Global Prospective Final Memo Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Global Prospective Final Memo - Assignment Example The Holocaust in this specific example is one which now is reminiscent of needing to change security levels that are noted worldwide by using different types of security. Performing this will change circumstances by building safer countries and leveraging wars. Enhanced security will: By creating a security council with checks and balances, there will be the ability to stop war like situations and affairs which lead to inhumanitarian acts. The concept which is provided will allow situations such as the Holocaust to never get to the point of violent and inhumanitarian acts while providing new approaches to overcoming political opposition between the people and government. India is known as one of the dominant places for human trafficking of children. There are hundreds to thousands of children that are kidnapped each year and sent to placement agencies. These agencies sell the children for labor or for brothels. The kidnappings range from taking children when a disaster strikes or forcing them into a bogus marriage then selling them to brothels. Currently, the only way to get the children back is through dangerous raids that stop the children from being kidnapped from their own homes and into the black market. However, this can change if the ideologies of thousands begin to change and promote the issue of trafficking and how it needs to stop. With the use of social entrepreneurs, there is the ability to begin transforming the problems that are currently in society. The issues with inhumanitarian issues, such as forced child labor and women who live in brothels, continue to remain a main problem in India. By using social networks and various instruments there is the ability to bring more awareness to this inhumanitarian issue while providing continuous support to organizations such as Save the

Models for Change Business Process Reengineering Essay Example for Free

Models for Change Business Process Reengineering Essay Assess Business Strategy Like many other approaches, BPR claims to align organisation change (and IT development) with business strategy. This is important because BPR concentrates of improving processes which are of primary strategic importance. The assumption is that strategy is already determined, and that it is externally focussed, dealing with customers, products, suppliers and markets. BPR is quite distinct from strategic planning. Select Processes Here we choose those processes on which we will concentrate our reengineering effort. This choice involves a number of steps. Identify Major Processes A process as a structured,measured set of activities designed to produce a specified output for a particular customer or market, process is an interrelated series of activities that convert business inputs into business outputs (by changing the state of relevant business entities). Determine Process Boundaries This is easy to say and hard to do. Some processes, such as product manufacture, are fairly obvious, though there may be doubt whether to include activities such as materials procurement within this process. Sometimes the boundaries between processes which follow one another (eg marketing and sales, delivery and installation) are hard to agree. Processes which involve more than one company can also cause boundary problems. Assess Strategic Relevance Usually reengineering will concentrate on a small number of processes. This may seem suboptimal, but provided the processes chosen are complete (not parts of processes) and the reengineering is thorough, a flow-on effect will probably mean that unsatisfactory neighbouring processes will soon become candidates for redesign. So we should begin with those processes which are most critical to the organisations strategy. At UTS, for instance, the major strategy might be to obtain more money from industry. Processes directly contributing to this strategy would be good candidates for reengineering. Qualify Culture and Politics This step (which is even less quantifiable than the others) assesses the culture and politics of the organisational units performing activities within the process, and how these units are viewed in wider organisational politics and culture. Processes in a medical school, for instance, may be harder to reengineer than those in a business school, both because the medical school places a high value on its independence and because it is highly regarded by the rest of the university (or even society). Since successful reengineering ultimately depends on the cooperation of those performing the process, it is better to deal with processes where the culture and politics are favourable. Creating a Process Vision Creating a strong and sustained linkage between strategy and the way work is done is an enduring challenge in complex organizations. Because business processes define how work is done, we are dealing with the relationship between strategy and processes.In BPR, as in all design work, creating the vision is the crucial stage; and it is also the least structured. In assessing strategy and selecting processes we were trying to understand things which (in theory) already exist. Similarly when we come to assess existing processes and resources. For design and implementation we may be helped by guidelines, methodologies and examples of similar systems. But in creating a vision we are more or less on our own. There are a number of techniques, which are known to help in the creative process. When working on process visions it is also helpful to consider in which areas of the business we wish to redesign processes. Davenport deals with two aspects of vision creation: the search for a vision an d vision characteristics. Vision search Process visons must be related to strategy, so we may look to the organisations strategy for inspiration. This assumes that the strategy is sufficiently specific to give a sense of direction (eg improve quality of service to regular customers rather than improve quality). Thinking about strategy also keeps the vision search at the right level broad but specific. Because much BPR work supports a customer focused strategy, it is important to have customer input to the vision. More generally, the customer is the one receiving the business output, and this includes internal customers; it is important that we know the output is right before we start working out how to produce it. Benchmarking, in the context of creating a project, means seeing how other people do it. This is related to the idea of adopting best practice, though if we want competitive advantage we may have to do better than best; nevertheless, it is good to find out what is best so far. We are looking for ideas, not imitating, so we may look for benchmarks in quite different types of organisation; in fact this may be easier, since our direct competitors may not wish to reveal their best practice to us. Vision objectives and attributes Process visions, like strategies, should be easy to communicate to the organization, no threatening to those who must implement (or who are affected by) them, and as inspirational as measurable targets can be. [Davenport,p119] The process vision shows what we want our new process to do and to a very limited extent how it will do it. These are respectively the process objectives and attributes. The objectives should have a customer or business focus they must truly be concerned with outcome. They must according to all the experts be measurable we must be able to tell how we have done. And they should be simple and non-contradicty we dont want a long list of competing objectives, nor objectives whose measures are only comprehensible to a mathematician, economist or accountant. Typical objectives would be reduce delivery time by 50% or double the number of potential customers contacted per month. The attributes indicate how we intend to achieve the objectives, perhaps in terms of technology or general principles. It is somewhat unusual to develop objectives and means simultaneously but since BPR is aiming for radical objectives it is necessary to have some indication of how they will be achieved before management will be prepared to commit to the design phase. Notice that it is important at this stage to consider a variety of means before the vision is finalised. Adding attributes to our objectives might give reduce delivery time by 50% by outsourcing delivery services or use to internet to double the number of potential customers contacted per month without increasing staff. Davenport points out that radical change will only be achieved by setting ambitious objectives creativity must be encouraged by setting impossible goals. Understand and Improve Existing Processes Some proponents of BPR advocate starting with a clean slate but most (including Davenport) recommend that we spend time studying existing processes. There are a number of reasons for this: †¢People in the organisations (and customers) will use language based on the existing processes. We need to use this language to explain our proposals. †¢When implementing the new processes we will have to plan change from the current situation the existing processes. †¢The existing processes may be causing problems which we could easily repeat if we do not understand them. Existing processes may also contain activities for avoiding problems which we might not anticipate. †¢The existing processes are the base from which we measure improvement. Studying the existing processes includes the following activities: †¢The current process flow is described using any suitable diagramming method. Such a method should indicate the sequence of activities, trigger events, time taken for each activity and any buffering delays. †¢The current process is evaluated against the new objectives and assessed for conformance to the new attributes. †¢Problems with the current process are identified. It is important to remember that reengneering is not meant simply to rationalize existing processes. †¢Short term improvements to the current processes are proposed. It is not advisable to postpone simple improvements until complete reengineering is done. Assess Social and Technical Resources In this step we judge whether we have the resources available to proceed with the project. Social resources refer to the organisation and the people in it. Is the organisation used to change? Are there key supporters of BPR? Does the organisation have a tradition of team work and open discussion? Is there an atmosphere of trust? What skills are available? Are people willing to learn? If social resources appear to be inadequate, they will need to be developed before or during the reengineering project. The same applies to technical resources, though these are easier to judge. Is appropriate technology available to support the new processes? This means hardware, software and skilled people. Limitations particularly occur with network infrastructure. Again, missing capabilities will have to be developed, although in this case (unlike social resources) outsourcing is a possibility. Design and Implement New Processes Design and implementation of the new processes can use any suitable methodology, but a number of points need to be remembered. †¢Since BPR is performance oriented the methodology must be able to predict performance during design. †¢BPR projects are meant to be done quickly the methodology should support this. †¢Stakeholders (both customers and those who will be operating the process) must be involved. †¢We are looking for radical design as well as radical vision so there will be more brainstorming. †¢For any design proposal we must be able to assess feasibility, risk and benefit. †¢It would be difficult to achieve the previous objectives unless the methodology was strongly based on prototyping. 5 stages of reengineering: †¢preparation †¢identification †¢vision †¢design technical, social †¢transformation These stages are very similar to Davenports, although they go into more detail about process modelling. Manganelli pays more attention to improving existing processes and his methodology has more emphasis on entities rather than processes ie it has more of a data base flavour. Davenport (1993) notes that Quality management, often referred to as total quality management (TQM) or continuous improvement, refers to programs and initiatives that emphasize incremental improvement in work processes and outputs over an open-ended period of time. In contrast, Reengineering, also known as business process redesign or process innovation, refers to discrete initiatives that are intended to achieve radically redesigned and improved work processes in a bounded time frame. Contrast between the two is provided by Davenport (1993):

Effects of Imperialism on Society Essay -- Politics, Power, Authority,

As the 21st century begins, the economic infrastructure of the Globe continues to feel the lasting affects of Imperialism in the 20th century and beyond. During the previous century there were two key characters, Germany and the United States, who both played a vital role in producing the economic setting we have today. The use of Imperialist policies in Germany, specifically leading up to and during the Nazi regime, and the United states, specifically in the Post-WWII era, would dictate much of how our present economic system would function. In previous centuries, these flawed policies of imperialism offered a tactless criterion which industrializing nations were to use if at all interested in accumulating wealth or having access to the Global market. These policies called for the domination and exploitation of other nations thereby contributing to the formation of the list of nations we refer to today as the â€Å"the Third World†. Although colonialism and most forms of imp erialism have formally been eradicated since the 1950s, the affects can clearly be seen lingering within International markets and the Global structure. A thorough understanding of imperialism and its effects on todays societies must be preceded by a firm understanding of its definition and familiarity with its history. As with almost any -ism it is very difficult to clearly define exactly what imperialism is, but the Merriam-Webster Dictionary broadly defines it as being: the extension or imposition of power, authority, or influence. It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when imperialism was first implemented, but again this is simply because of the diversity of definitions among opposing groups. Despite its shiftiness, there is a generally understood answer to ... ... the world and as a result have left billions below the poverty line. The unfortunate thing is that the imperialist ideology does less for the working class and more for the capitalist class which is considered to be the â€Å"governor of the imperial engine†. In reality it simply does not make sense for the nation but makes total sense for the financial interest of the minority (Magdoff 34). Imperialist policy has lingered in our society with nation being subjugate to other nations through the economy and politics lean up. But emancipation is possible through questions and democracy, as Alexis de Tocqueville once said â€Å" vigilance is the price of liberty, independent and vigorous criticism is the only safeguard of our liberties† (Winslow 460). It is said that to be a super power, one must remain imperialistic but for the sake of we should try to find other alternatives.

Symbolism of the Forest in the Scarlet Letter

Symbolism of the Forest in The Scarlet Letter In The House of Seven Gables, Nathaniel Hawthorne once wrote, â€Å"For what other dungeon is so dark as one’s own heart! What jailer so inexorable as one’s self! † Hawthorne asserts that every individual becomes a hostage of his or her own heart. This idea is displayed throughout The Scarlet Letter to portray how Puritans lived under the constant repression of the Puritan society. Puritan society lived by laws that allowed no means of freedom or happiness and kept their citizens under a strict moral law code.The Puritan civilization imprisons members of society to the point where they are crying out for freedom. Therefore, hostages of his or her own heart embark on a journey to free themselves. This is displayed continuously in The Scarlet Letter through its use of the forest. In the novel the forest consists of multiple meanings. It serves as another world apart from the Puritan society, and it provides a haven in w hich people break free from the social order.Throughout The Scarlet Letter, Nathaniel Hawthorne presents the forest as a symbolic figure to exemplify free will, bring forth the natural personalities of the characters, and to represent a dark civilization within the Puritan society. First, the forest is a symbol to epitomize free will in The Scarlet Letter by presenting the forest as a safe haven with no rules or individuals who scrutinize every action being made. Thus, the townspeople approach the forest to reign free with their desires and longings.For example, Hester longs to meet Dimmesdale and determines that the forest is the safest place as she is allowed to meet with him without the town knowing. As Hester and Dimmesdale greet each other, â€Å"†¦it was like the first encounter, in the world beyond the grave, of two spirits who had been intimately connected in their former life, but now stood coldly†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hawthorne 198). For the first time in seven years they a re able to meet with each other in private without needing to worry about being caught. Surrounded by the twilight in the forest, Hester and Dimmesdale slowly start to open up to each other.They freely begin to talk about starting a new life with each other as a family, and Hester slowly starts to become blissful. Hawthorne’s purpose here is to display how the forest functions as a world of happiness and love, and so the forest’s role is to create a free world without any fear. The forest allows these two young lovers to freely reunite and be happy together. Where else, the rest of the novel surrounds itself in an aura of gloominess, this one scene in the novel permits Hester and Dimmesdale to be filled with love and joy.Also, during her conversation with Dimmesdale, Hester impulsively takes off the â€Å"A† upon her chest. It is the first and only time in the novel where Hester allows herself the freedom to remove the badge of shame. She â€Å"†¦heaved a long, deep sigh, in which the burden of shame and anguish departed from her spirit, oh exquisite relief! She had not known the weight, until she felt freedom! † (Hawthorne 211). The forest lets Hester choose whether she agrees with the Puritan society or if she is against it.Her action of taking the â€Å"A† off represents her choice in breaking apart from the Puritan civilization. The Puritans view the â€Å"A† as a symbol that represents what they deem to be right, and when Hester takes it off her chest she is breaking free from what society thinks about her. Hester’s courage to meet with Dimmesdale and the removal of the â€Å"A† represents how the forest exemplifies free will. Secondly, the forest also manages to bring out the natural personalities of the characters.One of the characters Hawthorne uses to demonstrate this is Pearl. To Pearl, the forest is her best friend, a place where she is truly accepted. Hawthorne states, â€Å"The truth se ems to be, however, that the mother-forest, and these wild things which it nourished, all recognized a kindred wildness in the human child† (Hawthorne 213). In the forest, Pearl can be as bright and joyful as she wishes because the forest acknowledges her for who she is- a moody, curious, care-free, innocent, and intuitive child who also happens to be a social outcast.The forest also brings out her personality because of her connection with nature. Pearl is the romantic character in the novel due to her personality traits. She enjoys life and is constantly curious about the unexplainable, such as the identity of her father and the â€Å"A† on her mother’s chest. In the forest, she is accepted as a friend by all the animals, and the light constantly chases her wherever she goes. The light represents truth and purity. It constantly surrounds Pearl because she is an innocent and also a child who had no doing in the in her parents committed. A second character who br ings forth their inner traits in the forest is Hester. Hawthorne uses the forest to give life to Hester and permits Hester to be herself again. She is first introduced as a beautiful, compassionate, and honest woman, but as the situation with the â€Å"A† becomes more grave Hester slowly starts to lose the characteristics she once possessed. After seven years of suffering humiliation and punishment, Hester covers her hair under a cap and her beauty and warmth are now hidden beneath the â€Å"A† on her chest.However upon her secret rendezvous with the reverend, Hester takes off the cap on her head and all at once the air about her gradually starts to change. She becomes the person she once was, and her â€Å"†¦ sex, her youth, her whole richness of her beauty, came back from what men call the irrevocable past, and clustered themselves, with her maiden hope, and a happiness before unknown, within the magic circle of this hour† (Hawthorne 212). She regains her sexuality, and not only does she become the person she was seven years ago, but symbolically, she removes the strict moral code of the Puritan society.Even though it is for a short period of time, the forest gives her the audacity to be herself again. The last character who brings forth their natural personality in the novel is Dimmesdale. He starts to regain himself in the forest upon his meeting with Hester, and for the first time in the novel, Dimmesdale is happy and optimistic. Just as Hester and Dimmesdale are conversing about their escape to restart their lives with Pearl, Dimmesdale begins to believe in happy endings and his concern for what society desires dissolves for a moment in the woods.The forest, in the end, brings out the natural individuality of the characters of Pearl, Hester, and Dimmesdale. Finally, the forest serves as a symbol to represent a dark civilization on the outskirts of the Puritan society. Hawthorne does this by presenting the readers with the story of the Black Man in the forest. All throughout the novel, the Black Man of the forest is mentioned at various points. The story of the Black Man represents a sense of superstition and true temptation in the novel.Pearl states that the Black Man is an interesting figure who â€Å"†¦haunts this forest, and carries a book with him- a big, heavy book, with iron claps; and how the ugly Black Man offers his book and an iron pen to everybody that meets him here among the trees†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hawthorne 193). Symbolically, the Black Man represents the devil and writing one’s name in his book indicates submission to the devil and succumbing to sin. Hawthorne uses this story to display a darker world in the Puritan society and how certain characters are playing the devil’s advocate.It presents how another world filled with evil spirits and sin lies inside the Puritan society. Another example to signify the symbolism of the forest as a dark world inside the Puritan society i s with the character of Mistress Hibbins. She is known as the sister of Governor Bellingham and as the town witch. After Hester’s meeting with the Governor, Mistress Hibbins approaches Hester and inquires if she would like to join her in the forest at night. She asks, â€Å"Wilt thou go with us tonight?There will be a merry company in the forest; and I wellnigh promised the Black man that comely Hester Prynne should make come† (Hawthorne 12). This question illustrates the wickedness and secrecy of the forest. Mistress Hibbins clearly indicates the forest as the meeting place because there are no ears to listen to them chant their magic spells and nor are there eyes in the forest to scrutinize their actions. Hawthorne uses this scene to hint that there are supernatural qualities among individuals and the town.The forest demonstrates how it symbolizes the darkness within the Puritan society by using the Black Man of the forest and Mistress Hibbins. In the end, the signif icance of the forest in The Scarlet Letter is immense. The forest represents freedom and darkness hidden inside the Puritan society. It also allows the characters to become themselves again. As Hawthorne said in The House of Seven Gables, humans are the prisoners of his or her own heart and they seek escape from it. In The Scarlet Letter, the forest was the one place where any individual was allowed the opportunity to escape.

Early encounters between American Indians and European colonists led to a variety of relationships among the different cultures Essay

Topic: Early encounters between American Indians and European colonists led to a variety of relationships among the different cultures. Analyze how actions taken by BOTH American Indians and European colonists shaped those relationships in each of the following regions: New England, the Chesapeake, the Spanish Southwest, and New York and New France. Thesis: Actions such as Bacon’s Rebellion, the Powhatan Wars, King Phillip’s War, the Encomienda, the New England Confederation, and the Fur Trade, Dutch and French. New England: King Phillip’s War is the first supporting idea. * The New England Confederation put to the test during war with Indian chieftain King Phillip (Metacom)—Wampanoag Chief son of Massasoit. The impact of the war led to Native Americans effectively removed from MB, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. The Chesapeake: Bacon’s Rebellion and the Anglo-Powhatan Wars are the second supporting idea. * Nathaniel Bacon, an aristocrat in western Virginia and member of House of Burgesses began mobilizing a militia to protect whites from Indians. Bacon’s rebels opposed to aristocrats and Indians. The Powhatan Wars were three wars fought between Virginians, and the Powhatan in the early 17th c. War resulted in a boundary being defined between the Indians and English. The Spanish Southwest, New York and New France: the Encomienda (S.W.), the New England Confederation and the Fur Trade Dutch/French (N.Y. &N.F.) is the third supporting idea. * Amerindians forced to do unpaid labor to build roads, buildings, and other infrastructure in towns through the Encomienda System (S.W.) * The N.E. Confederation made specifically for collective security against the Indians (N.Y) * The Beaver Fur Trade led to exploration of much of N.A. coureurs de bois: fur traders (N.F.) FRQ #2 Topic: Analyze the extent to which democratic ideals existed in colonial America prior to the American Revolution. Use relevant information between the years 1607 and 1763. Thesis: Democratic ideals existed in colonial America prior to the American Revolution to a larger extent with events such as the 1619 Formation of the Virginia House of Burgesses, the 1643 NE Confederation, the 1754 Albany Plan for Union, the 1713-1763 â€Å"Salutary Neglect†, and the 1740’s Great Awakening. The 1619 Formation of the Virginia House of Burgesses is the first supporting idea. * First representative  assembly in America; beginning of representative government. The House of Burgesses enacted legislation for the colony of Virginia. * Legislation passed by the House of Burgesses was subject to veto by the Governor, council and the directors in London. The 1643 New England Confederation is the second supporting idea. * Connecticut, New Haven, Plymouth, and Massachusetts formed an organization for collective security against Indian attacks. This was an important step in creating more unity among New England Colonies The 1754 Albany Plan for Union is the third supporting idea. * Proposed by Benjamin Franklin, this plan would have created an inter-colonial congress. It was rejected by Britain for giving too much control to the colonies. It was also rejected by the colonies who feared oppressive colonial congress. The 1713-1663 â€Å"Salutary Neglect† is the fourth supporting idea. * G.A.: Americans enjoyed much choice regarding religious groups. Churches increasingly had to cater to the needs of their parishioners. This was an important step towards democracy. FRQ #3 Topic: To what extent did economic, geographic, and social factors encourage the growth of slavery as an important part of the economy of the southern colonies between 1607 and 1775? Thesis: Economic, geographic, and social factors all contributed to the rise of importance for slaves in the S. colonies as their position in American society changed from 1607 and 1775. Economic Factors Encouraging the growth of Slavery is the first supporting idea. * Tobacco as brought by John Rolfe saved the colony of Jamestown. Tobacco was starting as a cash crop and with Europe’s desire for tobacco. Plantations were being brought out and required vast chunks of land on which to cultivate the tobacco. * Africans were better suited with their immunity to disease and their ability to work. Africans however were very expensive, but they were servants for life and with regulation laws, slavery in the south was important. Geographic Factors Encouraging the growth of Slavery is the second supporting idea. * Rivers and hot weather was the backbone of the South. The south was able to plant different crops than the north. The south cultivated its most important crops, tobacco and rice. The Carolinas were best known for their rice cultivation. Here in the Carolinas, Africans were used to growing rice. Social Factors Encouraging the growth of Slavery is the third supporting idea. * The ownership of slaves became an important sign of wealth and status in the social hierarchy of the south. The more slaves and the bigger plantation someone owned, the higher up they were. Everyone who was white was automatically above blacks, as they were seen as mediocre and incapable of academic success and learning. FRQ #4 Topic: Compare the ways in which religion shaped the development of colonial society (to 1740) in each of the following regions: New England, Chesapeake, and Middle Atlantic. Thesis: During the development of Colonial America, the New England region was affected socially, politically, and economically, whereas in the Chesapeake bay it was mostly men who came over to explore the new world in search of gold however, religion in the Middle Atlantic was not as much of a necessity therefore had less of an overall effect on society. Religion shaping colonial society in New England is the first supporting idea. * The New England region settlers were escaping England’s unification of religion and government. During the mid 1600’s approximately 20,000 colonists settled in the New England region. This religious driven movement was called, the Great Migration. * The Puritans were a hard working, god-fearing people. New Englanders established small farms, on which they raised corn and wheat, sheep, beef cattle, vegetables, and dairy cattle. Religion shaping colonial society in the Chesapeake is the second supporting idea. * The Chesapeake colonies did not focus much on religion because it was mostly populated by business men trying to make a living in the New World. There were also more Atheists in the Chesapeake because of the low life expectancy causing people to not believe in God as a savior. Religion shaping colonial society in the Middle Atlantic is the third supporting idea. * Founded on the idea of a safe haven for all sorts of religions, particularly Pennsylvania. In the New Netherlands (later renamed New York in 1664) Ethnic and religious differences prevented a development of a strong sense of community in the 1620’s-1640’s * Dutch West India Company more interested in profits than keeping order, so New Netherlands was founded for economic purposes and its origins in trade explain its diversity, including Dutch, German, French, English, Swedish, Portuguese, African, Calvinist, Lutheran, Quaker, Catholic, Jew, Muslim. FRQ #5 Topic: To what extent did the three regions of colonial America develop separate societies in the years prior to the American Revolution? Thesis: Though there were many similarities in the development of the New England, Middle and Southern Colonies, they were very different: politically, socially, and economically. The New England Colonies is the first supporting idea. * The New England colonies were a Theocracy, which means the government was run basically by the church. * The New England Colonies supported each other to create a one-class system: middle class. * Although some New England farmers exported grain and livestock, many could barely feed themselves and their families because the poor soil made farming difficult. * New Englanders therefore turned to alternative occupations, trading with the West Indies and developing fishing, small manufacturing, and shipbuilding The Middle Colonies is the second supporting idea. * The Middle Colonies had their government and church separated. * Had a two-class system which consisted of upper class landowners and middle class professionals living in large cities. * Economy: grains, livestock, ship building, shipping. The Southern Colonies is the third supporting idea. * Had the least autonomy since they were an Oligarchy. This meant that the wealthy plantation owners controlled the government because they were the only people who could manage to pay for all their own expenses. * Had a strict three class system: upper class wealthy plantation owners, middle class small plantation owners, lower class poor whites and a population of Blacks which were not considered a class at all. * Their economy was shaped around the growing of tobacco, rice, and the slave trade. FRQ #6 Topic: â€Å"Geography was the primary factor in shaping the development of the British colonies in North America.† Assess the validity of this statement for the 1600’s. Thesis: Geography played an important role in the making of the British colonies in North America. In some areas, the geography influenced the living and farming conditions for the better, and for some areas, for the worse. Geography in the New England is the first supporting idea. * The land on which the New England colonies were situated was rocky, heavily forested, and therefore, not suited for planting. The cold climate did not help. As a result, New England’s economy did not depend on the land as much as other colonies did. Instead of making their living by farming, New Englanders were loggers, fishers, whalers, and shipbuilders. Geography in the Middle Colonies is the second supporting idea. * The Middle colonies, however, fared off much better. The Middle colonies’ land was very fertile and very much suited for farming and planting. The climate was warm, too. So of course the Middle Colonies were nicknamed the Breadbasket Colonies: They produced the majority of the bread and wheat of all the British colonies. They also had a good amount of iron ore in their land. Geography in the Southern Colonies is the third supporting idea. * The Southern colonies’ geography was well-suited to farming, too. It was warm year round and provided a great place to produce cotton, indigo, rice, and many other crops.

Using the Present Simple for ESL Students

Using the Present Simple for ESL Students The reading-comprehension passage below focuses on the present simple tense to describe habits and daily work routines. The present simple is typically one of the first verb tenses that new English students learn. It is used to describe an action that takes place on a regular basis. The present simple also can be used to express feelings, facts, opinion, and time-based events. The passage describes the daily routine and work habits of Tim, a typical worker in a central California city. Use the passage to help students better understand what is the present simple tense and how to use it. Before Reading the Passage Prepare students before they read the passage by explaining when to use the present simple tense and how to conjugate verbs in this tense. Explain that in English, you use the present simple to describe what you (or others) do every day. You also use verbs of frequency (such as always, sometimes, and usually) to indicate a habit. Ask students to tell you some things they do every day, such as setting the alarm before going to bed, waking up at a certain time each morning, eating breakfast, and traveling to work or school. Write their answers on the white board. Then explain that the present simple tense can be expressed in three ways: positive, negative, or as a question, for example: I eat lunch at noon.I never play tennis at noon.Does he walk to school every day? Tell students that theyll be reading a story about Tim, a worker who does a number of things regularly in getting ready for work, traveling to work, and performing his duties. Then read the story as a class, having students each read a sentence or two. Tims Story Tim works for a company in Sacramento. Hes a customer service representative. He gets up at 6 oclock a.m. each workday. He drives to work and begins his job at 8 oclock each morning. During the workday, Tim speaks to people on the telephone to help them with their banking problems. People telephone the bank to ask questions about their accounts. Tim doesnt give information about accounts until callers answer a few questions. Tim asks callers their birth date, the last four digits of their Social Security number, and their address. If a person gives incorrect information, Tim asks him to call back with the correct information. Tim is polite and friendly to everyone. He has lunch in a park next to his office. He returns home at 5 oclock in the evening. After work, he goes to the gym to work out. Tim has dinner at 7 oclock. Tim likes watching TV after dinner. He goes to bed at 11 oclock at night. Follow-Up Questions and Answers To extend the lesson, have students answer the following questions: What time does Time get up each workday? (6 oclock a.m.)What time does he begin his day at work each day? (8 a.m.)What are some of the duties Tim performs each day? (Tim verifies callers personal information. He answers questions from callers about their accounts. He is polite with each caller.)What time does Tim turn out the lights each night? (11 p.m.) Have students tell you a few more things Tim does each day as you complete your lesson on the present simple tense.

Compare the main issues with accounting for overheads within a manufacturing sector Essay Example

Compare the main issues with accounting for overheads within a manufacturing sector Essay Example Compare the main issues with accounting for overheads within a manufacturing sector Essay Compare the main issues with accounting for overheads within a manufacturing sector Essay Operating expenses, besides known as indirect costs, are costs that are incurred by an administration that can non be clearly attributed to a cost object i.e. something for which a cost is required. It is of import for administrations to cover all costs that it creates ; accounting for operating expense has become more of import in modern times as it takes up a larger per centum of the costs an administration implicates. The chief issue associated for accounting for operating expenses is that indirect costs are hard to categorize and they can non be easy traced to a specific cost. Operating expenses were traditionally, and still are accounted for utilizing Marginal and Absorption Costing. However, the traditional system has its defects and more late ; Activity Based Costing was introduced for more accurate merchandise and client costing. A cost can be classified via its behavior and property. Costss that are classified by their behavior are called variable and fixed costs. Variable costs are relative to the sum of resources used whereas fixed costs are acquired and paid for in progress. Hence, fixed costs are related to predicted degree of capacity while variable costs are related to existent degree of activity. It is of import that the direction accountant identifies whether the cost is fixed or variable as it can under-estimate or over-estimate the costs. Once the cost is classified, you will be able to gauge cost per unit. Variable and Fixed cost can be direct or indirect depending on the Cost Object. Direct cost is the cost of a resource that is merely used by one cost object. Variable costs are direct when you calculate the cost of stuff used doing one type of merchandise, nevertheless if the variable cost varies to the proportion to a activity that supports several merchandises, so the variable cost will be ind irect to the single merchandises. Similarly, fixed costs can be direct or indirect. The issue is that cost categorization of a cost can alter if the costs object alterations. This makes it more hard to apportion operating expenses. An illustration would be if Nokia, a nomadic industry, make up ones mind to use a mill supervisor. If the cost object is a merchandise, so the wage for the supervisor would be indirect to the cost of the merchandise. However, if the cost object is the mill, so the wage would be a direct cost. Operating expenses are traditionally accounted for by cost driver rates. Cost driver rates allocate the indirect costs accumulated by the administration to a specific product/job/process etc. It is a necessity to cover operating expenses as they can do up a big proportion of entire costs of the company. Each cost is linked with a specific cost driver and is referred to as a cost pool. Historically, cost driver rates were based upon Direct Labour Hours and Direct Machine Hours. However, administrations now recognise several factors could be driving support costs alternatively of one or two factors. ( Atkinson et al. 2007 Page89 ) Cost Driver Ratess are calculated as follows: Normal Cost of Support Activity / Practical Capacity of Cost Driver . ( Atkinson et al. 2007, Page89 ) Normal Cost of Supporting Activity is the cost of the resources committed to a peculiar activity and practical capacity is long term mean usage capacity made available by the sum of resources committed to a su pport activity . The job with Cost Driver Rate is that they remain changeless overtime and therefore make non take into consideration the fluctuations in demand over a short period of clip. This is a job because when demand is low, in the short tally cost driver rates are traveling to be calculated at a higher rate pricing yourself out of the market. Similarly, in periods of high demand, your monetary value would pull more concern than usual which would prove your capacity. ( Globusz, 2011 ) Marginal Costing is an accounting system in which variable costs are charged to be units and fixed costs of the period are written in full against aggregative part . Marginal cost is the excess cost incurred in the last unit of production. It is an attack that excludes operating expenses as they are seen irrelevant in the short tally because they are to stay fixed regardless of the degree of end product. Premise for fringy costing is that within the relevant scope, fixed costs will stay the same for any sum of sales/production. Therefore, in bing footings, when an excess unit of merchandise is made, the excess costs incurred in its industry is variable production i.e. fixed costs will non alter. When fringy cost is ascertained, part is the result which assists in the breakeven end product as it goes towards retrieving fixed costs. When fixed costs are equal to the part you reach breakeven end product. ( Tutor2u ) Absorption costing is a method that, in add-on to direct costs, assigns all or a proportion, of production operating expense costs to be units by agencies of one or an figure of overhead soaking up rates . Absorption bing takes into history fixed, variable, direct A ; indirect costs as normal fabrication costs are considered merchandise costs and all costs are included in the stock list. Direct costs are straight linked to the end product. Indirect costs are attributed to the service section of a concern. Costss are so reallocated from service support sections to production sections where each facet of operating expenses is absorbed individually, before an soaking up recovery rate is calculated. The soaking up recovery rates are based on pre-budgeted figures. ( Atkinson, 2007 ) Absorption recovery rate is calculated by: budgeted fixed production overhead/budgeted degree of activity. ( Weetman 2010 ) Absorption bing besides is normally required for stock list rating und er fiscal accounting. Activity Based Costing established a nexus between activities that create operating expenses to put more appropriate cost driver rates. ( Tollington and Wachter 2001 ) Activity based bing assigns overhead cost to activities based on their ingestion . Just like traditional systems, activity based costing uses a two phase allotment system. It is different to them in that it allocates cost to be Centres instead than sections in the first phase. In the 2nd phase, activity based costs assigns cost of activities on their use. It does by configuring what drives the cost before set uping volume of drivers to cipher the driver rate which is applied based on the use of these resources. ABC does non supply information that can be used for determination devising. ( Drury and Tayles 1995 ) However, ABC does supply information that would let the companies to apportion more elaborate particular surveies to determine their long term viability . Activity based bing includes a greater figure of ac tivities A ; cost driver rates than traditional attacks. ( Otley 2007 ) ABC can be distinguished into procedure position and cost position, cost position is based on being more accurate with the costs whereas process position evaluates your public presentation steps for uninterrupted measuring. Best bargain Europe operates Carphone warehouse. Carphone warehouse sells merchandises and services through retail mercantile establishments and the cyberspace. ( Carphone Warehouse,2010 ) A important proportion of gross is derived from the nomadic web operates in the house of committees for presenting new clients and reclamations. With the consumer market valued at ?9b In 2009, Carphone Warehouse have diversified into fixed line and broadband line whilst selling subsidized laptop with fixed line and broadband connexions. They are besides looking to farther diversify into the market by including gambling and sound. Sing the points, I believe that the likely operating environment a Service company such as Carphone Warehouse would run in is fringy costing. Fringy costing is non a method of bing like procedure or occupation costing ; instead it is a technique of cost information for the counsel of direction. Fringy costing would let Carphone Warehouse to determine the construct of part to its merchandises and use interrupt even analysis to work out how much of each merchandise they have to sell. The cardinal characteristic of fringy costing is that it classifies costs, creates stock stock list rating and configures fringy part. Cost categorization would let Carphone Warehouse to distinguish between its variable and fixed costs and utilize its variable costs to plan its gross revenues technique. Net income measuring for stock/inventory is besides valued at fringy cost ( cost of bring forthing one excess unit ) which is in crisp contrast to the entire unit cost under soaking up bing method. Fringy Contribution would let Carphone Warehouse you to judge the profitableness of different products/departments. Whereas a service company such as Nokia would utilize soaking up bing. Absorption costing is based on the premise that all fixed costs have to be recovered and included in merchandise costs. This would let company s such as Nokia to integrate all fixed and indirect costs to the merchandises they make. They do this via delegating all operating expenses by agencies of a budgeted overhead soaking up rate leting them to apportion costs consequently. Absorption bing calculates the unit cost of an point by taking into history all the company costs including fixed/variable and direct/indirect costs. If an operating expense can non be straight allocated to a unit so it has to be absorbed individually via cost Centres on an just base. The advantage of Carphone Warehouse utilizing Marginal Costing is that it is a simple method where all operating expenses ( indirect/fixed costs ) are taken of at the terminal of the balance sheet. Fringy Costing helps in short-run net income planning via breakeven A ; profitableness analysis is available because of part. Contribution can be used by Carphone Warehouse to do comparative profitableness and public presentation between two or more merchandises that they sell, so they can work out how much is needed to sell in order for them to interrupt even and which merchandises they may be doing a loss on. Besides, by avoiding allotment of fixed costs, it can concentrate on doing fringy bing more consistent and more accurate. However the drawbacks for Carphone Warehouse utilizing fringy costing, as all costs are technically variable in the long tally, it is hard to divide costs in to variable and fixed costs. Therefore, fringy costing is ever seen as a short term solution because in the long tally, gross revenues monetary value, fixed and variable costs per unit can change doing fringy costing unrealistic. It avoids taking into history semi-variable costs. Besides, it is comparatively easy to pull strings figures ( Kaplan 1984 pg.20 ) that do non heighten the long term competitory place of the house . The advantages of Nokia utilizing soaking up costing is that it incorporates entire costs guaranting fixed costs are recovered in to the merchandise, i.e. fixed and variable, direct and indirect costs per unit into a merchandise. It is good for the directors as it allows them the option to put a merchandising monetary value utilizing a cost grade up rate. It treats each cost separately and applies an soaking up rate to each operating expense. It besides would let Nokia to analyze the profitableness of different merchandises it sells so it would assist in the determination devising of which merchandises to bead and which merchandises to transport on bring forthing. The disadvantages of soaking up costing is that the soaking up rates are forecasted, therefore there is a danger of over or under soaking up which illustrates that the operating expenses that have been absorbed can be greater or less than the existent operating expense. Furthermore, the capacity degrees chosen by Nokia for an overhead soaking up rates is based on an historical event and therefore capable to alter. Absorption costing is rather a composite, expensive and times devouring method. My recommendation for both administrations is to follow activity based costing ( ABC ) . ABC uses a costing system similar to traditional cost systems but it traces it costs to activities alternatively of cost Centres. ABC involves puting up activity cost drivers and delegating costs based on their use. ABC is different from soaking up bing as it utilises unit cost instead than entire costs. ABC besides allows for accurate costing for all activities through out an administration alternatively of establishing it on historical figures. ABC asses the cost of single merchandises based on their use of resources. ABC can besides be used in service companies such as Carphone warehouse, as it will let them to concentrate on client costs and profitableness. Virtually all costs in a service company are indirect and look to be fixed. Customer behavior determines the basic operating costs of merchandises in service companies whereas in fabricating companies they are client independent. In servic e companies, there is a greater fluctuation in demand and the service company can merely find and command the efficiencies of its internal activities. Carphone warehouse has to take into history entire relationship profitableness with its clients as they may hold more than one service with the company. Activity based bing would let fabricating companies such as Nokia to more accurately allocate costs more than of all time before. In recent times fabricating operating expenses associating to increase use of machines has increased, this has led to operating expenses going a higher proportion of fabrication costs. Activity Based Management is better than the traditional methods of apportioning costs on the footing of machine hours. It allows directors to apportion costs to merchandises that demand the activity. Directors are able to utilize the information gained on activity costs to better the profitableness of their concern. They can look at what truly needs improving by placing high cost and inefficient procedures. In decision, the chief issues and jobs with accounting for operating expenses can be partly solved by ABC for both fabrication and service companies. However, surprisingly, ABC is still non implemented as much and harmonizing to a study, ( Abdel-Kader and Luther 2006 ) 76 % neer or seldom use ABC or soaking up costing. There is a batch of opposition around ABC from persons from administrations. This is partly due to directors and persons being against alteration and the deductions of ABC theoretical account uncovering instances of bad direction of products/customers which would coerce directors to deny the cogency of the new attack.

Biography of John Adams, 2nd United States President

Biography of John Adams, 2nd United States President John Adams (October 30, 1735–July 4, 1826) served as Americas second president and was one of the founding fathers of the American republic. While his time as president was rife with opposition, he was able to keep the new country out of a war with France. Fast Facts: John Adams Known For: Founding father of the American Revolution and United States; second U.S. President, after George WashingtonBorn: October 30, 1735 in the Massachusetts Bay ColonyParents: John and Susanna Boylston AdamsDied:  July 4, 1826 in Quincy, MassachusettsEducation: Harvard CollegePublished Works: The Autobiography of John AdamsSpouse: Abigail Smith (m. October 25, 1764)Children: Abigail, John Quincy (the sixth president), Charles, and Thomas Boylston Early Life John Adams was born on October 30, 1735, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony to John Adams and his wife Susanna Boylston. The Adams family had been in Massachusetts for five generations, and the elder John was a farmer who had been educated at Harvard and was a deacon at Braintree’s First Congregational Church and a selectman for the town of Braintree. The younger John was the oldest of three children: his brothers were named  Peter Boylston and Elihu. Johns father taught his son to read before sending him to a local school run by their neighbor Mrs. Belcher. John next attended Joseph Cleverlys Latin school and then studied under Joseph Marsh before becoming a student at Harvard College in 1751 at the age of 15, graduating in four years. After leaving Harvard, Adams worked as a teacher but decided instead to take up the law. He trained under Judge James Putnam (1725–1789), another Harvard man, who would eventually serve as attorney general of Massachusetts. Adams was admitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1758. Marriage and Family On  October 25, 1764, John Adams married  Abigail Smith, the high-spirited daughter of a Brookline minister. She was nine  years younger than Adams, loved reading, and built an abiding and tender relationship with her husband, evidenced by their surviving letters. Together they had six children, four of whom lived to adulthood: Abigail (called Nabby), John Quincy (the sixth president), Charles, and Thomas Boylston. Career Before the Presidency Two of Adams most influential cases were the successful defense of the British soldiers involved in the Boston Massacre (1770). He defended both the commanding officer, Captain Preston, winning a complete acquittal for him, and his eight soldiers, six of whom were acquitted. The remaining two were found guilty but were able to escape execution by praying the benefit of clergy, a medieval loophole. Never a fan of the British- Adams took the case in the cause of justice- his experiences with the Boston Massacre trials would begin Adams journey towards accepting that the colonies would need to separate from Britain.   From 1770–1774, Adams served in the Massachusetts legislature and was then elected a member of the Continental Congress. He nominated George Washington to be Commander-in-Chief of the army and was part of the committee that worked to draft the Declaration of Independence. Diplomatic Efforts In 1778 during the early days of the war for independence, Adams served as a diplomat to France alongside Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee but found himself out of place. He returned to the U.S. and served in the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention before being sent to the Netherlands on another diplomatic mission negotiating trade agreements from 1780 to 1782. From there, he returned to France and with Franklin and John Jay created the Treaty of Paris (1783) officially ending the American Revolution. From 1785–1788 he was the first American minister to visit Great Britain. He later served as vice president to Washington, the nations first president, from 1789 to 1797. Election of 1796 As Washingtons vice president, Adams was the next logical Federalist candidate for the presidency. He was opposed by Thomas Jefferson in a fierce campaign, causing a political rift between the old friends that lasted the rest of their lives. Adams was in favor of a strong national government and felt France was a greater concern to national security than Britain, while Jefferson felt the opposite. At that time, whoever received the most votes became president, and whoever came in second became Vice President. John Adams received 71 electoral votes and Jefferson 68. France and the XYZ Affair One of Adams major accomplishments during his presidency was to keep America out of a war with France and normalize relations between the two countries. When he became president, relations were strained between the United States and France mainly because the French were conducting raids on American ships. In 1797, Adams sent three ministers to try to work things out. The French would not accept them and instead, French Minister Talleyrand sent three men to ask for $250,000 in order to resolve their differences. This event became known as the  XYZ Affair, causing a great public uproar in the United States against France. Adams acted quickly, sending another group of ministers to France to try to preserve the peace. This time they were able to meet and come to an agreement that allowed the U.S. to be protected on the seas in exchange for granting France special trading privileges. During the ramp-up to a possible war, Congress passed the  repressive Alien and Sedition Acts, which consisted of four measures designed to limit immigration and  free speech. Adams used them to censor and repress criticisms against the government- specifically the Federalist Party. Marbury vs. Madison John Adams spent the last few months of his term in office in the new, unfinished mansion in Washington, D.C. that would eventually be called the White House. He did not attend Jeffersons inauguration and instead spent his last hours in office appointing numerous Federalist judges and other officeholders based on the Judiciary Act of 1801. These would be known as the midnight appointments. Jefferson removed many of them, and the  Supreme Court  case  Marbury vs. Madison  (1803) ruled the Judiciary Act was unconstitutional, resulting in the right of  judicial review. Adams was unsuccessful in his bid for reelection, opposed not only by the Democratic-Republicans under Jefferson but also by  Alexander Hamilton. A Federalist, Hamilton actively campaigned against Adams in hopes that vice presidential nominee Thomas Pinckney would win. However, Jefferson won the presidency and Adams retired from politics. Death and Legacy After losing the presidency, John Adams returned home to Quincy, Massachusetts. He spent his time learning, writing his autobiography, and corresponding with old friends. That included mending fences with Thomas Jefferson and beginning a vibrant letter friendship. He lived to see his son John Quincy Adams become president. He died at his home in Quincy on July 4, 1826, within a few hours of the death of Thomas Jefferson. John Adams was an important figure throughout the revolution and the early years of the United States. He and Jefferson were the only two presidents who had been members of the founding fathers and signed the Declaration of Independence. The crisis with France dominated most of his time in office, as he was faced with opposition to actions he took concerning France from both parties. However, his perseverance allowed the fledgling United States to avoid war, giving it more time to build and grow. Sources Adams, John. 1807. The Autobiography of John Adams. Massachusetts Historical Society.Grant, James. John Adams: Party of One. Farrar, New York: Straus and Giroux, 2005.McCullough, David. John Adams. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2001.Farrell, James M., and John Adams. John Adamss Autobiography: The Ciceronian Paradigm and the Quest for Fame. The New England Quarterly 62.4 (1989): 505-28.Smith, Page. John Adams, Volume I 1735-1784; Volume II 1784-1826. New York: Doubleday, 1962.John Adams: Biography. John Adams Historical Society 2013.

Legitimate Businesses Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Legitimate Businesses - Assignment Example These are some of the most significant reasons behind the improper role of the organized crime making its mark under the aegis of the legitimate businesses in the time and age of today3. The legitimate businesses therefore receiving a number of issues through the collective working ideologies as put forward by the organized crime philosophy4. The mafias destroy the basis of a working environment that exists in an organization and it is for this reason that the top management is most wary of its existence and propagation in the long term scheme of things. The legitimate businesses therefore enact ways and means to make sure that these problems are kept at bay and the hindrances do not appear for one reason or the other5. What is most worrisome is the fact that the mafias keep on getting increased with the passage of time and the legitimate businesses are on the receiving end most of the

The Apprentice TV Program Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Apprentice TV Program - Assignment Example The shortlisted contestants live communally in a suite at Trump Tower in New York City. The successful applicants become divided into two groups. The groups indulge in tasks set to stretch their creativity and business skills. Each group selects a project manager to lead them in the mission. The failing team leaves the competition. The remaining group then splits into two other groups. These undertake another task in the subsequent week. Elimination follows until three contestants remain. The competition ends with the selection of one participant who secures a one year contract in one of the business interests belonging to Donald Trump. The elimination is competitive with profitability heavily emphasized. Teams that make losses during their task face elimination. Elimination takes place in two phases. After failure, the project manager in charge of the team selects two to three people most likely to be the cause of poor performance. The other members get dismissed while the project m anager and the selected members face Trump in the boardroom where their fate awaits. Executives from selected companies interview the finalist duo from which Trump hires the apprentice. The apprentice TV program places its basis on apprenticeship. It is one of the oldest forms of work-based learning. The traditional system, however, lacked sufficiency causing variance in quality. A time-based apprenticeship presents the most benefits to both an organization and a prospective worker. It forms a strategic approach to learning in a field of work as opposed to possession of certain skills. Apprenticeship allows workers to absorb values and ideas of a field of trade. Placement into apprenticeship varies with company's policy. Some firms prefer young people straight out of school while others prefer new learners in the team (Cunningham et al, 2004, pp.62). Apprenticeship programs began way back in time. They incorporate what is learned in class with hand on experience.

Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 6

Globalization - Essay Example Kincaid and Black presented their views regarding developing countries being profusely pressurized with agony from developed countries. The problem faced by developing countries often arise due to financial reasons. Since developing countries are considered â€Å"young†, they need to make a lot of improvements in some aspect of society. In order to achieve it, developing countries will need a huge amount of money to support their development. Unfortunately, most of them do not have favorable financial situation. In Black’s documentary film, she also explains how developed countries with their huge and rude organizations - such as International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Trade Organization (WTO) - control the politic, economy, and life of the Jamaicans. After colonialism, Jamaica started her independence with the loan from IMF. The IMF has certainly helped many countries and this is a very good practice. IMF granted a loan with the requisite of short term borrowing co ntract and trading interest. With no other options, Jamaicans had to accept the condition and open their country to globalization. By then, there are many multinational corporations that followed along globalization, such as Mc Donald, Tacobell, Baskin Robins and many more. For many years, Jamaica had been dependent with the loan of IMF. In 1973, the banking system needed financial support to support the agriculture in Jamaica. Seeking a solution, the government of Jamaica came to IMF again for a loan. Beyond any expectations, the requisite that was given by IMF became stricter than before. IMF proposed the restriction to abandon local subsidy and any control of import product. Without any options left, the government of Jamaica had to accept the condition to help save their financial problem. The exploitation of laborers is very common in almost every developing country and this is unacceptable, it is high time to pay the laborers what they deserve and it is time to bring about a

Women Empowerment in Corporate America Research Paper - 1

Women Empowerment in Corporate America - Research Paper Example will analyze the reasons which have led to the empowerment of women in the corporate sector in the United States of America, effects of this empowerment of women in the corporate sector and finally the challenges that face women empowerment in the corporate sector in the United States of America. The fight for equal rights for women has greatly contributed to the empowerment of women in corporate America. Women groups have been pushing for women to b give same rights as men in job opportunities, education and in the political scene. The fight for these equal rights has resulted in many women undertaking education opportunities which equip them with the necessary skills required for them to join the corporate world. Another reason that has resulted in the empowerment of women in corporate America is the increasing number of women enrolling in universities to undertake professional programs. For example according to survey done in universities in the United States of America, the number of women who had enrolled to undertake various professional courses had increased significantly on the onset of the 21st century (Klein 96). This has resulted in the number of women in the corporate sector in the United States of America since this huge number of women in universities seeks job opportunities in the corporate sector after completion of their courses in their respective universities. The end of world war two greatly contributed to the empowerment of women in the corporate sector in the United States of America. During the war many American men had enlisted to be at the fore front in serving their country. This left a vacuum since there were no men to run businesses, farms and homes. Women had to take up the role of these men to ensure that life went on smoothly back at home. It created an effect in women since they realized that they could also do what men did instead of staying at home and taking care of their families. Women started looking for jobs in the

Documentary Movie Analysis-Who Killed Vincent Chin Essay

Documentary Movie Analysis-Who Killed Vincent Chin - Essay Example Documentaries are more non-fictitious and real-life based, unlike commercial flicks; their purpose varying from showcasing reality to enlightening and educating the rural masses. Whatever be the case, documentaries are real life depictions on screen. Documentary films fall under varied genres, such as Authored Documentaries, Fly on the Wall, Docu-soaps, Docudramas, and the like. The first two are captures of real life instances, while the latter two are enactments of what has really transpired. Thus, documentaries stand for ‘Truth’. The documentary, ‘Who killed Vincent Chin’ was directed by Christine Choy and Renee Tajima. It is in the form of a docu-drama, exploring the real incident, by using characters to play the real-life ones. The cast includes Renee Tajima and Ron Ebens. The documentary explores the concept of racial discrimination in America, against an Asian-American immigrant, the flaws in the judicial system in America and above all, the sheer struggle that immigrants undergo in the process of assimilation and adaptation to the American culture and falling in line to conquer and realize their ‘American Dream’. This paper attempts to analyse the documentary, the various techniques used and how the documentary has been shot, to add value to the concept and the idea in particular. The story-line of the documentary reflects the real-life incident, wherein an Asian-American, Vincent Chin was murdered haplessly, by two Americans, Ron Ebens and his step-son, Michael Nitz. The murder happens after a scuffle between the two, at Fancy Pants, a Detroit topless bar. The murder takes place outside the bar, in a corner, with eye-witnesses watching the gruesome act, where Chin is shown beaten with baseball bats. While on the surface, the concept is that of a hapless murder occurring in the midst of

Women Empowerment in Corporate America Research Paper - 1

Women Empowerment in Corporate America - Research Paper Example will analyze the reasons which have led to the empowerment of women in the corporate sector in the United States of America, effects of this empowerment of women in the corporate sector and finally the challenges that face women empowerment in the corporate sector in the United States of America. The fight for equal rights for women has greatly contributed to the empowerment of women in corporate America. Women groups have been pushing for women to b give same rights as men in job opportunities, education and in the political scene. The fight for these equal rights has resulted in many women undertaking education opportunities which equip them with the necessary skills required for them to join the corporate world. Another reason that has resulted in the empowerment of women in corporate America is the increasing number of women enrolling in universities to undertake professional programs. For example according to survey done in universities in the United States of America, the number of women who had enrolled to undertake various professional courses had increased significantly on the onset of the 21st century (Klein 96). This has resulted in the number of women in the corporate sector in the United States of America since this huge number of women in universities seeks job opportunities in the corporate sector after completion of their courses in their respective universities. The end of world war two greatly contributed to the empowerment of women in the corporate sector in the United States of America. During the war many American men had enlisted to be at the fore front in serving their country. This left a vacuum since there were no men to run businesses, farms and homes. Women had to take up the role of these men to ensure that life went on smoothly back at home. It created an effect in women since they realized that they could also do what men did instead of staying at home and taking care of their families. Women started looking for jobs in the

Motivation and Employee Satisfaction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Motivation and Employee Satisfaction - Essay Example The researcher has done the internship programme at Phoenix Ltd. where the objective of his project was motivation and employee satisfaction. Since the author worked at the HR department of the company; he was under HR Executive assisting him/her in selection and recruitment of employees, motivating the existing employees and providing them different pieces of training and development programmes. The researcher believes as work is undone without proper motivation. So, he tried to instill the same thinking among the employees by giving them prep-talks and encouraging them. The first step towards motivation started with asking them what they want out of their jobs. This meant interacting with them on a regular basis which gave the author an idea about their perspective towards their personal goals. The employees also shared their opinions about the improvement of their roles. The researcher also had to adopt a different approach to motivating employees depending on their age. The resea rcher had also given the task of planning different recreational activities like outdoor trips or indoor games to bring in some amount of fun to help them in getting rid of their monotonous job. Along with this, the author had to make sure that the employees were interacting with each other. He also had to plan for an office party where the employees were rewarded and appreciated according to their performances. At the party, the author also had to give them inspirational speeches to motivate them. The researcher also defined them the vision, mission, and strategies of the company. During the author’s internship period, there were also given the flexibility to choose their own working hours. This showed that the company trusts them. They even came up to the author to discuss their work-related problems. The researcher then discussed this problem with his mentor who resolved it afterward.

The second World War Essay Example for Free

The second World War Essay D-day was heralded as first enormous invasion of the allied on German claimed soil. The army generals and the government wanted to give the impression of complete power and might in their final push to abolish the Nazi slavery of Europe now they had the backing of America and Canada. It was perceived as almost a religious crusade, as though God was supporting their every move so it couldnt possibly fail. This confidence and sense of glory made the war seem more justifiable as people felt they were serving the righteous side. People on the home front were well informed of the fact the British were not defending but were on the offensive, this change in situations inspired people on the home front who were growing tired of the continuing news on the Atlantic battles and artillery battles. This mighty push was seen as courageous and raised peoples hope that the end was nigh. Churchill was in charge and was organising the campaign at this crucial juncture so the whole nation was on tenterhooks to receive his commands. The nation was made to feel everything depended on this mission, as it flooded the press. This encouraged the country to work even harder to achieve this goal and also worry less about the long-term situation as they were focusing on the present. When the troops landed on the coast of France and Normandy it was seen as histories greatest oversees operation which was true, but also glossed over the fact that they still had a bloody battle at a disadvantaged position once they reached mainland. Evacuation The war was expected several years before 1939 and preparations were already taking place before its declaration to move children into more rural and predicted safer areas. Away from the densely populated cities and industrial places where German bombers would likely target when the war commenced. Other preparations were made to limit causalities in the of air raids and predicted gas attacks; gas masks were compulsory items to have, thousands of Anderson shelters were erected for people to hide in during raids, rationing began to help soldiers and make sure everyone was kept healthy, the local defence volunteers and many other similar organisations were established to help and warn people in raids, signals e. g.sirens were created and the blackout was enforced to prevent German pilots from pinpointing a certain location. The community were encouraged to be involved in all these preparations, which also made them aware of the imminent threat posed by bombing thus persuading them to leave their children in the houses of strangers. In 1939 there was the largest mass evacuation of people in Britains history, from major cities and 3. 5 million people were arranged to be evacuated to reception areas. Most were normal children, others from schools and hospitals etc. This huge amount of people who were confused and uneducated about the situation inevitably posed many problems to the process. For a start most people had no idea of where they were heading, for they were not told before hand and the number of evacuees far out numbered the people willing to house them. This was all due to poor organisation by the government, despite notifying people about the plans months before. But considering the sheer amount of people involved the process run smoothly in the governments perspective and many evacuations worked with out a hitch. The government had also set up first aid stations showing they were obviously attempting to cope with all the inevitable problems that would arise. Many very poor children would arrive at reception areas with various health conditions such as scabies, lice and due to cold weather and lack of adequate clothing cold burns often formed. The clinics provided basic care before they were sent to hosts. On their identity cards they has health related information and often the kids that appeared unhealthy would be unfairly treated and hosts would be less likely to want them. The government tried to persuade families to separate from their loved ones by using propaganda. The predictions of casualties e. g. 4,000,000 in London far surpassed the actual figures and were there fore grossly exaggerated. Britain had been expecting air attacks for many years as the hostilities and threats had been building for several years before the war. Leaflets and Posters were important techniques of spreading their message about the evil extent Hitler would undertake to achieve his aims. This, initially discouraging and potential fear mongering way, proved to be effective as people were more intensely willing to participate in order to save their people and foil Hitlers plans to destroy public morale. The fact they used propaganda so wide spread proves people obviously needed a lot of convincing and the dark nature of the propaganda ( as in source B7 ) suggests the government were desperate to make an impact in order to attain their goal of the complete evacuation of children from cities. Subsequently when dealing with three million people there were many cases of disaster where the propaganda had inflicted panic instead of the hoped controlled movement. Sir John Anderson who as organising evacuation did not help this emotional upheaval, as he had a cold and detached not understanding nature. Evacuation was established to firstly protect people especially children from the threat of bombing. Children were obviously the most crucial group of people for they would continue the next generation. This also kept morale high as people in battle and working at home knew their children were safe and didnt have to worry about them being killed or injured in air raids. It also allowed rural communities not involved so much in the war effort feel occupied and of use thus supporting positive morale in these areas too. However, the fact that children were sent to random homes meant that they had to deal with whatever situation they were landed in, often their were clashes of class and social statue, sometimes this resulted in a positive outcome as poor children found themselves in welcoming circumstances. This sudden mix of classes had never occurred before, as people who lived totally separate and different life styles had to live side by side and deal with the prejudice that had been fed to them through society over countless generations. This new perspective to life sometimes highlighted the conflicts between people but often created a sense of unity in the face of a common enemy. This mystery of a new experience often initially excited children and many had a very interesting and free time when away from the city and the stress and restraints that went with it. Others, particularly younger children missed their homes and parents dreadfully and did not enjoy the peculiar circumstances they were forced into. The children themselves were all labelled so they could be identified and told to take a few essential possessions. When they reached the trains stations and bus stations they were filed onto the transport and many were separated from their parents and placed into groups with a guardian of one of the 100,000 teachers participating. Over 3,000,000 were evacuated in the first 4 days of September, which by any terms is an astonishing feat of organisation and co-ordination. When the order was sent at 11:07 August 31st few imagined that within a week a quarter of the population would have been evacuated. The stations were dense with people saying their good byes or finding luggage or lost siblings, this caused great confusion and the distress of moving to an unknown location built up tensions of fear resulting in anger. Smaller children who didnt understand the situation must have felt distraught at leaving their parents, these early traumatic experiences must have left deep impressions, especially as many were ignorant to when they would return. Others simply found it an exhilarating adventure and treated it like a holiday, particularly those who went to boarding schools. Those in the poverty stricken slums of the cities jumped at the opportunity to go to the country. Obviously in a movement this massive there was a great variation in opinions and attitudes towards evacuation but the underlying intension was similar for most people as they had seen the effects of severe bombing in other parts of the world-; do whats best for the country and its future unsurprisingly seemed the most important plan of action. This overall idea allowed stereotypical images to develop in peoples minds over how children had to deal with the situation e. g. Grin and bear it and dont complain. When reaching the reception areas local councils would line up the children and hosts simply picked their favourite. As this was often based on superficial first impressions many children were left feeling rejected and humiliated, this seemed a rudimentary way of selecting people, but in the end left no muddle over names and identities and matching people up. This random selection and the lack of restriction to who hosts could be occasionally left vulnerably children in dangerous hands of abusers. Because it was simply luck of the draw some had equally great experiences as expected and it is clear that only a minority, once settled had a miserable time. Ministry of health reporters issued statements declaring a glossy positive outlook of evacuation, so as not to worry the people and also the government, allowing people to begin concentrating no the more imminent problems of combat in war. Generally this statement is true as the main motivation to evacuate such large numbers was to save lives and this certainly worked, as the millions of estimated causalities did not happen and the country could run more smoothly because of this conclusion. In most cases people were more at ease with their childrens safety and there fore could focus on work and soldiers on the battle front. Women The Second World War affected the lives of women dramatically. Since the late 1800s women like the suffragettes had been protesting for womens rights as they were discontented with societies attitude to women as being inferior and demanded more equality between the sexs. Although through the early 1920s women did gain the right to vote and became more acceptable in some work arenas e. g. nurses clerks typists (jobs considered appropriate for women), the opportunities had only opened slightly, but the reality was most women performed exactly the same role as previously. However, many women were settled in the traditional way of life they led and felt the home was their first priority and there fore didnt particularly feel the necessity to change. The government realised that due to the unusual circumstances it would be most practical to enrol the services of women to fill the occupation vacancies in industry whilst vast numbers of men were recruited into war. Originally many government ministers were reluctant to conscript women in to work, arguing that a womans responsibilities were in the home caring for children. However, as more men left it became more important to keep the country producing munitions etc. instead of women simply staying at home, so the government lead by chamberlain agreed to ask for womens volunteer assistance. They made a national campaign advertising for help in a huge range of jobs, using posters, billboards, leaflets etc and encouraged applicants by saying it was imperative for the war effort. Many people were initially surprised at the unprecedented mass surge of women who signed up for industry working and the land army. Particularly after the depression of the thirties many working class women jumped at the new opportunities that had aroused and were motivated by the promise of money of their own. A minority of women objected to war work believing it detracted from their house work and others detested the prejudice that occurred and the lack of equal treatment; the fact women were paid 60% of an equivalent male employer, this proves how women were seen as less productive and skilled as a man. It also shows how society expected women to work for the good of the nation even with lower wages and how most women just accepted this. Many women who enrolled for work had never been away from home or worked for an income before and took on the new opportunities with enthusiasm and determination. The country was finally willingly giving women the chance to show their capability to perform in areas they had never had access to previously, this encouraged women to work to their limits. Government officials made reports of the exceptional standard of work occurring in the factories by newly appointed women and how it equalled if not excelled that of the prior male labourers. The new work and money entitled women to be more independent and opinionated. As they become more liberated and confident in their positions, some began to demand more equality for they realised the worth of their aid. The whole population became more and more involved in the war effort and the new workforce was described as soldiers with different weapons, hence the name given to this condition total war. Women in the home looking after the family also found themselves in new situations as the head of the family was always the man or husband and in most cases he had been sent to war. These women now had to organise and take the responsibilities of the man; they were now the dominant figure in the family, which had hardly ever occurred before. The decisions women made were complicated by the limitations of the rationing of food, clothing and general materials. They were in charge of the ration booklets for the family and had to pool all the coupons they received to obtain food and other items. Because civilians were targeted during the war they also had to deal with temporary housing, evacuation and ensuring everyone was safe during bombing raids. Often women like this joined the local civil defence or nursing posts to help their community. They were depended on to manage serious situations in bombing raids and such like, that before the war would have been considered too important to be arranged by a woman. Many women there fore felt more appreciated and occupied than previously, so wanted to contribute. The government enthused this attitude by using positive propaganda suggesting how useful and essential womens work was. Posters of physically fit women doing hard jobs and showing satisfaction in their work were often used. This rose the morale of many women and made them more unified with the war effort which obviously helped in the manufacturing of munitions, saving food for soldiers, keeping the economy stable and saving lives on the home front. Many were encouraged to attend USO balls where they danced and befriended lonely soldiers, young women had freedom social as well, and this also allowed them to enjoy the war and the new experiences it entailed. Due to the new independence women had acquired some found themselves more sexually liberated and due to their uneducated and ignorant ideas of sex found themselves in difficult positions with no one to understand or express their feeling to. The government at the time did not think to inform women about sex and its possibly consequences, so occasionally there were cased of illegitimate children being born and mothers being shamed by their peers. However, the government did publish leaflets containing information on ways to become self sufficient e. g.growing vegetables making food that was healthy and of good value, being resourceful with all house hold equipment, making suitable cloths and recycling materials etc. all these suggestions aided women in their duties and showed how they could be generally more efficient. Government posters were used to make people, especially women aware of the consequences of wasting products in a time of shortages e. g. the cartoon character squander bug. Posters were also produced highlighting the significance of not discussing the war in public in case German secret agents were listening. All these legitimate warnings kept peoples minds focused on why they were doing what they were doing and there fore prevented opposition from other people who didnt agree with women having the authority they did. All the concerns and anxieties over what was socially acceptable made the war an exciting yet confusing time for women. They had to combine their traditional values with this new independence, but also keep in mind it was a temporary situation and whatever happened in their lives now was likely to change again when the men returned from war.

The communist ideology

The communist ideology The main events of the latter half of the 20th Century remain a topic of intense debate with the reasoning behind these events still a source of speculation. This essay will examine the key events in Soviet Foreign policy through the four leaders of the period between 1945-1991; Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev and Gorbachev and will be contrasted against the teachings of Communist ideology in an effort to determine whether ideology had greater influence in the foreign policy decisions made by said leaders or if state interests played a more significant role. Marxism-Leninism was the ideology of the Soviet Union. Thus, Marxist-Leninist ideas influenced foreign policy. For a Marxist-Leninist, the world is divided into classes rather than individual states and in strict Communist doctrine, the key objective of foreign policy was the ultimate achievement of world revolution by the proletariat. As a result, Marxist-Leninism has no theory of international relations. It was well expressed by Trotsky[1] when he was appointed Peoples Commissar for Foreign Affairs in 1917, I will issue a few revolutionary proclamations to the peoples of the world and then shut up shop. Revolution would displace the state system and end the need for diplomacy. On the other hand, failure of a world-wide revolution to take place meant that the sate interests of the USSR quickly acquired great importance for Soviet foreign policy-makers. The Soviet Union increasingly turned to building a Communist society at home, believing that strengthening Communism within the USSR was the way to ensure a Communist society outside of its borders: Socialism in One Country, and that once strengthened, the Soviet Union would prove strong enough to lead the whole world to Socialism. There are other Marxist-Leninist ideas that strongly influenced foreign policy, one of which was the necessary antagonistic nature of Communism towards Capitalist states, which Stalin strongly believed would inevitably lead to war[2]. Related to this idea was the concept of correlation of forces the Russian equivalent to our balance of power- where the overall strength of capitalism was measured against communism. The idea that capitalism suffered from such profound contradictions; states competing for resources, economic problems, led Communists to believe that their system would prevail and therefore were always on the look out for the correlation of forces to change in their favour. It also reinforced the effect of the Leninist conception of imperialism. Lenin held the view that war would bring the prospect of revolution as the ruling classes became demoralised by the burdens placed by war on the states concerned and the working classes plummeted into misery. As previously mentioned, communism was not adverse to war if the outcome would be revolution. This was a belief strongly held by Lenin. Alternatively, Stalin, was more interested in war that served his interest. An example of which is the Second World War officially known in the Soviet Union as The Second Great Patriotic War. He reasoned that World War I was brought about by capitalists, who inflicted damage and destruction on each other, but is seen as positive as it led to the emergence of the USSR. After the Second World War, the USSR was left absolutely devastated, the class struggle also had to be balanced with the desire of the Soviet population for peace so that they and their country could recover. Soviet leaders were aware of this desire, which tempered any revolutionary ardour they may have felt. Nevertheless the years to follow were also years of great triumph for the USSR. The destruction of the German army meant the USSR was the only great European military power, had b ecome a permanent member of the UN Security Council, and it had broken out of the capitalist encirclement of having allied states on its borders. Stalin sought to increase Soviet power beyond what the Tzars had accomplished now that he had Communist ideology driving him. He was the dominant creator of Soviet foreign policy, the subject of which remains under dispute by several historians. One such historian, LeFeber entertained the notion that (Stalin) displayed a realism, a careful calculation of forces, and a diplomatic finesse that undercut any attempt to explain away his actions as paranoia[3], while another criticises Stalins foreign policy as inexplicable in its parts as incoherent in its whole[4]. It has been argued that Stalins foreign policy from 1945 onwards was a direct result of material interests and power play with the United States of America, that the USA was now perceived as Glavny Protivnik (greatest adversary) and that Stalin was scared of war because of its strength. The exact origins of the Cold War remain under dispute, even with new archival evidence from former Eastern-bloc states. The role to which Stalins foreign policy played in the build up to the Cold War can be categorised in a small number of groups. The orthodox view, which entertained Stalins aggressive and expansionist policy, his desired expansion along all of the USSRs borders from the Pacific to the Atlantic, which can be argued to be in following with Marxist-Leninist theories of expansion[5], even though he permitted discussion on what governments could be formed within newly acquired states. It is interesting to note that Stalins aggressive and expansionist policy has been attributed to his own declining mental health. He had even been diagnosed, albeit incorrectly, in 1927 as a paranoid schizophrenic nevertheless this diagnosis was proved to be inaccurate. The revisionist view, perceived by Marxist and Marxist-Leninist historians, depicted the USA as an aggressive power, to t heir own people and others around the globe, imposing its empire on an unwilling world, ignoring the security interests of the Soviet Union and conforming to the classic Leninist model of Imperialism.[6] This view gained credibility later in the 1960s, partly owing to the Vietnam War. Other historians, not Marxist in inspiration, claim that the USA wanted to establish an economic system across the globe which would promote trade and economic growth from which the USA would benefit. Separate to the ideological views is the notion that the conflict was inevitable and thus both superpowers were responsible for it. That the Cold War was the natural result of a situation in which two superpowers with differing ideologies remained. Tactically speaking, the USSR had only three strategic enemies, of which Japan and Germany had been defeated and China was embroiled in a civil war. In addition, the Soviet Union had the largest army with mobilised resources, it was also geographically the larg est country in the world. The USA on the other hand was a massive economic power and its population had not been morally exhausted by recent war nor were they at odds with their own government. The resulting clash between the two would turn into a global disaster. At this time, it appears Stalin preferred to avoid a military confrontation with the USA and having determined that military probes into Europe would be too hazardous, Stalin sought to expand Soviet influence into regions where there would be less risk of confrontation with the USA and so he turned to Asia[7]. After repeatedly denying approval of North Korean leader Kim Il Sungs proposed military attack of South Korea, the Soviet Union unexpectedly began secretly providing large technological and military assistance to North Korea. This U-turn decision has been cited by both Gaddis and Westad to support their assertion that Marxism-Leninism was of crucial importance in Soviet foreign policy[8]. Westad also provided another theory to Stalins unexpected decision change in that Stalin had seen Mao Zedongs Chinese Communist victory and had been unnerved by it. Stalin therefore gave approval for the attack on South Korean when he realised his rival in Mao would support North Korea with Stalin or without and Stalin did not want to appear less revolutionary than Mao[9]. Regardless of the ideological reasons, be it enthusiasm in response to Maos ambitions or jealousy and an attempt to outmanoeuvre Mao by condoning North Korea, even an avoidance of the USA to prevent a catastrophic war, it is indic ated that ideology was a factor in Stalins foreign policy involvement in Asia. Stalin died in March 1953. He was succeeded by a collective leadership with Nikita Khrushchev soon emerging as the main figure. The new leaders quickly realised that changes in foreign policy were necessary; the main reason for this being the arms race which was now becoming more prominent in world events. In 1952, the USA had detonated the worlds first thermonuclear device followed in 1953 with the USSR testing its first hydrogen bomb. In the years that followed, both powers created and tested various delivery systems for these new weapons that resulted for the USSR in the creation of Intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) which had the range to strike the USA. Khrushchev called these weapons the Gods of War[10]. The realisation of the enormous power of these new weapons caused Stalins successors to abandon key principles of Marxist-Leninist ideology. The precept of the inevitability of war between capitalism and communism, which in Stalins eyes, would be won by communism, had t o be discarded as a conflict would result in the mutual assured destruction of both the capitalist and communist states. In addition, the principle of revolution that, although perceived as inevitable and the only way to a Communist society according to Marxist-Leninist doctrine, could now be the cause of a war that would also end in complete devastation for the warring states and thus it was at the 20th Party Congress in 1956 that a set of initiatives were launched which came to be known as destalinization which established a policy of long-term peaceful cooperation with the capitalist world. The superpowers had inadvertently become partners, with the incentive to prevent thermonuclear war. Although there initially appeared to be a change of direction from Marxist-Leninist doctrine there were still elements of it that were pursued even with the new initiatives in place. The Party leadership was quick to introduce the idea that a peaceful transition to Socialism was still very much possible. The changes to foreign policy included the commencement of armistice talks in areas of conflict, for example, the Korean war. The Soviet regime also attempted to strengthen its satellite states in the bloc and draw them closer to the USSR. This all culminated in 1955 with the creation of the Warsaw Treaty Organisation. In addition, a massive amount of economic and technical assistance was given to the communist nation of the Peoples Republic of China. This assistance has been described as the greatest transfer of technology in world history[11]. The regime also encouraged trading and other forms of communication with the Western world, it opened up to tourism, Soviet citizens were pe rmitted for the first time to visit other states not in the Eastern bloc of which the reverse was also the same. Stalin, would have avoided this as, in his view, it would have potentially opened up the USSR to hostile foreign influences. Competing ideological tendencies and institutional interests allied with Khrushchevs own over-ambition in foreign policy were the prime factors resulting in his fall from power in 1964[12]. During the Khrushchev years, Brezhnev had supported the process of destalinisation but as soon as he became leader, Brezhnev changed direction and reverted to a more regressive, Stalin-type attitude, even taking the title General Secretary, which Stalins held until 1952. Brezhnevs overriding aims were to ensure the primacy of the USSR in the world communist movement. Establish strategic parity in the US and on that basis, to secure western acceptance of the post-war order in Europe while extending Soviet power in the developing world[13]. The first foreign policy crisis of the Brezhnev regime occurred in 1968 when reforms began sweeping through Czechoslovakia, initiated by leader Alexander Dubcek, that posed the reduction of importance of the ruling Communist party. The Soviet leadership attempted to limit the impact of Dubceks reforms through negotiation but their efforts proved in vain. Soon after, Soviet and Eastern bloc troops invaded Czechoslovakia tasked with restoring it to Marxist-Leninist doctrine. This became known as the Brezhnev Doctrine.[14] The doctrine was used to justify the invasion of Czechoslovakia, and also used to put an end to liberalisation efforts that had the potential to disrupt Soviet control within the Eastern bloc. The concerns of the Soviet Union fit an ideology based explanation of Soviet actions. It is interesting to note that while the western states heavily criticised the invasion, they were unable to challenge the Soviet military force in Europe without risking nuclear war. The events surrounding the collapse of Communism and the relatively quiet dissolution of the Soviet Union can be attributed to the euphemistically named Sinatra Doctrine. It was the name that the Soviet government of Mikhail Gorbachev used to describe his new policy of allowing the eastern bloc Warsaw Pact nations to determine their own affairs. This was a complete change of direction from the Brezhnev Doctrine which tightly monitored and controlled the internal affairs of the satellite states. For Wohlforth, once Gorbachev was in office, his perception of the USSRs relative decline grew steadily more pessimistic. He had to accept retreat after retreat from the Soviets great power commitments, which let to the sudden end of the Cold War[15]. Gorbachev had many issues facing him, one of which was the prevention of anti-Soviet violence from breaking out. Previously, any dissident uprising would have been resolved by military intervention, however if a crisis erupted now, then a massive amount of military intervention would be necessary. It was decided that Soviet policy should aim to achieve two basic goals: avoid direct military intervention at any cost[16] and for the rapid transition to a new political order to be achieved peacefully. Gorbachev obviously could not see that the changes he initiated would lead to the demise of the Soviet bloc, it can be argued that he was depending on like-minded leaders to emerge from the Communist groups in Eastern Europe.[17] The question of whether communist ideology played a role in the transformation of Soviet policy still remains. If Gorbachev had decided to maintain the orthodox Communist rule in the Soviet bloc and enforce the Brezhnev doctrine, the Soviet army would have ensured his success. It appears that it was Gorbachevs own choices, on domestic priorities and a desire to lay to rest all remnants of Stalinism'[18] that led the Soviet Union down the path to disintegration. While it is undeniable that the ideological differences of Capitalism and Marxism-Leninism provided the Cold War with a catalyst, it is not outside the realm of possibility that differences between the two superpowers left in the power vacuum after the Second World War would not have provided the fuel to ignite the conflict themselves. Some of the specific policies adopted by the Soviet leaders could have just as easily been pursued by a non-communist government responding to a tense global situation, however that does not mean ideology had no relevance. It appears that the USSRs state interests were themselves influenced by Communist ideology and thus influenced the foreign policy decisions of the leadership. Bibliography Craig Nation, R. Black Earth, Red Star: A History of Soviet Security Policy, 1917-1921 (1992) Fink, C., Junker, D. Gassert, P. (eds) The World Transformed :1968 (1998) Gaddis, J.L. The Emerging Post-Revisionist Synthesis on the Origins of the Cold War (1983) Khrushchev, S. N Memoirs of Nikita Khrushchev Volume 1: Commissar, 1918-1945 (2000) Kramer, M. Ideology and the Cold War Review of International Studies (1999) Kramer, M. (ed.) The Collapse of the Soviet Union (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, (2000) LaFeber, W America, Russia and the Cold War, 1945-1992. Rosser, R.F. Introduction to Soviet Foreign Policy (1969) Taubman, W, Khrushchev: The Man and His Era (2003) Tompson, W. The Soviet Union under Brezhnev (2003) K zasedaniyu Politbyuro 6/X-88 g. 6 October 1988 (secret), reproduced in Tsena svobody: Refornatsiya Gorbacheva glazami ego pomoshchnika (Moscow: Rossika-Zevs, 1993) Westad, O.A. Cold War and Revolution: Soviet-American Rivalry and the Origins of the Chinese Civil War, 1944-1946 Wohlforth, W. Realism and the End of the Cold War. International Security, 19:3 (1994/5) Craig Nation, R. Black Earth, Red Star: A History of Soviet Security Policy, 1917-1921 (1992) p.1 Rosser, R.F. Introduction to Soviet Foreign Policy (1969) p.74 LaFeber, W America, Russia and the Cold War, 1945-1992. p.20. Westad, O.A. Cold War and Revolution: Soviet-American Rivalry and the Origins of the Chinese Civil War, 1944-1946, p.55 Rosser, Introduction p.80 Gaddis, J.L. The Emerging Post-Revisionist Synthesis on the Origins of the Cold War (1983) p.172 Kramer, M. Ideology and the Cold War Review of International Studies (1999) p.542-543 Kramer, Ideology p.541 Kramer, Ideology p.542 Khrushchev, S. N Memoirs of Nikita Khrushchev Volume 1: Commissar, 1918-1945 (2000) Taubman, W, Khrushchev: The Man and His Era (2003) p.337 Tompson, W. The Soviet Union under Brezhnev (2003) p.28 Tompson, W. The Soviet Union under Brezhnev (2003) p.28 Fink, C., Junker, D. Gassert, P. (eds) The World Transformed :1968 (1998) p.163-8 Wohlforth, W. Realism and the End of the Cold War. International Security, 19:3 (1994/5) p.109 K zasedaniyu Politbyuro 6/X-88 g. 6 October 1988 (secret), reproduced in Tsena svobody: Refornatsiya Gorbacheva glazami ego pomoshchnika (Moscow: Rossika-Zevs, 1993) p.368 Kramer, Ideology p.569 Kramer, M. (ed.) The Collapse of the Soviet Union (Boulder, CO: Westview Press, 2000)