Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Essay Example for Free

Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism Essay Maximilian Weber was a social scientist and political economist who is believed to be one of the fathers of the contemporary branch of public governance and sociology. Now better known as Max Weber, he was born on April 21, 1864 in Germany, the eldest among the brood of seven. His sociopolitical roots can be attributed to his father, Max Weber Sr. , who was a well-known elected official and social servant, while his modesty to her mother Helene Fallenstein. This sociopolitical inclination indeed ran in the family as Alfred Weber, his younger brother, was similarly a economist and sociologist (Turner, 1993). With Weber’s foremost and yet most influential oeuvre The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, a whole lot of his other shaping discourses contained in his journal began to circulate in 1904 (Ringer, 1997). In 1912, Weber made an attempt to institute a left-wing party in politics in an effort to coalesce liberals and social democrats. Though, this endeavor was abortive for the reason that a number of liberals were apprehensive of the radical ideologies of the social democrats (Baehr, 2002). Plagued by pneumonia in Munich, Maximilian Weber departed this life on the twentieth of June in 1920 (Turner, 1993). Indeed, no sociologist other than his contemporaries, like Karl Marx, has had a greater impact on sociology than the German sociologist Max Weber (Novak, 2005). Significantly a good deal of Weber’s work represented a debate with the ghost of Marx. Although finding much of value in Marx’s writings, Weber disagreed with Marx on a number of important matters. Over the course of his career, Weber left a legacy of rich insights for a variety of disciplines including economics, political science and history. Among sociologists, he is known not only for his theoretical contributions but for a number of specific ideas that in their own right have generated considerable interest and research. His sociological work covered a wide range of topics, including politics, bureaucracies, social stratification, law, religion, capitalism, music, the city, and cross-cultural comparison (Ringer, 1997). Weber believed that sociologists can derive an understanding of their subject matter in a manner that is unavailable to chemists and physicists. In investigating human behavior, sociologists are not limited to such objective criteria as weight and temperature; they can examine the meanings individuals bring to their interactions with one another. Consequently, Weber contended that a critical aspect of the sociological enterprise is the study of the intentions, beliefs, values, and attitudes that underlie people’s behavior (Ringer, 1997). Weber employed the German word Verstehen, meaning understanding or insight, in describing this approach for learning about subjective meanings people attach to their actions. In using this method, Weber mentally attempts to place themselves in the shoes of other people and identify what they think and how they feel. Whereas Durkheim argued that sociologists should direct their investigations primarily to social facts that lie beyond the individual, Weber thought it also essential that sociologists examine the definitions people use in shaping their behavior (Ringer, 1997). Another notable contribution made by Weber is his concept of the ideal type. An ideal type is a concept constructed by a sociologist to portray the principal characteristics of a phenomenon. The term has nothing to do with evaluations of any sort. Rather, it is a tool that allows sociologists to generalize and simplify data by ignoring minor differences in order to accentuate major similarities. Weber contended that if sociologists are to establish cause-and-effect relationships, they must have concepts that are defined in a precise and unambiguous manner. The ideal type affords such a standard, especially in the study of concrete historical events and situations. It serves as a measuring rod against which sociologists can evaluate actual cases (Ringer, 1997). In his writings, Weber stressed the importance of a value-free sociology. He insisted sociologists must not only allow their personal biases to affect the conduct of their scientific research. Weber recognized that sociologists like everyone else, have individual biases and moral convictions regarding behavior. But he insisted that sociologists must cultivate a disciplined approach to the phenomena they study so that they may see facts as they are, and not as they might wish them to be. By the same token, as discussed in his work Objectivity In Social Science, Weber recognized that objectivity is not neutrality (Ringer, 1997). Neutrality implies that a person does not take sides on an issue; objectivity has to do with the pursuit of scientifically verifiable knowledge. Weber saw a role for values in certain specific aspects of the research process, namely, in selecting a topic for study and in determining the uses to which the knowledge is put. Clearly, data do not speak for themselves; they must be interpreted by scientists (Ringer, 1997). For his part, Weber was led to study bureaucracy because it was an important part of the Germany in which he lived. Moreover, was not afraid to express a value judgment or to tackle important issues of the day (Baehr, 2002). Weber was particularly impressed by the ability of bureaucracies to rationalize and control the process by which people collectively pursue their goals (Baehr, 2002). Although he was concerned about some of the negative consequences of bureaucracy, Weber contended that the needs of mass administration made bureaucracy an essential feature or modern organizational life. In his work The Theory of Social and Economic Cooperation, Weber argued that bureaucracy is an inherent feature of modern capitalism (Ringer, 1997). Yet he was equally insistent that a socialist society could not dispense with the arrangement. Indeed, Weber thought that socialism would see an increase, not a decrease, in bureaucratic structures. While recognizing the limitations of capitalism, he nonetheless felt it presented the best chances for the preservation of individual freedom and creative leadership in a world dominated by formal organizations as in his time (Ringer, 1997). In The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, Weber turned his sociological eye to one historic breakthrough, the development of capitalism. He sought a link between the rise of the Protestant view of life and the emergence of capitalist social arrangements in Western society. He maintained that the development of capitalism depended upon the creation of a pool of individuals who had the attitudes and values necessary to function as entrepreneurs. The critical problem, Weber said, is to uncover the origin of the motivating spirit of capitalism in precapitalist society. He believed that Protestantism, particularly Calvinism, was crucial to, but not the only factor in, the rise of this spirit (Novak, 2005). As the milieu influenced Weber, Calvinism is actually based on the teachings of the French theologian and reformer John Calvin, and found expression in a variety of religious movements, including Puritanism, Pietism, and Anabaptism. Weber noted that Protestantism and modern capitalism appeared on the historical scene at roughly the same time. There were other links as well. First, capitalism initially attained its highest development in Protestant countries, particularly the United States and England whereas Catholic nations like Spain and Italy lagged behind. Second, in nations with both Protestant and Catholic regions? such as Germany in his time, it seemed to be the Protestant regions that pioneered in capitalist development. And third, Weber marshaled evidence that suggested it was by and large the Protestants, not the Catholics, who became the early capitalist entrepreneurs (Novak, 2005). It is worth noting that The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism was one of Weber’s earlier works. In lectures given shortly before his death, Weber incorporated many new elements in his analysis of the origins of large-scale capitalism (Ringer, 1997). Even so, his early work, although not necessarily accurate in all its particulars, remains a sociological landmark. It demonstrates the impact religion can have on human affairs in producing outcomes that are not necessarily intended or foreseen by its adherents. References Baehr, Peter. (2002). â€Å"In the Grip of Freedom: Law and Modernity in Max Weber. † Canadian Journal of Sociology. Novak, Michael. (2005). â€Å"Max Weber Goes Global. † First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life. Ringer, Fritz. (1997). Max Weber’s Methodology: The Unification of the Cultural and Social Sciences. Harvard University Press. Turner, Bryan S. (1993). Max Weber: From History to Modernity. Routledge.

Essay --

Ernest Hemingway is a world renowned writer who is known for his short and to-the-point yet unique style. While being greatly praised for his style he is also greatly criticized for it as well. His body of work includes numerous poems, short stories, and various novels as well. He even won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his story â€Å"The Old Man and the Sea.† The panelists awarded him for his overall mastery of the English language and for his modern unique way of narrating. Hemingway was one of the most famous people who represented the â€Å"lost generation†. This so-called group was a congregation of young writers who were some of the large contributors to the great collection of modern literature today. Some of these people were others who, like Hemingway, were somehow involved in World War I. Along with World War I, Hemingway was also a part of World War II. His history with women was not very good likely due to his lack of a mother-son bond throughout his childhood. He was also an alcoholic which greatly affected some of his writing. Some of his hobbies included fishing, boxing, and hunting. Early on he was hired as a reporter and a journalist. His style was to observe everything he saw and then to report on it in the most brief way possible, not overdoing it with too many unwanted details. Hemingway was known to be a very adventurous man & craftsmen who looked to get the most of out life that he could. He spent most of his time meticulously revising his work over and over. He wanted to make sure that his work was as short, brief, and lacking of detail as possible. He lived his life to the fullest and was known to be a very kind person to his acquaintances and family. But on the other hand he was very quick to get angry and al... ...d his ‘fiction’ life gave his work a sort of irresistible attractiveness as he lead a life of fame and adventure. Hemingway most definitely followed a new and unheard of path in his style of writing. He was an innovator and was one of the most important writers of his time. There is no doubt that he didn’t face many struggles throughout his life, but these experiences also shaped his style and created a new way of writing which is praised and looked up to today. His main message was that man is a small helpless person placed in a big scary world that can push him and bring him down. He believed life is unreasonably evil and unfair and that if there is love for anything, life will take that anything away from you. Hemingway was a genius of his time and is still one of the most influential authors in the world today because of the original and unique style he created.

Political Corruption and Vigilance Essay

â€Å"Greater transparency is an unstoppable force. It is the product of growing demands from everybody with an interest in any corporation-its stake holder web-and of rapid technological change, above all the spread of the internet, that makes it far easier for firms to supply information and harder for them to keep secrets. Firms now know that their internal e-mails may one day become public knowledge, for instance, and many big companies must co- exist with independent websites where employees can meet anonymously to air their grievances. With greater transparency will come greater accountability and better corporate behaviour. Rather than engage in futile resistance to it, firms should actively embrace transparency and breathing the values and generally get in better shape.† Don Tapscott, co-author of â€Å"The Naked Corporation† Contents Sl.no Contents Page no. 1 Prologue I 2 Message by CVC regarding Vigilance Awareness Week II 3 The Malaise of Corruption 1-4 4 Evolution of the concept of Vigilance 5-7 5 Vigilance and line managers 8-11 6 What is Vigilance angle? 12 7 Relevant extracts of IPC relating to public  servants 13-14 8 Prevention of Corruption Act 15-27 9 Right to Information Act 28-47 10 FAQ on PIDPI resolution 48-50 11 CVC circulars on tendering 51-99 12 Preventive vigilance circulars 100-132 13 Vigilance case studies 133-145 14 Checkpoints on handling of tenders 146-151 15 Epilogue Prologue It gives me immense pleasure to state that in an attempt to inculcate a spirit of Vigilance Awareness amongst the employees of NCL, a modest effort has been made by the Vigilance Deptt. of NCL to publish a magazine named â€Å"Vigilance Perspective†. The magazine is intended to be quarterly in its periodicity. The contents of this issue have been calibrated and fine-tuned to include topics that have direct nexus with the perceived need to promote vigilance awareness/consciousness amongst the employees of NCL. In this endeavor no attempt has been made to project the claim of originality in any manner. CVC vide their instruction no.008/VGL/069 dt.7.10.08 had directed to use the Vigilance Awareness Week to publicise the protection informers resolution (Popularly known as Whistle Blower Resolution). Having regard to the instruction of CVC, a writeup on lodging complaint under PIDPI Resolution has been incorporated in this issue. Apart from Right to Information Act, and Prevention of Corruption Act, it contains chapters on leading vigilance case studies of NCL and system improvement circulars issued as a consequence of vigilance activities in NCL. Handling of contracts and public procurement of goods and services are generally perceived to be corruption prone areas. Considering the requirement of making public procurement efficient, transparent & equitable important CVC guidelines on tendering procedures have been made a part of this publication. Besides, the gist of CVC’s findings on irregularities found by them in handling of public procurement forms a chapter in this issue under the head â€Å"Checkpoints in handling contracts/supplies/purchase†. It is hoped that the checkpoints could be quite useful and handy for executives/employees in handling contracts/supplies/purchases. The maiden attempt has been possible on account of the untiring efforts of and unceasing/relentless endeavor of the executives/non executive of Vigilance Deptt. of NCL. Especially, but for the diligence of Shri Ashok Kumar, Sr.PA, Ms Reeta Pandit, Sr.PA and Shri R.Swansi, Sr.PA, it would not have been possible on the part of the undersigned to bring this out. Message by CVC regarding Vigilance Awareness Week Vigilance Awareness Week would be observed in all Governent organizations from 3rd. November to 7th. November 2008. It is the time of the year when we rededicate ourselves and renew our commitment to the cause of creating conditions to eliminate rent seeking behaviour and to ensure that public services are rendered with utmost honesty, sincerity and efficiency. 2. The Commission would like to see promotion of Preventive Vigilance Activities with emphasis on development of a foolproof system. A system that encourages strict adherence to the principles of non discretionary decision making on the basis of well defined rules would go a long way in obviating the need for disciplinary action well after the event is over. There cannot be a more apt description in this regard than the old adage: â€Å"Prevention is better than cure†. 3. The role of the Secretaries to the Govt. of India and the CMDs of the PSUs and the Public Sector Banks, as heads of the vigilance administration, in this regard, hardly needs any emphasis. Vigilance is very much a management tool and, as such, should be used synergetically with the other tools to improve efficiency by promoting competitiveness, equity and transparency. 4. The fight against corruption is too serious a task to be left to the heads of vigilance in Govt.Organisations or the Commisison alone. The civil society and citizens in general must play a far more effective and pro-active role in this fight. Of particular importance in this endeavour is the recourse to Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informers’ (PIDPI) Resolution, 2004, under which the complainants can approach the Commission directly as â€Å"Whistle Blowers†. The Commission remains committed to protecting the safety and identity of the Whistle Blowers and urges more such persons to come forward in order to expose corruption in public life, taking advantage of PIDPI Resolution, 2004. (Sudhir Kumar) (Ranjana Kumar) Vigilance Commissioner Vigilance Commissioner (Pratyush Sinha) Central Vigilance Commiassioner THE MALAISE OF CORRUPTION-IT’S DIAGNOSIS & PROGNOSIS Gandhiji once remarked â€Å"Nations are born of travails and suffering†.The Independent India was born because of the dedication, suffering and sacrifice of our freedom fighters. Our freedom struggle is a testimony to the indomitable spirits of Indians to counter an oppressive regime and usher in anew era for us. Nehru’s â€Å"Tryst with destiny† speech set the tone for optimism for post- independence of India. Though the nation has made giant leaps in it’s position in the comity of nations,  yet crippling poverty of some, low per capita income & the standard of living of an average Indian as compared to the citizen of a developed nation remain as enduring features of Indian economy. A large chunk of Indians live under the poverty line. â€Å"Roti , kapda & makan† still remain a distant dream for toiling millions of Indians. It is a strange irony that India prides itself on having it’s presence in the Moon when quite a few Indians fail to make both ends meet. It is a story of contrasts-of successful Indians making a  mark in all spheres of human activities in the international level when millions of Indians are unable to make two ends meet. â€Å"World Hunger Index† of IFPRI, the â€Å"human development index† of UN, World Bank data on â€Å"child malnutrition and maternal mortality rate†,†Corruption perception index† of Transparency international, a survey of the center for media studies on â€Å"petty bribes†, â€Å"index of economic freedom† published annually by the heritage foundation and Wall Street Journal, the world bank annual series on † Ease of Doing business†, infraction of â€Å"rule of law† and â€Å"difficulty in closing business† do not show India in good light. CORRUPTION-THE VILLIAN OF THE PIECE Undoubtedly, Corruption is one of the predominant reasons for India’s backwardness in respect of some of the socio- economic indicators of development. The growth of economy is inversely related to the corruption index. To put it the other way, the GDP of a nation rises as the corruption index falls and vice-versa. The corrosive nature of corruption is indicated by the following negative impacts of corruption: †¢ It adversely affects the performance of the system as a whole and compromises the economy’s long term dynamics. †¢ It generates negative economy wide externalities that denigrates efficiency of the system. †¢ Corruption leads to the favoring of inefficient producers †¢ It distorts the allocation of scarce public resources and causes leakage of revenue from government coffers to private hands. †¢ It distorts the allocation of scarce public resources and causes leakage of revenue from government coffers to private hands. †¢ Large scale tax evasion erodes the tax base and in the process helps the generation of black money. Hence, it is not uncommon to find schools without students, teachers without schools, hospitals without doctors or medicines and so on ,though on paper all expenditures have been accounted for. †¢ Large scale tax evasion erodes the tax base and in the process helps the generation of black money. †¢ The result is crowding out of investment in priority sector such as education or health. †¢ Corruption in the economy leads to inflated government expenditures and scarce resources are squandered on uneconomic projects because of their potential to generate lucrative payoffs. No wonder that corruption is anti-poor and anti-national. In the immortal words of Mahatma Gandhi, â€Å"The progress of the nation will be hindered to the extent to which corruption seeps in† THE PERCEIVED NEED TO FIGHT CORRUPTION: As Dr. Manmohan Singh, the PM of India has observed, â€Å"Good governance rests on the honesty and integrity of civil servants and transparency of the administrative machinery.†Because of the negative impact of corruption on public governance and its intrinsic nature to baulk at the developmental process, there is both real and perceived need to combat corruption. HOW TO FIGHT AND DECIMATE CORRUPTION? The pessimists would lament that corruption is an invincible hydra-headed monster, which Phoenix like, rises from the ashes of it’s own destruction. On the contrary, the perennial optimists harbour a contrarian viewpoint . Their self-belief to wrestle with the malady of corruption stems from their  conviction that within each corrupt official inhabits an honest person with the vanity of an honest individual. Besides, they reckon with the fact that the vast majority bitterly resents corruption – they suffer in silence, somet imes in fear. Such resentments, if harnessed, would constitute a potent weapon against corruption. Success they say is a self-fulfilling prophecy. In other words , if it is thought that corruption can be defeated, then it surely will be. However , if it is believed that corruption is intractable, then the pessimism will in all certainty fulfill itself. ———————————————————————————————————— â€Å"On this earth there is enough for everyone’s need , but not enough for their greed†-GANDHIJI ———————————————————————————————————— 7 The fight against corruption can only be successful when public awareness is coupled with anti-corruption efforts. The primary objective of creating public awareness is to sensitize the public about about the consequences of corruption and to educate the people about the improvements needed to create a corruption free society . As the current President of India,Mrs Pratibha Devsingh Patil has succintly observed, â€Å"A corruption free society is only possible if basic tenets of righteousness are deeply ingrained in our hearts and minds.† The CVC in their message on Vigilance awareness week have appropriately contended, â€Å"However, to fight the menace of corruption , collective and concentrated efforts are required in which the common man , who is the ultimate victim and beneficiary is an important partner. An evil like corruption can be eliminated only when the common man is empowered to become  fully aware of his rights , feels the need and has the urge to stand up against corrupt public servants. The right to information Act,if used to the optimum and in a judicious manner, has the potential for such empowerment.† When the common man becomes aware of his rights and duties, is familiar with rules, regulations ,laws,instructions etc he jettisons being the willing accomplice to corrupt practices. It needs an attitudinal change in him to non-co-operate with venal officials. Besides , a realization should dawn upon public officials that: †¢ They are the servants of the public and not their masters †¢ They should remind themselves that they should be so high that law is above them. In other words they should respect law and believe in rule of law. †¢ Their actions are subject to public and judicial scrutiny. †¢ They should be sensitive to the grievances of employees †¢ They should act reasonably, fairly and judiciously in exercise of discretion †¢ They must not do what they have been forbidden to do, nor must they do what  they have not been authorized to do. †¢ They must act in good faith, must have regard to relevant considerations, must  not be influenced by irrelevant considerations and must not seek to promote puposes alien to the letter and spirit of legisation. †¢ Their actions should be rational, legal and regular in nature. †¢ Law should not be administered with an â€Å"evil eye, unequal/oppressive mind and  unequal hand† †¢ Hostile discrimination without intelligible differentia should be avoided at all  cost. †¢ To avoid disproportionate administrative action. ———————————————————————————————————— Among a people generally corrupt, liberty cannot long exist. Edmund Burke (1729-1797) British political writer ————————————————————————————————– 8 The vigilance awareness week provides an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to this mission and devise strategies in priority areas like system improvements and preventive vigilance . It also provides an opportunity to reach out to the stakeholders with a n open mind and to invite suggestions to chalk out ways and means to deliver services in a transparent and efficient manner and to devise a methodology to eliminate corruption from public life. The primary objective of the observance is to generate vigilance awareness amongst the stakeholders of NCL i.e., customers,employees , vendor partners etc. It was intended to sensitize the people about the need to wrestle with the dragon of corruption.It is possible to reduce corruption if only we convince ourselves that it can be done. The way out of corruption is to; 1. eliminate the corrupt practices in our official procedure. 2. combine- consider one integrated service counter instead of  many 3. re-sequence which can improve efficiency and reduce  corruption 4. substitute -offer the option to download routine forms from  the web to finish off the nexus of the peddlers 5. modify procedures 6. We must all understand the evils of corruption and imbibe the  culture of honesty,integrity, transparency and probity. Russel said if you articulate a point of view often enough it acquires  respectability.† Nothing is as powerful as an idea whose time has come- so lets open our minds to the idea that corruption can indeed be defeated.†De tocqueville has said that the inevitable can become intolerable as soon as it is no longer perceived to be inevitable- so lets reject the inevitability  of corruption and soon we may find it to be truly intolerable.Shaw -success comes to the unreasonable man who wants to change; so lets resolve to be unreasonable. ———————————————————————————————————– â€Å"Corruption is like a ball of snow, once it’s set a rolling it must increase.† Charles Caleb Colton (1780-1832) British clergyman, sportsman and author. ————————————————————————————————– ———————————————————————————————————— â€Å"I have often noticed that a bribe has that effect — it changes a relation. The man who offers a bribe gives away a little of his own importance; the bribe once accepted, he becomes the inferior, like a man who has paid for a woman.† Graham Greene (1904-1991) English writer. 9 EVOLUTION OF THE CONCEPT OF VIGILANCE By: B.Pradhan Chief Vigilance Officer/NCL Etymologically, VIGILANCE connotes watchfulness and the planned effort to uncover and punish corruption and bribery. But the concept of vigilance has undergone metamorphosis in the course of inexorable march of human history. The present concept of vigilance, however, is inextricably connected with its history. It can be understood properly only when it is read in conjunction with its history. An man emerged stumbling and slouching from the jungles and put forward his tentative steps in the direction of a civilized existence, he has been seized of the problem of combating corruption both at the individual as well as the societal place. In other words, the problem of corruption is as old as the human race and mankind’s war against corruption dates back to Adam’s Original sin. Before human beings coalesced into society, the life of human beings was either  Ã¢â‚¬Å"solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short† or â€Å"one of noble savage†. In either case, the ye arning or search for an ordered, regulated, corruption-free and peaceful life has exercised the minds of thinkers, philosophers and social scientists. Concurrently, with the evolution human society, mankind has devised structures, systems, rules, regulations, legal framework and principles for regulating human behaviors so as to obviate the scope for corruption in socio-economic- political order. We may have a glimpse of the tectonic changes or shifts that have taken place in man’s quest for justice, liberty, equality & integrity. It is a matter of history that highly developed civilization existed in China, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Babylon and India in ancient days. It is also a fact that corruption, in its different forms, also coexisted during those days. So also, the human endeavor to curb and eliminate corruption in its different manifestations. The wide prevalence of corruption in Ancient India is evident in Kautilya’s Arthasastra. Kautilya drew a parallel between a fish in water and an official of the state invested with power for discharging the functions of the state. With words, pregnant with wisdom and indicating his pragmatism/political sagacity, he observed that just as it is difficult to say whether a fish deep in water is drinking water or not, so also, it is not easy to say whether government servant is corrupt or not. He also says that just as it is impossible not to taste the drop of honey or poison that is placed at the tip of the tongue, so it is rather impossible for the government employee not to eat up at least a bit of king’s revenue. In his monumental work, Kautilya lists 40 ways of embezzlement. Not only that, he prescribes different punishments for different crimes. Besides, Indian folklore is replete with stories of kings and nobles employing the services of spies for keeping an eye on potential criminals, enemies of state and offenders of discipline. Further, the concept of policing was an integral part of and an important element in the criminal administration during the ancient age. A study of the justice system prevalent then gives an insight into the notion of vigilance in vogue then and shows that preventive as well as punitive vigilance were in practice then. The middle ages, however, marked a new phase in the evolution of state and state craft. The spirit of republicanism, the growth of democracy and the germination of the concept of rule of law was aborted by the â€Å"concept of divine right of kingship.† The  absolute monarch claimed his ancestry to god and ruled by the power of his sword a s the regent of the god. The acts of omission and commission of the king were given a religious colour. He was referred to as the march of god on earth. The religion of man was exploited to legitimize the rule of the monarchs of those days. The church and the kind reinforced each other in maintaining their respective positions in the social scale. The long and short of it was that the boundary wall between the political and the religious domain was smudged/blurred. Consequently, enormous powers were concentrated in the kings, princes, priests and those in their close proximity. Such concentration of power bred corruption, injustice and oppression of the downtrodden. Kings, princes and nobles governed as per their whims, facies and caprices by giving their acts a religious colour. The advent of renaissance and reformation in western Europe marks a watershed in man’s search for shacking absolute power of monarchy. Reformation challenged the dominance of Papal church and questioned it’s supremacy in the maters of faith. ——————————————————————————————————————————– â€Å"Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country.† Karl Kraus (1874-1936) Austrian satirist.

Strategic Marketing - 3492 Words

Strategic Marketing Contents Abstract Strategic marketing is the plan and roadmap of an organization which help to fit the marketing objectives with corporate vision. An organization’s ultimate target is to achieve competitive advantage in the market. Strategic marketing assists an organization to implement its marketing strategies to create positioning in the market so it becomes easy to achieve competitive advantage. TechCom Electra, an organization that produces electronic products like TV, refrigerators, CD and DVD players, micro wave, has come in the market and running its commercial operation for two years. The organization wants to develop a strategic marketing plan so it can achieve competitive advantage within few†¦show more content†¦Without quality product it will impossible to achieve. So by focusing into customer concept, product concept is also accomplished. Figure 1: The customer Concept 1.1.2 Resources and Implementation and monitoring control To achieve the strategic marketing objectives it is important for the organization to utilize and implement its resources appropriately. Resources include both financial (monetary funds, debt/equity ratio, profit earnings capabilities etc.) and non-financial (human, plant, equipment, raw material, technology etc.). It is also important to establish a vigorous controlling and monitoring system. This helps to minimize the chance of wastes and losses and also enhance the degree of work. 1.2 Corporate Strategy and Marketing Strategy The main objective of organization is to attain sustainable competitive advantage in the market. To achieve objective it has developed a broad strategy and there are other department which has also developed their own strategy. A suitable marketing strategy is the easiest way to attain corporate objective. Marketing strategy emphasizes on the customers more who are the value creators of the organization. The more value will be created the more competitive advantage is achieved. We can relate our corporate strategy with marketing strategy as follow. Corporate Position Corporate Strategy Marketing Strategy Attractive Market Strong Position Invest best resources Offer bestShow MoreRelatedStrategic Marketing1098 Words   |  5 Pages Strategic Marketing Lauren Hartshorn Grand Canyon University: LDR 620 October 31, 2012 Strategic Marketing A successful strategic marketing process must be thoroughly developed prior to implementation. A strategic marketing plan according to Vega Rojas (2010) is â€Å"to assign and to coordinate effectively the marketing activities and resources in order to achieve the company’s goals or strategic mission (p. 3). The strategic plan must include target goals consistent withRead MoreStrategic Marketing1052 Words   |  5 PagesRunning head: STRATEGIC MARKETING PROCESS Strategic Marketing Process Strategic Marketing Process In order for an organization to reach its target markets, it must use the strategic marketing process to allocate its marketing mix resources. The marketing mix is elements, such as price, product, place, and promotion (also known as the 4 â€Å"P†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s) used in the make up the marketing process (Bayne Hardin, 2002). It is important for an organization to have a good understanding of the marketing mix. EachRead MoreStrategic Marketing844 Words   |  4 PagesPROGRAMME: Edexcel BTEC Level 7 Professional Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership UNIT NO/TITLE: Unit 07 / Strategic Marketing Management ASSIGNMENT NO: 1 of 2 Individual Credit Value: 10 Learning Outcomes: * Understand the principles of strategic marketing management * Understand the tools used to develop a strategic marketing strategy * Be able to respond to changes in the marketing environment Issue Date: Due Date: 08th September 2013Read MoreStrategic Marketing4300 Words   |  18 PagesIndustry Sales Forecast 5 Business Unit Forecasts 6 The Planning Gap – Differentiation 6 Segmentation of buyers 7 Competitive Situation 9 Category share and Leading Brands 10 Role of Imports 10 The Product 11 Marketing Objectives 12 Short Term Objectives 12 Long Term Objective 12 Differentiation 12 Quality 13 International quality product, one of the largest selling brands in Japan. 13 Packaging 13 Packaging Comparison 13 Product Life Cycle 13 BCGRead MoreStrategic Marketing : Marketing Strategy3559 Words   |  15 PagesSTRATEGIC MARKETING REPORT WHAT IS STRATEGIC MARKETING? â€Å"The primary purpose of a marketing strategy is to effectively allocate and coordinate marketing resources and activities to accomplish the firm’s objectives within a specific product market. Hence pronouncements about the possibility of a marketing strategy contain specifying the target-market fragment(s) to be trailed and the artefact line to be vacant. Then, organisations pursue a modest advantage and synergy, preparation a well-integratedRead MoreStrategic Analysis : Strategic Marketing Philanthropy1589 Words   |  7 Pages Strategic marketing philanthropy emerged during the 1980s to support organizations in the USA as a method of management and marketing practice to support social responsibilities. Using strategic philanthropy can be used to incorporate organizational and social needs together. Creating a strategic method to increase client generation through philanthropy can provide value to the company. Developing a fundamental recognition of what the community that is being targeted needs is the first stepRead MoreMarketing and Strategic Elements1031 Words   |  5 Pagesengage in marketing efforts? While non-profit organizations differ from profit seeking firms in several ways, non-profit organizations need to engage in marketing efforts to generate financial revenue to support their causes. All businesses need marketing plans to generate revenue and measure results. In non-profit businesses, community service target levels and education service target levels can be used to measure results. Unlike profit seeking organizations that focus on marketing solely toRead MoreScope of Strategic Marketing6518 Words   |  27 PagesChapter 1 Scope of strategic marketing Marketing is a philosophy that leads to the process by which organizations, groups and individuals obtain what they need and want by identifying value, providing it, communicating it and delivering it to others. The core concepts of marketing are customers’ needs, wants and values; products, exchange, communications and relationships. Marketing is strategically concerned with the direction and scope of the long-term activities performed by the organizationRead MoreStrategic marketing management7451 Words   |  30 PagesTesco Stores Ltd, Tesco Bank, Tesco Mobile Website : www.tesco.com Strategic marketing management is the process of formulation, estimation and implementation of marketing strategy by an organization. Indeed a marketing strategy aimed at differentiating the business in a positive way with respect to its competition through satisfying customer needs. According to Tony proctor (Strategic Marketing, 2000) a strategy is a plan that integrates an organization’s major goals, policiesRead MoreStrategic Planning And Strategic Marketing Planning795 Words   |  4 PagesStrategic marketing planning was formally introduced in 1950s with its all reviving attributes. The big organisations helped to grown the strategic planning orderly, it called comprehensive structure, later it adopted by numerous big and small organisations, George A. Steiner describes in his book â€Å"Strategic Planning†. There are various definitions of market strategy and every definition has its own aspect (Li et al 2000). According to Wensley (1983) marketing strategy is an act, a practice and a

Cuban Race Relations Essay - 2599 Words

Cuban Race Relations I. Introduction- Retracing a History of Racial Scorn in Cuban Society: The study of race relations in contemporary Cuba indelibly requires an understanding of the dynamic history of race relations in this ethnically pervasive island of the Caribbean. Cuban society, due to its historical antecedents of European colonialism and American imperialism, has traditionally experienced anguished and even tumultuous race relations. Racial disharmony has plagued Cuban society ever since the advent of the Colonial institution of the plantation system. Thus, in order to acquire some understanding of Cuba’s dynamic race relations one must study and investigate the evolution of racial tensions and the quintessential†¦show more content†¦Although Afro-Cubans made up nearly half of the Cuban population during Cuba’s colonial period Spanish culture, trends, and biases were the dominant ideology. Thus, due to the dynamics of the Spanish colonial rule in Cuba compounded by a Spanish inherent belief of cultural superiority, Afro-Cubans experie nced a long history of repression. Aline Helg, comments on the oppressive nature of the Afro-Cuban existence during the Spanish colonial rule by stating: Deep in their memory was the experience of slavery, no doubt the most repressive human condition. But they also shared the recollection of bloodily crushed slave rebellions. Even more traumatic was the memory of the suppression of the alleged Conspiracy of la Escalera (1844), in which hundreds of slaves and free people of color were tortured to death, formally executed, imprisoned, or banished during what was remembered as the Year of the Lash.1 Consequently, because of the severe racial discrimination Afro-Cuban’s experienced in an existence where social upward mobility was frustrated by Spanish colonial biases, Afro-Cubans embraced the war for independence against Spain as an attempt to accomplish a social revolution. Racial tensions and discourse, however, continued to polarize Cuban society during this tumultuous period leading to Cuba’s decisive victory overShow MoreRelatedFidel Castro And The Cuban Revolution1410 Words   |  6 PagesCastro led a successful revolution that overthrew the Cuban government, placing him in total control. During this time America had considered â€Å" Central America - and the Caribbean - as its own ‘backyard’†, and therefore, when they saw a communist running the Cuban government tensions began to build (Todd 140). Eventually, in 1960 Castro led Cuba into an economic deal with the Soviet Union (or USSR), as a result of this American and Cuban relations were completely cut off (Dobbs 12-18). A year laterRead MoreThe Cuban Missile Crisis as a Turning Point in USA and USSR Essays1009 Words   |  5 PagesThe Cuban Missile Crisis as a Turning Point in USA and USSR The Cuban Missile Crisis was indeed a turning point in USA and Soviet relations during the Cold War. The event stands in history as one that nearly brought humanity to the brink of destruction and is known as perhaps the single greatest political battle between the two superpowers, the world has ever seen. It also started a dà ©tente that which instigated an end to the arms race between the two nations. FollowingRead MoreSocial Problems Associated With Racial Discrimination1209 Words   |  5 Pagesother races solely because they are different racially and culturally. Body Paragraphs: II: Basic Information on the Issue A: According to Encyclopedia Britannica, race is determined by physical and personality traits, intellect, morality, and culture (â€Å"Racism†). Racial discrimination is discriminating someone based on their race or religion (â€Å"Racism/Color Discrimination†) or prejudice against an individual or group of people of a different race because of the belief that one’s own race is superiorRead MoreThe Revolution Of The United States1020 Words   |  5 Pageswith the new interest within tourism and capitalism, that further open up ideas of race. It would reproduce certain stereotypes. Black would be further excluded, with this new growing economic system. It was in a speech made Fidel Castro on September 8, 2000, that he somewhat addressed the racial inequality still being face and causing economic difficulty. Castro officially suggest that the matter of race relations need to be improved and now a subject for debate. Castro states, â€Å"†¦. I am not claimingRead More The Afro-Cuban Struggle for Equality Essay1405 Words   |  6 PagesThe Afro-Cuban Struggle for Equality Introduction During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the island of Cuba was in the process of emerging from a Spanish colony to an independent nation. Freedom from Spain, however, was not the only struggle that Cuba was experiencing at this time. After having been oppressed by slavery for several centuries, Afro-Cubans, who had joined the fight for independence in large numbers, were demanding equality in Cuban society. NeverthelessRead MoreThe Cuban Revolution Was An Event That Sparked Change Among Latin America1171 Words   |  5 Pages The Cuban Revolution was an event that sparked change among Latin America. This change was a first of its kind, since the Western Hemisphere had primarily been democratic. Relations with other countries close by and far, improved or declined rapidly depending on the government and its ideals. Latin America countries had internal struggles which they would decide to follow Cuba or stay in favorable relations with the United States. Countri es such as Honduras, Guatemala and Colombia seem to haveRead MoreThe Effects of Discrimination and Racism in Skin Pigmentocracy1178 Words   |  5 PagesColor discrimination is defined as a human being of the same race are treated differently based on their skin pigmentation, complexion, or skin tone. Your skin is made to bear the blame for the guilt, time, history, and death. There are numerous pigmentocracies throughout the world, and variability the light-skinned people in which are determined to have the highest social status. These are then followed by the brown-skinned, who occupy intermediate positions, and finally by the black-skinned whoRead MoreWhat was the cause of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis1495 Words   |  6 Pagesï » ¿What was the cause of the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis? The Cuban missile crisis is considered the closest time the world has ever come to nuclear war. There are many causes that led the world to such confrontation that was ultimately the product of the hostility and secrecy between the nations. As the world sat on the brink of mass destruction, all hope lied with Nikita Khrushchev and President Kennedy coming to a compromise. It is because of this that it is worth analysing the true cause of theRead MoreEssay about The Cuban Missile Crisis756 Words   |  4 PagesThe Cuban Missile Crisis Between 1959 and 1962 relations between USA and Cuba deteriorated. Up until 1959, America had kept General Batista in power over Cuba and had strong links, especially in trade. Castro’s ascent to power in 1959 triggered the short-term events contributing to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The main cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis was the cold relationship between the two great superpowers: America and Russia. This hadRead MoreJohn F. Kennedy: An Influential Person Essay1335 Words   |  6 Pageshistory. He was born on May 29, 1917 in the small Boston suburb of Brookline, Massachusetts. He majored in government and international relations at Harvard University. In 1961 Kennedy served as President until his assassination in 1963. John F. Kennedy influenced and touched the lives of people everywhere through his efforts with the Apollo 11 space mission, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the founding of the Peace Corps. Kennedy was influenced by his previous accomplishments, world conditions, and his

Asasa - 718 Words

Environmental Ethics Environmental ethics is that branch of philosophy dealing with the major ethical questions regarding the relationships between humans and the environment. This includes issues such as biodiversity, wildlife management, ecological preservation, hunting practices, farming techniques, and food regulations. Emergence of the Field Environmental ethics emerged as a distinct field in in early 1970s. Among its driving forces were the environmental concerns regarding the dependability of our society on natural resources as well as the threat that our use of those resources poses to the integrity of the ecosystem; it should also be noted that the increased attention to an ecological perspective on life was promoted†¦show more content†¦Cattle, pork, and chicken farms in contemporary America are an example of the unjustified torturing that humans inflict over other species in order to provide cheap foods. In Animal Liberation Singer advocates vegetarianism as a antidote to the rampant speciesism of our society. It is unethical to inflict unnecessary sufferance, so we should avoid it by all means that are necessary to us. Vegetarianism seems to be the best solution, according to Singer. Singer’s argument has been criticized under several points. For example, eating plants does not imply that no animal sufferance will be involved, as other animals may depend on those plants for their survival. So, a deer may use a crop field to hide its children so that, once the crops are harvested, the children’s life will be at risk. There is no free lunch, really. Nonetheless, Singer’s argument contributed to show the significance of a non-anthropocentric ethical perspective to Western societies. The needs for such a perspective are not just rooted in our diets, but more generally in our relationship to the environment. Let’s see an example of this sort. Main TopicsEnvironmental ethics comprises several of the most relevant questions some contemporary societies are facing: to what extent should our society invest in preserving biodiversity and what are the best means to do so? Just think about the massive loss ofShow MoreRelatedAdditional Mathematics Project Work 20132604 Words   |  11 Pagesperbelanjaan bulanan , kita perlu mengambil kira purata perbelanjaan bulanan bagi mana-mana tahun sebelumnya sebagai tahun asas.    Answer : Item | Purata perbelanjaan bulanan bagi tahun ... Average monthly expenses for the year 2012 sebagai tahun asasas the base year (RM) (RM) | Makanan Food | 2000 | Rumah (Sewa/Pinjaman) Accommodation(Rental / Loan) | 1460 | Pengangkutan Transportation(Petrol / Loan / Bus fare etc.) | 2500 | Pakaian Clothing | 100 | Pendidikan Education | 2100 | Rekreasi

Fiona Hall free essay sample

Medicine Bundles for the unborn child (1994) is different from Hall’s other works as it represents how western civilisation (including children) now depend on these types of products to function Medicine Bundles for the unborn child is made by using trash materials such as empty coke bottles. Hall knitted a babys matinee jacket, bonnet and bootees from shredded Coca-Cola cans, attended by a six-pack of Coke cans with rubber nipples, it was finished in 1994. From the 1990s, Hall turned her attention to making sense of modern life this meant using more contemporary materials. Hall uses trash aesthetics to convey meaning; she has taken the familiar practice of knitting and changed it into something surprising and hazardous by using such an inappropriate material. The aluminium contrasts severely with the traditional Material of wool. Medicine Bundles for the unborn child is one of Halls less detailed works but still conforms to the rest of her artwork by having an identifiable meaning behind it. Fiona halls leaf litter consists of 186 sheets each sheet consists of a life sized portrait of a leaf meticulously painted in Quash over the bank notes of the leaves country of origin. The work is incredibly fragile but is made to move. The paintings are hung so they sway against the wall. The gauche is worked quite thickly in some areas and quite thinly in others. This why the faces on the back notes can be seen through the leaf. Quash is quite flaky, crumbly and dry this gives the painting a more realistic quality taking on the characteristics of a dry leaf. Leaf Litter was produced by Hall largely in Lunaganga, Sri Lanka where she stayed, with the aid of an Asialink residency. Leaf litter clearly represents halls desire to save the environment. The bank notes represent the dependence on plants by human society. Leaf litter aligns the distribution of plant species with the distribution of financial wealth. â€Å"Cell Culture† was created in 2002 is a collection of animals and plants constructed out of clear glass bead and regular Tupperware containers. This artwork is a member to a collection of 30 other objects. Halls has worked with a rage of materials to complete her work. In Cell culture has used a white plastic container and has beaded components that have been sewed together and shaped to a particular form. All of these works are all housed within a large museological display case. Again, Hall has combined many different themes for her works Cell culture represents systems of trade, socialisation and exchange by subjecting them to the neutralising force of science. Cell Culture was produced for the 2002 Adelaide Bienniale and has recently been purchased by the Art Gallery of South Australia. Cell structure is set out like a collection of specimens that are orderly classification and observed and displayed. The wondrous complexity of biological diversity is frozen like a display of precious diamonds rendered curiously sterile in a structured context. It is also similar to a presentation of preserved creatures all divided from each other in a similar setting. Hall has chosen to use these materials to convey her ideas. During colonisation, beads were used as a main form of trade and held the economy as the form of currency and would be used to barter for land, food and clothing. The Tupperware containers are used to symbolise socialisation, as a Tupperware party is a social event. Both materials symbolise the economy, as both products are so cheap in today’s world. This artwork uses great juxtaposition e. g. Tupperware containers and beads. This artwork is also about the fine lines of today’s nature and society. The reason for the two opposing materials (glass beads and Tupperware) is to emphasise the point that it is impossible to think about nature as being separate from human values. The artwork questions the role of natural science and the way societies have viewed the natural world. Cell culture detail Fiona Hall’s artworks cover many themes and motifs, though the core theme throughout Halls work is the relationship between nature and culture. Leaf litter and Medicine bundles for the unborn child both clearly represent the environment and the affect we have on it. Hall’s choice of material, and the way she uses it, is critical to her art. It speaks to us because it engages with contemporary life in intriguing ways. Hall deliberately transforms ordinary everyday objects to address a range of contemporary issues such as globalisation, consumerism, colonialism and natural history. She has used this method with Medicine Bundles for the unborn child by using something as common as coke can and knitting them in to children’s clothes. Throughout her career Hall has also maintained a lifelong commitment to teaching and study as a means of furthering her art. Bibliography http://www. artgallery. sa. gov. au/agsa/home/Exhibitions/SALA/Fiona_HALL. html http://jamesmaroun. blogspot. com. au/2009/03/hall-cell-culture-linger-relentless. html http://australia. gov. au/about-australia/australian-story/fiona-hall http://www. roslynoxley9. com. au/artists/17/Fiona_Hall/92/35556/ http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Fiona_Margaret_Hall http://www. bos17. com/biennale/artist/47 http://www. artlink. com. au/articles. cfm? id=2280 http://www. ameliastein. net/main/81/ http://www. qagoma. qld. gov. au/collection/contemporary_australian_art/fionahall_