Saturday, December 28, 2019

Marketing Analysis Coca Cola - 1294 Words

Coca-Cola Statement Over a century of sweet tasting beverages with family and friends. The positioning statement of Coca-Cola needs to project the image in the minds of their existing consumers, as well as potential new consumers, the history of Coca-Cola being a competing global brand in the beverage industry and the association of the brand with fun times such as social events, parties, family activities, etc. According to Kotler and Keller (2016), positioning is the act of designing a company s offering and image to occupy a distinctive place in the minds of the target market. There are factors that must be taken into account to produce an effective positioning statement that will attract the attention of the targeted market†¦show more content†¦It s one of the most fundamental pillars of marketing. Association also plays a very critical role in the creation of a positioning statement: the statement must associate with the needs of consumers in the present, and at the sam e time show the potential of growth in meeting the wants or needs of consumers that will arise in the future. A good positioning has one foot in the present and one in the future. It needs to be somewhat aspirational so the brand has room to grow and improve (Kotler Keller, 2016). As mentioned previously, the ability to associate the qualities of the brand with the cultural dimensions of the targeted market, itself, leads to a successful endeavor of positioning the brand in the minds of the global consumers. Therefore, the statement must adhere to these cultural dimensions in order to establish relationships between the offerings of the brand and the solutions the targeted consumer market is seeking , in order to increase the attractiveness of the brand. The brand statement must market to the culture of their target in order to attract the segment. In order for Coca-Cola to achieve a dominant global brand positioning, the first step is to have the statement appeal to or associate i tself with the cultural dimensions of the local, foreign and global markets. According to Alden, Steenkamp and Batra

Friday, December 20, 2019

Case Study International Business and Globalization

Subject - International Business/Globalization Case Study - Matsushita and Japans Changing Culture Question - How did traditional Japanese culture benefit Matsushita during the 1950s to 1980s? Matsushita, a giant Japanese electronics company, was founded in 1918. Its work largely lay in its supplying Japan with radio equipment and other appliances. Traditional Japanese culture benefitted Matsushita during the 1950s to 1980s by creating a close and dedicated relationship between the company and its employees. Confucianism stressed integrity, ethical conduct, and loyalty, as well as dedicated teamwork. Employees were expected to be loyal to their superiors; and superiors, in return, rewarded and respected their employees. The employees had been guaranteed lifetime employment policy and this discouraged a high turnover and encouraged a consistent work atmosphere with feelings of confidence and security. The generous benefits and attention accorded by the company generated employees motivation. During that period too, Matsushita benefitted by its having an edge over competitors due to its technology and technological products as well as to the sense of family loyalty to the br and. Research warranted dedicated professionals and researchers, and Matsushita founded a cohesive environment where researchers and employees, stimulated by generous advancements and job security, established a reciprocally advantageous nook in the company. Did traditional values become more aShow MoreRelatedMultinational Corporations Based On International Business Essay1730 Words   |  7 Pagesbased on international business, which tend to assign primary responsibility to their subsidiaries for local compensation and benefits, training and labour relations, with regional units assuming secondary responsibility (Reynolds 1992). Productive globalization occurred with the growth and expansion of multinationals. 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Wednesday, December 11, 2019

A Media Portfolio Womens Basketball World Cup

Question: Describe about the Report for A Media Portfolio of Womens Basketball World Cup. Answer: Media plan Considering the fact that the Womens Basketball World Cup tournament will attract a lot of audiences then it will be best to use an effective plan that will ensure maximum media coverage of the event. The factors that will determine my plan are reach and frequency of the media outlet (Belch Belch,2011).Using the indices of the various media outlets then it will be easy to visualize on the plan. The media plan that I will use for this event is publicity because it will create a lot of exposure. Being in the light of the public will ensure that my organization receives constant media attention. Though working with a company such as Havas sport and entertainment I will get a better platform for media exposure through its many divisions of publicity. These companies want to show case events that will attract more audiences to their advertising venues meaning this will offer an opportunity for our team to get free publicity. Using companies such as these I will be able to seek publicity at very low cost because most of the advertisement will be provided by them. The benefits that my netball team will be getting include: a data management and aggregation system, exposure through mobile advertising, social advertising and geomarketing. Objectives Based on the analysis of the event and amount of attention the event will draw me and my team will use the available platforms of exposure that will remain intact with our two main objectives. My first objects for this project will be to engage the audience in this event and making them a part of the event which will make them proud of our national team and in the end attract more media coverage for the team. The broadcast platform will attract the attention of many especially the funs of the net ball game. Though constant adverts the audience will be made aware of such an event and also bring about interest in the event even for those who are not into sports. With the current technology adverts can be set to target a specific audience which means more exposure to the greater audience population. Because broadcast platform such as television offer better sense of touch through their combination of sound, image, motion and text they appeal to many. My second objective will be to employ multi facet campaign through the various social avenues of promotions and advertisements. With the growth in the social connection network many people are spending more time in social media sites meaning that through reaching them first I can be able to make them interested in the team. With support from the audience in social media my team will be on the spot light and the media will be willing to cover the team more. The social media platform offers an opportunity to reach out to target audience specific on the geographical location such as country. Because it offers a wider scope or reach it has the potential of going viral and the cost of advertisement on these platforms is cheaper. Media Opportunities Outlets Timeline Outlet 1 Outlet 2 Outlet 3 Outlet 4 Social media : Many people are using social media to interact Facebook Twitter Instagram You tube 2016-2018 Prints: People prefer to read when they are tired hence create a platform of more exposure to this population. Online Periodicals Interest online prints Direct mails Online journals 2016-2017 Broadcast: this is the most dominant means of reaching out to a large population in a short time. Radio television Live broadcasts podcasts 2016-2018 Product placement adverts: this will help promote the sport organization and also get funding. Movies TV programs Promotions Sports briefs 2016-2018 Justification Media plans are needed to obtain media coverage because they help to achieve the specific objectives in an organization such as creating awareness to target group and also attract potential audiences. Media plans create effective media campaigns through matching the advertisement needs with available advertisement channels. This is supported by (Nicholson et al., 2015, pp. 251) where they show how an effective media plan should be able to address the specific set objectives. My Media plan is appropriate because it would provide a wider audience for the sporting event and also be cost effective to the sport organizers. Fact sheet The sports industry is always aiming to get full media coverage with the aim of promoting an appreciation for talent and fun (Pelsmacker, (2010). The avenues where they can get promotions are through the media platforms. The womens basketball world cup championship is a major event that will attract many funs across the world. The executives of the sporting organizations are always aiming to expand their presence in the global map through impressive performances in order to get sponsorship that will help their teams a great deal. Australian Netball Diamonds team has been performing very well over the past decades and it boosts of being the world champion in the 14th world women netball championship that took place in Sydney, Australia last year. In a recent federation meeting on national women sporting in Australia the executives of the women national teams discussed on how they can increase their awareness in the society especially for the women teams in sporting. From the meeting, the executives decided to support the women teams through allocating funds for advertising budgets. This decision saw the advertising expenditure being increased from 4% in the past 8 months up to 19.5% which is very much commendable considering the fact that it has been underfunded in the past years. The Australian Netball Diamond team had posted impressive results in the past decade by assuming the 1st position in the consecutive periods in the world women netball cup and in the common wealth games. Because of their impressive p erformance they received more funding from the Australias sport board. The women netball team has posted impressive results for the 2 decades in the womens basketball world championship beating the long time takers of cup the New Zealand team. With the Australian Sports Commission aim being to support and inform the world on the potential of Australian sport teams more support has been provided by the government. The commission works in close association with sporting organizations to ensure the prosperity of the team at all levels both locally and internationally. Now that Australian Netball Diamonds are carrying the national flag maximum support is given to the team through adequate funding of its projects. Justification Fact sheets are needed to obtain media coverage because they summarize an organization in a briefly but detailed way in a more factual manner that will attract confidence and interest of the media. Backed with statistics a fact sheet makes it easy to present an organization in an understandable way especially the incorporation of achievements. Figures and statistics help to explain why an organization requires media coverage to promote its operations. This is supported by (Nicholson et al., 2015, pp. 253) where they define the sport marketing frame work as one that incorporates facts into the media proposal to seek maximum support. My fact sheet is appropriate because it shows why my organization requires the media coverage now more than ever in its history. The current position of the Australian Netball Diamond in the world women net ball championship shows the potential that the team holds and the fame its likely to attract in 2018 World women netball championship in Spain, hence i t needs the full support from the media. Media guide I will use target media guide because it will highlight the areas that are most relevant to the media platforms that I will be using to promote the team. With this guide the profiling will be based on the achievements of the team and how it has risen over the years to become the world leaders in women netball. Through the statistics and important milestones to the team I will be able to convince the media to help retain the glory of the team and be associated with it in the coming 2018 world championship. Team Biographies The Australian netball Diamonds team was founded on August 27, 1927 immediately after the Australian Womens Netball Association was formed. The foundation members include: Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and South Australia. The women netball team operates as a public limited company after its incorporation on 18th September 1986 and it is guided by a memorandum and articles of association that was agreed by the council. The team is run by a board of directors that consists of: the president, finance director, 6 ordinary directors and the chief executive officer who is non-elected. The team is composed of 12 team players that are 4 players on the attack, four players on defense and the other four players on center. The team has received sponsorship from several leading companies and organizations. The sponsors of the team include: SUNCORP, AIS, Samsung, Australia POST, BLK, Swisse, STQ,ZXU, Elastoplast and GILBERT. The team gets its supplies from leading companies such as: Good life, rebel, Virgin Australia and Leading Teams. The team receives government support through partnerships such as South Australia, Government of South Australia and Events Tasmania. Welcome letter from Sponsors The Australian Diamond netball team is grateful for the support from our sponsors, without such support we would never have created historical records in the Womens Basketball world cup over the past years we owe you our success. The Australian Diamond netball team recognizes your contribution through supplying us with financial aid, supplying us with the necessary training equipment. We are dedicated to produce consistent and impressive results in all our games. Milestones Some of the important milestones in the team include:1927- 1st interstate match, Sydney, 1927-the formation of the Womens Basket Ball Association, 1928-1st carnival to be held in Australia, Victoria, 1931-1st AA Umpires Award, 1938-1st International match with New Zealand team in Melbourne, 1956-Australian team defeated England in London, 1963-1st World tournament and Australia became the first world champions, 1970-the sports name changed from Basket Ball to Netball, 1971-the team wins world tournament, 1975-Australia wins world championship, 1988- first world Youth Cup, 1991- Australia holds the world championship and they emerge victorious, 2003-world runners up to New Zealand at the world champions, 2004- world crowd record is set(14,339), 2009-Australia wins the world netball championship, 2010-Australia wins Silver at the common wealth games,2011-Australia wins world netball championship in Singapore, 2014-Australia wins the 12th common wealth games, 2015-Australia hosts the wo rld netball cup and wins the cup with a crowd of 16,849(Australian netball, 2016). Background to the event The Womens Basketball World Cup Championship is a tournament for the women netball teams which is held after every 4 years. The event was started in 1953 and it continues to run to date attracting teams from all over the world. The tournament was initially called FIBA World Championships for Women but it later changed to FIBA netball world cup in 1986. The 18th Womens netball cup will be help in Spain on September. Sixteen teams from all over the world will be battling out to take the cup. Spain had hosted the men World Championship Cup in netball in the year 2014 thus this is not a major challenge to the Spain Sport Federation. Venue information Spain will host the 2018 tournament after it won the bid through a competitive bidding process with other countries such as Israel. The tournament will take place at the arena: Palacio de Los Deportes de la Comunidad where all the preparations will take and the games. The Spain netball federation is preparing the arena through improving the sport infrastructure to the international set standards. The event will be overseen by the government under the Spain Sports Commission who will finance the necessary improvements in the arena. Competition rules In the coming tournament several competition rules have been changed. There will be six windows in every qualification period in each netball world cup. The qualification rules for this coming tournament are: Asia and Oceania team will play together to ensure competitive games and that all the cups will follow the four year cycle. Teams that do not qualify for the group D division will not be allowed to offer their application even after attaining the required points. Justification Media guides are needed to obtain media coverage because they give information about a team its history, team players and statistical records. The information helps to relate a team to the current big event that will take place. This fact is supported by (Nicholson et al., 2015 pp.266) where they highlight that profiling a company through a media guide is a great opportunity to reach the greater audience. My media guide is appropriate because it gives information on the history of the team and milestones it has achieved through time and how the team is financed. The media guide will also assist in broadcasting of the team before the start of the world women netball championship in 2018. Media release Friday 21st October 2016 The Minister for sport and Recreation in Australia will be joining the Australian netball Diamond women net ball team in Madrid during the launch of the 2018 Womens Netball World Cup Championship. The tournament was last help in Sydney Australia in 2014 where the Australian Diamond Netball team took the cup. It will be an honor to escort our national team to victory once again. Netball has placed our women team on the international championship arena for several decades and it has continued to bring impressive results each time. Our Government has worked hard to support our team at such events and sponsoring our team to the World Championship shows total commitment to promoting sports. Those who will be joining the team include the permanent secretary to sports and recreation, the manager of the Australian Sport federation and the former coach to the Australian Diamond Netball team. The year 2018 will be a big year for the country as it will show cases our talents to the world. We have never failed and we wont start now when there is a standard that we have set in the gaming arena. As we are going to meet our longtime rival friend team the New Zealands Silver Fern National team they better know we are preparing for them 2018. We have gotten the necessary financial and moral support from our partners and sponsors and we hope that the netball team will surprise its fun, players, and sponsors and even leave a legacy that will be admired by the generations to come. All are welcome to join us in supporting our local team. Justification Media releases are needed to obtain media coverage because they promote an organization on a wider platform compared to using the conventional methods to reach the target audience. This is supported by( Nicholson, 2015, pp. 283) where they highlight how sport and media are related. In the book they show how media release can be an effective tool of seeking attention from the public. My media release is appropriate because it shows the position of the organization in the field of sports and how the team is more likely to perform in the coming 2018 championships. A media release will catch the audience attention and give them information on the team in a nut shell and create more interest in them. It will also be a cost effective way of communicating to the public. Media advisory The Australian netball Diamond team will be joining other teams from across the world to fight for the Womens Basketball World Cup in Spain. The famous womens Basketball world cup tournament will be held in Spain on from September 12-15, 2018. Considering the well organized and built sport infrastructure in Madrid, the FIBA board selected Spain to host the tournament on a competitive basis. The tournament will take place at the Arena: Palacio de los Deportes de la Comunidad. Our team will be proud to be in the finals to fight for the most envied cup in the basketball game. We will be happy to be part of the final game which will attract over 30 million viewers from across the world not forgetting the 30, 000 audiences who will watch the game live. To be part of this event is an opportunity in a life time and its for this reason that the Australian Diamond Netball team is working hard to prepare for the event. To be part of history the Australian netball Diamond team is asking everyone the young and the old in Australia and all over the world to participate in the event. The tournament will create an opportunity for us as a representative of the Australia to show what we as a country have to show to the world. You can be part of this by being a fun at the Madrid stadium or even view us from the comfort of your setting room. Our goal is to promote sports in a way that we have never done in the past years. Sports identify us to the world and with such a platform we cant deny ourselves the chance. We will show that Australia is a united nation and sport is what defines us. Let us come together for this event and support each other. For more information on the event you can find as on our social media platform such as Facebook, Twitter, In, Instagram and Whatsapp. To find more information you can also visit our official website on details and updates. The Australian Diamond team has fought for the cup for the past 3 decades and managed to hold the 1st position for the past 5 tournaments in the world championship cup in a row. Supporting the team through participating in the event is the best way of showing loyalty. All are welcome. Justification Media advisories are needed to obtain media coverage because they help to brief the media and the public on upcoming events. This is supported by(Nicholson et al.,2015 pp,290) where they show the importance of briefing the public on major events so that the media can be able to get a clear picture of the event and what audience it is going to attract. A media advisory helps the media to plan well and have schedule for the upcoming event especially now that it has been presented to the public who will create the demand. My Media advisory is appropriate because its shows the upcoming tournament as a historic event that they cant miss to cover. With the Australian Diamond netball team already having previous success stories then it will be good for the media to follow up on the team to the world championship in Spain. References Belch, M Belch, G (2011). Advertising and Promotion: An Integrated Marketing Communications Perspective. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Nicholson et al. (2015). Sport management: Principles and applications. Abingdon: Routledge. Australian netball. (2016). About Netball Australia. Netball Australia. Retrieved 22 October 2016, from https://netball.com.au/about-netball-australia/ Pelsmacker, P (2010). Marketing Communications: A European Perspective. Essex: Financial Times / Prentice Hall.

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Urban Social Justice the Gentrification Debate free essay sample

However despite all the leaps and bounds that cities have made as far as growth and power, there are more micro-level social and economic issues that have been exacerbated by this progression. The essence of the city has and always will be the people that inhabit it; how they live, work and interact should be the primary focus of any urban environment. Gentrification, social and economic stratification and even unjust organization of space are some of the most pressing problems that many cities are facing. Interestingly enough, depending on whom you ask, you could get an extremely positive or negative view on the direction that the contemporary city is headed. In the mid-twentieth century a number of different factors lead to large-scale migration of middle-class white people in America from the inner city to the suburbs. Some dubbed this the â€Å"white flight† and was caused by a combination of social, economic and spatial influences. Following WWII there was a surplus of housing demand and large-scale suburban development quickly ensued. When coupled with the creation of President Eisenhower’s Federal Interstate Highway and the introduction of GI loans, owning a house in the suburbs became both convenient and affordable. On top of this many middle-class whites were feeling pressured from the increasing minority and immigrant population and felt that the suburbs would be a â€Å"safer† place to raise children. Real-estate developers pushed the image of the â€Å"American Dream† as owning a house with a front lawn out in the safe and peaceful suburbs. On top of that the city was openly painted as a haven of criminal activity and squalor. Ironically, today people have fallen out of love with the classic idea of the American Dream and there is a â€Å"back to the city† movement where many young suburbanites are making the move back to different urban centers as from the suburban neighborhoods they grew up in. The new generation’s desire to be ever more â€Å"connected† and â€Å"in tune† with the unique social dynamics and increased exposure that occurs in modern cities has increased the attractiveness of urban life. However, while this influx of middle-class or as Richard Florida has labeled, the â€Å"creative class† professionals may seem harmless enough, there are some serious direct and indirect social/economic consequences that have occurred with this change in demographic. Gentrification is a hot button term that over the years has been given many different descriptions. Merriam-Webster Dictionary simple defines Gentrification as: â€Å"The process of renewal and rebuilding accompanying the influx of middle-class or affluent people into deteriorating areas that often displaces poorer residents†. While this definition is effective in its simplicity, what gentrification actually translates to within a community is something that has been continuously debated. Economists, sociologists and urban theorists alike have all try to tackle the task of, both quantifiably and qualitatively, assessing the issue of gentrification. However, due to the laxity of the term and the scope of the area of interest different people’s analyses have yielded different findings. One of the most heavily debated tenants of gentrification is the issue of displacement. Displacement is the process by which can most readily be defined by the process through which residents are directly or indirectly forced out of their homes and have to move to another location outside of their neighborhood. However, as with anything regarding gentrification, the cause and the prevalence of it is intensely disputed. Some people claim that with gentrification undoubtedly comes community displacement; when neighborhoods gentrify housing and rent prices go up and often times people cannot afford to live there anymore and have to leave. The elderly and the poor are often cited as those most likely to be displaced by gentrification. Multiple urban scholars have researched and posed theories regarding the relationship between gentrification and displacement and sure enough, the results are conflicting. Kathe Newman and Elvin Wyly examined the theory that gentrification promotes displacement in their 2006 paper: â€Å"The Right to Stay Put, Revisited: Gentrification and Resistance to Displacement in New York City†. The scope of their research was New York City and Frank Braconi, Lance Freeman and Jacob Vigdor are credited as originally having developed the quantitative model they used for their assessment. After analyzing the statistical data of housing and migration trends provided by the New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey and conducting a series of field interviews with local residents in gentrifying neighborhoods, Newman and Wyly determined that the origins of urban displacement are too complicated to attribute solely to gentrification: National and regional housing market dynamics create a variety of displacement pressures at the city-wide level and that these pressures are expressed in complex mixtures of direct and indirect displacement as well as succession and replacement- all intersecting in locally contingent ways at the neighborhood scale† (Newman and Wyly 2006. Page: 25) It is important to note that while they conceded that the direct correlation between gentrification a nd displacement is hard to quantify for a number of reasons, they vehemently oppose the notion that the two are not related. They also refute the blind assessment made by some that gentrification is good for the low-income residents because: â€Å"Gentrification rebalances concentrated poverty while offering the improved tax-base, rub-off work ethic and political power of the middle-class†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Duany, 2001, p. 37). Other scholars have conducted similar studies on gentrifying neighborhoods and come to different conclusions. Mark Davidson concluded in his 2009 paper: â€Å"Displacement, Space and Dwelling: Placing the Gentrification Debate† that the terms gentrification and displacement have become muddied by popular discourse, to the point that one assumes a direct correlation. Furthermore, he states that there are spatial reasons for displacement and that before one even can accurately identify displacement, you need to understand the difference between â€Å"abstract space† and â€Å"places of dwelling†. Davidson cites the philosophy of Henri Lefebvre and Martin Heidegger as the basis of his theory of displacement and the nature of the gentrification debate. Martin Heidegger was a famous German philosopher, who though marred by his ffiliation with the Nazi Party, wrote one of the most influential pieces of philosophical literature: â€Å"Being and Time† in which he developed the notion of â€Å"Dasein† or as it is know: the study of â€Å"Being†. Heidegger’s theories regarding â€Å"Being† and â€Å"self† drastically re-shaped the field of ontology. He would later on to further revise his theory of Dasein to include the relationship man has with his geographic surroundings. It is from this that Heide gger established his concept of â€Å"dwelling† and declared it a fundamental tenet of Being. Dwelling can most closely be defined how man connects with the physical world around him. Through this connection man can both literally and metaphorically build a place to live and better examine the essence of â€Å"self†. The relationship between this branch of ontological thought and displacement is the opinion that: â€Å"†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢place’ should not be understood as referring primarily to the idea of that in which an entity is located; place is not simply location or position [Platz, Stelle]†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (Malpas, 2007, p. 48) What can be implied by Heidegger’s concept of place in regards to gentrification and displacement is there is a difference between place and space. And that migration, even if it is forced, does not necessarily equate a loss of place. The other philosopher whose theories Davidson brings into the gentrification/displacement debate is French sociologist Henri Lefebvre. Lefebvre was best known for his ideas regarding socially constructed space and the â€Å"spatial triad† which consists of: perceived, conceived and lived space. When coupled with Heidegger’s idea of mans relationship with his place of dwelling you have a very relevant lens through which you can examine many contemporary urban dynamics. For Lefebvre â€Å"lived space† is both a mental and physical construct (Davidson, 2009, p. 227). He harmonizes with Heidegger’s philosophy in that he also believes that mans interaction with his physical surrounding is key to establishing a place of dwelling or as he calls it â€Å"habiter†. Lefebvre elaborates further by describing the different modern influences that damage ones sense of habiter. Because of these contemporary economic, political and social pressures, â€Å"human being is limited to a handful of basic acts: eating, sleeping, and reproducing†¦Ã¢â‚¬  [Elden, 2003, p. 81; see Davidson (2007) on gentrification and ‘habitat’]. Davidson’s reasoning for citing the philosophical theories of Heidegger and Lefebvre in a paper on displacement is two fold. For one Davidson concludes that: â€Å"†¦the critique of the loss of space/place associated with displacement requires a philosophical underpinning that asserts the importance of space to Being† (Davidson, 2009, p. 31). In other words, contemporary urban researchers rely too much on quantitative analysis to determine rates of displacement. Another of his main points is that: â€Å"†¦it is impossible to draw the conclusion of displacement purely from the identification movement of people between locations. People can be displaced, unable to (re)construct place, without spatial dislocation just as much as they can with spatial dislocation† (Davidson, 2009, p. 228). According to Davidson, Heidegger and Lefevre’s analysis of space, Being and places of dwelling/habiter, show us that contemporary theories of displacement and its relationship to gentrification have some fundamental holes in them. The matter of gentrification and more specifically displacement is a complex and widely disputed one. However, both can is without a doubt, be dubbed a social justice issue. Some argue that gentrification brings about positive change in previously disinvested areas and displacement is a necessary side effect that may not even be related to gentrification at all. Others claim that gentrification is the epitome of social injustice as long-time residents (most often the elderly and poor) are forced out of their homes by rent hikes, greedy landlords and real-estate developers. When one examines the case studies done in New York by Newman and Wyly, in London by Davidson and the first hand experiences of my father and myself in Atlanta and Cambridge, MA; you can conclude that forced displacement, however you want to define it, is a social injustice prevalent in cities and gentrification is a complex and widespread issue that cannot be so easily qualified. Some of the other social justice issues prevalent in contemporary cities are economic stratification and social exclusion. Both problems that are nothing new to American and even urban society, but with the ramped growth of cities and their increase role in the world economy, the disparity between the haves and the have-nots has grown more pronounced. While gentrification is more of a â€Å"hot-button† issue in mainstream urban discourse, social exclusion is a reality faced by many low-income and minority residents in cities all around the world. As for economic stratification, it is a problem not confined to cities and is in no way a new phenomenon; their has been a sizeable gap of capital and resources between the top and the bottom for as long as their have been civilized societies. However, in recent years, due to a combination of globalization, the spread of capitalism and the recent reintroduction of the upper class back into urban neighborhoods, the inequality is more pronounced then ever. Social exclusion is the process by which individuals and entire communities of people are systematically blocked from the rights, opportunities and resources (e. . housing, employment, healthcare, civic engagement, democratic participation and due process) that are normally available to members of society. The outcome of these deprivations is that individuals or groups are prevented from fully tapping into the economic, social, and political potential of the society in which they live. In parts of Western Europe, social exclusion has replaced poverty (lack of disposable income) as the main area of study in understanding hardship faced by some in modern societies. Examining social exclusion provides a much more in-depth analysis of the different factors that contribute to the daily and often, perpetual, struggle of lower-class urban dwellers (Room, 1999). In his 1995 book, Les Metamorhoses de la question sociale: une cronique du salariat (The Metamorphoses of the social question: A chronicle of the wage) Robert Castel states: â€Å"Society is made up of a number of collectives who are bound together by sets of mutual rights and obligations, rooted in a broader moral order. Social exclusion is the process of becoming detached from this moral order. The task of social policy is to reinsert or reintegrate people back into society†. Several European governments have identified social exclusion as one of the central influences behind the strife of the lower class. While this a positive step toward enacting the proper social policy needed to tackle the cycle of poverty, it is unclear how widely accepted the theory of social exclusion really is. Specifically, it is unknown how extensively it has permeated American urban and social policy making. The other component of social exclusion and injustice in cities is the spatial layouts of many urban neighborhoods. Intentionally or not, the physical layout of many poor inner-city neighborhoods directly induces social exclusion along with a host of other social justice issues. Take for the example high-rise public housing buildings found in cities like New York. That type of hyper-concentration of poor, disadvantaged people not only creates a breeding ground for tension and violence, but also is physically exclusive. Living in a massive building consisting of a homogenous community of lower class residents, spending your time either in your apartment or in the small confined courtyards and playgrounds often found in the projects, is an isolated life. You are not exposed the social capital that a person from a more affluent neighborhood enjoys. Not only public housing, but also entire neighborhoods are becoming homogenous areas of limited social capital. A number of factors: economic disinvestment, social stigmas regarding â€Å"the hood†, along with general community disenchantment with their living situation has turned some city’s neighborhoods into bubbles; dangerous places that outsides avoid and locals cannot leave. The sad reality is because of the myriad of social problems that some urban neighborhoods face they have become highly toxic environments for everyone that lives there. Fast food restaurants, check cashing places (rather than banks), liquor stores and pawn shops, are all staples of many downtrodden neighborhoods. None of these types of establishments are conducive to any type of healthy lifestyle and when coupled with rampant crime and drugs, little economic opportunity, poor schools, and a serious lack of capital investment create a perfect storm of economic and social stagnation. Often times due to the spatial layout of these cities, these areas of concentrated poverty are located directly adjacent or in close proximity to more affluent areas. However, despite the geographic closeness of these different areas, the vast differences in social characteristics prevent any type of intermingling. The contemporary city is a complex and ever changing place. It is a much different entity then it was fifty years ago and chances are it will have evolved even more in another fifty years. Despite all the progress cities have made in becoming economic modules and social hubs, they have developed into innately unjust spaces: socially, economically and even spatially.

Thursday, November 28, 2019

Legal Profit-making in Business Essay Example

Legal Profit-making in Business Essay Name: Instructor: Course: Date: We will write a custom essay sample on Legal Profit-making in Business specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Legal Profit-making in Business specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Legal Profit-making in Business specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Legal Profit-making in Business A business is an activity undertaken in order to generate income. It involves trading goods and services for money to the consumers. The main aim of a business is to make profits in order to increase the wealth of the proprietors of the firm. Businesses may be either privately owned or owned by the state. There are also some businesses that are non-profit organizations but they are a minority in the field of business. There are some laws that govern the running of the business sector (Stross, 12). These laws ensure that there are no malpractices in the sector. The main responsibility of the business to the government and its customers is to make profit legally (Nickels et al, 120). There are some rules that were formulated in order to regulate how the businesses run their affairs with respect to its customers and the government. Some factors affect how a business is organized. The size of the firm is one such factor. This affects the departmentalization and how the business will be ran. The country of origin of the firm and the sector it belongs to is also important. This is because different countries have different laws and this affects their operation especially if they are foreign companies. Tax laws and their advantages to different firms are also another factor to consider when organizing the business. This is because some tax laws apply to some companies but do not apply to others especially based on their size. Requirements of disclosure and compliance are another factor that affects the organization of businesses. This is because different businesses are treated differently in the case of the information they are required to disclose to the authorities . The types of business organizations also influence their own organizations as they differ from the rest. Types of business organizations include sole-proprietorships, partnerships and limited liability companies (Schlenker et al, 98). These businesses have varied methods of organization. A business owned by a single person is referred to as a sole-proprietorship. Such an organization also generates profits for its owner. The owner of such a business may operate the business by himself of may employ other people. This business is remarkably simple to start since it does not include tiresome law processes in order to set it up. Another benefit of this business is that the owner, without unwarranted advice, makes all the decisions. This ensures that the business runs exactly how the owner wants. The only disadvantage of this business is that the owner has unlimited liability for any debts incurred by the business (Spadaccini, 24). This means that the owner’s personal assets may be used to settle any debts that the business owes to its creditors. The government does not pay much attention to people running these businesses as they do to the larger businesses. This, therefore, predisposes such businesses to illegal activities since the possibility of their activities being detected is rather low. Sole-proprietorships do not have to give an annual report of their taxes as the other organizations do. This makes them the most suitable covers for illegal activities and this habit is becoming common, as the criminals have discovered this. As much as running a business includes incurring expenses and at times suffering losses, this should never be a motivation for business people to get involved in illegal trades. However, the issue of morality has stopped only a handful of people from venturing into this form of business. This is because the risk of suffering losses is surprisingly low and the profits made are supernormal. This is, however, wrong because such businesses encourage insecurity in the neighborhoods that they are located. The business has a responsibility to the community around it to ensure safety and that its’ operations does not affect them in any way. As much as the owner will be increasing their wealth drastically, he or she will be doing this at the expense of the other people in the community surrounding them. This is wrong, and every business should honor its responsibility to its’ immediate community A partnership is another form of a business organization. It comprises of two or more people, but its maximum number of partners is ten. All the members have unlimited liability for any of the debts incurred by the business. This is a better than a sole proprietorship since the debts are shared out amongst the partners in the firm as opposed to incurring them al alone. In the case of decision-making, there has to be a majority number in agreement with the decision to be made. This business is a profit generating one but the partners who formed it share the profits obtained. There are three classifications for partnerships, limited liability partnerships, general partnerships and limited partnerships. Such an organization requires submitting an annual report of their activities to the government. This report gives a summary of the organization’s activities carried out throughout the year. If the government notices any problems with these documents, it may launch an investigation to ensure that the business is not taking part in any illegal activities. This investigation may take place secretly in order to acquire the most conclusive report on the conduct of the business. It is much difficult to take part in illegal activities at this level since the government is keen with such businesses, unlike the smaller ones. However, not all partnerships in America make their profits legally. At this level, it is more common to find that they engage in crimes like corruption and swindling their clients. Illegal activities like smuggling of drugs or precious stones are rather rare in this field of business. The profits made by a business should be made legally in accordance with the law. This is to ensure that the firm complies with the laws governing their operations. Firms that take part in the unlawful acts are ignoring their responsibility to abide by the stipulated laws of the industry. More often than not, if such partnerships are discovered, they may be closed down, or the involved people may lose their jobs. Even if the firm recovers from this, they will have lost their customer base since they have lost their trust for the business. In the case of swindling of the clients, the firm is sued must comply with the fee that they are asked to pay the clients. This may drive the partnership to bankruptcy whereby it will be placed under receivership. When the organization is under receivership, the partners do not control the running of the firm. All the decisions are made without their consent, and they may negatively influence the progress of the firm. Another form of business ownership is corporation. This is a business organization that is a different entity from its members, legally. This means that the members of the corporation have limited liability. Moreover, their personal assets are not usable to cover the debts of the business. This element ensures the safety of the members’ personal property in the case of accumulated debts. In the other forms, the members have unlimited liability and their assets may be used to cater for losses incurred by the organization. These corporations may be state owned or privately owned. For a privately owned corporation, shareholders who appoint a board of directors to oversee the activities of the firm own it (Kahn et al, 57). The board of directors also hires the managerial staff. Such organizations require submitting their financial statements that illustrate the net worth of the corporation to the government (McGuiness, 68). These documents help the government to analyze the activities of the firm and decide on the taxation rates. Such firms are rarely involver in illegal activities due to the presence of government scrutiny involved. In the case of such a corporation being involved in illegal activities, it may be closed down or placed under receivership just as in the case of partnerships. However, since the corporation may be state owned the board of directors is disbanded and a new board elected in their place. Cooperatives are the final form of business ownership. Members have limited liability since the business is a separate legal entity from the members (Birchall et al, 45). They have members and not shareholders as in corporations. The members are the decision makers in the firm and have equal powers such that none of them has a higher authority compared to the rest. There are two types of cooperatives, consumer and worker cooperatives. Consumer cooperatives are made up of consumers of a certain product who decide to come together in order to purchase the commodity in wholesale in order to save some money. In some cases, they also sell these products in retail in order to make profits. Worker cooperatives are mostly formed in order to improve the working conditions in their different organizations. Cooperatives are considered fundamental to the ideology of democracy. Business ethics are principles that govern businesses morally (Gavai, 20). Several problems may arise in business environments. These ethics enable solving of such problems and avoidance in the future. Corporate social responsibility is one such business ethic. It requires that the business do nothing that may harm the citizens around it (primum non-nocere). Another such law is the requirement of these organizations to provide their financial documents at the end of their financial year (Moon et al, 38). They are also required to allow any investigation into their actions as long as the government sanctions it. This law was put in place to regulate activities of the business and to ensure that their activities comply with the regulations of the country. These legislations also ensure the firms are careful to follow all the laws in order to avoid any trouble with the law. Making profits is the main aim of every businessperson. They hope that the profits that they make will be able to cover all their expenses. In economic situations like inflation, the profits made may not be as high as they usually are and this may cause some businesspeople to resort to illegal methods of wealth generation. These methods may yield supernormal profits initially, but when the arm of the law eventually catches up with them, they will lose everything they own. This makes it is vital for organizations to make their profits legally. Illegal businesses also pose a significant danger to society. Drugs for instance expose teenagers to drug use that may harm their health. The owners of such business should consider the implication of their business to the society around the firm. Concisely, the responsibility of the business begins and ends with making profits in the legal way. Works Cited Birchall, Johnston, and Lou H. Ketilson. Resilience of the Cooperative Business Model in Times of Crisis. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labor Organization, Sustainable Enterprise Program, 15th feb.2009. Web. 18th Sept. 2012. Gavai, A K. Business Ethics. Mumbai India: Himalaya Pub. House, 20th April.2010. 18th Sept.2012. Kahn, Douglas A, Jeffrey H. Kahn, and Terrence G. Perris. Taxation of S Corporations in a Nutshell. St. Paul, MN: Thomson/West, 2008. Print. Linstead, Stephen, and Alison Linstead. Thinking Organization. London: Routledge, 2005. Print. McGuiness, Kevin P. Business Corporations. Markham, Ont: LexisNexis Canada, 2008. Print. Moon, Chris. Business Ethics. London: Economist, 2nd Dec.2001. Web. 18th Sept. 2012. Nickels, William G, James M. McHugh, and Susan M. McHugh. Understanding Business. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin, 2005. Print. Schlenker, Lee, and Alan Matcham. The Effective Organization: The Nuts and Bolts of business value. Chichester: John sons, 2005. Print Spadaccini, Michael. Business Structures: How to Form a: Corporation, Partnership, Llc, Sole Proprietorship. Irvine, CA: Entrepreneur Press, 2007. Print. Stross, Charles. The Revolution Business. New York: Tor, 2009. Print.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Murders of Czar Nicholas II of Russia and His Family

Murders of Czar Nicholas II of Russia and His Family The tumultuous reign of Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia, was tarnished by his ineptitude in both foreign and domestic affairs that helped to bring about the Russian Revolution. The Romanov Dynasty, which had ruled Russia for three centuries, came to an abrupt and bloody end in July 1918, when Nicholas and his family, who had been held under house arrest for more than a year, were brutally executed by Bolshevik soldiers. Who Was Nicholas II? Young Nicholas, known as the tsesarevich, or heir apparent to the throne, was born on May 18, 1868, the first child of Czar Alexander III and Empress Marie Feodorovna. He and his siblings grew up in Tsarskoye Selo, one of the residences of the imperial family located outside of St. Petersburg. Nicholas was schooled not only in academics, but also in gentlemanly pursuits such as shooting, horsemanship, and even dancing. Unfortunately, his father, Czar Alexander III, did not devote a great deal of time to preparing his son to one day become the leader of the massive Russian Empire. As a young man, Nicholas enjoyed several years of relative ease, during which he embarked upon world tours and attended countless parties and balls. After seeking a suitable wife, he became engaged to Princess Alix of Germany in the summer of 1894. But the carefree lifestyle that Nicholas had enjoyed came to an abrupt end on November 1, 1894, when Czar Alexander III died of nephritis (a kidney disease). Virtually overnight, Nicholas II- inexperienced and ill-equipped for the task- became the new czar of Russia. The period of mourning was briefly suspended on November 26, 1894, when Nicholas and Alix were married in a private ceremony. The following year, daughter Olga was born, followed by three more daughters- Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia- over a period of five years. (The long-awaited male heir, Alexei, would be born in 1904.) Delayed during the long period of formal mourning, Czar Nicholas coronation was held in May 1896. But the joyous celebration was marred by a horrible incident when 1,400 revelers were killed during a stampede at Khodynka Field in Moscow. The new czar, however, refused to cancel any of the ensuing celebrations, giving the impression to his people that he was indifferent to the loss of so many lives. Growing Resentment of the Czar In a series of further missteps, Nicholas proved himself unskilled in both foreign and domestic affairs. In a 1903 dispute with the Japanese over territory in Manchuria, Nicholas resisted any opportunity for diplomacy. Frustrated by Nicholas refusal to negotiate, the Japanese took action in February 1904, bombing Russian ships in the harbor at Port Arthur in southern Manchuria. The Russo-Japanese War continued for another year and a half and ended with the czars forced surrender in September 1905. Given a large number of Russian casualties and the humiliating defeat, the war failed to draw the support of the Russian people. Russians were dissatisfied about more than just the Russo-Japanese War. Inadequate housing, poor wages, and widespread hunger among the working class created hostility toward the government. In protest of their abysmal living conditions, tens of thousands of protestors marched peacefully upon the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg on January 22, 1905. Without any provocation from the crowd, the czars soldiers opened fire on the protestors, killing and wounding hundreds. The event came to be known as Bloody Sunday, and further stirred up anti-czarist sentiment among the Russian people. Although the czar was not at the palace at the time of the incident, his people held him responsible. The massacre enraged the Russian people, leading to strikes and protests throughout the country, and culminating in the 1905 Russian Revolution. No longer able to ignore his peoples discontent, Nicholas II was forced to act. On October 30, 1905, he signed the October Manifesto, which created a constitutional monarchy as well as an elected legislature, known as the Duma. Yet the czar maintained control by limiting the powers of the Duma and maintaining veto power. Birth of Alexei During that time of great turmoil, the royal couple welcomed the birth of a male heir, Alexei Nikolaevich, on August 12, 1904. Apparently healthy at birth, young Alexei was soon found to be suffering from hemophilia, an inherited condition that causes severe, sometimes fatal hemorrhaging. The royal couple chose to keep their sons diagnosis a secret, fearing it would create uncertainty about the future of the monarchy. Distraught about her sons illness, Empress Alexandra doted upon him and isolated herself and her son from the public. She desperately searched for a cure or any kind of treatment that would keep her son out of danger. In 1905, Alexandra found an unlikely source of help- the crude, unkempt, self-proclaimed healer, Grigori Rasputin. Rasputin became a trusted confidante of the empress because he could do what no one else had been capable of- he kept young Alexei calm during his bleeding episodes, thereby reducing their severity. Unaware of Alexeis medical condition, the Russian people were suspicious of the relationship between the empress and Rasputin. Beyond his role of providing comfort to Alexei, Rasputin had also become an adviser to Alexandra and even influenced her opinions on affairs of state. WWI and the Murder of Rasputin Following the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914, Russia became embroiled in the First World War, as Austria declared war on Serbia. Stepping in to support Serbia, a fellow Slavic nation, Nicholas mobilized the Russian army in August 1914. The Germans soon joined the conflict, in support of Austria-Hungary. Although he had initially received the support of the Russian people in waging a war, Nicholas found that support dwindling as the war dragged on. The poorly-managed and ill-equipped Russian Army- led by Nicholas himself- suffered considerable casualties. Nearly two million were killed over the duration of the war. Adding to the discontent, Nicholas had left his wife in charge of affairs while he was away at war. Yet because Alexandra was German-born, many Russians distrusted her; they also remained suspicious about her alliance with Rasputin. General loathing and mistrust of Rasputin culminated in a plot by several members of the aristocracy to murder him. They did so, with great difficulty, in December 1916. Rasputin was poisoned, shot, then bound and thrown into the river. Russian Revolution and the Czars Abdication All across Russia, the situation grew increasingly desperate for the working class, which struggled with low wages and rising inflation. As they had done before, the people took to the streets in protest of the governments failure to provide for its citizens. On February 23, 1917, a group of nearly 90,000 women marched through the streets of Petrograd (formerly St. Petersburg) to protest their plight. These women, many of whose husbands had left to fight in the war, struggled to make enough money to feed their families. The following day, several thousand more protesters joined them. People walked away from their jobs, bringing the city to a standstill. The czars army did little to stop them; in fact, some soldiers even joined the protest. Other soldiers, loyal to the czar, did fire into the crowd, but they were clearly outnumbered. The protestors soon gained control of the city during the February/March 1917 Russian Revolution. With the capital city in the hands of revolutionaries, Nicholas finally had to concede that his reign was over. He signed his abdication statement on March 15, 1917, bringing an end to the 304-year-old Romanov Dynasty. The royal family was allowed to stay on at the Tsarskoye Selo palace while officials decided their fate. They learned to subsist on soldiers rations and to make do with fewer servants. The four girls had all recently had their heads shaved during a bout of measles; oddly, their baldness gave them the appearance of prisoners. Royal Family Exiled to Siberia For a brief time, the Romanovs had hoped they would be granted asylum in England, where the czars cousin, King George V, was reigning monarch. But the plan- unpopular with British politicians who deemed Nicholas a tyrant- was quickly abandoned. By the summer of 1917, the situation in St. Petersburg had become increasingly unstable, with Bolsheviks threatening to overrun the provisional government. The czar and his family were quietly moved to western Siberia for their own protection, first to Tobolsk, then finally to Ekaterinburg. The home where they spent their final days was a far cry from the extravagant palaces they had been accustomed to, but they were grateful to be together. In October 1917, the Bolsheviks, under the leadership of Vladimir Lenin, finally gained control of the government following the second Russian Revolution. Thus the royal family also came under the control of the Bolsheviks, with fifty men assigned to guard the house and its occupants. The Romanovs adapted as best they could to their new living quarters, as they awaited what they prayed would be their liberation. Nicholas faithfully made entries in his diary, the empress worked on her embroidery, and the children read books and put on plays for their parents. The four girls learned from the family cook how to bake bread. During June 1918, their captors repeatedly told the royal family that they would soon be moved to Moscow and should be prepared to leave at any time. Each time, however, the trip was delayed and rescheduled for a few days later. Brutal Murders of the Romanovs While the royal family waited for a rescue that would never take place, civil war raged throughout Russia between the Communists and the White Army, which opposed Communism. As the White Army gained ground and headed for Ekaterinburg, the Bolsheviks decided they must act swiftly. The Romanovs must not be rescued. At 2:00 a.m. in the morning on July 17, 1918, Nicholas, his wife, and their five children, along with four servants, were awakened and told to prepare for departure. The group, led by Nicholas, who carried his son, was escorted to a small room downstairs. Eleven men (later reported to have been drunk) came into the room and began firing shots. The czar and his wife were first to die. None of the children died outright, probably because all wore hidden jewels sewn inside their clothing, which deflected the bullets. The soldiers finished the job with bayonets and more gunfire. The grisly massacre had taken 20 minutes. At the time of death, the czar was 50 years old and the empress 46. Daughter Olga was 22 years old, Tatiana was 21, Maria was 19, Anastasia was 17, and Alexei was 13 years old. The bodies were removed, and taken to the site of an old mine, where the executioners did their best to hide the identities of the corpses. They chopped them up with axes, and doused them with acid and gasoline, setting them afire. The remains were buried at two separate sites. An investigation soon after the murders failed to turn up the bodies of the Romanovs and their servants. (For many years afterward, it was rumored that Anastasia, the czars youngest daughter, had survived the execution and was living somewhere in Europe. Several women over the years claimed to be Anastasia, most notably Anna Anderson, a German woman with a history of mental illness. Anderson died in 1984; DNA testing later proved she was not related to the Romanovs.) Final Resting Place of the Romanovs Another 73 years would pass before the bodies were found. In 1991, the remains of nine people were excavated at Ekaterinburg. DNA testing confirmed they were the bodies of the czar and his wife, three of their daughters, and four servants. A second grave, containing the remains of Alexei and one of his sisters (either Maria or Anastasia), was discovered in 2007. Sentiment toward the royal family- once demonized in Communist society- had changed in post-Soviet Russia. The Romanovs, canonized as saints by the Russian Orthodox church, were remembered at a religious ceremony on July 17, 1998 (eighty years to the date of their murders), and reburied in the imperial family vault at the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Nearly 50 descendants of the Romanov dynasty attended the service, as did Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

CHANGE MANAGEMENT ON AN UNDERPERFOMING VDP Essay

CHANGE MANAGEMENT ON AN UNDERPERFOMING VDP - Essay Example es and frameworks, in their efforts to bring about the necessary changes by the VDPs to increase the performance levels and thereby patient satisfaction. The practise of dentistry in the United Kingdom requires all dentists to be registered with the General Dental Council (GDC). The GDC is the monitoring body for the dentistry practice and in its perspective the register of dentists â€Å"is not simply a list of those who call themselves a dentist. It is a list of professionals, who are recognised under the Law to be properly trained, qualified and fit for current practise and subject to regulations†. (1) Vocational Training (VT) has become mandatory for dentists to retain their own contract with a PCT. VT in general dental practice originates from the generic term ‘on-the-job-training’ (OJT). OJT for long has been acknowledged, as the preferred means for developing practical and other workplace skills. Trainers with adequate teaching and assessment skills are responsible for the work of VDPs. Through weekly tutorials; trainers supply their VDPs with help on demand and adequate supervision. Development of peer and self-review and the need for enhanced professional education, training and audit, as a lifelong continuous process are encouraged throughout the VT. (2). R Rattan Curbing unsatisfactory performance has become necessary. To this end the GDC utilises the assistance of the National Clinical Assessment Service (NCAS), to provide the assessment service. The GDC has effected this assessment through the new powers it received since July2006, to strengthen its procedures in taking decisions on the fitness of a registrant to practise, in case of misconduct, ill health, and in establishing new procedures to check unsatisfactory performance. I faced such a challenge in my dental practice last year, when several factors including an increase in patient complaints identified trainee performing unsatisfactorily. For improvement change initiatives were proposed,

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Persuasive Thesis- Convince the adult reader to agree with your Essay

Persuasive Thesis- Convince the adult reader to agree with your position on an issue you've recently debated. Work with your own ideas and experiences add no ou - Essay Example This enthusiasm is not shared by those of the religious right or the current presidential administration. This faction is opposed to embryonic stem cell research which they claim as immoral and characterize as devaluing human life, much the same as does abortion, drawing a link between the two. I suggest those who support federal funding of stem cell research are positioned on higher moral ground. Stem cells are basically the building block cells of a human being which are capable of becoming different types of tissue. The main objective for pursuing stem cell research is curing incapacitating ailments such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injuries, strokes and other various diseases. Embryonic stem cells possess the ability to restore defective or damaged tissues which would heal or regenerate organs which have been adversely affected by a degenerative disease. The moral dilemma that surrounds the prohibition of aborted fetuses is the idea of abortion itself. The Bush administration has made it very clear that it is opposed to legal abortions, in at least most circumstances, and has transferred this ideology to its prohibition of embryonic stem cell research. The concept of scientific study of the next stage of development, the fetus, which resulted from an abortion, is unthinkable. This ideology of the administration reflects the minority opinion which opposes abortion and also reflects the majority opinion that is opposed to aborted fetuses of consenting parents being used for experimentation. This reality has no basis in reason. Why would those who claim to be ‘pro-choice’ want to waste the aborted tissue? For that matter, why would pro-lifers want to witness what they believe is a living being tossed away in vain? At least its ‘life’ could have meant something to humanity in a very real way. Whatever moral or political position, the fact is, all these fetuses could have served

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Cultural Artifcat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cultural Artifcat - Essay Example It is convenient, hassle free and very enabling because we have tons of information within us. Putting or embedding it in our body is also safe. It could be injected within us and could also be retrieved easily because it is small. It will work because if the pacemaker that is big could fit into a human’s heart, how much more a microchip that will just be embedded in our skin. It will be just a matter of time before such technology will happen because recent development in technology is running on the technological ideology of making computers smaller and smaller. Recent signs are the miniaturization of computers are PC’s reduction to laptops to tablets and it will not be long until it will be reduced to just a microchip. It is expected that such artifact may received with resistance because the idea is revolutionary and unusual. Less informed people may have the false consciousness that we are â€Å"robotizing† people by embedding chip into them. It is also anticipated however that over time, such fears will be allayed by the benefits of the new technology and that it will be eventually accepted. For us students, such cultural artifact is a very powerful and an enabling tool because the amount of information we could carry could be used in our studies. Imagine each student has a library at his or her disposal and all he or she needs is a computer, laptop or tablet to download the information within his or her body. The same is true if such student would like to upload information that would be needed in the future. It is not only convenient but could also cost effective because the storage can be carried anywhere. Also, student’s will no longer have excuses that they forgot to bring their books, assignments or whatever information related requirement in school because their body could already carry it. It only means that if they did not bring the requirement, they did not do it. Life will also become

Friday, November 15, 2019

Assessing The Ethnic Inequality In Canada Sociology Essay

Assessing The Ethnic Inequality In Canada Sociology Essay Inequality, whether racial, ethnic, economic, political or social is a great concern everywhere in the world. This is because research has shown that inequality can lead to poverty and creation of social classes within a society. This theory was expounded by Karl Max in his Communist Manifesto in which he argued that the owners of the means of production, capitalists, exploit the poor or proletariats and accumulate wealth often leading to a class society. This paper summarizes the findings of a 2007 study, titled Ethnic Inequality in Canada: Economic and Health Dimensions, which was done by Ellen M. Gee, Karen M.Kobayashi and Steven G. Prus, and is available in the Canadian Journal of sociology. Other works will also be reviewed to secure a satisfactory understanding of the subject. Introduction Immigration into Canada totally changed the racial diversity of the Canadian population. In their study, Gee et al. (2007) noted that since the beginning of European immigration and settlements, the Canadian society has been ordered based on racial and ethnic dimensions. Ethnicity has occupied a central position in Canadians rising inequality (p.3). John Porter first studied this subject in 1965 and found that entry into the Canadian elite class was racially ranked and determined by income, ethnic prestige, and occupations. His findings found that, British-Canadians topped the group, French-Canadians took second position, and other European-Canadians were third while Blacks and Aboriginals-visible minorities occupied the bottom strata. Despite rapid changes in policy, regarding ethnic and racial discrimination and Canadas economic progress, aspects of ethnic inequality exist in Canada. Gee et al. (2007) examined ethnic inequalities in Canada now (their time of study being 2007). I summarize their findings on four key issues, namely; Economic Inequalities (income and occupations), Employment and home ownership, Health Inequality and the aspect of perceptions on discrimination and prejudice. Economic Inequalities Empirical examples show that, substantial and convincing studies have been done on ethnically or racially based economic inequalities in Canada. Well-studied areas on this subject include income disparities and inequality in occupations. Gee et al. (2007) summarized the various studies done on this subject. (Reitz and Banerjee 2007) concluded that visible minorities in Canada have higher poverty rates and lower comparable incomes than ethnic Canadians of European origin. Gee et al. (2007) noted that recent studies on ethnic/racial orientations of income inequalities show that, household incomes of Aboriginals and visible minorities are usually low than those of Canadians with a European Origin. This is despite the fact that such studies have been conducted by different researchers at different times and applying different racial classifications and control variables. They further noted that racial disparities in the household incomes of European-Canadians have nearly minimized. Additionally, they also found indications showing that Canadians of southern European origin earn lower incomes than Canadians of British origin, while Canadians of French Origin earned much far better (p.14). On occupations, (Nakhaie 1997 as quoted in Gee et al. 2007: 16) found that British-Canadians continue leading the class of Canadian elites, despite the fact that Canadians of other origins have made efforts to join the elite class over the years. Gee et al. (2007) also noted that the correlation between ethnicity/racism and occupation could be studied in two different ways. One way is by establishing whether certain ethnic groups are concentrated in specific occupations (based on division of labor). The other alternative is evaluating the position of racial groups in the Hierarchy or strata of prestigious occupations (p.17). Applying the first dimension, and using the male gender, studies showed that Aboriginals dominate the construction and building industries representing more than double of the Canadian male populations. They are extremely underrepresented in administrative and management occupations. Their women counterparts are represented in service jobs. They therefore conclud ed that, the Canadian labor force is more gendered than ethnically based. In terms of prestige of occupations, Jewish, British and Chinese Canadians top the hierarchy. Blacks, Greeks, Aboriginals and Portuguese Canadians occupy the lower strata in that order. In the case of the female gender, the picture does not change. In this case, ethnicity and racism outweighs gender (p.17). Employment and Home Ownership Li 2000 as quoted in Reitz and Banerjee (2007: 6) noted that the main economic problem that ethnic minority immigrants face in Canada is securing sufficient employment. This is associated with amicable reasons like, the entry effect-related to immigration problems and adjusting to the new environment (urban settlement), academic qualifications and racism. Ethnic minority immigrants experience more impediments than immigrants of European-origin (Reitz and Banerjee 2007: 6) Gee et al. (2007) asserted that findings show that in terms of home ownership, the picture is no different. It reflects the same strata as it is observed in household income levels and occupations. Osberg (2008: 33) noted that, despite the fact that much literature has ignored the role of interest rates, wealth distribution, and household incomes of the wealthy and focused on earning trends, Canada now has much information on economic and other social inequalities and broad conclusions are apparent. He concludes that data shows an increase in economic inequality in Canada today. Health Inequalities Better health care is one of the basic needs that all human beings aspire to get any ware in the world. Low household incomes are frequently linked with poor health. Despite intensified research and studies on health inequality in Canada, little attention has been directed at ethno-cultural disparities on health. Gee et al (2007) looked at both heath care access and health status. However much of the literature that they examined did not show a direct correlation between ethnicity and health status. In some instances data showed that, some recent immigrants, irregardless of race or ethnic group had better health than their Canadian-born counterparts. This healthy immigrant effect was however associated with the health requirements in the Canadian immigration act that locked out immigrants with chronic health conditions. Their studies concluded that Canadians whose mother tongue is non-English or non-French are economically disadvantaged. Recent visible immigrants are typically disadvantaged. Their analysis also found significant disparities in health status and utilization depending on country of immigrant and language. The health status of recent Immigrants declines as their years of stay in Canada increase. This is because they hardly report for medical checkups, due to the fear discriminat ion, prejudice, and low household incomes. Perceptions of Discrimination and Prejudice: A Barrier to Social Cohesion Ethnic and racial inequality might be less decisive if it is because of circumstances amicable to the visible minority, such as status of new immigrants, language differences, or academic and technical training not compliant with Canadian requirements. In other words, inequality would not be a threat to social cohesion if it were viewed as legitimate. The feeling of discrimination, prejudice and racism is another issue all together (Reitz and Banerjee 2007: 8). A 2002 Ethnic Diversity Survey, which sought to get views of individual experiences of ethnic and racial discrimination, showed that 35.9% of all the respondents consisting visible minorities reported cases of discrimination and prejudice compared with 10.6% of all Whites who responded to the Survey, of the visible minorities, blacks recorded the highest rate at 49.6%. (p. 8:9). The Visible minorities also reported incidences of perceived discrimination of their ethnic group. Despite improving economic status of immigrants as they cope up with Canadian environment and society an ethnic divide in perceptions of racial discrimination is eminent among immigrants with longer stay and experience in Canada. (p.9), this is even persistence among children. Cases of non-recognition of immigrant qualifications also abound, despite in some cases being equivalent to those of native Canadians. Failure to recognize foreign qualifications and experience are some of the barriers that visible minorities come across as they seek employment. Racial discrimination is viewed with skepticism in Canada, but the mutual covenant is that it exists and cannot be ignored. It is true that one of the effects of racial discrimination of minorities is its impact on the social cohesion of the Canadian society. Social cohesion generally means the capacity of a society to formulate, implement and adhere to policies that guide it. Lack of it may lead to conflicts and civil disorders as it happened in France and the United Kingdom. Other effects may be failure of a group to participate in making decisions and sometimes withdrawing its support for certain decisions or societal policies. Integrating ethnic minorities is an important issue in Canada. Social integration and social cohesion are mutually exclusive and cannot be separated. Proper social integration of minority ethnic groups in Canada is a sine qua non for a peaceful and prosperous society that is viewed by its occupants as a means to the achievement of their needs. This will strengthen the Canadian society; raise the spirit of inclusiveness, civic and voluntary participation in activities concerning human life. Conclusion Inequality is a social evil; no society is a friend to it. The above revelations reveal that forms of inequality based on ethnic considerations exist in Canada irregardless of how minute they are. This is a big concern to racial minorities. It is not only a challenge to the racial group that experience it, but also to the completely Canadian society in terms of forging a peaceful and an all inclusive society acceptable to all. The process of socially integrating ethnic minorities into Canadian society is often slower than that of European immigrants. This is often associated with their feeling of exclusion and perceived discrimination. Of emphasis is that economic integration should match social integration, none should supersede the other. Existing Canadian policies and legal structures are laudable against racial discrimination and economic inequality. This is possibly due to international conventions and pressure to eliminate global racism and ethnicity, but it is not clear whether they are sufficient in addressing the issues that affect minority ethnic groups in Canada. However, may consent is that ethnic prejudice and discrimination is a social construction that can only be changed by the subconscious minds of individuals-the way we think and see others. We should all join hands and fight ethnic inequality. We should judge others by their competence and content of their minds rather than the pigmentation of their skin. There shall be no solution to this race problem until, you yourselves, strike the blow for liberty-Marcus Garvey

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

the misappropriation of events :: essays research papers

The Misappropriation of the events that took place on December 27, 2001 The following report is based solely on the opinions and the feelings of the author and contains vague and dry statements about the education system, school system, those judging, and the institution that we call learning and how it has been affected by this unfortunate incident. For you the reader, I have broken this document down into six ( 6 ) parts. Education System School System Those Judging Learning The law Conclusion and reference Section 1: Education System My education and my fellow assailants education has proven to be a very productive thing in our careers as students. We are all seniors in highschool and we will all be going off to college next year to pursue our futures and continue to expand our minds with learning. It is said that education is the best tool that a person can have under hisher belt and can be used to build the "houses of life". My house of life was looking rather alright until that December day when the "criminals" were captured. ( I say criminals and I express that with captions because that is how the school is treating us†¦ like cold hard criminals ). My education as well as the other three is looking like it is about to hit the rocks right now. I will explain a little more about how it will hit the rocks when I focus on the School System section. I don’t give our system of education any haste in this day and time because the youth of America are being taught all about the world and learning to cope with other cultures as more and more flow in to our country. But they are also being taught about the terrible things that happen in our society ( i.e. crime ). Crime is where we come in. Just a couple of kids, having some fun, spray painting a stupid school. It is just a rivalry thing and we were caught smack dab right in the middle of it all. I know that this section is supposed to be about the education system that we have but it will also be a brief overview of everything that happened. I really don’t feel like scrolling all the way back up to the top of this page to add another section so you will have to bear with me on this one.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Energy drink lab Essay

Questions: 1. When we say that something gives us â€Å"energy,† what does that mean? What is a biological definition of energy? When we say that something gives us â€Å"energy† it means that, that drink gave us power to get up and do things. It energizes us so we can accomplish something. The biological definition of energy is the strength and vitality required for sustained physical or mental activity. 2. What is the physiological role of each of the molecules in your table? The role of each of the molecules in my table is to 1. Which ingredients provide energy? How do they do that? Caffeine, sugars and many more provide energy by stimulating the central nervous system giving the body a sense of alertness. It can raise heart rate and blood pressure while dehydrating the body. 2. Which ingredients contribute to body repair, I.e., which help build or rebuild muscle tissue? Glucose (sugar) to provide energy quickly to the muscles. Because sugar is short-lasting, the resulting energy burst is also short-lasting. Ingredients with protein repairs, and Folic Acid, since it helps with DNA synthesis which makes protein. In our case the amino acid group help build muscle tissue in the drink Nos. 3. In what ways might the one that does not have a metabolic energy source provide the perception of increased energy after consumption? The main purpose of an energy drink is to increase stamina and physical performance. With the consumption of caffeine the person will increase performance. 4. How are the ingredients in these drinks helpful to someone expending a lot energy a runner? I believe the ingredients in these drinks are not helpful to someone expending a lot of energy because it’s not healthy and the energy that’s given off these energy drinks do not last long. Therefore it’s unreasonable to drink energy drink when you can drink water and maybe Gatorade or Powerade. 5. Does your analysis substantiate the claim that this is an â€Å"energy drink†? If so, what molecules are the sources of energy? 6. Yes the claim substantiate that Nos is an energy drink. The sources of ener gy in are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, being burned in the presence of oxygen. But the chemical reactions required to consume this energy do require water. 7. Could you drink serve different  purposes for different consumers? Explain. Nos energy drink could be used to provide energy to those who play sports and need the energy, those who need the energy because of lack of sleep, or those who simply enjoy the taste of it. 7. What is the normal physiological response to increased intake of sugars? To increased intake of caffeine? The glucose levels in the blood increase and cause and increase in insulin production with and increased amount of sugar intake. With an increase of caffeine intake the heart rate increases and cause anxiety, insomnia, and the blood vessels to expand. 8. Is there such a thing as â€Å"sugar high†? Explain your answer. No, there is no such thing as sugar high. Many people believe sugar makes people hyper but that is a myth. It is because some people are low sugar tolerant and some have a higher toleration for sugar. 9. Evaluate, in terms of basic physiology and biochemistry, the statement: A lack of sleep causes a lack of energy. Sleeping is essential for everyone and we at least need 6 hours of sleep a day to let our body rest after it has been active for many hours. One lacks energy because your body and brain did not have enough time to fuel up again so therefore one feels tired. 10. Are the product claims legitimate? Why? No, they are off because the amount of caffeine listed is much lower then what it actually has 11. Should you simply buy a can of coke rather than one of these energy drinks? Why/ why not? Yes, but then again no because coke products are honest about what the drink has in so therefore you know what you are consuming and how much but then again it can still affect your health. Coke is a better then Nos but not the healthiest choice. Assessment: Claims: Enhances mental focus High performance Fuels gamers Natural caffeine People should really think about the things they put in their bodies. Many are not aware of the risks that one put themselves in because of the products they consume. Energy drinks are an example of beverages that many  people drink but not everyone knows the risks. A lot of young adolescents enjoy drinking these type of beverages. Energy drinks have high caffeine but the product does not inform you of how much caffeine one is actually consuming. High levels of caffeine cause the heart rate to increase and it could cause death if people are not careful. The claims say that it enhances the mental focus; however the drink cause anxiety problems and insomnia. The high levels of caffeine cause these side effects and increase the consumers heart rate. The claims also state that it is high performance, which is partially true. The caffeine makes one feel wide awake and have more energy but deep down their body is forcefully being told to act that way. The Nos Energy drink tries to catch the eye of adolescents by the logos on the drinks such as â€Å"Nos fuels gamers.† The drink states that it has natural caffeine and even though it may be natural, it has 260 mg of caffeine. A girl in Missouri drank 2 Nos drinks and passed out which caused her to be hospitalized according to EnergyFiend.com. This is why consumers need to be careful when buying these types of beverages because they could end up hospitalized or possibly dead. It clear states on the can that it is only recommended for adults, but yet anyone is allowed to buy not matter what age they are which is unbelievable. Sources of Energy Amino Acids Stimulants & Vitamins Other-Please Categorize Caffeine Citric Acid Acesulfame Potassium Fructose Glucose Glucuronolactone Inisotol Pyridoxine HCL Sucralose Sucrose Aspartame (Carnitine) 1-Glutamine (B12) (B6) (Taurine) (Guarana) Cyanocobalamin Folic Acid Niacin Niacinamide Pantothenic Acid (Potassium Sorbate)- Salt of sorbic acid Water

Friday, November 8, 2019

Abolish the Death Penalty essays

Abolish the Death Penalty essays The death penalty is a major issue that brings up a lot of arguments in our society. The most important question concerning the death penalty is whether it should be abolished or not. I think that the death penalty is the ultimate denial of human rights. It violates the right to life as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is the ultimate cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment. Race, social and economic status, location of crime, and pure chance may be deciding factors in death sentencing. In addition, prosecutors seek the death penalty far more frequently when the victim of the homicide is white than when the victim is black. The actual cost of an execution is substantially higher than the cost of imprisoning a person for life. Death was formerly the penalty for all felonies in English law. In practice the death penalty was never applied as widely as the law provided, as a variety of procedures were adopted to decrease the harshness of the law. Many offenders who committed capital crimes were pardoned, usually on condition that they agreed to be transported to what were then the American colonies; others were allowed what was known as benefit of clergy(Ploski 2). The beginning of benefit of clergy was that offenders who were established priests were subject to trial by the church courts rather than the non-religious courts. If the offender convicted of a felony could show that he had be ordained, he was allowed to go free, subject to the possibility of being punished by the ecclesiastical courts. In medieval times the only proof of ordination was literacy, and it became the custom by the 17th century to allow anyone convicted of a felony to escape the death sentence by In 18th-century England concern with rising crime led to many statutes either extending the number of offenses punishable with death or doing away with benefit of clergy for existing fel...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

How Combinations and Permutations Differ

How Combinations and Permutations Differ Throughout mathematics and statistics, we need to know how to count. This is particularly true for some probability problems. Suppose we are given a total of n distinct objects and want to select r of them. This touches directly on an area of mathematics known as combinatorics, which is the study of counting. Two of the main ways to count these r objects from n elements are called permutations and combinations. These concepts are closely related to one another and easily confused. What is the difference between a combination and permutation? The key idea is that of order. A permutation pays attention to the order that we select our objects. The same set of objects, but taken in a different order will give us different permutations. With a combination, we still select r objects from a total of n, but the order is no longer considered. An Example of Permutations To distinguish between these ideas, we will consider the following example: how many permutations are there of two letters from the set {a,b,c}? Here we list all pairs of elements from the given set, all the while paying attention to the order. There are a total of six permutations. The list of all of these are: ab, ba, bc, cb, ac and ca. Note that as permutations ab and ba are different because in one case a was chosen first, and in the other a was chosen second. An Example of Combinations Now we will answer the following question: how many combinations are there of two letters from the set {a,b,c}? Since we are dealing with combinations, we no longer care about the order. We can solve this problem by looking back at the permutations and then eliminating those that include the same letters. As combinations, ab and ba are regarded as the same. Thus there are only three combinations: ab, ac and bc. Formulas For situations we encounter with larger sets it is too time-consuming to list out all of the possible permutations or combinations and count the end result. Fortunately, there are formulas that give us the number of permutations or combinations of n objects taken r at a time. In these formulas, we use the shorthand notation of n! called n factorial. The factorial simply says to multiply all positive whole numbers less than or equal to n together. So, for instance, 4! 4 x 3 x 2 x 1 24. By definition 0! 1. The number of permutations of n objects taken r at a time is given by the formula: P(n,r) n!/(n - r)! The number of combinations of n objects taken r at a time is given by the formula: C(n,r) n!/[r!(n - r)!] Formulas at Work To see the formulas at work, let’s look at the initial example. The number of permutations of a set of three objects taken two at a time is given by P(3,2) 3!/(3 - 2)! 6/1 6. This matches exactly what we obtained by listing all of the permutations. The number of combinations of a set of three objects taken two at a time is given by: C(3,2) 3!/[2!(3-2)!] 6/2 3. Again, this lines up exactly with what we saw before. The formulas definitely save time when we are asked to find the number of permutations of a larger set. For instance, how many permutations are there of a set of ten objects taken three at a time? It would take awhile to list all the permutations, but with the formulas, we see that there would be: P(10,3) 10!/(10-3)! 10!/7! 10 x 9 x 8 720 permutations. The Main Idea What is the difference between permutations and combinations? The bottom line is that in counting situations that involve an order, permutations should be used. If the order is not important, then combinations should be utilized.