Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation

Abstract This paper presents a critical analysis of the document that is titled â€Å"Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China: To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation?†. The paper seeks to explore the extent to which industries in China implement issues of environment management as exemplified in the codes of environmental management.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China: To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More China is one of the countries that are recording a high pace of industrial development, yet it often comes out in the headlines as a country that does not pay attention to environmental management. The assessment of environmental sustainability standards in China is, therefore, measured against ISO 14000, which is one of the critical codes of env ironmental sustainability. A critical analysis is done on the scope of issues of sustainability in China as it is explained in the article. The analysis brings out the objectives of the research and the methods that are used for exploring issues of sustainable development in China. The paper pays attention to the sustainability standards that are used as a basis for judging the rate of compliance to ISO 14000 by Chinese firms. The research methods used in the paper are restrictive in the sense that they seem to embrace conclusive results, which hinders the exploration of the adaptive level of Chinese firms to ISO 14000. The conclusion arrived at is that Chinese companies are fond of seeking for the fulfillment of minimum requirements for ISO satisfaction, yet they do not go ahead to enforce the standards that are stipulated in the codes. Article Critique Introduction Sustainability standards are increasingly incorporated in systems of corporate governance. This paper presents a crit ique of one of the articles that expound on the level at which corporate governance policies in mainland China reflect the international sustainable standardizations, particularly the ISO 14000. The article is titled â€Å"Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China: To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation?† In the review, the paper focuses on two main areas: the scope of the article and the research methods used. Discussion of Article (scope/content) China, which is a country that has attained a rapid pace of industrialization, has been in the limelight for having a poor system of waste disposal. This emanates from the lack of effective policies to enhance waste management and the prevention of pollution.Advertising Looking for critical writing on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In their study, Chung, Fryxell and Carlos (2005) sought to explore the policy stateme nt on the environment of a total of 106 certified plants in mainland China against the link with the environmental requirements of the environmental standardizations rules: ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 in relation to the enforcement of ISO 14000. Owing to the prevailing state of environment management in China, it is important to establish the pace and intensity with which the sustainability standardization codes are being enforced, especially in a country like China that is quite highly aggressive in terms of establishment of industries. The paper goes deep into exploring the tangible aspects in as far as the implementation of the sustainability standardizations is concerned. The rationale behind this is that one of the impediments in environmental management and the embrace of sustainability is that most firms ensure that they fulfill the requirements of satisfaction and registration, but they stop at that. They do not embrace the implementation of the standardizations, which inhibits the attainment of the goals of environment management. The continual improvement is a critical factor in ensuring the effective of environment management systems (Northern Ireland Environment System, 2009). The paper bases on other standardizations ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 to explore the commitment of the plants on enforcing ISO 14000. While this broadens the scope of the results, it depicts some aspects of weakness. The conclusion that points out that adherence to ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 justifies the application of ISO 14000 is, therefore, not desirable. This is a mere extrapolation of results since there is a variation between the diverse sustainability standards. The justification of one sustainability standard by using other standards results in a summative assumption. Using such an assumption to develop results and conclusions drives away the aspect of exploring the main goal of the research. Objective of the article The article is one of the most incisive steps that seek to es tablish the gaps that prevail in China’s system of environmental management. The ultimate goal of the researchers is to establish the level at which plants in mainland China adhere to ISO 14000.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China: To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More These standardizations are the key tools that can define the level at which China, which is an emerging economic giant in the world, responds to the concepts of environmental management and sustainability. Environmental policy statement is a critical element in the adoption of environment sustainability standards. Relating the policy statement to the sustainability standards as has been done in the paper, therefore, aids in bringing out the underlying issues. Evaluation of Research Methods The paper uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. However, there seems to be a high level of dependency on secondary data. The paper uses two standards as the dependent variables and the main standard that is being investigated as an independent variable. The number of sampled plants is quite convincing, considering the fact that there are a lot companies in mainland China. The amount of literature carried in the paper also reflects most of the issues of managing the environmental systems in China. However, the data collection method used in the research, postal questionnaires conducted in 2002, is not convincing. The information in the questionnaires cannot be used as a basis for concluding on the environmental management codes in the companies. It implies secondary information was used, which cannot be relied upon in in delivering an up to date content. Secondary information bars researchers from exploring the emergent issues in China. By using ISO 14001 and ISO 14004 as standards as dependent variables, the researchers come up with a general assumption about the application of ISO 14000 standards. The research holds an assumption that adherence to certain standards translates into application and enforcement of other standards. This can be misleading since it results in the ignorance of certain critical aspects of sustainability that are embedded in the main standard being investigated. Conclusion The article is quite comprehensive. The article takes an exploratory approach in unearthing the practices of sustainability in Chinese firms. According to the paper, the level at which firms in China deploy practices of environmental standards is not desirable. There is a tendency that only firms that work at that their environmental management systems qualify as per the international environmental standardization.Advertising Looking for critical writing on environmental studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More References Chung, S., Fryxell, G., Carlos, W. (2005). Corporate environmental management policy statements in Mainland China: To what extent do they conform to ISO 14000 documentation? Environmental Management, 35(4), 468-482. Northern Ireland Environment System. (2009). Measuring the effectiveness of Environmental Management Systems. Web. This critical writing on Corporate Environmental Policy Statements in Mainland China: To What Extent Do They Conform to ISO 14000 Documentation? was written and submitted by user Malice 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.

Welfare to Workfare essays

Welfare to Workfare essays Welfare is a public assistance program that provides at least a minimum amount of economic security to people whose incomes are insufficient to maintain an adequate standard of living. These programs generally include such benefits as financial aid to individuals, subsidized medical care, and stamps that are used to purchase food. The modern U.S. welfare system dates back to the Great Depression of the 1930s. During the worst parts of the Depression, about one-fourth of the labor force was without work. More than two-thirds of all households would have been considered poor by today's standards. With a majority of the capable adult population experiencing severe financial misfortune, many Americans turned to the government for answers. In response, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt led a social and economic reform movement attacking the Depression. Part of his newly enacted New Deal program was the Social Security Act, enacted by Congress in 1935. This act and established a numbe r of social welfare programs, each designed to provide support for different segments of the population. Recently Roosevelts Social Welfare Program has become a topic of heated debate. Welfare has come a long way since Roosevelt, it was once a system that help those in need until they could get back on their feet, now welfare has turned into a system that feeds money to a group of people that have become to lazy to find work. Talk of replacing the old system with a welfare program that will emphasize putting welfare recipients to work has become very frequent. More and more stated are now beginning to adopt a welfare-to-work program, leaving other states to simply ponder about the idea of taking people off the system. Those in favor of welfare reform argue that a welfare-to-work program will cut the amount of people on welfare causing a surplus of funds. These people base their idea on the overwhel...

Art for Individual And Social Changes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Art for Individual And Social Changes - Essay Example Her exhibit showcased portraits from each of these women. They allowed themselves to be vulnerable, so that they can share their experiences and lessons with the world. The main argument of the article is that art can be used to promote individual and social changes through accepting one’s vulnerabilities, while having hope in life’s possibilities. This paper analyzes the rhetorical strategies used to assert this primary argument, specifically repetition, emotional appeals, and anecdotes, which are effective in illustrating the transformational power of homelessness, and using art to be released from its financial and psychological trauma. Before this paper proceeds to analyzing the rhetorical strategies of this article, the premises of the article will be examined first. The stated premises are: art provides deeper self-understanding; art presents universal meanings that people from different backgrounds can relate to; and more artists should engage in activist art, in order for them to address contemporary social and political issues using their talents. The implicit premises are: 1) art is the language of the human soul and 2) even those in the margins have a capacity for making art and making sense out of art. In essence, even the poor have art in their hearts. These premises are relayed to the rhetorical strategies used in the article. ... ough† and â€Å"poor† are repeated twice in this statement, as well as the word â€Å"African American.† This statement effectively shows that minority groups have rougher lives than the white population, because there are fewer economic and social opportunities for them. Because of these rough lives, they can also easily slide back to poverty, even when they have escaped it earlier in life. For instance, many of these women in the article, when they lost their jobs, husbands, or homes, declined from middle class status to lower class. The older they get, the more vulnerable they are, because society views the old as dispensable beings. As a result, an old African American woman is exposed to the greatest risk of being homeless and poor. This article also made successful employment of emotional appeals, without sounding naive or sentimental, and instead, they underscore the universal feelings, dreams, and fears of people, whatever their race, age, gender, and soci al class might be. Fulmer discloses how these women’s art will also emotionally affect her: â€Å"The act of creating the artwork meant permitting myself to feeling vulnerable to their experiences that may hurt, twist, turn, and otherwise impact my own personal psyche.† She is saying that when these women become vulnerable, she becomes vulnerable too. They open their hearts, which opens hers in the process. When they go back to the past and remember their pain and suffering, Fulmer cannot help but identify with them, not because she has been homeless before, but because at different points in their lives, people also experience the same hopelessness and loneliness that homeless people feel. In addition, Fulmer also reflects on her writing, which helps her cope with the emotional engagement she feels with this

The Significance of Leadership and Management in Childhood Essay

The Significance of Leadership and Management in Childhood - Essay Example Generally, early childhood education occurs from the time of a child’s birth to the age of eight. However, in the actual sense, this kind of education normally occurs from the time of birth to the time when the child starts attending school. At this point, the child mainly learns through play which therefore becomes the focus of early childhood education. The domain of early childhood education covers social, physical, intellectual, and emotional development as well as the child’s development of creative skills. The development of children in early education greatly depends on a number of factors some of which include the management and leadership of the education centers. The paper will analyze the aspects on management and leadership with respect to early childhood education. Leadership in Early Childhood Education Generally, leadership refers to a process whereby an individual influences the others to accomplish a given objective while directing them in a more cohesi ve and coherent manner. In short leadership is the ability to encourage a group of individuals towards achieving a similar goal according to Anderson and Anderson (2010). Early care and education leadership is not limited to administration and management instead involving also aspects of education. In this sense, leadership in this field demands that practitioners become willing to take reasonable risks and maintain a vision that goes beyond individual organizations, services and programs. With respect to early childhood development, effective leadership encompasses a myriad of activities. Some of these activities include the identification and articulation of collective vision, effective communication, encouraging meditation, and the assessment and monitoring of practice. Other activities that fall in this category include the establishment of distributed leadership, commitment to progressive professional development, the establishment of team culture and a community that is commit ted to learning. Since early care centers have stakeholders that include parents and members of the community, leadership also involves encouraging and facilitating cooperation between the centre, parents and the community. Beyond doubt, leadership in early education also involves innovation, sensitivity to history, context, and diversity. According to Rodd 1996, leadership in early childhood involves kindness, patience, warmth and other attributes associated with goodness to children, parents and the community. Furthermore, leadership as noted by Rodd is concerned with orientation toward certain specific goals, good planning, confidence, and mentoring as well as professional confidence. Management in Early Childhood Education In the current world, early childhood educators face a lot of strategic and management challenges, a situation that demands their acquisition of sound management skills. Management in business terms refers to the organization and coordination of an organizatio n’s activities in accordance with particular policies in order to achieve defined objectives. Management is a discipline which comprises interrelated functions including the formulation of organizational policies, planning, controlling and organizing as well as directing the resources of an organization towards achieving the objectives. Management can involve one person or thousands of individuals depending on the size of the organization in question. Communication Communication involves the transfer of information from one party to another. During early childhood education , educators have the responsibility to communicate with the children under their care. However, in some cases there are barriers to communication which the educators u,must seek to eliminate so as to achieve

Problems of Industrialization in Pakistan Essay

Problems of Industrialization in Pakistan - Essay Example To improve production, the country is attempting to industrialize her agricultural activities by adopting modern farming practices and use of technology implements. However, as a developing country, Pakistan has problems of industrialization that stem from different factors. These problems encompass the social, political, and economic aspects of the country includes factors like the country's poor infrastructure, the low level of literacy characterized by lack of skilled labor, poor governance with unstable political environment, as well as the unfavorable fiscal monetary and fiscal policies that may discourage industrial investors. This paper expounds on the different factors undermining the efforts to industrialize the operations in the country and not the negative effects that may result from industrialization in a given country. The factors were identified from the responses in a survey that was carried out to seek information from a variety of industrialists in the country in re lation to the industrialization problems they have encountered, or the factors they consider detrimental to the process. Thesis Pakistan is a developing nation that is dependent on agriculture as the country is endowed with fertile lands fit for the economic activity. Nonetheless, the process of industrializing her agricultural activities has been faced by several problems impeding the whole process. Industrialization Problems in Pakistan Electricity and energy shortages One of the major problems cited to impede the industrialization process in Pakistan is insufficient supply of electricity and energy in the country. Electric power and other energy supply are essential requirements for industrialization. Electric energy is used in driving most of the machines in an industry. Similarly, the mechanized systems also use other forms of energy like fuel from the petroleum products and biofuels in combustion to move machine parts in the lubrication of some moving parts. Just like the situ ations witnessed in many other developing countries, the country has insufficient supply of electricity. Frequent energy shortages in the country are a barrier to industrial development in the country (US Library of Congress, para.2). The power generation capacity of the country cannot support the required economic development prompting for outsourcing of energy resources (Khan, para.1). Her energy supply is among the lowest even in the category of the developing nations. The country has a per capita supply of 0.19 ton petroleum equivalent (Khan, para.1). The issue of poor energy supply as a hindrance to industrialization has been cited by the local industries like the textile industry (Khan and Khan, 21). The industries complain non-guaranteed and thus unreliable energy supplies. Lack of trained and skilled workforce The other important factor that was identified that undermines industrialization in the country is low level of education resulting into lack of skilled manpower. A la rge proportion of the Pakistani firms (about 70%) cite shortage of skills as one of their major challenges (Pakistani Development Forum, 19). There is a large mismatch between the required skills and technology in the country and what is available. The country has a high proportion of low-skilled laborers (about 60-75%), a relatively high proportion of medium-skilled laborers and very low proportion highly-skilled personnel (Pakistani Development Forum, 22). This last category comprises the skilled professionals like

History of Volleyball

History of Volleyball Dan Gould Mr. Woodmansee William G. Morgan’s â€Å"Mintonette† and it’s evolution to the popular international sport, has changed in many different ways to become the more modern day sport called, â€Å"Volleyball†. Volleyball was founded in 1895, by a man named, William G. Morgan, in Holyoke, Massachusetts. It was originally called â€Å"Mintonette†, and was meant to be a combination of Basketball, Baseball, and Handball. Also, it was designed to be a non-contact sport so that no one got hurt. There was no limit to the number of players on a team, nor was there a limit to the number of contacts on each side. The first official volleyball match was played on July 7th, 1896 at Springfield College, MA. People loved the sport, so right away it was spread across the country, and was played in most YMCA’s. The first dimensions of volleyball were very simple. The initial rules by William G. Morgan required a net which was six feet and six inches high (which was the size of an average person back then). The court, also made up by William G. Morgan, was 25 feet by 50 feet in size. Another rule was that you could have as many players as you wanted on each side. The official weight of the volleyball was no less than nine ounces, but no more than twelve ounces (it was made out of the bladder from a Basketball). Over time, most of these dimensions were changed to make the more appropriate sport called, â€Å"Volleyball†. There were several original playing rules designed for volleyball. One of the first rules was that the game consisted of nine innings. Depending on the number of players on each team,  the team would have one serve per player. After each team members serve was over, the inning would be over. The player serving continued to serve until he missed the serve or his team failed to return the ball to the other side of the net. You could only score when your team had the serve. Another rule was, if the ball hit the net, it was called a net ball, and counted as a point for the opposing team. If the ball was served into the net, it would be called a dead ball, and would count as a trial. The next rule was if a player touched the net, it would be called a net, and would result in a point for the other team. If you caught or held the ball for a couple of seconds, it would be called a carry, and would also result in a point for the other team. In 1896, (a year after the founding of Mintonette) a man by the name of Dr. Alfred T. Halstead approached William G. Morgan at the first exhibition game. He told him that a better, or a more appropriate name for the sport should be â€Å"Volley Ball†. William liked the idea, and the name stuck. In 1952, the name was officially changed, by combining the words â€Å"Volley†, and â€Å"Ball†, and making its new name, â€Å"Volleyball†. To this day the sport still has the same name. Over the years, volleyball has changed tremendously. As you know, nothing stays the same anymore. Well anyways, the court size was changed to 60 feet by 30 feet. The net was also changed too, but this time, there was a size for a women’s net and a men’s net. The women’s net was seven feet and four inches, while the men’s net was seven feet and eleven inches. Also, the rule about having as many players on the court was changed to; six players per side (no more or no less). The ball’s official size stayed with the same criteria, but mainly, it was about ten ounces. These dimensions will stay the same for a while, but some may be tweaked up a bit as the years go by. As I said, â€Å"nothing can be perfect; there is always room for a change†. Just as they did for the dimensions, they also revised some playing rules. They got rid of the nine innings, and instead, they changed it to; three out of five, games to fifteen. Also, you could still only score on your serve, but you had as many serves as you wanted. Another rule was that you could no longer hit the ball as many times as you wanted. Instead, you only could have three contacts per side, and a player could only contact the ball once, or it would result in a violation called the â€Å"two hits violation†. The last rule added was the under the net rule; if a player stepped over the line in the middle, (dividing the two teams) then it would result as a violation, and a point would be awarded to the opposing team. As volleyball began to spread around the world, there was a strong love for the sport, and some people wanted to bring the sport to the beach. Beach volleyball was founded in the 1920’s in Santa Monica, CA. It was at first played as just a recreational sport, where people could play for fun. It was played only with two people on the court, and the rules were slightly different than indoor volleyball. It became a competitive sport in California in 1947. In the sport you had to communicate and move very swiftly in order to do well. It was a great activity to play at the beach, and many people thought it was one of the coolest sports ever to be invented. Still it was practically the same sport as indoor volleyball; the only difference was that it was played on sand, and not on solid ground. Now for the dimensions of Beach Volleyball (which are completely different than indoor volleyball). The court is approximately 26 ¼ feet by 52 ½ feet long. The net on the other hand, is the same criteria as indoor volleyball, except both men and women’s nets are lowered by an inch, due to the uneven sand. Which means a women’s net would be seven feet and three inches, and the men’s would be seven feet and ten inches high. Also, the outdoor volleyball is about an inch wider than an indoor ball, but it is lighter by about two ounces (which makes it easier for the ball to come up by the players). One completely different dimension from indoor volleyball is; (not counting the court), there needs to be at least three and one fourth feet for playing space. In beach volleyball the games were still the same as indoor; Three out of five, and games to fifteen. Also in beach, you could still only score when your team had the serve, which was called â€Å"side out volleyball†. Another rule was that you could not set the ball over the net, unless if you were square to where the ball was going to land. As for the under the net call, in beach, it was only called if you went under the net and interfered with another player (in other words, you got in the players way). Some of these rules, just like indoor, still will be changing to this day. In 1942, volleyball was introduced into the Olympics, but only as an exhibition sport. It immediately was loved by all the fans, and many different countries started to develop their own teams. Finally, in the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, volleyball became an official sport in the Olympics. It was sponsored strongly by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Beach volleyball would later on join the Olympics as well. Soon, beach volleyball took on a life of its own. In 1992, it was introduced into the Olympics as an exhibition sport. Also, just like indoor volleyball, the fans loved it, and many other countries developed teams as well too. Right away, in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, beach volleyball became an official Olympic sport. Also, to this day, beach volleyball is thought to be the hottest ticket in the Olympics. Over the years, there have been many volleyball/beach volleyball leagues. Most of them have recently started over this century. Some examples are; AVP, FIVBA, USVBA, Junior Olympics, and AAU. These leagues are mostly for professionals. Like AVP, which is basically the NBA for basketball players, but instead for beach volleyball players. Also, the USVBA stands for United States Volleyball Association, which is basically our U.S. Olympic indoor volleyball team. Over the years so many of the rules have changed, and actually, today, they are still being changed. One major change was the introduction of the libero. It was introduced in 1998. A libero is a player that wears a different color shirt than the rest of the team, and they are basically defensive specialists. At any time during the game, if anyone needed to be taken out of the back row, they could be switched with the libero, but it would not count as a substitution. The only twist was that the libero was not allowed to play in the front row. One other rule that was switched was the side out rule, the rule was changed so that you don’t have to win the point on your serve, but you could also get a point on the opposing teams serve. Lastly, the games were changed to three out of five, games to twenty-five. In beach volleyball, the games were also three out of five, but the games were to twenty-one. In worldwide popularity, volleyball is the second most popular sport in the world, the first being soccer. With about 46 million Americans that play, and over 800 million people that play around the world, it is obvious that volleyball touches lives. Volleyball has definitely grown to be the best team sport there will ever be. The reason for this is because there cannot just be one star player on the team but, there has to be at least three contacts from at least two different players. References Crisfield, Deborah, and John J. Monteleone. Winning Volleyball for Girls. New York: Chelsea House, 2010. Print. Dearing, Joel B. The Untold Story of William G. Morgan Inventor of Volleyball. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. February 9th: William G. Morgan Invents a Game Called Mintonette That Is Better Known Today as Volleyball. Today I Found Out RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. . Ghare, Madhavi. Volleyball: History, Court and Equipment. Buzzle.com. Buzzle.com, 17 Dec. 2007. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. . History Behind Volleyball Discovering Volleyball in 1950-80. History Behind Volleyball. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. . Kenny, Bonnie, and Cindy Gregory. Volleyball: Steps to Success. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2006. Print Volleyball History 101. About.com Volleyball. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2013. . Volleyball Rules 1897. Volleyball Rules 1897. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. . VOLLEYBALL COURT DIMENSIONS. VOLLEYBALL COURT DIMENSIONS. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2013. .

Essay --

â€Å"The founding fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the Bald Eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America† –John F. Kennedy (Home). Bald Eagles have a unique way of living that makes them a strong symbol of the United States. First, the Eagle has certain traits about it that makes it such a unique and majestic bird. The bird’s Latin name is the Haliaeetus Leucocephalus which translates to â€Å"Sea Eagle with a white head† (Bald). As far as the bird goes, it has a life span of about 30 years living at the top of the food chain. An Eagle has a few weapons for hunting that make them a dangerous predator. Those weapons include the beak and talons which are both made from the substance human fingernails are made of; Keratin. The beak has a hook at the tip which is used for tearing, which creates a â€Å"scissor effect†. The talons are a powerful weapon, yet they are delicate enough to groom and feed their young. Talons are also used to kill the Eagle’s prey by penetrating its fle...

Biography of Xerxes

Born in c. 519 BC, of the parents King Darius and his wife Atossa came Xerxes. He was raised in the lavish opulence of an eastern court and became the designated heir to his father†s throne in which he was to rule over the greatest empire of his time for 21 years. The Persian Empire. He was not the oldest of Darius† sons but still became the heir over his oldest brother Artabazanes. There were two main reasons for this, His mother Atossa was the daughter of the great Cyrus making Xerxes his grandson. According to Herodotus Atossa would have used her influence to get her son on the throne. [Herodotus book 7 section-3]. Xerxes stated superior claim to the throne for the same reasons. Spartan King Demaratus who was exiled from Sparta and in the Persian court at the time, suggested that they use the Spartan custom to elect a king. That is that the son who is born first while the king sits on the throne will be the heir no matter how many sons there were before the king became king [Herodotus book 7 section-3]. This made Xerxes the rightful heir how ever he describes his accession himself on limestone foundation block at Persepolis â€Å"†¦ My Father was Darius; Darius† father was Hystaspes by name; Hystaspes† father was Arsames by name†¦ saith Xerxes the King: Other sons of Darius there were, (but)- thus unto Ahura-Mazda was the desire- Darius my father made me the greatest after himself. When my father Darius went away from the throne, by will of Ahura-Mazda I became king on my fathers throne. † So to help legitimise his claim to the throne, Xerxes uses Ahura-Mazda. In another inscription he supports himself by saying † †¦ I am Xerxes, the great king, king of king, king of lands containing many men, king in this great earth far and wide, son of Darius the king, an Achaemid, a Persian, son of a Persian, an Aryan, of Aryan seed. † Here he emphasises that he an Achaemenid to add weight on his claim to the throne. According to A. T. Olmstead, Xerxes gained administrative experience by living in the royal Babylonian palace and being able to rule Babylon. Though there is not enough evidence to support this. Some historians say that Darius and Xerxes shared co-regency, but there is not enough evidence to support this either. The evidence we do have on his background and early life before he became king is that his father was a believer in the god Ahura – Mazda and therefore a follower of Zoastrianism. We know that Xerxes carried this on. As far as we know the only real education according to Herodotus that Persian boys were taught was to†¦ † Ride, to use the bow, and to speak the truth† [Herodotus book 1 pg. 137]. The most important and significant things in Xerxes life that contributed to his assent was being the grandson of the greatest king Persia had seen and his mother being that kings daughter and able to use her influence. Xerxes became the king of the Persian Empire in 485BC. In his 25 years of reign he achieved many things. He was certainly not a lazy ruler and her proved this in the early years of his reign with the swift crushing of the Babylonian and Egyptian revolts. Even as a new king he portrayed traits of a strong and strict monarch. â€Å"He sent an army against the Egyptian rebels and decisively crushed them. [Herodotus book 7 section-7]. The most famous expedition Xerxes was conducted as his attempt to invade Greece. This is seen to most people as a failure as the Greeks defeated him. Though it can also be looked upon as an achievement because although he failed to encompass the entire country into his empire he still managed to destroy Athens, which was one of his main priorities in the first place. † I will not rest until I have taken Athens and burnt it to the ground, in revenge for the injury in which the Athenians without provocation did to me and my Father† [Herodotus book 7 section-8-b]. So his destruction of Athens can be looked upon as an achievement. Xerxes was by no means a poor military conductor as he shows good management and organisational skills in the way he amasses and upholds his army. He had clever and careful planning when it came to invading and according to Cameron and Lawless, Xerxes extended his empire into Thrace and Macedonia as well as adding territory from distant eastern provinces [page 99]. His achievements don†t just focus on warlike activities. His building programs at Persepolis and some closer to home show that his ambitions did not just consist of taking land. He thought expanding his empire was important but so to was internal development. † King Darius my father built and ordered to be built much good construction. By the favour of Ahura – mazda I added to that construction and built further (buildings). † [Cameron and Lawless, pg 181]. Xerxes began building almost straight after he ascended the throne, but the majority of his constructions were done in the last three years of his reign. Some of the buildings consist of the Apadana, which was an audience hall in the Persian royal palace. It was started by Darius and finished by Xerxes. ‘Harem† was Xerxes palace that he built for himself; The ‘Central Building† was another construction ordered by Xerxes; ‘Throne Hall† or other wise known as ‘The Hall of 100 Columns†, was believed to have been started by Xerxes and finished by Artaxerxes; ‘Palace H† was another incomplete building believed to have been stared by Xerxes and incomplete inscriptions suggest that it may have been finished by Artaxerxes. These are just a few examples of the achievements this man completed in his life. It is clear that he was a serious ruler who had many ambitions in his life. The love life of Xerxes is a complicated subject to find evidence on. Herodotus mentions him having only one wife named Amestris and the information on her is extremely little. Her father was probably Otanes who was a Persian nobleman and one of the seven conspirators who helped Darius become King. Further research uncovers the story of Esther and Queen Vashti. There is more information on the story of Esther and Queen Vashti then there is on Amestris. The story of Esther and Vashti is also more probable to be mythology then real history, as a lot of the information doesn†t add up. Herodotus neither mentions Esther or Vashti in his histories and he is our main source to this period in time. The story of Esther is a book in the bible and is where the Jewish celebration of ‘Purim† comes from. According to the story of Esther, King Xerxes was banqueting with all his friend and he was boasting about how he had the finest of everything. Then he called for his wife, Queen Vashti, and told her to walk around in front of his guests wearing nothing but her crown because he believed she was the most beautiful woman and he wanted to show everyone. Vashti was greatly insulted and refused so she was deposed. A beauty contest was held for Xerxes to select a new wife and he chose a young girl called Esther who he apparently fell instantly in love with. Esther†s real name was Hadassah but she changed it to hide her Jewish identity. Then with the help of her influence on Xerxes and her cousin Mordecai she was ale to save the Jewish people from slaughter. This story his been questioned by many scholars and historians and is believed to be mythical. Though there isn†t much mentioned on Amestris, from the main story she takes part in we are able to piece together quite a picture of her. Amestris wove a wonderful shawl as a present for her husband Xerxes. He gave it to his brother†s daughter Artaynte with whom he had had an affair with. When Amestris discovered this betrayal she was furious and immediately blamed Artaynte†s mother and had her brutally mutilated. Xerxes brother then beside himself plotted a rebellion against Xerxes and Xerxes had him killed. From this story we can already gather that Amestris was a jealous and not so nice woman who held quite a bit of power over Xerxes, As she wasn†t punished for what she did. There is another story of Amestris that leads us to believe she wasn†t that good a woman. A custom of Persia was burying people alive! Amestris in her old age did it to fourteen Persian boys of distinguished families, by way of a present which she hoped the god of the under world would except instead of herself [Herodotus book 7 section-114]. In 465BC Xerxes was found murdered in his bedchambers. According to Cameron and Lawless, specific details on the death of Xerxes are unknown. It suggests that Artabanus, the commander of the palace guards murdered him with the help of Aspamitres, a court eunuch [pg. 100]. Therefore Xerxes ended his reign of the Persian Empire as a victim of palace conspiracy and was succeeded by his son Artaxerxes.

Globalization through Technology

Globalization through Technology Free Online Research Papers The term Globalization has been quite influencive in many sectors, particularly in job sector. Globalization is a difficult phenomenon to explain properly. Science and technology has quite importance in every aspect of life, but particularly the way in which technology is globally integrating the peoples of the world. The word globalization can be heard quite oftenly in political and economic dialogue. This term has brought new opportunities. The life span for the technical skills is getting shorter and shorter, when it comes to the knowledge based society. And for that purpose, the technical professionals should be up to date as far as globalization trends are concern. education is rapidly evolving as the pace of technological innovation in society accelerates. It is because excellent technical skills are required by complex and innovative global environment. For global market, knowledge and teamwork skills are essentials. I. Introduction There is no second opinion in saying that globalization is accelerating. The globalization is supported by the gradual but rapid development in the telecommunication and other technologies. Technical environment is quite frequently advancing. Globalization has re-shaped the environment globally. World is becoming more and more interdependent economically, as the technical and even non-technical companies are spreading out their operations marketing themselves across the boundaries of countries. This globally corporate environment forces the technical professionals to be a part of the international teams and work as a unit with them and consider their solutions for the context of the other’s national interests. Technology has influenced the globalization of job in many ways. It is inevitable to stop the globalization of jobs in today’s world. We should keep this in mind that as globalization has brought not only the revolution in jobs, but also brought some uncertainties regarding businesses and especially technical professions. There is also the problem of the recognition of technical studies internationally, which plays vital role for the growth of mobility of skilled specialists across the borders. It is obvious that technical development rouses the economic growth of a country and the development of the modernized society is co-related with the advancement in the technology of the country [1]. II. DEVELOPMENT AND SOURCES Technological developments are considered to be the main factor which is running most of the globalization processes. Before discussing in details the results of the technological developments, we should be looking into the definition of the technology as the sociological term so that we can explore different roles of technology in globalization process. Technology can be defined as the socialized knowledge by which we can produce goods and provide services. And this definition can be explained in much better way when we relate our definition with five components like, knowledge, possession, instruments, change and the last one is production. Now a days, technology is somehow related to the knowledge, because technology is been developing in the research and development institutions and therefore it is the result of the intellectual activities. If we consider the possession of technology then obviously people who have the technology, also controls it. And it has ultimately something to do with the economics and the politics. Next comes the component known as instruments. Instruments are related with human usage, whenever an instrument is being used, it shows the human interaction with instruments, sometimes in physical ways like, computers or vacuum cleaners and sometimes in immaterial ways like algorithms or maybe the programming in computers. Change and technology can be related with each other, because technology has changed the world dramatically with its innovations and advancements. This change has been witnessed especially after the 1960’s revolutions in microelectronics field. And the final component which we mentioned above is production. We need technology to produce goods like, cars, televisions or maybe clothes, and services like security or banking. Technology has improved our capacities to work and produce [2]. 1) Steps towards Globalization: The invention of the script can be considered as the first advancement in the technological field, which has helped and start the contribution towards the globalization. With this script man could store and transmit information more efficiently, which could help in increasing the developments. There were couriers in old ages consisting of people who used to carry and deliver mails and other written materials either by running or riding horse. This limited amount of information transmitted, received and stored was not sufficient for a large-scale state. Invention of the print machine with moving letters by Gutenberg was the most important revolutionary technological development, which made possible even a larger global geography. The divulging of newspaper started the new era of globalization when both commercial and political news were unavoidable for the decision makers [2]. Then telegraph, by Samuel Morse, was another achievement towards the globalization. It separated the transportation and communication from each other, and hence this technology got popular in civilian as well as military ranks. Telephone by Graham bell in 1861 has contributed its part for globalization. With the invention of Radio, it became possible to contact and communicate to such locations where no one has gone or cannot travel to. Hertz, Marconi, Maxwell and Tesla have contributed a lot in the invention of the radio, which later become the communication tool for the armed forces. Radio, in year 1920, started to be used for commercial purposes and mass communication. There were great advancements in the technology of transportation during the 20th century. When the ships became safer to travel and airplanes were produced. And first flight took place in 1919, between London and Paris. Jet planes and televisions were achievements of 1950. 1957 marked the most important step in the history of globalization when USSR launched its Sputnik as the first man-made satellite. Satellites made it possible to build a fully reliable global network, compensating the radio networks’ ionosphere fading problem. The first reliable transatlantic telephone cable TAT-1 was laid in 1956. And then first transatlantic fiber cable TAT-8 was laid in 1988 for faster and reliable networks. 2) Technology used Globally: Digital technologies have started so many different ways for the global networks. Satellites are lying at the heart of the global networks. At the moment Turkey is having its own three satellites, positioned at 42 degrees East and 31.3 degrees East. The foundation of EUTELSAT in 1974 was another response by the European countries in the â€Å"space race†. Techno globalism can be properly explained by the terms internet and e-commerce. This term can be taken as the ideology which explains globalism on technological grounds. Techno globalist claims that globalism has been made irresistible with the help of technology [2]. III. ANALYSIS Technological innovative ideas have contributed a lot in moving towards globalization by making the infrastructure of trans-world connections. In particular, developments in means of transport, communications, and data processing have allowed global links to become denser, faster, more reliable, and much cheaper. Fast globalization and globalization on the large scale has been depended on the innovations which relates to the coaxial and later fibre-optic cables, jet engines, packaging and preservation techniques, semiconductor devices, computer software, and so on. In other words we can say that without physical methods, global relations could not effect cross planetary contacts. After technology, regulation has also played its vital role in steps towards globalization. International links would not be possible, if there would not be some rules and procedures. For example, communications depends strongly on the technical standardizations. Then production also relies globally on the l iberalization, which means capitol controls and other state imposed laws and restrictions to monitor the movement of resources between the different countries. Tax laws, labour legislation, and environmental codes can also be either encouraging or discouraging the global investment. In short, globalization requires the regulatory body. Capitalism has been another factor for moving to globalization. Capitalists follow the trend of globalization, because in this way production facilities are available for the sites where the cost is less and the earning is much. Other urging impulses to the globalization have roused from the rationalism as the predominant mode of knowledge. Some analyst have opinions about globalization that globalization has a multi-causal dynamic involving the interrelation of several forces [3]. IV. ETHICAL ISSUES AND CHALLENGES Despite of the positive impacts of globalization, it has created a system which has benefitted the more developed countries from the less developed ones and leaving them as they are in dust [4]. Globalization has already created some problems related to the ethics, which are no coming to the surface with even stronger force. First of all globalization has brought the idea of individualism, which is challenging the social cohesion [5]. With the more and more advancements in the technology, the e-waste is becoming more of an issue. There has not been found any proper way to dump that waste. [6] Electronics companies are using hazardous materials in their products, which are not good for the human beings. Especially lead is causing damage to the environment. Researchers are trying to find the alternative of lead, but they have not found it yet. Disposal of E-waste is a global problem which is mostly done by land filling and incineration. The waste which is landfilled, produces contaminated leachates polluting the ground water resources and if waste is disposed on the land, the sludge and the acids produced from the melted components causes acidification of soil whereas, the incineration of E-waste causes air pollution due to emission of highly toxic fumes and gases. The general challenge which globalization is facing that to make the global system more efficient and more equitable, which could be the best possible way to reduce poverty and the inequality [7]. Another factor which is a challenge to the globalization is the fear of instability by globalization, which is specifically among the developing countries [8]. V. CONCLUSION Some argue that globalization is driven by technology, and that it represents an unstoppable force. Globalization through technology has created more chances for the better communication flow for both less and more developed countries. It has given opportunities to increase the trade and education flow and then allocation of better resources to meet standards around the world. The less developed countries have gained a lot from the techno globalization, by bringing growth and development to their industries like employment, technical education etc. As a whole, globalization through technology has not brought the negative impact on the developing countries. These countries has been profited and developed into a more successful region through the technology. The countries which could not take part in the globalization, lack certain factors. Those factors can be the good geographic market location, by which that county would be able to trade at its best, and the other factors can be the institutions and supporting policies, these factors are required to resist against the corruption and the poverty in some cases [4]. VI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I acknowledge course convenor, Prof. Dr. Sherif Mohamed,Griffith University, Queensland, Australia for his support and sharing of knowledge throughout the whole course, in semester. Due to his help, I have been able to produce best of me in the assignments. REFERENCES [1] Yulia Stukalina, GLOBALIZATION AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION: PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE 21st CENTURY PROFESSIONS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY,† Oct. 22, 2009. [PDF/Adobe Acrobat]. Available: tsi.lv/Research/Conference/MIP_2009/10.pdf. [Accessed: Oct. 22, 2009]. [2] â€Å"TECHNOLOGY and GLOBALIZATION,† Oct 22, 2009. [Online]. Available: http://mediaif.emu.edu.tr/pages/atabek/GCS7.html. [Accessed: Oct. 22, 2009]. [3] â€Å"What factors have contributed to globalization,† 2009. [Online]. Available: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080324070150AAvOfhH . [Accessed: Oct. 20, 2009]. [4] The Influence of Globalization, Global envision, Feb. 21, 2005. [online]. Available: globalenvision.org/library/3/732. [Accessed: Oct. 21, 2009]. [5] Joe Thomas, Globalization creating new ethical problems in Asia, The Advertiser-Tribune.com, Dec. 9, 2007. [Online]. Available: advertiser-tribune.com/page/content.detail/id/501961.html?nav=5004. [Accessed: Oct. 21, 2009]. [6] Electronic waste, in the free encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 2001. [Online]. Available: Oxford Reference Online, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_waste . [Accessed: Oct. 24, 2009]. [7] Stanley Fischer,â€Å"Globalization and Its Challenges,† 2003. [Online]. Available: iie.com/fischer/pdf/fischer011903.pdf . [Accessed: Oct. 20, 2009]. [8] John W. Sewell, Challenges of Globalization, Carnegie Council, June 5, 1998. [Online]. Available: cceia.org/resources/publications/dialogue/1_11/relevance_social/588.html. [Accessed: Oct. 21, 2009]. Research Papers on Globalization through TechnologyOpen Architechture a white paperPETSTEL analysis of IndiaBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesThe Project Managment Office SystemMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaDefinition of Export QuotasGenetic Engineering

courbet essays

courbet essays Max Buchon was a friend of Gustave Courbet. Max wrote an essay to publicize Courbets painting of the stonebreakers and a burial at Ornan. He wrote about the two paintings, what he thought about them and what the author thought about them. He also talked about how these paintings were so very realistic in the way the showed the bourgeoisie life. He also argued about Courbet not being a socialist as people thought he was. He showed why he thought that, and what Courbet really intended to do. Buchon starts off by talking about the stonebreakers painting. He says that the painting represents two life-like figures alpha and the omega. He describes the characters of the painting as that poor worker you know. He calls the kid in the picture stupid because misery often leads too stupidity. After describing the child, he describes the old man in the picture. Saying that he is good and a hard worker that probably gives a puff of his smoke to strangers he meets. He describes how good he is because of experience, but also how tired he gets because of his old age. How he works even in holidays to earn money to eat by paving the road for mankind passing by. Buchon seems disturbed by the thought of the stonebreakers not being part of the artist imagination, but actually real people that he sees every day. Then he goes to talk about what he calls Courbets principal work of the year; a burial at Ornans. Max seems fascinated by the amount of work put in by the artist for a burial at Ornans. He tells us how big it is and life like it is because he has seen those people in Ornans. He says they are wearing traditional outfits and that there are many people in the painting but you still have to look at the gravedigger. Again Buchon is concerned with the poorest of the working class. He talks about how the digger is on his knees waiting for the coffin. He says that the gravedig...

The Laws of Nature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Laws of Nature - Essay Example These laws form the backbone of the moral structure of the society hence can supersede any law made by man. Â  Natural laws are also referred to as the laws of nature. They are universal since they were there before the existence of human beings, hence, determined by nature. Classically, natural laws refer to using construct reasoning in analyzing the nature of human either personal or social to deduce any rules that are binding on moral behavior from it. Natural laws and positive laws are laws put into the construct in a certain society, state or political community. Natural laws can be put forth to criticize decisions of the judiciary on whether the law states, but not in criticizing the best interpretation of the law itself. Â  Even though, many times, natural laws are always confused with common laws but the two are different and distinct. Natural law is a view that a given set of values or rights is universally cognizant by virtues of human nature or human reasoning and by that inherent. On the other hand, common laws are the legal tradition where certain human values and rights are cognizable legally by virtue of articulation or judicial recognition. The theories of natural laws have however exercised a great influence on the English common laws development and have been featuring the philosophies of Thomas Aquinas, Richard hooker, Thomas Hobbes among other philosophers4. Â  Classical natural law - There are indeed some valid standard and truth of human rights and conducts in philosophy as stated by Plato. In his writing, Plato found out that by nature, naturally, both the selfish and the strong should prevail over those who are weak and weaken themselves by care for other people or promises or responsibilities.

What does Sartre mean by the claim existence procedes essence Essay

What does Sartre mean by the claim existence procedes essence - Essay Example Moreover, the word can be interpreted as meaning that not every item that matches its essence. A good example is that the essence of a bicycle is that it has two wheels and people cycle on it. However, one might have a bicycle with three wheels or that no one cycle on it. Hence, the real details of a specific bicycle make its existence. Besides, depending on the cultural practices of a particular group of people, what one culture can define to be good does not necessarily have to be good or complete with the other group for the item or object of judgment may differ (Sayer 24). When analyzing something it is vital to consider its existence before examining its qualities. Essence being an aspect of human life should be dealt with after the basic fact that is existence is critically considered. Even, though Sartre asserts that we need first to think about the mystery of a man very existence, this statement does not underrate existence and therefore, essence comes after existence (Sayre 25). In conclusion, a personality is built by the choice a person engages in not by exact purpose or predetermined model. Since humankind is unbounded hence one can define him/herself (Sayer 27). This means that in life, one is responsible in shaping his or her character and achievement one aspires to get. Sartre claims that the real thing becomes essentially after something is made to exist or manufactured. Therefore for something to be of the essence it must first have to exist but not