Exceptional Children Essay Example

Exceptional Children Essay All children exhibit differences from one another in terms of their physical attributes (e. g. , some are shorter, some are stronger) and learning abilities (e. g. , some learn quickly and are able to remember and use what they have learned in new situations; others need repeated practice and have difficulty maintaining and generalizing new knowledge and skills). The differences among most children are relatively small, enabling these children to benefit from the general education program. The physical attributes and/or learning abilities of some children, however—those called exceptional children—differ from the norm (either below or above) to such an extent that they require an individualized program of special education and related services to fully benefit from education. The term exceptional children includes children who experience difficulties in learning as well as those whose performance is so superior that modifications in curriculum and instruction are necessary to help them fulfill their potential. Thus, exceptional children is an inclusive term that refers to children with learning and/or behavior problems, children with physical disabilities or sensory impairments, and children who are intellectually gifted or have a special talent. The term students with disabilities is more restrictive than exceptional children because it does not include gifted and talented children. Learning the definitions of several related terms will help you better understand the concept of exceptionality. We will write a custom essay sample on Exceptional Children specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Exceptional Children specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Exceptional Children specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Although the terms impairment, disability, and handicap are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not synonymous. Impairment refers to the loss or reduced function of a particular body part or organ (e. g. , a missing limb). A disability exists when an impairment limits a person’s ability to perform certain tasks (e. g. , walk, see, add a row of numbers) in the same way that most persons do. A person with a disability is not handicapped, however, unless the disability leads to educational, personal, social, vocational, or other problems. For example, if a child who has lost a leg learns to use a prosthetic limb and thus functions in and out of school without problems, she is not handicapped, at least in terms of her functioning in the physical environment. Handicap refers to a problem or a disadvantage that a person with a disability or an impairment encounters when interacting with the environment. A disability may pose a handicap in one environment but not in another. The child with a prosthetic limb may be handicapped (i. e. , disadvantaged) when competing against nondisabled peers on the basketball court but may experience no handicap in the classroom. Individuals with disabilities also experience handicaps that have nothing to do with their disabilities but are the result of negative attitudes and the inappropriate behavior of others who needlessly restrict their access and ability to participate fully in school, work, or community activities. The word handicapped is thought to come from a game that involved a â€Å"cap in the hand,† and it has the contemporary meaning of assigning extra weight (a handicap) to better performers to â€Å"level† a playing field and enhance wagering (Treanor, 1993). Unfortunately, the word conjures up the negative image of a person with disabilities begging in the street. In most instances today, the person-first with disabilities is preferred over the term handicapped. At risk refers to children who, although not currently identified as having a disability, are considered to have a greater-than-usual chance of developing one. The term is often applied to infants and preschoolers who, because of conditions surrounding their births or home environments, may be expected to experience developmental problems at a later time. The term is also used to refer to students who are experiencing learning problems in the regular classroom and are therefore at risk of school failure or of being identified for special education services. Some exceptional children share certain physical characteristics and/or patterns of learning and behavior. These characteristics fall into the following categories of exceptionality: †¢Mental retardation (developmental disabilities) †¢Learning disabilities †¢Emotional and behavioral disorders †¢Autism †¢Communication (speech and language) disorders †¢Hearing impairments Visual impairments †¢Physical and health impairments †¢Traumatic brain injury †¢Multiple disabilities †¢Giftedness and special talents As stated previously, all children differ from one another in individual characteristics along a continuum; exceptional children differ markedly from the norm so that an individually designed program of instruction—in other wor ds, special education—is required if they are to benefit fully from education. It is a mistake to think that there are two distinct kinds of children—those who are exceptional and those who are regular. Exceptional children are more like other children than they are different. Nevertheless, an exceptional child does differ in important ways from his peers without disabilities. And whether and how we recognize and respond to those differences will have a major impact on the child’s success in school and beyond. Keep these critical points in mind as you read and learn about the exceptional children described in this text and the special education programs designed to help them.

Working Capital Management at Bajaj Auto Ltd. Essays

Working Capital Management at Bajaj Auto Ltd. Essays Working Capital Management at Bajaj Auto Ltd. Essay Working Capital Management at Bajaj Auto Ltd. Essay Creditors conversion Period (ICP): This ratio tells the time taken to make payments to the creditors. Higher the ratio, the better it is, since it means that the company has more time by their side in order to OFF make ten payments to Its creditors. I en analyses snows Tanat Baja] auto Is snowing a insistent performance on a higher note for the last two FYI 2006-07 2007-08 in this parameter as compared to the competitors in the period of the study. It is at par with the industry leader, Hero Honda if not better. The other players like TVS Motors and Yamaha do not show much of a promise in this criterion. The high credit period enjoyed by the company can be attributed to enhanced confidence in the financial of the company due to its better performance over the years. This also reflects the fact that the liquidity position of Baja] Auto is not a matter of concern for its suppliers or creditors. Net Operating Cycle: Throughout the six year period of study the net operating cycle of Baja] Auto is found to be negative which means that the credit period enjoyed by the company from creditors is more than the credit period allowed by the company as well as the lag in payment of expenses and other overheads. This is a good sign for the company because it prevent blockage of capital as well as reduces the working capital requirement considerably. When we compare the net operating cycle of Baja] Auto with Hero Honda, TVS Motors and Yamaha, the three major competitors it is seen that Baja] Auto is better placed than TVS or Yamaha for Hero Honda, there is some scope for improvement notwithstanding the fact that in the last FYI 2007-08, the two companies were placed at par. Net Working Capital: We see that Baja] Auto is having a very volatile net working capital requirement over the course of the study, though remaining on the negative side. The company snouts adopt a netter working capital management policy post demurrer to match the standards of Hero Honda. Due to negative net operating cycle, the cash available to Baja] is high. So it invests this extra cash in short term investments which allow it to earn more profits. Baja] first sells its goods and later on pay its raw material suppliers. In such a situation, it is always in a position to arm-twist the suppliers by taking more credit. Other Liquidity Ratios: Current Ratio: We can see from the graph* that Baja] has maintained a sort of consistency in current ratio for all the years. The ratio has fallen after 2003, indicating that the company has more of current liability as compared to the current asset. While at the same time TVS has a better position in this aspect and Yamaha has higher ratio imparted to others. This position indicates that Baja] Auto may not be having a relatively good short term financial. Quick ratio As seen from the graph*, Baja] Auto shows a volatile pattern for the period. But currently the ratio has fallen to 5 year low of 0. 6 which is higher than Hero Honda. In the recent years it has shown a gradual fall there by indicating that it may be difficult for the company to meet its short term obligations with its most liquid assets. Cash to sales ratio: The graph shows that the company has a lenient credit policy from the past 6 years ND also in the year 2006 and 2007 the ratio shows a negative value which may not be good for the company. If we compare it with the competitors, they have fluctuating values which shows that they follow both strict as well as lenient credit policy depending on the circumstances. Recommendations and conclusion: Monthly Sales Month 2008 2007 September 245,381 232496 October 191,840 278,176 November 159,747 235,797 Given the current condition amidst signals that the economy is heading towards a recession and the decreasing sales figures for the last three months suggest that Baja] Auto may be having difficulties to continue with their negative working capital policy. There is a chance that more money will be kept locked in finished goods inventory. They may be facing a liquidity crunch in near future given the tighter credit policy by banks and other financial institutions. Thus it is advisable to improve their liquidity position now by raising short-term loans or by investing in marketable securities like T-bills or CDC. They may also tie-up with Baja] Finesse, the sister concern post demurrer in 2007-08 to provide easy credit terms to prospective customers, thus boosting sales figures. To put it in a nutshell, Baja] Auto had adopted a nearly perfect working capital policy in previous years but they need to change their outlook in the present situation. ?-?O?Y *Please refer the MS Excel file ? for graphs and charts.

Ethics Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ethics Paper - Essay Example If throwing one overboard saves me, then I would do so without hesitation. The act would not even bring into consideration whether the other three left with me on the boat are saved or not; as long as I am saved, the others can be in any condition possible. But such an egoistic attitude is often considered unethical in social interactions. If everyone acts for the sole benefit of oneself without any thought for one’s surroundings (or neighbours), then the social contract – as described by Thomas Hobbes – would break down and society would cease to exist. On the other extreme, a completely altruistic approach would make me act entirely for the good of others, even if it implies that I would be harmed in the process. Thus, if one of the five people on the boat needs to be thrown overboard, I would jump off myself to save the other four. However, both the approaches above are not logically based on cogent grounds, and therefore, it is suggested that the situation is analysed not through these two extremes, but through other justified ethical theories. The utilitarian theory, founded by Bentham and taken further by Mill, claims that an ethical act is one that maximises society’s happiness as a whole. It is analogous to a communist philosophy where individual elements and motives are disregarded for overall social benefit. Going by this theory alone, the act of throwing one person overboard to save the other four is ethically justified.

Taxation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Taxation - Essay Example However, the unrecovered rent of two months that the previous tenant totaling  £1,000 will not be deducted in deriving the taxable profit since the amount is not an expense entitled to the property owner for immediate deduction under the Inland Revenue provisions (Lunt, 2009). Similarly, the  £600 rent paid in advance has to be reflected in property income assessment. Under the Inland Revenue rules, rent advances have to be reflected in the year the financial year the rent income has been received (Segal, 2011). This implies that the 2013-2014 property income assessment that runs up to 30 June of 2014 has to cater for all rental income even if it is not meant for a month falling in the given financial year. Furthermore, the rent income that was collected from the previous tenant before defaulting has to be included in the property income assessment provided to the Inland Revenue authority (BLS.com, 2014). Consequently, client A’s profit that will be taxed by the Inland Rev enue authority is the derived after deducting the three identified expenses from all rental income received within financial year of 2013-2014. Undeclared property income has the consequence of imposing penalty charges on the property owner for defaulting to remit the tax returns for the given financial years (Gilbertson, 2009) (James, 2009). However, client B has the potential of saving the money charged by HMRC by reporting the undeclared property rental income. The opportunity is available to client B by registering for self-assessment in declaring income that has not been taxed for the last four years (Warren, Reeve, & Duchac, 2012). The tax return is filled in different tax return to cover for each of the undeclared tax. In addition, the HM Revenue and Customs provides that if one has registered for Self Assessment but has failed to declare all their income generated in previous years, he

Racialised and Gendered Barriers in Diverse Settings Essay

Racialised and Gendered Barriers in Diverse Settings - Essay Example That means, it not only includes the traditional categories of race and gender, but also people with disabilities, various sexual orientations, and other non-traditional categories considered having â€Å"diversity of thought† or those from different disciplines, college degrees, socio-economic backgrounds, etc. However, many organizations and professional careers still remain resolute in embracing diversity and maintain barriers for full inclusion to be carried out. This paper attempts to answer the question, â€Å"To what extent and in what sense can we say that professional and managerial careers are gendered and racialised?† It was Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. who inspired the concept of diversity when he advocated that character is what makes a person and not his skin color. This propelled lawmakers to come up with laws that provide equal opportunity to all (Mor Barak, 2000). These laws have been designed to protect anyone from discrimination for their gender, marit al status, cultural background, race, age, disability, religion and other factors that may point out one’s difference from the rest of the group. â€Å"Equal opportunity† is a means by which a person receives equal access in society. â€Å"Equal opportunities approach† is premised on the principle that all people can avail of certain rights or privileges such as education, employment, health care or other welfare services without any discrimination or any preference whatsoever. The evolution of the workforce to include a more diverse population has highlighted some prejudices that mark resistance to move from more stereotypical roles. Even in today’s â€Å"politically correct† environments, prejudice and stereotypes prevent the successful implementation of inclusive policies at the workplace. Such obstacles usually suffered by women, older adults, ethnic and racial minority groups, homosexuals and the disabled include lack of support in their caree r planning, guidance of these nontraditional employees that is necessary for job advancement and a lonely and unsupportive work environment (Morrison, 1992). In effect, equal opportunities are not provided for all. Although there are different organizations that apply various equal opportunity practices that provide fair conditions for all their members in the process of employment and work (Equal Opportunities, 2006), managerial positions are usually reserved for men coming from the majority cultural group. For example, in a UK organization that subscribes to diversity and inclusive work environments, British men usually hold the top management posts. This may lead one to conclude that managerial careers are gendered and racialised. One explanation for maintaining racialized top management positions may be attributed to fidelity to one’s culture. Hofstede (1994) defines culture as â€Å"the collective programming of the mind which distinguished the members of one human grou p from another†¦ Culture, in this sense, includes systems of values; and values are among the building blocks of culture† (p.19). From this definition, one can perceive how much influence culture has on people. Such a definition is paralleled to ethnocentrism. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines ethnocentrism as "regarding one's own race or ethnic group as of supreme importance" (1989, p. 424). This is common especially when managers think highly of the values and level of skills their racial group upholds. Each member’s effectiveness and efficiency are dependent on social and cultural standards and skills of the group. This narrows down the group’s views to their own culture and discourages them from being

Should Reality TV Shows be Banned?

Should Reality TV Shows be Banned? Reality TV is a programming sort that introduces unscripted or Silly circumstances, reports really occasions and generally offers conventional individuals rather than true performing artists. Normally includes adoration, roughness, and cash. Cases of these sorts of shows are, Bachelor, Real World, Idols, and so many others. As I would like to think I accept such reality shows that advance anorexia, celebrating, desire for cash, brutality, ought to be banned for Television. The reality shows that dont advance that ought to stay on TV, since they are not mischief to anybody. I believe that, reality shows these days fundamentally endeavor to persuade the crowd that the members of the show are continuously pushed to their physical, passionate or physiological points of confinement to finish their assignment. Most reality shows dont generally come clean or either speaks to reality and they have overlooked the fundamental idea of reality show and are concentrating all the more on the part of stimulation. I know all reality show will never be banned yet the greater part of them ought to, for example, Dating naked, sixteen pregnant and those specifically dont give any great illustration to the group of onlookers like beauty challenges, and so on. Shows that send a horrendous message like beauty challenges ought to be banned in light of the fact that it makes a perfect of female beauty that a minority of females can make. It places burden on ladies that need to get up to speed to these wonderful ladies on TV. More the less, these challenges urge models and candidates to look significantly slimmer than they as of now are, advancing anorexia and bulimia. Ladies are more judged by their physical appearance as opposed to some other qualities they may have (terrible ladies just arent going to win). Doesnt make a difference what number of Asian ladies win Miss World, they can just do so on the off chance that they take an interest in the bathing suit rivalry, and that basically is the entire purpose of beauty challenges, which may be viewed as unseemly in different societies. There have been a few challenges and showings and in addition viciousness in light of societies needing to experience the beauty rivalries. Murray and Laurie highlight that reality shows have lost their path from unique arrangement like survivor to the new unremarkable arrangement of two famous people living in a homestead yard for a week. Reality TV has joined the positions of day time stimulation and has lost the flash of spontaneous inventiveness from different types of scripted diversion. Furthermore, the most popular reality shows worldwide are big brother as well as Idols; these two are cases of scripted and overall practiced reality shows. In the recently finished up scene of icons a judge was set out to sing out of nowhere and it so happened just by happenstance that the band began playing a tune which the judge joined in earnestly without a second thought. The swarm cheered and acclaimed for the startling execution by the judge. Such reality Television shows give viewers and all the more so youngsters false any desire for a joyfully ever after reality were legends and courageous women live subsequently offending the sagacity of the viewers. On account of big brother viewers are subjected to sex as a manifestation of stimulation. Connections shaped in the big brother house give the member a finer shot of winning the opposition and build his/her evaluations subsequently the gathering of people invests time and cash voting in favor of the member so they can delight in seeing the members relationship develop. Whats more because of the full exposure nature of the show all exercises are telecasted and shown live on our Television sets uncovering and empowering our young people, youthful grown-ups and youngsters to sex, corruption and wanton practices. The arranged scripting and acting that happens in reality Television shows affronts the viewers insights. A decent sample of this is the most prevalent TV show on the planet, the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Such shows give the viewers the misunderstandings that what is going on is spontaneous and indiscreet but then they are most certainly not. The physical ill-use that is involved in the WWE wrestling show is unfeasible, absurd and impracticable. No person can with stand such abuse and keep on showing hostility to his rival with full body quality. Dominant part of the group of onlookers realize that such reality shows are scripted and planned yet to the youthful and adolescent on a basic level, the level of conviction and assurance they have in reality shows is perilous to their mental capacity to recognize valid brutality from anecdotal exhibitions. According to another source (Pros and cons of reality TV shows), on the off chance that we have faith in opportunity and free discourse, then we need to acknowledge reality TV as a representation of prominent and law based taste. No one is forced to show up in reality TV projects, or surely to watch them. It is characteristically captivating to perceive how individuals talk and carry on in curious circumstances. This is the reason numerous insightful individuals end up grasped by Big Brother and other reality shows. They show us something about liberated intelligence along these lines widen our experience. Also, some individuals likewise contend that we live during a time of mass society. A larger number of individuals read tabloids than the broadsheets, and reality TV is a reasonable impression of this. Reality TV is safe fun. Just self important individuals and big talkers censure it. Individuals are no more eager to acknowledge just what supporters think is beneficial for them. Th ere is nothing wrong in giving individuals what they need. Murray and Laurie describes such reality shows influence the social collaborations of young people. They energize roughness as a type of excitement and not the abominable, hostile lead that it is. Such Reality shows have advanced roughness in youngsters which has therefore expanded group related gore in America and rough conduct schools. In spite of the fact that most vicious reality shows attempt and caution the crowd against performing their unreasonable physical fetes and bent, gatherings of people cant resist the opportunity to go for what they see on Television furthermore thusly wind up harming themselves as well as other people simultaneously. Conflictingly the banning of reality shows would provide for us false any desire for ensuring our youngsters from the awful part of sex and savagery in light of the fact that it is not just in reality shows that our kids are presented to sex and brutality, innovation has made it workable for our youngsters to get to sexual substance and rough recreations and features by means of the web. Despite the fact that banning reality shows would diminish the measure of sexual substance they would be presented to it would just clear approach to new manifestations of sexual and brutal diversion which would helpfully achieve our youngsters. Reality TV shows are one yet not the most sexually unequivocal types of diversion, so we ought not escape ourselves that banning reality TV would tackle the issue, it will just lessen it for an at some point, until different manifestations of express stimulation tag along. Murray and Laurie also highlight banning reality TV will be violating of worldwide laws . It would be an encroachment of fundamental rights, flexibility of discourse. Each and all human have the right to communicate in a manner they esteem fit thus by banning reality TV show we would repudiate with their popularity based right to pass on their grievances and perspectives. In light of this it would be wrong to boycott the shows since the vast majority of the makers know their rights and tail them to the recent, this will pass on the infringement of these rights and consequently it will be impracticable. The viewers excessively have unquestionably the right to watch these shows and entertain themselves; banning these shows will make a worldwide clamor from the viewers who get joy from these shows, it will likewise be in break of the viewers rights. However, at the end one can easily understand that how the Reality show affects on the people’s life and now they are losing the originality of the show. Nowadays, the Reality show doesn’t have any sense to produce or show any truth in front of camera. There are so many shows which are just expressing some entertainment rather than originality and sincerity as well. We can say that these types of TV shows are now showing lie, vulgarity, fraud and much more, so they should be banned. References: Murray, Susan and Laurie Ouellette. Reality TV: Remaking Television Culture. New York, NYU Press. 2008 Theweek. Pros and cons of reality TV shows. The First Post guide to the issue of the day. 2008

The Soviet Union and Eastern Europe

The Soviet Union and Eastern Europe| | The world’s most powerful Communist country was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or otherwise known as the Soviet Union. It contained 15 republics that were controlled by a central government. Over time, it developed into a large industrial power that dictated all aspects of the national economy. It set levels of wages and prices, controlled the allocation of resources, and decided what would be produced and how and where goods would be distributed. The Soviet Union was corrupted after World War I.Economic recovery such as Russian industrial production had gotten passed prewar levels by forty percent. New power plants, canals, and giant factories were built. Testing of hydrogen bombs in 1953 and Sputnik 1 in 1957 enhanced the Soviet state’s reputation as a world power abroad. Soviet people did not have much, their apartment’s one room served as both a bed and living room. As the struggle for power continued, Joseph S talin, the general secretary of the Communist Party, became the master of the Soviet Union and he had a low amount of respect for Communist Party leaders.Stalin was a selfish leader and did not think people from his circle could do anything without him. He believed in a socialist government. The government issued a decree that all literary and scientific work must conform to the political needs of the state itself. As a result of this, there was increased terror. Many believed new purges were to come until Stalin died on March 5. After Stalin’s death, a man named Nikita Khrushchev came in as the chief Soviet policy maker and improved his regime. Khrushchev deleted Stalin’s ruthless policies which became known as De-Stalinization.He also loosened government control on Stalin’s literary works. Khrushchev tried to make consumer goods more popular. He also wanted to increase agricultural output by growing corn and cultivating lands that were east of the Ural Mountai ns. His attempt in increasing agriculture weakened his reputation within the party. As a result of his bad reputation and increased military spending, the Soviet economy became ruined. He was suddenly deposed in 1964. After Khrushchev fell from power, Leonid Brezhnev, who had been serving as his deputy in the party secretariat, became first secretary of the party.Under his rule the de-Stalinization campaign was highly relaxed. Previous experimental agricultural programs were abandoned and the economy began to flourish. Cold war tensions eased after the Cuban missile crisis of 1962 and there was a limited opening for cultural exchanges with the West. Competition shifted to a space and arms race. In Yugoslavia, a man by the name of Tito, also known as Josip Broz, was the leader of the Communist resistance movement. He wanted an independent Communist state in Yugoslavia. Tito refused to agree with Stalin’s demands of taking over Yugoslavia.By portraying the struggle as one of Yu goslav national freedom, Tito gained his people’s support. Tito ruled Yugoslavia up until his death in 1980. Yugoslavia was a Communist government, but not a Soviet satellite state. The Soviet Union did not allow its Eastern Europe satellites to become independent of Soviet control, especially in Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary. Protests took place in Poland; the Polish Communist Party adopted a series of reforms in October 1956. They elected a first secretary named Wladyslaw Gomulka. He said that Poland had the right to follow its own socialist path.Poland was afraid of the Soviet armed response to his remark so they pledged to remain loyal to the Warsaw Pact. Unrest in Hungary and economic difficulties led to a revolt. What added to the rising rebellion was Imre Nagy, the Hungarian leader, declared Hungary a free nation on November 1, 1956. It also promised free elections. Three days after Nagy’s declaration, the Soviet Army attacked Budapest. 23 After this, the Soviets reestablished control over the country. Nagy was then seized by the Soviet military and executed two years later. 24Alexander Dubcek was elected first secretary of the Communist party. 25 He introduced freedom of speech and press of freedom to travel abroad. He relaxed censorship, began to pursue an independent foreign policy, and promised a gradual democratization of the Czechoslovakia political system. 26 He wanted to create â€Å"socialism with a human face. †27 All the happiness of the people was ended when the Soviet Army invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968 28 and crushed the reform movement. Gustav Husak replaced Dubcek, did not follow his reforms, and reestablished the old order. 28In that same year of 1968 a movement for liberal reforms gained widespread support in Czechoslovakia. 29 When the Czech government seemed to be moving away from the Soviet-style rule, the Soviet Union reacted by sending troops into Czechoslovakia in August to ensure the removal of Czech leaders. 30 After this invasion, the Soviets developed the â€Å"Brezhnev doctrine,†31 a policy that called for Soviet intervention to stop any developments that may disrupt the Communist order in Eastern Europe. 32 Political and economic patterns remained constant and still into the 1980s.An invasion of Afghanistan to help a puppet regime broke down into guerrilla warfare. 33 In most cases the Soviets were cautious international players dodging any direct military interventions. Workers and youth began to react to their strict control and lack of consumer goods. High alcoholism increased death rates and lowered production. A growing economic crisis beginning in the mid-1980s forced major political change. 34 Efforts at reform were matched by developments in Eastern Europe that ended the Russian empire.The initial cause was a deteriorating economy hampered by the costs of rivalry with the United States. By the 1980s the economy was grinding to a halt. Forced industriali zation had caused extensive environmental disaster throughout eastern Europe. Related diseases impaired optimism and economic performance. Infant mortality rates increased highly. Industrial production slowed and economic growth stopped, but one-third of national income continued to go to military production. 35 Younger leaders recognized that the system might very well collapse. In 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev introduced reforms. 6 He urged nuclear reduction and negotiated with the United States a limitation of medium-range missiles in Europe. The war in Afghanistan was ended by Soviet withdrawal. Internally Gorbachev proclaimed the freedom to comment and criticize. He commended use of market incentives and less use of administrative controls. But strong limits on political freedom remained and the centralized planning apparatus resisted reform. Gorbachev's policies partly reflected ambivalence about the West as he reduced isolation but still criticized Western values. He wanted reform, not abandonment of basic communist controls.The keynote to reform was perestroika, or economic restructuring. 37 This meant more private ownership and decentralized control of aspects of the economy. Foreign investment was encouraged and military expenditures were reduced to free resources for consumer goods. In 1988 a new constitution gave considerable power to a parliament and abolished the communist monopoly of elections. Gorbachev was elected to a new and powerful presidency in 1990 as people argued for or against reform. 38 By the end of 1991 the Soviet Union had been replaced by a loose union of republics. 9 Gorbachev was dissatisfied so he decided to resign and was replaced by an elected president, Boris Yeltsin. 40 The Communist party was dissolved. Continuing uncertainty showed in 1993 when Yeltsin clashed with the parliament. 41 Yeltsin and the army triumphed and elections followed to produce another constitution. In the midst of continuing political confusion two trends p redominated: the economy was weak and there was a breakdown of values and discipline. 42 Crime flourished and growing economic class divisions threatened stability.The economic and political conditions provoked the states of Eastern Europe to take advantage of the new times to seek independence and internal reform. Soviet troops were withdrawn. Bulgaria arranged free elections in 1989 43; Hungary and Poland in 1988 installed noncommunist governments and moved toward a free economy. 44 Czechoslovakia did the same in 1989. 45 Without a doubt the Soviet Union began to collapse. Ethnic and national tensions got worse dramatically during 1989 to 1991. 46 There was heavy controversy between Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldavia, and Kirghizia. 7 The Soviet government responded by sending troops to these regions to restore order. All 15 of the republics proclaimed that their laws were more superior than those of the central government. During 1989 to 1990, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Armenia, Geor gia, and Moldavia all confirmed that they were going to separate from the USSR. 48 However the Soviet government did not recognize any of these independence claims and in 1990 Soviet troops stormed various communications facilities in Lithuania and Latvia. 49 During 1988-89, Gorbachev implemented various governmental reforms that radically changed he way in which the Soviet Union was ruled. 49 He persuaded the Communist party to relinquish its monopoly on political power and to recognize the authority of the new Supreme Soviet and the newly created Congress of People’s Deputies. 50 Also, the government created the office of president vested it with broad executive powers. Gorbachev was elected to that position in 1989. 51 The government approved a variety of economic reforms aimed at introducing a market-based economy. These measures included the legalization of private businesses and the reduction of state subsidies for many industries.Numerous economic problems followed, in cluding high inflation and shortages of many goods, in particular food. 52 Meanwhile, democratic reform movements arose in eastern European countries and the legitimacy of Communist rule was challenged. Gorbachev rejected the â€Å"Brezhnev doctrine† 53 and made little effort to support the Communist governments in these nations. Most of them either collapsed or were reconstituted as democratically oriented regimes with the Communist party in a minor role. Gorbachev’s hands-off policy made possible the reunification of Germany in 1990. 4 East Germany in 1989 removed its communist leaders55; the Berlin Wall came down and full German unification occurred in 1990. 56 In 1991, Gorbachev negotiated a power-sharing treaty with most of the union republics. 57 In August, before the treaty was signed, a group of hardline Communists overthrew Gorbachev and seized control of the government. 58 The coup failed very fast because of the large amount of opposition led by Boris Yeltsi n and the failure of important military units to support the coup. Gorbachev survived the attempted coup because of popular support and eventually returned to power.The failed effort led to renewed attacks on the Communist party and to independence movements by minority nationalities. The only violence occurred in Romania when an authoritarian ruler was overthrown. The Communists retained power, through elections, in Bulgaria and Romania. In addition, Gorbachev quit his position as general secretary. 59 A new transitional government designed to give more power to the 15 republics was established. Nationalism continued to rise among the republics. In September of 1991, the Soviet government noticed that Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia were all independent. 0 By November, practically all the rest of the republics had proclaimed their wish for independence from the Soviet Union but at the same time to keep a unified economic economy. On December 8th, Russia, Ukraine, and Byelorussia for med a loose confederation known as the Commonwealth of Independent States, 61 otherwise known as the CIS. By the end of that same month, around December 21, all of the rest of the republics joined the CIS, except for Georgia. 62 In The Baltic republics declared independence and other regions threatened to secede.By the end of 1991 the Soviet Union had been replaced by a loose union of republics. 63 Gorbachev became very unhappy and on December 25, 1991, Gorbachev resigned as president of the Soviet Union. 64 This ultimately ended the nation. The Communist party was dissolved. Continuing uncertainty showed in 1993 when Yeltsin clashed with the parliament. 65 Yeltsin and the army triumphed and elections followed to produce another constitution. In the midst of continuing political confusion two trends predominated: the economy was weak and there was a breakdown of values and discipline.Crime flourished and growing economic class divisions threatened stability. The new situation in Eas tern Europe was marred by ethnic clashes. Yugoslavia fell apart and brutal fighting broke out among its former components. The new governments faced serious economic and environmental problems. Communist parties in Poland and Hungary won elections in 1993-199466 because of economic grievances, but did not attempt to restore the former system because of agitation among minority nationalities; some demanded independence.Although there were several changes over the last decade in Eastern Europe, the 20th century brought fewer changes. The Soviets claimed they were allowing equality for women, but never actually did. 67 They also had negotiated a federation between republics, but minority nationalists were constantly under ethnic Russian control and continued to want to be in charge of their own affairs. However religion maintained a dominant role in the state. People continued to be interested in Western culture, especially in the east European nations. 8 Components of the communist pa st survive still survive to this very day. The loss of superpower status is resented and the prospects of democratic leadership are insecure. East Europeans whole-heartedly value the benefits of communist welfare social protections and social inequality limits, hoping to combine such ideas with capitalist tendencies. The Russian emphasis on authoritarian government with extreme centralization of power remained. The emphasis on territorial acquisition was maintained with the domination of Eastern Europe after 1945. 9 Among the continuities were a sense of cultural isolation from the West, Russian ethnic domination over minority ethnic and religious groups, and the predominance of the novel as a literary form. Among the differences were the destruction of the powerful landholding aristocracy, the lack of emphasis of the role of Orthodox Christianity, the creation of an industrialized society with a social hierarchy, the presence of household patterns typical of an industrialized state , the attempt to introduce â€Å"socialist realism†70 into the arts, and the collapse of isolation

Employee Is the Most Important Asset Essay

â€Å"Human Resource is the most important asset of an organization†. In Singapore, where there are no natural resources, human capital is one of the valuable resources that the country depends on to attract foreign investors. The skills, knowledge and experience of each individual contribute to the growth of organizations, communities and the development of the nation. With today’s workforce becoming more diverse, the importance of employee has also been increasingly highlighted in the organizations. QUALITY OF STAFF People are employed to perform the various hierarchy roles in the different divisions of an organization. They are mainly the Admin, Sales & Marketing, Finance, Production, Information Technology, Customer Service and Human Resource. In order to gain a competitive advantage in the market, it is vital to have the correct people in their respective role in these functional divisions as the staff can then perform their scope of work to produce excellent results for the company. Particularly when employees’ talents are valuable, rare and difficult to imitate, an organization can achieve a sustained competitive advantage. Human resource is always related to one organization profitability and their ability cannot be replaced by machines as discussed by Hargreaves and Jarvis (1998: 3). ORGANIZATION AND ITS PEOPLE Every business and organisation will have its own unique culture, based in the prevailing beliefs and values within the business and organization. The advanced equipment, new technology, good marketing strategic, excellent customer services and many other elements can be the factors to build up for the success of an organization. In every business people are playing different roles with defined responsibilities and accountability. Take for example, in the manufacturing and production industries, the factory and machines are considered very important just as the people. However, I agree to a large extent that human resource is still certainly an extremely valuable asset to determining the success or failure. In an industry that depends on highly skilled professionals in a service firm, without their support, the organization’s daily business function will not be done well and ready. In my opinion, one good example of a successful organization that values its employees as an important asset of its business would be CapitaLand Limited. CapitaLand is one of Asia’s largest real estate companies and it believes that people are the core assets. This is made true with its philosophy of â€Å"Building People to Build for People†. A second example would be Sheng Siong Supermarket Pte Ltd. The managing director, Mr Lim Hock Chee is a hardworking man who believes in treating the employees well. His staffs get one free meal every day – a buffet-style one for those who work in the Woodlands headquarters and boxed meals for the rest. He always has the employees’ interests at heart and will go out of his way to help anyone who has problems at home e.g. giving cash incentives to those with young kids. He believes that only when the employee is happy at home will he be able to concentrate at work. Ultimately, a motivated employee can make a significant difference to the company’s bottom line in terms of bringing in new orders, meeting customer needs, developing new products and thus meeting the goals of the organization. NEEDS OF THE STAFF Employees’ talent and efforts have tangible effects on an organization’s productivity and stability. As such, efforts are often been neglected and fail to satisfy employees’ needs. When employees’ efforts are not recognized, there will be a lack of commitment to the organization. Thus, employees will not be motivated and will be less creative. It is important to have a common understanding of having a work-life balance environment for its employees. CONCLUSION As people’s talent, ability, and grasp of the business improve, some group members are likely to realize their own high growth potential. Organisations will probably suffer minor setbacks when losing a valuable team member to a better job or even another company. On the contrary, it means the organisation is giving its people important skills. Hence by helping the people to scale up their critical skills, it can establish skills accountability and foster continuous learning – a key strength in today’s marketplace of constantly changing environment. Let’s create and promote a culture of knowledge and innovation in our organization, and respect Human Asset – the most valuable Intangible Asset.

Watergate and Politics essays

Watergate and Politics essays A defining moment in American history, the Watergate scandal, dramatically transformed the way Americans view politicians and government. In the eyes of most Americans, trust, honor and integrity, vanished from the political landscape. For almost 200 years the American public viewed their government and its chief executive with virtual reverence. Presidents like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy were the embodiment of every principle and value set forth in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. The events that occurred in Vietnam coupled with the Watergate scandal shocked the nation and irreparably damaged the publics view of politics and government activities. The release of the Pentagon papers along with President Nixons sanctioning of illegal activities and his belief that it was executive privilege only fueled the outrage and betrayal felt by most people. The nation learned that ego and power can win over even the most venerable of men. Prior to winning the presidential election in 1968, Richard Nixon was a Congressman and then vice president to President Dwight Eisenhower. He normalized relations with China, eased tensions with Russia, negotiated peace with the North Vietnamese and brokered a non-aggression pact between Israel, Syria and Egypt. Despite these accomplishments, his attitude about Presidential power led to a string of illegal actions and a cover up that not only rocked a nation but ultimately led to his resignation of the Presidency. "When the president does it, that means that it is not illegal" is a quote that Nixon is most remembered by and summed up his attitude regarding his actions and his belief in executive privilege. The transgressions uncovered during the Watergate break-in investigation discouraged Americans by shattering their belief in Presidential infallibility. As Richard Nixons chief-of-staff, H.R. Haldeman, said, ...

United States Transforming International Institutions

United States Transforming International Institutions United States Transforming International Institutions On thÐ µ onÐ µ hand, thÐ µ US has bÐ µÃ µn thÐ µ grÐ µatÐ µst champion in transforming intÐ µrnational institutions in thÐ µ twÐ µntiÐ µth cÐ µntury, urging on thÐ µ world various sorts of nÐ µw organizational crÐ µations. On thÐ µ othÐ µr hand, AmÐ µrica has also tÐ µndÐ µd to rÐ µsist tying itsÐ µlf in institutional commitmÐ µnts and obligations. Across thÐ µ cÐ µnturyand in particular at thÐ µ major post-war turning points of 1919, 1945, and 1989thÐ µ UnitÐ µd StatÐ µs pursuÐ µd ambitious stratÐ µgiÐ µs that includÐ µd thÐ µ usÐ µ of a rangÐ µ of tools to rÐ µmakÐ µ intÐ µrnational ordÐ µr. No othÐ µr country has advancÐ µd such far-rÐ µaching and Ð µlaboratÐ µ idÐ µas about how institutions might bÐ µ Ð µmployÐ µd to organizÐ µ and managÐ µ thÐ µ rÐ µlations bÐ µtwÐ µÃ µn statÐ µs. But dÐ µspitÐ µ this Ð µnthusiasm for crÐ µating institutions and a rulÐ µ-basÐ µd intÐ µrnational ordÐ µr, thÐ µ UnitÐ µd StatÐ µs bÐ µÃ µn rÐ µluctant to connÐ µct itsÐ µlf to thÐ µsÐ µ institutions and rulÐ µs. An obvious hypothÐ µsis is that thÐ µ UnitÐ µd StatÐ µs organizÐ µs and opÐ µratÐ µs within intÐ µrnational institutions whÐ µn it can dominatÐ µ thÐ µm and rÐ µsists doing so whÐ µn it cannot. But a slightly morÐ µ complÐ µx sÐ µt of calculations sÐ µÃ µm to bÐ µ involvÐ µd. This papÐ µr, by rÐ µfÐ µrring to thÐ µ concÐ µpts analyzÐ µd by Brooks and Wohlforth (2009), arguÐ µs that AmÐ µrica should activÐ µly strÐ µngthÐ µn and promotÐ µ its position in transforming intÐ µrnational institutions and variations in its institutional rÐ µlations with Ð µuropÐ µ in ordÐ µr to sÐ µcurÐ µ its influÐ µncÐ µ on thÐ µ global lÐ µvÐ µl (Durch, 2003). ThÐ µ attraction of institutional agrÐ µÃ µmÐ µnts for AmÐ µrica is that it potÐ µntially locks othÐ µr statÐ µs into stablÐ µ and prÐ µdictablÐ µ policy oriÐ µntations, thÐ µrÐ µby rÐ µducing its nÐ µÃ µd to usÐ µ forcÐ µ. But thÐ µ pricÐ µ that thÐ µ UnitÐ µd StatÐ µs must pay for this institutionalizÐ µd coopÐ µration is a rÐ µduction in its own policy autonomy and its rÐ µducÐ µd ability to Ð µxÐ µrcisÐ µ powÐ µr. ThÐ µ cÐ µntral quÐ µstion that AmÐ µrican policy-makÐ µrs havÐ µ confrontÐ µd ovÐ µr thÐ µ dÐ µcadÐ µs aftÐ µr 1945 in rÐ µgard to its Ð µconomic and sÐ µcurity tiÐ µs with Ð µuropÐ µ, and Ð µlsÐ µwhÐ µrÐ µ around thÐ µ world as wÐ µll, is: how much policy lock is worth rÐ µduction in AmÐ µrican policy autonomy and rÐ µstraints on its powÐ µr? ThÐ µ answÐ µr liÐ µs in thÐ µ hÐ µart of thÐ µ concÐ µpt that institutional agrÐ µÃ µmÐ µnts can lock othÐ µr statÐ µs into a rÐ µlativÐ µly stablÐ µ ordÐ µr (RÐ µisman, 2000). ThÐ µ institutions hÐ µlp crÐ µatÐ µ a morÐ µ favorablÐ µ and cÐ µrtain political Ð µnvironmÐ µnt in which thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ pursuÐ µs its intÐ µrÐ µsts. This is possiblÐ µ bÐ µcausÐ µ institutions can opÐ µratÐ µ as mÐ µchanisms of political control. WhÐ µn a statÐ µ agrÐ µÃ µs to tiÐ µ itsÐ µlf to thÐ µ commitmÐ µnts and obligations of an intÐ µr-statÐ µ institution, it is agrÐ µÃ µing to rÐ µducÐ µ its policy autonomy. A lÐ µading statÐ µ that has crÐ µatÐ µd an institutionalizÐ µd ordÐ µr that works to its long-tÐ µrm bÐ µnÐ µfit is bÐ µttÐ µr off than a lÐ µading statÐ µ opÐ µrating in a frÐ µÃ µ-floating ordÐ µr rÐ µquiring thÐ µ constant and costly Ð µxÐ µrcisÐ µ of powÐ µr to gÐ µt its way (RÐ µisman, 2000). Institutions can sÐ µrvÐ µ at lÐ µast two purposÐ µs in intÐ µrnational rÐ µlations. First, as somÐ µ critics arguÐ µ, institutions can hÐ µlp solvÐ µ intÐ µrnational problÐ µms by rÐ µducing thÐ µ commitmÐ µnt problÐ µms and transaction costs that stand in thÐ µ way of Ð µfficiÐ µnt and mutually bÐ µnÐ µficial political Ð µxchangÐ µ (Litan, 2000). But institutions arÐ µ also instrumÐ µnts of political control. As TÐ µrry MoÐ µ (1990, p. 213) arguÐ µs, political institutions arÐ µ also wÐ µapons of coÐ µrcion and rÐ µdistribution. ThÐ µy arÐ µ thÐ µ structural mÐ µans by which political winnÐ µrs pursuÐ µ thÐ µir own intÐ µrÐ µsts, oftÐ µn at thÐ µ Ð µxpÐ µnsÐ µ of political losÐ µrs. A winning political party in CongrÐ µss will try to writÐ µ thÐ µ committÐ µÃ µ voting rulÐ µs to favor its intÐ µrÐ µsts. Similarly, in intÐ µrnational rÐ µlations, a powÐ µrful statÐ µ will want to makÐ µ its advantagÐ µs as systÐ µmatic an d durablÐ µ as possiblÐ µ by trying to tiÐ µ wÐ µakÐ µr statÐ µs into favorablÐ µ institutional arrangÐ µmÐ µnts (OstrowÐ µr, 1998). ThÐ µ attraction of institutional agrÐ µÃ µmÐ µnts for thÐ µ UnitÐ µd StatÐ µs is twofold. First, if AmÐ µrica can gÐ µt othÐ µr statÐ µs to tiÐ µ thÐ µmsÐ µlvÐ µs to a multilatÐ µral institution that dirÐ µctly or indirÐ µctly sÐ µrvÐ µs its long-tÐ µrm intÐ µrÐ µsts, it will not nÐ µÃ µd to spÐ µnd its rÐ µsourcÐ µs to constantly forcÐ µ othÐ µr statÐ µs. It is thÐ µ most powÐ µrful statÐ µ, hÐ µncÐ µ, it is likÐ µly that it would win many or most of thÐ µ Ð µndlÐ µss distributivÐ µ battlÐ µs with subordinatÐ µ statÐ µs, but locking thÐ µsÐ µ lÐ µssÐ µr statÐ µs into institutional agrÐ µÃ µmÐ µnts rÐ µducÐ µs thÐ µsÐ µ costs of Ð µnforcÐ µmÐ µnt (Litan, 2000). SÐ µcond, if thÐ µ institutional agrÐ µÃ µmÐ µnt has somÐ µ dÐ µgrÐ µÃ µ of connÐ µction, thÐ µ institution may continuÐ µ to providÐ µ favorablÐ µ outcomÐ µs for thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ Ð µvÐ µn aftÐ µr its powÐ µr capacitiÐ µs havÐ µ dÐ µcli nÐ µd in rÐ µlativÐ µ tÐ µrms. Institutions can both consÐ µrvÐ µ and prolong thÐ µ powÐ µr advantagÐ µs of thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ (Litan, 2000). But why would wÐ µakÐ µr statÐ µs agrÐ µÃ µ to bÐ µ tiÐ µd in? WÐ µakÐ µr statÐ µs havÐ µ two potÐ µntial incÐ µntivÐ µs to buy into thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ's institutional agrÐ µÃ µmÐ µnt. First, if thÐ µ institutional agrÐ µÃ µmÐ µnt also puts limits and rÐ µstraints on thÐ µ bÐ µhavior of thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ, this would bÐ µ wÐ µlcomÐ µ. In intÐ µrnational rÐ µlationships, thÐ µsÐ µ lÐ µssÐ µr statÐ µs arÐ µ subjÐ µct to thÐ µ unrÐ µstrainÐ µd and unprÐ µdictablÐ µ domination of thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ. If thÐ µy bÐ µliÐ µvÐ µd that crÐ µdiblÐ µ limits could bÐ µ placÐ µd on thÐ µ indiscriminatÐ µ actions of thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ, this might bÐ µ Ð µnough of an attraction to justify an institutional agrÐ µÃ µmÐ µnt. SÐ µcond, whÐ µn thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ doÐ µs in fact control its bÐ µhavior it is giving up somÐ µ opportunitiÐ µs to usÐ µ its powÐ µr to gain immÐ µdiatÐ µ rÐ µturns on its pow Ð µr (Durch, 2003). At thÐ µ samÐ µ timÐ µ, wÐ µakÐ µr statÐ µs may havÐ µ rÐ µason to gain soonÐ µr rathÐ µr than latÐ µr. ThÐ µ discount ratÐ µ for futurÐ µ gains is potÐ µntially diffÐ µrÐ µnt for thÐ µ lÐ µading and thÐ µ lÐ µssÐ µr statÐ µs, and this makÐ µs an institutional bargain potÐ µntially morÐ µ mutually dÐ µsirablÐ µ. SÐ µvÐ µral hypothÐ µsÐ µs follow immÐ µdiatÐ µly from this modÐ µl of statÐ µ powÐ µr and institutions. First, AmÐ µrica should try to lock othÐ µr statÐ µs into institutionalizÐ µd policy oriÐ µntations whilÐ µ trying to minimizÐ µ its own limitations on policy autonomy and discrÐ µtionary powÐ µr (Durch, 2003). In othÐ µr words, Ð µach individual within a complÐ µx organizational hiÐ µrarchy is continually Ð µngagÐ µd in a dual strugglÐ µ: to tiÐ µ his collÐ µaguÐ µs to prÐ µcisÐ µ rulÐ µ-basÐ µd bÐ µhavior, thÐ µrÐ µby crÐ µating a morÐ µ stablÐ µ and cÐ µrtain Ð µnvironmÐ µnt in which to opÐ µratÐ µ, whilÐ µ also trying to rÐ µtain as much autonomy and discrÐ µtion as possiblÐ µ for himsÐ µlf (OstrowÐ µr, 1998, p. 67). Similarly, lÐ µading statÐ µs will try to lock othÐ µr statÐ µs in as much as possiblÐ µ whilÐ µ also trying to rÐ µmain as dÐ µtachÐ µd as possiblÐ µ from institutional rulÐ µs and obligations. SÐ µcond , thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ will makÐ µ usÐ µ of its ability to limit its capacity to Ð µxÐ µrcisÐ µ powÐ µr in indiscriminatÐ µ and arbitrary ways as mÐ µans to buy thÐ µ institutional coopÐ µration of othÐ µr statÐ µs. TakÐ µn togÐ µthÐ µr, thÐ µsÐ µ considÐ µrations allow onÐ µ to sÐ µÃ µ how AmÐ µrica and wÐ µakÐ µr statÐ µs might makÐ µ tradÐ µ-offs about binding thÐ µmsÐ µlvÐ µs togÐ µthÐ µr through intÐ µrnational institutions. ThÐ µ morÐ µ thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ is capablÐ µ of dominating and abandoning wÐ µakÐ µr statÐ µs, thÐ µ morÐ µ wÐ µakÐ µr statÐ µs will carÐ µ about rÐ µstraints on thÐ µ lÐ µading statÐ µ's Ð µxÐ µrcisÐ µ of powÐ µr. Similarly, thÐ µ morÐ µ a potÐ µntially dominating statÐ µ can in fact crÐ µdibly rÐ µstrain and commit itsÐ µlf, thÐ µ morÐ µ wÐ µakÐ µr statÐ µs will bÐ µ intÐ µrÐ µstÐ µd in pursuing an institutional bargain. WhÐ µn both thÐ µsÐ µ conditions hold, AmÐ µrica will bÐ µ particularly willing and ablÐ µ to pursuÐ µ an institutional bargain.

Chile and copper mining Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Chile and copper mining - Research Paper Example The nation is now considered one of the fastest growing economies in the 1990s as it has successfully survived moments of economic instability3. It is a nation which currently faces the challenge of having to diversify its copper-dependent economy into other sources of income and of implementing a more equal distribution of wealth4. As for its geography, Chile has a ribbon like shape which has given the country a diverse climate. Its northern parts (Atacama) are dry deserts; its center, exhibits a Mediterranean weather; and its Southern areas experience snowy weather5. Most of Chile nationals have a mixed Spanish and indigenous descent6. In 2010, the country had an estimated population of about 16.6 million, with the median age of the citizens at 31.7 years, and with a population growth rate of 0.881%7. Its rate of urbanization is also estimated at 1.3% based on 2005 to 2010 estimates. Most of its citizens are Chilean nationals, and its ethnic groupings include white and white Amerindians at 95.4%; Mapuche at 4%; and other indigenous groups at 0.6%8. The country’s religions include Roman Catholics at 70%; Evangelicals at 15%; Jehovah’s Witness at 1.1% and other Christians at 4.6%9. Their languages include Spanish, Mapudungun, German, and English10. The country’s literacy rate is at 15 years of age. Basic economic facts about the country reveal that its nominal GDP is at 169.5 billion US dollars with a GDP per head of 10,123 US dollars and an annual growth of 4.0%11. The Chilean peso is pegged at an average of 1US$ to 529 pesos. Their inflation rate is at 0.5% and their unemployment rate is at 7.7%12. Their major industries include copper mining, as well as gold, nitrates, molybdenum, iron, and silver mining13. In considering the country’s foreign relations, Chile has had historical conflicts with its neighbors for many years now.

Slavery and Religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Slavery and Religion - Essay Example On the other hand, religion refers to a collection of beliefs, and cultural systems which relate humanity to spirituality as well as to morality. In most cases, religion tends to guide people in their day-to-day lives with regards to humanity, spirituality and morality. Conversely, the two aspects, religion and slavery were a salient feature in most societies. Thus, the relationship between slavery and religion has been of major concern. They are intricately interlinked. In this regard, slavery cannot be wholly exonerated from religion. On one hand, slavery played a substantial role in the establishment and growth of slavery. On the other hand, slavery contributed to the establishment and development of various religions. Taking another dimension, religion played a palpable role in the eradication of slavery. Thus on this premises, this paper analyzes the mutual relationship religion and slavery. Much emphasis is however placed on the three most prevalent religions: Christianity, Isl am and Hinduism in correspondence to slavery. Prior to analyzing each of the major religions with regards to slavery, it is important to preview the concept of slavery before the existence of the world’s elaborate religions. Indeed, one thing that turns out clearly, is that slavery is of great antiquity. The ancient world was marred by various forms of servitude. These vary from class enslavement, collective slavery, sacerdotal slavery, individual enslavement to feudal enslavement1. In addition, various reasons accounted for slavery at various specified times in history. In this regards, slavery existed due to war, where those defeated in wars were captured and taken in as slaves. In some instances, slaves were purchased, other were given as gifts. In some communities, some people became slaves by virtue of birth, whereas some people gave themselves in as slaves as a settlement of debts accrued to them. In the ancient Greek, slave was a common phenomenon. This is evidenced fr om the records of the great Greek Philosophers Aristotle and Plato who asserted that slavery existed and was defined as the natural law of humanity2. Plato further averred that, for there to be a state of balance in the society, there must be two groups of people, the slaves, and the free. Early literary works as expressed in form of paintings and writings depicted an element of slavery which marred the ancient Greek. For instance early Poets and orators never ceased to talk ill of slavery. There works revealed the inhuman treatment to which slaves were subjected to. Most of them yearned for a revolution. They therefore advocated for freedom of slaves. In the early Roman times, slavery was palpable in the military and general life of the Romans. They extensively participated in the slave trade which was one of the lucrative ventures of the time. In most instances, they sourced their slaves form wars. However, the Roman Empire faced much resistance from slaves. The world’s ren own earliest slave revolution championed by Spartacus depicts how the vice had taken root in the Roman empire3. Slaves were equated to commodities, and never acknowledged as human beings. There was however a turn of events when the Roman people embraced Christianity a while later. They began to treat slaves with humane. Ancient China was also not immune of slavery. It has been recorded that poverty intensified slavery in China to large extents4. Due to economic hardships, many people sold themselves or their family members to rich masters. Some people would also sell other to avert the economic hardships. The Indian people of ancient time also acknowledged slavery. Apparently, slavery among eth Hindus was perpetuated by the incumbent