Thursday, October 31, 2019

Sustainable Development of Tourism Snowdonia Park Dissertation

Sustainable Development of Tourism Snowdonia Park - Dissertation Example This essay declares that Snowdonia is a region of north Wales and a National Park spread over 2170 square kilometres. The Park is governed by the 18 member Snowdonia National Park Authority, which is made up of local government and Welsh national representatives. This paper makes a conclusion that literature has been briefly reviewed at this stage to develop an overview for the current thinking and has been extended to cover a few books, Journals and some relevant sites on the Internet. The survey targets identifying and understanding recommended practices from academe, practical project experiences and opinions of policy drivers. Unmanaged tourism can threaten the economy and ecology of a region. Sustainable tourism sees tourism as a triangular relationship between host areas and their habitats and peoples, holidaymakers, and the tourism industry†. Sustainable tourism aims to reconcile the tensions between the three partners in the triangle, and maintain the equilibrium in the long term (ibid). Sustainable tourism aims to minimise environmental and cultural damage, optimise visitor enjoyment, and maximize long- term economic growth for the region. It is way of obtaining a balance between the growth potential of tourism and the conserva tion needs of the environment. The presence of a tourism centre in an area adds to the quality of life of residents and contributes to their economic well being. However, the economic benefits of the presence of a tourist centre or cost of lack of it have not being seriously considered.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Effective hand hygiene in clinical settings Literature review

Effective hand hygiene in clinical settings - Literature review Example Hand hygiene is very important for the general public especially those who handle food and those who work in medical centers as poor hand hygiene may cause respiratory infections such as influenza and common cold according to the Joint Commission Resources (2008). The Joint Commission Resources (2008) and Mulder (1999) concur that in healthcare provisions, hand hygiene is the responsibility to all people involved. This is because when the health practitioners have contaminated hands, the patients are put at risk of developing infections. Therefore, to prevent infections, the healthcare practitioners must decontaminate their hands before and after each and every episode of direct contact or care with a patient (AORN, 1999; Lautenbach, Woeltje & Preeti 2010). Currently, hand hygiene is recognized to be important in providing quality care to the patients and is included in the standards for hospital accreditation. There have been new developments in the area of medical care and due to t hese developments most research bodies have reviewed the available literature and come up with new guidelines for hand hygiene. The guidelines are intended for use by all healthcare practitioners within the healthcare settings. Bacteria on the skin There are two main groups of microorganisms that are found on the skin, that is, resident flora and transient flora. Transient floras are bacteria that colonize the superficial layer of the skin. The transient floras are commonly associated with healthcare infections but can easily be removed by hand washing or social hand hygiene. An example of transient flora is staphylococcus aureus. The resident floras colonize the deeper layer of the skin and are difficult to remove. Examples include diphtheroids and coagulase negative staphylococci. The resident floras are usually not associated with healthcare infections according to CDC (2002) and Lindh, Pooler and Tamparo (2009). Hand hygiene is intended to reduce colonization with transient flor a. Removal of the transient flora can be achieved through hand washing or hand disinfection. Hand washing is the use of water alone or the use of water and unmedicated detergent to clean the hand according to Mulder (1999) and CDC (2002). The main objective of hand washing is to prevent cross transmission of disease causing organisms. Hygienic hand wash is also similar to hand washing except that instead of unmedicated detergent, an antiseptic agent is used. Hand disinfection refers to the use of antiseptic solution, either medicated soap or alcohol to clean the hand. Substances used in hand hygiene There are different types of substances used in hand hygiene for cleaning. The substances used include soap and detergents, antibacterial soap, hand antiseptic and water. These substances are used to clean different dirt. For example, water alone cannot be used to clean the skin because on its own it cannot remove fats, oils and pathogens; it has to be used together with soaps and deterg ents. The temperature of the water used in cleaning the hands also varies, for in some instances warm water is used and in some cold may be used. For instance, when cleaning oils or fats it is advisable to use war water (World Health Organization, 2006). Antibacterial soaps are those with antibacterial agents that help in fighting or cleaning the bacteria and the hand antiseptics are non water based hand hygiene agents. The hand antiseptic

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Strategic management: TESCO

Strategic management: TESCO TESCO was founded in 19th century by John Edward Cohen. It is the leading super market in the UK and an international retailer. Its main competitors are Asda, Sainsbury and Morrisons etc. TESCO has 2,482 stores and employs 287,669 people in UK. It firmly focused on grocery retailer and further manages petrol forecourt business. It also operates a website for selling Real estate to the people. (TESCO, 2010) The retail outlets of TESCO run in six formats: TESCO Extra [larger and stocks almost all Tescos product ranges]. TESCO Express [neighbourhood convenience stores and stocking high margin food products]. TESCO Metro [located in city centres and on the high streets of towns]. TESCO Home plus [ stores having varieties of non-food items] One stop [the word TESCO is not included in its name and included some of the smallest stores] (TESCO, 2010) TESCO was just a grocery stall, which undergoes several changes and now it is one of the best supermarket dealing not only with food and drink but also diversified into areas like home, clothing, telecommunication, financial services, electronics, car, internet services and many more. (TESCO, 2010) What is change? It is the process of getting from where you are to the outcomes you wants (Wikipedia.org, 2010). Every company need strategic change in order to compete in this world of technology. Similarly, TESCO has undergone several strategic changes, this report will going to discuss one of its change that is Self-checkout machines. It was first introduced in East Dereham, Norfolk in 2003; this AUTOMATED CHECKOUT MACHINE (ACM) is created by Production Solutions (PSI). .According to PSI, TESCO is testing ACM 700, which has original conveyer based lane design. It is easy to use and customer friendly because of its full colour touch screen. TESCO becomes the second chain to operate this system which allows the customers to scan and pay for their shopping without any interference of the staff (Decisions news media, 2010) According to Richard Dodd, Response by both customers and staff has been overwhelmingly positive. Customers are telling us that the ACM self checkout is simple to use and they are using it for both large and small orders. Our staff is telling us its exciting, fun and they welcome the increased opportunity to interact with customers.(Richard Rodd, 2010) TESCO claims that their system of self check out can handles large and small orders at any day time whereas marks and spencers system was for small orders only. (TESCO, 2010) After its success in East Dereham, TESCO has introduced it to other stores also. Now 6,000 self service tills are working in its 1,200 stores. This is a great improvement since the self check out was first implemented. A spokeswoman said Many customers actually prefer using our self-service checkouts as its sometimes the quickest way to pay, particularly if you only have a few items.(independent.co.uk, 2010) THE NEED FOR THIS CHANGE: Why TESCO need this change of introducing self check machines? There are various reasons for this which is as follows: For business development To increase the sales To reduce the congestion on checkouts To compete with its competitors To accelerate the checkout processes To cut the labour cost with point of sales To save the time of customers To utilize the latest technology (scribd.com, 2010) THE FACTORS DRIVING NEED FOR THE CHANGE: There are certain external and internal factors which drives this strategic change in TESCO, which are discussed below: CUSTOMERS VALUE: It is making shopping experience interesting for the customers and retaining existing customers and attracting the new one. GROWING CUSTOMER BASE: The customers were getting irritated by standing in long queues so to ease overcrowding on checkouts especially when they are buying few items. TECHNOLOGY: Technology is playing an important role in the success of the organisation. TESCO enhancing its technology and improving its operational efficacy with the implementation of self check out machines. COMPETITORS: The use of self-checkout system is distinguishing TESCO from the other retailers and its attaining competitive advantage against its competitors PROFITS: The self checkout system gives profit to TESCO by cutting the labour cost for instance instead of hiring five cashiers only one cashier will be enough for five self checkouts. (scribd.com, 2010) THE RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS OF NOT RESPONDING THE CHANGE: EMPLOYEES: People fear and resist change for a variety of reasons. For example, the self check out machines is not much appreciated by the employers because of fear of losing their jobs. They should be motivated to learn and encouraged to improve their approach to customers. FINANCIES: Company needs funding for its strategic change like involving stakeholders. The stake holders have financial expectations that will influence an organisations business strategies. It all depends on what kinds of funding are required. TESCO want to introduce these machines in all its stores, for this it needs money and financial support. TECHNOLOGY: Introducing self checkout machines is a technological change. The management need to focus on technical skills which are required to operate these machines and making them easier to use for the customers. The success or failure of strategy of an organisation depends upon the ways that technology is developed, organised and funded. (scrbd.com, 2010) 1.4 MODELS OF INDIVIDUAL CHANGE, TEAM CHANGE, AND ORGANISATIONAL CHANGE: ADKAR MODEL [ a model for individual change] (changemanagement.com) This model is developed by Jeff Hiat, CEO of Prosci Change management in 2003.Accordig to him; this model has five actions which are working as building blocks for the individual change. These are as follows: Awareness for the of change: With the help of this step an individual (employee) will fully understand why the change is necessary. It is the first key aspect of successful change. Desire to participate and support the change: This step is building desire in an individual to support and be part of the change and this can only happen after full knowledge of the need for change is established. Knowledge on how to change: This step explains two types of knowledge that the individual need to know. Firstly, knowledge on how to change and secondly, knowledge on how to perform once the change is implemented. Ability to implements required skills and behaviours: The froth step is about the actual performance of the individual which needs to be supported. It can be achieved through training, coaching and practice. Rein enforcement to sustain the change: The final step is about making sure that changes stay in place and it can be attained through positive feedback, measuring performance, incentives and taking corrective actions. (changemangement.com) LEWINS FORCEFIELD MODEL [An organisational change model] (consulpivotal.com) This model is developed by Kurt Lewin in 1951.It suggest that there are two kinds of forces one is the driving force and the other is the resisting force which keep the systems of an organisation in an equilibrium state. Lewin also suggested a three-stage theory of change, these stages are as follows: Unfreeze-creation of motivation to change: This stage is about moving the entire business towards inspiration for change.it gives the understanding of why change is necessary and it is the time to get ready for the change. Change or transition: After the first stage now the people are moving towards a new being. It is difficult part for them as they are unsure or even fearful. Support like coaching and training is really important here. Freezing or refreezing: It is about reinforcing the change and ensuring that it is accepted and continues into the future. Without this stage, the people can go back and star doing the work that they used to do in the past. (umfortu.net, 2010) TUCKMAN FORMING STORMING NORMING PERFORMANCE MODEL [Team model change] (hubpages.com,2010) Dr Bruce Tuck man published his Forming Storming Norming performance model in 1965.its four stages are as follows: Forming stage 1: In this stage, team is built and the task is assigned to the team members. The team gets to one another and learns about the opportunities and challenges. They agree on goals and begin to face the tasks. Storming stage 2: In this phase, relationship between team members will be made or broken this phase can be very damaging for the team. Norming stage 3: In this stage, every member of the team takes responsibility and has the desire to work for the success of the teams goals. Performing stage 4: The high performing team reach this phase. They are now competent and can make most of their decisions without supervision. (businessballs.com, 2010) RELEVANCE OF THE MODELS TO THE CHANGE IN THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE: In current economic climate, change is widespread among all the organisations. It has become an everyday part of an organisational dynamics. Change is not something which can be done overnight. Organisation can use various models of change to apply change successfully in an organisation. According to Collerette, in todays business environment, the only thing that appears to remain constant is change (Collerette, 2002). Companies constantly face pressures to change in changing economic conditions. It is necessary for the organisations to anticipate the change and prepare for it through planning. Adkar Model: The high failure rate of all business change initiatives is because an organisation emphasis more on the process rather than people. Adkar model plays a vital role in handling this kind of situations. For example, in self checkout system, employees need to be motivated and to make them aware of how important this change is for the business for TESCO. This model helps the company to involve employees in the change, as the result of it they get interested in it. Bruce tuck mans model: In the current economic situation change can be successful in an organisation with mutual understanding of team members. Team leader needs to have interpersonal skills which help the members to achieve their goals. People are very sensitive about their work so they need to be given security to work in a team. Kurt Lewins model: This model moves the entire business towards motivation for change. TESCO should reinforce the change (self check out system) ensuring that the desired change is accepted and maintained in the future. It is necessary because if the change is not freeze people can start doing the work in the same they use to do it in the past. 1.5 STRATEGIC INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES: These intervention techniques teaches how to set goals, ways to overcome obstacles in your life, how to reform their thought patterns to turn negative thoughts into positive patterns and to educate effective communication skills which are essential to business of all types. There are various strategic intervention methods such as: Role playing: This part of training is very essential for TESCO which enables individual to handle the given situations. It prepares them to perform without involvement of managers. (strategicintervention.com, 2010) Survey feedback: It is important for TESCO to collect information from personal interviews and survey questionnaires and share it with its employeers.This effective feedback should be understandable and encouraging receivers. (strategicintervention.com, 2010) Team development: This can help TESCO to set goals and to examine the way a group is working. This helps to give a view to the relationship among the people working together. It also assists to change the culture of the organization (strategicintervention.com, 201o) MBO approach: MBO (management by objectives) techniques of performance evaluation are results-oriented. Its important for TESCO to measure the performance of its employees and solve interpersonal problems peacefully. (management4you.blogspot.com, 2009) Proactive and reactive: Managers cannot directly change employees attitudes. Therefore they need to motivate them in directly by improving work conditions and becoming more operative leaders. For example, Managers had to organize workshops to motivate cashiers who have the fear of losing their jobs. (Foodanddrink.com, 2010) 1.6 SYSTEMS INVOLVE STAKEHOLDERS IN THE PLANNING OF CHANGE: STAKEHOLDER: Any group or individual who can affect or {be} affected by the achievements of organisational objectives.(Business Strategy, 2002, p.2) The stakeholders are divided into two kinds of categories: External Stakeholders Customers Shareholders Suppliers Trade bodies Governments Competitors Local community Internal Stakeholders Employees Directors Employees representatives for example Union Trades (Business strategy, p.27) When any company undergoes change, a lot of people for top to bottom are involved in it. Therefore in order to implement the change successfully you need to involve them otherwise it will be a failure. For the self check out system TESCO can adopt stakeholder analysis and engagement (systems to involve stakeholders). 1.8 DEVELOP A CHANGE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WITH STAKE HOLDERS: Without involving external and internal stakeholders, TESCO cannot introduce this change of self checkout system. There are two major approaches to stakeholder management. One is stakeholder analysis and the other is stakeholder planning. The steps of stakeholder analysis are explained as follows: Identify your stakeholders: Tesco needs to first identify who their stakeholders are, for their strategic change. In this change of self check out system, both external and internal stakeholders are involved such as employers, customers, the press, managers, shareholders, financers, suppliers etc. Prioritize your stakeholders: Then we have to classify them by their power over work and by their interest in work. High power and high interested people for self checkouts are customers, employers, senior managers etc. these are the people we should get fully engaged with and make the greatest efforts to satisfy them. High power and low interest people, the company should satisfied them but not so much that they become bored. Less power and high interest people, TESCO keep them informed as they can be helpful in the change. Less power and less interest people, company should monitor them. Understanding your key stakeholders: TESCO needs to understand what financial interest they have related to the change. How you can motivate them and what information they want from you? If they are not likely to be positive what will win them around to support your project? In order to answer these questions TESCO should talk to them directly. By engaging the right people in the right way in your project, you can make a big difference to its success and to your career.(mindtools.com, 2010) Now they need to engage stakeholders in their strategic change. The most effective way to involve stakeholders is communication strategy. The company should talk to them in a very friendly and co-operative manner. Customer satisfaction should be given the first priority by making self check out systems easy and usable for them. For this they can do a survey feedback and can get their support. Senior managers need to be given training for these machines so that they can mentor their employees. Staff should be given a clear vision of why these machines are important for the companys strategy. It is normal to experience resistance whenever there is change. It is good because it can make the company to check their assumptions. The company should understand what their employees are feeling and thinking. Due to this self checkout machines employers are feeling very in secure about their jobs. Therefore TESCO can arrange various workshops for them to guide how these machines are used and to provide them job security. The company can talk to the financiers that how successful they are running and show them the profits you are getting from them. Thats how they can more involve in change and can help TESCO to introduce these machines in all of their stores. They can do advertisements of these machines by involving press. Developing good relation with the stakeholders will help TESCO to implement the change more successfully. (Wikiadapt, 2010) PLAN TO IMPLEMENT A MODEL FOR CHANGE: Tesco needs to involve external and internal stakeholders in the planning of change. The learning theory of Peter Senge can be used to for self check out machines in TESCO. He explains its theory in five points which are as follows SYSTEMS THINKING: TESCO needs to think about its systems as a whole. They dont have to blame others if the things are not right instead they should see how they operate and why things are going wrong. They should seek the system for it. PERSONAL MASTERY: It is something which is related to the intrinsic motivation and the people who are deeply committed to their work. In order to accept change they should have motivation from their inside which makes resist to the change. BUILDING SHARED VISION: TESCO should give its stakeholders a clear vision of a future they seek to create through this change. It can be done by providing a good understanding about the change.it will help to combine the vision of a company with the vision of stakeholders. TEAM LEARNING: TESCO should provide stakeholders an opportunity to learn in a team. Each member of team task must undertake to link with other team members so that everyone is fully informed. They can perform skilful discussions to achieve their tasks. MENTAL MODELS: TESCO should provide a safe environment in which employees feel comfortable. They should help employees develop their skills of reflection and inquiry. (Peter M. Senge, 1990) 1.10 DEVELOP APPROPRITE MEASURES TO MONITOR PROGRESS: Self check out system is a big change for TESCO. Although it is working successfully in stores but TESCO needs to put effort to solve the problems employers and customers are facing. They need to know why they are facing problems and what they can do for it. They need to motivate and guide the customers so that they can deal with the problems of customers. Tesco needs to think about the machines outlook also as it seems to be very complicated for some customers. It may be happening because the method of how to use it is not introduced to them effectively. They should hire some technical employers to deal with these machines. They need a very co-operative management which can train the employers who can later help their customers they need a cultural change as it is something new for the customers to use and replacing the old methods of shopping. They need to do some survey feedbacks and then they go further of how to overcome these problems related to the change. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Although this system of self check out system is running successfully in all stores of TESCO but still there are some problems which company needs to focus on. Customers often get frustrated because they have to go through the self check out menu mostly who dont have the knowledge of information technology. Most of the customers are not using it because they are afraid of using it. Another problem is of mis scanning which then creating problem and the customers have to ring the bell for help. In order to overcome these problems TESCO needs to put some extra employers to assist people if they face any problem using it in order to save their time and energy. They can provide information making it very simple and easy of how to use these machines through internet and newspapers it will help those customers who are afraid of using it. There is a need of making them more user friendly and reducing their faults. BIBILIOGRAPHY: Tesco(2010), change management Tesco at http://www.scribd.com/doc/38560002/Change-Management-tesco [accessed: 22 November 2010] Decision news media(2010), Tesco begins self check out trials at http://www.foodanddrinkeurope.com/Retail/Tesco-begins-self-checkout-trial [accessed: 24 November 2010] Lewis Smith(2010) at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/selfservice-or-merely-selfserving-the-revolution-at-the-tills-2059363.html [accessed: 24 November 2010] Adkar(2003), Adkar model at http://www.change-management.com/tutorial-adkar-overview.htm [accessed: 26 November 2010] Lewins(1951), Lewins change management model at http://www.consultpivotal.com/lewinHYPERLINK http://www.consultpivotal.com/lewins.htmHYPERLINK http://www.consultpivotal.com/lewins.htms.htm [accessed 24 November 2010] Lewins(1951), Lewins force field model at http://www.unfortu.net/~rafe/links/change.htm [accessed: 25 November 2010] Tuck man (1965), Team reforming model, at http://www.businessballs.com/tuckmanformingstormingnormingperforming.htm (accessed: 25 November 2010] Krabenhoft Alan(2005), A model of strategy and organisational development interventions at http://www.allbusiness.com/management-companies-enterprises/1187765-1.html [accessed: 27 November 2010) Abhishek Kumar Sadhu(2009), Interventions for change at http://management4you.blogspot.com/2009/11/interventions-for-change.html [accessed: 27 November 2010] David J. Campbell (2002); Business Strategy, Oxford, Elsevier science and technology, 2nd Edition. Mind tools (2010), Map Influence at http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_83.htm [accessed: 30 November, 2010] Wikiadapt(2010), Stakeholder Analysis and a t Engagement http://wikiadapt.org/index.php?title=Stakeholder_analysis_and_engagement Accessed: 1November 2010] Peter M. Senge(1990), The Fifth Discipline at http://baudson.cute-ice.de/serendipity/index.php?/archives/35-The-Fifth-Discipline-Peter-M.-Senge,-1990.html [accessed:1 November, 2010]

Friday, October 25, 2019

American Society Needs Affirmative Action Essay examples -- argumentat

American Society Needs Affirmative Action      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Affirmative action has been the subject of increasing debate and tension in American society. However, the debate over affirmative action has become ensnared in rhetoric that pits equality of opportunity against the equality of results. The debate has been more emotional than intellectual, and has generated more tension than shed light on the issue. Participants in the debate have over examined the ethical and moral issues that affirmative action raises while forgetting to scrutinize the system that has created the need for them. Too often, affirmative action is looked upon as the panacea for a nation once ill with, but now cured of, the virulent disease of racial discrimination. Affirmative action is, and should be seen as, a temporary, partial, and perhaps even flawed remedy for past and continuing discrimination against historically marginalized and disenfranchised groups in American society. Working as it should, it affords groups greater equality of opportunity in a social context marked by substantial inequalities and structural forces that impede a fair assessment of their capabilities. In this essay I will expose what I see as the shortcomings of the current ethical attacks on affirmative action (1), the main one being, that these attacks are devoid of proper historical context and shrouded in white male hegemony and privilege. Then, I will discuss the moral and ethical issues raised by continuing to function within a system that systematically disadvantages historically marginalized groups. With that as a backdrop, I will make a positive case for continuing affirmative action programs and discuss the practic... ...ainly valid, qualifications to the table that are not recognized under our current system of merit. Notes: 1. While it is true that Affirmative action programs address the concerns of a wide range of Americans who confront discrimination, the debate is often understood to be about race; and specifically Black Americans. For that reason the emphasis of my essay will be on affirmative action programs that involve Black Americans. 2. Since I have narrowed my discussion of Affirmative action to that bestowed to a specific racial group, it is imperative that I give my understanding of what "race" is. I am writing this essay with the understanding that race is not an immutable biological category or characteristic but rather a social construction. In America, race was constructed and employed to preserve white privilege while simultaneously oppressing Blacks.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Disputes between the European Union and the rest of the World Essay

Disputes between the European Union and the rest of the World Introduction            The EU (European Union) has become a formidable power through trade, hence creating more problems with the rest of the world. Occasionally its dominance has helped it manipulate its trading partners. Starting with regional labor standards to development policies and internationally, ranging from global governance to foreign policy (Marshall & Jaggers, 2010).This paper will mainly focus on the EU as a dominant trade block. A factor that has undoubtedly contributed to the many conflicts it has internationally. The analysis includes different, but recent trade related conflicts the EU is involved in and points out the factors that led to the misunderstanding, and in some cases if there was a third party involved in the issue. The analysis also shows if a form of solution was reached or if the dispute was left unresolved, and the possible outcomes it had during the time of the confrontation. Lastly, it summarizes the main ideas of the paper and gives a comprehensive ov erview of the analysis. Russia – EU car tax disagreement            Among the first goals of the EU as a trade, hegemony is using its supremacy to secure concessions from others on market participation. This makes it function as an economic globalization determinant. The EU is using its trade dominance to achieve non-trade objectives therefore openly flanking market integration such as social, environment and safety standards to be more political or strategic in nature (Haughton, 2007). A bold move that has often left the rest of the world wonder if such use of trade power by the EU ultimately matter in geopolitical terms.            In 2013, a disagreement arose between the EU and Russia, which mainly centered on the newly imposed car levies. Russia had been a member of the WTO (World trade Organization) for barely a year before the trade dispute began. The EU accused Russia of using a recycling charge levied on imported cars to cover its automobile manufacturers illegally. The EU affirmed that for a whole year it had tried all possible diplomatic channels to amicably resolve the problem but with no success, Moscow declined to review its policies. According to the EU trade commissioners the implementation was not in line with the stated WTO laws that forbid biases against imports (Diakun, 2012).            Allegations arose on what was seen as Moscow’s non-compliance as the WTO sought to find out the facts. Initially, Moscow had some misconceptions about the benefits they would gain by joining the WTO. For Russia joining the union came at a cost of signing up to firm standards, which it understood well, equalized by the benefits of gaining access to a populous and larger markets with guarantee against protectionism. Most critics have accused Russia of failing to keep its commitments and the levy on cars put in place some days after it joined the WTO (Osipov, 2013).            Russia placed an increase in the duties paid on German and Italian vehicles imports, making them more expensive for the customers and affecting their market. The European Union is of the opinion that Russia is doing this on purpose to protect its manufacturers. Critics from Russia say the country is known for never keeping its WTO obligations and that the car levies disputes are part of a long chain of non-compliance laws on goods that range from harvesting machines to alcoholic drinks. Russia, conversely has protested against the EU initiatives to open up the bloc’s electricity and gas market, which it claims affects the regions business structure.            The proposed recycling levy bill failed to be amended by the Russian national assembly before it went into recess, and the EU warned the then Russian Economy Minister to expect a reaction from the union. Under the WTO regulations, Russia has exceeded its 60-day grace period to try and change or explain its laws (Marshall & Jaggers, 2010).            Comparisons between the 2001 China entry and that of Russia were unavoidable as the potential benefits of incorporating a big economy like Russia were very promising. In the case of China the first dispute arose two years after having enjoyed an enormous trade boost immediately after joining: for Russia it took less than 11 months. Russia still has other issues with the EU policies mainly its laws on the control of the European gas pipeline assets by Gazprom. The EU set up a committee to look into the issue. The Russian parliament, on the other hand, passed a ruling that changed the levy on recycling and confirmed the changes sort out the requests pointed out by the committee of the EU panel (Stephanie and Brianna, 2012). EU- Russia- Ukraine- gas dispute            The presidents of the EU, Russia and Ukraine, have agreed to meet and talk in relation to the dispute they have had over the Ukraine-EU free trade and gas agreements. Concurrently, with the efforts to stabilize the Ukraine security situation, the heads of state Vladimir Putin, of Russia, Petro Poroshenko, of Ukraine and Jose Manuel Barroso president of the European Commission are anticipated to hold one-one-one talks, but the venue and dates are not specified. Raising the discussions to the level of the heads of state seems to give hope to possible ease of tension over the Ukraine issue, a crisis that has for long plagued the relations between the West and Russia (Andres & Kofman, 2011).            The EU and Russian president spoke over the phone on possible ways that they could ease the current tension in the Ukraine. In June this year an approved series of three-way talks over gas disputes that brought together the energy ministers of the EU, Ukraine and Russia broke down provoking the Ukraine gas supplies to be cut off by Russia. Since then the EU energy minister has scheduled various meetings with both the Russian and Ukraine energy ministers to restart the initial discussions on resolving the Ukraine-Russian row over gas prices (Diakun, 2012).            The EU consumers have not been affected by the disruption of the Ukraine gas supplies, the Ukraine, however is a major route supply for approximate half of Russia’s gas shipments to the EU. This means that the EU depends on Moscow for a third of its energy. Russia has also recently held talks with the EU to try to calm the Kremlin fears over a wide-ranging free trade agreement that the Ukraine had signed with other 28 EU nations. A move that Moscow believes will be counterproductive to its economy (Osipov, 2013). The competition between Russia and EU over Ukraine gas has led to a problem that escalated when Russia seized the former Soviet Union Crimea region. EU sanctioned Russia for illegally occupying Crimea and on the other hand Moscow retaliated by banning imports from Europe. Which leaves both the opposing at a trade standoff since the dispute is still not resolved. China-EU solar panel dispute            The EU-China solar panel dispute in recent months has taken center stage on most newspaper headlines. This is hardly a new thing since the two are both seen as dominant international trading blocs. Most analysts, however often ignore the fact that trade disputes between economic titans like in the case of the EU and China is not a new thing. Rather they represent a continuous confrontation of the so-called China-EU strategic trade alliance.            The basis that a large volume of the EU-China policy is centered on the concept of normative power makes it one of the primary contributing factors for the long conflict. The EU policies towards China under this principle have developed in four main aspects namely: investments and trade, global governance, technical skills, and social and political changes. EU-China collaborations on renewable energy and climate change are mainly structured on the concept of encouraging sustainable growth.            In regards to the EU-Sino disagreement, the trading commissioner for the commission failed in his role of convincing other state members who already have well-developed solar energy technology to support their proposed sanctions on China. Germany, for example, a renowned leader in solar energy was particularly vocal with its disagreement on the placed investigations and sanction tariffs on China (Stephanie and Brianna, 2012).            In relation to the Sino-EU disagreement, the Commissioner for the EU failed in his initial role of convincing a majority of the members who have advanced and mature solar energy technologies to place retributive measures in China. For example, Germany, which is known internationally as a solar energy giant, is against the said investigations and restrictions placed on China.            The commission’s status from these investigations has been greatly undermined by the EU-China strategy. Such inquiry failures have further prompted China to sideline the commission, if not the entire EU affiliates. Aside from the dispute over the solar panels, the EU reluctance to allow China’s Market Economy Status (MES) is another one of the constant challenges that has not been resolved by the two factions for over a decade. EU has refused this initiative on the grounds that China lacks significant government interventions and transparency in its trade and economic policies (Marshall & Jaggers, 2010).            This drawback according to the Chinese was seen as a possible defeat. They reasoned that being granted the status of a market economy would be a major advantage in their EU-China alliance, both politically and economically. They stated that the principal reason for the EU refusal was due to the vast trade difference between China and the EU, and that the EU has tried to use the market economy status problem to gain more negotiating power and attempt to solve trade market entry and trade barrier issues that cripple their firms. The EU however continues to stress that the decline is a pure technical issue within the blueprints of its anti-dumping laws.            With this perspective of the EU, China has changed its stand from that of a new entrant to a competitor. The EU gets itself in a bind where its economic interests are threatened by its normative power strategy. Such inconsistencies that are allied with EU counterparts have further confused both renewable manufacturers and the Chinese government. The EU has eventually found its drive to promote sustainable development and pursue a value based foreign policy in China that is beyond its levels. The current standoff between EU and China, mainly originated from a mix-up and lack of recognition as to what each side’s law priorities state (Teorell, 2010). The issue has however not been resolved. EU-US Dispute on Trade Alliance            In 2011 the sheer size and importance of the United States-European Union mutual trade alliance, with trades mainly on goods roughly total up to â‚ ¬450 billion making the two trading partners the major trade players internationally. Recently, discussions started on a possible trade alliance aimed at mitigating or eliminating non-tariff and tariff trade hindrances in products and services.            The EU parliament in 2012 demanded the start of talks so as to get a more efficient EU-US trade pact. Among the most highly traded items within the two factions include automobiles and medical products, machines and high tech gadgets, as well as pharmaceutical, optic and photographic appliances among others (Cooper, 2014).            Therefore, their agreements mainly focus on labor and capital intensive industries, as recognized by the economies of scale and intra-industry trade policies. Debates on agricultural products have caused some disagreements in such discussion and with various public opinions; the greatest differences still remain in areas of food safety and consumers, subsidies and environment protection.            One such recent dispute has been on the Boeing and Airbus grants awarded to the concerned companies. A bilateral agreement between the US and EU that was concluded in 1992 centered on the trade of large civil aircrafts, and the parties who controlled the funding of the subsidies in this large sector. The US withdrew from the initial 1992 agreement in October 2004 disputing the public funding allocated to the Airbus. The EU also responded by challenging the public endorsement granted to Boeing. According to the (WTO) World Trade Organization both parties had breached the initial subsidy policies, and therefore were allowed to place counter measures (Tugores-Garcà ­a, 2012). While there is a possibility that such initiatives would clearly provoke a trade war involving other sectors, it is expected that the problem will eventually be solved. The dispute hearing on possible counter-measures started on the 16th of April 2013, and the outcome will definitely have dire c onsequences on how new entrants of large civil aircrafts from other countries can progress while joining the market (Cooper, 2014). Eu-China wines dispute            A recent EU-China dispute on anti-dumping laws centered on wine exports was resolved amicably earlier this year through negotiation and consultation. China had begun an investigation last year to establish whether European wines were sold at the standard price in the country. The initiative was seen as being an EU countermeasure for enforcing disciplinary policies on China’s solar panels. A dispute that had almost driven the two trade giants to the edge of a trade war, was sorted out through mediation by the then China Premier when agreed on price undertakings. In May 2014, the EU warned China that it would commence anti-dumping and anti-subsidy inquiries on its imports of network telecommunication equipment. The solar panel dispute is a case reference that highlights how under the WTO consultation and dialogue rule are the best ways to solve disputes, and that the EU and China had the capability and intelligence to choose this option (Huang, 2010).            In 2012, the export of wine from the EU reached 257 million liters which are approximated at $1 billion, more than that originating from France. In July 2014, the two factions settled a disagreement on poly-silicon products by using consultation and negotiations. It agreed that in the European markets the said products will not be sold below a certain price set by china. On the other hand, China agreed to stop its anti-dumping and anti-subsidy trends initially placed on its imports. Analysts have foreseen this unlikely alliance between the two factions as one that is likely to create a more beneficial atmosphere in the future.            This is because both sides take pride in their bilateral economies. If not properly settled trade disputes often have much bigger negative impact on both economies than can possibly be mitigated. As the EU and China industries are now closely interlinked industrial connections should be incorporated into the frameworks of resolving trade disputes, since it will help improve future relations and avoid further conflicts (Cooper, 2014). China-EU Misunderstandings over Trade Defense Mechanisms            The EU has on several occasions been charged by China for inappropriate use of placed trade defense mechanisms. China particularly charges the EU for using double standards against their imports and products. In 2003 when Chinese companies sold coke in European regions at cheaper rates, they were accused of offloading their products and fined based on the EU antidumping policies. Much later the EU again threatened to file a case against China at the WTO for restricting coke exports, which China clearly explained it had done mainly due to environmental reasons. These are all clear indications of how the EU often used unfair standards against China products which eventually raised disputes between the two parties.            More surprising is the EU refusal to apply several trade methods concurrently. It is a known fact that both European and (EC) European Commission affiliate companies placed (IPR) Intellectual Property rights protection and anti-dumping measures on most of their Chinese imports. For example, on the importations of China electronics, the China-based manufacturers were first charged with IPR infringement. Then the EU in 2005 also simultaneously filed anti-dumping case against the Chinese electronics (Huang, 2010). All of which have helped fuel the long trade disputes between China and the EU.            The anti-dumping policies of the EU have always been characterized by bias trends towards the affected domestic producers. This is most certainly the case being investigated against the so-called (NME) non-market economy countries like China. For a long time, exporting producers from China have been far worse treated as compared to other countries. They had to show that they qualified for their market status, by undergoing very strict regulations that were not required from other foreign exporters belonging to the WTO.            In addition, China enjoyed fewer regulation privileges as compared to other foreign exporters due to the limited access given to the information utilized for the vetting of the injury margin or dumping regulations. A similar EU bias of its producers could be found in the way it proves the existence of hazardous material within the EU industries. In such cases instead of analyzing a substantial size of the industry as a whole, the EU on focused on a small portion of the total industry strictly comprising of companies that support the imposing of anti-dumping measures. Eu – Brazil protectionism dispute            The EU filled at the WTO a trade case against Brazil that seems potentially explosive. The Latin America trade giant received for the first time after almost ten years a case over what it claims are protectionist charges levied on automobiles and other imports. The case is being filled amidst worry that Brazil has over the recent years become more protectionists in nature. The initiative to seek a hearing at the WTO comes as both sides seek to rejuvenate the initial long-standing trade agreement between the Mercosur and the European Union. Officials from the EU recently affirmed that the rising number of tax measures recently introduced by Brazil were not in line with the WTO policies and therefore, provided the domestic industries with undue advantage, while safeguarding them from external opposition.            Initially, Brazil’s move was thought to be aimed at Chinese automobile importers, who in 2011 controlled most of the local Brazilian market due to the aid of ingenious marketing strategies applied by the Brazilian media. Recently the EU openly declared that it was disturbed by the wrong path taken by Brazil on its policies and taxes affirming that such broad tax initiatives also affected smart phones, computers and semiconductors. Such moves negatively affect the EU exporters whose products were levied more than their local counterparts. The EU complained that the implementation also affects the Brazilian citizens since they would now be left with little choice, higher prices and lower access to original products.            The protectionism claims were strongly rejected by the Brazilian side, and they maintain that the Latin America trade bloc had solid counter arguments to show they fully adhered with the WTO trade regulations. Analysts reviewing the continuing dispute have claimed that the EU-Brazil case opens the doorway for more trade cases against Brazil. This implies that there are more cases against Brazil by other WTO members and companies, many of them have endured the injustice since the Brazil market is very lucrative. But now with the slowed economy, it is evident that the WTO members and involved companies are now less lenient towards the Latin America trade bloc (Grina, 2014).            The officials at the EU have said they had brought up the Brazil tax complaints in other former bilateral talks but had made no developments in sorting the problem. The move by the EU to ask for an official hearing of the issue in the WTO gives both parties a 60-day grace period to come up with an amicable solution. If no solution is reached within that timeframe, the EU will be permitted to ask for a formal committee to hear the case, which could impose against Brazil punitive trade restrictions. India-eu trade disputes            The EU and India in 2007 began talks on a wider investment and trade agreement BTIA (Broad based Trade and Investment Agreement) with the intent of opening up trade in services, goods and investment. However even after several negotiation sessions, there has been very little development due to several unresolved issues. Until such issues can be solved a trade agreement between the two nations will never come to pass, and the WTO policies will continue regulating the trades between the two members (Wouters, Goddeeris, Natens, & Ciortuz, 2013).            The EU on automobiles would like to see the eventual elimination of the duty import, whereas India wants to maintain it at 10 %. Talks on opening up regulations on the public procurement as well as the insurance sector have been particularly hard. Though, India is still in the path of changing its laws on foreign investments. The EU wants India to verify its commitment by passing a public procurement bill, which has not yet been submitted to the Indian parliament for approval. The gross domestic product markets in India, according to public procurement, accounts for 15- 20 percent. This is due to the needs of the infrastructure in a wide variety of areas that include energy, telecom, roads, railway and healthcare; these areas are of apparent concern for the development of the EU commerce (Wouters, Goddeeris, Natens, & Ciortuz, 2013).            Simultaneously, India aims to benefit its IT sector with the trade agreements. It mandates the EU to upgrade its status to that of a secure data state. Such recognitions are viewed as important for the Indian based IT company’s expansion. In addition, India is negotiating for its professionals to be given more open Visa to the EU. India had complained over the EU seizing generic medicine that had been in transit through the region. Even though the two parties later solved the problem there are still some significant aspects of the dispute that still emerge.            The EU in 2003 asked for talks with India in relation to 27 anti-dumping allegations in regards to several EU export products that, included chemicals, pharmaceuticals, steel, textile and paper. The EU was of the opinion that there was no proof of the alleged dumping accusations and that there was sufficient analysis of the casualties and injury. Since then India has terminated progress on most of the disputed issues; these include those on pharmaceutical and steel products, the problem remains un-resolved and under consultation (Khorana, & Garcia, 2013).            India in 2010 also asked for talks with the Netherlands and EU in relation to the reported genetic medicines seized on the grounds of patent breach. The taken drugs had been produced in India and were being transported through airports and ports in the Netherlands to Brazil, which was the primary destination. India claims that the alleged Dutch and EU measures were against their agreements under the (GATT) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the agreement under the (TRIPs) Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights regulations. It was not until 2011 that the dispute was sorted through mutual consensus.            According to the consensus, the fact that medicines are passing through the EU territory and that there is a patent title warranted by such products in the EU area. In itself does not give much basis for EU customs authority to suspect the patent rights violation. Proof can provide such basis that the medicine might be re-routed onto EU markets. The Indian medicine conflict perhaps might arise, on the basis of the extent of (IPR) intellectual property rights on third world economies (Wouters, Goddeeris, Natens, & Ciortuz, 2013). US and EU Power Struggle            In comparison, these two powerful trade blocks have no difference in the ways they show their dominance in different regions. Mostly they achieve this through agreements that they often have over their access to the market for their goods, capital and services in other areas. Agreements with EU have often been more involved on mutual concessions over levies, rations, and technical obstacles. Nonetheless, they can sometimes be asymmetrical. Either because the EU could be making steeper reductions or the value of the EU reductions could be larger following the size of the regional bloc. Failure to withstand such asymmetries means that the EU, similar to the US, uses preferential bilateral agreements to pry open the available markets that are found in the area as an exchange for accessing its markets. Regionally, EU’s power has taken the form of less accurate mutual concessions (Cooper, 2014).            As more states join the EU, it wants to satisfy its members’ goals by realizing economies of scale via bloc-to-bloc pacts. Such first bi-regional trade agreement are still being negotiated since 2000 mainly involving the EU and Mercosur, which is a customs union created in 1991. It is to be followed by ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations) as new economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with, among others, the Caribbean countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council. It cannot be denied that Latin America especially, has made such moves partly in consideration to reaction by USA’s drive towards regionalism.            The EU and the US have always been engaged in a battle of supremacy since their establishment as trade giants. Each side has been trying to guarantee their members and partners that they have an unrelenting access to markets and resilience in trade and regulatory deals. In addition, both have also tried using their power in trade to exert the type of ‘western dominion’. Mainly Over the developing countries, especially towards the so-called ‘new issues’ that pertain to services as well as intellectual property that were initially made In China and later introduced during the Uruguay Round. Currently, little co-operation exists between the EU–US regulatory bodies. These two powers have kind of began pursuing sharply diverging tactics, which often came up with opposing alliances like during the Hong Kong meeting of the Doha Round that happened in December 2005 (Teorell, 2010). Conclusion            As shown by the paper, it is evident that the EU mostly uses its undisputed trade prowess to pursue objectives that are often non-trade related. Like in the case of China wines dispute and misuse of trade defense instruments. The EU therefore, attempts to forcibly fashion the trade blocs in its image either through conditionality or by force. This shows the way the various quarrels among of the different member states make it hard for the EU to project its dominance more evidently to the entire world (Teorell, 2010).            Nonetheless, such divergences are themselves a byproduct or an expression of existing tensions between various alternative priorities or even norms that must simultaneously be committed to by the EU machinery. They include nondiscrimination and bilateral preferential relations, regionalism and multilateralism, western hegemony and mediating power, trade liberalization and domestic preferences, internal and external goals, equal partnership and conditional opening. It will then be difficult for the EU to effectively become a power through trade without addressing what the majority of the world considers being unsustainable contradictions (Maggi & Staiger, 2012). Reference Andres, R. B., & Kofman, M. (2011). European energy security: reducing volatility of Ukraine-Russia natural gas pricing disputes. NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIV WASHINGTON DC INST FOR NATIONAL STRATEGIC STUDIES.Cooper, W. H. (2014). EU-US Economic Ties: Framework, Scope, and Magnitude. Diakun, A. (2012). EU Foreign Policy in Ukraine: Policy Shortcomings and Russia’s Countervailing Force (Doctoral dissertation, Central European University). Grina, J. J. (2014).  Brazil’s rise to global power  (Doctoral dissertation, Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School) Huang, Z. (2010). EU-China Trade Disputes in the WTO: Looking Back to Look Forward. Yearbook of Polish European Studies, (13), 41-57. Khorana, S., & Garcia, M. (2013). European Union–India Trade Negotiations: One Step Forward, One Back?.  JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies,51(4), 684-700. Maggi, G., & Staiger, R. W. (2012).  Trade Disputes and Settlement. mimeo. Marshall, M., & Jaggers, K. (2010). Political regime characteristics and transitions, 1800–2009. Fairfax: Center for Systemic Peace, George Mason University. Osipov, V. (2013). Ukraine: Implications of Future Cooperation with the EU and NATO. ARMY WAR COLLEGE CARLISLE BARRACKS PA. Stephanie Hanson, and Brianna Lee (2012) Mercosur: South America’s Fractious Trade Bloc. Retrieved 3rd 10, 2014. http://www.cfr.org/trade/mercosur-south-americas-fractious-trade-bloc/p12762 Teorell, J. (2010). Determinants of democratization: Explaining regime change in the world. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Tugores-Garcà ­a, A. (2012). Analysis of global airline alliances as a strategy for international network development (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).Wouters, J., Goddeeris, I., Natens, B., & Ciortuz, F. (2013). Some critical issues in EU-India Free Trade Agreement Negotiations.  Available at SSRN 2249788. Source document

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Of mice and men †dreams and hope Essay

Hopes and dreams help people survive even if they never become real. How true is this for the characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’? The novel ‘Of mice and Men’ was written by John Steinbeck and is set in Salinas and Soledad California in the 1930s when life was hard for so many people because of the great depression. A major theme of John Steinbeck’s novel ‘of mice and men’ is the American dream and the drive to attain it. There are two major themes in ‘of mice and men’ novel that is foreshadowed by the reference to Robert Burns’ poem called â€Å"To a mouse† the word mouse within the title means loneliness and dreams. (BBC Bitesize, 2014:2) This poem contains the lines, â€Å"The best laid plans of mice and men/ often go awry† Most of the main characters in â€Å"Of Mice and Men† harbour dreams and have plans that never come true. George, Lennie, and Candy all share a doomed dream of buying their own f arm and living off the land. George often thinks about how his life he could have had as an unrestricted bachelor and free of the burden of caring for Lennie. â€Å"If I was alone I could live so easy,† he says. (Steinbeck, 1965:12) However, Lennie has his own private dream of living in a cave with his own rabbits but Curley’s wife regrets the missed chance to become a movie star. The main theme throughout this novel is that people must learn to reconcile their dreams with the reality to accept that everyone’s best laid plans often die. Each of the characters plans go askew not because they give up on them but because the forces beyond their control destroyed each one of them. Due to the bleak economic outlook of the Great Depression coming to terms with your broken dreams was the reality nearly everyone in America faced. The American Dream is written into the Declaration of Independence: â€Å"life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.† â€Å"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.† With these protections, any American, regardless of class, religion, gender, and eventually race, could always strive—and even sometimes succeed—at improving himself via wealth, education, or labour. (SparkNotes, 2014). George and Lennie’s dream about owning a farm and living off the â€Å"fatta the lan† (Steinbeck, 1965:16) symbolises this dream. In the novel â€Å"Of Mice and Men† shows that the American Dream became an illusion and a trap for the poor migrant workers during the Great Depression. Every single one of the ranch  workers in the novel dream of life, liberty and happiness but not one of them ever gets is. When Crooks hears of George and Lennie’s dream of owning their farm he says â€Å"Nobody ever gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.† (Steinbeck, 1965:84). Although the ranch workers dreams may not be realised, the novel suggest that in order for a person’s life to be full and meaningful it has to contain some sort of dream. At the end of the novel George and Lennie never achieved their dream but it did hold their remarkable friendship together throughout the story, for them this dream was real even if it was just there imagination because kept Lennie happy and it stopped George from becoming a mean and lonely guy like the other ranch workers. The dream gives them life, even if life never allows them to achieve their dreams. This novel explores the changing aspects of male friendship during this period this is shown when Lennie asks George to tell him why they are not like the other ranchers; George tells him â€Å"we got a future Guys like us, that work on ranches, are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don’t belong no place†¦.With us it ain’t like that. We got a future†¦. An’ why? Because†¦because I got you to look after me, and you got me to look after you, and that’s why.† (Steinbeck, 1965:15) this is George’s way of sayi ng he and Lennie are different to the other workers. It could also be suggested that the word ‘future’ could be a metaphor for something bright and so much greater then what they have got now, which could be linked to their version of the American Dream and to ‘live off the fatta the lan’. (Steinbeck, 1965:16) this could almost suggest a biblical meaning like a promised land where all their dreams could come true. This dream helps George and Lennie to endure the hardship they face each day and to help them not to give in to despair. Usually the men who worked on these ranches would have no family, friends so therefore no future. Their friendship strikes the other ranch workers as odd due to their dependency on each other. This makes the boss and Curley suspicious and Slim observes that ranch workers rarely travel together because they’re scared of each other. Although most of the men in the novel are completely alone they still all crave true friendship. As Crooks, perhaps the novel’s most solitary character because of his black skin puts it, â€Å"A guy needs somebody—to be near him.† (Steinbeck, 1965:82) All the characters in the novel long for friendship and kindness but yet they all live in fear of one  another. This is shown with the tough shooting of Candy’s dog which makes it clear that during the Great Depression if you are useless, old or weak you will certainly be destroyed because the strong and the useful will fight for survival. All the workers on the ranch would constantly try to make themselves look strong especially if they feeling weak. The fear of the weak being overrun by the strong could explain why Curley likes to fight a larger men then he is â€Å"Curley’s pretty handy. He done quite a bit in the ring. He’s a light weight and he’s handy† (Steinbeck, 1965:29) and it could also be why Crooks tells Lennie that George is going to abandon him. Then Curleyâ₠¬â„¢s wife threatens to have Crooks lynched. Each of these characters tries to appear strong by asserting power over one another. This fear of being the strongest explains why the other characters in novel find it hard to understand George and Lennie’s friendship because they see being the strongest as a fight for survival. In ‘Of Mice and Men’ it has two different visions of women in it the first is the male character view and the second is the novel’s view of women. The male characters view on women which is they tend to view the women with fear and negatively labelling them as dangerous sexual temptresses. The male workers often referred to Curley’s wife with insulting words like a â€Å"tart† (Steinbeck, 1965:31) and â€Å"jail bait† (Steinbeck, 1965:36). George and Lennie have a friend in prison â€Å"on account of a tart† (Steinbeck, 1965:63) plus they have had their own troubles twice as a result from a woman. The first the women from Weeds and the second is Curley’s wife. Although she plays into her role as sexy temptress throughout the novel until the last part of it where is a victim. Curley’s wife craves the attention of the men on the ranch because she’s desperately lonely so she flaunts her power over the men because she h erself feels weak. There are a number of symbols within the novel that have different meanings these are George and Lennie’s farm, the rabbits that Lennie keeps talking about, Candy’s old dog and also Lennie’s puppy. The dream of owning a farm for George and Lennie is a symbol of the American Dream. This fantasy of owning their own farm leads George, Lennie and the other ranch workers such as Candy and Crooks to indulge in the dream of living â€Å"off the fatta the lan† (Steinbeck, 1965:16). George’s rich description of the farm’s lavish plants and animals also makes it seem like a symbol of paradise. While Lennie dreams of tending to the rabbits on the farm that he and George hope to own  one day. This dream forms Lennie’s complete innocence. Lennie enjoys touching anything that has a soft fur such as rabbits and mice due to this love of touching soft things leads to his fate. This symbolise not just innocence but also Lennie’s downfall of innocence in the harsh world that he lives. The next symbol is Candy’s old but once powerful sheepdog. For Carlson killing Candy’s dog makes it clear that during the Great Depression those who was strong would only survive. The way that Carlson kills Candy’s dog in the back of the head with just a single gunshot is foreshadowing how George will kill Lennie in the end. The link between Lennie and Candy’s dog is that they are powerless, innocent and doomed from the start. The symbol of Lennie’s puppy shows how dependent Lennie is on George, just as the puppy is dependent on Lennie. The puppy symbolise the fate of the weak in the face of the strong.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Free Essays on National Parks

National parks play a major role in protecting and managing our environment by preserving the current state of Australia and the rest of the world. National parks protect species of flora and fauna as well as protecting the soil and waterways. They provide a habitat and environment for natural species without human interference. National parks are important for our future because if some species are depleted or become extinct they will endanger our survival. In 1879 the first national park was declared near Sydney (Royal National Park). Since then the number of national parks in Australia has boomed. Setting aside areas of national park is designed to:- Â · Provide a habitat and environment for native species. Â · Allow visitors to enjoy outdoor activities such as abseiling bushwalking, canoeing, orienteering, mountaineering and rock-climbing. Â · Preserve historic sites in their original beauty such as aboriginal sites. Â · Allow flora and fauna to exist in their natural environment without human interference. Â · Offer educational experiences for all visitors, as well as catering for scientific study and research groups. Â · Keep soil and waterways in their pristine conditions. There are over 500 national parks in Australia, which include all of the above in their programs. Only 2.4% of Australia is designated national park; hopefully in years to come this will grow to a reasonable amount. National parks are usually proclaimed because of unusual natural beauty, historical value, scientific value, educational purposes, leisure activities or (contrary to what some people think) they have no other use. National parks provide all these promoting careful management of our environment. Without certain species problems will begin to arise as demonstrated in the following chart. A certain plant species die due to industrial waste being dumped in the forests or rivers. Certain worm species have nothing to eat bec... Free Essays on National Parks Free Essays on National Parks National parks play a major role in protecting and managing our environment by preserving the current state of Australia and the rest of the world. National parks protect species of flora and fauna as well as protecting the soil and waterways. They provide a habitat and environment for natural species without human interference. National parks are important for our future because if some species are depleted or become extinct they will endanger our survival. In 1879 the first national park was declared near Sydney (Royal National Park). Since then the number of national parks in Australia has boomed. Setting aside areas of national park is designed to:- Â · Provide a habitat and environment for native species. Â · Allow visitors to enjoy outdoor activities such as abseiling bushwalking, canoeing, orienteering, mountaineering and rock-climbing. Â · Preserve historic sites in their original beauty such as aboriginal sites. Â · Allow flora and fauna to exist in their natural environment without human interference. Â · Offer educational experiences for all visitors, as well as catering for scientific study and research groups. Â · Keep soil and waterways in their pristine conditions. There are over 500 national parks in Australia, which include all of the above in their programs. Only 2.4% of Australia is designated national park; hopefully in years to come this will grow to a reasonable amount. National parks are usually proclaimed because of unusual natural beauty, historical value, scientific value, educational purposes, leisure activities or (contrary to what some people think) they have no other use. National parks provide all these promoting careful management of our environment. Without certain species problems will begin to arise as demonstrated in the following chart. A certain plant species die due to industrial waste being dumped in the forests or rivers. Certain worm species have nothing to eat bec...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Supreme Court Cases Dealing with Pornography

Supreme Court Cases Dealing with Pornography The Supreme Court has addressed pornography more often than almost any other issue of comparable specificity, and small wonder why- the Court has read an implicit obscenity exception to the free speech clause, giving it the unenviable responsibility of interpreting an unstated 18th-century definition of obscenity two centuries later. And the more the Court has attempted to define obscenity, the more complex that definition has become.The Supreme Court made things slightly easier for itself in three cases, all decided between 1967 and 1973.Jacobellis v. Ohio (1967)Forced to determine whether the art film Les Amants was obscene, despite the fact that it was obviously not intended to serve as pornography, the Court acknowledged the difficulty of its job- before ruling in favor of the film on multiple, vague grounds. Justice Potter Stewart memorably captured the Courts challenge: It is possible to read the Courts opinion in [past pornography cases] in a variety of ways. In saying this, I imply no criticism of the Court, which, in those cases, was faced with the task of trying to define what may be indefinable. I have reached the conclusion, which I think is confirmed at least by negative implication in the Courts [recent decisions] that, under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, criminal laws in this area are constitutionally limited to hard-core pornography. I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description, and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly doing so. But I know it when I see it, and the motion picture involved in this case is not that. These are the rights that appellant is asserting in the case before us. He is asserting the right to read or observe what he pleases the right to satisfy his intellectual and emotional needs in the privacy of his own home. He is asserting the right to be free from state inquiry into the contents of his library. Georgia contends that appellant does not have these rights, that there are certain types of materials that the individual may not read or even possess. Georgia justifies this assertion by arguing that the films in the present case are obscene.But we think that mere categorization of these films as obscene is insufficient justification for such a drastic invasion of personal liberties guaranteed by the First and Fourteenth Amendments. Whatever may be the justifications for other statutes regulating obscenity, we do not think they reach into the privacy of ones own home. If the First Amendment means anything, it means that a State has no business telling a man, sitting alone in his own house, what books he may read or what films he may watch. Our whole constitutional heritage rebels at the thought of giving government the power to control mens minds. The difficulty is that we do not deal with constitutional terms, since obscenity is not mentioned in the Constitution or Bill of Rights †¦ for there was no recognized exception to the free press at the time the Bill of Rights was adopted which treated obscene publications differently from other types of papers, magazines, and books †¦ What shocks me may be sustenance for my neighbor. What causes one person to boil up in rage over one pamphlet or movie may reflect only his neurosis, not shared by others. We deal here with a regime of censorship which, if adopted, should be done by constitutional amendment after full debate by the people.Obscenity cases usually generate tremendous emotional outbursts. They have no business being in the courts. If a constitutional amendment authorized censorship, the censor would probably be an administrative agency. Then criminal prosecutions could follow as, if, and when publishers defied the censor and sold their literature. Under that regi me, a publisher would know when he was on dangerous ground. Under the present regime whether the old standards or the new ones are used the criminal law becomes a trap. In practice, all but the most harmful and exploitative forms of pornography have generally been decriminalized despite the Courts relative lack of clarity on this issue.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

The Ultimate Guide to Applying to Caltech

Known for its incredibly strong science and engineering programs, the California Institute of Technology is recognized worldwide as one of the top universities in the nation . Caltech boasts prestigious academic programs, renowned faculty, and a strong emphasis on research. Every year, these qualities, among others, draw thousands of applicants to the school. Caltech was originally founded as Throop University in 1891, and was renamed in 1920. Located in Pasadena, California, Caltech provides students with strong academic offerings and incredible research opportunities. Caltech prides itself on its emphasis on undergraduate teaching, has one of the lowest student-to-faculty ratios in the country. Approximately 300 faculty members teach 1,000 undergraduate and 1,250 graduate students. The Caltech faculty members are leaders in their fields, and among them are 34 Nobel Prize winners. Caltech is also home to numerous prestigious programs related to science and engineering. For instance, the Institute is in charge of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and operates â€Å"large-scale research facilities such as the Seismological Laboratory and a global network of astronomical observatories, including the Palomar and W. M. Keck Observatories†. Are you interested in applying to Caltech? In this post, we’ll walk you through the Caltech application and provide you with the tips, tricks, and insights you need to make your application to Caltech stand out. Caltech is a highly selective school when it comes to admissions. In the 2014-2015 admissions cycle, Caltech received over 6,500 applications. It accepted approximately 9% of those applications. 241 students ultimately enrolled in the Caltech Class of 2019. 54% of those students identified as male, and 46% identified as female. 15% were identified as being of underrepresented race or ethnicity, and 7% were international students. On the old SAT scale , the middle 50% range for Caltech was 2230-2340. The middle 50% for ACT scores was 34-35. The middle 50% range for the SAT Math Level 2 subject test was 790-800. 99% of the members of the Caltech Class of 2019 graduated in the top tenth of their class, and all graduated in the top quarter of their class. Caltech offers two programs under which you can apply: Early Action and Regular Decision. Caltech’s Early Action program is not binding, meaning that if you admitted under Early Action, you are permitted to apply to other and consider other schools. You also do not have to respond to Caltech’s offer until Decision Day, May 1st. The deadline to apply to Caltech under Early Action is November 1, 2016, and applicants will receive their decision in mid-December. The deadline to apply under Regular Decision is January 3, 2017, and applicants will receive their decision in mid-March. Caltech requires that applicants have taken the following courses, or be enrolled in them at the time of their applicants: four years of math, including calculus; one year of physics, one year of chemistry; three years of English, with four years recommended; one year of U.S. history/government, although this requirement is waived for international students. Caltech accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Applicants. Applicants must also submit a $75 application fee or a fee waiver. In addition, applicants must submit either the SAT with writing or the ACT with writing, the SAT Subject Test in Math Level II, one SAT science subject test (biology [ecological], biology [molecular], chemistry, or physics), one evaluation from a math or science teacher, one evaluation from a humanities or social sciences teacher, the secondary school report, and academic transcripts. If you are international student, you must also submit your TOEFL scores and International Financial Aid Statement of Intent Form, which indicates whether or not you intend to apply for financial aid from Caltech. Note that Caltech is need sensitive when it comes to international students. Additionally, if you are an international student and plan to apply for aid, you are not permitted to apply under the Early Action program. Instead, you must submit your application for consideration under the Regular Decision program. Caltech neither requires nor reviews arts and music supplements . You may submit an additional recommendation from an individual, such as an extracurricular mentor or work supervisor, who can add another dimension to your application. Caltech asks that applicants submit no more than five total evaluations. If applicable, you may submit a scientific research paper you have published to Caltech. You will receive information on how to send such a paper to Caltech in your application confirmation email, once you have submitted your application.    Caltech does not offer merit scholarships, and financial aid is solely determined by the applicant’s need. Caltech meets the full demonstrated financial need of admitted students. Domestic students applying under the Early Action program must submit their CSS Profile and FAFSA by November 15, 2016. The Noncustodial Parent PROFILE, if applicable, and the IDOC are both due on January 6, 2017. California residents should ensure that their Cal Grant GPA Verification is submitted by March 2, 2017. The Caltech Scholarship Data Form is due by July 15, 2017. Domestic Early Action admittees will receive their financial aid offers in February. Domestic students applying under the Regular Decision program need to submit their CSS Profile February 1, 2016. Their FAFSA and Cal Grant GPA verification (if a California resident) must be submitted by March 2, 2017. The Noncustodial Parent PROFILE, if applicable, and the IDOC are due on March 2017 2017. The Caltech Scholarship Data Form is due by July 15, 2017. Domestic Regular Decision admittees will receive their financial aid offers in April. International students who are also applying for financial aid from Caltech must apply under the Regular Decision program. They are to submit the CSS Profile by February 1, 2017. If admitted, they must also submit the Caltech Scholarship Data Form by July 15, 2017. Admitted international students will receive their financial aid offers in April. The first section in the Caltech supplement to the Common App, titled â€Å"General†, asks a series of basic questions. You are asked which start term you plan to apply to (the only available answer is Fall 2017) and whether you plan to apply under the Early Action or the Regular Decision program. You are also asked if you intend to apply for financial aid from Caltech, and if you qualify for a Caltech specific fee waiver program. Caltech then asks if you are a U.S. citizen or a U.S. permanent resident. You also have the option of describing your sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The next series of questions focuses on academics. You are asked to indicate your proposed area of study at Caltech, and an alternate area of study. You can choose from any of Caltech’s majors. You should note that your response to this question is not binding, and is simply intended to give Caltech admissions officers a better idea of what you are interested in. The area of interest you indicate has no bearing on your application, and does not play any role in making your admissions decision. In this section, you also have the opportunity to list your scores in math exams like the AMC 12 or the AIME, if applicable. In the â€Å"Activities† section of the Caltech supplement, you are asked to list the extracurricular activities at Caltech that most interest you, in order of preference. You may choose from the following options: You are also asked to respond to the following short answer question in 200 words or less: What three experiences or activities have helped you explore your desire to study and possibly pursue a career in STEM? (200 words max) The next section, â€Å"Contacts†, contains only one question. Here, you are asked if you have previously applied to Caltech. If you respond affirmatively, you are then prompted to list the month and year in which you previously applied. In the â€Å"Family† section, you are first asked if you have any siblings applying to Caltech this year. If so, you are prompted to provide their information. You are also asked if any relatives have attended Caltech, and if any relatives have worked for Caltech. If you respond with â€Å"yes†, you are then asked if any of these relatives are a parent, grandparent, sibling, cousin, aunt, or uncle. If so, you are asked to then supply their information. The last section in the Caltech Supplement to the Common App asks a series of short answer and essay questions.

Friday, October 18, 2019

Short Critical Reflection Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Short Critical Reflection Paper - Essay Example There are two types of databases that are responsible for information. The first consists of a public domain database. This type of database is accessible for the public use. The second consists of a propriety database, which is restricted towards individuals who have membership from a local university. The difference between the databases is due to the fact one requires membership and one is open to the public. This is due to the fact that knowledge and articles that are in the Ashford library databases are scholarly articles written by scholars and are highly more credible than the articles that are yielded in the Google search engines. Most search engines will yield the same results and it is clear that the quality of information between the two databases is clearly distinguishable. Without a doubt, the information age has literally been transformed throughout the last century. The challenge is no doubt to manage this clusters of information that is widely available, which is why the information age is not all good.... Most search engines will yield the same results and it is clear that the quality of information between the two databases is clearly distinguishable. The information age might very well go down as one of the most influential movements of the last century. The term â€Å"revolution† refers to a drastic change. In what ways in this information age so drastically different? Is it all good? Without a doubt, the information age has literally been transformed throughout the last century. The challenge is no doubt to manage this clusters of information that is widely available, which is why the information age is not all good. Propriety software and open source applications are anything but similar. What are the pros and cons of buying Microsoft Office (proprietary) versus downloading and using Open Office (open) for free? The term â€Å"open source† refers to the piece of software’s source code. Open source code extends beyond the traditional methods of just handing ou t code. It means that there are guidelines in which software has to be written it. The software developed with innovations can tremendously benefit individuals on the internet. The clearest benefit of this is due to the fact that it is free. Rather than paying a hefty peace, most open source products can be tried at a risk free basis. In addition, most of these products are efficient for organization’s usage. They also eliminate the hassle of software licensing, which continues to be a controversial issue in this industry. Consequently, propriety software tends to be quite expensive as Microsoft Office can really take a hit on a person’s budget. However, these software are complete and do not contain flaws unlike the open source software. Propriety software

Should Parents Know of Increased Alzheimer's risk Essay

Should Parents Know of Increased Alzheimer's risk - Essay Example The answer is quite clear that awareness is very important about this disease in the present time. Psychotic symptoms such as delusions and aberrations have been observed in large percentage of patients suffering from this disease. In fact, it is the presence of these symptoms which can lead to early regimentation. (Tappen R. M. 1998) â€Å"You know, people get frustrated because their loved ones who have Alzheimer's, oh, he doesn't recognize me anymore, how can I recognize this person, if they don't recognize me? They're not the same person.   Well, they are the same person, but they've got a brain disease. And it's not their fault they've got this disease.† --Ron Reagan In the present age, only a negligible number of ordinary people have proper awareness about the Alzheimer’s disease. In general, the people know merely two things about this disease. Firstly, they know that it is an attenuating disease which is incurable. And secondly they know that memory loss is it s common symptom. That is enough information to produce lot of depression among the aging population but a little more awareness would definitely bring some needed relief. Another misconception among the people is that they think that Alzheimer’s disease can only occur in old age. ... However, children and young adults can also experience this disease as a result of number of rare diseases and conditions. For example, in Batten Disease, unfortunately, Alzheimer’ disease can be observed in many facets, many age ranges and in many different aberrations. The intensity ranges from mild to almost extreme of the worst possible. This disease seems very difficult to treat in the world. (Taylor, Richard 2007) Some of the reasons as to why awareness is important for parents about this disease are related to different aspects of the world. If a parent does not know much about Alzheimer’s disease and has it in his genes then it is possible that his/her child would also suffer from this disorder. The possibility of the disease increases further when both the parents are susceptible to the disease. The parents should be aware about the disease so that they would not opt for a child as it would ruin his whole life. Moreover the child may cause increased medical cos ts if he suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Awareness of the parents would help them to treat their children or at least get a check up at an early age so that the deteriorative processes do not end up in the last stage. Timely intervention can be counted as one of the most important factors which can help in the treatment of the disease. Awareness of parents can help to increase this timely intervention and can thus enhance the treatment process of the children suffering from the disease. Awareness of the issue can further help in lowering down the incidence of the disease as it is being prevailing in the world. All these points strongly support the point that parents and other

Gap Inc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Gap Inc - Essay Example Thirty-seven years ago, Gap Inc. started its humble beginnings with big dreams that spun into a golden international retail enterprise of highly-respected apparel lines. From a handful of employees at its historic California home, Gap Inc. has now hired over 160,000 employees all over the world that support the brand names it carries. With more than 4,250 stores, Gap Inc. boasts of its worldwide lead as a retailer for clothing, accessories and personal care products under the brand names of Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. By the year 21st century the complexity of the fashion industry has acknowledged the changing moods of dressing. Dressing down according to Kelly and Silverstein (2005) became an acceptable norm for the society whose rules for dressing became relaxed and interest in fashion waned. With home-based jobs sprouting people saw no need to buy fashionable clothes. Ordinary retail and clothing sales saw a disappointing decline as the millennium ushered in comfort dressin g. Gap Inc., whose target clients are teens and the middle market with its basic style should see a logical push compared to Banana Republic's affluent clientele and Old Navy's fashionable yet bargain minded customers.Gap Inc. however, suffered tremendous drawbacks against its gracious fashion profit enjoyment of the 90's that Brady attributed to its electronic retailing in 1997, as prevailing modes of expression sank the sales of summer 2001. Hea revealed how store sales showed a 12% dip compared to the previous year. Given the sales shortfall, shares of stocks remained on the defensive that Hea positively believed could pick up during the fall months. However August and September saw weak store traffic owing to the lack of buyers' enthusiasm for its apparel lines. The Old Navy division suffered the highest setback with the biggest sales drop that then CEO Millard Drexler acknowledged as its priority, "the need to find the right balance between key items and fashion". In its numero us attempts to survive the fashion crash, Drexler was later replaced in 2002 according to Brady(2003) that has brought in bolder colors that certainly help cut the inventory, squeezed out costs and helped Gap triple its earnings and stocks rose to more then $18 per share. The GAP strategies By redesigning a "look" to fit in with the season and the environment, Gap's strategies included highly focused surveys and research on consumer needs and fashion trends that high-lighted classifying its clientele from the "style-conscious, updated and classic" individuals according to Brady(2003). Gap, has also adapted the different mixes provided by Levy and Weitz (2004, Ch.2) that retailing systems should carefully observe with strong emphasis on the merchandise. According to them, much focus on its products centered on the ability to recognize versatility in style, assortment and variety without sacrificing its quality. Fit being an important factor in the clothing apparel line, assumed that its predictability should announce its availability that consumer research brings into its designs for must-have clothes. Although the millennium trend was to dress down and simplify, the smugness brought by the old Gap designs were too obtainable with other cheaper competition. A variety of choices for the shopper in style and a wider array of color definitely zeroed in the buying spree. Gap's predictability in the 1990's saw a gradual yet significant progress that has seen improvement on its credit rating and debt reduction in the 3rd quarter of 2003. Webb then announced its CEO Paul Pressler's move to repurchase its common stocks. Price Adjustment according to the law of supply and demand hammers specific changes to maximize profit and minimize markdowns according to Chorafas (2002). Prices change but are highly capricious in trying to match the demand. Gap, has however attached a stigma to dynamic pricing that the fashion industry equates with consumers flocking stores only

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Managment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Managment - Essay Example There are ten managerial roles that are seen to come under these three criteria. These are elucidated as under. Interpersonal roles: As the title implies, in these roles, a manager mainly concerns himself with the interpersonal relationships with people and providing them with useful information. These three underlined roles help managers build a network of contacts. Leader: This role defines the relationship between the manager and his employees and involves directing and coordinating activities of subordinates for the achievement of organizational goals. For a human resource manager, this involves roles such as staffing, motivating employees and problem solving. Figurehead: Here the manager represents the organization in all matters of formality. For example at the top level of an organization, a manager becomes a legal and social representative of his company to outsiders and may take on roles like greeting a touring dignitary. Here the manager demonstrates that he cares for his employees, customers and people who deserve recognition. Liaison: This role involves the manager dealing with people other than supervisors and subordinates. It could involve gains of favors, information or support from people like clients, government officials, suppliers, members of board etc. This role helps the manager to build information systems from outsiders that affects the organization's success. Informational roles: These three roles are important as they concern themselves with the manager obtaining and processing information for undertaking managerial work. These are, Monitor: Here the manager receives and collects information that affects the performance of a specific department or the organization as a whole. For example a sales manager, receives and collects information from sales representatives regarding number of product sales and success of a product. Disseminator: In this role the manager disseminates information to subordinates. For example, in a social organization working for child welfare, a manager has the role to inform his people on new child laws enacted upon by the government. Spokesperson: In this role, the manager transmits information of the organization to outsiders in an official capacity. At the top level of a social organization, a manager is seen as an expert in the line and if the manager says it, it is considered that the organization says it. However at middle management level of a social organization, the manager is seen as the expert of his or her department. Decisional roles: The access to information and the range of interpersonal relationships, put managers on the fore of using above information for decision making. This shoulders him the most important responsibility of four major decisional roles, Entrepreneur: In this role, a manager becomes an initiator of change and brings in new ideas to his organizational environment. Surveys are

Menstruation Disorders Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Menstruation Disorders - Research Paper Example A menstrual disorder will affect the woman normal menstrual cycle, and the disorders include painful menses, abnormally heavy bleeding and lack of menses. Normal menstruation is bound to occur during the years of puberty and menopause. Also referred to as â€Å"period† entails a process where blood flows from the uterus to the cervix and out of the vagina. Some women will experience emotional and physical symptoms during the time of menstruation while another will not and such factors may disrupt a woman’s normal life in a number of ways. It is essential for the reproductive-aged woman to understand their menstrual cycles and some of the orders that are bound to occur to be able to prevent, manage them and seek medical attention. Most of these disorders have straightforward explanations and treatments options that exist to help in relieving the symptoms. It is essential for a woman experiencing irregularity in their cycle to seek medical attention from a healthcare prof ession (Peacock, Alvi, & Mushtaq, 2012). Major topics in the research paper include the menstrual cycle and its features, the menstrual disorders and their risk factors and the management and complications of the underlying disorders. The menstrual cycle is prepared and regulated by a complex surge of reproductive hormones that work together to prepare the woman body and systems ready for pregnancy. The regions of the body that control these hormones are the hypothalamus in the brain and the pituitary gland that all control six important hormones in the body.