Discuss the history and evolution, justifications for, and ultimate Essay - 1

Discuss the history and evolution, justifications for, and ultimate impact(s) of Canadian content regulations in Canadian radio and television broadcasting from the industrys inception to the present - Essay Example According to Allen (2009, p. 55), this is particularly based on the belief that ensuring Canadian programs on both the radio and television programs is an important way of maintaining and building the country’s culture and identity as well as promoting Canadians’ creativity. The Canadian content regulator CRTC has gone through a series of structural and functional changes beginning from the introduction of the regulations in the early 1920ss to the modern state instrument for content regulation. â€Å"To ensure that every element of Canadian Broadcasting system contributed towards the presentation of Canadian programming, the CRTC required that every broadcasting undertaking not only include certain Canadian services or content but also give them priority positioning†(Armstrong, 2010, p.109). Since the dawn of broadcasting, the Canadian broadcasting policy has always been to adapt to new technologies while at the same time ensuring that the system includes both private and public broadcasting, promotes Canadian content, reflects Canadian values, makes use of the reactive resources of Canada and is controlled by Canadians. This paper critically discusses the history and evolution, justification as well as the ultimate potential impact of the †˜Canadian Content’ regulations in Canadian radio and television broadcasting from the inception of the industry to the present. The history of the Canadian Content regulations dates back to the 1920s when the need to have a Canadian presence on the radio gradually arose as a way to counter the growing American influence on the radio and protect Canadian culture and identity (Armstrong, 2010). Although Canadian radio began licensing numerous commercial radio stations in 1922, the Federal government was increasingly concerned that many Canadian radio listeners were tuning to American stations while the

Summary of 3 Men in a Boat Essay Example for Free

Summary of 3 Men in a Boat Essay Three Men in a Boat is a deceptively simple story: three friends take a boating holiday on the River Thames. At first sight this does not seem a likely plot for a classic work of comedy, and the fact that it was written in the late Victorian period and was an instant bestseller seems even harder to believe. Nowadays a sense of humour does not immediately spring to mind as a defining characteristic of the Victorians, particular as Queen Victoria herself is famous for the remark, ‘We are not amused!’ Jerome K. Jerome later wrote, ‘I did not intend to write a funny book, at first. I did not know I was a humorist. I never have been sure about it. In the middle ages, I should probably have gone about preaching and got myself burnt or hanged.’ Although the book was a huge success with the reading public, Jerome was lucky that it was not killed off by the reviews. ‘Of course it was damned by the critics,’ Jerome observed. ‘One might have imagined – to read some of them – that the British Empire was in danger. One Church dignitary went about the country denouncing me. Punch was especially indignant, scenting an insidious attempt to introduce â€Å"new humour† into comic literature.’ The humour lies not in the plot, but in the detail. A relaxing holiday on the river, rowing and sailing upstream, seeing the sights, and camping in the boat during overnight stops – what could possibly go wrong? The answer, of course, is just about everything, and it is the antics of the three men with their differering attitudes and approaches to the various problems that make the book so funny. On the periphery, there is also the dog Montmorency, a thoroughly anarchic figure whose practical solution to their difficulties usually consists of getting out of the way until all the fuss dies down. Most of the humour comes from comic set pieces, such as the agony of putting up a tent in adverse weather conditions. In some cases, episodes that still raise a laugh (because they are based on peren nial problems like finding the correct train at a railway station) were actually topical jokes. Waterloo station was considered a confusing mess of platforms that it was almost impossible to find your way around, and the idea of bribing a train driver to take you wherever you want to go appeals as much to the modern railway user as it did to the Victorians. Indeed, the whole book was topical, because a river boating holiday had only become fashionable a decade before, and part of the book’s success was due to the fact that boating on the Thames was the latest craze at the time it was published. The book also broke new ground with its subject matter and with its protagonists. The most popular books of the day were generally adventures with dashing heroes, by authors such as H. Rider Haggard, Rudyard Kipling and Robert Louis Stevenson. A book about three ordinary men and their minor but hilarious adventures on the river was something totally new. Also new was the structure of the book, though whether by accident or design is unclear. The structure is completely unbalanced, since it takes the first quarter of the book to discuss and plan the trip and get them onto the river, while the return journey is wrapped up in just eleven pages. The trip on the river is really just a frame on which to hang the various anecdotes and digressions that contain much of the humour. At intervals, and often sitting uncomfortably within the string of anecdotes and incidents, Jerome provides straight descriptive passages in a guidebook style, noting the places they are passing and their history. Sometimes he overdoes things, with fantasies such as a long description of how King John signed the Magna Carta at Runnymede. He seems to be trying to convey the idle thoughts and flights of fancy inspired by locations of such historical importance, but this does not always work. In general, his shorter descriptions succeed far better in creating the illusion of a real trip on the river. Jerome was very well acquainted with the river, having made many trips on it with friends and even spending his honeymoon there with his new bride, immediately before writing the book. He certainly drew on previous experiences, and the three men he writes about had real counterparts – Jerome himself was the narrator ‘J.’, ‘George’ was based on a George Wingrave, and ‘Harris’ on Carl Hentschel. Only the dog, Montmorency, was entirely imaginary. Perhaps the key to the success of Three Men in a Boat lies in its combination of simplicity and set-piece humorous incidents, most of which have a timeless, universal appeal. The book has been translated into many languages and repeatedly adapted for television. It is probably as popular today as when first published, because much of the language seems so fresh and modern. The book is narrated in the first person by the author, who is refered to as J by his friends. It begins with J, and his friends harris and George, deciding to take a boat trip up the Thames from Kingston to oxford,and then back again (the book was written in 1888, when boating on the Thames was enormously popular). They are unanimous in agreeing that this is a good idea (except for Js dog, Montmorency, who doesnt care for boating). They have trouble getting packed, and in the morning Harris and J take a train to Kingston, where the boat is waiting for them. George is joining them later when he has finished his work at the bank. they row up passt Hampton Court, where Harris describes an incident when he got lost in Hampton Court maze with some friends (this is one of the funniest parts of the book). George joines the party, and they have trouble towing the boat, and later they have even more trouble trying to put the cover over the boat for the night. they all get fed up with each other, but cheer up when they have a good tea. There is a long passage about the signing of Magna Carta (there are several passages like this in the book, where the author gets serious for a bit). They have various other mishaps as they travel up the river, like the time when they are having tinned pineapple for tea, and cant find the tin-opener. They spend a lot of time trying to open it with no success. And there are stories of other trips they made up the river, like the time J was ou tin a aboat with his cousin, and they thought they were going crazy because they couldnt find Wallingford Lock (it turns out the lock had been demolished some years earlier). And ther ere is the time when they are in an inn which has a stuffed trout in a case on the wall, and several different people come in and claim to have been the one who caught it, but when George stands on a chair to look at it, he knocks it down and it breaks it turns out to be plaster of Paris! When they reach Oxford, and start to travel bac, it starts to rain, and they arent enjoying themselves somuch. So they abandon the boat and take the train back to London, where they go to a show and then have a good dinner in a restaurant. They make a toast Heres to three men well out of a boat!

steves tees :: essays research papers

Steve decided to open his own tee- shirt shop, near a local university. He felt it was the perfect time to start his own business, due to the location and the fact that the summer Olympics were being held 55 miles away in Atlanta. Wow! What a great opportunity it was, for him to take initiative to become his own boss, gain exposure, and become profitable. The only problem was that Steve did not take into consideration any concerns with starting a business, which include: geography, a market for this product, competition/ who are the major competitors, uniqueness, etc. This all could have been done through generating information to aid in making marketing decisions. This process includes specifying what information is required, designing the method for collecting information, managing and implementing the collection of data, analyzing the results, and communicating the findings of their implications. In order to reduce the likelihood of failure, marketing research would provide the n ecessary information to reduce uncertainty. It helps to focus on decision making. So, prior to Steve opening the business, he should conducted exploratory research. Steve needed to acknowledge the situation, screen any and all alternatives, and discover new ideas to make his business stand apart from the competition. This research could have been conducted through focus groups, surveys, questionnaires, etc. The purpose of this marketing research is to narrow the scope of the research topic and to refine the problem into researchable form. Therefore, Steve would have been able to answer who, what, when, where, and how questions; identify the channels of distribution; and to target the market for advertising and promotions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Promotion is one of the four elements of the marketing mix. It increases company sales by communicating product information to potential customers. Unfortunately, the advertising route Steve took did not help to generate sales. Steve should have recognized the four basic parts of any promotional effort, which include personal selling, advertising, publicity, and sales promotion. Steve solely focused on advertising in selected newspapers, but he failed to realize that everyone does not read the newspaper. If he wanted the business to appeal both to the college students and to the people of the town, he should have done several different types of promotions. He could have done direct promotions, where he and an employee would go into the community and pass out flyers to gain better exposure for the business.

Longevity research Essay

Today, a great amount of people have learned to enjoy life once again as a senior in the community. This would speak of those in the 70’s and beyond. Life expectancy for Americans, which was a mere 49 years in 1900, has now increased to around 76 years. This we can say is due to improvements in health care, nutrition, and the overall standard of living. Not only are people living longer, but they are becoming more active in their older age, relative to elderly of the past. More older Americans are able carry out their own â€Å"instrumental activities of daily living† (Hodes 2003) As such, the desire for life has grown and billions have been poured into longevity research, an undertaking meant to discover ways and means to extend life. A vast motivation in science has been well-funded to discover how to keep man alive longer, with its aim toward more and more years. (Douglas 2006) There are concerns however one must view in light of this, namely, will a society with many living over a hundred years be actually as beautiful as it seems to present? The first concern would be the quality of life given that although the body may be kept health, the brain will be aging. Surely, the mind at the age of 110 is not as lucid as that of one at the age of 60. There are many diseases that correlate with the aging brain, but let us use the more common Alzheimer’s disease as an example. This is a devastating condition that has been seen to have a profound impact on individuals, families, the health care system, and society as a whole. Demographic studies suggest that if the current trends maintain themselves, the annual number of incident cases of this disease will begin a sharp increase in the year 2030 thereabouts. (Alzheimer’s association 2009) This will be a time that people born between 1946 and 1964 will all be over 65 years. Studies further show that by the year 2050, the number of Americans with the disease could double. Imagine these implications. It’s true that people live longer, but then what quality of life can one have if he lives 20 years more but has lost memory of his family and friends. This disease accounts for around 50-50% of cases of dementia. With increase longevity, there will be a large increase in the prevalence of the disease as people will be living to be older. It can be such difficulty to the individual to live in a condition where for years he is grasping at memories that he cannot recall. It’s an incredible burden to the family as well, as they will now be responsible for more elderly, living longer lives, incapable of self care, and maybe even incapable of recognizing kin. Imagine a scenario where a parent is 110 years old, their child being 85 and their grandchild at 60, how would it be feasible for the turn of care to pass from parent to child in such a scenario where all are classifiable as aged. A second concern is that apart from the aging mind, there is also the aging body. It is true that the individual will be living long, but then there are multitudes of risks that will accompany this. The wear and tear from all the years will now set in as he will now be more prone to multitudes of disease as years go by. Sicknesses like arthritis of the joints, a heart attack, stokes, cataracts, diabetes and many more will all now be factors that come into play. Even worse, should the person gain a long-playing debilitating condition, one with no cure such as the case of Alzheimer’s previously mentioned, then again what kind of quality of life can he sustain? Let’s take a stroke for example. Currently, a stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Statistics show that over 143,579 people die each year in the United States from this condition. Now in terms of long term disability, stroke is the leading cause as people may live on with their life span after a completed stroke. Furthermore, having a stroke does not mean that a person cannot have another one to further cause disability. Now, it is seen that nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65. It is also noted that the risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55. (Internet Stroke Center 2009) This is not even accounting for those who go through strokes at a young age. Now, given this data, imagine the risk for one who is to live until 120 years old. Imagine if a large bulk of population were to live this long, then the worldwide prevalence of stroke survivors would be high. After a stroke, it is very possible for one to lose control of speech, of movement in half a body, of mobility, and sometimes even requiring full time nursing care. The implications on a person and a family would be immense. Given that strokes occur generally in people over 65, imagine having one at 70 and then living for 40 more years. How would one survive that lone without the capacity to communicate. It’s true that one can live with the heart beating, but the question is in terms of quality of life. Another concern that also affects health will be the incidence of depression. A longer life for one spouse would mean having to live through the death of loved ones. Longevity increases the number of years one would live past the death of a spouse and family. Studies can increase life but imagine a scenario where a parent has to live past his spouse children and grandchildren. Again, the concern regarding quality of life comes in play is emotional makeup is indeed a very important aspect of human life. Rebecca Utz, a sociologist at ISR stated: â€Å"While only about 6 percent of widowed persons had serious financial problems since their spouse died, 63 percent reported less income and 34 percent said their financial strain increased significantly after they were widowed. The negative economic consequences are even more pronounced for women than they are for men, and the declines are lasting, not a temporary drop associated with funeral expenses or estate planning. † (About. com 2009) This itself is proof of how one’s death can affect an individual, not only in terms of health and emotion, but in terms of capability to function as well. Increasing longevity means increasing the chances that people will outlive one, or even more spouses, and have to deal with many deaths for many years. Depression rates will increase as a consequence of spouses living well past their mates, their children and maybe even their grandchildren. A study conducted showed that eighty-four (24%) of 350 widows and widowers met criteria for depressive episodes at 2 months, 72 (23%) of 308 did so at 7 months, and 46 (16%) of 286 did so at 13 months, further supporting this claim that depression and emotional consequences of too much longevity should be of concern. (Zisook, S & Shuchter, S. 1991) A fourth point that should raise concern for biologic implications for longevity revolve around care for the elderly. Today, families turn to nursing homes and assisted living to give the elderly the care and attention they need. The alarming factor now revolves around what actual care they are receiving in these places, as a congressional report made by CBS news correspondent Bill Whitaker previously stated that around 1,600 U. S. nursing homes, nearly one-third of all in total, have been cited for abuse. These reported abuses were of various types, spanning from physical, sexual and verbal. All abuse in all these forms is on the rise. The report further noted that that more than twice as many nursing homes were cited for abuse in 2000 than in 1996. It was further seen that in 1,601 nursing homes , around 1 in 10 abuse citations were made in serious incidents. By serious, it was meant that they either put residents at great risk of harm, injured them or killed them. (CBS news 2001) Imagine how greatly the health of these poor elderly could be affected by increased longevity. Already at this current time with our elderly, society is unable to provide adequate care for them, and resorting to nursing homes and various assisted living environments that have led to elderly abuse. What more an increase can be expected if people were to live into the hundreds. The population would have a drastic increase in the aged, thus increasing the burden on society to care for them. If at this current day and age, society already is unable to manage the abuse problem, then the health implications of longevity are grave in that they will aggravate the abuse by increasing the number of elderly left alone. Investigators have further said that many violations are neither detected nor reported, which leads officials to conclude that the problem is even underestimated. Surely, if society cannot currently manage the elderly and provide a good, healthy and safe environment for them, then there is no way that society can do so after a further increase in the aged that longevity research will bring. My fifth and final concern regarding longevity lies in the fact that it will now place a large amount of population that has needs to be fulfilled but cannot fulfill them on its own. Increasing longevity will increase the number of senior citizens and the number of non-working elderly dependent. The health concerns for this are immense, as the question that can now be raised is regarding who in society will provide for the health of these individuals who cannot earn a living for themselves. CDC research concerns states that the increased number of people with ages over 65 will potentially lead to increased health-care costs. The health-care cost per capita for persons from the age group over 65 years in the United States is three to five times greater than the cost for persons below that age. (CDC 2003) Imagine how this will increase if people were to live 20 years longer. Currently, the number of persons aged >65 years is expected to rise from around 35 million in 2000 to an estimated 71 million in 2030. Longevity will even increase this number. Eventually, as resources will decline, then there will not be enough economic support to support the aged, leading to substandard healthcare and health risks. There may not be enough to provide them with medical needs, particularly because the working population may be outnumbered by the dependent elderly non-working populous. As such, in conjunction with many other previously discussed claims, the promise of longevity, although seemingly tempting, may not exactly be as, wonderful as it seems to be. WORKS CITED About. com:Mental health (2009) ‘Losing a Spouse: What Hurts and What Helps [online] Available from [April 6, 2009] Alzheimers association (2009) ‘What is Alzheimer’s’[online] Available from [April 6, 2009] CBS news (2001) ‘Nursing Home Abuse Increasing’ [online] Available from [April 6, 2009] CDC (2003) ‘Public Health and Aging: Trends in Aging — United States and Worldwide’ MMWR weekly[online] Available from [April 6, 2009] Douglas, J. (2006) ‘New longevity research center launched to study supercentenarians’ Natural News [online] Available from < http://www. naturalnews. com/020701. html> [April 6, 2009] Hodes, R. (2003) ‘Human Longevity and Aging Research’. Special Committee on Aging [online] Available from [April 6, 2009] Internet Stroke Center (2009) ‘Stroke Statistics’ [online] Available from [April 6, 2009] Zisook, S & Shuchter, S. (1991) ‘Depression through the first year after the death of a spouse ’ Am J Psychiatry [online] Available from [April 6, 2009]

Rhetoric in Into the Wild Essay

Appeals to Logos *Strategy 1: describing McCandless’s intelligence. Ex. 1: In the third chapter of the novel, where Krakauer describes McCandless’s relationship with Wayne Westerberg, he discusses Chris McCandless’s family and education in brief. Specifically, Krakauer mentions, â€Å"In May 1990, Chris graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, †¦ and had distinguished himself as a history and anthropology major with a 3.72 grade-point average† (Krakauer 20). This presents a side of Chris that appeals to people’s logos and makes them think. The main question that pops into mind is, â€Å"how could such a smart kid make such a dumb mistake?† This intrigue keeps the reader immersed in the book, and therefore continues to hold their attention. Ex. 2: Later on in the novel, around the middle of chapter eleven, Krakauer describes McCandless in more depth. He talks about his social life, what he was like as a young boy, and what he was like when he grew. There is another good example of Krakauer using McCandless’s intelligence to appeal to logos, and that is when he quotes one of Chris’s high school running teammates, Eric Hathaway. Hathaway remembers, â€Å"Chris brought home good grades. He didn’t get into trouble, he was a high achiever, he did what he was supposed to do† (Krakauer 114). Again, Krakauer sets up a good image of how smart Chris was. Readers also learn that he was diligent and hardworking, and they can understand how it would tie into Chris’s persistence in the Alaskan wild. *Strategy 2: talks about when McCandless did illogical things, to interest readers. Ex. 1: In the beginning of the novel, when Krakauer talks about McCandless’s journey into the Mojave Desert, he mentions that Chris did something really ridiculous. Krakauer recounts his actions in this way: â€Å"in a gesture that would have done both Tolstoy and Thoreau proud, he arranged all his paper currency†¦ and put a match to it. One hundred twenty-three dollars in legal tender was promptly reduced to ash and smoke† (Krakauer 29). Krakauer describes Chris’s donation of his college fund to charity a couple of pages later in the book. Yet, when one reaches that page, they have to wonder why Chris didn’t just keep his money with him, so he could donate it later, or at least buy some supplies. This leads to more curiosity about McCandless’s common sense, which in turn entices the readers further onward. Ex. 2: Near the end of the book, when Krakauer returns to the subject of McCandless’s journey into the Alaskan wild, he talks about the meager amount of food McCandless carried, and alludes to Chris’s ignorance. He says about McCandless, â€Å"he’d subsisted for more than a month beside the Gulf of California on five pounds of rice and a bounty of fish caught with a cheap rod and reel,†¦ made him confident he could harvest enough food for an extended stay in the Alaskan wilderness too† (Krakauer 162). Any person who reads this automatically questions Chris’s common sense, because they wonder how he could possibly think California is anything like Alaska. Not only that, but the fact that Chris purposely neglected to pack good supplies makes people find him arrogant, and, in young people’s slang, â€Å"a douche-bag.† Appeals to Ethos *Strategy 1: Describing the moral values of Chris McCandless Ex. 1: In the middle of the book, in chapter eleven, Krakauer includes responses from people who knew Chris in college and high school. One of his female running teammates, Kris Maxie Gillmer, recounts how determined McCandless always was about righting social injustices. Proof of this is found in his senior year of high school. Krakauer confirms, â€Å"McCandless took life’s inequities to heart. During his senior year at Woodson, he became obsessed with racial oppression in South Africa† (Krakauer 113). Krakauer may have included only this event and a few others like it throughout the novel, but it leaves no doubt in the reader’s mind that McCandless hated injustice. This â€Å"wows† the reader, making them see just how high Chris’s morals were. One could call it a subtle attempt by Krakauer to eke out sympathy for McCandless from the readers. Ex. 2: In the fourth chapter of the novel, â€Å"Detrital Wash,† Krakauer describes Chris on his two month journey in the Western part of the great United States. He also mentions how McCandless’s parents, worried sick, hired a private detective. The investigator began an extensive search, and finally found information in December, â€Å"when he learned from an inspection of tax records that Chris had given away his college fund to OXFAM† (Krakauer 31). The fact that Chris donated his college fund to charity also casts him in a good, moral light. However, the ironic thing is that OXFAM is an organization dedicated to feeding starving people, and that Chris McCandless died of starvation. Either way, this appeal to ethos also makes people view Chris in a better light, perhaps to make them feel like he was a great person. *Strategy 2: Describing the moral flaws of Chris McCandless Ex. 1: Krakauer says in the author’s note at the beginning of the novel that he will leave it to the readers to form their own opinions about McCandless, so it only seems natural that he would include negative points about the boy’s morals as well. Although he had a rigorous moral code, he made the strangest exceptions. Krakauer says, â€Å"he was also able to forgive, or overlook, the shortcomings of his literary heroes: Jack London was a notorious drunk; Tolstoy†¦ went on to father at least thirteen children, some of whom were conceived at the same time the censorious count was thundering in print against the evils of sex† (Krakauer 122). When readers see this little note, they see how strange Chris’s moral code was. He wouldn’t excuse his father for living a lie, and yet, he praised and adored hypocritical men who did even worse things than his father. This appeals to people’ s ethics because it makes them think about their own morals, not just Chris’s. Ex. 2: Krakauer discusses McCandless’s relationship with his family several times during the book. According to the family and the people who knew McCandless, he was mainly only ever close with his younger sister, Carine. Carine remembers this about her brother, â€Å"He was always really nice to me, and extremely protective. He’d hold my hand when we walked down the street. When he was in junior high and I was still in grade school†¦ he’d hang out at his friend Brian Paskowitz’s house so we could walk home together† (Krakauer 110). This may be just a simple phrase, but it drastically appeals to a reader’s ethic views as well. One cannot help but wonder why Chris, who apparently loved his younger sister and protected her, could possibly leave without saying a word to her. He got angry about his father’s lies, but he somehow doesn’t think what he’s doing is the same. It is as if he trusts other people more than his fa mily and the sister he loves. Appeals to Pathos *Strategy 1: Arousing admiration of McCandless Ex. 1: If one reads the novel Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, it is almost impossible to miss the biased way Krakauer writes about the exploits of Chris McCandless. He makes Chris sound like this really great guy with a thirst for adventure, which draws readers in. an example of this is Krakauer’s comparison between himself and McCandless in the chapter titled, â€Å"The Stikine Ice Cap.† Krakauer writes, â€Å"I couldn’t resist stealing up to the edge of doom and peering over the brink. The hint of what was concealed in those shadows terrified me, but I caught sight of something in the glimpse, some forbidden and elemental riddle that was no less compelling than†¦ In my case—and, I believe, in the case of Chris McCandless—that was a very different thing from wanting to die† (Krakauer 156). This description makes the readers picture a great visionary in the eyes of society, someone who was wi lling to take risks and was unbound by earthly desires. It makes them admire McCandless’s bravery as well, which is, of course, evoking emotion. Ex. 2: Krakauer focuses on many admirable things McCandless does, but one important one, helping the homeless and destitute, really stands out. Krakauer comments, â€Å"McCandless would wander the seedier quarters of Washington, chatting with prostitutes and homeless people, buying them meals, earnestly suggesting ways they might improve their lives† (Krakauer 113). This really tugs at people’s hearts, making them look up to Chris. Many see these examples of kindness and wish they could be more like McCandless. In all effect, this puts Chris at a higher standard with other people. *Strategy 2: Focusing on how depressed everybody was when they learned Chris was dead.Ex. 1: Of course, the main example of this would be when Carine McCandless learns that her beloved brother, Chris, was found dead. According to Krakauer’s information on her reaction, â€Å"Carine’s eyes blurred, and she felt the onset of tunnel vision. Involuntarily, she started shaking her head back and forth, back and forth†¦ Then she began to scream†¦ Carine curled up on the couch in a fetal position, wailing without pause†¦ She remained hysterical for the next five hours† (Krakauer 130). This really makes readers angry at Chris McCandless. They think he was a jerk for leaving his family, and they further fume about how he could have saved everyone so much pain if only he’d been prepared and not so arrogant about being able to survive. Ex. 2: Another extremely depressing example of appealing to pathos is when Krakauer describes the reaction of Ronald Franz, a man who grew extremely close to and fond of Chris when he helped him out in California. Franz was devastated when he heard the news of Chris’s death. He says, â€Å"I asked God to keep his finger on the shoulder of that one†¦ But he let Alex die†¦ I renounced the Lord. I couldn’t believe in a God who would let something that terrible happen†¦ I bought a bottle of whiskey†¦ wasn’t used to drinking, so it made me sick. Hoped it’d kill me, but it didn’t† (Krakauer 60). Again, this makes readers extremely sad. In a way, it actually shocks them too. It takes something very powerful to make a man renounce his faith, and readers can only begin to try and grasp what Franz was feeling.

20 Research Essay Topics Interesting Facts about Celtic Christianity

20 Research Essay Topics Interesting Facts about Celtic Christianity If you are tasked with research writing on Celtic Christianity, then you will no doubt need a topic on which to write. Below are twenty topics which might be of use to you: Roman Christianity as the Foundation for Celtic Christianity in the Early Middle Ages The Defeat of Gaul and Vanishing of Mainland European-based Celtic Culture Factors Influencing Name Change from Celtic to Insular Culture Powerful Impact of Celtic Civilization on European Art Geographic Limitations of Christianity in Ireland First Signs of Christianity in Ireland during 3rd Century Destruction of the Mithraic Temple and Christian Rituals Why Were Celts Considered Recklessly Brave by Romans in Battle Druids and Their Indulgence in Ritual Sacrifices How Banning from Sacrifices Functioned as the Most Extreme Druid Punishment Power Held by Druids over Celtic Society Legend of St. Patrick’s Miraculous Power against Druidic Opponents La Tà ©ne Artwork with Stylized Animal Motifs v. Hallstatt Artwork Confederations among Celtic People Celtic Warrior Kings and Queens How Celtic Language and Culture Distinguished Celts from Other Europeans How Religion Tied Celtic People Together Decentralized Structure among Celtic Society Impact of Christianity on Pagan Priesthood in Celtic Society Why Attacking Druids was Taboo yet Done by Christian Romans Sample Research Essay: Roman Christianity as the Foundation for Celtic Christianity in the Early Middle Ages Although Ireland was never officially part of the Roman Catholic Church, the rise of Christianity in Rome is what laid the foundation for Celtic Christianity to develop. Little primary evidence remains of Celtic culture in Gaul prior to Roman occupation.   However, numerous secondary sources can be found pertaining to the Roman influence and early Christian development among the Celts. Rome first began as a small village that rose to become the seat of power for one of the greatest empires in the world. The early settlers along the peninsula influenced the Romans greatly, with the peoples they conquered. Romans were known for being innovators in culture, art, government and engineering. They were able to conquer the entire Mediterranean and the most part of Europe through warfare. Although the Romans initially persecuted Christians, Christianity would later become the official religion of the Roman Empire. The development of Rome was greatly influenced by geography. An important crossroads was located on the narrow Italian peninsula. Farmland was also plentiful. Strategically located inland on the hills directly along the Tiber River, Rome had numerous advantages. By the late 6th century they were able to overthrow the Etruscan kings and establish their own republic. This early republic was dominated by wealthy patrician landowners who served in the Roman Senate. Plebeians, male non-patrician Romans, were able to vote and serve in the army, but they were not able to marry patricians nor could they be elected. Rome was never able to establish a democracy, but universal standards of justice were developed that would later influence numerous other societies. Most of Italy was brought under Roman control over the course of several centuries. The main rival of Rome was Carthage, located in the Mediterranean. During the Third Punic War, Roma was able to finally defeat Carthage and dominate t he Mediterranean Sea. Few aristocrats dominated the state of Rome by the 2nd century B.C. As a result of the fact that few small farmers could compete, there was an outcry for land reform. These pressures were resisted by aristocrats and civil war erupted. During the First Triumvirate, power was placed in the hands of three generals, all of whom were wealthy. It was one of these generals, Julius Caesar, who would march on Rome along with his troops and eventually become a dictator. When he was assassinated, his rule came to an end. Octavian became emperor during the Second Triumvirate and was known as Emperor Augustus. During this time the civil wars ceased and the Roman Empire was able to expand until the Empire had a population of 50 million. Commerce and trade thrived during this time. In many regards the Romans mimicked Greek culture. They were also able to develop their own sculpture and create extensive methods of engineering in their construction of roads, aqueducts and bridges. While in early Rome, the male head of the household had absolute authority, that authority began to wane by the 3rd century B.C.   At that time women gained the ability to obtain a divorce and began to enjoy more independence. Christianity began to emerge during a period of significant unrest in Judea, a Roman province. Numerous Jews in the region began to follow Jesus, although many remained split on how to respond. He was seen by many as a possible revolutionary and eventually he was turned over to the Roman authorities after being denounced by a Jewish court. Christianity began as a small sect religion following his death, which quickly began to spread. A Jewish Roman citizen, Paul of Tarsus, preached Christianity throughout Asia Minor as well as along the Aegean coast to both Jews and non-Jews. Although Romans had been historically tolerant of other religions, Christianity was viewed as a threat to the state. As a result, Christians were often persecuted. During the 4th century, the emperor Constantine offered tolerance of the Christian religion, which would eventually set the stage for Christianity to be adopted as the official religion of the Roman Empire. After the death of Marcus Aurelius, the confusion and conflict that followed was fraught by civil wars, invasions and plague. As a result, the empire was brought to the edge of collapse. The empire was temporarily stabilized by Constantine through reforms, tight controls and even coercion. The empire was divided into four units when Diocletian declared that it was too large to be ruled by a single emperor. In the eastern part of the empire, Byzantium became the capital. Two invading tribes, the Visigoths and the Vandals, later tore apart Rome. In the western region, the emperor was deposed by invaders, marking the fall of the Western Roman Empire. References: Bradley, Ian C.  Celtic Christianity. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1999. Print. Cooper, Michael. Missiological Reflections On Celtic Christianity.  Mission Studies  20.1 (2003): 35-55. Web. de Waal, E. Book Review: Celtic Christianity And Nature.  Theology  100.795 (1997): 222-223. Web. Donnelly, Jason M. Early Celtic Christianity By Brendan Lehane.  Religious Studies Review  34.3 (2008): 214-214. Web. Duncan, Anthony Douglas.  The Elements Of Celtic Christianity. Shaftesbury, Dorset: Element, 1997. Print. Kelly, Fergus, ed.  Audacht Morainn. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1976. Meek, D. E. Book Review: Celtic-Inspired Revivalist Movements, Celtic Christianity: Making Myths And Chasing Dreams.  The Expository Times  111.3 (1999): 100-101. Web. Meek, Donald E.  The Quest For Celtic Christianity. Edinburgh: Handsel Press, 2000. Print. Murphy, Gerard, ed.  Early Irish lyrics: eighth to twelfth century. Four Courts Pr Ltd, 1956. OMeara, John J. The Voyage of St Brendan: Journey to the Promised Land. (1978): 31.

The Millionaire Next Door Expert Summary, Critique, and Review

The Millionaire Next Door Expert Summary, Critique, and Review SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Thomas Stanley and William Danko didn’t expect The Millionaire Next Door, their case study of America’s millionaires, to become a huge bestseller. Both academics at the University of Georgia, they set out to learn about the habits and lifestyles of the nation’s highest earners, not to write a personal finance bible. Readers were blown away by Stanley and Danko’s findings, though, namely that most millionaires don’t own fancy cars or throw lavish yacht parties. On the contrary, they live by principles of â€Å"thrift, low status, discipline, low consumption, risk, and very hard work.† From this book, many readers realized that the dream of amassing over $1 million was not as out of reach as they had thought. Stanley and Danko’s 1996 bestseller can still teach us a lot about personal finance today, but it also falls short in a few key ways. Read on for a full summary and critique of The Millionaire Next Door. The Millionaire Next Door: Summary What do you picture when you hear the word â€Å"millionaire†? Sprawling mansions in Beverly Hills? Fancy restaurants, antique cars, and weekend trips to St. Bart’s? According to Stanley and Danko, real millionaires look nothing like the extravagant stereotypes in our cultural imagination. Instead, they’re more likely than not to be your next-door neighbors who live in their starter home and have been driving the same used Volvo for the past ten years. Most millionaires, they discovered, gradually amassed their wealth over time. Many of the people surveyed in The Millionaire Next Door owned a so-called â€Å"dull-normal† small business. They were â€Å"welding contractors, auctioneers, rice farmers, owners of mobile-home parks, pest controllers, coin and stamp dealers, and paving contractors." How did these people with a relatively ordinary income become millionaires? They all saved a larger-than-average proportion of their earnings by keeping consumption costs low and making early investments. By the time Stanley and Danko interviewed them to explore the secrets of the millionaire mind, these people had a net worth between $1 million and $10 million. The authors focused on this bracket, because, at the time of writing, 95% of the country’s millionaires had between $1 million and $10 million. Out of all American households, only 3.5% were classified as millionaires. That means that only 5% of that 3.5% had wealth totaling greater than $10 million. Our images of private jets and shiny yachts, therefore, only apply to a tiny population of people and not to the â€Å"average† millionaire. Because the majority of people in The Millionaire Next Door did not inherit their wealth, the authors concluded that â€Å"this level of wealth can be attained in one generation. It can be attained by many Americans.† This optimistic premise is one reason that so many readers embraced the book when it was published and still do today. Let’s look closer at the book’s driving thesis. William and Danko found that most millionaires owned "dull-normal" businesses, like mobile-home parks or welding companies. The Millionaire Next Door: Main Premise The main premise of The Millionaire Next Door can be found right in its title - the average millionaire could be anyone’s next door neighbor. Most of the country’s millionaires don’t look the part, or, at least, they don't look like we imagine they do. When we think about the lifestyles of millionaires, we have an unrealistic and flawed view. Most members of the millionaire's club aren’t flashy spenders working superstar jobs. They’re not lottery winners or movie stars dropping $6k on the regular for table service at nightclubs. In fact, Stanley and Danko consider people who spend a lot on non-essentials to be â€Å"UAWs,† or under accumulators of wealth. Their net worth ends up being less than it should be as a result of all their spending. On the contrary, the vast majority of the country’s millionaires live cautiously and modestly. They have a decent income, but they choose to live well below their means. Because of their careful, intentional budgeting, they become â€Å"PAWs,† or prodigious accumulators of wealth. They have a greater net worth than you would expect because they keep their costs so low. In the end, The Millionaire Next Door shows that most of the country’s millionaires are PAWs with higher than average, but by no means superstar-level, incomes. The book clears away some of the aura around the word, millionaire, and suggests that it’s more attainable than most people realize. Is this is a realistic message for the book to impart to its readers? According to the authors, someone with a flashy car might be an Under-Accumulator of Wealth (UAW), because they spent large portions of their money. The Millionaire Next Door: Full Critique Stanley and Danko are technically spot on when they reframe our thinking about what it means to be a millionaire. If we define â€Å"millionaire† as an individual with a net worth of $1 million or more, then we’ll find that the vast majority of millionaires don’t have stratospheric net worth. Rather, most just make the one million dollar cutoff or go a little beyond, and they got there by saving and investing a higher-than-average percentage of their income. Because superstar earners are so few and far between, the vast majority of us are not going to become rich that way. We should avoid â€Å"get rich quick† schemes and not include â€Å"become a movie star† or â€Å"get recruited by the NFL† in our personal finance plans. Instead, we should learn from this book’s realistic assessment about how most millionaires amassed their wealth. Their commitment to hard work and early investments, along with their aversion to excessive consumerism, forged a path to financial independence. If you’re serious about saving money and working toward financial security, then this steady approach is the most likely path. Of course, not everyone who lives by principles of thrift, hard work, and under consumption will become a millionaire. But most people who have become millionaires abided by those values. At the same time, these lifestyle choices are not necessarily what most readers have in mind when they say they want to be a millionaire. Read on to learn more about the weak points in The Millionaire Next Door. Most millionaires didn't amass their fortune from a get-rich-quick scheme. Where the Book Falls Short: 2 Major Weaknesses Stanley and Danko challenge conventional ideas about what it means to be a millionaire, but they have too extreme an emphasis on low consumption. Their conclusions, furthermore, are not as revelatory as they seem at first glance when you consider the statistics behind their work. Read on to learn more about both of these weak points in The Millionaire Next Door. #1: It Over-Emphasizes Low Consumption Many readers buy this book because they want to learn about how to become a millionaire. The book offers a potential path: careful savings, long-term investments, and lifestyle choices that include staying in a starter home and driving a used car. But is this what most people mean when they say they want to be a millionaire? Probably not. A lot of readers want their quality of life to improve along with their net worth, rather than having money invested in assets while their day-to-day lives remain exactly the same. As Felix Dennis, author of How to Get Rich, asks, would you rather have no money in the bank, but a fairy that pays for everything you buy, or have one billion dollars in the bank, but never be allowed to touch it? Most of us would choose the fairy. Stanley and Danko, however, veer a little too close to the second scenario as they stress the importance of self-denial. Their thrifty definition of being a millionaire is not relevant to the wants and needs of many people. While their definition can usefully reframe our thinking about what it means to be a millionaire, it also has its limitations. As writer, trader, and risk analyst Nassim Taleb says, â€Å"I see no special heroism in accumulating money, particularly if, in addition, the person is foolish enough to not even try to derive any tangible benefit from the wealth...I certainly do not see the point of becoming [a millionaire] if I were to adopt Spartan (even miserly) habits and live in my starter house." Part of the reason that the authors focus so much on â€Å"next door millionaires† is that they technically represent the â€Å"average† millionaire. Most millionaires have something like $1 million and not $10 million, and most saved this sum from hard work and thrift. But when readers say they want to be a millionaire, are they necessarily focusing on the lifestyle of the â€Å"average† millionaire? It’s almost like you said you wanted to get a Ferrari, and the book told you that most Ferrari owners got their car in the Hot Wheels section of Toys R Us. While this might technically be true (the stat includes everyone from age three to age 93), it’s not what you had in mind when you said you wanted a Ferrari. You didn’t want to take an average of all Ferrari owners, six-year-olds included, but rather wanted to use much narrower and more personalized parameters, like adult owners of real cars who have a similar financial profile as you. Stanley and Danko offer a potentially fruitful path toward becoming a millionaire, but it’s one that may not appeal or apply to all readers. The second weakness in this book has to do with its overall conclusions. From a mathematical standpoint, the book states some rather obvious statistics. Read on to learn why. The book's characterization of what it takes to become a millionaire are a bit too Puritanical for some people's tastes. #2: Its Conclusions Are Not All That Surprising Part of this book’s popularity has to do with its so-called surprising findings about what it means to be a millionaire. Millionaires aren’t tucked away behind security gates on their own private tropical islands, the book insists. They live right next to you and me! From a mathematical standpoint, though, the conclusion that most millionaires amassed their wealth through high saving, rather than high earning, is not astonishing. On the contrary, it’s totally predictable. To understand why, first, consider this representative example involving people and hats of various heights. Let’s say we want to learn more about people who are nine-feet tall. In our scenario, we’ll count hats as part of the height. In this scatterplot, you have people of various heights along the x-axis and hats of various heights along the y-axis. Hat heights are evenly distributed, but the number of people above six feet drops off rapidly. Heights and Hats: Diagram 1 Now let’s look at the people who are nine feet or taller, hats included. Above this line, everyone is nine feet or taller, while everyone below it is less than nine feet. Heights and Hats: Diagram 2 As you can see, there are a lot more people who hit the nine-foot mark because they’re wearing a hat. Only one person is nine feet on his own without a hat, because there are so few nine-foot tall people wandering the earth. Now, we’re not really talking about heights and hats; we’re talking about income and savings rates. Let’s use this same scatterplot to learn about people who have $1 million or more. Do they make a high income, or do they just have a high savings rate (or, as the analogy goes, wear a tall hat)? Here, income is represented along the x-axis and the rate of savings is represented along the y-axis. Income and Savings Rates: Diagram 1 Now let’s estimate a line through the data so that we’re roughly focusing on everyone with a net worth of $1 million or higher. Income and Savings Rates: Diagram 2 Just as there are only a few 8-foot tall people, there are also only a few people with incomes close to $1 million or higher. The rate that people save their money, rather than how much they earn, is much more evenly distributed across income levels. When you look at the way income levels rapidly extinguish as you get closer to a million, you can conclude that it’s a lot more common for people to accumulate $1 million or more by significantly raising their savings rate than by boosting their income into the six digits. This math shows us that most millionaires amassed their fortune through saving a lot. While this is useful to know, it’s not necessarily as revelatory as the marketers of The Millionaire Next Door have made it seem. By simply looking at the numbers, you can figure out on your own that most millionaires became wealthy by spending little and saving a lot. Given this mixed review of The Millionaire Next Door, what’s the final verdict? Should you read this book? The hats in the example above are a metaphor, as hats so often are. Reader’s Choice: Should You Read The Millionaire Next Door? All in all, The Millionaire Next Door has a lot to teach us about the choices and lifestyles of the average millionaire in the US. Whether or not it’s the most enlightening book for you largely depends on what you’re looking for. Is your main financial goal to save over $1 million in the bank and assets while spending little? If so, then this book will be right up your alley. Or would you rather spend well on things that you enjoy, but not necessarily go over the tipping point from $900k to $1 million? If this sounds like you, then this book may not apply as well to your financial goals. It's also important to remember that this book came from a study of the nation's millionaires. It's valuable and interesting for those who want insight into how others accumulate wealth rather than tips for how to do it themselves. In closing, let’s go over the main takeaways from The Millionaire Next Door. Remember that The Millionaire Next Door came from the studies of two academics. It wasn't meant to be a how-to guide for your personal finances. The Millionaire Next Door: Final Takeaways The Millionaire Next Door offers several lessons that endure for people today. To responsibly manage your finances, you generally want to save more, spend less, and avoid debt that you can’t afford. You should also take advantage of compound interest growth by making smart investments early in life. At the same time, you won’t find much discussion of quality of life or increasing your spending in a sustainable way in these pages. After all, it was not originally meant to be a personal finance guide, but rather an in-depth study of the nation’s millionaires. The book does not promise that anyone who saves and invests will become a millionaire, nor does it discuss social realities of inequity and privilege. You should read with a critical eye, so that you don’t come away with an overly idealized view of economic mobility or forget that some people experience barriers to wealth while others have more doors open. Ultimately, the book's lessons about what it means to be a millionaire can be useful for anyone who is trying to set financial goals and find realistic ways to work toward them. Readers will need to strike their own balance between self-denial and consumption as they take control of their personal finances.

150 Million Years of Snake Evolution

150 Million Years of Snake Evolution Considering how diverse they are todaynearly 500 genera comprising almost 3,000 named specieswe still know surprisingly little about the ultimate origin of snakes. Clearly, these cold-blooded, slithering, legless creatures evolved from four-legged reptilian ancestors, either small, burrowing, landbound lizards (the prevailing theory) or, just possibly, the family of  marine reptiles called mosasaurs that appeared in the earths seas around 100 million years ago. Piecing Together the Evolution of Snakes Why is snake evolution such an enduring mystery? A big part of the problem is that the vast majority of snakes are small, relatively fragile creatures, and their even smaller, even more fragile ancestors are represented in the fossil record by incomplete remains, mostly consisting of scattered vertebrae. Paleontologists have discovered putative snake fossils dating as far back as 150 million years, to the late Jurassic period, but the traces are so evanescent as to be practically useless. (Further complicating matters, snake-like amphibians called aistopods appear in the fossil record over 300 million years ago, the most notable genus being Ophiderpeton; these were completely unrelated to modern snakes.) Recently, though, solid fossil evidence has emerged for Eophis, a 10-inch-long middle Jurassic snake native to England. The Early Snakes of the Cretaceous Period Needless to say, the key event in snake evolution was the gradual withering away of these reptiles front and hind limbs. Creationists like to claim that there are no such transitional forms in the fossil record, but in the case of prehistoric snakes theyre dead wrong: paleontologists have identified no less than four separate genera, dating back to the Cretaceous period, that was equipped with stubby, vestigial hind legs. Oddly enough, three of these snakesEupodophis, Haasiophis, and Pachyrhachiswere discovered in the Middle East, not otherwise a hotbed of fossil activity, while a fourth, Najash, lived on the other side of the world, in South America. What do these two-legged ancestors reveal about snake evolution? Well, that answer is complicated by the fact that the Middle Eastern genera were discovered firstand, since they were found in geologic strata that were submerged in water a hundred million years ago, paleontologists took that as evidence  that snakes as a whole evolved from water-dwelling reptiles, most likely the sleek, fierce mosasaurs of the late Cretaceous period. Unfortunately, the South American Najash throws a monkey wrench into that theory: this two-legged snake was clearly terrestrial, and appears in the fossil record at roughly the same time as its Middle Eastern cousins. Today, the prevailing view is that snakes evolved from an as-yet-unidentified land-dwelling (and probably burrowing) lizard of the early Cretaceous period, most likely a type of lizard known as a varanid. Today, varanids are represented by monitor lizards (genus Varanus), the largest living lizards on earth. Oddly enough, then, prehistoric snakes may have been kissing cousins of the giant prehistoric monitor lizard Megalania, which measured about 25 feet from head to tail and weighed over two tons! The Giant Prehistoric Snakes of the Cenozoic Era Speaking of giant monitor lizards, some prehistoric snakes also attained gigantic sizes, though once again the fossil evidence can be frustratingly inconclusive. Until recently, the biggest prehistoric snake in the fossil record was the appropriately named Gigantophis, a late Eocene monster that measured about 33 feet from head to tail and weighed as much as half a ton. Technically, Gigantophis is classified as a madtsoiid snake, meaning it was closely related to the widespread genus Madtsoia. Unfortunately for Gigantophis fans, this prehistoric snake has been eclipsed in the record books by an even bigger genus with an even cooler name: the South American Titanoboa, which measured over 50 feet long and conceivably weighed as much as a ton. Oddly enough, Titanoboa dates from the middle Paleocene epoch, about five million years after the dinosaurs went extinct but millions of years before mammals evolved into giant sizes. The only logical conclusion is that this prehistoric snake preyed on equally huge prehistoric crocodiles, a scenario you can expect to see computer-simulated in some future TV special; it may also have occasionally crossed paths with the equally giant prehistoric turtle Carbonemys.

You choose paper topic Research Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

You choose topic - Research Paper Example reportedly practiced from the western stretch of Africa into the central, eastern and north eastern Africa excluding the Northern Arabic and South African countries. It has been conducted by selective ethnicities, tribes and clans and often associated with Islamic religion, majorly on the grounds of upholding traditions and cultures, for chastity, purification and as a religious obligation. These justifications are based on beliefs and myths of the traditions and religion. Depending on the interventions taken in country levels to fight FGM some have facilitated the decline of the prevalence rate, while others remain dormant or ineffective. To curb the problem, safe shelters for FGM escapees have been established and even funded, while anti-FGM laws and campaigns are broadly in place as government strive to enforce the regulations. Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a global problem affecting a minority of the female gender and associated with serious health illnesses. Women and young girls (minor) have fallen victims of the prevalent FGM, often embraced in the settings and societies they are brought up. It is a procedure that has seen millions of women suffer, ashamed and even afraid to speak about it. While male circumcision is acceptable and dominant across the continents, female circumcision has in the past attracted divided attention from its supporters and opponents. It’s a widespread problem in Africa and Middle East compared to the western world. However, due to the immigration policies adopted by different industrialized nations, the FGM culture did gradually enter into the western countries, especially since the first black movement from the south into the north. According to WHO, female circumcision is an operation â€Å"involving removal of total or partial external female genitalia or othe r injuries to the female genital organs for non medical reasons† (2008, p.2). The research paper expounds on the study of FGM in Africa With regard to the

Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge - Essay Example The essay "Yves Saint Laurant and Pierre Bergà ©" discover Pierre Bergà © partnership with the famous designer and explores his role in success of the popular brand. Who was that unsung hero, and how did he come to meet St Laurent? Bergà © went so far as to pen his own account of the meteoric ascent from a mere inclusion in Dior’s stable to worldwide fashion phenomenon that was Yves St Laurent. In this account, he tells of his presence at St Laurent’s 1962 debut in Paris, writing an homage to the designer’s artistry. He understates his contribution, yet it is fully there: a subtle acknowledgment of the innumerable benefits that come from a long and stable association. A salute to the standing ovations that were to become part and parcel of these men’s careers. Bergà © was born into a middle class family where education and achievement were rewarded. His father was a sporting enthusiast on weekends, but an ordinary public servant who fulfilled ordinary tasks in the French tax office from Monday to Friday. His love of music definitely came from his mother, an amateur soprano, who understood the finer points of education and bequeathed her elegance and philosophies to her son. He went to Paris after his secondary education, probably without an inkling of what his future would bring. In 1958, Bergà © met Yves St Laurent. It was inevitable that the fashion ambience would have thrown them together. Paris has always been the kind of place that attracts the right kind of people to itself, and then of course to each other.

Organizational Systems Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Organizational Systems Theory - Essay Example If environment is Placid, Predictable, Homogeneous, Stable and Resource Munificent then structural form is Mechanistic, Bureaucratic, Centralized and Clear Goals. But if environment is Turbulent, Uncertain, Complex, Unstable and Resource Scarce then structural form is Organic, Informal, Networked; Ambiguous Goals. Since organizations differ in the type of tasks they perform and environments they face, the appropriate organizational structure in each case is a function of four factors which are Organization’s size, technology, environment and strategy. The resulting structures can be formal, differentiated, vertical, horizontal, central and complex. [4] In the book Handbook of Media Management And Economics by Alan B. Albarran, Sylvia M. Chan-Olmsted, Michael O. Wirth, it is explained that the primary approach in organizational studies to the study of issues of organizational structure has been Structural Contingency theory. This theory describes the relationship between the organizational structures and performance outcomes. Grounded in assumptions of economic rationality this theory argues that organizations will adopt structures that maximize efficiency and optimize financial performance according to the specific contingencies that exists within the organizations’ marketing environments. Consequently there is no single organizational structure that will be equally effective for all companies. According to them Structural Contingency theory first emerged in organizational studies during the 1950s and generated a great deal of attention. This book states that under this theory, organizational structures are considered to include authority, reporting, decision and communication relationships and organizational rules, among other elements. The primary contingency factors that influence organizational structures include organizational scale and task uncertainty. Small organizations and those facing low levels of

Hate crimes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Hate crimes - Essay Example Other standard investigations by the FBI include religious bias in the form of religious structure vandalism or damage and election crimes in the form of prohibiting one from voting due to religious, race, color, or disability (FBI â€Å"Overview†). The FBI has developed the Cold Case initiative that looks into and identifies unsolved cases that they act on to find answers and impart justice on behalf of the victims and their families. The FBI task force has also partnered with civil society, community groups, non-governmental organizations, and the local, state and county statute enforcement agencies to implement the task of investigating and execution effectively. The partnerships set the ground for training workshops and dialogue for awareness creation on hate crime. Such a platform is key to confidence building so that individuals can learn to report cases of hate crime to the FBI. The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) compiles hate crime data submitted voluntarily by about 17000 law enforcement agencies across the United States. Their personnel is properly trained to ensure authenticity if they collect and send to the FBI. Statistics shows a decrease in hate crime related offenses from 7722 in 2006 to 6624 in 2007. In 2007, out of the 6624, only three were multiple-bias incidents while the remaining 6621 being single-bias incidents. These included 50.8% racial bias, 18% religious bias, 17% sexual oriented bias and 13.2% ethnic or racial bias (FBI â€Å"Overview†). From statistics, intimidation was the leading type of hate crime with 47% followed by simple assaults and aggravated assaults with 31% and 26.9 respectively. About 81% of hate crimes against property involved destruction, damage or vandalism as followed by 18.6% involving burglary thefts, bribery and counterfeiting. Hate incidents could be single or multiple biases.

Essay about martin luther the priest Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

About martin luther the priest - Essay Example He translated Bible into the language of the people so that they could understand the Holy Book. He was also a noteworthy hymn writer as his hymns brought together different pieces of art and music with different age segments of the society. His theology basically challenged the manner in which the authority of the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church was raised (Rose 2002). He suggested that Bible was the only source of knowledge that comes under the aegis of divinely revealed ones. In the later stage of his life, Martin Luther became strongly Antisemitic whereby he wrote that Jewish homes should be dismantled their synagogues be burnt, money usurped and liberty ended. For these revelations and public statements, Martin Luther was hailed as a very controversial figure among a number of historians and religious scholars. Martin Luther suffered from a number of diseases and eventually died in 1546. Rose, Paul Lawrence. Revolutionary Antisemitism in Germany from Kant to Wagner. Princeton University Press, 1990. Cited in Berger, Ronald. Fathoming the Holocaust: A Social Problems Approach. New York: Aldine De Gruyter,

Hate crimes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Hate crimes - Essay Example Other standard investigations by the FBI include religious bias in the form of religious structure vandalism or damage and election crimes in the form of prohibiting one from voting due to religious, race, color, or disability (FBI â€Å"Overview†). The FBI has developed the Cold Case initiative that looks into and identifies unsolved cases that they act on to find answers and impart justice on behalf of the victims and their families. The FBI task force has also partnered with civil society, community groups, non-governmental organizations, and the local, state and county statute enforcement agencies to implement the task of investigating and execution effectively. The partnerships set the ground for training workshops and dialogue for awareness creation on hate crime. Such a platform is key to confidence building so that individuals can learn to report cases of hate crime to the FBI. The FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) compiles hate crime data submitted voluntarily by about 17000 law enforcement agencies across the United States. Their personnel is properly trained to ensure authenticity if they collect and send to the FBI. Statistics shows a decrease in hate crime related offenses from 7722 in 2006 to 6624 in 2007. In 2007, out of the 6624, only three were multiple-bias incidents while the remaining 6621 being single-bias incidents. These included 50.8% racial bias, 18% religious bias, 17% sexual oriented bias and 13.2% ethnic or racial bias (FBI â€Å"Overview†). From statistics, intimidation was the leading type of hate crime with 47% followed by simple assaults and aggravated assaults with 31% and 26.9 respectively. About 81% of hate crimes against property involved destruction, damage or vandalism as followed by 18.6% involving burglary thefts, bribery and counterfeiting. Hate incidents could be single or multiple biases.

Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 23

Case Study Example The company’s website offers customers a platform in which they can track their orders and make inquiries regarding their requests. Interestingly, the service is offered at very affordable rate. Therefore, it can be clearly stated that given UPS business strategy, the key success factors and risk that are responsible for the company’s fortune growth are, prompt response to customer needs. The success is also attributed to competition based pricing strategy and accuracy. The company’s ability to offer a service that enables customer track their order is a major milestone for the organization. In addition to the service, the UPS introduced another service that allows customers to change the destination of their orders before the order reaches its destination (Study mode, 2014). However, the company also faces when it comes to managing its fleet of cars and airplanes. Maintaining the huge number of vehicles and airplanes is very expensive for the company. The cars and planes require regular servicing because of the many trips that are made hence have to be in a good condition. Achieving the objective can be a daunting task to the management because it translates to more cash outflow. Conversely, the company also uses its staff to send orders to customer. Workers may fail to respond to customer’s orders promptly a situation that may extend the lead time for an order. Furthermore, they may fail to deliver according to the expectations of the customer, or even may not deliver. Moral issues put UPS operations at a risk (Study mode, 2014). The performance of UPS has been growing over the current years. In the year 2012 during the first month, the price of a share was $4.53 while the revenue stood at an estimated $5.4 billion. In the current financial year, the dividends of the company are expected to fall between $4.80 and $5.06. The fall represents a 6%-12% increase from the year 2012 which is a remarkable

Jehovah’s Witnesses Essay Example for Free

Jehovah’s Witnesses Essay They do this because they consider it an honor to spread the word of god. Their religious practices are generally similar to others they worship God, pray to him, and think that all things good come from him. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe God can not lie therefore what the bible says will come true and earth will someday be cleansed of all the â€Å"wickedness†. In addition, most religions do some kind of baptizing when a child is young however, Jehovah’s Witnesses only baptise those who want to serve as a Jehovah’s Witness. * * Jehovah’s Witnesses have contributed to American Culture in many ways. For instance, they help with education, disaster relief, and parenting. They contribute in many ways and are modest about the history in the making. Jahovah’s Witnesses set out to help people become law abiding citizens that do right by God. They have also won many court battles about religious freedom issues. Other groups that do not have the same beliefs have discriminated against Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been treated poorly or even been victims of violent crimes. Jehovah’s Witnesses have been shunned in many different areas of the world. For instance; in France (2006) the government branded them as dangerous and 71 kingdom halls were burned, firebombed, shot at, and vandalized. In India (2006) door to door Jehovah’s Witnesses were attacked and beaten with fence posts. The Jehovah’s Witnesses were charged with inciting the violence. The sources of this discrimination and prejudice came from governments as well as general population. What I have learned about this religion helps me understand it just as well as I understand any religion. Jahovah’s Witnesses are fighting for what they believe in just as many of us are. They are no different accept their beliefs differ from others. Jahovah’s Witnesses deserve to believe what they want to believe in. Everyone needs to believe in something and they should not be treated differently because the way they practice is not the same as everyone else. Racial/ethnic group: Hispanic and Latino * * Hispanic and Latino culture is different in many ways. Some of these differences include skin color, language, and physical features. Many Hispanic and Latinos speak Spanish and their second language is English. Their culture is defferent in the sense that they try to avoid standing out in their own groups. In addition, Hispanic and Latino children are raised to have a deep connection with family. This group many times has a strong bond with all family including Aunts Uncles, and Grandparents, many times these family members live in the same household or near by. * * Hispanic and Latinos have been treated poorly similar to any other racial group. The efforts to increase border patrol on the Mexican American border have done nothing but increase prejudice and discrimination against Hispanic and Latino people. There have even been reports that women and children are treated poorly as well. Here in Tucson Az. for instance we hear many reports about the border patrol having to work over time to keep them out. Someday I feel it will all come crashing down and anyone who tried to keep them out will have to pay for that in some way shape or form. Hispanics and Latinos should not be told they can not come to the US. Many of them say that the US has better opportunitys and that is why they want to be here. If we can help other countrys organize then why not Mexico as well. Hispanic and Latinos have highly influenced American culture. First and foremost the food thay they showed us is popular all over the world. Tortillas, burritos, chimichangas, and many other dishes that are simply delicious. In addition, the music they have introduced us to has definitely spiced things up in many clubs all over the U. S. Also many students are now required to complete spanish as a second language in school, which at first may have been frowned upon but now is embraced by most parents and students. Some discrimination that Hispanic and Latinos deal with still today is the difficulty to get good paying jobs. Because many of them do not speak english well and have little to no education the jobs they get are in most cases low wage high labor jobs. The sources of this prejudice and discrimination is employers as well as general population. Hispanics and Latinos are looked upon as different especially if they were not born in the US. In addition, in many films Hispanics are often prtrayed as lazy, hyper-sexual, or violent which is simply untrue and not very different from any other ethnic group. What I have learned about this racial and ethnic group does help me understand it. I have never understood why so many of them live under the same roof and now I understand it is because their family is close. In addition, now I know that it is the lack of education the prevents them from getting higher paying jobs and maybe not so much that they are different. The prejedice between my selected racial and ethnic group is similar because it is all in the same category. Prejedice and discrimination is all a way of making a person or a group feel inadequate and that they do not belong. Regardless of the way Jahovah’s wittnesses were beaten and harrassed or the way the Hispanic and Latinos have been cast out and told they are not welcome in the US it is all wrong and should not be tolerated. In conclusion, discrimination comes in all shapes and sizes and can happen to anyone. Jahovah’s Witnesses References: Reference: http://www. jw. org/en/publications/magazines/g201008/what-do-jehovahs-witnesses-believe/ Reference: http://www. knocking. org/ReligiousPersecutionReport. html Reference: http://www. jw-media. org/aboutjw/article44. htm Reference: http://wiki. answers. com/Q/How_have_Jehovah%27s_Witnesses_contributed_to_American_culture Hispanic and Latino Reference: Reference: http://www. coedu. usf. edu/zalaquett/hoy/culture. html Reference:

Implementation of New Procurement Methods in India

Implementation of New Procurement Methods in India The construction industry in India is complex, challenging and unique. Selecting appropriate procurement method is a critical feature. In India even today traditional procurement methods are used. The options of adapting new procurement methods are open but there are various challenges in implementing them. This study will identify the barriers and difficulties which restrict the implementation of new procurement methods in India. The literature review investigated characteristics of new procurement methods. It highlighted the nature and types of projects in India. It emphasizes on structures and trends in the Indian construction Industry. It gives an insight on procurement methods used in developed economies. The chapter on characterization focuses on issues specific to Indian construction Industry such as demographics, socio-economic concerns, economical advantages, rapid growth of the industry etc. It highlights the typical procurement methods used for different types of projects in India and the regulations and administration within the construction Industry. This study gives us the nature and character of the Indian Construction Industry. Further, the study analyzes various issues, and draws attention to challenges in implementing new procurement methods. In the light of the characterization, issues and challenges this study identifies and concludes with the barriers and difficulties which restrict the implementation of new procurement methods. The worldwide construction industry includes projects of dramatically different types, size and complexity and requires extensive professional and trade skills (Groak, 1994). A construction project can refer to any building activity that includes building, repair, erection, demolition, maintenance, land clearing, earth moving, excavating, trenching, digging, boring, drilling, blasting, concreting, installation etc. (Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act, 1996). All these activities involve a considerable number of goods and services as well as large number of transactions to support a project. Most significantly, goods and services should be procured at the best possible cost to meet the needs in terms of quality, quantity, time and location (Weeley, 2010). However, construction industry is a significant contributor to a nations economy. Internationally, construction industry accounts for approximately 8-10 percent of gross domestic product GDP. Currently, in India construction industry accounts 8 percent of GDP. Furthermore, main construction sectors in India are Infrastructure, housing and commercial developments. In India by 2014 the second phase of infrastructure development will be started. This will provide additional boost to the construction industry. Owing to numerous projects the significance of procurement will be very important. Considerably, a well procured construction project is completed in time with desirable quality and within estimated cost. Internationally, plentiful construction procurement methods are practiced. Worldwide effectively used, key procurement methods are Design and Build, Management Contracting, Construction Management, Build Operate Transfer, Public Private Partnerships, Strategic Partnership, Joint ventures etc. Generally, in developed economies procurement methods such as Design and Build, Construction Management and Management Contracting are widely used, due to the maturity of the industry. However, in India mainly traditional construction procurement methods are practiced. Construction industry consists of large number of scattered small firms. The professionals prefer to operate within their silos. As a result, they remain in their comfort zone of using traditional methods. Nowadays trends are changing particularly in infrastructure and large scale projects management. This is due to the increased number, size of projects and capital invested in the projects. Mainly the upcoming procurement methods are Build Operate and Transfer and Public Private Partnerships. However, these are restricted to only a few projects. Still a large number of projects are carried out in a traditional manner. Major obstacle to implement new procurement methods are large population (1.2 billion approximately) large inclusive demand, large demand spread across the country, many small projects, traditional outlook of construction professionals, segregated industry, numerous small firms, enormous unskilled work force. Other barriers include considerable number of regional languages, excess availability of skilled professionals in one part of the country and scarcity in the other parts, no standard terms of contracts, different legislation in different states, local suppliers, mon opoly of manufactures in a region etc. As a consequence it is increasingly important to explore the reasons why new procurement methods cannot be implemented in India. Some key interdependent and inter-linked issues to be investigated are economic issues, management issues, technical issues, legal issues and cultural issues. Research outcomes will be inferred by careful observation of challenges and study of difficulties for implementation of new procurement methods. 1.2 Research Aim The aim of the research is to identify the barriers and difficulties that restrict the implementation of new procurement methods in India. 1.3 Research Objectives The research objectives will include the following 1) To investigate the issues, namely economic issues, management issues, legal issues and cultural issues which act as barriers for the implementation of new procurement methods in India. 2) To investigate procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management and relate it to the traditional Indian procurement method, to understand the challenges of the implementation of new procurement methods in India. 3) Identifying the barriers which act as hindrances for implementation of new procurement methods in the Indian construction industry. 1.4 Scope of Study This study of identification of barriers and difficulties that restrict the implementation of new procurement methods is confined to the Indian construction industry. The data is collected from secondary sources. The main sources were U.N views on India, U.K Trade and Investment and other secondary data. It outlines various difficulties and barriers which are already present in the Indian construction industry which in turn affects the implementation of new procurement methods. This study restricts itself in identifying difficulties and barriers from the nature and character of the Indian Construction Industry. As moving into detail of all issues was not possible, it explores largely economic issues, management issues, legal issues and cultural issues and finds the barriers which prevent the implementation of new procurement methods. This study will also mainly look into procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management and compare it with the traditional Indian procurement method to find the challenges in implementation of new procurement methods. 1.5 Structure of Dissertation Chapter 1) This chapter gives an introduction to the topic and gives the idea about how the study will be carried out. It gives an idea of a fast developing Indian construction Industry and the need to adapt new procurement methods. It states the research aim, objectives and scope of study and also discusses the structure of the dissertation Chapter 2) This chapter reviews the literature associated with the study. It looks into new procurement methods, projects in India, Indian construction industry and important factors affecting the construction industry in India. Chapter 3) This chapter describes the research methodology adapted within the scope of the dissertation. Secondary data, semi-structured interviews with the experts and academicians were employed to address the objectives. Chapter 4) This chapter characterizes India. It describes the nature and the character of the Indian construction industry. It gives an insight into the Indian construction Industry and its approaches. Chapter 5) This chapter looks at the barriers and the difficulties that restrict implementation of new procurement methods in India. It identifies various issues and challenges in implementation of new procurement methods in India. It looks at the present construction Industry in India and its characterization and identifies the barriers and difficulties that restrict implementation of new procurement methods in India. Chapter 6) This chapter presents the conclusions and direction for further research in this area. CHAPTER 2:Â  LITERATURE REVIEW 2.0 Procurement Methods Introduction Around the world procurement methods are developed through the years as per needs. The selection of the most appropriate procurement method is critical for both the client and other project participants as it is an important factor that contributes to the overall clients satisfaction and project success. This selection will be dependent upon a number of factors such as cost, time and quality which are widely considered as being the most fundamental criteria for clients seeking to achieve their end product at the highest quality, at the lowest cost and in the shortest time (Hackett et al. 2007). The type of procurement method adopted mainly depends upon the type of project, type of ownership, nature of construction industry in that particular country and the maturity of the industry. The selection of the procurement path is much more than simply establishing a contractual relationship (Newcombe, 1992), inspite of the continuing search for maximum value for money. In the developed economies such as USA, UK, Australia, Sweden etc. procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management are used from a long time. This is because the construction industry is developed, the projects are needed to be delivered efficiently and the clients demand the delivery of projects within budget and in least possible time. In this dissertation the study is limited to procurement methods such as Design and Build, Management Contracting and Construction Management. 2.1 Design and Build Design-build is a method to deliver a project in which the design and construction services are contracted by a single entity known as the design-builder or design-build contractor. Design-build relies on a single point of responsibility contract and is used to minimize risks for the project owner and to reduce the delivery schedule by overlapping the design phase and construction phase of a project. Design and Build with its single point responsibility carries the clearest contractual remedies for the clients because the DB contractor will be responsible for all of the work on the project, regardless of the nature of the fault (John Murdoch and Will Hughes 2007). The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) takes the position that design-build can be led by a contractor, a designer, a developer or a joint venture, as long as a the design-build entity holds a single contract for both design and construction. The main contractor takes responsibility for both design and construction and will use either in-house designers or employ consultants to carry out the design. Most of the construction work will be carried out by specialist or sub-contractors. The contractor tenders against a client brief and will often follow an initial concept design prepared by consultants appointed to advise the client. The design will be developed by the contractor and the works will be completed, usually for a fixed price. Tendering is more expensive so it carries more risk for the contractor than the traditional approach. This is because the contractor has to develop an outline design and a detailed price. Tender lists will probably be shorter than for traditional contracts. However, the client commits to the cost of construction, as well as the cost of design, much earlier than with the traditional approach. Changes made by the client during design can be expensive, because they affect the whole of the Design-Build contract, rather than just the design team costs. This strategy is a low-risk option for clients who wish to minimize their exposure to the risks of overspend delays or design failure. However, the exposure to risk will increase where the design phase is rushed, where unreasonable time targets are set or where the tender documents are not fully completed. 2.1.1 Characteristics of Design and Build It provides single point of responsibility so that in event of a failure the contractor is solely responsible. There is no ambiguity between the designer and the contractor. The clients interests are safeguarded in this respect. When the client adopts Design and Build method he knows his total financial commitment early in a project. The client has direct contact with the contractor. This improves the lines of communication and enables the contractor to respond and adapt to the clients needs more promptly. In Design and Build contractor is responsible for design, planning and control. This gives him a better control over the activities and can concurrently carry out the activities which are not generally possible using traditional procurement methods. The contractor can purchase, obtain planning permission and arrange his finance simultaneously which helps him to give a better deal to the client. He can also benefit himself and the client by making use of proprietary modular designs which reduces design time and time required for approval. The contractor can start the work as soon as the approvals are obtained and sufficient information regarding the site operations is available. The design does not need to be finalized before some, at least, of the work may be commenced. The Design and Build proposals ensure economical tenders and alternate design concepts which can benefit the client. The nature of Design and Build procurement system promotes the creation of integrated design and construction team. In some countries using Design and Build system relaxes the architects code of practice, which encourages them to become full partners in design and build firms. The closer involvement of architects leads to more aesthetically pleasing buildings and leads to designs which have a greater appreciation. By using Design and Build method time and cost savings are achieved, which benefits the client. The total project completion period is also reduced. Design and Build reduces the employers financing charges, inflation has less effect and the building is operational sooner which commercially produces an early return on the capital invested. The Design and Build method facilitates novation of design with the consultants to the contractor which provides advantages to the client. The advantage of Design and Build is that the contractor has some control over the design and is able to introduce components, materials and systems which are beneficial and which he knows are more economical to construct. 2.1.2 Critique of Design and Build Design and Build is not suitable for complex projects. The traditional method of construction procurement dissociates the designers from the contractors interests, design-build does not. The contractor decides on the design issues as well as issues related to cost, profits and time exigencies, which may be the matter of concern in some situations. The client is required to commit to a concept design at an early stage and often before the detailed designs is completed. There is no design overview unless separate consultants are appointed. And there is no one appointed from clients side to manage the works or act as clients agent. If client changes the scope of the project, this can be expensive. Design-build does not make use of competitive bidding where prospective builders bid on the same design. In Design and Build the criteria to select contractor is subjective and difficult to evaluate and to justify later. 2.2 Management Contracting In management contracting the client appoints the designers and a management contractor separately and pays the contractor a fee for managing the construction works. Payment to the management contractor is done on the basis of cost of the works packages plus agreed fees. The main benefits of management contracting are the time required for design and construction is shorter. There is an early involvement of managing contractor during design phase, in which his expertise can be used. The management contractor has the responsibility to manage the project. The sub-contractors are appointed by the management contractor, thus reducing the day to day administrative responsibilities of the client. The management contractor has major role in directing the project. The lines of communications are improved. As there is a direct relation between the management contractor and the client changes and variations can be done in a project. The main advantage is that the project is completed in time as the management contractor manages the works. Because of this the client gets possession quickly and the return on investment starts. The client normally appoints the management contractor to take an active role in the project at an early stage and the client can benefit from the contractors expertise. The overall design is the responsibility of the clients consultants, but the management contractor is normally responsible for defining packages of work and then for managing the carrying out of those work packages through separate trades or works contracts. The management contractor can sometimes not be employed to undertake the work but is employed to manage the process. All the work is subcontracted to works contractors who are directly employed by the management contractor. The client usually needs to be given the opportunity to approve the terms and conditions of the trades or works contracts before the packages are subcontracted. The management contract will usually include both a pre-construction phase and the construction phase. The management contractor is responsible for the administration and operation of the works contractors. However, the management contractor is not liable for the consequences of any default by a works contractor so long as the management contractor has complied with the particular requirements of the management contract. 2.2.1 Characteristics of Management Contracting Clients and contractors adapt this system once they gain experience, which suggests that it has merits. It is generally recognized that its adoption requires mutual trust. The management contractor is appointed much earlier. He is able to become a member of design team and contribute his expertise and mainly his management expertise. Management Contracting is an effective method for the client retaining control of the design whilst drawing on the experience of a construction specialist as part of the Professional Team. The Management Contractor is paid a fee for its services as well as enters into contract with the client for work packages, generally separate works contractors are appointed to carry out work packages under the management contractor. This type of arrangement tends to be used on complex projects where early input from a construction specialist is required. Decisions regarding appointment of subcontractors are made jointly by designers and management contractor thus making use of wider experience. Specialists contractors and subcontractors compete at second stage ensuring economical tenders which benefits the client. Lines of communication are shorter between management contractor and client than with the traditional procurement method. The client has direct control over the management contractor, who is the main contractor, so that the project is completed in a better way and in shorter time. The total project completion period is reduced by parallel working. A reduced project completion period produces a corresponding reduction in financing charges and interim payments to the contractors. Inflation has less effect. The client takes the delivery of the building more quickly and obtains returns on his investment more quickly. The main functions of the management contractor may include acting as principal contractor, cost planning and cost control, consenting for works contracts, coordinating and managing works contracts, coordinating commissioning, collating pre construction information and construction phase plan, monitoring key performances and managing the site. 2.2.2 Critique of Management Contracting The client is usually given an approximate estimate of the final project cost by the management contractor early in the project life but the client does not know the final project cost until the last sub contract is entered into. On other projects he is given a guaranteed maximum cost. The architect may have less time to develop the design because he is under greater pressure from the client and contractor. The design may suffer as a result. The client should provide a good design brief as the design will not be completed until the client has committed significant resources to the project. The strategy relies on quality committed team or it may just become a mere reporting system in some cases. Management contracting is not suitable for inexperienced clients. It is less suitable for clients wanting to pass the complete risk to the contractors. Specialist contractors frequently prefer to be in contract with client rather than the management contractor appointed by the client because interim payments are usually made promptly when paid directly. 2.3 Construction Management In construction management the client appoints a construction manager for a fee to manage, programme and coordinate the design and construction activities. The client does not allocate risk and responsibility to a single main contractor. Construction work is carried out by trade contractors through direct contracts with the client for various packages. The client takes the risk. The construction manager supervises the construction process and coordinates the design team. The construction manager has no contractual links with the design team and contractors. He only provides professional expertise without assuming financial risks. On appointment the construction manager takes over any preliminary scheduling and costing information and draw up detail programme accordingly. In this method the client should have administrative or project management staff with the ability to assess the recommendation of construction manager and take actions. Adapting construction management reduces the time required for the project. This occurs because the contract strategy, construction and design can overlap. A construction manager should have a good track record in cost forecasting and cost management, as the time can be reduced but the price certainty is not achieved unless the design and construction have advanced to the extent that all the work packages have been let. This method puts so much emphasis on the role of client, if the client is experienced, with the help of construction manager he can control the project effectively. The clients continue to use construction management to their advantage, for example, the cultivation of direct, long-term relationships with trade contractors helps to secure many of the benefits more often associated with partnering. Furthermore, by employing a construction manager who is able to focus on the interests of the project, rather than on its own risk management, the client can be confident that its project objectives will be shared by the rest of the team. Construction management is distinguished by the influence of the clients and construction managers management and leadership skills on the success of the project. By adapting construction management method the client can have greater influence over the project and can have more flexibility over the contractor selection and so on. 2.3.1 Characteristics of Construction Management Construction management offers relative time saving potential for overall project duration due to overlapping of various activities. The roles, risks and relationships are clear for all the participants during most of the situations. In some situations changes in design can be accommodated later than some other strategies, without paying a premium. In construction management method the client has direct contracts with the contractors and pays them directly. This helps the contractors as they are paid promptly and there is evidence that this results in lower prices because of improved cash flow certainty. The client has direct involvement in the project as compared to most of the traditional methods. As the client is directly involved he is enabled to make prompt decisions which can be implemented without delay. This also makes possible a prompt response by the client to unforeseen site problems and also makes possible a prompt response by the contractor to changes required by the client. In this type the construction manager acts as an agent of the contractor. This benefits the contractor in managing the works. This also excludes the client for keeping his own staff for overlooking the issues which are looked by the construction manager. The central role of the construction manager is managing the project and providing administrative support to the employer. In this there is no single point of responsibility related to the delivery of the project. 2.3.2 Critique of Construction Management In construction management price certainty is not achieved until the last works packages have been let. Budgeting primarily depends heavily on design team estimates. The client should be pro-active and must provide a quality design brief to the design team in order to complete the design. The strategy relies upon the client selecting a good quality and committed team. In construction management the client has to manage and administer many contracts as there is no single contractor, all the works contracts are directly between the works contractors and the client. The client has to manage coordinate with the design team appropriately or else there increased likelihood of design change. There is a high degree of client ownership of risks associated with design including impacts of late or incomplete and uncoordinated design. In construction management the client has exposure to performance risk and exposure to consequential loss associated with trade contractor default. In construction management method there is increased administration role for the client. Construction manager owes duty of care liability only. The client is at the center of management and requires decision making capabilities. The client has to rely on management capability of construction manager. 2.4 Indian Construction Industry and Economy Indian economy has been growing from last two decades at an unprecedented rate. This is mainly because of industrialization and service sector growth. The main reason for Indias growth is its huge internal demand. In recent years particularly after the global recession in 2008 the Indian economy has shown signs of slowing down. In 2011-12 due to the current global economic scenario India found itself in the heart of managing growth and stabilizing prices. The Indian economy is grown by 6.9 per cent in 2011-12, after having grown at the rate of 8.4 per cent in each of the two preceding years. This indicates a slowdown compared not just to the previous two years but 2003 to 2011 (except 2008-09). At the same time, sight must not be lost of the fact that, by any cross country comparison, India remains among the front-runners. The Gross Domestic Product (nominal) of India is $ 1.848 trillion (Indiabudget, 2011). The Gross Domestic Product (Purchasing power parity) of India is $ 4.457 trillion (Indiabudget, 2011). The annual expenditure budget of India is Rs.1490925.29 Crores (Indiabudget, 2011). Over the years, more than half of the expenditure budget is spent on civil engineering, construction and related activities. The construction industry sets in motion the process of economical growth in the country, investment in this sector contributes 6.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. The construction industry in India is large and scattered. Today in India there is a massive demand in housing and infrastructure. The construction industry is the second largest industry of the country after agriculture. It makes a significant contribution to the national economy and provides employment to large number of people. The use of various new technologies and deployment of project management strategies have started to gain importance. In its path of advancement, the industry has to overcome a number of challenges. However, the industry is still faced with some major challenges, including housing, disaster resistant construction, water management and mass transportation. Recent experiences of several new mega-projects and large demand are clear indicators that the industry is poised for a bright future. It is the second homecoming of the construction profession to the forefront amongst all professions in the country. Every Re.1 investment in the construction industry causes an Rs.0.80 increment in GDP as against Rs.0.20 and Rs.0.14 in the fields of agriculture and manufacturing industry, respectively. Statistics over the period have shown that compared to other sectors, this sector of economic activity generally creates 4.7 times increase in incomes and 7.76 times increase in employment generation potentiality (Economicsurvey, 2011). Despite of the challenges in the construction industry there will be a continuous rise of the construction sector in the country, with over 4 Crore persons employed in it. 2.5 Projects in India The construction industry in India is large and diverse. In India majority of the projects are procured locally and are small in size. In recent years there is a demand for large projects such as large housing schemes, rural and urban and infrastructure projects but still there are large numbers of small projects. The projects include residential complexes, shopping centers, industrial development projects, urban roads, rural roads, water supply systems, sewerage systems and infrastructure projects such as highways, power stations, rapid mass transport systems, airports up gradation and new and ports. These projects are not concentrated in one part of the country, they are spread over the length and the breadth of the country. Except some few high profile and prestigious projects majority of the projects are due to local needs and demands. In India the metropolitan cities are experiencing a rapid growth of 25-30% in residential construction activity every year and the other non-major cities are experiencing 15-25%. The top 15 cities in India account for 18% of the total construction activity in India with Mumbai and Bangalore leading the pack. In India cities are classified as Tier I, Tier II, Tier III and Tier IV cities. Tier I cities consist of Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. Tier II cities consist of comparatively smaller cities as Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Kanpur, Pune, Surat etc. Tier III cities consists of even smaller cities and large towns such as Indore, Cochin, Jamshedpur etc. Tier IV consist of smaller towns. Approximately there are 35 cities in India with a po