Carol Ann Duffy Psychopath and Poet Essay Example

Carol Ann Duffy Psychopath and Poet Paper Carol Ann Duffy presents to the reader through her poetry many views she has on society. Her recent poetry portrays her views on the treatment of females and how in the past they have not been given true status in society. Duffy is a strong feminist and I think that the fact that she was not chosen poet laureate for both her sex and her sexuality has further strengthened her views on the rights females should have and the power they should have relative to men. Her feminist views are provoked even further when she is second choice in the running to be laureate and not until Seamus Heaney drops out of the race it is only then that she is the favourite to become the new poet laureate. It can be seen that again because Heaney was male and she was female the automatic choice would have been Heaney because of the stereotypical views in society regarding men being better then women. These could be some of the reasons why Duffy writes many poems from a females point of view regarding the male gender. Carol Ann Duffys ability to give voices to previously silenced figures helps her tell the reader her views on society. By using characters voices rather than her own, Duffy identifies with the speaker and confers authority onto a voice which might otherwise be silent. In the poems I have looked at she uses the characters that are portrayed as having lives without purpose but in reality their lives are without purpose the status society has given them. Psychopath, Recognition, and Stealing are three of the poems I will be analysing to look at the way Carol Ann Duffy presents her point of view on society. The characters in the three poems are described as having lives without purpose. They lead lives with no meaning and these characters lives are without purpose due to society giving power to men, such power that they are shown to be dominant gender in all three poems, and this dominance effects these characters lives. Much of Carol Ann Duffys work is written in the form of dramatic monologue and by using the voices of both male and female in the three poems, she portrays the views of both male and female in society and through both the male and female narrator she still manages to get her outlook on society and her feelings on why society is failing because of the status both men and women have been appointed with. This Idea of female identity is a recurring theme in Duffys poetry. We will write a custom essay sample on Carol Ann Duffy Psychopath and Poet specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Carol Ann Duffy Psychopath and Poet specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Carol Ann Duffy Psychopath and Poet specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer She stereotypes many of her characters in order to foreground the female characters incompatible place within a modern society. Although her poem Stealing is not one of the poems which look at her feminist views the other two Psychopath and Recognition are based around looking at Females place in society. In Psychopath, Duffy uses the dramatic monologue to present, and weaken, the sexual power of men over women One thump did it, then I was on her. Duffy shows the reader that although at first you think that Duffy is trying to show the woman as the weaker character it is in fact the man who is the weaker character. He has to physically abuse her to achieve his sexual status as Jack the Lad, Ladies Man. Duffys views on male dominance and male status are enhanced even further when he has killed her, but it is more important to him that he lives up to the constructed image of a real man. He feels he too, is trapped within the identity which has been appointed to him by society. This kind of dominance which Duffy is suggesting all men had in society is also shown in Recognition, where Duffy uses a dramatic monologue to show us the view of a housewife on her husband and how their relationship has changed her life. The woman here explains through the poem how her life has become without purpose. She also indirectly lets onto the reader the reason as to why her life has become the way it has. She feels it is her husband and their relationship that has made her life how it is. I love him, through habit She recognises that her love for her husband is merely based on habit. However, her power is diminished by her sense of responsibility and the fact that she has a role to fulfil, the role of a wife. The poem has references to a shopping list Cheese, Kleenex. This reflects the way her life has become. It has become structured and meaningless. She just gets on with the domestics of the house without thinking or having concern about her husband and children. Looking at the structure of the poem we can also see that the stanzas are all regimented four line stanzas and that this set structure is also tight and suffocating like her life. The use of repetition in the form of an apology in the closing line Im sorry sorry sorry underlines the womans inferior position and the lack of punctuation highlights her lack of concern towards anything. The Psychopath like the other two characters in the two poems may have a life without purpose because he is a man who has no worries as to the consequences his actions may well bring. He does not show little guilt or sympathy when talking about his violent actions one thump did it but feels he was right to be aggressive in order to get what he wanted. Again like with the housewife in recognition society rules have made him how he is. He does not care about his actions or the consequences his actions could bring but instead is boasting about how just one thump was enough to get her on the floor. The violence he uses is to show he is the dominant sex which Duffy feels society has given him the role of being the dominant sex. Nevertheless I also feel that others can be interpret that his life does have purpose and can argue this because he looks to the future in the poem: a gypsy read my palm. She saw fame. We see that he is interested in the fame he could get in the future. I could be anything with my looks, my brains. This view is also backed up by the way he looks after his appearance. This is because if he did not care about his life, or his life did not have a purpose then he would not take so much care over how he looks. And finally I think that he does have a purpose which is to use and abuse women to show off his masculinity. This shows that although the character may have a life with purpose Duffy still shows her displeasure at society through the poem. I also believe that Psychopath contrasts Recognition in terms of the structure. Unlike recognition it has a free flowing structure with lots of enjambement and no set stanzas which could suggest that Duffy is trying to back up the image of the character as being arrogant and over confident by him speaking very freely and openly and gloating about his actions which the reader would see as very appalling. This also goes on to show again her views on male dominance and the arrogance and confidence it brings. The enjambement in recognition could be there because it shows the reader feels that it is her way of showing her lack of freedom and that inside this meaningless and structured life she is trying to be freed. She is trying to escape her relationship with her husband but knows it is not possible. And I think that Duffy is trying to show this by using enjambement inside the tight regimented four line stanzas. The woman does not recognise herself. She has no sense of her own identity because it has been removed from her because of the way society has constructed a females identity. Duffy, perhaps, suggests that men are similarly constrained by the fact that they to have to abide by the rules of society and fulfil their role as the dominant sex. Where the woman in Recognition is symbolised by the shopping list, the man in Psychopath is labelled by the very title of the poem and the images of late 50s/early 60s popular culture that run through it: for example, Jimmy Dean and the song Johnny, Remember Me. Psychopath like Recognition shows women to be the weaker sex. Although we see in Recognition that we as the reader are informed of this through a female voice in Psychopath it is the voice of a man, who indirectly informs the reader of the power men and women were supposed to have. The lack of respect shown to women is shown when the Psychopath talks about his mother. Mama, straight up, I hope you rot in hell Here we are shown that even to his mother he shows such disrespect which again is because of the power he has been given by society. I also feel that the use of italics No, dont to refer to women in the poem highlights again the lack of power they have in comparison to males. The italics make the words look slightly smaller which could indicate Duffys views on how men try to make women look small just like the psychopath has tried to make the girl he has killed look small and helpless. In contrast from Recognition and Psychopath, stealing is a poem which does not tackle the problem of how society gives more power to the male sex then the female sex. It still shows the character to have a life without purpose and Duffy again indirectly shows the reader that society has forced the character to carry out the actions that he has done. Duffy explores the attitude of men and the reasons behind the attitudes they have. Better off dead than giving in. Here we see that the arrogance and the complacency these men have in life is because they feel that they are the dominant sex, and so they do not fear the consequences because men according to society are supposed to be the stronger the less fearful in comparison to female. And Duffy feels that because of these views that society holds or held are affecting everyone in a negative manner. She feels that he steals because of what society has made him, an egotistic man. Like in Psychopath where the character illustrates his power and the fact he is a man through violence and by not showing any concern towards the consequences of his actions here we see that this character demonstrates his dominance as a man also by not caring about the consequences. Children would cry in the morning. Lifes tough. We are also shown that due to this dominance men have over women they tend to become very lonely like in Psychopath he is unable to socialise with anyone so gets rid of his boredom by abusing girls. And in this poem the character is alone and we are shown the speakers loneliness right from the beginning when he steals a snowman. We can assume that Duffy is showing her character stealing a snowman because they are lonely and in need of a mate to get rid of their loneliness even though Duffy does not have the character tell the reader that it is lonely. Using Duffys criticism on society one can say that this loneliness is also created by society and that if the power which was divided between men and women was quite equal then these types of people would be looked after and protected from doing what they do. I also feel that the use of starting with a question most unusual thing I ever stole? and finishing with a question you dont understand a words Im saying, do you? tells the reader that the character is not just talking to us but is in an actual conversation with someone about his stealing. Again like the Psychopath he is boasting about his actions and feels or tries to show that he does not care about what may happen later because of what he has done. On the other hand it can also be viewed that like Psychopath, Stealing also is a poem whose character has a purpose in life. This is because if you look at the housewife in Recognition she has no purpose in life and literally does nothing and if you look at this character he steals to get rid of his boredom which is his purpose in life, to get rid of the boredom. And I think that it can be seen that again it is similar to Psychopath because Duffy still manages to show how society has made this character how he is and that society is responsible for his actions whether his life has a purpose or not. Overall through the arguments that I have presented I think that Duffy in all three of the poems expresses the dissatisfaction she has with society and its division of power between men and women and why men are given the dominance in relationships. I also feel that apart from recognition it can be argued as to whether or not the character in Psychopath and Stealing have lives with or without purpose. I also feel that it does not affect the message Duffy tries to get across to the reader regarding society. Looking back I feel that Duffy almost certainly in all three poems tries to get her point across on society and the criticism, she has of society and the extreme amount of power it has given to men for decades, and therefore I agree with the statement that Duffy does try and express her social criticism by giving voices to characters who reveal their lives as being without purpose although it can be argued as to whether or not the characters in the poems have a purpose in life.

SBA Offers Online 8(a) Program Application

SBA Offers Online 8(a) Program Application The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has unveiled a new electronic online application process that will make it easier, faster and less expensive for small businesses to apply for 8(a) Business Development and Small Disadvantaged Business certification. The 8(a) Business Development Program is a business assistance program for small disadvantaged businesses. The 8(a) Program offers a wide range of assistance to firms that are owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Benefits of 8(a) Certification Small businesses that gain SBA 8(a) program certification can compete for and get sole-source government contracts worth up to $4 million for goods and services and $6.5 million for manufacturing. 8(a) certified firms may also from joint ventures and teams to bid on government contracts. â€Å"This enhances the ability of 8(a) firms to perform larger prime contracts and overcome the effects of contract bundling, the combining of two or more contracts together into one large contract,† notes the SBA. In addition, the SBA’s Mentor-Protà ©gà © Program allows newly-certified 8(a) firms to â€Å"learn the ropes† from more experienced businesses. Participation in the program is divided into two phases over nine years: a four-year developmental stage and a five-year transition stage. Basic 8(a) Certification Eligibility Requirements While the SBA imposes many specific requirements for 8(a) certification, the basics are: The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by an individual or individuals who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The owners must be able to prove they meet the SBA requirements for both social disadvantage and economic disadvantage.The owner(s) must be an American citizen, by birth-right or naturalization.The business must meet the SBA size limits for a small business.The business must demonstrate to the SBA that it has a â€Å"potential for success.† More About the 8(a) Online Application Announced during a luncheon at Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week by SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto, the new automated online 8(a) application will substantially reduce the time and cost of applying for certification. The newly launched 8(a) online application will allow small businesses to apply for 8(a) and SDB certification directly from the SBAs Web site, and ensure more small businesses are able to successfully compete for federal contracting opportunities, Barreto said. This user-friendly application represents another accomplishment of this Administration in developing e-Gov tools that make access to information less cumbersome for small business. [ Truth About Small Business Grants From the US Government ] The SBAs 8(a) Business Development Program helps small businesses owned, controlled, and operated by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals by providing management, technical, financial and federal contracting assistance with the aim of helping these entrepreneurs create viable businesses. About 8,300 companies are presently certified in the 8(a) program. During FY 2003, $9.56 billion in federal contracts were awarded to companies participating in the program. The new automated application was developed by an 8(a) firm, Simplicity, Inc. in conjunction with the SBAs Office of Government Contracting and Business Development. It employs decision logic to screen applications allowing the SBA to review and process applications more efficiently and provide improved customer service. The application is 100 percent Web-based, allowing applicants to apply without downloading any software or plug-ins, replacing a four-page written application that required substantial supporting documentation.

Interview with the Vampire Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Interview with the Vampire - Movie Review Example This is one of the main characteristics of vampire protagonist, which is the sense of belongingness. Also, in the light of Louis, he wanted to escape the pain that he has been experiencing for almost a year due to the death of his wife and his child. He wanted to die and wanted someone to end his life for him, which brought him to being a vampire. He is described by Lestat as â€Å"...perfect.... bitter, and ...strong.† The vampire protagonist, i.e. Louis, may be inhumane and may have discarded the morals of a human being, but he still longs to be loved and feel the basic human emotions. Furthermore, vampire protagonists are considered as outlaws; this is exemplified in their act of killing and feeding on human beings. However, Louis, as much as possible wanted to feed on the blood of the animals. As he said during an encounter with Lestat â€Å"we can live on animals. We can live without taking human life.† Also, another difference is that a vampire protagonist may fee l the full human experience, but on the part of Louis, he was not able to succeed on this. He stated that there was â€Å"no passion in me any longer. I am reverent. A spirit with preternatural flesh. It ended when I saw Claudia burnt to ashes in that airwell. My dreams died with Claudia. My faith.† Nonetheless, a vampire protagonist is greatly depicted in the characters of Louis and Claudia because they have felt security and acceptance in their relationship, which are great characteristics of a vampire protagonist (Day

Leadership Models Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Leadership Models - Essay Example Situational contingency theories have are organizational development application that are effective at applying leadership concepts that are adaptive to the situation at hand. There are three major situation contingency models. The three models are Fielder’s leadership model, House’s path – goal theory of leadership, and Hersey and Blanchard’s situational leadership model. The Hersey – Blanchard leadership model framework implies that there is no one single best way to approach a problem or situation. According to Hersey and Blanchard situational leadership requires adjusting the leader’s emphasis on task behaviors such as giving guidance and direction, relationship behaviors, and providing socio-emotional support (Schermerhorn, J., Hunt, J., Osborn, R., 2003). The leadership style application has become very popular in the 21st century due to the fact that business changes are occurring faster than ever and manager have to be adapt the busin ess strategy of the company and the vision of its human resources to meet the market demands and requirements. The Blanchard and Hersey model can be characterized in terms of the amount of direction and support that the leader gives to his or her followers (12manage, 2009). Appendix A illustrates a matrix that explains the functionality of the model. The four factors illustrated in each quadrant of the matrix are S1, S2, S3, S4. The S1 variable which is located in the bottom left quadrant represents the telling style. In this style the manager provides a high task low relationship work output. This means that manager provides specific instructions and closely supervises the performance of the subordinate. This style is most effective when the leader is dealing with employees that are unable to take responsibility for themselves. An example of an employee that needs his supervisor to apply a telling style is a new employee in a firm. This person needs more

Business Opportunities In The Leisure Goods And Activities Industry Essay - 3

Business Opportunities In The Leisure Goods And Activities Industry - Essay Example The researcher states that given that the leisure goods and activities industry encompasses such varied businesses, it becomes necessary to evaluate existing ventures across specific industrial segments to ascertain the continuity and profitability of any potential investments into such firms. Â  Besides, it is also necessary to analyze the revenue stream of a target company over a few years to determine the long-term prospects of the firm and its internal stability. Common examples of leisure-based goods or companies include Water Parks, Disneyland, Holiday Tour operators like Thomas Cook etc (Mark, 2010). The primary task of a leisure-based company is to ensure that all requirements of a person on a vacation are adequately provided for within the latter’s budget and schedule. According to Mathies, consumers are wealthier today, with higher disposable incomes, than they were 20 years ago. In fact, per-capita real income has increased by over 3 times since the 1970s while the standard of living has risen by over two-thirds during this period, especially across the developed world. Victoria says that over 45% of spending is currently categorized as ‘discretionary’ among consumers in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). With rising incomes, families now have broader flexibility in their household spending and divert as much as 20% of their incomes on leisure activities. This estimate is similar to the proportion spent by an average American household on food and beverages. Canwell conducted an extensive survey of households in the US and determined that over 80% of consumers spent regularly on leisure-based goods and services.

CMOP-E Case Study Example

CMOP-E Case Study Example Mrs. B is a 54 year old woman diagnosed with schizophrenia. After being stabilized with medication and receiving treatment, she struggled with finding and maintaining employment but eventually found a job as a sales associate. Recently, she was referred to see the OT because she was beginning to feel dissatisfied with her job and wanted to explore other options. In the past, she worked 4 or 5 day shifts a week; however, currently, her employer was giving her fewer shifts per week. Her shifts were in the evening, which made it difficult for her to spend time with family. She felt stressed because her employer was expecting her to complete more tasks but did not give her adequate time to complete them. She was also having interpersonal problems with her co-workers which added to the stress. She also indicated that she wanted to expand her social network as she felt that she had few friends. The OT provided her with resources that would assist with vocational readiness. To assist with e xpanding her social circle, the OT provided Mrs. B with a website that connected people based on interests. Using the above case study, this paper will discuss how the CMOP-E relates to OT practice. The focus of this paper is on the interaction between occupation and environment. CMOP-E Models provide OTs with a framework to gather information about the individual and to plan interventions. The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance (CMOP) is based on a set of values and beliefs concerning occupation, person, environment, and client-centered practice (Hagedorn, 2001). A central construct of this model is that the client is involved in the process of determining needs and planning action; the therapists role is to enable this process and enable clients to engage in occupation (Hagedorn, 2001). The CMOP is an interactive model showing relationships between person, environment, and occupation (See Figure 1, part A) (Townsend Polatajko, 2007, p. 23). In the CMOP, the person, represented as a triangle, has three components cognitive, physical and affective, with spirituality at the core (Townsend Polatajko, 2007). The model shows that occupation connects the person and the environment (Townsend Polatajko, 2007). The key components of occupation include self-care, productivity and leisure (Townsend Polatajko, 2007). A critical review of the CMOP led to the portrayal of a trans-sectional view (see Figure 1, part B) (Townsend Polatajko, 2007, p. 23). The trans-sectional view of the CMOP can be used to show that occupation is of central interest and delimits the OTs concern with persons and environments. The transverse view with occupation front and centre presents occupation as OTs core domain of interest, showing that OTs are primarily concerned with human occupation, and the connections with the occupational person and the occupational influences of the environment; those aspects of person or environment that are not related to occupation are beyond OTs scope (Townsend Polatajko, 2007, p. 23 24). OTs need to consider the actual performance of an occupation and the level of importance it holds or the degree of satisfaction it brings to the individual, family, group or organization. OTs also need to consider the potential and possibilities for occupational engagement that is allowed by the oc cupation-person-environment interactions. CMOP is now CMOP-E with the added word engagement to extend the occupational perspective (Townsend Polatajko, 2007, p. 24, 28). Environment The environment in the CMOP is the context in which an individual performs occupations and includes physical, social, cultural, and institutional elements (Cole Tufano, 2008). The physical environment includes natural and built factors. This may include home, classroom, workplace, or natural environments (Cole Tufano, 2008). Social environment is composed of social groups such as family, coworkers, and community organizations (Cole Tufano, 2008). The social environment is the source of personal relationships (Duncan, 2006). Cultural environment may overlap with social environment and include religious, ethnic, and political factors which can affect the opportunities for, and barriers to, participation (Cole Tufano, 2008). The institutional environment includes the political and social systems that affect the number of opportunities present and provides rules and limits to an individuals occupations (Cole Tufano, 2008). Occupation The definition of occupation is (excerpted from Enabling Occupation, CAOT, 1997): Occupation refers to groups of activities and tasks of everyday life, named, organized, and given value and meaning by individuals and a culture. Occupation is everything people do to occupy themselves, including looking after themselves (self-care), enjoying life (leisure), and contributing to the social and economic fabric of their communities (productivity). (Townsend Polatajko, 2007, p. 17) The area of self-care encompasses all the tasks an individual goes through in a day to take care of oneself. Personal care includes basic activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, or personal hygiene. Self-care also includes instrumental activities of daily living, such as budgeting, driving, or grocery shopping (Radomski Latham, 2008). Productivity refers to an individuals economic contribution to society through paid and unpaid work. Some examples of productivity include paid employment, volunteer work, childcare, and homemaking (Radomski Latham, 2008). Leisure is activities that are completed voluntarily, intrinsically motivating and for enjoyment (Radomski Latham, 2008). Leisure activities may include quiet activities, such as reading, or active leisure such as sports, and socialization. (Randomski Latham, 2008). Application in Practice In the case study, the interaction between the occupations of productivity and leisure and the environment is evident. Mrs. Bs satisfaction in her productivity was influenced by the social environment of her job. Her strained relationship with her co-worker affected her job satisfaction and stress level. Having time constraints placed on her by her employer to complete certain tasks also increased her stress. Sparks and Cooper (1999) conducted a study to investigate the influence of seven job characteristics on mental and physical health. Results of the study showed that the quality of the social environment in the workplace is associated with stress. Mrs. B.s leisure was also affected by her productivity and social environment. Mrs. B. had limited time to spend with her family when she was scheduled to work evening shifts. Working in the evenings limited her opportunities to meet new people and expand her social network. Leisure is important because it allows an individual to have a balanced life. Research has shown that a balance between work and family predicts well-being and overall quality of life. (Greenhaus, Collins, Shaw, 2003) The cultural environment also affected Mrs. Bs productivity. Schizophrenia or mental illnesses by their nature lack visibility; therefore, encouraging the stigmatization of individuals with a mental illness (Copeland, 2009). In addition, society expects these individuals to work. This affected Mrs. B. because the expectation placed on her from society was that she should be working. The impact of the institutional environment on Mrs. Bs productivity is that the Government of Alberta requires individuals to meet certain conditions in order to be eligible for financial and health-related assistance programs, such as Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) and Alberta Works. Some of the eligibility criteria for AISH are: must have a severe handicap that is permanent and substantially limits ability to earn a living, and income or income of cohabiting partner must not exceed the limits allowed under the program (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped, AISH, n.d.). The institutional environment required Mrs. B to work because she did not qualify for AISH or Alberta Works. Mrs. B.s physical work environment was not addressed; however, looking at the work environment would be beneficial because it affects a persons job satisfaction. Some elements that may affect job satisfaction include the effect of lighting, noise levels, and floor configuration and furniture layout (Vischer, 2007). Leather, Pyrgas, Beale, and Lawrence (1998) conducted a study that examined the direct and indirect effects of windows in the workplace on job satisfaction, intention to quit, and general well-being. Results from the study showed a significant direct effect for sunlight penetration on all three factors. Self-care was also not addressed by the OT; however, it could be concluded that it did not have an effect on Mrs. Bs productivity. She was observed to have dressed appropriately and was well kept. It could be assumed that it was not an explicitly stated criterion for Mrs. B to demonstrate proper self-care before engaging in productivity with the OT. Self-care is a component that is important to address in productivity because an individual is usually interacting with others when working or volunteering. Being able to maintain proper self-care allows the individual to be socially accepted. Proper self-care also allows the individual to make a good first impression during job interviews and throughout his or her time as an employee. Conclusion The CMOP-E is a theoretical model that illustrates how occupational performance evolves from the interactions among the person, environment, and occupation. It provides OTs with a clear conceptual framework for thinking about the person throughout the occupational process. The CMOP-E with a person at its centre, demonstrates OTs client-centered practice. The application of the CMOP-E to Mrs. Bs case study demonstrates the dynamic and interdependent relationships between all aspects of environment and occupation. Through applying this model to Mrs. Bs case study, it is evident that practice is strongly based in theory.

Economic Networkingâ€Exploring Alternatives for Promoting Sustainable De

Economic Networking—Exploring Alternatives for Promoting Sustainable Development in Africa INTRODUCTION The history of European aid intervention in the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states has traditionally acted to reinforce the hierarchical distinction between the â€Å"developed† and the â€Å"developing† world. The series of Lome Conventions which granted preferential trade agreements between these groups of countries have proved ineffective in encouraging economic sustainability in the ACP states, and although the ACP includes most of the Least Developed Countries (LLDCs) in the world, the agreements have been criticized as being unfair in the global context. Under pressure to negotiate a new ACP-EU agreement that would be consistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) regulations, and improve on the limitations of the previous Lome Conventions, the Cotonou Convention was signed in 2000, after arduous negotiations. Despite this agreement, the future of ACP-EU relations is somewhat vague. Particularly with respect to Africa, this uncertainty leaves room for eva luation of the effectiveness of the past agreements and an objective analysis of the motives behind previous economic ties. Furthermore, by analyzing the problematic history of European aid to Africa, there emerges a basis for shifting away from the neo-colonialist relationships that characterized most of the past agreements, and exploring the benefits of creating alternative partnerships. Ultimately, the possibility of forming partnerships amongst individual ACP countries and between other developing countries is an overlooked idea that should be further explored. A Historical Perspective African economic development is a subject of wide interest. Amongst the ... ...2 October 2003 Kwarteng, Charles O. Africa and the European Challenge. Vermont: Ashgate Publishing Company. 1997. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development. October 2001. Overseas Development Institute. Reshaping European partnerships: what future for the ACP? Meeting September 2003. http://www.odi.org.uk/speeches/edc_2010/meeting_report_17september.html The World Bank Group. World Development Indicators Database: Country Profile Table. 11 March 2004 . The World Bank Group. 2003 World Development Indicators. 11 March 2004. . Economic Community of West African States. About ECOWAS. 11 March 2004. .

Likely Impact of MIS on the Global Glass Industry

Likely Future Impacts of MIS on the Glass Industry China looks set to dominate various markets in the near future (Hughes, M (2011) Week 3 â€Å"IS in a Changing World†, MS102, National University of Ireland Galway, unpublished) The glass industry should be a target for them. China is the best in the world for glass production and consumption. China’s flat glass production accounts for 40 per cent of the world today, which is about 38 million tons per year, and the processed glass industry is improving quickly. (Wenyi, M. O Professor of the Chinese Ceramic Society, â€Å"Review and Prospect of the Glass Industry in China†)According to incomplete statistics from 2004, the production scale of insulated glass reached 130 million square metres, and production amounted to 45 million square metres. China’s glass machinery sector has become a new boom industry, and although the Chinese glass industry has made great steps, there is still a large gap between China and advanced countries abroad. China’s flat glass industry consumes more natural resources, energy costs are higher, technology and equipment levels are relatively low, product mix is not feasible, and the processed glass ratio is low.There are lots of manufacturers, but the production scale is small, industry concentration is low, and research and development capitalization is weak. (Wenyi, M. O Professor of the Chinese Ceramic Society, â€Å"Review and Prospect of the Glass Industry in China†). Innovations in future technology within the glass industry are going to be vital for firms within the industry to utilize if they are going to stay competitive taking into consideration the probable advancement of the Chinese Industry. The US glass industry alone spends 1. billion a year on energy and (energy costs) accounts for 14% of the cost of production (Ernest Worrel et al 2008). This leaves huge scope for firms to enable energy saving and thus cost saving technology. A report entitled â€Å"Energy Efficiency Improvement and Cost Saving Opportunities for the Glass Industry† an Energy Star Guide for Energy and Plant Managers by Ernst Worrell, Christina Galitsky, Eric Masanet, and Wina Graus we can clearly see that these cost saving technologies are either there to be utilized by firms within the industry or are very near to that stage.Oscillating combustion is currently being tested by the Gas Technology Institute (GTI). This technology forces the oscillation of the burner fuel to create successive, fuel-rich and fuel-lean zones within the flame. It also reduces NOx emissions. Reported fuels savings are 2 to 5% and reduced NOx emissions 30 to 50%. The Segmented Melter works as the batch is melted in an electric melter, after which the cullet is added in a separate oxy-fuel fired melter. Although on the plus side emissions will be lowered maintenance to the seg-melter is high as it only has a useful life of 15 years and requires repairs at lea st once every 3 years.However, there is interest in future improvements of the seg-melter to develop a more energy-efficient glass melting process (TNO, The Netherlands; Alfred University, New York). Under development by Tamglass, Finland, a new HSCâ„ ¢ high-speed convection heater transfers more of the heat by convection (over 50%) using a lengthwise system of heating elements in the furnace. Tamglass claims production increases of as much as 40%, lower energy costs, and increased process reliability (Tamglass 2003). Limited steam use in the glass production process limits the use of cogeneration or combined heat and power generation in the glass industry.An alternative may be the use of an air-bottoming cycle. The average energy savings were estimated at 10% with an estimated payback periods of 3 to 4 years (at price conditions in The Netherlands). The recycling of in-house glass waste is challenging as impurities in the waste material often leads to a high rate of filament bre akage in fiber forming processes. It has been estimated that around 260,000 tons of glass waste are generated each year in US. and that in-house recycling of this waste would save the US glass industry over $7 million per year in avoided nergy and waste disposal costs (ANL 2003). Argonne National Laboratory has developed a glass fiber recycling process based on thermal treatment that is estimated to have a potential payback period of 2 years. One method that firms within the glass industry could do to increase productivity, efficiency and increased profits is to employ improved Information Systems by bringing in Siemens or other specialists to review their processes in the near future as Siemens offer services that will improve IS and reduce energy costs.As a reduction in energy usage and improved production processes will reduce the cost of production firms can benefit in not only the long run but the short to medium term as well. Practically the likes of Waterford Wedgewood and Ga lway Crystal have been in the business of glass production for centuries and therefore may be unlikely/unwilling to let in outsiders to review their processes new firms in the industry may see it as an ideal way to increase their competitiveness in the market reasonably quickly.For it’s customers in the glass industry, Siemens offers a package of services to analyze and optimize energy consumption of plant. They will bring in specialists to examine the production lines for weak points, develop suitable counter measures and, where necessary, also supply the appropriate financing concepts. In many cases, just improving the exploitation of existing equipment will lead to considerable savings. Siemens also offers services that will achieve projected ongoing energy savings of three to five percent per year over the next five to six years. (Optimum use Energy solutions for the glass industry from Siemens)

Gibbons v. Ogden, 1824 Landmark Legal Case

Gibbons v. Ogden, 1824 Landmark Legal Case The Supreme Court case Gibbons v. Ogden established important precedents about interstate commerce when it was decided in 1824. The case arose from a dispute concerning early steamboats chugging about in the waters of New York, but principles established in the case resonate to the present day. The decision in Gibbons v. Ogden created an enduring legacy as it established the  general principle that interstate commerce as mentioned in the Constitution included  more than just the buying and selling of goods. By considering the operation of steamboats to be interstate commerce, and thus activity coming under the authority of the federal government, the Supreme Court established a precedent which would impact many later cases. The immediate effect of the case was that it struck down a New York law granting a monopoly to a steamboat owner. By eliminating the monopoly, the operation of steamboats became a highly competitive business beginning in the 1820s. In that  atmosphere of competition, great fortunes could be made. And the greatest American fortune of the mid-1800s, the enormous wealth of Cornelius Vanderbilt, could be traced to the decision that eliminated the steamboat monopoly in New York. The landmark court case involved young Cornelius Vanderbilt. And Gibbons v. Ogden also  provided a platform and cause for Daniel Webster, a lawyer and politician whose oratorical skills would come to influence American politics for decades. However, the two men for whom the case was named, Thomas Gibbons and Aaron Ogden, were fascinating characters in their own right. Their personal histories, which included them being neighbors, business associates, and eventually bitter enemies, provided a raucous background to the lofty legal proceedings. The concerns of steamboat operators in the early decades of the 19th century seem quaint and very distant from modern life. Yet the decision rendered by the Supreme Court in 1824 influences life in America to  the present day. The Steamboat Monopoly The great value of steam power became apparent in the late 1700s, and Americans in the 1780s were working, mostly unsuccessfully, to build practical steamboats. Robert Fulton, an American living in England, had been an artist who became involved in designing canals. During a trip to France, Fulton was exposed to advances in steamboats. And, with the financial backing of the wealthy American ambassador to France, Robert Livingston, Fulton began working to build a practical steamboat in 1803. Livingston, who had been one of the nations founding fathers, was very wealthy and possessed extensive  landholdings. But he also possessed another asset with the potential to be enormously valuable: He had secured, through his political connections, the right to have a monopoly on steamboats in the waters of New York State. Anyone who wanted to operate a steamboat had to partner with Livingston, or purchase a license from him. After Fulton and Livingston returned to America, Fulton launched his first practical steamboat, The Clermont, in August 1807, four years after he met up with Livingston. The two men soon had a thriving business. And under New York law, no one could launch steamboats in New York waters to compete with them. Competitors Steam Ahead Aaron Ogden, a lawyer  and veteran of the Continental Army, was elected governor of New Jersey in 1812 and sought to challenge the steamboat monopoly by buying and operating a steam-powered ferry. His attempt failed. Robert Livingston had died, but his  heirs, along with Robert Fulton, successfully defended their monopoly in the courts. Ogden, defeated but still believing he could turn a profit, obtained a license from the Livingston family and operated a steam ferry between New York and New Jersey. Ogden had become friends with Thomas Gibbons, a wealthy lawyer and cotton dealer  from Georgia who had moved to New Jersey. At some point the two men had a dispute and things turned inexplicably bitter. Gibbons, who had participated in duels back in Georgia, challenged Ogden to a duel in 1816. The two men never met to exchange gunfire. But, being two very angry lawyers, they began a series of antagonistic legal maneuvers against each other’s business interests. Seeing great potential, both to make money and harm Ogden, Gibbons decided that he would go into the steamboat business and challenge the monopoly. He also hoped to put his adversary Ogden out of business. Ogden’s ferry, the Atalanta, was matched by a new steamboat, the Bellona, which Gibbons put into the water in 1818. To pilot the boat, Gibbons had hired a  boatman in his mid-twenties named Cornelius Vanderbilt. Growing up in a Dutch community on Staten Island, Vanderbilt had started his career as a teenager running a small boat called a periauger between Staten Island and Manhattan. Vanderbilt quickly became known about the harbor as someone who worked relentlessly. He possessed keen sailing skill, with an impressive knowledge of every current in the notoriously tricky waters of New York Harbor. And Vanderbilt was fearless when sailing in rough conditions. Thomas Gibbons put Vanderbilt to work as the captain of his new ferry in 1818. For Vanderbilt, used to being his own boss, it was an unusual situation. But working for Gibbons meant he could learn a lot about steamboats. And he also must have realized he could learn a lot about business from watching how Gibbons waged his endless battles against Ogden. In 1819 Ogden went to court to shut down the ferry run by Gibbons. When threatened by process servers, Cornelius Vanderbilt continued sailing the ferry back and forth. At points he was even arrested. With his own growing connections in New York politics, he was generally able to get the charges thrown out, though he did rack up a number of fines. During a year of legal skirmishing the case between Gibbons and Ogden  moved through the New York State courts. In 1820 the New York courts upheld the steamboat monopoly. Gibbons was ordered to cease operating his ferry. The Federal Case Gibbons, of course, was not about to quit. He chose to appeal his case to the federal courts. He had obtained what was known as a â€Å"coasting† license from the federal government. That allowed him to operate his boat along the coasts of the United States, in accordance with a law from the early 1790s. The position of Gibbons in his federal case would be that federal law should supersede state law. And, that the commerce clause under Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution  should be interpreted to mean that carrying passengers on a ferry was interstate commerce. Gibbons sought out an impressive attorney to plead his case: Daniel Webster, the New England politician who was gaining national fame as a great orator. Webster seemed the perfect choice, as he was interested in advancing the cause of business in the growing country. Cornelius Vanderbilt, who had been hired by Gibbons because of his tough reputation  as a sailor, volunteered to travel to Washington to meet with Webster and another prominent lawyer and politician, William Wirt. Vanderbilt was largely uneducated, and throughout his life he would often be considered a fairly coarse character. So he seemed an unlikely character to be dealing with Daniel Webster. Vanderbilt’s desire to be involved in the case indicates that he recognized its great importance to his own future. He must have realized that dealing with the legal issues would teach him a lot. After meeting with Webster and Wirt, Vanderbilt remained in Washington while the case first went to the U.S. Supreme Court. To the disappointment of Gibbons and Vanderbilt, the nation’s highest court refused to hear it on a technicality, as the courts in New York State had not yet entered a final judgment. Returning to New York City, Vanderbilt went back to operating the ferry, in violation of the monopoly, while still  trying to avoid the authorities and at times skirmishing with them in local courts. Eventually the case was put on the Supreme Court’s docket, and arguments were scheduled. At the Supreme Court In early Februrary 1824 the case of Gibbons v. Ogden was argued in the Supreme Court chambers, which were, at that time, located in the U.S. Capitol. The case was briefly mentioned in the New York Evening Post on February 13, 1824. There was actually considerable public interest in the case due to changing attitudes in America. In the early 1820s the nation was approaching its 50th anniversary, and a general theme was that business was growing. In New York, the Erie Canal, which would transform the country in major ways, was under construction. In other places canals were operating, mills were producing fabric, and early factories were producing any number of products. To show off all the industrial progress America had made in its five decades of freedom, the federal government even invited an old friend, the Marquis de Lafayette to visit the country and tour all 24 states. In that atmosphere of progress and growth, the idea that one state could write a law that might arbitrarily restrict business was seen as a problem which needed to be solved. So while the legal battle between Gibbons and Ogden may have been conceived in a bitter rivalry between two cantankerous lawyers, it was obvious at the time that the case would have implications across American society. And the public seemed to want free trade, meaning restrictions shouldnt be placed by individual states. Daniel Webster argued that portion of the case with his usual eloquence. He delivered a speech which was later considered important enough to be included in anthologies of his writings. At one point Webster stressed that it was well-known why the U.S. Constitution had to be written after the young country encountered many problems under The Articles of Confederation: â€Å"Few things are better known than the immediate causes which led to the adoption of the present Constitution; and there is nothing, as I think, clearer, than that the prevailing motive was to regulate commerce; to rescue it from the embarrassing and destructive consequences resulting from the legislation of so many different States, and to place it under the protection of a uniform law.† In his impassioned argument, Webster stated that creators of the Constitution, when speaking of commerce, fully intended it to mean the entire country as a unit: â€Å"What is it that is to be regulated? Not the commerce of the several States, respectively, but the commerce of the United States. Henceforth, the commerce of the States was to be a unit, and the system by which it was to exist and be governed must necessarily be complete, entire, and uniform. Its character was to be described in the flag which waved over it, E Pluribus Unum.† Following Websters star performance, William Wirt also spoke for Gibbons, making arguments about monopolies and commercial law. The lawyers for Ogden then spoke to argue in favor of the monopoly. To many members of the public, the monopoly had seemed unfair and outdated, a throwback to some earlier era. In the 1820s, with business growing in the young country, Webster seemed to have captured the American mood with an oration that evoked the progress that was possible when all the states operated under a system of uniform laws. The LandmarkDecision After a few weeks of suspense, the Supreme Court announced its decision on March 2, 1824. The court voted 6-0, and the decision was written by Chief Justice John Marshall.  The carefully reasoned decision, in which Marshall generally agreed with Daniel Websters position, was published widely, including on the front page of the New York Evening Post on March 8, 1824. The Supreme Court struck down the steamboat monopoly law. And it declared that it was unconstitutional for states to enact laws that restricted interstate commerce. That decision in 1824 about steamboats has had an impact ever since. As new technologies came along in transportation and even communication, efficient operation across state lines  has been possible thanks to Gibbons v. Ogden.   An immediate effect was that Gibbons and Vanderbilt were now free to operate their steam ferry. And Vanderbilt naturally saw great opportunity and began building his own steamboats. Others also got into the steamboat trade in the waters around New York, and within years there was bitter competition between boats carrying freight and passengers. Thomas Gibbons did not get to enjoy his victory for long, as he died two years later. But he had taught Cornelius Vanderbilt a lot about how to conduct business in a freewheeling and ruthless manner. Decades later, Vanderbilt would tangle with Wall Street operators Jay Gould and Jim Fisk in the battle for the Erie Railroad, and his early experience watching Gibbons in his epic struggle  with Ogden and others must have served him well. Daniel Webster went on to become one of the most prominent politicians in America, and along with Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, the three men known as the  Great Triumvirate would dominate the U.S. Senate.

The Apology & Euthphro essays

The Apology & Euthphro essays The Apology is a description of the speech given by Socrates at his trial. He was put on trial for not recognizing the gods, inventing new gods, and corrupting the people of Athens. Although the title of this work is The Apology, it doesnt seem to me like hes really apologizing. Hes simply explaining himself. The account that Socrates gives to the court is that his behavior comes from a prophecy given to him by the Oracle at Apollo, whom said he was the wisest of all men. He then interpreted that hes only wiser then other wise men because he knows that he knows nothing. He questioned other wise men in Athens, exposing their false wisdom, and embarrassing them greatly. Socrates sticks by his beliefs, and defends the way he has chosen to live. He acknowledges his own ignorance, and therefore cannot take himself too seriously. This comes off as a serious insult to the court, since none of them consider themselves ignorant, and Socrates believes ignorance is a type of wisdom. When Socrates gets the chance to cross examine Meletus, he embarrasses him over and over again. He intentionally asks questions which cause Meletus to contradict himself. Even though Socrates proves his point during the trial, he is still sentenced to death. This piece is an encounter Socrates has with Euthyphro outside the court in Athens. Euthyphro is there to prosecute his father for unintentionally killing an insane farm hand. Socrates then commends, saying that Euthyphro must be very knowledgeable in matters concerning religious if hes so willing to prosecute his own father on such a questionable charge. Euthyphro agrees that he knows all that is to be known about what is holy. The obviously sparks the interest of Scorates, and he asks to be taught. As the lesson goes on, Socrates manages to pick apart each definition Euthyphro provides. This frustrates Euthyphr ...

Euthanasia Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Euthanasia - Term Paper Example Burgess (2005) explained the conditions that enable natural selection: 1) Genetic variation must be present to propel evolution, where the root is â€Å"random mutation† that pertains to the DNA making copying errors during cell division; 2) Nonrandom selection of genetic changes happen because of the adaptive needs of surviving in the environment; and 3) Organisms have mechanisms that pass these changes from one generation to the next through a â€Å"self-copying DNA molecule† (p.5). Hence, the basic foundation of evolution is genetic diversity. Euthanasia can be studied from an evolutionary perspective, in that it can either support or oppose it, depending on whose thinking and principles are involved (Stewart-Williams, 2010, p.269). The evolutionary perspective can provide justifications for it, or rejection of its fundamental proponents’ assumptions and arguments (Persaud, 2007, p.340). When searching keywords in â€Å"euthanasia,† â€Å"evolution*,â €  and â€Å"anthropology,† in EBSCO database and Google, however, it becomes apparent that not many studies focus on examining euthanasia from an evolutionary perspective. ... The writer of the paper has heard of friends and distant family members, whose elderly or very sick relatives called for euthanasia. None of them admitted, however, of approving such requests, because they thought that euthanasia is inhumane and against their personal and religious beliefs. They did not think that it was right to take another person’s life, no matter how much that person wanted it. They assert that life is sacred and that even suffering is not enough reason to support euthanasia. The writer wants to further understand the evolution of these beliefs using relevant articles, especially tracing back euthanasia practices in ancient times. Thus, the main rationale of conducting the study is to respond to the literature gap and to further study a personal concern regarding the evolution of beliefs in and practices of euthanasia. Preliminary Review of Literature Euthanasia generally refers to the taking of someone’s life after the express request of the latter , with the main purpose of ending suffering and pain. Today, there are two kinds of euthanasia, which has its variations: active and passive euthanasia. Passive euthanasia refers to removing the life support of a person, and allowing nature to take its course for the dying patient. Some examples are removing respirators or stopping medicine provision. Active euthanasia, on the contrary, consists of direct action, usually through a doctor. Several examples are administering lethal injection or giving medicine that can hasten death. Some forms of active euthanasia may involve relatives of the patient who approve of euthanasia because the latter is no longer conscious for a long time and may have no hope of being awake again. Active euthanasia may

Death Penalty Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Death Penalty - Assignment Example This is the only way of undertaking death penalty in Colorado. Earlier, there were a number of ways in which the death sentence was being undertaken that included gas chamber etc (Palmer, 2013). The debate of death penalty is Colorado is not proposing the demolishment but rather consider it as an effective strategy against criminal offences. However, the implementation requires a lot of investigation before the overall decision. Recently, the case of Nathan Dunlap has gained much attention by the media as the legislation has been questioned for its effective decision-making in finding necessary evidence (Palmer, 2013). In order to make sure that all acute criminal offences are being addressed with proper implementation of death penalty, seventeenth aggravating factors were listed. These included the murderer to be heinous, murderer’s purpose to gain pecuniary benefits, the victim was kept as a hostage, the victim was personnel of governmental institution, the defendant committed treason against the national interest etc. (Palmer,