Hamlet Essay

Hamlet represents many things: tragic hero, over-thinking educated man, and poor friend. He is also a revolutionary, a philosopher, and a dreamer, and reconciling these good qualities with the bad proves as maddening for the audience as it does to Hamlet himself. However, what is often lost in the shuffle of Christian theologies in the play is the fact that nihilism as a persistent force, guiding Hamlet’s actions (or inaction, as the case may be) and serving as the catalyst for tragedy. Nihilism serves in the play as a kind of spiritual nether region into which men like Hamlet can find themselves being pulled into. It represents something that, to Hamlet and those like him, comes across as something off a salvation: it represents an opportunity to free one’s self from the need to act, and instead welcomes someone to become completely absorbed in the world of contemplation. This seems ideal for Hamlet the student, but when he is asked to take action by his spectral father, he is torn between his true nature and that which others expect of him. Unable to believe in himself, Hamlet becomes unable to believe in anything at all, which forms the crux of the play’s tragic moral dilemma. Whether Hamlet was intended to be a nihilist or the work nihilistic in nature is a question ripe for debate. According to Donald Wehrs, Placing the threat of nihilism at the heart of tragedy, Shakespeare seems to anticipate, if not inaugurate, Romantic and Modernist vocations for literature—offering literature as the site where significance after the debunking of myth and metaphysics may be reclaimed (68).† According to such a reading, one of the purposes in the narrative of Hamlet is the debunking of mythology. This would reconcile some of the odder features of the play—for instance, the very non-Catholic ghost of King Hamlet (himself seemingly a remnant from the notions of purgatory) juxtaposed with very Catholic concerns of whether Claudius will ascend to heaven or descend to hell based on the exact moment that he is killed: he can’t be killed, according to Hamlet, when he is â€Å"fit and season’d for his passage. However, Wehrs points out that nihilism is the threat, and not the goal: Hamlet’s tale is not nihilistic simply for the sake of riveting storytelling, but because it reveals that when lives unravel (as they do in all tragedies), a belief in nothingness effectively leaves nothing behind; no substance lurking behind the shroud of life. Why, then, the debunking? Why bother lampooning the absurdity of certain metaphysical notions/superstitions while still adhering to the Christian belief structure? The answer is as simple as it is striking: through the story of Hamlet, Shakespeare attempts to create a system of morality that is independent of religion of spiritual affiliation. After all, Hamlet is shown as someone torn between moralities, weighing the social responsibility of honoring his father’s request for revenge with the spiritual responsibility of avoiding bloodshed and murder. He is a man torn apart by his multitude of beliefs, not his lack of beliefs†¦the famous â€Å"to be or not to be† speech represents a descent into nihilism, but it is an abyss that he was driven into by trying to follow the often-arbitrary dictates of what is right and what is wrong. It is no coincidence that the best intentions of Hamlet consign many more souls to death than the deliberate machinations of Claudius. According Tzachi Zamir, some of Shakespeare’s tragic characters (such as Macbeth) are able to resolve nihilistic navel-gazing by virtue of action. Hamlet, on the other hand, is â€Å"more interested in escaping† (537) the physicality of the world: his philosophical nature lends itself more readily to the nihilism that he stumbles into. This is found in the â€Å"to be or not to be† speech, as Hamlet notes â€Å"With this regard their currents turn awry / And lose the name of action. † It is interesting to note that the nihilistic Hamlet causes more death and destruction than other tragic characters who have a spiritual belief structure in place: Claudius, as written above, is a cold-blooded murderer, but also a repentant man who does not let his life be consumed by forces beyond his control. Macbeth readily admits that the violent murder that begins his own tragic downfall will send him to hell, but he cannot help himself. In this spectrum of morality, Shakespeare seems to be implying that good actions can be tainted (following Aristotle’s Poetics, his tragedies almost always feature glorious characters being brought low) and bad actions can be redeemed (the counterpoint of Shakespeare’s tragedies are, of course, the comedies, in which everyone is a case of mistaken identity or two away from true love and happy marriage). Hamlet seems to perceive this on some level: â€Å"â€Å"I must be cruel, only to be kind. † The worst sin, then, becomes inaction: Hamlet’s inaction is a result of his inability to believe in anything, and it seems to clog up the very gears of Hamlet’s world: it is unsurprising, then, that the entirety of that world grinds to a halt from this disruption. Worse still, he tethers the inaction to his ability to reason, when in truth, it is only reasoning that can save one from nihilism. As Grace Matthews points out, â€Å"Hamlet, a religious young man, vacillates between faith and atheism, he becomes vulnerable to the deception that evil offers us†¦ it is only by resisting succumbing to nihilism through thinking that we can protect our spirituality and live meaningfully as a result. † Hamlet’s sin is not thinking; Hamlet’s sin is overthinking. Perhaps the most strident voice in declaring that Hamlet is a nihilist play is that of Harold Bloom. According to him, â€Å"Shakespeare invented what Nietzsche, and Dostoevsky, and others afterwards started to call nihilism. It’s a pure Shakespearean invention. † He links this rather explicitly with the character of Hamlet himself: â€Å"I’m not sure that until you have the representation you call Hamlet, that you have anywhere†¦someone who changes every time he or she speaks, and who does it by this weird thing of overhearing oneself, which I can’t find before Shakespeare.† For Bloom, the notion of Hamlet being nihilistic lies in his personal inability to create an identity for himself: his mind is tugged by reason in one direction, by honor in another direction, and by loyalty in yet another direction. As cliche as it may sound, Hamlet is unable to believe in anything else because he is unable to believe in himself. Aside from the obviously bloody consequences, how does this further the notion that Shakespeare intended this to be a negative thing—a nihilism to be avoided at all costs, instead of an existential safety blanket for individuals to hide themselves in? The answer to this is the fact that Hamlet is portrayed as less than a person throughout the entirety of the play. In point of fact, his spectral father actually displays much more personality and substance than his son does. Hamlet’s identity is in reflection: he can be a jocular young man with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, an educated conspirator with Horatio and an angered son with his mother. Without them, though, Hamlet is unable to be anyone at all. Shakespeare’s Hamlet as a play, and his Hamlet as a character, will remain the center of debate for centuries more to come. However, it is important that the discussions of fate and philosophy—the very kind that Hamlet would have delighted in at Wittenberg—do not overshadow the small things that comprise his tragedy. Shakespeare dangles both Lutheran and Catholic theology in front of both Hamlet and the viewer, but does not advocate one over the other. Rather, both serve as a warning for the only real spiritual evil: the inaction of nihilism. Ironically, it is only through the use of reasoning that one can overcome the temptation of nihilism†¦the temptation of surrendering all responsibility and simply succumbing to the ebb and flow of the tides of the world. However, through Hamlet we see that an overabundance of reasoning can actually cause this effect: if one overlaps spirituality and secular education, then everything is thrown into disarray, and the moral compass is not simply broken†¦one’s entire sense of a true moral north is thrown right out of the window. In its place is a path that can lead only to heartbreak, bloodshed, and chaos.

Motives: Philippines

The Philippines is currently one of the best performing economies in the ASEAN region with a GDP of 6.9% in 2007 (The Economist, 2008). This may be attributed to the presidency’s approach towards economic and fiscal reforms such as the implementation of higher Value Added Taxes (The Economist, 2008). However, peace and order may still be on the process of getting a resolution due to slow progress of arrangements with the MILF together with the problems about terrorist group Abu Sayyaf. Still, the Philippine economy holds as one of the best investment climates in the region in light of the government’s cutting of interest rates. Primarily, the country is very strong in consumer and services sector followed by manufacturing (The Economist, 2008). In terms of the economic conditions of the neighboring countries, Thailand still experiences a strong economic stability in terms of foreign investment measures. The inflation rate is still manageable but the country is faced with problems on political uncertainties (The Economist, 2008). The country however is very strong in sectors like tourism and manufacturing. Singapore also has a very good investment climate because of stabilized government policies just like before. Foreign investors are still keen on entering the market which is especially strong in manufacturing, IT and domestic consuming (The Economist, 2008). Comparatively, the three countries do not actually compete with each other since they all belong in the ASEAN economic block. Although each nation has its own economic strengths, all of them follow the agreed procedures of sharing investment structures as part of the ASEAN’s organization policy. In investing in the Philippines, an investor’s main possible issue is with regards to the current strengthening of the Peso. Primarily, this reflects a weakened US dollar which can make it hard for a foreign investor to maximize the investment values. Add to that the increasing dollar remittances from the country’s overseas workers which devaluates the US dollar more. In terms of business management, there are no actual foreseen problems since the government does not interfere in privately segmented investments (The Economist, 2008) References The Economist. 2008. Country Briefings: Profiles, Forecasts, Statistics. Retrieved January 27, 2008 from http://www.economist.com/countries/.

Lacsap’s Fractions

Lacsap’s Fractions IB Math 20 Portfolio By: Lorenzo Ravani Lacsap’s Fractions Lacsap is backward for Pascal. If we use Pascal’s triangle we can identify patterns in Lacsap’s fractions. The goal of this portfolio is to ? nd an equation that describes the pattern presented in Lacsap’s fraction. This equation must determine the numerator and the denominator for every row possible. Numerator Elements of the Pascal’s triangle form multiple horizontal rows (n) and diagonal rows (r). The elements of the ? rst diagonal row (r = 1) are a linear function of the row number n. For every other row, each element is a parabolic function of n.Where r represents the element number and n represents the row number. The row numbers that represents the same sets of numbers as the numerators in Lacsap’s triangle, are the second row (r = 2) and the seventh row (r = 7). These rows are respectively the third element in the triangle, and equal to each other bec ause the triangle is symmetrical. In this portfolio we will formulate an equation for only these two rows to ? nd Lacsap’s pattern. The equation for the numerator of the second and seventh row can be represented by the equation: (1/2)n * (n+1) = Nn (r) When n represents the row number.And Nn(r) represents the numerator Therefore the numerator of the sixth row is Nn(r) = (1/2)n * (n+1) Nn(r) = (1/2)6 * (6+1) Nn(r) = (3) * (7) Nn(r) = 21 Figure 2: Lacsap’s fractions. The numbers that are underlined are the numerators. Which are the same as the elements in the second and seventh row of Pascal’s triangle. Figure 1: Pascal’s triangle. The circled sets of numbers are the same as the numerators in Lacsap’s fractions. Graphical Representation The plot of the pattern represents the relationship between numerator and row number. The graph goes up to the ninth row.The rows are represented on the x-axis, and the numerator on the y-axis. The plot forms a parabo lic curve, representing an exponential increase of the numerator compared to the row number. Let Nn be the numerator of the interior fraction of the nth row. The graph takes the shape of a parabola. The graph is parabolical and the equation is in the form: Nn = an2 + bn + c The parabola passes through the points (0,0) (1,1) and (5,15) At (0,0): 0 = 0 + 0 + c ! ! At (1,1): 1 = a + b ! ! ! At (5,15): 15 = 25a + 5b ! ! ! 15 = 25a + 5(1 – a) ! 15 = 25a + 5 – 5a ! 15 = 20a + 5 ! 10 = 20a! ! ! ! ! ! ! therefore c = 0 therefore b = 1 – a Check with other row numbers At (2,3): 3 = (1/2)n * (n+1) ! (1/2)(2) * (2+1) ! (1) * (3) ! N3 = (3) therefore a = (1/2) Hence b = (1/2) as well The equation for this graph therefore is Nn = (1/2)n2 + (1/2)n ! which simpli? es into ! Nn = (1/2)n * (n+1) Denominator The difference between the numerator and the denominator of the same fraction will be the difference between the denominator of the current fraction and the previous fraction . Ex. If you take (6/4) the difference is 2. Therefore the difference between the previous denominator of (3/2) and (6/4) is 2. ! Figure 3: Lacsap’s fractions showing differences between denominators Therefore the general statement for ? nding the denominator of the (r+1)th element in the nth row is: Dn (r) = (1/2)n * (n+1) – r ( n – r ) Where n represents the row number, r represents the the element number and Dn (r) represents the denominator. Let us use the formula we have obtained to ?nd the interior fractions in the 6th row. Finding the 6th row – First denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – Second denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! denominator = 6 ( 6/2 + 1/2 ) – 1 ( 6 – 1 ) ! = 6 ( 3. 5 ) – 1 ( 5 ) ! 21 – 5 = 16 denominator = 6 ( 6/2 + 1/2 ) – 2 ( 6 – 2 ) ! = 6 ( 3. 5 ) – 2 ( 4 ) ! = 21 – 8 = 13 ! ! -Third denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – Fourth denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – Fifth denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! denominator = 6 ( 6/2 + 1/2 ) – 3 ( 6 – 3 ) ! = 6 ( 3. 5 ) – 3 ( 3 ) ! = 21 – 9 = 12 denominator = 6 ( 6/2 + 1/2 ) – 2 ( 6 – 2 ) ! = 6 ( 3. 5 ) – 2 ( 4 ) ! = 21 – 8 = 13 denominator = 6 ( 6/2 + 1/2 ) – 1 ( 6 – 1 ) ! = 6 ( 3. 5 ) – 1 ( 5 ) ! = 21 – 5 = 16 ! ! We already know from the previous investigation that the numerator is 21 for all interior fractions of the sixth row.Using these patterns, the elements of the 6th row are 1! (21/16)! (21/13)! (21/12)! (21/13)! (21/16)! 1 Finding the 7th row – First denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – Second denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – Third denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – Fourth denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! denominator = 7 ( 7/2 + 1/2 ) – 1 ( 7 – 1 ) ! =7(4)–1(6) ! = 28 – 6 = 22 denominator = 7 ( 7/2 + 1/2 ) – 2 ( 7 – 2 ) ! =7(4)–2(5) ! = 28 – 10 = 18 denominator = 7 ( 7/2 + 1/2 ) – 3 ( 7 – 3 ) ! =7(4)–3(4) ! = 28 – 12 = 16 denominator = 7 ( 7/2 + 1/2 ) – 4 ( 7 – 3 ) ! =7(4)–3(4) ! = 28 – 12 = 16 ! ! ! ! ! ! Fifth denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – Sixth denominator ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! denominator = 7 ( 7/2 + 1/2 ) – 2 ( 7 – 2 ) ! ! =7(4)–2(5) ! ! = 28 – 10 = 18 ! ! denominator = 7 ( 7/2 + 1/2 ) – 1 ( 7 – 1 ) ! =7(4)–1(6) ! = 28 – 6 = 22 We already know from the previous investigation that the numerator is 28 for all interior fractions of the seventh row. Using these patterns, the elements of the 7th row are 1 (28/22) (28/18) (28/16) (28/16) (28/18) (28/22) 1 General Statement To ? nd a general statement we combined the two equations needed to ? nd the numerator and to ? nd the denominator. Which are (1/2)n * (n+1) to ? d the numerator and (1/2)n * (n+1) – n( r – n) to ? nd the denominator. By letting En(r) be the ( r + 1 )th element in the nth row, the general statement is: En(r) = {[ (1/2)n * (n+1) ] / [ (1/2)n * (n+1) – r( n – r) ]} Where n represents the row number and r represents the the element number. Limitations The ‘1’ at the beginning and end of each row is taken out before making calculations. Therefore the second element in each equation is now regarded as the ? rst element. Secondly, the r in the general statement should be greater than 0. Thirdly the very ? rst row of the given pattern is counted as the 1st row.Lacsap’s triangle is symmetrical like Pascal’s, therefore the elements on the left side of the line of symmetry are the same as the elements on the right side of the line of symmetry, as shown in Figure 4. Fourthly, we only formulated equations based on the second and the seventh rows in Pascal’s triangle. These rows are the only ones that have the same pattern as Lacsap’s fractions. Every other row creates either a linear equation or a different parabolic equation which doesn’t match Lacsap’s pattern. Lastly, all fractions should be kept when reduced; provided that no fractions common to the numerator and the denominator are to be cancelled. ex. 6/4 cannot be reduced to 3/2 ) Figure 4: The triangle has the same fractions on both sides. The only fractions that occur only once are the ones crossed by this line of symmetry. 1 Validity With this statement you can ? nd any fraction is Lacsap’s pattern and to prove this I will use this equation to ? nd the elements of the 9th row. The subscript represents the 9th row, and the number in parentheses represents the element number. – E9(1)!! ! – First element! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – E9(2)!! ! – Second element! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – E9(3)!! ! – Third element! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! {[ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) – r( n – r) ]} {[ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) – 1( 9 – 1) ]} {[ 9( 5 ) ] / [ 9( 5 ) – 1( 8 ) ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 45 – 8 ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 37 ]} 45/37 {[ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) – r( n – r) ]} {[ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) – 2( 9 – 2) ]} {[ 9( 5 ) ] / [ 9( 5 ) – 2 ( 7 ) ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 45 – 14 ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 31 ]} 45/31 {[ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) – r( n – r) ]} {[ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) – 3 ( 9 – 3) ]} {[ 9( 5 ) ] / [ 9( 5 ) – 3( 6 ) ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 45 – 18 ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 27 ]} 45/27 E9(4)!! ! – Fourth element! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – E9(4)!! ! – Fifth element! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – E9(3)!! ! – Sixth element! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! – E9(2)!! ! – Seventh element! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! â₠¬â€œ E9(1)!! ! – Eighth element! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! [ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) – r( n – r) ]} {[ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) – 4( 9 – 4) ]} {[ 9( 5 ) ] / [ 9( 5 ) – 4( 5 ) ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 45 – 20 ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 25 ]} 45/25 {[ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) – r( n – r) ]} {[ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) – 4( 9 – 4) ]} {[ 9( 5 ) ] / [ 9( 5 ) – 4( 5 ) ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 45 – 20 ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 25 ]} 45/25 {[ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) – r( n – r) ]} {[ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) – 3 ( 9 – 3) ]} {[ 9( 5 ) ] / [ 9( 5 ) – 3( 6 ) ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 45 – 18 ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 27 ]} 45/27 {[ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) – r( n – r) ]} {[ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) – 2( 9 – 2) ]} {[ 9( 5 ) ] / [ 9( 5 ) – 2 ( 7 ) ] } {[ 45 ] / [ 45 – 14 ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 31 ]} 45/31 {[ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ n( n/2 + 1/2 ) – r( n – r) ]} {[ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) ] / [ 9( 9/2 + 1/2 ) – 1( 9 – 1) ]} {[ 9( 5 ) ] / [ 9( 5 ) – 1( 8 ) ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 45 – 8 ]} {[ 45 ] / [ 37 ]} 45/37 From these calculations, derived from the general statement the 9th row is 1 (45/37)! ! (45/31)! ! (45/27)! (45/25)! (45/25)! (45/27) (45/31)! (45/37)! ! 1 Using the general statement we have obtained from Pascal’s triangle, and following the limitations stated, we will be able to produce the elements of any given row in Lacsap’s pattern. This equation determines the numerator and the denominator for every row possible.

Challenges for Distance Learning Research Paper

Challenges for Distance Learning - Research Paper Example And, at the same time, geographic constraints and limited economic resources and increasing demand from students to get education at times that are accessible and convenient taking into account their personal commitments and busy schedules have further necessitated to avail this method of education(Roberts, 1998). The geographic constraints are mostly faced by those who live in developing countries and where the educational graph is below the standard under the international education ranking system; in which teaching and learning systems are ill-equipped and insufficient to deliver their expected educational objectives. Aggregately, both sides of education- teaching and learning- are not updated as they should be. As a result, they become inadequate to meet the educational objectives. Besides, the cost of obtaining education does not remain the same; it is constantly increasing with the passage of time. The issue of bearing educational expenses is also being faced by students both i n the developed and developing countries as well. ... Distance learning Moore and Kearsley (1996, p 2) defines distance education as planned learning normally occurring in a different place from teaching and consequently requires special techniques of course design, special methods of communication via electronic and other type of technology, particular instructional techniques, as well as special administrative and organizational arrangements. Godschalk & Lacey (2001, pp, 476) further clearly defines distance education as a process of teaching and learning that considerably depends on (1) a mode of delivery that can be availed anytime and anywhere facilitating the needs of individual students; (2) selective use of communication tools helping self-learning as well as group learning experiences and (3) collaborative learning approaches that provide assistance to student-to-faculty and student-to-student interaction. This entire process of learning requires efforts and commitment from both sides-teaching and learning. The teaching side is required to deliver its part of commitment by providing the required type of teaching approaches that could be easily understood and at the same be retained by the leaning side. The learning side must ensure that it properly understands the entire mechanism of learning. if the learning does not understand the entire process, it would be very difficult for both sides to ensure achieving the required educational objectives and as a result many compromises would start appearing from the learning side. Additionally, in order to ensure the attainment of educational objectives, the learning side, which is represented by students, must ensure that it is fully conversant with the use of technology and its related applications facilitating the entire learning process. And at

The French Revolution and the Cultural Renewal of Europe Essay - 1

The French Revolution and the Cultural Renewal of Europe - Essay Example The seminal event in the evolution of political thought also was transformative for the development of Europe’s great cultural tradition. A civilization in which Neo-Classically influenced works of art and literature honored royalty and aristocracy underwent a radical change. The toppling of the ancien regime in France did more than set off a chain of events that would transform Western Europe from monarchy to democracy. It radically changed the very notion of culture. After the revolution, the idea that culture was the exclusive province of the wealthy and powerful changed forever. Culture in a world where noblemen had been patrons of the great artists was now the property of everyone, of rich and poor. The ideas that fired the revolution were equally motivating to the painters, composers and writers of Europe, who had seen nothing comparable to the fervor with which Marat, Robespierre and other firebrands of the Revolution took up the philosophies of Rousseau and Montesquieu. The power of Enlightenment thinking took solid root on both sides of the Atlantic, inspiring political and cultural leaders to adopt the cause of liberty, equality and fraternity as their own. â€Å"The tide of Revolution that swept away much of the old political order in Europe and America in the last quarter of the 18th century had momentous consequences for the arts. Both the American and French revolutions had in fact used art as a means of expressing their spiritual rejection of the aristocratic society against which they were physically rebelling†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Cunningham and Reich, 2006). The art of David typified this spiritual and physical break with the past, using classical imagery to glorify the ideals of the Revolution.

Western liberal democracy. The evolution of liberal democracy Thesis

Western liberal democracy. The evolution of liberal democracy - Thesis Example Liberal democracy,otherwise called constitutional democracy,is the most dominant form of democracies in the contemporary world and the phrase 'Liberal Democracy' is a frequently used to describe Western democratic political systems including the United States,Britain,New Zealand,Canada,Australia,and other nations. To define a liberal democracy, it is "a form of representative democracy where elected representatives that hold the decision power are moderated by a constitution that emphasizes protecting individual liberties and the rights of minorities in society, such as freedom of speech and assembly, freedom of religion, the right to private property and privacy, as well as equality before the law and due process under the rule of law, and many more." 1As against the distinction with the Communist People's Republics or the 'Popular Democracies' of the Cold War period, constitutional democracies in the modern period are differentiated from the direct democracies and participatory dem ocracies. The various constitutional forms of liberal democracies include republics, as in the case of the US, India, and France, and constitutional monarchy, such as the UK and Spain. This paper deals with Western liberal democracy in two sections: the evolution of liberal democracy and the nature of liberal democracy.Liberal democracy has its origins in the Age of Enlightenment in Europe in the 18th century at a time when monarchy was the practice of the time. The Western liberal democracy has emerged from the unique history of European civilisation and it has grown to become one of the most important forms of democratic government in the contemporary world. Today, one prevalent question concerning the Western liberal democracy is whether it can be served from its Western historical context and universalised for all nations of the world. The evolution of Western liberal democracy needs to be realised as the result of influential movements in the Europe, including the French Revolu tion and the English Revolution, based on the theoretical and philosophical thoughts such as liberty, equality etc. The American story of the evolution of liberal democracy is not different. "In part enlightened by European theoretical works, in part influenced by the European history, and in part responding to new life in American colonies, Madison, Hamilton and Jefferson, among others, conceived a federal republic, creating a new version of democracy which is elegant in theory but miserly in fact. It is elegant in the way it structures a durable government. It is miserly in the way it embraces the realities of the eighteenth century America, excluding a vast majority of people from the democratic process. Initially confined to one race and one gender, the base of American democracy has gradually expanded." 2 Thus, the American liberal democracy mixes reality with vision and today it has become the epitome of Western liberal democracy. Today, the eighteenth century liberalism which was based on property has been transformed o a new liberalism which is established on formal equality and liberty. . The Western liberal democracy in the contemporary world demonstrates that civil and political rights of the people can go hand in hand with higher standards of living. "In light of these achievements, liberal democracy is touted as the ideal form of government for all the peoples of the world. Any other system, including any other notion of democracy, is seen as a lesser construct, an inferior design, a recipe for social and economic backwardness." 3 Analysing the chief components in the origin and development of the Western liberal democracy, it is essential to relate to some essential sources of it. Any political ideology has a historical life, growth and development and the ideology of the Western liberal democracy is not different. Thus, it is important to have the background knowledge about the Greek heritage of democracy and the contributions of Christian theology and Roman

Why Organisations Should Spend Time Gathering Secondary Data Prior to Coursework

Why Organisations Should Spend Time Gathering Secondary Data Prior to Undertaking Primary Research - Coursework Example An organization may carry out primary research in which researchers gather facts about the prevailing situation through observation, surveys, and behavioral data and through experimentation. Most organizations initially gather secondary data before undertaking the primary research. Secondary data are data about the subject at hand that may be already into existence somewhere within the reach of the organization, having being collected by the organization or another body and therefore the information may be useful partly or wholly in handling the problem at hand. Reasons Why Organizations Spend Time Gathering Secondary Data The information that already exists somewhere may help the researching organization in expanding its knowledge regarding the problem to be solved. The company may use such report to find out what others have done in a particular field of study. The secondary data may also help an organization it its preparation for primary research, by helping in identifying the to ols and materials that need to be used in order to make the future research successful. The secondary materials may also help an organization to understanding the progress that other researchers have made. This help in avoiding certain research problems in order to use the available resources effectively. The company may also use the secondary data to identify the needed resources for the research work to be successful. It helps in setting realistic period for the research work that the organization intends to undertake, and to assemble a team of researchers for different roles in the research process. Advantages of Using Secondary Data Data collected externally may be more objective since no one within the organization may have influenced the outcome of the data. This is usually useful when the data needed to solve the current problem does not exist anywhere in the organization, it may be appropriate to obtain the data that may have been collected by other pioneer organizations in the same industry. This helps the researchers to identify areas of focus to solve the problem effortlessly. Using data that was collected by other organizations in solving related problem is part of the learning process that is useful when handling many research problems for the first time. This helps in avoiding some obvious mistakes that may lead to wastage of resources and time in the earlier researches (Kotler et al, 2009) The organization may find relevant data that touches similar problems that the company is seeking to solve. In marketing, it is common knowledge that all products goes through the product life cycle and all organizations goes through the same learning curves. It is therefore a reality that the problem that any organization may be dealing with at present may have been faced by another organization in the past. When data is acquired from other organization, it may influence the learning process much faster for smaller organization, whose resources are constraine d. It is cheaper to obtain in different forms of research findings as needed by the organization for solving a specific problem at hand. The process of obtaining materials that already exist to be used in solving a related marketing problem is shorter. The processes of obtaining such existing data may at time cost the organization almost nothing or only a small cost may be involved. This is useful when there is need to save on the cost and time availability. Secondary data is readily available in variety. Today the world is today experiencing information explosion, and therefore every type of information that may be needed by

Back to The Future 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Back to The Future 1 - Essay Example Marty and George in 80s represented a different type of relations in the unhappy family. Relations of Marty and George after his trip to 50s became friendlier and their family turned into a successful one. This research paper is focused on relations between a father and a son. The most interesting thing is that a son changes a life of his father and not a father changes a life of his son, as it usually happens. It is appropriate for Robert Zemeckis to project his relations with his father on his films (Thomson 2002, p. 958). A great director was oppressed by his father, because the latter did not believe in his creative potential. Therefore, a model of relations between Marty and George reflects commonly the relations of Zemeckis and his father. Zemeckis grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and was lacking of art. Robert wanted to take his parents' 8 mm home movie camera and delve in the fascinating world of cinema. His desire to go to a film school was intensified after Robert watched the â€Å"Bonnie and Clyde† film. Cinema was an enchanting world for a young boy, who wanted to change his daily routine into a fairy tale. Characters of the film From the very beginning of the film the audience is intrigued by a character of Doc Brown, who is introduced through the number of newspaper articles about his bankruptcy, which are aired on the radio and discussed in TV news. There are also many other trifles, which introduce Doc Brown’s character. This man is supposedly a scientist or an amateur inventor. It is evident that inventions of the scientists were not appreciated by the society. Plutonium was stolen by Doc Brown in order to power his time machine. So, there is so much about this scientist, but who is he and which role does he play in the film? Actually, a young boy entering the house of Doc Brown is Marty and his father’s name is George. Doc Brown is a prototype of Marty’s father, a kind of an ideal person, to which this boy feels a great affection and is attracted by his interesting life. It is possible to suppose that Robert Zemeckis expressed his desire for art in his childhood and a character of Doc in this film embodies desirable features of his father. Moreover, Doc is inspired with technology and Robert in his childhood was enchanted by television. Marty came to Doc to have a rest from his blue-collar environment, and Robert Zemeckis looked for such place of aesthetic pleasure while watching films. Marty is lacking of attention of his father and wants to find an opportunity to penetrate into the depths of George’s ideas. Doc gives him a chance to get acquainted with the past of his father and mother. When a magnificent time machine starts working, Marty has an opportunity to go back to 1955 to help his father to live a better life and not the one he has. It should be noted that Robert Zemeckis develops not only an interesting plot of relations between Marty and George, but also paints a pathetic p icture of psychological development of Marty. In his juvenile age in 50s he became his father’s rival and wanted to fight for his mother’s heart. There is no even a hint of Oedipus complex, relations between Marty and George happen at different level. Relations between a father and a son are developed as compensating ones: Marty gave an opportunity for his father to overcome his fears in the past and

Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management Essay - 7

Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Management - Essay Example The evaluations of the assumptions help to understand to what extent the assumptions are valid. Finally a conclusion is provided to summarise the findings and the assumptions considered in the business plan. 2.0 The business plan The business plan endeavours to create a guideline about the market segment, the sources of fund and the cash inflow and outflows for a period of three years. The choice of non profit organisation is limited and so is the type of products and services. The non profit organisation is named as Sumptuous Catering Service. The choice of the non profit organisation is also supplemented with the choice of products and services. Sumptuous Catering Services is a food catering service that serves food both demand based occasions as well as for regular occasions. 2.1 Choice of products and services Types of products Sub categories in each type of products Boxed typed lunches Sandwich, salad, deli type salad, fresh fruits, cookie and chips Buffet type lunches Party pla tters, Sandwich wrap platters, Baked potato bars, Lasagna bar, and Taco salad bar Source: (Author’s Creation) The choice of the products must be supplemented with proper justifications regarding the market segmented of the product. The market segment depicts who are the target customers and the proportion of takers of the particular product in the population. The choice of the product is food and catering. The probable market segment will represent two types of customers; one who place orders on a regular basis and ones who seldom place orders. For example, the infrequent customers can include parties and get-together, celebrations of special occasions and other on-demand basis. The more frequent customer types include office lunches, school lunches, college lunches, hospital, other government sector canteen lunches and dinners. The demand from the regular type customers are more or less stable and have same type of demand for a long period of time (Garnier and Gasse, 2001). 2.2 The following table indentifies the major and minor customer types Source: (Author’s Creation) 2.3 Market analysis of the major and minor type of customers Source: (Griffith and Dorsman, 2008) Projected growth of the market segment Market Analysis       Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5    Potential Customers Growth                   Major customer types 2% 2% 2% 2% 2% 2%    Minor customer types 14% 2% 14% 16% 18% 20%    Total 16.00% 4% 16% 18% 20% 22%    Source: (Author’s Creation) 2.4 Promotion strategy Sumptuous Catering Service is a non profit organisation so the promotion strategy will be designed keeping in mind the cost involved in promotional campaigns. The promotional strategy will be a low cost, low visibility programme at least for the first year. A number of non profit organisations like the NGO and self help groups will be roped in using the word of mouth strategy and the email campaigns (Griffith and Dorsman, 2008). The self h elp groups and the NGO are linked to various governmental and nongovernmental

Surveyors & landscape Essay Example for Free

Surveyors landscape Essay

Starbucks against Vietnamese coffee culture

Starbucks against Vietnamese coffee culture Starbucks brand name is one of most admired famous global business in the world (Moore, 2006, p.7). Moreover, in terms of marketing, Starbucks always is the case study for discussing about it successful marketing and branding strategies. Because of the fall of the economy, it was forced to close 700 stores that were unable to make enough profit and cut thousands of jobs in America, UK, and Australia after a drop in sales in 2008. The brand was also facing the issue of their customers choosing a cheaper option over their higher coffee prices. Starbucks then was applauded for their handling of crisis situations. This report will apply relevant theory and practice of strategic marketing management to explore the situation, contributing factors and management of marketing strategies in the financial crisis sector, reflecting the happenings and identifying recommendations relevant to Starbucks International Coffee. OVERVIEW OF STARBUCKS COFFEE The Seattle-based Starbucks Corporation, which founded in 1971, is nowadays a multinational coffee and coffee house chain with over 15,000 stores in in all 50 states and 43 countries outside of the United States (Pham, 2008, p.8). Serving consumers everywhere (Moore, 2006, p.12.), the aim of Starbucks is to establish and leverage its powerhouse premium specialty coffee through rapid expansion of retail operations, new distribution channels and successful make it coffee a global product for millions customers. Appendix 1 At Starbucks Coffee, the mission is [] to inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup, and one neighbourhood at a time. (Clampitt, 2009). Starbucks has been and always be proud of their commitment to maintaining quality, integrity, and great taste of coffee through the course of its growth and the high value placed on the employees/partners worldwide (LeFort, 2008) . Appendix 2,3 Store Expansion Strategy of Starbucks Throughout the 1990s, Starbucks had started developed a three-year geographic expansion strategy (Clampitt, 2009) then Starbucks store launches grew more successful in revenue (Creamer, 2007). Not just selling the coffee, Starbucks model with opening new stores next to doors and inside shopping malls caused them to increase in value than all other competitors (Cebrzynski, 2007) In 2004, Starbucks announced to analysts that it had a very aggressive target to double its rate of expansion. Their stated goal was to grow to 15,000 stores in the US. According to the report in an article, Starbucks has more than 13,000 locations around the world, and has overstretched itself with the long-term goal of 40,000 stores worldwide (Woodward, 2007, Clark, 2008). Appendix 4, 5, 6 There is a raised question that whether it is a bad business decision for coffee chain Starbucks to expand its brand too quick. (Cebrzynski, 2007) is also suspicious that has Starbucks lost its Starbucks experience by growing that big? (Business: Trouble brewing, 2007) FINANCIAL CRISIS AND COMMODITIZATION OF THE BRAND A crisis, according to (Brown, 2003) is a decisive moment, a turning point, a time of great difficulty, then marketing cannot possibly be in crisis. Mr Schultz, Starbuckss CEO, saw the crisis coming. He had discovered the problem of their own development strategies: Stores no longer have the experienced soul with the warm feeling of a neighbourhood store. At the beginning of 2007, he did warned about the commoditisation of the brand that the expansion from 1,000 to more than 13,000 shops over the past ten years, in order to achieve the growth, development, has led to a series of decisions that make a watering down of the Starbucks experience. (Businessweek. 2007). The decline of Starbucks is the result of over expanding previous years, has been criticized by those who oppose globalization such as ( Klein, 2009): Instead of opening giant stores on the outskirts of town, Starbucks chooses locations right in the range of the inner area already full with all kinds of coffee house. This s trategy relies heavily on the cost reduction by purchasing multiple quantities at wholesale prices like Wal-Mar, however, affected more by the competitors The rapid growth has obviously caused Starbucks some problems. For the first time in its 37-year- history Starbucks lost customers and profits collapsed 97% (Jagger, 2008) during the fourth quarter of 2007 after the ubiquitous coffee chain was forced to absorb the effect of weakening demand. The footfall had declined in the UK, where it has two other big coffee retailer: Whitbreads Costa and Caffà ¨ Nero as well, -$6.7 million after tax, compared with a $158 million profit for the same quarter last year. (Lee, 2008). Although company officials still do not believe growth is an issue (Cebrzynski, 2007), first time in five years, Starbucks was knocked out of first place in the coffee-and-doughnuts category by Dunkin Donuts (Creamer, 2007). And it was the biggest faller in the index by 7 points to 42 out of a possible 100. (Leroux, 2008) Issue Reasons As (Schindehutte et al., 2008) argues that [] something is clearly affecting the ability of firms and business units to sustain performance ), suffering from a rough economy and its own strategic missteps, Starbucks had to admit their own mistakes, much of which is self-inflicted (Ignatius, 2010) In current economy, as a classic dilemma of any big business, while trying to expand, Starbucks not only have to deal with other factors like competitors and the mortgage crisis, they also competing with themselves. Size may have brought success to Starbucks, but it has also led to issues of brand depersonalisation. In the rush to open more stores, Starbucks is experiencing what all successful brands do when they move from being a small, niche firm to a global entity (Golding,2009). Moreover, there are some extra affections from the environment, such as: The brands bottom line has been hit by the rising costs of raw materials. [] now Starbucks isnt for some people said Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks (Not enough froth Starbucks, 2008). Fancy Starbucks coffee has also struggled to compete with cut-price rivals such as McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts, as these traditionally food-focused outlets have begun to sell their own premium and reasonable coffee offer (Clark, 2008). As the financial crisis has spread to the real economy, a perfect storm of negative factors affecting the consumer (Cebrzynski, 2007). The flagging economy and soaring gas prices are responsible too (Leroux, 2008). Consumers are worried of rising gas prices, energy bills, declining home values, the weak dollar, tighter credit, therefore giving hard consideration to how they spend their money. They even already scale back on restaurant dining that made restaurants are slowly creeping out of their thoughts. STRATEGIC MARKETING MANAGEMENT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS Crisis management is much more than coping with a crisis, it is identifying, studying, forecasting, stopping and avoiding crisis as well. (Clampitt, 2009) Continuous improvement and monitoring in business operation can detect and prevent an upcoming crisis (Rhee Valdez, 2009). Effective marketing can contribute to a firms growth through better anticipation of market opportunities, calibration of risks, a tighter linkage of technological possibilities with market concepts, and faster adjustment to shifting market needs and competitive moves. (Day, 2003) For their part, market-driving firms such as Starbucks is demonstrating how business model innovation results in sustainable advantage and superior long-term performance in a wide range of industries. (Schindehutte et al., 2008). When a crisis or disaster strikes, companies must analyze and choose from many strategic plans. One way they do this is by using a SWOT analysis a strategic planning tool used to evaluate Strengths, Weakness es, Opportunities, and Threats. The goal of a SWOT analysis is to identify key internal and external factors that affect the desired outcome. Strengths and weaknesses are internal to the company and include things like wage/benefits, corporate culture, leadership, marketing, and operations. Opportunities and threats are external to the company and include things like government regulations, competition, and economic and social forces. (Clampitt, 2009) The focus for the strategic management to understand the market and industry processes of Starbucks and must be able to integrate valid and reliable SWOT analysis so as to determine future strategies for business development and growth in the global market. SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis will provide enough awareness for the Starbucks and its business management and operations with regards to their strategic management implying relevant points for their resources as well as market approaches and processes in order to stay in shape and in control of their business environment. Applying a SWOT analysis to Starbucks global expansion strategy shows why they have been successful overcome the crisis. Appendix 7 The business strategy of Starbucks is identical to the corporate level strategy, focusing on coffee-related products as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world and maintenance of great environment for every staff member in its retail stores. Continual quality improvement is crucial to competitive success and the perfect symbol for the dilemma that faces world trade (Schindehutte et al., 2008). Therefore, it is typical to give the promises to improve service, reduce growth and expand marketing efforts for responding to a decline in customer traffic (Business: Trouble Brewing, 2007). Equally as important, company should not lose sight of their brand heritage (Cebrzynski, 2007). A long term business strategy built upon the hundreds of little things on a daily basis which is the key to customer relationships in the future (Cannon, 2002). Re-energizing Starbucks Process When a decline in customer traffic happens to any chains like Starbucks, its a signal that the company should re-examine their positions (Cebrzynski, 2007). It is the market that provides signals both to the entrepreneur and marketer regarding what value is needed, when it is needed, and how it should be delivered (Schindehutte et al., 2008). Starbucks needs to go back to its roots (Cebrzynski, 2007) and make its brand special again. Company brought back the original CEO, Howard Schultz to restore the companys shine. Starbucks knows it needs to do something new (Skenazy, 2008). Re-structure: Back to basics Chairman Howard Schultz take back the reins from ousted CEO James Donald, not only closed 100 unspecified, underperforming locations with weak sales but also closed most stores across the US simultaneously in order to retrain to improve customer experience at American stores and to get back to the core (Creamer, 2007). Besides, Geoff Vuleta, CEO of New York innovation consultancy Fahrenheit 212, had a radical solution that open a chain of microstores devoted solely to making coffee. No travel cups, no music, no machines, just amazing beans and a narrow range of the best-in-the-world coffee drinks,, just moving brand back to the basics. Resource-led Strategy: Focus on service quality experience Everyone should know that nothing is better for a business than a satisfied customer who can talk to others about their experience with our service (Cannon, 2002). First of all, Starbucks really needs to refocus on the luxury coffee experience; the smells, the sounds. They also gained customers positive experience in stores by well-trained staffs who were knowledgeable about the companys products, who eagerly communicated the companys passion for coffee, and who had the skills and personality to deliver consistently pleasing customer service (Whats Brewing at Starbucks, 2011). Starbucks wanted to turn all Starbucks employees into partners, give them a chance to share in the success of the company and make clear the connection between their contributions and the companys market value (Thompson Strickland, 2009). From its founding, Starbucks set out to be a third place to spend time, in addition to home and work.(Business: Trouble Brewing, 2007) To remedy that, the company plans to improve its service. Field managers will spend more time in the stores to make sure service really does get better, and new baristas will receive additional training. (Cebrzynski, 2007). New breakfast line, featuring a proprietary baked and chilled food program was unveiled in September. Howard Schultz said the smell of the sandwiches overpowered the aroma of coffee, one of the chains signature features (Jennings, 2008). Following the lead of other coffee chains, Starbucks will also be offering a customer loyalty card for the first time. (Ahmed Walsh, 2008) In an attempt to rvetain loyalty in the UK, Starbucks has introduced free coffee refills for anyone buying a hot drink and has ramped up its hitherto negligible marketing activity (Lee, 2008).  · Market-led Strategy: Reputation management can take a while for a bad reputation to hit your bottom line, or a good one to increase profit (Cannon, 2002). As word-of-mouth is a primary marketing tool, Brian Collins, chief creative officer of New Yorks Collins design research firm, suggested company should better use its digital resources to learn the tastes of regular customers and reach target audience by creating social networking tools like Facebook or Twitter and blog page. They also used it both as a way to stay interacted, involved with their current customers and look for new ones. According to TNS Media Intelligence, Starbucks spent $40 million in the first nine months of 2007 (York, 2008), launched its first national TV campaign to defend its ownership of the coffee segment from encroachment by McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts and other chains (Cebrzynski, 2007). They also created the site My Starbucks Idea (http://mystarbucksidea.force.com/), which gives consumers the opportunity to post ideas, suggestions, to vote and discuss about what they want to see from Starbucks. If they gain support, these ideas may be chosen to carry out to change the company in its business process, product development, experience development, and store design.(Jarvis 2008) Change will not happen overnight, Mr. Schultz said. It will evolve over time, but I ensure you a positive change will occur. I, along with our dedicated partners, will strive to exceed the expectations of our customers every day. (York 2008) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE STRATEGY As the company expands, the culture and corporate strategy must be maintained for success (Jennings, 2008). For the recommendation, Starbucks should be able to sustain the companys growth and make the business become strong global brand. What could Starbucks do to make its stores an even more elegant milieu that welcomes rewards and give surprises to customers? What new products and new experiences could the company provide that would belong to and be associated with Starbucks? And how could Starbucks reach people who were not coffee drinkers? Starbucks must continue the fixed-price purchase commitments in order to secure an adequate supply of quality green coffee beans and to limit its exposure to fluctuating coffee prices in upcoming periods. (ThompsonStickland, 2009) Some experts therefore believe its unbranded stores initiative is not only logical, but necessary. It needs to focus on the inherent values of being local; it needs to employ local staff; it needs to be suitably different from Starbucks corporate image.It is a phenomenally successful company that started off as a local brand but grew incredibly quickly, he says. The brand was originally loved and respected by everyone, but the corporate world decided it had become too big. However, David Anderson, director of Cada Design Group, argues that most consumers dont have issues with the brand. Consumers are looking for a home away from home, and want it in an environment that isnt so heavily corporate branded. They think customers are brand loyal or product loyal, but they are not. It comes down to convenience and providing a space people want to be in. It wants to regain a community personality and the image of the neighbourhood coffee shop.(Golding, 2009) CONCLUSION Starbucks Coffees heyday was back when the corporation announced the business results in the first quarter this year reached U.S. $ 2.7 billion, with net profit of 242 million dollars (nearly 300% increase compared to same period in 2009). This is also the result of efforts to revive the brand had been likened to a giant. From the case of Starbucks, what is the lesson for business? Because development needs, the business diversified products and services is perhaps natural. A long time, Starbucks has gone with their own race shop system extension. This group has become the pride of American business people. The market strategy of Starbucks is a classic lesson in the textbook business. More services they desire to acquire a lot of customers. In fact, they have plummeted, but in time to edit. So go in-depth development (product quality, service key) to get a solid foundation for expanding business. But do not be too ambitious expansion width, expansion, missing the core. Marketing once again demonstrated its magic to bring Starbucks back to the track. The results of consumer research shows that of Starbucks, the main indicators in the business achieved a high level of satisfaction over a year ago. Although Starbucks enjoyed success in the past few years, there are a few obstacles looming. Since the popularity of the coffee house idea has grown, some cities wish to issue regulations on the coffeehouses due to complaints of late night patrons becoming uncontrollable. In conclusion therefore, Starbucks was the only company with anything close to national market coverage. The companys efforts to greatly increase its sphere of strategic interest via its joint ventures and the move to sell coffee in supermarkets that represents such ongoing drive in order to continually reinvent the way Starbucks operate its business. (Thompson Stickland, 2009) Amidst the environmental, social, and economic challenges and changes for Starbucks, its chairman, president, and chief executive officer, Howard Schultz, pledges Even during this time of change for our company, one thing that will never change is our long-standing commitment to conducting business in a responsible and ethical manner. Going forward, we will only deepen our approach by continuing to integrate social and environmental responsibility in every aspect of our business. With its various and numerous awards in Best Business, Most Admired Company, 100 Best Corporate Citizens, to name a few, Starbucks is becoming one of the most respected brands in the world. (Clampitt, 2009)

The fast food industry

The fast food industry INTRODUCTION In the fast food industry, nothing comes close to McDonalds as this company has stamped its mark as one of the leading fast food chains in its industry. Founded back in 1955 by Ray Kroc, who single handedly opened the first McDonalds in Des Plaines, Illinois. Though Kroc died in the year 1984, his contribution and success still remains thus making him a legend. That was considered as a stepping stone for the restaurant as it has since then grew into one of the largest fast food chains in the world. As of today, McDonalds has over 30000 restaurants world wide in over 100 countries serving up to approximately 47 million customers daily. McDonalds has successful stamp its mark especially in Asian countries like Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia where it has monopolized the fast food industry. Out of all the McDonald restaurants in the world, 70% of them are owned by independent businessman and woman due to its popularity and high demand making it worth while for investment purposes. Since t he corporation had make such a big profit out of this fast food chain, it is now heading not just one but a few other restaurants such as Aroma Cafà ©, Boston Market, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Donatos Pizza. Demands for McDonalds are higher in foreign countries outside U.S.A thus causing the corporation to open the restaurant as much as four times more than in the U.S.A. This is due to the fact that foreign countries contributed to more than half of the turnover yearly. MCDONALDS INTERNATIONAL MARKETING MIX STRATEGIES Product McDonalds corporate try to redesign its different of products to adapt to the local needs to achieving economies of scale. McDonalds has studies the difference of culture in whole world. For example India country, beef is not served to the India. Indians are religious sensitive and most of Indians are vegetarian. So, McDonalds are served only chicken or fish and 100 percentage of vegetarian menu. Meat and vegetarian meals are provided in separate areas of the restaurant because this is religious of laws to prepare vegetarians and meat-caters. McDonalds is serving â€Å"Chicken Maharaja Mac† and â€Å"McVeggie† meal in India. For other instance Malaysia country, Malaysia is a Muslim country, so McDonalds do not served pork. McDonalds are served chicken or fish or beef. Malaysians likes to eat hot and spicy foods as well. So, McDonald is serving â€Å"Ayam Goreng McD† and â€Å"Spicy Chicken McDeluxe†. Besides that, they are serving beef too. â€Å"BigMac† and â€Å"Quarter Pounder with Cheese† are popular meal McDonalds outlets in Malaysia. Overall, McDonalds in general serves a rather wide variety of food considering the fact that it differs in certain countries for example, the Quarter Pounder Beef Burger is not served in India. This is to help satisfy the needs of everyone with different taste in food, thus attracting more customers to the restaurant. McDonalds also focuses a lot on the happy meals which are meant for children, each happy meal purchased entitles the child to a free toy. This proves vital as it can help in the sales revenue of the restaurant and also attract more family oriented customers to the restaurant. Branding A successful brand building can make its corporate becomes successful and defeated the stronger competitors. David (2001) states that ‘the Profit Impact of Marketing Strategy project shows that return on investment is related to a brands share of the market: bigger brands yield higher returns than smaller brands. Everyone knew that Coca-Cola is the most famous beverage in the world. McDonalds are severed the global brands soft drink, so it is will increase the reputations McDonalds. Both of corporations are getting benefits and making profitable. So, brand image may effect on product life cycle. Price Malaysias economic is better than India. India is lack of technology and purchasing power status is lower than Malaysia. So, that McDonalds has charged the different price in between Malaysia and India. Stuart et al. (2010) stated that exchange rate is influenced by a range of complex forces in the foreign exchange markets and may not accurately reflect the purchasing power of one countrys currency in another country. Malaysias standard living is higher than India. So that Malaysians have higher incomes and purchasing power compare to the Indians. McDonalds think that consumers purchasing power is limited and attract more customers affordable to buy their meals, so that McDonalds had charged the different price in different countries. For example, â€Å"McChicken† is a general set meal sells in McDonalds every country. McDonalds are selling â€Å"McChicken† worth RM 6.10 in Malaysia. Compared in India, McDonalds only sell this meal Rupee 65, convert to Ringgit Malaysia is RM 4.75. Besides that, McDonalds are also attracting its customers with lunch packages at affordable rates, for example in Malaysia, McDonalds lunch package such as â€Å"McValue Lunch† is a limited to a time from 12pm to 3pm at a price range from RM 5.95 making it affordable for everyone compared to the usual RM 9.50 price. This lunch package is mainly to attract students and office workers as the lunch hour in Malaysia for office workers are standardize from the time of 12pm to 2pm and students also finish classes at 12pm making it convenient for everyone to drop by and have lunch. Promotion Technology transfers are the most important to the national and international businesses. Advertising can make McDonalds more efficient to the host countries. For example Malaysia country, Most of Malaysians are have own a televisions. So that McDonalds focus the technology infrastructure of the Malaysia to promote its products by TV commercials. McDonalds also promote its product through by magazines, brochures and newspapers. McDonalds are trying to redesign new products many times to satisfy customers need and finally provided â€Å"Weekday Breakfast Special† and â€Å"McValue Lunch†. McDonalds also will provide a special set meal â€Å"Prosperity Burger† only for the Chinese New Year festive season in Malaysia. Indias standard living is lower than Malaysia. India country is lack of technology. So, McDonalds to promote its product most of times using by billboards and leaflets. McDonalds are shifted from â€Å"McDonalds mein hai kuch baat† to â€Å"To aaj McDonalds ho jaaye†. The reason changed is encouraging Indian customers to visit McDonalds more often with their family and enjoy their time out. It is create awareness to attract more customers visit McDonalds. In general, McDonalds have used promotion as a way of getting customers attention to get what they want or what is being promoted. Customers will then be encouraged to buy the item as actions taken by customers are usually sufficient in terms of purchases. Promotions, usually being advertise on billboards, cinemas and television all have one purpose, which is to obtain awareness from viewers and making sure they remember it. Place Placement, also known as distribution channel is very important for the international marketers. It is affected the product is available to the customer at the right place, at the right time and in the right quantity and price. For example, Malaysia is a technology country. Most of Malaysians are busy working. They have no enough time to have their breakfast and lunch. So McDonalds are located â€Å"Drive-Thru† to make easier availability for providing product and services to the customers. It can help Malaysians to save time and money too. For instance, India is a country which lack technology due to low economic status. Most of Indians are having transportation problems. So, Indian can have McDonalds meals through by â€Å"McDelivery† system. It could easy delivery products to the India customers. In Malaysia, McDonald franchises have become a common investment among local businessman and woman as more restaurants have been set up in most towns and major cities. Every McDonald restaurant has been strategically set up in Malaysia as it only takes the corner lot of every shop lot. This allows the restaurant to occupy more space thus attracting more attention from passerbys. Some franchises also occupy a small building of its own with a private parking bay and drive through accessibility. On the other hand, most McDonald restaurants are also equipped with WIFI services thus allowing customers to enjoy their meals while surfing the internet or working on their assignments. This proves vital as it is an attraction to many customers especially younger generation people. SUGGESTIONS Due to the recent economic crisis and recession, it has affected many companies and organizations, both in the private and public sector. Standardize its food range world wide McDonalds should prepare future market strategies in order to face any unforeseen circumstances that might happen to the company. In my opinion, McDonalds should standardize its food range world wide as this can fulfill customers satisfaction, in terms of variety and flavour. For example, the McDonalds franchise in Malaysia and in India both have different range of food. McDonalds in India are served â€Å"McVeggie† and served â€Å"Ayam Goreng McD† in Malaysia. These prove that meals in India are more vegetable based meals. This can be due to the fact that probably the demand for vegetables are more compared to meat in India. Nevertheless, by standardizing the meals served in both countries. So that, Malaysian can enjoy the â€Å"McVeggie† meal and Indian can enjoy â€Å"Ayam Goreng McD†. Both of meals are represent both countries culture. This will be able to attract more customers as the variety of food has increased in order to fulfill customers satisfaction and both of countries people can know their cultural each other. Expanding Worldwide Networks McDonalds should be also expanding its network as this will help the company gain profit. McDonalds franchises are situated in almost every country in the world. The company should expand the franchise to the rural areas such as small towns and suburbs making it easier for the rural people to enjoy its services and foods. This can prove vital in increasing the profit of McDonalds as there are still many small towns and villages which are yet to be developed. Prior to this, the economic and political status of McDonalds in the countries will be strengthened thus gaining popularity among the rural areas. For example of small town have not McDonalds restaurant yet such as Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah areas. Serving the Best Balancing and Healthy Fast Food Many people around the world enjoy consuming fast food and equal amount of people are suffering and dying because of the same reason. The reason is simply because fast food is processed food and has a lot of preservatives such as salt, sugar, spices, and oil. These preservatives if consumed excessively can result in various health problems such as diabetes, and high blood pressure. Various types of food sold in McDonalds for example French fries and nuggets both have excessive oil added in the process which can be very fattening which can lead to obesity which is dangerous to human health. Many consumers especially in the U.S are suffering from obesity and other diseases due to the consumption of too much fast food. This will result in a drop in sales and slower growth rate of the restaurant thus preventing the company from making a profit due to a drop in demand and sales. In order to rectify this problem, and bringing profit to the company, McDonalds should reduce preservatives add ed in making their food for example, reduction of oil in the process of cooking their food. On the other hand, the restaurant should also have quality control over their food and beverages by making sure that all ingredients are equally added and not excessively. CONCLUSION From the above paragraphs, we can conclude that McDonalds is truly an ambitious corporation in terms of future planning, market strategies and other ideas thus making it one of the leading companies and fast food chain in the world. Based on the qualities the restaurant has, it is no doubt that the restaurant has proven that in order to be successful in the fast food industry, the company should build up good relationships with the franchisor, franchisee, as well as the supplier as this proves to be vital in this line of business as McDonalds can be taken as an example. However, certain points have been listed out as suggestions for the company to improve further in terms of products and services. By using international marketing mix, the restaurant is able to adopt in different countries in terms of politics, economics, social culture, and technology. This can prove vital for McDonalds Corporation as different countries have different backgrounds. Nevertheless, McDonalds still remai ns on top of the charts in the fast food sector in spite of the recent economic crisis. REFERENCE: Walker, Jr. et al., 1999. Marketing Strategy Planning and Implementation.3rd ed. United States: McGraw-Hill. David, J., 2001. Principles and Practice of Marketing. 3rd ed. United States: McGraw-Hill. Robert, D. and John, F.T., 2009. Business Marketing. 4th ed. United States: McGraw-Hill. Stuart, W. et al., 2010. International Business. 3rd ed. Pearson: Prentice Hall. Ricky, W.G. and Ronald, J.E., 2006. Business. 8th ed. Pearson: Prentice Hall. Uttara, M., 2008. Different Types of Advertising. [Online]. Available from:http://www.buzzle.com/articles/different-types-of-advertising.html. [cited 01 December 2009] McDonalds India. McDelivery. [Online].Available from:http://mcdonaldsindia.net/Mcdelivery/index.htm [cited 01 December 2009] Vikram, B., 2003. Advertising does help in building brand recall, but advertising alone does not sustain a brand. [Online]. Available from:http://www.exchange4media.com/e4m/Brandspeak/brand_mcdonald.asp [cited 02 December 2009] Stephen, O., 2009. The Currency Converter. [Online]. Available from:http://coinmill.com/ [cited 02 December 2009] Amit, R., 2008. Case of McDonalds India Launch. [Online].Available from:http://www.scribd.com/doc/2303069/Case-McDonalds-India-Launch [cited 03 December 2009] McDonalds Malaysia. Menu Items.[Online].Available from:http://www.mcdonalds.com.my/ourfood/alacarte.asp [cited 03 December 2009]  · iFranchise Malaysia. McDonalds Franchise Business Opportunity. [Online].Available from: http://www.ifranchisemalaysia.com/mcdonalds-franchise-business-opportunity.html [cited 04 December 2009] Slinky, C., 2009. Marketing Plan of McDonalds 7ps. [Online].Available from:http://www.scribd.com/doc/19212964/Marketing-Plan-of-Mcdonalds-7-ps [cited 04 December 2009] Amit, R., 2008. McDonalds India Launch. [Online].Available from:http://www.slideshare.net/rangnekar/mcdonalds-india-launch-presentation [cited 05 December 2009] Abhishek, B. et al., 2009. Marketing Mix of McDonalds India. [Online]. Available from:http://www.scribd.com/doc/13142703/Marketing-MixMcdonalds-India [cited 05 December 2009] McDonalds Malaysia. Mission and Vision.[Online].Available from:http://www.mcdonalds.com.my/abtus/corpinfo/mission.asp [cited 06 December 2009]

Spiritual Maturity Essay -- Christianity

There are many blessings that God has so graciously given me to experience throughout the years, one of those blessings is parenthood. My wife and I have been blessed with four wonderful girls: Missy, Regina, Nancy, and Alice. My oldest daughter Missy, is now fifteen, and even though my wife and I have spent years rearing her for young adulthood†¦the truth is†¦I hate to see her grow up so fast. It seems like only yesterday I was going to school and eating lunch with her, but now we are having discussions about buying a car. Even though this is saddening to my heart, the reality is: there comes a time when kids must grow up. Christians are the same way. Once an individual accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the bible refers to them as â€Å"babes in Christ† (I Peter 2:2). Sure, an individual who accepts Christ could be thirty years of age, however, the bible teaches, even at thirty years of age the individual has become â€Å"born again† (I Peter 1:23); a birth has just taken place -- the spiritual birth of their souls. Therefore just as children must grow from infants into adults, likewise, the new Christian must grow from spiritual immaturity into spiritual maturity. As a child I loved ridding skateboards. I would climb the biggest hill I could only to race down it with everything in me. There was nothing like feeling the wind blow through my hair, and feeling my heart pounding in my neck because of the speeds I was reaching. I was young; I was living life on the edge. However, I was unaware of the dangers around me -- as I later found out. My family would always take an initiative to warn me about the risks of riding my skateboard without safety gear. I would listen long enough to end the conversation; put on the safety gea... ...all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God† (Ephesians 6:13-17). What is the armor of God? His Word. Thus far, we have discussed three reasons why spiritually immature Christians are at risk. Now let us turn or focus to discovering ways the Christian can grow into maturity, and develop a close relationship with God. Throughout the rest of this book you will discover the Building Blocks of Christianity: Ways to achieve spiritual maturity. With your bible open, a pen in hand, and a receptive spirit, let us begin the journey. Spiritual Maturity Essay -- Christianity There are many blessings that God has so graciously given me to experience throughout the years, one of those blessings is parenthood. My wife and I have been blessed with four wonderful girls: Missy, Regina, Nancy, and Alice. My oldest daughter Missy, is now fifteen, and even though my wife and I have spent years rearing her for young adulthood†¦the truth is†¦I hate to see her grow up so fast. It seems like only yesterday I was going to school and eating lunch with her, but now we are having discussions about buying a car. Even though this is saddening to my heart, the reality is: there comes a time when kids must grow up. Christians are the same way. Once an individual accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the bible refers to them as â€Å"babes in Christ† (I Peter 2:2). Sure, an individual who accepts Christ could be thirty years of age, however, the bible teaches, even at thirty years of age the individual has become â€Å"born again† (I Peter 1:23); a birth has just taken place -- the spiritual birth of their souls. Therefore just as children must grow from infants into adults, likewise, the new Christian must grow from spiritual immaturity into spiritual maturity. As a child I loved ridding skateboards. I would climb the biggest hill I could only to race down it with everything in me. There was nothing like feeling the wind blow through my hair, and feeling my heart pounding in my neck because of the speeds I was reaching. I was young; I was living life on the edge. However, I was unaware of the dangers around me -- as I later found out. My family would always take an initiative to warn me about the risks of riding my skateboard without safety gear. I would listen long enough to end the conversation; put on the safety gea... ...all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God† (Ephesians 6:13-17). What is the armor of God? His Word. Thus far, we have discussed three reasons why spiritually immature Christians are at risk. Now let us turn or focus to discovering ways the Christian can grow into maturity, and develop a close relationship with God. Throughout the rest of this book you will discover the Building Blocks of Christianity: Ways to achieve spiritual maturity. With your bible open, a pen in hand, and a receptive spirit, let us begin the journey.

The Idealism of Kurt Vonnegut :: Biography Biographies Essays

The Idealism of Kurt Vonnegut Kurt Vonnegut was greatly influenced by his involvement in World War II. His entanglement with the Dresden bombing had an unequivocal effect upon his mentality, and the horrid experience propelled the liberal anti-war assertions that dominate many of his novels. Throughout his life, his idealistic nature has perceptibly undulated, and five representative novels illustrate the forceful progression and gradual declivity of his liberal views. The first thirty years of his life outwardly coincided with the average American man. He was born in Indianapolis on November 11, 1922, and lived a happy childhood with a stable family. He then proceeded to pursue science in college, serve his country in World War II, study under the GI Bill after the war, and land a job in public relations before becoming a full-time writer. Even his large and growing family seemed to capture the true spirit of the American ideal. However, one element of his past would affect him in a way that would change his life forever. In December 1944, he was captured by the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge. He and his fellow POWs were taken to Dresden, an "open" city rich with architectural treasures and devoid of any military value. British and American planes needlessly firebombed the city on the night of February 13, 1945, hoping to inspire terror in the Germans and crush their fighting spirit. Over 135,000 civilians were killed-twice the amount of casualties at Hiroshima. The insane horror and absurdity of the Dresden attack remained deeply etched into Vonnegut's mind from that day forward. Nearly two decades later, Vonnegut published Mother Night, a novel that displays the profound influence that the massacre exerted upon him. It contains this stirring autobiographical account of his Dresden experience in its preface: We didn't get to see the fire storm. We were in a cool meat-locker under the slaughterhouse with our six guards

Introduction to Ice cream business Essay

â€Å"l scream for Ice cream! † is a popular expression widely known and used throughout all ages professing their undeniably strong love for ice cream. Who doesn’t love ice cream? Kids, being kids, love sweet treats from cakes, chocolates, brownies but most popular among all is ice cream. The cold and sweet combination of this treat makes all child tantrums go away. Adults as well see ice cream as a reward and sweet comfort food taken every once in a while to quench their sweet cravings. As our generation today becomes more health conscious, ice cream has been one of he hot picks for criticisms due to its high calorie and sugar contents. This poses so many issues for adults, especially those who belong to the diabetic group. And as these issues have started to arise, ice cream businesses have strived to fit and suit the needs of the customers along with their sweet wants. Fat-free and sugar-free ice creams and yogurts have been in the trend to provide the sweet cravings without endangering the consumer’s health. Fit Cream is an Ice Cream business that caters to the health specifications of consumers. Adapting to the market that caters to the concerns of the customers with heir health, Fit cream wishes to provide delicious and healthy ice cream in a very affordable price. This will help the self-conscious customers to enjoy their sweet cravings and at the same time watch their health. Parents who are constantly trying to come up with inventive ways of persuading their children to eat vegetables probably have not tried disguising them in ice cream. Through this, the kids will be eating healthier and maybe starting these vegetable ice cream products as a stepping stone to taking the actual vegetable soon. The mix of healthy and sweet will surely attract the attention of people of all ages.

Third World Dependency on First World

ECONOMIC GROWTH: A COMPELLING MOTIVE TO DEPENDENCY â€Å"Is Third World dependency on First World development, practices, and funding avoidable? † By Michael John A. San Roque ABS681M G01 Submitted to: Dr. Ma. Elena Chiong-Javier October 9, 2012 Countries of the world have been sharply divided along development. Countries that are economically buoyant, technologically advanced, and politically stable are termed ‘Developed Countries’ or ‘First World’.On the other hand, countries that are technically and economically backward and are world market’s suppliers of primary commodities are tagged ‘Developing Countries’ or commonly referred to as ‘Third World’ (Aluko & Arowolo, 2010). During the post-world war and until now, Third World countries depend greatly on First World in order to restore and improve their agricultural, technological, political, and economic conditions which are apparently known as development (Patterso n, 1999).This development has connoted at least one thing: to escape from the undignified condition called underdevelopment (Esteva, 1992). No country would say that she doesn’t want development to occur in her lands. Third World countries are â€Å"nothing that wants to be something†. It is, therefore, proper to say that Third World dependency on First World development, practices, and funding is not avoidable. This paper would present the evidences that would support the above notion.The evidences are based on the inevitable support given by Developed Countries in the form of foreign aid, technological, political, and economic advancement that the needy countries lack. Foreign Aid Foreign aid has become a focus and locus in the Third World. The Developing Countries are experiencing the different facets of development problems. First World countries offer aid through investment in the economy of the needy countries, loans, infrastructural development, funding of pover ty-reduction programs, and also through supply of military hardware at subsidised rates.One of the best examples of how a needy economy was not able to refuse a foreign aid was when the US created the The  Marshall Plan  (officially known as the  European Recovery Program,  ERP) that aided  Europe  where the  United States  gave monetary support to help rebuild European economies after the end of  World War II. That quickly revived and integrated European economies into the global economy (Remenyi, 2004). Technology Transfer Third World’s desire to minimize or eradicate the gap that separates their economy to that of the First World makes them receptive to whatever the latter does in order to advance its economy.One thing that Developed Countries have is their sophisticated technology that contributed much to the development of their industrial and agricultural sectors (Remenyi, 2004). The empirical analysis has also shown that the technological capability o f the five richest countries in the world is about 13 times better than that of the five poorest. This technological progress magnetizes the poor countries and makes them realized that if they really want to enjoy the perks of development, they must adopt the advancement in technology of the rich countries (Nazara, 2000).The importance of technology in the industrializing Indonesia’s economic development has been well established. In the era of East-Asia Miracle, the country was regarded as one of the eight economies in the region whose economic growth was founded on technical progress (World Bank, 1994). Political Ideologies The last factor that fosters inevitable dependency of Developing Countries to Developed Countries is their outstanding and influential political ideologies. The world has seen how the excellent governance and political principles brought prosperous economy to rich countries especially the United States.The liberation of countries political mind has been necessary to break the chains of underdevelopment. This has become the stimulus for the poor countries to shift from tribal forms of authority to suffrage, political parties, elected representatives, and democratization. It also paved the way for the adoption of the policy-making strategies, economic-boosting techniques, and the integration of Third World countries to global economy (So, 2011) Dependency: Contemporary Way to Economic DevelopmentThe dependency of underdeveloped countries and domination of the developed ones are reinforced as the Third World states attempt to expand their economies (Patterson,1999). In pursuit of this endeavor, the Developing Countries has opened their hands to aid, practices, and ideologies that the economically, politically, and technologically successful countries are offering making Third World dependency unavoidable. REFERENCES Aluko, F. & Arowolo, D. (2010). Foreign aid, the Third World’s debt crisis and the implication for economic devel opment: The Nigerian experience.Retrieved from http://www. academicjournals. org/ajpsir/pdf/pdf2010/April/Aluko%20and%20Arowolo. pdf Esteva, G. (1992). The Development Dictionary: A guide to knowledge as power. New Jersey: Zed Books Ltd. Ferraro, V. (1996). Dependency Theory: An Introduction. Retrieved from http://marriottschool. net/emp/WPW/pdf/class/Class_6-The_Dependency_Perspective. pdf Nazara, s. (2000). The Contribution of Technology in Economy: The Decomposition of Output Differentials in 1995-2000 Indonesian IRSAM. Retrieved from http://www. iioa. rg/pdf/Intermediate-2006/Full%20paper_Prihawantoro__Nazara. pdf Patterson, T. (1999). The Cold War, decolonization, and Third World development. In T. C. Patterson, Change and development in the twentieth century (pp. 113-150). Oxford: Berg. Remenyi, J. (2004). What is Development? In D. Kingsbury et al. , Key issues in development (pp. 22-44). NY: Palgrave Macmillan So, A. (2011). The Dependency And World-Systems Perspective. Retr ieved from http://www. eolss. net/Sample-Chapters/C04/E6-99A-36. pdf World Bank (1993).

Research on the Change of Minimum Wage in Ontario

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the minimum wage in Ontario based on the current minimum wage is $10. 25 in Ontario. The minimum wage mainly happens to the unemployed women and the young. The research on the minimum wage can permit people to contribute to the discussion about the ongoing minimum wage policies in Ontario and the relevant impacts of raising the minimum wage in this province. This research paper will be divided into three parts. Firstly, this research paper will represent the introduction to the writing significance.Secondly, this paper will analyze the change of minimum wage in Ontario, which also be divided into third sub-parts. In the first place, this paper will introduce the theoretical framework. In the second place, this paper will introduce the general situation on the change of minimum wage in Ontario. Next, this paper will analyze the importance of minimum wage in the labor markets. And a conclusion will be made in the end. Research o n the Minimum Wage in Ontario 1. IntroductionThe minimum wage is generally considered as a controversial policy tool[1]. The minimum wage is one of potentially useful tool for redistribution of social wealth because it can increase the wages of low skilled workers[2]. However, other factors of production may become the expense for the increase of low skilled workers’ wage, such as the wages of higher skilled workers and capital. Therefore, it is essential to analyze how the minimum wage becomes $10. 25 today and the impacts of the change of it.The purpose of this research paper is to analyze the minimum wage in Ontario, which can provide a chance for people to contribute to the discussion about the ongoing minimum wage policies in Ontario and the relevant impacts of raising the minimum wage in this province. Meanwhile, the change of minimum wage in Ontario can be influenced by some factors. 2. The Analyses of the Change of Minimum Wage in Ontario In labor economics, the minim um wage is often analyzed in a competitive labor market model and a model in which the employers are granted with some degree of monopsony power. 1. The Theoretical Framework on Minimum WageThe competitive labor market model involves the demand side and supply side. The demand side refers to the demand of labors of all the firms in the market. The supply side can illustrate that firms in the market have to pay higher wages to attract and retain workers. In the graph of competitive labor market model, there are the market supply curve and the demand curve, and these two curves have a cross point, which can be considered as the equilibrium wage rate. When a minimum wage is introduced in a competitive labor market, the reduction of employment will rely on the steepness of the labor demand curve.Meanwhile, the decrease in employment will lead to the increase in the wage rate in the competitive labor market[3]. 2. The General Situation on the Change of Minimum Wage in Ontario In 1991, th e then current level of minimum wage in Ontario was $5. 40 per hour[4] and the relevant authorities and governments in Ontario proposed that the minimum wage in Ontario should be raised to â€Å"a level of 60 percent of the average Ontario wage by 1995†, which made Ontario become the province with the highest minimum wage level in Canada[5].However, during the period from 1995 to 2002, due to conservatives in office in Ontario, the minimum wage did not increase[6]. Theoretically, all the people in Ontario may suffer minimum wage. However, in practice, most of people suffering minimum wage are low skilled individuals holding low-paying jobs[7], including students, liquor servers, homeworkers, etc. What’s worse, in Ontario, the minimum wages of students’ liquor servers and homeworkers are less than general minimum wage. For example, the minimum wage of liquor servers is about $1. 00 per hour less than general minimum wage.Over the past two decade years, some signi ficant changes of minimum wage have happened to Ontario. Firstly, the liberal government raised the minimum wage from $6. 85 per hour in 2003 to $8. 00 per hour in 2007. Meanwhile, the Ontario Employment Standards Acts became effective in March, 2010, which regulates that the general minimum wage in Ontario is $ 10. 25 per hour. Nominally, the minimum wage increased by 50% from 1995 to 2010, but due to the increase of the price level and appreciation of dollar, the real value of the minimum wage just raised by 10% during this period. According toReid, the nominal minimum wage between 2007 and 2010 increased 28% from $8. 00 to $10. 25, however, due to the increase of price level, the real minimum wage increased by 23% during this period. As a result, from the above analysis, it is reasonable to gain the conclusion that the nominal minimum wage in Ontario increased to larger extent, however, the real increase of minimum wage in Ontario was not significant. 3. The Impacts of the Change of Minimum Wage in Ontario This part will analyze the employment effects and the distributional effects of the change of the minimum wage in Ontario analyzed in the prior part.There are some discussions on the employment effects of minimum wage. Some people hold the opinions that minimum wage has a negative impact on employment, but other people think that there is little impact on employment impact. According to this paper, there is indeed a negative impact of the increase of minimum wage on the employment. Canadian evidence can prove that a 10% increase in the minimum wage probably lead to the reduction of the employment of students by 3%-6%[8]. On the contrary, the effects on the young adults are slight.Since the Ontario is the province with the highest minimum wage in Canada, the adverse employment effects have been exacerbated. What’s worse, the unemployment rate has risen due to the increase of minimum wage in Ontario[9]. Moreover, the relationship between minimum wage s and poverty is too vague. For example, the people suffering minimum wage are always very poor and due to the minimum wage, the wealthy gap between the poor and the rich become larger and larger. However, due to the increase of minimum wage, some of social wealth has been transformed to the poor to realize the redistribution of social wealth[10]. . Comparability to other province Minimum wages are diverse among different province in Canada. British Columbia’s minimum wage is $10. 25 that is the same as Ontario’s and Alberta is $9. 75 that is lower than Ontario’s[11]. The unemployment rate of Ontatio is 7. 8 , British Columbia’s is 6. 7 and Alberta’s is 4. 6. [12] This evidence might lead to that lower minimum wage plays a role in the low unemployment rate in Alberta. But since the minimum wage in Ontario is the same as British Columbia’s, the unemployment is different though. The effect of minimum wage on uneployment is ambuglous. . Conclus ion In conclusion, lower-skilled people in Ontario, including the students, homeworkers and liquor servers, are suffering minimum wage and even, their minimum wage level is less than general minimum wage level. Since 1990s, there have been some continuous and significant nominal changes happening to minimum wage in Ontario. However, in fact, due to the increase of price level and appreciation of dollar, the increase of minimum wage in Ontario is not significant. Meanwhile, the changes of minimum wage have some effects on employment and redistribution of social wealth.Although the increase of minimum wage in Ontario may increase unemployment rate, it can realize the redistribution of social wealth to narrow the wealthy gap between the rich and the poor. Bibliography Cousineau Jean-Michel, Tessier David and Vaillancourt. 1992. The Impact of the Ontarian Minimum Wage on the Unemployment of Women and The Young in Ontario. Industrial Relations: 47(3), 559-566. Gunderson, Morley. 2007, Mi nimum Wages: Issues And Options for Ontario. Ontario: Ontario Ministry of Finance. [cited on Feb. 28th, 2013]. Available from World Wide Web:< http://keqianxu. okee. com/1306641. html>. Lee David, and Saez Emmanuel. 2008. Optimal Minimum Wage Policy in Competitive Labor Markets. NBER Working Series of National Bureau of Economic Research. No. 14320. Reid Frank. 2012. Monopsony in the Labour Market and Minimum Wages. Department of Economics and Centre for Industrial Relations& Human Resources. Shannon Michael, and Beach Charles. 1995. Distributional Employment Effects of Ontario Minimum-Wage Proposals: A Microdata Approach. Canadian Public Policy: 21 (3), 284-303. Susan Munroe. 2013. Minimum Wage in  Canada.Available from About. com: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. 2013. Annual Average Unemployment Rate Canada and Province. Available from Government of Newfoundland and Labrador website: . ———————– [1] Lee David, and Sa ez Emmanuel. 2008. Optimal Minimum Wage Policy in Competitive Labor Markets. NBER Working Series of National Bureau of Economic Research. No. 14320 [2] Lee David, and Saez Emmanuel. 2008. Optimal Minimum Wage Policy in Competitive Labor Markets. NBER Working Series of National Bureau of Economic Research. No. 14320. [3] Reid Frank. 2012.Monopsony in the Labour Market and Minimum Wages. Department of Economics and Centre for Industrial Relations& Human Resources. [4] Cousineau Jean-Michel, Tessier David and Vaillancourt. 1992. The Impact of the Ontarian Minimum Wage on the Unemployment of Women and The Young in Ontario. Industrial Relations: 47(3), 559-566. [5] Shannon Michael, and Beach Charles. 1995. Distributional Employment Effects of Ontario Minimum-Wage Proposals: A Microdata Approach. Canadian Public Policy: 21 (3), 284-303. [6] Reid Frank. 2012. Monopsony in the Labour Market and Minimum Wages.Department of Economics and Centre for Industrial Relations& Human Resources. [7] C ousineau Jean-Michel, Tessier David and Vaillancourt. 1992. The Impact of the Ontarian Minimum Wage on the Unemployment of Women and The Young in Ontario. Industrial Relations: 47(3), 559-566. [8] Gunderson, Morley. 2007, Minimum Wages: Issues And Options for Ontario. Ontario: Ontario Ministry of Finance. [cited on Feb. 28th, 2013]. Available from World Wide Web:< http://keqianxu. bokee. com/1306641. html>. [9] Gunderson, Morley. 2007, Minimum Wages: Issues And Options for Ontario.Ontario: Ontario Ministry of Finance. [cited on Feb. 28th, 2013]. Available from World Wide Web:< http://keqianxu. bokee. com/1306641. html>. [10] Lee David, and Saez Emmanuel. 2008. Optimal Minimum Wage Policy in Competitive Labor Markets. NBER Working Series of National Bureau of Economic Research. No. 14320. [11]Susan Munroe. 2013. Minimum Wage in Canada. Available from About. com: [12] Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey. 2013. Annual Average Unemployment Rate Canada and Province. Available from Gov ernment of Newfoundland and Labrador website: .