After the American revolution conflicts between the North and South Essay

After the American revolution conflicts between the North and South - Essay Example The southern states majorly depended on cotton growing as their main source of revenue. There, however, existed a range of factories in the north of which most were agriculture based, as grain processing. The economy of the north was diverse with several other factories, apart from agriculture based. The southern states had slavery as the source of labor in their plantations (Jordan xii). This was among the issues that exacerbated the south with their northern counterparts. While the southern plantation owners embraced slavery, the north had it declared as an odd institution. The north and south had divergent economic interests. This difference possibly triggered the enmity that, among other factors, promoted the civil war. There was a notable difference in the labor forces between the north and south. The north consisted of a majority of skilled workers that made the labor market competitive while the south mainly used semiskilled and manual labor. There were high tariffs in the north, contrary to the south where there were low tariffs. The high tariffs shielded to the industries in the north from competition. The north and south had differences including their locations of land in the continent. While the northern states fall in the northern hemisphere, the southern states have their situation in the southern hemisphere. The demographics of the north and south showed explicit differences. The northern population was higher than the southern given the surge of people in the north, who worked in the factories. The immigration, therefore, escalated the population of the north. Differences over land issues were among the significant causes of the historic civil war. The union states (from the north) wanted their southern counterparts (confederate states) to surrender their large plantations for the building of industries and factories. The southern states, however, were reluctant to give in to such forces. This triggered a land conflict between the north and

Leadership Styles Management Essay Example for Free

Leadership Styles Management Essay → Production-centered managers – set rigid work standards, organized asks down to the last detail, prescribed work methods o be followed and closely supervised their subordinates work → Employee-centered managers – encouraged subordinate participation in goal setting and in other work decisions and helped ensure high performance by inspiring trust and respect most effective leadership Most effective leaders were those who had supportive relationships with their subordinates, tended to use group rather than individual decision making, and encouraged their subordinates to set and achieve high performance goals. Managerial Grid (Blake and Mouton Studies) developed by Robert Blake and Jane Mouton identifies 5 different types of management behaviors based on the various ways that task-oriented and employee-oriented styles can interact with each other Style 1,1 (impoverished management) – low concern for people, low concern for tasks or production laissez-faire management – leader abdicates his or her leadership role Style 1,9 (country club management) – high concern for employees, low concern for tasks Style 9,1 (task or authoritarian management) – high concern for production and efficiency, low concern for employees Style 5,5 (middle-of-the-road management) – an intermediate amount of concern for both production and employee satisfaction Style 9,9 ( team or democratic management) – high concern for both production and employee morale and satisfaction ; most effective leadership behavior Hi. Alam kong FC ako sa ginagawa ko pero di ko na talaga matiis eh. Haha. Sorry kung na-intrude ko ang privacy mo dito sa FB. Masyado lang kasi akong na-mesmerized dun sa story mong ICH Book 1. Di ko nga alam kung gagamit ako ng po at opo o tatawagin kitang Ate habang tinatype ko to.Haha. Kahit hindi ako nagcocomment sa updates mo (sorry po, tinatamad kasi akong gumawa ng account doon :D), gusto ko lang sabihin na nagustuhan ko yung plot ng story mo at grabe ang kaba ko habang papalapit na ako sa ending. Kahit ending na sya, naramdaman ko pa rin yung thrill. Hindi nakakasawang ulit-ulitin. Noon pa, curious na talaga ako sa identity mo pero may hint na ako na sa UP ka nag-aaral dahil dun sa jeepney ekek na nasabi mo. :3 Curiousity killed the cat but satisfaction brought it back. Wala lungs trip ko lang po isingit to. Mehehehe. Nakita ko po kasi yung link para sa FB account mo kaya ni-click ko na. XD First time kong mag-message sa isang writer ng story kaya pagpasensyahan mo na ako kung mukhang walang sense itong na-type kong message. Wahaha. Yun lang, byebye. =) FC ako, SORRY po ulet. :)))) System 4 Management Rensis Likert, incorporating the basic style categories of task orientation and employee orientation, devised his own model of management effectiveness. Four Leadership Systems System 1 characterized as exploitive and authoritative Managers make all work-related decisions and order their subordinates to carry them out. Failure to meet the managers goals results in threats or punishments. Managers have little trust or confidence in subordinates. Subordinates fear the managers. System 2 benevolent authoritative Subordinates who meet or exceed the managers goals may be rewarded. Managers have a condescending attitude toward their subordinates and subordinates are cautious when dealing with their managers. System 3 consultative Managers set goals and issue general orders after discussing them with subordinates. Subordinates can make their own decisions about how to carry out their ttasks. Rewards are used to motivate subordinates. Subordinates feel free to discuss most work-related matters with their managers, who, in turn, feel that to a large extent subordinates can be trusted to carry out their tasks properly. System 4 participative Likerts final and most favored management style Goals are set and work-related decisions are made by group. To motivate subordinates, managers not only use economic rewards but also try to give their subordinates feelings of worth and importance Performance standards exist to permit self-appraisal by subordinates, rather than to provide managers with a tool to control subordinates. Interaction between managers and subordinates is frank, friendly, and trusting. Low productivity → Systems 1 and 2 styles High productivity → Consultative or Participative leadership style System 4 management → desirable management in a wide variety of work situations High in consideration Lowest turnover rates Highest employee satisfaction Low in consideration High in initiating structture High grievance and turnover rates

Influence of the Spanish on Puerto Rican Society :: Puerto Rico History Historical Essays

Influence of the Spanish on Puerto Rican Society In the histories of Colonial Latin America there is one common aspect and that is the importation of slaves as a labor force. The resulting consequences for the territory are vital if we are to understand the development of the society. In Puerto Rico these consequences deal mainly with African influence on the peasantry, the corrective measures taken thereafter to negate the African influence, and the results of these corrective measures. The Tainos, the natives of Puerto Rico, were extensive agriculturalists as well as a highly organized people. They developed techniques, such as irrigation, which was new to agriculture and at the same time increased the productivity of their crops, like the yuca their main staple. Another unique feature to the Taino society was the relationship between man and woman. The Taino’s gender roles were markedly different from those of the European nations. For example the matrilineal arrangements allowed both men and women to become the chiefs of their respective villages. Spanish settlers were critical, upon arrival, of the Taino lifestyle. Unfortunately Taino influence is rarely felt due to their rapid demise. Although the natives of Borikà ©n were Taino, it is argued that the first Puerto Ricans were black Puerto Ricans. Spanish occupation virtually eliminated Native influences by the way of the decimation of the people as a result of disease brought across the atlantic by the Spanish settlers. In this way the Taino were minimally influential in forming a new cultural identity. â€Å"The descendants of the first African slaves had already become black Puerto Ricans†(Gonzà ¡lez 10) when Spaniards from the canary islands arrived to replace those who had left in search of riches in Peru and Mexico. For this reason it is feasible to accept the notion â€Å"that the Puerto Ricans were in fact black Puerto Ricans.† (Gonzà ¡lez 10) The African presence was more of a factor in the formation process of the Puerto Rican identity. Of the massive numbers of slaves who survived the voyage there were those who were fortunate enough to escape into the hinterland. Here they found refuge from the hardship of plantation labor along with the opportunity to join the peasantry that also searched for refuge. The jà ­baros â€Å"used the broken topography of the interior as an ally in its struggle with the expanding sugar plantations† (Scarano 6) This intermixing of the two cultures forged several similarities.

Killing Without Emotions

Shaharyar khan Michael Miller CW 1 Date: 05/02/13 Killing Without Emotions â€Å"In World War Two it is fact that only 15 to 20 percent of the solider fired at the enemy. That is one in five soldiers actually shooting at a Nazi when he sees one. † (Frisbee Jr) This surprising fact clearly indicates how hard it is to kill without emotions. The guilt or the feeling one gets after he has killed somebody is the worst feeling of his/her life. This fact also indicates our human nature. Emotions are the essential and necessary part of humans. In one way, humans are differentiated from animals and emotionless machines.This human nature of ours makes us think or stops us in order to kill without emotions. When humans are hardwired to be empathetic and compassionate not to kill, it is hard to understand why there is so much killing in the world? How, with empathy and compassion, can people kill? They must override their emotions with stronger emotions of hate and notions of purpose base d on their beliefs. In the following paragraphs will present few examples that will indicate why and how some people override their emotions with stronger emotions based on their purpose.A common example of this is of a suicide bomber. So how these suicide bombers are formed or what is the psychology involved behind suicide bombing. . Often the suicide bombers arrested in Pakistan are usually teenagers and are from a poor background. They are usually kidnapped on their way to school or madraassa (religious school) and then brainwashed. Research and Today’s media reveals that suicide bombers using their religion as a shield justifies what they are doing are right.During brainwashing they are kept isolated and given misleading information on the name of the religion. They are told by the corrupt religious leaders that killing of the non Muslims are justified according to their religion. In addition to this they are also told that dying in the name of their religion will earn th em the rank of a martyred. They are also brainwashed that they will earn a high rank in the heavens and rivers of milk and honey and beautiful virgins await. (Yusufzai and Jamal). They are offered high price to get the job done.They are assured that their family will live wealthy life after their job is done. Almost 90% of the suicide bombers are normal humans but, after knowing the position they can earn by dying in the name of their religion, change their emotions to kill hundreds of innocent humans. From this above example it can be concluded that they simple overcome their emotions with stronger emotions of earning high rank in Heavens by dying in the name of the religion, securing the lives of their family and obeying the orders of God.Another type of the people who override their emotions to kill are the soldiers. Soldiers override their emotions for certain reasons that they learn during the training. During the training there are told that they are the protectors of the land . The lives of their families and their countrymen depend on them. Moreover, they are trained with the fact that what they are doing is right and justified and God is with them. The training for the soldiers keeps on the changing with time to time. The soldiers are given complete training/ practicing area. The soldiers are desensitized by making them shoot at human shaped paper targets, drill and then to moving targets and pop up targets look kind of human shape making their response automatic and focused†. (Dwyer). The training areas includes all kinds of difficult pathways, underground tunnels and sudden appearance of the human shaped targets which they have shoot at and take them down. They are also congratulated on their first kill which increases their confidence to override their emotions more easily â€Å"In addition to this there are addressed directly making them believe that they actually have to kill. (Robinson). â€Å"Often a times the present the enemies in way that does not even feel like a human; for instance they will call their enemies by those names that even don’t look familiar. Names like â€Å"gook† who knows what is gook? It does not sound like a human or a person. Half of the desensitizing and dehumanizing is made easier in presenting a person that does not even to our class or kind. In addition, saying that God is with us, we are fighting for the sake of our country and the people and God is proud of us.A lot of killing is made easier in this for the soldiers presenting these as a reason. † (Pomerantz) So, with this kind of training and lessons of patriotism being given to the soldiers makes it easier to override to their emotions. In the conclusion I would restate again that killing without emotions is really hard unless you have you don’t overcome your emotions. It takes a lot of nerve and heart to kill without emotions. Works cited Dwyer, Gwynne. â€Å"Soldiers trained to kill and post-traumatic ps ycho-babble. Thuppahi's blog, 29 April 2011. Web. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. Yusufzai, Asfaq, and Amna Nasir Jamal. â€Å"Teenagers recruited, trained as suicide bombers. †Ã‚  Central online Asia. N. p. , 11 04 2011. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Robinson, Steve. â€Å"The impact of killing and how to prepare the soldiers . †Ã‚  Frontline. Frontline, 01 Mar 2001. Web. 18 Feb 2013. Pomerantz, Andrew. â€Å"The impact of killing and how to prepare the soldiers . †Ã‚  Frontline. Frontline, 01 Mar 2001. Web. 18 Feb 2013.

Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation Essay

Martin Luther is credited for starting the Protestant Reformation by declaring the corruption he saw in the Roman Catholic Church. By standing firm in his faith and openly going against the church, he’s able to get the people thinking for themselves and discovering the truth of their leaders and religion. Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483 in Eislenben, Germany, to copper miner Hans and peasant Margaretha Luder. Living in poverty, his father is set on Luther becoming a lawyer for higher income and family honor. In 1501, he enrolled at Master of Arts in Erford, and received his Bachelor’s degree in 1502 and Master’s in 1505. He then enrolled to the law school. In 1505, he’s caught in a thunderstorm and asks God for deliverance. Since he lived through the fright, he then devotes himself to God, dropping out of law school and joining the monastery, although against his father’s orders. While searching for personal salvation, Luther took his spiritual growth very seriously and often times punished himself. He spent most hours praying and confessing. Through this, he began to notice his frequent and awful sins. He was told to follow after academics which he then taught theology at the University of Wittenberg. On October 18, 1512, he is given a Doctorate in Theology. In 1513, he studied Psalm 22 and gained enlightenment. He realized, as Paul said, â€Å"The just will live by faith,† and that salvation comes with solely faith and not religious works or practices. Luther’s knowledge of the Scriptures and his analytical mind caused him to see the power-hungry church leaders’ corruption. A major issue Luther saw was the selling of indulgences which were ways to get people of the church to pay for prayers and salvation. The Roman Catholic Church used these indulgences to put fear into their followers and money into their own pockets. Along with that complaint and others, Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the church door on October 31, 1517. Within two weeks, the news of his rebellion spread through Germany and throughout Europe in two months. The Johannes Gutenberg Printing Press played a vital role in this expansion. Within days, many copies of the news was made and sent out. This gave the people of the church and of the nations concrete evidence of their leaders’  corruption. Soon, the fear of the people faded and so did the church’s power. In 1520, Luther is threatened with excommunication from the church. In January of 1520 he is excommunicated and named as a heretic. In April of 1521, the Diet of Worms met and Luther is questioned about his act. He is told to recant but he refuses to do so unless the Scriptures would have him do otherwise. In 1522, Luther translates the New Testament to German where again, the printing press made it available to society. He also formed his own church, Lutheranism, and teaches his practices and gains followers. On June 13, 1525, he married former nun Katharina von Bora and went on to have six children together. As time goes on, he gains many health problems and dies at the age of 62 on February 18, 1546. Through personal enlightenment and rebellion, Martin Luther started the transformation of the Christian church and many of its practices today. By refusing the deception of the church, he leads a revolt against the church and sets the example of strong, unshakable faith. Luther’s impact on religion didn’t stop in the 1500s, and is still standing firm and modeling the religion of society now.

Free Essays on Driving in the Snow

Thesis: Although it can be done, driving in the snow is a dangerous and difficult process. Driving during sever winter weather conditions can be demanding. And how you handle your vehicle in those conditions could be the difference between a safe trip and serious trouble. Not all cars are alike. To become familiar with your vehicle’s winter weather operating characteristics, it is recommended that practicing slow-speed maneuvers on an empty snow or ice-covered parking lot. It is also suggested that the owner should read the owners manual for information on equipment and handling characteristics. The following are things to consider while driving in winter weather conditions. Front, rear, four or all-wheel drive Become familiar with what wheels are given power in your vehicle. Front-wheel-drive vehicles generally handle better than rear-wheel-drive vehicles on slippery roads because the weight of the engine is on the drive wheels. The back end of rear-wheel-drive cars tends to lose traction and slide side-to-side during turns on icy roads because there is little weight on the drive wheels. Many vehicles today are equipped with four, or all-wheel drive, which helps maintain traction in difficult conditions. However, drivers of four-wheel drive vehicles should avoid becoming over confident. Four-wheel-drive does not make the car brake any better. Braking A vehicle’s braking system also determines how motorists should operate their cars in winter weather. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) provide significant stopping advantages on slick roads, but are only effective if properly used. When stopping a vehicle with ABS in slippery conditions, motorists should apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. The ABS automatically pumps the brakes to keep the wheels from locking up, preventing skids and loss of control. Do not take your foot off the brake pedal if you hear or feel chatter. This means the ABS system is working properly... Free Essays on Driving in the Snow Free Essays on Driving in the Snow Thesis: Although it can be done, driving in the snow is a dangerous and difficult process. Driving during sever winter weather conditions can be demanding. And how you handle your vehicle in those conditions could be the difference between a safe trip and serious trouble. Not all cars are alike. To become familiar with your vehicle’s winter weather operating characteristics, it is recommended that practicing slow-speed maneuvers on an empty snow or ice-covered parking lot. It is also suggested that the owner should read the owners manual for information on equipment and handling characteristics. The following are things to consider while driving in winter weather conditions. Front, rear, four or all-wheel drive Become familiar with what wheels are given power in your vehicle. Front-wheel-drive vehicles generally handle better than rear-wheel-drive vehicles on slippery roads because the weight of the engine is on the drive wheels. The back end of rear-wheel-drive cars tends to lose traction and slide side-to-side during turns on icy roads because there is little weight on the drive wheels. Many vehicles today are equipped with four, or all-wheel drive, which helps maintain traction in difficult conditions. However, drivers of four-wheel drive vehicles should avoid becoming over confident. Four-wheel-drive does not make the car brake any better. Braking A vehicle’s braking system also determines how motorists should operate their cars in winter weather. Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) provide significant stopping advantages on slick roads, but are only effective if properly used. When stopping a vehicle with ABS in slippery conditions, motorists should apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. The ABS automatically pumps the brakes to keep the wheels from locking up, preventing skids and loss of control. Do not take your foot off the brake pedal if you hear or feel chatter. This means the ABS system is working properly...

Foreign Direct Investment The WritePass Journal

Foreign Direct Investment Foreign Direct Investment IntroductionPolitical Perspectives  Theories of Foreign Direct Investment Impacts of FDI on Host Country EconomiesImportance of FDI Foreign Direct Investment in Emerging Economies Examples of Foreign Direct Investment ConclusionReferencesRelated Introduction Foreign direct investment (FDI) occurs when a foreign investor exerts direct control over domestic assets. It normally consists of an international capital flow from the home country to a host country for the purpose of acquiring partial or full ownership of tangible business activity. Technically, it is the book value of the equity held by the foreign investor that is attached to the asset. In most cases, the asset is a firm in a developed country, such as the United States, and the equity consists of two components: ordinary (common stock) and retained earnings. If both foreign and domestic investors own the common stock, then only a portion held by foreign investors is considered to be FDI, and if only a threshold percentage is attained, that is deemed to give the foreign investor control of the business. In the United States, this threshold is 10%, but some countries establish a higher minimum level of stock ownership, usually 25% (Aliber 2003, pp. 91). Foreign investment can take place in two ways: Foreign investors can establish new firms overseas, which they control, or foreign investors can acquire controlling interests in the previously established domestic firms, or spin-offs of such firms. FDI as a vehicle of transnationalization is a major contributor of economic development. Transnational corporations (TNCs) act as significant transmitters of economic, social, cultural, and political change into different countries, sectors, and motivations. TNCs take advantage of geographical differences in the distribution of factors of production (natural resources, capital, labor, etc.) and local policies (taxes, trade incentives, subsidies, etc.). Other than FDI, TNCs engage in various kinds of collaborative ventures by which they coordinate and control transactions within geographically dispersed production networks (Borensztein et al. 2008, pp. 115). Resulting from these ventures, the global economy is envisaged as linking together t wo sets of networks: (1) Organizational (in the form of production circuits and networks) and (2) Geographical (which include localized clusters of economic activity). Political Perspectives Since FDI requires the flow of capital across national borders, it has always been intertwined with politics. Viewed in this way, three different political perspectives to FDI can be identified: radical view, free market view, and pragmatic nationalism. The radical view, which can be traced back to Marxism, treats FDI as a vehicle for exploitation of domestic resources, industries and people. Those governments who hold a radical view are hostile to FDI and therefore are in favor of nationalizing foreign firm assets or putting into place mechanisms to discourage inbound foreign firms operations (Braconier et al. 2005, pp 313). The free market view, on the other hand, is more in favor of FDI and promotes its rationale not least because it enables countries to tap into their absolute or comparative advantages by specializing in the production of certain goods and services. According to the free market view, FDI can be regarded as a win-win situation for both home and host countries. Whi le prior to and during the 1980s the radical-based view FDI was more common in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, the free market-based FDI is now more influential across the world and in particular in emerging economies such as Brazil, India, and China (Braunerhjelm 2005, pp. 119). Finally, the third view, which reflects the current dominant perspective toward FDI and is practiced by most countries around the world, is called pragmatic nationalism. Based on a pragmatic nationalism political view, FDI is only approved when its benefits outweigh its costs. For example, this view holds that FDI in the Chinese auto industry should only take the form of a joint venture (JV). By adopting such restrictive policies, the Chinese government helps the domestic auto industry learn from their foreign counterparts (Buckley and Hashai 2004, pp. 61).    Theories of Foreign Direct Investment There are several theories that attempt to account for foreign aid. The prevailing ones include Dunnings eclectic approach and the product cycle. John Dunnings eclectic paradigm emphasizes the critical role of geographical location in understanding the complex nature of TNC behavior. The location aspect, as encapsulated in this theory, suggests three primary motivations: (1) foreign-market-seeking FDI, (2) Efficiency (cost reduction)-seeking FDI, and (3) resource-seeking or strategic-asset-seeking FDI. In general, a firms motivations to be transnational can be classified into two categories: (1) Market orientation, which pertains to marketing, sales, or production designed to serve a specific geographical market, and (2) Asset orientation, when most of the assets required by a firm to produce and sell specific goods and services have an uneven geographic distribution, especially in the natural resources industry. For a TNC to invest successfully abroad, it must possess advantages that no other firm has, the country it wishes to invest in should offer location advantages, and it must be capable of internalizing operations. Internalization tends to become synonymous with the ability of firms to exercise control over operations essential for the exploitation of ownership and location advantages (Yeung 2007, pp. 1). Raymond Vernon introduced the â€Å"locational† aspect to the product life cycle concept, which in the original form had no spatial connotation. First advanced in the mid 1960s, it emanated from the premise that the United States possessed comparative advantage in product innovation. To maximize production flexibility and minimize uncertainties in the early stages of a products life cycle, firms develop innovations for and introduce them to large high-income domestic markets but eventually set up foreign production facilities in other advanced economies to defend their monopolistic advantages resulting from an innovational lead. This also happens because, as products become more standardized, they get more price sensitive and firms turn to low-cost less developed countries (LDCs) to maximize profits. Vernon describes the phases as revolving around product development, product growth, product maturation, and product standardization. Impacts of FDI on Host Country Economies However, not all FDI is always in the best interest of the host country. Some nations have been increasingly viewing TNCs as a threat to economic autonomy. At times, they tend to be responsible for exerting negative influences on the host economy, for example, crowding out domestic firms and suppressing domestic enterprises. Profit maximization is inherently linked with maximization of efficiency and not necessarily with national, economic, and social goals. From the perspective of TNCs, various decisions have to be taken that can affect their effective working in the country- mainly since they operate in different economic, political, social, and cultural environments (Trevino and Upadhyaya 2003, pp. 45). A lot is said as to why firms choose to transnationalize rather than simply export their products. Two of the reasons commonly cited are that (1) Competition is extremely global and volatile and (2) It creates an environment wherein advantages are rapidly created and eroded. Firms increasingly compete not with rivals on a national level but across the globe. Higher sales and profits result from foreign subsidiaries because domestic markets, where the company started, tend to get saturated over time and it is fruitful to conquer foreign markets with more potential consumers than in the home country. The information technology revolution, which began in the United States in the 1980s, was an important source of structural change in the international economic and business environment affecting FDI. There was a sudden upsurge in asset-seeking direct investment in the United States. Foreign companies, chiefly European, were responsible for a gamut of mergers and acquisitions with U.S. companies- primarily with those possessing advanced technology or marketing prowess. The size and growth of the U.S. and Chinese markets have made these countries primary destinations for foreign companies using FDI as a stimulus for profits (Graham Marchick 2006, pp. 277). Importance of FDI FDI has been known to provide a longer-term contribution to GDP and income growth, as against bank loans and portfolio investments. The long-term perspective of FDI makes it relatively less volatile. FDI is considered to be an important carrier facilitating the spread of technology and is said to contribute to growth in a much wider way than domestic investment. The contribution of FDI is enhanced due to the interactions with human capital in the host country (Dunning Gugler 2008, pp. 113). Furthermore, FDI is said to expand the level of know-how in the host country through training and skill acquisition. Summarily, the four basic reasons why companies establish subsidiaries in foreign countries are (1) Gaining access to natural resources, (2) Protecting or expanding sales in lucrative markets, (3) Seeking low-cost production, and (4) Acquiring strategic assets. The United Nations, the European Union, and Japan have been the main sources and recipients of FDI for the past several decades. From 1998 to 2000, these three units together accounted for 75% of global FDI inflows. In totality, a countrys climate for FDI is built by factors such as relatively accommodative government policies- covering trade barriers and regulation of capital inflows; quality of governance; political stability; presence of laws and regulations; macroeconomic, fiscal, monetary, and industrial policies; and quality of infrastructure. Foreign Direct Investment in Emerging Economies The United States continues to be the largest FDI host country, with about US$2791.3 billion in 2007. The outward investment position increased to US$336.6 billion. Among the outward investments, about US$16.1 billion (3.1%) went to Ireland and US$4.2 billion (3%) to Singapore. Chart 1.1 China’s total foreign investments inflows According to U.S.-China Business Council, among emerging economies, Chinas role as an investor country has been highlighted in the past few years. By 2004, China was the eighth most favored FDI source among developing countries. The liberalization of Chinese FDI policy in 1992 led to increased Chinese outward direct investment (ODI). The growth in Chinese ODI policy developments was driven by cautious internalization, government encouragement, expansion and regulation, implementation of a â€Å"go global† policy, and heightened domestic competitive pressures, which led to the opening up of protected industries and markets to foreign and domestic competitors (2008, pp. 81). A comparative advantage as a manufacturing hub and a firm-specific advantage such as state-ownership of a large part of an industry further stimulate this growth. Chinese ODI has been positively associated with Chinese exports to the host country (the former promoting the latter), a moderate demand of inflation, and rising levels of political risk in the host country. A distinctive feature that remains with China as against other emerging economies is that many of its multinational enterprises remain in state hands, although corporatized to focus on commercial objectives. Table 1.2 Top 10 FDI inflows. Chinas overall FDI inflows stood at US$82.7 billion, an increase from US$69.47 billion. The top 10 FDI inflows were mainly from Hong Kong, the British islands, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and the United States, amounting to about US$3 billion in 2006 and about US$2.62 billion in 2007. According to the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) of the Peoples Republic of China, the outbound nonfinancial FDI for the first half of 2007 reached US$7.8 billion, while for the full year in 2006; it was US$21.2 billion. Of this, 86% was provided by central government sources. Most of Chinas ODI flowed to 172 destinations, which included Latin America and Asia. In India, the overall record of macroeconomic stability, a sizable domestic market, and a relatively high degree of political stability has attracted large volumes of FDI. The foreign investment in India during 2007–2008 was driven by FDI and portfolio investment inflows. FDI inflows in India increased from US$9.17 billion in 2005–2006 to US$22.95 billion in 2006–2007 and US$34.92 billion in 2007–2008. India emerged as the second most favored FDI destination after China in 2005 and 2006. During these years, investments through Mauritius remained the largest component, followed by Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Inflows from the United States stood at the sixth position at US$3.46 billion in 2005–2006, US$7.06 billion in 2006–2007, and US$4.86 billion in 2007–2008. Sectorwise, these inflows were mainly directed to financial services, construction, and manufacturing. On the other hand, ODIs from India increased from US$13.5 billion during 2006–2007 to US$17.9 billion during 2007–2008 and flowed mainly into the manufacturing sector (Dicken 2007, pp. 191). Within the European Union, Ireland is fast emerging as the most FDI-intensive economy in Europe and a global competitor to RD investment. Since the 1990s, Irelands economic development policies, which have encouraged Greenfield investments by foreign companies in manufacturing and service sectors so as to produce output for export markets, and the establishment of upstream linkages between foreign and indigenous companies and the creation of industrial clusters with them have stimulated an export-led growth of the manufacturing sector. In Singapore, another emerging FDI destination, the total ODI was recorded at US$406.7 billion in 2005 and US$484.1 billion in 2006. Financial services and manufacturing have been major draws for Singapore companies venturing abroad. In 2005 and 2006, Singapore invested about US$9.8 billion and US$8.5 billion in the U.S. market. The FDI inflow in Singapore was at US$323.8 billion and US$363.9 billion, the FDI inflow from the United States alone constit uting about 10% of this inflow. The current scale, proliferation, and importance of collaborative ventures between firms across boundaries have brought out the significance of transnational strategic alliances between firms (especially competing firms). Strategic alliances are formal agreements between firms to pursue specific strategic objectives in order to enable them to achieve specific goals. It involves sharing of risks and rewards. For RD ventures, for example, cooperation is limited to research into new products and technologies, while manufacturing and marketing remain the responsibility of individual firms (Cohen 2007, pp. 171). Globalization, technological advances, and the emergence of new players have propelled a change in FDI movement. Globalization, by removing most of the natural and artificial barriers to cross-border information flows and transactions, has widened locational choice options for firms. By lowering transport, communication, and distribution costs, technological advances have helped overcome many obstacles to overcome space. Examples of Foreign Direct Investment Venture capital, seed capital, and other types of direct investment play an important role in the development of nanotechnology by providing the funding for entrepreneurs to develop commercial products based on the nanotechnology, and establish themselves as for-profit businesses. As of June 2009 the Website www.nanotech-now.com listed over 100 funding sources for nanotechnology businesses. An example of a seed capital firm is MMEI (Molecular Manufacturing Enterprises Incorporated), a privately held corporation that provides funding at the early stages of product development in molecular nanotechnology: for example, in developing a laboratory-bench model into a working prototype that could be used to attract venture capital. A different type of service is provided by Silicon Valley Nano Ventures: they help make connections between investors and businesses and charge fees for successful transactions that may include a percentage of the transaction and/or stock or options in the compan y. Foreign direct investment (FDI) is increasingly important in the global economy, but the term denotes more than simply a direct investment made by a foreign investor. Specifically, FDI refers to a case of a company in one country establishing an enterprise in another country- such as Coca-Cola opening a plant in Mexico, Volkswagen opening a factory in Detroit, Intel opening a chip fabrication plant in Taiwan, and so on. Foreign direct investment is a vital part of the economic relationships between countries, and in particular can be a key to attract for developing or industrializing countries. Though the largest amounts of capital are involved in direct foreign investment among the industrialized countries (or â€Å"Global North†), direct foreign investment from industrialized countries to developing countries (or â€Å"Global South†) is a matter of constant discussion among international bodies like the World Trade Organization, and is seen as (at least potentially) a beneficial arrangement for both sides (Aliber 2003, pp. 94). Typically, the subsidiary established by a foreign direct investor is a factory or other manifestation of the foreign companys global presence, but it can include real estate holdings (and often does, in the case of businesses in the hotel and hospitality industry) and businesses unrelated to the foreign companys ordinary business. Foreign ownership may not always be apparent to the public. In the United States, the public is generally not aware that national supermarket chains and major breweries are owned by foreign-based multinational corporations. Because foreign direct investment involves money coming into a nations economy from outside, there are often incentives offered by the local government to encourage it, particularly when the FDI does not pose a competitive threat to domestic industry. There may be tax incentives, special regulatory exceptions, or subsidies provided for job training in order to create domestic jobs and disincentives the importation of foreign employees or infrastructure subsidies (Cohen 2007, pp. 176). Singapore provides a good example of a government successfully attracting FDI to develop commercial nanotechnology. Singapore is a small and densely populated Asian nation with a strong central government and a high standard of living, but has not historically been known as a center of scientific innovation. In order to overcome this handicap and create a biotechnology industry able to compete with the United States and Europe, the Singapore government has been involved in establishing biomedical science centers since the 1980s, including the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, whose current research projects include developing nanocomposite materials for solar cell applications and nanofoams to be used in human bone replacement and repair. Singapore has been successful in attracting foreign investment in these centers, in part through the provision of financial incentives, a strong infrastructure, regulatory policies that favor business and the availability of a well-edu cated workforce. Among the companies who have invested in the biomedical industry in Singapore are GlaxoSmith-Kline, Schering-Plough, Merck, Genencor, AstraZeneca, and Bristol Myers Squibb. Conclusion Foreign direct investments is a long-term capital flow or investment in which a non-resident entity has significant management control of voting stock (10% or more) over an enterprise in a foreign or host country. Unlike short-term capital flows, foreign direct investment (FDI) is not immediately susceptible to reversibility. The bulk of FDI activities in developing countries are undertaken by multinational or transnational corporations. A transnational corporation is a firm that is head quartered in a home country but controls assets of enterprises that are central to its profitability in foreign or host countries. References Aliber, R. (2003), the multinational paradigm. Cambridge: MIT Press, pp. 91-98 Borensztein, E., De Gregorio, J. , and Lee, J.-W. (2008), How does foreign direct investment affect economic growth? Journal of International Economics vol. 45 pp. 115–135 Braconier, H., Norback, P., and Urban D. (2005), â€Å"Multinational Enterprises and Wage Costs: Vertical FDI Revisited,† Journal of International Economics v.67/2 , pp 313 Braunerhjelm, P., Oxelheim L., and Thulin P., (2005), â€Å"The Relationship between Domestic and Outward Foreign Direct Investment,† International Business Review v.14, pp. 119-131 Cohen, S. (2007). Multinational corporations and foreign direct investment: Avoiding simplicity, embracing complexity. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 171-77 Dicken, P. (2007). Global shift: Mapping the changing contours of the world economy. New York: Guilford Press, pp. 191-204 Dunning, J., Gugler, P. (2008), Foreign direct investment, location and competitiveness, Amsterdam: Elsevier, pp. 113-119 Graham, E. , Marchick, D. (2006). US national security and foreign direct investment, Washington, DC: Institute for International Economics, 277 P. Buckley and N. Hashai (2004), â€Å"A Global System View of Firm Boundaries,† Journal of International Business Studies v.35, pp. 61-69 Trevino, L. and Upadhyaya, K. (2003), Foreign aid, FDI and economic growth: Evidence from Asian countries. Transnational Corporations vol. 12 pp. 45–72 U.S.-China Business Council, (2008), foreign investment in China, Washington, DC: Author, pp. 81 Yeung, H. (2007), from followers to market leaders: Asian electronic firms in the global economy, Asia Pacific Viewpoint vol. 48 pp. 1–25.

How Dragonflies Males Find and Mate with Females

How Dragonflies Males Find and Mate with Females Dragonfly sex is a rough-and-tumble affair. If youve ever seen a pair of mating dragonflies in the act, you know that their sexual coupling requires the flexibility and acrobatic skill of a Cirque de Soleil performer. Females get bitten, males get scratched, and sperm winds up everywhere. These strange mating habits have survived millions of years of evolution, so the dragonflies must know what theyre doing, right? Lets take a closer look at how dragonflies mate. How Dragonfly Males Find Receptive  Females Dragonflies dont engage in elaborate courtship rituals. In a few dragonfly families, the male might display his colors or fly over his territory to show a potential mate what a good oviposition site hes chosen for their offspring, but thats about it. Since dragonflies have extraordinarily good vision, the males rely mostly on their eyesight to find appropriate female partners. A typical pond or lake habitat will support many species of dragonflies and damselflies. To succeed in passing on his DNA, a male dragonfly must be able to distinguish females of his own species from all the other Odonates flying around. He can recognize a conspecific female by observing her flight style, her colors and patterns, and her size. How Dragonflies Mate (and the Wheel Formation) As with many insects, male dragonflies make the first move to initiate sex. When a male spots a female of his own species, he must first subdue her. Hell approach her from behind, usually while they are both in flight, and hold onto her thorax with his legs. He might bite her, too. If he hopes to mate successfully, he must get a firm  grip on her quickly. He pulls his abdomen forward and uses his anal appendages, a pair of cerci, to clasp her by the neck (her prothorax). After he has her tightly by the neck, he extends his body and continues to fly with her, in tandem. This position is known as tandem linkage. Now that hes got a hold of a mate, the male dragonfly prepares for sex. Dragonflies have secondary sex organs, meaning they dont store sperm near the copulatory organ. He must transfer some sperm from a gonopore, on his ninth abdominal segment, to his penis, which is located under his second abdominal segment. After hes charged his seminal vesicle with sperm, hes ready to go. Now for the acrobatics. Somewhat inconveniently, the females genital opening is near her thorax, while the males penis is closer to the tip of his abdominal segments (on the underside of his second segment). She has to bend her abdomen forward, sometimes with coaxing from the male, to bring her genitalia into contact with his penis. This position during copulation is known as a wheel formation because the couple forms a closed circle with their joined bodies; it is unique to the order Odonata. In dragonflies, the sex organs lock together briefly (not so for damselflies). Some dragonflies will mate in flight, while others will retire to a nearby perch to consummate their relationship. Competition Among Male Dragonflies If given the opportunity, a female dragonfly might mate with multiple partners, but the sperm from her final sexual partner will fertilize her eggs, in most cases. Male dragonflies, therefore, have an incentive to make sure their sperm is the last to be deposited in her. A male dragonfly can increase his chances of fatherhood by destroying the sperm of his competitors, and hes well equipped to do so when he mates. Some dragonflies have backward-facing hooks or barbs on their penises, which they can use to scoop out any sperm they find inside their partner before depositing their own. Other dragonflies use their penises to tamp down or move the offending sperm, pushing it aside before he places his own in the ideal location for fertilization. Still, other dragonfly males will dilute any existing sperm they find. In all cases, his goal is to ensure that his sperm supersedes that of any prior partners she has had. Just to provide an added measure of security for his sperm, the male dragonfly will often guard the female until she oviposits her eggs. He tries to prevent her from mating with any other males, so his sperm is assured the last in position that will make him a father. Male damselflies will often continue to grasp their partners with their cerci, refusing to let go until she oviposits. Hell even endure a dunking in the pond if she submerges to place her eggs. Many dragonflies prefer to guard their partners by simply chasing off any approaching males, even engaging in wing-to-wing combat if necessary. Sources Paulson, Dennis. Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West. Princeton University Press, 2009.Resh, Vincent H., and Ring T. Carde, eds. Encyclopedia of Insects, 2nd ed., Academic Press, 2009.

Human Traffricking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Human Traffricking - Essay Example the trafficker; it is easier for traffickers sell the victims, if the victims trust them before knowing their real identity (â€Å"Nature and Extent†, 2012). According to the law enforcement agencies in the United States, there are more female victims, as compared to male victims. The victims are then forced into prostitution, labor and domestic services. There are many ways in which the USA and other countries are combating sex and human trafficking. The first way is making strict laws for those who are involved in this business and making sure that these laws are implemented. Moreover, countries where human and sex trafficking is a criminal offense, they carry out awareness programs for both male and females, to make them aware about how they should protect themselves, from being recruited. An example of such a program is Polaris project, which is a hotline where people who have been the victims or are going through this process, can call and record their experience (Whitten, 2014). Whitten, S. (2014). Finding strength within: a look at Phoenix’s efforts to help sex-trafficking victims. Retrieved 17 June 2014, from

Human Resource Law - Memo Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Human Resource Law - Memo - Research Paper Example Anderson Cost Club Store fired the employees because of the work place circumstances and not due to discrimination. An employer can terminate a worker for a valid reason, bad reason or without a reason if the worker was employed at-will. Additionally, people employed at-will have a right to quit any time without a reason. Consequently, Cost Club has the right to fire employees without giving reasons. The act also forbids employers from dismissing any individuals because they reported the organization’s unlawful actions. However, in this case, the organization did not engage in any unlawful act. The employer had the right to choose the employee to fire because he knew the most productive workers better than the regulators or judges (Ford, 2008). Message 2: Regional CEO’s Question about Reducing Employee Costs. Autonomous contractors, temporary workers, and employees are different kinds of workers, and organizations should acknowledge their dissimilarities. This is becaus e knowing the distinction will help the employers to establish the initial hiring processes and avoid the expensive legal consequences. Independent contractors are different from other employers because they work under their separate corporate brands and have their own workforces. Additionally, they keep different financial records and they can publicly market their services. The contractors do not operate according to the standard business hours; they set their own working hours. Moreover, they can work for several organizations and submit invoices for every completed work. However, employees perform duties according to the organization’s requirements and they have to work under the organization’s schedule. Additionally, they must undergo relevant training before working for an organization. Employees must work for one employer, and they do not keep separate financial records. Most organizations prefer independent contractors because they have many advantages over emp loyees. The organizations that rely on the contractors have lower labor expenses and liabilities. Additionally, the use of independent contractors enhances flexibility in hiring and firing (Small Business Administration, 2011). Temporary workers are the people working for agencies who replace workers in organizations. Such workers are highly skilled and they work for organizations whenever they have crucial projects or deadlines. They should only work on short-term assignments that last for a maximum of 90 days. These types of workers can reduce the organization’s expenses because their pays are usually lower than those of the employees and independent contractors (Small Business Administration, 2011). Incorrect categorization of workers may result in severe legal penalties. An organization will be required to pay the contractors and temporary workers all the wages they would get as outlined in the Fair Labor Standards Act if it treats them as employees. The wages should be i nclusive of overtime and minimum wages. Furthermore, the organization will have to reimburse all the taxes and fines for federal taxes, Medicare, and unemployment. If the misclassified workers were injured while working for the organization, they will have to receive compensation. Additionally, the organization will have to give the misclassified individuals benefits such as health

Government Corruptness in China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Government Corruptness in China - Essay Example It is very hard to fight against corruption in the country with self-appointed leaders. Their work is performed by their advisors and thinkers. It is necessary to take Chinese leaders out of their thinking vacuum filled with Marxism into a global context. Another thinker George Zhibin Gu supposed that occurrence of corruption in Chinese government is possible and even predicted. Li was a cruel ruler, who forbade freedom of thoughts, reading some books, travelling and other insane communist methods (Glassman 1991, p. 32). From a social perspective, corruption in China may be referred to: â€Å"the low wages of civil servants, the many opportunities for corruption during the last two decades of Deng Xiaoping's modernization policy, and the lack of political will in implementing anticorruption measures against senior party officials† (Glassman 1991, p. 41). Unfortunately, no radical measures were taken to stop corruption in the country. The death penalty for bribery was not effec tive against senior party officials. Corruption in Communist China In 80s Chinese society considered bribery as "the most prevailing social crime" (Gu, 2010). A social turmoil caused by protests against corruption occurred in 1989 when students went to demonstration against it. Mass media in China has "dramatically increased the exposure of corruption cases to highlight the party's determination and efforts to repress corruptions" (Gong 1994, p. 54). Unfortunately, these actions were not effective and corruption remains one of the most negative phenomena in the Chinese society. Corruption is an unhealthy practice and there is a need to look for an efficient remedy for it. On the other hand, once political system of the country has started its work in a close coexistence with corruption, it means that it accepts it. Nevertheless, for Chinese society the Chinese Communist Party makes an attempt to purify its image and develops anticorruption strategies and rules. For example, it stren gthens a production control; forbids any presents at work for officials; disciplinary penalties are applied for public offenders (Wei-Ming, 1996). The cases of corruption were mishandled in 1987 when the Central Discipline Inspection Commission (CDIC) and the Ministry of Supervision (MOS) were reestablished to curb corruption and maladministration (Wei-Ming, 1996). This happened in 1982. But 1987 numerous complaints were accumulated by these institutions, but they could not be dealt with because of a lack of political will. The Chinese government has decided to subject corrupted officials to death penalty in case they accept brines exceeding 100,000 Yuan, or US$ 12,000 (Gu, 2010). Explanation of corruption Therefore, it is relevant to develop a complex approach for dealing with corruption in China. In accordance with Huntington's theory on corruption, this phenomenon is positioned as a lack of a proper "political institutionalization"(Wei-Ming, 1996). In case institutionalization is present to the fullest extent, political processes are stable and applied procedures are valuable. Moreover, the researcher suggests that a possible reason of corruption may be bureaucracy dependency on other social groupings and act in accordance with bureaucratic methods of behavior. It should be noted that corruption may be caused by an external influence of officials caused by their families and relatives, because the primary goal of officials is not to act in favor of the government, but to act in favor of their families. It is possible to take into account other factors causing corruption: an improper adaptation of the government to the changing environment; deregulation of social activities and economic practices of the country; excessive discretion

The last financial crisis 2007-2009 has many implication on different Term Paper

The last financial crisis 2007-2009 has many implication on different markets , however there are some arguments that the gulf a - Term Paper Example Granting of loans in an uncontrolled manner, which resulted in the value of the loan exceeding that of the assets, was the root of the problem. These loans were provided to the borrowers without conducting a minimum check on their credit-worthiness. The result was that many of the borrowers failed to pay their loans back, which clearly reflected the financial status of the institutions and their inability to pay their obligations, thereby resulting into collapse. This paper investigates the severity of the impact on the GCC market. In this context, the financial market of the GCC countries has been considered along with special attention towards Qatar. The study revealed that the severity of the impact was not as huge as compared to the rest of the world. This can be due to the fact that the policy makers of GCC countries took ardent steps to mitigate the risk. Moreover, the Qatari economy did not get much affected and the banks were declared solvent in that time. However, the real e state business was seen to experience huge hit by the credit crunch. 1. Introduction In the year 2008 and 2009, the global economy was rocked by the financial crisis which was considered as the most devastating economic event, after the Great Depression in 1930s. The aftermath of this global crisis was felt in every part of the world. The global crisis was initiated by the low interest rate regime along with huge inflow of foreign funds that led to the housing construction boom and encouraged large consumption of debt-financing in USA. The Federal Government of United States made it possible for almost everyone to own a home by giving 1 percent rate on the mortgages. The loans that included the mortgages were given to almost everybody without checking the credit worthiness of the borrowers (Sivakumar and Krishnaswami, 2012). With the decline in the housing prices, the major financial institutions, which were involved in borrowing for investing in the subprime MBS, had reported signi ficant loss. This decrease in the price also resulted in a fall in the prices of the homes that worth less than the mortgage loans, which incentivised financially the entry towards the foreclosure. Towards the end of 2008, the crisis peaked. Several banks and other financial institutions of Europe and USA failed as a result of this crisis and governments were trying hard to save these institutions by bailing them out (Kasekende, Ndikumana and Rajhi, 2009; Anon., 2009). The crisis started propagating beyond its epicentre, thereby affecting not only the advanced economy, but also the emerging economies and the rich Arab GCC countries. This paper aims to analyse the degree of impact on the GCC countries. In this context, the paper will specially analyse the situation in Qatar and other GCC countries. 2. Literature Review 2.1 Evolvement and Concept of Global Financial Crisis The term financial crisis refers to the sudden reduction in the price of the assets, which can be financial, such as, bonds and shares and can even be materials like, equipments and machinery. This sudden reduction can result from the price bubble which indicates an abrupt and huge increase in the prices ending in a sudden collapse. Moreover, the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, the giant financial institu

Claude Debussy and the Javanese Gamelan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Claude Debussy and the Javanese Gamelan - Essay Example Its instruments are tuned to play together, and as such different gamelan instruments are not interchangeable. It derives its name from the word gamels, which means to hammer or strike. The suffix,†an† makes the word a collective noun. This paper aims to study Debussy and gamelan, and how Debussy incorporated gamelan figurations into his own music. The paper seeks to discuss the capabilities of the piano, as well as its limitations, and touch on orchestral music. It also seeks to explain why Debussy was so fascinated by the Javanese gamelan as to stop developing his impressionistic music in a western manner. Debussy’s family was destitute, being sustained by his paternal aunt. This led to his much reputed awkward social skills and egotism. He received lessons in piano from Madame de Fleurville, who was a pupil of Chopin. In 1889 at the Paris Universal exposition, Claude Debussy who at the time was a young composer getting his spurs and getting his first works publi shed had a real revelation (Lockspeiser 67). At this exposition, groups from around the globe displayed their countries’ best art, culture music and the way of life. The Eiffel tower was the expositions centrepiece. The musicians visiting the exposition were especially fascinated by the exhibit from the Malay Archipelago of java. This exhibit was a village model demonstrating communal life aspects that included religion, agriculture, and entertainment. The gamelan was a part of their presentation, forming a vital part of their village social and religious life. Then gamelan was a collection of metallic instruments with bell like sounds and had been passed down over thousand years via oral tradition (Lockspeiser 67). This Javanese music sensationalized European musicians (Lockspeiser 69). Debussy as well was taken in by this music. Most of his fruitful hours were spent in the Kampong of the Javanese troupe. He listened to the complexities of the gamelan’s percussive rhy thm, especially its inexhaustible flashing ethereal timbre combinations. Debussy admired various aspects of the gamelan music and adapted them for his own compositions (Lockspeiser 69). Prelude, which is from pour le piano, is an early response to the techniques of the gamelan. Its extended measured trills, pedal points, and tonal relationships that were unusual were incorporated into this piece. The prevalent texture, with its moderately moving tenor, slow moving bass, and fast moving treble suggests gamelan sound. â€Å"Pagodas† from Estampes is a representation directly from a performance of gamelan (Roberts 12). Cycles, bell and gong sounds, pentatonic melodies, which remind one of slendro tunings, together with a layered counterpoint composed of lower voices progressively getting slower can also be gleaned in abundance. Debussy indicates to accelerate gradually and then the tempo is retarded over a period. Then just as is prevalent in the gamelan, the music ends in one f inal stroke of the gong (Roberts 13). â€Å"Bells through the Leaves† also utilizes techniques of the gamelan (Harpole 8). Sounds of bells, pedal sustained, and a thorough utilization of whole tone scale is the surest sign that the piece is from gamelan sound universe. Its utilization of a melody of the balungan type within a texture with four voices is also the most striking use by Debussy in his music of gamelan techniques. â€Å"

Grievance Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Grievance Process - Essay Example Conciliation Service under the Department of Labor in 1918. In 1935, the National Labor Relations Act created the National Labor Relations Board or NLRB (FMCS, 2008). This Board, in its decisions on the Collyer Insulated Wire, 192 NLRB 837 (1971); and Dubo Manufacturing Corp., 142 NLRB 431 (1963) cases expressed the national labor policy to require parties to honor their contractual obligations and resolve their disputes through their collectively bargained grievance-arbitration mechanisms (NLRB, 2008). Since then, the grievance procedure as articulated in what is now known as the Collyer doctrine, a doctrine in labor law under which the National Labor Relations Board will defer an issue brought before it for arbitration if the issue can be resolved under the collectively bargained grievance procedure, has consistently been referred to in labor mediation decisions (Dictionary.com, n.d.). And thus, the concept of a grievance procedure was instituted. The goals of a grievance procedure are to channel conflict into an institutionalized mechanism for peaceful resolution; facilitate communication between labor and management regarding problems that arise in a collective bargaining relationship; enable employees to complain with dignity knowing that there is a system of appeals leading to an impartial decision-maker; and enforce compliance with the terms and conditions negotiated by the parties (SPFPA, 2008). It also provides a first step alternative in conflict resolution rather than going through expensive, time-consuming and negatively publicized lawsuits for both employees and employers. A lot of grievances are caused by a simple misunderstanding which may be quickly resolved through a simple negotiation. A grievance procedure for such incidences saves time, money, and the relationship between the parties especially if issues are handled by those

Claude Debussy and the Javanese Gamelan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Claude Debussy and the Javanese Gamelan - Essay Example Its instruments are tuned to play together, and as such different gamelan instruments are not interchangeable. It derives its name from the word gamels, which means to hammer or strike. The suffix,†an† makes the word a collective noun. This paper aims to study Debussy and gamelan, and how Debussy incorporated gamelan figurations into his own music. The paper seeks to discuss the capabilities of the piano, as well as its limitations, and touch on orchestral music. It also seeks to explain why Debussy was so fascinated by the Javanese gamelan as to stop developing his impressionistic music in a western manner. Debussy’s family was destitute, being sustained by his paternal aunt. This led to his much reputed awkward social skills and egotism. He received lessons in piano from Madame de Fleurville, who was a pupil of Chopin. In 1889 at the Paris Universal exposition, Claude Debussy who at the time was a young composer getting his spurs and getting his first works publi shed had a real revelation (Lockspeiser 67). At this exposition, groups from around the globe displayed their countries’ best art, culture music and the way of life. The Eiffel tower was the expositions centrepiece. The musicians visiting the exposition were especially fascinated by the exhibit from the Malay Archipelago of java. This exhibit was a village model demonstrating communal life aspects that included religion, agriculture, and entertainment. The gamelan was a part of their presentation, forming a vital part of their village social and religious life. Then gamelan was a collection of metallic instruments with bell like sounds and had been passed down over thousand years via oral tradition (Lockspeiser 67). This Javanese music sensationalized European musicians (Lockspeiser 69). Debussy as well was taken in by this music. Most of his fruitful hours were spent in the Kampong of the Javanese troupe. He listened to the complexities of the gamelan’s percussive rhy thm, especially its inexhaustible flashing ethereal timbre combinations. Debussy admired various aspects of the gamelan music and adapted them for his own compositions (Lockspeiser 69). Prelude, which is from pour le piano, is an early response to the techniques of the gamelan. Its extended measured trills, pedal points, and tonal relationships that were unusual were incorporated into this piece. The prevalent texture, with its moderately moving tenor, slow moving bass, and fast moving treble suggests gamelan sound. â€Å"Pagodas† from Estampes is a representation directly from a performance of gamelan (Roberts 12). Cycles, bell and gong sounds, pentatonic melodies, which remind one of slendro tunings, together with a layered counterpoint composed of lower voices progressively getting slower can also be gleaned in abundance. Debussy indicates to accelerate gradually and then the tempo is retarded over a period. Then just as is prevalent in the gamelan, the music ends in one f inal stroke of the gong (Roberts 13). â€Å"Bells through the Leaves† also utilizes techniques of the gamelan (Harpole 8). Sounds of bells, pedal sustained, and a thorough utilization of whole tone scale is the surest sign that the piece is from gamelan sound universe. Its utilization of a melody of the balungan type within a texture with four voices is also the most striking use by Debussy in his music of gamelan techniques. â€Å"

Data Collection Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Data Collection - Assignment Example In universities, however, some of the sources of pay hike for faculty members such as tuition fee that owe its management to external units that make it inaccessible. Nevertheless, worker unions are useful forums for airing the grievances of the laborers and campaign for wage increases. Unions are also highly influential because their members reserve the right to strike in case their demands are unmet. As a consequence, being in a union raises the nominal wage of its member. Wage is dependent on education and the demand for skills. There is the existence of perceptions that unions have the capacity to condense wage differentials if the union is influential enough. Blau and Kahn (2006) argue that, the labor unions in America have been effective in bargaining for their members’ salaries and allowances, making them higher than the nonunion members. An experimental research shows that those employees who have joined labor unions receive higher compensations relative to non union workers. There is, therefore, diminishing of unions in United Kingdom and United States. This explains the decreasing remunerations for the employees. Testing of such a hypothesis in US construction industry has, however, invalidated the thought (Blau and Kahn, 2006). Another study by Michigan panel study of income dynamics on the existence of the gender pay gap has produced similar results. Results from the research show that, the gap has been converging over the last few decades. The discrepancies in the pay gap can be eliminated by; upgrading of professional knowledge and de-unionization of employees. The widening of the wage gap can be explained by transformations in the labor market mode of selecting employees. Demand shift alterations and labor market biases contribute significantly to the wage gap (Blau and Kahn, 2006). Blau and Kahn (2006) have declared that, the probability of a woman and a man being union

Influence from Mexican and Puerto Ricans in the Us Culture Essay Example for Free

Influence from Mexican and Puerto Ricans in the Us Culture Essay The U. S. culture has been saturated with Mexican and Puerto Rican influences. Influence is defined as a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do. I believe most of the influences are good but there are also some that are bad. The two major influences that will be brought up would be the influence of human creativity and violence. Puerto Ricans had a unique blend of human creativity. â€Å"Fueled by that political awakening, a cultural renaissance emerged among Puerto Rican artists. † By the 1960’s salsa music began to emerge. Puerto Ricans rooted this category of music especially in the New York area. Fania Records became the dominant record label in the early salsa music scene. Juan Gonzalez mentioned artist such as Eddie and Charlie Palmieri, Willie Colon and Ray Barretto. They provoked with there politically charged lyrics. It also sprang up writers such as Piri Thomas and Nicholasa Mohr mentioned by Juan Gonzalez. Piri Thomas was born in the Spanish Harlem section of Manhattan and is known for his best seller autobiography â€Å"Down These Mean Streets†pg63 and describes his struggle having Puerto Rican heritage. Nicholasa Mohr her works also told of the difficulties of growing up in Puerto Rican communities in the New York area. As more Puerto Rican came to into the States a big clash of racial identity rose. Black and White was a struggle in itself then Brown came in to the mix it mad things twist. â€Å"A dwindling tax base, brought about by the flight of industry and skilled white workers to the suburbs, massive disinvestment by government in public schools and infrastructure, and the epidemics of drug and alcohol abuse, all tore at the quality of city life†Pg 64. Lack of investment in the infrastructure and public schools by the government was a major contributor to this especially since most did not know how to speak English and the teachers did not know how to translate to the students. â€Å"The third generation of Puerto Ricans, those who came of age in the late 1980s and early 1990s, found themselves crippled by inferior schools, a lack of jobs, and underfunded social services. They found their neighborhoods inundated with drugs and violence. They grew up devoid, for the most part, of self-image, national identity, or cultural awareness. They became the lost generation. †Pg63 Mexicans also had there share of influencial human creativity. Mexicans are known for developing corrido music. They were smart about this music though because they were used to inform. They had dates names warnings and some were stories of crime or love. † The average corrido was usually so filled with dates, names, and factual details that it functioned not only as entertainment but also as a news report, historical narrative, and commentary for the mass of Mexicans who were still illiterate†. pg124. To change up the creativity from the arts to a more meaningful influence would be the founding of MAYO and no not the one you eat but Mexican American Youth Organization. This was intended to protect the civil rights of Mexican Americans. â€Å"One of the most influential groups to arise during the period was the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO), founded in San Antonio by Willie Velazquez, a young community organizer for the Catholic Bishop’s Committee on the Spanish Speaking, and Crystal City’s Jose Angel Gutierrez. †pg 69. Mexicans have been picked on for decades and are still being hated upon. What was heavily impacted were schools and nothing was done about it. MAYO staged school walk outs to gain power. These acts would allow them to earn seats on school boards which in turn allowed them to participate in deciding what was best for their own people. In turn violence also was majorly influence. The US culture was raised to hate Mexicans. † Once the Great Depression hit and unemployment surged among whites, though, not even Mexicans who spoke fluent English escaped the anti-immigrant hysteria. More than 500,000 were forcibly deported during the 1930s, among them many who were U. S. citizens. † Speaking spanish a lot of times was a burden for mexicans which made them targets since most that all they spoke. To conclude Puerto Ricans and Mexicans have influenced the US culture. It still hasn’t stopped it continues to. More than likely it will still influence for many more years to come. They have been put down but they come right back up and stronger. They have given a lot to stop and to soak in many years of heritage. So go dance to some salsa or sing a corrido for a change.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Essay -- Visual Arts Paintings Art

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was arguably the greatest graphic artist of his time; he is best remembered for his bold, colourful posters of Parisian entertainers. His childhood years were spent at his family chateau in the southwest of France where he broke both of his legs and therefore stunted his growth. This left him ill proportioned and dwarfish. This unfortunate event probably helped his artistic ability as he spent most of his time on his own. Lautrec was at his peak as a painter and poster artist in the early 1890's at the time of the post impressionists. During his life Lautrec felt most comfortable in the nightclubs, dance halls and brothels of Paris. The narrow life he led is clearly shown in the art that he produced. Lautrec was best renowned for his paintings of the Moulin Rouge and other Parisian entertainers. Lautrec was not the first artist to make the Parisian entertainers serious subjects to paint, Edouard Manet and Edgar Degaswere among the first to paint the Paris nightlife and others soon followed their lead like Lautrec. Although Lautrec's many paintings looked spontaneous and carefree he as never "slapdash" as in he was never messy or careless. He was in fact a dedicated craftsman who knew a lot about the technical matters of his work, especially printmaking. Even after a rough night he would be up to supervise the printing of his lithographs bright and early. Lautrec always carried a small sketchbook with him so he could quickly draw or sketch whatever caught his attention and today thousands of his rapid drawings still survive in the original sketchbooks. He has also reached the elevated position of a dead artist where there is a museum dedicated to him and his work in Albi, France close to where he was born near Toulouse. In the actual paintings of his sketches he tried to keep the spontaneity of the first sketch and therefore liked to work quickly. To work fast he liked to use paint that was thinned considerably with turpentine, which was called peinture a l'essence, which allowed him to so called 'draw with the brush'. He also liked to use absorbent cardboard instead of canvas so the paint would dry quicker and therefore could maintain his momentum. Most painters have a trademark technique and Lautrec's trademark was the printmaking technique called 'crachis' or ... ...reas before this addition the painting must have been a restrained and balanced masterpiece. The unidentified redhead sitting at the table is wearing an exotic headdress that stands out magnificently against her red hair. If you look at each person they each have a distinctive hat or hairstyle as Lautrec was fascinated by different styles of headwear. The mirrored background that lines the walls gives the painting an undefined background so the silhouetted figures stand out boldly in the mirror. I liked this painting because it shows the somewhat quiet of the normally busy Moulin Rouge. The way Lautrec contrasted the brightly painted woman and the redhead at the forefront of the painting with the blacks and browns of the background also attracted me. I also admired the way Lautrec maintained the spontaneity all through his work. My favourite painting of the two that I have talked about is 'At the Moulin Rouge' because I think that this one looks more difficult to paint than 'At the Circus Fernando' as it is in greater detail and most importantly I think it looks better. But take nothing away from 'At the Circus Fernando' as this is also a brilliant piece of art.

Nuclear Weapons :: Threats To World Peace

Nuclear Weapons   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the beginning The Atomic Bomb was constructed to end a war and save lives. Since that time fear and power have risen because of the threat of world destruction. Coming from Los Alamos, New Mexico a town that makes nuclear weapons I have a different view than most. In Los Alamos we always have protesters with big signs calling the scientist, that work at The Los Alamos National Laboratory, killers. Now when I drive by and see these signs I can not help but think of my father, stepmother, and all my neighbors, all of my friends’ parents as being killers. I know and love these people and to see them called killers is a strange concept to grasp. The following will discuss nuclear weapons and what the intended use is, where and how nuclear weapons became a problem, the effect it has had on the world, the problems it has caused, what is being done about the problems. Nuclear weapons are the backbone and liberator of our great country. To put a tool used to ins ure our great country on the backburner would be a great injustice and would put our country in grave danger.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people ask why do we still need all of these weapons or killers as they are often referred to as? They think that we have enough already and what is the point of continuing the excess. Instead of thinking of nuclear weapons as killers we should be looking at them as lifesavers. In that light I think everyone would agree that you could not put a limit of the value of life. Everybody hears the statistics about the United States having enough weapons to blow the world up three times. This may be true, however as technology advances so do weapons and you can bet other countries are not settling for the weapons they already posses. If we were to stop the production of nuclear weapons we would be alone in that effort. When we have people like Sadam Hussain in the world, which we always will, we need the protection that only nuclear weapons can provide. If people think that trying to bargain with a man like Hussain without safety net is plausible then they are hugel y mistaken. It would be like using a typewriter instead of using a computer because we have an abundance of typewriters. â€Å"It would be wrong to assume that a broader conception of international security makes it easier to achieve the goal of nuclear abolition† (Cowen-Karp 6).

Viola’s Gender Roles in Twelfth Night

The fluidity and ambiguity with which Viola presents gender is central to the drama of Twelfth Night. But to what extent are Viola's gender roles essential to the comedy of the play? The arrivals of Viola and Sebastian in Illyria serve as the catalysts for drama in Twelfth Night. The presence of twins of different sexes yet identical in appearance is a dramaturgical device crucial to the comic resolution, whilst being somewhat farcical.It is the misunderstandings which Viola’s cross-dressing inevitably causes which make her inverted gender roles so essential to the comedy of the play. Through her disguise, she assumes typically male roles such as of the ‘fool’, and the comic value of her double identity is heightened through the questioning of the gender conventions of Shakespearean theatre.Yet, Viola’s disguise brings with it a strain of melancholy, lessening her assumed gender roles’ comic impact on the play. Viola’s cross-dressing subverts normality in the respect that she abruptly assumes typically male roles such as that of the Fool. Her first meeting with Olivia as a messenger of Orsino’s love is marked by her different approach to courtship.She launches into a preprepared speech of compliments with a poetic apostrophe: ‘most radiant, exquisite and unmatchable beauty’, only to break into prose to check that she is indeed speaking to Olivia. Viola’s repeatedly her speech as conventionally courtly, as it is ‘excellently well penned’ and ‘tis poetical’; yet, these comments essentially refer to its artificiality.In fact, juxtaposed to the opening of the play, this whole meeting is a parody of Orsino’s clichà © approach and indeed the conventions of courtly love. Viola deflates the romantic pretensions of Orsino’s embassy, and such ridicule of the ‘male archetype’ by a woman is highly comical for its suspension of the accepted inferiority o f women in society.Yet, somewhat more absurd is the fact she has also unintentionally assumed his positions of Olivia’s courtier and indeed of a character of great power and superiority, as her actions free both Orsino and Olivia of their rigidity. Furthermore, it is such witty manipulations of others that prove her to be a kind of fool.Act Three Scene One is marked by Viola and Feste’s repartee of attempts to surpass each other’s wit; Viola’s reply to Feste’s comment ‘Now Jove in his next commodity send thee a beard’ is ‘I am almost sick for one, though I would not have it grow on my chin’. Both comments are pointed references to gender and are thus dramatic irony;Feste’s taunting of Cesario’s lack of virility may also serve as a comical meta-theatrical reference to the boy actor playing Viola. However, there is a degree of pathos to Viola’s admission, as the beard she desires if not her own is surely that of Orsino; thereby, she emphasises the complications of her disguise in pursuing her love interest.Yet, most prominent is Viola’s parallel to Feste as a Fool. They have a mutual appreciation of each other’s wit, as Feste comments: ‘I think I saw your wisdom there’, whilst Viola appreciates the intelligence behind his foolery: ‘for folly that he wisely shows is fit†¦Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ She realises the irrationality around her and employs it to her advantage in choosing to cross-dress. Certainly, the whole nature of her disguise itself questions the gaps of seeming, being and knowing, of which the Fool typically explores. Such challenges to male roles make her gender ambiguity amplify the comedy of the play.Viola was played by a boy actor under the conventions of Shakespearean theatre, and this physical fact adds a level of confusion heightening the comedy of her gender roles. Such misplacement is denounced by Olivia’s remark in Act One: Ã¢â‚¬Ë œyou are now out of your text / but we will draw the curtain and show you the picture’ and certainly by the repeated allusions to Cesario’s femininity, such as Orsino’s remark on her appearance: ‘all is semblative a woman’s part’.Olivia’s unveiling is a pivotal moment as it represents the end of the mourning for her dead brother and essentially ‘allows’ the comedy to commence for the audience. It is an ironic act to a character ‘veiled’ herself, and meta-theatrical reference of ‘curtain’ indicates the misplacement of the actor of Viola as much as the character.For as much as her disguise is her own ploy, it is Shakespeare’s dramatic device. Orsino taunts Cesario for his lack of virility, yet he may also be commenting on the male actor’s credibility for the ‘part’ of a woman. No matter how convincing the boy actor was playing Viola, the audience is continually aware that there is a male body under the disguise of a woman and thus a double sex reversal is taking place in Viola’s disguise.Yet, the ‘curtain’ could be symbolic of the uncovering of much more radical approaches than the conformities of Elizabethan theatre. Much of the play’s comedy comes from Shakespeare’s trifling with homosexuality. In Elizabethan England, the idea of such relationships would have been unusual and considerably more absurd than a modern audience may appreciate.The misunderstandings caused by  Viola’s cross-dressing are the root of what audiences of the day would have seen as comic ambiguity. The audience knows Olivia unwittingly desires a woman when she is drawn to the young servant, and we see the relationship between Orsino and Cesario develop throughout the course of the play; indeed, some modern productions show the bond between them in overtly homosexual terms to heighten the comedy. In keeping with the conventions of Eliza bethan comedy as a whole, the play resolves in heterosexual marriage; yet, despite references to Viola in female clothing, this never actually happens.Orsino’s parting lines are: ‘Cesario, come – / For so shall you be while you are a man’. Distinct references to her male alias yet none of her feminine form still denote a comic male to male relationship. For, whilst the fact the use of a male actor for Viola is humorous in itself, it is the radical implications of this role which make Viola’s character so vital to the comedy of Twelfth Night. However, despite the obvious comic implications of her disguise, from Viola’s double identity arises sexual conflict and the potential for tragedy.In her aside at the end of Act 2 Scene 2, she sympathises with Olivia, remarking ‘poor lady, she were better love a dream’, emphasising that as an object of Olivia’s desire she is unattainable. She understands because as Cesario her love for Orsino cannot be reciprocated. He insinuates her gender ambiguity in the previous act: ‘For they shall yet belie thy happy years, / That say thou art a man’. For whilst the disguise grants her access to both parties, the price she pays is the loss of any gender identity, as she cannot be a woman to Orsino or a man to Olivia .She frequently alludes to her gender disparity, such as when Olivia confesses her love in Act Three Scene One, as Viola’s reply is: ‘I am not what I am.’ Her response is dramatic irony at its most explicit and effectively summarises the extent of her travesty in inciting Olivia’s affections. However, this statement is typical of her expression throughout the play; such evasions and wordplay are because she cannot speak of her real self.To the audience, it is somewhat striking that her real name is not pronounced until the very last scene, when Sebastian greets her: ‘Thrice welcome, drowned Viola.’ The playâ⠂¬â„¢s resolution aligns with the conventions of comedy in settling misunderstandings and proving a ‘happy ending’; there is no sense of Viola’s individual identity until the reunion with her brother, when correct gender roles are asserted.However, the tragedy of her  character is heightened further by the fact Orsino does not even mention her real name in his parting line. Overall, while some critics argue Viola is the most developed of the characters in Twelfth Night, for she is not constrained to a stock character, this inevitably adds an oblique side.Her gender roles may heighten the comedy, but the emotional toll of the disguise which she calls a ‘wickedness’ should not be ignored, and detract her from the role as a simple asset in the play’s comedy.To conclude, the inversion of her gender roles is radiant of the ‘carnival spirit’ so prevalent in Twelfth Night. We see that the play’s comedy is very much enhanced by V iola’s cross-dressing, in as much the gender conventions her masquerade breaks as the inevitable misunderstandings.However, we see also that cross-dressing has certain tragic implications, true to the nature of comedy harbouring a dark underside. Thus, her gender roles are to a limited extent essential to the comedy of the play.

IT Case Study Essay

The Widget Wonders distribution center is the worldwide leader in widgets. Which they’re in the process of building a state of art facility to manufacture new generation of widgets. The SNHUConsulting group leads the way of consulting in information technology. SNHUConsulting has been hired to consult on new hardware that will last for at least the next three years for the different apartments. The sales department consists of 50 employees that requires mobility with access to the company’s resources while in the field with customers and presenting at sales meeting and conferences. The manufacturing department will have 45 employees and will need hardware that support word processing and spreadsheet programs and internet capable. The inventory control department will have 30 employees who would need mobility hardware as well with power to access database systems. The research and development department will consist of 20 employees that’s need hardware with graphics design and CAD programs. The MIS will consist of 5 employees who will need additional processors and memory requirements to support administration tasks. My recommendations for the sales department for mobility purposes is notebooks, smartphones, and tablets for visiting customers. For bigger presentations a digital projector that is interactive, with laser pointers that allows the sales team to talk and click on the computer to dictate its pace. Also USB drives that holds a large amount of storage that the sales team can upload from any computer systems. For the manufacturing department my recommendation are the new generation computer systems that support multi servers for the manufacturing needs. The manufacturing department will also need printers and connectivity capability to the internet as an additional resource tool to complete their job functions. The inventory department will need tablets with 32 or more GB of storage with direct access to the company’s database systems. The research and development department needs  notebooks, printers, and a docking station for automated systems backing up. Hardware that is able to compare and contrast data for the development of the company. The MIS department would need computer systems that is compatible with graphic adapters. Also the computer systems will have a multimedia screen capability for administrating tasks. In conclusion, the hardware that would be required for each department will have the durability and warranty that will last the company for at least 3 years, which will then require the company to revisit their strategic plan for any updates as needed. In purchasing the hardware, the company will included warranty and service agreement with the vendor to assist in any maintenance issues that may arrived regarding any of the hardware purchased. The hardware will have the most advance technology needed for each department efficient in their job duties.

Islam CCOT Essay

During the post classical era, we find the world evolving by expansion and intense communication along many regions. With expansion and communication, trade and culture travels such as West Africa being introduced to Islam. Moving into western African, between 1000ce-1450ce, the introduction of Islam has brought a great increase in slave trade and rose literacy rates, creating literate officials in state administration. However, no rigorous conversion was made, some traditional practices remained. The increase of slaves was obtained through conquest and the impact of Islam created religious power to officials in state administration due to appeal of legitimacy of rule. However distant ruling centers would be least likely affected by Islam. West Africa’s economy was greatly stimulated by the appearance of Islam. They were able to trade, not only across the Sahara, as they had in Europe and the Middle East. Prior to the influence of Islam, West Africa interacted through regional trade and with help from Tran Saharan route they were able to connect to North Africa. With the Muslims, the bringing of Islam enlarged the amount of concubines, sex slaves, in West Africa. Although concubines were not Muslim, because Muslims believed that they couldn’t enslave their own people. We see that within Muslim ancestry they’ve always been nomadic, always relocating in spite of gaining new resources. The establishment of Islam led to the development of 1st regular trade across the Sahara. The impact of Islam turned Africa into a focal point of trade, linking Africa to Eurasian world trade. The Islamic Civilization gave rise to many centers of culture and science, producing notable doctors, nurses, scientists, astronomers, mathematicians, and philosophers. Monarchies and their courts now have literate officials to assist in state administration. A quantity of West African cities had become centers of Islamic intellectual life, increasing literacy rates and legitimacy in state administration. Muslims did not seek to convert West Africans; they did practice their religion while traveling. As time passed Muslim traders were accompanied by Clerics and scholars, these men interacted with local rulers on matter relating to trade, security, and governing. Until the leader of the kingdom converted, with full support would influence citizens to convert to Islam. Although Islam made a very large impression on West Africa, no through religious transformation was made. Being the fact they were rural there was no interaction with Muslims  or deepening influence of Islam. Practice such as permission for women to appear in public almost naked, being able to roam freely with unrelated men and the sparkling of dust on one’s head as a sign of respect. Other traditions also remained even though some converted to Islam due to the monotheistic belief related so closely to their belief in one creator God. While in West Africa, Islam rose slave trade along trade routes, increased literacy rates leading to conversion of literate state officials. Albeit, no religious transformation was made. Being the fact that Muslims were nomadic by ancestry they sought to carry out concubines in the slave trade. They believed that it was wrong to enslave their own people so they looked to Africans, their resource, to help them. In effect to the introduction of Islam, many aspects were imposed upon West Africans causing the conversion of monarchy. People found favor in Islam if the leader of the kingdom converted. Also religious legitimacy was brought to the attention of those who would gain status by pilgrimages to Mecca. But aside from the very large impact, no religious transformation was made because most of the cultures were rural and very distant to the places where Islam had interactions with.

Drilling oil in the usa Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Drilling oil in the usa - Essay Example According to the plan, oil will be drilled in the Atlantic coast, Alaska’s northern coast and Mexico’s eastern Gulf. This can only be achieved as long as the coastlines remain protected. Initially, oil drilling had been banned because of the environmental concerns. Oil spills imposed severe threats to the health and safety of the natural environment. Oil drilling in Pacific Coast, New Jersey northward and Bristol Bay of Alaska is still prohibited (Shannon). Through this plan, President Barack Obama intends to make US self sufficient for fulfilling its energy needs. However, there is dire need to formulate and implement energy policies that would ensure environmental protection and safety. Although the plans of President Obama aim at strengthening the economy of US in the long run, yet they are a big source of threat to the ever worsening environmental conditions. Until 1970, US had been producing enough oil to suffice its own needs. However, ever since 1970, US’s oil needs grew manifolds, and hence, the oil had to be imported. Oil production in US faced a sharp downfall after the collapse of oil prices in 1986. In 2000, the production of oil declined by 24 per cent as compared to its production rate in 1985 (Churchill). In 2000, the proportion of oil produced in US out of the total world’s production was no more than 12 per cent. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) had recorded that till 1 January 2000, the number of oil reserves in US were 21 billion barrels (Churchill). Oil reserves have been decreasing in number in US ever since, and the current plan is likely to cause more harm to the environment than good to the society because the oil reserves will soon vanish any way, but the harms caused to the environment in the course of their exploration would sustain for a long period of time, perhaps till the end of the world. There has been considerable protest against this policy. President Barack Obama had been watchful of the possible emergence of protests against the plan by the environmental agencies. He said these words in a speech explaining his consent on the security of energy, But the bottom line is this: given our energy needs, in order to sustain economic growth, produce jobs, and keep our businesses competitive, we're going to need to harness traditional sources of fuel even as we ramp up production of new sources of renewable, homegrown energy. (Obama cited in Shannon). This plan made by Presient Barack Obama has conventionally received a lot of criticism. There is no doubt in the fact that upon its implementation, the plan would impose serious environmental threats in US. In his speech, President Barack Obama does approve of the idea of looking for new and renewable sources of energy, but intends to change the oil attainment strategy meanwhile. Considering the extensively damaged environment, there is dire need to immediately discover and implement alternative sources of energy. As research is being done to find new ways, US should abstain from drilling oil and continue importing oil because the ultimate solution lies not in the use of oil, but in the use of alternative sources of energy. â€Å"The only real way to quit relying on foreign oil is to wean ourselves from oil" altogether† (David cited in The Week). Global warming is already a leading issue of the contemporary age. We can not afford to