Political Science Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 8

Political Science - Assignment Example I disagree with the statement that rational choice model of policy making means problems are approached in a well ordered sequence. This is because the model seeks to benefit those using it in the policy making process but not the policy followers. This means that one opts to use the rational choice model to gain from it while others will not leap an equal benefit (Bond & Smith, 2013). Similarly, the model is preferred by most politicians since it creates opportunities for them to benefit from. They only use the model for their individual benefit but not for the benefit of society at large (Cornish & Clarke, 2014). Lastly, individuals rarely have complete information about an issue. This is because the information may be withheld by one individual or a group in order to benefit from it. Therefore, in using the rational choice model problems are not approached in a well mannered form. In conclusion, the rational choice model is only used by individuals whose prime aim is to benefit themselves at the expense of others. It contains unrealistic assumptions that are used to simplify complicated choices as well as the predictions. Therefore, the theory ought to be substituted with more applicable and reasonable theories such as the democratic

Starting your Marketing Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Starting your Marketing Plan - Essay Example A syndicated mall is a convenient location to attract people who will walk past the mall. Segment location of Zsamar’s Barber Salon will spreads around ten miles within the radius of the mall. The location of the salon will harbor a target population of 4500 people. The location of Zsamar’s Barber Salon will consider various demographic, behavioral, and geographical factors. The business will serve their target market from a centrally located region. Geographically, Zsamar’s Barber Salon immediate city is New York and the communities that will surround the business consist of 100,300 people. Demographically, the business will serve adult women, teens, young women, and children. Consequently, 3-12 years will comprise 0.1% of the target market, 13-19 years will comprise 14% of the target population, 20-30 years will comprise 26%, while 30 years and above will comprise 56% of the target population. Based on the business’ distribution, the services and product s of Zsamar’s Barber Salon will be dispensed from the central

The strategies adopted by given organizations

The strategies adopted by given organizations Any management strategy adopted by a given organization or enterprise is always aimed at producing practical results in tandem with the existing organizational goals and objectives (Galie and Bopst, 2006). Several management theories and practices have been in place since time immemorial and always undergo improvements and optimization in order to give best results. The criteria followed when selecting a given management approach is influenced by several factors such as resource availability, organizational structures, operational costs and efficiencies, types and levels of diversifications, socio-economic factors, political and cultural factors, human resource development, international relations, among others (Ma, 1999). The primary objective of this paper is to discuss the various management theories that have been in place since 1900 and the various factors that have influenced their evolution, and adoption in organizational management. For better understanding, a comparison of the organizational perspectives using the basic characteristics and properties of the mechanistic and the organic organizational designs shall be briefly highlighted in the paper. Management theories provide logical theoretical frameworks applicable in the administration and general management of organizations and business enterprises. These theories basically act as a springboard or foundations that help guide enterprises toward achieving their set goals and objectives (Weymes, 2004, 85). In most cases however, the scientific management approach has been used a model in the managerial elements of organizations. In this case, organizations and business enterprises carry out systematic analysis of this model and modify most of its characteristic aspects in order to suit specific managerial requirements (DuBrin, 2006). Precautionary measures are usually put in place to ensure the fundamentals of this management strategy are upheld at all times. For the last one century (period between 1900 and 2000), the management theory is said to assume a developmental and progressive nature that puts into consideration the emerging trends and needs (environmental and internal needs) of organizations through appropriate response and adaptation mechanisms. In this domain, there are several approaches namely the classical approach, the quantitative approach, the human resource approach, the systems perspectives, the contingency approach, and the information communication technology (ICT) approach. The Quantitative Approach In management, the quantitative approach revolves around maximum utilization of a group of techniques and methods to aid the decision making process. This approach is derived from the scientific model and is often referred to as operations research and/or management science. In operations research, several scientific and mathematical analytical tools are broadly applied in deriving optimal management solutions. Such quantitative tools include, but are not limited to linear programming, statistics, queuing theory, the game theory, network analysis, and decision trees. The managerial applications utilizing the quantitative approach include quality control, quality assurance and inventory control (DuBrin, 2006). The Classical Approach In management, the classical approach includes a general combination of both administrative and scientific management. In this regard, scientific management involves broad application of scientific techniques and approaches with the overall aim of boosting the productivity and general performance of individual workers in a given organization. Administrative management on the other hand revolves around appropriate use of best management practices in the structuring, reorganization and general management of the organization (DuBrin, 2006). The Human Resource Approach This model applies the psychological facet of human nature in organizational management. The approach puts more emphasis on people management through proper understanding of their mindsets and individual needs (Gomberg, 1985). Major characteristics of the human resource approach revolve around the Hawthorne effect which is basically the study of human behaviour in response to apparent attention from evaluators/auditors. Secondly, the human resource model utilizes various components of the McGregorà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s Theories X and Y, particularly in regard to human nature with specific reference to responsibility and work (Murphy, 2003). Lastly, this approach incorporates the Maslowà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s hierarchy of needs, spreading out from the very basic wants to those intended for leisure and self-actualization. Manpower development approaches, organizational behaviour theories and human resource management are based on the fundamental principles of this theory. The Systems Perspective This approach creates an analogy between an organization and a system made up of several intertwined features and components (Murphy, 2003). There are several management theories applicable fro the systems perspective e.g. strategic management theories of collaborative and competitive advantage, the innovation and competence theory, the human resource management and organizational behaviour, the resource-based view i.e. the theory of competitive advantage, etc (DuBrin, 2006). The systems perspective is an imperative method since the interlinking and interaction of existing capabilities, systems and internal resources can be used to give a better explanation of the changing trends and responsive nature of organizations towards their surrounding environment (Murphy, 2003). The Contingency Approach This is a management tool that appreciates the fact that no single management tool can be regarded as the best practice to effectively manage people and work in every prevailing situation. Based on this perception, this approach encourages the management teams to fully analyse situational and individual differences before settling on a given approach or solution (DuBrin, 2006). The innovation and competence theory and the strategic management theories of collaborative and competitive advantage, coupled with the perspectives of industrial organization utilize the various elements of the contingency approach in optimization and in carrying out improvements. The contingency approach also puts into consideration the different organizational and environmental structures and needs that influence an organization, together with other factors such as resource availability and capabilities with respect to individual organizations (DuBrin, 2006). The ICT (Information Communications Technology) Approach This approach has been influenced by the technological advancements in the various fields of ICT, including the internet. The developments in this field have several positive impacts on the organisational behaviour and the general conduct of managers and workers. The management theories utilizing the ICT approach include the supply chain management (i.e. procurement, distribution, logistics inventory theories), the strategic management practices and knowledge technology management (Murphy, 2003). Basic Characteristics of Types of Organizational Design The table below summarizes the two extreme ends that can be applied in organizational design and management Table 1.1: Basic Properties of Types of Organizational Design (Source: Derived from, Murphy, 2003, pp. 14) Organizational Feature Organic Mechanistic Centres of Power/ Authority Few Many Division of Labour Low High Power Base Expertise/ Merit Position Interrelations within the organization Many Few Use of Strict Rules, Regulations and Procedures Low High Primary objective / purpose Responsiveness, Adaptability, Flexibility Efficiency Based on the above discussions, it can be deduced that several management approaches can be used when dealing with various situations. There is no way one single approach can fully satisfy all the needs and demands of the organization (Robbins, et al, 2006). Compromise and optimization of all the above approaches can be utilized in deriving the best management practice that is result oriented. In scenarios characterised by complex, uncertain, ambiguous and volatile conditions, it is quite in order to restructure organizations by adopting strategies that can best fit the challenges posed by the prevailing circumstances. Conclusion

Time Management Essay -- Business Management Studies

Time Management The largest percentage of my time went into sleeping which isn’t a surprise, however tracking how I used my time made it obvious that further time management was needed to achieve my maximum potential. Such improvements would be to the undesirable categories: Structured and Un-structured leisure, a decrease by half the amount of hours used by these categories would assist my private studies and improve my overall academic performance. This should lead to a third of my time into travelling, eating, class contact, structured and un-structured leisure. And another third into private study and finally the last third into sleeping. Trying this new arrangement of time keeping provided to be a positive outcome in my day to day activities as it provided a strong backbone to my time management. In general, the hours used by the other categories are acceptable to maintain some balance and relaxation for the mind and body to sustain motivation and some social life. Overall reflection on personal strengths and weaknesses re time management based on evidence in my diary. The f...

A Conflicted Society Essay

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the novel â€Å"Things Fall Apart†, Chinua Achebe challenges the reader to actively engage in the analysis of issues raised throughout the text. Achebe brings the issue of tradition versus change to the forefront of Umuofian society for the reader to examine. Achebe shows the reader the gradual downfall of the main character, Okonkwo, through his refusal to accept change in his society. Achebe also brings about the controversial issues dealing with masculinity in Umuofian society. Okonkwo rejects anything that he feels is â€Å"womanly† and thus seals his own demise. Achebe shows the reader that acting â€Å"manly† doesn’t necessarily make one a man. By simplifying the issues within Umuofian society and the conflicted Okonkwo, Achebe paints a clear picture of the consequences of closed-minded societies, and the people who exist within those societies. Okonkwo and his Umuofian society are strong believers in tradition, and continually ignore the need for change throughout the novel. In a deal with a neighboring village, Okonkwo becomes the illegitimate father to a boy named Ikemefuna. Over time, Okonkwo comes to accept the boy, finding him to be an ideal son. While Okonkwo is fond of the boy, he never shows any affection toward Ikemefuna. After three years of living with Okonkwo and his family in Umuofia, Ikemefuna is murdered by the man that he treated as his father and other men in the village simply because the â€Å"Oracle† told a village elder that the boy must die. Rather than challenge what his society is doing, Okonkwo goes along with his clansmen and takes part in the death of Ikemefuna. In his dying moments, Ikemefuna runs to Okonkwo for protection, but Okonkwo kills Ikemefuna because he refuses to question the ideals of his fellow villagers, and does not want to appear weak. After Okonkwo is exiled from Umuofia for accidentally killing another young man in the village, the reader still sees a reluctance to embrace change in society. Now living in his motherland, Mbanto, Okonkwo and his family are met with missionaries that have travelled to the village to share Christian beliefs with the villagers. The missionaries preach about the danger of worshipping false gods. The villagers reject the missionaries’ beliefs, simply because it is not what their fathers and grandfathers believed. The people of Mbanta cling to their pagan religion with complete closed-mindedness, rejecting the Holy Trinity and any other beliefs that differ from the traditional beliefs of their ancestors. Reverend James Smith, who is the leader of the missionaries, has his church burned to the ground because one of the villagers who converted to Christianity unmasked an egwugwu during a pagan ceremony, which the villagers believe to be the same as killing an ancestral spirit. Rather than be open-minded to other religions and beliefs, the villagers reject anything that is not what they are used to believing. They burn down Reverent Smith’s church to get rid of the villagers, and the new ideas that they preached. Okonkwo is not accepting at all of anything that seems feminine to him.   Okonkwo sets very strict boundaries with his daughter, Ezinma, simply because she is female. Even though it is his daughter, Ezinma, that knows her father the best, and that Okonkwo feels closest to, he keeps her at arms length. The feelings that Okonkwo has for his daughter are illustrated in the passage that states, â€Å"Okonkwo was very lucky in his daughters. He never stopped regretting that Ezinma was a girl (Achebe 172)†. Because Ezinma was a girl, even though she probably understood her father the best of any of his children, he pushed her away and avoided a close, loving relationship with her simply because of her gender. By pushing away Ezinma, Okonkwo is passing by a great opportunity to get to know his daughter and have a closer relationship with her. Simply because she is a female, he rebuffs her attempts to have such a relationship with her father. Another example of Okonkwo’s intolerance for â€Å"womanly† things is within his relationship with his son, Nwoye. Nwoye decides that he is going to go against his father’s wishes, and join the missionaries. Upon learning of Nwoye’s decision, Okonkwo sits down with his sons and tells them that, â€Å"I will only have a son who is a man, who will hold his head up among my people. If any one of you prefers to be a woman let him follow Nwoye now while I am alive so that I can curse him (Achebe 172)†. Okonkwo would rather drive away his own flesh and blood than to have them be who they really are, and accepting them for all that they are, and all that they aren’t. By pushing away his son simply because his aspirations differ from those that Okonkwo would have for him, Okonkwo is creating a very large crack in the foundation of his family. Once a child is told that his father isn’t proud of him, it is very difficult to rebuild any relationship. Okonkwo would rather maintain a â€Å"manly† appearance than accept his family for who they are. Chinua Achebe’s novel, â€Å"Things Fall Apart† addresses the always controversial issue of tradition versus change, and shows his readers how a failure to be open-minded and accepting of new ideas can lead a one into a vicious cycle of making mistakes. Achebe also addresses the issue of masculinity versus femininity in the novel. Through the actions of his main character, Okonkwo, the reader realizes that simply because a man is â€Å"tough† does not necessarily mean that he is a good, respectable man, even if he is highly regarded within his own society. Achebe’s novel brings these issues that exist within African society, and allows the reader to see the consequences of rejecting change through the absolute demise of the main character of the story, Okonkwo, and the subsequent effects of rejecting new ideas and beliefs on society in general. Works Cited Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. New York: Anchor Books, 1994.

Save the Earth Ailing from the Vehicular Pollution

Vehicles on the roads contribute to air pollution in major way. Most of the vehicle plying on road are fuelled by petrol and diesel emitting pollutants like Ozone gas, Nitrogen Oxides (NO), particulate matter, soot smog, carbon monoxide (CO), sulphur dioxide (SO2) etc These emissions not only pollute the environment, but also pose variety of health risks for people. Pollution is the main reason behind skin cancers, asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders. Even newborn children can get affected.Following steps can be taken by the state and even individuals to save the environment. Adopt energy efficient engines All vehicles must have 3 way catalysts and fuel controls so that they emit out less smog. They should be made mandatory by law as has been done by the state of California. Build an efficient public transport system More cars on roads mean more smog, increased pollution. Hence the need of the hour is to come up with a public transport system, which can reduce number of vehicles thereby reducing congestion, and also caters to the increasing population.Use of alternate fuels Vehicles must be installed with engines that are fuelled by hydrogen, ethanol, methanol and natural gas. They are known as cleaner fuels because they release less CO 2 into the air. They are economical as they can be obtained from natural resources. Introduction of battery operated or electric vehicles They run on the chemical energy stored in the battery, which is rechargeable. Lithium batteries can be used for such vehicles. The emission is zero and is powered by motor controllers.Individuals can make following meaningful contributions in reducing vehicular pollution. †¢ People can resort to riding bicycles for shorter distances. Cycles are absolutely safe for the environment and good for our bodies too. Cycling is good form of exercise also. †¢ Even walking should be encouraged for viable distances. †¢ Office goers can engage in car pools. †¢ Engines ca n be switched off at signals and at possible places where you need to wait for more than few minutes. It also conserves petrol/diesel.

Romeo And Juliet Vs. The Miracle Worker Essays - Free Essays

Romeo And Juliet Vs. The Miracle Worker Essays - Free Essays Romeo And Juliet Vs. The Miracle Worker Relationship between Romeo and Juliet and Annie and Helen Romeo and Juliet is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare. It is a love story between two rival families, the Montagues and the Capulets. Romeo who is a Montague falls in love with Juliet who happens to be a Capulet. It is love at first sight, but if their parents find out there will be no way that Romeo will ever see Juliet again. The Miracle Worker is another play that we read. It is about a little girl named Helen Keller who is both deaf and blind. Her parents pity her and let her do whatever she wants. They want to be able to communicate with her so they write a doctor in Baltimore for help. The doctor sends Annie Sullivan to help Helen, which is worth it because she finally gets Helen to be polite and talk. Three people from Romeo and Juliet compare to three people in The Miracle Worker. To begin with, the Montagues and the Capulets along with Mr. and Mrs. Keller and Annie are the first similar group of people. Because the two families disliked each other so much, it kept their children from being able to date each other openly. It forced their children to keep secrets from their parents and made it hard to see each other. The parents in The Miracle Worker are pretty much the same. Mr. and Mrs. Keller didnt like the way Annie was handling and taking care of Helen. They almost made Annie quit teaching because of that. Annie made Helen eat with a fork instead of her fingers. When she wouldnt hold the fork Annie forced her to hold it. The Kellers didnt like this and told Annie to let Helen eat however she wanted but Annie wanted Helen to learn the proper way to eat and behave. Annie was very strict and made disciplined Helen well. Next there are two people who were dependable and friendly to Romeo and Juliet and Annie and Helen. For example Friar Laurence knew all about the marriage between Romeo and Juliet because he is the one who married them. He thought that if they got married it would end the feuds between the families. In addition he also came up the plan for Juliet to drink the potion to make it look like she was dead and when Romeo came it would look like he save her so the Capulet family would like him. James, Captain Kellers son by his first marriage was the only one who believed in Annie at first. For instance he was the first to see Annie teach Helen the alphabet and also got the ladder for Annie when Helen locked her in the room. Also James lets Annie take Helen to the pump by telling Mr. Keller to let Annie teach Helen her way and that for once he is wrong and Annie can successfully teach Helen. Finally the last two people that influenced the relationships are the Nurse and Doctor. The Nurse knew about the relationship between Romeo and Juliet and could have told someone but never did. If she told someone of their marriage she could have saved the two kids lives. Even though the nurse tried to get Juliet to like Paris she couldnt get her to because she loved Romeo. The doctor told the Kellers that hes never seen a baby with more vitality, which was untrue. However he tells them it was only acute congestion. After he leaves, Mrs. Keller tries to get Helen's attention, but she cant because Helen cant hear or see. If the doctor had been better he would have noticed she was mute and told them before or try to save her. Although two different authors wrote the plays in two different times they still have qualities that can be compared. They all have plots, climaxes and settings. Shakespeares words and way of writing was more advanced than William Gibsons but they both have good work. Romeo and Juliets ending wasnt happy like Annie and Helens but in the end they both got what they wanted. Romeo and Juliet were finally together and the families

Cleopatras personal attendant Essay Example

Cleopatras personal attendant Essay Example Cleopatras personal attendant Essay Cleopatras personal attendant Essay Charmian is Cleopatras personal attendant and she is very apt at dealing with Cleopatra and her moods. When Cleopatra says that she will kill the messenger Charmian proceeds to tell her to keep within yourself. The man is innocent. (page 71 line 76-7) which clearly calms Cleopatra because she apologises and says she was wrong, which, considering Cleopatras personality, is clearly not something she does often. Cleopatra seems to only ever admit that she may have been wrong to Charmian, which implies that they are actually very close and rely upon each other quite heavily.An example of this is when Cleopatra says my salad days, when I was green in judgement, cold in blood, to say as I said then (page 39 lines 76-8). Charmian and Cleopatra are two opposites, Charmian is not a very strong character and is technically very unimportant to everyone, where as Cleopatra is a very strong and overbearing character and is the most important person in Egypt. Enobarbus and Charmian have very similar roles with their principles.They would both be without status, were they not to have their principles, and they both seem to dote on them and have the utmost loyalty, which Enobarbus clearly shows when Antony tells him they must leave, and Enobarbus simply says I shall dot (page19 line 190). However after a closer look it is quite clear they are quite different characters. The main difference between these two characters is that Charmian stayed faithful to Cleopatra where as Enobarbus did not.Cleopatra and Charmian begin the play together, and they end it together, where as Antony and Enobarbus begin it together, and they end it very much apart. Although they begin the play as very good friends, as the play continues, Enobarbus starts to doubt Antony, he says to Antony look, they weep, and I, an ass, am onion-eyed after he talks to the men. Shakespeare delivers this line through Enobarbus, because he is really the only person who would be allowed to say this to Antony, the only one who is allowed to question Antonys judgement.In the end all four of these characters die. This ending is in fact very similar to that of another Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet. Cleopatra makes it known to Antony that she is dead, even though she is not, and Antony kills himself because of that, which then leads Cleopatra making that lie a truth. The way that they die is very similar mainly because they all do it by their own hand. Cleopatra and Charmian both die the same way, and Enobarbus and Antony both die the same way, which I think Shakespeare did to show that they were still connected, even though they were apart.Cleopatra is overcome with grief and applies a poisonous snake to her body until it bites and kills her, then Charmian also does the same once her mistress is dead. This shows that she obeys her mistress to the very end. I think that Charmian cares a great deal for Cleopatra because when Cleopatra and Charmian are both dead a guard tells Caesar that he found her trimming up the diadem on her dead mistress (page 227 line 336-7) which I think shows great care and affection towards Cleopatra. Enobarbus realises what he has done, leaving his master and his best friend, when he was most needed and decides to kill himself.Enobarbus last words are for his master, as he dies he says O Antony! O Antony! (page 171 line 23). Antony also dies by turning his sword on himself; however he first asked Eros to kill him, which shows that actually in the end, Enobarbus is stronger than Antony. These characters are all very similar, and yet very different and I think that, no matter how they ended up, there is still an unbreakable bond between the servants and their masters, and Shakespeare portrays this very well throughout the play.Even when there was doubt from Enobarbus, his last words were for Antony, which still shows his loyalty. Charmian lived for her queen and she died for her queen, loyal until the end. They both behave with their principles in very unique ways which just enhances their own characters and makes them stand out not only as being their principles closest servants but also as being their own individual person.

Overview of Animal Cruelty

Overview of Animal Cruelty The term animal cruelty gets thrown around a lot, but an animal activists definition of animal cruelty may be very different from that of a hunter, a vivisector or a farmer. There is also a legal definition of animal cruelty that varies by state in the U.S., to confuse things further. Essentially, though, animal cruelty boils down to inhumane acts against animals of all walks of life, including starving domesticated pets, torturing any creatures and excessive killing of animals for sport. Animal Cruelty Law in the United States In the United States, there is no federal animal cruelty law. While some federal laws, like the Animal Welfare Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act or the Endangered Species Act restrict when or how certain animals in certain situations may be harmed or killed, these federal laws do not cover the more typical case, such as the person who intentionally kills the neighbors dog. Every state has an animal cruelty statute, and some offer stronger protections than others. Hence, the legal definition of animal cruelty will vary according to which state you are in, and some places have very large exemptions. For example, most states have exemptions for wildlife, animals in laboratories, and common agricultural practices, such as debeaking or castration. Some states exempt rodeos, zoos, circuses and pest control. However, some states may also have separate laws banning practices like cockfighting, dog fighting or horse slaughter - activities observed as inhumane by the majority of Americans. Where the legal definition is lacking, at least for animal rights activists, is in protecting all creatures from unnecessary suffering at the hands of mankind.   In any case, if someone is found guilty of animal cruelty, penalties also vary by state. Most states provide for the seizure of the animal victims and reimbursement for expenses for the animals care, and while some allow counseling or community service as part of the sentencing, twenty-three states have felony penalties of over a year in prison for animal cruelty. For more information, the Animal Legal and Historic Center provides an excellent, detailed overview of animal cruelty statutes in the U.S. To find your states animal cruelty statute, go to the Centers site and choose your state from the drop-down menu on the left. The Common Understanding Animal cruelty cases make headlines around the country every day, whether its the person who kills the neighbors cat, the hoarder of sick and dying animals, or the family whose starving, freezing dog is tied up outside in the middle of winter. These acts would likely constitute animal cruelty under any states animal cruelty statute, and would also fit with the publics common understanding of the term. However, when it comes to animals other than cats and dogs, peoples concept of the term animal cruelty varies greatly. Most animal activists would say that traditional agricultural practices such as debeaking, tail docking, castration, and confinement on factory farms are animal cruelty. Although some people do agree, as evidenced by the passage of Prop 2 in California, factory farmers and most other states animal cruelty laws havent yet adopted these same values. While some might base their definition of animal cruelty on how much the animal suffers or feels pain during death, the amount of suffering is not relevant for animal rights activists because the animals are deprived of their right to live and exist free of human use and abuse. Some may also base their definition on which type of animal is involved or how intelligent they perceive that animal to be. The slaughter of dogs, horses or whales for meat may be the epitome of animal cruelty to some, while the killing of cows, pigs, and chickens are acceptable to those same individuals. Similarly, to some, the killing of animals for fur or cosmetics testing may constitute unacceptable animal cruelty while the killing of animals for food is acceptable. Among the general public, the more culturally beloved the animal is and the more unusual the harm is, the more likely they are to be outraged and label the harm to that animal as animal cruelty. To animal activists, a much wider range of harms is called animal cruelty. Animal rights activists would argue that cruelty is cruelty, regardless of how common or legal the harm is.

Royal Prerogative Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Royal Prerogative - Essay Example Albeit, Blair sought parliament’s assent for attacking Iraq, it was not mandatory for him to comply with the decision of parliament, in this matter7.The royal prerogative in declaring war was employed by the prime minister8, and this is bestowed by monarchs upon their ministers, without involving parliament9. Tony Blair’s abuse of the power to declare war actuated the MPs to have it removed from the royal prerogative10. Subsequent, to the Iraqi attack, the draft Constitutional Renewal  Bill was proposed, which seeks to reassign to parliament, some of the ministerial powers exercised under the royal prerogative11. In the British Parliamentary system the prime minister is free to act under the royal prerogative, especially in foreign affairs, and this was seen in the war on Iraq12. Blair’s government apparently misled the UK public by stating that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction13. The MPs were allowed a tangible vote, indicating the growing trend to curb governmental powers under the royal prerogative14. Robin Cook, leader of the House of Commons resigned as he was against involvement in Iraq15. Blair ostensibly distorted the facts, in order to attack Iraq16. The judiciary has criticised the use of the royal prerogative to wage war17. Parliament and not the government should decide about engaging in a foreign war18, and Gordon Brown promised to address this shortcoming19. The remedy is to solely empower parliament to decide upon conducting a war20. Andrew Grice, MPs should be awarded Queens historic powers, says Campbell, June 11, 2007, Retrieved on January 1, 2009 from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/mps-should-be-awarded-queens-historic-powers-says-campbell-452649.html Gary Woodward, Self-inflicted injury: going to war in Iraq, November 22, 2007, Retrieved on January 1, 2009 from http://www.globalcollab.org/Nautilus/australia/apsnet/policy-forum/2007/self-inflicted-injury-going-to-war-in-iraq/ PASC Publishes

KaiFu Lee Case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

KaiFu Lee Case - Essay Example In an attempt to mitigate the damages a company incurs by the loss of a valuable employee-one who also holds a great deal of its trade secrets, companies such as Microsoft often include a non-compete clause in their employee contracts. In the case of Kai-Fu Lee, Mr. Lee was prohibited from working with the competitors of Microsoft for a period of one year after the termination of his employment. In July, 2005 Mr. Lee left the employ of Microsoft and went to work for its competitor, Google. As a direct result a law suit was initiated. This research paper examines all the relevant factors in the case of Kai-Fu Lee as well as its implications with regards to the hiring practices of many other companies. The Kai-Fu Lee case represents the culmination of Microsoft's efforts to put an end to what many consider to be a long-standing and unethical practice of Google. This practice involves the attraction and retention of the most qualified employees irrespective of their contractual obligations to its competitors or any other companies. This practice is one that represented an overall strategic plan on the part of Google. An integral part of its strategy was to establish offices in close proximity to Microsoft's headquarters. In so doing, Google was in a position to offer the employees a better overall financial package while ensuring that there is minimal interruption in the personal lives of the employees. In fact, in November of 2004 Google hired Mark Lucovsky who was at the time one of Microsoft's top engineers (Elgin, 2005). Kai-Fu Lee as a Valuable Employee In order to examine the case of Kai-Fu Lee and the suit incited by his engagement by Google it is prudent that we look into the background of Kai-Fu Lee and how and why he was recruited by Google. This coupled with Microsoft's efforts aimed at preventing him from being employed by its competitors will serve to establish the rationale behind the entire case. First and foremost, Mr. Lee was a Chinese immigrant who migrated to the United States in 1973. He graduated from Columbia University in 1983 at the top of his class and went on to Carnie Mellon University where he earned a Ph.D. in computer science in 1988. While at Carnie Mellon he established himself as one of the up-and-coming leaders in the field by pioneering the development of an artificial intelligence based system for playing the famous board game Othello. His development won him the top award at the U.S. National tournament of computer players in 1989. During the course of his academic career he made many significant acco mplishments which were responsible for launching his career as a faculty member of Carnegie Mellon and subsequently as a research and development executive for Apple Computer. While at Apple he was spearheaded the team of developers responsible for developing PlainTalk, Apple Newton and QuickTime. He then left Apple Computer for Silicone Graphics where he served as the president of their Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) division. After working for Silicone Graphics for only a bit over a year, he was recruited by Microsoft and founded the Microsoft Research Division in Beijing China in 1998 where he worked until 2000 when he returned to the United States and served as the Vice President of Interactive Services for Microsoft (Microsoft,

The theme of death in selected works of Edgar Allan Poe Term Paper

The theme of death in selected works of Edgar Allan Poe - Term Paper Example Some of the romanticism that has surrounded the history of Poe has created a mythology that is not fully supported by history. However, his stories do reflect the prevalence of death within his life, his construction of the dialogue about the subject placing it in a position of darkness and shadow. Poe wrote about death in such a way to express the theme through universal concepts that touched upon the fears of all human beings about the inevitable encounter they would have with death. Death The theme that will be discussed in this essay is death. Poe uses death as a central theme to most of his works as he relates stories that end in death, ponder death, or speak about crossing the boundaries that separate life from death. Poe has been analyzed for the psychological foundation for the themes from which he creates his work. Peeples states that â€Å"Theorists and critics quickly recognized the opportunities that Poe presented for psychoanalytical study, given his fiction’s em phasis on hidden motives and detection, altered states of consciousness, sadism, and obsession, as well as the self-destructive tendencies he exhibited in his own life† (Peeples 30). ... It may never be fully clear the extent to which his work is devised through literary intent and how much is reflective of a dark soul developed from the difficult events in his life. Poe is remembered as a morose drunk, lost in the laments of the loss of his wife, but he was not merely a gothic figure up in a darkened room penning out his tales of horror. Poe was actively seeking a literary career and intended to become a known author of his time. This can be understood by the activities he engaged in towards getting published. His work, â€Å"The Raven†, was his first published work which appeared in 1845 before he lost his wife in 1947 to tuberculosis (Bloom 46). It is a myth of literary history that it was written after she died and that he wrote it in his despair, maddened by alcohol and grief. It is a romantic notion, but it does not reflect the facts. When exploring the possible foundations for the work that Poe has created, some of the themes begin to emerge as reflecti ve of his personal experience. While the myth has taken aspects of his life and connected them in a way that has created an image of the man, his reality did provide a pool of resources from which to explore the theme of death and the many horrific connective themes from which his work was drawn. He approaches death through terror and horror, his stories built upon the predication that death has a connection to darkness. There is beauty in his horror, but little beauty in his death, his concepts built upon a romanticism that defines the experience of death as literary tragedy, a result of shadowed intent. In this exploration, one might surmise that the writer may

Part 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Part 2 - Essay Example the Floor Mosaic Fragment Depicting Bacchus was merely created through stitch or other form of material, but I discovered that this extraordinary piece of art was created before the 5th century ( 325-330 CE) using tiny pieces of limestone tesserae. The Floor Mosaic Fragment Depicting Bacchus is a piece of art that has left many astonished for many years. It clearly portrays the amount of work the artist put in to come up with this remarkable sculpture. It is made up of carefully placed limestone tesserae with well-defined dimensions of 117.5 x 117.5 Cm. According to the RISD Museum, this particular piece of art was created before the 5th Century in Antioch modern day Antakya, Turkey. The entire form of this figurine is a perfect square. This square bounds a circle with a series of waves, which further portray the image of Bacchus. Orange is the dominant color, and it creates the image of a pure nature of Bacchus due to its drenched form. One is emotionally drawn to the art as it has this tender and soft appearance. It is also evident that Bacchus is among the elite in the roman society due to the fact that he is wearing classic roman attire with laurels on his head. The artistic style itself has common features with that of a more recent artist, Rembrandt, who manifest thick marks of brushes as seen in the Floor Mosaic Fragment Depicting Bacchus. Both of these artistic works may look rough when closely analyzed, but it is not until one examines them from a distance that they really appreciate the way the colors blend to distinctively bring out the true nature of both works of art. Some of the most outstanding individual features can also be seen from a distance. These are the signatures of the artists that really endorse the art. For instance, a close examination of Bacchus cannot reveal the roman leaves in his head as they are seen as mere pebbles or just limestones. However, the elaborate detail of this particular artwork can be generally appreciated from

Assistive Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assistive Technology - Essay Example Introduction Assistive technology refers to the technology used by disabled persons to enable them overcome the difficulties they experience. This technology includes devices such as wheelchairs and walkers, which aid in mobility (Pruski & Knops, 2005). Hardware and software used to access computers and information technologies by disabled people also form part of assistive technology. For instance, persons whose hands have limited function can use keyboards that have large keys or a specific mouse while operating computers. Blind people can use software that generates text in a computer screen from a voice generated by the computer. In addition, people who do not see properly can use software that will enlarge the content in the screen of the computer; while deaf persons may use a text telephone (Solarz, 1990). Research Methods, procedures, and instruments. Data in this research will be collected using the interview method, by asking the participants questions regarding the study to pic. Participants in the study will include beneficiaries of assistive technology; people faced with disabilities to the extent that they wholly depend on assistive technology. Data will also be collected from families of disabled persons, and teachers who use assistive technology while dealing with disabled students. ... Previously documented sources of data can also be reliable as they include empirical findings on research already conducted on the topic. The data collection tools, methods, and instruments will be pretested to determine their validity and reliability. Findings advantages Assistive technology enhances learning in people with disabilities, as it helps them to communicate with ease, and receive instructions in a manner they can easily comprehend. When disabled persons use this technology, they become independent because they can move and play without seeking assistance from other persons (Blackstone, 1990). Therefore, the adoption of assistive technology promotes learning in children with disabilities. Pruski & Knops (2005) assert that teachers and caregivers find the technology useful while dealing with the disabled children, as it speeds up learning in children and enables them to be at the same level with other children. The use of the technology makes people with disabilities to be more functional than they could be without the technology. As a result, the technology turns out to be useful in early interventions to model the disabled persons. Assistive technology enables the disabled persons to access recreation facilities and entertainment. Resulting from the technology, persons with disabilities become rehabilitated; they can be employed in organizations because computers enable them to have the ability to work (Jonge et. al, 2006). Teachers apply different styles of learning to instruct students while using assistive technology. Instructions based on the use of computers improve motivation of the students and gives immediate feedback. Once disabled

An Exploratory Analysis of the Possibility for LUSH to Achieve Success Essay

An Exploratory Analysis of the Possibility for LUSH to Achieve Success in China (Mainland) - Essay Example This policy creates a dilemma for companies like L’Oreal which seek to expand their market share to serve consumers from countries where humane treatment of animals is a public policy (1). Such companies were compelled to conduct tests on animals at their cost as noted by Alistair Currie at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) (2). Nevertheless, it is not possible for these companies to exclude China in their market expansion strategies until the government changes the current regulations regarding animal testing and substantiate on the matter (2). Indeed, China is thinking of ways to reduce animal testing with regards to cosmetics (3). Chinas Food & Drug Administration announced that from June 2014, China will do away with its mandatory animal test requirements for cosmetic products manufactured domestically (4). For the first time ever, Chinese companies producing "non-special use cosmetics" such as shampoos or perfumes will have an option as to whether to submit their product samples to the government for testing on rabbits, mice and rats. This will be accompanied by substantiating on product safety using existing safety data for raw ingredients, or European Union-validated non-animal tests (4). The ‘Be Cruelty-Free’Â  organisation will continue to work with Chinese officials towards a complet e ban on cosmetics animal testing (4). This study focused on exploring China’s market potential for typical non-animal testing supporter, Lush, discussing its common marketing strategy and management style as ethical business. My personal interest drove me to choose this topic. I have been interested in Lush for three years after several pleasant experiences on purchases both from online stores and agents. Surprisingly, despite its popularity, it is rare in physical stores. Lush was founded in 1994 as an organic cosmetics and skin care company. The core belief on which it was started was to manufacture fresh mandate products from natural

Assistive Technology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assistive Technology - Essay Example Introduction Assistive technology refers to the technology used by disabled persons to enable them overcome the difficulties they experience. This technology includes devices such as wheelchairs and walkers, which aid in mobility (Pruski & Knops, 2005). Hardware and software used to access computers and information technologies by disabled people also form part of assistive technology. For instance, persons whose hands have limited function can use keyboards that have large keys or a specific mouse while operating computers. Blind people can use software that generates text in a computer screen from a voice generated by the computer. In addition, people who do not see properly can use software that will enlarge the content in the screen of the computer; while deaf persons may use a text telephone (Solarz, 1990). Research Methods, procedures, and instruments. Data in this research will be collected using the interview method, by asking the participants questions regarding the study to pic. Participants in the study will include beneficiaries of assistive technology; people faced with disabilities to the extent that they wholly depend on assistive technology. Data will also be collected from families of disabled persons, and teachers who use assistive technology while dealing with disabled students. ... Previously documented sources of data can also be reliable as they include empirical findings on research already conducted on the topic. The data collection tools, methods, and instruments will be pretested to determine their validity and reliability. Findings advantages Assistive technology enhances learning in people with disabilities, as it helps them to communicate with ease, and receive instructions in a manner they can easily comprehend. When disabled persons use this technology, they become independent because they can move and play without seeking assistance from other persons (Blackstone, 1990). Therefore, the adoption of assistive technology promotes learning in children with disabilities. Pruski & Knops (2005) assert that teachers and caregivers find the technology useful while dealing with the disabled children, as it speeds up learning in children and enables them to be at the same level with other children. The use of the technology makes people with disabilities to be more functional than they could be without the technology. As a result, the technology turns out to be useful in early interventions to model the disabled persons. Assistive technology enables the disabled persons to access recreation facilities and entertainment. Resulting from the technology, persons with disabilities become rehabilitated; they can be employed in organizations because computers enable them to have the ability to work (Jonge et. al, 2006). Teachers apply different styles of learning to instruct students while using assistive technology. Instructions based on the use of computers improve motivation of the students and gives immediate feedback. Once disabled

Studies in English Literature Essay Example for Free

Studies in English Literature Essay Henry V, positioned during the critical move from the Theatre to the Globe, can serve as a case study for this kind of economic close reading. It tells a story of continual repositioning, good and bad decisions, business errors, and the workings of a company that was trying to succeed financially but was far from assured of success. From 1598 through 1599, the Chamberlains Men dealt with a series of difficulties. One of these difficulties was related to politics: the companys choice of Henry V as a topic, assuming that it would be topical and popular, and the subsequent return of the earl of Essex in defeat. But most of the companys problems were internal and economic. [3] The search for a theatrical home took up most of the companys energy, through the Blackfriars financial fiasco, in the bitter battles with Giles Allen over their lease (which resulted in pulling down the Theatre), and through their commissioning of Peter Street to build a new theater in Southwark, the Globe. Another major blow was the departure of William Kempe from the company. Henry V shows the strains of making a series of accommodations to fit financial and internal crises: casting changes, location changes, and changes in topical references. These accommodations can be seen in the prologues, in the accommodations to the casting, in the break from 2 Henry IV, and finally, quite possibly, in the Bad Quarto text of 1600. In 1597, James Burbage died, leaving his sons capital invested in the Blackfriars Theater. He had bought the Blackfriars on 4 February 1595/96. [4] His plans to move the company there had been frustrated by the petition of the inhabitants, including the companys own patron, Lord Hunsdon: [W]hereas one Burbage hath lately bought certaine roomes in the same precinct neere adjoyning unto the dwelling houses of the right honourable the Lord Chamberlaine and the Lord of Hunsdon, which romes the said Burbage is now altering and meaneth very shortly to convert and turne the same into a comon playhouse, which will grow to be a very great annoyance and trouble [ldots] both by reason of the great resort and gathering togeather of all manner of vagrant and lewde persons that, under cullor of resorting to the playes, will come thither and worke all manner of mischeefe, and allso to the great pestring and filling up of the same precinct, yf it should please God to send any visitation of sicknesse as heretofore hath been [ldots] and besydes, that the same playhouse is so neere the Church that the noyse of the drummes and trumpetts will greatly disturbe and hinder both the ministers and parishioners in tyme of devine service and sermons [ldots] there hath not at any tyme heretofore been used any comon playh ouse within the same precinct, but that now all players being banished [ldots] from playing within the Cittie by reason of the great inconveniences and ill rule that followeth them, they now thincke to plant them selves in liberties. [5] The petitioners object to the increased traffic, the noise, the nature of the audience (vagrant and lewde persons), and to the possibility of the plague. Perhaps most significant is their statement that the players are banished from the city and now thincke to plant them selves in liberties. It has often been assumed that the freedom sought by the playing companies was primarily political and that the companies were marginalized. [6] Steven Rappaport points out, however, that the liberties were economically attractive to those who wished to avoid city regulation in order to make more money. [7] The liberties were, therefore, enterprise zones, and as such were equally attractive to theatrical companies seeking economic freedom. In short, the inhabitants of Blackfriars successfully blocked the move. The Chamberlains Men were losing their lease at the Theatre and had nowhere to go. Adams, John Cranford. The Globe Playhouse: Its Design and Equipment. 2nd ed. New York: Barnes Noble, 1961. The years all other theatres of its type had to be closed down, refurbished, or replaced. And until its accidental destruction in 1613 the Globe was the principal theatre, public or private, in all London, occupied exclusively by the leading theatrical company, during that companys strongest years. In short the Globe witnessed indeed it helped materially to create the golden years of Elizabethan drama. If for no other reasons this study of the Globe would be justified. But its chief object is to prepare the way for a fuller understanding of Shakespeares plays. The stage for which he wrote differed radically from our modern stage, and as a consequence his techniques and conventions were unlike those of Broadway and Hollywood. As Mr. Tyrone Guthrie observed (in The Listener of April 10, 1958): Shakespeare will always have to be butchered so long as his work has to be produced in a sort of theatre for which the plays were not written, to which they are positively ill-adapted; a sort of theatre designed for effects which are irrelevant to Shakespeares purposes, and inimical to the kind of effects he sought. If we are to comprehend his genius as not only the leading dramatist but also the leading theatre craftsman of his age, we must bring more to a study of his plays than the theatrical assumptions and techniques of today. It is important to the study of Shakespeare and his fellow dramatists to understand the design of an Elizabethan public stage and the extent to which that stage was equipped with fixed or alterable scenery, with traps, machines, and properties all helping to enlarge and sustain the scope and force of dramatic illusion. It is essential, for example, to know where the audience was placed in relation to any given unit of the multiple stage, and whether the inner stages (where such scenes as the murder of Desdemona or the blinding of Gloucester took place) were remote and dimly lighted or were in full view and well lighted. It revives some of the excitement Shakespearean.

Spiral of Silence: Communication Theory

Spiral of Silence: Communication Theory This is a report based on the communication theory â€Å"Spiral of Silence and the aim of the report is to investigate the theory more into detail, to validate it and to see how it applies to our society, mainly in the I.T industry. The report outlines the finding that I have researched and complied with the help of books, data bases, journals and external sources. Based on the theory, Elizabeth Noelle Neumann stated that if individuals believed that they are part of the minority, the less likely they are to voice their opinion due to the fear of isolation. There were many other theorists that supported her view and others that had stated so before her. There was a variety of theory being investigated and in many different forms but the all focused on one thing which was, the â€Å"fear of social isolation†. There were many forms of research method used, based on the public view, a country as a whole and as individual view. The theory is said to apply to very delicate topics such as war, politics, misuse of authority and other views that could cause massive debate. This is the reason why people tend to think twice when it comes to voicing their views if they believe that they are in the minority group. Having a fair idea of what the theory is about, I will validate the theory with all the information that I have found and prove the theory stating if the theory has any connection to our society and individuals. Introduction Purpose This report is based on the theory spiral of silence those main purpose is to state how it can be applied to everyday situations and particularly the I.T industry. Research is an investigative process where we search systematically for solutions to problems. It is about rules to guide our research and helping us to evaluate the research of others. The function of the research is to test the theory. Research is the instrument used to test whether a theory is correct or not. It is the process by which data is gathered to generate a theory and used to test a theory. This main purpose for this report is to explain the theory in detail and outline the key issues that the theory sates. Also it helps us understand communication theory better and clearer, since communication is an important skill to have in the I.T industry and we also use it in our everyday lives, it is an important skill to have. There are a lot of topics and political problems that people are afraid to talk about and spea k out on and so I will try to prove or investigate the theory and see if the theory relates to what it states and if the theorists is credible. Scope In the report I will be investigating the theory and its relationship it has to communication. I will also evaluate the credibility of the theorists and the theory and how it can be applied to the present day situations particularly in the information technology industry. There were a lot of different views expressed and in different context. I will be focusing more in the involvement and effect that the media has on us as individuals in forming opinions. Since media is seen to play a major role in this theory, I will focus more on it but not forgetting the other factors that may cause the spiral of silence. I will also outline some of the tests and experiments that were done by some scholars and theorist and evaluate it. Limitations During the overall completion of the project I did face certain problems and ran into difficulties. Firstly although there was enough time given to complete the research I had other projects to complete, which in turn made it difficult to compile the report. There was however a bit of restriction on the amount of information that was available on the internet, in that case I had rely on the other sources like the pro-quest and the online data base. There werent many books available in the library that contained information regarding my theory so my tutor was able to issue me with some books which did help me compile my research. The computer labs on campus were usually occupied and so I had to do most of my research and the typing at home. Research Methods Searching for information and investigating the theory was a very challenging task to do especially when here were limited resources available on the internet. There were information available but most of it had similar information which made it hard to use. I had to use all resources available including library data bases, internet and old scholar journals. I wasnt really able to find any books in the library, but I was able to get two books from my tutor that contained information about my theory and it provided me with a lot of details that helped me understand the theory in details and explained the theory in detail and context. It explained a lot about the theory stating the history and how it is viewed by the public and each individual. Most of the information which I found on the internet was manly repeated and each website stated almost similar information which really stated the same information. The only relevant information that I was able to use was the information about the theory and the theorist. The Scholar journals did have a bit more information about the theory which mainly based on a research that was done. I found some journal that stated a research and the findings of the investigation. It looked at the theory in a different form in which it was applied in an investigation and research. Structure Of The Report In this report I will briefly explain and introduce the theory then explain the purpose, scope, research methods and limitations of the research. I will also do a literature review that will briefly review some of the sources where I got my information from. The main body will contain the findings, background, key issues, and application of the theory then finally evaluate it. In the final part I will summarise my report and then state my opinions and thoughts about the theory. Literature Review Book Reviews Book 1: Communication Theories for Everyday Life John R. Baldwin, Stephen D. Perry, Mary Anne Moffitt. (2003). Communication Theories for Everyday Life (1st Edition). Person: Allyn Bacon, Inc. Summary The book Communication Theories for Everyday Life (New Edition) provides us with a lot of information on the theory by Elizabeth Neumann, The Spiral of silence. The authors in this book mainly focus the theory spiral of silence based on the media which is said to play an influential role. They believe that the media plays an important role in influencing the public into making decisions or ideas. They explained how the theory provides some insight into why we might avoid contributing to some political discussions but participate fully in others based on our observation of opinion in the real world. Sports can also bring out heated opinions in certain settings with fans of a certain team will argue or debate amongst a member of the opposing teams. When issues like this arise we tend to be more careful about when and to whom we express our ideas and opinions. We are constantly surveying our environment subconsciously for trends in public opinions. Television is believed to be the most influential medium for this theory since it is everywhere. We may not own a TV of our own but we see it in stores, airports or at a friends house. Being part of the majority is what most people tend to want and we will compare our opinions with that of the majority because we desire social inclusion. Therefore if someone believes he or she is in the minority, that person will be inhibited from speaking out and expressing the minority view point. Validation After carefully reading and analysing the following abstract from the book, I conclude that the facts that were stated in this book do have some connections to the theory. They have outlined a lot of ideas to what the theory spiral of silence is about. It also points out some important facts mainly that mass media is seen to be a very important tool in changing peoples views or forming their decisions. Since people tend to base their decisions on the majoritys choice. It also provides some insight into how television actually has an impact on the people as a whole. It proves that people are double mined on speaking out as a minority and will be more comfortable if they believe that they are part of the majority. Since there is a lot of support in the majority we wont fear social isolation, but if we are in the minority there is not much support and so we fear that we are on our own and so we may be isolated. According to the theory by Elizabeth she believes that mass media does have a huge effect on the theory and so the authors have based most of their finding on Neumanns theory about the media. Most of the information in the abstract concentrates on the medias influence, changes and perceptions that it may have on our opinions. Book 2: Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis Application Richard West, Lynn H. Tuner. (2004). Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis Application (2nd Edition). Marquette University Summary The Book Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis Application, explains the theory spiral of silence by Elizabeth Noelle Neumann. It explains how the media has impacted our opinions and changed dramatically over the years. The authors stated that over the years the media has helped to shape and make us what we are today. They believe that Neumann focused on what happened when people provide their opinions on a variety of issues that the media have defined for the public. Her theory suggests that people who believe that they hold a minority viewpoint on the public issue will remain in the background or isolated. Where their communication will be constrained, those who believe that they hold a majority viewpoint will be encouraged to speak out. Neumann stated that the media will focus more on the majority views while underestimating the minority viewpoint. She believes that the media will only be focused on the minority and their views while forgetting the minority groups. The minori ty will be less assertive in communicating their opinions therefore leading to a downward spiral of communication. The minority will then overestimate their influence and will become emboldened in their opinions where the media reports on their opinions and activities. The media is seen to play a very important role in the theory. The media chooses to report on the majority groups opinions and activities and only tend to focus on them where they will be heard by the public. The minority will then be forgotten and so their opinions and view s are not heard. Validation The authors have highlighted some very important points about the theory. Mass media being the main focus, it has a lot of influence on peoples opinions. It is seen to be a very powerful tool that could change peoples views and mentality. It has the power to influence and change people beliefs, making them believe what they are told or shown. It is human mentality to go with the flow and just follow the crowd. We are easily convinced just because the majority rules. If we had to debate a topic and asked to choose an answer we tend to choose the group where there is a lot of support forgetting about the minority. The authors are just moving on from Neumanns theory to explaining more into detail the role of the media on our opinions. Thought they may not have done any research on the theory, they have research more on the theory and explained it in simple terms. Library Databases Journal 1: The Spiral of Silence is broken Jose Luis Barberia, Kel Pais Rel Pais. (March 5, 2009). The Spiral of Silence is broken. (1), (6). Summary This article was based on an experiment that was done in Taiwan which explored the relationships between inoculation and the spiral of silence theory. According to the writers they believed that inoculation strategies would be able to ease spiral of silence focusing on resistance to counter-attitudinal attack and willingness to speak out for fear of isolation. The study was based on random sampled citizens in Taiwan while he issue being Taiwans political future in relation the Peoples Republic of China. The results concluded that Inoculation treatments enhanced peoples resistance to attitude change. The study seeks to integrate the theories of inoculation and the spiral of silence. The factors featured in the spiral of silence theory might have significant implications for inoculation studies.They also stated that Noelle-Neumann initiated some original assumptions of the theory which was individual, media system and societal. They explained that individuals are social beings are afra id of being isolated from their fellow human being. Secondly, in order to avoid being isolated or losing popularity, individuals constantly observe their environment to locate proper positions to enable them to perceive the distribution of opinions. Third is that the individuals are capable of distinguishing between static and fluid opinions. Fourth is the social environment where individual notice that their personal opinions are spreading and supported by others will voice their opinions confidently in public. In contrast, if they notice their opinions losing ground they will adopt a more reserved attitude when speaking out in public or even withdraw from the public discussion. This is the chain reaction for fear of isolation. Validation This journal goes deep into context and explains the theory deeper and focuses on the human behaviour based on the theory. It was an experiment that was done in Taiwan, exploring the relationships between Inoculation and the spiral of silence theory. It was stated that Inoculation could counter the spiral of silence theory. The study focused more on the human behaviour and explains why we tend to isolate ourselves and are afraid to speak out in public. It helps us understand why the theory affects the minority groups. It examined the potential influences of the individuals construct on opinion expression as a cultural-level and the willingness to express opinions differing across two cultures. The test also saw that the lack of efficacy negatively predicts a willingness to express opinions while the lack of self-assurance of ones opinions negatively predicts a willingness to express opinions. Journal 2: The Spiral of Silence and Public opinion on affirmative action Patricia May, David Domke, Keith Stamm. (Spring, 2001). The Spiral of Silence and Public opinion on affirmative action. (78). (1) This journal was a study done to explain the key variables involved in Elizabeth Noelle-Neumanns Spiral of Silence Theory, which states that fearing isolation is what keeps the individuals from expressing their desired opinions because they are minority. The authors decided to carry out a test based on the theory but in the context of public discussion which was focused on affirmative action policies. They reviewed selected data from 217 randomly selected adults on October 1998 that indicated fear of isolation. It showed that fear of isolation indeed prevents one from publicly voicing perceived minority opinions. The willingness to speak out on a controversial ballot was predicted also by demographics, media use and the importance of the issue. In recent years, citizens have voted to repeal affirmative action laws and policies that have been enacted in the 1960s and 1970s; ensuring opportunity regards less of race and gender. It is believed that this trend caused more harm than good, while others disagreed arguing that affirmative action may be the best approach. There were a lot of public discussions about affirmative action. They believed that Neumann suggest that issues which are controversial tends to make people refrain from expressing their opinions if they believe that it will only be shared by minority. The study basically explores the factors contributing to peoples willingness to speak publicly on controversial topics, focusing on the concept of fear of isolation. Validation This journal is another research project investigating more on the theory. They researched it on the public opinions based on affirmative actions. The theory suggests that isolation from the publicly stating our opinions may occur people believe that they are part of the minority group. The study does prove the theory to some extent where they based the study on public opinions which does have a lot to do with the theory because it is mainly in public that people are double minded on raising their opinions. People are also cautious when speaking on controversial topics and topics which may raise some concerns or opinions. The study was seen to be successful and so does to some extent prove the theory correct. Overall in this case I can say that the theory is correct and the study done was successful and did test the willingness of the public on the controversial ballot. The only downside would be that they used data from the past and merged it with their research, which means that it may be old or irrelevant with the present time. Internet Sources Source 1: Wikipedia Wikipedia. (2009). Spiral of silence. Retrieved August 12, 2009, from Summary This web page explains Elizabeth Neumanns theory is a theoretical way. It states that the theory is a political science and mass communication theory. The spiral of silence begins with the fear of retaliation or isolation and escalates from there. Mass media is seen to play a major role in determining what the dominant opinion is, since our observation is limited to a small percentage of the population. Neumann describes the spiral of silence as a dynamic process, where public opinion becomes a fact as mass medias coverage of the majority opinion gets more publicity, and the minority becomes less likely to speak out. The theory is seen to only apply to moral or opinion issues, not issues that can be proven right or wrong using facts. People who are highly educated, or who have greater affluence or those who do not fear isolation will speak out regardless of public opinions which means the minority is a necessary factor of change while the compliant majority is a necessary factor of s tability, with both being a product of evolution. Most research is focused on social issues such as smoking and the aftermath of September 11, 2001. The concept of isolation has a variety of definitions, depending on the circumstances it is investigated in. It could be defined as social withdrawal which means less interaction. Researchers have defined isolation as low levels of peer acceptance or high levels of peer rejection. The features of the internet could not only bring about more people to deliberate by freeing people of the psychological barriers. They have also raised another point where the internet is also another form of expressing their views without fear of isolation because it can be anonymous and there is no human contact which means that the persons identity could be protected. The internet has a lot of users because it liberates people from the social hierarchies and power relations that exists offline without any human contact. Validation Wikipedia is an online web-based encyclopaedia project supported by the non-profit Wikimedia Foundation which provides us with any information that we may want. The only problem is that most of the information is posted on by the public, which means they may not be proven theoretically or have any evidence. Wikipedia looks at the theory in a theoretical perspective which explains the theory in detailed and clearer view which is closely connected with the Elizabeth theory. According to the author he/she also believes that mass media plays an important role in the theory and how it works. The concept of isolation is also explained deeper into context where it has varies definitions. It explains the social withdrawal which means less interaction and isolation. It looks at the internet as another medium that has a very huge impact on people. Since it can be accessed from home or anywhere and is gives us choices on what we want to do because it does not include human contact which makes i t easier for the minority groups or any individual to express themselves and will not be isolated because it is anonymous. Findings About The Theorist Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann is a German political scientist that was born on the 19th of December, 1916. Her most famous contribution is the model of the spiral of silence which is an explanation of how perceived public opinion can influence individual opinions or actions. She earned her Abitur in 1935 in Gà ¶ttingen and then studied philosophy, history, journalism, and American studies at the Friedrich Wilhelm University, the Kà ¶nigsberg Albertina University, and the University of Missouri. She lived in the USA from 1937 to 1938 andiIn 1940 she received her PhD concentrating on public opinion research in the USA. Noelle-Neumann was also the president of the World Association for Public Opinion Research from 1978 to 1980 and worked as a guest professor at the University of Chicago from 1978 to 1991. About The Theory Spiral of Silence is an innovative theory of public opinion that developed by Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann. Noelle-Neumann follows the paths of past philosophers Locke, Hume, Rousseau, Goethe, and James Madison, in that she considers public opinion a physical force that controls peoples decisions. Noelle-Neumann blames the spiral of silence on fear of isolation. In other words, people who feel that they are in the minority may keep quiet because they fear ridicule from the majority. The phrase â€Å"spiral of silence refers to how people tend to stay silent when they feel that their views are in the minority. The model shows the increasing pressure which people are noticing to conceal their views when they think that they are in the minority. It is a political science and mass communication theory which begins with fear of reprisal or isolation, and escalates from there. Spiral of Silence model The model is based on three premises: 1. People have a sixth-sense, which allows them to know the prevailing public opinion, even without access to polls. 2. People have a fear of isolation and know what behaviours will increase their likelihood of being socially isolated. 3. People are silent to express their minority views, primarily out of fear of being isolated. Source: http://www.cw.utwente.nl/theorieenoverzicht/Levels%20of%20theories/macro/spiral_of_silence.doc/ Introduction Elizabeth Neumann examines public opinion as a form of social control. She believes that Individuals instinctively notice the opinions of those around them and shape their behaviour according to what is acceptable. The closer a person believes the opinion held is similar to the prevailing public opinion, the more he/she is willing to openly disclose that opinion in public. If the public statement changes, the person will recognize that the opinions loses its popularity and the person will be less willing to express that opinion publicly. In her model of opinion formation, Elizabeth Noelle-Neumann postulates a spiral of silence: to avoid isolation, people holding minority views either change their ideas to conform to the majoritys views or remain silent, thus increasing the impression of the majority views dominance. While providing a helpful integration of disparate ideas in public opinion formation, Noelle-Neumanns framework has been questioned at a number of points. Is it reasonable to assume that since people fear isolation, most fear being in the minority? Her research suggests, in fact, that many people can oppose majority views as long as they have individual or group support and that interpersonal relationships have a greater impact on opinion formation than impersonal public opinion presented through the media. Recent studies have also offered an alternative to Noelle-Neumanns view of people as simply reacting to their perception of public opinion, suggesting that instead, people use their own opinions to for m their perceptions of public attitudes. Whether peoples behaviour resembles the reaction or projection model may depend on a number of conditions, including their familiarity with the issue. Further research is needed on the many factors influencing opinion formation The Fear Of Isolation This is the main force that drives the spiral of silence. People want to be identified as a winner and therefore conform to the majoritys beliefs. The last thing that people want is to be isolated from a group or society. There are some exceptions though, as there is a time to speak and a time to keep silent which is centred on public opinion. If our view is in favour we will speak out then when our views drop out of favour, we will most defiantly keep silent. Summary In 1973, Elizabeth Noelle- Neumann articulated one of the few integrated expositions of the mass communication effects and the process of public opinion. In general she was able to demonstrate that individuals can attempt to gauge majority opinion on an issue and that some individuals appear to be influenced by their perceptions of majority opinion on some issues. In doing so she was successful in clarifying and empirically testing hypothesis about a concept that has been only vaguely defined in public opinion. In this report I will be outlining Noelle-Neumanns conceptualization of two key concepts, the climate of opinion and that spiral of silence of silence. The validity of basing the â€Å"fear of isolation† concept on social psychological literature on conformity is examined. Also the role of the media in conveying the majority opinion will be examined. The Spiral Of Silence According to Noelle- Neumann, individuals are constantly sensitive to the climate of opinion and assess the distribution and strength of the opinion for and against their own. The tendency of one to speak up and others to be silent leads to the spiralling process which increasingly establishes one opinion as the popular one. Neumanns definition of public opinion is best expressed as the dominating opinion which compels compliance of attitude a behaviour in that it threatens the dissenting individuals with isolation. There are a few individuals that are known as â€Å"hardcores† who are willing to express their opinions without feeling compelled to conform. They will not be silent in the face of the public opinion. How do individuals know which opinions are acceptable to express in public without the fear of isolation? Neumann claims that by the use of a â€Å"quasi-statistical organ†, the individual assesses the opinion environment. The individual will the specifically use the climate of opinion. The media plays an important role through agenda-setting, according to certain persons and arguments relating the urgency or share of success for various opinions. One of the main parts of the explanation to the spiral of silence is the role of mass media. Noelle-Neumann believes that with more people watching mass media, the more the minority will keep quite because they will think that they are even more of a minority that they actually are. She claims that this is so because it is becoming the only media outlet that people are using, along with the internet, so it is able to control exactly what people see or hear. The media know this and because of that, they use their powers to influence the public opinion as much as possible towards which ever beliefs they hold or want to put across. Noelle-Neumann claimed that in the early seventys, the media had powerful effects, particularly over opinion formation. She believed that it was deficient because it was conducted under laboratory conditions and not in the field. Mass media is everywhere and individuals can rarely escape accumulation of the same media message. It was also found that in any circumstance a person with low self-esteem is less likely to speak out even if they agree with the majority opinion, simply because that is what their personality dictates. She also discovered that having diverse reporting has a powerful role in the mass media and the views of those watching it. Since the media is diverse, and it shares different view points on a subject, then people will be more willing to take different sides of an argument because they will not feel as alienated as before. The elements of Noelle-Neumanns ideas can also be found in several scholarly works including Floyd Allport (1978) who described the climate of opinion. John Locke (1961) describes Noelle-Neumanns â€Å"hardcores† when he says â€Å"nor is there one of ten thousand who is stiff and insensible enough to bear up under the constant dislike and condemnation of his own club† W.Phillps Davison (1975) describes the public opinion process of conformity-induced silence occurs when an individual feels he/she is in the midst of a hostile majority. Thus the concept of the opinion climate and the spiral of silence are not new. Noelle-Neumann was able to articulate a thesis based on these concepts and generated data to support some of her contentions. When Noelle Neumann was forced to revise her theory to accommodate the other findings, the theory became much better. She added to her theory many other factors such as race, gender, age, environment, and social status. Now the theory cl aims that all of these things, in addition to whether one is in the majority of the opinion on a subject, will all matter whether a person speaks out. Fear Of Isolation Conformity Since Pressure to conform is a major portion of Noelle-Neumanns foundation for her arguments, Solomon Asch (1995) also did a study where he put one subject in the midst of seen confederates and asked each person to determine the shortest of three lines. Arch had seven confederates purposively select an incorrect line, and then examined the subjects response in light of the clearly wrong response of the confederates. He found that one-fourth of the subjects were completely independent of any majority pressure. These people, who Noelle-Neumann would label â€Å"hardcores†, selected the correct lines despite pressure to conform and select the incorrect line. On the other hand, no subjects conformed on every trial the situation did not elicit total conformity from subjects. He found that in manipulating some independent variables, pressure to agree is highly specific. There is no single â€Å"type† of individual who agrees, nor does public conformity imply inner acceptance of judgment or opinion. In analyzing different groups of subjects, Asch found that although very few yielded nearly completely to majority influence, they didnt think they had yielded at all. These people perceived the majority estimates as correct and didnt feel as though they themselves had conformed. Most of the subjects, who agreed, however lacked the confidence in their estimates and felt a tendency to go along with the majority when in doubt. Others who confirmed knew they were right but did not want to appear different from the majority. In a follow-up experiment, Asch found that if the subject had some support from some in the group, conformity to majority influence inclined substantially. Noelle-Neumann based her spiral of silence theory notion on face-to-face, small group situations that was described by Locke (1961), Allport (1937) and Asch (1951). In each of the cases the individual is isolated a midst a hostile majority and in direct contact with his antagonists. Although most of the test that were done in the past did prove the theory, there were some circumstances that were overlooked, as to the ability to apply to universal situations. For example, different ages, gender and education were left out and the very fact that the questions that were asked were about irrelevant things, raises the

Traitor in The Defector Episode of Star Trek Essays -- Star Trek Trait

Traitor in The Defector Episode of Star Trek In "The Defector," Jarroc becomes a traitor when he betrays the Romulan Empire. Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary has several definitions for "betrayal," but the one we are interested in is the second, which reads, "to deliver to an enemy by treachery" (109). By defecting and telling the Federation of the Romulan plan to invade, Jarroc does just that. Merriam-Webster's further defines a traitor as "one who betrays another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty" (1252). By defecting to the Federation and using information that the Romulan High Council gave him in trust to harm the Romulan Empire, Jarroc became a traitor. Until the very end of the show, Jarroc did not believe that he was a traitor. When Riker asked him why he had set his ship to self-destruct (thereby keeping the Federation from learning its secrets), Jarroc replied, "Wouldn't you? To keep your ship from being captured?" Riker became a little upset and said, "Excuse me, Setal, but I thought you were defecting." Jarroc's reply illustrates his attitude: "I am not a traitor" ("The Defector"). One's attitude toward a particular instance of defection (forsaking one cause, party, or nation for another often because of a change in ideology) depends almost entirely upon the observer's position (Merriam 302). Riker equates defection with treason. As we see later in the episode, so do the Romulans. Jarroc, though, has a unique position. Though he has defected (he does not deny it), he still does not think of himself as a traitor. Jarroc does not finally give in and commit treason (in his own mind) until near the end of the episode, when he meet s with Picard. Picard refuses to move until Jarroc provides some evid... ...betrayed himself. Also, by failing in his mission to save his children by keeping the Romulans from going to war, he betrayed his unofficial oath to them. War was the Romulans' aim--Tomalak explicitly said so during the confrontation in the Neutral Zone. Thanks to good planning on Picard's part, though, the Romulans' plans did not come to fruition. Jarroc's daughter would not die in the war that he had been lead to believe was coming, but his actions did not save her. Jarroc himself puts it most succinctly when he says, "I did it for nothing. My home, my family . . . for nothing." Works Cited Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition. Springfield: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 1993. "The Defector." Prod. Ira Steven Behr. Dir. Robert Sheerer. Perf. Patrick Stewart and James Sloyan. Star Trek: The Next Generation. Syndicated. KBVO, Austin. 14 Jan. 1990

London After the Fire Essay -- British History, Annus Mirabilis

Depending on how you view life will influence how you feel about the city you live in. People who live an honest life and see the glass half full will be more hopeful about tragedies. People who do not live an honest life and see the glass half empty will be more disparaging during tragedies. An optimist will also look at tragedy as a time of rebuilding where a pessimist will look at the same tragedy as life as we know it over. In this essay I will describe the view of London from Dyden's Annus Mirabilis and Pepys' Diary, I will discuss what each excerpt have in common and what differs with regards to the representation of the Great Fire of 1666, I will display each author's attitude toward the city, the nation and its people and finally showcase which writer is more optimistic of the city's future. By the very first line in Annus Mirabilis you can see that the author viewed the city before the fire as a great city that has made a turn for the worst "Yet London, empress of the northern clime, By an high fate thou greatly didst expire" (2085, 1-2). Dryden felt the city had claimed too much fame and possibly too much sin. This poem is remnant of the story from the bible of Sodom and Gomorrah because those cities were destined to be destroyed by God for the people of the cities sinful nature. Dryden must have believed London needed to suffer the same fate, but instead of being completely destroyed and gone forever London is not entirely burned and is rebuilt better than it was before "Great as the world's, which at the death of time Must fall, and rise a nobler frame by fire" (2085, 3-4). Looking into how Pepys feels about London it is a bit more difficult to decipher because he is writing... ...d this will keep him from having the sky come crashing down if everything does not turn out as he believes it will. In this essay, I have described the view of London from Dyden's Annus Mirabilis and Pepys' Diary. I have also discussed what each excerpt has in common and what differs with regards to the representation of the Great Fire of 1666. I have depicted each author's attitude toward the city, the nation and its people and finally showcased Dryden as the more optimistic writer with regards to the city's future. Remembering to look at the positive side of things when there is a tragedy is sometimes what makes us resilient enough to rise out of the ashes and rebuild. Every place on earth experiences tragedy and it is not the tragedy that defines people, but it is the actions they take afterwards that stakes claim in who they really are. London After the Fire Essay -- British History, Annus Mirabilis Depending on how you view life will influence how you feel about the city you live in. People who live an honest life and see the glass half full will be more hopeful about tragedies. People who do not live an honest life and see the glass half empty will be more disparaging during tragedies. An optimist will also look at tragedy as a time of rebuilding where a pessimist will look at the same tragedy as life as we know it over. In this essay I will describe the view of London from Dyden's Annus Mirabilis and Pepys' Diary, I will discuss what each excerpt have in common and what differs with regards to the representation of the Great Fire of 1666, I will display each author's attitude toward the city, the nation and its people and finally showcase which writer is more optimistic of the city's future. By the very first line in Annus Mirabilis you can see that the author viewed the city before the fire as a great city that has made a turn for the worst "Yet London, empress of the northern clime, By an high fate thou greatly didst expire" (2085, 1-2). Dryden felt the city had claimed too much fame and possibly too much sin. This poem is remnant of the story from the bible of Sodom and Gomorrah because those cities were destined to be destroyed by God for the people of the cities sinful nature. Dryden must have believed London needed to suffer the same fate, but instead of being completely destroyed and gone forever London is not entirely burned and is rebuilt better than it was before "Great as the world's, which at the death of time Must fall, and rise a nobler frame by fire" (2085, 3-4). Looking into how Pepys feels about London it is a bit more difficult to decipher because he is writing... ...d this will keep him from having the sky come crashing down if everything does not turn out as he believes it will. In this essay, I have described the view of London from Dyden's Annus Mirabilis and Pepys' Diary. I have also discussed what each excerpt has in common and what differs with regards to the representation of the Great Fire of 1666. I have depicted each author's attitude toward the city, the nation and its people and finally showcased Dryden as the more optimistic writer with regards to the city's future. Remembering to look at the positive side of things when there is a tragedy is sometimes what makes us resilient enough to rise out of the ashes and rebuild. Every place on earth experiences tragedy and it is not the tragedy that defines people, but it is the actions they take afterwards that stakes claim in who they really are.

Planning Function of Management Essay

Planning is a crucial function of management that enables an organization to achieve its maximum potential. Halliburton is one of the largest corporations in the United States, with a workforce of over 100,000 people in over 120 countries. Their home office is located in Houston, Texas and they are one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the oil and gas industry. This paper will discuss the issues impacting and influencing management planning within Halliburton. â€Å"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.†Peter DruckerIt takes successful management at all levels and quality leadership to lead a business down the proverbial golden path. Planning is the primary management function, which formalizes an organization’s goals and objectives and establishes a base for the other functions of management. Halliburton Company is an oilfield services company and a provider of engineering and construction services that was founded in 1919. The company has expanded through tremendous internal growth and several acquisitions and in March, 2002, Halliburton split into two main divisions: the Energy Services Group (ESG) and Kellog Brown and Root (KBR). â€Å"ESG offers a wide range of products and services to â€Å"upstream oil and gas customers worldwide, ranging from the manufacturing of drill bits and other downhole and completion tools and pressure pumping services† (www.halliburton.com) [APA citation error (incorrect-do not use Web addresses or URL’s in citations). If the author is cited in text = Author’s name (year) â€Å"direct quote† (p. #). If the author is not cited in text = â€Å"direct quote† (author, year, p. #).] . KBR is the engineering subsidiary for Halliburton and is a global leader in construction and project management. Additionally, KBR is a leading government services contractor, which has been the focal point of many legal and ethical issues. Halliburton has received a great deal of negative publicity over the past year or so regarding it Iraq and Kuwait operations. The Pentagon and Justice Department have both launched criminal investigations due to erroneous contract cost estimates totaling $2.7 billion to serve American troops in  the middle east. Accusations have been made of overcharging for meals supplied to troops in Iraq, as well as employees accepting kickbacks from a Kuwaiti subcontractor. Pentagon auditors found that KBR overcharged the U.S. government by $27.4 million during a period of nine months in 2003. Additionally, Halliburton’s internal audit revealed employees accepted these kickbacks in exchange for providing Army supply contracts to the subcontractor (Associated Press). Limited military spending has created lucrative opportunities for privately held companies such as Halliburton to win these contracts and will continue to be at the forefront of media campaigns as long as the United States re mains in Iraq, especially when it comes to Dick Cheney. [You have addressed the issue thoroughly and supported your assertions.] Much speculation has been generated in regard to current Vice President of the United States and former Halliburton CEO Dick Cheney’s financial ties to his former company. On the September 14, 2003 edition of NBC’s Meet the Press, Vice President Cheney said, â€Å"And since I left Halliburton to become George Bush’s vice president, I’ve several all my ties with the company, gotten rid of all my financial interest. I have no financial interest in Halliburton of any kind and haven’t had, now, for over three years† (St. Louis Journalism Review). However, it came to light that Cheney received a salary of over $150,000 and maintained over 400,000 shares of unexercised stock options at the time. Cheney stated that he deferred his salary and stock options; therefore it did not constitute a violation of ethics. The Congressional Research Service found that these financial interests in Halliburton demonstrated a financial interest with his former empl oyer creating a conflict of interest. Despite the fact that Cheney broke the law of ethics, he is exempt from the enforcement of such laws and cannot be prosecuted for it (Halliburton Watch). KBR is the largest military contractor in Iraq, with more than 50,000 employees and subcontractor working there and in Kuwait and Afghanistan. These employees drive trucks, wash clothes, deliver mail, and provide additional support services for the U.S. troops. These workers are part of the Pentagon’s privatization strategy that enables the military to reduce the number of troops needed in a given location by assigning noncombat functions to civilians. Halliburton’s social responsibility is to keep these  workers safe and away from fighting, but it has proved a difficult task. Numerous complaint and lawsuits have surfaced because of Halliburton’s failure to provide safe working conditions and in the case of one man who was killed, the suit states he was â€Å"intentionally sent the convoy as an enemy ‘decoy’ in the U.S. military camouflage vehicles, to ensure the safe arrival and delivery of a second H-KBR fuel convoy† (CNNMoney.com). Hallib urton’s social responsibility remains in question with workers being placed in harms way on a regular basis. Factors influencing Halliburton’s strategic, tactical, operational, and contingency planning include political instability, rising steel prices, and environmental regulations. Halliburton operated in countries such as Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Indonesia, and Russia, which are currently experiencing unstable political and social climates. Continued conflict in these areas could have an impact on the company’s bottom line and their ability to generate substantial revenue. Steel is a major commodity that is used in the setting up of plant and processing facilities for natural gas and petroleum refining. Record breaking high prices were reached in early 2005, but have since stabilized. However, the ongoing consolidation in the steel industry could lead to higher prices causing the profit margins to suffer. Lastly, Halliburton is subject to environment and legal requirement in its worldwide operations, such as the Clean Air Act and Clean Air Interstate Rule, causing the states to reduce the allowable sulfur dioxide SO2 emissions by 70% and nitrogen oxides emissions by 60%. Environmental issues such as these could place a burden on is cash flow. [Insightful analysis]Halliburton has an exceptional global presence and they are currently playing a prominent role in rebuilding Iraq and by providing our troops with shelter, meals, and delivery of materials. Although Halliburton has come under intense scrutiny over the past several years due to its involvement with Vice-President Chaney and its legal and ethical issues, it has still managed to win military contracts due to its expertise in the oil service industry. This shows tremendous resiliency and reassures its customers and stockholders that it will continue to be a strong force in the oilfield services industry. [Your paper is well written. It is clear and concise.]References-references must match citations by author/owner. References begin with author/owner name e.g. CNN.money and Halburton are the owners of the websites. See examples in APA manual. MarketLine Business Information Center. Retrieved January 27, 2007 fromhttp://dbic.datamonitor.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/companies/company/?pid=B07921BD-F512-44F2-AE84-4DA7D8630C9D#CompanyOverviewTop 25 Censored Stories. St. Louis Journalism Review; Dec 2006/Jan 2007, Vol. 36Issue 292, P23-27, 5p. Retrieved January 26, 2007 fromhttp://web.ebscohost.com. Decision Management System. Retrieved January 28, 2007 from www.halliburton.comHalliburton Announces Full Year and Fourth Quarter Results. Retrieved January 28,2007 from http://CNNMoney.comKelly, Matt. (2003, March). Halliburton Fires Workers for Allegedly Taking Kickbacksfor Iraq Contract. Retrieved Janury 27, 2007 from www.commondreams.orgTotal points available=14Your score=13.75Areas for improvement=teal belowContent and Development = 40%_____ Key elements covered, content comprehensive/accurate, clear points supported with detail, appropriate use of vocabulary, integration of theory and practice, research adequate/timely, content and purpose clear. Very good work on this section. Organization = 30%_____ Lead is interesting and relevant, thesis is well-developed, directional statement previews major points, paragraph transitions maintain flow, body paragraphs support a specific major point, conclusion is logical/flows evenly, conclusion reviews major points. Good work-very well organized. Easy to read. Format = 10%_____ APA format, â€Å"reader friendly,† utilizes references appropriately, headings aid adaptability/not overdone, neatly presented, format requirements followed. Some small errors in APA formatting of reference page and citations. (-.25)Mechanics = 10%_____ Punctuation rules followed, contractions avoided, spelling correct, vernacular is avoided, written in same person throughout, tense remains consistent. Readability and Style-10%_____ Complete, clear, concise statements, well constructed sentences, sentence transitions present, words/concepts precise,