The Interconnection of Social Problems essayEssay Writing Service

The Interconnection of Social Problems essayEssay Writing Service The Interconnection of Social Problems essay The Interconnection of Social Problems essayThe interconnection of social problems influences the quality of life. The link between poverty and crime is obvious because socioeconomic status of individuals affects their motivation and behaviors. At the same time, racial stratification is closely connected with a number of social problems, including poverty and crime. The article â€Å"Race, poverty and punishment: The impact of criminal sanctions on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequality† by Darren Wheelock and Christopher Uggen discusses the impact of criminal sanctions on racial and gender inequality. As Wheelock and Uggen (2006) point out, â€Å"the association between crime, punishment, and poverty has long been the subject of sociological and criminological investigation†(p. 1). In fact, this issue is of great importance for all members of society because social problems affect the quality of life, social development and individual identity. The major goal of this paper is to illustrate the interconnection of social problems which are caused by crime, punishment, and poverty.In order to discuss the interconnection of social problems, it is necessary to give explanation to five core arguments made by the authors of the article. These arguments help the reader to find the link between crime, punishment and poverty.First, criminal sanctions and victimization work to form a system of disadvantage that perpetuates stratification and poverty. According to Wheelock Uggen (2006), â€Å"recent patterns of criminal justice policy marked by dramatic increases in all forms of criminal justice sanctions, however, have shifted attention to the role of punishment in contributing to racial and ethnic inequality† (p. 1). Racial stratification is influenced by victimization and punishment. The rate of incarceration of racial minorities is higher than that of whites. As a result, victimization affects family ties and fosters poverty. Criminal sanct ions can be viewed as â€Å"both legal and informal barriers to becoming productive citizens at work, responsible citizens in family life, and active citizens in their communities† (Uggen Thompson, 2006, p. 281).Second, punishment impacts individuals convicted of felonies, as well as their families, peer groups, neighborhoods, and racial group. According to state and federal laws, individuals convicted of felonies have no right to fully participate in everyday activities, which refer to â€Å"labor markets, politics, family life, and educational institutions† (Wheelock Uggen, 2006, p. 3). Therefore, it is necessary to have an understanding of the limited rights, which involve a wide range of civil disabilities. Punishment may perpetuate not only racial stratification, but also stratification along class and gender lines.Third, after controlling for population differences, African Americans are incarcerated approximately seven times as often as Whites. The high rate o f incarceration can be explained by continual racial inequalities in the U.S. criminal justice system. According to researchers, â€Å"the era of mass incarceration can be understood as a new stage in the history of American racial inequality†(Western Wildeman, 2009, p. 221). Undoubtedly, the social impact of mass incarceration is negative because it poses serious risk for the younger generations of African Americans.Fourth, variation in criminal punishment is linked to economic deprivation. As a rule, criminal sanctions and other types of criminal punishment fall on poor people, the so-called impoverished elements of society who have no any privileges. In other words, the product of economic deprivation is criminal activity (Western Wildeman, 2009). Actually, economic inequality affects minority groups exacerbating the consequences of the practices of the U.S. penal system. Criminal punishment linked to economic deprivation has a strong impact on black families.Fifth, as t he number of felons and former felons rises, collateral sanctions play an ever-larger role in racial and ethnic stratification, operating as an interconnected system of disadvantage. The increased rate of crime has become a real problem for the local authorities as it involves the increase in building new prisons. Collateral sanctions influence racial and ethnic stratification because collateral consequences demonstrate negative effects on people living in high incarceration neighborhoods.   The status of people who live in these communities can be defined as â€Å"socially dangerous†. In other words, collateral sanctions work as the elements of an interconnected system of disadvantage, which fosters racial and ethnic stratification. Without a doubt, collateral sanctions exacerbate racial injustice in the American society. The huge number of African Americans behind the bars can be viewed as a method to promote racial stratification. Black children are raised in families, w hich have direct relation to the U.S. criminal justice system (Wheelock, Uggen, 2006; Western, Wildeman, 2009).Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thus, it is necessary to conclude that public perception of crime, punishment and poverty is associated with continuing concerns. The high rate of criminal activity is caused by poverty and correlated with poverty. The results of recent studies point out to the fact that the interconnection of social problems requires thorough investigation. It has been found that criminal sanctions and victimization contribute to the growth of the so-called system of disadvantage that fosters racial and ethnic stratification and poverty.

Shortening or Apocopation of Spanish Words

Shortening or Apocopation of Spanish Words In Spanish, there are just over a dozen  words that are shortened in certain sentence formations through what is known in linguistics as  apocope or apocopation. Apocopation is the  loss  of one or more sounds from the end of a word. The Rule With Singular Masculine Nouns The most common of these by far is uno, the number one, which is usually translated as a or an. It is shortened to un when it comes before a singular masculine noun: un muchacho,  a boy, but, it does retain the final vowel sound when in the feminine form,  una muchacha,  a girl. Here are other adjectives that are shortened when they precede a singular masculine noun. All but the last one, postrero, are very common. Word/Meaning Example Translation alguno "some" algà ºn lugar some place bueno "good" el buen samaritano the good Samaritan malo "bad" este mal hombre this bad man ninguno "no," "not one" ningà ºn perro no dog uno "one" un muchacho a boy primero "first" primer encuentro first encounter tercero "third" Tercer Mundo Third World postrero "last" mi postrer adià ³s my last goodbye For all the adjectives listed above, the usual form is retained when the words are followed by a feminine or plural noun. Examples include  algunos libros, which means  some books, and  tercera mujer, which means third woman. Five Other Common Words That Get Shortened There are five other common words that undergo apocopation: grande, meaning great; cualquiera,  meaning whatever; ciento, meaning one hundred santo, meaning Saint; and tanto, meaning so much. Grande The singular grande is shortened to gran before a noun in both the masculine and feminine. In that position, it usually means great. For an example look at  un gran momento, which means,  a great moment and  la gran explosià ³n, which means,  the great explosion. There is a case when  grande is not apocopated, and that is when it follows  ms. Examples include  el ms grande escape, meaning  the greatest escape, or  el ms grande americano, the greatest American. Cualquiera When used as an adjective, cualquiera, meaning  any in the sense of whatever, drops the -a before a noun whether masculine or feminine. Take at look at the following examples,  cualquier navegador, meaning  any browser, or  cualquier nivel, meaning  whatever level. Ciento The word for one hundred is shortened before a noun or when used as part of a number that it multiplies, for example,  cien dà ³lares, which means, 100 dollars, and  cien millones, which means,  100 million. The exception is that ciento  is not shortened within a number, for example, the number 112, would be spelled out and pronounced as  ciento doce. Santo The title for a saint is shortened before the names of most males, such as San Diego or San Francisco. To avoid awkward pronunciations, the long form Santo is retained if the following name begins with Do- or To-, such as in Santo Domingo or Santo Toms. Tanto The adjective tanto, meaning, so much, gets shortened to tan when it is used as an adverb. When it becomes an adverb, its translation becomes so. For example, Tengo tanto dinero que no sà © quà © hacer con à ©l, which translates to, I have so much money I dont know what to do with it. An example of tanto being shortened and used as an adverb can be found in the following sentences, Rita es tan alta como Marà ­a, meaning Rita is as tall as Marà ­a, or Rita habla tan rpido como Marà ­a, meaning, Rita talks as fast as Marà ­a. Contrasting Apocopation in English and Spanish Although apocopes exist in Spanish and English, the terms is applied differently in the two languages. Apocopation in English is also called ends of apocopes include auto clipped from automobile and gym shortened from gymnasium. The same thing is sometimes done in Spanish- for example, one word for a bicycle, bici, is a shortened form of bicicleta. But such clipping isnt as common in Spanish and isnt typically given any particular grammatical name. Evidence of apocopation be seen in old spellings of words such as olde for olde, which used to be pronounced with a final vowel sounds. In modern spoken English, apocopation can be seen in words that end ing -ing, where the final sound is often shorted to -in without affecting the spelling. Key Takeaways Through a process known as apocopation, Spanish has 13 words (12 of them common) that are shortened before certain other words. The shortened word is known as an apocope.The most common apocopation is that of uno (one, a, or an), which it comes before a singular masculine noun.The term apocopation is used differently in English and Spanish grammar.

Human resources and employment rights Literature review

Human resources and employment rights - Literature review Example Providing value and respect to employees can help the organization to avoid several workplace issues regarding employment rights (Bach, 2003, pp.11-13). The study will provide a theoretical framework about the issues arising to several HR practitioners regarding various employment rights. Literature Review Several global organizations face significant challenges due to the regulation on unfair employee dismissal. According to these rules and regulation, an employer cannot simply terminate the employees based on several unethical reasons. Traditionally, employers recruit new employees based on the competency of the employees and several organizational policies. It is true that several workplace hazards can reduce the ability or physical competency of the employees. In this case, it is the moral right of the employees to expect employment. Few organizations used to terminate them with minimum compensation due to their reduced ability and competency. This issue can hamper the workplace environment of the organization as it can minimize the motivation level of the other employees. According to Gennard and Judge (2005), government of several countries have introduced several legal HR policies in terms of employment rights in order to provide justice to these disabled employees (Gennard and Judge, 2005, p.198). According to Daniels (2004), OECD countries collaboratively have developed employment protection regulation in order to protect the existing jobs of employees (Daniels, 2004, p.22). According to employment protection law, it is the right of all qualified and suitable employees to enjoy several aspects of employments. Old employees or several disable employees cannot be terminated for the sake of low performance and productivity. Several organizations have faced critical challenges due to this issue. Decision to terminate an employee can create huge legal risk for the employers. This employee termination activity needs to fulfil the policy of employment. Severa l workplace conflicts, such as religion, gender, race, ages, disability and national origin issues can violate the organizational culture which can reduce the performance of organization. The HR practitioners can face several issues related to employment rights. Making inadequate, disparaging and false comments about employees can create serious conflict. Inadequate employee or workforce management and emotional distress of employees will violate the employment protection law. In this case, the employees have the right to file a legal case against the management or the organization. According to Bone (2004), violation of privacy of the employees is strictly restricted (Bone, 2004, p.38). In terms of old employees, it is true that the old employees cannot provide similar physical performance comparing to the young and enthusiastic employees. Under the Medical and Family Leave Act, the employees have the right to take leave against appropriate claims. In addition, the employers of the organizations or the HR managers are bound to provide leaves to these employees if the claims are reasonable. HR practitioner cannot terminate them or cut their salary based on these aspects. However, several global organizations are facing various legal issues regarding employment rights. An employer cannot terminate an employee without proper and thorough investigation. In either case, the particular employee can sue the organization legally. If the

Chinese Cinema Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Chinese Cinema Analysis - Research Paper Example I figured pursuing Chinese cinema will be a considerable source of information regarding the section. In addition, studying Chinese cinema will offer me different approaches that are outside the average of what any film student’s scope. This is an area where most people to do not venture in their studies. Chen has been visible in Chinese cinema from the 1980s up to recent times. In analyzing Chen, the paper will focus on various elements present in the films under his name. For instance, the subject matter of the film, plot, setting, characters depicted theme and cinematography. Two films, Farewell My Concubine and Yellow Earth will be the main focus of Chen’s film. Chen Kaige Films from China have become a celebrated part of world cinema, winning prizes at film festivals and widespread viewers. The force behind these achievements is the vision and talent of a young group of filmmakers who emerged in the 1980s. One of the major contributors to these achievements is Chen Kaige. Most of the characters in Chen’s films stand out as happy and carefree people, which cannot be a reflection of the director’s life. This renowned director in Chinese cinema was born in Beijing in 1952, to the father who was equally popular because of his effort in the cinema industry in Chi na. At a remarkably tender age, Chen pursued his dream in film and in the year 1978, he joined Beijing Film Academy. While in the academy, Chen met other presently renowned film-makers, Zhang Yimou and Tian Zhuangzhuang, who helped revolutionize the film industry in China. Most people who studied film in the academy later came to be known as the Fifth Generation. From the works of Chen Kaige in the 1980s and the present, it is evident that China has undergone tremendous changes. According to Chen, the dream of an idealized socialist society had a new place in the fashionable need for material wealth. Despite this change, totalitarian predispositions remain evident in Chinese cinema such as censorship of films.  

Jonathan Wild †Henry Fielding Essay Example for Free

Jonathan Wild – Henry Fielding Essay The History of the life of Jonathan Wild is the philosophical disposition of a criminal in a right sense belonging to the group of â€Å"Thief Takers†, he emerged as one of the â€Å"Greatest man† in the world of Crime. With the irony as a tool and a satirical disposition, English novelist Henry Fieldings bought the real Jonathan Wild into his words who was great but goodness was not his vocation and caliber. Jonathan Wild belonged to the genre of Thieve Takers of London. Thieve takers were the ordinary men and women who were rewarded by the police man if they successfully capture highwaymen or law breakers and hand over them to the police or prosecute them themselves. Majority of them were men and they find this work very lucrative. The rates of each Highwaymen, coiners and burglars were worth ? 40 and additional ? 100 was rewarded to them if the crime was committed within the range of five miles of Charing Cross. Jonathan Wild was the most popular and clever of all thief takers at his contemporary period. In the beginning of the eighteenth century he had caught and put before the magistrate many criminals of London. Besides, he would also help in recovering the stolen goods and would demand hefty sum from them. His disposition towards crime created before him an image of a respected citizen in front of not only the authorities but also of whole of London. This attitude in him narrator defined as â€Å"Greatness†, but what nobody knew behind his Greatness lies a most clever and hard-core criminal and a thief. Here the complexity in the nature of protagonist comes in as confined within his nature was a hidden â€Å"bad man†. The recovery of the stolen goods was the part of his great plan. He build up his own empire, with several gangs who had their bases in several districts of London. These gangs had the only business of robbing and pick pocketing. He had also set up specialized gangs for looting churches, gangs over prostitutes, gangs who used to collect protection money from but he never came forward to head the gang but only give them direction. Anyone found neglecting his work or cheated him was immediately reported to police with solid evidences and witnesses who were themselves Wild’s man and in return Wild would get cash reward, therefore narrator abruptly described him as not â€Å"Good. † He was a great hypocrite and was so clever that he always go himself scotch free as no one could prove him guilty. He always would show his gratitude to those who would favor him and show his loyalty towards him and would go to any extent to punish those who would show disloyalty towards them. He would also give protection to those who would seek his to escape from law but also in several cases would himself hand these very people to the authorities not found worthy of him or if get tired. He would never handle the stolen goods himself but had large warehouses where the goods can be altered or repaired and would himself pass the information about the travelers to highwayman. Authorities had complete knowledge about all his illegal activities but were not able to lay their hands on him because of lack of proof. But as there is an end of every bad man, Wild end had also come near and he was finally arrested and given death sentence. Fielding showed Wilde as a courageous soul. At Newgate prison he asked prison clergyman about the â€Å"Theological consequences† of suicide, as he attempted to kill himself by drinking laudanum. Fielding crafted Wild as a bold character with preposterous energy and unswerving disposition. As said by Claude Rawson â€Å"We must not however omit one circumstance, as it serves to show the most admirable conservation of character in our hero to his last moment, which was, that whilst the ordinary was busy in his ejaculations, Wilde in the midst of the Shower of Stones, which played upon him, applied his hands to the Parsons pocketr, and emptied it of his bottle screw, which he carried out in the world with his hand. â€Å"(Rawson, pg 75). Jonathan Wilde was bold, and had a very strong attitude that he remained with it until the death which narrator aptly termed â€Å"Conservation of Character. †, and truly he was. Works Cited Julien Rawson Claude, The Cambridge Companion to Henry Fielding, Cambridge University Press, 2007. Fielding, Julien Rawson Claude, Bree Linda, Jonathan Wild, Oxford University Press, 2003.

A Social History Of Truth :: essays research papers

Review of The Social History Of Truth by Steven Shapin Chapter 1 When someone says that something is true,they are usually stating that it corresponds to the facts of how things really are. Academic philosopher’s distiningish what is true and what is taken to be true by a process of sorting?No single being can constitute knowledge. All one can do is offer claims, with evidence, arguments and inducements to the community for its assessment.Knowledge is the result of the communities for its evaluations and action. Trust and the order of society went hand in hand.Richard Rorty believed that if epistemological differenting motion of the truth occurred. Then an “inforced'; agreement should be reached. Popper pointed that most of what we know about the world is based on the observations and communications of others. Trust is a great force in science. It is an unending means for the extension and modification of knowledge. Communication of the world around us through reports is very important in our understanding. Reports may vary because individuals are differently situated in time and space. What one man sees may not be what the others see because they have different points of view or perception of the same scene. Trust is the power of the social world. Trusted persons make some set of their future actions predictable when they make promises and they agree to forgot a certain amount of free action. It is this recognition of free action is at the center of the culture that justifies trust and allows trust to b accomplished and social order to be built and sustained.Chapter 2 Gentlemen were the only ones that possessed the quality of truthfulness. This quality was grounded in his placement in social, biological and economic circumstances. According to Sir Thomas Smith England was made up of four estates: king, major and minor nobility, gentlemen and yeomen. All were considered gentlemen except the yeomen. Gentlemen made up one to five percent of the Englis h population. This small percent held all of the wealth and political power and spoke on behalf of the rest.Gentlemen were characterized according to their wealth. Much of their income came in the form of rents and agricultural land tilled by the unfree. The gentleman was under no obligation to work and was free of want. Aristotle characterized gentlemen to have ancient riches and virtue. The gentleman could also be characterized by their idleness.

Ohms Law and Resistance

Aim: To determine the relationship between the length of eureka wire, and resistivity of the wire. Hypothesis: As the length of the wire increases, the resistance of the wire will increase. Background: Some materials have consistent resistance at the same temperature regardless of how much voltage is applied through them, these materials are known as ‘Ohmic’ resistors. This is because they are said to obey Ohm’s law, which states that if a voltmetre is used to measure the voltage (V) of an unknown resistance (R), and an ammetre is used to measure the current (i) through the same unknown resistance, then ‘R’ would be given by R = V/i .The eureka wire used in this experiment is an ohmic resistor, so theoretically it can be used to measure the relationship between its length and resistance without other variables affecting it. Equipment: 1. 1 metre length of eureka wire 2. Power supply unit 3. 1 Voltmetre 4. 1 Ammetre 5. 1 Rheostat 6. Connecting wires Pr ocedure: 1. Measure and cut 1 metre of wire 2. Set up the electrical circuit as in the diagram 3. Set the rheostat at its furthest point on one end. 4.Connect the wire into the circuit at 10cm length 5. Turn the power supply on, and record the voltage and amp readings. Turn the power supply off immediately after to prevent temperature build up in the circuit. 6. Repeat step 5 twice, adjusting the rheostat to the middle position, and then the other end position. 7. Repeat steps 3-6 increasing the length of the wire 10cm at a time, up to 1 metre total length 8. Divide the voltage by the amp readings to calculate the resistance 9.Plot the wire length against the resistance Diagram: Results: Table showing the calculated resistance of the wire Wire Length (cm)| Resistance 1(? )| Resistance 2(? )| Resistance 3(? )| Average Resistance(? )| 100| 3| 2. 9| 2. 7| 2. 87| 90| 2. 8| 2. 5| 2. 2| 2. 5| 80| 2. 5| 2. 4| 2. 6| 2. 5| 70| 2. 2| 1. 9| 1. 8| 1. 97| 60| 1. 9| 1. 6| 1. 6| 1. 7| 50| 1. 7| 1. 4| 1. 4| 1. 5| 40| 1. 2| 1. 3| 1| 1. 17| 30| 1. 1| 0. 8| 0. 8| 0. 9| 20| 0. 7| 0. 5| 0. 6| 0. 6| 10| 0. 2| 0. 3| 0. 4| 0. 3| Discussion:The results support the hypothesis, showing that as the length of the wire was increased, the resistance also increased. The voltage and current readings were taken over 3 trials at different settings on the rheostat. The plotted results do not all sit in a linear pattern as they should in theory, showing that the precision of the results is poor. For example, there is a comparatively large inconsistency which can be seen in the results at 80 and 90cm wire lengths, where the resistance remains the same at 2. ohms rather than increasing. Smaller deviations in the data can be seen at the 50, 60 and 70cm wire lengths, where the points are above and below the trendline. These inconsistencies suggest the presence of random errors, which may arise from poor resolution of the voltmetre and ammetre, and build-up of heat in the rheostat and the wire causing excess resistance. Accuracy of the results may have been affected by systematic error, which may have been caused by incorrect calibration of the voltmetre and ammetre.Inconsistencies in the eureka wire’s structure such as curvature or bends in the wire may affect the actual length of the wire compared to the measured length, and inconsistencies in the compound makeup of the wire may have also affected the results, causing them to be all higher or lower than the true value. In the circuit setup, the ammetre is measuring current through both the wire and voltmetre. This could cause the measured current to be higher than the true value, and therefore the calculated resistance to be too low. To reduce the effect of random errors, digital multimetre’s could be used to provide more accurate readings.Allowing time for the rheostat and wire to cool down after each trial, or using new sections of wire stored at room temperature in each trial would minimise the effect of heat on the wire’s resistance. To identify the presence of systematic error, the experiment should be repeated with a single multimetre rather than two separate volt and ammetres. The experiment should then be further repeated with new sections of wire to identify error caused by any inconsistencies in the wire. Conclusion: As the length of the eureka wire increased, the wire’s resistance also increased

Post Conflict Reconstruction and the Resurgence of Supposedly Resolved Territorial Conflicts Essay

Beyond the rhetoric of traditional causes of conflicts which intermittently are also at the root cause of African territorial civil conflicts, this paper examines the question as to why conflict resurges in states where conflict has previously been resolved. From the perspective of two major theoretical frameworks in International Relations: Liberalism and Realism, this paper argues that mechanisms for conflict resolution are often short-termed and often not home-groomed to accommodate the needs of citizens emanating from a civil war. Liberals argue that this is primarily a failure of cooperation between external and internal actors or stakeholders in the peace process. To them, this lack of cooperation generates economic problems and inhibits mistrust which is the embryo for conflict resurgence. In contrast conflict resolution fails primarily as a result of factors emphasized by Realism. The conflict may not have been ripe for resolution because the practical meaning of recognition revealed large gaps between the ways that the parties defined their core interests. Against this background and given the depth of antagonism between the DRC government and MONUC on the one hand and rebel movements on the other, economic wealth of the Congo has failed to generate support for the peace process. Instead, it increased friction and placed additional political obstacles in the way of compromise. The paper also examines the potency of peacekeeping as a vehicle for conflict resolution. It argues that the design and conceptualization of peacekeeping albeit structural challenges like inadequate resources, ill-equipped personnel and lack of a clearly defined and sustainable vision are at the bedrock of cyclical conflicts. In examining the role of MONUC and other interveners in the Congolese peace process, the paper engages a conceptual thesis which seeks to clarify the difference between peacekeeping as a mediator, meddler and interventionist in African civil conflicts. This clarification will inform conceptual thinking on the potency of peacekeeping as a vehicle for the resolution of civil conflicts. The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one demonstration of the fragile nature of post conflict reconstruction and speaks to the need to step-up conflict prevention strategies to meet current challenges which have given rise to new trajectories to territorial conflicts in Africa. Despite deploying a Peace Mission to the Congo (ONUC)[1] in the 1960s, and despite currently harboring the largest and highest funded United Nations Peace Operation (MONUC);[2] the United Nations (UN) is still finding it difficult to bring an end to the territorial conflict in what is regarded as the site for the world’s worst humanitarian conflict. The conflict, therefore, seems to protract with each renewed effort to resolve it. Following field visits, extensive reading on the Congo and interviews with conflict analysts and residents of the DRC, this paper assesses the viability of peacekeeping as a measure for preventing the resurgence of new territorial conflict. While most interviewed are of the view that the challenges of the DRC peace process are enormous and complex, this paper interrogates the role of MONUC as a conflict prevention mechanism, and its effectiveness in sustainable peacebuilding in the Great Lakes region. The paper enriches conceptual thinking with the view that peacekeeping as a form of external intervention has the capacity to support fragile states in their peace building process, and to check prospective territorial conflicts if certain requirements are met. Preliminary investigations indicate that, contrary to previous research which posited political, natural resource and cultural underpinnings as causes of the current DRC conflict, the lack of a clearly defined plan to stop hostilities in the East can largely be accountable for the cyclical violence. Contrary to expectation that following the 2006 DRC election, the fragile Congolese state had attained sovereign maturity to govern itself with limited external support, this paper posits the need for dedicated and timely funding to a new mediator who will engage a five-phased peacebuilding process which will re-orientate existent theoretical and pragmatic processes of conflict prevention, and define succinctly, through policy recommendations, a new direction for the prevention of territorial conflicts. Following this introduction, the next section will explore the causes of territorial conflicts in Africa and elsewhere. This section engages a brief differentiation between causes of conflicts and causes of conflict resurgence with the view of demonstrating that if one cannot prima facie understand the causes of conflict, its resolution attempts will be flawed and such attempts will serve as the corner stone on which prospective conflicts will be erected. Section two will engage a theoretical overview of causes of conflict resurgence. This section will examine causes of conflict resurgence as propounded by two main schools of thought of International Relations: Realism and Liberalism. Following this, tools of conflict resolution will reviewed with principal focus on peacekeeping. The Section will trickle down to a case specific analysis of whether peacekeeping as a tool for conflict resolution is a byproduct of intervention or mediation, and whether in the exercise of their craft, peacekeepers qualify to be called mediators or would be considered meddlers. This section argues that, between 1999 to 2006 when the first democratic election in the Congo was organized, MONUC could well be considered as a mediator, but following that period, MONUC till date (July 2006 to 2010) she is a meddler in the peace process which is largely driven by the rapprochement that was reached between the DRC and Uganda on the one hand, and the DRC and Rwanda on the other. Causes of territorial Conflicts in Africa There are contending theories as to the causes of territorial conflicts. Conflicts seem to have a litany of literature compared to other subsidiary topics of International Affairs and African studies. Scholars have thus far not been able to see the divide between causes of territorial conflicts and conflicts which ensue from the impotency of mechanisms tailored to resolve them. As a result, there is no dearth of literature on the causes of conflicts but one hardly finds any one who has contended that an ineffective resolution strategy could spark new trajectories to conflict. Existing literature on causes of conflict is sometimes limited in scope to address on causes in particular. Adekeye Adebajo has articulated political and cultural underpinnings to be responsible for conflicts. 3] This could hold true for the Sierra Leone conflict but in the face of global adversities, his speculations stand to be criticized because other conflicts like the Rwandan genocide emanate from imbalances in the distribution of economic, political and social resources. Moreover, the ongoing Sudanese conflicts have religious/and or ethnic undertones with no element of cultural or political formulations which equally go along way to excavate the lacunae in Adekeye’s speculations. Paul Collier holds the view that conflicts are fuelled by economic considerations. He posits that most rebel organizations cling onto the idea of grievances in order to elicit more public support for their cause. In his hypothesis, he contemplates that a state with superfluous resources, increasing working-age population, and high unemployment rate is most likely to harbor conflict. His hypothesis, though true for many conflicts that have plagued Africa does not explain other cases in Africa. For instance, former British trusteeship of Cameroon fondly known as Anglophone Cameroon has been wailing for a fair share of economic, political, social and natural resources of the country. Despite this, discontentment has not resulted to war or any from of concrete violence as has occurred in other countries. This phenomenon consequently makes Collier’s assertions fluid. Summarily, Collier, Eboe Hutchful and Kwesi Aning argue that there are countries that have experienced conflict where natural resources were not articulated as the source of the conflict. They cited the examples of Chad and Ethiopia. [5] They acknowledged that some conflicts have been fueled by purely non-resource driven motives resulted. This is true with the cases of Angola, Afghanistan and Sudan. They, however, conceded to the fact that in the conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) resources were one of the stimulants among other elements. They tried to strike a balance by postulating that the end of the Cold War culminated in the proliferation of arms, and ineffective post conflict demilitarization, demobilization, and reintegration of ex-combatants which culminated in an outburst of wary and distressed combatants resulting several coup d’etat putsch attempts. While one may agree with the grievance theory, the million dollar question is what are people aggrieved about as to resort to conflicts, destruction of property, murder and assassinations? Is it about Governance? Is it distribution of resources? The answer is definitely far from the propositions of the aforementioned scholars. Because some countries have resource crisis and mismanagement, repressive regimes, and poor governance, but know no conflict. This therefore suggests that there is yet an unknown cause of conflict, and this cause is probably one that cuts across all conflicts. The present paper contemplates that inefficacies in the mechanisms for resolving these conflicts could be the brain-child behind the cyclical resurgence of conflicts in states previously hit by territorial civil wars. William Reno on his part contends that internal warfare is motivated by economic considerations especially with regard to the intensification of transitional commerce. He argues that there is a relationship between corruption and politics. According to Reno, conflict is bound to rise where a ruler makes life uncomfortable for his citizens by encouraging the search of his espionage as a means of escaping from squalid conditions. Reno in his postulations contemplates that the absence of good governance engenders politics as a cause of conflict. [8] William Zartman on his part contemplates that the increase in conflict is orchestrated by the collapse of state structure. [9] While one may agree with the collapse of state theory, the lotto question is: What drives the leaders to run the state aground? Keith Somerville, in his view tries to locate the source of conflict within the geopolitical map of Africa, which was bequeathed to it by the colonial powers. He contends that the colonial boundaries and state lines have led to the potpourri of people who hitherto had never before mixed as a group. [10] This articulation is paradoxical. While it means that even if the boundaries that existed in the pre-colonial time were maintained, there could still exist though at different levels, and with different target. [11] The diverse schools of thought examined above have attempted an investigation into the causes of conflict. They have posited economic underpinnings, lack of good governance, and disintegration of state institutions, religious and ethnic differences, corruption and colonial imprints. The opinions are not quite erroneous but fail to see ultimately that conflicts emanate because the global village appears to be in consonance with the fact that peacekeeping is the first port of resort for conflict resolution. Moreover, the fact that the problems postulated by the above authors have engendered conflicts in some areas and not in some despite the presence of similar factors suggest that there is more to conflict than has been articulated by contemporary research on the subject matter. The present paper contemplates that inefficacies in the dispute resolution machinery incubate further conflicts. This paper contemplates that if peacekeeping tools are tailored to empower stakeholders to a peace process, conflicts will be resolved before they escalate. On the contrast between causes of conflicts and causes of conflict resurgence, it should be noted that if conflicts are not prima facie mastered, it will be difficult to seamstress right solutions to them. As a result conflicts tend to hatch new and probably even more complicated dimensions to it.

Books and Blogs About Cultural Appropriation

Books and Blogs About Cultural Appropriation Cultural appropriation is a complicated topic. Although the issue often appears in news headlines when clothing chains such as Urban Outfitters or singers such as Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry face accusations of cultural appropriation, the concept remains difficult for many people to grasp. The most simple definition of cultural appropriation is that it occurs when members of a dominant culture borrow from the cultures of minority groups without their input. Typically those doing the â€Å"borrowing,† or exploiting, lack a contextual understanding of what makes the cultural symbols, art forms and modes of expression significant. Despite their ignorance of the ethnic groups from which they borrow, members of the majority culture have frequently profited from cultural exploitation. Given that cultural appropriation is such a multi-layered issue, a number of books have been written about the trend. Members of marginalized groups have also launched websites specifically devoted to educating the public about cultural appropriation. This overview highlights noteworthy literature and websites about this persistent phenomenon. Cultural Appropriation And The Arts This book by James O. Young uses philosophy as the foundation to examine the â€Å"moral and aesthetic issues to which cultural appropriation gives rise.† Young highlights how white musicians such as Bix Beiderbeck to Eric Clapton have gained from appropriating African-American musical styles. Young also addresses the consequences of cultural appropriation and whether the trend is morally objectionable. Moreover, can appropriation lead to artistic successes? With Conrad G. Brunk, Young also edited a book called the Ethics of Cultural Appropriation. In addition to exploring cultural appropriation in the arts, the book focuses on the practice in archaeology, museums and religion. Who Owns Culture? - Appropriation and Authenticity in American Law Fordham University Law Professor Susan Scafidi asks who owns artforms such as rap music, global fashion and geisha culture, to name a few. Scafidi points out that members of culturally exploited groups typically have little legal recourse when others use their traditional dress, music forms and other practices as inspiration. The book is billed as the first to investigate why the United States offers legal protections for works of literature but not for folklore. Scafidi asks larger questions as well. Specifically, what does cultural appropriation reveal about American culture overall. Is it as innovative as widely thought or the byproduct of â€Å"cultural kleptomania?† Borrowed Power: Essays on Cultural Appropriation This collection of essays edited by Bruce Ziff focuses specifically on Western appropriation of Native American cultures. The book explores the artifacts, symbols and concepts typically targeted for appropriation. A range of people contributed to the book, including Joane Cardinal-Schubert, Lenore Keeshig-Tobias, J. Jorge Klor de Alva, Hartman H. Lomawaima and Lynn S. Teague. Native Appropriations This long-running blog examines representations of Native Americans in popular culture through a critical lens. Adrienne Keene, who is of Cherokee descent, runs the blog. She is pursuing a doctorate in Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and uses the Native Appropriations blog to examine images of Native Americans in film, fashion, sports and more. Keene also offers tips to the public on combating cultural appropriation of Native peoples and discussing the issue with the person who insists on dressing up as a Native American for Halloween or supporting the use of Native Americans as mascots. Beyond Buckskin The Beyond Buckskin website not only addresses the appropriation of Native American fashion but also features a boutique with jewelry, accessories, clothing and more crafted by Native American designers. â€Å"Inspired by relevant historical and contemporary Native American clothing design and art, Beyond Buckskin promotes cultural appreciation, social relationships, authenticity and creativity,† according to the website. Jessica Metcalfe (Turtle Mountain Chippewa) maintains the website. She has a doctorate in American Indian Studies from the University of Arizona.

Learn About the Birth Place of William Shakespeare

Learn About the Birth Place of William Shakespeare Its no secret that William Shakespeare was from England, but many of his fans would be hard pressed to name exactly where in the country the writer was born. With this overview, discover where and when the bard was born, and why his birthplace remains a tourist attraction today. Where Was Shakespeare Born? Shakespeare was born in 1564  into a prosperous family in Stratford-upon-Avon in  Warwickshire, England. The town is about 100 miles northwest of London. Although there is no record of his birth, it is presumed that he  was born on April 23 because he was entered into the baptism register of  Holy Trinity Church  shortly after. Shakespeares  father, John, owned a large family house in the town center that is thought to be the bards  birthplace. The public can still visit the very room in which it is believed Shakespeare was born. The house sits on Henley Street - the main road that runs through the middle of this small market town. It is well preserved and is open to the public via the visitor center. Inside, you can see how small the living space was for the young Shakespeare and how the family would have lived, cooked and slept. One room would have been John Shakespeares workroom, where he would have tailored gloves to sell. Shakespeare was expected to take over his fathers business one day himself.   Shakespeare Pilgrimage For centuries, Shakespeare’s birthplace has been a place of pilgrimage for the literary-minded. The tradition started in 1769 when David Garrick, a famous Shakespearean actor, organized the first Shakespeare festival in Stratford-upon-Avon. Since then, the house has been visited by scores of famous writers including: John Keats (1817)Sir Walter Scott (1821)Charles Dickens (1838)Mark Twain (1873)Thomas Hardy (1896) They used diamond rings to scratch their names into the glass window of the birth room. The window has since been replaced, but the original glass panes are still on display. Thousands of people every year continue to follow this tradition and visit Shakespeare’s birthplace, so the house remains one of Stratford-upon-Avon’s busiest attractions. Indeed, the house marks the starting point of the annual parade walked by local officials, celebrities, and community groups each year as part of the Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations. This symbolic walk starts in Henley Street  and ends at Holy Trinity Church, his burial place.  There is no specific recorded date of his death, but the date of the burial indicates  he died April 23. Yes, Shakespeare was born and died on the same day of the year! Participants of the  parade pin a sprig of the herb rosemary to their outfits to commemorate his life. This is a reference to  Ophelias line in Hamlet: Theres rosemary, thats for remembrance. Preserving the Birthplace as a National Memorial When the birthplace’s last private occupant died, money was raised by committee to buy the house at auction and preserve it as a national memorial. The campaign gained momentum when a rumor spread that P. T. Barnum, the American circus owner wanted to buy the house and ship it to New York! The money was raised successfully and the house is in the  hands of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. The trust subsequently bought other Shakespeare-related properties in and around Stratford-upon-Avon, including his mothers farm house, his daughters town house and his wifes family home in nearby Shottery. They also own the land where Shakespeares final home in the town once stood. Today, the Shakespeare Birthplace House has been preserved and converted into a museum as part of a larger visitor center complex. It is open to the public all year.

Learning and development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Learning and development - Essay Example Hence, it is of utmost significance for organizations in present times, to plan strategies for predicting such unforeseen situations and devise appropriate policies and frameworks to keep them at bay. One of the greatest challenges in this highly competitive global village is the management of knowledge. In order to implement effective policies for dealing with organizational pressures in this rapidly changing corporate world, it is essential for the management to educate their employees and equip them with adequate information so as to make them capable enough to take informed decisions which are in favor of the organization. "Learning Organizations" is an emerging concept in the field of knowledge management whereby organizations strive to enhance the employee skills by adopting a systematic approach to training and development which involves integration of theories, innovative practices and systematic assessments with a goal of knowledge enhancement for the benefit of the organization as a whole. This paper seeks to analyze, understand and discuss the importance and relevance of a systematic approach to learning and development in organizations and establish a link between theories and practice. It also strives to review the theoretical frameworks gathered from academic literature and observations made through empirical findings with a view to study organizational performance against the backdrop of implementation of systematic learning practices. Knowledge and learning are rapidly emerging as critical elements of organizational development. Several studies have focused on this aspect as a tool of improving organizational performance whereby the efficiency and ability of such an approach in enhancing organizational growth have been widely debated from different contexts. Adopting a systematic approach to learning and development in organizations implies challenging the predominantly bureaucratic epitome which has over ruled the