McCarthyism Essays - Salem Witch Trials, The Crucible, John Proctor

McCarthyism In The Crucible In The Crucible, written by Arthur Miller, the madness of the Salem witch trials is explored in great detail. There is more to the play than the witch trials, though. The Crucible was composed during a time when a similar hysteria was sweeping through America. A virtually unkown senator by the name of Joseph McCarthy was propelled into infamy when while at a speaking engagement at thee Republican Women's Club of Wheeling, West Virginia he charged 205 persons in the U.S. State Department of being members of the Communist Party (Martine 8). Fear caused the American people to succumb to the preposterous charges brought forth by McCarthy displaying resemblance's to that of the Salem community in 1692 (Carey 51). In Arthur Miller's play The Crucible, there is evidence of parallels between the Salem of 1692 and America of the 1950's, the American Government of the 1950's and its misuse of power, and the high court depicted in the play, using its power to impose a misguided justice. The Crucible takes place in Salem, Massachusetts in the spring of 1692 in a village shrouded with chaos. The people of Salem were in uncertain times. Just a year earlier a witch in the nearby town of Beverly was executed and now the witch hysteria had spread to their village. Confused, the people didn't know who to blame whether it be the girls, the negro slave, or even the Devil himself. The insanity that came about was an indication of the fear of "individual freedom" (Miller 6). In The Crucible, hysteria and hidden agendas break down the social structure and then everyone must protect themselves from the people that they thought were their friends. The church, the legal system, and the togetherness of the community died so that the girls and their families social status might be protected. The fact that Salem was a Puritan community did not help matters either. Puritans were a strict religous group that tolerated no devious behavior. Being isolated from any other group of people with different beliefs created a church led Puritan society that was not able to accept a lot of change. Anyone who was not in good standing with the church was not even allowed in the community (Carey 42). They believed God elected those who were to go to Heaven by the same token though they believed the Devil could choose his disciples also (Carey 43). Puritans deemed anything pleasurable was motivated by and came directly from the Devil. When The Crucible was written, the American society was threatened by communism much like Salem was threatened by witchcraft (Bly 32). On September 23, 1949, President Truman reported that the Soviet Union had developed an atomic bomb striking fear into the American nation (Martine 8). Miller even acknowledged this fear when he said, " America had just finished fighting World War II with the help of the Soviet Union against the Germans and now they felt threatened by them, knowing not wether they were still allies or if another war was inevitable. The war made people wary of communism. What Hitler had done was ugly. Americans feared this ugliness. "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" (Exodus 22:18). The puritans of Salem definitely believed in witches and gaurded against them just as the Bible told them so, executing them. Once a person was accused as a witch the only way to live was to turn back to God by repenting and revealing names of other witches so that they might repent or be vanquished (Bly 88). Judge Danforth was devoted to the prosecution of witches. When he arrives in the town of Salem, Danforth sets in motion acts that "bring about an evil destructive state of chaos" (Carey 15). He believed he inherited his authority directly from God, and therefore carried on the witchhunt mercilessly (Bly 33). He did not give up easily; once he decided someone was a witch he would not rest until a confession was made as is evident in the following quote: "Will you confesss yourself befouled with Hell, or do you keep that black allegiance yet?" (Miller 111). Danforth may have had too much power also; being the Deputy Governor of Massachusetts, Danforth had the power to try, convict, and execute anyone he decide was a witch" (Bly 27). When writting The Crucible, Arthur Miller chose to speak through John Proctor on of the Salem witch trials victims. Miller uses Proctor as his character that defies the authority of the judges and their corrupt power

Effect of the Political instability on Haitis development

Effect of the Political instability on Haitis development The Problem Haiti is a country that suffers from major political instability, which has deterred the country’s growth and development. Between 1950 and 2008, the country had a record eleven coup d’à ©tats highlighting the volatility of the political scene there. In spite of the restoration of democratic rule in 2006, Haiti has continued to suffer from political instability.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Effect of the Political instability on Haitis development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Indifferent and ineffective governance that continues to accentuate the instability already experienced by Haiti characterizes the country. These factors have deterred economic development in this South American Country. The socioeconomic factors in the country are the most serious causes of the instability. The BBC (2012) records that Haiti has a huge wealth gap with a minority 1% owning nearly 50% of the count rys wealth. The poor have engaged in widespread riots or joined gangs due to the lack of alternative means of employment. The climate of instability has led to a rise of powerful urban gangs and militia who often operate with government sanction. The legitimacy and authority of political leaders are sometimes derived from the power of this militia (Carey, 2005). At the same time, political instability has had the effect of further plunging the country into economic disarray. The Haitian economy has suffered greatly in light of the political turmoil that has plagued the country. In the mid 1990s, the deepening political crisis led to a drop in international aid. By the end of 1997, the lack of a functioning government led to a freeze in international aid to Haiti, an act that left the formal Haitian economy virtually collapsed (Donais, 2005). The dependency theory sheds some light on the rampant poverty that has fueled the political instability in Haiti. This theory states as long as the Third World is linked to the north they can never break free of their dependence and poverty† (Diaz, Trapp Feldman, 2008, p.3). This is a true reflection of the Haitian situation since as a former colony of France, Haitis link to the Western world was established centuries ago. Even after independence, Haiti continued to rely on the policies and economic support of Western powers. Haiti continues to depend on the international community for financial aid. In addition to this, the country relies primarily on the US as the destination for her exports.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Fig 1: Haitian Borrowing in Millions of Dollars The world systems theory developed by Immanuel Wallerstein can also be used to explain the situation in Haiti. This theory advances that the world is divided into core countries, which are industrialized capitalist countries and peripher y countries like Haiti that rely on low-skill and rely on labor-intensive production. According to the theory, these periphery countries such as Haiti suffer from unequal distribution of labor and exchange and they are exploited by the core countries. Background Haiti is geographically located in the Caribbean island of Hispaniola and it shares the Island with the Dominican Republic which lies on its East. The country occupies an area of 27,750 sq kms and has a population of 10.1 million (BBC, 2012). Haiti has over 25% arable land and this land is used for cultivation purposes. The agricultural sector is a major employee in the country with 38% of the population working in this sector (CIA, 2012). Fig 2: Geographical Positioning of Haiti The republic of Haiti has had a turbulent political history since its independence from France in 1804. The Haitian political scene has been characterized by authoritarian rule and a military domination. Political leaders appoint their own constitu tions to strengthen their hold on power.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Effect of the Political instability on Haitis development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Haitian government is predatory in nature with state resources being used to advance the interests of the elite while the security apparatus suppresses and extorts the ordinary people. In such a government, the elite office holders have viewed the majority poor as objects to be exploited instead of subjects in a shared political system. Haiti has not exhibited major development since its independence; the country is today the most deprived in the Western Hemisphere. The overreliance on agriculture has led to the high unemployment rate in the country with over 60% of the labor force lacking formal jobs. The country has an acute shortage of skilled labor while there is a surplus of unskilled labor, a factor that has increased the unemployment rate in th e country. In the job market, low-income levels make it hard for those employed to maintain a decent standard of living. Haiti has therefore grown to depend excessively on the international community for its economic sustenance. Fig 3. Comparing Growth of Per Capita GDP among American Countries Due to its geographical location and natural resources, Haiti was once a choice destination for tourists. Macollvie (2009) notes that its sandy beaches and beautiful coastal cities once made it a major destination for international cruise ships providing the country with significant amounts of foreign exchange. However, the political instability has led to major security concerns with kidnappings, deadly riots, and rampant thefts characterizing the country. Due to this reason, many countries have issued travel warnings regarding Haiti thus effectively stifling its tourism industry.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Discussion Putting the Problem in Context The problem of political instability is an old one and it has plagued Haiti for over a century. In its formative years, the country operated without state institutions and it was governed by a combination of the military and the elite. This set the tone for the future governance of the country and Macollvie (2009) observes that at no time in the history of the country has there been a significant degree of long-term popular participation in the political process (p.72). The problems in Haiti continue to persist for because of a number of major reasons. To begin with, the efforts of the international community to restore stability never take into consideration the realities in the country. Donais (2005) observes that the lack of success in international efforts can be blamed on the fact that the positive political change is almost explicitly promoted by outsiders who lack an intimate knowledge of the domestic realities facing Haitians and the ir thoughts regarding politics. A lack of adequate economic opportunities has further exacerbated the problem of political insecurity in Haiti. The World Bank best articulates how instability in Haiti mitigates economic growth by noting that the country is limited in capacity to establish law and order or to create conditions for economic growth and poverty reduction (Saye, 2010, p.71). The country is characterized by an unreconstructed winner-take-all political culture. Donais (2005) elaborates that Haiti is a predatory republic where capturing of governing power is the primary means of acquiring wealth and power. Those who are in power are therefore keen to maintain their grasp using all possible means. Members of the public not involved in politics have taken to violence and drug trafficking to provide for themselves. Drug trafficking is a highly profitable activity and the major drug barons have corrupted the judicial system and the police to ensure that the drugs flow though Ha iti uninterrupted (BBC, 2012). Widespread corruption has further contributed to the political instability and the lack of economic development in the country. Corruption is widespread in Haiti with the government accountability organization, Transparency International ranking Haiti â€Å"most corrupt nation in the world†. An official of the organization stated that corruption was so deeply entrenched in the country that it was acceptable as part of everyday life (Saye, 2010). Fig 4: WGI Government Effectiveness and Control of Corruption Addressing the Issues To try to mitigate the outcomes of these problems, efforts have been undertaken by governments. The international community has been involved heavily in Haitian affairs as it tries to address the political issues in the country. As far back as 1915, the country exhibited acute manifestations of chronic political instability, which prompted US troops to land at Port au Prince on July 28, 1915. The United Nations has engag ed in numerous efforts to restore peace, democracy, and stability to Haiti (Donais, 2005). The efforts of the international community to restore stability to the Haitian political scene have been succeeded but only to some extent. International efforts through the United Nations helped Haiti recover after it failed to stop the threat of an armed insurgency in 2004 (Carey, 2005). The international community led by the US has promoted policies in Haiti that are aimed at encouraging the installation of democracy in the Country. These policies led to the reinstallation of democracy in 2006. However, such efforts are of no practical use in promoting growth if they are not accompanied by political stability in the country. The political issues in Haiti have also persisted due to the color tensions that exist in the country. Since independence, Haiti experienced an institutionalization of skin color as a determination of status. The mulattos (light-skinned blacks) made up the elite in soci ety while the noirs (dark-skinned blacks) were the commoners. Macollvie (2009) state that this division based on skin color created a system of double government that kept power in the hands of the minority mulattos. With time, these divisions became based more on money than on skin color with the government serving the interest of the wealthy and ignoring the poor. Theoretical and Practical Solutions The establishment of a law-making branch of government that is not only stable but has the backing of the citizens of the country will also help to bring about political stability in the country. Historically, Haiti has had an inconsistent parliament that did not serve the interest of the masses. Haitian presidents have held power over the parliament, disbanding or dissolving it at will. These heads of states have been notorious for dissolving parliaments that showed a lack of support for their policies. Macollvie (2009) notes that Haitis parliament since independence has been a farce serving the interests of the elite and offering no opposition to the president. A strong parliament that has the support of the citizens will increase the political stability of the country. Such a parliament will have the legitimacy needed to steer the country into stability and economic prosperity. Enhancement of the democratic institutions in Haiti will increase the likelihood of stability and economic growth. According to the comparability perspective, a mature democracy will accrue direct and indirect benefits that will lead to the economic growth of the country. In such an environment, there will be effective control of governmental power and greater weight will be given to the provision of basic needs of the public. Capacity building of Haitian security forces and the eventual removal of foreign forces from Haiti will also assist in bringing about political stability. This solution is backed by the State theory which accentuates the importance of security in modern states. Th is theory advances that the state originates in and is justified by citizens who confer sovereignty on a central authority in exchange for security (Verner Egset, 2007, p.43). For decades, Haiti has been faced with numerous international interventions and foreign occupations. In the early 20th century, the country faced foreign occupation mostly from the US and other European powers which wanted to protect their interests in the country. In recent times, Haiti has had UN multinational peacekeeping troops who are there to help in the nation building efforts (Macollvie, 2009). This reliance on foreign forces has damaged the credibility of the government to protect its citizens. If the international community invested more in building an effective Haitian security apparatus, Haitians would have more faith in their government. This would have the desirable effect of increasing political stability. The major donors in Haiti can assist in promoting political stability by making it a prer equisite to Haiti receiving aid. As it currently stands, Haiti is not self sufficient and international aid is the major source of government financing. The Haitian President Michel Martelly is constantly appealing to potential donors to increase support of the country in order for it to meet its budget shortfalls. It is therefore evident that Haiti is greatly dependent on international aid and this fact can be used as leverage in demanding for political stability. Conclusion and Recommendations Haiti has suffered from political instability which has deterred the countrys development for decades. This paper has looked at has political instability and social inequality has affected Haitis economic development. It has noted that the two factors have led to the near collapse of Haiti as a state. The use of international interventions and occupations to maintain stability to Haiti have helped to prevent the decline of the country into permanent failed state status but this strategy does not help to create the political stability needed to bring about economic growth and prosperity for the country. Haiti is receiving a lot of international support in its efforts to develop. The country should use this goodwill to advocate for the development of state institutions. These institutions will provide the basic services for the citizens and promote economic development and social advancement. Well-developed governmental institutions will have the potential to mitigate the risk factors of violence that come from a socioeconomic context. The country should use its current stability to develop its natural resources. Political instability has contributed to the severe degradation of Haitis coastal resources. With stability, the economy of the country will once again be able to exploit its coastal resources for the good of the entire nation. References BBC (2012). Haiti country profile. Web. Carey, H. (2005). Militarization without Civil War: The Security Dilemma and Regime C onsolidation in Haiti. Civil Wars, 7 (4), 330–356. CIA (2012). The World Factbook: Haiti. Web. Diaz, A., Trapp, A., Feldman, A. (2008). Haiti Background Report. Web. Donais, T. (2005). Back to Square One: The Politics of Police Reform in Haiti. Civil Wars, 7(3), 270-287. Macollvie, J. (2009). Haiti: Hope Turns to Ashes. World Policy Journal, 4(1), 61-69. Saye, L. (2010). The Haitian State: Something Alien. Journal of Third World Studies, 27 (2), 71-88. Verner, D., Egset, W. (2007). Social Resilience and State Fragility in Haiti. NY: Word Bank.

Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Society - Essay Example The social roots of delinquency have been analyzed using theories developed by sociologists as well as criminologists. Some of them view delinquency as function of one individual while others describe it from the macro level of societal structure (Bernard 1984). The theories that will be presented here will be applicable to analyze of crime and delinquency in society. Society has embedded many ideas promoting the success in life. It puts a large emphasis on money, power, commodities, and material goods to prove who we are and how much one has accomplished. Unfortunately we are all given the idea that success is one universal lifestyle and we should all aim to work towards it. However, only few have the means to attain these goals. In this paper I will discuss the correlation between social classes and delinquency. It is important to find the root of the delinquency in order to start eliminating it, leading to a brighter future for those in a lower-class, enabling the youth to have fa ir opportunities in society. It is a widespread opinion that youth from lower socioeconomic class is more open for delinquency and crime. Through the theories of such sociologists as Merton, Cohen, Cloward and Ohlin I will try to prove that this opinion is right. The strain theory is similar to the structural functionalism and argues that "people who commit crimes have basically the same values as everybody else.., however, the avenues for the achievement of success are greatly restricted for people in the lower class. Thus, they are faced with a cruel dilemma: either they abandon the major American values of success and prosperity or they abandon another - obedience of the law" (Leighninger 331). Theories Merton's Strain Theory Strain theory is mainly applied to juvenile delinquency among the boys of lower class and is based on the idea that the value of success they have is shared with the larger culture, but the stratified socialization makes it impossible to compete effectively. Therefore, this pressure is causing the strain and young adults are trying to resolve it. The condition of the society prevents the poor youth from attaining success and lead to defiance of socially accepted norms. Merton has stated that sometimes the society is structured in the way promoting delinquency. As Calhoun has specified "some social structures exert a definite pressure on persons in society to engage in non conforming behavior" (174). Merton was focused on American society because United States is one of the richest countries in the world but the wealth is not equally distributed. Too much emphasis is being made on financial wellbeing. Children grow up with the dreams to become a millionaire. Distress and strain resul t from this pressure - even parents say to their children that if they do not go to college they will be lower class. Criminal activity is like the struggle to preserve the self esteem. Robert Merton added to Durkheim's concept and focused on the idea of strain between aspirations and expectations in society. According to Merton anomie was the state of structural strain between the almost universal cultural goals of the "American Dream" and the much more restricted institutionalized means for achieving them (Deutchmann p.246). Merton believes deviance is a form of adaptation to the strain that exists between, "culturally prescribed aspirations and socially structured avenues for

Biology Aids Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Biology Aids - Essay Example The two major cell types in blood are white blood cells and red blood cells. Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cells which functions as the principal means to deliver oxygen from the lungs to body tissues through blood. Adult humans have roughly 2-3 1013 red blood cells at any given time (women have about 4 million to 5 million erythrocytes per cubic millimeter (microliter) of blood and men about 5 million to 6 million. On the other hand, white blood cells are components of the blood. They are manufactured in the bone marrow and are instrumental in depending the body against infectious diseases and foreign substances. White blood cells are part of the immune system. In a normal adult, There are normally between 4x109 and 11x109 white blood cells in a litre of healthy adult blood - about 7,000 to 25,000 white blood cells per drop. B-cells circulate throughout the body with antibody molecules on their surfaces. When they pick up the signal of a particular antigen, they multiply and transform into plasma cells, which are essentially minifactories with one purpose: to churn out the precise antibodies that hook onto the antigens of the interloper. T-cells, on the other hand, migrate to the thymus. ... T-cells, on the other hand, migrate to the thymus. There, with the aid of various thymic hormones, immature T-cells grow, learn to recognize and attack antigens, and develop a range of specialized activities. The thymus is the master gland of cell-mediated immunity, a veritable training school for different classes of T-cells. There are three types of T-cells: T-helper cells which orchestrate the actions of other immune cells; killer T-cells which liquidate invading microbes, viruses or cancer cells; and suppressor cells which maintains properly balanced immune responses. 4. What does MHC stand for What is it Why is it important in the context of disease-causing agents MHC stand for major histocompatibility complex which is a group of genes that code for certain proteins that are found in the surface of cells and help the immune system recognize foreign substances. MHC is an essential component of the immune response as they allow the T-cells of the immune system to recognized body cells which are invaded by infectious substances. The MHC molecules do this by presenting fragments of proteins belonging to the invader on the cell's surface. The T cell recognizes the foreign peptide attached to the MHC molecule and binds to it, stimulating the T cell to either destroy or cure the infected cell. In uninfected healthy cells the MHC molecule presents peptides from its own cell, to which T cells do not normally react. 5. Compare and contrast viruses and bacteria. Both virus and bacteria both has the capacity to bring diseases. Also, both organisms contain DNA and enzymes. Amidst these similarities, a virus is smaller

Globalization as an ingrained culture of capitalism Essay

Globalization as an ingrained culture of capitalism - Essay Example The paper tells that through years globalization has raised doubts in our minds. There has been a constant debate on the pros and cons of globalization. Many have debated this phenomenon is a result of the telecommunication boom leading to turning the world into a global village. With a growing sense of unease among many of us, the current trends in global capitalism and global society are being constantly reviewed and reiterated. It has been argued by many theorists that the characteristic aspect of the globalized economy is the market economy. However, some have maintained that it is not so much market economy but capitalism that characterizes today’s time. Trying to understand the rules that guided capitalism in earlier days will help to understand the new form of capitalism, â€Å"globalization†, today. Eighteenth-century definition of capitalism refers to an economic and social regime in which the benefits and ownership of productive assets were appropriated by the minority to the exclusion of the many. The driving force was money which was used to make more money by any means available to those who already have a great deal. Capitalism has not been concerned with the efficient allocation of resources to meet the needs of common man thus resulting in inequality and deprivation mostly. The ideal of capitalism is a borderless global economy in which money and goods can be moved freely in search of short-term maximum profits without regard to the consequence for people, communities, and nature.  

IKEA SWOT and Competitive Analysis

IKEA SWOT and Competitive Analysis (S)trengths Strength includes characteristics within the organization that adds value to the business and resulting in the ultimate success of organization. These factors are usually cited as skilled management, manufacturing facilities available and good profit product line available in business. (Finlay, 2000) IKEA has strong internationally brand name recognition. IKEAs branding attracts the major demographic customers. Business model of IKEA is unique in its construction as it has no direct competitions on like for like basis. IKEAs products offer values to customer by delivering low price and innovative products. IKEA carries degree of specialist skills and knowledge within key production areas. (Edvardsson Enquist, 2009; Lewis, 2005; Torekull Kamprad, 1999) (W)eaknesses Weaknesses address the internal factors within the business. Those factors that prevent the achievement of successful projects are mainly barriers in communication channels, insufficient resources and conflicts between departments. (Finlay, 2000) IKEA promotes the low pricing model but services to customers are not satisfactory. Retention of customer focuses that customers should be happy fully with the business services. To repeat business with the same customer base IKEA has to work out on its services that are given to customers. Practices of ecommerce have become necessary for businesses to compete with modern technological world. IKEA needs to adopt such practices for the efficiency of its business. (Ikea, 1995; Levine, 2007) (O)pportunities Opportunity factor in SWOT analysis deals with the external elements that will help the business in the completion of successful projects. Strong network of vendors, healthy relationships with suppliers and prevailing good market conditions these all add values to the project. (Finlay, 2000) Opportunity available to IKEA is growing demand for green products and growing demand for low price products by the customers. Due to liquidity crunch and high inflation demand for low price products is increasing. IKEA is moving towards the global status because of the development of Eastern and European models. (Edvardsson Enquist, 2009; Lewis, 2005; Torekull Kamprad, 1999) (T)hreats Final factor of SWOT analysis is threat. Threat represents the external factors that can threaten the success of project. Threat is the negative public image towards business, week vendor relationship, inadequate resources and unavailability of market for the final product. (Finlay, 2000) Various competitors are entering in market and offering the low cost household and furniture products and causing the threat to IKEAs business. Due to recession in economy, trend of consumers spending and disposal of income has reduced. First time buying pattern by consumers is also threat as consumers spend less when they enter in the market. (Ikea, 1995; Levine, 2007) Context and Key issues Wal-Mart is indirect competitor of IKEA. Wal-Mart runs a chain of large stores whereas IKEA deals only with the home furnishing. Wal-Mart offers extensive products and home furnishing is from one of its product lines. Wal-Mart is biggest public company while IKEA is private company. Wal-Mart has world recognized retail brands as IKEAs. IKEA has no direct competitors but Wal-Mart has to compete with the direct competitors also. IKEA focuses on the low priced product strategy which will affect Wal-Mart as more customers are moving towards IKEA for home furnishing. Wal-Mart strategy is focused on human resource management and development and IKEA strategy gives emphasize to low price products to customer. Services given to customers by IKEA are not up to the mark. Wal-Mart can grab customers form IKEA by focusing on the services and by giving values to customer. Retention of customer is possible when their desires are fulfilled along with these desires customer demands good services from the company. Those companies that are providing good customer service are becoming successful. Wal-Mart by using the information technology to assist its logistic systems can precede the IKEA. Information technology can become the core competence of Wal-Mart and by using this core competency Wal-Mart can excel IKEA. (Lewis, 2005; Maon et al., 2007; Tong Tong, 2006) IKEA can compete vigorously with Wal-Mart by fulfilling the demand of customers. Demands for greener products, demands for low priced products and demand from low carbon footprints are increasingly. IKEA by serving these demands can gain the opportunity to become successful and strong competitor of Wal-Mart in home furnishing product line. IKEA by developing the Eastern and European models can increase its market shares and Wal-Mart profitability can decline. By providing customer with low priced products IKEA can attract the customer in this economic recession period where customers are not spending their income. By offering the low priced products to the customer Wal-Mart can do extremely well with IKEA. Due to inflation and down trend in the buying pattern of customers this strategy can gain success to the company. To overcome the threat of low buying pattern of consumer Wal-Mart can take better measures than IKEA as Wal-Mart is running huge retail business than IKEA. IKEA is providing only home furnishing products. It has more skills and knowledge as it is dealing only with this product line and also IKEA is providing innovative and less price products. IKEA strengths have increased from Wal-Mart in home furnishing products because it is focusing only on this product line. (Lewis, 2005; Maon et al., 2007; Tong Tong, 2006) Conclusion IKEA and Wal-Mart differ in number of ways. For the constructive comparison market segmentation and target market for both IKEA and Wal-Mart has to be considered. Target market of IKEA is only consumers of home furnishing while Wal-Mart deals with huge target market. Influence of IKEA on Wal-Mart is less because Wal-Mart is running huge industry. Market segmentation of Wal-Mart is different from IKEA like Wal-Mart focuses on different demographic segmentation, Psychographics and life style segmentation and behavioural segmentation. Target market of IKEA is different as it is only providing products to consumers who are keen in home furnishing whereas home furnishing is only the niche of Wal-Mart. Strategies of IKEA and Wal-Mart are also dissimilar. IKEA focuses on the low priced and innovative products to customer whereas Wal-Mart focuses on the human management and development of human skills. IKEA has no direct competitors so it does not directly influence other businesses through its strengths and weaknesses. Healthy competition is always done on one to one basis. Weakness of IKEA is also that it has no direct competitor. Presence of direct competitor boosts the company performance. References Edvardsson, B. Enquist, B. 2009, Values-based service for sustainable business : lessons from IKEA, Routledge, London; New York. Finlay, P. 2000, Strategic management : an introduction to business and corporate level strategy, Financial Times Prentice Hall, Harlow. Ikea, A. S. 1995, Democratic design : a book about form, function and pricethe 3 dimensions at IKEA, IKEA, Almhult, Sweden. Levine, J. 2007, Forbes Life Billionaires Ikea, Forbes., pp. 328-. Lewis, E. 2005, Great Ikea! : a brand for all the people, Great brand stories, Cyan, London. Maon, F., Swaen, V., Lindgreen, A. University of Hull. Business, S. 2007, Corporate social responsibility at IKEA : commitment and communication, Hull University Business School, [S.l.]. Tong, C. H. Tong, L. I. 2006, Exploring the Conerstones of Walmarts Succes and Competitiveness, Competitiveness review : CR., 16 (2), pp. 143-9. Torekull, B. Kamprad, I. 1999, Leading by design : the IKEA story, HarperBusiness, New York.

The Dangers of Credit Cards :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

The Dangers of Credit Cards Credit cards are an inevitable factor in growing up. Once you turn eighteen it all starts. You receive applications in the mail daily and commercials appear on television as well. This starts to spark an interest. So you say to yourself, "I think I'm responsible enough to get a credit card, I'll only use it for emergencies." Then you apply and it may take a couple times to finally be approved for one. This only makes it worse, of course, because you realize how long you have waited and now you get to buy anything you want, after all you don't have to pay it off for a month. The year is 2001, more and more teen's own credit cards and are already establishing their credit history. This essay will prove the truth about credit cards and what it's like to be in debt. It will also show the easy ways in which commercials and credit card companies can lure you into debt. Credit cards seem to be the easy way to purchase things. If you want a pair of pants but don't have the cash, you can just charge it. In reality, credit cards are not that easy. Once you are approved for a card the company gives you a credit limit, which is proportional to your income. On the average, an eighteen year old would have about a $250 limit. Which is good because it means teenagers cannot charge past the maximum amount of money. When a credit card is maxed out it means that you have hit the highest amount of money you can spend and it won't let you spend anymore. A month later when you receive your bill, the full amount will be shown and the minimum amount owed. The minimum amount is a feature on a credit card that allows the buyer to pay only a certain small sum of the money. For example the bill is $222 and the minimum amount you can pay is $15-$25. If you choose to pay the minimum, the interest value comes in. Each time you don't pay in full, interest rates are charged onto the original bill. This is how people with credit cards run into debt.

The Main Reason for the Increase in the Divorce Rate Is Changes to Divorce Laws

According to the item the proportion of marriages ending in divorce has increased from 27,000 to almost 55,000 between 1961 and 1969. Although the changes in law might have an impact on the divorce rate of couples, I think that other factors are just as important or maybe even more important than changes to the law. The divorce reform act was introduced in 1969 and so couples were able to get a divorce without needing to prove adultery, cruelty or desertion. But to decrease the divorce rates, the government only accepted divorce requests from partners that have been living separate for at least 2 years.This law only increased the divorce rate as the item suggests that from 1969 to 1973 divorce rates doubled again. Another factor that could have an impact on change in divorce years is changes in position of women. From 1959 to 2005 the proportion of working women increased from 45% to 70%. This shows that women are now more independent due to changes in their economic position so it i s correct to say that availability of welfare benefits means women no longer have to be financially supported by their husband.Feminists rightly argue that the more independency of women creates a new source of conflict between couples, leading to more divorces. This argument is logical, because women tend to get divorced because they know that they can earn money and live independently in society. Also, Decline in stigma and changing attitudes could be causing divorce rates to increase. According to Since 1960s stigma has declined and divorce has become more socially accepted. Wilson (1966) argues that this reduction in stigma is a result of secularisation, the decline of religion in modern society. less than half of today's marriages involve religious ceremonies.He also believes that the attitudes towards the effect of divorce on children might have been shifted. In conclusion, although changes in law, decline in stigma and changing attitudes are reasons for the increase in the di vorce rate, I think that the change in position of women has the most impact on the increase of divorce rates because in the last decade women have gained many new rights in terms of the vote, employment and education, and the rise in divorce may reflect this shift in their position within society and make them less willing to accept marriages that do not fulfil their personal needs.

Life and Work of Jenny Holzer, Artist of Text-Based Truisms

Life and Work of Jenny Holzer, Artist of Text-Based Truisms Jenny Holzer is an American artist and political activist. Best known for her series of Truisms, text-based art exhibited in public spaces in the form of plainly worded statements written in bold, her work ranges in content from the neutral to the political. As both an exhibitor in public and private spaces, Holzer is keenly aware of the effects of her work on both the intentional and the casual passerby. She is inspired by reading, world events, and the contexts of her own life, though she seeks to be â€Å"out of view and out of earshot† in order to lend her work a voice of truth and trustworthiness. Fast Facts: Jenny Holzer Occupation: ArtistBorn:  July 29, 1950 in Gallipolis, OhioEducation: Duke University (no degree), University of Chicago (no degree), Ohio University (BFA), Rhode Island School of Design (MFA)Selected Works: Truisms (1977–79), Inflammatory Essays (1979–1982)Key Accomplishments: Golden Lion for Best Pavilion at the Venice Biennale (1990); member of the American Academy of Arts and LettersSpouse:  Mike Glier (m. 1983) Early Life and Education Jenny Holzer was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, where she grew up the oldest of three children. Her mother was an active participant in the community and her father was a car salesman. Holzer’s upbringing was rooted in Midwestern traditionalism, an attitude from which she believes the frankness in her art derives. â€Å"They want to get things done so they do it in the most expeditious way,† she has said of her fellow Midwesterners. â€Å"Expeditious as in fast and right.† It is perhaps for this reason that  her work is so often reproduced, as its split second appeal is derived from its keen ability to distill truths about our culture into digestible phrases. As a teenager, Holzer moved to Florida to attend Pine Crest Preparatory in Boca Raton before enrolling at Duke University for college. Holzer’s next few years were itinerant, seeing her leave Duke to enroll at the University of Chicago and then at Ohio University in Athens, where she received her BFA in Painting and Printmaking. Holzer would go on to receive her MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. She married fellow RISD student Mike Glier in 1983 and had her daughter Lili in 1988. Early Artwork Holzer did not arrive at using text as the base of her artistic career without a few detours along the way. She began her life as an artist as an abstract painter, inspired by many of the great painters of Abstract Expressionism. By her own admission, she was only a decent third generation American abstract painter, as she felt that there was a more relevant way to communicate the fast-paced media culture that was on the rise in the late 70s and early 80s. Motivated by the conviction that her work ought to include discernible content (rather than the formal content of abstraction), but feeling the genre of social realism to be increasingly of the past, Holzer began placing words in her work, often in the form of found objects such as scraps of newspaper and other clippings. It was at this point that she began placing her work in public spaces to test their effect on passers-by. The realization that art could engage people who did not intend to see it, moving them to think or even provoking them to argue, motivated her to pursue text-based work. Truisms and Inflammatory Essays In her last year as an MFA student at RISD, Holzer rethought the inclusion of words in her work by using her own. She wrote a selection of one liners which were meant to distill truths encountered almost daily in Western civilization, which she then assembled into a series of posters. Though the phrasing of these posters was original, she sought to tap into universal sentiments that would seem familiar as ideas. â€Å"I want them to be accessible,† she said, â€Å"but not so easy that you throw them away after a second or two. Among these statements are phrases like â€Å"ABUSE OF POWER COMES AS NO SURPRISE,† â€Å"PROTECT ME FROM WHAT I WANT,† and â€Å"MONEY MAKES TASTE.† The Truisms, as they are known, have been posted in various locations throughout the world and have been translated into several languages. From Holzers Survivor Series.   Getty Images Thinking the Truisms too bland, Holzer began a series of political works also printed on posters in capital letters, which she called the Inflammatory Essays. With the allotment of a paragraph per poster, Holzer was able to dive into more complex ideas and explore more controversial topics. Art, Technology, and Public Space Holzer’s work has always been intertwined with technology, and in 1992 she began using LED signs for a project commissioned by the Public Art Fund for Times Square. Enthralled by their ability to display text in motion, she continued using the signs as they lent her words a neutral authority that the posters could not, as posters carried with them the connotation of anarchist protests. Since 1996, Holzer has worked with light based projections as installations, using the facades of monumental buildings as the canvas onto which she projects scrolling text. Holzer’s use of the institution as the base upon which her work rests has been the inspiration for numerous political protests since Holzer developed the method. Though Holzer’s work is largely concerned with text, its visual expression is a key element of her work. From the deliberate eye catching colors of the Inflammatory Essays laid out in grids to the speed and font of her scrolling texts, Holzer is a visual artist who has found her voice in words, an artistic medium she found best expressed her views on the culture of media in which she came of age. The material of these signs- whether they be LED lights of the carved stone of her Sarcophagi series- is equally as important as their verbal content. Jenny Holzers light projections on the faà §ade of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.   Getty Images Holzer’s work centers around text and its placement in public spaces. Using billboards, jumbotrons, lighted signs, and walls, Holzer uses city streets and areas of public interaction as her canvas. She is interested in the ability of public art to provoke a reaction and perhaps start a conversation. Not all Holzer’s work is staged outdoors, and when she does exhibit in gallery spaces, she is equally deliberate with their curation as she is when planning work publicly. As she is conscious of the museum goers slowed pace, she takes the opportunity to construct more complex interactions among her works, often juxtaposing different mediums. Reception and Legacy Holzer’s work has been presented in countless exhibitions and retrospectives across the world. She has won numerous prizes, including the Golden Lion for Best Pavilion at the 1990 Venice Biennale (where she represented the United States), and has been honored by the French Government with a diploma of Chevalier from the Order of Arts and Letters. In 2018, she was selected as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, one of 250 living members. Sources Art 21 (2009). Jenny Holzer: Writing Difficulty. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vCxrxnPLmqEsKort, C. and Sonneborn, L. (2002).  A to Z of American Women in the Visual Arts. New York: Facts on File, Inc. 98-100.Waldman, D. Jenny Holzer. (1989). New York: The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation in association with Henry N. Abrams.Tate (2018). Jenny Holzers Inflammatory Essays: Why I Love. [video] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?vONIUXi84YCc

Crystal Eastman, Feminist, Civil Libertarian, Pacifist

Crystal Eastman, Feminist, Civil Libertarian, Pacifist Crystal Eastman (June 25, 1881–July 8, 1928) was a lawyer and writer who was involved in socialism, the peace movement, women’s issues, and civil liberties. Her popular essay,  Now We Can Begin: What’s Next?: Beyond Woman Suffrage addressed what women needed to do after winning suffrage, to take advantage of the vote. She was also a co-founder of the American Civil Liberties Union. Fast Facts: Crystal Eastman Known For: Lawyer, writer, and organizer who was involved in socialism, the peace movement, women’s issues, civil liberties. Co-founder of the American Civil Liberties UnionAlso Known As: Crystal Catherine EastmanBorn: June 25, 1881 in Marlborough, MassachusettsParents: Samuel Elijah Eastman, Annis Bertha FordDied: July 8, 1928Education: Vassar College  (Master of Arts in sociology, 1903), Columbia University  (1904), New York University Law School (J.D., 1907)Published Works: The Liberator (socialist newspaper established by Eastman and her brother Max),  Now We Can Begin: What’s Next?: Beyond Woman Suffrage (influential feminist essay)Awards and Honors: National Womens Hall of Fame (2000)Spouse(s): Wallace Benedict (m. 1911–1916), Walter Fuller (m. 1916–1927)Children: Jeffrey Fuller, Annis FullerNotable Quote: I am not interested in women just because theyre women. I am interested, however, in seeing that they are no longer classed with children an d minors. Early Life and Education Crystal Eastman was born in 1881 in Marlboro, Massachusetts, the daughter of two progressive parents. Her mother, as an ordained minister, had fought against restrictions on women’s roles.  Eastman attended  Vassar College, then Columbia University, and finally law school at New York University.  She graduated second in her law school class. Workers’ Compensation During her last year of education, she became involved in the circle of social reformers in Greenwich Village. She lived with her brother Max Eastman and other radicals. She was a part of the  Heterodoxy Club. Just out of college, she investigated workplace accidents, funded by the Russel Sage Foundation, and published her findings in 1910.  Her work led her to an appointment by the New York governor to the Employers’ Liability Commission, where she was the only female commissioner. She helped shape recommendations based on her workplace investigations, and in 1910, the legislature in New York adopted the first workers’ compensation program in America. Suffrage Eastman married Wallace Benedict in 1911. Her husband was an insurance agent in Milwaukee, and they moved to Wisconsin after getting married. There, she became involved in the campaign of 1911 to win a state woman’s suffrage amendment, which failed. By 1913, she and her husband were separated. From 1913 to 1914, Eastman served as an attorney, working for the federal Commission on Industrial Relations. The failure of the Wisconsin campaign led Eastman to the conclusion that work would be better focused on a national suffrage amendment. She joined  Alice Paul  and  Lucy Burns  in urging the  National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA)  to change tactics and focus, helping to begin the Congressional Committee within the NAWSA in 1913. Finding the NAWSA would not change, later that year the organization separated from its parent and became the  Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage, evolving into the National Woman’s Party in 1916.  She lectured and traveled to promote women’s suffrage. In 1920, when the suffrage movement won the vote, she published her essay, â€Å"Now We Can Begin.†Ã‚  The premise of the essay was that the vote was not the end of a struggle, but the beginning- a tool for women to become involved in political decision-making and address the many remaining feminist issues to promote women’s freedom. Eastman, Alice Paul, and several others wrote a proposed federal  Equal Rights Amendment  to work for further equality for women beyond the vote.  The ERA did not pass Congress until 1972, and not enough states ratified it by the deadline established by Congress. Peace Movement In 1914, Eastman also became involved in working for peace. She was among the founders of the Woman’s Peace Party, with Carrie Chapman Catt, and helped recruit  Jane Addams  to become involved. She and Jane Addams differed on many topics; Addams denounced the â€Å"casual sex† common in the younger Eastman’s circle. In 1914, Eastman became the executive secretary of the American Union Against Militarism (AUAM), whose members came to include even Woodrow Wilson. Eastman and brother Max published  The Masses, a socialist journal that was explicitly anti-militarist. By 1916, Eastman’s marriage formally ended with a divorce. She refused any alimony, on feminist grounds. She remarried the same year, this time to British antimilitarism activist and journalist Walter Fuller. They had two children and often worked together in their activism. When the United States entered the First World War, Eastman responded to the institution of the draft and of laws prohibiting criticism of the war by joining with Roger Baldwin and Norman Thomas to found a group within AUAM. The Civil Liberties Bureau that they initiated defended the right to be conscientious objectors to serving in the military, and also defended civil liberties including free speech. The Bureau evolved into the American Civil Liberties Union. The end of the war also marked the beginning of ​a separation from Eastman’s husband, who left to go back to London to find work. She occasionally traveled to London to visit him, and eventually established a home there for herself and her children, maintaining that â€Å"marriage under two roofs makes room for moods.† Death and Legacy Walter Fuller died after a stroke in 1927, and Eastman returned to New York with her children. She died the next year of nephritis. Friends took over the raising of her two children. Eastman and her brother Max published a socialist journal from 1917 to 1922 called the  Liberator, which had a circulation of 60,000 at its peak.  Her reform work, including her involvement with socialism, led to her blacklisting during the 1919–1920 Red Scare. During her career, she published many articles on the topics of interest to her, especially on social reform, women’s issues, and peace. After she was blacklisted, she found paying work primarily around feminist issues. In 2000, Eastman was inducted into the National Womens Hall of Fame for co-founding the ACLU as well as work on social issues, civil liberties, and womans suffrage. Sources Cott, Nancy F., and Elizabeth H. Pleck.  A Heritage of Her Own: Toward a New Social History of American Women. Simon and Schuster, 1979â€Å"Crystal Eastman.†Ã‚  American Civil Liberties Union.â€Å"Eastman, Crystal.†Ã‚  National Womens Hall of Fame.

Should Social Security Be Required or voluntary Essay

Should Social Security Be Required or voluntary - Essay Example Social security is an entitlement program whereby the Congress can make changes to the benefits and eligibility of workers thus workers paying in to the social security system do not necessarily have right to receive any guaranteed benefits at the end of retirement3. Currently, billions of US dollars are spend in financing the programs through deductions on payrolls of employees and government expenditure. The social security programs also cover the unemployed and those incapable of getting employment due to disability and other disadvantages. There is an intense debate on whether social security should be a required or voluntary due to the mandatory payroll deductions and the high government tax revenues that are spend in financing the programs4. Social security is a major political issue that has attracted strong opinions across the US demographic segments. Proponents of social security maintain that it should be required while opponents of the system assert that it should be volun tary5. The debate of social security is centered on various major philosophical arguments such as the right of ownership and choice of private investment alternatives that will guarantee personal retirement income. In addition, another controversial argument that surrounds the social security is the right of the government to collect payroll taxes and finances social security and importance of wealth redistribution in the society. Accordingly, intergenerational rights such as right of those living today and the ability to impose financial burden to future generations is also a topic of intense debate in determining whether it should be required or voluntary6. Some people argue that social security is a charitable safety net while others hold that it is an earned benefit program. The other controversial debate attached to the topic is the trade-off between private wealth creation and social insurance. Thesis statement: social security should be voluntary. Opponents of social security assert that it should be voluntary since Americans will not be capable of sustaining the needs of the social security system in the future and the growing middle class should have the freedom to invest for their retirement7. Middle-income individuals pay a high proportion of their income to the program in order to secure their retirement thus hindering any opportunities for making personal viable savings and investments. Since the social security systems does not create any meaningful wealth, the benefits that individuals get after retirement are just financed by the current tax payers thus making the social security system unsustainable8. For instance, Medicare and social security accounted for 38 percent of the federal spending in 2012 fiscal year and estimates point out that the current federal spending on the programs will exceed the federal GDP growth by 2030. Accordingly, the US is currently experiencing low employment rate and increasingly aging population, thus the projecte d collections from employment will be less than the high spending that will be caused by the high number of aged individual. Accounting to the 2013 edition of the annual trustee’s reports of Medicare and Social security, the reports indicate that the trust funds must be abolished. The report indicates that 2012 Medicare benefits and social securi

Changing the Legal Drinking Age in Michigan Essay

Changing the Legal Drinking Age in Michigan - Essay Example As defined by Cambridge International Dictionary, alcohol is an item for consumption produced when manufacturing wine, beer and liquor. People who drink these products tend to have behavioral change causing them to do inappropriate acts. Â  Alcohol contains substances that can affect a human body especially its way of thinking and act on things. It is said that people under the influence of alcohol became fearless in saying their feelings toward another person; they also tend to be bold on doing things. They think that when they take alcohol it makes them better and boosts their self-esteem. Â  Legal age as defined by the dictionary is the right age wherein an individual enters adulthood wherein lawful rights and responsibilities should be followed. The legal drinking age in Michigan - a state in the East North Central United States that consist two peninsulas separated by water was 21 years old. Â  In this research, a variety of facts and opinions will be discussed so as to oppose the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) also known as the Uniform Drinking Age Act of 1984 wherein the MLDA will be 21 years of age. On the other hand, certain facts will also be given to support the 21 years of age as the legal drinking age. The research was done to present both sides of the issue regarding on changing the legal drinking age; considering 18 years of age as the legal age. ... Â  A person who reached his/her legal age is therefore according to the law allowed to vote, to have a license and to apply for a job. Â  Undeniably, age is one of the many factors to be considered in selling alcoholic beverages but to look into a larger picture, 21 years of age is old and mature enough to be responsible in his/her action/s. The law says a citizen can vote at the age of 18 because maybe they believe that this age, teenagers are responsible enough to know the laws and policies of the country and yet they are not allowed to drink. If we are to compare voting and drinking, I personally think that voting requires more knowledge and maturity compared to drinking. Another fact is that manufacturers of these products did not lack anything to their consumers for they have warning/s on their advertisements like the famous tagline of beer, "Drink Moderately." Â  According to an article, on an Amethyst Initiative - an effort done by McCardell wherein a number of college presidents were called, college presidents signed a statement saying, "Twenty-One is Not Working." In lieu with the statement here are the reasons supporting the statement (1) a society of risky, clandestine binge-drinking has been made and is usually done outside the campus (2) there was no positive behavioral change with the students.