Learn More About Edgar Allan Poes The Raven

Edgar Allan Poes The Raven is the most famous of Poes poems, notable for its melodic and dramatic qualities. The meter of the poem is mostly trochaic octameter, with eight stressed-unstressed two-syllable feet per lines. Combined with an end rhyme scheme and the frequent use of internal rhyme, the the refrain of nothing more and nevermore give the poem a musical lilt when read aloud. Poe also emphasizes the O sound in words such as Lenore and nevermore to underline the melancholy and lonely sound of the poem and to establish the overall atmosphere. Story Summary The Raven follows an unnamed narrator on a dreary night in December who sits reading forgotten lore by a dying fire   as a way to forget the death of his beloved Lenore. Suddenly, he hears someone (or something) knocking at the door.   He calls out, apologizing to the visitor he imagines must be outside. Then he opens the door and finds†¦nothing. This freaks him out a little, and he reassures himself that it is just the wind against the window. So he goes and opens the window, and in flies (you guessed it) a raven. The Raven settles in on a statue above the door, and for some reason, our speakers first instinct is to talk to it. He asks for its name, just like you usually do with strange birds that fly into your house, right? Amazingly enough, though, the Raven answers back, with a single word: Nevermore.   Understandably surprised, the man asks more questions. The birds vocabulary turns out to be pretty limited, though; all it says is Nevermore. Our narrator catches on to this rather slowly and asks more and more questions, which get more painful and personal. The Raven, though, doesnt change his story, and the poor speaker starts to lose his sanity. Study Guide Questions for The Raven The Raven is one of Edgar Allan Poes most memorable works. Here are a few questions for study and discussion. What is important about the title of the poem, The Raven? Why does he use the title?What are the conflicts in The Raven? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) do you read?How does Edgar Allan Poe reveal character in The Raven?What are some themes? Symbols? How do they relate to the overall flow or meaning of the poem?Does the poem end the way you expected? How? Why?What is the central/primary purpose of the poem? Is the purpose important or meaningful?How does the work relate to Poes other works of supernatural and horror literature? Would you read it at Halloween?How essential is the setting? Could the poem have taken place in another place or time? Do you get enough of a sense of where and when the poem takes place?What is the significance of the raven in mythology and literature?How is madness or insanity explored in the poem?Would you recommend this poem to a friend?

The High Cost of Drugs - 972 Words

Heres a look at what I believe more people need to know about the Mexican Drug War and Cartel. The Mexican drug cartels have been like a disease spreading like a wild fire all over Mexico over the years. The Mexican government has been fighting a war with drug traffickers for a long time. Also, drug cartels have been fighting with each other for control of territories in Mexico. Over 60,000 people have been killed from 2006 to 2012, according to Human Rights Watch. Many people have been robbed, tortured, kidnapped, injured, and murdered through out the domestic drug war that is going on in Mexico. Officials have dispatched thousands of troops and experienced police officers to contain the â€Å"self-defense† groups in the towns of Mexico. These people claim that they are simply filling a void left by incompetent or corrupt officials in their government. Many of the people taking on these gangs that control their parts of the region say they do not care much about the il legal drug trades going on around them. These cartels have been supplying the United States and Mexican people for decades. All these town people want is for the criminals to leave the regular residents of their towns in peace. On February 22, 2014 one of Mexico’s most wanted drug lords was taken into custody after 13 years on the run. This Mexican drug lord was over the Sinaloa cartel his name is Joaquin El Chapo Guzman. El Chapo was known for having air tight security, but officials say he gotShow MoreRelatedThe High Cost Of Drugs2977 Words   |  12 Pagesrising cost of drugs in this country is inevitable. Americans every year are paying more for their pharmaceuticals. Americans are not getting any younger, and the rising cost of medication is becoming more expensive for people to pay. Pharmaceuticals are experiencing a rising cost due to both an ageing population and more so the demand to produce a drug superior to the many products already commanding the market. The cost to produce and manufacture a drug is high, which incurs a higher cost on theRead MoreHigh Costs Of Prescription Drugs1552 Words   |  7 Pages What Are You Actually Paying For? A Critical Review of the High Costs of Prescription Drugs in America By: William A. Hopkins, III Radford University Author Note: This paper was prepared for Economics 495, taught by Dr. Prahlad Kasturi Abstract Recently, there has been a debate about the high prescription drug prices in the United States. Accounting for 9.7% of the national health expenditure, $329.2 billion was spent on prescription medications ($931 per person) in 2011 (LintonRead MoreHigh Costs Related to Drug Use Essay1566 Words   |  7 PagesDRUG USE RELATED COSTS Background of the problem It is known that the major economic costs from drugs use are due to incarcerations and crime rather than to drug use itself (Keefer, Loayza, Soares, 2010). In Colombia, it is estimated that 20% of the cocaine and 70% of the marijuana produced is consumed domestically (Cawley, 2013), most of it in underground spots called ollas. The gathering of drug traffickers, addicts, and criminals in these places has spawned crime and insecurity in all citiesRead MoreDrug Cost Is Very High Even If The Patient Chooses To A1729 Words   |  7 PagesDrug cost is very high even if the patient chooses to a generic version of the medication. Although there are similar drugs available to treat the same ailment one would think it would keep the cost low to minimize the competition that has no bearing on pricing medicine. According to Kesselheim, Avorn, Sarpatwari, (2016), between 2013 and 2015, the cost of prescription drugs in the United States increased approximately 20% exceeding the forecasted amo unt of 11%. The cost of prescription drugs isRead MoreEssay about The High Cost of Branded Drugs in the United States981 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"What I learned from the film was that generic drugs are selling better than the branded medication I assume it is because of the cost, of the branded are too high for consumers in the United States to afford to buy it. In the United States the pharmaceutical company’s go through a strenuous trial before they can get a patent for a medication to sell to the public. They are under strict regulations in the United States by the Federal Food Drug Administration, they go through clinical trials beforeRead MoreDrug Testing for TANF Recipients1020 Words   |  4 PagesDrug Testing for TANF Recipients Drug problems costs the US billions of dollars every year from disease, crime, accidents, child abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, and lost wages that causes deaths and other serious economic and social consequences (Hunter). The crimes include stealing, drug trafficking, murder, robbery, domestic violence, breaking and entering, child abuse and neglect, and assault. Health care problems, such as overdoses, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and tuberculosis, are often resultsRead MoreA Research Study On Biotechnology Essay1502 Words   |  7 Pagesare uncertainties that concern the public. Biotechnology product put the same risk on subjects as the airplane put on travellers. The cost of new biologic product development through the approval is approximately $2.6 Billion, means $2600 million plus the cost of post-marketing surveillance is $312 million, which is many times higher than one Airbus A380-800 that cost $428 million. The regulatory program may differ for different field of biotechnology. The plant- related biotechnology researches areRead MoreThe Cost Reduction Strategies For Prescription Drugs968 Words   |  4 Pagesproblems and core solutions in resolving the cost reduction strategies for prescription drugs, it’s important to consider the short-term solution rather than the long-term. In long-term problem solving strategic plan like the change in the overall U.S health system, the process of transforming the highly dominated private health financing system to government funding and controlling system takes years, even decade. To reduce the price of prescription drugs in the United States, this paper (part III)Read MoreEssay On Medical Issues In Health Care1289 Words   |  6 Pagesmakes negotiating or changing Part D, the part of Medicare concerned with prescription drug costs, very difficult. However the best chance at creating change might be advocating the severity of the issue to those on the frontline of healthcare: physicians. Due to the fact that they are integral to the healthcare system, physicians often have a big say in health care reform. If physicians push for lower drug costs, which is in their self interest since it would lead to people following prescriptionRead MorePrescription Drug Price Controls Essay Essay1251 Words   |  6 Pages Prescription Drug Price Controls Intro to Health Science Professor Feinberg Brittany Aaron 10-25-2016 Introduction: Prescription drug prices are on the rise in the United States. Currently, the United States does not implement a price control on prescription drugs. Every day the supply and demand for prescription drugs fluctuates. Pharmaceutical companies produce drugs that are necessary for survival. Therefore, it is necessary for research and development to continue in the

Establishing Seamless Support Free Essays

Establishing Seamless Support When dealing with a customer and trying to be able to fix the problem they are having, a support specialist must be able to listen, communicate (verbally and non-verbally), and have the ability or know how to fix the problem. When listening to the customer, take notes so that you do not miss anything. This will allow for the customer to vent and express their problem. We will write a custom essay sample on Establishing Seamless Support or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sometimes the customer is mad and just needs to let off some steam, and the support person is the person that has to hear it. Let them get it out and the conversation will go much more smoothly. Communicate to the customer what you will do and how you will do it. Spell it out for them, this will make them feel like they are part of the process and you are doing everything you can for them. When not speaking to the customer, communicate non-verbally so they know that you have their undivided attention. The customer will stay calmer if they know you are taking in everything they are saying. When there has to be some type of compromise, the customer’s needs are first. As a support specialist, we have to remember that we are there to help and not hurt our customers. We want them to continue to come back to the company for all their needs. Once a support specialist can understand that making the customer happy is their objective, then the compromise for an issue is easily obtained. How to cite Establishing Seamless Support, Papers

Illegality and Immorality in Contracts †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Illegality and Immorality in Contracts. Answer: Introduction: The basic requirement for a contract to be valid includes an offer, acceptance to the offer, consideration, lawful object and two or more parties. According to the law, not all contracts are necessary to be in writing, except a contract relating to mortgage, land and guarantee. Nowadays there has been an increase in E-commerce contracts like contracts via social media, e-mails or text messages. At times, there are some formalities to be maintained in case of e-commerce contracts like inclusion of a digital signature, and others (Gillies, 2016). The contracts made via E-mails shall have the same effect as a written contract. Section 8 of the Electronic Transaction Act, 2002 states validity of E-commerce contracts ("Electronic Transactions Act 2002 No 35 (as at 01 January 2016), Public Act Contents New Zealand Legislation", 2017). Section 11 and Section 13A comes into question. In the given case Mary had intended to buy the tea set from Susan, as a result there was an exchange of e-mail id between the two. Mary had responded to the invitation to offer and made a counter offer to buy the tea set at a lower price, which was rejected. Both Susan and Mary had an intention to create legal relation in exchange of a consideration. The main issue with agreements via e-mail is that it is difficult to determine that when the contract is formed, when it has been read by the recipient, the time of sending the e-mail and receiving. Hence, in the given case there were elements of a valid contract. There was a miscommunication because Mary missed the e-mail message sent by Susan on the day before Mary accepted the offer. The mail had already entered into Marys system which was kept for the purpose of exchange of electronic communications. Generally, verbal contracts are valid except in case of mortgages, land and guarantee. Verbal agreements and promises shall have the same effect as the other contracts. The doctrine of estoppel aims at reasonability of the promise made. The Contractual Remedies Act, 1979, deals breach of contract. The contract law also deals with rules of a contract. The court may direct to pay compensation, or injunction or specific performance of the contract in case of breach. Section 11(1) of C.R.Act, 1979 may come into operation (Rowan, 2012). In the given case, there has been an offer and acceptance between Zoincos Limited and Lagos Roofing. There was an existence of mutual consideration between the parties. There was performance as well. Zoincos had already made a part payment to Lagos. As a result of the malfunctioning in the manufacturing process, the contract could not be performed. A counter offer had been made but there was no written evidence. Performance of the contract has only been done by Lagos Roofing (Eigen, 2012). There is a form of compulsory insurance, managed by Accident Compensation Corporation. Hence, third party insurance is not needed. The compulsory insurance covers all injuries or damage caused by car accident (Australia, 2012). The Consumer Guarantee Act 1993 protects the interest of the consumers. The National Consumer Credit Protection Act helps in providing sufficient information for awareness to the borrower. The credit laws of Australia further gives rights to borrowers facing hardships, which allows the person to apply to the car loan department for financial hardship. Special arrangements like settlement shall be made on being approved. The borrower can also apply to the External Dispute Resolution (EDR) in case of conflicts with the car loan department. If unsatisfied with the EDR, the borrower can also move to the court. In the given case, Jordan, being affected by redundancy, was unable to pay further. He had a savings of $50,000 that was sufficient for the deposit of a Ford Mustang, which was second hand. Jordan on being a minor, his contract shall be voidable at the discretion of the court. As he was 17 years, he was close to become a major. Jordan shall be liable to the amount of his savings and on being a minor; the liability shall be carried forward to his guardian or guarantor in that case. Jordan under Section 5(2) of The Minors Contract Act as the person arranging the finances did not specify the nature of the guarantee could seek a defense. The law makes a minors contract voidable at the discretion of the District Court. The guarantor on signing and agreeing to the terms shall be liable to pay the debt on the incapacity of the borrower. Terms of the contract shall be applicable. Discretion shall be at the District court to validate the contract of a minor. In the given case, the age of Jordan was 17, and close to majority. As the contract was signed by him, according to the terms, his father acted as the guarantor. Hence, not only Jordon shall be personally liable but also his guardian who has given the guarantee. The extent shall be decided by the court. The provision relating to the essential elements of a contract and competency to contract have been enumerated in The Contract and Commercial Law Act, 2017 ("Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 No 5 (as at 14 July 2017), Public Act Contents New Zealand Legislation", 2017). Some of the essentials required for a valid contract include free consent of the parties. There has to be some consideration. There must be an offer and acceptance. The parties must have the intention to enter into the contract. The object has to be lawful and each party must have the capacity to contract. All individuals above the age of 18 are competent to contract, provided they are of sound mind (McKendrick, 2014). In some cases persons below the age of 18 or a minors contract is also valid. A person may not be of unsound mind always, then, in that case a contract made while the person is of sound mind shall be considered as valid. Factors that can cause unsoundness of mind are lunacy, idiocy, being intoxicated or drunkenness, and others. These factors can often cause a contract to be void or voidable in the eyes of law. The relevant factor is free consent between the parties. The conditions laid down for a contract to be binding are applicable in the given case. Joseph and George knew each other for years and got along well. Both of them were competent to contract, and had the intention to enter into a contract. There was an offer present in the given case as well as an acceptance. Hence, both the parties had knowledge of each other and there was free consent, in spite of Georges forgetfulness, all the paperwork was done. The provision of illegal contracts has been enumerated in Subpart 5 of The Contract and Commercial Law Act, 2017. Section 71 of the Act gives the definition of an illegal contract, and it is subject to Section 72. Contracts, which are illegal in nature, do not have any effect, per se, in the eyes of law. A contract governed by New Zealand Law, which is illegal in the eyes of law or in equity, whether from the inception or while the contract is being performed, can be termed as illegal contract. Section 3 of The Illegal Contracts Act, 1970 provides the definition of illegal contracts. Notwithstanding any law of equity or rule, the illegal contracts are not supposed to have any effect in the eyes of law. An example of an illegal contract can be a contract to kill a person (MacQueen, 2014). In the case referred, the advertisements made by Sleep Ahead Limited did not match completely with the facts, which Bobby found out during his investigation. Hence, the issue is whether Sleep Ahead Limited has abided the norms of The Fair Trading Act, 1986 or not, and if breached what would be the penalties imposed by Law? The provisions of unfair conduct have been enumerated in Part 1 (Section 9 to Section 26A) of The Fair Trading Act, 1986. The trading conduct that has been prohibited by law includes: provisions of misleading and deceptive conducts generally, which is contained in Section 9 to Section 12 of the Act. Provisions of unsubstantiated claims contained in Section 12A to 12D of the Act. Provisions of false representations contained in Section 13 to 16 of the Act. Provisions of unfair practices contained in Section 17 to 26 of the Act, and Section 26A deals with provisions relating to unfair contract terms. Part 5 of the Act deals with penalties or remedies for breach of the fair trading norms. In case of a company committing breach in relation to the said Act, the penalty can fine, injunctions restraining an unfair conduct, account of profit, compensation, and others (Graw, 2012). Part 1 of The Fair Trading Act, 1986 deals with various kinds of unfair conduct like deceptive and misleading conduct, false representations, unfair trade practices like bait advertising, and others. According to the law, no organization shall make any false or misleading statements or representations as to content, quantity, price, quality, et cetera (Poole, 2012). False means any representation, which is untrue and is not consistent with facts. Misleading means any representation that would lead any reasonable person to misunderstand. Some of the essentials of unfair trading practices includes, puffing, exaggeration, misleadingness and falsity. The intent of the advertiser is irrelevant (Richards, 2013). In the given case, according to the investigation of Bobby, there was an existence of puffing or exaggeration in the advertisement made by Sleep Ahead Limited. Not only it was limited to puffing, Bobby had also found out that there was bait advertising as well (Velentzas, Broni, Pitoska, 2012). In case of a company constituting breach of the said Act, it can attract a penalty of fine that may extend up to $600,000. The court may also order for a refund to the consumers of goods or services, and may further order for repair. Conclusively, by the investigation of Bobby, Sleep Ahead Limited, attracts Part 1 of the Act. This implies that the furniture store named Sleep Ahead Limited has committed breach of The Fair Trading Act, 1986 and will attract penalty imposed by the court, such as fine not exceeding $600,000 and others. References Australia, S. W. (2012).Comparison of Workers Compensation Arrangements in Australia and New Zealand. Australian Government-Safe Work Australia. Contract and Commercial Law Act 2017 No 5 (as at 14 July 2017), Public Act Contents New Zealand Legislation. (2017).Legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 4 October 2017, from https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2017/0005/21.0/DLM6844033.html Eigen, Z. J. (2012). When and why individuals obey contracts: experimental evidence of consent, compliance, promise, and performance.The Journal of Legal Studies,41(1), 67-93. Electronic Transactions Act 2002 No 35 (as at 01 January 2016), Public Act Contents New Zealand Legislation. (2017).Legislation.govt.nz. Retrieved 8 October 2017, from https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0035/28.0/DLM154185.html Gillies, L. E. (2016).Electronic commerce and international private law: A study of electronic consumer contracts. Routledge. Graw, S. (2012).An introduction to the law of contract. Thomson Reuters. MacQueen, H. L. (2014). Illegality and Immorality in Contracts: Towards European Principles. McKendrick, E. (2014).Contract law: text, cases, and materials. Oxford University Press (UK). Poole, J. (2012).Casebook on contract law. Oxford University Press. Richards, J. (2013).Deceptive advertising: Behavioral study of a legal concept. Routledge. Rowan, S. (2012).Remedies for breach of contract: a comparative analysis of the protection of performance. Oxford University Press on Demand. Velentzas, J., Broni, G., Pitoska, E. (2012). Unfair commercial practices on marketing-Advertising and consumer protection in EU member states.Procedia Economics and Finance,1, 411-420.

Umass Lowell Community College Academic Scholarship free essay sample

For me it is neither Of these reasons. Am a former college drop-out who believes can do better than I did. Therefore, my reasons for going back to college are somewhat different than the average person starting college for the first time. Have something to prove to myself. Want to prove that can stay committed to college this time and get a degree. I am starting college after a long hiatus from the world of academics. Dropped out of Hilbert College in Hamburg, New York after one year. School was not the problem.I loved learning. Was just in need of money. For me the part-time job I had at the college cafeteria didnt cut it. I needed a full- time job. My uncle offered me a job at a factory called Carriage House Incorporated. He also added in the fact that the pay wage was high. I was eager to start my adult life and work full-time, so I took the offer. We will write a custom essay sample on Umass Lowell Community College Academic Scholarship or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The work was hard labor, not really worth the money after all. I would get paid and work so much that didnt have time to enjoy the money had worked for. As the years went by became worn down and bored with the everyday routine. I realized that working there, I would never upgrade. My job would never get better. I also didnt have an option for a raise, which meant something to me. Therefore as prices on necessities and cost of living went up each year, my pay did not. College is the only way to make something better of my life. Am not sure what I want to be yet, but as I continue my with my first semester I am getting a feel for different classes. I just know what dont want to be. I dont want to be somebody who wakes up everyday with a sore back and tired fingers. I dont want life to pass me by and leave me with questions like would of, should of, could of? I am asking u to help me make a difference in my life. Help me to prove that have what it takes to become somebody important in this world. Even if I havent figured out what that is yet. Know can do this, I have what it takes to go far. Please consider me when you think of students for the upcoming semester.

Free Essays on Female’s Sexuality

Certain aspects of a female’s sexuality influence the psychological experience of orgasm. Specific aspects of foreplay, intercourse, and relaxation affect not only the physical response, but also the psychology of the orgasm. Foreplay is probably the most important aspect of the psychological experience of sex. The arousal that is brought about comes from what is usually passionate, gentle, and sensitive caressing. Physical stimulation is a minor factor in foreplay. While it is obviously there, the physical aspect of foreplay does not arouse a woman as much as the emotions and thoughts that are involved. Arousal during foreplay causes â€Å"feelings of wanting to touch and be touched. Most women felt the sensations all over the body; few mentioned genitals† (Hite, 1976, 65). When women discuss foreplay and arousal, many emotional terms are used to describe the experience. Many factors influence the pleasure of foreplay. The first of which concerns â€Å"the amount of time typically devoted to it† (Fisher, 1973, 181). Foreplay typically takes up the majority of the time spent during a sexual experience, and usually leads to the more common form of orgasm, clitoral. Stimulation of â€Å"the clitoris and vagina near clitoris were designated as the most excited of all areas† (181). Clitoral stimulation is most commonly associated with either manual stimulation with the hand, or oral stimulation known as cunnilingus. Clitoral stimulation being the most common form of masturbation as well as led to many people believing that there is a subconscious feeling that does not allow a woman to typically have an orgasm during intercourse. Typically following foreplay comes intercourse; penile insertion into the vagina. Though many women remark that they do not experience orgasm during intercourse, it is still a common occurrence. Though they are reportedly less frequent than clitoral orgasms, vaginal orgasms are typically described... Free Essays on Female’s Sexuality Free Essays on Female’s Sexuality Certain aspects of a female’s sexuality influence the psychological experience of orgasm. Specific aspects of foreplay, intercourse, and relaxation affect not only the physical response, but also the psychology of the orgasm. Foreplay is probably the most important aspect of the psychological experience of sex. The arousal that is brought about comes from what is usually passionate, gentle, and sensitive caressing. Physical stimulation is a minor factor in foreplay. While it is obviously there, the physical aspect of foreplay does not arouse a woman as much as the emotions and thoughts that are involved. Arousal during foreplay causes â€Å"feelings of wanting to touch and be touched. Most women felt the sensations all over the body; few mentioned genitals† (Hite, 1976, 65). When women discuss foreplay and arousal, many emotional terms are used to describe the experience. Many factors influence the pleasure of foreplay. The first of which concerns â€Å"the amount of time typically devoted to it† (Fisher, 1973, 181). Foreplay typically takes up the majority of the time spent during a sexual experience, and usually leads to the more common form of orgasm, clitoral. Stimulation of â€Å"the clitoris and vagina near clitoris were designated as the most excited of all areas† (181). Clitoral stimulation is most commonly associated with either manual stimulation with the hand, or oral stimulation known as cunnilingus. Clitoral stimulation being the most common form of masturbation as well as led to many people believing that there is a subconscious feeling that does not allow a woman to typically have an orgasm during intercourse. Typically following foreplay comes intercourse; penile insertion into the vagina. Though many women remark that they do not experience orgasm during intercourse, it is still a common occurrence. Though they are reportedly less frequent than clitoral orgasms, vaginal orgasms are typically described...

Modern technologies, social media, and media freedom Essay

Modern technologies, social media, and media freedom - Essay Example It is certain that the next platform shall offer better communication links between two or more peoples. In addition to that, communication may be faster as compared to the current communication speeds. The Internet as a modern technology has led to the rise of the social media (social networking) networks such as FaceBook, Tagged, Hi5, Twitter, MySpace etc. The social media in turn has its positive and negative influences on media freedoms/freedom of expression globally. Based on that notion, this paper shall seek to analyse how social media has affected media freedom. In addition, the paper shall also look into the way forward with regard to social media and its impacts. The social media has its positive and negative effects which we all have to live and deal with as a society/ globally. One of the positive effects of social media is that the information exchanged is in real time (immediately). However, this is the same aspect that has a negative impact with regard to social media existence. A good example of social media gone badly and affecting media freedom is when there were riots in London and Twitter was apparently the modern technology that was being used to â€Å"propagate† the riots. Apparently, Twitter was alleged to have â€Å"mobilized† the riots which initially started in Tottenham and due to the posting of pictures in Twitter, the riots spread very quickly to neighbouring cities such as Walthamstow, Enfield, Waltham Forest and Brixton (â€Å"The Huffington Post,† 2011). Self expression: Different people have different ways in which they express themselves. Some people may express themselves in a manner that deems fit to them alone but not to everybody. Hence, a lot of people think that they can express themselves as much as they want without being held accountable for what they say or do. According to a survey that was conducted on the awareness of the legal consequences surrounding social media postings, approximately 65%

Inexorable Fate of Catherine Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Inexorable Fate of Catherine - Essay Example The actions and attitude of Catherine towards life and death, religion and ateism reflected that a person with a wide range of feelings had a fuller life than a person with a more restricted rang. When I read this chapter, it makes me think that we are alive when we are feeling freshly, or profoundly, or delicately; and that lack of all feeling is death and unconsciousness. But certain distinctions we can make within the scope of these propositions are by no means widely recognized; for instance, that fresh, strong feeling in Catherine is a different thing from the mass strong feeling she had faced with during the wartime. The life experience of Catherine depicted that some types and manifestations of human feeling were gross self-indulgence and were not at all the thing they appeared to be, in other words "this was what people got for loving each other" (Hemingway, 329). I disagreed with indifference and protests of Catherine against a priest. In my opinion, Catherine should change her mind and asked God to help her, but she refused. Henry asked Catherine: "Do you want me to get a priest or any one to come and see you", but she answered "Just you" (Hemingway, 330). On the other hand, this remark shows great love between Catherine and Henry, their mutual trust and support. Reading this chapter, I came to conclusion that in childhood, people believe subconsciously in superficial power of some thing beyond our understanding, in adolescence period, we deny everything being unable to join scientific knowledge about the world and unscientific knowledge on which religion is based. At the end of the chapter I understood that love to Henry was the only true faith for Catherine. I was amazed by courage and personal strength of Catherine in this chapter. Her courage and bravery proved the idea that only in difficult situations people show their real nature and courage: "When the pains were bad she called them good ones" (Hemingway, 326). Toughness stems were not from insensitivity but from a strict personal code which functions as the character's sole defense against the overwhelming chaos of death. Catherine was a real hero trying to support and encourage Henry. She told that she was "'not going to die" (Hemingway 326). The following passage was the most impressive part of the chapter, because as a reader I could do nothing to change the course of events but remain a passive viewer of human sufferings. "It seems she had one hemorrhage after another. They couldn't stop it. I went into the room and stayed with Catherine until she died. She was unconscious all the time, and it did not take her very long to die" (Hemingway 331). It was really difficult for me to read the rest of the chapter realizing that Catherine "would die" (Hemingway 327). The great irony of Catherine's death was that she had helped people all her life saving dozens of soldiers, but was faced with ultimately death of her own. The crying injustice was that she gave birth to a child who was stillborn. Her downfall was a result of a fatal flaw of events, a trait which she could not help as it was a fate which caused the tragedy and death. Catherine suffered beyond what could be expected, and paid beyond measure for whatever love and happiness she had. A new life always symbolizes great expectations and hopes which can change the life of a person or a family for the good, but for Catherine it resulted in death. Catherine tells Henry: "I'm not brave any more, darling, I'm

International Marketing - Hofstedes Cultural Framework Essay

International Marketing - Hofstedes Cultural Framework - Essay Example (Answer.com) Air conditioner, refrigerator, tube-lights, bulbs, electric fans, heaters etc also come under the same definition. Since the contemporary age is the age of technological advancement, computerization, automation and mechanization, electronics goods and items have become an essential part of everyday life during the modern age and are used in offices, residences and all other institutions at large all over the world. Japan based world’s renowned electronic entrepreneur Hitachi Consumer Electronics Company is one of the supreme electronic organizations of the world, which maintain a wide range of products including air conditioners, refrigerators, heaters, switch-boards, juicers, grinding machines, domestic equipments, medical equipments, allergy diagnostics, automotive components and long list of electronics spare parts. Their consolidated sale is estimated around 10,248 billion Japanese Yen during the fiscal year 2006-07 (wikipedia.org) Recently, it has also introduced computer accessories to provide the customers with high quality products related to information technology. â€Å"Hitachi Ltd. is pulling out of the household computer business in the latest shift among Japanese electronics makers to refocus their sprawling operations.† (GMA News TV) The Company has hired the services of nearly 400,000 employees working in hundreds of its branches in all parts of the globe, which wo rk very hard from dawn to dusk for the good name and fame of the company. It is therefore the products of Hitachi Consumer Electronic Company are thought to be the sign of high quality and the consumers in different countries of the world demand its products for office, domestic, commercial and industrial use. â€Å"The global parts procurement capability of Hitachi, coupled with its state-of–the-art manufacturing facilities, allows to realize

Preventing Blood Stream Infections Health And Social Care Essay

Preventing Blood Stream Infections Health And Social Care Essay National Patient Safety Goals (NPSG) were introduced in 2002 in order to help address some of the issues that were responsible for causing a majority of the situations that were responsible for creating patient safety issues. These goals were implemented in order to put focus on what were deemed to be the most preventable of these issues. One of these goals is the prevention of central line-associated blood stream infections (Lyles, Fanikos, Jewell, 2009). Literature Review Central venous catheters (CVC) are indispensable in the care of critically ill patients. However, their use is not without risk. Catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CA-BSI) are common healthcare-associated infections in intensive care unit (ICU) patients and have been estimated to occur in 3%-7% of all patients with CVC (Warren, et al., 2006). It is well documented that intravascular catheter related complications are associated with extending hospital length of stay, increasing direct costs and increasing ICU mortality. Clinicians insert approximately 7 million central venous access devices (CVAD) annually in the United States, and of these, 1 in 20 is associated with a CA-BSI, despite the use of the best available aseptic techniques during catheter insertion and maintenance. Overall, an estimated 250,000 CVAD-related CA-BSI occur annually, with an attributed mortality of 12.5% to 25% per occurrence. The national cost of treating CA-BSI equals $25,000 per infection, respecti vely, or $296 million to $2.3 billion in total. While the number of CA-BSI has remained relatively steady, vascular access device use has drastically increased, especially in nonhospital settings (Rosenthal, 2006). A vast amount of research is directed toward reducing these complications in an effort to improve patient outcomes. A review of the literature provides an overview of current recommendations concerning intravascular catheter care and research regarding the use of education programs to promote recommended practice. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections in 2002, which is the benchmark for all intravascular catheter care recommendations. The guidelines for CVC suggest the replacement of dressings every 7 days or when soiled or loosened, intravenous tubing changes every 72 hours, and the replacement of tubing used to administer blood products and lipid emulsions within 24 hours of infusion initiation (East Jacoby, 2005). According to the CDC, approximately 53% of adult patients in intensive care units have a central venous catheter on any given day (Rupp, et al., 2005). Skin cleansing of the insertion site is regarded as one of the most important measures for preventing catheter-related infection. Historically, povidone-iodine is an antiseptic that has been used during the insertion and maintenance of the intravascular devices. It works by penetrating the cell wall of the microorganism. More recently, chlorhexidine has been studied and found to be more effective as a skin antiseptic to prevent catheter-related infection. It works in less time, retains its antibacterial effect against flora longer, is not inactivated by the presence of blood or human protein, and causes minimal skin irritation. Chlorhexidine works by disrupting the microbial cell wall. It is active against many gram-positive and to a slightly lesser degree gram-negative bacterium (Astle Jensen, 2005). A multistep process is recommended to prevent CA-BSI that includes: educating staff, using maximal barrier precautions (e.g. a sterile gown and gloves, mask, cap, and large sterile drape), performing infection surveillance, and replacing occlusive dressing every 7 days or when needed (Buttes, Lattus, Stout, Thomas, 2006). Other strongly recommended practices include proper hand hygiene, use of chlorhexidine gluconate for insertion site preparation, and avoidance of routine catheter changes. Catheters impregnated with antimicrobial agents are recommended when infection rates are high or when catheters will remain in place for a considerable time (Krein, et al., 2007). Education of staff on the proper care of CVC is paramount in reducing the amount of CA-BSI. This is perhaps one of the most cost-effective methods of reducing CA-BSI (Ramritu, Halton, Cook, Whitby, Graves, 2007). Implementation A staff education program was initiated for the nursing personnel that primarily deal with CVC. This education program was aimed at training the ICU and step-down unità ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s nursing staff proper care and maintenance of the CVC. Education focused on proper care of the CVC, including when dressing changes should be performed e.g. every 7 days or when the dressing is soiled. Nurses were also trained in how to appropriately assist with CVC placement and the documentation tool that infection control utilizes to evaluate adherence to insertion guidelines. Posters were also placed in the nurseà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s break and conference areas that had educational material related to proper care of CVC. Documentation was also placed in the physicianà ¢Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢s lounges that encouraged utilization of maximal barrier precautions during CVC insertion. The facility that was observed currently utilizes a few different means of measurement with regards to CA-BSI. First, a checklist is utilized during CVC insertion that evaluates adherence to insertion guidelines by the staff. This checklist is sent to infection control and entered into a database which is correlated with patient data regarding CA-BSI. Second, in patients that are identified as having a CA-BSI, after catheter removal, laboratory microbiological studies of the catheter, blood, and insertion site swabs are performed to identify causality of the infection. Implementation Compared to Literature Suggestions Practices that reduce the risk of CA-BSI include the following: (1) use of maximal barrier precautions during CVC insertion (i.e., a surgical mask, sterile gown, sterile gloves, and large sterile drapes), (2) placement of the catheter in the subclavian vein rather than the internal jugular or femoral vein, (3) changing catheters only when necessary, and (4) changing dressings on CVC exit sites when they become nonocclusive, soiled, or bloody. These practices have been incorporated into national guidelines. Currently, the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that hospitals implement comprehensive educational programs that teach proper CVC insertion and maintenance techniques (Warren, et al., 2006). These practices are mostly in line with what is implemented at the observed facility. One difference, which is not in line with these recommendations, is that the observed facility has a high nu mber of internal jugular insertions rather than utilizing the subclavian vein. When asked about this, many of the physicians stated that access was easier to identify utilizing ultrasound during insertion and they preferred this method over subclavian insertion. Recommended Changes First, implementation of an education program for providers that is focused on infection control, especially the recommendation of utilizing the subclavian vein insertion for CVC placement as a first choice in patients that have no contraindications to this placement. Second, procuring the second-generation antiseptic catheter, coated with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine on the internal and external surfaces, to more effectively prevent microbial colonization in patients that are identified as being at risk. Decreased bacterial colonization, a critical step in the pathogenesis of catheter-associated infection, may correlate with prevention of catheter-related bacteremia (Rupp, et al., 2005). Third, education and training needs to be expanded to any nurses that may be responsible for caring for a patient with a CVC. These areas include non-critical care areas such as pediatric and medical floors. Larger numbers of patients with CVC are now found in non-ICUs than in ICUs and that CA-BSI rates in those settings are higher. Catheter types and insertion sites vary greatly among settings. For example, jugular and femoral insertion sites are common in ICUs; subclavian and peripheral sites are more common elsewhere. So strategies for reducing CA-BSI must be tailored to the setting (Hadaway, 2006).

Artificial Sweetener Aspartame is Generally Safe Essay -- essays resea

Artificial sweeteners are a food additive that attempts to duplicate the taste of sugar while using less food energy. Artificial sweeteners can be used for weight loss because they have 4 calories per gram and are 180 to 200 times sweeter than regular sugar so less is used. Some examples of artificial sweeteners include Saccharin, Sucralose, and Aspartame. There is ongoing controversy whether artificial sweeteners are health risks because some studies show that they cause diseases in laboratory rats. The following disscusion will deal with one such artfical sweetener: Asparatame. Aspartame, under the trade name of NutraSweet, is a white, odorless, crystalline powder, which is synthesized from aspartic acid and phenylalanine. They are two naturally occurring and essential amino acids. Aspartame was first discovered in 1969 by a researcher, Mr. James Schlatter, at G.D. Searle & Company. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Aspartame in 1981 for use in tabletop sweeteners and various foods and dry beverage mixes. In 1983, Aspartame was approved for use in carbonated beverages and since then, has been approved for use in any foods and drinks. Aspartame has many benefits. It has a very similar taste to sugar but, unlike sugar, it does not promote tooth decay. Aspartame does not contain many calories so it can help people manage their weight. As well, Aspartame doesn’t require insulin to metabolize therefore it is useful for patients with diabetes. They can have the benefit of a sweet taste, without elevating their blood sugar. But, as the saying goes: with the sweetness of honey, may come the sting of a bee. The safety of Aspartame has come into question. The reason why some believe that Aspartame may ... ...adies from Alzheimer’s to cancers to Parkinson’s. However follow-up studies and review of previous medical studies concluded that the majority of serious illnesses for which the artificial sweeteners were blamed were unfounded. The few concerns that were confirmed depended upon ingestion of massive amounts of the product. The other concerns, like restless leg syndrome and hypoglycemia, are minor associations. Olestra, a fat substitute, can be considered generally safe but with unpleasant side effects when food containing the product is consumed in moderately larger portions than average. All in all, for the general population, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes are safe. A caveat can be made on an individual basis if a person finds that whenever he ingests these products he experiences unwanted symptoms, then the products should obviously be avoided. Artificial Sweetener Aspartame is Generally Safe Essay -- essays resea Artificial sweeteners are a food additive that attempts to duplicate the taste of sugar while using less food energy. Artificial sweeteners can be used for weight loss because they have 4 calories per gram and are 180 to 200 times sweeter than regular sugar so less is used. Some examples of artificial sweeteners include Saccharin, Sucralose, and Aspartame. There is ongoing controversy whether artificial sweeteners are health risks because some studies show that they cause diseases in laboratory rats. The following disscusion will deal with one such artfical sweetener: Asparatame. Aspartame, under the trade name of NutraSweet, is a white, odorless, crystalline powder, which is synthesized from aspartic acid and phenylalanine. They are two naturally occurring and essential amino acids. Aspartame was first discovered in 1969 by a researcher, Mr. James Schlatter, at G.D. Searle & Company. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Aspartame in 1981 for use in tabletop sweeteners and various foods and dry beverage mixes. In 1983, Aspartame was approved for use in carbonated beverages and since then, has been approved for use in any foods and drinks. Aspartame has many benefits. It has a very similar taste to sugar but, unlike sugar, it does not promote tooth decay. Aspartame does not contain many calories so it can help people manage their weight. As well, Aspartame doesn’t require insulin to metabolize therefore it is useful for patients with diabetes. They can have the benefit of a sweet taste, without elevating their blood sugar. But, as the saying goes: with the sweetness of honey, may come the sting of a bee. The safety of Aspartame has come into question. The reason why some believe that Aspartame may ... ...adies from Alzheimer’s to cancers to Parkinson’s. However follow-up studies and review of previous medical studies concluded that the majority of serious illnesses for which the artificial sweeteners were blamed were unfounded. The few concerns that were confirmed depended upon ingestion of massive amounts of the product. The other concerns, like restless leg syndrome and hypoglycemia, are minor associations. Olestra, a fat substitute, can be considered generally safe but with unpleasant side effects when food containing the product is consumed in moderately larger portions than average. All in all, for the general population, artificial sweeteners and fat substitutes are safe. A caveat can be made on an individual basis if a person finds that whenever he ingests these products he experiences unwanted symptoms, then the products should obviously be avoided.

Politics and Development in Asia

1. In what political respects is the developing world truly developing, and in what significant parts of it are not? Discuss and substantiate by giving examples (Focus: Asia)In understanding political developments in Asia, being the bulk of the world’s developing nations, I begin this paper by looking at the historical developments that have largely shaped and defined the Asian nations. More importantly I focus on the Southeast Asian region of the continent due to its diversity as well as the pervading regional cooperation that has directly affected, if not impacted other Asian countries during the years after World War II. Secondly I would draw three distinctions of how developing nations are truly developing with respects to three vital political areas, mainly: the functions of the government, the electoral process and the participation of civil society. These three aspects would focus on how developing nations in Asia have managed to progress politically after its democracy was established.Historical OverviewGeographically speaking the Asian continent spans 17 million square kilometers and is home to a population of over 4 billion people. In the past 60 or so years it has largely been host to over a dozen developing nations such as: the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and also to progressive developing or developed nations as well. This balance between developing and developed nations is attributed to the influences and a country’s experience under colonial rule. During this era, Europeans believed that Asians were largely backward both socially and economically and only served for the economic enhancement of its parent nation (Charskykh, 2005), more importantly the locals in these countries served the purpose of being the labor force of their colonial masters. It was through this labor and various instances of social, physical and mental discrimination that many of the Asian countries that had been colonized were f orced to revolt.This sense of nationalism, even at its most infantile  stages (as seen in Philippine society) had helped to consolidate and unify the different levels of society to enact political change that would help in the betterment of the country. Revolution being the catalyst for political change in Asia has helped foster the spread of independent governments, however it can also be said that revolution wasn’t the only catalyst for the development of early political change in the region.It was during the events that occurred after World War II—the Cold War—that further changed the political landscape of the Asian region, the age of multi-polarity in Richard Haas’ article on The Age of Non-polarity (2008) draws a distinction that countries were further developed wherein power of two sovereign nations (the United States and the USSR) helped numerous Asian countries as a means of spreading ideological and political attitudes among different countrie s. The age of non-polarity as well as the effects of the Cold War helped to consolidate and change the different Asian countries political institutions, structures and the very mechanisms, which are evident in today’s countries.Political DevelopmentIt can be said that countries in Asia, seeing from the events or circumstances that had shaped it historically, is seen as a progressive continent host to many of the world’s developing nations. In recent years, Asia has played a large role in defining East-West relations both politically and economically. With the growing influence and presence of China, the world has turned its eye on the eastern portion of the map and thus, this has helped to bring in numerous investments and interests to the region. However, despite this surge of regional interest, Asia still has many issues to tackle, such as the role of democracy and the democratization process that some countries are sorely lacking, this is part and parcel to the form ation of their government, its role and function that should help and aid the people. Secondly, the electoral process, which has served to gauge how democratized a country is to the point that it is willing to progress.More importantly, the electoral processes in a developing country is often observed and watched because of how it affects the people—being the  most basic right to political participation and representation—and by large its effects on a country’s relations with its Asian and global neighbors. Lastly the participation of civil society, in any democratized nation, civil society plays a key role in strengthening and forwarding the issues that are important to the people to the government. More than that, civil society has also played a role in disciplining the government through its â€Å"expose and oppose† tactics, tactics that have helped initiate change in the government through the passing of laws and reforms that would protect the basic rights of the citizens.Functions of the GovernmentAs mentioned earlier, Asian governments being a direct product of independence from the de-colonization process or a product of a bi-polar world order are currently experience what political scientists call the â€Å"third wave† of democracy. This third wave according to Samuel Huntington (1990) is essentially characterized by the loss of legitimacy of authoritarian regimes, a growth in economic output, changes in the Catholic Church; regional contingency factors; and external factors (notably the influence of the European Union and the US). Huntington’s Third Wave of democracy enabled many newly independent countries to establish themselves in their region, much in the same way the Philippines, India, Indonesia and Malaysia did after the Second World War and the subsequent years after. Moreover, because of the waves of democratization, these fledgling governments sought to establish their own national identity as well as strengthen its patrimony. Hence we see governments working to abolish and reform parts of their system from colonial influences or vestiges of it.Hence, governments in Asia are functioning however to use the standards of many Western nations, there are countries that are still in need of further development. Governments in this continent are developing in the sense that immediately after their independence they had begun instituting change, the passage of laws that would be favorable to its people and not to its foreign neighbors or former colonial masters. More importantly, it was the passing of their own constitution, which embodied their own ideals and aspirations.Besides that being a democratic country, governments have taken into effect the very thing that they weren’t able to have under colonial rule, their rights and privileges. Like any other democratic country, the government as well as its branches is tasked with the preservation of their constituent’s ba sic human, political and social rights. Moreover the governments of Asia during this third wave of democratization have largely distanced itself from the use of its military to coerce the people into action, as seen in the case of the political upheavals in Indonesia, Malaysia and even the Philippines that help restore civilian rule and enact legislation that places all decision-making processes of the military under civilian authority.Hence, the role of the government and its development in the political landscape of Asia is essentially characterized by the waves of democracy that had followed after numerous political and social upheavals that had happened in the region that had allowed for democracy to proper. Moreover, the political development of Asia is largely attributed to the national identity that had been formed prior to their independence as well as the belief that civilian authority should pervade in all aspects of the government structure.Electoral ProcessesThe electora l process of Asia and by large any democratic country for that matter has been part and parcel of strengthening the democratization of any country. More importantly the electoral processes is seen as the establishment and legitimizing of a government that would adhere to the standards of different political watchdogs, media and Western governments that have investments in a particular Asian country.Electoral process as a measure of political development in developing nations usually stems from the desire to fulfill some of the promises of democracy or change the democratic landscape to as fulfill the problem of diminished and failed expectations of democracy as embodied in Mark Warren’s article on democratic participation (p. 679, 2002), drawing from the  experiences from the Asian countries such as Thailand; democracy through its elections has failed to address the needs of its people. This has led to the disillusionment or disenfranchisement of voters that have led citize ns to become critical of their government.Elections in Southeast Asian countries strengthen the political participation of different levels of society by allowing greater sectoral participation as well as the existence of party-list systems that aim to bridge the gap between the government and civil society itself. More importantly elections are a way for allowing a wide-range of issues and platforms of dialogues to be tackled and addressed so as to initiate reform and change within a system that a citizen may no longer believe in. It is because of this most basic political aspect that citizens are duly empowered to create an environment that would allow them greater representation and for their issues to be heard because the electoral processes in any democratic country is an avenue for change.Civil SocietyThrough the efforts of electoral processes in developing nations, civil society also plays a larger role in the development of democracies in the continent. Civil society is the representation of the people to the government; they serve as the platforms of dialogues as well as the source of political lobbying and confrontation. Such as the case in Myanmar where various civil groups protested against government action levied by the military junta against Aung San Suu Kyi, in China the protestation of their freedom to express themselves freely has been an issue that had led to the pullout of some international companies that had censured their content.Besides these all too familiar modes of political confrontation, civil society also lobbies for issues that marginalize a certain group of people. They represent and voice out the concerns of societies that the government may have neglected to address. Secondly civil society also exposes and opposes those people in the establishment of their crimes. Governmental crimes that range from graft and corruption to other irregularities in the system that seek to create inequality or those that would benefit only a cert ain individual or group of people that would directly benefit from such  a malfeasance.Another aspect of civil society in Asia is that it is vibrant, in the sense that these groups are constantly vigilant of the government’s movements, procedures and every minute detail that would affect the people. One could say that the government cannot move without some group or party noticing it. Because of this vibrancy there is a wider range of perspectives and opinions that the government has to address to allow equality and participation of the people and the groups that represent their interests.ConclusionPolitically speaking, the developing nations in Asia are truly developing albeit at a slow pace, however these countries face numerous problems such as the prevalence of cacique democracy, patron-client relationships, the growing incidence of graft and corruption as well as the lack of accountability and transparency. Besides these institutional problems, Asian countries are quic k to act using means that would question the legitimacy of a government (i.e. People Power revolutions both in the Philippines and Indonesia).Thirdly, political developments in an Asian country has only helped to serve the elites of society by creating laws that would greatly benefit them or help them stay in power. And lastly there is the proliferation of political dynasties and the existence of bureaucratic powers that have limited the progression of democracy and equality in the government. 2. Are the main political trends experienced by the developing world in recent decades summed up best by increasing diversity or alternatively growing convergence? Discuss extensively (Focus: Asia).In today’s globalized world, political trends have been largely varied in different parts of the world, yet each of these trends have helped in the establishment of strong governments and a vibrant civil society. The growing political trend of today’s developing world is the use of med ia as a platform of dialogue and garnering a wider influence that spans not just local but international borders as well.Secondly, the sudden rise of terrorism and the increase of regional and global security at the onset of the 21st century, has made steady grounds in the discussion of what could  and should be done to address political upheaval brought about by the events of September 11, 2001 in the United States. Thirdly, the further strengthening of regional and international economic and political cooperation, with respects to China, Singapore and Japan as emerging economies of the 21st century and how this has affected Western influences in the continent.MediaAs mentioned earlier in my introduction, one of the prevailing political trends of the developing world is the use of media—in all its forms—to further the cause of both civilian and the government. In this highly globalized world, the media is at the forefront of providing information that would either h elp or discredit a politician or the government. In recent years, the prevalence of media in all aspects of society was seen through the formation of websites designed for greater interaction (Web 2.0) that allows ordinary people to post, comment or critique on issues that are miles apart.During the 2008 US elections, media helped to bolster the presence of candidates running for the presidency, using new technologies that allowed ordinary people’s opinions and questions to be heard and also to evaluate these candidates based on their answers. Hence, in Zaller’s paper titled â€Å"A Theory of Media Politics† (1999)â€Å"For politicians, the goal of media politics is to use mass communication to mobilize the public support they need to win elections and to get their programs enacted while in office. For journalists, the goal of media politics is to produce stories that attract big audiences and that emphasize the â€Å"Independent and Significant Voice of Journ alists.† For citizens, the goal is to monitor politics and hold politicians accountable on the basis of minimal effort†.Another instance of the use of media to change or forward opinion and movement was during the elections in Iran that were heavily critical of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s re-election to the presidency of Iran. His re-election served as a catalyst for media and the Internet to react and criticize what  the public perceived as the massive fraud and failure of elections that was happening. On Myanmar, during the events that led to the arrest of an American that had â€Å"trespassed† opposition leader’s Aung San Suu Kyi’s home led to a media storm that called for the violation of human rights of both the leader and the American.Thus, media as a political trend is vastly critical in denouncing governmental actions that it perceives as the limitation of political movement (freedom of speech and expression) as well the protection and adv ancement of issues that span borders. It is evident that through the Internet and other forms of media that political issues are now known globally, that one portion of the world can already actively participate in issues that are important to them.Security and TerrorismEven before the events of September 11, 2001 terrorism and security in the developing world, specifically the Southeast Asian region of the world, had been experiencing increasingly high levels of terrorist activities due in part to the movement of terrorist cells that had existed during the height of the Cold War and after the fall of Communism in 1991 led to the establishment of different Islamic terrorist groups in Central Asia then would later branch out to the different regions of Southeast Asia. According to Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco in his speech titled â€Å"Islamist Terrorism in Southeast Asia† (2003) he mentions that the movement of these splinter groups led to the formation of the Jemaah Islam iyah terrorist cell which has been operating in different parts of Southeast Asia such as Indonesia, Pakistan and the Philippines.The terrorist group has played a large part in redefining internal security in the region due to its attacks following the events of 9-11 such as the 2002 Bali Bombings and other campaigns of terror done by the JI in Indonesia,. More importantly, Yuchengco stressed on the growing problem that this groups are privately trained and funded by Middle-Eastern groups such as the Al Qaida network. This has led to a crackdown of terrorist and militant groups as well as the pressuring of the United States of respective SEA governments to crackdown on suspected militant groups, individuals and organizations (Vaughn, B., et al, 2009).Regional and International CooperationWith the bulk of developing nations concentrated in the Asian regions as well the various emerging economies in Asia, it is evident and imperative that one of the political trends in developing nati ons is the bolstering of regional and international cooperation both economically and politically.The bolstering of these two types of cooperation is vastly seen in the scope of Foreign Policy goals as both milieu and direct national goals. Milieu in the sense that these Asian nations are doing not for the self-interest of their country but rather â€Å"nations pursuing them are out not to defend or increase possessions they hold to the exclusion of others, but aim instead at shaping conditions beyond their national boundaries†. And secondly, direct national goals those that focus on national dependence, or national/collective security or the enhancement of trade relations and negations between two different nation-states (Wolfers, A., 1962).Regional and International cooperation has since become a trend due to the growing number of emerging and so-called â€Å"Tiger Economies† that have helped attract the interests of Western nations in the continent, this has helped to bring in foreign direct investments. More importantly the cooperation isn’t just focused primarily on nation-states economic agreements with one another but also the existence of international NGO’s aimed at developing different parts of developing countries. These NGO’s sole purpose is to help achieve sustainable development and provide livelihood and to help alleviate poverty and bridge the gap between the rich and the poor (Todaro, M., 2008).Increasing Divergence or Alternatively Growing ConvergenceFrom the effects of globalization it is evident that the through the political trends of the media, security and terrorism, and regional and international cooperation among developing and developed nation-states there is an alternatively growing convergence. Through the events following the end of the Cold War as well as numerous political upheavals in Asian and European countries that have led to countries being democratized, there is a convergence of political trends.Convergences in the sense that the factors  mentioned earlier have been able to establish significant changes in the internal political structures of a country, which have ultimately affected its relations with its neighboring countries. This convergence of political trends enables countries to share the same ideas and perspectives regarding key issues that would help or empower their country and other countries as well. Because of the strengthening of key issues, there are greater levels of cooperation and dialogue that helps in the advancement of relationships between nation-states.3. Identify and discuss the internal (domestic) and external factors that contributed to the democratization of a developing world. After identifying, discuss the comparative importance of both factors in the process of democratization. (Focus: 1 Asian country).PhilippinesThe Philippines has long been considered to be the bastion of democracy in the Asian continent, moreover it is also its old est democratic country. In nearly a century, the Philippines has progressed democratically internally through the following aspects: democratic transitions after Marcos’ regime, the existence of constitutional reforms. On the other hand the external factors that contributed to the democratization of the developing world are: the Philippines’ relations with former communist countries and its relationship with the Islamic countriesInternal FactorsInternally, the Philippines contributed to the democratization of the world by showing exactly how it transitioned democratically from an authoritarian regime to that of a democratic one. It was the events of People Power I and thereafter that showed how much progress the Philippines had made during its darkest days. The People Power revolution showed that when the government becomes a problem, as specified in some of the categories when a democratic government is no longer a democratic one when its people has lost its trust on the government, it destroys the community order and many more.These  distinctions helped to unify the people to action because of the belief that democracy should fulfill and meet the expectations of its people. In the context of Philippine society, Marcosian rule helped to create a vibrant civil society hence Clifton Sherrill (2006 p. 224) states, â€Å"the need for such groups is critical given the existing social order.Because the traditional elites dominate society, only through mass organization can the lower class establish an audible political view†, in this statement it was evident that political participation by the people were severely limited. In any democratic country, civil society allows for the people to voice out their concerns, that Mark Warren (2002 p. 681) states that when the government has failed to realize the promises it had set out to fill, the citizens become critical of their government, thus the establishment is seen as â€Å"incompetent, untrust worthy, and even corrupt†.More importantly civil society drawing their experiences from the Martial Law period has opted to stay on the streets, since civil society is composed of different groups each with varying opinions â€Å"these groups have consistently played a crucial role in mobilizing civil society to defend the democratic transition and to check authoritarian tendencies on the part of political elites† (Eaton, K., 2003, p. 487). Hence it can be concluded that from our experiences under Marcos’ rule we have managed to create a democracy that is more critical and observant of the movement of the government. It is able to discernAnother aspect of democratic transitions after Marcos’ rule are the constitutional reforms enacted, mainly the creation of a multi-party/party-list system and the safeguards embodied in the constitution against authoritarian tendencies. Firstly the 1987 Philippine constitution allowed and introduced provisions that were â €Å"designed to widen democratic space and allow for greater participation of other sectors in Philippine society† and more importantly the inception of the party-list law was to serve as the mechanism for proportional representation in the different marginalized sectors of society (Teehankee, n.d. p. 180; p. 182).Through the introduction of such a provision, this allowed for greater civic participation of the people, the allowing of different marginalized groups help to put key issues of concerns such as: development, rights and those that have minimal representation or who have no voice in society (i.e. the  unborn). On the other hand, the framers of the constitution also included specific portions in the constitution that would limit the powers of the president and the military. Some of the basic safeguards is the often cited principle of â€Å"checks and balances† but more than that, the constitution also implemented provisions such as the declaration of martial law with the concurrence of the congress, the creation of the Sandiganbayan to curtail graft and corruption within the government (De Leon, H., 2001).External FactorsExternally the Philippines has contributed to the democratization of developing countries by pursuing a foreign policy that is mutually beneficial to both parties. In this portion of the paper I will be discussing how the Philippines in a span of 50 years or so years has maintained diplomatic and democratic relations between Islamic countries and former Communist countries. These external relations done by the Philippines shows how democracy has helped the country establish important economic and political linkages with many of the world’s fledgling democracies and maintain cordial relations with international organizations with regards to its own internal conflicts. I begin by looking at the Philippines and its relation with the Islamic countries, then by looking at the Philippines and its relations with a commu nist country, particularly that of China.The Philippines and the Islamic countries relationship has long been a colorful one, it stems from the Philippines’ relations with other Islamic nations. A relationship that had relied heavily on global interdependency in the Middle East, due to the large supply of oil in the region, the need to expand the markets of the Philippines, and the growing number of OFW’s in the region (Wadi, J., 1998). It was because of these key factors that the Philippines has remained strong diplomatic relations with the other Islamic countries, this type of relationship was geared towards a mutual interdependence both financially and economically. However, the Philippines had also play a significant role with regards to its special relationship with the United States.This relationship with the US as well as their influence over the Philippines’ foreign policy had alienated other countries, particularly Pakistan after the creation of the Isr aeli state in  1948. It was only in 1973 during the Arab oil boycott that the Philippines â€Å"embarked on an unprecedented diplomatic offensive to recognize almost twenty countries in the Islamic world in the 70s†. This form of action helped to bolster the presence of the Middle East not just in the Asian continent but also help in the growth of their presence in the Southeast Asian region. The pursuit of mutual interdependence is largely seen as an effort to democratize relations between former colonial countries as well as to establish strong cultural and economical linkages that would help the Philippines in tackling many of its internal problems, notably the conflicts in Mindanao.The second aspect is the relationship of the Philippines with other communist countries notably the People’s Republic of China (PRC) during the 1970s when it was advocating for the implementation of the â€Å"One China Policy† in the UN. The relationship of the two countries are strongly linked with our earlier formal diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (ROC) or Taiwan, during the height of the Cold War, the Philippines had maintained a decisively strong anti-communist stance and thus resolved to deal mostly with Taiwan, which at the time was the duly-recognized Chinese country.Our foreign relations with the ROC (due in part to the influence of Americans) were primarily focused on maintaining a strategic military advancement within the region as well as the curtailing of the spread of communism within the region. However, much in the same way that the 1973 Arab oil boycott affected the country, under the presidency of Marcos, the country began establishing more formal diplomatic relations with the PRC. A relationship that was to help the Philippines sustain growth by accepting oil shipments from them in exchange for the PRC to import Philippine products such as coconut oil, lumber sugar, copper ore, and other metals. Hence in the years that fol lowed, even after the fall of communism, the country’s relationship with China has been economically and culturally focused (Lim, B., 1998).Comparative ImportanceThe comparative importance of the two factors is seen in their reciprocation  towards one another. In the context of Philippine politics and society, internally we face numerous problems that hinder our growth and development, especially after numerous political and social upheavals that have constantly marred our progress and image towards other Asian nations. However, through the enactment of certain reforms internally, we are thereby creating a political landscape bereft of anomalies and other discrepancies that would otherwise hinder the maturation of the country’s political system.It was because of the events of Martial Law and the People Power Revolution during the early 70’s and the late 80’s that we have managed to transform the country into one that is highly critical of the actions of the government and yet allow it to function within the rule of the civilians as opposed to the rule of the military. More importantly, through the advancement of civic participation within the country, the Philippines is able to garner a wider perspective and opinion on the issues that it needs to tackle. By creating a strong society, the country is able to externally project itself as able to handle different and vital political relations that would be beneficial to the establishment of a stronger society both politically and economically.

Internal combustion engine Essay

Electric cars should be used instead of cars that run with gasoline because electric cars do not harm the environment, are quieter, quicker, does not require gasoline and include a significant reduction to air pollution. Firstly, electric cars have a lot of benefits. One of them is that they are quiet, quick and smooth, making most regular cars look clunky and outdated. What surprises people the most is the torque (axle-twisting power) offered by the electric cars. Step on the accelerator and power is delivered immediately to the wheels, providing a thrilling driving experience. Secondly, after a while with an electric car you will forget that gas stations existed. Imagine never going to a gas station and spending all that money for fuel. All you have to do is pull your vehicle in your drive way or garage and plug it in to the charging inlet. It is very convenient to just wake up the next morning and have a fully charged vehicle that can go up to 100 miles. In addition they are cheaper to operate. Almost everywhere in the world, electricity is very cheap. So when you compare an electric vehicle to a regular car, the cost per mile to fuel an electric vehicle is approximately one-third to one-quarter the cost of gasoline (on a cost per mile basis). Nevertheless, owning a car is associated with the responsibility of maintaining it. Regular cars require frequent maintenance but this is not the case in electric cars. These cars do not suffer same level of stress as traditional engines acquire and do not require frequent oil changes and other regular maintenance. On the other hand, electric cars have a lot of disadvantages too. First of all the limited range of the electric cars is probably the biggest disadvantage. Most affordable electric cars only have about 80 to 100 miles of range. Which is not enough if you are for instance going on a long road trip. People who have electric cars need to properly plan, assuring that they will not go over the limited range. Not to mention, they also have a long refueling time. It is not like going to a gas station and adding a couple of hundred miles of range in five or ten minutes. To recharge a completely empty electric car would take about 10 hours depending on the voltage. With 120 volts (which is the current voltage in every house) it will take ten hours. With 240 volts it takes about four to five hours to fully charge the electric vehicle. Also, you would have to have the right place to charge your electric vehicle. You cannot go more than the car’s limit but you the right place to charge it. For instance people who are living in apartments cannot own electric cars because they do not have a garage to charge their vehicle. Big electric car companies have charging stations where you can get your vehicle fully charged in 1-2 hours but there are not a lot like gas stations. Furthermore the higher cost is probably what keeps people away from electric vehicles. The current electric cars are priced between 30. 000 and 40. 000 dollars. While you can buy, for instance the Honda Fit, Ford Focus etc. for less than 20,000 dollars. Last but not least, electric cars are costly to maintain and repair if there is a big problem with the car. Since electric cars are in a class of their own, owners may wind up paying more on repairs and maintenance because not every mechanic is trained to repair and maintain electric cars. In conclusion, when considering the pros and cons of electric cars, it is clear that there are some major advantages and disadvantages of owning an electric car. At the end, if these cars help people save a tremendous amount of money and help the environment, the pros of owning an electric car will outweigh all of the cons.

Organisational Change Management The WritePass Journal

Organisational Change Management Definition Organisational Change Management ) Goleman, D, Boyatzis, R and McKee, A (2002) The New Leaders, Little Brown Hayes, J. (2010) The Theory And Practice Of Change Management. 3rd Ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave   Macmillan. Heffron F. (1968). Organization Theory And Public Organizations. New Jersey. Hughes, M. (2010) Managing change: a critical perspective. 2nd ed. London: Chartered Institute of   Personnel and Development. Kanter, R. M., Stein, B. A. Jick, T. D. (1992).The Challenge of Organizational Change.The Free Press. Kanter, R. M(1988) in Robert L Kuhn (1988)Handbook for Creative and Innovative Managers, McGraw Hill Kotter, J. (1995) ‘Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail’ Harvard Business Review March-April Lewin, K. (1951) Field Theory in Social Science. Harper Paton, R.A. and McCalman, J. (2008) Change Management: A guide to effective Implementation, 3rd Edition, Sage Publishing. Schein, E. (1987) Process Consultation II, Addison-Wesley Witherspoon, P. D. Wohlert, K. L. (1996). An Approach to Developing CommunicationStrategies for Enhancing Organizational Diversity.The Journal of Business Communication, vol. 33, iss. 4, Oct.

Customer service Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Customer service - Essay Example It has become a need for most and strives to satisfy their taste buds and continues to grow (Cantalupo, 2004). Each country has its own Country Manager and General Manager that look after the proceedings of the network existing in that country. Furthermore management is diversified in each city and each outlet to make the responsibilities defined yet all the outlets are connected in a chain and part of a supply chain that ensures safe and healthy food for the valued customers. Its various departments work efficiently and coherently with each other to achieve good quality and excellent service. Time management is the major factor in running such a vast chain of quick service restaurants. For this the supply chain management module is the key to everything. Suppliers need to be trusted and responsible identities as the supply of raw material should be smooth and timely. They have to keep backup of stock so that there is no possibility of shortage or unavailability of order (Lessnau, 20 04). For this they need to keep a constant track of each and every supply of raw materials and require coordination among all departments. During our interview at McDonalds I was told that they forecast three months while managing their supply chain. For instance, now in the month of April, they were forecasting the supply until July and keeping all factors in mind to ensure that there is no shortage or other issues. This requires a coherent hierarchy of authorities and coordination among departments thus giving rise to proper and smooth vertical as well as horizontal communication (Phillips, 2004). The service process at McDonalds is based on Physical or service product bundle theory. They are a restaurant that has its USP not just in the product they are providing but also the service that accompanies with it. Another major aspect of the design process of McDonalds is their face to face interaction with their customers. All of their sales take place after interaction with a McDona lds rep and this is why they play such an integral role in the whole design process. Whether it is the restaurant counter, drive through or hotline for delivery, customers make their purchase through the representative (Chase, Jacobs & Aquilano, 2004). With so many channels of sale in place, it is imperative to have a service process that is flawless. With millions of customers rolling in everyday all around the world and tones of food being sold, any glitch in the design process could prove fatal. In this report, we will be studying the current service process system in place at McDonalds and proposing a new and improved one for them. The service design blueprint The process in place in McDonalds is structured on exquisite supply chain management module that makes it the success it is today. Following is a blueprint of the ordering process when a customer places an order at McDonalds. The above blue print explains how the restaurant backroom functions when a customer places an orde r. This shows the movements of the ingredients from the time the order is placed till the time the order is finally delivered to the customer. However, one thing missing in this is the process where the raw material or the supply chain is being handled. Following is a separate module that McDonalds have in place for that: As displayed in the process

Cultural Event Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cultural Event Report - Essay Example The museum is located on 5th avenue in Manhattan, New York. We visited the museum on 1st October 2011 during the morning hour period. On arrival to the museum, I was immediately perplexed and remained rooted to a beautiful statue by the of the entrance, which could only have been made by non other than Michelangelo. The statue was of King David with the right hand holding the thigh and the left hand touching his shoulder. Even Monica who does not easily get excited was awash with a big smile on her face not believing that a fellow human being could have done such a statue. The most beautiful site we visited was the Temple of Dendur located in Sackler wing of the museum. We learnt that the magnificent artifact was built during the Roman Period in the days of Augustus Caesar and transferred from Egypt to the United States in 1965. Two years later, it was given to The Metropolitan Museum of Arts. At the base of the temple are papyrus carvings that look like they are growing from waters. The image of the sun can be seen from the top of the gates. On the way in, are images of the vultures with their wings spread out making the scene totally scintillating that left us simply amazed. The image of the king offering sacrifices and holding scepters is seen between the walls that separate the sky from the earth. The gods Isis and Osiris are crowned and with some writings by their figures. The believe within the temple of Dendur is that if a couple make love there, they will never part ways until death. This was good news for Monica and I since we have marriage p lans in the future but that was saved for another visit. We also visited the section where American art collections are stored. The most exciting scene was that of George Washington and his soldiers crossing the Delaware. Being a passionate lover of Africa, we could not leave the museum without visiting the African Art site, and I must say,

Introduction Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Introduction - Article Example Being a federation that is made up of seven principalities, each emirate is governed by a hereditary emir from whom the Federal Supreme Council is ranked highest legislative and executive entity in the county. This means a constitutional monarchy, acting in the position of head of state, since its establishments in 1971. The judicial system of the United Arab Emirates is comprised of seven varied emirates; Ajman, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Fujairah, Abu Dhabi and Umm al Quwain, in addition to the Roman, French, Islamic and Egyptian laws. As is in the Constitution of the UAE, there is freedom of liberty, rule of law, equality, movement and speech. In the concept of the legal environment, Sharia is fundamental. Economic freedom index, rapid economic growth, penetration towards the economic diversification, and WTO and OPEC memberships are the key drivers of the economic trends of the UAE. Further still, the economic freedom index has resulted into substantial enhancements in business freedom, government spending management, monetary freedom, and freedom from

Why did the majority of Germans conform to Nazi rule Essay Example for Free

Why did the majority of Germans conform to Nazi rule Essay The majority of German citizens conformed to Nazi rule because of the dual positive and negative pressures exerted by the regime. The Nazis designed and aggressively propagated a programme likely to be attractive to most of the community and backed this up with an apparatus of terror to silence those not convinced. The successes of the party within the country assured widespread support. Hitlers foreign policy, that overturned the Treaty of Versailles and secured Germany a great deal of territory even before the war, garnered him unparalleled popularity. The few opposition groups, and those groups targeted by Nazi ideology, were sent to concentration camps and a vigorous secret police assured that no opposition, especially not vocal, remained in Germany for long. Even when the atrocities of the Nazis became somewhat known Germans continued to conform to Nazi rule, primarily as a result of the anti-Semitism and bigotry prevalent in German society, effectively fostered by the Nazis. Finally, the Hitler myth is vital in understanding why the majority of Germans conformed to the rule of the regime. The contrast between Nazi rule and that of the Weimar Government that preceded it is vital in understanding why the majority of Germans conformed to Nazi rule. Gellately describes how many Germans believed that the liberal Weimar Republic was a degenerate society, and that their country was on the road to ruin. Newspapers were filled with stories regarding crime, drugs, murder and the activities of organized gangs. Crime had risen steadily between 1927 and 1932, the rate of some crimes in large cities almost doubling. The death penalty, a popular punishment, was bestowed 1141 times from 1919 to 1932, of which only 184 were executed, a figure which infuriated many German citizens. Hitler and his party, on the other hand, promised to restore some semblance of the normality for which they [the majority of Germans] longed (Gellately). Hitler gave the police far greater powers than they had had previously, which they immediately began exercising even petty criminals such as swindlers an d con-artists were sent to concentration camps without trial. Death sentences under Hitler increased in number and 80% were actually carried out, a huge increase from Weimars 16%. Exaggerated stories of crime and punishment were sent to the press so often that they became constituent parts of Nazi mythology (Gellately). The Nazi  partys emphasis on the rebuilding of the German state, an idea spread primarily through propaganda, was exceedingly popular. The Nazis also linked crime to Jews, homosexuals and gypsies, which heightened the homophobia and anti-Semitism already prevalent in German society, which meant that the more radical aspects of Nazi ideology were more accepted in society. The image of Hitler as a radical proponent of cleaning up the streets, banishing offenders, and purifying the race and the stories about swift justice all fuelled [the] populist myths about the regime as a crime fighter, and thus earned it considerable support (Gellately), which helps explain why the majority of Germans conformed to the Nazi regime. The domestic policy of the Nazi party was closely related to its foreign policy, which provided successes that are even more important in understanding why the majority of Germans conformed to Nazi rule. The majority of Germany believed that the Treaty of Versailles was a great injustice, and many, including Hitler, believed Germany had only lost because the army had been stabbed in the back by the Jews and politicians of Germany. After Hitler assumed complete power over Germany the clauses of the Treaty of Versailles were overturned one by one, and each was greeted with overwhelming public support of Hitlers actions. In 1934 Hitler publicly announced that the German army, limited to 100 000 by the treaty, had already expanded to 240 000 and would grow to 550 000 in less than three years. At the same time he made public the existence of a German air force, forbidden under the terms of Versailles. In 1936, while France had no government in control, Hitler ordered German troops to march into the demilitarized Rhineland. Next, in October 1939, German reoccupied first the Sudetenland and then, in a surprise tank invasion, the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939. These bloodless successes overjoyed the German populace, as shown by the wild, enthusiastic crowd scenes seen around Germany after each foreign policy success. The outbreak of war brought even greater success. Quickly defeating both Poland and France, and beating Britain back to her Island, then pushing far into Russian territory, the Nazi Government appeared to be well on the way to completely dominating the continent. Now at the peak of its power, the vast majority of Germans not only conformed to Nazi rule but actively supported it. Almost all youth,  male and female, were enrolled in Hitler Youth, as the competing youth associations (even the illegal gangs) had been removed, their leaders sent to concentration camps. Unemployment was essentially nil, with the German army and Germans arm production assuring employment for anyone that wanted it. The SPD (Social Democrats) in exile sent agents to gauge popular opinion and found that the Nazis were almost uniformly supported throughout the country. Apart from the domestic and foreign policy success of the regime, the use of terror in Nazi society is also important in understanding why the majority of Germans conformed to Nazi rule. The orthodox view of the role of the Gestapo, represented by such historians as Jackel and Hillgrà ¼ber, is that the German secret policy pervaded every aspect of society, and that most Germans were so afraid of being arrested and interrogated that they were terrorized into submission. Recent research, however, has proven this judgment false. The terror was not the blanket, indiscriminate terror of popular myth (Johnson). In the Cologne region, for example, the Gestapo had only one officer for every 10 000 to 15 000 inhabitants (according to Johnson). Nazi terror was instead targeted only at opposition groups and those condemned by Nazi ideology. When an average, non-Jewish, heterosexual German was under Gestapo scrutiny, they were generally treated leniently and almost never punished. When a Jew o r opposition of the state was interrogated, however, they were treated brutally and almost always sent to a concentration camp. The majority of Germans did not conform to Nazi rule because of the terror instilled by the Gestapo; they conformed because of the attractions of the regime as shown by its domestic and foreign policy success. On the other hand, the minority groups that were either targeted by Nazi ideology and those that were not won over by success were actually forced to conform to Nazi rule. The minority groups were primarily uncovered, according to both Johnson and Gellately, through denunciations. Many ordinary Germans were so won over by Nazi ideology that they would report to the Gestapo any suspicious behaviour, such as homosexuality or sympathy for the plight of the Jews. In fact, almost anyone who did not openly support the regime was denounced by at least one neighbour. This made the Gestapo a highly effective unit, despite its small numbers, when  tracking down ideological enemies of the state. The Gestapo also proved highly effective in tracking down more serious opponents of the state. Through forced confessions, reports from informers and paid spies, house searchers, police raids, information supplied by Nazi Party officials, SS and SA storm troopers, and police auxiliaries, long-existing police registers of political opponents and known criminals, and other official sources (Gellately) the Gestapo tracked down and removed all serious opposition to the Nazi regime. In this way the Gestapo is vital to an understanding of why the majority of Germans conformed to Nazi rule because those few who might harbor doubts about the regime could never voice them for fear of persecution. The most dubious elements of Nazi policy the systematic murder of huge numbers of people based on race or sexual preference were grounded in deep-seated prejudices that proliferated German society. The prejudice against homosexuality was extremely, so it is not a stretch of credibility to surmise that many Germans supported the imprisonment of confirmed homosexuals. Hitlers advertisement of Rà ¶hms sexuality as justification for his murder is indicative of the strength of homophobia in Germany. Anti-Semitism in Germany (indeed, Europe) stretches back well over a thousand years. Again, it seems certain that most of the German population would have personally approved, to varying levels, of the persecution of the Jews. This is not to say that the majority of Germans supported the Nazi atrocities, but that the majority of Germans supported the principle of discrimination (if not the extremes to which it was carried). While virtually all balked when presented with Nazi war crimes (although Kershaw argues that the systematic gassing programme was largely unknown, not all can have been sincere given the direct participation of Germans in many parts of the process), the principle behind the killings was appreciated by many Germans. By building on existing prejudices that Nazis ensured that most Germans could find something to support in Nazi ideology. Finally, one of the most important factors in explaining German conformity is in the foundation of the Nazis unity the most stunning propaganda success the regime enjoyed, the establishment of the Hitler myth. This propaganda  helped create a population that did not just conform, but willingly conformed. Kershaw argues that while ultimately most of Nazi propaganda failed in their objectives, Goebbels succeeded in depicting Hitler as a dynamic, active, visionary leader who would lead Germany to greatness. Kershaw states that Hitler was seen as the representative of popular justice, the voice of the healthy sentiment of the people, the upholder of public morality, the embodiment of strong, if necessarily ruthless, action against the enemies of the people to enforce law and order'. Before the war Hitler was portrayed as both a statesmen and as the future military leader, taking muster of his armed forces (Kershaw). When the war began this image was broadened and the image of Hitler as supreme war leader and military strategist came to dominate all other components of the Fà ¼hrer myth'. The decline of the Hitler myth followed the military reversals of the war, when the population realised Hitlers personal responsibility for the catastrophe of Stalingrad. But until then the myth formed a significant part of the reasons why Germans conformed to Nazi rule. Accompanied by the early successes of the Nazi regime, this created a very persuasive regime regardless of the attractiveness of its ideology. Without an attractive ideology, a majority of Germans would have willingly conformed to Nazi rule at least as long as they didnt have to make sacrifices to do so. Combined with the Nazi ideology, which was attractive to a broad cross-section of Germany, the high level of conformity exhibited in Nazi Germany does not seem remarkable. Germans conformed to Nazi rule primarily because of the regimes initial domestic and foreign policy success, and the success of the establishment of the Hitler myth. Those groups who either opposed the regime or were targeted by Nazi ideology had little impact on the overall support of the party because they were silenced by the highly-effective Gestapo.