Reading Assessment for Adult ELS Learners Essay

Reading Assessment for Adult ELS Learners - Essay Example The reasons to look for reliable evidence in support of instructional practices are to minimize some of the negative consequences of informal practitioner lore and be more effective in helping students develop as readers. This paper presents a synthesis of research on the nature of reading. In so doing, it suggests a number of ways in which our understanding of reading can be progressed and tries to highlight some important ways to test instructional practices and search for more effective outcomes. It has also examined unique aspects of processing for second language reading. From this foundation of research, the paper then explores issues that concern second language reading assessment. There is lack of agreement among the specialist for definitions of reading. Some of available definitions for reading are development of set of habits and mastery of mechanics, ability to get fact from printed page and ability to carry on the varied and complex processes which we commonly associate with thinking (Traxler, 1944). Many specialist prefer last view of reading because it covers not only testing of reading habits and skill in obtaining facts from printed matter but also includes the appraisal of ability to comprehend all types of reading material to form judgments, to appreciate literary quality, to apply generalization and to perform various kind of mental activity characteristic of all fields (Traxler, 1944). Difficulties of learning Becoming informed about difficulties for different for L2 students can assist all of us in interpreting reading research and the many assertions made about effective reading instruction, recognizing the particular demands of L2 reading and investigating pertinent concerns in our own classrooms (Grabe & stoller, 2002). An investigation was carried out of the level of agreement on the identification of selected reading sub skills, relationship between these sub skills in terms of perceived difficulty. A summary of uniqueness estimates from within-day and across-day matrixes that result from cross validation by items in the entire sample of 988 examinees is done. It seems reasonable to prefer cross validation by items only. Sampling variation in sets of items drawn from the eight populations of comprehension skills was of chief concern in this study (Davis, 1968). Different Skills considered were recalling word meanings (35), drawing inferences about the meaning of a word from context (-1), finding answers to questions answered explicitly or in paraphrase (13), weaving together ideas in the content (5), drawing inferences from the content (23), recognizing a writer's purpose, attitude, tone and mood (14), identifying a writer's techniques (8) and following structure of passage (15). It was noted that drawing inferences about the meaning of a word from context percentages is slightly negative (-1); presumably this is a chance deviation from a true percentage close to zero. The largest percentages of unique variance occur in the case of memory for word meanings (35). The data indicate that about 32 per cent of the non-error variance of this

The American Revolution Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

The American Revolution - Research Paper Example Even though the Great Awakening was a reaction to the Enlightenment it also emphasized on individual freedom, equality and questioning spirit. It can also be seen that the enlightenment thoughts and the spirit of the great awakening also helped the Americans to form a shared common identity and culture which kept them united amidst crippling governmental policies. This paper seeks to explore the major causes of American Revolution and in doing so the paper evaluates how the effects of French and Indian war, philosophies of enlightenment and great awakening, American culture and identity, and imperial policies and taxations after 1783 have contributed towards the great rebellion. Effects of French and Indian War A probe into history clearly demonstrates that the huge financial burden that Britain suffered in spite of winning the French and Indian war was the starting point that triggered the American Revolution. The seven years’ war came to an end with the Treaty of Paris on Fe bruary 10, 1763 whereby France was forced to yield Canada to Britain in return for Guadeloupe and Martinique. Even though Britain and its allies were victorious the long war plunged Britain into great financial debt. As pointed out by Hickman, it was â€Å"in an effort to alleviate these financial burdens, the government in London began exploring various options for raising revenues† (Hickman) and this resulted in a number of colonial policies and legislations among American colonies. Thus, â€Å"the revolution was caused primarily by the mercantile policy by means of which Great Britain sought to monopolize the trade of her colonies for the benefit of the people of the home country† (Johnson/hist Commerce V1123). With this view in mind, the British parliament imposed a number of legislations and taxations on the American colonists. Some of the major acts, in this respect, consist of the Proclamation of 1763, Sugar Act of 1764, the Currency Act of 1764, the Quartering Act of 1765, the Stamp Act of 1765, Townshend Acts of 1770, the Tea Act of 1773, and the intolerable Acts of 1774. All these acts curtailed the liberty of the colonists and made their life miserable. These colonial policies not only created unrest and dissatisfaction but also caused a sense of unity and identity among the colonists under the revolutionary leaders. Effects of Philosophies of the Enlightenment and the Great Awakening The philosophies of the enlightenment and the great awakening contributed immensely to the American War of Independence. Many of the revolutionary leaders got inspired by the Enlightenment philosophical ideas of Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Montesquieu and it is from these enlightenment leaders that they imbibed â€Å"the concepts of the social contract, limited government, the consent of the governed, and separation of powers† (Kelly). The political theories and principles of the colonial leaders were strongly rooted in th e postulations of these European enlightenment leaders. This has been pointed out by Wilson and Reill when the authors observe that the intellectual strands of the Enlightenment thinkers are â€Å"merged in the works of writers such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, John Jay, Samuel Adams, Richard Price, and Joseph Priestley to create theoretical support for

Overeating In Youths And Adolescents Health And Social Care Essay

Overeating In Youths And Adolescents Health And Social Care Essay Overeating is a major social problem. Throughout the history, perception of overeating has been changing with time owing to the changing social, political, and economic situations. Overeating is an eating disorder which is centrally characterized by addiction to food that leads to binge eating. Individuals who suffer from compulsive eating disorder suffer from episodes of uncontrolled eating. It has been shown to have psychological connection as these individuals tend to experience pressured and frenzied feeling. As a result, the individuals continue eating even after they become uncomfortably full. Binge eating tends to be followed by intense guilt and sometimes depression. While bulimics will purge themselves with vomiting or use of laxatives, individuals suffering from compulsive eating disorder rarely vomit or use laxatives and hence they continue to accumulate weight. Overeating has been recognized as one of the factors contributing to increased incidences of overweight and obes ity which are major public health concerns. Overeating is a social problem which means that the problem has taken different dimensions throughout history. It has been defined and understood in different ways depending on the changing political, social, and economic conditions. Even during the medieval period, overeating was recognized but it was not understood the same way it is understood today. This implies that understanding of the problem has been changing with time and though it was recognized as a sign of wellness in the past, it is considered a major health problem today. Overeating today affects people across the social demographic divide. The problem is today compounded by social values and health concerns. The government has put in place different programs with an aim of mitigating the effect of the problem but little has been achieved. Despite the current understanding of overeating as a social and health problem, and the programs that have been instituted to mitigate its effects, it still remains a major social and health concerns in the world today. Historical Background of Overeating Overeating is a social problem that has changed over time. Since the medieval period, overeating has been understood in different ways depending on the changing economic, social, and political environments. The problem has also been understood in different ways depending on the dominant social values and the changing philosophy of social welfare (Levi et al., 2008). Definition and understanding of the problem have transformed with changes taking place in the environment. The current definition and understanding of the problem is very different from how it was understood during the medieval period. In order to define and understand overeating, it is important to first look at the historical definition and understanding of the problem. Historical understanding of binge eating dates back to the medieval period. At a time when the society was highly stratified, binge eating was understood as a sign of excesses (Tanofsky-Kraff, 2008). It was mainly practiced by those who had excess to eat, mainly those in the upper class. This means that the understanding of overeating during that time was mainly engraved in indulgence since these were only those who could afford plenty of food who ate more. Interestingly, overeating was not recognized as a health problem during the middle ages. Historical accounts have revealed that the ancient Greece and Arabia had texts which showed description of binging and purging which means both were recognized at that time. Also in ancient Rome, historians have shown the existence of constructed vomitoriums places where individuals or feasters threw up food. This is a sign of existence of overeating even at those ancient times. It has recorded that Roman Emperor Claudis who ruled between 10 B.C. to A.D. 54 and Vitellius who ruled between A.D 15 to A.D. 19 were both bulimic. These historical accounts affirm to the fact that eating disorders were recognized as early as 10 B.C. Although it was not recognized, overeating was the main cause of obesity in ancient times. Obesity, which results from overeating, is an age-old problem whose perception has changed over time. During ancient civilization, obesity was perceived in much different ways just like other overeating disorders. For example, ancient Egyptians considered obesity as disease. There have been wall drawing in Egypt which depicted obesity as an illnesses. There was also the famous statuette of Venus figurines, which depicted the image of an obese female torso and which are presumed to have played major roles in carrying out rituals. Ancient Chinese also showed that they understood the problem of obesity and its effect on the longevity of the problem. The Aztecs firmly believed that obesity could be considered as a supernatural problem which was affliction of gods. Hippocrates, who is regarded as the father of medicine, recognized that there were many sudden deaths which could be attributed to obesi ty, and this was expressed clearly in his writings. However, this perception changed from place to place. In areas where food was scarce, overeating and consequential obesity were considered as signs and symbols of wealth and a higher social status. In some African cultures, brides were plumped up in order to prepare them for child bearing period. Before a wedding, a bride was plumped up until she reached the expected weight to assist her to bear a child. This shows that overeating and obesity were perceived in different ways. However, serious focus on the prevalence of eating disorders did not take place until the 19th and 20th century. At the time, there was great scientific advance which provided for research framework to carry out studies to understand the existence of these diseases. For example, it was in 1979 that a British psychiatrist, Gerald Russell, made official description of existence of bulimia. He is the one who gave it its current scientific name, bulimia nervosa. He had carried out a scientific study between 1972 and 1978 (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). What sets apart the description of Russell from those of ancient Greece and Arabia is that Russell identified that bulimia was carried out in order to cut weight, while the ancient studies did not identify the reason for existence of binging and bulimia. Throughout history, overeating has been perceived in different ways. This perception has changed greatly with changing times, especially in the course of 1900s. For example, French designer Paul Poiret showed that overeating and consequential obesity were unfashionable. Poiret designed skin-revealing women clothes in order to reveal the body image. In the course of the 19th century, the rate of obesity continued to increase at an alarming rate as a result of different factors, among them change in eating patterns, especially overeating and changing lifestyle. Despite the historical records of existence of binge eating, it had not been recognized as a health problem until 1959. In 1959 psychiatrist and researcher Albert Stunkard first described overeating or binge eating as a social problem (Cooper and Fairburn, 2003). He first described it as Night Eating Syndrome and later the term Binge Eating Disorder was used to describe overeating behavior that did not have nocturnal component. This meant that the problem was recognized as a social problem only in 20th century despite its existence for many years. Although the problem has been observed for a number of years, there has not been any scientific study that looked into the trends of overeating. At the time Stunkard described the problem, he had observed there was increasing number of people who were becoming overweight. He noted that overweight individuals had more incidents of overeating compared to the rest of the population (Levi et al., 2008). The clinical observation convinced Stunkard that overeating was somehow related to obesity and only individuals with obesity showed recurrent episodes of overeating. With increase in the number of obese individuals owing to the changing lifestyle, it was easy for Stunkard to relate the prevalence pattern and the risk it posed to the general population. Since then, there have been several studies that have looked into the problem in greater details. From the perception of a sign of excesses during ancient times, binge eating was now recognized as a health issues (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005 ). Since Stunkard recognized the problem in overweight individuals, it was not recognized by the medical authorities in the country despite a number of consequent studies that have outlined the effects of the problem. It was not until 1994 when Binge Eating Disorder (BED) was introduced in the DSM-IV criteria. However it was introduced as a provision psychiatric disorder that required further research. It is important to understand that during 1950s when the problem was recognized as a major social problem, there were a lot of changes that were taking place in the social, political, and economical environment. This period marked the end of the Second World War and the world was drawing the attention away from war and political bickering to focus on social and health welfare of the population. The end of the Second World War ushered the world into a new era that was more focused on social welfare of the people. Since the turn of the century, the world has been much occupied with First and Second World War and the Great Depression that have wiped away wealth and people scrambled for food rations. This means during the period after the end of the Second World War, people could access more food. Change in technology has been recognized as another factor that contributed to increased incidence of overeating (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). The changing nature of life, mainly driven by technology, led to food process technologies that made food available outside the kitchen. Traditionally, food was only found and prepared in the kitchen which meant that people had limited chances of eating. However, the introduction of modern food processing technology, especially with the emergence of fast and convenient food, people have more chances of eating and this factor contributed to incidence of overeating. With availability of food in different public spaces, and with emergence of food chains like MacDonalds, which have been established in almost every corner, people are encouraged to eat more often (Levi et al., 2008). The increased incidence of overeating led to rising cases of obesity and this was one of the factors that drew attention to the issue of overeating. Changes in social life, especially in working conditions, were another factor that contributed to the increased cases of overeating. Unlike times when people labored for hours in the field, the emergence of office jobs where manual jobs are left to machines encourages people to eat more (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). As the number of working hours reduced and more work was taken over by machines, people had more time to relax and eat. Even at work, the emergence of fast food meant that people could carry food to work and continued to eat while working. There were a number of changes at home that also marked increased cases of overeating. The emergence of television sets and other entertainment devices stationed at home meant that people spent more hours watching TV while eating. At the end, they ate more than they would have eaten if they were not watching TV (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). Apart from positive impacts of technological advancement and wealth creation like having TVs at home, there are other psychological changes that come with change in life that have been pointed out as possible causes of overeating. As people became busy and pre-occupied and the economy changed, the level of stress kept on rising (Levi et al., 2008). High levels of stress and depression have also been pointed out as possible reasons why people engaged in overeating. Research evidence has shown that compared to the past, economic crisis of modern time, where life is centered on economic performance, has contributed to high levels of stress. It is therefore evident that throughout history, definition and understanding of overeating has dramatically changed in line with emerging social, political, and economic trends. Earlier definition of overeating is quite different from the modern one. Binge eating has changed from a sign of wealth in ancient times to a health problem that is attributed to the changes in the modern lifestyle. While the overeating and obesity have remained a problem for the wealth in earlier times, most of the obese individuals nowadays are found in the middle and low class. Description of the overeating in youths and adolescents Since the 1950s, overeating and accompanying overweight and obesity complications have become major public health concerns in the United States. As has been the tradition with the United States government, it responds with policies aimed at mitigating the effect of the problem but rarely puts in place policies to prevent the problem. Since overeating was noted as a public health concern in 1950s, it took the government several years before any policy was put in place to address the issue. With time, overeating, coupled with changing life style including reduced engagement in physical exercises has led to overweight and obesity, which are considered to be the major public health issues facing the country (Tanofsky-Kraff, 2008). Binge eating disorder is currently a major problem that cuts across the whole population. Each and every year, there are millions of Americans who succumb to different threatening eating disorders, but binge eating remains a major problem across the whole popul ation. It is estimated that about 16 million Americans suffer from one or more eating disorders including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (Tanofsky-Kraff, 2008). However, a higher number, 25 million Americans, are documented to suffer from binge eating. Interestingly, the problem is more pronounced in women than in men. Statistics shows that more than 90% of those who are affected by these problems are women (Hudons et al., 2007). Unlike other health problems that have been known to occur with age, either very early or very late in life, eating disorders occur in the middle life. It has been documented that about 86% of individuals who report eating disorders are slightly below the age of 20, which means the problem starts developing early in life. For example, research findings show that about 11% of high school students have one or more eating disorders, with binge eating being a major problem (Raderprograms, 2010). However, research shows conflicting results. A number of studies have pointed out that the prevalence of binge eating is not clear in the population. This is because the prevalence differs from place to place depending on the social economic status. However, it has been shown that the prevalence of binge eating in the general population ranges between 1-3% (Bull, 2004). As was earlier observed in 1950s, binge eating remains a major problem facing overweight and obese individuals. A number of studies have clearly shown that among the overweight and obese individuals, binge eating rangers from 25% and more (Bull, 2004). In adolescents and youth, binge eating has been described as a major health concern. Studies have shown that lost of control eating or BED is prevalent in young people not only in the United States but in the whole world (Tanofsky-Kraff, 2008). Binge eating is associated cross-sectionally with adiposity in children and youth and has been identified as a major factor predisposing them to overweight and obesity. Overeating is therefore a major social problem not only in adults but in youths. There are several reasons why the society is getting concerned with the problem of overeating. Since the second half of the 20th century, increasing incidence of overeating has attracted public attention owing to the social and health ramification on the general population. Overeating was recognized as a problem associated with obesity. The reason why the society is becoming more concerned with increasing incidence of overeating can be related to the rising cases of overweight and obesity in the population. Obesity is an epidemic in the United States that affects people across the social demographic divide. It is estimated that about three quarters or accurately more than 64% of American adults are overweight while 26% are obese (Levi et al., 2008). The number of obese people in the United States has grown steadily from 19.4% in 1997 to the recent 26.6% in 2007 (Hudons et al., 2007). By 2015, it is estimated that about 75% of the United States population will be overweight while 41% will be obese (Hudons et al., 2007).While obesity has been considered a problem for the aging individuals, demographic prevalence portrays a worrying trend as children and adolescents shows increasing cases of overweight and obesity. In the last two decades, it has been observed that children and youths are becoming victims of complications associated with overeating, with 15-25% of American children considered obese while the number keeps on growing (Tanofsky-Kraff, 2008). Worrying trends show that one in every five children is overweight and has a higher likelihood of becoming obese. By any standards, these statistics are worrying and call for action from the concerned stakeholders. The above statistics clearly reveals why overeating is considered a major public health concern. What is more worrying is the observation that overweight and obese children and teens are likely to become obese when they grow up to adults. This means that there is likelihood of having a generation of obese adults in the cause of time if nothing is done (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). Although there are multiple sources which contributed to overweight and obesity, overeating has been singled out as the main cause of obesity in children and teens. A recent study that was carried out by World Health Organization Collaboration Center for Obesity Prevention found out that while researchers have long faulted decrease in physical activity as the main cause of obesity, increase in overeating should rather be pointed out as the main cause of obesity. For children, overeating rather than other compounding factors is the main cause of obesity (RWJF, 2010). If the above trend is anything to go by, then overeating should be a major concern for all individuals in the society and indeed, it is a call for the government to come up with measures to mitigate the effects of overeating in children. There are many social, economic, political, and media forces that have garnered to define overeating as a major social problem. Socially, the perception of overeating has been changing with time and today it is no longer perceived as a sign of wealth and excesses but rather as a social problem. Research has shown that children who are overweigh and obese are likely to be bullied or face cynicism from their peers. They are perceived to be irresponsible, which means they suffer socially. This means that overeating is no longer accepted as a social practice as it leads to overweight and obesity (Levi et al., 2008). Economically, people are becoming well off and the living standards have really improved. However researches point out that overeating is not an economic problem as it cuts across the divide, which means even children and teens living in low income areas are suffering from the problem. This means that there are more underlying economic factors, like the model of economy that lays less emphases on hard work that increases calorie consumption which has conspired to aggravate the problem. Political forces that have lead to recognition of the problem include government policies that have defined the issue. In 1994, the government took a bold step to include BED into the DSM-IV criteria which means it was already recognized as a health problem. Through the relevant organizations, the government has funded a number of programs aimed at mitigating the problem (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). However, the most instrumental force that has shaped overeating as a social problem is the media. Now and then, the media carries out campaigns that are aimed at keeping children out of overeating. The media has been critical of multinational corporations like McDonalds which have encouraged overeating. On the other hand, media portrayal of desired body size, especially for teenage girls, forces them to engage in weight loss programs that lead to emotional binge eating. The public understanding of overeating is coming to a convergence. As has been reviewed earlier, ancient understanding of overeating was quite different from the modern understanding. There were some societies that encouraged overeating in women to give them strength to bear children while in some societies, overeating was perceived to come with health effects. Nowadays, with the increased understanding of consequence of overeating in reference to overweight and obesity, public definition of the overweight portrays it as a major psychological problem. According to DSM-IV criteria, binge eating is defined as a disorder marked by eating larger than usual amount of food in a short period of time, most specific, within a period of two hours. It is lack of control on ones eating behavior or eating that cannot be controlled (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). In this definition, there are important values and ideologies that have are put into consideration. Most important, the definition puts in to consideration the health value in belief that while eating is good; it may come with consequential health effects. Concretely, overeating in youths and adolescent is understood as a psychological and behavioral problem that comes with grave consequences especially overweight and obesity. However, overeating is still understood in different terms by different social segments. For some parents, overeating in their children may be a sign of growth in appetite (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). Parents understand that throughout the life span, children feeding behavior keeps on changing and therefore overeating in adolescents corresponds to nutrients needs in their body, which means they do not consider it to be a problem. However, for others, overeating is already recognized as a major health problem and hence they are doing their best to assist their children to overcome it. Prevalence patterns show that Binge Eating Disorder affects millions of people in the United States, especially youths and adolescents. However, the problem is more pronounced in females than males. In the United States, the problem affects 3.5% females compared to 2% males (Decaluwe and Braet, 2003). The problem is also more pronounced in individuals who are overweight and obese as more than 30% of individuals seeking weight reduction treatment have shown signs of BED (Decaluwe and Braet, 2003). The fact that binge eating is twice common in females than males shows that the problem is not related to caloric needs as assumed by most parents. The most devastating effect of binge eating is that it leads to health complications like overweight and obesity. Binge eating leads to increased adiposity in children and adults which increases incidence of overweight and obesity. Since the problem cuts across the social demographic divide, including wealthy people and those from low income area s, there are no social injustices which are associated with the problem. Generally, it can be recognized as a problem associated with increase in wealth, modern food processing technology, and changes in different spheres of life (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). Social value and political ideologies have impacted differently on the way the problem is viewed. As social value keeps on changing, so has the public perception of overweight and obesity. For example, traditionally, people with big bodies who can currently be categorized obese were valued and viewed as well up. However, this has changed with the changing media perception of ideal body weight. If any, there are few individuals in the society who want to maintain big bodies (Decaluwe and Braet, 2003). This means that if overweight is being viewed negatively in the society, binge eating, which is a causative factor for overweight and obese conditions are also viewed negatively by the people. Politically, there has been less government concern on obesity and overweight until recently when the government took bold steps in face of public threat posed by overweight and obesity incidences to institute measures to deal with the problem, for example inclusion of overeating in DSM-IV (Levi et al., 2008). Overweight and obesity are tied to the political ideology of capitalism which is defining the modern society. In capitalism, individuals amass more, and indulge in culture of consumerism hence driving forward the culture of overeating (Levi et al., 2008). Overeating can be explained using different social theories. One of the recent theories that have been used to explain overeating is reversal theory which explains overeating as a response to high-tension stress (Sue et al, 1998). This theory has shown that women who engage in weight reduction program suffer from tension and stress which forces them to engage in overeating. The same model has also been expressed by psychosomatic theory which shows that emotional eating results from confusion and apprehension related to emotional states that are in turn related to hunger and satiety (Terry, 2005). Another theory that explains overeating is habituation theory which suggest that when one habituates or adjusts a to food cues, one is less likely to get satisfied and keeps on consuming food (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). In line with this theory, social learning theory also shows that overeating is a learned behavior that is learned due to physical surrounding and interactions. Cognitive th eories have pointed out that overeating is deeply rooted in cognitive process which means it is a cognitively driven process. This means that the brain is motivated to eat more and more with no feeling of satiety (Terry, 2005). In reference to the above theories, it can be deduced that there are biological, social, and psychological causes of binge eating. In biological causes, it has been revealed that body parts and hormones like hypothalamus which control appetite may fail to send correct message for hunger and fullness and hence lead to overeating. Psychological sources have shown that depression and binge eating are closely linked to each other. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services shows that more than half of binge eaters are depressed or have suffered signs of depression in life (Levi et al., 2008). On social factors, it has been shown that social pressure adds shame on binger eaters but this only fuels their emotional eating (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). Environme ntal factors like parental practice of use of food to conform children fuels binge eating. A causal chain that explains pathway to overeating may be constructed as follows: Ideology/Values -Social influence desired body size, peer influence -Economic influence change in working patters, convenient and fast food, less physical work -Media influence pressure on desired body size Positive influence Increased food intake due to positive influence like availability of food, eating while watching TV, and others Emotional eating Triggered by stress/depression Effects Overweight Obesity Insomnia Relationship problems Suicidal thoughts Depression and anxiety Overeating causes many health related physical, emotional, and social problems, including overweight and obesity, stress, insomnia, suicidal thoughts, and many others. Depression, anxiety, and sometimes substance abuse have been pointed out to be possible side effects of binge eating (Munsch and Beglinger, 2005). Binge eating also comes with social problems like interference relationship and career. In terms of effects and benefits, overeating can be looked from two angles, from the point of view of those who benefit and those who suffer from the problem. To start with, there are much more people who suffer from the problem than those who benefit from it. Those who suffer from the problem include individuals who are suffering the consequences of such problems like overweight and obesity, close family and relates who are related to the individual and also suffer from the problem, the government which has to incur billions of dollars in treating complications associated with the problem, and many others (Hudons et al., 2007). On the other hand, those who benefit from the problem include businesses which deal with food and others like pharmacies which sell medical supplements to deal with complications of overweight and obesity. Currently, there are many programs which are dedicated to mitigation of the problem. It is important to note that most of these programs have taken the approach of providing education to youths and adolescents on causes, effects, dangers, and ways to prevent overeating. While the government has instituted such policies as school feeding policy that encourage healthy eating, most of the programs are run by the private sector in conjunction with the government, most of them existing in their own microenvironment. Some of these programs include Focus Adolescent Services, The Center- A Place of Hope, Eating Disorder Hope, and many others. These programs have used the most accessible information dissemination media, mainly through the internet to reach as many youths and adolescents as possible.

Life of Ludwig van Beethoven Essay -- Ludwig van Beethoven Composers M

Life of Ludwig van Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven, also known as â€Å" The General of Musicians,† was born on December 16, 1770. However, this date is not exact because it is believed that Beethoven’s father lied about his son’s age in order to portray him as an infant prodigy. As a result, Beethoven is convinced he was born on December 16, 1772 at the Rheingasse home, which belonged to the Fischers, who were close friends of the family (Orga 8). Johann van and Maria Magdalena Beethoven bore five children of which three survived. Ludwig van Beethoven was the first child to survive, probably making him the most cherished especially in his father’s eyes. The other two surviving siblings were Casper and Nikolaus. They were said to have played extremely important roles in Beethoven’s life. Johann van said to be a lesser man than his father Ludwig Louis van Beethoven, who was a trained musician and later appointed Kapellmeister. Many believed he could not compare to his dad because he did not have a high-ranking job, instead his income was based on giving piano, singing, and violin lessons to the public (Kerman 354). Johann wanted his first son to be great, especially in the music field, so he pushed him to learn the piano and violin at a very early age. For instance, Beethoven had his first public appearance at the age of eight on March 26, 1778. He performed at a concert with one of his father’s other pupils. His performance consisted of concertos and trios on the keyboard. Beethoven continued to play at concerts, as well as taking music lessons with instructors other than his father. When visiting the Fischer Family one day Johann proclaimed, â€Å"My son Ludwig is my only comfort now in life. He is improving in his music to such an extent that he is admired by everyone. I foresee that in time he will be a great man in the world† (Orga 29). During this time he also attended elementary school in Bonn, but he did not exceed grade school. Beethoven learned all he could by age ten and from then on he lived off his wits and curiosity (Orga 28). In 1779, Beethoven met his first very important teacher at Bonn by the name of Christian Neefe. Neefe automatically saw Beethoven’s talent and had a strong liking to him from the beginning. Moreover, when he took a short leave of absence from Bonn, he appointed Beethoven, at only eleven years o... ... His funeral was held on the 29th of March and about 15,000 guests attended his burial. The surrounding schools were closed that day in respect of the composer. Also, out of respect the choir sang the Miserere in an arrangement from one of his Equali for trombones. Following the singing, about 200 horse carriages accompanied the coffin on its final journey (Orga 8). To conclude, Beethoven was know as â€Å"The General of Musicians,† â€Å"The Young Genius,† and the most admired composer in the history of western music. His musical ability, his passion, and his harsh losses all helped to contribute to his undying success as a great pianist and composer. Even today his works are still studied and listened to around the world. Works Cited Kerman, Joseph. The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. Ed. Stanley Sadie. 20 Vols. London: MacMillan Pub. Ltd., 1980. 2: 354-60. Grout, Donald Jay. A History of Western Music. 3rd ed. New York: Cornell UP, 1981. Marek, George R. Beethoven: Biography of a Genius. New York: Funk and Wagnall’s Publishing Company, 1969. Orga, Ates. Beethoven: The Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers. London: Omnibus Press, 1983.

Importance of Theology

Living In this glorious world, I noticed how It revolves around me. As I lay my eyes In this world full of mysteries, questions concerning my life's purpose, the reality, the existence of God, how to achieve true happiness and many more keep on flooding in into my mind. I often ask myself, â€Å"Why do I even exist? † and â€Å"How did I become a part to this world? Since the dawn to elite, the curiosity of humanity is incessantly growing. Questions run In circles Inside our minds. We search and search for the truth. We keep on trying to unravel mysteries.However, there are so many locks and not enough keys. In addition, a question just leads to another question. As you can see, to seek for the truth is to reach the exit of a labyrinth. It may be confusing and difficult. Surely, you will always go around In circles. However, when one incessantly focuses and have a sturdy faith, only then he could reach the end of his street and consequently sink in his mind nothing but the tr uth. Theology helps us find reasons for the truth we believe In. It guides us to know the answers for our questions with confidence yet with modesty.Does God really exist? Inside my head is this question, yearning to have answers using the paths for seeking the truth– by way of reason, science, and faith. Using my eyes of reason and with the help of philosophy, God really do exist. As I grow up, my perspective and understanding of life aid In making me see and understand things and reality much deeper. In my own experience, I cannot see love as well as God. I cannot see wisdom as well as God. And I cannot see happiness as well as God. Nevertheless, everything I have stated has one thing In common. May not see all the love, wisdom and happiness, but we can unequivocally feel them. Scientifically speaking, the existence of God could be elaborated by the second path of truth– by way of science. There Is not enough evidence and power science has. Science cannot explain all the things and phenomenal happenings in our world. Researchers say that God does not exist that there is no proof of Him based on their observations and scientific findings. Science generally contradicts the Bible saying that the Sacred Scriptures written is not true.Lastly, the truth is answerable by way of faith. Possessing the eyes of faith, simply believe that God exists In the midst of my everyday life. Being a Catholic. I have this in my mind and heart– the true meaning, value, beauty and essence of Him in my life. As I journey in seeking the truth, I gain more knowledge and wisdom that help me understand what Fife Is. Truth is a deep kindness that teaches us to be contented in our everyday lives and share with other people comparable happiness. The truth has given me a new perspective in life.Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and truth. Have learned that discovering the truth about me Is a lifetime's work, but it is worth the effort No matter how h ard and painful it may be, at the end of the day it is still worth the try. Tofu Truth is something that one cannot hide. Eve retying happens tort a reason and is an answer for every question. God is always there by my side guiding, watching and helping me to put the puzzle pieces of my life in the correct place. Never lose hope. Have faith. Seek for the truth.

Revisioning the Scholarship Boy

Re-Visioning the Scholarship Boy In â€Å"When We Dean Awaken: Writing as Re-Vision,† Rich describes the dilemma we all face as humans in our search for identity. Are we to allow the forces of the past to define us, or are we to transcend these forces creating a new identity? For Rich her struggle with a male dominated society causes her to redefine herself through writing. As the title of her piece suggests, Rich uses â€Å"writing as Re-vision,† a way to rewrite the past, effectively breaking free of tradition.In â€Å"The Achievement Of Desire,† Rodriguez is faced with a similar crisis of identity, when faced with Hoggart’s concept of the â€Å"scholarship boy†. While this concept seems to represent the hold of authority over Rodriguez, he instead uses it in his search for identity, breaking the hold of authority over him. Rich writes, â€Å"until we understand the assumptions in which we are drenched we cannot know ourselves†¦. †(Ric h 18). In much the same way Rodriguez must understand the assumptions imposed by the concept of the â€Å"scholarship boy† in his quest for self-identity.When examining Rodriguez’s struggle the following questions arise: Has Rodriguez broken free of the academic authorities in his life, which attempt to rigidly define his identity? Is he a â€Å"scholarship boy,† or something more? When contemplating these questions, we come to a surprising result; Rodriguez had used his quest for identity as a catalyst, allowing him to solidify his own philosophy of education. Throughout the achievement of desire Rodriguez uses the concept of the scholarship boy to express his philosophy of education.While at first we see the scholarship boy as a mere caricature, eventually it begins to increase in depth, until finally we realize that Rodriguez is in fact talking about himself. Rodriguez writes: â€Å"In large part, however, the reason he is such a bad student is because he re alizes more often and more acutely than most other students – than Hoggart himself – that education requires radical self-reformation. †(529) In this passage we begin to see pieces of Rodriguez’s philosophy of education. For Rodriguez, a successful education exists as a force of inevitable change.This change often pulls one away from their native culture, integrating them with society. Rodriguez states, â€Å" Radical educationalists meanwhile complain that ghetto schools oppress students by trying to mold them†¦the truer critique would be just the reverse: not that schools change ghetto students too much†¦they change most students barely at all. †(529) For Rodriguez a proper education inevitably â€Å"molds† the student. The emphasis in the American educational system on â€Å"creativity and originality† ultimately hinders the success of the student.Rodriguez furthers his philosophy on education with his views on imitation. For Rodriguez imitation i â€Å"From the story of the scholarship boy there is no specific pedagogy to glean†¦ he makes clear that education is a long unglarorous even demeaning process†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Great quote to set up another paragraph For rodriguez, education need not be a pleasurable process. While thescholorship boy seems a negative story in reality it is a necessary one in terms of education. For the student of immigrant parents to become educated he must be ripped from his native cultureRodriguez reveals; â€Å"A primary reason for my success in the classroom was that I couldn’t forget that schooling was changing me and separating me from the life I enjoyed before becoming a student. †(516) During the beginning of his life, Rodriguez lives as the â€Å"scholarship boy†. Rodriguez writes, â€Å"I lacked a point of view when I read. Rather I read in order to acquire a point of view. †(527). Furthermore Rodriguez writes â€Å"I knew too much (and not enough) to be able to write anything but sentences that were overly cautious, timid, strained brittle under the heavy weight of footnotes and qualifications.I seemed unable to dare a passionate statement†(531). After these realizations Rodriguez searches for an answer to his shortcomings in academic literature coming face to face with Hoggart’s concept of the â€Å"scholarship boy†. For the first time Rodriguez begins to question himself, framing these inquiries through the concept of the â€Å"scholarship boy† Through questioning himself Rodriguez finally comes to terms with himself allowing a synthesis to occur, applying his skills of abstraction to his problem of identity.Rodriguez writes â€Å"And yet, positively: the ability to consider experience so abstractly allowed me to shape into desire what would otherwise have remained indefinite. †. Rodriguez takes this synthesis further concluding â€Å"If, because of my schooling, I had gr own culturally separated from my parents, my education finally had given me ways of speaking and caring about this fact†(532). Rodriguez goes further to illustrate his transformation, by contrasting his thoughts as a â€Å"scholarship boy† with his thoughts in the present.Rodriguez writes â€Å" Faithfully, I wrote down all that they said. I memorized it: â€Å"The praise of the unlettered by the highly educated is the primary theme of ‘elitist’ literature† But, â€Å"the importance of the praise given the unsolitary, richly passionate and spontaneous life is that it simultaneously reflects the value of a reflective life. †(532). To Rodriguez this quote falls perfectly in line with his own conclusions from his experience, the wisdom of learning to balance the two opposing forces in his life. Yet as a scholarship boy these words mean nothing to him.Rodriguez writes, â€Å"But there was no way for any of it to mean very much to me. I was a sch olarship boy at the time, busily laddering my way up the rungs of education. †(532). Throughout â€Å"Achievement of Desire†, Rodriguez maps his transformation from a â€Å"scholarship boy†, to someone with his own authority. It is possible to see a similar transformation occur for Rich when we examine â€Å"When We Dead Awaken: Writing as Re-Vision†. For Rich the final step of this transformation is through her act of writing about her struggle.Rich writes, â€Å"Moreover if the imagination is to transcend and transform experience it has to question, to challenge, to conceive of alternatives, perhaps to the very life you are living at the moment. †¦. For writing is re-naming. † (Rich 23). It would seem that a final piece of evidence for Rodriguez’s transformation is â€Å"Achievement of Desire† itself. Rodriguez’s ability to write about his struggle allows him to use the transformative power of the imagination, effectively using writing as Re-Vision.

Hess Law of Heat Summation Essay Example

Hess Law of Heat Summation Essay Example Hess Law of Heat Summation Essay Hess Law of Heat Summation Essay Hess  Law  of  Heat  Summation Hess  Law  states  that: The  enthalpy  change  for  any  reaction  depends   on  the  products  and  reactants  and  is  independent   of  the  pathway  or  the  number  of  steps  between   the  reactant  and  product. BASICALLY:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Hess  Law  states  the  heat  evolved  or  absorbed  in     Ã‚  Ã‚  a  chemical  process  is  the  same  whether  the  process     Ã‚  Ã‚  takes  place  in  one  or  in  several  steps     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­;This  is  also  known  as  the  law  of  constant  heat  summation. All  it  means  is  that  no  matter  how  many  steps  the  chemical     Ã‚  Ã‚  reaction  proceeds  through,  the  total  heat  evolved  or  absorbed   Ã‚  Ã‚  is  the  added  heat  values  of  each  step  and  will  always  be   Ã‚  Ã‚  a  constant  figure  for  that  process. For  example:     Ã‚  Ã‚  When  phosphoric  acid  (a  tri ­hydrogen  acid)  is  neutralized     Ã‚  Ã‚  with  a  base,  the  hydrogens  are  neutralised  in  3  steps:   Ã‚  Ã‚  STEP  1:  Ã‚  Ã‚  H3P04  +  NaOH  Ã‚ ­;  NaH2PO4  +  H2O  ­gives  X  amount  of  heat     Ã‚  Ã‚  STEP  2:  Ã‚  Ã‚  NaH2PO4  +  NaOH  Ã‚ ­;  Na2HPO4  +  H2O  ­gives  Y  amount  of  heat   Ã‚  Ã‚  STEP  3:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Na2PO4  +  NaOH  Ã‚ ­;  Na3PO4  +H2O  ­gives  Z  amount  of  heat   Ã‚  Ã‚  Therefore,  the  total  heat  ofà ‚  reaction  (  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hrxn)  is  equal  to: There  are  two  (2)  ways  to  calculate  the  heat  of  reaction   using  Hess  Law: 1 ­Ã‚  Ã‚  Equation  Method  (Algebraic  Method) 2 ­Ã‚  Ã‚  Heat  of  Formation  Method  (Summation  Method) Equation  (Algebraic)  Method Strategy:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚ ­add  equations  for  reactions  with  known  enthalpies   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  so  that  their  net  result  is  the  desired  reaction Sample  Problem  1: Use  the  equations  below  to  determine  the  enthalpy  of  reaction for  the  decomposition  of  hydrogen  peroxide: H2O2(l)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  H2O(l)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1/2  O2(g) The  equations  are: 1 ­Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  H2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  H2O2(l)  Ã‚  Ã‚   2 ­Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  H2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  1/2  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  H2O(l) Hf  =  Ã‚ ­188  kJ Hf  =  Ã‚ ­286  kJ Solution: Sample  Problem  2: Use  the  following  equations: 1 ­Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1/2  N2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  3/2  H2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  NH3(g) 2 ­Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1/2  N2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  NO2(g) 3 ­Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  H2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  1/2  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  H2O(g) Hf  =  Ã‚ ­46. 0  kJ Hf  =  +34. 0  kJ Hf  =  Ã‚ ­242. 0  kJ to  calculate  the  enthalpy  of  reaction  for: 4  NH3(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  7  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  4  NO2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  6  H2O(g) Solution: Practice  Problem: Calculate  the  heat  of  reaction  for  the  oxidation of  one  mole  of  ethanol  to  ethanoic  acid: C2H5OH(l)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  CH3COOH(l)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  H2O(l) Use  the  equations  below:  ­Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  C2H5OH(l)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  3  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  CO2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  3  H2O(l) 2 ­Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  CH3COOH(l)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  CO2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  H2O(l) Hc  =  Ã‚ ­1367  kJ Hc  =  Ã‚ ­874  kJ Enthalpy  of  Formation   (Summation)  Method Standard  Molar  Enthalpy  of  Formation:  (  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  )  ­the  amount  of  ____  (absorbed  or  released)  when  _________  of     a  compound  is  formed  from  its  _________________  in  their   standard  states  ­most  enthalpies  of  formation  are  Ã‚ ­ve  (__________________)? therefore,  most  compounds  are  ___________  stable  than  the   elements  they  are  made  from  ­Ã‚  the  enthalpy  of  formation  of  an  element  in  its  s tandard  state   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  is  _____  because  it  is  usually  its  most  stable  form! Write  the  formation  equations  for: a)  Ã‚  methane  gas: b)  Ã‚  calcium  carbonate: c)  Ã‚  hydrogen  chloride  gas: (Look  at  the  Table! ) How  to  Use  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hf  to  Calculate  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hrxn Recall:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hrxn  = therefore, Hrxn  =  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (  n  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hf  products)  Ã‚  Ã‚ ­Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  (  n  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hf  reactants) Sample  Problem  1: Using  the  enthalpies  of  formation,   calculate  the  enthalpy  of  reaction  for:  Ã‚  Ã‚     CH4(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  CO2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  H2O(g) Practice  Problem: Use  the  summation  method  to  determine   the  enthalpy  of  reaction  for: 4 NO2(g) + 6 H2O(g) 4  NH3(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  Ã‚  7  O2(g) Homework:  ­Ã‚  p. 247  #13 ­16  ­Ã‚  p. 251  #17 ­20  ­Ã‚  p. 254  #21 ­24  ­Ã‚  the  following  three  questions:   Ã‚  Use  the  summation  method  to  calculate  each   Ã‚  of  the  following:   Ã‚  a)  Ã‚  CO2(g)  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  H2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  CO(g)  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  H2O(g)   Ã‚  b)  Ã‚  C2H5OH(l)  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  3  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  CO2(g)  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  3  H2O(l)   Ã‚  c)  Ã‚  C2H6(g)  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  7/2  O2(g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2  CO(g)  Ã‚  +  Ã‚  3  H2O(l)

Wealthy Barber Essays - Mutual Fund, Mutualism, Stock Market

Wealthy Barber Essays - Mutual Fund, Mutualism, Stock Market Wealthy Barber Money is easy to make as long as you have a job, however what do you do when you have the money is another question. This is a question I have asked myself ever since I got my first part time job. Many people dont realize that your money can make you more money, through proper investment. Through this strategy you can not only live comfortably now, but you can live a wealthy retirement and enjoy your later years. One of tips which caught my eye the most was the chapter, entitled, Ten Percent Solution. This chapter seemed to make sense to me as I am on a limited budget with a minimum wage job. I am one of the fortunate students how somehow can balance school with a part time job. I do this because it allows me some freedoms while at school, such as eating well, socializing and trips to visit friends. I also seem to have a bit of money left over which I leave sitting in my low interest bank account. It is this money I am hoping to save for when I am done school and to begin my OSAP payments. Until reading the book, The Wealthy Barber, I never really had an idea of what to do with my money. Since I am also one of those students who is lucky enough to have a loan through OSAP, I figured Id better start saving or making money as it is stated. I am currently saving money in a GIC account at a bank which has a mediocre interest rate of approximately 4%. However, if I invest in something such as a mutual fund for long term growth I will get a better interest rate and end up making more money without doing anything. The nice thing about both the GIC and the mutual fund is that they use the compound interest which allows your money to grow at a very rapid rate, as you will slowly start making money on the previous interest deposits as well as your own deposits which you make. However to gain significant interest growth you must have something at a reasonable interest rate. This book has really inspired me to do the research and start doing this. The whole idea of this novel is to save money now and you will live better in the future, such as when we retire. This is a great idea for all people, especially students as we will see better results as we are still young and can use compound interest to our benefit. Many students at all ages dont do this, in fact havent even thought about doing this. It does sound unreasonable and a little out of our league at present times. Especially since we are paying tuition, books and the dreaded OSAP. However, if you think about it maybe its not such a bad idea. Ten percent of most students part time job pay check is only about $30 - $40 a month or $360 or more a year. If a good interest rate of about 15% is found through a mutual fund and this is saved for 40 years or so, there is a really good chance that we will be millionaires when we take it out after 40 years. We may even have more that a million dollars after that because being students at a university we should all receive fairly wel l paying jobs. The more we make the more we will be investing, as the ten percent of our pay check will get bigger. So as we slowly get older our payments towards our future will get a little bigger and then the compound interest will grow on that. One of the biggest tips I found about this whole investment advice was the fact that you should shop around. There are many possibilities out there other than mutual funds. At my age real estate doesnt sound like a good choice, but it shouldnt be ruled out. In my case it would almost be a good idea as I am already married and am looking for a house. Since paying rent and paying a mortgage would almost be the

Biography of Alexander II, Russias Reformist Tsar

Biography of Alexander II, Russia's Reformist Tsar Alexander II (born Alexander Nikolaevich Romanov; April 29, 1818 – March 13, 1881) was a nineteenth-century Russian emperor. Under his rule, Russia moved towards reform, most notably in the abolition of serfdom. However, his assassination cut these efforts short. Fast Facts: Alexander II Full Name:  Alexander Nikolaevich Romanov Occupation: Emperor of RussiaBorn: April 29, 1818 in Moscow, RussiaDied: March 13, 1881 in Saint Petersburg, RussiaKey Accomplishments: Alexander II earned a reputation for reform and a willingness to bring Russia into the modern world. His greatest legacy was the freeing of Russian serfs in 1861.Quote: The vote, in the hands of an ignorant man, without either property or self respect, will be used to the damage of the people at large; for the rich man, without honor or any kind of patriotism, will purchase it, and with it swamp the rights of a free people.† Early Life Alexander was born in Moscow in 1818 as the first son and heir of Tsar Nicholas I and his wife Charlotte, a Prussian princess. His parents’ marriage was, luckily (and somewhat unusually) for a purely political union, a happy one, and Alexander had six siblings who survived childhood. From birth, Alexander was given the title of Tsesarevich, which was traditionally given to the heir to the Russian throne. (The similar-sounding title tsarevich applied to any sons of a tsar, including non-Russians, and ceased being used by Romanov rulers in 1797). The upbringing and early education of Alexander was not one that seemed conducive to create a great reformer. Indeed, the opposite, if anything, was true. At the time, the court and political atmosphere was intensely conservative under his father’s authoritarian rule. Dissent from any corner, regardless of rank, was severely punishable. Even Alexander, who was the darling of his family and of all Russia, would have had to be careful. Nicholas, however, was nothing if not practical in the upbringing of his successor. He had suffered from a dull, frustrating education as a â€Å"spare† to the throne (his immediate predecessor was not his father, but rather his brother Alexander I) that had left him without any desire to take up the title. He was determined to not let his son suffer the same fate and provided him with tutors that included reformer Mikhail Speransky and romantic poet Vasily Zhukovsky, plus a military instructor, General Karl Merder. This combination led to Alexander being well-prepared and more liberal than his father. At the age of sixteen, Nicholas created a ceremony in which Alexander formally swore allegiance to the autocracy as the successor. Marriage and Early Reign While on tour in Western Europe in 1839, Alexander was in search of a royal wife. His parents preferred Princess Alexandrine of Baden and arranged for the twenty-one-year-old tsesarevich to meet her. The meeting was unimpressive, and Alexander declined to pursue the match. He and his entourage made an unplanned stop at the court of the Grand Duke of Hesse, Ludwig II, where he met and became smitten with the duke’s daughter, Marie. Despite some early objections from his mother and a long engagement because of Marie’s youth (she was only fourteen when they met), Alexander and Marie married on April 28, 1841. Although the protocols of court life did not appeal to Marie, the marriage was a happy one, and Alexander leaned on Marie for support and advice. Their first child, the Grand Duchess Alexandra, was born in August 1842, but died of meningitis at the age of six. In September 1843, the couple had their son and Alexander’s heir, Nicholas, followed in 1845 by Alexander (the future Tsar Alexander III), Vladimir in 1847, and Alexei in 1850. Even after Alexander took mistresses, their relationship remained close. Nicholas I died of pneumonia in 1855, and Alexander II succeeded to the throne at the age of 37. His early reign was dominated by the fallout from the Crimean War and cleaning up overwhelming corruption at home. Thanks to his education and personal leanings, he began pushing forward a more reformist, liberal set of policies than the iron-fisted authoritarianism of his predecessors. Reformer and Liberator Alexander’s signature reform was the liberation of the serfs, which he began working towards almost immediately after coming to the throne. In 1858, he toured the country to encourage the nobility – who were reluctant to give up their reliance on serfs – to back the reform. The Emancipation Reform of 1861 formally abolished serfdom throughout the Russian Empire, giving 22 million serfs the rights of full citizens. His reforms were not limited to this by any means. Alexander ordered the reform of the Russian military, from enforcing conscription for all social classes (not just the peasantry) to improving officer education to creating districts for more efficient administration. An elaborate and detailed bureaucracy worked to reform the judicial system and make the system simpler and more transparent. At the same time, his government created local districts that took on many duties of self-governance. Despite his zeal for reform, Alexander was no democratic ruler. The Moscow Assembly proposed a constitution, and in response, the tsar dissolved the assembly. He fervently believed that diluting the power of the autocracy with representatives of the people would destroy the populace’s quasi-religious view of the tsar as a divinely-ordained, unquestioned ruler. When separatist movements, particularly in Poland and Lithuania, threatened to erupt, he suppressed them harshly, and later in his reign, he began to crack down on liberal teachings at universities. However, he supported efforts in Finland to increase its autonomy. An assassination attempt in April 1866 may have contributed to Alexander’s shift away from his earlier liberal reforms. Assassination and Legacy Alexander was the target of several assassination attempts, including the one in 1866. In April 1879, a would-be assassin named Alexander Soloviev shot at the tsar as he walked; the shooter missed and was sentenced to death. Later that year, other revolutionaries attempted a more elaborate plot, orchestrating a railway explosion – but their information was incorrect and they missed the tsar’s train. In February 1880, the tsar’s enemies came closer than they ever had before to achieving their goal when Stephan Khalturin, from the same radical group that bombed the train, managed to detonate a device in the Winter Palace itself, killing and wounding dozens and causing damage to the palace, but the imperial family was awaiting a late arrival and was not in the dining room. On March 13, 1881, Alexander went, as was his custom, to a military roll call. He rode in a bulletproof carriage gifted to him by Napoleon III, which saved his life during the first attempt: a bomb thrown under the carriage as it passed by. Guards attempted to evacuate Alexander quickly. Another conspirator, a radical revolutionary named Ignacy Hryniewiecki, got close enough to throw a bomb directly at the fleeing emperor’s feet. The bomb horrifically wounded Alexander, as well as others in the vicinity. The dying tsar was brought to the Winter Palace, where he was given his last rites and died minutes later. Alexander left behind a legacy of slow but steady reform and began the modernization of Russia – but his death stopped what would have been one of the biggest reforms: a set of planned changes that Alexander had approved and spoke of as a step towards a true constitution – something Romanov rulers had always resisted. The announcement was set to be made around March 15, 1881. But Alexander’s successor chose instead to retaliate for the assassination with severe setbacks to civil liberties, including arrests of dissenters and anti-Semitic pogroms that would last for the rest of the Romanov era. Sources Montefiore, Simon Sebag. The Romanovs: 1613 – 1918. London, Weidenfeld Nicolson, 2017.Mosse, W.E. â€Å"Alexander II: Emperor of Russia.† Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Alexander-II-emperor-of-RussiaRadzinsky, Edvard. Alexander II: The Last Great Tsar. Simon Schuster, 2005.

Repot Plan Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Repot Plan - Research Paper Example Ever since then, the company has owned more than 17,000 distribution stores globally with its produce diversity ranging from drip brew coffee, snacks, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, coffee beans, and other hot and cold drinks. Today, Starbucks is facing solid competition from other coffee house organizations and the educational control globally (Schultz & Gordon, 2011). This paper outlines a three year strategic management proposal to Starbuck’s managing board of directors based on the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and the threats of the company and other factors. This proposal wraps more than a few aspects that will significantly contribute to the growth and development of the Starbuck organization. The plan reviews several subjects such as strategic marketing procedures and attainable financial policy. In order for the Company to remain competitive in the world market, the management of the organization has to review several factors in the organization such as manage ment policies, obtainable opportunities, expansion and economic plan strengths, marketing, weaknesses, risks that the organization face in the market with exceptional knowledge of the capability of the strategic management plan. Within the span of three years, Starbucks should build customers confidence on their services and products such as take away services (Bussing-Burks, 2009). Take away services are appropriate and this will enable customer to carry their well packed products. This will make the customers have an option of purchasing Starbucks products because they are consistent and reliable The three year strategy should ensure that the organization remains to be one of the best coffee house companies globally. The managing board of directors should have more than a few mission statements that describe their products, their partners, their customers, and its stores. The managing board of directors should hire a strategic plan consultant and facilitator in order to aid the or ganization with strategic formulation and write the company’s vision and mission statements. Mission and vision statement are appropriate in the development of the three year strategy. The objective of the mission and vision statement is to target the audience and define the business. The descriptions of the company are determined by the mission and the vision statement of an organization (Bussing-Burks, 2009). Therefore, the managing board of directors should change the company’s description in order for the three year strategy to be achievable The business plan of Starbucks should illustrate the industry and the market knowledge as well as the research that will be conducted by the management for the organizational development. One of the major factors that should be considered by the managing board of directors is the industry description and outlook. Industry description and outlook involves the current size and the historic development rate and other factors that have contributed to the growth of the organization. This aspect is significant because it will assist the managing g board of directors to acquire appropriate information about the target market in the next three years. However, for effective success of the strategic management proposal, the managing board of directors should identify the SWOT analysis of Starbucks organization. The purpose of the strategic management is to ensure that in the next thre

The Utilization of Wellness Programs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Utilization of Wellness Programs - Essay Example The other issue relates to how HR leaders find themselves performing dual roles in the HR systems and as members of the top management team (TMT). Utilization of Wellness Programs The term Human Resources has different meanings which depend with the context of usage. In economics, it means the human labor or capital at a firm’s disposal. However, in business it refers to individuals who make up the workforce of an organization. In most organizations, a human resources department headed by the HR manager is created so as to manage the organization’s workforce and to harness its efforts. The department has various responsibilities which ensure that the workforce is geared towards the achievement of the organizational strategies. Some of the HR roles involve utilization of wellness programs. Wellness in this regard encompasses more than just absence of ailments. An employee’s lifestyle should resonate with their mental and body health as well as their spirituality. These aspects hugely determine an employee’s wellbeing thereby crucial towards productivity (McCalla, Kumar and Lybeck, 2009). Therefore, it is essential for HR departments to encompass wellness programs in order to ensure a healthy and productive workforce. HR managers and support staff have the best opportunity of understanding individual employees better through the wellness programs. ... A poor or disorganized lifestyle indicates a disorganized mind while the opposite is true. It is also important to note that wellness programs also include financial wellness. There is considerable comfort enjoyed by individuals when they dwell in financial health. An organization should therefore strife towards attaining wellness for the employees as a motivator. When employees are motivated in a positive manner, research has shown that they significantly increase their productivity (Ingham and Norris, 2007). Some of the popular wellness programs encompass health risk assessment, smoking and drinking and free or subsidized membership to fitness centers among others. Every organization ensures that there are clearly laid out policies or guidelines followed during operations to attain set goals. This means that everything that goes on in a firm must be in line with the set strategies. The various departments in the organization must also make sure that as they undertaking their respon sibilities they comply with the organization’s key policy. As a result, operations in the organization are harmonized through teamwork and chain of command within the HR functions (McCalla, Kumar and Lybeck, 2009). It is not possible to have a workforce that is willing to work together if most of the workers lead unhealthy and poor lifestyles. Some will drag the others in a team as a result of illnesses or even mental stress. Employees should be exposed to education coupled with activities inclined towards healthy living in order to improve the general welfare of the employees. Employee wellness results in reduced cost of insurance due to many lifestyle related conditions and diseases for organizations. Absenteeism is another big issue plaguing

International Analysis of Organization Design Essay

International Analysis of Organization Design - Essay Example Despite the fact that the advances in technology has allowed for faster and easier communication among various countries, it is quite evident that the culture of each country or society continues to influence the organizational design of various entities. This in turn affects how a business or an organization performs in that particular market or country. China is one of the countries whose national culture has continued to influence organizational design. Despite the impact and influence of western cultures on the nation, various organizations are still designed in line with the Chinese culture. This is in terms of the structure of these entities, the corporate culture, the scanning practices and the human resource systems and structures within these firms (Baird 390). Various companies, both small and large have strived to come up with organizational structures to be in line with the existing Chinese culture. This has enabled them to operate effectively and achieve their goals and objectives in the wider China market. China has grown over the years to become one of the major powerhouses in the world in terms of manufacturing and commerce. This has somehow been attributed to the prevailing culture. One of the aspects that help in understanding the national culture of a country is the way that particular culture balances the esteem of the individual members of the society and the needs and the requirements of a group. Some societies promote individualism while others encourage collectivisms. According to Baird, China is a county that tends to encourage collectivism (384). Unlike western cultures where individualism and individual achievement is promoted, the Chinese culture values collective responsibility and group achievements. According to the Chinese culture, the members of the society or employees are normally required to subsume their individual or personal desires in preferences to the efforts of the group. This, therefore,

Organisations and Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Organisations and Behaviour - Essay Example BT Plc is an integrated company with two main departments. In both the departments, separate procedures are conducted for the completion of the business processes. The organization has a huge scope of proving its excellence in the future as well. The values, policies, collection of traditions, attitudes and beliefs constitute the organizational culture of BT Plc. High values encourage the employees and increase their efficiency thereby increasing the performance of the organization (Yeo and Li, 2011). Ryan Air Ltd being one of the low cost airlines in Fingal, Ireland possesses a functional organizational structure. It is one of the most successful examples of the low cost business models. There are different levels of management. The values act as the core of the organization including reliability, quality, action, feedback and informal communication. The functional organization structure separates the series of activities in different segments. Ryan Air Plc changes the organizationa l structure by expanding the business operations for the allocation of responsibilities to all the employees in appropriate manner. The main success behind the successful organization structure is the coordination in different departments within the organization. The organization was launched with the aim to achieve the low cost leadership model. But at the same time, Ryan Air Ltd did not want that the name of the organization to get associated with anything cheap. The airline has built and maintained a work culture which is said to be an exciting place to work in. The cost cutting strategies are implemented in each and every aspect of the organization. The employees in the organization are awarded for their excellent performances and at the same time, reprimanded on... According to the study findings  the organizational structure helps in the systematic functioning of the business operations. It’s objective of implementing cost effective techniques help in improving the financial performance as well. The most important business activity of the company is delivering mobile services to the customers. In the period of rapid technological change, the company maintains market leadership in United Kingdom. The organizational structure has helped in strengthening its international presence as well. BT Plc is an integrated company with two main departments. In both the departments, separate procedures are conducted for the completion of the business processes. The organization has a huge scope of proving its excellence in the future as well. The values, policies, collection of traditions, attitudes and beliefs constitute the organizational culture of BT Plc. High values encourage the employees and increase their efficiency thereby increasing the p erformance of the organization.This paper highlights that the organizational culture and organizational structure is dependent on each other. In business world, the organizational structure determines the attitudes, behaviours, dispositions, ethics etc which creates work culture. For example- If the organizational structure of a company is hierarchical in nature then it would reflect the absence of freedom or autonomy in the lower levels.  The procedure by which a company allocates power determines employee behaviour.

Importance of Crisis Management Plan in Organizations Research Paper

Importance of Crisis Management Plan in Organizations - Research Paper Example Some common examples are threat of bankruptcy, computer system failure, a big industrial accident, defect of a manufactured product and its recall, sudden fall in the sales and so on. In fact, the senior management of an organization is the most affected when there is a crisis. It is for the management to ensure that suitable people are arranged in a proper fashion to deal with major problems that could affect the organization. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that even the crisis management plan reflects the company’s core values. Also, there should be properly defined methods to communicate with various stakeholders including clients and shareholders during a crisis. Admittedly, organizations can considerably improve their readiness to face crises by testing the methodologies they have developed. First of all, a suitable crisis management plan can make an organization strong enough to withstand potential threats and secondly, awareness about possible threats makes the organization able to take early action, thus resulting in reduced damages. Also, the development of a suitable crisis management plan will give the organization an upper hand over other poorly-prepared competitors. Moreover, effective communication at the time of crisis will make the public realize how the core values and beliefs helped the organization overcome the challenges, thus giving it a better public image. Some other benefits are that the plan restores critical business processes and systems in less time, reduces the length of the interruption process, minimizes reputation damage, maintains customer relations, protects assets, saves lives and reduces the chances for further injuries. The Action Checklist of Crisis Management The first step in crisis management involves developing an overall crisis management plan that does not significantly vary from the organization’s core values and beliefs. Thereafter, it is necessary to develop a crisis management team structure and define the roles and responsibilities of each personnel. In addition, it is necessary to define the lines of authority as absence of this may result in communication anarchies. Also, it is vital to ensure that during a crisis, appropriate action is taken to communicate with stakeholders. Lastly, it is vital to connect the crisis management with business recovery program. The purpose of crisis management Effective management of a crisis involves prevention, planning, testing, evaluation and maintenance. However, when a crisis management plan is developed, it is necessary to ensure that the plan restores critical business processes and systems, reduces the length of the interruption process, minimizes reputation damage, maintains customer relations, protects assets, saves lives and reduces the chances for further injuries. The planning process Successful crisis management involves planning, testing, evaluation and maintenance. In fact, successful risk management is a mix of sound organizational practices and the use of basic safety-related technology. So, the first stage is enhancing security to avoid the possibility of unintentional events. In order to identify the possible crises, it is necessary for organizations to develop a vulnerability assessment process. This will help the organization identify the probable threats and the need to make necessary changes. When assessment is conducted, it is necessary to include warning signs because before certain crisis, there is the possibility of certain warning signs. For example, erratic employee behavior can be the indication of a

Identifying the Problem Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Identifying the Problem - Assignment Example Primary research is an original research that is performed by the company or an external consultant, while secondary research is information that is already available in the market such as journal articles, professional databases, websites, or magazines among other sources (DeVault). Based on the circumstances Ajax Foods faces the company should perform primary research. The firm has to determine whether its customers desire to purchase its chicken pies in the deli section of supermarkets. A way to determine the viability of the project is by selecting a few stores for a beta test of the product. The company should develop questionnaires to be given out to the customers that purchase the chicken pies at the deli section of the beta test. In the questionnaire the company will ask the customers a series of questions including whether they would be interested in purchasing other types of food products from Ajax Foods. Once the primary research is completed the firm has to analyze its results. Based on those results the company will make the decision of whether or not to expand its product

Importance of Crisis Management Plan in Organizations Research Paper

Importance of Crisis Management Plan in Organizations - Research Paper Example Some common examples are threat of bankruptcy, computer system failure, a big industrial accident, defect of a manufactured product and its recall, sudden fall in the sales and so on. In fact, the senior management of an organization is the most affected when there is a crisis. It is for the management to ensure that suitable people are arranged in a proper fashion to deal with major problems that could affect the organization. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that even the crisis management plan reflects the company’s core values. Also, there should be properly defined methods to communicate with various stakeholders including clients and shareholders during a crisis. Admittedly, organizations can considerably improve their readiness to face crises by testing the methodologies they have developed. First of all, a suitable crisis management plan can make an organization strong enough to withstand potential threats and secondly, awareness about possible threats makes the organization able to take early action, thus resulting in reduced damages. Also, the development of a suitable crisis management plan will give the organization an upper hand over other poorly-prepared competitors. Moreover, effective communication at the time of crisis will make the public realize how the core values and beliefs helped the organization overcome the challenges, thus giving it a better public image. Some other benefits are that the plan restores critical business processes and systems in less time, reduces the length of the interruption process, minimizes reputation damage, maintains customer relations, protects assets, saves lives and reduces the chances for further injuries. The Action Checklist of Crisis Management The first step in crisis management involves developing an overall crisis management plan that does not significantly vary from the organization’s core values and beliefs. Thereafter, it is necessary to develop a crisis management team structure and define the roles and responsibilities of each personnel. In addition, it is necessary to define the lines of authority as absence of this may result in communication anarchies. Also, it is vital to ensure that during a crisis, appropriate action is taken to communicate with stakeholders. Lastly, it is vital to connect the crisis management with business recovery program. The purpose of crisis management Effective management of a crisis involves prevention, planning, testing, evaluation and maintenance. However, when a crisis management plan is developed, it is necessary to ensure that the plan restores critical business processes and systems, reduces the length of the interruption process, minimizes reputation damage, maintains customer relations, protects assets, saves lives and reduces the chances for further injuries. The planning process Successful crisis management involves planning, testing, evaluation and maintenance. In fact, successful risk management is a mix of sound organizational practices and the use of basic safety-related technology. So, the first stage is enhancing security to avoid the possibility of unintentional events. In order to identify the possible crises, it is necessary for organizations to develop a vulnerability assessment process. This will help the organization identify the probable threats and the need to make necessary changes. When assessment is conducted, it is necessary to include warning signs because before certain crisis, there is the possibility of certain warning signs. For example, erratic employee behavior can be the indication of a

Several factors have helped bring Essay Example for Free

Several factors have helped bring Essay Several factors have helped bring about progress in medicine. In this essay, I will be discussing these factors. Firstly, I will be discussing how the government has helped to bring about progress in medicine. I will do this by giving an example and explaining. One good example is the measures taken by the government in Britain from the year 1900 to the year 1945. In total, there were nine acts and campaigns to improve health in Britain. This improved conditions in Britain and as a result, the death rate from illnesses and diseases decreased dramatically. Here is a table showing what the government did to improve medicine in Britain. 1902 Midwives Act, compulsory training and setting of standards. 1906 Education (Provision of Meals) Act, local authorities allowed to provide meals in elementary schools. 1907 Notification of Births Act, so that health visitors could be sure they visited all new babies. 1907 Education (Administrative Provision) Act, medical services provided for children at school. 1911 National Insurance Act, free medical treatment for workers who paid a contribution, but not their families. 1918 Maternal and child welfare Act, allowed local authorities to provide free clinics from pregnant woman and infants. 1930 Housing Act, slum clearance undertaken. 1940 Diphtheria immunisation campaign. 1940s Funding for the development of penicillin. War has helped and hindered progress in medicine in many ways. Medical help is needed mostly in wartime. In all wars soldiers were wounded this opened the possibilities for more progress in medicine. The best example is the progress made in the First World War, many things in medicine were improved because of the Great War. WWI was a massive worldwide conflict, more people died in it than in any other war before it. This was a result of new and deadly weapons being used for the first time. The most important breakthrough was through surgery, I will be discussing this later on in the essay. Many powerful guns and weapons were used this caused more severe wounds. In addition, more people were wounded this gave doctors and surgeons more opportunity to experiment with new techniques. Blood transfusion was very effectively improved, the storage and the transportation. Many recruits in the army had low standards of health. This made the government worry more and it also made them more eager to improve health care back home. The soldiers who fought in the war were promised good housing when they returned as a reward. This speeded up the process of getting rid of unhealthy slums in Britain. The soldiers, however, were never given these houses so they were in a way tricked into joining the army. In some ways, the First World War hindered the development of surgical techniques. It stopped a great deal of medical research. However, the war helped more than hindered. During the conflict surgeons did their best for the wounded but their methods, which worked well in a clean hospital operating theatre, were not so effective on a dirty battlefield. They had to develop new techniques to deal with the problems. Some of these techniques had an impact on surgery in civilian hospitals after the war. There were three main improvements in surgery, X-Rays, Blood transfusion and fighting infection. X-Rays were invented before the war but during the war, X-Rays were used for the first time. The X-Ray machine improved the success rate of surgeons in removing deeply lodged bullets and shrapnels, which would otherwise cause fatal infection. Blood transfusion had been used since the 1800s, but mysteriously it only worked sometimes. During WW1, scientists discovered that there were different blood groups and that the patient only recovered if he were given a blood transfusion with the same blood group as his own. This was an important discovery, which saved many lives. Finally, infected wounds, this was a real problem as most soldiers with wounds died from infection. During WW1, fighting infection was improved slightly. Surgeons cut away infected tissues and soaked the wound with a saline solution. War hindered progress in medicine in the following ways: Bullet wounds caused infection and powerful guns caused sever wounds, which not all doctors could cure. Millions of soldiers were killed and war stopped medical research doctors were taken away from their normal work to help the wounded in the war. I agree with the statement: chance by itself has never brought about progress in medicine. This is evident with Pasteurs discovery of a vaccine for chicken cholera. One of Pasteurs scientists injected a chicken with cholera; the scientist was confused because next day the chicken was not dead. Pasteur then asked him which cholera did he use, the scientist found out that the cholera he used was old and that it had been exposed to the air for a long time. They then injected the chicken with some fresh germs and they didnt work on the animal either. Pasteur decided the fresh germs were faulty he decided to try the fresh germs on different chickens. He found out there was nothing wrong with the fresh germs. Pasteur had found another vaccination. The old germs had protected the first group of chickens just like Jenners vaccine. Chance by itself has never brought about progress in medicine but it did play a big part in medicine but without the geniuses like Pasteur we may never have found out treatments and cures for deadly diseases.

Buy American Act Analysis

Buy American Act Analysis Buy American Requirements Question 1 On his last day in office on 3rd March, 1933, U.S. president Hoover signed the Buy American Act which made it essential for the federal U.S government to choose products made by U.S manufacturers for procurement. Other parts of the rulings made similar compulsions on the procurements made through federal funds for transit and highway projects. Fundamentally, the Buy American Act is an endeavor to protect the welfare of local manufacturers and labors by giving direct partiality to U.S.-made products in the procurement made by government departments. The American goods defined in the act were placed is three broad categories; manufactured, mined and produced. Although the nativity of the manufacturer is not an issue according to the act however, American goods were defined as those products which are made from components manufactured in United States. Such components may be produced, manufactured or mined from within the country to qualify for being called American products. Moreover, the cost of foreign manufactured components used in the domestic product must not, in any case, go beyond fifty percent of the cost of all the components. However, there are a few exceptions to this act. Firstly, it becomes void if the procurement of American products is against public interest or entails irrational cost. Secondly, the act is not applicable on U.S projects outside the country or on the products which are not produced in sufficient quantities or acceptable quality inside U.S. Finally, the act is also not applicable for federal government procurements of less than $3,000. Moreover, the American Act provisions and restrictions can be over-ruled by the President of United States when it is envisaged that foreign products are likely to be given unfair treatment as compared to domestic products. Question 2 VectorCal and Efficient Technologies are both engaged with the control and monitoring of drone navigation systems. In addition, the companies can develop systems that make it possible to have total management and control of drone navigation systems, as well as providing adequate security when required. As it is already known that United States is engaged in war in Afghanistan, Iraq and many other countries along with its NATO allies, the use of drone technology has gained vital importance. This technology is not only advantageous in gathering information about the activities of enemy but also prove vital in launching attacks against them. In doing so a lot of national exchequer and human lives of friendly forces are saved. And the enemies are demolished without much effort or fear of launching attack through fighter planes. Keeping this background in mind, VectorCal and Efficient Technologies have much to gain from the Buy American Requirement. First and foremost is the possibility of providing the security agencies of the United States with state of the art defense navigation drone technology. This would not only assist the United States government in achieving its war related targets in an efficient manner but also in a cost effective manner as well. Another point worth noting here is that with the enactment of Buy American Requirement, the reliance of United States on foreign suppliers for defense related procurement would decrease. This would in-turn help the country in relying on its own products rather than relying on the imports from other countries who may oppose the U.S. defense policy and at some time may also want to withhold the defense related procurements. This scenario is vital for national security of United State especially when it is engaged in wars around the world. Keeping these facts in mind, VectorCal and Efficient Technologies would definitively profit from the Buy American Requirement regulations as U.S would be compelled to procure drone related navigational aids from these companies. This would obviously mean more business for the companies and more yield for the owners of the companies. This would also assist in expanding the business for the companies which would mean employment of more American workforce and added achievable targets. Question 3 The United States takes pride in economic and political freedom that it project amongst the comity of nations. The American way of life still projects a form of capitalism, although much has changed over the years. To many today, Americanism still means appreciation that free market trade both in international and domestic markets signifies the only way to prosperity of the country. Trade in international markets is not a war to be won but a form of increasing production worldwide and cooperating with others in the business to seek prosperity. In is a common knowledge that common trade advantages are fruitful for both the countries across the borders even if one of them is much more adept in manufacturing quality products. As denoted by the Comparative Advantage Law, free trade does not create boundaries but helps in eradicating unemployment. The free market trade does not depend on boundaries sketched on the map. International commerce provides the same kind of economic advantages as does the commerce between cities and towns across the country. Therefore, if intercity or across town trade is stopped for the reason that it is more patriotic to buy the product of only the local manufacturers, a huge trade deficit would be faced by the city or the town as was being faced by U.S. in almost every year in 19th century. Americanism is basically synonymous to individualism, if we take it to philosophical terms. This means that the rights of one person are his own and do not belong to a particular race or a nation. However, in case of collectivism, which is the prime notion of Buy American, Americans are supposed to look as suppliers and manufacturers of products as nations and not as individuals offering business. The country is required to accept goods of low quality at higher prices all in the name of nationalism. Mostly, the proponents of Buy American theory propagate motive behind the attitude is hostility towards the foreign products and foreigners themselves. This intolerant attitude is against the principles of capitalism and free market economy and can thus be termed as prejudiced. Some experts even believe that preferring American made products over Japanese or Chinese products is same behavior as preferring products of white people over non-white. It is a form of economic racism which tends to judge the products by the manufacturer who made it rather than the quality of product itself. In principle, the standards of living o the people of a state are raised due to enrichment of another country. This standard analogy is clear from the fact that the standard of living of our people has greatly increased due to our trade with countries like Japan. If America decides today to stop trade relation with Japan, it would not only be detrimental for our economy but also undermine our living standards to a great extent. Let’s look at it from another point of view. Due to Buy American Requirement, if Americans have to pay more for commonly used items domestic products e.g. shirts or shoes, then the country would have less money to pay for other needs—itâ₠¬â„¢s another way of sponsoring incompetent local manufacturers. These local American producers would not have any foreign competition to face and therefore would not have any reason to improve quality or cut prices. Secondly, if America refuses to buy Chinese products, same would be reciprocated by China which would include rejection of America’s top class iPods and computers. This would lead to a collapse in economic terms which was seen after enacting of Smoot-Hawley Tariff in 1930. This tariff added huge import duties on many items due to which retaliation was seen from European countries which ultimately deepened the Depression across the globe. Question 4 Basically, there are three main exceptions to Buy American Requirement. Firstly, a product or an item can be procured from foreign manufacturer if the product or commodity is not available in local market. For example, iron and steel are not produced in America in sufficient quantities and acceptable quality. The act therefore waives the requirement of procurement of these commodities from within the country on account of their non-availability in sufficient quantity and acceptable quality. The second exception to the act refers to inconsistency to the public interest. This basically entails that any procurement which is against the interest of public may be made from the foreign manufacturer. However, such requests are to be scrutinized by DoE on case to case basis. The third exception to the act entails that a waiver would be given to the procurements for public projects when it is envisaged that by abiding to the ac would increase the domestic project construction cost by 25% or m ore. This is particularly true for the products which are neither manufactured nor produced in the U.S. in sufficient quantities e.g. Iron and Steel. Free trade in world’s open markets is the hour of the need for the Americans. Otherwise the trade deficit would increase to substantially high value which would neither be controllable for the government nor acceptable to the public. The great Depression of 1930s is clear example of how U.S. imposed restrictions on the trade with other countries aggravated the financial situation globally. The Buy American Requirement binds the government to expend public funding on the procurement of only made in U.S.A. products. This restriction when waived by a few abovementioned exceptions gives some air to breath to the U.S. economy. For example, the Department of Energy waived off the restriction to buy energy efficient lighting products in 2010 for public roads and projects. This waiver was primarily granted due to the fact items e.g. traffic signals which used LEDs (light emitting diodes) technology are solely manufactured by Mexico and China. that products like compact fluorescent lig ht bulbs and traffic signals made with light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, are manufactured almost exclusively in China and Mexico. A large number of suppliers petitioned that they were unable to find the suppliers for these items in the U.S. and those willing to supply were asking for too much money; in fact more than that allowed by Buy American Act. Moreover, the DoE had started $6.3 billion worth of energy efficient projects which were lingering due to lack of American manufacturers. The decision to waive off the restriction to buy only American products contributed a great deal towards saving the huge losses to U.S. economy in case of purchasing the items from local vendors. Moreover, this waiver was also directly related to the public interest exception as it expedited the completion of projects, resulting in the saving of trillions of dollars in energy consumption. Another such exception was provided by the DoE for the procurement of two 13 MW and three 7.2 MW diesel generator radiators in 2011. The exception was a specific waiver for Utilities Corporations (CUC) which cost a total of $2,99,0075 on the import of five radiators against a cost of $3,22,5000 from domestic suppliers which meant a decrease in cost of about 35%. Therefore, the benefits of the exceptions given by the government are really beneficial for the U.S. economy and for the public interest. Question 5 A number of advantages and disadvantages can be experienced by VectorCal and Efficient Technologies by abiding by the Buy American Requirement. Firstly, if defense and navigation equipment contracts are awarded to foreign investors, the benefit from local manufacturers is taken away. A focus on U.S. manufacturing companies e.g. VectorCal and Efficient Technologies by the Department of Defense would not only boost the profitability of the companies but would also assist the U.S. government in mobilizing the industry at the time of war. Should the government require to contracts to foreign manufacturers chips away at an already deteriorating manufacturing sector. If required by the defense agencies, both these navigation systems producing companies would be in a situation to react and provide sustained assistance throughout the period of conflict. This is already in practice in many European countries who maintain a subsidized defense industrial base. For example, France has patronized its Aerospace industry putting other countries at a disadvantage. An additional advantage that can be gained by the government through patronizing navigation systems industry is the matter of national security. The reliance of U.S. on other countries on navigation systems manufacturing would greatly decrease in case the other nations decide to restrict exports to the U.S. in case of policy disagreement. Although the argument pertaining to national security has some validity, it can also be abused for seeking protection of the industry. On the other hand, sticking to Buy American Requirement can also bring demerits to the U.S; mainly on economic grounds. According to economic principles, free trade and open market competition brings economic progress amongst the trading partners. As restrictions among the trading partners are lifted, manufacturers from around the world begin to invest in specialized industry e.g. production of navigation systems thus bringing competition on the U.S. soil. This would although bring in vast opportunities of technological advances in the country but at the same time would render the local manufacturing industry inept to provide support to the country at the time of need.