Ethics and Islam Essay

The interpretation of secular vs. religious ethics is always interesting, when we try to understand which of the two deserve our support. Obviously, both ethical philosophies have the right to exist among us, but the provisions of the religious ethics in Said Nursi’s vision are not only unique, but are sometimes surprising, and are sometimes unacceptable to those, who keep to secular ethical traditions. Said Nursi insists on ethics having religious foundations. His ethical vision is based on the assumption that religion is the source of reliable ethical knowledge. â€Å"For Nursi, the ultimate source of all ethical reflection is the Qur’an† (Markham 69). In this situation it is possible to suggest that Qur’an should be simple and understandable to the common people, so that they should be able to follow its provisions. The assumption is rather debatable: on the one hand, there seems to be nothing negative or threatening in the fact that Said Nursi keeps to religious foundations of ethics. On the other hand, I may suggest that those who refuse to accept the life of the prophet Muhammad as the source of ethical knowledge, risk facing opposition from religious ethics’ supporters. This ethics loses its relevance as soon as it is faced with the fact that there are possible other sources of ethics in other cultures of the world. Moreover, and I would agree with Markham, in that there is no guarantee that being obedient to Qur’an means seeing its wisdom; in case we do not understand the provisions to which we should keep in our ethics, it loses its relevance and meaning. The strong side of religious ethics in Said Nursi’s words is in accepting violence as weakness in trying to resolve various disputes. â€Å"Nursi is committed to handling disagreement with peaceful means not because he shared a western skepticism about the truth of religion, but because of the truth of religion† (Markham 72). Secular ethics would easily reject these religious attitudes. While Nursi tries to justify the strength of religion, he obviously forgets that this strength is relevant only within the limited religious circles. Secularism exists and cannot be denied. For those who consider themselves being secular the strength of religion is closely connected with the power of metaphysical phenomenon. In the absence of the latter, the power of the former becomes debatable. Thus, religious foundations of ethics can be applied within the limited space of extremely religious eastern countries, which keep to Islamic religion. Especially interesting is Nursi’s ideas about personal ethics and social equality. His interpretation of a person in illness is rather curious, though is also natural within the eastern religious framework. â€Å"O ill person who lacks patience! Be patient, indeed, offer thanks! Your illness may transform each of the minutes of your life into the equivalent of an hour’s worship† (Makrham 74). The question is whether patience is equal to inactivity. Recognizing the religious value of pain and suffering is what Nursi tried to convey in his ethical teaching (Markham 75) but this also risks confusing ethics with religion, without creating any distinct border between them. Social ethics in Nursi’s vision tends to support equality through rejecting interest and recognizing the importance of redistribution. In these terms, Nursi seems to reject the pluralism of social status in the society. Moreover, rejection of interest is closer to rejecting secularism, than to supporting religious foundations of ethics. Conclusion The whole ethical theory created by Nursi deserves attention but seems to be founded on the grounds, which do not justify the strength of religion but better protect it from the intervention of the external knowledge. In this light religious ethics seems even more vulnerable, than Nursi tried to represent it. Works cited Markham, I. â€Å"Secular or Religious Foundations for Ethics: A Case Study of Bediuzzaman Said Nursi†. In I. Markham & I. Ozdemir, Globalization, Ethics and Islam, Ashgate Publishing, 2005, pp. 65-78.

Overview of the Stock Market

Over the past few years, many millionaires have been created due to the economical explosion of the stock market. The market isn†t just growing, as it did in the mid to late seventies; but it is on steroids, and is growing like never before. Backed by the relentless, yet sometimes spasmodic, growth of the NASDAQ Composite, Wall Street†s impact on the future cannot be denied. For as long as the market has been in existence, drastic changes such as these have never taken place. What awesome power could have produced so much money in so little time? What colossal force could have caused the United States† economy to flourish? The answer lies in one, simple, recently coined phrase: the tech stock. The stock market has been around since people traded silver for ownership of cargo 200 years ago, yet many people don†t know how it works, or where their money goes when they purchase a stock; they simply think â€Å"buy low, sell high. † Although this is a good basic investment plan, it is imperative that one knows where his money is headed when he buys a thousand dollars worth of a specific stock. When one purchases a stock, they are actually purchasing part of a company (Brian 1). The reason one would do this is because he wants part of the profits of the company. If one purchases 1% of a company, he will receive 1% of the income, to put it in a simplified manner. The money the company gains from selling their stock is placed back into the company. This way, the company can grow, and produce more profits for the stockholders. The company†s value is represented by the stock price on the stock exchange (Brian 2). Over time, a method of judging a stock†s performance, called the â€Å"profit to earning ratio† was created. P/E is shorthand for the ratio of a company's share price to its per-share earnings. For example, a P/E ratio of 10 means that the company has $1 of annual, per-share earnings for every $10 in share price (Green 1). † This ratio basically represents how much money the investor is putting in per dollar earned. This was generally a good thing to look at when choosing a stock to invest in, but the P/E ratio can be misleading, especially in the few tech stocks that have tremendous stock prices, yet have little net profit. No one knows exactly when the tech stock came about, but it seems like it came all at once. The phrase â€Å"tech stock† simply refers to all stocks that deal with any form of technology related, directly or indirectly, to the computer or computer chips. A good portion of the popular tech stocks today deal with the Internet (Brian 4). One reason for this is the easy access by millions of people worldwide. Small companies are able to reach out to the whole globe with just a few bucks, and thus become prosperous over a short amount of time. Just a few of the most popular tech stock corporations include: Microsoft, Apple, TI, Amazon, Yahoo, and Dell. Companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Dell are companies that handle computers directly, and have been around for a long time (NASDAQ 5) TI creates many semiconductors that are found in most all products that have computer chips in them. Amazon and Yahoo are both directly related to the Internet. These companies are popular due to their originality and business management. However, popularity hardly gains profit, so why is it that Yahoo can make so much money on the stock market? Surprisingly and ironically enough, it is precisely popularity that causes its gains. Because of the popularity, people continue to purchase Yahoo†s stock. Although the company isn†t making direct profit, it certainly makes a lot of money from the stock purchases, so the company actually makes the money off of the stock market (Brian 5). Rare, indeed, to see this at such an extreme. With all of this success must come organization, and thus is the role of the NASDAQ Composite. Although NASDAQ came about long before the rise of tech stocks, it now represents the growth that they portray. This is mostly due to the large volume of blue chip Internet stocks that have joined the Composite, as well as the small technical companies that are looking for a big break. Duarte summarizes the whole NASDAQ universe in once sentence; â€Å"The NASDAQ is fueled by blue chip stocks and small caps which explode into high-earnings (Technology 1). † And explode it did. In just over one year, â€Å"The Index gained 1876. 62 points and 85. 59 percent for the year. The NASDAQ Composite Index also eclipsed the 3000 and 4000 point milestones during the last quarter of 1999† (Nasdaq 1). This far surpasses the Dow Jones Industrial, which only gained 25. 22% over the 1999-2000 year. â€Å"The market†s best index performers were the computer, telecommunications, and biotechnology up 105. 03 percent, 102. 71 percent and 101. 64 percent respectively† (Nasdaq 2). This obviously displays a growing interest in the tech stock, which has caused this major uprising to occur. One may wonder how the Dow Jones Industrial got off so bad, because, after all, it represents our nations largest companies. For a long time, the Dow Jones Industrial has represented the stock market as a whole, but times change. One cause of this change is the high interest rates that affect the corporate stocks such as Wal-Mart and ExxonMobil. These stocks reduce in price as a result of this, and therefore, the Dow average reflects the decrease. The Dow Jones blue chips remain stable, but haven†t increased dramatically, and this isn†t sufficient to make up for the losses of the stocks that tanked, such as banking stocks, financial stocks, and oil marketing stocks (Duarte, Technology 1). One thing that everyone wonders is â€Å"Is the gold rush over? † The answer is no, not as of 3-2-00, anyway. However, all good things must come to an end; the question is when. Milton Friedman and Alan Greenspan are both major authorities in Wall Street, and when they speak, the world of investors listens. The one bad thing is this, they usually never agree. In late 1999, Friedman â€Å"suggested the current market looks similar to the pre-crash markets in the U. S. in 1929 and the pre-crash market in Japan in 1989. † Soon after, â€Å"Greenspan made equally scary remarks about the stock market and the wealth effect† (Duarte, Greenspan 1). These are remarkable authorities in the world of investing, but these notes don†t specifically talk about the tech stock falling. Some people believe that the so-called â€Å"crash† that they spoke of has already happened at the turn of the millennium, when both the Dow Jones and the Nasdaq fell at record-breaking volumes. This proved that the NASDAQ wasn†t invincible with its precious tech stocks, but it also started an ugly observation that whatever the Dow does, the NASDAQ does at a more flamboyant rate (Jennings 1). This simply means that if the Dow goes up a little, the NASDAQ goes up a lot. When the Dow drops a little, the NASDAQ drops a lot (Fool 9). However, there†s no concrete evidence to prove this theory that they are connected somehow. January 4th, 2000; a sigh of relief sweeps the world as nothing too terribly devastating happens on the turn of the millennium. However, this sigh turns quickly into a gasp; at least for those watching the stock market. The Dow Jones plummets nearly 360 points, and NASDAQ plummets nearly 230 points in just one trading day. The next two days, NASDAQ continues to fall another 200 points, resulting in nearly a 8% drop in just three days. It recovers from this drop in only about two days, only to drop back into a lower pit in three more days. Those who held onto their pocketbooks for this roller coaster ride found a light at the end of the tunnel, and by the end of February, the Composite had climbed to the 4600 mark, 600 points higher than at the beginning of the year (Fool 1). Many other times in the first quarter of 2000 NASDAQ took a hefty fall, but it always regrouped and rallied to surpass it is original price. Another thing to remember is that NASDAQ isn†t made entirely of tech stock blue chips such as Dell and Amazon (Nasdaq 1). It is also made up of small caps that fail, large caps that fail, and those penny stocks that people get so worked up about†¦ that also fail; so it is hard to judge how well tech stocks are actually doing by looking directly at the NASDAQ Composite or P/E ratios. Tech stocks are still a relatively new thing for the market, and investors haven†t yet predicted their fate. However, they are still intensely popular, and as long as they are popular, people will keep buying; and, of course, if people buy them, they will raise in value. Technology is not going away any time soon, there†s no doubt about that; the future is now. Computers rule our lifestyle, making everything faster, easier, cheaper, more efficient; and these tech stocks represent our new economy based on this new efficient system. Even though they may not present themselves as strongly as they once did, tech stocks are definitely here to stay.

Phenomenal Woman Essay

A phenomenal woman, according to both Maya Angelou and Virginia Woolf, is a female who knows herself well. The phenomenal woman is honest and could even be proud enough to show the world who she really is. Both authors have given very beautiful ways to describe the phenomenal woman. Angelou describes her as self-confident, honest, sincere, mysterious, and silent although her own curves can be alluring. Knowing her capabilities as a woman makes her very attractive to men despite most people’s conventional idea that beautiful women are physically well-endowed. Woolf on the other hand, shows a more timid side of the phenomenal woman by introducing the character of the Angel of the House. She says that this angel is what most women project to the public. She is practical, sympathetic, charming, always willing to make sacrifices for her household, pure in mind and in heart but unfortunately does not have a mind of her own. The angel would rather lie to get a society’s approval to attain the success she wants. To transcend to become phenomenal, the Angel of the House must perish and give way to an honest individual who does not need to hide behind the image of a man. The phenomenal woman is brave enough to liberate herself from the domestic concepts of society. Why is it phenomenal for a woman to be herself in society? This is because the world has imposed so many expectations and has stereotyped women as the weaker of the genders. Men are allowed to be who they are. They can even write about the physical romantic reactions of people bluntly. However, it is hard for a woman to express herself as frankly because society demands her to be submissive and docile. It takes so much courage for a woman to say what and how she feels even about the basic things that are common to man and woman (example: sex). The mere effort to express one’s self about any aspect of the world is what makes a woman phenomenal. I believe that Virginia Woolf’s description of a woman is closer to my own image of what a phenomenal lady really is. Woolf was able to show the problems that most women encounter daily. Some of these troubles are deeply embedded not only in the reactions of society to a liberal woman but mostly in her subconscious thoughts. It takes great will power to kill the Angel of the House and also manage to survive smashing into a rock. It takes a very strong female indeed to look at society in the eye and say her thoughts about the world so bravely and develop into a phenomenal woman.

Pathos Ethos, Logos Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Pathos Ethos, Logos - Essay Example The author places the blame on the Disney Princess franchise that has been explicit in their content to the point that the young girls viewing this content feel obliged to embrace a certain appearance or to dress up in a particular way as they relate with what they see from the Disney Princesses that they adore. The article also presents a discussion that the other media platforms like music videos, television and social media have to share the blame for the way young girls view the discussion of the elements of their sexuality When talking of the element of Ethos in the essay, it is practical to understand the relevance of understanding the trust worthiness of the article. After evaluation of the piece, it is apparent that the author has done the relevant research for this article and has interviewed the relevant people whose insight is important to the discussion. Some of them are also mothers who have had to deal with the facts that their daughters are having a hard time embracing the culturally acceptable values in regards to their image and sexuality. The essay has used lots of Logos for the purposes of proving the point of discussion. The writer has discussed the interest to this topic by relating it to a firsthand approach when the paper is introduced with the experience from Mary Finucane on page 1 of the essay. Ms. Finucane is a mother who noticed that her daughter had changed her behaviors as she related less with her female friends and got interested in waiting for a ‘prince’ as she had seen in one of the Disney programs. The paper has also presented related statistics to support the discussion, for example, on page two she states â€Å"One-quarter of 14-to-17-year-olds of both sexes polled by  The Associated Press  and  MTV  in 2009 reported either sending naked pictures of themselves or receiving naked pictures of someone else.† This quote means that

Postmodern Work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Postmodern Work - Essay Example This is a prerequisite for that vital characteristic known as modern intelligence. However, the drawback with the theory is that it. The philosopher Richard Tarnas has claimed that post-modernism could not stand on its own values ultimately if we take out the metaphysical impressions on which it has shaped itself and it takes modernism as a fake reality. Post-modernism is referred to as post-modern because it literally refers to everything after modernity. It deals with the new theories and the new sets that need to be evolved with the passage of time because the requirements of the new century and the challenges posed by this new are completely different from those that were posed by the previous ones. Thus, there is a vital need of new theories and a new set of ideas to prove and solve the problems that we encounter in the new world. The knowledge in the modern societies is signified by the use it has. It's also different in the way it is collated, gathered, arranged and stored in postmodern society when compared to the modern societies. The use of computers and the role of information technology has increased greatly in the societies of today. It has specially helped in the modes of knowledge that have now changed in terms of distribution and creation and also the way in which it's used or consumed. For some, post-modernism is synonymous with the start of the computer era that began in 1960s and revolutionized all aspects of modern life and social life. Profile of Artist: Patrick CaulfieldIs He Postmodern Patrick Caulfield was a British artist who was an important artist of the last 50 years. He mostly deals with the pop artistry like prints and so on. He could be referred to as a postmodern artist because of the characteristics of his art. He was a 'pop' artist, the artist of today. Many people could relate to his art, especially the younger population who identified with him and his art. We could call his work postmodern because he deals with the digital themes and so on and so forth. His work is very computerized and digital. Also, he is familiar with the modern themes and talks frequently about them in his art pieces. He is post-modern because he is very 20th century and is after modernity. He is also got a modern appeal with his audiences and admirers. He is also post-modern because he is multi-dimensional and deals with myriad themes and topics. Again, it is a vital characteristic of the post-modern period. He gets abstract at times and direct at others thus allowing a diversity of themes and modes and styles to take over. Here we have an artist of the last past half century who is post-modern as hinted by his work. In a sentence, Patrick Caulfield is the voice of modern art and the illustration below shall graphically tell us the way his work was done and also the various important post-modern characteristics evident in his art. "In postmodern societies, anything which is not

RYAN AIR THE LOW FAIR AIRLINES Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

RYAN AIR THE LOW FAIR AIRLINES - Case Study Example On the one hand, in August 2006, an Air Transport World magazine reported that Ryanair was the most profitable airline in the world, based on its operation and net profit margins, and on a per-airplane and per-passenger basis (Higgins 2007: 2). In November 2006, the company announced new record half-year bottom line of â‚ ¬329 million for the first half of fiscal 2007 (Higgins 2007: 2). Furthermore, traffic increased by 23 per cent to 22.1 million passengers, while yield jumped by 9 per cent as total revenues increased by 33 per cent to â‚ ¬1.256 billion (Higgins 2007: 2). In addition, even as fuel costs increased by 42 per cent to â‚ ¬337 million, Ryanair’s after-tax margin increased by 1 point to 26 per cent (Higgins 2007: 2). Ryanair expects high demand in the future, so it plans to expand routes and its fleet. On the other hand, Ryanair faces legal battles and acquisition challenges for its Irish rival, Aer Lingus (Higgins 2007: 1). Ryanair also faces stiff opposi tion for its union-busting policies and long working hours and low salary, although it claims the opposite (Higgins 2007: 6). There are, additionally, environmental challenges that threaten to impinge on Ryanair’s low-cost, no-frills business model. These environmental threats can increase operational costs. This paper analyses the case of Ryanair. It evaluates Ryanair’s strategy compared to competitors, by analysing its low-cost business model through the stakeholder approach analysis. It also determines the key internal and external issues of Ryanair. Furthermore, it evaluates O’Leary’s leadership using the transformational leadership framework. Finally, it examines the sustainability of Ryanair’s future strategies. 2. Evaluation of Ryanair’s strategy compared to competitors Ryanair’s business strategy compared to competitors will be analysed using the stakeholder approach. 2.1 Stakeholder approach The society, in general, is becomi ng more concerned of the role that business plays in managing stakeholder relations and responding to the environment. Many customers also prefer to deal with companies that actively reduce their ecological footprints (Rueda-Manzanares, Aragon-Correa, and Sharma 2008: 188). Similarly, shareholders, as well as financial and insurance companies, seek to lessen liabilities associated with environmental risks that come from corporate operations, such as pollution and harmful human health effects. The European Union has, in response, as well as the United Kingdom (UK) passed environmental regulations, sanctions, fines, penalties and legal costs for companies that are not operating in an environmentally responsible manner (Henriques and Sadorsky 1996 cited in Rueda-Manzanares et al. 2008: 188). These political institutions recognise that stakeholders clearly know their rights and responsibilities and are willing to generate partnerships and networks that can result to win-win situations. Companies that neglect crucial stakeholder relationships, however, may compromise competitiveness in the long-run, particularly now in a globalised world, where stakeholder interests matter (Rueda-Manzanares et al. 2008: 188). Stakeholder theory has rise amidst the public clamour for corporate governance and business ethics (Elms et al. 2010: 405). The theory can be rooted from the integration of business strategy and ethics and gained greater attention from management scholars for the past fifteen years (Damall, Henriques, and Sadorsky 2009 cited in

Evaluating potential international relations challenges Essay

Evaluating potential international relations challenges - Essay Example From time to time, different countries have similar state interests. For instance, two countries might all want to nurture peace and commercial processes. Similarly, countries with different interests will often try to solve the conflicts (Hay, 2002). This paper will assess the potential international relations challenges and apply them to foreign policy. One of the major concerns of international relations is to examine how country behaviors and this can be examined in different levels of analysis (Hay, 2002). The system level of analysis examines states behavior in relation to other countries by looking at the international system. At this point of analysis, the intercontinental system is the source of a state’s behavior is the consequence (Dornelles, 2010). Features of the system make countries act in a given way. Transformation in the system will instigate transformation in government behavior. The main variable in the intercontinental system is the influence of a country within the organization. Some countries are influential, and others are extremely feeble (Hay, 2002). For instance, during the cold war, some countries were powerful and influential. The main cause of cold was that the USSR and U.S. were two influential countries in the region. Currently, other states define the performance of all countries in the region (Dornelles, 2010). Therefore, this level of analysis may rationalize the US involvement in Iraq as a powerful government and only influential government, activating its strength to law enforcement agency of the domain against countries that intimidate them. The states preserve its dominance by destroying all its challenges (Hay, 2002). The state level of analysis looks at a countries’ behavior in relation to its foreign policy. For example, all democratic states have a certain manner of behaving towards other democratic states (Hay, 2002). Other researchers argue that the different conducts of strong or weak countries influence

Trends Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Trends - Essay Example A vivid example of this is that many book lovers now choose to buy books online rather than purchasing them in bookstores. This development has led to the demise of bookstore chains like Borders, the second largest book retailer and a boost to digital retailer Amazon. (Osnos, 2011). Education will also have to reinvent itself. Traditional classroom lectures will eventually find itself being replaced by virtual learning environments. Teachers will rely more and more on available software that will enhance the learning process and increase the motivations of children to learn new things. One business where one will see a tremendous boom is the outsourcing market. Numerous companies are beginning to realize that outsourcing decreases costs significantly without necessarily reducing efficiency and productivity. In the music industry, one can envision a decline in the business of record labels. Feinberg believes that the trend now is simply to download music through the internet or what he terms as â€Å"digital sharing† (2009). Few people are buying original CDs of recording artists because downloading music through the web is free. It is also easier to share music nowadays using the latest technology such as Ipods and Iphones. Indeed, man’s needs are changing with the changing times. With these changes come new trends and with these new trends come new business opportunities. One may see the demise of some industries but one also expects that these industries will eventually be replaced by new industries which adapt to the advancing technologies of mankind. Feinberg, J. (2009, August 18). What will record labels look like in the future? Retrieved August 8, 2011, from pbs.org: http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2009/08/what-will-record-labels- look-like-in-the-future230.html Osnos, P. (2011, July 26). The end of Borders and the future of the printed word. Retrieved August 8, 2011, from

Confronting Stereotypes Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Confronting Stereotypes - Assignment Example By assigning characteristics to large groups, it aids humans in simplifying, organizing, and predicting the society they function. As a result, there is decreased the need to process new information that would distinguish people by individual traits. Sociologist Charles Hurst believes that â€Å"†¦stereotypes (are) the lack of personal, a concrete familiarity that individuals have with persons in other racial or ethnic groups. Lack of familiarity encourages the lumping together of unknown individuals (Hurst 6).† Whatever the theory, it’s clear that stereotypes present a problem for society as they inhibit integration and function in large part to maintain a social caste system where upward mobility faces resistance. One can just view the cases of the maquilas workers on the Mexico – Florida border and the gender stereotypes they endured when attempting to receive fair and equitable wages and positions. Stereotypes are in direct opposition to our right as human beings to the pursuit of happiness and personal betterment. Begin by writing in black marker on the poster board one of the stereotypes you identified the day before as particularly relevant. For example, ‘Women Should Be Mothers and Men Should Work.’ Ask the students what it means to be a woman and if they believe they should be allowed to hold careers. Write their responses down. Then ask the students what it means to be a man and then record the responses under a different column. At this point, you should circle the responses under the woman category and circle the responses under the man category. There should be some overlapping responses and you should draw a line or circle chart that illustrates these. The journal activity can be used to prompt the upcoming classroom discussion, but should also tacitly leads students to internalize the negative effects of stereotypes and the way they have been unconsciously influenced to accept them as facts.

Social Institutions Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Social Institutions - Assignment Example For instance, in a family, the father has to work for the needs of the family, the mother takes care of the house, provides love and care to the other members of the family, and children has to do their role to attend school to meet their goal and to abide by their parent’s rules. Functionalist perspective looks at family as having its members with roles to play in order to for the institution to survive. In times of disruption within the family, members have to adjust to go back to its equilibrium. For example, if large families were desired many years ago, today it is considered a threat to the society. To maintain equilibrium, the government provided birth control thus the family has to adjust to the changes. This perspective necessitates the function of each member not only for the family but to contribute to the survival of the society as a whole. However, Functionalist theory is being criticized for its idealistic point of view of the social Institutions. It ignores the fact that conflict or problems may arise as they are inherent part of the society. In addition, this perspective encourages inequalities because it is conservative in nature.

Hunger in the United States Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Hunger in the United States - Term Paper Example Reasons for and Results of Hunger: According to the Inc. Hunger and Homelessness Survey, one of the main grounds of hunger in the United States is poverty and lack of way in to the available resources and the purchasing power. Currently, an estimation of one billion people is living below a dollar per day. A third of the people in countries that are developing such as the United States are said to be poor. Poverty is associated with an income that has not being equally distributed reduced financial performance nationally and a political organization that considers people not having any powers (World Hunger education Service, 2012). This is either in dictatorship or democracy. The other cause of hunger in the United States is the growth of the population. Land, forests fisheries and fresh water are used nowadays beyond capability. In contest for resources available, people considered being hungry and poor are marginalized in the United States than people who are not hungry and poor. In states that landholdings are unbalanced, the families of poor people are moved to cities that have overcrowded. The children are the ones who experience damage due to lack of enough food. Countries such as the United States spend close to $125 annually on the military. Another hunger cause of hunger in the United States is discrimination among various ethnic groups. Results of hunger have led to war, crime and discriminations among people. Both groups discriminating each other use food as one of the main weapon. Discriminations among genders are another hunger cause. The other hunger cause is vulnerability of elderly people and children.

Social, historical and cultural implications of 19th century Essay Example for Free

Social, historical and cultural implications of 19th century Essay Significance of social, historical and cultural implications of 19th century Britain, featured in Austens Pride and Prejudice In the early 1800s, Jane Austens novels were different to anything else that had been written in those times, and regarded as quality works of literature by her critics. However, it wasnt until after her untimely death in 1817 that Austen was discovered to be a woman. She had remained anonymous throughout her career as a novelist, initially due to the prejudices and sexism of her times. The situation is similar to a fellow author of the 1800s, Mary Ann Evans, who posed as George Elliot in order to publish her literature. Without anonymity, these women would not have had millions of the worlds population poring over their writings nearly two hundred years on. It was a cultural barrier for women to enter a supposedly males world. Jane Austen wrote about the social difficulties everyday people faced in works such as Emma and Mansfield Park, but it is her most popular piece, Pride and Prejudice that displayed the most in-depth knowledge of the key themes of society. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a good wife. This is the opening line of Pride and Prejudice, which is an amazingly brief and honest summary of the book. Two of the main themes are declared, money and marriage, and it also sets the stage for a chase-either by the young man in search of a bride, or by young women in pursuit of him as a husband. In the first chapter, there is a conversation between the matriarch and patriarch of the Bennet family. Mrs Bennet, an amazingly over-scrupulous woman intent arranging the five Bennet girls marriage, relates some important news to her husband that has obviously excited her, namely- Netherfield is taken by a young man of large fortune from the North of England, a single man named Mr Bingley, of four or five thousand a year! What a fine thing for our girls! Mrs Bennett seems particularly happy over the fact that Mr Bingley is a wealthy man who will bring one of her girls a title and honourable reputation. Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest of the daughters, is a lively, good-humoured young girl with an astonishing level of intelligence. Elizabeth is able to give her judgement on certain situations which arise, and is aware of the importance of social etiquette, though she does not always follow it herself. Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy is one of the richest men in Derbyshire, and has arrived as a guest in the Bennets home town of Hertfordshire to stay with his close friend Charles Bingley at Netherfield. Mr Darcy, having had a good upbringing and high social status, looks down upon the country folk at the Lucass ball, believing himself to be above their status. When Mr Bingley asks Mr Darcy what he thinks of Elizabeth, he replies She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me. This shows how much pride he has in his own social standing. Bingleys sisters are also staying with him at Netherfield, and behave in the same proud manner of Mr Darcy. Indeed, the unmarried Miss Bingley is hoping to secure a match between her and Mr Darcy, whilst the other sister is already married to a man named Mr Hurst. By the time the second ball is held at Netherfield, Mr Darcy realises he harbours strong feelings for Elizabeth, and lets slip his feeling of admiration for her to Caroline Bingley, who cattily replies You will have a charming mother-in-law indeed, and, of course, she will always be at Pemberley with you. Miss Bingley laughs at the fact that Mr Darcy could hold a place in his heart for the likes of Elizabeth Bennet, whos family are much lower down the social charter, particularly the brash antics of Mrs Bennet. When the eldest, Jane Bennet, is taken ill on the way to lunch at the Bingleys and is forced to recover at Netherfield, Elizabeth acts quickly and leaves immediately to come to her sisters aid. Unfortunately, it is still quite muddy from the rain, and Elizabeths dress is soiled. This was definitely not how a lady would have normally behaved; she would make sure that her appearance would always remain immaculate. Miss Bingley and Miss Hurst are quite shocked by Elizabeths antics. Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must she be scampering about the country, because her sister had a cold? Her hair so untidy, so blowsy! Miss Bingley continues It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country town indifference to decorum. Clearly, they think it is strange that one should have such affection for a person they are close to, that they would disregard their own personal appearance. It is doubtful that the Bingley sisters would have done what Elizabeth did for Jane. They pity (In other words, pretend to feel remorse for) the Bennets status, I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it. Mr Collins, Mr Bennets cousin, visits Longbourne early on in the book. Before his arrival, he sends a letter announcing his imminent arrival, to which Mrs Bennet is most displeased I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your own children. Mr Bennet expands on this quote It certainly is a most iniquitous affair, and nothing can clear Mr. Collins from the guilt of inheriting Longbourne. In Austens times, unless a patriarch had a son for a male heir, there would be no chance of the women in the family staying in the house after their husband or father died. This is partly why Mrs Bennet is so intent on marrying off her daughters as soon as possible, The Collinss will turn us out, before he is cold in his grave; and if you are not kind to us, brother, I do not know what we shall do. Jane Austen wrote about a similar situation in her previous novel Sense and Sensibility, where Mr Dashwood died, and had to leave all his estate and money to his son and his wife, so the female Dashwoods were left to find another home. Mr Collins is one of the funniest characters in the book, as he comes across as a bit of a fool. He is a clergyman in Derbyshire, but his behaviour is far from holy. Mr Collins is willing to tell anybody who listens about his noble patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh. This is a great source of humour in the book, for Mr Collins social status is far from high, but he assumes his peers will be impressed by his connections- I have been so fortunate as to be distinguished by the patronage of the Right Honourable Lady Catherine de Bourgh. At Netherfield, despite her dislike for Mr Darcy, Elizabeth is shocked when Mr Collins proposes he should introduce himself to Darcy, being Lady Catherine de Bourghs nephew. Her instant reply is You are not going to introduce yourself to Mr Darcy! Elizabeth is aware of the cultural barriers of this introduction, as the narration explains It must belong to Mr Darcy, the superior in consequence, to begin the acquaintance. Netherfield ball reflected how socially inept the Bennett family were in the company of aristocrats. Elizabeth and Jane are acutely aware of their mother talking at the top of her voice- Mrs. Bennet seemed incapable of fatigue while enumerating the advantages of the match between Jane and Bingley. His being such a charming young man, and so rich, and living but three miles from them It is not only Mrs Bennet that is behaving in a way that no self-respecting person would do in polite company Marys powers were by no means fitted for such a display; her voice was weak, and her manner affected. This is about the middle Bennet daughter, Mary. After Mary tries to start a new song, her father makes the situation worse by trying to stop her That will do extremely well, child. You have delighted us long enough. Let the other young ladies have time to exhibit. Elizabeth knows her familys behaviour will bring unpleasant social implications amongst the guests in future, To Elizabeth it appeared that had her family made an agreement to expose themselves as much as they could during the evening The day after the ball, Elizabeths second cousin Mr Collins makes her an offer she was not expecting, and proposes to her. But the fact is, that being, as I am, to inherit this estate after the death of your honoured father, I could not satisfy myself without resolving to chuse a wife from among his daughters, that the loss to them might be as little as possible, when the melancholy event takes place Mr Collins thinks that Elizabeths situation is so desperate that she will accept Mr Collins straightway, but he is wrong. Elizabeth refuses him You are too hasty sir. Mr Collins replies it is by no means certain that another offer of marriage may ever be made you. Your portion is unhappily so small that it will in all likelihood undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications. It is quite true what the otherwise idiotic Mr Collins is saying, Elizabeth with her low connections may remain an old maid her whole life if she does not settle down. When Elizabeth is staying at an inn with her aunt and uncle, Mr Darcy pays her a visit and admits how he feels about herIn vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. This is not a very wise proposal to make, as Mr Darcy has just blatantly stated that he has tried to fight off the feelings for Elizabeth in the past as he is her social superior. Elizabeth is, quite rightly, angry at the way the proposal was carried out, and Mr Darcy replies to her angry comment And this is all the reply which I am to have the honour of expecting! Mr Darcy was certain that a girl from a low class would certainly accept one of the richest and eligible men in Englands hand in marriage. Lydia Bennet, the youngest out of the girls, is also the most mischievous. Lydia is very easy going and carefree with absolutely no regard whatsoever for social etiquette, much like her mother. She overrules her elder sister Kitty, for she is quite boisterous, and insists on following the regiment that has recently arrived in Meryton If we make haste, perhaps we may see something of Captain Carter before he goes. It was not the done thing for a lady to follow around other men endlessly. When Elizabeth is at Darcys house in Derbyshire, Miss Bingley says to her rather cuttingly Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the -shire militia removed from Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family. However, Elizabeth dislikes Lydias frolicking with the officers as much as Miss Bingley, and is shocked when she hears Lydia is chosen to be an escort for the wife of one of the Colonels and is going to Brighton. Elizabeth pleads with her father not disallow Lydia, Her character will be fixed, and she will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous. She continues My dear father, can you suppose it possible that they will not be censured and despised wherever they are known, and that their sisters will not be often involved in the disgrace? Elizabeth is not overreacting, she is quite right. For news soon emerges from Brighton that Lydia has eloped with Mr Wickham, who has a reputation for luring young girls away and bribing them for money. This was deemed incomprehensible, that a lady had run away to live with a man without them having been married. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Darcys aunt and Mr Collinss patroness, is the proud head of the noble estate Rosings Park. When she hears of the news that Elizabeth may be betrothed to her nephew, she takes a carriage straight down to Longbourne to confront her. She greatly hurts Elizabeths pride The upstart pretensions of a young woman without family, connections, or fortune. Is this to be endured? Elizabeth replies He is a gentleman; I am a gentlemans daughter. Lady Catherine makes a swift comeback But who is your mother? Lady Catherine is quite right, Mrs Bennet is not a gentlewoman and has not grown up to become one. She secured a marriage with Mr Bennet with her good looks alone. Elizabeth turned down two proposals quite easily, unlike her close friend Charlotte Lucas, who becomes engaged to Mr Collins, much to her surprise. Without thinking highly either of men or of matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only honourable provision for well-educated young women of small fortune. We learn Charlotte is twenty seven, which was not the right age to get married; it would have been younger than that. Charlotte explains to Elizabeth why, even though she felt no love for Mr Collins, she accepted his proposal I am not romantic, you know. I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collinss character, connections, and situation in life, I am convinced that my chance of happiness with him is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state. It was better for Charlotte to marry a man she had no feelings for, rather than wait for a mutual appreciation with a male like Elizabeth. Marrying someone she felt nothing for w as better than being an old maid for the rest of her days. Mr Collinss connections however minor were still connections. Due to the laws in olden-day England, it was cultural for a male heir to inherit the entire estate when the head of the family had died. This would leave all the females of the household destitute. It was socially unacceptable for a lady to struggle to maintain decorum, as the Bingleys stated. Social superiors had to introduce themselves first, which is precisely what Mr Collins did not do when he met Mr Darcy. Well brought up women certainly did not elope with their suitors. It would have an adverse affect on the rest of the family, whom would find it hard to secure a marriage after such a scandal. Mr Darcy had fallen with love with Elizabeth, but certainly could not hope to marry her after the scandal of her sister. Darcy made sure Wickham married Lydia, their marriage was nothing but a social cover up. It should also be noted, how Jane Austen never wrote about a conversation between two males alone separated from other women. Perhaps this is because it wasnt socially accepted that a woman was alone for a considerable period of time with a group of males, much different to life nowadays, when plenty of females have close bonds to men. Despite this, Pride and Prejudice was quite modern in its day. A hundred years previously, Mr Darcy would not have paid attention to Elizabeth, nor would Lady Catherine have taken to the trouble of going to Longbourne to meet Elizabeth. She would have summoned Elizabeth to Rosings instead. A few things have not changed since then, gays and lesbians were a taboo subject back then and the matter is still a sensitive subject to this day with a fair amount of people. A good example of how threatening homosexuality is to others can be seen in the film Heavenly creatures, where the families of two girls were sent into panic when they discovered that the girls were possibly in love with one another. It was deemed socially unacceptable, and thought of as a phase or a brief illness. That was the 1950s, but it is still not uncommon now. However, there is a stark contrast to what was acceptable two hundred years previously to what is acceptable now. For example, it is not shameful at all for two people who are courting to live together. The rules and laws have been relaxed a great deal in general, but Austens masterpiece showed us what life was like to be living under them and the complications they bestowed.

A Critical Evaluation Of Total Quality Management Management Essay

A Critical Evaluation Of Total Quality Management Management Essay Quality has become the focus for many healthcare organisations in the world. The economic and organisational benefits such as increased customer satisfaction, improved processes and efficiency can be derived from quality management. The implementation of Quality Management strategies provides the framework for the establishment of systems; procedures and activities needed to achieve quality. The implementation of quality management in health care organisation provides an opportunity to deliver consistent, high quality and cost effective health care to customers. In its Health Sector Reform programme for Trinidad and Tobago, the Ministry of Health (MoH) identified Quality of health care services as a key issue to be addressed .The MoH strategic direction for quality was presented in their guiding document Quality 2001 A Reality which was geared in the direction of making quality a priority. The strategy was broad and aimed towards improving quality of health care services, creating a quality culture and emphasising value for money as goals for improving health care services. One of their specific key objectives was the introducing of framework for developing a Total Quality Management system at the public healthcare institutions. The decentralisation of health services and the enactment of the Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) Act No.5, 1994 represented the Governments intention to institute efficient health care systems for Trinidad and Tobago. The MoH would retain responsibility for policy, planning and regulation of health care. The formation of five (5) Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) would have responsibility for the provision of health care services and implementation of management strategies to achieve improved performance. The North Central Regional Authority (NCRHA) is one of the largest statutory bodies providing healthcare services in the country. Its remit includes three (3) major hospitals, two (2) district health facilities and fourteen (14) health centres. 1.3 Problem Definition: The public confidence in the quality of health care services delivered by the public health sector is very low. The NCRHA in recent years has been the centre of media attention due to matters allegedly related to medical negligence. The increase in adverse events and medical care complaints at its hospitals has been disturbing. According to MoH data there were at least seventeen (17) reported Adverse Events occurring at our nations hospital for the period 2004 to 2011 which resulted in patient injury, disability or death. Health care trends such as rapid advancements in public health management, shifts in customer demand for health service delivery and population health concerns have changed the national social landscape.These trends have resulted in a more informed customer accessing services therefore demanding reduced waiting time for services, improved medical care, enhanced facilities and overall quality health care from their service providers. The recent change in government in May 2010 has also brought about strategic transformation. The Governments Seven Development Pillars (Pillars 1, 6) emphasizes the bringing together of all stakeholders to ensure that public services, especially essential services like health care, are affordable, accessible and of the highest quality. These current issues have strategic implications for public health sector organisations such as the RHAs. Therefore current TQM strategies should be critically assessed and a new structured approach to the implementation of Quality Management must be proposed. Medical Care related complaints data received at the health care facilities NCRHA for the period 2008-2010: Institution 2008/09 2009/10 2010/2011 Total Arima Health Facility 53 181 148 382 Caura Hospital 142 165 124 431 Chaguanas Health Facility 74 114 181 369 Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex 711 925 1305 2941 Mt Hope Womens Hospital 148 128 106 382 Primary Care Health Center 50 30 35 115 Total 1178 1543 1899 4620 Figure 1 NCRHA Complaints Data Source: NCRHA Quality Department 1.4 Rationale: The strengthening of public confidence in the quality of health care services at NCRHA is critical to the organisations future survival. The MoH is currently in its final drafting of legislation for the Establishment of a Health Service Accreditation Bill (2009), that would provide the framework for health care quality and accountability. The Act would facilitate the institution of the Health Services Accreditation Council Trinidad and Tobago (HSACTT) which is a pre-requisite to the introduction of National Health Insurance. The MoH in its policy statements to inform legislation for the HSACTT identified that both RHAs and private hospitals must be complaint with this Act. The MoH made further recommendations in its document, that the state would not provide funding or enter into any arrangements for procurement with un-accredited health facilities. The financing of public health sector organisation is highly dependent on government funding therefore RHAs must deliver quality healthc are to access public funding and gain a competitive advantage. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has also set targets and key indicators to monitor quality of care in developing countries as part of their Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2015, examples such as the MDG (4) improved maternal healthcare and MDG (5) reduced infant mortality rates. The NCRHA has recently received negative publicity from alleged medical care negligence complaints regarding quality of maternal and infant care at their medical facilities. The MoH has mandated that a critical strategic issue for all RHAs is the improvement of maternal and infant health care; this is part of their efforts towards achieving MDGs target for Trinidad and Tobago. 1.5 Research Question: How can NCRHA use their Quality Management Strategy to deliver quality health care and gain competitive advantage? 1.6 Objectives: 1. To critically evaluate current Quality Management strategies used at the NCRHA to deliver quality health care to their customers 2. To ascertain any gaps by benchmarking current strategies against theoretical framework for TQM implementation 3. To design a framework for the implementation of a total quality management strategy for NCRHA 1.7 Aim: To synthesize a comprehensive Quality Management Strategy to enable the NCRHA to progress from a state of quality awareness to quality readiness, thus enabling NCRHA to improve quality health care and gain competitive advantage in the Public Health Sector. 2.0 Literature Review 2.1 Quality Management Defined: The concept of quality revolves around meeting and exceeding the customer expectation. The customers needs are ever changing and the demand for high quality requires a systems approach towards improved quality. The idea of quality management is not derived from one single source but is a collection of ideas that has been called by various names. According to lynch (2003) Total Quality Management (TQM) can be define as the modern strategic approach to quality management. ASQ (2006) has indicated that the term TQM has lost its flavor and in recent years has been subsumed under the term Quality Management. This can be further argued by Hannagan (2002) who suggest that the approach can be recognized by either title of TQM or strategic quality management. However it can be agreed that TQM is a strategic approach to achieving quality and a sustainable competitive advantage for an organization. There have been many theorists who have contributed to the quality movement and has also has infl uenced the TQM philosophy. 2.2 TQM Theories: TQM can be described as a management philosophy, characterized by a common set of principles, practices and techniques Dean Bowen (1994) however it tends to be examined by numerous authors from different perspectives. The perspectives of three main founding TQM philosophers or Quality gurus would be discussed and their supporting TQM methods. It is theorised by Crosby (1979) that quality is conformance to requirements therefore one arrives at the concept of zero defects. He also focuses on organisational factors such as leadership, culture and training. Deming (1986) was considered one of the founders of TQM his philosophy can be summarised in his fourteen management principles. These would include management commitment to quality; raise quality awareness, employee empowerment and training. The underpinning theory being that quality is a process and not a program therefore it should be ongoing in the organisation. Juran (1989) focuses on quality planning, quality control and quality improvement. There can be three levels of quality management defined which are strategic quality management, operational quality and workforce that concerns its self with work process (Juran 1989). The philosophies of these quality gurus can be summarised as a management system that involves management commitment for a customer focused organisation in which all employees participates in continual improvement. The system integrates the use of strategy, culture, training and effective communication to achieve TQM. 2.3 TQM Elements: ASQ(2006) identified essential elements to TQM that organisations must define either in their core values or principles on which the organisation operates. These elements would be discussed with the purpose of understanding the key concepts that must be considered in quality management implementation. An analysis of literature provides an exhaustive list of key elements however critical components would be discussed. While TQM is viewed through different perspectives what is written about TQM is based on a common set or sub-set of key components (Harris, 1995). The fundamental assumption of TQM is planning for the design and delivery of products and services that fulfil the needs of the customers (Dean and Bowen 1994). The customer ultimately decides whether the efforts are worthwhile. According to Waldman (1995) in order to create a quality culture all members of the organisation must be involved in the quality process. The involvement of employees in the quality process is critical to its success in the organisation. The formulation of a strategic plan which encompasses the systems approach to quality management is a core component. The TQM process is supported by continual process improvement in the organisation. All key activities in the organisation should be measured so that their improvement can be demonstrated and the benefits achieved. According to ASQ(2006) in times of organisational change, effective communication plays an important role in maintaining employee morale and motivation Training and education play a critical role in the TQM organisation, Juran (1986) postulates that training is required when undertaking a quality effort in an organisation in order to teach employees how to think about quality Figure 2 Elements of TQM in the organisation 2.4 TQM Implementation Approaches: The ASQ(2006) states that there is no one solution for implementing TQM for all situations therefore organisations TQM strategies would vary since culture, management practices are unique however the key elements discussed must be present in some format also there is a suggested generic model for implementation. Generic model for implementing TQM 1 Top management learns about and decides to commit to TQM. TQM is identified as one of the organisations strategies 2 The organisation assess current culture, customer satisfaction and quality management system 3 Top management identifies core values and principles to be used and communicates them 4 A TQM master plan is developed on basis of steps 1, 2 and 3 5 The organisation identifies and prioritizes customer demands and aligns products and services to meet those demands 6 Management maps the critical processes through which the organisation meets its customers needs. 7 Management oversees the formation of teams for process improvement efforts 8 The momentum of the TQM effort is managed by the steering committee 9 Managers contribute individually to effort through hoshin planning, training, coaching, or other methods. 10 Daily process management and standardisation take place 11 Progress is evaluated and the plan revisited as needed 12 Constant employee awareness and feedback on status are provided and a reward/recognition process is established Figure 3 Model for implementing TQM The review of literature on TQM revealed that an attempt towards TQM will not succeed unless the discussed elements are applied and maintained in the TQM strategy. There is extensive literature that provides an understanding of the ideal TQM program however more research is needed to determine how all its factors fit together to form a theory that provides a maximum understanding of what TQM really is (Waldrnan 1993). This is further supported by Powell (1995) that although TQM became part of business theory, its role as a strategic resource seems to have remained virtually unexamined in strategic management. 2.5 TQM in Healthcare: The issue of quality has become even more pressing for healthcare organisations. In a time of economic slowdown and financial constraints by government, the NCRHA is now faced with budget cuts and increased workload for human resources. There is a growing demand for quality in health care and for mechanisms such as quality management strategies and accreditation programs to maintain quality health services. The direct implications of poor quality in healthcare such as medication errors, increased infection rates and deaths are severe. According to Segonin (2005) developing countries are adapting quality management and accreditation standards in healthcare in order to work towards standardising healthcare services and to ensure high quality of healthcare for citizens. Vretveit (2001) suggest that some countries are conducting programs that consist of quality strategies and accreditation however little research is available to show evidence of efficacy. The available research on TQM im plementation in public healthcare systems in developing countries is sparse and provides anecdotal information. 2.7 TQM Healthcare Best Practices: The implementation of TQM in healthcare organisations is important for improving quality of clinical care to patients but also to satisfy accreditation requirements. Mayer et.al (1994) suggests benchmarking is the practice of regularly comparing oneself to other performing similar activities for continuously quality improvement (CQI). It is postulated by Campbell (1994) that until recently benchmarking has scarcely been used in the clinical setting primarily because of a limited knowledge of TQM methods and lack of support for initiatives. Underwood (1994) refers to a case study of Lloyd Noland Hospital continuous quality improvement initiatives in clinical management of pneumonia patients using benchmarking process with a TQM approach in an effort to achieve improved outcomes for pneumonia patients. The hospital formulated a cross functional team in order to successfully benchmark and develop a total patient care process. The team utilised quality tools such as brain storming, flowcharting clinical pathways, monitoring and documentation. The teams findings on the quality improvement process were clinical benchmarking is a TQM tool that attempts to improve patient outcomes which is a data driven TQM/CQI practice in healthcare that is current and a future reality. 2.8 Summary Based on the literature reviewed conducted thus far the researcher would attempt to critically assess the TQM practices at the NCRHA using the above theoretically implementation framework. The findings of this analysis would be synthesised and gaps would be identified. This data would assist in a design of a strategy for TQM implementation at the NCRHA. This study would provide fresh insights in the areas of total quality management in public health sector organisations in developing countries. 3.0 Research Design 3.1 Research Paradigm: Epistemology is concerned with what constitutes acceptable knowledge and the nature of knowledge itself (Saunders, 2009). In contrast ontology can be define as being concerned with the nature of reality and the assumptions the researcher have about the way the world operates and a commitment to a particular view (Saunder,2009). This study would be based on subjectivism epistemological or interpretative stance in that the researcher would be eliciting the views and opinions of senior management, operational managers, medical staff and support staff in the organisation. The researcher would adopt a phenomenological paradigm since it would require understanding the point of view of the research subjects.Considering the relatively new development of TQM research, in Trinidad and Tobago public health care as well as the applicability of private sector research, an inductive approach was chosen. According to Saunders (2009) inductive approach is particularly concerned with the context in w hich the event takes place. A qualitative approach would be followed since a case study research design would be adopted this is supported by Yin (1989) who advocates that variables under study cannot be manipulated but somewhat observed and data extrapolated from them. 3.2 Research Methodology: The exploratory approach was found to be most suitable for this study given the lack of research regarding TQM implementation in the public health care sector (Eisenhardt, 1989b). The utilization of a case study strategy is proposed to evaluate the TQM practices of NCRHA. The NCRHA constitutes three (3) tertiary hospitals, two district health facilities and fourteen (14) health centres, this research would be examining the sub-units within the organisation and an embedded case study would be constructed. This approach would give the researcher an opportunity to study and evaluate a phenomenon that few have considered. The design described would provide the advantage for real life issues to be brought to the forefront. The NCRHA was chosen for the case study since there are current TQM strategies implemented in the organisation. Once the organisations ethic committee gives approval for the research and the Quality Department Manager is informed a letter of request would be forwarded r equesting facilitation by the various health facilities Quality Coordinators (QC). The researcher would use a triangulation method since different data collection techniques would be used in this study to ensure the data telling what is being said. The combination of interviews, focus groups, archival documentation and observations techniques would be utilised by the researcher. There would be interviews conducted with senior managers and hospital administrator focused on TQM leadership and current status of initiatives. Documentation would be reviewed such as accreditation plans, quality plans and vision, mission of the company. Since TQM must have employee involvement a focus group would be administered to gauge employees awareness and observation would be conducted outside of these activities. Due to time constraints for this study a cross sectional studies would be conducted over a stipulated period time. Saunders (2009) postulates that cross sectional studies may be used in qua litative methods since many case studies data techniques such as interviews are conducted over a short period of time. 3.3 Research Technique/Method: 3.3.1 Data Collection: 3.3.2 Primary Data Sources: Interviews: The data source of this research would include semi-structured interviews with hospitals administrators and senior executive team. This approach was taken to allow the researcher an opportunity to explore necessary issues without inhibiting the interviewee to volunteer important information. Data would be collected on areas such as organisation leadership, culture and quality management systems for qualitative analysis. Documentation: Documentation would be reviewed from to verify involvement in TQM process. This would include accreditation plan, quality plans, vision and mission. Finally material substantiating a TQM initiative would be reviewed. These documentations would be sourced from quality department and CEOs office. Observations: There would be researcher observations conducted to find evidence of TQM such as posters, banners and customer service interactions. This would serve to corroborate the interview and documentation findings. Focus Groups: The researcher would conduct employee focus groups to obtain views on TQM implementation activities in the organisation since employee involvement and awareness is critical to its success. These groups would be interviewer-led structure and kept to 6-8 persons to allow for moderator /researcher control to maintain focus. This technique would be conducted several times with similar participants to establish trend and patterns for data collection and analysis. 3.3.3 Secondary Data Sources: The literature review for this research proposal thus far used several secondary data sources. This data was assessed for authority and reputation of the source. The review of written materials from industry experts or gurus, journals, organisations records and government publications would be accessed and referenced as part of this study. This approach would allow for more time for analysis and interpretation of data. 3.3.4 Sample size and sampling method: Since a case study approach was taken the use of non-probability sampling would be applied by the researcher so that sample selection can be made based on subjective judgement. This view is supported by Saunders(2009) that within business research such as case study this may either be not possible or appropriate for answering the research question. The use of purposive sampling technique would enable the researcher to use judgement in selecting cases that would enable the research question and objectives to be answered. According to Saunders (2009) is form of sample is often used in case study research and when a selection of cases would particularly informative. It is also further suggested for a general study a suitable sample size of between 25 to interviews are undertaken (Creswell 2007). 3.3.5 Data Analysis: A qualitative analysis on this data would be conducted, this would require the condensing, categorising and also restructuring as narrative to support for significant analysis to be derived. The interviews with respondents would be audio recorded and reproduced via word processing. It would also be noted during transcribing the tone and non-verbal communication of the participants. A process of data sampling would be used to reduce time for audio transcribing since this would allow for the researcher to list sections pertinent to the study. The interviews conducted would be saved in separate word documents and filename maintained for confidentiality. The recommendation by Silverman (2007) on list of useful transcription symbols would be used for this study. The precise work format for NVivo software would be utilised to ensure accurate analysis can be conducted. 3.3.6 Qualitative Analysis: Analytical induction approach was adopted since it would allow for an intensive explanation of the case study so as to empirically establish the causes of a specific phenomenon (Saunders2009). This would be most appropriate since the researcher case study sampling took a purposive approach which would allow for the phenomena to be explored. The use of thematic analysis would be utilised to identify data that relate to classified patterns these would be catalogued into sub-themes for emerging patterns. This would lead to building a compelling argument derived from the literature reviewed. 3.3.7 Ethics: Research ethics is the defined as a question of how we formulate and clarify our research area, design, gain access to data and write up our research findings in a moral and responsible way (Saunder2009). The researcher proposes the following ethical issues during this study. The researcher would have to submit a research proposal for approval from the NCRHA ethics committee before this study can be conducted. Informed consent would be solicited from participant for possible privacy and confidentiality issues Participants would be informed of its voluntary nature and the right to withdraw from the process. The data generated during this study would have transcript symbols to maintain confidentiality The researcher would be cognisant of the ethical concerns with regards to qualitative research since objectivity must be observed during analysis so the data is not misrepresented. 3.3.8 Reliability and Validation: Validity in research must be considered when conducting a case study research since it is concerned with whether findings are really what they appear. The researcher must be careful of generalisabilty particular when the case study is conducted in one organisation (Saunders2009). The research design for this study incorporated triangulation so that different data techniques can be used within one study which allows for cross verification. The researcher would also consult peer consultation prior to final draft of the report. According to Yin(2003) construct validity is especially problematic in case study research and it can be a source of criticism due to its subjectivity it is further recommended the use of case study protocol to achieve reliability. The researcher prior to data collection would develop a case study protocol that includes more than one survey instrument and procedure to be followed in using the instrument. 3.3.9 Limitations to Methodology: The researcher may not provide a representative population for the case study. This research methodology can be time consuming and costly There is a potential for researcher bias during the study The study in also reliant on subject participation in the research data collection 3.3.10 Resources Required: This study would require a number of resources such an audio recording device for interviews, purchase if NVivo software, internet and computer capabilities to complete this report. There would be a need to access secondary data such as journals, written text and peer view materials for further literature review. 4.0 Plan The research study would require an ongoing literature review and write-up as the study progress. The research proposal would require ethics approval from the organisation and university ethics committee this would be key milestone in this project. The appointment of dissertation supervisor and the gathering of resources for this research should be completed. The planning of interviews, focus groups, documentation reviews have some schedule over lap since meeting with senior managers would require some coordination. Due to the time consuming process involved in qualitative analysis the researcher would plan to conduct most interviews with-in a 4 weeks time frame The collation of data would be concurrent since interviews would be transcribed after being conducted. The data analysis would be key milestone in the project since critical analysis would be required for this study. The researcher would aim for a completed draft six weeks before submission to allow for editing and additional research work. This would allow supervisor review and approval prior to submission. Please attached Gnatt chart of activities and timescales. 5.0 References American Society for Quality, 2006 the Certified Manager of Quality /Organizational Excellence Hand Book. 3rd Ed. Russell T. Westcott Crobsy, P.B. (1979). Quality is free. New York: Mc Graw Hill Creswell, J. (2007) Qualitative injury and Research Design: Choosing among Five Approaches 2nd Ed. Thousand Oaks, CA: sage Dean, James and David Bowen (1994). Management Theory and Total Quality: Improving Research and Practice through Theory Development. Academy of Management Review, (19:30) 392-418 Deming, E. W. (1986). Out of the Crisis. Cambridge, MA, MIT Center for Advanced Engineering Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989b). Building theories from case study research. Academy of management Review, 14, 532-550 Hannagan, T., 2002 Management Concepts and Practices. 3rd Ed. FT Prentice Hall Harris, C.R. (1995). The Evolution of the Quality Management: An Overview of the TQM Literature. Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences, (12:2), 95-105 Juran, J. M. (1989). Juran on Leadership for Quality: An Executive handbook. New York: The Free Press Lynch, R., 2003 Corporate Strategy. 3rd Ed. Harlow: FT Prentice Hall Ministry of Health, Quality 2001 A Reality, A strategy for implementing and monitoring a continuous Quality Improvement Programme for the Health Sector in Trinidad and Tobago, Original Draft-May, 1997, Ratified by HSQC- March 1998, Ministry of Health Government Printer 1999 Ministry of Health, Regional Health Authorities (RHAs) Act No.5 1994, Ministry of Health, Government Printer Ministry of Health 3rd Draft Adverse Events Policy and Guidelines, Directorate of Quality Management, January 2011 Ministry of Health March 2009, White Paper for the establishment of the Health Services Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago Saunders, M., (2009) Research methods for business students. 5th Ed., FT Prentice Hall Segouin, C. (2005). Globalization in Health Care: Is International Standardization of Quality a Step Towards Outsourcing. International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 17 (4), 277-279.Shin, Y.S. (1995). Hospital Accreditation A Universal Perspective. World Hospitals,.31 (1), 22-28 Silverman, D. 92007) A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Qualitative Research. London: Sage The Peoples Partnership Governments Seven Development Pillars (Pillars 1, 6), 2010 Prosperity for all manifesto of the PP for United People to achieve sustainable development for Trinidad and Tobago Waldman, D. A. (1993). A theoretical consideration of the leadership and total quality management. Leadership Quarterly, 4, 65-79 Yin, R. (1989). Case study research. Beverley Hills, CA: Sage Publications Yin, R.K. (2003) Case study Research: Design and Methods 3rd

Strategies for Loan Repayment Rates

Strategies for Loan Repayment Rates INTRODUCTION AND MOTIVATION Lack of access to the formal credit facility through formal banking and financial institutions has been one of the major hurdles faced by the poor people of the developing countries. There are two main reasons widely discussed. Firstly, the commercial banks and institutions think that the loan demanded by the poor people are in very small amount and it is not economical for the banks to grant these loans. Secondly, these poor people often failed to provide any collateral, this makes their loan requirements risky, and conventional banks and institutions avoid entertaining these types of loans (Secondi, 2008). The solution to these problems was provided by microfinance programs. The primary objective of microfinance programs around the world is to reduce the poverty by providing small loans to the neglected poor people without the condition of collateral. Microfinance has gained a considerable appreciation over the past three decades due to its mechanism of providing the credit access to the neglected poor people. In pursuit of the fight against poverty, small loans were provided by the microfinance institutions (MFIs) to the poor people so that they may utilize them to establish small businesses or expand their existing business and achieve self sufficiency. However, there has been considerable differences in the rate of interest charged on these loans by the various MFIs, repayment rates and level of self sufficiency achieved by the borrowers around the different regions of the developing countries (Ahlin et al 2011). MFIs normally use group lending methodology to expand the credit access to the poors. This methodology helps the microfinance clients to keep a check on the proper utilization of the loan amount and also allowing only those individuals to be the part of the group who possess a good moral and financial reputation in their society. Eventually, much of the lenders responsibility of the supervision is shifted on to the group members. This helps the group members to effectively control the problems arising from incomplete information on the financial health of the individuals intending to join the group (Armendariz and Morduch, 2005). It has been viewed that the group loan given under joint liability lending contracts play an effective role in enforcing the contract conditions of loan repayments through peer monitoring by the group members. Under the joint/ group liability contracts, each group member is responsible for the repayment of the loan in case of any member reports default. Ther efore, each group member act as guarantor for the others. It had been argued by various researchers that in a joint liability contracts the group members are well informed about their fellow group members compared to the MFIs or banks. Therefore, this peer monitoring by the group members is much more effective and a cheaper than the MFI’s (or bank’s) monitoring (Varian, 1990: Stiglitz, 1990 and Banerjee et al 1994). There are a number of studies[1] suggesting that the group liability programs work better in addressing the problem incomplete information faced by the lenders and banks, as much of the responsibility has been shifted to the group members, resultantly lowering the cost faced by the MFIs. Some studies such as Tassel, 199 and Ghatak, 1999 argued that the in group liability loans, the self selection of the group members helps in reducing the problem of incomplete information and can generate higher repayment rates. There are various laboratory experimental studies tried to investigate the group liability loans and effects of peer monitoring on repayment rates. Such as, Cason et al (2009) in their study found that even the monitoring was a costly activity and subjects were required to pay the cost of monitoring, but still the group partners preferred to monitor each other. They also observed that when the cost of monitoring paid by the group members was less than the cost paid by the len der, the group liability programs performed better than the individual liability programs. They also pointed out that in the absence of difference in monitoring cost (among group monitoring cost and lender’s cost), the repayment behavior of the subjects remained almost similar in both group and individual lending cases. In another study conducted by Kono (2006) in Vietman, reported that even in the presence of monitoring and imposition of penalties to the defaulters, the default rates were higher in group liability cases compared to the individual liability cases. There are few studies explaining the importance of social ties between the group members towards effective monitoring and loan repayment rates. There are a number of ways the social ties can be effective, one of the most important factors is the full information about the group members. This complete information makes it is much easier for the group members to monitor their fellow partners, and if required they can enforce the contract terms (Besley and Coate, 1995, Abbink et al 2006). However, we were interested in investigating the effect of peer monitoring and choice of microfinance contracts on the loan repayments. The peer monitoring has been discussed extensively in the literature, however, the evidence on the choice of microfinance contracts (i.e. The choice among the interest and non-interest based microfinance contracts) is non existent. We do observe studies addressing the choice among the individual and group lending contracts by the microfinance lenders (Gine and Karlan, 2008, Bhole and Ogden, 2010, Madajewicz, 2011). We conducted laboratory experiments with the students of the University of Sydney, Australia during October, 2013. In our study, there were four treatments and the subjects were offered the loan under the group liability scheme. A pair of two subjects constituted a group and there were 74 groups in total (148 subjects). In the first treatment, subjects can choose to monitor their partner’s repayment actions, then they were required to choose a contract from the given two contracts (PLS and IB). After choosing the contracts, they were recording their repayment actions. In the second treatment, subjects were allowed to go for monitoring, but they were not allowed to choose the contracts rather the experimenter had allocated the both PLS and IB contracts randomly and evenly. With the third treatment, there was no monitoring choice available to the subjects, but they were allowed to choose from the PLS and IB contracts. In the fourth and last treatment, subjects were neither allowed to monitor, nor allowed to choose from the PLS and IB contracts, the contacts were allocated by the experimenter in a randomly and evenly way. There were five rounds for each treatment and after every round the subjects were swapped randomly and it was ensured that the same subject should not be the matched with the other more than once. The subjects were able to identify their group partner through their roll numbers, but they cannot see and talk to him. There was a monitoring fee[2] for all those subjects who were opting to monitor their group partner. Yet, while monitoring they can impose penalty on to their defaulted partner. The decision of monitoring or otherwise was a common knowledge for both the group partners. This experimental study was conducted to address the following research questions. Whether peer monitoring and peer pressure (imposition of penalty) affect the repayment rates positively? Are there any choice preferences for PLS and IB contracts? How choice of the contracts affects the repayment rates? Are there any gender specific differences in repayment rates? Whether the degree of religiosity affects the repayment behavior of the subjects? In summary, our results indicated that the monitoring had a significantly positive effect on the loan repayment rates in both with and without choice of contract cases. There were significantly higher proportion of subjects, choosing the PLS contact against the IB contract. Although, there was a high preference for PLS contracts, but at the same time we did not notice any change in repayment rates for both PLS and IB contracts. Moreover, we noticed lower repayment rates in no monitoring with no selection of contract treatment. We did not observe any gender related differences. Also the results revealed that the degree of religiosity was not affecting the repayment behavior of the subject. For the empirical analysis of this experimental work, we used the percentages to analyze the repayment rates. Paired t-test and McNemar’s test were also applied to examine the differences in behavioral responses of subjects across treatments. Finally, we applied panel logit regression methodo logy to check the significance of monitoring choices against the no monitoring cases and PLS contract against the IB contract in the presence of demographic and other control variables. The rest of the chapter continues as follows. Section 2 gives a literature overview. Section 3 describes the experimental contracts, design and execution. Results are discussed in Section 4 and in Section 5, we analyze the results and concluded the study. RELATED LITERATURE Microfinance gained popularity and appreciation over the past three decades for its mechanism of offering small loan to those poor people who were generally excluded from the provision of formal credit facilities. The microfinance use its innovative lending methodology in the presence of incomplete information of the clients and non availability of physical collateral. Generally, lending techniques adopted by the MFIs were individual or group lending. The group lending can be used as screening tools whereas, the joint liability could work as the monitoring device within the group. Nevertheless, the group lending and joint liability programs of micrfinance are considered as efficient instruments in the expansion of credit facility to the poor (Morduch, 1999: Armendariz and Morduch, 2005). Under the group lending strategy, all the members of the group were provided with the micro loans in their individual capacity. All the group members were then made jointly responsible for the repayment of the each other’s loan in case of default, also future they were denied from any loan facility by the MFIs (Morduch, 1999 : Ghatak and Guinnane, 1999). It had been argued that the success of the group lending strategy has been the outcome of various reasons. Firstly, the screening of the clients by the group members, this helps in selecting the credible and trustworthy persons in the group. Secondly, the group members keep a proper check on the utilization of the loan and also they keep on observing the efforts of each of their partners have exerted in order to make his investment project successful. Lastly, each group member faces a peer pressure from his partner which forces them to comply with the repayment conditions of the loan, along with peer pressure the group members have to face social pressure from their society they were living which enforces the contract conditions of loan repayment. In this way it became possible for the lenders to shift their burden on to the borrowers and the problems occurred due to incomplete information can be handled at the borrowers end (Microcredit Summit Compaign, 2005). In the existing literature, there are a number of works explaining the positive impacts of microfinance programs for the small line and investment activities. It has also been pointed out that the implications of microfinance programs kept on varying from borrower to borrower and repayment behavior was not same across the borrowers (Cr ´epon et al. (2011); Banerjee et al. (2010)). On the other hand, there are studies focusing on the merits and demerits of group/joint-liability loans and stressed that the joint liability loans were successful in increasing the repayment rates (Banerjee et al. (1994); Van Tassel (1999); Wydick (2001)). Entirely the same, it had also been mooted by a number of researchers that the espousal of a group or joint liability loans may lead to increase the risk loving behavior among the borrowers. They may put in a much riskier projects because the repayment responsibilities had been portioned out among the group member. The building of this attitude potenti ally invites the free-riders (Gine et al. (2010); Fischer (2010); Barboni et al. (2012)). There have been a number of factors addressed in the literature which could involve the repayment behavior of the individuals positively. Such as monitoring either by the lender or by the group members, peer pressure and peer sanctioning, social affiliations among the group members, opportunity for future loans, group size and lower tier of interest rates (Floro and Yotopoulos, 1991, Wydick, 1996, Wydick, 1999). Gin and Karlan (2010) conducted randomized field experiments in the Philippines over a point of three years found that group liability affected the development and advancement of the microfinance program exerting extreme social pressure on the group members, resulting in discouraging the good willing clients to adopt. They likewise did not notice any difference in repayment rates for both individual liability and group liability cases. Ghattak and Guinnane (1999) has given a comprehensive analysis on the effect of screening, monitoring and enforcement in group lending. They also observed that the lender’s cost of group screening, monitoring and enforcement can be reduced if they follow the group liability strategy. It has also been argued that in a group or joint liability cases where the default or failure to repay the loan will affect all the group members, including the defaulting member (as everyone in the group has to pay back the loan) and the whole group will stand disqualified for the future borrowing will encourage the group members to monitor each other. In this way, the group lending has the potential to increase the repayment rates. However, it has been viewed that even in the group lending case the monitoring and enforcement through imposition of penalties are costly, but at the same time effective in reducing the lender’s risk, due to shifting of responsibility on to the group members (S tiglitz, 1990: Varian, 1990). The researchers have consistently argued that the controls or restrictions like peer monitoring by the group members, restriction on further loan payment to the defaulter, social pressure from community through close knit social ties and effective monitoring by the MFIs on the individual as well as group borrowers could potentially increase the chances of loan repayment (Abbink et al., 2006a; Gine and Karlan, 2010; Cassar et al., 2007; Karlan, 2007). In a recent study by Al-Azzam et al., (2012), inferred that peer pressure on the fellow counterpart within a group could result in a higher rate of payment. [1] For example, Armendariz , 1999 and Rai and Sjostrom, 2004. [2] See Section 3.2 for details.

Irony in The Most Dangerous Game and The Cask of Amontillado :: Richard Connell Edgar Allen Poe

Irony in Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous Game and The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe Irony is used in writing to add new interest to a seemingly ordinary subject. Richard Connell's The Most Dangerous Game and The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allen Poe use irony throughout their stories, creating unique works. To recognize Irony, you must first understand it, then you can see how it is used in these two works. Irony is a word with many meanings aside from what we often think of as irony. Irony is defined as the contrast between what is said and what is meant or what happens and what we feel should happen. There are three main types of irony. Verbal irony is when what is said is the opposite of what is meant, as in sarcasm. Situational irony is when an event is the opposite of what would ordinarily occur. Dramatic irony is when the reader or audience knows something that the characters do not know. There are many examples of all three types of irony in The Most Dangerous Game and The Cask of Amontillado. The Most Dangerous Game and The Cask of Amontillado use irony as major parts of their plots. The entire premise of The Most Dangerous Game is situational irony. Usually hunters would hunt animals, but in this story the Antagonist, General Zaroff, hunts men a quarry that is far from ordinary. Dramatic irony occurs throughout the Cask of Amontillado, and adds a whole new dimension to the story's plot. The reader knows that Montresseur, the main character, intends to murder Fortunato, the antagonist, while Fortunato is oblivious to the impending danger. This situation also creates a sort of verbal irony. Some of Montresseur's statements seem innocent, casual conversation, but once his vengeful intent is considered, they take on a whole new meaning. For example, wen Montresseur tells Fortunato his family motto: "No One Injuries Me Without Punishment" it seems an friendly comment, but considering that he is about to murder his companion for revenge, it becomes a warning of impending dan ger. These uses of irony demonstrate the many ways in which irony can be used.

Essay on Literacy in African-American Literature -- compare and contras

Levels of Literacy in African-American Literature - Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Song of Solomon, and Push      Ã‚  Ã‚   Through literacy will come emancipation. So runs a theme throughout the various selections we have read thus far. But emancipation comes in many forms, as does literacy. The various aspects of academic literacy are rather obvious in relation to emancipation, especially when one is confronted with exclusion from membership in the dominant culture. In the various slave narratives we have examined, all but one writer, Mary Prince, managed to achieve academic literacy to varying degrees (although, Mary Prince was in the process of learning to read and write). And even though she was not literate, Mary was still able to have her story told. Frederick Douglass, made it a point to attain literacy at any cost. Most, but not all, of Toni Morrison's characters in Song of Solomon appear to have attained at least a modicum of literacy. In Push, Sapphire has her protagonist, Precious, pointed down a long road toward at least a minimal form of academic literacy that will allow her to become a more functional human being and a much more productive member of society. What part does literacy play in the advancement of the individual, and to what lengths will one go to achieve it? What part must the individual play to make certain that literacy leads to the desired or implied advancement? And, finally, is there a cost for literacy, or is it always something gained?    Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass    As a relatively young man, Frederick Douglass discovers, in his Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, that learning to read and write can be his path to freedom. Upon discovering that... ...he past, but Douglass and Precious can use their connections with the past as means to avoid its mistakes. So all three find a personal use for what once was reality as a promise for a more fulfilling reality in the future. And in a certain sense, all three find emancipation through their disparate relationships with literacy.    Works Cited Douglass, Frederick. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. The Classic Slave Narratives. Ed. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. New York: New American Library, 1987. 243-331. Gates, Henry Louis. The Classic Slave Narratives. New York: New American Library, 1987. Graff, Harvey J. The Literacy Myth: Literacy and Social Structure in the Nineteenth-Century City. New York: Academic Press, 1979. Morrison, Toni. Song of Solomon. New York: Penguin Books USA, Inc., 1987. Sapphire. Push. New York: Vintage Books, 1996.

Analytical Medea

As a mother, Made suffer d an ultimatum; she could leave her children behind and subject them to abuse fro m the enemies of her past, or she could relieve them of future agony by murdering t hem. Parents have a natural instinct to give children their best chance. Made chose e to murder her children in order to liberate them from pain. In Greece, men preferred this patriarchal ideal Of a silent and obedient wife, w ho stayed within the confines of the home.Great scholars such as Aristotle believe deed that â€Å"the male rules and the female is ruled†; his ideas spurred the general social p reactive in Greece. There was also a famous, old saying in Greece, where a man thanked God that he was not uncivilized, a slave or a woman. In Athens, men preferred their woo men to stay home because colonization with other men lead to the possibility infidelity y and this would affect the paternity of the child. According to Athenian law, if paternity could not be determined, then the child could not be a citizen.In this sense, Corinth WA s identical to Athens. If these harsh restrictions are placed on a Grecian woman, imagine the restrictions on a foreign woman, who would most likely be even more confine d and isolated. 2 Euripides depicts Made as noble, strong and classification, much stronger than her male counterparts. Made mourns Season's betrayal but at the end Of her soliloquy, she is proud to be a woman because men underestimate her, which h allows her to deceive them. Made is also very clever; she exploits her enemy's weak news.Manipulation, cleverness and independence are typical masculine qualities the at Made possessed. Through the interactive oral, was able to better understand that Media's revenge was catcalled by restrictions such as status, stereotypes and the misinterpretation of women in the ancient Greece. They combined to make a woman's life difficult at that time in history. Word count: 387 3 â€Å"Fifth elements in a person as well as in a socie ty or a state are balanced an d strong, one finds harmony and health, beauty and grace,† says Aching Cocker.This is contrary to the play, by Euripides, where the audience follows the protagonist, Made, as she challenges her role in a contemporary, patriarchal Greek society. Media's masculine characteristics outweigh her feminine traits, this I imbalance in her personality is caused by the lesser status she gains as a foreign women In an ancient Greek society. In relation to ordinary women and her male counterpane arts, Jason and King Croon, Made does not follow the path of all the other women in Co ring. This personality imbalance affects King Croon and Jason, who stray from the stand masculine characteristics.The author challenges these stereotypes, but in disc playing the consequences of defying one's stereotype, he reinforces them. The journal article â€Å"Diary of a Greek Housewife,† explores a regular day in a Grecian woman's life. When opening a discussion, the h usband â€Å"tells [his wife] she should not bother about the affairs of men† (Diary) and she â€Å"pretends to agree † because â€Å"she is too hungry to argue† (Diary). The â€Å"filibustered[news]† (Euripides 807) and â€Å"statehood† housewife stands for the feminine stereotypes that Made call e ones.While the housewife devotes her day to rearranging hair and freshening perfume Made dedicates her last day in Corinth to seek vengeance against the Corinth Han royals and Jason. By challenging her stereotype, Made takes the first step to wards her masculine self and tips the scales creating a personality imbalance which is the e result of a societal imbalance. Furthermore, in the poem, ‘Women† by Simonizes of A Argos, 4 the author interprets women according to different beasts, to explain a womb Nan's nature. Within the stereotype that women inferiority, there are superstores to expo lain different kinds of women.Simonizes uses each bea st to explain a type of woo man. When applying this logic to Made, her cleverness pertains to the fox that Se monodies describes because she exploits the Corinthian King's weakness, his daughter, I n order to take her revenge. In this sense, Made is the opposite of a weasel, she uses alluring quality to manipulate those around her. In addition, Media's masculine e side is seen battling her feminine side when she tries to convince herself to commit I infanticide. She says to herself, Oh, arm yourself in steel, my heart!Do not hang back do not think of them, How sweet they are, and how you are their mother. Just for This one short day be forgetful of your children, Afterward weep; (Euripides 12421248) This illustrates a shift where the personality imbalance is prominent. Media's need for vengeance outweighs her motherly instincts indicating that her masculinity ova retakes her femininity; at the cost of her children, who are the symbol of her mother odd and femininity. These two sides of Media's personality are like the sea who is twofer aced in Simonizes' poem.Made is schemes against her husband and the royal family y, this makes her a mix of ape and bee according to Simonizes because she was be like while aboard the Argon, when she aided Jason on many occasions. Still, she be comes more similar to an ape due to the horrors that Jason experiences while being the object 5 of Media's rage. Euripides' work disagrees with Simonizes' work because E riptides' Made is a combination of some qualities that Simonizes describes rather the n just one. By comparing regular women to Made, one can see that by challenging her stereotype, Made sacrifices her children for vengeance.Euripides also uses Jason to highlight Media's masculine character. Made takes control of her predicament. In comparison to men, women are not expel acted to retaliate against anyone. This is more often left to the men instead of women. Although Made cannot be a man, she discerns her ability to take r evenge like a man w loud in her position. Made defies the feminine stereotypes Of feebleness and passive TTY by taking control of her life. Similarly, to engage in combat is deemed a man's task k while the woman is expected to stay within the seclusion of the home.Made defied s this basic Greek norm when she says that she â€Å"would very much rather stand/ Three times in the front of battle than bear one child† (Euripides 250251 Moreover, manipulation n is the key to Media's revenge; she uses a blend of masculine and feminine qualities to exploit Jason. She cleverly, appeals to his arrogance in order to distract him while she takes her revenge. In their previous argument, Jason claims that his second wedding g Sis 48) and ‘Waives† (Euripides 549) move that he made in the in tersest of Made and their children.He also says that, â€Å"it would have been better far for men/ TO have got their children in some Other way, and women/ Not to have existed. ]† (Euri pides 573575). Made appeals to Season's reasoning and pretends to agree e with him. She says, â€Å"Why am I set against those who have planned wisely? ‘(Euripides sees 874). She admits to having a â€Å"great lack of sense† and that her â€Å"anger was foolish†. 6 most effective lie, â€Å"we women are what we are-?perhaps a little/ Worthless† (Euripides 89890) compromises Season's opinion because she gives the impression that J assn was right and she was not.This works to her advantage since Jason believes t hat the balance between husband and wife has been restored and he Jason suspects nothing of her plot to ruin him. In Media's soliloquy, she plans Season's ultimate suffers Eng because she will not submit to the rules of a patriarchal Greek society. Let no one think me a weak one, filibustered, A statehood, but rather just the opposite, One who can hurt my enemies and help my friends; For the lives Of such persons are most remembered. Euripides 80781 0) Men are the ones who generally strive to be remembered, which is why they t aka part in battle.By displaying such a trait in a woman, Euripides emphasizes the import once of following one's stereotype because of the consequences Made faces. Made is not the only character who defies the Greek norm; King Croon and Jason abandon their masculine qualities as well. In the plays beginning, King Croon approaches Made with an unshakeable resolve to send her into exile. Origin ally, he displays his masculinity by refusing to listen to any of Media's protests. This q laity ritually plummets when he tells Made he is â€Å"afraid that [Made] may injury e [his] daughter' (Euripides 283).Made appeals to the Kings love for his daughter a ND claims that she needs a day to find â€Å"support for [her] children† (Euripides 342) and as KS the king to â€Å"pity' them. Even though Croon â€Å"prefer[s] to earn [her] hatred now/ Than to be softhearted and afterward regret it' (Euripides 29 0291 ), he allows Made to re main in 7 Corinth for a day since he believes that she â€Å"can do none of the things [he] fee arts]† (Euripides 356). The Corinthian king enters Media's household as a man With a full aquiline character but leaves as a lesser man because Made manipulates him.Jason in hopes of advancing his station through marriage, provokes Media's a anger and fuels her revenge. To the audience, he presents himself as aloof especially w hen he tells Made, â€Å"in so far as you helped me, you did well enough. / But on this question of saving me, I can prove/ You have certainly got from me more than you gave† (Euripides 533535). He tries to defend his actions; â€Å"confident in his tongue's power to ad Ron evil† (Euripides 582), Jason uses irrelevant reasons such as living amongst the civilize deed, allowing Made fame and honor, in order to justify the kingdom and family s he gave up for him.Season's selfishness and whiny justifications of his acti ons, make him a weak and apathetic character. This figure is inconsistent to the previous image of a hero, illustrating that by straying from his stereotype and Jason pays the price, with a Grecian man's most precious treasure: his sons. Euripides affirms that an imbalance o masculinity and femininity within a person, reflects on their society, denying it s proper function. Is a powerful text, full of characters that defy their stereotype in society. Euripides uses the characters of as tools to reinforce stereotypes.The author applies masculinity to Made, this is seen in contrast to † Diary Of A creek Housewife† and â€Å"Women† by Simonizes, where Made abandons her feminine e side unlike the housewife and proves Simonizes wrong since she is a blend of dif e rent women rather than only one type. Because of Media's personality imbalance, 8 affects the behavior of Jason and King Croon, who become ruled by her insist dead of vice versa. Euripides gives Made a masculi ne side in order to prove his idea t hat challenging one's stereotype leads to dire consequences.