Eczema Essay

The city grew very fast, and over the next ten years the population of West Tennessee expanded from 2500 to 100,000. The majority of families at the time took to farming, and with the help of the fertile land, Memphis soon became the center for growing and trading cotton in the Southeast. Indeed, cotton became king in Memphis, bringing in black men and women to work forced labor on plantations. According to the census of 1820, 20% of the populations of Memphis were slaves, and that number is said to have risen throughout the 19th century. Racial tension in Memphis began with its first and second mayor. Marcus B. Winchester was the irst mayor of Memphis and is said to have committed political suicide when he married a woman who was a quarter black. The second mayor of Memphis, Isaac Rawlings, had a common-law marriage with black woman, having multiple children with her. These encounters were socially unacceptable and looked down upon by white plantation owners, even though the majority of whites in Memphis at the time favored the gradual emancipation of slaves. As the civil war approached, the black population grew as more black slaves were brought to Memphis to work the cotton fields. During the Civil War, Memphis sided with the Confederates, but it was uickly captured by the Union who strategically wanted the town as the sight of a naval yard. The Union also made Memphis a freedman’s colony, and many neighboring black slaves came to Memphis once they were emancipated to partake in education and paid labor. Memphis fell so easily to the Union that most of its infrastructure remained in place. For a brief moment, Memphis became a city of opportunity to black Americans and a place where black communities thrived. Yet as white Memphians saw themselves competing with former slaves, tensions ran high on many of their newly arrived black neighbors in a riot that left forty-six dead, nearly wice that many injured, five women raped, approximately 100 blacks robbed, and ninety-one homes, four churches, and all twelve black schools destroyed. â€Å"[l] The riots did not stop until martial law was declared and troops from Nashville arrived in Memphis to force peace. For a good many years, the black community suffered and struggled to regain prominence, most of them being too poor to move away for new opportunities. With all the schools destroyed, the educational opportunities vanished and the ability of black to become literate and contribute to society became almost impossible. Yet this would not be the only disaster in Memphis. In the 1870s, a series of yellow fever epidemics plagued the city. In 1878, the worst of the yellow fever epidemics hit, and 25,000 people fled. 17,000 contracted the fever and over 5,000 died in the summer of 1878. Of the population that would remain in Memphis, 70% of those would be blacks who were too poor flee. The city of Memphis, which was already in debt, lost much of its tax base and went bankrupt. At the end of the 1800s and the early 1900s, Memphis would turn around again economically, yet many of the areas social problems would remain. Memphis fared reasonably well in addressing the problems of its white community, but the citys black citizens were shunted aside, their civil rights and their human dignity subordinated to a cult of white supremacy. â€Å"[2] Around this time, railroads connected Memphis to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing it to become one of the largest manufacturers and shippers of hardwood in the United States.

International Political Economy Essay

International monetary fund (IMF) is an international organization composed currently with around 184 member countries representing almost all the nations in the world with an exception of a few. After the failure of Breton woods it came as a substitute of a regulatory monetary authority. The organization oversees the global financial system by implementing macroeconomics policy and financial policies aimed at stabilizing the economy’s the member nations. The organization was formed with an objective of stabilizing international monetary rates and enhancing economic development among the member states. Similarly International Monetary Fund offers leveraged loans to developing countries to stimulate their economic growth and development. At an extent IMF helps in promoting expansion, and balanced growth of international trade through co-operation with other bodies like World Trade Organization and World Bank. The organization also helps in developing a multilateral system for payment of current transactions. Despite the positive attributes from the organization it has come under severe attack from many experts and organization because of some of their inefficiency of their policies and their ineffectiveness to the targeted programs. Some of the policies used by the organization in trying to address the economic imbalances in developing nations have been ineffective as they have caused adverse effects to the member countries especially third world countries. In certain extent the organization has been used as a tool by the developed nations to propagate political interests of their â€Å"masters† through giving out conditional loans to poor nations and proposing for poor policy changes. The paper analyzes the roles of IMF and its policies and the effectiveness of those policies. Although other policies have used by the organization had positive results others technically contributed to economic underdevelopment in most poor nations. Roles of International Monetary Fund International monetary fund plays various significant roles in the global economy; – International monetary fund was established to help member countries improve their economies by providing guidance and monitoring economic development in those nations. IMF is also engaged in ensuring there are sound financial policies formulated and implemented by the member states. Through extensive research and analysis the organization comes along with proposition which help in developing effective financial policies in tandem with country’s existing policies. Sound financial policies proposed by the organization are meant to strengthen the financial system of the global markets and member countries. â€Å"An effective financial system promotes economic growth and reduction of poverty by mobilizing savings and allocating them to productive uses† (World Bank, 2004, p. 72). – International monetary fund provides three types of surveillance to member countries. That is bilateral surveillance, regional surveillance, and multilateral surveillance. Bilateral surveillance mostly involves discussions between international monetary fund, and the member country (Axel 2006, p 769-788). To begin the discussions in bilateral surveillance, IMF technocrats usually visit the member nation to collect information, and hold discussions with government officials in that country so as to gather enough information about the area. Apart from government officials, IMF experts also hold discussions with other members in the country such as labor unions and officials from the private sector and civil society. This is to gain more knowledge on the economic status of the country, and assess opportunities and potential threats. After the mission, the IMF staff holds meeting with the authorities to inform them on the findings obtained, risks and outlook. Bilateral surveillance helps identify risks to financial stability and international monetary fund in the member country. IMF uses bilateral surveillance to provide advice to member countries on the need to adjust certain policies. Bilateral surveillance helps IMF complement multilateral surveillance. Multilateral surveillance is important as it helps IMF strengthening its surveillance efforts. It helps IMF detect systemic risks and increase awareness of the risks in member countries. It also helps identify interdependencies in the international economy. Multilateral surveillance helps IMF identify developments in the global economy. It also helps the organization evaluate financial markets, and the outlook. Moreover, multilateral surveillance helps IMF identify changes to policy, and also effects caused by policies on member countries. IMF is working hard to enhance global discussions of economic connections among countries. This is to improve international trade among the countries (Axel 2006, p 769-788). IMF provides regional surveillance to member countries. Regional surveillance helps IMF monitor regional developments, and policies used by supra national authorities. Regional surveillance helps complement bilateral surveillance as it provides information from more than one country. Regional surveillance is important for members of currency unions. This is because policies in important areas of IMF are determined at regional level. In regional monitoring, discussions with country officials are carried out, and the report is represented separately. Formal procedures are used to conduct surveillance and evaluation over the monetary, and exchange rate policies of European nations. International monetary fund has strengthened its policies on monitoring measures so as to help eliminate concerns like vulnerability to balance of payment. These measures help in eliminating external sustainability and currency crisis in many countries and these are some of concerns that have affected many countries. IMF has developed several initiatives to help improve the effectiveness of bilateral trade. For example, the organization has established external vulnerability assessment. It has also developed initiatives to strengthen surveillance in the financial sector. The initiatives used to provide surveillance in the financial sector include a financial sector assessment program, and prevention of wastage of money. Other measures include prevention of terrorism financing, and assessment of offshore financial centre. IMF has also adopted other initiatives to help in improving its efforts. The organization has improved data provision to IMF, and also analyzing surveillance systems in member countries (Axel 2006, p 769-788). IMF helps in ensuring monetary policy in member countries are utilized effectively so as to prevent inflation (Axel 2006, p 769-788). International Monetary fund intervenes in trying to stabilize the exchange rate among member states. After the collapse of the Breton woods the main aim was to regulate the exchange rate of nations in order to avoid financial and economic imbalances IMF in this instance developed policies meant to help stabilize the exchange rate between countries. Mostly the organization favors a floating exchange rate and constant evaluates monitors and give recommendation on the appropriate exchange rate policies. At the same time IMF tries to develop monetary and exchange rate policy proposals in line with the individual countries policies. Exchange rate is critical in determination of a country’s monetary and trade policies. Monetary policy is used by monetary authorities to determine and regulate the circulation of money in the economy thus directly influencing the financial and economic measures to be taken. Determination of interest rates comes from the monetary policies decision taken. Adjustment of the interest rates either by lowering or increasing influence the pattern of the economic growth. Lower interest rates tend to stimulate economic growth and development. In this case monetary policy helps in enhancing economic growth, and stability in a country. IMF gives advices to countries on how to use monetary policy appropriately. Monetary policy is also used to prevent inflation in a country by raising interest rates. Monetary policy is important to member countries as it helps in improving economic status of the countries, and also enhancing development in the country. Countries with pegged exchange rates tend to unfairly compete with others in trade. Another role of International Monetary Fund is provision of loans to member countries. The organization provides loans to member countries experiencing balance of payment problems and economic difficulties. The loans provided by IMF are important to member countries as they help countries improve their international reserves, and pay for import (Axel 2006, p 769-788). The fund also helps countries stabilize currencies, and improve economic situations in the country so as to enhance economic growth in the country by adjusting policies to correct underlying problems. Funds provided by IMF help member countries improve national policies in the countries so as to eliminate problems. This is through restructuring of existing policies or creating new policies. IMF does not provide loans for specific projects in member countries. Member countries are encouraged to borrow from IMF if they have no enough funds to finance projects so as to meet their international payments. That is if the country cannot find enough financing to meet its net international payments and maintaining international buffer. IMF provides loans to member countries having financial problems so as to correct policies in the country, and carry out reforms. Countries are encouraged to use funds from IMF to adjust economic policies in the country so as to overcome economic crisis. This is important as it helps countries correct their financial balance, and improve conditions in the country. The funds enable countries to continue paying for imports, improve their international reserves and stabilize currencies. A member country has to follow the right lending process provided by IMF so as to get loans. IMF loans are provided under an agreement between the country, and IMF. The country provides enough reasons as to why it needs the money, and then economic program is established after the agreement. The program is established by country and IMF and presented to the right people. After the arrangement is approved then, IMF releases the funds in installments as the country continues to implement the program (Axel 2006, p 769-788). International monetary fund has established facilities that are customized to address specific situations of its member countries. Developing countries use different facilities from developed countries to access IMF loans. Low income countries use extended credit facility, and other facilities to borrow loans from IMF. These facilities allow countries to borrow on concession terms. Countries can access non- concessional loans via stand by arrangements, and other facilities that offer such loans. The organization provides emergency assistance to member countries to help them recover from natural disasters and conflicts (Axel 2006, p 769-788). Effectiveness of IMF Policies IMF uses various policies to help member countries improve their situations in the country, enhance economic growth, and financial stability. The policies include structural adjustment policies, financial crisis policies, and poverty reduction policies. Most people have criticized IMF policies for their ineffectiveness. This is because the policies implemented by International monetary organization have worsened economic conditions in member countries rather than improving the prevailing situations. The main role of IMF is to improve economic and financial stability in member countries using the policies named above. So far the IMF policies have not helped eliminate economic crisis in many countries and instead it has been contrary to expectations. The policies have affected developing countries more than developed countries as these countries depend on funds and advice from IMF to improve their economic status. (Robert and Jong-Wha 2002, p 1245-1269). Structural adjustment Policy is a shift of policies implemented by member nation’s mostly poor nations towards those guided and advised by IMF for purposes of qualifying to get financial and economic assistance. Structural adjustment policies have been criticized by scholars and experts as they have been seen as instruments of accelerating poverty and underdevelopment. Political shifts and governance reforms are always expected from the member nations expecting to benefit from the IMF. Most often the policies are in line with the system of governance of the developed nations (custodians of the IMF) which are deemed to be effective and efficient. Free trade and market liberalization is always encouraged by the IMF. Structural policies force countries to slash government spending and encourage privatization which also open up countries to exploitation by foreign investors. Structural adjustment policies have increased the level of poverty in many countries by causing many workers to loose jobs and reduction in income for workers due to free markets as most enterprises are sold to foreign investors who implement â€Å"effective† measures. The policies have given debt payment and economic development priority compared to education and health services. IMF has encouraged developing countries to lower living conditions of their citizens. This has affected provision of services in developing countries much. The policies have lead to shortage of the work force in developing countries as most companies, and health centers cannot afford to hire enough personnel (Ngaire 2002, p 83-100). IMF lending policies are condemned because of the conditionality associated with the policy. IMF forces member countries to adjust economic policies so as to overcome problems that led the countries to borrow funds from IMF. The international monetary lending policies are used to provide loans to member countries. The funds help member countries improve their economic status. International monetary lending policies do not serve member countries well. The policies are not flexible, and countries do not get enough money. The conditionality help IMF know if the country is able to repay the loan given. Developing countries do not get enough loans to finance projects in the country. Shortage of funds in developing countries hinders economic growth and increases poverty. The policy force developing countries cut their spending so as to have enough funds for development projects. The policies are not flexible enough to help developing countries get enough funds. In addition, the funds provided by international monetary fund are not enough to help countries eliminate problems. This prevents control of disasters and crisis in the country (Bird and Rowlands 2002, p 173-186). Conclusion The roles of IMF are very significant and critical in ensuring the stability and economic development of not only the member nations but the entire world in general. However Economic policies implemented by International monetary are not effective as they cause stifle economic growth. The economic policies are made to help developing countries improve economic growth, but they encourage economic stagnation. This is because developing countries cut spending in other sectors to get enough funds. Member countries have to cut spending on health sector, the education sector so as to get funds to adjust economic policies in the country. IMF encourages member countries to follow conditions established be fore accessing loans. The member countries are required to adjust policies in the country to overcome problems that have caused economic crisis in the country. This forces countries to concentrate on adjusting economic policies, but not development projects in those countries. This affects provision of crucial services in health care sectors and education. They also lead to lack of employment in developing countries. This leads to poor economic growth in developing countries (Axel 2004, p 445-464).

Georg Hegel Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Georg Hegel - Research Paper Example He saw the problems that were prevalent in Scotland and England and considered whether these problems could be avoided in Germany. In addition, he showed concern as to what had happened to the European promise of enlightenment. Because of Germany’s perceived backwardness, Hegel was able to see a distinctive angle to most of these questions. After studying the works of the Scots, he contended that the two countries were outside and inside a developing civil society. Vital for him was a comparison with an idealized view of the Polis in Greece where there was harmony contrasted with the modern world’s discord (Hegel 85). Hegel was particularly enamored with Ferguson who had pointed out clear parallels between the Greek Polis, the Native North Americans, and the Scottish highland clans, which Hegel found to contrast with civil society favorably. Hegel, rather than choosing to ignore the bourgeois class’ repulsive forms that were appearing throughout the continent, ch ose to reconcile these with humanity and its advance to freedom. 2. Does Hegel see reality as static or dynamic Hegel disputes reality’s static nature as proposed by Aristotle, choosing to view it as essentially dynamic. This was because reality tends to pass into nothing by its nature, before going back in the higher concept of itself and becoming again (Hegel 87). This contrasts with Aristotle’s view that nothing was ever more certain than what was the same as itself and that everything was the exact way it was. If that would be a table, according to Aristotle that was the entire truth of the table. However, for Hegel, reality was dynamic and another truth was equally essential about the table; it will become ashes and was previously a tree. Therefore, dynamism and becoming is reality’s best expression, rather than being. Becoming is the best expression of thought since when we become, we get the best knowledge, especially because one knows what it is, what it was, and what the thing will be and the way in which it developed. Hegel contends that mind and life appear when one advances in the development scale, just like nothing and being develop to become, to appear as the process’ third term, which, in turn, develops to higher concepts and forms (Hegel 87). 3. Give an example of the Hegelian Dialectic Hegel gave an outline of his dialectics and gave its purpose as the study of things as they are, as well as their movement, in order to give a demonstration of the finite nature of partial understanding categories. An important principle in his dialectics was the transformation of quantity into quality (Hegel 89). Hegel termed this as a measure, which is the qualitative amount and the amount is quantity’s existence. The identity that exists between quality and quantity that is in the measure is only implicit at first. The two categories that are united by measure have a different and independent authority. While it is possible to alter the existing features of quantity sans any effect of on quality, the diminution and increase, even if immaterial, has limits that when exceeded causes the quality to suffer. When the present quantity in a specific measure goes past a particular limit, the corresponding quality will also suffer. However, it does not negate quality, only definite quality. Hegel uses water’s aggregation whose temperature is not a consequence

HRD Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

HRD - Essay Example onal communication informal workplaces relate to leadership, communication climate, performance enhancement, evaluation and work control systems networks. Organizational communication currently in the business world is probably the most stunning interpersonal communication. Each employee in the workplace must more often than not perform interpersonal communication (Barker & Angelopulo, 2006). Communicating with other colleagues in a workplace is a process that cannot be viewed as of lesser importance. Organizational communication is of an uttermost complexity and significance especially in teamwork operations. Communication is a key element and role player in everyone’s life. This makes organizational communication in the workplace a larger key for cultural normalcy and expectancy. Every employee should communicate to one another in every department in the organization. This boosts interpersonal relations between the works to work collectively towards a common goal and objectives. To the younger individuals, school may appear to be the main agency for social communication while later in life, the job you occupy partake this role. It is socially stated and seen as a norm that later in adulthood life, people should have jobs for survival means. The best way to put organizational communication’s definition is that it is the pre-eminent way so far to survive at the workplace. Organizational communication concurrently gives guidelines in as far as respect to the managerial teams is concerned. Consequently, this organizational process binds the workers together because it is a sociological norm attribute. Organizational communication as a sociological norm quickens the individual adaptation to their jobs. Adaptation attribute at the workplace is the most important aspect of the work environment. The only way, therefore, to adapt to the working environment and be able to participate in everyday work life is to be able to communicate with the colleagues at

Juvenile Convicts and Their Expectation of Privacy Research Paper

Juvenile Convicts and Their Expectation of Privacy - Research Paper Example In this respect, juveniles include adolescents and children who are below the age o majority. The age of majority may be determined by law more so with respect to minor crimes. However, for major crimes, a court of law may consider trying a juvenile as an adult (Lawrence, 2003). This is important a distinction given that sentencing for major offences may not only limit a young person’s life to prison for a lifetime. A convict on the other hand is a person who has been found guilty of a crime and sentenced by a court of law. A convict can also be defined as any person serving a sentence in prison. Convicts are usually referred to as inmates or prisoners or simply as a â€Å"con† in slang. Juveniles who are alleged to have committed an offence may have their cases heard in juvenile courts as noted by (Karmen, (2009). Juvenile courts have different rules from those of adult criminal courts and they provide defendants with fewer rights. In many states, juveniles are denied the right to a jury trial but given the right to an attorney and appeal (Lawrence, 2003). This paper will focus on analyzing the perception of convicted juveniles regarding privacy. The research will present information regarding the history and current trends with respect to juvenile conviction and their perceptions of privacy. The research will also seek consider the diversity sensitivity and multi-cultural issues related to juvenile delinquency. History of Juvenile Conviction Juvenile delinquency and conviction is not something that is new to the world. From generation to generation, since time immemorial, young people have gotten to commit minor crimes and sometimes major crimes that warrant serious corrective or retributive measures. Among the earliest records of juvenile convicts in modern times can be traced back to the 1780s according to Horshamps (nd). The juvenile convicts in this case were set aboard the first fleet of eleven ships that sailed from Botany Bay to Plymouth, England. The total number of juvenile conflicts were 13in the 1787 trip according to Horshamps (nd). In the 1820s, Members (nd) states that there were juvenile convicts that were transported to Sydney. The some of the convicted children were children of convicted parents according to Members (nd). While female convicts were sent to work in the female factory or got married by Australian settlers, their children stayed in orphanages or with their mothers. The children convicts were sent to separate orphanages depending on their gender, records of their activities and health being taken. Juvenile male offenders were often relocated to New South Wales and trained to do certain jobs with the risk of facing a goal sentence in the event that their masters complained according to Members (nd). Many boy convicts aged between nine and 18 were relocated to Tasmania in the 1830s. This age was considered unfit for performing difficult tasks like clearing bushes, building roads and working in q uarries. Girl convicts on the other hand were however sent to the female factories to be workers therein or assigned work as servants to the settlers. The issue of privacy during the periods preceding the 1830s was not a major issue with regard to convicts’ lives. Conviction of whatever kind at this time was mainly aimed at punishing

Womens Sex Appeal vs. Mens Sex Appeal Research Paper

Womens Sex Appeal vs. Mens Sex Appeal - Research Paper Example For example, Western society is inundated with sexually-explicit materials in many advertising formats as a means of gaining male or female devotion to a particular product or service. Depending on the imagery and the market, whether male or female, it can often create a stimulus response that ultimately leads to higher sales volumes for the product. In Asia, visual representations of partially-clothed men and women are much less common based on regulatory presence or stern, traditional cultural beliefs on sexuality. The most common similarity between men and women, when determining sex appeal, is based on physical appearance and not biological factors, such as chemical pheromone response. Advertising and the development of a liberal culture related to sex seem to be the most important factors that have created the modern view of sex appeal in both men and women. THE FEMALE VIEW Men clearly consider the importance of female sex appeal which is evident with the high volume of sexually -explicit materials that sell annually to male audiences. It is also evident with the large amount of advertising that is constructed and promoted to male consumers depicting women in various sexual postures. However, women seem to have a distorted view of their own sex appeal that might well be a product of advertising. The company Victoria’s Secret, a lingerie company specializing in underwear products (bras and panties), uses very slender and fit models in their on-air advertising and print promotions as a means of gaining consumer attention for the female market. One might automatically think that this type of advertising would be more effective for male consumers rather than female buyers considering the imagery used depicts same-gender models dressed in scant Victoria’s Secret products. However, women have a distorted view of sex appeal when measuring themselves to the models displayed in this type of advertising. They think, â€Å"Wow, she looks awesome. I shou ld get that outfit so I can look that good too† (Blair, Stephenson, Hill & Green, 111). Why is this? Where most Victoria’s Secret products are sold, the cultures are liberal and Westernized where this type of advertising is acceptable at the social level. The high volume of companies that use this type of advertising, realizing how women view themselves in proportion to more sleek and toned models, continue to reinforce that this is the pinnacle of modern beauty and that women should actively seek to model these images. It is not, then, so much a product of personal or biologically-borne belief that this is the highest aesthetic of beauty, it is a product of engrained cultural imagery depicting slender women that has become a cultural norm related to beauty. Though there are some companies that defy this symbolic view of beauty by using larger, fuller models, the majority of sexually-oriented imagery continues to reinforce the slender form as the most ideal model for wo men to strive to achieve. Advertising such as Victoria’s Secret give women a goal to achieve related to beauty as it is a somewhat armored cultural belief that has remained durable over the past several decades. Thus, when a woman is asked what constitutes sex appeal in another woman, it is likely they will draw on these slender models as a guide and proclaim that female sex appeal is akin only to the type of women portrayed in this type of advertising and television or print imagery. In other cultures, such as in Asia, â€Å"women are very comfortable with being women and they are comfortable with their own sexuality† (Kautzky, 20). Women in Singapore were asked whether they ever purchased sexy

Issues in Contemporary Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Issues in Contemporary Management - Essay Example In this essay, the most important characteristics of an effective organization and the main obstacles to effective organizational performance and the ways to overcome them are discussed. The success of an organization depends on the nature of the human resource. According to Whetton and Cameron, (2005) the most important personal qualities essential for a manager are the awareness of one's own self and ability to solve problems analytically and creatively. First and foremost quality that builds clarity in the thought process is the self awareness. Self awareness does not stop at the individual level, but the awareness of one's inner potential and capabilities as a team and as an organization. Self awareness helps to understand the customers more by taking a closer look at their lifestyle and environement as expressed by Anita Roddick in her interview about her best management practice. Cox(1994) in his work mentions that, self awareness is very essential to have a concept of self regard and worthiness to define the persons' emotional intelligence . More awareness of the person's personal values gives direction when decisions have to be made. When a person is aware o f the inner self, then they can appreciate the differences between individuals when working in a group. An effective manager feels comfortable in welcoming different viewpoints and can create a shared sense of commitment in a team. The other personal skill that has to be possessed by a manager is the ability to solve problems analytically and creatively. A manager should be able to think beyond the traditional boundaries of thought. If the manager has the ability to do so, he can create alternative solutions which are far beyond the traditional options available. Like Anita Roddick remarks, the team should not be rigid in its thought process so that the spirit of trying new ideas is killed. He should be able to combine unrelated alternatives to create an alternative solution for a problem which can create a platform for innovation. Managers in an organization are supposed to have a range of interpersonal skills like coaching, counseling, offering supportive communication, exercising influence, motivating others and managing conflicts. Of all these interpersonal skills the ability to offer supportive communication is very essential. According to Golen (1990), supportive communication is the communication that seeks to preserve a positive relationship between the communications while still addressing the problem at hand. It allows you to provide negative feedback or to resolve a difficult issue with another person and as a result can strengthen the relationship. The most important barriers to communication are the semantic barriers such as the symbols with different meanings, badly expressing the message, faulty translations, unqualified assumptions and the use of highly technical language loaded with technical jargons. There can be some psychological barriers also which include, premature evaluation which is caused by premature judgments made without proper analysis, lack of attention when the message is sent across, loss in the transmission of message and poor retention by the audience, undue reliance on the written word and ignoring the value of face to face interactions and distrust

Discussion Forum #2 - Do Human Races Exist Assignment

Discussion Forum #2 - Do Human Races Exist - Assignment Example ans that the races can be viewed both as a biological construct that focuses on low levels of genetic diversity of humans, the clinical distribution of human characteristics, the non-concordance of human traits as well as the greater polymorphic as opposed to polytypic variants. In the case of cultural construct, it is arguable that the concept of race simply exists in the minds of different people. The anthropologists, therefore, believe that race cannot be solely explained through biology but by the understanding of the how individuals use the external attributes of humans to link them to different genetic traits that classify humans. This explains that it is extremely practical to understand the concept of race by assessing how humans create different groups in the society and how they strive to identify with these groups. Racial identification is evident in the different group interactions (Audio lecture 2015). It is, therefore, worth to conclude that an understanding of relations of different people in relation to culture as well as understanding of their physical characteristics is extremely vital and useful in the study pf races as compared to applying biological concepts. For instance, race is non-concordant since it is not correlated to bodily attributes such as skin color, weight or height. Race is also clinally invariant since we cannot trace its onset or its

Economics Trumps Ideology week 3 dissc 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Economics Trumps Ideology week 3 dissc 1 - Essay Example As a result, the Populist movement was launched in 1890s with the aim of resolving the hardships confronted by the peasants and the working class. It was organized to seek financial assistance and to aid the farmers and laborers in improvement of their work activities (Wormser, 2002). The formation of Populist movement was based on economics as the farmers and the working-class faced paucity of finances to run their work operations effectively. This was attributed to the prevalent economic recession in USA in early 19th century, which lowered the revenues, and dragged the farmers and laborers in losses. Thus, it is difficult to separate the economic and ideological principles while defining the Populist movement. This is because the economic concepts of slump and recession and falling prices are explained as a major reason of the problems faced by the working laborers leading to organizing Populist movement. Likewise, the ideology of the working class and the Republican and Democratic parties is emphasized while explaining the tussle between these two classes. James Weaver was the head of the Populist movement or the People’s Party. Initially, the party met with success under his presidency and formed coalitions of white and black laborers against the federal government. This coalition managed to take over the state of North Carolina in 1896, which was an initial victory for the party. However, the success was transitory. The reliance on traditions made it difficult for the members of Populist movement to cope up with the transformations taking place in the business environment. The racial discrimination found between the black and white laborers blocked the chances of success, and ultimately led to failure of the Populists. The role of economics in killing the Populist movement was evident. The financial crisis arising from the racial discrimination between the

Warrior Marks Essay Example for Free

Warrior Marks Essay How often do we seek to distinguish between the Western and non-Western cultural thinking? How often instead of looking deeper into social, ethnographic and anthropological implications of non-Western cultural traditions, do we increase the existing gap between Western cultural â€Å"appropriateness† and non-Western social â€Å"otherness†? It appears that ethnographic research does not always lead to cultural reconciliation, and whenever scholars try to combine professional research and commercial profit, they inevitably limit themselves to subjectivity, avoiding the most interesting and controversial social tensions and expanding the boundaries of never ending racism. Grewal and Kaplan (1996) are confident that when trying to create an objective picture of otherness, we are being torn between the two opposing forms of cultural representation, and this western/ non-western paradigm shapes our attitudes and predetermines our reactions to everything that goes beyond the acceptable limits of â€Å"western† cultural thinking. This binary structure of our cultural perceptions seems to contradict to the generally accepted principles of multiculturalism, and turns neo-colonial representations into the essential component of any ethnographic narrative. It should be noted, that â€Å"US cultural feminism constructed an unproblematic narrative of liberation based on a universalized and essentialist identity as ‘woman’. This form of cultural feminism, as it has been practiced in the US and Europe from the 70’s to the present, often turns its attention to global sisterhood† (Grewal Kaplan, 1996). As a result, both Walker and Parmar seek to review the tragedy of African womanhood through the lack of sisterhood and the predominance of cruel and almost inhumane patriarchal traditions. Certainly, the essence of ethnography is to represent societies other than those in which we live; moreover, the aim of any ethnographic research is to review the hidden implications of otherness as opposed to modernity to which we belong (Grewal Kaplan, 1996). In this context, Walker and Parmar intentionally emphasize the role which foreignness and exoticism may play in constructing new global images of other cultures. Both agree upon the need to create an atmosphere of global terror, which is expected to underline the value of womanism as well as complete and intentional negligence toward women in â€Å"other† communities. Finally, Parmar and Walker cannot avoid integrating colonial experiences and perceptions with those generated by the vision of female genital surgeries in Africa, which for Walker stand out as the signs of the so-called â€Å"patriarchal wounds† (Grewal Kaplan, 1996) The question is, however, how appropriate, objective, and unbiased this horrified gaze of genital surgeries in Africa is. Moreover, the work of Pramar and Walker creates rather limited ethnographic impression and seems to border on their subjective feminism. On the one hand, this horrified impression is the result of placing the concept of genital surgery against the background of western feminist values; here, genital surgeries look like the brightest representations of patriarchal otherness and the instrument of violating the basic human rights. On the other hand, this horrified gaze prevents authors from breaking the eternal binary Western / non-Western paradigm and turns into a barrier on the way toward a more objective and multicultural understanding of gender practices in â€Å"other societies†. The problem is that the authors erroneously apply their westernized vision to gender practices in societies, which adhere to a completely different set of values. Walker and Pramar exploit the features of a universalized female body, which makes it impossible to review the similarity between genital surgeries in Africa and the impact of liposuction, cosmetic surgeries, in vitro fertilization, and mastectomies on female body in Western societal tradition (Grewal Kaplan, 1996). This lack of objective vision is the source of the major anthropological asymmetries, which position otherness along with the notion of unnaturalness, cruelty, and helplessness, terror, victimization, and a whole set of feminist misconceptions. Unfortunately, the work of Walker and Pramar is the combination of commercialism and the search for popularity. In the pursuit for multiculturalism and ethnographic objectivity, it is not enough to create a sense of terror toward patriarchal practices in â€Å"otherness†, for these do not always fulfill their scientific function but on the contrary, become the source of distorted racial attitudes and bias. References Grewal, I. Kaplan, C. (1996). Warrior Marks: Global womanism’s neo-colonial discourse in a multicultural context. Camera Obscura, 39 (4): 5-33.

Functionalism, weberian and postmodern theories of class

Functionalism, weberian and postmodern theories of class Karl Marx developed the idea of Marxism between 1818 and 1883. He believed that the basis of class was driven by the mode of production and that class division in society was based on economic power, With the workers, the proletariat, being ruled and exploited by the ruling class, the bourgeoisie. Marx described the Proletariat as being the subordinate class who sold their labour power to the ruling class, the Bourgeoisie. The proletariat made their living by working for profit making companies where they had no power over business decisions. On this basis Marx said society was in continual conflict, with an unequal relationship between the rich and poor where the poor were exploited. Marx said that the relentless pursuit of profit was at the heart of the conflict that he called Capitalism. The surplus wealth made as a result of profit, staying with the Bourgeoisie. The workers were exploited to increase profit with longer working hours and harder working conditions in order to produce as much profit as possible for the wealthy. The workers did not benefit from this profit. Marx believed the working classes suffered from false class-consciousness. They were brainwashed and did not realise that they were being exploited and being fooled by the media and education into believing capitalism was fair. However, Marx believed that society would eventually become polarised leading to two extremes with rich and poor leading very different lifestyles, having very different life chances and opportunities to education and health, so that eventually the workers would revolt and start a revolution. A criticism of the Marx theory of social class is that his view was too deterministic. He limits his theory to the idea of economic power and the relationship between the Proletariat and the Bourgeoisie. However there are many other conflicts in society such as religion, nationality and gender. These conflicts cannot be explained in terms of economic power. Marx made predictions that have not come true such as a life of poverty for the working classes. This has proved false. Living standards for the working class have improved with the introduction of the welfare state and the compulsory education system. These benefits have given the working class better life chances, with the opportunity to gain a profession and become socially mobile, thus the Middle class has grown. Marx also predicted that communism would eventually replace Capitalism. This has not happened and in Eastern Europe communism has been rejected. We could also argue that rather than the working class being brainwashed into a false class-consciousness, they could actually be sensibly reconciled to capitalism, where they can earn a decent days wage for an honest days work without the responsibility of making important decisions whilst still able to maintain a good standard of living for their family. Also, voting rights and trade unions have given the working classes more power and influence than that predicted by Marx. Marx also predicted that their would be a revolution, however the working classes were more interested in improving their own pay and working conditions than overthrowing the Bourgeoisie. It could be that we accept this stratification because we see the benefit of where that economy supports our lifestyle no matter what our class. Another theory of social class is the functionalist described by Emile Durkheim 1858-1917 this theory is based on a value consensus with shared values and norms creating harmony, integration and equilibrium. Functionalist do not recognise the Marxist view of a society in conflict. Durkheim thought that social stratification is positive and beneficial to social order, comparing society to the human body with each class like an organ of the body, having an important role essential for overall well being. He saw the basis of class as a meritocracy where society is based on a reward system. We receive merits for achievements based on our incomes and status, educational ability and occupation with society existing of high and low achievers Davis and Moore 1945 support the Functionalist approach theory stating that social stratification exists in all humans societies, such as the family and religion and so therefore it must be functional and beneficial. Davis and Moore believe that social stratification is a devise by which the most important roles are filled by the most qualified person. They defined functionalist importance according to the uniqueness of the position and the ability of others to perform the task. Therefore doctors are judged to be more important than nurses as doctors would be able to take on the role of a nurse but nurses would not be able to do the job of a doctor. Davis and Moore also believed that by awarding unequal rewards people will continue to work hard to keep these rewards and not loose a particular lifestyle and all the trappings that come with it such as home, car and holidays. Tumin was a critic of this analysis. He said that certain functions in any society are more important than others. How do we know which functions are more important and who makes that decision? He also argued that people could be attracted to jobs for reasons other than high financial reward and status, such as job satisfaction and a sense of duty and service. Another criticism of the functionalist theory could be that nurses do a very important job and are not rewarded accordingly and that we have people in positions of power, earning high salaries, that do not deserve such status and salary. Entrance in to high status and salary professions such as law and medicine are often limited to those with access to the best education, often private, and the most expensive Universities therefore keeping all the power and wealth within a certain class, those who already have wealth and power. The majority of positions in our Government; the people in power are held by people that attended the top private schools in the country. With the present economic climate there is real resentment for the unequal distribution of pay and wealth and anger grows at fat cat levels of pay and the huge bonuses paid out to company directors and those that work in the finance sector. The functionalist approach ignores the dysfunction of stratification, in that poverty is a major problem for many people with a negative impact on life chances such as health education, mortality and family life. This poverty traps them in a certain lifestyle with limited opportunity to improve life chances. Max Weber 1864-1920 proposed a different theory on social class called Weberianism he introduced the idea of social class being linked to marketability. Weber agreed with Marx that social inequality resulted from a struggle for scarce resources in society (Moore et al 2006). He agreed that this struggle was mainly concerned with economic recources, however he introduces a third dimension such as status and political power. We can identify with this idea by looking at powerful trade union leaders such as Arthur Scargill who would see themselves as staunchly working class, whilst holding a position of great power and influence. Weber believes that society can be competitive with individuals able to fight for economic gain status and political power (Moore et al 2006). Weber divided society into seven different classes of hierarchy with an upper class at the top and an underclass at the bottom but does not distinguish clearly between the classes. Weber believes it is hard to define as people may be untruthful about their wealth and that we have varying degrees of power of control at different times. The identity tags of a certain class are more available to all, such as new cars and holidays. The working classes may obtain these experiences and material possessions on credit however that would not be clear to someone looking on from the outside, making it harder to be placed in a particular class group. Weber also recognised the importance of social networking as a means of gaining a particular lifestyle. Groups such as the Masons offer this as people from different professions as diverse as doctors and plumbers get together to support each other with a system of favours, supporting the saying its not what you know its who you know. Max Weber predicted that society would be become more fragmented with the many different layers of class. This contradicts Marx who believed that society would become polarised with just two extremes of rich and poor. The main criticism of the Weber theory is that he underestimates the importance of class divisions in society. Weber also ignores the link between status class and political power, which is evident when looking at the social class of those who hold positions of power in our country today. All are mainly middle or upper class from a privileged background of wealth and private education. A more recent argument has been put forward by Paluski and Waters (1996) who believe that class is dead. This view is called Postmodernism and they believe that profound social changes such as globalisation means that class divisions are now actually status divisions. This is a very different way of defining society. It is believed that society is now too fluid and diverse to be able to define our identity and behaviour by a class system. We must understand the role of consumerism and the world media in shaping our identity. Postmodernists believe that we can buy the image that we wish to portray and this then becomes our identity. Polemus (1997) believes that we now live in a pick and mix society where there is a mix of so many identities that it becomes impossible to pigeon hole people into a particular class.