Holborne †Pavane and Galliard Essay

Holborne’s Pavane ‘The image of melancholy’ and Galliard ‘Ecce quam bonum’ (Behold, how good a thing is) are two pieces that belong to the genre of ‘consort music’, a form of domestic music that made its appearance in Elizabethan England. A consort may have derived from the French ‘concert’ which implied an ensemble of instruments or voices that perform. In later years, from about 1575, ‘Broken consorts’ were introduced and these included mixed ensembles. The usual instrumentation for a broken consort was lutes, viols (treble and bass) and flute. Consorts of viols began to appear during the time of Henry VIII with the earliest source of the music being a songbook of Henry VIII, found after his death that included copies of Viol consorts. There are three main types of consorts, one being the Pavane and Galliard, which is a dance form. In many of the pieces, the writing was very similar to that of contemporary writing for voices; therefore it was usually polyphonic in texture. When paired together, the Pavane usually takes the more melancholy character, while the Galliard a more cheerful one which is shown in these two movements by Holborne. Although dance forms were used for both movements, the dense counterpoint provides melodic interest for all five players and also listeners, which suggests the music to be more for listening than dancing. Not much is known about Holborne, but he did publish two collections of music with about 120 works altogether.

Buddhist Ethnography

The Buddhist Experience Buddhism is a religion that focuses more on the individual and the actions of that individual, which was prevalent to me when I made my way into Portland and set foot in a Buddhist temple. The man I met within the walls of this temple was far from my stereotypical thoughts of Buddhist monks. The man I met looked like your plain old, average Joe, American man. Before I delve into the depths of my visit to this inspiring place, I need to sum up the Buddhist religion and why I chose to study this particular group of people.First, Buddhism. Buddhism is a religion based off of the idea that there is a path that one can take to achieve enlightenment, instead of believing in a god or multiple gods. Buddhism began with a man named Siddhartha. Siddhartha, the son of a king and heir to the throne, was forbidden to leave the castle walls within which he was confined. His Father, the king, made him stay within the walls at all time so as not to see the suffering that was happening in the outside world. His father even hid all aging and sickness from his son.One day, Siddhartha told his personal bodyguard that he wanted to venture beyond the walls of the castle. The servant had no choice but to obey what Siddhartha had told him. The two set out and on their journey, they came across an old man in the street who was very close to dying. Siddhartha asked the bodyguard what was wrong with the man and the bodyguard had no choice but to tell Siddhartha the truth. They repeated this feat of leaving the castle walls on 3 more occasions, seeing a sickly woman on the side of the road one day, a dead body on the side of the road the next, and a renunciator on the fourth and final day.Each time the bodyguard was asked what was wrong with the person they saw, and each time, he was forced to tell Siddhartha the truth. These four people became known as the four sights, and eventually lead to Buddhism’s main teachings: life is suffering but there is a way ou t of the suffering. The way out of the suffering of life is through the Noble Eight Fold Path. The Noble Eight Fold Path teaches the way to act within the living world and what you can do to further your way along the path of Enlightenment.The Eight folds are: Right understanding, Right thought, Right speech, Right action, Right livelihood, Right effort, Right mindfulness, and Right concentration. This is the way that everyone should live if they want to achieve enlightenment along the Buddhist path. This is not the only thing that Siddhartha taught though. Like every single religion since the beginning of time, there is a list of rules. Christianity has the 10 Commandments, Islam has the Five Pillars of Islam, and Buddhism has the Religious Reformations of Buddha. Unlike most religions, Buddhism strays from the focus on an all mighty deity or deities.Buddhism preaches five different logics that deviate from the norm when it comes to religious ideals: first, Strive after enlightenme nt with due diligence. This means you must put a lot of effort into the job of enlightenment if you wish to achieve it. Second, there will be no metaphysical theorizing. This is the one that seems to throw a wrench into the ideals of every religion before it, there is no God and if you even think that there is a God, you are disgracing the Buddhist way of life. Buddhism is a way of life, it is not a religion with a holy God. Third, there is no tradition, no ritual.The teachings themselves are supposed to lead you, but if you do not know yourself, there is no way that you can know Buddhism and have the ability to follow the Noble Eightfold Path to enlightenment, once you find yourself and know yourself, then you can accept or reject the teachings of the Buddha. Fourth, is that you will find salvation through your efforts. If you are a diligent Buddhist and you work at the Eightfold Path to achieve enlightenment, you will be rewarded; you just need to have patience. Finally, there are no supernatural miracles, no water into wine, no parting of the Red Sea, just what goes on down here on plain old earth.In fact, at one point, the Buddha says â€Å"Those who attempt to work miracles are not my disciples†. This tells you just how serious the Buddha is about his focus on the natural and this-worldly things. Now that the basics have been laid out, time for why I chose to study Buddhism. Buddhism has been in my life for as long as I can remember, if only minimally. My father subscribed to a Buddhism magazine called Tricycle, more of an Americanized look at Buddhism. Moreover, the teachings of Buddhism and its focus on the here and now, how you treat people around you, and how you act towards people, have always been appealing to me.This opportunity fell into my lap and I was more than happy to take the chance to learn about something I had always known too little about. When I approached the temple, I immediately got a feel for an organized group of people simp ly by the way they approached the trimming of the trees and plants. Everything seemed to have a purpose and seemed to play off each other. The trees, with circles of branches only, seemed to perfectly accent the red, almost poinsettia looking flowers behind them leading up the staircase into a very plain, unexpressive building.Once I gained entrance into the temple itself, it was a different site than I expected. Beyond a Plexiglas barrier, was a very church-like worship area with decorations on a slightly elevated plateau. Gold smattered in with vivid colors greeted my eyes as I stepped through the door into the temple’s worship area. There was a statue of the Buddha in the middle, made out of gold, with a halo surrounding his head. On the left, slightly behind the level of the Buddha, was a cloth with the picture of 7 men that our Reverend Gregory G Gibbs would refer to as the authors of the Chinese Buddhist Cannon which is about 100,000 pages long.There was two thirds of a copy of the Cannon itself on the far sides of the raised area. In front was a large circular bowl with a top on it that we were informed was used for incense which is one of the three offerings that people were allowed to leave for Buddha. Incense is one of the ancient ways, and would be burned while the reverend would teach to the disciples. The other two gifts were flowers, which were meant to signify impermanence, and candles, meant to signify wisdom.The man we were lead by was a middle aged looking white male, far from the short, bald, Asian monk dressed in flowing orange robes I had expected to meet. He taught us all about the temple and how it had been around for more than 105 years. He was a very cordial man who loved to hear the sound of his own voice, unfortunately. The man lead us through the basement, seeing holy murals that had been created for the centennial celebration a few years prior. He was very obviously a pious man who had sought to follow the path of the Buddha into enlightenment.

Can terror ever be legitimately employed in conflict Discuss with Essay

Can terror ever be legitimately employed in conflict Discuss with reference to examples - Essay Example During World War II, both the Allies and the Axis used terror as a weapon of winning the war. Different debates have questioned the legitimacy of using terror as a weapon for ending conflicts. Terrorism is viewed to bring negative effects to a nation; this is because in attaining its main objective, the central target is the civilians (Herman 2008, p. 13). Although it brings negative impacts to a nation, sometimes use of terror benefits the nation. For instance, it can assist in the acquisition of freedom. This was the case in South Africa during the time of Apartheid. Apartheid was abolished through the use of terror. Although war is thought to be associated with vast negative effects, sometimes violence can bring positive results to a group or a nation. In this paper, I will discuss whether terror can be legitimately employed in conflicts. According to different researchers, legitimating of terror is justifiable in some cases. In extreme cases, where democratic and peaceful methods have been exhausted, it is justified and legitimate to resort to terror. In situations of suffering and repression, with a ruthless, oppressive state and no possibility of having international relief, it is necessary to resort to violence in order to defend the citizens. A state engaging and using terror in order to fight and rescue its citizens uses terror in a legitimate and justified manner (Coady 2010, p. 21). It is the function of a state to protect its people without fear; hence, if the use of terror remains the only option for the state to use in order to fight for its people, it would be interpreted as necessary and justifiable. Each person or minority group has a right in expressing discontentment in a certain issue of concern. The state has the role of representing its people and should make facilitation of this possibility. In addition, it is

The Troubled Asset Relief Program Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Troubled Asset Relief Program - Term Paper Example The Need for Relief: Why T.A.R.P. was Created The housing market is generally cited as one of the biggest factors behind the financial crisis that resulted in the need for T.A.R.P. to be created. After a short recession in 2001, housing sales rose, peaking in September of 2005 before dropping by as much as 52% by November 2007 (DiMartino, and Duca 1). In 2001, to counteract a recession, the Federal Reserve proceeded by lowering the interest rate alongside the push from both the Clinton and the Bush administrations for the American public to buy houses (Gjerstad, and Vernon L. Smith). This resulted in the lowering of credit standards, which in turn granted a flood of events such as subprime mortgages, or the lending of money to people generally considered a credit risk, going from 9% in 2001 to 40% in 2006 (DiMartino, and Duca 2). By 2007, the housing market was deteriorating, and delinquency rates on subprime mortgages and the interest-only adjustable rate mortgages were soaring; the big businesses with investors in those subprime mortgages were going under quickly (DiMartino, and Duca 5). The Federal Reserve responded by cutting the interest rate aggressively, from 5.25% to 2%, but the crisis continued (Bernanke). By September 15, 2008, the Treasury Secretary was forced to pay a visit to the White House and tell then-President George W. Bush an awful truth: the financial market was imploding, and unless something was done quickly, the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression would result (Halm-Addo 1). Thus emergency measures were taken, and on October 3, 2008 the government was forced to step in and lend assistance, by means of creating the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The Purpose of The Troubled Asset Relief Program (T.A.R.P.) The purpose of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (T.A.R.P.) was, originally, quite simple. The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act created T.A.R.P. as well as giving the power to the United States Government to both buy and insure certain types of assets, mainly to protect the average taxpayer (â€Å"The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008†). Specifically, T.A.R.P. meant that the Secretary of the Treasury, with the backing and support of the Federal Government, could then purchase defaulted mortgages or other assets that were weighing on the balance sheets of the subprime lenders (â€Å"The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008†). At the time of being enacted into law on October 3, 2008, no lending between banks was taking place, and in turn, no lending to the consumer was taking place (Massad 1). No lending to consumers meant that no money was flowing into the economy of the country, thus creating a nightmare for all businesses and consumers. Allowing the Federal Government to purchase the debt in exchange for repayment terms would wipe the bad debt from the balance sheets of the banks and allow them to begin functioning once more. T.A.R.P. created several programs which were able to kick-start the American economy. Money was invested in banks through several programs, including one known as the Capital Purchase Program (CPP), which aided banks across the nation (United States Department of Treasury). Through the Capital Purchase Program, the United States Treasury, working with the Federal Reserve and other

Article Evaluation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Evaluation - Article Example p. 50) they primarily assumed depending on the research of Sutton, McKinney, and Hallahan (1992) that school settings affect student’s performance and therefore, they set the outline of their study on the comparative line among the three types of schools: home school, private school, and public school. As a result, the study apparently loses the rudimentary trait, but other reviews of literatures that Sutton and Galloway refer in their study make a clear and harmonious relation with the purpose of their study. Their literature reviews clearly assess the level of performance and success of these schools. The procedure of the study appears to in fair concordance with the holistic purpose. The researchers prudently selected the participants from the balanced proportional ranges in order to encapsulate the whole country and to avoid the marginal bias. Participants of the study aptly represent the all of the 50 states and 48 foreign countries; though the study must confront the question whether each school individually represented all of the states of the country, the numbers of none of these schools equate the numbers of the states. So the question arises whether the fragmental number of each school fairly represents all of the same types of schools in the whole country. However, the representational integrity of the participants of each school seemed to compensate the lack of the representation of all the schools of the whole country. One hundred and eighty sample students of 1992-3 academic years were taken from the Liberal Arts University and they were compared school-wise with thos e who completed their graduation in 1997. Determining the rate of representation of the students with the use of Chi-square scale and considering the effect of the socioeconomic status of the students the data were intended on an all-embracing set of 40 indicators. Indeed their procedure of the

Assessment Centre Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assessment Centre - Essay Example Leivens (2001) has pointed out the fact that assessment centres have gained popularity and fame in last 4 decades as they have become a very useful source that facilitate in recruitment and selection of employees. In general, the assessment centres refer to a development centre or a one-day workshop where Human Resource Professionals evaluate the qualities, personality traits, and attributes followed by decision – making and problem – solving skills of potential candidates. For instance, these centres are created for the purpose of facilitating HR executives in recruitment and induction of the smart candidates, who will then contribute their abilities and knowledge in survival, expansion and sustainable development of an organisation. Among the major benefits of assessment centres (ACs), the most important is that they are quite effective in testing behavioural issues / problems, psychology, mental strength and attitudes of potential candidates. For instance, the assess ors make observations, recordings and use psychological tests / tools / scales to check locus of control, openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, pressure assimilation, will power and other factors after which evaluations and feedbacks are provided. In this way, the recruiters draw conclusions about emotional stability of an employee coupled with his / her underlying strengths and weaknesses (Leivens et al, 2001). As far as the objectives of assessment centres are concerned, it is worthwhile to mention that assessors tend to have case studies, debates, open and group discussion sessions, group exercises and presentations to test level of creativity, personal drive, critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills in a candidate. For instance, the assessors also organise randomly selected candidates into work groups and teams, which are then assigned various situations and real – world scenarios in order to test team building skills, relationship building, flexibil ity, analytical capabilities, leadership styles and mutual cooperation / coordination among members. These medium duration exercises help providing relatively better analysis about aforementioned qualities in candidates compared to observations and responses during face-to-face interviews. It should be highlighted that another advantage of assessment centres is to judge conflict resolution, crises handling and contingency plan development abilities either though individual or groups tests. In addition, candidates may be assigned responsibilities to develop a realistic business plan to judge vision, strategic planning, forecasting, risk identification, analysis and measurement, marketing, adaptability, innovation, differentiation and other capabilities as a whole. For instance, assessment centres also evaluate and testify how honest, moral and ethical a candidate is through assignment of certain ethical scenarios, dilemmas and lapses. The aforementioned enabled HR executives to get a n insight over the importance that an applicant could have for Code of Conduct, Organisational Cons and Rule of Law. In addition, the candidates are scrutinised for assessment of competitiveness, task – orientation, performance approach, employee centredness, and relationship – orientation so that they could be prepared to assimilate pressure in an unpredictable and complex business environment (Kolk et al, 2003). It is justified to argue that the actual aim of assessment cen

Predicting Individual and Group Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Predicting Individual and Group Behavior - Essay Example ndividual and Group Behavior in Schools is vital, Principal Harris went the opposite direction, he should have established a prudent connection with Mrs. Harmon, the other faculty heads and staff in general immediately after noticing the negative vibe emanating from them and considered their alternative proposals closely. The last meeting would have given him an insight about Mrs. Harmon and the likes wants namely; additional pay for the extra task delegated to them and flexible time allocation that would facilitate the research hence improving the schools instructional platform (Senge, 2001). These were important connotations that Principal Harris would have taken care off at the first light to get a better result oriented scenario. Principal Harris lacked a proper time management platform in achieving instructional plan for the school amongst the available human resource at his disposal. He should have effectively delegated the tasks that involved the whole school fraternity; faculty, staff and community so as to be more thorough in obtaining the right information for best model formulation and in the process saving time, a very valuable tool in task execution in any organization. Instead he only gave the task to his immediate deputies Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Harmon leaving out the rest of the workforce and stakeholders. Task delegation scenario is put at risk here because of only entrusting a fraction of the entire workforce and interested parties like the parents and the community at large that supposedly the teachers were against. The internal environment of the school seemed to be discordant and not influential for best performance and productivity. A culture of uniformity in values and the school’s go als and objectives needs to be revisited and the faculty together with the staff trained either through workshops, seminars or webinars, the importance of uniformity in the school’s core value of always improving students’ performance in accordance with the

Managing Organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Managing Organizations - Essay Example The new policies and procedures will ensure that Sales, manufacturing, and engineering are prepared to accept requests. 3 Review the component inventory supply processes and make changes to ensure that ordering demands can be met. This may include improving planning and introducing an inventory control software to alert the Manufacturing Department when components are running low. This will mitigate customer shipment delays, improve customer satisfaction, and improve production efficiency 4 Conduct a time study to review the tasks within the engineering and manufacturing departments and the workflow between them to improve scheduling efficiency and determine whether any buffers can be achieved. 4 Review the possibility of paralleling tasks within each department or from engineering. The work process of first-come, first served, should be reviewed to determine whether a more efficient process could be created to improve response, and decrease dependency on the existing linear flow. 5 Provide more autonomy and empowerment to Managers to allow for creative thinking and flexibility. It is recommended that a consultant â€Å"executive coach† assist in providing a performance evaluation that reflects on strengths and development opportunities. Think about the alignment between your performance objectives and your actual behavior in how you accomplish your objectives. Ensure that your objectives are aligned to Enerstasis’s key business objectives. Better communication is required with your managers; however, a large span of control makes this difficult 6 Stan must be encouraged and motivated to follow rules and procedures, and to value networking and teamwork. His evaluation or performance appraisal should include specific metrics to reflect these norms and values. The sales compensation policy should also be changed to reflect these metrics and include incentive pays for these behaviors. 7 Ron requires further training of the business operations and its

Measuring Customer Satisfaction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Measuring Customer Satisfaction - Essay Example led to improved sales but has also led to increased customer satisfaction that intern leads to customer retention hence giving such businesses competitive advantage over others. On this basis, this essay will discuss the best practices used to measure customer satisfaction and further evaluate the current practices adopted by Union Pay Organization. To start with, measurement of customer satisfaction has several benefits to businesses. Measurement of customer satisfaction can be defined as a process in which businesses are able to gauge the quality of their processes as well as that of their products and services from customer feedback or other indirect means (Hayes, 2008). As a result of these measurements, businesses can be able to implement and evaluate various processes in their main objectives. For instance, through the customer feedback, businesses are able to gauge themselves against competitors and identify effective strategies that can place give them competitive advantage in the market (Grigoroudis & Siskos, 2010). Further, measurement of customer satisfaction helps to reveal changes in tastes and preferences by customers that can be used in developing products and services in order to retain existing customers and also attract new section of customers by factoring their preferences in business products or services. On the other hand, several customer measurement practices have been identified to work in various business sectors. To start with, transactional surveys have been widely used to gather information about customer satisfaction. This kind of approach is simple because it provides immediate feedback shortly after customer encounter (California Employers Association, n.d). Data collected through transactional survey may be regarded as qualitative because the kinds of responses obtained mainly include impressions of customers to general services and products relating to a particular business. Transactional surveys have advantages that can help

Rulers That Followed the Prince by Machiavelli Essay Example for Free

Rulers That Followed the Prince by Machiavelli Essay Niccolà ² Machiavelli suggested in The Prince that a ruler should behave as both a fox and a lion, being both loved and feared. There are clever rulers who were strategic, courageous rulers who were effective, and successful rulers who possessed both qualities. Elizabeth I of England and Henery IV of France were two great rulers from Europe that were able to personify Machiavellis advice. Elizabeth I of England was able to act as a fox by preventing England from being torn apart over matters of religion. By repealing The Catholic Legislation of Mary Tudors reign, she was able to make the New Act of Supremacy which dsignated her as the supreme govenor of spritual and temporal affairs. Also she restored the church service of the Book of Common Prayer, but was clever enough to make some revisions to make it more acceptable for Catholics. With keeping her subjects out conflict, she also made sure that her power within England remained preserved. She didnt marry anyone, because if she did, the real power would then belong to the king. Maintaining her power outside England ment keeping Spain under control. The Sea Beggars were an international group of anti-Spain pirates. Elizabeth made a secret alliance with the Sea Beggars, and sent them to the Netherlands to fight the Spainish. To make sure she was exempt from international problems because of her tie with the Sea Beggars, she immediately diassociated England from the doings of the Sea Begggars. With doing clever and sniky things to maintain Englands power, she added courageous things to her list of accomplishements. One of her greatest challenges was her cousin, Queen Mary of Scots. Being that she was next in line to the English throne, Mary was a huge threath to Elizabeths power. After fleeing from Scotland to England, she was put under house arrest by Elizabeth. In 1587, Mary was finally excuted after being caught in a plot to over throw Elizabeth. This direct action kept Elizabeth out of threat within England. But the execution of Mary, sparked a Spanish Armada invasion in England. Under the guidances of Elizabeth, the swift English ships were able to batter out Spanish and be victorious. Elizabeth showed much leadership and strength in defeating the Spanish. She heeded Machiavellis advice and was able to drive England towards a prosporous Golden Age of wealth and power. Henry IV of France was able to act as a fox by evaluating what mattered more to him. When Henry converted to Catholosism out of being a Hugenot during the Saint Bartholomews Day Massacre, it was clear that he valued his own life over religion. Even when he coverted back to Calvinism afterwards, he soon relized his valued of being in power over religion would cause him to convert, once again, back into Catholism. â€Å"Paris is worth a Mass, he said as he gave into the Roman Catholic Church for the leadership of France. This value of state over religion made him a politique, believing that no religious truth was worth the ravages of cicil war. He kept France from futher civil war by issuing the Edict of Nantes which acknowledged Catholicism as th official religion of France but guaranteed the Hugenots the rights to worship. He was wise to recognize that tolerance can help establish peace in his nation and also to convert to Cathalosism because of their bigger population in France. Along with being able to weigh out which decisions would help maintain a peaceful France, he was also able to roll in more power for himself. Appionting The Duke of Sully as his finance minister was a major step in gaining power and wealth. Sully reformed the tax collection system to make it more equitable and efficient, improved transportation, stimulated trade and industry, and fostered prosperity. These economic improvment gave Henry power. With his power under stable condition, Henry looked to forgien affairs. Henry saw the Religious Wars as an opportunity to divide up the Holy Roman Empire so he attacked, but since he was a politique he battled over politics and not religion. Though he instilled fear in his subject, he was able to gain the popularity of people because of his informal dress and a strong wit and charm. He had many things to take care of in and out of France, however, he took this bold move because knew his power would remain if people liked him. By Elizabeths creation of the Act of Supremacy and Act of Uniformity, her refusal of marriage, her secret alliance with the Sea Beggars, her execution of Mary, and her victory over the Spanish Armada, she was able to bring England to a Golden Age. By Henrys adoption of the Edict of Nantes, appointing of The Duke of Sully, munipilzing the Religious Wars to his needs, and being friendly with his subjects, Henry was able to secure France as a power in Europe. By following the advice of Machiavelli, Elizabeth I of England and Henry IV of France were able to strengthen their countries, with Elizabeth being a little better at it than Henry.

Woody Holton Theory Analysis

Woody Holton Theory Analysis Woody Holton is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Richmond in Virginia and is a member of the Richmond Research Institute. He has published three award-winning books: Abigail Adams (2009), a Bancroft Prize winner, Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution (2007), a finalist for the National Book Award; and Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves and the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia (1999) winner of the Organization of American Historians Merle Curti award for social history. In 2006, the OAH named Holton one of its Distinguished Lecturers.[1] In his book, Unruly Americans, Holton endeavors to revive Beards arguments in An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution that our Constitution was created to protect the interests of a small group of wealthy farmers and creditors over those of small farmers and debtors. However, Holton shifts the focus from the wealthy few to the ordinary people who opposed the concept of a strong centralized government. Holton sides with Beard that the principal purpose of our Founding Fathers was not to safeguard civil liberties but to protect their own financial interests. (xi) The author contends that the arguments and efforts of ordinary farmers who maintained that the post-Revolutionary recession could have been ended without making the United States a less democratic country that resulted from the Constitution. (17) We are indebted to these farmers for insisting the Bill of Rights be added to the Constitution. Holton argues that these amendments directly contradict the Framers antidemocratic intent. (277) He goes on to state that besides initiating the Bill of Rights, the tax rebels with no rebellions, there would have been less tax and debt relief legislation, and without relief, there would have been much less need for a powerful new national government. (277) According to the author, few supporters of tax relief wanted to repudiate debts, but in at least nine states they suggested to discriminate, treating the original recipients of bonds differently from those who had purchased them on the open market. (55) The rigorous tax and debt collection had prevented Americans from realizing their full potential as laborers. (101) Holton shows that tax burdens for ordinary Americans were three or four times higher than colonial levels which made them question whether they had been better off under British rule. (29) The author relies on newspapers, pamphlets, and political tracts to prove his thesis. He depicts the conflict between the debtors struggling to regain their economic footing after the Revolutionary War while Congress encourages the state governments to increasingly impose new taxes upon them. Holton describes the contributions of previously unknown individuals such as Herman Husband, a North Carolina farmer, and William Mathews, a Massachusetts tavern keeper. He also mentions Adonijah Mathews who owned a tavern in Virginia. Their inclusion allows him to go beyond the leading Anti-Federalists. (274) Meanwhile, states struggled to compensate the bondholders who loaned them money, Congress battled to pay off the commutation certificates of former officers in the war, and debtors and creditors clashed over whether paper money should be used to satisfy outstanding taxes and debts. Holton argues that because state governments failed to maintain order and fulfil their obligations, reformers decided to meld those thirteen sovereignties together and launch and empire of their own. (3) He states, the democrats unconsciously initiated a powerful reactionary movement as bondholders and creditors attempted to put the democratic genie back into the bottle. (5) According to Holton, James Madison and others accused that state representatives had shown excessive indulgence to debtors and taxpayers. They had refused to force farmers to pay what they owed. (8) The argument from the debtor side was that thousands of other Americans contended that the remedy for the recession was not to press harder on taxpayers and debtors, but to ease up on them. (100) Holton contends that the Framers of our Constitution saw disproportionate democracy as the root of tax leniency which obstructed bondholders and thwarted investment. Holton argues that the need to reign in the states weighed far more heavily upon the convention than the motive that has received the most attention from later generations of Americans, strengthening the Confederation. (182) While this reviewer appreciates Holtons arguments on behalf of the ordinary Americans, this book is very repetitive. Some points such as the perspective of farmers on democratic government and the influence of bondholders on the creation of the Constitution are stated multiple times. His mention his intent is to focus on individuals such as Adonijah Mathews, yet he tends to go off on a rant about our Founders such as James Madison. Mathews and Husband received but a few pages of reference in the index, but Madison has eighty-three pages listed under his name. This seems to flip Holtons assertions that his book is about ordinary Americans rather than about the Founding Fathers. Holton also impedes his own arguments when he states that although bond speculators were among the Constitutions most enthusiastic supportersà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦it is also clear that thousands of Americansà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦supported federal taxation not because they owned bonds-many did not-but for other, more public-spirited reasons. (215) Holton further contends that Some of the most avid supporters of the Constitution were not creditors but debtors. (230) Therefore, his own arguments contradict Holtons conclusions that the adoption of the Constitution was largely the result of class conflict in the fledgling nation between the haves and the have-nots. [1] Simon and Schuster, Woody Holton http://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Woody-Holton/44139211

The Positive Aspects Of Fraternities :: essays research papers

The Positive Aspects Of Fraternities   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A college fraternity exists on the premise that a man is by nature a social being and needs the companionship with his fellow man. A fraternity provides a structure, and an environment in which close friendships can flourish, Bringing each of the fraternity members closer to themselves. It is by no means the only organization in which a student might mature and develop life long friends. Just one of the many in which minds are shaped and imaginations flourish within its setteings.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The fraternity, not unlike any other human institution, encourages it members to make a commitment to something outside themselves, such as paticipating in charity events, events to benefit the homeless, raise money for the poor and commit themselves to learn about one another.As a student makes these commitments to a fraternity, the fraternity provides a structure within where these commitments can be acted out, in such things as rituals of pledging and initiation. A ritual is only one way of expressing a fraternities ideals and aspirations. A fraternities name, tradition, and history carries much symbolic importance to all who are apart of it. This is all important to the personoining because it eiil only help the to better themselves by growin into he fraternity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  With all these commitments and traditions, or rituals, one could see that fraternity life has a lot behind it and the members take it very seriously. Though at times the fraternity becomes very social and yes alcohol may be consumed, is not , however, the focus of the fraternity. Fraternities offer numerous benefits and building blocks for developing an independent and successful life with many close friends. such as paticipating in charity events, events to benefit the homeless, raise money fo the poor and commit themselves to

Steinbecks Experience and Its Reflection in His Work Essay -- Literar

A plethora of emotions triggers a person's motivation to write. Whether it is disappointment, fear, bliss, or pure excitement, feelings produce an overwhelming sensation. The response to these feelings can rise from a person's environment, relationships, interests or current struggles. However, emotional madness can be simmered down through a practice of writing (Science 20). Clinical trials indicate that writing about deep or traumatic experiences can clear the mind of all the â€Å"confining† stresses and emotional suffocation (Bolarius 2). In detail, a new brain imaging study, conducted by UCLA psychologists, reveals how â€Å"verbalizing† feelings can cause a sense of peace and prove to be a â€Å"cathartic† exercise (Science 20). In fact, writing down emotions born from experiences provides an opportunity in the documentation for posterity. In the same way, John Steinbeck, the author of Nobel Prize winning literary work, has marked milestones in the h istory of literature, leaving insightful and evocative images in the hearts of millions and for future generations. Steinbeck's work has drawn influence from several events in his life. David Bender, author of the Literary Companion, writes that any â€Å"serious† work from Steinbeck â€Å"must begin in his western home of the Salinas Valley† (Bender 13). Steinbeck's strong relationships and time growing up in the West were tremendous influences in his novels The Grapes of Wrath and The Pearl, as well as his short story â€Å"The Chrysanthemums.† Most writers of the first half of the century focused on the characterizations of men and their motivations (Hughes 154). However, Steinbeck differed in this approach; he continuously wrote works that shined a heroic light on women. The relationships he ... ...ichigan Department of Education, 2002. Hughes, R.S. John Steinbeck. Study Of Fiction. San Diego: Twayne Publishers BOSTON, 1989. 218. Guthrie, John. "Cedar Street Times." cedarstreettimes.com. Cedar Street Times, n.d. Web. 3 May 2012. Millichap, Joseph R. "Biography Of John Steinbeck." Critical Insights: The Grapes of Wrath. 14- 19. Salem Press, 2010. Literary Reference Center. Web. 3 May 2012 Plimpton, George. "Journal of a Novel." Viking Press. N.p., 1969. Web. 3 May 2012. john-steinbeck>. Timmerman, John H. "The Wine Of God's Wrath: The Grapes Of Wrath." Critical Insights: The Grapes of Wrath. 235-266. Salem Press, 2010. Literary Reference Center.. 7 May 2012.

Education and Act 48 Essay -- Education School Legislation Teaching Es

Education and Act 48 On November 23,1999 Governor Ridge signed Act 48 of 1999, enacting new requirements for professional education (formerly professional development) plans. The legislation also requires that all certified educators complete six college credits, six credits of continuing professional education courses, 180 clock hours of continuing professional education, or any combination of collegiate studies, continuing professional education courses or learning experiences equivalent to 180 hours every five years. For the purposes of calculating hours and credits, one credit of collegiate studies or continuing professional education courses is equivalent to 30 hours of continuing professional education. The professional education requirements take effect July 1, 2000 for all certified educators and will support achievement of the Pennsylvania Academic Standards, the Chapter 49 Teacher Certification Standards, and high standards for all educators and student. The information below has been rese arched directly from the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Act 48-Professional Development Plan. The Act 48 plan requires that â€Å"upon expiration of an existing professional development plan, each school entity (district, intermediate unit (Ill), area-vocational-technical school (AVTS), joint school district, charter school, the Scotland School for Veterans Children and the Scranton School for the Deaf) submit a three-year professional education plan to the Department of Education for approval.† Approved schools for special education are also required to comply with Act 48 by the Bureau of Special Education. This plan is based on national standards, state standards and the individual needs of the district. Professional education plans from IUs, approved schools for special education and state-owned schools are submitted by June 30 in two phases. School district and AVTS professional education plans are due with a strategic plan by September 30 in the assigned phase. Private schools may also submit a professional education plan for approval so they can be an approved professional education provider. This, however, is an option to private schools and is not mandated by the state because they do not receive federal funding in the way that public schools do so. Wallenpaupack Area School District is currently in phase one of the strategic plan... ...www.ed.gov/pubs/PrisonersOfTime/index.html] Professional development: Changing times. (1994). Policy Briefs, Report 4. Oak Brook, IL: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. ED376618 State Higher Education Executive Officers Association [SHEEO]. (1991, August). Higher education and school reform: Creating the partnership. Denver, CO: Author. ED 337,110. Tanner, B., Canady, R. L., & Rettig, R. L. (1995). Scheduling time to maximize staff development opportunities. Journal of Staff Development, 16(4): 14-19. EJ522303 Taylor, T. A. (2000, May 24). Congress confronts Goals 2000, national service. AACTE Briefs, p. 1. Troen, V., & Bolles, K. (1994). Two teachers examine the power of teacher leadership. In D. R. Walling (Ed.), Teachers as leaders. Perspectives on the professional development of teachers (pp. 275-86). Bloomington, IN: Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation. ED379283 Voices from the field: 30 expert opinions on America 2000, The Bush administration strategy to "reinvent" America's schools. (2001, April). Washington, DC: Institute for Educational Leadership and William T. Grant Foundation, Commission on Work, Family, and Citizenship. ED 336 823

Belarus’ Economy

Belarus†s economy has done fairly well from the situation it started in. The economy has some strengths, but it is also not without its weaknesses. Also the Republic has not done yet enough to restructure its economy after the break up of the USSR. Belarus has a fairly well balanced economy with an agriculture capable of feeding its population and a well developed industrial base. Belarusian industry is capable of producing 1. 1 million tons of steel per year, and it manufactures machine tools, agricultural machinery, motor vehicles. It also has a well developed chemical manufacturing plants, and there is also a branch of industry for consumer goods such as radio, television sets and bicycles. Furthermore its industrial construction complex ensures a considerable scope of construction. The Republic also has a diversified agricultural crop ranging from potatoes and grain to flax and livestock. The agricultural sector accounts for 20% of the GDP while the industrial around 43%. Besides helping to develop the industry, Russia helped to develop the infrastructure of Belarus making most of the country accessible. Belarus has a reasonably well developed industry and a long history of agricultural development. Problems for the economy of Belarus began to arise after the collapse of the Soviet Union. The weakness with Belarusian industry is two-fold. It has to import much of its raw materials from other nations and it imports most of its energy. As a result industry came under severe economic pressure shortly after independence. The problem with its agriculture is that it that about two thirds of the peasants are still organized into collective farms and the remainder in state farms. A few private farms were established but the treatment they received from the state discouraged other from trying. Also Belarus has a 14% trade deficit, which increase the vulnerability of the economy. Another drag on the economy is the continuing cost associated with the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster, estimated in 1995 at a quarter of the national economy. The southern part of Belarus was severely hit by the nuclear fallout and many of the estimated 2 million victims live in Belarus. The Belarusian economy has room for improvement, however if put in the right circumstances it could thrive. After the dissolution of the USSR the national economy of Belarus was being restructured to introduce science intensive and low power consuming industries. However, Belarus has seen little reform since 1995 when president Lukaschenko launched the country on a path of â€Å"market socialism. † Privatization of enterprises controlled by the central government virtually ceased in 1996. Only about 10% of all enterprises under central government control had been privatized. In addition, Lukaschenko has re-imposed administrative control over prices and the national currency's exchange rate, and expanded the state's right to intervene arbitrarily in the management of private enterprise. Lack of structural reform, and a climate hostile to business, have inhibited foreign investment in Belarus in 1995-97. Belarus†s economy consisted mainly of secondary industry, dependent on Russia and other Soviet republics for both raw materials and markets. The second problem is that it inherited a weak political leadership at independence that never managed to even begin economic reform. To make the conditions favorable for investments Belarus is taking steps for creating an adequate base of legal standards for foreign investment security, liberalization of taxation order and customs regulations, granting cost benefits to investors and providing various information and business services. The economy of Belarus has great potential. Its strengths can be strengthened and its weaknesses can be improved. Having a strong trading partner would put Belarus in a position to over come the crisis in its economy.

Black Nationalism Essay

Black Nationalism is the name given to empower movements among black Americans, emphasizing their African origins and identity, their pride in being black, their desire to control their own communities, and sometimes the desire to establish a black nation in Africa or some part of the United States. An examination of the roots of these movements and of the beliefs, strategies, and goals of each will show how they were connected and how they influence the appearance, behavior, and attitudes of Dee/Wangero. Throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, black people were faced with the very grim prospect of social, economic and political oppression in society. It is at this point that the issues of Black Nationalism arise. Wilson Moses states that the concept of Black Nationalism in both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries were based first on a â€Å"subject† people under political, social and cultural domination. It also represent the desire to unite disunited people, attempt to unify politically all of those people whether they are residents of African territories or descendants of those Africans who were disposed by the slave trade. (Moses, 1978:17). In the mid-1960’s, the optimism of the Southern civil rights movements collapsed in the face of white indifference. It was the decade many African Americans remember most for the dramatic changes following the Civil Rights Movement that brought opportunities and growth both individually and collectively. At that time Dee/Wangero was but a child and knew not of Lindsay 2 what was going on. She would later know the significance of her role in life. Even as a child Dee/Wangero knew there is more to life than living in a shack of a house where there’s no moral, racial consciousness, sense of being or racial pride. The term â€Å"black nationalism† quickly made its way into the American teaching but unlike the earlier land-based nationalism, the term spread into literature, music and the arts. At the same time, African Americans as a group were still entrapped in a system that recognized individual rights as opposed to group or collective rights. Dee/Wangero grew up at a time when there was continuing patterns of racial inequality and oppression and estrangement from white society. You could only speak a certain way and you were not allowed to vote, make changes, or voice your opinion. It was a time when the least you know the less trouble you would be in and Dee/Wangero had a lot to say. She believed there had to be a better world waiting out there, where civilization and freedom exist. The ability to reconstruct her image is essential to her understanding of who she is. Without self-expression is destined to be defined in opposition of â€Å"white† standards. Since all she knows is based upon what she sees around her, any so-called revolutionary action is bound to repeat those of the oppressor. McCartney suggests that a Black’s desire for emigration was to gain political freedom and independence not possible for Blacks as a minority group. Everyone should be the originators of the events that lead to their destiny and Dee/Wangero was tired and fed up with the life she was living with her mother and sister and she became disgusted with their social conditions that had spawned weak racial pride and illiteracy. She wanted to seek out and find a better foundation to develop independence and enlightenment ideas. To make a change, she had to reconstruct not only the image of, but her relationship with, the creator, humanity, and the natural and material worlds. (Essien-Udom, 1962: 28). Lindsay 3 His emphasis on racial pride, political and economic self-determination proved to be a powerful message for African Americans during the early twentieth century. Dee/Wangero would move away from home in the hopes of developing her own society, ethical values, racial consciousness and self-reliance as well as freedom from white American authority. She knew there was more to life than what she currently knew and would yearn to seek that knowledge. She wanted to learn about her culture, history, where she was originated from and how it can change her life. She was determined to make a change and when she returned home she was confident and uplifting. Dee/Wangero was convinced that she had to make everyone including her mother and sister, aware of the need for Black Nationalism, because Black Nationalism can be compared to breathing and eating. Natural acts that is critical that nature will not allow persons to ignore them. (Malcolm X, 1992:1-3) No other race leader had inspired such hope in the hearts of the people since the orations of Frederick Douglas, and incorporated these inspirations (their aspirations) into practical adult education programs. She was taught cultural pride, social separation and economic empowerment and she was baffled that her mother and sister had not change in any way and they were still living in the era of slavery, abolishment and non-engagement. They need to make a change, make something of themselves, things and times have changed and they are being left behind. Any change or new education seem â€Å"ridiculous† to them. Dee/Wangero mother had a quilt for years that she sew together and Dee/Wangero wanted it because she knew the significance and meaning of the quilt, she had studied, practiced and live the life of an influenced, internationalized advocate who appreciated the early exposure to Black Nationalism. Lindsay 4 The mere thought of leaving the quilt with her sister seemed wasteful and unappreciated because her sister would and could not appreciate the significance of the quilt and her sister and mother did not know that this quilt meant a lot to her new found life, culture and teaching. (Colin, 1996: 56) Black Nationalism as an alternate to integration goes back over one hundred years, as black leaders’ explored alternative political and social ideology to address discrimination in the United Stated. Dee/Wangero made the change, her attitude, appearance and behavior spoke cultural change, cultural knowledge and true freedom. She appreciated different images, understand different ideologies and feel different power sensations. She had nurture a taste of real freedom and real self determination and she rediscovered love for blackness, true blue blackness. The way she dressed and the way she spoke said that she had overcome all the â€Å"backward† philosophy that was placed upon her and her people and she is finally able to show this â€Å"new† Dee/Wangero without feeling oppressed. She was happy on the inside and on the outside and this may seem â€Å"weird† to her mother and sister because she had grown spiritually, culturally and had come to believe in herself and her race. She was feeling good and would not change her ways and style and she wanted them to â€Å"make something of themselves† and make a change for the better like she had. (1320).

Education in the Philippines Essay

1. Cite at least three objectives of the 1992 EDCOM, 1998 PESS and 1998 PCER. The three innovations to the Philippine education system had these common objectives: * To introduce curricular reform curricular reforms in the school organization * To investigate the modes of delivery, policy structures, and pedagogical philosophies and recommend enrichment thereof * To align education’s modalities to the needs of the times 2. What are the common findings and recommendations of the three studies conducted in relation to the Philippine education system? A. Common Findings i. High dropout rates especially in rural areas ii. Mastery of students in important competencies as shown in achievement levels iii. High levels of simple literacy among 15-24 year-olds and 15+ year-olds iv. Highest repetition rate in Grade I v. Children were generally handicapped by serious deficiencies in their personal constitution and in the skills they needed to successfully go through the absorption of learning B. Recommendations i. Tri-focalization in the management of supervision of basic education, technical-vocational education, and tertiary education ii. Ensure adequate financing and improve the quality of basic education iii. Slow and reverse the haphazard expansion of low-quality tertiary education iv. Provide equitable access to education at all levels so deserving households and communities can benefit from the provision of public education v. Improve overall sector management through greater local participation and accountability 3. Identify the actions taken by the concerned agencies to respond to the recommendations of the studies conducted? Actions taken are the following: * Congress enacted Republic Act 7722 that created the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) that is responsible for higher education * Congress enacted Republic Act 7796 that created the Technical Skills Development Authority (TESDA) which is duty-bound to supervise and manage post-secondary and middle-level manpower training and development * Congress enacted Republic Act 9155 that created the Department of Education (DepEd) that handles basic education (elementary and secondary levels) * For a time, there was moratorium on the establishment of State Colleges and Universities (SCUs) * Tertiary education has been given reduced allocation for Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) * Surveys on applied assessment methodologies and processes were conducted * Republic Act 10029 (Philippine Psychology Act of 2009) was enacted into law that aims to maintain the development of assessment which is part of the services offered by psychologists * Executive Order No. 46 established the Presidential Commission on Educational Reform (PCER) that is a multi-sectoral body that defined a comprehensive and budget-feasible program of reform in the education system 4. Do the actions taken have an impact on the ailing Philippine educational system? Yes. In many ways the actions taken by the respective agencies of the government have created impact to the Philippine education system. For instance, DepEd has now concentrated in strengthening the knowledge and skills of elementary and secondary level learners in order to prepare them to the more rigorous life in tertiary education. In addition, CHED has introduced the emphasis of research in support to new teaching methodologies and has identified â€Å"Centers of Excellence† and â€Å"Centers of Development† among colleges and universities nationwide. Then TESDA hones the skills of middle-level manpower that is needed in the country and overseas. Although much has to be done yet to create an atmosphere of genuine excellent Philippine education system, more and more actions have been undertaken by the government to address the pressing problems on deteriorating quality of education. Aside from enhancing the competencies of learner.

Letter to Congress Essay

My name is †¦ and I am writing as your constituent in the 53rd Congressional district of California. I am writing to ask you to cosponsor Rep. John Conyers’ Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act (H.R. 676). United States House of Representatives Bill Number 676 is the proposed U.S. legislation to establish single-payer health care, improved Medicare for All, in the United States. It will establish lifelong, comprehensive coverage for health care. A single-payer system would take the charge of insurance premiums off of employers and put it on the people as a nation, where it belongs. I can’t think of a more pro-business step that Congress could take at this time. It’s also the right thing to do, the humane thing to do. Obamacare doesn’t address the lack of sustainability of our healthcare system. It won’t keep insurance prices down, more than 30 million people will remain uninsured, and insurance companies will manipulate their way out of a ny imposed regulations. We will no longer be paying for a system that wastes $400 billion in excessive administrative costs, more of our health care dollars will be spent on health care, and more of the doctors and nurses time will be spent on caring for people. The result will be more time spent on prevention and wellness and the U.S. dramatically raising its life expectancy. As a Registered Nurse who has been employed at various managed care payers, I know firsthand the corruption and abuse that is typical of health insurance companies. It is political corruption that has allowed this situation to continue. Right now Congress and the President are fighting over how much to slash Medicare and Medi-Cal/Medicaid benefits. The American people don’t want to see this happen. National, single-payer healthcare (H.R. 676) is pro-business, and pro-people. Please co-sponsor today. Thank you for your time and attention.

Do you think that sport helps develop good character Discuss Essay

Do you think that sport helps develop good character Discuss - Essay Example As sportsmen follow these disciplinary requirements and avoid disciplinary measures that develop good character, which is the ultimate goal of all disciplines. As such, it is quite clear, that sports play a major role in developing good character in the sports field. For example, the soccer sport follows the FIFA rules that govern world participation in a football field. The rules dictate heavy fines and bans to undisciplined footballers and advocates for fairness. Indeed, footballers have become role models with good characters in most cases. Actually, many people believe that putting their children to play sport, helps develop a good character and, I agree with that.  In addition, sports require maximum concentration and hence deny the participants time and chance to develop unethical traits. Hence, it promotes good character. In addition to helping people develop a good character, it also helps you to live a very healthy life.  Hence, I would recommend participation in sports for developing good character and a healthy living. Nevertheless, all of us cannot go to sports and should therefore adopt other ways of developing good character. Religion and individual personality play major role in developing good

Global Enterprise and Innovation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Global Enterprise and Innovation - Assignment Example op employer in France and Europe and hence selecting Saint Gobain-India was an easy decision based on the excellent company record and long term vision of the company (Saint Gobain, 2014) With innovation at its core, Saint Gobain has made products such as its automotive glass, construction materials and performance plastics. The automotive glass range comprises of cutting edge products in automotive glazing, laminated wind shields and tempered glasses. It also has special features such as acoustic control and enhanced security. The performance plastics range is the world’s leading range of high performance polymer products which are used for construction and various other purposes (Saint Gobain, 2014). These products have been made keeping the current Indian market in mind. The construction industry in India has been growing at an average 9-11% year on year (EC Haris Research, 2011). This is due to a marked increase in manufacturing activities and industrial growth. Growth rates for the construction industry are expected to bypass the overall GDP growth over the next two years. The booming construction industry is the perfect market for the Saint Gobain construction materials (EC Haris Research, 2011). Same is the case with the automotive industry. In March 2012, production of auto motives grew at the rate of 6.83% (ACMA, 2013). The domestic sales of auto motive domestic sales great at 10.11% as compared to 2011 (SIAM, 2013). The automobile market is booming and Saint Gobain India made the right choice by specializing in these products so it can cater to the growing demand of these markets. As a company Saint Gobain has adapted to the Indian market and introduced products which are suitable for the growing industries and can cater to their need. The products are also high quality with innovative features (SIAM, 2013). The poster highlights the core feature of Saint Gobain which is Innovation. The innovation strategy of Saint Gobain has been shown and how

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management Essay

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management - Essay Example They needed to disprove men’s suspicions that they could be efficient workers. Men were surprised at the skills women were learning at such a fast rate that they were usually at a loss as to what orders to give them. Women were initially trained to the same standard as men, but employers eventually didn’t want to hire fully trained women because they received better pay, which upset the trained male workers, causing friction in the workplace. The government tried to remedy this problem by reducing the length of training courses for women, which inevitably resulted in the occurrence of work-based accidents among women. The government also entered into the ‘relaxation agreements’ with trade unionists, which stated that women could undertake men’s jobs as long as they were regarded as temporary and were paid the same as men. The predominantly male trade unions, therefore, initially looked like they truly wanted equal pay and equality for women, but in r eality, they were merely trying to protect the traditional working rights of men. Yet, when faced with discrimination, the majority of women continued to work hard to gain their superiors’ respect and often carried out their jobs to a higher standard than their male equivalents (Trueman, 2000). The new millennium has ushered overwhelming changes that call for the empowerment of men and women alike to contribute to globalization efforts. Women, in particular, have seen the change in their roles more dramatically than in the past centuries. The most salient change is their joining the workforce and even climbing up the hierarchy to positions in organizations that were previously reserved for men. However, sexual stereotypes passed on from generation to generation seem to dictate that women have no place in the workforce and their rightful place is at home, caring for their family. Thus, some work places may not be too accepting of the empowerment of women in employment and may strip them of their dignity to make them realize that they do not belong there. In the United Kingdom, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (amended 1986 and in the Employment Act 1989) makes it unlawful to discriminate in terms of gender who is offered the job; opportunities for promotion, transfer and training. (Equal Opportunities Management Guidelines, 2006). The Gender Equality Duty, which is included in the new law as of April 2007, requires public entities to remove sex discrimination and facilitate equality in all their services, policies, and employment and recruitment practices (Thompsons Solicitors, 2012). Presently, women now can occupy positions even in professions considered male-dominated. Many researchers try to prove that women are more responsible and hard working and can perform with more efficiency than their male counterparts. However, there appears to be a constant conflict between mutually beneficial relationships and contemporary situations, where males dominate t he social, political and professional spheres (Taylor, Kemeny, Reed, Bower, & Grunewald, 2000). Many women claim that they have fewer opportunities to succeed in their work than men do and have to exert greater effort in order to be promoted in their jobs. Men are more readily employed and more supported by their employers than women (Bergman, 2003). Research funded by the European Commission showed that generally women who work full-time, receive only three-fourths of the hourly earnings of men.

Firearms forensic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Firearms forensic - Essay Example Evidence can come from diverse sources such as from genetic material or trace chemicals to dental history or fingerprints. Evidence can serve many functions in any investigation, such as to trace an illicit substance, to identify remains or to reconstruct a crime. NIJ funds research and development to improve how law enforcement gathers and uses evidence. It supports the enhancement and creation of tools and techniques to identify, collect, analyze, interpret and preserve evidence Following the partial police reports and crime scene sketches, I will adopt Crime scene forensic examination. This is because crime scene examination often document the crime scene. The investigators take photographs and physical measurements of the scene, identify and collect forensic evidence which in the sketches have been identified, and maintain the proper chain of custody of that evidence. Crime scene investigators collect evidence such as fingerprints, footprints, tire tracks, blood and other body fluids, hairs, fibers and fire debris. For instance form the sketches I Identified the victims and the positions of bod parts, the clothing, the jewelers, gold colored rings and pool of blood. Another reason as to why I will use crime scene forensic examination is because NIJ funds it to improve on blood identification and other  body fluids at the scene. The forensic team also has a responsibility of protecting crime scenes, preserving physical evidence and collecting and submitt ing the evidence for scientific examination. I think NIBIN would be useful in this case. This is because NIBIN Program applies the Integrated Ballistics Identification System to compare and contrast the images of ballistic evidence that are obtained from the crime scenes and the recovered firearms. NIBIN will assist because as new images will be being entered, the system will be searching the

Analysis of Hamlet Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis of Hamlet - Research Paper Example The characters in the story experience a loss and due to this burden of loss, the characters behave in ways they might not have behaved without the occurrence of loss (Rogers 164). The writings inform the audience that these characters are ready to choose any path to obtain vengeance and the creed for vengeance stops them from thinking in a rationale manner and this negatively impacts the moral standings of these characters (Krader 280). For example: when Claudius asked Laertes whether he will only talk about taking revenge or will he actually take revenge, in response Laertes states that he aims at chopping of the throat of his enemy and he wants to conduct that action inside the church. This incident clearly represents the fact that Laertes is very much passionate about seeking revenge that he already has a plan in mind for how to kill and where to kill his enemy. Laertes is so passionate that he is not able to learn the real reason why Claudius is pumping him to take revenge. The main reason due to which Claudius is pumping Laertes to seek revenge is Claudius’ personal interest and not because Hamlet has taken the life of the father of Laertes. This even shows that when an individual is dedicated towards seeking revenge, he fails to take rationale decisions and decisions under the light of ethics and morality. The story even informs the readers that once characters and individuals decide to seek revenge, they continue to destroy the path of ethical and moral behavior. For example: In the literature, Hamlet clearly shows that once the announcement and the decision of seeking revenge are taken, the desire to conduct the act increases. For example: In Act 2, Scene 2 of Hamlet, Hamlet promises on his father’s dead soul that he wants to murder Claudius to attain revenge and he is being pumped by revenge to conduct this act as soon as possible (Shakespeare, 2008). The text even reveals that Hamlet is conducting changes to his mentality for the sake o f attaining revenge; this even reflects the determination within Hamlet to seek revenge. The literature even shows that the desire to attain revenge has diverted him from his ability to think in a moral manner and the literature even reveals that the desire to seek revenge is caused due to ones pride (Anderson 41). The literature even informs its reader that pride is the front seat driver of the behavior to seek revenge and those individuals who are proud are strongly motivated to seek vengeance. The text states that pride precedes moral reasoning and incentives attained from seeking revenge are far greater than the benefits that might be attained through moral reasoning and moral behavior. The text even shows that individuals give greater importance to honor rather than moral reasoning while taking any action. For example: the text states that Fortinbras has to seek revenge from Hamlet because Hamlet killed his father and took over his father’s property and in order to regai n the honor of the family and the property, he has to murder Hamlet and take back the property from Hamlet. Throughout the text one point is clear; the point is that when a loved one is murdered, revenge is obligatory. The text even informs its audience that the feeling of loss is countered through revenge and when individuals have

Screening asia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Screening asia - Essay Example Only those who manage to get into leaderships positions are able to control their own destinies. The ones who are content with being their master’s servant will suffer for his sake and will be doomed if their leader loses. The reviewer also discusses the theme of tradition as presented in the movie with the triad leader required to fulfill several obligations that are required, for the leader, to assume power. These include getting the Dragon’s Head Baton and the violence that follows when the two antagonists try to get to it. The latter reveals the deep-seated traditional respect the triad members hold for the baton (Scott, 2007: p1). The reviewer also manages to place election in its proper context, which is within the Hong Kong Triad traditions. By comparing the movie to other triad movies and the fact that Election does not have guns, unlike other triad movies, Derek Elley already gives the reader the setting for the quintessential triad movie. The reviewer also com pares it to classic triad movies such as To be Number One, PTU, and The Mission. The reader already expects that such a favorable comparison to these classic movies will adhere to the classic triad movie storyline. ... However, I do not feel that he discusses this genre well enough to allow the reader to form a conclusion as to whether the movie is good enough to be a classic. The techniques in the movie are well addressed with the reviewer noting that, unlike previous triad movies that rely, on violence and gunfights, to show the struggle within these triads, the film employs hand-to-hand combat, as well as power-play conversations, which works towards supporting one of the movie’s main themes of tradition. Brian Gibson gives a similar review for election, although he also gives a review for the sequel, Election 2. Like Derek, Brian discusses the movie’s theme at the beginning of his post, which involves Hong Kong Triads and their control of the Hong Kong underground. Unlike the previous review, Brian delves into these activities; including prostitution rings, gambling operations, and drug smuggling. By including these activities, the reviewer, illuminates the theme better than in th e early review. It shows a world with no morals, and this sets the stage for him to discuss the bitter and no-holds barred competition between the two men vying for leadership of the triad (Scott, 2007: p1). The reviewer, just like in the previous review, also discusses the theme of tradition in the Hong Kong underground, which is a major theme of the movie. In his review for the sequel, Brian also covers the theme of crime adequately enough, particularly because it is the main theme of the sequel. In this case, he also discusses pornography as part of the triad’s new dealings, which forms another theme of the movie. However, unlike in the previous review, Brian is more critical of the movie, particularly its sequel, comparing it unfavorably with the first installment. According

Crime control strategies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Crime control strategies - Essay Example In the current justice system, leverage can prevent an individual from going to prison. The penalty system is one of the major flaws with the current justice system. Criminals’ abilities to meet their penalties instead of serving time in prison places people with the capacity to pay at a much added advantage as compared to the poor individuals in the society (Hartley 2008). As such, rich people can just pay for their crimes, with the money that they already have in excess instead of doing hard time. Secondly, considering law as one of the highest grossing occupations, most reputable lawyers are only affordable to rich people. The poor and middle class population is then left with the inadequately reputable lawyers who, despite their efforts will never get a deal as appropriate for their clients as the exceptional highly paid lawyers always do (Hartley 2008). The unfairness exhibited by the justice system has led to protests in the contemporary society, with more people demanding the equitability of crime punishment despite the ability of lawyers to get their clients off their punishment course, or the fines that substitute punishment and predetermined courses of action with a few dollars from their bank account. This is ironic because this system brings equality to the society, justice, only further oppresses the already oppressed individuals

Indias Population Essay Example for Free

Indias Population Essay India with its 1.21 billion population occupies second place in the world next to China. India has about 17.5% of the world population with only 2.4% of the world area. The changes in the size and growth of India’s population are considered here in terms of two broad periods, namely Pre-Independence period and the Post-Independence period. The year 1881 is important in the sense that it was the year when the first census on a country wide basis was taken in India. Population of India: Pre Independence Period According to Herodotus (490 B. C.), India was one of the most populous countries in the world. Alexender’s army which invaded India in 327-326 B.C., found a large population. India’s first real empire under Chandragupta Maurya (321-297 B.C.) left records indicating the existence of a standing army of approximately 7,00,000 men. Only a very substantial population could have supported such a large army. The first national decadal census was conducted in 1881 recording a population of 225 million which declined to 251 million in 1921. The Population of India: Post Independence Period Till 1951, when the first census after independence was conducted, the decadal growth was around 13 to 14 percent, registering a gradual rise. 1961 recorded a growth of 21.5percent, which increased to 24.8 and 24.7 percent in 1971 and 1981 respectively. In 1991 the growth rate slightly declined to 23.6 percent. It is a matter of concern that the decadal population growth rate has declined to 21.2 percent in 2001 which further declined to 17.6 percent in 2011. It is estimated that by 2028 India will double its population and it will become the most populous country in the world by 2035. Population Planning in Five Year Plans : India is the first country of the world to adopt the population planning to control its population as an official policy. After an expansion of clinical services in the first two five year plans, the third plan which started in an environment of shock, changed its strategy to extension approach which continued in the fourth plan too. The fifth Five Year Plan (1974-1979) has been unique in the history of the country as a new Family Planning Programme was opted during this. The National Population Policy Statement of April 1976 was the most articulate renunciation of the official policy. The following were its main features: 1. Increase the legal minimum age at marriage from 15 to 18 years for females and 18 to 21 years for males. 2. Freezing the population at the 1971 level for determining representation in Parliament and the State Legislatures up to 2000 A.D. 3. 1971 population was considered as the base for allocation of Central assistance to the State Plans. 4. Eight percent of Central Assistance to the States was to be linked with family planning programme performance. 5. The allotment of houses and loans were to be linked to family size. The eighth Five Year Plan (1992-1997) set the population goal for achieving a net reproductive rate of one by turn of the century and zero population growth by the year 2050 A.D. The immediate objective of the National Population Policy 2000 was to address the unmet needs for contraception, health care infrastructure. In the eleventh Plan which started in 2007, it was emphasised that only through a multi- pronged strategy of combining fertility control measure and welfare measures with population education for people at large and youths in particular along with making school education up to age 14 free and compulsory and reducing drop outs at primary and secondary school levels below 20 percent for both boys and girls, the population goal of India can be achieved. For the twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-2017), it has been emphasised to improve healthcare infrastructure and implementation of making education compulsory for all the children till the age of 14. Adverse Consequences of Population Explosion: The population explosion, which is undermining all our efforts towards development of the country, is perhaps the single most pressing problems faced by it. The recent census has revealed that while there has been a decline in the rate of growth of population, still the growth rate of 1.7 percent per annum is quite high. If the population growth continues as at present, the country will have such a large population which would be virtually unmanageable. Despite best efforts, it would not be possible to provide even the basic necessities of life to the people at large. Such relentless population growth would also create havoc to our environment and will lead to ecological crises. It has considerable impact on natural resource uses and socio economic development. Rapid population growth will also mean increased urbanization, which may lead to more diseases and further deterioration of water and sewer systems and various pollutions. Future Directions: There cannot be only one miracle formula which will cover the entire country. The main barriers of population control such as poverty, illiteracy, son – preference etc. need to be removed. Since these barriers operate simultaneously at different levels, it is difficult and rather impractical to assign priorities to them. It is obvious that increase in literacy and educational status of women will have positive effects on population control, infant mortality, health care, nutrition, sanitation and hygiene. Further, it will result in raising the age of marriage, improved knowledge of contraception and adoption of small family norm. Population control and Family Welfare Programme need to have a national consensus, cutting across political, religious and cultural differences. It should be based on active community participation and has to be transformed from a Government Programme into People’s Movement. Population education should be part of school and college education. It should also form an important ingredient of adult education and non-formal education. Communication strategies should be so devised as to be effective enough to bring about attitudinal changes and dispel apathy, ignorance and misgivings about family planning and small family norm. In conclusion, it is important that people not only have proper health services which are both accessible and available, but they should also have access to employment which will provide them with financial security. People must be made educated and have awareness, as education itself is the best contraceptive. People should realize that having a girl child does not mean carrying a heavy burden.

Groups and Culture Essay Example for Free

Groups and Culture Essay Cultural and social expectations dictate that individuals as members of one culture or society interact with other members, it is in the interpersonal relationships and interactions that the individual has with others that socialization occurs (Hofstede, 2000). The first interpersonal relation that an individual in any culture would have is confined in the family. Growth and maturation however dictates that the individual relate and interact with other people outside of his or her family, this could be teachers, caregivers, classmates and friends. Interacting with other people widens the perspective of the individual, in play children learn how to communicate and compromise, in the classroom, they learn to compete and cooperate and in the workplace, they learn to conform and collaborate (Hofstede, 2000). Everyone is part of a group, be it the family, a neighborhood, a class, a department, or a community. A fully functioning and healthy individual would be a member of two or more groups, and for each group, a different set of rules and expectations apply. A universal characteristic of groups is that it consists of two or more individuals who are interacting and behaving towards a common goal. Within this setting, group members constantly communicate, cooperate, and conform to the rules and objectives of the group (Guss, 2002). For example, a gang of adolescent boys had been formed based on friendship, and each member subscribes to the rules of the gang, thus behaviors like rites of initiation are meant to strengthen the member’s commitment to the group. The goal of the gang may simply be to cultivate their friendship and protect each other, thus the members would cooperate in order to achieve that goal (Brew, Hesketh Taylor, 2001). In contrast, a group of teenagers in a bus is not really a group because they do not have shared rules and expectations, although they may have the same goal, and that is to reach their destination. Groups also tend to form and break up over the course of life events and human development. The behavior of groups and its members are also heavily influenced by the dominant culture in which it is situated. A group of workers in a collectivist culture like that of South Korea would strongly conform to the rules and regulations of the organization they work for (Hofstede, 2000). Complaints against company practices or policies are expected to be minimal such that collectivist cultures places value on group cohesion, unity, and cooperation. Workers in South Korea would believe that they are working not for themselves but for their families, their organization and their country. Thinking of one’s self above others in this culture is frowned upon, thus, not many individuals take leadership roles because it calls attention to oneself (Hofstede, 2000). Thus, workers conform without question, they cooperate with the given policies and they build relationships among the workers. On the other hand, a group of workers in an individualist culture like the US is not as easily conforming and cooperative as the workers in South Korea. Individualist cultures places importance on individual achievement, individual differences, self-expression and nonconformity (Hofstede, 2000). Workers in the US would join organizations that provide them with the opportunities for individual achievement and professional growth. To a certain degree, US workers do conform to the expected behavior of workers, but only if they perceive it as a necessary requirement of their individual performance. For example, workers generally attend company activities because they get something out of it, or because it is required of them to come and attendance would have positive implications in one’s performance rating (Hofstede, 2000). In this culture, workers are vocal about their ideas and opinions about the organization’s policies, they are confrontational such that demanding increase in one’s salary is the norm, not the exception. References Brew, F. P. , Hesketh, B. , Taylor, A. (2001). Individualistic-collectivist differences in adolescent decision making and decision styles with Chinese and Anglos. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 25, 1-19. Guss, C. D. (2002). Decision making in individualistic and collectivistic cultures. In W. J. Lonner, D. L. Dinnel, S. A. Hayes, D. N. Sattler (Eds. ), Online Readings in Psychology and Culture (Unit 4, Chapter 3), (http://www. wwu. edu/~culture), Center for Cross-Cultural Research, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington USA. Hofstede, G. (2000). Cultures consequences: Comparing values, behaviors, institutions, and organizations across nations (2nd ed. ). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Business Essays Entrepreneurs Business Knowledge

Business Essays Entrepreneurs Business Knowledge Entrepreneurs Business Knowledge Literature Review Several studies have shown that entrepreneurial ventures are one of the main contributors of new firms (Storey 1994). An increasing number of people in the UK are starting or are considering starting up their own business. These individuals are commonly known as ‘entrepreneurs’. The word entrepreneur was of French origin which evolved into meanings such as people who take risks, and founders of businesses (Hennessy 1980). They have evolved from simple merchants to more sophisticated corporate men. Entrepreneurs can also be defined as ‘people who organise and manage a business undertaking, assuming the risk for the sake of profit’ (yourdictionary.com 2008), however there is much more to entrepreneurship than a simple definition. There are different types of entrepreneurs who possess certain traits that make them successful in business. Research carried out by Kortschak (2008) discusses five traits that successful entrepreneur’s small and medium-sized companies share: Making strategic decisions based on limited data – good entrepreneurs tend to make decisions based on 80% of the data they have to hand, as they understand that waiting to learn more could mean a missed opportunity. Learning from mistakes – this trait is often seen in serial entrepreneurs who have experienced one or more business failures, which they often learn more from that mistake than the success. Understanding their own weaknesses – the best entrepreneurs understand their area of expertise, strengths, and weaknesses. Even though they have a general understanding of other disciplines they realise they lack knowledge in other areas for example, technical. In this case the successful entrepreneur would hire experts who can complement their skills. Spot patterns and key data – Kortschak (2008) identifies that the common environment in which an entrepreneur enters is dynamic where the structure of the industry, the nature of the customer base, or they overall way of doing business has not yet been determined. Successful entrepreneurs who run their companies are generally confident in building structure where none is in place; in addition to identifying patterns they are able to separate relevant information from irrelevant data. Partnering successfully with others – success in business is mainly about partnership. It is important for an entrepreneur to communicate well with others to work with fellow partners in agreeing business decisions and to communicate well with their team in accomplishing business objectives. Poor communication and being unable to work with others results in an unsuccessful business. It has been said many times that there is an entrepreneur behind every successful business. This can be due to a number of reasons but the one that many tend to overlook is personalities. One of the reasons for most successes is that the entrepreneur with the right personality and attitude was right for that particular business, for example, Bill Gates was seen as ‘The Visionary’ for his innovative ideas, and Anita Roddick, founder of Body Shop was seen as ‘The Improver’ as she wanted to improve the environment using natural ingredients in her products and ridding harsh chemicals and animal testing of cosmetics. Zahorsky (2008) identifies that there are nine personality types of entrepreneurs: The Improver – with this personality type the entrepreneur is more focused on using their company as a means to improve the world / environment. They have an ability to run their business with high integrity and ethics. Example of an entrepreneur, Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop. The Advisor – this business personality types provides a high level of assistance and advice to customers. The motto with this personality type is the customer is right and everything must be done to please them. This personality types build their companies to become customer focused. Example of an entrepreneur, John Nordstrom, Founder of Nordstrom. The Superstar – with this personality type the business is normally centred around the charisma and high energy of the superstar CEO and more than often the business is built around the entrepreneurs own personal brand. Example of an entrepreneur, Donald Trump, CEO of Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts. The Artist – with this personality type the entrepreneur will tend to build their business around the unique talents and creativities they posses for other businesses demanding creativity such as web design. Example of entrepreneur, Scott Adams, creator of Dilbert. The Visionary – an entrepreneur with the visionary personality type will most likely be based on the future vision and thoughts of the founder. This personality type will have a high degree of curiosity to understand the world around you and set up plans to avoid the problems. Example of entrepreneur, Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft Inc. The Analyst – this personality type is often the basis for science, engineering, or computing firms that are well known for problem solving. The entrepreneur possessing this personality type will run their business as an analyst and always focus on fixing problems in a logical way. Example of entrepreneur, Gordon Moore, Intel Founder. The Fireball – the entrepreneur with this personality type will be full of life, energy, and optimism. Their company would make customers feel the firm has a ‘get it done’ attitude in a fun way. Example of entrepreneur, Malcolm Forbes, Publisher, Forbes Magazine. The Hero – the business run by the hero personality type would have an incredible will and ability to lead their company through any challenge and can assemble great companies. Example of entrepreneur, Jack Welch, CEO GE. The Healer – the healer personality provides nurturing and harmony to their business and an ability to survive with an inner calm. Example of entrepreneur, Ben Cohen, Co-Founder of Ben Jerry’s Ice Cream. An entrepreneur’s business personality types and traits are some of the key success factors that blend with the needs of the business. With this combination businesses excel further. The media gives a great deal of attention to those who start their businesses with nothing and turning it into large successful organisation. An increasing number of entrepreneurs are young individuals with fresh ideas and an energetic attitude. However an entrepreneur’s age, educational background, and previous business-related experience is not as nearly as important as his or her desire to learn and willingness to bounce back from the obstacles associated with creating a new business endeavour (a trait that successful entrepreneurs share). A typical entrepreneur starts their business by using their savings, re-mortgaging their house, or borrowing from friends or family at a low or interest free rate which can be beneficial when starting out. Eventually the business starts to grow or the finance sources start to dry up, either way the business is in need of financing, which is defined as ‘money to implement a project; it is usually used to mean money lent, or equity provided’ (mos.gov 2008). When small businesses have actually become successful and have a track record then venture capital firms and banks will consider funding the business. Venture capitalists are defined as ‘professionally managed organisational investors’ (Harrison and Mason 1992). Even though banks are a popular and major source of finance for new and growing businesses, they have become less willing to lend money to new ventures (Mason and Harrison 1995, business angel book). Research from Oates (1992) suggests that major retail banks are apprehensive to financing new ventures after the losses in the early 1900s. Prior to this banks had been willing provide high levels of funds to finance start-up and expanding businesses, this was during the macro-economic boom of the mid 1980s (Murray 1994 business angel book). However the recession following this growth led to a considerable increase in the number of small businesses failing. The bank of England’s quarterly bulletin in February 1994 reported that throughout the recession (1992 – 1993) business failures had risen to 55,000 a year. This compared to a more normal rate in the 1980s had more than doubled, and the vast majority of these failures were in the small business sector. Thus the effect of this was a substantial increase in bad debts suffered by banks. The strain of these bad debts and their negative impacts on profits led to banks being reluctant to finance businesses that have just started out. Smith (1994 business angel book) suggests that many banks prefer to use short-term overdraft finance rather than long-term, fixed-rate financial packages. This is because shorter-term packages are not as damaging when the business experiences financial difficulties, however banks will cater for new businesses that have an extremely strong and promising proposal. This has led banks to avoid financing small / medium sized firms, thus leaving a gap in the market for financing smaller businesses. The venture capital industry in the UK is very well developed but does not adequately cater for young businesses. Murray (1994, business angel book) views the venture capital industry as not being a major source of finance for entrepreneurial ventures. One of the reasons why most venture capitalists avoid small business investments is because they are not pleased with administrative tasks that come with these investments, especially when the likely return is not substantial and does not compensate the amount of work required for young entrepreneurial ventures. According to Smith (1994 business angel book) venture capital firms focus more a great deal on management buyouts and the development of established existing businesses, rather than new ventures. Due to this stance of venture capitalists it has led them away from the small / medium sized firms, which also has resulted in a gap for new entrepreneurial ventures. The table ? below highlights some of the main differences between business angels and venture capitalists. Table ? – Business Angels vc Venture Capitalists Source: www.1000ventures.com As it can be seen from table there are many differences between business angels and venture capitalists. The table highlights an imperative point discussed earlier of business angels investing at the start-up / early stage of a small business whereas venture capitalists invest at a later stage of medium to large organisations. The table also shows that business angels are more active and hands on in their investments (active angels) whereas the venture capitalists are more strategic. The gap between family/friends and banks is often referred to as an ‘equity gap’. Financial Times interviewed Peter Jones (an extremely successful entrepreneur and investor) who quotes that there is a funding gap out there for entrepreneurs starting out and that finance is available for them but very hard to find and at this stage for an entrepreneur it is probably the single most biggest hurdle (Moules, Financial Times, 2006). The challenge of overcoming this equity gap is amongst one of the topmost reasons for small businesses not achieving their full potential. According to an article in The Guardian most entrepreneurs overcome this obstacle by obtaining finance from ‘Business Angel’s’ (Kollewe 2007, Guardian). Business Angels are successful entrepreneurs running successful businesses, they invest in budding entrepreneurs in return for a percentage of the business and tend to invest in businesses that have the potential to return a healthy profit. The term angel was originated by Broadway insiders in the early 1900s to describe wealthy theatre-goers who made high risk investments in theatrical productions (Mason 2005). The term business angel was given to those individuals who perform essentially the same function in a business context (Benjamin and Margulis 2000). However, this type of business financing has only become significant since the 1950s and 1960s. Business angels are now defined as private, wealthy individuals who invest their own money as well as their time in small, young, unquoted companies with whom they have no family connections (Deakins and Freel 2003). BNET.com (2007) defines business angels as an affluent individual who provides capital for a business, typically an equity investment. It is well known that angels rarely loan money without any strings attached (i.e. investing in return for a percentage of the business equity); they most often support entrepreneurs and new businesses. Landstrom (1993) states that most business angels have the same characteristics overall. He profiles them as heterogeneous group of people, as almost all business angels are or have been entrepreneurs from different backgrounds. However research carried out by Coveney and Moore (1998) suggests that there is more to a business angel than just wanting to make money. Coveney and Moore (1998) discuss that there are six different types of business angels. (See table 1 – table of different angels in book page 11). Entrepreneur Angels – these are the most active angels and experienced investors. They tend to have been successful entrepreneurs and now looking for ways to diversify their portfolio or expand their current business. They are well known for making frequent and large scale investments, not just for financial gain but for satisfaction of making investments and interacting with the founders/managers. They are also considerable wealthier than other individual business angels. Corporate Angels – these are companies that make angel type investments. These types of angels have been found to invest larger funds than other business angels and have corporate resources at their disposal (Coveney and Moore 1998). They tend to invest mainly for financial gain. Income Seeking Angels – are active business angels who make few and small investments for financial gain and to generate income/job for themselves. Wealth Maximising Angels – are a group of active business angels who have made several investments in new and growing ventures, they make their investments primarily for financial gain. They are generally wealthy but not as wealthy as entrepreneur angels. Latent Angels – these angels are inactive angels who have made one or two investments in the past but not in the last three years. Latent angels are self made private individuals who are very wealthy and have vast amounts of funds to invest. When looking to invest latent angels will be concerned with location of the venture as they would prefer to invest in opportunities close to home, as shown in table (ba v svc)?. Virgin Angels are angels who have not made an investment as of yet but are looking to finance new and growing businesses to create an income for themselves and to increase the return on their investment as much as they can. Virgin angels have fewer funds to invest than active angels. According to Mason and Harrison (1995)(business angels book) there are more virgin angels than active angels and that if half of the virgin angels became active then the total informal venture capital market would grow to ten times the size of formal venture capital market. Most of the time angels prefer to be ‘active angels’ as they like to invest in ventures and monitor their investments to ensure success. Similarly they prefer to invest in new young companies that are at their start-up stage and within close proximity to their home or work place (Harrison et al 2003). However research shows that although angels prefer to be active angels there are more virgin angels than active. (please see chart below). Chart ? – Business Angel market could become 10 times larger Source: www.1000ventures.com Chart (above) shows that in 2000 there were more virgin angels recorded than active angels, this suggests that there are reasons for business angels not being active in investing in entrepreneurial ventures. If the virgin angels could find the right venture to invest in then the business angel market could potentially increase significantly. Could this be solved by angels den? Mason and Harrison (1995)(business angel book) state that most small / medium sized businesses are successful because of the right angel that has backed the business. This could also suggest that the wrong angel could mean failure of the business which is not the case as business angels have experience in all areas of running an organisation but are experts in certain areas, thus this does not mean the business would be unsuccessful. As mentioned earlier Business Angels fulfil an increasingly important funding niche, as banks only loan capital at interest, and venture capitalists invest relatively large sums generally when businesses wish to expand (see appendix I), which leaves the angels to support numerous new businesses each year. The critical issue for young vibrant businesses is finding sufficient funding for start-up and growth (Southon, Financial Times, 2008). Most entrepreneurs first look to banks, and venture capitalists for funding, these sources however can fund only a small percentage of businesses. It is now common for young businesses to find funding from business angels as they cater for this funding niche. The involvement of banks investing in entrepreneurs is lower than the venture capitalist investments (Fiet and Fraser 1994). Some of the benefits of banks entering venture capital finance are discussed by Fiet and Fraser (1994). One of these benefits suggests that the participation of banks would contribute to the elimination of the widely reported capital gap that may exist for funding new ventures. However due to the low involvement of banks investing in new and young entrepreneurs this has increased the involvement of business angels. There have been surprisingly few attempts to compare business angels with non-investors (banks). This is largely due to the fact that their exact population is unknown, however as mentioned earlier a number of studies show that there has been a significant increase in recent years. It is evident from Fiet and Fraser’s (1994) research that business angels provide much more funds for new businesses than venture capital firms and banks, yet their existence is not as well known as banks. Mason and Harrison (1995)(business angel book) state that the reason for business angels not being well know as other investments is because many of the investments made by business angels goes unrecorded by the government due to the scale of investments. Research undertaken by Macht (2007) discusses the post-investment period of business angels and their involvement and impact upon their investments. This study focuses solely on business angels where a survey was administrated online and electronically to business angels to explore their involvement and impact on their investments after the investment had been made, hence post-involvement. This was a useful analysis of why business angels invest and what motivates them. However the research does not consider the entrepreneurs or any other investment when the analysis was carried out. The study by Macht (2007) could add value to this research when assessing what factors business angels contribute in their investment and what sets them apart from banks. There are many banks offering loans to entrepreneurs to either start up their business or support the expansion of the business. Banks requires a thorough business plan submitted for them to evaluate whether the individual is credit worthy, whether they will be able to pay their loan, and within what timescale. According to Small Business Administration (SBA) the most common way entrepreneurs finance their growing or expanding business is through banks (SBA 2008). Banks provide the finance needed if the individual can demonstrate the ability to keep in business, and their ability to repay the loan and meet the firms other obligations. SBA (2008) state that a more difficult route of obtaining finance is from business angels and venture capitalists as these individuals and firms assist companies to grown in exchange for equity or partial ownership. (refer to appendix – show a graph of a business life cycle, i.e. start-up, expansion, maturity etc). SBA (2008) claim that there is no such thing as one hundred percent financing and that it would be required from the entrepreneur to invest some funds into the business before a lender will provide financing, especially banks. However research has shown that business angels have financed entrepreneurial ventures one hundred percent based on the entrepreneurs idea / invention. Dragons Den has become a popular show on television where a group of angels form a network to invest in budding entrepreneurs who pitch their business ideas to the business angels. It has become apparent from this program that business angels have provided one hundred percent finance in entrepreneurial ventures. When applying for finance to business angels they generally would want to know details of the entrepreneur’s current financial situation and background, however with banks it is much more complex than this. There are several questions a bank would need answers to before they would consider any application for a business loan such as, the specific purpose of the loan, the amount you are requesting, when and how long you would need the funds, how the loan will be repaid, what collateral will be used, and whether the business owners will provide a personal guaranty of some sort. A typical loan request involves the following components: Statement of purpose – outlining your purpose of the loan, what it will be needed for, and for how long etc. Business plan – outlining what the business does and it’s short and long term goals. Financial statements this will outline the financial capacity and performance of the business which is important as it will give the lender an insight to how you have generated revenue in the past and how you will continue to do so in the future. A thorough complete loan application alone would not suffice when borrowing funds from a bank. Further evaluation would need to be done on an individual’s financial background to see if they are credit worthy, this is different to the evaluation of the business financials. According to Barclays Plc bank, there are three aspects of credit in making loans decisions which are outlined below. Character – a check on your financial status and personal credit history. Capacity – having sufficient cash flow to pay off the loan. Collateral – providing assurance to the lenders as a last resort should the business not prove profitable. Collateral is a key aspect when applying for finance to a bank. Banks would want to lower the risk of lending as much as possible so that they would feel more confident the loan would be paid on time and in full, which is why they require security on assets, i.e. house, car. Majority of banks offer various loan packages for those wishing to start up or expand their business. This is with the intention to suit the loan to the needs of the particular business. For example, a common loan that banks offer are the small business start up loan package, which are only available on a guaranty basis. The small business loans are not fully guaranteed by the Government where normally if a payment default occurs; the Government will reimburse the lender for its loss up to a certain percentage. To be eligible for a small business loan the firm must not exceed one hundred employees in a wholesale business, or generate more than $21 million in annual revenue (HSBC 2008). This varies for a manufacturing firm (please refer to appendix ? – SBA slides 15). In addition to this, assistance cannot be proved to non-profit organisations, firms involved in illegal activities, or a monopoly situation or businesses engaged in pyramid sales. The small business loan can be used for many purposes such as, purchase of land and buildings, long or short term working capital needs, or purchasing an existing business. Other loans offered by banks are special purpose loans, and basic micro-loans. The special purpose loans serve specific markets such as export markets. The special purpose loan is designed to be short lived that is only required at times of market needs. The basic micro-loans are small loans for small businesses who struggle to obtain conventional financing but have good prospects for repaying the loan back. The micro-loans are under $35,000 but on average the loan size is $13,000, according to Halifax bank plc. These loans help finance the equity gap however are subject to the entrepreneurs’ potential in repaying the loan. (need to find accurate referencing for these banks mentioned, also change $ to  £. P.s. click on slide link for info). As mentioned earlier, if approaching a business angel for finance then the business angel would need to know financial and background specifics of the entrepreneur and the venture. For an entrepreneur, preparing a business plan is vital whether it be for banks, venture capitalists, or business angels. The hardest part to obtaining finance from a business angel is to actually finding business angels, as business angels are not as publicly known as banks nor are they known for financing as many investments as banks do. Similarly it has been hard for business angels to finance investments due to a lack of access to a range of investments. Hughes (1996) found that business angels would invest more frequently if they had access to a better range of investments; however he also stated that many potential ventures which meet the minimum criteria of business angels still goes unfunded. This shows that the right type of business angel cannot gain access to the right type of venture. Recent research shows that in order to overcome the hurdle of the angel meeting the right investment, vice versus, business angels have come together to form networks (FT Moules 2007). This allows a group of angels to combine their funds together to offer larger investments for entrepreneurs needing larger finance. Thus the entrepreneur also benefits from having more than one business angel on board to provide the business with their expertise and knowledge. As mentioned earlier, Dragons Den is a group of business angels who invest in entrepreneurial ventures that are brought forward to them. There have been several cases where more than one angel has invested in the same venture. There has been further development of the traditional angel networks of meeting entrepreneurs face to face. Angels Den has been one of many to launch an online networking website that specifically aims to connect entrepreneurs with business angels (FT Moules 2007). How this works is that the users of this service would pay a small fee of around  £100 to pitch an idea to the websites private investors. If the idea is liked then entrepreneur must pay a larger fee of around  £400 to pitch a full business plan. From this point if the investor is interested in the pitch then a face to face meeting is arranged. The fees that are charged for these websites are to be said a ‘fraction of the cost of traditional marketing’, according to Financial Times 2007, Moules. Angels Den does not take equity stakes in funded businesses or a percentage cut from completed deals, and the service is free to business angels (angelsden.co.uk). The website encourages business angels to join which is free for them to do so; this is beneficial for entrepreneurs as it does not discourage business angels from joining hence increasing their chances of finding the right angel. This method is gradually becoming well known to the public thus increasing the exposure of business angels. It would therefore become much easier for entrepreneurs to find business angels and not feel banks and venture capitalists are the only accessible alternatives for finance, especially for those that have poor credit and no security to offer banks. It would also be easier for the government to measure the investment activity on annual basis and realise that business angels do make more investments than currently recorded that fill the equity gap (FT Mason, 2007). There had been attempts in the past to achieve similar objectives to the online networking sites as discussed above, these were referred to as business introduction services. They had tried to act as communicators between entrepreneurs seeking capital and interested potential investors; however this service did not exist online. According to Hughes (1996) these organisations had not been very successful in overcoming the problem of filling the equity gap, which still exists to this day. An article by the businesszone.co.uk states that one of the most common mistakes that individuals’ starting out in business make is assuming that they can reach their full potential by themselves. Whereas Dragons Den angels Theo Paphitis, and Peter Jones claim that the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make is over-estimating the value of their company and not having enough cash to sustain the business. As Theo Paphitis quotes â€Å"cash is king†. Even though business angels seem to be more beneficial as investors than banks Drury (2008)(nzherald.co.nz) states that the vast majority of business angel deals do not proceed well. This can be because companies can often take much more time than the angel had thought and also more cash than forecasted. This could also be because the angel that has made the investment is a first time angel investor and thus lack experience. Drury (2008) also states that some angel investors may not know they are an angel yet as anyone moderately wealthy could potentially be an angel if they find a venture to invest in. There are many ways to define beneficial, prenhall.co.uk defines beneficial as ‘producing or promoting a favourable result’. In terms of investing in entrepreneurs and which investment would be beneficial for entrepreneurial ventures this can be measured by reviewing what factors are advantageous for the entrepreneur and their business. Some of the factors can include the following: Finance provided Interest rate Expertise Knowledge Using business angel contacts Involvement from the investor to improve things No involvement from the investor, therefore less interference in the business Studies have shown that business angels can provide added value beyond financial capital (Ehrlich et al 1994). Having a business angel invest in the venture can help sustain competitive advantage, which is beneficial for the entrepreneurs’, as the angels bring more than capital to the business; they can bring their experience, contacts, and expertise to progress the business further. The resource-based perspective argues that sustained competitive advantage is generated by the unique bundle of resources at t