France & the Revolution essays

France & the Revolution essays The primary issue that plagued France during the period leading up to the Tennis Court Oath and the Oath Abolishing Feudalism was the disparity between the different social classes in French society. One driving force of this disparity was the amount of monies spent by the monarchy and the first two estates of France that were funded by taxes levied, tithes demanded and rents imposed upon the Third Estate. Another was the lack of respect that the nobility showed towards the middle class of the Third Estate, the bourgeoisie. This group of about a million people consisted of doctors, lawyers, merchants, manufacturers and entrepreneurs who were the wealthiest demographic group in France; yet were still classified as members of the Third Estate and thus treated as inferior by the first two. Finally were the desperate conditions endured by the peasants; twenty-five million people held down with no hope or means of improving their lives. Louis XIVs reign truly exemplified the concept of an absolute monarch who only had God to answer to. It was only on his deathbed that he that expressed regrets about his life as advice to his heir, Louis XV. He encouraged his great-grandson to do more for the people of France than he had done. "My child, you will soon be the king of great realm... Try to preserve peace with your neighbors. I have been too fond of war. Do not imitate me in that, nor in the too great expenditures I have made. Lighten the burdens of your people as soon as you can, and do that which I have had the misfortune not to accomplish myself." The reign of Louis XV clearly shows that he did not pay much attention. Even though he was able to avoid the costs of wars until 1740; Louis XVs appetite for opulence, plus the lack of a proper banking system and the lack of fiscal support from the nobility created a financial disaster in France. In light of the failures of his grandfather,...

Definition and Examples of Polemics

Definition and Examples of Polemics Definition Polemic is a mode of writing or speaking that uses vigorous and combative language to defend or oppose someone or something. Adjectives: polemic and polemical. The art or practice of disputation is called polemics. A person who is skilled in debate or someone who is inclined to argue vehemently in opposition to others is called a polemicist (or, less commonly, a polemist). Enduring examples of polemics in English include John Miltons Aeropagitica (1644), Thomas Paines Common Sense (1776), The Federalist Papers (essays by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, 1788-89), and Mary Wollstonecrafts A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792). Examples and observations of polemics are given below. Some other terms that are related to and some that may be confused with polemics include: ArgumentArgumentationConfrontational RhetoricCritiqueEncomiumInvective Etymology: From the Greek, war, warlike Pronunciation: po-LEM-ic Examples and Observations I am in general of the opinion that the best polemic is the perfect presentation of a new point of view. (Finnish folklorist Kaarle Krohn, quoted in Leading Folklorists of the North, 1970)Polemics are certainly necessary at times, but they are only justified by being necessary; otherwise they produce more heat than light. (Richard Strier, Resistant Structures: Particularity, Radicalism, and Renaissance Texts. University of California Press, 1995)[George Bernard Shaw] is a poet of polemics, as Einstein seems to have felt when he compared the movement of Shavian dialogue to Mozarts music. His polemics are therefore the more dangerous, for polemics are nothing but the art of skilled deception. A prime device of polemics is the either/or pattern, against which so much has been said in recent times, often by great polemicists. Shaw is a great polemicist in his skilled deployment of antithesis.(Eric Bentley, The Playwright as a Thinker, 1946. Rpt. by University of Minnesota Press, 2010) Why Polemic Has a Bad Name in the Academic World Polemic has a bad name in the humanities academy. Reasons for avoiding or seeking to discredit polemic arent always articulated, yet they surely include these: polemic disrupts the shared endeavours of the academy and preempts the civil or technical discourses of professionalism; polemic is a short cut to professional recognition typically chosen by those whose ambition outruns their achievement; conversely, polemic is the last resort of major figures in decline, seeking to maintain their professional dominance; polemic is a cheap, often trivial, substitute for real intellectual production; polemic belongs to the sphere of public journalism, where careers can be made on the basis of verbal aggression alone; polemic caters to the unseemly pleasures of cruelty and malice; polemic tends to become compulsive and consuming. Such reasons, or perhaps only intuitions, suffice to create an aversion to polemic, at least in the U.S. academy; they also tend to render polemic ethically suspect, w ith whatever intellectual justifications it is pursued...If, in fact, polemic has become increasingly discredited in the academy during the past 30 years, is it just a coincidence that the trend coincided with a broader academic rejection of violence in the post-colonial, post-Vietnam era? (Jonathan Crewe, Can Polemic Be Ethical? Polemic: Critical Or Uncritical, ed. by Jane Gallop. Routledge, 2004) Explicit vs. Hidden Polemics A polemic is considered to be direct when its subject is explicitly mentioned and the stance taken therein is also explicitthat is, when there is no need to search it out in order to draw conclusions...A polemic is hidden when its subject is not explicitly mentioned, or when it is not mentioned in the expected, conventional formulation. Through various hints, the reader is left with the feeling that a double effort has been made within the text: on the one hand- to conceal the subject of the polemic, that is, to avoid its explicit mention; on the other- to leave certain traces within the text...that through various means will lead the reader to the hidden subject of the polemic. (Yaira Amit, Hidden Polemics in Biblical Narrative, trans. by Jonathan Chipman. Brill, 2000) The Introduction to Common Sense, a Polemic by Thomas Paine Perhaps the sentiments contained in the following pages are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor; a long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason. As a long and violent abuse of power is generally the means of calling the right of it in question (and in matters too which might never have been thought of, had not the sufferers been aggravated into the inquiry), and as the King of England hath undertaken in his own right to support the Parliament in which he calls theirs, and as the good people of this country are grievously oppressed by the combination, they have an undoubted privilege to inquire into the pretensions of both, and equally to reject the usurpation of either. In the following sheets, the author hath studiously avoided everything which is personal among ourselves. Compliments as well as censure to individuals make no part thereof. The wise and the worthy need not the triumph of a pamphlet: and those whose sentiments are injudicious or unfriendly, will cease of themselves, unless too much pains are bestowed upon their conversion.The cause of America is, in a great measure, the cause of all mankind. Many circumstances have, and will arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which the principles of all lovers of mankind are affected, and in the event of which their affections are interested. The laying a country desolate with fire and sword, declaring war against the natural rights of all mankind, and extirpating the defenders thereof from the face of the earth, is the concern of every man to whom nature hath given the power of feeling; of which class, regardless of party censure, isTHE AUTHOR. -Philadelphia, February 14, 1776 (Thomas Paine, Common Sense) In January 1776 Thomas Paine released Common Sense, adding his voice for public consideration over the deteriorating British-American situation. The sheer volume of issues alone attests to the pamphlets demand and suggests a significant impact on colonial thought. [It was reprinted] over fifty times before the year was out, accounting for over five hundred thousand copies...The immediate effect of Common Sense was to break a deadlock between a minority of colonial leaders who wished to form an independent American state and the majority of leaders who sought reconciliation with the British. (Jerome Dean Mahaffey, Preaching Politics. Baylor University Press, 2007) John Stuart Mill on the Abuses of Polemics The worst offence of this kind which can be committed by a polemic is to stigmatize those who hold the contrary opinion as bad and immoral men. To calumny of this sort, those who hold any unpopular opinion are peculiarly exposed, because they are in general few and uninfluential, and nobody but themselves feels much interest in seeing justice done them; but this weapon is, from the nature of the case, denied to those who attack a prevailing opinion: they can neither use it with safety to themselves, nor, if they could, would it do anything but recoil on their own cause. In general, opinions contrary to those commonly received can only obtain a hearing by studied moderation of language, and the most cautious avoidance of unnecessary offence, from which they hardly ever deviate even in a slight degree without losing ground: while unmeasured vituperation employed on the side of the prevailing opinion, really does deter people from professing contrary opinions, and from listening to thos e who profess them. For the interest, therefore, of truth and justice, it is far more important to restrain this employment of vituperative language than the other... (John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859)

Managing Change Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Managing Change Report - Essay Example However, it has been a recognized fact that in an organizational context it is quite easier to determine and plan about initiating any change process than to execute it. This is because it is simpler to change systems as well as processes rather than to change the notion and the perception of people towards any impending change. It is recognized fact that people in an organization i.e. employees are the key players and drivers in order to achieve desired success from initiating any change process. There in lies the need for proper communication of change among the employees with the aim to improve and to tackle any behavioral problem that can occur (Neogroup, 2007). The report intends to recognize and to develop a comprehensive strategy that can be implemented in an organizational perspective to efficiently communicate a significant shift in the company direction. The change that is to be initiated will encompass alterations of senior managerial level and incorporation of additional workforce. In the organizational scenario, in case of change management process a significant problem which generally takes place is regarding proper communication of change. An organization’s higher management primarily desires to initiate a change process in order to bring in certain positive alterations in the organizational fortune. These change requiring situations often include alterations in senior management and induction of additional staff in the organizational workforce. If these situations are not handled properly then it can lead to unpleasant work environment, resentment among the employees and low employee morale among others. These factors can in turn create an inverse reaction within the organizational context and any positive desired outcome can become void (Government Office For the South West, 2007). Communication can be â€Å"defined as the exchange of an information, thought and emotion between individuals of groups, in other words, communication plays a

Reading Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Reading Education - Essay Example A similarity in the two sources is that they have a theoretical framework that relates achievement with social class and race or ethnic difference. On the theoretical border line of consumerism, gender and identity, In the report Choice Pathways and Transitions, the identity of the group under monitoring (cohorts) is no longer based on the old judgments based on class or gender but on the key aspect of identity; social class (Ball et.al. 2000, p.3). In the book addressing the classroom issues, the author cites griffins (1998) where he stated that many boys who are under-achieving, the difference is because of race and social class. Both sources also state that ethnic enculturation is a major impact while considering students achievements. Phoenix (1987) explained that ethnicity affects the constructs of gender (sex) and power. Different cultures take different behaviours as gendered in varying (more or less gender specific) ways. Social class also influences culture constructions (Sk eleton, 1997). Cultural theory in addressing the class room issue, also add that children school differently due to their social class; middle-mothers guarantee their children schooling success than working-class mothers. In the book addressing the classroom issues, the decision making for students is influenced mainly by the classroom inequalities, their social life and cultural issues e.g. association of language with femininity (Francis B., p.5), the association gender with roles e.g., girls cannot do hard subjects like mathematics. This is contrasting with Choice, pathways and transition report, where decision choices were influenced by the theoretical framework of individualism rather than as a result of structured constraints like classroom inequalities like in the... This essay focuses on the social and historical contexts of the themes that motivated the undertaking of this research. There are four main reasons why this study was conducted. The first theoretical borderline was to study the effect of the increase and outspread of the culture of individuality and the economic science of individualisation. Here, the study noted that there have been, in the duration of one generation, some revolutionary changes to the distinctive experiences of youth and one among the most often contested of the changes is the issue of decision making whereby young people have a certain extent to which they view their decision making as personal or individual choice and not as a product of structured conditions, which must be satisfied. This report makes a conclusion that the two studies acknowledge and appreciate that the events of the world affect all people, but they do so differently on the youth. These youths assume their choices, pathways and transitions in a dynamic urban environment full of many opportunities, challenges, oppressions, despairs and excitements. The main argument in this essay is that young people lead their life differently as a result of their differences in gender, the social class they belong to and the identities they fake or assume. Another argument is that the social, individual and material resources desirable to live a reflexively organised lifestyle are not equally reachable to all. The researchers found out that there are organizational factors like unemployment, poor pay, discrimination, lack of support, interrupted schooling, lack of formal qualifications, low self-confidence, and poverty as forming track-lines through the lives of some young people.

Road Map to Peace Essay Example for Free

Road Map to Peace Essay Abstract The main aim of this paper is to focus on the current developments on the peace process in the Israel-Palestinian Conflicts.   This paper also provides some critical insights on the initiatives done by international organizations like the United Nations in dealing with the conflict. Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Peace and security is one common measurement of political stability in any country.   This is because developments through economic and international relationship always start with peace and security.   For any country these days security is indeed one of the most important factors in the government.    Actually, there are many ways and means on how to achieve it, first the government should established a strong military forces, secondly, the country must have a strong relationship with international agencies and they must respect it.   One very powerful organization is the United Nations.   Organization like the UN does not only assist the country in providing some clear guidelines but also they are also there to impose military support if needed. And for them, it is always for the good of many and the entire world is what they are always aiming for in every policies or treaties they amend or newly create like in this paper, the Israel-Palestinian conflict has been there more than the Iraq takeover has started, and as based on studies it has been there for more than a century now.   But this conflict continues to provide some security issues in the world and most specially the region around it, particularly Europe and the Middle East.   If this continues, more and more lives will continue to perish and these would create imbalance in our global economy which will lead to issues like isolations, lack of opportunities, poverty and a lot more.   In this paper it will focus mainly of the current status of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.   Knowing what are the latest initiatives and actions that the UN and other allied forces and the US is doing to help at least reduce the tension and move to economic development s and peace for the countries. Israel-Palestinian Conflict – How does it Originated?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Israel-Palestinian conflict has all started in the 19th century, when the Zionist Jews planned to establish a new and modern state in the ancient land of Israel, which for them it is rightfully won by them.   Then the Zionist empire has started to encourage many of its followers to starts to encourage its people to migrate in this land even though they were not still given the full rights of the land.   Then after the first World War, the United Kingdom gas given the rights to own the land and with the Union of Nation which now popularly known as the United Nation, they have approved to divide the land into two, one for the Jews and the other for the Arabs.   But the Arab league and communities would not agree with the agreement and has fought war, which eventually has invaded Israel.   Then by 1948, the Arab-Israel war had exploded as the Israel re-claims its own territory but leaving Jerusalem as a divided city.   But this revolt has become the final measuring stick for the Arab Region of not recognizing Israel instead they have pursued on supporting the Palestinian government. That was some of the main key historical situation in that time that triggers the lack of respect and finding for peace between the Arab adopted Palestinian and Israel government.   With the very deep meaning from each of this country that goes on for more than a century now, it has been a very difficult for both developed countries and international organizations to make both of these countries look for peace and pursue on economic development.   As one of the latest story that were reported in the UN news center, with its current UN Security Council head Ban Ki-Moon, that he calls for end in the Palestinian and Israeli war, as it already killed many lives and will continue to grown on numbers if they will not look into preserving the lives of its own people most specially the young generations who are hopeless.   The Security Council head has also stated that there are still on-going peace treaties that needs to be followed and that will still be applied. This Humanitarian treaty has been there but the problem is that both governments are not respecting it.   This is just a clear showing that even a well respected international organization like the United Nations has already imposed this sanction for the respect and preservation of the lives of the affected families that caught by cross fire between these countries are not enough to prevent them from pursuing their ideology.   With this the council will be expected to visit both countries to further re-iterate and re-establish its global power over these countries and have them respect the Humanitarian Policy of the United nation.   Religious organizations will also be involved in addressing the conflict in order to have one common vision and that is all for peace in both countries.   With the clear guidelines that will be set to re-instated for both governments, the council is very confident that it will at least reduce the conflict.   (Ban Ki-moon calls for end to Palesti nian attacks, restraint by Israeli forces, 2008). The UN Humanitarian Policy   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The main objective of the United Nations, Humanitarian Policy is mainly protecting the victim of war and law governing the conduct of hostilities, which started from 1856 up to the present.   The following are the State parties or countries expected to strictly apply the following International Humanitarian Law and Other related Treaties as of June 2008.   (1) Treaty relating to the Protection of Victims of Armed Conflicts, which is well applied to Israel and Palestinian government, (2) Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, (3) Weapons treaties and last is (4) Environment.   For treaties relating to the protection of victims of armed conflicts, the following treaties are applied: Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field Geneva, 12 August 1949 Convention (II) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded, Sick in and Shipwrecked members of Armed Forces at Sea Geneva, 12 August 1949 Convention (I) Relative to the Treatment of prisoners of War Geneva, 12 August 1949 Convention (I) Relative to the Treatment of Civilian Person in the Time of War   Geneva, 12 August 1949 These are just some of the most relevant treaties in the International Humanitarian law that the United Nations is applying to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.   These treaties may be so powerful indeed for almost any countries that need to follow, most specially those that are afflicted by war like Israel and Palentine.   But, the only problem is that, just like in local or some international policies, it is not well implemented and even the military forces not also following it.   Some of the main reasons are lack of information being disseminated to the countries and their government.   Second, lack of formal launching and imposing of the law that should have to be formally deal into by affected countries in order for them to know their limitations as well as main obligations.   The organization must have the desire of making it happen by not only imposing by only writing or just amending the law, policies or treaties. There should be constant follow-ups and negotiation in between these times of conflicts which is the main cause of the problem.   This will not also be a big help for the organization in easing up the load since it just keeps on adding and unloading this issues may also give the council and the entire organization more focus to other issues which are actually same as important as this one, like the global economy and health.   This also need to give a more focus by the organization and these should also be given relevant theories as well.   So for the Security Council, it needs to be aggressive and work its own way within the situation and always find better ways as to how these conflicting government arrived to a common goal of peace and prosperity to its respective countries.   (The ICRC, n.d.). Lost Prospective on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is very important that more and more international involvement and strengthening of position by the United Nation and all its members to help one another in resolving the conflict.   Many countries considers that it is better not to be involved as political issues may only start to affect their local government or sometimes countries would consider that they might only be seen as a follower or supporter for the conflict on hand.   But, in fact there are many ways that countries with the United nation can do in order to settle this conflict.   By only encouraging the Arab Region of reconciliation with Israel and making a promise to support its economy will end the problem.   Or maybe involving the countries of giving both countries the chance by allowing them to enter into business in to the other countries will be the answer as well.   But, it is not that easy, like for the Europeans they have the European Union that even befo re where its main objective is to protect its economic status and be able to work in isolation.   Or in the US, which even though they are one of the most well considered a free country, strictness in security policy automatically rejects bilateral agreement to some but making it all available to those that are from them would not only give them good economic growth but also security for its people.   This is the main issue that is needed to be address by the UN. A commitment that any member must look into more of a long-term peace and security that will not improved the economy but can give more and more opportunity for many people, most specially these afflicted countries that is being studied in this paper.   For countries, that opportunity runs only within their state is a clear as isolating them and making them work in their own.   Same as dishonoring a brother which has been a good one before but due to challenges it turns to be not the ideal one, but time goes by and the brother goes back at home and asking for acceptance.   Acceptance that will change his lives and not anymore go into the dark side and preventing everything he can not to go back from that dark part of his life.   But in the case of the conflict between Israel and Palestinian, recognizing them or telling them that it is ok and not actually performing it in true sense is mush harder to take.   This is the situation that is happening all over the world. There are many leaders that assume that everything is running well, due to the fact that they would understand that their organization is powerful and these countries will follow.   But, it is not, the lives that is wasted and the more and more generations that are not anymore preserved in the future, just add more killings and hatred and this should be the focus on how not only to call for peace but also a true acceptance for its by acting on it the real way is needed.   The United Nations and the Developed countries should be in the forefront of this plan to be able to show how true leadership and finding of true peace must be done.   Like for instance for Israel government preventing mobility by the Palestinian is one seen to be one of the causes that triggers conflicts.   As long as a country like Israel outs on roadblocks instead of giving them liberty in doing what they want is enough to help peace to go on.   Trusting is something that needs to give and should not ha ve any limitations. And these roadblocks also leaves Palestinian government but to retaliate and do what the government finds it necessary and the result bloodshed everywhere and at the end the final loser are the people and not the ideology that either of the country is pursuing.   There are also other conflicting ideas, like the expansion of settlement but certain preventive measures were implemented like putting some fences within the land that were not yet settled as to whom it may be owned is something that the UN and the local government continues to see and observed but no concrete humanitarian settlement are happening.   This will not end the conflict and the promise for peace will just be a dream and will never be realized unless there will be an aggressive act for the parties in achieving it. This is considered a lost perspective for the Israel-Palestinian Peace and prosperity initiative, thinking of the lives of the children, like their education, their social well being and the chance to live the life that they deserve more than all of us here in this world is something that affects the heart deep into our veins.   This is something that the United nations and its member nations should look at, as children may only be sleeping at night but at the next day, not even having given the chance to breath even a fresh air to lived as these children were merciful not to perished but still succumb to the wild and very selfish mind of its leaders that does not think of getting more in to loving to let peace reign over them.   (Ben-Meir, Alon, 2006). Israel-Palestinian Conflict’s Current Situation and Initiatives   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As to look at the current situation on this conflict, there are still many talks and initiatives in addressing this issue into the next level.   But even the government and the international group would also find it hard as support and collaborations among them are needed in order to effectively address the issue well.   It was in Jerusalem were supposed to be settlement of the conflict must be conducted, as the Israeli legislators withdrew and leaves the coalition with 67 parliament hundred twenty seats.   This was initiated as it was reported that Israeli forces killed 3 new Palestinian people and what was very devastating for the Palestinian is that one that was killed is a young boy.   Then later it was retaliation for Palestinian forces as it also killed 2 military armed men.   With this settlement it was supposed to work on for the present new year to at least set the issue straight again and form a more detailed plan on ho w the countries can resolved the issue.    But, since Israel has withdrawn its support for this undertaking, it only shows that with their option of doing that, it creates some news that it was the Israel government that are more not focus on the peace treaty and instead it continues to follows its own government direction.   This was also a sign that the country is also finding more reason to operate its military forces and in order not to be out in the hit seat as that meeting will also send some United Nation’s Security Council member to facilitate the talks. Leaving the talks is really hindrance in achieving peace.   This continuously becoming a trend for most peace signing agreement in the world now, as countries should not be attending the said meeting and then follow its own directives on how they can work their way and do not want to be dictated.   Another consideration for most countries is that, they can easily pinpoint that most developed countries are just that opportunist to be involved, because with that they can easily work their business within the country.   This is not the way it goes; it is just a starting point to control tragic results of continued conflicts and not letting other countries to sort of involve because of its own personal intentions.   (Kershner, Isabel, 2008). On-Going Financial Aid for the Conflict on Hand   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the Palestinian government is the one that is much affected and not Israel, President Abbas is continuously asking for financial aid for some international organization.   This time, he seeks for a double than the same amount that was usually asked for.   This aid will be used from 2008 to 2010 and the amount is 5.8 billion dollars.   This aid will be expected as usual to rich and well developed countries in Europe and in the US.   This will be used for infrastructure projects, but much of the amount will be used for payment for public employees and improving the government system of Palestine.   This is very important in the sense that the government is trying to let conflict go behind them and pursue on developing the economy of the country. These are one of the main agenda of Abbas as he let this conflict behind and call fro change.   This is welcomed by many of his supporters as they are facing a tremendous economic downturn and they need bug support in this situation.   He also considers that the government must look on international trade and enhancing the agricultural business and improving its industrial sector.   But this cannot be sustained or not possible without the support of its local people. That is why the biggest part of the aid, will be allocated to wages of the public employees who will be working in achieving his goal of economic reform.   This was a nice moved for the president since it was almost many times in the past that the government has been focusing on hoe to strengthen its military forces but in fact what is important is the food in the tables of its people and bullets will definitely cannot give that for them.   This time the focus is more on the future and long-term plan for development and progress and it will start after the aid will come into their hands and they count mostly European countries to provide them that needed money.   (The Associated Press, 2007). Future Direction and Goal for Israel and Palestinian Government   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With the United States, both the Palestinian and Israel government has committed to pursue on the peace treaty by the end of 2008.   It was attended by country representatives, most specially the Security Council that is very appreciative about these developments.   Both countries have committed that for the present they have committed themselves to continue developing its economy and would try their best to leave their arms for the sake of its people.   This was also a good moved as the United States also promised that they will always behind in all the development and needed support just in case.   This was one of the best days for the conflict to little bit moved for progress.   Most specially for the Palestinian government where it needs to improved its economic status. This was also a good time for both of the countries since they were given itself an open opportunity to open up its economy with other countries who are also as excited to work with them in improving its own economy as well, like most if its are the developing countries of the world.   This has given both the Israel and Palestinian government a time to look for the much better attention of protecting its lives not by bullets or war but by providing them what their people truly deserve and that is food in their table and opportunity that they have longed for a number of years now.   This is the main key for this agreement signing of having to re-visit the peace agreement.   If this works continues, again there is no question that this will create big impact not only to the global economy but also political sector.   (Myers, S. Lee Cooper, Helene, 2007). Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In this paper it was very clear that the current Israel-Palestinian conflict continues to move for greater peace.   With their focus on economic progress and improved bilateral relationship,, it will be no doubt that if this continues, the longest day of conflict may come to an end.   In this paper it also showed that there are also some problems that were instigated by both parties that affects the International Humanitarian Law of the United Nation which was the main policy used by the Security Council in order for this conflict be settled.   This paper also provides an importance to political stability to succeed not only in business or economy but also for peace and security.   Also this cannot materialize by just performing local policies and initiatives, the involvement of an international organization and the support of other countries is still needed just trust and respect is needed for it to happen. References â€Å"Ban Ki-moon calls for end to Palestinian attacks, restraint by Israeli forces.† UN News Center. 17 January 2008 http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=25325Cr=gazaCr1=israel Ben-Meir, Alon. â€Å"Lost Perspective in the Israel-Palestinian Conflict.† The Humanist, Vol. 66 January-February 2006. Goodwin, Jason. â€Å"The Pragmatic Caliphs.† The New York Times 06 January 2008 Kershner, Isabel. â€Å"Hard Line Legislator Quits Israel Coalition Over Talks.† The New York Times 17 January 2008 Myers, S. Lee Cooper, Helene. â€Å"Israel and Palestinians Set Goal of a Treaty in 2008.† The New York Times 28 November 2007 â€Å"SPECIAL SESSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON ISRAELI MILITARY INCURSIONS IN NORTHERN GAZA OPENS.† United Nations Office At Geneva. 15 November 2006 http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/9EE551C649734B07C1257227004AD541?OpenDocument The Associated Press. â€Å"Abbas to Seek Almost Twice as Much Aid From Abroad.† The New York Times 06 December 2007 â€Å"The ICRC: promoter and guardian of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).† ICRC. N.d. http://www.icrc.org/ihl Worth, Robert. â€Å"Al Jazeera No Longer Nips at Saudis.† The New York Times 04 January 2008

The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst Essay -- James Hurst Scarlet Ibis

The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst Foreshadowing, symbolism, and image are all elements which compose style.   All are very important; foreshadowing adds suspense, and symbolism contributes to interpretation.   Image contributes "visual aids" which, also, aid interpretation.   In this classic short story, "The Scarlet Ibis," by James Hurst, foreshadowing, symbolism, and image combine to create a true literary masterpiece. Foreshadowing is one of the elements of style which make "The Scarlet Ibis" great.   For example, the author states, "The last graveyard flowers were blooming, and their smell drifted [through] our house, speaking softly the names of our dead."   This passage clearly foreshadows the death of Doodle.   Also, Hurst comments on Doodle's full name, "William Armstrong," that "such a name sounds good only on a tombstone," again foreshadowing Doodle's death.   Later, Doodle's cries of "Don't leave me!   Don't leave me!" are a parallel to the moment when the terrified little boy once again cries out, "Don't leave me!" when his older brother does actually leave him.   Moreover, Aunt Nicey says... ...n image of desolate grief that the lone brother feels for his lifeless sibling.   Image is truly the most important element in the style of this story. In "The Scarlet Ibis," foreshadowing, symbolism, and image are demonstrated to their full potential.   The frequent foreshadowing hints darkly at Doodle's death, and the unmistakable symbol of the scarlet ibis for Doodle heightens the effect of the image created when the brother huddles over his "fallen scarlet ibis."   Foreshadowing, symbolism, and image really contribute to this story's unique style.

Retail Book Industry in Nz Essay

The aim of this report is to analyse and outline the business perspectives for opening a new independent book store in the Auckland region. The report analyses the current book retail industry and specifically discusses a new book shop’s viability highlighting the internal and external risks and opportunities as well as strengths and shortcomings. To assess the book retail competitive environment elements of SWOT and Porters’ Five Forces analysis tools were utilised (Needle, 2000). The major strengths of a new book shop which could be turned into a competitive advantage are the independency and local governance, relationship with publishers and closeness to customers. The major threats to and weaknesses of the new venture are attributable to low bargaining power with publishers (Needle, 2000), to lack of resources, and high market competition. The report’s conclusion is that anyone intending to enter the book retail market by opening a new store is advised to be mindful of the industry’s risks and challenges in order to mitigate those on the one hand, and to fully capitalise on the opportunities offered by the industry by turning its strengths to a competitive advantage, on the other hand. Table of Contents Executive Summary2 Table of Contents3 1. Introduction4 2. Discussion5 2. 1 Competitive Environment5 2. 1. 1 Whitcoulls Group5 2. 1. 2 Paper Plus6 2. 1. 3 Dymocks8 2. 1. 4 Independent Booksellers9 2. 2 Risk Assessment11 2. 2. 1 Low Bargaining Power with Publishers11 2. 2. 2 Lack of Resources12 2. 2. 3 Market Competition13 2. 3 Opportunities14 2. 3. 1 Independency and local governance14 2. 3. 2 Closeness to Publishers and Customers15 3. Conclusion17 References18 1. Introduction The given report is commissioned by Susan and Michael Clarke to be completed by 27 August 2009. The report’s main objective is to provide an independent analysis of the book retail industry including potential risks and opportunities of opening a new independent book store in the Auckland area. In order to assess the current business environment, the market competitiveness in which a new proposed book store would be operating is analysed including such main industry players as Whitcoulls, Dymocks and Paper Plus on the one hand, and a number of independent book stores on the other hand. Elements of the Porter’s Five Forces’ (Needle, 2000) were incorporated to analyse the competitive environment of the book retail industry. The findings from the analysis of the competitive environment were then utilised to identify and analyse strengths and weaknesses of as well as opportunities and threats for the proposed new independent book store (Samson & Daft, 2005). 2. Discussion Bookselling is a big industry in New Zealand. According to (â€Å"Booksellers ready†, 2008), starting from 2007 the annual books spending in New Zealand has not gone below $1 billion. Books have always been perceived as a lucrative retail business due to high margins[1] and book value that has not changed much over time (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009). 2. 1 Competitive Environment There are two main groups operating in the New Zealand book retail market being chain retailers and independent stores. Historically, the book retail market has always been dominated by a few book retail chains occupying almost 90% of the book retail market, leaving the local independent book stores with no more than 10% of market share (â€Å"Whitcoulls, Paper Plus proceeding†, 2007). The main book retail chains operating in New Zealand are Whitcoulls, Paper Plus and Dymocks. 2. 1. 1 Whitcoulls Group The A&R Whitcoulls Group (Whitcoulls Group) is the largest retail chain in New Zealand presented by the Whitcoulls, Borders and Bennetts Tertiary stores (â€Å"Whitcoulls finally picks†, 2007). The group is also internationally operating in Australia and Singapore with more than 130 Angus & Robertson and Borders stores (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009). After acquiring the Australasian and New Zealand businesses of the second-largest United States bookstore chain Borders[2] (â€Å"Whitcoulls’ Borders bid cleared†, 2009) in 2008 the Whitcoulls Group obtained access to a high demographic serious books market niche (â€Å"Whitcoulls widens†, 2008). As a result, the Whitcoulls Group operates 90 stores across New Zealand (â€Å"Whitcoulls finally picks†, 2007) accounting for up to 45% of the book  retail market (â€Å"Whitcoulls widens†, 2008). Further to the existing dominance in all the CBD areas, Whitcoulls is planning to expand into small-town areas starting from Te Awamutu, Richmond and Ashburton (â€Å"Booksellers ready†, 2008). The recent recession prompted the group to seek cost cuts by merging its Australasian retail operations’ support offices into one division located in Australia (â€Å"How the book trade†, 2009). The group is also looking into opening the online selling operations in August (â€Å"Booksellers ready†, 2008). 2. 1. 2 Paper Plus The Paper Plus chain being fully New Zealand-owned is the second-largest book retailer in New Zealand (â€Å"New look†, 2008). The company operates as a franchise system and has been around for more than 25 years (â€Å"New look†, 2008). Historically Paper Plus has been a strong player in a stationary business[3] whereas its role in bookselling was not taken seriously by the industry[4]. This is one of the reasons why Paper Plus is currently outperformed by Whitcoulls when it comes to bookselling (â€Å"New look†, 2008). However, Paper Plus has recently become an aggressive player in the book retail market announcing an ambitious goal to become number one book retailer in New Zealand[5]. Paper Plus has recently refitted all their 105 stores as booklovers’ destinations (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009) aimed at improving store layout and putting more emphasis on books (â€Å"New look†, 2008). In the meantime, the television and radio celebrity Kerre Woodham was signed up as a frontwoman to do book reviews by hosting the â€Å"books and bubbles† events (â€Å"New look†, 2008). The company’s marketing position is further strengthened by participating in the Fly Buys programme and the agreement with New Zealand Post to host Post Shop and Kiwibank services in Paper Plus stores (â€Å"New look†, 2008). As a result, the company manages to gain a competitive edge by not only targeting the niche of traditional booklovers but also those people who do not have a clear intention to buy books but visit the shops for Post Shop or Kiwibank services. On the management side, Paper Plus has promoted a strong support policy to its franchise stores including effective training by the local support office[6]. In the meantime, Paper Plus has been focusing on the relationship with local publishers as well as has considerably increased spending on advertising raising customer awareness about its products[7]. This all has enabled the company to enter the recession with a very strong financial and marketing position. 2. 1. 3 Dymocks Dymocks is Australian-owned and has been around for over 130 years opening its first store in Auckland in 1994 (www. dymocks. co. nz). Dymocks operates as a franchise system running more than 80 stores in Oceania including six New Zealand stores located in the North Island (www. dymocks. co. nz). Dymocks has been operating with the â€Å"love of books† concept having a reputation as a serious bookseller only without expending their product range to stationary, music and movies (â€Å"How the book trade†, 2009). The company offers their customers more of a contemporary bookbuying experience through the â€Å"Booklover† Rewards Programme (â€Å"How the book trade†, 2009). The company focuses on the New Zealand books being historically in the top 10 sellers. Dymocks have been experiencing a sustainable growth opening four new stores over two last years with further plans to expand into the South Island (www. dymocks. co. nz). However, the recession has almost reversed this growth as Dymocks had to close three stores in two months: two in Auckland and one in Wellington[8]. The main causes for these closures were very high rents, bad locations, no street frontage or through traffic and high competition from Borders (â€Å"How the book trade†, 2009). In addition to this Dymocks had to resort to centralise administration in Australia by closing its New Zealand support office. As such, out of the three main book retail chains, Dymocks has been weakened by the recession the most and is more concerned with a struggle to retain its existing six stores. 2. 1. 4 Independent Booksellers In contrast to the recession-linked problems faced by the book chains the independent booksellers[9] do not seem to suffer any recession at all (â€Å"How the book trade†, 2009). Despite some loss of customers choosing to go to library instead of buying books, the recent recession helped books products gain a momentum in the gift market[10]. The books’ popularity and affordability merits attribute to the people’s preference of a good book or dictionary gift over a $300 vase or duvet blanket (â€Å"Booksellers ready†, 2008). According to an industry expert[11] it is because the book chains have not been putting sufficient effort and resources into the customer relationship side, while independent stores have managed to develop a very loyal customer base by their excellent customer service, professionalism and personal approach (â€Å"How the book trade†, 2009). As such, the independent book stores see the recession times as a good opportunity to pull new customers from the book chains which due to their large size and lack of knowledgeable staff cannot compete with independent stores on the professional advice, recommendation and customer service sides (â€Å"Boutique booksellers†, 2009). The competitiveness of the book retail market is further strained by online booksellers, which have experienced a considerable growth over the last few years in some cases almost doubling their sales each year[12]. Taking into consideration the competitive environment analysis above, the book retail market can be defined as highly competitive. Whitcoulls, Paper Plus and Dymocks were found to be the main competitors due to their market dominance on the one hand, and high bargaining power with book publishers on the other hand (Needle, 2000). 2. 2 Risk Assessment Taking into consideration the above analysis of the book retail industry’s competitive environment the following could be identified as risks and threats for a new independent book store. 2. 2. 1 Low Bargaining Power with Publishers Upstream of the value chain (Samson & Daft, 2005) a new independent shop would have a challenge to sign book publishers and authors in to obtain the rights to sell their books. The authors and publishers would likely be inclined to work with big retail chains or strong independent stores as being representative of better channels for promoting and distributing the books. Bookshops would usually compete over the right to sell quality books in order to win the customers’ preference and loyalty. The industry experience shows that it is not the large stock but rather a good book range and quality that enable a shop to be preferred by customers over its competitors (â€Å"Boutique booksellers†, 2009). Therefore, bearing in mind the tight economic conditions and high market competitiveness, a new independent shop would have a risk of not being able to obtain a competitive book range due to insufficient bargaining power with publishers (Needle, 2000). 2. 2. 2 Lack of Resources Opening a new store would require significant spending starting from hiring or buying the store to paying professional staff competitive wages. The Dymocks example with closing two Auckland stores (one of which after only a few months after opening) showed how much a store location mistake can cost to a shop regardless of its reputation, product range and popularity (Refer 2. 1). Thus, a company wishing to enter a book market would face not only the challenge of funding to open a new store but also to be able match the location trade advantages with costs. The downstream of the value chain (Samson & Daft, 2005) such as advertising and promotion as well as customer relations would also require significant funding. The Paper Plus and independent book stores examples show that investing in advertising and building customer relationships are one of the most effective and powerful means to sustain and further gain market share in the current competitive environment (Refer 2. 1). The independent stores’ achievement of being able to build loyal customer base is due to having professional sales people on floor capable of providing good service along with knowledgeable advice to the customers (Refer 2. 1). Therefore, the lack of resources both material and human would be a weakness of a new shop when entering the book retail market populated with rich chain retailers and professional independent stores. 2. 2. 3 Market Competition New Zealand has a very high number of book shops per capita in comparison to other countries (â€Å"Booksellers ready†, 2008). Thus, a new book store would be entering the market which according to some industry experts is already overpopulated[13] with such strong players as Whitcoulls, Paper Plus, Dymocks not mentioning about independent stores and online sellers experiencing a significant growth in recession (Refer 2.1). Whitcoulls has considerably improved its marketing position through acquiring the Borders operations whereas Paper Plus, being strengthened by combining its services with Post Office and Kiwi Bank, has put a comprehensive action plan in place to fight for number one bookseller in New Zealand. In the meantime, the independent shops are gaining a recession momentum to strengthen their current position by capitalising on the inability of big chains to provide competitive books range, on the one hand, and appropriate level of customer service and support, on the other hand. Taking into consideration the above facts, the book market could be classified as mature where there is no unoccupied market niche (Samson & Daft, 2005) left for a new book store to capitalise on. As a result, for a new store to become successful it will literally mean fighting for other shops’ customers. The implication for a new book store is that it will be very hard to compete with the current industry players that have a very high customer loyalty and market reputation for providing exceptional customer service on the one hand and significant resources, aggressive advertising and market dominance, on the other hand. 2. 3 Opportunities This section discusses the main strengths of and opportunities for a new book store in the current business environment. 2. 3. 1 Independency and local governance The centralisation of the stores support and governance is a common move for many in pursuit of cutting costs. However, experience shows that under the current level of competition store problems are timelier and more effectively resolved if there is local governance in place (â€Å"How the book trade†, 2009). The main competitors of the proposed book store are strategically and operationally managed from overseas[14] making these shops quite inflexible and not quick enough to react to market changes as someone in Australia decides how many copies of a particular New Zealand book the stores should stock. In the meantime, the independent book stores have not felt the recession and are thereby able to respond quicker and serve customers’ needs better by preferring to have better books range over larger stock of out of date books (â€Å"Boutique booksellers†, 2009). Therefore, the independency of a new shop would put the company in a better position in regards to timely reacting to industry changes and thereby avoiding unnecessary losses usually resulted from poor decisions made. 2. 3. 2 Closeness to Publishers and Customers Independent governance makes a proposed new book store closer to local publishers and customers. The New Zealand Book Publishers Association consisting of 95 local publishers is not satisfied with the current â€Å"super market† store running model used by the chains[15]. The main disadvantages are: the decreased books range printed as bulk purchases are made at cost of the books diversity[16], the chains often abuse their bargaining power with publishers[17] and the central display system with ineffective books categorisation[18] (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009). As such, the New Zealand publishers are naturally more inclined to work with small independent stores who will have less bargaining power but more flexibility of buying and distributing books. On the other side of the value chain, a new store would have an opportunity to capitalise on the chains’ clumsiness and lack of personal touch when dealing with customers. The main lesson learnt from chains’ struggle in the current recession is that customer satisfaction and loyalty could on its own determine the book retailer’s commercial future. Independent stores, in turn, have put a particular emphasis in implementing effective customer loyalty programs and achieving loyal customer base. Therefore, despite the high market competition, there is a good opportunity for a new book store to win the book chains’ customers by offering better books range, more professional service and personal approach. 3. Conclusion Taking into account the above analysis, the opening of a new independent book store can be classified as a â€Å"Question† according to the BCG strategic tool (Samson & Daft, 2005). On the one hand, the independence, local governance, good relationships with publishers and closeness to customers could enable a  new book store to become a successful venture, thereby shifting to the â€Å"Star† BCG section distinguished by quick growth and expansion. On the other hand, if the new venture has not managed to establish a strong market presence by providing sufficient funding, professional staff and developing effective strategic relationships with publishers, entering the current highly competitive book retail market could result in a commercial failure. The book retail market can be classified as very mature and highly competitive. As such, it would be quite challenging for a new independent book store with limited resources, on the one hand, and the low bargaining power with the publishers, on the other hand, to compete with the book retail chains as well as with a number of other well established independent bookshops and online booksellers in the Auckland region. In the meantime, the fact that a new book store is going to be independent and locally run provides a competitive advantage of knowing its publishers and customers better and, thereby reacting to industry changes quicker and more effectively. The final success of the new proposed book store would be mostly dependent on its ability to cope with high market competitiveness and mitigating its weaknesses on the one hand and capitalising on its strengths and opportunities currently present in the book industry. References Needle, D. (2000). Business in context: An introduction to business and its environment (3ed. ). London: Thomson Learning. Samson, D and Daft, R. (2005). Management, 2nd Pacific rim edition. Australia: Thomson Learning. Big boys’ books. (2009, January 1), The Press, Retrieved August 15, 2009 from www. stuff. co.nz/the-press/lifestyle/150420/Big-boys-books#share Booksellers ready to write new chapter. (2008, July 14), The New Zealand Herald, Retrieved August 15, 2009 from www. nzherald. co. nz/business/news/article. cfm? c_id=3&objectid=10521367 Boutique booksellers boom. (2009, August 13), The Dominion Post, Retrieved August 15, 2009 from www. stuff. co. nz/dominion-post/wellington/2743304/ Dymocks’ official website. www. dymocks. co. nz. How the book trade is turning a page. (2009, June 13), The New Zealand Herald, Retrieved August 15, 2009 from www. nzherald. co. nz. ezproxy. auckland. ac. nz/business/news/article. cfm?cid=3&objectid=10578175&pnum=2 New look for ‘friendly’ book chain. (2008, June 21), The Dominion Post, Retrieved August 15, 2009 from www. stuff. co. nz/business/497996 Whitcoulls’ Borders bid cleared. (2009, January 1), NZPA, Retrieved August 15, 2009 from www. stuff. co. nz/business/130168 Whitcoulls finally picks up NZ Borders stores. (2007, June 07). The New Zealand Herald, Retrieved August 15, 2009 from www. nzherald. co. nz/business/news/article. cfm? c_id=3&objectid=10514932 Whitcoulls, Paper Plus proceeding by the book in Borders’ buy-out. (2007, November 22), The New Zealand Herald, Retrieved August 15, 2009 from www.nzherald. co. nz/shopping/news/article. cfm? c_id=318&objectid=10477609 Whitcoulls widens its Borders in $137m deal. (2008, July 7), The Dominion Post, Retrieved August 15, 2009 from www. stuff. co. nz/business/477324 ———————– [1] According to industry experts books margins vary from 40% to 50% out of total price (â€Å"Whitcoulls, Paper Plus proceeding†, 2007). [2]The group A&R Whitcoulls group acquired 30 Borders stores as well as exclusive rights to the Borders trademark in New Zealand, Australia and Singapore worth $NZD137 million (â€Å"Whitcoulls finally picks†, 2007). The New Zealand Borders operation acquired included five stores: three in Auckland and one in each Christchurch and Wellington (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009). [3] The recent achievement of Paper Plus is being recognised as the top seller of greeting cards (â€Å"New look†, 2008). [4] Historically only six out of 105 Paper Plus stores were positioned as serious booksellers (â€Å"New look†, 2008). [5] The company’s growth strategy is supported by the strong financial position improved from the loss of $401,000 in 2007 to profit of $748,000 in 2008 (â€Å"New look†, 2008). [6] Paper Plus has purchased a new 500 square metre store in Auckland’s Sylvia Park to be used for training the franchisees how to implement an effective store layout and design to boost books sales (â€Å"New look†, 2008). [7] Whitcoulls admitted in the past that their loss of market share was directly caused by Paper Plus increasing its advertising spending (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009). [8] The Auckland Smales Farm franchise store and the company-owned Queen Street store went into liquidation in May and June 2009 and Wellington Lambton Quay shop closed in May 2009 (â€Å"How the book trade†, 20). [9] The most popular independent book stores include Unity Books (Auckland and Wellington), Scorpio (Christchurch) in Christchurch, Vic Books (Wellington), Dear Reader (Auckland), The Booklover (Auckland) and of Cambridge’s Wrights Bookshop (Auckland) (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009). [10] According to the owners of ‘The Children’s Bookshop’, a book shop in Kilbirnie, last year the store has experienced a 12% increase in revenue mainly driven by the parents preferring books for gift for their children (â€Å"Boutique booksellers†, 2009). [11] Tom Beran owning independent stores in Grey Lynn (Dear Reader) and Takapuna (The Booklover) (â€Å"How the book trade†, 2009). [12] For example, the New Zealand online seller www. fishpond. co. nz starting in 2004 expanded to Australia in 2006 and in 2007 was recognised in the Deloitte/Unlimited Fast 50 list noting the fastest-growing companies (â€Å"How the book trade†, 2009). [13] According to Dymocks CEO, Don Grover the New Zealand bookselling market is already over-supplied (â€Å"Booksellers ready†, 2008). [14] Among the book retail chains occupying 90% of the market only Paper Plus is locally supported, whereas Whitcoulls and Dymocks are both owned and governed by Australian companies (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009). [15] That was evidently expressed in the open opposition from the Book Publishers Association of Whitcoulls’ bid to purchase Borders’ stores as they know that it will result in a decrease of the books range bought by the chain (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009). [16] For example, a book offered by a small publisher could be of a particular interest to smaller towns’ readers. However, a local chain store is unable to make a purchasing decision instead having to sell the books decided in the support office across the Tasman (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009). [17] For example, Whitcoulls is viewed by the industry as a tough negotiator with inflexible buying policies demanding from publishers at least 50% discount (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009). [18] Compared to chain stores that cannot add or change the central display system, the independent stores have much more flexibility in deciding how their stock should be grouped and displayed on the floor (â€Å"Big boys’ books†, 2009).

Internal vs External Change Agent Essay

One of the example that he did was â€Å"In his early years, he helped GE Plastics explode from a $28 million after-thought into a billion dollar business. (Answer) Promoting personally from the internal organisation will have its positive effects, as they will have known the organisation structure, culture and also the employees’ working attitudes and behaviour towards their job and the organisation. And will have the awareness of what is the current problem of organisation is facing and the cause of it. Which can be shown by Jack Welch decided to quit due to â€Å"frustrated by the organisation’s bureaucracy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Answer). This could save the time of finding out of the current practices, culture and procedures of the organisation. And know which of the manager of the organisation can entrust. This provides a morale boast to the front line employee who is suffering from the current situation; a mutual understanding will be form between the employees and the new CEO as they might have worked together before. Knowing the structure of the organisation inside out, will let the new CEO to know which part of the structure is in flaw and require fixing whether it is the corporate between two departments of within the department itself or even the flow of process a project or working procedure. With the time spent in the organisation, the CEO will have known the culture of it like; knowing the time of employee’s lunch hour and tea break sessions. He will be able to make necessary changes to it to boast the productive of the worker. And knowing the employees’ working attitudes caused by the culture, for example a manager picking on every small mistake and carry heavy punishment will cause the employee to work in fear and lower morale which lead to lower productive. With the knowledge of problems that is causing the organisation to function poorly, the internal promoted CEO, he will know who he can entrust to do fix the problem and knowing which products/services that organisation manufactured/provided are with flaws. As an insider of the organisation, the CEO will have known that the weakness of the product and will able to cut off the production and switch the organisation focus on other type of product. Which is something, as a CEO hired from other place, cannot carry such actions. As this is will because chaos will break out in the organisation, as this will give a feeling or message to the employee that they will lose the sense of belonging to the work as they will feel that they don’t have the skill or knowledge to cope with it. As for the promoted CEO from within might have problem to create a revolution for the organisation as he might have a fix mind set of following the currents culture and structure, which will only make the situation more worse as the employee will not able to see any changes in their work regards for better or worse. As CEO is hired from other organisation, this will bring in a different view and will able to bring in other organisation strengths to help improve the current situation of the organisation. The new CEO will not bind down with the relationship of the current staff and thus he will not hesitate to replace the current staff with the more capable new staff. This will give a clear message to the current staff to change their working attitude towards their job. With new top management, this will change the culture of the organisation might have a positive effect as changes is for the good. However, by bringing new culture or replacing with new staff, this might have a side effect on the organisation, as the current staff might felt left out and the suddenly change to culture can create new problem as the current staff might not able to cope with it. An internal leadership will prove a better solution for the organisation that is going for a change. As this shorten the process of understanding the organisation and pointing out problem faster than a CEO hired from other organisation. And also they are more accurately to identifying the correct person with their hearing from others. With the case of Jack Welch, he was able to turn one of the GE’s business from million to billion worth. â€Å"An internal placement could result in multiple inside promotions. † (Sullivan 1999) Since there is an open slot for promotion, as people are moving up, this can serve as a reason for people to show what they can do for the organisation. Thus improve the organisation productive.

Causes of World War II in the Pacific

Causes of World War II in the Pacific World War II in the Pacific was caused by a number of issues stemming from Japanese expansionism to problems relating to the end of World War I. Japan After World War I A valuable ally during World War I, the European powers and the U.S. recognized Japan as a colonial power after the war. In Japan, this led to the rise of ultra-right wing and nationalist leaders, such as Fumimaro Konoe and Sadao Araki, who advocated uniting Asia under the rule of the emperor. Known as hakkà ´ ichiu, this philosophy gained ground during the 1920s and 1930s as Japan needed increasingly more natural resources to support its industrial growth. With the onset of the Great Depression, Japan moved towards a fascist system with the army exerting growing influence over the emperor and government. To keep the economy growing, an emphasis was placed on arms and weapons production, with much of the raw materials coming from the U.S. Rather than continue this dependence on foreign materials, the Japanese decided to seek out resource-rich colonies to supplement their existing possessions in Korea and Formosa. To accomplish this goal, the leaders in Tokyo looked west to China, which was in the midst of a civil war between Chiang Kai-sheks Kuomintang (Nationalist) government, Mao Zedongs Communists, and local warlords. Invasion of Manchuria For several years, Japan had been meddling in Chinese affairs, and the province of Manchuria in northeast China was seen as ideal for Japanese expansion. On Sept. 18, 1931, the Japanese staged an incident along the Japanese-owned South Manchuria Railway near Mukden (Shenyang). After blowing up a section of track, the Japanese blamed the attack on the local Chinese garrison. Using the Mukden Bridge Incident as a pretext, Japanese troops flooded into Manchuria. The Nationalist Chinese forces in the region, following the governments policy of nonresistance, refused to fight, allowing the Japanese to occupy much of the province. Unable to divert forces from battling the Communists and warlords, Chiang Kai-shek sought aid from the international community and the League of Nations. On Oct. 24, the League of Nations passed a resolution demanding the withdrawal of Japanese troops by Nov. 16. This resolution was rejected by Tokyo and Japanese troops continued operations to secure Manchuria. In January, the U.S. stated that it would not recognize any government formed as a result of Japanese aggression. Two months later, the Japanese created the puppet state of Manchukuo with the last Chinese emperor  Puyi as its leader. Like the U.S., the League of Nations refused to recognize the new state, prompting Japan to leave the organization in 1933. Later that year, the Japanese seized the neighboring province of Jehol. Political Turmoil While Japanese forces were successfully occupying Manchuria, there was political unrest in Tokyo. After a failed attempt to capture Shanghai in January, Prime Minister Inukai Tsuyoshi was assassinated on May 15, 1932  by radical elements of the Imperial Japanese Navy who were angered by his support of the London Naval Treaty and his attempts to curb the militarys power. Tsuyoshis death marked the end of civilian political control of the government until after World War II. Control of the government was given to Admiral SaitÃ…  Makoto. Over the next four years, several assassinations and coups were attempted as the military sought to gain complete control of the government. On Nov. 25, 1936, Japan joined with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy in signing the Anti-Comintern Pact which was directed against global communism. In June 1937, Fumimaro Konoe became prime minister and, despite his political leanings, sought to curb the militarys power. The Second Sino-Japanese War Begins Fighting between the Chinese and Japanese resumed on a large scale on July 7, 1937, following the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, just south of Beijing. Pressured by the military, Konoe permitted troop strength in China to grow and by the end of the year Japanese forces had occupied Shanghai, Nanking, and southern Shanxi province. After seizing the capital of Nanking, the Japanese brutally sacked the city in late 1937 and early 1938. Pillaging the city and killing nearly 300,000, the event became known as the Rape of Nanking. To combat the Japanese invasion, the Kuomintang and Chinese Communist Party united in an uneasy alliance against the common foe. Unable to effectively confront the Japanese directly in battle, the Chinese traded land for time as they built up their forces and shifted industry from threatened coastal areas to the interior. Enacting a scorched earth policy, the Chinese were able to slow the Japanese advance by mid-1938. By 1940, the war had become a stalemate with the Japanese controlling the coastal cities and railroads and the Chinese occupying the interior and countryside. On Sept. 22, 1940, taking advantage of Frances defeat that summer, Japanese troops occupied French Indochina. Five days later, the Japanese signed the Tripartite Pact effectively forming an alliance with Germany and Italy Conflict With the Soviet Union While operations were ongoing in China, Japan became embroiled in border war with the Soviet Union in 1938. Beginning with the Battle of Lake Khasan (July 29 to Aug. 11, 1938), the conflict was a result of a dispute over the border of Manchu China and Russia. Also known as the Changkufeng Incident, the battle resulted in a Soviet victory and expulsion of the Japanese from their territory. The two clashed again in the larger Battle of Khalkhin Gol (May 11 to Sept. 16, 1939) the following year. Led by General Georgy Zhukov, Soviet forces decisively defeated the Japanese, killing over 8,000. As a result of these defeats, the Japanese agreed to the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact in April 1941. Foreign Reactions to the Second Sino-Japanese War Prior to the outbreak of World War II, China was heavily supported by Germany (until 1938) and the Soviet Union. The latter readily provided aircraft, military supplies, and advisors, seeing China as a buffer against Japan. The U.S., Britain, and France limited their support to war contracts prior to the beginning of the larger conflict. Public opinion, while initially on the side of the Japanese, began to shift following reports of atrocities like the Rape of Nanking. It was further swayed by incidents such as the Japanese sinking of the gunboat U.S.S.  Panay  on Dec. 12, 1937, and increasing fears about Japans policy of expansionism. U.S. support increased in mid-1941, with the clandestine formation of the 1st American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers. Equipped with U.S. aircraft and American pilots, the 1st AVG, under Colonel Claire Chennault, effectively defended the skies over China and Southeast Asia from late-1941 to mid-1942, downing 300 Japanese aircraft with a loss of only 12 of their own. In addition to military support, the U.S., Britain, and the Netherlands East Indies initiated oil and steel embargoes against Japan in August 1941. Moving Towards War With the U.S. The American oil embargo caused a crisis in Japan. Reliant on the U.S. for 80 percent of its oil, the Japanese were forced to decide between withdrawing from China, negotiating an end to the conflict, or going to war to obtain the needed resources elsewhere. In an attempt to resolve the situation, Konoe asked U.S.  President Franklin Roosevelt  for a summit meeting to discuss the issues. Roosevelt replied that Japan needed to leave China before such a meeting could be held. While Konoe was seeking a diplomatic solution, the military was looking south to the Netherlands East Indies and their rich sources of oil and rubber. Believing that an attack in this region would cause the U.S. to declare war, they began planning for such an eventuality. On Oct. 16, 1941, after unsuccessfully arguing for more time to negotiate, Konoe resigned as prime minister and was replaced by the pro-military General Hideki Tojo. While Konoe had been working for peace, the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) had developed its war plans. These called for a preemptive strike against the U.S. Pacific Fleet at  Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as well as simultaneous strikes against the Philippines, Netherlands East Indies, and the British colonies in the region. The goal of this plan was to eliminate the American threat, allowing Japanese forces to secure the Dutch and British colonies. The IJNs chief of staff, Admiral Osami Nagano, presented the attack plan to Emperor Hirohito on Nov. 3. Two days later, the emperor approved it, ordering the attack to occur in early December if no diplomatic breakthroughs were achieved. Attack on Pearl Harbor On Nov. 26, 1941, the Japanese attack force, consisting of six aircraft carriers, sailed with Admiral Chuichi Nagumo in command. After being notified that diplomatic efforts had failed, Nagumo proceeded with the attack on Pearl Harbor. Arriving approximately 200 miles north of Oahu on Dec. 7, Nagumo began launching his 350 aircraft. To support the air attack, the IJN had also dispatched five midget submarines to Pearl Harbor. One of these was spotted by the minesweeper U.S.S.  Condor  at 3:42 a.m. outside of Pearl Harbor. Alerted by  Condor, the destroyer U.S.S.  Ward  moved to intercept and sank it around 6:37 a.m. As Nagumos aircraft approached, they were detected by the new radar station at Opana Point. This signal was misinterpreted as a flight of  B-17 bombers  arriving from the U.S. At 7:48 a.m., the Japanese aircraft descended on Pearl Harbor. Using specially modified torpedoes and armor piercing bombs, they  caught the U.S. fleet by complete surprise. Attacking in two waves, the Japanese managed to sink four battleships and badly damaged four more. In addition, they damaged three cruisers, sank two destroyers, and destroyed 188 aircraft. Total American casualties were 2,368 killed and 1,174 wounded. The Japanese lost 64 dead, as well as 29 aircraft and all five midget submarines. In response, the U.S. declared war on Japan on Dec. 8, after  President Roosevelt  referred to the attack as a date which will live in infamy. Japanese Advances Coinciding with the attack on Pearl Harbor were Japanese moves against the Philippines, British Malaya, the Bismarcks, Java, and Sumatra. In the Philippines, Japanese aircraft attacked U.S. and Philippine positions on Dec. 8, and troops began landing on Luzon two days later. Swiftly pushing back  General Douglas MacArthurs Philippine and American forces, the Japanese had captured much of the island by Dec. 23. That same day, far to the east, the Japanese overcame fierce resistance from U.S. Marines to  capture Wake Island. Also on Dec. 8, Japanese troops moved into Malaya and Burma from their bases in French Indochina. To aid British troops fighting on the Malay Peninsula, the Royal Navy dispatched the battleships H.M.S.  Prince of Wales  and  Repulse  to the east coast. On Dec. 10,  both ships were sunk by Japanese air attacks  leaving the coast exposed. Farther north, British and Canadian forces were resisting Japanese  assaults on Hong Kong. Beginning on Dec. 8, the Japanese launched a series of attacks that forced the defenders back. Outnumbered three to one, the British surrendered the colony on Dec. 25.

Prime Ministers of Canada Since 1867

Prime Ministers of Canada Since 1867 The prime minister of Canada heads the government of Canada and serves as the primary  minister of the sovereign, in this case, the monarch of the United Kingdom.  Sir  John A. Macdonald  was  the first prime minister since Canadian Confederation  and assumed office on July 1,  1867. Chronology of the Canadian Prime Ministers The following list chronicles the Canadian prime ministers and their dates in office since 1867. Prime Minister Dates in Office Justin Trudeau 2015 to Present Stephen Harper 2006 to 2015 Paul Martin 2003 to 2006 Jean Chretien 1993 to 2003 Kim Campbell 1993 Brian Mulroney 1984 to 1993 John Turner 1984 Pierre Trudeau 1980 to 1984 Joe Clark 1979 to 1980 Pierre Trudeau 1968 to 1979 Lester Pearson 1963 to 1968 John Diefenbaker 1957 to 1963 Louis St Laurent 1948 to 1957 William Lyon Mackenzie King 1935 to 1948 Richard B Bennett 1930 to 1935 William Lyon Mackenzie King 1926 to 1930 Arthur Meighen 1926 William Lyon Mackenzie King 1921 to 1926 Arthur Meighen 1920 to 1921 Sir Robert Borden 1911 to 1920 Sir Wilfrid Laurier 1896 to 1911 Sir Charles Tupper 1896 Sir Mackenzie Bowell 1894 to 1896 Sir John Thompson 1892 to 1894 Sir John Abbott 1891 to 1892 Sir John A Macdonald 1878 to 1891 Alexander Mackenzie 1873 to 1878 Sir John A Macdonald 1867 to 1873 More About the Prime Minister Officially, the prime minister is appointed by the  governor general of Canada, but by constitutional convention, the prime minister must have the  confidence  of the elected  House of Commons. Normally, this is the leader of the party caucus with the greatest number of seats in the house. But, if that leader lacks the support  of the majority, the governor general can appoint another leader who has that support or may dissolve parliament and call a new election. By  constitutional convention, a prime minister holds a seat in parliament and, since the early 20th century, this has more specifically meant the House of Commons.

Why is a Hard Days Night culturally important Essay

Why is a Hard Days Night culturally important - Essay Example The Beatles band had developed a unique lifestyle. Many young people developed an obsession for the Beatles band a phenomenon described as â€Å"Beatle mania†. The production of the movie afforded many young people an opportunity to experience a day in the life of the four members of the Beatles band. Richard Lester adopted a concept of realism in developing the first rock and roll film that registered a remarkable cultural impact. This paper will discuss the cultural importance of A Hard Day’s Night. The film features John, Paul, George, and Ringo on their way to London, where they were scheduled to perform on television. The film allows the audience to engage in the activities that the four members of the Beatles band indulged in before they can get to the real performance. The film features press conferences as well as rehearsals that they undertake on their way to London. Most importantly, the film goes deeper to depict the real life of the four boys making the Beatles. The Beatles band members were young and energetic. For this reason, they afforded the time to have fun amidst their official rehearsals and press conferences. As they move from place to place, they meet their fans who exhibit high levels of excitement. Notably, Beatle mania had spread to different cities, although it began in Liverpool. The audience can also see the relationship between the Beatles and their managers who accompany during their trip to London (Frontani 2007, p. 68). The film becomes more intere sting as the boys interact with Paul’s grandfather who proves to be highly mischievous. The film also depicts many of the famous songs by the band. For many people, especially the youths who were obsessed with the Beatles band were able to connect more with the band members after the release of the movie. The release of the movie A Hard Day’s Night exhibited remarkable cultural impacts. In order to understand the cultural impacts of the movie, it is