Gender Inequality in the Neolithic Era and Gender Equality in the Paleolithic Era Essay

Throughout history women have not always been treated with equality, this inequality is also shown in prehistory. The Paleolithic and Neolithic eras contrast when it comes to gender inequality or gender equality. In Paleolithic times, Women easily had a greater amount of equality and not so much of that equality in Neolithic times. In Paleolithic times, women were the ones who invented and began the use of farming and agriculture, without this great source of food, humans may have not been able to settle as easily, and the Neolithic times would have never began. The men and women had equally important jobs in their groups or tribes, for this, they were able to survive. In the Neolithic times, women had a much lesser role, and less of a say when it came to leadership. This particular law in The Code of Hammurabi showcases the inequality of genders in Neolithic times â€Å"110. If a sister of god open a tavern, or enter a tavern to drink,then shall this woman be burned to death† Such a small act of disobedience by a woman in the Neolithic era left a big punishment. This law gives proof that if a man were to do the same thing, he would not be punished as harshly (or even at all) as a woman would be in this era. In Paleolithic times, equality was shown between genders and to counteract this, in Neolithic times, inequality was shown between genders. Women began to lose less of their leadership or power that they shared with the men in the Paleolithic times.

Original writing-persuasive writing-DRAFT Essay

Are you aged eight to eighteen and searching for the hottest and latest games? Look no further. Join CGS the computer games society and we will certainly fulfil your gaming needs. Be it Nintendo, Xbox or even playstation/2 we know what you want and we’ve got it. CGS has been running for a simple 3 years and has already spread its wings nationwide. With just over 2 million members CGS is undoubtedly the fastest growing games society ever. We have all the experience, the inside and out knowledge and indeed the numbers to keep you up to date with what’s hot and what’s not. Here at CGS we give you what you want, we take in your ideas and criticism and channel it towards giving you what you need. With the number of members we have attained here in the UK we are assured success when we choose to go international. Visit our website at www. cgs. co. uk, we have just recently refurbished the site so be sure to visit and check out the new games forum where you can discuss, debate and argue the latest issues about consoles and games. We have a new games attachment (compliments of macromedia flash player) where you and your mates can battle it out to get the highest score. With over 60 brand new free online games your sure to be entertained, and if they don’t why don’t you check out our other batch of brand new downloadable games and no internet broadband system is needed, they can simply be downloaded with the 56. 6kb of your average computer. We also have the latest movie and games downloadables including pictures, backgrounds and wallpapers also for you to enjoy. Enter the new chat-rooms where we have a full-proof system of no one being able to see your details so you are completely protected. CGS was founded in 2001 by a group of young teen game fanatics. They had a large collection of games (300) between the four of them and they, just like you, loved playing, swapping and talking about games. Wherever they would go they would dispute about what was the coolest game out. They would test out each others games and criticise it. Sometimes they would hold tournaments and invite loads of their mates around. Soon they had their own â€Å"sub-culture† in school like the grungers, nerds, dossers and townies, they were known as the ‘game-boys’. More and more people started to join their little clan until it grew and they gave their selves a new name, CGS ‘computer games society’. They told their parents about the success of their group and they found out they could make a career out of this. Opportunity came their way when one of their parents’ company were looking for a new business opportunity. The father pessimistically agreed to ask the company if they were willing to sponsor CGS, much to every ones surprise the company agreed. As you can imagine they were over the moon and CGS has been an absolute success ever since. The boys, who were at the time sixteen are now nineteen year old young men who are doing what they love and getting paid for it. This is every young game fanatic’s dream and you can be a part of it. CGS is paving the way for young gamers giving you articles on careers in gaming†¦ yes that’s what I said, careers in gaming, from games tester to official games critic. To be a games tester all you need to do is fill out a form that can be found on the CGS website. Unfortunately you have to be over eighteen to be an official games critic but don’t let that demoralise you as there is probably a lot more game watching than playing! Apply now to make your dreams come true. Here at CGS as you can imagine we get a lot of post and email on how to make the company better suited for you but recently we’ve been getting post and email specifically telling us about rumours for the CGS magazine. Well we can definitely tell you that those, outrageously, notorious rumours are†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. TRUE. CGS are most definitely looking forward to publishing the first issue of the CGS magazine. The new magazine is fantastically entertaining with full graphic screen shots, published reader articles, amazing news on all the latest gossip for the new games and consoles, great new competitions with mind-blowing prizes. Be sure to carry the first ever issue of CGS magazine and enter the competitions so you can be in with a chance of winning one of the three top prizes; a fantastic holiday for you, an adult and 3 of your mates to Japan to visit the international centre of Nintendo in Tokyo, or you could win a trip to the XBOX party in London where you can test out there newest releases and get a wild goody bag, or you could even win a chance to come to CGS head quarters and interview our CEO and the founders of CGS. You must agree these prizes are undoubtedly cool! And you can enter, just simply log on to our website and subscribe to the new CGS magazine out on the thirteenth of September and with these few easy steps you could win one of these wicked prizes. As you probably have now established CGS is what everyone’s talking about and a full platinum membership is definitely top dog this Christmas. So grandma, don’t go and knit them a grotty, un-cool woolly jumper, simply log on to the CGS website and apply your grandkids to the platinum membership where they will be in with a chance of winning the top prizes, a full monthly subscription to the brand new CGS magazine and much, much more. For more details please contact us at our free call 24 hour hotline; 0800-477 477.

Reading strategy Essay

The SQ3R strategy which stands for survey, question, read, recite, and review. This five step strategy can be integrated into many areas. students can learn more effectively by engaging in the pre-reading, during-reading, and post-reading steps of this strategy. There are five strategy of reading to better understand the material. The strategy contain survey, question, read,recite and review. In survey, it contains chapter titles, introductory paragraphs, bold face, italicized headings and summary paragraphs. Question includes turn section headings into questions; have questions for which answers are expected to be found in the passage. In read purpose is to answer the questions. In recite also allow to answer question without referring to the text or notes. In review includes reviewing the material by reading parts of the text or notes to verify answers.The SQ3R is great way to actively read difficult material. It does not promise to make it student love or even like the subject but it facilitate the student to reading and ultimately, teach learning. with time and practice find this approach great study skill to develop.These students can benefit from using the SQ3R because it requires them to activate their thinking and review their understanding throughout their reading. It also helps students from waiting and then cramming for tests since the five steps requires them to review information and create notes during their initial reading. Their notes from the initial reading become their study guides. The SQ3R strategy which stands for survey, question, read, recite, and review. This five step strategy can be integrated into many areas. students can learn more effectively by engaging in the pre-reading, during-reading, and post-reading steps of this strategy. There are five strategy of reading to better understand the material. The strategy contain survey, question, read,recite and review. In survey, it contains chapter titles, introductory paragraphs, bold face, italicized headings and summary paragraphs. Question includes turn section headings into questions; have questions for which answers are expected to be found in the passage. In read purpose is to answer the questions. In recite also allow to answer question without referring to the text or notes. In review includes reviewing the material by reading parts of the text or notes to verify answers.The SQ3R is great way to actively read difficult material. It does not promise to make it student love or even like the subject but it facilitate the student to reading and ultimately, teach  learning. with time and practice find this approach great study skill to develop.These students can benefit from using the SQ3R because it requires them to activate their thinking and review their understanding throughout their reading. It also helps students from waiting and then cramming for tests since the five steps requires them to review information and create notes during their initial reading. Their notes from the initial reading become their study guides.

The impact of Pay for Performance program Assignment

The impact of Pay for Performance program - Assignment Example This essay discusses that there have been many different approaches applied before to ensure quality health care service in nursing homes. Two of the most used tools were the reimbursement system and the surveillance and enforcement system. The reimbursement system covered residential care and quality of life via payments to the providers in accordance with the standards set by the federal Nursing Home Reform Law, 1987. And surveillance and enforcement system made sure that these standards were met by the providers and if they are not, then to penalize them through penalties and fines until the deficiencies are corrected. However, for numerous reasons these systems did not prove to be effective enough in improving health care standards and simply too many residents suffered every day. Providers often complained that they were more or less underpaid to do a better job. Under these circumstances, agencies came up with ‘Pay for Performance’ program to ensure better health c are facilities by rewarding nurses and physicians according to their performances and improving the overall standard of care they’ve been providing. Pay for Performance (P4P), is a growing program that encourages health care providers to provide better health care facilities by rewarding them on the basis of their performances. The program focuses on three key features namely: participation, achievement and rewards. Participation implies that all the employees of an organization participate and contribute beyond the standard levels. Achievement stresses on reducing costs and at the same time increasing profits. It also focuses on productivity by emphasizing on group rather than individual performances. Whereas rewards are usually in the shape of cash prizes given at regular intervals based on outstanding performances (American Nurse Association, 2006). Compensation is a system of exchange. Participants are given certain targets to achieve and in return are rewarded with eithe r money or valuable assets. Compensation can be either direct or indirect. Direct compensation involves actual money given to workers and consists of base pay, incentive pay, merit pay and deferred pay whereas indirect compensation does not involve any money. Instead it includes protection programs such as health, pension, social security and other insurance services. Benefits on the other hand are the non-financial form of reimbursement offered in addition to cash salary to enrich workers’ living standards. Some of these benefits include health/medical benefits, educational assistance providing tuition reimbursements and cost of books, work/life benefits including life insurance programs, long or short term disability, cancer/critical illness plans, vision and dental coverage and most importantly retirement and pension plan for retirees since a large number of workers approach retirement every year (Report by Center of Health Program Development and Management, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2003). Challenges associated with Pay of Performance strategy There are a number of challenges or concerns faced by the Pay for Performance strategy. The first being its potential negative impacts on nursing through its worsening documentation load. Since the program requires a lot of documentation for keeping the record, through which nursing providers are monitored and are awarded based on their performance, more than 30 percent of the allocated time is spent on documentation of their work (American Hospitals Association, 2003; Pg 2004). One also questions the validity of these documentations since according to the analysis of the Centre for Medicare Advocacy, it is typical that providers self report their data in pay for performance programs. This leads to false documentation. Another challenge that comes to mind is that institutions tend to focus entirely on specific points targeted by the schemes rather than broader aspects

Instrumentation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Instrumentation - Assignment Example For purposes of accuracy, we carried out reliability and validity tests on our results. Validity is where an instrument performs and provides measurement as per the expectation while reliability is where a tool provides for consistency when used in different capacities (Christensen, Johnson & Turner, 2011). For internal validity, we made sure that the sample size was representative, and a test-retest study done by recording the data on data sales and on how leadership styles affected leadership potentials. Generalizations methods used were statistical methods such as correlation to see if cause and relationship existed. On the other hand, reliability was also ensured. The questionnaire was made into two parts where one was done online, and the other presented on a personal basis. These enable us to determine the consistency of the data that ensured that our research was adequate. For the research to determine the causal relationship validity was quite necessary. Since our data was to be used to make generalizations, the research findings must be compared to some base so that accurate conclusions can be found (Vogt, 2006). For instance, the consultant’s sales data needs to be compared to the market effectiveness while the leadership styles are compared to leadership potentials of any business hence prompted the use of

Improving Decision making in the Public Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Improving Decision making in the Public - Essay Example This study highlights that  the instinctive portion, founded on the emotional instincts, is operational in the absence of conscious inclusion. Contrarily, rational thinking involves all situations requiring deliberative analysis. Unfortunately, the instinctive portion is comparatively stronger than its rational counterpart. As a result, people are tempted to use the instinctive portion even in situations requiring deliberate analysis. This is the reason behind the lack of capacity for individuals to make right decisions.This paper discusses that the public should be instructed by knowledge on decisions making, and use these knowledge while forming decisions. Studies show that knowledge on statistics improves the judgment of certainty and uncertainty, and it is important that this is implemented within education curriculum so that students’ decision making skills are sharpened. In addition, researchers found that exemplary numeracy skills significantly improve one’s ab ility to interpret real world situations. Decision making can be drastically improved by emphasizing these two educational approaches in educational programs, while authorities applying knowledge on decision making through improved statistical and numeracy skills.  Scientific facts rule that we are incapable of altering our selves through the integration of new knowledge and skills to make only right decisions. Never-the-less, the use of libertarian paternalism, and application of the two educational approaches can improve decision making.

Degrading Women In Ads Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Degrading Women In Ads - Essay Example Most Americans spends larger percentage of the day viewing TV advertisements. The advertisements sell an extensive number than brands. Advertisements sell messages, reputation, morals, images and achievements, personal worth, sexuality, affection, prominence and status quo. In addition, they inform people about themselves and their ideal character and sometimes, ads sell addiction. The critical objective of media is to bring viewer to marketers, the same way TV shows deliver commercial to viewers. In efforts to fulfill their objectives, ads, magazines and other commercials oppress women. The paper seeks to investigate how advertising commercial degrades women in their work. Discussion Various feminist and other scholars assert than diverse television commercials, magazines, newspapers, and other media outlets are degrading and disrespectful to female body because they hyper-sexualize women, or portray women as sex objects or a weaker sex. Advertisements influence people thoughts and emotions such as adolescents who are mostly vulnerable because they are weak and inexperienced clients, and the main targets of various ads. Teenagers are in the learning stage – realizing the responsibilities and values and building self-concept, (Skinner, 2003). Various adolescents are increasingly sensitive to adverse influence and experiences some challenges to resist and question the powerful cultural messages reflected and reinforced in these advertisements. Advertisements are a form of national peer influence that ruin privacy and personal standards and values of women. The main message people learn for media advertisements and commercials are stereotypes about men and wo men. Advertisements create an imaginary environments where by people (women) are never obese, ugly, poor or disabled. Advertisements portray women in different degrading roles (as sex objects and house helps). As homemakers, women are pathologically preoccupied by hygiene, debates the virtues of product cleaning with herself and minds of the ring on the collar. Women feel guilty of being ugly and for not making a better mother or wife. Similarly, this advertisement portrays a typical woman as long-legged, slender and tender, (Gunter, 2002). All attractive females in magazines (such as minority females), irrespective of viewer and products, correspond to this principle. Consequently, women are mainly pressurized to copy this idea, and feel guilty and worthless if they fail. Such advertisements degrade women because they instill in them a notion that their lovability, desirability and beauty lies on their physical perfection. In Kellog’s PEP Vitamin paper, the advertisement por trays a degrading image of a woman. The advertisement heading proclaims, â€Å"The more a woman works, the cutter (beautiful) she appears.† The message from the images is that the secret of a woman’s beauty lies on her housekeeping prowess, (Skinner, 2003). The husband exclaims, â€Å"Gosh honey, you are better on cooking, hygiene and house dusting.† Similarly, the female body answers, â€Å"Vitamin.† The woman always get vitamins for the husband – this implies she must fulfill a man’s ego desires to achieve her beauty. Sexuality of women is utilized to market all market brands. For instance, products of men, to appeal sexually to a woman and entice men to purchase products and for women advertisements attracts men so as to reconsider their images as they read the advertisements and watch a TV commercial. Various magazines entail advertisements and images where females are assured that live, breathe and work to satisfy the male

Learning journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Learning journal - Essay Example Significantly, Student A had a fast food business and is looking to taking a shift after completion of his degree in Business Degree where he hopes to be a financial Analyst after a certain period. Strategic Learner Realizing one-self is a vital factor especially when one wants to be successful; typically, one should know the kind of person they are and what style and mode of learning fits them best. Considerably, the best methods which are applicable when it comes to interpreting of information are through visual, audio and kinesthetic methods and this can go hand in hand with reflection, experience, theories and experiments (Fleming and Mills, 1992: Kolb, 1984). Student A learns most out of seeing and activity, as from the results which he should put much into so that they can impact his life as an academic and a professional. Any good learner with a strategy will identify specific methods (one of them being a main method) that they will use for their personal learning experience a nd simply apply these methods with Kolb’s cycle. From this a lot can be achieved including Student As goals and aims in both worlds (academic and professional). Moreover, the mindset of a person also matters in any learning situation and a matter of fact the best mind set is one that has room for growth and not the fixed mindset (Carol 2007). In this case, Student A must have a growth- mindset that will help him overcome the different difficulties and challenges in different situations i.e. he can acquire more knowledge out of the normal class/school setting and read further about the current trends of the business world and this will have a great impact and be part of the learning process. Student A will be in a better position if he is able to learn independently and the growth mindset will be easily developed; all the same, this will involve seeing the teacher after class or before for consultation, guidance and feedback. Significantly, there are merits that Student A has like his problem solving and investigating skills that are essential when it comes to independent study but his poor skills in time management and planning might be a big hindrance to his development as a strategic learner. Being a financial analyst requires a lot and for Student A to be successful he must have a lot of self-awareness and high emotional intelligence which he will be likely to apply in most of his working situations. Self awareness and emotional intelligence are applied in social and professional behavior through displaying high levels of maturity and consideration of the people one is working with, respecting both these people and also the cultures of these environments despite the diversity. By and large, Student A must be alert in all the relative areas reflected in his learning journal, core skills and personal SWOT analysis portraying high level of confidence and put into action an active learning style. However, he must also observe his weaknesses and not let t hem take the best of opportunities or affect his learning and development. Skills Analysis Student A’s has high mark when it comes to his core skills through experiences and a lot of developments that have helped him in analysis; all the same, through the SWOT analysis the threats still

The Effect of Smoking on the Heart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Effect of Smoking on the Heart - Essay Example In order to demonstrate the highly-addictive properties of smoking, one study followed a cohort of men who were diagnosed with an acute, largely fatal, disease diagnosis, and others who were diagnosed with chronic, smoking-related illness. While there was some reduction in smoking, and some cessation, this behavior was not universal. This article reviews further research that is needed in order to better tailor findings about smoking and cardiovascular (and other vascular) disease, in order to understand how it correlates to specific genomic types, and to better predict who might be most susceptible to heart disease. There is no more medical debate about whether smoking causes cardiovascular and other diseases. Despite the nearly-unanimous verdict of the medical community, the persistence of smoking behaviors requires a better understanding of who is most susceptible, and how smoking exactly affects health. Much of the research in the past has concentrated on "all-or-nothing" verdicts: non-smokers versus smokers. In fact, there are many smokers who may decide, on the basis of personal diagnoses, to reduce their smoking rather than quit altogether. New research has established that smoking reduction may have some advantages as compared to continuing to smoke at previous rates. The enThe entire science of genomics offers, in conjunction with new clinical studies, the opportunity to better track who is susceptible and who is less likely to contract smoking-related illnesses. New diagnostic techniques may offer the opportunity to track smoking-related illnesses more exactly, giving physicians new ways of identifying and tracking the course of smoking-related illnesses. LITERATURE REVIEW The evidence that smoking is related to heart disease has existed for several decades. Recent work has attempted to better understand the mechanisms by which smoking influences heart disease, and to vary the types of smoking exposure in order to determine degree of severity of cardiovascular damage and the amount and timing of smoking. According to Terry Martin, there are no "easy" or lighter ways to prevent the deleterious effect of smoking (Martin). Low-tar cigarettes are no better than regular cigarettes. In a useful overview of literature, Martin cites the National Cancer Institute's recent study which concludes that even light cigarettes "provide no benefit to smokers' health." The Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) concluded that, while smoking increases the chances of contracting heart disease, smoking cessation can lengthen one's quality of life-years, but not to the same extent as if one had not smoked at all (Iso). This study, which was performed on Asians, found that the best benefits to reduction of heart disease occurred 10-14 years after cessation. Note that the Japanese population studied generally has a much lower rate of heart disease than Caucasians or African-Americans. One should be cautious, therefore, in tying these results to those expected with different populations. That there is a link is indisputable. For example, an article in the "Journal of Behavioral Medicine" in 2005 recounts the study of smokers from age

Skills for Academic Learning in Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Skills for Academic Learning in Law - Essay Example FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT 2: 40101/02 1. HARD COPY RESEARCH a. FIND THE CASE OF REVILL v NEWBERY [1996] GIVE THE CITATION FOR THE CASE AND EXPLAIN WHAT IT MEANS BRIEFLY STATE WHAT THE LEGAL ISSUES IN THE CASE ARE Citations are in two forms. One is the paper form and the citation for the above case in paper form is: Revill v Newbery [1996] 1 All ER 291 and it contains the following: 1. the heading of the case; 2. the number of the volume; 3. number of pages; and 4. the year in which the case was decided. Several cases decided by the courts are not printed. The reason is to avoid the expenditure of typesetting and printing. Only very important cases are printed. When the cases decided by the courts were printed on the Internet an overflow of information ensued.This resulted in trying to find out a neutral way to cite a case. (World Legal Information Institute, WorldLII). This normally has the following informations: The year in which the case was decided The title of the court in an abbreviated form; and The number of the decision. Thus, the above case can be cited as: Revill v Newbery (1996) 2 WLR 239 Legal issues of the case: The issues in Revill v Newberry [1996] 1 All ER 291, is that an aged allowance possessor was sleeping in his hut with a scattergun, to put off thieves. On discovering the plaintiff, attempting to break in, he shot his gun via a hole in the shed, hurting the plaintiff. At first occurrence, the defendant effectively raised the justification of ex turpi to keep away from the claim. Conversely, the Court of Appeal approved the plaintiff's prayer, assenting that the defendant was neglectful to have shot blindly at body height, without a caution or even shooting a forewarning shot into the air, and that the response was...(World Legal Information Institute, WorldLII). The issues in Revill v Newberry [1996] 1 All ER 291, is that an aged allowance possessor was sleeping in his hut with a scattergun, to put off thieves. On discovering the plaintiff, attempting to break in, he shot his gun via a hole in the shed, hurting the plaintiff. At first occurrence, the defendant effectively raised the justification of ex turpi to keep away from the claim. Conversely, the Court of Appeal approved the plaintiff's prayer, assenting that the defendant was neglectful to have shot blindly at body height, without a caution or even shooting a forewarning shot into the air, and that the response was out of every section to the danger (http://www.lawteacher.net/tort-law/lecture-notes/liability-for-land-premises-lecture.php accessed on 27 October 2009). This case was filed by Mr. Major Dhillon for recovery of damages resulting in financial losses. The financial losses were due to a number of breaches of duty on the part of one or more of the defendant accountants. These accountants were his advisors between 1997 and 2004. Further Mr.

Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor versus Pressurized Water Reactor debate Essay

Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor versus Pressurized Water Reactor debate - Essay Example On the contrary, the Pressurized Water Reactors are cheaper to maintain, environmentally safe and reliable. This prompted the government to commission the Sizewell B project. Future energy generation considerations are likely to favor the use of renewable sources that are cheaper, and environment friendly. Contents 1.0 Introduction From the 1960s, there was a clarion call to develop nuclear energy in UK with Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactors (AGRs) being the preferred choice. The first prototype of the advanced gas-cooled reactor was developed in 1962, but the first commercial AGR became operational in 1976. Complexities in implementation of the prototype delayed completion of the first AGR commercial plants. Other AGR projects were to be commissioned later in the 70s, and the 80s. However, they faced the same challenge (delayed implantation) compounded with a heavy cost implication. This led to an acrimonious debate about the use of AGR technology to generate electricity, when other econ omically viable means were available. The immense pressure forced the UK government to abandon building AGRs anymore and instead focused on the Pressurized Water Reactors (PWRs). This led to the commissioning of Sizewell B in 1987 to 1995. The PWRs were considered to be cheaper, environmentally safer and more reliable than the AGRs. ... The AGR is designed to use carbon dioxide as a coolant and graphite as a moderator. The AGR is a specifically UK breed of reactor developed, from the design for the very first nuclear reactor, to generate electricity for commercial use, a reactor built at Calder Hall in Cumbria, UK (Breeze, 2005, p. 258). Figure 1: Schematic diagram of an AGR Source: World Nuclear Association There are several advanced gas-cooled reactors built in the UK, but they have been found to be costly to operate. Most of the AGR plants cost more at the completion than it was initially anticipated and no further units of the design are planned. Instead, the last nuclear power plant built in the UK employed a United States PWR design (Breeze, 2005, p. 258). Pressurized water reactors (PWRs) are used in light-water reactor power plants. Although, there are different manufacturers in the United States, the fundamental characteristics of the PWRs are the same: the main coolant brings up steam vapor in the heat exc hanger, known as the steam generator and this steam drives the turbines. Figure 2: Schematic diagram of a PWR Source: Tennessee Valley authority By the 1970s, United Kingdom was the only major Western Europe country yet to adopt the use of light water reactors (LWR) technology to develop. This was a result of a protracted debate between the protagonist of the AGR and the LWR. It was argued that the LWR was unsafe, thus the promotion of AGR usage. The Magnox stations in UK had for a long time been faced with the problems of low volumetric power density, low operating temperatures and low pressures. The time had come to look for an alternative, and well improved design. This led to the development of the advanced gas-cooled reactors.

The Idea of Free

The Idea of Freedom to the Colonial America Essay Introduction Colonial America never had experienced freedom to its fullest implication from the beginning of their settlement in America. This could be perhaps understandable in the sense that back in England where many of these settlers came from, the expression of freedom had been so limited too. They have no freedom to express their political views nor did they have freedom of religion. The reigning monarchs James I (1603-25) and Charles (1625-49) established a series of â€Å"increasingly repressive laws against the few remaining Catholics and the growing numbers of Protestants in England† [1]These laws triggered religious persecution that drove many people to migrate to America to escape such repressive laws and the resulting religious persecution. The restriction of religious freedom was also imposed in the colonial America although there had been minor enhancement on its implication to the people. The ideas of freedom during the colonial America varies and was religious in nature but was quite vague in a sense that they implement strict laws and imposed very harsh punishment for violations where freedom was restricted. Based on the lecture of Zaheer Ali (September 10, 2008), America was inhabited by Asian Migrant between 16,000-14,000 B.C. particularly North[2] America (. These migrants undoubtedly had enjoyed unaltered freedom for very long period of time as they may have been undisturbed by the repressive or colonial laws experienced by the colonial America. They can do all they want with out fear of getting apprehended for violating restrictive laws. For the colonial America however, the idea of freedom varied and this was partly due to their diversity of ethnic origin. The Lutheran immigrant from Germany for example carried with them their notions of freedom as â€Å"the potential for philanthropic service to God and fellow humans,†[3] So as did the Puritans from England. This implies the absence of religious persecution in which the individual was persecuted on account of his or her faith. The idea about freedom of the Lutherans from western Germany, in contrast with the notion above, held freedom as â€Å"liberation from external coercion, alongside the promotion of inner godliness.†[4] While the first notion was purely religious, the context of this idea sounds a socio-religious which could be referring to the oppressive laws directed against Protestants and other non Catholic faiths. However, these German American ideas of freedom had evolved during the time of American Revolution. Freedom now includes the protection of property, which means that freedom was not only about serving God and fellow human freely, but also living a secured life with out fear that their properties would be confiscated. But for the Immigrants from England, and other Catholic countries, the idea of freedom was associated to freedom to exercise religion. George Kurian, Jeffrey D. Schultz, John G. West, and Ian S. Maclean pointed out that â€Å"the Pilgrims and Puritans came for religious freedom that chiefly meant freedom to practice their religious convictions without constraint from the English authorities.†[5] During this period, the concept of freedom was very narrow and specific in a sense that it only referred to one particular subject. Furthermore, their ideas were quite vague because while they held that freedom was associated to freedom to exercise religion, anyone who would exhibit different expression of faith even from their own ranks, would be severely punished, usually with death. This was the case in Massachusetts in 1659 and 1661 in which according to George Kurian et, al. â€Å"Quakers were outlawed and punished—four were even hanged†[6] for proclaiming â€Å"a different version of Christian faith.†[7] This was also the case of Roger Williams which was banished from Massachusetts in 1636. Kurian et, al. stated that William was intensely devout and was one of the â€Å"first to grasp the idea of religious freedom in the sense that we mean it today.†[8] Thus, the notion of freedom during the colonial America, though linked to freedom to exercise religion, does not actually have any room for tolerating different version of exercising their faith or religious practices, other than the prescribed manner, or to tolerate any other religion which was the true meaning of freedom of religion. The Puritans’ idea of freedom were also grounded on religion. Sheldon Hackney stated that for the Puritans in seventeenth-century New England, freedom was â€Å"the ability of their communities to establish a society of their understanding of the Bibl, the kind of Biblical commonwealth they were not permitted to create on Great Britain were the King was the defender of faith and the church of England was the established church†[9] For the Puritans, Freedom was a spiritual thing. It means freedom from enslavement to sin, which could be achieved â€Å"by strict conformity to the will of church and community.†[10] In his speech to the general court in 1645, John Winthrop, leader of the Massachusetts Bay stated, â€Å"On liberty, moral liberty is to be understood in terms of the covenant between God and man, and it is to that only which good, just and honest†¦.This liberty is is maintained and exercised in a way of subjection to authority; it is the same kind of liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free† [11]   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   These ideas of freedom of the colonial America were a reflection of the social realities at the time in which religion has been the basis of governance and it encompassed every spheres of the society as well as the everyday life of the individual families. Did everyone experience freedom in the same way?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There is no doubt that the expression of freedom in the context of religion was experienced in the same way through out the colonial America even though some states have different religious ideas. Hackney noted, â€Å"Colonial America in general, was not devoted to religious toleration. Anglican in Virginia had very different religious ideas from the Puritans in New England, but they agreed completely about the need of the society for uniformity of worship.†[12] This same experience of the idea of freedom could be attributed to the fact that the issue of religion as the basis of governance was also the standards of the moral and ethical norms of the society throughout Europe and the Americas. The fact that most of the immigrants had migrated to America to escape religious persecution reflects the same experiences that logically breeds the same feelings in which; their idea of freedom were based.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   All throughout the American colonial period, the ideas of freedom were influenced by the developments in England particularly the set of power. Notable was the rise to the throne of Mary, the protestant daughter of James II and her husband, William of Orange which paved the way for the objective view of religion and government. It was from this period that the evolution of the ideas of freedom to exercise religion began to find a place in the government which later influenced the declaration of independence of the colonial America.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Generally however, the main issue of freedom was freedom to exercise religion between Protestant and Roman Catholics. It means people experiences tyranny, oppression, injustice, and discrimination on account of their religion. These experiences were common among every state in colonial America as religiosity were the basis of the society’s everyday lives. It is the standard of norms of the society and was the basis of justice. However, this is quite vague because the freedom to choose religion was between Protestant and Roman Catholics only and which ever one chose, affects his or her own life socially, physically, and economically. Moreover, the idea of freedom limits to freely exercise either the Puritan or the Lutheran faith in the traditional manner of worship. It means that the individual were not allowed to have personal interpretation of the word God in a way that will suit to his or her situation and needs. It was a freedom to mean only to exercise the Lutheran and the Puritan faith and practice freely. This vague understanding of freedom had led many colonial states to â€Å"abstain voluntarily from asserting a governmental right to control or regulate religious activity within their territories and jurisdiction†[13] This development in the ideas of freedom was experienced all through out America until the birth of the United States because more and more states had recognized that religious freedom was part of the ideology of America, part of the American’s self concept. Thomas Jefferson according to Guinn once stated that freedom is, â€Å"the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights.†[14] This realization of the value of religious freedom had contributed to idea of freedom which we now enjoy. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The social realities in Europe during the 1700s greatly affected the lives of people everywhere. The religious conflict between Protestant and Roman Catholics affected not only people of England but also in most part of Europe where the conflicts were intense. These realities led people to migrate to America.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   At first glance, all we can see are the ugly, realities but looking objectively, those ugly realities paved the way for a more meaningful concept of freedom which enabled us to live a more enjoyable and exciting life. It gave our policy makers a more objective understanding and more objective laws that guarantees the individual freedom not only to practice religion but also to express views on governments or to criticize what one perceive to be wrong as long as he or she does not violate the law. Today, we are benefiting from the equal implementation, equal, purpose, and equal meaning of the law regardless of race, sex, color, religion, and ethnic origin, as our laws guarantee not only our freedom, but also our peaceful existence, our rights, and the security of our properties and most all our future. Bibliography Ali, Zaheer â€Å"The American Experience† (Lecture, September 10, 2008). Fahlbusch, Erwin; Bromiley, Geoffrey William; Barrett, David B. The Encyclopedia of Christianity USA: Wm. B. Eerdsmans Publishing, 1999 Guin, David Faith in Trial USA: Lexington Books, 2006 Hackney,   Sheldon Magnolias Without Moonlight USA: Transaction Publisher, 2005 Kurian, George; Schultz, Jeffrey D.; West, John G. Maclean, Ian Encyclopedia of religion in American Politics USA: Greenwood Publishing, 1999 Noll, Mark A. America’s God New York: Oxford University Press, 2005 [1] Erwin Fahlbusch, Geoffrey William Bromiley, David B. Barrett, The Encyclopedia of Christianity USA: Wm. B. Eerdsmans Publishing, 1999, p. [2] Zaheer Ali â€Å"The American Experience† (Lecture, September 10, 2008). [3] Mark A. Noll, America’s God New York: Oxford University Press, 2005, p. 116 [4] Noll, p. 116 [5] George Kurian, Jeffrey D. Schultz, John G. West, Ian Maclean Encyclopedia of religion in American Politics USA: Greenwood Publishing, 1999, p. 59. [6] Kurian et, al, p. 59 [7] Ibid [8] Ibid [9] Sheldon Hackney Magnolias Without Moonlight USA: Transaction Publisher, 2005, p. 126. [10] Hackney, p. 126 [11] Ibid [12] Ibid [13] David Guin Faith in Trial USA: Lexington Books, 2006, p.25 [14] Ibid

Is There A Timeless Wisdom To Neorealism Politics Essay

Is There A Timeless Wisdom To Neorealism Politics Essay Neo-realism is the starting point of international politics analysis and the basis of construction for the variant posterior theories. However, nowadays the emergence of new challenges against the neorealist thought lead to the partial marginalisation of the theory. This essay attempts to demonstrate that neo-realisms wisdom, is diachronic and its main arguments can be proved over the time, considering the past and contemporary international system. To prove my argument, I will mainly focus on the theoretical analysis given by the two most significant representatives of neo-realism, Waltz and Mearsheimer. Firstly, I will examine neorealisms fundamental assumptions regarding its interpretation of structure, power and alternations of war and peace, with a parallel evaluation of them. Throughout this process I will mention relevant examples taken from the past and recent history. Secondly, I will discuss the controversial criticisms made against the theory with a coincidently judgment o f them. Finally, in the conclusion I will argue that instead of the recent decline, neo-realisms depictions continue to be and always will remain a timeless wisdom for evaluating the International Relations. Neo-realisms worldview about structures and alternations of war Neo-realist theory comes to the front of politics debates before the beginning of Second Cold War, as a reaction to the new challenges of globalisation, as a resurrection of states role over the system and to restate the significance of bipolarity and systemic constraints in international politics (Burchill 2009: 87). To begin with, we should consider the neo-realist main theoretical arguments to form a clear view about the continuity of the theory until the present. Waltz was the first who dedicated the autonomy of international politics, as a separate field, apart from domestic politics, in his attempt to introduce the scientific rigour to the study of politics (Waltz 1990: 27-28; Burchill 2009: 88). Waltz suggests that the system is formed by structural and unit levels (Waltz 1990: 29). Therefore, he makes a distinction between external and internal factors that affect the international system (Waltz 1990: 27-28) and he proposed the so-called systemic theory as a key to explain the behaviour of the states in the international system (Keohane 1986: 13). Waltzs theory can be valuable for predictions (Burchill 2009: 89). According to him, there is a defined structural continuity over the time situated in the anarchical condition of the international system (J.G. Ruggie 1986: 134). The variety of the units structures, secures a disproportion in their policy outcomes. Hence, similarities in political structures between states sound similarities in their political effects (Waltz 1986: 81). Internationally, the anarchy is the superior law that rules the universe and produces the perpetual willing of survival and power between them (Waltz 1986: 70-97). Though states are characterised by variety domestically, their foreign policy has an exceptional analogy: international political systems stand in relations of coordinationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦No one is entitled to command and none is required to obey (Waltz 1986: 81). States concede an existence of some systemic constraints (commanded by the situation of anarchy) between them, which determinatively affect the relations and impose the game of diplomacy and survival. States reconcile their interests and goals looking to their neighbours (Burchill 2009: 90; Waltz 1986: 70-97). As a result, the structure of the international system is defined by the position each state possess in the whole world ordering (Waltz 1986: 72). Waltz analyzes his ambitious political structure concept reliant on three necessary calculations, in his attempt to distinguish the domestic politics from the international (J.G. Ruggie 1986: 134). The ordering principle of anarchy In international politics, the existence of anarchy indirectly demands from its members to take part in a process of a continuous competition, an informal battle. The international system is formed by self-regarded autonomous units. There is no centralised authority upon them to ensure their integrity, so each unit has the right to fashion its foreign policy and fight for its survival. Waltz states, that the balancing of power must be the ultimate aim of all states (Waltz 1986: 81-93, 99-115; J.G Ruggie 1986: 134-135; Mearsheimer, 2007: 72-75; Burchill 2009: 91-92) At the same time, from the side of offensive realists, Mearsheimer, an equally significant representative of the neo-realism theory, further argues that states are always preparing to confront gainfully a future possible attack or even to gain the opportunity to be a powerful hegemony. Thus, there is no other path except for the pursuit of power in a self-help world. (Mearsheimer 2007: 72-75). Each country sets its own aims and goals which are always depend upon their capabilities. There is no night-watchman who can command powerful states such as United States, so they continue to have the priority among the others. (Mearsheimer 2007: 72-75; Waltz 1986: 81-93, 99-115). Even an international organization such as the United Nations has no influence upon its most powerful members. Indicative is the case of the war against Iraq. Even though the Security Council did not approve the war, the US disregarded the decision and invaded Iraq (Mearsheimer 2006: 699; Weiss Kalbacher, 2008: 332). Furthermore in Europe regional institutions such as NATO and European Union do not have the ability to enforce their member states to go against their strategic interests (Mearsheimer 2006: 699-700). The intentions and the character of a state This assumption allows for the fact that no one state always acts exclusively to ensure its survivalà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦States are free individuals who often make decisions under the heavy pressure of events (Waltz, 1986: 85). Simplifying this statement, neo-realism argues that we cant just trust that a culture or a democratic regime or the peaceful history or a status-quo character of a country or ideology can guarantee the deterrence of a war. The intentions of a country are not always certain (Waltz, 1986: 87-92, 99). Viewing the past, many traditionally peaceful states have changed their pure intentions into aggressive war strategies. This becomes worse if we account that every state has the military capability to do this. This is evident in the United States policy. Does any from the above reasons dissuaded Americans from declaring war against Iraq? The answer is no. This necessity imposed by the anarchy, began an endless game of power between the states. This competition actually is inevitable because no one can predict and be sure about the further intentions of a state. Of course the interests of statesmen are not always predictable as well. In the case of Germany for example, if the world knew from the beginning that Hitlers ambitious plans, was to make his country an empire and a great power all over the world, I am sure that a big number of countries would have changed their foreign policy radically (Mearsheimer 2007: 72-75; Waltz 1986: 81-93, 99-115). And Mearsheimers point completes the meaning: In anarchic systemà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦states that want to survive have little choice but to assume the worst about the intentions of other states and to compete for power with them. This is the tragedy of great power politics (Mearsheimer 2007: 75). The distribution of capabilities among the states The distribution of capabilities among the states also helps to define the structure of the international system. As Waltz argues, states are differently placed by their power. The units of the anarchic system distinguished by their greater or lesser capabilities for performing similar tasks (Waltz, 1986: 92-93). Although states seek to ensure their survival in the political order, they dont have equal capabilities (Waltz, 1986: 101). A states capability of possessing military power for instance, can strike the fear in its competitors and the necessity of having an equally powerful military force. Consequently, neo-realists divide the states as great and small powers according to their place in the global system. (Burchill, 2009: 92) A vivid illustration is the United States. As Mearsheimer states, no country in Western Hemisphere would dare to strike the USA, because it is so powerful relative to its neighbours (Mearsheimer, 2007: 74; Waltz, 1986: 92-93, 99-115). We can illustrate the diachronic value of neo-realism, by looking at the past behaviour of certain states. On the twentieth century Imperial Germany, Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan have all tried to establish their hegemony by conducting great wars, but they failed (Mearsheimer, 2007: 77). In addition, Mearsheimer interestingly examines the case of China, which is parallel with Germanys past behaviour. While USA had established its regional hegemony in the twentieth century, the gradual growth of Chinas power over Asia frustrated United States and Chinas neighbours. How the world will react on Chinas challenge? Will China balance its power with the other great powers or will it assert the hegemony as a new Germany? Surely, the great powers will not just stand by and watch to their concrete position in the world being lost and consequently they will try to chain Chinas increased development. So, no one is to guarantee that Chinas rise will be peaceful (Mearsheimer 2007: 82-86). Chang es like this in power distribution may cause a future war (Mearsheimer 2007: 78). A growing power always light the suspicions of the dominant powers and the dominant state knowing its days at the pinnacle of power are numbered, has strong incentives to launch a preventive war against the challenger to halt its rise (Mearsheimer 2007: 82). Germany for instance, seeing the threatening rise of the Soviet Union in the 90s launched preventive wars in 1914 and 1939 correspondingly, to maintain its power in Europe. Furthermore, nowadays we can see Chinas rise as a similar case, since as I have already mentioned before, its significant growth keeps United States and its neighbours in a constant lookout (Mearsheimer 2007: 78-82). A controversial matter which neo-realism also tries to identify, is how many great powers are enough to rule the world (Mearsheimer 2007: 75). The most significant representatives of neo-realism, Mearsheimer and Waltz, converge in their analysis about the ideal polarity system and on how dangerous the unipolar system is. Both point out that the end of bipolarity between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 90s and the latter unipolarity of United States is the single most dramatic change in contemporary world politics. The theorists who claim that bipolar systems are less war-prone than unipolar, rely on the distribution of capabilities theory (Burchill 2009: 97-98). Waltz proposes that with the end of bipolarity, the distribution of capabilities among states has become lopsided and the growing inequality between states would undermine the peace (Waltz, 2000: 7). As a result of Americas dominance over the world, other states would attempt to balance against it or reach its p ower. Moreover, United States would probably feel militarily secure to impose its domination to other regions and try to reorder their polity, as in the case of Iraq and Afghanistan (Burchill 2009: 80). Critics and challenges against neo-realism The importance of neo-realism has been widely recognized as the primary school that established the international politics as autonomous field in politics (Keohane 1986: 16). However, the theoretical exhibition of neorealists approaches in the 90s was and continues to be the reason of the countless divergences between the critics, who mainly judge Waltzs theories and propose new ways on viewing international relations. Some of them criticized Waltzs theory for its omissions. Ruggie, for example, provides his institutional transformation concept (Keohane 1986: 17), an attempt to prove that Waltzs political concept was substantively mistaken (Ruggie, 1986: 152), because he didnt account structures property relations changes, such as dynamic density variations (Keohane, 1986:17, Walt, 1990: 28). Keohane, also discusses the weakness of Waltzs theory to include further explanatory elements of the internationals system structure, like economic interdependence, international institutions and the information richness (Keohane, 1986: 18). They both believe that Waltzs theory should paid more attention to aspects of world politics that ignores (Keohane 1986: 24). Waltzs response, is that these elements, even though are important, cannot be a part of a states theory because they are matters of practical interest and cannot alone write a theory. In contrast the positional picture of a state should stay the main explanation key for states relations because simply the anarchy rules the whole. States are positioned in a self-help world where there is a perpetual game of survival. Moreover, as Waltz argues, theories are useful for understanding and explaining and are not necessarily guides for application (Waltz 1986: 329-330; Waltz, 1990: 28-29). Therefore, critics of neorealist theory fail to understand that theory is not a statement about everything that is important in international political life, but rather a necessarily slender explanatory construct (Waltz, 1990: 30). Other critics underestimate the conservative character of Waltzs theory. They support that, Waltz presents structures as given political fixtures and the international system as a cyclical pattern (Burchill, 2009: 93-94). As a result, Cox argues, neo-realism legitimizes the status-quo, which favours the great powers and establishes a permanent disability of weak states for positional change (Burchill, 2009: 94). In other words, the prospects for alternative expressions of political community are limited (Linklater 1995: 258-9; Burchill 2009: 99). But Waltz identifies that Coxs accusations are based on the fact that he overstates the states role as units in the international system and thereby make them static (Waltz 1986: 338). Other theoretical perspectives have also emerged as a response to neorealist thought, and challenged neorealist. An example of those theories is liberalism. With childish naivety these theories strongly support the ideas of a big economic community co-operation, pacification and globalisation. In other words, neo-liberalists put the importance of ruling the world peace, not in the military capabilities like neo-realists, but on economic factors. Neo-liberalists argue that the new challenges of globalisation, the technological evolution and the appearance of non-state actors, have established a borderless world where states have now a very low profile (Burchill 2009: 95-97). Doyle suggests that because the unit-members of a liberal democracy have pounded continuously from violence and wars as a product of the anarchic system, now they have reduced their aggressive incentives and they are ready to co-operate with each other in the name of peace (Doyle 1986: 1151-1169). But, these hopes for a peaceful world in terms of economic globalisation and democracy were shattered in the wake of September 11 and neo-realism has made a stunning comeback in the realm of international relations (Mearsheimer 2007: 86). (Besides, I dont believe that Cyprus could ever be as equal as United Kingdom politically or economically nor as able as it to pretend rights on the international foreground. This cant be accomplished because, states are rational actors. The higher amount of power each state has, the higher security will enjoy (Mearsheimer, 2007: 74). ) Furthermore, neo-liberalists havent consider countries such as Africa which are unaffected by globalisation and consequently have little opportunity to take part in this community (Burchill 2009: 95-97). In addition, Krasner claims that, not all the constituent parts of a nation-states sovereignty are equally vulnerable to globalisation and the transnational corporations are not as global as first thought. Despite their popular image, they remain largely anchored at home (Krasner 1999). Burchill concludes that, the distribution of capabilities will always remain the primary key for understanding politics because the economic interdependence of the last century failed to prevent the First World War and some conflicts among this alleged economical community of the world, like the break-up of Yugoslavia. Nuclear weapons and the possession military power will always have the greatest importance in International Relations (Waltz 2000: 4-7; Burchill 2009: 95-97). Waltz further accounts, that a state will never diminish its self-interests for the sake of international order (Burchill, 2009: 93). This will happen because the states constantly looking for opportunities to gain advantage over each other, with the ultimate prize being a hegemony (Mearsheimer, 2007: 77). Conclusion This essay has argued that neorealisms main assumptions could constitute a diachronic guide book for states and statesmen. One claim made about neo-realism, is that neo-realism died with the end of Cold War, because the new challenge of globalisation guarantees the world peace in terms of cooperation, liberalisation and paralyzes the role of states. Another suggests that neo-realism is old-fashioned because now the idea of democracy and the subordination on laws recommendations overflow into the world. However, there are strong evidence that the neo-realists view of politics will always remain a fundamental and essential key to explain world affairs and states behaviours (Burchill, 2009: 86). Firstly, the units function in an anarchic international system. Domestically, the variety of the units still leads to differently potential outcomes and interests. Internationally, states still seek to maximize their power or balancing each other to survive. Secondly, states always fear for possible attacks and therefore try to acquire as much power as possible in order to ensure their security. The inequality of capabilities gives a state the opportunity to be a threat against others or even to assert the hegemony. There is no one above states to safeguard their integrity and so states are never certain if other states intentions are aggressive or defensive. Associatively, the military and security power still remain the main concern for international politics with economic factors coming second. Thirdly, neorealists views on what causes war, seems that are still well-timed. A change in the distribution of capabilities can light the suspicions and launch a preventative war. In terms of polarity, states struggle to gain the label of a great power and thereby to succeed their interests. As a result, even more states have the right and the opportunity to participate in this game of power which it may cause a war. Those reasons, as neo-realism dictates, somehow coerce states to march each other temporally to keep a balanced peace or to cause a likely war. Therefore, though the theoretical line of neo-realism is fashioned on the past, it can also apply to the present and the continuity of the theory can be detected in neorealists approaches over the years. The world remains a dangerous placeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦States still worry about their survival, which means that they have little choice but to pay attention to the balance of power. International politics is still synonymous with power politics, as it has been for all of recorded history (Mearsheimer, 2007: 86).

Childcare Protection in Social Work | Case Study

Childcare Protection in Social Work | Case Study Critically evaluate, the evidence and application of the knowledge and practice skills required in helping children during the enquiry, investigation and assessment phases of childcare and protection work. The objective of this article is to explore the evidence and knowledge, values and skills that social workers use in child protection investigation and assessment. In the course of this commentary and self-evaluation, we will highlight the responsibilities of professionals in social work and: a) articulate the professional role and tasks of social workers and demonstrate an appreciation of the role and tasks of other significant professionals in childcare and protection investigation and assessment b) articulate what social workers understand by interdisciplinary work and their part in this c) articulate the values which inform the practice of social work during inquiry, investigation and assessment, paying particular attention to practice when conflicts arise e) demonstrate an example of anti-discriminatory practice during inquiry, investigation and assessment in relation to at least one of the following: race, gender, disability, poverty, sexuality and religion f) demonstrate effective practice in assessing, planning and evaluating interventions (Moore, 1985) g) convey a knowledge and understanding of models of investigation, assessment and risk analysis in practice h) make effective links between the commentary on the practice of social work and the theoretical bases in relevant literature For our purposes, we would investigate all these aspects of social work blending theory and practice, assessment and investigation and analyze the roles and responsibilities of social workers and their approach towards interdisciplinary collaborative practice. We would also critically evaluate the following case study to show the application and efficacy of knowledge and skills of social workers in childcare and protection work. Case Study: 14-year-old boy from Ireland, arrived in Scotland after being abducted by a man from Dublin. Past history of the boy is given as follows- he had been sexually abused by a neighbour for many years. The case of abuse went to court, the accused man was found not guilty due to lack of evidence. The boy ended up in childrens home and then on the streets in Dublin. He was persuaded by an older man to come to Scotland for better life. The man passed the boy off as his son (as he had no passport) and brought the boy to the UK. Once in the UK the boy was sexually abused by the man, ran off and went to police station. The social worker became involved as responsible and testified in police interview that the boy had learning difficulties. Application of Knowledge and Skills in Social work for Childcare and Protection: Social workers have the objective of improving people’s lives and help people to function in the best possible way within their social environment, helping them to deal with their relationships and solve their personal and family problems. Social workers also deal with issues of domestic and sexual abuse and often provide requisite care in a health related setting. Short-term intervention, community based care and ambulatory services are provided by the social workers and governed by care organizations (Howe, 2005). Child, family and school social workers provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and try to maximize academic achievements of the children and improve family relationships. Social workers help to find foster homes and care services for neglected, abused and abandoned children and address problems of misbehavior, truancy, delinquency and sexual deviation in children and adolescents. Chi ld, family, and school social workers typically work in schools, care settings, individual and family services agencies, or State and local governmental agencies providing social support (Munro, 2002). These social workers that work for children are also known as child welfare social workers, child protective services social workers. Social workers who work with entire families are family services social workers, occupational social workers, or if they work for betterment of aged people they are gerontology social workers. Child protection services are aimed at preventing and protecting children from being harmed through neglect or abuse at home, at school, in the community or in society at large. The Social work department of the UK government contributes to a multi-agency collaborative approach to care and protection of children who are vulnerable and easily exploited and abused. The collaborative efforts of the Police, Health, Education and Housing departments ensure a coordinated response towards the care and protection of children. This is coordinated and supervised by the Child Protection Committee, which follows the legislation noted in the Children’s Scotland Act, 1995 (Francis, 2000). The Department of social work has a specific responsibility for the promotion of child protection and welfare. For protection of children from abuse and neglect, the Social Work Services have the following responsibilities: Supporting families to maintain children within their own home and community where appropriate. Investigating allegations of child abuse. Where necessary, providing appropriate care placements for children. Referring those children who are believed to require compulsory measures of care to adequately protect them to the Reporter to the Childrens Hearing system. Organizing and chairing multi-agency child protection meetings. Coordinating multi-agency child protection plans for those children on the child protection register. One of the most important phases in child protection and care is assessment. In the assessment stage, the needs of children and their families and views of the carers are taken into consideration by the social workers, health professionals, and psychologists who perform the assessment and determine the individual and varied needs and assess how they can be met (Walker, 2003). The social workers, health professionals, housing officers, teachers, the police as well as carers and the children or young people themselves, contribute to a multi-agency assessment of needs. The legislative framework followed for childcare in social work is the Children Scotland Act, 1995 (Francis, 2000), some features of which are discussed later in the context of the case study. Considering the case study of the 14-year-old boy discussed above we evaluate the knowledge and skills of social workers in the investigative, inquiry and assessment phases of child protection work. According to the Children’s Scotland Act, 1995, the following legislative framework was provided if a person is not a natural parent or do not have parental responsibilities. Care or control of child by person without parental responsibilities or parental rights. 5.—(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, it shall be the responsibility of a person who has attained the age of sixteen years and who has care or control of a child under that age, but in relation to him either has no parental responsibilities or parental rights or does not have the parental responsibility mentioned in section 1(1)(a) of this Act, to do what is reasonable in all the circumstances to safeguard the childs health, development and welfare; and in fulfilling his responsibility under this section the person may in particular, even though he does not have the parental right mentioned in section 2(1)(d) of this Act, give consent to any surgical, medical or dental treatment or procedure where— (a)the child is not able to give such consent on his own behalf; and (b)it is not within the knowledge of the person that a parent of the child would refuse to give the consent in question. (2)Nothing in this section shall apply to a person in so far as he has care or control of a child in a school (school having the meaning given by section 135(1) of the [1980 c.44.] Education (Scotland) Act 1980). Views of children. 6.—(1)A person shall, in reaching any major decision which involves— (a)his fulfilling a parental responsibility or the responsibility mentioned in section 5(1) of this Act; or (b)his exercising a parental right or giving consent by virtue of that section, have regard so far as practicable to the views (if he wishes to express them) of the child concerned, taking account of the childs age and maturity, and to those of any other person who has parental responsibilities or parental rights in relation to the child (and wishes to express those views); and without prejudice to the generality of this subsection a child twelve years of age or more shall be presumed to be of sufficient age and maturity to form a view. (2)A transaction entered into in good faith by a third party and a person acting as legal representative of a child shall not be challengeable on the ground only that the child, or a person with parental responsibilities or parental rights in relation to the child, was not consulted or that due regard was not given to his views before the transaction was entered into. Section 6 especially highlights the views of the children in parental rights and responsibilities, so our case study here in which the 14-year-old boy was deliberately brought to Scotland and was forced to live with a man who abused him repeatedly is definitely illegal. Section 6(2) specifically mentions that a person can claim parental responsibility only when there is complete consent by the child. This has again not been the case here. The legislative care procedures for children at risk of harm is as follows: Short-term refuges for children at risk of harm. 38.—(1)Where a child appears— (a)to a local authority to be at risk of harm, they may at the childs request— (i)provide him with refuge in a residential establishment both controlled or managed by them and designated by them for the purposes of this paragraph; or (ii)arrange for a person whose household is approved by virtue of section 5(3)(b) of the [1968 c.49.] Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (provision for securing that persons are not placed in any household unless the household has prescribed approval) and is designated by them for the purposes of this paragraph, to provide him with refuge in that household, for a period which does not exceed the relevant period; (b)to a person who carries on a residential establishment in respect of which the person is for the time being registered (as mentioned in section 61(2) of that Act), or to any person for the time being employed in the management of that establishment, to be at risk of harm, the person to whom the child so appears may at the childs request provide him with refuge, for a period which does not exceed the relevant period, in the establishment but shall do so only if and to the extent that the local authority within whose area the establishment is situated have given their approval to the use of the establishment (or a part of the establishment) for the purposes of this paragraph. Usually when a child, as understood by a young person below the age of 16 is in any risk of harm as in this case study, it is legally required to provide him with shelter and protection at a residential establishment managed by local governmental authorities and social care services. In cases of neglect, abuse or torture this protection is mandatory. Thus the knowledge and skills of social workers to protect any child under 16 is also related to her understanding of legal implications and framework. The initial stage is assessment of the child’s needs followed by inquiry and investigation through background checks and psychological tests in which problems of the child and his background and social environment are analyzed. In this case study, the 14 year old boy is assessed with the help of past history, police records, psychological and medical tests and it was revealed from these procedures that we was not only tortured and abused by the person who took him away from Dublin, but was also suffering from learning disabilities. Thus along with the conditions of neglect and abuse, the child can also be considered disabled and separate legislative procedures have to be considered in this case. For Children with disabilities, the legal implications are as follows: Children affected by disability. 23.—(1)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of section 22 of this Act, services provided by a local authority under that subsection shall be designed— (a)to minimise the effect on any— (i)disabled child who is within the authoritys area, of his disability; and (ii)child who is within that area and is affected adversely by the disability of any other person in his family, of that other persons disability; and (b)to give those children the opportunity to lead lives which are as normal as possible. (2)For the purposes of this Chapter of this Part a person is disabled if he is chronically sick or disabled or suffers from mental disorder (within the meaning of the [1984 c.36.] Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984). (3)Where requested to do so by a childs parent or guardian a local authority shall, for the purpose of facilitating the discharge of such duties as the authority may have under section 22(1) of this Act (whether or not by virtue of subsection (1) above) as respects the child, carry out an assessment of the child, or of any other person in the childs family, to determine the needs of the child in so far as attributable to his disability or to that of the other person. Assessment of ability of carers to provide care for disabled children. 24.—(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, in any case where— (a)a local authority carry out under section 23(3) of this Act an assessment to determine the needs of a disabled child, and (b)a person (in this section referred to as the carer ) provides or intends to provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis for that child, the carer may request the local authority, before they make a decision as to the discharge of any duty they may have under section 2(1) of the [1970 c.44.] Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 or under section 22(1) of this Act as respects the child, to carry out an assessment of the carers ability to continue to provide, or as the case may be to provide, care for that child; and if the carer makes such a request, the local authority shall carry out such an assessment and shall have regard to the results of it in making any such decision. A child is considered to have a disability if he is chronically sick or suffers from some form of mental disorder that stops him from actively participating in normal daily activities. As we have already indicated the three stages of inquiry, investigation and assessment are important in child protection and childcare. In the inquiry and investigation phases, the police and the social workers obtain the history and background of the child. In the assessment phase, health workers, doctors, social workers, carers, and psychologists work together to assess the problem of the child, instances of abuse and the legal implications of the child’s conditions. Assessment of disability, if any, the child’s mental, physical and social problems and the general abilities and health of the child is important (Walker, 2003). Knowledge of legal implications and skills of social work practice and theories on mental health and disabilities are not only useful but also necessary in childca re and protection work. The ethical consideration and values are also considered here by the social worker as anti-discriminatory measures for disability, poverty, race or gender are also taken into consideration (Banks, 2001). A disabled person is entitled to his human rights to be treated equally and any discrimination would come under oppressive or discriminatory practice. It is the responsibility of the social workers to see to it that this is avoided. As we have already indicated a recognition of models and theories of practice, values and ethics of social services and an ability and appreciation of working in a collaborative effort with other professionals in varied fields are the most important characteristics in social work and child protection. Conclusion: In this case study, a 14-year-old boy abused and abducted was brought to UK where he sought the help of police, who according to legal requirements provided him with residential care. The boy was looked after by carers and social workers in the residential care arrangement where his condition was investigated further by the police and his mental and physical conditions were also assessed by social and health workers. In this article we discussed the importance of knowledge and practice skills of social workers relating the values, dilemmas and ethical considerations of childcare and highlighted the importance of legal implications using the relevant clauses in the Children’s Scotland Act, 1995. Bibliography Banks, Sarah. 2001.  Ethics and values in social work /Sarah Banks.  2nd ed.  Basingstoke :Palgrave. Francis, Joe. 2000.  Child protection and social work practice :exploring the impact of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.  University of Edinburgh, Department of Social Work. Howe, David, 2005.  Child abuse and neglect :attachment, development and intervention /David Howe.  Basingstoke :Palgrave Macmillan. Moore, Jean G. 1985.  The ABC of child abuse work /Jean G. Moore.  Aldershot :Gower. Munro, Eileen. 2002.  Effective child protection /Eileen Munro.  London :SAGE. Scourfield, Jonathan. 2002.  Gender and child protection /Jonathan Scourfield ; consultant editor, Jo Campling.  New York :Palgrave Walker, Steven. 2003.  Social work assessment and intervention /by Steven Walker and Chris Beckett.  Lyme Regis :Russell House Publishing. Scottish Local Government Information Unit.  Children (Scotland) Act 1995:a guide.  Scottish Local Government Information Unit,1995. Also see Children Scotland Act, 1995 http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1995/ Child Protection – Social work services http://www.inverclyde.gov.uk/Social_Work/

Cars as a Symbol in The Great Gatsby Essay -- Fitzgerald Great Gatsby

Cars as a Symbol in The Great Gatsby Cars play a very important part in the telling of The Great Gatsby. The Great Gatsby is a very dark, unhappy book, and the cars really exemplify this. "à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦cars change their meaning and become a symbol of death" (Dexheimer). Cars also give the reader insight into some of the different characters in the book. One of the most important jobs of cars in this book is to foreshadow upcoming events. Throughout the book, there are many devastating and dark events that these cars represent. A line from the book that really drives this home is, "So we drove on toward death through the cooling twilight" (Fitzgerald 143). Fitzgerald deliberately chose to put the words drove, implying cars, and death, together. This is an idea that appears many times. The dead man went An incidence of this is when Nick and Gatsby are driving over the Queensboro Bridge on their way to the valley of ashes. This paragraph in the book is very dark, and it helps set the awful mood for the rest of the book. A dead man passed us in a hearse heaped with blooms, followed by two carriages with drawn blinds and by more cheerful carriages for friends. The friends looked out at us with the tragic eyes and short upper lips of south-eastern Europe and I was glad the sight of Gatsby's splendid car was included in their somber holiday. As we crossed Black Wells Island a limousine passed us, driven by a white chauffeur, in which sat three modish Negroes, two bucks and a girl. I laughed aloud as the yolks of their eyeballs rolled towards us in haughty rivalry. (Fitzgerald 73) On this bridge, any number of different types of cars could have driven by, but a hearse and a black limousine were chosen to help .. ...ruption in the novel" (Symbolism in The Great Gatsby). "Instead of being a 'rich cream color,' a witness is quoted saying 'It was a yellow car,' implying that the dream is dead" (Swygert). In the East Daisy becomes corrupt, and the color change is the way that the reader is shown this change in her, and the death of Gatsby's dream of marrying Daisy. As I have shown, cars play a very important part in helping portray the darkness in The Great Gatsby. The cars symbolize the death and despair of the story and help to characterize some of the main characters. Works Cited Dexheimer, Melissa, Lauren Locke and Mosang Miles. "Student Led Seminar Presentation and Summary". Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1995. Swygert, Shavaun. "Color Symbolism in The Great Gatsby". 1 June 1998. "Symbolism in The Great Gatsby".

The Sound And The Fury (madison Scouts) :: essays research papers fc

The roar of extreme sound emanates from a football field. It is clear that this is not an ordinary high school marching band playing at a football game. These are Drum and Bugle Corps, boasting an instrumentation of all brass and percussion instruments. This arrangement of instruments can create an enormous amount of sound, sometimes louder than a rock music concert. Due to their thorough auditioning processes, they have a group of musicians, who can play extremely well, all of whom are brought together to entertain the crowds on their three month tour in the summer. Their goal is not just entertainment, but to end up on the top of the order when all is said and done at the championships. In 1972, several Drum and Bugle corps, who wanted to perform competitively against each other, embarked on a venture to create their own rules of performance. The original rules were set forth by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts, from whom competitive Drum Corps w!as given birth. The competing units had little to say in any modification of rules. From this new coalition, Drum Corps International (DCI) arose. The Madison Scouts, one of these charter members of DCI, were originally formed as a division of a Boy Scout troop in 1938, so that Madison would have their own Drum and Bugle Corps to resemble the Racine Scouts Corps. Each year 125 men, ages sixteen to twenty-one, come together for three months, practicing an average of eight hours every day in the summer, to put together the production for the coming competitive season. Each year the Madison Scouts thrill audiences with their talent and power, creativity, and an emphasis on entertainment to consistently become one of the crowds' favorite corps.Amazing us with the sound they can generate, the Madison Scouts are known as "The guys who can blow the corks right out of their spit valves". This is an unattainable feat, unless you are using tremendous amounts of air and pressure most professional players cannot do this. The Madison Scouts are noted for tapping into this unbridled power which their musicians possess. They utilize extreme variation in dynamic levels. Like adjusting the volume on a stereo, this is how loud and soft the ensemble gets as a whole. They create an atmosphere on the football field which draws in the audience. Their soprano bugles are renowned for pushing the limits of their playable range by not only playing high "C", but going further to play high "G" above high "C".

Analyzing Race and Its Influence in your Community

Racial influences rely on a number of factors depending on a place’s history and location. It may include racism according to color, racism according to social status, and racism based on religion and ethnicity. But regardless of its foundation, racism indeed has interesting effects on people and the society at large.Racial differences in our community are not in terms of color, but of religion and ethnicity. Actually, it is between Muslims and Christians. Anywhere in the world today, the root cause of conflicts can be attributed to religious and ethnic diversities.The unsolved barrier amongst Muslims and Christians has always resulted to misunderstandings, discrimination and worse, wars which end up to loss of lives and more prejudice and hatred. Personally, I believe racism only puts the clashing parties at losing ends.Culture and traditions between Muslims and Christians are different. It can be said that Muslims are more conservative and secluded compared to Christians who are more or less Westernized. From clothing to behavior and practices, both beliefs have little similarities.In the community where I lived in, Christians often criticized the Muslim way of life. Basic is their manner of clothing. Muslim women are sanctioned to wear veils and not a single strand of hair should be exposed in public. The head should be totally covered. No skin should be seen so women always wear long-sleeves and long pants and skirts to cover their arms and legs respectively.Talking or hanging out with men is prohibited as well. Islamic laws require that women should remain traditional and well-kept in order to be respected and clean in the eyes of Allah, the Muslim term for God. Some Christians often make rude and impolite remarks in front of Muslim women and stared at them head to foot which is a sign of disrespect and indifference.Apathetically, some Christians cannot really hide their emotions in that they want their strong message to be really imparted in a crue l manner. They utter comments such as â€Å"Muslims are born traitors† which is for me, a nasty thing to say. It is making the gap farther and harder to patch up.Drinking alcohol is a taboo for Islamic submitters. They should abide by the five pillars of Islam including pronouncement of faith in Allah (shahadah), praying five times a day (salat), fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadhan (saum), giving alms to the poor (zakat), and pilgrimage to Mecca if possible (hajj). Some Christians also laughed at the manner Muslims pray. During Ramadhan, some non-Muslims express negative interpretations by questioning the significance of not eating and not drinking anything the whole day.On the contrary, Christians are more carefree and liberated though there are some conservative families as well. But more often than not, they can do anything under the sun. Discipline and control are still instilled upon them but their behavior is often unlimited.Muslims also criticized Christians for being too modern especially in the way they dress. Some women wear very suggestive clothing, showing a lot of skin. These women are often disrespected and insulted by Muslim men and even Christian men for being too showy and vulgar. But Christians do not mind these comments thinking that they are up-to-date relative to the popular trends as seen on television and in the Internet.Most young Christian women nowadays are free to hang out anywhere; some even drink and smoke in public. If public display of affection to a boyfriend or girlfriend is illegal for Muslims, Christians often welcome it. Muslims usually practice arranged marriage and exclusiveness in marriage between Muslims alone while most Christians can choose whoever they want to be their lifetime partner regardless of religion and culture.As long as the couple loves each other, they can marry without obstacles from the woman’s family. This is very prevalent in the community where I live in.Muslim women who occasional ly end up with Christian men are often disowned and as a result, the family of the Muslim woman takes revenge not only to the Christian guy but to his entire clan as well. Some cases unfortunately end up in killings or total disowning of the Muslim woman by her kin and family including relatives and other blood relations.

Types of Dnr

Everyone at any stage of their life can be faced with life changing issues. Should this happen it would be nice for your family to know what your wishes are . Do you want life support? Would you want drugs only used? Does your family know of your wishes? These are not questions that can wait to be addressed. When a family is dealing with their own grief they can not always make your wishes known. There are many ways in which an individual can make their wishes know about end of life care. An advance directive tells your doctor what kind of care you would like to have if you become unable to make medical decisions. With these documents in place decisions are a lot easier on the family members. â€Å"A good advance directive describes the kind of treatment you would want depending on how sick you are,† Sally Austin explained in her article Families making decisions, dying death and DNR status. â€Å"For example, the directives would describe what kind of care you want if you have an illness that you are unlikely to recover from, or if you are permanently unconscious. † Advance directives usually tell your doctor that you don't want certain kinds of treatment. However, they can also say that you want a certain treatment no matter how ill you are. There are many types of advance directives. Laws about advance directives are different in each state. There are also policies and procedures for each hospital or office, clinic so make sure you know your policy. You should be aware of the laws in your state. If you are in a situation where you have a patient that has a DNR however you do not have it in hand and a code is called most places with perform the code as if no DNR is in place. Therefore a copy must always accompany the patient to whatever department they go to (Edwards, 66). A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order is one kind of advance directive. A DNR is a request not to have cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if your heart stops or if you stop breathing. (Unless given other instructions, hospital staff will try to help all patients whose heart has stopped or who have stopped breathing. ) You can use an advance directive form or tell your doctor that you don't want to be resuscitated. In this case, a DNR order is put in your medical chart by your doctor. DNR orders are accepted by doctors and hospitals in all states. Most patients who die in a hospital have had a DNR order written for them (Edwards, 66). Patients who are not likely to benefit from CPR include people who have cancer that has spread, people whose kidneys don't work well, people who need a lot of help with daily activities, or people who have severe infections such as pneumonia that require hospitalization. If you already have one or more of these conditions, you should discuss your wishes about CPR with your doctor, either in the doctor's office or when you go to the hospital. It's best to do this early, before you are very sick and are considered unable to make your own decisions. A living will is another type of advance directive( LegacyWriter's). It only comes into effect when you are terminally ill. Being terminally ill generally means that you have less than six months to live. In a living will, you can describe the kind of treatment you want in certain situations. A living will doesn't let you select someone to make decisions for you. A Medical Power of Attorney (MPA) is also another kind of advance directive. A MPA states whom you have chosen to make health care decisions for you. It becomes active any time you are unconscious or unable to make medical decisions. A MPA is generally more useful than a living will. But a MPA may not be a good choice if you don't have another person you trust to make these decisions for you. Families can be faced with life alternating decisions at any time. There are several forms of advanced directives, and since no one knows when they will face theses situations it is a good idea to talk to with family and loved ones so you know their wishes as well they know yours.

OXO: Satisfaction Guranteed Essay

OXO’s most profitable customers are those with dexterity problems like arthritis such as the wife its founder, Sam Farber, had when coming up with the idea of starting OXO. Now OXO designs products that are usable by as many people as possible. This means that men and women, young and old, left and right handed, and those with special needs can utilize their products (OXO, 1990). â€Å"Through market segmentation, companies divide large, heterogeneous markets into smaller segments that can be reached more efficiently and effectively with products and services that match their unique needs (Kotler & Armstrong, 2014).† Psychographic segmentation is primarily used by OXO in efforts to target a multitude of consumer’s with different lifestyles. Each OXO product â€Å"was developed based on the concept of Universal Design (also known as Inclusive Design), a philosophy of making products that are usable by as many people as possible (OXO, 1990).† Many of the com petitions kitchen gadgets from the research attempt to conform to the needs of consumers such as OXO has done. There are few that have reached the standard for universal ease of use. The value proposition that is extended to OXO’s clients is a satisfaction guarantee which is clearly stated on its website. â€Å"We guarantee everything we make! If for any reason you are not satisfied with an OXO product, return it for replacement or refund (OXO, 1990).† OXO’s satisfaction guarantee is similar to that of some of it’s competitors but not all. Companies such as CUTCO and CHEFS share the 100% satisfaction guarantee value proposition. In order for OXO to develop their product line to stand out from competitors â€Å"Smart Design’s first assignment was to come up with tools that were comfortable in the hand, dishwasher safe, high quality, good looking and  affordable.† OXO’s â€Å"designers divided tool types by wrist and hand motions: twist/turn (used to scoop, stir and peel), push/pull (graters and knives) and squeeze (scissors, garlic press and can openers).† 3 Levels of Product Core customer Value: What is the customer really buying? OXO’s customers are purchasing â€Å"wonderfully comfort–able tools that are easy to use (Corporate Design Foundation).† Actual product: brand name, quality level, packaging, design, features OXO’s hand tools are sold under the name Good Grips, chosen because â€Å"it communicates the major advantage of the line quickly,† explains Farber. OXO’s goal is to provide â€Å"budget–conscious consumers with tools that adhered to OXO’s principles of universal design, focusing on user comfort.† OXO makes grave attempts to use less plastic in packaging (Corporate Design Foundation). Augmented product: delivery and credit, product support, warranty, after-sale  OXO provides product support via email, phone, fax, and mail. The company’s satisfaction guarantee is a warranty within itself. Customers can return products for a replacement or a full refund. After researching OXO’s products it became very apparent that the company follows an intensive distribution strategy. Their products are found in many different shopping outlets such as JC Penny, Bed Bath and Beyond, Kohl’s, Amazon.com, and Sur La Table just to name a few. This type of distribution is very convenient for the company if they’re aim is to provide comfortable gadgets for all to use. Distributing to these types of stores appears to target all lifestyle groups. The pricing of OXO’s Good Grip products seem very reasonable in nature from the product prices I have seen recently. I’ve even purchased a few of the gadgets myself because the pricing and handiness. In comparison to like items, OXO adopted the correct pricing scheme and has made itself a viable competitor in the home goods market. OXO is doing what any other reasonable and profitable company is doing by advertising on social media sites. There is vast community of social media  users that can be pose as potential customers of OXO. Facebook and Twitter are the two most reputable social media sites and they OXO utilizes both to broaden its customer base. Facebook alone has: Over 1.15 billion users, one million webpages can be accessed with the â€Å"Login with Facebook† feature 23% of Facebook users login at least 5 times daily  47% of Americans say Facebook is the top influencer of their buying decisions On average, Americans spend %16 of each online hour on Facebook. 70% of marketers acquire new customers through Facebook. And Twitter: Now has over 550 million registered users and 215 million monthly active users Between 2012 and 2014, Twitter achieved a growth rate of 44% 34% of marketers use Twitter for lead generation (Romeri, 2014).† The vast amount of internet users speaks for itself. OXO is conducting business via internet and attracting a multitude of clients through social media and word of mouth. OXO has raised the bar for the kitchen gadget market with its Good Grips product line and its guarantee of satisfaction. They’ve even taken it a step further to cut advertising costs by advertising through social media sites and even creating a blog site in order to listen and respond to consumer thoughts and concerns on their products. References Corporate Design Foundation. (n.d.). Getting a Grip on Kitchen Tools. Retrieved from Corporate Design Foundation: http://www.cdf.org/issue_journal/getting_a_grip_on_kitchen_tools.html Kotler, P., & Armstrong, G. (2014). Principles of Marketing. Upper Saddle, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. OXO. (n.d.). Blogger Outreach. Retrieved from OXO: http://www.oxo.com/bloggeroutreach/ OXO. (1990). Our Roots. Retrieved from OXO: http://www.oxo.com/OurRoots.aspx OXO. (1990). Satisfaction Guarantee. Retrieved from OXO: http://www.oxo.com/Satisfaction.aspx Romeri, M. J. (2014, February 18). New Social Media Statistics You Need to Know. Retrieved from Social Media Today: