Tuesday, November 26, 2019

The Geography of Russias 21 Republics

The Geography of Russia's 21 Republics Russia, officially called the Russian Federation, is located in Eastern Europe and stretches from its borders with Finland, Estonia, Belarus, and Ukraine through the Asian continent where it meets Mongolia, China and the Sea of Okhotsk. At approximately 6,592,850 square miles, Russia is the worlds largest country based on area. Russia is so large that it covers 11 time zones. Because of its large size, Russia is divided into 83 federal subjects (members of the Russian Federation) for local administration throughout the country. Twenty-one of those federal subjects are considered republics. A republic in Russia is an area that is comprised of people who are not of Russian ethnicity. Russias republics are thus able to set their official languages and establish their constitutions. The following is a list of Russias republics ordered alphabetically. The republics continental location, area, and official languages have been included for reference. Adygea Continent: EuropeArea: 2,934 square miles (7,600 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Adyghe Altai Continent: AsiaArea: 35,753 square miles (92,600 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Altay Bashkortostan Continent: EuropeArea: 55,444 square miles (143,600 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Bashkir Buryatia Continent: AsiaArea: 135,638 square miles (351,300 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Buryat Dagestan Continent: EuropeArea: 19,420 square miles (50,300 sq km)Official Languages: Russian, Aghul, Avar, Azeri, Chechen, Dargwa, Kumyk, Lak, Lezgian, Nogai, Rutul, Tabasaran, Tat and Tsakhur Chechnya Continent: EuropeArea: 6,680 square miles (17,300 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Chechen Ingushetia Continent: EuropeArea: 1,351 square miles (3,500 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Ingush Kabardino-Balkaria Continent: EuropeArea: 4,826 square miles (12,500 sq km)Official Languages: Russian, Kabardian and Balkar Kalmykia Continent: EuropeArea: 29,382 square miles (76,100 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Kalmyk Karachay-Cherkessia Continent: EuropeArea: 5,444 square miles (14,100 sq km)Official Languages: Russian, Abaza, Cherkess, Karachay and Nogai Karelia Continent: EuropeArea: 66,564 square miles (172,400 sq km)Official Language: Russian Komi Continent: EuropeArea: 160,580 square miles (415,900 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Komi Mari El Continent: EuropeArea: 8,957 square miles (23,200 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Mari Mordovia Continent: EuropeArea: 10,115 square miles (26,200 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Mordvin Sakha Continent: AsiaArea: 1,198,152 square miles (3,103,200 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Sakha North Ossetia-Alania Continent: EuropeArea: 3,088 square miles (8,000 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Ossetic Tatarstan Continent: EuropeArea: 26,255 square miles (68,000 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Tatar Tuva Continent: AsiaArea: 65,830 square miles (170,500 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Tuvan Udmurtia Continent: EuropeArea: 16,255 square miles (42,100 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Udmurt Khakassia Continent: AsiaArea: 23,900 square miles (61,900 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Khakass Chuvashia Continent: EuropeArea: 7,065 square miles (18,300 sq km)Official Languages: Russian and Chuvash

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Bony Fish Facts

Bony Fish Facts Most of the worlds fish species are categorized into two types: bony fish and cartilaginous fish. In simple terms, a bony fish (Osteichthyes)  is one whose skeleton is made of bone, while a cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) has a  skeleton made of soft, flexible cartilage. A third type of fish, including eels and hagfish, is the group known as Agnatha, or jawless fish.   The cartilaginous fish include sharks,  skates,  and  rays.  Virtually all other fish fall into the class of bony fish which includes over 50,000 species. Fast Facts: Bony Fish Scientific Name: Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii, SacropterygiiCommon Names: Bony fish, ray-finned and lobe-finned fishesBasic Animal Group: FishSize: From below a half inch to 26 feet longWeight: Well under an ounce to 5,000 poundsLifespan: A few months to 100 years or longer  Diet:  Carnivore, Omnivore, HerbivoreHabitat: Polar, temperate, and tropical ocean waters as well as freshwater environmentsConservation Status: Some species are Critically Endangered and Extinct. Description All bony fishes have sutures in their neurocranium and segmented fin rays derived from their epidermis. Both bony fish and cartilaginous fish breathe through gills, but bony fish also have a hard, bony plate covering their gills. This feature is called an operculum. Bony fish may also have distinct rays, or spines, in their fins. And unlike cartilaginous fish, bony fish have swim or gas bladders to regulate their buoyancy. Cartilaginous fish, on the other hand, must swim constantly to stay afloat.     Mint Images/Getty Images Species Bony fish are considered to members of the class  Osteichthyes, which is subdivided into two main types of bony fish: Ray-finned fishes, or ActinopterygiiLobe-finned fishes, or Sarcopterygii, which includes the coelacanths and lungfishes. The subclass Sarcopterygii is made up of about 25,000 species, all characterized by the presence of enamel on their teeth. They have a central axis of bone that acts as a unique skeletal support for fins and limbs, and their upper jaws are fused with their skulls. Two major groups of fishes fit under the Sarcopterygii: the Ceratodontiformes (or lungfishes) and the Coelacanthiformes (or coelacanths), once thought to be extinct. Actinopterygii includes 33,000 species in 453 families. They are found in all aquatic habitats and range in body size from under a half inch to over 26 feet long. The Ocean sunfish weighs up to over 5,000 pounds. The members of this subclass have enlarged pectoral fins and fused pelvic fins.  Species include Chondroste, which are primitive ray-finned bony fishes; Holostei or Neopterygii, the intermediate ray-finned fishes like sturgeons, paddlefish, and bichirs; and Teleostei or Neopterygii, the advanced bony fishes such as herring, salmon, and perch.   Habitat and Distribution Bony fish can be found in waters all around the world, freshwater and saltwater both, unlike cartilagenous fish who are found only in salt waters.  Marine bony fish live in all the oceans, from shallow to deep waters, and in both cold and warm temperatures. Their lifespans range from a few months to over 100 years. An extreme example of bony fish adaptation is the Antarctic icefish, which lives in waters so cold that antifreeze proteins circulate through its body to keep it from freezing. Bony fish also comprise virtually all freshwater species living in lakes, rivers, and streams.  Sunfish, bass, catfish, trout, and pike are examples of bony fish, as are the freshwater tropical fish that you see in aquariums.   Other species of bony fish include: TunaAtlantic codRed lionfishGiant frogfishSeahorsesOcean sunfish Rodrigo Friscione/Getty Images Diet and Behavior A bony fishs prey depends on the species but may include plankton, crustaceans (e.g., crabs), invertebrates (e.g., green sea urchins), and even other fish. Some species of bony fish are virtual omnivores, eating all manner of animal and plant life.   Bony fish behavior varies greatly, depending on the  species. Smaller bony fish swim in schools for protection. Some like the tuna swim continually while others (stonefish and flatfish) spend most of their time lying on the seafloor. Some such as morays only hunt at night; some like butterfly fishes do so during the day; and others are most active at dawn and dusk.   Reproduction and Offspring Some bony fish are born sexually mature or become mature shortly after birth; most mature within the first one to five years. The main reproduction mechanism is external fertilization. During the spawning season, females release hundreds to thousands of eggs in the water, and males release sperm and fertilize the eggs. Not all bony fish do lay eggs: Some are live-bearing. Some are hermaphrodites (the same fish has both male and female genitalia), and other bony fish switch genders over time. Some, like the seahorse, are oviparous, meaning the eggs are fertilized in the parent who feeds them from a yolk sac. Among seahorses, the male carries the offspring until they are born.   Evolutionary History The first fish-like creatures appeared over 500 million years ago. Bony fish and cartilaginous fish diverged into separate classes about 420 million years ago. Cartilaginous species are sometimes seen as more primitive, and for good reason. The evolutionary appearance of bony fish eventually led to land-dwelling vertebrates with bony skeletons. And the gill structure of bony fish gill was a feature that would eventually evolve into air-breathing lungs. Bony fishes are therefore a more direct ancestor to humans.   Conservation Status Most bony fish species are classed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but there numerous species that are Vulnerable, Near Threatened, or Critically Threatened, such as Metriaclima koningsi of Africa. Sources Bony and Ray-Finned Fishes. Endangered Species International, 2011.  Class Osteichthyes. The Biology Classroom of Mr. Pletsch. University of British Columbia, February 2, 2017.Hastings, Philip A., Harold Jack Walker, and Grantly R. Galland. Fishes: A Guide to Their Diversity. Berkeley, University of California Press, 2014.Konings, A. Metriaclima . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: e.T124556154A124556170, 2018.  koningsiMartin, R.Adam. Fathoming Geologic Time. ReefQuest Centre for Shark Research.Plessner, Stephanie. Fish Groups. Florida Museum of Natural History: Ichthyology.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Fair trade for the developing countries Research Paper

Fair trade for the developing countries - Research Paper Example Fair trade mainly exists in developing countries and it targets specific areas, for instance, the Handicrafts, Coffee Industry, Tea Industry etc, it does so in order to make sure that the workers and the producers are benefitted and their economic stature improves by participating in Fair trade. To understand the concept better, its principles should be well understood and they are as follows:â€Å"Creating opportunities for economically disadvantaged producers, Fair trade is a strategy for poverty alleviation and sustainable development. Its purpose is to create opportunities for producers who have been economically disadvantaged or marginalized by the conventional trading system.† The most important principle of Fair trade is to ensure that there are ample opportunities provided to the producer, the sole aim of Fair trade is to ensure the well being of the workers and the producers and in this process the first is to provide opportunities to the producer because only when th e producer has opportunities, it can be passed on to the workers.â€Å"Transparency and accountability, Fair trade involves transparent management and commercial relations to deal fairly and respectfully with trading partners.† Another important principle of Fair trade is to make sure transparency exists in every activity initiated by it, in the sense that every activity initiated by Fair trade should be without any fusses and problems, fair rules and policies are followed hence ensuring the economic and financial safety of the producer.

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Nationalalism identity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nationalalism identity - Essay Example The United States of America boasts as sole superpower of the world also identifies their self with all prides of national identity. The British and Western Europeans are not lagging behind in their race for clinching to their national identities. Amongst Europeans the British nation didn't join the single currency rope of Euro in 2000. While French, German, Dutch, Spanish Portuguese, and Italians adamantly claim to be superior primitive European nations in their own way. They never compromise on the labels of their languages and still find themselves proud of their respective languages. Their language is their own medium of education in all sought of manifestations. Exactly same is the case with Japanese as a nation and language. The Spanish, Italian, French and Dutch languages find themselves rich in art, architecture, literature, medicines and technologies. So it cannot be safely said that English language, both British and American versus other Europeans languages are competent at par with each other as a medium of instruction and education in all manners of past, present and future. While coming to Asia and Middle East, the fast developing nations like Malaysians, Koreans, and Chinese are not at all oblivious to the facts mentioned in case

Sunday, November 17, 2019

The American Civil War Essay Example for Free

The American Civil War Essay The impact that religion had on reforms from the 1820s to the 1850s can clearly be seen in the effect that it had in contributing to the American Civil War. Religion played a key role in the different positions that the North and the South were going to take with regard to the issue of slavery. The Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist teachings espoused themes of both unity and separation. This was echoed well during the activities in 1837, 1844 and 1845, respectively, when the bond of national unity was broken. Instead of unifying a country, most of the religious influences during this time caused the alienation of most sectors by projecting distorted images. In turn, this led to the establishment of independent sects in a once united country. This rift and sectional independence was sustained by the growing moral outrage that each side felt for each other. The overemphasis of the church, during this period, on individualism failed to provide the leadership necessary to steer the nation through many issues, none more pivotal than that of slavery. An example of this would be the reforms instituted by the Republican Party. These reforms were rooted on a form of Calvinism that was deeply moderated. The southern evangelicals on the other hand, attempted to resist the influence of religion into politics by supporting the confederacy. The opposite reforms that each side was about to take from the 1820s to the 1850s was caused by the inability of religion to collectively and squarely address the issue of slavery. For the north, it was reforms that were rooted on social action while the South focused their reforms on personal piety. While both sides championed the Bible in their quest to resolve the issue on slavery, they each took opposing opinions which eventually took them down the path of one of the most radical reforms in American history.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Jealousy in Shakespeares Othello Essay -- Othello essays

Jealousy in Othello Shakespeare is well for his ability to compose plays full of deceit, revenge, and jealousy. Othello, one of Shakespeare’s most recognized tragedies, was consistently evolving around the central theme of jealousy. As these lies are unraveled the central theme of his play became distinct, and clearly visible. Furthermore the theme of jealousy goes hand in hand with love, as often is the case in real life. Love consumes all those who take part in it, and in Othello's case his flaws lie in his loving Desdemona so blindly. It is for that single reason that Iago knows that such a naà ¯ve man as Othello, who loves his wife so blindly and unrealistically, can be corrupted. Just as Othello's flaws lie within his inability to see past his jealous feelings, so does many of the other characters, no matter what social ranking they are classified in. Even from the well-developed characters, such as Othello, to the lesser figures, such as Roderigo, envy and lust are feelings all of Shakespeare's characters are accountable for holding at one time or other in the play. Within each of the characters in Othello is a level of jealousy, which Iago creates by testing their pressure points for his benefit. In Act 1 scene 1, Shakespeare opens up to his audience a level of jealousy that goes hand in hand with feelings of greed. This is the moment in which Iago expresses his animosity for Othello. Iago is sub... ... Works Cited and Consulted Bradley, A. C.. Shakespearean Tragedy. New York: Penguin, 1991. Di Yanni, Robert. â€Å"Character Revealed Through Dialogue.† Readings on The Tragedies. Ed. Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1996. Reprint from Literature. N. p.: Random House, 1986. Mack, Maynard. Everybody’s Shakespeare: Reflections Chiefly on the Tragedies. Lincoln, NB: University of Nebraska Press, 1993. Shakespeare. Othello. The Longman Anthology of British Literature. Ed. Rossi. New York: Longman, 1999. 312-379. Shakespeare, William. Othello. In The Electric Shakespeare. Princeton University. 1996. http://www.eiu.edu/~multilit/studyabroad/othello/othello_all.html No line nos.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

A-B-Zee

This report evaluates the recent recruitment and selection arrangements for the sales assistants. It focuses on the opportunities and constraints that both the labour markets placed upon the recruitment and selection of sales assistants at A-B-Zee. It also examines the individual and organisational benefits that could be gained by providing non-standard working arrangements for sales assistants at A-B-Zee. The report finally proposes a strategy recommending how A-B-Zee’s next campaign might ensure a greater response from members of the ethnic minority community. Organisation’s response to the opportunities and constraints placed upon it by both local labour markets in the recruitment and selection process The general constraint in the recruitment process was that A-B-Zee was new to the each labour market and thus had no reputation to call upon in its search for quality employees. Also the rate of pay being offered still follows that of the parent company. In London, the full-page display advertisement on the newspaper was a good opportunity to get across to potential applicants because the advertisement were imaginative and attracted attention. However, the recruitment team were faced with the constraint of the accessibility to these advertisements to enough potential employees who fully met A-B-Zee’s criteria and sustenance of the candidate’s interest in the vacancy. Also, they were faced with time constraint, as the length of the ensuing recruitment process may not meet the store opening date. The Recruitment team responded, first, by trying to speed up the recruitment process. They introduced the ‘phone-in and walk-in’ facility to the advertisement. The phone-in enabled A-B-Zee to arrange immediate interviews for those evaluated as suitable from the evidence of the telephone interview. They also responded by simplifying the application form to make its completion more convenient. The ‘walk-in’ initiative involved one to one meeting with interested candidates. They were able to successfully use the ‘walk-in’ to increase the number of applicants and also to influence those that are suitable to join the company. In instances where parents wanted to cancel due to not having arrangement for someone to look after the children, A-B-Zee invited them to bring along the children. This seemed to be a good opportunity to attract potential employees with parental experience. The organisation also responded by making application forms and letters of offer readily available, thus increasing the speed of the company’s response. This particularly met the company’s needs with regards to speed. One other constraint which the recruitment team discovered was that the attraction of applicants was limited by the readership of the newspaper. The company responded by producing leaflets. These were distributed to houses fairly close to the store and to those of the ethnic minority around the store. This was carried out in order to meet the objective of having a balanced work force in terms of gender, age and ethnic minority. Apart from being easily accessible, the recruitment team also responded by making themselves more available. They worked through the evenings and weekends, thereby making them more available to applicants. At the northern store, the closure of several manufacturing companies was an opportunity to have a large pool of potential candidates. A-B-Zee took the initiative to solicit with the local Job Centre. The result was that there were too many applications to be processed. The major constraint was time. As a result of the huge number of applications, there was constraint in the task of short-listing for interview which was as a resulted of the enormous volume of applications received. Majority of the applicants were of good quality Also, given the size of the task and the time available it was very likely that the quality of the short-listing decisions would be affected. The lay-out of the application form did not help the short-listing process at all. The most relevant information was not grouped together. This was a major constraint as well because more resources, effort and time had to be devoted to responding to all the applicants. The recruitment team was also faced with the constraint of having to respond quickly and courteously to all applicants (unsuccessful as well as short-listed applicants). This was in a bid to initiate and maintain goodwill among its potential customers. Also, the bid to recruit a balanced workforce across gender, age and ethnic group could not be achieved because, of the numerous applications received, very few were from the ethnic minority. In general, the recruitment process at the northern store proved to be very resource-intensive Individual and Organisational Benefits that could be gained by providing non-standard working arrangements for sales assistants. The organization: Benefits that A-B-Zee could gain if it provides non-standard working arrangements to the sales assistants include: Reduced absenteeism as the workers will have time to attend to family and personal commitments. This will guarantee a high staff attendance and increase productivity and efficiency in the stores (Wood & Payne 1998). Apart from that, non-standard working arrangements provide a wide pool of potential employees from which the HR department can choose from. Another major benefit tot he organisation is that it could also reduce the fixed costs associated with standard contracts and a constant working force which seem to ask for more payments as they stay at the company. Hiring part-time staff is a safer choice in this time of economic uncertainty and could also be a method for the company to screen and evaluate new-hires and perhaps offer them full-time positions in the future and when needed. The sales assisatants Benefits of non-standard working arrangements to the sales assistants include a work-life balance resulting in increased motivation and job satisfaction (Nadler, 1984). It also gives the employee the opportunity to enter into other endeavours, such as studying or taking up another part-time job that is not in conflict with the current one. Apart from this, it puts the employee in a position to accept or decline job offers that would require them to work longer ZZZhours. Mothers are exposed to the job market where they can obtain work experience, gain skills and sample the employment situation. Also, reacquiring work skills and confidence may be an interesting opportunity for mothers who have withdrawn from employment for a long period of time. (Mangum n. d. ; Howe 1986) Strategy, recommending how A-B-Zee’s next campaign might ensure a greater response from members of the ethnic minority community Initial survey of the labour market In order to attract more members of the ethnic minority in future recruitment campaigns, I believe that an initial survey of the labour market in question should be carried out before commencement of the recruitment process. This would give an insight into the location, size and needs of the ethnic minority in such labour market. Location of new stores The location of new stores may be considered based on the findings above, thus bringing the stores in close proximity to the ethnic minority. Advertisement and Application forms Creating awareness in the target area would increase the chances of getting applicants. As A-B-Zee is new to the labour market, placing advertisement on the radio and television and providing information to the public on what A-B-Zee is all about, what they do and when their superstores would be open, would definitely increase its awareness to the target community. Thus when job advertisements are placed, people have an idea of what company they are going to be potentially working for. The job advertisement should be able to reflect the company’s policy of recruiting a balanced workforce across gender, age and ethnic minority. This could be achieved by including the ethnic minority in the promotional materials i. . putting images of both ethnic and non-ethnic minority on the advertisement. This would catch the eye of any member of the ethnic minority that sees the advertisement and would encourage them to apply for the job. It should also emphasize on the part-time work schedule being offered by the company. Presenting a work schedule that encourages flexibility my appeal to women of the ethnic minority who believe that they might not have time to take care of their children (Moosa, 2009). Also by offering skills training in the advertisement, members of the ethnic minority may be encouraged to apply in a bid to be trained on their communication and interpersonal skills. The application forms should be simple, well laid out and should also include statements of assurance that A-B-Zee recruits a balanced workforce across gender, age and ethnic group. The selection and hiring process To attract more members of the ethnic minority, A-B-Zee needs to convince their target that the ethnic minority is well represented in the company. This I believe can be achieved by increasing the involvement of the minority in the interview process. Other recommendations that can help with the recruitment process include, 1. Carrying out a salary survey and review; It is possible that the pay rates based on the parent company’s standards may not be appealing to the target market of future campaigns. By carrying out a salary survey, A-B-Zee can calculate the competitive position of the company in terms of recruitment and can then review the salary being offered. 2. Considering using recruitment agencies in part or all of the recruitment process. This would definitely reduce the work-load on the Human Resources team. 3. Since the target market is people with parenting experience, A-B-Zee may offer child-care program to its prospective employees. Child care programs have proven to produce reductions in turn-over, less absenteeism, recruiting advantage and positive impact on productivity and at the same time serve the compan y’s public relation interest (Howe, 1986). In conclusion, resourcing for manpower for a new superstore is a very challenging task that requires proper planning and hard work, putting into consideration that the company is new to the labour market. In order to acquire a balanced workforce across gender, age and ethnic minority, cultural norms and barrier between the age groups as well as between the majority and minority have to be overcome. Raising awareness could also help to bring about more participation by the minorities in future recruitment campaigns.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Milgram and the Nazis

From the point of view of David who was unable to see the various available texts attempting to explain the atrocities of the holocaust, it may truly appear to him as if Germans had developed sadistic, twisted, abnormal personalities. He was an uninformed boy, if we would discuss to him the experiment of Milgram on obedience, perhaps it could open his mind a bit about the different factors that could have influenced the Germans to act in compliance the way they did in WWII. It is the case that Milgram conducted his research on obedience as a result of his own attempt to try and answer the cause of mayhem during the holocaust, at least to the extent that people complied to participate in such acts as merely following their orders. It appears that through the controversial Milgram experiments, Germans would have a warranted defense of merely being compliant to instructions being given out by an authority. Milgram himself did not want to make it look as if the Nazis, including Germans who aided in execution of Jews in World War Two were merely being obedient; he accepts the fact that there was an anti-Semite ideological indoctrination in play as well. Milgram’s experiment included an accomplice participant in the form of the learner, a typically Norman person randomly invited and always gets to become the teacher, and Milgram’s assistant as the experimenter. The teacher is tasked to teach the learner and whenever the latter makes a mistake he is to be administered with an electric shock that ranged from low to dangerous levels. Every time the learner commits an error, the voltage would be increased, during such increase, the learner would demonstrate suffering from pain, on later forms of the experiment, even mentioning a heart condition, pleading for the whole thing to stop (all pretend). One would think that the teachers would refuse at the onset of hearing the learner being harmed and wanting to quit. However, with the right amount of push, and command of the experimenter, 65% of the participants continued with the experiment up to the very last voltage range. Milgram’s study though was seen to be somewhat unethical, proved to be a legitimate way of explaining the pressure and high degree of compliance to a perceived higher authority. This would easily debunk the answer of David, in such a way that we could not simply assume that Germans have become or were evil people who complied because they were sadistic. Rather it is the better explanation to see that participants from everyday walks of life can act to commit evil things under certain conditions as a way of complying to orders. In a sense that what happened during the Holocaust was not committed by monsters in the form of Germans, but rather by people who were ordered to act out the wishes of a monstrous authority in form of Hitler. (Milgram, 1974) Hitler was considered a legitimate source of power and thus obedience was perceived to be the necessary response to his orders; despite these people possibly feeling stressed and personally not desiring to act in such ways. They were led to believe that it is what it is, a following of a command that was given to them as an imperative form of compliance. The participation of Germans in the execution of innocent Jews is indeed brutal to say the least, but Milgram offers through his research an explanation, in which we are able to see that these people acted as a result of situational pressure not because they had an evil character per se. They are ordinary people led to commit evil acts, although a choice was always present, it showed that the probability of defiance begin to deteriorate after adhering to a command during the initial phase. Yes, some German soldiers refused to follow the orders, but it was a significantly low percentage and prior to the actual atrocities. Non-compliance also meant being punished, thus most of Germans had to act in the way they did. David’s answer is weak. Hitler used his position to manipulate ordinary men and women to act on evil, he’s the twisted fellow, there’s no need to generalize. References: Milgram, S. (1974), Obedience to Authority: An Experimental View, New York: Harper and Row.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Into the Woods essays

Into the Woods essays Into the Woods Into the Woods was simply an amazing theatrical performance! The play combined suspense ,excitement, and fascinatingly realistic set design to captivate the audience. Half way through this play I found myself and my classmates thinking Wow! What a play! How could anyone dream up such a crazy idea and turn it into a production? I think this is the first time that I have been taken to this level of astonishment. A kind where it just grabs you and throws you. And it knocks the wind out of you! Steven Sondheim, creator of the play, had obviously mastered the skills needed to make me say this. His style was was like a vinegar in the tomato sauce, a present yet unidentifiable hint, which reminds you of the crafters care. Even if you could not quite grasp it it was there. Something that made it stand out. His good sense of humor and wit and his superior plot development were blended subtly so that it wasnt to conglomerate. But most importantly, his use of well known characters which made the audience feel as though their family was up on ! stage. The characters were extremely realistic and were an ideal image of the thoughts they seemed to discharge. The catalyst of the plot were the main characters which were the baker and his wife, Jack, the witch, Red Riding Hood, the wolf and Cinderella were all major. It is this kind of interdependency that adds so much to this play. It was fascinating to me how much relied upon each characters actions. There was more of a co-operative essence about this play than most. The minor characters in this play( the two princes, the giantess, Rapunzel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and the bakers father) were also well done, which I have found in other plays to be half rate or quickly whipped up to add a twist which really wasnt a twist at all, but something everybody knew ...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Modern Female Infanticide in Asia

Modern Female Infanticide in Asia In China and India alone, an estimated 2,000,000 baby girls go missing each year. They are selectively aborted, killed as newborns, or abandoned and left to die. Neighboring countries with similar cultural traditions, such as South Korea and Nepal, have also faced this problem.   What are the traditions that lead to this massacre of baby girls? What modern laws and policies have addressed or exacerbated the problem? The root causes of female infanticide are similar but not exactly the same in Confucian countries like China and South Korea, versus predominantly Hindu countries such as India and Nepal. India and Nepal According to Hindu tradition, women are lower incarnations than men of the same caste. A woman cannot obtain release (moksha) from the cycle of death and rebirth. On a more practical day-to-day level, women traditionally could not inherit property or carry on the family name. Sons were expected to take care of their elderly parents in return for inheriting the family farm or shop. Daughters drained the family of resources  because they had to have an expensive dowry to get married; a son, of course, would bring dowry wealth into the family. A womans social status was so dependent on that of her husband that if he died and left her a widow, she was often expected to commit sati rather than going back to her birth family. As a result of these beliefs, parents had a strong preference for sons. A baby girl was seen as a robber, who would cost the family money to raise, and who then would take her dowry and go to a new family when she got married. For centuries, sons were given more food in times of scarcity, better medical care, and more parental attention and affection. If a family felt like they had too many daughters already, and another girl was born, they might smother her with a damp cloth, strangle her, or leave her outside to die. In recent years, advances in medical technology have made the problem much worse. Instead of waiting nine months to see which gender the baby would be, families today have access to ultrasounds that can tell them the childs gender just four months into the pregnancy. Many families who want a son will abort a female fetus. Sex determination tests are illegal in India, but doctors routinely accept bribes to carry out the procedure, and such cases are almost never prosecuted. The results of gender-selective abortion have been stark. The normal sex ratio at birth is about 105 males for each 100 females  because girls naturally survive to adulthood more often than boys. Today, for each 105 boys born in India, only 97 girls are born. In the most skewed district of Punjab, the ratio is 105 boys to 79 girls. Although these numbers dont look too alarming, in a country as populous as India, that translates to 37 million more men than women as of 2014. This imbalance has contributed to a rapid rise in horrific crimes against women. It seems logical that where women are a rare commodity, they would be treasured and treated with great respect. However, what happens in practice is that men commit more acts of violence against women where the gender balance is skewed. In recent years, women in India have faced increasing threats of rape, gang rape, and murder, in addition to domestic abuse from their husbands or their parents-in-law. Some women are killed for failing to produce sons, perpetuating the cycle. Sadly, this problem seems to be growing more common in Nepal, as well. Many women there cannot afford an ultrasound to determine the sex of their fetuses, so they kill or abandon baby girls after they are born. The reasons for the recent increase in female infanticide in Nepal are not clear. China and South Korea In China and South Korea, peoples behavior and attitudes today are still shaped to a large degree by the teachings of Confucius, an ancient Chinese sage. Among his teachings were the ideas that men are superior to women, and that sons have a duty to take care of their parents when the parents grow too old to work.   Girls, in contrast, were seen as a burden to raise, just as they were in India. They could not carry on the family name or blood-line, inherit the family property, or perform as much manual labor on the family farm. When a girl married, she was lost to a new family, and in centuries past, her birth parents might never see her again if she moved to a different village to marry. Unlike India, however, Chinese women do not have to provide a dowry when they marry. This makes the financial cost of raising a girl less onerous. However, the Chinese governments One Child Policy, enacted in 1979, has led to gender imbalance similar to Indias. Faced with the prospect of only having a single child, most parents in China preferred to have a son. As a result, they would abort, kill, or abandon baby girls. To help alleviate the problem, the Chinese government altered the policy to allow parents to have a second child if the first one was a girl, but many parents still do not want to bear the expense of raising and educating two children, so they will get rid of girl babies until they get a boy. In parts of China today, there are 140 men for every 100 women. The lack of brides for all of those extra men means that they cannot have children and carry on their families names, leaving them as barren branches. Some families resort to kidnapping girls in order to marry them to their sons. Others import brides from Vietnam, Cambodia, and other Asian nations. In South Korea, too, the current number of marriage-age men is much larger than the available women. This is because, in the 1990s, South Korea had the worst gender-at-birth imbalance in the world. Parents still clung to their traditional beliefs about the ideal family, even as the economy grew explosively and people grew wealthy. In addition, educating children about the sky-high standards common in Korea is very expensive. As a result of growing wealth, most families had access to ultrasounds and abortions, and the nation as a whole saw 120 boys being born for every 100 girls throughout the 1990s. As in China, some South Korean men today are bringing brides in from other Asian countries. However, it is a difficult adjustment for these women, who usually dont speak Korean and dont understand the expectations that will be placed on them in a Korean family - particularly the enormous expectations around their childrens education. Yet South Korea is a success story. In just a couple of decades, the gender-at-birth ratio has normalized at about 105 boys per 100 girls. This is mostly a result of changing social norms. Couples in South Korea have realized that women today have more opportunities to earn money and gain prominence - the current prime minister is a woman, for example. As capitalism booms, some sons have abandoned the custom of living with and caring for their elderly parents, who are now more likely to turn to their daughters for old-age care. Daughters are growing ever more valuable. There are still families in South Korea with, for example, a 19-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son. The implication of these bookend families is that several other daughters were aborted in between. But the South Korean experience shows that improvements in the social status and earning potential of women can have a profoundly positive effect on the birth ratio. It can actually prevent female infanticide.

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Midterm Exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Midterm Exam - Essay Example It led to a hostile response to certain policies and the intent reaction against the reform enthusiasm of the Progressive Era. Diplomats and Politicians argued in reference to the peace treaties and the entry of America in the League of Nations, which at the point did not work due to the isolationist opinion that had dominated (Norton 623). On the other hand, the progressive era in America was dominated by reforms in politics and social activism. Its main agenda was to purify the government by bringing to light those political figures that were involved in major corruption. Through this era, there were major reforms in the government, finance, industry and other areas. For example, there was the ‘nineteenth Amendment of 1920 that guaranteed female suffrage a reform that was essential in ensuring that enough votes had been consolidated from them especially then that women had been allowed to vote in all the 48 states. (Norton 624) Essentially, around 1919, there were chief strik es in the meatpacking and steel industries and large –scale race riots that were witnessed in Chicago and other cities. Wall streets had terrorist attacks, which culminated to fears of radicals and terrorists. For example, the community of German and the Irish Catholic community were disappointed in the foreign policy that had been brought up by the democratic president Wilson leading to a critical weakening of his political position especially after he was said to have suffered from a severe stroke. Thus, it was evident that the presidential elections came as a referendum that was meant to go against the progressive era, which basically fought for the right on most of the citizens in America (Norton 625). In 1920 many Americans were exhausted of war, and the constant attempts to have reforms including the passing of moral legislation. It is at about this time that Harding came up with a policy of returning things to normalcy, which he attempted to capitalize on so as to curb the feelings of the populist. Essay Two Explain in detail the differences between President Franklin Roosevelt’s First and Second Newdeals. What did each focus on and why or why not do you feel they were successful? During the campaigns for the presidency, Franklin .D. Roosevelt promised the people of the United States of America ‘New Deal’ due to the economic depression that was witnessed. Hence, there was a dire need to end the depression as the most important political issue. As soon as he was voted in as a democrat Roosevelt, a former governor of the New York had two deals (Norton 745). The first new deal was the reverse of the financial system of America, institute relief programs, as well as, the crisis that had been witnessed in agriculture and industry. Essentially, the Democratic Party under the leadership of Roosevelt provided relief food for the poor, and gave a balance to the traditional policies of the federal budget, supported the gold standard and led to the reduction of the size of the government. This new deal was successful because it gave direct payment to the poor and unemployed, and there was the revival of manufacturing which contributed to the end of the depression (Norton 746). The second new deal was dominated by the continuation of the