Civil Rights Sermon Is Mislaid but Not Forgotten Essay

Civil Rights Sermon Is Mislaid but Not Forgotten - Essay Example Many of the accomplished white elites and clergy in those times were resorting to distorted interpretations of the sacred text to justify racism and prejudice. It was amidst these trying times that Bishop Clay F Lee delivered a sermon that boldly criticized and challenged the bigotry he witnessed. Bishop Lee’s act of coming heavily on racial intolerance was indeed really courageous and bold, considering the times and place amidst which he delivered this sermon. There is no denying the fact that during times when intolerance and prejudice command social recognition and support, it is possible even for the most well intentioned people to get swayed in favor of the majority opinion. However, it is the duty of religious leadership in such times to not to give in to popular opinion and sentiments and to uphold the voice of sanity and love. The primary duty of the religious teachers is to lead the people from darkness towards light, irrespective of the opposition and intimidation they are to contend with, as was rightly done by Bishop Clay F

Bussiness law Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Bussiness law - Assignment Example Most of the firms have their clearly defined S.O.Ps, legal sanctions and legal domains looking into the often occurring disputes. This paper looks into the broad lined disputes that often occur and the example of how two companies in U.A.E undertook the dispute and conflicts at hand. The paper also looks into the generic code of conduct that is implied towards the business sectors with regard to the legal disputes. The DIFC courts are in place and actively working towards the resolution of the problems in the business sector for quite a while now. They are one of the most authentic and established entity designed for the purpose of looking into the matters and resolving them according to the need and professional requirements (Gaeta, 2012, p 45). The DIFC courts incorporate English for the purpose of interaction and conversation exchange with one another. The multi nationals and the Western companies engaged in the business activities undertake such processes and take assistance of the DIFC courts in preference over the local courts whenever some dispute takes place. DIFC comes in combination and consonance with the Al-Tamimi group that specializes in the working of the finding the legal grounds towards the resolution of problems that may occur at different phases on the project and activities so undertaken (out-law, 2012). This was of the generic and broad line declaration of the methods by which the disputes can be resolved. Owing to the overall success and influence of the recognition and reconciliation entity, United Arab Emirates has engaged itself in the same mechanism and has taken the ownership and membership which allows it practicing the same principles in the spirit of the professional work. U.A.E government, realizing the importance of it signed it and became an official signatory of it towards 2005 and 2006 and later on made it a general practicing model towards the business activities and disputes resolution. In such scenarios the

Freudian Theory and Poppers Falsifiability Essay - 1

Freudian Theory and Poppers Falsifiability - Essay Example In doing so, I shall argue that although Freudian psychology cannot be falsified, and is thus deemed as pseudo-scientific, it nevertheless works in both scientific theory and practice. How do we distinguish between science and pseudo-science? Popper’s solution to the demarcation problem is really quite simple. He says that what distinguishes scientific claims from non-scientific ones is its falsifiability. Thus, a hypothesis is scientific if and only if there is some way in which it can be falsified by means of some experiment. If we cannot construct an experiment, which can potentially falsify a hypothesis, then the hypothesis, even if it is meaningful, is really not quite scientific. In line with these two theories that are foundational to Popper’s philosophy, it is clear that Popper views science as a rational enterprise, where theory-change is characterized by scientific progress. According to Popper, science changes through a two-step cycle. Stage one is conjecture, and the second stage is attempted refutation. Under the stage of conjecture, a theory is proposed as an attempt to solve the problem at hand. The theory is then put to test by attempted refutations. Attempted refutation occurs when â€Å"the hypothesis is subjected to critical testing, in an attempts to show that it is false† (Godfrey-Smith, 2003, p. 61). Moreover, Popper notes that after the hypothesis is refuted, the process repeats again starting from a new conjecture, and so on and so forth. If the theory is corroborated, then it is temporarily accepted as un-refuted, but not justified. What is important to take note of here is that as the process goes on, the scientist tends to propose new conjectures that are related to previous conjectures. Thus, a scientific theory is merely modified and improved through this process of conjecture and refutation, i.e. falsification of the previous conjectures.

Lord of the Flies Essay Example for Free

Lord of the Flies Essay The definition of an allegory is a â€Å"symbolic expression of meaning in story† (world English Dictionary). In the novel, The Lord of the Flies, written by William Golding, is about a group of young British boys who get stranded on an island and have to survive themselves with no help from the outside world. This novel can be viewed as an allegory in three different ways, first as a political allegory, next as a psychological allegory and finally as a religious allegory. The Lord of the Flies can first be viewed as a political allegory. This is in comparison to World War II. At this time the world was divided into parts, the free world and the Soviet Union. In this novel it is just like how the island divided into two groups, Jack’s group and Ralph’s group. After the Cold War, the world was in fear of a nuclear destruction of the world. In The Lord of the Flies the world is also in fear of total destruction. In conclusion this novel could be used to compare wars or political separation with the outside world beyond the island the young British boys on. Second, this novel is a psychological allegory. Different characters were used to represent the different parts of the human psyche. Jack is used to represent the id, Piggy the superego and Ralph is the ego. As the id, Jack works to create his natural instinct. While Piggy, representing the superego, tries to control Jacks impulsive behavior his control back fires. Throughout the story, Piggy tries to keep peace between Jack and Ralph. Lastly, The Lord of the Flies, can be viewed as a religious allegory representing the Garden of Eden. The island was a perfectly livable island. It had food, warm weather, and a source of water. The snake in the Garden that lures Adam and Eve to eat the apple is just like the beastie who tricks the other boys to do what they aren’t supposed to do. While Piggy, his death, and the parachutist represent the fall mankind. Plus, Simon is kind of like a Christ figure who sacrifices himself to save the others. In conclusion, the book The Lord of the Flies is jam-packed with allegories. Whether it’s a political, psychological or religious allegory, the novel has far too many of examples to name them all.

Essay on the Failure of Language in Malcolm and On the Road

The Failure of Language in Malcolm and On the Road        Ã‚  Ã‚   John Clellon Holmes in his essay "The Philosophy of the Beat Generation" characterized his young contemporaries as deeply spiritual; to him, the very eccentricity of the fifties with their characteristic sexual promiscuity, drug addiction, petty criminality, and heterodox forms of self-expression was an attempt to assert one's individuality in the atmosphere of pervasive conformity of that Golden Age. And judging by the literature of this era from the distance of four decades one might conclude that incessant search for one's true self was, indeed, what this time was all about. The shaping of identity of a young protagonist (or its failure) is the dominant motif of the two outstanding works of the period--James Purdy's Malcolm and Jack Kerouac's On the Road, published in 1959 and 1957 correspondingly; their central characters, Dean Moriarty and Malcolm, severed from the primal source of identity--their fathers, are on a quest to regain the touch with that most fundamenta l aspect of their individuality. Defining oneself in relationship to language is an essential part of this quest. There is a certain magnetism about Malcolm and Dean that wins over hobos, billionaires, chanteuses, and bohemians alike; but whatever the nature of their charm might be, it is not linguistic. Indeed, both Malcolm and Dean are at odds with standard English. Malcolm's verbal innocence makes him a foreigner to any circle he finds himself in; the pattern corruption in the novel, therefore, requires that his mentors introduce him to the vocabulary which stands for yet another aspect of the wickedness they are to "break him in." This is an arduous task, given the extent to which Malcolm is a... ...y appropriated, were the heroes of the generation (Krupat 407). Purdy's novel, on the other hand, denies his Everyman a father, humanity its God, and the world any meaning.       Works cited Adams, Stephen D. James Purdy. London: Vision, 1976. Holmes, John C. "The Philosophy of the Beat Generation." On the Road. Text and Criticism. By Jack Kerouac. Ed. Scott Donaldson. New York: Penguin, 1979. 367-79. Kerouac, Jack. On the road. Ed. Scott Donaldson. New York: Penguin, 1979. Krupat, Arnold. "Dean Moriarty as Saintly Hero." On the Road. Text and Criticism. By Jack Kerouac. Ed. Scott Donaldson. New York: Penguin, 1979. 397-411. Lorch, Thomas M. "Purdy's Malcolm: A Unique Vision of Radical Emptiness." Wisconsin Studies in Contemporary Literature. 6 (1965): 204-13. Purdy, James. Malcolm. London, New York: Serpent's Tail, 1994.      

Blue Fin Restaurant

Imagine walking in the door of a lovely restaurant. Inside, the customers see Asian paintings and notice the clean restaurant with a fusion taste. Blue Fin restaurant is filled with Japanese heritage and atmosphere. Japanese speaking hosts seat the hungry customers at a table lined with a hand-stitched Asian tablecloth with candles on top. The waiter brings the menus and tea to the table, and while deciding what to order, the customers can relax to traditional Japanese house music all the way to modern day music. Before ordering, customers are tortured with the aroma of the food surrounding them. Fresh tea all around, hot soup, and delicious appetizers right from the kitchen pass by their table on the way to the mouths of other hungry customers. Deciding what to order could be the hardest task of the night. Looking around at what others have ordered doesn’t help much either: almost every dish looks good enough to eat. The menu has a variety of different Japanese dishes. With everything from Shrimp tempura to fresh Sushi, almost anyone can find something they can enjoy. The ambience of Blue Fin is that this new space has a sort of club atmosphere, with flashing lights; ambient electronic; a red, black, and white color scheme; even a cool bathroom. It may be awful lot of atmosphere crammed into a tiny storefront, but while waiting for your order you can enjoy yourself with the surroundings. The idea of giving a Japanese restaurants tears it apart from traditional sushi restaurants, it gives it a more modernistic yet a unique taste that it can target young couples or all sorts of age to come. When you walk into a restaurant you don’t want to see just a plain restaurant with dull colors, you want to be able to remember it and be able to keep the taste of it fresh in your mind. Blue Fin is an upscale restaurant that welcomes family and businesses. Usually Japanese restaurants are looked upon as a more expensive place than others, but with the quality that Blue Fin has to offer it is well worth the money. The restaurant is located in downtown Chicago the center of all attention. Around this restaurant there are many attractions including Millenium Park, train station and also by many offices including Chase Bank building. This location was chosen so that people can not only have the choice of choosing the typical Italian Bistro restaurants that Chicago is known for, but also can have a new sense of an up-scale Japanese Fusion restaurant. There will be three servers, four sushi chefs, and two assistant chefs behind the kitchen, one manager and also one bartender that would be serving only during the dinner shift.

Reflection on Cebu Pacific’s Issue

Due to Cebu Pacific’s runway accident last June 2, 2013 on Davao City, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) says that all flight attendants must have their licenses effective on the second day of July. This news stunned many people especially the ones who are in the Tourism Field particularly the Airline Industry. The story, until this day was a hot issue in our classroom discussions. As a college student whose dream is to be a flight attendant some time after my graduation, I felt happy hearing this news. When I read the article about the runway accident, I somewhat felt the grief of the passengers of the particular flight. As a human being our safety need is really on the top level. Hearing the Ateneo students share their experience inside the plane, I was really in shock about the recklessness of the crews. Cebu Pacific is one of our country’s major airlines and when I took my On-the-Job training last summer, it was the airline competing with the nation’s flag carrier in terms of the number of bookings. It is a shame, in my opinion, in the airlines name to hear that the crews they are very proud of are not properly. I also believe that this happening is the company’s responsibility for they must all the time ensure that their crews are well trained so that no accident like this will happen. To think that many people not only Filipinos trust their services and the passengers also trust their lives to them, how can they just do nothing and be insensitive to the their needs? In situations like this, I remember one of my professors saying that the passenger must always be the first than yourself. Being a flight attendant is one of my major dreams and seeing one whenever I go to the airport is like giving me inspiration to achieve this dream. But this accident made me think of the statement my group mate in research said. She said, why is that many people who is working in our industry did not take BS Tourism Management as their course but still had their way inside the industry? I am just happy that CAAP did something about this situation for my fear is that many people will not trust our airline companies anymore. Training the crews is really an important activity especially not all of them have backgrounds to the industry. It is also a great thing to not make the other dreamers of being a flight attendant stop their dreams and shift to another profession. By this way we can still promote ourselves and of course make people trust us again. I am just hoping no such accident will again happen for it is really bad thinking that the industry that I chose is somewhat dangerous. Traveling is very fun and I hope that all people will experience it if the authorities will just put their focus on things like this. Tourism industry is something that is not only about profession but serving people with love and with great passion.

Maggie A Girl of the Streets

Maggie A Girl of the Streets The Basic Information about the Client Maggie is a young Caucasian woman in her twenties who came from the Bowery neighborhood. Maggie decided to ask for the help of a professional without the impact of the other persons. The purpose for the referral is the feelings of despair and guilt from which the woman suffers. Maggie states that she also suffers from negative thoughts and the idea of suicide became rather obsessive. The woman seems to be nervous and exhausted, her speech and movements are fitful.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Maggie: A Girl of the Streets specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Background Information Maggie says she comes from the poor family living in the Bowery neighborhood of New York. Maggie and her two brothers were brought up by the cruel father and mother who suffered from alcohol abuse. The girl grew timid and shy, but she hoped to receive the good education, overcome poverty, and develo p her knowledge and views. In reality, Maggie’s education is poor, and her working experience is based on the work at the shirt factory. In spite of the problems within the family with the mother and brother, Maggie hoped she could improve the situation. The woman began relations with her brother’s friend Pete, believing the man could help her escape from the poverty. Nevertheless, the family did not accept the fact of Maggie’s relations, and the woman had to leave home feeling guilt for her immoral behavior. The relations with Pete were ceased because of his intention, but the woman could not return back to her family. As a result, today, Maggie has to work as a prostitute in order to earn some money, but she does not see any positive perspectives in her life. The Psychological Profile Having paid attention to the information provided by Maggie in the interview, it is possible to state that today Maggie suffers from the problems associated with such social issu es as poverty and necessity to work as a prostitute. The woman cannot accept the fact, but she also does not see possible variants to overcome the situations. Having assessed Maggie’s psychological state with the help of psychological rating scales, it is possible to note that the woman suffers from melancholic depression which can result in developing suicide ideas. Furthermore, Maggie’s speech is full of words with the negative connotation, and she is fixed on her negative feelings and emotions. The typical signs of clinical depression are feelings of despair, loss, frustration, and hopelessness which are experienced by Maggie.  The woman also states that she feels being betrayed by her relatives and lover because they abandoned her, and this feeling makes Maggie discuss herself as worthless and empty. Furthermore, she discusses her current position as a prostitute as the result of her immoral behaviour and relations with Pete.Advertising Looking for essay on american literature? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More From this point, Maggie suffers from rather opposite feelings of guilt and helplessness which are the results of her positive intentions to improve the life conditions beginning relations with Pete and her negative experience of being ‘ruined’ and betrayed by Pete. This emotional controversy is influential for Maggie, and its combination with the problematic life conditions makes Maggie choose the work of prostitute because she does not discuss herself as worthy of the better life because of the negative experience. The result of these inner conflicts is clinical melancholic depression which is observed with references to Maggie’s statement of her sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, loss of interest to the life, and despair. The signs of depression are observed while focusing on the woman’s appearance. Maggie does not pay attention to her clothes and appearance, she avoids looking at the interviewer, and she is rather passive while telling about her problems. Recommendations and Therapies The symptoms of Maggie’s depression can be relived and treated, if a psychologist focuses on increasing Maggie’s self-esteem. The problem is in the woman’s resistance to accept her right to live the better life because she is fixed on her negative experience. However, the complex therapy also includes the work oriented to improving the social conditions which make Maggie feel frustrated. Thus, Maggie should receive the help according to the cognitive-behavioral therapy. It is useful to participate in the group of support. It is helpful for Maggie to give up her work as a prostitute and return to the work at the factory in order to change the social status. Nevertheless, Maggie can experience some difficulties with changing the work because the woman feels that she cannot accept the better position because of her immoral behavior. It is necessary to focus on the therapy with a psychologist in order to help Maggie understand the fact that she is not guilty in the problems of her family, but she is strong enough to overcome the issues. Prognosis There are high chances for Maggie to overcome her depression. At the first stage of recovery, Maggie should work on her self-esteem and avoid negative thinking styles. As a result, Maggie can feel powers to change the work. The long-term outcomes of the therapy are the development of Maggie’s self-esteem and will along with changing the living environments. Maggie can become independent from her family’s background with changing the district of the city or even the city itself. Maggie can also focus on communication with people because it is important to her to find the balance between naivety and distrust in relation to people.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Maggie: A Girl of the Streets specifically for you for onl y $16.05 $11/page Learn More

Knights in the Middle Ages

Knights in the Middle Ages Free Online Research Papers The lives of young boys, born of noble blood, were full of training. At age seven they were already out of their homes and being trained by a knight. By the age of thirteen, if the boy was ready to proceed with training, he could become a squire. Squires handled the knights weapons and was appointed to clean them and help the knight in any way he could. Once the Squire reached the age of fifteen, he began wearing a suit of armor to get used to the weight. When the squire turned eighteen he was finally ready to be dubbed a knight. The dark ages was a time period full of misfortune and poverty due to the fall of the Roman empire. People began to revert back to survival mode because they had lost of the progress they had made over time. However, in 900 A.D a system known as the feudal system emerged. This system guaranteed most people something in return for their work. For example, a king would grant land, a fief, to a lord and in return the lord will provide money and knights to fight for the king. Knights were a significant part of the feudal system because they were granted land and in return provided protection for all the people and military service. As well as doing that, they also watched over the serfs and peasants that were working the lords land. When appointed to do so, the knights would go out to a battle and fight for the lord or king whom they were granted the land from. They wore a exceptionally heavy armor to protect them either in battle or in a joust. A code that the knights lived off of in that time period was chivalry. It was a set of rules of what was and wasnt polite or expectable for them to do. Much like the Ten Commandments today, the code was almost common sense. Seeing that the rules said things like Thou shalt love the country in the which thou wast born or Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word. Following those rules along with others they were much appreciated by all the people around them. Research Papers on Knights in the Middle AgesComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoWhere Wild and West MeetCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionBringing Democracy to AfricaQuebec and Canada19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraUnreasonable Searches and SeizuresNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceDefinition of Export QuotasOpen Architechture a white paper

The Basics of an Experiment

The Basics of an Experiment Science is concerned with experiments and experimentation, but do you know what exactly an experiment is? Heres a look at what an experiment is... and isnt! Key Takeaways: Experiments An experiment is a procedure designed to test a hypothesis as part of the scientific method.The two key variables in any experiment are the independent and dependent variables. The independent variable is controlled or changed to test its effects on the dependent variable.Three key types of experiments are controlled experiments, field experiments, and natural experiments. What Is an Experiment?  The Short Answer In its simplest form, an experiment is simply the test of a hypothesis. Experiment Basics The experiment is the foundation of the scientific method, which is a systematic means of exploring the world around you. Although some experiments take place in laboratories, you could perform an experiment anywhere, at any time. Take a look at the steps of the scientific method: Make observations.Formulate a hypothesis.Design and conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis.Evaluate the results of the experiment.Accept or reject the hypothesis.If necessary, make and test a new hypothesis. Types of Experiments Natural Experiments: A natural experiment also is called a quasi-experiment. A natural experiment involves making a prediction or forming a hypothesis and then gathering data by observing a system. The variables are not controlled in a natural experiment.Controlled Experiments: Lab experiments are controlled experiments, although you can perform a controlled experiment outside of a lab setting! In a controlled experiment, you compare an experimental group with a control group. Ideally, these two groups are identical except for one variable, the independent variable.Field Experiments: A field experiment may be either a natural experiment or a controlled experiment. It takes place in a real-world setting, rather than under lab conditions. For example, an experiment involving an animal in its natural habitat would be a field experiment. Variables in an Experiment Simply put, a variable is anything you can change or control in an experiment. Common examples of variables include temperature, duration of the experiment, composition of a material, amount of light, etc. There are three kinds of variables in an experiment: controlled variables, independent variables and dependent variables. Controlled variables, sometimes called constant variables are variables that are kept constant or unchanging. For example, if you are doing an experiment measuring the fizz released from different types of soda, you might control the size of the container so that all brands of soda would be in 12-oz cans. If you are performing an experiment on the effect of spraying plants with different chemicals, you would try to maintain the same pressure and maybe the same volume when spraying your plants. The independent variable is the one factor that you are changing. It is one factor because usually in an experiment you try to change one thing at a time. This makes measurements and interpretation of the data much easier. If you are trying to determine whether heating water allows you to dissolve more sugar in the water then your independent variable is the temperature of the water. This is the variable you are purposely controlling. The dependent variable is the variable you observe, to see whether it is affected by your independent variable. In the example where you are heating water to see if this affects the amount of sugar you can dissolve, the mass or volume of sugar (whichever you choose to measure) would be your dependent variable. Examples of Things That Are Not Experiments Making a model volcano.Making a poster.Trying something, just to see what happens. On the other hand, making observations or trying something, after making a prediction about what you expect will happen, is a type of experiment. Sources Bailey, R.A. (2008). Design of Comparative Experiments. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521683579.Beveridge, William I. B., The Art of Scientific Investigation. Heinemann, Melbourne, Australia, 1950.di Francia, G. Toraldo (1981). The Investigation of the Physical World. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-29925-X.Hinkelmann, Klaus and Kempthorne, Oscar (2008). Design and Analysis of Experiments, Volume I: Introduction to Experimental Design (Second ed.). Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-72756-9.Shadish, William R.; Cook, Thomas D.; Campbell, Donald T. (2002). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for generalized causal inference (Nachdr. ed.). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-395-61556-9.

The Strategic Human Resources Management Model and Its Effects Research Paper

The Strategic Human Resources Management Model and Its Effects - Research Paper Example The Personnel Department acts as a meditation centre where arguments, complaints or concerns are settled. They have the rewards and punishment control over the actions of the employees based on their policy regulation function. The evaluation or appraisal function is also a part of the Department’s responsibility. The appraisal process is very important to this department because this is where they get inputs from both the manager and the employee or subordinate regarding the work attitudes and procedures, which they then use to formulate ate development plans. The Department also takes care of the processes for retirement and termination of employment with the company. Looking at all the functions of the Personnel Department, it is clearly shown that the main or primary job of this Department is to maintain order. Generally, the order may mean upholding the policies of the company by closely monitoring and checking the employees’ actions, but there are other meanings a ttached to the maintenance of order. This order may be in terms of relationships or the lack of it among colleagues or between a superior and a subordinate. This order may also be in the form of addressing the manpower needs of each department so they can function well to achieve company goals. This also may take the form of appeasing the concerns or complaints of the employees to maintain peace. The order may also refer to the continuous development of the staff through training to increase productivity. It may also mean the timely and appropriate response to questions relating to job functions and personal privileges or rights.

Theory, Research, and Managerial Applications Essay - 2

Theory, Research, and Managerial Applications - Essay Example For instance, the food and drug administration made an approval of a drug into the market yet it knew that the drug had serious negative effects on consumers (Jamshid, 2005). The article shows that the drug had a significant number of warning signs, which could have been avoided early enough. Merck and FDA failed to meet their responsibilities to the public; there was also a failure to submit the data to a peer-reviewed periodical and the cardiovascular information provided in the article were half-finished. As a skilled leader, such issues would not have occurred because of the knowledge the leader had regarding the drug. FDA did not take any skill to ensure that the drug underwent various trials before being approved, despite the fact that it had the command to do so. Systemic is the process that leads to almost all of a system is affected instead of a small section of the system. In terms of medicine, systemic implies influencing the whole body instead of one organ or body part (Matteson, 2007). On the other hand, systemic implies that occurring from the structure of the system and influencing the entire behavior of the whole system in systems thinking (Russell, 2010). Therefore, a problem is systemic if the conduct of most or all of its significant sections is affected. The systemic issues from the case study include the consumption of Rofecoxib drug, which resulted in affecting a large number of people who used the drug. Another issue includes the failure of the leadership at the FDA to acknowledge that they are responsible for the health of the public (Topol, 2004). In addition, Merck was only concerned in the sale of Rofecoxib despite its possible cardiovascular toxicity and the robust signs that there was an issue and that a large number of people were being exposed. The most appropriate strategy for system improvement utilizing systems thinking includes altering the essential method a system works, through transforming the framework of its main response loops. Just like from the case study, there was the withdrawal of the drug from the market after realizing it was harmful for public consumption.

Employment Law & Practices in the UK Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Employment Law & Practices in the UK - Essay Example This paper will discuss terms implied at common law into a contract of employment and give an example. The second part will give advice on payment of holiday, working hours and working on holiday. 2. Part 1: Contract of employment. Employees and independent contractors are terms used in the contract of employment. An employee is a person who gives service in place of another in exchange for a salary. Independent contractors resemble employee’s contract but extend service to another. The employee enters into a contract of service while an independent contractor enters into a contract of services. The independent contractors are not entitled to workplace agreement, awards and standards. To differentiate contracts of employment, tests implied by common law are used to determine the relationship. The individual work of an employee and power, together with the command of the employer are assessed. Other tests include: who pays taxed income of the employee and who supplies the resou rces for work. Another test is if the employee can transfer the services to another employer or cause another contract. Lawyers determine if the employee can benefit or lose financially in the contract (Cabrelli, 2008, p. 7). An example is the case involving â€Å"Hollis Vs Vabu Pty Ltd in 2001† (Human rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, 2001, p. 1), the court tested their relationship and saw that their relationship was a contract of employment. Vabu was in control and obtained revenues. Common law causes people to be responsible. It implies confidentiality, being skillful and careful at work. The employer should give a termination notice. The employee and employer should maintain good relations and adapt trust when they work together. Lawyers recommend a written employment contract to define terms of working relationship. New employees need to write a contract of employment so that they obtain specific information on their job description, job title and the relevant te rms of work. They will be aware of their expectation, and obtain information on how to exit incase the contract is no longer favorable. A written employment contract can help an employer retains a competent employee. The agreement on the length of time to serve the employer reduces the number of reasons an employee can chose to terminate a contract. The employee is able to retain the employees they have trained. Another advantage is that the employee becomes obligated to maintain confidentiality. The protection of the company secretes goes beyond the contract. The employee cannot reveal secretes of company which could cause unfair competition. An employment contract will get the best employees if they give the best deal (Honeyball, 2012). Moreover, an employment contract is a way of controlling the employees work. The written contract of employment gives specific details on compensation. Besides being used as evidence in disputes, the written agreement can be used to resolve argumen ts. The contact causes the employer and employee to create a good working relationship as Smith and Baker (2010, p. 66) mention. The challenge with the employment contract is the possibility of the employee being unable to accomplished tasks as agreed. Abrupt termination may not apply because of the agreed length of contract. The employer and employee may have to renegotiate their terms. This is because the funds may not be adequate and could cause financial constrain (Emir, 2012). Another disadvantage is that

Population environment debate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Population environment debate - Essay Example Several researchers and theorists believe that the resources provided by the natural environment are decreasing and measures need to take place to counter the constant increase in population. Julian Lincoln Simon is against this notion and believes that resources are not becoming scarce and are being generated in abundance (Simon 578) . She believes that the increase in prices of resources provides individuals such as farmers and manufacturers to produce more and to create new discoveries and participate in the act of recycling which results in the creation of substitute goods. This means that resources are not becoming scarce; instead they are being replaced with substitutes which counter the issue of shortage created due to increase in population. Researchers such as Ben Wattenberg state that population growth has negatively impacted the environment but now the growth rate is declining and will eventually come to an end (Wattenberg, 2012). Due to this he believes that the problem of shortage of environmental resources will be countered and there will be enough resources for human beings. According to him the population growth of certain developed nations such as Europe has come to a stand still and the population growth of areas such as Asian nations have declined drastically. In response to Wattenberg, Kenneth Hill states that although population growth rate has declined, still the boom in population is not over and will continue to rise (Slate Magazine, 2012). Hill points out various issues in calculating the population rate and points out that several people are not even counted among the population of a nation. Hill sates that problems such as increase in rate of immigration and decrease in the rate of infant mortality an d increase in the number of old aged people is an alarming point for US. One of the major elements in the debate of population and environment is that those

Beyond Budgeting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Beyond Budgeting - Essay Example Traditional budgeting is no longer valid in the emerging information age that is why hospitality industry needs to move ‘beyond budgeting.’ This is an alternative management model that promotes flexibility, devolution, and value maximization. This suggestion is supported by empirical investigation of hospitality budgeting mostly in the United Kingdom and United States. It is believed that Beyond Budgeting fits the progressive N-form organizational structure wherein full potential of the organization and the people are being liberated. Nowadays, most organizations are facing considerable barriers in managing their performance capabilities particularly in the areas of budgeting. Hospitality industry is one of those industries that desperately need to experience a new management structure and performance budgeting system in the emerging information age. Traditional budgeting model is said to be universally disliked because the concept is expensive, it takes too long to respond, and a minimized value. Shareholders as well as customers are pressuring the industry to consider an alternative management model that is designed to eliminate conflicts in the organization as well as the reduction of costs and bureaucracy. Aside from being cost effective and strategic, the new management model must also coincide with the business goals of the twenty-first century. This vision is a great challenge to every organization because it requires â€Å"a new set of management process and new style of leadership...a new coherence amon g these management process and leadership principles to liberate full potential of the organization and its people† (Hope & Fraser, 2003, p.17). Beyond Budgeting is the model that has a capacity to manage performance and at the same time control the organization without budgets. However, the success of this concept is still doubtful to many organizations considering that

Population environment debate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Population environment debate - Essay Example Several researchers and theorists believe that the resources provided by the natural environment are decreasing and measures need to take place to counter the constant increase in population. Julian Lincoln Simon is against this notion and believes that resources are not becoming scarce and are being generated in abundance (Simon 578) . She believes that the increase in prices of resources provides individuals such as farmers and manufacturers to produce more and to create new discoveries and participate in the act of recycling which results in the creation of substitute goods. This means that resources are not becoming scarce; instead they are being replaced with substitutes which counter the issue of shortage created due to increase in population. Researchers such as Ben Wattenberg state that population growth has negatively impacted the environment but now the growth rate is declining and will eventually come to an end (Wattenberg, 2012). Due to this he believes that the problem of shortage of environmental resources will be countered and there will be enough resources for human beings. According to him the population growth of certain developed nations such as Europe has come to a stand still and the population growth of areas such as Asian nations have declined drastically. In response to Wattenberg, Kenneth Hill states that although population growth rate has declined, still the boom in population is not over and will continue to rise (Slate Magazine, 2012). Hill points out various issues in calculating the population rate and points out that several people are not even counted among the population of a nation. Hill sates that problems such as increase in rate of immigration and decrease in the rate of infant mortality an d increase in the number of old aged people is an alarming point for US. One of the major elements in the debate of population and environment is that those

Women and the Peace Movement in Britain Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4250 words

Women and the Peace Movement in Britain - Essay Example The essay "Women and the Peace Movement in Britain" analyzes the reasons why women did not make an individual contribution to British peace activist until the late 20th century.Though women have been quite instrumental in bringing the changes that led to movements for peace not just in Britain but across the world in the 20th century. The major reform that the Brits had achieved was the abolition of slavery in all the British colonies in the year 1833. This reform was particularly supported by the Christian women who had resolved to aid the movement by boycotting the usage of sugar which was the main export from the slave countries as they believed in the Christian philosophy of equality to all humans. This movement was the result of a long effort by William Wilberforce and Brougham along with their accomplices and Christian women in Britain and America as well. It is important to note that this movement to enforce the reform to end slavery in the world, particularly the British colo nies, had saved over a half a million African slaves. Another development was in the war front which has been quite active because of some major forces like Britain, Russia, France, Germany and almost all other countries of the world. War was on the verge of becoming the concept for social, political and economic strength for almost all of the countries of the world. Different countries and their respective allies had been taking to war increasingly and aggressively thereby changing the social and political scenarios in the world. and thus impacting the economic scenario the most which is the major factor effecting the people, their thinking and their life standards. By the mid - nineteenth century, political reforms had gained much momentum and some of them saw the light of the day after long periods and these reforms had been instrumental in giving the women some freedom from their earlier days of suppression. But still the conditions and the freedom of women was far from being si gnificant [1]. Not all women had been emancipated and the few who were enjoying freedom from the oppressive laws were miniscule even when the 'Custody of Children' bill had been passed in 1839 with much efforts by a much influential Caroline Norton and the then Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne. This bill gave the rights to custody of the child below seven years and permission to see the older ones' above seven to the mother

Marcus Aurelius Essay Example for Free

Marcus Aurelius Essay Long before the 20th century Marcus Aurelius wrote :-If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it, and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.. Whether or not Albert Ellis was familiar with these words, and he was certainly familiar with the works of many ancient writers and he made the concept his own. According to Ellis, described as a passionate skeptic by one biographer, Daniel Weiner in 1988, and as one of the most provocative figures in modern psychology by the writer of his Washington Post obituary, Marcus Franklin, we all experience everyday what he described as Activating Events and these prompt us to look at and interpret or at least think about what is happening around us. His principles can be described as ABC. A. The activating experience B. The resulting belief C. The consequence. Ellis felt that the language often used to describe our experiences can be unduly negative and pessimistic. In the introduction to his 2002 book ‘Overcoming Resistance: A Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Integrated Approach’. He claims (page xi) that using words such as ‘ I am depressed’ gives the implication that depression is caused by circumstances we cannot control. He prefers the use of phrases such as ‘I depress myself’ or ‘I feel depressing’. In the same passage (page xii) he acknowledges that this narrow use of language makes it difficult to describe behavior and makes his writing difficult to follow. He came to the view that people were capable of controlling their feelings, as is obvious from several of his titles such as (1975)’ How to be happy though human’ ‘, ‘Sex without Guilt . ’(1958), A Guide to Personal Happiness (1982). Biography Albert Ellis was the eldest of three children born into a Pittsburgh, Jewish family. His father was a struggling business man, often away from home and his mother seems to have suffered from a bi-polar personality according to Ellis, which also resulted in her being rather a distant parent, often asleep when the children left for school and absent upon their return, leaving Albert to be responsible for his younger siblings. All three children worked to help family finances. He was a sickly child, having 8 periods in hospital in the two years from 5 to 7. His parents eventually divorced when Albert was aged 13. His difficult childhood made him, in his own words as quoted by C. G. Boeree in 2006 ‘a stubborn and pronounced problem-solver. ’ His early plan in junior high school was to become an accountant so that he could make enough money to retire while still young and then spend his time writing ‘the great American novel’. Most of his spare time was spent writing – plays, novels, poetry, essays. After some two dozen full length works had been rejected by publishers he realized that writing fiction was not for him. His biographers, Mike and Lidia Abrams tell how, after gaining a degree in business studies he later became a clinical psychologist having tried first in business and as a fiction writer. He found however that he was a very capable nonfiction writer. He began to produce work on Human Sexuality, slowing over time collecting material for a treatise ‘The Case for Sexual Liberty’ which was eventually published by the Seymour Press in 1965. This was a field of psychology relatively unexplored up until that point and upon which he soon became a noted expert and counselor. It was his success in this field that led him to look for a new career as a clinical psychologist. In 1942 he started to study for a doctorate of philosophy as a clinical psychologist. He chose Columbia University where psychologists were trained in the psychoanalytic method, a system he would later rebel against, choosing instead to encourage his clients to make active intervention. This was based upon his early experience when he cured his shyness by asking over 100 girls for cold dates in the Bronx Botanical Gardens and by making many appearances on public platforms as a peace campaigner. He didn’t get any dates, but, using this early example of cognitive behavior therapy, he claims he desensitized himself from his overwhelming fear of women. He completed his M. A. in 1943 and began a part time practice while still working towards his PhD degree. This was possible at the time because psychology was such a relatively new branch of medicine that there was then no system for the licensing of psychologists in New York State where he worked. Even before he obtained his doctorate Ellis began publishing psychological articles which were well received by his peers. One example of such an article was in 1946 when he wrote a critique of the many widely used personality tests, ‘A Critique of Personality Questionnaires’ that he felt were not sufficiently validated. His conclusion was that only one, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, truly met the standards of a research based instrument. Though out his life Ellis felt there was always more to be learnt about the human psyche. On the completion of his doctorate, Ellis sought further psychoanalytical training. As with most other psychologists of that era he was influenced by Freudian theories and is said to have believed that psychoanalysis was the best and deepest type of therapy available, something he would later refute. He was quoted by ‘Brainy Quotes’ as saying ‘ I thought foolishly that Freudian psychoanalysis was deeper and more intensive than other, more direct forms of therapy, so I was trained in it and practiced it. ’ Part of the reason for this change of mind was that Ellis found it didn’t matter how often he saw his patients –daily, bi-weekly, weekly or fortnightly – it all seemed to make little or no difference, they seemed to improve at the same rate. If, he thought, the frequency did not make any difference, what about the content. Gradually Ellis became less passive than was usual in Freudian style when listening to his patients and began to put forward his own ideas as to how they could make improvements in their lives. He was able to recommended principles that were derived from the works of ancient writers such as Epictetus who said ‘Control thy passions lest they take vengeance on thee. ’ and Marcus Aurelius who is quoted as having written ‘Be content to seem what you really are’ as well as Spinoza , quoted as having said ‘Do not weep; do not wax indignant. Understant and the more modern Bertrand Russell whose claim , as quoted on Brainy Quotes was that ‘Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. Ellis realized that these ideas helped his patients, and by 1955 he had totally abandoned Freudian psychoanalysis instead he would concentrate upon changing his client’s irrational behavior patterns by making them face up to the irrationality of the beliefs that were the basis for such behavior and then persuading them to adopt more realistic ones.

Importance Of Environmental Protection Essay

Importance Of Environmental Protection Essay In recent decades, many environmental problems have increased as the result of human activities and unplanned management of the technological development those interference ecosystems. Therefore, a dispute between the importance of conservation and preservation of ecosystems to protect environment and the necessity to satisfy human desire by sacrifice the environment has been arise across the world. According to Glossary of Environment Statistics the term environmental protection can be defined as the prevention to conserve and preserve the standard healthy level of environmental media by reducing the production of pollutants or polluting substances in environmental media (1997, internet).Various human activities have induce many undesirable effects to the environment which can be threatening human health, economic, natural resources and gene pool of ecosystems such as pollutions, greenhouse effect, global warming and soil erosion. In this essay, it is arguable that the environmental protection is worth for fight due to the several reasons. Firstly, the environmental pollution is one of the main reasons why we should fight to protect environment. Besides, global warming is also another reason caused by the deforestation. Furthermore, warm climate change and flood also increase the opportunity of spread out pests and vector diseases. Pollution can be divided into four types; water pollution, air pollution, thermal pollution and sound pollution. Fossils fuels used in most factories, petroleum and gas usage for vehicle is the major cause of air pollution. Environment pollution can also be an addition harmful substance that could affect human health and human life (Gan, 2006, 311). Given the above, environmentalist should fight for a better environment because pollutions caused by burning of fossil fuels will results in severe environmental problems such as the occurrence of acid rain due to the production of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen monoxide (NO). Casiday and Frey mentioned that combustion process not only increases the concentration of carbon dioxide(CO2) in the atmosphere but it is also the main source in producing high level of nitrogen monoxide(NO) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). These are the two major reactants that cause the formation of acid rain. Acidity of acid rain changes the pH of the river water and lakes which then disrupt the nature habitat of aquatic organisms and reduce the chance of survival of aquatic organisms, for example fishes cannot survive due to lack of oxygen. In addition, the insoluble aluminum ions added to the water can causes water to become poisonous which can also be known as water pollution (1998, internet). For example, Norway has blamed that the sea and lakes are poisoned by the formation of acid rain for many years due to the unclean air pollution that comes from Britians power stations (Nova Science In The News, 1997, internet). Since the global concentration of carbon dioxides have increased given the reasons of combustion of fossil fuels and also human activities such as deforestation. The reasons for deforestation are usually resulted from cutting down the forests for lumber logging and also for building a new farming for animal. Forest can also be known as carbon sink because trees can be used as an absorber of carbon dioxide in the environment and in returns release some oxygen to the atmosphere. However, unplanned deforestation activities have significantly reduced the concentration of oxygen (O2) and caused the rise in temperature of the Earth. Christopher Monckton also emphasises that every doubling the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is sufficient to rise the global surface temperature by 3.26 Â °C (2008, 3). Rise in global temperature will significantly caused ice melting, for instance, according to the My Eco Project Organization, the reports of ice melting at Arctic Retreat pre pares in the late summer 2007 surprised the experts that every week, the Arctic sea ice is continuously melting and the amount of melted ice can fill up to as large as two Britain country (2009, internet). Meanwhile, the consequence of ice melting at Arctic has increased the sea water levels. According to the evidence gathered by Shepherd and his team, they found that the sea water level has increased by 2.6% which has the same volume with 49 microns per year spread across the oceans from over the world due to the distinct value between the density and temperature of ice and sea water (University Of Leeds, 2010, internet). In addition, the polar bear will also face extinction in the future due to global warming. Based on the report from National Geographic News, several studies that have been conducted by the U.S. government has show that melting of Arctics ice that caused by the global warming will endangered two-thirds of the worlds polar bears and cause them to face extinction by 2050 (Roach, 2007, 1). Given the above fact, environmentalist should fight for a better environment and save our earth. Furthermore, environmental protection should be implemented due to warm climate changes and flood which heighten the risks of spread out pests and vector diseases. Some infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue, cholera and encephalitis can also spread out rapidly throughout the whole area by mosquitoes, flies and other insects those usually adapt to live in warm weather region. As World Health Organization notes that contamination of water resources due to the occurrence of flood enlarge the chances of getting water-borne diseases and also for mosquitoes to carry disease around the environment (2010, internet). Malaria and dengue fever have threaten the Southeast Asia and South Pacific island due to the climate change as increases the population of mosquitoes and migration of refugees (Allianz Knowledge Partnership,2008.internet). Hence, it can be concluded that flood and climate change will destroy our safety health environment. Moreover, high temperature in the river will encour age the growth of algal broom and causes the water pollution index to increases and decrease the amount of oxygen supplied for the aquatic organisms. Since the river water pollution increases dramatically, the level of biochemical oxygen demand which known as BOD level also will increases. The higher the biochemical oxygen demand level will result in the higher of the pollution level. For instance, large amount of blue-green algae devastate the nature of the universal solvent and threaten the public health by releasing toxins into the water. Diseases and infection that can cause by the algaes toxin are sore throats, gastro-enteritis and skin or eye-infections (Department Of The Environment, Climate Change, Energy and Water, 2010, internet). Conclusion In conclusion, there are several factors described above that strongly supported the argument to fight for environmental protection and create a better environment. Some of the reasons include environmental air pollution which increases the concentration of carbon dioxide that caused the formation of acid rain. Another reason is one of the side effects like global warming caused by the deforestation which increases the global temperature caused the occurrence of ice melting. Moreover, the global warming change the climate become warmer and flood encouraged the growth of the pests and vectors like malaria and dengue fever to spread the disease out to the environment which increases the level of biochemical oxygen demand. Therefore, the environment should be protected for a better life in future.

The Possessive - Empty Nest :: Possessive Essays

The Possessive - Empty Nest  Ã‚   A nest lies empty on top a forked branch of an old oak tree. Last spring children play, young lovers whisper into each others ear, and the elderly relax under that tree. When they do, they can hear the quiet chirps of little hungry baby blue-jays. The little blue-jays chirp until the mother blue-jay returns with food . Afterwards, one attempts to fly and fall out of the nest. The mother blue-jay then quickly swoops down and catches the little one before he hits the ground. The baby jay can always depend on his mother when he needs her, but she knows that one day he will no longer rely on her. On that day, instead of plummeting to his death, the young blue-jay will spread his wings and fly away. He will fly straight into the setting sun never looking back. Slowly all of the young will fly away and leave the mother alone in the nest. However, mothers do not always handle this situation calmly. In "The Possessive," Sharon Olds conjures intense images of betrayal and utilizes war as a me taphor to express a mother's emotion as her daughter leaves the nest. The poem reflects the separation anxiety the mother undergoes as she witnesses her daughter mature and distance herself.    To set the mood of the poem, Olds relies heavily on imagery to create the effect. The mother feels betrayed as she watches her daughter slip away from her. Small trivial acts like a simple haircut evoke strong images of discomfort. The barber is described as a "knife grinder" (4) sharpening the edges of her daughter's hair as if they are weapons. Olds slips words such as "slice" and "blade", which thrust images of separation into the mind of the reader. She follows these images with sharp edges and cold steel, and then she tops it off with a blazing, red fire The strong intense color red spills over the lines of the poem as blood of soldiers in a heated battle. The vibrant nature of the color red attracts the human eye creating intense emotions. The intense images express the intensity of the mother's emotions. The imagery in this poem aches the pain and discomfort the mother experiences as mother and daughter prepare for a battle.    The images create the war metaphor presence in the poem.

Basic Principles of Democracy Essay

Democracy comes from the Greek word, â€Å"demos,† meaning people. In democracies, it is the people who hold sovereign power over legislator and government. Democracy is a form of government in which power is held by people under a free electoral system. It is derived from the Greek ÃŽ ´ÃŽ ·ÃŽ ¼ÃŽ ¿ÃŽ ºÃ ÃŽ ±Ãâ€žÃŽ ¯ÃŽ ±, â€Å"popular government†] which was coined from ÃŽ ´ÃŽ ®ÃŽ ¼ÃŽ ¿Ãâ€š (dÄ“mos), â€Å"people† and ÃŽ ºÃ ÃŽ ¬Ãâ€žÃŽ ¿Ãâ€š (kratos), â€Å"rule, strength† in the middle of the 5th-4th century BC to denote the political systems then existing in some Greek city-states, notably Athens following a popular uprising in 508 BC. In political theory, democracy describes a small number of related forms of government and also a political philosophy. Even though there is no universally accepted definition of ‘democracy’, there are two principles that any definition of democracy includes. The first principle is that all members o f the society have equal access to power and the second one that all the members enjoy universally recognized freedoms and liberties. There are several varieties of democracy some of which provide better representation and more freedoms for their citizens than others. However, if any democracy is not carefully legislated to avoid an uneven distribution of political power with balances such as the separation of powers, then a branch of the system of rule is able to accumulate power in a way that is harmful to democracy itself. The â€Å"majority rule† is often described as a characteristic feature of democracy, but without responsible government it is possible for the rights of a minority to be abused by the â€Å"tyranny of the majority†. An essential process  in representative democracies are competitive elections, that are fair both substantively and procedurally. Furthermore, freedom of political expression, freedom of speech and freedom of the press are essential so that citizens are informed and able to vote in their personal interests. Popular sovereignty is common but not a universal motivating philosophy for establishing a democracy. In some countries, democracy is based on the philosophical principle of equal rights. Many people use the term â€Å"democracy† as shorthand for liberal democracy, which may include additional elements such as political pluralism, equality before the law, the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances, due process, civil liberties, human rights, and elements of civil society outside the government. In the United States, separation of powers is often cited as a supporting attribute, but in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, the dominant philosophy is parliamentary sovereignty (though in practice judicial independence is generally maintained). In other cases, â€Å"democracy† is used to mean direct democracy. Though the term â€Å"democracy† is typically used in the context of a political state, the principles are also applicable to private organizations and other groups. Though democracy has its origins in Ancient Greece other cultures have significantly contributed to the evolution of democracy such as Ancient India, Ancient Rome, Europe, and North and South America. Democracy has been called the â€Å"last form of government† and has spread considerably across the globe. Suffrage has been expanded in many jurisdictions over time from relatively narrow groups (such as wealthy men of a particular ethnic group), but still remains a controversial issue with regard to disputed territories, areas with significant immigration, and countries that exclude certain demographic groups. The contemporary interpretation of democracy from the political point of view is that it is a system of government in which a country’s political leaders are chosen by the people in regular, free and fair elections. In a democracy, people have a choice between different candidates and parties who want the power to govern. The people can criticize and replace their elected leaders and representatives if they do not perform well. The people are sovereign — they are the highest authority  Ã¢â‚¬â€ and government is based on the will of the people. Elected representatives at the national and local levels must listen to the people and be responsive to their needs. That is why democracy depends upon a literate, knowledgeable citizenry whose access to information enables it to participate as fully as possible in the public life of their society and to criticize unwise or tyrannical government officials or policies. Citizens and their elected representatives recognize that democracy depends upon the widest possible access to uncensored ideas, data, and opinions. All people should have the right to form their own opinions and express them individually or in peaceful assemblies. Free societies cr eate a â€Å"marketplace of ideas† where people exchange their views on any number of issues. Although nuances apply to the world’s various democracies, certain principles and practices distinguish democratic government from other forms of government. †¢ Democracy is government in which power and civic responsibility are exercised by all citizens, directly or through their freely elected representatives. †¢ Democracy is a set of principles and practices that protect human freedom; it is the institutionalization of freedom. †¢ Democracy rests upon the principles of majority rule, coupled with individual and minority rights. All democracies, while respecting the will of the majority, zealously protect the fundamental rights of individuals and minority groups. †¢ Democracies guard against all-powerful central governments and decentralize government to regional and local levels, understanding that local government must be as accessible and responsive to the people as possible. †¢ Democracies understand that one of their prime functions is to protect such basic human rights as freedom of speech and religion; the right to equal protection under law; and the opportunity to organize and participate fully in the political, economic, and cultural life of society. †¢ Democracies conduct regular free and fair elections open to all citizens. Elections in a democracy cannot be facades that dictators or a single party hide behind, but authentic competitions for the support of the people. †¢ Democracy subjects governments to the rule of law and ensures that all citizens receive equal protection under the law and that their rights are protected by the legal system. †¢ Democracies are diverse, reflecting each nation’s unique political, social, and cultural life. †¢ Democracies rest upon fundamental principles, not uniform practices. †¢ Citizens in a democracy not only have rights, they have the responsibility to participate in the political system that, in turn, protects their rights and freedoms. †¢ Democratic societies are committed to the values of tolerance, cooperation, and compromise. †¢ Democracies recognize that reaching consensus requires compromise and that it may not always be attainable. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, â€Å"intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit.† Principles of Democracy People from around the world have identified the basic principles, which must exist in order to have a democratic government. These principles often  become a part of the constitution or bill of rights in a democratic society. Though no two democratic countries are exactly alike, people in democracies support many of the same basic principles and desire the same benefits from their government. The following are examples of the principles referred to as signposts of democracy, which will be used throughout this lesson: 1. Citizen Participation One of the most basic signposts of a democracy is citizen participation in government. Participation is the key role of citizens in democracy. It is not only their right, but it is their duty. Citizen participation may take many forms including standing for election, voting in elections, becoming informed, debating issues, attending community or civic meetings, being members of private voluntary organizations, paying taxes, and even protesting. Participation builds a better democracy. 2. Equality Democratic societies emphasize the principle that all people are equal. Equality means that all individuals are valued equally, have equal opportunities, and may not be discriminated against because of their race, religion, ethnic group, gender or sexual orientation. In a democracy, individuals and groups still maintain their right to have different cultures, personalities, languages and beliefs. 3. Political Tolerance Democratic societies are politically tolerant. This means that while the majority of the people rule in a democracy, the rights of the minority must be protected. People who are not in power must be allowed to organize and speak out. Minorities are sometimes referred to as the opposition because they may have ideas which are different from the majority. Individual citizens must also learn to be tolerant of each other. A democratic society  is often composed of people from different cultures, racial, religious and ethnic groups who have viewpoints different from the majority of the population. A democratic society is enriched by diversity. If the majority deny rights to and destroy their opposition, then they also destroy democracy. One goal of democracy is to make the best possible decision for the society. To achieve this, respect for all people and their points of view is needed. Decisions are more likely to be accepted, even by those who oppose them, if all citizens have been allowed to discuss, debate and question them. 4. Accountability As George Washington said â€Å"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence,it is a force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master; never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.† In a democracy, elected and appointed officials have to be accountable to the people. They are responsible for their actions. Officials must make decisions and perform their duties according to the will and wishes of the people, not for themselves. Government accountability means that public officials – elected and un-elected – have an obligation to explain their decisions and actions to the citizens. Government accountability is achieved through the use of a variety of mechanisms – political, legal, and administrative – designed to prevent corruption and ensure that public officials remain answerable and accessible to the people they serve. In the absence of such mechanisms, corruption may thrive. The primary political accountability mechanism is free and fair elections. Fixed-terms of office and elections force elected officials to account for their performance and provide opportunities for challengers to offer citizens alternative policy choices. If voters are not satisfied with the performance of an official, they may vote them out of office when their terms expire. The degree to which public officials are politically accountable is a function of whether they occupy an elected versus appointed position, how often they are up for reelection, and how many terms they can serve. Legal accountability mechanisms include the whole legal framework – constitutions, legislative acts, decrees, rules, codes, and other legal instruments that proscribe actions that public officials can  and cannot take and how citizens may take action against those officials whose conduct is considered unsatisfactory. An independent judiciary is an essential requirement for the success of legal accountability, serving as a venue where citizens bring claims against the government. Legal accountability mechanisms include: †¢ Ethics statutes and codes of conduct for public officials, outlining unacceptable practices †¢ Conflict of interest and financial disclosure laws, requiring public officials to divulge the source of their income and assets so that citizens may judge whether the actions of those officials are likely to be influenced improperly by financial interests †¢ â€Å"Sunshine† laws, providing the press and the public access to government records and meetings †¢ Citizen participation requirements, dictating that certain government Judicial review, providing courts the power to review the decisions and actions of public officials and agencies. Administrative accountability mechanisms include offices within agencies or ministries and practices within administrative processes designed to ensure that the decisions and actions of public officials account for the interest of the citizens. Administrative accountability mechanisms include: †¢ Ombudsmen, responsible for hearing and addressing citizen complaints; †¢ Independent auditors who scrutinize the use of public funds for signs of misuse; †¢ Administrative courts, that hear citizens’ complaints about agency decisions; †¢ Ethics rules protecting so-called whistleblowers – those within government who speak out about corruption or abuse of official authority – from reprisals. 5. Transparency For government to be accountable the people must be aware of what is happening in the country. This is referred to as transparency in government. A transparent government holds public meetings and allows citizens to attend. In a democracy, the press and the people are able to get information about what decisions are being made, by whom and why. 6. Regular, Free and Fair Elections One way citizens of the country express their will is by electing officials to represent them in government. Democracy insists that these elected officials are chosen and peacefully removed from office in a free and fair manner. Intimidation, corruption and threats to citizens during or before an election are against the principles of democracy. In a democracy, elections are held regularly every so many years. Participation in elections should not be based on a citizen’s wealth. For free and fair elections to occur, most adult citizens should have the right to stand for government office. Additionally, obstacles should not exist which make it difficult for people to vote. Free and fair elections allow people living in a representative democracy to determine the political makeup and future policy direction of their nation’s government. Free and fair elections increase the likelihood of a peaceful transfer of power. They help to ensure that losing candidates will accept the validity of the election’s results and cede power to the new government. Elections alone do not assure democracy since dictators can use the resources of the state to tamper with the election process. Free and fair elections require: †¢ Universal suffrage for all eligible men and women to vote – democracies do not restrict this right from minorities, the disabled, or give it only to those who are literate or who own property. †¢ Freedom to register as a voter or run for public office. †¢ Freedom of speech for candidates and political parties – democracies do not restrict candidates or political parties from criticizing the performance of the incumbent. †¢ Numerous opportunities for the electorate to receive objective information from a free press. †¢ Freedom to assemble for political rallies and campaigns. †¢ Rules that require party representatives to maintain a distance from polling places on election day – election officials, volunteer poll workers, and international monitors may assist voters with the voting  process but not the voting choice. †¢ An impartial or balanced system of conducting elections and verifying election results – trained election officials must either be politically independent or those overseeing elections should be representative of the parties in the election. †¢ Accessible polling places, private voting space, secure ballot boxes, and transparent ballot counting. †¢ Secret ballots – voting by secret ballot ensures that an individual’s choice of party or candidate cannot be used against him or her. †¢ Legal prohibitions against election fraud – enforceable laws must exist to prevent vote tampering (e.g. double counting, ghost voting). †¢ Recount and contestation procedures – legal mechanisms and processes to review election processes must be established to ensure that elections were conducted properly. 7. Economic Freedom People in a democracy must have some form of economic freedom. This means that the government allows some private ownership of property and businesses, and that the people are allowed to choose their own work and labor unions. The role the government should play in the economy is open to debate, but it is generally accepted that free markets should exist in a democracy and the state should not totally control the economy. Some argue that the state should play a stronger role in countries where great inequality of wealth exists due to past discrimination or other unfair practices. 8. Control of the Abuse of Power Democratic societies try to prevent any elected official or group of people from misusing or abusing their power. One of the most common abuses of power is corruption. Corruption occurs when government officials use public funds for their own benefit or exercise power in an illegal manner. Various methods have been used in different countries to protect against these abuses. Frequently the government is structured to limit the powers of the branches of government: to have independent courts and agencies with power to act against any illegal action by an elected official or branch of  government; to allow for citizen participation and elections; and to check for police abuse of power. 9. Accepting the Results of Elections In democratic elections, there are winners and losers. Often the losers in an election believe so strongly that their party or candidate is the best one, that they refuse to accept the results of the election. This is against democratic principles. The consequences of not accepting the result of an election may be a government that is ineffective and cannot make decisions. It may even result in violence which is also against democracy. 10. Human Rights All democracies strive to respect and protect the human rights of citizens. Human rights mean those values that reflect respect for human life and human dignity. Democracy emphasizes the value of every human being. Examples of human rights include freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of assembly, the right to equality and the right to education. All human beings are born with inalienable rights. These human rights empower people to pursue lives of dignity – thus, no government can bestow them but all governments should protect them. Freedom, built on a foundation of justice, tolerance, dignity, and respect – regardless of ethnicity, religion, political association, or social standing – allows people to pursue these fundamental rights. Whereas dictatorships deny human rights, free societies continually strive to attain them. Human rights are interdependent and indivisible; they encompass myriad facets of human existence including social, political, and economic issues. Among the most commonly accepted are: †¢ All people should have the right to express their ideas and opinions. †¢ All people should have the right to participate in government. Governments should create laws that protect human rights while justice systems enforce those laws equally among the population. †¢ Freedom from arbitrary arrest, detention, and torture – whether one is an opponent of the  ruling political party, an ethnic minority, or even a common criminal – is a basic human right. A professional police force respects all citizens as it enforces the laws of the nation. †¢ In ethnically diverse nations, religious and ethnic minorities should be free to use their language and maintain their traditions without fear of recrimination from the majority population. Governments should recognize the rights of minorities while respecting the will of the majority. †¢ All people should have the opportunity to work, earn a living, and support their families. †¢ Children deserve special protection. They should receive at least an elementary education, proper nutrition, and healthcare. To maintain human rights, citizens in any free society need to be vigilant. Citizen responsibility – through a variety of participatory activities – ensures that government remains accountable to the people. The family of free nations is committed to work toward protection of human rights. They formalize their commitment through a number of international treaties and covenants on human rights. 11. Multi-Party Systems In order to have a multi-party system, more than one political party must participate in elections and play a role in government. A multi-party system allows for opposition to the party, which wins the election. This helps provide the government with different viewpoints on issues. Additionally, a multi-party system provides voters with a choice of candidates, parties and policies to vote for. Historically, when a country only has one party, the result has been a dictatorship. To preserve and protect individual rights and freedoms, a democratic people must work together to shape the government of their choosing. And the principal way of doing that is through political parties. Political parties are voluntary organizations that link the people and their government. Parties recruit candidates and campaign to elect them to public office, and they mobilize people to participate in selecting government leaders. The majority party (or the party elected to control the offices of government) seeks to enact into law a number of different policies and programs. Parties of the opposition are free to criticize the majority party’s policy ideas and offer their own proposals. Political  parties provide a way for citizens to hold elected party officials accountable for their actions in government. Democratic political parties have faith in the principles of democracy so that they recognize and respect the authority of the elected government even when their party leaders are not in power. Like any democracy, members of various political parties reflect the diversity of the cultures in which they arise. Some are small and built around a set of political beliefs. Others are organized around economic interests, or shared history. Still others are loose alliances of different citizens who may only come together at election time. All democratic political parties, whether they are small movements or large national coalitions, share the values of compromise and tolerance. They know that only through broad alliances and cooperation with other political parties and organizations can they provide the leadership and common vision that will win the support of the people of the nation. Democratic parties recognize that political views are fluid and changeable, and that consensus can often arise out of the clash of ideas and values in peaceful, free, and public debate. The concept of the loyal opposition is central to any democracy. It means that all sides in political debate – however deep their differences – share the fundamental democratic values of freedom of speech and faith, and equal protection under law. Parties that lose elections step into the role of opposition – confident that the political system will continue to protect their right to organize and speak out. In time, their party will have a chance to campaign again for its ideas, and the votes of the people. In a democracy, the struggle between political parties is not a fight for survival, but a competition to serve the people. 12. The Rule of Law In a democracy no one is above the law, not even a king or an elected President. This is called the rule of law. It means that everyone must obey the law and be held accountable if they violate it. Democracy also insists that the law be equally, fairly and consistently enforced. This is sometimes referred to as â€Å"due process of law.† For much of human history, rulers and law were synonymous – law was simply the will of the ruler. A first step away from such tyranny was the notion of rule by law, including the notion  that even a ruler is under the law and should rule by virtue of legal means. Democracies went further by establishing the rule of law. Although no society or government system is problem-free, rule of law protects fundamental political, social, and economic rights and reminds us that tyranny and lawlessness are not the only alternatives. Rule of law means that no individual, president or private citizen, stands above law. Democratic governments exercise authority by way of law and are themselves subject to law’s constraints. Laws should express the will of the people, not the whims of kings, dictators, military officials, religious leaders, or self-appointed political parties. Citizens in democracies are willing to obey the laws of their society, then, because they are submitting to their own rules and regulations. Justice is best achieved when the laws are established by the very people who must obey them. Under the rule of law, a system of strong, independent courts should have the power and authority, resources, and the prestige to hold government officials, even top leaders, accountable to the nation’s laws and regulations. For this reason, judges should be well trained, professional, independent, and impartial. To serve their necessary role in the legal and political system, judges must be committed to the principles of democracy. The laws of a democracy may have many sources: written constitutions; statutes and regulations; religious and ethical teachings; and cultural traditions and practices. Regardless of origin the law should enshrine certain provisions to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens: Under the requirement of equal protection under the law, the law may not be uniquely applicable to any single individual or group. Citizens must be secure from arbitrary arrest and unreasonable search of their homes or the seizure of their personal property. Citizens charged with crimes are entitled to a speedy and public trial, along with the opportunity to confront and question their accusers. If convicted, they may not be subjected to cruel or unusual punishment. Citizens cannot be forced to testify against themselves. This principle protects citizens from coercion, abuse, or torture and greatly reduces the temptation of police to employ such measures. 13. Bill of Rights Many democratic countries also choose to have a bill of rights to protect people against abuse of power. A bill of rights is a list of rights and freedoms guaranteed to all people in the country. When a bill of rights becomes part of a country’s constitution, the courts have the power to enforce these rights. A bill of rights limits the power of government and may also impose duties on individuals and organizations. The role of the Non-governmental Organizations In democracies, ordinary citizens may organize independent groups that serve the needs of the community or nation they live in and complement, supplement, or even challenge the work of the government. Such organizations are often called nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, because they are not an extension of the government’s offices. NGOs allow citizens to improve their society by advocating, educating, and mobilizing attention around major public issues and monitoring the conduct of government and private enterprise. NGOs enable citizens from different backgrounds to learn to work together and build the skills, relationships, and trust necessary for good government. NGOs serve a great variety of citizen interests. They may act as social service providers, advocates for the environment or for living standards, work standards, or as the catalysts for democratic change. NGOs often represent the interests of those citizens who might otherwise be left out of national policy de bates. They open the public discourse to people of all economic and social classes and to women and minorities. Funding for NGOs may come from individual private donations, private trusts and philanthropies, corporations, religious institutions, international institutions, other NGOs, sales of goods and services, and even governments. Governments and NGOs frequently work as partners. NGOs may provide local and regional expertise and personnel on the ground for implementation of government-funded projects. NGOs may be politically unaffiliated, or they may be based on partisan ideals and seek to advance a particular cause or set of causes in the public interest. In either model the key point is that NGOs should operate under minimal political control of states. NGOs develop local and international programs in virtually all areas that contribute to the promotion of the principles of democracy, including: †¢ Human rights  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ by promoting international standards and monitoring for violations and abuses. †¢ Rule of law – through low-cost or free legal aid, educating all citizens regarding their rights, and advocating for legal reforms. †¢ Women’s participation – by preparing them for political participation and protecting them from socioeconomic discrimination. †¢ Civic education – through education programs focusing on the role of the citizen in a democratic and diverse society. †¢ A free press – by promoting independent media, training journalists, and setting standards for ethical journalism. †¢ Political party development – through election monitoring by trained domestic observers and nonpartisan voter registration drives. †¢ Government accountability †“ by conducting policy analysis and serving as watchdogs over governmental actions. Democracy in the EU â€Å"The Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. These values are common to the Member States in a society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail. â€Å" These are universal values and not the values of the Europeans alone. Many countries in the world are recognising and implementing these values or at least have written them down in one or the other form. In order to obtain the objectives of the Union based on the afore-mentioned values, the European Union needs certain powers conferred in a legal framework. It is foreseen that these powers must be exercised using the Community method and specific instruments within a single institutional framework. But through the implementation of these universal values, the European Union has become already a success story that is making membership to the Union so very attractive to its neighbours and an example for other regions in the world= More citizens in Europe live in countries with competitive elections, political freedoms and respect for human rights than ever before. Part of this success story can be attributed – undeniably – to the process of European integration. Paradoxically, however, the European Union also finds itself increasingly the subject of general cynicism and dissatisfaction among its citizenry. Therefore, a better understanding of democracy has become vital at all levels of government, and in particular regarding the future of the EU itself. Proposals for the further democratisation of EU decision-making can be pieced together from at least the following four different dimensions of choice: Intergovernmental vs Supranational Under intergovernmental approaches, the EU is democratised through the elected institutions of its member states. In the contemporary EU, for example, each member country has to ratify any change to EU Treaties according to the democratic mechanism of its choice, with referendums being used in some cases and national parliamentary votes in others. In addition, most important decisions have to be taken by the Council of Ministers on which all national governments are represented. Even with majority voting, this allows national parliaments scope to influence the development of EU policy and hold their governments responsible for their behaviour at Union level . They can review the negotiating positions of their governments before meetings of the Council of Ministers. They can scrutinise draft legislation, which has to be circulated to each national parliament in its own language at least six weeks before it is voted in the Council. They also have important discretion in deciding how EU acquis is to be transposed into national law, since directives only require member states to achieve certain results, without specifying the methods to be employed. Under supranational approaches, entirely new democratic institutions are established at the European level. They are purpose-made for the EU’s political system, and they operate with at least some consistency across the Union as whole. So, for example, the European Parliament is directly elected by all adult citizens of the EU. Its powers, are directed to making law for the Union as a whole, and at scrutinising, criticising and controlling the overall performance of Commission and Council in their role as the EU’s double-headed executive. In brief, it has the power to: †¢ Approve or reject the member states’ choice of Commission and Commission President †¢ Dismiss the Commission on a double majority (two-thirds of votes cast, provided that those voting for a censure comprise more than half of the Parliament’s membership). The resignation of the Santer Commision in March 1999 undermined the argument that this was unlikely ever to happen. †¢ Reject legislation in some areas (Co-decision) and amend it in others (Cooperation). The increasing use of the former means that the EP approaches bicameral status with the Council in a political system where rule-making is, arguably, the main activity. Even the latter allows the EP to structure the choices that are subsequently available to the Council. As the previous examples imply, the EU currently mixes and matches intergovernmental and supranational approaches to democratic politics. Consensus vs Majoritarian Democracy Majoritarian democracy is where decisions can be taken by a bare majority of the public or its representatives. Its proponents argue that any alternative amounts to minority rule. Consensus democracy is where the aim is to align policies with the preferences of the greatest number of citizens or their representatives, rather than with those of a simple majority. Its defenders argue that any alternative allows minorities to be excluded and is not, therefore, rule by the people as a whole. Amongst examples of consensus democracy are the following: †¢ Supermajoritarian decision-rules: these require decisions to be approved by more than 50 per cent of representatives. At present the EU employs supermajorities twice over, in both the Council and the EP. Majority voting in the Council requires 71 per cent of the weighted votes of member states. Most powers of the EP can only be exercised on an absolute majority of its membership. Given normal rates of absenteeism this effectively means that a majority of around two-thirds is usually needed in the EP, as well as the Council of Ministers. †¢ Federal systems: these parcel decision-making out between layers of government. It is rare for the EU to be the only body with powers in an issue area. It normally shares jurisdiction with national and sub-national authorities with which it has to co-ordinate its activities. †¢ Consociational systems: these guarantee the participation of all main cultural units in the most important decisions of a political system. In the EU, for example, all governments nominate at least one Commissioner; all member states have a seat on the Council and the opportunity to hold its rotating Presidency for a period of six months; both Council and Parliament over-represent smaller member states in a manner that underlines the principle that it is national communities — and not just citizens — that are units of value in the EU’s political system; and even the Governing Council of the European Central Bank works on the principle ‘one national central bank, one vote’. Direct vs Indirect Democracy Direct democracy is where the people itself takes major decisions of government. The alternative is that they only exercise public control indirectly through appointed representatives. As will be seen below, this distinction is mainly relevant to prescriptions for the democratisation of the EU, rather than to its current practice. Strategic vs Communicative Democracy Strategic models of democracy presuppose that actors have clear and fixed views of their interests. The main goal of democratic institutions is then to find the most efficient means of aggregating the preferences of individuals into collective actions, albeit subject to various standards of fairness. Communicative models of democracy hold that preferences also need to be debated within the political system, either because they are not fully formed prior to a process of discussion, or because group action is so very different from individual action, both actually and morally. A big question for the EU is whether it can develop a public sphere that all citizens can access as equals, and through the medium of which all points of view can be debated and compared. Connecting European citizens to one another — and to EU institutions — raises problems of language, media, party systems and the associational structure of society, almost all of which are presently organised to support national forms of democracy, rather than a European equivalent. The future of a strong European Union with 27 member states and more will only be possible if rules are implemented which make decisions more democratic, more transparent and thus more efficient. A good and democratic society in the European context is a society which is open to reforms or is able to become a better society – I.e. an active civil society. The European Civil Society can give a new direction to politics. Politicians will then follow. Only a European Civil Society which is better informed about European values, objectives and challenges will give Europe a new impetus to the further democratic development of Europe.