The Utopian Philosophy of Shangri-La in James Hiltons...

The Utopian Philosophy of Shangri-La in James Hiltons Lost Horizon For some people life may not be satisfactory. Life has many troubles including death, pain, and suffering. It leaves little hope. There are ways in which people can live to have a good life. This method of how a person should live is viewed differently thoughout the world. James Hilton represents this combination of ideas and cultures in the novel, Lost Horizon (1933). This novel tells the tale of four distinctively different people retreating from a war zone. In their retreat they are kidnapped and taken by plane deep into the Himalayan mountain wilderness. Little did they know that here in the confines of the mountains there is a paradise. This paradise is called†¦show more content†¦The mental environment of the people of Shangri-La is the search of knowledge. Platonism, the theory of Plato, maintains that to live the good life, one must first acquire certain kinds of knowledge. This theory represents the environment of Shangri-La, searching for knowledge. Hilton portrays the Shangri-Lites search of knowledge through their extensive library which contains the worlds best literature (95). This great asset of Shangri-La represents the theory of Plato and showed that Shangri-La is a place abundant is Platonic philosophy. The second philosophical view aiding in the setting of Shangri-La is the theory of Aristotle. Aristotle believed that the good life is one of balance. The people of Shangri-La also lived this way claiming that our prevalent belief is moderation. (74). The people are moderately sober, moderately chaste, and moderately honest (75). Moderation is abundant throughout the setting of Shangri-La, and the people claim that moderation [is], yknow-- the motto of the firm (180), whereas firm represents Shangri-La. This principle makes for a considerable degree of happiness (74). This relates to the view of Aristotle, that the good life is a life of happiness. The happiness of Shangri-La is portrayed as one of the pleasantest communities, (108) wh ere the inhabitants are courteous and carefree (108) and where one will doubtless find great happiness (198). Even in happiness there is moderation. Shangri-La

ethan frome motif essay - 975 Words

English 11 AT set 1 B/D Ethan Frome Essay Edith Wharton’s Ethan Frome: Connections to Motifs Motifs are interesting literary devices, treasured by many authors, to make up or help support the plotline of each story written. In the novella Ethan Frome, by Edith Wharton, she uses the motif of parallelism of the setting of Starkfield, Massachusetts, and other characters such as Ethan Frome and Mattie Silver, to help describe the way that Starkfield and other factors entangle each character mentally, emotionally, and physically. The importance of this is evident, as it shows during key periods in the story. The parallelism all begins with the snowy, New England town of Starkfield, Massachusetts. The small community is a place†¦show more content†¦He is ultimately in the same position with Mattie, but with a more intense situation, making him rather impotent. Mattie is trapped mentally by the fact that her becoming paralyzed enervated her, and she can do little to nothing about it, as shown in the quotation, â€Å"Yes: it’s pretty bad. And they ain’t any of ‘em easy people either. Mattie was, before the accident; I never knew a sweeter nature. But she’s suffered too much-that’s what I always say when folks tell me how she’s soured (Ethan Frome pg. 98).† Mrs. Hale explains her as â€Å"sour†, which contrasts her usual, pre-accident imagery of sweet, showing her change and mind set as foul and more of a complaining boor than her past self. Lastly, the parallelism of Starkfield can be juxtaposed to Mattie and Ethan in an emotional state. Ethan is stuck in an emotional labyrinth: He knows that he must care for Zeena, his wife, but he also loves Mattie. He ultimately decides that life with Zeena would be worse than dying next to his true love, Mattie, which causes his suicide attempt, which he bails out on at the last second, causing his disfigurement. Mattie is trapped emotionally in the same way: her love for Ethan. She shows her feelings multiple times, with the major attempt during their dinner alone. Her plan is to eventually get him away from Zeena and to marry her instead, but this is not a valid option in Ethan’s eyes, again pointing back to the sledding accident. All in all, EdithShow MoreRelatedEthan Frome : The Parallels Of Ethans Arrivals1139 Words   |  5 PagesEthans Arrivals= In //Ethan Frome// Edith Wharton illustrates how Ethan views Zeena versus Mattie through the parallel scenes of when Ethan is greeted by Zeena/Mattie at the door of his farmhouse first coming home from the dance and second coming home from. Although both scenes play out almost identically, Wharton uses the slight differences to emphasize how Ethan sees Mattie as beautiful, submissive, and attractive compared to Zeena who he only sees as an obstacle. As Ethan comes up to the door

Lemurs of Madagascar Free Essays

Lemurs of Madagascar Name: Course: Tutor: Date: Lemurs of Madagascar 1. Madagascar biome is a tropical rain forest. The main characteristic of a tropical rain forest biome is the presence of Warm temperatures throughout the year. We will write a custom essay sample on Lemurs of Madagascar or any similar topic only for you Order Now In a tropical rain forest biome, there are three layers. These layers include the top trees, followed by the canopy layer characterized by dens leaves hence low light penetration and the third layer are the ground layer. The ground layer lacks any vegetation owing to the low amount of sunlight reaching it due to the dense canopy layer. 2. Changes happening in Madagascar pose challenges to lemurs in the island. The main changes that affect the lemurs include the effects of agricultural activities on the environment. Forestland conversion for agricultural use including the creation of pastureland, cropland, and degradation of the soil due to fire and clearing by humans is the agricultural changes on Madagascar. Soil erosion caused by slash-and-burn farming also forms the other changes in Madagascar that brings forth challenges to lemurs. As a conclusion, high deforestation rate and increased human population and erosion form the main changes that challenge the existence of lemurs in Madagascar. 3. The lemurs that are adapting well with the changes in Madagascar are the ones with the ability to live in an altered habitat. (This is a habitat with secondary characteristics owing to human activities in the island). These include the ring-tailed lemur lemma catta and sifakas, but between the two, the ring-tailed lemma catta is adapting better to changes in the ecosystem. The fossil lemurs’ disappearance in the island was due to inability to adapt well to the changes. The other types of lemurs that have disappeared due to change in the habitat include Palaeopropithecus, Daubentonia robusta, Archaeiindris fontoynonti and Megaladapis edwardsi. . A generalist behavioral type is required of the lemurs in Madagascar to be able to cope with the change s in the island for their adaptation and survival. The species favored in this criterion are sifakas and lemur catta, which are adapting well to the changes. Other behavioral characteristics required include being terrestrial for them to adapt well with the changes as depicted by the lemur catta. Physical characteristics that improve adaptation to the changes include ability to take advantage of changes by feeding on crops, tourist handouts, insects, flowers, and fruits. . Lemurs might not develop to adapt to changes in Madagascar because they lived on trees and the deforestation affects their form of livelihood. The reduction in the soil’s ability to support the vegetation that forms the main food for the lemurs is another reason owing to the high rates of soil erosion and degradation. Similarly, human actions in the highland affect their ability to adapt with the changes hence another reason for the inability to adapt to changes in the habitat. 6. The water cycle is the biochemical cycle that may be altered by activities in Madagascar. An alteration on the water cycle takes the following pattern owing to the activities in mainly deforestation and soil erosion and degradation. Cutting of rain forests results in low moisture transpiration to the atmosphere. The result is a reduction in the cloud cover, diminished precipitation, and lead to drought in the area. The replacement of the forests requires water hence an impossible occurrence when there is drought in the area. Reference â€Å"Lemurs in Madagascar: Surviving on an Island of Change. † Films Media Group, 2006. Films On Demand. How to cite Lemurs of Madagascar, Papers

Project Design Proposal A Mobile Application

Question: Describe about the Project Design Proposal for A Mobile Application. Answer: Updated Project Brief The project has been made for developing a mobile application for online activities of the book shop. The shopkeeper of the book shop wants to design and imply the mobile app for easing the current process of trading in the shop. Objectives of the project The objectives of the project of development of the mobile app for the book shop include: Creation of app structure- The project would be helpful for developing the structure for the application used in Smartphone. The structure would have to be user friendly and it should comply with the operations of the book shop Meet User requirements: The application developed for the books shop would have to meet the requirements of the users. The requirements of user include the easy to use, simple interface, and 250 numbers of simultaneous users for the application. Simple operation: The application developed would have to help the book shop customers with easy operations for buying or searching the books from the digital stock inventory. Outputs of the project The outputs of the mobile app development project are: Ease of sales operation: The mobile app development would result in easing the operations of sales in the bookshop. Customers would just have to check for the book in the digital stock inventory of the app and can place order from it. Automated data recording system: The automatic customers data recording would be possible with the help of mobile app development. The customer would feed the data himself/herself on the application database. Increase in targeted sales: The use of automatic data entering system would manage the customers and ease the flow of operations at the bookshop. Hence, the overall target of the information system would be for increasing the final sales by increasing the efficiency and pace of operations of the bookshop. However, the overall result of the application system would be increment of the final sales by increasing the efficiency and pace of operations at the bookshop. Targets of the project The targets for the mobile application development include the frequent customers, young readers, and nearby local book shops. Frequent customers: The customers that have been buying from the shops since a long time on a frequent basis are the target of the bookshop. The shopkeeper would want to make the frequent customers of the shop to become loyal by offering them quicker services. Young readers: The youths are the major target of the bookshop for implementing the application. The young individuals are techno freaks and they would be attracted to the new application system of the bookshop. Local book shops: The local bookshops can use the services of the app for quicker searching of the required books and magazines from the book shop inventory. It would enable them to search for books and place the order for their shops. Project Success Criteria The success criteria of the project can be evaluated from the feedbacks of the customers and the progress of the application developed (Alqahtani and Saba 2013). The success criteria of the project depend upon the appropriate function of the application, successful implementation of the system, and excellent customers feedback. Appropriate Function of the application: The sales process and the stock management of the bookshop must be improved with the implementation of the application. Successful Implementation of the system: The application developed from the project must assist the bookshop for installing the digital information system and align it with their operations and functions. Excellent Customers Feedback: The good reviews and excellent feedbacks from the customers would provide the base of the success criteria of the application system. Project Design Proposal The project design proposal is used for making an outline of the project that can provide an overview of the project details, description, objectives, cost, return, and benefits. Design aims The aims of the design for implementing the application system at the book shop are efficiency, cost reduction, and user experience enhancer. Efficiency: the primary aim of the design is to provide the efficiency for the operations of the book shop. The application development would have to provide the configuration of the design in terms of the processes involved (Borghoff and Pareschi 2013). The sales process of the book shop can be improved as the customers of the bookshop would be able to search for the book and place the order by using the mobile application. Cost Reduction: The application developed for the book shop should be helpful for decreasing the amount of work required for the data entry and stock management. It would result in decreasing the cost required for the processes of the book shop. User Experience enhancer: The application developed for the process of searching the books and placing the order must be kept user friendly and simple. According to Fitzsimmons and Fitzsimmons (2013), the complex design would tend the customers to get irritated from the application. Outline of the proposed design Outline of the proposed designs: The suggested proposal outline for the project of Development of Mobile Application for an online Book Shop. The proposed design would be based on the simple user interface and synchronized with the operations of the bookshop. The proposed design has been shown in the figure below: Figure 1: Proposed Design of the Mobile Application (Source: Developed by the author) Screen 1: The design of the application has shown that a simple user interface with two tabs at the main page namely login and register for new user at the home screen. Screen 2: The unregistered user would have to register by entering the contact details. The registered user would have to log in by their user ID and password. Screen 3: After login, the user can check the library of the bookshop or search the book by entering the title of the book, author name, or publication house. Screen 4: The inventory screen would show the book from genres, year, most read, or top selling. The customer can select the book and make the purchase query from the app. Screen 5: If the book is not available, the user would have to keep the book in their checklist. An email notification would be sent to the user when the book would be available. Evaluation of the design The mobile application development process would be helpful for developing and deploying the smart information storage and sales processing system at the book shop. The evaluation of the design can be done by using test run of the application and expert review. Test run: The test run is the test of the functionality of the application before deploying it in the book shop (Tran et al. 2013). The designer and tester would use the application to search for the books available in the digital inventory. Trial and error method is used for the testing of the mobile application of the book shop. Expert review: There are many application development experts and their research article that can be used for providing the theoretical knowledge for the application development. According to Verzuh (2015), it should be focused on the security of the application. Bibliography Alqahtani, F.A. and Saba, T., 2013. Impact of Social Networks on Customer Relation Management (CRM) in Prospectus of Business Environment.Journal of American Sciences,9(7), pp.480-486. Borghoff, U.M. and Pareschi, R. eds., 2013.Information technology for knowledge management. Springer Science Business Media. Fitzsimmons, J. and Fitzsimmons, M., 2013.Service management: Operations, strategy, information technology. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Fluckiger, L. and Utz, H., 2014. Service oriented robotic architecture for space robotics: Design, testing, and lessons learned.Journal of Field Robotics,31(1), pp.176-191. Gido, J. and Clements, J.P., 2014.Successful project management. Nelson Education. Kerzner, H.R., 2013.Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley Sons. Leach, L.P., 2014.Critical chain project management. Artech House. Schwalbe, K., 2015.Information technology project management. Cengage Learning. Tran, S.T., Le Ngoc Thanh, N.Q.B. and Phuong, D.B., 2013. Introduction to information technology. InProc. of the 9th inter. CDIO conf.(CDIO). Verzuh, E., 2015.The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley Sons.

Operations Management for Competitive Advantage

According to Slack and Lewis (2002), operation strategy involves actions taken by the management that determine the long term position of either service or manufacturing operations and their significance to the overall strategy.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Operations Management for Competitive Advantage specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Each industry has its own operation strategies that are implemented differently. A closer look into Going Inc.’s Service and Manufacturing Divisions, it is evident they have different objectives and operate in distinct conditions. Going Inc.’s Service division mission statement is â€Å"Become the most successful provider of air travel solutions for the business traveler†. Although Going’s Inc.’s airline service business has experienced a downturn in its operations for the past twenty months in comparison with the whole industry averages; cons ultants view this to be as a result of decrease in on-time delivery, luggage handling and whole customer service. So Going Inc. operations strategy is aimed to address these three areas of short term fixes although other measures too needs to be considered. With the current economic hard times, business travelers are seeking cheaper air travel means so Going Inc.’s competitive strategy still remains a major issue for the firm’s executives (Career Education Corporation, 2005b). Going Inc.’s Manufacturing Division mission statement is â€Å"Become the premier private airplane provider†. The Manufacturing Division produces and sells small privately owned airplanes and has been carrying on its business successful since its inception three years ago.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Although comparing with industry competitor, Bezna, Going Inc. is still lagging behind. Initially, Going’s strategy was to build elegant and expensive small airplanes targeting a small demand, but it has turned out that the demand is too high than expected for its product. Going Inc. is faced by the problem of shortsightedness in demand of its planes, capacity and process upgradation (Career Education Corporation, 2005a). By the fact that the service division and manufacturing divisions are operating in different industries or sectors, it holds that the operations strategies taken by either the division are bound to be very different. The two divisions operate in different market conditions in terms of nature of business, competition forces, target markets and other areas, and are faced by quite different challenges. The divisions have different niches and objectives to achieve within its own timeline. The Service Division is focusing to increase demand of its products and increase its clientele base while Manufacturing Division main challenge i s to satisfy the great demand for its products thus focuses on increasing its production capacity, and to improve its processes. The Service Division operating strategy is more of marketing while the Manufacturing Division operating strategy is more on product development and differentiation. The Service Division has to engage in numerous promotion campaigns of its products and packages to potential customers, it has to create product awareness for its clients to know what it offers and the benefits accruing to its products. The Manufacturing Division’s marketing strategy is to fly a branded name of an airplane.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Operations Management for Competitive Advantage specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Unlike the Service division, which has been operating inefficiently, the Manufacturing Division has been operating successfully in producing and marketing its products. The Service Divi sion has had a satisfactory customer response until its operations succumbed; its quality management strategy is aimed at the big budget frequent traveler and aims to ensure the best quality over its competitors in the first and business class service. The Manufacturing division has been drawn back in production by average quality, and reworking of dispatched products, its quality management strategy is aimed to improve quality control by 100 percent inspection. Location strategy adopted by the Service and Manufacturing Division are very different. For the Service Division flies airplanes to all its major destinations and every state and has established major hubs in the East, Central, Mid-West and West regions in the United States and its location strategy aims to expand more in other markets and establish more hubs. The Manufacturing Division has an assembly hanger in the Houston, Texas with its headquarters in New York. It has no intentions of expanding to new regions in terms of infrastructure or built new hubs to tap on its customers (Chase et al, 2005). In achieving the location strategy and expanding into new markets, the Service Division is faced by the challenge of high costs of running a hub in the major airports where its target clients are and also in coordinate its dispersed business operations. It also has to manage its international logistics efficiently to ensure results. The Manufacturing Division is not faced by a location strategy challenge as it has its kind of products do not require strategic positioning.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Both the Service and Manufacturing Divisions capacity and process strategies are faced by a challenge of potential entrants into the market and new substitute products and services in the market. Both divisions focus on the high end market customers and with the current economic wave, manufacturers and service producers are coming up with packages that suit the clients more. With this risk at hand, the divisions should also aim at expanding their operations by also diversifying into the low end markets. For both the Service and Manufacturing Divisions, the human resources, job design strategy is not working effectively and can fail if not corrected. Both divisions have had problems with trade unions due to minimal wage increases and recruitment of employees. Employees have complained for not being engaged in the company’s operations and they do not receive adequate training. This could lead to strikes, demotivation and rampant employer-employee conflicts; also lack of proper training makes the employees ineffective in production. Maintenance and reliability strategy adopted by the Service Division is faced by the challenge of increased maintenance, repair, and training costs for the time it is been in operation. Its air carriers are out of service 18 percent more than the industry average. The Manufacturing Division’s quality costs and owner warranties almost the equal the industry average although control costs are a major challenge in this kind of an industry (Slack Lewis, 2002). In the Service Division the scheduling strategy is challenged by long delays and connecting late arrival as compared to other carriers in the market. Going, Inc. has 225 inland destinations and flies to every state around the United States on its schedule together with its Europe and Asia destinations. In comparison with Southwest Airlines ply 53 airports in 27 US states. In the Manufacturing Division, the plant has a lead time of 16 weeks to build a plane taking orde rs on a first come, first serve criteria. Comparing the plant Bezna which has a lead time of 11 weeks, this shows that scheduling of orders is still a challenge to attain its objectives. Both the Service and Manufacturing Divisions’ supply chain management strategies are targeted to the United States market with the service division operating an elongated supply operating in four major hubs in the United States and the manufacturing division uses US manufactured parts only. Although the US market is viable, but the divisions are faced by an undiversification risk, and any stagger of the US market could affect their operations. The managements have to diversify their risk and to include foreign suppliers in their supply chain (Boer, 2003). Reference List Boer, H. (2003). Guest editorial: New challenges in operations management. International Journal of Operations Production Management, 6, 1108 – 1113. Career Education Corporation. (2005a). Manufacturing Division. Infor mation Technology. Web. Career Education Corporation. (2005b). Service Division. Information Technology. Web. Chase, R., Jacobs, F., Aquilano, N. Agarwal, N. (2005). Operations Management for Competitive Advantage. Sabine, TX: Mcgraw Hill. Slack, N. and Lewis, M. (2002). Operations strategy. Harlow, Essex: Prentice Hall. This essay on Operations Management for Competitive Advantage was written and submitted by user Deon Perez to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Tun Abdul Razak Essays

Tun Abdul Razak Essays Tun Abdul Razak Essay Tun Abdul Razak Essay On 8 August 1967, five leaders _ the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand _ sat down together in the main hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok, Thailand and signed a document. By virtue of that document, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was born. The five Foreign Ministers who signed it _ Adam Malik of Indonesia, Narciso R. Ramos of the Philippines, Tun Abdul Razak of Malaysia, S.Rajaratnam of Singapore, and Thanat Khoman of Thailand _ would subsequently be hailed as the FoundingFathers of probably the most successful inter-governmental organization in the world today. And the document that they signed would be known as the ASEAN Declaration. It was a short, simply-worded document containing just five articles. It declared the establishment of an Association for Regional Cooperation among the Countries of Southeast Asia to be known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and spelled out the aims and purposes of that Association.These aims and purposes were about cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, technical, educational and other fields, and in the promotion of regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter. It stipulated that the Association would be open for participation by all States in the Southeast Asian region subscribing to its aims, principles and purposes.It proclaimed ASEAN as representing the collective will of the nations of Southeast Asia to bind themselves together in friendship and cooperation and, through joint efforts and sacrifices, secure for their peoples and for posterity the blessings of peace, freedom and prosperity. It was while Thailand was brokering a reconciliation among Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia over certain disputes that it dawned on the four countries that the moment for regional cooperation had come or the future of the region would remain uncertain.Recalls one of the two surviving protagonists of that historic process, Thanat Khoman of Thailand : At the banquet marking the reconciliation between the three disputants, I broached the idea of forming another organization for regional cooperation with Adam Malik Malik agreed without hesitation but asked for time to talk with his government and also to normalize relations with Malaysia now that the confrontation was over. Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Office prepared a draft charter of the new institution. Within a few months, everything was ready.I therefore invited, the two former members of the Association for Southeast Asia (ASA), Malaysia and the Philippines, and Indonesia, a key member, to a meeting in Bangkok. In addition, Singapore sent S. Rajaratnam, then Foreign Minister, to see me about joining the new set-up. Although the new organization was planned to comprise only the ASA members plus Indonesia, Singapores request was favora bly considered. And so in early August 1967, the five Foreign Ministers spent four days in the relative isolation of a beach resort in Bang Saen, a coastal town less than a hundred kilometers southeast of Bangkok.There they negotiated over that document in a decidedly informal manner which they would later delight in describing as sports-shirt diplomacy. Yet it was by no means an easy process: each man brought into the deliberations a historical and political perspective that had no resemblance to that of any of the others. But with goodwill and good humor, as often as they huddled at the negotiating table, they finessed their way through their differences as they lined up their shots on the golf course and traded wisecracks on one anothers game, a style of deliberation which would eventually become the ASEAN ministerial tradition.Now, with the rigors of negotiations and the informalities of Bang Saen behind them, with their signatures neatly attached to the ASEAN Declaration, also known as the Bangkok Declaration, it was time for some formalities. The first to speak was the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Narciso Ramos, a one-time journalist and long-time legislator who had given up a chance to be Speaker of the Philippine Congress to serve as one of his countrys first diplomats. He was then 66 years old and his only son, the future President Fidel V.Ramos, was serving with the Philippine Civic Action Group in embattled Vietnam. He recalled the tediousness of the negotiations that preceded the signing of the Declaration that truly taxed the goodwill, the imagination, the patience and understanding of the five participating Ministers. That ASEAN was established at all in spite of these difficulties, he said, meant that its foundations had been solidly laid. And he impressed it on the audience of diplomats, officials and media people who had witnessed the signing ceremony that a great sense of urgency had prompted the Ministers to go through all that t rouble.He spoke darkly of the forces that were arrayed against the survival of the countries of Southeast Asia in those uncertain and critical times. The fragmented economies of Southeast Asia, he said, (with) each country pursuing its own limited objectives and dissipating its meager resources in the overlapping or even conflicting endeavors of sister states_carry the seeds of weakness in their incapacity for growth and their self-perpetuating dependence on the advanced, industrial nations. ASEAN, therefore, could marshal the still untapped potentials of this rich region through more substantial united action. When it was his turn to speak, Adam Malik, Presidium Minister for Political Affairs and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, recalled that about a year before, in Bangkok, at the conclusion of the peace talks between Indonesia and Malaysia, he had explored the idea of an organization such as ASEAN with his Malaysian and Thai counterparts. One of the angry young men in h is countrys struggle for independence two decades earlier, Adam Malik was then 50 years old and one of a Presidium of five led by then General Soeharto that was steering Indonesia from the verge of economic and political chaos.He was the Presidiums point man in Indonesias efforts to mend fences with its neighbors in the wake of an unfortunate policy of confrontation. During the past year, he said, the Ministers had all worked together toward the realization of the ASEAN idea, making haste slowly, in order to build a new association for regional cooperation. Adam Malik went on to describe Indonesias vision of a Southeast Asia developing into a region which can stand on its own feet, strong enough to defend itself against any negative influence from outside the region. Such a vision, he stressed, was not wishful thinking, if the countries of the region effectively cooperated with each other, considering their combined natural resources and manpower. He referred to differences of outl ook among the member countries, but those differences, he said, would be overcome through a maximum of goodwill and understanding, faith and realism. Hard work, patience and perseverance, he added, would also be necessary.The countries of Southeast Asia should also be willing to take responsibility for whatever happens to them, according to Tun Abdul Razak, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, who spoke next. In his speech, he conjured a vision of an ASEAN that would include all the countries of Southeast Asia. Tun Abdul Razak was then concurrently his countrys Minister of Defence and Minister of National Development. It was a time when national survival was the overriding thrust of Malaysias relations with other nations and so as Minister of Defence, he was in charge of his countrys foreign affairs.He stressed that the countries of the region should recognize that unless they assumed their common responsibility to shape their own destiny and to prevent external intervention and i nterference, Southeast Asia would remain fraught with danger and tension. And unless they took decisive and collective action to prevent the eruption of intra-regional conflicts, the nations of Southeast Asia would remain susceptible to manipulation, one against another. We the nations and peoples of Southeast Asia, Tun Abdul Razak said, must get together and form by ourselves a new perspective and a new framework for our region.It is important that individually and jointly we should create a deep awareness that we cannot survive for long as independent but isolated peoples unless we also think and act together and unless we prove by deeds that we belong to a family of Southeast Asian nations bound together by ties of friendship and goodwill and imbued with our own ideals and aspirations and determined to shape our own destiny. He added that, with the establishment of ASEAN, we have taken a firm and a bold step on that road. For his part, S.Rajaratnam, a former Minister of Culture o f multi-cultural Singapore who, at that time, served as its first Foreign Minister, noted that two decades of nationalist fervor had not fulfilled the expectations of the people of Southeast Asia for better living standards. If ASEAN would succeed, he said, then its members would have to marry national thinking with regional thinking. We must now think at two levels, Rajaratnam said. We must think not only of our national interests but posit them against regional interests: that is a new way of thinking about our problems.And these are two different things and sometimes they can conflict. Secondly, we must also accept the fact, if we are really serious about it, that regional existence means painful adjustments to those practices and thinking in our respective countries. We must make these painful and difficult adjustments. If we are not going to do that, then regionalism remains a utopia. S. Rajaratnam expressed the fear, however, that ASEAN would be misunderstood. We are not agai nst anything, he said, not against anybody. And here he used a term that would have an ominous ring even today: balkanization.In Southeast Asia, as in Europe and any part of the world, he said, outside powers had a vested interest in the balkanization of the region. We want to ensure, he said, a stable Southeast Asia, not a balkanized Southeast Asia. And those countries who are interested, genuinely interested, in the stability of Southeast Asia, the prosperity of Southeast Asia, and better economic and social conditions, will welcome small countries getting together to pool their collective resources and their collective wisdom to contribute to the peace of the world. The goal of ASEAN, then, is to create, not to destroy.This, the Foreign Minister of Thailand, Thanat Khoman, stressed when it was his turn to speak. At a time when the Vietnam conflict was raging and American forces seemed forever entrenched in Indochina, he had foreseen their eventual withdrawal from the area and ha d accordingly applied himself to adjusting Thailands foreign policy to a reality that would only become apparent more than half a decade later. He must have had that in mind when, on that occasion, he said that the countries of Southeast Asia had no choice but to adjust to the exigencies of the time, to move toward closer cooperation and even integration.Elaborating on ASEAN objectives, he spoke of building a new society that will be responsive to the needs of our time and efficiently equipped to bring about, for the enjoyment and the material as well as spiritual advancement of our peoples, conditions of stability and progress. Particularly what millions of men and women in our part of the world want is to erase the old and obsolete concept of domination and subjection of the past and replace it with the new spirit of give and take, of equality and partnership.More than anything else, they want to be master of their own house and to enjoy the inherent right to decide their own dest iny While the nations of Southeast Asia prevent attempts to deprive them of their freedom and sovereignty, he said, they must first free themselves from the material impediments of ignorance, disease and hunger. Each of these nations cannot accomplish that alone, but by joining together and cooperating with those who have the same aspirations, these objectives become easier to attain.Then Thanat Khoman concluded: What we have decided today is only a small beginning of what we hope will be a long and continuous sequence of accomplishments of which we ourselves, those who will join us later and the generations to come, can be proud. Let it be for Southeast Asia, a potentially rich region, rich in history, in spiritual as well as material resources and indeed for the whole ancient continent of Asia, the light of happiness and well-being that will shine over the uncounted millions of our struggling peoples. The Foreign Minister of Thailand closed the inaugural session of the Associati on of Southeast Asian Nations by presenting each of his colleagues with a memento. Inscribed on the memento presented to the Foreign Minister of Indonesia, was the citation, In recognition of services rendered by His Excellency Adam Malik to the ASEAN organization, the name of which was suggested by him.

Archaeology Home work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Archaeology Home work - Essay Example Anthropology entails studying the life of man. Studying the life of man entails looking into man’s behavior and traits, also known as culture, and man’s physical characteristics. Anthropologists get answers ascribed to humans by living within communities and examining them. Archaeology, on the other hand, is about studying the history of man, which is the origin of humanity and the evolution of man through examining the physical remains of their existence. These remains include tools and buildings. One of the greatest challenges that archeologists face is acquiring knowledge on the interpretation of material culture in relation to humans (Renfrew & Bahn, 2012, 12). For instance, archaeologists may discover historical tools but fail to interpret with accuracy how man used them. To understand man’s use of specific material artefacts, ethnography has become a part of archaeology. Ethno archeology enables archeologists to live within communities so that they develop a better understanding of the use of material culture. Archaeology qualifies both as a science and as a humanity. Archaeology qualifies as a science through its involvement in the collection of evidence, performing experiments, the formulation of a working hypothesis and undertaking additional tests on this hypothesis against additional data, and finally coming up with a deduction. In addition to that, archeology employs scientific methods such as radiocarbon dating, which helps to estimate the date when an artifact existed, scientific analyses and experiments undertaken on residues found in pots. Archaeology has developed greatly in the recent past, expanding the field it covers from the earliest periods to the later times. Archeology serves to not only provide an insight into the life of man as it was more than 10, 000 years in the past, but also helps in explaining human civilization (Renfrew & Bahn, 2012, pg15). One of the most

Ethical Dilemma at the Workplace Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical Dilemma at the Workplace - Essay Example Value of Life – Human life has inviolable sacredness; b. Goodness or Rightness – Doing good, in addition to refraining from doing evil, is required so that the consequences are good for the individual and for society; c. Justice or Fairness – This principle relates to equality of treatment among the members of society; d. Truth-telling or Honesty – Although ethical action should be based on the truth, confidentiality (contact-keeping), related to honesty and individual freedom; e. Individual Freedom – Ethical decisions should consider the principle of self-determination; and f. Trustworthiness - Trust defined, is assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, and truth of a business. 3. Application of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics: Following are the Ethical Standards as per the Organization’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable on the present situation: I) Conflicts of Interest: As your private interest may interfe re in any way with the interests of the Company; II) Fair Dealing: This might affect our honesty and ethical behavior and we might not be able to act in good faith, with due care; and III) Honesty, Integrity and Objectivity: As this situation leads to conflict between honest and objective approach to recruitment and favor of any sort. 4. The Nature and Dimensions of the Dilemma: Following avenues were examined in order to ensure that the problem in all its various dimensions has been considered. This situation falls in the category of Ethical Dilemma as it violates the following ethical principals: c) Justice or Fairness – As it would be equal treatment of all the candidates; d) Truth-telling or Honesty – As by hiring the candidate of your choice my honesty would be impaired; and e) Individual Freedom – Further my objectivity and self determinacy would also be affected in this situation. Further this situation also has the potential to affect my moral behavior a nd this also constitutes ethical dilemma. Consultations with the ethics committee comprising of the HR personnel and supervisors, presented the following basic options: a) it would be violation of the general ethical principles as well as the Organization’s ‘Code of Business Conduct and Ethics’ to some extent as are discussed above, however, as all the candidates are of equal footings as yet and are equally compatible and capable as their results of the tests and the experience proves, we can also consider hiring Mr. McDonough. But for that effective interviews need to be conducted as these may result in certain other observations about the candidates too. I have also considered the ethical Theory that is suitable in the situation that we are facing now. The applicable theory is ‘Consequentialism’, which presents that the right action is one which produces the best consequences. 5. Potential courses of action: The following actions or rather decision s are open to me to consider: i) Carry on the interview proceedings of all the candidates, keeping in mind your request and considering Mr. McDonough above others. ii) Appoint Mr. McDonough without any further proceedings. iii) Conduct interview with no consideration or favors regarding appointment and appoint the most suitable candidate.  

Comparison Between the American Constitution and the Italian Research Paper - 1

Comparison Between the American Constitution and the Italian Constitution - Research Paper Example Italy approved its constitution in 1947 while American’s constitution was in 1789. There are very many amendments and articles that these constitutions of the two countries contain. They share both similarities and differences in their structure. This paper will show the deep sides of both Italian and American constitution. The American constitution has seven articles. It has also experienced 27 amendments. Framers were the first people who wrote these articles in 1787. They were 55 of them who wanted a better government for the people of America. They came up with these articles after intense debates and discussions. People were involved because these framers made speeches everywhere they went and explained what they wanted to do. It required nine states to approve these articles, and thirteen states voted for these first articles. A constitutional convention conveyed in Philadelphia agreed to pass these articles (Bardes 11). Article 1 approved the powers of the congress. Limits for its functions were also in this article. Congress had the senate and House of Representatives. There functions looked similar, but looking deeper there were some differences. Both had the responsibility of making laws before forwarding it to the president for approval. Senate had the special power of impeachments and signi ng treaties. Article 2 was mainly concerned with the executive branch. This is the administration part of the government; the president and his cabinet secretaries. It outlined the presidential powers and the roles of each secretary in their allocated department. Article 3 was the base of the formation of the judiciary. These are the court systems in America, both the state and federal ones. Definition of treason is also available in this article. The role of judiciary was to interpret the law. It also gave the courts powers to convict a criminal. It bared the courts from convicting citizens of foreign countries. Article 4

The Purpose Of Theory In International Relations Philosophy Essay

The Purpose Of Theory In International Relations Philosophy Essay International Relations (IR) theory aims to provide a conceptual framework upon which international relations can be analyzed. Ole Holsti describes international relations theories act as a pair of colored sunglasses, allowing the wearer to see only the salient events relevant to the theory. An adherent of realism may completely disregard an event that a constructivist might pounce upon as crucial, and vice versa. Robert Coxs ideas on the purpose of theory in International Relations, is not a search to find the truth but it is a tool to understand the world as it is, and to change it through the power of critique. According to Robert Cox, theory has two purposes: one of them is the problem-solving purpose that is synchronic which deals with the givens and tries to manage the smooth functioning of the system. The other kind of theory is the critical theory, and the purpose is to become aware of the situations not chosen by one, and to establish an emancipatory perspective. Once looked from the Coxian lens, it is clear that the discipline of international relations were from the very beginning loyal to this kind of purpose in theorizing, i.e., the smooth working of the system. As Robert Cox articulates, Theory is always for someone and for some purpose; this statement reflects the context in which the theory is being analyzed. Robert Cox says in one of his interview, What I meant is that there is no theory for itself; theory is always for someone, for some purpose. There is no neutral theory concerning human affairs, no theory of universal validity. Theory derives from practice and experience, and experience is related to time and place. Theory is a part of history. It addresses the problematic of the world of its time and place. An inquirer has to aim to place himself above the historical circumstances in which a theory is propounded. Cox has analyzed various theories and he critiques the earlier theories for their absolutism. He presents three challenges to previously established theories of IR.   Firstly, he appreciates the holistic intent behind both neorealism and world systems theory but warns against drawing conclusions which may detract from true formulation of a holistic approach.   Secondly, the state and social forces ought to be considered jointly in order to understand the route created by historical processes.   Finally, he argues for an empirical-historical methodology that accommodates and explains change more effectively than neorealists historical positivism. All theories derive from a perspective which determines their purpose.   By that Cox means all theories are colored by the time, place, and culture which produced them.   Cox identifies two strains of theorizing, the first, problem-solving theory, employs the existing theoretical framework and political conditions in order to isolate and address issues.   Conversely, critical theory is reflective, rejecting the false premise of a fixed social and political order, which Cox asserts is a convenience of method that constitutes an ideological bias in favor of the status quo.   If the purpose of political and social inquiry is indeed to effect change, critical theory is best suited towards that mandate, as a guide to strategic action cognizant of the history and ideology which inevitably impacts theory.   Problem-solving theory restricts the theorist into (perhaps inadvertently) perpetuating the status quo.   That being said, Cox acknowledges (in accordance with his belief tha t theory belongs to its historical climate) that there can be a time and place for problem-solving theory. Problem solving takes the world as it is and focuses on correcting certain dysfunctions, certain specific problems. Critical theory is concerned with how the world, that is all the conditions that problem solving theory takes as the given framework, may be changing. Because problem solving theory has to take the basic existing power relationships as given, it will be biased towards perpetuating those relationships, thus tending to make the existing order hegemonic. What critical theory does is question these very structural conditions that are tacit assumptions for problem-solving theory, to ask whom and which purposes such theory serves. It looks at the facts that problem-solving theory presents from the inside, that is, as they are experienced by actors in a context which also consists of power relations. Critical theory thus historicizes world orders by uncovering the purposes problem solving theories within such an order serve to uphold. By uncovering the contingency of an existing world order, one can then proceed to think about different world orders. It is more marginal than problem solving theory since it does not comfortably provide policy recommendations to those in power. The strength of problem-solving theory relies in its ability to fix limits or parameters to a problem area, and to reduce the statement of a particular problem to a limited number of variables which are amenable to rather close and clear examination. The ceteris paribus assumption, the assumption that other things can be ignored, upon which problem-solving theorizing relies, makes it possible to derive a statement of laws and regularities which appear of general applicability. Critical theory is critical in the sense that it stands apart from the prevailing order, and asks how that world came about. It does not just accept it: a world that exists has been made, and in the context of a weakening historical structure it can be made anew. Critical theory, unlike problem-solving theory, does not take institutions and social power relations for granted, but calls them into question by concerning itself with their origins, and whether and how they might be in process of changing. It is directed towards an appraisal of the very framework for action, the historical structure, which the problem-solving theory accepts as its parameters. Critical theory is a theory of history, in the sense that it is not just concerned about the politics of the past, but the continuing process of historical change. Problem-solving theory is not historical, it is a-historical, in the sense that it in effect posits a continuing present; it posits the continuity of the institutions of p ower relations which constitute the rules of the game which are assumed to be stable. The strength of the one is the weakness of the other: problem-solving theory can achieve great precision, when narrowing the scope of inquiry and presuming stability of the rules of the game, but in so doing, it can become an ideology supportive of the status quo. Critical theory sacrifices the precision that is possible with a circumscribed set of variables in order to comprehend a wider range of factors in comprehensive historical change. Cox believes that Critical theory does not propound remedies or make predictions about the emerging shape of things; world order for example. It attempts rather, by analysis of forces and trends, to discern possible futures and to point to the conflicts and contradictions in the existing world order that could move things towards one or other of the possible futures. In that sense it can be a guide for political choice and action. Cox sums up the salient features the purpose of the Critical Theory as follows: 1.  Action is never absolutely free but takes place within a framework for action with constitutes its problematic 2.  Not only action but also theory is shaped by the problematic 3.  The framework for action changes over time and a principal goal of critical theory is to understand these changes 4.  The framework has the form of an historical structure 5.  The framework is to be viewed from the bottom or from the outside in terms of the conflicts which arise within it and open the possibility of its transformation Having outlined his theoretical perspective, Cox explicates the role of historical structure in the formation of world orders, paying particular attention to hegemony. a structure is defined by its potentials in the form of material capabilities (technological, organizational, and natural resources) and ideas (historically conditioned intersubjective meanings and conflicting collective images of social order) institutionalization, which reflects and entrenches the power relations evident when particular institutions arose, is linked to the Gramscian concept of hegemony. In a hegemonic structure, the dominant interests secure power by co-opting the weak as they express their leadership in terms of universal or general interests these processes are not static; rather, they are limited totalities of a particular time and space which contain the dialectic possibility of change; that is, social forces, forms of state, and world orders can all be represented as a series of dominant and eme rgent rival structures = Social forces, hegemony, and imperialism interact as states mediate global and local social forces, establishing the political economy perspective in which power emerges from social forces and ideas, institutions and material capabilities are assessed on these three levels Cox then discusses the internationalization of the state as fragments of states evolved to become the primary units of interaction in developed states this represents the ascendancy of state ministries as independent actors, while in the periphery the power rests with international organizations. International production is engendering a global class structure which co-exists with national class structures, led by the transnational managerial class. Workers have also been fragmented into non-established and established, working respectively in international and national production, creating problems for social cohesion. Future world order prospects are presented in three hypothetical situations based on configurations of social forces with varying implications for the state system. Firstly, there is the possibility of a new hegemony based on internationalized production, suggesting a continued primacy of international capital and interests in both the core and the periphery. Conversely, a non-hegemonic world structure of conflicting power centers may emerge if neo-mercantilism rises in the core, creating a climate of cooperation with a particular core state for each periphery country. Finally, Cox does not rule out the possibility of a counter-hegemony based in the periphery, resulting in the termination of the core-periphery relationship which is entirely contingent on increased development in the periphery. Coxs strength lies primarily in his thorough assessment of historical examples without downplaying the role of history as neorealists do with their picking historical facts out of a quarry approach. Moreover, his re-orientation and reframing of international relations theory as a normative, emancipatory exercise establishes the discipline as a source of progress, rather than a cottage industry justifying the status quo. Critical theory emphasizes the political aspect of political science, reminding students and observers that each theorist (or diplomat) must contend with their own personal and cultural prejudices as human observers of politics cannot divorce themselves from their subject matter. Ultimately, critical theorys value rests with its reflexivity and hope for progress. Let us take an example to understand the applicability of this statement in real life scenario. Let us look at Climate change as a scenario and apply the statement and the theory relevance. With the example of climate change, the question is not to choose between problem-solving or critical theory. Problem solving theory is practical and necessary since it tells us how to proceed given certain conditions (for instance, the consequences to be expected from carbon generated from certain forms of behavior in terms of damage to the biosphere). Critical theory broadens the scope of inquiry by analyzing the forces favoring or opposing changing patterns of behavior. In the example of climate change, problem-solving theory asks how to support the big and ever increasing world population by industrial means yet with a kind of energy that is not going to pollute the planet. It requires a lot of innovative thought, has to mobilize huge reluctant and conservative social forces within a slow moving established order with vested interests in the political and industrial complex surrounding existing energy sources. Problem-solving theory gives opportunity to innovate and explore new forms of energy. Critical theory would take one step further and envisage a world order focused not just on humanity but on the whole of life, taking into account the web of relations in which humanity is only part in our world. Humans have to come to terms what it means to be part of the biosphere, and not just the dominant feature. In fact, it is a big problem of Western religion and modernist enlightenment thinking alike that nature is seen to be created in service of humans in the first, and is a force to be dominated in the second. Both Western religion and modernism have analytically disembedded humans from nature, turning nature into something to be dominated or an abstracted factor of production. To rethink this, to make humans part of nature, implies seeing humans as an entity with a responsibility vis-à  -vis the bigger world of which they are a part. Conclusion One has to question about the intent, the goal and the purposes of those who construct theories in specific historical situations. Broadly speaking, for any theory, there are two possible purposes to serve. One is for guiding the solving of problems posed within the particular context, the existing structure or the status quo. This leads to a problem-solving form of theory, which takes the existing context as given and seeks to make it work better. The other which is called critical theory is more reflective on the processes of change of historical structures, upon the transformation or challenges arising within the complex of forces constituting the existing historical structure, the existing common sense of reality. Critical thinking then contemplates the possibility of an alternative. We need to know the context in which theory is produced and used; and we need to know whether the aim of the user is to maintain the existing social order or to change it? Ever since, Coxs work has inspired critical students of IR and International Political Economy to think beyond the boundaries of conventional theorizing and to investigate the premises that underpin and link international politics and academic reflection on it. Recognized by many as one of the worlds most important thinkers in both IR and IPE, Cox assembles impressive and complex thinking stemming from history, philosophy, and geopolitics, to illuminate how politics can never be separated from economics, how theory is always linked to practice, and how material relations and ideas are inextricably intertwined to co-produce world orders.

Charles Mingus in the 1950s Essay -- Biography Bio Jazz

Charles Mingus in the 1950s Charles Mingus is one of the most original and influential jazz composers of the twentieth century. He created the second-largest volume of jazz work after Duke Ellington (McDonough 20), and is the first African-American composer to have his work acquired by the Library of Congress (Harrington B1). Mingus is known for his unusual style of composing and playing, which attempted to reconcile jazz improvisation with orchestration, in order for the final composition to conform most closely to his vision. Also, Mingus liberated the bass from its mundane role of keeping time, turning it into a fully versatile instrument as capable of stating the theme as the horns. While forging a new role for his instrument, he also forged a new style of jazz, one that acknowledged the influence of bebop but did not cater solely to that genre. Instead, Mingus' music incorporated a wide range of styles, from Ellington's big band sound, to gospel music, to early New Orleans jazz bands. At the same time, he imbued modern sentiments and an avant-garde feeling into his music. In the 1950s, his music made several important aesthetic and technical advances, punctuated by the release of numerous influential albums. These productive years were crucial in shaping Mingus' sound, as he fully incorporated gospel elements into his music and developed a means of composing and working with his musicians that allowed for endless innovation. In the 1940s, Mingus had made great strides in developing his style of composing and playing, creating works such as Mingus Fingers, which was performed by the Lionel Hampton orchestra and recorded. In this composition, the bass has a prominent role in developing the theme, an unusual departure from... ... "Pithecanthropus Erectus." Liner notes. Atlantic Recording Corporation: 1956. Mingus, Charles. Beneath the Underdog . New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1971. Moon, Tom. "The Black Saint's Epitaph." Musician Jun. 1989: 60-121. Perry, David. Jazz Greats . London: Phaidon Press Limited, 1996. Priestley, Brian. Mingus: A Critical Biography . New York: Da Capo Press, 1982. Simon, Marcel-Franck. "Annotated Mingus discography." http://www.siba.fi/mingus/mfsimon.html West, Hollie I. "Charles Mingus." The Washington Post 14 Jan. 1979: P1. West, Hollie I. "Jazz Bassist, Composer Charles Mingus, 56, Dies." The Washington Post 9 Jan. 1979: C4. West, Hollie I. "Mourning Mingus: His Widow Stokes the Fires of His Legend." The Washington Post 9 Oct. 1979: C3. Zenni, Stefano. "The music of Charles Mingus in California." http://www.siba.fi/mingus/zenni/survey.html.