Biography of Xerxes

Born in c. 519 BC, of the parents King Darius and his wife Atossa came Xerxes. He was raised in the lavish opulence of an eastern court and became the designated heir to his father†s throne in which he was to rule over the greatest empire of his time for 21 years. The Persian Empire. He was not the oldest of Darius† sons but still became the heir over his oldest brother Artabazanes. There were two main reasons for this, His mother Atossa was the daughter of the great Cyrus making Xerxes his grandson. According to Herodotus Atossa would have used her influence to get her son on the throne. [Herodotus book 7 section-3]. Xerxes stated superior claim to the throne for the same reasons. Spartan King Demaratus who was exiled from Sparta and in the Persian court at the time, suggested that they use the Spartan custom to elect a king. That is that the son who is born first while the king sits on the throne will be the heir no matter how many sons there were before the king became king [Herodotus book 7 section-3]. This made Xerxes the rightful heir how ever he describes his accession himself on limestone foundation block at Persepolis â€Å"†¦ My Father was Darius; Darius† father was Hystaspes by name; Hystaspes† father was Arsames by name†¦ saith Xerxes the King: Other sons of Darius there were, (but)- thus unto Ahura-Mazda was the desire- Darius my father made me the greatest after himself. When my father Darius went away from the throne, by will of Ahura-Mazda I became king on my fathers throne. † So to help legitimise his claim to the throne, Xerxes uses Ahura-Mazda. In another inscription he supports himself by saying † †¦ I am Xerxes, the great king, king of king, king of lands containing many men, king in this great earth far and wide, son of Darius the king, an Achaemid, a Persian, son of a Persian, an Aryan, of Aryan seed. † Here he emphasises that he an Achaemenid to add weight on his claim to the throne. According to A. T. Olmstead, Xerxes gained administrative experience by living in the royal Babylonian palace and being able to rule Babylon. Though there is not enough evidence to support this. Some historians say that Darius and Xerxes shared co-regency, but there is not enough evidence to support this either. The evidence we do have on his background and early life before he became king is that his father was a believer in the god Ahura – Mazda and therefore a follower of Zoastrianism. We know that Xerxes carried this on. As far as we know the only real education according to Herodotus that Persian boys were taught was to†¦ † Ride, to use the bow, and to speak the truth† [Herodotus book 1 pg. 137]. The most important and significant things in Xerxes life that contributed to his assent was being the grandson of the greatest king Persia had seen and his mother being that kings daughter and able to use her influence. Xerxes became the king of the Persian Empire in 485BC. In his 25 years of reign he achieved many things. He was certainly not a lazy ruler and her proved this in the early years of his reign with the swift crushing of the Babylonian and Egyptian revolts. Even as a new king he portrayed traits of a strong and strict monarch. â€Å"He sent an army against the Egyptian rebels and decisively crushed them. [Herodotus book 7 section-7]. The most famous expedition Xerxes was conducted as his attempt to invade Greece. This is seen to most people as a failure as the Greeks defeated him. Though it can also be looked upon as an achievement because although he failed to encompass the entire country into his empire he still managed to destroy Athens, which was one of his main priorities in the first place. † I will not rest until I have taken Athens and burnt it to the ground, in revenge for the injury in which the Athenians without provocation did to me and my Father† [Herodotus book 7 section-8-b]. So his destruction of Athens can be looked upon as an achievement. Xerxes was by no means a poor military conductor as he shows good management and organisational skills in the way he amasses and upholds his army. He had clever and careful planning when it came to invading and according to Cameron and Lawless, Xerxes extended his empire into Thrace and Macedonia as well as adding territory from distant eastern provinces [page 99]. His achievements don†t just focus on warlike activities. His building programs at Persepolis and some closer to home show that his ambitions did not just consist of taking land. He thought expanding his empire was important but so to was internal development. † King Darius my father built and ordered to be built much good construction. By the favour of Ahura – mazda I added to that construction and built further (buildings). † [Cameron and Lawless, pg 181]. Xerxes began building almost straight after he ascended the throne, but the majority of his constructions were done in the last three years of his reign. Some of the buildings consist of the Apadana, which was an audience hall in the Persian royal palace. It was started by Darius and finished by Xerxes. ‘Harem† was Xerxes palace that he built for himself; The ‘Central Building† was another construction ordered by Xerxes; ‘Throne Hall† or other wise known as ‘The Hall of 100 Columns†, was believed to have been started by Xerxes and finished by Artaxerxes; ‘Palace H† was another incomplete building believed to have been stared by Xerxes and incomplete inscriptions suggest that it may have been finished by Artaxerxes. These are just a few examples of the achievements this man completed in his life. It is clear that he was a serious ruler who had many ambitions in his life. The love life of Xerxes is a complicated subject to find evidence on. Herodotus mentions him having only one wife named Amestris and the information on her is extremely little. Her father was probably Otanes who was a Persian nobleman and one of the seven conspirators who helped Darius become King. Further research uncovers the story of Esther and Queen Vashti. There is more information on the story of Esther and Queen Vashti then there is on Amestris. The story of Esther and Vashti is also more probable to be mythology then real history, as a lot of the information doesn†t add up. Herodotus neither mentions Esther or Vashti in his histories and he is our main source to this period in time. The story of Esther is a book in the bible and is where the Jewish celebration of ‘Purim† comes from. According to the story of Esther, King Xerxes was banqueting with all his friend and he was boasting about how he had the finest of everything. Then he called for his wife, Queen Vashti, and told her to walk around in front of his guests wearing nothing but her crown because he believed she was the most beautiful woman and he wanted to show everyone. Vashti was greatly insulted and refused so she was deposed. A beauty contest was held for Xerxes to select a new wife and he chose a young girl called Esther who he apparently fell instantly in love with. Esther†s real name was Hadassah but she changed it to hide her Jewish identity. Then with the help of her influence on Xerxes and her cousin Mordecai she was ale to save the Jewish people from slaughter. This story his been questioned by many scholars and historians and is believed to be mythical. Though there isn†t much mentioned on Amestris, from the main story she takes part in we are able to piece together quite a picture of her. Amestris wove a wonderful shawl as a present for her husband Xerxes. He gave it to his brother†s daughter Artaynte with whom he had had an affair with. When Amestris discovered this betrayal she was furious and immediately blamed Artaynte†s mother and had her brutally mutilated. Xerxes brother then beside himself plotted a rebellion against Xerxes and Xerxes had him killed. From this story we can already gather that Amestris was a jealous and not so nice woman who held quite a bit of power over Xerxes, As she wasn†t punished for what she did. There is another story of Amestris that leads us to believe she wasn†t that good a woman. A custom of Persia was burying people alive! Amestris in her old age did it to fourteen Persian boys of distinguished families, by way of a present which she hoped the god of the under world would except instead of herself [Herodotus book 7 section-114]. In 465BC Xerxes was found murdered in his bedchambers. According to Cameron and Lawless, specific details on the death of Xerxes are unknown. It suggests that Artabanus, the commander of the palace guards murdered him with the help of Aspamitres, a court eunuch [pg. 100]. Therefore Xerxes ended his reign of the Persian Empire as a victim of palace conspiracy and was succeeded by his son Artaxerxes.

Appreciating Rain on a Grave by Thomas Hardy Essay

This poem presents its composer, Thomas Hardy, through a persona of grief over his late wife. The poem is contextualized immediately after Mrs. Hardys death as the widowed persona stands by her grave. The poem moves from third person perspective through to a first person point of view. It reflects on the personas guilt of mistreating his late wife before her death and his yearning to be with her in the present. Would I lay there And she were housed there! Or better, togetherWe both, – who would stray thereHardy wrote this poem as a way of expiating the way he treated his late wife while she was alive. The poet, Thomas Hardy introduces the poem by describing the rain spouting on the personas wifes grave Clouds spout upon her. This creates a melancholy mood in the audience and expresses the physical pain she suffered from the persona whilst she was living Her who but lately Had shivered with pain, his past actions make him feel immensely guilty. The purpose of this poem was for the poet to reflect upon his actions and acknowledge his guilt for the mistreatment of his late wife. The persona contemplates on his behaviour towards his wife while she was alive causing her physical and emotional pain and acknowledges that his love was lost through his ill-treatment of his late wife. This is evident through the following lines:Her who but lately Had shivered with pain and his yearning to be reunited with her again Would I lay there And she were housed there! Or better, together We both, – who would stray thereThe poem moves from a serious tone to a more light hearted tone. The poet evokes a sad, melancholy mood in the early stanzas of the poem Clouds spout upon her Had shivered with pain and in the late stanzas of the poem the poet evokes a somewhat contented mood Love beyond measure With a childs pleasure All her lifes round. There is a bittersweet tone to the poets reflections upon his thoughts of his wife in the poem. The poem consists of four stanzas with each stanza consisting of nine lines.  The informal language in Rain on a Grave is effective and appropriate in conveying Hardys reminiscence of thoughts and feelings as it allows him to freely express his emotions and hence it serves to achieve his purpose. Hardy uses several imagery techniques throughout the poem Green blades from her mound, which allows readers to visualize the grass on her grave, Clouds spout upon her which helps readers envisage the image of rain spouting on the grave giving a melancholy effect. Other techniques used are metaphors so coldly, so straightly such arrows of rain: giving the striking effect of rain and the cold, reality is brings like stars on the ground, – Till she form part of them- gives the uplifting mood and that his wifes afterlife is a much better life than the one she had when alive, emotive language loved beyond measure With a childs pleasure gives the empathy of love and how it can be beyond anything and rhyming techniques When sunny the day there, – Or evening was clear At the prime of the year. The techniques in the poem assist with evoking the reader with what the persona feels and sees and the mood of the poem. The rhythm is slow and gentle, appropriate for the personas thoughts. Movement of this poem is slow placed to suit the reflective thoughts and emphasize the thoughts of the persona. Due to the poets use of structure, imagery and metaphors he enables readers to feel and sympathize with his thoughts. Bibliography: http://web.mac.com/kburden/iWeb/Wessex%20Heights/Podcast/F1735ED8-8E67-492C-A6B7-266F83730FDE.html

Gobal Epidemic of Childhood Obesity Research Paper

Gobal Epidemic of Childhood Obesity - Research Paper Example National surveys with measured height and weight parameters have reported increases in child weight and thus obesity since 1980's. (Hedley et al., 2847-2850) Childhood obesity is a root cause of many health problems and thus leads to innumerable mental and physical health problems including metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes (US department of health and human services) hypertension, sleep apnea , heart disease and orthopedic disorders. (Freedman et al., 712-718) Childhood obesity is also associated with psychological and social marginalization issues such as discrimination and low self esteem (Strauss, 105). Since 1980's many research have been conducted to investigate the root cause behind childhood obesity and the ideal role and measures to be taken by parents, school pediatricians and public policy makers. Many environmental factors are examined as potential contributors to obesity but apart from vague linkages which most of the times doesn't even require extensive resear ch and are just logical to human conscience, no specific causes of obesity are identified. A recent study examined the relationship between the effects on body mass of children and proximity of a fast food restaurant chain or some recreational center the basic findings of this research were that children living near a fast food restaurant chain or having a restaurant in the proximal 0.1 miles from their school tend to have a higher BMI. Recreational amenities if located near child's residence tend to lower child BMI such amenities include fitness areas like volleyball courts, football courts and parks. Other research by Howell Wechsler and William H. Dates conducted under the National association of state board of education examined data on obesity amongst children and the role of schools and other educational institutions in dealing with this issue. The study also identifies important strategies school can implement and bring a change. Up till now many research has also been conduc ted to explain the role pediatricians and treatment patterns to cure childhood obesity, they identified reasons and the patterns behind obesity are listed below. Availability of food Heavy dependence on prepackaged calorie dense meals due to time constraint among parents has led to rocketing trends of obesity these time saving behaviors coupled with lower prices of food products that are rich in sugar fat and salt has been identified a significant cause of this epidemic. A recent study identified that consumption of sugar and fats has increased by 64%and 67% respectively (Hedley, 2847-2850). Clear linkages are established between the declining cost of fast food and the epidemic rise in child obesity. Health policies like the requirement of a nutritional label for all fast food and processed meals can be designed to increase nutritional awareness. Rapid shifts towards a more sedentary lifestyle Weight gain or loss is clearly attributable to calorie intake and expenditure in the human body and routine activities play a vital role in calorie consumption. Urban settlements lack sidewalks and infrastructure which may prove a hindrance to short walks and recreation. Studies have documented evidence that present era's children on average spend 28 hours per week watching television and time spend on television is directly related to obesity (Gortmaker et al., 356-362). Other activities

Defning globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Defning globalization - Essay Example The definition of globalization is highly contentious among professionals in the field of economics and business. Globalization is a term for the process of international integration brought upon by interconnectivity of cultural aspects.(Steger, 1) Cultural aspects can be further defined as technology, religion, infrastructure, and manufacturing processes. There are many types of globalization; increased internet activity, international cell phones, and aviation. There are many good aspects of globalization that increases the health and education of many third world countries. However, there are aspects of globalization that have both positive and negative aspects. The globalization that most people think of the most is the usage of other countries to assist in the production or manufacturing of products for consumption or use. This is known by many currently as outsourcing. While outsourcing is not the only form of globalization, this is the one element that has become a hot topic politically due to the extent and negative elements. Outsourcing is a negative form of globalization to portions of the United States, while for others it is one of the best things that has occurred. When the United States federal government began to give tax benefits to companies who moved their major production elements outside of the United States, many companies began to move.(Anderson, 213) Not only are manufacturing jobs being sourced in other countries, but now countries are moving things such as call centers and technology service centers.(Dessler & Phillips, 61) Moving jobs overseas has a drastic and detrimental effect on the job market in the United States. Individuals in certain regions of the country are without job because of the relocation of most of the car making processes. No longer are there hundreds of companies making car parts, most if not all of those jobs are now in countries such as Mexico and China. This outsourcing has come to a

Class Blog (reflection paper) Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Class Blog (reflection paper) - Article Example In many ways I did not believe that the conditions were harsh and imagined that perhaps the family enjoyed a comfortable stay at a Western hotel during the evenings while only sharing the food and accommodation of the local villagers during working hours. These suppositions quickly evaporated when my best friend invited me (and I accepted) to participate one year as an assistant for the trip. Armed with my pre-conceived notions about how it would be I was in for one of the most monumental shocks of my entire life. Additionally, the experience worked to impress upon me one of the most valuable ethical lessons I have yet learned. So powerful was this experience and the ethical ramifications thereof that it has partially reshaped the way I live my own life. Supposing that I would be surrounded by a team of part time â€Å"do gooders† that were more interested in the exotic local than the needs of the villagers, I soon found myself enveloped by a world I could never have imagined nor believed had it been explained to me. What was really going on was that each and every one of the volunteers were taking time from their own highly paid jobs in the United States to volunteer their time, energy, and money (medical supplies were covered by those that were volunteering) to alleviate the suffering of those that did not have access to a hospital or medical clinic within 85 miles. It was during this time that my view of the world and how ethical behavior should look like began to form. I cannot say that I have seen the light and now the needs of fellow humans has turned me into the perfect example of a humanitarian; however, what it did do was shatter my expectations regarding what life was really like and why people performed such selfless and costly acts of service. From a spiritual perspective, I was able to relate to what the volunteers were doing. In fact, from a spiritual perspective, nearly all persons of faith can relate to

Atlanta's Historical Preservation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Atlanta's Historical Preservation - Essay Example Take no other metropolis for example than Atlanta, the grandiose heart of the South. "Parkside Partners Inc. and The Carter Real Estate Fund I LLC have formed a partnership to develop a two-building, class A office condominium project on about 3.5 acres in Technology Park/Atlanta in Gwinnett County. " The gem of the South is quickly turning into smog-ridden monument to consumerism. And lost in this shuffle of Starbucks-lifestyle is one of the richest histories in the United States. We can only hope that the Swan House and the Tullie Smith Farm will never be bulldozed in favor of a Gap. This is the travesty that modern-day Atlanta has become. This is what we have retained after two-hundred years of fascinating and sometimes violent history. We can see the now, let us examine the then. Late in the September of 1906, the energy that had been pent up by years of slavery and civil war exploded in Atlanta when mobs of whites assaults black citizens, killing dozens, wounding many more, and causing untold property damage. The racial tension began to build during the Reconstruction, when blacks started to exercise their newly found rights, giving rise to a group of wealthy black elites; a group that assaulted the sensibilities of the then-racist denizens of Atlanta. It was because of this that headlines on September 22nd, 1906 read, "...Frequent Assaults" But not all of Atlanta's past has been so radically violent.

Opportunities to improve international business prospects Assignment

Opportunities to improve international business prospects - Assignment Example South Africa is one of the emerging markets that the company should endeavor to establish. Some of the benefits that the organization and its employees will accrue include; Even though doubts may arise concerning the company’s expansion to a foreign country, I am hereby shedding light on some of the controversial issues. The headquarters will be located in Durban, which is the third largest City in South Africa. Durban harbor is the busiest port in the East Coast of Africa (World Port Source), which makes it a strategic dock for imports and exports to and from the land locked developing countries in Africa. English is among the official languages in the country and therefore communication will be effective. The country has experienced an economic boom since it hosted the 2010 FIFA world cup (Udesh et al. 27). The economy is undergoing rapid growth especially with the concerted efforts by the government and stakeholders to enhance the recovery from the inefficiencies of apartheid. According to Lundahl and Petersson, there has been notable growth in the manufacturing and transport sector (33). However, the employment opportunities are fewer than the employable population in the country. The government is therefore encouraging foreign investors to establish business in the country in a bid to solve the problem of high unemployment rates (Prasad et al. 13). This is the reason our company has been granted approval to establish in Durban where it may help in creating employment opportunities for locals. On the other hand, the city’s political climate is encouraging. The politicians are concerned about economic growth and empowerment of people to improve their standards of living. Our company enjoys unmatched reputation in the region and therefore there is no doubt of imminent success. It is evident that the move to Durban, South Africa is a significant global strategy that will enhance the

Case Study Assignment (Zara Case) in Europe, Asia, North America and Essay

Case Study Assignment (Zara Case) in Europe, Asia, North America and Middle East - Essay Example Moreover, the wider scope in the fashion industry has provided the company with certain significant opportunities. On the other hand, it has been ascertained that value chain system of the company has been one crucial factor contributing towards its success and growth. Moreover, in the recent times, the company has also been impacted by few challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which has forced the company to undertake a few vital changes in over strategic implementation. Thus, the paper emphasized on identifying the factors that have influenced the strategies of the company as well as this paper comprises vital suggestions for its strategic improvement. From the findings of the study, it has been ascertained that the company has determined to achieve significant milestones. In this course, it has made certain vital plans and has further formulated strategies to successfully accomplish the benefits. Contextually, the company has significantly involved in strengthening i ts brand image through its involvement in the CSR activities and other promotional activities. Finally, it was concluded that the company should take certain vital precautions while implementing strategies for accomplishing the potential opportunities. It was suggested that company should not implement its strategies at single point of time rather it should priorities them according to its needs and market demands for reaping the best possible benefits in the current and future context. Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Zara is one of the leading apparel and fashion brands, which operates under the flagship of Inditiex Group of Spain. The company has its operations spread in Europe, Asia, North America and Middle East. Zara is known for offering quality apparels at affordable prices. Over the years, the company has attained significant growth. Its strategies have enabled the company to gain substantial competitive advantages over its competitors. Nonetheless, the company is sign ificantly influenced by few prominent external factors as well as few internal factors. Moreover, the wider scope in the fashion industry has provided the company with certain significant opportunities. On the other hand, it has been ascertained that value chain system of the company has been one crucial factor contributing towards its success and growth. Moreover, in the recent times, the company has also been impacted by few challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which has forced the company to undertake a few vital changes in over strategic implementation. Thus, the paper emphasized on identifying the factors that have influenced the strategies of the company as well as this paper comprises vital suggestions for its strategic improvement. 2 Table of Contents 3 1. Introduction 5 2. External Environment 5 2.1 PESTEL Analysis 5 2.1.1 Political Factors 5 2.1.2 Economic Factors 6 2.1.3 Social Factors 6 2.1.4 Technological Factors 7 2.1.5 Environmental Factors 7 2.1.6 Lega l Factors 7 2.2 Five Forces Analysis 8 2.2.1 Threat of Substitutes 8 2.2.2 Threat of New Entry 8 2.2.3 Bargaining Power of Buyers 9 2.2.4 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 9 2.2.5 Competitive Rivalry 9 3. Internal Environment 9 3.1 SWOT Analysis 10 3.1.1 Strengths 10 3.1.2 Weaknesses 10 3.1.3 Opportunities 11 3.1.4 Threats 11 3.2 Resource Based View of the Company 11 3.3. Value Chain Analysis 12 3.3.1 Primary Activities 12 3.3.2 Secondary Activities 14 4. Corporate Social

Law of Business Organisations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Law of Business Organisations - Essay Example According to the QLD Partnership Act of 1891, there is a nature to partnership agreements that only holds partners accountable and liable for specific actions that are under the terms of agreement for a contract. According to Section 3 (1-15), liability issues of the business become questionable. Liability can be defined by the extent to which each individual is responsible for the other as well as through partner’s who breach the trust of other partners. According to section 23A, the liability not only includes basic actions and agreements, but also property and monetary value. Unless all property and money is acquired through business agreements, it is not a liability of the company. The rules to interest and duties of partners in section 27 also apply, which states that there is not a business agreement under the definition of a joint partnership unless each holds equal earnings within that agreement (Partnership Act 1891, 13-26, 2009). The first part to this is based on the term of partnership. Even though Jara and Alvarez are partners, Alvarez was not aware of the robbery or the deal that Jara had made with the robber. Under the terms of partnership, there is a joint ownership. However, this doesn’t mean that Alvarez or Jara is responsible for what the other owner does or does not do in terms of the partnership. Even though Alvarez and Jara are partners, Alvarez is not responsible for the actions that are taken by one of the members. This first defense doesn’t leave the company or Alvarez responsible for Jara’s actions. Unless he was involved in the act or had a joint agreement with the security used, he can’t be sued for his partners’ actions. Under section 3 (1-15), the definition of joint ownership does not include being responsible for individual actions. The second concept that applies under the partnership is based on the joint

Totalitarian Individualism Essay Example for Free

Totalitarian Individualism Essay Thesis:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Through the analysis of Hannah Arendt`s The Origins of Totalitarianism,   Frederick Nietzche`s Morality as Anti-Nature, and contemporary philosopher Scott Adam’s God’s Debris, this author will shed light on the human desire to follow trend, and validate Nietzche’s argument that devout faith in cause is the product of anxiety about the unknown.   This anxiety requires that their must be some form of structure, not necessarily full on totalitarianism, but not a society full of free thinking individuals either. Introduction:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In Hannah Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism, he speaks on the origins of racism and what eventually led to Nazism.   He argues that the movement Hitler was able to form started as the result of apathetic and neutral masses that were oblivious to workings of their governments.   It is this type of majority that he credits as being the main provider of opportunity for a totalitarian minority to rule.   He talks about the social necessities for totalitarianism to strive, noting that those who aspire to total domination must liquidate all spontaneity, such as the mere existence of individuality will always engender, and track it down in its most private forms, regardless of how unpolitical and harmless these may seem (Arendt) The main focus of this ideology is to make one whole unit operating in the same given direction with absolutely no individual diverging parts.   Though Arendt acknowledges this to be a political tactic starting within national cultures and then working its way outward, the ideals inherent with this system of control are very telling about the human nature, and the human tendency to follow trend and form groups. This concept is very compatible with Scott Adam’s argument in his book God’s Debris. Adam’s initially presents his novel as a replacement for modern religions that find it hard to accommodate science within their canons.   He markets it as a new age creed to be followed by the next generation of masses.   Ironically, I fell for his ploy until reading Nietzche.   Scott Adams’ novel has become highly talked about and critically acclaimed in the contemporary philosophical community since its publication in 2001. In the introduction, he describes his novel as a thought experiment that poses philosophical questions to the common stances held in both religion and science.   The key argument of the book is: the purpose of life is to create communication systems (i.e. the internet, the radio and television).   As convincing as his novel is it is very clear that it adheres to some totalitarian ideals, and also to the human desire to know the cause of existence. Analysis: The Bible poses that God made man in his image. Scott Adams identifies with this concept in that he views god as an entity that thinks like man.   He argues, if God is all knowing, than the only thing God wouldnt know is what would life be like without he/she/itself. (Adams, pg14)    This curiosity leads to Gods self destruction and is Adams explanation for the Big Bang Theory.   This is very ironic considering that Nietzche argues that man is anxious about the unknown.   He says, with the unknown, one is confronted with danger, discomfort, and care,—the first instinct is to abolish [wegzuschaffen] these painful states (Nietzche, 5).   This is the first point where Adam’s argument is lacking, because he is treating God like a man and having him act exactly as a man would in this position.   Since the Big Bang is credited for the creation of the universe, Adams comes to the conclusion that we are all Gods Debris reforming God again. The again in the statement is key, because it poses the possibility that this is not the first time any of this has happened. Of course, until there is a universe, there can be no such thing as time. Plus, it only makes sense that God would be in a continuous cycle of self-destruction and rebirth, since everything else we are used to in our natural world operates in cycles. The main purpose of Adam’s argument is to pose that we are all attempting to form into one all knowing being through the creation of communication systems.   He is essential promoting a global form of totalitarianism.   He has also basically explained the meaning of life and the cause of creation.   This is all very comforting for one unfamiliar with Nietzche, who says, to derive something unknown from something familiar relieves, comforts, and satisfies, besides giving a feeling of power (Nietzche, 5).   This statement is true, because after first reading Adam’s ideology on creation I felt very powerful like I had the answer to the eternal question.   I literally felt like I was contributing to something larger than myself and that was my core purpose in life. I also no longer felt like an individual, but insignificant unless I was a contributing to the whole.   This feeling I felt even furthermore validates the view that Adam’s theory is one in the pursuit of global totalitarianism.   Arendt justifies it when he says, any neutrality, indeed any spontaneously given friendship, is from the standpoint of totalitarian domination just as dangerous as open hostility, precisely because spontaneity as such, with its incalculability, is the greatest of all obstacles to total domination over man (Arendt).    Here Arendt points out that a totalitarian system can not permit any individuality whatsoever; and by Adam’s definition, God can’t be reformed until every being knows what the others know.   His view does not promote racism, but it does imply the alienation of anyone unwilling to conform with the expectations of the information age.    Arendt goes on to explain what totalitarian systems do to individuals like this with an example from the Nazi regime: if he is purged from the party and sent to a forced-labor or a concentration camp. On the contrary, to the wonder of the whole civilized world, he may even be willing to help in his own prosecution and frame his own death sentence (Arendt).   This is only the natural fellowship that forms when people congregate, and it has all of the symptoms of a cult. The main thing that both the Nazi regime and Adam’s theory have in common, are its use of God as a core motivator.   With god as the center of Adam’s argument, there is a sense of obligation to adhere to his laws.   This is very similar to the Nazi regime that felt it was chosen by God as the racial elite to purge the world of those who were inferior.   Nietzche acknowledges the powerful hold that God has on the rational of man.   In fact, it is the entire theme of Morality as Anti-Nature.   He says: the world does not form a unity either as a sensorium or as spirit—that alone is the great liberation; with this alone is the innocence of becoming restored The concept of God was until now the greatest objection to existence We deny God, we deny the responsibility in God: only thereby do we redeem the world. (Nietzche, 8) Basically arguing that to deny God is to liberate oneself from burden, his argument has a very ironic undertone considering the number of wars that have been declared in God’s name, and the vast number of people who sacrifice their happiness to do what they deem to be God’s will.   The prime example of this is World War II.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The key argument that both Arendt and Neitzche propose is that some people have weaker wills than others.   Arendt argues this when he points out that the societies most vulnerable to totalitarian governments are those that have a non caring apathetic majority.   Those who don’t have the will power to get involved with their own governments, or to make a conscious effort to vote, these people tend to be taken advantage of and eventually disregarded by powerful totalitarian structures formed under their noses. Neitzche argues this notion when he says, †¦in the fight against a craving—castration, extirpation—is instinctively chosen by those who are too weak-willed, too degenerate, to be able to impose moderation on themselves; by those who are so constituted that they require ‘la Trappe’ (Nietzche,2).   Here he identifies that some people need to have a structure forced upon them by nature, because they are too weak minded to think for themselves.   They have no choice but to follow trend, or Hitler, whichever it may be.   Ironically, what Neitzche and Arendt deem to be weak will, Socrates refers to as ignorance and credits it as the cause for evil. Socrates was a man filled with faith in human nature.   Socrates’ philosophy of human nature doing evil was that a person only does evil in ignorance, for he believed everyone, just as himself wants only what is good.   The source of someone doing evil is brought about by unlimited desire.   Something that goes unmitigated becomes possessive of that person and they in turn want, and want, without satiation.   This is when the appetitive part of the soul (the part of the soul that wants sex, food, etc.) overtakes the rational (part seeking truth, and reason) of the soul resulting in moral weakness or akrasia. This idea is very compatible with the opening line of Morality as Anti-Nature, when Neitzche says, all passions have a phase when they are merely disastrous, when they drag down their victim with the weight of stupidity (Neitzche, 1).   Though Socrates and Neitzche agree on this aspect, they would disagree on Neitzche’s point that God should be disregarded.   In Neitzche’s defense Aristotle argued that by Socrates inciting a belief in God, he was also placing too much blind faith in the human nature to be virtuous.   It is no wonder why religious canons focus so much of their effort on regulating pleasure and passion; and as Scott Adam’s shows God can still be used to herd people in a totalitarian direction, even today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In sum, confronting this idea that to deny God is to liberate one’s self, it brings up many questions.   Theoretically speaking, if there is no God, what is their to prevent chaos, but the structure of man made law and a totalitarian society?   Even if God is used as a catalyst to erupt corrupt governments, these governments keep more piece than chaos can bring. It is the anxiety of the people that needs to be controlled, the anxiety of what life would be like without governmental control, the anxiety of what life would be like without God.   Though Nietzche speaks rationally for the individual who wants complete freedom, his words are lost on the Arendt’s masses, and especially those who devoutly follow the Reich.   The only hope within acknowledging that all societies’ sanity reside in the use of a mildly totalitarian system, is to have some citizens who pride themselves on being free thinking individuals, a totalitarian individualist culture. Work Cited Adams, Scott. Gods Debris. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2004. Arendt, Hannah. The Origins of Totalitarianism. New York: Schocken, 2004. Nietzsche, Friedrich et.al. Twilight of the Idols. New York: Penguin Books, 1990. Plato. Complete Works. Ed. John M. Cooper. Indianapolis: Hackett, 1997

Effect Of Globalization On Multinational Corporations Economics Essay

Effect Of Globalization On Multinational Corporations Economics Essay Globalisation is the competition in an international market. The growth rate of developing nations and their acquisitions of previously first-world owned corporations indicates that the developed world no longer has the upper hand- economic growth in the west has been miniscule in comparison. Success in this new global market requires the ability to accommodate the different needs of diverse consumer groups. Companies can achieve this through product and process innovations and maximise profits. Entrepreneurship is also increasingly recognised and as an alternative course to fortune as opposed to trading rare commodities. The new market (developing markets) Companies from emergent economies are following the lead of their developed counterparts, issuing stocks and encouraging investment. This encouraged growth and share appreciation, surpassing past expectations. Some emerging companies growth has even outpaced well-known multi-national companies (MNCs) from the developed world- competing, acquiring and exploiting the endeavours and experiences of first-world MNCs. Similarly, developed nations are tapping into emerging economies, for their market, stock markets and possible mutually beneficial co-operation opportunities. If current economic growth pervades, a common interest for all MNCs could be consumers from non-developed markets. Increasing affluence leads to increased consumption of goods and services in developing nations, this trend is forecasted to continue for years. Local companies however, have an advantage of producing products that meet the minimum requirements of the locals. Developed corporations are unwilling to risk their reputation and may need other strategies to tap into low-end consumer markets. Suspicion of bad capitalism (Baumol, Litan and Schramm, 2007) in emerging economies stirred protectionist sentiments in developed countries. This is reasonable as many emergent economies have government suppor, giving them unfair advantage over their developed rivals. Developing countries political systems differ greatly from those in developed nations, where corruption, political influence over business and intellectual property rights, could be a problem. One concern is that large MNCs may choose to adopt a different ethical stand in countries with lax regulations. Other forms of government intervention, like subsidies or grants, that fuels economic growth is not sustainable indefinitely, and may eventually induce economic backlash. This taught managers to implement strict regulations over the corporation and stick to effective and orthodox business strategies to stay competitive. First-worlds (DEVELOPED MNCs) Developed MNCs may have certain concerns when investing in emergent economies. These may include corrupt or non-meritocratic politicians in the government, protectionist sentiments against foreign MNCs and suspicion amongst employees of different backgrounds and ethnicities. The lack of diversification within the board of directors, and thus shortage of insight into developing economies, may be a challenge for first-world MNCs. First-world MNCs relocate their businesses, acquire local firms and hire local talents to stay relevant. Combining competitive local resources with global operations, MNCs engage in risk-sharing and engage in mutually beneficial alliances with smaller firms to effectively tap into developing markets. Large MNCs might also approach government officials directly with an analysis of the countrys issues and offer solutions though their products and services. This alleviates problems and improves the countrys appeal to potential investors, and concurrently generates revenue for the firm. Due to globalisation, skills of the old become obsolete; they no longer deal with the developed world, but developing economies instead. Large MNCs recognise this and to better manage overseas operations, they deploy more competent staff abroad and even look for talented natives to fill top positions, though eligible candidates are scarce and retaining them is difficult. Emergent economies (FIRMS FROM DEVELOPING COUNTRIES) Emergent countries bring forward products and strategies that push prices to a new low- specialising in low-end markets and increasingly compete with large firms in the middle-income bracket as well. Though growth may be rapid, studies have found developing MNCs business models and tactics short of their first-world counterparts, placing doubt on the sustainability of their economic growth. Although these companies may still be inexperienced and face various problems, they adopt sensible measures and aspire to raise the company, and meet global standards. Individuals and companies in developing nations are also beginning to strive towards better governance and demanding higher ethical standards from politicians and businesses alike. This spurs positive sentiments to the potential of these firms, though they are not based in first-world nations. Corporate-social responsibility on the world stage Being a good corporate citizen has brought more benefits than costs. This has helped firms attract clients, be socially responsible and gain an edge over unethical rivals. However, some governments continue to devalue ethics and interfere in business dealings for political ends, proliferating bad capitalism. Government intervention in business deals can hinder or aid transactions. Corrupt officials can hasten legal processes for firms with bribes, and others boycott and ban transactions due to non-economic reasons. This raises the issue of how the governing body will affect business if they choose to start operations in the country. Sovereign-wealth funds (SWFs) from developing countries have been increasingly active in acquiring stakes in foreign firms. Though this has provided needy corporations with capital, the expansion of the SWFs portfolios is attracting close attention. Concerns rise over what the SWFs will do with the acquired stakes and assets, for political reasons or for strategy or did they just invest their money for monetary returns. Criticisms are not well received by the SWFs and the IMF is working on guidelines for SWFs to follow in order to quell concerns. As time passes, SWFs would have obtained a probable proportion of stakes in corporations around the world, making them partially or entirely state-owned. Some are concerned that SWFs from countries like Russia and China might exert unhealthy influence on businesses and move towards state-led capitalism instead of the free-market system, proliferating bad capitalism. Currently, there has been no concrete proof to incriminate them of these deeds. Ultimately, if the worlds governments, businesses and societies were to be educated about good capitalism, globalization would bring the world together in the name of progress.

Essay on Shirley Jacksons The Lottery - Evils of Society Exposed

The Evils of Society Exposed in The Lottery  Ã‚   In Shirley Jackson’s "The Lottery," what appears to be an ordinary day in a small town takes an evil turn when a woman is stoned to death after "winning" the town lottery. The lottery in this story reflects an old tradition of sacrificing a scapegoat in order to encourage the growth of crops. But this story is not about the past, for through the actions of the town, Jackson shows us many of the social ills that exist in our own lives. In today’s society we often have an all too-casual attitude toward misfortune; Jackson shows us this aspect of human nature through the town’s casual attitude toward the lottery. The men talk of "rain, tractors and taxes" and the women gossip—all the time knowing they are about to kill someone or be perhaps even be killed themselves (Jackson 863). The thing that is most important to them is to hurry up and finish so they can eat lunch. Perhaps the feeling of being in a hurry makes what they’re about to do easier; they don’t have time to let it bother them. How often in today’s society do we hear the phrase, "just hurry up and get it over with"? The townspeople seem to have mixed emotions about the lottery; they fear it yet on a very barbaric level they enjoy it. By standing "away from the pile of stones," and keeping their distance from the black box, the villagers show their fear of the lottery (Jackson 863). However, once they find out who is going to be stoned, Tessie Hutchinson, they seem to actually enjoy the stoning. One villager picks up a stone so big she can barely carry it; someone even gives Tessie’s youngest son a few pebbles to throw at his mother. Their overall attitude about the stoning is summed up by the phrase "and then they were... ...f their family (Jackson 867). In everyday life, we posses the same selfish attitude portrayed in the story. What is one of a child’s favorite words? It’s "mine!" We constantly say well "it’s better you than me" and "it’s every man for himself." It’s pretty scary _when you actually think about it, because you realize we really are that selfish. "The Lottery" is "symbolic of any number of social ills that mankind blindly perpetrates" (Friedman 108). The story is very shocking, but the reality of mankind is even more shocking. Isn’t it funny that Jackson gives us a description of our nature, and not only do we not recognize it for what it is , but it shocks us. Works Cited Jackson, Shirley. "The Lottery." The Harper Anthology of Fiction. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. New York: HarperCollins, 989. Friedman , Lenemgia. Shirley Jackson. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1975.      

Student :: essays research papers

Throughout the eighteenth century until the nineteen fifties, different countries have participated in the acts of industrialization and modernization more fully then others. There were many factors that permitted these countries to industrialize and modernize at a much greater pace than their significant opponents in the world industry. While rapid urbanization in Britain and dictatorship in Argentina and Russia promoted industrialization and modernization, the imperialist policies and ideas of Britain hindered industrial development in Egypt. Rapid urbanization played a very important role in the industrialization and modernization of Britain. Industrialization was a long hard process in Britain; however they were the first group of people to undergo this long process. The reason industrialization occurred in Britain was due simply to the fact that they had an astronomical jump in population. Within a one hundred year span, Britain’s population grew from 5.5 million in 1750 to over 16 million in 1851. The large population growth caused a great deal of economic and agricultural improvements for the British people. Farming was made easier and more efficient due to England undergoing a process of agricultural improvement that enabled fewer farmers to feed more people while cultivating the same amount of land. â€Å"People also migrated at an unprecedented rate- from the Countryside to the cities† (Bulliet, page 610). This caused a great population shift from the agricultural southeast to the midlands and t he north. Due to the fact that people started to search for jobs, a large portion of the population started to migrate to the midlands and the northern parts of the country; this gave a large source of inexpensive labor for the rich business owners to profit. (Bulliet, pages 609-612) A great deal of the British Industrialization was involved in the cloth and clothing industry. Britain was importing raw material such as cotton and silk from India, mass producing it, and then selling it back to India for an enormous profit. Now that urbanization brought a huge amount of the labor force to the factory towns and cities, this made it so that Britain could now produce more and more cloth and before they even knew it they were the largest producers of cloth in the world. (Bulliet pg.610) Historians propose a number of reasons for the cause of industrialization and modernization in Britain. Among the most persuasive is the enormous increase in food production following the establishment of the enclosure laws of the

Noél - French Essay :: French Essay

Noà ©l - French Essay NoÃÆ' «l est une fÃÆ' ªte grande pour les chrÃÆ' ©tiens mais beaucoup des personnes tout la monde aussi cÃÆ' ©lÃÆ' ¨bre NoÃÆ' «l. Je suis Hindu mais j'ai cÃÆ' ©lÃÆ' ¨bre NoÃÆ' «l parce que c'est une fÃÆ' ªte qui est agrÃÆ' ©able. J'ai cÃÆ' ©lÃÆ' ¨bre NoÃÆ' «l avec ma mÃÆ' ¨re, mon pÃÆ' ¨re et mon petit sÃ…â€Å"ur cette annÃÆ' ©e. NoÃÆ' «l est une fÃÆ' ªte grande pour les chrÃÆ' ©tiens parce que c'est l'anniversaire du JÃÆ' ©sus Christ. Cette annÃÆ' ©e, pendent la saison de NoÃÆ' «l, j'ai achetÃÆ' © un calendrier d'advient. Je compte les jours le NoÃÆ' «l avec le calendrier d'advient. J'achÃÆ' ¨te beaucoup de cardes de NoÃÆ' «l et cadeaux pour mes amis et ma famille. Nous mettons le sapin de NoÃÆ' «l dans le dÃÆ' ©cembre cette annÃÆ' ©e. On a un sapin qui est sept pieds longs et je dÃÆ' ©core le sapin de NoÃÆ' «l avec des lumiÃÆ' ¨res. Je dÃÆ' ©core ma maison aussi avec les multicolores lumiÃÆ' ¨res. Sous le sapin je mets les cadeaux que je reÃÆ' §ois de mes amis et les cadeaux que je donnerai pour ma famille. Je prends les cartes que je reÃÆ' §ois dans ma maison. Moi, je suis hindu et je ne vais pas ÃÆ'   l'ÃÆ' ©glise. Normalement le jour de NoÃÆ' «l, je me rÃÆ' ©veille trÃÆ' ¨s tÃÆ' ´t vers sept heures et demie. J'ai descendu pour la cuisine aller au salon et j'ai ouvre mes cadeaux que j'ai reÃÆ' §u devant le sapin de NoÃÆ' «l. Plus tard, aprÃÆ' ¨s mon petit dÃÆ' ©jeuner, je prÃÆ' ©pare la nourriture dans la cuisine avec ma mÃÆ' ¨re. D'habitude, je suis restÃÆ' © ÃÆ'   la maison et fait la cuisine avec ma mÃÆ' ¨re. Pour les grands repas, ma mÃÆ' ¨re prÃÆ' ©pare boulet rÃÆ' ´tir avec des choux les Brussel et pomme de terre. Normalement je prÃÆ' ©pare les carottes et un grand chocolat gÃÆ' ¢teau. J'achÃÆ' ¨te une hacher tartes pour ma famille et j'invite mes amis et mes cousines pour des grands repas et nous faisons un boom. A mon avis j'adore NoÃÆ' «l parce que c'est chouette et amusant. J'aime mette le sapin de NoÃÆ' «l et allumer des bougies. J'ai adore faire du shopping pour les cadeaux pour mes amis. Aussi j'aime les que j'ai

Study drugs aflevering

Is the world (we) teaching the children always to strive for more? Is it never enough? Can you always do better? Should you do everything to achieve you best? What is the limit? For many of students the pressure of high scores, the parents expectations (or what the students think is the parents expectations) are enough to drive them towards the ‘Study Drugs'. Fellow students probably have told them about the benefit of the drugs. Its easier to take a pill and carry on like a freight train, than studying at a normal rate.According to most users, you can study for hours without getting tired and without losing focus on the assignment. You can use nights instead of days etc. According to Martha J. Farad, director at the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at the university of Pennsylvania, up to 25 percent of students on some college campuses has used these drugs from February 2008 to February 2009. The price can go from AS to 25$ a pill, depending whether is near exams week or not. The main concern is, that most don't know or talk about the down side of the abuse.I don't know which side effect is worst, addiction, hart deceases or psychosis. According to the website: http://www. Otherworldly. Org/ druggists/rattail. HTML Rattail is called names like the poor man's cocaine and Diet Coke. They have made a brochure that explains about the side effects of the abuse. For example in 2004 Rattail was involved in an estimated 3,601 hospital emergency department visits. The conclusion is never use drugs as an easy way through your problems (at work, school or sports).The side effects are prohibitive. Personally will never try drugs. My father is a drug addict. Even though he's a recovering addict, I still remember the side effects of the drugs as well of the side effects of his detect. He took heroin and drugs like that Sometimes that made him hyperactive and it was very embarrassing when we were among family and rends, but it also made him very lethargic and lazy and he just laid on the couch out of contact with the rest of the world.

Cultural diversity in a Danish MNC Essay

Introduction Workforce diversity is a complex phenomenon and a major challenge for HR managers in MNCs. The case presents a Danish MNC, Danvita (not its real name)that has committed to pursuing a diversity strategy. The essence of a diversity strategy is a commitment to providing equal opportunities for employees regardless of their gender, age, nationality, disability and political and sexual orientation. In this case our focus is on cultural diversity. Drawing on individual perceptions of Danvita employees this case explores how Danvita’s diversity strategy in relation to national culture is experienced by Danvita’s employees. Diversity as a strategic resource It has been argued that MNCs that are able to draw on a diverse mix of employees can develop a strategic advantage (Richard, 2000). This is because workforce diversity establishes the potential for diverse perspectives that in turn facilitate creative thinking and effective problem solving (Cox, 1991; Cox & Blake, 1991). Understanding and valuing diversity can enable constructive conflict resolution, reduce miscommunication and lead to lower employee turnover and result in cost savings (Robinson & Dechant, 1997). A diverse workforce that can draw on a variety of cultural insights can also have a positive impact on international marketing and sales (Blake-Beard, Finley-Hervey & Harquail, 2008; Robinson & Dechant, 1997; Cox & Blake, 1991; Cox, 1991). However, workforce diversity can also have negative effects. Some researchers have observed that groups characterized by high degrees of cultural diversity have lower levels of employee satisfaction, lower levels or performance, high levels of miscommunication, conflicts and turnover than more homogenous groups (O’Reilly, Caldwell & Barnett, 1989; Watson et al., 1993; Richard, McMillan, Chadwick & Dwyer, 2003). Diversity as perceived by organizational members The focus of this case is in on the issue of how Danvita employees experience the company’s strategy of achieving cultural diversity. ‘As with many things in life, perception is reality’claims Allen et al. (2008: 22). Individual perceptions influence the way individuals interact with their colleagues and participate in the life of organization. Based on their perceptions, organizational members participate actively or passively in the implementation of the company’s strategies as well as support or oppose organizational change. Knowledge of how organizational members perceive diversity opens a possibility for improvement if necessary. The case data were obtained by means of seventeen qualitative interviews with seven Danish and ten international employees. Their narratives, however, should not be understood separately from the environment where the stories and events take place. Thus the narratives were supplemented with direct observations of diversity trainingsessions and with documents containing the new diversity strategy, managerial speeches and company annual reports. In this way information about the social context in which the employees’ perceptions of cultural diversity are constructed and re-constructed on an everyday basis was obtained. Denmark and Danish The context in which the diversity case is unfolding contains elements of both national and organizational culture. Although there is a considerable overlap, it is important to distinguish them. Despite its commitment to diversity and inclusion of international employees the head office of Danvita is still operating in a broader context of Denmark. In Denmark historical and religious development of the society led to formation of a very particular institutional environment in which the state plays a significant role. Denmark has a well-developed welfare state that redistributes wealth and that ensures inequalities are relatively limited (Andersen and Svarer, 2007). The role of the Danish language as a uniting and protecting mechanism in Danish society must be acknowledged. Historically the Danish language is an indicator of membership of and belonging to Danish society. Its significance for inclusiveness means that it may alsofunction as a mechanism of exclusion of non-Danish speakers. This factor co-exists with Denmark’s membership of the European Union and its policy of welcoming well-qualified professionals to work in Denmark. Danvita and the HR challenges it is facing The aim is to create a culture where all employees feel valued and have the opportunity to reach their full potential(Diversity strategy, Danvita) Briefly about Danvita Danvita is the company that has been a leader in the industry in which it operates. Annual reports indicate increased profits for 2009-2011. In March 2012 Danvita had more than 32,800 employees worldwide distributed across affiliates and offices located in 75 countries. Just over 40 per cent of its employees are located in Denmark. In order to function successfully as a MNC Danvita believes that it has to attract, develop and retain competent people from any location in the world. In 2009 it started a diversity initiative. At the core of this initiative is the operational guideline for HR which states that the company will provide: â€Å"(†¦) equal opportunities to all present and future people, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, nationality, cultural and social origin, disability, political or sexual orientation and family status† (Danvita). In 2009 when diversity strategy was launched about 700 of Danvita’s employees in Denmark were foreigners. Although 68 nationalities were represented it should be noted that half of the foreign employees were from a handful of countries, the UK, the US, Germany and Sweden. The highest percentage of the international employees was among the professionals and specialists. An effort was necessary to be made to make these employees feel welcome and willing to stay. The turnover rate for international specialists was 3 times higher than that among the specialists from Denmark. These numbers do not have to be as alarming since employees change jobs and employers frequently and international employees return home after rotations and expatriation. Nevertheless, feeling welcome and happy with their working environment, international employees can contribute to higher retention rates in the organization which claims to be in need of workforce. Thus the diversity strategy was developed. The diversity strategy The current diversity strategy has an ambition that by 2014 all senior management teams will include employees of both genders and different nationalities. In pursuing this objective the company insists that all positions are filled by the best candidate. â€Å"All management teams or the senior VPs teams will have to have at least a representation of non-Danes and gender diversity. They will have to have. It is not a wishful thinking. That means implementation and they will have to do something with it.†(Respondent 2) At the end of 2011, diversity in terms of gender and nationality was reflected in 18 of the 29 senior management teams, compared with 15 of 28 at the end of 2010. Guiding principles The guiding principles of Danvita’s diversity strategy attempt to lay the foundation for equal treatment of all the organizational members. These principles highlight the strategy’s focus on providing equal opportunities and selecting the best-qualified candidates in order to attract and keep talents from all over the world. Supporting initiatives A number of supporting initiatives contribute to the creation of a culture of inclusion. There is an International Club which is run on a voluntary basis and which aims at creating a network for foreign employees. The idea is that foreign employees have the opportunity to meet in a non-work atmosphere and to experience the traditions and leisure activities of the host country. It also provides an arena to talk through their frustrations with more experienced colleagues. Corporate way of speaking about diversity Drawing on company documents we now present three company discourses on diversity. Business and business needs One discourse emphasizes the business needs of the company. Diversity is a way of dealing with these needs. The discourse portrays the company as ‘a global company’, having an ‘expanding presence in the world’. The key issue is:‘as we expand where are we going to find the people (we need)?’A representative of top management team emphasizes the current growth and success of the company which is going to be ‘even larger and more global’and articulates the need for attracting talent: ‘We want to be among the most attractive companies so that we can continue to attract – and retain – the talent we need’. The business discourse constructs diversity as the necessary attribute for sustainable growth with satisfying the needs of international recruits as the means to this end. Equality A second discourse emphasizes diversity as an expression of equality. This discourse views diversity as a product of emphasizing talent regardless of any other considerations. We need to make a greater and more systematic effort to identify women and non-Danes with leadership potential when we are filling a management position (†¦). The company will never use either negative or positive discrimination. We will always choose the best individual for a vacant position. (Interview with top management team representative Employee magazine) The discourse sees selection of the ‘best’ individuals for positions as the guiding principle with the provision of equal opportunities to all as the means to this end. In practice this means that: ‘We need to re-evaluate who it is that we are hiring’(Diversityadvisor). Inclusion The third discourse involves how the company talks about diversity as inclusion.This discourse presents inclusion as a precondition for achieving diversity: ‘Inclusion is an integral element of the diversity strategy, as this is about how to value and utilize all the differences among our people.’(Danvita Diversity strategy). While emphasizing inclusion this way of talking about diversity constructs diversity in terms of differences. In the annual report for 2008: (†¦) inclusion of men, women, locals and non-locals must be considered for succession list for all key positions. Mentorship will be offered and supportive network initiatives including expatriate networks and a ‘family-buddy’ system are being set up. (Annual report 2008) These three main corporate ways of speaking about diversity coexist in the organizational space of the company. Of the three the business discourse is the most pronounced discourse and the inclusion discourse by far the least pronounced.

Labour Party to socialism Essay

‘Explain the ideas and policies which link the modern Labour Party to socialism’. (10 marks) Socialism is the economic system based on cooperation rather than competition of businesses which utilizes centralized planning and redistribution of wealth. Industry is state owned and therefore companies have government monopolies on them which results in no competition. Industries are redistributed though the state to achieve a fairer society. Traditional Labour values were indeed a form of socialism as some of their core values include a large welfare state, mild redistribution of wealth through taxes and social mobility. Socialism was founded in 1789 if the modern day Labour party had the same ideologies as those of the original socialist politicians then it would be considered a far right party in today’s political spectrum. Since its origins, the principles of socialism have evolved into many different forms of itself to make it compatible with society. There are many links to many differing forms of socialism both traditional and modern in today’s Labour party. Democratic socialists i.e. Labour believe in â€Å"Equality of opportunity† this means that everyone has the same opportunities to maximise their potential and accomplish high positions in life no matter what their background or ethnicity, for example a labourer’s child can become a lawyer or politician if he/she desires and they will not be discriminated against. This is still one of Labour’s core values, therefore linking to traditional socialism. Another concept of democratic socialism is the redistribution of wealth an example of ‘New Labour’ doing that is increasing the amount in social housing estates, or the introduction of the ‘windfall tax’ which raised ?5billion to set up the ‘New Deal’ which helps the long term unemployed back to work through training and employment, thus giving opportunities to those who previously didn’t have the skills to generate their own wealth. Traditional socialism wants radical constitutional reform e.g. democratise institutions such as the House of Lords. ‘New Labour’ does want constitutional reform such as the de-centralisation of power and mild House of Lords reform e.g. it is elected not inherited. So therefore shows that Labour does still have socialist values.

Acca F6

Taxation (Malaysia) Monday 1 December 2008 Time allowed Reading and planning: Writing: 15 minutes 3 hours ALL FIVE questions are compulsory and MUST be attempted. Tax rates and allowances are on pages 2–3. Do NOT open this paper until instructed by the supervisor. During reading and planning time only the question paper may be annotated. You must NOT write in your answer booklet until instructed by the supervisor. This question paper must not be removed from the examination hall. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Paper F6 (MYS) Fundamentals Level – Skills Module 8D–MYSTT Paper F6MYS SUPPLEMENTARY INSTRUCTIONS . 2. 3. Calculations and workings should be made to the nearest RM. All apportionments should be made to the nearest whole month. All workings should be shown. TAX RATES AND ALLOWANCES The following tax rates, allowances and values are to be used in answering the questions. Income tax rates Resident individual Chargeable income Band Cumulati ve RM RM 2,500 2,500 2,500 5,000 15,000 20,000 15,000 35,000 15,000 50,000 20,000 70,000 30,000 100,000 150,000 250,000 Excess Tax payable Rate Cumulative % RM 10 0 11 25 13 475 17 1,525 13 3,475 19 7,275 24 14,475 27 54,975 28 Resident company Paid up ordinary share capitalFirst RM500,000 20% 26% RM2,500,000 or less More than RM2,500,000 Non-resident Company Individual Excess over RM500,000 26% 26% 26% 28% Personal deductions Self Self – additional if disabled Spouse Spouse – additional if disabled Child – basic rate Child – higher rate Disabled child Life insurance premiums and approved scheme contributions Medical expenses for parents Medical expenses for serious disease of self, spouse or child, including up to RM500 for medical examination Basic supporting equipment for self, spouse, child or parent if disabled Educational and medical insurance for self, spouse or childStudy course fees for skills or qualifications Purchase of a personal computer Pur chase of books, magazines etc for personal use Purchase of sports equipment Deposit for a child into the National Education Savings Scheme 2 maximum maximum RM 8,000 6,000 3,000 3,500 1,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 5,000 maximum maximum maximum maximum maximum maximum maximum maximum 5,000 5,000 3,000 5,000 3,000 1,000 300 3,000 8D–MYSTT Paper F6MYS Rebates Individual with chargeable income not exceeding RM35,000 Basic rate Rate for an individual entitled to a deduction for a spouse or a former wife RM 350 700Value of benefits in kind Car and fuel scale Cost of car (when new) RM Up to 50,000 50,001 to 75,000 75,001 to 100,000 100,001 to 150,000 150,001 to 200,000 200,001 to 250,000 250,001 to 350,000 350,001 to 500,000 500,001 and above Prescribed annual value of private usage of car RM 1,200 2,400 3,600 5,000 7,000 9,000 15,000 21,250 25,000 Fuel per annum RM 600 900 1,200 1,500 1,800 2,100 2,400 2,700 3,000 The value of the car benefit equal to half the prescribed annual value (ab ove) is taken if the car provided is more than five (5) years old, but the value of fuel provided remains unchanged.Household furnishings, apparatus and appliances RM per month Semi-furnished with furniture in the lounge, dining room, or bedroom 70 Semi-furnished with furniture as above plus air-conditioners, and/or curtains and carpets 140 Fully furnished premises 280 Domestic help 400 Gardener 300 Driver 600 Telephone (fixed or mobile): RM per annum 300 300 Hardware Bills Capital allowances Industrial buildings Plant and machinery – general Motor vehicles, heavy machinery Computers, information technology equipment and computer software Office equipment, furniture and fittings Initial Rate % 10 20 20 20 20 Annual Rate % 14 20 40 10 Sales tax and service tax rates Rate % 10 5 Sales tax Service tax 3 [P. T. O. 8D–MYSPA Paper F6MYS 8D–MYSAA Paper F6MYS ALL FIVE questions are compulsory and MUST be attempted 1 James and Carol are husband and wife. James is disable d. The income and expenses of James and Carol for the year ended 31 December 2008 are expected to be as follows: RM James Employment – Salary 35,000 Carol Partnership business – Statutory income Employment – Salary Travelling allowance 4,350 16,600 3,000 James incurred expenses as follows: Donation to an approved institution Contributions to Employees Provident FundMedical examination for self Medical expenses for his father Fees for his part-time course in Islamic financing at a university in Kuala Lumpur, recognised by the Government Carol incurred expenses as follows: Contributions to Employees Provident Fund Medical expense on cancer treatment for herself Medical expenses for her mother Basic supporting equipment for her disabled father Travelling expenses incurred in the course of her work 2,600 3,850 400 1,300 1,100 2,156 2,700 900 3,600 4,000 Required: (a) Compute the couple’s tax payable for the year of assessment 2008 under joint assessment: (i) ssuming that James made the election; and (ii) assuming that Carol made the election. (12 marks) (12 marks) Notes: (1) You should use two columns, one each for (i) and (ii) above. (2) You should indicate, by using the word ‘nil’, any expense item that does not qualify for personal relief. (3) Marks will be awarded for the use of accurate technical terms to describe the figures comprising the stages in the computation of chargeable income. (b) (i) Based on your tax computations in part (a), state which spouse should make the election for joint assessment and why. (1 mark) ii) Analyse, quantify and summarise the tax saving resulting from making the election you have specified in (i) above over the alternative election. (5 marks) (30 marks) 4 This is a blank page Question 2 begins on page 6 5 [P. T. O. 8D–MYSAB Paper F6MYS 2 Beauty Sdn Bhd, a resident company with a paid up ordinary share capital of RM2 million, is engaged in the manufacture of cosmetic products. Th e company’s profit and loss account for the year ended 31 October 2008 is as follows: Note RM000’s 1 2 3 4 4 5 6 2,300 388 461 700 7 (2) 164 618 (177) 66 2,675 –––––– Sales Cost of sales Gross profitLess: Remuneration Contributions to approved schemes Entertainment Royalty Penalty for late payment of withholding tax on royalty Gain on disposal of a van Repairs and maintenance Depreciation Bad debt recovery Lease rentals Advertising 7 8 RM000’s 27,800 (11,200) –––––––– 16,600 (7,200) –––––––– 9,400 –––––––– Profit before taxation Notes: (1) Remuneration includes: RM 114,000 400,000 Salaries of disabled employees Entertainment allowance to senior management (2) Contributions to approved schemes comprise: RM 276,000 112,000 ––––â⠂¬â€œÃ¢â‚¬â€œÃ¢â‚¬â€œÃ¢â‚¬â€œ 388,000 –––––––– Employees Provident Fund Beauty Sdn Bhd schemeThe company contributes 12% to the Employees Provident Fund for all employees and an additional 8% to the Beauty Sdn Bhd scheme in respect of the remuneration of RM1,000,000 and the entertainment allowance of RM400,000 paid to senior management executives. (3) Entertainment includes the cost of launching new products amounting to RM38,000. (4) A royalty amounting to RM630,000 net of the 10% withholding tax was paid to a non-resident on 15 September 2008, in respect of the new products. The amount of the withholding tax and the related penalty remain unpaid. (5) Gain on disposal of a vanA van was disposed of in August 2008 for RM36,000. The van had been purchased in December 2005 for RM65,000. (6) Repairs and maintenance includes costs of renovation to the company’s office building amounting to RM58,000. The reason for this expend iture was to provide a safe workplace for disabled workers. (7) The bad debt recovery is in respect of a trade debt taken over from another company carrying on the same business, three years ago. (8) Lease rentals are in respect of a motor vehicle costing in excess of RM150,000. The lease rentals commenced on 1 December 2007 at RM6,000 per month for a period of 30 months. 8D–MYSAB Paper F6MYS (9) Other information (i) A sum of RM60,000 was incurred on alterations to the company’s factory building, in order to install general machinery costing RM340,000. (ii) A sum of RM810,000 was incurred on cutting the land in order to prepare a site to install heavy machinery costing RM190,000. (iii) For the year of assessment 2008, capital allowances for plant and machinery will amount to RM849,000 and industrial building allowances to RM295,000, excluding any allowances or adjustments attributable to the capital expenditure referred to in (i) and (ii) above.Required: (a) Compute t he tax payable by Beauty Sdn Bhd for the year of assessment 2008. Note: your computation should start with the profit before taxation figure and follow the descriptions used in the notes to the profit and loss account, indicating ‘nil’ in the appropriate column for any item that does not require adjustment. (18 marks) (b) Explain your treatment of the items stated below: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) approved schemes (note 2); disposal of a van (note 5); renovations to the office building (note 6); lease rentals (note 8); and he expenditure incurred in respect of the heavy machinery and its installation (note 9 (ii)). (7 marks) (25 marks) 7 [P. T. O. 8D–MYSAC Paper F6MYS 3 Freshgreen Sdn Bhd is in the business of cultivating vegetables. The adjusted income of the company for the year ended 30 June 2008, before taking into account the following, amounted to RM563,000. The information given below relates to the business activities of the company during the financial year s 2007 and 2008: Date July 2006 July 2006 July 2006 September 2006 Expenditure Cost of land Construction of: – roads and bridges farm house for business (note 1) – living quarters for workers Cost of lorry (note 2) Cost of general machinery RM 350,000 34,000 38,000 72,000 64,000 87,000 Notes: (1) The farm is situated in a remote area, thus the buildings on the farm have no value other than for the working of the farm. (2) The lorry was bought under a hire purchase agreement. The company made an initial payment of RM18,000 in July 2006. The balance was paid over a period of 23 months at RM2,200 per month, inclusive of interest of RM200 per month. The instalment payments commenced on 1 August 2006.In July 2007 the company carried out planting of crops and incurred RM19,000 on clearing land and RM161,000 on fertiliser and seedlings. In January 2008 the company carried out replanting of crops and incurred the following expenses: RM 22,000 115,000 7,000 Clearing land Fertil iser and seedlings Labour In March 2008 Freshgreen Sdn Bhd disposed of the following assets on which agriculture allowance had been claimed in the previous years: Assets Store Living quarters for employees Date of construction 1 January 2005 6 August 2005 Cost RM 25,000 60,000The store and the living quarters were disposed of for RM10,000 and RM35,000 respectively. Required: (a) Compute the agriculture allowance and capital allowance under Schedule 3, Income Tax Act, that can be claimed by Freshgreen Sdn Bhd for the year of assessment 2008. (10 marks) (b) Compute the statutory income of Freshgreen Sdn Bhd for the year of assessment 2008. (7 marks) (c) Compute the agriculture charge on the basis that Freshgreen Sdn Bhd made an election to spread the charge, under para 27, Schedule 3, Income Tax Act, clearly indicating the years of assessment affected. 3 marks) Note: the rates of agriculture allowance are as follows: Rate 50% 50% 50% 20% 10% Clearing and preparing land Planting of cro ps Construction of roads and bridges on a farm Construction of living quarters for workers Construction of buildings (20 marks) 8 8D–MYSAD Paper F6MYS 4 (a) (i) For the year of assessment 2008 Cik Lee has income from three sources: employment, business and the rental of property. Required: State, with explanations, the provisions of the law applicable to Cik Lee in respect of the payment of tax for the year of assessment 2008. (3 marks) ii) Encik Koon is expected to have the following income for the year of assessment 2008: RM 180,000 130,000 310,000 10,000 300,000 57,500 Statutory income from employment Statutory income from a partnership business Aggregate income Approved donations Total income Tax payable For the year of assessment 2008, in addition to the tax deducted from his remuneration under the Schedular Tax Deduction (STD) system, Encik Koon paid tax instalments amounting to RM12,000, as per his application to the Director General of Inland Revenue, to vary the amou nt of his payment.Required: Compute the penalty, if any, resulting from the application by Encik Koon to vary the instalment amounts. (6 marks) (b) Encik Smith is employed as a service director of a company and his salary is RM180,000 per annum. Encik Smith is provided with unfurnished living accommodation for which the company pays rent amounting to RM60,000 per annum. Encik Smith is not provided with a company car but he has been given the option of: (i) a driver provided by the company; or (ii) the reimbursement of the driver’s salary amounting to RM15,600 per annum. Required:State, with explanations and supporting calculations, which of the above options Encik Smith should choose from a tax perspective. (6 marks) (15 marks) 9 [P. T. O. 8D–MYSAA Paper F6MYS 5 (a) Chongdart Sdn Bhd is a licensed manufacturer in the business of making computer tables. The company’s records for the period from 1 July to 31 August 2008 show the following: Sale of 1,200 tables at RM40 each excluding sales tax, of which 900 were sold to customers in Malaysia and 300 were exported to China. Purchase of the following raw materials and component parts: Castors for table legs including sales taxLocks for drawers, imported from Thailand Rollers for pull-out shelf and drawers, purchased from Heng Sdn Bhd, a licensed manufacturer Paint for painted finish undertaken by a subcontractor RM 3,000 2,300 6,400 5,100 None of the above items are exempt from sales tax. Chongdart Sdn Bhd obtained the approval of the Director General of Customs and Excise for the import of the locks from Thailand and the purchase of the rollers from Heng Sdn Bhd. The subcontractor was exempt from licensing in view of the fact that its annual sales turnover does not exceed RM20,000. The appropriate rate of refund under the credit system is 8%.Required: State the particulars which Chongdart Sdn Bhd must disclose in the sales tax return, Form CJP No. 1, for the taxable period 1 July to 31 August 2008, together with the due date of payment of the tax to the Director General of Customs and Excise. (5 marks) (b) AB Sdn Bhd, a firm of licensed surveyors, issued an invoice to Buildup Sdn Bhd, on 4 March 2007, for surveying work amounting to RM15,000, disbursements amounting to RM950 and the service tax payable. In April 2007 Buildup Sdn Bhd paid a sum of RM10,400 for the full amount of the disbursements and 60% of the fees, including the service tax thereon.The balance outstanding was written off as a bad debt by AB Sdn Bhd in November 2008, when Buildup Sdn Bhd went into compulsory liquidation. Required: (i) State the amount of the service tax payable by AB Sdn Bhd in respect of the above invoice, together with the due date(s) for payment of the tax to the Director General of Customs and Excise. (3 marks) (ii) Compute the amount of the service tax that AB Sdn Bhd can recover from the Director General of Customs and Excise in due course, in respect of the bad debt written off. ( 2 marks) (10 marks) End of Question Paper 10

What characterizes Calicut in the 14th and 15th centuries and how did Essay

What characterizes Calicut in the 14th and 15th centuries and how did it interact with other parts of the world at that time - Essay Example It was open to Europeans by the invasion of Vasco Da Gama in May 1498 that put Kerala on the map of the modern world. The experiences of Da Gama’s voyage to India mentioned in Roteiro characterized Calicut as a city rich in spices, which had a great demand in the East and the West. The valuable natural resources of Calicut are mentioned by Ibn Battuta, a traveler, in his memoir, ‘A Gift to those who contemplate the wonders of cities and the marvels encountered in travel’. Battuta, in his experiences in Calicut, is amused by the quantity of trade carried out by the merchants from the Arab and the China with large number of ships resting at the shore. The Roteiro illustrates why the Portuguese wish direct overseas access to the rich markets of India and beyond. It was mainly because of the numerous duties and profit margin placed on spices. The invasion through sea by Vasco Da Gama was because of the closure of land routes and expected to make more than 600,000 cruz ados per year that the Sultan of Egypt enjoyed. Calicut was a commercial emporium; it was also an important centre of gemstone production. The richness in its resources bought merchants from most of the Islamic world and China which were observed by Ibn Battuta and Ma Huan. The city was largely connected to different parts of the world due its gained recognition as rich in spices and gems (Andrea and Overfield, 8). Apart from its commercial activity, Battuta mentions about the hospitality of Samudri Raja, honor accorded to the agents in charge of the Chinese ships who came for the purpose of trade and whose ships were resting at harbor. It can be understood from the experiences of Battuta, the Chinese invested heavily in commerce with Calicut not only because of its resources but for the kind of protection it received from the King of Calicut. Customer

The Nature of the Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

The Nature of the Industry - Essay Example This paper purports to determine the nature of the engineering and construction industry in UK. The engineering and construction is considered as one of the most complex and hazardous form of industries. This involves various workforces from skilled to unskilled since it entails different and numerous ranges of activities starting from the design to construction stage as well as during the productive use of the built environment. Basically, engineering and construction involves complex and critical operation process. Hence, it includes various construction personnel who works together in order to complete a built structure based on client’s specifications, costs, time and building standard quality. Usually, the team is consists of the following personnel: Architect, Mechanical and Electricity Engineer, Site-Based Cost Control Surveyor, Site Engineer and Site-Based Environmental manager. As cited in APUC, these personnel have their own specific tasks and responsibilities to per form in every stage of the built environment projects and they are the ones accountable and liable to these tasks in case errors or defects emerged. In engineering and construction, the architect plays a very crucial and important role because he/she will lead the design and planning team of the built environment project. The architect is the one accountable in the conceptualization of the design up to the provision of detailed floor plans and sets of building construction drawing designs which is necessary to start the actual construction of the project. The purpose of the design stage of building construction is to integrate the requirements specified by the client according to the project budget and timescale as well as to assess the possible occurrence of design risks. In addition, it is also the responsibility of the architect to look the overall coordination of the built environment design including space planning, appearance, and materials/equipment used in construction and t he furniture to be placed in the built structure upon its completion. The architect will work hand-in-hand with the site engineer during the construction phase to ensure that all the requirements specified in the design are properly installed and able to meet the client’s design preferences (APUC, 2007). Mechanical and Electricity Engineer The mechanical and electricity engineer is the one responsible in ensuring that the electrical and mechanical facilities and equipment to be installed in the built environment are environmentally sustainable which features energy efficiency use. The purpose is to minimize the consumption of energy to lessen/reduce carbon emission. In addition, the M & E Engineer is also the one responsible in the estimation of cost related to his/her specific task, which in turn forwarded to the Cost Control Surveyor for cost planning. The M & E Engineer will closely work with the Architect and Site Engineer in order to ensure that the

Societal role in advertising Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Societal role in advertising - Essay Example This role can be both a reflection on the society or the probability of what is expected by the society in future. Recently, a range of companies have picked up advertising styles that incorporates social dimensions (Drumwright 71). This is attributed to the fact that the society is experiencing a lot of changes through the effects of fatal diseases like HIV/AIDS, cancer and lifestyle diseases. In addition, the third gender; homosexuality and immoral behavior like rape and drug abuse have had a huge influence on how adverts are framed nowadays. In real sense, marketers have no choice but frame their product adverts in a manner that can indicate a solution to what the society’s trends demand. For instance, in relation to HIV/AIDS, marketers already understand teenagers are sexually active and there is little they can do to change it. Therefore, the best solution they can offer is provide means that can help in reduce the spread of this deadly disease like through the use of con doms. This indicates how a society dictates how adverts frame the products (Drumwright 73). A society has power in dictating what they certainly expect from manufacturers. This means that every trend and lifestyle creates a problem that manufacturers are tasked with to solve as quickly as possible. Literally, a societal role is creating problems that adverts have to make sure they frame it in a manner that displays a solution. Through such problems though, companies come up with breakthrough innovations that turn out to be huge cash cows.

Great Gatsby, Animal farm or When I Whistle Essay - 1

Great Gatsby, Animal farm or When I Whistle - Essay Example Using Nicks perceptions, the writer suggests the distortion and betrayal of that dream. Gatsby pursues wealth and possessions in order to realize his dream of regaining a lost love, a mere illusion. The opulent society in which they exist looks down on ordinary people in the Valley of Ashes (symbol of dirt and poverty). The antagonist, Tom Buchanan shows us, by how he lives, that he has corrupted the dream, destroyed its integrity, has changed and hardened, Both Orwell and Fitzgerald have included a political aspect, of their respective societies; Animal Farm reflecting how Communism destroyed the socialist dream, Gatsby, how the wealthy have distorted the pure ideal of Capitalism. Using the words, thoughts and actions of their characters, they present their views, with dramatic effects both on the stories and their readers. The action drives forward to bitter endings in both instances. While time and place are important, the issues of evil, loss, tragedy and corruption transcend - they can happen anytime, anywhere. Both stories represent telling social and moral comment on how power and wealth can destroy societys In Animal Farm, the writer narrates, outside of the action, an apparently unbiased observer. Despite the animals talking like humans, his clarity of language makes this acceptable. When Old Major dreams, then teaches the animals Beasts of England, asking them to seek freedom, to revolt, the seed is planted for protagonists and reader, signaling the future. Orwell depicts the dreams erosion, introducing evil, using Napoleons antagonistic grasp of power, showing other animals, the dogs, as tools used to banish Snowball. Squealer and Napoleon are the devices by which the writer shows how power can corrupt, how animals/people can be duped. Boxer the horse demonstrates this, declaring Napoleon is always right, despite killings and punishments meted out, allegedly for supporting Snowball, who is also blamed when

Speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Speech - Essay Example Despite the infinite challenges, namely, being a non- English speaker, he fought fiercely and accomplished his dreams. In essence, Pulitzer is a central figure who tremendously helped in refashioning both the American media and politics. Even though, there are other people who assisted him in bringing reforms, his contribution is much felt even at the present moment. The manner in which journalism is consumed today, the very concept of its purchasing, the writing technique used, and the style applied among others are some of the contributions that Pulitzer provided in changing American Media and politics. In a way, he seems unfit for the role he played, because, at first he was a non – English immigrant, and that was the reason he joined St. Louis to learn German, and later interested in Immigrant politics. This was during the 19th century when Journalism and Politics were two different things in America. Â  During this time, journalism and politics were two a spects that never converged. For this reason, Pulitzer acted as a reformer. He purposed to transform and reshape journalism and politics since he believed this were two concepts that really mattered in reshaping the entire American human race. He intended to give journalism a new style of writing, since he believed that this would assist in fighting corruption that had crept into the government and the society. He published information that he deemed was important and that could disclose any corrupt deals in the government. He regarded journalism as a way that could bring reforms into the American society. In addition, we also learn that, American politics was reshaped through journalism. Every dark recess in the political government was disclosed for the purpose of accountability and transparency. This was very swift and many people were fascinated and interested to read newspapers

Pros and Cons of Horizontal and Vertical Analysis Essay

Pros and Cons of Horizontal and Vertical Analysis - Essay Example The above table presents the horizontal analysis of Nike for the three quarters such as Q2, Q3 and Q4 ending November 2012, February 2013 and May 2013. In the horizontal analysis, each line item of income statement is divided by the total revenues figure in order to check the percentage of that line item with respect to sales. If cost of sales of Nike is considered, it can be observed that it has remained quite consistent in all the three quarters and remained around 56% of sales (Nike Inc., 2013). Accordingly, the gross profit margin of the company is around 44%. Nike incurs substantial expenditure over its demand creation activities such that this expenditure covers around 10% of sales every quarter. As far as operating overheads of the company are concerned, the company absorbs the expenditures at around 20% of sales level which remained consistent in previous three quarters. Similarly, selling and administrative expenses of the company are around 30% of the turnover of in each of the three quarters. Other incomes and interest incomes are nearly negligible such that they do not even constitute to 1% sales level. Income before taxes has been improved by 2% in third and fourth quarter as compared to second quarter. Income tax expenditure of the company is also improving, i.e. showing a very minute decline on quarter-level percentages. Net income of the company has increased to double figures especially in third and fourth quarter. Overall, from the horizontal analysis of income statement of Nike, it is quite evident that the company has performed well and maintained consistent percentages of sales in the last three quarters. Vertical Analysis – Balance Sheet    May-13    Feb-13    Nov-12 ASSETS    Current assets: $ in million % change $ in million % change $ in million Cash and equivalents 3,337 30.50% 2,557 11.61% 2,291 Short-term investments 2,628 76.97% 1,485 20.34% 1,234 Accounts receivable, net 3,117 -3.56% 3,232 1.38% 3,188 Inventories 3,4 34 3.15% 3,329 0.33% 3,318 Deferred income taxes 308 12.00% 275 -15.90% 327 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 802 -9.07% 882 20.33% 733 Assets of discontinued operations 0 -100.00% 29 -91.57% 344 Total current assets 13,626 15.58% 11,789 3.10% 11,435 Property, plant and equipment 5,500 2.42% 5,370 1.13% 5,310 Less accumulated depreciation -3,048 -1.99% -3,110 1.90% -3,052 Property, plant and equipment, net 2,452 8.50% 2,260 0.09% 2,258 Identifiable intangible assets, net 382 1.60% 376 0.53% 374 Goodwill 131 0.00% 131 0.00% 131 Deferred income taxes and other assets 993 -6.23% 1,059 8.84% 973 TOTAL ASSETS 17,584 12.61% 15,615 2.93% 15,171