Themes And Explanations Of Tasmania s Museum Of Old And...

THEORY ASSIGNMENT 2 AMY WHITE THE RED QUEEN EXHIBTION MONA â€Å"DELUXE SUICIDE SERVICE† By artist Meghan Broody â€Å"IF I HAD A WORLD OF MY OWN, EVERYTHING WOULD BE NONSENSE. NOTHING WOULD BE WHAT IT IS, BECAUSE EVERYTHING WOULD BE WHAT IT ISN T. AND CONTRARY WISE, WHAT IS, IT WOULDN T BE. AND WHAT IT WOULDN T BE, IT WOULD. YOU SEE?† ALICE - LEWIS CARROL (ALICE S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS QUOTES, N.D.) This essay will explore the themes and explanations of Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art’s new exhibit ‘The Red Queen’ and a chosen piece, ‘Deluxe Suicide Service’, 1994; an intense mixed media sculpture by the artist Meghan Broody. Lewis Carrol was very creative in putting some order and sense in his†¦show more content†¦The Red Queen’s character is seen as an antagonist, the opposing force to Alice’s adventures. Upon their first encounter in this story the queen explains the rules of her kingdom as like the rules of a game of chess, as a story and game of advancement and promotion. Alice is like a pawn piece and can move up the board in such a way that she too can become the queen, like as in chess the queen can move effortlessly in whatever manner she likes. The queen perturbs Alice into an endless run with Alice having no real direction of where she is heading and meeting other strange characters along the way whic h develops her idea of the impossible being possible. Elizabeth Pearce, a curator and writer for MONA states; â€Å"the Red Queen exhibition asks us to consider whether doing something without a seeming purpose is the product of us, or whether it actually contributes to changing us.†(The Red Queen arrives at MONA 2013) This exhibition, takes us into the realms of the science behind the theme. The evolutionary concept that in the earlier 20thcentury scientist’s believed there was an end point, a goal to the evolutionary process. A parallel story of Alice put forth this idea when the Red Queen tells Alice: â€Å"Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place.†( The Red Queen Hypotheses n.d.) Then this

A Look into the Various Forms of Essay Writing - 5590 Words

What is Establishment? Establishment is a term used commonly any very often by Pakistani analysts, mainly in negative context. Analysts, politicians and T.V. anchor persons echoed this term after every major incidents and policy shifts in the government and state. Questions arises what, where and who is the Establishment. I am here giving a definition as given by seasoned politician andjournalist;MushHussain Syed: This Establishment comprises anywhere from 500 to 1000 individuals, some related to each other through family or marriage, from amongst the military brass, the top bureaucracy, superior judiciary, intelligence outfits. Its wings are flanked by feudal lords, industrial magnates and media barons. McKinsey s 7S†¦show more content†¦While alluded to in their discussion of the model, the notion of performance or effectiveness is not made explicit in the model. Description of 7 Ss Strategy: Strategy is the plan of action an organisation prepares in response to, or anticipation of, changes in its external environment. Strategy is differentiated by tactics or operational actions by its nature of being premeditated, well thought through and often practically rehearsed. It deals with essentially three questions (as shown in figure 2): 1) where the organisation is at this moment in time, 2) where the organisation wants to be in a particular length of time and 3) how to get there. Thus, strategy is designed to transform the firm from the present position to the new position described by objectives, subject to constraints of the capabilities or the potential (Ansoff, 1965). Structure: Business needs to be organised in a specific form of shape that is generally referred to as organisational structure. Organisations are structured in a variety of ways, dependent on their objectives and culture. The structure of the company often dictates the way it operates and performs (Waterman et al., 1980). Traditionally, the businesses have been structured in a hierarchical way with several divisions and departments, each responsible for a specific task such as human resources management, production or marketing. Many layers of management controlled the operations, withShow MoreRelatedWriting A Writing Is A Process911 Words   |  4 PagesOption A Writing is a Process Writing had always seemed so calculated. Since fourth grade I was taught that when you write a paper for school it should be a five paragraph essay with an opening paragraph, three supporting paragraphs, and then a closing paragraph. If you wrote in this exact format then you were sure to get a good grade. Up until college writing had always lacked creativity for me and seemed more like formula that was to be followed. 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Ls311 Unit 4 Free Essays

Kaplan University LS311 Lori Kieffer-Garrison Unit 4 Case Study Kayla Fulrath November 19th, 2012 In this case study, we are looking into what constitutes a contract and when a person is obligated to honor a contract. In this scenario Carrie offered to sell a set of legal encyclopedias to Antonio for $300. 00. We will write a custom essay sample on Ls311 Unit 4 or any similar topic only for you Order Now Antonio said that he would think about her offer and let her know his decision the next day. Norvel, who had overheard the conversation between Carrie and Antonio, said to Carrie, â€Å"I accept your offer,† and Carrie gave Norvel the books. The next day, Antonio, who had no idea that Carrie had already sold the books to Norvel, told Carrie that he accepted her offer. We need to determine whether or not Carrie is obligated to sell her encyclopedias to Norvel and whether or not she is breaching a contract with Antonio. The answer is yes, Carrie is obligated to sell her encyclopedia set to Norvel, and no, she did not breach a contract with Antonio. For a contract to be considered a contract there are certain basic elements that must be present. First there must be an agreement to form a contract which consists of an offer and an acceptance of that offer. Second, there must be consideration, which consists of a valuable exchange to support the acceptance of an offer. Third, a contract must of contractual capacity, meaning the parties involved must be competent. Lastly, the contract must be legal (Miller and Jentz, 2008). I’m going to assume that all parties are of sound mind and that Carrie is not illegally selling her set of encyclopedias because I don’t have evidence to the contrary. In the situation with Norvel, I would say a valid contract is established. Carrie has offered a set of encyclopedias for sale. Her first buyer, Antonio, does not initially accept her offer. Norvel pops up and states that he would accept her offer. So now an agreement is formed, which is part of the elements of a contract being a contract. Consideration is also established because Norvel has paid Carrie for her encyclopedias. Here an exchange of value has taken place, solidifying the agreement. Assuming the sale is legal and Carrie and Norvell aren’t crazy, we have ourselves a valid contract, thus Carrie is obligated to sell her encyclopedias to him. In the situation with Antonio, it looks like the making of a contract. Carrie presents an offer to sell Antonio her encyclopedias. Antonio does not initially accept her offer; he basically says he will think about accepting her offer. So the first element of contract has partially been made. An offer is presented, but there is no acceptance. Had Antonio established consideration for the offer, like possibly offering a deposit for her to hold the encyclopedias and promise not to sell them before he has had time to think about it, then there would be a breach of contract. Antonio, plain and simple, did not accept the contract and did not offer any consideration for the offer. There is no breach of contract because no contract ever existed. Although there is no legal obligation for Carrie to sell her encyclopedias to Antonio, I would say there is a moral one. I think in this situation, it would have been morally correct for Carrie to contact Antonio and let him know she had another interested buyer and he needed to make a decision at that time, not the next day. He should have the first option to buy the books since he was offered them first, from a moral standpoint. References Miller, L. Roger. , Jentz, A. Gaylord (2008). Fundamentals of Business Law. Cengage Learning: Ohio. How to cite Ls311 Unit 4, Essay examples

The Importance of Media Nowadays Essay Sample free essay sample

In my sentiment. media has become an of import thing some people can’t unrecorded without. It has besides become a portion of their life. Each of us has watched Television at least one clip in our lives. First of all. shows are interesting and exciting. You can happen out a batch of imformation from the media. If you watch intelligence. you’ll know what happens in your metropolis. your state. or abroad. Besides. you will happen out some determinations taken by the Parliment or some adopted Torahs. Furthermore. you can be up to day of the month with everything happen and everyone knows that it’s non in vain to happen out more information. Why? Because you don’t cognize how much it affects you. Second of all. if you have a Television. it is impossible to acquire bored.The most of import thing is to cognize what sort of shows to take. We will write a custom essay sample on The Importance of Media Nowadays Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Each of them has its appeal but some of them are non to be watched because you waste your clip. But I’ve spoken merely about the good parts. Some people argue that media has its ain disadvantages. Well. I agree to them. Each of us has to utilize Television reasonably. No 1 has to watch it every hr. You have to maintain a balance between your day-to-day activities. So. Television can be harmful for your eyes. You can acquire a illness and you’ll be worse and worse until you have to have on spectacless. To sum up. we have to state that media is one of the best achievments worlds discovered. But. like I said. we don’t have to pass all our clip watching Television.

An Overview of Municipal Waste and Landfills

An Overview of Municipal Waste and Landfills Municipal waste, commonly known as trash or garbage, is a combination of all of a citys solid and semisolid waste. It includes mainly household or domestic waste, but it can also contain commercial and industrial waste with the exception of industrial hazardous waste (waste from industrial practices that causes a threat to human or environmental health). Industrial hazardous waste is excluded from municipal waste because it is typically dealt with separately based on environmental regulations. Five Categories of Municipal Waste The second category of municipal waste is recyclable materials. Paper is also included in this category but non-biodegradable items like glass, plastic bottles, other plastics, metals and aluminum cans fall into this section as well. Inert waste is the third category of municipal waste. For reference, when discussed with municipal waste, inert materials are those that are not necessarily toxic to all species but can be harmful or toxic to humans. Therefore, construction and demolition waste is often categorized as inert waste. Composite waste is the fourth category of municipal waste and includes items that are composed of more than one material. For example, clothing and plastics such as childrens toys are composite waste. Household hazardous waste is the final category of municipal waste. This includes medicines, paint, batteries, light bulbs, fertilizer and pesticide containers and e-waste like old computers, printers, and cellular phones. Household hazardous waste cannot be recycled or disposed of with other waste categories so many cities offer residents other options for hazardous waste disposal. Municipal Waste Disposal and Landfills Today, landfills are engineered to protect the environment and prevent pollutants from entering the soil and possibly polluting ground water in one of two ways. The first of these is with the use of a clay liner to block pollutants from leaving the landfill. These are called sanitary landfills while the second type is called a municipal solid waste landfill. These types of landfills use synthetic liners like plastic to separate the landfills trash from the land below it. Once trash is put into these landfills, it is compacted until the areas is full, at which time the trash is buried. This is done to prevent the trash from contacting the environment but also to keep it dry and out of contact with air so it will not quickly decompose. About 55% of the waste generated in the United States goes to landfills while around 90% of waste created in the United Kingdom is disposed in this manner. In addition to landfills, waste can also be disposed using waste combustors. This involves the burning of municipal waste at extremely high temperatures to reduce waste volume, control bacteria, and sometimes generate electricity. Air pollution from the combustion is sometimes a concern with this type of waste disposal but governments have regulations to reduce pollution. Scrubbers (devices that spray liquids on smoke to reduce pollution) and filters (screens to remove ash and pollutant particles) are commonly used today. Finally, transfer stations are the third type of municipal waste disposal currently in use. These are facilities that where municipal waste is unloaded and sorted to remove recyclables and hazardous materials. The remaining waste is then reloaded onto trucks and taken to landfills while the waste that can be recycled for example, is sent to recycling centers. Municipal Waste Reduction Composting is another way cities can promote municipal waste reduction. This type of waste is comprised solely of biodegradable organic waste like food scraps and yard trimmings. Composting is generally done on the individual level and involves the combination of organic waste with microorganisms like bacteria and fungi that break down the waste and create compost. This can then be recycled and used as a natural and chemical free fertilizer for personal plants. Along with recycling programs and composting, municipal waste can be reduced via source reduction. This involves the reduction of waste through the alteration of manufacturing practices to reduce the creation excess materials which get turned into waste. The Future of Municipal Waste To further reduce waste, some cities are currently promoting policies of zero waste. Zero waste itself means reduced waste generation and the 100% diversion of the remainder of waste from landfills to productive uses via materials reuse, recycling, repair and composting. Zero waste products should also have minimal negative environmental impacts over their lifecycles.

Dworkinian Law essays

Dworkinian Law essays Dworkinian interpretation is very much like the general interpretation of the constitution, in that not only must law imposersconsider the explicit meanings of the constitution but also their impact and acceptance by society. In 1954, Brown v. Board of Education, the court held that it was not constitutional to segregate blacks and whites, but if a strictly explicit view of the constitution was taken segregation would have been in accordance (Altman 85). This brings the human aspect into the equation. With the original meaning or intent an inhumane law would have been upheld. Consider the impacts on our culture if that ruling had been that it was constitutional. Implicit and explicit interpretations are both very important aspects to consider when ruling on a law, a case, or simply an infraction. Though implicit ruling may be viewed as a very liberalist approach to law making, one must consider that the original constitution was meant as a guideline not as a stone clause. By allowing decisions to be made only through the explicit meanings of the constitution, we are allowing the social stature of a two hundred year old society rule in a very different and diverse time. In the revolutionary war, the beginning battles were fought using respectable tactics. This meant standing in a formation and exchanging fire, at an extremely high death rate. Now fighting a war like that in our common day would be ridiculous, virtual suicide. If following the original warrior way is suicide, then why should the judgment of citizens strictly on what those soldiers and scholars wrote explicitly in the constitution be any different. According to Dworkinian theory the constitution should be viewed as an underlying philosophy to law, meaning we should use the words of the constitution as a backbone for the embodiment of law. It is best described as the difference between concepts and conceptions (Altman 84). This ...

The Sandinistas Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Sandinistas - Research Paper Example In 1981 the U.S. Government suspended the economic help for Nicaragua under the pretext that Salvadorian insurgents received weapon from Cuba through Nicaragua. Soon the USA started providing direct military aid to the National Guard that escaped from the country. This help resulted in creation of the whole opposition army called â€Å"contras†. At first their government were accepted and then resulted in big economic and political crisis. The given paper will try to reveal what was brought by contras to Nicaragua: freedom or evil. By 1983 the Sandinista government continued to enjoy the growing support of the population, especially among the peasantry and poor citizens. However, at this time it had to face the opposition including the organized business community, the highest Catholic clergy, social democratic and some communistic (pro-Chinese) labor unions, Indians, English-speaking Black communities of the Caribbean coast. The leading newspaper of the country presented the ideas of opposition. Also the armed actions of the counterrevolutionary groups financed by the USA (contras), which made raids from the bases on the territory of Honduras, began. Indians, who were moved from their lands by Sandinista, joined contras. However, different oppositional groups were separated as the majority of them were extremely hostile to each other. Actually, they were hostile not only to each other but to peaceful citizens, hundreds of which were killed by contras: â€Å"Reagan calls the Contras "freedom fighters" and has compared them to the Founding Fathers. He claims supporting their war against the Sandinista government is the only hope for democracy in Nicaragua. But the truth about the rebels is not so glorious† (Ross, 1986). During 1984 the USA increased the military presence in Honduras and El Salvador. Military activity of contras increased, and they began to make air raids on the territory of Nicaragua. The ships of the US Navy plying

The disilluusionment of an american physician by sandeep jauhar Essay

The disilluusionment of an american physician by sandeep jauhar - Essay Example This book was preceded with another one, Intern which addressed the story from the perspective of any other new person in the field who comes to the field with high expectation only to realize that things are not as they seem out there. After acknowledging that there are challenges, the book, disillusionment of an American physician emphasizes on the need for urgent reform within the sector something that i have also witnessed in professional life. Dr. Jauhar brevity is particularly evident. For example he addresses corruption in the book. It is true that corruption is prevalent and that implies that only the rich get the good services at the expense of the poor in our health care system (Jauhar, 2014). Reading through the book, one gets the feel of what awaits in the real practice. One understands that, what is taught at medical school may not be very practical because some aspects of what is taught in school are not found in real practice. Dr. Jauhar gives an account of how insurance companies are supposed to be begged to make payments for patients, some of whom are in critical conditions and this goes to show how the society has become to self centered. Through the book, one gets a feel of the kind of relationship that exist between the doctors and the patients in the real world; this is evident through numerous accounts of patients who sometimes insist on certain types of treatment even in cases when the doctors do not agree. The significance of the book is highlighted in the author’s ability to face the truth to the extent of showcasing the unscrupulous nature of some doctors in the profession; for example, the author talks of the story of Dr. Chaudtry’ that has private practice. Like any other doctors of his time, he is faced with declining remuneration, numerous laws suits longed against hospitals and doctors and fraudulent insurance

Departures (2008) Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Departures (2008) - Movie Review Example His boss at this new job was Sasaki, who acted more forcefully towards Daigo when he showed up for the interview. He first lied to his wife about the job who later discovered and despised the job. While almost all people despised the job, Daigo took pride in his work and perfected the profession acting as a gatekeeper between the deceased and their families. The film follows a profound but comical journey as Daigo uncovers the joy, the wonder, and the absolute meaning of life, family and love. The music in this film is balanced. Here, the music balances with the tones of the actors and balanced with the scene being depicted. In addition, the sound effects were also in accordance with the mood of the scene. The overall sound track was analytical in that it had details that could take the audience in an instantaneous mood according to the intended mood of the scene. Overall, the editing of the film was carefully done to bring the intended view and perception for the

Impact of Economic Competitiveness on Wages

Impact of Economic Competitiveness on Wages The growth of low wage jobs is inevitable as national governments seek to promote economic competitiveness. Discuss. Introduction This essay discusses the hypothesis that governmental policies aimed at improving a nation’s relative performance in the global economy must lead to an increase in the low paid jobs. If considered in a global context the subject covers a wide spectrum. So the essay considers the United Kingdom’s (UK) economic experiences from the late 1970’s, with particular emphasis on the Thatcher era from 1979-1990 when the foundations for the UK’s economic reforms were laid. The profound change in economic management coupled with the rapid advances in communications and information technology has accelerated the effects of â€Å"globalisation† and led to severe disruption in the UK labour market. Evidence exists that the erosion of the bargaining power of employees due to the twin effects of government policy and globalisation has exacerbated the decrease in real earnings amongst the less skilled workforce. However this vulnerability can be partially off-set by some of the benefits due to improvements in the UK’s international economic competitiveness and an effective mix of domestic labour market policies. Economic Competitiveness: A Definition For centuries, international trade has been the bedrock of the UK’s prosperity. Economists have long debated the effect of government policies on trade and national prosperity. In 1817 during the first stirrings of the industrial revolution David Ricardo developed an argument which can be summarised as: â€Å"The classical theory of international trade and its role in economic development is based on the principle of comparative advantage. The comparative advantage paradigm states that a country performs better by concentrating on the production of those goods and services for which it possesses a comparative advantage over others, and then trade those goods for those of other countries.†[1] Modern economic theory still supports the basic tenets of Ricardo’s argument, which was primarily developed as an attack on government’s protectionist agricultural policies at the time. Recent research, however, goes a step further. Michael Porter devised the concept of National Advantage [2] which argues that governments have a significant role to play in enhancing a nation’s comparative advantage when competing in the global economy. His â€Å"Diamond of National Advantage† (below) suggests that perusing policies that enhance company performance by, say, strict product standards, stimulating demand for advanced products, focusing on factor creation, with improved worker skills and stimulating rivalry by enforcing antitrust legislation will support the development of a strong and internationally competitive trading economy. The UK Experience After the Second World War the UK government pursued policies to reduce unemployment through subsidies, direct support for industry, including nationalisation of some economically challenged sectors such as coal-mining, railways and a major automotive manufacturer, limiting external competition through protectionism. Trade policy was largely governed by favouring Commonwealth countries, through the â€Å"Commonwealth Preference† arrangements. This approach was largely self-defeating as suggested by the Economist as early as 1960. â€Å"A comprehensive system involving the granting of large margins of preference might be expected to have results of two kinds: it should ensure to exporters a larger share of the market than they would otherwise obtain, or enable them to charge higher prices for their goods than in non-preferential markets. An examination of Commonwealth Preference suggests that its effects in both directions are more limited than is implied by the support which it commands in the Commonwealth and the hostility it sometimes arouses in non-Commonwealth countries.† [3] In particular, it was in conflict with some of the concepts of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, (GATT) formed in 1947 to promote economic recovery after the war by reducing barriers in international trade, particularly the reduction in tariff barriers. The UK economy prospered under this regime particularly in the late 50’s and early 60’s but by the 70’s the cracks were beginning to show. By the mid 70’s it was obvious this economic model was not in tune with the needs of a modern nation in a rapidly changing world. Some of the old tenets were under scrutiny and the entrenched bastions of economic power were at loggerheads. In particular, the power of the union movement and the entrenched conservatism and resistance to change of management in the traditional industries such as coal, rail and manufacturing led to conflict and industrial disputation which were ruinous to the economic health of the nation. Successive governments failed to address the underlying economic causes of the problems, until Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister in 1979 with a new approach to economic governance. Her philosophy was not necessarily based on economic theory, although some of her advisors and ministers were well versed in Keynesian economics. Her government embarked on a series of structural economic reforms including the privatisation of government-owned industries, deregulation of large swathes of UK economic activity, particularly financial services and the pursuance of an aggressive free trade agenda. â€Å"What became known as Thatcherism may have been an agenda which benefited corporate capital, as left critiques emphasize, but its ideological formulation was populist and it employed the petty bourgeois values of thrift, hard work, and family solidarity as the central justifications for privatization, tax cuts, reduction of state expenditure, and hostility to trade unions.†[4] Since that period it is true to say that â€Å"Thatcherism†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦was†¦. to become the ruling consensus of the British government . soon established and exported around the world[5] It is interesting to note that Thatcher’s economic policies predated Porter’s research outlined in section 2, as Hood and Young observed: â€Å"While what has occurred falls short of a systemic approach to counteract market-distorting behavior or to build up created assets, there is little doubt that there have been consistent themes pursued since the Conservative government came to power in 1979. Deregulation, privatization, the restructuring of the handling of labour disputes, and so on have been driven by a clear philosophy concerning the role of the market and the negative economic and social effects of certain types of market distortions†[6] Effect on Employment and Wages As the Thatcher reforms began to bite, the short-term results reverberated around the UK. For example the industrial midlands in the late 70’s was the heart of the automotive and machine tool manufacturing industries. By the mid 80’s it was an industrial wasteland with acres of empty and derelict factory space with many thousands of workers displaced or redundant. This picture was repeated in many communities previously reliant on â€Å"smokestack† industries in the north and west of the UK. Anecdotal evidence suggested many of those displaced from manufacturing jobs had joined the informal self-employed workforce and those still in full-time employment had migrated to low-wage jobs in service industries such as retailing. This is backed up by comments from Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) which reports: â€Å"The labour market plays a crucial role in reaping potential gain from globalisation by facilitating a shift of jobs from decli ning sectors or occupations to expanding ones, in line with the changes in comparative advantage. However, this labour market adjustment is not always smooth because many workers displaced from declining sectors are poorly positioned to move into newly-created jobs in export sectors, which may be located in different regions or require different qualifications†[7] The International Labour Organisation (ILO) also echoes a similar theme: â€Å"Policies aimed at increasing competitiveness by lowering unit labour costs should consider the potential consequences on either workers (via wages) or firms and economic growth (via productivity). For example, on the one hand, an excessive and long-run emphasis on wage moderation may threaten a country’s productivity growth rate as it might discourage innovation and investment in human capital†[8] In the longer term, however the overall benefits to the UK economy were substantial. The shift from a manufacturing to serviced based economy has brought significant benefits to the nation. â€Å"The UK, a leading trading power and financial centre, is one of the quintet of trillion dollar economies of Western Europe. Over the past two decades, the government has greatly reduced public ownership and contained the growth of social welfare programs. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil reserves; primary energy production accounts for 10% of GDP, one of the highest shares of any industrial nation. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, account by far for the largest proportion of GDP while industry continues to decline in importance. Since emerging from recession in 1992, Britains economy has enjoyed the longest period of expansion on record; growth has remained in the 2-3% range since 2004, outpacing most of Europe.†[9] Not everyone has benefited from this development. In relative terms the rich have got richer whereas the lower-paid workers have seen their relative position decline. â€Å"The UKs growth in wealth equality has been the fastest among the worlds 30 richest and most developed countries. But in 2005, when the organisation compiled its latest data, the UK remained a more unequal society than three-quarters of OECD countries, with the richest 10% earning nine times more than the poorest 10%.†[10] Striking the Balance Based on the UK government’s experience, seeking to promote economic competitiveness can be beneficial for the national economy overall. â€Å"Open trade and investment policies can be a powerful force for raising living standards. Economists have long emphasised this point and it is confirmed by much research. For example, the OECD’s Growth Study estimated that a 10 percentage point increase in trade openness translates over time into an increase of around 4% in per capita income in the OECD area.†[11] However to mitigate the disruptive effects of such aggressive economic policies, suitable social policies should go hand in hand. For example policies to enhance labour mobility and relocation, income security packages linked to retraining to increase re-employment options, skill-development programs and minimum wage policies to limit low-pay traps. A balanced policy approach can help offset the growth and pervasiveness of low wage jobs. Bibliography Fidelis Ezeala-Harrison, Theory and Policy of International Competitiveness, page 4 Greenwood Publishing Group Michael E. Porter The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Free Press, 1998 Economist Intelligence Unit, The Commonwealth and Europe (London: Economist Intelligence Unit, 1960.) Philip Abbott, Leadership by Exemplar: Reagans FDR and Thatchers Churchill, Presidential Studies Quarterly 27.2 (1997) Simon Jenkins, Thatcher and Sons, page 1, Allen Lane 2006 Neil Hood, and Stephen Young, 8 The United Kingdom, Governments, Globalization, and International Business, ed. John H. Dunning (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999) Globalisation, Jobs and Wages, Policy Brief, OECD, June 2007 ILO Key Indicators of the Labour Market KILM 4th Edition 2005 Central Intelligence Agency Office of Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 20505 The Guardian, Wednesday October 22 2008 Globalisation, Jobs and Wages, Policy Brief, OECD, June 2007 Footnotes [1] Fidelis Ezeala-Harrison, Theory and Policy of International Competitiveness, page 4 Greenwood Publishing Group [2] Michael E. Porter The Competitive Advantage of Nations, Free Press, 1998 [3] Economist Intelligence Unit, The Commonwealth and Europe (London: Economist Intelligence Unit, 1960.) [4] Philip Abbott, Leadership by Exemplar: Reagans FDR and Thatchers Churchill, Presidential Studies Quarterly 27.2 (1997) [5] Simon Jenkins, Thatcher and Sons, page 1, Allen Lane 2006 [6] Neil Hood, and Stephen Young, 8 The United Kingdom, Governments, Globalization, and International Business, ed. John H. Dunning (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999) [7] Globalisation, Jobs and Wages, Policy Brief, OECD, June 2007 [8] ILO Key Indicators of the Labour Market KILM 4th Edition 2005 [9] Central Intelligence Agency Office of Public Affairs Washington, D.C. 20505 [10] The Guardian, Wednesday October 22 2008 [11] Globalisation, Jobs and Wages, Policy Brief, OECD, June 2007

geopolitical enviroment in Ireland :: essays research papers

GEOPLITICAL ENVIROMENT The Irish government been stable since it’s foundation of state in 1921, before the foundation of Irish state, the Irish was a body of UK starting 1801 with complete participation in the parliament. Current Ireland has fully written constitutions that separate courts, parliament and executive. Furthermore, Ireland provides property right under the Irish constitutions as well as European Court of Justice. Ireland political parties on the other hand had been supporters of pro business which lead the country to one of the fastest growing economy earning the Irish a nick name Celtic tigers in the 21st century. Ireland’s economy had 80% growth in the last decade with a current GDP per capital 122 % with GDP growth rate totaled 6.3 of European average. However inflation seems to be a concern because of 4.7% rate which stands over the EU average. All major political parties of Ireland are pro business that create business friendly environment, especially for foreign investment . The Ahern government cut Ireland corporate tax rat form 16% to 12.5% in 2003 below EU 30% rate. This glories effort by the Irish government made Ireland the most attractive place for U.S. investors by receiving one third of U.S. investment in Europe specifically in the computer, software, and engineering industries. The relationship with U.S. investor’s and Irish government is constructed very strongly that U.S. investors invest three times in Ireland than Netherlands which is the second largest U.S. investment located in E.U. barriers to investment in Ireland are minimal with restrictions applying for agricultural land and Irish airlines. There are no other restrictions concerning transfers, repatriation of profits, and access to foreign exchange. Permission may apply for countries that are not in E.U. economic area. Companies have also competitive advantage based on highly educated task force with 35% graduate of science and engineering compared to 26% average in E.U. Ire land also leads in terms of the number of science and engineering graduates as proportion of the population aged 20-34 in 2000 (16.3 per thousand compared to an EU average of 6.8 per thousand).

Maggie and Dee & sisters Essay

Everyday Use is about these two colliding characters: Maggie and Dee are sisters. In the story, Maggie seems to be the powerless and passive character. She had scars from being burnt and this experience brought her to directed inward. She valued the things that are less superficial and more meaningful. She has stayed with her mother and there she learned making quilts. Dee is more the outgoing type. She cares a lot about her style. She’s into physical appearance and boys are one of her interest. Thesis Statement: The central conflict this part of the story is the triumph over legacy – who will be recognized as the successor? This very powerful story revolves around the quilt. As Dee tries to win the quilt, she also seeks her long-lost heritage after a long time of absence. (Walker 278). (66) â€Å"’Maggie can’t appreciate these quilts! † She’d probably be backward enough to put them to everyday use. †Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Dee always tries to prove herself in the way of her power to persuade and aggression (Walker 278): (68) â€Å"But they’re priceless,† she was saying now furiously for she had a temper. Maggie would put them on the bed and in five years they’d be in rags. Less than that! †Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ But Maggie is a strong person with inner strength and she knows that the legacy has been passed on to her (Walker 279). (74) ‘â€Å"She can have them Mama, â€Å"she said like somebody used to never winning anything reserved for her. â€Å"I can ‘member Grandma Dee without the quilts. † Maggie said. ’† The mother knew that her daughter Maggie has been the one who deserves the heritage. Although Maggie seems weak and she will talk in peace (Walker 279). (75) ‘â€Å"She stood there with her scared hands hidden in the folds of her skirt. She looked at her sister with something like fear. But she wasn’t mad at her. This was Maggie’s portion. This was the way she knew God to work. †Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Towards the end of the story, Dee knows that her mother fought for Maggie and has won the battle. She denies herself from humility that she lost (Walker 279). (81) ‘â€Å"You ought to try to make something of yourself, too, Maggie. It’s really a new day for us. But from the way you and Mama still live, you’ll never know it. † Dee will always hide the loss. She will not be someone who will stand up for defeat and that is in a way being a coward (Walker 279). (82)â€Å"She put on her glasses and hid everything above the tip of her nose and her chin. † Conclusion: Everyday Use explores the long years a mother’s will to raise her children, see them grow and realize their identity. Maggie spent her every day with her mother and her mother experienced her presence for the longest years. Meanwhile Dee has spent her life away from her family. The one who has learned the craft of quilting which signifies her unconditional love for her family is Maggie and finally her mother realizes that and in all sense she deserves that honor of their heritage. Citation: Walker, Alice. â€Å"Everyday Use. † In Love and Trouble: Stories of Black Women. Harvest Books (1974): 272-279.

Battle of Queenston Heights in the War of 1812

Battle of Queenston Heights in the War of 1812 The Battle of Queenston Heights was fought October 13, 1812, during the War of 1812 (1812-1815) and was the first major land battle of the conflict. Seeking to cross the Niagara River, American troops under Major General Stephen van Rensselaer encountered a variety of difficulties. Finally landing part of his command, van Rensselaer engaged British forces under Major General Isaac Brock. In the resulting fighting, American troops suffered a defeat after militia forces refused to cross the river and a British counterattack isolated those on the Canadian side. The battle marked the end of a poorly managed campaign for the Americans. Fast Facts: Battle of Queenston Heights Conflict: War of 1812 (1812-1815)Dates: October 13, 1812Armies Commanders:United StatesMajor General Stephen van Rensselaer6,000 menGreat BritainMajor General Isaac BrockMajor General Roger Hale Sheaffe1,300 menCasualties:United States: 300 killed and wounded, 958 capturedGreat Britain: 14 killed, 77 wounded, and 21 missing. Native American casualties 5 killed and 9 wounded Background With the outbreak of the War of 1812 in June 1812, American forces began marshaling to invade Canada. Intending to strike at several points, the American efforts were soon put in jeopardy when Brigadier General William Hull surrendered Detroit to Major General Isaac Brock in August. Elsewhere, General Henry Dearborn remained idle at Albany, NY rather than move forward to capture Kingston while General Stephen van Rensselaer was stalled on the Niagara frontier due to a lack of men and supplies (Map). Major General Sir Isaac Brock. Photograph Source: Public Domain Returning to Niagara from his success at Detroit, Brock found that his superior, Lieutenant General Sir George Prevost had ordered British forces to adopt a defensive posture in the hopes that the conflict could be settled diplomatically. As a result, an armistice was in place along the Niagara which allowed van Rensselaer to receive reinforcements. A major general in the New York militia, van Rensselaer was a popular Federalist politician who had been appointed to command the American army for politic purposes. As such, several regular officers, such as Brigadier General Alexander Smyth, commanding at Buffalo, had issues with taking orders from him. Preparations With the end of the armistice on September 8, Van Rensselaer began making plans to cross the Niagara River from his base at Lewiston, NY to capture the village of Queenston and the nearby heights. To support this effort, Smyth was ordered to cross and attack Fort George. After receiving only silence from Smyth, van Rensselaer sent additional orders demanding that he bring his men to Lewiston for a combined assault on October 11. Major General Stephen van Rensselaer. Public Domain - National Gallery of Art Though van Rensselaer was ready to strike, severe weather led to the effort being postponed and Smyth returned to Buffalo with his men after being delayed en route. Having spotted this failed attempt and received reports that the Americans might attack, Brock issued orders for the local militias to begin forming. Outnumbered, the British commanders forces were also scattered along length of the Niagara frontier. With the weather clearing, van Rensselaer elected to make a second attempt on October 13. Efforts to add Smyths 1,700 men failed when he informed van Rensselaer that he could not arrive until the 14th. Opposing the American advance were two companies of British troops and two companies of York militia, as well as a third British company on the heights to the south. This last unit possessed an 18-pdr gun and a mortar which were located in a redan halfway up the heights. To the north, two guns were mounted at Vroomans Point. Around 4:00 AM, the first wave of boats moved across the river under the leadership of Colonel Solomon van Rensselaer (militia) and Lieutenant Colonel John Chrystie (regulars). Col. van Rensselaers boats landed first and the British soon raised the alarm. The British Respond Moving to block the American landings, British troops under Captain James Dennis opened fire. Col. van Rensselaer was quickly hit and put out of action. Captain John E. Wool of the 13th US Infantry took over and pushed into the village with the aid of American artillery firing from across the river. As the sun rose, British artillery began firing on the American boats with great effect. As a result, Chrystie was unable to get across as his boat crew panicked and returned to the New York shore. Other elements of Lieutenant Colonel John Fenwicks second wave were forced downstream where they were captured. At Fort George, Brock, concerned that the attack was diversion, dispatched a few detachments to Queenston and rode there to see the situation himself. In the village, American forces were contained in narrow strip along the river by the artillery fire from the redan. Though wounded, Col. van Rensselaer ordered Wool to take a force upstream, ascend the heights, and take the redan from behind. Arriving at the redan, Brock sent most of the troops guarding it down the slope to aid in village. As a result, when Wools men attacked, Brock was forced to flee and the Americans took control of the redan and its guns. Brock Killed Sending a message to Major General Roger Hale Sheaffe at Fort George, Brock requested reinforcements to block the American landings. Due to the redans commanding position, he immediately resolved to recapture it with those men on hand. Leading forward two companies of the 49th Regiment and two companies of York militia, Brock charged up the heights assisted by aide-de-camp Lieutenant Colonel John MacDonell. In the attack, Brock was struck in the chest and killed. Though outnumbered, MacDonell pressed the attack and pushed the Americans back to the edge of the heights. The British assault then faltered when MacDonell was hit. Losing momentum, the attack collapsed and the Americans forced them to fall back through Queenston to Durhams Farm, near Vroomans Point. Between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM, Maj. Gen. van Rensselaer worked to consolidate the position on the Canadian side of the river. Ordering the heights to be fortified, he placed Lieutenant Colonel Winfield Scott in command with Brigadier General William Wadsworth leading the militia. Despite the success, Van Rensselaers position was tenuous as only around 1,000 men had crossed and few were in cohesive units. Disaster on the Heights Around 1:00 PM, reinforcements arrived from Fort George, including British artillery. Opening fire from the village, it made crossing the river hazardous. On the heights 300 Mohawks began attacking Scotts outposts. Across the river, the waiting American militia could hear their war cries and became reluctant to cross. Arriving on the scene around 2:00 PM, Sheaffe led his men on a circuitous route to the heights to shield them from the American guns. Frustrated, van Rensselaer re-crossed to Lewiston and worked tirelessly to convince the militia to embark. Unsuccessful, he dispatched a note to Scott and Wadsworth giving them permission to withdraw if the situation warranted. Abandoning their field works, they constructed a barricade at the top of the heights. Attacking at 4:00 PM, Sheaffe met with success. Hearing the Mohawk war cries and fearing massacre, Wadsworths men retreated and soon surrendered. His line collapsing, Scott fell back, ultimately retreating down the slope above the river. With no escape and the Mohawks, angry over the loss of two chiefs, in pursuit, Scott was forced to surrender the remnants of his command to Sheaffe. Following his surrender, around 500 American militia who had fled and hid emerged and were taken prisoner. Aftermath A disaster for the Americans, the Battle of Queenston Heights saw 300 killed and wounded, as well as 958 captured. British losses totaled 14 killed, 77 wounded, and 21 missing. Native American casualties 5 killed and 9 wounded. In the wake of the fighting, the two commanders agreed on truce to treat wounded. Defeated, van Rensselaer resigned and was replaced by Smyth who bungled two attempts at crossing the river near Fort Erie.

Battle of the North Cape - World War II - Scharnhorst

Battle of the North Cape - World War II - Scharnhorst Battle of the North Cape - Conflict Date: The Battle of the North Cape was fought December 26, 1943, during World War II (1939-1945). Fleets Commanders Allies Admiral Sir Bruce FraserVice Admiral Robert Burnett1 battleship, 1 heavy cruiser, 3 light cruisers, 8 destroyers Germany Rear Admiral Erich Bey1 battlecruiser Battle of the North Cape - Background: In the fall of 1943, with the Battle of the Atlantic going poorly, Grand Admiral Karl Doenitz sought permission from Adolf Hitler to allow surface units of the Kriegsmarine to begin attacking Allied convoys in the Arctic. As the battleship Tirpitz had been badly damaged by British X-Craft midget submarines in September, Doenitz was left with the battlecruiser Scharnhorst and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen as his only large, operational surface units. Approved by Hitler, Doenitz ordered planning for Operation Ostfront to commence. This called for a sortie by Scharnhorst against Allied convoys moving between northern Scotland and Murmansk under the direction of Rear Admiral Erich Bey. On December 22, Luftwaffe patrols sited Murmansk-bound convoy JW 55B and began tracking its progress. Aware of Scharnhorsts presence in Norway, the commander of the British Home Fleet, Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, began making plans to eliminate the German warship. Seeking battle around Christmas 1943, he planned to lure Scharnhorst from its base at Altafjord using JW 55B and Britain-bound RA 55A as bait. Once at sea, Fraser hoped to attack Scharnhorst with Vice Admiral Robert Burnetts Force 1, which had aided in escorting the earlier JW 55A, and his own Force 2. Burnetts command consisted of his flagship, the light cruiser HMS Belfast, as well as the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk and light cruiser HMS Sheffield. Frasers Force 2 was built around the battleship HMS Duke of York, the light cruiser HMS Jamaica, and the destroyers HMS Scorpion, HMS Savage, HMS Saumarez, and HNoMS Stord. Battle of the North Cape - Scharnhorst Sorties: Learning that JW 55B had been spotted by German aircraft, both British squadrons left their respective anchorages on December 23. Closing on the convoy, Fraser held his ships back as he did not wish to deter a German sortie. Utilizing the Luftwaffe reports, Bey departed Altafjord on December 25 with Scharnhorst and the destroyers Z-29, Z-30, Z-33, Z-34, and Z-38. That same day, Fraser directed RA 55A to turn north to avoid the coming battle and ordered the destroyers HMS Matchless, HMS Musketeer, HMS Opportune, and HMS Virago to detach and join his force. Battling poor weather which hampered Luftwaffe operations, Bey searched for the convoys early on December 26. Believing he missed them, he detached his destroyers at 7:55 AM and ordered them to probe south. Battle of the North Cape - Force 1 Finds Scharnhorst: Approaching from the northeast, Burnetts Force 1 picked up Scharnhorst on radar at 8:30 AM. Closing in the increasingly snowy weather, Belfast opened fire at a range of around 12,000 yards. Joining the fray, Norfolk and Sheffield also began targeting Scharnhorst. Returning fire, Beys ship failed to score any hits on the British cruisers, but sustained two, one of which destroyed Scharnhorsts radar. Effectively blind, the German ship was forced to target the muzzle flashes of the British guns. Believing he was engaging a British battleship, Bey turned south in an effort to break off the action. Escaping Burnetts cruisers, the German ship turned northeast and attempted to loop around to strike at the convoy. Hampered by degrading sea conditions, Burnett shifted Force 1 to a position to screen JW 55B. Somewhat concerned that he had lost Scharnhorst, Burnett reacquired the battlecruiser on radar at 12:10 PM. Exchanging fire, Scharnhorst succeeded in hitting Norfolk, destroying its radar and putting a turret out of action. Around 12:50 PM, Bey turned south and decided to return to port. Pursuing Scharnhorst, Burnetts force was soon reduced to just Belfast as the other two cruisers began suffering mechanical issues. Relaying Scharnhorsts position to Frasers Force 2, Burnett maintained contact with the enemy. At 4:17 PM, Duke of York picked up Scharnhorst on radar. Bearing down on the battlecruiser, Fraser pushed his destroyers forward for a torpedo attack. Maneuvering into position to deliver a full broadside, Fraser ordered Belfast to fire starshells over Scharnhorst at 4:47 PM. Battle of the North Cape - Death of Scharnhorst: With its radar out, Scharnhorst was caught by surprise as the British attack developed. Using radar-directed fire, Duke of York scored hits on the German ship with its first salvo. As the fighting continued, Scharnhorsts forward turret was put out of action and Bey turned north. This quickly brought him under fire from Belfast and Norfolk. Changing course to the east, Bey sought to escape the British trap. Hitting Duke of York twice, Scharnhorst was able to damage its radar. Despite this success, the British battleship struck the battlecruiser with a shell which destroyed one of its boiler rooms. Quickly slowing to ten knots, Scharnhorsts damage control parties worked to repair the damage. This was partially successful and soon the ship was moving at twenty-two knots. Though an improvement, this reduced speed allowed Frasers destroyers to close. Maneuvering to attack, Savage and Saumarez approached Scharnhorst from port while Scorpion and Stord neared from starboard. Turning to starboard to engage Savage and Saumarez, Scharnhorst quickly took a torpedo hit from one of the other two destroyers. This was followed by three hits on its port side. Badly damaged, Scharnhorst slowed allowing Duke of York to close. Supported by Belfast and Jamaica, Duke of York began pummeling the German battlecruiser. With the battleships shells striking, both light cruisers added torpedoes to the barrage. Listing severely and with the bow partially submerged, Scharnhorst continued to limp along at about three knots. With the ship critically damaged, the order was given to abandon ship around 7:30 PM. Charging forward, the destroyer detachment from RA 55A fired nineteen torpedoes at the stricken Scharnhorst. Several of these struck home and soon the battlecruiser was convulsed by a series of explosions. Following a massive explosion at 7:45 PM, Scharnhorst slipped beneath the waves. In the wake of the sinking, Matchless and Scorpion began picking up survivors before Fraser ordered his forces to proceed to Murmansk. Battle of the North Cape - Aftermath: In the fighting off the North Cape, the Kriegsmarine suffered the loss of Scharnhorst and 1,932 of its crew. Due to the threat of U-boats, British ships were only able to rescue 36 German sailors from the frigid water. British losses totaled 11 killed and 11 wounded. The Battle of the North Cape marked the last surface engagement between British and German capital ships during World War II. With Tirpitz damaged, the loss of Scharnhorst effectively eliminated surface threats to the Allies Arctic convoys. The engagement also demonstrated the importance of radar-directed fire control in modern naval battles. Selected Sources Operation Ostfront: ScharnhorstImperial War Museum: Battle of the North Cape

Drug Trafficking in the UAE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Drug Trafficking in the UAE - Essay Example The United Arab Emirates is one of the world’s fastest growing economies as well as tourist destinations. Recently, the attraction of this region to international drug syndicates has heightened awareness by UAE authorities in addressing this danger. This brief paper shall highlight the drug trafficking problem that threatens the federation, and the measures that have been adopted within the past decade to ensure the region’s security. Concepts that will be discussed involve: drug trafficking, which includes the sales, distribution, possession with intent to distribute or sell, manufacturing, and smuggling of controlled substances (wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn); drug abuse, which involves taking a psychoactive drug or performance enhancing drug for a non-therapeutic or non-medical effect; drug possession, or the crime of having one or more illegal drugs in one’s possession, either for personal use, distribution, sale or otherwise; and narcotics, which are d rugs that produce numbness or stupor, and are often taken for pleasure or to reduce pain; extensive use can lead to addiction. Developments in the drug trafficking problem The UAE has been lauded by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), the UN organization that monitors anti-drug activities worldwide, for the efforts made by the federation to fight drug abuse and trafficking. Evidence of these have been documented by news articles in the media, some of the more recent and more remarkable of which are presented here: 1.The Emirati Navy, Coast Guards, and other maritime coalition forces operating in the Gulf cooperated through information exchange and maritime coalition, in the seizure of nearly 30 tonnes of hashish at sea in just four months.

MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS AND STEREOTYPES Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

MEDIA REPRESENTATIONS AND STEREOTYPES - Essay Example Most modern advertisements depict women as a sex tool intended to attract men. This represents the social part of life hence connecting advertisements with the advertised product. Actually, the blog addresses the core issues regarding women and advertising. There is a wonderful link between advertisement and women and the advertisers of various products no longer concentrate on the functions of the product as before. Although advertisement has experienced evolution, it may be said that the transformation is not that socially positive. Female exposure and body dismemberment of women’s body as explained by Kilbourne tends to reduce women to nothing more than a sex object and sex whose most important thing in them is their body part. Woman’s intelligence and wisdom is never displayed in the media advertisement. Indeed this is a worrying trend that hugely destroys the society’s perception. Woman’s position in the society is continually distorted as the blog explains yet it is the bad side of depiction that appeals most to the

Studying and analyzing how General Electric applied Quality Management Research Paper

Studying and analyzing how General Electric applied Quality Management (QM) - Research Paper Example Quality improvement embraces the notion that there should be a relentless, continual pursuit of excellence so as to eliminate sources of waste, inefficiencies, rework, or errors (Kuballa 2006, p.6). The core values of quality improvement encompass customer focus, systems review, data driven focus, involvement of all stakeholders, continual improvement, and process optimization (Cheng 2008, p.182). Quality management subscribes to principles such as customer focus, leadership, process approach, involvement of the people, continual improvement, fact based approach to decision making, and mutually beneficial stakeholder relationships (Hill and Jones 2010, p.5). The paper explores the influence of quality improvement and performance in organizations and to investigate the link between quality improvement practices and organizational performance. Quality Gurus Edwards Deming Deming is renowned for developing a system of statistical quality control. Deming asserted that most of the problem s that confront management are systematic. His philosophy centers on advocating that quality must be incorporated into the product at all stages so as to attain a high level of excellence. Deming argued that enhanced quality results to increased productivity, which in turn, enhances lasting competitive strength. Deming incorporated what he called as the â€Å"Deming Chain reaction† and outlined fourteen points of the system at diverse levels. As quality is enhanced, costs reduce, while productivity increases resulting to enhanced market share and long term corporate survival. Deming’s theories include theory of optimization, theory of variation, theory of knowledge, and theory of Psychology. Joseph Juran Juran defines quality as fitness for use encompassing aspects such as design, conformance, availability, safety, and field use. Juran incorporated managerial dimensions of planning, organizing, and controlling directed at attaining quality. Juran advocated ten steps di rected at quality improvement. Philip Crosby Crosby stresses motivation and planning as key components in improving the quality. However, he shied away from endorsing statistical process control and problem techniques that Deming and Juran advocated. Crosby proposed fourteen points critical to effective, quality practices that companies can adopt. Crosby asserted that quality is free since the minimal cost of prevention is comparatively lower compared to cost of detection, correction and failure. Armand Feigenbaum Armand Feigenbaum incorporated a Total Quality Control approach in which he defined as an effective system essential to integrating the quality development, maintenance, and improvement efforts of diverse groups in organizations geared towards enabling the production and service within economical levels. This facilitates customer satisfaction. Kaoru Ishikawa Japanese companies structured their own approach to TQM by Ishikawa, which was based on the literature of Deming and Juran. The new approach to quality was fashioned to suit their culture and operating environment together with

Nuclear Technology and Countries of the Persian Gulf Essay Example for Free

Nuclear Technology and Countries of the Persian Gulf Essay Nuclear energy has been used widely only for thirty years . In sixtieth it was an exotic source of power, researched by scientists, and widely discussed in press. Nowadays, as Ilan Lipper Jon Stone state in their article about nuclear powers and society, it is the second largest energy source in the U. S. There are more than 110 nuclear plants throughout the U. S, and they produce more energy than hydropower, oil or gas, researchers write. For the U. S nuclear energy became a cheap and relatively safe source of energy, and many countries decided to adopt American experience in this field. Today most European and Asian countries have nuclear plants that provide them with energy. Nevertheless, a question emerges which is whether it is safe to grant access to nuclear powers to countries of the Persian Gulf, like Iran, who are known for being aggressive and searching for the means to get weapons. Politicians and usual people all over the world are discussing this question. Their main fears are that nuclear power in wrong hands may be transformed into weapon, and thus harm the ecology severely. Discussions take place all over the world about the influence of nuclear power plants on the ecology. Some say that they are not safe, even when nuclear powers are used only as a source of energy, and not as a weapon. The thing is that nuclear power plants use radioactive materials like uranium and plutonium to produce energy, and there are toxic wastes left, the authors of encyclopedia entry on renewable energy source on NationMaster, a large statistical data source claim. They add that the results of one significant radiation leakage accident on Yucca Mountain were disastrous; so people should be really very careful when using nuclear energy as the source of electricity. In the same time, Ilan Lipper Jon Stone prove that the dangers of using nuclear power are overestimated. They state that unlike the wastes that stay after burning of coal, which stay toxic forever, nuclear wastes toxicity reduces with each passing day, as its elements are not stable. They prove that the amount of toxic wastes thrown into the air each year is less in the countries where nuclear plants are the main source of electricity, than in the countries where there are few or no nuclear plants. It is clearly seen that nuclear power is a very effective source of energy, and the damage it does to ecology in normal conditions is less than that of burning coal, or other means of getting electricity. Nevertheless human factor should not be forgotten. One serious human mistake is enough to let the effective and relatively safe nuclear power lead to disastrous consequences. In case an uncontrollable chain reaction emerges on the nuclear power plant, thousands of acres of lands and thousands of tons of water would be polluted, and the health of thousands of people would be damaged. The problem with nuclear power is that it is too powerful. When used correctly it can let governments save billions of dollars, as the energy produced by nuclear power plants is relatively cheap, and protect the environment from negative influence of toxic wastes other methods of getting electricity produce, but one mistake with nuclear power can lead to unpredictable and very serious consequences. Another serious problem with using nuclear power for producing energy is that the elements used for it can also be used for creating nuclear weapon. Human beings have always been at war with each other, and since prehistoric times they have been inventing more and more accomplished methods of murdering each other. On the present moment nuclear weapon is one of the most effective ones, along with bacteriological weapon. Nuclear weapon was used only two times in history, on Japanese cities Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. It slaughtered all the dwellers of these cities, and polluted the area so that people could not live there. More than sixty years passed, and still no one lives in these places. The consequences of using nuclear weapon were so disastrous and cruel that humans finally understood they had to stop. Most countries signed various agreements stating that they would not use and produce nuclear weapons. Still many countries have nuclear powers, either officially on non-officially, but no one comes to the scratch to use them. Everyone understands that the first bomb dropped will became the end of the world we all live in. Nuclear weapon is so powerful that dozen bombs dropped can slaughter several millions of people, depending on bombs’ sizes. The country which became the target of the nuclear attack will fight back with nuclear weapon murdering people and making land unfit to live on. That is why the issue of giving nuclear power to aggressive countries like those of the Persian Gulf is so debatable. The leaders of these countries state they need nuclear power in order to make the life of their people better, enhance their economy and protect ecology. For example, Iranian scientists prove that the oil and gas resources Iran has are not enough for satisfying the countries need of electricity, as the plants that recycle them to get electricity are out dated, with tons of equipment broken. The article published in Herald Tribune states that the demand on electricity is getting bigger with each passing year, and using non-renewable resources like oil for satisfying it is not rational, and, moreover, dangerous for the country’s ecology. They add that 57 of 60 oil fields need major repairs and modernization in order to produce enough oil to satisfy the demand in electricity. In general their viewpoint is easy to understand, as they want to use the cheap and relatively safe method of getting electricity most European and American countries use. In the same time Iranian aggressive politics towards other countries makes everyone suspect that they can use nuclear powers in purposes other than producing electricity. Giacomo Luciani, the Director of Gulf Research Center, states in his article â€Å"The Gulf Countries and Nuclear Energy† that the resources of oil are scarce in Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman. He proves that soon there will not be enough of oil there to satisfy the existing demand in electricity. He adds that the restrictions USA and its allies impose on Persian Gulf countries in the issue of nuclear energy put their industries from adequate development. Luciani reminds that there are some industries within these countries, like aluminium smelting and water desalination that are of crucial importance to this region, and to other countries. His viewpoint is that given that Persian Gulf countries are gradually becoming industrial ones it is not rational to deprive them of the means to get cheap electricity, which is essential for all industrial fields. â€Å"The key to success is exactly in viewing nuclear technology as an economic, not a political or security choice. † – says Luciani. Nevertheless, given the political situation in this region the question of granting access to nuclear power cannot be viewed as an economic issue only. Some of the leaders of these countries are too ambitious to be satisfied with current situation. Of course most people who vote for creating nuclear power plants in Iran, Dahrain and other countries of this region in fact want to provide electricity. Their goal is to help develop industry in this region, in order to provide well-being to its dwellers. Meanwhile one person in power who desires control would be enough to create nuclear power plants to security threat. There are no warranties that the leaders of these countries will not be able to access nuclear power plants, as their powers in their countries are almost unlimited. In addition, terroristic groups functioning in Persian Gulf region should not be forgotten. Terrorists are people who are ready for anything to reach their goals; murdering thousands of people is not an ethical problem for them; again, there is no warranty they will not be able to access elements used for nuclear reactions on plants producing electricity. Nuclear energy is a relatively safe and cheap source of electricity nowadays. Most American and European countries use it. Some economists see nuclear plants as a universal solution for satisfying the demand in electricity. Meanwhile there are aspects about nuclear energy that have to be considered when using it. Using nuclear power may be dangerous, as an uncontrollable chain reaction may occur, and lead to nuclear explosion. In the same time the danger exists that nuclear powers may be used to create nuclear weapons. This fear is one of the main obstacles for giving Iran and other countries of the Persian Gulf access to nuclear powers. Researchers prove it would be beneficial for their economy, but, given the current political situation in that region, the decision cannot be the purely economical one. At the moment giving nuclear powers to Persian Gulf countries is too dangerous for the well-being of all the people in the world. References 1. Lipper, I. , Stone, J. (1998). Nuclear Energy Society. Earth and Society Interaction Project. Retrieved January 3, 2008 from http://www. umich. edu/~gs265/society/nuclear. htm 2. Luciani, G. (2007). The Gulf Countries and Nuclear Energy. Gulf Monitor, 6(20-23). Retrieved January 3, 2008 from http://www. grc. ae/data/contents/uploads/Gulf_Monitor_no_6_3450. pdf 3. Renewable Energy Source. (2005). Nation Master Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 3, 2008 from http://www. nationmaster. com/encyclopedia/Renewable-energy-source#Is_nuclear_energy_renewable. 3F 4. Sahimi, M. , Mojtahed-Zadeh, P. , Afrasiabi, K. L. (2003, October 14). Energy : Iran needs nuclear power. International Herald Tribune. Retrieved January 3, 2008 from http://www. iht. com/articles/2003/10/14/edsahimi_ed3_. php

The Skills Of An Executive Assistant

The Skills Of An Executive Assistant Many years over, executive assistants roles, responsibilities and skills may have varied with changing time and the rapid upgrades of technology. According to Wise geek, defines executive assistants as professionals who functions as aides to corporate executives while the responsibilities associated with work as an assistant of this type will vary depending on the corporate culture that prevails within a given company. Executive assistants work for a company officer and possess the authority to make crucial decisions affecting such organizations, and are therefore a resource in decision making and policy setting. The executive assistant performs the usual roles of managing correspondence, preparing research, and communication while also acting as the gate keeper, understanding in varying degrees, the requirements of the executive and with an ability to decide upon the most important scheduled meetings and events. They may also represent executive at meetings. Executive assistants sho uld be able to motivate and influence people and mange projects. IAM study guide 2011 by Kathleen Stalker In some cases, the executive assistant delegates work to the administrative assistant based on competence, experience, and knowledge of the context, confidentiality, priority, urgency and availability according to www.trisatatedomestic.net. There may also be drawbacks or problems that will associate themselves with executive assistances. Examples for this assessment will be drawn from the Ministry of Finance of Trinidad and Tobago. It is an organization that prepares annual budgets and carries out the governments financial transactions. I have been employed under this Ministry for the past two years. The skills of an Executive Assistant: Executive assistants in todays world demands are huge. They must possess outstanding skills that every executive wants for the success of their business. As an executive assistant at the Ministry of Finance, the skills that I pose make me unique. These skills are: planning, directing, coordinating, organizing, budgeting, having a wide range of technical, analytical and assertiveness skills, conflict management skills, leadership skills, being an outstanding problem solver, efficient and effective decision maker, excellent communication skills, interpersonal and negotiation skills whilst at the same time knowing the culture of the organization and the business strategy. At the Ministry of Finance, I use all these skills on a day to day basis when bombarded with the challenges faced. For example, being able to analyze a given situation and make the right decision that will ensure it is contributing to the overall success of the Ministry. With this type of situation your communication skills are in use in transmitting information to stakeholders, leadership skills are pivotal so that the staff does not see fear, this way you can motivate them to move forward. Problem solving skills are imperative for situations that pose serious threat to the organization. I also possess skills such as being able to coach e.g. training, allowing for development of staff, and having a skill to discipline when necessary. One major skill that I have is the ability cope with different personalities in the work place. This was shown through the handling of three executives work amongst other employees at the same time. This in turn brought with it different styles of management that I had to adopt myself to. Another skill that stood out for me as an executive assistant is my ability to undergo continuous professional development. This in turn assists me in managing the challenges faced. As an executive assistant there are many responsibilities that are associated with its portfolio. These include: Roles and Responsibilities of Executive Assistant There are many roles and responsibilities that are associated with the executive assistant. At the Ministry of Finance, as the Executive Assistant, I must be able to assist the Chief Executive Officer efficiently and effectively. The major responsibilities that apply for most executive assistants and myself are, scheduling, which will be fully, discussed later down in diary management, travel arrangements, an integral responsibility that executive assistant must keep up to date with. At the Finance Ministry, our Chief Executive Officer always on board meetings in and around the Caribbean, therefore, his travel plans is always updated. Administration, that is, keeping an excellent track record of all documents at the ministry, liaisoning and communicating with other executives in the building. There are also the need for taking dictation and managing his day to day correspondence. I also prepare Management Information Systems- answering mails both electronically and via postal, prepare, edit and distribute itineraries, letters, memos and meeting minutes and keep track of for events and meetings making sure that things are not overlooked. (See Appendix for full job description of Executive Assistants- inclusive of roles and responsibilities) Executive Assistant in Supporting Systems and Processes A system is a group of related functions, elements and procedure which work together to ensure that tasks are accomplished and objectives met. Processes are procedures that convert resources into results which have a valuable for the organization, customer and stakeholders IAM study guide 2011 There are many skills that are engineered for me, the executive assistant in supporting systems and processes, these include; being able to adapt to changing technology example, computer literate, Information Communication Technology, excellent communication skills, being able to lead and motivate staff, handling huge amounts of files at a single time with its processes, good filing techniques, control, planning, organizing, coordinating, motivating etc. It is my duty to ensure that everything is secure because of the vast valuable information that is prevalent. At the Ministry of Finance, as an executive assistant, I still use the paper base or hard copy filing system. Filing in every organization is important and it serves as a track record for the organization. At the Finance Ministry, the filing system is functional and easy to use. The files are simple and quick to retrieve. It is done in an alphabetical order and executive assistants has a more efficient and effective use of this system. However, there is a variable drawback to this Ministry with regards to its security. Its safe but if a natural disaster to have strike, for example, a fire, then the problem may arise of loss of all hard copy information. There is also room for improvements within our system, for example the introduction of technology-computerized systems. This way paper would be saved. The executive assistants have many roles and responsibilities. When support ing a process, my job is dependent upon the structure of the organization. If the organization has a specific department for example Human Resources, then the executive assistant task would be limited. However, in an instant where the organization needs to employ Managers, Chief Executive Officers for the strategic level, then it will be assisted by the executive assistant for the executive manager. In this case I will be recruiting and advertising of the vacant post, short listing and acknowledging of the selected candidates of the date and time of their interviews and keeping of the personnel records of the staff. Executive Assistants and the Office Environment The environment is the physical layout of an office or its space, building structure and its contents within its structure. There are many skills that are needed for the executive assistant such as; should be aware of the Health and Safety Legislation, be able to budget and costing, there Human Resource and there comfort, risk assessment, reporting etc. I have a responsibility on advising my line managers on how appropriately they should develop an office environment to ensure that staff is satisfied and comfortable for work. Before any recommendations can be made, I must be able to distinguish the type of building that is present and then assess my work force. Employees want a safe and healthy work environment, so I need to take those factors into consideration when choosing an office environment. Normally, at a new age building, I would recommend with the new technology steel columns and trusses and reinforced concrete frames have liberated space which can be , if necessary be partitioned but lend themselves to open plan office layouts. However, at my office at the Ministry of Finance, our department is one of an open plan, where everyone work in one huge open space regardless of status and grouped together in logical work groups. At the Ministry of Finance, being an open plan, it brings everyone together, communication and decision making is improved. Teams absorbs knowledge across the area, music is played making work comfortable and enjoyable. It is very cost effective for the Ministry and all noisy equipment are placed at one corner of the department, example photocopiers, faxes etc. However, the disadvantages to this type of work environment is the traffic flow, people like their own space to personalize, there is the thought of no privacy and the lighting or heating they have no control over. An executive assistant needs to look at this to ensure that they create the right environment for their employees. Executive Assistant Managing Meetings and Events An executive assistant has one of their many duties, the role of organizing meetings of all kinds for their executive manager(s).A meeting is an event involving a group of people getting together to discuss and or decide, an event is a planned happening that occurs in a certain place, at a certain time and date IAM study guide 2011. The meeting will vary in size, but for its success or not, it will depend upon the efficiency and effectiveness of the executive assistant. A significant amount of skills I would need when comes to managing meetings and events are my strong planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating with leadership skills. There are many different meetings that can occur within the organization. It is the executive assistant role to identify which one is most important with regards to the situation at hand, For example, there are board meetings, annual general meeting, inaugural meetings etc. The executive assistant at the Ministry of Finance ensures that the following qualities or attributes are present at all events or meetings. A budget Who will be attending the eventmeeting An agenda What documents will be needed The venue How many attendees What equipment will be needed This type is done internally and externally within the organization. This way the executive assistant job role has been expanded, leaving no room for errors. Executive Assistant Project Management In order for me to support my line manger in the planning and conduction of projects independently, they must first understand what a project is? It is a temporary undertaking to produce a unique product, service or result IAM study guide 201l. There are many skills that are associated with executive assistant that will be required to perform their jobs. These skills include; clear objectives, able to cope with risk, excellent planning, good training and an astonishing team, clear scope and objectives, good communication skills, and good control of time and budgeting. All projects have four stages for its lifespan which include; starting the project, organizing and preparing, carrying out the work and closing the project. Projects have four controls that I know when designing, implementing and coordinating projects. These include, time, cost, scope and equipment. The time is when the project will deliver, the scope is what the project is expected to deliver with a description, and the cost is the amount of money needed to complete the project. For example at the Ministry of Finance, I have projects such as coordinating sports days, conventions, creating accounts for the yearly fiscal budgets with teams, and doing small external projects such as fixing the pavements in front of and around the building. Its my duty to develop and allocate its time; cost and what will be delivered in its respected amounts. Few projects may have failed due to the lack of clear objectives, the lack of risk management and senior management, no team building, understated scope, unrealistic resources, no change control, poor planning, no training and most of the times because of poor communication. This is prevalent within organizations and most times with the executive assistants. The executive assistant must keep those aforementioned risks in consideration always for the prevention of project failure. Executive Assistants Managing Diaries and Events According to Sue France 2009 Executive assistants support their executive manager by not only managing and organizing their own time but that of their bosses. Maintaining diaries is very useful for an executive manager and it is essential that the executive assistant does this. Diaries can be hard copy or the normal old fashioned style or more modern day style of electronic diaries. Electronic diaries have many advantages that are associated with it that will allow executive managers and there assistants work more efficient and effective. I can access electronic diaries with Microsoft Outlook which makes the handling of multiple entries easier and shared with executive managers and other staff. Advantages associated with electronic diaries include; the accessibility from any computer or mobile device, sends reminders of meetings, be easily edited, once involved in any project can track the project status, entries can be shared, information can be integrated with other data proportion. However, at the office that I am presently employed, the Ministry of Finance, I currently use the hard copy diaries that are on their desks. It is my responsibility to ensure that my line manager attend all his meetings on time as scheduled. Throughout projects, for example, scheduling dates for manager to attend budgets planning, to ensure that the executive gets there with all the necessary paper work up to date and on the specified date and time. Executive Assistants and Communication Although there are all the aforementioned roles, responsibilities one of the major skills of an executive assistant is their ability to communicate effectively. I communicate via telephone, internet or even face to face. According to Sue France, she says that an essential criterion of executive assistant with regards to communication is their ability to network. She describes networking as about listening and strong knowledge and helping each other achieve their respective goals. Executive assistants should be able to evaluate the most appropriate communication channel or tool to ensure the effective passing on of information. At the Ministry of Finance I am able to communicate effectively and efficiently in order to get the job done. If communication is not done properly, then the work will not be up to standard for the achievement of the organizational goals. In order for this to happen, I am able to identify qualities such as, body language, how people interpret information, writing correct style of emails, use of Information Communication Technology and adapting to different cultures. Skills will also be needed from the executive assistant for the use of telephone etiquette, being able to listen, and being able to communicate throughout the organization form strategic level through to the operational level both horizontally, vertically and diagonally. Poor communication can shatter or bring down a business to a loss, for example, with the case from the IAM study guide entitled Communicating with stakeholders Bernard Mathews did not speak up to defend his turkey producing industry against the bird flu disease. Thus, resulting him and his company to lose sales by 35% and went into a loss position. Since then in 2008 the company went into a turnaround communication perspective that gives the consumer more attention. Conclusion In conclusion, Executive Assistants roles and responsibilities go a long way in nurturing the success of the business. It is not only supporting systems and processes, maintaining an appropriate office environment, organizing meeting and events, project planning or managing diaries and communication. It is all of the above and many more associated with this portfolio of the executive assistant that the selected incumbent must possess. Now that the role, responsibilities and skills of an executive assistant have been examined, it shows what attributes are required for an efficient and effective executive assistant. For the individual to be able to cope with all challenges faced within the organization he or she must adapt to change and allow room for continuous professional development. In this way the executive assistant would learn new and improve techniques to cope with situations. Bibliography IAM Level 4 Diploma in Business and Administrative Management Qualification Handbook (2011 Edition) Administration for Executive Assistants Written By- Kathleen Stalker France S (2009) The definitive Personal assistant and Secretarial Handbook Published by- Kogan Page Ltd Mullins, L.J. (2007) Management and Organizational Behaviour 8th Edition Harlow, Financial Times Prentice Hall www.wikipedia.com Internet Service Definitions and other sources of materials that were needed www.wisegeek.com Definitions and other sources of materials that were needed www.hewlett.org For the copy of the Executive Assistants Job Description and Specification

Emily Dickinson: Transcendentalist Experience Through Imagination :: essays research papers

Emily Dickinson: Transcendentalist Experience Through Imagination   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The early 19th century ideas of transcendentalism, which were introduced by Ralph Emerson and David Thoreau, where man as an individual becomes spiritually consumed with nature and himself through experience are contrasted by Emily Dickinson, who chose to branch off this path by showing that a transcendentalist experience could be achieved through imagination alone. These three monumental writers set the boundaries for this new realm of thought. Although these writers ideas were not similar, they all followed the simple idea that â€Å"the universe is composed of Nature and the Soul† . The male perspective seen through the works of Thoreau and Emerson, where nature â€Å"refers to essences unchanged by man; the air, the river, the leaf† , is revised and satirized by Dickinson's statement that â€Å"Of all the Souls that stand create-, I have elected- One† . Dickinson's works were meant to taunt society by showing how a woman, ironically trapped in her â€Å"natural† surroundings of the home, could obtain as much power, if not more than any male writer. This ironic revisions of ideas is directed at all male transcendentalists and figures in society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Both Ralph Emerson and David Thoreau used societies stereotype of the true male environment, â€Å"nature†, to draw their power and write from their experiences. Experience was the most important factor to these writers. The ability â€Å"to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account in my next excursion† was the basis of all their writings. â€Å"To get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the whole world† was their goal behind all their writings. They did not use their power of writing in order to gain a transcendentalist experience, but rather to record them. Both Emerson and Thoreau chose to contact their true natural surroundings, and experience time alone in the â€Å"woods†. By being â€Å"in solitude†, it brought forth a conciseness that â€Å"all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to their influence† .   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mans views of nature being rightfully his, to do with what he wants, is harshly contrasted by Emerson, who feels that â€Å"Nature sais,-He is my creature† . Emerson felt that man, corrupted by society, can over power the fate of over looking his true meaning. Escaping from the wheel of society into â€Å"the woods, is perpetual youth†. By living in the woods, he found that fusing nature with soul, one can accomplish anything.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Emerson felt that nature was an extension of five of his senses, where he could feel the tree moving in the wind as if it was his own body.

Augustine’s Confession Today Essay

In my opinion I feel as if Augustine’s Confessions is still very much relevant and timeless in today’s world in the aspect of religion and spirituality, morality, and love. In Confessions Augustine undergoes a transition from his original view on religion to a different view. He begins to be cautious of sin in his life and in the lives of those around him. Most of all, Confessions helps in understanding the Journey of man in his search for a more spiritual connection, the struggles they may be faced with, and he right path to be chosen, which is a struggle that many can relate to today. When looking at this in Confessions you see in Book VIII, Augustine tells us of his transition to Christianity. He describes how he was able to overcome his struggle with his internal battles and become a follower of Christ. Augustine describes his struggle as having â€Å"two wills, one carnal, one spiritual, were in conflict with one and other†. Augustine’s is having an internal battle between his pleasure seeking side and his spiritual side. The quote â€Å"This was the controversy raging in my heart, a controversy about myself, against myself† is where Augustine recognizes this internal conflict between his good and bad side. This is when he embraces Christianity. This statement is relevant today in many ways. The statement does not Just apply to religion. In life in general, there will always be internal battles that you will have to face. Whatever it may be, you will have to decide what the right path to take it is and this will be what defines you as a person. During Augustine’s Journey you notice in ook VI of Confessions that Augustine is struggling with his feelings on sex, women, and love. He begins his spiritual Journey and has to change his perspective from being a young man that has an overwhelming desire for sex and women to a lifestyle that is in compliance with the church. This means that he can only have sexual relations within the confines of marriage. Augustine comments on his struggle with this as he describes himself as a â€Å"slave for lust†. After he sends his mistress away he says: â€Å"And so, since I was not a lover of wedlock so much as a slave of lust, I procured nother mistress–not a wife, of course. Thus in bondage to a lasting habit, the disease of my soul might be nursed up and kept in its vigor or even increased until it reached the realm of matrimony. Nor indeed was the wound healed that had been caused by cutting away my former mistress; only it ceased to burn and throb, and began to fester, and was more dangerous because it was less painful. † Augustine uses words such as â€Å"wound†, â€Å"bondage†, and â€Å"disease of my soul† suggesting that Augustine sees this as a bad habit that needs to be fixed. In book VI you can see that is thoughts on women and love are pushing towards the church’s thoughts on it. Yet, his body is still struggling with this his lustful desires. After reading Confessions you can see what the Augustine goes through in order to achieve his goals of spirituality. As well as through his first-person narratives you gain an understanding as to what may lead to conversion and the path towards spirituality. Through reason and the strength to overcome the struggles with internal battles, such as morality and lust, the Journey can be completed. Augustine’s Confession Today By savannahr87