Two Party System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Two Party System - Essay Example The two-party system in American politics has created both opportunities and constraints. The two party system creates a number of opportunities. First, the two party system in America is among the most stable political systems in the world. Under the two-party system, the United States has been peaceful and politically stable as opposed to countries with the multi-party system. Secondly, the system is simple and easy for the voters to select their leaders. Voters in the United States only require following the manifestos and strategies of the two parties and choose their leaders under the two parties. The two- party system creates simplicity in understanding, following and voting leaders for the two parties (Janda et al. 23). However, the two party system being exercised in the U.S. creates more constraints than opportunities. For instance, the two party system limits the choice and options of the American voters in the process of selecting their leaders. Unlike in the multiparty system, voters in the two party system are restricted to choose or vote their leaders from only two parties. For this reason, other potential leaders who may be more efficient and appropriate than the selected ones lack opportunity to be selected in the general elections. Secondly, the system is slowly killing democracy in the U.S. People in America are guided by the opinions and decisions made by leaders from either Republic or Democratic parties. The limitation of opinions, options, and decisions leads to marginalization of some people. The system has led to poor governance and lack of accountability among the elected leaders. Although leaders are found to be unaccountable of public finances, their political parties support th em, thus increasing the level of corruption and unaccountability in the U.S (Janda et al. 23). The founding of the American politics had various perceptions of political parties. For

Alcohol Beverage Essay Example for Free

Alcohol Beverage Essay Throughout the history of television, viewers have raised many questions about alcohol advertising. How is advertising affecting us? Does it have an impact on alcohol abuse or alcohol related disease and death? Does advertising influence alcohol consumption? In this essay, I will mainly concentrate on why such alcoholic advertisements should be restricted; and to what extent should any governments be able to control advertising. My personal opinion that I maintain is that I agree with having restrictions on alcoholic beverages’ advertisements on TV, by focusing more on responsible drinking and on problems that drinking causes every year because of irresponsibility of its consumer. I also stand by my opinion because young people are negatively affected by those ads, since there are no messages for responsible action while drinking. Moreover, statistics show that alcohol-related admissions to hospital in United States have reached 20% in 1995. With other words, most of cases sent to our hospitals were alcohol related, which potentially leads to violence, accidents and health issues. Alcohol is thought to cause thirty thousand premature deaths a year. Therefore, it may cause physical and mental harm to its consumers. The two main media tools that help advertising for alcohol are Televised programs and radio channels. These giant corporations make millions of dollars advertising for alcoholic beverages with having minimal advices on responsible drinking and reckless behaviors that can be caused primarily because of it. My personal believe is that too excessive exposure to alcoholic advertisement can increase consumption and influence peoples attitudes towards alcohol especially for youngster as they have not formed the correct understanding of it. In order to prevent the large amount of alcoholic advertising that appears on media, over the last few decades, government have set far stricter guidelines and regulations concerning alcohol. Some of these limitations and restrictions are particularly made for advertising for alcoholic drinks. Some of these restrictions include limiting the timing of advertisements on television and allow alcohol related ads to be displayed only after 10:00pm, which will avoid youth exposure to it. Nowadays, Alcohol advertisement is at its peak on sport events. This is why prohibiting the liquor company from being the official sponsor in sport must be considered. As Professor Gilmore said, limitations should include alcohol sponsorship in sport, as the alcohol was being advertised 24 hours a day. Besides, the contents of advertisement should be restricted, images like violence and potential crime should be forbidden, as it is easy for young people doing the same things that show on television. On the other hand, both in public and private sectors are responsible in joining their efforts to help to set out limitations and restrict alcohol promotion and sales through ads. For instance, clubs should abolish the unlimited drinks to a certain time only with fixed amount of money, and restrict underage people from being exposed to a place where alcohol is heavily consumed. Besides, the price should be increased to reduce the alcohol consumption and alcohol producers should develop a new production line, as an alternative to replace alcohol. Now, alcohol has spread in our culture and society and became the symbol of fun and pleasure. Its consumption has increased more than ever did in mankind history and their effects are increasing with it as well. Advertising for alcohol is not only encouraging our youth to drink more which will affect their health but also promotes reckless and irresponsible behaviors associated with its consumption. Our government is more aware of the seriousness of this issue than ever, however further laws and restrictions must take place in the future in order to decrease its negative effects.

The Growth Of Islamic Fundamentalism In Afghanistan Politics Essay

The Growth Of Islamic Fundamentalism In Afghanistan Politics Essay If there has been an overriding feature of their history [the Afghans], it is that it has been a history of conflictof invasions, battles and sieges, of vendettas, assassinations and massacres, of tribal feuding, dynastic strife and civil war. (2001, 12) Martin Ewan, Afghanistan, A Short History of Its People and Politics Since the end of the Cold War, the Afghanistan has witnessed a considerable rise in internal violence. During the 1960s a struggle had developed between Communists and Islamists in Afghanistan.  [1]  After the withdrawal of Soviet troops and subsequent takeover by the Taliban, Afghanistan has been constantly turning into a radically Islamist nation. FOUNDATION OF ISLAMIC FUNDAMENTALISM IN THE AFGHANISTAN The USSRs attempts to consolidate a Communist regime in Afghanistan, first through aid and indirect involvement and later through direct military involvement, were major components in the development of the civil war in Afghanistan which eventually led to the victory of the Mujahidin and the rise of the fundamentalist Islamic regime.  [2]   In 1979, after the invasion had jolted the Muslim world. They realized that they were in no position to conduct a conventional campaign against Soviet Union. Thus a number of Muslim volunteers commenced moving to Pakistan to assist in the jihad. One of the first volunteers to move in to Pakistan was Osama Bin Laden. He said, One day in Afghanistan is like thousand days in a mosque. At first he personally covered the cost of travel of all volunteers to Afghanistan. In early 1980, he set up Masadat Al Ansar, then the main base for Arab mujahedeen in Afghanistan  [3]  . This was the first time a formalized training camp was set up in this country. During this period Sheikh Abd Allah Yussuf Azza, who was the key in establishing the International Legion of Islam- hard core of international terrorism, came in contact with Bin Laden. Together they established the Bait ul Ansar, which received and trained the first Islamist volunteers for Afghanistan. The Afghan Mujahidin waged their struggle against the USSR not only as a national liberation war but as a jihad in which radical Islamic elements from throughout the Muslim world took part and which had the blessing of most Arab and Muslim states  [4]  . However, most of the Mujahidin movements centred around traditional religious leadership based on ethnic and regional considerations, although some of the movements were heterogeneous and included supporters and included supporters and activities from various ethnic groups. The protest movement formed around local political and religious leaders and gradually developed into two main factions.  [5]   The first faction wanted to transform Afghanistan into an Islamic state in the spirit of Islamic law (Shariah). They adopted principals from the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood and advocated jihad against the Communist regime. This stream became known as the fundamentalist stream.  [6]   The second faction wanted to found a regime in the unique tribal tradition of Afghanistan. They also advocated struggle against the Communist regime. A considerable portion of the leaders of this faction came from the ranks of the supporters of King Zahir and inspired to reinstate the monarchy. This stream, which became known as the traditional or moderate stream, felt that the life of the individual should be guided by Islam but community and state problems should be solved in the tribal Afghan way.  [7]   All the major mujahidin parties advocate an Islamic republic as an end goal and are essentially religious. Islam has been the primary ideology and unifying factor among all these parties in the course of the struggle against the Soviet occupation; secular parties have attracted no significant following, especially the left, which was discredited by the communist takeover. Within the spectrum of Islam, however, these parties differ significantly in their makeup and approach. Traditional analysis has divided the seven Sunni parties into four Islamist and three traditional parties  [8]  . (a) Islamist. (i) Hizb- e -Islami (the Islamic Party), led by Gulbuddin Hikmetyar, primarily Pashtun in membership and radical in character. An Islamic fundamentalist-oriented movement advocating the foundation of a central Islamic republic. The organization is a variance and in conflict with the majority of the other Islamic movement. (ii) Hizb- e -Islami (the Islamic Party), led by Younis Khalis, primarily Pashtun in membership (on a tribal basis) and kept the original name even splitting from Gulbuddin Hikmetyars party. A fundamentalist-oriented movement that advocates the foundation of a theocratic republic. (iii) Ittihad-e- Islami (the Islamic Alliance of Afghan Mujahidin), led by Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, mainly Pashtun and radical in character as well as Saudi-oriented. An organization with a conservative ideology that advocates the establishment of an Islamic republic. The organization developed into a body that attempted to unify various Afghan elements located in Pakistan. (iv) Jamaat-e-Islami (the Islamic Movement of Afghanisdtan), led by Burhanuddin Rabbani, with membership mainly drawn from northern Afghanistan (Tajiki extraction) and more moderate in character. An Islamic fundamentalist-oriented movement advocating the foundation of a theocratic republic. (b) Traditionalist. (i) Harakat-e-Inquila Islami (The Islamic Revolutionary Movement), led by Mohammad Nabi Muhammadi, primarily Pashtun in membership and drawing more on traditional clergy. A conservative organization that aligns itself with returning to the prerevolutionary establishment (a relatively moderate organization). (ii) Jabha-ye-Nejat-e-Milli (The National Liberation Front), led by Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, mainly Pashtun in membership and Sufi oriented. A monarchist organization that supports reestablishment of the Pashtun establishment in the pre-revolutionary format. This is a relatively small organization among the Pashtun population. (iii) Mahaz-e-Islami (the Islamic National Front of Afghanistan), led by Pir Sayed Ahmad Gailani, mainly Pashtun and Sufi oriented as well as pro-royalist. A monarchist organization that aligns itself with reinstatement of the monarchy (in the pre-revolutionary format) In addition, there are a variety of Shiite parties as many as ten at present, but with only a few having substantial political clout. Eight of these Shiite parties are religious and oriented toward Iran but are not necessarily firm in their support of the political line of the Ayatollah Khomeini. Two Shiite parties are not affiliated with Iran. Main Shiite organizations are  [9]  :- (a) Shura, led by Sayed Ali Beheshti. The organization advocates establishment of a Hazara autonomy. IT reached its height of power in 1979-1980 but later lost Iranian support to more radical Shiite organizations. (b) Nasser (Victory), led by Mir Hussein Tsadiki. An organization that advocates Hazara separatism. The organization was supported in the early 1980s by the Iranians as a counterbalance to the Shura but gradually became overly independent and lost Irans support. (c) Harkat-e-Islami (Movement of Islami Revolution), led by Mohammed Alsayyaf Muhseini. The organization advocates establishment of an Islamic state. It was supported by Hazara population and the Dari-speaking Shiite populations. (d) The Revolutionary Guards, led by Muhsein Razzai. A Khomeini-Hazara organization that advocates unification with Iran. Since 1984 the organization has massive Iranian support. (e) Hizbullah is a Hazara organization with a Khomeini orientation that advocates unification with Iran. The organization receives substantial support from Iran and maintains cooperative ties with Hizbullah in other countries. AFGHAN FUNDAMENTALISM : ITS ROOT OF LEGITIMACY The Afghan fundamentalist, or Islamist, movement enjoys a powerful base of legitimacy in Afghan politics owing to three key factors as under :- (a) The historic role of Afghanistan as defender of the faith in the Indian subcontinent. (b) The Islamists opposition to communism in Afghanistan in the early 1970s which forced many Afghan leaders to work from Pakistan against communist influence (the 1978 communist coup in Afghanistan overwhelmingly vindicated the Islamists initial fear of communist influence and intentions). (c) The paramount role of Islamist and religious parties in the struggle against Soviet occupation. AFGHANISTAN ROLE OF DEFENDER OF THE FAITH Afghanistan has had a unique and long-established tradition as defender of Islam in the subcontinent  [10]  . In the 19th century, for example, India (including present-day Pakistan and Bangladesh) was under the rule of the British Raj, the Turkish Ottoman Empire controlled vast portion of the Arab world, and Iran was helpless in the face of Russian and British domination but Afghanistan was one of a handful of truly independent Muslim countries in the world. Afghanistan alone had maintained its own independence from foreign control since 1747, and it thus enjoyed respect and recognition throughout the Muslim world. Afghanistans Durrani Empire in the 19th century was actually the second largest Muslim empire in the world at that time, ceding first place only to the Ottomans  [11]  . In the 19th century, Kabul helped foment Islamic political uprisings in India and was itself seen as one of the few places of refuge for those Muslims in British India who felt it was religiously untenable to live in a godless(British-run) state. Kabul also struck several severe blows against British power in the region, most notably by repelling what turned out to be a disastrous invasion of Afghanistan by the British army in 1842.  [12]   THE FOUNDATIONS OF ISLAMIST STRENGTH The strength of the Islamist movement in Afghanistan today rests largely on its military capabilities and on the strength of its political organization. The movement is not, in other words, a popular one, although it does command widespread respect for its role in the liberation of the country from Soviet occupation. It derives particular legitimacy from having provided the ideological spearhead for that struggle, radical Islam, which transcends mere nationalism. The Islamists movement, however, had actively opposed communist coup and takeover began. The movement thus occupies a central place in Afghan politics today. That all Afghan mujahidin parties today have a religious basis was underscored during the anti-Soviet jihad, or holy war a conflict that helped define the Islamic orientation of contemporary Afghan politics. Hence, there is a strong likelihood that the political, removal or fall of Najibullahs Peoples Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) will be followed by the establishment of some type of Islamic republic -one that is committed in some measure to the implementation of Islamic law (the Shari a). Possible Islamic models from which Afghanistan might draw include the Islamic governments of Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. The actual character of the new Afghan government, however, could vary considerably, depending in who dominates it and on the nature of specific policies and methods of implementation. Of the seven Sunni mujahidin parties in Afghanistan today, four are fundamentalist-ideological-Islamist in character, and two of these four are radical in their beliefs and operating style. Together, these four parties have the more integral role in the Soviet conflict than have the more traditional parties. Indeed, a key contributor to the Islamists strength has been the large measure of support that the radical Islamist parties have derived from Pakistan by virtue of their military performance and zeal. Such support was bolstered by former Pakistans President Mohammed Zia-ul-Haqq, who found the politics of the Afghan Islamist parties in consonance with his own Islamisation campaign in Pakistan. The Afghan Islamists, for their part, enjoyed the backing of Pakistani religious parties, who in turn were strong pillars of support for Zia. Zia also understood that the ideological orientation of the Islamist parties would largely inhibit them from encouraging Pashtun ethnic separatism in Pakistan an Afghan policy of nearly 30 years standing that had engendered considerable tension between the two countries. Islamists disapprove of narrow ethnic orientation as a basis for the state and instead support broader political groupings based on a common Islamic outlook. The close cooperation between Pakistan and the Afghan mujahidin against Soviet occupation of Afghanistan had one important and immediate consequence: the long standing hostility between Pakistan and Afghanistan has abated considerably. Benazir Bhuttos brief term as Prime Minister following Zias death, despite her more secular policies, did not significantly weaken Pakistans ties with the Afghan mujahidin. Fundamentalist parties in Pakistan will continue to support Afghan fundamentalist groups, regardless of the policies of Islamabad in the future. WILL THE FUNDAMENTALISTS COME TO POWER? Ironically, the removal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan has weakened one of the principal sources of Islamist strength in Afghanistan- for while all mujahidin parties may agree on the desirability of an Islamic government, consensus on power sharing is an entirely different matter. There are in fact deep rifts among the parties, mot only between traditionalists and Islamists but also among Islamists themselves. These divisions, which reflect ideological, regional, and ethnic differences as well as conflicts between personalities, are not likely to be readily resolved in the wake of the Soviet withdrawal. The strength of the Islamist parties rests on other factors as well like as under:- (a) Pakistan and Saudi preferences with respect to the distribution of aid among the mujahidin have served to strengthen the Islamists by providing them with greater opportunity to distribute their financial and military largess and hence to attract a broader following including support among the military commanders. (b) The mujahidins use of Pakistan as a political base of operations a factor that has skewed the true there -way power relationships inside Afghanistan among the parties, their local mujahidin commanders, and the populace at large has worked to the Islamists advantage. WEAKNESSES OF THE ISLAMIST PARTIES While the Islamists are still the single strongest element in Afghanistans political equation today, some of their strength derives from the location of their political base in the Pakistani border city of Peshawar, where Pakistans own political influence over the mujahidin can be maximized. As the struggle moves out of the anti Soviet, anticommunist phase and into a phase of civil war, the influence of the special political climate of Peshawar will diminish, and with it, the influence of Pakistan itself over the struggle. Other factors that may contribute to the possible weakening of Islamist influence are as follows :- (a) The Islamists lack a charismatic national figure like, for example, Irans Ayatollah Khomeini who will serve as a natural leader. (b) If financial support to specific mujahidin parties is severed in pursuit of a political solution in Kabul, it is unclear how much strength the Islamist parties would retain. While the Islamists ideological and organizational strengths remain significant in Peshawar, an internal power struggle inside Afghanistan would present a new set of variables that would affect the ultimate success of one party over another. (c) The Islamist parties are by no means united within themselves. (d) Because tribalism and regional loyalties in Afghanistan were largely subordinated in the decade long effort of all national elements to expel the Soviet Union, a permanently enhanced sense of national unity may now exist. On the other hand, the expulsion of the Soviet enemy may refocus Afghan politics on older and more parochial issues. Tribalism and regionalism are already reasserting themselves, essentially working against the radical Islamist parties. (e) Mujahidin commanders inside the country maintain only tenuous ties with the Peshawar parties. Hence they may not fully share the political views of these parties and may be increasingly inclined to act independently or to pursue their own agendas if alternative sources of aid weaken the party hold. (f) The highly disproportionate representation of ethnic Pashtuns among the refugee population in Pakistan skews our understanding of the political preferences of the broader population as a whole inside Afghanistan especially when Pakistan refugee camps are used as a basis for public opinion findings, press coverage, straw polls, and identification of political attitudes. Current Islamist strength in the Peshawar environment might well weaken once politics shift inside the country. The Islamists are therefore likely to come to power only by military means. The moderate parties in particular are concerned that the most radical Islamist faction, Hizb-e-Islami (the Islamic Party ), led by Gulbuddin Hikmetyar, may attempt to use Leninist tactics to eliminate other mujahidin leaders by assassination in order to secure power a fear that is based more on the personality of Gulbuddin than on the character of his Islamic ideology per se. While such an attempt cannot be ruled out, it is highly unlikely that a minority radical Islamist party attempting to do just that. Any radical Islamic leadership that sought to rule successfully would have to come to terms with the other political and ideological elements within the country. WHAT WOULD A RADICAL ISLAMIST LEADERSHIP MEANS? Any Islamist regime in Afghanistan, were it to come to power, would differ sharply from Irans Islamist regime in many important respects. First, such a regime would be firmly Sunni rather than Shiite in character, suggesting a greater ability to work with elements of secular state power as well as a less apocalyptic, oppression and martyr- oriented outlook. Afghan Islamists, furthermore, lack the depth of hostility toward the United States that has characterized Iranian politics. The Afghan Islamists in fact have almost no formal grievances against any past US role in Afghanistan; to the contrary, however much they may dislike US culture, the Islamists are well aware that the United States played a pivotal role in the anti- Soviet struggle. Afghan political culture as a whole also tends to be far less xenophobic than that of Iran- simply because Afghanistan has never been dominated and manipulated by foreign powers as consistently as was Iran throughout the 19th and early 20th centur ies. Nonetheless, Afghan Islamists share with other Islamist world movements the same concerns over the threat to the Islamic way of life posed by Western and especially American culture. Essentially , the Islamists perceive the United States as representing secularism, permissiveness, hedonism, individualism- all of which they see as deeply corrosive to the establishment of the virtuous Islamic society. Any Islamic Afghan regime will thus oppose such influences inside Afghanistan and will limit Afghan contact with American cultural influences. In addition, any Islamist regime in Kabul will gravitate strongly toward nonalignment and exclusion of Western as well as Soviet influence in the region. Such a regime would therefore oppose a US military presence in the Persian Gulf states, in Pakistan, or anywhere else in the Muslim world. Similarly, it would be likely to support the cause of Islamic minorities in regions such as India and the CAR. As an example, major ethnic elements in Afghanistan, such as Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Turkmen, are heavily represented in the CAR- a phenomenon that the Soviets have attempted to exploit in efforts to draw Afghanistan closer to the USSR. Yet such tactics have not assisted Soviet policy and in fact have likely backfired; ties between ethnic elements of both sides of the Soviet border are more likely to draw these populations closer together, resulting in an effort to diminish Moscows influence and to broaden the options of the Muslim populations of the CAR. Finally, an Islamist Afghan regime will be strongly conscious of Western imperialism and will be a strong advocate of the have-nots in North vs South issues. Despite these positions, however, an Islamist Afghanistan will have limited opportunity or reason to directly attack US interests, since such interests in Afghanistan will be highly limited in their scope. Afghan Islamists would unquestionably support the cause of fundamentalist parties in Pakistan, which could bring them into conflict with US policies there. Unlike pre- 1978 Afghan governments, however, Afghan Islamists are unlikely to support ethnic separatism in Pakistan. An Islamist Afghanistan will share some philosophical interests with Iran, but it would not be likely to cooperate closely with Iran on anything other than broad international Islamic issues. Sunni fundamentalists will in fact resent Irans support of the Afghan Shia, who will represents Irans chief instrument of influence in Afghanistan, and there is likely to be some degree of rivalry between a Sunni and a Shiite Islamic republic. Irans bid for influence in Afghanistan has nonetheless risen dramatically since the end of the Iran- Iraq War, and it perceives itself as a major player in future Afghan politics. Part of Irans goal here is to thwart Saudi interests. EMERGENCE OF TALIBAN Ever since the fall of Najibullah government and withdrawal of Soviet forces, the attempts by Pakistan to form a consensus regime in Kabul had failed. Pakistan also failed to install Hekmatayar govt and Rabbani had his own ambitions showing no inclination to accept Pakistani directions. By early 1994,the Inter Service Intelligence Agency (ISI) realised that the Rabbani regime was slowly consolidating itself in Kabul. This development was against Pakistans overall interests in Afghanistan and forced her to look for an alternative. Maj Gen (Retd) Naseerullah Babar, the Interior Minister in the second Benazir Bhutto Government conceived the idea of creating a students militia along with some veterans from the Afghan Mujahedeen who had fought the Soviet Army and who had taken shelter in Pakistan.  [13]   The infrastructure for launching Taliban was set up by May 1994.  [14]  The word Taliban literally means students of religious schools . The Taliban militia largely comprises students of religious schools (Madrassas) in Baluchistan and NWFP. Initially these Madrassas were set up by Jamait-i-Uiema-lslam (JUI) led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman for the Afghan refugees. Subsequently the Pak ISI took over these institutions and extended training, moral and material support to Taliban. The movement was very well planned to exploit religious sentiments of Islamic countries and Islamic organisations. This also paved way for easy recruitment and funds from international Islamic community. Taliban in Afghanistan is unique in the sense that it is not the product of a national movement like its predecessor, the Mujahidin, which waged a war against the Soviet Union and its Afghan puppets. The Taliban is a force created by the Pakistan with the twin purposes of containing Iran and diluting, and eventually weakening, Russian influence in its former Muslim-majority republic. The implicit aim is to preserve Pakistans influence over Afghanistan as the Taliban is dependent on Pakistan for logistics and military training and on the UAE for funds. Pakistan aimed following major advantages by Pakistan by supporting Taliban are:- (a) Militarily subdue and defeat the Tajik and Uzbek ethnic militias, bring Afghanistan under Taliban rule and thereby secure the Kabul-Salang-Kunduz highway, the major artery leading to Central Asian Republics. (b) Seek diplomatic international recognition for Taliban and orchestrate its future actions in consonance with her own interests. (c) Gain strategic depth vis-a-vis India. (d) Maintain Taliban as an anti India instrument for reigniting the Kashmir insurgency.  [15]  

Does Technology Drive History? Essay -- History Technology Essays

A theme that appears over and over in discussions about technology is whether or not technology is the cause of major social, cultural, political, and economic changes in modern society. Of course, we can find many, many examples of technologies associated with enormous social changes. The automobile, for example, is often spoke of as "causing" a whole array of social changes, from the creation of suburbia, to the development of the fast food industry, to the paving of farm land, to the imported oil vulnerabilities of the 1970s. The popular media is filled with similar examples of new technologies that are going to change everything, from computers to nanotechnologies to new medical devices. And we are often told that we must find ways to accommodate ourselves to these new devices and to the changes they will cause, that we must strive to ride the wave of social flux produced by emerging technologies, or face the dire prospect of being "left behind." This language and these arguments, whether in the general media or in scholarly analyses, are examples of various kinds of technological determinism, the notion that technology is the most powerful force behind the modern world, that technology "drives" history (Smith, Marx, 1994). Those who support this idea often claim more: technology may well be pushing us in directions we do not want to go, that technology has somehow gotten "out of control." Technological determinism comes in different forms. For some, such as the late French scholar Jacques Ellul (1965, 1980, 1990), technology is the most powerful force in modern life, moving according to its own logic, and well beyond the control of humans. Others, such as political theorist Langdon Winner (1977, 1986), assert that tech... ...equired to maintain and operate technological systems, such as electrical power grids, nationwide telephone systems, television networks, etc. While the people involved in technological systems do have the power to make choices -- as the anti-determinists claim -- they must make those choices in settings that can impose significant limits on the range of choices available, as the determinists claim. In other words, the control of technology becomes more difficult, and maybe ultimately impossible, as we move from smaller and simpler structures and artifacts toward much larger, complex, and interdependent systems. It is much more difficult to change our minds about technologies after they have developed such organizational shells as multinational corporations or public utilities, and after so much investment has occurred (Collingridge, 1980, Morone, Woodhouse, 1986).

Mumbai-the City of Dreams Essay

Mumbai – the city of dreams, the city of broken dreams. Millions go unnoticed like sand castles washed away at the beach, millions are attracted by the skyscrapers of Elphinstone, and millions are immortalized like the Elephanta-s. From Haji Ali to Siddhivinayak, from local trains to the Vada Pav, from the boulders of Bandstand to the sands of Juhu, from Mangeshkar to Tendulkar, from the Khans to the Bachchans, it is ‘Aamchi Mumbai’ all the way. From the trawlers’ struggle for fresh catch to the country’s top CEO-s’ meetings, India’s business capital doesn’t seem to sleep. With fruit juice at Rs. 5 a glass outside railway stations, to Rs. 200 a cappuccino at the Trident, life in Mumbai sails smooth with all its diversity. The night remains young from DJ jamming sessions to ek chaalis ki last local. Almost a hundred Bollywood movies have had as their opening scene a long shot of Victoria Terminus, introducing Mumbai as sapno ki na gari. Arvind Swami’s lovelorn ‘Tu Hi Re’ on old fort reminds us of Bombay, whereas Ranbir Kapur’s ‘Wake up Sid’ sketches Mumbai on a realistic canvas. Dreams come true here, dreams shatter here, but life doesn’t go off the tracks. The locals move on, carrying few lakh dreaming hearts every day. The Churchgate slow local arrives on platform 3 of Lower Parel station at 11am with about a dozen hanging on each footboard; the ladies compartments have decked up corporate women in formals and topknots to Marathi fisherwomen rushing to the markets to sell their fresh catch. In fact, Mumbai traffic compels few office goers to park their cars at stations and take the reliable local to office everyday! ‘Bombay to Goa’ to ‘Saathiya’, the local train has repeatedly come on the silver screen. Even the Oscar winning Indian movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ had one of its popular songs shot at the famous Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus platform. Over the decades, it has turned out to be Mumbai’s lifeline. The tracks take a three hour daily break from 1:40am to 4:45am, CST to Khopoli, Churchgate to Dahanu. There are three main lines — the Western, Central and the Harbour line. Life in Mumbai revolves around local trains; the truth about which was felt when the Motormen strike on May 3rd, 2010 had left Mumbai chaotic and overturned. Another thing that raises tourist’s eyebrows is the ‘on-track’ vendors and their items. The ladies on their way buy household items to earrings to kurti-s. There is trial option also; anyone can try a kurti before choosing to buy! Another familiar face in the 9:01am Ambernath-Lower Parel II class ladies compartment is a lady who sells home-made sweets. She has an amazing style of calling out the names of the sweets, a shrill loud voice coming unexpectedly out of her frail structure, and women indeed go berserk buying her delicacies. It is perhaps correctly said, â€Å"You will find answers to all the mysteries of the world, except one— What does a woman want?† The engine siren pierces through the silence of the night, the bogies rattle on the tracks, the signals go red and green, the pebbles on the fishplates turn and overturn, and the Mumbai locals go on and on.

This essay is an investigative report on Fast Food Nation.

This essay is an investigative report on Fast Food Nation. Many people blindly go to fast food restaurants without thinking "what lies behind the shinny happy faces of every fast food transaction" (Schlosser 10). Eric Schlosser's book "Fast Food Nation" looks to change that. Schlosser's intentions when writing this book was to inform the reader of the dark side of the fast food industry. Schlosser pulls from numerous sources to support his arguments. While he neglects to include some information that may conflict with his argument, overall, he used his sources properly and truthfully.In the chapter entitled "Behind the Counter", Schlosser points out that "increasing the federal minimum wage by a dollar would add about two cents to the cost of a fast food hamburger" (Schlosser 73). In the note on page 309, Schlosser cites an article entitled "Impact of Minimum Wage Increases." The article displays several scenarios within a number of studies that show how an increase in minimum wage would cause a very slight spike in the price of fast food.Fa st food in NepalThe article researched minimum wage increases in past years and the affect they had on the price of food. In 1992, minimum wage was increased fifty cents and the price of fast food was only raised approximately one cent.The article supports Schlosser's argument that for every dollar increase to minimum wage the price of fast food would rise a mere two cents. Schlosser includes this statistic to illustrate the greedy behavior of the corporations running the fast food industry and to disprove the argument that raising the minimum wage would be a costly measure. It was a universal belief that the fast food industry did not want a minimum wage increase because it would cost them a large amount of money to continue the operation of their companies. Schlosser uses his resource...

Media Production Log Essays

Media Production Log Essays Media Production Log Essay Media Production Log Essay In this area I will research and looking for certain information about the magazine covers which am I choosing to work in the main task in media studies. By the end of the lesson in media studies, I will deciding the brief about what task I doing in media, so I choose to do PRINT task because its easy to do and also my brother doing this brief task so maybe my brother also influence me to do this task. When I research in internet search engine (www. google. com) I research about the magazine front cover, then I found a website which is all about explaining the semiotics (means study of sign and symbols) in teenage magazine. In this information a found in Google maybe I will read this information because this will be helpful to me to do my task about the magazine In the task is music magazine cover because I have some knowledge on how to make a music magazine, because when I was doing a media studies in last year (2007) I choose also magazine cover. So in this brief task I doing is I have idea and techniques to do this task and also music is one of my favourite hobbies. 03/06/09 Research and find information and pictures in making a music magazine cover. Computer (Internet) Magazine. Library (Library is really good source of information to find good research about this task made in media. I found lots of information on the magazine covers, which is in internet. The magazine and the library means also my resources to help me to create my own magazine cover. In these sources I found some ideas on creating my own music magazine cover. This kind of source which is the best guidelines to search for making magazine cover because I see beautiful pictures, and found some techniques on how to build my own magazine cover, and other information related in magazine. Maybe I will barrow a camera from the head teacher Mr. Baptiste to take a picture to my task in magazine cover so that I will provide a good practical work in my work. I will use my old work in magazine cover in last year so I will use as a guidelines to make better marks. In this day I forget to borrowing camera to Mr. Baptiste which is to taking pictures. But the good thing is we have a camera at home so that I have a chance to take my own pictures of making a music magazine 03/07/09 03/08/09 (Week end) In this 2 days day off of school, I will used my time to find a good suitable pictures for my magazine cover, and more information of magazine task The sources I needed is Camera which is taking pictures, Internet which I search some suitable information and guidelines In these two days off in school, I will must find my pictures on my own music magazine cover, and other pictures which are include for making my own music magazine cover. This two days day off in school, the obstruction to not doing my coursework in media is working, which I cannot do my work. And the last thing are playing in computer games and going hangout with my friends. 03/11/09 I will buy a original music magazine in store which is also needed in this course Money Bus pass This day is I go in town centre to buy an original magazine to photo copy the pages of magazine and I analysing the different information using media terminology. I will find other nearly store in my place which is no wasting time and also money. 03/17/09 Working on Production Report of my new music magazine cover Computer Microsoft word 2003 Internet In this day I will work on production report which is the main task of making new music magazine cover. In production report I will work on my brief, planning of production within the magazine cover, my main target audience, constructing the production and evaluation. Maybe I will find different types of sources to improve my coursework in this subject. 03/17/09 Reviewing and checking my own questionnaires about music magazine cover. Computer Microsoft word 2003 In these 2 lessons in media studies, I will change all corrections of my questionnaires within my music magazine cover. Because Mr. Baptiste checking my questionnaires to make sure that the questionnaires about the music magazine is correct. This is important because to make sure that my work is correct and to make high grades/marks of this subject. In this days, I hope that Mr.Baptiste quickly done on photo copying of my questionnaires. So means that I will work on my next level of this work, like giving questionnaires to the people and making questionnaires results. 03/10/09 Explaining and analysing my music magazine which Mr. Baptiste already photocopy the important pages within my magazine. Microsoft word In this day I will explaining my music magazine which I explain the front cover, article pages and the back pages of the magazine, so I explaining the media terminologies which are the denotation / connotation, the semiotics, message values and the masthead on the magazine. I have only 3 lessons on this day so I have a time to do this work. In this free period of my time, I going out in school to find other places that have music magazine and also research some information related in music magazine. 03/23/09 Giving music magazine questionnaires in the public My questionnaires Camera (which taking pictures those people I give questionnaires. I will give my own questionnaires which all about music magazine in the public. Then I will bring camera to take pictures those people that I give questionnaires which means I have evidence that I giving this questionnaires outside in the school. This is important in part of my foundation coursework in media to ensure that I will get good marks in media studies. Because I shown that I will work with my own practical work in ideas on doing this work. I will call Kevin to help me to take pictures those people I giving questionnaires and maybe I will come other places that more walking people, this would help me to answer all questionnaires that I make in music magazine.

Free Essays on Characterazation Of Jim

A role model is someone whom you greatly look up to; someone you model your life after. Anymore, it’s not too common to admire someone like Jim in the adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Yet, Huck looked to Jim as a father figure, and the only one to show him loyalty, faith, compassion, strength, wisdom, guidance, and above all else, love. Before their trip down the Mississippi, Huck’s only authoritative figure was Tom Sawyer. His father, Pap Finn, showed no sense of caring except to his next bottle of whiskey, and all other adults who tried to teach Huck were trying to educate in ways that couldn’t be done. Jim, on the other hand, takes the time to befriend Huck and help him make his own decisions, despite what society would say. After all, society looked down on slaves at that time. What would they think of a slave as a leader or a father figure? Jim teaches Huck many things as they travel South on the River. First at Jackson Island, Jim notices the nervous actions of the birds and predicts it will rain. When a violent storm moves upon the island, Huck realizes that he has experience and indeed knows what he is talking about. Jim also shows Huck his great sense of caring. When they were separated in the fog, he tells Huck that his â€Å"heart wuz mos’ broke bekase you wuz los’, en I didn’ k’yer no mo’ what bcome er me en de raf.† Also, his kindness is shown when Tom injures his leg towards the end of the story, and Jim refuses to leave him alone. Jim is seen as a heroic figure in Huckleberry Finn for his loyalty, care, and devotion to Tom and Huck. He also shines a light on the battle of slavery in the civil war era. All men are created equal and slaves are people, too. They have feelings for others, and deserve kindness just like everyone else.... Free Essays on Characterazation Of Jim Free Essays on Characterazation Of Jim A role model is someone whom you greatly look up to; someone you model your life after. Anymore, it’s not too common to admire someone like Jim in the adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Yet, Huck looked to Jim as a father figure, and the only one to show him loyalty, faith, compassion, strength, wisdom, guidance, and above all else, love. Before their trip down the Mississippi, Huck’s only authoritative figure was Tom Sawyer. His father, Pap Finn, showed no sense of caring except to his next bottle of whiskey, and all other adults who tried to teach Huck were trying to educate in ways that couldn’t be done. Jim, on the other hand, takes the time to befriend Huck and help him make his own decisions, despite what society would say. After all, society looked down on slaves at that time. What would they think of a slave as a leader or a father figure? Jim teaches Huck many things as they travel South on the River. First at Jackson Island, Jim notices the nervous actions of the birds and predicts it will rain. When a violent storm moves upon the island, Huck realizes that he has experience and indeed knows what he is talking about. Jim also shows Huck his great sense of caring. When they were separated in the fog, he tells Huck that his â€Å"heart wuz mos’ broke bekase you wuz los’, en I didn’ k’yer no mo’ what bcome er me en de raf.† Also, his kindness is shown when Tom injures his leg towards the end of the story, and Jim refuses to leave him alone. Jim is seen as a heroic figure in Huckleberry Finn for his loyalty, care, and devotion to Tom and Huck. He also shines a light on the battle of slavery in the civil war era. All men are created equal and slaves are people, too. They have feelings for others, and deserve kindness just like everyone else....

Management of Software Projects -2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Management of Software Projects -2 - Essay Example Moreover, the project management standards utilize themes, tools and techniques for managing and monitoring of the projects, the document contains a discussion and comparison of these tools and techniques. In the end, the document recommends the project management standard for appraising, planning and executing successful projects in the organization. Introduction The Project Management Institute (PMI) provides a well recognized project management standard known as Project Management Professionals (PMP). The project managers usually get a certification of PMP for learning the ethical behaviour with the project team and knowing responsibilities for taking informed decisions regarding the project. The PMP provides a set of five (5) processes, nine (9) knowledge areas along with a code of ethics for managing a project successfully. The five (5) processes include: the initiation, planning, executing, monitoring and control, and project closure. It is required for the project manager to f ollow the prescribed processes of the PMP (as per the policy of the organization) by managing the project activities from the project appraisal (initiation) till project closure. The PMP enhances the skills of the project manager to make decisions, providing directions to the project team and executing projects in a professional manner. ... The project manager is responsible for allocating the resources (hardware, human, financial) and managing the project scheduling. The project manager would be responsible to manage the scope of the project (scope management). The PMP recommends the project manager to respect others and establishing a close working relationship with the team members by effective communication (Project Management Institute Inc., 2004). PRINCE2 (Project IN Controlled Environment) is a project management standard used in more than 150 countries for successfully managing a project. PRINCE2 consists of a several themes, set of principals, and a project management lifecycle. There are seven (7) themes of the PRINCE2 include: Risk, Change, Progress, Business Case, Organization, Quality and Plans. These themes of the PRINCE2 explain the significant project management aspects which need to be managed and handled during the execution of the project lifecycle. In PRINCE2 a plan is not just about the cost managem ent, schedule management and resources management, however, plans are set of documents explaining what to be achieved, how to be achieved and when to be achieved by whom the goals of a project. The PRINCE2 utilizes product planning technique for creating diverse types of plans. The product-based planning is used by the PRINCE2 which is one of the most powerful techniques for project managers to manage a project. The PRINCE2 recommends and uses different levels of the plan involve diverse human resources for managing the project successfully. These plans include: the project plan, stage plan(s) and team plan(s). As the PRINCE2 utilizes product-based planning having seven steps for creating or developing plans include:

Importance of Human Skin Pigmentations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Importance of Human Skin Pigmentations - Essay Example UVB is the short wave ultraviolet rays from the sun that are less dangerous than the short wavelength Ultraviolet rays known as the UVA. A UVB ray is absorbed at the surface of the skin and their intensity depends on the geographical area, time, and season. Vitamin D is responsible for absorption of calcium in our bodies for strong bones and teeth. Insufficient vitamin D causes brittle bones and rickets and people who have less exposure to the UVB rays from the sun must take vitamin D supplement. The skin is the largest organ and very important for the survival of human beings. Its protective nature to the other body organs and its pigmentation matters a lot in our health. Melanin is therefore very crucial for healthy individuals and where it lacks such as the people with albinism, medical attention is mandatory to prevent skin disorders and cancers. Skin pigmentation is very important in human bodies especially those living in hot regions such as the African continent. The main functions of melanin are the absorption of the ultraviolet rays from the sun that has a damaging effect by causing diseases such as the skin cancer. Light-skinned people have a problem in coping with the intense radiations from the sun as it causes a lot of damage to their skins. Inadequate melanin cannot absorb all the UVR rays from the sun especially when it is very hot leading to adverse effects such as premature aging, cancers, and vitamin D deficiency.

RFID Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

RFID - Essay Example It is greatly used by the organizations for tracking their assets. They just put the RFID tags so that the assets can be easily located. The technology has also been in use in various manufacturing plants for many years. It is used for tracking the parts as well as monitoring the movement of the ‘work’. It is also used for the reduction of defects and enhancement of output levels. Supply chain of the retail chains is one of the major areas where RFID technology has been playing crucial role for the past few decades. Furthermore, the technology has also made the payment mechanisms more convenient especially in case of ‘road tolls’ and ‘quick service restaurants’ (Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, n.d.). The main purpose of RFID technology is enabling data for being transmitted through a portable device such as ‘tag’. A RFID reader reads this tag and then it is further processed in accordance to the requirements of the user. The data which is getting transmitted is capable of providing information regarding the locations, identifications or even the specific features of a particular product. RFID technology has become very popular for its capability of tracking ‘moving objects’ (Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility,

Relation between Entrepreneur and New Venture Essay

Relation between Entrepreneur and New Venture - Essay Example The researcher states that there is no agreed definition of the entrepreneur, but entrepreneurship is related to new business ventures. An entrepreneur is an individual who establishes new business ventures for profit-making purposes. In the entrepreneurship sphere, a creation of a new venture is a separate and distinct phenomenon, which includes business formation, acquisition and mergers, and advancing the business. The creation of a new venture is a complex, crucial, and multidimensional process that involves interaction between an individual and his socio-economic environment. The process is critical because it designs the future ventures building blocks; principally, it comprises the activities, ideas, actions, and techniques displayed by entrepreneurs towards materializing their visions and concepts into an operating business. This clearly shows that in order for an entrepreneur to be successful, he or she must possess a high level of mental hardness to assist him or she persev ere and make operational strategic decisions. The stages of creating a new venture occur in the mind of entrepreneurs through interaction with the society and on the computer while the real venture activities have not been started. The major viewpoints introduced in the process of creating a new venture include the following: 1) recognition of a type of prospects; notions to be executed as future business. 2) Vision; different activities and strategies that are normally applied in the initial stages of the new venture. 3) Groundwork is an important factor that enables materialization of the concept into the real business. 4) The intention of financing the future ventures 5) The sense of planning and ensuing impacts on the entrepreneur and the venture 6) Quality of the entrepreneurial profile of persons showing a new business formation process 7) Environment, which is a major contributor to the process.

RFID Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

RFID - Essay Example It is greatly used by the organizations for tracking their assets. They just put the RFID tags so that the assets can be easily located. The technology has also been in use in various manufacturing plants for many years. It is used for tracking the parts as well as monitoring the movement of the ‘work’. It is also used for the reduction of defects and enhancement of output levels. Supply chain of the retail chains is one of the major areas where RFID technology has been playing crucial role for the past few decades. Furthermore, the technology has also made the payment mechanisms more convenient especially in case of ‘road tolls’ and ‘quick service restaurants’ (Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility, n.d.). The main purpose of RFID technology is enabling data for being transmitted through a portable device such as ‘tag’. A RFID reader reads this tag and then it is further processed in accordance to the requirements of the user. The data which is getting transmitted is capable of providing information regarding the locations, identifications or even the specific features of a particular product. RFID technology has become very popular for its capability of tracking ‘moving objects’ (Association for Automatic Identification and Mobility,

Applied Science Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Applied Science - Personal Statement Example In my estimation, A scientist trained in the formal disciplines of Physics or Chemistry, engaged in academic activity can not claim superiority over a Scientific Man who by using his gifted faculties is able to translate his informal knowledge of science in to products of common use which actually are the raison-de-etre of science. I would like to pose a question that, what is the reason that prompts us to engage ourselves in the quest to understand what exists around us My answer is to seek benefit for humanity. A quest for knowledge cannot be and should not be an end in itself but should be aimed and directed at transmitting benefits to the people. The allegation that ideas conceived by some 'scientists' earlier are picked up by someone not formally trained in Scientific Disciplines are made in to products which can be used by ordinary people requires a response. I would like to argue that nothing can be termed as purely original, human mind has been thinking and dreaming since eons. We are specie of dreamers; God has granted us this unique ability, rather a superior ability among other animals. If a scientist thinks of a theory, I am sure someone not belonging to the select group, claiming monopoly over science, must have dreamt the dream sitting by the fire, after a tiring hunt. It is the dream which urges the creativity and the urge for quest. The dream of flying if ever it becomes a reality will be result of a dream rather then scientists arguing over polemics. Having said that I would now relate briefly how the dream of electric lighting became a reality and contrary to the claim of being branded unscientific, how it was endorsed by the scientific community and lauded by the public. It was as early as 1874 that my electric device was appreciated by Mr. George Barker at Franklin Institute. In the year 1878 it was none other then Mr. George Barker an eminent scientist, Professor of Physics at University of Pennsylvania, Associate Editor of American Journal of Science, member of NAS and later the President of AAAS, with whom I discussed the idea of electric lighting, on a trip to Wyoming to observe a solar eclipse, like other scientists. As it is common knowledge that Mr. Barker has impeccable credentials as a scientist, he appreciated my idea and arranged my visit to see the arc light bulb built by Messer Moses Farmer and William Wallace in Connecticut. Mr. Barker showed his sagacity while praising my work in the Washington meeting of NAS held in April 1878. In that meeting I demonstrated phonograph which was appreciated greatly by the audience as a great product of science. The same year I was invited to join AAAS and I joined. The prestigious organization theref ore recognized the scientific merit of my work. I would also like to further strengthen my scientific credentials in the eyes of those who take a negative view of my work, by stating that Mr. Upton a 'trained' scientist by the standards so jealously being guarded, is a close associate and assists my work. The very fact that he, a man of science is working with me demonstrates that what I do is nothing but Science. It has also been alleged that I do not adhere to the accepted norms of scientific scholarship. The particular allegation that I have in mind is the reference made to my reporting the scientific findings that I make, to the newspapers, which the public reads. My assertion is that;

Relation between Entrepreneur and New Venture Essay

Relation between Entrepreneur and New Venture - Essay Example The researcher states that there is no agreed definition of the entrepreneur, but entrepreneurship is related to new business ventures. An entrepreneur is an individual who establishes new business ventures for profit-making purposes. In the entrepreneurship sphere, a creation of a new venture is a separate and distinct phenomenon, which includes business formation, acquisition and mergers, and advancing the business. The creation of a new venture is a complex, crucial, and multidimensional process that involves interaction between an individual and his socio-economic environment. The process is critical because it designs the future ventures building blocks; principally, it comprises the activities, ideas, actions, and techniques displayed by entrepreneurs towards materializing their visions and concepts into an operating business. This clearly shows that in order for an entrepreneur to be successful, he or she must possess a high level of mental hardness to assist him or she persev ere and make operational strategic decisions. The stages of creating a new venture occur in the mind of entrepreneurs through interaction with the society and on the computer while the real venture activities have not been started. The major viewpoints introduced in the process of creating a new venture include the following: 1) recognition of a type of prospects; notions to be executed as future business. 2) Vision; different activities and strategies that are normally applied in the initial stages of the new venture. 3) Groundwork is an important factor that enables materialization of the concept into the real business. 4) The intention of financing the future ventures 5) The sense of planning and ensuing impacts on the entrepreneur and the venture 6) Quality of the entrepreneurial profile of persons showing a new business formation process 7) Environment, which is a major contributor to the process.

Applied Science Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Applied Science - Personal Statement Example In my estimation, A scientist trained in the formal disciplines of Physics or Chemistry, engaged in academic activity can not claim superiority over a Scientific Man who by using his gifted faculties is able to translate his informal knowledge of science in to products of common use which actually are the raison-de-etre of science. I would like to pose a question that, what is the reason that prompts us to engage ourselves in the quest to understand what exists around us My answer is to seek benefit for humanity. A quest for knowledge cannot be and should not be an end in itself but should be aimed and directed at transmitting benefits to the people. The allegation that ideas conceived by some 'scientists' earlier are picked up by someone not formally trained in Scientific Disciplines are made in to products which can be used by ordinary people requires a response. I would like to argue that nothing can be termed as purely original, human mind has been thinking and dreaming since eons. We are specie of dreamers; God has granted us this unique ability, rather a superior ability among other animals. If a scientist thinks of a theory, I am sure someone not belonging to the select group, claiming monopoly over science, must have dreamt the dream sitting by the fire, after a tiring hunt. It is the dream which urges the creativity and the urge for quest. The dream of flying if ever it becomes a reality will be result of a dream rather then scientists arguing over polemics. Having said that I would now relate briefly how the dream of electric lighting became a reality and contrary to the claim of being branded unscientific, how it was endorsed by the scientific community and lauded by the public. It was as early as 1874 that my electric device was appreciated by Mr. George Barker at Franklin Institute. In the year 1878 it was none other then Mr. George Barker an eminent scientist, Professor of Physics at University of Pennsylvania, Associate Editor of American Journal of Science, member of NAS and later the President of AAAS, with whom I discussed the idea of electric lighting, on a trip to Wyoming to observe a solar eclipse, like other scientists. As it is common knowledge that Mr. Barker has impeccable credentials as a scientist, he appreciated my idea and arranged my visit to see the arc light bulb built by Messer Moses Farmer and William Wallace in Connecticut. Mr. Barker showed his sagacity while praising my work in the Washington meeting of NAS held in April 1878. In that meeting I demonstrated phonograph which was appreciated greatly by the audience as a great product of science. The same year I was invited to join AAAS and I joined. The prestigious organization theref ore recognized the scientific merit of my work. I would also like to further strengthen my scientific credentials in the eyes of those who take a negative view of my work, by stating that Mr. Upton a 'trained' scientist by the standards so jealously being guarded, is a close associate and assists my work. The very fact that he, a man of science is working with me demonstrates that what I do is nothing but Science. It has also been alleged that I do not adhere to the accepted norms of scientific scholarship. The particular allegation that I have in mind is the reference made to my reporting the scientific findings that I make, to the newspapers, which the public reads. My assertion is that;

Illinois Program Plan on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Essay Example for Free

Illinois Program Plan on Alcohol and Drug Abuse Essay The government of Illinois is aware of the drug and alcohol addiction on its almost 2 million residents. Abuse of alcohol and drugs may lead to addiction which is hard to control. â€Å"The human suffering and social and economic loss caused by the illness of alcoholism, addiction to controlled substances, the use of cannabis, and the abuse and misuse of alcohol and other drugs are matters of grave concern to the people of the State of Illinois† (2003). The government of Illinois invests on their person that is why they have the great effort to provide the best services as possible to its people. Alcohol and drug addiction if not prevented might cause your life in danger. Government efforts to support families in strengthening their relationship to each other would become a good avoidance. So as the Illinois government created one of its largest agencies such as the Department of Human Services (DHS). The DHS supports Illinoisans to become self-sufficient to live the life to the fullest. Being self-sufficient means Under DHS there are several programs like Alcoholism and Addiction, cash services for the people who are financially in need, child care, customer services, disability and rehabilitation, health and medical, housing, assistance for the victims of violence and abuse, parenting and youth services. â€Å"The Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA) under the Department of Human Services consist of operational Offices/Bureaus designed to reflect their mission and planning goals and objectives. Primary responsibilities are to develop, maintain, monitor and evaluate a statewide treatment delivery system designed to provide screening, assessment, customer-treatment matching, referral, intervention, treatment and continuing care services for indigents alcohol and drug abuse and dependency problems† (Illinois Department of Human Services, 1999). There are different services offered under DASA such as Case Management which is the provision, coordination, or arrangement of additional services. Another is the Community Intervention is provided within the community and focus on the community and its residents. The HIV Testing and Counseling is to identify and provide early intervention for persons who are at risk of becoming infected or who have become infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Intensive Outpatient Services are clinical services that include individual, group and family counseling and patient education. The DASA Early Intervention is pre-treatment services for individuals whose problems appear to be related to substance abuse but do not meet any diagnostic criteria. Residential Rehabilitation provides clinical and treatment rehabilitation services 24 hours a day. And Detoxification provides immediate and short-term clinical support for persons in the withdrawal process. The intention of toxicology services is to analysis urine, blood, or saliva to determine the presence of alcohol and / or other drugs in clients who receive treatment or intervention services. (Illinois Department of Human Services, 1997) According to the Illinois Substance Abuse Plan (2003) The functions of DASA is to design a comprehensive services to carry out in the whole state to prevent drug abuse and design an accessible treatment and rehabilitation needed by the individuals positive on its usage (p. ). The strategy on all state agencies must be coordinated to make one strategy applicable to their residents as a response to their mutual goals as provider of prevention, treatment and support. DASA acts as the state’s premier provider of rehabilitation and treatment of drug dependents in order to monitor any institutions/establishments and to prevent unreliable providers. These providers are private individuals or institutions rendering alcohol and drug treatment and rehabilitation. They should be accredited by DASA and abide by the rules and regulations. The organization of each institution (provider) must have a good management system that rewards their staffs or employees for rendering good service. DASA encourage, develop, and implement practices that help provider institutions to develop competencies within their workforce to collaborate with researchers, influence research designs, and support internal utilization of quality research within the organization. At this cause, each employee will encourage to do good outputs in their work. In the long run, provider institutions will become stable and efficient. These policies on providers make them more standardize and reliable institution for treatment and rehabilitation. Providers also make the treatment and rehabilitation accessible in all area around the state of Illinois. Individual providers should undergo training in DASA to become competent in the workforce. DASA also have standard training program for providers to increase their knowledge and skills. The people addicted to drugs and alcohol may experience discrimination and isolation to the community. The state government encourages respect for their rights as a person who is just in need of understanding and support. These government efforts reflected on their different services. The agency aims to treat the person addicted to alcohol or drugs not to separate or punish them from the deeds that they had. The program plan provided a system responsive to the needs of its recipients and prioritizes the elimination of the gaps between the needs and available resources. Resources must be well allocated to enhance services and secure its future use. The agency use 5 year program plan from 2003-2007 to comply with the National Treatment Plan of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). They developed the plan entitled the Bridging the Illinois Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment Gap for Alcoholism and Other Drug Addiction Services Plan. The department formed different work groups supported by different members of the Subcommittee such as the Reducing Stigma and Changing Attitudes, Reducing the Gap in Services, Workforce Development, Connecting Services and Research, Accountability. Work groups are intended to evaluate and address issues in their particular area that will be used to improve objectives and goals for the program. Work groups are not just intended to evaluate the outcome of the existing plan but to develop the next implementation plan of the department. The state government wanted inform the people on the availability of different programs and seeks public understanding. Informing the people about their situation is the best preventive measure; the program used questionnaires and tools for evaluation and implementation of the plan. There is an appendix attached contained questionnaires for identifying if one person is light, moderate or heavy drinkers. These tools help the people to assess themselves in terms of the usage of alcohol and realize how much money they wasted for alcohols. The plan also introduced â€Å"Spending Calculators† for the individual to realize how much money they spend for alcohol use. â€Å"Create active linkages with a variety of agencies, organizations, communities and consumers around Illinois to focus on relevant knowledge development† (Illinois Substance Abuse Plan, 2003, p. ). These evaluation tools are definitely used by the agency for research purposes. Research will tell the agency if the services are still effective and efficient. If not they take developmental plans to improve services. Research will tell the agency how many people affected or addicted with alcohol or any substance. Whatever causes of alcohol or substance addiction may lead to family problems, ga ngs, lack of education and many alarming issues concerning the development of one person. It is a crucial situation to any parents if their child is positive to alcohol and drug addiction. If one of these appeared then the agency must strengthen their program on that particular aspect because all of these aspects influence the behaviour and character of the individual and it is interconnected to one another. It is also important for the agency to know what are the needs of the people addicted to alcohol and substance because the program for treatment and rehabilitation will depend on the needs of its recipients. The present findings will determine if the program plan is effective or not. If it is not then the agency will use the research findings and outcomes to develop the next program plan not only for the alcohol and drug abuse program but as well as on the other programs. Outcome evaluations is very important because the agency wanted not only to produce program plan but this will guide them in providing good and appropriate services for the people. Technology nowadays is present in our society and it is rapidly advancing. Technology became part of every person’s lives; it became our necessity and way of life. People become dependent on technology because this will not waste their time, effort and money. Almost all people have mobile phones, computers at home with internet access. This technological advantage will greatly help the agency in implementing their program. This is the easiest, fastest and non-expensive way to inform the people of the different services and most importantly to get evaluation outcomes needed for development. I must say that the agency uses the easiest, fastest and less expensive means to get evaluation outcomes. This is more comfortable for the agency because they will no longer have to do the door to door method and also for the respondents not to become disturb and if necessary they will participate anytime they want to. But this would become useless if the agency will just post evaluation tools in their website. They must find other way where to post these tools. Like for example posting it on different popular websites visited by a lot of people. Or they may even simultaneously require people to answer their evaluation tools right after they voted during state elections. The agency would enable many internet users to visit the website if it is accessible and user-friendly. Design or make the webpage more accessible to any kind of people whether adults, youth, children or even to those people that has physical disabilities. Create a good navigation in designing websites because this will surely become more usable and accessible. Technologies are essential in today’s society but we must still monitor the accuracy and efficiency of it. Maintaining the website is not that expensive if the agency has an in-charge group in doing maintenance. Research would become accurate if the tools used are efficient so it doesn’t matter how advance it was the most important is that the evaluation tools will answer the program objectives.

Stigmatization A Mental Health Clinical Case Analysis Nursing Essay

Stigmatization A Mental Health Clinical Case Analysis Nursing Essay During my mental health clinical rotation at Karwan-e-hayat, I encountered a 45 year old female patient with the diagnosis of Obsessive compulsive disorder and depression in her rehabilitative phase. She gave Rs 50/- to the nursing assistant to bring nimco for her which costed Rs 25/-. The nursing assistant returned with the nimco but did not returned the rest Rs 25/- to the patient by saying that no money was left. When the patient reported the incident to the nurse, the nurse did not pay any attention to the patient. In the beginning the nurse said that she dont have time to talk about it followed by the statements such as Unlike you, I have too much work to do and then when the patient went to another nurse, she ignored the patient also by saying that The nursing assistant would not have been lying. Patients like you come and go from here every day saying these kinds of things. Go and do your work. The patient went away quietly looking down. Later she verbalized Nobody takes us se riously as we are mentally ill patients. So we cant do anything. Furthermore she said Does being mentally ill means we are not humans? Stigma is a Greek word meaning mark, and is derived from the verb stizein to tattoo, to prick, to puncture. Stigma is usually a mark of disgrace or infamy, which leads to action: discrimination against the stigmatised person (Arboleda-Fl ´orez Sartorius, 2008, P.69). stigma occurs when leading social group diminishes the qualities of a less influential group. Stigma in health care is a very common entity for many groups of the community. One of which is psychiatric patients. People identified as having mental health problems are one of the most marginalised groups in society (Martin, 2009, p.6) The above mentioned case is an example of such cases whereby a mentally ill patient was stigmatized in the hospital settings by the health care professional. Many patients and surveys have highlighted this sheer reality that health care professionals themselves display stigmatizing behaviors and practices (Hinshaw, 2007). Moreover, they depict dehumanizing behavior and lowered expectation towards mentally ill. In this case scenario, the health care professional directly passed on stigmatizing comments to the client. According to Hinshaw, (2007), the health care providers sometimes use frequent comments which are hurtful jokes for the clients. They often use judgmental terms for the patients with one another in the presence of the patient, as though the patients were not even present there. This behavior from the side of the health care provider makes the patient doubt their own self, leading towards self-stigmatization (Hinshaw, 2007). This self-stigmatization in turn makes the patie nts doubt their own self-esteem, lowering their own self-image (Hinshaw, 2007; Link, Struening, Todd, Asmussen, Phelan, 2001). One of the accounts presented by Hinshaw in 2007 clearly states that a kid has internalized the belief that his grandmother punishes him because of his misbehavior as a child and self-blaming himself for the adult psychiatric episodes which he was having. In this way, public stigma makes the patients think that there is something wrong with them and they dont deserve to exist in this world. Many mentally ill people want to get settled in the society but are unable to do so because the world stigmatizes them, the health care professionals stigmatize them and then they doubt their own credibility ending up in self-stigmatizing their own selves. According to former U.S. surgeon David satchers report on mental illness of 1999, he clearly concluded that stigma leads to low self-esteem, isolation, and hopelessnessà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦, it deprives people of their digni ty and interferes with their full participation in society. (Satcher, 1999) That clearly highlights the effected abilities of the individual on the grounds of mental illness. According to the writer, self-stigma is inevitable. This highlighted effect of self-stigma is clearly evident in the case scenario presented above by the action of the patient herself, which she has looked down and moved away. This lowered self-esteem in turn brings out hopelessness in the clients (Link, Struening, Todd, Asmussen, Phelan, 2001). Like the client in the given case scenario says that nobody takes us seriously. We cant do anything. That clearly identifies the notion of hopelessness that the patient has no hopes from life and has accepted clear defeat because of the stigma associated with mental illness. The next question is how does stigma affects the rehabilitation of the mentally ill patients. How does it affect the coping skills of the mentally ill patients? What are the coping mechanisms of the mentally ill patients which they use in stigma? What are the coping mechanisms of the patients with neurosis who are well aware of the reality and understand this notion of stigma, as opposed to the psychosis patients. According to literature, many a times, the stigma posed is due to many of the bizarre symptoms caused by psychosis and the patients with neuroses also have to take it as they all fall under the category of mental illness for the laymen regardless of psychosis and neurosis (Hinshaw, 2007). According to the ethical principle E of the American psychiatric association, the patients have the right of dignity and respect regardless of any differences; that implies to both psychosis and neurosis (Lowman, 2005). The psychotic patient as mentioned earlier is away from the reality co ntent but they surely understand that they are being treated wrongly. (Levine Levine, 2009) They are not able to think rationally but surely they are human beings and are witnessing what is going on with them. Many a times we witness that they cry over small things which are going wrong with them. They are witnessing the behavior of the health care provider but are unable to interrelate it to their past experience. Regardless of the psychosis, it is wrong to treat them any bad so how bad can it be for the neurosis client whose reality content is intact and who can rationalize everything that is going on with them and who can interrelate these aspects with their past and then can feel the shame (Hinshaw, 2007). The patient in the above mentioned case scenario would be forced to think if something is wrong with her resulting in feelings of shame and guilt. This guilt in turn takes the patient in the situation of self-stigmatization which leads on to hopelessness which clearly affects the coping mechanism of the individual since if the person would be hopeless towards his illness, the reconstitution would be delayed (Hinshaw, 2007). Stigmatization affects the personal response of the patient which is a vital part of process of coping. The personal responses are individualized and can change over time. Many a times, the strategy which patients use to avoid stigma and to preserve their self-esteem is secrecy, which preserves their self-esteem but isolates the individual from social support (Satcher, 1999; Hinshaw, 2007). stigma has an important part in determining public health consequences by revealing stigmatized individuals to health-harmful conditions, by aggregating stress, declining coping, and by putting a barrior to receiving health care (Link Phelan, 2006). According to Corrigan and Watson (2002) as cited in hinsaw, 2007 there are many new reasons emerging to justify the reason for some individuals to respond with anger whereas some to nerely ignore the stigma and move on with their lives whilst some internalize the negative message while hurting their self-image. If stigma-related threat is believed to be of greater magnitude than ones coping responses, several types of voluntary and involuntary reactions can come about, like lowered self-esteem, reduced achievement, and compromised physical health. (Hinshaw, 2007) Several questions arise Looking upon the behavior of the health care professional such as is the attitude of the nurse justifiable? Would she have had the same stigmatized responsein the case of another pfysically ill patient? If she would have then she is not following the ethical principle E of the American psychological association of respect of peoples right and dignity. This principle clearly states that the regardless of the awareness of the disability, the health care provider has to maintain the respect of the patient. For the violation of this ethical principle, who is responsible? The nurse or the society to see all the mentally ill patients on a single wavelength and stigmatize them. Who is accountable for it? The nurse or the hospital settings or either the society to be accountable for such stigmatization? Would the same behavior have happened in the western settings? If the patient would have sued the in the court, whose statements would be more valued and listened to t he nurses or the mentally ill clients who is savaged and stigmatized in the community by the names of irrational and unthinkable. Many accounts of the depressed patients state the fact that they are not been taken seriously while giving some statements because of the stigma associated whereas if some other person of pathological chronic condition gives the same statement, it is taken seriously (Shaw, 1998). In the settings of the above mentioned case scenario, would anyone have had listened to her that her rights are being violated or would this all be given the name of mental illness and let go of? One more side of stigmatization comes when we tease normal people by the names of the stigmatized people to embarrass them. In everyday life, language patterns indicates an anxiety with mental disorder across all age groups with a host of terms related to mental illness used to scapegoat and humiliate those who violate social norms. They are associated with mentally ill and words like psycho and wacho are used to compare people who go against social norms in the western community (Hinshaw, 2007). Whereas, no literature is to be found for the usage of such words due to the lack of researches in this field. Usage of variants of such terms at young ages signals the pervasiveness of the criticism of persons with mental disorders. Indeed, judgmental tags of retard or crazy are among the first terms used by children who havent even started their schoolings yet to relegate socially rejected friends in the west. (Hinshaw, 2007) Media also plays important role in stigmatizing the mentally ill . Media differs in east and west which directly effects pattern of stigmatizing. People with psychotic-level disorders, as well as milder disturbances, were portrayed as ignorant, dangerous, dirty, unkind, and unpredictable. (Hinshaw, 2007, p.118) The model which could best be incorporated in this is Link and Phelans model of stigma. In this model stigma is processed by many different components. First one is on distinguishing and labeling differences(Link Phelan, 2001). Most of the differences are usually ignored but sometimes they are not overlooked at and thus labeled. In my clinical case scenario, the patient was labeled as mentally ill having no work to do. The second component is on associating human differences with negative attributes(Link Phelan, 2001). This occurs when the labeled differences are linked to stereotypes and so my patients mental illness was stereotyped as workless people. The third component is of on separating us from them which brings the notion of stigmatization(Link Phelan, 2001). In the above mentioned case scenario also, the patient was referred to as out group as evidenced by the statement patients like you come and go each day but we have work to do, clearly defining the notion of us versus them. The last component is status loss and discrimination(Link Phelan, 2001). In the status loss, patient is connected to undesirable characteristics that reduce his or her status in the eyes of the stigmatizer. In this case, the undesirable characteristic was that mentally ill patients are laid off and redundant where as we are working people so we are higher than them and in this way stigmatized people are put down at the bottom of the hierarchy. Keeping in view the principles of American psychiatric association, the strategies which I would like to pose in this context is the nurse should look in the matter and confirmed the case with the nursing assistant as well as to the shop from which the nursing assistant got the nimco from. Moreover, nursing assistants should be taught all the rights of the patients so that being a health care provider; they would follow all the ethical principles. On an institutional level, a system should be made in which patients can have some responsible person to take care of these things instead of asking anyone they can get their hands on to. To conclude, not much research has been done on this issue of mental health and proper awareness does not exist in this society. More researches needs to be done to address this issue as stigma in mental health persists all around the world. Strategies needed to be thought about to remove this factor of stigma. More education sessions about this needs to be done on the clinical side to make the nurses and other health care providers aware of what the rights of the patients are and a check and balance system should be there to acknowledge either those rights have been followed and fulfilled or not. (word count: 2201 words) References Arboleda-Fl ´orez, J., Sartorius, N. (Eds.). (2008). Understanding the Stigma of Mental Illness: Theory and Interventions. New Delhi, India: Aptara. Hinshaw, S. P. (2007). The Mark of Shame. New York, USA: Oxford University Press. Husted, J. H., Husted, L. G. (2008). Ethical Decision Making in Nursing and Health Care (4th ed.). New York, USA: springer publishing company. Link, B. G., Struening, E. L., Todd, S. N., Asmussen, S., Phelan, J. C. (2001). Stigma as a barrier to recovery-The consequences of Stigma for the self-esteem of people with mental illnesses. Psychiatric Services, 52(12), 1621-1626. Link, B. G., Phelan, J. C. (2006). Stigma and its public health implications. Lancet, 367, 528-529 Link, B. G., Phelan, J. C. (2001). Conceptualizing Stigma. Annual Reviews, 27, 363-85. Levine, J., Levine, L.S. (2009). Schizophrenia for dummies. Canada: Wiley Publisher. Lowman, R. L. (2005). Respect for Peoples Rights and Dignity. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment Trauma, 11(1), 71 77. Martin, N. (2009). From Discrimination to Social Inclusion. Australia: Queensland Alliance. Shaw, F. (1998). Mistaken identity. Lancet, 352, 1051. Satcher, D. (1999). Mental Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Washington, DC: Department of health and human services.

The High Price of Love in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet Essay

In one of Shakespeare’s most masterful pieces, he depicts a tragic love story in which love conquers all†¦but at what cost? The truth is in this play, love is the victor, but with horrible consequences. Love lives on, love survives, but only at the loss of life. Not only in this play, but in many other Shakespearean works, the constant theme stands that any kind of marriage or deep emotional bond which is solely based on love ends tragically. Othello’s passionate love for Desdemona is the same passion that causes him to end her life. Antony, under the suspicion that Cleopatra has died, tries to commit suicide to only find out soon after that she is alive and in hiding, but all in vain for the fatal wound has already pricked it’s victim. Shakespeare constantly relates love with tragedy, stating that love is in fact fleeting and impermanent. The only way for love to live forever is if it dies young. Initially, there is an underlying struggle of duty verses love. Both families of the â€Å"star-crossed lovers†, especially the Capulets, focus on a successful marriage having an emphasis on d...

Abortion Essay -- essays research papers fc

Abortion The right to have an abortion is a woman’s right not to have a conceived child. According to Compton’s Encyclopedia, an abortion is the loss of a fetus before it is able to live outside the womb (1). Induced abortion is regarded as a moral issue in some cultures, but to others it is seen as an acceptable way to end an unplanned pregnancy. In the Supreme Court case of Roe vs. Wade (1973) women of the United States â€Å"have been granted the right to have abortions† (Sutton, 1). Many people, such as myself, believe that it is a woman’s right to have an abortion, and no man, organization, or any form of government should take that right away from her. However, many people choose to argue that the choice of abortion should not be granted to women. Many anti-abortionists believe that women do not bother with contraception because abortion is available. One source reveals that Americans have a high level of contraceptive use. In 1995, 58 percent of the women who had abortions used a contraceptive method during the month they became pregnant (Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2). Since no contraceptive is perfectly reliable, abortion is usually the last decision a woman will come to. Abortion is not seen by women who elect it as a preferred, or desired, form of contraception (Planned Parenthood, 4). Another anti-choice argument from the Westchester Coalition for Legal Abortions is that since the majority rules in a democracy; there should be a national referendum on abortion so tha...

United Colors of Benetton

I  Executive Summary The United Colors of Benetton: a company of colors and controversies. Offering the world an insight to fashion, as well as, human equality and world issues, Benetton gives us stylish clothing and innovative promotion. While trying to capture an audience favoring Italian character in style and design, the company additionally desires to present the world with contentious campaigns to awaken thoughts and debates. These controversies are jeopardizing Benetton’s position in the industry, and its reputation of being trendily unique and committing to world harmony.II. Introduction The United Colors of Benetton (Benetton), an Italian based company, is primarily focusing its business on clothing and controversial advertising. Presented all over the world, the company is available to young and old in combined colors and stylish fashion. In the following pages a complete internal and external analysis of the company will be explained, as well as, a description of the company’s overall standing. The alternatives as seen are described to include the advantages and drawbacks of each alternative.Conclusively, a recommendation based upon all of the findings outlined is prescribed. III. External Analysis A. Customer Analysis Benetton sells women’s and men’s apparel, accessories, shoes and fragrances to clients that are mostly fashion-oriented women and men between the ages of twenty to thirty- five. Color’s is published in three editions and four languages, with a website that is both popular and praised by critics. The magazine is bi – monthly and reaches young people all over the world.Benetton is an interesting trans – national corporation that truly has a social conscience and tries to employ models who look like the human race–even featuring gay models who are HIV positive. B. Competitor Analysis The clothing industry is a very broad industry selling products ranging from pants and shirts to ac cessories. It is affected by the la test trends in design, models, colors and styles, and also by consumer preference. There are several similar companies selling comparable products, so competition is incredibly fierce. Benetton does not outsource any of its procedures, but is in charge of design, production and distribution.It is therefore difficult to compare the company with other organizations in the same industry since competitors can be smaller and concentrate on only one aspect of the commercial chain. Consequently, Benetton’s competitors were selected by viewing the  www. hoovers. com  web site. According to the organizations available here offering approximately the same products as Benetton the main competitors are Industria de Diseno Textil (Inditex), GAP and Hennes and Mauritz (H&M). It is assumed that these three organizations are Benetton’s closest competitors due to the fact that they target the same consumer segment.According to the CBS Market Watc h the competitors are not all present in exactly the same industry due to the fact that Benetton and Inditex actually produce clothing and fabrics, design and retail fashion products, while GAP only retails, and H&M retails and designs its goods. It is assumed that the exact industry is irrelevant because all companies still aim for the same target market and therefore compose a threat to Benetton. Furthermore, all four organizations originated from four different countries, but this is also looked at as unimportant because they are a global company with global customers. . Inditex Inditex is the closest competitor to Benetton because it is present on the stock market and it also designs and retails its fashion. It is a global company with more than 1,300 shops in almost 40 countries. It is most popular in Europe, just like Benetton, perhaps due to its origin: Spain. Inditex introduces new products by answering to popular trends presented by customers. The company has a larger marke t share than Benetton in the clothing and textile industry with sixty-eight percent compared to Benetton’s twelve percent (CBS Market Watch).This could be as a result of Inditex’s six banners compared to Benetton’s five, and also because of the fact that Benetton has been having several difficulties selling its products after its highly noticeable marketing campaigns were banned in several countries. Furthermore, Inditex is mentioned as number three hundred and ninety on the FT Global 500; the world’s largest companies list, while Benetton is not on this list (Financial Times). 2. GAP GAP is an American-based company with almost 4,250 stores worldwide. GAP only retails its products, but the company is a strong competitor toBenetton. GAP sells basic, causal styles for men, women and children. The company has three chains and all clothes are privatelabeled merchandise made specifically for GAP. GAP is on the Fortune 500 as number one hundred and thirty, and also on the FT Global 500 as number three hundred and forty-eight (Hoovers). 3. H&M H&M is a fashion company from Sweden. It has about 844 stores in 14 countries and is in the midst of developing further. H&M designs its clothes by using 90 different designers who create collections for women, men, teenagers and children.H&M’s intention is to uphold a high fashion content which is up-to-date within design concepts and at the forefront of the latest international trends (hm. com). The organization also sells underwear, sportswear, accessories and cosmetics. The competitive structure of the clothing industry can be explained as very assorted and complicated to plot. Organizations do not segment by age as much as by lifestyle or theme; for example, designer accessories, formal wear and casual wear. There are several channels of distribution available, such as catalogue retailing, department stores and outlets, as well as the typical brand store.The industry can be viewed as fai rly fragmented and there is a large amount of different chains available on the market. The industry is therefore highly competitive. Barriers to entry are low, and chains can expand quickly and grow large in size and popularity. Present companies have to struggle with new competition often and intensely. Companies are very dependent on customer preference and reputation can fluctuate distinctly due to modifications in, for example, fashion and image (Institute for Retail Studies). C. Market AnalysisToday, the Benetton Group is present in 120 countries around the world. Its core business is clothing: a group with a strong Italian character whose fashion, design proficiency and enthusiasm are clearly seen in the United Colors of Benetton and the more style-orientated Sisley brands; in The Hip Site, the brand for teenagers; and in the sportswear brands, Playlife and Killer Loop. Benetton’s sports goods brand, Prince (tennis racquets, footwear & apparel), has a 30 percent global market share, and Rollerblade In-line skates also has a 30 ercent global market share. Additionally, NordicaSkis (ski boots & mountain wear) has a 28 percent global market share. Ektelon Racquetball is the market leader. The Group produces over 100 million garments every year over 90 percent of those are in Europe. Its retail network of 5000 stores around the globe is progressively more focused on large floor-space points of sale presenting high-quality customer services and additionally generating a total turnover of two billion euros net, of retail sales.Benetton has experienced tremendous growth and above-average profitability over the years, and what makes it especially striking is the fact that it has been achieved in mature industry apparel in an apparently hostile environment – labor-expensive and unionized northern Italy. Benetton’s financial reports from 1996 to 2002 show growth and increasing revenue except in 2002; total sales in 2002 amounted to approximat ely 2. 0 billion euro, down from 2. 1 billion in 2001. The main reason for this loss is that the program for the disposal of the sports equipment business resulted in the steep decrease in turnover in the sports sectors.It hurt the Group’s overall performance. Moreover, Benetton’s communication campaigns played an important role in establishing its brand identity. On the other hand, they alienated the target market and Benetton retailers. For example, in Germany, Benetton’s second-largest market, partly because of the controversial print- media campaign, awareness of Benetton had significantly increased relative to other clothing brands, in part due to the controversial print- media campaign; however, measures of likeability relative to competing brands decreased.Also in 1995, several of the 600 German retailers that used to carry the Benetton line banded together in a boycott. Thus, the Group attributed much of its 1994 sales drop to the campaign. Additionally, the company partnered with Sears for a more affordable line of Benetton USA, then lost the contract when Benetton planned to release an ad campaign with death-row inmates. Thus, Benetton lost its place in the U. S. market, as the company became better known for its infamous P. R. than its clothes.The understated image of the Gap replaced the aggressive social advertising of Benetton in clothing campaigns as the 90’s came to a close, but Benetton is Europe’s largest clothing manufacturer and the worlds largest consumer of wool in the garment sector. As a result, the market share in the United States has gradually decreased, even in the European area. In contrast, the Benetton’s market share in Asia area has been increasing, for example in, Japan, Korea, and China due to being the Group’s core targets. In 2000, the revenues by geographical area showed European (74. %), the Amercias (12. 3%), and Rest of the world (13. 4%). However, Benetton’s 2002 r evenues by geographical area sho wed a different trend as European (68. 9%), the Americas (9. 6%), Asia (8. 9%), and other (12. 6%). D. Technology Analysis Using communication and information technologies is a very effective strategy for Benetton. The company is referred to as quick response, in which manufacturing, warehousing, sales and retailers are linked together. In this strategy, a Benetton retailer reorders a product through a direct link with Benetton’s mainframe computer in Italy.Due to the strategy, the company is capable of shipping a new order in only four weeks, and that is several weeks faster than most of its competitors. Furthermore, the company is using integrated information systems; therefore, the company checks daily sales data from its own boutiques, which is integra ted with CAD and CIM. Also, global EDI network links agents with production and inventory information. The EDI is ordering transmission to headquarters, and it links with air carriers, as we ll.Recently, Benetton planned to weave radio frequency ID (â€Å"RFID†) chips into its garments to track its clothes worldwide. The chips would help the Italian clothing manufacturer cut costs by eliminating the need for workers to take inventory by manually scanning individual items of clothing. It would also protect the garments against theft. However, the RFID chips could pose significant risks to customers privacy because they would allow anyone with an RFID receiver to locate customers wearing Benetton clothes, including companies that want to sell them their products.Therefore, consumers would be bombarded with intrusive advertising because a history of customers’ purchases and their identities would be linked with the tag even after they leave the store. It would weave the technology into the collar tags of clothes that cost at least 15 dollars to keep track of them as they ship. The RFID technology offers Benetton a number of advantages, not the least of which is its ease of use. Unlike a bar-code scanner, which must be held directly in front of the item being scanned, mployees with RFID receivers or shelves with the technology can scan entire boxes of items from up to five feet away. The technology would thus require fewer people to scan clothing items for inventory purposes. RFID technology also provides business managers easily with store detailed information about customers buying habits that could spur further sales. The tagging system may also save the company money by reducing theft, because the RFID tags can be programmed to set off an alarm if someone leaves a store without paying for an item.Similarly, the technology would make it harder for merchants to sell stolen or bootlegged versions of clothing in flea markets and other venues; a retailer who spots an item that she suspects is either stolen or illegally manufactured could check its origin using the tagging system. It may also help customers find the clothes they want in th e store and even make it easier for them to return items without a receipt because the store would have recorded the RFID tag. E. Socio-Cultural Analysis From a socio-cultural perspective, fashion is a cultural and societal issue that varies from culture to culture and from country to country.It also varies within a specific culture with time. A company like Benetton must monitor trends for new opportunities or threats because as the fashion trends change, so does the customer base, and the ethnic/multicultural consumer is the fastest growing segment. Clothing, however, is a visual representation, which fulfills the de sire of each individual who wants to be noticed in a society in a particular way. Because of this, the apparel industry will never falter or suffer abrupt changes, but will adapt and change due to various conditions.Linked to this phenomenon is the aspiration of different types of individuals with different desires to either have the newest or most significant types o f apparel, particularly in the industrialized nations. This requires participants in the industry to offer the newest styles of clothing in order to retain market share. Despite this overall socio-cultural trend, there is some indication that majority of consumers are not purchasing as rapidly as they have in the past due to the fact that the economy is recovering.Markets for lower-end brands continue to exist, however, in developing nations where individuals cannot afford the cost of newer styles. As a result, the fashion industry is an industry where the socio -cultural environment is of prime importance. The firms in this industry above all, must bring out new designs and keep†¦ —————————————————————————————————————†”—————Top of Form Bottom of Form