A Peoples History Of The United States

A Peoples History Of The United States As the British and Colonists were engaged in the Seven Years War against the French and Indians, the colonists were slowly building up feelings for their removal from under the British crown. There had been several uprisings to overthrow the colonial governments. When the war ended and the British were victorious, they declared the Proclamation of 1763 which stated that the land west of the Appalachians was to be reserved for the Native American population. The colonists were confused and outraged and the now ambitious social elite's were raring to direct that anger against the English since the French were no longer a threat. However, the social elite was a miniscule percentage of the colonial population. As documented in city tax lists, the top 5% of Boston's taxpayers controlled 49% of the cities taxable assets. The lower classes then started to use town meetings to express their feelings. Men like James Otis and Samuel Adams from the upper classes formed the Boston Caucus and thr ough their motivational speaking, molded and activated the laboring-class."The Triumph of America" - Lord Pitt drives Americ...After the Stamp Act of 1765, the British's taxation of colonists to pay for the Seven Year War, the lower-class stormed and destroyed merchant homes to level the distinction of rich and poor. A hundred lower-classmen had to suffer for the extravagance of one upper-classmen. They demanded more political democracy in which the working class could participate in making policies.In 1776 elections for the constitutional framing of Pennsylvania, a Privates Committee urged the opposition of rich-men in the convention. Even in the countryside, there were similar conflicts of rich against poor. Several riots in the New York/Jersey area were more than riots but long lasting social movements to create counter governments. Rioters were breaking into jails and freeing their friends. Soon however, the lower-classmen...

Managing Human Capital Essay Example

Managing Human Capital Essay Example Managing Human Capital Essay Managing Human Capital Essay I certify the content of the assignment to be my own and original work and hat all sources have been accurately reported and acknowledge, and that this document has not previously been submitted in it’s entirely or in part of any educational establishment. RAVIKUMAR P RATHOD. STUDENT ID: 0076LHLH0609 TASK 01: A. 1) abstract: From this report reader will able to understand HR managers role take in to consideration when there is change in external environment factors, and what human resource strategies will helps to became more competitive and how an organisation can take competitive advantage with various human resource practice within organisation. This part of the report will guide you around human resource strategies. A. 2 Key words: Role of human resource managers, organisational change, human resource practices, competition, benefits and drawbacks, communication channel, information technology and system, market, societal norms, external environment. (Words, -191) A. 3 INTRODUCTION: Human resource managers and leaders constant make efforts to accomplish successful and necessary change within the organisation. During this process, HR managers and leaders must follow certain approach to fulfil the necessary requirement to the organisation. Internal and external change can able to switch business environment. Moreover, organisational change and other development have become rife in communication for organisational leadership and management itself. However, the most important factor which affects the majority of the organisation is the competition. How accurately and fast organisation can compete with their product and services that another organisation supply. This will also analyse the organisations external environmental factors. Likewise, consumers uncertain demands and wants, and a new competitor enters into market. In the following paragraphs, this report will analyse, organisations human resource practises and role of human managers during the external change in organisations with relevant examples. For example 01, Virgin Corporation plans to enter in cold drinks business in USA. They want to launch their own brand virgin cola. As a result, many companies in US such as, coca cola and PEPSI may face more competition and they needs to do more efforts to remain their products more competitive and their share prices remain stable in the market. Moreover, new technology and information system plays vital role, because advance technology means, new products and services can be improve. Nevertheless, natural disaster or dynamic situation can made change in to organisation. Such as, gulf war or swine flu virus. John bra ton and Jeffery gold, 1999 human resource management: theory and practice, London, Mc Millen publication house. * â€Å"Market is uncertain, it change every time. It is always depend on the variety of products and consumer behaviour. As results, an organisation needs to react or lose customers. A. 4 Organisation and competition: The amount of varied competition relies on the market the organisation operates in. For example 02, Small businesses like, High street mall, city centre mall, Large size of businesses likes, Cock, PEPSI, wall mart, M amp; S. And a constant moving market where the technology is being invent fast like, cell phone market. These types of organisation and situations may boost competition externally like, * Decrease in product price * Better quality but increase in product price Large amount of investment in advertisement to increase brand loyalty and publicity. A. 4 Human resource practices at external change: The most vital part for human resource managers is planning for the external change is scanning means to examine the environmental situation to recognise scopes or potential dangers to an organisation. To ignore the external change can have divesting effect on a business. For example 03, Easter Island: misunderstanding their natural resources, the jungle in this issue; left the place unable to sustain life. Nobody knows what happen to the inhabitants. But we know why their presence became extinct. The same thing can happen to any organisation, which neglect (ignore) the external environment changes. A. 5 Information system and technology: Joseph martocchio, 2009, research in personnel and human resource management, Howard house, emeralds group publishing limited. Many organisation senior executive and mangers don’t know how technology can affect the organisation and can bring change in to organisation. So, organisation must upgrade their production firm, machinery and administration within the organisation. HR managers needs to consider regularly briefing about technology, as a result, the technology which they are using, is it right for them. This can helps to make their position more competitive in the market. For example 04, A mobile manufacture company must know about what types design, software and style are in demand in market. So, they can make their hand set more demanding and they can make their product different t han other producers. This can increase the selling ratio and company’s total revenue Moreover, having advanced and right technology can improve organisation standard and profits. This will also give opportunity to HR managers to make their organisation more challenging for their competitors. â€Å"Technology is queer thing, it brings you great advantages with one hand and it stabs you in the back with the other. † C. P. SHOW, 15 march 1971. New your times, NY Ecological and environmental issues plays vital role within organisation. Change in government’s policy for the industries can also bring major changes within organisation. Change in legislation can affect the organisation selling and purchasing policy. Robert l Mathis, john H Jackson, 2008. Human resource management, 9 Thomas learning Inc. US For example 05, * Changes in national minimum wage for the workers or inflation. * Increase in corporation and other national insurance taxes. * In addition, external trading policy and funds, grants, and initiatives. This is the sources of income for the organisation but they can bring change internally within organisation from changing trading policy. * Organisations often fundamentally challenge invited societal norms. Because organisation can suffers from support, financial and public as well. This are the sources can make major changes into organisation. Change in lifestyle and fashion can bring change. Likewise, various types of age group buy various types of products. So, change in the population affects the demand for the product. As a results, HR manager needs to considered external factors which may bring change in business, such as fashion and trend. For example 06, Change in taste, businesses must react quickly as possible. Like, * Mc Donald, offering more healthy food. Consumers are more aware about environment and are against exploitation. A. Human resource strategies and dynamic situations: Majority of entrepreneurs have gone to invest and efforts to define human resource policies, practices and procedures that comply with government legislation and consistent with their organisational culture and ethic. â€Å"John Bretton and Jeffrey gold, 1999. â€Å" Human resource management: theory and prentices â€Å"London, mac Milan press ltd p 152-70 * Major Service markets such as, fast food outlets, supermarket like ASDA and TESCO, Sainsbury’s. Majority of organisations work design are typically involve the two types of framework, mostly is Hertzberg. And some firms adopt Taylor’s. While, others are irrationalised practices. in both frameworks cost ,and labour cost are in competition due to consumers are very price sensitive. A. 7 Cost based competitive strategy : This strategy HR managers allows to sustain paying only the market – clearing wage and minimally with labour law. Most organisations pay their workers and employees as a government law. However, to take competitive advantage organisations can pay slightly more than minimum wage for workers. For example 07, In UK, for student or contingent workers minimum wage is ? . 93 per hour. However, many organisations pay six to seven pound per hour. This is higher than minimum wage. From paying more, organisation can keep contingent means part time workers who can work with flexibility and organisation can also get benefits from hiring part time workers. This helps to reduce corporate taxes. * The only firm which sustain their presence in the pressurised market condit ions that built outstanding brand identity. They can dominant market share and enjoy reputational benefits in labour market. A. 8 mix market and greater customer service strategy: Certain types of service markets such as, older care centre, hotels and BPO, where different types of customers and higher valued added customers can be targeted. There is a clear potential for job enrichment competitive dynamics than based around a mix of cost and quality based competition. * Human resource takes into count as a higher value added segments. Organisation can higher highly skilled employees with experience and or can provide necessary training to their employees, and it is simply necessary that there are profitable higher value segment and it is cost effective to invest employee training and development programmes. For example 08, Telecommunication company, when customer call to buy contract phone from the company , sales executive not only offers what customer ask but also offers many packages as per customer budget. And evermore, they also offer cheap and affordable bundle and other services such as next day delivery or in case hand set faulty or if you’re Not happy with the hand set. As results, company can keep customer for longer period and take competitive advantage by providing excellent customer service. A. 9 Expertise – driven: In today’s world, high level professional services and other knowledge intensive services, work organisation is always dealt with high level of employee discretion. High performance work system in the service sector, like, management consulting energises, banking sector, organisation typically invest to build employee skills, enhancing motivation and providing opportunities to participate. * According to Michal losey, 2005. â€Å"Resource management â€Å", Alexandria, Virginia, john Wiley amp; sons, Inc. â€Å"Committing to hiring experts, in other word, bring them into partnership. This will leads to emergent competitive strategies in their field of expertise. They plays vital role within the organisation. † For example 09, When founder of Walt Disney past away, Roy became owner of the Walt Disney, but in his hand, Disney not performing well, then Disney’s board of directors and shareholders decided to hire new chief executive officer for Disney. And Disney comes with new CEO Robert Eger. He is expert in his profession. And he increases the Walt Disney total revenue and establish new picture studio name touchstone. According to box all and steeneveld, 1999; greenwood el al, 1990; literature. It is essential to measures competitive strategy in professional services firms in federalists rather than top down kind of way. * There are much more opportunities for human resource advantage in these expertise era. Experts can perform well and trained employees while there is external change within the organisation. A. 10 Conclusion: To sum up, it is clear that, HR managers and HR practices can transform due to uncertain market and government policies. HR must parallel the needs of his or her changing organisation and with the right HR strategy. Organisation can became more adaptive and resilient, fast to change in direction and customer centred. Moreover, HR managers can promote overall success of organisation from their practises and identify the organisations goal, mission, vision, values and action plans and they can measures how well it is succeeding in all this , how organisation gain sustainable competitive advantage. (Words: 1589 excluding abstract, keywords) A. 11 Recommendations: In my opinion, organisation must invest in employee development programmes, so they can gain knowledge about organisations product and services. Furthermore, organisation should hire a young graduates who are willing to work in challenging environment with flexibility, this allows organisation to become more competitive for their competitors in market. Moreover, businesses should have advance technology which becomes more competitive and helps to take competitive advantage. PART-02: discussion on compensation packages negotiated through collective bargaining agreements are a major cause of our inability to compete in many sector of the international market. B. 1 Abstract: From this part of report, reader will able to understand how organisations employers and trade union negotiate their agreement through collective bargaining and what are the factor affecting to compete many sector of the international market for the entrepreneurs. How types of agreements will affect the organisation and their employees. B. 2 Keywords: Human resource management , competitive advantages, compensation package, collective bargaining, international market, trade union, total revenue, union representative, negotiations, small and large scale businesses, wages and hours, promoters, agreements. Words – 135 excluding) B. 3 Introduction: According to Clive Jenkins, Barrie Sharman, 1977 collective bargaining P-156-8 Mc grew hill publication Inc. â€Å"Collective bargaining is a process whereby workers representative, employees and investors, and trade union through their representatives, treat and negotiate with a view to the conclusion of a collective agreement or rene wal there of the resolution of internal or external disputes within the organisation. † In the following paragraphs this report will analyse situation in for and against of collective bargaining in organisation and give recommendations and my opinion. In addition, a collective agreement normally in written agreement between employer and organisations union. On behalf of workers employed by the owner of the organisation, it also refers to organisations terms and condition of employment of the workers. And their right, privilege, and responsibilities within the organisation. * When employer hires workers, they can demand labour, and agree on a price for that labour. Moreover, the agreement accepted, consideration and intension to create legal relationship constitutes a bargain to which compliance can be sought in law. B. 4 INTERNATIONAL MARKET: Clive Jenkins, berry Sherman, 1977, â€Å"collective bargaining† p 156 Mc grew hill publishing Inc. During the process of negotiation between trade union and employers, employers almost always offer less than what they are willing to pay. They expect that there will be a negotiation of salary and other benefits. In international markets, there is no business without two different parties. Each may relate to different countries. Due to high demand of trade union especially when it’s higher value added segments, management’s authority and freedom are became much more restricted by negotiation rules in case of business is new to country. If trade union representatives are miss placed by the union, it can be irrational for the organisation and workers. Because during the process of agreement between employer and representatives disputes or unsuccessful negotiation can be resulted into union strike. This creates dynamic situation for the business and workers itself. * Compensation package negotiated through collective bargaining may create significant potential for polarization between workers and managers of the organisation. Furthermore, mostly negotiation in workers’ wages and salary can be became major cause for organisation in international market. For example 10, Recently, Subsidiary company of Wal-Mart, ASDA is paying some its Bangladeshi workers just ? 6. 70 for a 48 hour week. The proper living wage in the country would be ? 25. 90 per week. As a result, workers went to strike in Bangladesh their production firm, workers stop making products for ASDA. Due to this it affects international trade and organisations revenue. Source: METRO newspaper, 22 July 10. P 09 * However, collective bargaining agreements may cause disproportionate effect of relatively few active employees on the many in the bargaining unit. This is particularly the case when process involves a system wide structure of election. * It also increase bureaucratization and consume more time for making decisions. When trade union demand is high and varied it also leads to management obelised more control on organisation. And consume time to give respond to agreement. * Moreover, it also creates more difficulties for employers at small companies to have their voices heard. And it also increase management expense relates to negotiation and administration agreements. Furthermore, collective bargaining restricts organisation top management’s ability to deal directly with individual employees within organisation. This will affect the communication channel between managers and workers. It also increase dependence on the small scale businesses for particularly those requiring technological competence, they may be compromise. B. 5 employment policy: * Compensation packages through negotiated through collective bargaining agreements may became cumbersome and time consuming, requiring flexibility during negotiation process. As results, there will be increase burden on the employers to solve or define flexible plans to solve as the basic of negotiations with a trade union representative. * On the other hand, collective bargaining promotes fairness and consistency in organisations employment policies and personnel decisions within and across organisation. However, compensation packages negotiated through collective bargaining agreements eliminate ability of management to make unilateral change in workers’ wages, working hours and other terms and condition of the organisation employments policy. According to Randall Schuler, peter j doling, 1994, international dimensions of the HR management, second edition, wad worth publishing Inc. â€Å"compensation packages negotiated through collective bargaining agreement can make employee and employer relations worsened rather than improved under such an agreement. For instance, workers within organisation will resist innovation due to time motion study. Hig hly demand compensation packages by trade union, generally unfair and less motivating for the big investors. According to Carlos Diaz – Moreno 2002, university of Minnesota, Spain. â€Å"Negotiation between workers and entrepreneurs is major bargaining game in economics. In majority of cases, agreements are delay as the parties continue negotiations or agreements are never reached. † For example 11, Automobile Manufacture Company called TATA wants to introduce world cheapest car in India. There for they decided to build their production plat where land and taxes are in favour. They built their plant in SINGUR, WEST BENGAL. But increasingly violent protest by local workers and government forced to TATA to move their plant somewhere else. This is the major case of failure in negotiation between workers and employers at international market. As results, organisation has to face huge amount of loss and they have to stop their production plant and local workers lose their employment. * According to Merlo and Wilson, 1995. Literature review, â€Å"Delays in bargaining are the results of the uncertainty about the size of cake, and the identity of compensation packages through collective bargaining. During the process of collective bargaining agreements, trade union and board of director’s utility is not transferable. This factor captures an essential issue for the labour market negotiation. Generally, predict that workers are less patient than investors giving the firms more negotiation authority. * Negotiation process between workers and employers basically considered two factors, workers minimum wag e and working hour’s regulation. Employer must meet the requirement what government minimum wage policy law for the international market. As a result, collective bargaining agreements are major cause to our inability to compete international market because it is not necessary, workers and employers are agree to with their demand every time. In some cases, organisational external factor also make negotiation processes slow down. * In addition, during the process of compensation packages negotiated through collective bargaining workers always depend on their wages and specially, in some cases, when organisation is expanding along with total revenue of the organisation, workers demand will also increase. As results, workers and trade union realise their role and importance within organisation. Therefore, workers demand to increase their compensation packages or they may threaten organisation to gone into strike. This creates dynamic situation in many sector in international market. B. 6 CONCLUSION: To sum up, it is clear from the data, that union and employers played significant role during the process of collective bargaining agreement. It may discourage to investors at international market and encourage to seeking to creates attractive work situation prevent unionization at workplace. Therefore, I agree with this statement, that compensation packages negotiated through collective bargaining agreements are major cause of our inability to compete in many sectors of the international market. Each negotiator is searching for advantage and one has to down, as a result, inverse relationship between two parties. Compensation packages negotiated through collective bargaining process can create high impact situation at international market. Total package proposal is placed on the desk with an agreement of all elements crucial for settlement from trade union and employers in many sector of international market. B. 7 RECOMMANDATION: In my opinion, during the process of compensation packages negotiated through collective bargaining agreement, trade union must aware of the organisations profit and loss account, cash inflow ant out flow, and other balance shits and information provided in the financial reports of particular organisation with whom they negotiating. This can reduce burden from both parties and agreement in international market. Words-1538, excluding part01 and abstract, keywords and recommendation.

Management of change (personal experience) Essay

Management of change (personal experience) - Essay Example Since it is nearly impossible to move from smoking twelve cigarettes a day to zero, the plan entailed a gradual reduction in the number of cigarettes from twelve to zero over time rather than a complete stop at once. I projected that stopping at once would not help as the temptation to smoke would be overwhelming (Schein, 2002). It was better to reduce the amount by two to three cigarettes in phases till I quit completely. The first phase involved the reduction from twelve to ten by October 21st 2014. This was successful though it was challenging. I kept reasoning that there was no big difference between ten and twelve. However, by sticking to the plan and focusing on the final goal, I succeeded to limit the number to ten. After achieving the objective of the first phase, I managed to reduce the number from ten to seven. However, this has been met with resistance and the body feeling deprived. It has been a challenge to move from this stage to the next. The strategy to keep the smoking sessions as far as possible has the effect of generating stress in the body (Schein, 2002). Fortunately, I have managed to plant the desire in the body system to get rid of smoking. The body is able to keep up with the chronology of change since the desired change is acceptable to the body system to maintain health. Thirdly, I have reduced the number of convenient places for smoking. For instance, I have kept cigarettes away from my car. It has helped to reduce smoking time as most of the smoking occurs when I am driving alone. I have also increased the time I spend at home with the family because the children prevent my smoking. By 18th November, it is my hope and desire that I revive serious participation in a sport of my choice. I have identified soccer as the sport as I am skilled at it and enjoy playing it a lot. By starting to play soccer again, I hope to reduce and

Reading notes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 11

Reading notes - Essay Example The two examples are a clear indication of how sports can alter a man’s attitude. More so, sport affects significantly on their fantasy’s life. It is when they describe and imagine how they will do it in the real sense. A family has a significant role in defining American woman’s dreams and expectations. Men determine what women do in life (McBride & Parry, 2014). Taking the case of Willy and his Wife Linda, Linda must ensure that his husband’s cup is filled with coffee whenever he needs it. For this reason, instead of sitting down and enjoying her coffee, Linda must keep on checking whether Willy has coffee in his cup. In another context, Willy orders The Woman to leave immediately to the hall. Despite pleading that she is naked, Willy asks her to respect his order and leave without questioning. According to this play, men and women are treated differently. It is because; the society has defined certain roles for women and others for men (McBride & Parry, 2014). Therefore, women are to be submissive to men at all

Trade Unions in South Africa and Argentina Essay Example for Free

Trade Unions in South Africa and Argentina Essay Introduction: South Africa is a country that is crippled by the heritage of the apartheid, this is because the struggle for democracy was a long and exhausting one (Budeli, 2009: 68). Argentina also suffered among the hands of the military regime, as the lives of ordinary people was accompanied with hunger and a forceful government (Brysk, 1994: 1). The trade union movement has been pivotal in both of the countries, as the labour movements were able to mobilise towards better countries. In this essay, South Africa and Argentinas trade union struggles will be discussed through a political-economic and historical context, and the essay will portray how these two countries share similarities and differences. South Africa: The Nationalist Party, which was a result of many Afrikaners going against the Smuts government, came into power from 1948 to 1994 (Baskin, 1996: 209). The apartheid laws came into full swing in 1948, where racial discrimination became institutionalised, which simply means that the segregation between whites and non-whites was enforced by the apartheid government (Baskin, 1996: 209). These laws played a large role in dictating which races received employment, for example in many cases jobs would be reserved for whites only, and were greatly protected (Baskin, 1996: 211). Trade unions had to struggle with political and industrial relations when trying to fight for the rights of workers (Baskin, 1996: 210). In many cases African trade unions (Black, Indian and Coloured people) were not recognised and so it was a constant fight to try and get recognised as legitimate trade unions (Baskin, 1996: 210). In 1948, the Nationalist government, removed the Industrial Conciliation (Native) Bill that was in effect under the Smut government, and it introduced the Botha Commission (Baskin, 1996: 210). The Botha Commission was greatly criticised by the government as it gave African trade unions the ability to be recognised and to receive bargaining rights (Baskin, 1996: 210). The apartheid government rejected the application of acknowledging the African trade unions, due to the relations most of them had with the African National Congress (ANC), (Baskin, 1996: 211). This was because the ANC became one of the non-white political organisations that  were going against the unjust laws that existed in apartheid South Africa (Baskin, 1996: 211). In 1954 the Minister of Labour introduced the Trade Union Council of South Africa (TUCSA), in order to gain greater solidarity from the white workers, TUCSA also made it clear that their association with African unions was non-existent in order to win over the majority of white conservatives (Baskin, 1996: 214). This brought rise to the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU), also in 1954 (Baskin, 1996: 214). SACTU, made it clear that it was in opposition of the union and political strategies that existed within TUCSA, this was because SACTU posed a large threat to TUCSA, as they argued against the control of African trade unions (Baskin, 1996: 214). SACTU embarked on a journey and agenda that involved political mobilization of the African working class as they continuously became proletarianized by the apartheid government (Baskin, 1996: 214). But to importantly strengthen the political agenda by linking up with the ANC (Baskin, 1996: 214). In 1957, SACTU sent a number of invitations to TUCSA in order to discuss ways in which African unions can be recognised and that collective bargaining for Africans could be considered, even the Minister of Labour was often invited to these discussions and yet both the minister and TUCSA, rejected all the invitations (Baskin, 1996: 224). Examples of the invitations would be that of the local committee of SACTU, appealing to TUCSA for a joint meeting to discuss a statement made by the Minister of Labour about job reservation for semi-skilled and skilled workers, it also refused the invitation given, where SACTU asked for TUCSAs support for the Treason Trials Defense Fund (Baskin, 1996: 224). Therefore this shows that the African trade unions were trying by all means to cooperate with government departments and TUCSA, but they were not interested in any way. SACTU leaders such as the president, Leon Levy and the general secretary Leslie Massina were banned, due to the fact that they were in opposition of TUCSA (Baskin, 1996: 224). By 1959, the alliance between the ANC and SACTU grew strong, as more and more people began to recognise the movement, over 46000 individuals became members of SACTU, these members were largely factory based (Baskin, 1996: 225). SACTU continued to campaign and attracted many Africans (Baskin, 1996:  225). The ANC and SACTU began to draft the Freedom Charter, which was a manifesto of what a democratic South Africa would be, where individuals would not be discriminated against because of their race, sex or disability, amongst others factors (Baskin, 1996: 228). By the time the protest in Sharpville arrived in 1960, there were many grievances that were felt by the African working class, but the main reason for the protest, was to protest against the pass laws and other factors such as constant low wages and poverty (South African History Online, 2012). Pass laws were used to control the movement of non-whites in apartheid South Africa (South African History Online, 2012). The Sharpville protest was a peaceful one and the apartheid police opened fire on the civilians which resulted in a massacre where many lives were lost and so the African unions and ANC, SACP (South African Communist Party) began to intensify when Umkhonto weSizwe, which was the military forces used and occupied by the ANC, SACP and African trade unions in the armed struggle against apartheid (South African History Online, 2012). By 1965, many of the leaders of SACTU either went into exile, executed or were imprisoned at Robben Island and so the union activity died down, as there was no one to lead the organisation (South African History Online, 2012). SACTU was instrumental in paving the way for many of the other trade unions in strengthening their struggle for the working class. The instability in apartheid South Africa, forced the United Nations to condemn the apartheid policies and to request the members of the United Nations and the international community to also condemn the South African apartheid government by stopping any economical and military business they had with South Africa (Budeli, 2009: 68). But dominant companies like Anglo American, Barlow Rand and Gencor, grew tremendously (Baskin, 1991: 113). These companies were negatively affected when non-whites decided to go on strike in 1973, their main grievance being that of low wages, this strike led to industry in South Africa come to a standstill (Budeli, 2009: 68). It became evident that the workers had gotten stronger in the sense that they were able to form pivotal stries without any formal backing from the government (Budeli, 2009: 68). This led to the growth of many unions, which by the end of 1973 resulted in the government introducing the Bantu Labour Relations Act (Budeli, 2009: 68). The act was passed in order to control and  regulate the conditions of black employees, to also regulate the disputes, prevention of disputes and settlements between black employees and their employers, in this way the government was able to belittle any relevance or influence that the African trade unions had (Budeli, 2009: 68). This did not stop the strikes from occuring as they spread through put the country, and the isolation from the international community had a negative affect on the economy of South Africa (Budeli, 2009: 69). This led to the rebirth of many trade unions such as SACTU, and later in 1976 the Soweto Uprising intensified the need for a change in South Africa (Budeli, 2009: 69). By 1979, the South African government felt the pressure from the international community and brought to the table the Weihahn Commission of Inquiry (Budeli, 2009: 69). The Commission had its first report in 1979, as it presented fundamental changes in the labour relations system (Budeli, 2009: 69). The Commission, supported the freedom for all trade unions to make up their own rukes and regulations, amongst other things (Budeli, 2009: 70). The formation of the Federation of South African Trade Unions (FOSATU) was also in 1979, where there was central decision-making by a panel of executive committees which represent delegates from all the factories, with the sole role to promote shop floor development and organisation, FOSATU proposing that they will only work with the government, for all races to be able to register to a trade union (Baskin, 1991: 60). FOSATU paved the way for the formation of trade unions such as the National Union of Mine Workers (NUM) in 1982 led by Cyril Ramaposa (Baskin, 1991: 115). NUM was used to protest against horrid working conditions and better wages. In 1984, the government created the tri-cameral parliament, which fundamentally extended political rights and affiliation to Indians and Coloureds excluding black individuals (Budeli, 2009: 72). This made the black people very angry, and to further fight against the apartheid government strategies, the birth of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) occurred in 1985, COSATU formally allied itself with the ANC joining the organisation in the struggle against apartheid (Budeli, 2009: 72). The birth of COSATU was accompanied by a large strike, where a record of 185 000 work days were lost, during industrial activity in January 1986  (Baskin, 1991: 77). Official government records showed that 1985 brought the highest number of strikes in the last ten years, not knowing that the next 12 months were going to be pivotal point in South Africa (Baskin, 1991: 77). Impala Platinum, were in shock when on New Years day 1986, over 36 000 workers put their tools down, at the four Imp ala Platinum mines in Bophuthatswana, this created a large problem as the four mines produced over 30% of the worlds platinum (Baskin, 1991: 77). The miners were in protest against receiving low wages and having to work over time on public holidays without being paid for the extra time, and that their living conditions should be the same as that of their white counterparts, where they are allowed to receive access to marital quarters as well (Baskin, 1991: 78). But even more important, the workers demanded that management should provide facilities to NUM even after management had refused (Baskin, 1991: 78). COSATU had to form their structures, and so they decided to take a participatory approach, where the majority of workers were delegates, and there was mass participation in the decision-making, what was most important to COSATU was to ensure that the workers were taken care and this was done at constantly looking at the grass root level (Baskin, 1991: 112). By the late 1980s COSATU began to have issues within the congress where smaller unions like NUMSA, were unhappy and also conflict with community organisers (Baskin, 1991: 112). But such internal problems did not, distract the working class from the struggle, to the extent in which the apartheid government lost their tight control over the townships, and so the regime became increasingly compromised. By the early 1990s the struggle began to dissolve with the release of Nelson Mandela and the unbanning of the ANC, SACP and PAC and all the other struggle organisations that were involved (Budeli, 2009: 73). Argentina: The military government came into power in 1943, at this time Peron was gaining a lot of recognition and in many ways Perons ideology coincided with that of the working class (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 127). The event that occurred in 1945 on the 17th of October was fundamental in the Argentinen labour movement (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 127). During 1943  and 1944, Perons support base grew tremendously due to the support received from inside the trade unions (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 127). The event that took place on the 17th October, it was the mobilisation of the working class as they demanded the nationalisation of industries, profit sharing for workers, an extensive social security system amongst other demands (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 127). Peron used the event to his advantage by becoming allied with the trade unions by getting all the government employees and their unions to mobilise against the employers who were condemning the reformist social activities and soon to be policies of the military regime (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 128). Union leaders were often eager to ensure the linkage between the military politics and themselves, this was all in 1945 (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 128). Since Peron was the Minister of Labour, he introduced the Law of Professional Associations which amplified the power of the General Confederation Labour (CGT), and also gave the government the ability to allow unions legal status, as a precondition for collective bargaining, which was on the behalf of their members (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 128). Peron chose this way forward as a response to the train drivers, textile and shoe makers unions (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 128). Though Peron was becoming increasingly popular, other military rulers were not taken by Peron, and in actual fact wanted to remove Peron from his position of power, unfortunately for the other military rulers, this did not necessarily affect Perons campaign to win over the working class (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 128). In 1946, Peron was elected into office to be Argentinas president, his first mission was to eradicate the Partido Laborista, to make way for his new party the Peronist party (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 130). Peron created his own kind of ideology, and it was known as Peronism which meant the people and so Anti-Peronism would be enemies against the people (Di Tella Dornbusch, 1989: 91). The CGT became the foundation of the Peronist party (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 131). Even though Peron had succeed in wining over unions, some independent unions under Louis Gay, posed a threat to the succees of his office and in 1947, Peron executed the resignation of Gay, in order to have full control of the labour movement, and not allow the unions to have any political presence (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 131). Peron adopted a corporatist model in Argentina, where the employers, government and unions would come together issues that affected the country (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 131). This was because in many cases, the working class would be striking, and demanding increases of wages being part of the employee contracts and yet the employees continued to refuse, but the turning point was reached in 1948, where higher wages were received due to the increase in the amount strike activity (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 136). Most of these strikes were pleads from the working class, for the improvement of working and living conditions (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 136). Peron had big plans for Argentina, one of which was to turn Argentina into an industrialised country, this was done through the creation of a steel company but by 1950 the industrialisation faced a crisis (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 137). Perons economic policies faced a lot of negative comments by the Catholic Church (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 137). It became intensified when the Catholic Church began to use armed forces in order to make changes, the Church argued that it was no longer feasible that wages could always increase and that profits and capital to keep the companies was going to decrease (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 137). Once the changes were made to the economic policies, real wage began to decrease in 1950, and the economic growth rate fell (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 137). Strike action began to rise, from 1950-1954 there were 125 strikes and 4,006,204 working days were lost (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 138). Even through the minor economic crisis Peron still soared to defend the working class (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 137). In 1955, the working class, the Peron government and CGT had a confrontation with the military, middle class and Catholic Church, many people were killed and a massacre resulted in Plaza De Mayo (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 142). The military were victorious which resulted in Peron being removed from office (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 147). The fall of Peron, caused a period of political instability, which resulted in phases where different organisations would be in office from military regimes (1955-1958), to civilian interludes (1958-1962), or even a  combination of both in 1962-1963 (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 147). In that time span, the factory floor was forced to conform to the new modern strategies that were meant to lead productivity, but two points were important at the time, which is labour resistance and the bureaucratisation of the unions (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 148). The labour resistance was often known as the Peronist resistance as socialist and communist parties became instrumental in the deterioration of Peronism, therefore trade unions became divided into Peronist, Socialist and Communist Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 148), The CGT was often divided between provinces, which resulted in the persecution of many union leaders in the Peronist resistance (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 149). Vandorism became influential in the labour movement, this was because the Frondizi government, which came into power in 1958 had began to make changes in the economic policy, by promoting the privatisation of certain factories (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 152). The state had a confrontation with the labour movement when it was decided that Lisandro de la Torre near Buenos Aires (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 152). Vandorism was greatly a bureaucratic organisation even at the grass-root level, but eventually military coup led to the fall of Vandorism in 1966 (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 157). Military coups became the usual, when from 1966-1971, Argentina went through three presidents, in 1966 it was Ongania, 1969 was Levingston and 1971 was Lanusse (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 166). A new working class emerged, where there was heterogeneity growth, internal diversification and an increase in the decentralisation on growth of labour productivity (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 168). The situation in Cordoba, was a cause for concern as the strike activity in the area increased where workers were protesting against harsh working hours (44 hour week paid as 48) and they were questioning the power of employers in reducing the national wages due to the decrease in economic growth (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 169). Peron came back in 1973 as the president which did not last for a long time, because when Peron died in 1974, his ideologies died with him (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 187). By 1983, free elections had taken place, and the  military regime began to die (223). Similarities: Argentina and South African trade union movements possess many similarities. The first similarity that was noted in both of these case studies, is the commitment of the trade unions in changing the political and economical structures of the countries, as mentioned above, South African trade unions were in constant conflict with the apartheid regime when trying to reform the structures (Baskin, 1996: 210), the same happened in Argentina, when Peron and the trade unions were at the forefront of trying to move the militant regime, in order to satisfy the needs of the working class (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 127). Industrialisation has played a large role in the history of both Argentina and South Africa, and it known that the same patterns of industrialisation existed in the countries (Cooper, 2011: 19). The type of industrialisation that occurred in both countries is that of mass production and often on the manufacturing of engineering parts (Cooper, 2011: 19). The trade unions had a large role to play in the lives of the working class during the industrial booms of the two countries, for example in South Africa in 1986 many of the mine strikes that occurred in South Africa, trade unions such as NUM and COSATU were at the forefront trying to ensure that the interests of the working class are taken into consideration, which was mainly the improvement of working conditions and wage increases, the Impala Platinum strike mentioned above is an example of solid trade union support (Baskin, 1991: 77). In Argentina 1958, there were many talks of privatisation of the factories and this would badly affect the working class as the wages were sure to decrease, in particular there was an intense labour movement formed at Lisandro de la Torre near Buenos Aires, to protest against the privatisation of the factory, Vandorist unions were at the forefront of the protests (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 152). An important similarity would be that of both countries having the labour movements under harsh authoritarian regimes, where a bureaucratic model exists and only to those it benefits (Cooper, 2011:6). Therefore in most cases in both the countries there would be large mobilisation and resistance against the authoritarian rule, as mentioned above the trade unions were  instrumental in coming up with certain policies that assisted the working class (Cooper, 2011: 6). In South Africa, the policy of the Freedom Charter is and example of the trade unions mobilising politically and formally against the apartheid regime (Budeli, 2009: 68). In Argentina, when Peron allied himself with the trade unions, and ensured that the CGT was backing him, it was a clear indication that changes and policies were going to be put into place to loosen the authoritarian control (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 128). Both countries began to rely greatly on foreign aid and foreign investments in the 1950s and 1960s, this played a large in the restructuring of the economy to suit the needs of the foreign corporations than the people living and working in the country (Cooper, 2011: 5). In South Africa there was a large increase in the expenditure on machinery in 1956 and 1960 (Webster, 1985: 9). Argentina had the same thing happen, and the governments inability to effectively deal with the political and economic conflicts gave rise to turning point strikes in the country (Cooper, 2011:19). The last similarity is that the trade unions formed in both countries wanted grass-root democracy and often socialist economic transformation (Cooper, 2011: 25). In South Africa this was done by COSATU, by introducing shop floor delegates in order to deal with the issues that the workers were having directly, this was done in a participatory manner (Baskin, 1991: 112). In Argentina, Vandorism used heavy bureaucrac y as grass root organisation (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 152). Differences: The differences found in the countries are also vital in the comparative analysis. The first difference is that the two countries often had different ideologies in their trade union and political movements, an example would be that most of the trade unions in South Africa such as COSATU had communist policies, even the ANC which as mentioned was the political party that was against the apartheid regime started of with communist political backing with SACP (Budeli, 2009: 73). Whereas in Argentina, Peron made it clear that only his policies that he implemented were to be used and in any cases trade unions who were communist were often deposed by Peron, and so the only successful trade unions in assisting the working were the ones that allied  themselves with Peron, thus the success of socialist or communist trade unions was limited or non-existent (Munck, Falcon Galitelli: 128). South Africas apartheid regime differed from the military regime in Argentina, in the sense that it occurred according to race lines, this simply means that the African unions that represented non-whites were not recognised by the government and so jobs were often just reserved for white people, and there was no protection for non-white workers from the employers (Baskin, 1996: 224). Unlike in Argentina where the labour movement, did not have to concern themselves with racial issues directly. Argentina even under the military regime did not experience the international community condemning the actions taken by government to the extent of actually placing sanctions on the economic, social and political activities in the international community, whereas South Africa had been sanctioned from the international community which was felt directly by the working class as wages became lower and the economy was crippled (Budeli, 2009: 73). Conclusion: In conclusion, Both South African and Argentinas trade unions have been instrumental in the reforms that occurred in both countries. The trade unions were not only revolutionising against the undemocratic regimes, but in the process of doing the trade unions in both countries were highly influential in making the lives of working class better through the struggles that were fought against harsh working conditions and low wages (Cooper, 2011:19). Even though the struggles in both countries lasted for many decades, labour movements in both countries, have improved since the regimes occurred, in the fight for a stronger and more effective working class. List of References: Baskin, J. 1991. Strking Back: A History of COSATU. Johannesburg: Raman Press. Baskin, J. (ed). 1996. Against the Current: Labour and Economic Policy in South Africa. Naledi: Ravan Press. Brysk, A. 1994. The Politics of Human Rights in Argentina: Protest, Change and Democratization. California: Standford University Press. Budeli, M. 2009. â€Å"Workers right to freedom of association and trade unionism in South Africa: An historical perspective†. Fundamina. Vol. 15(2) pp. 57-74. Cooper, D. 2011. â€Å"Locating South Africa in the third world: Comparative perspectives on patterns of industrialisation and political trade unionism in South America†. Social Dynamics: A journal of African studies.Vol. 17(2) pp. 1-40. Di Tella, G., Dornbusch, R. 1989. The Political Economy of Argentina 1946-1983. London: MacMillan Press. Munck, R., Falcon, R., Galitelli, B. Argentina: From Anarchism to Peronism: workers, unions and politics 1885-1985. New Jersey: Zed Books Ltd. Webster, E. (ed). Essays in Southern African Labour History. Johannesburg: Raman Press.

Overpopulation Essay -- essays research papers

Overpopulation The Book of Genesis tells the story of creation of man. God said to man, "be fruitful and increase in numbers; fill the earth and subdue it." Prior to the nineteenth century, it was believed that God would provide for those who came into the world (Day 101). But, in 1798, this view was shaken by Thomas Malthus' An Essay on the Principle of Population, in which he concluded that while population increases geometrically, agricultural production only increases arithmetically. Current evidence shows that this theory may not be far from the truth. The world population reached 6 billion on October 12, 1999, and is expected to reach 9.3 billion by 2050! The impact of population growth is already felt by a majority of nations. The U.S. population has increased by 78% since 1950. Growing at 3,000,000 per year, U.S. population is expected to approach half a billion people in 50 years. A number of factors drive this growth. At the most basic level, it is because far more people are bo rn each year than die. Advances in nutrition and health care have increased survival rates and longevity for much of the world, and shifted the balance between births and deaths. The demands of increasing population magnify demands for natural resources, clean air and water, as well as access to wilderness areas. In the future, when there are not enough resources to go around, we will see significant scarcity, and a backlash of poverty. A number of problems lie behind scarcity and poverty. Ultimately, our own numbers, and the lifestyles many of us choose to live, drive all the critical issues we confront. Left unchecked, the combination of population growth and consumption- along with increasing inequity between rich and poor individuals and nations-will soon threaten not only the well-being, but even the lives of a majority of people on this planet. When population levels reach a critical threshold, we then see both a decline in the resource base, and damage to the environment, which supplies all those resources. These trends reinforce each other - the damaged environment provides fewer resources, and the shortage of resources causes us to further damage the environment. World energy needs are projected to double in the next several decades, but no credible geologist foresees a doubling of world oil production, which is projected to peak within the next few dec... ...many enjoy today will no longer be attainable. Fortunately a future of scarcity, inequity, and conflict is not inevitable. There are steps to be taken to stabilize population such as controlling fertility. Families can currently choose to have fewer children in industrialized countries. This can also be made possible for developing countries by providing family planning, and reproductive health care. If every couple in the world could reliably and affordably choose the number and spacing of their children, world population growth would slow by nearly twenty percent almost immediately. Protection and enhancement of human rights is necessary so that all people have access to the essentials of a decent life. Improving people's social health and economic well being can move them out of poverty, and away from needing more children for survival. Solving the problem of population growth will also help solve the environmental, economic and social problems the world confronts. "The c hoices we make in the next few decades about our own numbers and lifestyles will determine whether the world of the 21st century will be one of hope and opportunity, or of scarcity and destruction."

Critical Analysis of Mark Antony’s Funeral Speech Essay

Of all Shakespeare’s works , Julius Caesar is a play that hinges upon rhetoric – both as the art of persuasion and an artifice used to veil intent. The most striking of Shakespeare is his command of language. In Mark Antony’s funeral oration for Caesar, we have not only one of Shakespeare’s most recognizable opening lines but one of his finest examples of rhetorical irony at work. The speech could serve as a thematic synopsis to Julius Caesar. One of the most important and significant parts in the play is the funeral speech given by both Brutus and Mark Antony. At first, the funeral speeches seem to have no true significant meaning. However in further investigation it is established that the speeches ultimately serve as the basis for the final outcome of the play. By exploring the speeches of both Brutus and Mark Antony we are able to focus on the important details which alter one from the other. Through this analysis we are also able to realize why Brutus’s speech becomes one of his justifications and explanations, while Antony’s becomes one of manipulation and skill. It is known that both Brutus and Antony desired to appeal to the common people. However, the way in which each man went about it differs drastically. Not only did it influence the outcome of the play, but each speech also offers a unique insight on each of the speakers. Brutus’s speech Brutus’s speech becomes one of acquittal, not only for the people of Rome, but for Brutus himself. He uses his â€Å"honor and nobility† as a shield to defend and justify his actions to the crowd. Brutus states that he has carried out this horrendous act because of his love for Rome, and for the good of the people. â€Å"This is my answer, not that I have loved Caesar less, but that I love Rome more†¦ (3. 2. 21-22). In his speech he requests that the people use their â€Å"reason† to judge him. Although this seduces the crowd, it is not until after one of the common people cry â€Å"Let him be Caesar. † (3. 2. 51) that it is realized the speech is â€Å"merely too good for them. † Brutus begins to realize that liberty is not what the people wanted, but rather that they desire a powerful leader. Although his speech serves the purpose for its practical effectiveness, Brutus later comes to discover that his lack of insight of human nature aided in the apparent hopelessness of his cause. In comparison Mark Antony fully understands human nature and uses his awareness of it in his speech. Antony appeals to the passion and the grief of the people. What Brutus failed to recognize in the people, Antony used to his best interest. He realized that the people of Rome were completely incapable of acting with â€Å"reason† and he employed this inability to manipulate and control their emotions and actions. By using Brutus’ own explanations for Caesar’s death to begin his speech, Antony proves his validity to the crowd. By questioning Caesar’s ambition, yet never actually humiliating the conspirators; He succeeds in purposely leading the crowd away from any rational defense provided by Brutus. Antony uses his own grief along with a series of lies to remove the sympathy of the people. Through his powerful and honest speech he is able to cast a shadow of doubt into the minds of the people, and the crowd begins to gaze at the true motive behind Caesar’s murder. Antony understands the needs and wants of the people and uses this to prey upon their emotions and passions. He dangles Caesar’s Will in front of the people and then quickly puts it away again, knowing that the crowd will demand that it be read. Antony also recalls memories of the cloak Caesar now wears, while revealing his bloodied body, fully aware of the havoc it will reek, but unrelenting in his quest for revenge. Antony’s Speech Antony’s performance on the bully pulpit came as no surprise. To be sure, Antony does not have it easy. He is already a man distrusted by the conspirators for his friendship with Caesar. Brutus lets him speak at Caesar’s funeral, but only after Brutus,a great orator in his own right, has spoken first to â€Å"show the reason of our Caesar’s death†. Burtus makes it very clear that Antony may speak whatever good he wishes of Caesar so long as he speaks no ill of the conspirators. Obviously Antony has two advantages over Burtus: his subterfuge and his chance to have the last word. It is safe to say that Antony makes the most of his opportunity. He even mocks the senators and merely sets the table for dissent. He progressively hits upon the notes of ambition and honourable in a cadence that soon calls both terms into question. Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears; From a rhythmic perspective, the trochaic feel of this opening immediately commands attention. The succession of hard stresses is also Shakespeare’s way of using the verse to help Antony cut through the din of the crowd. Antonoy also echoes the opening line that Brutus uses [â€Å"Romans, countrymen and lovers†],but conspicuously rearranges it; where Brutus begins with â€Å"Romans† to reflect his appeal to their reason, Antony begins with â€Å"friends†, which reflects the more emotional tact he will take throughout the rest of his speech. Remember also that Antony has entered the Forum with Caesar’s body in tow and will use corpse as a prop throughout his oration. Antony follows with a line of straight iambic pentameter punctuated with a feminine ending [ â€Å"I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him]. Here is the first irony of Antony’s speech, in that he is unequivocally here to praise Caesar. Antony is, in fact, lying. Come I to speak in Caesar’s funeral,Antony returns to the actual predicate of his statement with innocuous metrical regularity. The line is all but a throway; Antony doesn’t want the crowd dwelling on the idea that he is speaking here by permission. The preceding parenthetical insertion of Brutus and the rest being â€Å"honourable men† displace his emphasis and lessens the impression that Brutus holds sway over him. In doing so, Antony effectively obeys the letter of his agreement without yielding to its spirit. But Brutus says he was ambitious; Antony contrasts his experience with what Brutus has said. The obvious implication is that Brutus and Antony have different views of Caesar. The more subtle implication is that since both men have claimed him as their friend, they have equal authority to speak on the subject of Caesar’s disposition. Antony, however, has the advantage of not needing to justify his actions. Instead, Antony can focus on sawing the limb out from under Brutus’s argument. And Brutus is an honourable man. At this point, Antony is still ostensibly speaking well of Brutus—at least to the crowd. A plebian might think that at worst, perhaps, either Antony or Brutus has made an honest mistake in his judgment of Caesar. On the other hand, the words says, ambitious, and honourable are becoming impossible to miss. Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; This is the third time in this speech that Antony utters this refrain. Every time he says this, it draws Brutus in an increasingly harsher light. The recurring repetition amplifies the question in the mind of the audience, There is a rather obscure rhetorical term for this technique; it’s known as repotia, which describes using the same phrase with minor variations in tone, diction, or style. My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, The regular iambic rhythm of the line and the feminine ending both help soften this line’s tone, which contrasts the high fervor of â€Å"O judgment! † It’s a simple metaphor that holds up well four centuries later. To Antony’s credit, the sentiment is grounded in his love for Caesar; it’s also quite telling of the character that he’s able to use this emotion in such a cynical enterprise. Throughout his speech Antony calls the conspirators honorable men. He then says, â€Å"You [the crowd] all did love him once, not without cause. What cause withholds you then to mourn for him? † This question goes against Brutus by questioning his speech when he betrayed Caesar. Now the crowd is starting to turn against the conspirators and follow Antony. Even though in his speech Antony never directly calls the conspirators traitors, he is able to call them â€Å"honourable† in a sarcastic manner that the crowd is able to understand. He starts out by citing that Caesar had thrice refused the crown, which refutes the conspirators’ main cause for killing Caesar. He reminds them of Caesar’s kindness and love for all, humanizing Caesar as innocent. Next he teases them with the will until they demand he read it, and he reveals Caesar’s ‘gift’ to the citizens. Finally, Mark Antony leaves them with the question, was there ever a greater one than Caesar? which infuriates the crowd. He then turns and weeps. Antony then teases the crowd with Caesar’s will, which they beg him to read, but he refuses. Antony tells the crowd to â€Å"have patience† and expresses his feeling that he will â€Å"wrong the honourable men whose daggers have stabbed Caesar† if he is to read the will. The crowd yells out â€Å"they were traitors† and have at this time completely turned against the conspirators and are inflamed about Caesar’s death. Antony uses the â€Å"Ceremonial† mode of persuasion in order to convince his audience that Caesar is not worthy of honor and praise. Antony must use â€Å"pathos† in order to appeal to the emotion of the audience. He must understand the disposition of the audience in order to successfully persuade his audience that Caesar truly was an ambitious man. â€Å"†¦ Bear with me; / my heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, / And I must pause till it come back to me. † (JC III ii 47) Marc Antony’s speech at Caesar’s funeral was so cunning and powerful that it caused the crowd’s loyalties to sway. Prior to Marc Antony’s oration the crowd favored Brutus and the conspirators. However, Marc Antony’s compelling discourse caused the plebeians to support him, and not Brutus. Marc Antony used three literary devices during his funeral oration, rhetorical question, sarcasm, and repetition, to successfully persuade the crowd. Although the crowd was supportive of the conspirators after Brutus’s speech, Marc Antony’s use of sarcasm in his funeral oration caused them to rethink who they should support. Conclusion Although both of Caesar’s funeral speeches seem to serve the basic purpose of appealing to the people, their dissimilarity serves as a great significance. Brutus’ speech, which appeared to be, honest becomes a speech of symmetrical structure, balanced sentences, ordered procedure, rhetorical questions and abstract subject matter, and ultimately became a speech of utter dishonesty. This along with Brutus’ lack of human insight aided in his inevitable downfall. Mark Antony’s speech on the other hand, for all its playing on passions and all its lies, proved to be at the bottom a truly honest speech because of Antony’s unconditional love for Caesar. To that extent Antony had truth on his side, making him concrete and real rather then abstract, and with this aided in his successful victory.

Benjamin Franklin Essay

I. INTRODUCTION Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston as the son of a candle maker. From humble beginnings, he grew into a renowned figure of American history. â€Å"He became famous for being a scientist, an inventor, a statesman, a printer, a philosopher, a musician, and an economist†. Today, Americans recognize him for being one of our Founding Fathers and a prominent citizen of the city of Philadelphia. In his autobiography, Franklin shows that he desired self-improvement and in pursuit of this goal focused on improvements of four different types: intellectual, moral, business, and social. II. BODY Franklin’s intellectual improvements were numerous. As a child, he had a thirst for knowledge. He exhibited a readiness to learn and read at an early age, and while in school, he rose to the head of his class and then skipped a grade. After Franklin’s father pointed out that he had a poor manner of writing, Franklin resolved to improve not only his manner of writing but also his arrangement of thoughts in his written work. His ambition was to become a good English writer. In his young age, he also was intent on improving his language and when he got older he taught himself French, Italian, Spanish, and Latin. He used the library as a means of improvement by constant study of one to two hours per day here. Franklin went to great lengths to achieve moral improvement. As a young man, Franklin developed a plan regulating his future conduct in life that he adhered to even in his old age. He wrote a list of moral characters that he would like to possess such as temperance, fr ugality, and humility. He had thirteen categories in all that he wrote down in a book to carry with him. He had a separate column for each day of the week. He would pull out the book and mark which virtues he felt he had committed a fault in that day so that he may examine them and improve upon them. During the course of this practice, Franklin said that he found himself fuller of faults than he would have thought, but he had the satisfaction of seeing those faults diminish. His actions also showed that he strove for moral perfection. He thought excessive drinking was a detestable habit and abstained from doing so when his coworkers drank all day long. He spent no time in taverns, playing games, or displaying antics of any kind. He also believed in the importance of frugality and did his best to save money on housing. During the eighteen months he lived in London, he worked hard and spent little on himself except for the occasional play or book. It was his practice of frugality that lead to his wealth and distinction later in life. Benjamin Franklin had a Quaker friend that pointed out that he thought that Franklin had a problem with pride and so Franklin endeavored to be more humble. He attributed his humility, or sometimes his appearance of humility, with allowing him to hold so much weight with his fellow citizens. Franklin also strove for truth, sincerity, and integrity in all of his business dealings. Not only did Franklin improve intellectually and morally but he also made improvements in business. In little time after becoming an apprentice to his brother, he exhibited great proficiency in the printing business. He was able to take a failing newspaper and make it profitable by developing a better type and better print which led to an increase in the number of subscribers. He made a mold to be used in printing houses to combat the problem of equipment deficiencies. He also made a copper press to print paper money. He filled the spaces in Poor Richard’s Almanac with proverbial sentences for the benefit of its readers. Similarly, he made use of newspapers to communicate instruction. Franklin also contributed greatly to social improvements in his day. He formed a club of mutual improvement called JUNTO. He started the Philadelphia public library which was an institution that was imitated by other towns. He laid the ground work for a more effective city watch and started the first fire company. He established a Philosophical Society in Pennsylvania and also an academy that grew into the University of Pennsylvania. He invented a more efficient and economical stove known as the Franklin stove. He helped in the establishing of a hospital in Philadelphia and also in streets being paved. Franklin was generally successful in his attempts at self-improvement, excelling from an early age. He attempted to be the best person he could be and genuinely desired to help others. He convinced coworkers to stop drinking and spend their money of food instead and also loaned money to them. He loaned money to his friends, Collins and Ralph, even though they took advantage of him and never repaid their debts. He recognized that Keimer was only using him to train his workers and then was going to fire him, yet Franklin still cheerfully put Keimer’s printing house in order. Franklin was also always eager to help young beginners. He further demonstrated that he was not a self-promoter when he had a chance for a better business deal but declined because of the obligations he felt he had with his current partners. III. CONCLUSION Franklin has long been revered as one of the great figures of American history. As a Founding Father, he was instrumental in the early days of shaping the American government. Throughout his lifetime, he strove for improvement in intellectual, moral, business, and social areas and was successful in his attempts in each of these areas. He was a benevolent individual who desired to help others, and he authored his autobiography in the hope that posterity would follow his example and reap the same benefits References Benjamin Franklin: Glimpses of the Man. 1994. The Franklin Institute Science Museum. http://www.fi.edu/franklin/ (accessed June 4, 2012). Franklin, Benjamin. 1909. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. Ed. Charles W. Eliot. New York: P F Collier & Son Company.

History of Fingerprinting essays

History of Fingerprinting essays Forensic science used in criminal justice has recently been revolutionized with new DNA technology, but fingerprinting is still the most valid and effective form of identification used in law enforcement today. Going back in the time of ancient Babylon, fingerprints and ridge patterns were used on clay tablets for business transactions and governmental procedures. By the 14th century, the fact that no two prints were alike was becoming more noticeable, thus the history of the fingerprint began. Noting the ridges, spirals, and loops in fingerprints, Marcello Malpighi, a professor of anatomy at the University of Bologna, made no declaration to the value of personal identification, but began to point out the differences in fingerprint patterns in 1686. Then, in 1823, a professor of anatomy at the University of Breslau, John Evangelist Purkinji, discussed nine fingerprint patterns in a published thesis, but still did not take notice to the individuality of each print. It wasnt until 185 6 that Englishman and Chief Magistrate, Sir William Hershel, used fingerprints on native documents. After gathering many prints, Hershel took notice to the fact that all the prints were unique and could prove identity from all those he made transactions with. Dr. Henry Faulds, the British Surgeon-Superintendent of Tsukihi Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, shared his studies with Charles Darwin in 1880, but Darwin, who was rather ill at the time, could be of no service to Faulds studies. Eight years later, Sir Francis Galton, a British anthropologist and Darwins cousin, began to study Faulds articles on fingerprint classification. Galton began to concentrate on linking fingerprints to genetic history and intelligence, but had no luck. Scientifically proving that fingerprints never changed during ones lifetime, Galton stated that the odds of two prints to be exactly the same were 1 in 64 billion. In 1901, Sir Edward Richard Henry revised ...

At a Crossroads

At a Crossroads At a Crossroads At a Crossroads By Maeve Maddox A reader is confused about this expression: Kindly explain the usage and difference, if any, of at a crossroad, at crossroads and similar phrases. Literally, a crossroad is a road that crosses another. â€Å"A crossroad† is the place where two or more roads intersect. â€Å"A crossroads† is also the place where roads intersect. In remote areas where roads lack signage, travelers at an unfamiliar intersection are faced with a directional decision that could have unpleasant consequences if they choose incorrectly. Figuratively, to be â€Å"at a crossroad† or â€Å"at a crossroads† is to be at a stage in one’s life–or the development of a country or an industry–when it is necessary to choose a course of action that will affect one’s future in significant and irrevocable ways. Both the singular and plural forms are seen, but the Google Ngram Viewer indicates that the plural form is more common. The expression is popular with writers who compose headlines and book titles: Trucking Industry at a Crossroads Cuba: Island at a Crossroad The Caspian Region at a Crossroad: Challenges of a New Frontier of Energy Global Health Governance at a Crossroads Cancer research at a crossroads in Germany Writers of novels and memoirs are also fond of it: I think you will agree that lifes plans are not always tied up in neat little packages. Occasionally we find ourselves at unexpected crossroads with more than one opportunity from which to choose. –Linda Lee Chaikin I see myself at crossroads in my life, mapless, lacking bits of knowledge then, the Moon breaks through, lights up the path before me  Ã¢â‚¬â€œJohn Geddes And having once chosen, never to seek to return to the crossroads of that decision-for even if one chooses wrongly, the choice cannot be unmade.  Ã¢â‚¬â€œJacqueline Carey To be at a crossroads is to be on the verge of making a decision: We stand at an absolutely pivotal crossroads in our nations history  that may well determine our future and way of life for decades to come. Three idioms that refer to the moment after the decision has been made are: 1. to cross the Rubicon This expression means to make an irrevocable decision. Its figurative meaning comes from Julius Caesar’s literal crossing of a small Italian river in 49 BCE. By leading an army across the Rubicon–the boundary between Gaul and Italy–Caesar disobeyed Roman law and began a civil war. Crossing the Rubicon is final. That’s the whole point of the expression. The following quotation suggests that the speaker doesn’t quite understand that once the Rubicon is crossed, there’s no turning back: I think the Port Authority, from a transparency/media point of view, has crossed the Rubicon as the result of recent controversies and its not going to be possible to re-cross it. 2. casting the die According to Suetonius, once he had crossed the Rubicon, Caesar said â€Å"Alea iacta est!† The Latin is usually translated as â€Å"The die is cast.† Die is the singular of dice. In those days, dice were used for gambling, but also for determining the will of the gods. Either way, once the dice have been thrown, the outcome has been determined. Example: â€Å"The Die is Cast: Russia’s Intentions in Ukraine† 3. no turning back The phrasal verb â€Å"turn back† means â€Å"to reverse the course of† or â€Å"to cause to go in the opposite direction.† Example: â€Å"For open government, there is absolutely no turning back.† In addition to representing a place where a crucial decision is made, a crossroad has sinister associations in history and in folklore. A place where two roads crossed was often chosen as the site of pre-Christian sacrifice. Recipes for black magic often include directions to bury something at a crossroads at midnight. Gallows were placed at a crossroads. The bodies of the executed–especially those of highwaymen–were left hanging as a warning. Suicides and others for whom Christian burial in consecrated ground was forbidden were buried at a crossroads. Related post: One Die, Two Dice Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Punctuating â€Å"So† at the Beginning of a Sentence30 Baseball IdiomsNominalized Verbs

This represents one assignment, comprised of 4 related papers, each Thesis

This represents one assignment, comprised of 4 related papers, each between 10 - 15 pages - Thesis Example 363). Thus, theories are an expression of specifically defined domains that offer explanations of how and why causal links are formed â€Å"so that the theory gives specific predictions† (Wacker, 1998, p. 364). More particularly, theory is a â€Å"limited and fairly precise picture† (Wacker, 1998, p. 364). The limited and precise picture informed by theory is based on how terms, domains, links/relationships and predictions/assumptions are defined (Wacker, 1998, p. 364). In this regard, theories by definition are operational. As Wacker (1998) explains, a theory answers the questions of â€Å"how, when (or where), and why† which is distinguished from descriptive objectives which merely answers the questions of â€Å"what (or who)† (Wacker, 1998, p. 364). Gelso (2006) offers a more condensed definition of theory and in doing so defines theory as â€Å"a statement of the suspected relationship between and among variables† (p. 458). From this perspective, theories are expected to be present in just about all aspects of research. In other words, in all research it should be anticipated that variables should be linked in one form or another. However, Gelso (2006) cautions that theories can be either informal or formal. Informal theories do not contain explicit statements and lack objectives for formulating a â€Å"logically consistent and mutually interdependent body of knowledge† (Gelso, 2006, p. 458). According to Gelso (2006) a theory will have scientific value if it is able to reveal why it is anticipated that variable s will be related or will have an impact on each other. There must also be logical rationales for anticipating the link between and impact of variables (Gelso, 2006). In this regard, theory functions in four main ways: descriptive, delimiting, generative and integrative (Gelso, 2006). The

The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Tolstoy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Tolstoy - Essay Example He has family, friends and a good position that he devoted a major part of his life in cultivating. As a result he has political, personal and social freedom. Ilyich’s free and easy life is pleasant with decorum and lightheartedness, and his nature is agreeable. Through this narrative, Tolstoy studies both life and death, Ivan’s realization about his life not truly lived, and his eventual making of peace with the inevitability of death. Thus, only in his last moments does Ivan Ilyich lose his fear of death, and joyfully perceives the light which replaces it (Tolstoy 56). Great scholars such as Vladimir and Mahatma Gandhi acclaimed the novella as the greatest in Russian literature. The work is interesting to read, rich in insights about human nature, and educative in its content. Thesis Statement: The purpose of this paper is to examine Leo Tolstoy’s story The Death of Ivan Ilyich, and discuss why the main protagonist’s life was not truly lived. Why Ivan Il yich’s Life was not Well Lived Tolstoy through his story insists that Ivan Ilyich is not different from others in the world, and that his extremely simple and ordinary life is â€Å"most terrible† (Tolstoy 9). ... The author depicts his protagonist as a selfish, short-sighted and mediocre person, since the latter’s ideal goal in life was to avoid unpleasantness. Ilyich’s main pleasures in life included playing bridge with his friends, besides liking antiques and living properly and pleasantly. However, it is evident that none of these normal, ordinary qualities can condemn Ilyich as wicked. This is the exact message that Tolstoy wishes to convey to the reader. While Ivan’s existence was akin to living death, his death is a rebirth into a new spiritual life. Therefore, his fatal flaw was that he had lived in a spiritual void (Hobby 34). According to Tolstoy, the fact of living and life ironically includes the certainty of death. Living with pain and illness everyday, Ivan Ilyich suffers for several months while refusing to accept the inevitability of his death (Tolstoy 7). The core of his life had consisted of emptiness, self deception and false values. Most human beings, i n the process of living, we commonly deny the truth of our human condition, pretend to forget about death; and this lie forms a part of the other lies that vitiate our beings. This means that Ilyich had been â€Å"living a literal, physical life but had been spiritually dead† (Hobby 34). Olney’s (p.110) analysis of the story differentiates between â€Å"life as experience† and â€Å"life as meaning†, and states that Tolstoy’s vivid representation through the fictional narrative helps the reader comprehend the truth that was present in the author’s own soul. For Tolstoy the actual meaning of life was different from indulgence in parties, tastefully decorating one’s home, and other