Essay about Cultural Autobiography - 2315 Words

Running Head: MY CULTURAL My Cultural Autobiography Nancy Domanski Sir Frances Bacon said, â€Å"If a man be gracious to strangers, it shows that he is a citizen of the world, and his heart is no island cut off from other islands, but a continent that joins them,† (Jenkins, 1994). This quote represents all the core values that I cherish and to which I adhere. Personal culture doesn’t have to be linked to a certain country of origin or a specific ethnicity; it can be as simple as a person’s core values. The Southern way of life is a culture all in itself. Growing up south of the Mason-Dixon Line in the United States has instilled in me many values including honesty, integrity and a genuine concern for my fellow man. Most†¦show more content†¦I think it is because of how different the food is and how many choices are available. I am proud that I have continued this tradition with my children for many reasons, but manly because it opens their minds to new people and cultures. I think this tradition that my mothe r started was pretty progressive for her time. She never seemed to be restrained by the typical female roles of most women of her time. She somehow managed to remain true to her southern traditions while blending them into a progressive way of thinking. I think I am the same, in that I am trying to teach my daughter respect for others, especially her elders, while making sure her own thoughts are valued as well. My brother, Mike, recently reminded me of another very strong southern value that I too feel passionate about when he said, â€Å"Don’t ask me for a handout, but I am always willing to give you a hand up.† By this is meant, southerners are always willing to help someone better themselves or their situation. If they are hungry, feed them and show them how to feed themselves. If they need a job, teach them the skills needed to find a job—not give them money. To us, throwing money at a situation is not helping. It is demeaning to the receiver and it will most likely encourage the problem. More simply put, if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he will feed himself forever.Show MoreRelatedCultural Autobiography2050 Words   |  9 PagesCultural Autobiography When I first saw in the syllabus the type of paper we would be writing for this course I thought about what culture means to me. What was the culture of my family? Where did we come from? How did we end up in Virginia? How did we end up believing some of the things we believe? To me culture was basically how I was raisedÂâ€"my behaviors, beliefs, values, and ideas cultivated during my youth and its evolvement as I grew into an adult. This truly was to be a very interesting andRead MoreCultural Autobiography : Cross Cultural1649 Words   |  7 Pages Alexus Williams Cultural Autobiography Cross Cultural  Who am I? I come from a very big, loud, joyful and loving southern family from the town of Marietta, Georgia. We are proud African Americans who embraces every piece of black beauty from our hair down to the different shades of our skin. From a very early age I was taught self -love and that it is okay to be different because God did not make us to blend in but to stand out. I was taught to never judge a book by it s cover so I don’t. NeverRead MoreCultural Autobiography Analysis1531 Words   |  7 Pagessignificance difference in global cultures. Concerning this perception, the aim of this paper is to compare Nigerian culture with Finnish culture and examine the different meanings of culture. Furthermore a Cultural Autobiography’ questionnaire will be used to create a cultural autobiography which will identify the major influences on personal life. A similar process will be adapted by interviewing a Swedish male to understand the major influence on his life. Definition of culture Culture is aRead MoreCultural Believes Autobiography1946 Words   |  8 PagesCultural Beliefs Autobiography The first thought that comes to my head when I hear cultural beliefs I think of the things that make a person who they are. Things that people will fight for and stand up for no matter what anyone says or thinks. I, myself am not much about being outspoken, but when it comes to what I believe in and what I value, I will fight for my beliefs and values. According to our text culture is â€Å"the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutionsRead MoreCultural Autobiography : My Life Essay1556 Words   |  7 Pages CULTURAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY I was born in a small rural village in Western Nepal. A typical unprivileged society of Nepal, my then village was a consortium of poverty, illiteracy, and discrimination. I was a bit fortunate to have born in a middle-class family that could at least boast sufficient resources for subsistence and some savings. For people in my village, the most generous gift that god could bestow was the birthRead MoreCultural Autobiography Of My Life1313 Words   |  6 PagesCultural Autobiography How does a person begin to write a narrative of their own life, relating events and ideas back to their own culture? Well, first, I’d like to give some baseline information about myself. I am a white, middle-class, educated, mid-western, Christian female athlete. I come from a traditional family with a mother, father, one brother, and two sisters. Taking those characteristics into account, I would say that I am a privileged member of society, and being privileged has beenRead MoreAn Autobiography Of My Cultural Identity1687 Words   |  7 Pageslocation where we lived, I also took advantage of many cultural interactions with people from other countries. For instance, I met people from Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru. At the time, there was a large influx of people from these countries in the main city, Santo Domingo, as well as many wealthy people who also lived in the city as well. My early upbringing certainly has shaped the way in which I perceive the world around me. I define my cultural identity as a mix of Latino, mainly Caribbean heritageRead MoreReview Of Benvenuto Cellini 1591 Words   |  7 PagesThe cinquecento period in which Cellini was born references the 16th century as a period of Italian art, architecture, or literature, with a reversion to classical forms. This is significant because it gives you greater understanding of some of the cultural influences Cellini would have been subjected to in Italy as he grew up.(O’Brien) Its possible that this influence helped to lead him to be one of the prominent mannerist artist. Another culturally significant factor of the time is that Cellini livedRead MoreMy Cultural Autobiography : My Culture Essay1411 Words   |  6 PagesMy Cultural Autobiography Several years ago I enrolled at California Lutheran University in the Marriage Family Therapy Master Program. It was during this journey as a new and older student that I was introduced to the words Cultural Bias and Cultural Proficiency. At the time I was not sure how I was to respond to questions such as what is your culture, what are your biases and how are you going to integrate those biases into the therapeutic setting? I now found myself questioning how is it thatRead MoreEssay on American Indian Stories474 Words   |  2 Pages In her book American Indian Stories, Zitkala-Sas central role as both an activist and writer surfaces, which uniquely combines autobiography and fiction and represents an attempt to merge cultural critique with aesthetic form, especially surrounding such fundamental matters as religion. In the tradition of sentimental, autobiographical fiction, this work addresses keen issues for American Indians dilemmas with assimilation. In Parts IV and V of quot; School Days,quot; for example, she vividly

Mahatma Gandhi And The Indian Independence Movement

When we hear the word ‘India’, the first thing that comes to mind is Mahatma Gandhi. The word ‘Mahatma’ is a literal translation to: great sage, a saint, a person to be considered as a messiah (Gandhi, 2011, P4). Descriptions such as freedom fighter, warrior for justice and activist are just three popular terms that describe Mohandas Gandhi today. But are all these descriptions true? Mahatma Gandhi is revered by mainstream opinion as a Jesus like figure. The media and in particular, Richard Attenborough (Gandhi 1982), portray Mohandas as the epitome of perseverance, peace and courage. On the contrary, the film Gandhi, is a shockingly one-sided depiction of the Indian independence movement, which fails to accurately depict history and correctly acknowledge the unnecessary loss of life caused in the process. Evidence today emphatically refute claims of Gandhi’s ‘egalitarian’ and ‘pious’ persona with several historical sources a nd texts detailing his hypocrisy, stubbornness and blatant perversions of equality. Through the film Gandhi, Attenborough depicts the life and role of Mohandas Gandhi in India’s bid for independence from the British. The film is set as a complete flashback of a 24 year old Gandhi travelling to South Africa in a class coach to his assassination in New Delhi, 1948. It is evident from the film, that Attenborough mainly focuses on the positive biography of Gandhi to mould his anti-imperialist narrative whilst omitting the sacrifice of the Indian people.Show MoreRelatedGandhi : The World Of Mahatma Gandhi1320 Words   |  6 Pages 2016 Research Paper: Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Ghandi, better known to the world as Mahatma Gandhi is one of the world’s main faces when we think or talk of the Indian independence movements, women’s rights and all around freedom for humanity. This individual used strategies and tactics of his own to achieve justice for the Indian culture while he was alive. Gandhi also worked to reform traditional Indian society in India as he was a mahatma, a Hindu term in the Hindu religion meaningRead MoreEssay about Gandhi and his passive Resistace to Great Britain in War I1040 Words   |  5 PagesMohandas Gandhi nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as mahatma Gandhi, was a Indian nationalist leader, who established his countrys freedom through a nonviolent revolution. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Gandhi became a leader in a difficult struggle, the Indian campaign for home rule. He believed and dedicated his life to demonstrating that both individuals and nations owe it to themselves to stay free, and to allow the same freedom to others. Gandhi was one ofRead MoreA Research On Contemporary World History1041 Words   |  5 PagesSource: Salt March, www.history.com Salt March, www.wikipedia.com Mahatma Gandhi, www.wikipedia.com Mahatma Gandhi - Father of the Nation â€Å"An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.† - Mahatma Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) was a leader in the Indian Independence Movement during the British rule in India. He not only led India towards Independence but also inspired movements for civil rights and freedom all across the world. He had someRead MoreMohandas Gandhis Struggl for India’s Independence Essay1571 Words   |  7 Pageshis lifetime, Mohandas Gandhi with great patience struggled for the goal of India’s independence (Mohandas Gandhi. ABC-CLIO). The world widely celebrates him because of his enormous efforts towards the goal with perseverance and dedication (Wakin, Eric. â€Å"Gandhi, Mohandas K.†). Though he faced huge penalties, he did not lost perseverance but he constantly campaigned against the powerful whites (Wakin, Eric. â€Å"Gandhi, Mohandas K.†). As he strongly supported nonviolence, Gandhi campaigned to â€Å"convinceRead MoreGandhi : Gandhi And Influential Religious Political Leaders Of The Twentieth Century1464 W ords   |  6 PagesMohandas Karamchand Gandhi was one of the most admired and influential religious political leaders of the twentieth century. Gandhi is acknowledged as the Father of the Nation or Bapu due to his astonishing contributions towards the independence of India, by becoming an amazing freedom fighter who led India as a leader of Nationalism, against British rule. Gandhi was one of such that believed in nonviolence, the unity of people, and bringing spirituality upon Indian politics. He worked incrediblyRead MoreGandhi s Life And Legacy1578 Words   |  7 PagesMohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Gandhi was a very influential and inspiring leader that was able to lead billions of people. He was willing to give up everything for what he believed in even though he knew that his actions could possibly lead to imprisonment and other legal consequences. Gandhi’s bravery and perseverance led to changes that affected and influenced the whole world and brought about positive ch ange for people whose voices would have went unheard. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on OctoberRead MoreMahatma Gandhi Research Paper1564 Words   |  7 PagesMahatma Gandhi Aroused by the massacre of Amritsar in 1919, Gandhi devoted his life to gaining India’s independence from Great Britain. As the dominant figure used his persuasive philosophy of non-violent confrontation, he inspired political activists with many persuasions throughout the world (Andrews 23). Not only was Mahatma Gandhi a great peacemaker, but also his work to achieve freedom and equality for all people was greatly acknowledged. Gandhi’s unconventional style of leadership gainedRead MoreMahatma Gandhi : Gandhi ( Gandhi )1176 Words   |  5 PagesKaramchand Gandhi, also known as Gandhi Ji, Mahatma Gandhi and Bapu. He was a nationalist leader in India, known for establishing freedom in India from British through nonviolent movement. He professed the term’s passive resistance and civil disobedience insufficient for his work, however he devised a term called, Satyagraha (truth and firmness). He worked his whole life for peace and freedom in India, which I think, is something to be acknowledged by millions of people. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi wasRead MoreGandhi s Effect On The World1174 Words   |  5 PagesGandhi’s Salt march which had the Indian independence. Gandhi played a major role in the development of nonviolence and peace activities. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was the pre-eminent political and spiritual bellwether of India and the Indian independence movement. He had many adherents, and edified many how to protest placidly, instead of utilizing violence and war. Gandhi is a role model for many people today and is one of the most famous of all nonviolent activists. Gandhi made an immensely colossalRead MoreEssay on Mahatma Gandhi1642 Words   |  7 PagesESSAY ON MAHATMA GANDHI Mahatma Gandhi was born in the Porbandar city of Gujarat in october 2nd, 1869. His father name is Karamchand Gandhi, the diwan of Porbandar, and his wife, Putlibai. Since his mother was a Hindu of the Pranami Vaishnava order, Gandhi learned the tenets of non-injury to living beings, vegetarianism, fasting, mutual tolerance, etc, at a very tender age. Mohandas was married at the age of 13 to Kasturba Makhanji and had four sons. He passed the matriculation exam at Samaldas

2002 Ap Euro Dbq Manchester Free Essays

The Effects of Industrialization on Manchester, England 1750-1850 England in the 18th and 19th centuries changed dramatically as a result of the Industrial Revolution, which had many effects on the social structure of England and increased the gap between the rich and the poor. Because of this, industrialized English towns such as Manchester were both criticized and admired by poets, politicians, journalists, and outsiders, who were particularly from France. The most powerful points of view were from supporters of industrialization, those who opposed industrialization, journalists, and outsiders. We will write a custom essay sample on 2002 Ap Euro Dbq: Manchester or any similar topic only for you Order Now Supporters of the industrialization of Manchester were typically British politicians or businessmen, impressed by the progress and production of Manchester. One of these was Englishman W. H. Thomson, writer of History of Manchester to 1852. Thomson provides a map that shows the growth of Manchester over a period of one hundred years in which in transformed from a small town into a robust industrial city with railroads and canals. This map shows how industrialization leads to rapid population growth and expansion, making Thomson an obvious supporter of industrialization. Another supporter of industrialization was Englishman Thomas B. Macaulay, a liberal member of parliament and a historian. In his essay, â€Å"Southey’s Colloquies,† Macaulay praises industrialization and Manchester for producing wealth for the nation, which in turn would improve the quality of life for the middle class and peasantry. A final supporter of industrialization was Wheeler and Co. , which praises the industrious spirit of Manchester in the preface to an 1852 business directory, shortly after Manchester was granted a royal charter as a city. The authors owe the fruits of the city’s labor to its â€Å"energetic exertions and enterprising spirit,† which is an unrealistic description of the motivations of the working class, and the preface was likely propaganda, being in association with the Crown. The supporters of industrialization were the ones becoming richer by it. They were separated from the working class and did not understand their plight. Those who opposed the industrialization of Manchester were more concerned with the well-being of those affected by it. These were poets, women, socialists, and health reformers who were disturbed by the living and working conditions of the middle class and the peasantry. One protester was Robert Southey, an English Romantic poet and author of Colloquies on the Progress and Prospects of Society in 1829. Being a Romantic poet, Southey laments on the industrialization of the city and describes it as a miserable place where the buildings which are â€Å"without their antiquity, without their beauty, without their holiness,† and where, â€Å"when the bell rings, it is to call the wretches to their work instead of their prayers. Another protester is Frances Anne Kemble, an actress, poet, and dramatist, who, in her account of a journey of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830, depicts a protest by the disgruntled working class over Corn Laws, which were tariffs on imported grain. In her depiction, the protesters scorn the â€Å"triumphs of machinery† and the â€Å"gain and glory which wealthy Manchester men were likely to derive from it. † This is a very Romantic depiction, as the protesters are breaking free from their bonds to choose liberty over wealth. A final protester was Edwin Chadwick a public health reformer, who, in his Report of the Sanitary Conditions of the Laboring Population of Great Britain, argued that the cramped conditions, unsanitary practices, and air pollution of Manchester greatly lower the average lifespan of its citizens, and that more lives are lost due to unsanitary conditions in industrial cities than in modern wars. Journalists reporting on life in Manchester were sometimes in favor of industrialization, but some opposed it. One journal in favor of the industrialization of Manchester featured an article by William Alexander Abram, a journalist and historian, in 1868. Abram claimed that conditions had increased dramatically since the early Industrial Era through law reform. A journal that was opposed to the industrialization of Manchester was the Lancet, a British medical journal founded and edited by Thomas Wakley. In 1843, The Lancet published a chart displaying the average age of death in four districts, two of which were industrial and two of which were rural. The average age of death in the industrial districts was far younger, but was especially young in Manchester, showing that Manchester was indeed the unhealthiest of industrial cities. A final journal that protested the industrialization of Manchester was The Graphic, a magazine that dealt with social issues. The Graphic published a picture of a view from Blackfriars Bridge over the river Irwell in the 1870s. The picture was a very dirty depiction of Manchester, showing smokestacks that blotted out the sky with lack plumes of smoke and waste pouring directly into the river Irwell, both of which caused tremendous health issues for the people of Manchester. Outsiders who visited Manchester in the 19th century were often disgusted by the monochromatic, unsanitary, and dangerous lifestyle of the laboring class of Manchester. These were typically French socialists who spoke out against the maltreatment of the poor by the rich. One such Frenchman was Alexis de Tocqueville, author of Journey s to England and Ireland in 1835. De Tocqueville, a socialist, tells us that the city of Manchester is based on the successes of individuals and the enslavement of others, rather than the success of society as a whole. Another French Socialist opposed to the industrialization of Manchester is Flora Tristan, a women’s rights advocate, who published her journal in 1842. The fact that it is her private journal makes it the most credible source to the opposition of industrialization because she is merely reflecting and not attempting to sway anyone’s mind. Tristan describes the working class of Manchester as sick and emaciated, and ends her entry with this lamentation: â€Å"O God! Can progress be bought only at the cost of men’s lives? † The industrialization of Manchester in the 18th and 19th centuries created wealth for the rich, but conditions for the laboring class worsened, and the gap between rich and poor increased. Many poets, socialists, and health reformers criticized the industrialization of Manchester, but politicians and business praised the industrious spirit of the city that filled their pockets. All of these feelings led to the revolutions of the 19th century and the rise of socialism and communism. How to cite 2002 Ap Euro Dbq: Manchester, Papers

Cuba The Plight Of A Nation And free essay sample

Cuba: The Plight Of A Nation And Its Revolution Essay, Research Paper Cuba: The Plight of a Nation and its Revolution While the isle of Cuba was ab initio discovered on October 27, 1492 during one of Columbus? first ocean trips, it wasn? Ts really claimed by Spain until the 16th century. However, it? s disruptive beginnings as a Spanish sugar settlement provides an insightful background into the really kernel of the state? s political and economic agitation. From it? s early radical yearss to the insurrectionary challenge of the Marxist-leninist theories emerged the totalitarian government under Fidel Castro in present twenty-four hours Cuba. Cuban colonial society was distinguished by the features of colonial societies in general, viz. a graded, inegalitarian category system ; a ill differentiated agricultural economic system ; a dominant political category made up of colonial officers, the clergy, and the armed forces ; an exclusionary and elitist instruction system controlled by the clergy ; and a permeant spiritual system.1 Cuba? s agricultural monocultural character, economically dependent upon sugar cultivation, production and export badly restricted its possible for growing as a state, thereby steadfastly engrafting its freshly sprouted roots steadfastly in the trenches of poorness from the really beginning of the state? s being. In 1868, Cuba entered in to The Ten Old ages? War against Spain in a battle for independency, but to no help. Ten old ages of acrimonious and destructive struggle ensued, but the end of independency was non achieved. Political divisions among patriot forces, personal wrangles among rebel military leaders, and the failure of the Rebels to derive the backup of the United States, coupled with stiff opposition from Spain and the Cubans? inability to transport the war in earnest to the western states, produced a military deadlock in the concluding stages.2 The war had a annihilating consequence on an already weak economic and political substructure. The licking, nevertheless, did non impede the declaration of the Cuban labor for an independent state. In the words of one writer, The Cubans? ability to pay a dearly-won, drawn-out battle against Spain demonstrated that proindependence sentiment was strong and could be manifested militarily. On the other manus, before any attempt to end Spanish control could win, differences over bondage, political organisation, leading, and military scheme had to be resolved. In short, the really inconclusiveness of the war left a experiencing that the Cubans could and would restart their battle until their legitimate political aims of independency and sovereignty were attained.3 The old ages following the Ten Old ages? War were rough and severe. The countryside, ravaged and abandon, bankrupted Spanish sugar involvements in Cuba, virtually destructing the industry. The Spanish proprietors sold out to North American involvements, a procedure accelerated by the concluding abolishment of bondage in Cuba in 1886.4 The terminal of bondage, of course, meant the terminal of free labour. The sugar agriculturists, hence, began to import machinery from the United States. Basically, Cuba deferred its economic dependance from Spain straight to the U.S. What became known as the American Sugar Refining Company supplied from 70 to ninety per centum of all sugar consumed by the United States, therefore mandating the way of the Cuban agricultural industry and thereby commanding its economic system. Furthermore, the United States? interventionism in the Cuban-Spanish war in 1898, motivated chiefly by involvements in the Cuban market, led the resignation of the Spanish ground forces straight to the United States, non Cuba. This war subsequently became known as the Spanish-American War. The leader and organiser of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, Jose Marti? s, end of true independency was buried without award in 1898.5 In the old ages from 1902 to 1959, following the establishment of the Platt Amendment, which was an amendment to the Cuban fundamental law, that stated that the United States had the right to intervene in Cuba at any clip, a period which came to be termed the? Pseudo Republic? ensued. In the words of General Wood: Of class, Cuba has been left with small or no independency by the Platt Amendment # 8230 ; The Cuban Government can non come in into certain pacts without our consent, nor unafraid loans above certain bounds, and it must keep the healthful conditions that have been indicated. With the control that we have over Cuba, a control which, without uncertainty, will shortly turn her into our ownership, shortly we will practically command the sugar market in the universe. I believe that it is a really desirable acquisition for the United States. The island will bit by bit be? Americanized, ? and in the due class we will hold one of the most rich and desirable ownerships bing in the full universe # 8230 ; 6 The Great Depression nevertheless, had a huge impact on United States? retentions of the Cuban sugar industry. In the summer and autumn of 1920 when the monetary value of sugar fell from 22 cents a lb to three cents a lb, Cubans were left poorness stricken and starvation, as their sugar market was wholly dependent upon the United States. Additionally, America began to withdraw itself from the strangulating clasp it had over the Cuban economic system by immensely decreasing the sum of its imports from 40 per centum in old old ages to eighteen per centum. In the aftermath of this monolithic pecuniary pull-out, a vacuity formed in which a fundamentally leaderless Cuba ( its current leader, President Machado, had lost the ability to regulate after his promise of ? repose of the authorities and the state? had non been delivered ) became mature for extremist pupil rebellions and the debut of Marxist thoughts. Thus was formed the Cuban Communist Party, led by Julio Mella and Carlos Balino, the former an 18 twelvemonth old university hoops participant and the latter, a seasoned socialist and companion of Jose Marti. In 1933, President Roosevelt sent Cuban embassador, Sumner Wells, to Havana in an effort to halt the? political vortex in which an estimated $ 1,500,000,000 in U.S. investings was likely to submerge? .7 Welles proposed the assignment of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, former Cuban embassador to Washington, as president. Shortly thenceforth, leaders of a extremist pupil organisation? transformed their rebellion into a rebellion? , and informed President Cespedes that he had been deposed. Cespedes abandoned the presidential castle as inconspicuously as he had arrived.8 From 1930 to 1935, Antonio Guiteras led the island on a? radical way? and formed a authorities that was? for the people, but non by the people or of the people? 9, which the U.S. refused to acknowledge. In 1935 Guiteras was assassinated by Fulgencio Batista who proceeded to run Cuban personal businesss for the following decennary. It was a authorities that the United States recognized as the? merely legitimate authorization on the island? .10 Then in 1944, Batista, the? American favorite? , lost the presidential election to Grau San Martin, who had late returned from expatriate. The Grau presidential term has been described as such: The Autentico disposals of Grau ( 1944-1948 ) and Prio ( 1948-52 ) had failed to control the political corruptness and the associated gangster force ; more significantly they had failed to satisfy popular aspirations for independency and societal advancement. here were still riotous protests against U.S. control and development of the Cuban economic system ; and when Prio agreed to direct Cuban military personnels to back up the U.S. invasion of Korea in 1950, the offer was backed by a successful run around the motto, ? No cannon fresh fish for Yankee imperialists? . The general political instability, the turning unpopularity of the Autenticos, the rampant corruptness and force # 8211 ; all were once more puting the scene for political upheaval.11 On January 1, 1959 unable to defy the load of both a politically and economically neglecting state, and under force per unit area from the Cuban Communist Party led by Fidel Castro and his Marxist-leninist radical followings, Batista fled Cuba. Paradoxically, the dislocation of the autocratic government in Cuba illustrates the breakability of presumptively dependable clientelistic agreements, in so far as these can non replace for strong cardinal authority.12 Foreign investing in the economic system was significant one time once more in the late fiftiess, with U.S. capital dominant in the agricultural sectors.13 Having gained a significant sum of support from the Cuban people, Fidel Castro was quick to travel into power as the state? s most outstanding leader. Shortly thenceforth, Castro allied his state with the Soviet Union and denounced the United States as an imperialistic and capitalist aggression. In kernel, the U.S.S.R. became Cuba? s new? line of life? . Naturally, the Cuban relationship with the Soviet Union made for inevitable tensenesss with its neighbor.14 The United States? belief that the? Cuban leader had allowed his state to go a Soviet orbiter, and that Castro? s government might bring forth a batch of revolutions throughout Latin America? 15 led straight to the Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961, a failed effort to subvert Castro. The Bay of Pigs invasion combined with the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 sufficiently set the phase for the present twenty-four hours political tensenesss between the United States and Cuba. Due to the isolationist temper in the United States in the old ages following the failed Cuban Missile Crisis and so the Vietnam War, Fidel Castro was free to lift to power and make the communist island he so urgently endeavored to accomplish. Without the U.S. to interfere, Castro could be likened to a? child in a confect shop? . Because Cuba had historically ever been in political convulsion, it was non hard for Castro, for all his appeal and personal appeal, to win the popular ballot of the people. Traditionally, in a state every bit oppressed as Cuba had been, citizens tend to fall easy quarry to totalitarian or autocratic regulation due to their demand to be led by a authorities, any authorities, that may perchance ease any sort of economic growing. The terminal of the Cold War, nevertheless, left Cuba isolated when it lost its Soviet Patron.16 It has been argued that there are two schools of idea on how to cover with Castro in the station Cold War epoch: One school, championed chiefly by the exiled Cuban community and Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jesse Helms, wanted a full tribunal imperativeness to convey Castro down. They assumed farther economic want would force the Cuban people to lift up and free themselves of the Castro absolutism at last. The United States, with new Torahs punishing states, corporations, or individuals making concern with Cuba, would oblige the international community to articulation in the choking. This scheme received no international support. The 2nd school wanted to wheedle Cuba out of its shell without seeking to subvert Castro. For all his ferociousness and repression, Castro provided instruction, occupations, wellness attention, and equality for Cuban? s larg e lower category, many of whom are of African descent. They appreciated it so, and some still support Castro now. With the sudden terminal of Soviet subsidies ( estimated at $ 5 billion a twelvemonth ) , Cuban life conditions went from bad to worse. From 1990 to 1993, Cuba? s GDP declined by 40 per centum. Many Cubans went hungry. Castro, reading the despairing temper of the multitudes, discovered his nearing obsolescence and gave indicants that he might reform. The Cuban people, hankering for reform, began to hope for a new day.17 It is apparent that the political temperament of the state, as in most states, has been influenced by its economic position which, for Cuba, dates back to the 16th century. Cuba? s predicament as a 3rd universe state is straight kindred to its historical inability to interrupt away from its dependance on a individual export economic system. This fact, confounded by that of other, larger states functioning merely their ain national involvements by promoting this type of economic system, has held Cuba in ironss of need for decennaries. Cuba does, nevertheless, despite its low domestic life criterions, have extended overseas committednesss. The inquiry has been raised so, as to why Cuba, with such a limited domestic resource base, would spread out its abroad civilian and military commitments.18 A peculiarly feasible account could be viewed as the followers: The Cuban authorities asserts that it aids other Third World states because it is committed to internationalist solidarity. While official positions may hide underlying motivations, if the island chiefly supports abroad activities for moral and ideological grounds, Cuban should have no regular British pound pro for its aid, and it should restrict its assistance to ideologically sympathetic states. If Cuba additions materially from its engagement, the benefits should be minor and they should hold been unforeseen at the clip the assistance was extended. The island should put on the line having no economic pay-offs # 8230 ; The Castro government has a long history of helping radical and national release motions, and the authoritiess to which they hold given rise, perchance because its ain societal transmutation depended on the aid of other socialist states. yet its individuality with progressive, anti-imperialist provinces has non been contingent on the acceptance of a Marxist-leninist theoretical account or rank in the socialist camp.19 Why would Castro travel to all the problem so, when his ain people were hungering in the streets? Possibly it was merely due to the fact that Third World states viewed Cuba as helpful and influential and that abroad activities have enhanced the island? s stature in the lupus erythematosus developed universe. Apparently, this theory would impart support to the banal images of ? strength in Numberss? or the? large fish in a small pool? platitudes. This is, of class, theory nevertheless, and non fact. Despite these and many other inquiries which could be asked of Castro? s regulating manner, there are, in fact, many positive transmutations that the socialist leader has brought about for his state. Though unlike most other socialist states, Cuba has been noted for its far-reaching societal and economic equality that has resulted from the Cuban Revolution. Additionally, Cuba, by no means a affluent state, has achieved a certain sum of important success in the countries of instruction, wellness attention and its economic system in comparing to the Cuba of old ages by. However, even a really favourable reading of these constructions would hold to indicate out their restrictions ( and one should non disregard the significance of their formal similarity to Soviet constructions ) . Organized resistance is non allowed # 8230 ; .the Cuban authorities would non digest attempts to set up an independent brotherhood motion, and there is no inquiry of via media on the political hegemony of the Cuban Communist Party.20 Soon, tensenesss between Cuba and the United States, nevertheless, are still high as the U.S. continues to keep its policy of diplomatic and economic isolation. It has been noted that: # 8230 ; .years after the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the terminal of the Cold War, Cuba continues to command the attending of U.S. policymakers. Although Russia and the former eastern axis states have undergone widespread democratic and free-market economic reform, Cuba remains one of the lone Communist absolutisms in the universe. Removing Castro from power and implementing reform in Cuba are top U.S. foreign policy precedences, but lawgivers disagree on the best class of action. While some argue that the U.S. trade trade stoppage has proved uneffective and inhumane, others respond that the United States should go on to use force per unit area on Castro until he is toppled from power. As the lawgivers argument, the wretchedness in Cuba is declining, and some states are now get downing to fault U.S. policy. Time will state whether the United States continues its present class or revises a policy that is progressively unpopular with even its most loyal allies.21 Every now and once more Castro allows a melt in dealingss, but when the United States gets excessively friendly he arranges a aggravation, such as the drowning of two little planes piloted by Cuban expatriates in 1996, which led to the transition by the United States Congress of the Helms-Burton Act a month later.22 Soon, Cuba is in the procedure of developing an advanced telecommunications system with the aid of communist ally China. Cuba was visited late by Chinese delegate Wu Jichuan and Fidel Castro claims that dealingss between Cuba and China have neer been better. Additionally, Cuba is seeking to stop the 40-year United States trade trade stoppage against the island. Should this occur, it would greatly heighten the state? s presently drooping economic system. There is increasing force per unit area from United States concern and agricultural communities to get down brisk trade with Cuba and take advantage of a new and potentially extremely profitable market.23 If Cuba is successful at spread outing its monocultural economic system the state should see unusually auspicious consequences in the event of a lifting of the U.S. trade stoppage. More significantly, Castro would no longer hold an alibi for the lacks in the Cuban economic system. Additionally, lodging for Cubans, which is guaranteed in the fundamental law, or the recent deficiency thereof, has reached epidemic proportions in Havana, the island? s capital. Reportedly, the authorities admits the state does non hold about plenty edifice stuffs or manpower to give everyone the place they have been promised.24 For a socialist society dedicated to taking attention of its people, the state seems to hold fallen short in this sphere, every bit good. Another recent political Cuban event dominating most other of import Cuban political events, if merely due to the extended media coverage than the existent quality of newsworthy content, is the? tragicomedy? of the detention conflict of close Cuban deserter, Elian Gonzalez. In what should hold been nil more than an international detention conflict over the six twelvemonth old Cuban kid, an all out political conflict between the United States and Cuba ensued. In my sentiment, the incident had been apparently spawned chiefly from harbored bitterness by Cuban-Americans over the failed Bay of Pigs event, in add-on to their hatred of the autocratic leader. Again, they fought and lost to Castro. This clip, nevertheless, Fidel Castro was legitimate in his reproach and used the state of affairs to portray the United States in an highly unfavourable visible radiation. He succeeded, as the remainder of the universe looked on inquiring what all the ballyhoo was approximately. What is extraordinary about Fidel Castro, nevertheless, is that he is still here at all. More than 40 old ages after coming to power, he survives. He survives in the face of the unremitting ill will of a world power merely 90 stat mis off. He survives in malice of the fact that his chief frequenter, the Soviet Union, has disappeared, his political orientation, Marxist-Leninism, is discredited, and his economic system is less than perfect. Despite the fact that an excessive figure of common citizens prefer to opportunity decease at sea instead than stay in his state, Fidel survives.25 Notes 1Juan M. del Aguila, Cuba: Dilemmas of a Revolution ( Colorado: Westview Press, Inc. , 1984 ) , p. 9. 2Juan M. del Aguila, Cuba: Dilemmas of a Revolution ( Colorado: Westview Press, Inc. , 1984 ) , p. 12. 3Juan M. del Aguila, Cuba: Dilemmas of a Revolution ( Colorado: Westview Press, Inc. , 1984 ) , p. 13. 4Terrance Cannon, Revolutionary Cuba ( Toronto: Fitzhenry A ; Whiteside Limited, 1981 ) , p. 30. 5Terrance Cannon, Revolutionary Cuba ( Toronto: Fitzhenry A ; Whiteside Limited, 1981 ) , p. 37. 6Terrance Cannon, Revolutionary Cuba ( Toronto: Fitzhenry A ; Whiteside Limited, 1981 ) , p. 38. 7Terrance Cannon, Revolutionary Cuba ( Toronto: Fitzhenry A ; Whiteside Limited, 1981 ) , p. 44. 8Terrance Cannon, Revolutionary Cuba ( Toronto: Fitzhenry A ; Whiteside Limited, 1981 ) , p. 46. 9Terrance Cannon, Revolutionary Cuba ( Toronto: Fitzhenry A ; Whiteside Limited, 1981 ) , p. 46. 10Geoff St. simons, Cuba: From Conquistador to Castro ( New York: St. Martin? s Press, 1996 ) , p. 254. 11Geoff St. simons, Cuba: From Conquistador to Castro ( New York: St. Martin? s Press, 1996 ) , p. 257. 12Juan M. del Aguila, Cuba: Dilemmas of a Revolution ( Colorado: Westview Press, Inc. , 1984 ) , p. 38. 13Juan M. del Aguila, Cuba: Dilemmas of a Revolution ( Colorado: Westview Press, Inc. , 1984 ) , p. 40. 14Sandor Halebsky and John M. Kirk, Cuba: Twenty-five Old ages of Revolution, 1959 to 1984 ( New York: Praeger Publishers, 1985 ) , p. 358. 15Mark J. White, Missles in Cuba: Kennedy, Khrushchev, Castro and the 1962 Crisis ( Chicago: Mark J. White, 1977 ) , p. 12. 16Michael G. Roskin and Nicholas O. Berry, The New World of International Relations ( New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc. , 1999 ) , p. 190. 17Michael G. Roskin and Nicholas O. Berry, The New World of International Relations ( New Jersey: Prentice Hall, Inc. , 1999 ) , p. 190. 18Sandor Halebsky and John M. Kirk, Cuba: Twenty-five Old ages of Revolution, 1959 to 1984 ( New York: Praeger Publishers, 1985 ) , p. 375. 19Sandor Halebsky and John M. Kirk, Cuba: Twenty-five Old ages of Revolution, 1959 to 1984 ( New York: Praeger Publishers, 1985 ) , p. 375. 20Sandor Halebsky and John M. Kirk, Cuba: Twenty-five Old ages of Revolution, 1959 to 1984 ( New York: Praeger Publishers, 1985 ) , p. 421. 21World Wide Web, U.S. Policy Towards Cuba, ( www.closeup.org/cuba, 1997 ) . 22World Wide Web, Boston Globe # 8211 ; CubaNet News, Inc. , ( www.cubanetnews.com, 2000 ) . 23World Wide Web, China Helps Cuba Get Current on Communications Technology, ( www.cubanetnews.com, 2000 ) . 24World Wide Web, Despite Guarantess, Homelessnes Creeps Into Cuba, ( www.cubanetnews.com, 2000 ) . 25World Wide Web, Government and Politics of Cuba, ( www.cubapolidata.com, 2000 ) .

Gluttony in the Merchant of Four Seasons

According to Francine Prose, gluttony often disguises itself in different forms, like the need to get a little more, the desire to have something more delicious, or the temptation to have a snack between the meals. In the film, ‘The Merchant of Four Seasons,’ Hans, a fruit vender, is invited by an attractive married woman in her house. The woman had fallen in love with him since his youth.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Gluttony in the Merchant of Four Seasons specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More He, however, declines this offer. This incidence shows gluttony on the side of the woman who, in spite of being married, is still attracted to Hans. Gluttony is also revealed in Hans’ flashback. He recalls the time when he was a police officer and was fired after subverting justice by having oral sex with a woman that he had arrested. According to Prose, gluttony can forestall the hour of need. It usuall y results in someone desiring to have something a little more delicious or having more than enough. It is the uncontrolled appetite that manifests in different forms. As per the views of Gregory the Great, gluttony in most cases manifests itself in the way a person eats, how he/she plans and thinks about eating. Hans, in the film, ‘The Merchants of Four Seasons,’ goes to a bar and intoxicates himself with alcohol. His life is brought to an abrupt end when he takes alcohol despite being diagnosed with a heart attack. Like lust, the sin of gluttony is usually committed out of necessity and the desire for pleasure. The two sins are therefore complex as man’s survival is based on them. Without the desire to eat, humans would become extinct. It is therefore important for religion to acknowledge this reality. Hunger and sexual desire are engraved within the human instincts and cannot be tackled the same way other sins like pride, greed and envy are tackled. According t o John Cassian, lust and gluttony should be treated as illnesses that need to be cured. Traditionally, gluttony has been associated with people in their acts of relaxing and enjoying while satisfying their bodily desires. Just as in the case where people are expected to procreate without being lustful, it is also possible to eat to one’s satisfaction without savoring food. It is therefore necessary that one eats that which is sufficient certain him/her rather than eating to satisfy a person’s obsessions, cravings or pleasure.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In Fassbinder’s film, Han’s wife is picked by a man on the street and they go to have sex while her husband is in hospital. When she reconciles with the husband, she lets him know that she had been attracted to him just because he was comical and not for any other reason. This is a clear manife station of lust as she is not contended with her husband but instead goes a head to have an extramarital affair. Irmgard also advices Han’s servant, Anzell, to increase the price of the produce he was selling and they share the extra cash. She did this knowing well that Hans was stalking him and this resulted in the servant being fired. Irmgard therefore exhibits gluttony. In accordance with Prose’s view that gluttons are people with underlying psychological problems, Irmgard had some underlying pains. She often had quarrels with her husband as he did not have ‘a respectable job.’ He also assaults her and to add on that, he is an alcohol addict. After he is incapacitated by a heart attack, he becomes alienated as a man of the house and this prompts his wife to start eying Harry, their servant. After Hans’ death, he resumes his role as the man of the house. Hans’ desire for pleasure drives him to engage in several activities as a street mercha nt. In desperation, due to the pressure from his family members who always looked down upon him because of his job, he resorts to drinking and violence. He also opts to revisit his former lover. After he gets out of the bar while drunk, he goes and beats up his wife who then leaves him. This does not resolve his problems as his wife cheats on him with another man. Drinking is what kills him and even after his death the wife marries his servant. All these twists point to the aspects of gluttony and its end results. According to Father Evagrius of Pontus, gluttony usually results in lust, which is as a result of laziness in fasting and the harboring of evil thoughts. It is a sign of moral perverseness. Compulsive eaters and drinkers are usually perceived as freaks, unfortunate human specimens or even losers. They are believed to be having low self esteem or have some experience of past abuses and use these as a cover up for their inner pains. Gluttony is therefore perceived as a form of weakness and pollution of the human intellect. In Fassbinder’s film, Hans is looked down upon by the other family members who are higher on the social class. He therefore resorts to drinking so as to cover up for his inner pains. Even after he is diagnosed with a heart attack, he still goes ahead to drink against the medical recommendations and this results in his death.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Gluttony in the Merchant of Four Seasons specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the recent past, the sin of gluttony has become distinct and it manifests itself in the form of obesity and weight gain. Gluttony can therefore no longer be classified as a form of pleasure. Gluttons are believed to be misfits who do not have the capability for self control. They eventually become overweight and for some it might even be difficult for a person to go through a door. They often become items of news. People are oft en thrilled by the news celebrities gaining or loosing significant amounts of weight. Some go to every length to cut significant amounts of weight in preparation for weddings. Obese people are often perceived as being obsessed with different flavors and tastes of food. Gluttony is therefore more of a psychological disorder than a sin. It cannot be put in the same category as other dangerous sins like pride and envy which in some cases result in other people being harmed. It only harms the glutton and makes him/her less attractive. Gluttons are perceived as people with a psychological problem who tend to cover up their condition by finding solace in food, drinks and other pleasures. This is quite evident when Hans resorts to drinking because of the frustrations he gets from his family and the society at large. By succumbing to gluttony, someone simply substitutes the place of God with his/her stomach. This vice often leads to other vices like flattery. Gluttons are often perceived as people who have a weak moral defense as they are unable to control themselves. In ‘The Merchant of four seasons,’ Hans is under much pressure. He has just returned from a French Foreign Legion and has high hopes of becoming economically stable. Unfortunately this does not happen according to his expectation and the expectation of his bourgeois family. He had been fired from the police force after dallying with an offender who lured him into having oral sex with her. The pressure mounts when it turns out that the only job he can land himself is that of a fruit peddler. His rich family is against this idea as it is perceived as a job for the low class people. He is in turn perceived as a loser. He is even not allowed to marry his first love on the basis that he is a mere fruit peddler. Hans opts to marry another woman who turns out to be a manipulative wife. At one point Hans gets drunk, goes home and decides to beat her up. She then opts to leave him and this leaves him devastated.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More His own wife cheats on him with another man. All these pressures are evidently the cause of Hans’ drinking habit. When he is incapacitated by the heart attack, Hans hires someone who helps him with the fruit vending business. The servant performs his duties quite well, much better than he himself did. This does not, however, give him any comfort as he feels secluded and incapable of playing his role as the man of the house. He in the end opts to resort to drinking again and this terminates his life. Gluttony can be perceived as the worship of human senses especially the sense of taste. People substitute the place of God with material things like food hence making their stomachs to be like their gods. In the film, Hans resorts to alcohol to find solace. This might be perceived as a form of worship as he opts for liquor in his pursuit of happiness and this leads to his destruction. Gluttony has been known to cause of lechery and debauchery. These are all products of weak moral defenses. In the film, both Hans and his wife seem to have fallen prey to this as they are in a situation where they cannot control their obsessions. Hans is obsessed with alcohol and it leads to his destruction. Irmgard, on the other hand, is lured into having sex with another man who is not her husband. Her desire for more money pushes her to plan with their servant to overprice the produce so as to get the extra money. This in turn results in the servant being fired by Hans. All these are signs of a weak moral defense as they both do anything in their capacity to get whatever they are obsessed with. Gluttony is not only related to food and drinking but it also entails overindulgence in other pleasurable acts like sex. Overeating has been known to result in other evils which include loutishness, unseemly joy and dullness of mind, uncleanness and talkativeness. Gluttony often results when someone overindulges to the level where he/she becomes less conscious of the outward implicati on but concentrates on the inward gratification. It makes someone to stop thinking rationally. The film ends with Hans opting to drink against the doctor’s advice. His demise is as a result of his obsession with alcohol. This is a clear signal that gluttony often ends in self destruction unlike other vices. His obsession with alcohol resulted in many other misfortunes. For instance, it causes him to become violent, beat up his wife who in the process leaves him. This in turn begets infidelity as the wife opts to have an affair with another man and their daughter finds them in the act. It even leads to his death. This is an evidence of what the sin of gluttony can do. According to how the story ends, it is quite evident that gluttony makes people to think irrationally as evident in Hans’ obsession with alcohol, which prompts him to drink against the doctor’s advice. Hans’s decision to propose a toast to those who had made him to be the person that he was i s quite ironic. This is because they despised him and perceived him as a loser. By him opting not to toast his wife, it is a clear indication that he was sure she would end up with Harry, his servant. This is due to the fact that he felt obsolete after being incapacitated by a heart attack and Harry had taken up most of his roles. He dies in his state of shame and dishonor. The film therefore seems to clearly indicate that gluttony and lust always result in self destruction, an incidence that occurs to Hans who finds no other way of redeeming himself. Works Cited Elsà ¤sser, Thomas. Fassbinder’s Germany: History Identity Subject. Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2006. Print. Prose, Francine. Gluttony : The Seven Deadly Sins. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003. Print. This essay on Gluttony in the Merchant of Four Seasons was written and submitted by user Landon Bowers to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Calling All Cat Cuddlers! You Can Now Cuddle Cats for a Living!

Calling All Cat Cuddlers! You Can Now Cuddle Cats for a Living! You can getting paid to cuddle cats? And who said miracles don’t exist! In Dublin, Ireland, there is an opportunity to  become a professional cat-cuddler. Yes, you read that correctly- a professional cat-cuddler. Well, you know†¦ until there is a more official title for this position.  I know this job may sound too purrrfect to be true. But before you make that move to Ireland, here’s what you need to know. Source [giphy]Justcats is Dublin’s first and only dedicated feline veterinary clinic, meaning there is a â€Å"no dogs allowed† atmosphere. The clinic is looking for a candidate to hold cats and embrace them during their visits to make it more comfortable for both the owner and their beloved feline.According to the clinic, the ideal candidate must have gentle hands capable of petting and stroking cats for long periods of time, be soft-spoken, and be capable of cat whispering to calm the nerves of some of their patients. Since cat purring can te ll you a lot about the cat’s feelings, having the ability to understand the different types of purring makes you stand out from the rest of the applicants.The clinic is â€Å"considering a veterinary intern, a nurse position or a nurse’s assistant and their title will be appropriate to their role,†Ã‚  Veterinarian Aoife Caulfield told HuffPost.  Cuddling the four-legged family member pays between 20,000 euros and 25,000 euros (about $22,000 to $28,000).Source: [giphy]Not bad considering you are getting paid to snuggle with your  BFF!

Speaker responce Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Speaker responce - Assignment Example 2. Insights from the presentation After hearing Joe Ellis speak about the five things to do in a job, I have come to a conclusion that, in order to be successful, one must always keep things simple on the job. In accomplishing tasks and getting along with colleagues, for instance, there are no complicated rules to follow. The workplace ethics of obedience, punctuality, and respect still apply. Obeying what the boss says and speaking up when something needs to be said is always valued at work. Delivering high-quality work output and accomplishing them on time is always appreciated. Reaching out to co-workers and establishing friendly relationships with them makes for a fun and relaxed working environment. Achieving these goals, however, requires a considerable amount of effort. The next principle I learned from Joe Ellis is the value of being open. Openness results to transparency, seamless flow of ideas, and assertiveness. First, co-workers would be able to deal more effectively with a person who shows his/her strengths and weaknesses. Showing one’s true identity is a way of gaining the trust and respect of co-workers. Second, being open encourages a person to share his/her ideas that can be useful in any business organization. A free-flowing stream of ideas would result to sharing of knowledge among co-workers. Finally, being open makes a person more assertive. Knowing when to speak up and what to say is very important in the workplace. A person who is not inhibited would always say what’s in his/her mind at the right time. Another important thing I learned from the presentation is the value of collaboration in the workplace. There is a saying that â€Å"No man is an island† which is very obvious in the workplace. More and better things can be achieved if people work together. Having the same vision would motivate each member of a business organization to always put his/her best foot forward in order to achieve his/her goals. A person who can work independently and is, at the same time, a team player would encourage his/her co-workers to also do their best in whatever they do. 3. Workplace Issues The first issue in the workplace that I’d like to talk about involves age, gender, race, and class. In the workplace, one would find all sorts of people coming from diverse background. The challenge lies in overcoming and looking beyond those differences to ensure smooth and friendly workplace relationships. The issue of race, for instance, is very critical in a globalized workplace. One would find different types of people coming from different cultural backgrounds. It is expected that tolerance to different cultures will be displayed in the workplace. The issue of gender and sexual preferences is another interesting issue that needs to be dealt with proper care. Each person posses a unique view of his/her gender which, in turn, influences his/her psychological, intellectual, and emotional make-up. Respect and tolera nce to every person’s gender in the workplace, therefore, is highly needed. While it is ideal to have a smooth and congenial workplace relationships, various conflicts among co-workers may happen from time to time. The issue of resolving conflicts is another workplace issue that needs attention. Gossips, backstabbing, insubordination, and unethical conduct are some of the reasons that spark workplace conflicts. This leads me to the basic rule that apply in any workplace – respect. If each co-worker would treat others with respect, then some of these conflicts can be

Saudi Arabia. To what extent do non-western approaches in Essay

Saudi Arabia. To what extent do non-western approaches in international relations continue to be marginalized - Essay Example This can be explained by philosophical, religious and social differences between these two different parts of the world. Nevertheless, if there is a clear intention to do business globally, there is a need to penetrate into the depths of the non-western country’s culture and consider the way international relations are reflected in the country. In order to trace the peculiarities of international relations development in a certain country from the non-western world, it is relevant to focus our attention on one particular country. Saudi Arabia is positioned as a country with a strong cultural background and different spheres of human lives and activities are in close relation to the cultural specifics of the country. The Western world hardly accepts Saudi Arabia â€Å"as is† and there is a need to clarify numerous peculiarities of the country in order to reach a harmonious reflection and result in business (Zuhur, 2005). Saudis are on their way to a more open and friendly international relations development. There is a need to implement changes in this country (Idris, 2007, p. 37). It is on behalf of the western partners to respect cultural peculiarities of Saudi Arabia. It is an open road for the foreign business partners to introduce some changes in the Western world’s attitude to Saudi Arabia. From the international perspective, eastern and western countries have come across numerous difficulties in their cooperation because of a lack of a holistic vision of the way to do business. Saudi Arabia is interested in investments and the Western world is on the way of a constant enrichment. So, why not to unite their efforts and cooperate in the name of the world’s society success and enrichment? ... From the international perspective, eastern and western countries have come across numerous difficulties in their cooperation because of a lack of a holistic vision of the way to do business. Saudi Arabia is interested in investments and the Western world is on the way of a constant enrichment. So, why not to unite their efforts and cooperate in the name of the world’s society success and enrichment? Besides investments, Saudi Arabia is looking for a foreign labor force and the country is on the way of development and innovations. It has numerous natural resources, which may be converted into favorable and useful financial gains for the world’s society (Chronology: Saudi Arabia, 2003; 2001). There are great international perspectives for further cooperation between Saudi Arabia and other countries. 2.0 Saudi Arabia: a general overview of culture In order to see the core differences between the western countries and the non-western world, it is relevant to find a root of these differences. The first barrier for this country is their language, because Arabic is wide-spread, but at the same time English plays a great role in this country as well. One can come across Turkish, Urdu and Farsi in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, it is possible to talk about a multilingual nature of the country. This fact may be rather attractive for the international partners. Concerning religion in the country, it is a well-known fact that there are two basic pillars of it in the country: Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad. Saudis are very religious people and that is why those activities, which can be potentially criticized from the perspective of their religion, would be discarded for sure. Moreover, the

Chemistry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 9

Chemistry - Essay Example From this simple story we can see the different states of matter obtained and the different phase changes which occur to matter. Matter is anything that occupies space and has a mass. Matter exists in different states which include: solids, liquids, gases, plasmas and Bose-Einstein condensates. According to the kinetic theory of matter, all matter is made of atoms or molecules which have a motion energy which we perceive as temperature. Atoms and molecules are constantly in motion and the more the energy the matter has the more the molecular movement and consequently a higher temperature. The amount of energy in atoms and molecules influences the intermolecular forces holding them such as hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces and thus the state of matter of a substance. Solids are formed as a result of strong attractive forces which hold the atoms or molecules together. These forces are far much stronger than the forces which are trying to force the atoms apart and thus the individual atoms and molecules are fixed in a position. The atoms and molecules however retain their motion which becomes limited to just vibration. When John was exercising and holding the exercise bikes and rowing machines the amount of energy created during training increases the temperature of the solids (exercise bikes e. t. c.) thus increasing the amount of vibration but because the molecules are locked in place the solids retain a fixed shape and volume. When the temperature of solids increases the movement of individual molecules can increase and will change into liquid. The liquids are normally formed when the energy of a body in solid state increases leading to the breakdown of the forces maintaining its rigid state. Mary’s ice cream for example sometimes turns into liquid as she admires John doing his exercises and forgets her ice cream. As a result of this the molecules in liquids can move past one another although they remain relatively

Tesla Case Study

Tesla Case Study A CASE STUDY ON TESLA MOTORS Cost/Benefit Analysis In business, every decision that has to be made requires thorough evaluation. And one of the most convenient and straightforward methods to do this is through Cost/Benefit Analysis. In CBA, an estimation of the total value of all the benefits of a certain project is compared to that of the value of the costs that are needed in order to realize such project (Watkins, n.d.). In order for the assessor to come up with a better angle of comparison, these values must be expressed into a uniform unit of measurement. Usually, in computing CBA, the values of the cost and benefits are converted into their monetary value. Once all the costs and benefits of the project have been taken into consideration, comparison may be done. If the value of the benefits outweighs that of the costs, it means that the project is a worthwhile endeavour. The next point of evaluation would be the calculation of the break-even point – the time at which the benefits of the project pay off the costs (Hill, 201 2). It would be most preferable to have a shorter payback period. Generally, CBA helps business people to decide whether or not to undertake a particular project. It allows them to frame the best and appropriate project objectives. Furthermore, CBA can be used to prepare the necessary resources as well as develop before and after measures of the project’s success. For example, the move to promote more ecological operations and processes for the company may need a Cost/Benefit analysis to determine the probability of its realization. As the corporate world is becoming more and more aware of the effects of Climate Change, companies are looking to implement environment-friendly practices in their offices. The same holds true for huge manufacturing companies. CBA allows the companies to evaluate probable gains and losses that these actions may bring. Tesla Motors: A Case Study in Environmental Impact Background and Operations of Tesla Motors Leading the advent of a more sustainable transportation system and its innovations, Tesla Motors has established quite a reputation in the automotive industry. Since its establishment in 2003, the company has grown to be the biggest manufacturer of electric cars in the market. It has contributed more than 50,000 cars in roads all over the world as of today (Tesla Motors, n.d.). Its main goal is to create a transportation system that is more environment-friendly and sustainable. Electric cars are charged at home and do not require refuelling of gasoline unlike the cars designed by other manufacturers. Quite expectedly, these zero-emission cars were not easily accepted in the market as they were deemed impractical, not to mention consumers were not really impressed with their rather tacky design. Fortunately, Tesla Motors was able to flip that equation. By releasing their trailblazer electric sports car for the high-end market, the Tesla Roadster, they were able to capture the attention of car enthusiasts and change the face of the green car market. After releasing the Roadster, Tesla pushed for more space in the industry by releasing their luxury sedan, the Tesla Model S in 2012. More and more consumers are looking to buy electric cars because of the innovations that were done by the company. In fact, reservations for their next model releases are already piling up. There is much anticipation for the Tesla Model X and Model 3 releases. How Green is a Tesla Green Car? The very purpose of an electric car is to promote energy innovation; and Tesla Motors’ goal is to achieve this without causing any negative impact on the environment. However, a new technology such as the innovative green car production cannot be made to pass without being thoroughly criticized by the public. Green cars are, by principle, more environment-friendly than the conventional fuel-based cars. The process, by which it is being manufactured, on the other hand, says otherwise. Furthermore, green cars do run on electricity. But, how is electricity being processed? Does it not come from coal and petroleum too? All things considered, is a Tesla green car green after all? The company admits that the degree of being environment-friendly of their cars take the Model S for example, mostly depends on where and how often the car is being driven. In the US, each state has a different mix of energy sources that basically goes into their grid. In other words, a â€Å"cleaner† source of electricity makes a Model S a more environment-friendly car. Generally, it is still cleaner than the internal-combustion design of their competitors in terms of emissions-per-mile; considering the efficiency of battery-powered cars in converting stored energy into a useful form (Oremus, 2013). Tesla Motors and the Campaign for Environmental Sustainability Tesla Motors have established its campaign to promote a greener personal transport system through its electric vehicles; but how does it impact the environment in the industrial context? Are its processes and operations considered as environment-friendly? The company is very much aware of the fact that they are indirectly releasing carbon emissions through power plants – considering that electricity is the main power source of the vehicles. This is the reason why Tesla moves to promote the absolute removal of indirect carbon emissions by using Supercharger Stations that only uses grid electric power from solar panels (Walsh, 2014). Moreover, Tesla is teaming up with SolarCity to provide electric car owners an option to charge their cars using solar panels in their respective homes. This is like hitting two birds with one stone. By eliminating the need for coal-based electricity source, they are indirectly reducing carbon emissions in the atmosphere; and they are promoting the use of renewable energy source at the same time. Tesla is basically solving the world’s dependence on gas. Through their revolutionary innovations in electric vehicle technology, they have addressed an issue that has been thought as an improbability for many years. By making more convenient adjustments in their electric cars, and at the same time proving that electric cars are indeed effective, Tesla has convinced more consumers to patronize their product. The company is winning more and more battles as they advance into bigger ventures. In order to cater to their growing consumer demands, Tesla is building their very first Gigafactory. Panasonic will be a huge investor in this project, along with Tesla’s other major partners. The best thing about this gigafactory is the company’s plan to run it mainly on wind and solar energy. Nevada is the perfect site for the factory because it is where the biggest solar power plant in the world is located. Tesla does not only serve as a leader in electric car technology, it is also becoming a model for other companies to consider more environment-friendly processes. Coal mining and processing has created many environment-related issues and are still causing problems in many places around the world. If Tesla becomes successful in eliminating the need for non-renewable sources of energy in order to generate electricity, it can change the face of the automobile industry forever. Not only will it dramatically reduce the carbon emissions that are released to the atmosphere, it will also eliminate the issues that are brought about by the processing of electricity that is coming from natural resources. Tesla Motors and the Competitive Industry Of course, Tesla Motors is not the only company that has entered the green car market. Even though the industry for green cars is not that big compared to the conventional automobile market, it can be said that competition is not too lax. In fact, Toyota, Ford, Nissan, and Honda are considered as the biggest competitors for Tesla. Audi, Volkswagen, and BMW are looking to join the green car industry soon. And these are pretty huge companies. Can Tesla keep its place in the industry without being squeezed out by giant car manufacturers? What is its competitive advantage? Unlike the rest of the automobile manufacturers, Tesla is 100% in the green car industry. Thus, their focus is only within that market. Research and development is solely dedicated for this purpose, allowing the company to create better innovations. Also, Tesla has about 5-year head start over the other companies. While other companies are still building their green car designs, Tesla is already polishing its own. The future of the automotive industry is leaning towards the utilization of renewable sources of energy. This basically means that other companies who are on the other side of the industry are at a huge disadvantage. Oil is about to run out; but solar power is unlimited. Sooner or later, they will have to shift to a more sustainable source of energy. Tesla Motors and the Future of Green Car Technology At the moment, Tesla’s priority is to maximize its production in order to meet the demands for the Model S and Model X in the market. They are having troubles in meeting customer demands with their very limited production. But the public can rest assured that Tesla will not stop creating better innovations for their products. Once the gigafactory has been installed, Tesla’s next focus will be on the development and improvement of automated driving technology. As a matter of fact, the company’s CEO, Mr. Elon Musk has announced the release of their partially self-driving vehicle by 2017 (Boyadjis, Rassweiler, Brinley, n.d.). As the technology for zero-emission cars progress, the issues regarding the automobile companies’ impact on the environment is being addressed gradually. Someday, there will come a time when vehicles will solely depend on solar power – among other renewable energy sources. It may not totally solve Global warming, but it will help the world get there one step at a time. References Boyadjis,M., Rassweiler,A., Brinley,S. (n.d.). Object moved. Retrieved from https://www.ihs.com/articles/features/tesla-motors.html Hill,R. (2012, September). Attention Required! | CloudFlare. Retrieved from http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_08.htm Oremus,W. (2013, September 9). How green is a Tesla? Electric cars’ environmental impact depends on where you live. Retrieved from http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2013/09/how_green_is_a_tesla_electric_cars_environmental_impact_depends_on_where.html Tesla Motors. (n.d.). About Tesla | Tesla Motors. Retrieved from http://www.teslamotors.com/about Walsh,T. (2014, November 1). Investing in Socially Responsible Companies: Tesla Motors Inc. Retrieved from http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/11/01/investing-in-socially-responsible-companies-tesl-2.aspx Watkins,T. (n.d.). An Introduction to Cost Benefit Analysis. Retrieved from http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/cba.htm

Use of DNA in Criminal Investigations Essay examples -- DNA Forensics

Before the 1980s, courts relied on testimony and eyewitness accounts as a main source of evidence. Notoriously unreliable, these techniques have since faded away to the stunning reliability of DNA forensics. In 1984, British geneticist Alec Jeffreys of the University of Leicester discovered an interesting new marker in the human genome. Most DNA information is the same in every human, but the junk code between genes is unique to every person. Junk DNA used for investigative purposes can be found in blood, saliva, perspiration, sexual fluid, skin tissue, bone marrow, dental pulp, and hair follicles (Butler, 2011). By analyzing this junk code, Jeffreys found certain sequences of 10 to 100 base pairs repeated multiple times. These tandem repeats are also the same for all people, but the number of repetitions is highly variable. Before this discovery, a drop of blood at a crime scene could only reveal a person’s blood type, plus a few proteins unique to certain people. Now DNA for ensics can expose a person’s gender, race, susceptibility to diseases, and even propensity for high aggression or drug abuse (Butler, 2011). More importantly, the certainty of DNA evidence is extremely powerful in court. Astounded at this technology’s almost perfect accuracy, the FBI changed the name of its Serology Unit to the DNA Analysis Unit in 1988 when they began accepting requests for DNA comparisons (Using DNA to Solve Crimes, 2014). There are thirteen standard tandem repeats used in modern forensics, and together these sequences create a DNA profile. Except in the case of identical twins, the probability that two people have the same genetic code at all thirteen core loci is less than one in one trillion (Jones, 2004). Investigators compare these... ...d Beyond." Forensic Magazine. Web. 29 May 2015. http://www.forensicmag.com/article/dna-forensics-rflp-pcr-str-and-beyond (Fall 2004). "Using DNA to Solve Crimes." U.S. Department of Justice: National Institute of Justice. (September 9, 2014). Web. 29 May 2015. http://www.justice.gov/ag/advancing-justice-through-dna-technology-using-dna-solve-crimes Sachs, Jessica Snyder. DNA AND A NEW KIND OF RACIAL PROFILING. 2004 http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2004-06/dna-and-new-kind-racial-profiling H.M. Wallace, A.R. Jacksona, J. Gruberb, A.D. Thibedeaub. Forensic DNA databases–Ethical and legal standards, ScienceDirec, 2014. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090536X14000239 Westphal, Sylvia Pagà ¡n. DNA profiles link dope to its source. Daily News, 2003 https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3919-dna-profiles-link-dope-to-its-source/

Biology Microarray Lab report Essay

The analysis of DNA using the microarray technique has become one of the most significant methods in the area of research genetics. This technique falls under the area of gene expression profiling. Most of the time, this procedure is applied by scientists in the effort to investigate a wide range of conditions. This is because experimental procedures cam be performed on numerous genes at the same time. They include researches on cancer to finding numerous solutions to the problems that are presented by pests. With this advancement an opportunity has been offered for the performance of personal DNA microarray experiments. Among the basis of such experiments is the determination between healthy cells and the cancer cells. Based on the complexity of the microarray experiments, it is vital that all scientists obtain a solid understanding on the DNA basics as well as the way through which genes express themselves. DNA microarrays have been used in the extensive survey of the relative transcription in any gene within a genome. Most of the cancer cells in human beings are found within the developing nerves. Howevber, they do not allow the complete quantification level of gene expression. Moreover, the DNA chips do not make it possible to determine the amount of mRNA produced from a relative sample with that produced from the control population. As such, it can be used to compare the rate of gene expression in a lung cell with cancer and a helthy lung cell. Therefore, the main goal of this practival test is to ptovide a way to understand how microarrays are used tostudy the gene expressions. It allows the investigators to determine the level of gene activity for a complete gene. As such, they make it easier to diagnose various diseases that injmclude cancer. Two main steps will be involved in the performance of the microarray lab experiments. These include the prehybridization and the hybridization steps. These are conducted through a number of 7 mini steps. They will involve the collection of the tissue or sample, the isolation of the RNA, isolation of the mRNA, creation of a labelled DNA copy, application off DNA, scanning of a microarray and the analysis of data (Campbell et al., 333). Different pH indicators that are colorless at neutral and colored at high pH of above 10 will be applied. They will be mixed with molten Agarose; this includes Madison, Promega, WI and V312A. It will later be allowed to cool. They could also be placed in a hot bath of 650 and kept molten. They will be melted if to be used days later. Pipettes will be used to apply the DNA onto the slides. Collection of mRNA The plate will be incubated for 5 minutes to allow for the release of mRNA. It will then pipetted in a Tri reagent for extraction. 80 uL of chloroform will subsequently be added and shaken vigorously then centrifuged to separate the cells into layers. 2 ml isopropanol will be added, the mixture centrifuged and the supernatant poured off. After this, the preparation of the RNA for spec by will be done by adding Agarose gel. The pre-hybridization steps will involve the preparation of stocks and obtaining of the microarray slide and steaming it on a hot plate for between 30 seconds and 1 minute. It will then be cooled at room temperature. It is important to warm the solution in case there are any crystals. The two slides can then be treated back to back and dipped in distilled water severally; it will be dried and spun for 2-3 minutes in a centrifuge. The slide is then hybridized by placing in a clean 50ml tube in a heated incubator. A coverslip is prepared by dipping into 0.2%SDS, then water. Blot, dry and continue to the hybridization step (Campbell et al., 338). Hybridization It includes the hybridization of the DNA chip using 3DNA array 350 protocol. Chips containing 70mer oligos and 2 copies of the known cDNAs in the human genome are used. This should be done at least 24 hours before the experiment. Make the solution only when it is ready for use. It is mainly 0.1M NaOH. The first step includes thawing vial at 7.2X. Make the hybridization solution with 50 ul total to fit across the cover slip. Incubate it at 800 for ten minutes. The entire 58 ul is then transferred on the microarray and the short edge of the cover slip placed on the short edge of the slide, which is then transferred to a 50 ml tube. The arrays after washing 2 must be read immediately since the color of the chips goes bad quickly (Kushner 1-5). References Campbell, A., Malcolm, Zanta, A., Carolyn, Heyer, J. Laurie, Kittinger,Ben, Gabric, M.Kathleen and Adler, Leslie. DNA Microarray Wet Lab Simulation Brings Genomics intothe High School Curriculum. CBE Life Science Education. 2006 Winter; 5(4): 332–339. Kushner, B. David. DNA Microarrays in the Undergraduate Microbiology Lab: Experimentationand Handling Large Datasets in as Few as Six Weeks. Journal of microbiology andbiology education, 2007. Vol. 8 Source document

Fireside Chats, Roosevelts Radio Appeals to Ordinary Americans

Fireside Chats, Roosevelt's Radio Appeals to Ordinary Americans The fireside chats were a series of 30 addresses by President Franklin D. Roosevelt broadcast nationwide on radio in the 1930s and 1940s. Roosevelt was not the first president to be heard on the radio, but the way he used the medium marked a significant change in the way presidents communicate with the American public. Key Takeaways: Fireside Chats Fireside chats were a series of 30 radio broadcasts by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which he used to explain or promote a specific government action.Millions of Americans tuned in to the broadcasts, yet listeners could feel the president was talking directly to them.Roosevelts innovative use of radio influenced future presidents, who also embraced broadcasting. Direct communication with the public became a standard in American politics. Early Broadcasts The political rise of Franklin Roosevelt coincided with the growing popularity of radio. A speech Roosevelt delivered at the Democratic National Convention was broadcast in 1924. He also used the radio to speak to his constituents when he served as governor of New York. Roosevelt seemed to sense that radio had a special quality, as it could reach millions of listeners, yet for each individual listener the broadcast could be a personal experience. When Roosevelt became president in March 1933, America was in the depths of the Great Depression. Drastic action needed to be taken. Roosevelt quickly embarked on a program to rescue the nations banking system. His plan included instituting the Bank Holiday: closing all banks to prevent runs on cash reserves. To gain public support for this drastic measure, Roosevelt felt he needed to explain the problem and his solution. On the evening of Sunday, March 12, 1933, only a week after his inauguration, Roosevelt took to the airwaves. He began the broadcast by saying, I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking... In a concise speech of less than 15 minutes, Roosevelt explained his program for reforming the banking industry and asked for the publics cooperation. His approach was successful. When most of the countrys banks opened the following morning, the words heard in American living rooms from the White House helped restore confidence in the nations financial system. President Roosevelt delivering an early Fireside Chat. Getty Images   The Depression Broadcasts Eight weeks later, Roosevelt delivered another Sunday night address to the nation. The topic, again, was financial policy. The second speech was also considered a success, and it had a distinction: a radio executive, Harry M. Butcher of the CBS network, called it a Fireside Chat in a press release. The name stuck, and eventually Roosevelt began using it himself. Roosevelt continued to give fireside chats, usually from the Diplomatic Reception Room on the first floor of the White House, though they were not a common occurrence. He broadcast a third time in 1933, in October, but in later years the pace slowed down, sometimes to just one broadcast per year. (However, Roosevelt could still be heard regularly on the radio through broadcasts of his public speeches and events.) The fireside chats of the 1930s covered various aspects of domestic policy. By late 1937, the impact of the broadcasts seemed to decline. Arthur Krock, the influential political columnist of the New York Times, wrote following a fireside chat in October 1937 that the president didnt seem to have much new to say. After his June 24, 1938, broadcast, Roosevelt had delivered 13 fireside chats, all on domestic policies. More than a year went by without him giving another one. President Roosevelt during a wartime Fireside Chat. Getty Images Preparing the Nation for War With the fireside chat of September 3, 1939, Roosevelt brought back the familiar format, but with an important new topic: the war that had broken out in Europe. The remainder of his fireside chats dealt mainly with foreign policy or domestic conditions as they were impacted by Americas involvement in World War II. In his third wartime fireside chat, broadcast on December 29, 1940, Roosevelt coined the term Arsenal of Democracy. He advocated that Americans should provide weapons to help the British fight the Nazi threat. During a December 9, 1941 fireside chat, two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt prepared the nation for war. The pace of the broadcasts accelerated: Roosevelt gave four fireside chats per year in 1942 and 1943, and three in 1944. The fireside chats came to an end in the summer of 1944, perhaps because news of the progress of the war already dominated the airwaves and Roosevelt had no need to advocate for new programs. Legacy of the Fireside Chats The fireside chat broadcasts between 1933 and 1944 were often politically important, delivered to advocate for or explain particular programs. Over time they became symbolic of an era when the United States navigated two monumental crises, the Great Depression and World War II. Roosevelts distinctive voice became very familiar to most Americans. And his willingness to speak directly to the American people became a feature of the presidency. Presidents following Roosevelt could not be remote figures whose words reached most people only in print. After Roosevelt, being an effective communicator over the airwaves became an essential presidential skill, and the concept of a president delivering a speech broadcast from the White House on important topics became standard in American politics. Of course, communication with voters continues to evolve. As a January 2019 article in The Atlantic put it, Instagram videos are the new fireside chat. Sources Levy, David W. Fireside Chats.  Encyclopedia of the Great Depression, edited by Robert S. McElvaine, vol. 1, Macmillan Reference USA, 2004, pp. 362-364.  Gale Virtual Reference Library.Krock, Arthur. In Washington: A Change In Tempo of Fireside Chats. New York Times, 14 October 1937, p 24.Roosevelt, Franklin D.  Great Depression and the New Deal Reference Library, edited by Allison McNeill, et al., vol. 3: Primary Sources, UXL, 2003, pp. 35-44.  Gale Virtual Reference Library.

An analysis of challenges faced by the banking sector The WritePass Journal

An analysis of challenges faced by the banking sector Introduction An analysis of challenges faced by the banking sector IntroductionChallenges for Survival based in different factors of Environment ConclusionRelated Introduction Developed and developing economies depend on banking sector for all the financial transactions, be it government or corporate or even citizen. Banking sectors of many developing countries was recently liberalised. One such country is India. The Indian liberalisation took place due to the ineffectiveness of the banking sector. The liberalisation leads to cut throat competition. India has a huge population and the massive development results in opportunity. In order to compete and survive in this competition there is a need for a strong concrete base with loyal customers. This group of customers can be gained through retention programs. Customer retention in Indian banking sector is proving vital with time. There are recent problems like the financial recession, where the banks can rely only on these customers. Many banks in the Indian sector have already experienced the importance of customer retention and are improving in the customer retention activities by increased investments. Ba nk of India was the 1st bank to introduce the 1st online banking facility to more than 100-Thousand customers. The most important factor of any firm is the customer. Without customers, a firm cannot do business, as they are the end users of the products. Peter Drucker in his book The Practice of Management has stated that, ‘the customer is the force who decides the business, the production, and the profitability of the firm (Parasuraman et al., 2006). In today’s world customers are regarded as the king with the status equal to The God. They are not just local but they are all over the world. Banking companies in this era do not just concentrate on the local or host country markets but also the cross border business. For instance ICICI has 25% of its investors who are NRI (ICICI Bank Ltd., 1999). This revolution is due to the major change and development in the field of communication, technologies, privatisation and deregulations in the economies.   As a result of this there is a creation of new market and also rise to competition. The competition is intense even for the survival, and this can be met up by only having good customer relationship. The work does not stop at acquiring customers. The real efforts starts after the customer has been acquired, it is crucial for a company to offer them unique products and maintain a friendly relationship and proper communication channel with the customers in order to make sure that the business is not lost. A healthy and long term business relation will provide a great benefit to banks. It is less costly to maintain any relationship with any existing customer. At the same time, a loyal customer will also gain much more benefits in return such as low rate of interest on loans and credit cards. Businesses use the tool of CRM (Customer Relationship Management) to retain their customers in today’s business. According to Bejou et al, CRM is a process in which companies identify its profitable customers and then shapes its interaction with the customers in a way that increases the current and future prospective of business. (Bejou et al., 2006). The Banking sector is facing rapid changes as a result of the economic reform brought about by the Government of India a decade ago (Kamath et al., 2003). This reform is a result of inefficient way of working in the banking systems (Turner and Arun, 2003). As a result of this everything in relation to banking is changing, right from the ownership patterns, the funding its cost and availability to the prospects of earning. There is a big change in the type of services offered. The reform program also includes the implementation of a prudential approach to bank regulation, which focuses on minimum capital adequacy requirements and supervisory control via on-site and offsite monitoring (Turner and Arun, 2003). Thus there is a feel of control of power, this is a post-modernist view. Apart from all these the banking regulators in India are struggling not because of the slow failure of Indian banks but also due to the rapid growth of the sector. As there is a rapid growth in the Indian ban ks lending pattern. Apart from this there is a continued increase in the consumer credit card sector. The growth of the Indian companies, their expansion and overseas acquisition is resulting in the rapid growth of corporate banking. The next section is the investment banking which is also increasing at a higher pace. These things are resulting in more and more demand for banking products. Banks like ICICI has been growing at very rapid face. Its profit growth in the year ended March 2007 is 22% (Bukoveczky, 2007). There is massive change in this sector in regards to the development caused due to the change or advancement of technology, which has also erased the traditional boundaries of banking and also increased the business geographically. For instance, due to the net banking facilities a customer can view and print its account statement at home and also transfer the money at the same time. There is no need to physically go at the bank. Not only the companies but also the governments are seeking better banking services for their organisational efficiency. SBI has the largest ATM machines; in 1994 it had 200 which rose to 3400 in 2004 (Joydeep and Renny, 2005). The change in the income levels and the cultural change, in regards to westernised lifestyle are increasing day by day. Indian consumers seek more and more finance and are generate more asset creation. This has lead to massive growth in the Indian retail-banking sector. The backbone to serve all these segment of customers is a strong b ack up of technologies. This offers the bank convenience in managing the retail, corporate and government clients efficiently and effectively (Kamath et al., 2003). In some Indian commercial banks like ICICI, Bank of India the stress is more on relationship building with the existing customers. Bank of India advertises as their main mission is to build relationship beyond banking (Bank of India, 2003). Thus in this excessive competition in the banking sector is seen increasing day by day with the advent of various foreign banks like the Duetche, Barclays have brought about a revolution in the customer service, since then not only creation of customer but also retention of customer through customer relationship models have taken pace (Sureshchander, Rajendran and Anantharaman, 2003). Customer retention is a structure of act ions carried out by a firm to augment their process, depending upon the positive position of the customers that result in success through customer purchase. Another definition for customer retentions stresses more on the firm’s commitment in case of customer retention. The companies’ processes should enhance, the constructive outline to shape the behaviour of the customers with the existing pat terns keeping the future objectives of the customers mind set of business with the firm. This is to establish the future relationship with the customer. The banking growth became the heart of the economical growth in India (Prasad, Bhide and Ghosh, 2002).These reform brought a massive growth in this sector and also increased the competition by two fold, this has also brought about a huge pressure to the Indian banking sector (Pauchant and Roux-Dufort, 1993). Challenges for Survival based in different factors of Environment Each bank need’s to provide something which is unique to its customer, so that the customer expectation can be full filled. It’s very important for a bank to keep a continues update in their technology. This will help to retain the old customer at the same time attract and upgrade new customers. With the help of new companies which deal in keeping a track and data base of customers, banks can always take advantages. They can use such technology to keep in touch with the customers and help them to achieve satisfaction. Finlay this is what a bank has to deal with. This will help the bank to retain the customer and achieve huge profit at the same time it helps to get new customers with the help of referring.   With the use of technology such as Telecom and Internet Access the world is becoming a smaller place to live in, which results in tuff competition. Work done by Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and berry between 1985 – 1988 gave us a new tool called SERVQUAL which giv es us an exact graph of what a customer expectation of performance and what has been delivered to them (Parasuraman, Berry and Zeithaml, 1991). Economic and Market plays a key role in making the profit for the bank. There is a direct pressure on the margin of profit due to ever increasing competitor in the market who may have a strong base in other country and strong brand name also. For instance HSBC and Barclays have strong base in Asia and Europe respectively, thus when they had entered in India they had kept very low margin of profit to cut out competition and enter the market. This move has helped them to grow the customer’s up to 120% from 2000 to 2010.   This is causing a bad strain on tradition banks that are located within India’s geographical boundaries. To react this, now days Indian banks are opening their branches in abroad market like China, Japan, Hong Kong, UK, USA, Canada and other countries. These banks have now reengineered there way of process and have reduced the cost of operation with the use of technology (Howcroft and Durkin, 2003).   A drastic reduction of transaction cost has press ured old traditional banks to undergo a change which also deals in ownership of the banks. (Prasad, Bhide and Ghosh, 2002). Economic deregulation in economy has caused free way for banks. Now the other main drawback in traditional Indian banking sector is due to the ownership Government of India owes the most part of banking sector. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (1993) argues that government ownership of a bank has the potential to alter the strategies and objectives of the bank as well as the internal structure of governance (Basel Committe on Banking Supervision, 1999). It is suggested that the development of banks can be done by divestment practices in Indian banking sector. (Turner and Arun, 2003). Every bank’s need to always consider the important of market they dealing in. For instance, Indian customers always want to get higher interest rate in there saving account. As a result bank has to compete against each other in this. Whereas, westerners want better service management instead of higher interest rate. The Customer data collection plays a significant role in regards to privacy of the customer. International difference in legal framework are a great challenge and treat for global companies seeking to use CRM to tailor and alter the products as per each customer (McKenzie, 2002).The firms in India don’t feel comfortable in exchanging the customer data with other companies. Where as in US, firm have considerable latitude to collect, store and even exchange sell and buy data on individual customers. The use of direct marketing in USA sometime selling of data can cause a huge penalty (Petter and Rogers, 1993).According to most modernist authors, the legal framework has some limitation’s to the working of the society. Though Indian banking is subjective to sever criticism for its high amount of bad debts and low profit, against this is the glittering contribution to the development and diversification in Indian economy which is witness in the last 3 decade (Prasad, 1997). B anking is no longer regarded as a business dealing with money transactions alone, but it’s regarded as a business related to information on financial transaction (Padwal, 1995). Although the Reserve Bank of India, the country’s central regulatory is trying to ease the legal frame work and is moving towards liberalization and globalization thus helping the nationalized banks to compete against the new foreign banks in the country (Angur, Nataraajan and Jahera, 1997). Conclusion The role of society plays an important role in working of the firm. Different value system such as culture, language, religion plays a significant role in person’s life style and habit. For instance in Islam, excepting any type of interest in form of money is banned under the religious law. As a result bank, have to keep in mind such a strong point. In India, majority of the people believe in keeping money at their home, and if want to keep it in the banks they will always prefer nationalized banks. This could lead to strong competition and can cause a major failure also.