The Relationship Between Race and Ideology Essay - 971 Words

The Relationship Between Race and Ideology In this essay I will argue that the key to end racism is to understand race and ideology and how this two concepts relate to each other. Appiah claims that race does not exist. He uses scientific methods to prove that individuals from different groups of people have no greater genetic differences between them than the genetic differences in individuals from the same group of people. He writes: #8230;human genetic variability between the populations of Africa or Europe or Asia is not much greater than within those populations#8230; With This he is trying to demonstrate that if there is no biological difference between populations, except for those differences due to the habitat in which a†¦show more content†¦Later in the debate, Appiah says that the existence of racism does not imply that race has to exist, he mentions the Salem witch trials, in which witches were haunted down and sentenced to death because they were supposedly doing witchcraft, to prove his point; he says t hat although witches do not exist, they were persecuted for witchcraft. What he means by this cite is that although race does no exist, people are still being persecuted by racist individuals. In another part of the debate, he also refutes the idea that race is a group of people with the same socio-historical background; he says that if that statement is true, then his family would have to be a race because they have the same socio-historical background. The most important reason why people try to define race is to understand racism and to see if it is justifiable or not. Racism has been in human nature since the beginning of time and it is a constant problem in modern cultures, thats why through better understanding of how it works, we might be able to finish the history of hate and violence that racism has produced. Racism is the manifestation of the false belief that races are different. Or in the beliefs of a single person which ca be manifested when for example: some white people think that they are a superior race and they can treat others differently. To better understand this phenomenon, we need to know what ideology means, since ideology is the basicShow MoreRelatedThe Wages Of Whiteness By David Roediger912 Words   |  4 PagesThere is an extricable relationship between race, capitalism, and property and how it perpetuates the notion of whiteness through the exploitation of â€Å"others†. Property is a relationship of a person and an object; slaves were considered as objects. Race is constructed from white workers’ ideology of whiteness and labor wage. Racism has been long constructed through the production of race and its relations to property, and we can see it through the notion of capitalism and the idea of whiteness. Read MoreThe Cold War And The Soviet Union1173 Words   |  5 Pagesthe alliance between America and the USSR dissolved after the second World War, the relationship between both superpowers began to fluctuate as they competed to spread their varying ideologies. This unique time period became known as the Cold War, a conflict unique as it was not fought with normal methods of warfare. In fact, it was not fought with weapons at all. To fully understand this unconventional war, it is important to understand the background to the hostile relationship between the UnitedRead More European Colonialism and Imperialism in Shakespeares The Tempest949 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeare’s play The Tempest reveals how ideologies of racial ‘otherness’ served to legitimize European patriarchal hegemony in Elizabethan England. In the Elizabethan/ Jacobean times of England there were many relevant ideologies relevant to this play. In examining the values and ideologies this text e ndorses and challenges, the society of the time (Elizabethan England), and a knowledge of how it operated serves a great purpose in analyzing these relationships. As in many texts of this time, ShakespeareRead MoreKarl Marx s View On Race And Ethnicity865 Words   |  4 PagesRace is rarely mentioned by the three early proponents of the field of sociology, Karl Marx, Emiele Durkheim and Max Weber. However, when it is cited, these sociologists voiced very diverse opinions on the matter of race and oppression. Marx regarded race as vestige of the pre-industrial era and thus, would be superseded by â€Å"reductionism† (Cite). Emiele Durkheim believed race, which he referred to as â€Å"ethnicity,† was a factor in connecting an individual to a subgroup of society, but played littleRead MoreRukun Negara1624 Words   |  7 Pagesabout it varies very much between each individual. Most of them only know about the existence of the Rukun Negara, while some are only able to repeat the principle. However, there are some who understand the meaning as well as the message and the demands of each principle. Rukun Negara should be taken as a guide in our day-to-day living because it is a set of â€Å"national tenets† that teaches us the right norms of behaviour. There are two types of dimensions of relationship involved wherever there isRead MoreRacial Segregation : Race And Place At The Local Level Essay1602 Words   |  7 PagesSince the beginning of the United States, race has always been a social construct in which Anglo Saxon people were able to benefit from it. Institutional racism enacted at the federal level and state level, that intentionally dehumanized the people of color justified the mistreatments. During the time the suburbs were constructed the G.I Bill effectively benefited whites, as whiteness itself is an indicator of certain public benefits, such as housing and rights that were granted. While on the otherRead MoreThe Strategic Defe nce Initiative Within The Cold War Essay1147 Words   |  5 PagesThe Cold War was an ideological war primarily between the United States and the Soviet Union (1945-1991). There were several major flashpoints within the war, such as the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D), the Strategic Defence Initiative (S.D.I), the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, the Berlin Blockade and the defiance of the USSR. This essay will discuss the significance the Strategic Defence Initiative within the Cold War. Contrary to the mainstream idea thatRead MoreSlavery, Colonialism and Capitalism783 Words   |  3 PagesSlavery, Colonialism and Capitalism, it can be said that there is a relationship between these three systems. There are many different views on this topic, the main views being the Liberal-pluralists and the Radical revisionists who understand this relationship from different perspectives. To prove the connection between these three systems that impacted m any countries this essay shall make close reference to a number of sources. Cedric Robinson (1984: 57) discusses the fact that slavery lead toRead MoreConsciousness Among African Americans Women Essay1023 Words   |  5 PagesConsciousness Among African Americans Women Samantha Venturina Middlesex County College Abstract Race and ethnicity play a crucial role in one’s life. Communities worldwide were developed around diverse racial and ethnic identities whom proffer internal sources of resilience to others in the community. However, these aspects can consist of adverse social consequences that influence an individual’s chances of receiving quality medical care, getting a job offer or loan, and/or being falsely accusedRead MoreA Brief Note On Social Construction Of Race Essay1378 Words   |  6 PagesSocial Construction of Race One of the social reforms that are argued to have been achieved by the contemporary society is acknowledged that all people within the society are equal irrespective of some socio-cultural differences such as race. The view that all persons are equal is ingrained in the society and supported by an array of a legal framework. One of the supporting legal frameworks is the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which asserts that all persons must be treated with equality

Millennium Travel Corporation Free Essays

Millennium Travel Corporation (MTC) travel agency plans to become a market leader by augmenting its human travel agents with an automated travel agent system for processing flight reservations. The automated travel agent will intermediate between travelers and the MTC corporate computing system, which interfaces with commercial airline reservation services (e.g. We will write a custom essay sample on Millennium Travel Corporation or any similar topic only for you Order Now , SABRE). Like a human travel agent, it will assist travelers in booking, changing, and canceling flight reservations. If, for any reason, a traveler making a flight reservation travel request prefers human assistance, she will have the option to interact directly with a human travel agent. The MTC automated travel agent system will process a wide range of flight reservation service requests. These include, but are not limited to: †¢inquiring about flights and airfares,  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢making, changing, and canceling traveler profiles and accounts, †¢booking, changing, confirming, and canceling flight reservations, †¢generating travel itineraries. Service Request Transaction A user with a valid system account and a valid travel account logs in to the system, requests to book a flight reservation, selects a flight, selects a payment method, and specifies delivery services for the flight tickets and travel itineraries. The system will accommodate both individual and corporate traveler accounts for domestic and international flight reservation travel requests. System Requirements The travel agent system must be capable of providing fast, accurate, and courteous (â€Å"user friendly†) services for all requests supported. The system must be able to: †¢answer inquiries about flights and fares,  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢generate, modify, and cancel traveler profiles and travel accounts, †¢make, change, complete, and cancel reservations,  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢obtain payment method and verify traveler credit line,  Ã¢â‚¬ ¢generate travel itineraries and arrange for delivery of flight tickets and flight itineraries. Types of ticket delivery services include: mail, courier, and airport pick-up; types of itinerary delivery services include mail, fax, e-mail. Future Capabilities While at first the system will specialize in ticketing airline reservations, in the future it is expected to be able to: 1)Make hotel and rental car reservations. 2)Issue â€Å"ticketless† reservations. For example, â€Å"ticketless† flight reservations will work as follows: travel agents making flight reservations will issue travelers confirmation numbers (and not a ticket). At the airline gate the traveler will show photo identification and the gate agent will locate the flight reservation and issue a boarding pass. How to cite Millennium Travel Corporation, Essay examples

Years of Wonders Social Structure free essay sample

The social structure and institutions of the village of Eyam are severely challenged during the year of the plague. Discuss The small town of Eyam was enveloped with the Bubonic plague in 1665-1666. In Geraldine Brooks’ historical fiction ‘Year Of Wonders’ relationships, beliefs values, laws and friendships are threatened in the village at every level, however not all outcomes are negative from the devastation of a collapsing town. The novel demonstrated that it Is possible for strong characters or even reserved characters to take initiative in a fundamental time, despite the collapsing of their society around them. During the plague, villagers were torn between their faith in God and superstitious beliefs. The novels protagonist Anna Frith faithfully follows Mompellion’s guidance after the plague strikes. However as misery upon misery pile up, she begins to question her faith. The struggle with death and darkness ultimately costs Anna her faith in God. We will write a custom essay sample on Years of Wonders Social Structure or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page In particular, her faith is lost when Maggie Cantwell dies. Overtime, her faith becomes tattered, and she is not sure what she believes in. The Novels leader, Michael Mompellion, the distraught and defeated young man closes his bible after he accuses god of being a â€Å"poor listener†. Brooks placement of the bible falling is symbolic of his personal fall from grace. â€Å" His hand on the bible, but he never opens it, not anymore†¦. The bible hit the floor with a dull thud. † Expand Puritan beliefs fade, they begin to question the bible and god. expand Men were more superior then women in the 17th century. However, in years of wonders the voice of women is heard. Anna Frith was house wife, a mother of two and hungered to learn. Her voice was heard by Elinor Mompellion who taught her to read and right. Her knowledge lead her to studying medicine, which was however, not a typical women’s thing in the 17th Century. Essentially women were not the ones working. Nevertheless, during the plague year these women were. For example when Elinor and Anna go down to the mine to extract the lead. This is not a typical women job. Other characters such as Mem and Anys Gowdie, along with Elinor decided to use herbs to prevent illness. Brooks placement of the Gowdies as healers and midwifes and Elinor as a determined learner of herbs, symbolises that they undertook dangerous ccupations which would typically be known as a mans job. Additionally, the voices of these women were valuable to the novel as it shows they rile against the patriarchal system, where women play a more dominant role. Anna’s reaction to her father’s death, symbolises that she displayed no sympathy towards him, after the way he treated her during childhood. I could not speak for my father or rather would not. Ultimately, showing that Anna was more superior over her father in times of crisis. The retreat of the Bradford family initiates the breakdown between the divisions between classes. Mompellion delivers his most compelling speech; â€Å"let the boundaries of this village become our whole world. Let none enter and none leave while this plague lasts. †, Encouraging all the towns’ folk to stay until the plague passes. However, the Bradford’s, who were at the top of the social hierarchy decided to flee the town and break the social, divide. â€Å"And so, as it generally happens, those who have most give least. And those with less, give most†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Their cruel dismissal of their loyal staff shows that they thought they were ‘above’ the situation. This is a representation of the classes, where initially we are shown the height of the Bradford’s social class, juxtaposed with Anna at the lowest end of the system that had no choice, but to stay. The relationship between Elinor and Anna threatens the social fabric of Eyam as Anna was Elinor’s maid, who soon became her bestfriend and mother figure. â€Å"She was my friend and I loved her†. Their friendship challenged the social structure of Eyam at all levels by the division of classes coming together. The division displayed by the Bradford’s and the classes has had a huge effect on the village and is represented by the belief they all know share to stick together and work as a whole It is clear, the plague brings out the best in people by showing how a community depends on the values and expectations of a society. However, If these begin to unravel the social fabric of a community will be threatened and we will eventually witness the village and its people falling apart as faith is tested and this lack of underpinning effects all everything.

Malcolm X Essays (1092 words) - African-American Muslims

Malcolm X Malcolm X was probably one of the most controversial elements in the civil rights movement. Malcolm X had become a member of the Nation of Islam in his earlier years. The Islamic faith borrows basic ideas from the orthodox teachings of Islam and combines them with the very racist views regarding whites taught by Elijah Mohammed. Malcolm was a very influential priest for the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X questioned some of the views and beliefs of the Nation of Islam, which made Mr. Mohammed and the rest of the Nation angry. This forced Malcolm to travel on a journey overseas to find out what his true beliefs were. When he reached Arabia, he found that it was a different society than that of which Elijah Mohammed had described it. Malcolm discovered that race played no role in determining a person's status in society. Viewing this made a positive change in Malcolm X's beliefs and views. This unity of human kind made Malcolm think and change his ideas about the solution to the racial problem in America. This was the most influential turning point in his life. Malcolm first adopted his views and beliefs of the Nation of Islam while he was serving time in prison. By the time he had gotten out of prison, he had undergone a transformation from a drug-dealing thief to a religious priest for his newfound faith, the Nation of Islam. Malcolm had taken on in full Mr. Mohammed's racist teachings. It was through these teachings that Malcolm X developed his radical views about race in America. Under the guidance and teachings of Elijah Mohammed, Malcolm had targeted all whites and blamed them for position of African Americans in society. He referred to the whites as devils, which tried making the standards of blacks even lower then they already were. Malcolm X believed that complete segregation was the only way to end racial problems in America. He also said that all actions committed against blacks in history were due to the white race as a whole. Another one of his claims was that all blacks should move to Africa, and establish some sort of society there. Sometime after Malcolm X had taken on his new religion, he began to question the validity of the Nation of Islam and some of its leaders. It was found out that Elijah Mohammed had been partaking in sexual misconduct and that he had several illegitimate children. When Malcolm confronted Elijah about these things, Elijah admitted to them. This made Malcolm question the beliefs of Elijah, which were basically the foundations of the Nation of Islam. During this time, many of the leaders of the Nation of Islam became jealous of Malcolm's success. All of these things contributed to Malcolm eventually leaving the Nation of Islam in 1964. Later in 1964, Malcolm X took off on a journey to Arabia to try and find the true religion of Islam. While in Arabia, he underwent his holy pilgrimage. This experience had a very positive impact on Malcolm X. While racial hatred in America had forced black people to the lowest levels of society, Malcolm had come into a society were the color of the skin played no factor in life. While in Arabia, a white leader let Malcolm stayed with him in his room, which would have been unheard of during the civil rights movements in the States. It was during this trip to Arabia that Malcolm made a big change in his way of life. He had finally learned to trust people. He found out that the color of one's skin doesn't reflect what kind of person you are, but it's ones actions that reflect the quality of a person. From his trip, Malcolm threw out all of his racist and segregational views about the American society, and he took on a more Orthodox Islamic approach of racial equality. Once he returned home from his trip, he began preaching about his newly formed philosophies. He created new ideas about race in America and about unity. His greatest change in beliefs were his thoughts about black and white relationships. His conversion to orthodox Islam changed his views upon white people. Around this time, Malcolm adopted a new name. He changed the Nation of Islam ?X? in his name to an orthodox name. Malcolm X was no more; his new name was Malik El-Shabazz. Malcolm changing his name was probably the one that that most symbolized his breaking away from the

Free Essays on Histroy Of Accounting Practice In The UK

â€Å"During the 20th century financial accounting regulation appears to have developed as a series of responses to the evolving requirements of an ever-more complex and inter-related business environment. Describe the general development of financial accounting regulation in the United Kingdom from 1970 to the present day, and critically evaluate the influences that have given rise to each of the major developments.† The role of financial accounting in today’s business environment is undeniably important. The information provided by accountants can have major influences over a number of different people and parties, from a firm’s management team, to an external investor. Here in the UK, we have a large and complex stock market system as well as broad based community of investors. As such, it is vital that the profession be properly regulated and monitored. The fundamental principle upon which all UK regulation is based, is that accountants should be constantly striving to ‘provide a true and fair view’ to any interested parties. Traditionally, accounting regulations have been formulated loosely around the main principles of accounting, such as the prudence convention, the going concern convention, etc. This approach to accounting regulation did however leave the actual methods of application of these conventions up to the preparers of the financial information. In 1970, the accounting profession establish its own self regulated body – this was the Accounting Standards Steering Committee (ASSC). There were a number of reasons why the body was set up, however it was done primarily as a reaction to a number of financial scandals in the 1960s. Other influences included the establishment of similar bodies in the USA, as well as the threat of governmental influence on the accounting profession, which nobody wanted. The ASSC later became known as simply the ASC (Accounting Standards Committee), but not... Free Essays on Histroy Of Accounting Practice In The UK Free Essays on Histroy Of Accounting Practice In The UK â€Å"During the 20th century financial accounting regulation appears to have developed as a series of responses to the evolving requirements of an ever-more complex and inter-related business environment. Describe the general development of financial accounting regulation in the United Kingdom from 1970 to the present day, and critically evaluate the influences that have given rise to each of the major developments.† The role of financial accounting in today’s business environment is undeniably important. The information provided by accountants can have major influences over a number of different people and parties, from a firm’s management team, to an external investor. Here in the UK, we have a large and complex stock market system as well as broad based community of investors. As such, it is vital that the profession be properly regulated and monitored. The fundamental principle upon which all UK regulation is based, is that accountants should be constantly striving to ‘provide a true and fair view’ to any interested parties. Traditionally, accounting regulations have been formulated loosely around the main principles of accounting, such as the prudence convention, the going concern convention, etc. This approach to accounting regulation did however leave the actual methods of application of these conventions up to the preparers of the financial information. In 1970, the accounting profession establish its own self regulated body – this was the Accounting Standards Steering Committee (ASSC). There were a number of reasons why the body was set up, however it was done primarily as a reaction to a number of financial scandals in the 1960s. Other influences included the establishment of similar bodies in the USA, as well as the threat of governmental influence on the accounting profession, which nobody wanted. The ASSC later became known as simply the ASC (Accounting Standards Committee), but not...

Research Paper Format

Research Paper Format Research Paper Format Research Paper Format While writing research paper, you should keep in mind three essential parts of the research paper format: introduction, body, and conclusion. Research paper outline is your guide for organizing parts of your research paper writing into a coherent project.   You need to consult your tutor to get detailed instruction on research paper format. Body is the largest part of research paper writing.   While writing a research paper main body, you need to choose a strategy and keep it through the writing.   If you are able to link description with argument, it functions in a similar way to a quotation.   Research paper reader expects you to discuss it in relation to the content and purpose of writing. You may describe two laws or two kings of England.   Research paper topic determines the research paper format you need to use.   Sometimes, chronological order cannot be applied to theoretical analysis, while the historical research should be presented in chronological order. You may describe a social problem or a scientific discovery prior to going further into discussion of its implications. Research paper is about critical analysis and interpretation. Sure, interpretation should be based on reliable sources.   As essence of research paper writing holds, you have to research something (an issue, an event, etc.).   You should be very careful with the choice of materials and devote a lot of time and efforts to description, analysis, and planning of the research paper format.   You should make points, construct arguments, and remain critical of your own writing. You may analyze pros and cons of what has already been noted on the issue.   For example, you may note that some of the studies have lost their actuality and can no longer be used as a foundation for current research.   Any tutor will advise you to focus your writing on recent publications and be attentive to the personal biases.   Do not let your personal opinion distort the facts! .com Our research paper writers are available 24/7 to assist you with any assignment. Custom written research papers will definitely meet academic requirements and be up to the academic level.   Every writer we employ is capable of following the instruction.   We ensure proper research paper format and logical organization of ideas.   You may have good understanding of the topic, while we know how to put your knowledge and research findings on the paper. Custom written research paper of high quality is your chance to get an A+ on your assignment.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES USED IN DOVE REAL BEAUTY Essay

AN ANALYSIS OF THE PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES USED IN DOVE REAL BEAUTY SKETCHES - Essay Example The film, which compares, the images of women and strangers about various women uses numerous persuasion techniques to capture the attention of the viewers. An analysis of the persuasion techniques that the film uses is essential in understanding the reason why the video captured a market of fifteen million viewers within one month. Cialdini’s Weapons of Persuasion Cialdini describes successful marketing as a science rather than magic or luck. The author argues that public proof is one of the principles of successful persuasion, and marketers should make use of it by proving to their customers that other people have also tried their products or services (Cialdini, 1993). The Dove film uses social proof by showing the viewer the participants of the research, and how they described themselves. A viewer sees the women who took part in the research, and how they described themselves while behind a curtain. Viewers can also see the artist who sketched the appearances of the women a s well as the strangers who described them during the study. This creates an impression in the mind of the viewer that there are other people who believe that they are beautiful more than the way they think (Perloff, 2010). ... The strangers who describe the women also take part in the study in the same location and they answer the same questions (Dove, 2013). The viewers of the film think that the experience is real because of this consistency that the firm maintained throughout the study. Therefore, the audience is persuaded by the reality factor in the film, and they begin to view themselves in a more positive way. Older women also begin to view themselves as young and enthusiastic beings as Cialdini argues that they are more prone to inconsistency (Sullivan, 2008). The researcher argues that they prefer consistency and commitment more than the young because of their old age, which takes away most of their energy. Therefore, the consistency in the film may capture the attention of the elderly more than the young. Aristotle’s Artistic Proofs Aristotle argues that speakers have to persuade to their audience using their personal characteristics, proving to them, and ensuring that they influence their minds (Heinrichs, 2007). The lack of these elements is unproductive leading to low sales and profits for marketers. Ethos is the first technique that Aristotle describes as the art of creating authority and credibility to the audience (Oshaughnessy, 2004). This means that the audience is persuaded by speakers who have the qualifications to perform the tasks. The Dove film uses ethos in that the artist who sketches the women has the knowledge of sketching images in a perfect manner. Gil, Zamora, the artist is a forensic sketch artiste who has experience in drawing the sketches of over three thousand criminals (Dove, 2013). The artist also speaks in an authoritative way as he asks women to describe their

Do We Need More or Less Regulation Research Paper

Do We Need More or Less Regulation in the Internet - Research Paper Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that the United States is the top-ranked country with the highest host density1in cyberspace, ranked at 65.3%. It is a country that allows a high degree of competition to its new users, and so carries a great deal of responsibility on its shoulders. More importantly, in the US, IP telephony is unregulated because it is considered to be an information service. And given the high population of the internet community of the United States, regulation is not only a recommendation but a valid requirement. Unless properly regulated, the trends of internet usage promise a disastrous picture in the long run for the United States - both economically as well as socially. Socially, because the United States legislation, known for its strict regulatory framework on the international front, would prove to be a negligible threat to the ever-increasing community of Internet hackers, thieves, virus-creators, and so on. However, the economic numbers are far mo re intimidating. Hacking costs the United States economy close to $400 million every year2. Given the ever-multiplying community of internet unscrupulous minds, this number is a cause for grave concern. This dangerous figure of $400 million is the testimony to the fact that the security of cyberspace in the United States stands dangerously exposed, and unless serious steps are taken to amend the prevailing situation, cyberspace faces the risk of unscrupulous domination in the years to come. We live in a digital age. Most of our world is comprised of data and bytes instead of flesh and blood. In such a case, the need for internet regulation becomes imperative. The lack of internet regulation will lead to a state of cyber anarchy, a state of complete lawlessness where we will have no one else to blame except ourselves. The time has come for us to decide which is more important to us: Digital safety or artificial freedom. The main reason for internet regulation is its great influence o n our life - whether it is starting a business, getting legal advice, understanding the theory of relativity, or doing some jewelry shopping. The internet's presence is all-pervasive. For the sake of our expressions and thoughts, we prefer blogs (online internet diaries) instead of conventional methods (it is claimed that there are over 14 million blogs on the internet and one blog is created every half a second!). For starting a business, we prefer an online business as compared to the traditional brick-and-mortar. And for buying something, we prefer e-bay to the store on Regent Street. Yes, the internet has given us what we always wanted - absolute freedom. But is freedom all that is required Unless there is a sense of responsibility accompanying it, freedom will be a synonym of lawlessness. And in the present circumstances, we are witnessing a dangerous event of cyber anarchy. Just like anything else, the internet is to be used in a responsible manner.

Korean Conflict Essay Example for Free

Korean Conflict Essay Abstract In this essay you will learn about the Korean War conflict and how it ended and what went wrong. Also how the United States deals with the conflict of the Korean War. How did this war affect American sensibilities, including the way Americans viewed the war and themselves? There were many different consequences occurred as a result of the Korean Conflict, which ended in 1953, with thousands of fatalities but no clear victor and no peace treaty signed. The north continued to be occupied by communist forces, and the South becomes an American ally. Also, Korea illustrated how a relatively contained conflict could turn into a much broader regional conflagration. As the conflict escalated, there were points in time in which China and the Soviet Union could have conceivably been drawn into the conflict, potentially resulting in another regional, or even general war. Perhaps most importantly, Korea illustrated how tension between the U.S.S.R. and the United States could become full-scale conflicts. Other long-term consequences include the establishment of permanent nuclear installations in South Korea and the commitment of conventional U.S. military equipment and troops to South Korea for decades afterwards. Did the war change America’s world and why? Other important legislative changes include the passage of the War Power Act (1973), requiring U.S. presidents to receive explicit approval from Congress before forces could be deployed overseas for combat purposes. Politically, the conflict resulted in an aversion to further American casualties, which fundamentally changed U.S. intervention in later international conflicts. The Democratic party also experienced serious consequences in 1968. Democratic voters, split over U.S. involvement in Vietnam, divided their votes between Hubert Humphrey and George Wallace, resulting in a Republican presidential victory a Democratic party whose politics were changed fundamentally. Economically, the Vietnam Conflict resulted in inflation as spending for Vietnam continued, but the United States remunerated largely through monetizing of the money supply. Because the Americans did not know if the Korean War was over or not so the Americans try to go on with their lives but it was hard to do so. Was the outcome of the war beneficial or detrimental to the United States (or a combination of both)? I do believe that the Korean War was beneficial to the United States than it was detrimental. The United States gained knowledge from the Korean War; it was beneficial to them in the long run. The United States also gained awareness from the War. The United States of America became aware and more understanding of the â€Å"falling domino† effect of communism. After the Korean War the United States rearmed and become a world power and the United States realized that they needed to double the size of their army. For the next war that may to become of may be coming to the United States. References My campus.aiu-online.com/library/CourseGuide/5/Tutorials/AIUAPA/ebook.htpl Editorial Board. (2012). History. Schaumburg, IL: words of wisdom. Retrieve from http://mycampus.aiu-online.com/pages/bookshelf.aspx Course Materials: HIST105-1205B:U.S.History U.S. Relations: The Korean War http://www.pbs.org/newshour.uh.edu/database/Subtitles.cfm?titleID=75

thornton wilder :: essays research papers

thornton wilder a great writer Wilder’s Writing â€Å"Either we live by accident and die by accident, or we live by plan and die by plan.† In Thornton Wilder’s The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Brother Juniper strives to make this determination. Thornton Wilder may have also tried to ascertain this himself. As one of America’s most respected contemporary authors, Thornton Niven Wilder has recieved much renown for his works, especially Pulitzer Prize winning The Bridge of San Luis Rey . Why Wilder wrote the novel and why the novel is so famous may be argued through his background and use of specific themes (Books). Thornton Wilder’s background contribute to his way of writing as well as his outlook on life. In his novel In Life as we Live it, Wilder expresses his strong belief in the preciousness of life: â€Å" Do humans ever realize life while they live it?† (Simoni).When someone asked Thornton Wilder about his purpose in writing The Bridge of San Luis Rey, he replied that he was posing a question: "Is there a direction and meaning in lives beyond the individual's own will?" (Society). The three principle influences on the writings of Thornton Wilder were his religious background, his love of classicism, and his worldwide travels. Wilder’s Family and homelife also affected his writing greatly, especially his father (Books). The time period of his life aslo brought influence on Wilder’s writing. During this time was World War II in which Wilder served and recieved ideas. The reason for Wilder’s wide acceptance and large renown in society may be answered through the author’s Life influences, the time period in which he grew up, and the style and themes that he uses in his writing. Thornton Niven Wilder was born in Madison , Wisconsin on April 18, 1897, as one of five children, one of which was his twin, of Amos Parker Wilder and Isabella Wilder.Thornton’s father was a newspaper editor, diplomat, and a strict Calvinist. His father had a great impact on Wilder’s writing. In The Bridge of San Luis Rey, the Wilder said that the idea of the collapse of the bridge stemmed from arguments with his strict father. In 1906 the family moved to Hong Kong, where his father had been appointed American Consul General. After six months his mother returned with the children to the United States, but the family rejoined again in 1911 in Shanghai, where his father had been transferred. Wilder stayed in China for a year (Encyclopedia). Wilder’s home life was characterized by a strong religious and intellectual atmosphere

Below the Line Sales Promotion

BTL sales promotion is an immediate or delayed incentive to purchase, expressed in cash or in kind, and having short duration. It is efficient and cost-effective for targeting a limited and specific group. It uses less conventional methods than the usual ATL channels of advertising, typically focusing on direct means of communication, most commonly direct mail and e-mail, often using highly targeted lists of names to maximize response rates. BTL services may include those for which a fee is agreed upon and charged up front. BTL is a common technique used for â€Å"touch and feel† products (consumer items where the customer will rely on immediate information rather than previously researched items). BTL techniques ensures recall of the brand while at the same time highlighting the features of the product. Another BTL technique involves sales personnel deployed at retail stores near targeted products. This technique may be used to generate trials of newly launched products. It helps marketers establish one-to-one relationship with consumers while mass promotions, by definition, make it difficult to gauge consumer-response, except at the time of sales. Examples include tele-marketing, road shows, promotions, in- shop and shop-front activities, display units. The terms â€Å"below the line† promotion or communications, refers to forms of non-media communication, even non-media advertising. Below the line promotions are becoming increasingly important within the communications mix of many companies, not only those involved in FMCG products, but also for industrial goods. Below the line sales promotions are short-term incentives, largely aimed at consumers. With the increasing pressure on the marketing team to achieve communication objectives more efficiently in a limited budget, there has been a need to find out more effective and cost efficient ways to communicate with the target markets. This has led to a shift from the regular media based advertising. In other words, below-the-line sales promotion is an immediate or delayed incentive to purchase, expressed in cash or in kind, and having only a short term or temporary duration. Below the Line uses less conventional methods than the usual specific channels of advertising to promote products, services, etc. than Above the Line strategies. These may include activities such as direct mail, public relations and sales promotions for which a fee is agreed upon and charged up front. Below the line advertising typically focuses on direct means of communication often using highly targeted lists of names to maximize response rates. Trained sales personnel, often young women, are deployed at Retail Stores, near the shelves of targeted products. These young women convince customers visiting these shelves about the better aspects of their brand compared with others. This is ideal for new launches as it generates trials, which if successful result in repeat sales. In addition, above the line is much more effective when the target group is very large and difficult to define. But if the target group is limited and specific, it is always advisable to use BTL promotions for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Say, for example, if a pen manufacturer is going to promote its product, it may take the ATL route, but if a company manufactures computer UPS, it will certainly take the BTL route, as the target group is very limited and specific. More recently, agencies and clients have switched to an ‘Integrated Communication Approach. ‘

Synopsis of a Phrase: You Don’t Know What You Have Until It’s Gone

â€Å"You don’t know what you have until it’s gone† Like an old saying â€Å"You don’t know what you have until it’s gone†. For some people these are just words, but for others it’s really more a life changing phrase. To me this phrase are more than just words. I question myself every time I see or hear about mother’s abandoning their children’s. I really can’t understand what come across their minds to make a life changing decision. Every woman who has the blessing of having children’s should be grateful, because not every woman has the glory of giving birth.I can’t comprehend leaving behind a part of you like if it didn’t exist, that is just outrages. But then again life in some way or somehow it comes back and haunts you, it’s all about karma. This is where the old saying of â€Å"You don’t know what you have until it’s gone†, kicks in then it’s too late to try to regain what you had back then. As I grew up as a teenager I always had in mind that I wanted to have a boy first and then a girl as my own children. Well, God heard my wishes and made them true, but not knowing that later on in my life I was going to wish that I hadn’t made that petition.I had my son at age 17 and my daughter at age 19, years passed by and simply no more pregnancies came along. I was divested as well as my husband we wanted to have more family. Apparently it just wasn’t going to happen I was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). The possibilities of getting pregnant were between 2% to 5% which let’s be honest, â€Å"Not enough†. Pretty much I become infertile, but I had set my mind if these are Gods wish let them be. I was already so grateful in having my two kids. I’m not going lie I still had that wish of becoming mother again back in mind.I have a sister who had a beautiful daughter two years ago. I was hopi ng for my sister to change for good, since she was more into going out with friends, boyfriends, and anything relate to being irresponsible. The first year seemed to be okay even though she still went out. In the beginning of the second year she started to complain about having her daughter. She would say, â€Å"I wish I have never had you†. How can she possibly say this, she is only an â€Å"innocent little girl† who didn’t ask to be brought to this world. I spoke to my mother about this situation.I simply couldn’t let this go on. My mother said, â€Å"I will not let this happen again†. My mother did actually speak to my sister, she obviously didn’t like that so she called me up and said, â€Å"I’m leaving the house and I’m giving the baby away to someone†. I said â€Å"No you are not†! Give her to me, I said. My sister answers back by saying, â€Å"Well, come for her now or I will give her away†. So I eag erly left to my mother’s house. I had to tell my sister, that I hope you never ever regret what you are doing. This is when I brought up the old saying, â€Å"You don’t know what you have until it’s gone†.Some day you will be begging for the forgiveness of your daughter and this is when you will realize that what you did was wrong and it will be to late. At the end I tried to understand why she took this decision. What was going thru her mind? I just can come with an answer. I’ve tried every possible method of getting pregnant and here she comes and leaves her daughter like nothing as if she never carried her in her stomach for 9 months. By the way I was present in the baby’s birth. It was wonderful reliving the moment when I gave birth to my children.Now I’m going thru the moment of seeing my niece being abandoned by her insensitive mother. This really breaks my heart by seeing my little niece looking for her mother and not finding h er. To me this kind of people should not have the blessing of being a mother, if in some way you can call them mothers. While other women try and wish they could be mothers. We should have more conscious in what we do and the consequence that later in life will bring us. We should treasure what we currently have and not wait until it’s too late to realize what slip away from our hands. Life is to short to make wrong decisions.

Candide Essays

Candide Essays Candide Paper Candide Paper Essay Topic: Candide The Glass Castle Optimists choose to value a glass that is half filled with water. Pessimists acknowledge the missing water, and complain as they tell the waitress to fill up the glass. Optimism is a trait that certain people exhibit, displaying a distinctive outlook on life. It is a tactic that involves focusing on the positive sides of an issue while struggling through terrible circumstances. Throughout the novel Candide, the author Voltaire uses the base principle expressed by the optimistic philosophy to convey one mans quest for personal happiness. While Candide, the main character, is forced to strive through a repetition of hopeless events, he is reminded to live by the philosophy All is for the best. Candide grows up in the Castle of Westfalia under the influence of Dr. Pangloss. Dr. Pangloss firmly believes that Things can not be otherwise; for since everything was made for a purpose, everything is necessarily for the best purpose (Voltaire 18). Shortly after hearing the powerful conclusion drawn from Dr. Pangloss, Candide is expelled from the castle for engaging in a relationship with the barons daughter, Lady Cunegonde. This first act ignites the early questioning of Dr.Panglosss theory All is for the best. Another character that challenged the philosophy of Dr. Pangloss was Lady Cunegonde. After being captured by the Bulgars, doubts began to arouse in her mind. Lady Cunegonde watched innocently as Dr. Pangloss was hung by order of his Eminence the Inquisitor. Following this event, Lady Cunegonde exclaimed, I see now that Pangloss cruelly deceived me when he told me that all was for the best in the world (Voltaire 36). Though Dr. Pangloss had taught Lady Cunegonde to accept every event and make to best of situations, she finds it impossible to justify that a pure life may be taken away for a positive reason.

Autism Psa

NAA provides many programs to help support individual with ASD as well as his or her family, including the Helping Hand Program, Big Red Safety, and Progress Research. NAA strives to help the autistic community while offering opportunities to support this cause. Before knowing what NAA is, it is important to have a better understanding of the disability called autism. Autism is a bio-neurological development disability which impacts development of the brain and areas of social interaction, communication skills, and cognitive function. Individuals with autism often have physical limitations such as allergies, asthma, epilepsy, digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, feeding disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, sleeping disorders, difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communications, social interactions, and much more. ASD is not just autism it includes other disorders such as â€Å"autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and Asperger syndrome† (Autism Speaks, 2012). There is much controversy as to why people have autism. The biggest argument is that autism is due to vaccinations because of the chemical exposure. Other exposures to the environment can cause autism if the immune system has certain conditions. Another argument is genetics, but the rate of increase of autism today makes genetics an unlikely reason. It was once believed the way a child is raised by their parents has an influence on autism. A few other arguments include: pesticide exposure, parental age, pharmaceuticals, freeway proximity, and limited prenatal vitamin intake. NAA suggests to families that if they have a child with autism, they should research various causes to become more aware and have a better understanding as to why a child might have autism. NAA has a mission statement that includes: â€Å"The mission of the National Autism Association is to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential. † (National Autism Association, 2012) Having an autistic family member can be a challenge; NAA can help the family members as well as the person with autism in many different ways. NAA helps parents to understand â€Å"You’re Not Alone,† after explaining that they will help you find a support group close to you. This can be through the Yellow Pages or by going online to find a NAA chapter in your area. They also provide some links for support and discussions where you can ask questions, state concerns, or simply talk to others who may be in the same situation. In addition to providing sources to help families find support, NAA has many programs to help afflicted families. Through these programs, NAA’s goals are to strengthen autism families by providing support, giving them up-to-date information on research, funding research, and raising awareness. NAA provides support through the Helping Hand Program, Big Red Safety Box, and Progress Research. The Helping Hand Program is a program that helps families who cannot afford the medical expenses related to their family member with autism. NAA reaches out to families who make less than $50,000 a year by providing financial aid. This can be used for specialized medicines and therapy services for the treatment of autism. The Big Red Safety Box program, when funded, provides a life-saving tool kit at no cost to families with a member with autism. A donor can pay $35 to have a Box provided to a family. The Box provides tools to help keep a person with autism safe in their home. Some items include: education materials and tools, two door/window alarms with batteries, personalized engraved shoe ID tag, five stop signs for doors and windows, safety alert window clings, and a safety alert wristband. NAA supports research for ASD because they believe that one day a cure will be found. NAA’s research fund supports studies which show promise for children suffering now. Research seeks cures, discovers new treatments, answers questions, and promotes progress. Among the many challenges of having a child with autism is keeping the child out of harms way is one of the most difficult. The Big Red Safety Box mentioned earlier provides tools to equip the home with safety accommodations, but there are other dangers to a child with autism. NAA provides information on how to keep the child from wandering, gives advice on how to respond to bullying, and suggests methods for suicide prevention. A California research team showed that mortality of people with autism has high numbers in drowning as a result of wandering; in addition, there are other wandering factors that are the cause of death. NAA provides twelve ways to prevent ASD wandering. First, the caregiver should understand wandering patterns and prevent anything that would cause the person to wander. Second, teach the child about safety by showing pictures or use simple explanations familiar to the child. Third, secure the home with door and window alarms or even fencing in the yard. Fourth, have the child wear a wrist band or anklet with a tracking device in case of emergency. Fifth, have the child wear a medical ID bracelet with his or her name and telephone number and other important information. Sixth, enroll the child in swimming lessons. NAA provides a list of YMCAs that are available for special needs swimming lessons. Seventh, alert neighbors that the child may wander, and who should be notified when they see this. Eighth, alert first responders, so that if something may happen, they can improve response with the information given to them. Ninth, have a â€Å"tag, you’re it† strategy, where the child tags the closest adult who then becomes the person watching the child closely. Tenth, secure external settings such as school or camp know policies and inform teachers about wandering. Eleventh, learn from others by researching or asking people who also have children with autism. Twelfth, never have s false sense; as the child grows up, he or she will learn new things and have more abilities, so be sure to make changes as they grow and learn. These twelve steps can help prevent ASD wandering, and keep the child safe. Bullying is a serious issue in schools, especially in relation to students with autism. Children with disabilities are two to three times more likely to be bullied. There are multiple forms of bullying, and each one can be detrimental to a child’s learning and future. NAA has resources and provides information about bullying for parents of a bullied child and the student who is being bullied. NAA also provides information on suicide prevention and gives help via sources such as suicidepreventionlifeline. org. Whether a person has a family member with a form of ASD or ASD touches the heart, help can be provided in various ways. NAA helps the autistic community but they need donations and support to continue to do so. NAA provides a venue to collect donations. This can be done in honor of someone. The donor may choose to purchase items at NAA’s â€Å"Little Shop of Hope,† where the proceeds benefit NAA. It is possible to start an online fundraising site or choose rom other methods of raising funds. ASD affects more children than any other childhood disorder, yet it is the least funded disorder. Helping raise awareness of NAA can provide more resources for research to assist members of the autistic community. NAA is an organization that provides assistance to those in the ASD community. Because of NAA’s many ways of support, the autistic community is pro gressing to becoming more informed and supported. Autism is a large part of the world, and until there is a cure it will continue to be. It is important to remember that NAA needs the communities support to continue on in their Mission â€Å"to respond to the most urgent needs of the autism community, providing real help and hope so that all affected can reach their full potential† (National Autism Association, 2012). Works Cited â€Å"National Autism Association. † National Autism Association. N. p. , 2012. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. http://nationalautismassociation. org/. â€Å"Autism Speaks. † Autism Speaks. N. p. , 2012. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. http://www. autismspeaks. org/.

The nature of stereotypes in the film Bamboozled Essay

The nature of stereotypes in the film Bamboozled - Essay Example Racial stereotypes are the mental picture created by a specific race based on either what has been said, written or propagated about that race. The notion that all black men beat their spouses is a racial stereotype against black men. However, stereotypes also exist in gender in the notion that all men are better than women. Stereotype can be negative, positive, reversed or inhabited. Spike Lee in his 2000 satirical film, Bamboozled, gives a classic example of the world of stereotypes and brings the concept of stereotype alive. The film features actors Donning, a blackface. A blackface is a makeup of the theatre that is used to depict a black person. The black face is used to bring out the stereotyping of the black people. In the film, Spike Lee uses images to bring out the concept of stereotype. The racial stereotype can be seen using black face to typecast black men. Goodwin (1) in his article, On Truth, Justice, and Videotape, brings out how the power of images can depict different results. In the article where Rodney King had been abused by policemen, the jury interpreted the images in the video in a different light than that taken by the black people. It is all about what one wants to see in an image that gives the image life and different messages from a particular image. Though the black community demonstrated against the holding of the jury, the jury held that the images in the video did not show the policeman at fault. Mitchell (306) asserts that in the film, Bamboozled, Spike Lee has found a way of navigating through the messy waters of colour by using satire and ultimately converting it to tragedy. Spike Lee employs the use of black face to bring out the history of American culture, as well as the cinema industry. The black face portrays the everyday life of the American black people. The actors perform a great job of bringing out racial stereotype while mentioning their character. The black face in the film Bamboozled plays a critical role in

Managerial Organization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managerial Organization - Essay Example The paper would discuss the myriad aspects of Enron that led to its failure. Brief summary of the case Enron Enron was a major American firm in the areas of energy and related products that had a global presence. Enron was founded in 1985 through merger of Houston Natural Gas and Internorth, the two major natural gas pipeline companies. In 2000, it was named ‘America’s Most Innovative Company’ by Fortune magazine (Fox, 2004). But in 2001, it was found that institutionalized fraud was behind the projected financial condition that was escalated to deceive public through imaginary transactions. The manipulated accounts and audit reports gave it market credibility which was exploited by the corporate to borrow capital from financial institutes. Its stock plummeted to nearly zero and it emerged as the major financial scam that shook foundation of corporate America. Situation analysis Enron was a high revenue gas pipeline company that had a niche market in America. The deregulation in the gas prices allowed Enron to be more flexible in its arrangement with producers and pipelines. It was allowed it to pursue its diversification strategy and entered into other areas like electricity power, fiber optics, coal, steel, paper and pulp. Its foray into international market was offset by undertaking projects in construction and management of energy facilities across the globe. Indeed, its exponential growth was very impressive that influenced the capital market. It exploited its expertise in physical logistics to evolve a complex network of risky trading business. The volatile market, deregulated gas prices and transport infrastructure to deliver the gas were vital risk areas that required huge funding, government alliances, expertise in areas that were virgin to it. The political risks in developing economies like India and China also emerged as critical issue that could jeopardize its projected success rate in developing effective energy capacity. Most importantly, the wide network of complex system of gas trading provided it with huge leeway to maneuver accounts. The long term contracts required future prediction of prices and short term contracts allowed it to manipulate prices. Both were risks that were managed by accounting systems through contrived earnings and balance sheet that was inflated and designed to influence the capital market (Healy and Palepu, 2003). There was lack of transparency and control which facilitated massive corporate fraud and corrupt practices in the higher hierarchy leading to its failure. Another crucial issue was its strategic decisions that were based on high ambitions of exploiting opportunities in emerging economies without analyzing its internal strengths, vis-a-vis expertise in different areas where it had diversified and the accounting system that required complex transactions of long term contracts in volatile market. Analysis of factors leading to its failure Organizational culture is a vita l factor that promotes defined code of behaviour amongst the workers to inculcate sense of stability and desired motivation for improved outcome. Mullins (2007) believes that it emphasizes behavioural regularities, which is distinct in its language, custom and traditions and the way workforce reacts to the situations. Enron’s higher hierarchy in human resource not only lacked leadership initiatives but was also unethical in

Into the Woods with Nathanial Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown Essay

Into the Woods with Nathanial Hawthorne's Young Goodman Brown - Essay Example The name Faith fits the personality of Goodman Brown’s wife. With the perfection of her character, Faith symbolizes the inner strength of Goodman Brown, his devotion and loyalty. When Brown finally grasped the reality that he has lost his Faith he lays down his value system and accepts the nature that steers individuals to wickedness. Without his wife Faith, he witnesses the threatening backwoods surrounding him with its dreadful hums and noises. However, as the storyteller emphasizes, â€Å"he was himself the chief horror of the scene, and shrank not from its other horrors† (Hawthorne 1992, 30). Without Faith, he himself is the malevolence he has been attempting to oppose, and he grips the power, although fleetingly, and grants it control over his consciousness. Once in the woods, Brown witnessed all the wicked things that a devoted Puritan should not be witnessing, like the evil transformation of the supposedly ‘good’ people in their community such as Goo dy Cloyse, Deacon Gookin, and even his wife Faith. Brown, in my opinion, takes such a night’s journey to test his Faith, Belief, and Conviction.

The impact of import tariff on Vietnam’s automobile sector

The impact of import tariff on Vietnam’s automobile sector Automobile industry plays a vital role in the development process of any countries in the world. Automobile industry has a significant multiplier impact on the development of a country and a driver of economic growth because of its forward and backward linkages with some crucial sectors of the economy structure (Nag, Banerjee, Chatterjee, 2007). Specially, with Vietnam- a developing country, this industrys development helps Vietnam in achieving the goal Industrialization modernization and encouraging the countrys growth. By openness policies, Vietnamese auto industry is a leading industry to develop other industries such as the chemical industry, metal, and electronics. According to Mr. Nguyen Xuan Chuan, the minister of industry (2003) said that: If we develop and try to obtain localization rate of 30%, after 10 years, the automobile industry creates approximately $250 million with 10.000 workers, equally the value of export rice of many million farmers. It can be said that the automobile industry is one of the most vital sectors to upgrade the Vietnam position in the world. However, the Vietnamese automobile industry is still quite young. Before the period 1990s, the Vietnams automobile operated according to the governments plans, most of cars were imported, the domestic manufactures worked basically on simply repairing that imported cars ; The auto industry has existed since 1986, when Vietnam conducted openness policies- the DOI MOI restructuring process began. The Vietnams automobile industry has begun to dramatically growth; it resulted from benefits from the open policy and a range of incentive activities of the government. Beside, calling for foreign investment, the government had preferential policies to attract investment. It made Vietnamese auto market became more heated; many foreign investors came to Vietnam to research and plan investment projects. However, at that time Vietnam, due to the economic sanctions that the US placed on Vietnam, most of automobile manufactures of the US, Japan, and the Europe limited in having investment divisions. As the result, they used to indirectly invest through Asia companies. Although having many difficulties and obstacles, this period was a vital foundation to form Vietnamese auto assembler companies. The year 1991, when the US deployed the embargo against Vietnam, remarked an important step in relationship between Vietnam and the US. It was also a crucial incentive to develop Vietnams auto industry and following that a range of leading join venture manufactures set up such as Ford, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz in Vietnam. So by the end of 1990s, there were up to 11 JVs in Vietnam. The existing of these famous brand names, it reflects clearly that Vietnam is a potential market. Besides, these beginning success are derived from suitable policies of policymakers. Consequently, the Vietnams auto market obtains an admirable growth speed. Since 2003 the Vietnamese automakers have developed dramatically when the government approved the strategy of Vietnamese automobile industry development to the year 2010, vision 2020 in which encouraged all economic sectors participating in the automobile industry and eagerly accelerated state-owned automakers. In 1990s the majority of market share appro ximately 90% belonged to the production of the join venture manufactures, whereas a tiny rate was those of the Vietnamese companies. However, there was a sharply change in terms of the domestic market share between them, the domestic manufactures increased significantly their sales volume and accounted for 43% of the total sales in 2007 (Report on investment in automobile, 2007). To help the domestic automobile industry having a sustainable position in the domestic market, from that to able to penetrate into foreign market, Vietnam conducted some protection measures. In the first period, tariff including non- tariff and tariff imposed on imported cars with high rate, so tariff barriers and non tariff protected effectively the infant auto industry. Actually, it created a huge difference between imported cars and assembled cars in the country in terms of price. However, the strict protectionism made the imported cars price in Vietnam is much higher than other countries. For example, a new car named Ford -Taurus was imported in the Vietnamese market higher approximately 300% than in the US (Baston, 1998). Evenly, a car assembled in Vietnam is more expensive than the same one in the US due to only there is a small number domestic manufactures investing seriously in production to improve their competitive abilities, while the most ones operate at simple assembling level (Nguyen, 2007). It creates an unfair situation for the Vietnamese consumers as they have to pay a much higher price. Applying strict barriers is essential way to protect and force the development of this leading industry, but do its impacts really positive and effective? The answer is current situation in Vietnam, many domestic assembled companies and joint venture companies do not many exchanges to improve localization rate and competitive abilities with imported cars. Due to these companies depend too much on these protection tools from the government and take them becoming a comparative advantage. Actually, it is a worry issue with the Vietnams auto industry when integrating into the globalization market, all barriers will be eliminated. I.2-Research focus The price of a imported car in Vietnam is contributed by many restrictions from government rules such as value added tax, special consumption tax and import tax, which causes the amount of money for a car in Vietnam that is much higher than other countries. Imposing high tariff rate not only brings huge revenue for State budget, consumption orientation for social but also affect strongly domestic market. Specially imposing high import tax makes the price of an imported car increase, which is disadvantage for foreign companies in competition with local ones. Clearly, most local manufactures want the high import rate to gain more profit and market share. This is an unfair treatment and it is also eliminated in the short time, because one of the most important regulations in free trade wherein all barriers are removed on trade among members. (Dominick Salvatore, 2007, p340). However, clearly it may be a useful way to protect an infant industry as the Vietnams auto industry to have necessary time to prepare it to be able to overcome difficulties and challenges in the beginning period from the other developed competitors. A major focus of this research will concentrate on impact of import tariff imposing on completed car up until recently; including challenges to the Vietnamese car as tariff come down to 0% in 2018. What motives to change tariff before 2007, which is the period Vietnam was not a member of the World Organization Trade (WTO)? What positive and negative impacts is the auto gained from imposing import tariff? To gain a deeper understanding of these issues prevailing in the industry, two main activities need to be considered: a review of relevant literature to ascertain current research findings to exam the forces that are driving to impose tariff and including potential challenges the industry faced in the short next time; and empirical data collection on changes in the volume and value of imported and domestic completed car and the overall views of some economics on the industry in imposing import tariff, also difficulties as the tariff is coming down to 0% in 2018. I.3-Significance of the study Automobile industry plays a vital role in the development of Vietnamese economy. An opening economy and special integrating The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a great chance for quick penetrating with the world economy for Vietnam. Also, it creates plentiful of opportunities for Vietnams auto industry such as attracting foreign investment and technology to improve comparative abilities not only in Vietnam but also in other markets. However, beside a range of these benefits, by opening the market, it causes increasing imported commodities which are difficulties for domestic economy. Therefore, imposing and applying imported rules that accord to commitments are necessary. A study The impact of import tariff on Vietnams car sector is significant to provide basic information in terms of the relationship between import tariff and its impacts through a specific case. Moreover, it is helpful for making strategy plans for the automatic sector in the future. Specially, being a member of WTO creates not only opportunities but also challenges. Firstly, Vietnam has to implement a range of commitments with the role of a member; that is eliminating restriction barriers. Car sector is not an exception. According to commitments with WTO, CEPT, AFTA and ACFTA, Vietnam has to reduce import tariff with imported cars and the time to apply the rules shorten. For example, in terms of completed import car, from now to 2013, Vietnam has to reduce the rate of tax from 83% to 60% and it is 0% in the year 2018 and at that time the domestic industry will have to compete for market share by itself ability without any support. Currently, it can be that the mainly advantage of bo th car produced and assembled in Vietnam is price which is affected mostly by tax. Therefore, as the tariff is coming down, the price of imported car will really much cheaper than domestic car. It will be a huge challenge for Vietnamese car that does not create comparative advantage in terms of neither quality nor price. This raises the question of whether the Vietnamese car industry can survive. A significant decrease in the short time may be a disadvantage for domestic companies. Therefore, to improve competitive ability, all of local companies need to have specific development plan to win in the home market. I.4-Overall research aim and individual research objectives The overall aim of this study is to have a deeper understanding of the impact of import tariffs on Vietnams auto industry in particular. However, in order to understand the role of import tariffs in the industry, it is necessary to gain an insight into the forces driving the imposition import tariffs. Therefore two main research vehicles that needed to clarify the issues of this research: a in-depth review of relevant literature and the collection and analysis of empirical figure. The details of the research strategy and the data collection techniques to be required to gain the empirical data are presented in the Research Methods section. Specifically, the objectives of this research are to: 1, Identify the meaning, motives for applying import tariff and the forces driving chances to the import tariff. 2, Examine the effects of applying import tariff on completed imported cars and domestic car volume in Vietnams automobile industry. 3, Evaluate the challenges faced as the tariff come down to 0% in 2018. 4, Compare the recommendations and views of some economics. The first objective- on import tariff drivers will attempt to answer the questions: What is import tariff? Why have to impose import tariff? What is the role of import tariff in the development process of each industry? Next, objective 2 the role of import tariff in the Vietnams auto industry- provides opportunity to gain meaning insight the effects of import tariff in specific context. The objective 3 on difficulties may be faced in the future of the Vietnamese auto- will give some indication of how much the industry will be challenged, as the tariff comes down to 0% in 2018 according to the signed commitments. Finally, the objective 4 formulating recommendations in the impact of import tariff in the industry as a result from review of literature and analyzing empirical data. The next chapter the literature review- examines literature pertinent to the objectives of this study, beginning with an investigation of what is meant by the term import tariff. II Literature review II.1 Introduction This Literature Review will examine the main issues the motives for applying import tariff in all commodities in general and in the auto industry in Vietnam in particular. The literature review of this research concentrates on objective 1 (the second and third objectives will be analyzed though the empirical data collection, while the final objective is derived as a result of the outcomes of the other objectives.) 1, Identify the meaning, motives for applying import tariff and the forces driving changing of import tariff. 2, Examine the effects of applying import tariff on new imported car and domestic car volume in Vietnams automobile industry. 3, Evaluate the challenges faced as the tariff come down to 0% in 2018. 4, Formulate the recommendations and views of some economics. By investigating the above literature, a deeper insight will be stimulated in the study. The strategic forces pushing impose import tax in general and in the Vietnams auto sector in specific. Though this part, a critical comprehension of key issues will be clarified. In the first instance, a worth starting point is to define the terms of import tariff and infant industry, from that to explore main issues of this research. II.2 Defining tariff and infant industry A tariff is a tax or duty levied on the traded commodity as it crosses a national boundary. (Dominick Salvatore, 2007, p.248). Tax is one of the restrictions that are imposed on trade among countries in the world. The rate of tariff may be an obstacle or incentive way for coping with the nations trade. Tax policy plays an important position in car section, clearly it influents both internal and external car firms. For example a change in import tariff affects not only directly on the imported cars but also indirectly on the domestic cars. Due to a crucial role of tax, so Viet Nam also has suitable changes to contribute in the development of this section. Infant industry argument the argument that temporary trade protection is needed to set up an industry and to protect it during its infancy against competition from more established and efficient foreign firms. (Dominick Salvatore, 2007,p) The use of tariff policy as a potential retaliatory weapon against foreign countries has been observed both historically (Perry, 1955) In small open economy, the imposition of an import tariff has little effect on the world price of the commodity. In general, a tariff attracts resources to the protected sector and shifts demand away from foreign goods. The tariff, however, not only drivers up the relative price of the commodity in question, it also raises revenue (Caves and Jonkes, 1985) The persistence of tariff is very important issue mainly for political economy reason (Baldwin, 1985; Dales, 1966) Critics of protection maintain that temporary protection designed as a relief for ailing industries or an incubator for infant industry will quickly become a permanent fixture in the economy. Automobile policy in some countries Mexico As other countries, the automobile industry plays a crucial role in Mexicos industrialization strategy and is one of the key sectors to contribute the development process. To compete with foreign manufactures and have enough time to mature its domestic companies, the Mexican government also has some particular policies to protect this important sector. Initial, the government declared an Automobile Decree that is the formal implementation of these programs to regulate production, sales and imports of vehicles and auto parts. The aims of these activities were to encourage local automobile manufactures operations. The development of Mexicos automobile industry divided into four phases. Firstly, the period of time before 1962 as the Automobile Decree issued, the main activities of Mexicos auto industry was assemble auto parts with less than 20 percent of domestic factors and most vehicles being imported into Mexico. Secondly, the period of time from 1962-1976: import substitution, at that time the Automobile Decree was stipulated. The content of this Decree banned importation of vehicles of completely knocked down kits (CKDs), of engines, and of many major automobile parts. Beside, another important point of this Decree was requirements such as about the ratio of localization on vehicle assembled in Mexico, in specific, it must reach 60 percent local valued added, and a 40 percent limit on foreign ownership of auto parts plants. With a range of strict regulations, they created a tightly protected domestic market. However, it caused international competitive that was not exist in the Mexican market. This leaded to negative results such as poorer quality vehicles and higher production cost than foreign competitors. Thirdly, the period of time from 1977 to 1989: Toward international competitive through trade protection and export promotion. The main aim of this phase was to support export. It require at least 50 percent of the foreign exchange requirement of terminal firms to protect automobile parts manufactures, value- added requirement were tightened and foreign firm remained excluded from majority ownership. Due to strict rules, automobile companies had to modernize their Mexican plants to apply these conditions. They had to have decisions to restructure for up to date technology, new building plants. Moreover, the workers had chances to improve their skills, qualified to control modern plants. With clear objectives, Mexico became one of the big competitive exporters. Lastly, the beginning of trade liberalization period, in December 1989, the Decree for the Modernization and Promotion of the Auto Industry authorized imports of new vehicles for the first time since 1962. The open up the automobile parts markets in many significant ways. However, at that time it can be said that the Mexican automobile industry had certain position not only in the domestic market but also in the outside markets. Thus, the decree opened up the automobile market only brought new opportunities for the Mexican companies to broaden distribution network. Specially, when Mexico integrated into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) including three countries Mexico, Canada and the United State, even though most protected barriers on imports of new cars to Mexico were removed or reduced significantly, the regional trade expanded enormously, a range of giant manufactures such as Honda, Mercedes Benz, BMW, Toyota located in Mexico to supply its plants in the US. From the development of the Mexican automobile industry, one of the most outstanding points in the policies of Mexico is requirement domestic content and value added in each production, also the ratio of localization of all enterprises. Essentially, the value added requirement became a function of domestic sales and imports of finished vehicles (Fernandez, 1994). Thailand With flexibility and suitable internal and external policies in each period of the development progress, the Thai automobile industry overcame many challenges and difficulties in the early time to achieve many successes and become the leading automaker in ASEAN. The Thai automobile industry dated in the early 1960s. At that time, in order to attract foreign investors to set up their operations in Thailand, the government had some incentive policies that remarked many manufacture from the US, Japan and Europe located their factories in the country. However, from incentive rules to establishment plants, the number of entrants and inefficient import depended assembly operation soared which caused trade deficit and difficulties to gain economies of scale (Fujita, 2000). In response, the government accepted a new policy aimed at progressive localization of auto production. In 1971, the automobile Development Committee announced a policy requiring progressive increases in localization ratio to 25 percent for passenger cars and 201 percent for commercial cars by 1975. These regulations had positive replies in the early period for example many join venture companies started to invest in Thailand and Thai firms also became actively improvement their operations. However, the strict localization ratios created competition between locally assemble cars and imported CBU automobiles. Beside the size of the market seem to be small compared to the number of the existence plants in Thailand. Consequence, an import ban on the CBU passenger cars, an increasing import tariff on CKD kit from 50 percent to 80 percent were imposed to reduce these pressures. In terms of the local contents requirement, the government decided for raise from 25 percent in 1978 to 50 percent 1983, but due to the economic recession in 1980s, the government banned setting up new enterprises and reduced the localization ratio to 45 percent in stead of 50 percent according to the requirement in 1978. Continuously, the first oil crisis and political instability caused the automobile industry in Thailand faced difficulties during the period from the late 1970s to the mid 1980s. Many foreign manufactures had to withdraw from the Thai market such as Ford, Fiat, and Gene ral Motor. However, the Thai economy significant recovered in the early 1990s with a range of positive changes in the general economy, also with liberalization policies in the auto industry in particular. In order to strengthen the international competitiveness of the industry by increasing competitions between local enterprises and decrease domestic car prices, in 1991, the government removed the ban on import of CBU passenger cars, simultaneously, drastic reducing duties in most imported car categories. This led to the prices gap between imported and domestically assembled and produced cars getting narrow. When the Thai automobile industry had particular comparative abilities, the Thai policymakers started to promote export orientation for the automobile industry in the year 1993. It can be said that this is important strategy remarked a new development phase of Thailands automobile industry, replaced previous policies which always targeted at the domestic market. Thus, the Thai government had an exclusive program called The Automobile Industry Export Promotion Project to achieve the given goals. A range of activities and new were implemented to attract more foreign investors also improve the ability of local enterprises through incentive policies such as exemption from import for auto parts and corporate income tax. Brazil The vehicle sales in Brazil were about US 3.1 million in 2009 and it expects raise to US 3.4 million in 2010 in prediction. With the drastic growing, the emerging market, age of coming forecasted may pass Germany to become the worlds fourth largest market. Brazil is a typical example for a huge development from an infant industry. Among factors contributing to create a high position of Brazils auto industry can not mention to the role of state policies. The modern Brazilian auto sector traced back to 1956 (Sharpiro, 1996). The government establishes a five-year plan to protect local parts companies. Beside, attracting foreign investment, technology and creating connections to complementary sector, the auto industry was identified as a leading sector in a broad import-substituting industrialization push. The approaches applied were restrict imports and force transportation automobile companies to choose between a banding the Brazilian market or producing vehicles with 90-95 percent Brazilian made content within five years. Evenly, the timing will be set by increasing barriers to entry if the entrant wants to delay its investment; in addition to the cost for exit market will be quite high as well. Actually, this was the strictest measures of Brazil to protect the domestic market. The industry, however, gained many positive improvements; transnational corporations had to upgrade their operations from simply assembling to full manufactu re. This led to develop of other supportive productions in Brazil. Not only offering strict regulations but the Brazilian also had financial incentive measure to stimulate all enterprises such as extensive subsidies to reduce the cost capital investment and guaranteed a return even if profit did not materialize. The 1960s marked a period of an instability economy and labor unrest in Brazil. The industry was affected heavily, with original eleven firms reduce to eight in 1968, many weak companies that did not have enough financial capability had to close. However, in the late 1960s also remarked recovery strongly of the Brazilian economy, specially, in the auto sector with the GDP up to 20% compared to 10% of the economy. Evenly, the production capacity could not keep track with rising demand, so many local enterprises started have plans to broaden investment. Once again, because of outside factors influent to development orientation of the industry, particularly changing international conditions. To balance foreign exchange, the auto industry was expected towards export as a solution for this context. Exporting, it means that the Brazilian had both opportunities and challenges from expanding the market. Clearly, there had to face strong foreign competitors such as Japan companies famous with low cost and high quality productions. In order to survive, the Brazilian automakers decided world car strategies, that allowed them can increase the volume and reduce the cost by economies of scale. When overcame these obstacles, global market would become to a benefits due to opening to new doors. Beside, the government also had particular activities to promote exporting progress though the Special Fiscal Benefits in 1972 including tax exemption on imported machinery, equipment and other parts, and waived federal and state value- added taxes on exports. In exchange, firms had to commit to long term export contracts and comply with minimum domestic content requirement (85 percent). Beside, the firms were also allowed to import a certain number of parts and component that had banned before. One of the most outstanding of the policies imposed in Brazils auto sector that was obligation the auto transnational automakers to produce cars and component for export in Brazil. For example, Fiat which until then had no presence in Brazil was allowed to enter the domestic car market only in exchange for exporting 155.000 engines. Actually with strict disciplines, they helped local enterprises including auto parts and supportive ones have more chances to develop not only in the domestic market but also the world market. However, the Brazilian automobile industry was really close for imported manufacture that went back with the trend of global integration. Therefore, in the 1990s, Brazils President decided to open the market to imported cars for the first time since the 1950s. This led to some chances in previous policies to harmonies with current context. For example, the ratio of local content decreased from 90 percent to 70 percent and the time to introduce new model to loosen protection measure also to offer flexible condition for domestic companies to compete with foreign competitors. Beside, the stimulating from the government, the companies themselves had specific activities to improve their comparative abilities such as modernizing plants in terms of technology, management to cut cost. II.3 Conclusion These are three typical examples for success developments. Even though, each the industries have different in terms of time and conditions in each countries. Clearly, all of them had to experience a difficult period in the early time. The countries had different measures at that time to protect infant industry. One of the useful tool is import duties beside other regulations. III- The effects of applying import tariff on completed imported cars in Vietnams automobile industry. According to Vietnam autos Report Q4-2010 New Market Report Published by Press Office stated that: Fluctuating tariffs are still a factor in Vietnams 12th position out of 14 markets in BMIs Business Environment Ratings for the autos sector in Asia Pacific. The highest score is for market risk, which stands at 85.0. Its country risk score has also risen from 49.8 to 51.5, taking its total score for risks to realization of returns up to 68.2. Vietnam is still a country we would expect to see climb the ratings in the future, particularly if its vehicle tariff policy becomes more consistent. Currently, a new imported car to Vietnam has to subject to three taxes that are import duty, excise tax, and value added tax. For example a new 5 seats car imported to Vietnam, the price itself has to added to three taxes import duty, excise duty and value added tax with the rate are 83 %, 50% and 10% respectively. Clearly, these taxes are important factors decided to how high in terms of price of a car is sold in Vietnam. Among three kinds of duties on cars, import tariffs have the highest rate. Moreover, it is an exclusive difference between domestic assembled or produced cars and imported cars. Thus, in order to find out reasons influent on imported cars that have indirectly impact on local cars, it is crucial to investigate the trend of import duties in Vietnam. III.1-The current condition of the Vietnams automobile industry The Vietnams automobile industry had more than two decades of prevailing and developing, it is so far in the early stage of an infant industry and just limits at simple automobile assembling (Nguyen, 2007). Source: VAMA Figure 1: The sales of local enterprises and the volume imported new car Advantage Vietnam is a new emerging and potential market and production base on for automobile products due to its dramatic economic growth and bid population of more than 84 million with low car ownership rate and possibility to grow as manufacture with good and bid labor forces. (Nguyen.2007) Joining in and taking advantages from liberalization brings about benefits of market expansion, technology transfer, labor division. Disadvantage -The size of market: The automobile industry needs to have very big initial investment capital for Equipment, factories, technology, RD and so on. Thus, it is difficult for them to reduce production cost, make profit and reinvest in productions if sales volume exceeds 300.000 units a year (Takayasu, 1998, p22) According to Vietnams Business environment Survey belonging activities of the Consulate General in December 2010, one of the problems is Vietnamese infrastructure including soft and hard. soft infrastructure: labor and legal basis_ Director of international financial corporation( IFC) Simon Andrew state that 50% enterprises do not want broaden their operations and one of the reasons is that the level of labor. Accor him, Vietnam can not win in global game if only based on cheap labor resources hard infrastructure : physical infrastructure- lack and slowness accor to America Chamber III.2 Vietnamese government policy toward the automobile industry Taxation policy is the main tool of policy makers in management of the automobile industry. It has direct effect on decision of business and production of the automobile makers. III.3- The effects of import tariff on Vietnamese automobile industry Source: The general department tax Figure 2: Timeline for Vietnamese new imported car duty Taxation policy is the main tool of policy makers in management of the aut

Visual Arts and the Internet Essay -- Computers Media Technology Essay

Visual Arts and the Internet I have selected the area of visual arts to give examples of websites that I have found exploring the impact of new technologies. Artist’s influence from technology has allowed them the freedom to expand their mediums in which they work with, exhibit their work world wide, collaborate with other artists and discover new concepts with scientists. Artists’ are always looking for something new and different, the best possible way to communicate their ideas. Cynthia Beth Rubin is an artist who is interested in how in all of us there are embedded cultural traditions merging and colliding. She feels she has benefited from new technology, â€Å"New technology has expanded my visual vocabulary, and all of my work, both video and still imagery, is now produced through the computer†¦echoing the ambiguity of memory, the computer is the instrument for allowing some images to sing, some to come forward as clear images, others to fall back into barely representational dreams of textures and colours.† (http://www.cbrubin.net/statement.html) Artists are experimenting with using arising technology in an original way. Working with new media and collaborating with other artists. David Galbraith and Teresa Seemann â€Å"†¦have developed an interplay between their work in the visual arts, experimental music, and performance. Using the model of collaborations, links, and connections found in electronic and experimental music, the exhibition examines how increased accessibility to advanced technology is directly influencing the content and context of contemporary art and culture†¦ increased access to advanced technology has allowed artists to experience a "do-it-yourself" freedom and to embrace cultural production that is not... ...ve/issuethmbs/newsletters/MayJune97/article2.html Exhibition History, retrieved September 13th, 2004, from http://www.newmuseum.org/more_exh_waveform.php Extra Ear –  ¼ Scale, the Tissue Culture & Art in Collaboration with Stelarc, retrieved September 13th, 2004, from http://www.tca.uwa.edu.au/extra/extra_ear.html Landscape, Earth, Body, Being, Space and Time in the Immersive Virtual Environments Osmose and Ephà ©mà ¨re, Women, Art, and Technology, Malloy, J. ed. London, England: The MIT Press (2003), pp. 322-337, illus, retrieved September 14th, 2004, from http://www.immersence.com/ Ten Dreams of Technology, Dietz, S. published in Leonardo, Vol. 35 Number 5 (2002) pp. 509-513, retrieved September 14th, 2004, from http://www.immersence.com/index.html  ¼ Scale ear, retrieved September 13th, 2004, from http://www.sterlarc.va.com.au/quarterear/index.html

Internet Gaming Addiction Essay

â€Å"So, how was your weekend? † one worker asks another. â€Å"It was amazing,† the other responds, â€Å"My girlfriend and I found a spot on the top of a small hill and talked as we watched the sun set. Then we went to a bar and watched a local entertainer, we had a couple of drinks and spent the night meeting all sorts of interesting people. † â€Å"That sounds nice,† the first worker replies, â€Å"Which bar did you go to? † â€Å"It was a cantina on the planet Corellia. The entertainer was really helpful. We then took my new star-cruiser to join with a group of people who were off to fight the Rancor. That took a really long time, and we had to return to the cantina in shifts in order to use the entertainer to heal, but we finally took the monster down. I got quite a bit of experience for that one. (This is such a great shocker, illustrating the difference between real life and a game and the way the two blur in many people’s minds! ) Man what a busy weekend. That was only part of the first night,† the second worker explains. He is visibly excited, and continues to explain more events in detail, all of which of the game. â€Å"Wait a minute,† the first worker interrupts, â€Å"You mean that you watched the sunset with your girlfriend in a game? † â€Å"Of course,† responds the second, â€Å"She is a Rodian bounty hunter from the planet Tatooine . I think she lives in Brazil in real life. Anyway†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He resumes his story where he was prior to the interruption, detailing the events of his entire weekend. The majority of his weekend it seems has been spent playing a popular on-line computer game based on the Star Wars universe. The exchange above is a small illustration of a steadily growing population of people whose social experiences and interactions take place almost exclusively on the internet, inside virtual game worlds. The widespread availability and use of the internet has allowed people access to communication with anyone else on the planet. As with any other powerful tool however, its use is prone to abuse. Numerous studies have been performed on the addictive nature of the internet and some of its uses and applications. â€Å"Surfing† on the internet, chat rooms and messaging services, and Multi User Domains all have documented cases of addiction that display many of the negative aspects associated with substance abuse, minus chemical dependency. (This shows great use of fact to cement your point of view, rather than quoting widespread opinion. ) Video games like the ones mentioned above, commonly referred to as MMORPG’s or Massive Multi-player On-line Role Playing Games, are hugely popular and are one of the newest forms of on-line interaction prone to habitual use. (Good statement, but maybe a good place for a new paragraph to help follow along? ) What was once thought of as a harmless past-time may be more dangerous than many realize. (Good use of shocking language. ) The reasons behind the addictive behavior these kinds of games can induce lie in the rewarding social experiences and sense of accomplishment offered to otherwise introverted people, a sense of anonymity or alternate identity that serves to boost self esteem, and they seem to offer escape from the often depressing everyday life the addicted individuals feel they are trapped inside. (This is a good statement, but how do you know? Is this opinion, or something that’s been quoted? ) Multi User Domains, commonly referred to as MUD’s, are text based fantasy realms that play like an interactive novel and are populated by user created characters. As these characters, players complete quests, fight â€Å"monsters†, and collect weapons and items in order to become wealthier and stronger. With the advent of 3D graphics and larger servers, this type of medium expanded and improved, providing a much richer environment and the ability to support many more users at one time. These games came to be called MMORPG’s and have become exceedingly popular because they offer much more variety and detail, offering the same level of open ended game play that evolves as much as the characters the players create. For example World of Warcraft, a hugely popular MMORPG, just gained its 10 millionth subscriber as of 2008. This is roughly half of the population of Australia. These games run continuously and are accessible by people from all over the world, making them change and grow all the time. This, along with the experience accrual and monetary system keeps players playing longer and more frequently, as they are constantly being rewarded for their dedication. Peer pressure from other players may also play a role in increased playing time, as the forming of groups is often encouraged and sometimes necessary to accomplish the more advanced goals. These types of games have a much higher rate of addiction and abuse than do video games that are not of the dynamic multi-player variety. In a study performed by Peter Wiemer-Hastings, PhD, and Brian D. Ng, M. S. published in the CyberPsychology and Behavior journal, they found that the majority of the players of non-MMORPG played an average of 1-6 hours per week. The majority of the players of MMORPG are on the other hand played on an average of 11-40 hours per week, and 11% of those studied played 40 hours or more per week. The players of MMORPG’s also had tendencies of playing for long stretches, up to 8 hours at a time, and had reported losing sleep because of their playing habits. The study also asked a series of questions regarding the social behaviors of the two distinct groups of players. The answers indicated that â€Å"MMORPG users would rather spend time in the game than with friends, have more fun with in-game friends than people they know, found it easier to converse with people while in-game, did not find social relationships as important, and felt happier when in the game than anywhere else. † (Wiemer-Hastings and Ng) Playing habits with this level of dedication, especially when approaching the 40 hour dedication level, is almost certain to have negative impacts on the person’s personal life. Playing games this frequently is akin to working a full time job. This leaves little time for other activities or social interactions, especially when the dedicated player has an actual full time job or is a full time student. This can lead to an increasingly fractured personal social life and many who are introverted or less confident may begin to seek the entirety of their social outlets in a virtual world. These types of introverted people often find the anonymity and alternate identity appealing, as it offers them an escape. It gives them the ability to be anyone they wish for the time that they are playing, often times consuming much of the players’ real lives. Another popular game that shares many common themes and ideas with the MMORPG type of games, Second Life, is a 3D virtual world populated by players who create alternate identities to socialize with online. The player creates the way he or she would like to appear in the game, can purchase land and houses for their character to reside, and are free to do in the game world as they wish. Characters can shop and socialize as they would in the real world, all safely behind an alternate identity. Mediums such as these may be useful, as many institutions have begun experimenting with using them in group sessions and for distance instruction, as it can prove to be a more personal means of communication than traditional distance learning techniques. However, people who may struggle with traditional social interaction or who have a low self esteem may begin to find this type of interaction to be a complete substitute. This can lead to habitual and addictive use which may lead to the same problems in the individual’s everyday life that are often seen with the addiction to the MMORPG’s. (What problems, specifically? Do marriages end? Are jobs lost? This sounds a little vague and leaves me feeling like the argument is a little shaky. ) Many who have become to be dependent on their on-line social life may begin to lie to loved or become defensive about their frequency of use. One study indicated that marriage and dating relationships were effected the greatest when addictive computer game usage is present. â€Å"Dependents neglected their spouses in place of rendezvous with electronic lovers, leaving no quality time for their marriages. Finally, Dependents continued to emotionally and socially withdraw from their marriages, exerting more effort to maintain recently discovered on-line relationships. † (Young) The study also found that â€Å"Despite the negative consequences reported among Dependents, 54% had no desire to cut down the amount of time they spent on-line. † (Young) This lack of a desire to change this habitual behavior serves to illustrate the level of dedication and addiction possible in the use of these avenues of entertainment. As the addiction begins to involve larger portions of an individual’s life, damaging their professional and romantic relationships, often times depression can result. This brings us to the third possible cause for gaming addiction, escapism. The nature of these types of games present the player with the ability to play a character as close to or as far away from their own personality type and gender as they choose. They are given the ability to reinvent themselves entirely, to live out their every fantasy. As the players progress through the game, accomplishing quests and gaining experience points, they are receiving a sense of accomplishment. Individuals who have trouble approaching the opposite sex in their real lives can do so with the confidence that anonymity gives them. It may also give individuals who are depressed a reprieve from what they dislike about their lives. The more time the player spends in the game, the more this behavior is reinforced. As the playing time increases, the issues in their daily lives worsen until most of the players waking hours are spent hiding in the virtual world. As previously mentioned, these MMORPG style games excel at creating a believable and enjoyable fantasy world. There are games that cater many different genres and the developers have gone to great lengths to ensure that all personality types and playing styles have options to keep gamers enticed. The incremental increases to stature and abilities within the game serve to keep interest level high. The developers are continuously developing more quests and new game areas to explore, ensuring that the players will always have more to come back to. What was once seen as a harmless past-time may become the next focus of support group therapy. Review This is an excellent and well thought out argument pointing out the fact that online gaming has begun to steadily replace reality for many people. The author supports most of their arguments with facts gleaned from studies, and there is little to no feeling of personal preference here. The only areas where the information seems to draw from personal experience rather than supported fact are the reasons and the potential results behind large quantities of gaming. Otherwise, this argument is very well written and well supported. Works Cited Wiemer-Hastings, Peter and Brian D. Ng. â€Å"Addiction to the Internet and Online Gaming. † CyberPsychology and Behavior 8. 2 (2005): 110-113. Young, Kimberly S. â€Å"Internet Addiction: The Emergence of a New Clinical Disorder. † CyberPsychology and Behavior 1. 3 (1996): 237-244.