Innate immunity in tuberculosis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Innate immunity in tuberculosis - Essay Example of the body, and patients would just waste away with no effective intervention; however, to date, this infectious disease can be successfully treated with antibiotics (Schiffman, 2008). Brill et al., (2001) reported that tuberculosis remains to be the major health problem worldwide and because of the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), tuberculosis becomes more significant in the years to come in regions where there is an endemic case of intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis pathogen (Brill et al., 2001). Todar (2008) stated that a human immune system is composed of two major subdivisions, namely: (1) Innate or non-specific immune system, and (2) adaptive or specific immune system. The primary or the first line of defence mechanism against invading organism is known as the innate or non – specific immune system (Todar, 2008). This contains cellular and humoral components by which the protective functions are carried out (Todar, 2008). Junqueira - Kipnis et al (2003) noted that with M. tuberculosis, the innate and adaptive immune systems contributes to the defense of the host. Van Crevel et al (2002) noted that the outcome of the infection depends greatly on the relationship between M. tuberculosis and the human host. Both the innate and adaptive defense mechanism is involved with respect to the host. Hence, mechanisms to circumvent and antagonise protective immunity have been developed by M. tuberculosis. The component of the innate immune response are formed by phagocytosis and subsequent IL -12 secretion that are initiated in the absence of prior antigen exposure (Raja, 2004). Natural resistance - associated macrophage protein, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and many others are considered as the component of innate immunity. Raja added that the first line of defense in the innate immunity of M. tuberculosis is played by the plasma lysozyme and other enzymes. Van Crevel et al (2002) noted that macrophages are â€Å"main effector cells†

Total Quality Management; bringing forth the change required to obtain competitive advantage

Total Quality Management; bringing forth the change required to obtain competitive advantage The world economy has undergone rapid changes during the past two decades with the advent of global competition to an extent that almost every company (large or small) is touch by it in some ways. As creativity and innovation are necessary for bringing forth the change required to obtain competitive advantage, quality is the most effective factor a company can use in the battle for customers/clients. To be competitive, the customers must be satisfied and to satisfy customers we must focus on quality. Total Quality Management (TQM) provides the philosophy and driving force for designing quality in order to delight the customers by focusing on best value of a companys products or services. The above summation agreed with Zikmund (1994), who opined that Total Quality Management is a business philosophy that embodies the belief that management process must focus on integrating the idea of Customer drives quality throughout an organization. It is in line with the above that this chapter will discuss:  ¨ An overview of Total Quality Management  ¨ Basic principles and concepts of Total Quality Management  ¨ Tools and techniques of Total Quality Management  ¨ Total Quality Management as a business strategy and implementation  ¨ Review and evaluation of TQM on organisational performance and productivity This is however to ensure that management, scholars, researchers and others fully grasp TQM principles, tools, techniques and methodology as a way of contributing to quality improvement process and enhancing corporate performance and productivity. Therefore, the objective of Total Quality Management practice is to improve the corporate performance of organization. 2.1 OVERVIEW OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT 2.1.1What is Total Quality Management? Total Quality Management is an American perception of managing quality. Since TQM deals with quality, it seems evident that the first step towards understanding the meaning of the phrase would require an understanding of the word â€Å"quality.† The word which means different thing to different people, is often used to describe goods and services. Although, Quality as a concept is subjective, but in general, it can be defined as a measure of the degree to which a particular product satisfies customers expectations with respect to certain tangible and intangible features of the product. However, Robert Kotler (1994), view a products quality as the ability to perform its functions. It includes the products overall durability, reliability, precision, ease of operation and repairs and other valued attributes. Although some of these attributes can be measured objectively from marketing point of view, but quality should be measured in terms of buyers perception. Sullivan (1986), showed evidence on this issue when he defined seven stages of quality in Japan in order of increasing level of quality to include: product oriented, process oriented, systems oriented, humanistic, society, cost oriented, and quality function deployment (QFD). Deming (1986), saw quality as aiming at the needs of the customers (present and future). Juran sees quality as fitness for purpose while Crosby (1979), saw quality primarily as conformance to requirements. Rao, et.al (1996) also approached the scope on quality when they cited Garvin (1988) as the first to categorize the numerous definitions on quality existing in the literature in an effort to create a common understanding. Five approaches were identified to defining quality: the transcendent, product-based, user-based, manufacturing-based, and value-based approach. a. The transcendent approach is typified by Barbara Tuchmans (1980), definition: â€Å"a condition of excellence implying fine quality as distinct from poor quality. Quality is achieving or reaching for the highest standard as against being satisfied with the sloppy or fraudulent.† Examples of fine quality that meet this definition are present in fine arts and literature. However, these items may not represent quality to everyone and its lack of objectivity also create problem for companies in business environment who are striving for quality. b. The product-based approach identifies features or attributes that can be measured to indicate higher quality. This approach provides objective measures of quality compared to the first. c. The user-based approach determines the quality of the goods. The product or service that best satisfies the user is the higher quality product. This approach equates customers satisfaction with quality. d. The manufacturing-based approach was described by Crosby (1979), as conformance to requirements. e. The value-based approach introduces the element of price. Broh (1982), provided one expression of this approach: â€Å"Quality is the degree of excellence at an acceptable price and control of variability at an acceptable cost.† Unfortunately, like as said earlier, most of these definitions are subjective. Although the manufacturing-base and product-based approaches are objective, quality has to be defined by the organisation concerned. Having come to term that quality is a necessary pre-requisite for any company operating in todays highly competitive business environment, it is therefore implied that as quality varies from one company to another, it also dependent on their mission, policy, and other elements that guide the company in the realisation of its corporate goals. It is therefore common that in the manufacturing sector, quality in both product and service is a compelling competitive differentiator, while for service business, quality is everything-essentially, it is the product. From an institutional point of view, Total Quality Management is maintaining an environment in which all employees are empowered to participate as a team in determining, measuring, and improving quality of a company. It includes the use of facts and data to implement a management philosophy with the overall aim of increasing customers satisfaction, profitability, and job satisfaction. It is from this perspective that Akpeiyi (1995), defined TQM as â€Å"a business strategy for ensuring that organization delivers quality goods and services to both its external and internal customers so that the organization can continuously remain in a profitably rewarding business.† Besterfields, et.al (1995) on the other hand, defines TQM as â€Å"both a philosophy and a set of guiding principles that represent the foundation of a continuously improving organization.† According to Arene (1995), TQM stands for customer satisfaction at the lowest cost involving all the people in the organization. She further stated that the three key elements of TQM (Customer satisfaction, low cost, people involvement and empowerment) call for a total cultural change in leadership and management style, values for effectiveness and deficiency. Quality according to her stands for the highest standards and the best of the best. Speaking in the same vein, Juran (1995) said that following World War II, the Japanese embarked on a course of reaching national goals by trade rather than by military means. And that the major manufacturers who had been involved extensively in military production were faced with converting to civilian production but a major obstacle to selling their products in the international markets was a national reputation for shoddy goods created by export of poor quality goods prior to world war II. He then went on to say that to solve this problem, the Japanese undertook to learn how other countries achieve high quality. To this end, the Japanese carried out in-depth research and study from which they devised some unprecedented strategies for creating a revolutionary pace. The Japanese experience confirms the fact that giving the growing competition in world, a competition which not only put one country against another and ultimately one race against another, it is only those organizations or countries and races that can compete on the quality of their products and services will survive. Carlos Cordon (1996) postulated that a fundamental basis of TQM is a culture for countinuous improvement. He pointed out that workers are the experts because they have the detailed knowledge of how the work is done and they are the best to improve the process. Cordon further noted that while top management should endorse and initiate the change, it is at the bottom of the organization that the responsibility for improving process lays. Under this philosophy, work is done in teams. These teams are responsible for the individual operations and also improving the process. He argued further that the role of the supervisors and managers changes in which they become the team coaches, making sure that the team has the resources needed to fulfill their mission. Cordon maintained that to implement this TQM cultural change, a company should train its workers to equip them with tools for process improvement and typically, such training includes techniques about effective team work, problem solv ing, process analysis, project management, statistical tools etc. Once trained in the use of these tools, the teams generate ideas for improvement and thereby implement the ideas. With this spirit, mistakes are considered as opportunities for improvement and the objectives is to obtain improvement is a continuous process. It is noteworthy to point out that training in TQM is a continuous process for all employees and not an â€Å"on-off† investment for a year, because if this â€Å"on-off† approach is adopted, then the TQM training will be seen as a program not as a process. Festus Iyayi (1994), also instructively noted that â€Å"TQM is both a routine and philosophy of excellence in an organizational means for providing products and services that have good qualities to a high degree.† According to him, as a route to excellence, TQM is a conscious, formalized and systematic process of seeking, achieving a sustaining improvement in the quality of all activities, structures and processes for the purpose of satisfying the organizations customers which in turn improves the overall performance of the organization. Miller (1994), also did an exploration on TQM and found out that only those companies that apply the techniques of TQM can survive the competition in future. Such companies according to Miller, will increase greatly in competitiveness and performance due to the effect of TQM. From the foregoing definitions, TQM can be described as the most important management methodology available today to achieve and maintain a competitive edge against worldwide competition. It can be tailored for a particular environment and there are many ways for implementation, which will be discussed later. Due to high and growing tension, which leads to feelings of blame, mistrust, lack of common vision of the future, coupled with low morale, many organizations are gradually turning to TQM. It is therefore essential at this point to identify the leading sages in TQM in order to understand its principles and concepts to be discussed later. 2.1.2 The Deming Philosophy: Dr. W. Edwards Deming was the first American to introduce quality principles to the Japanese on a large scale. He is credited with providing the foundation of the Japanese quality †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ and resurgence as an economic power. Over the years, Deming condensed his philosophy into 14 points, which became action items for top management to adopt. He also outlines seven deadly diseases that can prevent the successful introduction of TQM. Below are the 14 points he developed as a theory for management for improvement of quality, productivity and competitive position:  § Create constancy of purpose toward improvement of product and service.  § Learn the new philosophy  § Cease dependence on inspection of the product to achieve quality. But require statistical evidence of process control along with incoming critical parts.  § Buy materials only if the supplier has a quality process. End the practice of awarding business on the basis of the price tag alone.  § Use statistical methods to find troubleshoots and constantly improve the system.  § Institute modern aids to training on the job  § Institute modern methods of supervision.  § Drive out fear  § Break down barriers between departments  § Eliminate numeral goals  § Review work standards to account for quality  § Remove barriers that rob people of their pride of workmanship  § Institute a vigorous program for training people in new skills  § Create a structure in top management that will push the above 13 points every day. 2.1.3 Juran Juran is regarded as one of the prime architects of the quality revolution in Japan. After graduating as an engineer, in 1924 he joined the Western Electric Hawthorne Works where he was assigned to the inspection function. In 1951 he published the Quality Control Handbook, which later became a seminal work in the area. He arrived in Japan four years after Deming. He founded the Juran Institute in 1979. Juran expresses his approach to quality in the form of the Quality Trilogy. Managing for quality, he stated, involved three basic processes:  § Quality planning.  § Quality control  § Quality improvement 2.1.4 Crosby In 1965 Crosby joined ITT as a corporate vice president of quality, the first one in the United States. In 1979 he launched a consulting practice focused on quality. Crosby described quality as â€Å"free† and argued that zero defects were a desirable and achievable goal. He defined quality as conformance to requirements. Accordingly, a Pinto meeting the requirements for a Pinto were a quality product just as much as was a Cadillac conforming to Cadillac requirements. Recognising that improving quality by increasing the level of inspection would raise costs, he insisted that the way to achieve zero defects was to improve prevention techniques. Conformance costs include appraisal and prevention costs. The traditional view, as expressed by Juran, is that the cost of appraisal must increase if quality is to increase. Crosbys contribution was that, by improving prevention approaches, the cost would decline since the entire quality-appraisal trade-off curve would move in the direction shown. He articulated his view of quality as the four absolutes of quality management:  § Quality means conformance to requirements. Requirements needed to be clearly specified so that everyone knew what was expected of them  § Quality comes from prevention. And prevention was a result of training, discipline, example, leadership, and more.  § Quality performance standard is zero defects. Errors should not be tolerated.  § Quality measurement is the price of nonconformance. In order to improve quality, Crosby proposed a 14-point program:  § Demonstrate management commitment by being convinced that quality improvement is needed and subscribing to a written quality policy. This policy should specify clearly that each person be expected to perform exactly as specified or cause the specifications to be changes to match the needs of the company or the customer.  § Form quality improvement teams. These should be cross -functional and include department heads to oversee the quality improvement process. The team of department heads should be responsible for promoting quality through the entire company.  § Establish measurements for quality in all activities. Although many of these measures could be error rates, he also included some others. As examples, he suggested that accounting could use the percentage of late reports; plant engineering could use time lost because of equipment failures.  § Evaluate the cost of quality and use it to identify where quality improvements could be profitably made.  § Raise the awareness of quality through the organization. Get employees involved by making them aware of costs.  § Take corrective action to improve quality in areas identified in the previous steps.  § Plan for zero defects. Using members of the quality improvement team, plan a zero defects program that fits the company and its culture.  § Train all employees to carry out their part of the quality improvement program.  § Hold a Zero Defects Day to signal to all employees that the company has established a new performance standard.  § Encourage people to set goals for themselves and their groups. These goals should be specific and measurable, and progress should be measured against them.  § Remove obstacles that prevent employees from achieving these goals by encouraging them to report these obstacles to management  § Provide recognition for those who participate. This should be public and non-financial  § Establish quality councils consisting of team chairpersons and quality professionals. They should meet regularly, share experiences, and generate ideas.  § Do it all over again to stress that quality improvement is a continuous process. 2.1.5 Feigenbaum Armand Feigenbaum joined General Electric in Schenectady, New York, in 1944. While working on the jet engines he found that statistical techniques helped him improve their performance, and, as a result, GE put him in charge of its quality programs. Later, at MIT he developed the concepts of Total Quality Control. In 1968 he founded his own consulting company, General Systems. Throughout his career he promoted the concept of Total Quality Control. Feigenbaum defines total quality as an excellence-driven rather than a defect-driven concept. In his view quality is defined by the customer, and in this regard he is similar to Juran. He also feels that the quality philosophy extends beyond the factory floor to include all of the functions in an organisation. This is similar to Crosbys view of a broader scope for TQM. In order to persuade management to adopt a quality strategy, he also used the Cost-of -Quality approach. 2.1.6 Ishikawa Kaoru Ishikawa graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1939 with a degree in applied chemistry. His life was totally committed to the promotion of Total Quality through Japan. Ishikawa believed that all divisions and all employees in the organization should be involved in studying and promoting quality control by learning seven statistical tools. He created one of these tools, the cause-and-effect diagram, which is also known as the Ishikawa diagram. Ishikawas second concept was that of the customer as primary in defining quality. He defined the customer as the next person in the line, the person who gets your work or anybody who relies on you. 2.1.6 Taguchi Genichi Taguchi formerly an employee of Nippon Telephone and Telegraph has had significant influence on the quality movement in Japan. His prime focus was in making statistics practical. For this endeavor he won the Deming Prize in 1960, and since then he has won the prize again on three separate occasions. His ideas are promoted in the United States through the American Supplier Institute. Taguchi viewed quality as an issue for the entire company and focused on the use of statistical methods to improve quality, particularly in the area of product design. Two of his concepts are particularly significant:  § The loss function  § Design characteristics and â€Å"noise† Although Deming, Juran and Crosby are the most well-known TQM gurus in the United States, it could be argued that Feignenbaum, Ishikama, Taguchi have been as influential as they in defining the scope of TQM. In broad terms, they all agree with each other. Accordingly, they all agreed that TQM seeks to improve productivity, and it does so by focusing on satisfying the customer and by involving employees in the process. TQM they further agreed, has the practical goal of improving the bottom line and at the same time raising employee morale. 2.2 BASIC PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS OF TQM With such strong evidence that TQM integrates fundamental management techniques, existing improvement efforts, and technical tools under a disciplined approach, it is there important to highlight some of its underlying basic principles and concepts. The principles of TQM are a set of commonsense beliefs that determine the individuals action in everyday life not just at work. According to Colin Burns, (1995) experience has shown over and over again that for TQM culture to be entrenched in any organization, the individual in that organization must undergo personal change. This is because the ability of an organization to imbibe in TQM culture is considerably enhanced when the individuals within such organizations first believe in and apply with passion the principles of TQM in their lives and interactions with people. He further maintained that the innovative principles that have been known to transform the individual â€Å"inside-out† and provide the glue for holding together the entire TQM process include: * Personal vision * Personal leadership * Personal management * Interpersonal leadership * Emphatic communication * Creative co-operation * Balanced self renewal He opined further that without observing and applying the above principles of good management in our individual lives, methods and techniques of TQM alone would rarely produce good quality products and services. The bottom-line according to him is that quality and excellence can only be built on a foundation of sound management principles. Aluko, et.al (1997) states that each TQM is a unique initiative that acts as a framework for morality in business. According to them, TQM consider the efforts of those directly involved, both inside and outside the organization. It is no coincidence therefore that successful TQM models all tends to embody concepts of integrity, honesty, commitment, participation and ownership. Indeed, they value and respect the contributions from each individual as the driving force within TQM organization. Although the principles of TQM may differ from one authority to another, they were able to summarize sixteen principles of TQM that should guide management as given by Choppins (1995) to include the following: Highest priority: Total quality must overtly be the highest priority of the organization / company / individual.. Quality definition: Any definition of quality must include meeting / satisfying /conforming to agreed/negotiated customer needs / requirements / wants / expectations. Customer definition: The concept of customers include investors / employees / stakeholders / suppliers / the community and even interpersonal relationship. Customer satisfaction: Long-term satisfaction of customer needs will be an aim of any total quality organization. Aim: A total quality organization will have a clearly stated, widely understood and generally accepted direction/aim. Communication: A total quality organization will communicated openly and clearly its principles / beliefs / values / mission statement/policy for quality. Ethos: Total quality management embodies the values / beliefs / ethos of the organization, and thus total quality is intrinsic to every activity, decision and action. Values: The highest levels of integrity, honesty, trust and openness is essential ingredients of total quality management. Mutual respect and benefit: There is an implicit mutual respect of all stakeholders involved with a total quality organization, which assumes that long term business is intended to be mutually beneficial to all concerned. Health and safety: Health, safety and environmental issues have a high priority within a total quality organization since the welfare of all investors / employees / suppliers / the community as stakeholders in the enterprise is intrinsic to the future well being of the organization. Commitment: Leadership of total quality management stems from the top of the organization and enlists individual and team commitment throughout. Participation and ownership: Total quality offers each individual the opportunity to participate in, and to feel ownership of his/her activities, and jointly to share a sense of ownership for the success of the entire company. Continuous improvement: TQM involves continuous and measurable improvement at all levels of the organization, ranging from organizational performance to individual staff performance, such that continuous process improvement becomes a salient aspect of success. Performance: TQM requires consistent, predictable, accurate, and precise performance to high standards in all areas of the organization. Therefore, measurement, assessment and auditing are common TQM activities. Resources: One major aim of every total quality organization is to use resources better, and to achieve greater success (financial and / or otherwise). Investment: TQM will always require sufficient/ appropriate investment to ensure that planned activities can occur. Speaking in a similar vein, Onanusi (1998), remarked that every organization which want to unite her work force and provide horizons for thoughts and action amongst them require the following values to compliment the above listed principles. Quality service focusing on clients in order to deliver quality service that exceeds expectation is an essential value. Quality people: This stems from recruiting the best people and training them to be the best of the best. Meritocracy: Connotes providing employees with challenging opportunities for career development, based on their effectiveness in serving the client. The fourth value: Concerns the approach of employing the same methodologies and sharing resources to ensure that each employee delivers high quality services consistently. Integrity: Which expects that everybody adhere to personal and professional standards. Innovation Referring to delivering unique solution to each clients need And the last value stewardship Concerns a commitment to investigating in the future order to bequeath a stronger and more effective organization to future generation of people in the work place. From the above, it follows logically, that organizations will not begin the transformation of TQM until it is aware, recognized the importance and necessity of the principles of TQM towards quality improvement if they are to survive domestic and global competition. Robert Helter (1995) in â€Å"The Leadership Imperative† defines the concepts of TQM as a practical methodology for continuously improving all business process†. But the Besterfields believe that TQM requires six basic concepts in order to integrate fundamental management techniques, existing improvement efforts, and technical tools under a disciplined approach. These concepts as highlighted by them include the following:  § A committed and involved management to provide long-term top-to-bottom organizational support.  § An unwavering focus on the customer, both internally and externally.  § Effective involvement and utilization of the entire work force.  § Continuous improvement of the business and production process.  § Treating supplies as partners  § Establishing performance measures for the process. These concepts outline an excellent way to run a business. Organizations in Nigeria that practice TQM are therefore seriously advised to internalize the above concepts into their activities and continuously defend the concepts from dilution by carrying out quality audits periodically to ensure that established systems are maintained. As TQM concepts work when it is completely integrated into the culture of the organization and it becomes a way of life and an endless journey practiced by all. 2.3.1 TQM AS A BUSINESS STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENTATION As Rao et.al (1996) remarked, most corporate leaders today would agree that the only constant in business life is change. This change can be large or small, rapid or slow, planned or unplanned, controllable or uncontrollable and it occurs in all aspects of organizational life. One of the tasks of TQM is the successful utilization of the tools and techniques. And above all, the ability to change the organizational culture so that paying attention to quality is a normal part of the behavior of the organization. However, sustaining the method of organizational change necessary to transform an organization so that quality becomes a way of life is the hardest part of TQM process. It is important to recognize that TQM is not a program that can be implemented and completed; rather TQM is an ongoing effort. This rationale was instructively noted in Crosbys work when he says, â€Å"Do it all over again†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and Deming when he says, â€Å"†¦push the above thirteen points every day.† 2.4.1 TQM Implementation Without implementation, there is absolutely no point in a company adopting TQM as a business strategy for whatever purpose. Because from all indications, implementing TQM is a forever process, with no finite end. It is a never-ending journey of quality improvement process. This conclusively brings to us that, all in an organization need to work together to meet the challenges of implementing TQM. Even though there may be a major difference in the degree of implementation, the relevant literatures of TQM focus largely on management and management techniques on TQM implementation. In implementing TQM in an organization, implementation plans need to be established in order to accomplish the organizational desired goals. Implementation plans in this context refers to sequence of events, programs, meetings, and activities designed to help employees learn new perspectives, skills, attitudes, behaviors in the TQM process. This means that the process of introducing TQM is one that requires changing various elements of the existing culture in the organization. The process must be planned and managed from the top. This is why Besterfields, et.al noted that, TQM implementation process begins with senior management and most important, the CEOs commitment, hence, the importance of the role of senior management. It is critically important that senior management take time to fully understand TQM and what it can achieve for the organization and develop and agreed (at board level) plan for implementation before attempting to implement the plan. The attitude of senior managem ent to TQM must be positively demonstrated everyday and in every action as indifference and lack of involvement are frequently cited as the principal reasons for the failure of quality improvement efforts. Delegation and rhetoric is insufficient involvement is required. As a general rule, the senior management starts implementation with clear statement of â€Å"quality policy† which entails the ethics, mission and value of the organization and of course its philosophy. This can be regarded as the planning phase (where the decision to implement TQM is taken, the planning, implementing and monitoring processes are established as well as the organizational structures to be used in the implementation process). The next line of action under implementation process is organizational change phase. H

Historical Analysis Of One Of Emily Dickinsons Works :: essays research papers

Emily Dickinson was a reclusive person, with an emotional, passionate, intense life filled with her genius for writing poetry. Although criticized for her unconventional style of writing, including her rough rhythm and imperfect grammar and rhymes, she continued to write in her own unique way. Many aspects of her life, such as her relationships with various people, remain a mystery and are not well known.Emily Dickinson almost always stayed near her home; in fact she hardly ever strayed from her birthplace of Amherst, Massachusetts. She enjoyed spending time at home in her garden. She was deeply affected by her relationships with certain people, specifically men.One of her profound relationships was with poetry critic, Thomas Wentworth Higginson. She had contacted him by mail in 1862, enclosing a few poems. He responded with suggestions on her writing style, but Dickinson chose to ignore his suggestions. Dickinson and Higginson corresponded for the next twenty-two years. Dickinson had other relationships with men that affected her life dramatically. Her family, specifically her father and brother, were an important influence. In addition, a very large influence and source of inspiration for her was the Reverend Charles Wadsworth. She met him in Philadelphia in the 1850's. The relationship between them was a very mysterious one. He was married and had a family. He left for California in 1862. In that very year, Emily Dickinson wrote an astounding three hundred and sixty six poems. Many of them shared the themes of love, death, nature, immortality, and beauty. She typically portrayed death as a monarch, leader, lord, or lover. Her moods changed and varied of utter despair to extreme ecstasy. These moods were shown in almost all her poems. <font size="1">Mine-by the Right of the White Election!Mine-by the Royal Seal!Mine-by the Sign in the Scarlet prison-Bars-cannot conceal!Mine-here-in Vision-and in Veto!Mine by the Grave's Repeal-Titled-Confirmed-Delirious Charter!Mine-long as Ages steal!~ Emily Dickinson, 1862In this poem, Emily Dickinson is saying that everything tangible can be taken away from her, but her will to live, and her choice to die, are hers, and nobody can take that away from her. In that theme, she also expresses that she is also the only one who can control her thoughts, another thing that nobody can take away. She expresses these ideas when she says, "Mine" or "Bars-cannot conceal". As she usually did, Emily Dickinson is using a leader to portray death, and declaring that death is hers and her decision.

Post-War Germany Comparison and Problems

Post-war Germany comparison and problems of economic development Through the previous essay describes, we knew Germany from baifeidaixing status after the war to later return to the powerful countries of the world. Need a lot of qualified support, in which the Government plays a crucial role. This is why defeated Germany to rise again, and the victory of the United Kingdom had lost its dominance. The fate of two kinds of economic One of the most significant features in the history of Western Europe after the war in West Germany and the United Kingdom of great contrasts on economic development.Germany a generation in their own fate had experienced twice in the life of the vanquished: the cities were destroyed and currency failure, male labour force is either killed or being held in prisoner of war camps, transport and service infrastructure had been completely destroyed. While the United Kingdom was only a clear victory in the second world war in Europe. Aside from being subjected to bombing and personnel injury, a United Kingdom structures throughout the country such as roads, railways, docks, industrial and mining enterprises have survived in the war in its entirety.However, by the early 1960 ‘s, the Federal Germany began to flourish, as Europe's economic power, and the United Kingdom have delayed development of economic growth is lagging far behind other countries in Western Europe. According to the 1960 ‘s economic growth statistics, Germany's economic growth rate was 9%, and United Kingdom for 2. 6%, with the exception of Ireland outside the United Kingdom became the slow development of the developed countries. In 1958, the West German economy is more than the United Kingdom.In the eyes of many observers, United Kingdom is becoming Europe's patients. The fate of the two distinct and with ironic, today it seems very educative. 1950 ‘s Germany an â€Å"economic miracle† the background lies in its 1930 revival plan. The Nazis had inves ted a large amount of financial and material resources in communication, arms, vehicles, optics, chemical industry and non-ferrous metals and light engines were originally part of a war economy, but 20 years later took effect. Economist Ludwig Wilhelm Erhard's â€Å"social market economy† theory as Germany as provided strong support, in fact, political and business young talent of the post-war West Germany emerged initially were Nazi officials. Germany business critical infrastructure is not damaged in the war. The early 1950, manufacturing companies, banks, insurance companies, wholesalers and recovery operations, providing products and services to foreign markets. Even Germany mark rising failed to hinder Germany economic development that he reduce the import cost of raw materials, but there is no limit on foreign Germany product demand, Germany is a high value, technologically advanced goods.They win depends on quality, rather than price. What's more, in the first decades after World War I, they had little competition: Sweden, and French and the Netherlands who wants to buy some engines product or tool who, in addition to from Germany purchases, had no choice. Power of suppliers higher than buyers' power. By introducing an industry can learn about circumstances. In 1960, the Germany automobile manufacturing because of quality and reliable engine has won international prestige.Stuttgart's Mercedes-Benz and BMW in Munich near-monopoly on the premium-car market, first at home, then continuously overseas. The Bonn Government to openly support the industry, providing early support preferential loans to them, and to encourage cooperation between banks and enterprises, to Germany companies provide cash investments . Volkswagen as early as 1945 completes the infrastructure. And like many other industries in West Germany after the war, Volkswagen benefited from a free market economy, it has not suffered a loss of competition. Volkswagen in 1939 before access to a steady stream of resources.It worked for the Nazi, war and military occupation service, because when the coalition Government from relocating a public company, its production capacity has been established before the war, so no further investments can be put into production after the war. United Kingdom also has the national lead industries, Morris, Austin independent car makers, such as a merger of the British Motor Corporation, British Motor Corporation and subsequently integrated into the Leyland Motor Corporation, specializing in United Kingdom Leyland cars. By the year 1980, Leyland Motor Company franchised United Kingdom featured automobile products.And Germany manufacturer, United Kingdom auto makers are increasingly concerned with overseas markets. However the outcome is completely different. After the second world war, successive United Kingdom Government have urged car companies try to sell vehicles overseas in order to attract foreign exchange earnings to offset the h uge war debt owed by the State. (Tony Judt writes in the Postwar:A History of Europe Since 1945, the Government's export target is at the end of the 1940 ‘s, United Kingdom production of automobile exports to 75% per cent of the total production).Some companies in order to quickly increase production and even wilful neglect of quality management. Initially, United Kingdom cars of poor quality and did not have a negative impact. United Kingdom company has monopolized the market: United Kingdom orders in domestic and European markets far exceeds the supply. Manufacturers on the production of the European continent is not United Kingdom rivals: 1949 United Kingdom production total production for the bus than in other European countries (Robert ,1995) However, with the passage of time, United Kingdom car industry the low quality and reputation for poor service.Other States car lot listing types to choose from, European people do not buy United Kingdom cars any more . When the Brit ish decided to upgrade the auto industry, and production lines to improve modernized equipment, United Kingdom, car companies could not like Germany companies as cash investments and loans from the banks. They cannot look to get help from the Government for assistance. However, in London, under political pressure, in order to obey the decision of the local government and to reassure the local politicians and trade union organizations, they have to build in undeveloped rural areas distribution centre .In 1968, the United Kingdom of the Leyland Motor Corporation was under 60 different plants. United Kingdom Government policy make manufacturers very negative. After the war, Government in accordance with the manufacturer's market share before the war to them very small amount of iron and steel, the past mode of economic development in many industries to be frozen. Security of supply is not in place, a false high demand and political pressure. Eventually led to the United Kingdom car ind ustry go bankrupt.By the year 1970, Europe and Japan automotive manufacturers began occupation of the British market, and on the quality and price beat the United Kingdom. The 70 ‘s oil crisis, United Kingdom joined the European Community, and the United Kingdom finally protected market disappeared because of a reversal of colonial, which eventually destroyed the United Kingdom independent of the automotive industry. United Kingdom independent auto industry decline and ultimate demise, largely on behalf of United Kingdom general course of economic development.United Kingdom economy aren't so bad at the outset: Roger in The British economy since 1945:engaging with in the debate pointed out that the 1951 United Kingdom is Europe's major manufacturing centers, total production was Germany and France and twice times. United Kingdom achieving full employment, and economic development has been slower than other countries, but also in the growth phase. United Kingdom's payments crisi s, mainly from 6 years to fight Germany and Japan accumulate huge debts owed by, in addition, to support effective defense system after the war and the substantial expenditure.In 1955 defense spending as a share of national income of 8. 2%, Germany spending less than United Kingdom half. (Roger,2000) . In the 1950 sterling was overvalued, United Kingdom it would be difficult to sell enough overseas products, to make up for Sterling against the dollar's long-term deficit. As an island nation, United Kingdom is totally dependent on imported food and plenty of raw materials, in the history of United Kingdom relies entirely on the Commonwealth took over control of privileged markets to make up for this disadvantage.Two forces of conflict Through the comparison of the above we can see that in the special period of government intervention in the economy, Germany has achieved a successful social market economy path, but the process was not smooth sailing. Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany came into effect on May 24, 1949, section 2,3,9,12,14 provides:Must have its boundaries the State in managing the economy. Thus, negating the centralized economic management system.Mission mainly in the framework of the provisions of the country's economic order and checks and balances and manage conflict that is raised at the community level. States should not intervene directly in labour conflicts, but must develop a legal framework for labour relations into a certain amount of redistribution through the tax and social policy implementation. (Overy,2003). Due to the inclusion of social and market two elements, that is, the balance between economic and social development, therefore, inevitable in the process of economic development, there were two rival of heterogeneous elements.When this counter is functioning as a complementary relationship, economic takeoff, and when excessive when there is a confrontation between the two complementary, economy will enter a period of struggling in the doldrums. Politically, the two forces dominated by the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the two major political parties reflect. Therefore, the actual relationship between these two heterogeneous elements to a large extent associated with the Government party structure.Back to post-war Germany economic course, followed before and after can be divided into three stages: the CDU's ruling period of economic development;The social construction of social democratic party in power;Competing with each other in economic downturn. I. Construction of market-oriented economy Postwar Germany, devastated. Economic reconstruction is a priority. Before the advent of the first Government, as the supreme body management â€Å"Frankfurt Economist† (Frankfurter Wirtschaftsrat) made it clear that the direction of economic development is: sharp weakening of government intervention, strongly stimulating market vitality.The 1949 election, in favour of market mechanism and economic regulation of the CDU was pushed on the first stage of the Government, Ludwig Erhard became Economics Minister. Thus, Germany within the framework of the social market economy has embarked on a road of economic rehabilitation of maximize the free market energy. General policy: cancel rationing imposed by the occupation authorities after the war, reducing economic regulation, the maximum possible to liberalize markets. Management of absolute respect for the law of Economics, strongly resisted non-economic factors adverse intervention in the economy.Initially, by currency reform cleared after all economic ties with the Nazi era, liberalize prices lead to higher prices are the direct problems. The Government has not taken any administrative intervention, but by economic means, namely by monetary tightening and reducing tax rates to stimulate investment and productivity, such as keeping enterprises ‘ working capital, worker overtime zero inc ome tax. As soon as production increases, increased incomes for the people. With the formation of the market mechanism, the emergence of competition, companies are more and more rational, unemployed workers in large numbers there.Faced with this situation, the Government did not change its policies, mandatory intervention, but the use of economic instruments. While in May 1949, by State help to enable Bank discount rate from 5% to 4% per cent,to further stimulate domestic investment;The other hand for the international market (mainly the United Kingdom and France) price increases, on September 19 active devaluation of the Deutsche 20% in order to boost exports. (James, 1998). Soon, production should rise further, unemployment pressure has been effectively alleviated.As the June 1950 the Korean peninsula crisis occurs, a hoard purchase occurred in West Germany, prices rose, also accompanied by an increase in imports. At the same time, unemployment rates begin to rise. In this case, t he forces of planned economies began requiring synchronization in response to price increases to pay. This was at the request of demagoguery, but economy Minister Ludwig Wilhelm Erhard did not waver but continued to adhere to the principles of a market economy. In his view, the market economy can be achieved through improved productivity and wages.Corresponding to this, he immediately withdraw liquidity, raise the minimum reserve amount, limit the discount, the discount rate from 4% per cent to 6%, and mortgage rate from 5% per cent to 7%per cent. Soon, in 1951, the second quarter, a turnaround occurs, exports began to outpace imports. Improvement in the relationship between supply and demand rise in prices has been contained. The unemployment rate began to decrease again. (James, 1998). Economic and political success of CDU and easily won the general election of 1953. Since then, Federal Germany economy enters a period of rapid development, and lasted until 1958.In the meantime, an other force of society could only be achieved with the acoustic echo. Economic policies so widely recognized, on the one hand due to the economic imperative of the age of;Also while stimulating the economy, because the Government did not take the British and American models or free economy model of the Weimar period, but consider the social adjustment and social construction in a timely manner, and effectively and this regulation into economic construction construction operation auxiliary rather than obstacles.According to Hans-Joachim Braun , in his book â€Å"The German economy in the twentieth century†, between 1949-1957 and West Germany issued a series of community-building law, such as 1949 ‘s â€Å"Social Security Balance Act† and â€Å"Emergency Assistance Act†, in 1952, introduced a â€Å"War Loss Balance Act† and â€Å"minimum working conditions found that law† in 1957 and introduced a social security law to the pensions. It can be s aid that, at this time, no country on Earth like the Federal Germany enacted so many of the social balance and regulation laws.These laws balance social conflicts, peace including internal labour conflicts, thus, for the protective effect of sustained economic development. Erhard was not random came to the practice of the social market economy, but has a clear rationale, is economist Walfer Eucken thought. Eucken advocated the establishment of a free competition and pointing to balanced economic policy. Thus, countries ‘ task is to establish an effective market-based. In his view, economic and social issues do not come from between socialism and capitalism, but only from the analysis of the economic order.Therefore, and contrary to Adam Smith, he does not â€Å"competition† as unchanging natural laws, but simply believes that â€Å"competition† must be protected as a human freedom. He was also against collective power against private power. It is based on the â⠂¬Å"neo-liberal† economic thought, in 1957 the West German Government had established antitrust laws, except transport, mining and metallurgy, banking, insurance, agriculture, and limit the emergence of private monopolies.Because of market mechanisms has been effectively activated, balanced also played a supporting role, and post-war reconstruction full release of enthusiasm. 1959-1966, the West German economy enters a period of high growth, even economic overheating. At this point, the voices of the community there have been improvements in social policy, asking the Government to increase social equilibrium. Erhard also did not yield, because he believes that it is not necessary, not only exceeded the means of, but would also drag down the entire economy.He knew that when West German society has differentiated into the various interest groups, and these groups have set out their respective positions to get more benefits from the society or the State, national politics if sati sfied by these different interest groups, it would be caught in some kind of multivariate dependence mechanisms. In this way, States would lose their capacity for action and fall prey to interest groups. Moreover, he knew, on community-building measures cannot be reversed, once the excessive leave the State the economy is in crisis. So, he does not meet another force in the community of the greater ocial redistribution requirements but to build â€Å"an ordered society†:A community ceased to be contrary to the purpose of class and organizations with each other, but put aside all differences of opinion on the country-cooperation community at root, that is, a building based on community organizations and interests working together. In such a society are included in the social market economy, his cooperative did not have a strong compulsion, but from their own forces, from their will, from each other is inseparable from each other is becoming increasingly clearer awareness and u nderstanding. James, 1998) Due to his perseverance and the neo-liberal economic protection at that time, West German economic growth in a continuously high growth in a few years. However, high growth comes immediately after the overheating of imbalance, in late 1966 eventually led to the economic downturn, there is a West German economic recession for the first time in the history of 1966-1967 economic growth rate was-0. 2%. In the 1965 election, SDP vote up votes than the CDU of growth rates.At this point, Erhard with the most total votes remained in coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party largely the outcome of economic policy disagreements have emerged, resulting in rupture of the ruling coalition, Erhard to step down. 1966 Kurt Georg Kiesinger CDU Prime Minister after the failure of coalition talks with the Liberal Democratic Party, and the social democratic party form a new Government, but also by the social democratic party who served as economy Minister. Since then, the W est German economic progressive efforts to increase social construction of the beginning of a new era.II . Regulation-led period of social construction The new Government soon introduced the so-called economic stabilization policies, main content is strengthening national regulation, such as the accumulation of reserves in order to overcome the cyclical economic growth;Establishment of mechanisms for consultations between employers, to exert influence on wage;Establishment of economic forecasting and planning system;Enhanced global perspective of macroeconomic regulation and control, and so on.At the same time also raised the slogan of full employment. This desire for criticism's goal just when almost no one objected, but also enjoy the support of a number of authoritative economic theorists,a market economy is not a purely economic order, but a social, moral and ethical element to set up the system. Prior to economic reconstruction, strengthen the market economy, and now, well, it makes perfect sense to take into account social policy construction.Economic growth Advisory Council was established by the Government, and at the same time established federal and State mechanisms, both employers and employees sharing information. However, due to the overestimation of the capacity of economic forecast, while the lack of an effective means of control, and while it is difficult to agree on consultations among the parties, the original targets not only to achieve, and increased government spending.In 1967 although the recession be overcome by two government economic stimulus program, and genuine economic improvement since then, in 1969, economic growth rate even reached 8. 2%. But these are not the result of the Government's economic policies, and people thought it was a result of increased government regulation, which enable the country to gain the role to maintain social welfare, many up to the question on the State of the market;In one hand, and the social democrat ic party in the people's advancement.The 1969 elections, when all major parties decline in almost all of the votes, only the social democratic party's tally has improved significantly. Apparently, there was an increasing number of voters tend to national social equilibrium. The Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Democratic Party form a new Government, the social democratic party who Willv Brandt as Prime Minister, by the social democratic party who served as Economics Minister also, Karl Schiller, followed by Helmut Schmidt.After the formation of the new Government was fully pursued a policy of State, whereby the State stepped in to control the national economy and social life: on the one hand, in stimulating the economy and to overcome the unemployment rate started to ignore market means on the issue, will mainly focus on the national finance;The other hand, are pushing relies primarily on community-building process of State financial benefits. End of 1972, the West German soc ial policy had reached unprecedented heights.This makes the State finances a huge deficit for the first time. Lucky is that started in the late 1960 ‘s, West Germany enterprise, productivity has been increased significantly, making statistical figures show overall growth of the national economy. Thus, the community generally have a feeling, the Social Democratic Party Government's national policies focus on people's living standards and welfare, concerned about the growth of the national economy through hard intervention, that there is nothing wrong.Such results on the one hand allows to continue the ruling social democratic party along with the established policy of the Government to move on;We will also respect economic laws, market-oriented mechanisms of voice is not up, many acute economic problems do not have enough attention, such as productivity while improving the overall economic growth, presents promote consumption issues, and led to the production of consumption in a new situation.At that time the Government was not trying to deal with, but, as always, will focus on the macro-control and promoting the welfare of the process. 1973 oil crisis inflation have gotten even up to 7%, to the collapse of the Bretton Woods international monetary system of fixed exchange rates for content, followed by the worldwide economic crisis has also affected the West Germany. In 1975, the West German economy fell to its lowest point: all sectors of the economy crisis, an unprecedented slowdown in economic growth, the unemployment rate reached a record high, the 1974-1975 recession.Even under such adverse economic circumstances, the Government is also trying to implement macro-economic control and community-building, only between 1970-1975, West Germany State welfare spending has doubled . Which makes the budget deficit rising at an alarming rate. So the poor economic situation and irrational acts of States when the community was aware of the error of excessive val ue State regulation and welfare. The 1976 election results made it clear that former excessive importance to macro-control and social policy has begun on the construction of public discontent.Thus, the Government began to change economic policy, no macro-economic control, but to enable the market mechanism to make an adjustment, Germany Mark's fixed exchange rate with the US dollar has been cancelled opportunities, linked with productivity growth and stable price level over the medium term the currency merchant policies In this way, by controlling the money supply causes lack of marks on the market, and thus marks compared to the appreciation of the dollar more than 1 time, then rapid import growth.Strong marks and imports accelerated first oil crisis impact on West Germany obviously failed to other Western countries, especially inflation significantly smaller than other countries, which makes rapid upgrading of West Germany's position in the world. Facing export difficulties arisin g therefrom, the State did not conduct a mandatory intervention, but to use market mechanisms to bring West German industrial structure transformation themselves, enhance the market competitiveness of products, such as those of traditional labour-intensive industries such as coal, textile, shipbuilding, iron and steel industry gradually atrophy.This structural transformation will allow the industry to release a lot of unemployed persons of the community, but the Government in view of the inherent law of economic development, or stick to the policies. Therefore, West Germany began in 1976 and continued economic growth. Although in 1979 and there is a second world-wide oil crisis, but the stronger mark makes the impact on Western Germany is significantly less than other Western countries, which increases the international status of West Germany continued to improve, the European financial system, Germany's Federal Bank in a leadership position.Precisely because of the success of this session of the Government's economic policy, the 1980 election, LDP votes most improved significantly compared with the other political parties, SPD is only slightly elevated. This clearly shows that new economic policies to save the fate of the Liberal Democratic party coalition Government, as long as the economy is not affected, people wanted the national focus for community-building. In fact, late 60 ‘s benefits to the construction of the second half of the 70 and never stopped, just slowed.The late 70 and early 80 ‘s, as economic growth and trade union involvement in the enterprise for a rise in a row, both corporate and personal income growth. However, due to the appreciation of the mark and the national framework for intervention persists, investments did not appear accordingly, some enterprises take advantage of the strong mark and cheap labor in foreign countries this should be invested in domestic market began to be moved abroad.This directly lead to the economi c recession that began in 1980, inflation and unemployment rate rising rapidly. At that time, the West German economy has experienced continuous recession that began in 1980, and recessions than 1974-1975 that bad. At the 1983 general election, notable decline in number of votes of the Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party Government to step down, West German economic history on the social welfare of the end of the construction period. (James, 1998)III. Difficult period. When headed by Helmut Kohl's CDU in power, immediately offered to go back to era of Erhard's road to a social market economy, but also admits this is not entirely dependent on market mechanisms. Clear specific policies to reduce government spending and to stimulate investment as a core. On October 1, 1983 starts austerity plans, such as reducing the amount of childcare support, was in hospital and nursing homes are no longer exclusively by the State a full payment, individ uals must be part of the burden.These initiatives reduced national social expenditure only reduces new issuance of government bonds, but not to have total accumulated national debt reduction, because the national welfare systems have been set up, it has been used and tasted States contemplated social welfare benefits. Therefore, reducing State spending, refers only to reduce the amount of newly issued Government bonds, rather than simply to reduce the national debt as a whole.In order to improve the financial situation of the country, Kohl Government also initiated the privatization of State-owned enterprises, such as postal services, telecommunications, energy, and later raised the sales tax. These harmonize national fiscal revenue has significantly improved. But after building up huge social welfare, financial situation did not show substantial improvement. Thus, in stimulating investment in the Kohl Government would attempt to relieve pressure on enterprises through tax reform, b ut, under pressure from bad financial situation in the country could not take too much action.Fortunate is that international economic situation improved after the Kohl Government came into power, in particular the United States and Japan, which makes the already high level of internationalization of West Germany economy through foreign trade rises pick up right away. With the devaluation of the dollar, beginning in 1985, the rapid growth in imports, prices began to drop, growth in domestic demand. From 1983 to 1990, West Germany's overall economic growth rate from five began to grow to the end of the 80 ‘s 2% and per cent in 1990.However, the improved little from the internal market, because profits faster than investment growth during this period. Second half of the 80, investment has also accelerated growth, but unemployment does not appear synchronized better. It is clear that the growth largely from domestic enterprises to invest overseas. Kohl on the economic policy of t he Government is in a difficult phase, and for high unemployment and no growth in domestic investment economic growth when frustrated, East German voluntary dissolution, and federal Germany merged.The German reunification is undoubtedly a great blessing for the German nation, but temporary prosperity to Flash briefly. To achieve the transformation, reconstruction of infrastructure and social safety nets in the eastern part, including common revitalization project in the East, and the consolidated fund, all levels of Government transfer payments between the 1990 and the medium-term to the East has over trillion-mark, weighed on Western economies.To raise funds and curb inflation, the Germany Government had to be more than more than 10 times in a row to raise key interest rates. Trouble has been brewing for quite some time. Germany economic weakening, mainly because of the welfare system and a series of structural reasons. Excessive protection of the social welfare system has pushed u p the cost of production, and formed a â€Å"higher welfare – higher taxes under the low growth – high liability – high cost – low growth – low investment,† a vicious cycle. From the early 1970 ‘s to the late 1990 ‘s, Germany 5. times more than double the increase in welfare expenditure per capita, down to become a drag on economic growth;1970, 1980, too protect sunset industries in the industrial structure and the information technology industry research and development keep lagging, its lack of wealth growth force leading leading industry;The lack of flexibility of the system of corporate governance and incentive mechanism, led by profits, the lack of micro-economic vitality;Excessive fire protection and high unemployment security benefits labour market rigidities and unemployment reduction.Faced with rising unemployment, helpless Government of Helmut Kohl in 1998, replaced by a Government of the Social Democratic Party was Ger hard Fritz Kurt Schroder, Schroder economic policy compatible with the two party ideas: on the one hand through tax breaks to stimulate investment and consumer demand, dynamic economy.The other hand, in the field of social security, and former advocate of personal responsibility at the same time, try to keep the original treatment, does not increase social security contributions in favour of eco-taxes to fill the gap and promote environmental protection. Now Germany as the third largest economy in the world today, the second-largest exporter, its per capita GDP of more than 27,000 euros.Germany agriculture production value less than 1%, share services near two-thirds, is a highly developed industrial structure to serve the community, its industrial machinery manufacturing, automotive, electronics and chemical industry led;Its national economy by relying heavily on exports, and export share of world total exports of nearly 10%, 70% about trade is concentrated in Europe and the United States, Japan and other developed countries, long-term surplus in balance of payments, inflation rate, unemployment rate at around 9%.Looking at the Germany of economic development after the war, at some point, despite the many problems, but judging from the overall economic and social development, was ranked the highest in the world, experience and lessons have left us a valuable asset. Reference [1] Braun, Hans-J. The German economy in the twentieth century. London : Routledge 1990 [2] Berghahn, V. Modern Germany: society, economy and politics in the twentieth century. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press 1982. 3] Brian,H . Seeking a role: the United Kingdom, 1951-1970 . Oxford : Clarendon 2009 [4] Overy, R; Ogilvie, S. Germany: a new social and economic history, Vol. 3, Since 1800. London : Arnold 2003 [5] Roger ,M. The British economy since 1945: engaging with the debate . Basingstoke : Macmillan 2000 [6] Robert,J;Bennett,G;Horst,Z. Local economic development in Britain and G ermany. London : Anglo-German Foundation 1990. [7] Tony ,J. Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 . London : Pimlico 2007 .

Fremont High School Discussion Essay

For my entire life of schooling, both my parents and I would agree that I constantly complained about the educational systems in which I was enrolled. But when I actually take the time to think about everything I have been through, I realize that I have indeed had an excellent education. My schooling was full of opportunities and experiences, all of which contributed to the person I am today; adequate education has been an indispensable facet of my being. Sadly, not everyone has had this same privilege. And now as a college student, I am becoming even more aware of this sad fact. Looking around me in such a diverse city as Chicago, I find myself being more and more grateful. When I read Jonathan Kozol’s Fremont High School, this these feelings were even more reassured. Here in his writing, Kozol shares his experiences with students and teachers while visiting Fremont High School in Los Angeles, California. From the beginning, Kozol set the mood for the piece by describing the lackluster conditions of the buildings. He described the lack of sufficient classroom space by saying that â€Å"nearly a third of all the classrooms in the school, were located in portables†¦ took place in converted storage closets† (Kozol 641). By beginning his written tour of this school with these vivid descriptions, Kozol instantly placed me inside both the school and a depressing atmosphere. The images painted in my head by this account were tragic, yet sadly too real. When he interviewed students, one in particular captured both Kozol’s heart and mine. While reading his interview with Mireya, I could just picture the girl: Intelligent, ambitious, and more than willing to use her voice. Unfortunately, along with those qualities, I saw the frustration and tension caused by being underprivileged. While I might have complained about the lack of an AP class that I was interested in, I was again reminded of my luck when Mireya discussed her interest in simply wanting â€Å"†¦ to take an AP class† (Kozol 645). What was even more disturbing to picture was how the school’s lack of proper funding caused students to be pressured into enrolling in non-academic classes, such as sewing and hair-dressing II. Finally, the sadness in that classroom was brought to a climax when I could both see and feel the â€Å"programing† within the students’ minds. When Mireya was talking about her reluctance to take the sewing class, a boy named Fortino said, â€Å"You’re ghetto†¦ so we send you o the factory†¦ you’re ghetto – so you sew! † (Kozol 645). Even though he was probably speaking sarcastically out of his own frustrations, Fortino’s words cut deep. I am aware that there are better and worse high schools out there than Fremont High School. And yet, reading Kozol’s account of the terrible conditions that are endured by these students made me feel more aware of the severity of improper or inadequate education that poorly funded schools provide. All of these problems, alongside my awareness of my fortunate years of education, make me wonder, just as Mireya did, as to why, â€Å"†¦ [students] who need it so much more get so much less? † (Kozol 648). Interestingly, I have little to comment on Kozol’s actual writing style, even though he wrote this account of his. I was just so attached to the characters within that school that I wanted to be able to reach out somehow; Kozol definitely achieved something very touching here. Works Cited Kozol, Jonathan. â€Å"Fremont High School. † The Norton Field Guide to Writing. 2nd ed. New York, London: W. W. Norton & Company,, 2010. 641-48. Print.

Mark Twain Satire

Mark Twain Satire We have known Mark Twain for his celebrated works such as Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Adventures of Tom Sawyer. But readers of his stories have not necessarily been exposed to his signature satire. Mark Twains satire earned him accolades. What ought to be done to the man who invented the celebrating of anniversaries? Mere killing would be too light.There is an old-time toast which is golden for its beauty: When you ascend the hill of prosperity may you not meet a friend.Truth is the most valuable thing we have. Let us economize it.Only one thing is impossible for God: To find any sense in any copyright law on the planet.Denial aint just a river in Egypt.Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education.A classic is something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.Wagners music is better than it sounds.Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.In a museum in Havana, there are two skulls of Christopher Columbus, one when he was a boy and one when he was a man.A man never reaches that dizzy height of wisdom when he can no longer be led by the nose.Be good and you will be lonesome.The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane. Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to.The human race is a race of cowards; and I am not only marching in that procession but carrying a banner.I didnt attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin.Let us be thankful for fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.When red-haired people are above a certain social grade their hair is auburn.Patriot: the person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about.Can we afford Civilization?One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives.The fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual superiority to other creatures; but the fact that he can do wrong proves his moral inferiority to any creature that cannot.There are people who can do all f ine and heroic things but one keep from telling their happiness to the unhappy. I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him.The older we grow the greater becomes our wonder at how much ignorance one can contain without bursting ones clothes.In the real world, the right thing never happens in the right place and the right time. It is the job of journalists and historians to make it appear that it has.I respect a man who knows how to spell a word more than one way.History may not repeat itself, but it does rhyme a lot.Dont go around saying the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing; it was here first.We are all beggars, each in his own way.Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.

Cultural Event Paper Essays

Cultural Event Paper Essays Cultural Event Paper Paper Cultural Event Paper Paper Essay Topic: Orlando For my cultural event I decided to go and visit the Orlando Museum of Art. There were a lot of different types of art on display. My favorite exhibits had to be the ones on American landscape and the Tony Robbin exhibit. Those both really captured my attention. I also saw all of the art that the Aztecs created. It’s crazy how people from such a long time ago can create such wonderful art. There was one really cool exhibit by David Isenhour and instead of actual paintings, it was very unique looking sculptures that actually made you stand there and think about them and what the artist was thinking when he created them. I really loved the American landscape exhibit and when I first got to the museum I didn’t know that it was on display, but when I saw it I got so happy! I was happy because I am constantly taking amateur photos with my cell phone’s camera of the landscapes that I see, and I know that these were paintings but I felt somehow connected to the exhibit cause I love to take pictures of the same kinds of things. The other exhibit that I really enjoyed was the Tony Robbin one. I really liked it because back when I had a MySpace, I would always look for pictures that were like his. I think that they are called abstract paintings and they are literally one of my favorite types of art. I like them because you can look at them at different angles and I always see the paintings in a new perspective. One of the last exhibits I saw was the one on Aztec art. I was never one to be interested in Indian art, but these art pieces were so intricate. The detail that these sculptures had is amazing and I would have never thought that that could be possible. Before I left the museum, I had to check out the David Isenhour collection because I knew a few people who had already seen it and they said it was really cool. They were definitely right, because the sculptures would take ordinary things and just add something that isn’t supposed to be there. For example, there was this tree that had no leaves and at the end of the bare branches, there were hands instead of the end of a branch! It was crazy and at first I didn’t notice it, but then my mother pointed it out and I found amazing. The trip to the Orlando Museum of Art definitely helped in my understanding of the humanities cause first of all I never knew the Aztecs were so intricate and also all of the different landscapes made me better understand how the United States actually looks and the different kind of things that are out there. The experience I had really was a great one and it will most definitely be repeated in the near future.

Definition and Examples of a Fortiori

Definition and Examples of a Fortiori An argument in which a rhetor reaches a conclusion by first setting up two possibilities, one of which is more probable than the other. Whatever can be affirmed about the less probable can be affirmed with even greater force about the more probable. Etymology From the Latin, from the stronger Examples and Observations Remember the commercial for Life Cereal, the one where the brothers experiment on picky little Mikey? If Mikey liked it, the boys figured, anyone would. Thats an argument a fortiori: If something less likely is true, then something more likely will probably be true as well.(Jay Heinrich, If Bill Had Great Interns, Then Hillary . . . Figures of Speech Served Fresh, August 1, 2005) The concept underlying this phrase can be illustrated thus: if you do not trust your child to safely operate a bicycle, then a fortiori, you do not trust him to operate an automobile.This with stronger reason argument implies a comparison of values. The argument is grounded on the common sense (and logical) convention that within the same category the greater includes the lesser (or, if you will, the stronger includes the weaker). Do not let the use of the word includes mislead you. Because one person is taller than another does not mean the other is included within the one. The comparison is not between physical things, but between the relative values of actions, relationships, principles, or rules. When you make or analyze this type of argument, do not mix apples and oranges. The comparison should be one of factually like things and be factually meaningful. The objects of the comparison must share essential factual elements if they are to be of like kind. You may not trust your chi ld to operate a bicycle safely, but that does not necessarily mean that he cannot be trusted to bring in the groceries.(Ron Villanova, Legal Methods: A Guide for Paralegals and Law Students. Llumina Press, 1999) It is an argument a fortiori, from the stronger. If I show you that two is less than ten then it is easy to persuade you a fortiori that two is less than twenty. If I show you that what you think is a burden of the welfare state is actually small, or badly estimated, or a benefit, then it is less difficult to persuade you that rolling back the welfare state requires sober thinking about the alternatives.(Stephen Ziliak, review of The Economic Consequences of Rolling Back the Welfare State. Journal of Economic Literature, March 2001) I feel that it is my civic duty to pay my taxes as well as my other bills, and that it is my moral duty to make an honest declaration of my income to the income tax authorities. But I do not feel that I and my fellow citizens have a religious duty to sacrifice our lives in war on behalf of our own state, and, a fortiori, I do not feel that we have an obligation or a right to kill and maim citizens of other states or to devastate their land.(Arnold Toynbee) Pronunciation: a-FOR-tee-OR-ee

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

Undecided - Assignment Example This is evident in their intention to cross the first bridge between Europe and Asia knowing well that a heavy storm had broken it down. Xerxes and the Persian Army dared to take risks beyond their reasonable thresholds. The decision-making processes were not based on intelligence, but rather on the hope that the Greek Armies were divided. Finally, the Persian Army consisted of traitors, which gave leading information to the Spartan Army (Herodotus 165). Even though the Greek army was separated into city-states, Herodotus explains that each city-state had a special link to another when it came to war (Herodotus 145). As the revelation comes of an impending attack, the Spartans quickly organize a united force to resist the enemy. Secondly, The Greek armies were operating on the timely information to make intelligent decisions. Thirdly, the Greek Army had well trained soldiers, all of whom had a voice based on the democracy and the religious set up of the city-states. Unlike the Persian Army, the Greeks were able to share news of an advancing enemy and ideas on how to resist. Finally, Herodotus reveals that the Greeks took an advantage of the Persian Traitors to defeat them (Herodotus

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 200

Assignment Example A significant portion of the consumers in North America are Millennials who are dependent on their electronic gadgets in their daily lives. This trend has a negative impact to Bic because it undermines one of its primary products which are stationery, notebooks and pens. The trend says that the more the millennial market spends on electronics and gadget, the less they will spend to stationeries and pen which are Bic’s products. In addition, the pervasive use of gadgets also provided an alternative to Bic’s other traditional products which are coloring, drawing pencils, crayons and felt pens. They can now also be done in softwares such as photoshop, Corel Draw or other apps and this means reduction in demand and consequently, market share. Other traditional products however such as sticky notes and writing pens (white board) will not be affected by the trend of increased use of gadgets. Their demand could even increase as their use are becoming popular in presentations and group meetings. Another trend that could run counter to Bic’s profitability interest in the long run is its lighter market. At present, 40% of Millennials and 21% of adults may be smoker but this trend is going down. The increasing awareness for health and the ill effects of smoking will have negative impact on the demand for cigarettes and along with it is the decreasing demand for lighters which is Bic’s product. Various interests groups and advertising campaigns are increasingly becoming aggressive in convincing people to quit smoking. At present, many people are already trying to quit smoking or are resorting to e-cigarettes as an alternative. The figures are discouraging because 44% of men and women are already using e-cigarettes which have no use of Bic’s lighters. Either way, this does not spell good for Bic because it undermines its lighter products.

Course Evaluation Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Course Evaluation Paper - Essay Example During the course, most students identified with the outcomes. I expected to learn the various aspects of family dynamics, which exist in the society regardless of race, social class, or religion, and I did. I expected to learn the theories involved and to be able to learn various solutions to family problems. I was able to relate to some factors that influence family dynamics that apply to my real life. The factors I learnt include the effect of parent’s relationships on the family, aspects of strictness and lenience among parents, personalities, single parenthood, size of family and culture, and beliefs in the family. The course reflected issues that exist in many families in the world, and was able to broaden my knowledge and thinking about family life. I expected the course to highlight the various positive and negative issues that exist in the family and the impact they have on psychological health of family members. Some of the positive family attributes highlighted incl ude success of children linked to good parenting practices, good parent’s relationships and good family values. Peace in the family always relates to good personalities in children and older family members among others. The negative attributes highlighted in the course include the effect of single parenthood on children, violence in the family most likely led to the fall of the family to factors such as divorce, and divorce affected children even in their adulthood. The lecturer was able to teach in the most practical way, making everyone to participate in asking and answering questions, making the course even more enjoyable. She always asked practical questions that apply in real life, used pictures and videos to teach and expected every student to relate to some issues raised during the course of study. This made the course very exciting and easy to learn. The outcomes had a great impact and were specific to the target population, which in this case were classroom students. The course highlighted many issues, which exist in different families. I related to some of the factors that I have experienced in my own family. Most students were able to relate and connect to most of the issues explained in the course. In some instances the mentioned examples and scenarios rekindled bad memories among some students and caused emotional grieve. These included students coming from a family that experienced violence in the past, drug abuse, families affected by issues such as unemployment, extramarital affairs, and divorce. Some students on the other hand connected well with their well-structured families, which had good values, proper parenting practices, and wealth among others. In either way most students lamented that, they learnt a lot from the course and expected to improve their lives in one way or another. The outcomes were measurable with the timeframe. The lecturer managed to teach various levels of family dynamics within the expected timeframe, and in th e most systematic way. The mentioned outcomes on the students always revealed in each classroom session, and with time, the students had developed a sense of connection with the lecturer and would freely express their views and experiences without fear. The objectives and the outcomes related well in this course and at the end, the lecturer manage

Reflection paper on the capstone Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reflection paper on the capstone - Essay Example I believe that to catch the attention of an audience, especially a reader, and to make them read into what one has written, it is vital that what is being written is something they can relate to, as well as having written it in a language, concise yet coherent, that they can understand. To achieve the above mentioned, I made use of ordinary day examples of people, both inside the United States of America, and outside it. A clear example of this can be found in the essay where I mention the examples of South Africans; while they may typically be considered to be ‘black’, the fact that their ancestors are Boers, thereby proving the very point which follows. The sources and materials used are those were more appealing, and most relevant to my line of thought and argument. The style of writing and tone adopted in this essay is scholarly and formal, as it is intended to instruct the reader as well as invigorate their thought process. One of my main motives in writing said essay the way I did, was to inform readers of the adverse implications on ordinary human beings of the vices, and to get their thoughts churning to question what they ordinarily overlook about themselves, the society they live in, its practices of discrimination and subsequently racism, which evidently find their roots in the notion of prejudice. This in essence creates a read that is most certainly moving to a reader. It is also along these lines, and for this purpose that the essay has its structural organization. An attempt has been made to mould the writing style of said essay to one that is of academic writing. Throughout the essay, proof of this can be speculated. The essay makes use of clear and effective writing and terminology, and throughout maintains an essence of formality that is necessary to get the message across to the reader. Every point made is not some without some analysis at my part, and an effective attempt has been made to back it up with relevant factual

Observation 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Observation 2 - Assignment Example It also appealed to the social-emotional development as Elmo met people on the street. The interaction comprised of exchanging greetings and people helping Elmo find the alphabets. Bob the builder is a fantastic children TV series. Bob is a builder who fixes houses and other household items. For the children, it is educational and fun to learn about tools. In this episode Bob’s saw wears out and he had to replace it (YouTube, 2013). The series shows children how to protect themselves; the character Bob wears a helmet that is a lesson for children to protect themselves when they work around tools and machines. Although the series is gender-neutral, but there is a little hint of associating the tool work with men. I dont find it too dangerous because most of the handymen are males. Handling the tools and machines is relatively easier for men. I would allow my children to watch this series. Children can learn a lot by watching this cartoon series. The series nurtures children’s cognition and also teaches them how to engage with people. It feeds the necessary social intelligence. Kung Fu Panda depicts a team of animals fighting against the enemy to protect their village princess (YouTube, 2014). It is not educational in the sense that it does not teach children how to count or to teach them the alphabets. But it does teach them leadership skills and how to engage with the group. There is also a hint of Chinese/Japanese honor system where the character of panda, Po, is very devoted towards his masters, especially the princess (YouTube, 2014). It teaches children how to honor their mentors. It does not necessarily help educate children about their cognition or emotional intelligence, but it does teach them some values. Sesame Street and Bob the Builder are excellent shows, and there is hardly anything that I would point out as detrimental to child’s development. From the beginning to the end of

Development of Brazil's Market Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Development of Brazil's Market - Essay Example The process of industrialization that took place around the year 1960 led to the development of economic sectors like the automobile industry, steel industry and the expansion of the infrastructure ventures. After world war two, the economy of Brazil rose and by the year 1975 it had an annual Gross National Product of 7.4%. On the other hand, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was ranging to 8.5%. Moreover, by around 1970s the per capita income of Brazil multiplied four times putting it at around US$ 2,200. Around the year 1980s, United States made a significant step that in turn affected the international trade market. It increased the rate of interest in the capital market. That factor made Brazil make an adjustment in the economy, which later translated to the economy of Brazil dropping so drastically. From the year 1990, Brazil made several reforms in the economy like privatization of certain industries, tightening measures in the economy that encourages foreign investment. Further more from this decade, Brazil resorted to supporting the internal economy; therefore it decided to encourage investors in the country. In an effort to implement new changes, Brazil experience inflation, until they decided to improve income distributing. The Brazilian exchange market for the year 2009 was at 25%, however, three years later BOVESPA showed negative deviation reduced to 20%. In the successive years, the stock exchange market has drastically dropped to the extent that most of the people do not want to talk about the market trend. The primary reason as to why there was a decrease from the year 2013 was because of low demand for the products of China that is the principal trading partner. In addition to that, the kind of leadership in China has also contributed the dwindling in performance in the stock exchange market. The female president who was elected in the year 2011 concentrated much on the on the banking and other

Observation 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Observation 2 - Assignment Example It also appealed to the social-emotional development as Elmo met people on the street. The interaction comprised of exchanging greetings and people helping Elmo find the alphabets. Bob the builder is a fantastic children TV series. Bob is a builder who fixes houses and other household items. For the children, it is educational and fun to learn about tools. In this episode Bob’s saw wears out and he had to replace it (YouTube, 2013). The series shows children how to protect themselves; the character Bob wears a helmet that is a lesson for children to protect themselves when they work around tools and machines. Although the series is gender-neutral, but there is a little hint of associating the tool work with men. I dont find it too dangerous because most of the handymen are males. Handling the tools and machines is relatively easier for men. I would allow my children to watch this series. Children can learn a lot by watching this cartoon series. The series nurtures children’s cognition and also teaches them how to engage with people. It feeds the necessary social intelligence. Kung Fu Panda depicts a team of animals fighting against the enemy to protect their village princess (YouTube, 2014). It is not educational in the sense that it does not teach children how to count or to teach them the alphabets. But it does teach them leadership skills and how to engage with the group. There is also a hint of Chinese/Japanese honor system where the character of panda, Po, is very devoted towards his masters, especially the princess (YouTube, 2014). It teaches children how to honor their mentors. It does not necessarily help educate children about their cognition or emotional intelligence, but it does teach them some values. Sesame Street and Bob the Builder are excellent shows, and there is hardly anything that I would point out as detrimental to child’s development. From the beginning to the end of

Educational Practice in a Multilingual Context Essay

Educational Practice in a Multilingual Context - Essay Example The writer is a Sri Lankan, born into a Hindu Brahmin family and the eldest of three sisters. Brahmin is the name of the priestly caste, the highest in the Hindu social system. In fact, the word Brahmin translates to "divine" and its role has been defined as one of teacher or advisor. In the Hindu Sri Lankan society, members of the Brahmin caste are tasked with officiating at religious rites and are responsible for studying and teaching the Vedas. The oldest and most developed of the Dravidian languages is Tamil. It is also the primary language of the minority Tamil region in Sri Lanka. However, majority of Sri Lanka is dominated by people who speak Singhalese, which accounts for the fact that this is the nation's official language. All Sri Lankan children are required to learn Singhalese. In the first two years of primary school, Tamil children were taught Singhalese as an additional language, which accounts for the writer being able to understand, read, and write but not speak Singhalese. Thus, this writer calls herself bilingual rather than multilingual because she does not consider herself competent in both productive and receptive skills in Singhalese, unlike what could be said for her proficiencies in both Tamil, her native language, and English, her second acquired language (Porter, 1990). In the central or up country part of Sri Lanka where the writer was born, the Tamil accent is different from the Jaffna Tamil accent spoken in northern and eastern Sri Lanka. Jaffna Tamil is regarded as a higher form of the language. The reason for this status-defining characteristic of the language is that in former years, Tamils from the up country were brought to work in the tea plantations of India by the British Empire. When her family moved to Jaffna in northern Sri Lanka in the early 80s, she found it difficult to adjust to the Jaffna Tamil accent. It was so difficult that she felt like she was learning a new language altogether. However, upon her mother's death in the late 80s, she and her family went back to the up country, allowing the writer to switch back to her Tamil up country accent once again. In the school where the writer spent her primary schooling, the medium of instruction was both Tamil and Singhalese. Classes were taught separately in either language, and since she never had friends for whom Singhalese was the primary language, she never learned to speak Singhalese fluently as much as she did Tamil. Over the years, she improved her competence in both productive and receptive skills in Tamil, and until she migrated to England, Tamil was her language for study and communication with friends and family. At an early age, she was reading Tamil children's magazines and books, and by the time she was 8 years old, she was already reading complex historical novels. This not only improved her reading abilities but also encouraged her to read proficiently in front of the whole class with more confidence (Rossell & Baker, 1996). The first encounter of the writer and her sisters with the English language was at home, when their parents preferred to be called using the English words "Daddy" and "Mummy". In Sri Lanka, English was considered a higher status language, and her mother must have thought that this would give the family some added social