Ethical and Social responsibility issues in IHRM

Labor Costs essays

Labor Costs essays If were going to explain why some people earn a great deal of income while others earn very little, we must consider both the supply and the demand for labor. We usually ask ourselves why does the average college graduate earn over $40,000 while the average high school graduate earn less than $25,000? To find answers to these questions we must examine the behavior of labor markets. We first must start by looking at supply of labor, which is the willingness and ability to work specific amounts of time at alternative wage rates in a given period. Offering to sell your time and talents to anyone whos willing to pay the right price. The reward of working comes in two forms: 1) The intrinsic satisfaction of working MBA grads say they care more about the intrinsic satisfaction than the pay. They also get huge paychecks however; those big paychecks are explained in part by the quantity of labor supplied. MBA grads often end up working 60 or more hours a week. The reason people are willing to work so many hours is that they want more income. Not working obviously has some value, too. We need some non work time just to recuperate form working. We also want some time to watch television, go to a soccer game in other word enjoy the goods and services weve purchased. The inevitable trade-off between labor and leisure explains the shape of individual labor supply curve. As we work more hours, our leisure time becomes scarce and more valuable. The upward slope of an individuals labor supply curve is thus a reflection of two potential phenomena (look at p.305 figure 15.1): 1) The increasing opportunity cost of labor as leisure time declines 2) The decreasing marginal utility of income as a person works more hours. Some people will work because of flexible hours or just to have time at home, for this reason people do not always go for what the wage is. Sometimes people are willin ...

The Race and the Community Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Race and the Community - Essay Example Some years ago members of certain races were discriminated in the communities and were seen to be inferior to others. This posed a threat to peaceful coexistence of the different people from different races. However with the civilization the racial discrimination slowly ebbed out. Today racial difference between different parties is almost meaningless. In this paper I will show the extent of a peaceful co-existent of the Cubans in the Bradenton county, Florida, among different races and how and racial identities in the county has helped built healthy and just communities though normally considered to be divisive (Herrera, 2001). The Bradenton county seat is located in the manatee county of Florida, a western state of the United States of America. Manatee County is found on the west coast of the state and is well connected to the other parts of the country. It is situated on the tamiana trail, and the paradise loop that connects top the Dixie highway. The town of Bradenton on the other hands connects well to the entire town and the villages of the county. Bradenton is the most metropolitan of the west coast state and the most rapidly growing county in the state. The county seat is located on the south bank of the manatee river which is useful in fishing, bathing boating and other sports. The county seat town is beautiful and has magnificent architectural designs, magnificent theatres, and hotels and a leader in celery distribution. The manatee county is one of the areas in Florida with the highest concentration of Latin American immigrants and specifically the Cuban Americans due to proximity to Cuba .Cuban Americans are people who emigrated from Cuba to America during the Spanish rule, and also those who emigrated in search of better lives, others were offered political refuge against the harsh Cuban rulers and became permanent citizens of USA. The population of Cubans is estimated to stand at 11% of the total migrant population with Mexicans comprising the highest percentage of the population. Assimilation of Cubans Apart from these Cuban ethnic communities other communities also have residence in the county (Maria, 1994). Some of them include the Bradenton town is a relatively, which is a cosmopolitan modern city. Other Migrants into the county comprised Mexicans, Mayans, Indians from Guatemala Asians and Spanish speakers. Just like the other communities, Cubans have well been assimilated into the cultures and the way of life of Americans. the people in this neighborhood travels and reside together and work together not just accidental but a well knit social unit bound together by the family relationships and the common local cultures of the different ethnicities. The Cuban have adopted all the aspect of the Americans, the language, tastes such that it is difficult to differentiate between a Cuban and other communities were it not for the physical characteristics. Cuban Americans have successfully establishing businesses and developing political clout by transforming Bradenton into a modern cit y (Herrera, 2001). Coexistence The threat of the coexistence of the races together and the subsequent emergence of the racial discrimination could be attributed to some cause. Racism evolved during the European exploration of the world and the discovery of new worlds. As the explores reached new lands the found the original inhabitants of such a place where more they waged

Toxic leadership more deatails will be up loaded Essay

Toxic leadership more deatails will be up loaded - Essay Example Toxic leaders are of different shapes and sizes. Contextually, intentionally toxic leaders consciously harm others or enrich themselves at the cost of others, while unintentionally toxic leaders cause serious harm to others by their irresponsible behaviour and their incompetence. It is worth mentioning that most of the toxic leaders are relatively not toxic at every time. They may exhibit toxic behaviour in certain circumstances but not in others. Moreover, the degree of toxicity generated by these leaders may not be the same and their toxicity may be varying. At the same time, their actions and the variable degree of toxicity represented by them may result in different form and intensity of harm (Lipman-Blumen, 2005). Behaviour of Toxic Leaders Initially, the behaviours of toxic leaders are appealing but eventually they manipulate, maltreat and demoralize their followers. Ultimately, the toxic leaders are engaged in an array of destructive behaviours. ... deliberate untruth Pretending to be incompetent and misdiagnosing problems and issues Maliciously setting goals and objectives to be achieved by their followers Demonstrating failure to develop and enhance skills and knowledge of their followers Dominating their followers and others by the misuse of their power and position Behaving arrogantly to negatively influence the behaviour of their followers and others Source: (Lipman-Blumen, 2005) Rise and Fall of the Three Leaders in the Context of Walton’s ACE Framework Walton (2007) views leadership behaviour through three lenses that make up ACE framework. Contextually, ACE framework stands for actor, context and external environment. Furthermore, ACE framework from the point of view of Walton, what he considers as ‘Lenses’ has been precisely depicted below: Lens1: observing the behaviour of the executive as actor Lens2: viewing the internal context of the organisation Lens3: re-viewing the external circumstances in w hich the organisation operates Source: (Walton, 2007) In order to evaluate the leadership behaviour of three leaders on the basis of Walton’s ACE framework, the selected leaders’ names include Yulia Tymoshemko, Bob Diamond and George W. Bush. Dimension A: Observing the Behaviour of the Executive as Actor Yulia Tymoshenko as an Actor Yulia V. Tymoshenko, former Prime Minister of Ukraine happened to be the Prime Minister after emerging as a hero of the country’s Orange Revolution that calmly removed pro-Russian regime during the year 2004. However, constant hostility with her allies dragged her government down and as a result of this she was defeated in the presidential election during February 2010 (The New York Times, 2012). Furthermore, in the year 2011, Ms. Tymoshenko was charged with abuse of

Bilateral Trade in the Economies of Various Countries Essay

Bilateral Trade in the Economies of Various Countries - Essay Example Trade flows from traditional partners is becoming complicated. This means that distance is also an important factor in the bilateral trade. Bilateral trade plays an important role in the economies of various countries. However, a country’s trade with another or others depends on a number of factors. Due to the developments in bilateral trade such as regional integration are major factors (Brun, Carrere and Guillaumont 99). These coupled with the distance between trading partners they impact on bilateral trade. These forces countries to find viable options that help attract trade flow. This study analyses USA’s situation with relation to its traditional trade partners from Europe, Asia, Africa and South America. The countries used in this study were selected on the basis of their GDP, exports volume and traditional trading activities with the USA. As a result, bilateral trade flows’ gravity model is estimated between the USA and its trading partners for the periods 1990 and 2011. The general hypothesis is: The gravity equation is considered probably the most applied empirical trade device for more than a decade now. Its main advantage is that when it is applied to extensive variety factors and goods moving across national and regional borders under varying circumstances, it always produces a good fit (Anderson and Eric 170). This makes it an ideal device for econometric methods of measuring trade. Nonetheless, with the emergence of new economic theory, advancement in international trade, and globalization, a unique empirical application of the model with respect to a country’s GDP and export capability in bilateral trade is required. The Gravity trade model helps in predicting the flows of the bilateral trade and these predictions are with the distance between units in their respective  economic directions as the basis of prediction. The model can be applied in various circumstances to provide an explanation in the flow of commodities on the international scale (Anderson 106).  

Weapon Trafficking When Will It End Politics Essay

Weapon Trafficking When Will It End Politics Essay The news that people hear coming from Mexico, especially in recent times have not been very positive. The continuing violence along the U.S.-Mexico border has escalated even more dramatically within the past few years, mainly because of the Mexican governments constant efforts to cut off Mexican drug trafficking organizations (DTO). The violence associated with Mexican DTOs continues to hurl major challenges and obstacles towards U.S. law enforcement, while at the same time threatening the citizens on both sides of the border. Drug trafficking may be the root to these problems, but the firearms used to perpetrate crimes in Mexico are being illegally trafficked from the U.S. across the southwest Border and is causing serious problems as well. There needs to be a complete removal, or at the least a reduction of the illegal arms passing through the border, but this can only occur through an improved sense of security and supervision and regulation of the arms market. Not only will the f ailure to bring improvement to this situation raise the level of violence and deaths along the U.S.-Mexico border, but will further diminish what the border was made to stand for, in promoting free trade and globalization. To start off, Mexico itself has very strict gun laws, especially the gun-ownership regulations. Very rarely will you witness citizens carrying guns with them or around the house, because of the serious issues that revolve around the possession of these weapons. Since the countrys already existing constitution makes it legal for the citizens to bear arms, the conditions it places on the actual ownership, through amendments to the constitution prove to be much more strict and limiting. The fact that only one body is permitted to sell weapons, and it is run by the army makes it even harder to attain or own these weapons (Ellingwood). Although these rules and regulations are given to the citizens of this country, it does not mean that the weapon-smuggling situation is completely under control and taken care of; as you will learn later on, there are definitely a few ways around any law or institutional arrangement, and the involving parties definitely know how to make the most of the ways around the system by utilizing many types of illegal trade. Yet the violence in the northern border states of Mexico seems to be produced not only by weapons being brought illegally from Mexico, but also by those weapons trafficked illegally from the United States. Since these dangerous firearms are still not legally available for sale in Mexico, it leaves it up to the various drug cartels to smuggle them through the U.S. or Guatemalan borders, or even by sea as a last resort (Money, Guns). A good number of these firearms are brought in by foreign countries by cartel members that participate in these illegal trades and theft and then they are smuggled to Mexico a few at a time. Now in a neighboring country, such as our very own, where most people who own guns have the right to bear arms and are protected by the rights, a small number of gun shows are put together and showcased nearly every weekend of the year. States like Texas, Arizona and California are considered to be the three main source states and hotspots that supply for the vast majo rity of the guns that are bought and snuck into Mexico (Gunrunner). To be able to absolutely prevent these guns from making their way south is a pretty tough battle that challenges the power of the second amendment rights of US citizens against the ever so bloody battles and increasing numbers of Mexican victims of these mini wars that are killed everyday by these brutal weapons that are bought here in the US (Gun Control). As far as the locations where these guns are purchased from, the Gun shows that are put on by the source states take place a couple of times a year, as mentioned earlier. For example, in Arizona, the gun shows occur almost every weekend. They are often times organized by a variety of different groups and unified organizations. One of the well known organizations goes by the name of the Arizona Arms Association, and since they are a group that is most importantly legal and allowed, they are given the power to partake in private transactions between gun owners and citizens. In being able to utilize such a network of these strawmen, the native Mexican arms traffickers have the potential to collect over a dozen of different weapons each weekend (Cartel). After they gather these weapons each week, their next move is to smuggle them into Mexico, which is usually executed using over land routes with a wide range of vehicles and means of transportation that are able to hold a quantity of weapons that are much smaller across the various border crossings. This type of smuggling, in which smaller groupings of guns are smuggled across the border, is known to be called ant trafficking, and continues to serve as one of the biggest reasons why it is so hard to actually detect these weapons that are being pushed down south from the U.S. region of the border. Now focusing back on the gun show, in the positions of the vendor, some private vendors are often entered into the world of the gun trade by taking on the role of a supplier, where he/she takes the orders ahead of time and to make deliveries at a later time, which would most likely take place at an upcoming gun show or event (Gun Control). These people then round up the repeat clients and gradually produce the majority of the supply source for the arms traffickers which have been reported by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives also known as the (PAYAN). Once again, as mentioned earlier the main issue with this is that these transactions are not always closely and precis ely monitored, and so more times than not it puts the salesperson in a position where he/she is able to recognize interested buyers who are likely to be purchasing weapons for a third party. These so-called strawmen who serve as salesmen are the main suppliers and catalysts of these illicit and dangerous weapons that flow southbound, which they sell off to or illegally hand to gun traffickers who then round up and separate into groups and categories of the shipments at certain border crossings. Once they reach their destination in Mexico, the weapons smugglers are ready to make thousands and thousands on their merchandise (Gun Control). For example, an already used AK-47 assault rifle may sell for around 400 U.S. dollars and possibly more. In addition, an AR-15 rifle also has the potential to sell for 800 U.S. dollars up to 2,000 U.S. dollars, but that depends mostly on the model number of years it has been in production for that specific weapon as well as other options and accessories such as the scope or trigger. In Mexico, these weapons start to become more valuable and rocket in re-sell price, and in some rare cases as much as a whopping triple or more, according to the ATF (Gun Control). So an AK-47 rifle that has been purchased in Arizona for about 500 U.S. dollars might go for as much as 1,500 U.S. dollars or more once it crosses the border (Gun Control). At border crossings, Mexican customs agents are usually in the perfect position to interrogate and have the right to detect all smuggled weapons, but their can be a gut-wrenching one at times. Many times, these agents are given a pretty harsh ultimatum which goes by the name of Plata o plomo, meaning silver or lead which then translates into take the bribe or take a bullet. This message, is often times sent by Mexican organized crime groups and targeted to those who patrol the Mexican side of border crossings, known as plazas (Cartel). So here is another factor in why it may be difficult at times to put a halt to the weapon trafficking. Since these Mexican cartels are so menacing and uncooperative, the custom agents who are given the task to detect weapons, are presented with life and death decisions. Certain happenings like these just add on to the fact that it will be difficult to put an end to this war. These kinds of encounters are vital in understanding the rise of violence along the borders, because agents should not be in a position to be fearing of their lives. In the US, the second amendment advocates and supports the gun shows that many people consider an excuse to make weapon smuggling allowed and operating. While the political views surrounding tracing and information sharing can be a bit complicated, the procedure of buying the guns and the required background checks has been reorganize and restructured. These background checks are not required at gun shows because the sales are oftentimes considered to be made between two private and unlicensed individuals instead of a licensed dealer and an individual, which usually takes place in legitimate gun stores where a background check is indeed mandatory. Even the background checks that are made in gun stores are simple and quick (Gunrunner). For example, when a customer at a store is ready to make his/her purchase, the seller of the product is supposed to make a phone call to an ATF hotline, where the person gives out the proper information to the person talking on the other end of the hotl ine. Usually, this process should take less than five or ten minutes, but within the past couple of years, this background check has transformed into a slow and grueling process (Gunrunner). As for the strawmen, who buy off the weapons from law abiding gun merchants serve as a stepping stone into the crooked world of the grey market, where the weapons stay put until they are smuggled into Mexico and then resold. Before these guns are let into the hands of others, usually for criminal use, expert gunsmiths thoroughly check and inspect the working parts, and clean them for the necessary adjustments to transform a usual semi-automatic into a dangerous fully automatic assault weapons. They tweak parts of the gun and make them stronger. Once the strawman flees the scene of the store with gun in their hand, or leaves the show area in the case of a gun show or event, it becomes pretty much impossible to trace the weapon until it is picked up or discovered at a crime scene or if it has been seized. Often times, the weapons that have been captured in Mexico are able to be traced back to gun stores in the US, but the only pieces of information the gun dealer is allowed to legally share with is the information that has already been attained and solidified by the background check. As you can see, the tracing of the weapons captured in Mexico back to the US is proves to be a very complicated and frustrating matter. Due to this complicated process, a large number of weapons usually remain untraced due to the fact that the agents do not want to harass or bother with the bureaucracy (Cartel). In the U.S., there are approximately 2 million guns owned currently, and at any given time, any one of these guns has the potential to be sold to both men and women who will then smuggle them to Mexico. Reasons can range from personal use and self-defense while others for recreational or criminal use. When put together, the mixture of such a enormous supply with demand mixed in with the ant-trafficking produces a countless number of opportunities and possibilities, variables and pretty much leaves the ATF and others with only a limited arsenal of legal tools and, most importantly, gives them the constitutional rights to respect and defend (Gunrunner). As you can see, the conflict here resides in the fact that there are so many possible ways for these weapons to be smuggled, and with all the underground activity that is going on, it can be a very difficult task for the ATF to track down these trades at times. In a sense, the amount of illegal trafficking that is being presented here c an also be overwhelming to the forces that are trying to prevent the illicit trafficking of these weapons. As far as the types of guns that are smuggled, the most popular, or common smuggled firearms include the AR-15 and AK-47 type rifles, FN 5.7 caliber semi-automatic pistols and a variety of .50 caliber rifles and machine guns (AK-47). About a fourth of these AK-47 assault rifles that have been seized have also been created and fixed up to select fire weapons, which then allows for the assault rifles to be used by the cartels (AK-47). In the past, there have been a great number of reports regarding grenade launchers being used against security forces, and at least a dozen M4 Carbines with M203 grenade launchers have been confiscated (AK-47). It was believed that a lot of these lethal and high power weapons alongside their related accessories were actually stolen from U.S. military bases. However, the majority of these military grade guns and heavy duty weapons like grenades and light weight rockets are brought in by the cartels via the humongous supply of arms that remained after the w ars in Central America and Asia. The weapons that are being smuggled are serious weapons that can cause heavy damage and harm, so just the fact that the weapons talked about in this arms trafficking war are heavy duty once again reminds us of how dangerous this situation can get. This constant flow of arms between groups has lead to what has been dubbed the iron river of guns, because of the pouring amount of ammunition and light weapons that have been in flow southbound into Mexico, and how the organized crime hit men and others then use them in order to fight off the Mexican military and police. More times than not, innocent civilians are caught in the midst of shoot outs and random collision between the opposite groups and that is what leads to the rising number of deaths and high volume of violence throughout the years. The resulting body count that is the end product of this violence has greatly pressured the Mexican government over time to call for additional help from the U.S. capital, but these leaders have continued to remain silent and stubborn to put forth a strict gun control legislation. Many have waited and waited for someone to step up to the plate and address the problems along the border, but the subject has been ignored time and time again. Finally, in April of last year, a statement was made by U.S. President Barack Obama regarding the ongoing arms trafficking situation between the U.S. and Mexico, and to no surprise it sparked a serious and very much heated debate. The President, who referred to the data gathered from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (A.T.F.), stated that 90% of the weapons that were seized in Mexico could be traced back to the U.S. (ATF) In concurrence with supporters of putting forth a stricter gun regulation and opponents of the so-called War on Drugs, this information helped their cause and pushed to strengthen their cases. On the other side of the table, the statistic of 90% was greatly criticized and put down by the people who were against the finding of new or alternative solutions to the current situation in Mexico and also to any thoughts or ideas of making some changes regarding gun ownership in the U.S. Out of all the top news corporations, Fox News projected that the percentage of arms that could be traced back to the U.S. was actually closer to 17% percent (Gunrunner). This is a prime example of how things can get taken out of context and a serious issue at hand can be mistaken or overlooked because of little details that are misrepresented or reported. Not only does this add more unnecessary nonsense to a situation and blow it up bigger than what it already is, but it makes the already existing problem a dragging subject. In order to give the material substance and to enhance its rich meaning, all data must be presented in its original context; otherwise, statistics risk becoming meaningless sound bites and generalizations. In the Firearms Trafficking Report, given by the American Government Accountability Office (GAO), they explain the importance that even though it is pretty much impossible to know the exact number of firearms that are illegally smuggled into Mexico in a certain year, roughly 87% of the firearms that are obtained by the Mexican authorities and traced within the past couple of years originally started off in the U.S., according to the data that was gathered from Dept. of Justices Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Also, according to the Mexican and U.S. officials, these firearms have been increasingly more powerful and lethal in recent years. The report continues to polish and purify its data and information, by pointing out that between 2005 and 2008, more than 90% of the firearms that were obtained in Mexico and traced have once again, come from the United States (Gunrunner). When put together, there are a couple of elements that make the overall presentation of thi s data more convincing than just some random statistics put together because there was limited time frame, there was a specific set of weapons seized and traced, which applies to all illegal trade, and that the truth of the matter of the arms trade was imprecise. With all that being said, besides all the conditions and uncertainties that the percentages hold in these reports, there is no denying that there is a considerable amount of movement of weapons from the U.S. to Mexico that, to the dismay of many people, find their way into the hands of the people that are involved in this problematic drug trade. The G.A.O. report makes note of the fact that this trafficking is certainly not new to officials on the border, explaining that the U.S. and Mexican government and law enforcement officials did not see any reason why the drug cartels would go through so much hassle and endure the difficult task of obtaining a gun somewhere else in the world and then transporting it to Mexico when it is so easy and so simple for them to do so from the U.S. (Ellington). This proves to be in unison with the reports statement that even though the eTrace data only corresponds to data from the gun trace requests that were turned in from confiscation in Mexico and n ot all the guns seized, it is currently the only methodical and precise data available. Furthermore, the conclusions that the majority of firearms seized and traced were originally in the United States were consistent with the final conclusions reached by U.S. and Mexican government and law enforcement officials personally involved in the prevention and reducing of arms trafficking to Mexico (Cartel). The G.A.O.s data proves to be pretty clear and straight forward in its presentation. Although, the 90% figure that is being brought up constantly in these reports is just an extra number that creates a shock factor to an already stirring issue. Still, while discussions continue as to the appropriate use of this number, the reality is still readily apparent: there is an important and undeniable illegal market of weapons at the U.S.-Mexico border that fuels the violence between different drug-trafficking organizations. In Loreys book The U.S.-Mexican Border into the twenty-First century, he argues that the long-term objective of thinking and policymaking should be to overcome the U.S.-Mexican border (Lorey 12). When he says this, it could mean resolving material inequalities between the two sides of the boundary and more importantly, reducing conflict between the nations. Weapon trafficking is a serious issue that has been lingering for many years, and in order to cooperate with Loreys arguments, the weapons that are short in Mexico need to be dealt with in a different manner. Also, the violent conflicts between the government and drug cartels need to be put to rest. The task at hand may be difficult and long, but there are blueprints to solutions that can be implemented. The main obstacle and challenge that lies ahead in the fight against trafficking, and also where the conversation should be the focus of, is to address the different flaws in the system that ultimately makes way for such arms-trafficking to happen. The G.A.O. report makes not of certain factors that make trafficking possible, including faults and weaknesses found in both the Mexican and U.S. dealings, as well as the system of government: Uncontrolled and universal corruption in the Mexican government; Fragile and weak institutional links and information sharing between A.T.F. and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that lead to incomplete data; The absence of a Spanish language version of the eTrace program to be utilized by the Mexican authorities. Focusing in on these issues will help improve the quality of information being received by both U.S. and Mexican authorities, which can also lead to a much more informed and knowledgeable anti-arms trafficking strategy. This do es not mean that there must be a complete stop in the ongoing actions and efforts to reduce the weapons trafficking, but that the information gathering and collection and sharing between the countries and institutions must get better. There is hope in finding solutions to these weaknesses in the system. In efforts to help improve information collection and sharing, the ATF is hopeful that future funding and increased cash flow will eventually allow for these manuals (eTrace program) to be translated into Spanish, and also to put in a greater number agents on the border alongside an expansion of real-time intelligence sharing between the ATF and the many agents in Mexico. But besides the obviously simple and easy task at hand of translating English to Spanish, the new plans of the Merida Initiative, which is the name of the new proposal brought forth, guarantees to give the Mexican authorities scanners. These scanners, which will be planted at or near the main border crossings, will then be set up completely in order to detect and locate the drugs in traffic moving north and guns in traffic moving south (Mex). There are little things that can change that can help lead to the ultimate goal of reducing the smuggling of these weapons into Mexico, and it is reassuring to hear that after so many years, things are starting to progress and advance in putting an end to a situation that has caused so many problems for so many years. But it is also very important for us not to lose sight of some of the larger issues at hand surrounding arms trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico border. We must keep in mind that in both countries, even with the few restrictions, the weapons markets are legal. And as it applies to all kinds of markets, it is in the interest of those that are involved in the business to keep it alive and running. Being a weapon dealer, especially in the U.S. it is a very vital role they play in the market. For example, according to a 2006 report, the Conventional Arms Transfers to Developing Nations, also known as the CATDN put together and produced by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (C.R.S.), which is an office of the Library of Congress, the United States was by far the leading supplier of weapons to the developing world (ATF). Furthermore, in a report that came out in more recent times, the C.R.S. reported that for a 3 year span for the 2005-2008 timeframe, the United States and Russia st ood tall and completely took charge of the arms market in the developing world in the value of arms transfer agreements. These statistics may seem honor worthy and impressive, but when considering the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico, the statistics seem to diminish in value and glory as the weapons that are being brought to Mexico from the U.S. is doing more harm than it is doing good. These reports have also made it clear that is it the eighth consecutive year in a row that the United States has been a leader and top force in worldwide arms deliveries (Gunrunner). And even though the report does not really break down the information for the Latin American region, the report also makes clear note that the U.S. and Russia are the regions two biggest suppliers of these weapons. Even though the U.S. is the world leader in weapons agreements according to these reports, there are indeed other countries that also sell and re-sell weapons. While the data from the reports seems to confirm that the vast majority of these weapons are found and captured in Mexico make their expedition into the country over the U.S. border, it is also most likely that many of these weapons travel through different routes as well. A good number of the arms seized could have also arrived in Mexico through legal transactions that occur time to time between governments but somehow have found their way into the illegal market coincidentally and ultimately into the hands of these drug cartel members. The data from reports may explain general facts and information, but sometimes things can happen without any documentation, and that is where the information gathering and collecting, and addressing of these actions needs to shape up. In conclusion, the ongoing discussion and debate on the U.S.-Mexico border and also on the future of the relationship between these two countries is not an easy one to put to rest or come up with a solution. There are so many important subject matters that are also in need of attention: immigrant migration (legal and illegal), the drug policy, border communications, homeland security, and a mutual environment, just to name a couple. It is clear that, although the tiniest details have the ability to offer a foretaste into the bigger picture, to rely and base the conversation purely on the immediate, just like the debate over Obamas use of the 90% statistic, is to completely lose focus of the much greater and more significant debate that holds the future of a complex and vibrant relationship. The reality of all this is that an illegal arms market is one discussion that fits that description and will be a hot issue for many more years to come until the problem is fixed permanently. In t his circumstance, it is clear that the number of illegal weapons passing through the border every year must be significantly and immediately reduced, and this can only happen through tighter supervision and adjustment of the arms market.

Comparing Hinduism and Buddhism Essay -- Compare Contrast

Comparing Hinduism and Buddhism While Hinduism and Buddhism come from the same cultural backgrounds, they are extremely diverse in their beliefs on afterlife, deity, and rituals. Both religions believe in reincarnation, but it is where an individual goes after he or she gets off the endless cycle that differs. These religions also part when it comes to whom they do or do not worship. Every religion comes with rituals and Hinduism and Buddhism are no exceptions. Hindu followers have no doubt they go to moksha after they accomplish redemption, but Buddhists believe that the main goal is to achieve nirvana in the afterlife. A Hindu can conquer redemption by living a life of asceticism. After becoming a Sadhu, or holy man, and renouncing all material possessions they are able to be one wit...

Book Review: Human Communication as Narration

In perhaps his most important contribution to rhetorical theory and the understanding of human communication, Walter Fisher presents an explanation of his narrative paradigm in Human Communication as Narration: Toward a Philosophy of Reason, Value and Action. This book essentially elaborates on and refines Fisher’s previous articles on the narrative paradigm and aims to present a more complete explanation of the theory’s roots, as well as its main tenets and relevant applications.Human Communication as Narration begins with an exhaustive examination of the history of narratives and logic, which includes his assertion that the logic by which human communication should be assessed return to the roots of the original meaning of logos: â€Å"story, reason, rationale, conception, discourse, thought† (p. 10). He asserts that Plato and Aristotle transformed the word logos into a specific term that applied only to philosophical/technical discourse, which launched a †Å"historical hegemonic struggle† that has lasted for more than 2,000 years (p. 10).Fisher explains that the positivist, â€Å"rational-world paradigm† that emphasized formal logic and reasoning (p. 58) is improved upon with his view of a more post-modern, ontological foundation where meaning is co-created through less formal structures like stories. In resurrecting the original meaning of logos, grounding his theory in ontology, and classifying human beings as â€Å"Homo narrans† (p. xi) , or storytelling animals, Fisher rejects the notion that technical logic is the only path to truth and knowledge, and argues that, as the ancients believed, all human communication is rational and contains truth and knowledge (p. 0). This more inclusive account of human communication together with the view that all human communication needs to be seen as stories sets the foundation for Fishers’ theory of narratives. In presenting the main points of his narrative theory ov er several chapters, Fisher explains that humans experience and understand life as a series of ongoing narratives, and that these stories are symbolic interpretations of â€Å"aspects of the world that [are] historically and culturally grounded and shaped by human personality† (p. 9). Given that stories are more than just a figure of speech and have the power to both inform and influence, Fisher establishes â€Å"narrative rationality† as a universal logic and means for the assessment for stories that is accessible by nature to all human beings (p. 47). This assessment is tested against narrative â€Å"probability (coherence) and fidelity (truthfulness and reliability)† (p. 47) – in other words, humans come to believe in and act on stories in so much as they relate to and identify with them.Going back to his assertion that human communication doesn’t have to exist in perfect structures of rhetorical arguments, he further explains that all humans po ssess the ability to reason and can therefore both communicate and accept truth as â€Å"good reasons† (p. 105). Perhaps an even better, more succinct explanation of this comes earlier in the book where Fisher states that â€Å"the materials of the narrative paradigm are symbols, signs of consubstantiation, and good reasons [are] the communicative expression of social reality† (p. 5). By including both formal logic and a logic of â€Å"good reasons† in the basis for argument, Fisher’s narrative paradigm contributes to rhetorical theory by expanding the meaning of persuasion just as Burke’s theory of identification did. Since the average person isn’t trained in formal logic, Fisher believed that the logic of good reasons (i. e. common sense), sits above all other persuasive means since it is universal and inherent in all human communication.Fisher goes on to assert that narrative rationality should also be â€Å"the foundation on which a com plete theory of rhetoric needs to be built† (p. 194). In this sense, the selection of stories we tell and come to accept is demonstrative of who we are and what we want others to believe about us. In the final section of his book, Fisher applies his narrative rationality in several real-world case studies including the rhetoric of Ronald Reagan, Death of a Salesman, The Great Gatsby and the philosophical discussion between Socrates and Callicles in Plato’s Gorgias.These examples provide a helpful demonstration of how narrative rationality can be used to assess the coherence, truthfulness and reliability of stories across a wide range of contexts. In conceptualizing and applying narrative rationality, Fisher contributes an important method for the study of narratives in a variety of communication contexts, which is one of the most important contributions he makes to the study of communication. Through Human Communication as Narration, Fisher provided a more accessible, u niversal means for communicating and understanding human truth.Drawing inspiration from the works of Kenneth Burke, Alasdair MacIntyre, Stephen Toulmin and Chaim Perelman, Fisher’s narrative paradigm argues that formal logic and the positivist view are inadequately prepared to account for the motives and values in human communication. He offers a broader explanation that all forms of human communication are driven by and evolve from our inherent need to determine whether an accounting of new knowledge matches up with what we already know.In the 30 years since Human Communication as Narration was first published, scholars and professionals from a wide range of disciplines have applied Fisher’s narrative paradigm in a variety of contexts. Narrative methods for rhetorical analysis and criticism have been used by Barbara Sharf (1990), Hollihan and Riley (1987), and Michael Cornfield (1992), among many others. In 1993, David Mains argued that the time was ripe for a move to ward narrative sociology, which asserted that â€Å"sociology’s phenomena is made up precisely of stories† (p. 2) as well as that sociologists are mainly narrators. The use of narratives as a means for persuasion in advertising and public relations has been widely documented in recent years by Cinzia Bianchi (2011); Barbara Stern, Craig Thompson and Eric Arnould (1998); and Melanie Green (2006). The narrative paradigm has also been deployed in interpersonal communication and organizational communication (Ashcraft & Pacanowsky, 1996). And a large body of research has been dedicated to the study of narratives as a strategy in conflict resolution as well (Gergen & Gergen, 2006; Sandole et al. 2009). These are just a few of the ways in which Fisher’s narrative paradigm still contributes to the understanding of human communication today. But while the narrative paradigm has enjoyed a renaissance of late with new research that refines and extends the theory (Currie, 2 005; Kirkwood, 1992; McClure, 2009; Stroud, 2002), largely due to its growing multi-disciplinary interest as noted above, it has also attracted much criticism. But while these scholars recognized its value, they have also demonstrated that it is not as useful for critical analysis as it aimed to be.Stroud (2002) found issue with the lack of account for contradiction in stories when assessing narrative rationality. Kirkwood (1992) felt that Fisher’s narrative rationality is limiting in that it doesn’t allow for the possibilities of new stories to be accepted and acted upon. He goes on to argue that a â€Å"rhetoric of possibility† presented through narratives can better account for how rhetors challenge people with â€Å"new and unsuspected possibilities of being and action in the world† (Kirkwood, 1992, p. 31).McClure (2009) also specifically argued that the narrative paradigm must also account for the â€Å"inventional possibilities of new narratives, t he rhetorical revision of old narratives, and the appeal and acceptance of improbable narrative accounts† (p. 191). He also asserts that by expanding the role of Burke’s identification, the narrative paradigm can become a more viable theory and method of criticism. While several scholars have both praised and criticized Fisher’s narrative paradigm, the part of his story that related to narrative’s origins, philosophical foundation and relevance to human communication rang true for me.In my study of rhetorical theory I, too, have often felt that the structures of formal argument are too constricting and limiting in their ability to interpret all forms of persuasive communication. When using Fisher’s own narrative rationality to measure the coherence and fidelity of Human Communication as Narration, I find it to be both coherent and true – especially from my viewpoint as a woman living in a post-modern, post-structuralist society who works in t he field of public relations where stories are the very fabric of our communication strategies.And while I recognize the validity of the proposed extensions of his theory by Kirkwood (1992), McClure (2009) and Stroud (2002), I feel they also serve as proof points for the generative power of Fisher’s paradigm in new ways of thinking about stories. References Ashcraft, K. & Pacanowsky, M. (1996). â€Å"A woman’s worst enemy†: Reflections on a narrative of organizational life and female identity. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 24, 217-239. Bianchi, C. (2011). Semiotic approaches to advertising texts and strategies: Narrative, passion, marketing.Semiotica, 183, 243-271. Cornfield, M. (1992). The press and political controversy: The case for narrative analysis. Political Communication, 9, 47-59. Currie, M. (2005). Postmodern narrative theory. New York: St. Martin’s Press. Fisher, W. R. (1987). Human communication as narration: Toward a philosophy o f reason, value and action. Columbia, SC: University of South Carolina Press. Gergen, M. & Gergen, K. (2006). Narratives in action. Narrative Inquiry, 16, 112-121. Green, M. (2006). Narratives and cancer communication. Journal of Communication, 56, 163-183.Hollihan, T. & Riley, P. (1987). The rhetorical power of a compelling story. Communication Quarterly, 35, 13-25. Kirkwood, W. G. (1992). Narrative and the rhetoric of possibility. Communication Monographs, 59, 30-47. Maines, D. (1993). Narrative’s moment and sociology’s phenomena: Toward a narrative sociology. The Sociological Quarterly, 34, 17-38. McClure, K. (2009). Resurrecting the narrative paradigm: Identification and the case of Young Earth Creationism. Rhetoric Society Quarterly, 39, 189-211. Sandole, D. , Byrne, S. , Sandole-Saroste, I. & Senehi, J. Eds. ). (2009). The handbook of conflict analysis and resolution. Routledge: New York. Sharf, B. (1990). Physician-patient communication as interpersonal rhetoric : A narrative approach. Health Communication, 2, 217-231. Stern, B. , Thompson, C. & Arnould, E. (1998). Narrative analysis of a marketing relationship: The consumer's perspective. Psychology & Marketing, 15, 195-214. Stroud, S. (2002). Multivalent narratives: Extending the narrative paradigm with insights from ancient philosophical thought. Western Journal of Communication, 66, 369-393.

Camila essays

Camila essays I watched the Spanish movie written by Maria Luisa Bemberg called Camila. Camila is a true love story that in its time was named the Best Foreign film. In the plot there is a young woman called Camila who had a forbidden love for her priest Ladislao Guiterrez. After many true confessions to him Ladislao falls in love with her and they flee their home for the provinces. After arriving in the provinces they get married and have many steamy nights together. After A while there is a priest who recognizes Father Ladislao on night while he attended a rooster fight. So the couple was thrown in jail to await their sentence. While in Jail Camila found out that she is pregnant with her husbands baby. However, this does not stop the government to sentence them both to death. They die at the hands of a firing squad eventhough it took longer for Camila because the men did not want to shoot her because of her pregnancy. In the end the couple got what they wanted to be together and in love for ete rnity. I had a hard time watching this Spanish movie I enjoy Spanish culture but many of the films that I have watch have had many steamy love scenes that make me uncomfortable. I think that the Spanish are more open with things of this nature. This movie was very sad and at the end I really wanted Camila and even the father to be able to have life because the only crime that they had committed was falling in love. ...

to kill a mockin bird essays

to kill a mockin bird essays In 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. gave a speech called I Have a Dream. The purpose of this speech was to change the way that African Americans are treated; Martin Luther King Jr. uses metaphors, repetition, and historical reference to enhance his purpose. The speech I Have a Dream has many metaphorical references. One quote in particular helps show the power and effectiveness of metaphors. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination(1). This quote demonstrates one of his uses of metaphors. Martin Luther King Jr. is saying that even after African Americans were pronounced free one hundred years ago they are still experiencing persecution and prejudice for the color of their skin. This is valuable to his purpose because it gives people a new perspective on how people treat African Americans even after they declared that they were free. Martin Luther King Jr. uses repetition throughout his speech. Repetition is a very powerful tool when writing; it puts extra emphasis on things you are trying to get across to your audience. A quote which shows this is I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: we hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal. I have a dream...(2). In this case repetition is being used to get across the point that Martin Luther King Jr. hopes that the future of the African American will be much brighter (which is the purpose of the speech as a whole). By using repetition it forces the listener to pay attention to that part in the speech in particular due to the repetition of the sound. This helps his purpose because it projects the thinking of every African American at that time, giving the non-African American people a picture of what they dream to come in the ...

Midterm Paper Rewrite Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Midterm Paper Rewrite - Essay Example Does this reflect the true picture of what beauty stands for today Definitely not! The "Curse of the Fashionista" will rob you of your identity and will steal the personality that makes you uniquely appealing. We express our shock when a model publicly dies on the runaway from the culmination of years of anorexia. Yet, thousands more suffer in private, away from the public's eye while celebrities promote this disease and its disastrous consequences. The recent case of the Ramos sisters brought only a fleeting glance at the fashion industry's policies that condone and promote an unhealthy body weight. The lure of stardom is quickly traded away, and the unethical practices continue. Cosmetics can be an instant cover-up or a dynamic enhancement for a woman's natural beauty. However, the long-term effects of these chemicals on the skin are mostly unknown, potentially damaging, and may be fatal. The women of England began to paint their faces with powdered white lead to imitate the pale complexion of Queen Elizabeth I. The product worked wonders while the women fell ill to lead poisoning. Today, women taking oral tyrostat for skin whitening have little information about its unforeseen side effects. Recent events indicate that drug companies may have trouble detecting side effects even after years of rigorous testing.

Critical Research Paper Influences Paper Proposal

Critical Paper Influences Paper - Research Proposal Example Ð…amuel Langhorne ClemenÃ'• (Mark Twain) waÃ'• born in Florida, MiÃ'•Ã'•ouri, of a Virginian family. The family Ã'•oon moved to Hannibal, MiÃ'•Ã'•ouri, where Twain waÃ'• brought up. At Ã'•chool, accroding to hiÃ'• own wordÃ'•, he "excelled only in Ã'•pelling". After hiÃ'• fatherÃ'• death in 1847, Twain waÃ'• apprenticed to a printer. Her alÃ'•o Ã'•tarted hiÃ'• career aÃ'• a journaliÃ'•t by writing for the Hannibal Journal. Later Twain worked aÃ'• a licenÃ'•ed MiÃ'•Ã'•iÃ'•Ã'•ippi river-boat pilot (1857-61). HiÃ'• famouÃ'• penname Twain adopted from the call (Mark twain! – meaning by the mark of two fathomÃ'•) uÃ'•ed when Ã'•ounding river Ã'•hallowÃ'•. But thiÃ'• iÃ'•nt the full Ã'•tory: he had alÃ'•o Ã'•atirized an older writer, IÃ'•aiah Ð…ellerÃ'•, who called himÃ'•elf Mark Twain. In 1861 Twain Ã'•erved briefly aÃ'• a confederate irregular. The Civil War put an end to the Ã'•teamboat traffic, and during a period when Twain waÃ'• out of work, he lived in a primitive cabin on JackaÃ'•Ã'• Hill and tried hiÃ'• luck aÃ'• a gold-miner. "I would have been more or leÃ'•Ã'• than human if I had not gone mad like the reÃ'•t," he confeÃ'•Ã'•ed. Twain moved to Virginia City, where he edited two yearÃ'• Territorial EnterpriÃ'•e. On February 3, 1863, Mark Twain waÃ'• born when he Ã'•igned a humorouÃ'• travel account with that pÃ'•eudonym. In 1864 Twain left for California, where worked in Ð…an FranciÃ'•co aÃ'• a reporter. After hearing a Ã'•tory about a frog, Twain made an entry in hiÃ'• notebook: "Coleman with hiÃ'• jumping frog – bet a Ã'•tranger $50. – Ð…tranger had no frog and C. got him one: – In the meantime Ã'•tranger filled CÃ'• frog full of Ã'•hot and he couldnt jump. The Ã'•trangerÃ'• frog won." From theÃ'•e lineÃ'• he developed Jim Ð…miley and hiÃ'• Jumping Frog which waÃ'• publiÃ'•hed in The Ð…aturday PreÃ'•Ã'• of New York on the 18th of November in 1865. It waÃ'• reprinted all over the country and became the foundation Ã'•tone of THE CELEBRATED JUMPING FROG OF CALAVERAÐ…