Ford Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ford - Case Study Example ullaly, the CEO, implemented included; employee reduction and other cost of production reduction techniques, shrinking its production through asset divestitures, as well as noticeable strategic maneuvers all deemed at avoiding government bails and loans. Most importantly, Mullaly focused on building a higher customer base by converging nameplates. As a matter of fact, fords management saw product diversification as a barrier to success as it dilutes core brand names. Therefore, Mullaly enlarged on some brands whose c valuation by customers outdid the rest, such as the Taurus model. Noteworthy, the success of ford is more leaned on customer base expansion, through brand improvement than in any other strategy. For instance, having capture that demand for small cars was increasing, ford responded by majoring on small cars despite their low average returns. Veritably, fords prosperity would have been more if they had focused on marketing and promoting their nameplates but altering the branding a little bit to capture the whole market, placing small car market in their forefront. The marketing plan below is an alternative solution. Lamb et al (2014) asserts that marketing plan should include a mission statement that is not only effectively stating the company’s objectives n but also exclude marketing myopia. Therefore, the mission statement needs be based on customer satisfaction based on a SWOT analysis of the firm and industry at large. A high market share would be obtained by having several luxurious small cars but insist on lowering fuel consumption. In addition to brand reduction, Ford should have realized that the recession was worse in US than in other economies. Therefore, emphasize more developing the global market. A good target should be developing economies where vehicle market is characterized by middle class. With invention of small cars, the middle class can easily be captured by reduced fuel consumption. Technological advancement of fuel

A Digital Proof Write-up Essay Example for Free

A Digital Proof Write-up Essay The problem in A Digital Proof has two parts. The first is to fill in five boxes with numbers that fit the criteria: each box has a number, and the digit that is placed in each box must be the amount of times that number appears in the whole five digit number formed by the boxes. The second part of the problem is to prove that there is only one solution. How I went about solving this problem was somewhat simple; at least, it was at first. I started from the ‘four’ box (the fifth box, labeled with a four). I realized that four wouldn’t work in that box, because that would mean that there were four fours, and that wouldn’t work. I couldn’t put three in the box, either, because that would require there to be three fours, and that wouldn’t work out either. Two didn’t work for the same reasons as four and three, and even one wasn’t a possibility. This left me with one option: zero. One box down, four to go. Easy, right? That’s what I thought as I filled in the ‘three’ box, again with a zero for the same reasons that I’d put a zero in the ‘four’ box. Four wouldn’t work because that would require three to be in four boxes, and then that wouldn’t leave room for any other numbers. Again, this was the reason that three, two, and one didn’t work. For three, too, the only possibility was zero. Up until now, things had been fairly straightforward. Then, once I hit the ‘two’ box, things began to get more complicated. Here, I couldn’t put four or three because two of the boxes had already been filled, and I couldn’t change that. Then, I tried two. This could work, but only if there was a two elsewhere. I couldn’t put a two in the ‘one’ box, but I could put it in the zero box, because of the ‘four’ and ‘three’ boxes. Good thing I didn’t change those. That left me with the ‘one’ box. There was really only one option for that box, and that was putting a one in it. That was my process for solving the seemingly daunting, but surprisingly easy problem. I know that 21200 is the only solution to this problem, because after working it through logically, it becomes apparent that no other set of numbers would work in this problem. While I found the problem a lot less difficult than I had anticipated, that isn’t to say that it was an easy assignment. It really forced me to think, which was useful because a lot of the time I try to avoid things where I need to think too deeply. Doing this problem forces you to be disciplined and stick with the problem until it’s finished, and makes you actually think about the problem carefully, from every angle. I think that if I could change the problem, I would provide more of a guideline as to how to go about solving the problem, because I was completely stumped at the beginning. Even this, though, I’m not entirely sure about. I believe that having to figure out a way to go at this problem was beneficial to me, and helped me get into the right mindset to do the problem right. I wouldn’t really say that I enjoyed working on this problem, but it wasn’t horrendous like I’d been expecting it to be. And the problem was definitely hard. No t too hard, but not easy by any means. If I had to give myself a grade on this, I’d give myself an A- or B+. My process wasn’t the most unique or interesting, because I just went at it from back to front. I didn’t write anything particularly new or different in my write-up, but I did put effort in and I did manage to get the problem done, and provide sound reasoning to back up my claims. Overall, I think that this write-up is solid A- material

Child Observation: Language Learning and Development Essay -- Theory o

Initial Observation The child I observed for this project was Reza. Reza was three years and ten months old when I observed him and took the language sample. Reza has an older brother. Reza attends Martin Luther King Daycare and is on his church’s soccer league. I met Reza two times prior to taking a language sample. We met at a gym the first time. Reza was a little shy, but it did not last but about ten minutes. His mom instructed him to stay with me while she had her workout. We discussed fishing, hunting, and a game on his mother’s phone. I stayed with him about 45 minutes in the gym, and visited about 15 more outside. I had my dog with me, and I let her play with him, which he seemed thrilled with. The next time I saw Reza, he was at his mother’s veterinarian clinic. He remembered me, and needed no prompts to engage in conversation with me. He was happy to see my dog again, and gave her hugs and words of encouragement. Reza has a very outgoing personality, and was very happy to talk with me both times. After two visits, I felt we had built a sufficient rapport, I made arrangements to meet with him to obtain the language sample. Reza’s parents are both very active in engaging him with other children his age. They spend family time together, and they both value education. Student-Child Interaction When I met Reza for the first time, he was with his mother, at the gym. His mother asked him to keep me company, and after a very short period of time, he began sharing stories about his day with me. After a while, Reza decided he needed to work out like his mom. He ran laps through the gym for me to observe. After the gym we talked outside, where Reza used a stick to fish a piece of debris out of a hol... ... said, looking for unspoken meanings. Reza occasionally used words that surprised me. It wasn't so surprising that he said them, but it was that he understood what they meant. An example is when he used the word throttle. I asked him what it was, and he explained it simply, but correctly. He had no problem conveying his meaning when he spoke with me. He recognized not only simple objects, but more complex objects. Works Cited Chomsky, N. (1965) The Aspects of the Theory of Syntax (pp 25) The MIT Press Cambridge, MA. Piaget, J. (2000) An Introduction to Montessori, Erikson, Piaget & Vygotsky (Carol Garhart Mooney) Redleaf Press St. Paul, Mn. Vygotsky, L. (1978). Interaction between Learning and Development (pp. 79-91). In Mind in Society. (Trans. M. Cole). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/Pragmatics

Ancestral Puebloans: The Southwest American Indians Essay -- Explorato

Ancestral Puebloans: The Southwest American Indians "Man corn", warfare and atlatls were not the only interesting aspects of the Anasazi culture. The history and lifestyles of the Ancestral Puebloans may have contributed to their mysterious disappearance. Their societies were more complex than most humans realize. The Anasazi, or to be politically correct, the Ancestral Puebloans, traveled to the Southwest from Mexico around 100 A.D. (Southwest Indian Relief Council, 2001). The word "Anasazi" originated from the Navajo word that translates to "ancestral enemies." The name was changed from Anasazi to Ancestral Puebloans so that their ancestors today do not take offense to the history of the people in their past. The Anasazi were known to be a nomadic people. They generally moved around until they found the perfect land for farming. This perfect land happened to be scattered across the southwest portion of the United States, mostly in the Four-Corner region of Arizona, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico (SWIRC, 2001). Mesa Verde, Chaco Canyon and Hovenweep were some of the most attractive places for these nomadic farmers to settle down. Mesa Verde provided the Anasazi with a high plateau full of canyons, caves and "Cliff Palaces." Chaco Canyon served as the center for all Anasazi activity. Hovenweep contained many cliff dwellings, perfect for a thriving, but remote Anasazi site. The Anasazi Indians developed their farming methods gradually once they found the perfect homelands. They would grow and eat corn, squash, pinon nuts, fruits and berries. Once the corn was fully-grown, the Anasazi women ground the corn with ametate and a mano. The metate is a "flat stone receptacle" and the mano is a "hand-held stone" (Ferguson... ...mber/October). Flight of the Anasazi. Archaeology, 44 Noble, D. G. (1985). Understanding the Anasazi of mesa verde and hovenweep. Pgs. 35-37. Santa Fe: Ancient City Press. Pueblo Indian. (2002, April). History of the pueblo indians (cont.). Retrieved March 12, 2003, from http://www.puebloindian.com/pueblo_history_003.htm Roberts, D. (1996). In search of the old ones. Pgs. 13, 31. New York: Touchstone. Southwest Indian Relief Council. (2001, July). Southwest indian history: 300 B. C.: Anasazi. Retrieved March 11, 2003, from http://www.swirc.org/history/anasazi.html S. P. (2002, September). Could the Anasazi have stayed? Science News, 174. Torres, N. & Stuart, S. Anasazi indians. Retrieved March 12, 2003, from http://www.crystalinks.com/anasazi.html Williams, S. (1991). Fantastic archaeology. Pgs. 339-340. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.

Human Rights in Africa

The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa Wilfred Nderitu1 Abstract This paper seeks to interrogate the rights-based approach to development and poverty reduction as espoused by the instruments and policies of the United Nations, considering Africa as the key beneficiary of the UN Millennium Development Campaign.The author will also enumerate the justifications for considering poverty as a human rights issue under international human rights law, and how this impacts on the advancement of human rights in Africa. Included is an endeavour to locate the direct and indirect contributions made by the different sections of the international community, including the international criminal justice system, to significantly reduce extreme poverty and hunger and, in so doing, preserve human dignity in Africa as envisioned by the international human rights regime.Furthermore, the paper seeks to justify the res ponsibility of the State in poverty alleviation from a juristic perspective, and argues for the domestication of international human rights standards in developing countries as well as the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as complementary actions towards improving the state of human rights in Africa. The paper will also analyse human rights gaps, particularly those emerging from the socio-economic fabric of developing countries, such as a lack of fundamental freedoms and impunity.Introduction That poverty is a universal phenomenon and a matter of significant global concern can hardly be disputable. The international community, under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) has itself recognised this and acted upon its responsibility to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and equity at the global level, by committing to the Millennium Declaration, the targets of which are commonly referred to as the Millennium Development Goals.One of t he most important provisions of the Millennium Declaration is perhaps that of the commitment to development and poverty eradication. By this Declaration, the international community commits to spare no effort in their 1 I wish to express my gratitude to James Gondi for his assistance with some of the background research that went into this paper. 81 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa ursuit of the complete eradication of poverty. The particulars of the international community’s commitment towards poverty eradication include the following:2 To halve by the year 2015, the proportion of the world’s peoples whose incomes are less than one dollar a day and the proportion of people who suffer from hunger and, by the same date, to halve the proportion of people who are unable to reach or to afford safe drinking water.The particulars of the poverty scourge are more prevalent in developing countries, particularly Africa, and are characterised by hu nger, no access to safe drinking water, and the inability of the majority of the population to achieve the minimum acceptable standards of living that are required in order to ensure basic human dignity. In the Millennium Declaration, the global human family resolves to –3 [c]reate an environment – at the national and global level alike – which is conducive to development and to the elimination of poverty.It is the position of this paper that creating such an environment requires a multipronged approach to dealing with poverty: an approach which dares to transcend the boundaries of economics and to address wider issues which affect the global environment’s capacity to generate development and, in so doing, reduce poverty and hunger. Any poverty eradication strategy would involve creating income-generation opportunities. The reality, however, is that such opportunities cannot be created in an anarchical or unstable socio-political environment.Hence, there is a need for a multifaceted approach to dealing with poverty which, in addition to addressing the strictly economic issues, also tries to enrich the socio-political fabric of a nation or region in which the war against poverty is being waged. Thus the Millennium Declaration calls upon the international community to –4 [s]pare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development. 2 3 4 UN General Assembly Resolution 55/2 at para. 9. (ibid. :para. 12). (ibid. :para. 19). 82 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa This averment in the Declaration is not a separate abstract goal, but is a complementary commitment made in full cognisance of the fact that poverty eradication efforts must have a strong socio-political base, characterised by respect for the rule of law, human rights and democracy. Indeed, creating a stable political, legal and economic environment friendly to entrepreneurship and investment is a precursor for effectively fighting poverty.Nobel Economist Amartya Sen5 acknowledges the argument set forth above in Development as freedom:6 Freedom, the ability of a person to make decisions about his or her life, is not only the most efficient means for building a healthy developed society, but also its ultimate goal. When you put assets in the hands of the poor in a politically distorted environment, not much happens. This sums up the nexus which binds the human rights movement and the global effort to fight poverty and, more importantly, offers succinct authentication for considering poverty as a violation of human rights.Defining poverty as a human rights issue Arjun Sengupta7 argues that human rights are legal rights with binding obligations on the duty-bearers, who are primarily the States. This legality of rights and the binding nature of their obligations is the main attraction of c laiming human rights. It underlines the importance of bringing the issue of poverty within the realm of the human rights movement, and defining freedom from hunger and poverty within the framework of human rights norms 5 6 7Amartya Sen is a Professor of Economics at Trinity College in Cambridge, a citizen of India, and winner of the 1998 Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, for his contributions to welfare economics. Sen (1999). Arjun Sengupta is a former Professor at the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and currently an Adjunct Professor at the Harvard School of Public Health and Chairman of the Center for Development and Human Rights in New Delhi.He is also the former UN Independent Expert on the Right to Development, and current United Nations Independent Expert on Human Rights and Extreme Poverty. 83 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa and standards. It fol lows that, once the aforementioned are accepted as human rights, then they become legal rights and the State becomes a legal duty-bearer, charged with ensuring that its citizens are free from extreme hunger and poverty as demanded by the Millennium Declaration.Sengupta adds:8 The duty[-]bearers are primarily the states. They are supposed to be accountable for any failures to carry out their obligations and are expected to take remedial actions if their non-compliance with their duties is determined by an appropriate independent mechanism. Hence, the theoretical advantage of placing the global poverty eradication effort under the realm of the international human rights philosophy is clear. It establishes a legal aspect to the fight against poverty and, most importantly, devises a duty-bearer in the form of the State.It is also important for jurists to establish a theoretical basis for defining poverty eradication as a human rights issue. Taking a human rights approach to poverty is a path towards the empowerment of the poor. A background paper published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) states that the modern-day challenge in the fight against poverty is to establish mechanisms which erode powerlessness and enhance the social capacity of the poor. The OHCHR advances the case for a human rights pproach to poverty reduction as follows:9 When human rights are introduced in policy[-]making, the rationale of poverty reduction no longer derives only from the fact that the poor have needs but is based on the rights of poor peoples’ entitlements that give rise to obligations on the part of others that are enshrined in law. The OHCHR furthers the juristic approach to the eradication of poverty from a practical angle exemplified by empowerment. The argument is that defining poverty in a human rights context not only gives it a legal status and legal rights which can be claimed with respect to poverty, but also serves to empower the po or.Just as civil and political rights have, with the aid of the civil rights movement, empowered minorities and disadvantaged groups in the past, the components of a human rights normative framework can contribute to the empowerment of the poor in Africa. 8 9 Sengupta [Forthcoming]. OHCHR (2002). 84 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa The following is an account of the ‘evidence’ – first in political theory, then by international human rights law – that serves to advance our proposition that the issue of poverty can be defined as a human rights issue.By extension, failure by the State to intervene in curbing poverty becomes a violation of human rights. The medium which brings the aspects of poverty eradication and human rights together is the inherent dignity of humankind, which the State has a duty to protect as established by early political theorists. The protection of the inherent dignity of humankind is also entrenched in modern international human rights law. Social and political theory Jurists come across various political and social theories in search of jurisprudential concepts that form a good proportion of the basis for legal learning.In Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes10 advances the theory of the social contract. This is the contract between the citizen and the State, i. e. the body politic, in which the people advance from an anarchical ‘state of nature’ by handing over their instincts of self-preservation and, as such, mutually destructive powers to a central authority (the Leviathan) to enable the central authority to exercise the collective power for the benefit of the whole populace.Liberal analysis of the social contract theory stipulates that it is from this contract between man and State, that the latter derives its legitimacy. In return, the populace is entitled to certain fundamental rights and freedoms. Like any contract, the social contract entails both rights and duties for both parties. As such, citizens have duties to fulfil as subjects, and have natural rights they should enjoy as human beings. Hence, the very legitimacy of the State is partially based on the ability of the citizens to enjoy certain basic rights.It is the proposition of this paper that no right could be more fundamental, basic or natural than the right to basic human dignity: a right recognised by the social contract, and which forms the basic ethos of the human rights philosophy. Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau are the best-known proponents of this immensely influential theory, which has been one of the most dominant within the moral and political ambit. Rousseau, an influential 18th-Century 10 Hobbes (1998/1651). 85 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa olitical theorist, elaborates on the social contract (also referred to as the social compact) as follows:11 The social compact sets up among the citizens an equality of such a kind, that they all bind themselves to observe the same conditions and should therefore all enjoy the same rights. Thus from the nature of the compact, every act of Sovereignty, i. e. , every authentic act of the general will, binds or favours all the citizens equally; so that the sovereign recognizes only the body of the nation, and draws no distinctions between those of whom it is made up.It is legitimate, because based on the social contract, and equitable, because common to all; useful because it can have no other object other than the general good, and stable because it is guaranteed by the public force and the supreme power. To retain its legitimacy, the sovereign must meet its obligations to the citizen, which include ensuring that the citizen is entitled to his or her fundamental rights. This includes the right to minimum standards of human dignity – which may, from one perspective, be interpreted as the right to be free from poverty and hunger.This is because poverty and hunger den y the citizen the ability to live within minimum acceptable standards of human dignity. This brings out the equality dimension of liberal political theory. In reality, true equality is difficult to achieve, but the argument is that there should be a certain basic minimum standard available to all citizens to ensure that their lives are commensurate with the basic acceptable standards of human dignity. It follows that the right to basic human dignity entails the right to be free from poverty and hunger.International human rights law As members of the international community that recognise human rights and ratify treaties and covenants, all States and institutions take on the obligation of ensuring these rights. Poverty has always been considered as a degradation of human dignity. Indeed, poor people lack the freedom to lead a life with dignity. International human rights law preserves and protects the inherent dignity of the human being and the states parties to international human r ights treaties, particularly the Universal 11Boyd (1963). 86 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR),12 are obligated to preserve and protect the inherent dignity of their citizens. By logical abstraction, states parties to international human rights instruments such as the UDHR are obliged to take active measures to deal with all things which violate the inherent dignity of their citizens. Poverty and its consequences are, from a juristic perspective, some of the greatest hindrances to human dignity.An analysis of the provisions of international human rights instruments which emanate from the forum of the UN reveals the express protection of human dignity and the protection of human beings from the derogatory conditions that are synonymous with poverty. The following sample of international human rights instruments portrays this position. The UDHR, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the C onvention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) will be applied below to expound the international legal basis under which poverty can be viewed as a violation of human rights.The Preamble to the UDHR is unequivocal about the need to preserve human dignity:13 The recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world. This is the root of the protection of inherent human dignity in international law as well as of the argument set forth herein that poverty is a violation of human rights because it deprives people of the capacity to live within the minimum acceptable standards of human dignity.Article 22 of the UDHR stipulates the following:14 Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality. 12 13 14 Universal Declaration of Human Rights; adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly Resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948. (ibid. ). (ibid. ). 87 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in AfricaThis provision fully portrays the aspect of multiple responsibility and approaches to ensuring human dignity by setting out certain minimum rights requiring pursuit through the concerted efforts of a wide spectrum of actors at national and international level. By preserving the right to social security, protecting economic, social and cultural rights – including the free development of the individual – and placing the onus for the fulfilment of these rights at the at both the national and international level, this provision of the UDHR cements the value of ensuring certain minimum tandards of living for citiz ens by way of the use of State resources as a precursor to preserving human dignity. When poverty prevails, these minimum standards are out of reach. Therefore, any poverty alleviation effort needs to consider ensuring these basic rights as a cornerstone of its strategy. Similarly, Articles 23, 25 and 26 of the UDHR address issues related to basic minimum living standards aimed at preserving human dignity, and similarly crucial to poverty eradication.In summary, the aforesaid articles of the UDHR demand that everyone has the following rights: †¢ Work †¢ A standard of living adequate for his health and well-being and that of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care, and the necessary social services, and †¢ Education. In similar fashion, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) contains provisions which aim to preserve basic rights related to living standards.Article 11(2) of the ICESCR states the following:15 Th e States Parties to the present Covenant, recognizing the fundamental right of everyone to be free from hunger, shall take, individually and through international cooperation, the measures, including specific programmes, which are needed: (a) To improve methods of production, conservation and distribution of food by making full use of technical and scientific knowledge, by disseminating knowledge of the principles of nutrition and by developing or reforming agrarian systems in such a way as to achieve the most efficient development and utilization of natural resources; 15Ghandhi (2002). 88 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa (b) Taking into account the problems of both food-importing and food-exporting countries, to ensure an equitable distribution of world food supplies in relation to need. This goes to the heart of the juristic argument that poverty is a human rights issue, and that creating stable political and socio-economic structures in which respe ct for human rights related to ensuring minimum standards of human dignity are observed is a precursor to any credible poverty eradication strategy.Furthermore, Articles 6, 7, 9, 12 and 13 of the ICESCR seek to preserve the following: †¢ The right to work and to enjoy just and favourable conditions at work, which ensure fair wages and equal remuneration for work of equal value. †¢ The right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing and housing, and †¢ The right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.Article 14(2) of CEDAW states the following:16 States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in rural areas in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, that they participate in and benefit from rural development and, in particular, shall ensure to such women the right: (a) To participate in the elaboration and implement ation of development planning at all levels; (b) To have access to adequate health care facilities, including information, counseling and services in family planning; (c) To benefit directly from social security programmes; (d) To obtain all types of training and education, formal and non-formal, including that relating to functional literacy, as well as, inter alia, the benefit of all community and extension services, in order to increase their technical proficiency; (e) To organize self-help groups and co-operatives in order to obtain equal access to economic opportunities through employment; (f) To participate in all community activities; (g) To have access to agricultural credit and loans, marketing facilities, appropriate technology and equal treatment in land and agrarian reform as well as in land resettlement schemes; (h) To enjoy adequate living conditions, particularly in relation to housing, sanitation, electricity and water supply, transport and communications. 16 (ibid. ). 89The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa The relationship between the rights of women and development vis-a-vis poverty eradication is well established. In developing countries, the burden of direct provision for the family in terms of basic necessities is predominantly carried by women. It is they that till the soil. Thus, the empowerment of women serves as a useful avenue to the achievement of poverty eradication goals and objectives. Hence, it is important that women are not denied a suitable environment for the creation of opportunities for the generation of income. This means that women in developing countries should have similar access to capital as their male counterparts.This includes access to loans, membership of cooperatives, and equal treatment in land matters among other rights, as stipulated in CEDAW. To improve the position of women with respect to access to capital, the support for women’s inheritance rights should be strengthened. As such, human rights non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the developing world that promulgate women’s inheritance rights should be applauded and given additional support by the international community. The argument here is that inherited property, such as land, serves as an asset that can be used to obtain investment capital and generate income and, in so doing, contribute to the eradication of poverty.Furthermore, particular attention should be directed at the education of women as a means of raising their living standards, in conformity with minimum acceptable standards inspired by the inherent dignity of man – which the international community seeks to preserve and protect. Preservation of the above rights under the various international instruments ensures minimum standards of living commensurate with human dignity. Hence, the fulfilment of these rights by States and the participation of the international community are an invaluable contribution to efforts a imed at eradicating extreme poverty and hunger as per the Millennium Declaration. The People’s Decade for Human Rights Education (PDHRE)17 asserts that the human right to live in dignity is a fundamental right and, more importantly, 17Founded in 1988, PDHRE International is a non-profit, international service organisation that works directly and indirectly with its network of affiliates – primarily women’s and social justice organisations – to develop and advance pedagogies for human rights education relevant to people’s daily lives in the context of their struggles for social and economic justice and democracy. PDHRE’s members include experienced educators, human rights experts, UN officials, and world-renowned advocates and activists who collaborate to 90 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa is essential to the realisation of all other human rights.The PDHRE specifies the particular rights that constitute the ov erall right to live in dignity. These include – †¢ the right to be free from hunger †¢ the right to live in adequate housing †¢ the right to safe drinking water, and †¢ the right to a healthy and safe environment. These rights are not static and inelastic: they are fluid, interconnected, and interdependent. Synergy between the efforts of different international institutions and other actors in the fight against poverty Women, conflict and poverty The Millennium Declaration resolves as follows:18 To promote gender equality and the empowerment of women as effective ways to combat poverty, hunger and disease and to stimulate development that is truly sustainable.The focus on gender in the poverty eradication effort is significant. Modern thinking demands improvement of gender equality as a means of reinforcing the development agenda. Women who have low levels of education and training, poor health and nutritional status, and limited access to resources have t he 18 conceive, initiate, facilitate, and service projects on education in human rights for social and economic transformation. The organisation is dedicated to publishing and disseminating demand-driven human rights training manuals and other teaching materials, and otherwise servicing grass-roots and community groups engaged in a creative, contextualised process of human rights learning, reflection, and action.The PDHRE views human rights as a value system capable of strengthening democratic communities and nations through its emphasis on accountability, reciprocity, and people’s equal and informed participation in the decisions that affect their lives. The PDHRE was pivotal in lobbying the UN to found a Decade for Human Rights Education, and in drafting and lobbying for various resolutions by the World Conference on Human Rights, the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Commission, the UN Treaty Bodies, and the Fourth World Conference on Women. UN General Assembly Reso lution 55/2 at para. 20. 91 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa ffect of reducing the quality of life of the entire population. This is because women are the driving force behind the family – the basic unit of the community. Discrimination against women then impairs other elements of development. Different components of the human rights normative framework can contribute to the empowerment of the poor and provide useful poverty alleviation input. Women’s rights are one such component. The empowerment of women is central to combating all manner of international scourges and the pursuit of developmental goals worldwide. The participation of women in mainstream development activity and poverty reduction strategies is essential.For this to take place, all factors which tend to discriminate against the participation of women in income-generating opportunities and other poverty reduction strategies need to be abolished. In cases of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, over which the International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction, women and children are the primary victims of inhumane and cruel acts, which are inextricably connected to armed conflict. Women are captured, raped and tortured. In recognition of this, the Rome Statute includes such acts of cruelty against women in defining war crime and crime against humanity. In seeking to combat impunity, the Rome Statute seeks accountability to women for gender-specific offences that are expressly defined in it.In the past, treaties have failed to address crimes against women with the requisite specificity:19 Treaties have been drafted outlawing, in excruciating detail, everything from particular kinds of bullets to the destruction of historical buildings, while maintaining enormous silence or providing only vague provisions on crimes against women. Provisions are needed in international humanitarian law that take women’s experiences of sexual violenc e as a starting point rather than just a by-product of war. The experiences of the ad hoc tribunals for Rwanda and Yugoslavia have contributed greatly to the growing recognition for and action against crimes committed against women in armed conflict. This journey has culminated in the express definition of crimes of sexual violence being included in the Rome Statute. In a United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) publication 19 Askin (1997). 92 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa ntitled Women, war and peace, Elizabeth Rehn and Ellen Sirleaf capture the recent history of mainstreaming crimes against women into international law:20 The campaign to end violence against women took root and gained momentum throughout the 1990’s on the agendas of the UN World Conferences, from Vienna in 1993 to Cairo in 1994 to Beijing in 1995, where the principles for codifying international law on violence against women began to be recognized. Those principl es were later tested in landmark decisions by the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda and ultimately informed the definition of crimes of sexual violence included in the Rome Statute of the ICC. The continued progress of bringing gender violence issues to the fore of international law now lies partly with the ICC. It is our hope that the gains already made will be tested and strengthened further in proceedings before the Court.Justice Theodore Morton of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) echoed these sentiments: 21 The crimes recognized by the ICC Statute, including the gender-specific offences, may well take on a life of their own as an authoritative and largely customary statement of international humanitarian and criminal law and become a model for national laws to be enforced under the principle of universality of jurisdiction. In addition, post-conflict jurisdictions are normally devastated and the remaining po pulations stay destitute as a result of the destruction of assets and economic endeavour. Yet again, those who suffer the most are women, as they bear the onus of rebuilding their family structures. This is part of the ethos behind the establishment of the ICC’s Trust Fund for victims of these atrocities, since it recognises the poverty scourge that is characteristic of post-conflict jurisdictions.Thus, in addition to seeking justice for the victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity (for which women suffer the most), the ICC recognises the poverty dimension. It is hoped that proceeds from the Trust Fund will help victims, particularly women, to have a fresh start to their lives by creating income opportunities which help to alleviate poverty. Traditionally, reparations for violations of international humanitarian law are the subject of States, and are paid to States rather than to the individual. Now, however, important developments are taking place in this respect. The OHCHR 20 21 Rehn & Sirleaf (2002). (ibid. ). 93 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa as appointed a Special Rapporteur on the right to reparations, and principles relevant to reparative remedies have been drafted by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 22 In fact, the Draft basic principles and guidelines on the right to a remedy and reparation for victims of gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law, if adopted as they are, will require the State to –23 [p]rovide reparation to victims for acts or omissions which can be attributed to the State and constitute gross violations of international human rights law or serious violations of international humanitarian law.In cases where a person, a legal person, or other entity is found liable for reparation to a victim, such party should provide reparation to the victim or compensate the State if the State has a lready provided reparation to the victim. Also interesting to note in the above respect is that the Preamble to the Draft basic principles refers to a right to remedy for victims of violations of international human rights found in regional conventions, particularly the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights at Article 7, among other regional human rights instruments. 24 Article 75 of the Rome Statute of the ICC extends reparation rights to individual victims. Article 75, titled Reparations to victims, reads as follows: 1. The Court shall establish principles relating to reparations to, or in respect of, victims, including restitution, compensation and rehabilitation.On this basis, in its decision the Court may, either upon request or on its own motion in exceptional circumstances, determine the scope and extent of any damage, loss and injury to, or in respect of, victims and will state the principles on which it is acting. The Court may make an order directly against a convicted person specifying appropriate reparations to, or in respect of, victims, including restitution, compensation and rehabilitation. Where appropriate, the Court may order that the award for reparations be made through the Trust Fund provided for in article 79. 3. Before making an order under this article, the Court may invite and shall take account of representations from or on behalf of the convicted person, victims, other interested persons or interested States. 2. 22 23 24 (ibid. ). Van Boven (2004). (ibid. ). 94 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa 4.In exercising its power under this article, the Court may, after a person is convicted of a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court, determine whether, in order to give effect to an order which it may make under this article, it is necessary to seek measures under article 93, paragraph 1. A State Party shall give effect to a decision under this article as if the provisions of article109 were ap plicable to this article. Nothing in this article shall be interpreted as prejudicing the rights of victims under national or international law. 5. 6. It is hoped that the proceeds from such reparations will go towards rebuilding efforts and, in so doing, inject some finance, however modest, towards reestablishing post-conflict economies.Thus, two dimensions are recognised here by the goals of the ICC and the Trust Fund in relation to poverty alleviation: †¢ The first dimension, as argued above, is that the empowerment of women serves as a useful avenue to the alleviation of poverty because women in the developing world are the driving force of the family, the basic unit of society, and The second dimension is to seek justice for the victims of war crimes – the †¢ most ravaged group being women. Reparations for victims, as envisaged by the Rome Statute, are a key component of this quest for justice. Convergence between international criminal justice and poverty alle viation efforts The legendary philosopher, pacifist, and leader of the people of India, the late Mahatma Gandhi, saw the human being as a limited creature capable of cruelty, narrow-mindedness and violence.Indeed, this character or weakness is observed daily when we see women and children marching in their thousands across national borders trying to escape from violence and genocide. Such are the human weaknesses which make the world susceptible to breeding a culture of impunity. With this in mind, the international criminal justice system seeks justice for the victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, with one of the intended outputs being deterrence against the culture of impunity. The link is clear: impunity leads to armed conflict, which leads to anarchy, which in turn yields poverty. Nevertheless, we realise that this relationship between 95 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa mpunity, conflict and poverty is not absolutely linear , and that each factor contributes to the other in some way. However, the experience of those involved in international criminal justice is that a poverty-stricken environment is always one of the most grievous outcomes of a post-conflict situation. As such, from the lens of transitional justice, dealing with impunity contributes to preventing the exacerbation of poverty brought about by armed conflict. As stated earlier, the fight against poverty is itself a demonstration of respect for the inherent right to human dignity. A world community in which a culture of impunity is allowed to thrive will be characterised by gross contempt for human dignity.In tackling the problem of impunity through ad hoc tribunals, special tribunals and the ICC, the international community is effectively combating one of the triggers of poverty. Thus, the international criminal justice system should be viewed partly as an indirect actor in the effort to eradicate poverty. This would be in keeping with th e collective responsibility with which the entire international community (including all international institutions) is charged by the Millennium Declaration. Furthermore, it is agreed that poverty alleviation requires the creation of incomegenerating opportunities. History teaches us that armed conflict destroys the economic fabric of society and creates anarchy. It is impossible for incomegeneration activities to take place in an armed conflict situation.Having seen that a culture of impunity provides a breeding ground for armed conflict which yields poverty, it is arguable that the international criminal justice system, by deterring impunity, indirectly acts to prevent the destruction of stable socioeconomic environments and, in so doing, helps to prevent the exacerbation of poverty. A further area of convergence and synergy between international criminal justice and the global poverty eradication effort – keeping in mind that international criminal justice mechanisms are arms of the wider system of international law – is revealed by a conceptual analysis of justice in international law on the one hand, and economic and social justice on the other.Any conceptual analysis of justice explores the ideals of equity and fairness. Justice in the international realm comprises a sense of horizontal equity between States, and vertical equity between States and their citizens. This is a conceptual 96 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa analysis of justice as viewed through the lens of international law. The same is expressed by Sengupta:25 International law should concern itself with a just and fair relationship between the States, and the vertical relationship between the States and their citizens should be treated separately, through constitutional reforms within the sovereign states.But when the claims of equality of relationship are advanced in terms of human rights, such as the right to development, vertical relations a lso come within the purview of discussions. If the equality of human rights relationships referred to by Sengupta include freedom from extreme poverty and hunger (and, by extension, the right to development), as we have experienced in our sample analysis of key international human rights instruments, the vertical equity conceptual aspect of justice in international law also encompasses the duty of States to take all necessary measures to free their citizens from hunger and poverty. Thus, in seeking justice from the perspective of international law, States are, by extension, simultaneously obliged to address the economic and social aspects of justice by fighting poverty.This analysis reveals that, although all international actors in the global fight to eradicate poverty may pursue separate avenues and be inspired by various economic, social and political concepts which all contribute greatly to the fight, we are all intrinsically motivated by a desire to achieve justice. The interna tional criminal justice system pursues legal justice for victims of crimes against humanity through international courts, while other international actors (more inclined towards scientific and economic approaches) seek economic and social justice for the world population through the implementation of poverty eradication programmes on the ground.Indeed, this idea of a common intrinsic motivation finds support in the Preamble to the Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which declares as follows:26 The wide diffusion of culture, and the education of humanity for justice and liberty and peace are indispensable for the dignity of man and constitute a sacred duty which all the nations must fulfil in a spirit of mutual assistance and concern. The vertical equity relationship between States and their citizens, as sought by international human rights law and explored above, is similar to the Hobbesian 25 26 [Forthcoming]. Preamble to the UNESCO Constitution, which came into force on 4 November 1946 after ratification by 20 countries. 97 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa social contract.Hence, the common intrinsic pursuit of justice by various international actors (including the international criminal justice system and the poverty eradication movement) is visible both at the level of international law and within the sphere of political theory. Responsibility of the State in poverty alleviation from a juristic perspective Domestication of international human rights standards A proposed new focus within the human rights framework itself would aid the fight against poverty and, in so doing, cement the human rights approach to poverty eradication. For decades, human rights advocacy has leaned more towards civil and political rights and less towards the sister economic and social rights.This is due partly to the impetus for democratisation and ending discrimination, which were major fea tures of international affairs after World War II. The 21st Century presents the international community with new challenges and new priorities. The human rights movement and the international community as a whole must, in keeping with new priorities espoused by the Millennium Declaration such as the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, apply economic and social rights advocacy towards the reduction of poverty. The OHCHR supports such a renewed approach:27 Recognition of the complementary relationships between civil and political rights on the one hand, and economic, social and cultural rights on the other, can strengthen as well as broaden the scope of poverty eradication strategies.In expounding on the scope of the right to health, the Economic and Social Rights Committee – a body established by the ICESCR to monitor compliance by states parties with its provisions – says that –28 [t]he right includes a wide range of socio-economic factors that promote c onditions in which people can lead a healthy life, and extends to underlying determinants of health, such as food and nutrition, housing, access to safe and potable water and adequate sanitation, safe and healthy working conditions, and a healthy environment. 27 28 OHCHR (2002). (ibid. ). 98 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa These underlying determinants go to the heart of the most crucial poverty-related problems, and would constitute part of an effective human rights approach to poverty eradication as well as support the arguments in favour of defining poverty as a violation of human rights.Returning to the obligation of States to their citizens under international law and backed by political theory, the ICESCR demands that states parties take steps, utilising their maximum available resources, to progressively achieve the realisation of the rights contained in the Covenant by, among other initiatives, adopting appropriate legislative measures to thi s end. The duty to take steps constitutes an immediate obligation. The aspect of duties and obligations (to be performed by the State for the benefit of the citizen) attached to economic and social rights, which include factors central to poverty eradication such as the provision of food and clean water, provide a legalistic colour to the provision of basic human needs and, in so doing, support the juristic view of poverty as a violation of human rights.Overall, the domestication of international human rights standards – civil and political, and economic, social and cultural – in the national legal systems of developing countries would create a suitable foundation for the generation of income opportunities and contribute to the alleviation of poverty, while reinforcing the juristic consideration of poverty as a violation of human rights. Ratification of the Rome Statute and implementation of the necessary national legislation The Millennium Declaration calls upon State s to consider signing and ratifying the Rome Statute as part of their commitment to peace, security and disarmament. Looking at the Millennium Declaration holistically, a perspective is developed which portrays the different development goals and declarations in pursuit of those goals (e. g. peace, security and disarmament; development nd poverty eradication; human rights democracy and good governance) as interlinked and interdependent. Thus, the commitment to the theme of peace and security, for example, is not a commitment to the theme in itself, but a complementary commitment to the wider, more holistic goals of the Millennium Declaration, which includes 99 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa the pursuit and achievement of the other thematic goals such as development and poverty eradication. These portray the challenges facing the international community in the 21st Century in striving to make the world a better place for the entire human family.There fore, just as the commitment to peace, security and disarmament is complementary to the goal of development and poverty eradication, the signing and ratification of the Rome Statute is a correlative and facilitative pathway to the achievement of both poverty eradication and the aforesaid wider objective. More directly, the ratification of the Rome Statute and the implementation of relevant legislation in national legal systems provide a stable platform for transitional justice, and deal a fatal blow to the culture of impunity which is the cause of international armed conflict, characterised by genocidal ambivalence, within the remit of the ICC.To belabour the point, transitional justice in the developing world contributes to peace, stability and the rule of law – which are the ingredients of a suitable income-generation environment that, in turn, is crucial to the eradication of poverty and hunger. The substance of this paper poses certain fundamental questions worth ponderin g. What part can jurists play in the fresh impetus to eradicate poverty, as embodied in the Millennium Declaration? What is the role of the international criminal justice system in these efforts? Just as justice is fundamental to the widening of democratic space, it is equally important to bridging the poverty gap.The international criminal justice system will play its role in contributing to these efforts by adhering to the principles of zero tolerance for impunity and delivering justice to the victims of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. The international criminal justice system recognises that impunity breeds violence, which destroys the environment for income-generation and, thus, exacerbates poverty. This is why the Preamble to the Rome Statute recognises that grave crimes threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world, and is determined to put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes. The Millennium Declaration further resolves to †“29 29 UN General Assembly Resolution 55/2 at para. 12. 100 The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa c]reate an environment at the national and global levels alike – which is conducive to development and to the elimination of poverty. In so doing, the Declaration recognises the importance of international systems that, through various aspects and initiatives, contribute to dealing with the causes, triggers and aggravators of poverty. International criminal justice mechanisms seek justice and deter impunity – a cause of conflict and, thus, an aggravator of poverty. This recognition, coupled with the plea to ratify the Rome Statute in the Millennium Declaration, inspires an increasing convergence of thought, effort and interaction between the spheres of international criminal justice and economic development. ConclusionPoverty is a violation of human rights because States are obligated, under international human rights law and the social contrac t from which the State derives its legitimacy, to remove the impediments to the enjoyment of resources required to sustain a standard of living commensurate with the minimum acceptable level of human dignity. The consequences of poverty deny the citizen a standard of living commensurate to his or her inherent dignity. Thus, a human rights approach to poverty eradication has a strong foundation both in theoretical dimensions and at a practical level. The OHCHR argues for the active participation of the poor in poverty reduction strategies, in keeping with the right of citizens to participate in decision-making.In arguing for such participation, the OHCHR provides a linkage between poverty reduction and human rights, arguing that the poor –30 [m]ust be free to organize without restriction (right of association), to meet without impediment (right of assembly), and to say what they want without intimidation (freedom of expression); they must know the relevant facts (right to info rmation) and they must enjoy an elementary level of economic security and well-being (right to a reasonable standard of living and associated rights). In so doing, all persons will enjoy the basic rights and freedoms that enable them to participate in the conduct of public affairs and decision-making. This ultimately involves the distribution of resources key to the alleviation of poverty. 30 OHCHR (2002). 101The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa Thus, not only is poverty itself a violation of human rights, but the key to its alleviation lies in the conferment and entrenchment of fundamental rights and freedoms in developing nations. Considering poverty as a violation of human rights is not merely a theoretical endeavour: the output of such consideration addresses the specific issue of the lack of sufficient quantities of basic necessities. Once poverty is well established as a violation of human rights, resultant advocacy will pursue the attainment of bas ic necessities by advocating for the right to food, the right to health, the right to education, and so on.In so doing, the human rights movement will be contributing directly and substantially to the global effort to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, as resolved in the Millennium Declaration. Therefore, through the construction of poverty reduction as a positive human rights obligation, the adoption of a rights-based approach to development and support for international criminal justice, the UN has accelerated efforts to advance human dignity, particularly on the African continent, which is most affected by the scourge of poverty. References Askin, Kelly Dawn. 1997. War crimes against women: Prosecutions in international war crimes tribunals. The Hague: Kluwer Law International. Boyd, W. 1963. The educational theory of Jean Jacques Rousseau. New York: Russell & Russell. Ghandi, PR (Ed. ). 2002.Blackstone’s international human rights documents (Third Edition). 2002). Lond on: Blackstone Press. Hobbes, Thomas. 1998 [1651]. Leviathan. Edited by JCA Gaskin. New York: Oxford University Press. OHCHR/Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 2002. â€Å"Human rights, poverty reduction and sustainable development: Health, food and water†. Unpublished paper for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, September 2002. Rehn, Elizabeth & Ellen Sirleaf. 2002. Women, war and peace: The Independent Experts’ assessment on the impact of armed conflict on women and women’s role in peacemaking. New York: United Nations Development Fund for Women. 102The United Nations and the advancement of human rights in Africa Sen, A. 1999. Development as freedom. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Sengupta, A. [Forthcoming]. â€Å"Poverty eradication and human rights†. In Pogge, Thomas (Ed. ) â€Å"Severe poverty as a human rights violation†. New York: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. Van B oven, Theo. 2004. Draft basic principles and guidelines on the right to a remedy and reparation for victims of gross violations of international human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law. Third Consultative Meeting, Geneva 29 September to 1 October 2004. Geneva: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 103

How a new racial narrative in the U.S.A is being created

How a new racial narrative in the U.S.A is being created Introduction Demographics of race in the United States are unique and dynamic. The emergence of new racial aspects has continued to shape the racial narrative along unique social, economic and cultural lines.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on How a new racial narrative in the U.S.A is being created specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More New racial narrative The development of the issue of race mainly stems from the fact that racial differences among the Americans continue to take new dimensions. The views of Americans on immigration have greatly changed leading to an improvement in the manner in which Americans perceive and relate to people of different races (Martà ­nez and Rodrà ­guez 7-123). By recounting the tribulations and humiliation of five immigrant families in the U.S., the author, Rubà ©n Martinez presents unique attributes of the modern American race factor (Bufkin 23-41). Divisions in the American population emanate from the feeling of betrayal and the desire by the new immigrants to be accorded fair and equal treatment by the government and other state and federal agencies. Immigrant movements in the U.S highly influence the behaviors, beliefs and cultural practices of the new racial systems currently being established. The existence of a family of Nigerian refugees among them a sister of the renowned Nigerian, Ogoni, and activist, Ken Saro-Wiwa has transformed the manner in which immigrants into the United States of America perceive the issue of race. Other immigrants such as the Palestinian couple that has been living in the state of Chicago, two people staying in a lodge with their origin in the Dominican Republic and a few other immigrants have all led to a change in the manner in which immigrants in the country are perceived (Martà ­nez and Rodrà ­guez 59-81). As revealed by television series on issues pertaining to racial concepts in the United States, race plays a significant role in shaping people’s behavioral patterns. Immigrants into the United States transform the country through economic, social, political, religious and cultural means. The new Americans mainly focus on addressing vital economic strategies that in turn strengthen the American society. Though law enforcement is an important aspect of both the state and the federal governments, it is evident from the works of the author that social and economic statuses highly impact on the economic development of a region, state or country. Racial profiling therefore plays a negative role in discouraging social integration and instead promotes racial segregation in the country.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The consumption of native food is an aspect of race that influences the integration and racial patterns which also determine the level of economic and social performance in the Unit ed States of America (Bufkin 5-13). New immigration trends in the US seem to indicate that race is no longer a major issue of concern in the lives of most American populations. Through the analysis of the lives and immigration patterns of small sized families in the United States which had been featured in PBS Documentary, the immigrants from Palestine, India, Mexico, Dominican Republic and Nigeria tend to settle in specific states in the United States. Common states preferred by new immigrants include Silicon Valley, Montana, India, and California thus giving an idea of the possible paradigm shift in the states’ racial population composition (Goldberg 98-117).Martinez narrates his unique family migration experience into the US and effectively explains the increasing changes in the American cultural practices through the adoption of the immigrant’s ethical and social practice and family values. The modernized multicultural American clan reinforces the need to strengthe n family links, foster unity in the family and the need to respect the leadership in the family ranks in line with the new cultural practices. The resistance by earlier immigrants to accommodate new practices define the challenges that the new immigrants face in their effort to integrate and form a single American family. Allegations of bad moral beliefs, uncouth social and cultural practices and the belief that immigrants are people of low social status have been rampant. Prejudices that immigrants originate from a less affluent and an inferior breed of people have continued to increase tension between the different races of the United States (Zucchino 56). The American racial narrative is therefore established on the precept that racial differences are vital, necessary and critical in enhancing unity and strengthening the cultural fabric in the country. Cultural differences with reference to people’s financial status underscore the degree to which racial concepts are re-def ined. Some of the recent immigrants are people who have amassed a lot of wealth. This fact has given rise to the realignment of wealth ownership patterns in the new America.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on How a new racial narrative in the U.S.A is being created specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In some American states, discrimination based on one’s race is unheard of as people are more wealth oriented. Nonetheless, it is evident that all forms of failure, wealth and race based discrimination in the United States have only helped to increase insecurity in the country. The economic status of Americans of different races dictates the extent to which racial justice is practiced in the U.S (Martà ­nez and Rodrà ­guez 76-84). Discrimination on jobs, racism and the challenge of adjusting to the new environment are a proof of lack of racial justice in the United States. Race based justice is only practical in situa tions where by an individual has economic power. Both racial wealth and racial gaps in the United States’ population are wide and ever growing. Sadly, the wealthy people seem to be accorded preference in the justice system due to their powerful economic influence. This fact could partly be due to the popular yet unfounded belief that race and financial status of individuals are the cornerstones of the social fabric and economic mobility and stability. It can be argued that the new racial narrative in the United States is mainly being built on aspects of financial status which is a definite discriminatory approach. Such an approach has continued to deny some individuals their economic and legal rights due to their lack of economic power. The new disruption of race does not take into account the redistributive economic and racial justice approaches. The existence of racially discriminative punishment mechanisms seems to be applied with respect to one’s economic status an d not on mere racial background (Zucchino 17-34; Martà ­nez and Rodrà ­guez 8-11). There have been incidences where by certain crimes are associated with either the Whites or the African-American people. This discriminatory approach is based on the assumption that the Whites are financially wealthy and are therefore likely to commit â€Å"White color crimes† while most immigrants are assumed to be poor and are hence likely to commit â€Å"dirty crimes† such as selling drugs and robbery. Conclusion The racial narrative in the United States is clearly being defined along political and economic ideologies. As outlined above, the concepts of the new America, emergence of new trends due to entry of new immigrants and racial discrimination ignite a lot of debate. Economically endowed individuals are more influential in the United States. This fact does not take into account their racial affiliation. Racial relations are increasingly being defined by the economic status of people rather than the political ideologies in the country.Advertising Looking for essay on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Bufkin, Sarah. North Carolina General Assembly Votes To Repeal Landmark Racial Justice Law, Think Progress: Justice, USA: Thinkprogress, 2011.Print. Goldberg, Julia. How The Minutemen Play on Fears and Fantasies, Immigration, Mexico: Santa Fe Reporter, 2011.Print. Martà ­nez, Rubà © and Rodrà ­guez, Joseph. The New Americans: Seven Families Journey to Another Country, USA: New Press, 2005.Print. Zucchino, David. Death penalty vacated under North Carolinas racial justice law, USA: Los Angeles Times, 2012.Print.

Government Involvement in the Economy Essay Example

Government Involvement in the Economy Essay Example Government Involvement in the Economy Essay Government Involvement in the Economy Essay Government Involvement in the Economy In the capitalistic society in the United States, Government plays many roles in the economy. Government has been regulating, overseeing, and providing many services in the economy since the inception of our nation. Modern day government has had an increasing presence in the American market as it has gotten larger and more complex. It has become necessary for government to interject its involvement into the economic system to maintain the sustainability of the economy. The fact is, capitalism cannot and will not regulate, enforce, or provide all the necessary goods and services that consumer need. Government is needed to regulate corporations, provide public services infrastructure, and protect the rights of the consumer. Government involvement is a quintessential factor for the success and growth of a capitalistic economy. Although some economists and businessmen believe that the economy should be allowed to move freely based on the laws of supply and demand without government intervention, government involvement is necessary to ensure a competitive market and help prevent market failure. Ever since the Clayton Anti-trust Act was passed in 1890, government has regulated and broken apart monopolistic businesses. Since businesses are constantly moving towards a monopoly or oligopoly, government regulators must be increasingly vigilant in regulating monopolistic businesses to prevent a non-competitive market. If the government did not regulate businesses to prevent monopolies, then those corporations would become too politically powerful, decrease total output, and increase their prices. An example of the harmful effects a monopoly can have on politics is when a monopolistic company threatens to raise the price of a good or service that is important to the government in order to bring about a desirable result. Another reason government must stop monopolistic companies is because they artificially raise their prices in order to create a shortage. Once an economic situation occurs where demand for goods greatly exceed the supply; the company can sell as much as they want at a given price, they have an incentive to raise their price, and consumers can never get as much as they want at that price. : Government must also prevent harmful business practices in order to help avert market failures. For example, the 2008 global financial crisis was a result of deregulation and less government oversight. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Glass-Steagall Act separated traditional banks with shadow investment banks. As a result, the shadow banks became increasingly riskier with respect to how they invested over the years. In 2008, the global market came crashing down and prompted government to revert to a firmer regulatory position. Had government properly regulated the markets and not taken down Glass-Steagall, the economy would not have collapsed and would still be growing. Harmful monopolies must be broken up because they cause prices to be higher and reduce output. Therefore, the United States economy requires a government presence to regulate the economy and businesses. Some people believe that the market competition within capitalism will meet the needs of the consumers. However, capitalism does not provide all the necessary goods and services that consumers require. Business only care about making money and increasing profits. In order to make profits, the company must quickly research, develop, and produce a sellable product or service. In other words, businesses will not provide money for public infrastructure, new technologies, and basic services to the poorer echelons in the economy. Public infrastructure like bridges, highways, and recreational parks do not make profits and therefore businesses will not invest in them. Therefore, the government must provide money to create and maintain public infrastructures. The modern age would not be in existence today had it not been for government investing in new technologies. For example, the technology that went into designing, constructing, and building spacecraft has grown and developed into something that consumers can use. Specific examples would be the modernization of photovoltaic solar panels, lasers, microchips, enhanced photo imagery, and ultra sound imaging to name a few. These technologies are now being used in all aspects of life and are the result of government funding. Government must also come into the market to provide access to basic services to the populace. Those services include Medicare/Medicaid, welfare, social security, and public education among many others. Like every country in the world, the United States has many underprivileged, disabled, uneducated, and elderly people, who may not be able to obtain all that is needed to have the basics in life. Therefore, government must provide certain services that would ordinarily not be provided in a free market system. The capitalistic economy will not supply the funds, time, and resources to produce long term solutions because deferred benefits will not make businesses money in the short term. Therefore, government is necessary to provide basic goods and services to assist and enhance the quality of life for all social classes. Finally, government is needed to protect the rights of the workers and consumers. Companies are in business to make a profit and do so by having more income than overhead costs. One way to keep overhead down is by denying certain rights to their employees. If it was up to companies, the rights of the workers would be diminished to maximize profits. These rights include: fair salary, safety requirements, collective bargaining, and reasonable hours per week. Unions have fixed many injustices over the years through the use of collective bargaining, a right given through the federal government. The rights of the consumers also need to be preserved. Competitive markets mean cheaper prices for the consumers and the right to choose which good or service they want to buy. Consequently, government has shown to be of the utmost importance to prevent abuse and provide basic rights to the public. Government must constantly work with the market to keep the economy moving in the right direction. Government must regulate businesses to prevent market failure and promote competition. Moreover, government must provide civil services and funding to create new technologies and build public infrastructure. Lastly, government is needed to protect the rights of the general public.

General George Washington in the American Revolution

General George Washington in the American Revolution Born February 22, 1732, along Popes Creek in Virginia, George Washington was the son of Augustine and Mary Washington. A successful tobacco planter, Augustine also became involved in several mining ventures and served as Justice of the Westmoreland County Court. Beginning at a young age, George Washington began spending most of his time at Ferry Farm near Fredericksburg, VA. One of several children, Washington lost his father at age eleven. As a result, he attended school locally and was taught by tutors rather than following his older brothers to England to enroll at the Appleby School. Leaving school at fifteen, Washington considered a career in the Royal Navy but was blocked by his mother. In 1748, Washington developed an interest in surveying and later obtained his license from the College of William and Mary. A year later, Washington used his familys connections to the powerful Fairfax clan to obtain the position of surveyor of newly-formed Culpeper County. This proved a lucrative post and allowed him to begin buying land in the Shenandoah Valley. The early years of Washingtons work also saw him employed by the Ohio Company to survey land in western Virginia. His career was also aided by his half-brother Lawrence who commanded the Virginia militia. Using these ties, the 62 Washington came to the attention of Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie. Following Lawrences death in 1752, Washington was made a major in the militia by Dinwiddie and assigned as one of four district adjutants. French Indian War In 1753, French forces began moving into the Ohio Country which was claimed by Virginia and the other English colonies. Responding to these incursions, Dinwiddie dispatched Washington north with a letter instructing the French to depart. Meeting with key Native American leaders en route, Washington delivered the letter to Fort Le Boeuf that December. Receiving the Virginian, the French commander,  Jacques Legardeur de Saint-Pierre, announced that his forces would not withdraw. Returning to Virginia, Washingtons journal from the expedition was published on Dinwiddies order and helped him gain recognition throughout the colony. A year later, Washington was placed command of a construction party and sent north to aid in building a fort at the Forks of the Ohio. Assisted by the Mingo chief Half-King, Washington moved through the wilderness. Along the way, he learned that a large French force was already at the forks constructing Fort Duquesne. Establishing a base camp at Great Meadows, Washington attacked a French scouting party led by Ensign Joseph Coulon de Jumonville, at the Battle of Jumonville Glen on May 28, 1754. This attack prompted a response and a large French force moved south to deal with Washington. Constructing Fort Necessity, Washington was reinforced as he prepared to meet this new threat.   In the resulting Battle of Great Meadows on July 3, his command was beaten and ultimately forced to surrender. Following the defeat, Washington and his men were permitted to return to Virginia. These engagements began the French Indian War and led to the arrival of additional British troops in Virginia. In 1755, Washington joined Major General Edward Braddocks advance on Fort Duquesne as a volunteer aide to the general.   In this role, he was present when Braddock was badly defeated and killed at the Battle of the Monongahela that July. Despite the failure of the campaign, Washington performed well during the battle and worked tirelessly to rally British and colonial forces.   In recognition of this, he received command of the Virginia Regiment. In this role, he proved a strict officer and trainer. Leading the regiment, he vigorously defended the frontier against the Native Americans and later took part in the Forbes Expedition which captured Fort Duquesne in 1758. Peacetime In 1758, Washington resigned his commission and retired from the regiment. Returning to private life, he married the wealthy widow Martha Dandridge Custis on January 6, 1759, and took up residence at Mount Vernon, a plantation he had inherited from Lawrence. With his newly obtained means, Washington began expanding his real estate holdings and greatly expanded the plantation. This also saw him diversify its operations to include milling, fishing, textiles, and distilling. Though he never had children of his own, he aided in raising Marthas son and daughter from her previous marriage. As one of the colonys wealthiest men, Washington began serving in the House of Burgesses in 1758. Moving to Revolution Over the next decade, Washington grew his business interests and influence. Though he disliked the 1765 Stamp Act, he did not begin publicly opposing British taxes until 1769 when he organized a boycott in response to the Townshend Acts. With the introduction of the Intolerable Acts following the 1774 Boston Tea Party, Washington commented that the legislation was an invasion of our rights and privileges. As the situation with Britain deteriorated, he chaired the meeting at which the Fairfax Resolves were passed and was selected to represent Virginia at the First Continental Congress. With the Battles of Lexington Concord in April 1775 and the beginning of the American Revolution, Washington began attending meetings of the Second Continental Congress in his military uniform. Leading the Army With the Siege of Boston ongoing, Congress formed the Continental Army on June 14, 1775. Due to his experience, prestige, and Virginia roots, Washington was nominated as commander in chief by John Adams. Accepting reluctantly, he rode north to take command. Arriving at Cambridge, MA, he found the army badly disorganized and lacking supplies. Establishing his headquarters at the Benjamin Wadsworth House, he worked to organize his men, obtain needed munitions, and improve the fortifications around Boston. He also dispatched Colonel Henry Knox to Fort Ticonderoga to bring the installations guns to Boston. In a massive effort, Knox completed this mission and Washington was able to emplace these guns on Dorchester Heights in March 1776. This action forced the British to abandon the city.  Ã‚   Keeping an Army Together Recognizing that New York would likely be the next British target, Washington moved south in 1776. Opposed by General William Howe and Vice Admiral Richard Howe, Washington was forced from the city after being flanked and defeated at Long Island in August. In the wake of the defeat, his army narrowly escaped back to Manhattan from its fortifications in Brooklyn. Though he won a victory at Harlem Heights, a string of defeats, including at White Plains, saw Washington driven north then west across New Jersey. Crossing the Delaware, Washingtons situation was desperate as his army was badly reduced and enlistments were expiring. Needing a victory to bolster spirits, Washington conducted a daring attack on Trenton on Christmas night. Moving Towards Victory Capturing the towns Hessian garrison, Washington followed up this triumph with a victory at Princeton a few days later before entering winter quarters. Rebuilding the army through 1777, Washington marched south to block British efforts against the American capital of Philadelphia. Meeting Howe on September 11, he again flanked and beaten at the Battle of Brandywine. The city fell shortly after the fighting. Seeking to turn the tide, Washington mounted a counterattack in October but was narrowly defeated at Germantown. Withdrawing to Valley Forge for the winter, Washington embarked on a massive training program which was overseen by Baron Von Steuben. During this period, he was forced to endure intrigues such as the Conway Cabal, in which officers sought to have him removed and replaced with Major General Horatio Gates. Emerging from Valley Forge, Washington began a pursuit of the British as they withdrew to New York. Attacking at the Battle of Monmouth, the Americans fought the British to a standstill. The fighting saw Washington at the front working tirelessly to rally his men. Pursuing the British, Washington settled into a loose siege of New York as the focus of the fighting shifted to the southern colonies. As commander in chief, Washington worked to direct operations on the other fronts from his headquarters. Joined by French forces in 1781, Washington moved south and besieged Lieutenant General Lord Charles Cornwallis at Yorktown. Receiving the British surrender on October 19, the battle effectively ended the war. Returning to New York, Washington endured another year of struggling to keep the army together amid a lack of funds and supplies. Later Life With the Treaty of Paris in 1783, the war came to an end. Though immensely popular and in position to become a dictator if he desired, Washington resigned his commission at Annapolis, MD on December 23, 1783, confirming the precedent of civilian authority over the military. In later years, Washington would serve as president of the Constitutional Convention and as the first President of the United States. As a military man, Washingtons true value came as an inspirational leader who proved capable of keeping the army together and maintaining resistance during the darkest days of the conflict. A key symbol of the American Revolution, Washingtons ability command respect was only surpassed by his willingness to cede power back to the people. When he learned of Washingtons resignation, King George III stated: If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.

Ryan Lambright, euphonium Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Ryan Lambright, euphonium - Essay Example This university is famous as it enhances the qualities of a true musician and brings the best out of them. On October 15th, 2011, at 7:00 p.m., a concert was help in which Mr. Ryan Lambright presented his Senior Euphonium Recital. He played the music of George Frideric Handel. G.F. Handel was a British-German composer and a very famous musician of the eighteenth century. He was mainly famous for operas. Apart from operas his musical works such as anthems, oratorios and organ concerts also used to be his specialties. He was mainly influenced by the Italian and middle-German music. Another kind of music that was played by Mr. Lambright was Gordon Jacob. Gordon Jacob was a dedicated English musician of the twentieth century and was quite famous for his instructional writings and composing. The third style of music played by Mr. Lambright was James Barnes, an American musician of the twentieth century. James Barnes is indubitably a versatile musician but, is most famous for his orchestra. The last style that was played by Mr. Lambright was of James Niblock. He is an eminent musician and a di rector and instructor of choral and the vocal activities in the Colgate University. (Bohnet). The piano was handled by Dr. Robert Holm and Dr. Laura Moore handled a wide range of corals. Dr. Robert Holm is an exuberant professor of piano at the University of South Alabama, Department of Music. He is an excellent piano teacher and instructor, who also used to be the president of the ‘Mobile Music Teachers Association’. (Dr. Robert Holm) The concert went really well with all the professional and dexterous faculty of the University. Majority enjoyed it, though the teenagers got a bit bored as the style and the theme of such music does not match the mood of the youth. Still it was amazing and the fame, as usual was beyond description, just like all the other stage performances arranged by the University of

The Battle of Algiers Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Battle of Algiers - Movie Review Example What impressed me most about the film is the way it shows the story from both the French and the FLN points of view. It shows unspeakable acts of violence and brutality committed by both sides, not portraying any bias towards any side. For example, in the early parts of the film, an FLN supporter is beheaded in prison. Furthermore, Ali la Pointe later kills the brothel owner who helped to bring him up because he refused to declare loyalty for the FLN. Therefore, the film tells both sides of the story despite the fact that only one side of the previous warring factions, the post-colonial Algerian government, was involved in its production. It demonstrates a high degree of impartiality and accuracy of historical events. Another brilliant aspect of The Battle of Algiers is its excellent examination of guerilla warfare tactics and strategies. For instance, early on in the film, the FLN takes advantage of the tendency by French soldiers at checkpoints not to search pretty women. They use women dressed in western attire to smuggle weapons in and out of the Casbah. Another impressive guerilla tactic portrayed by the film is the strategy used by the FLN to maintain secrecy of its membership and operations. Each recruited cell leader recruits two people. Thus, he only knows the identities of the person who recruited him and the two others he recruited, and no one else in the movement. Consequently, if captured by French forces, an FLN member cannot reveal much since he knows the identities of only three people in the entire movement. The film also sheds light on the political philosophy underlying national liberation, particularly from an Arab perspective. As a result, it enabled me to understand the motivation behind the Arab spring revolutions that recently took place in several Arab countries in North Africa and the Middle East. For instance, late on in the film Pointe asks the FLN leader why they are resorting to general strikes instead of continuing with

From relative isolation to international role Essay

From relative isolation to international role - Essay Example The term ‘Imperialism’ is normally used when a nation enters into another geographical territory and captures its governance, with the intention to dominate it and also to tap from it. The late 19th – early 20th century was characterized by the spread of imperialism in the world. The US incorporated imperialism in its foreign policies to expand its political and economic influences. They did that through its involvement in the World Wars and also through other initiatives in the first half of the 20th century. This wish of US to play a prominent international role continued primarily after 1950’s, with its confrontation with Soviet Union through Cold War, Cuban Missile crisis, Vietnam War, Afghan War and with its involvement in the Middle-East, etc, etc. Importantly because of those actions, its role in the international affairs got strengthened and so US continues to play a major International role. Naturally, in such a situation the countries against whom those imperialistic policies were followed were affected and importantly even the American citizens were also affected because of US’ international role. The wish to expand the borders through imperialism rose in the minds of the US mainly to keep the country in top ranks. It all started with its indirect confrontation with Spain in foreign territories like Philippines in the late part of 19th century. That is, with many European countries particularly Britain, Spain, Netherlands, France, etc., expanding their influence throughout the world through their imperialist policies, America not to be left behind started exhibiting imperialistic policies to garner many territories. However, America did not engage in any confrontation with imperialistic mindset against the British, but they did engage against Spain. The Spanish–American War happened mainly because of American involvement in the Cuban War of Independence, and

Providing Treatment to Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain Assignment

Providing Treatment to Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain - Assignment Example Following CASP allows the researcher to evaluate if the research question illustrated is elaborated and clear enough or not. After evaluating the research question presented at the beginning of the research paper, it was identified that the research question entailed the generalized view of research aim. Careful analysis of research question indicated that the research would require the collection of data from different sources and rigorous data handling techniques for identifying emerging themes. However, it did not include the impact of patients’ profile and related physiotherapists responses on patient’s behaviour. However, the research aim appeared to display physiotherapists’ behaviour as an independent factor with no effect of other variables such as their own ethnic and social backgrounds on it. The research question usually investigates the importance of the research, earlier work in the same field and need for further exploration. Considering this criter ion, overall research does answer the given questions, however, its relevance to acute diseases and patients’ reactions is difficult to determine. The research question also fails to define how this research fills in the gap left between previous studies and desired level of information available (Haber and Lobiondo-Wood, 2008). On the other hand, there is a significant literary evidence present that defines how believing in what patient says affects the practice of a healthcare professional, the research question needed to define how patients’ input avoids making physiotherapists act like a novice but makes them prone to error caused by informative noise (Clarke and Iphofene, 2005; Jenson et al., 1994). Qualitative research can be defined as "any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of  quantification" (Strauss and Corbin, 1990). In scenarios where data collection involves personal histories and exp lanation of experiences and beliefs, in-depth interviews are more appropriate than any other qualitative method.

The Impact of Education and Political Equality Blacks Have Achieved Essay

The Impact of Education and Political Equality Blacks Have Achieved - Essay Example The essay "The Impact of Education and Political Equality Blacks Have Achieved" discusses the problem of racism in the United States of America that was initially revolved around by slavery. Black slavery in America actually can be traced from the earliest days in America, but most people elect the year 1619 as the real beginning of the institution in what was to become the United States, with the arrival of twenty blacks on a Dutch warship. Slavery in the world was nothing new. There had been slaves in every culture from the dawn of modern man. Slavery is not the issue of this short paper but we had to start somewhere. Racism is really the issue that slavery revolves around and the ethnocentric ideas that one race is just a little better than another race which allows a predisposition towards making one race the master and one the servant. In America, as the servant race, the black population was denied the right to an education that could be used to better their station in life. The main thought being to keep the servant race ignorant and to some degree subservient would make the life of the dominant race all that much better. As the citizens of the world became more enlightened, it was becoming harder and harder to justify excluding the children of the black workers from a good education. The movement toward equality of the races really started in the northern states many years prior to the American Civil War. Blacks in the north were generally treated much differently than in the south.

Providing Treatment to Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain Assignment

Providing Treatment to Patients with Chronic Lower Back Pain - Assignment Example Following CASP allows the researcher to evaluate if the research question illustrated is elaborated and clear enough or not. After evaluating the research question presented at the beginning of the research paper, it was identified that the research question entailed the generalized view of research aim. Careful analysis of research question indicated that the research would require the collection of data from different sources and rigorous data handling techniques for identifying emerging themes. However, it did not include the impact of patients’ profile and related physiotherapists responses on patient’s behaviour. However, the research aim appeared to display physiotherapists’ behaviour as an independent factor with no effect of other variables such as their own ethnic and social backgrounds on it. The research question usually investigates the importance of the research, earlier work in the same field and need for further exploration. Considering this criter ion, overall research does answer the given questions, however, its relevance to acute diseases and patients’ reactions is difficult to determine. The research question also fails to define how this research fills in the gap left between previous studies and desired level of information available (Haber and Lobiondo-Wood, 2008). On the other hand, there is a significant literary evidence present that defines how believing in what patient says affects the practice of a healthcare professional, the research question needed to define how patients’ input avoids making physiotherapists act like a novice but makes them prone to error caused by informative noise (Clarke and Iphofene, 2005; Jenson et al., 1994). Qualitative research can be defined as "any kind of research that produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of  quantification" (Strauss and Corbin, 1990). In scenarios where data collection involves personal histories and exp lanation of experiences and beliefs, in-depth interviews are more appropriate than any other qualitative method.