The Ozone Layer Shields Us and Saves Our Lives Essay

Our zone is important because its shields use from harmful emitted ultra violet radiation by the sun; which can cause skin cancer and disease in humans. Materials synthesized by mankind such as aerosol do not react in the lower atmosphere but survive long enough to react in the upper atmosphere causing ozone depletion. This reaction in the upper atmosphere is cause by the ultra violet radiation given off by the sun. At the point this reaction an oxygen molecule is replaced by a chlorine molecule this process happens 100,000 times on a global scale according to Sherwood Rowland who won a Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for his work in atmospheric chemistry. The results are global warming on a massively increasing scale. The ozone layer†¦show more content†¦The major energy sources in the United States are petroleum (oil), natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewable energy. The major users are residential and commercial buildings, industry, transportation, and electric power ge nerators. The pattern of fuel use varies widely by sector. For example, oil provides 93% of the energy used for transportation, but only about 1% of the energy used to generate electric power. Oil, coal, and natural gas are non-renewable resources meaning that they are produced from fossil fuels (plants and animals which have decomposed for millions of years). The Conservation of energy provides a solution to our massive use of fossil fuels. Recycling is good for the environment, human health and the economy. Recycling creates jobs incinerating 10,000 tons of waste creates one job; land-filling 10,000 tons of waste creates six jobs; recycling 10,000 tons of waste creates 36 jobs. If the U.S. could intensify its waste-diversion efforts and hit a 75 percent recycling rate, the recycling and waste industry would boast over 2.3 million jobs by 2030 – 1.5 million more jobs in this sector than in 2008, according to the report â€Å"More Job’s, Less Pollution†. Recycling just 35 percent of our trash reduces toxic emissions equivalent to taking 36 million cars off the road. In 2006, according to the EPA, the national recycling rate of 32.5 percent (82 million tons recycled) â€Å"prevented the release of approximately 49.7Show MoreRelatedImportance Of Environment Essay1395 Words   |  6 Pagesrole in life. It is an essential part of our life. A clean environment is very necessary to live a peaceful and he althy life. An environment is the natural surroundings which help life to grow and nourish on this earth. It helps human beings, animals and other living things to grow and develop naturally. But now days,our everyday actions and decisions are negatively impacting the environment, causing pollution, deforestation, overfishing.We are disturbing our environment in many ways which affectingRead MoreHow Can Our Environment Be Harmful? Essay1580 Words   |  7 PagesHOW CAN OUR ENVIRONMENT BE HARMFUL? An environment is everything that makes up our surrounding, this can be living or non-living things, for example; the air we breathe, the sea, the plants and animals etc. What Impact Does the Environment Have On Us? Seeing that in the beginning, human beings need to be responsive to their environment to survive, this means that we have an essential awareness of our surrounding and look out for surroundings with some types of qualities (Contributor and KreitzerRead More The Ozone Layer and Climate Change Essays2205 Words   |  9 Pagesindustrial revolution early in the nineteenth century, our ability to change the world around us has become profound. At first, the impact on our planet was almost imperceptible, but as we have grown both in number and technological capability, that influence has grown with us. Lately, the effects of our increased activity have begun to manifest themselves in a multitude of subtle, and some not so subtle ways: we have thinned the ozone layer and may now be starting to change the very climate systemRead MoreClimate Change and Greenhouse Gases Essay987 Words   |  4 Pagesperson per year. Carbon Monoxide release is a result of burning fossil fuels with an insuffic ient amount of oxygen that causes the formation of carbon monoxide that pollutes our environment. Everyday fuel is burnt by cars, airplanes, large factories and manufacturing plants. This is causing a very large and deadly problem for our environment. When gases used on earth are released into the atmosphere they act as a blanket and trap radiation that is then redirected to earth. This concept is called theRead MoreDebating Whether Nuclear Power Should Be Developed for Future Energy Supplies1150 Words   |  5 Pagesto debate the idea of having nuclear power developed for future use by us. This takes on a major issue and covers many aspects of our nations energy use both in present and for the future. When we think about nuclear power we do not automatically think of it as a non renewable energy source. This is because it is not part of the fossils fuels; coal, oil and gas, which we all know will not last us as reliable energy sources for much longer. However, nuclear power isRead MoreWhat Causes Volcanic Eruptions5929 Words   |  24 Pagessuccessful forecasting occurred in 1991. Volcanologists from the U.S. Geological Survey accurately predicted the June 15 eruption of the Pinatubo Volcano in the Philippines, allowing for the timely evacuation of the Clark Air Base and saving thousands of lives. How are Volcanoes Formed? Volcanoes are formed in various sizes and shapes. Cone-shaped volcanoes are the most common ones. Some volcanoes are only a long crack on the earth’s crust. Volcanoes that resemble high mountains were the ones that are formedRead MoreShift From Fossil Fuel Should Be Made Mandatory1632 Words   |  7 Pagesheading as inhabitants of this planet earth. Many living organism depends on clean air to survive hence the balance of Oxygen, Carbon dioxide and other natural gases must be at a balanced ratio. For many people, who live in the industrialized countries find air pollution as part of our daily occurrence, although many developed countries have tried to reduce and fight air pollution and control of greenhouse gas emission, it’s still not enough, more extremes action need to be employed. As human populationRead MoreThe Effects Of Climate Change On New Zealand Essay3435 Words   |  14 Pagesheat is being trapped and so the temperature of the earth is also increasing. The increase in the earth’s temperature isn’t good because the increase in temperature will cause some major changes such as weather patterns on earth which will affect the lives of most, if not all living things. [1] [9] All of the extra carbon dioxide which is appearing in the atmosphere is coming from the burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are formed from decayed animals and plants and over millions of yearsRead MoreEssay on Environmental Ethics2347 Words   |  10 Pagesthe Earth’s natural environment and all of the animals and plants that inhabit it (Taylor, 1989). The purpose of this paper is to reveal environmental issues that are threatening the existence of life on Earth, and discus our social obligations to refrain from further damaging our environment, health and life for future generations. I will discus the need for appropriate actions and the ethical application in the decision making process on solving environmental concerns. Environmental Concerns TheRead MoreHuman Fears of Biological Science1989 Words   |  8 Pagesscience in today’s society is threatening to our lives in different forms. One particular spread of infection is the, all too familiar, virus. The likelihood of a human viral outbreak is rather rare, for now. Scientists have kept these enemies contained in test tubes to stop the spread of a highly deadly epidemic occurring. However, if a virus were to become lose, one can only wonder what would happen. Based on scientific viral research, because humans live across vast land all around the world, viruses

##eau, Gandhi, And King And Henry David Thoreaus Civil...

Protests are the foundation of our country. It was our ancestors protesting against the British that started the revolution and led to what is now the United States of America. The methods of protesting have been changing. Instead of using violent tactics, such as war and destruction, reformers such as Thoreau, Gandhi, and King have brought about a more impactful way of protesting. Nonviolent protests are one of the most successful ways to bring about change, and it is through this method that we achieve our goals while at the same time keeping the peace. Setting a precedent even in the 21st century, Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience underlines the basis of nonviolent protests, and his essay has been used in the works of Gandhi and King. Civil†¦show more content†¦He introduces the idea of action from principle, which includes the commitment of striving for a better government. It doesn’t matter what one believes, but more of what one does to affirm their beliefs. T horeau reveals an opinion that has not been explored by many before. He puts the blame on slavery to the north, rather than the south. His reasoning behind this opinion is that the south believe that what they’re doing is right, meanwhile the north knows slavery is wrong yet fails to act against it. Thoreau poses three questions of what to do when being faced with unjust laws. He asks, â€Å"shall we be content to obey them, or shall we endeavor to amend them, and obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once?† His ideals have changed the ways most people view protests, and have inspired Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and other reformers throughout time. The ideas of nonviolent protests were not only around during the 18th century, but in the 20th century was well. The words of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas Gandhi, two reformers of the 20th century, were heavily influenced by Civil Disobedience. The motives of Martin Luther King Jr’s Letter from Birmingham City Jail and Gandhi’s On Nonviolent Resistance were similar to Thoreau. All three men were tackling injustices within their time period, and believed that civil

APUSH Extra Credit Free Essays

In the United State s of America . From 1998 to the present, this country has strayed away from the ideals pre sensed within the Declaration of Independence. Three major ideas expressed in the Declared ion were the natural laws giving the people the right to assert political independence as long as the e reason for doing so is Justified, the Inalienable rights of people to life liberty and the pursuit of h peppiness, and the purpose of government to protect these rights and In case of failure to do so e abolished. We will write a custom essay sample on APUSH Extra Credit or any similar topic only for you Order Now These three examples, the Republic of Lookout, the excellently Issue, and the numb ere of militias around the united States give evidence to the claim that the united States ha s moved further away from the main ideas within the Declaration of Independence. The Republic of Lookout claims to exist today in the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, and Wyoming. It is the supposed homeland of the Alack a Native American tribe. It is not recognized by the federal government of the United States. I n 2007, the Lookout Freedom delegation, led by Russell Means, traveled to Washington where he submitted statement declaring Independence from the U. S. The reason professed by the Alack ah Is that they were never a part of the country and were being ruled by force. From a legal sat endpoint the Lookout claim to have always been a sovereign nation under Article Six of the Consist caution. The Lookout have provided legitimate reasons to exercise their right to secede from the U. S. Claims made by the Lookout have not been taken seriously by Congress. By seemingly ignoring Eng the pleas of the Lookout, Congress Is Ignoring the natural law outlined In the Declaration of Independence thus making it’s way further from the ideals held sacred in the dotcom How to cite APUSH Extra Credit, Papers

Primate City free essay sample

The rapid expansion of a deteriorated environment and high social costs are the most obvious and immediate results of this overconcentration process. Eventually, the public investment on the expansion of urban infrastructure will reach a point of diminishing returns. Urban problems can bring national development to the edge of failure. This would be an appalling situation indeed! Vimolsiddhi Horayangkura1 Hyperurbanization signifies a prolonged condition of superheated urban growth. John Friedmann2 Bangkok, perhaps more than any other major world metropolis, represents a primate city. It is forty times larger than Chiang Mai, Thailands second largest city, and dominates Thai political, economic, and intellectual life. Bangkok is simultaneously Thailands castle, market, and temple. Once known as the Venice of the East, Bangkok has changed dramatically from the tranquil pre-modern days of Joseph Conrad and W. Somerset Maugham. Lynch has emphasized the importance of a citys image. 4 Bangkok has diverse images. The Thais refer to it as Krungthep eaning City of Angels. In fact, modern Bangkok with its sprawling laissez faire urban development does indeed resemble its American namesake, Los Angeles. Some Thais have called modern Bangkok a concrete jungle. 5 Foreign visitors to Bangkok in the 1940s and 1950s would hardly recognize the thriving metropolis of the 1980s with a population of over six million. Prior to 1960, Bangkok had almost no buildings over five stories. Today numerous skyscrapers house the offices of transnational corporations and international agencies. Gerald W. Fry is Assistant Director of the International Studies Program at the University of Oregon. 14 Despite Bangkoks modernization, it also retains traditional images. Sternstein in conducting research on Bangkoks image, found that Wat Phra Keo was the most common image among Thais interviewed. 6 This is Thailands most sacred Buddhist temple, which houses the Emerald Buddha, the holiest image in the country. While Bangkok is both symbolic of Thailands dynamic economic expansion during the past several decades and its rich cultural history, its role as a classic primate city also presents crucial policy problems. Unfortunately, many urbanization studies are merely descriptive, ignoring an analytical discussion of important policy issues. 7 In this article, empirical evidence is presented to show the extent and nature of Bangkoks dominance as a hyperurbanized primate city. Then key policy issues and future directions are considered from a political economy perspective. The Concept of the Primate City As background, it may be useful to discuss briefly the evolution of the concept of the primate city and previous related research. 8 The concept of urban centrality has attracted the attention of many prominent world scholars. In the early 1800s, German writers were already directing attention to the organization of space by society. 9 Then in the 1900s, German geographers introduced the concept of central place theory, which has influenced much subsequent research related to urbanization. 10 In more recent years, major contemporary thinkers such as Arnold Toynbee and Barbara Ward have also directed their attention to urbanization. 11 Toynbee, in discussing cities on the move, worries about mechanized cities which he feels are noisy, dirty, and soulless. Ward describes monster cities defiled by environmental deterioration and technological hammers. 3 In fact, many intellectuals have revolted against the city and its corrupt cultural influences. 14 Radical thinkers such as Harvey and Lefebvre see the modem city as reflecting exploitative parasitic relationships typical of the larger society. 15 Harvey also makes the important distinction between the city as a built form and urbanism as a way of life. Harveys distinction is particularly important in understanding Bangkoks dual image and the tendency for individuals to develop an ambivalent attitude towards this rapidly changing Southeast Asian metropolis. More optimistic are the works of visionaries such as Doxiadis, Mumford, and Fuller. 16 They present new configurations for a more equitable, efficient, and humanistic use of space. Unfortunately, the impact of their work is hardly noticeable in Third World primate cities such as Bangkok, Manila, or Mexico City. 15 Bangkok as a Hyperurbanized Primate City Many primate cities are not in the geometric centre of a natural region. 17 Bangkok, however, stands almost perfectly at the centre of Thailand, almost equidistant from its northern and southern borders. It is also centred between its eastern and western boundaries and in this sense, it is comparable to Ankara in Turkey and Brasilia in Brazil. Bangkoks demographic primacy is revealed by several indicators. It has been growing at a much faster rate than the rest of the country. While Thailand in the 1960s was growing a little over three per cent per year, Bangkok was growing at an annual rate of over six per cent. 18 The differential between its growth rate and that of the rest of the country in the late 1970s is shown in Table 1. Its dominance is also illustrated by data showing that 56 per cent of Thailands urban population is concentrated in Bangkok. 19 Since 1947, its population has increased sixfold, making it now the worlds fifteenth largest city. Table 1 Bangkoks Rate of Population Growth Compared to Thailand as a Whole 1976 1. 92 4. 41 1977 2. 42 4. 25 1978 2. 12 2. 66 1979 1. 95 2. 61 198( 1. 82 3 . 04 Thailand Bangkok Source: Khryangchii Phaawa Sangkhom 2523 (Social Indicators 1980), (Bangkok: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, 1980), p. 3. Several quantitative techniques exist for empirically analyzing the extent of a citys primacy. The first approach uses what are termed indices of primacy. The most simple is the ratio, P1/P2, where Pj is the population of the largest city and P2, the population of the next largest city in a country. A three-city index compares the largest city with combined populations of the next two largest cities. A four-city index can be computed in analogous fashion. Table 2 shows Bangkoks various indices of primacy both in 1960 and 1972. Using equation (c) in an iterative process, the theoretical distribution for Thailand is computed and compared with the actual distribution of city sizes (see Table 3). As can be seen, the Thai pattern diverges significantly from the expected pattern. Instead of having 10 cities over the population of 100,000, Thailand has only one. Thailand also has twice as many cities in the 20,000-49,999 range as expected. In discussing city-size distribution, Zipf introduces the concepts of diversification and unification. 4 Diversification implies that a population is disaggregated into many small communities close to scattered and diverse raw materials. Unification in contrast concentrates the processing of raw materials in a single location and minimizes the difficulty of providing processed goods to the ultimate consuming population. Thus, the abnormal Thai distribution suggests both extreme diversification and unification. This pattern seems completely consistent with Thailands highly succ essful agricultural and economic diversification programme, and Bangkoks role as a major world port serving a large consumer oriented population. Though Thailand is predominantly an agricultural economy with approximately 70-80 per cent of the labour force in that sector, Bangkok dominates a rapidly growing industrial and manufacturing segment of the economy. Though Bangkok has only 10 per cent of the countrys population, it has 29 per cent of the countrys national income, giving it a ratio of advantage of 2. 9. 26 The Bangkok Central Region similarly accounts for 37. 4 per cent of Thailands GDP. 27 Given Bangkoks superior communications infrastructure, major local and foreign corporations tend to locate in Bangkok. Banking is perhaps the economic area in which 19 Bangkok is most dominant. In Thailands capitalistic economy, private banks account for 80 per cent of credit available. Though branch banks have spread widely throughout the country to collect deposits, rural areas account for only 5-6 per cent of bank credits. 28 Bangkoks political, educational, and intellectual primacy is even more dramatic than its demographic and economic dominance. Thailands political system has been described as a bureaucratic polity. 29 Though Bangkok has only 10 per cent of the countrys population, 52 per cent of the elite are from Bangkok. 0 Three institutions have been central to Thailands contemporary political system: the bureaucracy, the military, and the monarchy. All ministries have large headquarters in Bangkok. The Department of Local Administration, Ministry of Interior, in Bangkok appoints all provincial governors and district officers, the most powerful local officials in the Thai government. Major military offices are similarly located in Bangkok. Historically, control of the First Army, which is responsible for Bangkok, has been a major avenue to both military and political power. 2 Though the monarchy has not played a direct role in politics since 1932, its presence in Bangkok provides the major source of political legitimacy. This was revealed most dramatically in the student revolution of 1973 when the monarchy refused to grant legitimacy to the three tyrants and again in April, 1981, when those engineering a coup against the Prem government were unable to attain royal legitimacy. 33 Since the student revolution of 1973, parliamentary politics has also grown in importance. But again Bangkok remains dominant. Most political parties are Bangkok based and led by prominent Bangkok polit icians. Under Thai law, Bangkok politicians can run in constituencies in remote rural provinces. In the summer of 1981, for example, former Prime Minister Kriangsak Chomanan was elected M. P. from Thailands Northeastern province of Roi-Et and it is quite common for prominent Bangkok politicians to run in rural constituencies. Though regional political parties have existed, their success has been limited. With 20 per cent of its population being students, Bangkok is the centre of Thailands educational system. Of Thailands eleven selective universities, eight are in Bangkok. Of ten private colleges, eight are also in Bangkok. Thailands large open university, Ramkhamhaeng, which now has over 200,000 students, is also in Bangkok. With the exception of several schools in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, all of Thailands elite secondary schools, public and private, are in Bangkok. It, thus, should not be surprising that 48 per cent of those individuals passing the highly competitive entrance examination to selective universities are from Bangkok. This gives Bangkok students a ratio of advantage of six to one. Thus, it is necessary to live in Bangkok to attend elite secondary schools such as 0 Suan Gularb, St. Gabriels, Assumption, Bangkok Christian, Mater Dei, Wattana, and Satri Withaya. To illustrate the extent of Bangkoks educational dominance, imagine that Harvard, MIT, Yale, Michigan State, Berkeley, and Minnesota were all located in Washington, D. C. Given Bangkoks large student population, commuters look forward to the period of school vacations when the heavy traffic congestion declines noticeably. In view of Bangkoks dominance in politics, economics, and education, it is only natural to expect a strong cultural and intellectual primacy as well. Its cultural influence is predominantly expressed through the media such as films, television, radio, newspapers, and other printed materials. Though local regional newspapers do exist, Bangkoks seventeen daily newspapers are dominant, with Bangkoks Thai Rath having the nations largest circulation. With a heavy tax on foreign films imposed in 1976, the Thai film industry, based in Bangkok, has flourished. Since the student revolution of 1973, there has also been a major publishing boom, particularly in inexpensive paperbacks in Thai. Thailands many publishers are nearly all located in Bangkok. Push and Pull Factors Contributing to Migration into Bangkok Migration is the most commonly studied aspect of urbanization. 35 With respect to Thailand, migration has been a major factor contributing significantly to Bangkoks remarkably high index of primacy. Both push and pull factors explain Bangkoks role as a magnet in attracting migrants from all parts of the country as well as numerous foreign immigrants, primarily from China and India. Major push factors relate to Thailands agricultural context. The major sources of Bangkoks permanent migrants are from the agricultural provinces in the Central Region surrounding Bangkok. 6 Though most Thai farmers own their land, tenancy has increasingly become a problem in provinces near Bangkok and has reached as high as 18. 5 per cent in Ayuthaya province. 37 As tenants these farmers lose their commitment to the land, and face difficult economic conditions as farm labourers. A second push factor relates to the amount of agricultural land available. Historically, Thailand has had ample land available which enabled the children of large families to obtain adequately sized farm plots. This situation has now dramatically changed. There is now little possibility for the expansion of cultivable land, particularly given serious environmental concerns related to the overcutting of forests and the potential desertification of important rural areas. 38 An important third push factor relates to inadequate water for irrigation in Thailands populous Northeast, containing approximately a third of the nations total population. 39 Rainfed irrigation allows for only one crop 21 of rice in most of the Northeast, except for the limited areas near large dams which make possible multiple cropping. In the many areas with only one rice crop, farmers are idle for many months during the dry season. Consequently, they frequently migrate to Bangkok to take temporary jobs such as taxi or samlor drivers. 40 Though these agricultural push factors are important, Bangkoks urban pull factors are numerous as well. First, there is the large differential between incomes in Bangkok and most rural provinces (see Table 4). Though Bangkok has several sizeable slums, the incidence of poverty in Bangkok is only 12 per cent compared to 44 per cent in the rural Northeast. 41 Table 4 Income Differentials between Bangkok and Thailands Four Major Regions Region Northeast North South Central Bangkok * * 23 Baht are equal to approximately $1 U. S. Source: Somsak Xuto et at. , eds. , Pratheet Thai nai Thasawat 1980: Panhaa Samkhan Upasak lae Naewnom (Thailand in the Decade of the 1980s: Important Problems, Obstacles, and Trends) (Bangkok: Prasaansinkaanphim, 1981), p. 20. Annual Income Per Capita in Bant** 3,962 6,445 10,227 14,547 26,781 Second, the individual in Bangkok has access to a wide range of amenities, particularly of a public service nature and many highly subsidized by the central government. For example, 59. 8 per cent of government physicians and 51. 3 per cent of nurses work in Bangkok. 42 In Bangkok, 78. 5 per cent of homes have running water, while outside Bangkok only 5-10 per cent of homes have this amenity. 43 As mentioned above, many of Thailands public universities are in Bangkok, and their fees are kept intentionally low, covering only approximately 5 per cent of the costs of instruction, with the remainding funding provided by government subsidies. Private amenities in Bangkok are also impressive. 39. 8 per cent of Thailands private hospitals are located in Bangkok. 4 Other private amenities include huge modern shopping centres, thousands of excellent restaurants, a diverse set of night life establishments (bars, night clubs, 22 massage parlours, discos, and coffee shops), sports facilities (world class golf courses, squash and tennis courts, and swimming pools), and many luxurious but inexpensive movie theatres. Bangkoks television stations bring viewers the latest programmes from Hollywood, rock programmes from Germany, American NFL football, exciting Chinese drama, and satellite news from the worlds major capitals. Particularly for youth from remote rural areas used to dust, dryness, and everyday sameness, the bright lights of Bangkok can indeed become addictive, once the initial cultural shock is overcome. The Thai version of the Horatio Alger myth also drives individuals from the rural areas to Bangkok. There are the common stories, publicized by the media, of individuals from humble backgrounds and with little formal education who have become famous and wealthy millionaires. 45 The Nature of Bangkoks Crisis Though Bangkok has over 200 slums scattered around the city, it is estimated that only 100,000 families are without proper housing. 46 Thus, Bangkok fortunately diverges from the pattern typical of many Third World primate cities such as Bogota and Calcutta where slum and squatter populations constitute over 50 per cent of the citys population. 47 Toynbee describes mechanized cities as noisy, dirty, and soulless. 48 Though Bangkok is certainly noisy, it is definitely not soulless. Even in slum areas, there appears to be an impressive degree of conviviality and neighbourliness. 9 In Bangkok, there is little of the impersonality typical of many large industrial cities in the West. There is a plausible explanation for this. Since many of Bangkoks residents are recent migrants from rural areas, they bring with them to the city the conviviality of Thai rural culture. This cultural invasion ensures that the city retains its soul. This is not to deny that important cultural collisions are t aking place between the rural culture of migrants and an emerging modern urban way of life. 50 Any time spent in Bangkoks hectic traffic would lead to scepticism about the gentle Thais. In contrast, in pedestrian traffic, the slow leisurely pace of walking reflects the rural roots of many Thais living in Bangkok. 51 Bangkoks contemporary crisis has a number of dimensions. Most prominent is the imbalance between size of population and the citys environmental carrying capacity. If Bangkoks current population growth continues, the city will have a population of approximately twelve million by the year 2000. Even with a current population of roughly six million, Bangkoks physical quality of life has deteriorated seriously. It is common 23 or commuters in Bangkok to spend from two to four hours a day in getting to and from work. Air pollution, particularly along major roads, has reached harmful levels. Underground water is being consumed at an alarmingly high rate, contributing to the gradual sinking of the city. Recent years have also seen an increase in urban crime and middle and upper class families are reluctant to leave their homes unattended. Bangkoks traffic congestion is far more than an environmental problem. It also represents a serious drain on Thailands foreign exchange, given the high costs of imported energy. In addition, there are significant opportunity costs associated with extensive time lost in traffic congestion. This is particularly adverse for higher paid professionals and students. A second dimension of Bangkoks contemporary crisis relates to a growing disparity between the quality of private and public goods. Bangkoks ratio of private golf courses to public parks remains alarmingly high and epitomizes the nature of public-private disparities. In the area of transportation, there is the contrast between intensely crowded public buses and thousands of private luxury automobiles. A final disturbing statistical indicator is the unfortunately low ratio of public municipal libraries to luxury massage parlours. There are three major causes of Bangkoks contemporary crisis. The first relates to a lack of long-range integrated planning. Like many American corporate officials, Thai politicians and policy makers have been preoccupied with short-run immediate considerations. This is the problem which Textor terms tempocentrism, an adaptation of the concept of ethnocentrism to describe the dominance of contemporary values and the neglect of alternative futures. 2 Central to the planning problem has been a failure to integrate urban, regional, and national planning. 53 Also given the strong Thai cultural emphasis on personal freedom, no serious effort at land-use planning has been implemented. A second cause of Bangkoks crisis is a failure to recognize economic externalities. The metropolitan bus authority is expected to be selfsupporting financially. Any recognition of the many positive externalities of public transportation would lead to an acceptance of the need to subsidize public transportation heavily. External diseconomies with respect to various types of environmental deterioration are not being penalized adequately from either an economic or entropic perspective. The third major factor underlying Bangkoks crisis is the weakness of the tax system in collecting public revenues from urban wealth. Thailand still relies heavily on regressive indirect taxes, and the tax burden for the wealthy, as in many other societies, remains unreasonably small. 24 Existing Governmental Efforts to Reduce Bangkoks Primacy On a gradualist basis, the Thai government has been introducing policies to reduce Bangkoks primacy. In the education area, three major universities were established in each of the major regions of the country. Several Bangkok universities are also being gradually moved outside of Bangkok through the construction of new rural campuses. A new open long distance university, Sukothaithammatirat, enables students to take college level courses by correspondence without needing to reside in Bangkok. A major change in Thailands educational system introduced in 1980 is designed to deconcentrate Thailands overly centralized educational system. 4 New economic policies have also been implemented to channel more funds into rural development. In 1975, the Social Action Party of M. R. Kukrit Pramoj adopted the Ngoen Pan programme, which provided 2,500 million Baht to tambol (sub-district) councils to undertake a wide variety of rural projects based on local level needs and decision-making. This programme, now called the Rural Job Creation Programme under the current government, continues to funct ion and now provides annually 3,500 million Baht to rural areas. The programme provides jobs for rural farmers during their idle dry season. Thailand has fortunately had a remarkably successful family planning programme. As a result, the countrys natural rate of population growth has slowed considerably. 55 This has served to defuse part of the push factor, contributing to migration into Bangkok. The Thai government also has plans to develop its eastern seaboard, southeast of Bangkok as an alternative planned area for future urban and industrial growth. 56 The area has two deep sea ports which can potentially relieve the heavy congestion at Bangkoks own port. A new modern expressway now links Bangkok to the eastern seaboard. This seaboard area is also attractive because of its proximity to new natural gas pipelines from the Gulf of Thailand. The Thai government plans to invest heavily in new infrastructure for the region including a new Bangkok-SattahipRayong railroad. This infrastructure should be completed by the end of the Fifth Development Plan (1986). The eastern seaboard will be Thailands first fully planned industrial area. Major Policy Issues, Problems, and Recommendations From a political economy perspective, Bangkoks crisis of hyperurbanization primarily results from Thailands dual polarized development. Bangkoks growing wealth and amenities have been a dynamic magnet attracting migrants from throughout the nation and abroad. 25 As pointed out above, Bangkoks public goods are in many respects seriously deficient relative to private affluence. If policies are introduced, however, to improve Bangkoks public goods and services, this will compound the crisis of hyperurbanization. This represents a major policy paradox. A significant improvement of Bangkoks public services would also divert potential funds away from rural development. It is in effective rural development itself that the major solution can be found for Bangkoks hyperurbanization. While existing government programmes aimed at improving rural development are important, they are not sufficient. The gap between Bangkoks economic conditions and those in the countryside must narrow more rapidly. Underlying the present economic gap between rural areas and Bangkok is the basic political condition of what Thais frequently call half-leaf democracy. The rural sector is still inadequately represented in the Thai polity. Two political changes are needed to strengthen the voice of the rural sector. First, the appointed Senate dominated by Bangkok politicians and bureaucrats needs to be replaced by a popularly elected body to achieve full-leaf democracy. Second, Bangkok politicians should not be allowed to compete for parliamentary positions in rural constituencies. Political changes of these types would facilitate the development of public policies to improve the terms of trade for Thailands rural sector. Four basic economic policies are essential to improve Thai rural conditions. First, investments in small-scale irrigation projects for Thailands dry Northeast must be increased. Second, the government needs to support more aggressively better prices for Thai agricultural products, even though this will increase the cost of living for Bangkok residents. Third, a stronger land reform effort is needed in those provinces, especially in the Central Plains, where land tenancy has become a serious problem. 57 Fourth, new industries should be encouraged to locate outside Bangkok. In this regard, the new Eastern Seaboard Development Project is an impressive step in encouraging the dispersal of economic power and infrastructure. Related to the above policies, greater incentives must be provided to encourage professionals, particularly in the health field, to work in remote rural areas. Such individuals need to be more adequately compensated for the sacrifices they undergo in serving the countrys most needy areas. With respect to policies affecting urban development in Bangkok itself, three policy areas of critical importance are urban land values, land use planning, and public transportation. As in many other primate cities, land values in Bangkok have escalated rapidly encouraging significant speculation in land. A century ago, Henry George in his classical writings 26 on the need for a land tax eloquently exposed the detrimental consequences of free land speculation. 58 In contemporary times, Barbara Ward precisely defines the significant nature of this problem: A first principle in developing countries must therefore be to insure basic control over urban land prices But they have to be clear about one thing. If, at a time of breakneck urbanization, the public authorities have no controls over the land market or of the gains to be made there, the whole process will be skewed in favor of the skillful or lucky minority who use their private monopoly of ownership to engross fortunes created solely by the growth of the community Moreover, the increment of value secured by private owners will be irretrievably lost to the municipal authorities responsible for providing the citys basic infrastructure — water, drains, roads, schools, the whole apparatus of urbanity. They will simply fail to profit from the gains which they themselves create. 59 Ward also sees the planned control of land use as essential to achieving beauty, cleanliness, and a genuine community in an urban environment. Actually, the lack of adequate control of land use partially explains Bangkoks transportation crisis and its excessive reliance on mechanized road vehicles. Transportation researchers have shown that an urban train is thirty-eight times more efficient than an automobile and seven times more efficient than a bus. 1 Since public authorities in Bangkok have limited access to land, the costs of developing a rail system and acquiring the necessary land right of ways is extremely high and dramatically increasing. Thus, despite its much greater efficiencies and many positive externalities, a public rail system for Bangkok is difficult to achieve. Fortunately, during the past several years, Bangkoks bus system has improved significantly. Yet despite such improvements, the city still suffers enormous energy and economic losses from excessive traffic congestion. The long-run solution to Bangkoks traffic problem requires reduced dependence on mechanized road vehicles and the development of an above-ground62 rail system connecting major areas of Bangkok. Bangkoks hyperurbanization and extensive dominance as a primate city present a dramatic challenge to Thai policy makers and planners. Even in the Soviet Union, which has highly unified and comprehensive civic planning, Moscow and Leningrad have doubled in size despite explicit policies designed to limit the urban growth of these major cities. Thus, it is inevitable that Bangkok will continue to grow. The question instead is whether the growth can be reduced in any meaningful way. 27 Throughout its history, Thailand has shown considerable resilience in responding to challenges. The country avoided Western colonialization and survived World War II without serious loss of life or damage to national cultural treasures. Despite many predictions to the contrary, the IndoChina war did not spill over into Thailand. 63 Unlike many Third World countries which are overly dependent on a few export commodities, Thailand has successfully diversified its exports and markets. For these reasons, there is hope that Thailand can deal creatively and successfully with its Bangkok problem. Jeremy Rifkin in an important new book directly related to the problems of hyperurbanization brilliantly articulates the supreme law of entropy which governs nature and everything we do. Commenting on urban problems, he states: The challenge is whether this decline can be halted, or whether all big cities are to falter and eventually become ghosts of their once-thriving selves The sober truth is that we can no longer afford to maintain these incredibly entropic urban environments. 64 I am optimistic that Thailand can respond to this challenge and moderate the dangerous entropy associated with Bangkoks hyperurbanization. Several factors underly my optimism. First, there is Thailands achievement in the field of birth control in recent years. Such success significantly reduces pressures from natural growth. In this sense, Bangkok is far ahead of cities such as Mexico City or N airobi. Second, there is Thailands explicit plan to develop its eastern seaboard as an alternative commercial and industrial centre. Related to this second factor is the rapid urbanization of Thailands regional areas. In fact, smaller regional towns are now growing faster than Bangkok. 65 Regional cities such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Chantaburi presently offer a higher quality of life than Bangkok itself, and are beginning to attract migrants from Bangkok. This emerging pattern appears consistent with Doxiadis ideal as summarized by Toy n bee: As Dr. Doxiadis puts it, the closed city has now to be replaced by one that is open-ended. Long before the pressure on a particular city-centre has increased to a degree at which it would be intolerable, the increase must be halted by diverting the further quanta of the mounting pressure to another centre — and then to another and another, in a continually lengthening echelon, as population, construction, production, and traffic continue to increase. 66 28 A third encouraging factor is represented by efforts such as the rural job creation project to reduce the economic push for migration to Bangkok. Illustrative of rapid development outside Bangkok is the following health statistic. In 1972, 78. 6 per cent of private hospitals were in Bangkok. But by 1977, this percentage had dropped significantly to 39. 8 per cent. A fourth positive development has been the construction of rural campuses by major Bangkok universities such as Mahidol and Kasetsart. Given these trends, there is certainly the possibility that Bangkoks primacy may lessen as new commercial and industrial activities are dispersed to the eastern seaboard and rapidly growing regional towns where basic economic costs are lower. Bangkoks own role as a governmental, cultural, and intellectual centre could then be stressed. With such an orientation much of Bangkoks traditional and classic beauty could be preserved. Buddhism provides Thailand with a basic value system consistent with the ecotopian67 ideal and a less entropic urbanization pattern. A fundamental question for the future is whether Bangkok in its quest for an improved quality of life will turn outward to excessive materialism and follow the urban patterns of societies dominated by the private automobile, or will turn inward towards its own rich cooperative Buddhist traditions and become a balanced garden and machine society.

Philosophy Role Essays - Belief, Thought, Humanities, Philosophy

Philosophy Role Philosophy is an all-important aspect of our lives. It is philosophy that we turn to when have the need to seek out a guiding principle for our lives. Therefore, philosophy holds a prominent place in society and in the world. Basically, everyone is a philosopher, but it takes the creative genius and reasoning of brilliant thinkers to bring about world-shattering concepts. Nevertheless, the common man also ruminates about his life and his unique existence to try to find the meaning of his life. Over a life time, a constitution or a theme is developed to discern the ideas that one can readily accept. Interestingly, the philosophies of men separated by vast chasms of time and space all embrace upon a common theme of life. This theme is so broad as to encompass everyone's ideas and beliefs and allows for future inclusions. When a person finds another who shares the same ideas, then he bonds with him in solace. Yet when a group shares the same ideas, then dangerous factions could erupt. One idea that is not clear between the belligerent parties is that all the ideas are right, none is wrong so long as the belief is strong. Philosophy is here to unify us into common causes, not to pit us against one another. What one believes is sacred and my own beliefs, I cherish dearly. In this aspect, philosophy allows us to live our lives with confidence, because we know that ideas cannot be taken from us. In the United States, we can feel free to express our opinions and beliefs as long as we do not impinge upon other's rights. This is where a common philosophy has been accepted and adopted by a people. This macrocosmic unity of a nation demonstrates the power of philosophy. In another area, philosophy is vital: religion. Religions are perhaps the largest groups of people who share a common philosophy. Their uniform beliefs cause the members of each religion to philosophize in a common theme in which the religion does not allow any radical deviation. One of philosophy's most important aspects is its flexibility. This flexibility allows the individual to endlessly engender new thoughts and theories. It was this flexibility that encouraged great thinkers to expound their ideas. It is dubious that their ideas can change others', but in each stage of transition and growth there is an opportunity for new philosophies to come in and help us live our lives better. Philosophy grants us the chance to live a fulfilled life, full of actions and thoughts true to ourselves. We find enlightenment in philosophy, from ourselves and others. There is always an inenarrable satisfaction when a new idea comes to us. Such is the excitement in discovery that Ren? Descartes even went so far as to proclaim, "I think, therefore I am." Philosophy is truly unique in all its ways. Since the very first moment when man recognizes that he is able to think and engender innovative ideas, man has never ceased to think, to ponder, to ruminate. Man considers himself unique for his unparalleled ability to conceive new thoughts, revise old ones, and live in harmony with the present ones. This sort of view typified man's inveterate belief that he is not just a mere animal but rather a being that has been able to transcend his former bestiality on to a higher plateau of reasoning. On this plateau is an endless plain that stretches beyond comprehension. It is on this plain that all of us grope, find new thoughts, reject them, discover our own, add new ones, and finally, settle with a concept true to our constitution. The ubiquitous nature of philosophy demonstrates that all men, of contrasting backgrounds, need and cling on to philosophy. Man cherishes his own philosophy because it is something that is close to his heart and out of reach. He needs a philosophy in order for him to live. The cumilative philosophical thoughts of the ages and the ideas of today mix to form a amalgam of ideas which forms the basis of his philosophy and guides him in all his actions in life.

6 Top Tips for Dissertation References

6 Top Tips for Dissertation References 6 Top Tips for Dissertation References Many people lose sleep over referencing when writing a dissertation and the rules for compiling a reference list can seem boring. After all, if you’re at a party and discussion turns to the relative merits of APA and Harvard citations, you can assume the party isn’t going well. The problem is that references are also an incredibly important part of your dissertation. Without clear referencing, your paper will be difficult to follow, which could affect your overall grade. The reader might also struggle to distinguish between your work and the sources you’ve used, which could even lead to accusations of plagiarism. As such, it is definitely worth getting your references right. And we promise that it isn’t anywhere near as tricky as it looks at first! To help get you started, here are some of our top tips to make referencing easy. Check Your Style Guide! Most colleges, journals and publishers will have a preferred style of referencing. As such, you should check which system to use (e.g., Harvard, APA, MLA, etc.) before you start writing. When to Use Citations Some people worry that they don’t have enough references in their work, but quality is far more important than quantity. You should include a citation in your work every time you quote or rely upon the work of another author to support your argument. Providing references demonstrates your breadth of reading and guards against plagiarism. Compile Your Reference List as You Work It is much easier to compile a reference list while you are writing your paper than to wait and do it at the end. This will ensure that you don’t miss any important sources and makes it easier to double-check texts you have referenced during the editing process. Consistency and Clarity The single most important thing you can do when referencing sources is use a consistent style throughout your paper. If your citations and reference list are clear and consistent, it is much easier for the reader to identify sources. Double-check Your Reference List Even if you compile your reference list as you go, you must double-check it before handing in your paper. Make sure that every source you have cited is accompanied by full publication details. You should also check that your references are listed in the correct order. Usually, this is either numerically in the order they appear in the text (if using an end note system) or alphabetically by author surname.

Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 155

Essay Example Socialism is often perceived, by many, as the softest form of Communism. It is a political, social, and economic structure that advocates â€Å"collectiveness,† which grants the means of production and distribution of goods into the hands of the government and out of the hands of companies and individuals; essentially eliminating â€Å"private† property all together. Libertarianism and Conservativism were the two most common and widely embraced political and governmental ideologies throughout large parts of Europe in the 19th century. However, towards the latter part of the 19th century the socialist ideology first became more popular. No doubt a direct reaction to the Capitalist ideology that was ideal for the upper class, but was far less beneficial for the working class and the poor, made Socialism so attractive. Karl Marx wrote the â€Å"Communist Manifesto,† detailing his vision of the ideal society; he believed that could never be achieved through Capitalism. Capitalism is like a pyramid it is really only going to be beneficial for those at the apex, never those at the foundational base. Karl Marx (1818-1883) was a German born philosopher and thinker. He became a journalist and harsh political critic with strong opinions, many of which were rather controversial. His socialist and budding communist views would ultimately get him literally exiled from both France and Germany. He would eventually spend his exile in London, England, where he would ultimately remain until his death at the age of 65. He believed that the class struggle would never end and the gap between them would only widen. He believed that Capitalism was, in fact, a kind of â€Å"dictatorship of the bourgeoisies.† Eventually their irreconcilable differences would result in the fall of Capitalism and then the people would implement Socialism. However, Marx

Thurgood Marshall Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Thurgood Marshall - Essay Example Moreover she is considered as a role model for Americans in general irrespective of the sex. Sandra Day O’ Conner is believed to be a great compromiser in her approaches and opinions expressed in court. In her opinion â€Å"Society as a whole benefits immeasurably from a climate in which all persons, regardless of race or gender, may have the opportunity to earn respect, responsibility, advancement and remuneration based on ability† (Sandra Day O’Connor). She was a great advocate of equality in human right issues while she was in her office at Supreme Court as a judge. Ability was the main criteria stressed by Sandra Day O’ Conner for discriminating people rather than the sex, race or culture. Sandra Day O’ Conner actually tried to give a new dimension to the American judicial system. In her opinion the court’s role is just to interpret the law, not to legislate it. (Sandra Day O’Connor) Legislation should be done by the government or the parliament and the role of a judge is to analyze the cases with respect to the existing laws rather than creating new laws. Sandra Day OConnor was successful in giving a new direction to the American constitutional laws with respect to affirmative action, voting rights, church†and†state issues, takings under the Fifth Amendment, states rights, abortion etc. (Answers.com) Since she was a female judge, her opinions about the abortion rights has been widely accepted in America. Sandra Day O’Connor was the first female Supreme Court judge in America who was successful in giving new dimensions to American judiciary. She was successful in segregating the role of the government and the rights of the individual in American social life. Since she was the first woman judge in Supreme Court her opinions and verdicts were watched eagerly by the American public. Apart from being a female judge, she has created a unique place for her in American

Tragic or Comedy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Tragic or Comedy - Essay Example It can be affected by factors such as attitudes, beliefs, religion, family tradition and custom as well as the environment. Comedy on the other hand also has the same factors, but the difference is, the story is told in a â€Å"lighter† sense. Even if there are sad scenes still, the â€Å"lightness† of the plot and its mood is stronger and apparent. The second one of looking at the novel is through the reader’s point of view. Overall reader’s perception of the story will somehow determine whether a novel is a tragedy or a comedy, without knowledge of technical writing styles. A reader’s perception is also dependent on his or her experiences, culture and beliefs. Personal views on novel cannot be entirely labeled as something that is incorrect because, to read is like taking a journey. However way you take the journey is up to you and wherever the story leads you is something that is personal in nature; except of course, if one is completely mislead because of lack of understanding of the terms used and confusion of the events in the story. Life stories all have its ups and downs, happiness and sadness and whether one believes it or not tragedies can also have its â€Å"comedic instances†. Such is brought about by people’s behavior, attitude, age, beliefs and the environment. As I lay Dying is a novel about death in the family and although there are funny scenes in the novel, it has brought me more into the â€Å"serious† side of it. When Vardaman said that his mother is a fish, this seems funny, especially when spoken by a child, but the words have deeper meaning. Yes, we could laugh at it for awhile but something slowly sinks into us - a sad feeling. We pity the child for saying it because it can be perceived as a denial on the child’s part. Losing a mother is indeed very difficult especially for young children, and this is how Vardaman coped up with the

Challenges Walmart Faces Expanding Their Territory To China Management Essay

Challenges Walmart Faces Expanding Their Territory To China Management Essay Business operations across national borders are becoming the trend in the current era. And this trend continuously grows because of globalisation and multinational operation. In response to this globalisation issue, multinational corporations like Wal-Mart tend operate in other countries to have excellent advantage. According to Amponsah (2001) globalisation and the eagerness of a certain business organisation to operate across borders involves two dimension i.e. change in economic operations of various countries, and change in the participants of global economic operations. Several people believe that the globalisation of economic activities of every country would hasten the fight against poverty (Macarov 2003, p. 103). But like other companies that are operating in local scale, Wal-Mart a multinational company also faces different opportunities and challenges in the foreign market. With this, this paper will be discussing the opportunities and challenges that Wal-Mart faces in venturing the Chinese territory. Opportunities A business venturing to a foreign market creates good opportunities. As for Wal-Mart venturing in China, a new foreign market like China might provide opportunities for new growth. Aside from this, Wal-Mart uses global expansion to lower costs of goods, accelerate speed to market, improve quality of products and of course to cut their overhead costs considering that China is a low cost country whereas the labour is cheap compared to other countries in the West (Walmartstores, 2010). Most MNCs are establishing subsidiaries in other nations to reduce costs, mainly through the use of cheap foreign labour in developing countries. Like other MNCs, Wal-Mart can hold down costs by shifting some or all of its production facilities abroad. Although Wal-Mart are not claiming that they using the opportunity of global expansion to escape the protectionist policies of an importing country, it is remains the motives of most MNCs. Through direct foreign investment, a corporation like Wal-Mart can b ypass high tariffs that prevent its goods from being competitively priced. For example, when the European Common Market (the predecessor of the European Union) placed tariffs on goods produced by outsiders, U.S. corporations responded by setting up European subsidiaries (Multinational Corporation 1998). Venturing in China is also a good opportunity for Wal-Mart to prevent competition. The most certain method of preventing actual or potential competition from foreign businesses is to acquire those businesses ((Multinational Corporation 1998). Despite of the opportunistic feat of global expansion, Wal-Mart holds that they create employment, create wealth, and improve technology in countries that are in dire need of such development. Critics, however, point to their inordinate political influence, their exploitation of developing nations, and the loss of jobs that result in the corporations home countries. Challenges Cultures Maddox (1993) claims that going global require transformation of managerial skills learned at the home office to enable the managers to function cross-culturally. Business firms must focus on selecting and training managers to become more attuned to different cultures, particularly in the culture of their country of assignment. In the case of Wal-Mart, their Board of Directors should have identified economy, politics, religion, value systems, and frame of reference of the Chinese consumers regarding the products and services that they offer as the primary areas that posed distinct challenges in their expansion to China. Thus, the same aspects merit the attention of the leaders of Wal-Mart who will be assigned at the companys branch in China. The Chinese culture and lifestyle are different from those of the Wal-Marts home country i.e. USA and other Western nations where the company operates. Thus, the success of operation in China relies on the ability of the leaders to facilitate bus iness operations in the midst of cultural diversity among the employees and distinct cultural characteristics surrounding the company such as laws, social norms and business practices. In evaluating the culture of China as part of Wal-Marts business operation, Hofstedes dimensions culture was used. Actually, Geert Hofstede is a Dutch organisational anthropologist who divided culture into four dimensions at culture level-power distance, individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, and uncertainty avoidance (Dahl, 2004). It is important to be aware and comprehend these cultural dimensions for these have an influence on the internal and external workings of organizations that operate on an intercultural level. Power Distance. Power distance is described as the extent to which the less powerful members of institutions and organisations within a country expect and accept that power is distributed unequally (cited in Hofstede 1991, p. 28); more simply, it is concerned with how equal, or unequal, the people are in a specific society or nation. In China, they have high power distance i.e. 80 PDI, this means that there is significant amount of inequalities in power and wealth within China. As a result, it is quite likely that that society employs a caste system and does not permit significant development for its people (Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions 2010). In the corporate-oriented context, firms with a high power distance employ a tall organizational structure because there is greater and higher rigidity in terms of hierarchy. Also, there is a large proportion of managerial employees to the overall human resource population, high job ranking for white-collar work, large compensation differentials, and low requirements for entry-level positions (Earley, 1997, p. 147). Individualism versus Collectivism. Individualism is how a society perceives achievement and personal relationships, may it be individually or collectively. Furthermore, according to Hofstede (1991), individualism is a set of values that concern the relationship of a person to his or her collectivity in the society (as cited in Earley, 1997, p. 144). In China, the individualism was low i.e. 20 IDV which indicates that China is a nation with low individualism and has a collective nature wherein close bonds exist among the people (Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions 2010). Moreover, collectivistic people also perceive themselves in relation a societal and cultural context. This is a great challenge for Wal-Mart considering that their mother country United States has high collectivism as can be observed through the nature of their families. People who reside in such locations live in nuclear families, as oppose to highly collective Asian individuals who normally live with members of their extended families. Masculinity versus Femininity. Masculinity versus femininity refers to the gender differentiation, or more specifically, the extent of how a society applies the traditional perception of man as a model of success, control, and authority. In nations with high masculinity, men control a major part of the society and power structure, while females are restrained because of such male supremacy (Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions 2010). In China, they have high masculinity i.e. 66 MAS. Actually this is important for Wal-marts operation since it relates to achievement, industrial strife, high growth, aggression, work stress, and conflict. To be more specific, firms that are more masculine are fast-paced, aggressive, and focus more on development and growth over harmony and stability (Earley, 1997, p. 164). On the other hand, a feminine-oriented company is more concerned on the social interaction and operations among human resources. Moreover, such firm has a considerate and nurturing natur e, which means that there is more focus on interpersonal functioning and harmony over personal gain (Earley, 1997, p. 164). Hence, the employees welfare is the foremost concern, because this results to the companys ability to establish the capability of an individual to contribute to interpersonal welfare in the organization. Uncertainty Avoidance. As was defined by Hofstede, uncertainty avoidance is the extent to which the members of a culture feel threatened by uncertain or unknown situations (cited in Hofstede 1991, p. 113). As seen in the index, China has low uncertainty avoidance which indicates that the country was less rigid when it comes to change, could handle risks, and have less rules and regulations, since they could effectively endure diverse opinions (Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions 2010). For Wal-Mart, uncertainty may come from the internal and external environment. An organizations response to such ambiguities, through the use of rules, rituals, and technology, affects its image of high or low uncertainty avoidance. This could be a great challenge for Wal-Mart since China wont easily embrace the change they would bring in the country. A Fifth Cultural Dimension. After additional studies which were mainly focused on Chinese managers and workers, Hofstede introduced a fifth cultural dimension, which is the long-term orientation. This focuses on how nations apply, or do not apply, long-term devotion to conventional, forward thinking principles (Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions 2010). Countries with high levels of long-term orientation recommend a strong work ethics and anticipate long-term rewards as a consequence of todays hard work. Thus, long-term commitments are emphasized and traditions are respected (Geert Hofstede cultural dimensions 2010). This is a great challenge for Wal-Mart since they came from countries with low levels of long-term orientation that are capable to experience change because long-term customs and behaviours are lessened, and change is no longer hindered. Political The primary difference in the economies of West and China is the orientation. Most of the west countries economy is affluent while the Chinese economy adopts the economic style of Soviet Union wherein most of the economic activities are centrally planned by the government. In China, the local officials have immense authority although the economy is open to foreign investment and trade. The regulations state that Chinese firms should have at least 51 percent ownership and control of joint ventures with foreign investors (Economy of China 2010). Ramsay (2003) reports that it generally takes two to three months to register a business in China with the government putting limits on the companys business scope (p. 8). The difference in the economic orientation of China and Wal-Marts home country USA poses certain challenges to the leaders of said company. These leaders are accustomed to a free market in the USA economy wherein investors, consumers and producers transact free business and d etermine the flow of economic activities. In China, they would encounter restrictions in the various operational activities of the company such as production and marketing of certain types of products because the Chinese government pursues the interests of Chinese business organizations. Secondly, Chinas transitional economy as cited by Alon Shenker (2003) since the mid-1970s has fostered a tremendous opportunity for international firms to establish operations in the country and made international joint venture as a primary mode of foreign direct investment. However, managing joint ventures sometimes leads to cultural conflicts between Chinese managers and foreign managers. Wal-Marts leaders are more Western and their approaches to management clash with the Chinese management approach. Chinese managers rely on interventions from the extended network outside the company to manage risks and threats rather than following the budgets and plans established in advance that are expected t o guarantee success. The Chinese managers prefer particularistic and pragmatic solutions to organizational problems by analyzing causes of problems and soliciting outside intervention in problem solving while Western managers like Wal-Marts managers have the tendency to act in reference to a belief in an underlying principle that provides a ready matrix into which current reality and present existence can be fitted. As an American, Wal-Marts managers believe that future circumstances can be integrated into the ready matrix which serves as an analytic model to guide decision making processes (p. 147). Considering these differences, the Western leaders who will be assigned to China may encounter conflicting management styles with their Chinese colleagues. Thirdly, USA and China differ in religious beliefs. USA follow Christianity, especially Protestantism, and believe that good works are gifts of hardwork and Gods grace in the life of His believer and not by interventions of outside f orces (Christianity-Protestantism 2010). Chinese are more fatalistic and believe that humans must follow their destiny by living in unity with the world of nature and pursuing social conformity (Religion in China 2001). Hence, Western employees would perform their duties based on their personal judgments and decisions while their Chinese counterparts would consistently attempt to abide by the rules and seek opinions of other employees as they are more inclined to seek conformity. These differences in idea of independence would make the leaders of Wal-Mart consider the outcomes and motivations of their manpower. Western employees would be motivated to perform well if they are given sufficient freedom at work while Chinese employees may prefer to work in teams and have access to constant supervision. Fourthly, the Western value systems relative to interpersonal relationships are in conflict with those of the Chinese. Western people as cited by Alon Shenker (2003) value personal relat ionships with colleagues and supervisors but organizational hierarchy does not dictate their relationships. They equally communicate and relate to all members of the organization. Chinese employees, on the contrary, prefer a system in which coordination is hierarchical wherein the key institutional values underscore loyalty and submission to a leader whose right is to establish the goals of the group. Accordingly, the leaders of Wal-Mart who would be assigned to manage some operations of China have to practice special care in dealing with their Chinese subordinates and fellow supervisors. They may encounter Chinese colleagues who would constantly consult them before they perform their responsibilities. These leaders have to recognize that the Chinese culture places much reverence to leaders while Western people prefer to work independently most of the times. Conclusion The best way to measure success in international business is through constant monitoring by the mother company. Through monitoring, the head company can gauge expatriate failure or success, and cross-cultural competence of expatriates. Wal-Mart must be able to implement consistent monitoring measures in their operations and the performances of the employees and managers sent to China. Venture failure is oftentimes associated with lost opportunities, reduced productivity, and damaged relationships while expatriate success connotes the accomplishment of the opposite. Furthermore, cultural competence is measured if the manager assigned at a foreign location possesses a strong personal identity, has knowledge of and complies with the beliefs and values of the culture of the country where he is assigned, demonstrates sensitivity to the affective processes of the culture, communicates clearly in the language of the country of assignment, displays a degree of culturally-sanctioned behavior, nurtures active social relations with the people and authorities of the country, and negotiates the institutional structures of that culture. Basically, the leaders should be able to adapt quickly to the Chinese culture, comply with its requirements while performing their responsibilities, and gain appreciation of the unique processes of doing business in the country.

Soliloquies Essay - Kates Soliloquy in The Taming of the Shrew :: Taming Shrew Essays

Kate's Soliloquy in The Taming of the Shrew Kate's soliloquy brings about a joyous conclusion to The Taming of the Shrew. The audience leaves the theatre with a pleasant feeling, glad that such a shrew could be tamed so well. Kate herself realised the error of her ways, making the men feel confident while making the women feel safe. Moreover, the audience found the speech to be very sound and sensible, as the views expressed in the play were extremely popular at that point in time. Kate, in realising her iniquitous ways, made the men feel extremely confident of their status in Elizabethan society, and effectively reinforced their beliefs about their own strength. Also, Shakespeare succeeds in creating a feeling of safety for the female audience, as well as in making them feel as through they are accepted for their kindness to men, and in the norm. Women, not having a strong role in society at that time, enjoyed receiving praise and encouragement for their purpose in society. Furthermore, they felt vindicated as Kate solemnly insulted the disobedient women (Bianca and the Widow), telling them to "Come, come, you froward and unable worms!". It may also be said that this play, as well as similar plays of the Elizabethan era, assisted in contributing to the oppression of females in society for an innumerable amount of years. After the conclusion of The Taming of the Shrew, including Kate's soliloquy, the audience is left with a proud feeling - proud of the fact that Petruchio tamed such a shrew so well. The men of the audience are about with feeling of satisfaction and justification. Shakespeare skillfully catered towards both sexes by using Petruchio much like the stereotypical action figure of today; a character who does the unbelievable effortlessly and leaves the audience in awe. In the play Petruchio, short after the inception of his skillful wooing, begins a plan "to kill a wife with kindness". Craftily he gives her anything that she pleases, only to swipe it away when he finds a flaw in the item. he also resorts to keeping Kate as a prisoner in his home, until she slowly becomes subservient and submissive to him.

Assessment and Development Essay

1. What is a competency? What are its characteristics? How is it different from Job Description? Competency: Competencies refer to skills or knowledge that leads to superior performance. These are formed through an individual/organization’s knowledge, skills and abilities and provide a framework for distinguishing between poor performances through to exceptional performance. Competencies can apply at organizational, individual, team, and occupational and functional levels. Competencies are individual abilities or characteristics that are key to effectiveness in work. Some examples of competencies required by the employees are: 1. Adaptability 2. Commitment 3. Creativity 4. Motivation 5. Foresight 6. Leadership 7. Independence 8. Emotional Stability 9. Analytical Reasoning and 10. Communication Skills Characteristics of Competencies ? ? ? ? ? ? Competencies are the characteristics of a manager that lead to the demonstration of skills and abilities, which result in effective performance within an organizational area. The best way to understand performance is to observe what people actually do to be successful rather than relying on assumptions pertaining to trait and intelligence. The best way to measure and predict performance is to assess whether people have key competencies. Competencies can be learnt and developed. They should be made visible/accessible. They should be linked to meaningful life outcomes that describe how people should perform in the real world 3|P a ge Common difference Competencies & Job Description. Competencies †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Underlying characteristic of a person’s inputs. Clusters of knowledge, attitudes and skills. Generic knowledge motive, trait, social role or a skill. Personal characteristics. Set of skills, related knowledge and attributes. On the other hand, Job Description †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Superior performance in a given job, role or a situation. Individual’s ability to perform. Linked to superior performance on the job. Contribute to effective managerial performance. Successfully perform a task or an activity within a specific function or job. 4|P a ge 2. What are the different types of competencies? What is their relevance? 1. Behavioral Competency: Behaviors, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics that contribute to individual success in the organization ? ? ? Can apply to all (or most) jobs in an organization or be specific to a job family, career level or position For example:- teamwork and cooperation, communication Focus on the person 2. Technical or functional Competency: Specific knowledge and skills needed to be able to perform one’s job effectively ? ? ? Job specific and relate to success in a given job or job family For example:- knowledge of accounting principles, knowledge of human resource law and practice Focus on the job A trainer requires a different set of competencies than an accountant, and a teller requires a different set than a maintenance worker. If there are different levels within the same position, then each job level might also have its own set of vertically derived competencies 3. Core Competency: ? ? A core competency is defined as an internal capability that is critical to the success of business. These are organizational competencies that all individuals are expected to possess. These competencies define what the organization values the most in people. For example:- an organization might want each individual to possess teamwork, flexibility and communication skills. 5|P a ge 4. Threshold competency: ? ? The characteristics required by a jobholder to perform a job effectively are called threshold competencies. For the position of a typist it is necessary to have primary knowledge about typing, which is a threshold competency. 5. Differentiating competency: ? ? The characteristics, which differentiate superior performers from average performers, come under this category; such characteristics are not found in average performers. Knowledge of formatting is a competency that makes a typist to superior to others in performance, which is a differentiating competency. 6|P a ge 3. What is the difference between Assessment Centre and Development Centre? Differences between Assessment and Development centers Assessment centers usually ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Have a pass/fail criteria are geared towards filing a job vacancy address an immediate organizational need have fewer assessors and more participants involve line managers as assessors have less emphasis placed on self-assessment focus on what the candidate can do now are geared to meet the needs of the organization assign the role of judge to assessors place emphasis on selection with little or no developmental feedback and follow up give feedback at a later date involve the organization having control over the information obtained have very little pre-centre briefing tend to be used with external candidates. Development centers usually ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? do not have a pass/fail criteria are geared towards developing the individual address a longer term need have a 1:1 ratio of assessor to participant do not have line managers as assessors have a greater emphasis placed on self-assessment focus on potential are geared to meet needs of the individual as well as the organization assign the role of facilitator to assessors place emphasis on developmental feedback and follow up with little or no selection function 7|P a ge ? ? ? ? give feedback immediately involve the individual having control over the information obtained have a substantial pre-centre briefing tend to be used with internal candidates 8|P a ge 4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Assessment Centre and Development Centre? Assessment Centers: Assessment centers consist of a number of exercises designed to assess the full range of skills and personal attributes required for the job. Advantages: ? Assessment centers map the next level challenges and simulate them in exercises. This raises the validity of the assessment tool. The old way of evaluating the person based on past performance does not work many times, as the challenges of the next level are different from the challenges in the existing position. Assessment centers not only help the organization in placing the right candidate for the right job/assignment but also help in developing the participants. When participants see others handling the same exercise differently, it gives them an insight into their own performance thereby raises the credibility of the selection procedure. It appeals to the lay person’s logic and therefore is regarded as a fair means of assessment by the participants. Assessment Centers can be customized for different kinds of jobs, competencies and organizational requirements. They are far more accurate than a standard recruitment process as they allow a broader range of selection methods to be used during the process. They enable interviewers to assess existing performance as well as predict future job performance. They give the opportunity to assess and differentiate between candidates who seem very similar – in terms of quality – on paper. They give the candidates a better insight into the role as they are tested on exercises, which are typical for the role they have applied for. They help employers build an employer brand. Candidates who attend assessment centers which genuinely reflect the job and the organization are often impressed by that company, even if they are rejected. The cost of an assessment centre is usually cheaper compared with the potential cost of many recruitment phases and the cost of recruitment errors. 9|P a ge ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? They are a fair process – they complement an organization’s diversity agenda and ensure that people are selected on the basis of merit alone. Disadvantages: ? ? ? ? ? Assessment Centers are very costly and time consuming. Assessment Centers requires highly skilled observers as the observers may bring in their own perceptions and biases while evaluating. Those who receive poor assessment might become de-motivated and might lose confidence in their abilities. New recruits with high expectations can feel disappointed if the assessment centre has encouraged them to believe the job or organization fits their values if, in fact, it does not. If you haven’t defined the key competencies prior to the event – and a way to measure these competencies – you will only be able to compare candidates on anecdotal details.

The Remote Past Tense in Italian

The Remote Past Tense in Italian The remote past tense (passato remoto), although typically used to talk about history or in literature, is actually a simple tense and is formed by one word. In general, as we referenced, it refers to the historical past or to events that have happened in the distant past relative to the speaker. However, there are many places in the south of Italy that still use the remote past tense as the passato prossimo. For example, someone might use the past remote tense to talk about something that happened just two weeks ago. How to Form the Past Remote Tense Follow this format to form the passato remoto of regular verbs: For -are verbs, drop the infinitive ending and add one of these personal endings to the root: -ai, -asti, -à ², -ammo, -aste, -arono.For -ere verbs, drop the infinitive ending and add these personal endings to the root: -ei, -esti, -à ©, -emmo, -este, -erono. Note that many regular -ere verbs have an alternative form in the first person singular, third person singular, and third person plural forms.For -ire verbs, drop the infinitive ending and add these personal endings to the root: -ii, -isti, -à ­, -immo, -iste, -irono. Here are a few examples of how the remote past is used in Italian: Dante si rifugià ² a Ravenna. - Dante took refuge in Ravenna.Petrarca morà ¬ nel 1374. - Petrarca died in 1374.Michelangelo nacque nel 1475. - Michelangelo was born in 1475. The table below provides examples of three regular Italian verbs (one of each class) conjugated in the remote past tense. Conjugating Italian Verbs in the Remote Past Tense PARLARE RICEVERE CAPIRE io parlai ricevei (ricevetti) capii tu parlasti ricevesti capisti lui, lei, Lei parl ricev (ricevette) cap noi parlammo ricevemmo capimmo voi parlaste riceveste capiste loro, Loro parlarono riceverono (ricevettero) capirono Irregular Verbs in the Past Remote Tense Like with most verbs in Italian, there are plenty of irregular ones in the past remote tense. Here are five common verbs. 1) Essere – To be fui   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     fummo fosti   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     foste fu   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     furono - Albert Einstein fu un uomo di grande saggezza. – Albert Einstein was a man of great wisdom. - â€Å"Fatti non foste per viver come bruti†¦Ã¢â‚¬  - â€Å"Consider your origins: You were not born to live like brutes. [Dante, La Divina Commedia, canto XXVI) 2) Avere – To have ebbi   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     avemmo avesti   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     aveste ebbe   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     ebbero - Ebbero cosà ¬ tanta fortuna da vincere persino il primo premio della lotteria nazionale! - They had such luck that they also won the first prize of the National Lottery! - Giulia ebbe il coraggio di donare un rene a sua sorella. - Giulia had the courage to  donate a kidney to her sister. 3) Fare – To do/make feci   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  facemmo facesti   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  faceste fece   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     fecero - Con pochi soldi fecero un matrimonio bellissimo. – They set up a beautiful wedding with little money. - Facemmo tutto il possibile per riportare alla luce l’affresco di Raffaello. - We did everything possible to bring to light Raffaello’s fresco. 4) Stare – To stay/to be stetti   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     stemmo stesti   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     steste stette   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     stettero - Mi ricordo che stetti in silenzio tutta la festa. Ero troppo timida! - I remember I spent the whole party without saying a word. I was too shy! - I feriti, dopo la scoperta della penicillina nel 1937, stettero subito meglio. - The wounded felt immediately better  after the discovery of penicillin in 1937. 5) Dire – To say dissi   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     dicemmo dicesti   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  diceste disse   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     dissero - Cimabue disse: â€Å"L’allievo ha superato il maestro.† – Cimabue said: â€Å"The pupil has surpassed the teacher.† - Romeo e Giulietta si dissero parole d’amore che sono arrivate fino ai nostri tempi! - Romeo and Juliet said words of love to each other  that have persisted until the present!

You can Judge a Society by how well it treats its Prisoners Essay Example

You can Judge a Society by how well it treats its Prisoners Essay Example You can Judge a Society by how well it treats its Prisoners Essay You can Judge a Society by how well it treats its Prisoners Essay Essay Topic: Everything I Never Told You This says a lot about how Canada is governed; by the way Canada treats its prisoners, its impel to see that this is a country of forgiveness rather that punishment. Food Dostoevsky once stated You can judge a society by how well it treats its prisoners. This statement is correct as it can be seen that there in fact is a correlation between how well governed a society is. Countries with similar incentives for their prisoners as Canada, such as Sweden and its other Scandinavian neighbors tend to be more peaceful and have better international relations throughout the world. The complete opposite can be said for those countries that dont share the same or similar views as Canada, goes, this goes for countries such as Russia and North Korea. Scandinavian countries have been known to be some of the best countries in the world to live in. With that being said, it comes as no surprise they also have some of the very best prisons with very little re-offense rates. Semolina Island has hosted an open prison since 1971. An open prison is one in which prisoners are able to go into neighboring towns to do a number of various things such as school and work (Larson, 2013). The prison houses around 95 men who are serving time for crimes such as assault, drug refraining, theft and even murder. Though these crimes are severe, all of these 95 men on track to be released. These men are able to have luxuries such as TVs, sound system and even mini fridges in their cell blocks (Larson, 2013). Under electrical monitoring these men are able to visit with their families in the main land of Helsinki with no actual human supervision (Larson, 2013). The guards of the prison carry no weapons, pepper spray, or anything that could potentially cause bodily harm to one on the inmates (Larson, 2013). To many this does not seem like the ideal prison as in most Mounties including the United States most people are used to prisons being unbreakable walls with barred cells and guards carrying weapons and ready to use them at any time they feel necessary. However this shares something in common with the minimum security facilities in Canada. Like in the open prison setting, the minimum security prisons house inmates in small little houses where inmates have responsibilities such as laundry, grocery shopping and managing a budget. This is to give them the necessary skills that they will need in order to become a functioning member of society. Traditional prisons do not do much in the rehabilitation of criminal as they are expected to be kept in a cell where they are told when to eat, sleep, wake up and do the same cycle over again. Little to no responsibility is placed on the prisoner which correlates into higher re-offense rates. When these men and women are released back into a society they have been so detached fro for long periods of time, they are unable to properly function thus resulting them returning to crime. The United States known for having some of the worst prisons in the world, to no surprise they also have one of the highest e-offense rates in the world also thus showing that traditional prisons with the barred cells and unbreakable walls are not the most effective means of reducing references. Many may wonder how it is even possible for open prisons to be opened and upheld in society. The answer to that would be because there is hardly ever debate on criminal justice policy in countries such as these (Larson, 2013). The decisions are left to professionals that have done years of extensive research on how to best operate their prison system, thus resulting in the creation of this open prison concept (Larson, 2013). This method of selecting how exactly the prison system will be run seems to work quite well for the Scandinavians as they have had no problems with this concept in its 44 year existence. The inmates have not hurt anyone in the whole existence of the open prison therefore there is no reason to change a good thing. The treatment of inmates in Scandinavian countries shows just how much they actually care about their population as a whole. Scandinavian countries are always among the top ranked countries to live in and this is partly due to thee great social programming. These countries are prime examples of true socialist democracies as the tax fund they collect are well allocated into taking care of the more important thing in the countrys. Great amounts of the tax payers money of these Scandinavian countries go into things such as education which is why countries like Norway and Finland are among the top 10 most educated in the world (McMillan, 2014). Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland are also among the few countries that provide a free post- secondary education in the whole world (McMillan, 2014). The ability effectively take care of bigger issues such as education and social funds and till be able to provide a desirable safe destination for those who fail to comply to the law shows just what a great nations Scandinavia has. This proves that Food Dostoevsky was indeed correct when he stated You can judge a society by how they treat their prisoners, However not all countries put such emphasis on treating their prisoners well as the nations Of Scandinavia do. Though prisoners did fail to comply with the law this does not defeat the fact that they are human beings that are entitled to a certain standard of living. It is quite unfortunate that this is not the case in countries such as Russia and North Korea. Russia has 3 of the worlds worst prisons, the first Vladimir Central Prison (STATION, 2013). This prison it became infamous foot housing political prisoners during the Soviet Union era (STATION, 2013). Nowadays the overcrowded and disease-infested prison is known for the sadistic abuse that the inmates receive from the guards (STATION, 2013). Prisoners are forced out of their cells, ordered to put their hands on the wall and given beatings so severe that they have to be dragged back to their cells, while others result in deaths (STATION, 2013). As if this isnt enough, they re also ordered to beat each other. The second, Butyric Prison, this prison i: the largest central transit prison of Moscow is known for its brutality. It held 20,000 inmates during the Great Purge and thousands of them were executed after investigations (STATION, 2013). Its administration also resorted to violence every time the inmates tried to protest against anything (STATION, 2013). Besides the problem of overcrowding, as there could be u to 100 inmates in cells intended only for 10 people, it is extremely hot in the summer and also has problems with epidemics such as AIDS and tuberculosis STATION, 2013). The third and worst of them all is PETA Island Prison, this prison is isolated by the White Lake and was built to hold the most dangerous: prisoners (STATION, 2013). Though they never have to fear violence from the guards or their inmates, the restricted life of living in cages and in isolation, with no lavatories nor washing facilities surrounded by freezing cold water and snow, leaves the prisoners to deteriorate and become psychologically devastated (STATION, 2013). The conditions that the inmates of these prisons have to go through is treacherous, inmates in these prisons loud consider even some of the worst North American prisons soft compared to what they are put through in these prisons. To further prove the validity Food Dostoevsky quotation, Russia has been known to be part of some undesirable business. The Ukraine situation were many innocent lives were lost due to Russia trying to take over their country for its resources, and their leader Vladimir Putting being part of a number of conspiracy theories in his now 15 years in charge of Russia (Taylor, 2012). This again prove that is very possible to judge a society by how it treats its prisoners, Russia treats its rissoles brutishly and through the situation with the Ukraine it can be seen that the government of Russia is simply brutish in general. North Korea is home to the world worst prison called camp 22. The notorious Yearlong Concentration Camp, which has gained international attention in 2012 after its warden defected to China, was an isolated prison for political prisoners and has been in operation since 1965. A large compound that holds 50,000 prisoners, it was claimed that three generations of dissident families have been imprisoned there to completely remove the roots (STATION, 2013). In addition, the death camp has subjected inmates to extreme torture and human experimentation where they become lab rats for biological weapons like anthrax, bomb testing, and other brutalities (STATION, 2013). This prison shows just how sick the ruler of North Korea must be. To be aware of the testing of bomb and special gases use in warfare of people some of which are locked up for simple being related to someone who had once committed a crime is simple twisted. To no surprise North Korea is run by a dictator and may very well have the worst international relations in the world (fisher, 2014). Everything with relation to Edie is censored, the citizens of North Korea are not able to leave without special authorization for their leader and the quality of life in their country is very poor (fisher, 2014). There is no freedom of speech therefore speaking out against the government can quite easily get one killed (fisher, 2014). North Korea has very little trading partner due to the disagreement in political matters with most countries which leads to poverty among the citizens of North Korea as they have little market to trade resources they are abundant in (fisher, 2014). Again a correlation between the mistreatment of prisoners ND the mistreatment of people in society in general are evident in North Korea further proving that Food Dostoevsky words were very much valid. All and all, it is evident that societies can very well be judged by how well the treat their prisoners as stated by Food Dostoevsky. It has been seen that the better the prisoners in society are treated the less risk of them refunding. This is clearly evident in the Scandinavian open prison system which allows Inmates more freedom and results in greater success rate for those being rehabilitated back into society. Also in correlation to the excellent orison system these Scandinavian countries are also able to put great emphasis on things such as social funds, healthcare and education in order better their society as a whole. Though there are some countries that treat prisoners like human being unfortunately there are still others that treat them like animals. Countries such as Russia and North Korea are home to some of the worst prisons in the world known for things such as the beating of inmates, overcrowding and other discrepancies. They are also home to some of the most none desirable societies in the world today also.