McDonald's Corp as a Best Corporate Citizen of 2010 Research Paper

McDonald's Corp as a Best Corporate Citizen of 2010 - Research Paper Example The idea is to ascertain the strategies of the company that allowed it to earn this status and to write about its socially responsible business activities. The paper will outline how McDonald’s activities improved its sustainability in contributing towards making the world a better place. A discussion will be made of the company’s specific business values that motivate its activities relative to accountability, transparency, and employee engagement for improving sustainability.  The paper will also focus on what further innovations the company might make to continue to improve sustainability. McDonald’s Corporate Social Responsibility For the last several years, McDonald’s Corporation has been setting examples of corporate social responsibility (CSR), which primarily includes the creation of a sustainable supply chain system and engagement in community based developmental projects. CSR basically relates to a company’s behavior whereby it behaves i n a social and responsible manner and deals with other businesses that adopt the same policies. With the increase of public awareness, recent years have seen increasing demand for socially responsible businesses, which is why contemporary companies give importance to CSR while making plans for socially responsible business processes. It cannot be doubted that McDonald’s Corporation has excelled in the implementation CSR practices in most of its functions across its offices throughout the world (McDonald's, 2011). In being the world’s biggest chain of fast food restaurants, McDonald’s considers that CSR is about taking concrete action, accomplishing results and sustaining openness in communicating with consumers and other major stake holders. The company closely collaborates with its suppliers in promoting socially responsible systems within the supply chain in keeping with its supply chain policy and complying with its larger strategy based Framework for Corpora te Social Responsibility. McDonald’s has clearly stated on its CSR website that it abides by its code of conduct prescribed for suppliers, which explains how the company requires its suppliers to deal with their workers. In keeping with its supply chain strategy, McDonald’s will carry forward its policy of social accountability across all its supply chains. It has already been successful in improving conditions of farm workers in several locations who in turn promote positive environmental systems in land based agriculture supply chains, thus creating sustainability in agricultural activities. For instance, by inroducing industry leading growing standards for tomato farmers in Florida, McDonald’s made improvements in the working environment of tomato growing establishments and transformed them into sustainable businesses. Community Involvement through Community Based Projects One of the approaches to engage in CSR is by adopting community based developmental pro jects. Community driven and community based developmental projects are considered important forms of providing development support by international socially responsible organizations. Economic relationships in this regard mean the adoption of strategies involving the larger community in the main business activities of the organization. This allows communities to become effectively involved in corporate supply chain stra

Digital Evidence and Search and Seizure Essay Example for Free

Digital Evidence and Search and Seizure Essay Gallant Computer Investigative Services, LLC1, provides computer forensic, electronic discovery, and incident response supports, as well as computer forensics training to law enforcement, IT professionals, and the legal community. Gallant Computer Investigative Services was founded by David Gallant, who has over 24 years of investigative experience, especially when he was serving as a federal agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI). He contributed to the initial investigative activity for one of the most successful computer hacker investigations in history. Following his retirement in 2001, he entered the corporate security world. Services Offered * Computer Forensics – GCIS provides systematic analysis of computer media using court and industry accepted software and techniques. They are mainly focused on criminal defense cases, theft of intellectual property, family law (divorce cases), probate cases (search for assets), violation of non-competition clauses, unauthorized use of corporate networks, and decryption of files. * Cell Phone Forensics – GCIS provides systematic analysis of cell phones and other portable devices. GCIS can forensically extract call history, SMS, images, internet browsing history, file system, phonebook, calendar, and stored media. * On-site Forensics – GCIS is able to bring or ship a complete forensic network to customer’s location. Services include forensic imaging of computers and cell phones, and forensic procession using Forensic Toolkit’s distributed processing network feature. GCIS owns recreational vehicle which can operate in remote regions where office space and lodging is non-existent. * Electronic Discovery, trainings, and other services. DataChasers About DataChasers2 is a small company and its team includes eight professionals who have specialized skills outside the normal realm of computer forensics and hold multiple certifications specific to computer forensics. Company was established in 1999 and operates mainly in California, however, they have cases in many areas of the south-western U.S. Computer forensics and e-discovery is their only business. DataChasers was founded by Rick Albee, who has been awarded for â€Å"Demonstrated Leadership and Achievement In the Field of Forensic Computer Evidence† in Who’s Who of America Small Business. Moreover, DataChasers was noted in a theft of intellectual properties case in the Forbes magazine. Services Offered * Computer Forensics – DataChasers provides recovering deleted files, e-mail recovery, tracing internet activity, surfing history, download history, and manipulation of data. DataChasers is also able to help in intellectual property cases, family law, employment law, probate resolution, asset verification, and criminal law as prosecution or defense. They are able to assist in court case by litigation support, trial preparation, experienced expert witnesses, and professional courtroom displays. * Cellular Forensics * E-discovery – DataChasers provides Electronically Stored Information (ESI) retrieval and production, turning paper hard-copy into searchable ESI format, consulting on data management, litigation support and trial preparation. * Expert Witness Testimony – DataChasers has the distinction of having served as Special Master to Federal Court, as well as being the expert in numerous Superior and Municipal courts. All DataChasers examiners have extensive litigation experience. Computer Forensic Services, Inc. About Computer Forensic Services, Inc.3 provides electronic discovery, forensic analysis, litigation support, and advisory and consultation services. Their expert forensic examiners include federally trained analysts who specialize in computer evidence and have many years of professional experience in both law enforcement and information technology. CFS’s CEO and Chief Technology Officer Mark Lanterman has over 11 years of law enforcement experience as a police investigator and is recognized as an expert witness. He received recognition in 2003 from Director of the U.S. Secret Service for his contributions to law enforcement. Services Offered * Electronic Discovery – CFS’s process of electronic discovery involves complex data manipulation and reduction utilizing sophisticated software tools and techniques. CFS has years of experience investigation complex cases and its process includes steps as data collection, data sifting, and presenting deliverables in a form that can be used by legal counsel. * Computer Forensics – This service consists of Forensic Imaging and Data Analysis Recovery. * Information Security – CFS provides a strategic, comprehensive security solution on current best-practices and on established security standards and regulations. These security services include discovery of current level of security, development of business-appropriate security environment, and monitoring security anomalies that could require reconfiguration or investigation. * Litigation Support * CLE Training – CLS provides CLE lectures for attorneys and staff. * Law Enforcement Support Conclusion I tried to list offered services of all three companies and find out whether there are some significant differences, but based on their webpages all companies provide almost the same services. Project 1-2 As I come from the Czech Republic, our jurisdiction is based on civil law system which is greatly different from common law system followed by the USA. Based on the article â€Å"Common Law vs. Civil Law†4, I list features of both these systems. Features of a common law system (USA) include * There is not always a written constitution or codified laws; * Judicial decisions are binding – decisions of the highest court can generally only be overturned by that same court or through legislation; * Extensive freedom of contract few provisions are implied into the contract by law (although provisions seeking to protect private consumers may be implied); * Generally, everything is permitted that is not expressly prohibited by law. Features of a civil law system (Czech Republic) include * There is generally a written constitution based on specific codes (e.g., civil code, codes covering corporate law, administrative law, tax law and constitutional law) enshrining basic rights and duties; administrative law is however usually less codified and administrative court judges tend to behave more like common law judges; * Only legislative enactments are considered binding for all. There is little scope for judge-made law in civil, criminal and commercial courts, although in practice judges tend to follow previous judicial decisions; constitutional and administrative courts can nullify laws and regulations and their decisions in such cases are binding for all. * Courts specific to the underlying codes – there are therefore usually separate constitutional court, administrative court and civil court systems that opine on consistency of legislation and administrative acts with and interpret that specific code; * Less freedom of contract many provisions are implied into the contract by law and parties cannot contract out of certain provisions. In Czech law system there is generally a written constitution based on specific codes and precedent principle is not established. Based on paper â€Å"The Criminal Justice System in the Czech Republic†5, Criminal law in the Czech Republic is for the most part codified in one act called Criminal Code which is being continuously updated. Current version (only in Czech) is accessible from this address: http://portal.gov.cz/app/zakony/zakonPar.jsp?page=0idBiblio=68040fulltext=nr=40~2F2009part=name=rpp=15#local-content. Project 1-3 To be a successful computer forensics investigator, I have to be familiar with more than one computing platform. However, no one can be expert in every aspect, it’s important to develop my own network of professionals. I would begin by looking for groups of professional investigators in my surrounding for example Computer Technology Investigators Network (CTIN) and Technology Crime Investigation Association (HTCIA). I would start attending theirs meetings and try to become a member. Then if you are a member of one of these user groups, you get more credibility and can start share your experience, offer your skills, and try to maintain contacts by other professionals through e-mail. I think the best way how to find whether they are legitimate, is to discuss their experience and get recommendation for them from another people. References 1. Gallant Computer Investigative Services, LLC (GCIS). Available at: http://www.whatsonthecomputer.com. Accessed August 30, 2012. 2. DataChasers INC. Available at: http://www.datachaserscomputerforensics.com. Accessed August 31, 2012. 3. Computer Forensic Services, Inc. Available at: http://www.compforensics.com. Accessed August 31, 2012. 4. Key Features of Common Law or Civil Law Systems. PPP in Infrastructure Resource Center for Contracts, Laws and Regulation. Available at: http://ppp.worldbank.org/public-private-partnership/legislation-regulation/framework-assessment/legal-systems/common-vs-civil-law. Accessed September 1, 2012. 5. The Criminal Justice System in the Czech Republic. Available at: http://www.ok.cz/iksp/en/docs/s279.pdf. Accessed September 1, 2012. 6. Nelson B, Amelia P, Enfinger F, et al. Guide to Computer Forensics and Investigations. 3rd Edition, Thomson Course Technology; 2008:8-9.

Progressivism Essay examples -- Progressivism American History Essays

Progressivism The Progressive Movement in the late nineteenth century, early twentieth century presented quite a situation for historians to conquer. At the turn of the twentieth century political questioning was the norm. Practically every historian that writes about this time period has a different opinion of what made up â€Å"Progressive Movement,† some even going so far to beg the question if it was actually a movement or if it was more of an â€Å"era.† The two are interchanged so often that they have in many ways come to mean the same thing although according to some they are distinctly different. The four works, Richard Hofstadter's The Age of Reform, Peter Filene's "An Obituary for the Progressive Movement," Richard McCormick's "The Discovery that Business Corrupts Politics," Paula Baker's "The Domestication of Politics" all discuss the Progressive â€Å"time period† in varying degrees of depth. The four historians all wrote after the 1950’s when the age in question was clearly over. Richard Hofstadter’s book discussed all facets of the age from the mid to late 1800’s to the early and middle 1900’s he touches on the politics, the economics and the social and societal conditions of the age. The Age of Reform, specifically, covers the time period from the 1870’s to the 1940’s. He includes populism, progressivism and the New Deal as main topics in his book and it is mainly biographical in nature. He discusses which groups attempted certain reforms and the part of the era it occurred during. He attempts to explain why they attempted when they did and the political atmosphere. He even notes the geographic locations of specific â€Å"pushes† in some cases. Hofstadter, like most historians agrees that reform is the defining feature of th... ...gument that there was no actual â€Å"movement.† Anyone with a political affiliation or any interest in politics at the time championed one of the ideas of the progressives. The progressives were the people seeking reforms in all agencies and aspects of life. With the changing time and with the wavering leaders and growing uncertainty of the party politics everyone was attempting to change what they could. The time period between the mid nineteenth century and the mid twentieth century did not house the progressive movement, it was the progressive era. Sources: Richard Hofstadter's The Age of Reform Peter Filene's "An Obituary for the Progressive Movement" (Article 1) Richard McCormick's "The Discovery that Business Corrupts Politics" (Article 2) Paula Baker's "The Domestication of Politics" (Article 3) *all three articles were taken off of the database JSTOR

Gender and Sexuality

Gender and sexuality can be comprehended through social science. Social science is â€Å"the study of human society and of individual relationships in and to society† (free dictionary, 2009). The study of social science deals with different aspects of society such as politics, economics, and the social aspects of society. Gender identity is closely interlinked with social science as it is based on an identity of an individual in the society. Sexuality is â€Å"the condition of being characterized and distinguished by sex† (free dictionary, 2009).There are different gender identities such as male, female, gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual that exists all around the world. There is inequality in gender identities and dominance of a male regardless of which sexuality they fall under. The males are superior over the females and gays superior over the lesbians, however it different depending on the place and circumstances. This paper will look at the gender roles and s tereotypes, social policy, and homosexuality from a modern and a traditional society perspective.The three different areas will be compared by the two different societies to understand how much changes has occurred and whether or not anything has really changed. In general a traditional society is more conservative where as a modern society is fundamentally liberal. This is to say that a traditional society lists certain roles depending on the gender and there are stereotypes that are connected with the genders. One must obey the one that is dominant and make decisions. On the other hand, a modern society is lenient, It accepts the individual’s identity and sexuality.There is no inequality and everyone in the society is to be seen as individuals not a part of a family unit. Gender roles and stereotypes exist for all genders. These roles are set by the individuals of the society, â€Å"sex roles are expectations for behaviour and attitudes that a particular culture defines as appropriate for men and women† (Whicker and Kronenfeld, 1986; pp. 8). The traditional views of gender roles are indeed quite different from the modern views. The men in society are the bread-winners where as the women take care of the children and home.There are basic and common work roles, however in terms of behaviour and involvement there are gender role distinctions. The sex roles generally play out in modern society as well, some sex roles and stereotypes for girls are that they are â€Å"nonaggressive, nonathletic, emotionally expressive, tender, domestic, and nurturing. Boys on the other hand are â€Å"aggressive, value achievement, attain goals through conflict, and work towards monetary success† (Whicker and Kronenfeld, 1986; pp. 8).The males in the society are â€Å"emotionally anesthetised, aggressive, physically tough and daring, unwilling or unable to give nurturance to a child† (Lewis and Sussman, 1986; pp. 1). These traits are carried out by this particular gender mostly outside the society to demonstrate their strength. Those individuals who ignore to carry out these personality traits are seen as weak and unmanly. The women on the other hand are given the responsibility of looking after the family and are supposed to have the opposite personality traits.For instance a woman can show emotions but not outside of the family because of the shame that would bring to the family. This also an issue because a husband cannot help the women out otherwise the society will look down upon him, and as for society itself women cannot rely on outsiders. This brings about a question as to whom should she reveal her emotions and feelings to? These gender stereotypes such as a men being physically stronger or women being physically weak are embedded in the individual’s mind and thus they carry out these stereotypes themselves thereby continuing the stereotype.The gender role differences bring up a point about fake identity and practi ce. For the purpose of being accepted in society one hides his or her inner desires and emotions in order to fit in society. One does not need to be tough to show masculinity neither does one need to be weak to bring out her feelings. However, society changes when the men in the society gradually developed more female traits and get involved in the family matters. The role that impacts the family the most is the role of the men.The media plays a huge role in shaping the role of what a father is. Once the father used to be a bread-winner, now the roles can switch and the mother can go out to work and the father can stay with the children. The media demonstrates the idea of the father who spends his time at home with the children, baby sitting, cooking, and cleaning. This new image encourages and motives the men in this society to get involved and help their family. Also, the family is no longer always ruled by a patriarchal system.Patriarchy is â€Å"a system promotion the higher st atus and privilege of men against women† (Lewis and Sussman, 1986; pp. 17). The roles are either balanced or a matriarchy system is also involved where the women are the superior ones in the family. The society’s acceptance of these roles changes and also it gives opportunity to the opposite sex to prove their skills and identity in the society and within their family, however, the society’s expectations do not end here. The men are portrayed as strong body-builders and females are portrayed as slim beauties.These images are carried by the media where in the film â€Å"Tough guise† by Jackson Katz, the movie demonstrates the transition of masculinity from past generation to current generation. The men are more build up in terms of body structure compared to the past. Although the father might be involved in the family, the sex roles of the genders do not vanish, they make gradual transitions from generation to generation. The traditional society simply bel ieves that women stay at home and focus on their private life rather than the outside world. The major role is played by the adult males who maintain the finances.Women’s work is not as valued as the men’s, however it is essential to understand that men would have had to do double job if the women were not looking after his children and home. Although both, the inside and the outside work required a lot of effort, the dominance of the male gender rules over the female gender in terms of the value of work. Besides the cultural values, religion also played a role in shaping these ideologies. â€Å"Religious institutions have long been conservative in their ideals and patriarchs. Recent exceptions do exist, such as the increasing enrolment of women in Protestant seminaries.The Church however, like the corporate America, maintains the image of a traditional family and career structure, where the husband is the major bread-winner and thus the head if the household and his wife is in a supportive, expressive position† (Lewis and Sussman, 1986; pp 199). These religious institutions drew the images of gender roles inside and outside of the house, where one gender worked inside and the other worked outside and even if the women decided to work outside were treated unequally. At the end of the day they had to look after their children.This brings about a question of whether the children only belonged to the mothers or both parents. What role do the fathers play in the lives of their children? There is no social support for the women in this society to rely on, thus they struggle to maintain their rough lifestyle. The family only becomes dependent on the men, which is problematic. In case of a single parent, where the children are dependent on a mother it becomes a financial problem. The lack of government involvement is a disadvantage for the women in this society because those who are divorced or lost their husbands are strongly hit by poverty.Soci al policy such as education, career, and welfare state did not exist in the life a woman in a traditional society. However, as the world gradually developed in terms of technology, the women caught up to the men. The ideology of individuals in the modern society changed where the women were once seen an item in the household, they now gained a sense of freedom. To being with the basic understanding of a woman going in to work is that â€Å"most women work because of economic need. The majority of employed females are single, widowed, divorced or separated, or working to supplement the low income of their spouse† (Kendrigan, 1991; pp 91).This is not to say that women spend time at working leaving their children, spouse, or home alone. Their life in modern society is challenging because there is more responsibility on their shoulders. Not only do women have their work life but also their family life as well. As a plus, the government provides day care for working women in order to make their lives easier. Looking at the correlation of women and the workforce has a great impact on the economic factors of the country and state. The women contribute to the social welfare state because the more people working in the country the more stable and stronger the economy gets.For instance, in Canada women who contribute to the country economy through paying taxes add on to the government public funds, which are used for education, welfare, and the publish health care system. There are many advantages for the women as well as the state. Although there remains to be an inequality in the salary of woman when compared to a man it is importance to focus on the progress as well. The transformation occurred because women stepped out of their homes and stepped in to the working world. They still have to work hard to gain their respect and work for equality among men.Genders and sexuality cannot leave homosexuality behind, however this is not so true for the traditional soci ety. Just because homosexuals, bisexuals, and transgender were not seen very often does not mean they were invisible. The reactions of individuals in the society to these particular sexes lead the homosexuals, transgender, and bisexual being seen as inferior. This brings about the ideology of superior over inferior. There is a sense of shame attached to these sexes, where they cannot freely express their identity. To reveal their identity means going through the consequences set by the ndividuals in the society and in some countries even the government. Even though much emphasis is given to sex roles in homosexuality as well there lies a difference among lesbians and gays. Looking back at the roles of the boys and adult males in a traditional society they had to stay strong and stay focused on work. This becomes an issue for the gay individuals. Unlike lesbians, gays cannot freely walk with their partners without being noticed. â€Å"women can hold hands in the street, and even go arm in arm; because families let girls sleep with their girlfriends, but for boys, it’s forbidden† (Likosky, 1992; pp. 3). It is indeed difficult for the homosexuals to express their homosexuality because of the norms set by society. Women can get away with it because of the friendly and nurturing stereotype that the society has placed upon them. â€Å"Homosexuality, though, exists in different societies and cultures, with some minor exceptions are considered abnormal and disdained. It affects social order, invades personal privacy and rights, and leads to criminal behaviour. â€Å"As a result, homosexuals are more likely to encounter and be penalized administratively and criminally† (Likosky, 1992, pp. 38).More stereotypes are attached to these individuals because they are not considered normal. Normal in this sense means that heterosexuals are the dominating ones in the society. The idea that these individuals are embedded in society not only causes prejudice towards homosexual people but also discrimination against them, leading to violent actions are taken towards them. Once again religion and government plays a major role in shaping these views towards these particular groups of people. To look at homosexuality from a modern point of view, it is not the same as the traditional.However this is not to say that there is great equality between the heterosexuals and homosexuals, because this is simply untrue. The modern society takes the idea equality and freedom from the liberal ideology. However it is not practiced to the full extent. The flaw in the liberal state is made in the legal forms when gender is asked for. The option to this question is already stated on the paper, thus the two options given to the homosexuals are â€Å"male† or â€Å"female†. The problem lies in these two options for these individuals, because now they cannot reveal their identity, neither can they state who they are.However if they are to pick f rom the two options how are they to answer this question? Is it more based on how they feel the most? Even though the individuals in the modern society consider themselves to be liberal, they are not fully liberal. On the positive side of the modern society, there are social services. â€Å"There has been a long history of people in social work who challenge the heterosexist norms of society. Gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered and transsexual persons have enriched society as a whole† (Hick, 2010; pp. 02). Social work plays a major role in reshaping these sexes and their roles. The social workers empower the LGBTTQ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, and queer) to get involved in work force. This gives the individuals chances to prove themselves and also it benefits the society and economy. The more people that get involved in the workforce the stronger the economy turns out to be. The involvement of these individuals brings changes to the society and they feel accepted outside of their own group.If they were to hide their sexuality inside as done in the traditional society there would be psychological and emotional problems among these people, and the outcome would be higher rate of suicide. The acceptance and opportunity given to them by this society not only gives advantage to these people but also to the society and the economy of the state. In the traditional society the father’s only focus is on earning an income for the family which has a direct impact on the family members due to the lack of time spent bonding with his children and wife.The responsibility of the children falls on both parents’ shoulders not just on the mothers. However this is also an issue in modern society, if mothers rely too much on day-cares and do not spend enough time with their children then the same thing that happens to the father happens to the mother. The traditional view of sex roles differ where women are nurturing, home orien ted and calm. On the other hand, men are seen as the opposite. Nevertheless, the modern view does not distinct these differences because of the greater involvement of the father in the family.The differences do not lie among the genders but the perspective of the individuals in society, both genders can contribute to each other’s works regardless of what sex they fall under. The society, religious institute, and media play a greater role in shaping these sex roles. The gradual changes are closely related to the media because the actors carry out the roles and thus the members of the society play out those roles in their daily life style. â€Å"Homosexuality exists in different societies and cultures and with some minor exceptions it is considered abnormal and disdained.It affects social order, invades personal privacy and rights, and leads to criminal behaviour. As a result, homosexuals are more likely to encounter and be penalized administratively and criminally† (Lik osky, 1992, pp. 38) Also, the two societies view homosexuality different. Nevertheless modern society has not completely accepted the idea of homosexuality because in areas such as legal forms, the people with nonconventional sexual orientation are not shown. This demonstrates the inferiority of homosexuality and for which the government is responsible for such actions.

Health Cruises Homework Essay

1. What is the minimum number of passengers Health Cruises must sign up by November 20th to break even? *Fixed costs = $220,000 (Ship rental and crew) + $65,000(initial advertisement expense) +$10,000(administrative expense) = $295000 *Contribution per unit = $1500 -$200 = $1300 *Breakeven point (in units)= 295000/1300 = 226.92 : At least 227 passengers should sign up for Health Cruises by November 20th. 2. Should Health Cruises go ahead with the cruise since 200 people have signed up by November 14th? Why or why not? : Though I concede that Health Cruises do not reach the break-even point and is very likely to make loss at this situation, I suggest them to keep running this trip from a long term perspective. The company should not consider only financial issue in operating business and miss an opportunity to make huge profits and create new spectrum of service. If Health Cruise efficiently proceed this trip and offer fine quality of service to these 200 passengers, this package cruises would go famous through word of mouth and gain effective advertising effect. Also, the company can better understand the operating system of its product and reconstruct its business and financial system to make profit. Therefore, instead of losing enormous amount of fixed costs by cancelling this whole cruise, I believe Health Cruises should present its product regardless of its current financial stat us. 3. The advertising agency has proposed two alternative campaigns to help fill the boat. One will cost $6000 and the other would cost $15,000. Which would you suggest? *Breakeven point including = 295000+6000/1300 = 232 another ads cost $6,000(in units) * Breakeven point including = 295000+15000/1300 = 239 another ads cost $15,000(in units) : I suggest the corporation to choose the campaign that costs $15,000 since, as calculation shown above proves, it has higher possibility of bringing enough number of passengers to exceed breakeven point in units and earn profit. 4. Should Health Cruises consider cutting its prices for this trip? Why or why not? What other factors could impact the go/no-go decision in addition to the break even? : The corporation should not cut its price for this trip because considering the fixed and variable costs its current price which ranges from $1500 to $2200 seems reasonable and at this point where this trip is the first product presenting and only 200 passengers signed up for it, we cannot guarantee that enough number of passengers would come to make profit even if we drop the price. Moreover, Health cruises should consider other internal and external factors to make this trip successful such as other ways to reduce its fixed and variable cost, its competitors’ prices and products and nation’s economic status.

Political Aspects of the Classical Age of Greece

Political Aspects of the Classical Age of Greece This is a brief introduction to the Classical Age in Greece, a period that followed the Archaic Age and lasted through the creation of a Greek empire, by Alexander the Great. The Classical Age was characterized by most of the cultural wonders that we associate with ancient Greece. It corresponds with the period of the height of democracy, the flowering of Greek tragedy, and the architectural marvels at Athens. The Classical Age of Greece begins either with with the fall of the Athenian tyrant Hippias, son of Peisistratos/Pisistratus, in 510 B.C., or the Persian Wars, which the Greeks fought against the Persians in Greece and Asia Minor from 490-479 B.C. When you think of the movie 300, youre thinking of one of the battles fought during the Persian Wars. Solon, Peisistratus, Cleisthenes, and the Rise of Democracy When the Greeks adopted democracy it wasnt an overnight affair or a question of throwing out monarchs. The process developed and changed over time. The Classical Age of Greece ends with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 B.C. Besides war and conquest, in the Classical period, the Greeks produced great literature, poetry, philosophy, drama, and art. This was the time when the genre of history was first established. It also produced the institution we know of as Athenian democracy. Alexander the Great Profile The Macedonians Philip and Alexander put an end to the power of the individual city-states at the same time they spread the culture of the Greeks all the way to the Indian Sea. Rise of Democracy One unique contribution of the Greeks, democracy lasted beyond the Classical period and had its roots in the earlier time, but it still characterized the Classical age. During the era before the Classical Age, in what is sometimes called the Archaic Age, Athens and Sparta had followed different paths. Sparta had two kings and an oligarchic government while Athens had instituted democracy. Etymology of Oligarchy oligos few arche rule Etymology of Democracy demos the people of a country krateo rule A Spartan woman had the right to own property, whereas, in Athens, she had few freedoms. In Sparta, men and women served the state; in Athens, they served the Oikos household/family. Etymology of Economy Economy oikos home nomos custom, usage, ordinance Men were trained in Sparta to be laconic warriors and in Athens to be public speakers. Persian Wars Despite an almost endless series of differences, the Hellenes from Sparta, Athens, and elsewhere fought together against the monarchical Persian Empire. In 479 they repelled the numerically mightier Persian force from the Greek mainland. Peloponnesian and Delian Alliances For the next few decades after the end of the Persian Wars, relations between the 2 major poleis city-states deteriorated. The Spartans, who had earlier been the unquestioned leaders of the Greeks, suspected Athens (a new naval power) of trying to take control of all of Greece. Most of the poleis on the Peloponnese allied with Sparta. Athens was at the head of the poleis in the Delian League. Its members were along the coast of the Aegean Sea and on islands in it. The Delian League initially had been formed against the Persian Empire, but finding it lucrative, Athens transformed it into its own empire. Pericles, the foremost statesman of Athens from 461-429, introduced payment for public offices so more of the population than just the rich could hold them. Pericles initiated the building of the Parthenon, which was supervised by the famed Athenian sculptor Pheidias. Drama and philosophy flourished. Peloponnesian War and Its Aftermath Tensions between the Peloponnesian and Delian alliances mounted. The Peloponnesian War broke out in 431 and lasted for 27 years. Pericles, along with many others, died of plague early in the war. Even after the end of the Peloponnesian War, which Athens lost, Thebes, Sparta, and Athens continued to take turns as the dominant Greek power. Instead of one of them becoming the clear leader, they dissipated their strength and fell prey to the empire-building Macedonian king Phillip II and his son Alexander the Great. Historians of the Archaic and Classical Period HerodotusPlutarchStraboPausaniasThucydidesDiodorus SiculusXenophonDemosthenesAeschinesNeposJustin Historians of the Period When Greece Was Dominated by the Macedonians DiodorusJustinThucydidesArrian fragments of Arrian found in PhotiusDemosthenesAeschinesPlutarch

The Complex Life of Charles Maurice De Talleyrand

The Complex Life of Charles Maurice De Talleyrand Charles Maurice de Talleyrand (born February 2, 1754, in Paris, France- died May 17, 1838, in Paris),  was a defrocked French Bishop, diplomat, foreign minister, and politician. Alternately renowned and reviled for his tactical skills of political survival, Talleyrand served at the highest levels of the French government for nearly half a century during the reign of King Louis XVI, the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte, and the reigns of Kings Louis XVIII, and Louis-Philippe. Admired and distrusted in equal measure by those he served, Talleyrand has proven difficult for historians to evaluate. While some tout him as one of the most skilled and proficient diplomats in French history, others paint him as a self-serving traitor, who betrayed the ideals of Napoleon and the French Revolution- liberty, equality, and fraternity. Today, the term â€Å"Talleyrand† is used to refer to the practice of skillfully deceitful diplomacy. Fast Facts: Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Known for: Diplomat, politician, member of the Catholic clergyBorn: February 2, 1754 in Paris, FranceParents: Count Daniel de Talleyrand-Pà ©rigord and Alexandrine de Damas dAntignyDied: May 17, 1838 in Paris, FranceEducation: University of ParisKey Accomplishments and Awards: Foreign minister under four Kings of France, during the French Revolution, and under Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte; played a key role in the restoration of the Bourbon monarchySpouses Name: Catherine Worlà ©eKnown Children: (disputed) Charles Joseph, comte de Flahaut; Adelaide Filleul; Marquise de Souza-Botelho; â€Å"Mysterious Charlotte† Early Life, Education, and Career in the Catholic Clergy Talleyrand was born on February 2, 1754, in Paris, France, to his 20-year-old father, Count Daniel de Talleyrand-Pà ©rigord and his mother, Alexandrine de Damas dAntigny. Though both parents held positions in the court of King Louis XVI, neither earned a steady income. Having walked with a limp since childhood, Talleyrand was excluded from his anticipated career in the military. As an alternative, Talleyrand sought a career in the Catholic clergy, bent on replacing his uncle, Alexandre Angà ©lique de Talleyrand-Pà ©rigord, as the Archbishop of Reims, one of the wealthiest dioceses in France. After studying theology at the Seminary of Saint-Sulpice and the University of Paris until age 21, Talleyrand went on to become an ordained priest in 1779. A year later, he was appointed Agent-General of the Clergy to the French Crown. In 1789, despite being disliked by the King, he was appointed Bishop of Autun. During the French Revolution, Talleyrand largely abandoned the Catholic religion and resigned as a Bishop after being excommunicated by Pope Pius VI in 1791. From France to England to America and Back As the French Revolution progressed the French government took note of Talleyrand’s skills as a negotiator. In 1791, the French foreign minister sent him to London to persuade the British government to remain neutral, rather than joining Austria and several other European monarchies in the looming war against France. After failing twice, he returned to Paris. When the September Massacres broke out in 1792, Talleyrand, now an endangered aristocrat, fled Paris for England without defecting. In December 1792, the French government issued a warrant for his arrest. Finding himself no more popular in England than in France, he was expelled from the country in March 1794 by British Prime Minister William Pitt. Until returning to France in 1796, Talleyrand lived in the war-neutral United States as a house guest of influential American politician Aaron Burr. During his stay in the United States, Talleyrand lobbied the French government to allow him to return. Always the crafty negotiator, he succeeded and returned to France in September 1796. By 1797, Talleyrand, recently persona non grata in France, had been appointed the country’s foreign minister. Immediately after being appointed foreign minister, Talleyrand added to his infamous reputation of placing personal greed above duty by demanding the payment of bribes by American diplomats involved in the XYZ Affair, which escalated into the limited, undeclared Quasi-War with the United States from 1798 to 1799.   Talleyrand and Napoleon: An Opera of Deceit Partly out of gratitude for his assistance in the 1799 coup d’à ©tat that saw him crowned Emperor in 1804, Napoleon made Talleyrand his minister of foreign affairs. In addition, the Pope overturned his excommunication from the Catholic Church. Working to solidify France’s gains in the wars, he brokered peace with Austria in 1801 and with Britain in 1802. When Napoleon moved to continue France’s wars against Austria, Prussia, and Russia in 1805, Talleyrand opposed the decision. Now losing his confidence in the future of Napoleon’s reign, Talleyrand resigned as foreign minister in 1807 but was retained by Napoleon as vice-grand elector of the Empire. Despite his resignation, Talleyrand did not lose Napoleon’s trust. However, the Emperor’s trust was misplaced as Talleyrand went behind his back, secretly negotiating personally profitable peace agreements with Russia and Austria. Having resigned as Napoleon’s foreign minister, Talleyrand abandoned traditional diplomacy and sought peace by accepting bribes from the leaders of Austria and Russia in return for Napoleon’s secret military plans. At the same time, Talleyrand had started plotting with other French politicians on how to best protect their own wealth and status during the struggle for power they knew would erupt after Napoleon’s death. When Napoleon learned of these plots, he declared them treasonous. Though he still refused to discharge Talleyrand, Napoleon famously chastised him, saying he would â€Å"break him like a glass, but it’s not worth the trouble.† As France’s vice-grand elector, Talleyrand continued to be at odds with Napoleon, first opposing the Emperor’s harsh treatment of the Austrian people after the end of the War of the Fifth Coalition in 1809, and criticizing the French invasion of Russia in 1812. Though he was invited to return to his old office as foreign minister in 1813, Talleyrand refused, sensing that Napoleon was quickly losing the support of the people and the rest of the government. Despite what had become his utter hatred for Napoleon, Talleyrand remained dedicated to a peaceful transition of power. On April 1, 1814 Talleyrand convinced the French Senate to create a provisional government in Paris, with him as president. The next day, he led the French Senate in official deposing Napoleon as Emperor and forcing him into exile the island of Elba. On April 11, 1814, the French Senate, in approving the Treaty of Fontainebleau adopted a new constitution that returned power to the Bourbon monarchy. Talleyrand and the Bourbon Restoration Talleyrand played a key role in the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy. After King Louis XVIII of the House of Bourbon succeeded Napoleon. He served as chief French negotiator at the 1814 Congress of Vienna, securing advantageous peace settlements for France in what was then the most-comprehensive treaty in European history. Later the same year, he represented France in negotiating the Treaty of Paris ending the Napoleonic Wars between France and Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia.   Representing the aggressor nation, Talleyrand faced a daunting task in negotiating the Treaty of Paris. However, his diplomatic skills were credited for securing terms that were extremely lenient to France. When the peace talks began, only Austria, the United Kingdom, Prussia, and Russia were to be allowed to have decision-making power. France and the smaller European countries were to be allowed only to attend the meetings. However, Talleyrand succeeded in convincing the four powers to allow France and Spain to attend the backroom decision-making meetings. Now a hero to the smaller countries, Talleyrand proceeded to secure agreements under which France was allowed to maintain its pre-war 1792 boundaries without paying further reparations. Not only did he succeed in ensuring that France would not be partitioned by the victorious countries, he greatly enhanced his own image and standing in the French monarchy. Napoleon escaped from exile on Elba and returned to France in March 1815 bent on forcibly retaking power. Though Napoleon was ultimately defeated in the Hundred Days, dying in the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, Talleyrand’s diplomatic reputation had suffered in the process. Bowing to the wishes of his quickly expanding group of political enemies, he resigned in September 1815. For the next 15 years, Talleyrand publicly portrayed himself as an â€Å"elder statesman,† while continuing to criticize and scheme against King Charles X from the shadows. Upon learning of Napoleon’s death at Waterloo, Talleyrand cynically commented, â€Å"It is not an event, it is a piece of news.† When King Louis-Philippe I, a cousin of King Louis XVI, came to power after the July Revolution of 1830, Talleyrand returned to government service as ambassador to the United Kingdom until 1834. Family Life Well known for using relationships with influential aristocratic women to advance his political position, Talleyrand had several affairs during his life, including a longtime intimate relationship with a married woman who would eventually become his only wife, Catherine Worlà ©e Grand. In 1802, French Emperor Napoleon, concerned that the French people viewed his foreign minister as a notorious womanizer, ordered Talleyrand to marry the now divorced Catherine Worlà ©e. The couple remained together until Catherine’s death in 1834, after which the now 80-year-old Talleyrand lived with the Duchess of Dino, Dorothea von Biron, the divorced wife of his nephew.   The number and names of the children Talleyrand fathered during his life is not clearly established. Though he may have fathered at least four children, none were known to have been legitimate. The four children most widely agreed on by historians include Charles Joseph, Comte de Flahaut; Adelaide Filleul; Marquise de Souza-Botelho; and a girl known only as â€Å"Mysterious Charlotte.† Later Life and Death After permanently retiring from his political career in 1834, Talleyrand, accompanied by the Duchess of Dino, moved to his estate at Valenà §ay. He would spend his final years adding to his voluminous personal library and writing his memoirs. As he neared the end of his life, Talleyrand realized that as an apostate bishop, he would have to rectify his old disputes with the Catholic Church in order to be given an honorable church burial. With the help of his niece, Dorothà ©e, he arranged with the Archbishop de Quà ©len and abbot Dupanloup to sign an official letter in which he would acknowledge his past transgressions and beg for divine forgiveness. Talleyrand would spend the last two months of his life writing and re-writing this letter in which he eloquently disavowed â€Å"the great errors which [in his opinion] had troubled and afflicted the Catholic, Apostolic and Roman Church, and in which he himself had had the misfortune to fall.† On May 17, 1838, abbot Dupanloup, having accepted Talleyrand’s letter, came to see the dying man. After hearing his last confession, the priest anointed the back of Talleyrand’s hands, a rite reserved only for ordained bishops. Talleyrand passed away at 3:35 in the afternoon of the same day. State and religious funeral services were held on May 22, and on September 5, Talleyrand was buried in the Notre-Dame Chapel, near his chà ¢teau in Valenà §ay. Did You Know? Today, the term â€Å"Talleyrand† is used to refer to the practice of skillfully deceitful diplomacy. Legacy Talleyrand may be the epitome of a walking contradiction. Clearly morally corrupt, he commonly used deceit as a tactic, demanded bribes from persons with whom he was negotiating, and openly lived with mistresses and courtesans for decades. Politically, many regard him as a traitor because of his support for multiple regimes and leaders, some of which were hostile toward each other. On the other hand, as philosopher Simone Weil contends, some criticism of Talleyrand’s loyalty may be overstated, as while he not only served every regime that ruled France, he also served the â€Å"France behind every regime.† Famous Quotes Traitor, patriot, or both, Talleyrand was an artist with a pallet of words he used skillfully to the benefit of both himself and those he served. Some of his more memorable quotes include: â€Å"Whoever did not live in the years neighboring 1789 does not know what the pleasure of living means.†Ã¢â‚¬Å"It is not an event, it is a piece of news.† (upon learning of Napoleon’s death)â€Å"I am more afraid of an army of one hundred sheep led by a lion than an army of one hundred lions led by a sheep.†And perhaps most self-revealing: â€Å"Man was given speech to disguise his thoughts.† Sources Tully, Mark. Remembering Talleyrand Restorus, May 17, 2016Haine, Scott. â€Å"The History of France (1st ed.).† Greenwood Press. p. 93. ISBN 0-313-30328-2.Palmer, Robert Roswell; Joel Colton (1995). â€Å"A History of the Modern World (8 ed.).† New York: Knopf Doubleday Publishing. ISBN 978-0-67943-253-1. . Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Pà ©rigordNapoleon and EmpireScott, Samuel F. and Rothaus Barry, eds., Historical Dictionary of the French Revolution 1789–1799 (vol. 2 1985)Weil, Simone (2002). â€Å"The Need for Roots: Prelude to a Declaration of Duties Towards Mankind.† Routledge Classics. ISBN 0-415-27102-9.

USS Alabama (BB-60) in World War II

USS Alabama (BB-60) in World War II USS Alabama (BB-60) was a South Dakota-class battleship that was commissioned into the U.S. Navy in 1942. The last ship of its class, Alabama initially served in the Atlantic Theater of World War II, before receiving orders to shift to the Pacific in 1943. Largely serving as protection for American aircraft carriers, the battleship took part in all of the U.S. Navys major campaigns in the Pacific Theater. In addition to covering the carriers, Alabama provided naval gunfire support during landings on Japanese-held islands. In the course of the war, the battleship did lose a single sailor to enemy action earning it the nickname The Lucky A. Alabama currently a museum ship moored in Mobile, AL. Design Construction In 1936, as the design of the North Carolina-class neared completion, the U.S. Navys General Board gathered to address the two battleships that were to be funded in Fiscal Year 1938.  Though the Board was leaning towards building two additional North Carolinas, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral William H. Standley preferred to pursue a new design.  As a result, the building of these vessels was delayed to FY1939 as naval architects began work in March 1937.   While the first two battleships were officially ordered on April 4, 1938, a second pair of vessels was added two months later under the  Deficiency Authorization which passed due to increasing international tensions.  Though the escalator clause of the Second London Naval Treaty had been invoked permitting the new design to mount 16 guns, Congress requested that the battleships stay within the 35,000-ton limit set by the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty. In laying out the new South Dakota-class, naval architects designed a wide spectrum of plans for consideration.  A key challenge proved to be finding approaches to improve upon the North Carolina-class while staying within the tonnage restriction.  The answer was the creation of a shorter, by approximately 50 feet, battleship that utilized an inclined armor system.  This offered enhanced underwater protection relative to earlier vessels.   USS Alabama (BB-60) in Casco Bay, ME, during her shakedown period, circa December 1942.   US Navy History and Heritage Command As naval leaders called for vessels capable of 27 knots, designers sought a way to obtain this despite the reduced hull length.  This was achieved through the creative layout of boilers, turbines, and machinery.  For armament, the South Dakotas matched the North Carolinas in carrying nine Mark 6 16 guns in three triple turrets with a secondary battery of twenty dual-purpose 5 guns.  These were supplemented by an extensive and constantly changing array of anti-aircraft weapons.   Construction of the fourth and final ship of the class, USS Alabama (BB-60) was assigned to Norfolk Naval Shipyard and commenced on February 1, 1940.  As work moved ahead, the United States entered World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Building of the new vessel proceeded and it slid down the ways on February 16, 1942, with Henrietta Hill, wife Alabama Senator J. Lister Hill, serving as sponsor.  Commissioned on August 16, 1942, Alabama entered service with Captain George B. Wilson in command.   USS Alabama (BB-60) Nation:  United StatesType:  BattleshipShipyard: Norfolk Naval ShipyardLaid Down: February 1, 1940Launched: February 16, 1942Commissioned: August 16, 1942Fate: Museum Ship, Mobile, ALSpecificationsDisplacement:  35,000  tonsLength: 680.8 ft.Beam:  108.2 ft.Draft: 36.2 ft.Propulsion:  30,000 hp, 4 x steam turbines, 4 x propellersSpeed:  27 knotsComplement: 1,793 menArmamentGuns9 Ãâ€" 16 in.  Mark 6 guns (3 x triple turrets)20 Ãâ€" 5 in dual-purpose gunsAircraft2 x aircraft Operations in the Atlantic After completing shakedown and training operations in the Chesapeake Bay and Casco Bay, ME that fall, Alabama received orders to proceed to Scapa Flow to reinforce the British Home Fleet in early 1943.  Sailing with USS South Dakota (BB-57), this action was necessary due to a shift of British naval strength to the Mediterranean in preparation for the invasion of Sicily.  In June, ​Alabama covered the landing of reinforcements in Spitzbergen before taking part in an attempt to draw out the German battleship Tirpitz the following month.   Detached from the Home Fleet on August 1, both American battleships then departed for Norfolk.  Arriving, Alabama underwent an overhaul in preparation for redeployment to the Pacific.  Departing later that month, the battleship transited the Panama Canal and arrived at Efate on September 14. Covering the Carriers Training with carrier task forces, Alabama sailed on November 11 to support American landings on Tarawa and Makin in the Gilbert Islands.  Screening the carriers, the battleship provided a defense against Japanese aircraft.  After bombarding Nauru on December 8, Alabama escorted USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) and USS Monterey (CVL-26) back to Efate.  Having sustained damage to its port outboard propeller, the battleship departed for Pearl Harbor on January 5, 1944 for repairs.   Briefly dry docked, Alabama joined Task Group 58.2, centered on the carrier USS Essex (CV-9), later that month for attacks in the Marshall Islands.  Bombarding Roi and Namur on January 30, the battleship provided support during the Battle of Kwajalein.  In mid-February, Alabama screened the carriers of Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitschers Fast Carrier Task Force as it conducted massive raids against the Japanese base at Truk.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   USS Alabama (BB-60) en route to the Gilberts and Marshalls to support the invasions of Makin and Tarawa, 12 November 1943. US Navy History and Heritage Command Sweeping north into the Marianas later that month, Alabama sustained a friendly fire incident on February 21 when one 5 gun mount accidentally fired into another during Japanese air attack.  This resulted in the death of five sailors and wounding of an additional eleven.  Following a pause at Majuro, Alabama and the carriers conducted attacks through the Caroline Islands in March before covering landings in northern New Guinea by General Douglas MacArthurs forces in April.   Proceeding north, it, along with several other American battleships, bombarded Ponape before returning to Majuro.  Taking a month to train and refit, Alabama steamed north in early June to take part in the Marianas Campaign.  On June 13, it engaged in a six-hour pre-invasion bombardment of Saipan in preparation for the landings two days later.  On June 19-20, Alabama screened Mitschers carriers during the victory at the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Remaining in the vicinity, Alabama provided naval gunfire support to troops ashore before departing for Eniwetok.  Returning to the Marianas in July, it protected the carriers as they launched missions in support of the liberation of Guam.  Moving south, they conducted a sweep through the Carolines before striking targets in the Philippines in September.   In early October, Alabama covered the carriers as they mounted raids against Okinawa and Formosa.  Moving to the Philippines, the battleship began bombarding Leyte on October 15 in preparation for landings by MacArthurs forces.  Returning to the carriers, Alabama screened USS Enterprise (CV-6) and USS Franklin (CV-13) during the Battle of Leyte Gulf and later was detached as part of Task Force 34 to aid American forces off Samar. Final Campaigns Withdrawing to Ulithi for replenishment after the battle, Alabama then returned to the Philippines as the carriers struck targets across the archipelago.  These raids continued into December when the fleet endured severe weather during Typhoon Cobra.  In the storm, both of Alabamas Vought OS2U Kingfisher floatplanes were damaged beyond repair.  Returning to Ulithi, the battleship received orders to undergo an overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.   Crossing the Pacific, it entered dry dock on January 18, 1945.  Work finally was completed on March 17.  Following refresher training on the West Coast, Alabama departed for Ulithi via Pearl Harbor.  Rejoining the fleet on April 28, it departed eleven days later to support operations during the Battle of Okinawa.  Steaming off the island, it aided troops ashore and provided air defense against Japanese kamikazes. USS Alabama (BB-60) in Puget Sound, WA, March 1945. US Navy History and Heritage Command   After riding out another typhoon on June 4-5, Alabama shelled Minami Daito Shima before proceeding to Leyte Gulf.  Steaming north with the carriers on July 1, the battleship served in their screening force as they mounted attacks against the Japanese mainland.  During this time, Alabama and other escorting battleships moved inshore to bombard a variety of targets.  The battleship continued to operate in Japanese waters until the end of hostilities on August 15.  During the course of the war, Alabama did not lose a single sailor to enemy action earning it the nickname Lucky A.   Later Career After assisting with initial occupation operations, Alabama departed Japan on September 20.  Assigned to Operation Magic Carpet, it touched at Okinawa to embark 700 sailors for the return voyage to the West Coast.  Reaching San Francisco on October 15, it disembarked its passengers and twelve days later hosted the general public.  Moving south to San Pedro, it remained there until February 27, 1946, when it received orders to sail to Puget Sound for a deactivation overhaul.   With this complete, Alabama was decommissioned on January 9, 1947 and moved to the Pacific Reserve Fleet.  Struck from the Naval Vessel Registry on June 1, 1962, the battleship was then transferred to the  USS Alabama Battleship Commission two years later.  Towed to Mobile, AL, Alabama opened as a museum ship at Battleship Memorial Park on January 9, 1965.  The vessel was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

Ensuring Economic Opportunities for Young Americans Essay

Ensuring Economic Opportunities for Young Americans - Essay Example Department of Labor), Algernon Austin (Director of the race, ethnicity, and the economy program Economic Policy Institute), Matthew Segal (Founder & Co-Chair 80 Million Strong, Dorothy), Dorothy Stoneman (President and founder YouthBuild USA) and D. Mark Wilson (Principal Applied Economic Strategies, LLC). The positions taken by each participant on the issue has been briefed as under. At the beginning of the session, Chairman Miller gave a concise opening speech on the alarming rate at which the unemployment among young Americans is on a rise. He briefed about the worsening economic conditions of the nation, comparable to the aftermath of the Second World War, due to which the younger generation in some instances have to compete with the more experienced in the job market, for jobs meant for the relatively inexperienced. In addition, a shortage of summer jobs for the youth constrained their potential education opportunities since often it is found that the students use the funds to pay their tuition fees. Moreover, summer jobs often taught them discipline and helped in the development of leadership skills in them. So, an axe on the number of such jobs had multi-dimensional effects on the future of the youth of the nation. Hence, the Chairman proposed an initial investment of $ 1.2 billion in the economy for employment generation. Besides there were other distingu ished contributors in the meeting who prescribed a number of policy suggestions to tackle the situation. The eminent participants addressed the issue by proposing strategies to curb the same. Mathew Segal recommended that any policies meant to address the issue must focus upon four different areas – the amount of resources allocated for investment should be increased, there must be increased facilities of education loans, the propensity for public service jobs must be enhanced among the young minds and the education imparted at schools must be

Control and simulation Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Control and simulation - Coursework Example is equilibrium position is hard to achieve as their always remains a difference among the two values owing to the mechanical and personnel errors in conducting the experiment and taking readings. Considering the efficiency and flow rate curve; here the efficiency of the pump (E) first increases and then after a point, it starts decreasing. The similar pattern and shape as seen in characteristic curve in graph. This happens because calculation of efficiency includes division of hydraulic power by the mechanical power. First, when the mechanical power of the pump remains below the hydraulic power the efficiency increases. But as time passes, the mechanical power increases and exceeds the hydraulic power value and thus the efficiency starts decreasing. Thus, the curve first shows a rise and then a decline. These graphs also give an idea about the pump capacity at which the pump would be most efficient. The value of flow rate at which the efficiency is highest or the value one step less than the point at which the efficiency starts falling is the peak value and corresponding most productive flow rate of the pump. Clearly with increasing flow rate, elevation head remains constant, velocity head increases and the static head decreases also the energy lost to friction increases which in all decreases the total head of the pump. The BEP values are known by interpolating the E-Q curve at varied pump speeds, which is further used to make performance curve of the pump at that speed. These performance curves can be plotted by varying the flow rates and also by varying the diameter of the inlet pipe and then compare the curves obtained with the standard ones. The performance curves play a crucial role for the pump manufacturers who can actually analyse the working of their pumps from these curves and any deviations found are appropriately followed by complementing improvements in the pump

REWARDS AND BENEFITS IN VOLVO CAR COMPANY - HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Essay

REWARDS AND BENEFITS IN VOLVO CAR COMPANY - HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Essay Example In this regard, experts (Arnold & Silvester, pp. 12-19, 2005) have identified major change in the perspective and attitude of employers towards their employees, and this indicates creation of different innovative policies and strategies to ensure motivational workplace environment for the workers. Specifically, performance and reward management is one significant component of HRM that plays a crucial role in every organisation, and analysis has indicated that organisations are nowadays relying heavily on the factors of benefits and rewards as modes and tools of ensuring organisational success by guaranteeing efficient and productive performance of the employees. Particularly, this paper is an attempt in the same series of efforts that will focus on identification of various types of benefits and pay systems existing globally, as well as, reward strategies of Volvo Car Corporation that will allow understanding of the topic in realistic manner. Different Forms of Rewards Rewards play a crucial role in every human life, and particularly, it is an understanding that reward is one of the components that drive the society to develop and grow in different aspects. This works in the organisational setting as well; however, before identifying different forms of rewards and pay, experts (Robbins et al., pp. 39-47, 2009) have suggested that it is very important that employers should put efforts to ensure integration of rewards’ methodology with organisational objectives and mission, as non-integration often have resulted in failure of the strategies. For instance, if organisational mission is to become a market leader, Corporation will have to keep a higher-paying reward system to retain best talent from the market, and if mission is to survive and go with flow of the market, and then a lower-reward system will work as well. Following are some of the common forms of pay and rewards: Fixed Pay This is the most common and conventional form of compensation that includ es payment to employees on a fix-pay methodology, usually on monthly basis (Rothwell et al., pp. 23-25, 2009). In this kind of method, employees get fix monthly payment despite of any change in performance or productivity. It is an observation that organisations are now moving away from the fixed pay methodology due to dominance of other modern reward and performance management systems. Variable Pay Method â€Å"Why should I make an extra effort for this job? Why should I try to contribute and think more about the organisational goals and success† (Langton, pp. 46-76, 2000)? Abovementioned is one of the common statements that one can hear from employees in a fix-pay system that resulted in the creation of variable pay method system that â€Å"bases a portion or all of the employees’ earnings on some individual or organisational formula or measure of productivity† (Torrington, Hall, & Taylor, pp. 365-348, 2005). Analysis has indicated that 60% of the organisation s in the United Kingdom are depending on the variable pay system to compensate and motivate their workers. One of the major benefits of using this system is reduction of fixed labor costs, and this system enables the organisations to focus more on the level of productivity and performance that is often not possible or not workable in fixed pay method. Besides these pay systems,

Blue Nile Inc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Blue Nile Inc - Essay Example However, I would like to point out that it has produced very outstanding financial records as was proved by its balance sheet and cash flow. Besides, it has resorted to offering high quality diamond and jewelry products to its clients. This has been coupled with the provision of more competitive services. This is a good strategy which might enable the company to win the confidence of its clients as they seek to consider it as the company of choice amongst its competitors. The other indication for the company’s competitiveness is based on the fact that it has resorted to offering its shoppers with adequate information and guidance when conducting their purchases. This has made it possible for them to get the right information on what to acquire (Gomez-Mejia et al, 128). It is for this reason that the company has had a powerful competitive strength assessment. According to the assessment, the company has realized a high level of manufacturing, customer service, distribution, product innovation and quality production capabilities. Thus, it generated an overall weighted strength rating of 5.59. This is outstanding. ii. The company should consider counteracting the stiff competition from established firms who have conquered online diamond and jewelry business. This will increase its chances of enjoying a larger share of the online market. i. It should establish physical stores in which the shoppers can get access of its variety of commodities which are supplied to them. This will be a good idea for the company as it will make it possible for the company to be efficient and reliable in its supply. ii. The company should heavily invest on sales promotions. Meaning, it should advertize its services to all its target clients. Thus, they will get information about the existence, uses, benefits and quality of the products it deals in (Gomez-Mejia et al,

Implemented Workplace Technology in TESCO Company Essay

Implemented Workplace Technology in TESCO Company - Essay Example In order for the company to maintain and improve its performance particularly in dealing with increased product and service volume while at the same time controlling costs, it has embraced technological innovation that has had great impacts on the company. Recently, Tesco made a technological innovation known as Augmented Reality (AR) and QR codes that enables the consumers to use computer terminals to scan a product code. The technology allows the consumers to view the 3D images of over 40 products from the entertainment and electronics sections both online and in store thus enabling them to make a decision on whether to have the product delivered to their home or to buy in- store (Shayon 2011, p. 1). Tesco Direct Catalogue requires a marker and a browser plug-in; in order to view the images of the 3D product, the consumer position catalogues in front of their webcam. In addition, the technology can use a television set whereby the set can be expanded virtually to back views, front, and real front so that shoppers can watch film and also play with virtual games that are on sale in the supermarket (Shayon 2011, p. 1).RationaleIt is an undisputed fact that indeed competition has been very stiff among the retailers across the world; each retailer chain is struggling to stay afloat in the market. To achieve this, they look for ways that will boost their sales and minimize costs so as to eventually maximize profits. TESCO is no exception and it has made huge strides towards this end especially in regard to using technological innovation.... In addition, the technology can use a television set whereby the set can be expanded virtually to back views, front, and real front so that shoppers can watch film and also play with virtual games that are on sale in the supermarket (Shayon 2011, p. 1). Rationale It is an undisputed fact that indeed competition has been very stiff among the retailers across the world; each retailer chain is struggling to stay afloat in the market. To achieve this, they look for ways that will boost their sales and minimize costs so as to eventually maximize profits. TESCO is no exception and it has made huge strides towards this end especially in regard to using technological innovation. The main rationale behind the innovation was definitely to boost sales in the long run. Apart from that the technology intended to achieve other goals. First, it intended to integrate augmented reality into the consumers’ everyday shopping experiences. Secondly, the strategy was designed to minimize the use of the in- store space to stock number of returns and products since through the innovation, the consumers will already have information regarding what they want to purchase. Thirdly, it is a way of attracting more customers which will eventually translate to selling of more merchandise. According to Hristov and Reynolds (2010, p. 29), some products do not mean much to the consumers until they actually use them. They further argue that there is less likelihood for a consumer to buy a product that they have not actually used or seen, therefore, the consumers will be keen to anything that brings these products to life. At the moment, the retailer’s seven stores have augmented reality (AR) terminals in five

Mandatory Military Service for All Men and Women Essay

Mandatory Military Service for All Men and Women - Essay Example to emerge. Many young people in our society are without goals, direction, discipline or focus. Even worse, there is often no sense of belonging or loyalty, and while this might be considered a generalization, there is much evidence to show that is is an unfortunate yet prevalent aspect of many modern Western societies. If young people, male and female (to adhere to the ethos of the Equal Rights Act), were conscripted to serve their country for two years, either in the military or as a form of national service, the benefits could be huge. For the individual, a sense of purpose, a requirement to follow rules and understand and accept consequences, the opportunity to develop personal skills and to relate to and support others, would become part of their character. The benefits of such socialization would then extend to the community, then to society as a whole. An understanding of true citizenship could be developed, together with a willingness to apply positive behaviors. Ideally, such experience would result in a society which upholds respect, moral values, loyalty, concern for others and a willingness to defend their own rights, and those of others, while protecting and serving th

Implemented Workplace Technology in TESCO Company Essay

Implemented Workplace Technology in TESCO Company - Essay Example In order for the company to maintain and improve its performance particularly in dealing with increased product and service volume while at the same time controlling costs, it has embraced technological innovation that has had great impacts on the company. Recently, Tesco made a technological innovation known as Augmented Reality (AR) and QR codes that enables the consumers to use computer terminals to scan a product code. The technology allows the consumers to view the 3D images of over 40 products from the entertainment and electronics sections both online and in store thus enabling them to make a decision on whether to have the product delivered to their home or to buy in- store (Shayon 2011, p. 1). Tesco Direct Catalogue requires a marker and a browser plug-in; in order to view the images of the 3D product, the consumer position catalogues in front of their webcam. In addition, the technology can use a television set whereby the set can be expanded virtually to back views, front, and real front so that shoppers can watch film and also play with virtual games that are on sale in the supermarket (Shayon 2011, p. 1).RationaleIt is an undisputed fact that indeed competition has been very stiff among the retailers across the world; each retailer chain is struggling to stay afloat in the market. To achieve this, they look for ways that will boost their sales and minimize costs so as to eventually maximize profits. TESCO is no exception and it has made huge strides towards this end especially in regard to using technological innovation.... In addition, the technology can use a television set whereby the set can be expanded virtually to back views, front, and real front so that shoppers can watch film and also play with virtual games that are on sale in the supermarket (Shayon 2011, p. 1). Rationale It is an undisputed fact that indeed competition has been very stiff among the retailers across the world; each retailer chain is struggling to stay afloat in the market. To achieve this, they look for ways that will boost their sales and minimize costs so as to eventually maximize profits. TESCO is no exception and it has made huge strides towards this end especially in regard to using technological innovation. The main rationale behind the innovation was definitely to boost sales in the long run. Apart from that the technology intended to achieve other goals. First, it intended to integrate augmented reality into the consumers’ everyday shopping experiences. Secondly, the strategy was designed to minimize the use of the in- store space to stock number of returns and products since through the innovation, the consumers will already have information regarding what they want to purchase. Thirdly, it is a way of attracting more customers which will eventually translate to selling of more merchandise. According to Hristov and Reynolds (2010, p. 29), some products do not mean much to the consumers until they actually use them. They further argue that there is less likelihood for a consumer to buy a product that they have not actually used or seen, therefore, the consumers will be keen to anything that brings these products to life. At the moment, the retailer’s seven stores have augmented reality (AR) terminals in five

Reform movement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reform movement - Essay Example Selfish needs of certain people especially if they are in power often result in backlash and revolt. Such revolts arise mostly because of suppression and lack of freedom. There have been many revolutions throughout the world which has changed the world for better. Abolitionist movement is one such revolution which arose in 1800’s with a motive to achieve emancipation for all slaves and to end all kind of racial discrimination in Unites States of America. People who supported the movement or advocated immediate end to slavery were known as abolitionist. Abolitionist movement which had started centuries ago was not new to the American people as many African slaves used to kill either themselves or their captors in order to resist slavery. In nineteen century when the society became more liberal and aware, more and more white people condemned slavery as unchristian.1 The first white people to denounce slavery in Europe and European colonies were known as Quakers. Quakers believed in universal equality and demanded equal rights for black and white man. They played an important role in abolishing slavery in Europe and were also behind the abolitionist movement in United States.2 Slaves were chained and were transported in crowded diseases ridden ships. These slaves were subject to abuse from the ship crew. Many of the Africans died on their way to America. The working conditions of these slaves were inhuman and were made to do rigorous labor in dreadful conditions. Although the movement started in 1800’s the overall sentiment regarding the abolitionist movement remained muted until 1830 when American Anti Slavery Society was formed to raise voice against slavery and the overall anti slavery movement gathered pace. The movement was very controversial as many powerful businessman and politicians opposed ending slavery, as it meant huge economical losses to them. The movement which started in the year 1800‘s gathered momentum in

Social networking Essay Example for Free

Social networking Essay After investigating social networking sites (SNS) and their consequences on todays society, I have come up with different views and I was not able to decide whether they influence in a positive way or in the negative way. In my view if each SNS user considered some boundaries for themselves regarding their occupation or other matters, relating their age the use of SNS does not cause any threat or harm. The huge disadvantage of these sites is that we are not aware of the other persons true identity but as I said before by considering some boundaries, mean not providing confidential information we can secure us from different types of safety issues. Social Networking is a way which is used to socialize via the internet and portable devices. During my research I have read a Time online article Is social networking a waste of time? and found that in organisations the loss of productivity is because of employees multi-tasking between actual work and social network which I will discuss further on in this essay. As I moved forward on this research I gain more information about SNS and found another useful article Is my space is good for society in which experts has discussed the SNS effects on our society. This research along with class discussions and handouts will construct this research project. As I mentioned before SNS users has to consider boundaries regarding their occupation, if they are going to ignore this point they will not produce beneficial results, such as employees at work place use the SNS to communicate to their families or friends they cannot put as much effort as they spouse to towards their job which will be result for company in loss of productivity. An estimate shows that British industry loss i 6. 5 billion per annum productivity and uncertain bandwidth usage. Lets look at the student progress in High school for a while; a Global Secure System performed a survey on 500 English school children between the age of 13 and 17. The result of this survey shows that 51% of student confirmed to being on SNS to check their profiles during lessons and over a quarter declare that they spend more than 30 minutes on SNS each day at school. All these result shows that teens are very serious about social networking. For them failing to attend to these duties could end friendships and go down their reputations. On the University level the use of SNS are same as in other educational areas. But I have noticed that after being encouraged and directed by their professors student have made good use of these resources. A lecturer at John Cabot University in Rome reveal that he encourage the students to be creative, to promote their online student newspaper which just over a year from launch is pulling in progressively rising traffic. No doubt all the blog, Facebook and MySpace mentions are helping. He had students who use social networking sites to build and promote projects on fighting poverty and eradicating hunger, organising music gigs art and photo exhibitions plus arrange meet ups for political rallies. An assistant professor of Telecommunication Information Studies and Media at Michigan State University believe that SNS have made us better off as a society and individuals. By the passage of time we will see increase in SNS utility as more population will adopt it. Political activities organized via Facebook, Job found through LinkedIn and growing amount of academic research on SNS are the evidence of positive outcomes of this technology. During the last three years a research has been carried out by a team at the Michigan State university to find out why individuals would voluntarily use a site that based on media reports, offer only a way to disclose information they should not reveal, collect hundreds of friends they did not know and waste time which can be spent on studies. In this research they done a survey to understand the benefit individuals receive from their relationships with other on SNS. They found that individuals are able to receive information and ideas from the people they dont know very well. They are using Facebook to increase the size of their social network and therefore their access to more information and various perspectives. To observe SNS from psychological point I want to state the views of a psychology professor William Reader at Sheffield Hallam University. He thinks it is difficult to say with any degree of assurance that SNS influence in a good way or bad way. He believe that SNS may help to make friends without engaging in face to face contact with people but face to face contact are very important. Shared attitudes are important for friendship. We know that people like to join together with people who are like them. The more similar we are to our friends the less room there is for argument on interest. In his opinions SNS will never replace face to face communication in the development of close friendships. Anyone can post you are cool on the Facebook but genuine smiles and laughs are a much more dependable signs of someones suitability as a trustworthy friend. We can realize that many people on SNS are meeting with other people before they meet each other face to face. As a result of this when many students begin university; they find themselves with a group of readymade associates. Given peoples liking for people who are like them growing the development of homogeneous friendship networks. In a way this cannot be considered as a good situation, choosing potential friends via Facebook profiles, it mean that people cut themselves off from unexpected encounters with those who are apparently different from them, ethnically, socio-economically and even in term of musical taste. A former Apple marketing director and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution Steve Chazin believe that this technology has changed our lives for the better, but at a cost. It provides great benefits but also the way we use to live are changing and everybody cannot happily adopt these changes. In their opinions tools provided by SNS have improved the quality of peoples lives and made it nearly effortless for us to keep in touch with friends, family, colleagues and also have increased the chances to make new friends and create a community. The negatives are that all the sharing of information can lead to some harmful situations like recruiters can assess young professionals profiles which are applying for jobs by hacking into their SNS accounts and make decision on based of the accessed information. As well as becoming computer addicted and committing suicide can also become a matter due to the SNS. Now having researched into social networking my views are still the same as I originally thought but now I have more knowledge, a better understanding of social networking and why people do it. Also I realize that negative impact of SNS can be reduced by encouraging and directing the users in positive way e. g. education, advertising etc Also I was immensely delighted to discover individuals views regarding the future which they believe we can interact with others on the Web, by having truly immersive face to face video conversations and experience a fusion of our real and cyber worlds where second life becomes second nature.

Short And Long Run Aggregate Supply Curve Economics Essay

Short And Long Run Aggregate Supply Curve Economics Essay Aggregate supply is the total supply of goods and services produced within an economy at a given overall price level within a specified time period. It is represented by the aggregate supply curve during a given time period that shows the total supply of goods and services that the firms are willing to offer to the economy during a specified time period at a given overall price levels. Normally, there exists a positive relationship between the aggregate supply level and the price levels upon which that annual supply curve has been made. Aggregate supply function of the economy is also referred to as total supply of the economy as shows the total supply of goods and services that the firms are willing to supply at given price levels. It also shows the capacity of the firms of the economy and the fact that the firms can supply the economy with the appropriate level of goods and services in order to satisfy the demands of the economy. Aggregate supply curves are made on the basis of long and short term which depicts the total supply function of the firms of the economy both in the long term and in the short term for the economy. There can be some shifts in the aggregate supply curve for the economy which can be attributed to number of different factors and variables affecting the economy. These factors can be many some of which may be the change in the size and quality of labor, the mere fact that the labor size has changed that is more and more labor is available to the firms for the production of their goods and services or that the labor which is already available to the economy has gained more and more skills due to which it has become easier to produce more for the economy. Other factors can be the change in technology or it can be said that the technological innovations can cause a shift in the aggregate supply curve of the economy.   Increase in wages, increase in production costs, changes in produce r taxes and subsidies, and changes in inflation can also be some of the driving factors in the shifting of the aggregate supply curve for the economy. Different schools of thoughts have different views of economics and therefore they have different approaches towards the determining of aggregate supply of the economy that is to be made to the economy. Aggregates supply is the function of aggregate availability of labor and other resources in the given time period and the price levels for the production of those goods and services that provide the aggregate supply of those goods and services to the economy. Short Run Aggregate Supply Curve Supply side of performance of the economy is the main determinant of the aggregate supply of the economy. Short run aggregate supply depicts the productive capacity of the economy and the costs of production of each sector. There may be a shift in the aggregate supply cure and this can be caused by the following factors: Changes made in the supply size and quality of labor force that are available to the economy. Changes in size and quality of capita stock through investment. Technological progress and the impact of innovation. Changes in the productivity of factors à ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ both labor and capital. Changes in the wage costs per unit .i.e. wage costs per unit of output. Changes in producer taxes and subsidies. Changes occurring to the inflation expectations. Arise in inflation expectations are likely to boost wage levels and in affect cause the aggregate supply curve towards the inwards shift. Long Run Aggregate Supply Long run aggregate supply is determined by the productive resources available to meet demand and by the estimated productivity of factor inputs that are Land, Labor and capital. There is a clear distinction between the short run and long run aggregate supply cures. In the short run aggregate supply curve is dependent on the price levels for a particular output and therefore increase in price levels affects the supply of goods and services in the economy whereas it is not true for long term aggregate supply as they are thought to be independent of price levels in the long term. The productive potential of the economy in the long run is mostly driven by the improvements to be made in the productivity levels and by the expansion of the available factor inputs. Expansion of the available factor inputs can be made through the realization of more firms, a bigger and much better capital stock and an increase in the number of skilled labor force etc. due to these reasons long run aggregate supply curve is made vertical on the graphs. The classical model of economics defines the aggregate supply curve as being a vertical line at the full employment level of real production. The early Keynesian view describes the aggregate supply curve to be a parallel curve to the horizontal axis .i.e. a horizontal curve. It shows that the price level will remain same over the time period and the firms will have to manage their supply according to the available price level prevailing in the economy. The newer Keynesian view describes the aggregate supply curve in the two aspects .i.e. fixed money wage and variable money wage. According to the newer Keynesian view aggregate supply curve is the upward slopping curve at different wage levels for the economy. The supply side school of thought in the economics define the aggregate supply of the economy based on the fact that the aggregate supply is affected by the quality of labor and that the much higher prices are paid to the more skilled labor as compared to the less skilled or unskilled labor.

Rhinoceros :: English Literature Essays

Rhinoceros The human race has advanced over many years, and during this time, moral standards have developed. These moral standards, distinctively different from the laws of nature, are standards set specifically for humans. The play Rhinoceros, written by playwright Eugene Ionesco, associates this difference in moral standards and laws of nature. Ionesco uses Jean, a French businessman, to display the differences between these two ways of life. In Act I, Jean believes in the values of the society, moral standards, but as he changes into a beastly rhinoceros in Act II, his beliefs begin to change; the dramatic transformation of Jean displays the difference in the laws of man and the laws of beast. The laws of man contain society values such as manners and friendship. In Act I, Jean abides these values absolutely, and this is reflected in his personality and physical qualities such as his way of dress. Jean enters the first scene, â€Å"fastidiously dressed in a brown suit, red tie, stiff collar and a brown hat†¦his shoes are yellow and well polished. He wears gloves and carries a cane† (6). Jean, in this case, is a typical example of today’s society and how people care too much about his/her appearance. Appearance determines class, and Jean follows these society values to show that he has class. In addition to this, he attempts to show that he has class and is manly by persistently explaining that â€Å"[he is] strong,† and â€Å"[he is] strong for several reasons. In the first place [he is] strong because [he is] naturally strong – and secondly†¦because [he has] moral strength† (23). Once more Jean displays a belief in moral standards, the belief that strength is an attribute that determines the difference between a deserving or undeserving person. These beliefs, on the other hand, are incredibly different from those of nature. In the world of Mother Nature’s, animals do not follow moral standards, but believe in the survival of the fittest. Amazingly, Jean begins to completely alter his beliefs as he changes into a rhinoceros. In Act I, Jean enjoyed his success in society and his position to criticize and label others less stable than he. I n Act II, however, Jean shows animal-like characteristics more than this. As the second act begins, the audience notices that Jean is still in bed, untidy, instead of at the office where he should be. This immediately shows that Jean is not the same man who used to believe that â€Å"the superior man is the man who fulfills his duty† (9).

With Close reference to Broagh, Anahorish and Anew Song, write about Heaney’s use of language as a way of celebrating his Irish identity

In all three of the poems the first line has a very significant link with either the Irish language or the geography of Ireland. For example in Anahorish the first line explains what the title means. He says † my ‘place of clear water' â€Å", the reason he uses the word my during this is so that the poem is seen through his eyes and gives the reader a first person view of what he is seeing and doing and why what he has written is so significant to him. It also shows by using this that he feels comfortable in this place and it is as if it was a safe haven for him, thus showing how he feels when he is in Ireland, safe and secure. But in Broagh the same thing happens he firstly shows what the title of the poem means and in this case it means riverbank. This way of writing is significant because it is showing that he is proud of Ireland and that he is proud to teach others about his culture and what it means to be Irish. In ‘A New Song' the first line again has a direct link with Ireland, but this time it is not linguistic as in the other two poems but it is geographical. He states † I met a girl from Derrygarve†, this obviously being a place in Ireland. But notice must again be shown to the way in which the sentence is written. The use of â€Å"I† showing that it is again in first person, the significance of this is therefore that he is proud to tell others about where he comes from and what it is like in Ireland for those who have never been thee before. Much of the content in all of the poems is about how Heaney perceived the world around him, especially the geographical world when he was a child. Examples of this in Anahorish are â€Å"the first hill†, â€Å"springs†, â€Å"Shiny grass† and â€Å"vowel – meadow†. These are all ways in expressing his identity and are about him growing up, for example â€Å"vowel meadow† is used. I believe that this has a dual purpose in the poem, firstly it is used to show how his use of language progressed as he grew older and also how Gaelic has many different uses for vowels therefore contrasting it with the English language which has a fairly regular vowel pattern. An example of this in Broagh is â€Å"The garden mould†, this shows Heaney's sense of belonging to Ireland, as mould is something, which belongs to the garden, and with out it would not feel correct. So therefore it is a metaphor, Heaney representing the mould and the garden representing Ireland. This meaning that he was so much a part of Ireland that it would not seem right if he was not there. A piece of geographical imagery in ‘ A New Song', which shows Heaney's Irish identity, is † But our river tongues must rise†. This is about how the Irish language must keep on going and not be forgotten. He says this because if it does the Irish will not be able to be identified any more and might as well just be English which he would not want as Heaney wishes to remain separate from the rest of the United Kingdom. Also during the poems he often hints and metions how people who are not Irish i. . the English find it very difficult to speak the Gaelic language. This is most outstanding in Broagh, † like that last gh the strangers found difficult to manage†, here it is evident that Heaney is proud of his language and puts forward the point that not many people are able to speak it correctly. This therefore separates the Irish from the English. You can also clearly see this in ‘A new song' when it says â€Å"to flood with vowelling embrace', this means that he would like to see Gaelic spoken more widely maybe through out the world or maybe just Ireland.