Soft system and social technical approaches

Abstract Scientific research has been evolving at an increasingly alarming rate. This has been triggered by the requirement of research community to provide significant answers to what seems as complex and disorderly world problematic situations.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Soft System and Social Technical Approaches specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In this effect, scientists feel obligated to conduct an interdisciplinary research project aimed at increasing knowledge in all the disciplines (Bandura 2002). Such research projects are aimed at attending to the challenges the globalizations and advancement in technology present to the users and consumers of information. The accuracy, integrity, and accessibility of information have become one of the fundamental issues that such research aims at addressing. The issues of integrity of information usage and the security of information is becoming an essentiality. The design of the information system should be able to address the challenges such as the ethical issues that have become a major headache to the researchers in the information and technology field. The ability to present a system that addressed such challenges will be an enormous milestone in addressing the challenges of the time and age. Introduction With various factors contributing to any issues in the current world, such variations make the world more complex and disorganized. There is need for an amicable approach in addressing and resolving such issues. It is never straightforward the case of identifying the root cause of the problem or diagnosing the problem instantly. With so much confusion often-surrounding problems, it may seem impossible to determine an appropriate solution. In order to resolve such issues, a problem-solving approach is paramount. Moreover, the approaches should be able to take various dimensions of the issue into account. This may entail the clearly und erstanding what is happening and strategies or brainstorm of the possible mechanism of addressing the issue or improving the situation. Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) is one of the approaches (Bandura 2002). Soft system methodolgy Soft Systems Methodology is a product of the continuing Action Research of Prof Peter Checkland, Brian Wilson plus other researchers. It is a guideline tool to problem-solving. The effort was in recognition of the fact that not all problems are obvious and neither do they have a predictable solution.Advertising Looking for report on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Common misunderstandings have emerged where the method has been viewed as planned to solve soft problems such as problems involving the social and cultural aspects. On the contrary, the concept applies to both hard and soft problems. The methodology, however adopts a different approach in every problematic situation. The ‘hardness ’ or ‘softness’ is not n innate characteristic of the perceived problem, instead it relates to how the problem is viewed by those involved in seeking the solution (Checkland 1985). Each and every problematic situation comprise of both soft and hard aspects. A problem becomes a problem boy the virtue of being viewed as such by human beings. This can be equated to such a saying that â€Å"one man’s poison is another man’s meat†. Current explanations and issues relating to soft system Developed in 1970 by Peter Checkland with his colleagues, Soft systems methodology (SSM) was designed to provide interventions in the challenges experienced in management, organizational and policy contexts. The methodology comes in handy especially where neither the problems nor the answers are obvious. It is closely related to the engineering system approaches. However, unlike the engineering system, it recognizes the central importance of perspective or world-vi ew in social situations. The approach is different from the ‘systems science’ approaches that was advanced in the 1960s, and reflects more on action research in its philosophy and approach. SSM is different from approaches of hard systems through its mode of dealing with the system concept. According to hard system approach, a ‘system’ is regarded as ontological entity-entities or objects that exist in the real world. For instance, when one talks of objects such as computer system or transport system, they mean physical things which can be described officially as well as structured to meet a certain need. SSM, on the other hand, regards the concept of ‘system’ as an epistemological entity and not ontological entity- a construction of the mind that aids in human understanding. When we are looking at an organization as a system, for instance, the things that come in our minds include the activities that take place within that company. We think of the process of converting some raw materials into given finished products; we also think of the efforts to make profits; we also get a mental picture of a number of employees as holders of different positions within the organization. As for the case for the unemployed young graduates, they would look at the organization as a potential employer.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Soft System and Social Technical Approaches specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In essence, different people will have varied perceptions over a given organization. It is not possible for us to provide a given single instruction as either right or wrong while there are other different to understand what is going on in the environment. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the perceptions and values of different individuals to get a clear picture of what concerns them within a given system. While trying to understand a production company, as a system, for example, we are conscious of the process of conversion of raw materials into the product. The system would therefore be composed of such stakeholders as suppliers of raw material, sugar-cane farmers, for example. We would also have customers to purchase the manufactured products. When looking at an organization whose sole objective is to create jobs for the locals, the system would constitute a different set of elements. In this case we would be interested in the infrastructure such as improved market infrastructures to enable farmers sell their farm produce. Improved transport system would also be of importance to allow for easy movement of people and the goods. A reliable communication network to allow timely flow of information would also be of significance. Boundary lines that are different have been drawn basing on different perceptions of people on what they perceive as the system. The development of SSM was influenced by the need to find solutions to complex situations where the problem to be solved is not clear; and the affected group of people hold different understanding of what constitutes the problem and the possible solution. For instance how to improve farm productivity by intensifying the use of chemical fertilizers at the same time conserving the environment; also how to realize industrialization without adversely affecting the environment in terms of pollution. A society may also be faced with a challenge of how to deal with youth gangs, who pose a threat to the community or drug abusers. The approach to solving such challenges may take many dimensions. However, instead of solving the problem, some proposed option may actually worsen the situation. There is need to take a close look at the wider situation and the likely consequences of choosing any given approach.Advertising Looking for report on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This is so because, some situations are intertwined; changing one element may have knock-on effects on other aspects. A comprehensive understanding of the relationships that exist amongst situations is paramount. The role of SSM is to offer users with a guideline in developing an improved understanding of the complexity of situations’. Processes SSM is characterized by seven stages as follows: 1) Identification of the problematic situation that requires intervention. 2). Conducting a comprehensive research so to capture the bigger picture. 3) Perspective selection and a construction of root definitions (the major processes that need to occur within the desired system). 4) Conceptualization of a change system model. 5) Comparison of the model with the real-world situation. 6) Definitions of the changes to be made. Review of literature It is necessary to integrate our understanding and modeling over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales in order to address complex societa l and environmental Challenges. This calls for an increase in the level of societal meaningful Science (Lubchenco 2008). System based approaches have been critical in trying to understand humanity and our interactions with the external environment. Ludwig Von Bertalanffy is recognized for his major breakthrough in systems based approaches in the early twentieth century (Lubchenco 2008). Ludwig Von (Biologist) together with Kenneth Boulding (economist), Ralph Gerard (biologist), and Anatol Rapoport (mathematician) further developed a ‘General systems theory’ aimed at addressing the requirement for a more integrated approach to solving societal problems. This led to the birth of Society for General Systems Research in 1954 whose name later changed to the â€Å"International Society for Systems Science (Sage 1992). According to Checkland, in using a â€Å"Participative Approach† stakeholders are most likely to reach accommodations – a common understanding on how to address a given problematic situation. Through such approach, the company can adopt changes that are agreeable to all the stakeholders. The model of allowing all idea(accommodation) is not same as agreement. â€Å"Consensus involves a complete agreement among the stakeholders that the proposed changes best serve all of their needs. The notion of accommodation on the other hand, recognizes that this is an uncommon state of affairs† (Schlager 1956, p. 54), and consequently values that a lot of time different people requires can only be to some extent met by cooperative schemes. SSM Approach Vs CATWO Checkland proposed a 7-step learning methodology approach. However this was superseded by the CATWO model, developed by Action Research conducted at Lancaster. Despite this, the methodology is still widely used because of its step-wise approach which makes it easy to be taught. In addition, the model has a barrier which runs across it to draw a difference among the 3 stages i.e.between the Real World, above the line, and Systems Thinking. â€Å"CATWO, formulated by The Lancaster team proposes several criteria that should be specified to in order to provide a comprehensive and rigorous root definition† (Schlager 1956, p.54). Clients – Who are gainers or losers of this particular system? (Who would gain or lose as a result its operations?) Actors – all those staff members accountable for putting in practice the systems developed. Transformation – this is quantified based on advancement and changes that the implemented system brings in the organization(What are the contribution essentials and to which extend or in other words what sort of revolution do these input elements undergo before measureable output can be seen). Weltanschauung–also, know as worldview. What explicit worldview offers the rationalization to the being of this structure or system? Owner – Whose mandate is to change this system or review its ove rall performance Environmental constraints – what are the external constraints that should be considered? This type of analysis elucidates the objectives of the user of the methodology. By clearly recognizing these viewpoints, the client of the technique is required to mull over the effects of any anticipated transformations on the group concerned.† Following limitations of ‘hard’ systems including operations research and systems dynamics, Peter Checkland and colleagues developed ‘soft’ system approaches to counteract limitations associated with technical assessments† (Checkland 1985, p. 34). Advantages System approach allows participation by all the relevant actors take part in the problem situation and interact with the analyst. The approach teases out the problem situation, which offers a good ground for creative problem solving. Some problems in real life are not well defined and cannot be solved using scientific methods hence the sys tem approach helps in addressing them. The system approach allows for an iterative process, which allows the analyst to learn about the system and hence know how to go about it. Disadvantages The system approach often ignores power in the organization and this may create in the daily operations. The system relies too much on individuals’ perception and as such, it is fuzzy and cannot be easily applied in practice. Quite often, the system approach may neglect some of the forces that interact in society, such as Social constraints and group norms. The future of integrative systems based studies There is increasing pressure for scientists and policy makers to adopt more integrated and holistic approaches to understanding how we manage systems from the local to global scale. These include 1) advancement in Systems modeling approaches from systems biology to earth systems science. This involves qualitative network models as well as quantitative process/kinetics based approaches (B orgatti, 2009). It is the network models that have the potential to link systems biology, socio-ecological systems, and earth systems science. 2) There has been a continued improvement in data sharing between individual projects and disciplines. This has been easier by introduction of data and meta-data models To increase the sharing of data between individual projects and between disciplines. Examples of these advancements include markup languages e.g. system biology markup language ISO 27001 Current Explanation and Issues Relating to ISO 27001 IT Governance and information security Board corporate governance requirements have in the recent years become increasingly more defined and specific. With information technology becoming pervasive, underpinning and supporting almost every aspect of the organization, manipulation and storing of information on which the organization depends for its survival, the role of IT in corporate governance has become more clearly defined and IT governa nce getting to be more recognized as a crucial area for board and corporate attention. IT governance is specifically concerned with the protection of the information. protection of this information is critical as the organization’s decision is heavily pegged on its availability, confidentiality and integrity. As a result, parallel international standards related to information security have emerged and have become one of the cornerstones of an effective IT governance framework. The information security standards British standard Institution came up with BS7799 in 1995 as a standard to guide the development and implementation of an Information Security Management System (ISMS). On the outset, BS7799 was considered, as a technology-neutral, vendor-neutral management system. It was intended that, if accurately implemented, it would guarantee an organization’s management of effective information security measures (Hall 1962). Those rallying for the BS7799 measures aim at a ddressing the challenges associated with availability, the integrity aspect and also the confidentiality of the information in an organization.. Protection covers those threats that the organization considers relevant and only to the extent that is justified financially and commercially through a risk assessment. The Code of Practice (which uses words like ‘may’ and which deals with controls, not with Information Security Management Systems), is now recognized under the dual numbers of ISO17799 and BS7799-1 . The basis for certification schemes is specification and ISO 27001 mandates the use of ISO 17799 as the source of guidance for the selection and implementation of the controls mandated by ISO 27001. The most recent version of the Code of Practice, and the one which must be used, is ISO/IEC 17799:2005. BS7799-2:2002 has also undergone revision and internationalization, and was replaced in November 2005 by ISO/IEC 27001:2005. The best way to keep in touch with the ch anges to the standards is to subscribe to 24743, the free information security newsletter that provides regularly updated FAQs on the new standards, as well as other ISMS information. The information security and regulatory environments ISO 27001 refers to a standard containing requirements for a company to implement an information security management system. There are two main reasons explaining the growing interest in certification to ISO 2700. These are: 1) the proliferation of threats to information this is aimed at curbing the possibility of the information landing on the wrong place or unauthorized persons having access to such information. Such incidences can have elemental effects to the institutions or the organizational functions. In addition, 2) the growth in the lawful and constitutional needs that are associated with information authenticity and protection. This is mostly useful when dealing with secure information. Such applications are used in the security sector, ban ks and credit cards etc where the transfer of information is through the protected channels accessible to few authorized individuals. This is aimed at minimizing compromising situation s that may results when the public or unauthorized persons access the information. Information security and technology Securing data or protecting computers from threats is normally undertaken by people with IT knowledge. This is done by assigning the users with log in credentials that regulate the person accessing the information. The ability of regulating who accesses what information also enables the It team to monitor and regulate the information flow and also be able to audit the information access and distribution in the system (Bennett, 2009). The computer user makes decisions about which threats to be protect the system from and what trade-offs between security and flexibility he or she is prepared to accept. The usage of the computers vary and various experts do various tasks based on the [po wers that the computers or the specifications of the job to be done. The variations in the usage rights also enables only certified people to access some classified information. Some of the information in the system can be very confidential and only the qualified personnel should be allowed to have access and possibly distribute such information(Schlager 1956). Advantages of ISO 27001 The benefits of ISO 27001 emanates from its principles. These are confidentiality, integrity, accuracy, completeness, and availability. The confidentiality allows the clients to have faith in the system and trust using the system for their day-to-day business. The integrity concepts emanates from the fact that the system is able to carry out the specified instructions or transactions pertaining a given action or command instructed. The accuracy assures the users that they will not be overcharged or underpaid thus ensuring that the information validity is not compromised. The availability of the appropr iate information to the right person at the right time. ISO 27001 ensures confidentiality that is information may not be made availed or disclosed for people, entities, or processes without permission. ISO 27001 ensures integrity. The information is protected from unauthorized changes. Conclusions Advances in a wide range of systems focused disciplines have increased our ability understand and model socio-ecological systems from the sub-cellular to global scale. These can be classed as ‘hard’, ‘soft’ approaches, and both are required when you are studying systems across multiple spatial and organizational levels. Here I suggest that diagramming, network theory combined with markup languages based on data and metadata standards within an analytical-deliberative framework can lead to learning and greater integration across these disparate systems based approaches. I am not suggesting that one approach or framework will address all situations, but highlighting the commonalities that will enable us to integrate across situations. References Bandura, A 2002, Social Learning Theory, General Learning Press- New York, New York. Bennett, E, Peterson G Gordon, J 2009, ‘Understanding relationships among multiple ecosystem service,’ Ecology Letters, vol. 12, no.4, pp.1394-1404. Borgatti, P, Mehra, A, Brass, J, Labianca, G 2009, ‘Network analysis in the social sciences,’ Science, vol. 323, pp.892-895. Checkland, P1985, ‘From optimizing to learning – a development of systems thinking for the 1990s’, Journal of the Operational Research Society, vol. 36, no. 2,pp. 757-767. Hall, A1962, A methodology for systems engineering, Prentice Hall, New York. Lubchenco, J 2008,’Entering the century of the environment: A new social contract for science’, Science, vol.279, no.4, pp. 491-497. Sage, AP1992, Systems Engineering. Wiley IEEE, New York. Schlager, J1956, ‘Systems engineering key to mode rn development,’ IRE Transactions EM-3, vol. 2. No.2, pp. 64–66. This report on Soft System and Social Technical Approaches was written and submitted by user Edith G. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Isolation, Failure To Communicate, And Being Defined By One Event In One’s Life In Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio

Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio is a collection of short stories set in the obscure, hick town of Winesburg, Ohio. Every story contains within it a character with an obsession that labels the character grotesque. This grotesqueness is exhibited through odd behavior, such as self isolation, lack of communication, and becoming defined by one event in life, and is expressed in the novel’s many themes and motifs. Moreover, these themes and motifs offer insight into America’s involvement in WWI and WWII. The common character among these stories is a 19-year-old reporter named George Willard who, for unknown reasons, connects with the grotesques of the community and listens to their tales. After involving himself with many strange characters, George Willard realizes the town’s peculiar nature and goes west in hopes of beginning a â€Å"normal† life. The themes of isolation, failure to communicate, and being defined by one event in life pervade many of the novel’s stories. The two stories following â€Å"The Book of the Grotesque,† â€Å"Hands† and â€Å"Paper Pills,† exemplify the themes of isolation and failure to communicate. The story of Wing Biddlebaum, an old Pennsylvanian schoolteacher, unfolds. Gaining his name from his hands that shake â€Å"like†¦the beating of the wings of an imprisoned bird,† Biddlebaum left Pennsylvania to avoid a lynching after being unjustly accused of molesting one of his students. Settling in Winesburg, Wing lives isolated in the outskirts of the community, breaking his solitude only to talk with his friend George Willard. Wing Biddlebaum’s hands offer insight into his motives for isolation and inability to communicate. His overly active hands help and hinder his ability to communicate with others. Wing was described as communicating â€Å"by the caress that was in his fingers,† however, in his past, his hands have been the source of his downfall. Consequently, Wing decided that he would rathe... Free Essays on Isolation, Failure To Communicate, And Being Defined By One Event In One’s Life In Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio Free Essays on Isolation, Failure To Communicate, And Being Defined By One Event In One’s Life In Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio Sherwood Anderson’s Winesburg, Ohio is a collection of short stories set in the obscure, hick town of Winesburg, Ohio. Every story contains within it a character with an obsession that labels the character grotesque. This grotesqueness is exhibited through odd behavior, such as self isolation, lack of communication, and becoming defined by one event in life, and is expressed in the novel’s many themes and motifs. Moreover, these themes and motifs offer insight into America’s involvement in WWI and WWII. The common character among these stories is a 19-year-old reporter named George Willard who, for unknown reasons, connects with the grotesques of the community and listens to their tales. After involving himself with many strange characters, George Willard realizes the town’s peculiar nature and goes west in hopes of beginning a â€Å"normal† life. The themes of isolation, failure to communicate, and being defined by one event in life pervade many of the novel’s stories. The two stories following â€Å"The Book of the Grotesque,† â€Å"Hands† and â€Å"Paper Pills,† exemplify the themes of isolation and failure to communicate. The story of Wing Biddlebaum, an old Pennsylvanian schoolteacher, unfolds. Gaining his name from his hands that shake â€Å"like†¦the beating of the wings of an imprisoned bird,† Biddlebaum left Pennsylvania to avoid a lynching after being unjustly accused of molesting one of his students. Settling in Winesburg, Wing lives isolated in the outskirts of the community, breaking his solitude only to talk with his friend George Willard. Wing Biddlebaum’s hands offer insight into his motives for isolation and inability to communicate. His overly active hands help and hinder his ability to communicate with others. Wing was described as communicating â€Å"by the caress that was in his fingers,† however, in his past, his hands have been the source of his downfall. Consequently, Wing decided that he would rathe...

Comparison between Amazon.com and Borders Books Essay

Comparison between Amazon.com and Borders Books - Essay Example Another concern of the present study is the Borders Books that represents a bookstore publicly held spreading its business through a large number of stores and encountering different stages of business. Thus the current study focuses on the two different companies- Amazon.com and Borders Books- and conducts a learning on their histories, business approaches, management and marketing and how they have gone through their successes and failures and thus try to recommend some policies that might enable the companies to have better marketing conditions. History of Amazon.com and Borders Books: The Amazon.com Company was started in the year 1994 by Jeff Bezos. The origin of the company was in Washington. Bezos’ idea regarding the business was appreciated and investments were supported by Nick Hanauer who was a businessman by profession. Then the company had plans to go online and spread its business. Initially the business was not as shining as it is known to be in the present times . In the early times of its initiation, the website was not very attractively designed and hence lacked the attention of the customers. By the year 1995, a person named Tom Alburg helped the company through further investments and thus the website was designed newly which then started attracting customers. Gradually the company introduced several products and within a short span of time, the company gained huge success as well as profits (The History of Amazon.com, 2011). The history of Borders Books reflects the contribution of several stores of books that include the Borders, Waldenbooks and Brentano's. The Borders Bookstores were started by two brothers, Tom Borders and Louis Borders, in the year 1971. Initially the store was opened in Ann Arbor. Later stores were also opened in Michigan, Atlanta and Indianapolis. Their books were also sold through other booksellers. The first superstore of the company was established in the year 1985. By the year 1988, the Borders bookstores, wh ich later went online, proved to be huge success and delivered efficiently (Peterson, 2012). Business Approach, Management and Marketing of Amazon.com and Borders Books: As far as the business approaches of the two companies are concerned, it has been observed that the Amazon.com and Borders Books both had its focus on the increasing sales and the satisfaction of the customers. While Amazon.com has been found to initially struggle and later on efficiently managed success till the present times, the Borders Books have been found to initially achieve success but later the company failed to maintain its position in the market and lost to bankruptcy. It has been found that the concept of internet marketing was much more effectively understood and utilized by Amazon.com rather than by Borders Books (Volcanic, 2009). Amazon.com had its focus on the customers’ preferences and the manner in which there website could be more attractive to them. Thus initially when the company had rece ived financial assistance it focused on the design of the website that resultantly gained more customers for the company. The company was so concerned with the customers’ satisfaction that they even introduced systems to receive feedback from the customers, thus giving the customers the feeling of being significant. When the company encountered severe losses in 2001, it initiated

Application of Advertising Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Application of Advertising - Coursework Example Though smart automobiles are manufactured in France on the special factory called Smartville the headquarter of the company is situated in Boblingen (Smart History). Smart was created as a completely innovative model and its design and production was performed in association with Swatch brand in the beginning. The main emphasis was placed on the small size of the automobiles and the subsequent comfort for drivers. The logo, the motto and the name of the brand reflect that concept. The logo consists of a letter â€Å"c† and an arrow which are interpreted as â€Å"compact† and â€Å"forward thinking†. The motto of the company sounds like â€Å"open your mind† and is addressed to free and extravagant people who are no afraid of trying something new (Lewin, 2010). There have been several variations of smart design after the original model called Smart Fortwo was launched. Now electric versions of cars and the automobiles with exclusive design as well as sport cars are available in Europe, Latin America, Australia, Asia, and North America (Smart History). Obviously the advertising campaign for such an extraordinary product had to be absolutely creative. The first and the most noticeable thing that Smart manufactures managed to do was to give a product a personality that set it apart from all the other competitors. Smart car appeared as a pretty, witty, and a compact accessory and did not resemble a car in its general sense. Most people got used to the fact that to feel safe and respectable they have to drive big monochrome automobiles produced in Germany which is famous as the motherland of best cars. Smart has broken the standards - it started manufacturing cars that looked like they could fit into woman`s purse (that is another reason why smart cars are appreciated by women). Nevertheless, the status of the consumer did not decrease – it is not a compromise between more expensive and less expensive car-

Take home assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Take home assignment - Essay Example The selection of the contrasting colours for the statue of liberty and the background alows for the best visibility feature of the statue. The same fetaure applies to the fountain and the background (front of the plaza). The selection of the colors is highly relevant in enhancing the visibility of the features and assurance of excellent appreciation by audience. The statue of liberty has compounded demerits on visibility at various times of the day. In the morning while the sun is rising and seting , the background would typically be shiny and therefore the featur is not well visible. The selection of the white colour for the statue of librty is properly suited for skyblue days which perhaps is expected for most of the days. On contrary, the plaza front visibility was designed to suit both day and night as there is artificial lighting at night. The painting appear highly imposing to most viewers from CPA. I had not noticed it before and msot people most do not appear to notice it. I think the painting is designed to be seen from far place so as to appreciate the essence of art and entailed painting. My ansewers to the previous questioners would encourage the painter to hang his paintings on this point due to excellent selelction of colours for backgrround and highlighted feature. I have noted and observed clear linking of architecture and enhanced aesthetics achievenment through entailing of proper colors for the building and proper visibility for movemnet of the people. The visibility of the painting changes at various times of the day. It is highly visible at night from outside. The designer wanted the painter to be highly appreciated by audience at night and also help in enancing of visibility for moving

Colonization And Neo Colonization History Essay

Colonization And Neo Colonization History Essay Colonization is the extension of political and economic control over an area by a state, whose nationals have occupied the area and usually possesses organizational or technological superiority over the native population. MOTIVES OF COLONIZATION: Colonization has occurred through out the history in Europe. Three most influential colonizers work British, Spanish, French. These three countries had three basic motives: Material gain Desire to spread religion. Desire expend territory. Using these motives they created long term effects in the culture religion and economy of areas that they colonize. EARLY COLONIZATION: As early as the 10th cent. B.C., the Phoenicians founded trading posts throughout the Mediterranean area and later exercised political dominion over these commercial colonies. The Greeks, from a desire for wealth or as a result of the expulsion of a political faction or the defeated inhabitants of a city, established colonies in Asia Minor and Italy, spreading Hellenic culture and stimulating trade. BIGGEST COLONIZATION OF HISTORY: Colonization of India Colonization of Africa Colonization of America COLONIZATION IN AFRICA: From the seventh century, Arab trade with sub-Saharan Africa led to a gradual colonization of East Africa, around Zanzibar and other bases. After that Africa remained colonized under French, British Portuguese. French established equality, interracial marriages, rights support. British didnt support equality they considered others lower didnt liked it if they adopted British culture. Portuguese allowed interracial marriages but considered blood related Portuguese as superior Finally struggle was made by Africans to gain independence get rid off colonization. COLONIZATION IN AMERICA During the sixteenth century the work of colonizing America was left almost entirely to the people of Spain. Colonies were established on the coasts of South and Central America. in 1519 Cortez began that memorable expedition which soon subjected the Aztec empire of Mexico to his sway. In a comparatively short time the whole of western South America from the lower boundary of Chili to the Caribbean coast was Spanish territory. COLONIZATION IN INDIA : When the British colonize India they modernized and make conveniences only for themselves. India suffered, destruction of education system, economies ancient monuments and lively hood of people. Living standards, sanitation, water resources and other facilities were barely provided. The East India Company established trading posts on different parts along the India coast. IMPACT OF COLONIZATION SELF IMAGE IDENTITY: New cultures religion was introduced but tradition culture was destroyed. Example : British brought English language but destroyed traditions. DECISION MAKING LEADERSHIP: Colonization weakens decision making leaders. Example: Tribal leadership system in Africa was destroyed. RIGHTS: No equality or rights were given to the natives. Example: Indians were forced to labor on constructions of road buildings but were kept from benefiting from such. WEALTH RESOURCES: Exploitation of resources occurred. Example: Tons of silver gold were transported from America to Spain. Similarly British took valuable jewels from India etc. NEO COLONIZATION: As long as imperialism exists it will, by definition, exert its domination over other countries. Today that domination is called neocolonialism.   Che Guevara,  Marxist  revolutionary, 1965 Neo Colonization is used for the exploitation rather than for development of less developed parts of world.   Kwame Nkrumah, who in 1957 became leader of newly independent  Ghana, was one of the most notable figures to use the term. HOW NEO-COLONIZATION OCCURS TODAY: The essence of neo-colonialism is that the State which is subject to neo colonization is in theory, independent and has all the outward trappings of international power. In reality its economic system and thus its political policy is directed from outside. METHODS AND FORMS OF NEO COLONIZATION: In an extreme case the troops of the imperial power may occupy the territory of the neo-colonial State and control the government of it. More often, however, neo-colonialist control is exercised through economic or monetary means. Control over government policy in the neo-colonial State may be secured by payments towards the cost of running the State and by monetary control over foreign exchange through the imposition of a banking system controlled by the imperial power. RESULT OF NEO COLONIZATION: The result of neo-colonialism is that foreign capital is used for the exploitation rather than for the development of the less developed parts of the world. Investment under neo-colonialism increases rather than decreases the gap between the rich and the poor countries of the world. STRUGGLES AGAINST NEO COLONIZATION: The struggle against neo-colonialism is not aimed at excluding the resources of the developed world from operating in less developed countries. It is aimed at preventing the financial power of the developed countries being used in such a way as to weaken the less developed. EXAMPLE: Non-alignment, as practiced by Ghana and many other countries, is based on co-operation with all States. Such a policy, therefore, involves foreign investment from capitalist countries, but it must be invested in accordance with a national plan drawn up by the government of the non-aligned State. NEO COLONIZISM A THREAT: The growth of nuclear weapons has made, the old-fashioned balance of power out dated. Historically the mutual mass destruction prevented countries from threatening each other. But now the case is different. Rich and technologically developed countries aim to have better and more dangerous nuclear power, whereas poor countries may be low at these resources and may not be able to compete with the richer developed states. The evil of neo-colonialism is that it prevents the formation of those large units which would make impossible limited war. To give one example: if Africa was united, no major power community would attempt to control it by limited war. Neo-colonialism is also the worst form of imperialism. For those who practice it, it means power without responsibility and for those who suffer from it, it means exploitation without redress. In the days of old-fashioned colonialism, the imperial power had at least to explain and justify at home the actions it was taking abroad. In the colony those who served the ruling imperial power could at least look to its protection against any violent move by their opponents. With neo-colonialism neither is the case. Neo-colonialism is based upon the principle of breaking up former large united states into a number of small non-viable States which are incapable of independent development and must rely upon the former imperial power for defense and even internal security. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OLD IMPERIALISM [COLONIZATION] AND THE NEW GLOBALIZATION PROCESS [NEO COLONIZATION]: In old colonialism you at least knew who your enemy was, you felt the knife on the back. You knew what had to be done if you wanted a better life. In globalization you are captive and unaware. When the prisoners are unaware of their chains then its hopeless. The US is freely threatening other countries. After Iraq war, nearly 2.5 million people are out of their country, one million plus have been killed, 75% are without electricity and drinking water. In the U.S. it has touched the lives of African-Americans who have had lives caught in street violence and are fighting for their lives. Suddenly Islam comes to them and they find peace, dignity and a faith they can believe in. The underlying value of globalization is material. In this proliferation of unnecessary necessities, as Mark Twain said, result in the enrichment of the rich and the greater impoverishment of the poor, in every country. Globally, the numbers of the poor are increasing fast, the concentration of wealth is greater. That is an unlivable position. The U.S. governments need for an enemy, its search for new enemies is really a way of uniting the country, covering its real motives and appealing for patriotism that is called the last refuge of the scoundrel. Patriotism is not the real motive. The real motive is domination and exploitation, and to get away with it you have to have a rallying ground, an enemy. That is where the military comes in. The U.S. spends more on arms than all other countries combined.

Invisible Man Essay: The Phases of Invisibility -- Invisible Man Essay

The Phases of Invisibility in Invisible Man      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To be invisible is to be unable to be seen by anyone without artificial aid.   The invisible man is more impossible to locate than the proverbial needle in a haystack.   In Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man, the main character, I., progresses through various phases of symbolic invisibility.      The story begins with I. recounting the various steps and incidents that led him to realize his invisibility.   I.'s grandfather was a meek and humble man, and therefore surprised I. when he told him to "live with your head in the lion's mouth, overcome 'em with yeses, agree 'em to death and destruction."   This statement is the ever-present current that guides I. to his eventual self-discovery.   It haunts him beyond his discovery and even remains after his acceptance of his situation, where the reader realizes that even I. does not fully understand his grandfather's words.   The battle royal serves to open his eyes, although only slightly, only to be re-closed, because I. still gives his acceptance speech to the crowd of prominent white men from the town. These are the same men who were moments ago screaming "let me at that big nigger". Yet he still assumes these men respect him for his intelligence, and are taking him seriously. Upon reflection he realizes that this is whe n he really started running for the white man. He was playing their games, trying to grab the electrified money, not looking at the naked white woman, these men really started him running and taught him their game he was expected to play. The next big shock came after I.'s encounter with Mr. Norton, a prominent white man and huge contributor to the University he was attending. He takes Mr. Norton into the old slave... ...ntinues on to explore his newfound knowledge. There is a hope for those that are invisible, which so many are, that you may be able to come to terms with your transparency.    Works Cited Bellow, Saul. "Man Underground" Review of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. Commentary. June 1952. 1st December 1999<http://www.english.upeen.edu/~afilreis /50s/bellow-on-ellison.html Earl, Gerald. "Decoding Ralph Ellison" Essay obtained from IGC.org Summer '97. 30 November. <http://www.igc.org/dissent/archive/summer97/early.html Howe, Irving. "Black Boys and Native Sons" English Dept. at Univ. Penn. 1 December 1999 <http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/howe-blackboys.html. Howe, Irving. "Review of: Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man" Pub. The Nation. 10 May 1952. 30 November 1999. <http://www.english.upenn.edu/~afilreis/50s/howe-on-ellison.html.

Mary Shelley: Submissive Women in Writing

In the writing of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or, The Modern Prometheus, she creates four submissive female characters all of who are negatively affected by the hands of Victor Frankenstein. These four submissive female characters are Agatha, Safie, Elizabeth, and Justine.Each of these women is proposed as passive and nonessential. The women, Agatha, Safie, Elizabeth, and Justine, make a pathway for the creation of action for male characters. The actions that happen with/to these women negatively affect them for the purpose of teaching one of the male characters a lesson or inflicting deep emotions to the male characters.Agatha’s purpose to man in this book was teaching the monster. â€Å"The girl [Agatha] was young, and of gentle demeanour†¦she looked patient, yet sad.† (Shelley 75, 76). Agatha teaches the monster many things mostly by him observing her interactions with her blind father and studying her actions and mannerisms. â€Å"Agatha listened with r espect, her eyes sometimes filled with tears, which she endeavored to wipe away unperceived†(Shelley 80). Agatha teaches the monster about respect, sensitivity, and human relationships.Safie, a close friend of the De Lacey’s, comes on horseback to the cottage. Safie is Arabian and doesn’t know or understand english, so the De Lacey’s give her lessons. Safie’s lessons in language and culture become the monster’s lessons as well. â€Å"My days were spent in close attention†¦ I improved more rapidly than the Arabian†¦I comprehended and could imitate almost every word that was spoken†¦ I also learned the science of letters†(Shelley 85). Safie is another passive female character that caused action by the monster. To the audience it is insignificant weather or not Safie learns english, but it is furthering the monster’s education. Thus it was for the sake of teaching a male character a lesson and of no real benefit to t he female character.Justine is one of the most passive, submissive female characters and hardly even has a voice in the novel. Justine is ultimately framed for the murder of William Frankenstein, yet she remains collected and serene. Justine  handles herself with poise even with her unfortunate circumstances.â€Å"God knows how entirely I am innocent†¦ I rest my innocence on a plain and simple explanation of the facts which have been adduced against me†(Shelley 56). Justine’s purpose becomes clear when she is framed. She becomes static, a victim of her circumstance.Mary Shelley describes Elizabeth as submissive and tender. Elizabeth is the most influential character associated with Victor Frankenstein, causing a roller coaster of emotions. Mary Shelley writes Elizabeth’s submissiveness quite obviously when she says, â€Å"she presented Elizabeth to me as her promised gift, I [Victor], with childish seriousness, interpreted her words literally, and looked upon Elizabeth as mine†¦since till death she was to be mine only†(Shelley 19).This belittles Elizabeth and essentially makes her a victim of the monster because of her relationship with Victor. Even when the monster threatens Elizabeth, Victor doesn’t try to protect her entirely, and puts his frustration with the monster over Elizabeth. Elizabeth is belittled along with the other female characters, making them mere tools to get revenge.There is one more hidden female character, without whom, the novel would not succeed. Margret Saville is the most passive, submissive female character. There is no way to know if she even exists entirely, but her significance is one of great magnitude.Margret Saville is the reason Robert Walton writes the letters explaining what has happened and what Victor has told him, thus creating the whole story. Margret is so submissive that she doesn’t even get a voice in the novel; there is never a response from her.Mary Shelley creat ed many submissive female characters, all of whom were used, objectified, and castaway after greatly impacting man’s life. They are used as tools of revenge and decried for the works of the men who used them.

Job Order Costing Essays - Management Accounting, Overhead, Cost

Job Order Costing Essays - Management Accounting, Overhead, Cost GAAP dictates a particular manner in which manufacturing overhead is reported on all financial statements obtained through financial accounts. However, in order to truly assess costs associated with production managerial accountants must utilize different techniques. Managerial accounting utilizes various costing methods in order to allocate manufacturing overhead charges with production. These techniques better equip decision-makers within firms with appropriate information needed to make the best decisions possible. Williams, Haka, and Bettner (2015), describe these reasons as to why overhead costs are allocated to certain products or services using an application rate rather than dividing total overhead cost by units produced. The first reason is that units and costs produced are not compiled until the end of the year. This leaves management devoid of essential information needed to make important decisions throughout the year. The second reason is that not all services or produced consume an equal amount of overhead. Finally, anticipating overhead per product is helpful in making decisions regarding the use of overhead in production processes. Improper pricing is one of the most devastating results to occur if overhead is improperly applied to products or services. An appropriate overhead application rate is determined through expressing a relationship between some activity base and relating to the production process and overhead costs (Williams et al.,2015). Firms must ensure that an activity base is selected that best matches individual capabilities and needs. Additionally, firms must ensure wise estimates are made regarding overhead costs. For overhead application rates to provide reliable results, any activity base chosen to compute an application rate must be a significant driver of overhead costs (Williams et al.,2015, pg.764). It is important to choose a base that is a prime driver, or directly related to, overhead costs. For calculation purposes using one cost driver for all calculations may seem simplest. However, it is important to understand that this technique is likely to yield just that, simple results. In order for a firm to remain competitive and make well informed decisions, using multiple cost drivers is recommended. The objective of this type of cost allocation is to align overhead costs with the product, activity, job, or process generating such costs. This method is more likely to result in more accurate information pertaining to the allocation of overhead costs. Reference Williams, J. R., Haka, S. F., Bettner, M. S., & Carcello, J. V. (2015). Financial & managerial accounting: The basis for business decisions (17th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Companies.

Effects of Depth and Sediment Concentration on the Penetration of Photosynthetically essays

Effects of Depth and Sediment Concentration on the Penetration of Photosynthetically essays Effects of Depth and Sediment Concentration on the Penetration of Photosynthetically Introduction The purpose of this study plan is to measure the effects of light on sedimentary particles in water. This study plan will include information pertaining to equipment, procedures, and analysis. This plan will also discuss problems that could arise during the sampling. Objectives The objective of this study is to observe whether sedimentary accumulation at various depths will effect the penetration of light energy. One reason for monitoring light penetration is to determine if sufficient energy is available for photosynthesis. This energy is effected by the amount of sedimentation that is suspended in the water. In order to ensure the data's scientific validity this study needs to include the main principles. These include selecting a control; a control will be the measurement that all other data is compared to. Second, the selection of the sample sites must be non-bias and random. This ensures that the experiments are not predictable or foreseeable. Finally the experiments must be described in great detail so that they can be replicated at a later date. Literature Energy is distributed throughout the worlds oceans in several usable forms. The heat transmitted during absorption is responsible for ocean waves, temperature and currents. Light penetration in water will measure in units of quanta. This measurement refers to the amount of sunlight that penetrates the water at various depths. The light energy is absorbed and scattered by suspended particles, dissolved substances, and the water itself (USGS). Other factors include attenuation coefficient: rate at which light decreases with depth. This means that each site studied may have a different attenuation coefficient. An example of a high coefficient would indicate a rapid decrease in light penetration, therefore, high sedimentation. Another factor to be aware o...

Ludwig Von Beethoven and his Ninth Symphony Essay

Ludwig Von Beethoven and his Ninth Symphony - Essay Example Despite these abhorrent forms of child abuse, Beethoven developed a sensitivity and vision for music. In 1789, after his mother’s death, Beethoven was forced to into manhood. He went determined, to his fathers employer and demanded - and got – half of his fathers salary so that he could take care of his brothers and one year old sister. In 1792 his father, much to Beethoven’s relief died. In 1801 Beethoven confessed to his friends at Bonn his worry of becoming deaf. In 1802, he wrote a famous text which expressed his distress at his perceived unfairness of his life. He could not reconcile himself with the idea of a loving music and that his most important sense, his hearing, was dissipating. Desolate, he did not want to live through the process of becoming deaf. Beethovens career as a virtuoso pianist was brought to an end when he began to experience his first symptoms of deafness. In a letter written to his friend Karl Ameda on 1 July 1801, he admitted he was e xperiencing signs of deafness. It is perhaps this resolute refusal to cave in to his deafness that allowed him to continue his marvelous works. Indeed, it can be said that Beethoven continued in his compositions in spite of his deafness. In 1802 his doctor sent him to Heiligenstadt, a village outside Vienna, in the hope that its rural peace would rest in his hearing. The new surroundings reawakened in Beethoven a love of nature and the countryside, and hope and optimism returned. By autumn however, Beethoven felt so low both physically and mentally that he feared he would not survive the winter.

Investigative Reporter Assigment Research Paper

Investigative Reporter Assigment - Research Paper Example In that context it will be really valid to mention a CIA report as per which Iraq maintained and retained weapons of mass destruction program irrespective of the varied prohibitive UN resolutions (CIA 1). This report elaborated in detail that Iraq had a clandestine weapons of mass destruction program and was amassing biological and chemical weapons which if not checked and restrained could spell disaster for the friendly neighbouring countries and the associated Western nations (CIA 1). This CIA report also stressed that Iraq also had a hidden nuclear weapons program and if a military operation is not initiated against Iraq in the near future, Iraq will be very soon be in possession of a viable nuclear weapon and hence will be in a position to intimidate and blackmail the averse neighbouring nations and their Western allies and friends. Varied media reports concertedly backed such claims expressed and supported by the US and the UK, which started to appear concocted and non-corrobora ted in the later media publications. On 17 March 2003, the war drums were already beating when The Washington Post published the full text of the speech given by President Bush unravelling in detail the frustration of the allied nations over the diplomatic efforts being pursued by the allied nations to convince Iraq regarding giving up its weapons of mass destruction program (Reuters 1). In this speech President Bush reiterated the US pledge to divest Iraq of its weapons of mass destruction and to annihilate its nuclear weapons program, whatever it takes (Reuters 1). President Bush also mentioned more than dozen resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council urging and mandating Iraq to give up its weapons of mass destruction program and to comply with the conditions laid down by the international community. In this publication