Decision of the High Court of Australia in Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar Essay

Decision of the High Court of Australia in Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar - Essay Example Sections76-80 of the Evidence Act 1995 NSW deal with opinion evidence (Evidence Act 1995). Section 79 provides for expert evidence as opinion based on specialised knowledge although there is no expression of the term ‘expert’ (Ying, 2005, p 76). Section 177 of the Act provides for an expert evidence to be given in the form of certificate with the expert’s name and address and his signature affirming that he possesses specialised knowledge acquired through study, training or experience as mentioned in the certificate. The certificate should claim that his expert opinion contained therein is based on such knowledge through study, experience or training. This could serve as admissible evidence without the expert attending the court unless the opposing party requires him to tender evidence in person at the court and be subjected to cross-examination. If , after tendering of the evidence by the expert in person , the court feels that there was no need for his personal appearance to tender evidence, costs may be imposed on the party who made such a request for being awarded to the expert (Ying,2005,p78). In fact, the expert evidence is one of the exceptions to the opinion rule as evinced by the section 76. Evidence law does not allow opinion of a witness unless he/ she is an expert in the relevant field. Other witnesses may only testify to the facts as to their existence without being qualified by their opinion. It is for the court to form an opinion based on the facts testified. This is the position with common law as well (Ying, 2005, p78). According to Phipson (2000), common law rule is that no opinions, inferences or beliefs of individuals are admissible in evidence as proof of material facts. Cross (2004) says that the purpose was to exclude â€Å"uncertain and unreliable knowledge†. Apart from section 79, sections 77 and 78 permit lay opinions of witnesses. The decision in Dasreef Pty Ltd v Hawchar (LegalOnline, 2011) questioned the admissibility of what was claimed to be expert evidence under section 79. Although the so called expert was allowed to tender evidence, he did not meet the criteria laid down in section 79 and 177 stated above. Nawaf Hawchar, with a history of employment as stonemason for five and half years from 1999 to 2005 with Dasreef Pty Ltd, claimed to have developed silicosis due to the nature of his job having risk of exposure to silica dust. He was under si milar employment in Lebanon earlier to 1996 for one year. In addition, he did private stonemasonry work during the period from 2002 to 2005. Since in May 2006 Hawchar was diagnosed with early stage silicosis and earlier in 2004 for Sclereroderma, he filed claim for damages for injury of contracting scleroderma and silicosis against his employer Dasreef in Dust Diseases Tribunal of New South Wales (LegalOnline, 2011). Alleging that his employer Dasareef had exposed him to unsafe levels of silica dust whist under his employment, Hawchar produced during the trial, an expert evidence of Dr Kenneth Basden as a competent person to give an expert opinion about his Silicosis condition by virtue of his qualifications as a chartered chemist,

A vision on a nursing profession Essay Example for Free

A vision on a nursing profession Essay For as long as I can remember I have always wanted to be a nurse, caring for those in need. This feeling ultimately led me to the career choice of nursing and continues the path of higher education in the profession. . Nursing is more than treating an illness, rather it is focused on delivering quality patient care that is individualized to the needs of each patient. As nurses we protect, promote and encourage others to optimize their health abilities, prevention of illness, alleviate suffering and advocate in caring for the individual, their families and the community. Fruechting (2010) states, every discipline has its philosophical foundations and nursing is no different. The purpose of a philosophy is to answer the questions of what nursing is, why does it exist and what ethics and values underpin these beliefs. Fruechting continues to say that nursing philosophy, like any other disciplines-specific philosophy, is what directs and drives research and knowledge development to advance the discipline. My philosophy of nursing incorporates the knowledge of medicine, the importance of prevention and the promotion of wellness, while combining it with relational, compassionate caring that respects the dignity of each patient, their families and community. I believe nursing care should be holistic while honoring patient families and community’s values. A crucial aspect of nursing is interprofessional relationships, collaborative efforts among healthcare professionals promoting quality patient care, and making health care easily accessible. A refl ection of my philosophy of nursing and the pursuit of higher education. I look at the theories and have not identified any one at this point to ground me and my philosophy, and what learning strategies appeal to me. I have always reflected on patient –centered care and health promotion model as a great fit in my profession and now the possibility of my philosophy. Nursing theory (2013) states that the Health  Promotion Model was designed by Nola J. Pender to be a complementary counterpart to models of health protection. It defines health as a positive dynamic state rather than simply the absence of disease. Health promotion is directed at increasing a patients level of well-being. The health promotion model also describes the multidimensional nature of persons as they interact within their environment to pursue health. Nursing theory (2013) states that Abdellahs Twenty-One Nursing Problems theory of nursing, Nursing is based on an art and science that molds the attitudes, intellectual competencies, and technical skills of the individual nurse in to the desire and ability to help people, sick or well, cope with their health needs.. The nursing model is intended to guide care in hospitals, but can be applied to community nursing, as well. The model has interrelated concepts of health and nursing problems, as well as problem-solving, which is an activity inherently logical in nature. Abdellahs theory identifies ten steps to identify the patients problem and 11 nursing skills used to develop a treatment typology. Abdellah describes health as a state mutually exclusive of illness. There is no definition of health given by her theory, but she speaks of total health needs and healthy state of mind and body in the description of nursing as a comprehensive service. I would choose both choose this framework due to the emphasis and importance that it puts on relationships, trust, empathy, warmth and being in the present and in tune with one’s own patient –centered care comfortable and at peace to be able to allow one’s self to reflect on the many feelings and emotions that we experience and that changes from minute to minute, day to day and year to year. Therefore, this is the theory that I base my therapy and supervision upon.

The Problem of Youths Education and Socialization :: Teaching Education Research

Philosophic-Methodological and Social-Cultural Factors in the Problem of Youth's Education and Socialization Missing Works Cited ABSTRACT: The socialization of youth is currently in crisis. Education is in crisis across the world. The correlation between socialization and education is a crucial theoretical as well as a practical problem. Schools are the main institution of socialization. Education possesses two different functions: social reproduction and development. The way of life in any concrete society requires stable forms of socialization. The introduction of new generation into the social life—is one of the most ancient and eternal problems of humanity. The topicality of youth's socialization doesn't even grow dim in the present-day conditions but even becomes more acute and problematical character. There are many evidences which prove out it. Don't even remember the notorious problem of  «fathers » and  «children » it`s enough to say that not only in the course of the last decade one of the main institutes of youth's socialization—education—endures deep and protracted crisis. The different levels' instances nearly in all countries are busy now with the search of the ways regarding to the solution of the crisis of education and the increase of the effectiveness of the work with the youth. But the decision of these problems hasn't been found yet (see 1). Here we dwell only on some points which are important for understanding of the essence and necessary for the decision of these problems. In most problems and positions, in which now the processes of education are represented, and it obvious aim, as a rule, it is the development of person. As for the content, it realizes in the study of the bases of the scientific knowledge about the world social invironment, and also at the assimilation of the elementary labour skills, norms and values of the collective activity. However in connection with increase of standard of scientific equipement of life the content`s space of education is filled up more and more with actual scientific information, thus constantly excluding from it other components with persistence. We see 3 problems here, they are the aim, the completeness and the content of education. Let us dwell on them. First of all, we must point out that the institute of the socialization had appeared in our society long before the appearance of the necessity of mastering of the science information. Then socialization evoluated in education. Now they are often heard like the synonyms, as a result of not clear and to wide using of them.

Cowardliness? - Edgar Allan Poe :: essays research papers

Cowardliness? (Edgar Allan Poe – The Masque of the Red Death) Each person is individual. We actually act differently in the same situations. But the situation does not have to be so problematic and so stressing for each of us. Somebody will stay and face the arising problem and somebody will run away as quickly as possible. However still there is something we all have in common, we all hide a coward in ourselves. No matter how powerful, wealthy and strong we are, everybody is scared by something. This fatal fear makes us to do everything possible to avoid it and if there is no other way just to escape from it. But are we therefore cowards? There are lots of kinds of threats. Some of us are afraid of different sorts of animals, some are afraid of height, some are afraid of closed vessel, etc. However, the most usual fear is a fear of death. Also this piece of literature is about such a fear and what it can do to human. Poe chooses plague as his tool of death. He takes his time to perfectly describe how enormous threat such a plague can be: â€Å"No pestilence had ever been so fatal, or so hideous.† Another terrifying fact is that the plague is incredibly quick and therefore there is practically no chance to be cured: â€Å"At the whole seizure, progress and termination of the disease, were the incidents of half and hour.† To support the idea of dread, Poe is also describing the process of the horrible and painful dying: â€Å"There were sharp pains, and sudden dizziness and the profuse bleeding at the pores, with dissolution.† Moreover we can feel a certain respect to it. The author even calls it by a name â€Å"The Red Death† and uses capital letters. He is animating it this way and the reader realises it is not so easy to escape from it. So it is not surprising people are so thrilled by it. Maybe it is also because it is so painful. Maybe because it is extremely quick or maybe because it kills without any control. No matter if you are man, woman or child, if you are young or old, if you are rich or poor, etc. Poe uses a great example of what is human able to do to protect his own life. The Prince Prospero, â€Å"happy, and dauntless and sagacious† man has such a fear that he decides to isolate himself in a big fortress with â€Å"a strong and lofty wall girdled it in.

Psychology of Health in the Workplace Essay

This document will discuss the relationship between health and psychology in the workplace and how certain lifestyle choices affect these areas. This paper will also include examples of lifestyle choices that enhance personal health and reduce illnesses. Understanding how health and psychology relate to each other will allow an individual the ability to be successful in relationships in or out of the workplace. Health is commonly misunderstood as meaning not sick. Health is when a person sustains a good state of mental, social, and physical well-being. Psychology involves understanding the mind and how it relates to behaviors. When studying Psychology the goal is to understand individual and group behaviors by general principles and research. Health and Psychology work together to promote an individual with a sound state of mind and optimal physical health and then the social should fall into place. How an individual decides to live his or her daily life can determine health factors in the future. An example of this would be a person’s daily eating habits. If choosing healthy balanced meals daily including exercise are less likely to acquire diseases such as obesity, cancer, heart disease, or emphysema. These diseases are common with people who choose to consume unhealthy diets, refrain from any physical activity, and make choices like excessive alcoholic beverages or smoking. Maintaining healthy food choices along with some type of physical activity will balance the mind and promotes the ability to make good choices. Having high levels of anxiety can also increase an individual’s chance of developing other illnesses. A person with high anxiety cannot focus and maintain a normal behavior in the workplace. Stressful jobs can cause an individual to worry and become anxious about his or her work performance resulting in an anxiety disorder. This is the most common mental disorder and affects million of adults, young and old, in the United States. An individual can practice daily  activities such as yoga, exercise, or meditating to reduce the chance of experiencing anxiety. By making choices to reduce stress will enable a person to perform at a higher capacity in the workplace. Conclusion When an individual makes choices that affect his or her health this can affect how he or she performs in the workplace. An example would be an individual who choices to drink alcohol daily will start to show signs of having an unhealthy mind and poor physical health. By consuming alcohol daily reduces one’s ability to think straight and make clear choices. It also can become a health issue if continued over a period of time. This will make others in the workplace uncomfortable and not trust the choices the individual is making if he or she cannot work without drinking alcohol. Making good decisions about our daily choices made concerning our eating habits will determine our future health. By consuming a healthy diet will decrease a person’s chances of obtaining a chronic disease. Therefore, making good choices about our health will promote a healthy state of mind and help individuals to be successful in or out of the workplace. Finding ways to reduce stress and enhance our daily lifestyle can help an individual to live a balanced and happy life. References Taylor, S. E. (2011). Health Pschology (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. WebMd. (2012, March). Anxiety & Panic Disorders Health Center. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/guide/anxiety-at-work

decision making essays

decision making essays More than thirty years have passed since the dramatic cling of arm in the remote Himalayan region of the Sino-Indian border. This Time gap seems to be appropriate for a correct reexamination of the conflict. The account of India's attempt to find balance with China, ever since the Kongska Pass incident in 1959 until the attack of 1962, is not merely a fact sheet that we can brows and toss away. In stead we have to link each idea to the event and causes that might have played a role in the conflict. Ever since 1959 the border problem between Asia's biggest two nation states has been picking up speed at a threatening speed. The year 1962 was the unfortunate year for India, which knocked out any possibility of understanding between China and India. Of course, such an act of terror could have not started without some kind of the reason, whatever it may be. The chronological order of pre-crisis decisions taken India's authorities are that the latter helped Nehru convey his thought and policies to the outside world in a forceful and organized manner (Brecher, 1959). But as Rajani Palme Dutt said in his book "The problem of India," foreign policy was exercised "more behind the scenes than in meetings of the committee." Both Menon and Nehru acted to the desire of Nehru. It was often when the Foreign secretary would take to Pant drafts of diplomatic correspondence and get the reaction which was usually at Nehru's request (Hoffmann, 1990). Foreign policy makers Nehru, Menon and Pant shared a common worldview which clearly showed their psychological predisposition, drawn from the sources of their personality, idiosyncrasy, ideology, tradition, culture and history. As we shall see further down, in the mainstream of common ideas and beliefs, they indeed had some differences. But all these men used the "attitudinal prism" (Hoffmann, 1990), the lens through which they filtered and structured the information thus perceiving the worl...

Diversity in Toons essays

Diversity in Toons essays In comparing children's programs for their use of cultural diversity I watched several segments of Rugrats, Winnie the Pooh, and Out of the Box. The animated programs, Rugrats and Winnie the Pooh, dealt with diversity in much the same way. Out of the Box, however, was put together on a different level. The Rugrats is a delightful cartoon about a group of adventurous babies that are always getting into one thing or the other. The baby's personalities are all quite different and ones weakness is offset by another ones strengths. Tommy, a very intelligent, articulate, courageous, and compassionate one year old is the leader of the group. His best friend Chuckie is a neurotic two-year-old who is afraid of his own shadow! Phil and Lil, the twins from next door, look alike, think alike, and would follow Tommy Pickles to the ends of the earth. They love the adventures, the messier and scarier the better! They are the lovers of mud-pies, bugs, and moldy things. Tommy's older cousin, Angelica, rounds out the group as the spoiled rotten princess who bullies the babies and manipulates the adults. Angelica has one friend, other than the babies, a black girl her age named Susie who she is always in competition with. The adults in the show represent even more diverse groups. Tommy's Dad, Stu, is an absent-minded toy inventor who loves his son dearly but tends to let his preoccupation with his inventions rule his world. His wife, Didi, is your classic, practical, overprotective mother that is on a quest to be the world's most perfect mother. She, however, is completely unaware of just how much Tommy knows and understands. Tommy's Uncle Drew is a boring investment banker that dotes on Angelica and seriously believes that she is an angel. Aunt Charlotte, on the other hand, is the professional corporate type workaholic and assuages her guilt by lavishing Angelica with undeserved gifts. Betty Deville, Didi's best friend and the twin's mother, is a lou...

Wildlife Protection essays

Wildlife Protection essays There are many ways to protect wildlife in our community, the country, and the world. First of all, there are many parks and reserves available for indigenous life to find sanctuary from human expansion. The ecological concerns of water, forest, and wetlands have been achieved through Congress. The Florida Everglades are home to millions of forms of life, most notable the American Alligator. These swampy regions have always been in turmoil and in fear of being used for the ever-expanding human race. Approval for a historic resolution sailed through the House of Representatives but included a host of unrelated projects that could damage the environment elsewhere. The Everglades has been reduced to half its original size by a century of agricultural growth, urban sprawl, and unwise water management. Dikes, levees and dams have fundamentally altered the natural system by draining billions of gallons of water a day out to sea. The best way to alleviate the problem and save the Everglades is to contact Representatives and Senators with the message that Everglade restoration must follow through within the year. The wildlife there is losing land and acreage daily. Everglades restoration must move forward this year. Another concern of many is the refueling of ships at sea. Everyone has seen the devastating effects an oil spill has on an ecosystem. It is probably the most horrible disasters ever brought to earth by the making of men. The best way to be rid of the horrible disaster of oil spills is to only refuel on land. This would greatly reduce the chance of spillage by 100 percent and ensure wildlife habitat protection. ...

Case Study of MGM Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Of MGM - Case Study Example The highly competitive nature of the hospitality and gaming industry is considered one of the biggest threats for MGM. The competitors vary considerably in terms of their size, quality of services, financial potency and capabilities, level of facilities and the diversity that exists in terms of geographic location. MGM faces competition from several public and private companies that operate in the hotel, gaming and resort business. In just the short period, that MGM has been in the market, its portfolio has vastly increased. MGM is actively in pursuit of development opportunities in the main regions that show some form of opportunity, both domestically and internationally. However, now MGM seems to be highly reliant on Las Vegas to generate the larger part of its revenue. Secondly, MGM has taken up several initiatives in order to set it apart from its competitors. Building themed hotels came outdated and a clichà © over time, which in turn necessitated the need for MGM to take up on something different and unique. This is relevant in ensuring that the hotel can offer to its customers what the other hotels in the hospitality and gaming industry do not have to offer. Furthermore, in order to get a head start in the changing era of the competitive industry, MGM has collaborated with the digital entertainment party known, as bwin party waiting for the time when gambling shall be made legal. The world is vastly changing to be a digital and customers are everyday hoping to do everything online. Offering online poker is likely to give MGM competitive advantage in the gaming industry. The resource-based model is ideal when venturing into international markets as a way of maintaining competitive advantage and attaining above average returns. Furthermore, MGM should focus on training the employees in order to deliver consistent excellent customer service across all of its

Information Security - Amazon.com Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Information Security - Amazon.com - Term Paper Example Many businesses are solely dependent on storing information on the database. The details regarding the employee workings, salaries and the Banking activities are carries out through storing it into the database under strong security to prevent access from unauthorized access. Not only the firewall and the antivirus system provides security to a system but the system design is also needed to be done in such a way so that it provides strong security system to be decoded by the hackers and break the security. Several viruses can be planted to a system which can erase all data in a minute and even certain hard-wares can be used which can bypass the firewall and enter into the system. The login information provided at different sites for transaction process are needed to be very secured otherwise there can loss of information and hackers can steal information for unlawful activities which can incur huge loss for the account holder both in terms of monetary and data loss. For certain issue s like banking system and network activities the system should be highly secured as lack of security can cause huge loss money along with data. About Amazon.com Seattle, Washington based fortune 500 company Amazon.com is the leader of e-commerce business process globally. In the year 1995 Jeff Bezos started Amazon.com and then expanded gradually with wide range of products and services with international sites and strong network and customer service worldwide. Amazon.com claims to be the Earth’s most customer centric online service company who can provide anything that the customers’ need and they provide the lowest price possible in the market. With a diversified product line ranging from new, refurbished and also used items in various categories like jewelry, gourmet, apparel, books, music, toys, personal care electronics etc Amazon.com provides the solution for all under one roof (Rappa, 2010). The company operates sites at different parts of the world like United K ingdom, Japan, Canada, Germany, Italy, France and at China. The technological innovation and the growing trend in the internet industry give a great advantage for the company to innovate new features in to the site. The website provides the special search engine feature for its different items for a more customized search and helps a more easy buying process for the customers. The new AWS (Amazon web services) gives an end-to-end security and privacy in the cloud computing world for the customers and provides a more sophisticated approach than the single data center. With the new innovations day by day the company plans to expand into more geographical regions in coming years and build relation with more sellers and shoppers and implement a more secured e-commerce system for the customers (Amazon.com, 2011). Current business issues on Information Security Amazon.com follows the cloud computing technology which is the modern trend in the e-commerce system. It gives the flexibility fo r the company to expand its business and get connected to a larger mass of people with the development facility of the different application for different devices (Amazon Web Services, 2010). Figure 1: Cloud Computing (Source: India Current Affairs, 2011) But this cloud computing technique of Amazon.com has several security issues which are needed to be evaluated by the company for a more secured information security. Broadly these

Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 12

Economics - Essay Example In this case, the government may increase spending or reduce taxes or simultaneously adopt both measures to raise the aggregate effective demand. In this case, the government faces a budget deficit. Adopting an expansionary fiscal policy facing a situation of depressed economic activities reflected in lowered aggregate output levels and rising unemployment is the Keynesian prescription. Such policies are considered by governments during economic downturns. Contractionary Fiscal policy refers to a situation of raised taxes or lowered government spending or both in pursuit of curtailing the aggregate demand. Generally such policies are adopted to counter an inflationary situation fuelled by rising demand. Adoption of contractionary fiscal policies is considered during the upturns of the business cycles. An expansionary fiscal policy is illustrated in the diagram below using a standard IS-LM framework. As government spending rises with or without reduced taxes, the aggregate effective demand rises for all rates of interest and thus assuming sufficient unused productive capacities this implies a decline in unsold stocks leading to increased output for all rates of interest thereby leading to a rightward shift in the IS curve. As a result, the aggregate real output rises (Y1 to Y2) and so does the real rate of interest. The rise in rate of interest is caused by a rise in the government borrowings. However this rise in interest rates dampens the private inducements to invest. This is known as a crowding out effect as in essence private investments are crowded out by raised government borrowings (Mankiw, 2002). Thus, we see that while an expansionary fiscal policy may be successful in increasing the real aggregate national income and generating employment, it also leads to a decline in private investments which in turn reduce the effective demand. Thus, in the process of increasing borrowings to fund the excess spending or reducing taxes,

Sales and Marketing Hotel Lodging Industry Essay

Sales and Marketing Hotel Lodging Industry - Essay Example New products contribute substantially to profitable sales (Drejer, 2002). The necessity of adding new products that will yield profits to sustain corporate growth is clear. Products also level out seasonal impacts, spread risks, use talents, capitalize on tax advantages, and replace obsolescent items. Sales and marketing work together in order to ensure effective service delivery and customer satisfaction processes. In lodging industry, business success depends on producing the right product at the right time. New-product development is risky, for market opportunity is couched in uncertainty and instability, and competitive system and the unpredictability of customer reaction increases the risk. in spite of benefits and opportunities proposed by this model, recent years there is a growing number of research studies proving its limitations and weaknesses for modern business. Applied to consumer behavior, it is possible to say that sales managers give a special attention to importance of channels of distribution and marketing mix. Distribution channels are the vehicles for matching companies with customers. They establish the arrangements and paths for the flow of product and title to ultimate users. They move products and information to markets and provide the funnel for the feedb ack of information to the producer. As networks of marketing agencies, they constitute a system-a loose but formal coalition of independent entities linked together to distribute products and services.. As the links between companies and markets, they can impede or foster the effectiveness of the rest of the marketing mix. Distribution channels cover a wide range of situations. At one end are found the complicated linkage of manufacturers and their branches, agents and brokers, other wholesalers, and retailers for the movement of certain consumer goods. At the other is the direct distribution of heavy machinery. Between lie a variety of channel assortments (Mintzberg et al 2004). Which one works best depends on the company and its products and markets at a certain time. Distribution channels are essential components of economic system. The efficient movement of goods and competition both depend on sales management. Nevertheless, as economists often assume, the channels do not perfor m cost-less activities. Using resources to sort supply and match it with demand, they try to bring both activities into balance. Through channels, companies organize supply and markets and endeavor to develop their own best opportunities (Drejer, 2002). In lodging and hotel industry, market segmentation is one of the main concepts used by marketing companies to divide the market between particular target groups and meet needs and wants of target customers. Divergent service policies adjust product lines to individual market segments -- they implement market segmentation. By assuming that demand is heterogeneous, market positioning strategy obtains a better match with distinguishable market segments. Service differentiation gives marketers a share of a broad, horizontal market, whereas market segmentation tends to result in cultivation of a market position in depth. Given

The Iraq war Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The Iraq war - Research Paper Example The cold war was associated with near-series of close bloody engagements between the two1. The two superpowers involved the use of surrogate nations in their conflict, with Russia supporting Vietnam and the US supporting Afghan. Both the two countries lost the wars. Much of the devastation was felt by the global north countries. The Vietnam conflict resulted in 4 million deaths of Vietnamese and 1.5 to 2 million Cambodians deaths and displaced millions. To the contrary only 58,000 soldiers died with 300,000 wounded. The same situation is evident in the afghan with an estimation of almost 1.3 million deaths of Afghans and only 15,000 deaths of soviet soldiers. During soviets invasion of Afghanistan, the US through the CIA and other allied nations helped train guerilla fighters to resists the invasion of Soviet. Amongst the nations include Pakistani, Britain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and China. The then United States security advisor urged President Carter that the Afghan resistance was to be supported, meaning they were to be funded and given arms. He informed him of the importance of Chinese and Pakistani support for the rebels. Within three days of submission of the memo to President Carter, the president made a public statement through the secretary of state informing the public of suspension bilateral talks with Soviet Union on the use of atomic energy peacefully. The US Moscow embassy was instructed to cut ties with Moscow. In 1985, president Regan praised the mujahideen fighters, referring to them as their brothers.

Sales and Marketing Hotel Lodging Industry Essay

Sales and Marketing Hotel Lodging Industry - Essay Example New products contribute substantially to profitable sales (Drejer, 2002). The necessity of adding new products that will yield profits to sustain corporate growth is clear. Products also level out seasonal impacts, spread risks, use talents, capitalize on tax advantages, and replace obsolescent items. Sales and marketing work together in order to ensure effective service delivery and customer satisfaction processes. In lodging industry, business success depends on producing the right product at the right time. New-product development is risky, for market opportunity is couched in uncertainty and instability, and competitive system and the unpredictability of customer reaction increases the risk. in spite of benefits and opportunities proposed by this model, recent years there is a growing number of research studies proving its limitations and weaknesses for modern business. Applied to consumer behavior, it is possible to say that sales managers give a special attention to importance of channels of distribution and marketing mix. Distribution channels are the vehicles for matching companies with customers. They establish the arrangements and paths for the flow of product and title to ultimate users. They move products and information to markets and provide the funnel for the feedb ack of information to the producer. As networks of marketing agencies, they constitute a system-a loose but formal coalition of independent entities linked together to distribute products and services.. As the links between companies and markets, they can impede or foster the effectiveness of the rest of the marketing mix. Distribution channels cover a wide range of situations. At one end are found the complicated linkage of manufacturers and their branches, agents and brokers, other wholesalers, and retailers for the movement of certain consumer goods. At the other is the direct distribution of heavy machinery. Between lie a variety of channel assortments (Mintzberg et al 2004). Which one works best depends on the company and its products and markets at a certain time. Distribution channels are essential components of economic system. The efficient movement of goods and competition both depend on sales management. Nevertheless, as economists often assume, the channels do not perfor m cost-less activities. Using resources to sort supply and match it with demand, they try to bring both activities into balance. Through channels, companies organize supply and markets and endeavor to develop their own best opportunities (Drejer, 2002). In lodging and hotel industry, market segmentation is one of the main concepts used by marketing companies to divide the market between particular target groups and meet needs and wants of target customers. Divergent service policies adjust product lines to individual market segments -- they implement market segmentation. By assuming that demand is heterogeneous, market positioning strategy obtains a better match with distinguishable market segments. Service differentiation gives marketers a share of a broad, horizontal market, whereas market segmentation tends to result in cultivation of a market position in depth. Given

TOPIC C Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

TOPIC C - Essay Example I can imagine how crucial it would be to develop analytical skills and train creative faculties of mind for every engineer who is bound to pursue a career in the industry where it takes pure heart and determination to exercise potentials toward achieving optimum results. Besides scholastic endeavour, I could foresee much fruitfulness in active participation through extra-curricular activities by which to become disposed to communicating with different kinds of people with diverse educational orientation and cultural background. This would enable socialization that is vital to my growth as an engineering student in need of learning via individual effort and that derived from dynamic human relation, in equal measures. Engaging in organizations that facilitate such activities may direct me to satisfy professional aims in the light of understanding the world better and know thereafter what I can do at best to serve it as I discover rich source of ideas and values to obtain and impart by means of constant interaction with others, in and out of the

Christianity Essay Example for Free

Christianity Essay Trade and merchants play a major role in Christianity and Islam from their origins to the 1500’s, and even though both had similar attributes yet differed as well. Christians and Islam both had a negative outlook, both had their religious viewpoints, as well as both changed their views towards trade. Despite this, Christianity began to open up to trade, even tolerating it, while Muslims became stricter on merchants and trade. Furthermore, Both Islam and Christianity had a negative attitudes for instance, in the Bible, Jesus preaches to his disciples how a rich man will never reach heaven. This is due to their behavior, for merchants are greedy and lying people whose only content is to get rich, which goes against Christianity’s belief. Moreover, Thomas Aquinas explains how unfair and unjust merchants are for they price their goods higher than what the product actually cost. By the tone of the document as well as how he explains trade and its problems show his dislike. Likewise Ibn Khaldun describes merchants as weak, and disgusting men and how they negatively affect the government. His tone is harsher however, which indicates his anger towards the merchants. Merchants constants rip-off of the people by selling their goods at a high price as well s giving their all their goods to those who pay more. The Islamic Court in Ankara had to deal with a case in which merchants would give all their cotton to a single person, if they pay extra high price in addition to the merchant’s high prices. Document seven contains quotes from that of the people who have complained about the merchants. Both Christianity and Islam share the same pessimistic attitude towards merchants and trade because of their behavior and how they sell their goods. Anyways, I would have like to see a document from a merchant, it would have help me better indicate if merchants were really sneaky and unfair as spoken in the documents given. Some looked to the Christianity’s and Islam’s beliefs, to determine their view on merchants and trade for both religions impacted all their followers. In the Bible, Jesus says that no rich man will ever reach heaven. The small passage comes from the bible, which heavily every Christians view. Which is also why he emphasized how the quote from the bible and how i t fit into the situation. The Muslim Qur’an also circled around honesty and truthfulness which the Muslims and Muslim merchants had to follow if they wanted to reach paradise. Thomas Aquinas who was also heavily influence by Christianity, and its bible, for he states a line out of the bible. He indicates the bible  because he knows that adding the bible would persuade many of the Christians which was his intended target audience. Reginald, a monk of Durham also says explains the life of Godric and how he became a successful merchant, only to become tired of it and soon devoted himself to God giving away all his possessions to the poor. Reginald’s attended audience was Christian followers, he also helps justify document 1 in Godric went from rich to poor in order to devote himself to god. I would have liked a document from a person not Christian or Islam because it would have allow me to understand how much both religions influence the views of its subjects. Despite the similarities Christianit y religious views seem to rather negative and stricter than the Muslims were lighter and positive. Merchants and trade in the eyes of Christianity and Islam began to change significantly overtime. Ibn Khaldun says how beneficial the merchants are to the capital, for they buy goods in one area, only to sell at a higher price in an area in demand. Which the Qur’an also depicts, however it encourages trade as long as it is fair and truthful. Yet Ibn Khaldun gives us evidence of laws which were established in order to control merchant’s behavior. In addition, document 7 shows how the Islamic court had power over merchants and could affect their behavior as well as. Unlike Islam which began to become stricter, Christianity began look towards it positively, such as, letter C of document 6 describes an order being canceled for English wool, and the consumer seemingly brings god name into it, which suggest the consumer does not think of trade conflicting with Christianity. Which letter A also identify for both letters show how the merchant’s goal is to make a profit, and they see no problem with. In conclusion, Christianity and Islam attitudes towards trade and me rchants were similar in certain aspects as, of the beginning both viewed it negatively, and on a religious level. However, both began to change their views on trade and merchants. For Christianity began approving trade, while Islam began harsher treatment towards trade and merchants.

The Road To Cashless Economy Using Technology Finance Essay

The Road To Cashless Economy Using Technology Finance Essay Technology advances almost everyday and affects almost every part of our lives and in every industry. The latest advancement, or idea, is a cashless economy. This would eliminate the need for cash in our economic system. Are Americans ready for this? Can this really work? Americans will definitely need a lot of information before adjusting to this change. The younger generation seems all for it, and is already mostly using debit and credit cards. With so much fraud and counterfeit, could checks and cash soon be a thing of the past? What is a Cashless Economy? A cashless economy is a system where payments are made by electronic means rather then using cash or check to pay for goods or services. In an economy that is cashless, a person would pay with plastic methods like credit cards, debit cards or smart cards. This type of transaction electronically moves money from one account to another rather then using the traditional forms of exchanging printed currency or checks. In the time period of 1999 to 2005, the amount of card-swiping terminals tripled to the number of 6.9 million. (Samuelson, June 2007) This figure compares to the fact that 9.1 billion bills are printed each year in the United States, but 95% of that is to replace old and worn out bills and not to expand the supply of paper currency in circulation. In 1996, checks and cash were the payment method for 80% of transactions in the United States and that figure is now reduced to half. (Samuelson, June 2007). It is predicted that in 2010, cashless options will be used for 70% of transactions. For some situations, cash is no longer an option. American Airlines will no longer take cash for payment in flight for drinks and snacks offered. (Associated, May 2009) Other businesses will not accept checks as a form of payment and will only accept cash or electronic options. These facilities include major chains like Subway, McDonalds and Burger King. The largest retailers, Target and Wal-mart, will accept a check, but it is processed electronically rather then the paper deposits and paper trails of yesterday. Woodfords Model of Cashless Economy There has been much debate over Woodfords model of a cashless economy by many experts in the field of economics. Most experts believe that although some of the ideas brought forth make sense, the model is still incomplete because in real world economics, central banks can affect nominal interest rates. In Woodfords model, he assumes that this does not relate to the real world economy. Woodfords argument is that banks have committed themselves to straightforward objectives to control inflation but price stability creates a basis for economic performance. The basic questions brought about by Woodfords theory are: Should central banks control interest rates? As of now, banks follow a rules-based approach through interest rate targeting which is the preferred policy option. The most relative concepts of Woodfords model are: a pure credit economy, natural rate of interest, cumulative process and rules for monetary policy. In Woodfords model, markets are perfectly competitive, prices adjust continuously to clear markets, and there exist markets in which state-contingent securities of any kind may be traded. In this case, no one would have to hold money and all payments could be handled by transfers or other assets. Basically, all base money would be held in and transferred between bank accounts. In Woodfords cashless economy, he analyzes the need for money to hold according to household demands by holding stocks of assets by which the bank can still profit by generating flows of credit. In this setting, there would need to be perfect competition and complete financial markets making nominal assets that substitute for money. According to the rules of this system, the bank would become the price-taker, not the price-maker. Unfortunately, there is no such th ing as a perfect or complete market, so Woodford allows for central banks the power to vary their price, however, in this scenario it takes away from the purpose of the model in that it is no longer free of monetary friction. Woodfords model of a cashless economy is a concept that may not have an opportunity to be implemented by the central bank system because shortcomings may halt the process of converting to a pure credit economy. Woodford will admit that his model does have its own set of problems. The only way his price setting theory could work is if the environment is in low inflation; it is impossible for the system to work if inflation is accelerating. Experts seem to differ in opinion about a conversion like Woodfords and are not sure if the issues associated are more semantics but the general consensus is that while the model is a step towards a cashless economy; there are many wholes in the system as well. Pros and Cons of a Cashless Economy It almost seemed impossible 20 years ago that the currency that we use for our everyday activities and purchases would be replaced by electronic funds creating a cashless economy. Credit cards use to be the new thing on the market in the 80s but as times have advanced and Americans have embraced the idea, its a thing of the past and part of our economic growth system. The big idea behind the credit cards and direct deposit was to keep money out of the peoples hand and into the banks. Even though cash transitions are not in decline, cashless purchases are steadily increasing and surpassing cash purchases made. It seems to have accomplished its goal because at least one American or household has at least one credit card, if not more. Furthermore, smart cards are squeezing their way into the economy as well. But, with any shift of change especially affecting the economy, there is always a negative and positive side to things. There are many positive ideas about moving toward a cashless economy. The first idea is that in a world without cash, payment is made by using electronic means merely to change the numbers on peoples bank statements. Banks prefer this because its a less expensive way to shift value between people. In many circumstances, handling cash can be troublesome, risky and inconvenient. Surprisingly, we have no figures for the number and value of cash transactions, though we have excellent data for non-cash transactions. (Sydney, 2004) Another positive aspect is that when we talk about employers being paid, electronic funds always seem to be the better way and fastest to get paid. Employees are opting to get there paycheck direct deposited in their bank account rather than receiving the traditional paper check which is almost extinct. According to a survey conducted by the Australian Retailers Association in 2001, cash accounts for only about 40% of the value of all payments received by the su rveyed retailers. (Sydney, 2004) Smart cards on the other hand, are convenient for consumers. Checks are still the most popular way people pay their bills but now there are faster and more convenient ways to do it with the internet, smart cards and over the phone. They would eventually replace all other existing cards such as: credit cards, ATM cards, debit cards etc. Another benefit would be the fact that smart cards remember every transition that was made eliminating the need to save receipts for proof of payment. Third, smart cards would mean less cash handling for merchants. Currently it costs businesses and banks about $60 billion each year to handle cash and coin. Consider that cash gets counted at least five times between you, the merchant, and the bank. (Manchester, 1997) Fourth, it would mean less fraud for banks. Smart cards would virtually eliminate the need for banks to set aside money to cover fraud loss. Fifth, it eases the burden of the government. Collecting taxes fr om citizens could become much easier if taxes were collected from the cards. Even though smart cards seem to be the best thing that will hit the economic market, it has disadvantages to the consumer, and merchant. To begin with being that everything will be transferred to the card there is a need to know what is going on behind the scenes. In other words, when we handle cash or pay for purchases with cash we know exactly how much we paid and how much we have left. But, with the smart card, a transaction is non personal and with that comes usage fees. Another area of concern is the idea of consumer privacy. What information is actually kept private and the information that is being stored, what is it being used for? If your smart card is not properly programmed and secured, a merchant could access your health records, driving record or any other information on the card. (Manchester, 1997) Furthermore, will consumers accept the new card or reject them? Will the smart card require an upfront fee to purchase and fees thereafter? Plus, will the card be accepted an ywhere? Just like credit cards and ATMs there will always be malfunction problems and transaction problems that will need to be addressed. And when we talk about purchases and buying things online from merchants, we have to keep in mind that the merchants will have to update their machines to accept the cards and may have to pay a fee for the convenience of using them as well. So while we count up the advantages and disadvantages of the card the consumer, merchants, banks and government need to consider all of the components the smart card has to offer. America seems to be shifting into a microwave market meaning that they want it right now and dont want to wait. Even the childhood game, Monopoly has gone cashless. Sometimes cashless isnt the best thing, following the old sayings that if its not broken dont fix it. Will the smart card be the ultimate downfall or turning point of the economy? The years to come will only tell, but cash is still here to stay for a while. Electronic Methods of Payment One method of electronic payments is the debit card. A debit card is a bank issued plastic card that is directly linked to a bank account. When you use a debit card, money is deducted from your bank account right away. (Ellis, 2009) This card is beneficial because it allows the user to pay immediately and not pay any interest amount on the purchase because they are using money that is available immediately. Benefits of a debit card include the fact the user pays no interest and its convenience. Negative things about a debit card could be the high bank fees at some institutions and the possible increase of being vulnerable to identity theft of a card linked directly to a bank account. Another method of electronic payment is the credit card. Credit cards can be issued by banks, other financial institutions, retailers and oil companies. There are two different kinds of credit cards and those are credit cards and charge cards. Credit cards allow a line of credit and the user to pay a minimum amount each month and charge cards require the user to pay the full amount charged each month. (Columbia, 2006) Benefits of a credit card include the ability to pay immediately and the convenience. The negative effects would be the often times high interest charged for using the credit card. A third method of electronic payment is the smart card. A smart card is a plastic card the size of a credit card that has a microchip loaded with data. (Security, 2009) A smart card can be loaded for many different applications including dialing a connection to a mobile phone, establishing identity, using at parking meters, giving data at hospitals to avoid filling out forms, or purchase online at electronic stores. Smart cards are currently being used primarily in Europe but are expected to become a larger use of electronic payment as technology continues to advance. Summary A cashless economy seems to have many advantages and disadvantages. It creates less risk for the financial institutions, as well as saving them money. The smartcards save time for the consumer and the financials. The debit and credit cards offer many advantages for financial institutions and consumers as well. As research continues and different methods are explored, time will tell if cashless is the best way to go.

Larry :: essays research papers

1) Descartes uses a method commonly referred to as Methodical Doubt (beginning with a doubt in hopes of arriving at a given certitude). With this skepticism, Descartes questions the inherit nature of what it is to be. It is his initial perception, upon beginning his piece, again, with â€Å"methodical doubt†, which the world may not exist, but may be a facet of an individual’s imagination. However, he quickly contests this argument with his face phrase, â€Å"cogito ergo sum† which means â€Å"I think, therefore, I am† I. The Arguments for Universal Doubt: In order to show that science rested on firm foundations and that these foundations lay in the mind and not the senses, Descartes began by bringing into doubt all the beliefs that come to us from the senses. His aim in these arguments is not really to prove that nothing exists or that it is impossible for us to know if anything exists (he will prove that we can know external objects later), but to show that all our knowledge of these things through the senses is open to doubt. If our scientific knowledge came to us through the senses, we could not even be sure that anything outside of us existed. The obvious implication is that, since we do know that external objects exist, this knowledge cannot come to us through the senses, but through the mind. Descartes uses three very similar arguments to open all our knowledge to doubt: The dream argument, the deceiving God argument, and the evil demon argument. The basis idea in each of these is that we never perceive external objects directly, but only through the contents of our own mind, the images the external objects produce in us. Since sense experience never puts us in contact with the objects themselves, but only with mental images, sense perception provides no certainty that there is anything in the external world that corresponds to the images we have in our mind. Descartes introduces dreams, a deceiving God, and an evil demon as ways of motivating this doubt in the veracity of our sense experience. A. The dream argument: 1. I often have perceptions very much like the ones I usually have in sensation while I am dreaming. 2. There are no definite signs to distinguish dream experience from waking experience. therefore, 3. It is possible that I am dreaming right now and that all of my perceptions are false Larry :: essays research papers 1) Descartes uses a method commonly referred to as Methodical Doubt (beginning with a doubt in hopes of arriving at a given certitude). With this skepticism, Descartes questions the inherit nature of what it is to be. It is his initial perception, upon beginning his piece, again, with â€Å"methodical doubt†, which the world may not exist, but may be a facet of an individual’s imagination. However, he quickly contests this argument with his face phrase, â€Å"cogito ergo sum† which means â€Å"I think, therefore, I am† I. The Arguments for Universal Doubt: In order to show that science rested on firm foundations and that these foundations lay in the mind and not the senses, Descartes began by bringing into doubt all the beliefs that come to us from the senses. His aim in these arguments is not really to prove that nothing exists or that it is impossible for us to know if anything exists (he will prove that we can know external objects later), but to show that all our knowledge of these things through the senses is open to doubt. If our scientific knowledge came to us through the senses, we could not even be sure that anything outside of us existed. The obvious implication is that, since we do know that external objects exist, this knowledge cannot come to us through the senses, but through the mind. Descartes uses three very similar arguments to open all our knowledge to doubt: The dream argument, the deceiving God argument, and the evil demon argument. The basis idea in each of these is that we never perceive external objects directly, but only through the contents of our own mind, the images the external objects produce in us. Since sense experience never puts us in contact with the objects themselves, but only with mental images, sense perception provides no certainty that there is anything in the external world that corresponds to the images we have in our mind. Descartes introduces dreams, a deceiving God, and an evil demon as ways of motivating this doubt in the veracity of our sense experience. A. The dream argument: 1. I often have perceptions very much like the ones I usually have in sensation while I am dreaming. 2. There are no definite signs to distinguish dream experience from waking experience. therefore, 3. It is possible that I am dreaming right now and that all of my perceptions are false

Regulation of Conception in Moores How Essay -- Moore How

Regulation of Conception in Moore's How  Ã‚      Lorrie Moore's "How" takes an active stand on love and relationships.   It strongly and clearly rests on the values and ideas that our society holds on the concepts of partnership among a man and woman.   Moore formatted the narrative in such a way that it commands the reader's dependency upon the author's words, makes inevitable foreshadow, and specifically directs our views into the story.   By using the cultural analysis, one will find ways and evidence that assisted Moore in successfully achieving these previously listed.   Those aspects that will be covered include the exterior and interior structure of the narrative, how it sets our views and expectations of the aspects of love and relationships, how that potentially influences our personal thoughts, goals, and actions, how the narrative changes focus, perception, and sympathy on each character, and how the author used allusion to help the reader create visualization.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In "How," the title itself has the reader to automatically look into the story line for information and insight instead of entertainment.   This alone, gives the author the upperhand and ability to feed her ideas into our own.   Like other "how to" texts, off hand, the writer is looked to with much creditability which in turn causes us to absorb and believe more of its context.   Furthermore, "How" is written in a step by step pattern where each thought, action, and time frame is easy to follow and understand.   Moore also uses the word "will" often to state a command.   Within the narrative, Moore states and describes the progression and passage of time.   The events that take place in a relationship are foreshadowed and an inevitability is portrayed.   Also, t... ...ions were relevant to either actual singers, actors, music, or musicals.   Moore made several reference to the violin (991). The violin is closely associated with death.   Theses allusions were made with the female character's fantasies of a funeral and nightmares of her own downfall. Other allusions made were that of Dorothy (992) in the "Wizard of Oz," James Cagney (988 and 991), Ozzie and Harriet (987), Hank Williams (993), Coriolanus (988), and Robert Goulet (989).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   "How" is a powerful piece in its ability to catch its reader and directly challenge or influence their ideas.   The format commanded, foreshadowed, and focused on many aspects of love and relationships. Moore specifically directed our attention throughout the narrative.   However, she ended with some freedom for the reader to make their own conclusion and develop their own opinions of the text. Regulation of Conception in Moore's How Essay -- Moore How Regulation of Conception in Moore's How  Ã‚      Lorrie Moore's "How" takes an active stand on love and relationships.   It strongly and clearly rests on the values and ideas that our society holds on the concepts of partnership among a man and woman.   Moore formatted the narrative in such a way that it commands the reader's dependency upon the author's words, makes inevitable foreshadow, and specifically directs our views into the story.   By using the cultural analysis, one will find ways and evidence that assisted Moore in successfully achieving these previously listed.   Those aspects that will be covered include the exterior and interior structure of the narrative, how it sets our views and expectations of the aspects of love and relationships, how that potentially influences our personal thoughts, goals, and actions, how the narrative changes focus, perception, and sympathy on each character, and how the author used allusion to help the reader create visualization.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In "How," the title itself has the reader to automatically look into the story line for information and insight instead of entertainment.   This alone, gives the author the upperhand and ability to feed her ideas into our own.   Like other "how to" texts, off hand, the writer is looked to with much creditability which in turn causes us to absorb and believe more of its context.   Furthermore, "How" is written in a step by step pattern where each thought, action, and time frame is easy to follow and understand.   Moore also uses the word "will" often to state a command.   Within the narrative, Moore states and describes the progression and passage of time.   The events that take place in a relationship are foreshadowed and an inevitability is portrayed.   Also, t... ...ions were relevant to either actual singers, actors, music, or musicals.   Moore made several reference to the violin (991). The violin is closely associated with death.   Theses allusions were made with the female character's fantasies of a funeral and nightmares of her own downfall. Other allusions made were that of Dorothy (992) in the "Wizard of Oz," James Cagney (988 and 991), Ozzie and Harriet (987), Hank Williams (993), Coriolanus (988), and Robert Goulet (989).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   "How" is a powerful piece in its ability to catch its reader and directly challenge or influence their ideas.   The format commanded, foreshadowed, and focused on many aspects of love and relationships. Moore specifically directed our attention throughout the narrative.   However, she ended with some freedom for the reader to make their own conclusion and develop their own opinions of the text.

Political Power Essay

Power could be defined as â€Å"the ability to bring about change† according to Beyond intractability. Org website (http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/Power/). Power is the ability to influence the behavior of the others so as to make them do what one wants.   It entails authority and control.   Thus political power is the authority to control a society. Political power can be manipulated leading to negative use by the person or people holding it.   There are many bad uses of political power that can result from holding of the power by an irresponsible person. Such negative uses include dictatorship, corruption and oppression of the society.   Political power can also be used positively to bring benefit to the society. Political power can be used to foster development, to maintain peace and also to protect the society from external threats of invasion.   Despite the various harsh negative uses of political power, the positive uses shows that political power does not always lead to negative outcomes.   Political power can be effectively used to bring a lot of benefits to the society. Political power can be used to perpetrate corruption. People holding much political power can use it inappropriately to engage in corruption. This is particularly possible when much of the power is vested on a few individuals and there is no evaluation or a watchdog on how this power is used.   When they get enticed to use it for their personal gain at the expense of the society for which they are supposed to care. Corruption is abuse of office or power by a person so as he can benefit.   Corruption can take many forms all leading to great injustices to the society.   When political officers get into office, they do so promising the society that they will serve the interest of the society before their own personal gains.   However, after gaining political power they uphold their personal gain.   This can be done through misappropriation of funds whereby the offices holding the power spends public funds in a way that do not bring benefits to the society.   Example of misappropriation of funds may entail starting of projects that are not necessary to the society or buying luxurious facilities for their use at the expense of other more necessary facilities. Corruption can also be in the form of embezzlement o f public funds.   The political officers may use their power to get access to money belonging to the public through public corporations and use it for their own personal interests.   Facilities of such corporation can be wrongly used to serve the officer’s personal interests instead of their official use. Such actions lead to poor performance of such corporation leading to difficulties in meeting the essential needs of the society.   If funds belonging to a government institution, for example, a hospital are embezzled by a few officers, it means the hospital is not able to offer the services it is supposed to offer efficiently.   This will lead to great suffering of the members of the society which depend on such public facilities.   It is also very unfair to the society as they pay taxes so that they government can offer such services Corruption can also take the form of bribery.   This is mostly an administrative form of corruption but can be perpetrated by political officers also.   This involves the political officers asking for bribes from the members of society or organization so as they can be offered certain services. The is bribes may range from small gifts to massive amounts of money.   This form of corruption means the members of society are not able to get services without parting with other resources.   It also means there is segregation of some of the members of the society as, if they fail to raise the required bribes, they don’t get access to the resources they need. Corruption can also lead to extortion.   This entails use of political power by the political officers to obtain something by illegal threats.   The political officers may acquire interests in certain things or organization though issuing threats or force. Corruption has various costs to a country. If corruption is predominant in a country all the members of society are affected in one way or another.   The wealth of such a country is significantly affected leading to decrease in income.   The economy in a very corrupt state will be poor and businesses will not operate efficiently.   Consequently, the national income goes down affecting the ability of the government to offer essential services to the citizens.   This will inform produce a society with high rates of illiteracy and poverty. In the animal farm Napoleon used his political power to instigate corruption. He changed the rules from what had been collectively agreed to what suited his rule. He also used the dogs to threaten any other animal that opposed his rule. Napoleon and the other pigs also used the property of the farm for their own use which the other animals had not agreed upon. Another negative use of political power is establishment of dictatorship rule. Dictatorship is whereby the country is controlled by one or a few individuals who have absolute power.   Their rule is not limited by anyone, buy law constitution or social justices.   They do what they want. To gain dictatorship political officers use the little political power they have to gain more political power and later dictatorship. This is possible through oppression of nay efforts that try to limit their power.   This may include execution of people who take the bold steps of openly opposing the rule of these political powers. Dictators take control of all the operations of power in the country and personalize the rule. The dictatorship may also regulate all the actions by the citizens of a country and directs these actions against the will or consent of the citizens. Dictatorships are influenced by different factors that lead the political rules to misuse their political powers and establish dictatorships.   There are many countries that have been ruled by dictators or are still ruled by dictators.   An example of dictatorship is Stalinism which was a regime established by Joseph Stalin who lived between 1878 and 1953 in United Social Soviet Republic.   He was a dictator party leader whose tenure and campaigns costed lives of millions of people.   His rule had big negative impacts on USSR but also transformed it from a peasant society to an industrial nation http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSstalin.htm). In George Orwell’s book (1996), the Animal Farm he depicts how people struggle collectively to oust bad rule but after gaining control, the few who are trusted with the political power misuse it and establishes an autocratic form of rule whereby they dictate on all the others. The pigs in the story, after chasing the oppressive farmer, took control of the farm and established a rule that oppressed the other animals.   The animals that questioned the rule were mistreated or executed (Orwell 1996). Napoleon used mudslinging to destroy the reputation of Snowball and later chased him from the farm. These represent how people who oppose a dictator are exiled after being falsely accused. This is typical of many African and Asian countries whereby after gaining independence form colonialism, the leaders who were trusted with political power went ahead to establish dictatorship.   Other examples of dictators include Idd Amin of Uganda, Hu Chi Minh of North Vietnam and Saddam Hussein of Iraq. Oppression of citizens and social injustices is another form of negative use of political power.   In this case, the leaders vested with political power bends the rules, and perpetrate actions that lead to oppression of citizens and social injustices.   The law or the constitution is not followed and injustice becomes inaccessible to the society. In political system where citizen are oppressed and social injustice are rife, a few people control all the branches of government. Though the legislative, executive and judiciary branches of the government may seem independent, this few individuals use their political powers to influence the operations of all these branches.   This results to much suffering of the citizens and as the justice system are faulty the citizen lack a forum through which their injustices can be addressed. In modern society this can be done through practices like imposition of rules that are aimed at oppressing the citizens, coercion to the citizens to carry out certain actions and even detention of some prominent people.   The individuals who do not support the action of those with the political power are mistreated, detained or exiled. In the Animal farm, George Orwell depicts how this is done when the pigs after assuming the leadership of the other animals change the rules and uses their power to mistreat, overwork, starve and oppress the other animals (Orwell 1996). Napoleon sold off one of the animals after he became old and less productive. This was an act of betrayal and oppression of the animal as he had also taken part in the fight for their independence. Political power can also be used for the benefits of the society. There are many countries that have benefited from positive use of the political powers to the benefit of the society.   One way political power can be used positively is fostering development can greatly be encouraged through use of political power to create the right environment for development.   Political powers can be used to enact laws, policies and strategies that are aimed at fostering development.   As the political systems influence much of the economic systems in a country, positive use of the political power can lead to positive influence on the economy of a country. The leaders vested with political power can use this pioneer to help enact laws or policies that will encourage investment and expansion of the economy.   This may be in the form of providing incentives to investors building effective infrastructures or providing a conducive environment for the economy to flourish.   In the animal farm the decision to build the windmill was a good idea aimed at bringing development in the farm and comfort to the animals (Orwell 1996). United States is a country that has massive political power that is used to foster developments. The country has a free market economy with policies encouraging conducive running of the economy.   A country like Japan has used their political power to build good infrastructures that facilitate expansion of their economy. Another positive use of political power is maintenance of peace. Political power can be effectively used to maintain peace and order in the country.   As peace is very crucial for co-existence and development in a country such use of political power can lead to great benefits to the country.   The political leaders can use their authority and influence in the society they rule to encourage and foster good co-existence between the citizens.    Political powers are needed to ensure that this happens.   The leader will use their authority to maintain order in the society and make sure that no one single citizen engages in practices that infringe the rights of others.   Laws are enacted to guide the actions of the citizens and certain strategies are taken to make sure that the laws are followed.   Political power is used to establish such a system. In Orwell’s Animal Farm the animal had collaborated to come up with rules that were aimed at maintaining good co-existence among the animals (Orwell 1996). This is done through establishment of a police force that maintains law and order and enactment of a court system that ensures that those who defy the rules are punished or forced to obey. Political power also establishes the judicial system that offers a forum through which the citizens can have their rights enforced.   All these actions bring peace by ensuring all the citizens get their rights and live harmoniously. Another positive use of political power is protection of the country from invasion. Political power is used in establishment of strategies of ensuring that a country is protected from external invasion.   This will ensure that the country is safe from threats and can concentrate on development. Political power can be utilized in different ways to protect a country from external attacks.   First the political leader can use their power and authority to help and lead in formation of policies aimed at protecting the country from possible attacks.   These policies may include security measures aimed at preventing such attacks.   The political powers can also establish armed forces that will maintain the security of the country and defend it in case of any external attacks. Weapons can also be acquired either through manufacturing or purchase form other countries aiming at providing a security measure to prevent or defend an attack.   Political leaders can also use their authority to established partnerships links with other countries aimed at fostering co-operation thus minimizing threat of attack from those countries.   These co operations may also be used as partners in maintenance of the peace of the country.   Such partners will collaborate in case of an attack or in strategies aimed at minimizing possibilities of an attack. In Orwell’s Animal Farm he depicted good use of political power when the animals united in their fight against Mr. Jones, the earlier owner of the farm. Because of this unity they were able to defeat Mr. Jones (Orwell 1996). Political leaders can use their authority to influence the practices of their country so as to prevent any actions that may trigger attacks from other countries.   Such actions may include neutrality in conflicts involving other parties. Countries in Europe have formed the European Union aimed at co-operation and collaboration in different issues.   This union unites the country hence minimizing the possibility of attack of one country by another.   There are many such unions that have been formed for such purposes including organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) and the African Union (AU). Other countries in Europe and other places have formed NATO which is aimed at collaboration to prevent attacks form other countries.   All these efforts are aimed at protection of the individual countries and are established by political powers Political power can be used to instigate very bad and harmful activities in a country such as corruption, dictatorship and oppression of citizens. These activities lead to a lot of suffering and deterioration of economies of such countries.   However, political power can also be used to establish policies and practices for the benefit of a country. Political power is a key ingredient for development, peace and safety of a country.   Actually for country to be successful it must have a good and strong political powers that will help instigate the success.   Ã‚  Thus, it is evidence that political power does not always lead to negative outcomes.   It can be used effectively to produce many benefits to a society. Reference: Beyondintractability.org. Power. Retrieved on February 6, 2008 from http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/Power/ Orwell G. (1996).Animal Farm. New York; New American Library. Spartacus educational. Joseph Stalin. Retrieved on February 6, 2008 from http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RUSstalin.htm

My Vision Of The Future

My vision of the future in education is one where the learning commons, inhabited by forward-thinking, ever-learning teacher-librarians, is the centre of the universe in a school: the go-to for students, teachers, and parents as they navigate an increasingly tech-heavy world where â€Å"21st century† and â€Å"personalized† learning increasingly replace outmoded forms of schooling. I personally do not have a particular attachment to â€Å"traditional† education for a variety of reasons.One reason is that our education system is not really all that traditional. Why? Because in the whole scheme of things, the modern education system has been a short-term experiment (a mere blip of human time at around 150 years or less) based on the latter days of a historical era known as the Industrial Age. For eons before this, humans tended to rely on watching, doing, apprenticeships, and interactions with a variety of members of the community.With modern digital tools, we can go back to learning in these ways, but vastly improving upon them by expanding the definition of community to include people, places, and information far beyond our physical reach, and to allow for greater individualization, creativity, and collaboration than ever before possible. Others, however, might feel rather attached to education as it currently is.If this is because the thought of doing otherwise is overwhelming, this resource is for you: it is a basic primer on how teacher-librarians and learning commons can assist teachers in modernizing the classroom. Please either hover over the â€Å"My Vision of the Future† tab and select to read and view sections of this presentation, or simply follow the link at the bottom of each page, such as this one: As technology advances, its educational applications have evolved as well.

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Luxury Market in China Essay Example for Free

Luxury Market in China Essay China is positioned to become the world’s largest luxury market in five years and a study by Datamonitor reported China’s luxury goods market was worth $9. 4billion by the end of 2009, which accounted for 27. 5% of the world’s luxury goods market. [1] They also predict that by 2015, China’s market will be valued at $14. 6billion. The main driver of this growth in the luxury gods market is the extreme wealth creation that China has experiences in the past ten years as its GDP has grown 10% annually on average, which is three times more than the global GDP. Investment Week quotes a recent World Wealth Report by Merrill Lynch Cap Gemini stating that there are 477,000 Chinese millionaires and China is also leading the world with the number of billionaires (Investment week. [2]) The combination of the staggering growth of the Chinese economy creating such great private wealth and the political and social evolution China has gone through over the last 30 years has created a tidal wave of opportunity for luxury retailers. Politically, China has gone through many changes over the last thirty years that has primed the economy and citizens for a surge in individualism and the pride in the ability to afford and purchase luxury goods. In 1976 Mao Zedong passed away and in 1979 the One Child Policy was introduced and applied by China’s new leader, Deng Xiaoping. China’s population was growing at an alarming rate and in order to curb this growth rate, Chinese were limited to having one child per household. Fast-forward thirty years and these only children, who have been raised by 6 parents, has created a â€Å"little emperor† mentality where their every desire it met, and is recently being satiated by Western goods. They now have buying power and they are spending it on high priced goods. The choices and options available today are a stark contrast to the limitations their parents experienced thirty years prior in a vastly different political time. Socially, China has always been a country deeply embedded in traditions such as gift giving, saving face and the respect for the hierarchal society. These traditions all stem from â€Å"guanxi,† the all-important notion of relationships, which is what drives business and social status. The culture of relationships is paramount for being successful in China so the combination of mass wealth and the traditions all surrounding Guanxi has attributed to the exponential growth of the luxury market in China. Although the Chinese have been known to be a culture of saving, the tides have shifted and the 20-30 something’s have created a society of excessive spending due to extravagant purchases to support their new tastes as well as these traditions. The new breed of buyers are young and are embracing their freedom to purchase in their capitalistic society, which is a far cry from their parents socialist upbringing. Therefore both social and political changes have created this perfect storm of excess, which is fueling the luxury good market in China and for many years to come. Mao Zedong, the leader of China from 1949 until his death in 1976 is still regarded as a controversial figure but his rule and communist policies molded the beliefs of many parents and grandparents living in China today. Under Mao’s rule there was no individualism and consumption was controlled. Mao is regarded as a great leader in China as he is thought to have laid the groundwork for China becoming the great power that it is today as a result of his leadership of the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution. While he did create the building blocks for present day China, he has been compared to communist leaders like Hitler and Stalin. He urged citizens to reject capitalism and even at one point â€Å"proposed the Socialist Education Movement (SEM) in an attempt to educate the peasants to resist the temptations of feudalism and the sprouts of capitalism that he saw re-emerging in the countryside. †[3] The citizens living in these times are now parents and while their lifestyles are very conservative, they are raising children in a very different political environment. Their children didn’t have a communist ruler and therefore have different views on modesty and consumption. While there is still a strict focus on studying and discipline, the focus on success and showing that you are successful has been morphed into an obsession with Western brands showing pride in ones accomplishments. Even as young children the Western culture is quite alluring, with children asking to be rewarded for good grades by going to McDonalds as we were told by one of the speakers. Today in China, people are who they wear. Even as Nicole from LVMH mentioned, the Chinese are obsessed with showing that they are wearing designer brands that you will see some wearing clothes and sunglasses with the tags still on them to show who the designer is. These â€Å"nouveau riche† are the products of parents who didn’t have any choices and now they are embarrassing their freedom to chose. Forbes reported â€Å"the average Chinese luxury consumer will spend roughly 11% of her income on luxury handbags along. †[4] They also go on to say that these consumers are â€Å"highly educated and highly motivated to identify products that will complement his or her individuality and rising power. †4 Parents of these kids weren’t allowed to have individuality, but now their children are not only wanting it but also seeking it with huge spending power. Spending 11% of your income on a luxury bag shows the emotional and mental bond to these luxury items. In the US simply to qualify for a loan for a mortgage, your total debt can’t be more than 45% of your income. To think that a quarter of that goes towards handbags alone not even included likely purchases like luxury cars, wines etc makes me think if this type of spending is going to be sustainable for the Chinese market. In China, there were many nice cars, but I didn’t think that perhaps these people are driving cars they can’t afford. I am used to the United States where living on credit is a way of life, but this takes it to a whole new level. The millionaires are able to afford this, but if a middle class person is spending such a high percentage of her income on something like handbags, its going to create an economy where nobody can afford to buy a house and retirement is never attainable. One of the Bentley students that sat with us at lunch mentioned that she wanted to buy a house but that she couldn’t without her parent’s financial support due to the 50%-70% down payment required. She and most young people are lucky that their parents have saved and will be able to help them, but for those in the younger generation who aren’t saving won’t be able to help their kids and there might be a whole future generation who can never afford to own property. These younger generations parents grew up in a communist and socialist society, where there isn’t the ability to care about status, but status and luxury has now become the currency in China. The millionaires in China are younger with an average age of 39. [5] These young millionaires enjoy showing their status with nice things from great bottles of wine, cars to handbags. They are achieving success and are looking to reward themselves with nice things, which also shows status among their peers. A report on the watch market, mentioned that men â€Å"need a watch of a certain quality to be part of the social circle. †[6] The need to show status and create a sense of belonging in a social group has become so apparent that retailers are taking notice and even creating products specifically for the Chinese buyer. Mercedes Benz is even making a car with a longer wheelbase for the Chinese businessmen who are chauffeured around and need to have more room in the back which is a big difference from the rest of the world where carmakers are creating smaller cars that consume less energy and are more economical. [7] The retailers and manufacturers of world are taking note that the new Chinese buyer is very different from their parents given all of the political changes of the past few decades. While the political changes are one factor in the shift of buying trends, policy has also been a great factor and one specifically is the One Child Policy, which was introduced in 1979. This policy has created what many call, the â€Å"Little Emperor† society as a result of one child being raised by 6 parents (on immediate and two sets of grandparents. ) These children have grown up being catered to and supported by six people and now their wants and needs are changing, as they get older. Where as their parents likely gave them the best they could afford, these 20 and 30 something’s are becoming obsessed with Western brands, which cost a premium. Even with a 30% import tax, individuals who grew up getting what they wanted are buying these Western luxury brands, at times spending their entire months salary on a handbag. Although their parents had a culture of saving, this new generation tastes for highly taxed Western goods to show status has greatly changed this cultural norm. For this generation to keep up with their friend, they have forgone the notion of saving in replacement of a life full of luxury goods with no savings. I spoke to Mico about this on the bus and she mentioned that her friends spend all of their money on luxury goods and there’s now a saying in Chinese that means that you spend all of your money that you make that month. She mentioned that buying fakes is a faux pas and that they only buy the real things, which is what leads to them spending all of their money. She noted that this was very different from the upbringing of her parents who were brought up saving almost 40% of their money. In the popular market that we went to in Shanghai, there were almost no Chinese in there and when we asked Mico if she went to the market to get knockoffs, she said that knockoffs’ were â€Å"so three years ago. † It quickly became apparent why That is there where Chinese people in the markets; they are in the real stores buying the real thing. In the streets it was quite apparent that everyone had designer bags and clothing on, but this was mainly in Shanghai, Beijing and Hangzhou. In Xi’an there was still a feeling of communism, everything was still grey and there weren’t many people sporting their designer clothes. The opportunity right now is in the 1s tier cities and many retailers are trying to expand to the 2nd and 3rd tier cities. The opportunity in China purely based on the enormous populations in these cities. The first focus for the retailers were the tier 1 cities and now the 2nd and 3rd tier cities will be paramount for companies to sustain this continued growth. While political changes have made way for the change in buying and spending trends of young Chinese buyers, tradition has maintained an important part of the culture across all generations of Chinese and the luxury market surge has been fueled by these traditions. Guanxi, the focus on relationships as part of the Chinese culture has many components, one of which is the value of gift giving as a sign of respect. Gift giving is a huge part of Chinese culture, most prominent around the Chinese New Year, but a very large part of life socially and professionally year round. According to the authors of the book â€Å"The Cult of the Luxury Brand,† â€Å"quanxi†¦is the single biggest factor spurring the growth of luxe in China. †[8] When you give a gift to someone in China, it means you are thanking him or her for helping you but also solidifies your â€Å"guanxi† with them and continues the future relationship. Luxury items are now raising the bar in gift giving as recipients truly appreciate the luxury gifts and merchants have reported â€Å"frantic levels of spending† 8 all at once by shoppers who are looking to purchase gifts for their business partners and friends. The culture of saving face plays into this as well since the more luxurious the gift, the better. If you are looking to show great gratitude and â€Å"save face† then you will purchase a luxury item as a gift. In business face is extremely important so even Western brands are also learning this culture of gift giving, as they know the importance of partners in their business so they are making sure to take care of them by giving great gifts. In addition to the culture of gift giving that has fueled the luxury market growth, the culture of hierarchal respect has also attributed to this. Many Chinese of the younger generation believe that luxury products â€Å"mark where you have traveled up to but they also give you permission to continue succeeding. †[9] In a culture where you are competing with so many people and success is so important, it’s easy to see how luxury products represent achieving a certain social status and also denotes the fact that you will stay in that status. As Nicole from LVMH was speaking to us she noted that there are usually 40-50 students in each classroom. Students from an early age learn to be one in a large crowd, but as they get older and look to prove to the world what they have accomplished, and they use designer goods to reflect their status. The irony of this is that one would think that after growing up being one in a crowd, one would think that they would want to show status and individuality, but the items they purchase to show their status is exactly what their peers have chosen, which is likely a Louis Vuitton handbag. For instance, although it was quite conducive to the weather, when we were in China, every single person had Ugg boots on. In the US while Ugg is a popular brand, there are many more brands being worn, as there are many more tastes expressed by individuals. It was very interesting to see that there was a proliferation of a small number of brands, namely Louis Vuitton, as I came to quickly realize that the Chinese want to wear brands that are recognizable. While they are moving towards a more individualistic society, their tendency to be one of a group is still quite prominent. They do value the luxury brands to show status, but their need to be part of a group, albeit a high status group, is still quite unmistakable in the sea of Gucci and Louis Vuitton purses that were worn like a badge of honor by the women of China. The trip to China was quite eye-opening form the perspective of a Westerner who is used to a more modest lifestyle with an abundance of variety. The flashy cars and purses were immediately apparent from Beijing through Shanghai, but as I sit here thinking about the political and social changes that China has gone through in the past few decades, I only with I was smart enough to somehow capitalize on this. China is a fascinating country to visit given its great history and culture that is evident today, but it’s also great to have visited a country that is still going through many changes and evolving at such a rapid rate. While the rest of the world is clearly evolving, China is doing so at an exponentially quicker rate than most and that was quite clear with the sea of cranes in every city putting up buildings everywhere. I do believe that culture will always be a part of the Chinese people and lifestyle, but it will be interesting to see when this locomotive of luxury obsession begins to ebb or if China will meet its own credit crunch in the coming years given the drastic change in spending habits that the younger generations have adopted. [1] Chinese appetite for premium products growing despite slowing economic activity. Datamonitor July 20010, English ed. : 16. Print. [2] Andrea Gerst and Scilla Huang Sun, â€Å"China’s passion for luxury goods increases,† Investment Week, September 6, 2010. [3] â€Å"Cultural China,†http://history. cultural-china. com/en/46H9449H13452. html [4] Evelyn Rusli, â€Å"What Chinese Shoppers Want,† Forbes, March 8, 2010. [5] Andrea Gerst and Scilla Huang Sun, â€Å"China’s passion for luxury goods increases,† Investment Week, September 6, 2010. [6] Florent Bondoux, â€Å"Luxury watches find booming market in China,† Media, September 10, 2009, 17. [7] â€Å"Lengthened Mercedes-Benz E-Class to hit Chinese shores† http://www. benzinsider. com/2010/04/lengthened-mercedes-benz-e-class-to-hit-chinese-shores/ [8] â€Å"China Luxury,† http://app1. hkicpa. org. hk/APLUS/0710/p24_29. pdf [9] â€Å"Is Chinas Luxury Goods Market a Pot of Gold for Marketers? † Knowledge at Wharton, assessed July 27, 2007, http://english. cri. cn/2946/2007/07/27/[emailprotected] htm.