Thursday, November 28, 2019

Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention Plan

Studies show that people misuse drugs because of a number of reasons that are yet to be identified, but the costs paid are very high. This implies that the outcomes of drug abuse are critical to the society. It is identified that drug abuse is dangerous to an individual’s life, particularly in terms of behaviour because it affects an individual’s interaction and relationships in society.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention Plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A strong connection between crime and substance abuse exist meaning that misuse of drugs is a major cause of social crimes, such as robbery, rape, carjacking, and aggravated assault. Generating an effective treatment plan that would resolve issues affecting a drug addict is always an uphill task that many counsellors are yet to come into terms with. In this regard, it is proven through research that the best prevention and intervention strategy is applicable at childhood and adolescence whereby the young people are educated on the dangers of drug abuse. A 2010 national report on housing survey in the United States established that over 22 million people in the United States utilize drugs on daily basis (Murphy, 2008). A further study revealed that over seven percent of American teenagers are binge drinkers. A number of factors influence individuals to utilize drugs. In the case of Lisa, drug abuse affects her behaviour greatly because it endangers the lives of other people. She threatens her marriage partner with a knife whenever she is under the influence of an illicit drug. The behaviour of her father and her early childhood experiences affected her behaviour tremendously. In the case of Lisa, her family background is to blame for her current tribulations. It is reported that she is a Mexican heterosexual with two children aged eight years, yet her behaviour does not match t hose of an ordinary mother. She was exposed to drug abuse at a very tender age of twelve. Even though she no longer uses lethal drugs, such as cocaine, she is addicted to some drugs, which has considerably affected her behaviour. Her family was poor and lived in slums, with poor economic and social conditions. Her primary socialization took place in a slum area whereby she was exposed to hardships, such as being forced to fight to prove her strength. She could always witness her father beating his wife. She grew up knowing that fighting is acceptable in society hence threatening her boyfriend with a knife is not a mistake.Advertising Looking for case study on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More As she joined school, her socialization was not any different since she could easily join a gang that harassed other students in school. When asked to explain the reasons for her behaviour, she does not really understand why she behaves the way she does. The only thing she remembers is her father’s voice getting loud. She even admits that she is simply doing what his father did to her mother. This shows that fighting and the use of drugs is natural to her. Biological Predisposition Lisa’s behaviour can be understood from a biological point of view through the study of genetics. This is what psychologists refer to as biological predisposition. The concept suggests that an individual is likely to behave in a certain way because of the genetic makeup. This implies that people with similar genes would likely show some symptoms of a psychological disorder or a disease. Twins could portray different psychological conditions mainly because of biological predispositions, but not biological determinant. Biological determinant is different because it influences members of the same family in a similar way, but biological predisposition means that an individual could pick up a certain condition or behavi our. In other words, picking a particular condition or disease from parents is not guaranteed. For biological predisposition to take place, certain stressors should be present, which forces an individual to pick up the condition. Lisa picked up her father’s cruel behaviour mainly because of the environment in which she was brought up. The environment acted as a stressor that allowed Lisa to pick up the violent behaviour from the father (Barraca, Yarto, Olea, 2000). Research shows that an individual cannot easily pick up behaviour from parents because of the prevailing conditions. The environment could be different meaning the conduct of an individual would definitely differ from that of her or her parents. If the conditions are similar, there is a high likelihood that an individual will inherit certain actions from his or her parents. This is true for the case of Lisa who inherited violent behaviour from the father. It is reported that her father used to fight Lisa’s mother daily. Whenever Lisa engages in armed conflicts, she hears her father’s voice. When designing a treatment plan, biological predisposition is an important factor to consider.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention Plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Family considerations The family is the basic unit of social development meaning that it influences the life of an individual in a number of ways. The family is known to be a primary socializing agent implying that it plays a crucial role in moulding the behaviour of children at an early age. However, the media and other agents of socialization, such as the polity, are overtaking the role of the family. The family influenced Lisa since peace and tranquillity were rare in her father’s home. The father was extremely violent while the rest of the family members could comfortably incite children to fight as they watched. To understand Lisa’s situation, the role of the family should be evaluated. Exposure to violent conduct might perhaps affect the position of an individual in society. In this regard, an individual would not be able to execute his or her functions appropriately owing to the early childhood experiences. Lisa’s family background is affecting her relationship, which might lead to complexities, such as death and injury. When designing a treatment plan for the patient in the case presented above, understanding the role of the family would be crucial (Caldwell, Woolley, Caldwell, 2007). The history of Lisa’s family should be comprehended extensively before offering any advice. Cultural Consideration Culturally competent treatment plan would demand that the values of the Lisa and her boyfriend be respected and be incorporated into the treatment designing process. The cause of Lisa’s violent behaviour should be interpreted from a cultural perspectiv e since not all cultures have a similar definition of violent conduct. In some cultures, children are informed right away if a traumatizing event takes place. Research supports the idea that cultural factors have enormous influence on bio-psychological experiences regarding violence in children. This implies that the reactions of Lisa could be a result of cultural factors since she has always been exposed to violence. This shows that ethno-cultural aspects, such as religion and family values, play a critical role as far as vulnerability of an individual to violent behaviour is concerned. Lisa could be manifesting violent behaviour mainly because of her cultural background whereby children are allowed to engage in fights to prove their strength. The way she would respond to the treatment plan depends on cultural factors. In this regard, the counsellor will have a number of roles to play as far as the influence of cultural factors is concerned.Advertising Looking for case study on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The first thing the psychologists would do is to recognize cultural disparities in the biased insight of trauma and response. Moreover, the counsellor would need to comprehend the role of values in the understanding of shock and revitalization process. Through this understanding, the social worker would be in a position to assist Lisa to bring back a sense of security through trust building. Therapy Model Before addressing the consequences of any disorder or disease, it must be diagnosed for proper analysis and recommendation. Studies show that family therapy model is an effective tool of addressing psychological problems such as depression, digestive disorders, chronic disorders, drug abuse, issues related to parenting, and issues that come about in relationships. Family therapy is effective as compared to other traditional therapies because it involves all family members in resolving issues affecting them. Scholars in the field of mental health appreciate the role of family therap y meaning that they also endorse family and marriage therapists to conduct diagnosis. Some observe that there is no adequate literature in the field of family and marriage therapy, which prevents effective diagnosis. Moreover, misunderstanding the process of assessment and diagnosis among family therapists is another reason cited. Assessment and diagnosis Assessment refers to the treatment process of identifying the signs and symptoms, which are associated with mental and emotional disorders. The disorders are then compared with the standardized disorders. It should be noted that the treatment process should be based on the health condition of the patient because patients differ based on their coping abilities. The therapist develops a treatment plan after completing the process of diagnosis. The treatment plan helps in the process of alleviating the symptoms. Some instruments are utilized in the process of diagnosis and measuring the condition of the patient, including psychometric instruments (Kreppner, 2005). Family therapy is a process that uses systemic and relational theories in diagnosing and treating patients, including couples, family members, and families in general. Treatment plan and intervention strategies Practitioners in the field of counselling employ a number of trauma treatment models and strategies. Trauma-informed assessment is one of the intervention strategies that could be used to deal with issues facing Lisa. This means that the role of each actor is important. Therefore, a critical review should be conducted to determine the role of each person as far as managing a traumatic event or situation is concerned. Based on this, it is true that each person has a role to play in initiating trauma-informed practices (Stevens, Smith, 2013). To support traumatized individuals, such as Lisa, certain terms should be evaluated in detail. Counsellors and specialized psychologists should change their approach in terms of addressing the problems that traumatized individual go through. Ethical and legal considerations Psychological code of conduct demands that counsellors observe the set rules and regulations in addressing issues facing their clients. For instance, they should not share critical information with other third party agents. Any given discussed in the treatment room should not be exposed to any person. Regarding legal considerations, the methods that a psychologist decides to apply should be compliant with the internationally and nationally recognized standards. References Barraca, J., Yarto, L., Olea, J. (2000). Psychometric properties of a new family life satisfaction scale. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 16(2), 98–100. Caldwell, B., Woolley, S., Caldwell, C. (2007). Preliminary estimates of cost-effectiveness for marital therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 33(3), 392–406. Kreppner, K. (2005). Family assessment and methodological issues: Discussion. European Journal of Psy chological Assessment, 21(4), 249–254. Murphy, J.J. (2008). Solution-focused counselling in schools (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counselling Association. Stevens, P., Smith, R. L. (2013). Substance abuse counselling: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc. This case study on Substance Abuse Assessment and Intervention Plan was written and submitted by user Madilynn Cortez to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Imperialism Definition and Historical Perspective

Imperialism Definition and Historical Perspective Imperialism, sometimes called empire building, is the policy of a nation to forcefully impose its rule or authority over other nations. Typically involving the unprovoked use of military force, imperialism has historically been viewed as morally unacceptable. As a result, accusations of imperialism- whether factual or not- are often used in propaganda denouncing a nation’s foreign policy. Key Takeaways Imperialism is the expansion of a nation’s authority over other nations through the acquisition of land or the imposition of economic and political domination.The Age of Imperialism is typified by the colonization of the Americas between the 15th and 19th centuries, as well as the expansion of the United States, Japan, and the European powers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.Throughout history, many indigenous societies and cultures have been destroyed by imperialistic expansion. While the colonization of the Americas between the 15th and 19th centuries differed in nature from the expansion of the United States, Japan, and the European powers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, both periods are examples of imperialism. Imperialism has evolved since the struggles between prehistoric clans for scarce food and resources, but it has retained its bloody roots. Throughout history, many cultures suffered under the domination of their imperialist conquerors, with many indigenous societies being unintentionally or deliberately destroyed. Imperialism Definition and Theory A broader definition of imperialism is the extension or expansion- usually by the use of military force- of a nation’s authority or rule over territories not currently under its control. This is accomplished through the direct acquisition of land or economic and political domination. Certainly, empires do not undertake the expenses and dangers of imperialistic expansion without what their leaders consider ample justification. Throughout recorded history, imperialism has been justified or at least rationalized under one or more of five general theories. Conservative Economic Theory The better-developed nation sees imperialism as a way to maintain its already successful economy and stable social order. By securing new captive markets for its exported goods, the dominant nation is able to maintain its employment rate, and redirect any social disputes of its urban populations into its colonial territories. Historically, this rationale embodied an assumption of ideological and racial superiority within the dominant nation. Liberal Economic Theory Growing wealth and capitalism in the dominant nation results in the production of more goods than its population can consume. Its leaders see imperialist expansion as a way to reduce its expenses while increasing its profits by balancing production and consumption. Rather than imperialism, the wealthier nation sometimes chooses to solve its under-consumption problem internally through liberal legislative means, such as wage control. Marxist-Leninist Economic Theory Socialist leaders like Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin rejected liberal legislative strategies dealing with under-consumption because they would inevitably take money away from the dominant state’s middle class. They believed such strategies would result in a world divided into wealthy and poor countries. Lenin used this theory to explain the imperialistic aspirations that led to World War I. Political Theory Imperialism is no more than an inevitable result of the wealthy nations attempt to maintain their positions in the world’s balance of power. The theory holds that the actual purpose of imperialism is to minimize the nation’s military and political vulnerability. The Warrior Class Theory Imperialism actually serves no real economic or political purpose. Instead, it is a pointless manifestation of the age-old behavior of nations whose political processes have become dominated by a â€Å"warrior† class. Originally created to satisfy an actual need for national defense, the warrior class eventually manufactures crises that can only be dealt with through imperialism in order to perpetuate its existence. The Rhodes Colossus: Caricature of Cecil John Rhodes. Edward Linley Sambourne / Public Domain Imperialism vs. Colonialism   While imperialism and colonialism both result in the political and economic domination of one nation over others, there are subtle but important differences between the two terms. In essence, colonialism is the physical practice of global expansion, while imperialism is the idea that drives the practice. In a basic cause-and-effect relationship, imperialism can be thought of as the cause, and colonialism as the effect. In its most familiar form, colonialism involves the relocation of people to the new territory to live as permanent settlers. Once established, the settlers maintain their loyalty and allegiance to their mother country while working to harness the new territory’s resources for the economic benefit of that country. In contrast, imperialism is simply the imposition of political and economic control over the conquered nation or nations, often through the use of military forces. For example, the British colonization of America during the 16th and 17th centuries evolved into imperialism when King George III stationed British troops in the colonies to enforce ever more restrictive economic and political regulations imposed on the colonists. Objections to Britain’s growingly imperialistic actions would result in the American Revolution.  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Age of Imperialism The Age of Imperialism spanned between the years 1500 and 1914. During the early 15th to the late 17th centuries, European powers such as England, Spain, France, Portugal, and Holland acquired vast colonial empires. During this period of â€Å"Old Imperialism† the European nations explored the New World seeking trade routes to the Far East and- often violently- establishing settlements in North and South America as well as in Southeast Asia. It was during this period that some of imperialism’s worst human atrocities took place. During the Spanish Conquistadors’ conquest of Central and South America in the 16th century, an estimated eight million indigenous people died in the era of imperialism’s first large-scale act of genocide.   Imperial Powers in 1898. Wikimedia Commons Based on their belief in the conservative economic theory of â€Å"Glory, God, and Gold,† the trade-motivated imperialists of the period saw colonialism purely as a source of wealth and a vehicle for religious missionary efforts. The early British Empire established its most profitable colonies in North America, the Caribbean, and India. Despite suffering a setback in the loss of its American colonies in 1776, Britain more than recovered by gaining colonies in India, Australia, and Latin America. By the end of the age of Old Imperialism in the 1840s, Great Britain had become the dominant colonial power with territorial holdings in India, South Africa, and Australia. At the same time, France controlled the Louisiana territory in North America and French New Guinea. Holland had colonized the East Indies, and Spain had colonized Central and South America. Due largely to its mighty navy’s dominance of the seas, Britain also readily accepted its role as keeper of world peace, later described as Pax Britannica or â€Å"British Peace.†Ã‚  Ã‚   The Age of New Imperialism While the European empires established footholds on the coasts of Africa and China, their influence over local leaders was limited. Not until the â€Å"Age of New Imperialism† that started in the 1870s did the European states establish their vast empires mainly in Africa, but also in Asia and the Middle East. New Imperialism and its effects on China. Henri Meyer - Bibliothà ¨que nationale de France Driven by their need to deal with the over-production- under-consumption economic consequences of the Industrial Revolution, the European nations pursued an aggressive plan of empire building.  Instead of merely setting up overseas trading settlements as they had during the 16th and 17th centuries, the new imperialists controlled the local colonial governments to their own benefit. The rapid advances in industrial production, technology, and transportation during the â€Å"Second Industrial Revolution† between 1870 and 1914 further boosted the economies of the European powers and thus their need for overseas expansion. As typified by the political theory of imperialism, the new imperialists employed policies that stressed their perceived superiority over â€Å"backward† nations. Combining the establishment of economic influence and political annexation with overwhelming military force, the European countries- highlighted by the juggernaut British Empire- proceeded to dominate most of Africa and Asia. By 1914, along with its successes in the so-called â€Å"Scramble for Africa,† the British Empire controlled the largest number of colonies worldwide, leading to the popular phrase, â€Å"The sun never sets on the British Empire.† U.S. Annexation of Hawaii One of the best recognized, if controversial, examples of American imperialism came with its 1898 annexation of the Kingdom of Hawaii as a territory. Through most of the 1800s, the U.S. government worried that Hawaii, a key mid-Pacific whaling and trade port, fertile ground for American protestant missions, and most of all, a rich new source of sugar from sugar cane production, would fall under the control of European empires. Indeed, during the 1930s both Britain and France forced Hawaii to accept exclusionary trade treaties with them. In 1842, U.S. Secretary of State Daniel Webster reached an agreement with Hawaiian agents in Washington to oppose the annexation of Hawaii by any other nation. In 1849, a treaty of friendship served as the basis of official long-term relations between the United States and Hawaii. By 1850, sugar accounted for 75% of Hawaii’s wealth. As Hawaii’s economy became increasingly dependent on the United States, a trade reciprocity treaty signed in 1875 further linked the two countries. In 1887, American growers and businessmen forced King KalÄ kaua to sign a new constitution stripping him of power and suspending the rights of many native Hawaiians. In 1893, King KalÄ kaua’s successor, Queen Lili’uokalani introduced a new constitution that restored her power and Hawaiian rights. Fearing that Lili’uokalani would impose devastating tariffs on American-produced sugar, American cane growers led by Samuel Dole plotted to depose her and seek the annexation of the islands by the United States. On January 17, 1893, sailors from the USS Boston, dispatched by U.S. President Benjamin Harrison, surrounded the Ê »Iolani Palace in Honolulu and removed Queen Lili’uokalani. U.S. Minister John Stevens was recognized as the islands’ de facto government, with Samuel Dole as president of the Provisional Government of Hawaii. In 1894, Dole sent a delegation to Washington officially seeking annexation. However, President Grover Cleveland opposed the idea and threatened to restore Queen Lili’uokalani as monarch. In response, Dole declared Hawaii an independent republic. In a rush of nationalism from the Spanish-American War, the United States, at the urging of President William McKinley, annexed Hawaii in 1898. At the same time, the native Hawaiian language was entirely banned from schools and government. In 1900, Hawaii became a U.S. territory, with Dole as its first governor. Demanding the same rights and representation of U.S. citizens in the then-48 states, native Hawaiians and non-white Hawaiian residents began to push for statehood. Nearly 60 years later, Hawaii became the 50th U.S. state on August 21, 1959. In 1987, the U.S. Congress restored Hawaiian as the state’s official language, and in 1993, President Bill Clinton signed a bill apologizing for the U.S. role in the 1893 overthrow of Queen Lili’uokalani.   The Decline of Classic Imperialism While generally profitable, imperialism, combined with nationalism, began to have negative consequences for the European empires, their colonies, and the world. By 1914, an increasing number of conflicts between the competing nations would erupt into World War I. By the 1940s, former World War I participants Germany and Japan, regaining their imperialistic power, sought to create empires across Europe and Asia, respectively. Driven by their desires to expand their nations’ spheres of world influence, Hitler in Germany and Emperor Hirohito of Japan would join forces to launch World War II. The tremendous human and economic costs of World War II greatly weakened the old empire-building nations, effectively ending the age of classic, trade-driven imperialism. Throughout the ensuing delicate peace and Cold War, decolonization proliferated. India along with several former colonial territories in Africa gained their independence from Britain. While a scaled-back version of British imperialism continued with its involvement in the Iranian coup d’à ©tat of 1953 and in Egypt during the 1956 Suez Crisis, it was the United States and the former Soviet Union that emerged from World War II as the world’s dominant superpowers. However, the ensuing Cold War from 1947 to 1991 would take a massive toll on the Soviet Union. With its economy drained, its military might a thing of the past, and its communist political structure fractured, the Soviet Union officially dissolved to emerge as the Russian Federation on December 26, 1991. As part of the dissolution agreement, the several colonial or â€Å"satellite† states of the Soviet empire were granted their independence. With the breakup of the Soviet Union, the United States emerged as the dominant global power and source of modern imperialism. Examples of Modern Imperialism No longer focused strictly on securing new trading opportunities, modern imperialism involves the expansion of corporate presence and the spreading of the dominant nation’s political ideology in a process sometimes pejoratively called â€Å"nation-building† or specifically in the case of the United States, â€Å"Americanization.† Uncle Sam Placing Spain on Notice in 1898.   Independence Seaport Museum / Public Domain As proven by the domino theory of the Cold War, powerful nations, like the United States, often attempt to block other nations from adopting political ideologies counter to their own. As a result, the United States’ failed 1961 Bay of Pigs Invasion attempt to overthrow the communist regime of Fidel Castro in Cuba, President Ronald Regan’s Reagan Doctrine intended to stop the spread of communism, and the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War are often cited as examples of modern imperialism. Aside from the United States, other prosperous nations have employed modern- and occasionally traditional- imperialism in attempts to expand their influence. Using a combination of hyper-aggressive foreign policy and limited military intervention, countries like Saudi Arabia and China have sought to spread their global influence. In addition, smaller nations like Iran and North Korea have been aggressively building their military capabilities- including nuclear weapons- in hopes of gaining an economic and strategic advantage.   While the United States’ true colonial holdings have declined since the era of traditional imperialism, it still exerts a strong and growing economic and political influence on parts of the world. The U.S. currently retains five permanently populated traditional territories or commonwealths: Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. All five territories elect a non-voting member to the U.S. House of Representatives. Residents of American Samoa are considered U.S. nationals, while residents of the other four territories are U.S. citizens. They are allowed to vote in primary elections for president, but they cannot vote in the general presidential election. Historically, most former U.S. territories, such as Hawaii and Alaska, eventually attained statehood. Other territories, such as the Philippines, Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, held mainly for strategic purposes during World War II, eventually became independent countries.   Sources and Further Reference Ferraro, Vincent. Theories of Imperialism. Resources for the Study of International Relations and Foreign Policy. Mount Holyoke College.Gallaher, Carolyn, et al. (2009). Key Concepts in Political Geography. London: SAGE. ISBN 978-1-4129-4672-8.The Soviet Union and Europe after 1945. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.Annexation of Hawaii, 1898. U.S. Department of State.Stephenson, Carolyn. Nation Building Beyond Intractability: Knowledge Base. January 2005.How the World Was Won: The Americanization of Everywhere. Book Review. The Guardian.U.S. Territories. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Analysis of the Source Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Analysis of the Source - Essay Example Lowen particularly contends that the information provided therein is misleading and does not reflect the actual scenario on the ground. The authors present the Californian education sector grappling with innumerable complaints from the public. The public is generally furious because of the fact that the curriculum does not exhaustively address all the historical aspects of the American people. They feel that this is manipulative and has detrimental lasting implications on the holistic wellbeing of the population. At this point in time, it cannot be disputed that the efforts that the authors have made in underscoring the contentious issue are immense. However, they have not been exhaustive and have provided minimal information about measures that can be undertaken to address the issue in a sustainable manner. The most important issue that the texts highlight pertains to the lack of inclusion of the historical background of the minorities in the education curriculum. The current texts place undue emphasis on the European culture and the weaknesses of the minority culture. This is not reflective of the current cultural scenario on the ground. Undoubtedly, the effects of this exclusion can have far reaching implications on the holistic wellbeing of the minorities. ... To a great extent, it also influences their decision making and related tendencies. The authors need to have clearly indicated that the need to align the curriculum to the expectations of the learners. This goes a long way in enhancing sustainability. An important issue is that the new educational framework demanded that the curriculum accurately portray the cultural and racial diversity of America’s society while emphasizing the â€Å"centrality of Western civilizations as the source of American political institutions, laws and ideology† (Reinhold, 26). According to the two authors, History and Social Studies do not reflect the students’ origin and background, but it depicts that of America. Certainly, America, which has been represented by the European culture, is given an upper hand. Arguably, the European culture is considered superior to the culture of the minorities. This is irrespective of the fact that minorities comprise a higher percentage of the Americ an population. The arguments provided by the authors would have been more insightful if this aspect was highlighted. As indicated earlier, the books purport stereotypes and overt biases of minorities (Reinhold 27). This is ironical of the purpose of education whose role needs to center on promoting the positive attributes of the minority populations. The government in this regard should take practical steps to address the issue. In particular, minority populations need to be also well represented in the education sector. Sadly, authors of the books and their publishers are out to maximize their profits in the writing and publication of the books (Ehman 96). The books are generally based on stereotypical

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Business objectives from an ethical perspective Essay

Business objectives from an ethical perspective - Essay Example Business objectives from an ethical perspective In order to achieve its objectives rightly, there are important measures a business has to refer to in its quest to achieve set objectives, these are the business ethics. Business ethics refers to a certain kind of applied or professional ethics, whose role in business is to make an examination of the manner in which moral values are followed in the business environment. It is important that a business, having set its objectives, devise ethical values to govern the manner in which it conducts its internal and external activities in achieving its set objectives. Business ethics defines the manner in which a business treats its staff, manages their affairs and responds to arising issues satisfactorily. At the same time, business ethics plays an important role in the way a business relates with its external environment, it ensures that competition is done in the best interest of all players in the industry. If a business fails to observe business ethics, then it is bound to affect its i nternal and external business operations including a possible confrontation with its stakeholders. Pfizer being a global company; it has a global vision of researching, manufacturing and delivering medicines for all people around the world. In this understanding, the company has created a statement upon which it operates, that is, â€Å"good health is vital† to all people. It has a major corporate objective of producing medicines that can prevent several diseases, currently; the company is working extensively to produce medicines that can cure and prevent some of the world’s most terminal diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer among others.

Monday, November 18, 2019

International Management Accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

International Management Accounting - Essay Example Answer: In the era of merging cultures and competition in businesses, the criticality of management role and decision-making strategies has increased significantly. Decision making on the basis of estimates and assumptions has far been obsolete. The need of a systematic approach for decision-making has been felt, by companies and organizations to improve the authenticity and accuracy of the decisions made (Gelinas et al., 2010). This need urges the researchers and analysts to devise a methodology, which covers the useful data and information about the company’s revenue, loss and expenditures, which could aid in making company plans and decisions accordingly. Previously, the method used for gathering information, which would be the base of management decisions, was the Management Information System (MIS) (Gelinas et al., 2010). This system was based on manual data collection and there were great chances of human error and delay in forming reports. Maintenance was another viable issue with this system, causing company much time and problems in extracting old data and statistics. Practices show that the ambiguity in the system, leads to unfair approach in the decision-making process, due to lack of accountability of executives to the investors or creditors (Gelinas et al., 2010). MIS was also influenced by the environment and society norms of the region. In many organizations, cultural and economic factors influence the decision-making strategy and proposals of the top level management (Nicolaou, 2000). Managers from two different religions, or two different backgrounds, would have different decision-making criterion and approach. Many a times this factor influences largely on their problem handling and planning approach, which differs from the real interest or objective of the organization. Thus, a functional method was needed, which could curtail the influence of cultural and socio-economic factors from the decision-making phenomenon (Nicolaou, 2000, pp.1 03). These factors accounts for the design of the accounting information method to use in decision-making by executives and managers. It is commonly known as the Accounting Information System (AIS), in the corporate market. Its function is to collect information and generate accurate statistical and financial reports of the company or organization. These reports are available to both the internal management and executives and the external management that are the shareholders, investors or the taxation agencies (Gelinas et al., 2010). With the accuracy and transparency AIS provides in its reports, people related to the company have a clear idea and company’s standing, and the financial ups and downs. Looking into the history of AIS, we can draw a picture, of the limitations and problems in its implementation on a wider scale. Based on computer-aided technology, AIS was installed as legacy systems, which were expensive to install and maintain. Moreover, only professionals could operate the format and language used in those systems, with high complexity in generating report and comparing two or more data (Beke, 2010).

Friday, November 15, 2019

A strategy and marketing plan for Coca Cola

A strategy and marketing plan for Coca Cola The strategic objective plan must be closed align to achieve targeted goal of any organisation. Effective and achievable market plan can support to meet ultimate goal of business organisation that can be profit maximization or the market leader. The effective marketing plan talks about generic strategies and strategies about pricing, distribution, promotion, advertising and market segmentation. In other hand market penetration, market share, profit margins, budget/finance, technology and culture. These are the way to meet the main objective of business. Beside of these, this research highlight mainly how strategy of organisation impact or supports on the marketing plan. When a business organisation introduces a product the organisation should have concerned marketing action plan that takes construction of the marketing plan. Marketing plan must support and promote the strategic objective of the business organisation. This research going to talk about coca cola Company which is worlds largest beverage company providing beverages such as 100 percent fruit juices and fruit drinks, sports and energy drinks, teas and coffees and milk and soy-based beverage. The main objective of this assignment is enlightening the strategic objective of coca- cola Company by relating with impact, construction and promotion or support of marketing plan. Strategic objective of Coca-Cola Company or formation of marketing plan gives the solid shape or action program of marketing plan. Evaluating and relating marketing plan with strategic objective of Coca-Cola Company. The assignment is appeared extremely play role in our study to understand the phases of the marketing plan that is situation analysis marketing strategic mix, decision, implementation and control. In one hand this assignment talks about alignment of marketing plan or phases with strategic objectives and on the other hand this assignment gives strategic marketing crucial idea to global challenge on marketing field and solution. And other hand this study gives in-depth knowledge on making marketing decision, on marketing competition, on target market and how to maximize the profit and sales. This research highlights on five different sections. In first section identifying and justifying objective of assignment and in second sections accessing organisational research, third section evaluating the risk and opportunities fourth section marketing strategies and ultimately in five section is implementing and monitoring the marketing plans and conclude with analysis and recommendation. 1.1 Explaining the strategy of the Coca-Coal impacts on marketing plan. Every organisation should have business plan which is regularly reviewed in order to regulate the business smoothly. Most of the plans are planed by corporate leader. Normally Strategic plan guides by marketing in a business organisation. It makes three type of plan that is the annual plan the long range and strategic plan. So coca- cola Companys main strategic mission, vision and objectives are to refresh the world, to inspire moments of optimism and happiness, to create value and make difference similarly vision take place within people, known as quality beverage brand, anticipate and satisfy consumers needs. Create mutual enduring value to stake holders, profit maximization and achieve short term as well long term goal and be brand. To achieve the above strategic objective as well as vision and mission. Coca-cola Company launched powerade as a new product. (This product has been chosen by FIFA to Hydrate 2010 FIFA world cup) As per the changes business environment, business organisation must adapt market opportunities so, in order to maintain strategic fit of capabilities with marketplace. The decision implementation which comes from business analysis is called marketing planning. Strategic objective of coca-cola company gives the answer of question where we going? in long term and marketing plan talks about way, from generating business mission to implementing and controlling the result of plan. Jobbers six panning question helping to coca-cola Company, the first question help to sketch the present situation of company, second question gives the analyses of company, third question looking to future plan of company accordingly six question allow to know us the plan remains unchanged, if not then company modify its plan. Marketing is not evitable component part of the strategic objective. The marketing act as bridge to pass all information of market, which are the basic needs to make strategic planning. The coca-cola company made the every market decision on the basis of market information so marketing is no avoidable from strategic planning. B1) Coca Cola company is global company to achieve the mission coca-cola Company has been produced Powerade. Now it is in market as new product but as global company it has so many challenge in macro and micro level which is can affect to achieve goal. Mainly in macro factor coca-cola Company has consider following challenge. Political factors:- Political factors mainly refers to government policy such as financial policy, legislation priority sector of government and affect to business sector directly indirectly and coca cola company cannot escape from this. Economic factors: Being global company worlds economy can affect coca-cola company. In this category refers mainly interest rates, exchange rates national income, inflation, unemployment, stock market to these. Social factor: Change in social factor can affect the business organisation mainly in social impact arise from ageing population, attitudes to work, income distribution. Company should give attention desire of people which are differ to geographically, culturally, environmentally, coca-cola realise it because demand of Europe in different from Asia. Technological change: If refers the change in technology change in product. In coca-cola different variety of coca-cola is example of this. Environment: Environment include weather and climate change for coca-cola company. According, to Asian trends if weather is hot then the demand of coca-cola will increase. Legal factor: Legal factor includes mainly competitors law these all can increase extra burden for company. Rest of these, the market also play vital role success of mission vision as well as marketing plan. In market there are many components which affect directly indirectly to achieve the goal of company. Generally we consider market size, growth rates, trends, consumer income, interest, market segmentation and supplier of coca-cola company, competitive. Similarly in internal marketing audit or micro side of coca-cola there are many component which varies relation between strategies and marketing plan they are, market share, sales, profit margin, cost, strategic issues, effectiveness of marketing mix, marketing structure, marketing system. Above each and every internal as well as external component are considerable to make marketing plan. 1.2 Identifying the component part of marketing plan of Coca-Cola. B2) SWOT analysis it examine the companys strength, weakness, opportunities and threats. After SWOT analysis we get the better idea to set marketing plans. In current state, coca-cola strength in terms of human resource, finance, market. But in terms of competition this company is Strength Company because it is market leader of beverage market. FIGURE According to above figure (SWOT analysis) sows to coca-cola company how to turn weaknesses into strength and threats into opportunities. These types of change called conversion strategies in this way SWOT analysis helps to develop strategic marketing plan. The result of marketing audit and SWOT analysis leads to coca-cola company to define marketing objectives. Objectives set the new (powerade) product sell in which market to solve this question direct the company to strategic trust that is the generic option. FIGURE ANSOFF MARIX These marketing strategies talks about the alternative comprise: Market penetration/expiation:- existing product in existing markets, basically this strategies believes old customer will be continue and new customer also begin to buy the brand. Product development:- new/related products for existing markets, this strategy explain increasing sales by improvement of product. Market development:- existing product in new/ related markets, this strategies used to sell in same product in new market. Enter in new market:- new/related product for new/related markets, this strategies will prevail when new product are develop for new market. In the context product powerade is produced by coca-cola company on the basis of product development. BCG Market direction and strategic objective must be co-related and this open the way to decide the product BCG matrix is the tools to decide about product. BCG matrix approach can help to understand mistake which is frequently made by any business organisation in this matter the current situation of coca-cola and stand place of coca-cola. This analysis clearly gives product and service portfolio of coca-cola. The strength of company helps to exploit the most alternative opportunities which are available in market for this. The company must analysis its current business portfolio and decide where it should invest and develop the strategies. BCG matrix helps to develop the strategic plans. Market share Figure of BCG According to figure starts represents high market growth and high market share so it shows they should generate large amount of cash. Cash cows indicate low market growth and high market share it means investment needed should be low keep profit high. Similarly Dogs category business shows the market growth low and market share also low which means beware of expensive turn around plans. And question mark category business means high growth market and low market share it represent high demand due to low market share. According this BCG matrix analysis coca-cola company falling on cash cow where a low growth and high market share is. So, the profit and cash generation is high because of low growth, investment needed should be low. The amount received from cash cows are often used to help other business or to give dividends to stockholders. So coca-cola should hold on what going on. Core strategies indicate the appropriate market, competitors, competitive advantage, and effectiveness of core strategy, marketing mix decision implementation, and control. Target market gives information to coca-cola company about market segmentation. In other words we can say which market is suitable for the product powerade, furthermore market segmentation talks about the segment of market where costumers are enough for product because it is impossible that all population can be the costumer of that particular product. When the coca-cola company going in market it should give look towards its competitor. If the rival competitors positions are weak then it is easy to compete. The coca-cola has strong competitor Pepsi so it needs to do extra homework before interning in market. Another component of core strategy is competitive advantage the coca-cola company can exploit competitive advantage by giving look in quality, relatively low price, providing unique service. The strategies should be sustainable so coca-cola company test the effectiveness of core strategy by using these components which is stating in figure. FIGURE P- 50,2.6 According to figure all component should support to the core strategy. In decision making process coca-cola should do homework in term of price level, promotional techniques of employ distribution methods. The most importance part of marketing plan is implementation part, it evaluate the plan is strong or week. And it needs to be revised and changed if it needed it called controlling process. 1.3 Identifying issues of risk of marketing plan of Coca-Coal. Even though there are many example of failure marketing plan because of conflict in management team, reward system, information system, culture, personalities, politics, lack of knowledge and skills. These components are enough to create risk within the coca-cola company. However, there are many methods of conflict dissolve some of them are: Senior management support:- the management should be commitment in the plan and act as middle man to give the total support. Match the planning system with culture of business:-as the example of the business top-down/bottom-up these culture can bring conflict in business. The reward system:-this should reward the achievement of long-term objective rather then exclusively focus on short-term result. Communication:-plan should be communicate within the member who are directly or indirectly involve in plan. Training and development:-training should be provided if necessary. These activities help to minimise the risk of marketing plan in implementing process of coca-cola company. Construction of marketing plan 2.1 Identifying the level of importance of each component of the plan Construction of marketing plan is no thing but it gives a concrete way to meet the strategic objective of a business. Mainly it talks about marketing audit, SWOT analysis issue, marketing strategy, market mix, finance, control and implementation. Mainly component of plan co-ordinate and integrate to all tools of marketing. Component of the plan and its important briefly. Marketing has been defined as the task of finding and filling needs. Marketing plans comes in a business organisation as supporting plan of strategic objectives. Organisation should have to make different marketing plan to different product and brand. In a marketing plan includes executive summary, the current marketing situation, threats and opportunities, objective and issues, marketing strategies, action programmes, budgets and controls. Component Importance Executive summary To present a quick overview of the plan for quick management review Current marketing situation This represent the current position of company that means background, product, competition and distribution SWOT analysis It is important because it show the companys strength, weakness, opportunities and threats Objective and issues In this areas the main issues of companys are sales, market share, profit etc that will affect the objectives of the company Marketing strategy It is important to approach to achieve the strategic objective Action programmes It gives the way, time boundary, cost so it is very important Finance/Budget This gives the constraint of finance to achieve the goal Control Indicates how the progress of plan will be monitored. Marketing Mix: To match the consumer needs coca-cola company develops the marketing mix. Manly marketing mix gives the better knowledge about four major elements. Basically it called 4Ps framework marketing mix, now it extended to 7Ps. They are product, price, place, promotion, people, process, physical evidence. The Coca-Cola Company has using 7Ps framework to make decision. And some company has used 4Cs framework also. Effective marketing mix gives decision about targeted costumer groups and choice of costumer or needs of costumer at product or service level. The roles of marketing mix in decision making place of coca-cola company are as tools to give information about competitive advantage, well blended, corporate resources. FIGURE OF EFFECTIVE MARKETING MIX p.19, f1.7 The coca-cola company directed by marketing mix that is clear performance differ from competitor so the company is single leader in beverage market. The marketing mix of coca-cola is well blended; the marketing strategy is well joined with strategy. Even though the company has some weakness in term of product, if company give a look in product then it can perform better than present. This survey show powerade should develop more new flavours according to future market demand. Powerade should update its test and out look of the bottle. In addition powerade should consider dropping flavours that show weak sales in order to accommodate new flavours. In effective marketing mix should have some characteristics the marketing mix should give decision. Which decision can address customers needs, can exploit competitive advantage, and can match with companys strategy, and well blended with 4Ps or 7Ps or 4Cs framework. These things only cover by 7Ps framework so the 7Ps framework marketing mix is effective to coca-cola company. 2.2 Identifying mitigation strategies for high risk components of the plan of Coca-Cola The introduction stages starts when products lunched in this period sales will be very slow, must of the organisation faced negative profit and high cost. There are some stages where organisation has to face high risk in innovation of new product. When the coca-cola company launched powerade the stages are: where high risk product development stage Introduction stage Growth stage After passing these stages product will be in maturity stage where organisation make more profit and try to stay in this stage after this stage is decline stage which is also risk and here need to some force/change to stay in maturity stage. The action plan, basically developing a very detailed list of to do thing where we included task, time and budget or cost framework with relating marketing mix the coca-cola company in estimate the budget and talks in marketing about activities. The company have decided the typical marketing expense to promote of Powerade. The areas of expense are marketing communication, market research, promotion, advertisement and public relations. The budget should response the key question which are arise from business mission, market audit, SWOT analysis, marketing objectives, strategies, decision implementation and finally control. The action plan is control by financial capability of the organisation. Plan cannot go very far from their budget. Budget talks about resource allocation where includes the particular of income and expenditure mainly coca-cola company divides into tow parts that is income and expenditure. The coca-cola companys main income sources are investment, sales, share, interest, etc similarly in cost side there are two types of cost that is fixed and variable cost. Fixed cost remain always same in short-term and variable overhead are depends upon unit of production. Coca-cola Company forecast the range of income and expenditure on the basis of previous income and expenditure or coca-cola company make budget on the basis of past year. The main headings of variable cost are raw materials, labour, selling and distribution etc. Marketing mix gives the core knowledge on four major elements product, price, place, promotion. Further more this framework inform about consumers needs, how to exploit the competitive advantage it blend the core strategy with marketing mix, and it helps to match corporate resources. These all things help to make right decision to headed coca-cola company. 2.3 Producing marketing plan for Coca-Cola Coca-cola Company is using the marketing mix as a tool of decision making. Marketing mix control to company it gives the information to the company whether marketing implication is in right direction or not the marketing mix of the powerade giving information to company about the powerade as a product performing well or it needs to change to change or modify in which place if performing well and where it should perform. The price set in it is reachable for customer or needs to change. What tools are using to promote it or what promotion tools are using by company like advertisement, offers, modification in shape and size, addition satisfied? And skilful people or staff, they can influence the organisation, physical evidence process where research it, physical product design which put great important in marketing mix of the powerade. Budget can influence to the marketing plan of the company if company has enough budget then marketing plan can extend programme and if company is not strong economically then company should minimize the action. In other words marketing activities or plan, keep on tract by budget over the period. There is no hard and fast rule that your marketing budget should be limits. We can assume if you planning to lunch new product then you may increase budget figure in practice 10% of your expected gross sales in maximum. So every marketing plan will control by budget. The marketing plan of powerade structure are executive summary current market situation, SWOT analysis objective and issues marketing strategy, action programmes budgets and controls incorporating to developed marketing plan for coca-cola. 3.1 Discussing how the plan support strategic objectives of Coca-Cola The coca-cola company has strategic objective some of them are to refresh the world, to inspire moment of optimum, create value and make difference, achieve the sustainable quality growth, maintain weight action and decision within the customer, take place within customer. Bring the worlds portfolio of quality beverage, create mutual enduring value within partners, maximized the profit, learn and fast moving productivity, maintain the winning culture, focus on market, work smart, etc. To gain these strategic objective marketing plan be the support programmes. The innovation of power is one of the brick of the strategic objectives. Powerade is innovative product which helping to keep satisfy customer and support by giving sports players. Now a day Powerade will concentrate on solidifying its position in the current market and aggressively targeting more casual athletes. Powerade focussing test as well which are helps to extent the market and maximize the profit. Similarly satisfy the customers desire of water. The most important part of the market strategy is to vastly expand coverage take advantage economics of scale and use the channels of coca-cola. The coca-cola company cant go far because there are budget and some controlling components constrain. The budget word itself talks, use of limited resources for rational distribution. *Within coca-cola company strategic plans are guided marketing plans. In marketing plans it has typical structure with respective purpose which is incorporated while developing marketing plan for coca-cola company. The proposes are: present a quick overview of the plan for quick management review, The marketing audit that presents background data on the market, product, competition, and distribution. The SWOT analysis presents companys main strength, weakness, and opportunities and threats facing. Defines the coca-cola companys objectives in the area like sales, market share, and profit which affect the companys objective issue, marketing strategy that presents the board marketing approach that will be use to achieve the plans of objective, action programme which specify the action plan of product Powerade and responsibilities, budget forecast the profit and loss and expected financial out comes from the plan. Control indicates the progress of the marketing plans of the Powerade and monitoring. The marketing plans of coca-cola company guided by its strategic objective marketing plans focus on distribution side like sales, consumer, profit, market share/growth, these all things guides by strategic objectives. The strategic objective and marketing plan more like same but marketing plan act as support of strategic objective. According to Jobber, there are some marketing structures. They are practiced in different company. No marketing department:-In practice small company cant afford all department financially so owners of this type of organisation function as marketing department. Functional organisation:-The small companies grow or importance of marketing realised, then this type company up great the sales as marketing department. Product-based organisation:-In this type of organisation establish marketing department for focusing a specific single product/product, their key role is to promote the brand/product. Matrix organisation:-this type of organisation use to produce wide rang of product to focusing diverse market the structure resembles a grid. Market-centred organisation:-These types of organisation focus on market demand or they develop new product on the basis of costumer needs and requirement. For example coca-cola company is market centred company it producing product as costumers test, preference feedback. FIGURE 20.11 p 777 In initial stage of implementing new marketing plan of company there were many questions within the staff and they resist directly or indirectly. To solve the resistance the company use to use various tools, one of them is reward system. It can give positive impression in the success of marketing planning in short-term as well as long term. The coca-cola company using reward system as motivation tools to staff. When coca-cola lunched powerade it announced some incentives to promote the plan they are commission for the sales depart according to their performance, 7% bonus of profit to all staff, upgrading to best performer staff. These types of reward system helps to break resistance and run the plan smoothly with full support of all staff in short-term. And in long-term reward system help to coca-cola company to implement and meet the marketing goal as well as achieve strategic plan. To implement the marketing plan successfully Wilson and Giligan introduced five point frameworks are very important and implacable for coca-cola company. Coca-cola Company has strategic linked short-run and long-run programme. These programmes are synergy with various element of marketing mix. Every segment is assessing appropriate criteria for performance. Resources are allocated rationally and with provision of review. Every product and decisions are interlinked with strategic marketing. These five points framework are helping to coca-cola company to be sensitive in consumer side, market side and to be conscious with risk Kotler et al has prescribed process of measuring and evaluating of the marketing plans control is very useful to coca-cola company. Set goals talks about what coca-cola is heading. Measuring performance it means what is happing in performance in coca-cola. Evaluating is coca-cola doing well? Corrective action what coca-cola should need to do? These controlling tools help to focus the company to achieve the ultimate goals. Jobbers concept is more concentred towards costumers satisfaction it talks about day-to-day on going Marketing activities the coca-cola company is using following tools as controlling measure. Customer satisfaction measurement:-To measure customers satisfaction coca-cola company using interview method. Sales and market share analysis:-The Company using over sales revenue to measure the sales performance and for market share it using comparison with its rival company. Cost and profitability analysis:-the company using cost and revenue analysis as control measure. (D.1-last) Assess the role of informationà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.. To implement the marketing plan of Pawerade successfully it is necessary to flow information top to down. So, coca-cola company used various ways to convey the massage, such as IT, meetings, seminars, notice board, etc. There are vital role of information system à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.. Marketing control

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

rite of passage Essays -- essays research papers

All people have an experience of  ¡Ã‚ °Rite of Passage ¡Ã‚ ± because it is necessary to be an adult. What is Rite of Passage? It means a ritual or ceremony signifying an event in a person's life indicative of a transition from one stage to another, as from adolescence to adulthood. In the story  ¡Ã‚ °Barn Burning ¡Ã‚ ± by William Faulkner, Sarty, who was the son of barn burner- Abner Snopes, he experienced his Rite of Passage at the end of the story. Although his decision leads to his father ¡Ã‚ ¯s death, it helps him to independent from his father. I think he made the correct decision not only for himself, but also for his family and society. First, his decision is for himself- Sarty. His father, Abner Snopes, always affects him in terrible ways. Not only his father forces him to listen to his own rules, but also he makes him to lie to people and society to protect him. At the beginning of the story, it starts in the courtroom because his father is accused of burning a neighbor ¡Ã‚ ¯s barn. Sarty is called to the stand, but because the plaintiff is finally unwilling to force him to testify against his own father, the case is closed, and the father, Abner Snopes, is advised to leave that town. Back in the courtroom, his father warns his son,  ¡Ã‚ °You got to learn to stick to your own blood or you ain ¡Ã‚ ¯t going to have any blood to stick to you. ¡Ã‚ ± He lies to save his father from the society, even though Sarty knows his father is wrong. Not only his father can ¡Ã‚ ¯t fit into the society, but also he made hi...

Sunday, November 10, 2019

The Korean War: Tactics and Logistics

The Second World War officially ended in the year 1945. It was a devastating war that many hoped that it should be fitting to end all wars and for a change give the world a breathing space, to be granted that very elusive peace. Yet, perhaps those who wished for a world in harmony after World War II may have underestimated mankind’s appetite of some leaders who wanted to be supreme rulers of the globe. So, five years after the guns were silenced in the Great Theater of war in Europe, another dangerous conflict is brewing in Korea. Here, one can see a display of things to come because Vietnam and Afghanistan are still future events.  In the Korean War the world became witness to what happens when superpowers decide to play chess. Unfortunately, this game is not played the traditional way with wooden pieces and all. This time the chessboard is the Korean Peninsula and the pieces are either the native Koreans or imported as in soldiers coming in from all over the world. It is interesting to note that this is not a World War in the truest sense of the term, but the true players are global leaders who happened to confine their violent resolution in a specific location, Korea. The United States, Russia, North and South Korea, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and other Asian nations were participants in this war of attrition. The battle lines were drawn and it was named the 38th parallel. This allowed for a little bearing in a very confusing time, hoping to give a little bit of clarity in a very agitating situation. According to Carter Malkasian, â€Å"It was the only occasion in the Cold War when the military forces of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Soviet Union, and the USA (plus its Western allies) met in combat [†¦] Thus, the Korean War was not merely a war fought between proxies of the major powers, like the latter conflicts in Vietnam or Afghanistan, but a much more significant conflagration† (p. 7). This paper seeks to understand the Korean War. This can be done by looking at a brief historical background before the war and the events that added fuel to the tension between two Korean governments. Since the Korean War like many conflicts is so complicated this study focuses on tactics and logistics, and less on the historical figures that played a major role in this important period not only for Koreans but for Asians in particular and the world in general. Historical Background The Korean War was sometimes called the â€Å"Forgotten War† and this may be so because like Vietnam there are only a few people who understand its significance. Yet an â€Å"†¦outpouring of books, articles and film in the last decade as well as an impressive memorial on Washington, DC’s Mal (and the realization that) †¦it would be practically impossible to understand the Cold War†¦Ã¢â‚¬  have created a revival of interest on this subject (Sandler, p. 1).  The conflict in this area of the world does not surprise the experts and the grizzled veterans of war. In fact the professional soldier can easily read the undercurrent of history and be able to predict what will happen in the struggle for power and supremacy. This was eerily demonstrated by a seemingly prophetic Commodore Matthew Perry when he spoke these words in the year 1856, a century before the Korean War: The people of America will, in some form or other, extend their dominion and their power [†¦] upon the eastern shores of Asia. And I think too, that eastward and southward will her great Russian rival [†¦] The antagonistic exponents of freedom and absolutism must thus meet at last, and then will be fought that mighty battle on which the world will look with breathless interest; for on its issue will depend the freedom or the slavery of the world (as cited in Huston, p. 200). It boggles the mind of the average person when analyzing as to how Commodore Perry was able to ascertain his claims. What is more amazing is the accuracy of his predictions. It is like looking in a crystal ball and seeing very clearly what will happen. And indeed what Perry prophesied came to pass. Russia became a superpower and just like what the Commodore had said, the Russian government exerted tremendous influence over China. And of course his final statement about the necessity of a crucial war that will showcase the fight for freedom as opposed to absolutism was also played out just as he predicted. This can only mean that even before the first bullet crossed the 38th parallel, there are already forces at work even as far back as the late 19th century. Perry was able to read the signs and the saw the root cause of conflicts in this part of Asia. Yet it was only in the 1950s when the seed planted by those who wanted to control this region grew and blossomed into a passion that could only be satisfied with conquest. Blindsided Commodore Perry was praised here because of his foresight, a very important talent that a general should possess. If only the leaders of the free world in the 1950s were as gifted, then things would have turned out differently. But as fate would have it, from the U.S. and UN side was able anticipate what is going to happen. Either they were blindsided by the Communists or they were preoccupied by their paranoia. And that paranoia is brought about by the fear of being overrun by a westward move by the Union Soviet Socialist Republic. Stanley Sandler remarked on this and he wrote: A Soviet thrust into Western Europe seemed a far more threatening contingency than a possible dust-up between two unattractive regimes in a bleak former Japanese colony that most Americans could not find on a map. But Americans [†¦] would become acquainted with Korea in a war that would turn out be the third bloodiest in their history [†¦] and which for Koreans themselves would prove the greatest catastrophe in their national history (p. 2). First Blood It depends which side is asked. For the U.S. and UN Command, it was the North Koreans who drew first blood and attacked without warning nor any form of declaration of war. It seems that history is repeating itself once again for Americans just like in Pearl Harbor. But according to the communist-backed regime they were just retaliating from what the South has been doing for the past several months. The truth of the matter is that both sides were engaged in skirmishes that were serious prelude to war. Sandler asserts that it was an, â€Å"†¦armed conflict between the Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea and the Republic of South Korea, which had been conducting mutual border raids for more than a year† (p. 2).  At any rate the U.S. led forces were caught by surprise that fateful day of June 25, 1950. Even if they will deny it, it is now clear that the North were prepared to launch an attack and the offensive move was purely intentional. Buildup Kim Il Sung the de facto leader of the newly established North Korean Regime began to make plans to invade South Korea. This plan was of course made in secret but nevertheless in close coordination with Russia’s Stalin and China’s Mao Tse-tung. According to Allan Millett the origin of this plan can be traced back to a change in the policy of Kim Il Sung’s benefactor to communize the whole Korean Peninsula (p. 102). It seems that Russia is no longer contented with being kept in check by a ridiculous 38th parallel and would like very much to gobble the whole Korean Peninsula. â€Å"The Soviets, however, came to realize that the goal of communizing the entire peninsula could not be achieved through such limited tactics, and decided to resort to more violent means† (Millet, p. 102). In December of 1948 the Soviets made the first tactical move to befuddle the U.S. by withdrawing their troops unilaterally out of North Korea. Then the Russian government turned around and invited the top brass of North Korea and China’s military for a buildup. Millet bared that the troika agreed to â€Å"†¦build up the strength of the North Korea People’s Army (NKPA), around 6 shock divisions, 8 combat and 8 reserve divisions, and 2 armored divisions and to complete the war preparations within 18 months (i.e., by June 1950)† (p. 103). The NKPA was able to do all of these like clockwork revealing a tremendous level of preparedness and dangerous intent. Level of Preparedness While the NKPA was psychologically and physically prepared to engage in battle the ROK (Republic of Korea) army though prepared for future skirmishes and for another round of border raids was not truly ready for a full scale war. The South was not ready to face an enemy dead set in gobbling them up and desiring to unite the whole peninsula once again. It took at least five days after the initial offensive of NKPA for the U.S. to make a coherent response. â€Å"On June 30, US President Harry S. Truman authorized US ground forces to stop the North Korean attack† (Boose, p. 4). This led to losses in the early rounds of the fighting and led Boose to comment, â€Å"It was able to do little to delay the KPA, but additional forces were on the way† (p. 4). Aside from differing interests and the reasonably defective intelligence from the Western nations – or they would have known of an imminent attack – there is the psychological reason for being unprepared. Sandler made a comment why it was unlikely for the Korean Peninsula to be plunged into such a bloody conflict. And he wrote: In looking back (before World War II) †¦ it would be difficult to imagine a more homogeneous and united nation than Korea. [†¦] they are of the same culture with minor north-south variations throughout the peninsula, and the Korean language – Hangul – is universal. Korean cultural homogeneity can be illustrated in its place name, a source of confusion for non-Korean UN personnel throughout the war: Inchon/Ichon, Masan/Musan, Paengnyong/Pyongyan/Pyonggang Pyongchang, Taejon/Taechon, Pukchong/Pukchang†¦(p. 3). That and the eighteen month head start is creating a great advantage for the NKPA. In the end this advantage would create a stalemate and would result in the present division of Korea and the unexpected survival of this communist state even though its patron the great USSR had long been dismantled. NKPA Preparedness The North Korean and the communist forces were not only decisive and aggressive they were able to create a force enough to challenge U.S. and UN supremacy in the South. The book, â€Å"Communist Logistics in the Korean War† by Charles Shrader is an excellent source in getting an in-depth look at what happened on the other side. Too many times the victors or the presumed victors in the case of the Korean War are all too willing to gloss over their mistakes and hype their successes. The focal point of this book is the refutation of the myths perpetuated by the Americans and UN forces that were then passed on to people back home and unfortunately was taken in as gospel truth. Shrader asserts and this is quite a revelation: One of the more persistent myths of the Korean War is that North Korean and Chinese communist solders were able to subsist on a mere handful of rice per day obtained all their arms and ammunition from their enemies, and moved all supplies by animal cart or human porters. Although supply requirements of NKPA and CCF in Korea were amazingly low when compared to the requirements for equivalent UNC units, the Communist forces did generate substantial requirements for formal supply and transport forward of tremendous quantities of food, petroleum products, weapons, and ammunition (p. 89). The U.S. and UN led coalition were more technically advanced but this is not the most important thing in any given war. It is the level of preparedness that is important. That level of preparedness can only be gauged in relation to the environment where a battle will be waged. Let’s say for example that forces are slugging it out in a heavy-forested area with a very steep incline. No matter how sophisticated the military jeeps are, this kind of technology will be rendered effective. In another example where the passageway in a body of water is narrow and shallow no matter how technologically advanced the frigates are it would be foolish to attack using this route since one sunken vessel can immobilize the whole fleet. In other words tactics and logistics are the most important aspects to consider and not just technology. This is the bone of contention in Shrader’s books – the South Korean forces was wrong in thinking that they were technically superior. This led Shrader to remark that:  NKPA-CCF logistical doctrines and methods were characterized by flexibility and innovation, which allowed them to compensate for comparative lack of material resources and modern technology [†¦] NKPA and CCF logistical organizations were equally flexible and often exhibited great variation in form, strength, and equipment of the assigned service units (p. 25). What contributed well to the high level of preparedness by the NKPA – aside from the Soviet support of course – is the broad range of natural resources present in North Korea. This includes water, power, timber, rare strategic materials e.g. tungsten, zinc, graphite reserves, substantial iron ore deposits, copper, lead, cobalt, asbestos, molybdenum, nickel, gold and silver (Shrader, p. 60). This resulted to an almost miraculous surge in North Korea’s war time production of needed materiel that surpassed pre-1945 levels: 1) 166,000 tons of pig iron; 2) 144,000 tons of steel ingot; and 3) 116,000 tons of finished steel (Shrader, p. 61). Summing it all up the major source of military materiel came via USSR which supplied the NKPA with aircraft, tanks, vehicles, communications equipment, heavy artillery, and ammunition. In addition to that, a portion of their needs were supplied by third country suppliers (Shrader, p. 60).  Thus when the communist forces launched the initial attack in June of 1950 their combined forces produced the following massive force in the eve of the attack:  Ã¢â‚¬ ¦135,000 men in two corps comprising eight full-strength infantry divisions, two half-strength infantry divisions, an armored brigade, an independent infantry regiment, a motorcycle reconnaissance regiment, and five brigades of the Bo An Dae, or Border Constabulary (Shrader, p. 90). What is more amazing is the development of the NKPA forces after the 1950s. After suffering setbacks from the retaliatory attacks of the UN command, the NKPA in the middle of 1951 the â€Å"rebuild NKPA included 213,600 men in twenty-three infantry divisions, one mechanized division, one armored division, and two independent infantry brigades controlled by seven corps headquarters. NKPA strength peaked in October 1952 at around 266,000 men in eighteen divisions and six independent brigades† (Shrader, p. 90). If this was not enough to give the South Koreans and its allies a full plate, the Chinese and the Soviets entered the fray in the guise of helping a beleaguered brother-in-arms. The forces supplied by the People’s Republic of China was more than enough to bring this regional level conflict into World War scale. The following data proves the serious intent of the communist bloc: By late November 1950 some 300,000 Chines Communist troops were in Korea: 180,000 in the six armies (eighteen divisions) of the XIIIth Army Group [†¦] 120,000 in the three armies (twelve divisions) of the IXth Army Group [†¦] on 1 July 1952, fify-one CCF divisions with some 540, 200 men manned the line across Korea from the west coast to the central Taebaek Range and were supported by about 10,000 Soviet and Soviet-bloc advisors and technicians (Shrader, p.90).  This is the extent of the level of North Korea’s preparedness and a sample of their resolve to win this war. ROK Preparedness Stanley Sandler in a few words was able to encapsulate the true state of South Korea’s forces before the attack by saying that June 25, 1950 was a Sunday and that fully one-half of the ROK Army was on leave (p. 48).  In the initial stage of the attack which was not at all done quietly and with any subtlety: heavy bombardment, followed by a blitzkrieg attack of some 150 Soviet-built T-34-85, 110 warplanes and a crossing of the 38th Parallel by a rampaging Korean People’s Army. Still there was an awfully delayed reaction to the events at hand. Sandler explained the reason for such a weak response due to the aforementioned soldiers who were on leave, the high number of civilian leaders who were out of the country and the mistaken notion that what just occurred was another border raid.  With regards to the presence of U.S. troops, Gordon Rottman lamented that fact that it was such in great shape a mere five years before the conflict and would have come handy in a time like this. But Rottman revealed that the U.S. government intentionally reduced its military strength not only in Korea but also in the Far East. Rottman comments on the closest source for help which are the forces stationed in Japan and he wrote: Tank companies stationed in Japan had only M24 light tanks as Japanese roads and bridges could not support heavier M4A3 and M26 tanks. M24s were no match for North Korean T-34s, one of the best tanks to appear in World War II. The divisions in Japan also lacked their reconnaissance, military police, and replacement companies [†¦] These divisions consisted of 12,500 to 13,600 troops rather than the full-strength 18,804 (p. 3). At first glance, South Korea does not stand a chance against the forces of Communism. Ironically, the same benefactor who gave NKPA a tactical and logistical advantage (USSR) became the source of their demise. Sensing that the North/South conflict is just a prelude for something bigger Russia’s enemies were banded together for a common cause, which is to prevent the USSR and Communism from expanding worldwide. This resulted in a pledge of commitment to provide support in a scale reminiscent of Word War II. When the NKPA was not able to achieve total victory, this gave the U.S. and UN led coalition to regroup and pose a decent defense of South Korea. Rottman expounded on this idea by saying that: The Korean War was to be the UN’s first commitment of armed forces to conduct and end a war [†¦] the UN called on all member nations to support the military effort in Korea. Fifty-three countries approved of armed action against North Korea: 15 committed ground combat forces, nine provided naval forces, six sent air force elements, and five contributed medical support, either military or civilian (p. 117). Bright Spot In general there is nothing that U.S. armed forces could be proud of in the Korean War. There was really no clear victor, no territory was gained and as mentioned earlier it was the third bloodiest in the history of war where casualties are at a significant high.  The only good thing that could be seen or learned from this incident is the demonstration of what bravery and commitment can do to an organization. Here one can also see the difference between a regular soldier in the U.S. Army as opposed to the brave and the few of the U.S. Marine Corp. Hugh Deane quoted Andrew Greer when describing the essence of being a marine, â€Å"In any small unit battle the outstanding behavior of a few men is always discernible over the others [†¦] The scale is tipped by a few – by the ten percent – who rise to the heights where the enemy and death can be met without a hesitant step† (p. 97). British historian Max Hastings remarked, â€Å"Most of the Eight Army fell apart as a fighting force in a fashion resembling the collapse of the French in 1940, the British in Singapore in 1942. But he reported the praiseworthy strong resistance of the U.S. Marines in the northeast† (as cited in Deane, p. 111). A particular example was raised by Deane when he commented on the enemy’s attack tactics that looked like suicide attempts characterized by sending small units that more often than not gets wiped out. This is followed by wave after wave of such small unit attacks against a selected point until a breakthrough is achieved and here comes the main force. This was effective in demoralizing troops. But according to Deane this would not work against the marines. â€Å"†¦but against the marines in the Northeast the results were often frustrating. The marines constructed strongly fortified outposts in the hilly-forested Chosin area and defended them fiercely with a good deal of success (p. 129). Conclusion Almost all wars are considered a waste of time, money, effort and lives of men. The Korean War was no exception. Considering the following statistics makes one shake hid head over the folly of war:  The North Korean armed forces lost approximately 600,000 men in the fighting, in addition to two million civilian casualties. The Chinese [†¦] an estimated 1 million casualties. Losses to the ROK are estimated at 70,000 killed, 150,000 wounded and 80,000 captured. One million South Korean civilians were killed or injured. The USA lost 33,600 men kiled nad 103,200 wounded (Malkasian, p. 88). What adds insult to injury is the futility of not having a clear victor, no territories were gained and nothing significant was achieved except perhaps for a few lessons in the book of tactics. The level of preparedness of both camps explained the reason for the stalemate. The South Korea side was backed up by a technologically superior U.S. and UN led coalition but it was not mentally prepared to wage this war. Almost every action done on the part of South Korea was mostly reactionary and defensive. Most importantly, the United States was treading on thin ice since a miscalculation and overkill can easily escalate the regional conflict into a global war. With the Second World War fresh from people’s minds there is no incentive to go full force. Although the NKPA was well prepared and very much flexible in their serious bid to unite the Korean Peninsula it does not have the technological edge to overpower the U.S. and UN forces. On a more important note, the attack on South Korea was a supposed to be a defensive act. Therefor the USSR could not be seen as fully involved and thus it can only work from the background.  That sums up the futility of this exercise but nevertheless it is a good prelude to understand the Cold War and the other similar conflicts that came after it like Vietnam and Afghanistan. References Deane, H. (1999). The Korean War. San Francisco, CA: China Books and Periodicals, Inc. Huston, J. A. (1988). Outposts and Allies: U.S. Army Logistics in the Cold War. New Jersey: Associated University Press. Malkasian, C. (2001). The Korean War. University Park, IL.: Osprey Publishing. Shrader, C. (1995). Communist Logistics in the Korean War. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Millet, A. R. (1997). The Korean War. Seoul: Korea Institute of Military History. Sandler, S. (1999). The Korean War: No Victors, No Vanquished. Kentucky: University of Kentucky Press. Rottman, G. (2002). Korean War Order of Battle. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers.            

Friday, November 8, 2019

Gemologists essays

Gemologists essays Gemologists have a duty to carefully examine each gem and test them before it can be appraised. Gemologists cannot identify or appraise gemstones based on sight alone; one of the first things a gemologist is taught to do is not to identify gemstones without a few simple tests. Gemologists must constantly be aware of stone treatments or enhancements such as heating, irradiation, impregnation, stabilization, dying, bleaching and using lasers. For example, if a gem appears red, green or blue, it does not necessarily mean it is a ruby, emerald or sapphire respectively. The lack of proper testing procedures can often lead to substantial dollar amount differences on the appraisal line. Simply put, a gemologist studies the quality, characteristics and value of gem stones. They grade gemstones on the basis of their color, clarity, and the presence or absence of flaws. Gemologist can go two routes in their profession; some specialize in cutting gemstones, while others specialize in matching gemstones with jewelry settings. Often, gemologists sell jewelry and provide appraisal services. Several gemologist are even hired by insurance companies offer their own appraisal services for those customers who wish to insure certain pieces of jewelry. Years of specialized training is required in order to become a prestigious gemologist. Gemologists must learn about the many different gemstones and their chemical composition. Also, they learn the crystal structures of gemstones and must understand how it enhances a gem. Gemologists will undergo training in gem appraisal and cutting in order to become qualified in their field. This involves examining different gemstones in order to become familiar with identifying their original characteristics of each gem. They learn the tricks of the trade through vocational or technical schools. Colleges and art and design schools also offer programs that can lead to a Bachelor of Fine Arts or Master of Fine A ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

malkovich and steppenwolf essays

malkovich and steppenwolf essays In 1976, John Malkovich joined Chicagos Steppenwolf Theatre. His friend Gary Sinise founded the Steppenwolf theatre. Although not officially established until 1976, Steppenwolf began performing plays informally in a church basement in Highland Park under the leadership of Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry, and Gary Sinise. John Malkovich got his first film experience as an extra in Robert Altmans 1978 feature Wedding. A. Seven years later Malkovich showed up in New York and won an Obie in the play True West. He then went on to appear with Dustin Hoffman in the Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman and won an Emmy after it was made into a Television Movie the following year. Malkovichs box office debut came in Places in the Heart in 1984 where he earned an Academy Award Nomination for best supporting actor. After appearing in several more movies his next big movie was Dangerous Liaisons in 1988 that featured Michelle Pfeiffer and Glen Close. During his run of big screen acting, Malkovich pe riodically returned to Chicago to both act and direct. Malkovich was listed as one of twelve Promising New Actors of 1984 in John Willis Screen World, Vol. 36. Malkovich received his education at Eastern Illinois University and Illinois State University. While at Illinois State he was told by the head of the theatre department that he would not have a career as an actor and his name does not appear anywhere at the University. John Malkovich is an intense actor who came to Hollywood after an exceptional career in theatre. At Steppenwolf, Malkovich directed and performed some of Americas most vital noncommercial stage productions. In 1992, he played a marvelous role in Of Mice and Men as Lennie that I have seen and enjoyed. Of Mice and Men costarred and was directed by Gary Sinise. Malkovich is making a return to Steppenwolf for the 2005 season. Malkovichs last appearance at the Chicago Company he gave star-l...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Socially constructed (i.e. ideologies and mindsets) nature of the Essay

Socially constructed (i.e. ideologies and mindsets) nature of the current economic recession - Essay Example One of the biggest problems the U.K. economy is facing is the rise in the unemployment rate. The current unemployment rate of the United Kingdom is 7.9%. The unemployment epidemic is occurring throughout the entire world. There are approximately 115 nations that have an unemployment rate that is as high or worst than the United Kingdom with Zimbabwe being the worst victim with an astronomical unemployment rate of 95% (Cia, 2011). Zimbabwe is also facing hyperinflation. When people don’t have a job there are not able to cover their living expenses. There are other problems the British economy is facing. There are millions of British people living in extreme poverty. For instance the amount of homeless people is huge. There are approximately 400,000 people in the United Kingdom that do not have a roof over their heads. Extreme poverty is not just occurring in emerging economies. It is also a reality of a developed nation such as the United Kingdom. These figures do not make sens e to me since the gross domestic product per capita in the United Kingdom is one of the highest in the world at ?22,241 (CultureGrams, 2011). The government has not done an adequate job to ensure British wealth is distributed more evenly. The government should raise the tax rates to 50% for any person that has an income above ?1,000,000 a year; also people who make between ?200,000 and ?999,999 should pay a higher rate of between 40-45%. The added revenues should be used to help out the poor people in the United Kingdom. The world has become a harsher place to live for underdeveloped countries since the global recession. More than half the world’s population is living with a daily income of ?1.60. The global recession hurt the developed countries which caused a chain reaction that lowered the donation money and other economic assistance that underdeveloped countries used to receive from the private citizens and governmental institutions of developed countries around the world . The United Kingdom is also facing other economic issues that are hurting the quality of life of the population. The prices of basic need items such as food and medicine are on the rise. When British citizens go to the supermarket or grocery stores they are paying more money to buy vegetables, milk, bread, and meats among other food products. The poor and lower middle class in the United Kingdom are paying the consequences of food inflation. The rise in food prices has affected the global population severely. Things have gotten so bad that nearly 25,000 people are dying everyday of hunger and hunger related causes (Poverty, 2011). The children are the biggest victims of this epidemic since there is nearly one billion children globally that are suffering from malnutrition. Another sector that is facing major inflationary forces is healthcare. The annual cost of healthcare per capita in the United Kingdom is ?1483. The added money that the government is spending in healthcare cost du e to inflation could be used more effectively to help the poor people living in the United Kingdom A factor that is lowering the quality of life of British people is the rising cost of fuel. Gasoline is necessary to be able commute to work and to get from one place to another. The price of gasoline has gone down a little in 2011, but it is still way too expensive. The United Nations should impose

Friday, November 1, 2019

Critical analysis essay Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critical analysis essay - Dissertation Example The book is a historical work that uses statistical data as reference for representing views and opinion. The presentation of data in the book is narrative and creative but the data incorporated are comprehensive information and considered historically important in nature (Yergin and Stanislaw ch.5; 14). Based on the date presented, the book can be viewed as both historically and economically essential. The authors Yergin and Stanislaw presented a different perspective on the various concepts in the market through their own definition of terms such as globalization etc. Globalization is perceived as the periods of domination of free markets and is positive based on the effect it can bring about to the standard of living of the people. In addition the authors believe in the accomplishments and importance of capitalism (Yergin and Stanislaw ch.13). The views and opinions of the authors are evident in the book. This can be considered as an indication that the book is meant to make a sta tement and not a historical narrative.