Power In Society Essays (2264 words) - Marxism, Marxian Economics

Power In Society power in society A world of system designed to keep people in unjust and unequal positions is held in place by several interrelated expression of power over: political power, economic power, physical force, and ideological power (Bishop, 1994: 36). So, we can say power is defined as a possession of control, authority or influence over others. In terms of power of dominant groups over subordinate groups, we define power as domination of one group of people over another in major important spheres of life. Power inequities have been in existence throughout the history of humanity and the ways of manifestation evolved from extreme overt oppression to subtle, covert oppression. Three major forms of power inequalities discussed in this paper are based on property (class), domination whites over others (race) and men over women (gender). Property owners as a dominant group have power over a subordinate group who do not own property. Karl Marx, one of the greatest economists of the XIX century, defines domin ation from the purely economic point of view. To Marx, a class is defined according to the ownership and control of the means of production; and therefore two major classes present in capitalism are bourgeoisie and proletariat. Bourgeoisie owns and controls the means of production. Proletariat, on the other hand, owns nothing and it sells its labour as a commodity in return for money. The power presented here is this constant antagonism between those who own and control and those who do not possess the means of production. By possessing control over these means of production, they ultimately control labour force itself. Bourgeoisie makes proletariat to work long hours with less pay, makes workers comparative with jobs, and alienated workers just make enough for living. For if you are forced to sell your labour force as a commodity in order to survive, you are treated by those who buy this same commodity not differently that any other commodity available on the market that is necessa ry for the multiplication of capital. In Marx's time, workers lacked bargaining power through unions, legal strikes or sabotage (Grabb, 1997: 17). As a result, they could not form a united front against employers, and give themselves a power of collective resistance. In our society, we still can recognize basic elements of Marx's theory. Today, at the end of twentieth century, capitalism is still a strong and developed system that will most likely remain to be so for some time. One thing that has changed is that through the establishment of workers unions, the gap between bourgeoisie and workers has narrowed. The 8-hour work - 8-hour rest - 8-hour sleep system that Marx proposed seems to be in place in many of the countries around the world. Despite these accomplishments, the power over subordinate group still exist. Grabb argues that oppression on the class basis may seem absent in capitalist societies today, because workers are legally free to choose whether or not to accept to wo rk for a capitalist (Grabb, 1997: 16). But, are workers really free to decide? In other terms, what are their options? For a worker who, by definition, does not own means of production, there is no other choice to earn a living than to sell his/her labour to the capitalist. Contrary to Marx's theory that bases class inequality only on the economic ground, Webber adds two more components, prestige, and political power. He argues that those who are members of dominant classes, status groups, and party associations are able on the whole to exact compliance to their wills, on a regular basis, from the remaining population (Grabb, 1997: 54). In the previous centuries, this compliance was accomplished by physical force when violent social action was absolutely primordial(Grabb, 1997: 54). However, in the late twentieth century, different forms of domination emerge, i.e. control over communication and media, control of innovation and developments etc. Therefore, we can conclude that class antagonism is present, only it is changing in form. Today, the capitalist class owns and controls the media, and therefore controls what information is disseminated to the rest of the population through TV, newspapers, Internet, etc. According to Anne Bishop, ordinary people are constantly exposed to the version of

Personality theories the nature of the being

Personality theories the nature of the being The thirst for the understanding of human nature is one of the main reasons why scientists spend most of their lives experimenting on ideas and forming theories that explain why certain things are the way they are and the effect that they have on a person, in cases where the attainment of tangible results to the experiments is not possible.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Personality theories: the nature of the being specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For instance, various theories explain why people act the way they do and the possible causes for such actions. Different scholars express their ideologies on the nature of the being from different perspectives and using different elements such as morality and personality. Of concern to this paper is the aspect of personality. This paper is a discussion on the views of different scholars on how personality affects or contributes to the nature of a person. One of the theor ies that explain personalities is Sigmund Freud’s id, ego, and super ego theory. Duane Schultz, a professor of psychology at the University of South Florida, together with his wife, Sydney Ellen Shultz, have written an informative book that contains an analytical view of some of the major theories, including that of Sigmund Freud. The book titled Theories of Personality has the intention of help other scholars, with an interest in the subject, to understand the various theories applicable. The book explains that Sigmund Freud was the founder of the Psychoanalytical theory on personalities. His theory is more of an analytical explanation of the nature of people using their personality as the basis. In the Freudian theory, Schultz explains that personality â€Å"is divisible into three components, viz. the id, the ego and the super ego† (Schultz Schultz, 2008, p.73). The ‘id’ acts according to the pleasure principle, thus desiring pleasure without the consi deration of the environment. The ‘ego’ becomes operational at this point, with its function being to synchronize the desires of the id with the environment, thus meeting the desires in accordance to reality. The ‘super ego’ applies societal ideals and moral judgment upon the ego thus resulting in actions that are both realistic and moral (Myers, 2010).Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Alfred Alder, a neo-Freudian scholar supports Freud’s theory while creating an extension of it, with the view that early childhood experiences determine an adult’s personality. Most Neo-Freudian scholars have used the Freudian theory in the development of their own theories similar to that of Freud with minor differences. According to Adler, early childhood experiences determine the personality of a person in his or her adulthood (Gazzaniga Heatherton, 2 006). He adds that the birth order is also a contributory aspect. In explaining this assertion, Adler points out that the oldest child in a family has the tendency to be an over achiever in a bid to make up for the loss of attention, which is caused by the birth of other children into the family. He describes the middle children as ambitious and competitive, mainly aiming to surpass the first-born child, although not for the same reasons. He describes the youngest children in the family as being more secure about themselves and more dependent on others (Schultz Schultz, 2008). Although Adler’s theory is an extension of the Freudian theory, it also possesses some descriptive qualities as opposed to Freud’s work that is purely analytical. He gives the reason behind the characteristic nature of the first child, but only describes that of the other children in a family setting (Marcus, 2004). This perspective is easy to relate to and essentially true as most siblings seem ingly have the opinion that their parents judge them according to the actions of the eldest child. However, first-born children do not always seek attention. Sometimes they act according to the manner the parents describe, such as setting examples for younger siblings to follow. This theory is plausible and easy to relate to for most people. Another theory that borrows Freud’s view is that of Heinz Kohut, who uses the Freudian theory to introduce the idea of mirroring and idealization, suggesting that children need to develop particular skills in life through the internalization of circumstances. For instance, when a child cries and he or she does not get anyone’s attention, he or she is likely to develop ways of soothing him or herself. This is especially true for children who come from large families and thus cannot always get attention when they desire it. Just as is the case with Alder, Heinz does not provide a full analysis to include the reason for such behavior. The two scholars offer a more social view of the theory as opposed to Freud’s analytical view. Karen Horney offers a female perspective to the discussion with her contribution to the theory.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Personality theories: the nature of the being specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Karen introduces the concepts of the ‘real self’ and the ‘ideal self’, stating that each individual possesses both. She describes the ‘real self’ as the manner in which humans act regarding morals, values, and personality while the ‘ideal self’ is an individual’s construction that enables conformity with personal and societal norms (Feist Feist, 2009). Although her perspective is plausible, sometimes people’s individual personalities coincide with society’s expectations, negating the need for the ideal self. An example of this is an indivi dual prefers talking only when necessary, a characteristic that also suits society’s expectations. The behavioral theory is another example of an analytical viewpoint of the nature of a being, whereby theorists try to explain human behavior or personality by analyzing the effects of external factors on the behavior of a person. One of the proponents of this theory is B. F. Skinner. He came up with the ‘stimulus-response-consequence’ model of analysis. Scientific thinking and experimentation are characteristics of this theory as opposed to theories such as the trait theory. Skinner proposes the concept that people respond more frequently in certain ways if they perceive previous success of such actions. He gives the example that a baby cries to draw attention the same act has shown success in prior similar circumstances. Crying, in this case, is a response to a stimulus, while attention is the consequence. The stimulus is the circumstance that would cause the chil d to cry for attention. Such behavior, over time, embeds in the child and thus becomes part of his or her personality. The determinant question in understanding the nature of the person is the circumstances under which the organism (person) engages in a particular behavior or response. However, there arises a weakness in this theory, which is the fact that the description of a personality indicates a sense of permanence and uniqueness of behavior. The circumstances or stimulus in a person’s childhood changes as the child grows. The implication that this aspect has is that the personality of the person also changes as the person grows, thus eroding the sense of permanence in the description of personality. Therefore, although Skinner presents a different perspective from Adler and Heinz, his theory contains a weakness.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The trait theory suggests that traits have the characteristic of a wholesome definition of people. Theorists are of the opinion that traits are relatively constant and rarely change with time. Anther characteristics that traits possess is that they are bipolar, which means that they dwell on extremities. This aspect means, for instance, that a person is either good or evil and not in between the two. There are three main assumptions that proponents of this theory agree on; firstly, they agree that traits are stable with time. Secondly, theorists presume that traits possess a characteristic ability to influence behavior in addition to bearing significant differences in every individual. Based on these assumptions, traits thus cause uniqueness in the personality of different people, hence making it possible for personality to be a distinguishing characteristic in people. Gordon Allport is one of the proponents of this theory and makes his contribution by stating that different traits mould the nature of a person by influencing his or her behavior, giving classifications to traits. He presents different classifications of traits including cardinal traits, common traits, and central traits (Allport, 1937). Central traits, he explains, are present in every individual and are thus inherent. Cardinal traits are different from central traits in that they are the traits that give a strong recognition to an individual, and therefore bring out his or her uniqueness. Common traits underscore the category that is different from cardinal traits as they bear cultural influence. As such, common traits thus differ within various cultures according to the prescriptive norms applicable. Raymond Cattel agrees with Gordon adding that the definition of personality forms in terms of behavioral prediction (Schultz Schultz, 2008). Predictable behavior is in his view what personality consists of and forms its definition. A person who believes easily, for instance, has the characterist ic of being gullible, which forms his or her personality. Lewis Goldberg contributes to this theory by proposing that there are five dimensions of personality. Theorists refer to this formulation as the ‘Big Five model’. The five dimensions include openness to experience, which is evident in the tendency to be imaginative and the other extreme being conformity. The second dimension is conscientiousness, which is a tem that he uses in the definitions of extremes such as being careful and constructive or careless and impulsive. Thirdly, he includes extraversion, which defines the ability to be sociable and affectionate or the lack of it. Agreeableness is the forth component and neurotism the last (Goldberg, 1990). One of the notable weaknesses of this theory, in comparison with others such as the psychoanalytical and behavioral theories, is that the trait theory is descriptive as it only gives the characteristics of behaviors that people portray and not the underlying cau ses of such behaviors. The latter theories are analytical as they focus on the reasons for behavior as part of the nature of people. Alfred Adler, for instance, gives the reason for the tendency of first-born children to be overachievers as a means of regaining attention lost due to the birth of other children. Sigmund Freud also gives an explanation as to the reason that behavior is realistic and moral. Understanding the nature of a person largely depends on a person’s understanding of why people act in certain ways in certain circumstances. For instance, Heinz Kohut, a proponent of the psychoanalytical theory, explains that children cry in order to attract attention and that they do so as the action has had prior success in attaining what they want. The different propositions from the different proponents of this theory also bear their own personal weaknesses and strengths. For instance, Allport’s classification of â€Å"central traits suggests that these traits are unique to specific individuals† (Feist Feist, 2009, p.112), which is difficult to determine as many people bear astounding similarities in their traits. Cattel’s theory bears truth as the entire purpose of personality identification lays basis on predictability of traits. The personal construct theory has the characteristics of being both analytical and experimental as it suggests that people have the ability of identifying their own personality by analyzing past experiences. Its main purpose, as psychologists apply it, is to enable a person to understand the nature of another person. However, it can also enable a person to understand himself or herself. An American psychologist, George Kelly, came up with the theory in the 1950s. George was of the idea that each person is a scientist in one form or the other by experimenting on situations and outcomes from childhood (Myers, 2010). He gave an example similar to Heinz Kohut’s by suggesting that a child cries in order to experiment on the effect that it has and enable him or her to predict the results of his or her actions. The circumstances that individuals experiment on change as a person grows and according to the issue the person chooses to focus on. Kelly was of the idea that each â€Å"person’s task in understanding his or her own psychology was putting facts of his or her own experiences†¦the theory suggests that for individuals to understand their environments, they come up with theories based on their interpretations of observations and experiences† (Goldberg, 1990, p.88). Kelly refers to these theories as constructs and adds that they form the basis of each person’s perception of reality (Schultz Schultz, 2008). It is possible for people to form the character of a person by the set of constructs they apply to him or her, like greedy or generous. This theory suggests that constructs are bipolar in nature as they have two extremes on which people or circum stances fall on, depending on the person making the construct. Apart from the fact that constructs allow people to categorize other people and predict their actions, listening to another person’s constructs provides psychologists with information from which inferences of the person’s personality is possible. This aspect enables psychologists to understand the nature of the person. The personal construct theory enables people to understand their own nature and come up with personal solutions to problems. It is similar to the psychoanalytical theory, as it is analytical and experimental in nature. The technique used by psychologists in the application of this theory is the repertory grid technique, which involves identifying ways that a person interprets his or her own experiences and using the information to form a conclusion of his or her character, thus enabling the prediction of future behaviors under specific circumstances. This ideology bears significant resemblanc e to Cattel’s idea of predictability of behavior. The social learning theory forms part of the social cognitive theories in the same category as the personal construct theory, emphasizing on memory and the environment as determinants of personalities. This theory â€Å"suggests that memory or cognition and the environment interact to form a person’s personality through the molding of his or her behavior† (Buss Greiling, 1999, p.211). The theory proposes that people’s behavior is resultant of what s/he learns from others through observation and modeling. Modeling is descriptive of the art of doing as others do. One of the proponents of this theory, Albert Bandura, is of the view that there exist three variables, each with the ability to influence the other. The three variables are â€Å"the person, the environment and behavior† (Buss Greiling, 1999, p.241). Bandura is of the view that these three variables are inter-connected, thus causing a chang e in one to affect the other. Some of the forms of modeling he mentions are imitation, which is the use of a person’s behavior as stimulus for one’s actions, vicarious punishment, which he describes as an indication of unacceptable behavior, and vicarious reinforcement, which consists of enforcing acceptable behavior. This theory is analytical in the sense that individuals analyze the environment and the behavior of others in the formation of their own (Marcus, 2004). This aspect makes it similar to the psychoanalytical and behavioral theories. Another similarity is that these theories use the result of an action in the determination of actions that people continuously practice, thus forming behavioral patterns and personalities. It is part of cognitive psychology as the memory of an individual is essential in the determination of future reactions to circumstances. The humanistic and positive psychology theories are similar as they both focus on human need as the main determinant of a person’s personality. According to Maslow (1999), the humanistic theory suggests that in the determination of personality, a person should look at behavior done out of free will in order to understand the nature of a person. Positive psychology, which Robert White proposes, suggests that personality is based on the human need to strive for positive goals like influence and power (White Watt, 1981). Both theories are analytical, describing the reason behind certain behavior. Although both theories are plausible, they are both inconclusive and bear different weaknesses. Maslow’s theory’ weakness is that most of the time, people portray their personality traits, whether they act of their own free will or as results of coercion. For instance, a person under coercion to kill another, as part of their personality, may accept to shoot or refuse. Robert theory’s weakness lies in the fact that not all people strive for positive goals. Laziness is a personality trait that suggests that a person is not bothered about attaining positive goals. In conclusion, all these theories bear plausible suggestions as well as a few weaknesses, but they bear one thing in common, viz. they aid in the understanding of human nature by attempting to explain personality through different viewpoints. Reference List Allport, W. (1937). Personality: The Psychological Interpretation. New York, NY: Holt, Reinhart Winston. Buss, M., Greiling H. (1999). Adaptive Individual Differences. Journal of Personality  67(2), 209-243. Feist, J., Feist, G. (2009). Theories of Personality. Boston, MA: McGraw Hill Higher Education. Gazzaniga, S., Heather, T. (2006). Psychological Science: Mind, Brain and Behavior,  New York, NY: W. W. Norton. Goldberg, R. (1990). An Alternative â€Å"Description of Personality†. The Big-Five Factor Structure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 59(6), 1216-29. Marcus, G. (2004). The Birth of the Mind. New York, NY: Basic Books. Maslow, H. (1999). Towards a Psychology of Being. New York, NY: Wiley. Myers, D., (2010). Psychology. New York, NY: Worth Publishers. Schultz, P., Schultz, S. (2008). Theories of Personality (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. White, R., Watt, N. (1981). The Abnormal Personality (5th ed.). New York, NY: John Wiley Sons.

Research Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 1

Research Proposal - Essay Example In the above context, the identification and the analysis of the requirements related with a new seizure clinic specifically involved in the treatment of epilepsy have been considered to be issues of significant advantage for patients around the world. The design and the development of such a clinic could help patients worldwide to improve their health on a daily basis by limiting the consequences and the symptoms of the disease. It should be noticed that the research on the particular issue (appearance and development of epilepsy) has been extensive and quite long. However, no particular improvement, on the health of patients suffering from the specific disease, has been noticed. It is perhaps the people involved do not comply with the rules set by the medical community or even they do not accept the significance of the disease for their health. In many cases, because of the usually short duration of the disease’s symptoms, persons suffered tend to deny their problem avoiding proceeding to the necessary treatment. Regarding this issue, the establishment of a new seizure clinic could lead to the increase of the volume and the quality of consultancy offered to patients but only in terms that the suggested measures are taken by patients and the proposed treatment is followed strictly. The ‘innovative characteristic’ of this clinic would be its target (limited to the treatment of the particular disease) and the quality of services provided to patients. Current study will be involved specifically with the establishment of a new seizure clinic for people suffering from epilepsy. For this reason, all issues related with this disease’s appearance and the development (both from medical and from sociological perspective) are going to be examined thoroughly. Any potential negative influence will be also highlighted in order to avoid the establishment of private

Allergic Asthma Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Allergic Asthma - Case Study Example In 2001, 73 people per 1000 were diagnosed to have chronic allergic asthma with the help of the medical professional; this is current prevalence of allergic asthma. What is more interesting to note, is that the prevalence of allergic asthma among minorities is disproportionably higher than among the native population. This may be explained by the social conditions, which often define the general state of health and immune system among patients from ethnic minorities. Asthma was also one of the leading diagnoses in the hospitalizations, and its morbidity was equal to 1.6 per 100,000 of the native population. Thus, accounting the noted information the importance and relevance of the present discussion is not under any doubt. (Adams, Smith & Ruffin, 2001) first of all, the process of diagnosis and its confirmation is clinical, and there are no blood tests, histopathological or radiographic investigations which can be performed to confirm the suggested asthma. Mrs. H addressed the doctor for medical assistance in 2004. ... sence of wheeze during these periods were the signs of the asthma, but for the reasons of her addressing the medical establishment with this problem for the first time, there had been no previous notes in relation to her state. She was 29, and she had used to have such health problems for about 10 years before, but with the exacerbations passing quickly and with long breaks she didn't see the reason for serious medication. Mrs H's family history stated that her both parents had chronic allergic rhinitis. Mrs H herself noted that tobacco smoke worsened her state, as well as dust inhaling; she had never smoked herself. Her social status was favorable, and her profession was accounting, thus she used to work with papers which could often be the sources of dust. She didn't have any signs of breath difficulties after use of aspirin or other medicines. Wheeze was episodic but was becoming more frequent. It is useful to remember, that the symptoms of allergic asthma may sometimes be mixed with the other symptoms, which may make the diagnosis doubtful or wrong; if the patient has difficulties in breathing without wheeze, fixed wheeze, or mentions the weight loss, the chest X-ray is recommended for the determining of the exact diagnosis, which in such case may be either COPD, or tumor, bronchiectasis, etc. As for the family history in diagnosing allergic asthma, it is one of the most important risk factors to account when diagnosing any allergic diseases; 'asthma is linked to both parental and sibling history. The strongest association is with maternal atopy'. (British Thoracic Society, 1997) Diagnosis of asthma with the account of theoretical knowledge Bearing in mind that Mrs H didn't have any additional symptoms which could make the diagnosis doubtful, she was asked to

Correlations between prayer and evangelism Research Paper - 1

Correlations between prayer and evangelism - Research Paper Example Prayers are essential for spreading the gospel through evangelism. The paper will seek to discuss the correlation between the prayers and evangelism in relation to the teachings from the bible. The most essential tool for effective evangelism is said to be prayers. All the great awakening that has happened in the church history since the time of Apostles to the present gospel has been attributed to prayers. Even if great awakening has come as a result of great preaching, prayer has always been the center of breakthrough in these preaching messages. One of the best illustrations on prayer as a great tool in evangelism is found in Acts 1:14. During this time, Peter and other apostles were engaged in a prayer as they were preparing to spread the gospel to the world. Though the main focus of this prayer was to find a replacement for Judas, the prayer was also aimed at strengthening their faith towards evangelism which they were about to start. Through this prayer there were many people who converted to Christianity thus indicating that prayer led to effective evangelism. In Acts 2:4, the bible reports that the effect of the prayers led to conversion of more than 3,000 souls to the Christian community (Torrey, 2009). According to the Epistle of Timothy, Paul urges the church to engage in prayers of intercession and thanksgiving for all people and especially for those who have not been saved so that they can be transformed to the knowledge of truth and life of holiness. In the book of 1 Timothy 2:1-8, Paul convinces Timothy that through prayers, God would be pleased and since He cares for those who are not saved, and he want them to now the light. He outlines that he would want all men to engage in prayer through Jesus Christ who is the mediator between God and men. He states that one of the most important responsibilities of church is to commit to the work of God by praying for those that have not

Importance of International Advertising

Importance of International Advertising INTRODUCTION International business is taking different shades and is unavoidable today. This dynamic world is rapidly changing to the extent that it has been reduced to a â€Å"Global village†. This assertion is true in every sense because what happens in one part of the world has a rippling effect on some business transaction thousands of kilometers away. International marketing means to apply the principles of marketing in more than one country. International marketing involves the firm in making one or more marketing mix decisions across national boundaries. At its most complex level, it involves the firm in establishing manufacturing facilities overseas and coordinating marketing strategies across the globe INTERNATIONAL MARKETING DEFINED â€Å"The performance of business activities that direct the flow of a countrys goods and services to consumers or users in more than one nation for a profit.† Others have defined marketing as â€Å"the creation and delivery of a standard of living† or â€Å"Producing what you can sell not selling what you can produce†. The AMA has defined marketing in two ways as â€Å"The performance of the business activities that direct the flow of goods and services from producer to consumer or user† and if we may add ‘in more than one country. Their latest definition is even more elaborate as â€Å"the multinational process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational objectives.†_ The venerable Philip Kotler defines Marketing as â€Å"a social and managerial process by which individuals and groups obtain what they need and want t hrough creating, offering, and exchanging products of value to others† across boundaries, if we were to raise it to the international scenario. International trade is a necessity for any 21st century company to remain buoyant in a ferociously competitive world. There certain key factors one has to note before venturing into a new market and these are the controllable factors (4 Ps, Product, Price, Promotion, and Place) and the uncontrollable variablessuch as the Political, Legal, and the cultural environment. IM is a stepping stone towards macro marketing unraveling the meaning of global business as to how that the world has been reduced to a small place where transactions done in a remote part of the world have some effect on the business transactions at another part of the world. The trend today is that World Trade is going â€Å"Global† and as such, the successful marketer should strategically think globally. The World economy has gone through different cycles and phases. At one time, The USA Multi National Corporations (MNC) reigned supreme and unrivalled. It is on record that the 20th century saw the world go into at least two economic depressions between the World wars. After the wars and eventual recovery of some poor economies, the USA other countries started thinking  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Global† in terms of trade. In order to regulate trade for sanity, efficiency and equity, various instruments were set in place to guarantee â€Å"free and fair trade† by different count ries. An association was set up to monitor and ensure fairness in trade, and thus the first General Agreement on Tariffs Trade (GATT) was set up  and later (1994) the World Trade organisation (WTO). INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING International Advertising, generally speaking, is the promotion of goods, services, companies and ideas, usually in more than one country performed by an identified sponsor. Marketers see advertising as part of an overall promotional strategy. Other components of the promotional mix include publicity, public relations, personal selling, and sales promotion. Advertising is a cogent communication attempt to change or reinforce ones prior attitude that is predictable of future behavior. It can be viewed as a communication process that takes place in multiple cultures that differ in terms of values, communication styles, and consumption patterns. It is also a business activity involving advertisers and the advertising agencies that create ads and buy media in different countries. The sum total of these activities constitutes a worldwide industry that is growing in importance. International advertising is also a major force that both reflects social values, and propagates certain values worldwide. International advertising involves recognizing that people all over the world have different needs. Companies like Gillette, Coca-Cola, BIC, and Cadbury Schweppes have brands that are recognized across the globe. While many of the products that these businesses sell are targeted at a global audience using a consistent marketing mix, it is also necessary to understand the regional differences, hence it is important to understand the importance of international marketing. Organizations must accept that differences in values, customs, languages and currencies will mean that some products will only suit certain countries and that as well as there being global markets e.g. for BIC and Gillette razors, and for Coca-Cola drinks, there are important regional differences for example advertising in China and India need to focus on local languages. Just as the marketing environment has to be assessed at home, the overseas potential of markets has to be carefully scrutinized. Finding relevant in formation takes longer because of the unfamiliarity of some locations. The potential market size, degree and type of competition, price, promotional differences, product differences as well as barriers to trade have to be analyzed in order to advertise our product effectively in different countries BARRIERS OF INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING CULTURE Culture is a problematic issue for many advertisers since it is inherently nebulous and often difficult to understand. One may violate the cultural norms of another country without being informed of this, and people from different cultures may feel uncomfortable in each others presence without knowing exactly why. Communication is more difficult because cultural factors largely determine the way various phenomena are perceived. If the perceptual framework is different, perception of the message itself differs. It is a well known fact that the culture of a country influences the customer preferences. Customers are quite sensitive about cultural aspects depicted in advertisements. Advertising themes, incorporating social acceptance, mutual dependence, respect for elders, harmony with nature, use of seasons, innovation and novelty, distinctive use of celebrities. Some of the advertising blunders in international marketing are: Procter and Gamble showed an animated stork delivering Pampers diapers in its ad campaigns in the US. The same ad copy was used in Japan, only the language was changed. However, this ad did not worked in Japan. The subsequent market research revealed that, unlike the western folklore, storks, according to the Japanese folklore, are not expected to deliver babies. On the contrary, Japanese people believe that it is the giant peaches that float on a river that bring babies to the deserving parents. Subsequently, Procter Gamble changed the theme of the ad campaign to â€Å"expert mom†, a nurse who is also a mother theme. Muhammad Ali is immensely popular in the Middle East. One of the car manufacturers used Muhammad Ali in its ad campaign for the region. The ad theme was, ‘I am the greatest. The ad backfired and offended the Muslims who regard only the God was great. LANGUAGE Translation from one language to another language is crucial in international advertising. The literal translation may fail to convey the desired message across the countries due to cultural factors. For instance the word yes means in low context in USA and Europe and in Japan it means I am listening to what are you saying, in Thailand it means Ok. So there is a difference in the language of different countries. Some instances of the translation blunders in international advertisement are as follows: Pepsi used the German translation of the slogan ‘come alive with Pepsi in its ad campaign in West Germany. However, the slogan when translated in German actually meant ‘come out of the grave with Pepsi and failed to generate any market response from the customers. General Motors translated its slogan ‘Body by Fisher to ‘Corps by Fisher in Belgium that offended many Belgium customers. EDUCATION The level of literacy plays an important role in deciding what advertisement tool and message should be used in international market. Market segments with lower level of adult literacy need to be addressed by way of more audio visual content rather than a written message. It should be ensured that the visuals convey the desired message rather than the text part of the advertisement. GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS The regulatory framework of a country influences the advertisement strategy in international market. The government regulations in the following country relate to following issues: Advertisement in foreign language. Use of sensuality Comparative advertising referring to the competing product from rival firms Use of children as models Advertisement related to alcohol and tobacco Advertisement related to health and pharmaceuticals Some of the various regulations in various countries are: In Malaysia the Ministry of Information advertising code states that women should not be a principal object of an advertisement and should not be used to attract sales unless the advertisement product is relevant to women. The Ministry of Information in Saudi Arabia prohibits any advertisement depicting unveiled woman. Use of foreign words and expression when French equivalents can be used are prohibited in France. Portuguese law prohibits sex discrimination or the subordination or objectification of women in advertising. Norway prohibits any advertising that portrays men or women in an offensive manner or implies any derogatory judgment of either sex. Most Arab countries prohibit explicit depiction of sensuality. MEDIA LIMITATION Media may diminish the role of advertising in the promotional program and may force the marketers to emphasis the other elements of promotional mix. A marketers creativity is certainly challenged when a television commercial is limited to 10 showing a year with no two exposures closer than 10 days. In some African countries advertisers run boats up and down the rivers playing popular music and broadcasting commercial into the bush as they travel. INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING HELPS IN: Remind customers and prospects about the benefits of your product or service Establish and maintain your distinct identity Enhance your reputation Encourage existing customers to buy more of what you sell Attract new customers and replace lost ones Slowly build sales to boost your bottom line Promote business to customers, investors INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING CONCEPT International advertising is becoming increasingly complex; more and more local and international companies are competing for consumers who are increasingly sophisticated and demanding. International advertising is defined as the non personal communication by an identified sponsor across international borders, using broadcast, print, and or interactive media. It requires dissemination of a commercial message to target audiences in more than one country. Target audiences vary from country to country in terms of how they perceive or interpret symbols or stimuli; respond to humor or emotional appeals, as well as in levels of literacy and languages spoken. How the advertising function is organized also varies. International advertising can be explained as the communication process that takes place in different cultures that varies in terms of values, communication styles, and consumption patterns. International advertising is also a business activity involving advertisers and the advertising agencies that create ads and buy media in different countries. It is also a major force that both reflects social values, and propagates certain values all over the world. The International Communication Process The international communication process involves using the entire promotional mix to communicate with the final consumer. First, the appropriate message is determined for the target audience by the advertiser. Next, the international sponsor (sender), usually represented by an advertising agency, encodes a message into words and images. The message is then translated into the language of target market and transmitted through a channel of media channels to the audience who then decodes and reacts to the message. Cultural barriers may hamper effective transmission of the message at each stage in the process and result in miscommunication. Art Direction Art direction is involved with visual presentation- the body language of print and broadcast advertising. Some types of visual presentation are universally understood. Revlon, for example, has used a French producer to develop television commercials, English and Spanish for use in the international markets. These commercials, which are filmed in Parisian settings, communicate the universal appeals and specific advantages of Revlon products. By producing its ads In France, Revlon obtains effective television commercials at a much lower price than it would have to pay for similar –length commercials produced in US. Pepsi Co has used four basic commercials to communicate its advertising themes. The basic setting of young people having fun at a party or on a beach has been adapted to reflect the general physical environment and racial characteristics of North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia,. The music in these commercials has also been adapted to suite regional t astes, ranging from rock and roll in North America to Bossa nova in Latin America to Africa. The international advertiser must make sure that visual executions are not inappropriately extended into markets. Benetton recently encountered a problem with its â€Å"United Colors of Benetton† campaign. The campaign appeared in 77 countries, primarily in print and on billboards. The art direction focused on striking, provocative interracial juxtapositions- a white hand a black hand handcuffed together, for example another version of campaign, depicting a black woman nursing a white baby, won adverting awards in France and Italy. However, because the image evoked the history of slavery in America, that particular creative execution was not in the U.S market Cultural Considerations Knowledge of cultural diversity, especially the symbolism associated with cultural traits, is essential when creating advertising. Local country managers will be able to share important information, such as when to use cautions in advertising creativity. Use of colors and man-women relationships can often be stumbling blocks. For example, white in Asia is associated with death. In Japan, intimate scenes between men and women are considered to be in bad taste; they are outlawed in Saudi Arabia. Advertising Communication System Advertising communication always involves a perception process and four of the elements shown in the model: the source, a message, a communication channel, and a receiver. In addition, the receiver will sometimes become a source of information by talking to friends or associates. This type of communication is termed word-of-mouth communication, and it involves social interactions between two or more people and the important ideas of group influence and the diffusion of information. An advertising message can have a variety of effects upon the receiver. It can Create awareness Communicate information about attributes and benefits Develop or change an image or personality Associate a brand with feelings and emotions Forms group norms Precipitate behavior Efficacy Effectiveness of Advertising on International Markets International Advertising as a Business Practice International advertising can also be explained as a business activity through which a firm attempts to inform target audiences in different countries about itself and its product or service offerings. In some cases the advertising message relates to the firm and its activities, i.e. its corporate image. In other cases, the message relates to a specific product or service marketed by the firm. In either case, the firm will use the services of an advertising agency to determine the appropriate message, advertising copy and make the media placement. Advertising has gone through five major stages of development: domestic, export, international, multi-national, and global. For global advertisers, there are four, potentially competing, business objectives that must be balanced when developing worldwide advertising: building a brand while speaking with one voice, developing economies of scale in the creative process, maximizing local effectiveness of ads, and increasing the companys speed of implementation. Born from the evolutionary stages of global marketing are the three primary and fundamentally different approaches to the development of global advertising executions: exporting executions, producing local executions, and importing ideas that travel. Advertising research is key to determining the success of an ad in any country or region. The ability to identify which elements and/or moments of an ad that contributes to its success is how economies of scale are maximized. Once one knows what works in an ad, that idea or ideas can be imported by any other market. Market research measures, such as Flow of Attention, Flow of Emotion and branding moments provide insight into what is working in an ad in any country or region because the measures are based on the visual, not verbal, elements of the ad MEASURING ADVERTISING EFFECTIVENESS Just as important as creating a strong marketing plan is following through on the results. How will you know which ads are working if you dont analyze the results? Check the effectiveness of your advertising programs regularly by using one or more of the following tests: Run the same ad in two different publications with a different identifying mark on each. Ask customers to clip the ad and bring it in for a discount or free sample. Or, if youre running an ad that asks customers to order by mail, put a code in your company address such as â€Å"Dept. SI.† By looking at the marks on the clipped ads or the addresses on the mail-in orders, youll be able to tell which ad pulled better. Offer a product at slightly different prices in different magazines. This has the added benefit of showing whether consumers will buy your product at a higher price. Advertise an item in one ad only. Dont have any signs or otherwise promote the item in your store or business. Then count the calls, sales or special requests for that item. If you get calls, youll know the ad is working. Stop running an ad that you regularly run. See if dropping the ad affects sales. Check sales results whenever you place an ad for the first time. Checks like these will give you some idea how your advertising and marketing program is working. Be aware, however, that you cant expect immediate results from an ad Especially with small ads—the type most entrepreneurs are likely to be running—you need to give the reader a â€Å"getting to know you† period during which he gets to feel comfortable with your business. METHODOLOGY The manager needs to engage in situation analysis with respect to the market conditions that are operating at the time and to assess the consumer/market, competitive, facilitating agency, and social legal, and global factors that will affect decision making and the development of the plan. It is vital that the advertising plan be developed so as to mesh with and support the various components of the marketing and communications mix such as personal selling, pricing, public relation, and promotion. The advertising manager also needs to know the major areas of his or her planning and decision-making responsibilities. There are three areas of major importance: Objective And Target Selection, Message Strategy and Tactics, Media Strategy and Tactics. Consumer and Market Analysis; A situation analysis often begins by looking at the aggregate market for the product, service, or cause being advertised: the size of the market, its growth rate, seasonality, geographical distribution; the possible existence of different segments; and trends in all of these aggregate market characteristics. These semgentations are very important, specially understanding the fact that these should be very clerarly defined and not overlapping. Competitive Analysis Advertising planning and decision-making are heavily affected by competition and the competitive situation the advertiser faces. Having a competitive advantage is now the need of the day. The competitive advantage of the firm is what gives it an edge in the market. Competition is such a pervasive factor that it will occur as a consideration in all phases of the advertising planning and decision-making process. Competition is something that cannot be avoided by any firm at any cost, and a any lev el. The fact that competion is not only a detrimental factor but rather also an internal motivator; the firms are all ready to support it. A type of market structure analysis that involves the development of perceptual maps of a market, for example, attempts to locate the relative perceptual positions of competitive brands. Situation analysis should usually include an analysis of what current share the brand now has, what shares its competitors have, trends in these shares, reasons for these trends, what share of a market is possible for the brand, and from which competitors an increase in share will come. The planner also has to be aware of the relative strengths and weaknesses financial, production, and marketing of the different competing companies, and the history of competitive moves and objectives in the product category. IT shall give the firm a complete overview of the current prevailing conditions and where the firm currently stands. Also in certain cases it tells what the firm stands to gain and lose in the situation. The Marketing Plan Advertising planning and decision making take place in the context of an overall marketing plan. The marketing plan includes planning, implementation, and control functions for the total corporation or a particular decision-making unit or product line. The marketing plan must be extensively effective for any firms success. The marketing plan will include a statement of marketing objectives and will spell out particular strategies and tactics to reach those objectives. The marketing objectives should identify the segments to be served by the organization and how it is going to serve them. The segment, need to be properly differentiated. Externally every segment must be different and every segment must be homogeneous inside. The needs and wants of consumers on which the firm will concentrate, such as the needs of working men and women for easily prepared meals, are identified and analyzed in a marketing plan. The market plan can be made only when there are properly d efined market segments are not overlapping. At many such instances, where the firm is unable to properly desiccate the market, the firm stands to lose profits or market share, and even both. There are several marketing tools that can be used to help an organization achieve its marketing objectives. Most people are familiar with the â€Å"4 Ps† the marketing mix which includes product, price, place, and promotion. A marketing plan formulates the strategy and tactics for each of these. Message Strategy and Tactics The actual development of an advertising campaign involves several distinct steps. First, the advertising manager must decide what the advertising is meant to communicate by way of benefits, feeling, brand personality, or action content. Once the content of the campaign has been decided, decisions must be made on the best and most effective ways to communicate that content. Media Strategy Although there are many rules of thumb often used to decide how much money to spend on advertising, the soundest rules involve beginning with a detailed specification of what a corporation is attempting to accomplish with advertising, and the resources necessary. It is only when the job to be done is well specified that the amount and nature of the effort the amount of money to be invested in advertising can be really determined. STANDARDISATION VIS A VIS LOCALISATION Adaptation as a general tendency of the cross-national advertising literature The feasibility of ad standardization depends on variables related to the economic, technological, legal, social, and cultural environment. These factors together are known as the PEST factors which are very important for every firm. These are those external factors or conditions that the firm needs to adapt it with. These factors cannot be controlled by the firm and thus influence the firm extensively. Within a homogeneous environment advertising standardization is recommendable. If, on the contrary, environmental variables across markets are heterogeneous, customized advertising should be favored. Its always preferred that the environment be homogeneous. Reviews of cross-national advertising studies, either regional or global generally conclude in favor of adaptation. Standardized advertising is hindered if the use of certain media or execution elements is restricted, for instance in countries such as Malaysia which prohibits the use of foreign models in advertising. In a similar w ay, a heterogeneous economic environment across countries makes advertising standardization more difficult. Advertising execution has to take into account the education, literacy, and income levels of target groups. The competitive environments as well as the actual life cycle stage of a product are further factors in favor of adaptation. The cultural environment is seen as the highest barrier against standardized advertising. Differing needs, traditions, consumption habits, religion etc. make the use of an identical advertising approach across markets difficult. Its still a matter of debate whether standardization or adaptation is better, as it is a very subjective term. The fact that adaptation allows for more creative freedom and standardisation a more restrictive environment, generally means can allow the advertisers to go for more focused approaches. On average, the cross-national advertising literature leans towards adaptation rather than standardization of advertising worldwide. Change over time Many studies point to the persistent need of ad adaptation. For instance, ananalysis of U.S. companies operating in Europe showed that, between 1963 and 1983, advertisingwas more resistant to standardization than product or brand policies. However, there are many arguments in favour of a trend towards advertising standardization, especially due to strong globalization over the last 20 years. A number of developing countries have been accessing the status of advertising intensive countries. China and India are a case in point for a dramatic change in the place of advertising in the overall business and consumer scene. Authors coming from the corporate world, either advertisers or agencies, have consistently argued in favour of ad standardization and the possibility of putting up a global message with localized communication . Furthermore, rapidly changing communication technologies (Internet ads, satellite TV) influence global advertising: media overlaps push companies to more standar dized advertising approach. Advertising standardization is increasing over time due the globalization trend. Adaptation to local contexts still needed Religion act as filters of advertising messages, transforming factual information into culturally interpreted meaning. Culture and local customs are positively related to adaptation recommendation Advertising strategy versus advertising execution The contents of advertising can be categorizes in to two categories as strategy and execution .Though there is some overlap between both the categories , advertising strategy comprises what is said and execution concerns more how it is said.Degree of adaptation increases over a continuum of four levels as : mission (long term, identity and vision of the communicator), proposition (campaign themes), creative concepts (how themes are translated in the language and cultures of the target groups) and execution. While mission and proposition can rather easily be globalized, execution will need much local tailoring. Influence of product category on the degree of standardization Of international advertising The type of the product have an influence on advertising standardization. Products which satisfies the universal needs have messages which mostly carries rather than context free information . Ads for certain product categories may be easier to standardize because they correspond to global (airlines, tobacco, banks,) rather than multidomestic industries (food, motor insurance,). IM LOVIN IT†: An International Motto We can take the example of McDonalds which have launched a new and for the first time global marketing strategy in Germany at the beginning. The campaign launched by the McDonald revolves around the motto, â€Å"Im loving it† and it is part of a new and broader marketing approach that McDonalds calls Rolling Energy. The company says this approach will restore the strength of the brand in the entire world, unify its messages and integrate all its marketing moves. â€Å"McDonalds realized that it can save money. To create a campaign of this sort, which is not individualized for each country and each market and which is going to use the same slogan, presumes a terrific cost savings that could have an impact on [McDonalds] accounting results.† Despite the benefits that this campaign offers, â€Å"it contains the risk of not being able to adjust to the peculiarities of each individual market†. â€Å"The value shared by the youths in different countries makes it possible today more than ever to create global campaigns with a same message†. Axe Chocolate-man Ad Banned Axe ad is a classic example of standardization vs. localization debate. Keeping in line suggestive advertisements being televised. The Indian government has taken strong objection to the AXE chocolate deodorant ad .Ministry of information and broadcasting has regarded the ad as indecent, vulgar and repulsive. It clearly reflects the importance of understanding cultural sensitivity in advertising. INTERNATIONAL ADVERTISING AS A SOCIAL FORCE When we consider it from the advertisers point of view, according to them the primary objective of advertisement is that the product or services which they are offering should be sold in the market. And in achieving the main objective of selling the product or services there are other profound consequences .Advertising puts an influence which is both persuasive and pervasive in nature. Through the selective reinforcement of certain language and values, and social goal, it acts as impor

Early Christian Art Essay

The present state of Christianity is completely different to its past. During the early years of Christianity, Christians were persecuted for their faith. Due to heavy persecution, early Christians had to use some kind of secret communication. This had given way to the birth of Early Christian art. Due to the proximity in the timeline, Early Christian art had shown much influence from Byzantine art. However, Early Christian art had to undergo change during the Late Antiquity in the Roman Empire. Much of the early Christian Art in the Late Antiquity was influenced by the prevalence of wars and political instability (Spier 2007). Since there was no more need for secrecy, Early Christian art had become more focused on politics rather than the religion. During the early years of Christianity, storytelling was regarded as the most effective way of mass communication. Written language was still unavailable for the consumption of all, thus people had used Oral narratives to communicate and preserve cultural ideas. One of the propagated stories was that of Christianity. On the other hand, symbols were used to avoid persecution from those against Christianity. Through storytelling and symbols, early Christian artists were able to continue their faith and avoid persecution at the same time. Perhaps two of the most common symbols in Early Christian art are the dove, lamb, and the fish. The dove was used as a symbol for purity and peace, something of high value to Christians. On the other hand, the fish was used as a symbol for Christ. The fish had become an ingenious symbol for Christ as it symbolizes the last supper and the water used for Christian baptism. And lastly, the lamb had become another symbol for Christ, particularly when he had bled during the crucifixion. In addition to that, the lamb could also serve as a symbolism for Christians wherein Christ is the good shepherd. Reference Spier, Jeffrey. (2007). Picturing the Bible: the earliest Christian art. Connecticut: Yale University Press

Non-Violence as the Bigger Statement Essay

In the documentary _Eyes on the Prize_, John Lewis- an attendee of the 1960 Nashville Lunch Counter Sit-In, regales the use of nonviolence in their fight for racial equality, saying â€Å"We took our seats in a very orderly, peaceful fashion†¦We just sit there, and we continue to sit all day long†¦ But for me, I’ll tell you; it was like being involved in a holy crusade. It became a badge of honor† (PBS). The Civil Rights Movement, which began in 1954, was so deeply impactful largely in part to the unusual nature of its participant’s actions against their opposition. Scarce physical tactics or retaliation was threatened against the white opposition on the black insurgent’s behalf in order to achieve what they sought. Instead, the African Americans took a stance of nonviolence as their weapon of choice, hoping to reach a middle ground of peace between all of the nation’s races. Some of the historical and structural causes at the core of this stance were the guidance of Martin Luther King Jr., the organized fight to dismantle long-standing norms of racial segregation within the white communities, and the effort to raise awareness to a blind political system. In introducing the concept of social insurgency, Doug McAdam says, â€Å"At the close of 1876-1930 period, the southern black population was only just beginning to develop the institutional strength so vital to the generation of social insurgency† (McAdam 94). Historically, black Southern Americans had experienced little to no sense of togetherness as a community; it would take someone or something with enough passion and commitment to bring them together. Obtaining a leader to push such idealistic views for the African American race is practically a requirement to incite immense social change. An organizer is the heart of the movement, because they diffuse centralized direction and coordination (McAdam 47). Having Martin Luther King Jr. as a guiding force behind the Civil Rights Movement was, arguably, the biggest motivation for non-violence as a directive in community institutions during this period. In his _Letter from Birmingham Jail_, often called the Call for Unity, Dr. King says, â€Å"In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic  steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self-purification; and direct action† (Letter 2). Martin, born and raised in the church, came from humble beginnings; his father, a pastor, sermonized many ideals of a future of peace and the effectiveness of words over physicality. Dr. King went on to preach the ideals of a future based on equality, regardless of skin color or nationality, to his followers. His goals primarily focused on the rise of the nation as a whole- as one- rather than just the rise of the African American race. In his _Chicago Freedom Movement Rally Speech_, he stated, â€Å"The Negro needs the white man to free him from his fears. The white man needs the negro to free him from his guilt† (King). Dr. King was aware that for there to be peace and success for our country, we would have to learn to coexist as one community, instead of having one dominant race in any aspect. In another excerpt from the Chicago rally, he summarizes his intent with nonviolence, saying, â€Å"Nonviolence does not mean doing nothing. It does not mean passively accepting evil. It means standing up so strongly with your body and soul that you cannot stoop to the low places of violence and hatred. I am still convinced that nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, it cuts without wounding† (King). In result, his practices flourished, inspiring others to come together and follow in his footsteps. Historically, it also aided that typically only violence had been used to fight battles and/or change things in the past, which had only gotten them to the point they found themselves at then. The typical day-to-day life of White Southerners consisted of structural norms within the economy, the government, and social customs. Breaking down the barriers of such an established arrangement would never be an easy feat. Blacks in the South knew this and therefore banned together, creating solid organizations such as CORE (Congress of Racial Equality), SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), and the SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee). These organizations were so vital to the cause and effect of the nonviolence movement, as â€Å"A conductive political environment only affords the aggrieved population the opportunity for successful insurgent action. It is the resources of the minority community that enable insurgent groups to exploit these opportunities† (McAdam 43). As could be expected, white oppositionists reacted extremely violently to the changes  that were being force-fed to them through the motions of the Civil Rights Movement. The way of life that they’d known for so long was being threatened and as human nature would have it, we are programmed much of the time to fear what we do not know. African American advocates in the South were brutally beaten, humiliated, and killed as a retaliation tactic. Thus, such actions sparked black insurgence to essentially stray away from â€Å"feeding the fire†, and instead choose to demonstrate the direction of race relations that they strived for. In order to achieve results, they had to ban together to strengthen their ideals within the community, thus creating strong indigenous organizations as a backbone for their fight. McAdams states, â€Å"†¦the same dynamic is evident in regard to the relationship between organizational strength and insurgency, with the pace, character, and outcome of collective protest shaping the availability of those organizational resources on which further movement activity depends† (McAdam 53). Thus, as the black insurgent groups gained the social stability, they were able to engrain their nonviolent tactics within a larger audience as they gained support. It was such growth of backing that allowed them to create cracks in the barriers that upheld the white Southerners’ traditions. It was also such groups that were the pillar to sustain an ongoing protest. The Political Process Model that McAdam lays out considers that â€Å"a structure cannot function without the routinized exercise of structural power, and any threat to structural power becomes a threat to that system itself. Thus†¦any system contains within itself the possibility of a power strong enough to alter it† (McAdam 37). Politically, much opportunity was to be gained for black insurgents through the use of non-violent action. W.E.B. DuBois issued an example of such a possible process of advancement, saying â€Å"We need sufficient income for health and home; to supplement our education and recreation; to fight our own crime problem; and above all to finance a continued, planned and intelligent agitation for political, civil, and social equality† (B., DuBois 197). Since the black population felt so absolutely undermined as a race by the government, it would do them no good to repeat the same actions as those before them when trying to change the way things worked. McAdam discourses that â€Å"the point is that any event or broad social process that serves to undermine the calculations and  assumptions on which the political establishment is structured occasions a shift in political opportunities† (McAdam 41). In other words, if someone is questioning the way the government works in the first place, already a shift has been sparked in the standards, just by drawing attention to it. To some degree, all changes involving social movement for the nation are going to imply some level of struggle to change and/or pull for institutionalized power (McAdam 36). Using this explanation in the cause of the non-violent tactics, once the aggrieved population shed light on the issues of political alignment through a peaceful approach, the movement only continued to gain attention and leverage over political opponents. McAdam sums it up when he synopsizes, â€Å"the contention is that, far from remaining constant, the organizational resources available to southern blacks increased simultaneously with the expansion in political opportunities† (McAdam 87). Like most ideals in life, the concept of nonviolence as a promising tactic for change started with one individual. Martin Luther King Jr. not only believed in what he preached, but practiced it in his own life. Through his consistent stand-by of nonviolence, the subsequent growth in support through organizational groups, and said group’s ability to power through the withstanding customs of white folk, nonviolence flourished. In his closing statements, McAdam reminds, â€Å"it must be remembered that the movement was able, in a matter of years, to dismantle a thoroughgoing system of caste restrictions that had remained impervious to change for some seventy-five years†¦These gains are hardly insignificant† (McAdam 232). Therefore, though near the end black insurgency took a turn for the worse, the influence that nonviolence caused on the nation absolutely left a lasting imprint on history. Work Cited B., Du Bois W. E. Dusk of Dawn. Millwood, NY: Kraus-Thomson Organization, 1975. Print. King, Martin Luther, Jr. â€Å"Chicago Freedom Movement Rally Speech.† Courtesy of the King Center. Atlanta, Georgia. African-American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp. September 24, 2014. King, Martin Luther. _Letter from Birmingham Jail_. Stamford, CT: Overbrook, 1968. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. McAdam, Doug. Political Process and the Development of Black Insurgency, 1930-1970. Chicago: U of Chicago, 1982. Print. PBS, prod. â€Å"Ain’t Scared of Your Jails.† _Eyes on the Prize_. PBS. N.d. _PBS_. Web. 23 Sept. 2014.

Evaluative Essay on With Honors essays

Evaluative Essay on With Honors essays In the movie With Honors there are many similarities, as well as differences between the characters on screen and students that I know personally. Especially, when it comes to their values. For example, when the one roommate was complaining about the homeless man being in the apartment too much. I believe that, if put into the same situation, most students that I know would have a problem with him being able to roam freely in and out of the house. I had a friend who was in a similar situation; his older brother brought a strange man to the apartment to stay for a few days. It wasnt the fact that he didnt like the man, it was that he didnt know him or what he was capable of. Now there are a few out there who wouldnt mind but it basically comes down to familiarity. People have a tendency to be untrusting, basically because of the times that we live in. Another situation, in the movie, that is similar to the reality that I line in is when the one female who lived in the apartment walked around half dressed and only one of the guys seemed to mind. We live in a time where a woman walking around half dressed is accepted as the norm. So naturally if a few men and women lived together they would get comfortable enough with each other that they wouldnt mind if one or the other walked around in their unmentionables. I stayed in an apartment with another guy and four women and it wasnt uncommon for one or more of the individuals under this roof to be walking around half dressed or in some extreme cases completely nude. The students in the movie also dealt with relationship and school problems. Such as the young woman having casual relationships and calling one of them sex. Also, the one guy being teased constantly about his love life. These are all problems that student face in real life today. So the movie really came close to being as realistic as possible. On the other side of this equation I dont b...

Free Essays on The Problem With Modern Education

The Problem With Modern Education Mark Edmundson provides a graphic portrayal of his opinion of college students and professors. He states that after the baby boom, â€Å"College became a buyers market. What students and their parents wanted had to be taken more and more into account. That usually meant creating more comfortable, less challenging environments, places where almost no one failed, everything was enjoyable, and everyone was nice† (Edmundson 153). Other authors, such as Brent Staples and John Holt also support this opinion. The belief that college professors are getting soft and students are getting lazy is not a new idea. These thoughts have been progressing towards their current state since the late 1980’s. Brent Staples believes that many college departments, especially those in the humanities, shower students with higher grades in order to keep low-demand classes at the minimum enrollment. â€Å"As a result of the university’s widening elective leeway, students have more power over teachers† (Edmundson 153). For example, at Drexel University, and many universities across the country, they are doing away with tenure and more and more professors are part-time, and have no security in their job. This leads to professors tailoring their instruction to what the student, the â€Å"consumer† wants and needs. Though the pressure on the professors to lower standards is very strong, there is little pressure put on students to perform to the standards that college used to be defined by. John Holt insists that school does nothing but corrupt young students and make them less curious, wise, and intuitive than they were before. College used to be a rite of passage for the few chosen intellectuals who would choose to broaden their horizons by means of further education. Higher education no longer gives students the knowledge they will need to succeed in the real working world. College has become so lax that stu... Free Essays on The Problem With Modern Education Free Essays on The Problem With Modern Education The Problem With Modern Education Mark Edmundson provides a graphic portrayal of his opinion of college students and professors. He states that after the baby boom, â€Å"College became a buyers market. What students and their parents wanted had to be taken more and more into account. That usually meant creating more comfortable, less challenging environments, places where almost no one failed, everything was enjoyable, and everyone was nice† (Edmundson 153). Other authors, such as Brent Staples and John Holt also support this opinion. The belief that college professors are getting soft and students are getting lazy is not a new idea. These thoughts have been progressing towards their current state since the late 1980’s. Brent Staples believes that many college departments, especially those in the humanities, shower students with higher grades in order to keep low-demand classes at the minimum enrollment. â€Å"As a result of the university’s widening elective leeway, students have more power over teachers† (Edmundson 153). For example, at Drexel University, and many universities across the country, they are doing away with tenure and more and more professors are part-time, and have no security in their job. This leads to professors tailoring their instruction to what the student, the â€Å"consumer† wants and needs. Though the pressure on the professors to lower standards is very strong, there is little pressure put on students to perform to the standards that college used to be defined by. John Holt insists that school does nothing but corrupt young students and make them less curious, wise, and intuitive than they were before. College used to be a rite of passage for the few chosen intellectuals who would choose to broaden their horizons by means of further education. Higher education no longer gives students the knowledge they will need to succeed in the real working world. College has become so lax that stu...

Why is 21 the drinking age and is it in fact the the real age limit Essay

Why is 21 the drinking age and is it in fact the the real age limit - Essay Example Plenty of European countries are extremely negligent about it, and 12 year-olds are drinking more responsibly than many 23 year-olds in the States.(Grossman, 2006) When I say drinking responsibly, I mean drinking socially, such as dropping by somewhere and having a few mixed drinks or a couple of beers or something. The irresponsible drinking is drinking just to get drunk, meaning power-hours, taking 13 shots of 151 in half an hour (not fun), and just being, well, irresponsible. The latter type of drinking, from what I've seen, is mostly done by people who have little or no experience in drinking, and the availability of it is just too enticing to pass up, since you can inebriate yourself on a weekly or nightly basis. I have nothing personal against this type of drinking, especially since I partake in it. (Dombroski, 2004) The interesting thing, to me, is that there is no argument about the health effects of alcohol. Nobody is talking about liver and kidney failure, o r mental health problems due to legal alcohol consumption. I haven't seen anyone mention of drunk driving. The only things really being talked about are binge drinking, parental involvement, being old enough to fight for the country, and violence. In order to make this a complete discussion, the topics that are talked about need to be more complete. (Grossman, 2006) A lot more questions need to be asked. ... What I'm trying to point out is that while alcohol is a major contributor to a lot of violent crimes, health problems, and accidents, Federal, State, and local governments maintain that alcohol is still "legal" even if the age limit is kept at 21. (Dobkin, 2007) I have interviewed several university and college students concerning this issue of whether 21 should be the legal drinking age or is it a real age when people should start drinking. This is the report that I collected from four types of data which are relevant to the study of the effects of the increase in the drinking age. The data are from surveys of drinking and drinking problems among high school students; (Flynn, 2007) The 21 year old drinking age is an abridgment of the age of majority. By 18, Americans are legally adults and are entitled to all the rights and responsibilities that come with that role but one; the freedom to choose whether or not to consume alcohol.(Gever, 2006) The 21 year old marginalizes the role of parents in the process of teaching and encouraging responsible decisions about alcohol use. There is clear consensus cross introducing their children to responsible alcohol use. The 21 year old drinking age effectively eliminates this important parental role forcing parents to either break the law by serving their underage.(Grossman, 2006) Drinking isn't only something to do - it's something everyone can do together. It's how freshmen begin meeting people. "You don't know anybody, and then somebody hands you a beer and pretty soon you're hanging out with a bunch of guys," says Simon, a 19-year-old sophomore, remembering his first days in college. Freshmen drink hard early on: A 1995 Harvard study of college

Bottled water industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Bottled water industry - Essay Example The problem is succinctly stated in the third paragraph of the case, â€Å"the reputation of Quench is currently under threat.† Specifically, its brand image is suffering because its customers â€Å"are increasingly concerned with environmental issues linked to packaging, sustainable resources and ecological logistics.† The Guardian recently reported that, â€Å"the latest beverage research from Mintel states that 2008 will be the beginning of a significant backlash against plain bottled water.† (Siegel, 2008) Quench is sold in small quantities in plastic bottles and consumers are becoming concerned about the energy costs of their production and, most importantly, the waste that these bottles constitute. In brief, Quench is developing an image problem related to the environmental impacts of the containers its products are sold in. This problem has been exacerbated by its competitors behaviour. They have experienced the same problems with customer perceptions of their lack of environmental commitment and responded quickly to address these concerns. This has put pressure on Quench to also respond quickly or risk a continually declining reputation while their competitors restore their public image. One solution would be to reduce the waste left from the containers. This could be achieved through three means. The water could be sold in larger containers producing less waste by volume of water sold. However, their market is sporty, active people and this would reduce the convenience factor associated with smaller bottles and impact negatively on sales. Secondarily, the company could introduce containers with thinner sides, reducing the waste by producing less waste per container. If the company manufacturers its own bottles this would be an expensive an time consuming alternative as it would necessitate retooling their bottle production lines. If the company purchases its bottles this would present its suppliers with the same problem. However, whether it