Public Affairs and relgious beliefs Research Paper

Public Affairs and relgious beliefs - Research Paper Example ever, there are a number of other smaller religions that are formed as a result of differences of beliefs concerning the doctrine of the major religions and thus, a sect of people break away from the main religion to start their small religion. Basically, religious beliefs are founded on faith of certain doctrines as taught by the respective religions so the believers of those doctrines are supposed to believe the teachings as they are without much questioning. For instance, religion has greatly contributed to the spread of HIV and AIDS. Some religions for example Catholics discourage the use of condoms hence its follows can engage in unsafe sex contributing to the spread of the pandemic (Apostolidis & Juliet, 2004). Also some of the Africa beliefs provided for the use of one surgical instrument when performing circumcision hence a risk in the spread of HIV and AIDS. Christian teachings tend to brain wash people into a certain school of thought in whom they cannot easily get themselves out of since they are bond by doctrines which they are supposed to follow to the letter without questioning their legitimacy or logic (Apostolidis & Juliet, 2004). Religion is a major impediment when it comes to solving social affairs in the public arena. For instance, politicians who are majorly the policy makers in countries will be limited to the scope of issues they will discuss and polices that will be formulated since is one is strongly affiliated to a certain religion the doctrines to that religion will in most of the time coincide with the policies being formulated thus, creating a deadlock of whether to adhere to religious teachings and doctrine or formulate polices that are against the religious teachings but for the common good of the general public. The utilitarian theory advocates for something to be regarded as ethically correct it has to be done so that benefit is for the greatest number of people. Thus, religion should not act as opium that impedes service delivery

The Oruro Mask Dance Essay Example for Free

The Oruro Mask Dance Essay Culture is usually expressed through different mediums. Values, beliefs, and aspirations of a particular group of people are imbibed in culture. Thus, in order for these cultural traits to be represented in what social scientists call â€Å"the world of cultural relativism†, people express it through rituals, dances, and songs. Generally, these mediums are called â€Å"festivals. † Here in Bolivia, specifically, in Oruro, Santa Cruz, the Oruro Devil Dance is a famous festival. Eight days before the Ash Wednesday, people gather around the town’s plaza to perform a beautiful devil dance or diablada in Spanish (Hamre 1). The devil dance is a commemoration of our ancestors prior to the coming of the Spaniards; a sort of tribute to the dead. The escolas de samba chooses a new theme each year. These themes have one direction: they ought to relive the days of our ancestors. For one, our commemoration of the dead is a symbolic gesture of respect and magnanimity to the dead. Also, we recognize the efforts made by our ancestors in fighting foreigners. Their blood was spilled in the country in order to protect it from invaders. Thus, even with the prohibition of Spanish colonial officials from celebrating this dance, our forefathers danced it in the mountains, far from the contours of civilization. As one may note, diablada survived almost unchanged for many centuries. We, the Bolivians, are also proud of the colorful features of the mask dance. Hundreds of devils in monstrous costumes can be seen in the streets of the town. Some masks are heavy and to an American viewer â€Å"scary. † Other masks have bulging eyes and long hairs, just like the characteristics of the devil in Hollywood movies. I especially like devil masks wearing sparkling breastplates and golden spurs. Some masks are really light, connotative of the â€Å"spiritual origin† of devils. The devil dance is supplemented by a pacifying, rhythmic music from brass bands, pipers, and drummers. The colorful image of the festival as well as its solemn dedication to our ancestors makes it my favorite holiday here in Bolivia. Then the noise in the festival becomes loud and frenzied. Out of the devil dancers comes China Supay (Hamre 1). She is the devil’s wife who performs a seductive dance to attract the Archangel Michael. By the way, this dance was modified by the Spaniards to suit the predominant religion of Bolivia (Roman Catholicism). Then, members of workers’ unions carry small symbols of their union. This is done to show their support for the festival. Dancers in Inca costumes, with headdresses and symbols of the sun and moon on their chests, dance with the dancers dressed as black slaves. These slaves were imported to Bolivia by the Spaniards from West Africa to work in silver mines (operated by the colonial government). Then, family members appear. They are led by matriarchs dressed in yellow. The man of the household appears first (in red dress); then the daughters (in green dress). After which, the families go to the football stadium. Here the next celebrations take place. In the stadium, two plays are conducted (Hamre 1). The first play is about the conquest of Bolivia by the Spanish conquistadores. The second is about the victory of the Archangel Michael against the devil and the Seven Deadly Sins. Michael’s flaming sword is emphasized as the sword of light bound to defeat evil for all eternity. Then, the singing of the song of the Patron Saint of the Miners becomes the next event. They are also expressed in dance using a Quecha hymn. The purpose of the plays is very clear. The plays are a protest to the abuse of Spanish officials and clergy during colonial Bolivia. Although the festival is mixed with Christian tales and concepts, it still adheres to the pre-colonial ceremony of giving gratitude to the dead and the mother earth Pachamama (Hamre 1). The struggle of good and evil are emphasized and made clear through the actions of early Catholic priests pacifying an â€Å"already civilized† nation. Thus, it can be said that the mask festival, specifically the devil dance, is a characterization of our nation’s history. Such history is, of course, characterized by the struggle of good (justice) and evil (injustice by colonizers). The triumph of good signifies the break of our country from the bonds of colonialism, and its entrance to a new hope (the hope that the good will reign in the future). For days, the celebration of the carnival continues. The diablada dancers break into smaller group. Usually, huge bonfires are set to characterize the spiritual and physical unity of the country. Processions are then made and the church becomes a refuge for the homeless. Then, men from different families jointly consume large amounts of Bolivian beer and the very potent chicha (Hamre 1). Chicha is derived from fermented cereals and corn and liquefied in high temperature areas. Usually as the celebration ends, many people sleep in doorways. Others fall (because of drunkenness) sleep in the town’s plaza. The mask festival, most especially the devil dance, is my favorite festival among the festivals in both Bolivia and the United States. One reason is the character of the festival’s message. The redemption of humanity (a Christian concept) from evil is likened to the separation of Bolivia from Spanish rule. This festival presents the history of our country as it both experienced oppression and hope. My next reason has something to do with culture. Among all the festivals celebrated in our country, the mask dance is the most comprehensive; that is, it establishes the full personality of Bolivia. Note that in my description, the mask festival does not focus on one character of a Bolivian; rather it draws from past historical experiences to highlight the full character of a Bolivian. For example, Bolivians are known for being hospitable and diplomatic. This is shown in the mixed dance of the devil dancers with the Incas (a sign of friendship). This festival is really the life and character of my country, Bolivia. Works Cited Devil Dance. (2007). Encyclopaedia Britannica Online. 30 October 2007 from http://www. britannica. com/eb/article-77638/Native-American-arts (accessed). Hamre, Bonnie. (2007). Oruros Devil Dance is unforgettable. 30 October 2007 from http://gosouthamerica. about. com/cs/southamerica/a/Carnaval_3. htm (accessed). Oruro Carnival. (2007). New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. 30 October 2007 from http://www. carnavalexhibit. org/bolivia. php (accessed).

Terry McMillans Women Essay -- Biography Biographies Essays

Terry McMillan's Women      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Terry McMillan grabs her audience's attention by filling her books with romance, tension, and sex:   "...it's the roiling currents among family, friends and lovers that McMillan is most comfortable writing about" (Skow 77).   Her customary characters are strong African-American women who are well off; many have jobs, families, and security.   Although these women seemingly have all these necessities, they long for more.   As they experience life, they embark on an "eternal search for connection" (Donahue n. pag.).   They create bonds with friends, siblings and children, but, above all, McMillan stresses their relationships with men.   McMillan's maincharacters need these close ties to other people to survive and be happy. Women depend on other women in each book.   Friends and sisters help fill a void by   giving and needing support, but these relationships fulfill only part of the connection they long for.   In Waiting to Exhale the bonds between four women are solid.   They support one another during rough times with men, husbands, jobs and all the obstacles life has to offer. In Disappearing Acts Zora can always get advice and support from her three friends with dilemmas such as pregnancy, epilepsy, and obsesity.   Stella receives coaching and reassurance from her sisters in How Stella Got her Groove Back. Although close friends strengthen one against the troublesome events in life and provide a release for the protagonists' thoughts, they have their drawbacks.   Friends need attention and support of their own.   In many instances all that they can offer is their judgment and criticism.   Portia, one of Zora's close friends in Disappearing Acts, explains the need for independence from advice by sa... ...e between reliance on others to make one happy and one's own efforts for self-fulfillment. Works Cited Donahue, Deirdre. "McMillan Slips into a Vivid, One-Note 'Groove'."   USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life /enter/books/leb353.htm   (28 April 1999). McMillan, Terry. Disappearing Acts. New York: Pocket Books, 1989. _____. How Stella Got Her Groove Back. New York: Signet, 1996. _____. "Ma'Dear." National Endowment for the Arts. http://arts.endow.gov/explore.Writers/Terry.html (22 May 1999). _____. Waiting to Exhale. New York: Viking, 1992. Porter, Evette.   "My Novel, My Self."   Village Voice.   May 21, 1996 Randolph, Laura B. "Me As I Wanna Be (Or How To Get Your Groove Back)." Ebony. May 1993, 20. Skow, John.   "Some Groove." Time.   May 6, 1996, 77. Wilkerson, Isabel. "On Top of the World." Essence. June 1996, 50.

A Comparison of W.K Clifford and William James’s Arguments

Clifford and James Summaries of W. K. Clifford and William James’s arguments for belief | In this paper, I hope to effectively summarize W. K Clifford’s (1879) argument on the ethics of belief, followed by a summary of William James’ (1897) argument on the right to believe, and finally, provide an argument for why W. K Clifford’s (1879) argument is stronger by highlighting its strengths while simultaneously arguing against William James’ (1897) argument. According to Clifford (1879), there is an ethics to belief that makes it always wrong for anyone to believe anything on insufficient evidence.Clifford (1879) begins his paper by providing an illustrative analogy – one where a ship-owner is preparing to send to sea a ship filled with innocent men, women, and children. Prior to its departure, doubts had been brought to his attention regarding its condition and the possibility of a failure to complete the voyage. The ship-owner, now in a dilemma , successfully convinces himself that because the ship had weathered so many storms and successfully completed so many voyages, it was fit to believe that the ship was fit to sail.He acquired a sincere belief that the ship would successfully complete the voyage despite its apparent faults. Eventually, the ship sank. Clifford (1879) argues that the ship-owner is responsible for the death of those innocent men and women – not only did the ship-owner ignore the doubts regarding the ship’s capabilities, but he acquired a false belief by simply stifling his doubts. Yes, he felt sure about the ship’s capabilities; but, he only acquired such a conviction by allowing himself to believe it, and not based on sufficient evidence.Clifford (1879) also argues that in the event the ship had not sank and had completed the voyage, the ship-owner â€Å"would not have been innocent, he would only have been not found out. † (498) In essence, Clifford (1879) argues that the o utcome has no effect since the origin of his belief was flawed and based on whims rather than evidence. In another analogy where a group of men are accused for manipulating children, Clifford (1879) argues that those who accused the innocence of the men based on self-propagated beliefs are not â€Å"honourable men,† (499) regardless of whether the accused were guilty.He illustrated the ideology that no accusation can be made unless there is sufficient evidence to supplement it; if sufficient evidence cannot be found, then the individual loses the right to believe that certain belief, as he will harm himself and humanity. Clifford (1879) argues it is right and necessary to examine evidence on both sides of any belief with patience and care. Right, because when a man is so consumed by a belief so as to not entertain other grounds, he can still choose the action stemming from that belief – thus, he has a duty to investigate â€Å"on the ground of the strength of his conv ictions. (499) And necessary, because those who become consumed by their self-sponsored beliefs must have a rule to deal with actions stemming from those beliefs. Clifford (1879) argues no one belief is isolated from the action that follows, and no belief is ever truly insignificant. No individual can judge the validity of his beliefs in an unbiased manner; thus, the actions following beliefs, regardless of being true or false, can have strong implications on our future if not corrected now. Clifford (1879) argues it is essential to continuously judge our beliefs and validate them based on sufficient evidence.Finally, Clifford (1879) argues our beliefs are not personal property; rather, â€Å"our words, our phrases and processes and modes of thought are common property. Belief†¦ is ours not for ourselves, but for humanity. † (500) Because our actions – which stem from our beliefs – affect those around us, Clifford (1879) deems it a universal duty to constan tly doubt our closely held beliefs. Although â€Å"we naturally do not like to find that we are really ignorant and powerless,† (500) Clifford argues it would be a crime and a sin on humanity to acquire a sense of power when the belief has not been sufficiently investigated and earned.Clifford (1879) is a strong proponent of proof-based beliefs and of the continuous criticism of beliefs held backed by loose evidence. In order to advance as a fair and just society, our beliefs must be evaluated and supported by evidence which is fair and just, and not by apparent truisms which satisfy our personal power struggles, insecurities, and lack of interest. William James (1897), on the other hand, attempts to define the permissible cases in which it is intellectually respectable to believe without sufficient evidence.James (1897) begins by providing three criterion for judging beliefs: either beliefs are 1) living or dead; 2) forced or avoidable; or 3) momentous or trivial. A live hyp othesis is one where the hypothesis appeals to the existing beliefs of the individual; a forced hypothesis is one where one must choose between alternatives, and cannot proceed without doing so; and finally, a momentous hypothesis is one where there is a lot at stake and/or when the decision is irreversible. James(1897) argues that certain actions and convictions need pre-existing beliefs which do not require sufficient evidence.He uses Pascal’s Wager as an example – James (1897) argues Pascal’s Wager may force individuals in choosing to either believe in God or not, regardless of there being sufficient evidence to prove the existence of the former or latter. However, James (1897) argues that different propositions hold varying meanings and importance to different individuals; it is individuals’ pre-existing beliefs which form future beliefs once further information is received. James (1897) acknowledges the fact that many beliefs are pre-supposed and wit hout sufficient evidence.To challenge Clifford (1879), he says â€Å"our belief in truth itself†¦ that there is a truth†¦ what is it but a passionate affirmation of desire,† (505) effectively questioning Clifford’s (1879) double-standard; if Clifford (1879) requires sufficient evidence for beliefs, where is the sufficient evidence to support the belief of truth held by scientists and philosophers alike? Then, James (1897) extends the argument to say we want to have a truth – it is our will which pushes us to believe in a truth and â€Å"puts us in a continually better and better position towards it. (505) In discussing telepathy, James claims scientists do not want to consider the evidence for telepathy because â€Å"they think†¦ that even if such a thing were true, scientists ought to band together to keep it suppressed†¦ It would undo the uniformity of Nature and all sorts of other things without which scientists cannot carry on their pur suits. † (505) James argues that â€Å"[the] very law which the logicians impose upon us†¦ is based on nothing but their own natural wish to exclude all elements for which they†¦ an find no use. † (506) Thus, James effectively argues that even the scientists’ passionate convictions and prejudices form their beliefs, as we see in the case of telepathic research. Finally, in this section, James (1897) argues such behaviour re-inforces Pascal’s Wager – a pre-existing belief can generate further beliefs, and that logic alone is not enough. Then, James (1897) takes two approaches in looking at the â€Å"duties† in matters of opinion – that we must know the truth, and we must avoid error.James (1897) argues it is impractical and unrealistic to know the truth while simultaneously avoiding error; â€Å"it hardly ever happens that by merely disbelieving B we necessarily believe A. We may in escaping B fall into believing other falseh oods, C or D, just as bad as B,† (506) says James (1897). Then, James (1897) argues that the risk of being wrong or in error is trivial compared to the possibility of stumbling upon real knowledge and of â€Å"indefinitely guessing true. † (506) In his opinion, it is better to continue to guess or hope for the truth than to continuously deny certain beliefs until sufficient evidence surfaces.He believes it is better to be light-hearted in the regard of accepting certain beliefs than to constantly question and doubt. James (1897) argues that in most matters, the decision to choose between various options is not so momentous and urgent that a false belief to act on is better than no belief at all. He says â€Å"seldom is there any such a hurry†¦ that the risks of being duped by believed a premature theory need be faced. † (507) James (1897) then goes on to state that modern science’s â€Å"nervousness† and yearning to technically verifying the tr uth may â€Å"cease her to care for truth by itself at all. (507) In extending this argument, he states that although technical evidence is strong and important, human passions are stronger. He then poses his final question – that of weighing the perils and benefits of waiting with â€Å"impunity† until the sufficient evidence is found. In essence, he asks if there are forced options in man’s already speculative questions, and whether it is wise to continue to wait until â€Å"sufficient† evidence arrives. In leading up to his conclusion, James (1897) argues that the desire for a certain truth can help bring about its existence; so, desire or the will to discover a fact can help create the fact.He infers this to mean that the beliefs conjured and held by our passionate minds may prove to be instrumental in providing the sufficient evidence to justify those beliefs. In conclusion, James (1897) argues that because religion is forced and momentous, we canno t remain skeptical and continue to wait, as we will lose the good provided by religion if we continue to wait in the same fashion that we choose to disbelieve in the first place – James (1897) argues that it is better to risk the chance of error than the loss of truth.Finally, James (1897) argues that to believe in religion or God with the notion of being right is the prerogative of the individual and is undertaken at his own risk – if the individual wishes to put himself in the best position possible to enjoy the fruits of the after-life, then society and/or science’s imposed rules and laws of requiring â€Å"sufficient evidence† for the verification of that God or religion is unjustified. It is the individual’s personal decision and he alone assumes the risk – as such, his right must be respected.James argues that individuals have a right to believe without sufficient evidence so long as the belief is live, momentous and is forced. He argu es that it is impractical to continue to wait for sufficient evidence to surface while the chance to believe gradually dissipates. Now that I have summarized Clifford (1879) and James’s (1897) articles, I would like to elaborate further as to why Clifford’s (1879) argument is stronger than James’s (1897) in the area of religious belief.In his article, James (1897) made a number of references to the apparently frivolous actions of scientists and their narcissistic habits of â€Å"waiting† for sufficient evidence. However, his rendition of live hypotheses still does not give sufficient reason to believe in a certain belief without first establishing a basis for its verification. First, in any experiment, â€Å"sufficient evidence† is to be based on objective proof which can reasonably prove that the latter cannot hold truer than the former. However, when beliefs are formed based on passion and human emotion, how can one achieve any objectivity?How ca n there be fair grounds for comparison? How can one individual, who, in his own right, is passionately convinced of his belief – based on nothing more than emotion – convince the other that his belief is superior when the other individual believes on the same token? Second, James (1897) continually criticizes scientists for their ways and states science’s search for â€Å"technical verification† is a shun for the truth; however, would modern science have discovered the cure of diseases and made significant inroads in the field of medical research had it stuck with one belief and not explored other avenues of growth?Is it, then, morally right to continue to hold certain medical hypotheses valid while simultaneously rejecting other possibilities when such an act could concern the lives of millions? Should there not be room for a reasonable amount of doubt and criticisms within one’s beliefs to continually improve, rather than degrade, as James (1897) suggests? Yes, James suggests that evidence should be required when the matter at hand is a significant one – but who can be a fair judge on the magnanimity of such a topic?Thus, although it may be tedious and inconvenient to continually question and doubt one’s basis for belief, it is necessary and categorically the right thing to do. We owe it to ourselves and to mankind to be honest with one another, and not believe just to satiate our personal thirst for power. Finally, James (1897) asks that those who believe – regardless of whether they have evidence or not – must be left alone and have the right to â€Å"live and let live. † I vehemently disagree.As Clifford (1879) suggested, beliefs turn into actions, and by the time we realize the action undertaken was an immoral one, it is usually too late. We are all connected – any thoughts in my mind, or yours, can affect others in an infinite number of ways. As James (1897) stated, most everyd ay beliefs will not affect others drastically; however, there is a fraction of beliefs which can turn actions affecting many people or any one person in profound ways, either negatively or positively.In such a scenario, do we want to leave open the possibility of unfounded beliefs adversely affecting some person’s life? Do we want to run the risk of hurting a loved one and/or our reputations because we were too lazy or did not find the issue momentous or live enough to gather sufficient evidence for a belief? Thus, although Clifford’s (1879) proposition may seem, again, tedious or time-consuming, it is the only way of ensuring we close the cracks and do our best to ensure a fair society.After all, in the presumption of innocence, our legal system works in a similar way – the legal system ensures every accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, regardless the magnitude of the verdict, because it knows the implications of sending an innocent man to prison. Thus, every belief by the prosecution and defence must be backed by sufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt. After analyzing the summaries of the respective philosophers – W. K.Clifford (1879) and William James (1897) – I hope it has become evident that sufficient evidence to support beliefs is not only right and necessary for us, but for humanity as a whole. As a society, we cannot shun substantive, technical evidence because we are satisfied with our pre-existing beliefs. To advance as a society, it is our universal duty to continually question our beliefs and search for sufficient evidence in forming our new beliefs. References Pojman, Louis, & Rea, Michael. (2012). Philosophy of Religion: An Anthology. Boston: Clark Baxter.

What Is the Secret to Long Life?

What is the secret to long life? The secret to long life all depends on how we take care of our own bodies. After taking my test on Blue zone I saw many bad habits that got in the way of me living longer. According to Blue zones Vitality quiz my biological age was two years older than what I really was. My life expectancy wasn’t as high as many other peers of mine that took the quiz. MY life expectancy age was 79. 2. If I fix my bad habits its more likely those 19. 4 years will be added to my life expectancy age.My life expectancy ages were this low because of the habits I have that are not good for my body as I get older. One big problem that I have is I’m most of my time. Blue zone recommended that I should battle my feelings of stress by talking it over, exercising, eating right and getting enough sleep. I also learned that anxiety can because you skin becomes pale, heart rate increase and muscles to tense up. When I get an anxiety the best way to control it is to ju st recognize signs of anxiety and then take a walk or breathe in deeply.Another bad habit is that I don’t eat as many vegetables as my body should be getting. Blue zones recommended that if I was offered a hamburger and vegetables, it makes more sense to get the vegetables which are better for my eye health. A scientific study was done and concluded that that people who ate the highest amount of yellow and dark green, leafy vegetables had a reduced chance of developing blindness. ON the other hand o also needs to enjoy some fruits.In my quiz it stated that people who have diets rich in fruits and vegetables lower their risk of Alzheimer and dementia by 30%. Since I’m a college student I do get a lot of fast food. I need to eat healthier and eat food with fewer calories. It hard for me to stay away from the junk food since it seems so appealing comparing it to the healthy food. But my health is important and the best way to get my body healthy is to avoid foods on high fructose syrup and becoming aware of what I put in my body. My body needs exercise, healthier food and emotional control of anxiety and anger.

Characters Analysis What You Pawn I Will Redeem

Characters Analysis What You Pawn I Will Redeem Abstract â€Å"What you pawn I will redeem† is a short story about an Indian who shows extra ordinary strength in a tough time. Jackson the main character in the story is a homeless Indian who is on a quest to get back his grandmother’s regalia. This story has many interesting characters that collectively make the story an intriguing one. (Porter, 2006)Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Characters Analysis: â€Å"What You Pawn I Will Redeem† specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Been a homeless Indian in Seattle is enough problems but when you are faced with the task of raising nearly one thousand dollars in 24 hours it compounds a person’s problems. Jackson the central character was determined to get back his grandmother’s stolen regalia at the pawn shop but his care free friends always led him astray. In the course of the story, the narrator tell how he spent any money he got on alcohol with his friends. Though he got the regalia at the end of the story but that was due to the sympathy of the pawnbroker who felt he had been through enough trouble. In this essay, we would be identifying and analyzing the various characters in the story. One character that is flat Jackson’s friends in the story can be described as the flat and rigid characters throughout the entire story. Jackson was on the quest to save his grandmother’s regalia at the pawn shop and he indulged in different ventures to get the money the pawnbroker had requested. But rather than be encouraged and motivated by his friends, they instead led him astray. (Porter, 2006) The friends are described as been rigid because all the wanted throughout the course of the story was to have fun at the expense Jackson’s happiness. Perhaps if Jackson’s friends were not included in the story there would have been no humor in the story. He would have simply saved and paid the pawnbro ker. Jackson’s friends as characters added humor to the entire story. There carefree attitude made the story hilarious. (Porter, 2006) One character that is round The pawnbroker can be described as a round character in this story due to his complex attitude. The pawnbroker had initially insisted that Jackson had to come up with the sum of $999 before lunch time. This had prompted Jackson to plot different ways of coming up with the money. (Porter, 2006) However, Jackson spent whatever he was able to raise on food and drinks for his friends.Advertising Looking for critical writing on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More At the end, the same pawnbroker who had insisted that Jackson came up with the money within a stipulated time frame changed his mind. This character enhances this story in a very positive way. If the pawnbroker had not given Jackson a time frame, he would have possibly been relax ed. The entire story is about showing strength in the face of adversaries and the pawnbroker made Jackson realize his potential. (Porter, 2006) One character that is Dynamic Jackson can be defined as the dynamic character in the story due to various reasons. His youthful exuberance and carefree attitude even in tough situations go a long way to show his type of person. At the beginning of the story, Jackson went to the pawn shop with his two friends where he saw the regalia he believed belonged to his grandmother. He wanted the regalia back in the family but the pawnbroker asked him to get $999 within a short time frame. (Porter, 2006) This prompted him to devise ways to get the money rather than work for it. But after going through all that, he ends up spending the money on food and drinks. This change in character makes Jackson a very dynamic character. Jackson’s attitude was meaningful and believable. His character is meaningful because he went extra miles trying to get hi s grandmother’s regalia back. It is also believable for a person to squander money he/she saved for something. Jackson squandered the money due to the influence of his friends. (Porter, 2006) Reference Porter, S. (2006) 30/30: Thirty American stories from the Last Thirty years. Purdue University: Longman

Complete List Colleges With No Application Fee(Updated)

Complete List Colleges With No Application Fee(Updated) SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Trying to save money on college applications? Good news! There are actually quite a few colleges that allow you to apply for free. In this article, I'll provide some general information about application fees along with a comprehensive list of all the schools that offer free applications. Application Fees at a Glance Most colleges charge application fees in the $40-50 range, but they can sometimes be as high as $90 (looking at you, Stanford).Many top schools charge application fees of $75 or more. To put this in context, suppose you are applying to five different schools. If three have $50 application fees and two have $75 application fees, you'll be spending $300 on applications alone. Then there's the matter of sending your test scores. Sending SAT scores to five schools at $.25 per report will cost you another $56.25, so you're spending over $350 just to send in all the required materials.That’s not small change for most people, so application fees are something you might take into account in your college search process. Fortunately, many schools, even ones that have very high application fees, offer waivers to students with financial need.In order to be eligible for a fee waiver, you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria: You were provided with a fee waiver to take the SAT or ACT You are enrolled in a Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program Your family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service You’re enrolled in a federal, state or local program that aids students from low-income families Your family receives public assistance You live in federally subsidized housing or a foster home You can request a fee waiver form here.Once you fill out the form, your guidance counselor has to sign it, and then you should mail it to the admissions office of the college you have selected. Alternatively, if you want to avoid paying hundreds of dollars in application fees or going through the process of obtaining a fee waiver, you should consider applying to some of the schools with free applications that are listed in this article. Making Smart Choices With Application Fees If your dream school has a $50 application fee and you’re considering not applying because of the cost, you need to consider the costs versus the long term benefits. Compared to the total cost of attending college, that fee is a drop in the bucket. Over the course of four years, if you plan on attenting a private college, you'll end up paying close to $200,000 on average in total cost. Even for public schools the price tag will be close to $100,000. The fee is a very small part of the overall expenses that come along with attending college. Don’t sacrifice the opportunity to attend a school that’s a perfect fit for you because of an application fee. You'llmost likely end up regretting your decision later. Similarly, you should try not to choose schools that don't fit what you're looking for just because they have lower application fees.If you check out some of the no fee schools that I’ve listed and find that you really like them, then it’s a win-win, but don’t let it influence you too much if there are other fee-charging schools that you think you will really love! Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. Colleges That Don’t Require Application Fees (By State) Note that some schools require a fee for paper applications, which I've indicated in the list. If you submit your materials online the fee will be waived. Alabama Huntingdon College Miles College Spring Hill College Alaska Alaska Pacific University Arizona Williams Baptist College Arkansas Arkansas Tech University Henderson State University Hendrix College University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff California Brandman University California College San Diego Deep Springs College Dominican University of California Holy Names University($20 fee for paper application) La Sierra University Menlo College Northwest College Notre Dame de Namur University Pacific Union College University of the Pacific Thomas Aquinas College Colorado Colorado Mountain College Johnson Wales University - Denver Regis University US Air Force Academy Connecticut US Coast Guard Academy University of Hartford($35 fee for paper application) Mitchell College($30 fee for paper application) University of Saint Joseph($30 fee for paper application) Delaware Wesley College Florida Ave Maria University Florida Gateway College Florida Institute of Technology Indian River State College Johnson Wales University - North MiamiPolk State College Saint Leo University Santa Fe College State College of Florida - Manatee-Sarasota Georgia Agnes Scott College Bainbridge College Berry College Oglethorpe University Piedmont College Savannah State University Wesleyan College($30 fee for paper application) Idaho College of Southern Idaho($10 fee for paper application) College of Idaho Illinois Augustana College Aurora University Bradley University Elmhurst College Eureka College Greenville College Illinois College Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois Wesleyan University Lake Forest College Loyola University Chicago McKendree University Millikin University Monmouth College Rockford University Saint Augustine College University of St. Francis Indiana Anderson University Ancilla College Butler University Calumet College of St. Joseph DePauw University Earlham College Franklin College Grace College($30 fee for paper application) Hanover College Holy Cross College Indiana Wesleyan University Manchester University($25 fee for paper application) Purdue University-North Central Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology St. Joseph’s College St. Mary's College Trine University University of Evansville University of Indianapolis Valparaiso University Iowa Buena Vista University Central College Coe College Cornell College($30 fee for paper application) Drake University Graceland University Grand View University Grinnell College Iowa Wesleyan College Loras College Luther College Morningside College Mount Mercy University Northwestern College Simpson College St. Ambrose University Upper Iowa University Wartburg College Kansas Baker University Barclay College Bethany College MidAmerica Nazarene University Sterling College Kentucky Alice Lloyd College Asbury University Berea College Centre College Lindsey Wilson College University of Pikeville Thomas More College Transylvania University Louisiana Centenary College Loyola University New Orleans Tulane University Maine Colby College St. Joseph's College Unity College Maryland Capitol Technology University($25 fee for paper application) Hood College St. John's College Stevenson University($40 fee for paper application) US Naval Academy Washington Adventist University Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. Massachusetts Bay Path College Becker College Eastern Nazarene College Emmanuel College($60 fee for paper application) Fisher College($50 fee for paper application) Hampshire College Lasell College($40 fee for paper application) Lesley University MCPHS University Merrimack College Mount Holyoke College($60 fee for paper application) Mount Ida College Newbury College Nichols College Simmons College Smith College Springfield College Wellesley College Wheelock College Michigan Adrian College Albion College Alma College Aquinas College Calvin College College for Creative Studies($10 fee to upload portfolio samples for application) Concordia University University of Detroit Mercy Ferris State University Finlandia University Hillsdale College($30 fee for paper application) Kalamazoo College Kettering University Madonna University Michigan Technological University Northwood University Oakland University Olivet College Siena Heights University Wayne State University Minnesota Augsburg College Bethany Lutheran College Bethel University Carleton College College of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University Concordia College Gustavus Adolphus College Hamline University Metropolitan State University Saint John’s University Saint Mary's University of Minnesota St. Catherine University St. Olaf College College of St. Scholastica University of St. Thomas Mississippi Alcorn State University Jackson State University Millsaps College Mississippi University for Women Mississippi Valley State University Rust College($10 fee for paper application) Missouri Avila University College of the Ozarks Culver-Stockton College Drury University Fontbonne University Maryville University of St. Louis Northwest Missouri State University Ranken Technical College Rockhurst University Saint Louis University Stephens College Truman State University Westminster College William Jewell College William Woods University Montana Carroll College($35 fee for paper application) University of Great Falls Salish Kootenai College Nebraska Chadron State College Concordia University-Nebraska Creighton University Doane College-Crete Hastings College Midland University Nebraska Wesleyan University Peru State College Union College Wayne State College Nevada Sierra Nevada College New Hampshire Colby-Sawyer College($40 fee for paper applications) Granite State College New England College New Jersey College of Saint Elizabeth Georgian Court University Saint Peter’s University New Mexico Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Navajo Technical University Northern New Mexico College St. John's College New York Canisius College Cazenovia College Clarkson University($50 fee for paper applications) D'Youville College Daemen College($25 for paper applications) Davis College Hartwick College Hilbert College Hobart William Smith Colleges Keuka College Le Moyne College($35 fee for paper applications) Medaille College College of Mount Saint Vincent Mount Saint Mary College Nazareth College Niagara University Roberts Wesleyan College Sage College of Albany St. Bonaventure University St. John's University College of New Rochelle College of St. Rose Touro College Union College US Merchant Marine Academy US Military Academy (West Point) North Carolina Barton College Belmont Abbey College Catawba College Guilford College Johnson Wales University - Charlotte University of Mount Olive Queens University of Charlotte Salem College Warren Wilson College North Dakota University of Jamestown Ohio Ashland University Baldwin Wallace University Chatfield College($10 fee for paper application) College of Wooster University of Dayton Defiance College($25 fee for paper application) Denison University($40 fee for paper application) University of Findlay Franciscan University of Steubenville Franklin University Hiram College John Carroll University Kenyon College Lake Erie College($30 fee for paper application) University of Mount Union Notre Dame College Oberlin College Ohio Northern University Ohio Wesleyan University Shawnee State University University of Rio Grande Ursuline College Wilmington College Wittenberg University Xavier University Oklahoma Oklahoma Baptist University Oklahoma Wesleyan University Oregon Concordia University of Portland Eastern Oregon University Lewis Clark College Linfield College-McMinnville Campus Northwest Christian University Reed College Pennsylvania Albright College Allegheny College Arcadia University($30 fee for paper application) Bryn Mawr College($50 fee for paper application) Carlow University Cedar Crest College($35 fee for paper application) Central Pennsylvania College Chatham University Delaware Valley College Elizabethtown College($30 fee for paper application) Gannon University($25 for paper application) Gwynedd-Mercy University($25 for paper application) Immaculata University Juniata College King's College La Roche College La Salle University Lebanon Valley College Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Lycoming College Marywood University($35 fee for paper application) Mercyhurst University Moravian College Neumann University($35 fee for paper application) Point Park University Robert Morris University Rosemont College Saint Francis University University of Scranton University of the Sciences($45 fee for paper application) Susquehanna University Ursinus College Washington Jefferson College($25 fee for paper application) Westminster College Wilson College Rhode Island Johnson Wales University - Providence South Carolina Allen University Coker College Columbia College Columbia International University Converse College Erskine College Limestone College Presbyterian College South Dakota Augustana College University of Sioux Falls($25 fee for paper application) Tennessee Christian Brothers University Freed-Hardeman University Lane College Martin Methodist College Maryville College Rhodes College Sewanee: The University of the South Tusculum College Texas Austin College Baylor University Houston Baptist University Howard Payne University LeTourneau University Saint Edward’s University Southwestern Adventist University Southwestern University St. Mary's University University of St. Thomas University of Houston-Victoria University of Texas-El Paso University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley University of Texas of the Permian Basin Texas Wesleyan University Trinity University($50 fee for paper application) Utah Stevens-Henager College - Murray Vermont Champlain College Green Mountain College($30 fee for paper application) Virginia Averett University Bridgewater College Christendom College($25 fee for paper application) Emory Henry College Hampden-Sydney College($30 fee for paper application) Hollins University Liberty University Lynchburg College($30 fee for paper application) Randolph-Macon College($30 fee for paper application) Randolph College Roanoke College Sweet Briar College Washington Cornish College of the Arts Olympic College Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Whitworth University West Virginia Alderson Broaddus University Bethany College Bluefield State College Concord University Davis Elkins College West Liberty University West Virginia University at Parkersburg West Virginia Wesleyan College Wheeling Jesuit University Wisconsin Alverno College Beloit College Cardinal Stritch University Carroll University Lakeland College Marquette University Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design Milwaukee School of Engineering Mount Mary University Northland College St. Norbert College Wisconsin Lutheran College What's Next? The Common Application makes it easy to apply to a bunch of different schools through a single online platform. Find out which colleges use it. Are you worried about standardized tests and their role in your college application? Read this article to find out when these tests might not matter for you.Also take a look at this list of colleges that don't require SAT scores. Everyone knows about the really selective colleges, but what are some colleges that are actually easy to get into? Find out here. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Due Diligence and Eavesdropping

Due Diligence and Eavesdropping Due Diligence and Eavesdropping Due Diligence and Eavesdropping By Maeve Maddox Misused idioms on amateur blogs are not cause for surprise. When they appear in the writing of people who practice a profession, however, they probably warrant comment. Here are two expressions that people who use them in a professional context ought to know the meaning of. due diligence In law, â€Å"due diligence† refers to proper attention to an undertaking in order to avoid committing an offense. In US business terminology, â€Å"due diligence† is the â€Å"comprehensive appraisal of a business undertaken by or on behalf of a prospective buyer, especially in order to establish the exact scope of current assets and liabilities, and to evaluate future commercial potential.† The adjective due in this phrase means appropriate. The noun diligence means â€Å"earnest and persistent effort to accomplish what is undertaken.† A person practices or performs â€Å"due diligence.† One may even â€Å"do due diligence.† One may not, however, â€Å"do do diligence,† as this plastic surgeon advises a questioner on his site: You should do do diligence by checking the website of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, ASPS ® and ASAPS ® to evaluate the physicians [sic] training. Nor can one â€Å"do diligence,† as this business consultant advises: Do your diligence  and make really sure before accepting an offer of employment here; ask the right questions. to eavesdrop The noun eaves refers to the edge of the roof that overhangs the side of a building. People often stand under the eaves to shelter from the rain (under the drop of the eaves). When they do so, they may be close to a window. If the window is open, they may be able to overhear a conversation that’s going on in the adjacent room. Literally, â€Å"to eavesdrop† is â€Å"to stand within the ‘eavesdrop’ of a house in order to listen to secrets.† Figuratively, â€Å"to eavesdrop† is to listen secretly to private conversation. Eavesdropping is the noun for the activity. An eavesdropper is a person who listens secretly to the conversation of others. Nowadays, it’s possible to eavesdrop electronically. I have seen the following maimed versions of eavesdrop and its forms: The US is weighing its ease-dropping on western leaders’ policy- Newspaper headline (The incorrect spelling is also used three times in the article that follows). Feinstein Accuses CIA Of  Ease-Dropping  On Senate Panel Computers- Google article summary. I went into her room with my head down, she said you were  ease dropping  on the phone, weren’t you?- Published novel. The words are closed compounds: eavesdrop, eavesdropping, and eavesdropper. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Spelling category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Words for Facial ExpressionsThat vs. Which20 Names of Body Parts and Elements and Their Figurative Meanings

Legal Studies Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Legal Studies - Term Paper Example The act was construed to have said that removal even for a specified period of time was removal and not suspension. The difference in terminology was construed so as to differentiate between suspension and removal as the latter would mean remove and so automatic removal was not possible. This sort of interpretation has been said to be purposive as it looks at the overall effect and tends use aids to interpretation that is dictionaries and other materials so as to differentiate between the meanings of words. (Wesley 1998) The third consideration was avoidance of circularity. The courts stated that the refusal of automatic restoration by the court would avoid circularity but this is was by an action of the court which did not fit in well as it interfered with what had been intended. This consideration dealt with the literal rule as in discussing the straight forward notion and the golden rule whereby the absurdity in result that would be caused was discussed. (Wacks et al 1989) The fourth consideration was that of giving meaning and substance to each provision whereby the true meaning was considered and thus went against automatic removal of consideration. In this situation the court took into account both sides of the argument and determined the result in accordance with the golden rule that is to refrain from reaching an absurd result. (Partington 2010) Finally the consideration of reluctance of the court to find a radical change by way of side-wind was stated. Bokhary PJ looked into the wordings of the statute that is ss.21(1) and 25(3) and the context of two words and their differences were looked into and the courts in confining themselves to the literal approach in this respect rejected the notion that both the wordings were for the same purpose. (Wesley 1998) 2. Bokhary PJ states that these rules complement each other and tends to appreciate the facts that

Decision Matrix Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Decision Matrix - Essay Example Being near to the market makes the new branch accessible to the customer and correspondingly, the high likelihood for it to profit. 2. Near to supplier – the business is a retailer and requires heavy coordination with the retailer. Proximity to supplier will save the business freight cost which is one of its highest overhead. Proximity to supplier also ensures predictability of supplies and shorter delivery period making the company more responsive to the demand of the market. It will also save the company from spoilage and breakage. 4. Convenience of setting up – convenience of setting up includes the availability of building materials, good infrastructure and absence of red tape in the area. These factors could bring unexpected cost to the business and therefore must be absent to make the construction of the new location convenient. The best option among the alternative locations is location 4. It has a total score of 2. It is the best location for the expansion of the new grocery for a variety of reasons. First is its proximity to the customers making the new branch very accessible and therefore ensures volume of grocery shoppers that could translate to sales. Second is its proximity to supplier where it is also the highest at 9. This means that the delivery time is faster at lower cost. In addition, shorter travel time also means less spoilage and breakage translating to less wastage to the company. Set up cost is also reasonable. It is also convenient to construct the business there as regulatory bodies are friendly and materials for construction are readily available. There is also an abundance of highly qualified personnel in the area making Location 4 an ideal place for the expansion of the

Marketing Starbucks Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 98

Marketing Starbucks - Case Study Example Finally, the organization has the option to increase additional 20 hours per week to ensure improve the efficiency of service.To select from the available options, it is crucial for the management to consider the advantages and weakness of each option available to the organization. To begin with, the idea of increase the labour resource is crucial as it will ensure that labour is shared and hence there is efficient service delivery. However, this is likely to increase the cost of production, which would trivialise the organization profitability. Increasing the number of automatic service machines would be crucial in reducing the cost of labour and provide a consistent service to the customers. On the other side, this would jeopardise the customer interaction and may be expensive in the long run if the customer tastes change (Youngme & Quelch, 2003). Lastly, increasing the working hours per week would be crucial to handle the extra labour demanded by efficient service delivery, but th is would require employee cooperation to be effective. From the analysis of the available options, it would be advisable for the management to proceed with the idea of additional 20 hours per week. This method is cost-effective and would ensure that the customer-employee interaction is upheld. This is crucial to understand change in customer tastes (Youngme & Quelch, 2003). The challenge with this approach is that the management would require winning the employee cooperation. To win employee loyalty, the organization should consider paying the extra hours to motivate the employees to work during the extra time. Unlike the other methods that require additional costs, this approach will be cheap and efficient for the  company.  

BMW automobiles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

BMW automobiles - Essay Example Introduction: During the 1990’s BMW had managed to established itself as one of the most profitable automobile manufacturer in the world. Ranking right after the BIG 5 in the automobile industry i.e. General Motors ,Ford , DaimlerChrysler , Toyota and Volkswagen. Originally Aero-space engine manufacturer the BMW had somehow manage to position itself amongst the top luxurious and stylish automobile producer competing with the top car producers in the world. BMW by 2000 through its class and elegance made itself actually what it claimed , ‘The ultimate driving machine.’ A style icon BMW had three brands operating under the group name , BMW which was the last contributor to the sales of automobile , MINI a remake and rebuilt version of the famous English style icon and the Rolls Royce. In the mid of 90’s the BMW group acquired the UK owned Rover. This take over did not prove a successful one at all as it brought a lot of financial damages to the group along wi th that defaming the face of the group. Along with this the size of the company and range of cars also became an issue. To tackle this issue Rover was sold. Quandt family’ the major share holder of the group applied pressure on the group to stop over 900million Euro worth of yearly losses caused by Rover. As a result the CEO resigned and a New CEO was appointed. The new CEO faced a tough situation where threat of Quandt family disposing of its share will leave the group open for Acquisition though the group was fair in size in comparison with Big 5. In 2002 Helmut Panke a nuclear physicist took the post of CEO and decided to turn the wheels by choosing aggressive approach so as to increase market share and become market leader. Factors Effecting Market There were various factors effecting the automobile marketing causing the autmobile manufactures to make a shift if strategies. The economies had been hit by recession effecting buying power of customers. Hence they’ll g o for cheaper options. To stay in the market BMW has to Reduce cost but reducing cost mean earning less marginal profits which previously was quite easy to earn. Environmental concerns: Global warming and greenhouse gases are increasing day by day, BMW cars are on petrol which is a contributor to green house gas. Geopolitical tensions: The war in the middle east and the disturbance in the rich Arab world which would be high contributors to BMW sales globally. BMW group has to look for ways to compensate for these sales. Fuel consumption and efficiency: The war in the middle east lead to fluctuations and dramatic increase in oil prices hence making the gas consumption uneconomical for most engines . Purchases in the asian markets for automobiles increased: The economy depressed in the USA and European markets where BMW sales were high but an increase in sales in Asian countries was observed. Porters 5 Forces Model 1) Competitive Rivalry The competition would grow tough as the focus w ill be on Asian markets with their already being rivals there eg Honda, Toyota, Suzuki etc Though they don’t match BMW on the class and elegance scale but these makers are much less expensive then BMW. 2) Power of suppliers There wont be no significant change but there will be more suppliers willing to negotiate terms as productions have been slowed down or cut down. 3) Power of buyers The customers will become powerful as few of them will be buyers

Graduate Book Review Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Graduate Book Review - Assignment Example The cover of the work documents the content of the book and what the author aims at portraying to the readers. With a boldly written title and clear subtitles on the themes inside, the reader can easily search for the information required. The main thesis of the work involves the defining what is required by an individual in terms of business innovation, identifying the problem that may hamper innovation, and then defining a solution. The work also indicates that new ideas can be created from existing ones. Creativity is, therefore, key as far as business innovation is concerned. In the first chapter, for example, Murray explains that the first step of business innovation must involve identifying the existing problem or an issue that is to be solved (31-60). It is in the course of business innovation that Murray indicates that there is need to get similar ideas from similar problems that have been existent before (61-62). This means that the business innovator must collect facts from what has been existent before, and then come up with a solution. The next step in business innovation involves connecting all the borrowed ideas and combining them to make a workable idea. In the next step, Murray explains that there is n eed for patience so that the collected ideas can be given time to come up with solutions (101-139). Patience is, therefore, a requirement in business innovation. The fourth step as Murray recommends is the incubation process that allows for the decisions made to come up with a solution (141-176). Next is coming up with an approach that will evaluate the pluses and the weaknesses of the solutions incubated so as to assess if the decisions made were fruitful or not (178-210). Lastly, enhancing is a major step in the course of business innovation (211-255). This step allows for strengthening the strong points of the business idea and eliminating the weak points. Evidently,

Atlas Copco Group's Corporate Strategic Audit Essay

Atlas Copco Group's Corporate Strategic Audit - Essay Example Over the past years, Atlas Copco has focused all it recourses in strengthening its position in key market areas like India, China and Brazil. This determination of the company to hold strong of its market region has been the drive to its good performance. A flexible business model, as strong market position and the companies focus in innovation provides a perfect environment for the company to outperform its peers and capturing business opportunities. The stable cash flow of the company has enabled it to be in a position to distribute significant capital to its shareholders while at the same time simultaneously retaining the flexibility to act in its growth strategy. This information was not mentioned in the interview but additional research has been done to support the information. This information that follows was not mentioned in the interview but additional research has been done to support the information. Atlas Copco corporate strategy is to establish a strong business position in various industries and markets. The company also ensures the evaluation and monitoring of all business functional areas while making corporate strategy. The main strategy for Atlas Copco is to discover and expand in the new market. It is determined to capture markets that are unexploited over different demographics to enhance sale of the products. The company is focused in using both the vertical and horizontal integration. This is the reason why the cost of production is always low. Concentration strategy is also used by the company which is part of the growth strategy and all the two are directional strategy to improve the image of its brand. Atlas Copco’s is based on decentralized authority and responsibilities. The operation of Atlas Copco’s is comprised of 22 divisions and is structured in four business areas. Each operation unit is comprised of a business board which reflects the group operational structure. The company has put in

Graduate Book Review Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Graduate Book Review - Assignment Example The cover of the work documents the content of the book and what the author aims at portraying to the readers. With a boldly written title and clear subtitles on the themes inside, the reader can easily search for the information required. The main thesis of the work involves the defining what is required by an individual in terms of business innovation, identifying the problem that may hamper innovation, and then defining a solution. The work also indicates that new ideas can be created from existing ones. Creativity is, therefore, key as far as business innovation is concerned. In the first chapter, for example, Murray explains that the first step of business innovation must involve identifying the existing problem or an issue that is to be solved (31-60). It is in the course of business innovation that Murray indicates that there is need to get similar ideas from similar problems that have been existent before (61-62). This means that the business innovator must collect facts from what has been existent before, and then come up with a solution. The next step in business innovation involves connecting all the borrowed ideas and combining them to make a workable idea. In the next step, Murray explains that there is n eed for patience so that the collected ideas can be given time to come up with solutions (101-139). Patience is, therefore, a requirement in business innovation. The fourth step as Murray recommends is the incubation process that allows for the decisions made to come up with a solution (141-176). Next is coming up with an approach that will evaluate the pluses and the weaknesses of the solutions incubated so as to assess if the decisions made were fruitful or not (178-210). Lastly, enhancing is a major step in the course of business innovation (211-255). This step allows for strengthening the strong points of the business idea and eliminating the weak points. Evidently,

Strategy & Sensemaking HR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Strategy & Sensemaking HR - Essay Example Therefore, a strategy is the business game plan for each firm, or organization. Business strategies are thus a selection of ideas and assets in meeting a business long term goals in the market. A business strategy exists in three phases; the first phase is creating the strategy, the second is implementing the strategy, and the last phase is evaluating the strategy to indentify how well a business has done in meeting its goals and objectives. According to Hambrick & Fredrickson (4), a strategy involves pieces of small elements that coherently integrate to form the whole. Hambrick & Fredrickson further explain that a strategy is a central, externally oriented and integrated goal plan of how the business plans to achieve its overall objectives. This report aims at applying the meaning of strategy, in understanding how General Electric (GE) Company has been able to attain its competiveness and leadership in the market today. General electric mainly specializes in diversified financial and technological services. The company’s main products range from power generational services, aircraft engines, household appliances, water processing, medical imaging among other industrial products (Bloomberg, 2012). Through strategic management and elaborate strategies in the HR, marketing, and production departments, the company has achieved setting benchmarks and leadership in the market, and is a major global competitor in sever al sectors as indicated above. GE has portrayed impressive strategies in its marketing department in the recent past. According to Comstock, Gualti & Liguori (2010), 10 years ago, GE had no remarkable marketing organization in its strategies. The company had developed a culture that its modern technologies were too good; the products could even market themselves with no elaborate strategy. The company’s staffs in the marketing specification were

John Grisham Essay Example for Free

John Grisham Essay Introduction The Capital Area Food Bank has been serving 633,000 unprivileged residents in Washington D. C Metropolitan Area and 200,000 children whose standards of living are precarious inviting utmost care and concern. There are 200,000 children who are in need of food. [source: U. S Census Bureau,2000] Food Bank distributes over and above 62,000 pounds on daily basis and serves meals accounting to 1. 6 million per month apart from serving 700 non-profit partnership agencies affiliated with Washington D. C. Metropolitan Area. The minimum wage of D. C. is $7. 00. Also the minimum wage is $6. 15 in Maryland and $5. 15 in Virginia. [source:Hunger in America 2006, Mathematica Policy Research] CAFB definition of poverty : The Capital Area Food Bank defines poverty based upon 185% of the poverty guidelines. This means that a household may earn up to 185% of the U. S. government’s standard of poverty and still be considered â€Å"in poverty†. This measure (and other multiples such as 125%, 150% and even 200% of poverty) is utilized determine eligibility for many government programs. 1 Contributing factors to Hunger and Homelessness 1. Unemployment The following States have the problem of unemployment [2005]. Sno State High Low 1 Mississipi ^ 2 Louisiana ^ 3 South Carolina ^ 4 Alaska ^ 5 Michigan ^ 6 Hawaii ÐŽ 7 North Dakota ÐŽ 8 Vermont ÐŽ 9 Virginia ÐŽ 2. National poverty indicators: Sno (In millions} Status For the Year 1 25,350 Individuals 2005 2 5,146 Avg monthly individuals 2005 3 25,682 Avg monthly food stamp: individuals 2005 4 38,196 Food insecurity-household 2004 5 7,591 Unemployed individuals 2005 6 36,997 Individuals in poverty 2004 [source:Hunger in America, Draft Report, February 2006] 2. Food Insecurity [2002-2004] 1 Oklahoma ^ 2 South Carolina ^ 3 Arkansas ^ 4 Delaware ÐŽ. 5 North Dakota ÐŽ 6 New Hampshire ÐŽ 7 Minnesota ^ 8 Hawaii ^ [source:National Statistics on Hunger and Poverty]2 3. States with poverty [2004]3 1 New Hampshire 1 2 Minnesota 2 3 Vermont 3 4 New Jersey 4 5 Hawaii 5 6 Delaware 6 7 Masschusetts 7 8 Alaska 7 9 Virginia 9 10 Nebraska 10 11 North Dakota 11 12 Maryland 12 13 Wyoming 13 14 Idaho 13 15 Utah 13 16 Connecticut 16 17 Colorado 16 18 Iowa 18 19 Oklahoma 19 20 Nevada 20 21 Pennsylvania 21 22 Kansas 22 23 Rhode Island 23 24 Washington 23 25 Florida 25 26 Maine 25 27 Indiana 25 28 Ohio 25 29 Missouri 30 30 Illinois 30 31 Wisconsin 32 32 Georgia 33. 33 California 34 34 Michigan 34 35 South Dakota 36 36 Montana 37 37 West Virginia 38 38 Arizona 39 39 North Carolina 40 40 South Carolina 41 41 New York 42 42 Arkansas 43 43 Tennessee 44 44 New Mexico 45 45 Texas 45 46 Alabama 49 47 Kentucky 50 48 Mississippi 51 57% of hunger is prevalent in urban areas and 43% is prevalent in sub-urban/rural areas of U. S4. 4. Income – Household Employment status [2006]5 sno Income – (USD) percentage Employment percentage 1 0-999 60. 6 Full-time 14. 6 2 1000-2499 25. 3 Part-time 13. 2 3 2500 and above 2. 9 Unemployed 72. 2 4 Not known 11. 2 North Carolina – A study. Statistics of hunger and poverty in North Carolina sno year Household income (Avg) % (+) (-) Increase in numbers From To Increase % 1 2000 –2002 (-) $1749 (-) 4. 4 985,000 1. 07 mn 9 According to the survey of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, it was found that the overall percentage of hunger in U. S in 4. 3 and according to Quandt â€Å"food insecurity† is between 35. 6% to 41. 8% in four surveys conducted. North Carolina with a population of 8 million is having an account of 15. 2 % of individuals and 21. 2% of families with small children facing a risk of hunger. Statistics of Polkton. 1 Total population 18,324 2 Households 7,908 3 Families 5,337 4 Average household size 2. 28 5 Average family size 2. 78 6 Household Median income $36,259 7 Family Median Income $45,096 8 Percapita Income $19,804 9 Male – Median income $29,375 10 Female-Median income $23,070 11 Below poverty line-18 under 11. 70% 12 Below poverty line-65 and older 8. 80% 13 Children under 18 23. 50% 14 Married couples 56. 30% 15 Female householders 7. 90% 16 Non-families 32. 50% 17 Individual households 28. 90% 18 65 and older living alone 15% 19 Below poverty line 10. 10% of population 20 Families below poverty line 6. 40%. The break up of people living is: †¢ White : 92. 26% †¢ African American : 5. 89% †¢ Native American : 0. 19 †¢ Asian : 0. 247 Conclusion The result of 25 cities survey of status report on Hunger and Homelessness in U. S concludes that 83 per cent of cities surveyed that there is a dire need of assistance in shelter and food which has risen by 15 per cent, still having 76 per cent of cities reporting to be increasing. There are totally thirteen cities facing the acute and emergency need of home and food. viz. , Burlington, Vermont,Philadelphia,Pennsylvania,Charlotte,North Carolina,Portland,Oregon, San Antonio and Texas. [source:Mayor’s Conference]. North Carolina crisis in budget is expected to exceed $1Billion. Some of the other contributing factors are : increase in accommodation cost, unemployment, and employment problems, poverty, low income or lack of income, increasing utility rates, non-availability of transportation and handicapped and mentally disabled persons. There is an account of 1/5 of homeless persons who are mentally ill in the above cities. According to a survey 60percent of eastern North Carolina have participated in WIC program conducted by U. S Department of Agriculture, as compared to 40 per cent in Forsyth County. 6 Compared to other parts of the world, United States is free from food insecurity and hunger. The nations data accounts that 82. 4 per cent of households were secured with food and 13. 3. Percent of households were food insecure and 4. 3 percent were accounted with hunger. There are several community based organizations and local head departments [CBO, LHD] which are working for North Carolina to assist people in every manner providing comfort for illness and food. There is a severe need for adult care for treating mental illnesses apart from providing all kinds of facilities for children. References [1] Hunger in D C Metro Area, Capital Area Food Bank http://www. capitalareafoodbank. org/hunger/statistics. cfm [2]. A Report on the North Carolina 2003 Public Health Partnership Survey of Local Health Department and community based organization. http://www. schs. state. nc. us/SCHS/pdf/LHDCBOSurveyweb. pdf#search=%22statistics%20of%20hunger%20and%20poverty%20in%20Anson%20county%22 [3] Housing and extreme poverty of extreme poverty http://www. common-sense. org/journal/housing. html.

The Agriculture In Malaysia Economics Essay

The Agriculture In Malaysia Economics Essay Amounting to 12 of contribution from agriculture to nations GDP employing 16 of total population of Malaysia, various crops such as rubber, palm oil, cocoa, bananas, coconuts, durian, pineapples, rice, rambutan are grown. Being agricultural dominant country Agriculture Trade liberalization is expected to affect the economical, social and political sectors. Palm oil being the largest industry contributing higher portion in global liberalization of trade in oil fats markets as an export oriented industry giving continuous efforts to increase productivity and efficiency still efforts are required to compete with other edible oils. To overcome this, automation, research and development, quality control diversification are being recommended to enhance the industry. Incidences of poverty in the country have raised the protection of Paddy sub-sector in Malaysia which is one of the most highly protected sub-sector with a high degree of market intervention. Followed by the Paddy is the tobacco industry receiving subsidy, high tariffs and production quotas from government for protection purpose as it is cultivated in the poor regions of the country. Climate Located in the peninsula in south-east Asia, Malaysia has agriculture friendly climate. Being a hilly region it has become a disadvantage for cultivation of rice and other produces which require a flat land, which has resulted into import of the same. Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Malaysia (MOA) MOA is Ministry of Agriculture who helps to private agriculture players and gather information, analyze it, do research and development, survey and provide required information and expert advice to agriculture, fishing and live stock to producer and framer. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Established in the year 1905 DOA handles agriculture sector related legal aspects. DOA has established state DOA has given responsibility of their respective state and work for their development. In 1926 Rubber Research Institute Malaysia was established realizing the tremendous development potential and immense demand within the rubber industry. Agriculture: Malaysias economic and social transformation In 10th Malaysian plan (2011-15) they missed out agriculture aspect for its future, resulting into economic and social transformation workers, with about half of these being temporary migrants. In spite of this agriculture, along with fisheries and forestry contributes 7-8% in GDP. Palm oil and Rubber despite the reliance on migrant labour palm oil and rubber continue to do well as demand of palm oil in food and non-food sectors is high, and demand of rubber as a industrial product is high. With a good backup of RD in both the products their production is high because of that they are exporting in neighboring countries helping them to gain higher profits. Rubber based industry: there are more than 500 manufacturers of rubber in Malaysia producing latex product contributing 18.1 billion to the countrys export earnings in 2011. The rubber based agricultural sector is producing a wide range of products such as gloves, condom, catheters, latex thread tyres and tyre-related products mountings, beltings, hoses, tunings, seals, and sheeting for the automotive, electrical electronics, machinery equipment and construction industries on a wide scale. Rice Malaysia is continuously facing problems for promoting improvement and change as it is a hilly region. There are many future plans as to innovation and up-gradation of the agricultural equipments. Food industry Malaysias food industry is a multi-cuisine food industry so its expecting to grow more in future and right now its 3rd largest producer of poultry meat. Malaysia has started organic farming in fruits and vegetables and has come up with logo Organic Malaysia. One of the largest processor in cocoa and 6th largest producer and exporter in spices. Food Agriculture Business Development Center Agri-BDC developed by ministry of Malaysia to support and develop agriculture and food sector. Center of agri-food business development is the sole information center and resource for public and private sector formed by the MOA to assist food and agriculture business community in the country with the objective to attract existing and new investors in agriculture sector. AGRO FOOD POLICY (2011-20): A continuation of 1998-2010 Third National Agriculture Policy aims at increase in income and food supply guarantee and production sustainability. Various product based, Agri-forestry approach have been made by the policy. 1) FOOD SECURITY POLICY: With the objective to overcome the food shortage food security policy is formed which aims at increasing production of the agro food sector, supply and quality consumption. MOA planned seven programmes in 2008-10 and five other programmes. 2) ECONOMIC STIMULUS PACKAGE (PRE) YEAR 2009-10: Economic stimulus package undertake project to stimulate countrys economy. For this two projects coconut industry development project and abandoned land development project have been entrusted to DOA. 3) 1MALAYSIA CONCEPT :With an idea to bring unity among all the races, Malaysia has brought a concept of 1Malaysia. It aims at the principle of justice for principle. It is envisioned that Vision 2020 is achieved with help of all levels of the society. The vision is to make Malaysia a developed country. 4) NATIONAL KEY ECONOMIC AREAS (NKEA): Government has launched the Economic Transformation Programme to make Malaysia a high income country. ETP emphasis on 12 North State Economic Areas like oil, gas and energy, palm oil, financial services, tourism, health, education, agriculture, IT tec. DOA is involved in two economic drivers project, Entry Point Project EPP 1 which focus on plants and herbs and EPP 7 which focuses on fruits and vegetable crops.

IQ and Success :: Sociology Racism Prejudice Essays

IQ and Success   Ã‚  Ã‚   Using data from a long-term survey, The Bell Curve purports to show that IQ is a far better predictor of adult success than childhood socioeconomic status. But the authors used an extremely limited number of social factors as the basis for their calculations. By taking into consideration a greater number of social factors (to make the study resemble a more complete picture of real life), sociologists have been able to show that social factors, not IQ, are a much better predictor of future success. In The Bell Curve, authors Herrnstein and Murray claim that a child's IQ is a far better predictor of future success than a child's initial socioeconomic status (or SES). For example, a white child raised in the bottom 5 percent of SES is eight times more likely to become poor than a child from the top 5 percent. But a white child whose IQ is in the bottom 5 percent is fifteen times more likely to become poor than a child whose IQ is in the top 5 percent. (1) Is this true? (Well, no -- but more on this below.) It does seems obvious that intelligence is important to succeed in life, but it also seems obvious that social factors play a large, if not larger, role. For example, the crushing economic disparity between North and South Korea has nothing to do with IQ differences, and everything to do with different social and economic policies. Even on a personal level, intelligence is only one of countless factors that contribute to success. Others include: Access to education Training opportunities Personality type Physical attractiveness Athletic ability Inheritance Nepotism Prejudice Social and business connections Knowing someone who is successful Lobbying Congress Business cycle trends Fads Inventions Discoveries Wars Speculation Gambling Miserliness Insider trading Unfair market practices And, last but not least, dumb luck -- being at the right place at the right time And these are just the adult factors -- there's a whole host of childhood factors as well, which follow below. How the rules of the game are constructed determines which of these factors becomes most important for winning and losing, and therefore which individuals have the most "merit." For example, we might think that those who play professional baseball have the most merit -- that is, they are the best players in the game.

Treatments for Heroine Addiction

Developments in the treatments for heroin addiction have recognized the importance of combining pharmacological and psychosocial interventions to provide comprehensive or holistic intervention and ensure better results. The treatment for heroin addiction also coincides with the stages of addiction so that during the initiation of use and continuous craving for heroin, the treatment is crisis intervention. In the stages of detoxification and relapse, the treatment is cure of heroin addiction, patient care, and cure of co-occurring physical and mental disorders.In crisis intervention, naloxene is used for non-fatal overdose while methadone or buprenorphine together with cardiopulmonary resuscitation for fatal overdose. In the cure for heroin and patient care, opioid-antagonist drugs such as methadone buprenorphine, naltrexone or naloxone are used as well as a2-adrenergic agonists such as clonidine, lofexidine. Vaccines that prevent the penetration of heroin into the blood-brain barrier are also being developed. In the cure of co-occurring conditions such as depression, HIV/AIDS, or psychosis, the drug treatment depends on effectiveness, combination effects, and side effects.In all these phases, psychosocial interventions through counseling, therapy and community programs as well as prescription and supervision over the drug treatment enhance results. The different treatments for heroin addiction depend on the stage of addiction and the co-occurring condition of the patient. Addiction to heroin develops is four phases. First is the initiation phase with p-opioid receptors and dopamine serve as reinforcements to drug abuse. Second is the continuous use and craving for heroin that involves various neurotransmitters including tc-opioid receptors, dopamine, corticotrophin-releasing hormones, and glutamate.The treatment in the first and second phases is crisis intervention intended to prevent and reverse overdoes. Third is detoxification together with withdrawal phase involving norepinephrene and glutamate. Fourth is the relapse into heroin use after a period of abstinence with norepinephrene and corticotropin-releasing hormones playing a role in brain stress and y-amino butyric acid and glutamate playing an important role in the compulsion towards relapse.Treatment for phase three and four involve cure of heroin addiction by addressing symptoms arising during the detoxification and relapse, patient care to normalize physiological functions, and cure of co-occurring physical or mental disorders. (van den Brink & van Ree, 2003a) Crisis intervention involves various interventions. In the case of non-fatal overdose, naloxone, which is a short-acting opioid-antagonist is recognized as effective in the treatment of respiratory depression and even coma in the case of patients experiencing heroin overdose (van den Brink & van Ree, 2003b).Administration of naloxene can be made through intravenous or subcutaneous routes since studies show no significant d ifferent in results (Clarke, 2001). This supports peer administration of naloxene for heroin addicts in preventing fatal overdose (Lenton & Hargreaves, 2000). With regard to fatal overdose, cardiopulmonary resuscitation also helps as an intervention to prevent fatal overdose (Dietze et al. , 2002).However, an effective preventive treatment for fatal overdose is opioid-assisted interventions such as the maintenance of buprenorphine or methadone intake (van den Brink & van Ree, 2003b). Cure of heroin addiction involves the initial phase of detoxification that involves withdrawal from the use of heroin and the latter phase of relapse prevention that covers the maintenance of abstinence from heroin. During detoxification, methadone and buprenorphine are the primary pharmacological treatment. Methadone is an orally administered drug while buprenorphine is a sublingually administered drug.A review of studies show that both methadone and buprenorphine offers detoxification treatment benefi ts but the preference of some studies for methadone is its effectiveness while the preference for buprehorphine is its safety. Currently, there are no patient characteristic standards to determine the choice of medication so that factors such as availability, cost and convenience in administration apply in determining choice of treatment (Bigelow, 2005) Apart from these two medications, a2-adrenergic agonists, clonidine or lofexidine, could also support detoxification.Preference weighs in favor or lofexedine because of the lesser occurrence of hypotension so that this becomes a fitting substitute for methadone when this is not available in the prison context (Howells et al. , 2002). Moreover, increasing the period of detoxification is made through naloxone and/or naltrexone administered without anaesthesia or with heavy or full anaesthesia. Combining naloxone and/or naltrexone with a2-adrenergic agonists would improve and speed-up the detoxification process especially when nearing t he maintenance phase.There are withdrawal episodes but these are easier to resolve when occurring in the combined treatment than in the use of a2-adrenergic agonists alone. (Kosten & O’Connor, 2003) Administration of clonidine with naltrexone, followed by buprenorphine after stabilization has been found to lead to lesser withdrawal symptoms in patients (O’Connor et al. , 1997). In the case of anesthesia, the combination of anesthetics with drugs remains experimental with some studies finding no significant impact of anesthetics on detoxification (van den Brink & van Ree, 2003a).In relapse prevention, the existing treatment uses opioid antagonists, such as naltrexone. However, effectiveness found little evidence from studies because most patients often withdraw from treatment after the withdrawal phase (Kirchmayer et al. , 2002). This means that naltrexone may be effective as treatment in preventing relapse in people committed to continue treatment until complete withdr awal. Naltrexone has also been found to lead to lesser withdrawal effects on pregnant women when compared to methadone (Hulse & O’Neill, 2002).There are also other issues arising in the use of naltrexone such as the possibility of inducing depression together with the possibility of overdose upon the discontinuation of this drug treatment (Ritter, 2002). This means the need to inform or warn patients regarding these issues. A developing treatment to prevent relapse are vaccines designed to raise antibodies that stop certain addictive substances such as heroin from penetrating blood-brain barrier and prevent relapse during the phase of abstinence (Bunce, 2005). However, this remains in the experimental stage.In patient care, the purpose is to stabilize the condition of the patient and reduce harm. Patient care could involve maintenance programs assisted by opiods such as methadone or buprenorphine, needle exchange programs, and user rooms. Opioids support treatment when admini stered in the right dosage and increasing the dosage of opioids could entail better effects (Johnson et al. , 2002) so that together with the provision of psychosocial support, such as counseling, therapy and community programs, effectiveness is ensured together with a lower right of premature withdrawal from the treatment program (Preston, Umbricht, & Epstein, 2000).In addition, prescription and supervision over the drug treatment have been found to increase the retention of patients for the completion of the treatment program (Ferri, Davoli, & Perucci, 2003). Integrating psychosocial support and supervision with the appropriate combination of drugs and drug dosage constitutes sound patient care for heroin addiction. In the cure of co-occurring physical and mental disorder depends on the condition of the patient. Conditions that can co-occur with heroin addiction are depression, HIV/ AIDS or psychosis.Again, in this area, a combination of pharmacological and psychosocial support in terventions is necessary to provide a complete treatment for heroin addiction. The consideration of the effectiveness of drugs, reaction with other drugs, and safety of the combined intake of different drugs together with the physical and mental impacts of the combined treatment deserve consideration in the determination of the particular treatment for heroin addiction of individual patients. (van den Brink & van Ree, 2003a)

Should Ministers or Senior Bureaucrats Be Held Accountable for the Department?

Collective and Individual Ministerial Responsibility: Should Ministers or Senior Bureaucrats be Held Accountable for the Department? For years, Canadians have stood by and watched as officials of the Canadian government have been questioned, accused and held up for public scrutiny on issues of misappropriation of funds, personal and public scandals, and inappropriate departmental spending of taxpayers’ dollars. In the public eye, Ministers abused their public authority and were inadequately serving the public.Lack of confidence was evident when election time arrived and voter turnout was dismal at best. In 2008, the lowest voter turnout on record was at 58. 8% and most recently, voter turnout has been 61. 4%, the third lowest in Canadian history. Public perception of government, from Prime Minister down to department clerk, has held a lack of confidence. There was a need for enforceable measures to be put in place to make certain responsibility, answerability and accountabilit y were at the forefront of government ministries.Stephen Harper ran his 2006 â€Å"Stand up Canada† campaign stressing accountability in government. â€Å"For those Canadians seeking accountability the question is clear: which party can deliver the change of government that’s needed to ensure political accountability in Ottawa? We need a change of government to replace old style politics with a new vision. We need to replace a culture of entitlement and corruption with a culture of accountability. We need to replace benefits for a privileged few with government for all. † The mantra paid off and the disheveled Liberal party was ousted from power.Prime Minister Harper promised the Canadian people corruption would end and backroom deals would be history. The first bill tabled by the newly-elected Conservative government, Bill C-2, was the Federal Accountability Act, introduced by President of Treasury Board, John Baird, and was passed by the House of Commons on Ju ne 22, 2006, by the Senate on November 9, 2006, and granted royal assent on December 12, 2006. The Act and Action Plan provided conflict of interest rules, restrictions on election financing and measures respecting administrative transparency, oversight and accountability.Based on Britain’s Westminster model for responsible government, Canada’s Parliament has a responsibility to hold the government to account, as well as all Ministers, collectively and individually. While senior bureaucrats in public service are not directly accountable to Legislature, they are directly accountable to superiors of their department, internal government authorities, and the courts. Accountability should be the responsibility of those who have the greatest opportunity to control departmental situations.Therefore, it is not reasonable to blame Ministers for the actions of their Department, as it is the Deputy Ministers and Senior Bureaucrats who run the day to day operations of Ministerial departments and influence not only the development of policy, but the implementation of policy. At the root of Canada’s parliamentary structure is the British model for a responsible government known as the Westminster model, whereby a Cabinet Minister bears the ultimate responsibility for actions of his Ministry or department.Before a law can be passed, the symbolic monarch, in Canada’s case the Queen, a lower house of members elected by citizens and the upper house of appointed members, must approve legislation. The principle of a collective agreement remains, regardless of how legislation procedures may vary. This doctrine is the principle for a responsible government and accountability is essential to guarantee that an elected official is answerable for actions made. There is no common model for accountability however the Westminster system relies on Ministers being accountable in the House of Commons and to the electorate.The functioning of government management depends on the democratic principle of accountability for all elected officials. Ministers are career politicians and hold the majority of power and authority within the democratic government, after the Prime Minister. At the top of the hierarchy, in the Westminster model, is the Minister, followed by the Deputy Minister, departmental management and then front line public servants. Accountability flows upward and the degree of responsibility depends on how much authority has been delegated to a particular individual within the organization.Accountability enforces and enhances responsibility. Being able to understand each official’s responsibilities, one must recognize there are different components to consider. There are two different types of Ministerial responsibility, collective and individual. These two terms are â€Å"separate but interrelated unwritten rules of behaviour in the operation of parliamentary government. † Collective Ministerial responsibility is a co nstitution convention that dictates the prime Minister and the Cabinet must publicly support all government decisions, or suppress any criticism.In any case a Minister cannot hold true to this, they must object and ask the governor general for the act of ending parliament, if the House of Commons passes a vote of non-confidence. If they are not willing to endure this process, they must announce their resignation. On the other hand, individual responsibility refers to a Minister who holds a Cabinet office, which has the obligation to take responsibility of the policies they introduced. The responsibility still has to be accepted by the Minister â€Å"even if the minster did not approve an action in advance or had no knowledge of it. In a â€Å"nutshell† it means, â€Å"the minster is responsible for everything done in the department. † Major components of individual responsibility consist that Ministers will be held accountable or even forced to resign if any serious a dministrative errors occur within their department. Another traditional component is that the Minister must summarize and be willing to support the actions, to the presence of parliament, which his or her department is pursuing. Governments tend to be left with the messy, complex, and difficult jobs – and the messy, complex, and difficult results are harder to define and measure. † It is hard to pinpoint responsibility in the government, whether it be collectively or individually, because there will always be criticism and complexities arising within parliament due to the difficulty in these jobs. Black and white answers are non-existent when it comes to implementation of policies and procedures on how to run the government and attend to the public.The reasoning behind it is due to the fact that one cannot judge or assess the exact results that will affect both the short and long term outcomes. The path for finding the individual(s) who must be held accountable for said actions may be described as being intricate, because of the difficulty of first finding who is responsible. When looking at the hierarchy within the government, you realize senior bureaucrats have more authority than you are lead to believe.Stephen Harper has tried to pursue to answer these black and white answers by taking the steps to distinguish and strengthen responsibility. Some of Stephen Harper’s initiatives in â€Å"Stand up for Accountability† were strengthen auditing and accountability within departments. The sponsorship scandal first came to light in an internal audit – an audit that the Liberals initially tried to cover up. Under the Liberals, the lines between Ministers and non-partisan civil servants have been blurred, and clear lines of accountability need to be re-established.The Conservative government will give the Comptroller general overall authority for internal audit function in each government department, designate the Deputy Minister of each government department or agency as the Accounting Officer for that department, which that Deputy will be responsible to Parliament for the departmental spending and administrative practices of his or her department. Also, in the event of a disagreement between a Minister and Deputy Minister on a matter of administration, the Minister must provide written instruction to the Deputy Minister and notify the Auditor General and Comptroller General of the disagreement.The position of Deputy Minister in the Canadian government is one of the most contentious and vital appointments. Their responsibilities are both political and non-partisan as they function between the non-partisan civil service and the political realm of executive and elected officials and executives. Deputy Ministers are accountable to the Minister, the government, their Ministry, agencies, and Parliament. They provide Ministers advice that comes from the civil service, and they also â€Å"carry out† any delega tions of authority that come from the Minister.Appointment to Deputy Minister is at the Prime Minister’s discretion and likewise, being relieved of their duties is the same, at the Prime Minister’s discretion. Senior bureaucrats service the government and as one Deputy Minister stated, â€Å"As soon as he assumes his duties, the Minister signs a delegation of authority for me, and then I become the person responsible to him†¦ and the person in command. † It is a â€Å"relationship full of paradoxes. † â€Å"The most important player in the Canadian political system† are â€Å"extremely busy people. â€Å"Dealing with Prime Minister’s priorities, implementing the government’s agenda, protecting the Minister, networking with other deputies, the provincial governments, and the department’s stakeholders, articulating and promoting the department’s interests, as well as managing political crises can consume much of a D eputy’s ten to twelve hours. † Accountability is always a topic for discussion as senior bureaucrats hinge between political and non-partisan. What is clear is that, â€Å"Deputy Ministers are not accountable to the public or to Parliament. They are accountable to the Prime Minister, and to a lesser extent their Minister, the clerk of the Privy Council, the Treasury Board, and the Public Service Commission. † Overall, [for Deputy Ministers] â€Å"the lines of accountability are not clear nor are performance measurements, despite extensive literature that shows how difficult it is to evaluate performance in government. † Government hierarchy stature insists that the higher power be held accountable, although it should not always be the case.Cabinet Minister, appointed by the Governor General on behalf of the Queen, are the head of government departments. Each department has some type of specialization, whether it is law, trade, foreign affairs, or finance. These members of parliament are chosen for their portfolio because they are supposed to be the â€Å"best qualified† to assist the prime Minister in running the country of Canada. However, the reality is that most are chosen either because of a personal relationship with the prime Minister, or because they lend the right balance to the Cabinet as far as ethnicity, gender or geographic location.As a result, the Minister’s appointment can be disguised as â€Å"qualified† thus leaving the Canadian people with a false hope that they are right for the job. Most Cabinet Ministers are not qualified to handle the department, mentally or intellectually, and rely heavily on the Deputy Minister to handle the day-to-day operations. â€Å"It is Deputies and not Ministers who actually manage the departments of government. And that’s the way it should be. Ministers have neither the time nor (as a rule) the skills to manage large institutions. Furthermore, senior bureau crats hold office impartially, over the years serving different political parties, and are qualified bureaucrats with a considerable amount of knowledge, experience and time served. Regardless of who is in office, a Deputy Minister must be neutral and non-partisan in order to get all bureaucrats to achieve the goals of the Minister and the ruling party. As leading management under the Minister, there is ample opportunity and authority for senior bureaucrats to alter the vision bestowed upon the department by the Minister and change opinions and actions of the other bureaucrats.Senior bureaucrats are allocated to manage and administer directly under the law, because of these expectations, Parliament should hold them accountable for the performance of their duties and implementing their authority. The article about authority and accountability has given great insight and is the most compelling when determining how officials are elected and the real responsibilities each department/ind ividuals carry. Not only does the article show the specific details to being a Cabinet Minister, but also talks about the civil servants and the Privy Council Office.The Privy Council Office (PVO) is the highest ranking bureaucratic agency in Canada, very important and powerful, and the Clerk of the Privy Council, known as the â€Å"Secretary to Cabinet† is head of the public service of Canada. The Clerk serves as the â€Å"spokesman of the bureaucracy† to the executive branch in the Canadian government and is appointed by the Prime Minister. One duty is to swear in the Prime Minister, which is somewhat of a symbolic gesture confirming the relationship between the two offices.Like the Deputy Ministers, the Privy Council Office is supposed to be non-partisan, and their advice and recommendations are technical and professional in nature. The Prime Minister is not always in favor of the PVO and has his own alternative organization, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) , headed by the Prime  Minister’s  Chief of Staff, which advises and coordinates the Cabinet and bureaucracy mostly on the basis  of ideology, partisanship, political strategy and public image.Since the PVO and the PMO have two significantly different objectives, it is safe to say the two networks of advisers do not always get along. The PMO has eclipsed the PCO in terms of relevance and power, and the question is whether the era of non-partisan advisers is over. Much of this was due to the perception amongst many in the public, and some members of parliament, that â€Å"the executive had rule over Parliament, but the civil service had rule over the executive. â€Å"Governments indiscriminately added functions, tasks, and accountability requirements to the machinery of governments without rewriting the traditional bargain. † Further, â€Å"governments now tend to concentrate some policy and decision-making authority with a few key officials, who carry an unmana geable burden, but they also defuse authority on other issues to the point that accountability evaporates. † The problem can be summarized as follows: â€Å"Political and policy actors have lost the sense of the traditional space that they are expected to occupy.MPs no longer call the government to account; Ministers are not making policy; the prime Minister, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Privy Council Office, and a handful of senior Ministers now fill more functions than they should; and the public service is increasingly uncertain about its role in policy and management. † Bureaucrats administer and implement the laws and policies of the Government of Canada and, in that capacity, should not act unethically even if they believe what they are doing is justifiable.The sponsorship scandal, under the Liberal Government, was a good indicator that the public does not accept anyone in power act unethically in order to promote unity amongst the nation. Canadians wer e outraged that trust was abused and ending the Liberal reign sent a loud message that the end does not justify the means when tampering with public interest. Bureaucrats have to embrace their role and not blindly follow their Minister’s wishes or never say anything negative about the position they hold. Senior bureaucrats need to be accountable for their actions and their recommendations.If they come under fire, they cannot be shuffled off to another Ministry until the storm passes and they cannot hid behind their superior to take blame for wrongdoings they may have initiated or caused. As the Clerk of the Privy Council observed in the Twelfth Annual Report to the Prime Minister on the Pubic Service of Canada, â€Å"We cannot tolerate breaches of the law or of our core value and ethics†¦but we cannot build systems based on distrust. We cannot go backwards, building layers of hierarchy and rules governing each transaction. And we cannot treat all errors the same way.Err ors made in good faith are inevitable, especially in an organization that values innovation and creativity. Accountability requires that we report honestly and accurately, including the errors, and demonstrate that we have learned from the mistakes and have made the necessary adjustments. But accountability cannot become mere blaming. † Evidently, Canadians are concerned with the accountability held within the government. Although there are a number of institutional checks and preventive measure, they lack improvement and overall outcomes.Other counties have tampered and improved their accountability through various laws and initiative, logically Canadian should consider replicating their process. Thus, government individuals should be held responsible and ultimately accountable if they have the best opportunity to alter their department substantially. Through various studies, one can conclude that senior bureaucrats are the ideal representatives to impose and instill changes within their departments, as well as the whole government.Senior bureaucrats have three main ethical responsibilities as public servants: First, they are responsible to act non-partisan when carrying out or implementation of policies. Second, they are seen as trustees for the Canadian citizens and, therefore, they have a fiduciary responsibility not to abuse their trust. Third, their duty is to account for both their activities and decisions. It is extremely easy for the public to make Minister’s obvious scapegoats and set them up for criticism and ridicule due to their position on the hierarchy.As depicted, senior bureaucrats are the officials with the most responsibility and hands-on participation within their department, managing personnel, implementing policies and ensuring the public interest’s are met on a daily basis. Regardless of how long a Minister holds his portfolio or is in power, it is the senior bureaucrat who maintains their position and ensures their M inister is held in high esteem with informed and experienced expertise about departmental operations.Through traces of systematic accountability, failures demonstrated within the government leads one to conclude that the political outcomes remain the same because the solutions come from the same sphere. Work Cited Barker, P. 2008. Public Administration in Canada. (Breif ed. , p. 75). Thomson Canada Limited Bourgault, Jacques. â€Å"The Deputy Minister’s Role in the Government of Canada:? His responsibilities and His Accountability. Ottawa: Commission of Inquiry into the Sponsorship Program and Advertising Activities, 2006 â€Å"Federal Accountability Act. † Department of Justice. (2006). http://laws-lois. ustice. gc. ca/eng/acts/F-5. 5/page-1. html (accessed July 12, 2012). Harper, Stephen. â€Å"Conservative Party of Canada Federal Election Platform. † Stand Up for Canada. (2006). http://www. cbc. ca/canadavotes2006/leadersparties/pdf/conservative_platform2006 0113. pdf (accessed July 7, 2012). â€Å"Leadership of the Prime Minister's Office. † Parliament of Canada. (1867). http://www. parl. gc. ca/parlinfo/compilations/federalgovernment/PrincipalSecretaries. aspx (accessed July 14, 2012). Mitchell, James. â€Å"Authority and Accountability: Reflections on the Gomery Project. † Authority and Accountability. 2006). https://docs. google. com/viewer? a=v&q=cache:GOZMy1NFFsgJ:www. sussexcircle. com/pdf/020-Authority&Accountability. pdf &hl=en&gl=ca&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjm7kZ3AA0QiX70tXxByNLjoEbXx0roBI3x9NvKnl8a8JMKU1107T1MOioQzsFdHy4cuUndPyvRd5vGwvZohdqmZCzpqAEA8Zr4q3TQfRyXWivb90p3DMRRJRRd6ykvc8AXwm6z&sig=AHIEtbRagPHJJ_7fhv5zDOT9NC8IwgwrGw (accessed July 11, 2012). Mulgan, Richard . â€Å"The accountability of Community Sector Agencies: a comparative framework. † (2001). http://www. hapinternational. org/pool/files/acctcommsect. pdf (accessed July 11, 2012). Pomfret, R. Voter Turnout at Federal Elections and Referendumsâ₠¬ . Elections Canada Online. Elections Canada. (accessed February 10, 2012). Savoie, Donald. Breaking the Bargain: Public Servants, Ministers, and Parliament. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2002. â€Å"Twelfth annual report to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada. † Clerk of the Privy Council. (2005). http://www. clerk. gc. ca/eng/feature. asp? mode=preview;pageId=201 (accessed July 12, 2012). ——————————————– [ 1 ]. Pomfret, R. â€Å"Voter Turnout at Federal Elections and Referendums†.Elections Canada Online. Elections Canada. Retrieved February 10, 2012. [ 2 ]. Harper, Stephen. â€Å"Conservative Party of Canada Federal Election Platform. † Stand Up for Canada. (2006). http://www. cbc. ca/canadavotes2006/leadersparties/pdf/conservative_platform20060113. pdf (accessed July 7, 2012). [ 3 ]. â€Å"Federal Accountability Act. † Depar tment of Justice. (2006). http://laws-lois. justice. gc. ca/eng/acts/F-5. 5/page-1. html (accessed July 12, 2012). [ 4 ]. â€Å"Federal Accountability Act. † Department of Justice. (2006). http://laws-lois. justice. gc. ca/eng/acts/F-5. 5/page-1. html (accessed