Intelligence Testing Article

There is not one precise definition of intelligence. But, the idea of intelligence can be seen as a cluster of mental abilities that has the ability to obtain and use knowledge, exhibit problem-solving skills, and to excel at a variety of tasks (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). Intelligence is a necessary factor that allows one to adapt to one’s environment. But outside of the dominion of cultural context, intelligence cannot be really explained; this is because questions on intelligence tests that are scored often do not have the same meaning in every culture (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). Howard Gardner’s theory proposed his own view of intelligence in which he claimed that seven intelligences work independently but concurrently, completing one another. The PASS theory, a basis for the Cognitive Assessment System, features three functional units. Both these theories have a significant impact within psychology and smooth out the loose ends of extensive cross-cultural cracks in calculating tools. Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Howard Gardner offered an alternative understanding of intelligence, which added to the traditional definition; it incorporated three-dimensional relations, mathematics, music, linguistic ability, and interpersonal knowledge (Kaufman, 2013). Gardner (1989), defined intelligence as â€Å"the capacity to solve problems or to fashion products that are valued in one or more cultural setting† (P. 4). His definition acknowledged mathematical and verbal skills. Gardner’s theory outlines seven intelligences; linguistic, logical/mathematical, spatial, bodily, musical, intrapersonal, and two personal intelligences of social feelings and intentions of others. According to the theory of multiple intelligences, the intelligences work simultaneously, accompanying one another while an individual learns, develops, improves, and masters life skills. Gardner argued for the cultural and biological basis by emphasizing the outcomes of neurobiological research, which maintenances knowledge as a result of basic function capability and changes. Gardner not only had his biological origin for multiple intelligences, he also believes that culture plays an important role in the development of intelligence than traditionally acknowledged (Gardner, 1983). Some cultures value and preserve certain types of intelligences, especially if they help with the improvement and maintenance of a culture. The more appreciated a skill is, the more one is driven to know and thrive in that particular discipline. A particular intelligence can be very much developed due to a culture’s value, while others may not develop or develop hardly at all (Gardner, 1983). PASS Theory The PASS theory of intelligence proposes that cognition is organized in three functional units that are applied widely to IQ tests. According to Luria’s idea of this model, PASS stands for Planning, Attention-Arousal, and Simultaneous and Successive model of processing (Kaufman, 2013). According to this model, the first functional unit’s job is to focus and sustain attention. The second function is the attention process, which maintains alertness and arousal levels, and warrants focus on important stimuli. The final functional unit accepts and stores information with consecutive and concurrent processing. PASS theory challenges what is the foundation of all cognitive processes; G-based theories. G-based theories of human intelligence say that â€Å"human intellectual functioning is best described as a unitary class† (Das & Abbott, 1995). The challenge comes from the fact that g-theory believes that neuropsychological research that establishes the brain is made up of diverse codependent organisms (Das & Abbott, 1995). The PASS theory seeks to explain intelligence in a more dynamically appropriate sense and to overcome gaps from the traditional IQ test. IQ tests are based on outdates theories that rely on correlations between the IQ scores, but not taking into consideration that intelligence is evolving and unsolidified. Intelligence Testing The reason that traditional IQ testing is not reliable is because they are built on the concept that intelligence is mainly methodical and fixed. Gardner believed in calculating intellectual tendencies at an early age because he did not believe intelligences are permanent (Morgan, 1996). As cultures vary, they reach intelligence at different levels and they may see certain skills and knowledge of more value than others (Kaufman, 2013). Gardner’s theory is flexible to the dissimilarities in intelligences cross-culturally and is genuine in measuring intelligence (Morgan, 1996). The PASS theory emphasizes on developments, rather than intelligence and capability helps with being familiar cross-culturally, and is rather reasonable as oppose to general IQ testing (Das & Abbott, 1995). General IQ testing and similar tests stress the importance of language and mathematical abilities,; this is not exactly accurate cross-cultural measurement (Kaufman, 2013). Conclusion The unfairness of intelligence testing is submerged. The measurements of these tests are reliable, but only to a small fraction of the population cross-culturally. Both theories mentioned smooth out the bumps of widespread gaps in effective measuring tools when it comes to cross-cultural population. Different cultures cannot be effectively measured by traditional IQ and similar psychological tests. When the correlations of social success and IQ scores are matched, they show an inaccurate picture of bias constructed with things like sexism and racism. The measurement of intelligence must take into account the essential cultural perspective of knowledge and learning.

Ocean Pollution

Sea Pollution The pollution of the ocean is rapidly becoming a crucial problem on Earth. The major causes of sea pollution are oil spills, toxic waste, and dumping of other harmful materials into the ocean. This pollution will directly affect the living organisms in the ocean and indirectly affect human’s health and resources. We, as humans, should learn more about these in order to have the knowledge on how to solve this problem effectively. Oil spill is perhaps the most publicly acknowledged cause of sea pollution.Large tanker accident like the Exxon Valdez had been rapidly known worldwide. This incident happened in Prince William Sound, Alaska in March 1989, where the Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker, grounded on Bligh Reef, spilling almost 11 million gallons of crude oil. It is considered as one of the most devastating human-caused environmental tragedy. Plenty of people didn’t realize that hundreds of millions of gallons of oil are quietly end up in our oceans by other sources such as routine shipping, run-offs, and dumping every year.Toxic wastes are poisonous chemical and biological materials that are produced from industrial plants or facilities and agricultural work that are carried away through freshwater and into the rivers, lakes, and ocean. These dangerous pollutants include chemical contaminants such as Lead, Mercury, Asbestos, Sulphur, Nitrates, etc. , and biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, etc. Dumping of litter into the ocean can cause huge problems to the marine life. The ocean is a virtual dumping ground for rubbish.That garbage includes scrap fish nets, plastic bags, tin cans, glass or plastic bottles etc. Sea pollution will cause different harmful effects on the wildlife. For example, oil spills frequently the kill marine lives and further cause extinctions. Blow holes of the whales and dolphins will be clogged by the oil, making them very difficult to breathe and communicate regularly. And the fur of the otters, seals and penguin will be coasted by a thick layer of oil, leaving them exposed to hypothermia.When oil floats on the water, this will block the sunlight from the photosynthetic aquatic plants. Sea pollution is also harmful to human’s health. Although it may not directly and immediately affect human’s health, it can damage our health after a long term of exposure. For instance, industrial waste is one of the dangerous pollutants which are extremely harmful to human’s health. Chemical properties such as Mercury and Lead are consumed by human indirectly from consuming fishes that have been caught from the polluted ocean.And Lead is dangerous to our health, especially children’s and pregnant women’s as it accumulates in the body and will affect the central nervous system. There are many ways that ocean pollution can be prevented or controlled. A lot of people are unaware that huge portion of the pollution problem can be tracked right back to t heir own backyards and homes. Therefore, sea pollution can be prevented by keeping to some simple guidelines in our daily life. For example, be aware of what we throw down the sink or toilet.Solvent litter like paints or oil should not be thrown down the drain as it will slowly flow to the ocean through the streams and rivers. And of course the most basic way to prevent sea pollution is to avoid throwing rubbish into the rivers, lakes and oceans. One of the other ways to control sea pollution is through industrial water treatment. In order to release sewage back into the environment safely, the raw sewage must first be treated correctly in a water treatment plant.In the water treatment plant, the sewage will go through a few phases, which includes a numbers of chambers and chemical processes, to filter, degrade and get rid of any left-over impurities in order to minimize the toxicity level and amount of the waste. â€Å"Prevention is better than cure. † It is not just the gov ernment’s responsibility, but is every individual’s responsibility to put in effort to help control and prevent the pollution of the ocean. This is a very important task to protect and improve the quality of the environment for our future generations.

Measure for Measure: The fault of Isabella is that she is excessively pious and too proud

Isabella's character blossoms in debate, on a number of occasions throughout the play she can be perceived as being excessively pious and too proud. This perception of Isabella is evidenced in the play when she puts her virginity and spiritual life ahead of her brother's life which hangs in the balance, this view is emphasised when she refuses Angelo's proposal to save Claudio's life. However it can also be argued that Isabella's actions and decisions can also support the view that Isabella is a symbol for chastity and virtue. Thus Isabella's character is a perfect example of body versus soul as her actions and decisions can be debated and argued thoroughly. Isabella can also be seen as a champion of mercy by the way she begs for Angelo's life in the final scene of the play. The view that Isabella is excessively pious is supported the instance we meet her character as she ‘rather wishes a more strict restraint on the sisterhood'. This gives the audience the idea that Isabella believes the sisterhood is too lenient and she believes there should be more rules and restrictions. The use of ‘wishes' is effective as it shows that Isabella hoped to have more rules and restraint posed on her as a nun; therefore supporting the view that Isabella is excessively pious. Isabella can also be seen as excessively pious when she puts her chastity ahead of her brother's life ‘More than our brother is our chastity'. Isabella can be seen as too proud as a result of this decision as many of the audience will disagree with the view. The use of ‘our brother' is effective as Isabella is associating the view with all of the audience. However it can also be argued that Isabella's decision to put her chastity ahead of her brother's life shows that she is a symbol for virtue and chastity as she values her spiritual life more than her brother's physical life. Isabella shows how serious her spiritual life is to her when she becomes distraught as a result of Claudio's proposal to agree with Angelo's demands. ‘O you beast! O you faithless coward! O you dishonest wretch! ‘ This attack on Claudio will be seen as severe by the audience as Claudio fears death and the unknown, but ultimately he wants to live ‘O please sister let me live'. However Isabella appears to be ignorant of his desires and emotions ‘O, fie, fie, fie! ‘, therefore the audience will feel sympathetic for Claudio but will also view Isabella as single minded and inflexible as she only seems to consider the effect the illegitimate sex will have on her character. Thus Isabella can easily be viewed as being too proud. Isabella's devotion to her virginity is also measured by Angelo as he offers Isabella the chance to save her brother's life if she ‘lays down the treasures of your body to this supposed or else let him suffer'. The use of ‘treasures' is effective as Angelo knows Isabella's virginity is everything to her, and hence it is her excessive piety and the fact she is proud that attracts Angelo to her. Therefore this exposes Isabella's flaw and hence fault as her virtue and piety attract Angelo. However Isabella bluntly refuses Angelo's proposal ‘I'd wear as rubies, and strip myself to death as to a bed that longing have been sick for, ere I'd yield my body to shame'. The language is Isabella's speech contrasts her philosophy the use of ‘strip myself to death as to a bed' is effective as she is unknowingly attracting Angelo to her sexually but is ultimately refusing him. Isabella believes her body will be put to ‘shame' as a result of illegitimate sex with Angelo, and therefore gives no inclination of accepting the proposal for the sake of Claudio's life. Indeed she again only continues to think about the affect the act will have on her character, therefore again supporting the view that she is too proud of her status and excessively pious. However her stern refusal of Angelo's proposal ‘most pernicious purpose' supports the view that she is a symbol for virtue and chastity as she decides to refuse the proposal without hesitation. The audience will also empathise with Isabella's decision and if anything will be sceptical of her status if she was to accept the proposal. Isabella can be seen as merciful when she begs with Mariana for Angelo's life ‘Thoughts are no subjects, intents but merely thoughts'. The audience will disagree with Isabella's mercy towards Angelo as he tried to take her virginity and hence her life away from her ‘virgin violator', however she is pleading for his life to be saved. Therefore Isabella's actions agree with the view that she is a champion of mercy as she is willing to forgive Angelo's intentions and thoughts. Isabella's language again contradicts her philosophy and her status of being excessively pious. Christianity as a religion is based upon ideas of ideas and thoughts, however according to Isabella ‘thoughts are no subjects'. Therefore the audience will question Isabella's status as a nun and if she devoted to the church as we have become accustomed to throughout the majority of the play. There are many arguments to support both of these views. However I believe the arguments for the view that Isabella is a symbol for virtue and chastity outweigh the arguments supporting Isabella as being too proud and excessively pious. There is ambiguity in many of Isabella's actions and decisions which bring Isabella's character into debate. I believe Shakespeare presents Isabella as a symbol for virtue and chastity as she ultimately puts her spiritual life and virginity ahead of her brother's life which hung in the balance.

The House of Lords no longer has a useful role. To what extent do you Essay

The House of Lords no longer has a useful role. To what extent do you agree - Essay Example Critically, it is knowledgeable that the House of Lords was the sovereign lawmaker in the English Monarch. However, the introduction of political bodies and the House of Commons has been wading off the chamber’s roles. For example, the House of Commons adapted the chamber’s role of implementing laws. At that point, the upper house was to amend bills passed by the members of the lower house. This indicates that the upper house was a recipient to lower house thus it would lack control over Great Britain’s political platform holding to the that the role of constitutional implementation belonged to a different chamber (Great Britain, 2007, p. 55). Arguably, this step rendered the House of Lords’ roles ineffective as the political platform would draw much attention among the population, and its roles would be of utmost effect to the UK society. The continued development of the country’s political platform threatens to wade off the existence of House of Lords since the lower house, under the leadership of the Prime Minister continuously implements regulations that limit the capacity at which the chamber can pose any influences. Initially, the House of Lords comprised of over 680 members in the lords spiritual and lords temporal categories (Great Britain, 2012, p. 70). This number currently stands at 92 after the House of Commons implemented a commission to regulate the upper house’s membership. Presumably, the reduced number translates to reducing roles as the political bodies have implemented other government offices to overtake those roles (Russell, 2013, p. 31). For example, the upper house was the official court of appeal until the formation of the Supreme Court in 2009. The upper house acted as the chamber of implementing the final judgement. This role limited the effect of democracy as the society’s view was not represented rather than that of the

Managing change at Bingham Business College Essay

Managing change at Bingham Business College - Essay Example The paper tells that in recent years, organizations have experienced increased need for change in order to remain relevant and be successful. The inevitability of change in organizations has been brought about by several factors key among them; competition, technological advancements, new innovations, and increased customers and public expectations. As a result, managers have been forced to initiate and implement change in the organizations to meet the new organizational challenges that are emerging. Forest argues that in as a much as managers understand the importance of introducing and implementing change, they are often unsuccessful in managing change. Most change processes do not achieve their intended purpose; sometimes change has more adverse effects to the company. Managing change in organizations often present managers with challenges that if not well addressed may lead to unintended consequences of change. Learning Organization framework is a critical tool that can be used t o identify and analyze problems and challenges that managers face in while implementing change within the organization, both in the short and long term. According to Senge, learning organization is defined as the organization where individuals continually expand and enhance their capacity in order to create their desired results, where expansive and new thinking patterns are nurtured, where aspirations are set free collectively, and where individuals are learning continually to see the whole together. Learning organizations are characterized by full involvement of employee in a collectively conducted process, and collectively accountable change that is directed towards shared principles or values (Smith and Tosey, 1999, p. 73). It is important to note that learning organization is ideal towards which organizations need to evolve so as to be in a suitable situation to respond to the various challenges and problems that the face at a given time (Finger and Brand, 1999, p. 136). Learni ng organization is a powerful tool for transforming employees and places where they work. It creates room where people can learn from experience, even though it does not usually do so when individuals are learning on behalf of the system (Ellinger, Yang, and Ellinger, 2000, p. 106). Senge (2006, p. 13) explains that Learning Organization framework is made up five major disciplines namely systems thinking, mental models, team learning, shared vision, and personal mastery. These disciplines provide framework in which change management problems can be identified and analysed. Senge (2006, p. 40) identifies systems thinking as one of the concept that underpins Learning Organization. According to him, systems thinking aim at bringing about change and promoting interdependency within the organization in order to achieve organizational goals. Under this concept, the focus is mostly on the whole rather than individual parts. Also, systems thinking concept evaluates the long- term goals vers us short- term benefits. It is based on the belief that better appreciation of systems will lead to more appropriate action (Smith and Tosey, 1999, p. 70). The second concept that underpins Leadership Organization is mental modes that entail generalizations and assumptions deeply ingrained within an organization. Senge (2006, p. 46) argues that there should be

Design innovation in textile Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Design innovation in textile - Literature review Example The sequence of activities of coming up with a design is referred to as the design process. The process of design normally necessitates a consideration of functional, aesthetic, socio-political and economic dimensions of the object that is being designed. This process involves considerable thought, research, modeling, re-design, and interactive adjustment. It is possible to design a variety of objects, and these objects include skyscrapers, business processes, clothing, corporate identities, graphical user, etc. The design process of a substance is a linear sequence of various events that has a starting point, and an ending point. On various occasions, a designer has to go back one or two stages, if new information is introduced. In other circumstances, the designer may overlook one or two steps, based on the type of product that an individual designs. Chao and Ishii (2007) explains that design is a problem solving activity, and it requires a precise definition of the problem, from the beginning of the design. The design process is mostly concerned with the decisions of choice, state, sensitivity, and it also relies on the value judgments. Mckenna (2007) explains that the design process can be influenced by technology, idea, market, and demands. The design process has the following steps, It is the duty and role of the designer to carry out a research for purposes of finding out what it is that the customers need. Chao and Ishii (2007) explains that before coming up with a new product, the product under consideration must have the capability of satisfying the needs of the customers. It is the responsibility of designers to identify these needs, and design their products in a manner that satisfies this need. Take for example Apples, the design of their electronic gadgets are always slim, and sleek. This is for purposes of ensuring that they are able to conserve the environment, as

Merck Pharmaceutical Company Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Merck Pharmaceutical Company - Essay Example Merck Pharmaceutical products are mainly therapeutic agents, for the treatment of various human and animal disorders. In fact the basic source of income for the company comes from the revenues derived from the filling and management of prescriptions and health management programs (Banks, 2001). Merck & Co., Inc. is also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme or MSD outside the USA and Canada, with the headquarters of the company located in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey and was established as the United States subsidiary of the German company which is currently known as Merck KGaA. Similar to the German assets in the United States, Merck & Co. was expropriated in 1917 during the First World War and set up as an independent company. In fact statistics and data suggest that this company is presently one of the seven largest pharmaceutical companies in the world both by market capitalization and revenue. Merck & Co. or MSD is also known as a global research-driven pharmaceutical company. It discovers, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of unique products to improve human and animal health. Each and every organization requires leadership because all of them are affected by their contexts, philosophies, governance structures, value systems, and the legal ground rules under which they operate. These are the forces and factors that control their leadership needs. When it comes to community or social responsibility, it is said that the Merck Company Foundation has distributed over $480 million to educational and non-profit organizations since it was founded in 1957. This company is also today involved in bringing out various medical publications as it publishes the "Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy" that is considered as the world's best-selling medical textbook, and the "Merck Index" which is a collection of information about chemical compounds. Over the years there are several challenges that the company has faced. For instance, Attorney General Coakley's Office filed a settlement with drug manufacturer Merck and Company, Inc. (Merck) resolving concerns about the company's misleading advertising and promotion of the "Cox-2" inhibitor drug Vioxx. This drug is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritis. The complaint, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, claims that Merck failed to reveal to consumers that Vioxx posed an increased risk of heart attack. The consent judgment, also filed in Suffolk Superior Court prohibited Merck from further mislead consumers in advertising for any Merck product and requires full disclosure of all known risks of Merck drugs. The complaint asserts that Merck began marketing Vioxx in May 1999 with an aggressive and deceptive promotional campaign directed at both consumers and at health care professionals. However, they hide the fact of high risks of heart problems. When promoting Vioxx directly to patients of arthritis as well as the health care professionals, Merck allegedly misrepresented the cardiovascular side effect. As a result the company's ethics were questioned and subsequently the drug was taken off from the market. In September 2004, Merck admitted that Vioxx caused serious cardiovascular events and withdrew the drug from the market. Further, when the multistate group investigated this case in December 2005, it exposed that in addition to the deceptive and misleading adverti

Assignment 5 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Assignment 5 - Essay Example It is one of the causes for discrimination prevailing in the minds of individuals that lead them to make bias decisions for people belonging to different racial and ethnic background. Barrack Obama is symbolized because of the skin color. It has been evident in the history that Americans were perceived as corrupt and impure. As the commander in chief is a black American, due to this he has been symbolized with inferiority, the commander in chief can face great threats. In order to provide evidence to this perception Ridley in the video shows the past historical evidences in the ancient civilization and their perceptions and experiences with a particular race or caste (Griffin 132). In a similar manner, as one of the symbolic expressions of the nation towards the other nation can create a major difference due to which Barrack Obama can face severe threats on racial and ethnic grounds. Symbolic expression of religion is one the major cause of the discrimination at workplaces. Some of the employees at the workplace develop preference in the workplace because of their religious backgrounds. Religious icons at workplaces can create strains and discrimination among the other employees (especially minorities) on the bases of skin, racial and ethnic backgrounds. (Griffin 129). Al-Qaeda can be identified as a greatest example for religious symbolizing and oppression due to which most of the security and other organization have symbolized Muslims as terrorist. It has globally impacted Muslim individuals throughout the world. The symbolic expression of the Al-Qaeda has created an image of oppression in the mind of people for all Muslims in the world. In order to overcome the fragmentation in the retailing system, the firm should sell products either to the import agents or wholesalers. It shall allow the organization to enter in too fragmented retailing system in India with better

Personal financial planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Personal financial planning - Essay Example Briefly explain what options are available to Jack with respect to the payment he will receive upon termination of his employment, including his superannuation balance. Calculate the resultant tax treatment of the payment with respect to those options.One of the best options jack could plan is to pay a small amount of future pre-tax salary to the investments. The plan for such investments would also help to pay for personal insurance to protect the family income.During this period Jack would have return of deposits amounting to $ 8000 and the return from superannuation as $ 1350. This could be deposited on long term basis and as the seven years are completed the amount could be added with the Marions return to meet their living expenses.At the present rates both Joe and Marion would require $ 55,000 to lead a very comfortable life. If this is the amount that the couples expect after their retirement then the they must have accumulated saving of $137500 at 4 % interest per annum. Thei r total savings is estimated as 4,36,000/- which doesn't include the superannuating benefits of both Joe and Morion.Even if these aspects are accounted the current position would be enough if they expect to support in the same manner in future. The cost of living certainly would enhance and hence the gaps that exist between the current estimate and actual expense in future would be very huge.The major benefit of transition to retirement provision is to receive a part of superannuation as pension while being involved with it. It would help to sail smooth into the retirement period while enjoying some tax related concessions available to pensions. The guideline for opting the transition to retirement varies from one scheme to another. As an example, some of them specify that one's preservation age must be below 65 years and continues to be in workforce. And the government might not have specified the minimum or maximum hours that you might be working. One could collect the super as 'non-commutable account based pension". In some situations, the account holder is allowed to take a maximum of 10 percent only while being in a transition period. A minimum account balance, say $ 25,000/-, is to purchase some of the products designed for transition to retirement. Also, certain stipulations like minimum account balance of $ 1000/- is required in the account. Part D Describe two current legally accepted strategies that could be employed by the couple to enable them to maximise any Centrelink benefits in their final retirement. The important areas that could be employed by the couple for planning the post retired life are Age pension : This can chosen based on the qualifying age and also on certain test conditions like asset and income test. Allowances are related to the people who are not presently in the workforce. Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card is anothet option for those who fail to qualify for the senior health care card. Part E Identify the two methods of nominating a beneficiary for superannuation members and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Outline the tax treatment of superannuation lump sum death benefits

Qustions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Qustions - Essay Example Franchising can also generate high financial returns for relatively little risk since little money is put into each location. Franchise business model leads to lesser control over managers since the franchisees cannot be controlled as employees. Franchisees are independent businesses with different goals from the owner that may eventually lead into legal troubles. It is also not easy to get franchisees compared to hired store managers to work together and the franchisees obtain incentives to profit from each other’s efforts to generate business. There are also innovation challenges associated with franchising since when an individual comes up with an idea, there must be a negotiation with other franchisees to accept the innovation. Porter’s Five Forces technique is a very significant tool, which attempts to point out at some of the significant strength in every business situation. These forces help in identifying some of the competitive intensity as well as overall industry profitability. The Porter’s tool highlights competition from both external and internal sources. The strengths identified by the Porter’s tool may help a business to understand her strength in the competitive position as well as the strength of a place or step that the business wants to make. It is therefore clear that by identifying strength position, business can take fair advantage, eliminate wrong situations and eventually creating sustainable advantage. Supplier power is one of the important forces, which help business to determine ease of driving up prices by the suppliers. Business may counterbalance this force by standardizing specifications in parts for it to change among suppliers easily. Business may decide to add more vendors or even change technology to eliminate coming together of strong suppliers. By standardizing specifications, adding more vendors, and

International Relations to East Asia Research Paper

International Relations to East Asia - Research Paper Example In the 19th century, Japan decided to adopt a developmentalism ideology as a defense mechanism in the then prevailing harsh and deep rooted competition from imperial states. Japan was determined to rise economically to enable it compete comfortably among the then well established states from the western region. The process of rapid development started before world war two. However, it stagnated greatly because the war interrupted the environment for Japan to develop. After the war, Japan set out to achieve its dream of being industrialized. The Japanese government concentrated on development policies in all its endeavors. The Japanese government was prepared to take any risk as long as that risk resulted to rapid economic expansion. Dent (2008) argues that some risks involved putting on hold all other policy agendas. At that time, it did not matter, whether the policy agendas ignored concerned the environment or nature. The opinion of the public did not count in the making of vital d ecisions, but rather the government was pragmatic and concentrated on the development goals. On the contrary, big businesses, politicians, and bureaucrats dominated the race to attaining industrialization. Japan’s primary target was to join organizations of the rich countries and therefore these three pillars worked tirelessly in implementing the policies set up by the government, to favor industrialization. In Asia, Japan got industrialized first through concentrating on development goals and preferably adopted this system because it was in a rush to join the global economy (Flath, 2005). The Japanese government formulated policies that favored the big corporations. In addition, these corporations received protection and support from the government. The bureaucrats had great potential to control government projects and therefore they ensured that these corporations thrived under all costs. In most cases, the government allowed the bureaucrat hierarchy to have more powers tha n the politicians. These bureaucrats formed a hierarchy in The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Members of the civil society did not participate in policymaking. Concentration on big corporations left out small and medium industries. The bureaucrats exerted great influence on the entire process of policymaking in Japan reaching a point whereby they acquired a dominant position. Despite Diet, the legislative body according the dominating power to cabinet, strategies from the bureaucrats overpowered the cabinet (Dent, 2008). It is through this system that the Japanese government rose to participate in the global economy. Japan gained entry into the Group 8 organization of rich countries (G8) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Since the Japanese government chose to ignore all other policy agendas as they rose to the level of global economy, the great economic achievement brought about increased environmental pollut ion. The public condemned the companies that contributed to the highest level of pollution. In the process of industrialization, the government ignored the voice of the public. The big corporations that the government supported were under no obligation to take moral responsibility in protection of the environment. The public suffered terrible effects of the pollution. There was increased emergence of unknown diseases in the society because of pollution. These were the worst risks the government

Coffee and Starbucks Essay Example for Free

Coffee and Starbucks Essay †¢ In 2006, the US based Starbucks Coffee Company, with over 11,000 stores in 36 countries was the No. 1 specialty coffee company in the world. †¢ Every week over 40 million customers visited Starbucks coffeehouses. †¢ After phenomenal success in the US, and revolutionizing specialty coffee culture, Starbucks undertook international expansion and popularized its specialty coffee worldwide. †¢ In the 1990s, Starbucks concentrated its expansion efforts mainly in Asia. The initial pages of the case delineate the origin and growth of Starbucks as a company and a super brand and the strategies adopted by it. †¢ In 2002, Starbucks announced that it was planning to enter India. Later it postponed its entry as it had entered China recently and was facing problems in Japan. †¢ In 2003, there was news again that Starbucks was reviving its plans to enter India. †¢ In 2004, Starbucks officials visited India but according to sources they returned unconvinced as they could not crystallize on an appropriate partner for its entry. †¢ In mid 2006, Starbucks announced that they were all set to offer the ‘Starbucks experience’ to Indians in the next 18 months. II. STRATEGIC POSTURE 1. MISSION. †¢ To inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. †¢ Expansion to Asia market 2. OBJECTIVES †¢ â€Å"We are looking forward to offering the finest coffee in the world, handcrafted beverages, and the unique starbucks experience† †¢ Our Coffee – â€Å"It has always been, and will always be, about quality. We’re passionate about ethically sourcing the finest coffee beans, roasting them with great care, and improving the lives of people who grow them. We care deeply about all of this; our work is never done. † †¢ Our Partners – â€Å"We’re called partners, because it’s not just a job, it’s our passion. Together, we embrace diversity to create a place where each of us can be ourselves. We always treat each other with respect and dignity. And we hold each other to that standard. † †¢ Our Customers – â€Å"When we are fully engaged, we connect with, laugh with, and uplift the lives of our customers – even if just for a few moments. Sure, it starts with the promise of a perfectly made beverage, but our work goes far beyond that. It’s really about human connection. † †¢ Our Stores – â€Å"When our customers feel this sense of belonging, our stores become a haven, a break from the worries outside, a place where you can meet with friends. It’s about enjoyment at the speed of life – sometimes slow and savored, sometimes faster. Always full of humanity. † †¢ Our Neighborhood – â€Å"Every store is part of a community, and we take our responsibility to be good neighbors seriously. We want to be invited in wherever we do business. We can be a force for positive action – bringing together our partners, customers, and the community to contribute every day. Now we see that our responsibility – and our potential for good – is even larger. The world is looking to Starbucks to set the new standard, yet again. We will lead. † †¢ Our Shareholders – â€Å"We know that as we deliver in each of these areas, we enjoy the kind of success that rewards our shareholders. We are fully accountable to get each of these elements right so that Starbucks – and everyone it touches – can endure and thrive. † 3. STRATEGIES †¢ International expand through joint ventures, licenses or by company own operation †¢ Building critical relationship to gaining additional market knowledge with government †¢ Consistency on service and product †¢ Postioning in Premium market 4. POLICIES †¢ India had embarked on a series of economic reforms since 1991 that had ersulted in higher growth rates, lower inflation, and significant increase in foreign investment †¢ Indian government permitted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 51% in retail trade of single-brand products with prior government approval. III. STRATEGIC MANAGERS a. BOARD OF DIRECTORS |Howard Schultz |William (Bill) Bradley | |Starbucks |Allen Company LLC | |founder, chairman, president and chief executive officer |managing director | |Robert M. Gates |Mellody Hobson | |former Secretary of Defense |Ariel Investments, LLC | | |president | |Kevin Johnson |Olden Lee | |Juniper Networks, Inc. |PepsiCo, Inc. | |chief executive officer |retired executive | |Joshua Cooper Ramo |James Shennan, Jr. | |Kissinger Associates |Trinity Ventures | |vice chairman |general partner emeritus | |Clara Shih |Javier Teruel | |Hearsay Labs, Inc. |Colgate Palmolive Company | |chief executive officer |retired vice chairman | |Myron Ullman, III |Craig Weatherup | |J. C. Penney Company, Inc. |Pepsi-Cola Company | |retired chairman and chief executive officer |retired chief executive officer | b. TOP MANAGEMENT Starbucks is realigning its top management to help drive its international growth, continued to strengthen Starbucks top management team, hiring people with extensive experience in managing and expanding retail chains. IV. 6F – 7S 6 FORCES 1. Customer bargaining power: The customer bargaining power of starbuck is actually low. It is because Starbucks able to satisfy the needs of the customers by providing various type of coffee and beverages. In other hand, Starbucks also fitting in with the beverages and food from each countries they are expand to, so that they dont have any problem in fulfilling the demand of the customers. 2. Supplier bargaining power: Starbucks get their coffee from South America and Indonesia mostly as their main supplier. Based on that the supplier bargaining power is also low since Starbucks demanding their own standard fof the high quality coffee and also another term that they set in order to sustain their products quality. 3. Other Stakeholder: The other stakeholder for Starbucks is basically come fro mthe government and the other social community. The government is only giving the regulation about the coffee shop, while the other hand social community mostly protest against starbucks about their products with high sugar and fat that can caused obesity and diabetes. But, the other stakeholder bargainig power is still low over Starbucks. 4. Substitute: The substitute for coffee as starbucks mostly offer as their own core products is low. It is because coffee is still favorable in some countries even though some parts in Asia prefer tea as their beverages, but Starbucks also could comply with it and keep growing and get profit from their coffee products. 5. New Entrants : For the new entrants for the same business area for starbucks is low. It is because some of the new entrants mostly can not compete with starbucks and mostly with small market share and retails. 6. Competitors between firms : As the competitors between firms for Starbucks is medium. The competitors is based on the India market. India has several coffee shop that provides the same services and products. Even though like that, Starbucks still get the upper hand on the situation, and for the American competitors, Starbucks has acquired some of their competitors, so that it wont affecting Starbucks. 7S analysis 1. Systems: Starbucks has their own system in servicing the customers. The system is the store is established closed to each otehr in a cluster of crowded places. Each of the stores will have the baristas (coffee maker) which are professional. The baristas will serve the customers. Beside that, Starbucks also prefer a non smoking area retail and not allowing the staff to use a high fragrance in order not to distrub the coffee aroma. 2. Style: The style of Starbucks is providing the coffee based on the italian style. They intent to make the coffee shop of Starbucks as the second home for the executive and also the other customers of their target market. They make the theme of the coffee shop as comfortable as in home with wooden decoration, opera and jazz musical which offer relaxing atmosphere. 3. Staff: As for the staff of Starbucks, it consists of 10,000 people that are spreading over 11,000 stores in 26 countries and it keeps growing from time to time as Starbucks are expanding their business to Asia. 4. Strategies: For the strategies of Starbucks. At first they open the retail of their shops in a cluster of a crowded and strategic places. This is for making a high barrier over the new entrants or competitors. Another thing that Starbucks also use the strategies of their theme that are different from the other coffee shop which is more like second home rather than juz for drink n go coffee shop. 5. Skill: Skills of Starbucks staf is on their baristas which is the professional coffee maker with talented and skillful ability in brewing the coffee. The baristas could make not only the plain coffee but also combining the art of design in the coffee they made as the decoration in order to make more prestige and value on their product. 6. Structure: Starbucks is lead by CEO and each or region also have their CEO that will responsible to the Starbucks in America. Beside that they also have the staff and baristas 7. Shared Value: The shared value of Starbucks is not to server and handle the coffee properly but also how to impart to customer, our passions for our products. Beside that the shared value of Starbucks is treating the customers very welll with the atmosphere of the shop so that they will feel like in second home situation. V. EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT EFAS |External strategic factors |weight |rating |weight score | |OPPORTUNITY | |Expand the markets |0. 09 |4 |0. 36 | |To position Starbucks as a leader in a new industry, and in a sense, |0. 09 |4 |0. 36 | |educate a market about the quality of coffee, the experience and the | | | | |idea of Starbucks | | | | |India was ranked as the fourth largest economy in the world terms |0. 07 |5 |0. 35 | |purchasing power parity and tenth most industrialized country in the | | | | |world. | | | | | The middle class were increased in India |0. 1 |4 |0. 4 | |Drank coffee as a fashion statement |0. 07 |3 |0. 21 | | Growing interest in western consumer brand and luxury products |0. 06 |3 |0. 18 | |THREAT | | | |High competition |0. 1 |4 |0. 4 | |By 2002, Starbucks incurred huge losses in its Japanese operations |0. 06 |3 |0. 18 | |Another significant challenge that Starbucks could face was the |0. 05 |3 |0. 15 | |increasing rate of obesity in India | | | | |High rate of rent and cost labor |0. 06 |3 |0. 18 | | Asian people is tea drinkers |0. 07 |4 |0. 28 | |Included inadequate infrastructure, beraucracy, regulatory and foreign |0. 09 |4 |0. 36 | |investment control | | | | |Different culture, religion and regions |0. 09 |4 |0. 36 | |Total score |1 | |3. 77 |. Based on EFAS- IFAS analysis we thought that Starbuck should be on a growth strategy. Starbucks need to expansion to the Indian market and catch the opportunity by serving costumer needs because starbucks will be able to satisfy the desire for their coffee experience and build lot of stores to create brand awareness. Improve the network through creating joint venture with a lot of company in many specialties, like Maxim’s caterer, Beijing Mei Da Coffe Co. Ltd and Tata, and increasing quality and services. Using vertical growth in order to keep and improve its competitive position, control over scarce resource and guarantee quality. A. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Starbucks has soil, water, pest, waste and energy management B. SOCIETAL ENVIRONMENT Politic India had embarked on a series of economic reforms since 1991 that had ersulted in higher growth rates, lower inflation, and significant increase in foreign investment Economic Many different prices High rent and cost of labor in Japan By 2005, China contributed to little less than 10 % of the global sales of Starbucks and by 2008, Starbuck expected to derive 20 % of its revenue from Chinese locations Social culture High quality of service and customer satisfaction. In Italy, the decor of the store and the menu were covered based on feedback from customers Its employees were required to refrain from using strong perfumes that could adversely the aroma of its coffee Starbucks has forest and biodiversity conservation to workers welfare, living conditions, health, safety, etc In 2005, Starbucks announces plans to donate funds and supplies to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort Technology In 2004, XM Satelite Radio and Starbucks announced the debut the Starbucks â€Å"Hear Music† channel on XM Radio Environmental Starbucks has soil, water, pest, waste and energy management Legal. Starbucks licensed Marriot and Aramark to open Starbucks outlets Starbucks maintained a non smoking policy at all its outlets worldwide VI. INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT IFAS |Internal strategic factors |weight |rating |weight score | |STRENGTH | |The world’s No. 1 specialty coffee retailer |0. 1 |5 |0. 5 | |Has high quality of coffee |0. 2 |5 |1 | |Starbucks became the majority owner of its operations in Southern China |0. 08 |3 |0. 24 | |Has unique concept and atmosphere to create a new coffee experience |0. 1 |4 |0. 4 | |Has strict quality control worldwide so the taste remains the same |0. 11 |5 |0. 55 | |WEAKNESS | |Too many market |0. 08 |3 |0. 24 | |Starbucks was opening stores too close each |0. 1 |3 |0. 3 | |The no smoking policy made many competitors took advantage and included an |0. 15 |4 |0. 6 | |elaborate food menu with coffee and had separate smoking areas | | | | |Didn’t have own roasting in Japan |0. 08 |3 |0. 24 | |Total score |1 | |4. 07 | A. CORPORATE STRUCTURE Divisional structure B. CORPORATE CULTURE †¢ Commitment to quality †¢ Teach baristas not only to handle coffee properly, but also how to impart to customers our passion for our products. †¢ Opposed the concept of franchising †¢ Word of mouth promotion C. CORPORATE RESOURCES 1. Marketing: †¢ Expand the business to grow their market share in regional and global section †¢ Positioning in premium market. †¢ Extent product line portfolio. †¢ Promotional activities to create brand awareness and introducing Coffe with high quality 2. Finance: †¢ Creating strategic alliances by joint venture. †¢ Reduce the price but not below the competition level †¢ Making acquisition with some big companies 3. Operation †¢ Managing supply lines †¢ Creating more efficience resources 4. Research and Development. †¢ Developmnet of RD to create more innovative and unique products (food and beverags) 5. Human Resources †¢ Maintaining the baristas to serve the coffee without losing the quality of service. VII. ANALYSIS OF STRATEGIC FACTORS A. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS |STRENGTH | |The world’s No. 1 specialty coffee retailer | |Has high quality of coffee | |Starbucks became the majority owner of its operations in Southern China | |Has unique concept and atmosphere to create a new coffee experience | |Has strict quality control worldwide so the taste remains the same | |WEAKNESS | |Too many market | |Starbucks was opening stores too close each other. | |The no smoking policy made many competitors took advantage and included an elaborate food menu with coffee and had separate | |smoking areas | |Didn’t have own roasting in Japan | |OPPORTUNITY | |Expand the markets | |To position Starbucks as a leader in a new industry, and in a sense, educate a market about the quality of coffee, the | |experience and the idea of Starbucks | |India was ranked as the fourth largest economy in the world terms purchasing power parity and tenth most industrialized | |country in the world. | |The middle class is increase in India | |Drank coffee as a fashion statement | |Growing interest in western consumer brand and luxury products | |THREAT | |High competition | |By 2002, Starbucks incurred huge losses in its Japanese operations | |Another significant challenge that Starbucks could face was the increasing rate of obesity in India | |High rate of rent and cost labor | |Asian people is tea drinkers | |Included inadequate infrastructure, beraucracy, regulatory and foreign investment control | |Different culture, religion and regions | SFAS. | | | | |duration | |Strategic Factors |weight |rating |weight score |short |intermediate |long | |S5 Has strict quality control |0. 12 |4 |0. 48 | | |X | |worldwide so the taste remains the | | | | | | | |same | | | | | | | |W2 Starbuck was opening store too |0. 1 |3 |0. 3 |X |X | | |close each other | | | | | | | |W3 The no smoking policy made |0. 13 |3 |0. 39 |X |X | | |many competitors took advantage and| | | | | | | |included an elaborate food menu | | | | | | | |with coffee and had separate | | | | | | | |smoking areas | | | | | | | |O2 To position Starbucks as a |0. 13 |4 |0. 52 | | |X | |leader in a new industry, and in a | | | | | | | |sense, educate a market about the | | | | | | | |quality of coffee, the experience | | | | | | | |and the idea of Starbucks | | | | | | | |O4 The middle class were increased|0. 1 |3 |0. 3 | |X |X | |in India | | | | | | | |T4 Asian people is tea drinkers |0. 14 |4 |0. 56 |X |X | | |T5 Included inadequate |0. 14 |4 |0. 56 |X |X | | |infrastructure, beraucracy, | | | | | | | |regulatory and foreign investment | | | | | | | |control | | | | | | | |total score |1 | |3. 81 | | | | Based on the SFAS table that have been created there are some strategic strong point from Starbucks such as they have a famous brand image with high quality of coffee with strict quality control. As for the weakness, they are opening store too close each other so it will make a strict competition between starbucks itself and make â€Å"self cannibalization†. Another weekness starbuck has The no smoking policy made many competitors took advantage and included an elaborate food menu with coffee and had separate smoking areas. Whereas that market are potential to gain profit. Based on BMJ (British Medical Journal) 154 million men and 41 million women in India are smokers. Based from the Strengths and Weaknesses that Starbucks have, there also Opportunities that Starbucks position as a leader in a new industry, and in a sense, educate a market about the quality of coffee, the experience and the idea of Starbucks. Second opportunities Starbuck has is the middle class are increasing in India and was estimated at around 250 million and was growing in double digits in urban and second tier cities. For the Threats that Starbuck might encounter if they want to expand in India Market are Asian people especially Indian are tea drinker and Included inadequate infrastructure, bureaucracy, regulatory and foreign investment control TOWS ANALYSIS | Internal factor |Strenghts |Weakness | | |The world’s No. 1 specialty coffee |Too many market | | |retailer |Starbucks was opening stores too close | | | Has high quality of coffee |each | | |Has unique concept and atmosphere to |The no smoking policy made many | | |create a new coffee experience |competitors took advantage and included an| | |Has strict quality control worldwide |elaborate food menu with coffee and had | | |so the taste remains the same |separate smoking areas | | | |Didn’t have own roasting in Japan | | | | | | | | | |Eksternal factor | | | |Opportunity |S-O strategy |W-O strategy | |Expand the markets |Creating Joint Venture with other |Develop niche product | | To position Starbucks as a leader in a new |company in many specialities |Maintaining the quality of product and | |industry, and in a sense, educate a market |Building critical relationship to |excellent services | |about the quality of coffee, the experience |gaining additional market knowledge |Separated room for smokers and elaborated | |and the idea of Starbucks |with government |food menu | | India was ranked as the fourth largest |Consistency on service and product | | |economy in the world terms purchasing power |Postioning in Premium market | | |parity and tenth most industrialized country| | | |in the world. | | | |The middle class were increased in India | | | |Drank coffee as a fashion statement | | | |Growing interest in western consumer brand | | | |and luxury products | | | |Threat |S-T Strategy |W-T strategy | | High competition |Extend their product line portfolio |Promotional activities to create brand | |By 2002, Starbucks incurred huge losses in | |awareness and introducing Coffe with high | |its Japanese operations | |quality | |Another significant challenge that Starbucks| |Reduce the price but not below the | |could face was the increasing rate of | |competition level | |obesity in India | | Match the coffee shop with the culture, | |High rate of rent and cost labor | |like they offer special Indian tea | |Asian people is tea drinkers | | | |Included inadequate infrastructure, | | | |bureaucracy, regulatory and foreign | | | |investment control | | | |Different culture, religion and regions | | | B. REVIEW OF CURRENT MISSION AND OBJECTIVES †¢ Current appears appropriate †¢ Some of the objectives are really goals and need to be quantified VIII. STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES AND RECOMMENDED STRATEGY a. STRATEGIC ALTERNATIVES †¢ Creating Joint Venture with other company in many specialities †¢ Building critical relationship to gaining additional market knowledge with government †¢ Consistency on service and product †¢ Postioning in Premium market †¢ Develop niche product †¢ Maintaining the quality of product and excellent services †¢ Separated room for smokers and elaborated food menu. †¢ Extend their product line portfolio †¢ Promotional activities to create brand awareness and introducing Coffe with high quality †¢ Reduce the price but not below the competition level †¢ Match the coffee shop with the culture, like they offer special Indian tea b. RECOMMENDED STRATEGY †¢ Creating Joint Venture with other company in many specialities IX. IMPLEMENTATION Marketing. |Objectives |Strategy |Program | |Increasing sales |Building brand |Expand the business to grow | | |awareness |their market share in | | | |regional and global section | | | |Positioning in premium market| | | |Extent product line portfolio| | | |Promotional activities to | | | |create brand awareness and | | | |introducing Coffee with high | | | |quality | Finance |. Objectives |Strategy |Program | |Increasing capital |Building cooperartion |Creating strategic alliances | | |with other companies |by joint venture | | | |Reduce the price but not | | | |below the competition level | | | |Making acquisition with some | | | |big companies | Operation |Objectives |Strategy |Program | |Developing better supply |Managing suppliers |Managing supply lines | |chain | | | | | |Creating more efficience | | | |resources planing management | Research and Development. |Objectives |Strategy |Program | |Developing innovative |RD on the food and |Developmnet of RD to create | |products |beverages |more innovative and unique | | | |products (food and beverags) | | | |Creating new products without| | | |losing the quality and tastes| Human resources |Objectives |Strategy |Program | |Improving and maintaining |Better selection on |Teaching the baristas from | |barista’s skill and |barista’s recruitment |professional | |service | | | | | |Awarding the baristas with | | | |the excellence performance | Matrix of Change [pic] X. EVALUATION AND CONTROL Using balance scorecard based on 4 perspectives: |Perspective |Objective |Measure | |Financial |Increasing capital growth |Total investment. Competitive price | | | |Acquisition | | | |Total sales | |Customer |Improving customer satisfaction |Customer satisfaction | | | |Service speed /time | | |Improving brand awareness and loyalty |Market share | | | |Customer acquisition | | | |Customer retention | |Internal Business Process |Developing innovative products |New products (Food and beverages) | | |Developing better supply chain |Supply schedule | | | |Resource availability | | | |Alternative resources location | |. Growth and Learning |Enhance barista’s skill and service |Barista’s in development asssignment | | |Improve employee’s satisfaction |Employee’s satisfaction and complaints | | |Barista’s recruitment |Experience and service | Output : †¢ Provide a great work environment and treat each other respect and dignity †¢ Provide comfortable store environment with consistent products quality and good services. Low Low Low Other stakeholder Competitors Suppliers New Entrants Substitute Costumers Low Low Medium Financial costumer Internal business process Growth and learning.

Governments Influence On Public Opinion Media Essay

Governments Influence On Public Opinion Media Essay In the last 50 years the media influence has grown exponentially with the high tech technology, in the early years there was only telegraph, radio and magazines but now a days we have got the number of media channels, internet We live in a society that depends heavily on the information and communication to be at right path, to do the right things and to take right decisions. What we need to be aware is that the most of our decisions, belief and values are based on what we know for a fact, our assumptions, our own experience and studies, however we rely heavily on the media to get current news and facts about what should be done and what should not be? The purpose of this discussion is that our lives rely heavily on the media to know the information and take the right decisions. Coming to our topic of discussion that how government influences the public opinion. As consumers rely heavily on the media organizations for information, governments too rely on media organizations to influence the public opinion whether its through advertisement, public service message or any other way to achieve their primary and secondary objectives too. Thats why we have divided our topic of discussion into three parts The media plays a very important role in shaping and controlling the political opinions. Media is extremely powerful in the sense that without the adequate functioning of the media it is very much impossible for any social structure like government to exist so all of the social structures exists on the medias ability to socialize. The U.S. government generally will exploit the media, often times manipulating the enormous power of the printed word. Ultimately empowering the U.S. government, strengthening it with the ability to determine and control the popular perception of reality. One way in which government achieves this objective, is by its ability to misuse the medias ability to set the agenda. Contrary to popular belief, media is in fact an enormous hegemony. In fact, separate independent news organizations relatively do not exist. Rather than creating an independent structured agenda of there own, generally lesser smaller news organizations adapt to a prepared agenda, previously constructed by a higher medium. Based upon this information alone, it is quite apparent that media functions in adherence to the characteristics of a hierarchy. This simply means that media is structured in a way that it operates functioning from top to bottom. This is also identical to the hierarchical nature of the human body, in that from the commands of the brain transferred through the central nervous system, the body responds accordingly. In order for the U.S. government to control and determine the publics popular perception of reality, the government must shape and oversee the information that the media reports to the existing populous. This particular process of democracy is known and ref erred to by political scientists as cognitive socialization However, many of us, who do not stick to the cushioning of political correctness, refer to it as the propaganda machine. Numerous political scientists consider cognitive socialization to be the most effective form of political socialization. According to theory, cognitive socialization is doctored up information, which is strategically fragmented in such a manipulative manner, that the probability of its rationalization is highly predictable. The manipulative properties of cognitive socialization are so diabolical and tricky in nature, that I consider it to be the ultimate perversion of the democratic process. In all seriousness, numerous intellectuals, and gentleman held in good stature agree, that cognitive socialization is the product of an evil genius. Senator William Fulbright observed in Senate hearings on government and the media in 1966, that so many of our prominent newspapers have become almost agents or adjuncts of the government; that they do not contest or even raise questions about government policy(Refrence) The Professor Noam Chomsky on a book of his entitled Manufacturing Consent, democracy and the media. Mr. Chomsky comments on the unholy alliance between government and media. Indoctrination is the essence of democracy Now the question is that when it is impossible to control the people via force, it is very much possible to control the people what they think. Thats why media is used as an additive applied to a free democratic society to preserver the interest of power elite. (the relationship between government and media) Media and Public Relationship Mass media heavily influences our daily life, with providing of information so we will discuss that: How Mass Media Works Influence Young People Influence Of Violence Image On Kids Shaping Up the Public Opinion. How Mass Media Influence Works Of all the media distribution channels the most influential has been the television, we are constantly exposed to thousands of images and a moving picture is more than 100,000. These words are in the form of images the images of violence, advertising, sex, celebrities and much more. All these are helpful in shaping up the minds of the people, actually they are not shaping up the minds but they are shaping up the public opinion in terms of giving the consumers new values, new psyche and new way of thinking and providing them with new directions. The question is that who are shaping up this public opinion these are those five big companies which owns most of the media channels, cinemas and other sources. Time Warner VIACOM Vivendi Universal Walt Disney News Corp They also own integrated telecommunications, wireless phones, video games softwares, electronic media, the music industry and more. For example if we just try to peep into past it shows that UK ex President Tony Blair won the elections due to the contract with the Murdoch News Corporation to portray the image of Tony Blair. This shows that the media has very great and long lasting influence on the peoples as this example shows that Murdoch Corporation was quite successful in shaping up the public opinion. On the other hand the thing which is quite noticeable that Mr. Tony blair contracted a company which has a wide area of coverage, which shows that the wide area of coverage helped him to shape large number peoples mind. Years ago there was more diversity in companies, but they have merged so now they are just a few and they have been successful in shaping up the opinion and beliefs of us and our kids. It has become very much important for any parent to have a look on what their kids are watching and the material is not going to conflict with norms and values. For example if we just have a look on the Pakistani kids now a days they have just been very much addicted to Indian culture that they dont any more remember the Pakistani culture they dont have the knowledge that in Islam marriage is based on Nikkah but I have seen some of the kids asking their parents that when the couple is going to take rounds around the fire. India media has been very much successful in shaping the norms, values and most important the minds of our kids. How Does Mass Media Influence Young People As we all know that the mass medias heavy reliance is on the advertisements, media organizations earn billion of dollars. This advertisement is shaping the minds of the people regarding their buying behaviors. All the people exposed to these advertisements try to buy the same thing that was in the advertisement. As there are some positive and negative influences of the media so they try to influence the young minds these young minds can may have positive influence or may have the negative one but in both cases the media is influencing the young mind, if young mind is doing a lot of exercise just seeing someone his/her favorite sportsman doing that then its a positive influence but if he/she starts smoking then its a negative image. In both the cases media is trying to project something onto the young mind whether its a good or bad but the question is that why young minds accept all these things dont they have to do something else. The answer is that every young one has got some of the peer pressure so whenever they are trying to do something its just of peer pressure to get accepted between his friends, no matter how this will impact the health of a person but the young people just wants to be accepted in their friends. This thing shows that media is playing two way game projecting both the positive and negative image in order to achieve their objectives. Media is quite capable to project a bad image a positive one and positive one to negative but in both the cases they are influencing the young minds. Another negative influence in teenagers that has grown over the last years is anorexia and obesity. There are millions of adolescents fighting obesity, but at the same time they are exposed to thousands of advertisements of junk food, while the ideas image of a successful person is told to be thin and wealthy. Also more women are obsessive with losing weight even when they are not obese; there are many thin women that want to look like the super models and thin celebrities so they engage in eating disorders which lead to severe health issues and even death. (Hubpages) How media influence public opinion As we have discussed above and continue to discuss that media has got a great impact on the society for shaping up the public opinion whether thats a political campaign, an advertisement to make you fat, broadcasting successful characters or a terrorist attack in every situation media is trying to influence. Wilton Sekzer in a movie states: I was travelling in a subway there comes a point where the wheels of the subway screech loudly, there the towers of the World Trade Centre were in perfect symmetry so I didnt know that which one is my sons building, I was thinking that cannot be my sons building because everyone inside that building gonna die, watching TV every 5 minutes they gonna show the falling towers. I am watching your news cast. How many times you gonna show got damn towers falling down, dont you have any respect for those, who have got family and friends inside there. (Why we fight, 2005) Now if we have just have a look on the above discussed example that after 9/11 the US media was trying to shape up the public opinion in a way of creating hater in the minds of populous for the Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. This shaped up the public opinion for war against terrorism and the same public opinion helped the US government for the war against Iraq. This shows that media has great power which has changed the public opinion of 80% of the Americans. Advertisements for Political Parties by Media If we just have a look on the advertisements of Pakistani political parties during the political campaigns, all of the parties whether that was in rule or in opposition both will be trying to influence the public opinion in a way that people cast their votes to the ruling party or the one in the opposition, for this purpose they try their level best to count of their best works during their ruling time. On the other hand they try to show in their advertisements that what plans they have got for the next five years. Conclusively they always try to influence the public opinion in a way that change peoples mind to cast their vote to the relative parties. There are number of other ways to influence the public opinion which includes polls and trends especially in political campaigns. The candidates that can pay more for TV and media exposure have more influence on public opinion and thus can receive more votes. This suite up the same example we discussed above about the Tony Blairs contract with Murdoch Corporation to win the elections GOVERNMENT INFLUENCE ON PUBLIC OPINION The influencing works on the agenda setting program which says that the government has to rely on the media organization for influencing the public opinion. The same is the case discussed by the Agenda setting. Agenda Setting The agenda setting theory states that the mass media has got a heavy influence on the audiences by their choices of what to report, how to report and how much worth and space should be for the issue. The salient feature is the ability of mass media to transfer issues of importance from mass media agenda to public agenda. (Brooks, Brian S., et al., 2003) Functions of Agenda Setting The agenda-setting function has multiple components: Media agenda are issues discussed in the media, such as newspapers, television, and radio. Public agenda are issues discussed and personally about members of the public. Policy agenda are issues that policy makers consider important, such as legislators. Corporate agenda are issues that big business and corporations consider important, including corporations. These four agendas are interrelated. The two basic assumptions underlie most research on agenda-setting are that the press and the media do not reflect reality, they filter and shape it, and the media concentration on a few issues and subjects leads the public to perceive those issues as more important than other issues. (Brooks, Brian S., et al., 2003) Now coming back to our topic of discussion that how governments can influence the public opinion according to the agenda setting theory discussed above there are a two ways for any government to influence the public opinion the one is direct influence and other is indirect influence. Direct Influence Direct influence is a kind of influence in which the government tries to influence through their speeches and press conferences. Speeches: If we just have a look on any of the speeches of the prime ministers, presidents or even the ministers they are actually trying to influence the public opinion that they are trying to influence the people that they are doing good and taking the right decisions they are actually shaping the public opinion but a single statement can set up agenda for the media. Press conferences: Press conference is another important source of influencing the public like we every day see that somebody is conducting a press conference in which the government or non government officials try to tell to the people via media organizations about the ground realities but in some cases to portray the issue favorably they try to use different methods which includes Secrecy: an important tool that governments use to influence or avoid media coverage. Governments release information as part of a general media strategy to influence the media agenda and frame issues favorably (McCloskey, 1990, p. 119). Governments  often attempt to conceal information from other governments and the public. These  state secrets  can include  weapon  designs, military plans,  diplomatic  negotiation  tactics, and secrets obtained illicitly from others (intelligence). Most nations have some form of  Official Secrets Act  (the  Espionage Act  in the  U.S.) and classify material according to the level of protection needed (hence the term classified information). An individual needs a  security clearance  for access and other protection methods, such as keeping documents in a  safe, are stipulated. Few people dispute the desirability of keeping  Critical Nuclear Weapon Design Information  secret, but many believe government secrecy to be excessive and too often employed for political purposes. Many countries have laws that attempt to limit government secrecy, such as the U.S.  Freedom of Information Act  and  sunshine laws. Government officials sometimes  leaking formation they are supposed to keep secret. Secrecy in elections is a growing issue, particularly secrecy of vote counts on computerized vote counting machines. While voting, citizens are acting in a unique sovereign or owner capacity (instead of being a subject of the laws, as is true outside of elections) in selecting their government servants. It is argued that secrecy is impermissible as against the public in the area of elections where the government gets all of its power and taxing authority. In any event, permissible secrecy varies significantly with the context involved. (Bok, 1989) Disinformation Disinformation is the false information that is spread deliberately. It sometimes called Black Propaganda. It can include the distribution or spreading of malicious rumors and fabricated intelligence. In the military agencies there is an extensive use of this technique to hide ones course of action. Disinformation is also helpful in the cases where the government needs to hide some of the details in order to keep the emotions high or to portray the issues favorably. This can be done by manipulation of the audience at the rational level by either discrediting, conflicting or supporting false conclusions. Another technique of concealing facts, or censorship, is also used if the group can affect such control. When channels of information cannot be completely closed, they can be rendered useless by filling them with disinformation, effectively lowering their signal-to-noise ratio and discrediting the opposition by association with a lot of easily-disproved false claims. To further understand the concept of disinformation can be clarified by the example that America has faced very high life losses in war against terrorism so government to avoid any opposition of war, the government officials will tell there is a high rate of death rate for enemy and no or very less soldiers have lost their lives. This is actually providing the people with emotional support that America is quite successful in war against terrorism and people will not oppose the war. In 1957 the  CIA  knew about the  Mayak accident  but the information was not released publicly because of the reluctance of the CIA to highlight a nuclear accident in the USSR, that could cause concern among people living near nuclear facilities in the USA. (Makhijani, 2008) Now this shows that governments provide sometimes wrong information to the media so that media cannot shape the issue as they want and create a distrust in the minds of the people but they try to shape up the content as they want, this is another way of influencing the people via shaping up the content in a way as government wants. Denial of access of information: Its an important technique to manage media coverage. Officials release only that information they want to be released. For instance, in 1983 when the Reagan Administration ordered troops to the Caribbean island of Grenada, the Pentagon refused to take reporters along (Purvis, 2001, p. 243). Similarly, the Bush administration and the Pentagon restricted and carefully controlled information and media access during the 1991 Gulf war, in sharp contrast to the freedom allowed the press and the coverage of Vietnam War. Woodward (1996) revealed that the restriction list was two-pages long and included a number of restrictions on information and travel (p. 174). Now adding up to the above discussion that the media shapes up the public opinion but sometimes Governments also have to use different strategies to shape up the matter as they want rather than allowing the media to shape up the matter according to themselves. Thats why governmental officials have got media handling strategies. Indirect influence Now coming towards the indirect influence as this is conducted through the media organizations actually the government sets up the agenda for the media organizations to discuss, to broadcast and to influence the public opinion. There are two ways of indirect influence which includes: Advertisements Talk shows Advertisements: Advertising is a form of communication intended to persuade its viewers, readers or listeners to take some action. It usually includes the name of a product or service and how that product or service could benefit the consumer, to persuade potential customers to purchase or to consume that particular brand. Modern advertising developed with the rise of mass production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Commercial advertisers often seek to generate increased consumption of their products or services through branding, which involves the repetition of an image or product name in an effort to associate related qualities with the brand in the minds of consumers. Different types of media can be used to deliver these messages, including traditional media such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, billboards or direct mail. Advertising may be placed by an advertising agency on behalf of a company or other organization. Organizations that spend money on advertising promoting items other than a consumer product or service include political parties, interest groups, religious organizations and governmental agencies. Non-profit organizations may rely on free modes of persuasion, such as a public service announcement. (Oxford Journals) Public Service announcements: An advertisement broadcast on radio or television, for the public interest. They are to modify public attitudes by raising awareness about specific issues. The most common topics of PSAs are health, safety. Such advertising is generally produced and distributed on a cooperative basis by governmental agencies or nonprofit organizations acting in concert with private advertising and mass media companies. In most cases, the nonprofit provides the programming that is to be advertised, while the participating advertising agency and media companies provide creative services, media planning, and dissemination services on a pro bono basis. Some television shows featuring very special episodes made PSAs after the episodes. For example, Conrad Bain of Different Strokes spoke two PSAs after the episodes dealing with child sexual abuse and hitchhiking Now days we every day watch tv and read newspaper there are lot of advertisements from government or government institutions side which give us a message or information regarding some of the issues. For example child sexual abuse is very much high in Pakistan so there is a repetitive message via different media organizations that Dont let your child to be alone with a A very much common ad we use to see in the newspaper or TV that is from the FBR (federal board of revenue) which says that Tax is your liability you have to pay it All these kinds of ads and public service announcements are for the purpose of making the people get aware and shaping up the public opinion in a way that people starts doing the things that what government says. Talk Show A talk show is a television or radio program where one person (or group of people) will discuss various topics put forth by a talk show host. Sometimes, talk shows feature a panel of guests, usually consisting of a group of people who are learned or who have great experience in relation to whatever issue is being discussed on the show for that episode. Other times, a single guest discusses their work or area of expertise with a host or co-hosts. A call-in show takes live phone calls from callers listening at home, in their cars, etc. (wikipedia, 2009). Now to understand that how we indirectly get influence through talk shows. As we have discussed above the speeches or the press conferences as a direct source of influencing the people. Now just for a minute if we think that there is a statement by any of the government official that Pakistan is giving access to Black Water to nuclear weapon. This opens up the agenda for public and the media. Now media organizations start inviting the government officials to the talk shows and discuss the circumstances that Why Pakistan is giving access. What will they do with Pakistans nuclear weapons and lot of questions will be raised. The answers of these questions will be actually to influence the public opinion that whatever Pakistan is doing is in the large interest of the public and so on. This is how the government official indirectly influences the public opinion. In the same way the agenda can be raised up by the public or media. Again the government officials have to influence the public opinion in order to continue the government. Statements That Changed Up the Public Opinion Jan 17, 1961 President Dwight Eisenhowers stated: My fellow Americans this evening I come to you with a message of leave taking and to share few final thoughts with you my country men, we have been compelled to create a permanent arm industry of vast proportion. Three and a half million men and women are directly engaged in defense establishment. The total influence economic, political and even spiritual is felt in every city, every state house and every office of the follower government. We have recognized the imperative need for this development, yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications in councils of government we must guard against the acquisition of unwanted influence whether sort or unsort by the military industrial complex the potential for the disastrous rise of misplace power exists and will persists . (Jarecki, 2005) Iraq is a supporter of terrorist groups, inc Liberation Front, and Hamas (Why we fight) Iraq is paying $25, 000 per suicide bombing (Why we fight) CONCLUSION Now the governments heavily influence the public which has been demonstrated by different statements which shows that America brought Saddam Hussain to conquer Kuwait and after that they have used different statements against Saddam Hussain and his country and media developed an agenda upon those statements which changed the public opinion and America has to attack on Iraq. The concept is that government is the supreme power of the country and can shape up the incident as they want whether in the positive way or a negative one. We have also seen that governments keep some of the issues hidden from the public but all of these issues are intentionally kept hidden to avoid the opposition of the decision. All the above study has crystallized the topic Government Influence on Public Opinion that its true that governments do influences sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly.

Constitutional Monarchy and the Third Way in UK

Constitutional Monarchy and the Third Way in UK A constitutional monarchy is a type of a constitutional government, where either an elected or hereditary monarch is a head of state, unlike in an absolute monarchy where the king or queen is an absolute ruler not bound by the constitution. Most of the constitutional monarchs have a parliamentary system where legislation is passed and the monarch is the head of state with a prime minister as the head of government elected directly by parliament or appointed by the monarchy. This generally separates the official and head of state duties of the monarchy from party politics making the monarchy politically neutral thus can not vote. This provides political stability, continuity and national focus despite a change in government. The sovereign head governs according to the national laws and regulations stipulated in the constitution. However the UK does not have a written constitution but its governed by convections which are non statutory rules and are equally binding.   The monarch is advised by ministers who hail from parliament and it appoints the prime minister, approves legislation and confers honors. As a head of state the monarch is the head of the armed forces. The British monarch (the queen) today has two roles that of head of state and as head of the nation. As the head of sate for Britain she plays an important role in undertaking important constitutional and representational duties. E.g. opening of parliament, approving of the orders in of council, signing acts of parliament plus meeting and conversing with the prime minister and ministers concerning state matters. Other duties include those of representing the state of Britain to the outside world In relation to the government of UK that is headed by a prime minister. The British parliament consists of the monarchy as where the queen is the head, the House of Lords and the House of Commons-which posses the dominant political power hence always supports the government of the day. Her maje sty duties involve the opening of new sessions of parliament and addressing it through the queens speech. (Drafted by the government and outlines the government agenda), issuance of prorogue, dissolving parliament, assenting to bills and approving orders and proclamations through the Privy Council. Parliament can only meet without a royal summon if the sovereign head has died and parliament is not running. Other duties concern the devolve units of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. On April 10th 1998 the Northern Ireland assembly was formed as part of the Good Friday agreement. It has authority over all devolved responsibilities. The assembly has full legislative authority over education, agriculture, health, social services and on wealth creation. Scotland on the other hand has two parliaments. The Westminster assembly legislates on matters that touch on the whole UK as a state while the one in Edinburgh legislates for the devolved domestic matters. The legislation for legislation was taken from Scotland in 1707 and taken to London till the 21st century on September 1997 when the majority of the Scots voted for a Scottish parliament in a plebiscite. The parliament was official opened by the queen on July 1999 and the new building officially opened by the queen in 2004. It has jurisdiction over primary legislation on matters that concern education, police, environment, economic development law and sets the basic rate of income tax among others. The members of p arliament of the Scottish parliament take the oath of allegiance to the crown. The parliaments first minister is appointed by the queen and receives weekly report from the Scottish parliament. This is done under the statutory law that established the parliament. Waless power on legislation was devolved in 2006 where the Wales assembly has had power and authority to pass laws to address the local issues in Wales such as on health and education. These acts are passed without the approval of the UK-Parliament. These actions of devolution are clearly in line with the intension to bring the government closer to the people so as to be able to empower the people to be able to govern themselves more closely, a proposition that is in line with the third way philosophers in Britain. Socialism involves various economic and political theories that advocate for a collective ownership and administration of the means and factors of production as well as the distribution of goods and services through the state. The system has no private ownership of property. Its a step in the transition of the society between capitalism and socialism according to the Marxist theory. In socialism economic activity is carried out to maximize use value as opposed to exchange value. Socialist are antagonistic to capitalism which they view as concentrating power and wealth to a few elites and it exploits labor leading to formation of a stratified society (class). In recent years there is the notion of democratic socialism that is used to denote the democratic character of the socialist movement. It involves the active participation of the society as whole through workers management of the economy through ideals such as  Ã‚   democratic socialism. It proposes the radical reorganization o f the state through social and economic order through public ownership.   Neo liberalism on the other hand is about economic liberalization based on the neo classical economic theories. Which minimizes the role of the state in the economy  Ã‚   to maintenance of law and order and maximizes the private sectors role? The proponents of this school of thought are referred to as the leftist. Its major effect is seen through the rich growing richer and the poor growing poorer. Third way in UKs politics is about the renewal of the social democracy whose vision and mission is to move the state of Britain from the political limbo that it has been in between the leftist who favor the free market ideologies and the right those who favor the state.   There quest is a new form of political ideology that concentrates on adapting economies and the society in general to the forces of globalization (an advanced form of capitalism). Globalization- a step in capitalism development has resulted in inequalities, the misfortunes of social exclusion, isolation, despair, uncertainty, and politics of the extremes under democracy.   This has put pressure on the leftist to re think there stand politically and socially in these age of knowledge economy. Third way proponents advocate for new progressive values that has three premises i.e. the need for the government to promote equality, to all while safeguarding the underprivileged, a set of moral standards and principles t hat promotes mutual responsibility, while resisting the politics of entitlement and the politics of social abandonment. And finally it advocates for a new approach to governance that empowers the people to act for themselves. The party that was championing this was the new labor party under Tony Blair that shifted from its leftist position and won the British elections of 1997 with a landslide. hence the name new. Today its under Gordon brown. leaving the only leftist party to be the British Fabian society. Third way has been stated to be centrism where it has combined the traditions of the European democrats and the ways of the American economic liberals (proponents of the free market ideology) combining the new right approach to governance and Keynesian theories of economics. The government of the new labor party has been formulating its policies from a number of both leftist think tank bodies like the Fabian society and Demos plus neo liberal think tank bodies coming up with policies that touch on issues like welfare and work etc. This clearly shows that the third way was a compromise between the two. Reference Anthony G, 1998,  The third way: the renewal of social democracy  , Wiley-Blackwell.

Mitigating Computer Misuse at Work Essay -- Business Management

Computer misuse is a ubiquitous behaviour in many organizations. It has a serious influence on system security which should be considered by every organization. Inappropriate use of computer in workplace is increasing every year and this deviant behaviour has a negative influence on both organizations and employees (Bock, Park & Zhang, 2010). D’Arcy, Hovav and Galletta (2009) mention that 50%-75% security issues have been found from the inside of an enterprise, and a majority of internal threats are relating to individual’s unsafe operation on computer. Therefore, it is necessary for organizations to optimize system security by implementing a rational measure to moderate individual’s unsafe behaviour on computer in workplace. Employees, who play a key role in security protection, need to be helped increase compliance on information security policy. This essay will discuss which is a more effective approach, reward (encouraging employees comply with security polic y and normatively use computer in workplace) or punishment (preventing misuse and insecure operation), though analysing the impact of each mechanism and employees’ reaction to draw a conclusion that punishment is a more effective way than reward to moderate employees’ misuse and unsafe behaviour regarding computer use at work. Admittedly, reward should be a more acceptable policy than punishment for employees. Employees would keep performing well in their work after being rewarded (Patel & Conklin, 2012). According to Gardner and Quigleym (2010), employees, who have been rewarded in their job, will be aroused to have a higher compliance on the purpose of their work. Appropriate reward is directly relating to employees’ working satisfaction. They will be more satisfied an... ...rganisations. European Journal of Information Systems, 18,106–125 Liao, Q., Luo, X., Gurung, A., & Li, L. (2009). Workplace management and employee misuse: Does punishment matter? The Journal of Computer Information Systems, 50(20), 49-59 Myyry, L., Siponen, M., Pahnila, S., Vartiainen, T., & Vance, A. (2009). What levels of moral reasoning and values explain adherence to information security rules? An empirical study. European Journal of Information Systems, 18, 126-139 Patel, P., & Conklin, B. (2012). Perceived labor productivity in small firms—the effects of high-performance work systems and group culture through employee retention. Theory and Practice, 36(2), 205-235 Spitzmuller, C., & Stanton, J.M. (2006). Examining employee compliance with organizational surveillance and monitoring. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 79, 245–272

Red Dress by Alice Munro Essay -- Red Dress Alice Munro

"Red Dress" by Alice Munro The short story "Red Dress" by Alice Munro is about a young girl's first high school dance. Her home and school environment determined her attitude towards the dance.This girl's home life was bad. She was constantly put down mentally by her mother, even in front of her friend Lonnie, to the point that the narrator envied Lonnie on account that her mother died and she lived alone with her father. "'I doubt if she appreciates it.' She enraged me, talking like this to Lonnie, as if Lonnie were grown up and I were still a child." Her mother was obscene in the house; the description that is given would make one sick. It is said that she did not take care of herself in the house, and exposed her lumpy veins to the in-house public. This probably made the narrator t... Red Dress by Alice Munro Essay -- Red Dress Alice Munro "Red Dress" by Alice Munro The short story "Red Dress" by Alice Munro is about a young girl's first high school dance. Her home and school environment determined her attitude towards the dance.This girl's home life was bad. She was constantly put down mentally by her mother, even in front of her friend Lonnie, to the point that the narrator envied Lonnie on account that her mother died and she lived alone with her father. "'I doubt if she appreciates it.' She enraged me, talking like this to Lonnie, as if Lonnie were grown up and I were still a child." Her mother was obscene in the house; the description that is given would make one sick. It is said that she did not take care of herself in the house, and exposed her lumpy veins to the in-house public. This probably made the narrator t...