On the Genealogy of Morals, by Nietzsche Assignment

On the Genealogy of Morals, by Nietzsche - Assignment Example th how some of us are â€Å"slaves† and some of us â€Å"masters.† Nietzsche asserts that the slaves find happiness in the unhappiness of the masters, resulting in a sense of â€Å"Slave Morality† that challenges the hierarchical terms of what is good or bad, and puts a face behind the oppressed. â€Å"The real genius of the slave rebellion, according to Nietzsche, is in its going beyond a s simple inversion of value types†¦the creation of a subject ‘behind’ the actual deed (131).† Slave Morality introduces impartial value through reflective rationality, a term that makes the person making judgments question their intentions and motives. This, in turn, introduces the idea of the impartial subject. Slave morality introduced impartial value â€Å"slave morality is the morality of impartial value in that it is the morality of the value chosen by an allegedly impartial subject (112).† This impartial subject is in himself neither master or slave, but can freely chose to behave and to evaluate as either one or the other (123).† This progression through slave morality, reflective rationality and impartial value is important to understanding Nietzchean

Kudler Strategic Plan Part II Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Kudler Strategic Plan Part II - Essay Example The paper discusses the new strategy and implementation plan, the functional tactics with a work breakdown structure, a Gantt chart to define the timeline and the tasks and the deadline. It also discusses the key success factors for the implementation plan. It also includes the risks and the risk management along with a contingency plan. Established in 1998, Kudler Fine Foods (KFF) specialty food and wine retail stores have successfully expanded to a chain of three stores at La Jolla, Del Mar and in Encinitas. The stores are operating in hired premises. Despite the economic slowdown, things are promising primarily because Kathy Kudler, the owner and in whose name the chain is named, is a workhorse. Her perfect strategy with dogged determination to purse the goals had made the chain to remain afloat and also do brisk business despite the general slump in the industry. But the most important thing that has been giving the chain the ability to maintain is the cash flow. This in turn is due to Kathy’s seven-days-a-week work schedule to monitor the activities of the business. Kathy has hired managers to help her at the three locations, of which the one at Del Mar is a matter of concern because of the low population in the vicinity. Kathy is now looking for an alternate location with a larger population base. Carls bad, CA is a possibility, Kathy is exploring. Kudler Fine Foods uses only the finest organic ingredients. Whenever possible, we purchase local produce from organic farmers. We use unbleached flour in our bakery goods and we don’t add unnecessary preservatives to our products. Food is rotated from the shelves on an ongoing basis. Those items that are still in â€Å"good† condition are donated to local homeless shelters and food kitchens. Each of our stores has its own modern European-Style Bakery. In the wee hours of the morning, our bakers begin mixing their dough and creating fresh breads and pastries including fruit tarts, table loaves, flat

Doctrine of Ultra Vires Effect on Malaysian Company Law

Doctrine of Ultra Vires Effect on Malaysian Company Law Discuss the doctrine of ultra vires and its effect in Malaysian Company Law. According to s18 Contract Act 1965, every company formed should have a memorandum printed and divided into paragraph and with the date stated. In s18 (b) Contract Act 1965, it shows that the requirement of the Memorandum of Association (M/A) required a statement of object clause. The object clause can be used to describe the nature of the business such as manufacturing business, merchandising business or service business. Besides, it also show the company power, its purpose and the legal capacity of the company.[1] Furthermore, the purpose of the object of M/A should be lawful as stated in s14 (1) Company Act 1965. The consequence of unlawful purpose and incompatible to peace, welfare, security, public order, good order or morality in Malaysia will be Registrar of Company will refuse for the registration of the company as followed to s16(8)(a) Company Act 1965. As it has been stated that object of M/A function as recognize the legal capacity of the company, in the same time, it has limited the company which it require the company to act based on the statement. If the operation of the company is different with the object of M/A, ultra vires will be recognized. Ultra means â€Å"beyond† whereas vires means â€Å"power† where ultra vires happened when an act is against the object clause. Although the company want to ratify the act, the act is void at initio. This can be further explained by the common law and statue. However, if the company wants to prevent ultra vires, the company must alter the object clause. There are certain requirement as stated s28 Company Act 1965. In s28 (1) Company Act 1965, it stated that alteration can be made based on a special resolution. Besides, by holding this special resolution, members and debentures holder of the company should be given 21days of notification to the special resolution as according to s28 (2) Company Act 1965. Common Law The doctrine of ultra vires under common law refers to the rules that company must act within their objects clause that is stated in the memorandum of association. Any activity that is outside from the company capacity is void. Neither the company nor the third party could enforce this. In other words, ultra vires act is void and the contract cannot be ratified even if the company wishes to. Under common law, the company’s contract is void due to internal or external context. Externally, when a third party contracting with a company, if the contract was not fulfill the objects of company that stated in memorandum of association, then the contract was ultra vires and void. Internally, if the company and the director enter into an ultra vires contract, the company may immediately stop the act of the director and claim damages from the director who breach his fiduciary duties by entering into the contract which is outside from the company’s capacity. If the company could n ot fulfill the main object in their memorandum, then they would have to be wound up. According to Ashbury Railway Carriage Iron Company v Riche (1875) LR 7HL 653, the case stated that the company’s objects in their memorandum was to make, sell and hire railway carriages. The company entered into contract with Riche and the contract was approved by the shareholders at general meeting, then the company agreed to give Riche and his brother a loan to build a railway in Belgium. After that, the company changed their mind and refused the agreement. Riche sued the company. The court held that the construction of a railway was ultra vires, because construct a railway was not stated in their company’s memorandum of association. Thus, the contract is void because the construction of a railway is outside from the company capacity. Furthermore, since it is outside from the company capacity, so the company could not ratify the contract. Therefore, ultra vires exist and the contract is void even if all of the shareholders approved the contract. From Ashbury Railway Carriage case, we can see that the company could not sue or be sued by the third party for not performing the contract. This is because the contract is null and void. Thus, the company could avoid for not performing the contract and could not be sued by the third party because it is outside form the company’s capacity. Although it seems unfair for the other party but the object clause of a company is available at public for inspection. The other party should have checked whether the company has the capacity to enter into contract with them or not. Need to say if company itself can sue the director and SH? Shareholders pay less concerned on the corporation on how the director corporate as long as the business generates dividend to them. However this will put the creditor in high risk. This is because if the creditors credit sales the goods and services to the particular company, and the company has insolvent in later dates, the creditor could not claim any debts. Common law stated that an ultra vires act is null and void to protect the member or the creditors of the company who has invested the money into the company and expect the investment is only used for the company’s business. According to Cotman v Brougham (1918) A.C. 514, the objects clause of company contained 30 sub clauses, however, the first sub clause stated the company to develop rubber plantations. In the fourth clause, it empowered the company to deal in any shares of any company. Besides, the memorandum also stated that each sub clauses acts as the independent objects for the company. The company underwrote and had allotted to it shares in an oil company. After that, the oil company wound up and their company was on the list of contributories. The question arose is that whether this is intra vires the company’s objects. The court held that the 30 independent object clause in the rubber company’s memorandum was an independent. Hence, the power to deal with the share in an oil company was within the legal power. Therefore, the company is liable for the underwriting. From the Cotman case, the company did not clearly specify the main object where constitution of Memorandum are not limited by using plain business language. Companies could no longer avoid a contract based on the grounds that it was beyond the company objects which they have been done in the traditional ultra vires doctrine. This has increased a wider range of object clauses in the Memorandum as a result of each sub clause is independent which are not interrelated with the main clause. Hence, the object are not restricted to review on the main clause. This has rendered the companies to introduce a standard type of object clause to render almost all potential commercial objectives intra vires. Position under Companies Act 1965 According to s20 (1) of Companies Act 1965, any act or transfer of property that made by the company shall not be invalid with the reason that company dont have the power or capacity to do act. The effect for this section is transaction will become irrelevant with the fact that the company did not have the capacity to enter into it, even though a certain transaction is otherwise valid. Besides, the company can sued or be sued as acts against its object clause. In order to protect the interest of the shareholders and creditors, s20 (2) Companies Act 1965 has provided the remedies to restrain the ultra vires act. According to s20 (2) (a) Companies Act 1965, company is liable if a member of the company or the company itself has issued the debentures are available with a floating charge. The shareholders and debenture holders can sue the company for the taking any action outside the company and they can claimed the compensation from it. Besides, it also stated that the relief of s20 Companies Act 1965, the ultra vires only apply to specific person and not an outsider as refer to Pamaron Holdings Sdn Bhd v Ganda Holdings Bhd [1988] 3 MLJ 346. According to Pamaron Holdings Sdn Bhd v Ganda Holdings Bhd case, the Plaintiff and the Defendant entered into an agreement for sale and purchase of shares in a private limited company. The Defendant defaulted in the payment of the purchase price and the plaintiff applied for summary judgment against it. In opposing the application, the defendant proclaim that among the transaction was ultra vires the plaintiff company. Allowing the application, the court held that under s.20 a person other than a debenture holder or the minister may not raise ultra vires. The defendant being an outsider and not a debenture holder or the minister had no right under the section. The Defendant was liable for not being able to settle the payment of the purchase price. The Defendant also didnt purcha se any shares or debentures from the Plaintiff Company, thus it cannot raise ultra vires. Defendant should purchase the shares or debenture from the plaintiff in order for the defendant have the right to raise ultra vires. From this case, only the person that are sufficient proximate to the company can apply ultra vires. Ultra vires is an action This act will only available to the contract that has been entered, yet to be completed as refer to the Hawkesbury Development Co Ltd v Landmark Finance Pty Ltd ( 1969 ) 2 NSWR 786. According to Hawkesbury Development Co. Ltd v Ladmark Finance Pty Ltd case, Plaintiff holds all of the shares in the Landmark Finance Pty Ltd. Landmark Finance has issued two debentures to United Dominion Corp (UDC). A request has been sent to court by Plaintiff about declaring both debentures to be invalid due that it is a company object ultra vires. Plaintiff also request that the court to prohibit the enforcement of UDC of the debentures. However, application that request by the plaintiff is rejected and the approval of court to void the declaration of the UDC had failed to be obtained. Due that the plaintiffs are the shareholders of the Landmark Finance, the application should make to Landmark Finance instead of UDC is a third party. If the company is make the act of ultra vires by issuing the debentures to the outsiders, the shareholders or debenture holders have the right to sue the company. However, s20 (2) (a) Companies Act 1965 does not given its protection to debentures holders that secured by float charge and creditors who did not have any charge. According to s20 (2) (b) Companies Act 1965, officers are personally liable for any action taken by member of the company or the company itself. The shareholders or the company itself can sue the officers either former or current that who committed any Ultra Vires transactions which must be completed and realized. However, if any law suit against the officer will not affect the validity as stated in s20 (1) CA 1965, the act will be valid to the ground. According to s20 (2) (c) Companies Act 1965, any petition that may conducted by the Minister to the court to wind up the company that had committed ultra vires actions. The court will conducted its discretion when the company has changed the business totally from its original business. According to s20 (3) Companies Act, if any party has suffered any damage or loss due to the unauthorized act or transfer is yet to be performed and to be restrained under s20 (2) Companies Act 1965, the parties who have sustained the damage can be compensated. By comparing the common law and Companies Act 1965, under the doctrine of ultra vires, it is prefer to go for common law. This is because, under common law, the act of ultra vires is null and void, so the company could avoid for not performing the contract which is outside from their capacity. Besides, the company could not sue or be sued by others party just because they did not perform the contract. However, under the Companies Act 1965, it provides completed transactions remain valid as between the company and the third party and both of the party may sue each other. Let’s compare the case of Ashbury Railway Carriage Iron Company v Riche under common law and the case of Hawkesbury Development Co Ltd v Landmark Finance Pty Ltd under Companies Act 1965, we can see that under Ashbury case, the ultra vires are meant to protect the company by voiding the contract because it is outside the company’s capacity. The other party could not sue the company although they had ent ered into the contract because ultra vires exist. Whereas, under the Hawkesbury case, the plaintiff failed to declare the debentures to the third party although it is a company object ultra vires because the plantiff are the shareholders of the Landmark Finance and it should make declaration to Landmark Finance instead of the third party. Conclusion For under the common law, the contract entered by the director of the company or the company itself is ultra vires, the contract is considered void due that it is beyond the companys capacity to perform it. If the contract made by the company with the third party is not fulfill the objects of the company that stated in memorandum of association also considered as ultra vires thus become void. When the contract has become void, the company could not sue or be sued by the third party for not performing the contract. For under the Companies Act 1965, any act that made by the company cannot be declared as invalid by using incapable to perform the act as an excuse. The transactions still remain valid between both the company and the third party that they may able to sue or be sued by each other. Thus, both companies and the third party should consider the capabilities of the company to perform the any act from the contract in order to avoid any ultra vires that may happen and cause the loss to the creditors, shareholders, debenture holders or any related parties. [1] Pg 205 principle of business law and corporation

Freud Essay -- essays research papers fc

In The Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx and Frederick Engels present their view of human nature and the effect that the economic system and economic factors have on it. Marx and Engels discuss human nature in the context of the economic factors which they see as driving history. Freud, in Civilization and Its Discontents, explores human nature through his psychological view of the human mind. Marx states that history "...is the history of class struggles" (9). Marx views history as being determined by economics, which for him is the source of class differences. History is described in The Communist Manifesto as a series of conflicts between oppressing classes and oppressed classes. According to this view of history, massive changes occur in a society when new technological capabilities allow a portion of the oppressed class to destroy the power of the oppressing class. Marx briefly traces the development of this through different periods, mentioning some of the various oppressed and oppressing classes, but points out that in earlier societies there were many gradations of social classes. He also states that this class conflict sometimes leads to "...the common ruin of the contending classes" (Marx 9). Marx sees the modern age as being distinguished from earlier periods by the simplification and intensification of the class conflict. He states that "Society as a whole is more and more splitting up into two great hostile camps... bourgeoisie and proletariat" (Marx 9). The bourgeoisie, as the dominant class of capitalists, subjugates the proletariat by using it as an object for the expansion of capital. As capitalism progresses, this subjugation reduces a larger portion of the population to the proletariat and society becomes more polarized. According to Marx, the polarization of society and the intense oppression of the proletariat will eventually lead to a revolution by the proletariat, in which the control of the bourgeoisie will be destroyed. The proletariat will then gain control of the means of production. This revolution will result in the creation of a socialist state, which the proletariat will use to institute socialist reforms and eventually communism. The reforms which Marx ou... ...t; (Freud 111). Freud can not offer some vision of a human utopia, but can only suggest that there is some possibility for the improvement of the human condition and society, but also warns that our success at overcoming destructive instincts may be limited. Marx offers a radical philosophy which also sees conflict as one of the constants of prior human existence. Unlike Freud, Marx believes that the aggressive and conflict-oriented aspects of human nature will disappear under the communist society which he sees as the inevitable product of capitalism. This is the hopeful element of Marx's philosophy. However, if communism is not seen as inevitable or the possibilities for reducing human conflict before a socialist revolution are considered, then Marx's view of human nature locks humanity into constant conflict. If the future is to be like Marx's version of history, then there is little hopefulness in this view of human nature. Works Cited Freud, Sigmund. Civilization and Its Discontents. Ed. James Strachey. New York: W.W. Norton, 1961. Marx, Karl and Frederick Engels. The Communist Manifesto. New York: International Publishers, 1994.

Plato †The Republic, Machiavelli †The Prince, Hobbes †Leviathan Essay

1. The Lessons of Nature The most important lesson I believe I have learned about modern and historical politics from my reading of Plato, Machiavelli, and Hobbes, is that Western society has historically viewed politics as a way to grapple with human nature and the self-interests which are believed to drive human behavior. Although this perception of human nature has opposing views among Western philosophers such as Locke, I took the collective impact of The Republic, The Prince, and Leviathan as penetrating insights into the hierarchical and self-interested aspects of humanity, which in some ways, by some points of view seemed contrary, to me, to the essential viewpoint and philosophical perspective which may be necessary for Western society to embrace in the future. So an important insight for me, in fact, the most important insight in my opinion is that these great philosophers denote, to a very large degree, the visions of the past, and ideas about politics, which, while still very current, are probably apt to evolve in the future.   One might even go so far as to suggest that the present, with its global discord and challenges presents a time of â€Å"punctuated equilibrium† for Western philosophical and political thought. 2. Hobbes’ Lesson of the Leviathan To begin with, viewing the massive, sometimes oppressively â€Å"omnipotent† government in contemporary times as something which is not only necessary, but — in fact – demonstrates both the triumph of humanity over the hostilities of nature, but also the attainment of â€Å"justice† is sometimes difficult for me to see.   On the other hand, I have no issue with seeing that many other people, and in fact, people in powerful positions in government, belive this completely. When Hobbes writes that: â€Å" Hitherto I have set forth the nature of Man, (whose Pride and other Passions have compelled him to submit himselfe to Government;) together with the great power of his Governour, whom I compared to Leviathan, taking that comparison out of the two last verses of the one and fortieth of Job; where God having set forth the great power of Leviathan, calleth him King of the Proud†Ã‚   (Waller,1901, p. 231), I shudder to think that actual people in positions of power in the real world believe this as gospel. I think, specifically, of the Bush administration’s recent attempt to expand Presidential authority: â€Å"There is nothing, saith he, on earth, to be compared with him. He is made so as not to be afraid. Hee seeth every high thing below him; and is King of all the children of pride.† (Waller, 1901, p. 231) 3. The Lesson of the Modern Presidency The logical outcome of the modern vision of the President as the leader of a specific political party, rather than the Constitutional conception of the President as a non-partisan arbiter of the Congress, is that individual Presidential candidates, rather than the political parties themselves, would emerge as the foremost consideration in Presidential elections. Hobbes’ Leviathan needs a â€Å"head† and in modern times his admonition, quoted below, seems especially frightening: â€Å"The maintenance of Civill Society, depending on Justice and Justice on the power of Life and Death, and other lesse Rewards and Punishments, residing in them that have the Soveraignty of the Common-wealth; It is impossible a Common-wealth should stand, where any other than the Soveraign, hath a power of giving greater rewards than Life; and   of inflicting greater punishments, then Death  (Waller, 1901, p. 326) In practical terms, the rise of the â€Å"candidate† campaign has eliminated the old method of â€Å"platform† politics where a political parties ideological and issue-related stances are measured against one another with the direct contest between one   candidate and another.   One clear result of this practice is that individual candidates are now virtually dissected by the media and by prospective voters to measure their probable â€Å"characters† and â€Å"defects.† The fascination with individual manners, faux pas, manner of dress, speech, religious affiliation, past memberships in social organizations or clubs, or even past associations with friends or acquaintances now play, arguably, a more important role than issues in recent Presidential elections. In modern Presidential politics, the political parties often seem like afterthoughts. The present day situation presents a precisely opposite vision of a Constitutional model for the American Presidency. Because the Presidential candidates are now regarded as leaders of their respective parties and not simply as nominees of them, the expectation is that a given candidate will follow, to partisan exclusion, the   aims and desires of his or her party. In fact, the expectation in modern politics is that the party and the candidate are virtually identical, but that in the long run executive, rather than democratic, authority is the final word. An entire library of observations could be written about the expansion of Presidential authority — indeed, the tyranny of Presidential authority — relative to political parties which is exemplified by the Bush administration. 4. The Lesson of Plato and Slavery When reading political philosophy, I am usually aware of historical relationships that might seem a bit odd to others. Therefore, my thinking about not only the historical, but contemporary, impact of African American slavery in America while reading Plato’s Republic may seem off-beat at first, but the thought-process I underwent, and the conclusions I drew are part of the important lessons about political philosophy I learned from class-readings. One thing that stood out for me in all three writers was the hierarchical fundamental assumptions that comprised the core-beliefs of all three philosopher’s works. An example of this rigid, hierarchical thinking is found in the following passage of the   Republic: they should receive the laws from us in the finest possible way like a dye, so that their   Ã‚   opinion about what’s terrible and about everything else would be color- fast because they had gotten the proper nature and rearing, and their dye could not be washed out by those lyes so terribly effective at scouring, pleasure  (Plato,1991, p.108) The kind of cultural schism encouraged by this kind of thinking, is, in reality, both profound and of long duration. I started to wonder what it would be like if one ruling class, reared on the airy ideas of Plato, the â€Å"objective† and hierarchical ideas of Hobbes, and the self-interested mastery of Machiavelli enacted the principles set forth in these philosophies, not as mere ideas, but as deep culturally encoded principles. Obviously, it was not a stretch to think fo the history of African Americans, first subjected to the tyranny of slavery, then cast into the role of â€Å"other† after the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery, who became a culture without any identity other than that which had been thrust upon them from their former â€Å"masters.† However, African Americans were cast into an equally prejudicial cultural role in America and this time, the justification for both Northerners and Southerners was that slavery, though evil, had at least allowed for the â€Å"humanization† of the African race. This deep-seated racism obstructed any chance for the African Americans in the post Civil War era to geminate a specifically African American culture of their one making and instead cast them back into a role   very similar to the one they had occupied as slaves. The institution of slavery in America was malicious enough and long-lasting enough to genuinely sever African Americans from their historic cultural roots. The loss of their indigenous culture gave rise to hybrid African American cultures and a search for African American identity which, although many gains in civil liberties and social awareness have taken place,   continues to this day. My thought is that any distinction of hierarchy where the intimation is that the rule of one class over another is both natural and necessary, will result in the erosion of culture in both the ruling and subjected classes.  Ã‚   Plato ridicules such an idea: if the people are discontented and say that it is not just for a son in his prime to be supported by his father, but the reverse, the father should be supported by the son; and that they didn’t beget and set him up so that when he   had grown great they should be   Ã‚   slaves to their own slaves and support him and the slaves along with other flotsam, but so that with him as leader they would be freed from the rich and those who are said to be gentlemen in the city; and they now bid him and his comrades to go away from the city   like a father driving a son along with his trouble- some drinking fellows out of the house?  (Plato, 1991, p. 118) However, I would suggest that the historical case of African American slavery represents a very apt model for how the political philosophies of hierarchy can lead to enduring corruption because the contemporary political situation of the United States both domestically and internationally, is still very much connected to race and race-based hierarchies. By following Hobbes’ idea that the ruled must be led by their rulers, or Plato’s idea that the ruled should be indoctrinated to love their station in life, or Machiavelli’s idea that the ruled should be placated or tricked by their rulers into a state of   passivity, there is a feeling in my mind that an entirely different mode of thinking could be and should be engaged, not to vindicate, but to rescue the world from the antiquated philosophies of the past. 5. The Lesson of Machiavelli and Assassination The point at which the self-interest of leaders becomes, itself, the most dangerous threat to any nation, culture, or society, is among the most important lessons I learned from the class readings and I most specifically learned this from reading The Prince, which I found to be, like Hobbes and Plato, much more illuminating on   the subject of how Western society has viewed itself and its political institutions than as a penetrating glimpse into humanity’s essential nature   or future cultural and political existence. Machiavelli stresses that all acts of a political nature are rooted in self-interest. It is not a matter of public-service, but of public passivity and censure that drives the politician. Speaking of Oliverotto’s murder of his enemies, Machiavelli remarks: â€Å"After this murder, Oliverotto mounted his horse, paraded through the town, and besieged the chief officials in the government palace; so that out of fear they were forced to obey him and to constitute a government of which he made himself prince† (Machiavelli, 1998, p. 32). Implicit in this remark is not only the idea that murder can be an expedient political strategy but that any political act is partially only what it is perceived to be.   Machiavelli mentions of Oliveratto â€Å"And when all those were killed who, because they were discontented, might have harmed him, he strengthened himself by instituting new civil and military institutions; so that, in the space of the year that he held the principality, (Machiavelli, 1998, p. 32). In conclusion, the political philosophies of Hobbes, Machiavelli, and Plato represent a compelling collection of ideas which seem to have driven Western politics for centuries. However strong the rational conclusions, observations, and inspired thoughts of these past philosophers –to my mind — none of the theories offered seem to address the issues which seem most problematic and current in contemporary society. By following the ideas in these philosophical systems which elevate self-interest, social schism, warfare, and political expedience, the social, political, and cultural resources of the West are weakened, not strengthened.

Houses as Motif: Kate Chopins the Awakening

Houses as Motifs in Kate Chopin’s The Awakening Linda Catte Dr. Kathryn Warren ENGL 2329: American Literature March 22, 2012 (KateChopin. org. ) (Krantz’s Grand Isle Hotel Picture of painting by Tracy Warhart Plaisance) (Reflechir: Vol. 1. Les images des prairies tremblantes: 1840-1940 by Cheniere Hurricane Centennial Committee) It is not new or unique that an individual is looking for one’s purpose and meaning in life. Nor is it unique that men and women imitate the norms of society. In Kate Chopin’s novella, The Awakening, Edna Pontellier, the antagonist, knocked against the societal norms of the late 1800’s.Houses represent Edna’s search for her inner self. The houses which Chopin uses in The Awakening come in pairs which contrast each other. Chopin uses the bird cage and the bath-house to illustrate imprisonment and freedom. The house on Grand Isle and the small house on the Cheniere Island represent restlessness and awareness. The grand house on Esplanade Street in New Orleans and the small house located just around the corner demonstrate confinement and control in contrast with freedom and independence. Each house brings to light different aspects of Edna’s personality as she searches for her inner soul and finds new awakenings along the way.As various houses are presented by Chopin, each will provide insight into Edna’s search for meaning in her life. In order to better understand Edna’s state of mind as Chopin begins The Awakening, the norms of society needs an explanation. Mr. Leonce Pontellier demonstrates characteristics of a husband who fits the societal norm of 1899 when The Awakening (Chopin) was written. Behaviors by Leonce are displayed in the opening chapter of Chopin’s novella. There are bird cages with a talking parrot and a singing mockingbird, hanging on the porch of the main house at Grand Isle. â€Å"Mr.Pontellier, unable to read his newspaper with any degree of comfor t, arose with an expression and an exclamation of disgust. † (Chopin, ch. 1) Leonce had the freedom to walk away from an irritation and find solace elsewhere. â€Å"Mr. Pontellier had the privilege of quitting their society when they ceased to be entertaining. † (Chopin, ch. 1) The bird cage represents imprisonment, the birds represents how individuals in society mimic what is repeated over and over. Although every word is not equally understood and interpreted by all, the words still have a meaning. (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images)Edna and Leonce were interpreting different meanings from what society expected. Edna had the burden of imprisonment because of the societal norm. Leonce had flexibility and freedom. He was a businessman with a wife and family that was expected to behave in such a manner that would exhibit appearances of a proper marriage and family. An illustration of Leonce’s attitude is revealed in Chapter One of Chopin's book, a few spe cific examples are, â€Å"†¦looking at his wife as one looks at a valuable piece of personal property †¦,† â€Å"†¦perhaps he would return for the early dinner and perhaps he would not. and â€Å"If it was not a mother’s place to look after children, whose on earth was it? He himself had his hands full with his brokerage business. † Leonce viewed himself as important, the roles of society were rigid and fixed in his eyes, and certainly to his advantage. (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) Edna did not have the freedom to detach herself as her husband did from unwanted annoyances. Her escape to the bath-house provided as much freedom as Edna could possess at the time. â€Å"†¦had no intention of bathing; they had just strolled down to the beach for a walk and to be alone and near the water. (Chopin, ch. 7) Lounging at the bath-house on the beach with her friend, Madame Ratignolle, is when Edna realized realities about her marriage a nd children. Her life was now somewhat predetermined because of her own rash decision to marry Leonce out of rebellion against her father and sister Margaret. â€Å"Add to this the violent opposition of her father and her sister Margaret to her marriage with a Catholic, and we need seek no further for the motives which led her to accept Monsieur Pontellier for her husband. † (Chopin, ch. ) She desired passion as expressed in her daydreams prior to marriage, â€Å"It was when the face and figure of a great tragedian began to haunt her imagination and stir her senses. The persistence of the infatuation lent it an aspect of genuineness. The hopelessness of it colored it with the lofty tones of a great passion. † (Chopin, ch. 7) But she had no passion in her life. â€Å"As the devoted wife of a man who worshiped her, she felt she would take her place with a certain dignity in the world of reality, closing the portals forever behind her upon the realm of romance and dreams . † (Chopin, ch. 7) (http://office. icrosoft. com/en-us/images) Marriage did not bring fulfillment or satisfaction to Edna’s life, nor did being a mother. â€Å"She would sometimes gather them passionately to her heart; she would sometimes forget them. † (Chopin, ch. 7) When her children were away with their grandmother, they were not missed by their mother. â€Å"Their absence was a sort of relief, though she did not admit this, even to herself. It seemed to free her of a responsibility which she had blindly assumed and for which Fate had not fitted her. † (Chopin, ch. 7) What mother forgets her children and does not miss them when they are gone?Edna was searching for meaning in her life, she wanted happiness. (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) (http://www. loyno. edu/~kchopin/Album10. html) Vacationing at the house on Grand Isle is where Edna’s dissatisfaction with her own life is brought to the reader’s attention by Chopin. †Å"An indescribable oppression, which seemed to generate in some unfamiliar part of her consciousness, filled her whole being with a vague anguish. It was like a shadow, like a mist passing across her soul’s summer day. It was strange and unfamiliar; it was a mood. † (Chopin, ch. ) Leonce’s role as a husband was unchanging, â€Å"†¦her husband’s kindness and a uniform devotion which had come to be tacit and self-understood. † (Chopin, ch. 1) Spending her summer vacation with the Creoles opened Edna’s eyes to a whole new society. â€Å"A characteristic which distinguished them and which impressed Mrs. Pontellier most forcibly was their entire absence of prudery. † (Chopin, ch. 4) Edna had been raised in a strict religious Presbyterian home by her father. (Chopin, ch. 22) Edna’s new acquaintances stirred new thoughts, there was an inner conflict within her.Unspoken expectations were present for societal norms to be followed fo r a devoted wife and mother, those like her new friend Adele Ratignolle. Edna longed to be her own person, depart from what is expected of her and discover what or who makes her happy. As more and more of Edna’s days were spent together with another new friend, Robert, she missed him when he was not around. â€Å"She missed him the days when some pretext served to take him away from her, just as one misses the sun on a cloudy day without having thought much about the sun when it was shining. † (Chopin, ch. 0) Mademoiselle Reisz impacted Edna, it started when she heard her play the piano at the grand party in the main house on Grand Isle. â€Å"Edna was what she herself called very fond of music. † (Chopin, ch. 9) As she heard the chords, she would envision in her mind what each piece of music was saying to her. But with Mademoiselle Reisz, it was different. Her emotional response was something she had never experienced. â€Å"The very first chords which Mademoi selle Reisz struck upon the piano sent a keen tremor down Mrs. Pontellier’s spinal column. † (Chopin, ch. 9) It was the exact emotion in which she was searching. But the very passions themselves were aroused within her soul, swaying it, lashing it, as the waves daily beat upon her splendid body. † (Chopin, ch. 9) It was that night Edna learned to swim; it was that night she did not do exactly what her husband asks of her. (Chopin, ch. 10) It was the house on Grand Isle that first awakened Edna to new thoughts and feelings. (http://www. loyno. edu/~kchopin/cheniere. htm) The next morning, Edna and Robert went to Cheniere Island. Edna’s behavior and attitude began to transform. She took steps of boldness by sending for Robert to go with her to Cheniere. She had never sent for him before. † (Chopin, ch. 12) On the boat ride to the island, Edna felt a sense of freedom, â€Å"†¦felt as if she were being borne away from some anchorage which had held h er fast, whose chains had been loosening-†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Chopin, ch. 12) She began to daydream of a life where she was alone with Robert. She shared this imagined world with him as her flirtation intensified. (Chopin, ch. 12) When they reached the island, they fulfilled the intended purpose of the trip by attending mass at Our Lady of Lourdes. The freedom Edna had experienced on the boat ride was stripped from her as she sat in the church. †¦her one thought was to quit the stifling atmosphere of the church and reach the open air. † (Chopin, ch. 13) It was at this time that Robert took Edna to a small house on the island where she naps and discovers another facet of herself. Once she awakens, she and Robert have dinner outside the small house, the evening approaches, they do not want the day to end. â€Å"It was very pleasant to stay there under the orange trees, while the sun dipped lower and lower. (Chopin, ch. 13) Upon their return from Cheniere Island, Edna separates herself so that she can be alone to ponder her escape.The escape to the little house that gave her a taste of peace and contentment. â€Å"She could only realize that she herself-her present self-was in some way different from the other self. † (Chopin, ch. 13) (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) Upon return to the grand house on Esplanade Street in New Orleans, Edna brought with her disappointment and heartache. She had not planned on Robert’s sudden departure to Mexico. As her life was becoming more self absorbed, she wanted Robert to remain part of her life. She was aware of her infatuation with him and reacted emotionally to his absence. †¦she had lost that which she had held, that she had been denied that which her impassioned, newly awakened being demanded. † (Chopin, ch. 15) Being home in the grand house where Leonce displays his possessions with such pride, left Edna feeling trapped and imprisoned. Her summer experience changed how she wante d to live her life. When Leonce was ready for life to be back just like it was before, Edna displayed behaviors of rebellion. She was not going to receive visitors on Tuesday afternoons any longer, she was not going to dress as expected for dinner, and she was not going to lead her life controlled by her husband. Chopin, ch. 17) bb (katechopin. org) Leonce was appalled at Edna’s sudden change in behavior. There were societal norms that were important to Leonce. He did not want their friends to think they did not behave properly. â€Å"†¦people don’t do such things; we’ve got to observe les convenances if we expect to get on and keep up with the procession. † (Chopin, ch. 17) The Esplanade house represents confinement and control over Edna. With her new found awakenings, she had no desire to return to the ways of her old life. â€Å"She resolved never to take another step backward. † (Chopin, ch. 7) Her thoughts remained with Robert. â€Å"She had tried to forget him, realizing the inutility of remembering. But the thought of him was like an obsession, ever pressing itself upon her. † (Chopin, ch. 13) (katechopin. org) Edna moved forward with confidence but still did not find the independence she was desiring. Leonce found her behavior â€Å"†¦odd, she’s not like herself. † (Chopin, ch. 22) â€Å"Her whole attitudetoward me and everybody and everything-has changed. † (Chopin, ch. 22) Leonce had concerns about his wife but left her alone upon the advice of Doctor Mandelet. He moved forward with his own (katechopin. rg) life and took a business trip to New York. Edna thought she might miss him , but found â€Å"†¦a radiant peace settled upon her when she at last found herself alone. † (Chopin, ch. 24) Her children were in Iberville with their grandmother. But this peace was short lived. She still did not have Robert. She looked to activities and relationships to find fulfillment in her life. But none provided the contentment and satisfaction she desired. (Chopin, ch. 25) While Leonce was away, Edna made a spontaneous and rash decision , while on a visit with Mademoiselle Reisz, to move into her own house. (Chopin, ch. 6) The small house was located just around the corner from their home on Esplanade Street. â€Å"It looks so cozy, so inviting and restful†¦I’m tired looking after that big house. It never seemed like mine, anyway-like home. † (Chopin, ch. 26) It was this small house where Edna was certain she would find peace and happiness. She would find what this cozy house represents, â€Å"freedom and independence. † (Chopin, ch. 26) Each house Chopin uses as a motif brings to light different aspects of Edna’s personality as she searches for her inner soul. Each house brings new awakenings for Edna along the way.Each house represents her search for meaning in life. â€Å"No longer was she content to ‘feed upon opini on’ when her own soul had invited her. † (Chopin, ch. 32) But Edna was unable to satisfy her soul. She wanted more than anyone or anything could give her. She wanted passion, she wanted Robert. When Robert left for Mexico, it was out of his love and respect for Edna that he could not stay. When he left the small house, it was, again, out of his love and respect for Edna that he must leave. It was Adele Ratignolle who reminded Robert in the beginning of The Awakening (Chopin) of his behavior as a gentleman. If your attentions to any married women here were ever offered with any intention of being convincing, you would not be the gentleman we all know you to be, and you would be unfit to associate with the wives and daughters of the people who trust you. † (Chopin, ch. 1) Edna did not have the wisdom to understand Robert’s rejection of her. She lived selfishly. â€Å"Conditions would some way adjust themselves, she felt; but whatever came, she had resolved n ever again to belong to another than herself. † (Chopin, ch. 26) This statement confirms that Edna’s soul would not be found with Robert. She was aware of her own emptiness. There came over her the acute longing which always summoned into her spiritual vision the presence of the beloved one, overpowering her at once with a sense of unattainable. † (Chopin, ch. 30) (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) The emptiness Edna experienced after Robert’s departure left her hopeless. â€Å"Despondency had come upon her there in the wakeful night, and had never lifted. There was no human being whom she wanted near her except Robert: and she even realized that the day would come when he, too, and the thought of him would melt out of her existence, leaving her alone. (Chopin, ch. 39) It was when Edna stood before the ocean that she knew her future. â€Å"The voice of the sea is seductive, never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wa nder in abysses of solitude. † (Chopin, ch. 39) The only answer to free Edna’s soul was to enter the sea. Freedom would come only in death. There was no turning back to the empty life which only brought despair, heartache and loneliness. The true love, passion, and happiness she envisioned for her life had escaped her. Robert brought a glimpse of the future Edna had envisioned.But that future was not for Edna. In the ocean, naked and without any confinement around her , was she was able to find home. (http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images) Citations: Chopin, Kate. The Awakening. 1899. www. amazon. com/Kindle-eReader-eBook Retrieved on January 14, 2011. http://www. katechopin. org http://office. microsoft. com/en-us/images http://www. loyno. edu/~kchopin/Album10. html Reflechir: Vol. 1. Les images des prairies tremblantes: 1840-1940 by Cheniere Hurricane Centennial Committee.

Biography of Thomas Jefferson

Biography of Thomas Jefferson Free Online Research Papers Thomas Jefferson was thought of by many as one of the most important people in the early development of this great country. Jefferson is also seen as one of the founding fathers of the United States having a major influence in this nation’s early developmental progress. From childhood Jefferson was well educated and a very driven person, Jefferson’s list of accomplishments are numerous as well as his policrical background. This paper will explain the background of Thomas Jefferson, as well as his influences in shaping this country into how he thought this new country should be developed. To start the introduction of Thomas Jefferson some wonder where to start, due to that â€Å"Thomas Jefferson was a half a dozen people rolled into one, and his world was one of the most spacious that a normal man ever lived† (Weymouth, 9). Jefferson was seen as a very evasive man due to never sharing his feelings through words but it was not always this way. Thomas Jefferson was born April 2, 1742, at Shadwell, Albemarle County, Virginia. His father owned over five thousand acres in land making him a very wealthy man. His parents were both of high social classes with very high educational backgrounds, thus pushing Jefferson into a life of opportunity with the world at his feet. Jefferson explored all his options to find out what he wanted to do in life, this lead Jefferson into learning five languages and being able to read two others. His education was very important to him and his will to learn never escaped him(Beloff 10). His parents were Peter and Jane (Randolph) Jefferson, a former native of Wales. They had six daughters and two sons, of whom Thomas was the oldest (Chinard 4). When Jefferson was fourteen years old his father died. He received an exquisite education, having been kept constantly at school ever since he was five years old. In 1760 he entered William and Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat of the Colonial court, and it was the abode of fashion and splendor(Chinard 5). At this time, Jefferson was now only seventeen, lived and had a taste for expensive and lavish things. He kept fine horses, and went to many social events yet he was diligent with his studies, and undeterred in his morals. In the second year of his college life Jefferson moved away for some unexplained reason, he discarded his old companions as well as his residency (Malone 129). It was not uncommon for Jefferson to spend fifteen hours a day studying, by doing this he attained a very high intellect, especially in the field of philosophy and languages. The two fields Jefferson mastered in Immediately after leaving college he began the study of law. For a short time he continued in the practice of his profession, as he rose rapidly he distinguished himself by his energy and acuteness as a lawyer(Chinard7). But the times called for greater action. The policy of England had awakened the spirit of resistance in the American Colonies, and the enlarged views which Jefferson had ever entertained soon led him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen a member of the Virginia House of Burgess. Jefferson’s wide study and broad education lead him into becoming a lawyer, agronomist, musician, scientist, philosopher, and the most important an author. Over the course of his life Jefferson â€Å"wrote over sixteen thousand letters† (Declaration 1). Among his love for scripture, Jefferson also had a passion for agriculture. He planted various plants in an uninhabited area. This gave him time to become close to nature. In 1772 he married Martha Skelton, a widow and took in his partly constructed mountaintop home (Thomas Jefferson 1). Viewed as an awkward man he did not excel in public speaking, he would much rather let his pen do the talking. Jefferson’s exceptional way with words and ability to relay a clear message lead him into the position of a â€Å"silent member† of congress when he was only thirty three(Chinard 4). This began the start of Thomas Jefferson’s career and the start of his many accomplishments. It was at this time that Thomas Jefferson actually began work on the Declaration of Independence. Not only did he refer to his own â€Å"A Summary View† of the Rights of British America, and his own draft for a Virginia state constitution, but he also relied heavily on the Virginia Declaration of Rights(Malone 146). This document was drafted by George Mason, another Virginia patriot leader. It was adopted unanimously by the Virginia Convention in Williamsburg in June 1776. It is considered to be a precursor of the Declaration of Independence. It is obvious from reading it that Jefferson was heavily influenced by it when he wrote the Declaration(Malone 146). Some of the most obvious and well known accomplishments of Jefferson was his expansion of the United States’ territory and power. Perhaps the most well known accomplishment of Jefferson’s presidency was the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. For a mere $15 million Jefferson more than doubled the size of the United States and eliminated the presence of Napoleon from U.S. borders(Jefferson 1). Jefferson being very busy with the Napoleonic wars sought these lands as a way to expanding and his keen business sense lead to a great purchase for the United States. Financially Jefferson did very well slashing Army and Navy expenditures, cutting the budget, eliminating the tax on whiskey which was so unpopular in the West, yet reduced the national debt by a third(Thomas Jefferson 1). The purchase also provided the United States with the port of New Orleans which improved American commerce. Jefferson also authorized a survey of the new land known as the Louis and Clarke expedition which improved American knowledge of the newly acquired land mass. It can be argued that the Louisiana Purchase helped originate American expansion under the banner of Manifest Destiny, the belief that the United States was destined to expand from the Atlantic seaboard to the Pacific Ocean(Malone143). Many American settlers were enticed to follow the trail left by Louis and Clarke and make eventual claims to western territory all the way to the Pacific. Out of 44 United States Presidents, Thomas Jefferson stands out as one of the most successful through his various accomplishments in office. After the troubled administration of President John Adams, mainly due to Jefferson being sharply at odds with fellow cabinet members John Adams and Alexander Hamilton, both who he found to be to authoritarian and to quick to assume overwhelming power for the part of executive(Declaration 1), the newly established country looked towards Thomas Jefferson as a president to lead the nation in the right direction. Many Americans had grown tired of the Federalist Party and its policies after it ruled over the nation for 12 years. As a result, more Americans began to promote the Federalist’s rival party, the Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson. As one of the major founding fathers and author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson had strong visions to lead the new nation. A year before coming into office Jefferson went to the Continental Congress with a reputation for literature, science and a happy talent of composition (Weymouth, 180) with a plan for the Declaration.was at this time that Thomas Jefferson actually began work on the Declaration of Independence. Not only did he refer to his own â€Å"A Summary View† of the Rights of British America, and his own draft for a Virginia state constitution, but he also relied heavily on the Virginia Declaration of Rights(Malone 146). This document was drafted by George Mason, another Virginia patriot leader. It was adopted unanimously by the Virginia Convention in Williamsburg in June 1776. It is considered to be a precursor of the Declaration of Independence. It is obvious from reading it that Jefferson was heavily influenced by it when he wrote the Declaratio n(Malone 146). In the end the Declaration was adopted pretty much as written by Jefferson. As a president, Jefferson managed to unify Americans while promoting democracy through Democratic-Republican principles of limited government. The composition of the United States changed during Jefferson’s administration as the nation more than doubled in size. Jefferson had several impressive diplomatic achievements by avoiding war and entangling foreign alliances during his eight years in office. Although Jefferson’s administration was not free of flaws, there is no doubt that his accomplishments in that the United States experienced peaceful political transition, greater level of democracy, territorial expansion, and a continuation of neutrality(Beloff 18). Major accomplishments of President Jefferson that are sometimes overlooked were his abilities to unify Americans and strengthen democracy, â€Å"It is Jefferson, if not Lincoln himself, who is the central figure in the history of American democracy† (Weymouth 189). One of the most remarkable events in world political history was the Revolution of 1800. For a young nation like the United States to voluntarily transfer political power from party to party without violence was truly remarkable. This could not have been done without Jefferson’s ability to unify the American people. In an effort to avoid a potential civil war, Jefferson eased much political tension when he stated in his inaugural address that, â€Å"We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists†(Beloff 14). Once in office, Jefferson sought to bring Americans together and reduce tension by acting on the requests of both parties. Although Jefferson acted on the will of his party by limiting the size of the military, number of federal jobs and repealing taxes, he also pleased Federalists by continuing the National Bank and debt payment. Jefferson improved American democracy by encouraging individual rights. In essence, Jefferson helped unify a divided, young nation and influenced American democracy by promoting individual rights and executive power(Malone 150). Another important legacy left by President Thomas Jefferson was his skilled use of diplomacy to avoid America’s unnecessary involvement in war and foreign alliances. There is no doubt that the accomplishments of President Thomas Jefferson were considerable towards the growth of the United States. His abilities to unify the American people, promote individual rights, and expand executive power have certainly left a lasting impression on the American political system. He enabled the United States to see its potential by acquiring vast amounts of territory and proving to itself that it could protect its valuable overseas shipping. Jefferson also managed to maintain U.S. neutrality and peace in a time of growing worldwide conflict. Probably none of the other founding fathers has been as often invoked as Jefferson, in such diverse and even conflicting causes (Weymouth, 229). Jefferson has become an immortal figure of American politics as his political principles such as limited government continue to influence today’s political ideals. Although he was far from perfect like any American president, the author of the Declaration of Independence deserves recognition as one of America’s more successful presidents through his lasting accomplishments while in office. After a second term as president Jefferson retired to his Monticello home where he later died on July 4, 1826. In conclusion through Thomas Jefferson’s accomplishments and his influences and decisions were essential in the development of the United States as we know it today. Through his high level of educational background, Jefferson was able to establish some of the most important things in US history. His drive as well as his passion in time of need has earned him the respect, dignity, and title of one of the United States founding fathers. His influences of early American politics as well as his ability to advocate liberty, has earned Thomas Jefferson the title one of the most important titles of one of the greatest United States presidents in all of history. WORKS CITIED Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson. 4 July 1995. Ushistory.org. 24 Nov. 2008 www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/jefferson.htm. Thomas Jefferson. Biography of Thomas Jefferson. The White House. 24 Nov. 2008 www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/tj3.html. Weymouth, Lally. Thomas Jefferson, The man, His world, His Influence. First ed. New York, NY: G.P Putnams Sons, 1973. Chinard, Gilbert. Thomas Jefferson, The Apostle of Americanism. Second ed. New York, NY: Seven Springs, 1975. Malone, Dumas. Jefferson the President. First ed. Boston, MA: Little Brown and Company, 1970. Beloff, Max. Thomas Jefferson and American democracy. First ed. London E.C.: The English Universities Press LTD: 1965 Research Papers on Biography of Thomas JeffersonThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationHip-Hop is ArtQuebec and CanadaStandardized TestingInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married Males19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraBringing Democracy to AfricaRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 Europe

William BlakeS Relevance To The Modern World Essays - Free Essays

William BlakeS Relevance To The Modern World Essays - Free Essays William BlakeS Relevance To The Modern World William Blakes Relevance to the Modern World William Blake, who lived in the latter half of the eighteenth century and the early part of the nineteenth, was a profoundly stirring poet who was, in large part, responsible for bringing about the Romantic movement in poetry; was able to achieve remarkable results with the simplest means; and was one of several poets of the time who restored rich musicality to the language (Appelbaum v). His research and introspection into the human mind and soul has resulted in his being called the Columbus of the psyche, and because no language existed at the time to describe what he discovered on his voyages, he created his own mythology to describe what he found there (Damon ix). He was an accomplished poet, painter, and engraver. Blake scholars disagree on whether or not Blake was a mystic. In the Norton Anthology, he is described as an acknowledged mystic, [who] saw visions from the age of four (Mack 783). Frye, however, who seems to be one of the most influential Blake scholars, disagrees, saying that Blake was a visionary rather than a mystic. 'Mysticism' . . . means a certain kind of religious techniques difficult to reconcile with anyone's poetry, says Frye (Frye 8). He next says that visionary is a word that Blake uses, and uses constantly and cites the example of Plotinus, the mystic, who experienced a direct apprehension of God four times in his life, and then only with great effort and relentless discipline. He finally cites Blake's poem I rose up at the dawn of day, in which Blake states, I am in God's presence night & day, And he never turns his face away (Frye 9). Besides all of these achievements, Blake was a social critic of his own time and considered himself a prophet of times to come. Frye says that all his poetry was written as though it were about to have the immediate social impact of a new play (Frye 4). His social criticism is not only representative of his own country and era, but strikes profound chords in our own time as well. As Appelbaum said in the introduction to his anthology English Romantic Poetry, [Blake] was not fully rediscovered and rehabilitated until a full century after his death (Appelbaum v). For Blake was not truly appreciated during his life, except by small cliques of individuals, and was not well-known during the rest of the nineteenth century (Appelbaum v). Blake lived during a time of intense social change. The American Revolution, the French Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution all happened during his lifetime. These changes gave Blake a chance to see one of the most dramatic stages in the transformation of the Western world from a somewhat feudal, agricultural society to an industrial society where philosophers and political thinkers such as Locke, Franklin, and Paine championed the rights of the individual. Some of these changes had Blake's approval; others did not. One example of Blake's disapproval of changes that happened in his time comes in his poem London, from his work Songs of Experience. In London, which has been described as summing up many implications of Songs of Experience, Blake describes the woes that the Industrial Revolution and the breaking of the common man's ties to the land have brought upon him (Mack 785). For instance, the narrator in London describes both the Thames and the city streets as chartered, or controlled by commercial interests; he refers to mind-forged manacles; he relates that every man's face contains Marks of weakness, marks of woe; and he discusses the every cry of every Man and every Infant's cry of fear. He connects marriage and death by referring to a marriage hearse and describes it as blighted with plague. He also talks about the hapless Soldier's sigh and the youthful Harlot's curse and describes blackening Churches and palaces running with blood (London). London and many of Blake's other works dealing with a similar theme, particularly those from the Songs of Experience, strike a particular nerve for those who are living in a society where the cost of living compared with income is steadily increasing, where AIDS, Ebola, and

A Brief Overview of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

The trans-Atlantic slave trade was the largest long-distance coerced movement of people in history and, prior to the mid-nineteenth century, formed the major demographic well-spring for the re-peopling of the Americas following the collapse of the Meridian population. Cumulatively, as late as 1820, nearly four Africans had crossed the Atlantic for every European, and, given the differences in the sex ratios between European and African migrant streams, about four out of every five females that traversed the Atlantic were from Africa.From the late fifteenth century, the Atlantic Ocean, once a formidable barrier that prevented regular interaction between those peoples inhabiting the four continents it touched, became a commercial highway that integrated the histories Of Africa, Europe, and the Americas for the first time. As the above figures suggest, slavery and the slave trade were the linchpins of this process.With the decline of the Meridian population, labor from Africa formed the basis of the exploitation of the gold and agricultural resources of the export sectors of the Americas, with sugar laminations absorbing well over two thirds of slaves carried across the Atlantic by the major European and Euro-American powers. For several centuries slaves were the most important reason for contact between Europeans and Africans.What can explain this extraordinary migration, organized initially on a continent where the institution of slavery had declined or totally disappeared in the centuries prior to Columbian contact, and where, even when it had existed, slavery had never been confined to one group of people? To pose the question differently, why slavery, and why were the slaves carried across the Atlantic exclusively African? The short answer to the first of these two questions is that European expansion to the Americas was to mainly tropical and semi-tropical areas.Several products that were either unknown to Europeans (like tobacco), or occupied a luxury niche in pre-expansion European tastes (like gold or sugar), now fell within the capacity of Europeans to produce more abundantly. But while Europeans could control the production of such exotic goods, it became apparent in the first two centuries af ter Columbian contact that they chose not to supply the labor that would make such output possible.Free European migrants and indentured servants never traveled across the Atlantic in sufficient numbers to meet the labor needs of expanding plantations. Convicts and prisoners the only Europeans who were ever forced to migrate were much fewer in numbers again. Slavery or some form of coerced labor was the only possible option if European consumers were to gain access to more tropical produce and precious metals.

Answer the questions at the back of each chapter Coursework

Answer the questions at the back of each chapter - Coursework Example (a) The world trading system would be greatly affected by the growth of Chinese economy. China is one of the largest exporters in the world. Every big company is producing its products in China due to cheap factors of production available in China. So that is why in future more and more companies would install their plants and factories in China. The balance of trade in the world would disturb due to the growth of China, because Chinese products are less expensive and people would prefer to use Chinese products. But on the other hand this increasing bubble of Chinese trade can burst if China ignores the demand and supply dynamics of the world market. (b) The world monetary system would definitely get disturb due to rapid increase in the Chinese economy. Due to increasing trade with other countries, the wealth of Chinese companies would increase and accumulate in China. This increasing wealth will where provide China plenty of investments but it would leave the world short of wealth and investment. The world monetary system can suffer a lot if not dealt with proper care. (c) The business strategies of European and the US corporations are in line with the growth prospects of China. These corporations are manufacturing in China due to less expensive factors of productions thereby increasing their profit margins. More and more companies would shift to China in the future due to rapid increase of trade of China with other countries. (d) Global commodity prices would also suffer due to the rapid growth in the trade of China with other countries. The prices of global commodities would increase due to their increasing need in China and similar countries. You are working for a company that is considering investing in a foreign country. Investing in countries with different traditions is an important element of your company’s long-term strategic goals. As such, management has requested a report regarding the attractiveness of alternative countries based on

Political Philosophy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Political Philosophy - Assignment Example The researcher states that Socrates and his pupil Plato are one of the first in history to delve into the aspect of political philosophy. Plato’s the Republic spoke of Plato’s vision for an ideal state understood that justice was essential to the unity of the population, the relevancy of the political process and his to the benefit of everyone in the state. He said that the divisions in the social structure of a city were more dangerous than any external force. And that gaining peace through the use of force is not preferable to a partnership created through the sharing of mutual interests and understanding. Aristotle, however, saw the functions of politics just as the functions of a body. He surmised that there were different parts of a city each of which served a common function. Their order of living is decided by the constitution which is analogous to the soul. And it can only possess a semblance of order if it has a ruler. Aristotle distinguished the various types of the government saying that each had a commonality which can help the individual attain a noble living. However, Aristotle’s writings did not speak about the emotional health of its citizens saying that the presence of morality and the ability to complete tasks given would lead them to a fulfilling life. He also saw that a constitution like its people does not remain constant over time and it should be the will of the lawmakers to change it for the betterment of the community. The development of rationalism occurred around the time of the Renaissance (Marxist Internet Archive). It was during this time among the merchants and craftsmen of Northern Italy that political philosophy began to flourish again. One such philosopher responsible was the founder of political science Niccolà ² Machiavelli. Machiavelli argued that the true prosperity of any state depended upon the qualities, strength or experience of an individual leader.

Arizona State University Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Arizona State University - Essay Example As the requirement for professionalization in all the fields of organized undertakings is the index of modern business, universities and institutional managements are forced to induct more new courses in campuses with a motive of selling education at a higher price than ethically permissible. From the profit-making angle, most universities are adopting the policy of upsizing the classes inconsiderate of the defects awaiting their students and their own reputation in the future. This essay will focus on the argument that addition of excessive number of students to a classroom eventually damages the morale of students and the quality of the education offered by the university suffers due to the profit-motive ventures of most of the management of educational institutions today. The real impact The pressure imposed by the total system of a formative education that requires them to develop a career demands the students’ hard struggle for excellence. Induction of more names in the r oll means a teaching burden for many teachers. Faculty of many institutions have their grief that the increased class size adds pressure to their job and the quality of student attention suffers when the class is formed with a difference in performance levels of the students. They strongly argue that student outcomes from classroom lectures and practical demonstrations deteriorate easily with the students outnumbering the manageable proportions and also, the result of such forcible conditions before the faculty may force them to deleteriously change the mode of teaching. There have been a number of studies on the impact of classroom size on student performance in which many researchers rule out such possibilities. For instance, the study conducted by Glass and Smith in 1978 â€Å"concluded that if class size decreases, achievements increase for all students† (qtd in Rochester, 27). They believe that formative lectures and academic materials are distributed equally among all t he students irrespective of the size of the classroom and that they retain all essential subject information and material resources equally. However, it can be implicitly suggested that as the level of education goes higher, it becomes tougher for the students to learn the teachings without proper attention of lecturers. When the number of students becomes more, there are chances of classroom management issues related to time and discipline whereby the meritorious ones may face the serious threat of loss of quality education. Considering such spiritual elements involved in the course curriculum and the expectations of students about their achievement at classrooms, the student-teacher ratio must be optimally regulated. The impact of an increasingly high level competition at job markets and the random rearrangement of syllabus for the achievement of required accreditation status by many universities have made education a herculean task for most of the students. In many cases, student s feel annoyed about the sudden changes inside and outside the campuses, as the process of education becomes tougher for them with having to meet new challenges every day. When such conditions perturb the performance of the student with a better learning skill, they gradually become hopeless about their future in classroom filled with underperforming ones. The expectations are always seen high with bright students as their choices are mostly related to professional courses and comprehensive learning. The faculty, on the other hand can be demoralized by such hugely forcible insertion of more students as their lecture goes ineffective for the smarter ones in the classroom, and also for the reason that they lose their productive time meant for spending with top layer performers. When the size of the c

Homosexuality should be socially accepted in China Essay

Homosexuality should be socially accepted in China - Essay Example 1. Lots discrimination to homosexuals is also the main reason why most of them get married to the opposite sex, this is usually not out of love but because they want to camouflage (Der Spiegel). Such marriages normally result to break ups. 2. Another reason why homosexuals get married to the opposite sex is due to fear of stigmatization. According to Chinese culture, bearing children is a sign of prestige and honor. Therefore, same sex marriages, apart from being seen as a taboo, it is also against the Chinese religion (Der Spiegel). 1. According to China’s ministry of health, the rate of homosexuals contracting Aids is becoming an issue of national concern. This is because statistics show that the rate of Aids in homosexuals is above average and keeps rising annually. This rate is almost 88% higher than the general population (Der Spiegel). 2. Apart from the ministry of health, part of the Chinese government is against the legalization of homosexuality. The government through the civil affairs department, human province, firmly stated that homosexuality was not only a violation of morals but also the spiritual civil construction (Tatlow). Although homosexuals need to be recognized and granted their civil rights, the rate at which gays and lesbians are contracting Aids is appalling and need to be given much consideration. Sine many homosexuals are married to partners of the opposite sex for fear of victimization and discrimination, the government ought to realize that those opposite sex partners are at a high risk of contracting the disease. Therefore, by legalizing homosexuality, the government will have helped minimize the rate of aids in married couples. Since foundation of the People’s Republic in 1949, homosexuals in china have undergone many horrific situations such as victimization, torture and stigmatization. Legalizing

Technology developments over the past 30 years have had only positive Essay

Technology developments over the past 30 years have had only positive effects on people's health - Essay Example The aim of man has been to pursue such a goal that is everlasting and beneficent for him and the people to come. Technology that is in fact for the sake of betterment of our lives has â€Å"proven to be the best companion of man† during this epoch (Kincaid, 2004). It all started with the invention of â€Å"cotton gin in 1792†, which proved to be a great turn in human history. People were able to turn from Neolithic mode of living to more improved life style. The pinnacle of the era that started off during the late 15th century matured in the mid 1850s. And it was the beginning of industrial revolution where mass production, and social revolution, took place of intensive farming and symbiotic lifestyle. Thus it can be said that late 20th century was the finality of man to realize that his salvage for the sake of longevity and betterment can only be achieved through technological advancement and (Lakwete, 2005). People devised ways for healthy living through the use of te chnology. Impetus for such a move was from the ailment, problematic and contorted living man has been in, throughout his history. Thus science for the sake of technology for better living has proven to be the answer (Intille, 2004). It has caused a great deal of help in achieving physiological or biogenic need of man. It has been able to provide secure lives to people and thus has been able to revolutionise our society. Attending to the negative side of the use of technology, one can see that the use of technology in for increasing the ways for mass production and better crop yield, has brought along with it great problems that pertain to the â€Å"environmental pollution† and deterioration of the ecological balance. However, it is up will of people to pay heed to these issues. Their whimsical moves have, of course, created problems, and to contain unwanted and extravagant life, man should be mindful to the facts about his environment. (library.thinkquest.org) Past 30 years h ave been very much important since they advancement in technology tends to concentrate during this era. The invention of integrated circuits has caused compact designs and miniature devices, available for the general use of man. The important factor that has emerged during this era is the work and field specialization and their integration for the collective working for the man. People have been able to deduce solutions that are based on two or more separate specialized streams of technology, say, use of medical science and the proposals from athletes, and mechanical engineers to form such a device that may help in overcoming obesity (ScienceDaily.com, 2011). Taking this technological facet we can put forward an example which proves the notion that â€Å"mix of technologies† has literally improved and achieved those blessings of science that were not thought of ever before. The technologies used by physiotherapists, engineering scientists and medical scientists in tandem with each other can prove to be of great use. The gym equipment, today, is used for targeting a special slack in human physiology (Mishra, 2010). â€Å"Machines that are operated manually and with electronic aid can help regulating health† concerns like blood flow, tissues development, and cell physiology. Tread mill is one such example that helps in curtailing the mental constrains and extra physical exertion during typical arduous terrain exercises. Specialized weight equipment that concentrates on specific muscle is in common use (Plowman & Smith, 2008).

Comparative and interactional Aspect of Hinduism and Buddhism Religion Essay

Comparative and interactional Aspect of Hinduism and Buddhism Religion - Essay Example One thing common about the two, they emanated from India thus sharing common ideologies and roots (Elliot 16). Buddhism, in its origin at least is an offshoot of Hinduism. Though ranked amongst the profound religions in the world, Hinduism comes third and is much more popular than Buddhism. The founder of Buddhism known as Guatam Buddha had in early life brought up in posh life of Hindu society. This gives reference for Hinduism that it interconnects with Buddhism. Hinduism, better known as ‘Sanatan Dharma’, according to the Hindu people, it forms the indigenous life of the society, though its origin is still not certain. Factual studies have concluded that Buddhism grew because of the intricate nature involving Hinduism. Despite these differences, the two share a lot in common. This paper will draw the comparative analysis of the two religions, as well as how they differ from each other. On ritual dimensions, Buddhism and Hinduism belief and in practice of meditation. B uddhism does follow some rituals like meditation, bowing to the ground in worship while offering their prayers in their Buddhist holy places. Buddhist practices and rituals do not require any priest. On the side of Hindus, their rituals are complex as they vary from birth to death of that particular person. Unlike in Buddhism, priest on the part of the Hindus plays a major role in practice of these rituals (Elliot 140). This aspect form part of their ethical teachings. Despite this difference in them, meditation as a ritual has influenced their life. The two religions believe that meditation brings them close to nirvana. In Hinduism, someone has to intone in repetition the words ‘OM’ for focus and extol himself to higher realm. Through meditation, the worshipper drives to deep link to the holy deity. This comes due to the continual practice of this focusing technique; it brings them closer to eventual certainty and close to the proximity of more knowing. Equally, Buddha went through this thorough deep meditation. In their belief, through Buddha’s meditation He realized the power within, the deity of Dharma. This makes the ritual important to the followers of Buddhism. In order to reach nirvana, Buddha learned that inward reflection was the only way thus encouraged others to do so by practicing meditation (Elliot 270). Therefore, the two faiths delve on meditation. s Buddhism and Hinduism have universal understanding on the concepts of soul recreation. They differ on the value of sacred texts. As for the Hindus, Vedas is their pinnacle Smriti writings. It is part of the old age drafts, the times of Aryans. There are four divisions on Vedas . They contain over a thousand hymns, prescriptions on customs and fairy-tale stories on their gods. The writings travel around cyclical ideas as in other religions such as sustaining tranquility and normalcy in the world we live in. On contrary, Buddhism does not believe in such doctrines, or any other Hi ndu scriptures. They have they own scriptures known as the Tripitaka. This highlighted Buddha’s tradition. Rules of basic living and moral modalities as well as Buddha’s teachings and sermons abound there. They teach philosophical collections as well (Elliot 214). These comparisons highlight the nature of these two world religions and their etymological ratings. On the issue of Samsara, Hinduism and Buddhism converge to it. To both, living never ends for there exist circle of birth, death, and re-birth. For the Hindu’s, life is recurring, having neither the beginning nor demise. On point of death, away from the world we are reborn in another life but in very unimaginable form. These forms can vary. This successive rebirth allows one to continue learning, and live in respect of the personal dharma. Hinduists believe living in

Technology developments over the past 30 years have had only positive Essay

Technology developments over the past 30 years have had only positive effects on people's health - Essay Example The aim of man has been to pursue such a goal that is everlasting and beneficent for him and the people to come. Technology that is in fact for the sake of betterment of our lives has â€Å"proven to be the best companion of man† during this epoch (Kincaid, 2004). It all started with the invention of â€Å"cotton gin in 1792†, which proved to be a great turn in human history. People were able to turn from Neolithic mode of living to more improved life style. The pinnacle of the era that started off during the late 15th century matured in the mid 1850s. And it was the beginning of industrial revolution where mass production, and social revolution, took place of intensive farming and symbiotic lifestyle. Thus it can be said that late 20th century was the finality of man to realize that his salvage for the sake of longevity and betterment can only be achieved through technological advancement and (Lakwete, 2005). People devised ways for healthy living through the use of te chnology. Impetus for such a move was from the ailment, problematic and contorted living man has been in, throughout his history. Thus science for the sake of technology for better living has proven to be the answer (Intille, 2004). It has caused a great deal of help in achieving physiological or biogenic need of man. It has been able to provide secure lives to people and thus has been able to revolutionise our society. Attending to the negative side of the use of technology, one can see that the use of technology in for increasing the ways for mass production and better crop yield, has brought along with it great problems that pertain to the â€Å"environmental pollution† and deterioration of the ecological balance. However, it is up will of people to pay heed to these issues. Their whimsical moves have, of course, created problems, and to contain unwanted and extravagant life, man should be mindful to the facts about his environment. (library.thinkquest.org) Past 30 years h ave been very much important since they advancement in technology tends to concentrate during this era. The invention of integrated circuits has caused compact designs and miniature devices, available for the general use of man. The important factor that has emerged during this era is the work and field specialization and their integration for the collective working for the man. People have been able to deduce solutions that are based on two or more separate specialized streams of technology, say, use of medical science and the proposals from athletes, and mechanical engineers to form such a device that may help in overcoming obesity (ScienceDaily.com, 2011). Taking this technological facet we can put forward an example which proves the notion that â€Å"mix of technologies† has literally improved and achieved those blessings of science that were not thought of ever before. The technologies used by physiotherapists, engineering scientists and medical scientists in tandem with each other can prove to be of great use. The gym equipment, today, is used for targeting a special slack in human physiology (Mishra, 2010). â€Å"Machines that are operated manually and with electronic aid can help regulating health† concerns like blood flow, tissues development, and cell physiology. Tread mill is one such example that helps in curtailing the mental constrains and extra physical exertion during typical arduous terrain exercises. Specialized weight equipment that concentrates on specific muscle is in common use (Plowman & Smith, 2008).

How media violence contributes to the violence at home Essay Example for Free

How media violence contributes to the violence at home Essay People have always believed that the various movies and violent dramas that are shown on TV are just but entertainment. In fact, some adults who feel that since they watched television when they were young and it had no negative effects on them tend to think that television violence cannot be a contributor to home violence. However this could not be the case in the present world. This is because the type of programs that were shown in the TVs in the early years did not contain many violent scenes as it is now. Many television programs are characterized with violent acts like abuse and rape, criminal acts and diminished trust. Indeed many researches that have been conducted clearly show that the increases in violence in the television are having a significant contribution to the violence experienced at home. Furthermore, the media portrays that problems both family and social are to be confronted with force or threats of force The effects of the violent scenes on television vary in the adults and children. Children are the ones who are highly affected since they are not able to discern what reality is and what fiction is. This makes them believe almost everything they see as being what the real world is. The present lifestyle has lead to most children spending many hours glued to the television something which itself can affect their behavior. In fact many researchers have shown that both the adults and children who spend most of their time watching television may develop the following perception. First is that there is an increase in crime even if it is not the case (Media Issues). Secondly that they can overestimate the risk of being victimized by crime and lastly they develop fear of crime which in itself sees crime as something that is all around. Some get mislead that violence rarely has negative consequences. In these programs a very high percentage of the violence acts go unpunished. In fact in some, those portrayed as heroes never get punished despite their violent acts. Furthermore, too much violence in the television leads to over aggression among children and in some adults. This has lead to an increase in violent behaviors in the world majorly due to imitation. People who see those being violent on TV try to copy them as models. This character is common among children. Studies have as well shown that children who watch violent shows and even identify with the violent characters are about twice as likely to be violent as young adults. The studies have as well indicated that men are more likely to embrace the violent acts as compared to their female counterparts. Other indicators of contribution of television violence to the home violence include increased desensitization and heartlessness (Christian answers). People tend to be more callous towards those who may have become victims of violence. In this they tend to ignore or just take easy incidences of violence claiming that they are common occurrences in television. This normalizes violence making it to look like part of daily life. Furthermore, in this way it dulls the emotion response to violence’s and its victims. In conclusion the influence of the media content on people has been openly quite evident. Anyone would agree with this. The advertisers use the media to sway consumer’s perception towards given products. This is equally the same to violence in the media which can as well sway peoples’ perceptions towards violence. Due to the above points it is clearly necessary for parents to take action against the viewing of television programs. Parents ought to talk to the children about what programs are good for them and which are harmful. Children should get encouraged to spend most of their time in sports and hobbies or friends other than watching television. Furthermore special banns ought to be put on some programs that have too much violence References Christian answers, Violence in the media – How it affects families? Accessed on August 16, 2010 from http://www. christiananswers. net/q-eden/edn-f012. html Media Issues, Research on the effects of media violence, Accessed on August 16, 2010 from http://www. media-awareness. ca/english/issues/violence/effects_media_violence. cfm

BMW: Marketing Process Analysis

BMW: Marketing Process Analysis Marketing is a social and managerial process by which individuals and groups obtain they need and want through creation and exchanging products and values with others (Kotler et al. 2005). This definition incorporates both societal and organisation involvement in the realisation of the needs and wants of consumers through delivering products that is evaluated in terms of value created for the creator as well as the consumer rather than just offering a product. According to Groucutt (2005), marketing is all about symbols, brands, and choosing of products and services which are focused and related to the customer. This definition indicates the symbolic meaning of products as socio-economic symbols to alter the ego state of the target consumer. Marketing is a process for defining markets, assessing quantitatively the need of the consumer segments within the markets, allocating value propositions to cater to the needs, conveying the value propositions within the responsible zones of the organisations in relation to the output, communicating with respect to the delivery of the value propositions, and finally monitoring the delivery of the values (McDonald 2007). This definition point out the very calculated movement from the organizations part in utilising its resources to suitably target the right markets through properly defining the market and thereby providing the right product attached with the right value. The feedback from the related market is also a part of the marketing process to ensure the commercial viability also. BMW- Marketing process (LO 1.1) : Marketing process lays down the pathway to fulfill the unfilled needs of the customers by introducing products and services in the market to satisfy growing needs of the customers. The marketing process of BMW is modeled in sequence of steps which includes situational analysis, defining marketing strategy and appropriate marketing mix which promotes products sale (Kotler 2006). One of the key advantages of marketing process of BMW lies in the fact that its marketing approach is based on the situational analysis which catches the attention of the target audience, who are the segment A of the society (BMW 2010). Situational analysis as part of marketing planning process of BMW serves as a powerful tool to capture Australian luxury market by satisfying the changing consumer trends in the market. The advantages from the elements of marketing process are discussed in the following paragraphs. the benefits and costs of a marketing orientation (LO 1.2) : Cost Benefit 1. The two recently launched models X3 and X5 of BMW are a result of the market research conducted to serve the target audience. The cost spent on the research and development activities was enormous. Besides cost, lot of time was spent to conduct analysis on the target market and to find out the requirement of the customers. These Sport car models are the result of the in-depth market research to satisfy the customer demands. 2. The cost incurred on the marketing activities including the promotion, press conference, press release to target the audience was skyrocketing high. 1. Increased customer satisfaction as many people were craving for these new models of BMW. 2. The increase in sales and profits helped the company to attain competitive advantage in the age of growing competition. Micro and Macro Factors affecting Decision Making SOWT (LO 2.1) : The success of BMW lies in the STP strategy which is based on segmentation, target audience and positioning strategy to capture the targeted population (www.bmw.co.au). By means of segmentation, BMW identifies specific buying characteristics of the target audience. BMW segments the society on the basis of geography, demography, socioeconomic and behavior characteristics of the society (Drummond and Ensor 2001). Geographically, European countries and North America serve as the main markets for BMW automobiles as these areas are most industrialized nations and the local residents are financially well off to buy high priced cars due to the increased per capita income. In respect to demographics, the men and women both aged 30-50 years are the main users of M3 and M5 models. Behaviorally, these audiences have a clear image about the company and its products. They believe in superiority, performance and excellence before making a purchase. BMW has excelled in its performance as its produc ts are high in quality and also technologically superior. BMW has been able to create a good brand image in the minds of the people by means of innovative advertising campaigns. BMW due to its strategic positioning is known for age old tradition of quality. BMW M series is among one of those luxury cars which can be recognized by the crowd at a distance due to its successful marketing strategy based on positioning, targeting and segmentation. SWOT Analysis Strengths: BMW Automobiles is consistent in delivery quality projects. The firm comprises of robust workforce for effective product delivery. The firm makes use of latest technology, owns world class equipment and all the modern facilities in the designing and development of car models. Weakness: BMW is a global leader but still faces some shortcomings which are its incapability to work on small scale projects. BMW is known for its large seated cars and its inability to target the smaller segment is the only weakness. Opportunity: BMW automobile is rapidly expanding in different parts of the world. BMW makes use of latest technology to develop best of cars and operate effectively in international markets. Threat: The survey shows that the target market for BMW car model is looking for more value in the product which serves as a serious threat to the company. Marketing Mix and Marketing Process-4ps (LO 2.2) : While considering marketing process, marketing mix of BMW cannot be kept in isolation. The marketing mix forms an important part of the decision making process. The first P is the product which provides customer with the description about the product and how it meets the customer requirement. Example BMW X3, BMW X5 models, offered by BMW go through product life cycle which determines the age and maturity of the product in the market. The products developed ensure constant income and the company also develops replacement products on consistent basis for a fair settlement. The prices of BMW cars varies depending upon model customer has asked for like sports car which are priced high, the engine size also determines the price of the product and many more. The pricing for BMW X3 is competition oriented and same for similar brands as the market is large and creating large profits is not as important as it will be for a small car. The place and location for BMW cars follows a distribution chain network comprising of manufacturer, dealer and consumer. The organization is in tie ups with the superior dealers across the world and they are further responsible to offer the product to the customers across the globe at strategic locations. To promote the BMW models X3 and X5, a broad range of advertising campaigns including print and television media are used for product launch, color supplements etc. the slogans used for BMW are smart choice, the ultimate driving machine designed for peace of mind have been used to create competitive edge in the market, change the perception of people, mould their behavior towards car consumption and differentiate their products from competitors. Target Strategy ( LO 2.3 ) BMW follows a differentiated strategy catering to people with specific segmentation (David 2006). An example, BMW M series is a super sports vehicle and refers to specific target audience. BMW made changes in its car models when introduced in India as compared to its American version. There was higher ground clearance so as to make the cars compatible to Indian road surface, high resistance to dust in Indian market, horns located on the steering and not lever were some of the changes introduced to make it suitable for Indian market. Buyer Behavior and Marketing Activities ( LO 2.4 ) Consumer buying behavior is a blend of mental and emotional process and involves elements from sociology and psychology which affects consumer behavior while making purchase. In case of exclusive products like BMW M series the consumer purchase behavior is triggered by psychological factors, status symbol which influences customers attitude and behavior to make a purchase. Product Positioning ( LO 2.5 ) BMW M series, X3 and X5 are synonymous with performance and advanced technology used in driving. Drivers can now connect sports vehicle to the roads with high performance. The sport seats provide supportive front, back and thigh comfort. There are powerful headrests for drivers comfort with leather steering wheel with the horn placed at the lever comes to the ease of the driver. The motronic engine is powerful on all road surfaces and provides smooth drive in all season (www.bmw.co.au). Sustainable Catchment Management: Principles and Practice Sustainable Catchment Management: Principles and Practice What is meant by the world water crisis? Critically assess the contribution of River Basin Management in addressing this crisis The worlds freshwater is commonly discussed in the literature as being a finite resource under increasing pressure from the greater demands being placed upon it globally (Postel 2000, Hamdey et al 2003, Oki and Kanae 2006, UNEP 2007). It has consequently become a highly contentious resource, and in recent years the focus of much debate on how best to manage it; with the latest favoured paradigm (particularly in developed countries) being that of holistic sustainability achieved using the best practice of basin-wide management (Biswas 2004, Watson et al 2007). Such an approach is particularly emphasised in key policies such as Agenda 21 and the Water Framework Directive, with the latter enforcing the creation of River Basin Management Plans by law for all EU member states. This paper will discuss whether there really is a world water crisis, and if so to what extent river basin management (RBM) can help to address this using case examples such as the Murray-Darling basin to discuss t his in context. According to the research of Oki and Kanae (2006 pp1068) the global consumption of renewable freshwater resources is well below its Malthusian limits, with only 10% of the maximum available blue water and 30% of green water being presently used. However, because its distribution both in quantity and quality for purpose is spatially and temporally uneven as shown in figure 1 water stresses exist through a demand and supply imbalance. Gleick 1998, Hamdey et al 2003, and UNEP 2007 amongst others cite figures such as already 80 countries with 40% of the world population suffer serious water shortages (Hamdey et al 2003 pp3) and more than a billion people in the developing world lack access to safe drinking water (Gleick 1998 pp487), which suggests that water stress is a major issue (as reflected in the Millennium Development Goals); and with population growth/demographics (figure 2), economic, standard of living, and climatic factors set to change, such stresses are expected to worsen on the whole through increasing the imbalance. This is especially true for developing countries since an estimated 90% of the 3 billion people expected to add to the global population by 2050 are expected to reside in such countries with many of which already experiencing high water stress (UN 2007 cited UNESCO 2009). At what point down the line an actual absolute crisis at a nation scale is reached is still yet to occur; although given the social and economic value attached to water, and its three-dimensional effect upon food supply, ecosystem health, and standard of living for example, it may already indicate a crisis is underway (Newson et al 1999 cited Newson 2000). This is especially true if freshwater access is considered as a basic human right (Gleick 1998). Assuming this, RBM is often discussed in the literature as being a viable management option to address the crisis, since its approach is holistic and all-encompassing. Its current favour comes from the fact that unlike the traditional response to water shortages assessed through developing more supplies often via unsustainable sources and hard engineering practices such as damming rivers (Hamdey et al 2003) it tries to achieve long term sustainability through encompassing land-use planning, environmental management, and agricultural policy into the management of all surface and subsurface water within a catchment. This theoretically allows for all of the direct and indirect natural and anthropogenic demands placed upon the resource to be addressed and met under a best-practice regime to achieve an optimal relevant management outcome. A classic example of where such a policy has been successful is in the Murray-Darling basin, southeast Australia. The RBM regime here is a highly evolved form of institutional arrangements first started in 1917, and consequently modified, to meet the desired outcomes and changing pressures on the 1 million Km2 five jurisdictional state catchment. At its heart the scheme seeks to promote and coordinate effective management planning for equitable, efficient and sustainable use of water, land and other resources (Pigram 1999 pp108), which it achieves through a hydraulic approach using top-down policy making and bottom-up implementation, coordinated through the central Murray-Darling Commission (Shar et al 2005). In doing this it allows for all of the key stakeholders within each state to meet and discuss how best to manage the water resources to maximise the resultant biophysical, economic and social interests not only within each state (and its respective water share), but for the whol e catchment. Theoretically this coordinates the upstream-downstream interests and encourages more productive/efficient use of water through improved technology such as crop per drop (Postel 2000), which in turn allows all of the water demands to be attained equitably. And, combined with the top-down governance system setting standards which need to be reached by every state regarding water quality and quality, ecological requirements and permitted degradation levels through land use policies, it ensures that management is not static and behind the changing catchment pressures upon the water resource. This is not to say however the system is perfect since its effectiveness depends on the cooperation of each state government, and as of yet no true full sustainability has been achieved (Pigram 1999). However, with regards to the world water crisis it is clear to see that in this instance, along with many others, RBM is having a positive impact. This is because it is encouraging through laws and other means the more efficient and equitable use of water (Postel 2000), whilst regarding the whole basin and its long term demands and pressures such as climate change. In doing so it may lessen the effect of future crises/pressures through being proactive. Similar RBM regimes also exist under other political systems such as throughout the whole of the European Union (due to Water Framework Directive legislation) and South Africa (since 1998). In the latter Gregersen et al (2007) states that although the regime is working it is not yet sustainable, since such management systems take several years to develop and offer no ready made solutions. Therefore at its national level it is not fully able to address the water crisis, although it seemingly is on the way to try to do so through using a management system which looks to achieving this from the outset. It must be said however that most of the successful RBM regimes are in developed formalised society countries where the fundamental water stresses are often far lower in the first instance (see figure 1). Such systems cannot be directly transferred between political institutions easily due to the context in which the regime was fundamentally formed to meet within the founding country regarding the hydraulic and climatic conditions, demographics, socio-economic conditions and the structure of the water sector (Barrow 1998, Hunt 1999, Shar et al 2005). For example Hu (1999), Malanu et al (1999) (cited Shar et al 2005) and Hunt (1999) each found that the Murray-Darling RBM system could not be successfully transferred to the Chinese, Vietnamese and Solomon Island contexts because of such issues; with Shar et al (2005 pp46) arguing that transferring RBM regimes between developed and developing countries is particularly problematic since the problems developing country find critical have e ither remained unresolved or irrelevant in developed country river basins such as ground water exploitation. Thus in regard to the world water crisis it provides little use in this sense, especially since the greatest stresses/crises are expected to occur here. Hunt (1999) therefore argues that the contextual fit between policy development and application is key to managing the water resource successfully. In setting the correct framework to set play and play in provides an effective environment to address the water crisis in, whether through RBM or not. In some cases I would also argue that to address the current water crisis RBM can only be used as part of the solution, due to the interconnectivity of the water resource with standard of living (relating back to the Millennium Development Goals) and economic development. If full RBM sustainability is strived for under the current conditions, inclusive of the environmental requirement, it may only serve to worsen the current crisis such as in Jordan which withdraws some of its supply unsustainably from non-renewable aquifers (Macoun and El Naser 1999). The same is true for other basins globally such as in the Colorado, Tennessee and Yangtze river basins, since in order to meet their past a nd current demands, supply had to be increased through building dams for instance. This could be seen in some cases as being unsustainable due to the impact it has on the basin, and even though the two former river basins are now managed under RBM regimes (Newson 2009) they are operating under modified conditions. RBM still has value however in promoting more efficient water use (Postel 2000) and sustainable ethical management, so should not be completely ignored in management. The contextual fit of countries as a whole is important in determining the best approach to address the world water crisis. RBM may also fail in addressing the world water crisis too if it fails to be effective itself in the first instance. For instance since RBM seeks to achieve equitable sustainability (Barrow 1998), unequal power sharing may result in such a failure. To exemplify this if a dam was allowed to hold back more water for power generation it would put increasing pressure on the quantity of flow for the ecological needs and irrigative agriculture uses amongst others. Similarly if a factory was allowed higher pollution levels then the changes in the water quality could draw a system closer experiencing a water crisis (assuming it was already highly stressed). This is especially true if a non-integrated RBM regime is used, since the different interests of each RBM stakeholder groups, such as land owners, farmers, developers and conservationists would prioritise their needs over others. This consequently may be ineffective due to the differing overall outcomes, needing some coordination and comp romising to a certain degree to be effective in terms of long-term holistic management. A similar failing may occur within international river basins also if a common-goal transboundary management agreement cannot be established in practice even if it is agreed upon politically. This is the case today between Israel and Palestine despite the fact of the road to recovery (common goal) plan. Israel in 2003 abstracted 95% of the water from the diverted Lower Jordan to meet its own abstraction needs and left Palestine with only 5%. Consequently Palestine is in a water crisis since it cannot meet its own water needs (Frederiksen 2003). To be effective therefore in the first instance RBM plans need to be authoritative, equitable, coordinated and true to RBMs initial purpose. Only then can it help in addressing the world water crisis. In conclusion therefore it can be successfully argued that RBM is a worthwhile management option to pursue in relation to addressing the world water crisis. Where such regimes are well established and operational, such as in the Murray-Darling catchment, its sustainability approach to management allows for all of the demands and threats/pressures to the freshwater resource (such as excessive nutrient runoff from poorly managed land) to be identified and dealt with equitably and accordingly within the basins long-term carrying capacity. But, given the contextual fit of each country with regards to its current resource base, water pressures, and demands/needs, it may mean that in the grand scheme of things RBM may not be the most suitable management option to address the crisis with on its own. Interestingly RBM is according to Shar et al 2005 harder to implement in developing countries due to its developed background, but it is such countries where the water stresses are already at hi gh stress levels and expected to worsen from most through the predicted population growth and climate change pressures (UNESCO 2009). Only time will tell how useful and politically favoured RBM is in addressing the crisis, and whether it is continued to be used alone or alongside other water management concepts cuch as international virtual water sharing.