Discrimination and Extreme Prejudice Essay

RaStereotyping is a way of thinking about groups of people. It ignores the differences of the group, while emphasizing its similarity. One belief, that is a stereotype, is that red-haired people are hot tempered. Another belief is that Scottish people are stingy. Such thinking ignores many even-tempered redheads and generous Scottish people. Stereotyping emphasizes many differences between groups while ignoring their similarities to other people. It ignores that many blond and brown-haired people also lose their tempers. Stereotyping overlooks the fact that many American, Brazilians and French people are stingy. Stereotyping redheads or Scottish people usually does little harm. It typically leads to friendly kidding and good-natured jokes. Simple-minded stereotyping can be dangerous. The danger lies in exaggeration of differences in color, nationality, religion and language. We exaggerate the differences, ignoring what we share as human beings and become prejudiced. Prejudice is nourished by fear as it grows out of exaggeration. It is a profoundly negative emotion bearing the fruit of hatred. Racism is a form of extreme prejudice that leads to physical and psychological violence. Racists can be any color: white, black, brown, red or yellow. A white racist thinks all blacks are alike, while a black racist thinks all Hispanics are alike. In addition, a Hispanic racist may think all Native Americans are alike. The ethnic boundaries of racism â€Å"pigeon hole† another group, while having no boundaries of its own. It only requires a tangible object that can be pointed at, discriminated against, spat upon and attacked. The differences are not important because the attack comes from fear. Racism is expressed in labels including: â€Å"chink†, â€Å"nigger†, â€Å"honky†, â€Å"wop, â€Å"kike† and â€Å"Gook†. Such is the power of stereotypical, simple-minded thinking. My brother was a small child when my family moved from Oklahoma to California, at the end of â€Å"The Depression†. Farmers had advertised in newspapers and flyers that there was plenty of work and good pay, luring families (like mine) from the overworked â€Å"dust bowl† farms. Many native Californians were angry that the â€Å"Okies† were arriving in such large numbers. As my brother entered his new school, he experienced stereotyping, by teachers and classmates. They teased him because he had an accent and wore â€Å"Okie† overalls. He worked hard at trying to fit in, even changing his accent. Though my brother made good grades and was a great athlete, the name calling continued and he remained the subject of many â€Å"Okie† jokes. As he entered high school, the stereotyping became prejudice. The hatred felt for him and others from Oklahoma became evident in the game, â€Å"Get the Okie†, where captured victims were thrown into garbage cans (where they belonged). My brother, who is over 65 years old, suffers from the prejudice he experienced as a young man, remembering the names of those who tormented him. He never understood the hatred directed at him, just because he came from another state.

Forensic Accounting Essay

What types of systems are needed to ensure that all individuals have access to the benefits of our community as well to bring health and effectiveness to an organization or the broader community? There are two systems of process that ensure all individuals have access to the benefits of our community. The first is due process which is the ability of getting noticed and participating in the decisions that affect an individual (Baird, 2011). The second is substantive process which makes sure people know and understand the rules (Baird, 2011). How do we ensure fair treatment, fair administration of rules, fair compensation, fair blame, and ensure due process to allow all opinions to be heard? We can make ethical decisions by creating fair systems for resolution of disputes and policies that state expectations (Baird,2011). We should care for all members and institutions of the community when allocating resources (Baird, 2011). We should give to each member of the community knowing they are a part of the happiness of the entire community. How might the Relationship Lens be misused through abuse of power or personal hubris? Having an excessive pride and arrogance can move us from unintentional ethical wrong doing to intentional wrong doing (Baird, 2011). Cite a recent example in the news. I have an example of hubris in my work place that I will share. Our current CEO has chosen to take his annual bonus when he made the decision to freeze raises and increase the employee cost of health insurance. He does not pay the premiums of his health insurance policy but raised the cost for all employees. He purchased a very expensive piece of equipment costing over $2.5 million in 2011 causing an operating loss for the year. This equipment holds a great deal of prestige for him in the healthcare industry. I have been very disappointed that he has made the decisions he has made with total disregard for all other employees affected. His excessive pride and arrogance has caused him to intentionally act unethically. What types of systems are needed to ensure that all individuals have access to the benefits of our community as well to bring health and effectiveness to an organization or the broader community? Bella and Frederick both use the concept of moral ecology to callus to greater responsibility for the community.Frederick also reminds us that companies and corporations and communities at large have responsibilities toward life – conserving values such fairness, unselfishness,and restraint, that both create and sustain human collective life. Judeo-Christian tradition calls us to responsibility for others. Due process is used to achieve our goals, assuring that those without access to power have equal opportunity to thrive. How might the Relationship Lens be misused through abuse of power or personal hubris? Cite a recent example in the news. (If you don’t know the meaning of hubris, look it up and include its definition as you answer this question.) As Timothy Clark noted, â€Å"The ambition to govern one’s fellow beings tend to view leadership as the pathway to glittering world of personal reward. Another risk that we run as we work is to become authoritarian and paternalistic. Another bias to watch is entrainment,where we are so cut up in work that we forget to ask important key questions. Hubris, excessive pride and arrogance,moves us from unintentional ethical wrongdoing to intentional wrongdoing. Biggest example I can recall is resent war in Iraq,President Bush and VP Chaney failed to show responsibilities as an ethical decision makers. How do you know when you are improperly using your personal power?How do you know when your life is out of balance? How do you bring it back into balance? The focus of the Relationship Lens is always fundamental fairness. Lens is inviting us to live a life in relationship with others in community. If decision maker is not balancing the personal need of individual to community needs, if he or she not subordinates own rights to that of the group. After making the decision one must ask himself questions, analyze decision through different ethic lenses. What improvements could we make on our process of ethical analysis? Did we like the results? What were the problems with the process? What decision we are not comfortable with? As we reflect on the results,we can put strategic for the future and became more ethical in our decisions in other words more ethically mature. We also can improve and bring our self to balanced ethical ground. a. The systems I believe that are needed to ensure access to benefits in our community are education, health, and judicial. An education system is important to help equip individuals with necessary skills that will help them to earn a living and contribute to the well being of their society. A health care system will help to maintain a healthy community by addressing all health needs. Having a judicial system will ensure that justice is dispensed and that fairness and adherence of the laws are followed. b. A Democratic System of Government which is guided by the Constitution can assure fair treatment, fair administration of rules, fair compensation, fair blame, and ensure due process to allow all opinions to be heard. The Constitution is used as a guide by Government to craft legislation, laws and regulations to ensure that there is fairness and justice in society. d. We may know that we are improperly using our personal power when for example we are in a position of leadership or power and use our office to influence others to do things our way. We may realize that our life is out of balance when we become depressed, suicidal, suffer from addition and is easily enraged. We can to my mind bring our life back into balance by doing introspection, and accepting responsibility. What types of systems are needed to ensure that all individuals have access to the benefits of our community as well to bring health and effectiveness to an organization or the broader community. There are several systems that are design to allow access to benefits. These include laws that are used to identify and support individuals who would require such services. If a medical provider or a school employee notices something that might be child abuse or elder abuse, they are required by law to report it. By reporting a possible incident a wide net of services are employed to investigate and perhaps implement services needed by the individual. Laws are also passed to describe who gets and what benefits are available to an individual. Social agencies, organizations and religious groups are often used to educate, locate and provide for the individuals in need. The media in various forms is often used to promote changes or additions to the benefits. A well educated community is the best weapon in the organizations arsenal. How do we ensure fair treatment, fair administration of rules, fair compensation, fair blame and ensure due process to allow all opinions to be heard? It is sometimes very difficult to ensure all of the fairness listed above in the heat of the moment. In order to do so one must step back and remove oneself from the heat of the event. When emotions become to involved it is difficult to implement fairness. This can be seen when the media appears to â€Å"convict† someone before they are arrested and tried. Laws have been passed to help identify areas that should be address fairly and these include race, age, disability ,and religion. Legislation has also determined a federal minimal wage and passed laws dealing with equal pay for equal work. Labor Unions often campaign for certain employment benefits for its members. The knowledge that a business’s could be sued for unfairness or prejudice is another protection. Businesses often have a policy Manuel that addresses how they will deal with certain issues. Knowledge of an individuals rights and duties written down gives all sides the knowledge of what is considered right and wrong in that group. . How do you know when you are improperly using your personal power? How do you know when your life is out of balance? How do you bring it back into balance? Self analysis and appraisal is required to obtain this knowledge. Every once in a while one must ask oneself if one is following the right path. Listening to others is a good way to identify if one is improperly using ones power. It doesn’t mean they are always correct but it may point your self reflection in the right direction. Checking ones ethical compass is another. I know when my life is out of balance when I can not be everywhere at once. Work stresses, problems and information should stay there. Family and personal business should not interfere with work or school. When I find myself spending time from one part of my life dealing with another part of my life then I am our of balance. Again one must step back and access what is going on and figure out if it is going to be temporary or long term. One can then figure out a course of action and decide what is needed. Being brave enough to ask for help if needed.   Superwoman is an concept promoted by the media that does exist, rather one needs to make sure one is not overwhelmed. In addition if it is a major project or event sometimes if I break it into pieces it is easier to digest and equilibrium returns. What types of systems are needed to ensure that all individuals have access to the benefits of our community as well to bring health and effectiveness to an organization or the broader community? The types of systems that are need to that all individuals have access to the benefits of our community as well to bring health and effectiveness to an organization or a broader community would be systems such electricity which allows everyone to have access to light, television for allowing the world to come into your place of living, and also the telephone systems that allows individuals to communicate with the world through voice. 2. How do we ensure fair treatment, fair administration of rules, fair compensation, fair blame and ensure due process to allow all opinions to be heard? We ensure fair treatment , fair administration of rules, fair compensation, fair blame and ensure due process to allow all opinions to be heard by establishment organizations such as the Equal Employment opportunity commission(EEOC) for fair treatment. Fair administration of rules would include organizations such as the Federal Trade Commission(FTC) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration(FMSCA)Fair compensation organizations would include the Department of Labor(DOL). Fair blame and due process would be the Justice system. 3. How do you know when you are improperly using your personal power? How do you know when your life is out of balance? How do you bring it back into balance. Where in truth good choices are not made. Also power is abused, it can result from an imbalance of information education or financial resources, than the other party may not be able to freely choose what I wants to do. When power is out of balance, we often are using the persons as a means to our preferred ends rather than treating the person as an end, a human being with a autonomy and choices in how to live his life. To bring power back into balance is to establish a connection with your inner spirit and knowing the right thing to.

Change and Conflict Management in Nursing

Change and Conflict Management in Nursing Jon Teegardin Change and Conflict Change and conflict occur in all aspects of our society. In nursing, it is important to identify and embrace change, address and resolve conflict, and do so in an effective and efficient manner. This paper will present descriptions of change theories, conflict theories, and how a nurse’s ability to handle both can enhance or hinder effective leadership. Additionally, the leader as a change agent will be discussed. Change Theories While there are numerous theories of change that exist, in the profession of nursing there are three main theories that are consistently seen throughout the healthcare industry. These theories are Lewins theory of change, Rogers change theory, and Spradley’s change theory. Lewins change theory Probably the most recognizable theory of change is that presented by Kurt Lewin. His theory involves three stages to change: unfreezing, moving, and refreezing (Stolley, 2005). Two forces are present in this theory, the driving force, or those pushing for a particular change, and the resistant force, those who are resistant to the change. For change to occur the driving force or agents for change, must be stronger than the resistant force. In the unfreezing stage, the driving force develops a method that allows people to let go of the current, unproductive way of doing something. By finding this method, individual resistance to the change is overcome. In the moving phase, individuals are encouraged to change their way of thinking, feeling, or behavior to the new method. Finally, in the refreezing stage, this change becomes the new habit and ultimately the standard operating procedure. Lewins theory is also referred to as the force field theory that states an organization attempts to maintain a state of equilibrium between change forces and restraining forces (Swanson, & Creed, 2014). Change agents are the forces for change and must overcome the restraining forces to make the change successful. Rogers change theory Everette Rogers’s theory is a modification of Lewin’s change theory and involves five stages. The stages are awareness, interest, evaluation, implementation and adoption (Boston University School of Health, 2013). Roger’s theory is typically applied to long term projects. In the awareness stage, individuals are exposed to the new idea or process but lack all of the information about it. In the interest stage, the individual is interested in the new idea and seeks out additional information. The next stage is the evaluation stage where the individual determines how to apply the idea or process to their situation and decides whether or not they want to try it. The implementation stage occurs when the individual decides to make full use of the idea or process. Finally, in the adoption stage, the individual decides to continue to use the new idea or process. Roger’s theory is an example of social cognitive theory. Change does not occur im mediately among all those presented with the change. There are actually five groups of people that implement the change over time. These groups are innovators who are leaders that embrace the change immediately, early adopters who are also leaders but will follow innovators, the early majority who are the bulk of the followers, the late majority who include skeptics of the change, and finally laggards who are resistant to change (Kaminski, 2011).

Disscusion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Disscusion - Essay Example Moreover, today cooking is not reserved for women only; all family members participate and enjoy doing the activity when it comes to special occasions. One flaw in the picture that I notice is that none of the family members except the grandfather is looking at the grandmother or the turkey. Everybody is looking at one another as if there are things more important elsewhere around rather than grandmother or the turkey; which I think is not fine because the grandmother does deserve immense appreciation and honor for doing the family this service. The best part of the picture is the grandfather who has indeed stood up to express his thanks to the grandmother. This was a very wonderful exercise that let me think critically for a while and both appreciate and criticize the various elements of the picture. I liked the concept as a whole. I must say that the picture has preserved the norms and values of the old American family. The concept of family is so integral and fundamental to the cultivation of norms and values in the society that I am amazed how, as a society, could we compromise upon the sustenance of family the way it appears in the picture! Our attempt to be modern has deprived us of the blessings we had in the past including the togetherness, the union, the love and affection among the family members, and most importantly the mesmerizing smell of roasted turkey wafting through the home on Christmas. Even the hairstyles looked so decent and elegant; it seemed like everybody has applied a little oil in the hair to manage that better. Women looked so elegant with hair tied up in a bun. These days, people have gone wild in the name o f fashion. Hairs have gone pink and blue and spiky. I wish at least one of the family members in addition to the grandfather was looking at the turkey or the

Puffin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Puffin - Essay Example Puffins most defining feature are their fat beaks that are dull and gray in the winter and then brighten to florescent oranges during the mating season. Puffins have also been called names like "little friar" and "sea parrot" because of their comical markings. Puffins are pelagic, which means they live in and on the water throughout the year and the only time they come on to the land is to reproduce (NHPTV). Puffins mate for life and females only lay one egg a year which both parents care for (Barjaktarovic). The baby puffin, or puffling, is under the supervision of both parents for less than two months and is then ready to take care of him or herself. There are four species of puffins. The Atlantic Puffin, the Horned Puffin, the Tufted Puffin, and the Rhinoceros Auklet. The Atlantic Puffin, otherwise known as the Common Puffin, is the only puffin that can be found on the Atlantic Ocean. There are somewhere between twelve and fifteen million Atlantic Puffins living on the skirts of the Atlantic Ocean (Project Puffin). Most of them can be found near Iceland. Atlantic Puffins are the smallest of the species and can also Page 2 The Horned Puffin gets it's name because of the large mascara-like black markings or "horns" jutting out from it'

Representations of Women in Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Representations of Women in Art - Essay Example The essay "Representations of Women in Art" examines representations of women in art. Manet’s artwork is one of the artworks that have stilled a controversy when it is presented to the Salon. The artwork provides an image of a Negress and black cat arranged in a style to that of the Venus of Titian. The provocative nature of the image wants to highlight the issues of prostitution and racism. The representation already challenges the notions of people about art since this is considered a diversion from the traditional subjects depicted in art. This has portrayed the reality present that time that is occurring even until now: exploitation and objectification of women. Women have become subjects of desire and pleasure because of their exotic appeal plus the connotation of being an oriental being. This is a controversial representation since people back then are not really receptive of these kinds of art pieces since they have been to adherent to the ideological standards and noti ons of fine art whose legitimacy is being forwarded by the museums back then as an agent of state. Gerome’s work of art, the Slave Market, also portrays another problematic scenario about the treatment of women in the society. In this case, Gerome has highlighted how the upper class people in society uses their economic advantages to exploit others in order to supplement their needs and desires. There is still an intrinsic influence of a highly objectified treatment of women in the manner of representation done. ... Ingres, on the other hand, is relatively different in portraying the female body. He has provided a grand narrative in depicting women since he has portrayed nudity in a very different manner (Clark 127). There is indeed an incorporation of a highly sexual depiction of the body in his presentations of his works of art wherein the body, being the object of desire, is not detached from the notion of sex. However, his portrayal is not a subtle one but a challenging one that instead of being a sexual desire, there is a need to look to a woman as to who she is. At the same time, there is still no detachment to the realistic approach about the issue of sex being the main themes of his works. Seurat employs relatively the same manner of representation to that of the three. Inherently, the most common ground of these four artists is that they have represented the body of women in a realist perspective that is more affluent to the social condition that they are experiencing (Nochlin 51). Howe ver, there is still no detachment of the body with the sexual desire in their manner of representation since it still exploits the body of women. Even if there is a revolutionist approach in terms of representing women through highlighting the issues that women face, the fact will still remain that the body will still have problems since there is still difficulty drawing the line between nudity and nakedness. Both terms are actually crucial since these have been methods of representation that have placed the body of women at a very high risk. This risk entails that the context of gender politics and racial politics are still not settled. Inevitably, the issue that surrounds the

Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 5

Business - Essay Example The company currently operates with more than 450 stores. Morison was incorporated in 1899 in Brandford, UK. The company currently has a market cap of GBP 8.02 billion with a share price of GBP 303.3. Safeway is one of the biggest food as well as drug retailers in North America. Within US and Canada the company operated within 1692 stores as of Mar-2011.The Company currently has a market cap of $8.93 billion with current share price of $24.25. Compared to Morrison, Safeway was incorporated in 1990 in California. Analysis The financial statements of both the companies before and after the takeover are as follows: Morrison Balance sheet as of 2010 and 2004: 2010 (million GBP) 2004 (million GBP) Assets Non-current assets 7,666 1,739 Current Assets 1,094 492 Liabilities Current Liabilities (2,152) (814) Non-current Liabilities (1,659) (100) Net Assets 4,959 1,357 Dividends 363 174 Profit Retained 2,008 1,143 Merger Reserve 2,578 Capital Employed 4,949 1,317 Morrison Income statement as o f 2010 and 2004: 2010 (million GBP) 2004 (million GBP) Turnover 15,410 4,959 Cost of sales (14,348) (3,696) Gross Profit 1,062 1,263 Operating profit 907 306 As can be seen above the difference in assets, liabilities, turnover and profits of the company in 6 years after the company acquired Safeway. The turnover has gone up by 210.75% and operating profit has gone up by 195.44%. The nets assets of the company following the takeover have gone up by 265.4%. All these are good signs for the company and represents that the company had followed the positive outlook following the merger. This means that the company has maintained the aggressive growth rate even after the takeover of Safeway in 2004. Next analysis of company would be stock price analysis of past 7 years following the takeover of Safeway. This is discussed as follows: The stock price analysis shows the positive outlook for the company. It shows how the stock has continued to provide return to its investors even after the ta keover of Safeway. The analysis of stock chart for 2004 shows the positive investor sentiment following the takeover. This is also due to high presence of company in retail industry in UK. The food and retail sector represents the biggest industry in the United Kingdom, providing employment to more than four million people in production, manufacturing, retailing and distribution. Retail sector accounted for 9% of the GDP of the country in 2003 (Datamonitor, 2003). In last few years, UK’s supermarkets have been under increasing scrutiny in regard to their treatment with suppliers, in own-label products, still the development of supply networks in the country had been an integral part of supermarket strategies in the past decade. The US$ 9 trillion Retail industry is one of the world’s largest industries and still growing. 47 of the Global Fortune 500 companies & 25 of Asia’s Top 200 companies are retailers. Even as the developing countries are making rapid stride s in this industry, organized Retail is currently dominated by the developed countries with the USA, EU & Japan constituting 80% of world. (Global retail Business) Retail is a significant contributor to the overall economic activity the world over: the total Retail share in the World GDP is 27% while in the USA it accounts for 22% of the GDP. The share of organized Retail in the developing markets ranges between 20% - 55%. Over recent months these three risks have abated or disappeared: †¢

Fundamental Principle of Morality Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fundamental Principle of Morality - Assignment Example Do great; keep away from abhorrence. This most essential good rule, the beginning stage for profound quality, was verbalized by Aristotle, an aged Greek thinker, and is held by all the worlds significant religions. All other good standards stream from this one. Do unto others as you might have them do unto you. The end does not legitimize the methods. Established theory and the real world religious customs have maintained the guideline that having a great end (objective or reason) does not support the utilization of abhorrence means (strategy) to accomplish that end. The predictable results are some piece of those circumstances of the demonstration, which, while equipped for reducing the gravity of an insidiousness demonstration, in any case, cant modify its ethical species (Daniel, 12-19). Take after what nature aims. Referred to in reasoning as characteristic law, this standard is not really a law recorded somewhere in any case, rather, a methodology to settling on choices that regards the way of things, particularly personal inclination. Quickly, common law lets us know this: Follow what is regular for individuals and whatever remains of creation. Don't abuse the way of things. For example, our inborn feeling of what is reasonable and respectable. Also, think about how regular law could apply to peoples messing with the natures domain. For instance, it is common for the earth to have a defensive ozone layer around it to shield creatures and plants from the dangerous impacts of ultraviolet light.

Working in a Total Institution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Working in a Total Institution - Essay Example Prisons have been quite often, referred to as total institutions since they account for the daily aspects of the inmates such as ensuring availability of daily necessities, medical care, rehabilitation amongst several others. The correctional officers employed to supervise the inmates are subjected to rigorous training owing to the occupational hazards their job offers. However considering the personal accounts of several such correctional officers, their personal experiences on the job including their interactions with the prisoners themselves plays a significant role in shaping their role as correctional officers. According to the personal experience shared by an African American woman in a men’s prison â€Å"The inmates are the ones that helped, taught me how to be an officer. Not the staff. †¦.. when you are new at the job the inmates are gonna come and tell you, â€Å"Ma’am, you left a door open† or â€Å"Somebody’s sick†. Because you can’t be at two places at the same time. Nine times out of ten its gonna be the inmates that tells you what’s going on† (Britton, 2003 Pp.95) According to the American Correctional Association, the correctional officers receive training at an average of 262.8 hours in the field of first aid, self defense, race relations as well as other practically relevant subject areas (Levinson, Pp.327). However, the personal accounts of the correctional officers suggest that a majority of inmates share a mutual interest with the officers in terms of maintaining a day to day routine and since they are clearly more knowledgeable than the newly appointed officers they gladly extend their co – operation in maintaining the in prison routines. Besides it has also been reported and confirmed on the basis of substantial amount of research conducted in that behalf, that several officers in training perceive such a training as a form of exaggerated depiction of violence and crime that might be encountered

Tj Eckleburg Essay Example for Free

Tj Eckleburg Essay The eyes of TJ Eckleburg symbolizes the destruction of the American Dream. Evidence: Billboard fading, Main characters going into NYC to commit corruption and the Eyes looking upon the death of Myrtle. Like spiritual values, the billboard is neglected. â€Å"But his eyes, dimmed a little by many paintless days, under sun and rain, brood on over the solemn dumping ground†. â€Å"This is a valley of ashes – a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of ash-grey men, who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air. † The hollowness that the author describes the eyes and how its faded represents the neglect and destruction of the American dream and how it looks upon only the material wealth and not the morals of people. The eyes are also set in the valley of ashes where the poor lived and it represents the hollowness of the American dream and that its a big lie and that that gold will turn into ashes. Corruption of the American society/dream. Tom go on his affairs with Myrtle, watches Gatsby drives to meet Wolfshiem to bootleg, and watches Daisy go find new thrills with Gatsby. The eyes watches how the main characters go in and out of NYC to commit corruption. George said â€Å"God knows what youve been doing, everything youve been doing. You may fool me but you cant fool God†. George is referring to the eyes and how you can fool everyone but the eyes know what you have done and what corruption you have contributed to the American dream. What these main character do shapes how we see the American dream and it tells us it can lead to destruction. The eyes watch as Myrtle’s American dreams died along with her. Eyes see how Myrtle and Toms affair began Watched it grow, watched how desperate she wants to live the American dream. She had it but to only die because of it. She got hit by Toms car and died in front of the eyes. The eyes saw the whole affair between Tom and Myrtle from beginning to end. Mrtyle yearns to live the American dream so she has an affair with Tom. Eventually the American dream caught up to her and she neglected her values and rushed out to a fast moving toms car and got it. This signifies the end of the American dream and shows you that the hollowness of this dream and that one day gold will turn into ashes as Myrtle dies in front of the eyes in the valley of ashes. They eyes of TJ Eckleburg reflects the destruction of the American dream. Like spiritual values, the billboard is neglected, corruption of the American society/dream and the eyes watch as Myrtle’s American dreams died along with her. The eyes of TJ Eckleburg shows us that the American dream is a big lie and that all good things come to an end, that gold can become ash. The corruption and pain that the American dream brings onto you and to others is not wroth that lifestyle.

The Weimar Republic of 1919 | Analysis

The Weimar Republic of 1919 | Analysis The Weimar Republic of 1919 characterised the struggle and failure to establish democracy in Germany following World War One. Despite possessing near-identical elements required to govern as successfully as the Federal Republic of 1945, the government was fragile and short-lived (Smith, 1991). Those in authority neglected to increase the power of the parliament or commit fully to the system, choosing instead to stumble along forming weak coalitions that did not stand the test of time (Conradt, 2009). Weimars constitutional weaknesses allowed Hitler to come to power and the dark reign of the Third Reich began in 1933. By contrast, post-WWII democracy was successfully implemented and maintained because the policy makers of the Basic Law ensured a politics of consensus dominated (Slagter and Loewenberg, 2009). Roberts (2009) further believes they were influenced by the material, political, and ethical legacy of the two world wars Germany was a part of. Germany was divided into the dem ocratic West and the communist East, before achieving unification in 1990. Despite the brief history given here, it is easily recognised that Germanys political history is a complex story of a country struggling to achieve a stable democracy in an unconventional way. The Federal Republic of 1949 distinguished itself from Weimar through its constitution and electoral/party system, which are key factors when explaining democracys success. This essay will specifically contrast the constitutions and electoral/party systems of Weimar and Bonn, as well as other factors such as the economy briefly, to explain why democracy succeeded after 1949. The Federal Republic demonstrated clear changes from Weimar, but also contained elements of continuity from the past both in its constitution and party system (Roberts, 2000). Both federal systems had similar institutions in place, such as the Constitutional Courts to resolve disputes, and the representation of 16 LÃ ¤nder (federal states) at a national level through the Bundesrat (federal Council). Their constitutions were quite advanced, with a Bill of Rights guaranteeing every German citizen the freedom of speech, religion and equality. Both governed through coalition parties; no party has been able to govern alone in Germanys history save one (Gordon, 1991). This demonstrates that permanently built into the system is the need for different political groups to reach out across the political chasm and co-operate in a politics of consensus. With such similarities, why did the Weimar government collapse a few years later? Pulzer (1994) believes that if it had been dealt a better dec k of cards, [the Weimar Republic] might have survived longer (1994, p. 4). The answer is also that it is institutions and everyday practices that promote stability in the system, and in Weimar, neither was stable. The Federal Republic distinguished itself from Weimar through the governing framework of its constitution. The Basic Law bolstered the parliamentary system by downgrading the president, who became a largely representative, indirectly elected head of state, and by enhancing the stature of the chancellor (Smith, 1991, p.48). This was a clear reaction to the dual executive in Weimars constitution which authorized the president to act autonomously of the Reichstag (Conradt, 2009). Although the president of the Weimar Republic was given more power to avoid political paralysis in the Reichstag, Article 48 allowed Hitler to come to power in the end. Hence the Basic Law made the presidential role more ceremonial than anything else. By using the failings of Weimar to measure the effectiveness of the present democracy, the policy makers of Bonn achieved to still fears of a second Hitler (Paterson, 2000). The constitution of 1949 also helped democracy by dispersing power from the centre of German authority. The Basic Law worked against centralised power, guaranteeing autonomy of responsibility to Germanys different regions, and thus preventing the rise of authoritarian rule (Paterson, 2000). In the Bonn Republic power was diffused to institutions, not the general population, despite the frequent invocation of the phrase Die Staatsgewalt geht vom Volke aus, [the government authority emanates from the people] the famous Article 1 of the Weimar constitution (Paterson, 2000, p.25). This diffusion of power ensures institutions must operate together during the decision-making process, thus promoting a democratic atmosphere. The Constitutional Court, for instance, exemplifies the separation of powers by upholding the Basic Law and defending civil liberties, in contrast to Weimar, whose court was easily subverted and unstable. It can be argued that such diffusion of power might negatively aff ect governing by creating too many agencies and actors. Alternatively, if one institution decides to create paralysis in the system, fragmentation could occur. However, the systems stability has not been greatly threatened. This is testament to Germanys constitutional strength and determination to uphold democratic rule (Paterson, 2000). The reforms to the party system after 1949 also aided in democracys success. Consensus among the political parties in the Bundestag (Federal Diet) ensured institutional stability after 1949 (Slagter and Loewenberg, 2009). In contrast, stable majorities could not be formed in Weimars Reichstag (parliament) due to the existence of proportional representation (Conradt, 2009). The republic was therefore a polarised pluralist system of numerous small parties, with no consensual decision-making taking place. The hyperinflation of 1923, for example, fuelled new political parties which the Reichstag was unable to socialise to its norms (Slagter and Loewenberg, 2009, p.470). Orderly parliamentary procedure disintegrated once the centre parties came under the assault of the radical extremists. By contrast, the success of post-WWII democracy can be explained through consensus promoting institutional stability, because this was absent in the Reichstag. After 1945, there was co-operative federali sm and consensual decision making among the political parties, especially with the issue of comparable living standards in all regions. Democracy also succeeded because of the modifications made to Germanys political/electoral system after 1949. In the Reichstag, consensus was neglected because radical groups pursued electoral votes, not caring that it lost them all effectiveness within the chamber as they contributed to its paralysis (Slagter and Loewenberg, 2009, p.471). After 1949, however, parliament developed into a moderate pluralist system. Parties could only enter with more than 5% of the national vote or 3 constituency seats without. New parties which entered the Bundestag were therefore socialised to the parliamentary customs (Slagter and Loewenberg, 2009).Through this measure, consensus dominated because it encouraged stable, moderate politics while discouraging extreme politics. This helped democracy succeed, because fewer parties meant more stability, the establishment of a co-operative opposition and prevention of anti-system parties (Paterson, 2000). Therefore, the electoral system, as with all other a spects of the system, encourages moderation and consensus. Other factors such as economic conditions after 1949 might also explain why democracy succeeded. With democracy stabilising around the 1950s, Germany also experienced full employment. This is vastly different to the economic and democratic situation in 1919, because the existence of a weak government with limited policy making skills meant there was no active labour policy and millions were unemployed (Schmidt, 1992). However, with Marshall Aid speeding Germanys economic recovery, the 1950s showed rapid progress both in terms of the economy and democratic governing. The German Model further developed the state after 1945, in contrast to poorly-developed welfare state of Weimar (Schmidt, 1992). Modell Deutschland, with the concept of the managed firm and co-determination, became renowned throughout the world (Smith, 2005). Products made in Germany demonstrated that it had become an economic force to be reckoned with, especially with its car industry. It can therefore be argued that un precedented economic stability after WWII also helped ensure democracys popularity. Another factor explaining democracys success after WWII emanates from the national and foreign policies Germany has implemented. This country presents a complex and layered picture which is revealed through the challenges it has dealt with in the past. Germany promoted itself as a responsible power and avoided an aggressive foreign policy so reminiscent of Hitler, choosing instead to join NATO and promote pro-European policies at the height of the Cold War (Glees, 1996). Chancellor Brandts policy of ostpolitik (Change through Rapprochement) exposed the conflict surrounding national identity following unification, where East Germans continued to feel like second class citizens in their own country (Wiesenthal, 1998). The 1970s saw the upsurge of the extreme Left, but despite these negative impacts, the structures of the German political and social systems remain strong. Therefore, Germanys promotion of European integration and the political culture of the time ensured democratic rule succeeded. In conclusion, it is clear that despite what some may see as an abnormal path taken by Germany towards normalisation, it seems to have worked (Smith, 2005). It is argued that the countrys first attempt at democracy failed due to a specific set of circumstances facing interwar Germany, coupled with defects in the Weimar constitution [] (Conradt, 2009, p.7). It can certainly be agreed on that important evolutions in the system to the constitution and party/electoral system, coupled with better economic and social conditions were vital in sustaining democracy after WWII (Smith, 1991). The Basic Law remains largely the same as in 1949, which is a testament to its success in founding and maintaining a democratic Germany. In addition, Germany also recognised a politics of consensus is a pre-requisite for federalism to work. Its decision to take this unconventional path and follow the federal political system with a consensus democracy demonstrates that sovereignty may not always be the a nswer; homogenising such a large country with different regions and practices would be impossible. It is institutional stability and every day practices, coupled with the politics of consensus, which established democracy successfully in Germany. Bibliography: Conradt, D. (2009). The German Polity. 9th ed. USA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company Glees, A. (1996) Reinventing Germany: German political development since 1945. UK: Berg Paterson, W. E. (2000). From the Bonn to the Berlin republic. German Politics, 9(1), 23-40. Pulzer, P. (1994). Unified Germany: a normal state? 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