Communism Downfall Essays - Eastern Bloc, Revolutions, West Germany

Communism Downfall The shocking fall of communism in Eastern and Central Europe in the late eighties was remarkable for both its rapidity and its scope. The specifics of communism's demise varied among nations, but similarities in both the causes and the effects of these revolutions were quite similar. As well, all of the nations involved shared the common goals of implementing democratic systems of government and moving to market economies. In each of these nations, the communist regimes in power were forced to transfer that power to radically different institutions than they were accustomed to. Democracy had been spreading throughout the world for the preceding two decades, but with a very important difference. While previous political transitions had seen similar circumstances, the actual events in question had generally occurred individually. In Europe, on the other hand, the shift from communism was taking place in a different context altogether. The peoples involved were not looking to affect a narrow set of policy reforms; indeed, what was at stake was a hyper-radical shift from the long-held communist ideology to a western blueprint for governmental and economic policy development. The problem inherent in this type of monumental change is that, according to Ulrich K. Preuss, "In almost all the East and Central European countries, the collapse of authoritarian communist rule has released national, ethnic, religious and cultural conflicts which can not be solved by purely economic policies" (47). While tremendous changes are evident in both the governmental and economic arenas in Europe, these changes cannot be assumed to always be "mutually reinforcing" (Preuss 47). Generally it has been theorized that the most successful manner of addressing these many difficulties is the drafting of a constitution. But what is clear is the unsatisfactory ability of a constitution to remedy the problems of nationalism and ethnic differences. Preuss notes that when the constitutional state gained favor in North America, it was founded on the principle of the unitary state; it was not designed to address the lack of national identity which is found throughout Europe - and which is counter to the concept of the constitutional state (48). "Measured in terms of socioeconomic modernization," writes Helga A. Welsh, "Central and Eastern European countries had reached a level that was considered conducive to the emergence of pluralistic policies" (19). It seemed that the sole reason the downfall of communism, as it were, took so long was the veto power of the Soviet Union. According to theories of modernization, the higher the levels of socioeconomic achievement, the greater the pressure for open competition and, ultimately, democracy. As such, the nations in Eastern and Central Europe were seen as "anomalies in socioeconomically highly-developed countries where particularly intellectual power resources have become widespread" (Welsh 19). Due to their longtime adherence to communist policies, these nations faced great difficulty in making the transition to a pluralist system as well as a market economy. According to Preuss, these problems were threefold: The genuine economic devastations wrought by the communist regimes, the transformation of the social and economic classes of the command economy into the social and economic lasses of a capitalist economy and, finally, the creation of a constitutional structure for political entities that lack the undisputed integrity of a nation state (48). With such problems as these to contend with in re- engineering their entire economic and political systems, the people of East Germany seemed to be in a particularly enviable position. Economically, they were poised to unite with one of the richest countries, having one of the strongest economies, in the entire world. In the competition for foreign investment, such an alliance gave the late German Democratic Republic a seemingly insurmountable lead over other nations. In regards to the political aspects of unification, it effectively left a Germany with no national or ethnic minorities, as well as having undisputed boundaries. As well, there was no need to create a constitution (although many of the pitfalls of constitution- building would have been easily-avoided due to the advantages Germany had), because the leaders of the GDR had joined the Federal Republic by accession and, accordingly, allowed its Basic Law to be extended over their territory. For all the good that seemed to be imminent as a result of unification, many problems also arose regarding the political transformation that Germany was undergoing. Among these problems were the following: the tensions between the Basic Law's simultaneous commitments to supranational integration and to the German nation state, the relationship between the nation and the constitution as two different modes of political integration and the issue of so- called "backward justice" (Preuss

The War on Terrorism

The War on Terrorism Introduction This research paper is critical analysis of war on terror. The paper mainly reflects on some of the pros and cons of war on terrorism and its effect on humanity and human rights. In an analysis of the players involved in the war, the paper takes a side through analysis of areas of disagreements.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The War on Terrorism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More War on terrorism is a government plan for the reason of protecting it citizens as well as ensuring safety of innocent citizens of other countries. However, recent wars against terrorists are emerging because of negative administrative assertions such as affirmations by government administration. The assertions catalyze the emergence of confrontation for instance the declaring to engage war as a peacekeeping mission. Another example of such affirmations include the indications that some countries are in violation of po licies for instance, war in Iraq stated because Iraq was in violation of some U.N. Security Councils’ Resolutions, mainly being in possession of weapons of mass destruction. In most instances when dialogue seems not to workout, fight for peace is an issue that develops and catalyze war. Some governments especially from developed countries have resources capable of providing mysterious powers and are thus capable of engaging war to assure global protection. The unsuccessful endeavours to promote dialogue for peaceful solutions succumb to war threats and eventually lead to action against terrorism. Governments react pro-actively and use most resources in its power to protect its citizens by fighting enemies such as terrorists. However, power of commands to declare war without solid reasons, proof and consultation is not morally justifiable. In most cases, war on possible terrorist threats causes negative effects on human lives by depriving those involved and the innocents withi n the territories the most essential needs and rights. Effects on Solders in War Many coalition soldiers involved on war against terrorism or possible nuclear attacks such as the U.S. war in Afghanistan and Iraq lost their lives in combat (Rai and Chomsky, p 141). According to Iraq coalition casualty count (p 1), more than 4,300 U.S. and 4,693 coalition solders died because of the Iraq war. One of the main reason why this research is against battle on terrorism and terms the government actions as unjustifiable is due to reason that there are huge effects on human rights. This is mainly attributable to poor planning. A good example is the deaths of the great compatriots due to haste of administrators to go to war after dialogue fails. This cause of action deprives many families their special affiliates, some of whom are responsible for basic provisions including love. Other than fatalities, many casualties who were competent family providers end up depending on others in different wa ys due to physical, mental and psychological injuries from the war.Advertising Looking for critical writing on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Such conditions increase pressure on health provisions due to lack of specialized facilities or medical provisions in most care centres especially among the involved developing countries. The effects not only affect the coalition governments in war, but also members of the attacked countries for instance, Iraq people recorded the greatest number of fatalities and casualties during the Iraq war (Keegan, p 31). Cost of War The second reason why this research takes a stand against the governments’ action to resolve issues through wars is due to the high dependence on large-scale humanitarian and reconstruction assistances after the war. Primarily, war involves a high compromise on human rights, which requires delivery of humanitarian support and prepositioning of crucial human needs (Sifry and Cerf, p 27). Humanitarian crisis during war elevates further. Various organizations and agencies are able to provide aid through the oil for food programme before the war, but war engagements halts the undertakings thus causing loss of innocent human life especially children in the war-torn areas. They succumb to poverty or malnutrition related deaths. People have right to basic needs such as food but war-torn areas causes massive suffering associable to lack of food especially among women and children. In line with Sifry and Cerf (p 27), war disrupts these non-governmental organizations plans for humanitarian assistance due to the uncertainty during and after the war. Poverty is one of the main effects associable to human crisis. Basic needs such as medicines, shelter, hygiene facilities and food therefore remain a concession during war. There are fears over shortage on humanitarian assistance even among the affected. Casualty reports confirm the f ears, as the numbers of reported victims are overwhelming (Iraq coalition casualty count, p 1). Effects War on Tourism on Education and Healthcare War often forces women and children to vacate their home and settle in displacement camps for safety. This remains a permanent scar to the society since children are not able to attend schools. Regardless of some humanitarian assistance from neighbouring countries, there is often refusal to assist and allow refugees to enter and settle in their countries. During the Iraq war, there were massive movement of people mainly from Baghdad and other major cities before and after the war began but towards the end of the war, the movement started reducing due to restrictions (Chancellor Schroeder, p 3).Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The War on Terrorism specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Governments in war torn area are responsible for the health facilities and educatio n programmes. War affects provision of the amenities for displacement and refugee camps. War causes poor or lack of governance; this means that the affected country’s administration is not able to cater for it human needs. Innocent children end up suffering from something they rarely understand and furthermore war causes psychological suffering of the naive minds of the children who experience firsthand combat. Effects on Humanity Wars on terror since time in history have caused massive impact on various crucial infrastructures, hindering transportation of basic needs and services. During such confrontation, unruly mobs and looters continue to make it difficult for the movement of humanitarian aid. Some of the main challenges include distribution of water, installation of sewerage systems and food shortages. Delivery of health service has also been a major challenge for instance shortage of supplies, staff and in some cases attacks on conveys or assisting organizations. Lack of resources and existence of compromised infrastructures therefore hinders provision of health services. In most of the affected areas, reports indicate that peacekeeping armies end up providing health services to civilians (Chancellor Schroeder, p 3). Compromised security Compromise on security is also a big challenge during and after the wars. Some of the humanitarian organizations put up bases in war zones areas to facilitate relief operations, but they are worried of security since protection by the involved parties may compromise the security of its staff. The insecurity is a total pervade to the human working environments. This causes low working morale, difficulties of finding trained or retrained workers and disrupted training or supervision. Compromised security also affects the reconstruction and relief activities especially during or after the war for instance access to the war-torn areas, compromised cost of service delivery due to lowered security of relief personnel a nd weak coordination and communication among relief agents. Compromised human rights Lastly, denial of various human rights has been evident in majority of the countries or areas involved in wars. First, people in the affected zones have problems of accessing health services due to insecurity and financial segregation. Geographical differences also prohibit access. The status compromises health care activities and as evident in war-hit areas, there is shift of care from the normal form of preventive to specialized curative form of care. This is a compromise on life since most of the available systems lack strong specialist to undertake curative care. War therefore adversely affects and compromises human health and life. There is reduction of the rural or community-based care, disrupted health surveillance and compromised public health programmes.Advertising Looking for critical writing on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Poor or destruction of infrastructure compromises on humanity for instance destruction of health resources like clinics, referral systems, equipments and vehicles. Additionally, war affects the communication logistics. There is lack of food, drugs and equipments maintenance procedures. Conclusively, some of the adversely yet essential human health-sustenance infrastructures include sanitation, food security, water and power. Conclusion Restoration of peace and order appears to be a major priority before and after war. This is important especially when humanitarian needs are in consideration. Ability to overcome the main barriers to restoration of understanding, growth and provision of human needs mainly depend on infrastructure. Generally, governments fail to understand that there is need to avoid war at all costs due to these effects. War compromises various aspects that support humanity and human needs. It equally compromises a wide range of humanitarian rights. Chancellor Schroe der. Remarks on anti-war Stance as Saddam Crumbles. Mexico City: Agence France-Presse. 2003. Print Iraq coalition casualty count. Operation Iraqi freedom. 2009. Web. Keegan, John. The Iraq War: UK: Vintage Series publishers. 2005. Print Rai, Milan. Chomsky, Noam. War plan Iraq: ten reasons against war on Iraq. New York, NY: Verso Publishers. 2002. Print. Sifry, Micah. Cerf, Christopher. Iraq War Reader: History, Documents. New York, NY: OpinionsSimon Schuster publishers. 2007. Print.

Sir alex Ferguson case Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sir alex Ferguson case - Essay Example Claim that Fergusson prioritized youth player development may not actually define his preference and style of football. With the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the transfer of Robin Van Persie from Arsenal football club, who according to football profession, was not a young player are some of the indications that Fergusson did not prioritize youth development. In fact youth development should not be linked with his success. Instead, Fergusson preferred quality players and it can therefore be said that he was a manager who fully understood the kind of employees he wanted to keep the fire burning. Nevertheless, Fergusson literally succeeded in the English Premier League by making Manchester United club scoop nineteen league titles and two champions’ league trophies (Elberse & Dye 2-5). Sir Alex Fergusson’s success in the football world can further be measured in terms of the fierce rivals he faced both in the English Premier League and globally. Actually, knocking out clubs like Liverpool football club was not an easy task but through hard work and better strategies, Fergusson managed to topple Liverpool. He was also faced by clubs whose owners had very strong financial muscles such as their neighboring Manchester City and the Russian’s billionaires, London based Chelsea football club. It therefore apparent that Sir Alex Fergusson’s strategies were superior to the finances and some great football styles played by clubs such as Arsenal. Indeed, Fergusson achieved what may not be easy for any manager to achieve in the football world (Elberse & Dye 4-8). Football is really the most popular sport in the world with a good number of players, viewers and heavy financial investment. Additionally, English premier League is regarded superior to other League’s globally because of the ability to contribute a lot of revenue as well as the popular support it enjoys worldwide. English premier League football clubs have a larger worldwid e support thus increasing their global viewers. on the other hand, the Champions League is the most lucrative tournament which, for sure, earned Manchester united $72 million in prize money for being runner up in the 2010-2011 season. Nonetheless it was not easy for Fergusson to successfully and simultaneously win both the Champions League and the English Premier League. Fergusson claims that Pressure and competition placed on him by the local clubs and tribalism to be the main reason behind the inability to win more Champions League trophies as he won English Premier League titles. This may not be genuine reason behind failure to severally capture the most lucrative global football tournament (Elberse & Dye 5-9). Other football clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich have managed to reach the peak of the tournament or even win the Champions League titles and their local League trophies easily. It is obvious that the main hindrance was the intense competition from other European club s. Fergusson’s role in Manchester united was wider than any other football manager because his degree of control was wider. He also allowed open communication with the Manchester united director as a way of getting things done smoothly and efficiently. He had his own policies and beliefs that guided his actions and eventually great performance in Manchester United (Elberse & Dye 4-7). Fergusson is an individual who learned from his previous mistakes and improve of his

Global warming caurse genetic changes Research Paper

Global warming caurse genetic changes - Research Paper Example These changed seasonal relations are explicable totally as temperature-responsive reactions (McDonald, 2). Climate changes on diverse geographic scales and timescales. Climatic changes monitored over a few decades associates with alterations in living populations and species. Some speculative grounds for anticipating types of climate-driven changes in species and populations that we observe nowadays to play out as hastened speciation over the timeline of thousands or millions of years exist (Barnosky& Kraatz, 3). Global warming is moving at a quicker rate at more northerly latitudes, which is leading to less cold stress caused by extreme winter and longer growing seasons. Species of animals have been enlarging their range toward the limits and populations have been developing, migrating or reproducing earlier over the past 40 years. Phenotypic plasticity or the capability of characters to change their behavior, morphology or physiology in response to modified ecological circumstances have attributed to these developments and changes (Connor, 2). Many species are changing to the lengthened growing season caused by the slight rise in standard global temperatures over the past century. Seeds are sprouting, birds migrating and frogs regenerating earlier. All of these however are not lasting genetic transformations but changes in individual behavior (Nature.com, 1). Numerous studies have indicated connections between climate drifts over the past 50 years or so and changes in population density, in the geographic variety of species or in other parameters that affect the number of offspring produced. Such effects have been monitored in different mammals such as moose, deer, African antelope, bighorn sheep, caribou, musk oxen and foxes. Therefore, it appears likely that climatic changes influence how animals are distributed on

Cyclic Scheduling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Cyclic Scheduling - Essay Example ic scheduling in flexible manufacturing systems is something that has to be well understood by all those involved with production management and researchers have tried to develop a variety of heuristics and algorithms for solving cyclic scheduling problems in flexible manufacturing systems. Cyclic scheduling problems are often complex and require computational optimization techniques for their solution and automated systems with scheduling engines help production managers to find optimal scheduling solutions in real-time. This research paper presents a brief discussion about cyclic scheduling in flexible manufacturing. I hereby certify that, except where cited in the text, this work is the result of the research carried out by the author of this study. The main content of the study which has been presented contains work that has not previously been reported anywhere. Scheduling refers to the concept of allocating available resources over time to effectively plan for the execution of production orders in a manufacturing facility with its available processing machines and manufacturing systems (Lankford, Chapter 9.8). Depending on the demand for that which is being manufactured, a master production schedule will be made available and scheduling meets the requirements for production that are stated in the master production schedule. Thus, if automobiles or cellular phones are being manufactured in a facility, then the daily, monthly or weekly production output for the previously mentioned outputs will be mentioned in the master production schedule, as determined by the market or supplier commitments. However, the employed manpower, processing machine or production line capacity and material for production must be adequate for the required levels of production and this means that scheduling is about optimally assigning available resources to meet pr oduction targets. Thus, scheduling is more complex than the mere execution of jobs for production and depending on the

Construction Issues and Reflective Assignment

Construction Issues and Reflective Assignment Introduction This report evaluates and analyses 4 issues which arose from a construction project and solutions have been recommended. A reflective essay is included to provide an amicable solution to the issue. Background Information Smart Developments are a commercial development company based in Leeds with goals to provide new sustainable buildings in Leeds. The first development is a  £10,000,000.00 project to build new accommodation, retail, sports and leisure facilities. Modern Contractors are a respected and hard-working medium sized contracting organisation operating in Leeds and throughout the region. Modern Contractors had signed an 18month contract with Smart Developments to complete the building works, based on JCT Standard Building Contract with Quantities 2011. The following issues have arisen: 1. On the date that Modern Contractors were due to start the project the main entrance to the site (as stated in the Bills of Quantities) is blocked by materials left by the Client. These materials are not removed from site for 1 week. 2. During the removal of the cellar a gas main was found and British Gas was called to relocate the main which took 16 working days. Some works could continue but the repositioning of the gas main caused a delay to the progress of the main groundworks. 3. Then, during the excavation of the substructure works ancient roman coins are found. This leads to a further delay of 1 month to allow for archaeological investigation work. 4. Monthly payments are agreed in the contract particulars and these should be in Modern Contractors account by the 15th of each month. In August and six months into the contract period payment was not paid until 5th September. When Modern Contractors complained to the employer they said â€Å"that’s the trouble with banks these days – you just can’t rely on them† and Modern Contractors â€Å"should know better than to complain about the situation as this is standard industry practice†. As Modern Contractors have some issues with cash flow they are proposing an additional clause in their contracts with their sub-contractors that will provide for them to pay the sub-contractors only when they have been paid. Issue 1 On the date that Modern Contractors were due to start the project the main entrance to the site (as stated in the Bills of Quantities) is blocked by materials left by the Client. These materials are not removed from site for 1 week. Before going deep into the roots of the contract, it is important to note that all site works are under responsibility of Smart Developments. What does the contract say? In the case ofFreeman v Hensler (1900)where it was held that it is an employer’s duty (of co-operation) to give the contractor possession of the site within reasonable time to enable him to carry out and complete the work on the completion date. According to JCT 11 SBC/Q, the employer has to co-operate fully with the contractor so that the site is handed over within reasonable time, and the contractor will be able to perform the works as per schedule. If the employer fails to do so, it is possible for the employer to defer giving possession of the site for a period not exceeding six weeks calculated from the relevant Date of Possession stated in the contract. (Clause 2.5) Such clause prevent the employer from being in breach of contract and liable to damages, but the contractor will have alternative remedies which are listed in clause 2.29.3 (extensions of time) and clause 4.24 (loss and expense). The fact that materials were blocking the main entrance can be taken positively. The contractors could have notified Smart Development who would have organized for an alternative entrance or simply moved the materials somewhere else. It can be argued that one week’s time loss is not substantial and will not hinder the project or cause the project to continue beyond completion date. Assuming buffers/float were added for activities, Smart Developments can argue that the whole project duration can accommodate the loss of time (1 week) and they negotiate with the contractors to start the project after one week and still finish the project on time. Recommendation In the event that the contractors do not agree and decide to go forward with a claim of extension of time or loss and expense, it is advisable for Smart Developments to allow for reasonable extension of time. Though the process isn’t simple, the contractors need to notify the employer that they will be delayed in starting their work. The Contract Administrator need to do the follow up and find out if this event is a Relevant Event or not. This process may take another week. (Note: Deferment of Possession is a relevant event under clause 2.29.3 / 2.5) Concerning loss and expense claim, it is advisable for Smart Developments to verify the claim amount to know if there has been any mobilisation cost or machinery transferred to site or any valid claim, before proceeding to any payments. Issue 2: During the removal of the cellar a gas main was found and British Gas was called to relocate the main which took 16 working days. Some works could continue but the repositioning of the gas main caused a delay to the progress of the main ground works. What does the contract say? There is a mechanism in the contracts to deal with delays. Usually foreseen or unforeseen events which appear during progress of work have to be dealt with by a protocol. JCT 11 dictates that the Contractor has to inform the Contract Administrator or the Architect in writing when cases arise where they deem to have been delayed significantly. And to stipulate the number of days they think the delay will cause them prejudice/prevent the contractors to continue their job. It can be noted that an extension of time granted for a cause of delay which may seem to have financial implications does not necessarily mean that there will be additional payments. The design team of Smart Developments should have carried out proper site surveys prior any designing and notify the Contract Administrator of possible works concerning gas pipes. It is inevitable for British Gas to be present and complete the repositioning of gas’ main. JCT 11 SBC/Q defines that statutory undertaker such as British Gas (being responsible for gas supply and regulated by law) should carry out their work diligently. Recommendation At this point, it is advisable for Smart Developments to fix the completion date and allow for extension of time for the contractors to complete the work in progress, based on clause 2.27, 2.28 and 2.29 To prevent any further problems concerning loss expenses, Smart Developments can review the rate at which Liquidated Damages are governed and reduce at its free will. Under clause 2.30, once a certificate has been issued, deductions can start after the first payment but Smart Development can bargain with the Contractors for a review of the rate and withhold deductions until practical completion has been reached. If both parties agree, only extension of time will be granted because of the delay caused by British Gas. Issue 3: Then, during the excavation of the substructure works ancient roman coins are found. This leads to a further delay of 1 month to allow for archaeological investigation work. What does the contract say? According to JCT 11 SBC/Q, the clause 2.29.4 acknowledge that compliance with clause 3.22.1 (Antiquities) or Architect’s/Contract Administrator instruction under clause 3.22.2 is a valid Relevant Event. Recommendation Valid Relevant Events are entitled to Extension of Time; Therefore Smart Developments should fix the completion time and allow an extension of time. The contractor can claim for Loss Expenses since excavation was being carried out and it had to stop to allow for investigation. Since 1 month of delay is fairly considerable lapse of time, Smart Developments should allow the contractor to claim for its Loss Expenses, Smart Developments can only compute a reasonable amount of loss incurred. The other side of the coin is that if there is part performance only, then Smart Developments can only pay for the work that has been carried out. Since the contract has not been fully honored, both parties can wait and accept the delay in project. And resume work after the coins’ investigation has been completed. Smart Developments will forfeit the right to claim for Liquidated Damages if the contract completion date is fixed again. Issue 4: Monthly payments are agreed in the contract particulars and these should be in Modern Contractors account by the 15th of each month. In August and six months into the contract period payment was not paid until 5th September. When Modern Contractors complained to the employer they said â€Å"that’s the trouble with banks these days – you just can’t rely on them† and Modern Contractors â€Å"should know better than to complain about the situation as this is standard industry practice†. As Modern Contractors have some issues with cash flow they are proposing an additional clause in their contracts with their sub-contractors that will provide for them to pay the sub-contractors only when they have been paid. What does the contract say? The dates provided in the contract particulars are to be used to distinguish if there has been a breach of contract for delayed payment or not. According to JCT 11 SBC/Q clause 4.12.1 the final date of an interim payment is 14 days from the due date. Therefore money due in August should have been lodged in the contractors account by latest 29th of August. Since payment was received on 5th of September this amounts to a breach of the contract. The contractor has the right to suspend any work as a result of the breach of contract or to terminate his employment under clause 4.16.7 / 4.14.1 Recommendation It is advisable for Smart Developments to pay the contractor simple interest on the amount due from 29th August till 5th of September as per clause 4.12.6 and to make sure that all payments are done within the time frame. The fact that Modern Contractors are altering their contract with the sub-contractors doesn’t not affect Smart Developments because of privity of contract, though Modern Contractors have to notify the employer of the sub-contractors they will be employing as per CDM Regulations stated in clause 3.23.3 Reflective Essay Modern Contractors could have moved the materials on site themselves or notify Smart Developments of the problem that the main entrance is blocked by materials, and expect the Employer to clear the entrance. Concerning the 1st issue: Though the delay is only one week, the employer cannot use any available float to absorb this type of delay. Modern Contractors should apply for extension of time for this delay and make sure that extra time is allowed for the float as well. Concerning the 2nd issue, British Gas has to complete their work as per law, Modern contractors being hindered in doing their job can claim for extension of time. Though Modern Contractors have been trying to complete other works in sections, this delay can be reflected in the overall project hand-over time. Therefore Modern Contractors have to apply for extension of time and moreover claim for Loss Expense as it is accrued for 16 days of not performing actual work towards achievement of project. Concerning the 3rd issue, since the event could not be foreseen by any parties, Modern Contractors are entitled to extension of time and have the right to claim for Loss Expense. The cost would include plant provided on site for excavation, labour, lorries waiting for excavation etc. Concerning the 4th issue: Modern Contractors have the right to suspend any performance until payment has been effected. It is possible to terminate the contract as well because of the breach caused by Smart Developments in delaying payment. By adding extra clauses to the contract, Modern Contractors cannot forego their duties to pay their Sub-Contractors. The payment has to be processed by Modern Contractors no matter what is the outcome with Smart Developments. An amicable solution for problems is direct negotiations between Modern Contractors and Smart Developments. For Issue 1: Either parties could have cleared the materials and go forward with the project. As 1 week is not considerable time and both parties can absorb this delay within float For Issue 2: The design team should have known that there are live gas lines within the cellar, therefore British Gas would have been called during the first week to relocate the pipes. Modern Contractors would have been given possession of site 2 weeks after British Gas had fix the lines. For Issue 3: The best option would be to pay Modern Contractors a minimum rate for the delay caused. That rate would cover for plant hire and labour for example, there would not be any profit for Modern Contractors. Or allow Modern Contractors to carry alternative works on other site until Smart Developments are ready to accommodate them again. For Issue 4: Smart Developments can negotiate to allow for some extra time before payment can be released to Modern Contractors and waive retention money for part of works carried out.

Gay and lesbians today :: essays research papers fc

Gay and lesbians today In was late July of 1999, five of my buddies and I had just graduated from high school and we were enjoying one of the greatest summers of our lives in Ocean City, Maryland. We were renting out what we thought was the best bachelor pad in all of O.C. on 139th street. Even friends of ours that we graduated with and had known for several years were living at the beach as well. Life was good. But two girls in particular that all of our friends knew from Paint Branch H.S. would, throughout the remainder of the summer, indirectly change and redefine the way in which most of us thought about homosexual relationships. Mel and Kel had always been close amongst our circle of friends and naturally know one ever suspected that either of them were outfitted for a lesbian lifestyle, at least not both of them. It was during that unforgettable summer that their other lifestyle would become vividly clear to the rest of us. The majority of us openly embraced their relationship and undoubtedly respected their audacity to endure the resentment and unacceptance that they may possibly confront one day. But, it was not until two years later that Mel and Kel would challenge their friends’ opinions again, only this time concerning a much more controversial issue. Apparently over the course of the two-year relationship that Mel and Kel had spent together, a commitment had developed between them that only few of us could possibly fathom. They were convinced that the unconditional devotion they shared was worthy of a unique union, and that this devotedness they shared would endure for a lifetime.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In a Utopian society most of us would rejoice in knowing that two people such as Mel and Kel who care so deeply for one another, have found each other and are willing to spend the rest of their lives together. Unfortunately we don’t live in a society of that quality and admiration. In any culture, it’s generally conceived that the family is the absolute core of a society. In that, the norms and values of a civilization are directly conveyed from one generation to another through this bloodline. But what exactly is a family? Are there distinct specifications, qualifications or even guidelines that govern the framework for what a family should be? In the Webster’s dictionary a â€Å"family† is clearly defined as: â€Å"the basic unit in society having as its nucleus two or more adults living together and cooperating in the care and rearing of their own or adopted children.

Doing Business in Japan Essay

1) A large Japanese firm makes important decision by a so-called â€Å"nemawashi† consulting system which requires all internal stakeholders to review and sign the final decision. Research the concept online and compare the advantages and disadvantages of this decision making versus the vertical U.S. system. Describe specific situations when â€Å"nemawashi† could be advantageous and disadvantageous. The culture of the Japanese is to live in harmony with nature and others and they do this by avoiding debates and clashing positions by using a decision making system called Nemawashi. They value interpersonal connectedness and consensus which is the exact opposite of how Americans think and respond. This idea was developed in 1950 when American statistics professor, W. Edwards Deming, trained Japanese leadership staff in Science and Engineering on quality control techniques. David O’Gorman (2012) wrote, The techniques Deming introduced were very compatible with the cultural value of harmony. For example, Deming had 14 key principles for quality improvement. One principle is to â€Å"Break down the barriers between departments.† Deming’s perspective on teamwork, and his other teachings on quality improvement, fit perfectly with Japan’s cultural values of harmony and consensus. Nemawashi gets its meaning from a horticulture terminology meaning â€Å"wrapping around the roots.† When transplanting a tree from one place to another, preparing the root ball by wrapping it with fabric material and acclimatizing it to its new location before transplanting would make that tree grow healthier and stronger in its new environment. (Sakai, 2012) In practice, it means that the groundwork for a new proposal must be carefully prepared in advance if it is expected to take root, survive and prosper. (O’Gorman, 2012). Japanese managers are significantly more relationship-oriented and hierarchical than their U.S. counterparts, preferring consensus building, collectivist decision making, and risk avoidance. (FitzGerald, 2014) By informally communicating ideas to stakeholders, any issues planned for discussion in the larger meeting that might prove to be controversial are hashed out ahead of time so that they don’t create embarrassing snags. Any new ideas or proposals that are going  to be presented can be floated in the pre-meeting, in order to avoid any surpr ises during the main meeting. (Kopp, 2010) To avoid conflict and saving face, many of the discussions of an idea are done informally with all stakeholders prior to the actual formal meeting. There are advantages and disadvantages of this decision making style. The advantages of Nemawashi are: Nemawashi is a more disciplined business practice Nemawashi eliminates the element of surprise Nemawashi eliminates the likelihood of â€Å"whoever screams the loudest† getting their way Nemawashi eliminates ego and aligns interests to a common goal, focusing on the problem at hand with more input across the team or organization (Gordy, 2013). Consensus-building The disadvantages of Nemawashi are: It is time consuming Is not well suited to generating the innovated products and services that Japan needs to compete globally in the future. It suppresses innovative ideas. The nemawashi-ringi process can allow good ideas to wither and die. (O’Gorman, 2012). People are worried that decisions are sometimes made behind the scenes, instead of out in the open. It is therefore seen as an undemocratic process. (Abe, 2014). Those who hold a minority view do not express it to preserve harmony. Furthermore, decisions are flexible and open to change. As a result, decisions are vague, rarely written down, allowing various parties to implement the decision differently. (Anderson, 2009). An example where Nemawashi can best be implemented occurs when a decision does not have to be reached immediately. Japanese use it effectively when they are trying to improve a product such as Toyota. They have time to research, analyze, mull over, and share with all of the stakeholders and can flush out any inconsistencies or challenges prior to making the final decision. An example where Nemawashi is not advantageous is when a decision needs to be made rather quickly or when trying to be innovative. Because nemawashi is time-consuming, if there was a sudden decision that needed to be made, individuals who use this method of decision making would have difficulty getting everyone on board and in agreement in such a short amount of time. It may take months, perhaps years, for an idea  to work its way through the nemwashi-ringi process and be implemented. In the past, this did not pose much of a problem. But in today’s rapidly changing global environment there are increasing demands on companies to make faster decisions just to maintain their competitive position. (O’Gorman, 2012). An example of innovative products can be an idea such as the iPhone or self-driving tr ansportation. 2) Imagine that you are to welcome a Japanese delegation in your home-country. The delegation represents a potential business partner for your firm. Describe how you would prepare for the meeting and how you would decrease intercultural communication apprehension on both sides. I am welcoming a Japanese delegation in my home-country and because I am not ethnocentric, I have researched the Japanese culture and understand that they value hierarchy, status, social ranking, interpersonal relationships and nature. Japanese are polite, sensitive and have good manners and so it will be important to demonstrate those qualities, but not make an assumption because they possess these qualities that they will do business with my organization. I must prepare months in advance for the meeting because Japanese do not like to be taken by surprise. Japanese value commitment, dedication, excellent service, quality and reliability. I would send the itinerary to the Japanese delegation in advance along with any necessary paperwork for their review along with pictures of the executive members of the organization and their ranking. The professional portfolio would detail how long our organization has been in existence and our ranking in our industry. We would have researched their organization and identified their executives as well as their salaryman with whom we are engaging to do business. At the airport, a team of individuals would meet them and acknowledge the most senior member first on down to the salaryman. A business card held by both hands would be given to each one as each of us bow the formal bow and say ‘Watashi no namae wa Jones desu’. Although you do not need to become word-perfect Japanese speaker, many Japanese people really do appreciate foreigners who make the effort to learn at least a few Japanese words and business phrases. (Web) We would receive their business card and immediately study the card and place it carefully in our business card portfolio. We then would follow the itinerary explicitly. Instead of  taking them straight to the office, we would have tickets for the professional baseball team in our region in the loge with food and delicacies of their liking. Matsuzaki (2014) as a summer scholar states that Japanese people love sports, especially baseball. After the game, each delegate would receive a baseball hat with the team logo and a baseball shirt. After the game, a walk through the company and introduction to any senior managers would be done. We would go over our goals and objectives and discuss our portfolio in detail sharing information of how with an expanded business in Japan everyone could have a substantial profit. The most important thing to remember in dealing with the Japanese is to take a passive attitude and listen very carefully to those words that are spoken as well as those not spoken. Soft sell and use facts like â€Å"we sold over a million sets last year† rather than biased information such as â€Å"we’re better than them.† Be very careful not to overstate your case. Any kind of smooth talker or talking too much can rub the wrong way. It is much better to say too little than to say too much. ( Matsuzaki, 2014) Afterwards, at an upscale restaurant we would have an uchiage, (drinking party) which is a tradition Japanese have done after the end of a business transaction. Each business partner would be advised as to drink in moderation and if they do not drink, politely provide an excuse as to why they are not imbibing. The delegation would later be escorted to their hotel and in the morning escorted to the next planned event or to the airport by our executives with a parting gift of a company pen from Tiffany’s. 3) Access JETHRO’s website and other e-Global resources and describe the complexities of setting a Japanese representative office. What are the advantages and disadvantages when compared to other forms of business establishments in Japan? There are many complexities when setting up a representative office in Japan. According to Japan Management Consulting the Representative Office needs to have a Representative resident of Japan. The Representative Office needs to prove the reality of its existence by showing: a lease for office space in its own name a utility bill in the Representative Office name copy of the contract between the representative and the foreign country The Representative of the Representative Office needs to prove its good standing  with Social Insurance, Tax and Legal authorities by providing documents such as: registration with the local ward office â€Å"Juminhyo† registration with Social Insurance, typically a copy of Pension Book is needed proof of payment of resident tax and national tax and also individual enterprise tax if she/he was self-employed. The representative office also need to register with relevant tax office to report and pay the tax withheld on employees salary. (Japan Management Consult, 2011) The advantage of creating a Representative Office in Japan is to be able to carry marketing survey and information gathering activity in Japan before starting a full scale operation, without having to support the burden of full size company and especially keeping a Japan Yen General Ledger and paying taxes. The Representative Office can employ people in Japan and does not need to be registered with legal authorities like the Legal Affairs Bureau. The only registration needed is with tax office for payment of emplyees withheld income taxes. A representative office is often used by companies that wish to employ people in Japan for support activity or before starting a full scale activity. (Japan Management Consult, 2011) The disadvantage of a Representative Office is that it cannot engage in any for profit transactions that would raise Japan’s tax liability. It is only there to gauge the atmosphere of the environment through surveys and assessments. References Abe, Namiko. (2014). About.com Japanese Language. Nemawashi. Retrieved from: http://japanese.about.com/library/weekly/aa080597.htm Anderson, R.V. (Mar/Apr 2009) Management World. The Online Journal for Certified Managers. Japanese and American Management: A Contrast of Styles. Retrieved from http://cob.jmu.edu/icpm/management_world/CMartMar09.pdf FitzGerald, L.A. (2014). Module 2: One World Many Cultures. In Jones International University, BC 607: Leading from a Global Perspective. Retrieved from http://courses.jonesinternational.edu/display.jkg?courseSectionId=33756&uid=105453&tpl=frameset Gordy, Bill. (Dec 11, 2013). The Solutions Group Inc. Implementing the Japanese Business Practice of Nemawashi. Retrieved from www.thesolutionsgroupinc.com/implementing-the-japanese-business-practice-of-nemawashi/ Japan Management Consulting (2005-2011)

Why an Online IT Degree Works for Me Essays

Why an Online IT Degree Works for Me Essays Why an Online IT Degree Works for Me Essay Why an Online IT Degree Works for Me Essay Having always been into computers in some way, shape, or form, I knew from an early age that I wanted to explore a career in this industry, although I wasn’t sure exactly the direction I was heading. After high school, with financial pressures on my back, I chose to forgo college and I found a pretty good paying job with a local company handling their computer system. Businesses were still just getting online – this was the beginning of the Internet taking hold in companies and homes – and all I had was an innate understanding of computer technology and a desire to work hard. I have to say that I’m pretty proud of how well I did without any formal education. Simply by teaching myself – and attending seminars here and there – I was able to learn more than the basics and excel in my job. But now, as I am older, I feel the need to formalize my education with a degree. Sure, my experience speaks volumes about what I can do; but without a college degree some companies won’t even talk to you and I wanted to make sure that I was protected and marketable, especially now with so many people worrying about their jobs. But I also didn’t want to give up my current job in order to better myself for the next one, so I chose to complete my education through an online IT degree program. I always knew online learning was an option and had it in the back of my mind but once I made the decision the rest was easy. The online IT degree program that I chose is convenient and I’m able to make my own schedule in terms of completing my work. Best of all, I don’t have to give up my job and I can still take as many classes as I can handle. I have always found great success with the computer and the online IT degree is no exception!

How does Act 3 Scene 1 create and increase the dramatic tension leading to the end of the play Essays

How does Act 3 Scene 1 create and increase the dramatic tension leading to the end of the play Essays How does Act 3 Scene 1 create and increase the dramatic tension leading to the end of the play Essay How does Act 3 Scene 1 create and increase the dramatic tension leading to the end of the play Essay Shakespeare, soon to become the worlds most famous playwright, was in his peak of playwriting abilities during 1593 when he wrote Romeo and Juliet. He wrote to entertain in the Rose Theatre, Bankside in London. At that time London was a lively, highly populated place where aspiring writers and entertainers may go to claim their fortunes and in many ways still is. William Shakespeare had many rivals and obstacles to overcome and was living life on the edge.The Master of the Revels was able to shut down theatres at the strike of a pen as it was seen to be unholy to go to the theatre and many other writers also hoped for success, one of them being Christopher Marlowe. Romeo and Juliet was Shakespeares first play that was exciting enough to really rival Marlowe, mainly because it includes, portrays and expresses basic and important emotions such as love, passion and violence which are still felt strongly to this day. This is one of the reasons it is studied, watched and respected in the twenty first century.Romeo and Juliet is set in sixteenth century Italy in fair Verona. The play is set around two rival high status families from which two opposing star crossed lovers take their life. The families are typical of high status Italian families we hear about today: always feuding, outgoing, loud, strong minded and very quick tempered. In many ways these families are the roots of the modern mafia. This intertextuality already increases the dramatic tension. Many characters are involved in the play and they stand for different binary oppositions: Benvolio is a peaceful person, I do but keep the peace whereas the fiery Tybalt is a very violent and hot headed person, what, drawn and talk of peace? I hate the word.However some characters are very similar such as Mercutio and Tybalt; they are both quick witted, volatile and both resort to violence which is shown before they meet making the audience (in sixteenth century theatre the audience were entertained most by violence and sex) excited at the prospect of the two most violent people in the play who happen to be enemies meeting; also increasing the dramatic tension. Another aspect increasing the dramatic tension is in the prologue it states where civil blood makes civil blood unclean. The audience will have experienced a public brawl in which no-one was killed which also resulted in a warning from the prince that anymore public fighting will result in death, your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. This will leave the audience wondering when death will result, keeping the audience involved and anticipating this event.Another Event that increases the dramatic tension is in Act 2 scene 6 Romeo and Juliet get secretly married, Come, come with me, and we will make short work, For by your leaves, you shall not stay alone till holy church incorporate into one., creating dramatic irony as only us, Romeo, Juliet, Friar Lawrence and the Nurse know about it. This dramatic irony comes into play effectiv ely during Act 3 scene 1 when Tybalt confronts Romeo.During Act 3 scene 1 Tybalt approaches the Montague and Mercutio looking for Romeo. The day is hot, the capels abroad, and if we meet shall not scape a brawl This reinforces Benvolios character as cautious and peaceful and also implies a fight will happen soon once the Capulets and the Montagues meet increasing the audiences expectations of the fatal confrontation, adding to the dramatic tension. When Tybalt arrives, the atmosphere changes and Benvolio warns By my head here comes the Capulets. To which Mercutio replies By my heel, I care not, showing Mercutios quick wit and his will for a fight although perhaps not a serious retort.In the play I feel that Mercutios line should be spoken slowly and confidently as it is one of the key lines in the play signifying a violent challenge may arise during or soon after this scene. The mood really changes when Tybalt and Mercutio start quarrelling, starting off with Tybalt provoking Mercut io by insulting him by suggesting he is homosexual with Romeo Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo. Consort is an Elizabethan word meaning to keep company or to entertain. Mercutios response in my mind is very clever and quick witted as he turns the insult into a challenge to fight as he draws his sword as he describes as a fiddlestick, Consort? Dost thou make us minstrels?And thou make minstrels of us, look to hear nothing but discords. Heres my fiddlestick, heres that shall make you dance. Zounds, consort!. Dramatic tension is increased as the audience now fully expects a fight and may remember the princes warning. The similarities between Mercutio and Tybalt are now very clear but one difference is that Mercutio speaks in prose whereas Tybalt speaks in Poetry suggesting maybe that Tybalt is more sophisticated or Mercutio is in a mild rage unable to project his words clearly and Tybalt is more calm and confident.As Romeo enters dramatic irony adds to the ever increasing dramatic t ension because the audience remembers the secret marriage between him and Tybalts cousin Juliet. Tybalt immediately insults Romeo and challenges him but he refuses saying But love thee better than thou canst devise leaving Mercutio infuriated, O calm, dishonourable, vile submission!, and Tybalt confused. At this point the audience knows a fight will happen even if Romeo isnt involved. Mercutio then challenges Tybalt and they proceed to fight; Romeo tries to split up the brawl but this results in Mercutio being wounded. Tybalt then leaves. Mercutio jokes about his injury but clearly states that it is fatal Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man. Although he is still joking while he says thiscreating some relief for the audience using the word grave as a pun meaning both: a trench dug in the ground for the burial of a corpse and serious or sombre. And blames Romeo repeating A plaque aboth houses, leaving Romeo feeling guilty and feeling as though he has to avenge Merc utios certain death. Mercutio leaves before he dies, which could be for many reasons: he is a very popular character and the audience would be annoyed to see him die or simply maybe Shakespeare wouldnt have wanted too many bodies on stage.Dramatic tension is dramatically increased now as the audience has witnessed one death but feel as though another death will occur, seeing Romeo seeking revenge. Tybalt comes back finding Romeo challenging him showing a new side to Romeo. This shall determine that. They fight and eventually Romeo overcomes Tybalt and kills him. This is a totally new side to Romeo we havent seen yet as he has been portrayed as a gentleman and a peaceful person much like Benvolio.This is perhaps the turning point in the play as Romeos violent side has been exposed and leaves the audience wondering whether this is his true personality or whether it was a one off burst of rage. This turning point signifies the play is moving faster to the dramatic conclusion, building up the dramatic tension for later in the play. Romeo exclaims O, I am fortunes fool. before leaving. This I feel should be shouted as it truly expresses Romeo emotions and feelings at this present point in time and it signifies the involvement of fate which is mentioned before in the play.Romeo leaves just in time as the Prince arrives along with Lord Montague, Lord Capulet and their wives. The Prince decides that punishing Romeo with death would be un-necessary as enough lives have been taken already so instead he banishes Romeo from Verona but he if he returns he will be killed. And for that offence immediately do we exile him hence. This creates dramatic tension as it leaves the audience wondering what Romeo will do as he can either return to see Juliet and run the risk of being caught and killed or he can Stay away for Verona and not see his Juliet.During Act 3 Scene 1 the Elizabethan audience would have responded well because it was fast paced with lots of exits and entrances, violence and excitement. I personally feel that this is the most interesting and exciting scene as it unravels peoples true personalities and the dramatic tension is built up very well until two climactic fights.

Composer from Baroque to the Classical period Essay

Composer from Baroque to the Classical period - Essay Example Bach was a violin and harpsichord virtuoso. His main style was of polyphonic texture whereby, the chords progressions directed the music’s motion, which made him a master of the fugue. Bach’s music was very baroque, a term adapted as a connotation for extravagant, excess, and emotionally expressive music. Therefore, his music was full of emotion and featured a basso continuo. Bach composed a total 1128 works for voice, orchestra, organ, keyboard, chamber, and canon. Bach also composed works that were either fragmented, spurious doubtful, or lost. Sebastian Bach composed for the organ, the harpsichord, the clavichord, and the violin. He lived in Germany. Bach’s cooperation with royalty was fuelled by his devotion to write Christian music, as evidenced by his compositions in his time at the Lutheran church. There were no direct political motives to write what he did. Bach’s influence on the Classical era is not profound. Although the classical musicians adop ted a new style of writing music, Mozart took interest in Sebastian Bach’s polyphonic tones in his Jupiter composition. Bach’s death in 1950 marked the end of the Baroque era and the beginning of the Classical period. Making him the most influential composer from the Baroque era to the Classical era. The Baroque period of music is a period that encouraged self-expression, formation of counterpoints, certain degrees of ornamentation and open forms. The period is known for its inconsistency; although the music in this era shares the same genre.

Business & International Trade Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business & International Trade - Assignment Example The two main parts of the current account are the balances of visible and invisible trade (goods and services) and both of these are affected by the exchange rate of a country against others. The basic types of exchange rates are floating exchange rate, where the market dictates movements in the exchange rate; pegged float, where a central bank keeps the rate from deviating too far from a target band or value; fixed exchange rate, which ties the currency to another currency, mostly more widespread currencies such as the U.S. dollar or the euro or a basket of currencies. If the economy of UK has a large and persistent deficit on its balance of payments, then serious economic problems could result, such as: †¢ A fall or depreciation in the value of ?‘s exchange rate (Campbell, 2007, p.110-114) †¢ A decline in the country’s reserves of foreign currency †¢ An unwillingness of foreign investors to put money into the economy. The business importance of these pro blems is likely to be most serious if: †¢ The exchange rate depreciation (or frequent fluctuations in the exchange rate) make importing and exporting too risky (Bean, 2002, p.276) — see section below on exchange rates †¢ The government takes corrective actions by, for example, limiting foreign exchange transactions and putting substantial controls on imports, such as tariffs and quotas (Dale & Haldane, 2005, p.1611-26). This policy (protectionist policy), used currently by Zimbabwe, might have short-term benefits by reducing imports of competitors’ products. However, serious consequences could also result. The policy could lead to retaliation by other countries that will then reduce export demand. Also, import controls are serious for firms that depend on imported supplies of raw materials. Question: How would an increase in the value of the ? against the $ and/or the â‚ ¬ affect the price of UK exports and imports into the UK? (2.1a) Answer: When demand f or a currency exceeds supply, its value will rise. This is called an appreciation because one unit of the currency will buy more units of other currencies. Exchange rate depreciation, on the other hand, is a fall in the external value of a currency as measured by its exchange rate against other currencies. If ?1 increases in value from â‚ ¬2 to â‚ ¬1.5, the value of the ? has appreciated (Fisher et al, 2007, p.19). The domestic firms that would gain from an appreciation of the country’s currency are: †¢ Importers and exporters in the UK of foreign raw materials and components, for whom the domestic currency cost, of these imports will be falling — this increases their competitiveness. †¢ Importers and exporters in the UK of foreign manufactured goods, who are’ able to import the product more cheaply in terms of domestic currency —in 2008, it was claimed that European importers of US-produced cars were profiteering at the expense of consume rs(Britton & Whitley, 2007,p. 152-62). This was because, although the import price of cars was falling due, to the appreciation of the euro against the US dollar, they were not selling them more cheaply to European consumers. Hence, they were taking advantage of the appreciation to make much higher profits (Calvo, 2003, p.383-98). †¢ Lower import prices will help to reduce the rate of inflation for the whole economy and all firms are likely to gain from this more stable position. The domestic fir