Friday, November 29, 2019

Death Of A Salesman Willy Lowman Willys Escape No One Has A Perfect L

Death of a Salesman: Willy Lowman Willy's Escape No one has a perfect life. Everyone has conflicts that they must face sooner or later. The ways in which people deal with these personal conflicts can differ as much as the people themselves. Some insist on ignoring the problem as long as possible, while some attack the problem to get it out of the way. Willy Lowman's technique in Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman, leads to very severe consequences. Willy never really does anything to help the situation, he just escapes into the past, whether intentionally or not, to happier times were problems were scarce. He uses this escape as if it were a narcotic, and as the play progresses, the reader learns that it can be a dangerous drug, because of it's addictiveness and it's deadliness. The first time Willy is seen lapsing off into the past is when he encounters Biff after arriving home. The conversation between Willy and Linda reflects Willy's disappointment in Biff and what h e has become, which is, for the most part, a bum. After failing to deal adequately with his feelings, he escapes into a time when things were better for his family. It is not uncommon for one to think of better times at low points in their life in order to cheer themselves up so that they are able to deal with the problems they encounter, but Willy Lowman takes it one step further. His refusal to accept reality is so strong that in his mind he is transported back in time to relive one of the happier days of his life. It was a time when no one argued, Willy and Linda were younger, the financial situation was less of a burden, and Biff and Happy enthusiastically welcomed their father back home from a long road trip. Willy's need for the "drug" is satiated and he is reassured that everything will turn out okay, and the family will soon be as happy as it was in the good old days. The next flashback occurs during a discussion between Willy and Linda. Willy is depressed about his inab ility to make enough money to support his family, his looks, his personality and the success of his friend and neighbor, Charley. "My God if business doesn't pick up , I don't know what I'm gonna do!" (36) is the comment made by Willy after Linda figures the difference between the family's income and their expenses. Before Linda has a chance to offer any words of consolation Willy blurts out "I'm Fat. I'm very--foolish to look at, Linda" (37). In doing this he has depressed himself so much that he is visited by a woman with whom he is having an affair. The woman's purpose in this point of the play is to cheer him up. She raises his spirits by telling him how funny and loveable he is, saying "You do make me laugh....And I think you're a wonderful man." (38). And when he is reassured of his attractiveness and competence, the woman disappears, her purpose being fulfilled. Once again the drug has come to the rescue, postponing Willy's having to actually do something about his problem. The next day, when Willy is fired after initially going to ask his boss to be relocated is when the next journey into the past occurs. The point of the play during which this episode takes place is so dramatic that willy seeks a big hit of the flashback drug. Such a big hit in fact, that he is transported back to what was probably the happiest day of his life. Biff was going to play in Ebbets field in the All-Scholastic Championship game in front of thousands of people. Willy couldn't be prouder of his two popular sons who at the time had everything going for them and seemed destined to live great, important lives, much more so than the "liked, but not well liked" boy next door, Bernard. Willy's dependency on the "drug" is becoming greater by the hour, at this rate, he cannot remain sane for much longer. Too much of anything, even a good thing, can quickly become a bad thing. Evidence

Monday, November 25, 2019

Egyptian Afterlife

Egyptian Afterlife Table of Contents  · Introduction2  · General Information, Main.3-6 o Mummification...3 o Journey to Yaru..4 o Recitation to the Gods4 o Myth and Rituals.5 o Opening of the Mouth Ceremony5  · Conclusion5-6  · Bibliography.7 Egyptian Afterlife Introduction Many ancient civilizations of the world have been unraveled, but one in particular interests me the most. The astonishing beliefs and lifestyle of the ancient Egyptians are unlike any other of its time or any time at all. These Egyptians had developments and beliefs that are still in some ways a mystery, but as the years go by, we begin to learn more. If you ever wondered what the meanings of some burial traditions or what mummies really were, you'll find out as you read along. I will discuss the procedures and beliefs of Egyptian afterlife.Egyptian Afterlife General/Main Information Once an Egyptian dies, there are several things that can be done with their remains.Egyptian VOne thing that we discovered that can be done wit h the remains is the process of mummification, which was only performed on certain people. So let's start there.The process of mummification is the form of embalming practiced by the ancient Egyptians that changed over time from the Old Kingdom (ca. 2750-2250 B.C.), when it was available only to kings, to the New Kingdom (ca. 1539-1070 B.C.), when it was available to everyone. The level of mummification depended on what one could afford. The most fully developed form involved five basic steps: 1. All of the internal organs, except the heart, were removed. Since the organs were the first parts of the body to decompose but were necessary in the afterlife, they were mummified and put in canopic jars that were placed in the tomb at the time of burial. They would take out the stomach and...

Friday, November 22, 2019

Admission Essay with 4 sections Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Admission with 4 sections - Essay Example In today’s business environment trends are changing quite dramatically and it is not possible to rely on experience only. Only professional education can help a person grow in potential in the realm of business and this is the main reason why I have opted for masters in business administration. This degree will help me cultivate newer ideas about management and will also aid the experience that I have accumulated over the years in supply chain management, project management, and manufacturing. Practical experience is very important in any field but I have realized that latest professional education of high standards can help me more in perfecting my management skills. I also believe that there is no age limit for acquiring education, especially in a today’s fast moving world. Trends are changing at a remarkable pace and newer techniques are changing the business environment on a regular basis. It is important to keep up with the latest trends and therefore at the age of 52 I have decided to enter into an MBA program. Age should not be a barrier for gaining knowledge especially if it can positively impact a person. I think that every learned human being can also contribute to the society. Education guides us in our social relationships and this positively impacts the society. I have chosen to pursue a master’s degree in business administration as it will help me in my professional life. Job market has become competitive and it is important to enhance our skills in order to gain a competitive edge over others. An MBA degree will put me above my competition as I have a vast amount of experience in management already. Learning the latest management techniques will help me improve my skills to a great extent and therefore I see my age as a positive point. My choice of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business was not random. I was looking for an institution that will provide me with a high quality of education and at the

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Critique on another students project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critique on another students project - Essay Example Thus, we have a Prioress who is a perfect exponent of table dining manners, a Monk who has amassed a huge fortune and leads an aristocratic life and a miller whose expertise lies in telling lascivious tales. Though many critics have pointed out the so-called anti-feminist presentation of Chaucer's characters, they are largely true of a country where moral ethics were dwindling, largely due to the coming of the Renaissance and also because the pseudo chivalry of love, honour and fame of the medieval times were beginning to loose ground. The Canterbury Tales are emblematic of a society that was under going a change: a society that had become decadent and was on the verge of a huge re-birth, to be brought about by the Renaissance. If Canterbury Tales operates to be largely a social documentary of its times, John Lydgate's The Fall of Princes operates within the popular medieval genre of "advice to princes" literature. Deriving from French sources, Lydgate offers his readers the various conflicts experienced between the autocratic Church and the state authority. It not only anticipates the problems of the Divine Rights Policy, whereby a king ruled upon his subjects as the religiously chosen one, but also shows the element of corruption which had become synonymous to the medieval Churches.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Strategic Positioning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Strategic Positioning - Essay Example A company with the aim of increasing competitive advantage becomes operationally effective from its rivals and produces extreme level of economic value by gaining advantage of cost or price premium in a distinct way. Competition exists among the companies through the internet for operational effectiveness. A company needs to develop distinctive strategic path in an attempt to be one step forward in this highly competitive world. Before implementing strategy a company provides emphasis on profitability besides growth. The company ought to improve its distinctive positioning even during the time of turmoil. The value chain needs to be highly integrated. A company needs to follow the six basic principles of strategic positioning with a view to maintain the distinctive positioning of strategy. The first principle is the ‘right goal’, which means higher return on long term investment. The economic value will be generated in sustained productivity as well as profitability by i mplementing strategy. The value of the economy is created when customer prices for the product exceed production cost. In the second proposition, the strategy of the company enables to set ‘value proposition’ which is different from that of competitors. ... This not only stimulates competitive advantage but make a strategy that is tough to replicate. The sixth or the last strategy is ‘continuity’ of direction; without it a company may not be able to develop distinctive skills and resources or create strong reputation with the customers (Michael Porter, 2001). Strategy positioning considers the industry structure of the organisation as a key independent variable in strategic analysis. The effective performance of the industry is based on the ‘strategy fit’ of the firm. The strategist identified the three generic strategies such as differentiation, low cost and focus from which one that fits the industry structure will be selected. The templates supplied by five forces find out the attractiveness of an industry. The industry attractiveness is depended on the five forces including power of buyer, power of supplier, substitute’s threats, threat of new entrance and intensity of rivalry among incumbents as a r esult revenue will be high. Strategy as ‘positioning’ balances both strategies as ‘planning’ as well as ‘SWOT’. It offered a technique that allowed in making accurate analysis of one of the key sections of the external environment of the industry (Business Strategy Review, 2003). 2.0 Criticisms The operational effectiveness associated with competition in a company leads to destructiveness and conflict for attrition. This will hinder the competition among the companies (Nirgudka, 2002). The models of Michael Porter are not valuable for strategy development and it has become useless tool from the manager’s tool box. This model can be best suitable in companies with new and traditional technique of management. Michael Porter is of the opinion

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Midaq Alley, Naguib Mahfouz | Character Analysis

Midaq Alley, Naguib Mahfouz | Character Analysis Midaq Alley, a novel written by Mahfouz, tells us the story of different characters living in a poor alley in Egypt during World War II, a time of change for Egypt when under British rule. The reader finds the emphasis on change experienced by the arrival of foreigners to Egypt is best shown by the women in the alley, specifically through the life Hamida, a character who wants to break through the boundaries set by society. Mahfouz shows the change in Midaq Alley through Hamida and her actions by characterization and by contrasting Hamida to others in the alley, usually the older generation. Mahfouz use of Hamida shows change in all aspects of Egyptian life including religion, monetary and traditions. Mahfouz creates Hamida to be such a rebellious and strong-willed character that he shows the changes and differences between the traditional and the new. Hamida was born in a poor alley in Cairo and has devoted her life towards two objectives, money and freedom. Hamida is a character who will do what she can to better her opportunities to be free from the traditional bonds set by the religious society in which she lives in and to gain more wealth. She has no fear in showing her aggressive behaviour and plans on marrying a successful man who can take her out of the poor alley. Hamida is not afraid to bend cultural traditions if it means making more money as is the case when she becomes a prostitute. Characterization is an important technique used by Mahfouz in his novel. No character stands out as much as Hamida. Mahfouz writes that when she set her delicate lips and narrowed her eyes, she could take on an appearance of strength and determination which was most unfeminine. (24) Gender roles is an important theme in the novel. Females have the traditional roles of housekeeping and taking care of children. However Hamida wants freedom and escape from tradition because of this she is considered unfeminine. Her actions and physical descriptions suggest being unfeminine. Throughout the novel, Mahfouz repeats Hamidas unfeminine qualities like when he writes Perhaps the most commonly said thing about her was that she hated children and that this unnatural trait made her wild and lacking in the virtues of femininity. (40). The reader is shown the contrast between the traditional women, who takes care of children, and Hamida who hates children. Mahfouz uses characterization of Hamida and dialogue to show change in perception of people in the alley, specifically the contrast between the old and young generations. Hamida is the main character who stands out for her desire to escape tradition and social status. Mahfouz shows through dialogue Hamidas jealousy of women who are free from traditional bonds. She tells her mother, You should just see those Jewish girls who go to work. They all go about in nice clothes. Well, what is the point of life then if we cant wear what we want? (Mahfouz 27). For Hamida, money and clothing are the most important thing simply because she views it as a form of gaining freedom. Hamida wished the wealthy Sheikh Darwish would be her husband but only because he was wealthy. Hamida asked herself whether it would be too mean for Darwish to give her ten thousand pounds. Money is clearly the main thought in Hamidas mind. The thought is not uncommon amongst the younger generations and ambition is a very important theme in the novel that is intertwined with money. Both Hussain and Abbas join the British army for money. Mahfouz shows Hamidas yearning for independence through her actions that are considered different to society. Later on in the book, Hamida eventually agrees to marry Abbas, a neighbourhood barber who she really does not care for, but she believes is her way out of her mothers household. Not only is he poor, he is a failure in Hamidas eyes. Hamida wanted to break that cycle of sacrificing her own personal happiness, she was already independent by taking walks on her own during a time when Muslim could not do so. She listened to Abbas when he says, I am going to work for the British Army and I might be as successful as your brother Hussain! (85) Abbas leaves Midaq Alley to join other local residents enrolling in the British army. Many Egyptians benefited from the war. The presence of troops brought many jobs. Hamida as a result gives Abbas a chance because he could succeed, however, keeps an open eye for other wealthier suitors that could suit her wants. The author shows us how Hamida deals with tradition and marriage threw characterization and dialogue. Hamida searches for marriage that will bring her wealth. When Abbas promised that he would make money from the army she was more reluctant to accept his proposal. However money is all that Hamida wants and when the wealthy Salim Alwan took interest in Hamida she quickly forgot about accepting Abbas proposal to marriage. Mahfouz shows Hamida forgetting Abbas through imagery of her eyes and heart. Hamidas heart beat furiously and her eyes show so that their whites flashed.(142) Mahfouz description of the heart makes the reader feel Hamidas thoughts are only in the present and not the past because when the heart beats fast it is usually do to a reaction that presently occurred. Mahfouz also shows Hamidas blindness when he describes the whites(142) of Hamidas eyes flashed(142). Hamida is blinded by greed and she doesnt care for Abbas. For Hamida, Salim was at last the man who could give her all the luxury and freedom she prayed for. Mahfouz shows through listing and repeating Hamidas view of marriage. The greedy Hamida believes that marrying a wealthy man would bring her dignity, beautiful clothes, jewellery, pride, and a whole new world of secure and happy people. (142). Hamida is willing to break tradition and her marriage to Abbas for the wealthy Salim. The repetition of beautiful clothing and jewellery by Mahfouz, throughout his novel, suggest that Hamida wanting to change since she has ragged clothing. Wearing beautiful clothing to Hamida is a sign of freedom because clothing expresses an individual especially when that individual can chose what to wear. When Umm Hamida asks Have you forgotten that you are engaged? And that I confirmed it by reading the Quran with Abbas? Hamida shouted in full, angry scorn, that barber!. Mahfouz shows that Hamida does not care for Abbas despite the fact that he truly cares for her. Mahfouz shows the reader that marriage in Egy pt is about transactions and gaining money not about true love as it should be. Hamida tells her mother He must go. She only wants to succeed in life. Hamida would be violating the Quran because she has already committed herself to Abbas. Mahfouz shows the importance of religion in the alley when Umm Hamida tells her daughter that punishment for violating the Quran is harsh (146). Hamida, a rebellious character, does not allow anything to interfere with [her] happiness. Mahfouz shows through Hamida how the change in society has affected her and others. Hamidas pimp Ibrahim Faraj advises her how to be more attractive to his clients. She agrees to be called Titi from now on, a name that will amuse Englishmen and Americans and one which their twisted tongues can easily pronounce. (217) Hamida accepted this change and everything else that goes with it. Mahfouz shows through similie all that Hamida will give up in order to gain money. She realized that he considered her name, like her old clothes, as something to be discarded and forgotten. (216) Hamida is willing to give up her own name so she can gain wealth and beautiful clothes. Ibrahim provides his whores with English teachers telling them: I keep telling them that they cant learn a language just by memorizing words and phrases. (221) The fact that the prostitutes need to learn English for their job shows the rise of multiculturalism in the Middle East as foreign languages make their way into societ y. Eventually when Abbas discovers Hamida with British troops at a local tavern, he allows all the despair he has suffered to explode. He throws an empty beer glasses at her face and the troops murder him. The irony is that Hamida returns to the alley and once again keeps to the original way of life. To conclude Mahfouz use of Hamida shows change in the alley because Hamida as a character does not follow traditions. She breaks the commitment to Abbas despite confirming with the Quran. She is void of feminine features with her violent nature and her greed for wealth. Her need to be free encourages her unfeminine nature and was something common during the 20th century when females had to take up male jobs when the men were fighting in World War II. Females as a result gained more freedom on the global scale just as Hamida wished to gain. Research: Investigation of a problem Research: Investigation of a problem 4.1 Introduction The process of finding a solution to a problem after a thorough study and analysis of the situational factor is known as research (Sekaran-2000). This implies that research is an organized and systematic investigation of a problem. In a research, there are various methods, techniques and instruments been use to gather the information. After gathering the informations, those informations need to be analyzed and evaluated align with the research aim to recommend a solution for the problem. This chapter outline the various research designs and methods been used in this research. 4.2 Research Philosophy: During choosing the research methodology, the researcher needs to adopt one which aligns with the research objective. Research philosophy mainly depends on how the researcher wants to carry out the research. The researcher can use multiple approaches to find out the best possible answer from the various dimensions. Saunder et al. (2003) approach appear reasonably logical as they compare research process with an onion layer and arguing about different layers. The onion shows there are three research philosophies. Research process onion Source: Saunders et al (2003, p 83) According to Saunders et al. (2003) research process onion, there are three types of research philosophies. They are Positivism, Interpretevism and Realism. Comprehensive analysis of all the philosophies been carried out by the researcher to selecting the most suitable methodology for this research. 4.2.1 Positivism: According to Saunders et al. (2003), The researcher in this tradition assumes the role of an objective analyst, coolly making detached interpretations about those data that have been collected in apparently value free manner. This methodology is mostly carried through observation and focus on lightly structured methodology. The result of this philosophy is totally based on the real fact and gathered data rather than just interpretation of different opinions. 4.2.2 Interpretivism: This method of research philosophy is based on the ways, people think about various aspects of a particular topic. As different people analyze the same thing in different ways, the researcher can gain the different view of the particular topic. 4.2.3 Realism: Saunders et al. (2003) Realism is based on the belief that a reality exists that is independent of human thoughts and beliefs. It implies that, there could be forces on factors that could affect people and it does not matter whether the person aware about the presence of the factor or not. Saunders et al. (2003) claimed that, often business and management research is a mixture of positivism and interpretivism and reflect the attitude of realism. It shows researcher(s) show not bound one self to just one type of research philosophy. For this research, the researcher use realism and interpretivism research philosophy and these were considered most appropriate by the researcher, though positivism approach was also used to get an unbiased result. 4.3 Research Approach: Saunders et al. (2003) showed, there are two types of research approaches. They are Inductivism approach and Deductive approach. 4.3.1 Inductivism approach: In this approach the researcher need to develop own theory after data collection and analyze those data. It is important for the researcher (s) to know the previous work in the same field. 4.3.2 Deductive approach: is such an approach where the researcher(s) need to create a theoretical model and framework and try relating with the relevant discipline and finally collecting the data to test the created model or framework whether it match the researcher (s) expectation or not. For this research, the researcher used inductive approach of research due to the limited time scale. The researcher tried to develop an own theory, collected data through different data collection method (questionnaire, interview and observation) and also tried to find out any previous research on the same field, though there were several on the same topic but none were done in the same organization. 4.4 Access to the data: As a previous employer, the researcher explains the benefits, nature and the process of the research to several managers and enrollment officers. The researcher formally invites them to participate in the interview and fill up the questionnaires with the employers. The researcher used existing contacts strategy to gaining access to the organization. 4.5 Sampling: According to the Jankowicz (2000), Sampling is the deliberate choice of the number of people who are to provide you with the data from which you will draw conclusions about some larger group whom those people represent. It means that, sampling is a segment from a large group of people who will provide the data on behalf of the whole group. As the population using to identify the practices and the major elements of recruitment and selection process at Grameen Phone and examine the effectiveness of the recruitment and selection methods used by Grameen Phone. The researcher chooses several Grameen Phone managers and enrollment officers as sample group for this research. Due to get the different view of the topic the researcher include HR Executives into this research as the managers may only think about the organizations point of view. Figure: 4 Total numbers of the samples for this research (%) Total population size for this research was 125. However a Total number of 97 respondents including 72 HR Executives, 18 training and development officers, 5 Selection and Recruitment Officer, 1 Deputy Manager and 1 HR manager are in sample size for the questionnaire from the Grameen Phone. Sample size was cut down to 97 from 125 populations due to their different time shifts of work and incomplete questionnaires. 3 Selection and Recruitment Officers and 2 Training and Development Officers were the sample size for the semi structured interview. The researcher followed the simple random sampling process to run the questionnaire. 4.5 Source of information: There are two sources of information, these are primary and secondary sources and the data gathered through those resources are called primary data and secondary data. 4.5.1 Secondary Data: Anderson (2004) describes secondary data as Data which has been generated else where for other purpose. It implies that, secondary data is the data which is already exist and gathered by some other people for different reasons. This type data include both raw data published summaries. Secondary data were mostly used by the researcher in the literature review to gain an in depth knowledge and to get a clear understanding of the subject area. Gathering the secondary data is time consuming and time effective for the researcher as most of the findings from previous researches already existed in form of books and journals etc. Moreover, as existing high quality data collected and analyzed by following well established procedures, the reliability and validity of the secondary data remains high. Stewart and Kamins (1993) said, secondary data are likely to be higher quality data than gather by the researcher himself. 4.5.2 Primary Data: according to Anderson (2004), Primary data is information that is collected by the researcher, usually for the purpose of particular research project. It means that, for any specific project when the researcher collects data are known as primary data. To achieve a great acceptability and to find the best possible result of this research, researcher used both primary and secondary data. 4.6 Research Design: According to Smith et al (2003), a research design is organizing research activity, including the collection of data, in ways that are most likely to achieve the research aims. Data can be collected by using quantitative techniques or qualitative techniques. Both the qualitative and quantitative methods been employed to carry out this research. 4.6.1 Quantitative Technique: According to Hair et al. (2003) said, Quantitative data are measurements in which numbers are used directly to represent the properties of something. Babbie (1992) describes the quantitative research as the numerical representation and manipulation of observations for the purpose of describing and explaining the phenomena that those observations reflect. It implies that in quantitative technique researchers observation and finding are present through numerical form. Generally quantitative technique focus to measure the phenomena. By using this technique, researcher will get the result in numerical or statistical form. Responses in quantitative method are not as explanatory as qualitative method. Quantitative method are often most appropriate for conducting needs assessments or for evaluations comparing outcomes with baseline data. Finally Denzin and Lincoln (1994) said that, quantitative studies emphasize the measurement and analysis of causal relationships between variables, not process. 4.6.2 Qualitative Technique: According to Mason (1996), qualitative research usually does use some form of quantification, but statistical forms of analysis are not seen as central and should be conducted as an ethical practice. It implies that the research involves more peoples understandings and interactions. Though qualitative research is not always appropriate for every research problems and there is more chance of sacrifice scope for detail. . Mariampoliski (2001) said, Qualitative technique provide competitive tool for advancing the state of knowledge and pushing insights. This type of data can obtain through interview or observation. This method can be expensive and could long time to finish the process. This technique is used when the researcher wants to understand any phenomena in a descriptive way rather than any numerical figure. Due to its exploratory nature, this technique tries to describe, decode and translate any phenomena. Mixed methods were used in this research. Cresswell (1994) also said, researchers should make the most efficient use of both paradigms in understanding social phenomena. A positive approach for data collection in the Questionnaires was carried out with both for lower level employees and members of management officer. Semi structured (face to face) interviews were carried out with 3 HR Managers and, Recruitment and Selection Officer of different GP Center. Four interview observations were done by the researcher as well. This study is designed in such ways that helps in collecting necessary data for confirming or contradict the above mentioned hypothesis. 4.7 Questionnaire: According to DeVaus (1991), A questionnaire is a data collection tool, which requires each research participant to respond to the same set of questions in a pre-determined order. It implies that all the respondents answer the same questions by themselves and the researcher make sequences of the question previously as per requirement to gather data. The questionnaire was structured with questions based on both employer and employees perception about the existing recruitment and selection process are used by Grameen Phone and their effectiveness. The questionnaires were distributed to both employer and employees at several GP customer care branches. The questionnaire was standardized without any kind of bias from the researcher and was logical. The researcher try not to design the questionnaire too long and complicated as the respondents might feel bore or misunderstand the questions. To prevent the respondents from any misunderstanding, clear instructions were given in the questionnaire. According to Saunders et al (2003), the use of questionnaires to survey a sizeable population is a highly economical way of collecting data in a relatively short time, and therefore a popular and common data collection method in business and management research. Data collection through this method is time consuming and there is a scope that respondents can express their thoughts. On the other hand, low response rate is the big disadvantage of this method, as this rate may affect the validity of the result. Oppenheim (1986) said, there is no opportunity for additional explanations and Bell (1999) said poor questionnaires result in poor answers. 4.8 Semi Structured Interview: Semi structured interview help interviewees to express their thoughts and concern freely. According to Saunders et al. (2003), interview is a good instrument for collecting valid and reliable information relevant to research objective. This type of interview helps the managers to display their concern about the existing recruitment and selection process of Grameen Phone. In this study, interviews carried out were semi structured in nature, contained few numbers of open ended questions were asked. Interviewees been given enough space and time to elaborate the answers and the interviewer can identify the meaning behind the replies. Time and the length of the interview were taken into account to prevent the interviewee from being carried away from the interview. 4.9 Observation: According to Cooper and Schindler (2003), Observation alone can capture the whole event as it occurs in its natural environment. It means that observation is a systematic, proper controlled and scientific method of data collection. This method has high validity in research conducting. There is less possibility in this method that participants ideas would be influence the data since there is no interaction between the observer and the participants. Data can be gathered in real time through this method. However, Collins and Hussey (2003) said, there are some drawbacks of this method like ethics, visibility, restriction in the use of technology are major and for large sample group observational studies are difficult. Moreover, accuracy of the data collection depends on the skill of the observer. For this research, the researcher observed several different recruitment interviews of employers at Grameen Phone. In most cases, participants were informed by the manager that the researcher would be present during the interview to gain some practical knowledge regarding recruitment interview, hence,the collected data were not influenced by the researchers presence. 4.10 Ethical Issue: Saunders et al. (2003) said, ethical issues to be anticipated and corrected during the research design stage. Researcher need to be cautious about his / her own action and those affected by it during the research. In this research, the researcher try to avoid any kind of bias during prepare the questionnaire. Both open and close ended questions were asked. Open ended questions gave the researcher chance to gain an insight of the provided answers, however due to their ambiguity nature qualitative answers are not easily evaluated. During the interview observation stage, the researcher was not allowed to use any recording device by the Enrollment Officer to ensure the organizational privacy. However, the researcher was allowed to take notes. Privacy of the respondents and the organization is another ethical issue. According to Robson (1993), The researcher needs to observe certain privacy rights for those who become subjects of the research. To protect their employment relation, the employers completing questionnaire need privacy. Those who did not want to be a part of the research, their refusal were accepted. The researcher had to make sure all the information received will kept anonymous to protect the confidentiality. Before gathering the secondary data, the originality of the sources were double checked by the researcher. 4.11 Reliability and Validity: Robson (1993) said, Subject error is an issue of reliability and this happens as a result of carrying out questionnaires on employers at different times can lead to different results. It implies that, if the researcher gets different results in different time by using the same questionnaire then the subject error could take place and that is a matter of reliability of the process. Saunders et al. (2003) said, reliability can be measured based on the similarities between the results taken by different occasions and by different researchers. If the results are similar, the research is reliable. Again, Robson (1993) said, Reliability of the research can be measured by how accurate the researcher is with the actual findings. For this research, the researcher used various sources of evidence which have been documented and it was essential for the researcher to achieve both reliable and valid result. What Do We Mean By Political Authority? What Do We Mean By Political Authority? INTRODUCTION Political power or sovereign power is exercised through a man or an assembly of men. Commonly, we recognize that its mission is to ensure social cohesion and the development of the prosperity of the State. This is possible under the condition that its authority is established and maintained. If the State had no recognized authority, it would not have power and could not fulfil its mission; it would not rise above other forms of power. It would not exist. If all political power supposes authority, it is however not very clear to determine what can ensure this authority and therefore how to establish the base of the political power itself. We see that a State has always many rivalries. And who says rivalries, says conflicts to resolve before a higher court. Isnt the essence of power, to resolve conflicts? Does it only exist by the fact that it exercises a constraint? Our line of analysis will therefore be focusing on the consideration of power in its exercise.   Power is a term with a meaning that exceeds politics. It designates a capacity which is superior and that could eventually turn into act. Political power has a particularly important place, because it is a symbol of power in this world, a kind of temporal power, because it is highly coveted due to its rarity, because it is how men can express a will of supremacy through the domination of other men, and an insatiable desire for recognition, that of the egocentric and the tyrant. Political power is historically formed through a process by which it acquires an authority in the name of the people to whom it applies. However following the guarantee of authority that it receives, it has a different meaning. In other words one needs to understand how the power is legitimised. Let us therefore analyse the different factors of political power legitimisation. TRADITION Tradition was once, and still is in some remote areas of this world, the sufficient guarantee of the authority. In a traditional society or absolute monarchy, the social and political powers are blended. The Chief or the King embodies the main political powers be it legislative, executive or judicial. This is not so much a question of person, but a sanctification of power that comes from the inertia of the habits and customs. It is the custom that requires that the chief passes its power to his son. It is the custom that requires that the heir becomes King, because it has always been done this way. It is the custom that says that it is just, so be it. A person who has a great respect for tradition does not alter the power of custom, but it perpetuates it. The strength of habits transforms in law what has always been practised until then. Traditional power is derived from customs. That is how a child is sacred King, by mere line of descent, without any other legitimisation of power than the one of the authority of the past, the seniority of the custom and traditions. The tradition has its own authority; it is a reference to the memory of men because it carries values worth of high respect. Tradition confers the force of continuity to time. RELIGION In the same sense, religion, far from opposing this conservation of the past; just adds its weight of authority to tradition. It gives the authority a sacred value: it teaches that all authority comes from God and not from men. Disturbing tradition, means to attempt to a sacred order, undermining the sovereign person is a blasphemy. The traditional sovereign is here endowed with political power by taking on an aura of cult prestige. In the eyes of individuals in society, he is much more than a man. He embodies a divine power and it is this aura of sacred power that makes him respectable, not only the constraint that he exerts. The link between the subject and the sovereign is shadowed not only by a superstitious fear, but also by a respect for the sacred. We lend to the sovereign some magical powers, the same way we could lend them to religious prophets. Religion reassures people, it reinforces the established hierarchies, it does it so well that it tends to turn the established order into a sacred order, which cannot be changed without being considered a desecration of the established order. Like in traditional societies, the distinction between spiritual and temporal powers does not occur; the sovereign has all of them imbedded in him. He is regarded as a leader and the representative of God on Earth. In this case again, tradition is the social factor that legitimizes power. However we shall note that tradition does not refer to a particular regime, but above all it refers to the trust and attachment of a people to a singular system. Nowadays and in the West, this form of power no longer seems to be at the forefront, as it could be the case in other continents. Nevertheless the power of tradition is considerable. It is at the same time the preservation of the past and the force of continuity at the heart of evolution, while also having the character of maintaining a rigid straitjacket that endures practices sometimes morally controversial. The rigidity of traditions and their corruption calls for the need of revolutions. INDIVIDUALISM The decline of the tradition, the rise of individualism witnessed during modern times, has promoted another form of legitimization of power, namely the charisma. Originally however, charisma had a religious sense; it was the personal grace that God granted an elected, which gave him an extraordinary power. In the political sphere, the idea remains that some men are called to be heroes of history. Charisma is the power that emanates from the radiation of a personality. The charismatic power comes from the recognition by the peoples collective consciousness, of a politician persona, and enforces the idea that the personal will of a man can be identified with the will of the State, as if he could embody the spirit of a nation. In peoples mind, the power of a man becomes legitimate when after a revolution; he is converted into a saviour, a chief, a supreme guide, a fà ¼hrer, a great leader, etc. The people saw in him an actor who has the vocation to take in hand the reins of power in order to lead the nation towards a better future. The charismatic leader is meant to play a role on the stage of history. Through him, a nation feels like receiving a call from destiny. If power acquires then legitimacy, it is no longer due to habits and custom, or to the normal functioning of institutions, but it is for some psychological reasons, because it is perceived as symbolic through the figure of a charismatic leader. It is undeniable that this form of power has always existed. At all times, charismatic leaders such as Caesar, Lenin, Stalin, Mussolini, Hitler, Mao Tse Toug, Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and even De Gaulle, have in common an incontestable charisma. First and foremost a politician is muscled by the strength of his character. An elector often votes for the man more than for his ideas. If the charisma is the important psychological factor for the legitimisation of power, one can ask however to what extent such an assumption can support itself. The fact that many voters vote more for a person than for his ideas is totally absurd. In practice, charisma is irrational. Power excessively personalised may be abusive, precisely because it is customised, while in reality it only achieves an impersonal function of the State. THE RULE OF LAW Legal authority is based on a legitimisation of power resulting from the authority of the laws. It is the only factor of legitimisation that can be accepted in a rational manner. Power in the modern sense of our democracies, is regulated by a process of recognition provided by our institutions. It is the only one that corresponds to the democratic State and its ideals, where the citizen can rationally accept a power which he himself has delegated. The citizen rationally submits himself to laws that he considers right and valid for all. The legality is based on established rules that have been discussed and agreed upon. It implicitly assumes a social contract that everyone is able to recognize. Habits and custom are not justified, they simply repeat themselves, charisma imposes a personal will, but it only contains dominance which is also a constraint, while laws are discussed, reasoned and voted. It does not compel the citizen; it binds it, which is different, the approach is not coercive. Since the State has to neutralize violence, it can only do it rationally by using the authority of the laws. If the State exerts some kind of violence, it will have to justify in the name of the respect of the laws. The citizen can recognize the authority of the law and as a result, the use of force on behalf of the law. Max Weber admits that the State has the monopoly of legitimate violence. The political power that is at the base of the modern State is the power of the rule of law; its legitimisation comes from the collective consent of accepted laws. This means that the governing body when performing its leading duties is not the possessor but only the trustee of the laws. Rousseau said that politics are a Minister of the people. This distinction cannot be marked in the legitimisation of the habits and custom and charisma, where, on the other hand, the sovereign is felt as the owner of the power. In addition, founded on a legal basis, a sovereign cannot use power to accommodate freely his personal wishes. However the existence of the traditional power and charisma shows us that we would be wrong to have an idea too rational of power. Political power is not a power, whose springs are fully rational nor is economical power. Legality is in principle a formal way that covers in reality the collective consciousness of a nation. What we can say is that the exercise of the power in our democracies is in the hands of institutions that are independent from the will, passions and interests of those who govern. Therefore, ideally, political power is in fact the expression of the general will of a nation. This power is legitimised by the authority of the establishment of rules and laws that have been voted by universal suffrage.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Essay on Taming of the Shrew: Petrucio’s Desire for Katherine :: Taming Shrew Essays

The Taming of the Shrew: Petrucio’s Desire for Katherine  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚      In the play The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare, Petrucio recognizes, respects and desires Katherine’s strength of character.   Petrucio is a clever man who sees beyond facades because he uses them himself.   (II, i 46) (II, I 283 - 89)   He is stimulated by Katherine’s sharp tongue and harsh actions.   He proves this many times throughout the play. Petrucio is not in desperate need of money, but comes to Padua to find a rich wife.   He says â€Å"To wive and thrive as best I may,† when he is telling Hortensio why he came to Padua.   He means that he has come to find a wife and get richer.   From Petrucios response to his friend Hortensio (I,ii 64 - 75), it might be said that Petrucio came to Padua to make himself richer by marriage no matter how wretched the woman.   I don’t believe this is true.   He also tells Hortensio that his father has died and that he is out in the world to gain experiences he cannot at home, and to find a wife secondary.   (I,ii 49 - 57)   Petrucio enjoys verbal sport and a non-conventional sense of humor.   Petrucio surrounds himself with neither tame nor conforming people.   You can even see this in his servants.   His servants like him very much and enjoy his entertainments.   An example of this is when Petrucio and his servant man Grumio get into a disagreement about knocking on the gate.   Reflective of this is Petrucio’s methods to â€Å"woo† Katherine.   His methods are game like and outrageous.   Such as when he beats up Grumio because Kate’s horse stumbles, or showing up late to the wedding.   While showing Katherine how ridiculous she is about things, he is also making her feel special, which is something she never felt in life.  Ã‚  Ã‚   He also says that â€Å"This is the way to kill a wife with kindness.†Ã‚   (IV,i 211)   This is his courting method of when he makes the wife feel to good for everything surrounding her. When they eat dinner once he complains à ¢â‚¬Å"Endanger choler planteth anger†¦. since of ourselves are choleric†.   (IV, I 177) While Petrucio may not agree with what society has determined to be   proper, he is aware of the importance to conform.   He knows the ways of society and that he must demonstrate this to Katherine, who has no regard for public presentation.

Monday, November 11, 2019

Empathy in To Kill A Mockingbird Essay

In the grand scheme of things, each of us is working hard to see ourselves prosper. When we are fighting for survival, why should any of us take the time to feel for our fellow human beings? In her novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee implies that having the ability to feel for others or to show empathy not only benefits others, but can lead to personal gains as well. This is best demonstrated through the characters of Atticus, Jem, and Scout Finch. An obvious example of this claim is through the character of Atticus Finch. Because of Atticus’ ability to empathize with everyone, he is well respected by the town, even when he is doing some controversial things such as defending Tom Robinson. Atticus’ use of empathy is apparent during the trial, where Atticus is blaming Mayella Ewell for falsely accusing Tom Robinson of rape. Rather than explicitly attacking Mayella, Atticus says, â€Å"I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness of state, but my pity d oes not extend so far as to her putting a man’s life at stake.† (Lee-203). Atticus is still delivering the same basic message, but rather than blatantly accusing Mayella of lying, he is empathizing with her and in a way justifying her actions, however wrong they may have been. By conveying his points in ways that do not make others feel like they are being personally attacked, Atticus is a well-respected member of society. We learn of the extent of this respect when Scout complains: â€Å"Despite Atticus’ shortcomings as a parent, people were content to reelect him to the state legislature without opposition. I came to the conclusion that people were just peculiar.† (Lee- 243). Even after he lost the controversial Tom Robinson case, the town still elected Atticus to serve on the state legislature since he was so respected because of his ability to empathize with each and every member of Maycomb. We also see this empathy in Jem, who clearly demonstrates more understanding by the end of the novel. We first get a glimpse of this after he helped end Ms. Dubose’s morphine addiction before her eventual death. After she dies, Jem receives a white camellia flower from Ms. Dubose. At first, Jem is angry, since he thinks Ms. Dubose is getting back at him, but Atticus explains how Ms. Dubose was a brave lady because she was able to end her morphine addiction  before she died. â€Å"Jem pic ked up the camellia, and when I went off to bed, I saw him fingering the wide petals.† (Lee-112). Jem is listening to Atticus’ advice and is trying to empathize with Ms. Dubose, whom he is finally able to respect. We see Jem’s newfound maturity develop throughout the novel. After Atticus loses the case, Jem begins to make sense of the world. â€Å"If everyone’s alike, why do they go out of their way to despise each other? Scout, I think I’m beginning to understand why Boo Radley’s stayed shut up in the house all this time†¦ it’s because he wants to stay inside.† (Lee-227). Jem is obviously maturing when he empathizes with Boo Radley, a character everyone despises despite not even knowing him. As he makes sense of the world, Jem begins to empathize with even the most unlikely of people, leading to increased wisdom. Even Scout, the least mature and most clueless of the Finches, learns the skill of empathy by the end of the novel. Initially, Scout was always quick to judge others and saw things only as black or white. She saw Aunt Alexandra as mean and unfair. However, she changes her opinion after seeing her aunt stay calm and ladylike even after ne ws of Tom Robinson’s death. â€Å"After all, if Aunty could be a lady at a time like this, so could I.† (Lee-237). Scout is beginning to respect Aunt Alexandra for her positive aspects, rather than showing disdain for her shortcomings. Scout also demonstrates a heightened sense of understanding to Boo Radley, specifically, when Boo wants Scout to walk him home. â€Å"I would lead him through our house, but I would never lead him home.† (Lee- 278). Scout understands that it would be embarrassing to Boo to have an eight year old girl leading him home and it would give possible onlookers the wrong impression. Instead, Scout had Boo hold her hand so it would look like he is walking Scout, which would seem normal. By empathizing with people she once did not respect, Scout has obviously come a long way from the immature little girl that she was at the start of the novel. Empathy is not just there to make us feel good about ourselves. Rather, the ability to empathize makes us better human beings and it lifts society up as well. The Finch family is a shining example of this ability to empathize, a s they combat racism in To Kill a Mockingbird.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Important presidential elections Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers

Important presidential elections Essays - Free Essays, Term Papers Important presidential elections Some of the most important presidential elections 1812 The election of 1812 consisted of a battle between James Madison, and De Witt Clinton. Madison had represented both Democratic and Republican beliefs, while Clinton was a Federalist. James Madison was born in Port Conway, Va., on March 16, 1751. A Princeton graduate, he joined the struggle for independence on his return to Virginia in 1771. He had been an active politician in the 1770's and 1780's. He was greatly know for championing the Jefferson reform program, and in the Continental Congress. Madison, in collaboration, had participated greatly in the, Federalist, a paper who's main purpose was to ratify the constitution. Madison first became president in 1809, when he bested Charles C. Pickney. He had led the U.S. in a very unpopular war, in which the U.S. hadn't been prepared for...the War of 1812. De Witt Clinton was a Federalist, who's main purpose of the election was to get the U.S. out of a war in which he felt was very unnecessary. DeWitt held every major elective office in New York between 1797 and 1828assemblyman, senator, mayor of New York City, lieutenant governor, and governor. He was a philanthropist and patron of the arts and science and, as canal commissioner, championed construction of the Erie and Champlain canals The method in which these candidates received nomination was by the Electoral College, or by King Caucus. The idea of political conventions had not been present at this time. There were no third-party candidates in this election. The major issue of this election was the War of 1812. The War of 1812, or "Mr. Madison's War", had been very unpopular among different sections of America. Mainly the ship owners in New England. The war was supposed to protect. This war was supposed to help their shipping, but instead, it had kept them from trading and making money. The winner of the election of 1812 was James Madison. Madison collected 128 electoral votes, while Clinton received 89, and the number of "No Votes Cast" was 1. The Vice-presidential candidate, who won the election was Elbridge Gerry, who received 131 electoral votes, while Jared Ingersoll received 86. There was no record of the number of popular votes for this election. My opinion of why Madison had won the election is because he had led the country into the War of 1812, and therefore, he should be allowed to fight it. He was also much more popular than De Witt Clinton. Madison's part in ratifying the Constitution, and his other early deeds, were also influential on the voters minds. He also did pretty well during his first term. 1844 The candidates for the election of 1844 were James K. Polk, and Henry Clay. Two very respectable men, who had great plans for the U.S. Polk represented the Democratic party, while Clay represented the Whigs. James Knox Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, N.C., on November 2, 1795. He graduated from the University of North Carolina, from which he then moved to Tennessee, where he became prominent in state politics. He was elected to the house of representatives in 1825. He was elected Speaker of the House in 1835. Four years later, he was elected governor of Tennessee, but was beaten in tries for re-election in 1841, and 1843. Martin Van Buren, the president prior to the 1844 election, counted on Polk as his running mate; but when Van Buren's stand on Texas alienated Southern support, the convention swung to Polk on the Ninth ballot. Henry Clay, a key figure in U.S. politics during the first half of the 19th century, was a master of the art of political compromise. Born in Hanover County, Va., on April 12, 1777, he studied law in Richmond and moved to the frontier state of Kentucky in 1797. Clay became more and more important in Kentucky politics, becoming speaker of the state assembly in 1807, and winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1811. Clay made his first try for the presidency in 1824. Four men ran, including Andrew Jackson, were on the ballot. When no candidate won a majority, Clay threw his support to John Quincy Adams. Adams won and promptly named Clay his secretary of state. The party members won their candidacy by primary. The major upset of this time happened during the Democratic convention. Everyone expected Van Buren to be named the Democratic candidate, but because of Van Buren's stand on Texas, the nomination went to Polk. This election had no third-party

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Therapeutic relationship Essays

Therapeutic relationship Essays Therapeutic relationship Essay Therapeutic relationship Essay Lago (2003: p54) states that Being misunderstood begets anger, frustration even hatred. By contrast, to be understood evokes trust, gratitude, exploration, love and aspiration. The use of language is absolutely central to the communication process and however much good intent there is, on both sides of a conversation, if misunderstandings persist then the potential for therapy is substantially diminished if not stopped altogether. Therefore as well as a means of communication language can form a boundary between two people, this is especially true in the therapeutic relationship. This does not only occur when the client and counsellor speak different first languages but also when they use the same language. Accents and usage of language vary throughout the U. K. ; this can lead to misunderstandings between the counsellor and the client. In certain parts of the country and with certain ages, swearing is readily accepted and used everyday. However, in other places and with other ages swearing is frowned upon. Language can also be a powerful weapon of oppression. If a client feels insecure, and the counsellor uses long and strange language, the client could feel intimidated and withdraw from the relationship. Therefore, language can be both freeing and constraining. Enabling because it allows us to express our feelings and opinions and communicate with others. Constraining because we cannot communicate with those who do not speak our language, it only allows the use of certain words for certain feelings. For example, the Eskimos have many different words for snow and sleet whereas in the U.  K. we have just those two. Therefore, if a counsellor has a client with a different first language it could be that the English equivalent does not really mean the same thing in their language. DIFFERING BELIEF SYSTEMS Belief systems are made up from many different parts of a persons psyche and can range from belief in religion to the belief in self. A persons outlook of religion will alter the way that they view the world. For example, I do not believe in any god and so when things happen I say that is life. However, in certain religions whichever god is being worshipped can be blamed or praised for the occurrence. In the counselling setting, the clients belief systems will affect the relationship. The client may believe for example that it is wrong to talk about certain issues and so if the issues are not talked about openly the relationship will falter, as congruence and honesty are a main component in the person centred approach. The counselling relationship is there in many cases to change the clients beliefs about their own self-image. For example, a client may believe that they are useless or worthless; this negative self-image will, hopefully, be changed throughout the counselling process so that the client lives a more fulfilled life. McLeod ( 2003: p484) states that there has been lively interest in the idea that all effective counsellors possess similar belief systems or ways of making sense of the world. The assumption is that counsellors are able to help people because they see the clients problems in a particular way. It could be then that as counsellors not only do we have our own beliefs but also we have certain commonalities that make us good at what we do. It is important to remember that there are two people in the therapeutic relationship and that they are both as important as each other. FAMILY PATTERNS All families no matter the size have patterns and positions. The family is affected not just by the size but the ages of its members and their genders. Adler looked more deeply into family patterns and found that those with different positions took on different roles and characteristics. Adler believed that a persons birth position and gender would influence their development and personality. For example, only children may be quite self-centred and unable to consider the needs of others unless reminded; middle children tend to feel squeezed out or sometimes held in, as they have neither the privileges of the eldest nor rights of a youngest. In addition, there is the difference in how we encourage our children according to their gender. For example, boys are encouraged to get dirty and go exploring and play a bit rough and big boys dont cry, whereas girls are encouraged to play with dolls and play nicely and to be clean and tidy. If a counsellor understands these issues, it may be easier for him to help the client. The relationship could be affected if the counsellor reminds the client of a member of their family that they did not get along with etc. this is also true of the counsellor. By understanding these issues, the counsellor could have more insight into the client and how the clients self-concept was formed. FAMILY LIFE EXPERIENCES The life experiences of the whole family will affect how a person develops and their outlook on life. For example if a client moved house as a child and found the experience unsettling and uncomfortable the client could later on develop problems dealing with loss and change. If the move was pleasant and the client settled into their new house, it is more likely that they will cope with change in a better way. All families have shared life experiences but each member of the family will remember different aspects of the event and be affected by it in different ways. For example a family my go on a holiday. The parents want to visit all the local sights and there is a lot of driving involved. The parents enjoy the driving because they like the countryside however, the kids cannot stand it because they are trapped in a car and prefer cities to the countryside. So even though all the family went to the same places and had the same experiences they all perceived the holiday in different ways. These events influence in later life and will affect all the relationships we have. Obviously, the relationship is one of the most important aspects in the P. C. approach to counselling.

Monday, November 4, 2019

A Horror Show at the Cinemaplex Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

A Horror Show at the Cinemaplex - Essay Example In terms of competition in the future, it may be noted that people living in larger cities are likely to gain access more quickly to film DVDs and sophisticated movie watching equipment which would pull them away from the theatres, while the smaller regional areas are likely to continue with their theatre activity for a much longer period. This leads to the inference that Regal and AMC may decide to shift their focus and compete for the smaller regional markets, to capture the higher numbers of the theatre going public. The other two exhibitors may opt to offer digital film viewing to enhance viewer experience. It must be noted however, that there is likely to be a decline in the business activity of all the four industry rivals and more and more movie goers tend to turn away from watching movies on big screens in favour of watching them at home on sophisticated TV and DVD systems with superior audio equipment. The other side of the coin is that competition among industry rivals coul d heat up more, as they compete fiercely for customers. Cinemark and Carmike could decide to consolidate their position and thereby offer stiffer competition to the two larger rivals; hence in a lean market, these industry players are likely to consider various business-savvy moves such as mergers and acquisitions in order to aggregate and consolidate the existing markets as they rapidly diminish and to improve their negotiation ability with studios. 2. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each of the top four competitors' situations and strategic approaches. 2. The advantages of Regal’s strategy is focus on mid size markets using multi and mega plexes – this would ensure full occupancy and profit maximization. It is also the largest exhibitor in the United States, with 6335 screens and about 12 screens average per theatre, hence it has maximum access to film material to draw viewers in. The disadvantage is the high price, because at $7.43, it’s the highest among the leaders and consumers would be able to view the films for a lower price using other exhibitors. This factor would be especially relevant in recessionary times such as we have presently, because it could pull away many potential viewers to theatres operated by other exhibitors. Another disadvantage is that it has the highest costs per screen. AMC: This exhibitor operates 4585 screens but shows an average of 14 screens per theatre. This is the most significant advantage offered by this exhibitor because it provides consumers with maximum levels of variety in their film viewing. Another advantage this exhibitor has is the ability to pull in the crowds, because the theatres are located in densely populated, urban areas. They are not as expensive as Regal and for the major chunk of the viewing audience, i.e, the younger teen audiences, the greater variety and lower prices offer better options for a date or night out. AMC can also easily offer digital viewing, which would be yet another huge draw. The disadvantage is that because its audiences are mostly in urban areas, they are more likely to use alternative movie watching modes such as new audio equipment and DVDs which would reduce theatre going altogether. Another disadvantage is the high cost per screen Cinemark: One of its advantages is that it serves specifically targeted smaller markets Sole theatre chain for those markets Lowest average ticket price compared to other

Saturday, November 2, 2019

Mexican History Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Mexican History - Term Paper Example Of course, the Spaniards’ military superiority is well documented. Moctezuma’s warriors were bewildered by the firepower Cortes’ men brought to bear and the Aztec population was decimated by the smallpox pandemic. It all happened with shocking speed: Cortes made landfall at the Gulf of Mexico in 1519; two years later, he and his men entered the smoking ruins of Tenochtitlan, masters of Mexico.1 In so short a time, the Aztec empire was completely shattered. â€Å"Conquered by Cortes, the Indians of central Mexico had to come to terms with a radically new society.†2 What would follow was a cauldron of ethnic, social and political change. The conquest of the Aztecs was the great drama that raised the curtain on Mexico’s colonial epoch. The Spaniards had adroitly forged alliances among the peoples of Central Mexico, yet these fared little better than their Aztec victims. The Tarascans, among others, benefited in the short term from the conquest of Tenoc htitlan, but they were no more impervious to the ravages of smallpox than their ancient oppressors. They didn’t have long to wait before discovering that the Spanish, who had promised so much, were to become their new oppressors. 2 The first Audiencia, established by decree in 1527, established a pattern of corruption that would become a hallmark of the Spanish occupation. It was also illustrative of the struggle between church and government over a number of issues, not the least of which was the treatment of the natives. Juan de Zumarraga, first bishop of Mexico, wrote a letter to King Charles V of Spain complaining of the depredations committed by the administration of Nuno de Guzman. Zumarraga’s letter addressed everything from illegal land grabs to outright murder. He writes that since the Audiencia was established, â€Å"they have declared vacant many and very good encomiendas of Indians, more than thirty of them, either by exiling those who held them, or by con fiscation†3 Zumarraga proceeded to list the encomiendas the Audiencia itself had bestowed on the native population. It got worse: Zumarraga went on to list breathtakingly immoral behavior by Guzman and his cronies. On one occasion, â€Å"the lords of Tlateloco of this city came to me weeping so bitterly that I was struck with pity for them; and they complained to me saying that the president and oidores were demanding of them their good-looking daughters, sisters, and female relatives.†4 Things had gotten so bad, Zumarraga reported, that an Audiencia official demanded that the Indians provide what amounted to a personal harem for Guzman. The president had also wasted little time engaging in a slave trade at the expense of the natives. Zumarraga reached the end of his rope when the Audiencia forced him to desist from acting in the capacity of defender of Indian rights. Eventually, Zumarraga’s complaints and the opposition of Guzman’s 3 political enemies, su ch as Cortes, were enough to convince the authorities of Guzman’s guilt. In 1538, he was arrested for treason and for abusing the government’s subjected Indian populations. One may question the veracity of some of Zumarraga’s charges, but there can be no doubt that Guzman and the oidores of the Audiencia had been told to treat the natives with respect and