Why the United States is competitive as a society Essay Example

Why the United States is competitive as a society Essay That America is the World’s super power goes without saying.   America has virtually dominated all fields from the military might and strength to agriculture, space exploration and other aspects that include sports, music, innovations, democracy and many other fields where the country scores highly. The country has reached a remarkable level that has seen it gain the super power status in a span of 3 centuries since its colonization.   Since its colonization in the 18th century the transformation that has taken place in America came about by the competitive nature of the new inhabitants of the â€Å"New World†.   The foundation of the country’s stability and economic development was wholly founded on the bedrock of capitalism.   Perhaps the competitiveness of the American Society can be traced back to this fact alone. Capitalism gained ground in the early years of the colonization period when the new settlers rushed in to take advantage of the virgin hinterland where they started exploiting the resources that the new land had to offer. We will write a custom essay sample on Why the United States is competitive as a society specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Why the United States is competitive as a society specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Why the United States is competitive as a society specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer America has made tremendous strides in many aspects over the last few centuries.   It played a significant role in the innovation field including the development of the information and communication Technology that has completely turned the world and transformed not only how business is conducted but how societies interact as well. Sports in the United States of America Just like in other fields, America’s competitive nature has been witnessed in the sports arena, sports forms the very fabric that is the American society and defines the culture of the Nation.   The culture of sports is very distinct and extremely different from sports in other countries of the world. While football (soccer) is adored world over, in American this is a different story all together, the Americans by nature prefer a different and unique kind of sports. In the American society setup, sports plays a very significant role because apart from the popularity it commands it acts as the vehicle of transmitting various values of fair play, justice, team work and goes along way of integrating the various social dynamics that makes up the American society. The racial and social disintegration that characterized the American landscape during the period of the early sixties has virtually disappeared because of the role sports has played in bringing people from   various cultures and race to work , play and enjoy together. It cannot be gainsaid that sports is the â€Å"social glue† that has held the country together. (Deford, F 79) Sporting in America can be traced back to the colonial period because during this time team sports was more or less regarded as the way of life through the various forms of the ball games that would later evolve to the various forms of baseball, basketball and others. The colonialists and settlers that immigrated to America from Europe in the 17th century are credited with the bringing of the contemporary American sports of baseball, football and basketball. The colonialists also had great interest in sports like fishing, horse racing, shooting and running. The 1800s saw the introduction of such recent sports like tennis and golf, with recent decades ushering in such â€Å"extreme sports† like mountain biking, sail boarding, sport climbing and ice hockey. (Gorn, E Goldstein, W 17) During the colonial period the Native American’s form of sports was the Lacrosse which was a popular team sport. Lacrosse was limited in popularity and was only limited to the States of New England and mid-Atlantic. The popularity seems to be spreading nationally seeing such lacrosse leagues like the NLL and MLL and sometimes the games draw up to 10,000 fans in the areas where it is popular.( Fisher, Donald M 22) However, the ball games as we know them today had to go through various transformations during the 19th century and were â€Å"re-fashioned† to make them the most popular sports in the country. Across the United States athletic contests have continued to shape various rituals that form the basis of the American culture. The growth of team sports was brought about by the growth of individual competition. (Gorn, E Goldstein, W 13) America is a sporting country; this came about because early American presidents like Benjamin n Franklin and Thomas Jefferson emphasized the need for fitness and advocated frequently for such fitness activities like swimming and running. Most of the various successive presidents that followed in the 20th Century followed their cue and continued encouraging the aspect of physical activity. It was during the tenure of President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 that the Presidents Council on Youth Fitness was founded with the sole responsibility of ensuring that the youths in America were encouraged to make fitness one of their priorities. (Gorn, E Goldstein, W 16) This Council later evolved to become the Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and now encompassed every American, regardless of age and ability. The focus of the Council nevertheless remained on using sports and games as the catalyst to fitness and healthy living. The formation of the council greatly influenced the spread of the awareness of fitness and encouraged the development of various sporting activities. This influence has continued up to today. (Gorn, E Goldstein, W 17) In the U.S unlike many nations in the world, sports are intertwined with the education system where a great number of students across the whole country participate in athletic programs that are sponsored by the respective colleges and schools. Students who excel in the athletic field find themselves getting scholarships to colleges acting as a motivator for the nurturing of talent.   Students excelling at this level also stand a better chance of making great strides in their lives. The government has continued to emphasize on the development and the nurturing of talent across the country and this emphasis has continued to greatly enhance the sporting capability of the nation. (Gorn, E Goldstein, W 17) In the US there are various types of sports but there are 4 sports that are very popular and include ice hockey, basketball American football and baseball.   All of these sports are organized in major leagues, which receive extremely high media coverage strengthening the love of the sports and increasing their popularity. (Gorn, E Goldstein, W 22) Among the most popular sports in the US baseball remains the oldest dating back to 1869.   Baseball also unlike other spectator sports that are popular it is played almost daily from April through October.   The popularity of baseball however lost its popularity though it ranks number one in terms of ticket sales. The American football has replaced baseball in terms of popularity and is credited for attracting millions of American T.V viewers.   However the American football ticket sales fall below those ones of baseball because unlike baseball the American football teams that form the National football leaguer play sixteen regular season annual games. Basketball is another popular sports in America and is represented by the professional National Basketball Association.   Such popular figures as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson have continued to be idolized world over for their prowess in the basketball sport. (Deford, F 79) Springfield, Massachusetts is believed to be the cradle of basketball when it was â€Å"invented† by James Naismith who was a Canadian teacher specializing in physical education ( http://www.nba.com ).The sport is rated among the top three in the country and continues to elicit great enthusiasm not only in the country where it originated but the whole world as well. NBA as it is popularly known is a professional body and is rated as the world’s number one basketball league. The league playoffs normally start in April bringing in eight teams that have qualified from the conference to compete for the Larry OBrien Championship Trophy. ( http://www.nba.com ). Most of the NBA players have continued to represent the United States of America in various international competitions where they have continued to dominate and win most trophies. In the 1992 Olympics, the Dream Team that comprised Michael Jordan among others won the gold medal in the men’s basketball category. Since then the American team has been on the winning streak. ( http://www.nba.com ). The popularity of basketball in America can only be equated to that one of the American foot ball. This popularity has come about by the popularization of the game from the tertiary level to college and high school levels through out the country. Annually in the month of March a national college basketball champions are picked after a rigorous elimination tournament. The tournament brings together about 65 teams who compete to get the eventual winner. It is during such tournaments that NBA teams scout for talent among the budding youth. According to The National Sporting Goods Association, because of the popularity and the big money to be earned in this game, basketball remains the most played sport in America. (http://www.nba.com ). America has continued to inspire the world with its classic and competitive basketball that generates billion of dollars in revenues especially for the major advertising companies. The basketball sport at the same time also generates big earnings for the players who earn in excess off millions of dollars annually for just playing. The sport generates more millionaires more than any other sport in America.(http://www.nba.com ). Another popular sport in the U.S is baseball with the Major League Baseball remaining the most popular baseball league. .(Enders Eric 34)   This particular league has a schedule for about 162 games thereby generating the most revenue in ticket sales although it is not rated as the most popular game. Americans across the country still regard the game as a â€Å"national pastime† because historically, it has been the major sport since the late 19th century spanning over to the 20th century. Today in the months of April through October, teams in the Major League Baseball, play almost daily.(Enders Eric 36) The roots of baseball in the U.S, at the professional level can be traced to 1865, with the formation of the National League as the first major league, coming in 1876. In the last month of October when the leagues comes to a close at the World Series the winners of the two leagues; The American League and the National League play against each other and the winner is determined by a playoff of the best-of-seven. Notable figures in baseball include Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron among others. (Deford, F 79) Besides basketball and baseball there are many other team and individual sports that have continued to grow in America. Because of the organization and the enthusiasm that sports has continued to generate many lives of young and talented youths have been turned around for a better and promising future. However the competitiveness and the quest for fame and wealth have equally wrecked the lives of many American sportspeople. There has been a general increase in cases of the use of anabolic steroids and other performance drugs that has continued to dog the American athletes. Many athletes have been stripped of there medals bringing disgrace to themselves and their country as well. (http://grg51.typepad.com) Some of the popular failed doping cases that have shaken the athletic world include the case of Ben Johnson, Marion Jones, and Maurice Greene among others. These Americans athletes have been stripped of their medals and some like Marion Jones have served jail sentences for the offences. They have made American athletes to be scrutinized closely because America has come to be known as the â€Å"Steroid Nation†, where steroids and other performance enhancing drugs are used with abandon. (http://grg51.typepad.com) Works Cited Axthelm, Pete. The City Game: Basketball from the Garden to the Playgrounds. Lincoln:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   University of Nebraska Press, 1999.p11-25 Deford, Frank. The Heart of a Champion: Celebrating the Spirit and Character of Great  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   American Sports Heroes. Minnetonka, MN: NorthWord, 2002.78-79 Enders, Eric. 100 Years of the World Series. New York: Barnes and Noble, 2003. p34-38 Fisher, Donald M. Lacrosse: A History of the Game. Baltimore, Maryland Johns Hopkins  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   University Press. 2002 Gorn, Elliott J., and Goldstein, Warren. A Brief History of American Sports. Urbana:  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   University of Illinois Press, 2004. p12-14 Steroid Nation: Retrieved on 6th June 2008 from: http://grg51.typepad.com/steroid_nation/marion_jones_tim_montgomery/index.html History of Basketball in Canada: Article dated 8th March 2002 Retrieved on 6th June 2008 from http://www.nba.com/canada/History_of_Basketball_in_Canad-Canada_Generic_Article-18023.html

Civil Rights Diary Essays - James Meredith, Free Essays, Term Papers

Civil Rights Diary Essays - James Meredith, Free Essays, Term Papers Civil Rights Diary Victoria Mullally HIS/145 September 14, 2015 Jennifer Moore Civil Rights Diary Sweet Ole Miss The University of Mississippi is home of the Rebels and the white man. Here at Ole Miss we gain a quality education among students who we have things in common with. I cant believe all the hostility about segregation and desegregation. I sure am glad we dont have to worry here at the university. It is peaceful and a great institution of higher education. I dont know how I would handle all that fighting and hostility if an African American wanted to join our campus. Rumor Has It I just heard that an African American student has tried to apply to become a student here at the University of Mississippi. I guess I spoke too soon when I thought it was going to be another peaceful year here at Ole Miss. I wish I knew more about who it was trying to get in. I feel like if they try too hard people here are going to push back with a vengeance. No one seems happy about this student trying to get in. I guess I plan to stay out of the violence. I dont care much for people getting angry about something we have no control over (it just seems silly). James Meredith Come to find out the guy who applied was James Meredith. He was in school before, but I guess he is some kind of civil rights activist so he wants to attend school here. I heard he even obtained a court order from Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black enjoining the university to admit him (Moss & Thomas, 2013, "Let Freedom Ring"). After I found out the governor stepped in and still told the university not to admit him! This is going to turn violent real quick. People here at the university are in an up roar and experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. I dont know if I should panic, riot, or just stick to my studies. I really would prefer if this situation wouldnt escalate. The way it seems to be going, though, I might have no choice in the matter. Wouldnt You Know It You know I figured something fishy was going on here. I remember learning about the Brown V. Board of Education case and how it effectively was supposed to end segregation in the public school system. I had heard many African Americans were getting into white colleges all over. As luck would have it I found out James Meredith according to History.com Staff (2010), applied repeatedly to Ole Miss without success (para. 3) in the two years he attended college at Jackson State College. According to National Portrait Gallery (2012), The university rejected his application twice, and it would take a year and a half and the force of the United States Supreme Court for Meredith to be admitted. (para. 6). Thats why he had a court order to be allowed to attend; he was already fighting the system long before we heard about it. I cant believe how hard he is trying to prove he is worthy of an education here. I mean I dont know him personally but he must be very passionate to work so hard to achie ve something that could potentially hurt him. People still dont know what is going to happen when he steps foot on campus for the first time. I sure hope he gets the chance to sign up for classes, he deserves it after the effort he has put in. Violence Ensued Only naturally would it have to end in violence. When James Meredith tried to show up on campus he had federal government protection! This did not make very many people on campus happy. There was a huge mob out there to meet them. I wasnt getting involved; I know how violent situations can escalate. Boy did I ever make the right choice. Two people ended up shot! This is crazy, how can people be so judgmental. All James wants is to attend classes. After those deaths and so many injuries the government sent in marshals and troops to clean up the mess. Ive never seen so many troops in one place at one time. Alls Well According to University of Mississippi (n.d.), The

Active lifestyles - Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Active lifestyles - - Essay Example WHO describe sedentary lifestyles as a major underlying cause of death, disease, and disability? Approximately two million deaths every year are attributable to physical inactivity. Preliminary findings from a WHO study on risk factors suggest that sedentary lifestyle is one of the ten leading causes of death and disability in the world. Physical inactivity increases all causes’ mortality, doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and obesity. It also increases the risks of colon and breast cancer, high blood pressure, lipid disorders, osteoporosis, depression and anxiety. Beginning to regularly exercise at any point throughout adulthood is likely to raise your longevity. Those individuals who had lived a sedentary lifestyle all through middle adulthood nevertheless benefited from getting in better shape even during their 70s or 80s. The earlier you make a commitment to exercise, the more you are probable to extend your life span. The earlier you start to habitually exercise, the greater the long-term advantages. Participation in invigorating activities, at least moderate in intensity, is important for maintaining your health. The types of recreational pursuits reported most commonly by the active college graduates included swimming, racquet sports, running, cycling, hiking, skiing, rowing, and yard work. Being slim does not lessen the need for regular exercise. It is certainly better to be overweight but otherwise fit than it is to be thin but inactive. Though, it is relatively rare to remain obese and not to finally develop added health problems suc h as high blood pressure or diabetes. Despite the strong evidence that physical inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle is a risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, hypertension, and other chronic diseases, only 25% of U. K. adults in the late 1990s exercised at levels suggested to improve health, and only 10% exercised at levels intended

Universal Design of Instruction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Universal Design of Instruction - Essay Example That is, the product or environment is designed in such a way that it satisfies the needs of a variety of users including those who are physically disabled. The Center for Universal Design (CUD) at the North Carolina State University established seven principles for UD (Burgstahler, 2009), which provides the basis for all applications of UD including for instructional purposes. These form a general architectural paradigm and are listed in the table below. By applying the general principles of UD to teaching, we can derive guidelines for instruction to students, which are called UDI. The CUD defines UDI as â€Å"the design of instruction to be usable by all students, without the need for adaptation or specialized design†. A prominent figure that applied UD principles to education was Frank Bowe (2000). A related concept is Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) defines as â€Å"a framework for designing curricula that enables all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning†. Thus, the classroom environment, curriculum, instructional materials and procedures, facilities etc. can all be designed in a way that they fulfill the needs of a variety of students. The students may have a range of abilities, learning styles, and backgrounds and this includes disabled students especially. There are two further benefits of UDI: one is that it minimizes the need to arrange for accommodating students with special needs, and another is that specific features of the UDI benefit not only the type of students for which it is intended but also others. For example, captioning in instructional videos is done to help the deaf but other students can also derive benefit. CAST clarifies that by being universal, it is not intended that the instruction be suitable for every type of learner; rather, â€Å"it is meant to underscore the need

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

Debates - Essay Example However, Obama ensures to secure Israel, secure religious minorities and feminines, and foster the economy. He also supplemented that Syria must be dissolved through ensuring that their allies are strong, but that does not mean military provisions. Moreover, both agreed in the case of the insisted Egyptian President Mubarak Go (Nate). Romney’s perspectives on America’s role in the world are simply the leader of all nations to promote peace. That is possible by fostering the economy of the country, and supporting their allies. He depicted that there are uncertainties that may occur, and being prepared through firm troops is the best approach to combat against unexpected military forces that might attack the US. Obama notes that the US has been reconstructing the economy through employee retention, strengthening automaker industry, and decreasing the cost of oil imports (â€Å"Third Presidential Debate†). Romney believes that Afghanistan can recover through the aid of the US, only if Afghans can meet their benchmarks. However, Obama utters about shifting its focus on Afghanistan after the closure of war in Iraq. Both have agreed that, by 2014, Afghanistan can be ready. Furthermore, Romney describes that the US should negotiate with Pakistan not to commence a war against Afghanistan. They both have agreed to promote annihilation of extremism through leveraging corrupt officials in the government (Nate). Moreover, if Israel is attacked, the US should secure Israel. Romney says that Iran cannot utilize nuclear weapon. Obama says Iranian navy cannot come into the US docks. Both of them have concurred on this--that utilizing military forces is the final resort. The goal of Obama for Iran is to put an end on its nuclear program; thus, they can re-penetrate the international society. Romney’s description of Iran is somehow varied, uttering that Iran is a strong nation now,

Strategic Analysis Of John Lewis Partnership Limited Marketing Essay

Strategic Analysis Of John Lewis Partnership Limited Marketing Essay The following report will provide a detailed analysis of John Lewis Partnership. The retailer has been very successful in the UK and has performed extremely well in spite of more negative financial issues and other dynamics impacting upon the retail sector at large, predominantly in light of declining consumer income, technological advances such as the internet and increased competition. The reason the company was able to achieve these was because of their commitment towards their clients in providing innovative solutions as well as improved awareness of customer needs and the significance of creating a reliable customer base which ensures positive word-of-mouth and the company has achieved this due to its commitment to providing innovative solutions to clients as well as a heightened awareness of customer needs and further recommendations to increase new revenue streams through an appropriate CRM system in place. Therefore, the reports provides an evaluation of the companys current marketing environment assessing how the external factors impact the retail sector largely and specifically on the strategies that John Lewis chooses to adopt. The report will also evaluate the strengths and weaknesses as well as the threats and opportunities that the company is presented with and how best it can achieve a match with its own internal capabilities to the dynamics at play. The report will also look at how the John Lewis brand and customer proposition is placed in the UK market in comparison to other competitors, with an attempt to provide understanding in to how the company gains advantage through differentiation from other competitors, essentially highlighting how the company implements a differentiated strategy which allows it to maintain advantage. At the same time, the analysis has drawn attention to how the uncertainty which prevails and the continuous rate of change in the external market highlights the implications of continuous observation and continuous re-evaluation of the strategic options applied. Ultimately, the aim is to provide recommendations as to how the company can increase the probability of its advantage over the longer term. The John Lewis Partnerships 81,000 Partners own the leading UK retail businesses John Lewis and Waitrose. Our founders vision of a successful business powered by its people and its principles defines our unique company today. The profits and benefits created by our success are shared by all our Partners (John Lewis, 2012). Write the report as if you were working for an external management consultancy firm, reporting to the Board of Directors of your chosen company. The report should contain sections that address ALL of the main aspects of the module syllabus: that is the report should cover both strategic analysis (internal and external) and strategy formulation. It is essential that in undertaking your research and writing your report you make appropriate use of the strategic management tools and models to conduct internal and external strategic analysis and strategy formulation that you have encountered in this module. Credit will be given for analysis, evaluation and synthesis, and the appropriate selection and use of strategic management tools and models. 2.0 Introduction This report will discuss the strategic management tools demonstrating skills of analysis evaluation and synthesis of John Lewis. The report includes strategic analysis and an External Environmental analysis. The report also covers the strategy formulation in which the SWOT analysis and BCG Matrix will be discussed. John Lewis Partnership plc is one of the UKs top ten retail businesses. They operate amongst 2 sectors known as John Lewis and Waitrose. The company offers food as well as household products i.e. baked foods, fresh fruit veg, wines, household items, furniture, electronic items etc. The company functions in a chain of 287 Waitrose supermarkets, 39 John Lewis shops that include 30 departmental stores and 8 of them at home John Lewis stores. The company operates throughout the UK and is headquartered in London, they sell their products through retail stores, catalogues, and websites. The companys strategic focus is to accomplish its non-core business strategies through partnership with other firms. There are around 81,000 employees working in John Lewis stores who are partners in the business, they have a share in the companys profits and are given the opportunity to participate in the companys progress and growth. This is their unique source of competitive advantage as it encourages staff loyalty through being business partners (John Lewis 2012) 3.0 Strategic analysis 3.1 Mission statement The mission of an organisation highlights the broad directions they need to follow and provides a brief summary of the values and reasons that lie behind it (Lynch 2012). Like other organisations John Lewis also have a mission statement, it highlights their reputation established through their ownership structure as it is unique and they are very successful in being a profitable business. John Lewis aim to keep their staff satisfied so that their business can be a success. Their strategy is based on three key elements partners, customers and profit. (Refer to appendix 1) to see their full mission statement. 4.0 External Environmental analysis 4.1 PESTEL Analysis The PESTEL analysis examines the macro-environment in which the business exists in. It is a helpful tool for understanding market growth or decline as well as the position, potential and the direction for business. It is also used for evaluating the Political, Economic, Social Technological, Environmental and Legal factors that a business operates in. The Political factors discuss government regulations such as employment laws, environmental regulations, tax policy and political stability. The Economic factors affect the cost of capital and purchasing power of an organisation. These factors also include economic growth, interest rates and inflation. The Social factors impact customers needs, potential market size such as John Lewiss goods and services, population growth and age demographics. Technological factors of John Lewis will discuss barriers to entry, making or buying decisions, investment and innovation and the technological change. Environmental factors include weather, clim ate and climate change. Climate change affects how John Lewis operates and the products they offer. Lastly Legal Factors include discrimination law, employment law and health and safety law. These factors can affect the way John Lewis operate their costs and the demand for their products. 4.2 Macro- environmental Factors It is commonly known, that those prevailing in the external environment of any firm shall have a significant influence in terms of decision making in the strategic options. Such analysis is known as PESTEL analysis and usually suggested as the first stage in the strategic planning process (Lynch, 2006). As Johnson et al (2008, pg.56) rightly declared, The key drivers for change are environmental factors that are likely to have a high impact on the success or failure of strategy. (Refer to appendix 2) to see the PESTEL analysis for John Lewis. It can be concluded that each factor of the PESTEL has had an effect on John Lewiss actions, some of them are now stated in their mission statement. Previous factors are used to analyse different factors, furthermore, these factors can give a prediction for the future, so can be quiet effective if they are applied correctly. There are also some restrictions in this model, e.g. when the procedure of the checklist is applied to John Lewis it may be tough. The emergent corporate strategies may well comment that the future is so uncertain that prediction is useless (Lynch 2012 page 84), however, some may still give words of caution but still predict the future. The PESTEL analysis isnt the only framework that John Lewis take into consideration, their organisation has many other internal and external factors that also have an effect on the strategy formulation, this is why Porters five Forces framework is applied. The PESTEL analysis has a lot of information but yet doesnt offer a detailed analysis of the business. Porters Five Forces (1985) observes factors that have an impact on competition in the organisation. 4.3 Strategic Options The external analysis undertaken has underlined how the focus and the landscape of the UK retail sector has changed dramatically over the last decade or so. Such developments clearly present both threats, primarily from new entrants and modes of distribution, as well as opportunities such as the increasing utilisation of technology within the current offering to customers. As Johnson et al (2008, pg.3) highlights, strategy is about exploiting the strategic capability of an organisation, in terms of its resources and competences, to provide competitive advantage and/or yield new opportunities. However, many competitors in the retail sector at large have managed to expand into other range of products as well as expanding internationally, John Lewis seems to have adopted a more thoughtful approach and stayed loyal to its customers as well as confident in terms of its offering to the market. At the same time it has also developed a wide range of products as a lower price range to attract more customers across a wider range of segments in society. In times of economic uncertainty this also appears to be a sensible strategy in terms of situations where its loyal customer base may be experiencing declines in disposable income, thus enabling John Lewis to maintain their business through customers trading down to less expensive ranges in store. The recent introduction for its Essential Waitrose Range in 2009 was both a reaction to external events including activities of competitors but was viewed as an effective strategy highlighting the companys attention to external research as well as its innovative approach to dealing with such negative events. Furthermore, Porter put forward the idea that there were three generic strategies; cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy and the focus strategy, which companies follow. It is clear that John Lewis has embraced a combination of these, but essentially, differentiation has remained key to its business model which positions more favourably when compared to other competitors, particularly given the range and extent of the goods and services it provides as well as its highly effective branding and promotional events which appeal directly to customers and incite purchase. Its decision to introduce its Essentials range within its Waitrose stores may have been considered by some as an indication it was lowering its standards, but on the contrary, despite offering a cheaper alternative, quality remained key which ultimately implied that its position in the market would not be negotiated. 4.4 Porters Five Forces Porters Five Forces framework highlights that the environment John Lewis is competing in is constantly changing, (refer to appendix 5). In this model it is believed that customers dont have more importance than any other aspect, however Aker, Baker and Harvey Jones argue that customers are more important than any other aspect of strategy development (Lynch 2012). Porters Five Forces of competition (1985) is a common tool often applied within the strategic management process to firms across several sectors. It is similar to the PESTLE analysis as it takes a predominantly external perspective of the firm within its given industry looking at how it is positioned against other competitors in the same sector. Recently many have criticised the ensuring importance of the framework given the changes that have risen, particularly with regard to the diversification of business which has ultimately created blurring across many previously distinct sectors. This is emphasized by the supermarkets entering into the clothing and electronics sector for example, as well as retailers including John Lewis expanding into financial services through insurance and credit facilities to customers. Barney (1995) and Henry (2008) underlined how Porters model is more helpful when it is applied at a strategic business unit level rather than at higher levels of industry analysis such as the sector at large as it cannot be expected that all competitors will be competing against one another. This tool is also believed to be useful in terms of assessing a companys strengths and weaknesses in light of how it stacks up against competition. As Barney (1995, pg.49) highlights, A complete understanding of sources of competitive advantage requires the analysis of a firms internal strengths and weaknesses as well. The importance of integrating internal with environmental analyses can be seen when evaluating the sources of competitive advantage of many firms. Looking at Porters five forces of competition, it is clear that John Lewis has attempted to not to just react to the external dynamics and actions of competitors, but actively be a step ahead. It has constantly adapted its business model, such as the introduction of store cards, its online offering and the Waitrose Essentials range in order to provide its business with a more appropriate fit to the market in line with Mintzbergs (1994) theory. A major element of its strategy however, is its reputation, branding and subsequent positioning in the market and how consumers view the business in its entirety. It has remained rather committed to its original proposition and further enhanced its appeal through appropriate branding and its reputation for quality and enhanced service to customers. 5.0 Internal Resource analysis 5.1 Value analysis chain StratISTh3 Source: Porter, Competitive Advantage, 1985 The term Value Chain was used by Michael Porter (1985), the purpose of the value chain is to analyse the activities that are performed by the business, linking them to the competitive position. It also evaluates the particular activities to see which add value to the businesses products or services (quickmba 1999-2010) While many critics and leading authorities dispute the validity of Porters earlier theories, many of his ideas do still appear useful from the perspective of strategic analysis, particularly the notion of the value chain. Ultimately, it is within the value chain which John Lewis has created that it has succeeded in terms of sustaining advantage in its market sector. It has created efficiencies and synergies through the interrelationships within (Mintzberg and Ghoshal, 2003). Value Chain Analysis which is often compared to the RBV of the firm as it looks to both internal and external dynamics impacting an organisation. In recent years importance has also been given to joint ventures, collaborations and relationships which add value to the companys positioning. Elements of the chain such as HR which were previously considered as supporting elements are now viewed as core and this is demonstrated by John Lewis in terms of its commitment to and investment in staff. By enhancing the quality of its internal resources it can achieve distinctive competencies which are difficult to emulate by other competitors (Teece et al, 1997; Terwiesch and Ulrich, 2009). As Porter (1985, pg.36) emphasises, the way it performs individual activities are a reflection of its history, its strategy, its approach to implementing its strategy, and the underlying economics of the activities themselves. 6.0 Strategy formulation 6.1 SWOT Analysis: John Lewis Partnership A SWOT analysis is a useful tool for understanding and decision-making, businesses such as John Lewis use this tool in all sorts of situations, a SWOT summarizes the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. This framework covers a crucial part of the strategic planning process a scan of the internal and external environment. Strength, Weaknesses are considered to be internal to the business whereas, Opportunities and Threats are part of the external environment. Looking at the SWOT analysis (refer to appendix 6) it can be concluded that John Lewis take this tool into consideration when making business decisions based on their customers. However, John Lewis need to expand their target audience because at the moment they are only targeting an older audience need to improve the diagnostic power of a SWOT analysis is to define the elements from a customer perspective rather than the organizational point of view. (Baker 2007, pg.267). By doing this they will generate a higher profit margin. If john Lewis wants to stay ahead of their competition they need focus on their weaknesses such as they need to ensure their prices are similar to their competitors. Also John Lewis need to focus on threats the business may have to face but they can avoid such matters by acting upon the threat before it occurs. Although the SWOT analysis tool is useful to businesses when making decisions, it has been criticized due to its simplicity and possible misleading approach to strategic analysis. This is because companies have failed to follow a few simple procedures. The SWOT analysis is a focused methodology (Baker 2007), therefore, when John Lewis the using this tool they need to ensure they are able to follow correct procedures of this tool to ensure they are able to achieve success. 6.2 BCG Growth-share Matrix The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) growth-share matrix was developed by Bruce Henderson, founder of BCG, in the late 1960s (Baker 2007, pg.125). The BCG Matrix is a simple tool used to assess a companys position in terms of its product range. It simplifies how a companys thinks about the products and services and makes decisions about which it should keep and let go and which products to invest in further. It provides a useful way of seeing the opportunities that are open to the company and also helps to consider how the company can maximise the profits in the future. Below is the BCG Matrix for John Lewis, highlighting where in the market the different departments of John Lewis are positioned. John Lewis was voted Britains best retailer in 2009 and have won awards House Beautiful Awards 2008: Online Home Retailer of the Year Gold Award (washerhelp 2012), making them leaders in departments such as House and Garden, Electrical Appliances, Fashion, Gifts and Toys. They now have a high growth and a high market share in this segment, thus putting them in the star category. Further, technology and baby departments are between the star and question mark category this could be due to high growth and market share or high growth and low market share as they are faced with high demands but have low returns. Moving on to the sport department as it is in the cash cow category, as a markets it isnt growing but yet the market share for the products is high. Looking at the final category it can be said that John Lewis are safe as there isnt any products in the dog category. The BCG Growth-Share Matrix 7.0 conclusion Overall, the company has responded admirably to the changing dynamics impacting upon its market and customers, it is also clear that going forward, more challenges and threats shall be presented to it, particularly given persistent uncertainty relating to the global economy as consumer confidence within the UK. It would appear that in addition to a thorough and consistent approach to its markets in relation to external analysis of those factors deemed to impact most significantly; the company also adopts an internal approach, evaluating its inherent resources and competencies within the business. In line with the resource based view of the firm (Barney, 1991) and subsequent research by other authors such as Grant (2005), this analysis is often viewed as a more appropriate approach to the task of strategic management as ultimately, organisations have much more control over their internal resources than external market variables. Such an approach enables companies to incite the innovat ion process and thus create change in the wider environment as well as improvements to its value chain. This appears to be exactly what John Lewis has done to date through its expansion into other areas, as well as extending its range to customers through on-line facilities as well as credit, insurance etc. References Arnold, G. (2012). Corporate financial management. 3d. ed.Essex: Prentice Hall. Baker M (2007). Marketing strategy and management. 4th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Barney, J. and Hesterly, W.S., 2008. Strategic Management and Competitive Advantage: Concepts and Cases: International Edition. London: Prentice Hall. Barney, J.B., 1991. Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. Journal of Management; 17, (1) Chloe. (2012). ANALYSIS Waitrose and John Lewis move closer together, offline as well as online. Available: http://internetretailing.net/2012/11/analysis-waitrose-and-john-lewis-move-closer-together-offline-as-well-as-online/. Last accessed 20th Nov 2012. Davey, J and Laurance, B (2008). John Lewis under fire: how the City turned against Rose. The Sunday Times. 16 March 2008, p.12-13 The Economist (2012). A Rose by any other name. A retailing star ticks off investors at an awkward time. 13 March 2012, p58-60 The Economist (2012). The world in figures: industries. The world in 2012. p124, 126 Gartner. (2011). Gartner Identifies the Top 10 Strategic Technologies for 2011. Available: http://www.gartner.com/it/page.jsp?id=1454221. Last accessed 25th Nov 2012. Grant, R.M., 2005. Contemporary Strategy Analysis. London: Wiley-Blackwell Henry, A., 2008. Understanding Strategic Management. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Johnson, G, Scholes, K and Whittington, R, 2008. Exploring Corporate Strategy. London: Prentice Hall. Keynote, 2008. Clothing Manufacturing, Keynote. Keynote, 2009. Clothing Retailing. Keynote Levitt, T, 1983. The Globalization of Markets. Harvard Business Review, May-June. Lewis J. (2012). John Lewis Partnership. Available: http://www.johnlewispartnership.co.uk/about.html. Last accessed 18th Nov 2012. Lynch R (2006). Corporate strategy . 4th ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall. Lynch, R (2012). Strategic Management .6th ed. Harlow: Pearson Mintzberg, H., Quinn, J., and Ghoshal, S, 2003. The Strategy Process. London: Prentice Hall Mintzberg, Henry, 1994. The Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning: Reconceiving the Roles for Planning, Plans, Planners. New York: Free Press Nugent, H and Hawkes, S (2012). George follows Jeremy Paxman as John Lewis faces another brief challenge. 20 March 2012. www.timesonline.co.uk (Accessed 24/11/2012) Ohmae, Kenichi, 1989. Managing in a Borderless World. Harvard Business Review, May-June. Porter, M., 1979. How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy. Harvard Business Review, March/April. Porter, M.E., 1980. Competitive Strategy. New York: The Free Press. Porter, M.E., 1985. Competitive Advantage: Creating and Sustaining Superior Performance. New York: Free Press. QuickMBA. (1999-2010). The Value Chain. Available: http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/value-chain/. Last accessed 20th Nov 2012. Reynolds, A., 2012. John Lewis Partnership on Target to Cut Emissions. Supply Management, 17 October, available at http://www.supplymanagement.com/news/2012/john-lewis-partnership-on-target-to-cut-emissions/, accessed 12/11/12 Teece,D.J., Pisano, G. And Shuen, A., 1997. Dynamic Capabilities and Strategic Management. Strategic Management Journal, Vol.18, No.7, pp.509-533. Terwiesch, C. and Ulrich, K., 2009. Innovation Tournaments: Creating and Selecting Exceptional Opportunities. Boston: Harvard Business Press. Washerhelp. (2012). John Lewis. Available: http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/Retailers/John-Lewis.html. Last accessed 20th Nov 2012. Appendix 1 John Lewis mission statement The John Lewis Partnerships reputation is founded on the uniqueness of our ownership structure and our commercial success. Our purpose is the happiness of all our members, through their worthwhile, satisfying employment in a successful business, with success measured on our ability to sustain and enhance our position both as an outstanding retailer and as a thriving example of employee ownership. With this in mind, our strategy is based on three interdependent objectives Partners, customers and profit. Appendix 2 PESTEL Analysis for John Lewis Political Factors John Lewis operates within the UK market and therefore changes in the policy related to the governance of UK business, as well as advanced policies in the context of the UK, have an impact on the business. The laws and codes of conduct relating to ethical business practices and CSR initiatives particularly impact John Lewis. Subsequently, there has been conscious effort on the role of the retailers to combine relevant Codes of Conduct concerning the supply chain as well as giving a guarantee to customers that have been sourced in an ethical manner. It is likely that changes such as this will continue to impact going ahead but at the same time as this, pricing will be raised as a concern for the retailers as margins will certainly be eroded as prices are put higher, epically where the products may be obtained from developing markets. Economic factors It is obvious that economic factors have a major effect on the strategy implemented by John Lewis; such factors have had a negative impact on the UK. However, when the government took the decision to decrease the VAT rate temporarily in 2008 due to financial crisis, this had a direct positive impact on the retail sector. The company faced major setbacks in relation to its revenue and performance in 2001. The company was successful in reversing its fortunes through a complete re-evaluation of its supply chain practices; they improved the company model so that it met the needs of customers. The company is still conscious that the confidence levels of customers are slightly unstable, this is highlighted in its current financial results, (refer to appendix 3). Such uncertainty has an obvious impact on which strategies companies can follow and directly influences which marketing strategy John Lewis decide to apply in relation to pricing, advertising and other variables of the mix. Increas ed global uncertainty also influences their operations which are mainly UK based. This is especially true regarding the price of raw materials that has been changed considerably over the past few months, with products such as cotton, coffee and oil being a great concern. Such fluctuations put pressures on retailers as well as customers whereby margins shall be reduced and costs passed on to consumers who may in fact seek cheaper alternatives as their own incomes may decline. A full appraisal of all elements of the supply and distribution chain is needed to ensure that efficiencies are being formed and improvements are made to the overall value chain (Porter, 1980; 1985). This may also clarify the companys latest challenges in integrating its business with Waitrose, John Lewis are becoming much more aligned over the past months (refer to appendix 4) Events overseas such as Spain and Greece could also have more implications for the sourcing policies the company accepts as well as its foreign currency payment methods etc. to suppliers given the weakening Euro currency. Social Factors Social factors for John Lewis are very important across the business as they are considered to have a direct effect on how successful the customer behaviour is and the preference towards the items or brands. While many have pointed out that overtime as consumers we have slowly become more similar across country borders (Ohmae, 1989; Levitt, 1983), latest indications actually highlight much divergence in consumer buying habits. Much of this might also be attributed to progress in internet trading whereby consumers have further choice as well as getting updated and having more knowledge about the alternatives available in the market. This has increased the competition which has therefore, put pressure on prices, mostly in the case of stores as there are much higher fixed costs involved. Another major progress relating to the retail sector in the UK has been the success of the supermarket chains in growing into non-food items with shares of the clothing market increasing every year from competitors such as Asda, Tesco, and Sainsburys. a report from Keynote in 2009 outlined how supermarkets share of the clothing market increased from around 10% in 2000 10 23% in 2008, and this expansion is likely to continue as the major multiples devote increasing amounts of floor space to non-food items such as clothes such growth has completely changed the retail space in the UK and certainly, many have attributed the demise of many High Street incumbents directly to the strategies pursued by supermarkets. At the same time, it is also clear that John Lewis has followed somewhat of a different method and thus located itself apart from these competitors and is seen being more exclusive, of higher quality as well as providing higher levels of service to customers. Technological Factors It is impossible to ignore the progress that occurred in technology over the decade or so. Such advances have completely changed and improved all features of the supply and distribution chain particular with regard to online shopping. Over the past few months John Lewis have become more of this and adapted its business model appropriately so that they are capable of understanding customer expectations, with regards to convince and availability. Another major development has been the increasing use of media and subsequent positive word-of-mouth recommendations. Such tools are viewed by companies as an important ingredient to their overall strategy, not just in terms of communicating with customers but also in gaining further knowledge through customer feedback which can assist them in gaining further knowledge through customer feedback which can assist them in engaging more with their customer base and addressing any potential problems or other threats. Technology is considered as pro viding more choice to customers but increasingly is being embraced within the overall customer management strategy and is likely that this will intensify going forward and further facilitated by new developments such as improvements in text analytics and the capture of real-time data (Gartner, 2011) Environmental Factors Making the right long term decision is one of John Lewiss founding principle, environmental sustainability is key to this approach. There are programmes, processes and targets in place to ensure that environmental commitments are delivered (John Lewis 2009) John Lewis recently revealed new plans where their key aim is to cast their CO2 emissions to 15% by 2020 (Reynolds, 2012) Legal Factors John Lewis is also impacted by changes to employment regulations as well as procedures guarding trading standards. Over the recent years many retail competitors such as Primark and Gap have been negatively criticised due to concerns on the unethical sourcing and manufacturing of products. Primark, a leading High-street label attracted unpleasant headlines in the media in response to claims they were using child labour, consequently affecting their position in the market. Other changes in the economic framework of overseas markets on which John Lewis depends on depend on

Herrick: Delight In Disorder Shows Delight In Life Essay -- essays res

The lively figures of speech in Herrick’s â€Å"Delight in Disorder† show his sensual delight in the little things in life. The oxymorons, animations, images, and paradox in this poem display the author’s enjoyment of true uniqueness. The animations in â€Å"Delight in Disorder† show how the speaker sees the clothing as having a will of it’s own that makes the outfit more â€Å"bewitch[ing]† (13). For example, the author cites a â€Å"tempestuous petticoat† and a â€Å"careless shoestring† as things that cause the woman’s dress to be unique and intriguing (9, 10). Through his use of the animation â€Å"tempestuous petticoat†, the author shows the reader that the petticoat not only flows freely and wildly, but the woman is also free and wild (9). The â€Å"careless shoestring† shows the how the disarray of the woman and her...

T.S.Eliot Murder in the Cathedral

T. S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral tells the story of Thomas Beckett, a man who reigned as Archbishop of Canterbury during the 12th century in England until his death in 1170. In order to tell Beckett's story, Eliot creates a series of equally interesting characters that each play a crucial role thought the play. The most unique rolefound within the play is the Women ofCanterbury, or the Chorus. Throughout the piece, the Chorus delivers seven choral odes. These choral odes, when looked at as a collective work tell a story. They begin with brief foreshadowing of events that will occur later in the play, but then quickly jump into necessary storyline; one which summarizes the events of the pasts, and then immerses the audience into the common man's view of the events in the present. The first choral ode begins with heavy foreshadowing. The Women of Canterbury are drawn towards the Cathedral, but they do not know why. At first, there is confusion. They question, â€Å"Are we drawn by danger? Is it the knowledge of safety that that draws our feet towards the Cathedral? As they reach the cathedral however, they come upon a realization. â€Å"There is not danger for us, and there is no safety in the cathedral. Some presage of an act, which our eyes are compelled to witness, has forced our feet towards the cathedral. † They recognize that it is not their own personal danger that draws them closerto the cathedral, but instead the foreshadowing of a horrifying act in which they will be forced to bear wi tness. It will be an act so terrible, that safety can not even be found within the hallowed halls of the cathedral. After the period of foreshadowing, themood of the first choral ode drasticallyshifts away from the dark and mysterious presage of an act to a description of the concrete past. The remainder of the choral ode serves as away to bring the audience up to speed on the last seven years of Canterbury'shistory. While they convey the events of the past, the women of Canterbury express a constant lurking fear for the safety of their Archbishop. A perfect example of this common theme found within the first choral ode is in the following stanza, in which the Chorus states: â€Å"Seven years and the summer is over, Seven years since the Archbishop left us, He who was always so kind to his people. But it would not be well if should return. † These lines are typical of the first choral ode, for not only do they explain to the audience that the Archbishop Thomas Beckett has been gone for seven years now, but they fear for his well being and for the wellbeing of Canterbury if he were to return. As the choral ode draws to a close, the Women of Canterbury give off a sense of unavoidable waiting. They say: â€Å"Come happy December, who shall observe you, who shall preserve you? Shall the Son of Man be born again in the litter of scorn? For us, the poor, there is no action, But only to wait and to witness† They welcome the month of December,but then question how it could possibly be a joyous time. Who would be able to celebrate the Christmas and Advent season with the terrible events that are about to occur? Could Jesus bereborn into such scorn? The Women ofCanterbury know that there is little they can do at this time. They must wait, and then witness the act that they fear. With the commencement of the secondchoral ode, the general mood shifts from confusion and waiting to fear. The Women of Canterbury have been informed that Beckett is returning to Canterbury. Such an announcement stirs great anxiety amongst them. They fear that their way of life will be disrupted and endangered. They plea to a Thomas who has not yet arrived to: â€Å"Return. Quickly. Quietly. Leave us to perish in quiet. You come with applause, you come with rejoicing, but You come bringing death into Canterbury: A doom on the house, a doom on yourself, a doom on the world. † The women say that though they will be rejoicing on the outside, their deep insides will be dominated by fear, for they believe that his coming will come hand in hand with his own death. The idea of fear is the general theme in thesecond choral ode, as it constantly recurs throughout the lines. Later in the choral ode, the women say, â€Å"We are afraid in a fear which we cannot know, which we cannot face, which none understands. † This illustrates thedepth and complexity of the fear which they are facing, for they know not how to neither combat it nor completely comprehend it. All the people know is that with Thomas comes death upon their home of Canterbury, so the beg him to â€Å"leave us, leave us, leave us sullen Dover, andset sail for France. † The fear of the second choral ode becomes a reality in the third. The Women of Canterbury know what decision Beckett has made. They tell him, â€Å"We have not been happy, my Lord, we have not been too happy. We are not ignorant women, we know what we must expect and not expect. † By saying this, the Women of Canterbury mean that they understandthe consequences that Thomas has chosen by staying in Canterbury. They know that he will perish if he stays. Then the women begin to despair. They cry, â€Å"God gave us always some reason, some hope; but now a new terror has soiled us, which none can avert,† and, â€Å"God is leaving us, God is leaving us, more pang, more pain than birth or death. The Women of Canterbury, who always took faith in the idea the God was protecting their Archbishop, believe that Thomas has turned away from the Lord's protection by deciding to remain at Canterbury, for not even God could protect him from the wrath of what was yet to come. The fourth choral ode that opens up the second act heads in a completely dif ferent direction than the intense despair of the third choral ode. Instead, this choral ode is more accepting, for the chorus knows that the death of Beckett is coming. Nature is used throughout this choral ode to foreshadow his death. At one point theWomen of Canterbury say, â€Å"The starved crow sits in the field, attentive;and in the wood the owl rehearses the hallow note of death. † The starved crow that they speak of symbolizes the Four Knights, who arrive in Canterburyshortly after the choral ode is delivered. The owl symbolizes the result of their visit to Canterbury: a death, a death that they fear will be brought upon Thomas. Though they have accepted the situation, the Women of Canterbury feel helpless, for all they can do between that moment and Thomas's death is wait. Asthere is nothing they can do, they say,†We wait, and the time is short, but the waiting is long. † As the fifth choral ode begins, the helplessness from the fourth choral ode carries over, but this time it is coupled with an air of guilt. The Women of Canterbury are stuck in an in between zone. They grieve: â€Å"Now is too late for action, too soon for contrition. Nothing is possible but the shamed swoon Of those consenting to the last humiliation. I have consented, Lord Archbishop, have consented. † The women realize that the wheel is turning and the eternal action leading to Beckett's doom is in motion. They are in despair, for it is too late for them to try and aid their Archbishop, but too soon for them to seek forgiveness for allowing Beckett to be killed. The murder of their Archbishop is a matter that they are taking personal responsibility for, and they view it as a humiliation to them all. Their final cry of â€Å"I have consented, Lord Archbishop† truly isolates and illustrates the immense guilt that they have brought upon themselves. The Women of Canterbury believe that by standing aside and allowing the Knights to threaten Thomas, they have consented to his murder. All they have left is helplessness, guilt, and like always, waiting. The sixth choral ode is met with a shiftfrom helplessness to intense distress. Archbishop Thomas Beckett has just been murdered, and the Women of Canterbury feel as if they, along with all of Canterbury, have been stained with their Archbishop's blood. The chorus screams: â€Å"Clear the air! Clean the sky! Wash thewind! Take the Stone from the stone, take the skin from the arm, Take the muscle from the bone, and wash them. Wash the stone, wash the bone, wash the brain, Wash the soul, wash them wash them! † As shown, the Women of Canterbury become obsessed with trying to wash themselves clean of Beckett's blood. Such words confirm that the Women of Canterbury see not only the Four Knights as Thomas Beckett's killer, but themselves as well. They feel severe regret, proclaiming: â€Å"We did not wish anything to happen We understood the private catastrophe, The personal loss, the general misery, Living and partly living† These lines show that, though they believe that they were a part of the murder, they were unintentionally involved. They did not mean for any illwill to come upon their Archbishop, but through their lack of action, their living and partly living, they allowed Beckett to face a tragedy, a tragedy that they were completely aware of, alone. The Women of Canterbury abandoned their Lord, and they do notknow how to deal with their despair The final choral ode begins not with despair, but instead with grateful praise to an all powerful God. The entire choral ode reads like one long prayer of praise, thanks, and then contrition to a merciful God. At points,the Women of Canterbury even go as far as to compare their deceased Archbishop to Jesus Christ. In it's beginning, they say, â€Å"We praise Thee, O God, for Thy glory displayed in all the creatures† The Women of Canterbury then go on to on to show their gratitude to God by respectfully praying, â€Å"We thank Thee for Thy mercies of blood, for Thy redemption by blood. For the blood of Thy martyrs and saints. † By these words, the Women of Canterbury are thanking God for redeeming their souls with theblood of Thomas, their Archbishop. Through these lines, Eliot is comparingthe murder of Thomas Beckett to the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, saying that both died to save the souls of those around them. Finally, the Woman of Canterbury seek contrition, pleading, â€Å"Forgive us, O Lord, we acknowledge ourselves as type of the common man, of the men and women who shut the door and sit by the fire. â€Å"On one level, they ask forgiveness for standing by and doing nothing to prevent Beckett's death, for they are just common men. If read more deeply however, they return to the Christ like image of Beckett. The common men askfor forgiveness, for like Peter, they†sat by the fire† and denied their Lord. Just as Peter allowed Christ to die, so the Women of Canterbury allowed Thomas Beckett to die. The seven choral odes in T. S. Eliot's Murder in the Cathedral tell the story of the common man's view of the events that occurred during that fateful December of 1170 in Canterbury. Through foreshadowing and interesting use of language, T. S. Eliot crafts the Chorus to be one of, if not the most fascinating character found within the whole play. Their unique perspective on Thomas Beckett's murder truly makes Murder in the Cathedral one of the greatest plays of the 20th Century.

Biography of Christine de Pizan, Medieval Writer

Biography of Christine de Pizan, Medieval Writer Christine de Pizan (1364 to 1430), born in Venice, Italy, was an Italian writer and political and moral thinker during the late medieval period. She became a prominent writer at the French court during the reign of Charles VI, writing on literature, morals, and politics, among other topics. She  was noted for her unusually outspoken defense of women. Her writings remained influential and oft-printed through the 16th  century, and her work returned to prominence during the mid-20th  century. Fast Facts: Christine de Pizan Known For: Early feminist thinker and influential writer in the royal court of Charles VI of FranceBorn: 1364 in Venice, ItalyDied: 1430 in Poissy, FrancePublished Works: The Book of the City of Ladies, The Treasure of the City of LadiesFamous Quote:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"The man or the woman in whom resides greater virtue is the higher; neither the loftiness nor the lowliness of a person lies in the body according to the sex but in the perfection of conduct and virtues.†Ã‚  (from  The Book of the City of Ladies) Early Life Pizan was born in Venice to Tommaso di Benvenuto da Pizzano, later known by the Gallicized moniker Thomas de Pizan, in reference to the family’s origins in the town of Pizzano. Thomas was a physician, astrologer, and politician in Venice – then a republic in its own right – and accepted a posting to the French court of Charles V in 1368. His family accompanied him there. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Pizan was well educated from a young age, in large part thanks to her father, who encouraged her learning and provided access to an extensive library. The French court was highly intellectual, and Pizan absorbed it all. Wed and Widowed At the age of fifteen, Pizan  married Etienne du Castel, a court secretary. The marriage was, by all accounts, a happy one. The pair were close in age, and the marriage produced three children in ten years. Etienne encouraged Pizans intellectual and creative pursuits as well. Pizans father Thomas died in 1386, with some debts outstanding. Because Thomas had been the royal favorite, the family’s fortunes were not as bright after his death. In 1389, tragedy struck again. Etienne fell ill and died, most likely from the plague, leaving Pizan a widow with three young children. With no surviving male relatives, Pizan was left as the sole supporter of her children and her mother (and a niece, according to some sources). When she attempted to claim the salary still owed to her late husband, she was forced to engage in legal battles to get what was owed. Writer at Court The royal courts of England and Milan both expressed interest in Pizans presence, but her loyalty remained with the court where she had spent nearly her entire life. The natural decision might have been to remarry, but Pizan made the decision to not seek a second husband among the men at court. Instead, she turned to her considerable writing skill as a means to support her family. At first, Pizans  output mainly consisted of love poetry in the favored styles of the era. Several of the ballads were expressions of grief over Etienne’s passing, again highlighting the genuine affection of their marriage. Pizan was highly involved in the production of her books, and her skillful poetry and embrace of Christian morals caught the eyes of many of the wealthy, titled courtiers. Writing romantic ballads was also a crucial means of gaining patrons, given the popularity of the form. As time passed, she gained many patrons, including Louis I, Duke of Orleans, Phillip, Duke of Burgundy, Marie of Berry, and even an English earl, the Earl of Salisbury. Because of her ability to utilize these powerful patrons, Pizan  was able to navigate a time of major turmoil in the French court during the reign of Charles VI, who earned the moniker â€Å"the Mad† due to his bouts of mental illness that rendered him unfit to rule for stretches of time. Pizan also wrote many of her works for and about the French royal family. In 1404, her biography of Charles V was published, and she often dedicated pieces of writing to the royals. A 1402 work was dedicated to Queen Isabeau (Charles VI’s wife) and compared the queen to the historical queen Blanche of Castile. Literary Quarrel Pizans poetry was clearly influenced by her own experience of losing her husband and being left to fend for herself, but some poems had an unusual tone that set her apart. One poem describes a fictionalized Pizan being touched by the personification of Fortune and â€Å"changed† into a male, a literary depiction of her struggles to be her family’s breadwinner and fulfill a â€Å"male† role. This was only the start of Pizans writings on gender. In 1402, Pizan  gained attention as the instigator of a famous literary debate, the â€Å"Querelle du Roman de la Rose† or the â€Å"Quarrel of the Romance of the Rose.† The debate centered on the Romance of the Rose, written by Jean de Meun, and its harsh, misogynistic depictions of women. Pizans writings defended women from these portrayals, using her extensive knowledge of literature and rhetoric to debate at a scholarly level. The Book of the City of Ladies The work for which Pizan is best known is The Book of the City of Ladies (Le Livre de la cità © des dames). In this work and its companion, The Treasure of the City of Ladies, Pizan  created an extensive allegory in defense of women, marking her as one of the earliest Western feminist authors. The central idea of the work is the creation of a great metaphorical city, constructed by and for heroic, virtuous women throughout history. In the book, Pizans  fictionalized self has a lengthy dialogue with three ladies who are the personifications of great virtues: Reason, Rectitude, and Justice. Her rhetoric is designed to critique the oppression of women and the vulgar, misogynistic attitudes of male writers of the day. It included profiles and â€Å"examples† drawn from great women of history, as well as logical arguments against oppression and sexism. Additionally, the book exhorts women of all stations to cultivate their skills and to live well. Even in the production of her book, Pizan advanced the cause of women. The Book of the City of Ladies was produced as an illuminated manuscript, which Pizan herself oversaw. Only skilled women were employed to produce it. Political Writings During Pizans  life, the French court was in considerable turmoil, with various factions constantly vying for power and the king incapacitated much of the time. Pizans writings urged unity against a common enemy (the English, with whom the French were fighting the Hundred Years’ War) rather than civil war. Unfortunately, civil war broke out around 1407. In 1410, Pizan  published a treatise on warfare and chivalry, in which she discussed the concepts of just war, treatment of troops and prisoners, and more. Her work was balanced for her time, adhering to the contemporary concept of war as divinely ordained justice but also critiquing the cruelties and crimes committed in wartime. As her connection to the royal family remained intact, Pizan  also published The Book of Peace, her final major work, in 1413. The manuscript was dedicated to the young dauphin, Louis of Guyenne, and was filled with advice on how to govern well. In her writing, Pizan advocated against civil war and advised the prince to set an example for his subjects by being wise, just, honorable, honest, and available to his people. Later Life and Death After the French defeat at Agincourt in 1415, Pizan  stepped away from court and retired to a convent. Her writing ceased, although in 1429, she wrote a paean to Joan of Arc, the only such French-language work written in Joan’s lifetime. Christine de Pizan died at the convent in Poissy, France in 1430 at the age of 66. Legacy Christine de Pizan was one of the earliest feminist writers, defending women and placing value on the perspectives of women. Her works criticized the misogyny found in classical romances and were seen as vindications of women. After her death,  The Book of the City of Ladies remained in print, and her political writings continued to circulate as well. Later scholars, most notably Simone de Beauvoir, brought Pizans works back to prominence in the twentieth century, studying her as one of the earliest instances of women who wrote in defense of other women. Sources Brown-Grant, Rosalind. Christine de Pizan and the Moral Defence of Women. Cambridge University Press, 1999.â€Å"Christine de Pisan.† Brooklyn Museum, https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/place_settings/christine_de_pisanâ€Å"Christine de Pizan Biography.† Biography, https://www.biography.com/people/christine-de-pisan-9247589Lunsford, Andrea A., editor. Reclaiming Rhetorica: Women and in the Rhetorical Tradition.  University of Pittsburgh Press, 1995.Porath, Jason. Rejected Princesses: Tales of History’s Boldest Heroines, Hellions, and Heretics. New York: Dey Street Books, 2016.

Alternatives to Affirmative Action

Alternatives to Affirmative Action Free Online Research Papers Affirmative Action is one of the most controversial policies ever enacted by the United States government. Under Affirmative Action, women, African Americans, and other minorities are given preferential treatment when they apply for jobs and/or admission to college. In some cases, this has meant that qualified applicants who are white males have been passed over in favor of less qualified minority or female applicants. Those who support Affirmative Action claim that the policy is necessary to overcome centuries of previous discrimination and other disadvantages that minorities and women have faced. Those who oppose the policy point out that that Affirmative Action is just another form of discrimination, except in this case it is discrimination that is deliberately directed against white males. Opponents of Affirmative Action also claim that the policy lowers academic standards and takes away from the accomplishments of truly qualified women and minorities. Affirmative Action programs have significantly improved diversity on America’s college campuses. However, there have been many legal and legislative challenges to preferential treatment based on race (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 2002, Executive Summary). Various alternatives to the quotas and preferential treatment of minorities under Affirmative Action have been proposed, including the alternative of ending Affirmative Action altogether. An acceptable alternative would need to provide opportunities for minority students without discriminating against white males. Californias approach to admissions Schools in California are prohibited by state law from using race, religion, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin as criteria for college admission (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 2002, Chapter Two Percentage Plans). California has tried several different admission policies for its University system. Under one plan, no less than 50 percent to 75 percent of students would be admitted based solely on their academic achievements. This plan was phased out and replaced with a plan that provided automatic admission for students who graduated in the top 4 percent of their high school class. This plan was replaced in November 2001 with a plan in which students were considered not just for grades and test scores, but also for evidence of such qualities as motivation, leadership, intellectual curiosity, and initiative (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, Chapter Two Percentage Plans). Each of these plans shows promise. Percentage plans provide some guarantee that non-minority students will not be discriminated against on the basis of their race. At the same time, these plans also provide a way for minority students who might not otherwise qualify for admission to be considered. The 4 percent plan rewards the best students for their accomplishments without penalizing other students. Although the percentage plans are not perfect, they are more fair than systems that place more emphasis on race than they do on academic achievement. Texas Top Ten Texas guarantees college admission to the top ten percent of students from every graduating class (Watson Levin, 2004). Like the California plan, the Texas Top Ten plan guarantees that no highly qualified students will be passed over on the basis of race. The plan does not, however, guarantee that lower achieving students will have equal access. Unfortunately, the Texas plan has resulted in some problems. The plan makes no distinction between students from higher achieving schools and students from schools that are less rigorous. Some top ten students are arriving at college to find that they are not prepared. Universal Admissions Another possible alternative to Affirmative Action would be to allow all students who want to attend college to do so. Under the current system, a college education is a privilege, not a right. A universal admission policy would change that and would provide all students with the right to a college education, just as all children in the United States are now entitled to a free education in grades Kindergarten through High School. One of the arguments made for Affirmative Action is that minority students can succeed when they are given the chance. Lower admission standards for minorities are designed to compensate for any lack of educational opportunities these students may have had while they were growing up. The theory is that once these students are provided with the same opportunity, they will be able to catch up. A universal admission policy would eliminate all academic and other criteria for college admissions and allow all students, regardless of their past academic performance, to attend college. Under a universal admission policy, the only criteria that would be applied would be whether the student could afford to pay for classes. This may seem unfair to some. However, students who could not afford tuition could qualify for scholarships, grants, and loans just as they do now. One potential problem with a universal admission plan is the lack of space at colleges. If everyone is allowed to attend for at least one year, then it is possible that there would not be enough teachers and other resources to go around. However, this problem could be solved through the use of Community Colleges, distance learning, and other alternatives. Universal admission is the only truly fair way to provide equal opportunity to all students. It eliminates the bias of Affirmative Action and allows students who may have performed poorly in high school to have at least a chance to prove that they can succeed in college. References U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (2002). Chapter Two-Percentage Plans Beyond Percentage Plans: The Challenge of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. Retrieved on October 12, 2004, from usccr.gov/pubs/percent2/ch2.htm U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (2002). Executive Summary. Beyond Percentage Plans: The Challenge of Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. Retrieved on October 12, 2004, from usccr.gov/pubs/percent2/summ.htm Watson, B. and Levin, M. (2004) The Texas Top Ten Percent Rule: Bad Policy, Good Politics. Austin Review. July 9, 2004. Retrieved on October 12, 2004, from texastop10.princeton.edu/publicity/AustinReview070904.pdf Research Papers on Alternatives to Affirmative ActionStandardized Testing19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesPETSTEL analysis of IndiaCapital PunishmentHip-Hop is ArtPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyOpen Architechture a white paperWhere Wild and West Meet

A feminist critical analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

A feminist critical analysis - Essay Example In Ibsen’s dramas the readers and spectators won’t find exceptional people, events and characters, who act as â€Å"a mouthpiece for the author’s ideas†. We see ordinary people with their problems and passions, accomplishments and shortcomings, who live in representative conditions of the era. The play A Doll’s House, written in 1879, is a full transition of the playwright to a new, realistic drama. This play was appreciated primarily as a work written in defense of the emancipation of women. But Ibsen mentioned that the play was more meaningful: in A Doll’s House he touched upon the central subject of his oeuvre - personal freedom in general and achievement of personhood. At first thought, Nora, the main heroine of the play, is just a doll, a cheerful and small-minded mistress of a quiet and tidy house. Husband of Nora, Torvald Helmer, treats her not as an equal individual, but as a toy. For eight years they lived together, Torvald has never talked with Nora seriously. Torvald’s attitude to wife was vividly demonstrated in the episode when he led Nora away from masquerade right after tarantella just to â€Å"keep effect on the audience† she made by a beautiful dance.

Environmental Health Assessment Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Environmental Health Assessment - Case Study Example In Kenya for example, we have the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA). The authority is charged with many tasks of managing the environment from destruction, key among them harmonizing a range of environmental management activities that is conducted by other lead agencies. Among other functions, it is also charged with promoting the incorporation of ecological deliberations into development strategies, projects, and programmes, with an oversight of ensuring rational utilization and proper management of environmental wealth on a sustainable yield basis (NEMA, 2008). To start up a project in Kenya, managers must apply to NEMA so that an environmental risk and health assessment can be undertaken. These procedures are usually done to identify an alternative project that harms the environment and health of citizens less. The assessments are also carried out in order to come up with mitigation procedures that can be used to reimburse for possible health and environmental impacts (Turnbull, 1991). In Kenya, NEMA reserves the final say of allowing industries to use the Kenyan environment to conduct their business. It licenses them after the assessment is done and the industries or projects are given a clean bill of health in environmental preservation. When projects flout the rules and start degrading the environment, NEMA can automatically revoke the license and the firm will cease to operate (NEMA, 2008). Kenya Utility Poles Ltd Due to high demand of electricity poles from Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), the main power distributor in Kenya, a consortium of investors from the United States has come up with a plan to build a multi-billion industry that will ease the demand for electricity poles. KPLC has been sourcing majority of its utility poles from neighboring Tanzania, thus using up a huge chunk of its revenue on utility poles. To KPLC, the investors' idea of starting up an industry that will mass produce utility poles at the heart of Nairobi, the capital city, is good news. But this is not well received by NEMA, the authority charged with managing the environment. After the investors presented their proposals to NEMA for consideration, it was realized that the company was intending to use Pentachlorophenol (PCP) chemical for poles preservation. Pentachlorophenol, hereafter known as PCP is mainly used as a restricted pesticide in farming activities. But it is also an effective wood preservative used mainly in wharf pilings, railroad tiers, and utility poles. When individuals are exposed to the chemical at high levels, various counterproductive health as well as ecological issues arises (What is pentachlorophenol, 2008). This is what is making NEMA to sound the alarm bell. The chemicals contained in PCP causes many health complications. They are known to damage the liver as well as weaken the immune system of victims. This will have direct health ramifications for workers of the proposed industry as well as those living in the vicinity. The chemicals are also known to raise the body temperatures and cause developmental defects to those who are exposed. Ecologically, PCP was found to be highly toxic to warm and cold fishes and all the other