Gleevec a Crushing Blow to Cancer - 2893 Words

Abstract Gleevec is heralded as a savior drug for cancer research. Created by the rational drug design model, Gleevec targets the tyrosine kinase enzyme in CML patients.[10] By targeting and binding to the active sites of the cancerous cells, Gleevec denaturizes them, preventing the spread of the disease.[10] Gleevec has been FDA approved to be administered to patients diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia and also patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors.[6] Although, this treatment has also been proved to aid in other fields of medicine, ranging from treating other types of cancers to delaying tumor growth to therapy for diabetes and even to cancer treatment in pets.[5,6,8,9] However, for Gleevec to have been made other†¦show more content†¦Herceptin is a drug targeting cancerous cells in some breast cancer patients.[7] Figure 1- RituxanFigure 2- Herceptin The next goal was to find a molecule that could bind into a growth-factor receptor that was more common in cancer cells. This was done in 2001 and it had great success immediately; â€Å"Then just this year researchers at Sloan-Kettering showed that the drug could dramatically boost the effectiveness of standard colorectal-cancer chemotherapy, shrinking tumors in more than a fifth of otherwise hopeless cases.†[7] These discoveries paved the way for Gleevec to be made by rational drug design. The Invention of Gleevec â€Å"After the Philadelphia chromosome mutation and defective bcr-abl protein were discovered, the investigators screened chemical libraries to find a drug that would inhibit that protein. With high-throughput screening, they identified 2-phenylaminopyrimidine. This lead compound was then tested and modified by the introduction of methyl and benzamide groups to give it enhanced binding properties, resulting in imatinib.†[6] The composition of Gleevec is C29H31N7O and Figure 3- Imatinib Structure Nicholas Lydon, Brian Druker and Charles Sawyers are credited with the structure and invention of the drug, which they developed throughout the late 1990s.[6] The FDA approved Gleevec for use in May 2001.[6] Gleevec Targeting CML Gleevec was a drug that was invented by use of the now popular, rational

Interplay Between Dickenss Great Expectations and...

Interplay Between Dickenss Great Expectations and Carey’s Jack Maggs Carey’s Jack Maggs is an example of the post-colonial concept of ‘writing back’. That is, the novel although written over a century apart from Dicken’s Great Expectations, is in fact indirectly interacting with this original text. The principal protagonist of Carey’s novel the eponymous Jack Maggs is undoubtedly indebted to the original Magwitch of the Dicken’s novel. Although Carey does not call Maggs, Magwitch, the shared sound of the name immediately prepares us for other similarites. The two characters are both convicts, who for their crimes were deported at an early age to Austrailia, and more particularly both characters settled in New South Wales. While the†¦show more content†¦Tobias Oates has an illicit relationship with his wife’s sister, which in its consumation results in her disastrous pregnancy. Here Carey is myth-making the life of Dickens himself, who was reportedly in love with the sister of his wife as well. A lthough this relationship with Mary Hogarth was not anything more than friendship, Dickens was attracted to her nonetheless. For more biography on Dickens see: http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/dickens.htm Carey says of the Magwitch character in Great Expectations that: ‘this man is my ancestor†¦this is unfair.’ And any doubt that Maggs is not Magwitch (or at least almost exactly him) is quashed. The colonised subject is given much more of a voice by Carey than in Dickens’ novel and is at pains to have him not the ‘other’ subject of Great Expectations but a much more sympathetic creation. The novel Jack Maggs is perhaps of more interest to the reader studying post-colonialism, due to its addressing of issues such as an interest in the way in which Maggs acquires his wealth. He is unable to function as an individual in the Metropolitan occident of London, it is only following his expulsion from his country that he becomes a respectable member of society. For details on life in Australia at this time visit http://www.scholars.nus.edu.sg/landow/post/australia/convicts.html Carey’s latest novel True History of The Kelly Gang also deals with the nineteenth century and in particular the convict in Australia. The novels’ epigram

Music Lyrics Good or Bad free essay sample

Since the beginning of human existence, birds sing, fire crackles, water drips, and leaves rustle, creating music. Pitches, tones, and notes put together simply make music. Words added as lyrics to allow the telling of stories, let others into our thoughts, and express feelings. Many different types of music encompass several different genres. These include country, contemporary, blues, classical, electric, Jazz, religious, hip hop, and rap, Just to name a few.However, in the past few decades controversy over lyrics come forth. Rap Is defined as a style of popular music consisting of Improvised rhymes reformed to a rhythmic accompaniment (American Psychological Association, 2003). The first known rappers, was a group called the Last Poets. The Last Poets established in New York City during the civil rights era, shortly after the death of Martin Luther King in 1968 (Jamboree Studios, 2006). Emerging in the late asss, a new group from Los Angels came forward that changed the face of rap music. The N. W. A. Inning With Attitude) became notorious for their newfound gangs rap. Their music consisted primarily of violence, criminal life, harsh language, and blunt sexual lyrics. Over time, N. W. A. S lyrics became more explicit which lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to send them warning letters. These lyrics filled the minds and fantasies of teenagers, and the crime rate rose drastically (Thomas, 2003). Could the music and lyrics cause the increase in crime or was it Just coincident? Definitely not, music can and does have an affect people.Music attracts humans; music Is constantly at our disposal through the modern technologies of television, computers, video games, and the Internet (Della, 2007). Music can be part of a ritual, an emotional release, religious reasons, or just listening for pleasure. Without even realizing, music fills voids of silence. Often, music played in the background goes unnoticed, until it gets turned off. Music gets played constantly, so it gets overlooked, during homework, reading, studying, hanging out with friends, and especially driving. Donald F.Roberts states: Music promotes experiences of the extreme for its makers and listeners, turning the perilous emotional edges, vulnerabilities, triumphs, celebrations, and antagonism of life into hypnotic, reflective tempos that can be experienced privately or shared with others (Roberts, Christenson, Gentile, 2003). According to one study of over six hundred students from public and private schools in Minnesota, the children reported on average of spending twenty-one hours per week listening to music. Also, within that study, only thirty percent of those questioned knew the words to their favorite song (Roberts, Christenson, Gentile, 2003). These songs that teenagers and young children listen to have violent and offensive lyrics, the explicit lyrics turn the younger generation to suicide, increased aggression, stereotyping, racism, depression, drugs, and killing (Nolan and Steiner, 2009). Avid music lovers test that the words sung in these songs are Just words and is no different than poetry printed in literature books (Nolan and Steiner, 2009). However, numerous studies have been done that disprove the avid music lovers claim. Songs with violent lyrics increase aggression related thoughts, emotions, and hostility. This effect directly relates to the violence in the lyrics.The aggressive words increase the speed with which people read aggressive versus nonaggression words (American Psychological Association, 2003). Craig A. Anderson, Ph. D. Of Iowa State University stated: Aggressive thoughts can influence perceptions of ongoing social interactions, coloring them with an aggressive tint. Such aggression-biased interpretations can, in turn, instigate a more aggressive response verbal or physical then would have been emitted in a nonbiased state, thus provoking an aggressive escalators spiral of antisocial exchanges (American Psychological Association, 2003). Physicians view adolescence as a difficult time period because of the psychological and biological changes that occur. Young people are expected to develop a set of moral values through their perceptions of adult standards and behaviors. Rock music ends to symbolize the adolescent themes of rebellion and autonomy. Rap music became infamous for its derogatory remarks towards women. The two most popular forms of music for adolescents revolve around themes of disrespect and sexual imagery (King, McConnell, Orr, Scriber, Train, Thornburg, Wolfe, 2009).One study links music preference with social conditions and behaviors. Students that listened to music that promotes homicide, suicide, or satanic practices became more likely to have remarried or unmarried parents and were more likely to be white males in urban public schools, also a link between preferences of heavy metal or rap and low average grades, behavioral problems, sexual activity, drug and alcohol use, and arrests (Palmer, A. , 2003). Another study done by Ballard and Coats in 1995 determined that music and lyrical content effected suicide ideation and state anxiety.Volunteers listened to six different songs that were either heavy metal or rap crossed with three different lyrical themes. The three themes were nonviolent, homicidal, and suicidal ideation. In order to insure that the participants would listen carefully to the lyrics without giving an indication of the true nature of the study, the experimenters old the participants that the test consisted primarily of lyric memory. The results indicated that the nonviolent rap songs elicited higher scores on the Beck Depression Inventory than the violent rap songs (King, McConnell, Orr, Scriber, Train, Thornburg, Wolfe, 2009).Violent songs lead to more violent youth. Children and teenagers are murdering their schoolmates, teachers, parents, and friends. Much of the responsibility for these actions points towards music, hearing famous people sing about killing others causes these teenagers to think that these actions become acceptable, when they get aid millions to sing about raping girls or smoking pot. Doctor Frank Pabulum, a practicing pediatrician in Washington, D. C. , testifies on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Music affects people.Music generates a lot of different feelings in its listeners, and if happy songs can make us feel good and think happy thoughts, violent songs can make us angry and think angry thoughts (Dhabi, 2007). In the article, Violent Song Lyrics Encourage Aggressive Behavior in Children, Debbie Pulley explains how a normal thirteen year old boy, Mitchell Johnson, changed after buying rap compact discs. Belly was Mitchell teacher, and three months after buying compact discs by Outpace Shaker and Bone Thugs N Harmony, he and another school shooting.After the shootings other students began to come forward and tell the faculty that the boys listened to gangster rap music. They sang the lyrics, and some of the lyrics even spoke about murdering the kids at school (Dhabi, 2007). Teachers are aware of the violence that children and teenagers are exposed to, which can cause them to have a fear of doing their Job. Other students may be afraid to attend school. For a student to hear a classmate singing of even listening to explicit Eng lyrics could cause fear.These lyrics plant ideas into vulnerable minds, and some children become weak enough to buy into them. A number of adolescent suicide victims have spent the hours immediately prior to taking their lives immersed in heavy metal music. Also, several of the young people involved in recent school shooting have been avid fans of gothic rock performers (Roberts, Christenson, Gentile, 2003). The major difference between popular music and other media is musics ability to enhance or modify moods. Reasons for listening to music, presented in a study ofSwedish adolescents found factor analyses revealed three general trends: atmosphere creation and mood control, filling silence and passing the time, and attention to lyrics (Roberts, Christenson, Gentile, 2003). For most young people, music use is driven primarily by the motivation to control mood and to enhance emotional state. An example of this can be sports. When preparing for a big game or competition, music can be used to get people pumped up; this increases energy level and seeks stimulation. Usually youth like music because of its beat and sound, rarely because of lyrics. However, lyrics are far from irrelevant.Lyrics are often attended to, processed, discussed, memorized, and even taken to heart. The more important music is to an adolescent, the more importance he or she places on the lyrics. Attention to lyrics is highest among fans of oppositional or controversial music, the more defiant, alienated and threatening, the more closely its fans follow the words (Roberts, Christenson, Gentile, 2003). Along with music comes music videos. The visual images and narratives of music videos clearly have more potential to form attitudes, values, and perceptions of social reality than does the music alone.Music videos add additional information and rely less of the imagination. Even though hours less of teenagers time spent watching music videos than listening to music, the fact that the time spent watching and not listening means that music video viewing becomes more likely to be a foreground rather than a background activity. Teenagers eyes remain focused and directed on the screen, less attention can be given to other activities. Studies of music lyrics have shown that lyric intelligibility and interpretation can vary across different listeners, the meaning of the songs is shown in the video and can become self-reinforcing.If viewers listen to the song after viewing the video, likely a flash back will occur to the visual images (Roberts, Christenson, Gentile, 2003). Those who watched thirty minutes of music videos with high concentrations of sex, violence, and indistinguishable themes showed higher approval of premarital sex than did those who viewed thirty minutes of videos randomly taped off the air (Roberts, Christenson, can be dress, looks, similar history, and even music. This happens mainly in high school and Junior high levels; at this age teenagers easily influence one another.Therefore, if the music one person listens to have a negative effect on a person in the circle of friends, the chances that influence will spread to other members of that group increases. If the music being listened to brings u plifting thoughts, most likely will result in a light, uplifting person. If the music that being listened to brings violent thoughts, the temptation to be a violent person occurs (Dhabi, 2007). Rap and hip- hop music can also be stereotypical. One study measured the relationship between musical genre and the race of the singer on reactions to violent song lyrics.The searchers wanted to see if pre-existing thoughts and stereotypes affected how new information is processed and if the African American stereotype of being violent, hostile, and aggressive is gets used. One rap song and one folk song were used in this experiment. The results indicated that when either song was associated with an African American singer or as rap, the participants viewed the lyrics as being offensive. It is not only the lyrics, but also the race of the singer that created a negative connection towards the song (King, McConnell, Orr, Scriber, Train, Another stereotype used in music comes between men and women.Studies show that men have a tolerable attitude as to what is violent and what is too far in sexual advances. Women have less of a tolerance. Heavy metal music and gangster rap influences mens attitude toward women and that increased exposure to those kinds of lyrics and music containing interpersonal violence against women tended to increase mens acceptance of rape myths, such as she dressed like she wanted it or she brought it on herself (Nolan and Steiner, 2009).Many arguments can be made as to whether music should be censored or if that becomes unconstitutional to do so cause of the First Amendment in the Bill of Rights, it states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment or religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom or speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances (Mulberry, Adams, Buckley, and Otis, 1791).The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends different types of behavior modifications to combat the harmful effects of this music. This can be as simple as having parents remain aware of what their children listen to, and to discuss anything hey deem as objectionable. This would be a positive way to relate emotions to the songs. Another idea proposed in the music world can be labeling the content in compact discs. Labels on the outside cover would reveal what the lyrics contained such as language, sex, drugs, and so on.People will always find something wrong with the music that others listen to; music is a form of art and a means of self-expression and emotional release. However, many read too much into lyrics and take them literally into their lives, whereas others teenagers can listen to rap music and it does not change their thoughts and actions. Parents need to pay attention to their childs behavior. Musics main power can change or maintain emotional moods. If the child listens to angry sounding music for a lengthy period of time, that may be a signal for concern, it may Children listen to music because they like it.

Public Administration

Government as a Catalyst: The Thompson-Perry Argument Support or contradict? According to the Thompson-Perry argument, collaboration involves interactive co-operation between two or more bodies with mutual interests (Stillman, 2009). The two groups are not always in the same domain or share similar interests, but they come together in a collaborative effort and combine their resources to achieve a common goal.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Public Administration specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The case study ‘Government as a Catalyst’ ultimately supports the Thompson-Perry argument. Although it may not be a perfect model of the Thompson-Perry argument, it contains three key elements that make it remarkably similar. First, it involves a collaborative effort between several stakeholders that have similar interests. Secondly, the stakeholders involved are all interested in making the situation a win-w in situation for all of them. Third, and perhaps most importantly, it follows Thompson and Perry’s process framework. The Philadelphia Municipal Wireless Network (MWN) is a perfect example of the initiative that involves ‘collaborative public management’ with the interest of the public, private sector and the economy as a whole to benefit. It requires co-operation of the public sector and the private sector, as well as the citizens, for it to succeed. With a MWN in the city, Philadelphia’s socio-economic potential was broadened. As a result, the local economy was improved, there is an increased communication at a cheaper price, and businesses benefir from a boost in the internet connectivity. Today, most businesses and individuals are significantly dependent on the internet. Finally, the Philadelphia MWN initiative follows the three key steps of the collaboration process: negotiation, commitment and implementation. The Collaboration Process Thompson and Pe rry maintain that collaboration is a process-oriented phenomenon involving negotiation, commitment and implementation (Stillman, 2009). This cyclic process is supported by the Game Theory. As research has shown for several times, during a period of a socio-economic dilemma, individuals are more likely to invest in ways that will change the system itself in order to promote joint outcomes.Advertising Looking for essay on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Although a definite definition of collaboration does not exist, there are certain elements that all definitions must have. First, the collaboration process involves a number of stakeholders brought together by common interests with the aim of benefitting mutually. Secondly, collaboration becomes possible when the stakeholders create rules and structures that govern their relationship. Finally, the stakeholders interact through a series of formal and informa l negotiations. The process’ three key phases are all interrelated cyclically, and they are assessed by all stakeholders based on reciprocity. Negotiation is usually the first step in the collaboration process. During negotiation, different stakeholders interact with one another via formal bargains and informal sense-making. Once formal and informal relationships are formed and certain terms areagreed upon, the process moves to the commitment phase. During this phase, the stakeholders commit to the future of their relationship via formal contracts, the ability to solve free-rider problems and psychological contracts. Finally, the actions agreed upon are implemented. During this stage, an organized effort is put up by different parties to carry out the required actions. Implementation involves a high level of personal interactions and co-operation from different organizations. A Different Model? The ‘Government as a Catalyst’ case has all the classic elements of t he Thompson-Perry argument. The entire project has the three distinct steps of their argument, i.e. the negotiation, commitment and implementation stages (Stillman, 2009). At the initial phase of the process, the Philadelphia Wireless released a statement stating that they aimed to provide wireless internet connectivity throughout the city. The main purpose for this was to provide basic digital infrastructure for schools, businesses, community organizations and citizens (the stakeholders).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Public Administration specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More All these stakeholders would benefit from the availability of this technology to achieve different goals. As the negotiation process goes, this first step was vital in planting the seed of interest into the minds of these stakeholders. Philadelphia Wireless then got these stakeholders to commit to the process by negotiating with them and exp laining their intentions. They also took into consideration the role that would be played by all stakeholders in the process. They realized that the government, for example, was not interested in providing wireless internet, but was willing to give the private sector the necessary support it needed to make the project’s implementation possible. Once all stakeholders were on board, Philadelphia Wireless, a creation of the city, was given a green light to roll out the project. It is clear, therefore, that the process was a detailed model of the Thompson-Perry model. Public Accountability and Public Acceptability Meaning of terms According to Rubin’s text, it is reasonable to deduce that public accountability refers to the obligations that public agencies and enterprises, entrusted with public resources, have towards those that have assigned these responsibilities to them. In this case, the latter refers to the public, since it elects officials to public offices and entru sts them with the responsibility to manage public funds that they remit to the government through tax. The public officials have a responsibility to ensure the resources allocated to them are utilized to the benefit of the greatest section part of society over the long term. Public acceptability, on the other hand, refers to the degree to which the public agrees to a budget drawn up by the public entity responsible for managing public funds. The public accepts budgets that appear transparent, detailed and allocate the funds responsibly. Tension caused by Public Accountability and Public Acceptability The tension is caused by the difference in interests between the two parties. The public always wants, and has the right, to see clearly how their resources are utilized by people to whom they assign this responsibility. They work hard, pay taxes diligently and expect to receive acceptable services from the government through public institutions. Public institutions are given the respon sibility to ensure they provide different services to different members of society. Some of the key services provided by these institutions include national security, social services, and adequate infrastructure.Advertising Looking for essay on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As expected, different members of society are more concerned with different aspects of their lives. The lower class of America, for example, is more concerned about how much public institutions allocate to healthcare, while the upper class might be more concerned with more abstract issues like national security. The public institutions are faced with a dilemma, because of the fear of offending one group of people over another. Using the example of America, the lower class will feel more aggravated if public funds are channeled towards funding the war in Iraq while they lack basic needs. The upper class, however, feel as though public resources should be allocated to ensuring public safety, so that people are able to work hard and ensure they have basic needs. This dilemma applies insurmountable pressure on the public institutions, which must apply a delicate balancing act to their budgets and ensure all resources are properly budgeted for. As a result, they often end up in not pleas ing all sections of society, and the result is a public tension. Death of the Spy Satellite The spy satellite is a perfect example of how public accountability and public acceptability can cause substantial tension in public budgeting. In the beginning of the 1990s, the spy satellites that were gathering intelligence for the CIA were getting old and needed improved technology, particularly since global security had worsened in the post-Gulf war era. The CIA, therefore, decided to launch a number of lightweight satellites that would use radar and optical technology to spy on enemy locations and bring the information back to earth safely and faster than before. Each new satellite would cost approximately $1 billion to build, which is relatively cheap for a satellite, and about $450 million to launch. CIA’s ultimate goal was to improve national security, which was expects of them by the public. The budget was opposed, however, by the public – via congress – since i t was considered to be too extravagant. At the time (the mid 1990s), the government was searching for means of minimizing costs, reducing public spending and working on a shoestring budget. Congress argued that the project was not feasible in the long term, given that the plan was to spend approximately $5 billion in five years. The project’s budget was not acceptable to so many fragmented sections of congress, in which case the public most likely felt the same. Another Example Currently, the most contentious issue in terms of public-resource spending is the war in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to many estimates, the United States has spent between three and four trillion dollars. The war has also led to the death of approximately 236,000 people since it began ten years ago. The primary reason the country entered the war was to eliminate the external threat that terrorists posed to the nation, particularly in the wake of 9/11. When the country entered the war, its budget was not of a primary concern. The government had placed priority on protecting the citizens of America. However, ten years and nearly four trillion dollars later, the country ponders as to whether it was necessary to keep American troops in Iraq any longer. The US economy is reeling from the effects of the recession, and with rising costs of living, rising unemployment and increasing socio-economic pressure, tension rises as to whether it is still practical to support the war. While public institutions are accountable for the nation’s security, the public is finding it hard to accept the budgetary cost of a war that, it is argued, not helping improve security in the United States. Helco’s Concept of Issue Networks Reinventing School Lunch Helco’s concept on issue networks is unique: he believes that America does not pay as keen attention as they should to issue networks, particularly within the government. Issue networks, also referred to as ‘iron triangles’ by Helco and other scholars, are small alliances of interest groups who came together to promote single or numerous government policies. Their support of these policies is centered upon a mutual benefit that they receive from this policy in place. The National School Lunch Program, launched in the United States in 1945, was intended to make sure that all school-going children received at least one meal a day. This was a national drive to lower levels of malnutrition, promote the health of these children and to reduce the burden on these children’s parents. It was an initiative by the Food Consumer Service (under the US Department of Agriculture), the State Departments of Education and funded partly by the federal government. The children receive milk, a protein source, a carbohydrate source, and fruit or vegetables. Fast forward to 2011, and obesity is the fastest-growing problem among school children in America today. However, the food rations have remained the same, leading certain lobby groups to campaign against the food these children are fed with. One argument is that the Department of Agriculture maintains the menu simply to promote farmers within the continent, and the federal government has turned a blind eye to these protests because of the mutual interests of a number of organizations. However, not many Americans know about or bother to investigate these issues, and the voice of the protestors is nothing but a flicker. This is a perfect illustration of Helco’s concepts on issue networks in the United States. Public Administration Training Implications of Helco’s Concept Three key elements of issue networks affect the training of public administrators. First, Issue networks seeks for what is complex in what would otherwise be easy issues. Members within a policy network realize that policy objectives are mostly vague, and results are difficult to measure. Participants, therefore, juggle these complexities, and d emand that all experts within the different fields have the knowledge and ability to juggle these complexities too. Secondly, Helco’s concept argues that issue networks help to bring consensus among different interest groups. Government policies are usually aimed at ensuring there is a right outcome on an issue. However, the definitions of what is right being not always clear. Iron triangles are usually formed to campaign for what they think is right, and the result is always consensus. Finally, issue networks tend to go against what most politicians, who end up in being the policy markets, believe in. The norm in politics was to take credit for success, avoid appearing weak and focus on an opponent’s weaknesses. Today, policy networks have placed politicians on the back foot. Taking credit for matters makes the politician appear to lack knowledge of intricate policies. Spreading blame threatens certain established institutions and may raise expectations in the politic ian to levels beyond their means. Issue networks have, therefore, created lukewarm policy makers. Alteration of the Role of Public Administration, Caused by Helco’s Concept Helco’s view on issue networks does not change the types of jobs and tasks that public administrators perform, but alters the manner in which they are done. It sensitizes them towards formulation and implementation of public policies. Policies must favor as many stakeholders as possible or certain iron triangles are bound to protest against it. There is only one argument that could be raised regarding the role of issue networks in changing the types of jobs. The argument that public administrators perform is that there are some networks that have been known to influence public administrators. At times, the pressure applied by these external interest groups is positive, while, at times, they serve the selfish interest of these groups. Alteration to My Thinking As a public administrator, there are two ways that Helco’s concept has changed my view towards being a public administrator. First, it has made me aware that the American public pays less attention to issue networks than they ought to. This means that it is easy for a small iron triangle to influence how public policies are made and implemented. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, issue networks could promote fair policy making by promoting consensus among policy makers. They ensure that when a public decision is made, different stakeholders within society get a fair ruling. Although this may create vague policies, at least the interests of the majority are served in the long run. Not all members of society can be pleased, but democracy dictates that at least a large majority of the public should benefit from decisions made by public officers. Friedrich’s and Finer’s Central Ideas Case study: Torture In his text, Friedrich’s central idea is that administrative responsibility is at a much wi der scope at the moment, and it is no longer simply a responsibility for executing formulated policies (Stillman, 2009). In essence, he means that when a policy has been formulated, it does not mean that those charged with administering it are only responsible to themselves, but they are responsible to other parties as well. They have a responsibility to ensure that the interests of the majority are met in a fair and legal manner. However, an unfair action has to be carried out for the benefit of the greater effect then the action could be justified. Finer shares a similar principle. He argues that public servants are responsible to the elected representatives of the public. These representatives have the right to determine the cause of action of all these public servants to the smallest degree feasible. This is one of the core values of democracy. Torture has often been justified as a necessary evil, required to extract information or achieve results for the benefit of the majority . Friedrich’s argues that the administration has the greatest responsibility to the majority. When all else fails, torture may be justified as a means to an end. Finer’s sentiment lies along the same line. However, he specifies that decisions such as these have to be passed through a hierarchical judicial system for approval. The actions of a person are accountable to a number of other people. Abu Gharib The central argument in the torture case is that it is justified to torture a prisoner of war if certain conditions are met. A scenario is given, where there is a ticking time bomb, and a prisoner has been captured and is believed to have some information about his bomb. The only condition that would warrant torture is if the suspect knew the location of the ticking bomb, and if he was aware of the planned attack. In addition, all other means of obtaining information have to be exhausted before torture is resorted to. Public administrators, in this case the federal gov ernment and the prison services, had the responsibility to ensure that a majority of the citizens are secure, according to Friedrich. In the Abu Gharib case, torture would only be justifiable if there was a ‘ticking time bomb’ that the government was aware of. Democracy is based on fundamentals like these. This, unfortunately, was not the case, since these prisoners were arrested at random with insufficient evidence of terrorist activity. Finer argues that there must be an external agency that has authority over a person or an entity. It is vital that an administrative structure exist (Stillman, 2009). Without an oversight body, it is easy to have prisoners tortured and treated unfairly in the hands of their captors. If, however, the hierarchical judicial system comes to the decision that torture has to be used to obtain certain crucial information, then it is justifiable. Friedrich argues that government officials should have a little room to work with the mentality th at prevails in prisons like Abu Gharib, where the responsibility to protect the innocent in America gives soldiers and security personnel a little justification to ‘do whatever is necessary’ to obtain information. Securing public interest One of the best ways to secure public interest is to involve them into the decision making process. Through their elected representatives, every scenario, decision and matter that will not bring the majority of the population to harm must be passed to the public for scrutiny. Although it makes the process longer and complicated, it eliminates the danger of a public office that is not adequately monitored and evaluated. Since public office bearers have a responsibility to the citizens, they should avail information that will not harm national security in any way to the hands of the public. Finer’s arguments also support the notion that leaving public institutions in the hands of a few individuals, without creating a link between these institutions and the public, there is bound to be potential for evil. The government sets up various controls measures that individuals and groups must abide to. Without these regulatory measures, the interest of a few will be exalted above the interests of the public. Friedrich, however, gives a slightly different view to the statement above. He argues that government officials ought to be given more room to maneuver, or as he puts it, some space for the ‘inner cheek’. A public official ought to be given some latitude to work in an environment that would be mutually beneficial to the majority. Friedrich’s argument carries some weight, particularity when one considers the amount of a pressure public worker works under. It is difficult enough to have a tough working environment, and adding the pressure expecting perfection and braying for blood at the slightest mishap is unrealistic. Giving public administrators some space to maneuver allows them the luxury to find the best way of carrying out their duties. Dwight Waldo Ethical Behavior in the Public Office One of the most crucial lessons by Waldo was that public office bearers had obligations to different stakeholders. They were obligated to the constitution, law, nation, democracy, family, friends, humanity, God/religion, rules and the profession. These elements are part of the twelve obligations of a public office holder. They bind the public servant, and act as guideposts upon which his career may flourish and most importantly, fulfill his duty. Waldo also teaches the concept of ethical mapping. This is a guidepost upon which one bases his moral standards when making an ethical decision in the work place. The public service sphere is a world full of discordant values that often lead a worker to a the wrong way and makes him unsure of where to make a stand. Ethical mapping, as described by Waldo, is a way of finding ‘where we are’. This helps public servants find a way of proceeding with their professional lives in the work place. The twelve obligations, discussed above, are the main guideposts used when making an ethical map. In addition, Waldo helped to contextualize the idea of public administration in a world where it did not exist at the time. Instead on basing their decision on basic principles, public servants ought to rely on contingent intentions and value pluralism. By basing their decisions only on facts, public figures are less likely to take into account the needs of the community around them. Basing decisions on values, on the other hand, enhances an individual’s sense of obligation towards the community that he serves. Compare and Contrast The case study ‘George Tenet and the Last Great Days of the CIA’ describes a small restaurant in Virginia where CIA officers were frequent visitors. Apart from its famous beer-soaked chilly dogs, the restaurant was also known for one unique feature: the officers were never give n bills by the waitresses. Before leaving, the customers would go to the owner of the restaurant, tell how much they had eaten and paid for their meal before they left. This example is used to illustrate how Waldo’s theory of ethical mapping and obligations towards, among other things, humanity, could be applied to help improve honor and honesty within a community. On the flip side of the coin, the case ‘The Blast in Centralia No.5’ describes how 111 miners died after an explosion rocked a small town in Illinois. The mine within which the explosion took place belonged to Centralia Coal Co. The government had the responsibility to ensure that all mines were inspected for worker safety. The deaths were caused by ignited explosives that were fired in a non-permissible and dangerous manner. An investigation later revealed that the possible causes of fire were the shot firers and their open fires. The manager of the mine was later charged with failing to safeguard the mine. These two stories show contradicting sides to Waldo’s lessons on public administration and ethics. As it has been discussed already, the CIA officers felt an obligation to the cafà © to pay for their orders. The mine’s administrators, on the other hand, were not interested in ensuring the mine remained safe for its workers. The government also felt no sense of obligation towards the nation and its citizens by failing to close down the mine after inspecting it and finding it did not meet the required safety standards. If the management of the mine and the officers responsible for inspecting it were able to follow the ethical sense of doing their business rather than being driven by business principle, the accident might have been prevented. Important Lessons for Practicing Public Administrators There are three main lessons that public administrators are able to take away from the contrasting stories above. First, the main aim of a public administrator’s j ob is to ensure that their work is for the benefit of the majority in society. They are meant to be guided by their personal values and not by the systems and its values. Using Waldo’s obligations as guideposts, they should develop the ability to make decisions and carry out their duties based on their personal values. Using an ethical map is a convenient way to get started. Ethical maps help public administrators to know where they stand ethically. Secondly, public administrators need to know what is at stake when they carry out their work. Taking the example of the mine explosion, if the public administrator responsible for inspecting the mine had conducted a thorough job, 111 lives would not have been lost that day. There are certain public administrators that work in highly sensitive public sectors, where small mistakes could put the lives of other people at risk. Such sectors include food, health, sanitation and medicine. Finally, the CIA story may paint a rosy picture o f how public administrators ought to work in the public domain. However, attaining such a high level of discipline and dedication is not a simple task. First of all, as described beforehand, the public domain is not as tightly knotted as the CIA. These are highly-trained individuals who undergo rigorous training to ensure they are completely ready to take on the sensitive nature of their work. However, public administrators should borrow a leaf on how to maintain the rigorous discipline and stick to principles no matter how difficult the working environment is. Reference Stillman, Richard. (2009). Public Administration: Concepts and Cases 9th ed. Stamford: Cengage Learning. This essay on Public Administration was written and submitted by user Jared Gallagher to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Public Administration Introduction Public administration is the study, development, and effectuation of the different subdivisions of government policies. Public administration goals involve quest for public good by improving public service that encompasses civil society. Civil servants are the key players in public administration whereby, they run all activities from data collection and analysis, through legislation to execution of government activities.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Public Administration specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Research Methods There is different research methods applied in public administration including applied and pure research. Pure research, also known as fundamental research involves carrying out research to improve knowledge on some given basic issues. Elementary, basic research is involved in rebutting existing theories. On the other hand, applied research uses established theories and available i nformation to study a given case to establish certain purpose. Literature review sets in here whereby researchers read the available literature on a given subject to draw as many points as possible addressing the question under study. On the other hand, McNabb (2002) posits that, â€Å"Research is exploratory when you use no earlier model as a basis of your study† (p. 23). This research method is useful where there is earlier research on the subject under study. Hawthorne effect is also a research methodology whereby â€Å"subjects improve an aspect of their behavior being experimentally measured simply in response to the fact that they are being studied, not in response to any particular experimental manipulation† (McNabb, 2002, p. 26). Finally, research methodologies apply both dependent and independent variables. Independent variables are present at the start of study whilst dependent variables result from the study process and they depend on the independent ones. P ublic Policy Analysis Public policy analysis is â€Å"determining which of various alternative policies will most achieve a given set of goals in light of the relations between the policies and the goals† (Knoepfel, Larrue Varone, 2007, p. 4). Policy makers have to write a scenario whereby they postulate futuristic occurrences in future and plan for them now.Advertising Looking for essay on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More After coming up with a futuristic scenario, policy makers now consider satisfying versus optimizing. Here they ‘suffice’ a situation by seeking to meet a given standards for sufficiency reasons as opposed to looking for an optimal solution in the optimization process. Satisfying ties closely to bounded rationality whereby after failing to come up with an optimal solution, policy makers they apply bonded rationality to employ their reason only after having greatly mo dified the available choices. Eventually, they carry out cost-benefit analysis to establish how their planned proposal will turn out if implemented. This involves adding all merits and subtracting all demerits and the difference points out whether a proposal is viable or not. A positive difference signifies a viable proposal whilst a negative balance signifies a null proposal. A well-quantified cost-benefit analysis is a clear indicator of how successful a policy would be if implemented. After this period, policy makers look for opportunities when the probability of adopting the new policies is high usually above normal chances. According to Knoepfel, Larrue and Varone (2007), these opportunities are called policy windows (p. 18). If policy makers identify a policy window, they seize it and embark on policy implementation process. This process involves putting to action the developed policy through the appropriate agencies to target groups. The crucial part of policy implementation is the transaction phase for it contributes largely to success or failure of any policy. Policy makers hand over to implementers; however, there has to be a feedback system for monitoring purposes. Public Personnel Management According to Klingner and Nalbandian (2002), public personnel management involves â€Å"public personnel and personnel administration whereby, public personnel are the employees of federal, state, local, and nonprofit agencies† (p. 13). Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) deals with ensuring people get public service jobs on merit without favoritism. Part of EEOC is to carry out performance appraisals to retain competent workers through analyzing quality performance. Corresponding managers carry out these appraisals but they are governed by EEOC stipulations. Generally, employees air their views through collective bargaining systems whereby they use trade unions to lobby for some bargaining like payment increment.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Public Administration specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Public personnel management also involves unemployment compensation that seeks to give newly employed workers partial wages and to stabilize economy during rough economic times like recession time. Even though the U.S. Department of Labor Laws has the mandate to supervise these compensations, Klingner and Nalbandian (2002) states that different States run their independent programs. Sometimes back, public administration managers tried to adopt the theory of scientific management theory, which states that, â€Å"workers should be paid according to the amount of production† (Klingener Nalbandian, 2002, p. 37). However, this was rejected after realizing it was counterproductive. In case a worker is injured, he or she is compensated through workers’ compensation systems that â€Å"provides compensation medical care for employees who are injure d in the course of employment, in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee’s right to sue his or her employer for the tort of negligence† (Klingner Nalbandian, 2002, p. 29). The compensation procedures here depend on worker-employer agreement. Administrative law Administrative law deals with disputing official power with heavy political influences. â€Å"Administrative law is concerned with defining the powers of the state, protecting, limiting the rights, and liberties of citizens† (Head, 2005, p. 1). Administrative law checks issues like misfeasance, malfeasance, and nonfeasance. According to Head (2005), nonfeasance occurs when an employee fails to do work after realizing that, he or she has to do some duties not stipulated in contract (p. 16). Instead of absconding duties, an employee may decide to do them poorly, a situation known as malfeasance. Reasons for malfeasance vary. For instance, workers may do work poorly to protest appointment of a manager they are not interested in. On the other side, misfeasance is â€Å"an action against the holder of a public office, alleging in essence that the office-holder has misused or abused his or her power† (Head, 2005, p. 23). Administrative law deals with all these forms of conducts. Administrative laws encompass other laws as sunshine laws that allow individuals to access information kept by government. These laws postulate legal procedures through which individuals may follow to request and access information held by government. In many cases, to access government held information, one incurs high costs or barred by standard requirements; however, sunshine laws give a way out of this stalemate.Advertising Looking for essay on public administration? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Decisions made by government agencies are subject to judicial review for the protection of bill of rights and Administrative Procedure Act (APA) governs this. Administrative law seeks to enhance accountability in public service through Ethics in Government Act. This act requires upper level members of executive, legislature, and judiciary to give an annual account for the money earned in a year citing all the sources. Through this practice, corruption in public service is reduced to minimum levels if not levels. Organizational Theory Organizational theory is â€Å"is the study of organizations for the benefit of identifying common themes for the purpose of solving problems, maximizing efficiency and productivity, and meeting he needs of stakeholders† (Barzilai, 2007). Organizational culture plays a key role the success of an organization. According to Barzilai (2007), organizational culture is â€Å"the specific collection of values and norms that are shared by people and gr oups in an organization and that control the way they interact with each other and with stakeholders outside the organization.† This culture comes with organizational values that define set strategies to achieve organization’s goal. Communication in any organization forms the backbone of smooth running. However, communication barriers like assumptions hinder smooth flow of information and may affect running of an organization. Employers should learn to overcome these barriers and one of the ways to do so is through three-dimensional communication. This implies that information will flow upward, downwards and laterally to eliminate any form of assumption hence overcoming the barriers and improving overall communication for improved productivity. Workers need motivation; this is achieved through applying McGregor’s Theory X, and Y. Theory X involves giving workers incentives to boost their morale in work while Theory Y involves creating good environment for ambitio us workers to develop their abilities. In organization, social networks improve productivity just like human capital like education. These social networks define social capital and organizations emphasize on it the same way they emphasize on college education, which defines human capital. Finally, working in informal groups enhance organization’s performance by bringing diversity together to achieve a common goal; group work prevents collapse incase a key worker resigns from a given department. Ethics Ethics in public administration addresses the issue of morality, dealing with concepts such as â€Å"good and bad, right and wrong, justice, and virtue† (Sheeran, 1993, p. 1). In public administration, ethics are outlined in a code commonly known as code of ethics that governs conduct in work place. Code of ethics seeks to achieve several goals at administration and public levels. Ethics in work place call for workers to have moral responsibility and do what they are obli ged to do. By adopting such responsibility, organizations are run smoothly because workers know what to do. In public service, workers have different rights to ensure that ethics are upheld in work place. For instance, contractual rights allow workers to highlight their claims to their principals for it lobbies for mutual understanding between employers and employees. Sheeran (1993) observes that contractual rights resonate with the golden rule that, â€Å"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you† (p. 6). It is mutual understanding between two parties. Public administrators come across both positive and negative rights whereby, the former describes the rights to take action whilst the latter describes the rights to take inaction. These rights may result from cognitive dissonance whereby individuals do not clearly know what ideas to uphold and which to discard. Therefore, in a bid to cover this indecisiveness and inconsistency in beliefs, they may exercise positive or negative rights leading to action or inaction. Nevertheless, it is important to note that, exercising positive or negative rights does not emerge necessarily from cognitive dissonance. It may result from a genuine call in cases where workers feel any form of violation. However, regardless of the motive behind action, whether it is a genuine one or not, workers have moral rights that permit them to air their views and call for integrity in work place. Moral rights may also entail inalienable rights not governed by the law. Governmental Budgeting According to Keith (2008), government budgeting is â€Å"the critical exercise of allocating revenues and borrowed funds to attain the economic and social goals of a country† (p. 4). Governmental spending sometimes involves discretionary spending which gives planners the option of making choices on whether to spend or not. Planners also opt to give tax deferrals enabling a taxpayer to pay his or her taxes in the future. This form of t ax payment is cheaper than paying tax now. Sometimes the deferral maybe indefinite meaning the taxpayer will never pay for the same. In the process of governmental budgeting, planners apportion finances to different projects that are projected in the fiscal plan. This is to ensure that the available finances are apportioned well and spread over all departments and sectors to avoid misappropriation. In some cases, government planners resort to zero-based budgeting whereby, â€Å"planning and decision-making which reverses the working process of traditional budgeting† (Keith, 2008, p. 21). In traditional budgeting, departmental heads seek to rationalize why the current budget should allocate more funds to their departments than the previous budget. However, in zero-based budgeting, all spending in every department is comprehensively reviewed to approve spending. To approve spending, managers are not allowed to refer previous spending; on the contrary, they are expected to justi fy spending from a zero-base. To ensure that departments run smoothly, managers use balanced scorecard (BSC), â€Å"a strategic performance management tool – a semi-standard structured report supported by proven design methods and automation tools that can be used by managers to keep track of the execution of activities by staff within their control and monitor the consequences arising from these actions† (Keith, 2008, p. 36). Government planners have to consider spillover effect, that is, the benefits that come with establishment of multilateral alliances with different states. Conclusion Public administration entails several processes aimed at development and effectuation of the different subdivisions of government policies. There are different branches involved in public administrations as discussed above. Each branch plays a key role towards achieving the goals of public administration that include push for public good by improving public service. Public administra tion marries governmental issues with public interests to create smooth running of a country. Public service workers play a key role in the running of any government at any one given time. Reference List Barzilai, K. (2007). Organizational Theory. Web. Head, M. (2005). Administrative Law: Context and Critique. 2nd ed. Sydney; The Federation Press. Keith, R. (2008). Introduction to The Federal Budget Process. Web. Klingener, D., Nalbandian, J. (2002). Public Personnel Management: Contexts and Strategies. 5th Ed. New York; Prentice Hall. Knoepfel, P., Larrue, C., Varone, F. (2007). Public Policy Analysis. Bristol; The policy Press. Mcnabb, D. (2002). Research Methods in Public Administration and Nonprofit Management. New York; M. E. Sharpe, Inc. Sheeran, P. (1993). Ethics in Public Administration: A Philosophical Approach. West Port; Praeger Publishers. This essay on Public Administration was written and submitted by user Emmy Whitfield to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here. Public administration Public Administration

Effects of globalization on native non

Effects of globalization on native non Introduction Globalization can be described as the result of integration between diverse cultures. This occurs through various means, which include political, economic or cultural, among others. Globalization is a process that dates back to human antiquity. Over the years, several stages of globalization have occurred, these include among others, contemporary globalization, which is brought about by activities such as investment in telecommunication and transportation services. The idea of globalization puts together people from diverse backgrounds that come together through their businesses and later merge into larger networks. In essence, globalization is very efficient in that it encourages coming together of a people in harmony. In addition, it boosts growth of a country, and helps in cultivating democracy. This paper will try to explore the effects of globalization on native non of two native non- Western Cultures influenced by globalization Globalization has had influence in vi rtually every part of the world. This is accelerated by technological advances, which have brought people closer. Moreover, learning of many different languages has worked to bring people much closer. Therefore, as much as globalization led to loss of culture, it has linked people. Several native cultures have been influenced by globalization. These include among others African cultures like postpartum belief, which was quite predominant in non-western cultures.Advertising Looking for essay on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For instance, this happened in China, among other countries like Lebanon, and India. Another culture that was influences by globalization is embalming of the dead in Egyptian tradition. For instance, Egyptians could keep their dead ones for years through embalming. Globalization led to introduction of hospital mortuaries, which have replaced Egyptian culture of embalming. Global ization on Ghanaian culture Many cultures have been influenced by Globalization, these include among others, Ghanaian and Chinese cultures. The former comprises of more than 60 ethnicities with varied dialects. In general, they had informal education, emphasized shared values in their social system. However, coming of Portuguese missioners transformed their culture. They began schools and formal education, which transformed their way of life. They spoke in Portuguese, English and Dutch, among others. New crops were also introduced which changes their food culture. In essence, formal education system brought about by Christian missioners in Ghana transformed their culture. Before globalization, Ghanaians could not read and write. Instead, they depended on oral communication. However, this changed, with the introduction of formal education by missionaries. In fact, Ghanaian culture embraced informal education in which parents could give advice to their children through songs, tongue t wisters, parables and even direct conversations. They lived in communal lands and shared resources as a community. However, after the coming of Portuguese Christian missionaries from Europe, who brought with them bibles, formal education system started. At first, it was only restricted to religious education. Later on, capacity building became the focus and specialization prevailed. The effects of globalization were therefore immense as people could read and write as well as specialize in specific areas of profession. Ultimately, globalization brought cultural influx thereby giving rise to modern culture, which is technically the same in almost every part of the world. Ghanaian culture can be considered as a representation of most African cultures with regards to change from informal education formal education. Globalization on Chinese culture Another culture that has been transformed is food culture in China and India, among other countries. Introduction of fast foods from the Unit ed States has led to massive change in eating habits.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Effects of globalization on native non-western cultural practices specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is mainly attributed to McDonald restaurants, which are currently spread in more than 120 countries all over the globe. Eating habits in China has changed over the year and this has been attributed to introduction of American eating habits (fast foods). In fact, nutritionists have warned that the new eating habit has led to obesity, which is quite prevalent in US. Causes of the influences There are several causes of globalization; they include technological advancement, which have moved people closer. The others include mass media, movies, which expose cultures from the developed worlds to developing ones. Moreover, expansion of multinational companies has influenced globalization. Furthermore, western nations wanted a way of cre ating economic ties between countries all over the globe. Another reason was to create an avenue for profit making. An example of this influence is in the sixteenth century when the western adventurers progressed in undermining cultural beliefs practiced by people of different backgrounds all over the world. They used Christianity and cultural undertakings as weapons. For instance, Missionaries came to Africa to spread their religion. In the process, they realized that Africans could not read and write. This prompted them to introduce formal learning which has transformed the whole continent. As has been stated above, initial reason for learning according to missioners was to aid them in reading the bible. However, these led to further changes as institution of higher learning were established to improve human capacity (Irie, 2007). Category of influence Globalization is known to have transformed many cultures. For instance, Ghanaian culture made several steps towards positive as we ll as negative directions. Positive attributes of globalization included civilization, formal education, system of governance, capacity development, improvement in health facilities and technologies, among others. On the other hand, globalization was seen as a way of promoting individualistic ideas, distortion of family values, breakdown of extended families, and colonization as well as exploitation. On the other hand, change in eating habit as witnessed in Chinese culture, among others due to introduction of fast foods brought about distortion of Chinese eating habit. It has also led to a large number of people with obesity. Therefore, it has its negative attributes. It is also important to note its positive attributes, which include saving time and economic empowerment. In addition, missionaries’ influence was direct in that they came to spread the word, and introduced schools to help people read the bible. On the other hand, it is indirect in that once literacy levels had improved, education found other uses, which included career development. Influence on education can be categorized as positive as it brought about major developments and civilization.Advertising Looking for essay on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Lastly, the influence was intentional since missionaries wanted to help people to read the bible and develop in human capacity. The influence of material and individual values imposed on non-western cultures that had different practices in their cultural ways was a direct one from the western societies. In another dimension, it negatively affected non-western societies in that they had to abandon their normal way of life, which they had known all along (Tyler, 2002). Responses of the native non-western societies Globalization received mixed reactions. This is mainly because proponents found a new way of life and responded positively given the potential benefits that were awaiting skilled labors. Moreover, change in eating habit has brought about a new culture of eating which saves time and improves economy. On the other hand, critics found it as a way of distorting their cultures and exploiting resources. Moreover, introduction of fast foods has been faulted for increasing health is sues such as obesity, among others. In this sense, there were assimilators as well as those who opposed Globalization. Furthermore, native societies were encouraged by prospects of the influence brought about by globalization. In this effect, they started increasing the non-western markets with their goods and ideas. Due to this reason, the western societies opened worldwide markets in order to reap more profits. The non-western societies, had a choice of what they could buy from a range of products provided to them by the western companies (Tyler, 2002). Conclusion Clearly, as seen above, globalization that occurs between different cultures of any society can destroy diverse ways of their livelihoods. This is attributable to the fact that people are not able to make a choice of their own. The impacts brought about by media resources have greatly influenced on what someone may decide to choose (Haviland, Prins, Walrath McBride, 2008). Due to this reason, most of the people tend to abandon their ways of life and cultural beliefs. Another striking point of view can be in disrespecting cultural values and societal norms. This eventually leads to negative impacts on the people on what they consider as their way of life and what they want to achieve in life (Irie, 2007). References Haviland, W. A., Prins, H. E. L., Walrath, D. McBride, B. (2008). Anthropology: The Human Challenge (12th Ed). Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning. ISBN: 0-495-09559-1. Irie, B. (2007). The effects of globalization: Examining change. Helium.com. Web. Spradley, J. (2006). Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology. 12th ed. Boston. Pearson Education Inc. Tischler, H. L. (2007). Introduction to Sociology (9th Ed). Belmont, CA: Thomson Learning. ISBN: 978-0495538554. Tyler, C. (2002). Creative Destruction: How Globalization Is Changing the Worlds Cultures. New Jersey: Princeton University Press. Wood, S. E. Boyd, D. (2010). The world of psychology (7th Ed). NY: Pearson. ISBN: 9 78-0205763733.

Booker T. Washington, Early Black Leader and Educator

Booker T. Washington, Early Black Leader and Educator Booker T. Washington (April 5, 1856–November 14, 1915) was a prominent black educator, author, and leader of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born into slavery, Washington rose to a position of power and influence, founding the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in 1881 and overseeing its growth into a well-respected black university. Washington was a controversial figure in his time and since, criticized for being too accommodating on the issues of segregation and equal rights. Fast Facts: Booker T. Washington Known For: Born a slave, Washington became a prominent black educator and leader during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, founding the Tuskegee Institute.Also Known As: Booker Taliaferro Washington; The Great AccommodatorBorn: April 5, 1856 (the only record of this birthdate was in a now-lost family Bible) in Hales Ford, VirginiaParents: Jane and unknown father, described in Washingtons autobiography as a white man who lived on one of the nearby plantations.Died: November 14, 1915 in Tuskegee, AlabamaEducation: As a child laborer, after the Civil War, Washington attended school at night and then school for one hour a day. At 16, he attended the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute. He attended the Wayland Seminary for six months.Published Works:  Up From Slavery, The Story of My Life and Work, The Story of the Negro: The Rise of the Race from Slavery, My Larger Education, The Man Farthest DownAwards and Honors: First black American to receive an honorary degree from Harv ard University (1896). First black American invited to dine at the White House, with President Theodore Roosevelt (1901).Spouses: Fanny Norton Smith Washington, Olivia Davidson Washington, Margaret Murray WashingtonChildren: Portia, Booker T. Jr., Ernest, adopted niece of Margaret Murray WashingtonNotable Quote: In all things that are purely social we [blacks and whites] can be separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress. Early Life Booker T. Washington was born in April 1856 on a small farm in Hales Ford, Virginia. He was given the middle name Taliaferro but no last name. His mother Jane was a slave and worked as the plantation cook.  In Washingtons autobiography, he wrote that his father- whom he never knew - was a white man, possibly from a neighboring plantation. Booker had an older brother, John, also fathered by a white man. Jane and her sons occupied a tiny, one-room cabin. Their dreary home lacked proper windows and had no beds for its occupants. Bookers family rarely had enough to eat and sometimes resorted to theft to supplement their meager provisions. Around 1860, Jane married Washington Ferguson, a slave from a nearby plantation. Booker later took the first name of his stepfather as his last name. During the Civil War, the slaves on Bookers plantation, like many slaves in the South, continued to work for the owner even after the issuance of Lincolns 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. In 1865 after the war ended, Booker T. Washington and his family moved to Malden, West Virginia, where Bookers stepfather had found a job as a salt packer for the local salt works. Working in the Mines Living conditions in their new home were no better than those back at the plantation. Nine-year-old Booker worked alongside their stepfather packing salt into barrels. He despised the work but did learn to recognize numbers by taking note of those written on the sides of the salt barrels. Like many former slaves during the post-Civil War era, Booker longed to learn how to read and write. When a black school opened in a nearby community, Booker begged to go. His stepfather refused, insisting that the family needed the money he brought in from the salt packing. Booker eventually found a way to attend school at night. When he was 10, his stepfather took him out of school and sent him to work in the nearby coal mines. From  Miner to Student In 1868, 12-year-old Booker T. Washington found a job as a houseboy in the home of the wealthiest couple in Malden, General Lewis Ruffner, and his wife Viola. Mrs. Ruffner was known for her high standards and strict manner. Washington, responsible for cleaning the house and other chores, impressed Mrs. Ruffner, a former teacher, with his sense of purpose and a commitment to improving himself. She allowed him to attend school for an hour a day. Determined to continue his education, 16-year-old Washington left the Ruffner household in 1872 to attend Hampton Institute, a school for blacks in Virginia. After traveling over 300 miles- by train, stagecoach, and on foot- Washington arrived at Hampton Institute in October of that year. Miss Mackie, the principal at Hampton, was not entirely convinced that the young country boy deserved a place at her school. She asked Washington to clean and sweep a recitation room for her; he did the job so thoroughly that Miss Mackie pronounced him fit for admission. In his memoir Up From Slavery, Washington later referred to that experience as his college examination. Hampton Institute To pay his room and board, Washington worked as a janitor at Hampton Institute. Rising early in the morning to build the fires in the school rooms, Washington also stayed up late every night to complete his chores and work on his studies. Washington greatly admired the headmaster at Hampton, General Samuel C. Armstrong, and considered him his mentor and role model. Armstrong, a veteran of the Civil War, ran the institute like a military academy, conducting daily drills and inspections. Although academic studies were offered at Hampton, Armstrong placed emphasis on teaching trades. Washington embraced all that Hampton Institute offered him, but he was drawn to a teaching career rather than a trade. He worked on his oratory skills, becoming a valued member of the schools debate society. At his 1875 commencement, Washington was among those called upon to speak. A reporter from The New York Times was present at the commencement and praised the speech given by 19-year-old Washington in his column the following day. First Teaching Job Booker T. Washington returned to Malden after his graduation with his newly acquired teaching certificate. He was hired to teach at the school in Tinkersville, the same school he had himself attended before Hampton Institute. By 1876, Washington was teaching hundreds of students- children during the day and adults at night. During his early years of teaching, Washington developed a philosophy toward the advancement of blacks. He believed in achieving the betterment of his race by strengthening the character of his students and teaching them a useful trade or occupation. By doing so, Washington believed, blacks would assimilate more easily into white society, proving themselves an essential part of that society. After three years of teaching, Washington appears to have gone through a period of uncertainty in his early 20s. He abruptly and inexplicably quit his post, enrolling in a Baptist theological school in Washington, D.C. Washington quit after only six months and rarely ever mentioned this period of his life. Tuskegee Institute In February 1879, Washington was invited by General Armstrong to give the spring commencement speech at Hampton Institute that year. His speech was so impressive and so well received that Armstrong offered him a teaching position at his alma mater. Washington began teaching night classes in the fall of 1879. Within months of his arrival at Hampton, night enrollment tripled. In 1881, General Armstrong was asked by a group of educational commissioners from Tuskegee, Alabama for the name of a qualified white man to run their new school for blacks. The general instead suggested Washington for the job. At only 25 years old, former slave Booker T. Washington became the principal of what would become Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute. When he arrived at Tuskegee in June 1881, however, Washington found that the school had not yet been built. State funding was earmarked only for teachers salaries, not for supplies or the building of the facility. Washington quickly found a suitable plot of farmland for his school and raised enough money for a down payment. Until he could secure the deed to that land, he held classes in an old shack adjacent to a black Methodist church. The first classes began an astonishing 10 days after Washingtons arrival. Gradually, once the farm was paid for, the students enrolled at the school helped repair the buildings, clear the land, and plant vegetable gardens. Washington received books and supplies donated by his friends at Hampton. As word spread of the great strides made by Washington at Tuskegee, donations began to come in, mainly from people in the north who supported the education of freed slaves. Washington went on a fundraising tour throughout the northern states, speaking to church groups and other organizations. By May 1882, he had collected enough money to construct a large new building on the Tuskegee campus. (During the schools first 20 years, 40 new buildings would be constructed on campus, most of them by student labor.) Marriage, Fatherhood, and Loss In August 1882, Washington married Fanny Smith, a young woman who had just graduated from Hampton. A great asset to her husband, Fanny became very successful at raising money for Tuskegee Institute and arranged many dinners and benefits. In 1883, Fanny gave birth to the couples daughter Portia. Sadly, Washingtons wife died the following year of unknown causes, leaving him a widower at only 28 years old. In 1885, Washington married again. His new wife, 31-year-old Olivia Davidson, was the lady principal of Tuskegee at the time of their marriage. (Washington held the title administrator.) They had two children together- Booker T. Jr. (born in 1885) and Ernest (born in 1889). Olivia Washington developed health problems after the birth of their second child and she died of a respiratory ailment in 1889 at the age of 34. Washington had lost two wives within a period of only six years. Washington married his third wife, Margaret Murray, in 1892. She, too, was the lady principal at Tuskegee. She helped Washington run the school and care for his children and accompanied him on his many fundraising tours. In later years, she was active in several black womens organizations. Margaret and Washington were married until his death. They had no biological children together but adopted Margarets orphaned niece in 1904. The Growth of Tuskegee Institute As Tuskegee Institute continued to grow both in enrollment and in reputation, Washington nonetheless found himself in the constant struggle of trying to raise money to keep the school afloat. Gradually, however, the school gained statewide recognition and became a source of pride for Alabamans, leading the Alabama legislature to allocate more funds toward the salaries of instructors. The school also received grants from philanthropic foundations that supported education for blacks. Tuskegee Institute offered academic courses but placed the greatest emphasis on industrial education, focusing on practical skills that would be valued in the southern economy such as farming, carpentry, blacksmithing, and building construction. Young women were taught housekeeping, sewing, and mattress-making. Always on the lookout for new money-making ventures, Washington conceived the idea that Tuskegee Institute could teach brick-making to its students, and eventually make money selling its bricks to the community. Despite several failures in the early stages of the project, Washington persisted- and eventually succeeded. The Atlanta Compromise Speech By the 1890s, Washington had become a well-known and popular speaker, although his speeches were considered controversial by some. For instance, he delivered a speech at Fisk University in Nashville in 1890 in which he criticized black ministers as uneducated and morally unfit. His remarks generated a firestorm of criticism from the black community, but he refused to retract any of his statements. In 1895, Washington delivered the speech that brought him great fame. Speaking in Atlanta at the Cotton States and International Exposition, Washington addressed the issue of racial relations in the United States. The speech came to be known as The Atlanta Compromise. Washington expressed his firm belief that blacks and whites should work together to achieve economic prosperity and racial harmony. He urged southern whites to give black businessmen a chance to succeed in their endeavors. What Washington did not support, however, was any form of legislation that would promote or mandate racial integration or equal rights. In a nod to segregation, Washington proclaimed: In all things that are purely social, we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress. His speech was widely praised by southern whites, but many in the black community were critical of his message and accused Washington of being too accommodating to whites, earning him the name The Great Accommodator. Tour of Europe and Autobiography Washington gained international acclaim during a tour of Europe in 1899. Washington gave speeches to various organizations and socialized with leaders and celebrities, including Queen Victoria and Mark Twain. Before leaving for the trip, Washington stirred up controversy when asked to comment upon the murder of a black man in Georgia who had been strung up and burned alive. He declined to comment on the horrific incident, adding that he believed that education would prove to be the cure for such actions. His tepid response was condemned by many black Americans. In 1900, Washington formed the National Negro Business League (NNBL), with the goal of promoting black-owned businesses. The following year, Washington published his successful autobiography, Up From Slavery. The popular book found its way into the hands of several philanthropists, resulting in many large donations to Tuskegee Institute. Washingtons autobiography remains in print to this day and is considered by many historians to be one of the most inspirational books written by a black American. The stellar reputation of the institute brought in many notable speakers, including industrialist Andrew Carnegie and feminist Susan B. Anthony. Famed agricultural scientist George Washington Carver became a member of the faculty and taught at Tuskegee for nearly 50 years. Dinner With President Roosevelt Washington found himself at the center of controversy once again in October 1901, when he accepted an invitation from President Theodore Roosevelt to dine at the White House. Roosevelt had long admired Washington and had even sought his advice on a few occasions. Roosevelt felt it only fitting that he invite Washington to dinner. But the very notion that the president had dined with a black man at the White House created a furor among whites- both northerners and southerners. (Many blacks, however, took it as a sign of progress in the quest for racial equality.) Roosevelt, stung by the criticism, never again issued an invitation. Washington benefited from the experience, which seemed to seal his status as the most important black man in America. Later Years Washington continued to draw criticism for his accommodationist policies. Two of his greatest critics were William Monroe Trotter, a prominent black newspaper editor and activist, and W.E.B. Du Bois, a black faculty member at Atlanta University. Du Bois criticized Washington for his narrow views on the race issue and for his reluctance to promote an academically strong education for blacks. Washington saw his power and relevance dwindle in his later years. As he traveled around the globe giving speeches, Washington seemed to ignore glaring problems in America, such as race riots, lynchings, and the disenfranchisement of black voters in many southern states. Although Washington later spoke out more forcefully against discrimination, many blacks would not forgive him for his willingness to compromise with whites at the cost of racial equality. At best, he was viewed as a relic from another era; at worst, a hindrance to the advancement of his race. Death Washingtons frequent travel and busy lifestyle eventually took a toll on his health. He developed high blood pressure and kidney disease in his 50s and became seriously ill while on a trip to New York in November 1915. Insisting that he die at home, Washington boarded a train with his wife for Tuskegee. He was unconscious when they arrived and died a few hours later on November 14, 1915, at the age of 59. Booker T. Washington was buried on a hill overlooking the Tuskegee campus in a brick tomb built by students. Legacy From a slave to the founder of a black university, Booker T. Washingtons life traces the vast changes undergone and distances traversed by black Americans after the Civil War and into the twentieth century. He was an educator, prolific writer, orator, adviser to presidents, and considered the most prominent black American at the height of his career. His accommodationist approach to advancing the economic lives and rights of black in America was controversial even in its own time and remains controversial to this day. Sources Harlan, Louis R. Booker T. Washington: The Making of a Black Leader, 1856–1901. Oxford, 1972.Wells, Jeremy. â€Å"Booker T. Washington (1856–1915).† Encyclopedia Virginia.

Drug Dilemmas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Drug Dilemmas - Essay Example Unfortunately, in a free market economy such as the United States, nothing can be done about it, except by government intervention through price regulation. Considering what Marcia Angell, former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, said about how pharmaceutical companies spend enormous resources in developing "me-too" drugs simply to get a share of the market of a top-selling drug, there is reason to believe that U.S. drug prices do not reflect the operation of a fair and competitive market, rather, the pharmaceutical companies have somewhat cartelized themselves resulting in a monopoly of the drug pricing. 2. Given the nature of their product, do pharmaceutical companies have ethical responsibilities that other corporations don't have In your view, are the large U.S. drug companies good corporate citizens According to the Case Resource, many drug companies enjoy larger profit margins than other U.S. corporations. At the very least, and considering the nature of their product, this writer believes that pharmaceutical companies should take on the ethical responsibility of reasonably pricing their products, at least at the level of most corporations. It would be more ethical of course, for pharmaceutical companies to reduce their profit margins in order to make their drugs more available to a greater number of people. After all, the mission and vision of most drug companies is to "lead the way to a healthier world by providing products that improve lives" (Wyeth, 2008), or "we are here for the people we serve in their pursuit of healthy lives" (Abbott, 2008). However, in terms of corporate citizenship, drug companies would be thought of as good corporate citizens especially if they pay the government the correct taxes from all the revenues and profits they make. 3. Are the large drug companies guilty of price gouging or charging an unfair or exploitative price for their products In general, what factors should determine the price of drugs Should Americans be permitted to import drugs from Canada or other countries Whether or not large drug companies are guilty of price gouging or charging an unfair or exploitative price for their products is highly debatable. On the one hand, if the drug company sets its price at a profit level well beyond regular profitability standards for U.S. corporations, then the company would be guilty of price gouging. However, to determine such profit level, various factors would need to be taken into account and some of these factors may not be existent in other corporations, such as costs of compliance with government regulations considering that such regulations may be stricter in the health industry than in other industries. In general, factors that determine the price of drugs would be production costs, distribution costs, marketing costs, administration costs and other overhead costs such as R&D. This writer believes that Americans should be permitted to import drugs from Canada or other countries for that matter. If the cost of imported drugs is less expensive than U.S.-manufactured drugs, this would be very beneficial to Americans. Moreover, it would provide a natural check and balance for the pricing practices of the U.S. drug companies. 4. Do drug companies have an obligation to make new drugs available to patients who were involved in their development, either here or overseas

Financial Institutions and Instruments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Financial Institutions and Instruments - Essay Example An investment strategy has more to do with responsibly, and often conservatively, managing an investment portfolio in order to maximize gains with a minimum of maintenance, a low number of transactions (and their attendant costs), and a minimum of risk. This paper will explore the investment strategy approach for the most part, whilst also exploring some of the more simplified and well-tested technical strategies of the trading approach. A simplified investment strategy is the one most likely to be employed by an ordinary person with a modest portfolio, a minimum amount of time to devote to managing that portfolio, and limited ability, desire, and/or resources to devote to the use of sophisticated analysis tools. In other words, the kind of person who has a day job as opposed to being a fulltime day trader, and needs a strategy that includes a fair degree of automatic execution and pre-determined portfolio protection devices. Finding a consistent strategy that meets these requirements would be useful to a great number of people who are currently disadvantaged in the area of maximizing their investment gains by lack of financial resources, time, and expertise, whilst at the same time they may be very dependent on their investment pe rformance for their future financial security needs. Much work has been done in pursuit of a system that would consistently provide excess returns, with mixed results. The very existence of technical analysis seems to belie the Efficient Market Hypothesis. Some researchers have concluded that "technical rules do not earn excess profits over a simple buy-and-hold strategy," (Beechey, Gruen, and Vickery, 2000). However, there are aspects of market performance that are not completely explained by EMH, and the available evidence suggests that "financial market returns are partly predictable, in ways that sometimes conflict with the Efficient Market Hypothesis" (Beechey, et al, 2000). Other discordant findings regarding the EMH versus actual stock performance include evidence that in the stock market, "shares with high returns continue to produce high returns in the short run (momentum effects). In the long run, shares with low price-earnings ratios, high book-to-market-value ratios, and other measures of 'value' outperform the market (value effects)." Further, "at times, asset prices appear to be significantly misaligned, for extended period," (Beechey, et al, 2000). Whenever inefficiencies such as misalignments or mispricings occur, an opportunity for excess returns also occurs - if someone with a technical analysis filter is watching for them and knows when and how to act on them. At best it would seem the EMH semi-strong or weak version best describes what is observed in the markets. Therefore it would seem that there may, after all, be something to be gained from at least a cursory investigation of the technical analysis tools that are most readily available to the average investor, and that are easy to understand and use, and that is the criteria that was used when choosing technical analysis tools for inclusion in the investment strategy that will be outlined herein. St. George's Bank has been traded on the Australian exchange since 1992, and is currently the fifth largest bank in Australia. It shares with the banking sector a 100%

Life & Wessex King Essay Example for Free

Life Wessex King Essay Life in the past was characterized with lots of battles between rival territories. This resulted to the rise of powerful empires and the measure of power during those days was through the number of wars fought. Warriors of those days were called Vikings. A Viking also denotes a pirate, merchant or explorer. These Norsemen normally used long ships to travel in the sea to all the places of their interest and used the same vessels to fight their enemies. The Vikings are traced to have originated in the early 17th century in the German territory. The initiator of Vikings in the Iceland is Erik the red. He lived all his life ruling his people after which his son picked the mantle from him (Gwyn, J. 2000). SCANDINAVIA The term Scandinavia is both a historical a major geographical part in the world. There exist also a people who are identified as the Scandinavians. According to the geographical setting, Scandinavia is located in the Northern Europe, a place called Scandinavian Peninsula. The kingdoms that existed in the Scandinavian region include: Finland, Norway and partly Denmark. A lot of research done also reveal that Sweden and Iceland also form part of this robust history. All these regions put together are further referred to as Nordic region. The geographical orientation of Scandinavia is rather ambiguous. The region spreads from the Norwegian Fjords all the way to the low areas in Denmark through the Scandinavian Mountains and to the archipelagos of Sweden and Norway. This region has diverse group of people and for this reason, there exist more that one dialect. The languages that were spoken in these regions included Norway, Sweden and Denmark dialects. These people usually understood each other and thus had mutual understanding. DO THE VIKINGS RIGHTFULLY DESERVE THE REPUTATION THAT THEY WERE CRUEL, MURDEROUS BARBARIANS? WHY? WHY NOT? The Vikings performed most of their ventures through wars. It is evident that a normal way of dressing was to be attire that is characteristic of a warrior. The males had war uniforms all the time. From the first time that the Vikings entered a territory, war had to be fought. It is mandatory that people must die in the event of war. The death of people was so common to these northern tribes that any one could talk of them to be cruel and murderous. Other ventures like sea piracy and looting were associated with brutality and blood shed. The victims of such encounters were left counting their losses if they were not dead. Erik who is one of the founders of the Vikings movement was actually observed to murder many people in his native land until he was expelled to go to exile, the result which led to the discovery of Ice land. EXPLAIN THE ROLE OF WESSEX, IN REGARD TO THE VIKINGS IN ENGLAND. The Wessex territory was known for its great power during the year 878. This territory had great potential that any attacker could admire. Te Wessex King of that time planed for a very efficient army that was to fight and defeat the Viking warriors. This king managed to resist the Vikings and with time became pronounced as Alfred the great. His territory was a centre for trade, commerce and administration. The Vikings however invaded this land and took loots from it as usual. The Wessex region acted as a real opposition to the advances of the Vikings. Every one feared the Vikings. The sight of these raiders approaching a region would send cold shivers down the guts of every king. King Alfred however managed to escape them, even though he was later cornered. The Wessex region became a home of habitation to some Vikings although others separated from the settling camp and continued with invasion. Wessex became a point mark towards bringing an end to the Viking advances in war. HOW DID THE VIKINGS CONTRIBUTE TO THE BREAK-UP OF THE CAROLINGIAN EMPIRE? The Vikings were a major threat to the kings during the Viking age. The Vikings attached Carolingian empire in the year 885 and 886 leading to the defeat of their kings. In 845, the Viking warriors sailed to seine in France and attacked it. The end result of this was a defeat to the Carolingian empire and the kings that followed were just puppet rulers who were initiated by the Vikings. This led to the fall of this empire and it took along time to come up again. EXPLAIN THE VARIOUS PHASES INVOLVED IN VIKING RAIDS. Vikings mainly had 3 phases of raids. The very first phase said to have lasted from 790-840. The Vikings used very shallow draught long ships. They always used these ships because they were suitable majorly for surprise attacks in the coastal towns. The size of these vessels was so small so that the Vikings could rush and attack very fast. With this they attacked Frisia and Aquitane. The second level of attacks occurred between 841 and 875 and the number of raids increased. The Vikings attacked by killing or enslaving their victims. With this, the attacks proceeded to the Mediterranean Sea. 876 to 911 saw the introduction of the third phase. With this, the Vikings started to invade frnce and other parts of Europe. They also developed their own fleets that were used to attack distance empires.