To What Extent Is There a Democratic Deficit in the Uk free essay sample

The most telling indicator of there being a democratic deficit in the UK today is the continuing decline of voter turnout at all elections for the past 60 years. There is a growing level of general apathy towards political issues in the UK which is not just damaging to the health of a democracy but fatal. The government requires a mandate to govern, if they do not achieve popular consent then how are they representative of the people? The last three general elections have yielded voter turnout of around 60 – 65% of the electorate, leaving a significant proportion of people who chose not to exercise their democratic right to vote. At the European Parliament elections turnout has been far lower with the last three elections yielding 24 – 39% of voters turning up to cast their ballot. The recent Police Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections have produced the lowest ever turnouts in the UK with just 14. 9%. The Prime Minister said that the PCC’s have a mandate; although it was only the turnout that was 14. We will write a custom essay sample on To What Extent Is There a Democratic Deficit in the Uk? or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page % so many PCC’s will be governing with less than 10% of the vote. This incredibly low turnout illustrates just how apathetic people have become in regards to British politics, but there is also the matter of spoiled ballot papers. The total number of votes was 344,213 (excluding spoilt ballots) with the number of spoiled votes standing at more than 120,000. That means over a quarter of people who turned up to the polling stations did so for the sole purpose of spoiling the paper. The fact that people would take time out of their lives specifically to undermine the democratic process shows just how much of a democratic deficit exists in the UK. People have become so disillusioned with traditional democracy in the UK they resort to methods such as spoiling the ballot paper to tell the government that the people will not stand for it, that voting doesn’t work, that all politicians are in it for themselves. The 2009 Parliamentary expenses scandal shocked voters with the scale of MP’s dishonesty with taxpayer’s money. Those in power felt that they were beyond reproach and despite the sudden change of heart many MP’s had over claiming expenses when the scandal came to light there are still those today that claim in excess of ? 60,000 per year. The mainstream political parties do not represent the views of many and the small parties that do will never gain power under the unfair FPTP system. People have resorted to campaigns such as the worldwide occupy movement that gained mass media coverage with their camp outside St. Paul’s Cathedral, or the vigilante hacker group Anonymous who attack what they perceive to be unjust areas of the government. It is not just a minority of extremists who are partaking in these activities; their members are those who have been pushed to the side lines by the vast democratic deficit in the UK which has forced the common man without a voice to shout at the government via unorthodox and sometimes illegal means. Of course we mustn’t forget that not everyone can vote in the British system of democracy. The Justice Secretary Chris Grayling holds the view of many in his party and others across the political spectrum over the debate on whether or not to extend the franchise to all. He told his fellow MP’s that they had the power to â€Å"legislate contrary to fundamental principles of human rights†. The right to vote is absolutely essential to any democracy and yet the government fears what would happen if they finally gave the right to vote to all in the UK. One of the harsh realities of the criminal justice system is that miscarriages of justice are an everyday occurrence. Yearly over 770 convictions are overturned in the court of appeal and nearly 3,500 convictions quashed when the case proceeds from a magistrate court to a crown court. This shows just how broken the system is, and as well as being a human right giving prisoners the vote would help the government to get a better perspective on how to reform prisons to reform inmates. Membership of political parties has plummeted over the past 60 odd years and now just 1% of the population are members of a political party. This runs parallel with less people turning out to vote, it is plain that people do not want to get involved with political parties anymore. It is not that they no longer care about governance but that they feel that the system does not work for them and that it also does not allow reform to allow it to change into a free and fair way true democracy. The increased use of referendums in the UK can be hailed as a way of helping to combat the democratic deficit by giving power directly to the people on a single highly important issue. There have however only been 2 UK – wide referendums which shows that on matters of national importance the government is not quite as keen to hear everyone’s point of view. The electorate is rarely consulted directly via the use of referendums as opposed to more democratic countries such as Switzerland. On the rare occasion the government concedes and allow the voters a direct say, if they chose to do so they could ignore the result as referendums are not legally binding. Power rests with Parliament and although in theory our MP’s represent their constituents’ views the government is free to pursue its own agenda once it is in power. In the AV referendum of 2011 implementation of a voting system of proportional representation was rejected. The â€Å"No† campaign was fought using a mixture of scare tactics and lies and active participation in the vote was not readily encouraged by either of the two most powerful political parties as they would stand to lose a lot under a fairer voting system. The current system of FPTP ensures that an MP can be elected without a majority of votes which is highly undemocratic. Another undemocratic feature of British democracy that is having the status quo maintained is the unelected House of Lords. Only two countries in the world allow hereditary politicians – Lesotho and the United Kingdom. The elected representatives in the commons voted against further reform of the House of Lords despite polls continuously showing support for greater reform. From just this one example can it be said that MP’s are truly representing the people they are supposed to? It is possible that a significantly contributing factor of this democratic deficit is the lack of political education available. The average layman does not have time to thoroughly research political issues and will get their only political news from the Metro or Evening Standard, and if the Leveson report is implemented in full it would not be a far cry to the press no longer being free. The government should be spending a great amount of effort into educating the populace on political issues as â€Å"the ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of us all†. Whether intentionally or not by raising tuition fees to an inaccessible level the government has succeeded in preventing thousands of disadvantaged, but educated, students who would clamour for reform. Michael Gove has now changed the curriculum to allow citizenship lessons to be optional, thus removing all chances of political education whilst in compulsory schooling. Supporters of the UK as a thriving democracy would point to things such as devolution to say that the government is trying to be democratic and open. The devolved assemblies even use PR instead of FPTP and they give power to people locally. It is the same problem as with referendums, whatever the assemblies pass is not binding. Westminster grants power to these devolved areas whilst retaining the right to veto their decisions. If a government so wished they could abolish the devolved assemblies completely. Devolution is just another one of the way the government tries to appear democratic while not promoting democracy. Freedom of Information Requests (FOI) are in principle a brilliant thing as they promote transparency and accountability of the government and local authorities, but as with so many things they do not work in practice as they do in principle. In 2011 over 10,500 FOI requests were refused, so once again power remains firmly in the hands of those who hold it rather than the people. The government is only open about the things it wants to be, it still reserves the right to keep quiet. The democratic deficit is very real and present in the UK and it is greatly affecting democracy in this country. Unless the issues which are causing this deficit are directly addressed and soon this country could very easily turn into a â€Å"democratic dictatorship† although in many ways it already is with the sweeping powers the PM has or the lack of true accountability at all levels of government. A majority of people are disillusioned not with democracy but with the archaic British political system and this disillusionment could lead from the spoiling of ballot papers to something much more serious such as civil unrest as demonstrated by the nationwide riots last year.

Quotes and Jokes From Dumb and Dumber

Quotes and Jokes From 'Dumb and Dumber' For moviemakers, comedy is not an easy genre, yet the two leading characters in Dumb and Dumber make comedy seem like a cakewalk. They really know how to get under your skin with their inane behavior. Here are some Dumb and Dumber movie quotes that demonstrate the great comic timing of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. Lloyd Hey, look, the Monkees! They were a huge influence on the Beatles. Excuse me. Could you tell me how to get to the medical school? Im supposed to be giving a lecture in 20 minutes, and my drivers a bit lost. We got no food, no jobs... our pets heads are falling off! Thats what were gonna call it. I got worms! Were gonna specialize in selling worm farms. You know, like ant farms. Hey, I guess theyre right. Senior citizens, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, can still serve a purpose. Ill be right back. Dont you go dying on me! Harry [after Lloyd trades the van in for a moped] Just when I thought you couldnt get any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself! I cant believe we drove around all day, and theres not a single job in this town. There is nothing, nada, zip! What if he shot me in the face? According to the map, weve only gone 4 inches. Joe Mentalino Shut up! Now we dont even know who the hell they are! You dont kill people you dont know. Thats a rule.

Asian philosphy Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Asian philosphy - Article Example Ideally, establishing the distinctions between these two aspects enhances the understanding that one has pertaining to Asian philosophy. First, Advaita Vedanta philosophy humans have souls in them and despite the fact that humans live distinct lives physically; the souls are usually never separate. Advaita Vedanta philosophy is usually a key pillar in the study of Hinduism in temples and determines individual behaviors among individuals. Samkhya on its part, provides a different school of thought pertaining to Asian philosophy, as it maintains more realistic metaphysical perspective in the view of occurrences. It does this by the combination of the teachings and doctrines of the Sankhya philosophy and the physical practice of yoga and its significance to humans. In better understanding of the Sankhya philosophy works to provide the theory behind understanding the metaphysical reality of the world, while Yoga allows practicing individuals to actually apply in use all the internalized aspects pertaining to the philosophical teachings themselves. In summary, Sankhya can be termed as the motive power of the universe upon which the soul

Human Diseases Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Diseases - Research Paper Example Bradykinesia or slowly voluntary movement is one of the major symptoms of this disease. Tremors are seen in the hands, fingers, and forearm of the patients when the limb is at rest. Rigidity, poor balance, and Parkinsonian gait are some other common symptoms seen along with this disease (Parkinson’s disease: Hope through research). Currently, physicians suggest levodopa combined with carbipoda for the patients. The patients with advanced PD are given rasagiline along with levodopa. In some case, surgery is necessary if the patient does not respond to drugs. Recently, US Food and Drug Administration has approved a deep brain therapy for this disease. A number of community resources such as National Parkinson Foundation and American Parkinson Disease Association work toward the mitigation of PD related problems. II. Subdural hematoma Subdural hematoma is a condition when blood is accumulated underneath the dura mater which surrounds brain and spinal cord. Usually, severe head in juries cause subdural hematoma and it is called acute subdural hematoma. Sometimes, even minor head injuries may cause subdural hematomas if the injuries go unnoticed for many days to weeks; this condition is called chronic subdural hematomas. Confused speech and difficulty with balance are the major symptoms of this disease.

Economics Article Analysis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Economics Analysis - Article Example Comparative advantage is often measured in terms of the overall cost involved in producing any particular good or service. Further with the increase in the competition at the international level puts pressures on the international prices of the goods and it may become difficult for the firms to continue to export their products in the international markets at the current prices without reducing the costs or improving the technology to manufacture the product. The article under review discusses the wine industry of Australia and how the exports changed over the period of time due to certain factors. This article discusses as to how the sales in terms of volume changed over the period of time besides the reduction in the prices at international level. This report will therefore focus on the application of microeconomic theory on the facts and statements made in the article and will provide a comprehensive discussion of how the international trade dynamics come into interaction with each other in international market. The article under study provides a historical overview of the Australian Wine industry and how it evolved over the period of time. It also discusses some of the dynamics in international market and what are the factors on which competition between the countries is based. (McEachern 2003) It is critical to note that the article suggest that the Australian wine is regarded highly by the wine drinkers all over the world. Due to the quality of the wine, Australian companies have been able to erode the French domination from the market. This fact suggests that the Australian firms have been able to achieve the relative comparative advantage in international market due to the quality of the wine. The above graph shows the composition of how the total production in the country is sold. It clearly indicates that most of the wine produced in the country is exported to countries like UK, US, China and Hong Kong thus suggesting that the

Management, Leadership and Public Health Planning

Management, Leadership and Public Health Planning Student Name: Aphrodis Ndayisaba 0. Introduction The complexity and dynamism of healthcare systems around the world make them require strong, knowledgeable and skilful managers and leaders. The need for effective health managers and leaders is of paramount importance in allowing organisations and professionals to achieve their goals. Part of the knowledge and skills that healthcare services managers and leaders should have include planning and change management. In this essay, we will discuss, using a health project and examples, the steps undertaken in planning process and later on we will be discussing on various ways that healthcare services managers and leaders would partake to effect organisational change. 1. The steps in a health planning process According to Ardal et al (2006), a plan is defined as â€Å"a map, as a preparation, as an arrangement†. Planning defines the direction where the organisation or a person is heading and how to reach there. Various activities are undertaken in health planning process. It is stated that health planning process follows as the same basic steps as any planning process and these steps form a cycle which is normally repeated in the planning process for programs, populations, systems or health goals. The necessity of repeated cycle is due to the prevailing conditions which some or all may push to the change of the existing plan. For example, new evidences to create, restore or support health are released unceasingly, thus to incorporate these evidences into plans, the planning process should be cyclical (Ardal al, 2006). According to Ardal et al (2006), most planning cycles comprise seven steps which are: Surveying the environment Setting directions Identify problems and challenges Identify ranges of solutions to the problem and challenges Identify the preferred solutions Implementation Evaluation According to the same source, some people might argue that planners are only involved in the first five steps yet planners are also instrumental in understanding and supporting to shape the implementation plan and evaluation. They may be invited to provide support in these latter activities. To discuss on these steps, we use an example of a community health project on fighting against malaria in a local district. 1.1. Surveying the environment This step is concerned with the information collection to determine the current situation regarding the issue under consideration. The assessment of the current situation is done from various perspectives. For example, in the planning process for the project to fight against malaria, those involved in the planning process can review the previous plans about the project. According to Chatora and Tumusiime (2004), the review of the previous plans is essential in the planning process as it helps find out whether the government policy changed over a period of time and what its impact on the plan. Additionally, the planners can review the previous plans to see any change on certain key information in the planning like demographic information on the number of the target population, social, economic and cultural factors, community engagement in the process and health delivery. Similarly, the review of the previous plans provides information on the change about resources like human, financia l and material resources and about the performance of the previous plans. 1.2. Setting directions This step involves goals and objectives setting and the establishment of the standards against which the existing health/ illness status or existing organisational or system performance will be compared with. Simply put, at this stage, health planners seek to answer the key question â€Å"where do we want to go?† or â€Å"what do we want to achieve†. In other words, the health planners identify the desirable future state or outcome for the issue in question. For example, during the planning process of the project intended to fight against malaria in the district, those involved may set the target of having zero death due to malaria in the district during a certain period. 1.3. Identification of problems and challenges This step is concerned with the identification and quantification of the shortfalls between the existing situation and the desirable situation. To identify problems and challenges, the available data should be taken into consideration; data from health information management system, community surveys, census, reports, and anecdotes alike. Problems can be either primary or secondary. On one hand, Primary problems include illnesses identified in the community like malaria, tuberculosis HIV infection, leprosy or other related to socioeconomic factors like inequity, unfairness or patient dissatisfaction. On the other hand, secondary problems or contributory problems are those problems related to poor health systems like shortage of health resources, poor health delivery services and poor management skills which contribute to the primary problems (Chatora Tumusiime, 2004). For example, during the process of planning the project to fight against malaria, planners have to make use of various data sources to determine the causes of the deficit between the current situation and the desired situation about malaria in their district 1.4. Identification of range of solutions to problems and challenges At this stage, a range of solutions to each identified problem and challenge is identified. Also, at this stage, an assessment of each possible solution, using criteria like feasibility with the available resources, cost-effectiveness, is done so that each solution can be compared with each other to ease the process of prioritisation. For example, in planning process about community health project to fight against malaria, each identified problem and challenge that impede the initiatives to fight malaria a solution should be sought to it. However, given the complexity of this step in identifying solutions to the problems and challenges, creativity is of paramount importance as some problems and challenges may not have readily available solutions (Ardal al, 2006). 1.5. Identification of preferred solutions This step is concerned with the selection of a solution or a range of solutions to deal with the identified problems and challenges in the above step. The selection of the solutions may require to take into consideration fiscal and political context and other limiting factors (Ardal al, 2006). For example, in choosing solutions to the problems and challenges to the fight against malaria, government policies and guidelines and the available resources and other limiting factors should be not be ignored. 1.6. Implementation This step deals with the implementation of the selected solutions and it is preceded by the development of implementation plan. 1.7. Evaluation It stated that this step may start with the development of an evaluation plan well prior to the actual evaluation. This step is concerned with the evaluation of the outcomes of the implemented solutions to determine if the latter resulted in achieving the goals set in the planning process. It is also concerned with the evaluation of the environment in which the plan was carried out to determine if any change occurred hence helping depict whether the implemented solutions were less effective, more effective or irrelevant. Additionally, it involves developing ongoing tracking system methods to be used to continuously make identification and assessment of the planned or unplanned outcomes of the implemented actions (Ardal al, 2006). 2. Various ways to effect organisational change Healthcare organisations, like any other organisations, either public or private constantly undergo changes. The need for change or reform in these organisations is reported to be fundamental to the management process. Managers of these organisations need to adapt how they work when faced with contextual changes such as the emerging new technologies, changes in environmental pressures, demographics, political ideologies, socioeconomic context and rising demand and cost (Goodwin et al, 2006). So, organisations have to change as their internal and external environment constantly change. Numerous models and theories of change management have been proposed in the literature. These models include the 7-S model, PESTELI, soft systems methodology, Kurt Lewin’s classic three-phase model of change-unfreeze, move or change and unfreeze, John Kotter’s popular 8 step change model, etc. (Goodwin et al,2006; The State of Queensland, 2014). It is stated that each model has its own advantages and disadvantages and no one approach is best in all circumstances. â€Å"Indeed it is not so much the actual model or theory that is important, but more that the approach that is taken is relevant to the circumstances† (The state of Queensland, 2014). In essence, the best change model appear to make use of and adjust aspects of various models to meet the culture of the organisation in question and the context of change needed. Basically, it is reported that the goal of all change management is to secure the involvement of each and every one to the change and align indiv idual and team behaviour and skills with the change (The state of Queensland, 2014): For the case of the director of the Directorate of Public Health who needs to replenish the image of the organisation after observing that it was getting negative, below are the proposed ways that can be partaken to effect the health organisational change. They are the analytical tools that they can be used to develop a coherent strategic response to the situation like the one mentioned above. The 7S model PESTELI Soft systems methodology Process modelling SWOT analysis 2.1. The 7S model The 7S model is one of the diagnostic tools that healthcare organisation managers can use to conduct situational analysis to assess the gap between what is and what ought to be and it is often a tool that can be used for the justification for change management programmes. This model suggests that there are seven criteria which require the harmonisation of each other. These criteria are the following: Strategy: this criteria is concerned with the plan or course of action that leads to the allocation of organisation’s resources to achieve its goals. Structure: This involves the outstanding characteristics of the organisational chart. This is related to the organisational leadership structure and how its parts are interconnected inside the organisation. Systems: This criterion is concerned with the processes and procedures and the information flow around the organisation. Staff: This criterion is concerned with the categories of human resources within the organisation. Style: This is related to leadership style that the managers use to reach the organisation’s goals. Shared values: This is concerned with the guiding principles that the organisation instil to its members. Skills: This is related to the staff capacity of the organisation. Goodwin et al (2006) state that the 7S model can be used in two ways: in identifying strengths and weaknesses by taking into consideration the linkage between each criteria and how change made in one criterion will impact on all of the others. Despite its attractiveness of its dual emphasis on soft and hard organisational components, it is criticised of providing one-sided organisational culture with the only sole focus on the similarities that stick to the organisation and ignore other important aspects like conflict and disagreement (Goodwin et al, 2006). 2.2. PESTELI PESTELI is described as checklist used to analyse the environment in which the organisation operates. It stands for: P: Political factors: political impetus and influences that have an effect on organisational performance or other options open to the organisation. E: Economic influences: competitive nature that the organisation faces and the financial resources available within the economy. S: Social trends: change in demographics, trends in the behaviour and attitude of people regarding how they live, work and think. T: Technological innovations: new ways of doing new and old things and mitigating new or old problems; be it equipment or new ways thinking or organising. E: Ecological factors: this involves defining wider ecological system to which the organisation belongs and the manner the latter interacts with. L: Legislative requirement: these extend from the employment law to environmental regulations. I: Industry analysis: this is concerned with reviewing of the rousing quality of the industry to which the organisation belongs. As the 7S model, PESTELI can be used to conduct an analysis of the favouring factors in the environment in which the organisation operates and those that hinder the progress (Goodwin et al, 2006). 2.3. Soft systems methodology It is a tool which helps in articulating complex social processes. This is done by bringing together concerned people so that they can express their points of view, challenge them and test them. The following steps are undertaken when using this tool: Identify a problem and its causes from the stakeholders, cultural and political perspectives, without any attempt to impose a preconceived structure or to over-simplify the processes in place. Articulate root definitions of relevant systems: purpose, dynamics, inputs and outputs. Discuss on the situation with the stakeholders by describing the needed activities to achieve the root definitions using for instance process mapping tool or cause-and-effect diagram. Compare models with reality by observing, discussing and defining what to alter on the structure, process and attitude. Take action to implement the proposed solutions. Despite the importance of this tool in making change happening, it was criticised of being time consuming and costly. Also, there are concerns of whether organisational members are enough motivated to undertake the task to its end (Iles and Sutherland, 2001 cited in Goodwin et al, 2006). 2.4. Process modelling Process modelling is used as an approach to capture and clarify different views and expectations of a process. It helps increase the understanding of the situation at hand and how the proposed new one will make a difference. Simply put, the aim of this tool is to capture the dynamics of a situation so that those involved can brainstorm and come up with the best practices to change the current process. 2.5. SWOT analysis SWOT analysis is another important tool used to examine an organization’s internal strengths and weaknesses, its opportunities for growth and improvement, and the threats the external environment presents to its survival (Harrison, 2010). It is a systematic way of examining why an organization needs to change. SWOT stands for: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. This tool can be used in combination with other tool. For example, it is used together with the 7S model to identify organisational internal factors and PESTELI to identify external factors that hinder the growth or the normal functioning of the organisation. REFERENCES ARDAL, S. ET AL, 2006. The Health Planner’s Toolkit. http://www.health.gov.on.ca/transformation/providers/information/resources/health_planner/module_1.pdf [6-11-14]. CHATORA, R., TMUSIIME,P., 2004. District Health Management Team Training Modules. Module 4: Planning and Implementation of District Health Services. https://www.k4health.org/sites/default/files/Module%204.pdf [5-11-14]. GOODWIN, N. ET AL., 2006. Managing Health Services. London: Open University Press. HARRISON,J., 2010. Essentials of Strategic Planning in Healthcare. Washington: AUPHA Press. THE STATE OF QUEENSLAND, 2014. Change Management Best Practices Guide: Five (5) key factors common to success in managing organisational. changehttp://www.psc.qld.gov.au/publications/subject-specific-publications/assets/change-management-best-practice-guide.pdf [6-11-14]. 1

Gothic Elements in House of Leaves Essay -- House of Leaves Essays

Gothic Elements in House of Leaves Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves is a contemporary novel that contains the four characteristics of the Gothic novel: architecture, death and decay, family secrets, and deviant sexuality. It also contains some elements of the American Gothic such as mental instability and drugs and alcohol. Architecture by far, plays the greatest role in the book. The house itself causes the events in the book to unfold. Supposedly built in 1720, it has housed approximately 0.37 owners a year, most of who were traumatized in some way. William (Navy) and Karen Navidson, the current owners of the house, are included in this select group. Though they move into the house as an attempt to repair their marriage, it is what that ultimately drives them apart. The first sign of trouble is the appearance of a long, cold, dark hallway. The house, larger on the inside than it is on the outside, causes Navidson to investigate the house and serves as the catalyst for the destruction that follows. The exploration of the house reveals a series of labyrinth-like hallways, twisting and turning like the convolutions of the brain. The house, a representation of the brain and the human psyche, are even linked to the mind. For example, when Holloway and his men (the people Navidson hires to explore the house) descend the stairs, they expect it to be long and it takes them several days to descend it. When Navidson reaches the stairs, he expects it to be short and it takes only five minutes to descend. The house bends to their expectations. The house is similar to the mind in other ways. It houses inner demons and fears, which can be heard stalking its prey. It also contains a "basement"... ...the bottom of the page. When they were at the top of the stairs the words were at the top. Another example is the section on Holloway. In it there are missing words, missing pieces of words, and even missing sentences. His account has "hollow sections." In fact there are other sections of the book that lack parts. This is another element of the gothic: obscurity. Thus, Mark Z. Danieleski's House of Leaves contains many gothic elements. It has family secrets, sexual deviance, architecture, and death and decay present in the different layers of the story. Just as the story has many layers so does the house. It appears idyllic and serene on the outside, but on the inside is a den of darkness and death. Perhaps as someone in the book has claimed, it is the collective product of every inhabitant's agonies. Whatever the cause of the house, it remains an enigma.

Diana Eck

â€Å"We† Multiculturalism through globalization has challenged our society to adapt with the times by thinking of world religions as more of a brotherhood of faith rather than a threat. In the last chapter of the book Encountering God, the author Diana Eek puts an emphasis on the interdependent world we live in and how we, as human beings will need to approach today's problems as a whole if we wish to overcome life's various hurdles.Evidence of the interdependent world we live can be seen by observing the statistics of the relatedness of population growth and the growth of poverty and illiteracy to the growth of carbon dioxide emissions and the pollution of the seas, striping of forests, extinction of plant and animal species (Eek, Peg. 200, 2003). Eek states that in this interdependent world, there will always be a consequence for every action made and the world as a whole will inevitably have to deal with the repercussions one way or another.Interdependency does not Just st op with nations and the environment or economy; it also describes people, religious traditions and cultures. (Eek, Peg. 202, 2003). Since everything is mutually dependent n each other weather it being religion, the economy or the environment, society needs to consciously act on each physical or mental dilemma with everyone's best interest in mind. The first step into transforming the world religions into a brotherhood of faith, is taking care of the major issue that all religions face today which is the perceived â€Å"we† language of each religion that seems to divide our society rather than unite them.Eek describes that the â€Å"we† language that's evident in every religion as a sociological matter as well as a theological issue that seems to reflect our â€Å"deepest† religious values. Eek, Peg. 203, 2003). She challenges the reader to ask themselves if there use of the word we links people or divides people. According to Eek, in every tradition there seems to be at least some attempts (some more than others) to steer toward a much wider understanding of â€Å"we†.For example, Hindus believe that the whole world is a single family-Visualize Katmandu, Buddhists speak of the sang and the four directions, Christians with the language of Kiosks (derived from the word autoimmune, translates to the household of the whole inhabited Earth), and the Muslims attempt to find different ways to interpret the Mama (Eek, Peg. 203, 2003). Even though this sort of open minded thinking we're talking about clearly exists in each religion, it's clear we're not where we'd like to be considering the frequent airing of violence involving religious disputes on places like the internet and T.V. People are taking religious sides and are missing the big picture and which will only result in more bad press and casualties. In my eyes this can be attributed to ignorance formed by lack of interrelations dialogue. In order for religious dialogue to be effectiv e, Eek leads me to believe that one must first recreate he â€Å"we†. Eek often referenced one of the most open minded and enlightening religious figures in history to convey the importance of recreating the â€Å"we† and its impact on transforming society. According to Eek, Gandhi redefined the inclusive we in theory but more importantly in practice.Gandhi started at the household level to extend the care, ethics and common sense of the household to the whole of humankind (Eek, Peg. 206, 2003). Eek states that he believed that the â€Å"personal† was the â€Å"political†, meaning he saw no point in speaking of things like oppression of the or if one continued to support the status quo through ones daily decisions in life. Instead of speaking of the social injustices that were going on around him (political), he personally made an impact by volunteering to clean the latrines, help out at the hospital, and empty bedpans (Eek, Peg. 07, 2003). Sandhog's life style was greatly impacted by all the social injustice going on in the world. Sandhog's â€Å"we† not only included the poor and the oppressed but his enemies as well. He felt that a transformed community would never be reached if conflict is cast in terms of winning ND losing (Eek, Peg. 206, 2003). This kind of humility and consciousness should be implemented in the approach to interrelations dialogue in order to bind all religions as a brotherhood of faith.But until we recreate the â€Å"we† in society, interrelations dialogue will never reach its potential of mutual transformation. Diana Eek provides the reader with a refreshing option for encountering plurality of religions by remaining Christian, yet holding a deep respect for all religions. As Gandhi was inspired by some aspects of religion, Diana Eek was inspired by Sandhog's attempt to recreate the â€Å"we†. She too felt that in order for society to solve today's toughest problems, we must approach thes e problems as a whole. Eek explains how our daily decisions can cause a ripple effect.She conveys to the reader that â€Å"we†, as human beings, can make a change for the better by recreating the â€Å"we† in our language to link rather than divide. After successfully recreating the â€Å"we†, one can break the ignorance and fear and gain a mutual understanding of different religions through mutual understanding. As Eek states, with mutual understanding comes mutual transformation. Mutual transformation will only lead society to adapt with the times y thinking of world religions as more of a brotherhood of faith rather than a threat.

percussion essays

percussion essays As I see it, the world is a stage, and everyone puts on a performance, although some are better than others. Every single human on the face of the Earth is an actor/actress in this great show, by pretending to be what we truly are not. Alone, at home, without anyone else around, we are our natural selves, but as soon as other people are added to the equation, the show changes, and suddenly we are completely different. There are situations in life where this is beneficial, and at different times it is not so helpful. For example, when a person goes to a job interview, in most instances, they are more likely to dress nicer than they do at home. This gives the interviewer the perception that this individual is a civilized, efficient, well-organized potential employee. However, if that person goes to the same interview in torn jeans and an unwashed, grungy shirt, they are perceived as lazy and a slob, even if they are truly brilliant. This is just one instance where it is beneficial to put on a front when around strangers. Another example may be when someone meets their future mother/father in-law for the first time. They dress up in nicer clothes than they normally would, and are more polite and well mannered. They fear that if these people see them in their natural state, they may disapprove of the marriage, thereby causing many problems down the road, for the happy couple. However, its not always beneficial for someone to act differently than they normally do. Fake fronts are often easy to see through and can be hard to keep up, if they are not well rehearsed. I was a pretty nerdy individual throughout my high school years, and when I joined the Marine Corps and transferred into an entirely different group of acquaintances, I tried to act differently. However, not being used to that sort of life, it was obvious that I did not fit in with certain groups of people and that I was causin ...

Make Non-Toxic Glue From Milk

Make Non-Toxic Glue From Milk Use common kitchen materials to make your own glue. Add vinegar to milk, separate the curds, and add baking soda and water. Voila, youve got glue! Difficulty: AverageTime required: 15 minutes Materials 1/4 cup hot water1 tbsp vinegar2 tbsp powdered dry milk1/2 tsp baking sodaWater How to Make It Mix 1/4 cup hot tap water with 2 tbsp powdered milk. Stir until dissolved.Stir 1 tbsp of vinegar into the mixture. The milk will begin to separate into solid curds and watery whey. Continue stirring until the milk is well-separated.Pour the curds and whey into a coffee filter positioned over a cup. Slowly lift the filter, draining the whey. Keep the curd, which is in the filter.Squeeze the filter to remove as much liquid as possible from the curd. Discard the whey (i.e., pour it down a drain) and return the curd to a cup.Use a spoon to break the curd into small pieces.Add 1 tsp hot water and 1/8 to 1/4 tsp baking soda to the chopped curd. Some foaming may occur (carbon dioxide gas from the reaction of baking soda with vinegar).Mix thoroughly until the glue becomes smooth and more liquid. If the mixture is too thick, add a bit more water. If the glue is too lumpy, add more baking soda.The finished glue can vary in consistency from a thick liquid to a thick paste, depending on how much water has been added, how much curd was present, and how much baking soda was added. Use your glue as you would any school paste. Have fun!When not in use, cover your cup of glue with plastic wrap. Over time, its consistency will become smoother and more clear.Unrefrigerated glue will spoil after 24 to 48 hours. Discard the glue when it develops a spoiled milk smell. Tips for Success The separation of curds and whey works best when the milk is warm or hot. This  is why powdered milk is recommended for this project.If the separation doesnt work well, heat the milk or add a bit more vinegar. If it still doesnt work, start again with warmer water.Clean dried glue by loosening/dissolving it in warm water and wiping it away. Glue will wash out of clothes and off surfaces. Reaction Between Milk and Vinegar Mixing milk and vinegar (weak acetic acid) produces a chemical reaction that forms a polymer called casein. Casein is essentially a natural plastic. The casein molecule is long and pliable, which makes it perfect for forming a flexible bond between two surfaces. The casein curds may be molded and dried to form hard objects that are sometimes called milk pearls. When a small amount of baking soda is added to chopped curd, the baking soda (base) and residual vinegar (acid) participate in an acid-base chemical reaction to produce carbon dioxide, water, and sodium acetate. The carbon dioxide bubbles escape, while the sodium acetate solution combines with the casein curds to form a sticky glue. The thickness of the glue depends on the amount of water present, so it can be either a sticky paste (minimal water) or a thin glue (more water).

Prime-Time Television Program Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Prime-Time Television Program - Essay Example This paper discusses how Coca-Cola Company has incorporated social media to ensure that it’s commercial reach large number of customers globally. The key Coca-Cola commercial that I liked is the Mirage--Super Bowl ads 2013. This commercial portrays three groups of people racing for a bottle of Coke in a dry land (Super Bowl 2013 ads 2013). It is interesting to note how the three groups of people look thirsty in a place that has no water and the only solution to their thirsty is a cold bottle of Coke. As the individuals continue to run Coke on its side increases it speed. Consequently, the individuals increase their speed up to the point they catch up with the bottle of coke. This is followed by sharing the drink that they take in an enjoyable way thus creating a strong friendship among themselves. In my opinion, the commercial has played a major role in ensuring that the company reaches its target market. For example, the racing individuals are of different ages thus indicating that the company targets all the consumers regardless of their ages. Similarly, young people who are key consumers of Coca-Cola products can freely interact with the characters that are featured in the commercial through social media. David 25 argues that in this way the company has ensured strong positive relationship between its products and the consumers. Having been held in a desert, the commercial indicates that the company is not only targeting cold places but also it has adopted various strategies to ensure that the needs of consumers residing in dry countries are catered for. As the demand of Coca-Cola products increases, the company has embarked on improving its production by the use of modern technology. The speed with which the Coke bottle was emulating depicts the haste at which Coca-Cola C ompany is putting in place modern technology as a way of ensuring that the needs of its market are effectively met. Social media is a major advertising

Human Resources Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Human Resources - Research Paper Example The needs and demands of the working women differ from those of the male workers because of such issues. The implication of these issues of the working women upon the managers is to make specific policies for them so that the individualistic and collective needs of the working women are addressed and their productivity is maximized. One of the most fundamental challenges faced by the working women is the need to strike a balance between the work life and the personal life. According to the gender-based roles and responsibilities assigned to the women by the society and the culture, women have the added responsibility of managing their homes. Traditionally, men are expected to be the bread-earners for the families whereas women are expected to manage the money and take care of the family and the home. However, in the present age, as the cost of living has increased, more and more women feel intrinsically motivated and obliged to work to help their husbands in earning money, but they f ace the challenge of achieving this without compromising upon their fundamental responsibility of managing their homes and looking after their families. ... It so happens particularly in the conservative societies in which the society expects and obliges both men and women to consider their roles and responsibilities most important and superior to all other roles and responsibilities. In addition to these problems, the extreme sensitivity and delicacy of women is a negative factor as far as work is concerned. When something goes wrong at home, women workers remain preoccupied with the stress all day long which declines their efficiency and productivity in the workplace. It is hard for women workers to keep their personal life and work life separate. Likewise, when something bad happens at the workplace, e.g. insult from a senior or sexual harassment by a colleague, their personal life is also disturbed. In short, it is difficult for the women workers to balance their personal life and work life and the two also intertwine. While these problems overall declines the productivity of the women workers, they also make the women workers quite untrustworthy as they can break off any time. Women workers cannot be trusted to be permanent as they can leave the job at any time as a result of the pressure upon them by their families. Pregnancy is another big issue faced by the women workers as well as the managers. During pregnancy, women are recommended bed-rest and the pressure upon them by their families to leave work for the sake of work also increases. â€Å"In 2005, 4,449 pregnancy discrimination charges were filed with the commission or state and local employment agencies around the country. Half were related to unlawful dismissals either during a pregnancy or immediately after returning from maternity leave† (Paul). Pregnancy