Revoulution essays

Revoulution essays By any criteria the years following the War of 1812, otherwise known as the Era of Good Feelings, must be considered a time of exceptional growth and development in the United States, but above all, it may be considered a time of evolution and ripening of American nationalism, unification, and economic prowess. The war of 1812 was a very problematic war. States did not fulfill their duties, while commanders and leaders were not informed or supplied enough to keep up the war. But what awakened during this time and afterwards is something much greater then victory. The war wasnt just about Britain holding land and impressing American sailors into their navy; it was a second war of independence. It was the first war as a united country, and it was a small new nation against a large European empire. That we survived woke us up, and let us know that we did have a nation. For the first time, we were united, not for a fight of our homes and freedoms, but for ideals (The Awakening of Ameri can Nationalism, AAN). The war of 1812 began long before war was declared. It began right after the war of Independence. The British were not too fond of us breaking away from their empire, and they soon figured out that many revolts were because we had fought and won. They taxed our merchants, and hassled our ships, but they crossed the line when they began to impress our sailors into their navy. They claimed that these people had deserted the royal navy and should be given back. Though they may have been right on a few occasions, it has been proven that many innocent people were forced to be in the royal navy. On June 22, 1807, the English frigate Leopard attacked the United States frigate Chesapeake, and took from her certain of her sailors who, the Leopards captain claimed, were British citizens. (John K. Mahon, The War of 1812) This is what broke the straw on the proverbial camels back. Many citizens wanted...

Definition and Examples of Sound Bites

Definition and Examples of Sound Bites A sound bite is a brief excerpt from a text or performance (usually ranging from a single word to a sentence or two) that is meant to capture the interest and attention of an audience. Also known as a grab or a clip. In recent presidential elections, said Craig Fehrman  in 2012, the average TV sound bite has dropped to a tick under eight seconds (The Boston Globe). In the 1960s, a 40-second sound bite was the norm. Examples and Observations From Other Writers From the late 1960s to the late 1980s, the place of oratory in U.S. public culture was shrinkingliterally. In 1968, the average sound bite in presidential election news coverage was more than 43 seconds long. In 1972, it dropped to 25 seconds. In 1976, it was 18 seconds; in 1980, 12 seconds; in 1984, just 10 seconds. By the time the 1988 election season rolled around, the size of the average sound bite had been reduced to less than 9 seconds. . . . By the end of the 1980s, . . . the time and space allotted to political oratory in the American mainstream media had already been incrementally eroded.(Megan Foley, Sound Bites: Rethinking the Circulation of Speech From Fragment to Fetish. Rhetoric and Public Affairs, Winter 2012)A day like today is not a day for sound bites, really. But I feel the hand of history upon our shoulders.(Prime Minister Tony Blair on arriving in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the talks that produced the Good Friday Agreement, April 8, 1998Seeking to prod Congre ss to provide more money to help prevent layoffs from local and state governments, [President] Obama stressed how much better off private companies are doing in terms of hiring.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The private sector is doing fine, he said, immediately giving Mitt Romney the same kind of bumper-sticker sound bite that Mr. Obama used against Mr. McCain four years ago. (Michael D. Shear, Republicans Take Aim at Obama’s ‘Doing Fine’ Comments. The New York Times, June 8, 2012) Over images of factory employees hard at work and smiling families, an announcer says, when a million jobs were on the line, every Republican candidate turned their back, even said, Let Detroit go Bankrupt.Then the commercial pivots to the president. Not him, says the announcer as a sound bite of the president plays. Don’t bet against the American auto industry, Mr. Obama is shown saying.(Jeremy W. Peters, Obama Goes After Republicans in New Michigan Ad. The New York Times, February 23, 2012)I am even told that you like your reading in short bursts now. Little chunks. Sound bites. Like that. Because you are busy. In a rush. Like to graze. Like cows. A bite here. A bite there. Too much to do. No time to spare. Under pressure. Bollocks. Lazy. Stupid. Finger out. Socks up.It was not always thus. Time was when an Englishman could happily gawp at a single sentence for an hour at a time. The ideal magazine essay took roughly as long to read as it took your umbrella to dry.(Michael B ywater, The Chronicles of Bargepole. Jonathan Cape, 1992) Sound Bites as Compressed Arguments As Peggy Noonan has explained so well, a sound bite is the culmination of good writing and a good argument. Ask not what your country can do ... or The only thing we have to fear ... represented the sharpest point of the speeches behind them. (John Dickerson, Dispatches From the Republican National Convention.Slate, August 30, 2012)The sound-bite should encapsulate the main point of the argument; the strongest opinion or reaction. Again there is a danger of distortion by over-emphasizing the already emphatic and polarizing a point of view, and this danger can only be eliminated by carefully explaining the context in which the remarks were made. (Andrew Boyd, Peter John Stewart, and Ray Alexander, Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and Television News, 6th ed. Focal Press, 2008) The Sound Bite Culture A sound bite society is one that is flooded with images and slogans, bits of information and abbreviated or symbolic messagesa culture of instant but shallow communication. It is not just a culture of gratification and consumption, but one of immediacy and superficiality, in which the very notion of news erodes in a tide of formulaic mass entertainment. It is a society anesthetized to violence, one that is cynical but uncritical, and indifferent to, if not contemptuous of, the more complex human tasks of cooperation, conceptualization, and serious discourse. . . . The sound bite culture . . . focuses on the immediate and the obvious; the near-term, and the particular; on identity between appearance and reality; and on the self rather than larger communities. Above all, it is a society that thrives on simplicity and disdains complexity.(Jeffrey Scheuer, The Sound Bite Society: How Television Helps the Right and Hurts the Left. Routledge, 2001) Television Journalism and Sound Bites In any campaign reform, it must be acknowledged that television news is an accomplice as well as a victim of the politicos. The sound bite is to television what the fang bite was to Dracula. The office seeker who has a thought that takes more than 30 seconds to express turns producers rabid. (Walter Goodman, Toward a Campaign of Substance in 92.  The New York Times, March 26, 1990)Television is the enemy of complexity. You rarely have time to express the fine points, the caveats, the context of your subject. Youre always being interrupted just as you try to make a larger point. What works best on a talk show is the snappy one-liner, the artful insult, the definitive declaration. What makes you look weak and vacillating is an acknowledgment that your case is not airtight, that the other side may have a valid point. (Howard Kurtz, Hot Air: All Talk, All The Time. Times Books, 1996)If news reporters and cameras are only there to be used by politicians as recording devices for their sc ripted soundbites, at best that is a professional discourtesy. At worst, if we are not allowed to explore and examine a politicians views, then politicians cease to be accountable in the most obvious way. (ITV news reporter Damon Green, quoted by Mark Sweney in Ed Miliband TV Interviewer Reveals Shame Over Absurd Soundbites. The Guardian, July 1, 2011) Sound-Bite Sabotage Sound-bite saboteurs on all sides of the aisle try to move the opinion of publics toward positions that are contrary to the best available data. Rather than communicating with publics to enable more informed decision making, sound-bite sabotage occurs when public and private leaders use the tools of public relations to discredit the importance of using data, engaging in scholarly inquiry, and supporting democratic deliberation.Seeing (hearing, reading, experiencing) sound-bite sabotage draws our attention to the commodification of political discourse rather than to the political spectacles constructed, to distract citizens from the communicative strategies mobilized by public and private elites. (Julie Drew, William Lyons, and Lance Svehla. Sound-Bite Saboteurs: Public Discourse, Education, and the State of Democratic Deliberation. SUNY Press, 2010) Alternate Spellings: sound-bite, soundbite

How Do the NSC and APNSA Operate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

How Do the NSC and APNSA Operate - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the national security agency (NSA) is the U.S intelligence agency that has been given the responsibility of providing the United States government with encrypted information assurance and reading encrypted communication signals intelligence of other nations. The department that has been mandated with the duty to create and maintain secure computer network operations for the US government and prepare for impending network warfare. On the other hand, the assistant to the president for national security affairs   APNSA is the senior-most official in the executive office of the president who serves as the chief advisor stationed in the white house to the president of the United States on national security issues.   The person who seat in that chair also is a member of the national security council and is located in the west wing of the white house where he finds support from national security council staff that produces research, intel ligence, and briefings for the APNSA to review and present them to the president. The origin of NSA can be traced from 1917 after the Congress declared war on Germany in World War 1 during this time a code and cipher decryption unit was set up with its headquarters in Washington D.C. The NSA is responsible for the protection of U.S government communications and another information system, due to the growing practice of mass surveillance in the U.S. NSA collects all phone records of all Americans citizens that it uses in an analysis of the potential threat to the nation. However, NSA has no authority to conduct human source intelligence gathering although it is often portrayed doing so in popular culture and regions. Nevertheless, it remains its objective to coordinate and deconfliction of SIGINT components of otherwise non-SIGINT government organization. These organizations are prevented by law from engaging in such activities without the approval of the NSA through the secretary of defense. NSA has been reported to be doing the massive extent of the NSA’s spying both domestic and foreign that was revealed to the public in a series of detailed disclosures of internal NSA documents from June 2013 where most disclosures are said to have been leaked by former NSA contractor Edward snow den. Since everybody insists that they should have the privacy of what they do with their private lives, it is evident that with NSA there is nothing like privacy.

Describe this pic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Describe this pic - Essay Example The bottom part of the picture is broader than the top part and this gives the picture the ideal shape. The artist might have done this to give it a strong base for supportive purpose. From the information provided, the picture is the courtesy of Casey Campbell and some of the materials used are ink, watercolour, and charcoal. In essence, the abstract painting has colours and designs that do not resemble the physical objects. With this, the painting becomes harder to comprehend than representational painting. The desires and skills of the artist reveal the environment and time in, which he created the art. The striking styles reveal a lot of creativity. On a personal perceptive, the goal of the artist was to show how the colour, style, and form of the subject changed from time to time. This explains why the picture broadens its colour from one circle to the other. The artists took a lot of time making series of paintings from the same subject but different times of the day. This gives viewers a quick sense of understanding what is going into the artist’s mind (Elger and Uta 22). Typically, everyone seems to see the image in a similar manner. The artist established the need to use directional subjects and words that guide viewers through the description and analysis. The focal point of the picture is the circular figure, with different shapes. As previously mentioned, all circles have a strong base decorated in bold colours. The circles consist of space, line, shape, and light and dark colours arranged in similar designs. They consist of proportion, order, pattern, rhythm, and balance. The artist employed these elements to evoke the feeling of hope and direction to the viewers. From the picture, it is evident that many people recognize the artist’s accuracy and creativity to create the image. The primary purpose of the painting was to portray a captivating image. The picture does not fully evoke feelings or emotions.

Saving Belizes Barrier Reefs Essay Example for Free

Saving Belizes Barrier Reefs Essay Earth’s resources are not limitless, they have breaking points and natural properties can be threatened by a multitude of factors that can leave the area in ruins. The Belize Barrier Reef is such an area. It is a breathtaking natural system, home to a diverse array of life forms, which is being threatened by mankind and environmental factors. Conservation efforts can be put into action to ensure the continued existence of this site, but those efforts require financial backing. With proper monetary support, the increased conservation efforts can reverse the destruction on the reef. The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is a rich and diverse ecosystem that can be preserved for the enjoyment of generations to come. * The coastal area of Belize is the location of The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. The reef is the largest of its kind within the northern hemisphere, stretching out over 200 miles along Belize’s coast. The reef contains many mangrove forests, large atolls, pristine lagoons, and approximately 450 sand cays. Additionally, the reef is home to a plethora of marine life which both directly and indirectly impacts this ecosystem and the diverse life contained within. The preservation of this site is crucial due to the abundant threatened species that make their home in the reef. Specifically, there are nearly a thousand species that inhabit the reef such as the loggerhead, green, and hawksbill sea turtles, the largest population of manatees in the world, and the American marine crocodile. Additionally, the reef system is home to numerous types of coral, sharks, barracuda, dolphins, angelfish, and several species of birds. The aquatic and plant life of the reef react and prosper through their connections; the reef and the vegetation within provide shelter and food for this array of life that live within (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 1992-2012). * With the abundant life forms that exist within the reef, it is imperative that it be protected, yet the reef system is in danger as a result of huma n interference and climate issues. Because the world is a giant ecosystem, human mistreatment has led to imbalances on a dramatic level, such as fluctuating climate. This climate control issue is adversely affecting both  the water level in the reef and the organisms within. Tropical storms have been an issue as well as they threaten the coast with tidal waves and erosion, however the reef and mangrove cays do offer significant protection to the areas further inland (Young, 2008). According to World Resources Institute (2008), â€Å"Coral reefs and mangroves are highly interconnected habitats, physically supporting each other and providing habitat for many species. For example, mangroves filter sediment and pollutants from coastal runoff, supporting the clean water favored by corals. Many species important to fisheries and tourism rely upon mangrove habitat for part of their life-cycle† (p. 2). * With the delicate balance of this ecosystem and all it offers, it would stand to reason that locals would do everything possible to preserve the reef, yet that is not the case. In fact, locals and tourists are threatening this precious ecosystem and could cause its decline. Deforestation, oil drilling, and coastal development are all threats. In 2002 crude oil was discovered in Belize, igniting frenzy and attracting hundreds of prospectors. Additionally, the growing population and tourism industry has led to rapid development for both residential and commercial purposes (Young, 2008). â€Å"Over the last five decades, large-scale agriculture (citrus, bananas, sugar cane) and, more recently, large-scale aquaculture (shrimp and tilapia farming) have escalated at the expense of the forests. Coupled with rapid and increasing coastal development, illegal logging, and slash-and-burn agriculture, Belize is currently experiencing a deforestation rate that is twice that of Central America (2.3% vs. 1.2% annually)†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Young, 2008, para. 4). * Fortunately, others have realized the value of the reef system and have taken steps to protect it. â€Å"The preservation of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System is critical to both its marine inhabitants and the local communities that depend on the site for their livelihoods† (Terracurve, 2009, para. 3). In 2009, the United Nation Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added the reef reserve system to their list of World Heritage in Danger sites. The UNESCO foundation hopes to spread the message that the Belize Reef System belongs to all people and its natural heritage and beauty should be protected (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 1992-2012). Conservation efforts have also been put into play to ensure this world heritage sites continued existence. The department of fishery in Belize has recognized the need to reform the  national fisheries policy in an effort to control over fishing in the reefs, which is a substantial threat to the reef. Such reforms should help the over fished areas to rebuild, offer protection to the reefs and delicate coral, and add to the number of protected marine areas where fishing is not allowed (Wildlife Conservation Society, 2012). Conservation efforts for the Barrier Reef system still have a long way to go. Local Belize communities and their inhabitants are one group that can do much good towards the conservation of this national treasure. However, in order for this to happen the locals need to be educated on conservation and its benefits and become invested in the reefs. Although this is a challenge do to the extreme poverty that exists within Belize and the citizens’ access to educational information. Poverty greatly increases the instances of environmental misuse because those affected typically have greater worries than environmental conservation. In order to implement a conservation plan that includes involvement from local citizens, there must also be efforts made to boost the socio-economic standing of the citizens. Long term preservation of the reef could be financially beneficial to the Belize economy and better the citizen’s socio-economic standings. Additionally, allowing the citizens to work with the government officials towards making decisions concerning the reef will give them a sense of investment in the reef (Young, 2008). * Improving the socio-economic conditions in Belize and educating citizens is just a small step that can lead to more effective conservation efforts for the reef. That still leaves the issues of outside interference on the ecosystem such as oil drilling and deforestation. Although Belize has established a protection plan for certain land a sea areas, it is apparent that tighter restrictions are needed. In particular, oil drilling and deforestation are major issues that threaten the reef that should have increased restrictions placed on them. This will require increased monitoring and amendments to the protected area systems. Additionally, the three management teams which oversee the protected areas appear to all have different ideas concerning best conservation practices. For that reason it would make sense to unify the groups, leaving only one division to oversee the protected areas and enforce regulations (Meerman, 2004). Drastic measures to preserve the reef system need to be taken now, before it is too late. If conservation efforts are not increased, coral health and fish  populations will continue to decline and the mangrove cays will face extinction. As it stands, the shark population in the reef waters has already declined, which is an indicator as to the reefs health. The absence of sharks in the reefs allows the populations of barracudas and rays to increase and take control. These second rate predators can have damaging effects on the reefs if there numbers are not controlled, such as limiting the populations of parrot fish, conch, and lobster. Lobster is important in Belize as it is one of t he country’s major exports. Parrot fish play an integral role in the reef as well, they are plant eaters and there food source is algae. Without parrot fish and other plant eating fish eating the algae and keeping it in check, it will spread until the reef is consumed by it, which could be irreversible (Kryt Ward, 2008). The Barrier Reef Reserve System off of the coast of Belize is breathtaking example of nature’s beauty. Additionally, it is a precious natural system teaming with diverse life forms. Although climate and human interference have caused the reef to become an endangered site, it is not too late to reverse the effects of mistreatment. Education on conservation efforts and increased restrictions can greatly increase the reefs chances of survival for generations to come. Without these efforts, a precious natural resource will be lost, and the reef is most certainly worth preserving. References * Kryt, K. Ward, J. (2008). Trouble in paradise-the struggle to save Belize’s Glover’s atoll. Retrieved from http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/eij/article/trouble_in_paradise/ Meerman, J.C. (2004). Protected Areas Policy and System Plan: Protected Area System Assessment Analysis. Retrieved from http://biological-diversity.info/NPAPSP.htm * Terracurve. (2009). Help protect the Belize Barrier Reef with the support of the United Nations. Retrieved from http://www.terracurve.com/2009/07/01/help-protect-the-belize-barrier-reef-with-the-support-of-the-united-nations/ * UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (1992-2012). Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. Retrieved from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/764 Wildlife Conservation Society. (2012).

The Recent Wave of Hong Kong Immigrants into Vancouver :: Immigration Vancouver Prejudice Essays

The Recent Wave of Hong Kong Immigrants into Vancouver   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  This paper is concerned with the recent wave of Hong Kong immigrants into Vancouver. The stage is set for this discussion by first explaining some background behind Canadian immigration policy and then discussing the history of Chinese immigrants in Vancouver. From these discussions we are informed that Canadian immigration policy was historically ethnocentric and only began to change in the late 1960s. It was at this point that we see a more multicultural group of immigrants into our nation. The history of Chinese immigration in Vancouver, and for that matter, Canada is not positive one. The experiences and prejudices which were developed over 100 years ago still colours the way in which we view one another.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The recent wave of Hong Kong immigrants began in the 1970s. This group is different from most others before it because of it's scale and the fact that they tend to be well-educated, affluent people. The result of their immigration into Vancouver has been a booming economy and social tension. With greater understanding and awareness on both sides we can alleviate the social tensions. Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is a school in Vancouver which is offering a four year immersion programme to its students. That in itself is not highly unusual in our bilingual nation, what is unusual is that the language of choice for the immersion programme is not French, it is Mandarin. The programme was voted in by parents who believed the Mandarin language to be more important to their children's futures in Vancouver than French. This situation shows quite effectively the transition which is taking place in Canada's third largest city. Vancouver is a city which is consistently looking more and more to the Pacific Rim nations, especially Hong Kong, for its economic and social connections.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Vancouver is the most asian Canadian city in outlook. At $1.3 Billion, British Columbia accounts for the greatest Asian investment of all the provinces. As the urban center of the province, Vancouver is the destination for most of this capital. With an Asian population of over 18%, perhaps it is not so surprising that so much Asian capital is invested in the city. The draw of Vancouver for Asians has numerous reasons including, security, an opportunity to continue business in Asia, and a feeling of welcome. The result is that the city is being completely rebuilt with asian money. As a consequence of this influx, all is not well, there are tensions within the city that have recently been surfacing. Before entering into this discussion, however, it is important to understand the context of immigration in Canada as well as the history of asian

Owl- Foolish or Wise

Ullu (owl) – Foolish or Wise? Today in ITPN class, a very interesting debate started but due to lack of time and due to some over excited people (mostly psychology stream kids, they speak so much! Are all psychology people gifted with feature like â€Å"I think after I speak,†? it’s so annoying) who have to speak on everything! The debate somehow could not finish properly. So, the house was divided on if â€Å"Ullu† was wise or foolish. Owl, who wakes up at night and sleeps during the day, is considered to be the poster boy of wisdom and smartness.In Hindu mythology owl has been bestowed with the honor of being the vehicle of goddess Saraswati. Now Saraswati is supposed to be the goddess of knowledge and music. So if we interpret it correctly, owl can be seen as the vehicle of knowledge, which I assume, is a very respectable thing to be. But then why does â€Å"ullu da patha† which means son of an owl is taken as an insult? So when someone is callin g you â€Å"ullu da patha† isn’t he indirectly calling you something truly respectable?But actual meaning of â€Å"ullu da patha† isn’t son of an owl, but when someone calls you â€Å"ullu da patha† what he’s trying to say is â€Å"I can’t abuse you properly right now†, and by properly I mean reaching mothers and sisters. That’s the reason it’s taken as an insult because we know the hidden meaning. We often hear people calling us â€Å"ullu† whenever we do something foolish. But what is that foolish thing which our poor owl does that people keep associating our foolish acts with his? Is it his gaze? Or his nocturnal sleeping habits? But what’s so wrong about sleeping in the daytime?If everyone is sleeping at night that does not mean our poor owl has to copy them. I think it somehow shows how our society sees things, if someone is not doing what majority is doing, he is labeled as stupid. Why are ever ybody expected to do same things? Walk the same path to success. Isn’t this stupid? (Doing things without thinking and follow what others do) Ask any science student today who is studying in school that what he wants to do after school? Answer would be the same, â€Å"I want to become an engineer and then do an MBA! Thank God, I am not running in this horse race. I guess, not everybody was so ignorant and somebody somehow realized that how wise our poor owl could be. I don’t know what was that person thinking when s/he made owl the vehicle of Saraswati and put our owl in the league of wise. I think what makes him wise, is the fact that he has the wisdom of the night. He knows what others don’t and he knows what other’s hide. He knows the secrets of the night. His uninterrupted gaze, his 360 degree vision, sees what lies in the dark, what happens in the underbelly.Maybe people had started calling him stupid, to hide their shame, they thought that by calli ng him stupid they would make him untrustworthy and nobody will trust his words. But they forgot that our poor owl needs to sleep too, he won’t tell their secrets to anybody because when the whole world daydreaming, our poor owl is actually dreaming in his sleep. So, if next time, someone calls you â€Å"ullu da patha,† don’t feel bad and think about the hidden meaning. Rather think about the respect that man is giving you unknowingly! -Shikhar Goel

Participative Management Essay

The world today is filled up with working places and organizations. Every organization is putting its efforts to run the trade and commerce of the world. The top most organizations of the world such as Intel, Microsoft and IBM are the best because they have the best human resource. The human resource of a company plays the most vital role which pushes the organization to the zenith of their expectations. The main aspect of an organizations success is the team work and management of time and resources. According to Wikipedia, â€Å"Teamwork is the concept of people, working together cooperatively or as a team in order to accomplish the same goals and objectives†. A general dictionary defines teamwork as a â€Å"Cooperative or coordinated effort on the part of a group (sociology) of persons acting together as a team or in the interests of a common cause, unison for a higher cause, people working together for a selfless purpose, and so on.† Some things cannot be accomplished by people working all by them selves. Larger, more ambitious goals usually require a number of people work together with other people. Because of this obstacle, teamwork is a desired goal of many leading businesses and organizations today. Projects often require those people who can work together in order to accomplish a common goal. Although critics often argue that in the corporate business world teamwork has become an empty buzzword, or a form of corporate-speak. Effective collaborative skills (knowledge) are necessary to work well in an environment like this. As businesses and organizations become larger or more complicated. Many employers attempt to enhance their employees’ collaborative efforts through self-training, cross-training and conducting workshops in order to help people effectively work together in a group and accomplish shared goals. What is participative management? Participative management can be easily explained as â€Å"An open form of management where employees have a strong decision-making role†. Participative management is developed by managers who actively seek a strong cooperative relationship with their employees and colleagues. The advantages of participative management include increased productivity, improved quality, and reduced costs Once Ken Blanchard said, â€Å"None of us is as smart as all of us†. Participative (or participatory) management, otherwise known as employee involvement or participative decision making, encourages the involvement of stakeholders at all levels of an organization in the analyzing of problems, development of strategies and implementation of solutions. Employees are brought together to share in the decision-making process of the firms by participating in activities such as setting goals, determining work schedules and putting forward suggestions. Other forms of participative management include increasing the responsibility of employees (job enrichment); forming self-managed teams, quality circles, or quality-of-work-life committees; and soliciting survey feedback. Participative management, however, involves more than allowing employees to take part in making their own decisions too. It also involves management treating the ideas and suggestions of employees with consideration and respect. The most extensive form of participative management is direct emp loyee ownership of a company. Four processes influence participation. These processes create employee involvement as they are pushed down to the lowest levels in an organization. The farther down these processes move, the higher the level of involvement by employees. The four processes include: 1. Information sharing, which is concerned with keeping employees informed about the economic status of the company. 2. Training involves raising the skill levels of employees and offering development opportunities that allow them to apply new skills to make effective decisions regarding the organization as a whole. 3. Employee decision making, which can take many forms, from determining work schedules to deciding on budgets or processes. 4. Rewards, which should be tied to suggestions and ideas as well as performance. Benefits of participative management A participative management style offers various benefits at all levels of an organization. By creating a sense of ownership in a company, participative management instills a sense of pride and motivates employees to increase productivity in order to achieve their goals. Employees who participate in the decisions of the company feel like they are a big part of a team with a common goal and find their sense of self-esteem and creative fulfillment heightened which results in a brilliant motivation which increases the productivity of an individual. Managers who use a participative style find that employees are more receptive to change than in situations in which they have no voice or part. Changes are implemented more effectively when employees have input and make contributions to decisions. Participation keeps employees informed of upcoming events so they will be aware of potential changes. The organization can then place itself in a proactive mode instead of a reactive one, as managers are able to quickly identify areas of concern and turn to employees for solutions. Participation helps employees gain a wider view of the organization. Through training, development opportunities, and information sharing, employees can acquire the conceptual skills needed to become effective managers or top executives. It also increases the commitment of employees to the organization and the decisions they make. Creativity and innovation are two important benefits of participative management. By allowing a diverse group of employees to have input into decisions, the organization benefits from the synergy that comes from a wider choice of options. When all employees, instead of just managers or executives, are given the opportunity to participate, the chances is increased that a valid and unique idea will be suggested. Requirements of participative management A common misconception by managers is that participative management involves simply asking employees to participate or make suggestions or take part in making changes. Effective programs involve more than just a suggestion box. In order for participative management to work, several issues must be resolved and several requirements must be met. First, managers must be willing to relinquish some control to their workers; managers must feel secure in their position in order for participation to be successful. Often managers do not realize that employees’ respect for them will increase instead of decrease when they implement a participative management style where all of the employees are considered eligible to give suggestions. The success of participative management depends on effective planning and a slow, phased approach. Changing employees’ ideas about management takes time, as does any successful attempt at a total cultural change from a democratic or autocratic style of management to a participative style. Long-term employees may resist changes, not believing they will last. In order for participation to be effective, managers must be genuine and honest in implementing the program. Many employees will need to consistently see proof that their ideas will be accepted or at least seriously considered. The employees must be able to trust their managers and feel they are respected. . It is important to remember that the manager may not agree with every idea or suggestion given by an employee, how those ideas are received is critical to succeed in participative management. Participatory management does not work with employees who are passive or simply do not care about the organization. Many times employees do not have the skills or information necessary to make good suggestions or decisions too. In this case, it is important to provide them with information or training; so they can make informative choices about their field of expertise. One way to help employees engage in the decision-making process is by knowing their individual strengths and capitalizing on them. By guiding employees towards such areas in which they are knowledgeable, a manager can help to ensure their success. Managers should also give employees time to think about ideas or alternative decisions. Employees often do not do their most creative thinking on the spot and take little bit of more time. Another important element for implementing a successful participative management style is the visible integration of employees’ suggestions into the final decision or implementation of the decision. Employees need to know that they have made a contribution to the thought of the organization and should be appreciated for it. Offering employees a choice in the final decision is important because it increases their commitment, motivation, and job satisfaction. Sometimes even just presenting several alternatives and allowing employees to choose from them is as effective as if they thought of the alternatives themselves. The key is to build employee confidence so their ideas and decisions can become more creative and sound. Concerns Participative management is not a magic cure for all that ails an organization. Managers should carefully weigh the pros and the cons before implementing this style of management to their own. Managers must realize that changes will not take effect overnight and will require consistency and patience before employees will begin to see that the management is serious about employee involvement. Participative management is probably the most difficult style of management to practice. It is challenging not only for managers but for employees as well. Participative management programs can be threatened by office politics. Due to hidden agendas and peer pressure, employees may keep their opinions to themselves and refuse to tell a manager if they feel an idea will not work. A Manager also plays a part in politics when they implement participative management programs to impress their own bosses but have no intention of seeing them through. â€Å"The old structures are being reformed. As organizations seek to become more flexible in the face of rapid environmental change and more responsive to the needs of customers, they are experimenting with new, team-based structures† (Jackson & Ruderman, 1996). Why Team Building is necessary Teamwork is essential for competing in today’s global arena, where individual perfection is not as desirable as a high level of collective performances. In knowledge based enterprises, teams are the norm. A critical feature of this team is that they have a significant degree of empowerment or decision-making authority. There are many different kinds of teams: top management teams, focused task forces, self-directed teams, concurrent engineering teams, product/service development and/or launch teams, quality improvement teams, and so on. Team vs. Group Not all groups in organizations are teams, but all teams are groups. The difference between a team and a group is that a team is interdependent for overall performance. A group qualifies as a team, only if its members focus on helping one another to accomplish organizational objectives and goals. In today’s quickly changing business environments, teams have emerged as a requirement for the success of business. Therefore, managers and leads should constantly try to help groups become teams and facilitate the evolution of groups into teams. Vince Lombardi (1913-1970), football coach for the NFL, once said:  Ã¢â‚¬ People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses or the problems of modern society†. Importance of Teamwork The importance of teamwork is presented in every seminar you attend or business book you read. Without teamwork, houses take longer to build. Governments collapse. Without teamwork, people lose their inspiration and motivation. Importance of the world is known with team work and it has played a part in company turnarounds. Our teamwork training programs dispel the negative myths of teamwork while developing and encouraging the importance of teamwork that can be enjoyed by all parties involved in it. There are three main steps involved with instilling the importance of teamwork within a company environment: 1) Begin with the end in mind – Make a specific list of how your employees, customers and business as a whole will benefit, when they see the true importance of teamwork and team playing. Only then you can outline your objectives and goals which you have to achieve. 2) Make a plan – Do you have the resources to develop teamwork internally? Or, do you need to bring in some experts to assemble and conduct a customized training program for your business team? This is a critical decision on your part and a corporate training company would love the opportunity to discuss how a team would work after learning their outstanding training methods. 3) Quantify and monitor results – The results from teamwork can be measured but only if you have a defined process in place. This measuring process will be the fuel you will need to convince the management and the staff that ongoing efforts would be made to increase teamwork efficiency cordially. Once management and staff alike experience the importance of teamwork, they will be fueled to achieve even more and to touch the heights.

Authoritarian Approach to Management Essays

Authoritarian Approach to Management Essays Authoritarian Approach to Management Paper Authoritarian Approach to Management Paper CASE STUDY ANALYSIS AN AUTHORITARIAN APPROACH TO MANAGEMENT This essay makes available an analysis of a case study pertaining to tribulations in human resources management and management technique at the Polk County Social Welfare Department. Patton, the new Director, manifest an exceedingly authoritarian management style. The analysis includes problem diagnosis, analysis and evaluation of alternative solutions, and recommendations for actions. Like Patton, administrators who adopt an authoritarian approach lay down clear rules for subordinates and expect them to obey not only the rules but the also the administrator with authority. An authoritarian style of leading uses outside incentives such as: rewards for obeying the rules and consequences for breaking them. An administrator who adopts this approach tends to lack affection and openness and values their own opinions over those of their lessors. The foremost objective of an authoritarian administrator is to increase overall conformity and they seek to accomplish this end through the use of outside enticements which often suggest obedience out of apprehension. Patton adapted to this way of managing because he was raised to respect and value work ethic. His parents were industrious and committed who believed in corporal reprimand. It was not difficult to understand why Patton adapted to the authoritarian approach to management. Authoritarian style is implemented when the person in charge tells his/her employees what is expected and how it should be done, without getting the advice of cohorts. A quantity of the suitable conditions to employ it is when you have all the information to get to the bottom of the dilemma, you are limited on time, and your workforce is well motivated. A number of people have a propensity to consider this style as a medium for screaming, using undignified words, and leading by intimidation and misusing their authority. The authoritarian style should more often than not be used on extraordinary circumstances. In an effort to achieve more commitment and motivation from your employees, Patton might try using the participative style. This style of authoritarian principal can lead to bitterness and contribute to the encouragement of insecurities. After all, rejecting suggestions of workers may be perceived as an aggressive or bossy approach. Participative style would allow Patton to include one or more employees in on the decision making process (determining what to do and how to do it). On the other hand, Patton would maintain the final decision making authority. Using this style is not an indication of weakness; rather it is an indication of strength that your employees will respect and admire. In this case Motivation Theory might help resolve some of Patton’s problems within his department. In Theory X and Theory Y, McGregor identifies two sets of assumptions about the nature of people: Theory X is a set of essentially negative assumptions about the nature of people and Theory Y is a set of positive assumptions about the nature of people. McGregor’s XY Theory is a valuable and undemanding reminder of the natural rules for managing people, which under the heaviness of everyday business are all too without difficulty elapsed. In lieu of the information presented in this analysis, conceivably the most evident characteristics of McGregors XY Theory and the easiest to exemplify are found in the behaviors of autocratic managers and organizations which use autocratic management styles such as Patton did in his role as a manager. It is part of the manager’s job to exercise authority, and there are cases in which this is the only method of achieving the desired results because subordinates do not agree that the ends are desirable. In reality, some theories are unrealizable in practice, but if managers put into action that employee will contribute to the organizational goals if they are treated as responsible and valued employees. Qualitative and Quantitative analysis can both be used in this situation; however, there are pros and cons associated with each taking into consideration the two types of data analysis form dissimilar, not compulsory, irreconcilable perspectives on quantity statistics. Nonetheless, I think that qualitative analysis is an absolute detailed description which allows for superior distinctions to be drawn. Likewise, a lack of understanding of practice organization and function has limited the effectiveness of attempts to change practice behaviors. Therefore, a qualitative analysis might be used with a cross-sectional study or multimethod approach that included direct observation of managers within the public welfare agency, questionnaires of employes, and semistructured participant observation of the organization. The goals of the qualitative component of the study might be to recognize and demonstrate the barriers to nd the opportunities for successful and well-organized management approaches. Finally, the extent to which leaders are able to manage change, develop consensus, and maintain loyalty will establish the success/failure of any organizational management idea or reorganization endeavor. One of the most noteworthy factors that impede success in organizations is lack of leadership. Continuous, attentiveness, self-evident leadership is very important for flourishing achievement o f organizational change.

English Longbow - Hundred Years War

English Longbow - Hundred Years' War Longbow - Origins: While bows have been used for hunting and warfare for thousands of years, few achieved the fame of the English Longbow. The weapon first rose to prominence when it was deployed by the Welsh during the Norman English invasions of Wales. Impressed by its range and accuracy, the English adopted it and began conscripting Welsh archers into military service. The longbow ranged in length from four feet to in excess of six. British sources usually require the weapon to be longer than five feet to qualify. Longbow - Construction: Traditional longbows were constructed from yew wood which was dried for one to two years, with it slowly being worked into shape over that time. In some cases, the process could take as long as four years. During the period of the longbows use, shortcuts were found, such as wetting the wood, to speed up the process. The bow stave was formed from half of a branch, with the heartwood on the inside and the sapwood to the outside. This approach was necessary as the heartwood was able to better resist compression, while the sapwood performed better in tension. The bow string was typically linen or hemp. Longbow - Accuracy: For its day the longbow possessed both long range and accuracy, though seldom both at once. Scholars estimate the longbows range at between 180 to 270 yards. It is unlikely however, that accuracy could be ensured beyond 75-80 yards. At longer ranges, the preferred tactic to unleash volleys of arrows at masses of enemy troops. During the 14th and 15th centuries, English archers were expected to shoot ten aimed shots per minute during battle. A skilled archer would be capable of around twenty shots. As the typical archer was provided with 60-72 arrows, this permitted three to six minutes of continuous fire. Longbow - Tactics: Though deadly from a distance, archers were vulnerable, particularly to cavalry, at close range as they lacked the armor and weapons of the infantry. As such, longbow equipped archers were frequently positioned behind field fortifications or physical barriers, such as swamps, which could afford protection against attack. On the battlefield, longbowmen were frequently found in an enfilade formation on the flanks of English armies. By massing their archers, the English would unleash a cloud of arrows on the enemy as they advanced which would strike down soldiers and unhorse armored knights. To make the weapon more effective, several specialized arrows were developed. These included arrows with heavy bodkin (chisel) heads which were designed to penetrate chain mail and other light armor. While less effective against plate armor, they generally were able to pierce the lighter armor on knights mount, unhorsing him and forcing him to fight on foot. To speed up their rate of fire in battle, archers would remove their arrows from their quiver and stick them in the ground at their feet. This permitted a smoother motion to reload after each arrow. Longbow - Training: Though an effective weapon, the longbow required extensive training to use effectively. To make sure that deep pool of archers always existed in England, the population, both rich and poor, were encouraged to hone their skills. This was furthered by the government through edicts such King Edward Is ban on sports on Sunday which was designed to ensure that his people practiced archery. As the draw force on the longbow was a hefty 160–180 lbf, archers in training worked their way up to the weapon. The level of training required to be an effective archer discouraged other nations from adopting the weapon. Longbow - Usage: Rising to prominence during the reign of King Edward I (r. 1272–1307), the longbow became a defining feature of English armies for the next three centuries. During this period, the weapon aided in winning victories on the Continent and in Scotland, such as Falkirk (1298). It was during the Hundred Years War (1337–1453) that the longbow became legend after it played a key role in securing the great English victories at Crà ©cy (1346), Poitiers (1356), and Agincourt (1415). It was, however, the weakness of the archers, which cost the English when they were defeated at Patay in (1429). Beginning in the 1350s, England began to suffer a shortage of yew from which to make bow staves. After expanding the harvest, the Statute of Westminster was passed in 1470, which required each ship trading in English ports to pay four bow staves for each ton of goods imported. This was later expanded to ten bow staves per ton. During the 16th century, bows began to be replaced by firearms. While their rate of fire was slower, firearms required much less training and permitted leaders to quickly raise effective armies. Though the longbow was being phased out, it remained in service through the 1640s and was used by Royalist armies during the English Civil War. Its last use in battle is believed to have been at Bridgnorth in October 1642. While England was the only nation to employ the weapon in large numbers, longbow-equipped mercenary companies were used throughout Europe and saw extensive service in Italy.

THE BLIND ASSASSIN BOOK BY MAGARET ATWOOD (Book Report) Essay

THE BLIND ASSASSIN BOOK BY MAGARET ATWOOD (Book Report) - Essay Example This sense that somehow Iris was once whole and is now damaged is communicated, when she calls herself â€Å"†¦a brick-strewn vacant lot where some important building used to stand.† (Atwood 43)1 It becomes clear later that her ruin is of her own making, brought about through her deliberate blindness towards her own motivations that underlay the choices she made. Thus she says: I did believe, at first, that I only wanted justice. I thought my heart was pure. We do like to have such good opinions of our own motives when we’re about to do something harmful, to someone else. (497) In old age, Iris is painfully aware of at least some of her motives. However, she is still not entirely honest because it is quite clear that she knew ‘back then’ as well. Thus â€Å"we do like to have such good opinions of our own motives† (497) communicates a sense of ‘deliberate’ self-deception. Her primary punishment is reserved for Laura, for the role she played in the lives of Richard and Alex and perhaps also because she was ‘good’. She also vindictively destroyed her husband’s career. What was it she wanted? Nothing much. Just a memorial of some kind. But what is a memorial, when you come right down to it, but a commemoration of wounds endured? Endured and resented. Without memory there is no revenge.† (508) Revenge then was what Iris had wanted all along. This manifests itself also clearly in the spiteful way in which she communicates Alex’s death to Laura. â€Å"Laura, I hate to tell you this, I said, but whatever it was you did, it didn’t save Alex. Alex is dead.† (488) This ‘whatever’ Laura did to save Alex was giving in to Richard’s sexual demands and Iris was fully aware of Laura’s ‘martyr’ mindset. Her sister had been a heavy burden to the young Iris and once, after Laura tried to sacrifice herself for her dead mother, Iris had been close to ‘letting go’. Now destroying Laura’s