Analysis of “Moral Minimums for Multinationals” by Thomas Donaldson Essay

  In â€Å"Moral Minimums for Multinationals† Thomas Donaldson addressed an issue, which often escapes attention of moral philosophers. The article deals with a rather special ethical aspect of international business relations: relations between people of various cultures inside multinational corporations. This problem appears to be of paramount importance for the author, providing data about expansion of corporations â€Å"devised for colonizing the future†. Manufacturers from India, managers from USA, experts from Japan, employees from the Philippines and directors from Germany – they are all bearers of quite different cultural and ethical traditions, which need to be reconciled inside an international firm. The problem becomes more complicated considering existence of universal standards for business and business conduct, which are most often based on the values of Western civilization. Should managers always insist on the same standards of conduct for all, or should they verify their demands considering particular traditions? In case the code of conduct of a company creates more severe limitations of behavior than the law and customs of the country in which the company acts, should this code of conduct prevail? Thomas Donaldson attempts to answer this and other questions in his work. Donaldson starts from assertion, that although the multinational corporations are not a wholly new phenomenon, their history in a modern understanding starts after World War II, when the growing demand of products, new transport facilities, differences in economic and financial situations in different countries resulted in internationalization of business. Consequently, standards of those companies started to expand. And the multinational corporations faced conflict between their home practices and practices in other countries, especially concerning labor conditions, working hours, age of employees, sums of salary and other issues. Other matters are related to distribution of their products and standards of quality for such products: for example, can a corporation sell pharmaceuticals which do not correspond to the standards of their   home country in other countries, where there are not such standards? Donaldson introduces several universal concepts for solving those problems. He starts with a concept of human right. Rights â€Å"establish minimum levels of morally acceptable behavior† being a kind of bottom line for the corporations, which can not be crossed, a minimum set of responsibilities for a corporation. Those responsibilities of the corporation are at the same time rights of its employees, trade partners and all those individuals which are influenced by the company’s activities. However, there is a problem of control. Who should monitor the observation of those rights and duties: the company itself or its home country, or a country which is influenced by the company’s activities? And where can such minimum standards be found at all. Some response is given by universal human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or the UN Charter. However, those instruments include very little of welfare rights, which are of paramount importance for international corporations. Donaldson criticizes the traditional distinction between positive and negative rights, asserting, that often observation of negative rights requires states and individuals to act positively and vice versa. For example, preservation of right to life means also necessity to create sufficient working and environmental conditions. So what rights related to international corporations should be endorsed on international level? Donaldson proposes the following criteria for definition of such rights: â€Å"1) the right must protect something of very great importance; 2) the right must be subject to substantial and recurrent threats; and 3) the obligations or burdens imposed by the right must satisfy a fairness-affordability test†. For Donaldson there are several rights that correspond these criteria: â€Å"1) the right to freedom of physical movement; 2) the right to ownership of property; 3) the right to freedom from torture; 4) the right to a fair trial; 5) the right to nondiscriminatory treatment (e.g., freedom from discrimination on the basis of such characteristics as race or sex); 6) the right to physical security; 7) the right to freedom of speech and association; 8) the right to minimal education; 9) the right to political participation; and 10) the right to subsistence†. For Donaldson this is a minimal list, which can be extended. He notices, that the international companies are able to observe, or at least pretend that they are observing most of the mentioned rights, but the situation is much more dramatic in cases when companies deprive people from opportunities to enjoy their rights. That’s where we once more face the problem of monitoring. Which of the rights should be guaranteed by the corporations and which by the governments? Here Donaldson states, that a corporation is not an institution which is designed to observe human rights, because it’s aim is only profit-making. They are undemocratic institutions by the nature. They strive to maximize their income and actually don’t care of anyone’s rights. Their minimal obligations under Donaldson are related to avoidance of deprivation of others of their rights. For example, the right of physical security includes the company’s obligation to physically protect it’s workers. In turn the right for political participation for the corporations is limited by their duty to respect democratic institutions in other countries. Donaldson proposes to develop test, which would demonstrate whether the actions of the company deprive anyone of his or her rights or not. If the actions of the company would finally result in violations of anyone’s crucial rights, they should be morally inacceptable, whether they are formally rightful or not. For Donaldson â€Å"nothing less than a general moral theory working in tandem with an analysis of the foundations of corporate existence is needed†. Donaldson introduces two types of ethical conflicts for multinational corporations. In the â€Å"type A† conflicts, the conduct of a company would contradict the legal and ethical norms of a country where the company holds business, and in the â€Å"type B† conflicts, the conduct of a company contradicts the laws of its home country. In order to reconcile the aims of the company to generate profit and obligation to act ethically, Donaldson supposes, that in case a particular practice does not violate considerable human rights and it is impossible to carry on business without such slightly unethical practice, a company may sometimes accept such practice (for example to bribe the officials, if this is a condition for further legal operations). Further development of ethical test would, under Donaldson, help to create ethical standards for multinational corporations in the changing global business environment. Donaldson’s article leaves a controversial impression of   Ã‚  Ã‚   incompleteness. It looks rather like a draft of an article, but not an article itself. The author does not propose any single problem or thesis, or his problem is unreasonably broad for such a small piece of text. At the beginning Donaldson speaks of the moral problems of interaction between bearers of different cultural traditions, but later he does not develop the idea, turning to ethical problems, which are actually typical for any business – not only international one. Any company seeks to improve its performance at all costs. Any company is willing to have more money and less responsibility. Any company has to face a moral choice between ethical and legal conduct and temptation to slightly violate accepted norms. The company does not need to be international to face this, therefore, the name and the thesis of Donaldson’s article are hardly related to its content. Talking of employment standards, which can be really interesting when investigating ethical matters connected to international business, we should notice, that they are not limited exclusively to international human rights instruments, as Donaldson asserts. Acts of the United Nations (especially of Economic and Social Council) as well as acts of International Labor Organization do include numerous requirements and recommendations of both legal and ethical nature. It would be wise to consider them when talking of ethical moments in international business. On the other hand Donaldson does not consider numerous business codes of conduct, which do include a number of ethical provisions. So, Donaldson’s article is rather a set of ideas and reasoning about some situations, than a systematic study of multinational business ethics. So, do we need multinational corporations to behave ethically? Obviously, yes. Do we need to develop any new ethical standards? Yes, but we need to be aware of those, which already exist. The situation is not so dramatic, as Donaldson presents. Ethical norms already exist, we just need to correctly apply them and reconcile moral requirements in various countries. Considering that most of the paramount ethical values are somehow reflected in the international law, or recognized universally, this task appears to be not so complicated. Here it is possible to speak of globalization of ethical imperatives, which is a part of globalization processes as a whole. International business act both as agents and objects of such globalization, which is already inconvertible.

Globalization and Production Essay

This discussion will weave together the details supporting the claim that globalization has been detrimental in at least four distinct ways to the global community. In particular, the interests of reducing production costs for multinational corporate entities by operating in the developing sphere has driven a pointed ambition to undermine both labor rights and environmental protections in developing nations. In addition to these two concrete and immediate effects of globalization, there are also negative effects on the economies from which such corporations originate. Such aggressive free trade pursuant nations as the United States have seen a wholesale transplanting of production and service positions, bearing a retractionary impact on the domestic and local economies. A fourth impact of globalization in its current form is the spread of cultural hegemony, with nations such as the above-noted United States exporting its cultural conceits of consumerism and capitalist democracy in the interests of disseminating its way of life. This has had negative effectives both on the cultural preservation and autonomy of domestic populations but has also helped to stimulate widespread resentment, resistance and even outright aggression against the forces of globalization an its leading advocates. These four factors as those which have most accelerated the tangible impact of free trade and production across the last two decades. The discussion here engages an array of scholastic sources in reinforcing these grievances, with the ultimate outcome being a set of recommendations for how to evade these issues. In a pair of articles from Harley Shaiken and a text by Jagdish Bhagwati, we are presented with a nuanced range of perspectives on the globalization debate. With the opening of free trade paths between the developed and developing world, our global economic alignment is coming to reflect a divided pursuit of collective advancement which bears a byproduct of considerable detriment to a wide range of parties. Still, in both, we are offered suggested means through which to improve the path of globalization. Shaiken takes as a clear point of view in each of his essays an endorsement of labor unions as a means through which to advance worker skills and competitive, equitable employment wages. In an account from 2000 entitled â€Å"Experience and the collective nature of skill,’ he draws the conclusion that the diminished emphasis on the acquisition of labor skills that are informed by the socio-cultural context of their intended product market is reducing the performance and production quality yielded by workers. This is especially true of manufacturing sites where advanced technological processes are utilized, with global outsourcing far removing workers from the site of the new technology’s evolution. This necessitates a change in the labor specialization within the American economy, with the reorganization of our production serving to combat a â€Å"fierce world-wide competition for jobs [which] threatens to undercut wages and working conditions. † (Shaiken, 2004; 1) We have been ill-informed on the realities of globalization though, preventing any proper channeling of its interests. Of the premises which string together the articles in question, the most compelling and forthright representation of globalization may well be captured in the words of progressive stock speculator and philanthropist George Soros, who observed that â€Å"the salient features of globalization is that it allows the financial capital to move around freely, by contrast, the movement of the people remains heavily regulation. † (Shaiken, 2004; 3) This is particularly true of socioeconomic mobility, which is evidently supplanted in a globalizing market by the extension of wealth for the economically elite and a simultaneous widening of the gap between rich and poor. Such a resolution points to a fundamental aspect of contention in the discussion of globalization, which these articles ultimately converge to characterize as a duplicitous form of corporate imperialism that is conducive of exploitation, violence and cultural genocide rather than of a collective advancement in the standards of living and governance. In spite of this, we are given cause to believe there may yet be a suitable implementation of globalization. â€Å"The pace at which globalization advances social agendas need not be accepted as satisfactory. † (Bhagwati, 33) We may hold Shaiken’s decidedly critical stance on globalization up to the light of such a sentiment, and in doing so, we may find that in fact his is a rather positive approach to the subject matter. A prevalent theme in Jagdish Bhagwati’s â€Å"In Defense of Globalization† is that the execution of globalization has been its biggest shortcoming. With the proper accommodation of labor changes in the United States, these works come together to indicate that there is no way to reverse the opening of free markets. We must learn to adapt to its varied consequences. In his 2005 book, â€Å"Three Billion New Capitalists,† Clyde Prestowitz offers a scathing analysis of globalization, especially as it has been executed by the United States. He remarks upon its interest in expanding its markets to the global community as contradicting its current stature as the dominant force in the world economy. By shifting much of its production overseas, the United States helped to provide a path for the corporate entity to undertake a more cost-effective operation, not effected by labor costs, labor protections and environmental standards present in the United States. Even as this serves to improve profit margins, it also began to produce a trend of declining job availability which, with a growing proliferation of technological and scientific capabilities in a global setting has produced a similar decline in the value of the American programming, technology or communications specialist. This is a single element of a vicious cycle in which rising education costs are no longer congruent with available job opportunities or pay scales. This, in turn, is reducing the value and, consequently the quality of America’s educational institutions. Prestowitz laments this in compliment to his concern over America’s unwillingness to invest in new technologies and scientific endeavors. Author Jagdish Bhagwati offers some insight into this conversation with his book, â€Å"In Defense of Globalization,† where he determines that the corruption of such institutions as the World Trade Organization has contributed to a general incapacity for the proper execution of free trade. Indeed, the pressure committed by the United States to direct the WTO towards adoption of its interests is backfiring, with its failure to protect its own jobs, markets and investments resulting in an America trading at an incredible deficit to the rest of the world. Ultimately, Prestowitz has composed a text dedicated to articulating the ways in which this condition has resulted from globalization and providing fair warning of the eventual consequences which will arise there from if the United States does not make the appropriate changes to its policy approach. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, the United States almost immediately began to pursue an approach of free trade proliferation which could extend its capitalist values throughout the developed and developing world. It was seen as an opportunity to be seized, with a vacuum of power in so many theatres inducing a need for some economic and socio-political direction. However, almost two decades hence, it must be conceded that the United States has executed an approach to globalization that is at once alienating to poor people throughout the developing world and to its own laborers. Globalization, it becomes apparent in Clyde Prestowitz’s 2005 text, â€Å"Three Billion New Capitalists: The Great Shift of Wealth and Power to the East,† has become a path to American corporate dominance and has yet produced a trend of apparent U. S. economic decline.

Duties and Responsibilities in Ones Work Role Essay

1. Describe the duties and responsibilities of own work role As a practitioner, we are obliged to adapt to different sittings for children and young people. Every setting will offer certain benefits and sometimes drawbacks. When working with children and young people, we need to respect the duties and responsibilities of our own work role, The effective practice as a team member will depend on communicating with co workers and heads. One must respect confidentiality of every child and the parents too. You must always put the parents first as the primary care giver of the child. Information concerning a child/children should never be shared or given out to anyone who may ask. Data protection must be respected. Physical punishment must never be implemented upon a child. They are many ways to show that the child’s needs to be corrected. You could use the â€Å"Time Out† system. This is a discipline technique that involves placing children in a boring place for several minutes. There the child will realise that he/she has misbehaved. Time out really means time out from any attention. There could sometimes be cases where the child/children come from different countries hence their different beliefs. We must respect all different beliefs and be careful when working with the kids during activities. One example could be, don’t mention â€Å"pigs† if doing a farm animal activity when a Muslin child is present in class. It could cause problems and upset the specific child/children. This is why, as a practitioner, we must so our homework and make sure cases like this will not arise. This is respecting their customs. All children should be treated equally and never have â€Å"favourites†. When staff meetings take place we must always respect anyone’s contribution and also to other people (outsiders) like social workers, speech therapists, physiologists etc. These people may be very important in the help of any child/children that might have a disability or certain needs. Whenever a child may act in a different way and maybe trying to attract attention, this should not be discarded. It may be that a certain child is abused at home and is reaching out for help. The best thing one should do is to speak to your superior and then to Setha, the abuse centre in Malta, to seek advise as how to go about handling the given situation. All the above mentioned are vital elements to relay duties and responsibilities of our own work role. Once these vital elements are put into practice, we should create a happy, safe environment for the children concerned.

Truth as an the inevitable attributes of human nature. Based on Essay

Truth as an the inevitable attributes of human nature. Based on Stephen Vincent Benets By the Waters of Babylon - Essay Example Truth as an the inevitable attributes of human nature. Based on Stephen Vincent Benet’s â€Å"By the Waters of Babylon† From the story line and its underlying mechanism, it can be understood that harmony and the learning techniques between the human beings if developed properly, then the resolution for the termination of violence will be achieved. The paper seeks to unfurl one of the inevitable attributes of human nature which is truth. He was certain about his death but his zeal to explore the truth and to quench his thirst with the knowledge of reality took him all the way and finally leads to the realization of the legitimacy of that forbidden place. The paper ultimately finds a way to answer the question that is an absolute necessity for the establishment of ultimate harmony among the people and exposits whether it should be injected in one big push or permeated in bits and parts. 2. Introduction Published in 1937, the novel, By the Waters of Babylon written by Stephen Vincent Benet presents a dynamic platform in the future world after the devastating holocaust known as the Great Burning which jeopardized the earth. The chief character or the protagonist is a son of a priest who is well trained in law and is also well aware of the chants and the spells. There were places which were regarded as arenas for the devils, Gods a nd the spirits and were forbidden for the people in general. Despite knowing the names one cannot utter those names as it was believed that they will be inflicted with curse and spells and as a consequence death will be inevitable. But the storyline of the novel goes beyond the very notion of restraints and fear and through the exploration of a young child into the world of unknown and darkness reveals his urge for removing the curtain over the false assumptions and recognition of transparent truth. The paper seeks to answer whether truth should be injected into a person’s conscience with one big jolt or by the incorporation in small doses (Benet et al, 213). 3. Backdrop of the story The plot of the story ignites in the Eastern United many generations ex-post a war which deserted a civilization and left it into ruins. There are some descendants of only few survivors of the war who live in a clustered tribe far away from the Hudson River. These people are mainly called the Hil l People and they were equipped with the practice of the bows and arrows for hunting and the women used to spin wool for making fabrics. Now one of the member of the tribe decides to travel to a forbidden zone i.e. New York City for the purpose of exploration of the truth (Cummings). 4. Theme of the story and simultaneous exploration of the truth The story takes place in the distant future but definitely somewhere on the Earth. The name of the protagonist is John who is one of the Hill people. As he learns to be a priest he also possesses the vision of the Dead place. For the purpose of becoming a priest, John has to explore the world of Dead and he can only become a priest after coming back from his journey. His father is also a priest, but his father fears that the journey will destroy his boy. But for becoming a priest his boy has to explore the place and then come back. Dreams came in his mind and from the description of his dream and his father’s fear it was known that, â€Å"I saw and told what I saw. It was what I have always seen—a river, and, beyond it, a great Dead Place and in it the gods walking. I have always thought about that. His eyes were stern when I told him he was no longer my father but a priest. He said, "This is a strong dream" (By the Waters of Babylon, 10). John is aware of the fact that it was his place to continue and he knew that there are some dead places which are divinely forbidden to the

Strategic Decision Making Underwater Hotel Essay

Strategic Decision Making Underwater Hotel - Essay Example However, other elements, particularly the individual actions that supported the goals and objectives of the model, are deficient. Components like cost structure or key activities are also ill-placed, especially when the model should provide a logical and structured framework where the hotel’s characteristics and potential can be clearly converted into economic outputs. (Chesbrough, 2011: 94) This must have been what Neely (2007: 200) had in mind when explaining how a model improperly grounded in the performing unit as a phenomenon will most likely overlook the variables that influence how the system functions. Because of these cited weaknesses, the business model will fail in the areas of theoretical and operational coherence. To address this, an improved framework should be adopted. An appropriate framework is outlined below. Fig. 1: Suggested Framework (Osterwalder, 2009: 44) The model shown above has been perfected by Osterwalder and could actually be modified into several other versions to accommodate the differences in both components and objectives. What the model offers is not only an effective framework description, but also the capacity to be flexible and envision alternatives. Hence, this particular model can optimize processes for underwater hotel ventures and its objectives, especially in the long term. II. Integration of the Business Model In terms of integration, the business model is quite efficient. The framework outlines clear practices and activities as well as future objectives and visions. This strengthens the business model, especially considering the fact that the venture is entering into the market for the first time. However, as has been previously cited, the model—in effectively integrating components—must provide nodes to depict their relationships and connections. Jaakola, Kiyoki and Tokuda (2008: 154) identified this as the node structure, an element in business models that explain processes such as value creatio n and business transactions. III. Feasibility of the Business Model Elements unique to a business model add to the complexity of how framework should be examined in the context of its feasibility. The most important criteria, however, is economic viability. This should made a crucial precondition, because without it there is no reason for existence, as the project being undertaken cannot be supported by the market. The project, as defined by the business model, should be profitable. What this means is that rewards must either equal or surpass the expectations of diversified investors on a risk-adjusted basis from investments made and resources consumed (Johnson, 2007: 42). Currently, the business model lacks value-added development and thus misses out on the profits available. Another important aspect in a business model is the way it creates value or shared value among business partners. According to Vermeulen and Cotula (2010: 35), there are four criteria that should be used to de termine how a business model shares value: 1. Ownership of business equity shares 2. Ability to take part in decision–making process 3. Commercial risk and other types of risk such as political and reputational risks 4. Sharing of economic costs and benefits and other financial arrangements All of these variables are related to each other. One may be linked or is responsible for the existence of another. Nonetheless, these elements collectively bring about value and, hence, must be present in a business

Tesla (electrocar) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Tesla (electrocar) - Essay Example The use of electric cars is increasing in all economies in the current epoch. A battery stored electrical energy or electric motor helps to run the contemporary electric cars manufactured by Tesla Motors. The modern electric cars produced by Tesla comprises of efficient electric motors that facilitates in generating torque. Torque helps to generate smooth and strong acceleration to such cars. The Tesla electric cars are considered to be the safest cars in the automobile market. There are many car models of Tesla:- Model S: a 7 seating electric car generating no emissions. 265MI EPA range of certification. 4.2 sec, 0-60 (acceleration). Model X: comprising of a dual motor, one of the motors is well equipped to work well in all road and climatic conditions, generating a torque of 50%. 5 sec, 0-60 (acceleration). It has a 60 or 85 kWh powered battery. The model uses does not uses any gasoline. The firm has planned for its new designed electric car, Model X Design Prototype, the car would be launched for sale from 2014 and its price would be that of Model S. All the products of Tesla are eco friendly and unique in style (Teslamotors, 2013). Other Large Competitors. Vehicule Electriques Pininfarina Bollore, BYD Auto, Nissan and Renault are four giant automobile companies that have launched excellent models of electric cars. Such cars symbolize class, status and environmental consciousness of the users. SIC Codes. The Standard Industrial Classification Code (SIC) of the automobile industry in United State is 37111. Trade Magazines and Labor Unions. The automobile firms like Tesla require large number of laborers for its manufacturing, operational, marketing and retail outlets. Several trade magazines have talked about the good virtues of the automobile industry facilitating high employment generation. However, it should also be considered that when the number of employees in an industry is high, the bargaining power of the workers rises. Labor union leaders ensure int erests of the employers in the workplaces. It has been empirically observed that the strong labor unions of the automobile market in U.S. have compromised the competitive powers of the companies in the global market. In the last thirty years it has been found that the labor union leaders have forced American firms to increase the level of trade barriers. Labor unions have made U.S. automobile companies lose their market shares to the foreign rivals. The labor unions demand for high wages from the companies. Delphi pays $76/hr to its workers. It is estimated that in every car sales of a company in U.S., the labor union achieves a benefit of $2000. Sometimes the big automobile companies like Ford have ceased some of its operating plants for pricy labor costs (Teslamotors, 2013). Figure 1: U.S. Auto Labor Markets (Source: Author’s Creation) The above graph shows the U.S. auto market, high intervened wages rates set by the labor unions reduce the quantity of car produces and incr eases the cost prices. It generates a deadweight loss into the industry. Imports and Exports. Despite of the disturbances of labor unions, U.S. auto industry enumerated a surplus trade balance from 2010 to 2011. The aggregate imports and exports of cars across the world on average in U.S. have increased. The percentage change in imports is 12.4% and percentage change in exports is 17.9%. On total, aggregate sales have increased and have changed by 7%. However, when regional disparities are

Global Perspectives. Portfolio Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Global Perspectives. Portfolio - Essay Example Activity Section 3 - Once you have completed this task take one global issue and one global process and undertake some further research on the internet. Write a brief summary of your research (retain for your portfolio) and then share with others in your respective Group Discussion Forum. On completion of the forum discussion write a brief summary of what you have learned from the discussion. Brief summaries of research and what you have learned from the discussion: Put here what you retained for the portfolio: a brief summary of your research (approx. 200 words) and a brief summary of what you have learned from the discussion (approx. 200 words). Activity Section 4 (part 1) - On the basis of your reading and experience what is your view of globalisation and how does it impact upon your experience? What are the benefits (of globalisation) and from whose perspective, and what are the negative consequences? Prepare a summary of your responses Task Section 5 - Chose one global issue that particularly interests you. Conduct your own research on your chosen issue and evaluate how knowledge varies depending on its source. Consider why there are discrepancies in opinion in your chosen issue and what the implications are in terms of the importance of who says what and when and most importantly why (what interests are at stake? Formal or informal, explicit or implicit). (maximum 1 page) Activity Section 6 (part 1) - Search the internet to learn about sustainable development. You are asked to consider two questions: If the economic model is based on continual growth is this at odds with sustainability and why? What is the role of business with regard to sustainable development and what does your organisation do with regard to sustainability? In this section you have been asked to note a number of responses as you have gone through the material. Scenario for UNEP Representative - Imagine you are a representative of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and have been

Impact of the Emancipation Proclamation on US evolution Assignment

Impact of the Emancipation Proclamation on US evolution - Assignment Example The Emancipation Proclamation did not merely seek to end slavery, but rather to unite the populace. However, through ending slavery, the civil war, which was sparked by the standpoints on whether it should end, was halted. Further, it persuaded some Confederate leaders to seek peace before the deadline in January (McPherson and Hogue, 2010). After the Proclamation, Great Britain was persuaded against the Confederacy and the British dramatically shifted their support to the Union during the Civil War. Further, Northerners were tired with the war, and thus the Proclamation brought considerable relief. From the 1820s to 1860s, the political field was controlled and dominated by Democrats. The southern Democrats controlled favored and protected slavery until 1860 when the Northern and the Southern disagreed on choosing a candidate. Therefore, the two sides nominated their candidates; John for the South and Lincoln for the North. Lincoln won the election and the secession and war gave him a background to liberate the slaves through the Emancipation Proclamation, changing the political scene. The Civil War was a defining time in American history, and the Proclamation brought further

Asata Shakur Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Asata Shakur - Essay Example Finally, the article will explain how incarceration shaped her political visions and the differences and similarities of the person today and those experienced by Shakur in 1990’s. Formerly, Joanne Deborah Chesimard, Assata Shakur managed to gain a very mythical status in the eyes of most of the observers. To her supporters she stood out as a much-focused woman with visions, action and courage who never got to receive any justice (Shakur 247 (b)). To the U.S. Federal Bureau of Justice, on the other hand, as a leader of the considered the most violent militant organization of the blacks in the 1970s. In her description, she is a black revolutionary, just like the other fighters for the civil rights of the blacks such as Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey. It is on this ground that an analysis of the similarities and differences between the political views of Shakur and two other black nationalists: Martin Luther King and Marcus Garvey, is carried out. One very significant and the most outstanding similar ideology, which may be said to cut across all the black nationalists is the failure to reject armed struggle. Especially, as a means of attaining freedom and abolishment of the very unfair racial segregation laws that were imposed by the then existent governments (Roman and Littlefield 24). All the leaders have the same mission of establishing equality and peace. Just as Shakur strived to see to it that the equality laws are effectively and equally enforced on each and every individual. King relentlessly pursued the putting to end by the Supreme Court the laws of segregation, and that they are just to all. Marcus Garvey, similarly, fought for the same equality demanded by blacks all over the world. Even though the situations of the various nationalists may have been different, they all tried to establish peace and equality. For instance, Martin Luther king insisted on the need for peaceful negotiations without armament, which was

Military history of Canada during World War II Essay - 13

Military history of Canada during World War II - Essay Example Britain, too, came to respect the new military competence of the Canadians, especially since the Canadian forces excelled themselves on the battlefield at the end of the war. Granatstein believes that the cost of the war, both economically and in terms of Canadian lives lost, was severe, but that the war brought a much more significant benefit of allowing Canada escape British domination and take its rightful place as the nation free to make its own military and political choices. Closer collaboration with America was, in Granatstein’s view, a useful by-product of this process. I choose this book focuses on the left in Canadian politics and explains how the sudden need for increased production in Canadian factories led to a new focus on industrial relations. Furthermore, the unions helped to increase production of military goods, including aircraft, and some, notably in the aircraft industry achieved major gains for their workers. In general, Morton states, the government did not turn its pro-union statements into action and in fact in the early 1940s when inflation threatened to damage the growing economy, price and wage controls were imposed. This strategy worked, bringing price stability and full employment. This, in turn, gave workers more bargaining power and the unions achieved greater benefits for them. The Atlantic Charter of 1941 with its aims to achieve â€Å"freedom from want†, â€Å"social security† and â€Å"fair labor standards†, was a direct result of Canadian-British wartime co-operation and had a long-term effect far be yond the immediate wartime situation. Morton describes the strikes of the immediate post-war years as a â€Å"testing of strength† between unions and managers and a demonstration that systems and processes laid down in the war years were an effective framework for the future. This book takes a look at Canada from the cultural point of view.  Ã‚  

To persuate to pas my class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

To persuate to pas my class - Essay Example I suppose that it is through the challenges of passing or excelling in class that we students grow to become refined individuals able to express ourselves with strong will and intellect, knowing that we have surpassed certain weaknesses while in the process of fulfilling academic requirements. In classroom, teachers are normally strict and formal by nature and I must admit being particularly challenged by instructors who provide the class some real tough moments of rigorously developing skills whether in analyzing a literary piece or in working out a problem that requires mechanical solution. Nevertheless, I know at the back of my head that listening to my teacher attentively and following instructions carefully would all pay off in the end since besides passing the course, I acquire the advantage of learning a huge number of things which can be of ample essence to my comprehension of major subjects in the future. More than the ability to survive the course, I feel motivated to proceed with diligent studies in class regardless of how complicated the subject matter could get, believing that somewhere in this current painstaking situation, I would be able to discover potentials yet unknown. By heart, I understand that real teachers set high expectations and seemingly imposs ible levels of standard from student performance so if I continue to persevere and strive harder even with average capacity, I can make it. Moreover, I realize that classroom experience is not merely about pressures in studying academic lessons because it also helps to interact with classmates who come from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. Through their specific attitude, character, and the manner by which they handle scholastic tasks, they manage to share inspiring ideas and model image I can often look up to at times it occurs I readily get burned out. With these people, the approach toward passing a hard subject would not be as complex as I usually think it

Christian Philosophy on Death Essay Example for Free

Christian Philosophy on Death Essay The Christian philosophy on death has long been that there is life after death. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5: 8) We are supposed to take solace in the fact that while although our earthly body will be no more, our spirit or soul will move on into immortality. Since life after death seems like a simple enough concept, death should be no big deal, right? We should just view it as a step in becoming closer to God. While in theory, we should just take death in stride, even for those who wholeheartedly believe in life after death find it difficult to accept death. We find it difficult to visualize and conceptualize the afterlife and what our role will be in it. People cope with death differently. Some choose to combat it head on, others choose to simply ignore it all together. However most people fall somewhere in between those two extremes. Dying person will use belief systems as they have throughout there entire life-constructively, destructively, or not at all This saying generally tends to hold true as one dies. All people cope with death differently however, by in large, most people go through some form of Kà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½bler-Ross model of grieving. The Kubler-Ross model contains five stages that people go through while contemplating their own death. The first stage is denial. In this stage the person grieving thinks that This cant be happening. In the second stage, anger, the griever says, Why me? Its not fair?! (either referring to God, oneself, or anybody perceived, rightly or wrongly, as responsible) The third stage is bargaining. In this stage, the dying person says, I know its me but or Please just let me live to see The bargaining can be directed toward God which if the bargain is perceived as accepted can lead to a sense of hope or resignation, or anger, guilt, or fear if the bargain is perceived as denied. The fourth stage is depression, which is arguably the hardest to go through. During the depression stage the dying person takes time to grieve his/her own death. The final stage is acceptance in which the dying person is ready to go. While not everyone goes through these stages in exactly this order, almost everyone goes through these stages in one form or another. They may experience the stages out of order, skip a stage, or even go through the cycle multiple times. There is also a belief that people have three spiritual needs of dying people: the search for the meaning of life, to die appropriately, and to find hope that extends beyond the grave. The search for the meaning of life takes on a higher priority when one is closer to death. The knowledge of impeding death creates a crisis in which one reviews life in order to integrate ones goals, values, and experiences. Without finding their lifes meaning one may feel that their life had no meaning. Another spiritual need is to die appropriately. People want to die in ways consistent with their own self-identity. Most people want to die a quick death surrounded by fantasy, however this is only the case for a lucky few. People fear not so much the fact of death but more the process of dying. The final spiritual need is to find hope in life after death. Life after death is an integral part of many faiths and religions. We seek assurance in some way that our life, or what we left, will continue. We all want some sort of life after death, because the thought of death being the ends of things can be an awful thing to think about. Oftentimes during class or discussions on death, I find myself questioning my own faith and trying to imagine what it would be like if I wasnt on earth anymore. I guess to be more specific what it would be like if my mind or soul did not continue on in some way, shape, or form. The thought of the world around me going on without me often leads to a chilling feeling and a headache. I almost prefer just to shut down, effectively turning off my ears to the discussion around me. Doing that just seems easier than thinking of the what-ifs that the thought of no life after death means. I believe in God, that there is a life after death, and that my soul and mind will exist eternally. However, it is still hard for me to shake that feeling that comes with thinking about death. If I am getting these chilling feelings while thinking of death as a teenager, I can only imagine the thoughts running through peoples heads while they are on their deathbeds. While it is easy to dwell on the negatives that death presents, there are other ways to approach death. Some people handle death with much grace, accepting their fate and using the time allotted to them to try to make their last days count. No one exemplifies this more that Morrie Schwartz from Tuesdays with Morrie. Morrie rather than overly dwell on the fact that he was dying, chose to take the time he had left on earth to explain dying to the world. His advice such as When you learn how to die, you learn how to live. and Love each other or perish. are just two of the numerous tings that Morrie has tried to teach us. If we could all handle death as gracefully as Morrie did, death wouldnt be nearly as big a deal to people. Morrie teaches us that there is a time to be three and a time to be sixty-three. Morrie tells us that death is just as much a fact of life as a birthday or getting married. Morrie sets a high standard for coping with a terminal illness. We can also look to the Bible to give us Gods take on death and life after death. The Catholic faith believes that no matter what there is life after death. Whether that life after death takes place in heaven or hell depends largely on how you live your life here on earth. Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, whowill transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3: 20, 21) Through the belief in God and living according to his commandments we can attain a life after death. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

Developing an Inclusive Education in South Africa

Developing an Inclusive Education in South Africa Introduction. What is inclusion? The foundation for a comprehensive understanding of inclusion have been laid by considering insights derived from United Nations initiatives, international experiences, research and debate in the field of inclusion. Different authors emphasise different aspects when defining inclusion and that makes it clear that inclusion is viewed differently (Dyson Millward 1999:152). Other authors stress access, belonging and participation in the general classroom for all learners with an underlying culture that values diversity. The following are at the sea inclusion is: Increasing participation by the reducing exclusions from curricula, culture and communities. Ainscow (1995:9) Premised out the understanding that learners can contribute one anothers learning. Ainscow (1995:149) Determined by school culture and ethos. Hall (2002:3). Learners who experience barriers to learning attending the neighbourhood schools and being taught in general education classroom. CSIE (2000:12) Initiated an entrenched by legislation and policy. Burden (2000:36) On the other hand, the authors stress support and define inclusion in terms of the ways in which support is facilitated at various levels, and say inclusion is: Dependent on training in requisite knowledge, skills and attitudes. Hall Engelbrecht (1999:231) Dependent on teachers who can would be five-year plans and activities. Ainscow (1995:151) Characterised by collegial stuffed in relationships. Ainscow (1995:151) About diverse learners requiring diverse in even individualised learning strategies. Ferguson Ferguson (1998:307) The examples given above indicate that the two emphases need to be maintained when seeking in comprehensive understanding of inclusion. First is that of school restructuring and improvement towards effectiveness and the second is that of a ensuring access through individually relevant support. Both are supported by the belief and attitudes that would characterise inclusive culture and art and trying to buy policy and legislation. Inclusive education in South Africa Education that was based on race in South Africa was dismantled and substituted by unitary that needed to contribute to building the rainbow nation, as such the separate education system for those learners who were deemed to have special needs was revisited with a view of creating an inclusive approach to education. The legislative framework in which inclusion functions in South Africa is mentioned with specific reference given to education. White Paper Six: Special Needs Education (DoE 2001). It is acknowledged that the field of education encompasses many aspects, including higher education and training, edit childhood education and adult basic education and training the focus in this study is on schooling in areas known as general and further education. In South Africa these are called GET (General Education and Training) Band and the FET (Further Education and Training) Band. An appreciation of the historical, social, political and economic context in which education functions is important to an understanding of the education in a country. Booth and Ainscow affirm this. They conducted a comparative international study on inclusion, they asked questions on what is needed to know about local and national context in order to understand the process of inclusion in any particular country. The apartheid era and post-apartheid Before 1994 in South Africa, education and schools in particular had been the locus of important struggle against apartheid. In 1976 there were uprisings especially in Johannesburg now Gauteng against the use of Afrikaans (modified form of Dutch spoken in South Africa) is a medium of instruction and then followed the 1980 boycotts. Different race groups had different education departments, and white education was administered by provincial education departments. Past racial imbalances meant that education was not equally funded across all racial groups. The inequitable division of resources also meant that some schools were highly resourced than others (model C schools as they were known then) served a very small percentage of learners and separate special schools served mainly white children waiting to have special needs. Since 1994 education is centralised, that is, it is controlled by a single national education department. Special education system was inherited from the apartheid era, which was not that equally developed for all races. The result was that special schools and classes have been well established and resourced to serve white to some extend Coloureds and Indians learners living with disabilities. Many white learners were taught in specially designed classrooms. The majority of black learners were served by education departments that did not provide quality special education services. Schools that were established for black learners who experienced areas to learning were not established by the state, but by churches. The small house below next the red bricks house which was the home was built by my grandfather and the Department of Education requested to use it in 1967 for sub A learners: Consequently, these learners were included in the general system by default, but did not benefit from the support that is necessary in an inclusive system. In the 1990s it was only then that the remedial teaching was offered to blacks to a limited extent in black schools (Nkabinde 1993:110 to 111). As a result barrier to learning went unrecognised and were not addressed and learners experienced repeated failure and eventually dropped out of school (Donald Lazarus 2002:297). There were and still are learners who, because of barriers to learning they experience, do not attend school (Pendlebury Enslin 2004:45) Inclusion supported by legislative and policy framework. The Constitution of South Africa affirms the fundamental principles that are foundational to inclusive education. These principles are of human dignity, equality and advancement of human rights (Republic of South Africa (RSA), 1996 a, Section 1, a), freedom from discrimination (RSA 1996 a, Section 9 (4) and a fundamental right to basic education RSA 1996 a, section 29 (1). The right to education is given legislative expression in the South African Schools Act (SASA). South African Schools Act (SASA) was enacted in 1996, and sets uniform norms and standards for the education of learners at schools. (Preamble SASA, RSA 1996 b). It makes allowance for an inclusive education system in South Africa through the following provisions: Public schools must admit learners and serve the educational requirements† without discrimination (Section 5 (1) ). Not admission test may be used to determine the admission of the learner to a public school (Section 5 (2) ). Where learners have â€Å"special education needs†, the rise in the wishes of the parents must be taken into account when determining the placement. Where it is â€Å"reasonably practicable learners with special education needs should be served in the mainstream and relevant support should be provided for these learners (Section 12 (4) ). Physical, and many these at public schools should be made accessible to disabled learners (Section 12 (5) ) The year that SASA was promulgated, The National Committee for Education Support Services and National Commission of Special Needs Education and Training (NCESS/NCENET) were appointed by the Minister of Education (Prof Bengu then) and the Department of Education to investigate and make recommendations about special needs and support in education in South Africa. The NCESS/NCSNET report recommended that separate special and ordinary education systems be integrated (DoE 1997:155). Some of the ways that the committee saw these being realised, like building modification curriculum development would be included in the education. White Paper Six: Special Needs Education, thereafter referred to as White Paper, published in 2001. The White Paper emanated from the need to respond to the fact that learners with different learning needs were not satisfactorily included in the South African education system. It was found that a small number of schools only served learners rule had been medically diagnosed as disabled and those who experienced difficulties due to other factors like abject poverty found themselves without the necessary support. The White Paper estimates that at the time of publication only 20% of learners with disabilities were included in the special schools and there was also, disparity among the provinces. The white paper was published after a consultative process and outlines and national strategy to include and accommodate those barriers to learning. The following where the principles of the White Paper: All children and young people can learn and need support Difference, including different learning needs, is valued as part of human experience. Education can be enabled to meet the needs of all learners. The home and community form an important source of learning. Attitudes, behaviour and teaching methodologies will have to change to meet the needs of learners. Participation of learners in the educational process should be maximised. The individual strengths of learners should be encouraged. An inclusive education system acknowledges the different levels of support required by different learners and should be organised to provide this. The following strategies were to be followed: improve special schools and convert them into resource centres; Convert about 500 primary schools to be full-service schools that are capable of responding to the full range of learning needs; Introduce management and teachers in the mainstream schools to the inclusion model, with a focus on any intervention in the Foundation Phase (grades R-3); The establishment of district-based support teams (DSTs) to provide support services; The implementation of an interaction programme to support inclusion; A funding strategy to be developed. The White Paper addresses extrinsic and intrinsic barriers to learning, with a particular focus on ways in which the education system may be itself a barrier to learning. There are also factors which become apparent and have an influence on the learning of learners. These factors may include in adequate shelter and nutrition. Hall (2002:34). Intrinsic barrier include various impairments like intellectual ability. The White Paper details the framework for establishing an inclusive education and training system through capacity building and the expulsion of provision and access in all education sectors. In considering financial challenges that are involved the White Paper outlines funding strategy that includes national and provincial spending and mobilisation of donor funding. Building an inclusive education and training is a 20 year developmental goal and short, medium and long-term strategies are described that will address barriers to learning and accommodate diverse learning needs in South Africa. The White Paper outlines South Africa with developments in inclusive education internationally and draws on the foundation laid by the United Nations initiatives and in particular, the Salamanca Statement. The Salamanca Statement and the White Paper The White Paper has included many of the key recommendations of the Salamanca Statement of 1994 and in this way. South Africa can be seen to be pursuing policies, congruent with international trends. The following are Salamanca Statement for governments to give attention to: early identification and intervention when barriers to learning are experienced, the importance of the participation of parents and the need for teacher education to meet the needs of inclusive classrooms UNESCO (1994: I X). All these are included in the strategic plan outlined in the White Paper. Consistent with the Salamanca Statements advice that developing countries should build inclusive schools, rather than try to expand a separate special as a cost-effective way of expanding access, the White Paper describes the conversion of some existing schools into full-service schools that can with the support of DSTs and neighbouring special schools, several learners with diverse learning needs. It is envisaged that these full service schools will be able to accommodate children living with mild and moderate disabilities were currently out of school. The Salamanca Statement sees a special schools having a role to play, not only in educating a small number of learners who cannot be satisfactorily served in ordinary schools but also as a resource centre that can provide inclusive schools with a valuable human and material resources. The White Paper embraced this and foresees that, after an audit of special schools, they will be upgraded to improve the quality of the education they provide for learners with high support needs and will be converted into resource centres. The White Paper reflects the thinking of researchers and theorists in the field of special needs education. The White Paper echoes positions taken from the writing of Ainscow (1995) Booth and Ainscow (1998) and Ballard (1999). The term barriers to learning in the White Paper it also appears in The Index for Inclusion, published by the Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE) in 2000. The CSIE uses the term barriers to learning and participation. Inclusion is more than ensuring that learners with various barriers to learning are taught in regular classrooms. It is also about these learners being accepted and having a sense of belonging within the school and the community. Mordal Stromstad (1998:16) ask in this regard, †¦ Is this child surely included as if full member of the community, or have we only made a superficial adaptations which leave the child just as isolated as in a special class or special school? There is prove that the White Paper does not take participation as part of an inclusive system (DoE 2001 a: 16) and yet has chosen to stress the learning needs and barriers to learning. The White Paper could be criticised by those who advocate for a full inclusion approach to inclusion. They abstain from any notion of separate special schools, and their position is that all children irrespective of the severity of their disabilities could be educated in regular classrooms together with their non- disabled peers. The contend of that as long as special schools exist, there will be the assumption that there are some children who cannot be taught in regular classrooms and exclusion will be justified. Van Rooyen La Grange (2003 154) for his critique of the White Paper as the irony of the conditional acceptance of inclusion, noting the conditions that learners have to meet in order to be included in either ordinarily, full-service or special schools. The White Paper only claims an outline (DoE 2001:5). For an inclusive education system and many questions that the White Paper arises are perhaps details that are outside its scope. Practical concerns and many for example it has been noted that some provinces (and we have nine provinces in South Africa) have very few special schools (DoE 2001:30) and yet special schools are conceived as an integral part to the support that full-service school will need. I think in South Africa time will tell whether timeframes envisaged by the White Paper are realistic and whether enough funds can be generated from sources described to implement an inclusive education system. Other publication for schools that are not directly concerned with inclusion and in close of principles integrated into the content. For example, Teachers Guide for the Development of Learning Programs (DoE 2003) describes inclusivity as an underlying principle of the curriculum and explain how barriers to learning should be identified and addressed in the design of learning programs in the various learning areas. These documents are evidence that inclusion is conceived as part of ordinary education in South Africa and teachers are expected to plan teaching and learning in such a way that fosters access and participation. However, even these years of South Africa, move towards inclusion has been noted and teachers. Conclusion In as far as inclusion is concerned of the South African experience must inform the understanding of inclusion that is practical and applicable locally. Inclusion has been shown to rest on values, attitudes and beliefs about society, schools and learners. It is given direction by policies and legislation. In practice inclusion is restructuring schools and providing support to learners through different strategies that facilitate access and participation. A significant challenge faced by South Africa in the implementation of inclusion seems to be the training of teachers in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes required for successful inclusion.

Stress Relieving Techniques for Organizational Stressors

Stress Relieving Techniques for Organizational Stressors Usame Mukerrem ATAÂ   Why this article? This article studies the stress that we are commonly facing in the organizations. We can say that nowadays, managers are complaining about the reluctant workers and non-efficient productivity. With this article we are going to examine this topic. Lets think about this, what do we understand with the expression called organizational stress? According to Lazarus and Folkman (1984), organizational stress is a result of the interaction between an employees personal characteristics, their work environment, the outcome expected from them, and their coping ability. An important part of our daily life is passing at work. Stresses that we experienced at work are definitely related to working conditions. However, there are individual factors, such as; Difficulties of dealing with stress due to personality traits, family issues or other sources of social support, and the roles played in other areas of life. This are definitely causing high tension of stress. On the other hand, the stress at work is reflecting other spaces of the person. We can control the working conditions to a certain extent; we have to focus on the idea that we can deal with these conditions first, rather than setting new targets even if we are in difficult conditions. So in this article we can find some help to solve stress issues. Relation with recent topic? Emotions and moods are not same things but they are related to each other. We cannot separate them sharply but we cant tell that theyre definitely different. Stress stays between this two conditions. Sometimes you can express it like emotion, but sometimes it is hard to be expressed. Stress are also changes a lot according to type. They can last long such as moods or takes a short duration such as emotion. We call the long-duration stress as anxiety. Organizational stress are aroused by some specific situation such as; Concentration difficulty, instability, constantly evaluating the situation negatively, anxious and quick thinking and constant concerns. Modern life is full of challenges, conflicts, demands and tasks to be trained. For many people, stress has now become a regular part of life. Stress is not always bad; sometimes it can motivate us to do the best. Most of the time we can do better while we are in under pressure. But if we are consistently in an emergency, our body and mind will pay for it with a stress and at the end as an anxiety. So we should practice more to solve and get over. Empirical Article- What are the variables? How theyre measured? What was the sample size? What method was used for collecting data? There were 2 hypothesis; H01: Organizational stressors and stress relieving techniques are independent of each other. H02: Organizational stressors stress relieving techniques have no relationship with demographic variables. In this exploration there were 118 representatives and 39 of them were female and 79 of the workers were males (Samples). This workers joined this questionnaire from different employment sectors and from different cities in India. Sampling method was utilized as a part of the article, which were chosen through importance inspecting. (Chandra Kant, N. R., Pradhan, S., 2016). The data collection was done by self-report questionnaire. Stress relieving-techniques were likewise utilized by respondents to accumulate data about existing stressors at work. For the Variables ID Stress has various measurements. Face-to-face-in-depth interviews were held to collect information about stress-relieving techniques and to understand existing stressors initially. This existing stressors by employees were noted one by one. 25 interviews carried out in Pune and Bangalore. What is important finding/take-away that you feel has helped you understand more about management or that you think would most help managers in organizations? In the article, you can see a significant negative correlation between work and pressure, which indicates that stresses is more frequent in permanent employees. Job pressure and family status have a significant positive relationship; i.e. the work pressure is high in the people who lives in common families. The role conflict has a significant positive relationship with monthly income, that is, the increase in monthly income increases the stress of role conflict. We can also say that there is a significant negative correlation between music and work situation. Music and Situation shows that employees who are primarily permanent and living in core families use Music as a stress-softening technique. This shows that the employees in the conflict role at the task level use Music as a stress-relieving technique than other techniques. Workers with job insecurity use Relaxation to relieve their stress and employees without adequate support tries to socialize. In my perspective, Emotional intelligence is also a big necessity in business life. People with high emotional intelligence have a strong empathy ability and are reconciled. Target-minded thinkers can raise awareness, manage stress easily, and control their anger. They insist with knowing what they can do, they can work together with any type of team and motivate the team to increase the success. People with high EI become ideal managers and such people become ideal employees. At the same time they might be loved by the people around them. Stress and anxiety are always seen when you look at the reason of each disease. For this reason, it is necessary to get rid of the anxiety before it becomes clear without accumulating sadness. If you control Emotional Intelligence you deal with the stress and anxiety in long term. Brief Description of the journal. CLEAR International Journal of Research in Commerce Management. Mar2016, Vol. 7 Issue 3, p93-98. 6p. 423850 Service Establishment Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers Author Affiliations: Research scholar, symbiosis international university, Mulshi Consultant, homoeopathic psychiatrist, Pune Consultant psychologist, Fortis hospital, Bangalore References CHANDRA KANT, N. R., PRADHAN, S. (2016). STRESS RELIEVING TECHNIQUES FOR ORGANIZATIONAL STRESSORS. CLEAR International Journal Of Research In Commerce Management, 7(3), 93-98.

Moral Relativism in Fyodor Dostoevskys Crime and Punishment :: Crime and Punishment Essays

Moral Relativism in Crime and Punishment At the close of Crime and Punishment, Raskolinkov is convicted of Murder and sentenced to seven years in Siberian prison. Yet even before the character was conceived, Fyodor Dostoevsky had already convicted Raskolinkov in his mind (Frank, Dostoevsky 101). Crime and Punishment is the final chapter in Dostoevsky's journey toward understanding the   forces that drive man to sin, suffering, and grace. Using ideas developed in Notes from Underground and episodes of his life recorded in Memoirs of the House of the Dead, Dostoevsky puts forth in Crime in Punishment a stern defense of natural law and an irrefutable volume of evidence condemning Raskolnikov's actions (Bloom, Notes 25).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Central to the prosecution of any crime, murder in particular, is the idea of motive. Not only must the prosecutor prove the actus rectus or "guilty act," but also that the criminal possessed the mens rea or "guilty mind" (Schmalleger 77). The pages of Crime and Punishment and the philosophies of Dostoevsky provide ample proof of both. The first is easy; Dostoevsky forces the reader to watch firsthand as Raskolnikov "took the axe all the way out, swung   it with both hands, scarcely aware of himself, and almost without effort, almost mechanically, brought the butt-end down on her head" (Crime and Punishment 76). There is no doubt Raskolnikov caused the death of Alena Ivanovna and, later, Lizaveta, but whether he possessed the mens rea is another matter entirely. By emphasizing the depersonalization Raskolnikov experiences during the murder, the fact that he was "scarcely aware of himself" and acted "almost mechanically" the sympathetic r eader might conclude that some unknown force of nature, and not the person Raskolnikov, is to blame for the death of the usurer and her sister (Nutall 160). Dostoevsky's answer to this is contained not in Crime and Punishment, but rather in an earlier work, Notes from Underground.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The entire story of the Underground Man was intended to parody the works of Nicolai G. Chernyshevsky, and thereby prove that man's actions are the result of his own free-will. The idea that man is alone responsible for his actions is central to proving that Raskolnikov is really to blame for his crime. For under the Chernyshevsky-embraced doctrine of scientific determinism, Raskolnikov cannot be held accountable for his actions. Rather, scientific determinism holds that whatever actions men take are inevitable and unalterable because they are "totally determined by the laws of nature.

Summer Of 17th Doll Review Essay -- essays research papers

Year 12 Literature SAC Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll The play â€Å"Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll† is a mixture of people’s inability to grow up and let go of dreams, in a typical Australian atmosphere in the nineteen fifties. Ray Lawler focuses on showing the characters finally waking up to their lives and realizing they don’t live in â€Å"heaven, â€Å" within in a simple plot. These techniques allow readers to connect and understand the disillusionment suffered by these Australian’s in this time. Our setting for â€Å"Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll’ is a Melbourne suburb, Carlton. Australia in the fifties had just began massive social and economical development. During the war Australia had relied on the United States of America for support, meaning now in post war Australia’s main partners had swapped from United Kingdom to them. With their support came their influence. Australian’s some-what simpler, laid back lifestyle was being altered. A new unstable Australia full of uncertainty in social values and morals had evolved. â€Å"Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll’ questions the previous Australian dream and asks f it can survive in the new country evolving. Carlton â€Å"a now scruffy but once fashionable suburb of Melbourne† was an industrial, working class area. Our characters find themselves in the working class status. Ray Lawler uses a group of friend’s, lovers, to show the catalysts of change evolving around Australia at the time. For seventeen years Roo and Barney had been traveling down from Queensland for they layoff season. Waiting for them were their â€Å"girlfriends† Olive and Nancy. These four characters each represent a key theme in the play. The ability to link them all together and show their enchanted world crumbling around them is what makes the play one of Australia’s finest. Roo and Barney are the typical Australian larrikins. They rare the representation of mate ship and freedom in Australia are known for. In the play their relationship acts as one of the first things to fall in their â€Å"paradise.† Roo’s position as head cane cutter was taken by Dowd. Roo finds his masculinity diminished. As most larrikins he can’t accept the fact he is not one of the best. Roo leaves early. To add to the reality of things, we learn Barney’s â€Å"girlfriend† Nancy has gone at got married. Their world begins to fall. It is Nancy’s marriage that plays a key role in forcing the group ... ... their world. With nothing left of their once happy world Lawler prepares us for the dramatic end. As Roo feels he can no longer live up to his previous life her scrambles to build a new one, even if it only slightly mimics the old one. He believes by proposing to Olive they will both still have a form of what they had before, by doing this he shows he knows what they had is over and can never return, he understands that he must grow up. Olive wont allow this to happen. She is still clinging to her world â€Å"you’ve got to go back, it’s the only hope we’ve got.† She attempts any thing to piece it back together. Emma enters and sees that Olive is gutted; she can’t accept the new reality. With the rejection from Olive Roo becomes a beaten disheartened figure. Each character now knows they cannot stay here, they must all move on for good. Ray Lawler concludes the play and has expressed the characters as far as they can go. He created Australia compelled by the demand for liberation of women, but killed by the disintegration of mate ship. Lawler leaves the audience knowing their dream, their world cannot survive the new Australia, and we must all allow it, and us to evolve. WORDS: 974

Chicken Run

What are the roles of professional accountants in relation to their compliance to the 3yLaws of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants as in this case? Integrity Integrity means that the auditor must always carry out their auditing duties and responsibilities with the highest level and sense of integrity. Their work must be performed with diligence, responsibility, and complete sincere truthfulness. The auditor should not involve themselves in any illegal activities that can bring down their reputation.In this case, professional accountants should always check the inancial statement of the company so that the Information In the financial statement has fairly presented. Objectivity Objectivity means that an auditor must be independent in appearance and in fact, and also to be unbiased and Impartial. For an auditor to be Independent, they should not have any financial nor managerial relationship with anyone or anything that has to do with the company being audited. In this case, the pr ofessional accountants have to be objectivity In evaluating the going concern Issue.They have to Investigate he relationship between Encik Selamat and Encik Azrnan. They should ask Encik Selamatto proceed to the legal suits against Cold Gold Sdn. Bhd. Professional competence and due care Competence and due care means that avoid from conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest may exist when there Is a significant relationship with a person, entity, product or services that could be viewed as impairing the members' objectives. Professional member should understand well about the business environment of EPM so that they can make sure that the company Is free from conflicts of Interest. Chicken Run What are the roles of professional accountants in relation to their compliance to the 3yLaws of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants as in this case? Integrity Integrity means that the auditor must always carry out their auditing duties and responsibilities with the highest level and sense of integrity. Their work must be performed with diligence, responsibility, and complete sincere truthfulness. The auditor should not involve themselves in any illegal activities that can bring down their reputation.In this case, professional accountants should always check the inancial statement of the company so that the Information In the financial statement has fairly presented. Objectivity Objectivity means that an auditor must be independent in appearance and in fact, and also to be unbiased and Impartial. For an auditor to be Independent, they should not have any financial nor managerial relationship with anyone or anything that has to do with the company being audited. In this case, the pr ofessional accountants have to be objectivity In evaluating the going concern Issue.They have to Investigate he relationship between Encik Selamat and Encik Azrnan. They should ask Encik Selamatto proceed to the legal suits against Cold Gold Sdn. Bhd. Professional competence and due care Competence and due care means that avoid from conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest may exist when there Is a significant relationship with a person, entity, product or services that could be viewed as impairing the members' objectives. Professional member should understand well about the business environment of EPM so that they can make sure that the company Is free from conflicts of Interest. Chicken Run 1. INTRODUCTION 1. 1 Case Background This case is about the Small medium enterprises, Excel Poultry & Meat Sdn Bhd (EPM) that face management, production, financial and internal control problems. Besides that, In this case also show conflict of interest between General Manager of EPM, En Selamat with the main debtors. The lack of internal control causes bad financial performance since 2008. Other than that, this case also shows the external factors for the production process that cause â€Å"chicken run† crisis.Our responsibility is to give the solutions to EPM for face their problems. SMEs is the most important for Malaysian economic growth, so for that purpose we need make sure our SMEs had the excellent management in their financial and internal control. 2. Company Background Excel Poultry & Meat Sdn Bhd (EPM) was establish in 1998 as Small and medium sized enterprise (SME). Their Core business is chicken farming and supplying to various outlets in Malaysia such as hypermar kets and restaurants. Currently, they have more than 200 employees.EPM aso knowed as Top 5 chicken supplier in mid-tier producers in the country. 3. Definition of SMEs. Malaysia adopted a common definition of SMEs to facilitate identification of SMEs in the various sectors and subsectors. This has facilitated the Government to formulate effective development policies, support programmers’ as well as provision of technical and financial assistance. An enterprise is considered an SME in each of the respective sectors based on the Annual Sales Turnover or Number of Full- Time Employees.SMEs were divided into two categories. First category is manufacturing, manufacturing-related services, and agro-based industries. Small and medium enterprises in this industries have full-time employees not exceeding 150 OR with annual sales turnover not exceeding RM 25 million. Second category is services, primary agriculture, and information & communication technology (ICT) sectors. Small and m edium enterprise in this sectors have full-time employees not exceeding 50 OR with annual sales turnover not exceeding RM 5 million (SMEs. Corp, 2012).Table 1: Definition of SMEs |Type/ Size |Micro-enterprises |Small enterprise |Medium enterprise | |Manufacturing, |Sale turnover of less than RM |Sales turnover between RM 250,000 and|Sales turnover between RM 10 million | |Manufacturing- |250,000 OR full time employees |less than RM 10 Million OR full time |and RM 25 million OR full time | |Related Services and |less than 5 |employees between 5 and 50 |employees between 51 and 150. |Agro-based industries | | | | |Services, Primary |Sales turnover of less than RM |Sales turnover between RM 200,000 and|Sales turnover between RM 1 million and| |Agriculture and |200,000 OR full time employees |less than RM 1 million OR full time |RM 5 million OR full time employees | |Information & Communication |less than 5 |employees between 5 and 19. |between 20 and 25. |Technology (ICT) | | | | (Sour ces: SME Corp. Malaysia) Table 1 above shows the summary of defining Malaysian SMEs. 2. 0 ISSUES AND PROBLEMS There are many problems that can be detected in Excel Poultry & Meat Sdn Bhd (EPM). The main issue is a lack of internal control. There is no segregation of duties among EPM staff. This situation can be seen when Munir, the former staff at the finance department, collects the payment from client but he does not disclosed the payment receipt to the account department.Next, the issue is conflict of interest. The situation can be seen on the company’s General Manager, Encik Selamat has close relationship with one of the executive directors of Cold Gold Sdn. Bhd. , Encik Azman. This relationship has enabled Cold Gold to extend its credit limit with authorization from Encik Selamat and not the Credit Controller (Ms. Choy). Encik Selamat also has personal interest in the deal with Cold Gold Sdn. Bhd. The deal was if Encik Selamat extended the credit limit of Cold Gold Sdn. Bhd. , he will personally benefit from the deal.Encik Selamat did not disclose this matter to the Board. Besides that, the issue is the increasing of production cost. Since 2008, the company has been facing the problem of increased chicken feed cost which has risen from RM54. 50 to RM88; the increase is more than 50%. The increase in feeding cost has ultimately increased the company’s production cost to about 56. 5% the increase of feeding cost has affected the whole industry. Thus, Federation of Livestock Farmers’ Associations of Malaysia (FLFAM) has called for higher chicken prices in order to protect producer’s earnings in the face of feed cost hike.However, members of the FLFAM had seen a drop in demand of the chicken. On top of that, the event of the feed cost hike discovered that the company has systematically low operating cash. In the situation, the company resorted to borrow short-term loans from the bank in order to meet operating obligations. This in turn increased its financial obligations in terms of interest payments plus principal. Then, there is also issue on the shortage of chicken supply in market. Since the feed cost hike, the company has cut down the production of chicken in market.While at the same time, the demand of chicken from hypermarket, flea market and individual become high. The ceiling price that control by government also contributed to this problem. Another problem discovered is that in EPM’s books, a retailer, Mr. Siva’s account had outstanding balance. This was contrast with the books of Mr. Siva, where he claimed to have paid all outstanding balance and the cash payments had been made to Encik Munir. This can show that the company has lack of management on account receivables.Last but not least, Encik Selamat has influence in the company make the small and medium enterprise look alike a sole proprietor to him. Every decision making by Encik Selamat is totally agree by the other staff. The le adership style of Encik Selamat also need to consideration in the company operation. FINANCIAL RATIO ANALYSIS | |2006 |2007 |2008 | |Current ratio |0. 85 |0. 59 |0. 4 | |Net profit margin |4. 02% |(0. 35)% |(1. 05)% | |Return on asset |14% |(1. 07)% |(2. 76)% | GRAPH [pic] [pic] Based on the graph above, the company faced a decreased in net profit within three years of its operation in year 2006 to 2008. The decrease of net profit is mainly because of the feeding cost hike and also undiscovered irregularities in the accounts.The company also faced a decreased in return on asset within three years of its operation in year 2006 to 2008. The decreased of asset is probably because of the bottom line of the company is also decreased due to the feeding cost hike. 3. 0 SOLUTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Internal control system Internal control is main problem for this company. It plays an important role in preventing and detecting fraud of the organizations. For example this company has no segr egation of duties that important for the company to observe and see the flow of the company functions such as En.Munir (finance department) collects the payment from client and does not disclosure the receipt to accounting department. When these functions not be divided, a detailed supervisory review of related activities is required as a compensating control activity. Segregation of duties is a deterrent to fraud because it requires collusion with another person to perpetrate a fraudulent. So the company must have segregation of duties to reduce the critical problem of internal control. Such as, the approval function, the accounting or conciliating function, and the asset custody function should be separated among employees.Excel Poultry& Meat Sdn Bhd (EPM) is one of the SME’s company and need to follow all the rules and regulation internal control for SME’s. Encik Selamat as a general manager need to emphasize the nature and importance of the internal control, organi ze and lead all staff to set up a whole, appropriate internal control system to make middle managers and ordinary employees see the importance of the internal control to enterprise develop and job descriptions respectively. At the same time, managers should teach others a good example for all staff and establish a scientific evaluation system to supervise the implementation of the internal control.Besides that, SME’s internal control also need the company to have internal environment that refers to the basis of the internal control and when internal environment improve it can reduce the establishment of the inherent limitations of internal controls effectively, and improve the efficiency of internal control. According to the relevant laws and regulations, SMEs should establish a reasonable internal structure and give full play to the strength of the collective power to avoid excessive concentration of rights. Furthermore, the company also need to monitoring and reviewing the employees.It is the one of the internal control system that reviewed by management. By performing a periodic assessment, management assures that internal control activities have not become obsolete or lost due to turnover or other factors. They should also be enhanced to remain sufficient for the current state of risks. The availability of information and a clear and evident plan for communicating responsibilities and expectations is paramount to a good internal control system. At last, the company must control the environment to be a good internal control.A sound control environment is created by management through communication, attitude and example. This includes a focus on integrity, a commitment to investigating discrepancies, diligence in designing systems and assigning responsibilities. When the company follows all the framework of good internal control, the company can become better and can be successful in the future later. Management information system This company also la ck of focus on the important considerations for proper running of business operations. It is because the general manager cannot proper running the business operations.The company must have a mission and vision to be successful in the future. If company does not use the mission and vision, the company cannot run properly and become chaotic. So the solution is to use management information system that designed to help the organization accomplish specific goals or objective. Management information system  (MIS) provides information to the organizations to manage themselves efficiently and effectively. Besides that, management information system are typically computer systems used for managing three components that are technology, people individuals, groups or organizations) and data (information for decision making). Furthermore, the management information system uses to analyze the operational activities in the company to become more effective and efficient. Lastly, when the Excel P oultry & Meat Sdn. Bhd uses the management information system, it can be better and more efficient to the company to manage and running their business properly and can achieve goal, mission and the vision successfully. Negotiate with suppliersTo solve the higher costs of chicken feeds in Excel Poultry & Meat Sdn Bhd, the company may try to negotiate with their suppliers in considering the price reductions or offering some cheaper alternatives. If the suppliers are unable to do so, the company has to explore the other suppliers who are able to provide a reasonable price. By continuously watching the sources from a few of suppliers, it may be effective way to keep the costs lower due to competition. Moreover, some government agencies and private sectors could play an important role in assisting SMEs to solve the problems which they are facing.For example, the company may obtain some advisory services and consultancy from the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (M ARDI) in order to get some ideas on the chicken feeds problem. They may ask for the new alternatives to replace the old chicken feeds which are higher in costs. The SMEs like Excel Poultry & Meat Sdn Bhd also may apply the financial tools to help them in cost management such as breakeven point, budgeting and cost analysis. For example, if the company uses budgeting, it will able to prepare a forecast of revenues and expenses, so that it may perform better in the financial aspect.It also enables to find out the cost constraints on its operation. The company must gain the raw materials at the possible lowest price and use them as effectively as possible while maintaining the quality of output. Marketing mix Besides that, Excel Poultry & Meat Sdn Bhd also faces the pricing problem. When a company is in a highly competitive industry, it must be able to provide high quality products at low cost. If they do not, they may be perished. In order to compete with other companies in the similar industry, the marketing mix is always crucial which it encompasses price, product, promotion and place.The SMEs like Excel Poultry & Meat Sdn Bhd needs to improve their marketing strategy on promoting their products in terms of branding, packaging and promotion to increase their revenue. With the greater turnover, the company may get the fund to improve the growth of their business. Furthermore, it may consult the SIRIM Berhad and it may help them in standardization and certification of their products according to their point of views. With the government support, it may satisfy the needs of consumers on the quality of their products.If the products have been recognized by the government, the consumers will be more reliable on them and the price may be marked up to overcome the problem of increase in cost of chicken feeds. The company also enables to explore the other potential markets in the foreign countries. As the demand in local country may not be satisfied, the company may ch oose other foreign markets which they have higher demands on the chicken supplies. Code of ethics The solution for the conflict of interest between Encik Selamat and Encik Azman is establishes the five fundamental principles according to the code of ethics.Encik Selamat should follow the code of ethics of the five fundamental principles such as integrity, objectivity, competence and due care, confidentiality and professional behavior. Some of the fundamental principles can be applied by Encik Selamat as the guidance to comply with the ethical behavior. For example, Encik Selamat should apply the integrity principle in which Encik Selamat should be honest in all professional and business relationship between his and the customers. In this case, Encik Selamat should be honest in the business although Encik Azman is his best friend.Besides that, Encik Selamat should comply with the principle of objectivity in which Encik Selamat should not allow conflict of interest to override profess ional or business judgments. In terms of professional competence and due care, Encik Selamat should maintain professionalism which cannot allow customers supplied without concerning the outstanding balances. Last but not least, Encik Selamat should apply the professional behavior which should comply with the relevant laws and regulations. Effective cash collections processThe solution for the poor collection of debtors’ outstanding leads to cash flow problems is designed an effective cash collection process which shown as below. [pic] Excel Poultry & Meat Sdn. Bhd. (EPM) should design the effective cash collection process to avoid the cash collection problems. The effective cash collection process is when the customers paid the payments to the company, the payment should passed to the accounting departments to verify the payments and the accounting department will send the cash receipts back to the customers.Besides that, the accounting departments in the company will put the deposits in the Bank after received the payments from the customers. Then, the Bank will send the statement of deposit back to the accounting department of the company. In this case, the weakness in the cash collection problems leads to the cash flow problems. For example, the net profit of the company is decreased from year 2006 to 2008. This means the company is facing the cash flow problems which can show by the financial performance of the company which is getting worst compare with previous year.SWOT Matrix |Strengths |Weakness | |One of the top chicken suppliers |Poor in internal control | |Has qualified accountant (En. Kassim) |Financial problems | |Good in development of marketing plan |Lack of leadership | | Lack of control in making decision | | |Imbalance of cash flow | |Opportunities |Threats | |Government support |Potential chicken disease | |Strong chicken consumption in domestic market |Government policies (ceiling price) | | |Increase in cost of raw materials | 4. 0 CONCLUSION As a conclusion, those have several main problems that cause the financial problem in EPM. Those problems are arise because lack of control in management and production within the company.In the business, those who have relationships between several factors will affect the financial performances. Economics, production and management are the factors that cause the financial crisis in EPM. The relationships are show bellow: 1. 2. EPM need to make sure their internal control is in the good position to make sure their cash flow can be controlled to run the business. The integrated systematic management on financial, internal control and production will give the EPM a better financial position in the future. ———————– Increase of Production cost Decrease of demand Decrease of sales Decrease of company profit Lack of internal control Increase the possibility fraud Bad financial performances

Psychological Influences of Midlife Transition in Men Essay

Understanding human development has, for quite a time, concentrated on childhood and adolescence and it took some time for researchers to shift considerably on exploring adulthood. This does not indicate however that there is a dearth of data about specific facets of the adult life (e. g. marriage, life expectancy, occupation, retirement, etc. ). Still, one may consider that there is a very restricted understanding of the basic principles of adult development. Consider for example one significant phase in the adult life cycle, specifically that which has been acknowledged as the â€Å"midlife† crisis. Isn’t it a fact that individuals, in one point of their lives, regardless of the phase they are in, experience critical moments? Perhaps we should consider the â€Å"midlife† as a transition or a common phase in an individual’s life as Dr. Fred Horowitz, an executive coach who has worked with hundreds of business owners, executives and professionals assisting them in the transition process sees this phenomenon. One may assert nonetheless that this stage is one of the most critical stages in an individual’s life cycle, next to adolescence, since individuals experiencing crisis during the midlife transition may end up re-living the extreme options to the crisis a particular individual is experiencing at that particular time. Passage to this phase of the life cycle may well be considered of equal importance as the understanding of separation anxiety of a two-year old or the questions on identity and self-expression commonly experienced by the adolescent. The midlife transition is developmental and inherently built into the structure of the personality and the Self. It is Psychological Influences 3 at this phase that the deepest inner strivings of the soul press for expression, even if that expression threatens a well-structured world and sense of identity. As much as undergoing the â€Å"midlife† transition† is inevitable, so is the recognition that in spite of the confusing and serious psychological influences that accompany this phase in the life cycle, an understanding leading to acceptance of these facts, can serve as a threshold for growth and change. In this connection, I have found two articles that provide insights on what could be considered debilitating psychological effects of man’s passage to this particular phase in the life cycle: 1) Les Brown, H. (November 09, 2008). â€Å"Is the Man in the Mirror a Fraud,† and 2) an article titled, â€Å"Crisis in Middle Adulthood: Age 45- 65. † Both articles describe this transitional phase, where the man who could not overcome the pressures accompanying the transition, puts on a â€Å"psychological defense mechanism. † L. Brown refers to such response as projection. On the other hand, â€Å"Crisis in Midlife Adulthood,† points to â€Å"stagnation† or â€Å"self-absorption† as a direct psychological response of an individual undergoing this transition. Les Brown, while positioning his article on a latest book titled, â€Å"Irritable Male Syndrome,† written by Dr. Jed Diamond, centers on the family as he considers it as the main context in which this male psychological response to midlife transition is most discernible. He rationalizes that in this context where a man experiences the most intimate relationships is where he is also most vulnerable— â€Å"When a guy’s inner world starts to come unglued, the first to notice it are those who love him. † As a result, the man ‘projects’ a personality that is entirely different to what he really is in real life as the Psychological Influences 4 ‘midlife male’ sees all around him in his most intimate surroundings reflections of his own (supposed) shortcomings. † The process continues: 1) the male perceives a reality (which is assumed to have been distorted by his present psychological state) and assumes that such circumstance poses a threat to his personality; 2) as he moves from the source of the reflection he carries and projects a self-image (presumably to defend himself of being unmasked of his real emotional state); 3) his significant others perceive the obvious change however are uncertain of what is really going on with the â€Å"midlife male. † They try to act out as what is the â€Å"midlife male† tries to picture to them as what should be their response to his behavior. The â€Å"midlife male† still sees such behavior in a different perspective. The seemingly unending and continuous empowering of â€Å"cultural bias, faulty assumptions, and dysfunctional belief,† results to the â€Å"midlife males† feeling of â€Å"shame. † Les Brown ends with a reminder to the â€Å"midlife males† who are in constant struggle as they try to understand the transition phase. He provided an analogy of the â€Å"reflection process† to the literal â€Å"mirroring† act— what the person is seeing is â€Å"exactly the person [his] going to need to confront, and, in spite of [his] fears, he’s not a fraud†¦[rather] he is the person [you’d] need to know for the first time. † He ends by pointing out the imperative nature of this life cycle that one’s reaction to the process may undeniably shape what the person will become afterwards. Though the presentation of the writer’s ideas relative to â€Å"midlife transition† is obviously clear and lucid, however, his earlier attribution to a recent writing on the subject did not make him as credible as the author he earlier referred to. It sounded much Psychological Influences 5 more of marketing strategy than a call for credibility. It would have been better had he presented his ideas first then anchored them on not just one reference, which would made him sound more authoritative on the subject –matter. The second article, alternatively presents a general understanding on middle adulthood, specifically the â€Å"crises† that both genders experienced during the midlife transition. A brief characterization of the â€Å"crises† experienced by the two sexes were delineated in the article. At the end, however, the writer differentiated two models that apparently â€Å"explain such events as the midlife transition and the midlife crisis. † Such transition seems illogical and unnecessary and made the presentation of the articles idea unclear. I would consider the second article rather loose since it presents a number of although related thoughts do not present a holistic clarification of what these separately identifiable elements are. A little explanation on different aspects in the subject (middle adulthood) made his presentation unacceptable. Ideas were presented from the specific to the general, but the relatedness as well as the transition from one of the sub-topics to another could not be considered conclusive of foregoing statements. Also the fact that there was no reference to the author or other authority on the subject (except for Erickson, though reference to authority was not rationally done) made the presentation less acceptable. In conclusion, both articles although to some extent served their purpose as being content articles could not be considered successful in providing new insights in the subject matter. Finally, in a word of hyper-mediation, which is the primary facet of the Psychological Influences 6 Web and the internet, writers as those specified here, should have maximized what their medium could offer (though this is not part of the review, I still consider this part and parcel of that which contributes to the efficiency of the distribution of specific content to its intended audience). As such hyperlinks may have been considered in presenting the articles they have written. References: Les Brown, H. (November 09, 2008). â€Å"Is the Man in the Mirror a Fraud? † Retrieved April 06, 2009 from Midlife Mastery Website: http://www. midlifemaster. net/2008/11/for-the-past-few-days-ive-been-reading-dr- jed-diamonds-newest-book-the-irritable-male-syndrome-with-rapt-attention-in- adv. html CliffsNotes. com. Crisis in Middle Adulthood: Age 45–65. Retrieved April 06, 2009 from Cliffnotes Website: http://www. cliffsnotes. com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/topicArticleId- 26831,articleId-26814. html