issue can be stated quite simply: by what criteria can we choose between the conflicting claims of different loyalties? To ask the question immediately underlines the poverty of our thinking about this. Can the rights of a group obliterate the rights of an individual? Should the morality of one sector of the population be allowed to limit the freedom of other citizens. To what extent should one particular definition of the good and the just prevail over others? These are ancient questions, but the alarming fact is that the Left lacks a common language for addressing them, let alone resolving them. There have been two characteristic approaches on the Left in confronting these dilemmas. Firstly, there is the discourse of rights, probably still the most potent mobilising force in the worlds of politics and morality. In the United States the protection of individual rights is enshrined in the constitution, and the claim to group rights has become the basis of many of the transf orming currents of recent American politics, from the civil rights and black power movements to the womens movement and lesbian and gay liberation. Elsewhere in the West, a rights-based politics is similarly enshrined in written constitutions, bills of rights, constitutional courts, and so on. In Britain, the tradition is enfeebled. Individual rights, though much bandied around in the political rough and tumble, are not entrenched in a constitutional settlement, and the concept of group rights barely exists. Rights are, however, clearly back on the agenda of the Left: the response to the launch of Charter 88, with its appeal for a new constitutional settlement, with government subordinate to the law and basic rights guaranteed, suggests there is a strongly felt need for a codification and protection of fundamental rights. Unfortunately, the claim to right, however well established at a constitutional level, does not help when rights are seen to be in conflict. To take the issue of a bortion (yet again the focus of moral debate in America and Britain), here the conflict is between two violently conflicting claims to right: the rights of the unborn child against the rights of a woman to control her own body. In these stark terms the conflict is unresolvable, because two value-systems tug in quite different directions. The problem is that rights do not spring fully armed from nature. They cannot find a justification simply because they are claimed. Rights are products of human association, social organisation, traditions of struggle, and historical definitions of needs and obligations: whatever their claims to universality, they are limited by the philosophical system to which they belong, and the social and political context in which they are asserted. This is not to deny the importance of rights-based arguments. But if we are to take rights seriously we must begin to articulate the sort of rights and the type of political culture we want. This is the starting point for the second major approach to the dilemma of choice, the politics of emancipation. In his essay On the Jewish Question in the 1840s Marx counterposed to the morality of Rights a morality of emancipation, and even more powerfully than the claim to rights this has proved a potent mobilising force.8 It offers a vision of a totally free society, where everyones potentiality is fully realised, and a powerful analysis of the constraints on the realisation of human emancipation. At its heart is a denial that want, division, selfishness and conflict are essential parts of human nature. True human nature, it claims, can flourish in a truly emancipated society. Most of us who are socialist must have been inspired by this vision. As a politics of liberation it shaped the rhetoric of the social movements that emerged in the 1960s. It is still latent in the hungerfor utopia and for the transcendence of difference that shades our politics. The difficulty is that the p ractice has rarely kept up with the vision, particularly in the history of Marxism. The Marxist tradition has been reluctant to define the nature of the emancipated society, and has been noticeably blind to questions of nationalism, ethnicity, gender and sexuality. Nor do the experiences of the soi disant socialist countries offer much confidence in the attainability of emancipation in the terms offered by the tradition so far. We must not confuse a noble goal with the sordid practices of particular regimes, but we need to ponder whether the very project of human emancipation as conventionally set forth is not itself the fundamental problem. The glorious goal has all too often justified dubious means, whilst the absence of any detailed exposition of the meaning of emancipation has left us floundering when faced by the reality of conflicting claims to right and justice.