Professional Educators Making A Difference Essay - 1

Professional Educators Making A Difference - Essay Example The professional educators are therefore bringing about a much needed difference not only within their own lives but also within the entities of the ones who are studying under them or with them. Their excellence is being continuously supplemented and the credit for the same goes on to their shoulders and the institutions which are making professional education a possibility without any doubt (Mearman, 2006). The professional educators are bringing about a difference within adult education which was not experienced in the past. There is a definitive difference that is being seen with their measures and the studies that they have undertaken (Ramey, 2011). The on-the-job training as well as the in-school training has brought dividends to just about anyone who is related with the field of professional education in one or the other capacity (Buchen, 2005). This will essentially be the cornerstone of bringing new possibilities within professional education and hence people at large will b e benefited because of the varied realms of professional education all said and done. Ramey, Craig T. The Dosage of Professional Development for Early Childhood Professionals: How the Amount and Density of Professional Development may Influence its Effectiveness. Advances in Early Education and Day Care, 15,

Almost One of the Gods. The Odyssey, by Homer Essay Example for Free

Almost One of the Gods. The Odyssey, by Homer Essay An epic hero is one who does not act irrationally and contemplates his actions and their implications. Odysseus, of Homers The Odyssey, is an appropriate epic hero because he embodies the values of bravery, intelligence, astuteness, and competency. Numerous examples are found throughout The Odyssey. Such illustrations include Odysseus conflict with the Cyclops, the Sirens, and Scylla and Charybdis. First, Odysseus proves that he is a mortal laudable of being dubbed an epic hero during his conflict with the Cyclops. Odysseus shows evidence of his intellectual abilities by first devising a plan to disable the Cyclops and then by cleverly telling the Cyclops that his name is Noman. Odysseus exemplifies his physical strength by putting his plan into action and ramming a monstrous spear into the Cyclops eye. Later, when the Cyclops calls for help, he says that Noman is doing harm to him. Another event in which Odysseus displays his physical and intellectual abilities is during his passing of the Sirens. Odysseus shows that he has wisdom by listening to the goddess Circes advice and putting wax into his crews ears so they will not take notice of the Sirens and try to swim across the ocean to them. He also has his crew lash him to the mast so he can listen to the Sirens without being able to jump out of the boat. This incident also tells of Odysseus physical force because when he attempts to free himself from the mast the crewmen have to fasten him down even tighter. Finally, Odysseus confirms his great intellectual aptitudes by getting past Scylla and Charybdis. Odysseus, following Circes instructions, avoids Charybdis, and chooses the side of the six-headed monster, Scylla. Odysseus recognizes that the six-headed beast is too large for him to mà ªlà ©e with and rows very swiftly, successfully surpassing it. In conclusion, Odysseus is a perfect example of an epic hero. Odysseus has all of the traits of an epic hero. He has verified these qualities in many intricate situations in which he always gets out of and is always prepared for.

A view on cumulative satisfaction

A view on cumulative satisfaction Whether in doing business or as an end user of a product or service we tend to realise the importance of value for money. Consumers look for products or services of good quality for the price that they are willing to pay. This pursuit of value is the basis of their perceived satisfaction. Customer satisfaction plays a vital role in deciding value. The overall purpose of this article is to identify the importance of customer satisfaction for organizations and most essentially when and why cumulative satisfaction is important for businesses today. It is vital to make sure that the customers are happy and to view customer satisfaction as a main key to organisational success. Quality of a product or service is a means to an end. Customers perception of a products quality is part of a customers assessment of value and satisfaction. What is Customer Satisfaction? In todays competitive business environment, Organisations thrive to become the market leaders in their respective fields to gain profits. Customer satisfaction is seen as the key to any companys competitive advantage and profitability. It is the overall customer attitude towards a product or a service provider, or the reaction to the difference between what the consumer expects and what they receive, in order to fulfil a need or desire. Customer satisfaction is a highly personal assessment that is affected by customer expectations and is also based on the customers experience with a service or a product, idea, personnel. Imagine going to a reputable shopping venue in Sri Lanka such as Odel, where the atmosphere is excellent for shopping. Renowned for quality products ranging from clothes to jewellery and also provides various facilities such as handy ATMs, telecommunication, cafes where customers can sit and relax after shopping, the play area for children with adult supervision, and the efficient staff who are willing to help all their customers with a smile. In such a place, the overall experience that a consumer gains is what creates value for customers. This value creation adds to the overall satisfaction of the customer. The atmosphere at Odel and the quality products along with the services would affect the customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction and its effect on Organizational profitability Businesses focus on Customer satisfaction mainly to increase their customer loyalty; this generates repeat purchases, thereby increasing their revenue, and importantly helps them to survive among the intense competition. Exemplary organisations focus on how to give their customers a positive experience in order to gain their trust and loyalty because the purchasing behaviour of loyal customers creates higher organisational revenue and reduces the cost of doing business. Satisfied customers will often refer the business to their family and friends which will create positive word of mouth, attract new customers and minimise the costs of advertising. When customers are highly satisfied they are less likely to switch to other service providers. For example a loyal customer of HSBC who is been given recognition for being a HSBC card holder for a long period will be treated exceptionally by the bank, providing him with premium rates, special bonus packages, and therefore this satisfied customer will not want to switch to another bank. Although attracting new customers is important it also can be costly, but serving current customers who are well satisfied with the business and its service can be rather cost efficient. Moreover, highly satisfied customers are less price-conscious because they are brand loyal and will pay a premium price for a product or service. Therefore having satisfied loyal customers will most certainly have a direct impact on profit. This is why successful businesses focus on customer satisfaction. Change in the perception of customer satisfaction through time There was a time when customers were less demanding and less vocal if they were less satisfied with a product or service. This is not that time. In the modern business context customers are becoming more demanding and less tolerant and with a combined increase in expectations, they are ever more concerned with their satisfaction and look for recognition and respect from these service providers. Customers have more power and therefore demand much more than just the product or service. Today, customers are looking for that extra value added full package as opposed to just the product or service. It is the basis of their customer satisfaction. So when is customer satisfaction most important for businesses? The answer is now. It has never been more vital. Cumulative satisfaction and its impact on business Overall satisfaction is not based on a single experience, but rather a chain of positive experiences bringing about a cumulative sense of satisfaction. The perceived value at the pre-purchase stage is short lived, however it sometimes transforms into satisfaction in the post-purchase stage. This post-purchase satisfaction results in repurchases and leads to greater trust and customer loyalty which is a result of cumulative customer satisfaction. A product has five key components such as goods, services, experiences, ideas, and people. Quality should be embedded in all of these components which ultimately creates value, when what is been received is evaluated against what is been offered leading to transactional satisfaction or results of one off exchanges. If a consumer is satisfied with a particular experience, that will eventually lead to cumulative satisfaction where the consumer engages in multiple experiences. Cumulative satisfaction is a psychological state, which leads to a deep sense of trust towards the product or service. This trust will be embedded in the customers mind and therefore will not think twice about purchasing the product or service. For instance, when a customer goes into a groceries super market such as Cargills food city, they reach first for the reputed brands in which they lay their trust. For instance if a customer has been using Colgate toothpaste for the past five years and trusts the brand through experience, thereby he will undeniably select and purchase that particular brand among many other toothpaste brands. This unconscious loyalty stems from countless positive experiences associated with the particular brand. This is what most businesses are looking for. Cumulative satisfaction; as the basis of customer relations In an increasingly impersonal world, customers look for personalized service. Since customer satisfaction varies depending on the individual, it is essential that businesses tailor their services for the customers subjective needs. This is where building customer relationships begin. Since cumulative customer satisfaction leads to loyalty and trust, it is plausible to state that customer relations stems from customer satisfaction. Giving a one-on-one service will enhance the customer experience providing greater cumulative satisfaction. Customers therefore will revisit the business and thus strengthen the relationship between the customer and business. For instance consider salon, Ramani. It is a reputed and leading salon in Colombo. They pay attention to detail, whiles giving an additional touch to the whole salon experience by providing not only a tranquil environment but also a calming beverage. Most importantly, they give a tailored service to each customer. Therefore a relationship is built between the customer and their stylist. This is further strengthened through regular visits and revisits. It is clear that customer relations are rooted by cumulative satisfaction. Due to years of experience and satisfaction, a relationship is built between the customer and her stylist. Furthermore, it should be noted that any decision made to remain loyal to the product or service or move to a competitor is based on prior experience and is positively correlated with the duration of the relationship throughout which the customer has been satisfied. Therefore businesses should consider the longer the relationship between the customer and service provider, the less probability of losing that customer to a rival business. Ways that businesses can improve customer relations In order to improve the cumulative satisfaction levels of customers, service providers should continue to aim at delivering good quality services and products in order to improve the total product value and to build profitable relationships based on cumulative satisfaction. Keeping the consumer happy should be their main goal, to retain the customers loyal and satisfied, businesses should delight their customers and give due recognition to their loyalty, for instance profitable customers should be given special treatment such as special bonuses, loyalty cards, special discounts. Some service providers go to the extent of keeping track of their customers birthdays and send cards for these special occasions, this is in order to maintain a healthy relationship with their customer base. The famous Ritz-Carlton hotel keeps a record of all their guests favourite snack, chocolate, which is entered into a computerized tracking system so that when the guest returns to any of their worldwide hotels these items, will be offered to the guest to make them feel special. Creating cumulative satisfaction does not always have to be done in a huge scale but making the customers feel special while providing value for their money is what should be done, giving customised products and service, having good and efficient employees to fulfil every customers needs, anticipate their needs before the competitors take action, asking customers about their needs, getting feedback in order to avoid any defects.. As small and medium organisations, you should keep in mind how cumulative satisfaction can lead to Organisational success and profitability. It is of paramount importance to build and maintain relationships with your consumers that will eventually lead to customer loyalty and trust.

Writing and Being Chapter II Exploration: The River of Your Life :: Journal Writing

Writing and Being Chapter II Exploration: The River of Your Life Dear Journal, I've taken some looks back to early point of my life. I was curious to see what got me to this point in my life and what had me turn out to be the person that I am today. I went back as far as my birth to see or try to notice certain things or events that shaped my personality. Like I said, I went back as far as my birth to figure it out. My birth was most definitely the weirdest thing I've ever experienced, and the worst thing that I probably will ever experience, besides my death, which, so I've heard, is being born backward. Being born was so weird because it happened through a C-section. I was born on January 20, 1982 in a hospital in Chicago Heights, Illinois. I can't remember whether it was night or day. My parents were there, my grandparents were there. It felt weird because I had no idea whatsoever about what was going on at the time or where I was. I didn't even know what people were at the time, either. I thought the people watching over me were weird objects. I'm sure I was crying like crazy because of all the commotion. Then, I went to sleep later after all that and woke up. I was wondering what happened. I might have been in a different room for all I knew then or all I know now. Everything that went on during the first year or so was weird because I didn't know what I was doing or how I was doing it. I'd never experienced it before and didn't know what anything was. From that point on until age ten, about 1992, life was very easy. I didn't have to work for what I wanted, I'd still just have it given to me, in every place but school. But I was a good student who did the work, I just didn't like to do it. For a few years after my birth, my grandmother helped raise me while my mother was trying to attain some degree, Masters, Bachelor's, I'm not sure which. She used to roll me to the park every afternoon in a carriage and always fed

Executive Remuneration Analysis of Vodafone

Executive Remuneration Analysis of Vodafone 1. Introduction Executive remuneration is the compensation which company rewards for the executive directors. Since the early 1980s, executive payment increase rapidly. The unjustified increasing of executive remuneration pushes the reform of remuneration policy. The Cadbury code mentioned this problem in the Code of Practice in 1995. Cadbury gives some suggestions to companies about the executive remuneration policy.According to his suggestions, companies should dividend total payment into the basic salary and performance-based bonus, and the remuneration report should publish in the annual reporting every year [1]. In additional, UK government provides the vote right for shareholders to supervise the company’s executive remuneration, it also can force executive directors taking investors’ interest into account when they design the company strategy [2]. The analysis of big companies’ remuneration policy is more emphasi ze by investors and government, especially after the 2008 financial crisis.Investors are paying more attention to whether the executives deserve the high reward. Therefore, the analysis of executive remuneration is more necessary and valuable. Companies in FTSE 100 have the highest market capitalization in UK, and it means the analysis of FTSE 100 companies is most valuable. Vodafone Group, as one of the biggest company in the FTSE 100 companies, has business in almost 70 countries. And the market capitalization is nearly ? 90bn [3]. Last year, Vittorio Calao, the CEO? of Vodafone received around ? 0m for remuneration in fiscal year 2012, which is one of the highest remuneration in the FTSE 100 [4]. Although the executive rewards are higher than others in the FTSE 100, there still are 96. 12% shareholders voting in favour with the Vodafone’s remuneration policy [5]. This raises the question that why there are a huge amount of shareholders convincingly supports their highest r emuneration. This essay analyses the executive remuneration for Vodafone Group. Firstly, it will talk about the remuneration principle. Then the Remuneration Committee will be discussed.This part aims to measure whether the Remuneration Committee according to the UK Corporate Governance Code. The third part will explain the remuneration package of Vodafone Group, both base salary and various bonuses are included. At last, the essay will discuss the rationality of Vodafone’s executive remuneration from the perspectives of remuneration policy itself and the comparison with other companies. 2. Remuneration principle The aim of Vodafone’s executive remuneration is driving executives to achieve the company’s long-term strategic goals by offering an attractive and competitive reward [6].Vodafone wishes to make sure that their executive directors keeping in the highest level in work by providing an attractive payment. For example, a part of rewards are measured by the performance for this year. Therefore, executive directors were given an opportunity to achieve the truly exceptional performance. The remuneration package is determined by Remuneration Committee after Comprehensive consideration. The Remuneration Committee will choose some relevant group of comparators when setting total reward. It makes sure that the executive remuneration policies are considered on a total compensation basis.The comparators are choosing from some basic considerations, which are as follows: 1) top European companies, 2) top UK companies, 3) particularly for scarce skills, and 4) the relevant market in question [6]. These comparators mean that Europe is the major region for business for Vodafone, and the company is original from UK. According to above three principles, the external comparators are consisting by similar size companies, and the European top 25 companies and a few other select companies relevant to the sector.Additionally, the external comparator group do not including the financial companies, such as bank and insurance company. Another important Remuneration principle is that the rewards will related to the performance both long-term and short-term. According to the Annual Report of 2012, performance-based reward account for 70% in the whole remuneration package [6]. Vodafone build a link between executive directors and shareholders by this way, in order to force executive directors think about shareholders’ interest. 3. Remuneration CommitteeAccording to the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Remuneration Committee must include at least three independent non-executive directors [7]. The Remuneration Committee of Vodafone is consisting by independent non-executive directors and running independently in the company. The chairman of Remuneration Committee is Luc Vandevelde, and there are another five members in the Remuneration Committee. All of them are the non-executive directors in company. There also are two external adv isors: PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (‘pwc’) and Towers Watson.Pwc is responsible for performance analysis and giving suggestions about company strategy and measuring the performance. It also supports the international business of Vodafone, such as tax, finance, compliance and operations. Another external advisor Towers Watson provides the market data of executive payment to Remuneration Committee. They also manage the pensions and benefit for Vodafone [6]. There are a lot of factors need to be considered by Remuneration Committee when deciding the payment package. Firstly, Remuneration Committee consults the CEO and HR directors’ opinion of the appropriate reward package for executives.Secondly, the external advisors give the Committee another perspective form the external information analysis. They can provide the benchmark of directors’ reward about other similar company on the market. Additionally, Committee also take the company’s strategy into ac count, both long-term and short-term are important. In fiscal year 2012, Remuneration Committee had five meetings to discuss the Short-Term Incentive bonus, Long-Term Incentive plan and basic salary in order to determine the total remuneration packages of the executive directors appropriately [6].Remuneration Committee particularly report four chief executive directors in the Directors’ Remuneration Report, including Chief Executive Vittotio Colao, Chief Financial Officer Andy Halford, Chief Technology Officer Stephen Pusey and Regional CEO Europe Michel Combes, and the reporting also include the reward of non-executive directors. 4. Remuneration package The Vodafone remuneration package is divided into five parts: base salary, Global Short-Term Incentive Plan (‘GSTIP’), Global Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘GLTI’) base awards, Global Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘GLTI’) co-investment matching awards and benefit [6].These parts reflect the remu neration policy of Vodafone which make the executives holing a lot of company shares to align the interest of executive directors and investors. It also obeys the UK Corporate Governance Code that keeping the reward in a level which is attractive and motivate to the directors, and designing the performance- related income based on long-term strategy. Base salary aims to attract and retain the best talents. It reflects the directors’ level of skill, experience and the responsibility in Vodafone. In fiscal year 2012, Committee decided the base salary stay at the same level with 2011[6].Global (‘GSTIP’) measure the performance in this financial year with the short- term financial and non- financial target, and the GSTIP is paid in cash in June 2013. The related performance is service revenue (25%), EBITDA (25%), adjusted free cash flow (20%) and competitive performance assessment (30%). This bonus can flow from 0-200% of base salary, and it reward 93. 4% of target f or financial year 2012[6]. Global Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘GLTI’) is consist of performance shares which award every year and vest three years later to force directors on the Vodafone’s long-term strategy.The vesting of performance shares is determined by the adjusted free cash flow and relative TSR performance. Both operational performance and external performance are included in the two measures in GLTI. The target GLTI face value of CEO is 137. 5% for basic salary, and 110% for other directors. In this year, executive directors was rewarded the vesting the shares of 2008 fiscal year at 30. 6% of maximum [6]. Global Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘GLTI’) co-investment matching awards means that executive directors can purchase Vodafone normal shares and turning them to performance shares after holding three years.Benefit is the pension scheme for the executive director and other benefit such as company car and private medical insurance. 5. Analysis of the director remuneration Figure 1 Total remuneration for 2012 (based on Vodafone 2012 Annual Report) The Figure 1 shows the detail of the total remuneration for fiscal year 2012 including a value for GLTI payment. Without the GLTI vesting during this year, Vodafone actually paid 30. 35m pounds to CEO Colao, 19. 27m pounds to CFO Halford, 21m pounds to Europe region CEO Combes, and 14. 08m pounds for CTO Pusey [6].The Figure 1 illustrates that all the four chief executive directors’ incomes are increasing except the CTO Pusey. Although the total rewards were general increased, GSTIP for fiscal year 2012 was decreasing. In the meanwhile, salary and cash in lieu of pension were keeping in the similar level with last year. Therefore, the increasing of total remuneration was due to the significant increasing of the item cash in lieu of GLTI dividends. During the fiscal year 2012, the Global Short-Term Incentive was deduct from last year. The total actual short term incentive pay ment was 93. %, while the target payment is 100% and the maximum payment is 200% for the basic salary [6]. According to the remuneration policy of Vodafone, GSTIP is influenced by the performance for this year. There are four indicates to measure the GSTIP: service revenue, EBITDA, adjusted free cash flow and competitive performance assessment. According to the 2012 annual report, the service revenue slightly increased to 46. 4bn pounds, which was just arrival the target performance [6]. However, the EBITAD and adjust free cash flow were cut down, especially the adjust free cash flow.Because of the loss of China Mobile Limited and the dividends of SFR, the actual pay-out percentage for adjust free cash flow is 8. 5, while the target performance is 20% in the whole GSTIP [6]. The policy of GSTIP is related to both the financial and non-financial performance in this year in order to measure the executive short-term performance in a rational way. The target performance is not only base d on the Vodafone’s strategy and past operation, but also taking the long-term strategy into account. Figure 2 Adjust free cash flow target and range for awards Based on Vodafone 2012 Annual Report) Figure 3 GLTI award for 2008 & 2009 (based on Vodafone 2012 Annual Report) Opposite the reducing of DSTIP, cash for Global Long-Term Incentive Plan is significant increase. The GLTI is determined by adjust free cash flow and the TSR outperformance of a peer group median. These two indicators consist a matrix in order to measure the internal operational performance and external performance. The long-term operation cycle is three years which means the target performance of financial year 2012 was settled in 2010.According to Figure 2, the target for 2012 is 18bn pounds, while the actual adjusted free cash flow for 2012 was 20. 9bn pounds [6]. Another important measure is the TSR performance. The figure 3 shows that Vodafone’s TSR was outperformance than the peer group which c onstitute by the similar size companies. The TSR performance increasing by 18. 5% in 2012, and exceed the target number. Therefore, the TSR performance for 2012 was paid by 100% of maximum to executive directors, while there is only 30% in 2011.Figure 4 Five year historical TSR performance (based on Vodafone 2012 Annual Report) Table 1 Comparison of Vodafone & BT Group (Base on [6] [8] [9] [10]) 201220112010 CEO Reward ?000Total Revenue ?bnCEO Reward ?000Total Revenue ?bnCEO Reward ?000Total Revenue ?bn Vodafone303546. 46282645. 88266844. 47 BT Group250518. 90235920. 1210520. 1 To compare with other similar size companies in UK, figure 4 reflects the Vodafone TSR performance compare with the average level of FSTE 100. From this figure, it indicates that Vodafone’s TSR performance is higher than the average level of FSTE 100.It means that the Vodafone Group is in a better operation situation among FSTE 100 companies. Therefore, it is reasonable that Vodafone’s executive remuneration is higher than the similar size companies. Additionally, the comparison in Table 1 is shown in similar result. BT Group is another strong competitor of Vodafone in UK telecommunication industry. The numbers in table 1 are published in the annual report for the two companies from 2010 to 2012. The total revenue of Vodafone is basically twice as much as BT Group, while the difference between the CEO remuneration is just around ? m in the three years. Through above analysis, Vodafone remuneration is in a rational level, and it is corresponding to its operation performance. 6. Conclusion All in all, Vodafone executive remuneration is acceptable and in a rational level. It not only reflects the operation performance but also obey the rules of UK Corporate Governance Code. The executive remuneration is setting by an independent remuneration committee which consist by five non-executive directors and two external advisors.The remuneration report is published by Remuneration C ommittee in Vodafone’s Annual Report. The remuneration package divide into base salary, Global Short-Term Incentive Plan (‘GSTIP’), Global Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘GLTI’) base awards, Global Long-Term Incentive Plan (‘GLTI’) co-investment matching awards and benefit. Through these five parts, executive reward is related to performance and the investor interest, and can help executives focusing on company’s strategy. Therefore, Vodafone executive remuneration can be seen as a good example in executive remuneration policy.

Racial Discrimination Within the Gay Community Essay

My community is the most diverse of all. I am speaking of the gay community. Our community consists of people from every race, every religion, every gender, and every economic sector. We claim to be all-inclusive, embracing everyone despite our differences and celebrate our diversity with pride very openly. The issue of gay civil rights came to national attention on June 27, 1969. On that evening, police raided a small gay bar in New York’s Greenwich Village called The Stonewall Inn, which sparked three days of rioting. The event is considered the single most important event that led to the modern movement for gay civil rights. The gay community’s perseverance has led to gay pride celebrations being held across the country. San Francisco is the considered the birthplace of pride celebrations, as a â€Å"gay-in† was held on June 27, 1970, to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Current pride celebrations often include themes such as inclusion and diversity, demonstrating the gay community’s beliefs that everyone should be treated equally, regardless of any differences. However, as Buchanan (2005) stated, â€Å"We claim to be the most maligned group in society, but when it comes to discrimination, some say that gays can give as good as we get† (Gays at receiving end of bias claim). The issue of racial discrimination in the gay community came to light when the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC) issued their report on April 26, 2005 after an investigation of alleged discrimination at a popular bar in the Castro. The investigation was initiated by a group of citizens that claim the bar, SFBadlands, was practicing discriminatory acts in employment and patronage. I frequent the bar in question regularly and am personally acquainted with an African American who works there as a bartender. The group making the accusations, And Castro For All, alleged in a letter sent to the HRC June 22, 2004, that the owner of the bar implemented policies to discourage African Americans and women from patronizing the bar. The group also alleged that the bar owner practiced discriminatory hiring practices. Out of the forty-five employees of the bar at the time, only seven were â€Å"people of color† and none were women. The group requested the HRC investigate the bar owner and his business practices to determine if there were any â€Å"civil rights violations†. The group also requested the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to revoke the owners’ liquor license. Further allegations against the bar and it’s owner included unwarranted removal of African-American and other minority patrons from the bar, inferior service to minority customers and denial of entry of minority customers due to dress while white patrons dressed similarly were admitted. The commission found the bar and its owner discriminated against African-American job applicants and customers, however there was insufficient evidence to conclude any other wrongdoing. During the ongoing investigation, And Castro For All staged protests in front of the bar that caught media attention and sparked national conversation regarding the persistence of racism in the gay community (VanDeCarr, 2005). During these protests, the bar was busy as usual. The demonstrations, one of which was held during the Castro Street Fair, a popular street fair held every October, did little to diminish patrons to enter the bar. As I stood in line that day waiting to enter the bar, listening to the chant â€Å"Think before you drink† there was not much for me to think about. I had talked to the African-American bartender that I know about the allegations, and he responded that the allegations were false. The protests and demonstrations by And Castro For All have been compared to the civil rights and women’s movements of the 1960’s and 1970’s. The fight for gay marriage has also been compared to the civil rights movement. These comparisons have people of color raising an eyebrow, and have bred hostility where it should have sown solidarity. In Massachusetts shortly after gay marriage was legalized, Governor Matt Romney told city clerks they could enact a 1913 law forbidding out-of-state couples from marrying if their home states would not recognize the marriage. The law was written with the intention of barring interracial marriages. The Massachusetts Supreme Court made another equation when gay marriage was legalized. They referenced the historic cases that legalized interracial marriages to the case that led to the legalization of gay marriage by citing the difference as a single trait: skin color in the interracial cases, sexual orientation now. This â€Å"formula of gay = black has upset some Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people of color† says Hernandez (2005 Gaily ever after 11). During the 1990’s when the gay movement went mainstream, LGBT people of all colors claim it became a mouthpiece for wealthy gay men. The reason the comparison of gay marriage to the civil rights movement has raised indignation say some LGBT people of color is because it does not account for the racial and economic privileges white gays have. In not being able to marry, some say this is the first time that white gays are feeling the effects of discrimination. Further accusations of racial discrimination in San Francisco’s Castro district disrupted a meeting of the Merchants of Upper Market and Castro (MUMC) on March 3, 2005. The subject of racial discrimination came to a head when the President of MUMC was accused of paying obligatory attention to the growing concerns of racism in the Castro. White males own most businesses in the Castro, a fact that many do not realize. In attendance at the meeting were about 25 members, five of which were either non-white or female. Thanks to a neighborhood economic development program organized by the LGBT Center of San Francisco, a yoga studio opened in October of 2004, which is the first black-owned business in the area in a few years. So, what does the future of the Castro look like? According to Bevin Duffy, an openly gay man on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is hopeful. Speaking after a mediation agreement was signed between the owner of SF Badlands and the group An Castro For All, Duffy is quoted: ‘This has been a painful process but it has created a great deal of awareness of the distance we need to go to be a truly inclusive community†¦. I hope for all of us it is an opportunity to heal now and to move forward, with each of us individually committed to be open, welcoming and accepting to people in our community who may be different. ’ (Bajko, 2006, p. 2). Not everyone shares Mr. Duffy’s optimism. Gomez (2006) states â€Å"Thirty years from now maybe queer will have evolved from a fashion statement†¦and retained its original connotations: progressive, independent, empathetic, activist. Colored queers will still be making the noise of protest†¦Maybe by then we’ll believe we’re stronger together than apart† (Race: the growing chasm, 10). I think Gomez is wrong, at least when it comes to my neighborhood. I have hope for my neighborhood. The Castro has long been seen as â€Å"gay mecca† to LGBT people the world over, and hopefully the racial scar isn’t too deep. At least the actions of a few people have paved the way to change. Until we can resolve the inequalities in our own backyard, will we then be able to achieve equality with our straight allies, such as equal marriage rights. Once we become the kind of people we say we are, then we can become a racially diverse role model for the world.

Stanley Yelnats essays

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How to Write a Conclusion for a Presentation on Exchange Systems in the United States

How to Write a Conclusion for a Presentation on Exchange Systems in the United States You are either on this page because you would like to learn more about writing material for a presentation or know more about the topic of exchange systems and the part they play in the United States’ economic system. Whatever the reason may be, one thing is certain; you would not be disappointed. Therefore to delve into today’s subject matters, let us start with a brief explanation of the terms ‘exchange systems and economics in the US’ so as to create the perfect background needed to understand the tips provided below. Exchange systems are the methods in which trade is made. This systems could include barter or the use of currency- as is done officially in the US- as a means of paying for goods or services rendered. Economics discusses the factors that affect trade and come into play when exchanging an item for a product. Now, there are diverse details, facts and figures contained in the role they play in the United States therefore to write a mind blowing conclusion for your presentation, one must have full control of the information contained in the entire presentation. Be Knowledgeable about the Subject Matter The technical nature involved with exchange systems and economics means acquiring knowledge on them is a task that cannot be taken likely. You, the student, is tasked with reading journals, opinion pieces and studying the facts behind the US economy so as to have a well-rounded knowledge of the United States floating exchange rate system, its GDP, what makes up its GDP as well as economic facts and effects on the American population. This knowledge will stand you in good stead when summarizing the contents contained in your introduction and the body of your presentation to make up your concluding paragraphs. Understand What the Conclusion Is All About To write a great conclusion, you need to understand your subject matter as well as what a conclusion consists of and why it is important to include one in your presentation. A concluding statement or paragraph is not just a way to let your audience know that you are done with presenting your message. It is more like a summary of every question asked and the corresponding solution given, written in fewer words and in a clear format that finally seals the knowledge contained in your entire presentation in the brains of audience members. Therefore, the conclusion must be well articulated, free of any extra facts or statistics so it stays on course will be remaining brief. Render the Conclusive Message Most presentations are presented using spoken word and if yours fall into this category, then you must draft a concluding message which will serve as pointers or reminders while you speak on exchange systems in the United States. Therefore, the information to be written down should concern an explanation on the questions raised and the answers or solution you provided throughout the body of your presentation. This briefly outlined texts will also ensure that your audience do not focus unnecessarily on the information in your PowerPoint slides but on the stirring concluding speech you have planned out. Lastly, practice makes perfect. So ensure you eliminate jitters, stage fright and temporary memory loss by practicing in front of a made-up audience- preferably of family members- as well as go over your presentation speech multiple times and the perfect score will be yours.   For additional material on this subject and genre please check our 10 facts for writing a presentation on exchange systems as well 20 topics on them.

Keynes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Keynes - Essay Example nce these conflicts usually come to an end †¦ It is only in the field of economics that the state of war seems to persist and remain permanent.† (Dillard, 1948) This observation by Knut Wicksell is perfectly applicable to the impact and interest Keynesian economics has generated in the last seventy years or so. The rest of this essay is an attempt to assess the impact made by the Keynesian school of thought in the context of international economy. John Maynard Keynes’ seminal work, the General Theory, has had a profound effect on the way macroeconomic thought had evolved ever since. It divided the fraternity of economists into two groups. On one side were those who believed that a capitalist market economy does not need governmental interference as it is intrinsically regulated by underlying price mechanisms. The other group questioned this supposed self-equilibrating economy’s ability to minimize unemployment rates. This was a widely debated topic during the 1950s and 1960s. Ironically, economists resorted to the neoclassical analysis for settling this argument. As it stands, some form of reconciliation seem to have been achieved between the two viewpoints, but not a convincing one. The economic mechanism behind unemployment rates is of interest to both politicians and businesses alike (Dillard, 1948). In this context, Keynes had made a significant contribution in deciphering and helping understand these key ec onomic processes that concern public representatives and common citizens. To quote, â€Å"The theoretical debate relating to the consistency of macroeconomic equilibrium with an excess supply of labour appeared to have been won by supporters of the invisible hand view, but as a practical matter it was accepted that the self-righting properties of the market were too weak and needed the helping hand of fiscal and monetary policies in order to achieve and maintain the primary stated objective of full employment. Keynesians of all persuasions

Uncooperative Witness & Collection of Evidence Assignment

Uncooperative Witness & Collection of Evidence - Assignment Example Given such circumstances the investigator has to find ways and means of convincing that witness to agree or find another way to collect the required evidence. Introduction The process of collecting evidence to be used in the prosecution of an offender usually involves collecting evidence from witnesses. Witness accounts are usually by far the best type of evidence in criminal cases as a god truthful witness can be most convincing at a trial. However, when witnesses choose to be uncooperative due to fear or any other type of misgivings, it may make it hard for a prosecution to be successful and may even result in the acquittal of a guilty person or the throwing out of the case on a technicality. It is the investigators’ work to ensure that they get the most reliable and believable witnesses but it is also important that the witness be willing and able to testify in a court of law when called upon to do so. It is therefore the work of the investigator and the prosecution in prep aring witnesses for court and also ensuring that their testimony is availed to the judge and jury in the most efficient manner. 1. The investigator’s work is to ensure that all the evidence is presented to a court of law in a way that makes it possible for the correct finding to be made based on facts and evidence presented. One of the prime duties in accomplishing this is the finding, interviewing and preparing of witnesses that will be able to give useful evidence at trial (Shirreff, 2011). This process can be hampered when a witness is reluctant or uncooperative because of what they may perceive as negative impacts of their testifying at a particular trial. The investigator therefore needs to be very careful in their handling of the witnesses by clearly explaining to them the reasons why their evidence is required. The evidence that the witnesses give needs to be handled in a manner that ensures that it is not contaminated either by being influenced by that of other witnes ses in the same trial (Bertino, 2011). It is important that the investigator familiarizes himself or herself with the situation of the witness and that all the circumstances in which they have to testify. This needs to be clarified ducting the interview process and be recorded as such to ensure that the witness knows that the investigator is fully aware of what the witness thinks will be the impact of their testimony on himself and others. Such collection of evidence in an orderly and calm composed manner also ensures that the witness feels safe and secure in the trial. It is important the investigator also makes the witness aware of any danger that they may be placing themselves in by testifying and also, more importantly, the remedies that are available in law to mitigate this. One of the paramount duties of the investigator is to protect the integrity of all their evidence including the evidence that is given by the witnesses and in this case it means protecting the witness thems elves (Bertino, 2011). 2. There are some ways in which an investigator can ensure that an important witness co-operates with the investigation. One of the most important ways is to reassure the witness that the impact of their evidence is to get the right person imprisoned and also where

Haitian culture Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Haitian culture - Research Paper Example For instance they think that an angry spirit, most probably enlisted by a foe, causes physical deformity. Haitians freely touch friends and family (Colin, 2006). Healthcare providers can freely touch them, in fact, they might touch healthcare providers to let them know that they are being spoken to (Colin, 2006). They have a closely knit family and extended family system. Normally three generations lived together under one roof in small homes. They have a male dominant social system where the men make family decisions. Behind the scenes than men are highly influential (Colin, 2006). But in case of a healthcare situation the spokesperson can be the father, mother or any other person of that family. Haitian culture is based on male chauvinism (Colin, 2006), where men considered themselves free of household responsibilities and childcare. They are expected to be the sole providers and the authority figure that disciplines the children. The women in a family are the real backbone as they manage all operation. Fathers are usually the distant figures that rule with authority. However, there is a changing trend among Haitians living in the United States. Many intergenerational conflicts are occurring with parents and their children hold opposing views. Sex, peer affiliations and roles within a family are among the top issues for such conflict. The females of a family provided caring role. Healthcare providers need to understand this information because certain traditional norms are important to understand to be prepared when taking care of Haitian families. Among family and friends, Haitians keep very close personal space (Colin, 2006). With strangers however, they keep a distance while talking or during any other form of communication. Healthcare providers can stand close to the patients. Haitians are very hospitable people. They would offer the most comfortable space to the guests. The Haitian culture represents the tribal mindset.

Ethical Issues currently found in Education Research Paper

Ethical Issues currently found in Education - Research Paper Example Sexual misconduct in a school setting is a broad subject and basically defines unwelcome or unwanted sexual advances from teachers, lecturers, and administrators working in the school. In all educational institutions, the association between students and their teachers is central to the educational mission of the school’s administration. Various educational establishments have rules that stipulate that there should be no non-academic ties between students and teachers because they can affect the basic integrity of the academic relationship between students and teachers. Sexual relationships between students and teachers, even when they are consensual, tend to adversely affect both the student and teacher involved. The prohibition of sexual relationships in a school setting usually extends to include all people working within a school. For example, sexual relationships involving other workers in the school or between teachers are also prohibited. Moreover, the issue of sexual r elationships between teachers and students is what carries greater weight in public forums because it involves people who are empowered and people who are not empowered. There is a greater likelihood of teachers or lecturers taking advantage of their exalted positions within a school setting to procure sexual favors from less empowered students than the other way around. In addition, when there are sexual relationships between two teachers or other administration members, the relationships tends to have equal consequences for both parties- which is not the case for student-teacher sexual relationships. Many educational experts have stated that even when the student gives his or her consent to having a sexual relationship with the teacher involved, this is still a type of sexual harassment. This is because the relationship between the student and teachers can never be equal. Even if the student involved imagines that he or she is making an independent decision, this is just not the r eality. One of the reasons why many cases of sexual associations between teachers and students are not reported is because the student may not mention it to any adult. Usually, such stories are revealed when a student finds a reason to continue about the relationship. Educational institutions strive to protect their students from teachers who may threaten students with low marks or the possibility of failing examinations unless they provide sexual favors. Sexual relationships between students and teachers do not only affect the people involved in them. For example, if a teacher with a class of 50 students is having a relationship with one of his female students, the other students are likely to start resenting the female student in question because she may be the beneficiary of more favors than she is entitled to in an academic sense. The male students are particularly affected by this type of association because they tend to feel that there is nothing that they can do to be able to compete on the same level as the girls in the class; some of whom may choose to avail themselves to the teacher to get high marks. In the past, there were many societies in which sexual relationsh

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 36

Case study - Essay Example f job cuts, but this is a challenge that has been over-looked owing to the fact that the overall long term economic benefits surpasses this challenge, especially when the company that has been taken over performs poorly (Morse, 2009). In this regard, company takeovers do not necessary benefit the specific companies, but also the society as a whole. Research indicates that when performing an organizational takeover, care should be taken to ensure that the legal and ethical norms guiding this activity are not violated (Morse, 2009). This report will entail the analysis of a case study involving Home and Personal Care Products, which is a parental company that took over a prestige Fragrance Company. The discussion will specifically indentify the challenges faced by the Company’s Finance manager, Lisa as she attempts to solve the challenges she identified in the takeover process as well as ethical issues identified. When companies undertake takeovers, it is evident that some of the employees within the companies that have been acquired may experience job cut-offs, while other may be subjected to demotion in the sense that their companies will have to be part of a larger company. In the case of Lisa, one ethical issue that faces her as she attempts to challenges the existing policies as well as procedures of the acquired company is the fact that the job position of the acquired company’s financial controller, Mr. Anderson has been affected. Mr. Anderson has worked in the Fragrance Company for the last 12 years and has worked hard for his promotions. However, when his company was acquired by the Home and Personal Care Product, this meant that he will be subjected to working in a smaller branch, rather than the larger company he used to work in. This is another ethical issue that presents a challenge to Lisa as she attempts to solve the problems presented by the acquired company’s procedures and policies. Inter-personal relationship is a key component of ethical

BSBMKG501A Evaluate Marketing Opportunities Essay

BSBMKG501A Evaluate Marketing Opportunities - Essay Example In any organization, there are some tangible and intangible assets, which are used as resources, when company is searching and evaluating various opportunities. Basically marketing activity focuses on assessing and satisfying customer needs, with in the organization; management is responsible for establishing these goals. These are certain resources i. e., key people groups, forces outside the organizations, channels, brand values, relationship, partnership, suppliers, buyers etc. apart from physical resources like technology. In search of opportunities skill of the people working with in the organization always play's a crucial role, opportunities lies in best marketing research to know about innovative product requirements its time and cost well in advance and to exploit these requirements. Best marketing research need more strong financial background and personal skills. Shortage and delay in adopting, technologies plays crucial role in searching opportunities. Intangible like bra nd plays major role in exploring opportunities. When a particular brand already exists in the market and it launches some product in the market, needs lesser advertisement and hence needs less cost investment, but if brand is new and it is to be launched, needs more expensive and exhaustive promotional campaign. In present era, where consumer needs are changing continuously and fastly meeting consumer needs and preferences always cost heavily on the company. Firms spend billions of dollars annually in search of new opportunities on marketing and technical research to add to brand value and product improvement. For example, Hot Pockets, especially formulated meat and cheese, microwavable sandwiches and more than 20 varieties have been introduced but in 2002, after Nestle acquire chef America, it has added its marketing muscle to promote the brand, ability to invest in technologies, training to enhance skills of its employees, upgrading the skill of an employee are few of the resource s which could limit the search for the opportunities by the company. In any company search of opportunities needs financial resources, skill of its employees, its brand value, its technologies adoption, its organizational capabilities, and its ability to conduct market research as nearer to actual. Now as a marketing manager, one has been assigned a vital job is that of recognizing the nature of competition, the potential threats competitors may represent and development of opportunities response strategies. Michael Porter (1980) has proposed that competitive threats can be classified into five major steps: The threat of other producer firms already operating within the market sector (Kotler, 2003). The threats of customer moving up stream to also become producers and / or using their purchasing power to dominate terms and condition for purchase. The threat of supplier moving downstream to become a producer or using their control over critical resources to dominate terms and condition of sale. The threat of a substitute entering the market always been seen carefully. Finally the threat for new entrant who was not previously a major player in the market has to be analyzed properly. To avoid head on competition with competitors, Marketing manager has to opt certain initiatives, w hich must be strategic, cross functional and bottom-line oriented. Marketing manager

Ethical Issues currently found in Education Research Paper

Ethical Issues currently found in Education - Research Paper Example Sexual misconduct in a school setting is a broad subject and basically defines unwelcome or unwanted sexual advances from teachers, lecturers, and administrators working in the school. In all educational institutions, the association between students and their teachers is central to the educational mission of the school’s administration. Various educational establishments have rules that stipulate that there should be no non-academic ties between students and teachers because they can affect the basic integrity of the academic relationship between students and teachers. Sexual relationships between students and teachers, even when they are consensual, tend to adversely affect both the student and teacher involved. The prohibition of sexual relationships in a school setting usually extends to include all people working within a school. For example, sexual relationships involving other workers in the school or between teachers are also prohibited. Moreover, the issue of sexual r elationships between teachers and students is what carries greater weight in public forums because it involves people who are empowered and people who are not empowered. There is a greater likelihood of teachers or lecturers taking advantage of their exalted positions within a school setting to procure sexual favors from less empowered students than the other way around. In addition, when there are sexual relationships between two teachers or other administration members, the relationships tends to have equal consequences for both parties- which is not the case for student-teacher sexual relationships. Many educational experts have stated that even when the student gives his or her consent to having a sexual relationship with the teacher involved, this is still a type of sexual harassment. This is because the relationship between the student and teachers can never be equal. Even if the student involved imagines that he or she is making an independent decision, this is just not the r eality. One of the reasons why many cases of sexual associations between teachers and students are not reported is because the student may not mention it to any adult. Usually, such stories are revealed when a student finds a reason to continue about the relationship. Educational institutions strive to protect their students from teachers who may threaten students with low marks or the possibility of failing examinations unless they provide sexual favors. Sexual relationships between students and teachers do not only affect the people involved in them. For example, if a teacher with a class of 50 students is having a relationship with one of his female students, the other students are likely to start resenting the female student in question because she may be the beneficiary of more favors than she is entitled to in an academic sense. The male students are particularly affected by this type of association because they tend to feel that there is nothing that they can do to be able to compete on the same level as the girls in the class; some of whom may choose to avail themselves to the teacher to get high marks. In the past, there were many societies in which sexual relationsh

BSBMKG501A Evaluate Marketing Opportunities Essay

BSBMKG501A Evaluate Marketing Opportunities - Essay Example In any organization, there are some tangible and intangible assets, which are used as resources, when company is searching and evaluating various opportunities. Basically marketing activity focuses on assessing and satisfying customer needs, with in the organization; management is responsible for establishing these goals. These are certain resources i. e., key people groups, forces outside the organizations, channels, brand values, relationship, partnership, suppliers, buyers etc. apart from physical resources like technology. In search of opportunities skill of the people working with in the organization always play's a crucial role, opportunities lies in best marketing research to know about innovative product requirements its time and cost well in advance and to exploit these requirements. Best marketing research need more strong financial background and personal skills. Shortage and delay in adopting, technologies plays crucial role in searching opportunities. Intangible like bra nd plays major role in exploring opportunities. When a particular brand already exists in the market and it launches some product in the market, needs lesser advertisement and hence needs less cost investment, but if brand is new and it is to be launched, needs more expensive and exhaustive promotional campaign. In present era, where consumer needs are changing continuously and fastly meeting consumer needs and preferences always cost heavily on the company. Firms spend billions of dollars annually in search of new opportunities on marketing and technical research to add to brand value and product improvement. For example, Hot Pockets, especially formulated meat and cheese, microwavable sandwiches and more than 20 varieties have been introduced but in 2002, after Nestle acquire chef America, it has added its marketing muscle to promote the brand, ability to invest in technologies, training to enhance skills of its employees, upgrading the skill of an employee are few of the resource s which could limit the search for the opportunities by the company. In any company search of opportunities needs financial resources, skill of its employees, its brand value, its technologies adoption, its organizational capabilities, and its ability to conduct market research as nearer to actual. Now as a marketing manager, one has been assigned a vital job is that of recognizing the nature of competition, the potential threats competitors may represent and development of opportunities response strategies. Michael Porter (1980) has proposed that competitive threats can be classified into five major steps: The threat of other producer firms already operating within the market sector (Kotler, 2003). The threats of customer moving up stream to also become producers and / or using their purchasing power to dominate terms and condition for purchase. The threat of supplier moving downstream to become a producer or using their control over critical resources to dominate terms and condition of sale. The threat of a substitute entering the market always been seen carefully. Finally the threat for new entrant who was not previously a major player in the market has to be analyzed properly. To avoid head on competition with competitors, Marketing manager has to opt certain initiatives, w hich must be strategic, cross functional and bottom-line oriented. Marketing manager

Occurrence of distress Essay Example for Free

Occurrence of distress Essay According to Bandura (1976), depression arises from frightful events that are anticipated rather than those that have occurred or are occurring. Hence, any person’s solution to depression is to plan in advance so that the events that occur are taken to be normal, with no adverse impacts. In much the same way, Beck’s theory highlights the future as a cause of anxiety among individuals. Beck (1971) noted that individuals who look at the future with diminished hope are likely to achieve little in their lives and live under perpetual fear. In addition, such individuals are prone to committing errors in their work and are full of negative beliefs about whatever they do. Random thoughts and distortion of thinking In relation to Bandura’s social cognitive theory, people act the way they do because of the patterns of thought and emotional reactions that they develop. Hence, the ability to tackle distressing events skillfully is vital in fending off conditions of depression. Bandura (2006) opined that random thoughts could make people to perceive some tasks to be too tedious, while the same thoughts can also make some people develop an urge to take more diverse and difficult tasks. Therefore, people’s performance in various tasks depends on how well their pattern of thought functions. This pattern of thought is nothing but the organization of the mind at any time in readiness for work. Bandura noted that individuals who are well prepared to work accomplish their tasks fast and derive much satisfaction. The converse is true for individuals who lack vigor and are always outdone by difficult situations. Seemingly supporting Bandura’s idea is a point in the description of Beck’s theory, which says that people usually have schemas of distress in their mind albeit in a latent state. Hence, if an individual if provoked, the schema becomes engaged and the person becomes irritated. Nevertheless, the level of irritation or depression depends on the character of the person involved. In this perspective, Beck (1979) noted that depression is usually a systematic dysfunction of the mind that leads to the development of negative opinions about oneself, other people or the environments, and the future. Further distortion of thinking hinders proper development of concepts in the mind and leads to depression. Comparing the two theories with reference to depression, it is notable that distress or depression arises among people because of failure to properly coordinate the faculties of their minds. Whilst adults are more affected by depression, both theories recommend that training children to overcome depression should be done early enough in order to avoid future occurrences of the problem. Inasmuch as the triads used as models for Bandura’s Cognitive Theory and Beck’s Cognitive Theory have different constituents, the arguments and illustrations to elucidate both theories seem to be unified in the context of behavior, personality, character and so on. Nonetheless, the two theories still portray differences, which are discussed in the next sessions.

Legal Effects of the Mabo Case in Australian Law

Legal Effects of the Mabo Case in Australian Law The Mabo cases are some of the most well known cases in the Australian legal system, this paper will focus on the Mabo v. Queensland, a case that was litigated over for almost a decade in the Australian high court, this case was a monumental step for indigenous people in Australia. From the colonisation of Australia by the British in 1788 The native Australians (Aboriginals) have fought to claim back their land, but it was seen by the first Australian colonists that Australia was terra nullius and therefore the indigenous people had no claim to land rights. There are many different points that need to be addressed before we can show that the legal effects of the Mabo case have turned out to be deceptive. The Mabo cases were seen by many people in Australia as a victory for indigenous people throughout Australia, but for some indigenous people it was not seen in the same light. A long battle between the indigenous people and the commonwealth had be going on since the first settlers had arrived in Australia and claimed the land as terra nullius (un-inhabited), even though Australia was clearly not un-inhabited. The indigenous people of Australia had a long and devoted relationship with the land and had set-up their families and homes on this land. In 1982, Eddie Mabo began an action for a declaration of native title over the Queensland Aboriginal land claims. They argued that terra nullius had wrongfully been used by the settlers that colonizied Australia, because for thousands of years indigenous Australians had enjoyed a relationship with the land that included a sense of ownership. In 1992 the High Court of Australia rejected terra nullius and the myth that the first settlers had used to deprive indigenous Australians of their land. In doing this, it recognized that native title existed before the arrival of the first Brittish colonists. The judgment became known as the Mabo decision, one of the most controversial decisions ever seen in an Australian court. It was a decision that was quite hard to fully comprehend, as there was no deffinition to which native title existed in Australia. Mining and other industry groups were not happy with the decision as it would take more time and money to gain leases on land and their applications may also be denied, but was celebrated by indigenous Australians and Paul Keating (prime minister), as an opportunity to appologise to indigenous Australians for the treatment they received and the taking of their lands. The Mabo decision in the high court awarded certain land rights to indigenous people, which were celebrated by some, but the terms and conditions that went along with the final high court ruling did not benefit all indigenous and had some negative effects on the indigenous, there are many requirements that must be met in order for an indigenous person / persons to claim rights to land in Australia, which some people see as unfair. For a long time before the first settlers came to Australia Aboriginals have inhabited what they called Mother Earth and there was a strong bond between the aboriginals and their land that they raised their families on, hunted on and built their homes on. The aboriginals roamed the whole of their country as the pleased and had many different sacred sites throughout, sites which had a link to their ancestors and what they called the dreaming, then in 1788 all of what they know and respected was taken from them by the white man, the first settlers had arrived from England and had claimed that land, that the aboriginals had called home for so many centuries, terra nullius (un-inhabited). With the arrival of the first settlers came with them a system of laws and government that had never been seen by the aboriginals. Laws and government that did not benefit the aboriginals in any way shape or form, laws that took away their land and left them with nothing. The indigenous people in Australia have suffered in different ways and forms from the days of the first settlers and have fought to claim back what many see as rightfully theirs, their land and their rights to own land and live, hunt and follow the way their ancestors lived on/ from the land. There have been many attempts by the indigenous to claim back their land and the MABO v Queensland is just one of many. Many of the land rights battles were started by the Milirrpum others v Nabalco Pty Ltd (1971), the Yolnga people brought an action against the Nabalco Corporation which had secured a twelve year mining lease from the federal government, ATNS. (2003), the argument was that the federal government had no right to offer a lease to the lands as they belonged to the aboriginal people. Justice Blackburn stated that native title was not part of the law of Australia and went on to add that even had it existed any native title rights were extinguished, ATNS, (2003), the rights of the indigenous were not heard until nearly two decades later when Justice Blackburns decision was overturned in the MABO others v Queensland others case, the indigenous peoples rights were considered for the first time since the colonization of Australia, Cullen, R. (1990). With the overturning of Justice Blackburns ruling the indigenous people of Australia have finally been given some legal rights to be able to claim some of their land back. But with these rights come quite a few guidelines and requirements that have to be met for an indigenous person to be able to make a claim to land in Australia, some of which in the Northern Teretory include, under the act the only land claimable is un-alienated Northern Territory land outside town boundaries, land that no-one else owns or leases, usually semi-desert or desert, also claims have been known to take a large amount to be decided and are often rejected by the government and Aboriginals must also prove to the government that they have a lawful claim to the land and that under their Aboriginal laws that they have a responsibility to sacred sites that they are trying to claim, Australiatrek.com. (n.d). Other states such as South Australia have different guidelines and requirements that have to be met in order to claim land some of which include the Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act 1981 South Australia This gives Anangu Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people title to 10% of South Australia. The land, known as the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands, is in the far north of the state. Just south of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands lie the Maralinga Lands, this area was largely contaminated by British nuclear tests in the 1950s, this land in South Australia was returned to its Anangu traditional owners by virtue of the Maralinga Tjarutja Land Rights Act 1984 South Australia, Australiatrek.com. (n.d). To define native title, parliament passed the Native Title Act in 1993. Despite the mining industries anger, the act gives indigenous Australians very few new rights. It limits the application of native title to land which no-one else owns or leases, and also to land with which indigenous Australians have continued to have a sacred bond to. The act states that existing ownership or leases overrides the native title, although the native title may be given back to indigenous australians after mining leases have finished. If land is successfully claimed by indigenous australians under the act, they will have no rights over the developments of the land that they are claiming, including mining royalties. In conclusion i would have to agree and say that initially the Mabo decision would have been seen by indigenous Australians and by non-indiginous Australians as a win for all of the indigenous Australians living in Australia at the time of the decision.

Ts Eliot Mood And Theme :: essays research papers

T.S. Eliot -mood and theme WITH REFERENCE TO THE LOVE SONG OF J. ALFRED PRUFROCK AND PREDULES. DISCUSS HOW T.S. ELIOT CONVEYS MOOD AND THEMES. Both Prufrock and Preludes are based in the same rootless world of sordid tedium. In Prufrock Eliot is conveying a theme a strong theme and is based heavily in the Persona of Prufrock himself. Preludes is a poem of changing moods, some subtle, some profound but this time conveyed primarily through diction and repetition. One theme of Eliot's, The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, is the exposure of the modern individual's inability and refusal to address inadequacies that he sees in both him and his society. Two ways Eliot conveys his theme is through the persona of Prufrock and repetition . One method used by Eliot to expose this theme is his use of the persona of J Alfred Prufrock. Prufrock is in part a shallow conformist, 41 ....My morning coat, my collar mounting firmly to the chin, 42 My necktie rich and modest, but asserted by a simple pin- 43 (They will say: 'But how his arms and legs are thin!')...... However, almost tragically, Eliot has Prufrock aware of the shallowness of the society to which he conforms. 26 There will be time, there will be time 27 To prepare a face to meet the faces that you meet. Prufrock observes his society's ability to totally disregard any question of substance, that is, the 'overwhelming'; questions. Yet despite his observations Prufrock is not prepared to confront his society, more importantly, himself. In deeper tragedy Prufrock is defeated by his knowledge of his inadequacies and states quite sincerely, 'And in short, I was afraid'; Two of the minor themes of 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock' concern the frustrations felt by the individual towards their society. Specifically the individuals insignificance in their society and the individuals inability to express themselves and be understood as an individual within that society. Repetition plays a crucial role in conveying the theme of insignificance. The r epetition of, 'They will say:..';, conveys Prufrock's feeling of insignificance and reveal a man totally absorbed in the judgments of others and not at all concerned with his worth as an individual. Eliot's repetition of 'Do I dare?'; within the sixth stanza emphasises Prufrock's feeling of insignificance. 'Do I dare/ Disturb the universe?'; Despite the superficial judgments his society passes on him, Prufrock is still hesitant in speaking out against their empty lives.

America: Myth Of Equality Essay -- essays research papers

America: Myth of Equality To many, the Unites States serves as the ideal model of democracy for the modern world. Yet, how truly worthy is America of this status? Although it has been said that, â€Å"Equality is as American as baseball, hot dogs, and apple pie,† one must be extremely critical when analyzing such a statement. By taking a historical perspective to the question of how â€Å"equal† American equality actually is, it is simple to recognize how problematic the â€Å"Land of the Free† mentality can be. The early America’s most prominent thinkers have been sensationalized and given credit for developing a free and equal system. However, one can recognize that their manner of thinking was far from this idea of â€Å"all men are created equal† by critical examination of their literature.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When analyzing equality, a sociological and legal approach must be made. In the case of the United States, the sociological stratification, or division of power, of minority groups had adversely affected the development of the legal system. Especially in the 1600s and 1700s, legal and social equality of those not of the Caucasian persuasion, the less fortunate, and of the female gender was almost nonexistent. This inequality is a direct result of the early American society’s ranking system. Equality was not perceived in the minds of such individuals as John Winthrop, John Adams, and James Madison, and as a result, their significant accomplishments towards the development of the American system have tainted the institution itself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the earliest American social groups was the 17th Century Puritans. This society had an extremely unique and strict manner of thinking that was entirely based on inequality. This is clearly represented by the writings of the Puritan leader John Winthrop. In â€Å"A Model of Christian Charity,† Winthrop outlines the societal rationale, and in turn, the disparity of equality in his society. The gist of the Puritan way of life is that, by the grace of God, certain individuals were empowered with the ability to be enlightened and the capability of achieving much within the society itself. However, by the same reasoning, some individuals were also destined to take the lesser roles in society, and as a result, had no power to move up within the ranks because of this inescapable predetermination. Thi... ...the initial American system. The factions that Madison concerns himself with were the population’s majority, otherwise known as the lesser classes. As a result, the establishment of division of power and checks and balances clauses would give the populace a lesser chance of gaining much authority over the already established aristocracy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If this is the case, why is America perceived to be relatively fair and equal today? Fortunately the early American politicians did develop framework to allow the Constitution to evolve, and combined with the political movements in both minority and women’s rights of the end of this century, much of this unjust stigma has been eliminated from the system. Still, racial discrepancies in the courts occur more frequently then not, and the social makeup of American politicians continues to follow a predetermined â€Å"mold.† Is this a direct result of the discrepancies formed in the earlier stages of American history? It is hard for anyone to tell. What is indisputable is that the Declaration of Independence’s statement, â€Å"All men are created equal,† was far from the truth during early American history. Word Count: 1,323

American value and health care policy

United States government has been concerned with the running of the health care to a point of establishing Medicare more than 40 years ago to facilitate the running of the health care institution. Since then, the government has had a role to play toward ensuring that American citizens get access to better health care facilities. There has been remarkable improvement in provision of health care for the last 50 years as the United States government has ensured that the quality of health care is enhanced, it’s more accessible and affordable to all people.Effective treatment of various diseases has been discovered due to the fact that the government has constantly been sponsoring researches to be carried out in molecular biology thereby enhancing the understanding of a number of diseases. (Anderson, Hussey, Frogner and Waters, 2005) State intervention toward the running and management of health care in United States lagged behind the intervention of Europe which was the first to b e concerned with the running of their health care systems.In the ancient days, clinical training and medical education in United States had not been standardized until the state intervened toward standardizing the health care institution at the end of the 19th century. A board that would license examination began to be formed in 1870’s and came to be in operation in 1898 in all states. Many people enrolled in the medical schools and by 1900, 10% of physicians who were practicing in America had graduated from the already established medical institutions following the establishment of the licensing examination board.Flexner Report and American Medical Association ensured more medical practitioners graduated from the already established medical institutions and in fact, 20 years later, all medical practitioners who were practicing in United States had graduated from these institutions. (Woolhandler, Campbell and Himmelstein, 2003) The government of United States also has facilit ated the provision of health care facilities in United States of America by ensuring there is a considerable national health insurance system.The history of national health insurance date back in 1915 when an association of about 3,500 professionals that included: lawyers, academicians and social scientists proposed the scheme. The American Association of labor Legislation drafted a bill that was proposing that the state to bring forward health legislation that would be compulsory. (Anderson, Hussey, Frogner and Waters, 2005) The government of has been very supportive on the issue of national health insurance scheme that would benefit the American citizens.A security Act was signed in1935 by then the president of United States of America President Roosevelt which brought about the issue of renewing the discussion of coming up with a governmental national insurance scheme. Later on, Senator Wagner attempted to introduce a bill that was meant to outline a federal health program that w ould serve all the American citizens in 1939. However, his efforts failed to bear fruits as the bill never gathered enough support that is required for enactment of a bill.The efforts of the legislator to come up with a bill that would facilitate the provision of health care did not end there. In early 1950’s during Truman administration, a health care bill was revived and this time as Ewing proposal. The bill despite being submitted to the congress for action and enactment, nothing was heard of it and those efforts did not bear any fruit. (Anderson, Hussey, Frogner and Waters, 2005) The role of the government on provision and running of health care systems in United States came to right in 1965 after President Lyndon Johnson signed a health bill thereby creating Medicare.Since then, provision of health care in United States has never been the same and all American citizens have had the access to better medical care within their reach. (Feldman, 2001) There has been significa nce growth of national health care and Medicare costs that are said to have been contributed by: ? Newly introduced diagnostic equipments and facilities. ? Increased population especially of the elderly people which is projected to increase to about 45 millions in ten year’s time. ? Administrative costs that are rapidly increasing. ? Advancement of medical technology which is advancing day by day, and? Advancement of surgical procedures such as hip replacement and coronary artery bypass. A number of medical equipments were discovered that have significantly added value to the overall provision of medical care in United States. These equipments have enabled health care facilities to offer efficient health care to the American citizens and these machines include: blue cross, respirator, dialysis machine and iron lung. These have enable provision of health care to show some improvement as they enabled diagnosis of diseases even to be faster. The government has been very supporti ve more so in the provision of funds toPurchase drugs. The budgetary cost of prescribed drugs has been increasing significantly of the years and in fact, provision of medical care is known be spending the highest share of the total national budgetary allocation. Statistics shows that drugs prescribed in 1980 were 6% and this increased in 2003 to 12%. It is projected that due to the increased population of the elderly, the budget allocation on Medicaid, entitlement of social security and Medicare is to increase and expenditure is estimated by 2025 to reach $4 trillion. (Anderson, Hussey, Frogner and Waters, 2005)Although the government shows some willingness to provide affordable health care to all American, it is the high time the society should take a challenge of accepting national health care scheme that is provided and be ready to pay contribute toward it. They should also take the initiative of avoiding the administration and control therein by the awkward governmental and insu rance bureaucracy in the industry. It is the high time American citizens are supposed to advocate for provision of effective and efficient health care delivery that is accessible and affordable.(Woolhandler, Campbell and Himmelstein, 2003) The question medical practitioners need to ask themselves is whether they have a responsibility on caring for all American citizens who are ill. It is difficult for one to survive if he or she is unhealthy hence seeking health care by American citizens and any other human being is mandatory. Indeed if all American people are healthy, there will be increased productivity since everyone will be working toward building the national. This in turn increases tax that will be collected by the exchequer as result of increased productivity.As a result, it makes life even better since more funds will be allocated to various projects that are beneficial to the common citizens such as government health care, improving of transport network and provision of edu cation among other amenities. For this care, I would urge the federal government to continue allocating a high share of fund to Medicare when it comes to allocation of funds in the annual national budget. References Anderson, G. F. , Hussey, P. S, Frogner, B. F. , Waters, H. R.(2005): Health spending in the United States and the test of the industrialized world; Health Aff (Millwood) 2005; 24:908 –11 Feldman, R. D. (2001): American Health Care: Government, Market Processes, and the Public Interest. Oakland, CA: The Independent Institute Rothman, D. J. (1997). Beginnings Counts: The Technological Imperative in American Health Care: New York, Oxford University Press Woolhandler, S. Campbell, T. and Himmelstein, D. U. (2003): Costs of health care administration in the United States and Canada. N Engl J; Med 2003; 349:768 –75

Assess Critically Three Causes of World War I Essay

World War I and its consequences have dominated European history since 1914. Because of the bitter controversy over the post-war peace treaties, the origins of the war continued to be an issue of utmost political importance in the years to come. The Great War had its roots in 1870 in the grand expansion and uncontrolled ambitions of Bismarck and the new Germany (Wolfson et al 1997). Imperialism, which began to emerge around the turn of the 20th century also played a decisive role. Fights over the colonies contributed to the establishment of complex set of international alliances, which helped to destabilize the European balance of power and when combined with the third factor – instability in the Balkan region – inevitably sparked off the First World War. Besides the three main causes, they were also other conditions, like the arms race between Germany and Britain, a process of social-economic modernization in Europe, the increasing importance of international prestige, the underestimation of the counterpart’s power, which also contributed to the outbreak of the war. As Joll (1990) argues, there were also philosophical facts that had great impact in the evolution of the tragic events of 1914. The prevalent Darwinian ideas of the survival of the fittest, of the struggle for existence were among European statesmen prior 1914. The Versailles Treaty, signed in June 1919 unambiguously blamed Germany, the military regime of the Kaiser, William II and his allies for causing all the loss and damage they imposed upon Europe between 1914-1918. In the eighty- five years since the war ended however there has been a growing awareness, that the origins of the war were far more complex. Historians have studied not only the tangle of alliances and treaties which existed before the war but also the connections between the political and military spheres, the influence of domestic policies, and the national myths and traditions (Merriman 1996). Looking back in history, the Franco-Prussian War (1870) completely changed the balance of power in Europe and strengthened Germany’s position as the leading continental power. The annexation of Alsace-Lorraine never healed the wounds in France, and poisoned the relations between the two countries down to 1914. European politics from the 1880s was dominated by a dense web of alliances and treaties, which aimed to consolidate Germany’s position in Europe. However, Bismarck’s international relations were only successful in the short-term and in the long-term they were plagued by insecurity and mistrust. As one alliance developed, it aroused the distrust of those states excluded from it, which then created counter-alliances (Joll 1990). French hostility was inevitable but Britain and Russia had also become deeply suspicious of German policies. But insecurity ruled also between the Russians and the French, the French and the British, the Serbs and the Russians, and the Germans and the Austrians. By the time Bismarck left office in 1890, his only reliable German allies were the Dual Monarchy of Austro-Hungary and Italy, and this remained the position in 1914. By 1914 the key European alliances were: -Germany-Austro-Hungary (1789) -France-Russia (1893) -Entente Cordial between England-France (1904) -The Triple Entente between England France and Russia (1907) and -Russia-Serbia (1914) Out of the great European powers only Austro-Hungary entered the war with a clear aim: to end the challenge of the South-Slav nationalism; the other participants fought for their survival as Great Powers. So Austria has to bear also some responsibility for the outbreak of the war. Russia was not ready for war, she desperately needed to avoid another humiliation as in 1905 in the Russo-Japanese war – the first time in history, when white supremacy became endangered. The British government was also reluctant to become involved in the war, it had its own problems with the Irish Home Rule, with strikes and suffragettes (Gildea 1996). France was also on the defensive side, she had its socialists to worry about, but she highly relied on the Russian alliance given the danger of the German attack. Imperialism played a decisive role in the escalation of the tensions between the Great Powers at the outbreak of the war in 1914. As Marxist historians considered, imperial expansion was the logical extension of the development of monopoly capitalism, and such it would lead to war and eventually to international revolution (Wolfson et al 1997). The motives for swift colonial expansion prior the Great War were mixed and complex. There was a strong ideological belief in the superiority of European culture, but also the possession of colonies was a factor of world power. Imperialism poisoned the relations between the Great Powers from the 1870s. Although the Berlin Conference of 1884-85 had settled the principles of European colonisation, further disagreements developed among the parties over territory, access to raw materials and markets, thus leading to series of crisis, like the Fashoda incident (1898), or the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) (Merriman 1996). The issue of control over the Suez Canal particularly embittered the relation between Britain and France, because France was deeply jealous of British colonial supremacy. Germany was keen to exploit this rupture to win France over to his side, and to bully Great Britain into making concessions to Germany (Gildea 1996). However, the Anglo-German rivalry, which became acute by 1914, was the most important clash among the Great Powers (Eksteins 1989). British statesmen were eager to uphold certain principles in Europe. They were concerned by the prospect of any nation becoming too powerful and providing a threat to British world power. Germany, which had been united as recently as 1871, and within one generation had become an awesome industrial and military power, posed real danger to the British pre-eminence and mastery in Europe. However the most dangerous acceleration came in the field of naval expansion. Since Britain held her navy to be vital, any attempt to rival it by another power, particularly Germany would meet a spirited response (Wolfson et al 1997 ). Britain also feared that Germany and Russia might make common cause, for instance in the Middle East (Stone 1973). However there were many other signs that the alliance system was overheating in the years before 1914. Morocco – rich in mineral and agricultural wealth – on the northern coast of Africa had become a central feature of the world politics because it combined a variety of aims and interest (Wolfson et al 1997). It provided an opportunity for colonial expansion, and also to enhance European aims in relative safety. By 1900 several European countries were eager to exploit the resources of Morocco, particularly Germany and France coveted the place. In 1904, in the ‘Entente Cordial’ Britain had recognised French interest over the country. Germany was not consulted of these negotiations. In the Algeciras conference in 1906 Germany found herself deserted by all but Austro-Hungary, and the German delegation had to be satisfied with a share of international control of Moroccan finances (Wolfson et al ibid). In 1911 when France was given a protectorate in Morocco, Kaiser William attacked the Moroccan port, Agadir, to protect German interests there. Although direct confrontation was avoided when the Germans were compensated by an offer of territory in the French Kongo, this compromise could only offer a temporary solution to the Franco-German conflict, since Germany was dissatisfied with the resolution. The Agadir crisis also had harmful consequences for the peace of Europe. On the one hand, Germany had suffered a diplomatic defeat, but on the other hand, the British, French and Russian governments were alarmed by the aggressive attitude of the Germans. France was also humiliated, which fact stimulated the awakening of national feeling in France (Gildea 1996). The growth of opposition to imperial rule resulted in the emergence of nascent nationalist movements in Europe. The principle of national self-determination had been gaining force since the revolutions of 1848, and revolutionary nationalism in various forms threatened the Ottoman, Austrian, German, Russian and British Empires. The war of 1914 was also due to the unbearable national tensions within the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the attempts of that power to escape from them by action dangerous to peace (Wolfson et al 1997). Austro-Hungary had always been a multi-racial state and the subject races were now rebelling against it. Nationalism of the different nationalities within the empire profoundly threatened the stability of its power, and thus the empire sought a swift and easy victory that would reunite the nationalities against a common enemy. So, finally, it was the Balkan which was the tinderbox for the outbreak of the war. The national struggles of the Balkan people were complicated by the rivalry between the powers in the area. Of the five great powers, Russia, Austria and Germany were particularly interested in the area either on political, or cultural reasons. Also, the control of the Balkan meant an abundant supply of cheap raw materials, a populous market and a large field for profitable investment for the rival parties. In 1908 the Ottoman provinces of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which had been occupied by Austria Hungary since the Congress of Berlin in 1878, were annexed by the Austro-Hungarian government, mainly to prevent these Slav provinces from being absorbed by the Slav kingdom of Serbia. These Turkish provinces were of great strategic importance to the Habsburgs. Russia, the protector of the South Slavs, didn’t fight over this issue, because she was compensated by access to the Mediterranean. However, as an immediate repercussion to the Bosnian crisis, Russia constructed a Balkan block as a bulwark against further Austrian expansion. The success of the Balkan League (1912) against the Turkish Ottoman Empire horrified the Great Powers. Each of the new Balkan powers had made significant gains of both territory and prestige. These gains endangered the plans of Russia and Austro-Hungary for the domination, if not annexation, of the Balkan (Wolfson et al 1997). The emergence of a victorious Serbia grew particularly troublesome in the region. The Czar felt that Russia had suffered a diplomatic defeat because due to Austrian insistence she could not obtain Albania for Serbia. Austria-Hungary considered her ambitions to reach the Aegean directly affected, and she also considered that a powerful Serbian state might be dangerous if it reached the sea, and under the influence of Russia might be able to close Austria’s only outlet, the Adriatic. Therefore some of the bolder statesmen of the Dual Monarchy desired to keep Serbia always dependent. The consequences of the Balkan Wars directly led to the outbreak of the First World War. The increasingly serious crises sparkled the murder of the Austro-Hungarian heir to the throne at Sarajevo by Bosnian students. They opposed the Trialism that advocated the integration of Bosnia-Herzegovina into the Kingdom of Serbia, but the Serbian government was not responsible in the killing (Gildea 1996). However, the crisis couldn’t have developed further, if imperial tensions hadn’t poisoned the relation between the Great Powers. In the approach to the outbreak of the First World War three factors were crucial. Imperialism, the system of international alliances, and the rising nationalism. However, the ambitions and strategies of the Great Powers, colonial rivalry, awakening national pride were also decisive factors. Imperialism fuelled conflicts among the Great Powers, particularly when it threatened the participants’ pride, and interest. But it also led to the frustrations of ethnic minorities, which in turn sparkled violent reactions. The Morocco crisis increased the sense of international insecurity and intensified the pressure on states to rearm. The Balkan Wars strengthened the position of the Balkan powers, which challenged the plans of Russia and Austria-Hungary for domination. Each of these clashes had the potential to ignite a European war and while none solely contributed to the outbreak of war, they certainly assisted in the creation of a complex series of international alliances geared towards mutual protection against mutual enemies. B I B L I O G R A P H Y Eksteins, M. 1989. Rites of Spring. The Great War and the Birth of the Modern Age. London: Bantam Press. Joll, J. 1990. Europe since 1870. London: Penguin. Gildea, R. 1996. Barricades and Borders. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Merriman, J. 1996. The History of Europe Vol 2. London: Norton. Stone, N. 1973. Europe Transformed 1878-1919. London: Fontana. Wolfson, R. Laver, J. 1997. Years of Change. Europe 1890-1945.