Elitism and Institutional Power Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Elitism and Institutional Power Paper - Essay Example This is made worse due to the fact that a relatively small number of companies and banks hold most of the monetary assets in the country (25 large banks and about the same number of insurance companies, out of a long list of these institutions that exist in America) (Dye, 2002). The basis of the power these companies and banks have is mainly derived out of their control of the money and assets of the country. It is not merely the fact that these individuals and companies are wealthy, but also their independence from the government and the president, that gives them practically free reign. As the ones holding more than half of the countrys assets and wealth, it is up to them to make important financial decisions which have a direct and integral impact on both the citizens of the country and their government. They can allow or disallow loans to the government, change the conditions in which loans are granted and make other critical decisions which will apply to everyone, from the smallest citizen to the largest organization (including the government). This means that the government is actually dependent on these institutions, and as a result- they have a tremendous amount of power on it. It is most logic and painfully obvious that those who consist of this li st of the money elite will not want to relinquish their power. Consequently, it is safe to assume that they use strategies in order to maintain their status and influence. Due to their already main and integral role in the fiscal affairs of the country, it is safe to assume that the companies and banks will retain their power and status as long as they remain financially stable and secure. However, in order to ensure this and possibly even increase their reputation and status, one strategy that is implemented is the merger of main companies or banks. By merging with smaller companies or maybe even with

Immune System and Stress Related Illness Essay Example for Free

Immune System and Stress Related Illness Essay Outline and evaluate research into the relationship between the immune system and Stress-related illness. (12marks) It is suggested that stress can result in immunosuppression which can lead to stress-related illnesses such as Coronary Heart Disease and high blood pressure. Kiecolt and Glaser conducted an experiment to see the effects of stress on the immune system. This was achieved by taking blood samples of 75 medical students one month before and during their examination period. They then compared the two blood samples and found decreased leucocyte activity in the sample taken during high levels of stress (during their exams). This shows that stress reduces the activity of the immune system, making them more susceptible to becoming ill. Advantages of the study are that blood tests are objective measurements, so there was no social desirability or experimenter bias when analysing the results. The participants were also compared to themselves which removes participant variables on how they perceive stressors. The experiment was a field experiment so there was no manipulating of the independant variable to deliberately cause stress to the participants which makes it ethical. It also means the research has ecological validity and can be applied to the wider world. However, a field experiment may have extraneous variables which impact the results. For example, the student lifestyle of having little sleep and poor accomidation may have been an alternative source of stress. Another disadvantage is that there was a biased sample used of students. It may not be possible to generalise students’ response to stress compared to the general population. Riley also did a study using rats on a rotating turntable for five hours. He found that over time, their white blood cell activity dramatically decreased and when injected with carcinogens they developed tumours more rapidly than a control group of rats. This showed that stress can make us reduce our immune system’s activity which can cause diseases to worsen or progress more rapidly. However, as the research was conducted on rats it can be argued that it can’t be applied to humans as out stress response may differ.

lit review :: essays research papers

Roughly 217,440 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2004, resulting in nearly 40,580 deaths (3). Those newly diagnosed with breast cancer often have the choice of several different treatments. The treatments include chemotherapy and radiation. Fatigue related from cancer is defined as â€Å"a persistent, subjective sense of tiredness related to cancer or cancer treatment that interferes with usual functioning† (1). This helps contribute to physical inactivity in these patients, leading to deconditioning and decreased functional capacity (1).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Physical inactivity and an increase in rest have generally been recommended for cancer patients (1). However, recent research has shown that physical activity helps with the management of fatigue and improves quality of life (1-4). In addition, 50% of patients prefer nonpharmacologic interventions in order to manage fatigue (4). The current recommendations for breast cancer patients are low to moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, to manage fatigue and, in turn, improve quality of life (3,4).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Several studies support the recommendations for physical activity in breast cancer patients. These studies prescribed a home-based walking programs to women who were going to receive chemotherapy or radiation treatment for Stage I to III breast cancer (1,2). The walking programs were based on the duration of the radiation (6 weeks) or chemotherapy (3 months) treatment (1,2). The subjects were put into two groups, usual care or usual care and the walking program (1,2). Both of the walking programs prescribed working up to 30 minutes of brisk walking, 5 to 6 days per week and approximately 50-70% of maximum heart rate (1,2). These meet the ACSM’s standards for positive health benefits. Mock, et al studied fatigue and functional capacity in participation in a home-based walking program (1). They concluded that exercise during treatment of cancer increased functional capacity and decreased fatigue in sedentary women subjected to chemotherapy or radiation (1). T he subjects who adhered to the program had significantly lower fatigue levels than those who did not participate (1). The adherence rate of those participating in the exercise program was 72% (1). Since these women were sedentary prior to this study, this suggests an urgency and desire to benefit their overall health. They see the importance of being physically fit, not only to reduce fatigue during treatment, but to improve it after treatment as well. Pickett, et al reported on the adherence rate to a home-based walking program (2).

Viet Nam :: essays research papers

The media has made sure that all of us are aware of the Vietnam conflict. Readers and movie goers the world over are now familiar with America's suffering in Vietnam and the problems American veterans have endured as they attempted to adjust to civilian life. Although all life is irreplaceable, the fact remains that the United States lost fewer than a million men in the Vietnam conflict and their social institutions and infrastructure remained relatively intact. The Vietnamese, however, lost two million men and their culture, society, landscape and tradition were literally obliterated. Despite this destruction, their side of this horrendous story has seldom been told. Worse yet, when it is told, they are often portrayed in the most unattractive of all light. Until only a few years ago, the Vietnamese were portrayed by the media as a faceless people with no identity; entities not worth caring about. The turning point came with the publication, in Dutch, of Duong Thu Huong's Blind Paradise in 1994. This landmark book was followed by Bao Ninh's The Sorrow of War. War novels deal, superficially, with war. But underneath all the blood and horror and carnage lie far deeper social and human issues. The best novels of war, such as Erich Maria Remarque's All Quiet on the Western Front and Ernest Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls, as well as Bao Ninh's The Sorrow of War, also deal with the makeup and morality of a culture or a society gone wrong. The protagonist of these books, whether real or fictional, often endures a harrowing personal struggle through both a public and private hell and usually undergoes some sort of redemption, even if that redemption results in death. Born in 1952, Bao Ninh served in the Glorious 27th Youth Brigade during the Vietnam conflict. Of the five hundred youths who went to war with this brigade in 1969, Bao Ninh was one of its ten survivors, so it is not unusual that war should be the subject of his first book, considering the impact it has had on his life. Semi-autobiographical in nature, the protagonist of The Sorrow of War, Kien, is the lone survivor of his brigade and a ten year veteran of the war. As the book opens he is serving as part of an MIA body collection team. It is through his memories that we slowly learn how the war has devastated his youth and the youth of his countrymen.

Jacques †Louis David Essay

We know that through out our Art History many artists have made themselves a name in this world. We have learned about the different periods of art history and the artist involved in those periods. Listening about all theses artists really touched me. There is so many to talk about, but I have pick one. Jacques Louis David was a great painter painting was considered his strength. He is one I really liked. Jacques Louis David was born on August 30 1748 and then he died December 29 1825. David was considered â€Å"the most celebrated French artist of his day and a principal exponent of the late 18th-century Neoclassical reaction against the Rococo style† (Britannia Encyclopedia). His father had died when he was nine and his mother left him. His uncles who were architects took care of him. He was not considered a good student. â€Å"He had a facial tumor that impeded his speech, and he was always preoccupied with drawing. He covered his notebooks with drawings† (Jacques-Louis David. org). He never paid attention to his studies just focusing on his art. He once said, ‘I was always hiding behind the instructor’s chair, drawing for the duration of the class’† (Jacques-Louis David. org). He wanted to be a painter but his uncles and mother wanted him to be an architect. He followed his heart and went to study with Francois Boucher, who was the famous artist of that time. The times were changing and so was the art. Boucher decided to send David to his good friend Joseph Marie Vien to study with him. David ended up attending the Royal Academy well he was there. David around 1770 to 1774 attempted to win a scholarship. He tried four times before he finally won. â€Å"David attempted to win the Prix de Rome, an art scholarship to the French Academy in Rome, four times between 1770 and 1774; once, he lost according to legend because he had not consulted Vien, one of the judges. Another time, he lost because a few other students had been competing for years, and Vien felt David’s education could wait for these other mediocre painters. In protest, he attempted to starve himself to death. Finally, in 1774, David won the Prix de Rome,† (Jacques-Louis David. org). David later on ended up in Italy. He was very inspired by the work. â€Å"David filled twelve sketchbooks with material that he would derive from for the rest of his life,† (Jacques-Louis David. org). In 1780, David completed the work Belisarius Asking Alms, which he also exhibited in Paris. He used a very unique approach to this piece. â€Å"In which he combined a nobly sentimental approach to antiquity with a pictorial technique reminiscent of Poussin,† (Britannia Encyclopedia). This piece you can tell is what started it all. You can see that David was very into the classical period. This is a very good piece for an artist just starting his career. To me it looks realistic, but you can still tell it was idealistic. I really liked the use of color in this piece. The focus though does not just seem to be on one person, but one all three characters portrayed in the piece. It really fits in the period. I chose this piece because it was one of David’s first pieces that kick started his career into art. It was the very first piece he exhibited. Another piece that helped his career is Oath of the Horatii. He produced this in 1784. This was one of the pieces in the Neoclassicism period. This piece had to do with a social contract. â€Å"The artist references Enlightenment values while alluding to Rousseau’s social contract,† (Wikipedia). They are showing the oath as a act of being one, they are coming together. â€Å"The Oath between the characters can be read as an act of unification of men to the binding of the state,† (Wikipedia). It also shows gender issue clearly between the women and the men. The issue of gender roles also becomes apparent in this piece, as the women in Horatii greatly contrast the group of brothers. David depicts the father with his back to the women, shutting them out of the oath making ritual; they also appear to be smaller in scale than the male figures,† (Wikipedia). This piece was really good. It really caught my eye when we studied it in class. I chose this piece because I wanted represent a piece of David’s from the Neoclassicism period. This was one of his best. It marks the middle of his time. One last piece of David’s is Mars Being Disarmed by Venus and the Three Graces. This was the very last piece of work he created before he died. It was known to be his â€Å"great last work†. He worked on this from 1822 to 1824. In 1823 he had said, â€Å"This is the last picture I want to paint, but I want to surpass myself in it. I will put the date of my seventy-five years on it and afterwards I will never again pick up my brush,† (Wikipedia). He exhibited this in Brussels, where about 10, 000 people came to view this piece. I chose this piece because I wanted show the ending of this story. This story is the story of David. He had actually stopped on his own will. This is the piece that represented he ended with a bang. He had been painting for seventy-five years now. I really liked how he showed the end of a battle. It symbolizes the end of his career. There are many great artists in our world, many from a long time ago. There has been so much artistic work that has impacted us in many ways. We can only rely on artwork to tell us about these artists that no longer exist. Jacques Louis David was a very famous painter from the many periods. He had seventy-five years of work. His impact has still remained. Artists will still remain.

Writing Style of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

Writing Style of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) Author Theodor Seuss Geisel created a writing style that has metamorphosed into its own separate category of unique vivacity coupled with a manipulation of everyday words and names to achieve rhymes or desired beats per line. The verse style found throughout most of Seuss's work was the anapestic tetrameter (Fenkl, 2002). This style involved using words consisting of two short syllables followed by one long syllable or using words consisting of two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable. The verses were then compiled into groupings of four lines. Along with this metric method, Seuss also utilized italics, full capitalization, different colored words and different sized letters to steer the reader down the paths of his books.Dr. Seuss's contributions stemmed beyond the creation of colorful words to beneficiating the illiterate. In response to a published article in Life Magazine in May of 1954 concerning the illiteracy among school children, Dr.Ted Geisel, American wri ter and cartoonist, at wor...Seuss created a book using 220 words that were important to a young child's vocabulary. "The Cat in the Hat" went on to instant success and its beloved character is now the trademark of all Dr. Seuss's books (Bedno, 2002). However, Seuss's trademark fuzzy animals and weird shapes began earlier when the Yuzz-a-ma-Tuzz animal was created for "On Beyond Zebra," (Northern State University, 2002). Unsigned cartoons by Seuss would never be mistaken as his drawings were always filled with his trademark contraptions and creatures (Springfield Library et. al., 2002).Although Seuss wrote many children's books with the goal of creating enjoyable reading to stimulate literary growth, many of his whimsical stories contained serious themes. Perhaps Dr. Seuss's biggest contribution was to introduce important concepts to his audience that spanned generations. Dr. Seuss admitted to having serious undertones in several of his fanciful children stories. His most obvious...

Budget project essays

Budget project essays In this day and age millions of dollars are spent every day, whether it is spent by the government or by the people. Everyday the government must decide on how to spend the money, because of course, money doesnt grow on tress and there might be some things that are important than others; yet, they must provide money for every part of the government. That is the primary concern; they must decide how to spend that money and how they do it without upsetting the agencies surrounding the government because there may be one agency that may be getting more than another. My budget isnt that great, it is similar to the estimate of 2005, but some changes, however slight were made. My top priorities for the budget were the military, education, and health and human services. First the military, my primary cause for this would be for research, and a procurement of new weapons. We need the research because it would lead to have new and more efficient ways of producing weapons, transmissions, and development of something that would make the soldiers safer. The same goes for a procurement of weapons, added with a more efficient ways of ammo and more vehicles that provide more protection. Education, we hardly have any money set aside for education and most schools are not getting the money they deserve or need to make either teaching easier or keeping the schools in tip top shape. Plus, more would go on student loans and grants so we can get as many students we can into college. Health and Human services are important, not so much for social security or Medicare, in fact, I was thinking of downsizing those parts of that branch, but more on public assistance, the FD A, and the National Institute of Health. More on the FDA because that way we can safeguard our food and the NIH because that way maybe we can help out and help diminish the populations uh, fatness. The areas I cut back on were: agriculture, labor, and NASA. Agricultur...

10 Actinium Facts

10 Actinium Facts Actinium is a radioactive metal that is the first element of the actinide series. Its sometimes considered the third element in Row 7 (last row) of the periodic table or in Group 3 (IIIB), depending on which chemist you ask. Here are 10 interesting facts about actinium. 10 Actinium Facts Actinium has atomic number 89, meaning each atom of the element has 89 protons. Its element symbol is Ac. It is an actinide, which also makes it a member of the rare earth element group, which is itself a subset of the transition metals group.Actinium was discovered in 1899 by French chemist Andre Debierne, who suggested the name for the element. The name comes from the Greek word aktinos or aktis, meaning ray or beam. Debierne was a friend of Marie and Pierre Curie. Some sources suggest he worked with Marie Curie to discover actinium, using a pitchblende sample from which polonium and radium had already been extracted (discovered by the Curies).Actinium was independently discovered again in 1902 by German chemist Friedrich Giesel, who had not heard of Debiernes work. Giesel suggested the name emanium for the element, which comes from the word emanation, meaning to emit rays.All isotopes of actinium are radioactive. It was the first non-primordial radioactive element to be isolated, even though other radioactive elements had been identified. Radium, radon, and polonium were discovered before actinium but werent isolated until 1902. One of the more noteworthy actinium facts is that the element glows blue in the dark. The blue color comes from the ionization of gases in the air by radioactivity.Actinium is a silver-colored metal that has properties similar to those of lanthanum, the element located directly above it on the periodic table. The density of actinium is 10.07 grams per cubic centimeter. Its melting point is 1050.0Â °C and boiling point is 3200.0Â °C. Like other actinides, actinium readily tarnishes in the air (forming a white actinium oxide layer), is extremely dense, is highly electropositive, and likely forms numerous allotropes. The other actinides readily form compounds with nonmetals, although actinium compounds are not well-known.Although it is a rare natural element, actinium does occur in uranium ores, where it forms from the radioactive decay of uranium and other radioisotopes, such as radium. Actinium is present at an abundance of 0.0005 parts per trillion by mass in the Earths crust. Its abundance in the solar system is negligible overall. There is about 0.15 mg of actinium per ton of pitchblende. Although it is found in ores, actinium is not commercially extracted from minerals. High-purity actinium may be made by bombarding radium with neutrons, causing the radium to decay in a predictable fashion into actinium. The primary use of the metal is for research purposes. It is valuable neutron source because of its high activity level. Ac-225 may be used for cancer treatment. Ac-227 may be used for thermoelectric generators, as for spacecraft.36 isotopes of actinium are known- all radioactive. Actinium-227 and actinium-228 are the two that occur naturally. The half-life of Ac-227 is 21.77 years, while the half-life of Ac-228 is 6.13 hours.One interesting factoid is that actinium is about 150 times more radioactive than radium!Actinium presents a health hazard. If ingested, it is deposited into the bones and the liver, where radioactive decay damages cells, potentially leading to bone cancer or other illnesses.

Chicago issue and trend Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Chicago issue and trend - Research Paper Example In the process, it has resulted in a dramatic increase in the value of property leading to the greatest affordability crisis ever experienced in Chicago. Even a slight expectation of gentrification was considered a gentrifying factor to an extent that neighborhoods in areas such as the Southern Loop, Pilsen and Bronzeville were considered gentrified way before they actually became gentrified. The Great Chicago Fire that occurred in 1871 destroyed over 18,000 buildings and 2,000 acres of land. Though the destruction caused by the fire was very expensive, it can be argued that the most adverse effects were ultimately felt in those parts of the city that were not devoured by the flames.3 While the devastated Northern Side experienced what was referred to as the Great Rebuilding, majority of the Southern Side remained in its 19th century state. The two districts were divided by the Loop which is the city’s central business district. This act earned the South Side a reputation of b eing the wrong side of the loop. However, this notion is now being lifted from the South Loop. Over the last two decades, investment of billions of dollars in development has helped transform the area that was once run down into a high end residential area of the Loop. One of the driving forces that revitalized the Southern Loop was the 80-acre Central Station development. 4 This development is considered the largest mixed-use development in the history of the history. Central Station replaced the abandoned tracks of the former Illinois Central Railroad that dominated the Near Southern Side for over a century. Originally costing about $3 billion, the Central Station development has a floor area of14 million square feet. 5It comprises 8,000 rental and for-sale homes, offices, retail space hotels, and space for specialized commercial use. The rental component includes market-rate and senior living apartments. The size of the development, its location, and history make it an integral p art of the city’s plans regarding the South Loop. Timothy B. Desmond, who was the master developer and president of Central Station Development Corporation, described the South Loop as the fastest-growing area in Chicago. He further added that Central Station would serve to promote further growth. True to his word, the South Loop has continued to see momentous growth in infrastructure and development. The Central Station Development Corporation was a joint venture between Cleveland-based Forest City Enterprises,Inc and Chicago-based Fogelson Properties,Inc.6 After the1989 purchase of the IC rail yard that was vacant, Gerald Fogelson, who was the chairman of Fogelson Properties decided to team up with Forest City in development of the Central station. This move was advised by the fact that Forest City had over 80 years of experience in nationwide development projects. During the early 1990s,

Long-run U.S. Economic Growth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Long-run U.S. Economic Growth - Essay Example Real GDP moves around the potential GDP. This is how GDP can be measured from the supply side. Again from demand side perspective GDP is determined by total consumption, investment and government expenditure in a closed economy and by an additional component called net exports in open economy. It has been statistically proven that industrial growth of a nation is closely associated with GDP growth. Also, industrialization forms the platform for structural changes in imports and exports. The economic developments underwent by the United States exemplifies how an underdeveloped economy could grow into an immense and affluent industrial state and show remarkable economic growth despite being intervened by short term downs. In more developed economies labor force seems to be distributed more towards the industrial and services sector and importance of agriculture is lessened (Cypher and Dietz, 272). After gaining independence along with 13 colonies, they came together to collaborate into a nation of 4 million people. During 1790, four fifth of the labor force in US belonged to the farm while the capital goods and technology along with finished products were imported from overseas. At present the major part of the nation belongs to the industries with more than 170 million people who are generating their own capital and technology in a society which is persistently expanding. It might be important to state that if supply of labor was the key to industrial growth, then other countries with high population like China and India could show similar levels of improvement. United States possessed several natural advantages for this growth to be sustained. Some of these were derived from the natural situation of the country. The nation had fertile lands and immense natural resources. The climate supported health and generated energy. There was no problem of overpopulation or pressure on existing resources and on the other hand, this scarcity also promoted growth and develop ment as it necessitated economic growth. The population was advanced in terms of culture, moral and political status. Most of them were literate and understood the law and adept in of self-government. The legacy of Calvinism enforced the resolution to earn and save and also democracy brought about an ability to consume as well as enjoy. All these factors combined made economic growth irresistible. Thus work, democracy, innovation and education made a combined effort towards taking the economy along the path of growth. The labor force was committed to work such their earnings went beyond subsistence and devoted long labor hours. The ex-colonies decided to amalgamate after independence and this led the growth of an internal market which provided stimulus to economic growth. Social mobility was utilized to serve as a tool for growth. The urge to be involved with new materials, technologies, machines all contributed towards different methods for improvement (Harris, 3). Again their devo tion towards expanding the education base promoted learning and improvement of human resources with time. All these factors combined to rebuild the continent from the colonial status and pushed it into the current stage of growth and development. Overview of Economic Growth in the late Eighteenth and Nineteenth century Net National Product of a country normally serves as a convenient measure of the

Problem Solution and Management Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Problem Solution and Management Plan - Essay Example It requires an excellent management and leadership skills in the managers concerned with the given project. The manager needs to have persistence, optimism, listening skills, and the ability to wok collaboratively towards the objectives (Queensland Government, 2007). After the identification of the problem, it is necessary to consider the possible solutions to the problem. All the solutions are examined and the probable consequences evaluated against the objectives of the organization carrying out the project. It is also appropriate to consider the ease with which a particular solution can be implemented. A course of action that is easy to implement and has the maximum likely positive consequences suffices to provide a solution to the problem. 2. The solution to the problem Developing a solution to the stated problem requires effective managerial and decision-making skills through a scientific method (Creative Problem Solving, 2011, para.2). Three solutions were identified to address the issue that arose in carrying out the reservoir construction project. Developing an appropriate solution consists in evaluating the possible results of each of the solution if adopted. It is appropriate to consider the financial impacts of each of the solution, the legal obligations, as well as how the solution relates to the organizational values, policies, and objectives. The manager has to understand the ‘environment in which the solution and to work and the organizational constraints imposed upon it’ (Vandenbosch, 2003, p.7). One identified option was to hire an engineering firm that would deal with the breakdown of the granite rock that would impede the construction of the reservoir. The contractor did not consider this part of the contract, as it would call for additional expenses in terms of labor and time. Now, subcontracting a separate engineering firm would be appropriate since such firms have demonstrated capacity and competence to perform such tasks. How ever, this option would call for a relatively higher additional cost. Besides, there will be a need to advertise for the subcontract and recruit the best firm. The other option was to do away with this contractor, cancel, and re-advertise the contract. This is equally expensive. The whole cost that has been incurred in the advertisement and in the selection of this contractor will be lost since the process has to be repeated. It would also show lack of ethical consideration that is contrary to the organizational values and culture that the needs of different stakeholders need to be considered in designing the operational plans. Besides, it has also been observed that this contractor is among the best that had applied for the job. Losing the contractor would compromise the project to the disadvantage of the beneficiaries. Moreover, it is also likely that the next contractor will raise the same issue and the problem will continue in a cycle. The other contractors might also doubt the credibility of the management of this organization giving the management a negative image. This would have negative impacts on contracting for future projects. The other option was to amend the contract to include basting of the granite rocks, in the event that the contractor is capable of performing the task. The contractor has indicated that he has the capacity to perform the task. This option would be cost-effective as compared to the first option of hiring an engineering fir

BUSINESS OUTLOOK REPORT for a food retailer of your choice but not to Essay

BUSINESS OUTLOOK REPORT for a food retailer of your choice but not to include Tesco - Essay Example ercent share is genuinely an accomplishment when taking into consideration that this type of business model has very high operating costs and with growth in convenience stores in the country that provide competitive threats to the chain. This report identifies long-run prospects for Sainsbury’s over the next five to ten years with an emphasis on specific trends in the external market that will likely serve as the drivers of change with the retailer and with the food sector. The report further provides an evaluation of whether Sainsbury’s is well-positioned for key changes in the external environment. Sainsbury was highly responsive in adapting to changing market conditions, especially as it pertains to consumer growth in ethical consumption. Ethical consumption is a type of consumer activism that dictates whether to boycott a product or make purchases based on consumer perceptions that the organisation offering the product maintains an ethical stance and set of ethical objectives and values (Grande 2007). Contemporary business research recognises that companies with the aforesaid ethical values and focus maintain higher profitability (Lys, Naughton and Wang 2013). As a result of recognising these trends, the company began adding what is referred to as Steering Committees that are involved at the highest level of governance in areas of assessing the firm’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, providing a quality and enjoyable place to work for employees, and even a climate change committee (Sainsbury 2011). All of the activities and strategies developed by the St eering Groups are highly publicised to ensure that consumers are drawn to the ethical framework of business practice provided by the company leadership. Having such a strong ethical set of values and beliefs also provides Sainsbury’s with minimised costs in relation to human resources. Companies that have very strong ethical cultures also have much less problems with employee turnover

Compare and contrast atheism of Karl Marx, and Richard Dawkins and Term Paper

Compare and contrast atheism of Karl Marx, and Richard Dawkins and provide a profound definition on atheism is with regard to fa - Term Paper Example Most of these atheists have argued that their reason for not believing in the existence of deities is the hypocrisy that comes along with religion. Some see religion as means used by the people in the upper social class to oppress the ordinary or poor people. Some also argue that religion creates a platform on which leaders try to discourage people from rebelling against their leadership. For instance, some religions claim that violence is wrong and punishable this believe is drilled into children as they grow up, making sure that they fear punishment. This makes the children who grow up having this belief to be calm even when they are oppressed by those with higher status than them. This implies that these people will not rebel against any forms of oppression. Some of the major reasons, why people become atheists are discussed below. To begin with, religions argue that there is one creator, who made heaven and earth and all that is in it for seven days. Man was also created, and the creator created a channel to speak to mankind through prophets. With the development of many religions and beliefs, there are many prophets that have emerged most of whom are fake prophets, out to lie to mankind and oppress them in some way. The many numbers of prophets lead to different prophets who make different prophesies. Many atheists wonder that if there is one creator that exists, why it that prophets often give is prophesies that contradict, instead of prophesying constituent issues. Religion prompts mankind to be kind to each other, and to help one another. Religion also helps one to understand that life is not a practice run, thus creates the urge to fulfill the part of life that requires to be fulfilled. Another fact about atheists is that they are very conversant with different religions and their teachings and practices. This is because atheists more often than not, read too much literature on religion. Karl Marx is one of the very well known atheists. Marx has been a n atheist since he was a child for the rest of his life. In the 19th century, Karl Marx was an economist, theorist, and activist of socialism and communism. In his criticisms, Marx refers to religion as the â€Å"opium of the people.† He viewed religion as a foundation for the oppression of the poor and ordinary by the strong and influential people. He also argues that religion is created so as to make the believers docile, and to preventing them from rebelling from their leaders. Moreover, he says that the people who want to fight against the leadership in place use religious interpretations to come up with justifications for their rebellion. The atheism practiced by Marx was both practical and theoretical. Various factors have contributed to his theoretical atheism. The primary factor for his theoretical atheism is due to philosophical reasons; others include social, historical and political reasons. Marx argues that if individual visits a new town and finds their beliefs b eing totally different from his/her believes, the natives of this place are bound to mock him and claim that the visitor is a victim of fantasy and abstraction. The theoretical atheism of Karl Marx has led to him developing three postulates. These three include dialectical or metaphysical materialism, which makes a consideration of matters pertaining the supreme and exceptional basis of all things that do exist. Second is the historical materialism, in which the economic factor is the basic principle and the determining factor. This postulate also

BUSINESS OUTLOOK REPORT for a food retailer of your choice but not to Essay

BUSINESS OUTLOOK REPORT for a food retailer of your choice but not to include Tesco - Essay Example ercent share is genuinely an accomplishment when taking into consideration that this type of business model has very high operating costs and with growth in convenience stores in the country that provide competitive threats to the chain. This report identifies long-run prospects for Sainsbury’s over the next five to ten years with an emphasis on specific trends in the external market that will likely serve as the drivers of change with the retailer and with the food sector. The report further provides an evaluation of whether Sainsbury’s is well-positioned for key changes in the external environment. Sainsbury was highly responsive in adapting to changing market conditions, especially as it pertains to consumer growth in ethical consumption. Ethical consumption is a type of consumer activism that dictates whether to boycott a product or make purchases based on consumer perceptions that the organisation offering the product maintains an ethical stance and set of ethical objectives and values (Grande 2007). Contemporary business research recognises that companies with the aforesaid ethical values and focus maintain higher profitability (Lys, Naughton and Wang 2013). As a result of recognising these trends, the company began adding what is referred to as Steering Committees that are involved at the highest level of governance in areas of assessing the firm’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, providing a quality and enjoyable place to work for employees, and even a climate change committee (Sainsbury 2011). All of the activities and strategies developed by the St eering Groups are highly publicised to ensure that consumers are drawn to the ethical framework of business practice provided by the company leadership. Having such a strong ethical set of values and beliefs also provides Sainsbury’s with minimised costs in relation to human resources. Companies that have very strong ethical cultures also have much less problems with employee turnover

DIY garden marketing plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

DIY garden marketing plan - Essay Example Most of the respondents believed that the most attractive features of these designs are the elegance and creativity that comes with their design. The designs are not just made to serve the purpose that the resultant product should serve, but they have a way of relating to nature, which makes them even more attractive for gardens. The customers also said that the deliveries were made within 24 hours apart from a few cases where there were explanations for the delays. The average rating of the designs was 4 out of five. Most of the respondentsthoughts that the designs would be more attractive if there was a way through which they could be personalised according to the specific preferences of customers. The pricing strategy of the company is notably competitive. The company strives to offer the most affordable prices by reviewing the prices of their competitors. Given the fact that the company highly depends on innovation, they choose the lowest possible prices so that they can leave their potential customers and existing customers with no option but to buy their products. In a market that is highly competitive, this strategy has been effective given the fact that the global economic crisis have affected the price sensitivity of consumers in Plymouth (Kim & Mauborgne 2015, p. 187). Furthermore, the high number of players in the recent past means that the customers have higher bargaining power within this area. This implies that the consumers will always go for the most affordable products and services available in the market. With the lower prices the company has been able to cope with the companies that were more dominant and popular even before their existence. The strategy has b een effective in winning new customers and retaining the already existing ones. Given the fact that the business organisation is based in Plymouth, the most appropriate way through which the products can get to the customers is by road.

Alzheimers Essay Example for Free

Alzheimers Essay Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear after age 60. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people. Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning—thinking, remembering, and reasoning—and behavioral abilities, to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of daily living. What are the stages of Alzheimer’s? There are five stages associated with Alzheimers disease: preclinical Alzheimers disease, mild cognitive impairment, mild dementia due to Alzheimers, moderate dementia due to Alzheimers and severe dementia due to Alzheimers. 1.Preclinical Alzheimers disease Alzheimers disease begins long before any symptoms become apparent. This stage is called preclinical Alzheimers disease. You wont notice symptoms during this stage, nor will those around you. This stage of Alzheimers can last for years, possibly even decades. Although you wont notice any changes, new imaging technologies can now identify deposits of a substance called amyloid beta that have been associated with Alzheimers disease. The ability to identify these early deposits may be especially important as new treatments are developed for Alzheimers disease. 2.Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimers disease People with mild cognitive impairment have mild changes in their memory and thinking ability. These changes arent significant enough to affect work or relationships yet. People with MCI may have memory lapses when it comes to information that is usually easily remembered, such as conversations, recent events or appointments. People with MCI may also have trouble judging t he amount of time needed for a task, or they may have difficulty correctly judging the number or sequence of steps needed to complete a task. The ability to make  sound decisions can become harder for people with MCI. Not everyone with mild cognitive impairment has Alzheimers disease. In some cases, MCI is due to depression or a temporary medical complication. The same procedures used to identify preclinical Alzheimers disease can help determine whether MCI is due to Alzheimers disease or something else. 3.Mild dementia due to Alzheimers disease Alzheimers disease is often diagnosed in the mild dementia stage, when it becomes clear to family and doctors that a person is having significant trouble with memory and thinking. In the mild Alzheimers stage, people may experience: Memory loss for recent events. Individuals may have an especially hard time remembering newly learned information and repeatedly ask the same question. Difficulty with problem-solving, complex tasks and sound judgments. Planning a family event or balancing a checkbook may become overwhelming. Many people experience lapses in judgment, such as when making financial decisions. Changes in personality. People may become subdued or withdrawn — especially in socially challenging situations — or show uncharacteristic irritability or anger. Decreased attention span and reduced motivation to complete tasks also are common. Difficulty organizing and expressing thoughts. Finding the right words to describe objects or clearly express ideas becomes increasingly challenging. Getting lost or misplacing belongings. Individuals have increasing trouble finding their way around, even in familiar places. Its also common to lose or misplace things, including valuable items. 4.Moderate dementia due to Alzheimers disease During the moderate stage of Alzheimers, people grow more confused and forgetful and begin to need help with daily activities and self-care. People with moderate Alzheimers disease may: Show increasingly poor judgment and deepening confusion. Individuals lose track of where they are, the day of the week or the season. They often lose the ability to recognize their own belongings and may inadvertently take things that dont belong to them. They may confuse family members or close friends with one another, or mistake strangers for family. They often  wander, possibly in search of surroundings that feel more familiar and right. These difficulties make it unsafe to leave those in the moderate Alzheimers stage on their own. Experience even greater memory loss. People may forget details of their personal history, such as their address or phone number, or where they attended school. They repeat favorite stories or make up stories to fill gaps in memory. Need help with some daily activities. Assistance may be required with choosing proper clothing for the occasion or the weather and with bathing, grooming, using the bathroom and other self-care. Some individuals occasional ly lose control of their urine or bowel movements. Undergo significant changes in personality and behavior. Its not unusual for people with moderate Alzheimers to develop unfounded suspicions — for example, to become convinced that friends, family or professional caregivers are stealing from them or that a spouse is having an affair. Others may see or hear things that arent really there. Individuals often grow restless or agitated, especially late in the day. People may have outbursts of aggressive physical behavior. 5.Severe dementia due to Alzheimers disease In the severe (late) stage of Alzheimers, mental function continues to decline and the disease has a growing impact on movement and physical capabilities. In severe Alzheimers, people generally: Lose the ability to communicate coherently. An individual can no longer converse or speak coherently, although he or she may occasionally say words or phrases. Require daily assistance with personal care. This includes total assistance with eating, dressing, using the bathroom and all other daily self-care tasks. Experience a decline in physical abilities. A person may become unable to walk without assistance, then unable to sit or hold up his or her head without support. Muscles may become rigid and reflexes abnormal. Eventually, a person loses the ability to swallow and to control bladder and bowel functions. Treatment: Alzheimer’s disease is complex, and it is unlikely that any one intervention will be found to delay, prevent, or cure it. That’s why current approaches in treatment and research focus on several different aspects, including  helping people maintain mental function, managing behavioral symptoms, and slowing or delaying the symptoms of disease. Maintaining mental function Four medications are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat Alzheimer’s. They may help maintain thinking, memory, and speaking skills, and help with certain behavioral problems. However, these drugs don’t change the underlying disease process, are effective for some but not all people, and may help only for a limited time. Managing Behavioral Symptoms Common behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s include sleeplessness, agitation, wandering, anxiety, anger, and depression. Scientists are learning why these symptoms occur and are studying new treatments—drug and non-drug—to manage them. Treating behavioral symptoms often makes people with Alzheimer’s more comfortable and makes their care easier for caregivers. Slowing, Delaying, or Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease research has developed to a point where scientists can look beyond treating symptoms to think about addressing underlying disease processes. In ongoing clinical trials, scientists are looking at many possible interventions, such as immunization therapy, cognitive training, physical activity, antioxidants, and the effects of cardiovascular and diabetes treatments. Alzheimer’s References http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/alzheimers-disease-fact-sheet http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers-stages/art-20048448?pg=1 https://www.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp http://umm.edu/health/medical/reports/articles/alzheimers-disease

Lisbon Treaty and EU Constitution

Lisbon Treaty and EU Constitution To what extent do the reforms enshrined by the Lisbon Treaty enhance the legitimacy of the European Union? The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the Van Gend en Loos- case pointed out that he European Union (EU) is and remains a ‘new legal order of international law.[1] Therefore we cannot achieve legitimacy in the same way as nation states, where concepts such as a collective identity and a constitution are present. The EU is sui generis of its own kind, peculiar and unique in the world, fundamentals like supremacy, direct and indirect effect, and state liability are present so neither the way in which other international organisations derive their legitimacy is suitable in the case of the EU.[2] Throughout my readings I found out that there are many theories, and difference of opinions of what legitimacy in the context of the EU would involve because of its complex internal structure and way of functioning. I shall aim to explore why legitimacy in the context of the EU is so sufficient and how, from a legal perspective, this is been reached by the Lisbon Treaty. The integration of the EU from the beginning of the 1950s when the Treaty of Paris was signed, especially the increasing of EU competence since 1992, till the current Treaty of Nice, has been developed so far that the member states share its decision-making powers with the EU as well as accept policies coming from the EU. When a system has decision-making powers in a wide range of policy competence it is important that it possess legitimacy.[3]The failed Constitutional Treaty referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005 were an unexpected event that had damaging effect to the plans of the EU for its integration and prior to this the citizens for instance of Denmark (Treaty of Maastricht 1992), Ireland (2001Treaty of Nice) and Sweden (EMU 2003) had also voted negatively which had the effect that developments for EU citizens gave the image that the EU institutions are inefficient, not transparent and unaccountable.[4] This and the fact that the EU keeps reforming its Treaties, espec ially since 1986 Single European Act, presumes a legitimacy crisis.[5] Amongst scientists many theories developed to attempt to justify the ‘legitimacy of the EU.[6] There has been a tendency to combine the concepts of ‘democratic deficit and ‘legitimacy crisis.[7] Democratic deficit is that where decisions are moved from national Parliaments and the citizens; where decisions are taken by civil servants behind closed doors and laws are made via agreements between all member states whereby it is impossible for an individual country, acting alone, to make or change an EU law; where citizens vote and influence at national level has no guaranteed effect upon what occurs at EU level.[8] Its remarkable that most scientists could not agree on the existence of a democratic deficit despite the concern of EU officials and national politicians. In 2001 the Commission published its seminal White Paper on European Governance in which it based its sweeping proposals for EU institutional reform on â€Å"principles of good governance,† includin g openness, participation and accountability. [9] These principles were described as the underpinning of democracy, not only for the Member States, but also for the Union. Also in this year the Laeken Declaration on the future of the EU was adopted which noted that the EU â€Å"derives its legitimacy from the democratic values it projects, the aims it pursues and the powers and instruments it possesses† as well as from its â€Å"democratic, transparent and efficient institutions.†[10] Nevertheless, the document set forth a lengthy list of questions illustrating the need to â€Å"increase the democratic legitimacy† of the EUs institutions.[11] The Member States recognized ‘the need to improve and to monitor the democratic legitimacy and transparency of the Union and its institutions, in order to bring them closer to the citizens of the Member States.[12] They agreed to convene a new intergovernmental conference (IGC) in 2004 in order to agree the necessary changes in the Treaties.[13] According to Sharpf, a political scientist who is basically in the for front of European studies and whos concepts are often used in literature when legitimacy is discussed, legitimacy is the relation between the ruler and the ruled. ‘Citizens values must be reflected and incorporated in the decision-making system.[14] Political systems can only reach legitimacy when they have the competence or the power to decide how it will be governed, which guarantees that the government is of the people, by the people and for the people.[15] Sharpf thus has identified three important types of legitimisation with regard to the EU. ‘Output legitimacy refers to government for the people where support is granted on the basis of improved efficiency in provision of goods and services, as well as an increased European problem-solving capacity and where the legitimacy is derived from interest of the people.[16] ‘Input legitimacy refers to government by the people with main features lik e direct legitimation through the elected European Parliament; citizens participation and consultation; and better transparency in taking decisions so where policies and choices must be a reflection of the will of people.[17] ‘Borrowed legitimacy refers to government of the people where indirect legitimation through the member states and their democratic representatives operating at different levels.[18] The ‘borrowed and the ‘output theories are difficult to justify legitimacy in the light of the EU though there are scientist who disagree, as we will see later on.[19] And from the above mentioned we can draw among others a conclusion that more emphasis to decrease ‘democratic deficit will increase the legitimacy of the EU. Therefore a need for a greater ‘input legitimacy which is related to increased citizen participation, better representation, improved accountability and efficient and transparent decision-making procedures has been viewed as one poss ible solution. The EU can be divided into two parts. An intergovernmental structure[20] which includes the European Council and the Council of Ministers and the regulatory structure[21] which includes the European Parliament, European Central Bank (ECB) and the ECJ. Moravcsik and Majone emphasizing that effectiveness is one of the proper means to legitimise the EU, so the ‘output legitimacy is the best way to do this.[22] An intergovernmental component, where international features dominate (European Council, Council of Ministers, and the second and third ‘pillars of the TEU), and a communitarian component where supranational features are most evident (European Parliament and Courts, Commission, and the policies and activities included in the first ‘pillar of the TEU). Now, even if it is true that the democratic character of the Member States is According to Moravcsik the EU does not deal with democratic deficit in the intergovernmental part[23] simply because of its distinctive objectives where the preferences and the power of the states are important, where the policies are the result of states bargaining and where supranational elements are of less importance to policy outcomes. The EU is either a state nor a federation or a confederation and it avoids any risk of becoming a ‘technocratic superstate.[24] That makes the outlook and requirement of legitimacy different. The legitimacy of the EU system is derived from ‘indirect accountability of the nation state where ‘indirect democracy is enforced through the ratification from the treaties by democratically accountable governments.[25] ‘Constitutional checks and balances, indirect democratic control by national governments, and the increasing powers of the European Parliame nt are sufficient to ensure that the EU policymaking is, in nearly all cases, clean, transparent, effective and politically responsive to demands of European citizens.[26] Moreover because of its simple and limited organisation, EU does not need the ‘input legitimacy to become legitimate. ‘The EU, broadly speaking, does not tax, spend, implement, coerce or, in most areas, monopolistic public authority. It has no army, police, and intelligence capacity, and a miniscule tax base.[27] Yet the EU enjoys sufficient democratic support. The institutions are supported by either direct or indirect accountability. The European Parliament is comprised by directly elected representatives and it is increasingly taking over powers from the Commission. Moreover it can control the legislative proposals from the Commission, by rejecting or proposing amendments to the Council. The Council of Ministers, which is more powerful, also enjoys democratic accountability and responsibility for policy outputs. Commissioners and the judges of the European Court of Justice are chosen by directly elected national governments. The power is also vertically divided between the Commission, Council, Parliament and Court, and then horizontally between local, national and transnational levels. Thereby a concurrent majority is necessary for any action to be initialised. The ability of the EU to operate within the areas of its competence is also constrained. The powers of the executive, legislative and judiciary are separate in order to prevent abuse of power. The multi-level construction of decision-making and the plurality of executives all constitute checks and balances established to prevent arbitrary actions. The democratic deficit discussion has only emerged because of applying idealistic views of input dimensions of democracy on the EU. The legitimacy is sufficient in the current situation because of member states democratic legitimacy and the numerous procedures installed to prevent the EU from bolting away to become a technocracy. There are however elements that are not supported by indirect democracy. The regulatory element of the EU refers to these institutions. According to Majone the regulatory element achieves legitimacy by non-majoritarian forms of democracy. This model has to do with protecting minorities from the majority by distributing the powers between institutions instead of placing it in the hands of the majority. The European regulators neither seek nor take instructions from any Government. They are independent from direct democratic control simply because they are not elected and have little or no direct accountability. Although this implies a democratic deficit it still can be legitimate. National governments, which has power for a specific period, focus on short term problems which usually do not bring long term effect. The energy to produce the best policies lacks because of the time aspect. This causes credibility problems within the member states, hence it was better that decision-making powers have been delegated to independent institutions of the EU. The areas where the powers have been delegated to these institutions, are the same areas as on national level. At the same time, acts of government can be perceived as legitimate for what they achieve which is called the ‘substantive legitimacy. ‘Independent agencies can produce legitimate decisions as long as they create welfare for all, whilst only elected officials can make legitimate decisions where welfare is re-distributed. F. Scharpf, Governing in Europe Effective and Democratic? (Oxford 1999) IN LIBRARY Adam Smith Library Politics F100 SCHAR A. Arnull, Introduction: the EUs Accountability and Legitimacy Deficit in A. Arnull D. Winscott, Accountability and Legitimacy in the EU (Oxford, 2002), D. Chalmers et al., European Union Law: Text and Materials (Cambridge, 2006), D. Chalmers G. Monti, European Union Law: Updating Supplement (Cambridge, 2008), P. Craig G. de Burca, EU Law: Text, Cases and Materials 4th edn. (Oxford, 2007), A. Moravcsik, ‘In Defence of the ‘Democratic Deficit: Reassessing Legitimacy in the EU (2002) 40 Journal of Common Market Studies 603. Majone, G. (1998) ‘Europes Democratic Deficit. European Law Journal, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 5-28. Scharpf, Fritz (1994) â€Å"Community and Autonomy: Multilevel Policy-Making in the European Union†, Journal of European Public Policy 1(2): 219-42 Scharpf, Fritz (1997) â€Å"Economic Integration, Democracy and the Welfare State†, Journal of European Public Policy, 4(1): 18-36 Obradovic, Daniela (1996) â€Å"Policy Legitimacy and the European Union†, Journal of Common Market Studies 34(2): 191-221 Roles in the legislative and executive processes need to be clearer; Eu institutions and all those involved in developing and implementing EU policy at whatever level must explain and take responsibility for what it does in Europe; it implies that institutional and decision-making structures should be kept as simple as possible: see A. Arnull, Introduction: the EUs Accountability and Legitimacy Deficit in A. Arnull D. Winscott, Accountability and Legitimacy in the EU (Oxford, 2002), 2-3. Efficiency (institutions): Easier decision-making Use of qualified majority voting (QMV) is extended to new areas, and becomes the general rule which means an increasing decision-making of the Union.[28] Redefined as 55% of member states, comprising at least fifteen of them, representing 65% of the population and a blocking minority must include four Member States.[29] This new QMV will not become effective before 2014, and Member States may continue to have recourse to the Nice voting rules until 2017.[30] However, the ‘Ioannina compromise applies, and ‘emergency brakes are made available in selected areas.[31] This means member states right of veto despite the application of the co-decision procedure, for instance in relation to the coordination of national social security systems: a Member State may refer the matter to the European Council where important aspects of its social security system would be affected by a legislative draft.[32] One Union The Lisbon Treaty confers legal personality expressly on the EU, giving it the capacity to enter into legal relationships with other parties in its own right. But the European Community (in relation to the first pillar) has always had express legal personality and the EU implicitly has had legal personality to the extent that it has the power to enter into international agreements under articles 24 and 38 of the current TEU. Conferring legal personality expressly on the Union will have the effect that the other attributes such status, such as the ability to join international organisations or to take, or be subject to, proceedings in international tribunals, will apply to the EU in the areas currently covered by the second and third pillar.[33] Enhanced cooperation Already exists under the current Treaties were it is possible for a group of Member States to harmonise law and integrate further than all of the member states as a collective group.[34] The most important changes in the Lisbon Treaty which are reflections of changes already made in other contexts, namely the fact that the rules on enhanced cooperation are consolidated in the TFEU (instead of having a specific set of rules for enhanced cooperation in each pillar), is due to the fact that the pillars are absorbed into the EU.[35] Regarding the role of the institutions in the procedure for enhanced cooperation, it can be said that the Commission and the European Parliament gain powers, especially in the field of PJCCM (consent of the EP instead of mere consultation). However, a separate procedure remains in place for the CFSP. [36] A truly new element is the ‘emergency exit procedure in the area of PJCCM.[37] European Council Is a newcomer in the list of formal EU institutions.[38] The President of the Council is elected for 2.5 years (renewable once) by the European Council on QMV.[39] The President chairs the European Council, ‘drive(s) forward and ensures the preparation and continuity of its work.[40] ‘At his level and in that capacity, s/he ensures the external representation of the Union on issues concerning its common foreign and security policy, without prejudice to the powers of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.[41] Commission Ensures the Unions external representation, ‘with the exception of the common foreign and security policy, and other cases provided for in the Treaties.[42] President is elected by European Parliament, and nominated by the European Council by QMV taking account of the result of parliamentary elections.[43] The number of Commissioners will be reduced to two-thirds of the number of Member States after 2014, unless the European Council decides otherwise.[44] The college includes the New High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR CFSP) as one of Commission Vice President (VP).[45] The HR CFSP/ VP of the Commission is double-hatted. It combines functions of current HR for CFSP and Commissioner for External Relations, though his/her exact portfolio remains to be clarified, both within the Commission and the Council, and in relation to the presidents of the Commission and the European Council, respectively.[46] HR is head of the new European External Action Servic e whose activities remain to be determined by a specific Council decision.[47] Parliaments: National Parliaments Become ‘guardians of the subsidiarity principle. It may force the Commission to reconsider a legislative proposal on the grounds of a breach of subsidiarity (‘yellow card).[48] The matter may end up being referred to the Council and Parliament (‘orange card), and may even lead to proceedings before the Court of Justice[49] Involved in the scrutiny of Europols activities and the evaluation of Eurojusts activities[50] European Parliament Expanded legislative powers thanks to the extension of the co-decision procedure and through enhanced influence in a renewed budgetary procedure.[51] It has a decisive role in electing the President of the European Commission and also installs the whole Commission, including the HR CFSP/ VP.[52] Its composition is 750 members maximum + 1 president. Revised distribution of seats which entails a degressive proportionality, minimum threshold of six MEPs per Member State, and maximum of ninety-six seats.[53] Exact distribution to be decided by the European Council[54] Accountability: Clarification of competences The Lisbon Treaty is much more explicit in attributing competences. Arts. 4(1) and 5 TEU state the fundamental principles relating to competences. In addition, it is stated (twice!) that competences not given to the EU remain with the Member States. The TFEU contains a special title on ‘Categories and areas of Union Competence.[55] This title mentions, and defines, different types of competences and it lists the (most) relevant areas. Like the present Treaties, the Lisbon Treaty does not provide a list of negative competences, i.e. of areas where EU law can never have any influence.[56] Simplification of the Unions instrument The main changes provided for in the Lisbon Treaty are on the one hand, the various legal instruments that are used in the present 2nd and 3rd pillars are abolished, while on the other hand, a distinction is made between legislative and non legislative acts.[57] The instruments are listed in Art. 288 TFEU ‘regulations, directives, decisions, recommendations and opinions were only the definition of ‘decision is amended. Citizen values: Citizens rights in elections The only change made to Art. 19 EC consists of the fact that the words ‘acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission are replaced by ‘acting unanimously in accordance with a special legislative procedure.[58] Citizens initiative The following picture emerges from a comparison between the current article 21 EC and its equivalent in the TEU and TFEU: Art. 21 EC: ‘Every citizen of the Union shall have the right to petition the European Parliament in accordance with Article 194. Every citizen of the Union may apply to the Ombudsman established in accordance with Article 195. Every citizen of the Union may write to any of the institutions or bodies referred to in this Article or in Article 7 in one of the languages mentioned in Article 314 and have an answer in the same language. Art. 11(4) TEU: ‘No less than one million citizens who are nationals of a significant number of Member States may take the initiative of inviting the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties. Art. 24 TFEU: ‘The European Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt the provisions for the procedures and conditions required for a citizens initiative within the meaning of Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union, including the minimum number of Member States from which such citizens must come. Every citizen of the Union shall have the right to petition the European Parliament in accordance with Article 227 TFEU. Every citizen of the Union may apply to the Ombudsman established in accordance with Article 228 TFEU. Every citizen of the Union may write to any of the institutions, bodies, offices or agencies referred to in this Article or in Article 13 of the Treaty of European Union in one of the languages mentioned in Article 55(1) of the Treaty on European Union and have an answer in the same language. Transparency: A new Title II of the TEU concerns democratic principles.[59] It requires the EU institutions to give ‘citizens and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views regarding ‘all areas of EU action.[60] It expressly requires an ‘open, transparent and regular dialogue with representative associations and civil society.[61]It requires also, among other things, that the Commission shall carry out consultations with parties in order to ensure that EU actions are ‘transparent.[62] As for the institutions, it requires the Council to ‘meet in public when it deliberates and votes on a draft legislative act, with no exceptions provided for.[63] Article 15 of the TFEU which replace Article 255 of the current EC Treaty, would deal in more detail with the issue of openness. First of all, all of the ‘institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the EU has to ‘conduct their work as openly as possible, ‘in order to promote good governance and ensure the participation of civil society.[64] The European Parliament has to meet in public, as well as the Council when considering and voting on legislative acts.[65] The rules concerning the adoption of legislation on access to documents will now apply to all EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, instead of just the Council, Commission and European Parliament.[66] The current article 286 EC Treaty which requires the European Parliament and the Council to adopt data protection legislation applying to the EU institutions within the scope of the ‘first pillar only applies now to the current ‘third pillar as well, along with the public authorities of M ember States.[67] However, the new Treaty Article does not apply to the adoption of legislation governing the private sector. The new Article 298 TFEU would provide first of all that EU ‘institutions, offices, bodies and agencies shall have the support of an open, efficient and independent European administration. Next, there is a new legal power to adopt regulations to that end. This could be a legal base to adopt rules on access to EU information as distinct from access to EU documents, and to adopt rules relating to other aspects of the EUs current ‘Transparency Initiative, including rules on the regulation of lobbyists and on consultations. Some of these issues are addressed in the European Ombudsmans proposed Code of Conduct on good administration, which has been approved in some form by some EU bodies and institutions already. Finally, the Treaty of Lisbon would specify that the EUs Charter of Rights will have the same legal value as the Treaties (Article 6 TEU). The Charter includes the right of access to documents, the right to good administration (which arguably encompasses the right to open administration, including access to information) and the right of data protection. This could possibly enhance the enforceability of those rights within the EU legal system. C-26/62 Van Gend en Loos v Nederlandse Administratie der Belastingen (1963) ECR1. D. Chalmers et al., European Union Law: Text and Materials (Cambridge, 2006), 52 Obradovic, Daniela (1996) â€Å"Policy Legitimacy and the European Union†, Journal of Common Market Studies 34(2): 193 Obradovic, Daniela (1996) â€Å"Policy Legitimacy and the European Union†, Journal of Common Market Studies 34(2): 192-193 1951/52 Paris, 1957/58 Rome, 1986/87 SEA, 1992/93 Maastricht, 1997/99 Amsterdam, 2001/03 Nice, 2007/09 Lisbon D. Chalmers et al., European Union Law: Text and Materials (Cambridge, 2006), bekijk dit ff Obradovic, Daniela (1996) â€Å"Policy Legitimacy and the European Union†, Journal of Common Market Studies 34(2): 191-221 Een van de boeken dat uitlegd wat democratic deficit is (majone 14/15) European Commission (2001a) European Governance: a White Paper, COM (2001) 428 final Laeken Declaration (2001) â€Å"Laeken Declaration on the Future of the European Union†, 15 December 2001, SN 300/01 ADD1 ibid P 9 of accountability sharp sharp sharp sharp sharp expert agencies that are independent of direct political control where international features dominate (European Council, Council of Ministers, and the second and third ‘pillars of the TEU), P 605 Moravcik Article 16(3) TEU, Article 294 TFEU D. Chalmers and G. Monti, European Union Law: Updating Supplement (Cambridge University Press, 2008) 27. Article 16 TEU, Protocol No 36 on transitional provisions, Articles 3 and 4. Declaration No 7 on Article 48 TFEU. Article 48 TFEU. By Great Britain: European Union Committee, The Treaty of Lisbon: an impact assessment (10th report 2007-08 Volume 1: Report), 33. See above n. 31, p 6 Article 20 TEU referring to Articles 326-334 TFEU. Articles 82(3), 83(3), 86(1), 87(3) TFEU. Article 15 TEU, Articles 235 and 236 TFEU. Article 27(3) TEU. Article 15(6) TEU. ibid (Art. 17(1) TEU) Article 17(7) TEU, Declarations No 6 and 11. (Art 17(5) TEU, Declaration No 10) ibid Article 18 TEU, Declarations No 6 and 12 Article 27(3) TEU. Art. 12(b) TEU): Art. 8 of Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. Articles 88(2) and 85(1) TFEU respectively. (Art. 314 TFEU); TEU; Declarations No 6 and 11 See above n. 31, p 28 14(2) TEU; Declaration No 4 (Arts. 2-6). TFEU Articles 288, 289 and 290 TFEU. Art. 22 TFEU See above 31, p6 Article 11(1)TEU Article 11(2) TEU Article 11(3) TEU Article 16(8) TEU Article 15(1) TFEU Article 15(2) TFEU, Article 16(8) TEU Article 15(3) TFEU Article 16 of the TFEU

Clothing Is a Mode of Non-Verbal Communication Essay -- Nonverbal Comm

Crossed arms, dilated pupils, and fake smiles are all examples of nonverbal communication. However, the one that may have the biggest impact on a person’s opinion of the wearer is the type of clothing he or she is wearing. Clothing is often the first impression of a person that someone gets, whether it is accurate or not. People often use clothing to indicate their age, gender, political views, and economic class. Without even realizing it, most people make assumptions about a person based on their clothing. People make assumptions and pass judgment about other’s emotional, moral, education, and social prestige (Dynamism of Fashion Among Female Undergraduates and its Effects in the Sight of Beholders in a University of Education, Nigeria 2011). We commonly expect people to dress a certain way before we learn anything about them personally, or their qualifications. So often, people try to pick out their nicest outfits when they are attempting to make a good first impression before the employer ever ask them any questions. First impressions are very important and clothing is usually one of the prime factors in determining them (Pelham 2010). A person’s personality and cultural beliefs can be communicated through their clothing options. Clothing can also be used to tell whether the wearer is conventional or audacious, outgoing or aloof, casual or organized, a leader or a follower, or poised or insecure. However, making assumptions like the ones previously stated can be mistaken (Dynamism of Fashion Among Female Undergraduates and its Effects in the Sight of Beholders in a University of Education, Nigeria 2011). Clothing styles such as very tight clothes may be suggestive, showing off, or possibly even unappealing, while clo... ...be identified as an Indian or as Hindu while she may very well be neither (Pelham 2010). I am often told that people are watching me. Not to hear what I say, but to see what I do, how I do it, and even what I’m wearing. While they watch me, they are forming their own opinions. Whether or not their opinions are factual is not the point, the point is that they are basing their assumptions on nonverbal communication. The outcome is that nonverbal communication can be misconstrued at any time; it just depends on the person analyzing it. Works Cited "Dynamism of Fashion Among Female Undergraduates and its Effects in the Sight of Beholders in a University of Education, Nigeria." Academic Leadership The Online Journal 9, no. 2 March 2011. Web. 20 March 2015 Pelham, Libby. Clothing as a Form of Non Verbal Communication. July 12, 2010. Web. 20 March 2015

Paul Muldoon: Biography and Essay :: essays research papers

Oxford and Princeton University professor Paul Muldoon was born in County Armagh, Northern Ireland in 1951 and has been touted as â€Å"the most significant English-language poet born since the second World War† by The Times Literary Supplement. He has also won numerous and prestigious national awards. Therefore, it may come as a surprise to learn that Muldoon grew up in a home with very few books. â€Å"Believe it or not,† he writes, â€Å"the only reading material we had in the house was The Junior World Encyclopedia, which I read and reread as a child. Other books must have come from the local lending library†¦ but the Encyclopedia was my text of texts.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Muldoon, who is married with two children, has written eight volumes of poetry in addition to many chapbooks, plays and children’s books. His first collection of poems, New Weather, was published in 1973 and his most recent book, Hay, was published in 1998.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As a child, Muldoon began writing poems to get around a teacher’s weekly essay assignment. From there, he says, he just kept on writing. Of the process of writing, he says, â€Å"I do absolutely think of it as a mystical experience.† Muldoon is a poet who is obsessed with the details of the world, and this is evident in his poetry, particularly in the poems of his that I read. I chose to research Paul Muldoon for no particular reason. I don’t particularly like poetry; I can recognize a good and a bad poem, but I can’t for the life of me write one. I prefer to say what I mean, mean what I say, and leave little room for interpretation. Sometimes I think that poets take the easy way out by writing ambiguously about dinosaurs, and then people read and think that the poet is really talking about social injustice or sending their child off to the first day of school, when in fact, the poet just really likes dinosaurs. Sometimes I think that if I wrote a simple sentence about, say, a red wheelbarrow, and chopped it up into lines and told people it was very deep, they’d be impressed. And so that’s why I chose Paul Muldoon. I read a few poems of his, could understand pretty well what they were about, liked how they sounded, and enjoyed that a respectable poet ended a line with â€Å"the.† Plus, I was running short on time.

Project Guidelines

APPENDIX A: FILM REVIEW PROJECT GUIDELINES (General) I. Select an Appropriate Topic A. Relevant and Appropriate: Check the following websites for ideas: 1. http://www. sampsoncc. edu/staff/pwolf 2. http://www. apa. org/monitor B. Be Specific: Narrow general topics down! C. Researchable: Search http://www. nclive. org for â€Å"hits† II. Title page A. Title of Project B. Date C. Student’s Name D. Course Number E. Abstract (1-paragraph summary) III. Text or Body A. Five (5) Full Pages, typed (double-spaced, 12 point Times New Roman Font) B. APA Text Note Documentation Required! (Get help on my website! C. Review the Film: Informatively describe the disorder/issue â€Å"raised† in the film. D. Apply appropriate Psychological 1. Theories (Psychodynamic, Behavioral, etc. ) 2. Studies (case/experimental/correlational, etc. ) IV. Bibliography A. MINIMUM 5References 1. May use an encyclopedia a. Use only a specialized encyclopedia (i. e. psychiatry, psychology, etc. ) b. Avoid general ones (i. e. Wikipedia, World Book, Britannica, etc. ) 2. May use a textbook a. Abnormal Psychology b. Psychiatric Nursing 3. USE at least two or three of the following: a.Magazine, journal and/or newspaper articles b. Interviews c. Valid Internet sources, i. e. http://www. nclive. org http://www. ask. com B. List Sources in Alphabetical Order, by author’s last name (APA Style) C. Include Complete Bibliographic Information SPECIAL NOTES: . * Late projects will be subject to a 10 point per day penalty! * Late projects must be HAND DELIVERED to Mr. Wolf in his office, by the student. *Search for APA Text Note and Reference Page examples on my website: http://www. sampsoncc. edu/staff/wolf *Additional assistance available through SCC Student Support Services (Turoring)Appendix B: Detailed Project Guidelines: Abnormal Psychology Film Review [pic] In addition to their sheer entertainment value, popular movies often depict psychological disorders. There is certainly n o shortage of â€Å"Abnormal Psychology movies† available for viewing; however, many provide inaccurate portrayals of psychological behaviors, traits and disorders. This often leads to the public at large having a distorted view of what Psychopathology is or how Clinical Psychologists work. Remember from General Psychology, a major part of becoming a â€Å"critical thinker† is becoming a critical consumer of popular information.Your mission in this assignment is to choose a film with an abnormal psychological theme or issue, research the theme or issue portrayed in the film, and then carefully analyze how well or accurately you believe the movie presented the theme to the viewing audience. Instructions: 1. Choose a movie from the attached list. I have indicated which are available from the SCC Library. The remainder may be rented from Netflix, a local video store or perhaps borrowed from a friend or family member. 2. View the movie at least once). Even if you have seen the movie previously, watch it again. You will need to pay very close attention to hat is being portrayed and you should probably take some notes. They will come in handy later, as you write your paper. 3. Write a reaction/research paper using the following guidelines: a. In an opening paragraph (or two), summarize the plot of the movie. Remember, this is a summation; I don’t need a description of every scene. b. Find three to five internet articles that deal with the specific type of psychological disorder/issue portrayed in the movie (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Aversive Therapy, Insanity Defense, etc. ) and then write at least three pages on what you have learned from your internet research.You may also use your textbook as one of your sources, if you wish. Make sure to cite your sources in APA style, in the body of your paper and on your reference page. (See my website for examples) c. In the final portion of your paper, you will analyze (based upon your www. nclive. org internet research) how well you think the movie portrayed its abnormal psychological theme. You will do this by addressing the following questions: How did the depiction of __________ in the film compare to what you learned in doing your research? Do you believe the film to be of educational value to the general public regarding its psychological content?Was the subject matter treated in a humorous manner? If so, do you think this took away from the seriousness of the psychological disorder being depicted in the film (or did it help by making a serious point without â€Å"blowing the audience away†)? Which specific scenes (if any) in the film provided particular insight into the psychological disorder/issue being portrayed? Did you learn anything of value from viewing the film? (If so, what? ) Was the film entertaining to watch? Would you recommend the film to others? Why or why not? 4. Papers will be submitted, in class, on the assigned date.There will be a ten-point per day late penalty for papers turned in after that date. Papers are to be submitted in a two pocket report folder. In the left side pocket, place the internet articles used in your research. In the right side pocket, place your paper, which will include a title page, abstract page, text or body of report (5p), and reference page. 5. Papers should be word-processed in MS Word, double-spaced, using a 12-point Times New Roman font and should be at least eight (8) total pages in length if the directions, indicated above, are followed completely.The first section (see 3-a above) and last section (see 3-c above) of your paper will be your own words/opinion and will require no reference citations. HOWEVER, YOU WILL NEED TO CITE YOUR REFERENCES, APA STYLE, IN THE THREE PAGES OF RESEARCH (see 3-b above) WRITTEN FROM YOUR INTERNET SOURCES. NOT DOING SO WILL BE CONSIDERED PLAGIARISM AND WILL SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE YOUR PAPER’S GRADE!! 6. Papers will be graded based upon the following rubri c: * Following directions (length, font, double-spacing, etc. ) 5pts. * Cover Sheet 5pts. * Abstract 5pts. * Film summation 10pts. * Research portion 50pts. Analysis of film 20pts. * Reference page 5pts. Total:100 7. Guidelines for APA-style (citations, abstract, reference page, etc. ) are attached. Further examples can be found on my website: http://www. sampsoncc. edu/staff/wolf 8. Films not included on the attached list may be used, BUT ONLY WITH PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE INSTRUCTOR. In preparing a paper in APA style, the following general guidelines should be followed. †¢ Font Selection Font size should be 12 points, with Times Roman being preferred. †¢ Line Spacing Double-space everything: title page, abstract, paper, and reference list. Margins and Indentations Leave one-inch margins at the left, right, top, and bottom of each page. Indent paragraphs five spaces using the â€Å"Tab† feature. †¢ Page Header The page header consists of a brief version of the pa per’s title (usually 2 or 3 words), followed by five spaces and then a page number. Starting with the title page, it appears in the upper-right corner of each page of your paper, including the reference page. Use the â€Å"Header† feature of your word-processing program to insert the header information. I. Title Page (or Cover sheet) (page 1) Name Title of ProjectPSY 281-0A Date II. Abstract Page The abstract follows the title page/cover sheet (it is page 2 of your paper) and is a one- paragraph summary of the content of your paper. The abstract should be no longer than 120 words. Because it is a summary of your project, it should be written after your paper is complete. Guidelines: Two lines below the page header, type the word, Abstract, and center it. Two lines below that, begin the paragraph, which should be unindented and double-spaced. III. Text (or Body) of Paper The text of your paper begins on page 3.The page header appears on the top line. Two spaces below th at, center the title. Two spaces below the title, the paper begins. Five pages, minimum, with text notes when citing research. IV. Reference Page The list of references used comes at the end of your paper and begins on a new page, continuing the numbers from the text of your paper. Two spaces below the page header, center the word, References. Two spaces below that, begin the first reference entry. The entries should be entered alphabetically by the author’s last name.If the author’s name is not given, alphabetize by the first major word of the title of the source, omitting A, An, or The. Each entry should start at the left margin; additional lines for that entry should be indented 5 spaces from the left margin. The reference page should be double- spaced. There are NUMEROUS sources on the internet for APA-style papers (besides my web site). One very good one is: http://owl. english. purdue. edu/handouts/research/r_apa. html Parenthetical Citation The APA system of cit ing sources indicates the author's last name and the date, in parentheses, within the text of your paper.A. A typical citation consists of the author's name and the year of publication. Example: Charlotte and Emily Bronte were polar opposites, not only in their personalities but in their sources of inspiration for writing (Taylor, 1990). Use the last name only in both first and subsequent citations, except when there is more than one author with the same last name. In that case, use the last name and the first initial. B. If the author is named in the text of your paper, only the year is cited. Example: According to Irene Taylor (1990), the personalities of Charlotte and Emily. . C. If both the name of the author and the date are used in the text, parenthetical reference is not necessary. Example: In a 1989 article, Gould explains Darwin's most successful. . . D. When the reference is to a work by two authors, cite both names each time the reference appears. Example: This theory oft en has been used to explore patters of various insect mating (Alcock & Thornhill, 1983). –OR- Alcock and Thornhill (1983) also demonstrate †¦ E. When the reference is to a work by three to five authors, cite all the authors the first time the reference appears.After that, use the first author's last name followed by et al. (Which means â€Å"and others†). Example: This pattern has long plagued the internal politics of college administration in Texas (Douglas et al. , 1997). F. When the reference is to a film, begin with the director’s name followed by the year of the film’s release. Example: (Speilberg, 1989) G. When the reference is to a work by a corporate author, use the name of the organization as the author. Example: Retired officers retain access to all of the university's educational and recreational facilities (Columbia University, 1987).

Gone with the Wind and Feminism

Gone with the Wind and Feminism Posted by Miriam Bale on Sat, Mar 13, 2010 at 1:38 PM [pic] Molly Haskell, author ofFrankly, My Dear, will introduceGone with the Wind at Film Forum on Sunday afternoon. Gone with the Wind plays this weekend in Film Forum’s Victor Fleming festival, but is it really a Fleming film?Uber-producer David Selznick is the most consistent author, and Selznick doppelganger George Cukor directed a significant amount of scenes, giving this domestic war film some moments more delicate and subtle than anything else in Fleming’s oeuvre (and after macho Fleming was brought on replace the openly gay Cukor at Clark Gable’s urging, the â€Å"women’s director† went on to coach Vivien Leigh and Olivia de Havilland on weekends, at their insistence, throughout the shoot); and Vivien Leigh gives a scarily mercurial performance in almost every scene, owning the film entirely.At the time of the film’s release, Frank Nugent in the New Y ork Times wrote, â€Å"Is it the greatest motion picture ever made? Probably not, although it is the greatest motion mural we have ever seen. † It’s a mural made by many hands, and the esteemed critic Molly Haskell’s latest book, Frankly My Dear: Gone with the Wind Revisited does a fabulous job of parsing out the contributions.She reveals nuggets like Howard Hawks’ supposed uncredited contribution in rewriting some of the dialogue in the last section, the battle of the sexes showdown between Rhett and Scarlett, which helps make sense why this particular section feels like an entirely different film from the historical romance of Part 1. Another uncredited writer was F. Scott Fitzgerald; Haskell's digging suggests that what he eliminated from the film may be as important as what anyone else contributed.She also describes writer Ben Hecht maintaining as a point-of-pride that he had never nor never would read the mass-market epic romance on which the film wa s based—so Selznick and Fleming stayed up all night on a diet of speed and peanuts acting out the story for him (with Selznick as Scarlett and Fleming playing Melanie). Haskell’s book also focuses on the one-hit-wonder novelist Margaret Mitchell, telling the ascinating history of this flapper-turned-frumpy matron who rebelled against her serious, feminist southern belle of a mother by becoming a connoisseur and practitioner of frivolity as an art. As Mitchell’s background might suggest, Gone with the Wind is a complicated universe for a feminist to tackle. And yet this is exactly the sort of conflicted, non-PC and pre-Second Wave world of women that Haskell has consistently celebrated and examined through films, serving a unique and crucial role in American feminism.As Haskell describes this position in connection to a 1972 panel she took part in on women in film, in which Gloria Steinem deplored the scenes in Gone with the Wind of Scarlett O’Hara squeeze d into a corset and Haskell then rose to defend that character as a courageous survivor: â€Å"Both of our reactions were in their own way, right.But this difference of perspective was also an early augur of the fault lines in feminism or perhaps a necessary split focus: between those predisposed to see and proclaim signs of the victimization of women in a benighted world now progressing toward enlightenment and equality and those inclined to be heartened by the contradictions—the women in the past (both real and fictional) who’d held their own in a chauvinist culture, who’d subverted the norms and gained victories not always apparent through a literal reading of the plot. Of course, just as Gone with the Wind is both tricky and rich personal territory for a southern-raised feminist like Haskell to examine, it is also difficult—even in coverage this brief—for a black feminist like myself to look at honestly. Gone with the Wind is unarguably, painf ully racist, yet extraordinarily valuable for examining just how and why.The film displays insipid white stereotypes in some of the minor characters as much as it does obscenely destructive black ones, and yet the main characters Rhett and Scarlett seem to exist outside of this orbit, beyond expectations of both gender or race; identification with these two characters is widespread and complex, by all races. Just as Selznick’s Duel in the Sun inspired Laura Mulvey to overhaul her views on female identification, GWTW is ripe for looking at where racial identification splits and falls in this film, even after Haskell’s sharp, thorough and artfully written book has covered so uch intellectual and historic territory. Haskell will be on hand at 3pm screening at Film Forum on Sunday to introduce this problematic and fascinating piece of film history. She’ll also be signing copies of her book, a coup of single-work film criticism that is highly intelligent, personal an d never relies on jargon or cliches. Besides her unique and crucial role in American feminism, Haskell is also one of the best writers on film in America, and both as a critic and stylist she’s only getting better. Molly Haskell’s Feminist Take on Gone with the Wind y Melissa Silverstein on March 2, 2009 in Books Molly Haskell is the shit when it comes to writing about women’s films with a feminist perspective. There is no one better. Her book From Reverence to Rape: The Treatment of Women in the Movies is one of the best books about women in film and it was written in the 70s. (There is an a[pic]dditional chapter that covers the 70s and 80s in the paperback. ) That just goes to show you how few books have critically looked at this issue (from a non-academic perspective. Haskell has taken on one of the most beloved films Gone with the Wind in her new book Frankly My Dear which is out now. The book has gotten stellar reviews and including in the NY Times this wee kend. Haskell’s argument is mounted on feminist principles that at first glance seem antithetical to a film widely regarded as prefeminist fluff. She contends that â€Å"themes centering on women† are â€Å"always an inferior subject matter to socially conscious critics of literature and film. † After 70 years of â€Å"GWTW† bashing, a creditable critic finally says, â€Å"Not so fast! Haskell gave up regular reviewing in the early ’90s, leaving criticism that seriously examined the big-screen image of women and the popular representation of female social roles to go underground — into academic studies where abstruse, tenure-seeking jargon is used to rebuff popular taste. That makes â€Å"Frankly, My Dear† all the more remarkable. It’s Haskell’s feminist perspective that provides insight into a movie most academics won’t touch and current critics dismiss. She disentangles the film’s qualities from the conf ounding issues of misogy ­ny, racism and intellectual snobbery.