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Deforestation is the transformation of woodland areas to non-woodland areas for ...

Deforestation is the transformation of woodland areas to non-woodland areas for use such as cultivable land, pastureland, suburban use, logged area, or barren land. Deforestation can also be seen as elimination of forests leading to several variances ecologically and environmentally and results in turn down in biodiversity and habitats.

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Government laws control the creation and exchange of timber products at all phases, from harvesting to processing to sales. These rules and regulations can be breached in any numerous ways, such as harvesting more than is permitted and harvesting protected species and taking wood from protected areas. Illegal logging happens around the world, and in some countries, excessive logging is more usual than the legal variety. This wrecking intimidates some of the Earths most well-known and precious forests, including rainforests in Indonesia, the Amazon, Congo Basin, and the forests of the Russian Far East. Illegal logging also depreciates the price of timber all around the globe, disadvantaging lawful and principled companies, and disposes council of revenues usually created by jobs and taxes. Poverty-stricken populations close to forests are often endangered when foreigners try to take control over the timber close by, which may lead to suppression and human rights being violated.

Fires are a raw and favorable component of plenty forest topography, but they are troublesome when they happen in the wrong frequency, at the wrong places or at the wrong severity. Each year, tons of acres of forest around the world are eliminated or eaten by fire. The exact sum is gone thanks to logging and agriculture together. Fire is usually made used as a solution to clear land for other purposes such as planting crops. These fires not only change the organization and composition of woodlands, but they can open up forests to invasive species, alter water cycles and soil fertility, threaten biological diversity, and terminate the income of the folks who live in and around the woods.

Timber is still a famous fuel option for cooking and heating around the world, and about half of the unlicensed removal of timber from the woods is thought to be for use as fuel timber. Deforestation comes in many proportions, including ranching and development, fires, unsustainable logging for timber, clear-cutting for agriculture, and degradation due to climate change. This strikes human’s daily income and threatens a vast range of flora and fauna species. We’re losing 18.7 million acres of forests every year, that’s equivalent to 27 soccer fields every minute.

Deforestation can have bad side effects on the environment. The most startling impact is a loss of natural environment or home for millions of species. Eighty percent of Earth’s land fauna and flora live in the woods, and much cannot sustain life due to deforestation that took down their homes. Deforestation also causes the changes in the climate. Forest topsoil’s are damp, but without conservation from sun-blocking tree cover, they dry up quite fast. Trees also help keep the water cycle going by returning water vapor back to the atmosphere. Without trees to play these roles, many forestlands may eventually become barren deserts. Elimination of trees deprive the woods especially portions of its canopy, which prevents the sun’s rays during the day, and holds in humid at night. This disturbance leads to more great temperature swings that can be dangerous to plants and animals. Trees also play an interesting part in absorbing the greenhouse gases that assists global warming. Decrease in the number of forests means larger percentage of greenhouse gases getting into the atmosphere.

Ways To Overcome Deforestation

  1. Plant more trees.
  2. Go paperless by using the help of technology.
  3. Recycle and buy recycled products.
  4. Look for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification on wood and wood products.
  5. Eat vegetarian meals as often as possible or avoid having meals that consist of meat very frequently

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In William Shakespeare's Richard III, Richard opens the play by informing the au ...

In William Shakespeare's Richard III, Richard opens the play by informing the audience that, since he is "?not shap'd for sportive tricks ?" (I.i.16) that are expected in the peacetime following the York's victory, he can only prove a spiteful, scheming villain. He goes on to describe his incompatibility with the leisure of peacetime in terms of his deformity ­ his hunched back and shriveled, weak arm ­ naming this as the source of his wickedness. Like Joe Christmas in Faulkner's Light In August, Richard struggles with his mental and emotional identity in terms of his physical identity; Is Richard's physical condition a manifestation of his evil nature which further emphasizes the depravity already present in Richard's mind, or is his evil behavior a result of years with a physical deformity in a superstitious, intolerant society? After carefully reading and analyzing of the play, it becomes evident that the latter is true. In a sense, Richard's deformity is the cause of his vile nature; Richard's villainy is derived from his belief that his physical deformity and the effects of that deformity prevent him from being a good person. In this respect, Richard's condition limits him and leads to his ultimate emotional break down in the final act. By carefully analyzing Richard's opening soliloquy and his much later battlefield soliloquy, the effects of his physical deformity are evident.

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Richard's opening soliloquy establishes Richard's character and status as a villain for the entirety of the play "And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover, / To entertain these fair well-spoken days, / I am determined to prove a villain?" (I.i.30-32). Through this speech, he acknowledges the audience as his confidant, so that his schemes are always communicated and it is clear when he is being false to other characters. This is also the moment when he reveals his motives for his evil deeds, which he attributes wholly to his physical deformity, "Why, I, in this weak piping time of peace, / Have no delight to pass away the time, / Unless to see my shadow in the sun/ And descant on mine own deformity?" (I.i.26-29).

Since Richard needs to establish his antagonist status in light of the recent tranquility that has settled over England, it leads us, the audience, to assume that he neither considered himself nor was considered by others to be a villain during the former period of hostilities. Bearing in mind that he was the warrior who is given the credit for King Henry's death and that of his son's, thereby placing Richard's brother on the throne and winning the war for his family, Richard in fact may have been considered a hero. Margaret, the former regime's queen, echoes Lady Anne in the previous scene as she names Richard the murderer of her husband and son, "Thou kill'dst my husband Henry in the Tower, / And Edward, my poor son, at Tewksbury." (I.iii.124-125).

This indicates that his actions were not always malicious, indicating a different "Richard" ­ A Richard compatible to some degree with his surroundings. This "other Richard" surfaces again in his interactions with Lady Anne in the second scene. Although Richard has convinced the audience that he is merely acting for Anne, his performance contradicts his previous conviction that he is unable to "prove a lover?" (I.i.30). Richard proves to be a very convincing "lover" as he successfully woos her to his own surprise, over the body of her dead husband, whom he killed, "Was ever woman in this humour woo'd? / Was ever woman in this humour won?" (I.ii.241-242). Richard wears the lover's facade as easily as he wore that of the villain in the first scene. He is also shown to be a very convincing, supportive brother, uncle, and politician in later parts of the play. In fact, the more that the play progresses, and the more roles that Richard plays, the less credible his opening convictions seem to be. Obviously, Richard has the capability to be anything he wishes, so why does his physicality dominate his idea of what he should be?Returning to the concept of Richard as a Yorkist war hero and being his family's champion, one might naturally ask why he developed the homicidal attitude toward them. The source of his state of mine may lie in the attitude of his mother, who never shows Richard any maternal love or affection, even in the beginning of the play before he has committed any atrocities. Without stepping outside the fictional realm of the play, it is safe to theorize that Richard's mental perversity may be an indirect result of his mother's ­ and perhaps other characters' ­ treatment of his physical deformity. Through her later speeches, the audience discovers that the Duchess has abhorred Richard since his birth, "Thou cam'st on earth to make the earth my hell. / A grievous burden was thy birth to me?" (IV.iv.172-173). The audience may assume that Richard was taught to consider himself evil through his mother's attitude. During this time period it was superstitiously believed that one's body mirrored the soul. In this way, Richard's crooked and hideous form consigns him to being thought of as "evil" ­ or at least treated as such ­ whether or not this is his true nature. Without having a violent outlet like the war, Richard falls into a deeper isolation from his family than he had experienced before. If he cannot win acceptance through success in battle, Richard chooses to embrace his isolation and strike out against them. The combination of his alienation and years of being treated as a deformed devil convince Richard of his own maliciousness and indicate vile behavior as his expected and natural disposition.

If there is any question concerning Richard's identity crisis, it is confirmed by his soliloquy the Act five, Scene three. Here, Richard awakens from a nightmare, in which all of his victims curse him. Shakespeare indicates Richard's heightened anxiety through the short exclamatory statements in this speech, which contrast with the long, grand sentences exhibited in his earlier soliloquy (I.i.1-43). These statements confirm that Richard is loosening his grip on his sense of self. After playing so many diverse roles in his climb to the throne, Richard is unable to come to terms with his actions and his identity. He addresses himself in the third person and names himself a murderer; the resulting confusion of the audience on the level of language signifies his own psychological turmoil, "Richard loves Richard; that is, I am I. / Is there a murderer here? No. Yes, I am?O! no: alas! I rather hate myself / For hateful deeds committed by myself," (V.iii.202-209). This speech indicates that he finally realizes the consequences of his murders and his treacheries; none love him and none will mourn his death, "Nay, wherefore should they, since that I myself / Find in myself no pity to myself?" (V.iii.221-222).

The audience sees Richard's self-depreciation exposed as he admits to the immorality of his crimes. He describes himself as being "condemned" as a villain (V.iii.214), which is a stark contrast to his embracing attitude toward the antagonist distinction in his soliloquy in the first act. This is also an example of Richard's crumbling resolve and dulled cunning, revealing a more awkward and more anxious Richard than had existed in the first act. This soliloquy indicates that Richard's villainous facade is unraveling. Moreover, the audience sees that this façade was just another role in Richard's search for identity. As he reaches his goal ­ his family dead and his allies traitorous ­ all that remains is himself, a man who he never understood and a role that is finally deserting him.

Richard's villainous character crumbles in Act Five, scene three. It is now obvious that his villainy was merely a role, which he adopted from the beginning of the play. The source of his villainy, as he claims, is his deformity, which prevents him from being anything else. However, this claim is shown to be false when Richard proves himself to be a dashing lover, a loyal brother, a compassionate uncle, and the many other roles that he assumes in subsequent scenes. Richard's physical circumstances, therefore, only hinder him mentally, controlling what he thinks he is, instead of what he actually could be. Shakespeare indicates that this idea may theoretically spring from his mother's verbal abuse of him in later scenes. Therefore, the combination of Richard's first soliloquy, his mother's treatment, and his final soliloquy support the argument that Richard's villainous tendencies originate from his physical deformity. This identity crisis is immediately addressed and finally answered, framing the play and becoming one of the play's most dynamic and subtle conflicts.


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Table of contentsIntroductionInterview with the RNLocating the EvidenceResearchC ...

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Interview with the RN
  3. Locating the Evidence
  4. Research
  5. Conclusion

Introduction

Newborn bathing in the past has always been done immediately after a mother gives birth to her child and the reason being is mostly for hygienic purposes. However in recent studies, it has been discovered that delaying newborn bathing is very beneficial to the newborn infant, whether it be via normal delivery or cesarian section.

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In hospital births, immediate bathing of infants was a standard practice soon after being born. The baby is taken from mother by the newborn care team, thoroughly bathed before being brought back to the mother for rooming-in. This way, the pediatric team will have an ample time to do post birth assessment care and for the OB team to wrap up the post-delivery care.

Sometime in the year 2013, the usual practice of bathing newborns started to change and pediatric experts studied as to when newborn bathing should be done. According to the World Health Organization, they have released a statement stating that newborn bathing should be done at least 24 hours after birth. Although for some cultural beliefs that do not allow this, bathing is done at least 6 hours after birth. It is also highly recommended for the infant to wear appropriate clothing to control body temperature.

Rooming-in with the mother 24 hours a day/7 days a week is also encouraged and mother-infant should not be separated as this is one of the most important parts of bonding. A campaign regarding delaying the bathing of a newborn for 8 hours was also announced by the Association of Women’s Obstetric, Health, and Neonatal Nurses to reduce the instability associated with stress relating to cold. In this paper, the effects and benefits of delaying new born bathing will be discussed based on studies made by experts in the pediatric society.

Interview with the RN

At the time of my clinical rotation at Kaiser Permanente Foundation Hospital Riverside Medical Center, I had the pleasure of observing my assigned nurse on how to perform proper newborn bathing. As my nurse bathed the infant, I took the liberty of asking her questions pertaining to delaying newborn bathing, such as to when is the proper time to bathe a newborn.

As per the RN, the bathing is usually done 12 hours after the infant was born. Some of the reasons include (but not limited to): reducing the risk of infection, to stabilize the infant’s blood sugar, to prevent newborn hypothermia, to create maternal-infant bond, and to improve breastfeeding.

As I observed, my nurse wiped the newborn’s body with pre-moistened disposable baby wash cloth and then proceeded to wipe the infant’s head. I then asked her how she learned how to properly bathe a newborn infant, if there is a correct way to do it, and what to avoid in bathing the infant. The nurse said she learned how to bathe newborns simply by observing preceptors. She also provides crucial bathing techniques to first time mothers to make sure these mothers are well informed once they are home and have to do the bathing of their babies without the supervision of a nurse or midwife.

Also mentioned by the nurse, there are other acceptable methods in bathing a newborn for the first time. Usually 12 to 24 hours post-delivery, given that there are no complications involved.

Locating the Evidence

A policy has been established at Kaiser Permanente Foundation Hospital Riverside Medical Center regarding delayed newborn bathing; Section Perinatal Services, Policy No. 2090, titled Bathing the Newborn/Umbilical Cord Care. This policy was effective in September 1989, recently reviewed on April 2002, and revised on June 2017. As stated in the policy, “bath will be done only after the infant’s temperature has been stable (at least 36.5C) and baby is a least 12 hours old”. The purpose stated in the policy is “to cleanse the infant as needed while promoting bonding and neuro-development in the initial hours of life.”

Also stated in Policy No. 2090, “a neutral thermal environment will be provided for bathing”, to prevent hypothermia in the newborn. My nurse was able to give the newborn bath and followed the hospital’s policy accordingly and made sure that the room was not too cold before she provided the bath. I observed as my nurse performed the procedure for the infant, and I was able to listen close as she provided teaching to the first-time parents.

Research

I came across multiple studies done in relation to delayed bathing of newborns. The research that I used were printed from 2013-2017, and still continue to be updated. I found it quite challenging to locate quality, relevant, and timely evidence due to the fact that most articles that discuss newborn bathing were published in the early 2000's.

Comparison of Research and Protocol

The research I conducted along with the Policy from KPFHRMC show that there are many benefits in delaying newborn bathing. According to Brogan & Rapkin (2017), “an analysis of newborn temperature data showed that newborns who received delayed immersion baths were less likely to be hypothermic than those who received a sponge bath shortly after birth.”

A research done by Peer et al. (2013), states that “a retrospective chart review comparing in-hospital breastfeeding rates during the 6 months before and the 6 months after the bath was delayed was done and the results: Of the infants, 702 met inclusion criteria. Before the bath was delayed, infants were bathed at an average of 2.4 hours of life. Afterward, infants were bathed at an average of 13.5 hours of life. In-hospital exclusive breastfeeding rates increased from 32.7% to 40.2% (p<0.05) after the bath was delayed.

Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that infants born after implementation of delayed bathing had odds of exclusive breastfeeding 39% greater than infants born prior to the intervention (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02, 1.91) and 59% greater odds of near-exclusive breastfeeding (AOR=1.59; 95% CI 1.18, 2.15). The odds of breastfeeding initiation were 166% greater for infants born after the intervention than for infants born before the intervention (AOR=2.66; 95% CI 1.29, 5.46). It was concluded that a delayed newborn bath was associated with increased likelihood of breastfeeding initiation and with increased in-hospital breastfeeding rates.”

Per Lund (2016), “early bathing after delivery is in conflict with the WHO and AWHONN skin care guidelines, which recommend leaving residual vernix caseosa intact and allowing it to wear off with normal care and handling.Vernix caseosa, a protective fetal film, acts as a chemical and mechanical barrier in utero, with the thickest coating accumulating between 36 and 38 weeks of gestation.

In the past, bathing was often initiated early to remove this substance, but the retention of vernix has been shown to have benefits in the immediate postbirth phase. Benefits include protection from infection, improved skin barrier function, skin cleansing and moisturizing, development of the acid mantle, and protection from the activity of host defense proteins important in innate immunity.”

Comparison of Research and Clinical Practice

Kaiser Permanente Foundation Hospital Riverside Medical Center's policy on delayed newborn bathing correlates with the research conducted, as all agree that there are many benefits that occur with delaying a newborn's bath. KPFHRMC's institution performs evidence-based practice which is supported by the research by Brogan & Rapkin, 2017, “there has been a recent trend toward delaying newborn baths because of mounting evidence that delayed bathing promotes breastfeeding, decreases hypothermia, and allows for more parental involvement with newborn care.”

The clinical practice that was done by my assigned nurse follows the KPFHRMC's policy on delaying newborn baths by 12 hours, as well as other evidence-based research that have been published. It has shown evidence that delaying bath has been proven to promote thermo-regulation and regulate glycemic levels due to minimal metabolic expenditure.

Plan of Improvement

Although teachings have been provided to parents regarding newborn bathing, it would be beneficial for nurses to explain the benefits of delayed newborn bathing, why it is being done, and provide the education that is beneficial to the parents whether it be visual or auditory, as each of us have a different way of learning. Auditory learning would be done through classes that mother's attend, especially those who are first-time moms; while visual learning would be done by providing pamphlets on information regarding delayed bathing.

Reflection

This evidence-based research paper has allowed me to expand my knowledge regarding newborn bathing. I always believed that a newborn should be bathed immediately, as it was taught to us during our college years in the Philippines. I have learned the many benefits that delayed newborn bathing can provide to an infant, and it was interesting to see my assigned nurse perform such intervention while following the hospital's protocol.

As a nurse, I believe that it is important for us to provide the necessary teaching and understanding as to why we do evidence-based procedures. The experience in writing this paper has allowed me to share my newfound knowledge in delaying newborn baths if I end up as a nurse in the obstetrics unit.

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Conclusion

Delaying a newborn bath is found to be beneficial in many ways. There are plenty of research that support this finding and many hospitals are following this type of procedure due to the association of increased breastfeeding initiation, as well as increased in-hospital breastfeeding rates, to say the least. Delayed newborn bathing is a family-friendly process that can be implemented in any type of medical facility. Not only is it cost-effective, the newborns have decreased cold stress, increased skin protection and increased parent satisfaction which foster optimal newborn outcomes.


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Many leaders of today struggle to distinguish between management and leading whi ...

Many leaders of today struggle to distinguish between management and leading which makes it more difficult to apply the “when” the “how” of these managerial roles. I can say that with confidence because I experience it daily in my working environment. Leadership is one of the most important skills a manager should possess hence the performance of the business stems on the impact of the managers motivation and inspirational aptitude to its subordinates. There are fundamental elements of leadership which a leader should be able to apply within his/her workplace. The key elements are namely: delegation, responsibility and accountability. These elements are analysed in the essay, so I believe a manager cannot go without them because the one compliments the other. With the use of an example, the mentioned elements will be discussed.

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According to Smith, P. J. delegation is the assigning or transferring of responsibility with the authority to subordinates to achieve the organizational goals. Delegation allows the leader to direct employees to perform certain duties. When delegating, it is vital to ensure that employees are skilled to perform the specified duties. So, the manager must make sure what the skills and abilities of its subordinates are before giving the orders, and a good manager should know how to effectively train his/her workers. Delegating responsibility to subordinates and allowing them to make decisions, but you as the manager still holds the final say is an example in which delegation can be done. This type of delegation gives subordinates the ability to decide but must realise the final option lies with the manager. When applying this type of delegation, communication must be a vital and the information needs to be conveyed in a simple and transparent manner. Communication should be clear and effective; oral and written. The other important skills a leader should possess when delegating is to listen to subordinates, giving feedback, be effective in time management and be a competent trainer. Just briefly, Paul Hersey and Kenneth Blanchard were the first authors to describe the delegating leadership style in the 1960’s. Hersey, P. and Blanchard, K. explains that the delegating leadership style are based on increasing work satisfaction, encourage self-motivation and requires leaders to take responsibility on the results.

Responsibility and accountability are terms used interchangeably and synonymously in so many areas of our lives. Smith, P. J. et al. defines responsibility as the “obligation of employees to attain organisational goals by performing specified activities, typically defined by their job description” and “accountability is the evaluation of how well individuals meet their responsibilities”. The outcome or the performance of the department is still the sole responsibility of the manager. At the end, the leader is accountable for everything. The manager can also analyse the commitment and reliability of subordinates using accountability. Responsibility essentially is the duty to respond and ensuring a task gets completed. The responsibility can be shared amongst a team. Multiple people can be responsible for achieving a specific goal. Hence the fact, that responsibility is more task oriented. Accountability on the other hand is the ability or duty to report or give account of tasks. There is a higher risk when more than one person takes account for tasks. In view of this, accountability is more results oriented.

So how does responsibility and accountability work together? A production manager of a clothing factory leads a team of sixty people and are accountable for all their work which must leave the warehouse. Each employee received their part of the job, so this makes it their responsibility to complete the task. If any of these products are perceived to be defective or of low quality from the client, it will now be the manager’s duty to take account of these failures. No proper evaluation or quality checks was performed. This is the kind relationship that exists between responsibility and accountability.  

In conclusion, I believe that delegation, responsibility and accountability - are the main, fundamental elements for successful leadership. Applying these skills as a leader will be beneficial in the performance of the business or the organization. Delegation, responsibility and accountability should be applied within each workplace to gain success.


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Dell Inc. (stylized as DELL) was an American privately owned multinational compu ...

Dell Inc. (stylized as DELL) was an American privately owned multinational computer technology company based in Round Rock, Texas, United States, that developed, sold, repaired, and supported computers and related products and services. Eponymously named after its founder, Michael Dell, the company was one of the largest technological corporations in the world, employing more than 103,300 people worldwide. Dell sold personal computers (PCs), servers, data storage devices, network switches, software, computer peripherals, HDTVs, cameras, printers, MP3 players, and electronics built by other manufacturers.

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The company was well known for its innovations in supply chain management and electronic commerce, particularly its direct-sales model and its "build-to-order" or "configure to order" approach to manufacturing—delivering individual PCs configured to customer specifications. Dell was a pure hardware vendor for much of its existence, but with the acquisition in 2009 of Perot Systems, Dell entered the market for IT services. The company has since made additional acquisitions in storage and networking systems, with the aim of expanding their portfolio from offering computers only to delivering complete solutions for enterprise customers. Revenue US$54.9 billion (2016), Owner Michael Dell (75%), Silver Lake Partners (25%),Number of employees 101,800 (2016)

Description on the Types of the Business of DELL

Dell Inc. is a premier provider of computing products and services. As a result of its direct business model, Dell was the leading seller of computer systems worldwide and the number one seller in all customer segments in the United States. Dell was founded in 1984 by Michael Dell on a simple concept: by selling computer systems directly to customers, it could best understand customer needs and efficiently provide the most effective computing solutions to meet those needs. Dell’s climb to market leadership is the result of a relentless focus on delivering the best customer experience by selling computer systems and services directly to customers.

Dell’s business strategy combines its direct customer model with a highly efficient manufacturing and supply chain management organization and an emphasis on standards-based technologies. This strategy enables Dell to provide customers with superior value; high-quality, relevant technology; customized systems; superior service and support; and products and services that are easy to buy and use.

The key tenets of Dell’s business strategy are:

  • A direct relationship is the most efficient path to the customer. Direct customer relationships provide a constant flow of information about customers’ plans and requirements and enable Dell to continually refine its product offerings. The direct model also eliminates the need to support an extensive network of wholesale and retail dealers. As a result, Dell reduces customers’ prices by avoiding expenditures associated with the retail channel, such as higher inventory carrying costs, obsolescence associated with technology products, and retail mark-ups.
  • Customers can purchase custom-built products and custom-tailored services. Dell believes the direct model is the most effective business model for providing solutions that truly address customer needs. In addition, Dell’s flexible, build-to-order manufacturing process enables Dell to achieve faster inventory turnover and reduced inventory levels. This allows Dell to rapidly incorporate new technologies and components into its product offerings and to rapidly pass on component cost savings directly to its customers.
  • Dell is the low-cost leader. Dell’s highly efficient supply chain management and manufacturing organization, efficient direct-to-customer model, and concentration on standards-based technologies allow Dell to maintain the lowest cost structure in the industry and pass on those savings to its customers. Dell’s relentless focus on reducing its costs allows it to consistently provide customers with a superior value.
  • Dell provides a single point of accountability for its customers. Dell recognizes that as technology needs become more complex, it becomes more challenging for customers to efficiently address their computing needs. Dell therefore strives to be the single point of accountability for customers with complex technological challenges. Dell offers an array of services designed to provide customers the ability to maximize system performance, efficiency, and return on investment.
  • Standards-based technologies deliver the best value to customers. Dell believes that standards-based technologies are critical to providing customers with relevant, high-value products and services. Focusing on standards gives customers the benefit of extensive research and development from Dell and its entire supply chain, rather than a single company. Unlike proprietary technologies, standards provide customers with flexibility and choice while allowing their purchasing decisions to be based on performance, cost, and customer service.

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Moliere, who built his reputation writing plays that satirize late 17th French s ...

Moliere, who built his reputation writing plays that satirize late 17th French society, develops two title characters in his dramas "The Would-Be Gentleman" and "The Misanthrope," the former, Monsieur Jourdain who attempts to recreate his self image in order to be accepted into high society, and the latter, Alceste, who tries desperately and single mindedly to destroy such artificial constructs that bind society. The efforts of these two men quickly become obsessions, which inevitably replace any authentic response to life, thus causing delusion. One can easiliy see that delusion, in any form, prevents truth, and thus such efforts, be they foolish and satirical, or deliberate and, one could even say, more noble and goal worthy, are doomed to end in defeat for they continually prove to be unreasonable and unreal.

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The story of Monsieur Jourdain is the classic story of a man who wants to rise above his station in life. He is merely a merchant - a member of the middle class, and his family neither dresses in the manner, nor partakes in the activities, of the higher social class. Nor are they interested in studying dance, fencing, music, or philosophy. Monsieur Jourdain, however, has his mind set on higher social standing. He wishes to surround himself with people who have already achieved that status, such as the count, Dorante, and goes so far as to model their behavior. It soon becomes apparent that Monsieur Jourdain's efforts to do so are nothing short of foolish, and in the end produce foolish results. While working with his music master, he finds the songs too dismal, and decides to make a suggestion of his own: "Jenny was methought / As sweet as she was fair / Jenny was methought / as gentle as a lamb" (189).

Needless to say, this is a song that the higher social class would laugh at. While the music and dancing masters continue to school Monsieur Jourdain for the money, they would greatly appreciate it if he had "a little more understanding of what [they] lay on him" (186). His inability to understand crosses over to his fencing lessons, when after being taught, he still does not understand how one "can be sure of killing his man and not being killed himself" (195). Also, Monsieur Jourdain's education is so incredibly lacking that his philosophy master, instead of teaching his philosophy, ends up teaching him the letters of the alphabet and the sounds that each one makes.

It soon becomes obvious that not only are Monsieur Jourdain's efforts foolish, but they are also false. He not only is unable to understand what is being taught to him, but he has no interest in understanding it. He is merely seeking to have the appearance of one of high social standing. As long as he appears to do what the "qualilty" do, then there is nothing else of importance. For example, his dancing master and music master are preparing a ballet for him, and he reminds them that this ballet is "for when the lady I'm going to all this bother for will be doing me the honour of dining here" (193). He is even prepared to employ the music master for more hours because, in the words of the music master himself, "a gentleman such as [himself], living in style, with a taste for fine things, ought really to be holding musical at-homes every Wednesday or Thursday" (193). The only reassurance he needs before consenting is to know that this is "what the quality do" (193).

Monsieur Jourdain's obsession quickly progresses from the trivial matters of dress and entertainment, to the more serious matter of money lending. When his wife questions his relationship with Dorante, Monsieur Jourdain replies: "If I hob-nob with the gentry, at least I show good taste. It's better than hanging around with your middle class crowd" (210). He is so wrapped in raising his social status that he is unable to see the true character of Dorante, which those around him easily discover. Madame Jourdain admits to her husband that Dorante is indeed good to him and shows him "such kindness," yet she is quick to add that he also "borrows [her husbands's] money," and that his kindness is simply Dorante's "way of getting around her husband" (211). However, Monsieur Jourdain's obsession with his social status leaves him unable to respond to life in an authentic manner; he is too delusional to see what is quite obvious to others - that Dorante is "milking [him] like a cow" and will not "be satisfied until he's ruined" him (213).

Not only has Dorante tricked Monsieur Jourdain into "lending" him money, but he has also tricked him into believing that he is helping him to win the affections of Dorimene, when in fact he is after her himself. The "diamond ring that [he] entrusted to [Dorante] to give her as a present from [him]" is indeed given to her, but as a gift from Dorante himself (215). At this point, due to his obsession, Monsieur Jourdain is so completely deluded that he will believe anything, no matter how outrageous or obviously deceitful, as long as it is promised to lead to the elevation of his social status.

Monsieur Jourdain reaches the very bottom when he allows his obsession with social status to compromise his daughter Lucile's happiness. When Cleonte asks for Lucile's hand in marriage, Monsieur Jourdain does not ask him to say that he loves his daughter and will care for her now and always, but rather states: "Before I give you my answer sir, I ask you to tell me if you are of noble birth" (225). Not only does Cleonte honestly tell him that he "is not nobly born," but he states that "it is an act of cowardice to conceal the estate to which it has pleased heaven too call [one], to appear in the eyes of the world decked out in a borrowed title and pretend to be what [one is] not," which is exactly what Monsieur Jourdain has been doing (225). When his wife mentions the fact that his father was merely in business, he brushes her comment aside, going on to vow that his daughter will be a marquise "even if the whole world turns against [him]" (227). He is willing to sacrifice all of his relationships, even his relationship with his daughter; he is willing to sacrifice his daughter's happiness for the sake of a noble title.

It is at this point, when Monsieur Jourdain has gone beyond simply embarrassing his family, that Cleonte and his servant, Covielle, decide to take matters into their own hands. Their plan is to convince Monsieur Jourdain that the son of a Grand Turk, who in actuality is Cleonte himself, wishes to marry his daughter. Given his current state of delusion, Monsieur Jourdain goes along with the charade without even the slightest bit of persuasion being necessary. It is because of this delusion caused by his obsession with social status that Covielle remarks, "if there's a bigger fool than him anywhere on earth, I'll shout it from the rooftops!" (252).

Unlike the Alceste's efforts, which can be labeled as more noble, Monsieur Jourdain is satirical to the core. What else can one make the man whose efforts, prior discussed, are nothing short of foolish? Monsieur Jourdain becomes so obsessed with achieving higher social standing that he becomes deluded and is unable to see the truth of what it would actually require for him to raise his social status. As a result, he goes about it the wrong way, and his foolish efforts fail him miserably in the end, as he is tricked into condoning a marriage that he truly condemns. His efforts reflect on the society that has created such a man, as well as the individual who recreated his life based on such artificial principles.

It is because of this that Monsieur Jourdain is precisely the type of man that Alceste would be disgusted by, as we can see from the very beginning of Moliere's "The Misanthrope" when he is speaking to his friend, Philante:

You should be mortally ashamed of yourself. What you did was absolutely inexcusable, and utterly shocking to any honourable man. I see you loading a man with every mark of affection, professing every concern for his welfare... And then when he's gone... Your enthusiasm dies with your parting and to me you speak of him as though he mattered nothing to you... If ever I had had the misfortune to do such a thing I'd go and hang myself on the spot out of sheer disgust... I expect you to be sincere and as an honourable man never to utter a single word that you don't really mean. (95)

Alceste is shocked that his own friend would participate in the upholding of "the foolish manners of the age," which Alceste is so adamant of ridding from society (96). He is obsessed with truth, and the artificial constructs present in society cannot support truth, and thus he cannot support society. He refuses to listen to Philante, who insists that "the world [will not] change its ways on account of anything" Alceste does (99). He simply brushes him aside when Philante explains these defects that Alceste finds in society as "inseparable from human nature," and likens the idea to "vultures ravenous for carrion" (99).

However, Alceste is soon to become an example supporting this very idea. Philante points out that the woman Alceste loves, Celimene, embodies the very characteristics that he loathes; "her coquettishness and love of scandal seem to chime so well with the manners of the age" (100). Yet, he loves her in spite of her faults. He supposedly has no control over whether or not he loves her; he "sees her faults, but it makes no difference" (100). However, later on in his conversation with Philante, he admits that he would not love her if he did not believe that she loved him as well. With this statement Alceste is claiming that human nature does not have a hold on him, and he can love whom he pleases. If so, why does he love someone who possesses the very characteristics that he vows to spend his life fighting against? Alceste is fighting against the hypocrites of society while he himself is one.

Alceste's obsession with correcting the "flaws" of society only deepens as time goes on. He progresses from mere hypocrisy regarding his love for Celimene, to risking his own well being for the sake of his beliefs. After making demeaning comments regarding a sonnet of Oronte's, who pleaded for his opinion, Alceste has been criminally charged and faces arrest. Even then, Alceste states that "nothing will make [him] go back on what [he has] said" (133). He goes so far as to say that he "will have nothing to do with mankind," for "justice was on [his] side but he lost his case" (133-134). Yet instead of fighting the wrong that he believes has been done to him, he wishes to let the verdict stand as "a notorious instance, a notable testimony, of the wickedness of [his] generation" (135). One moment he wants to change society and the next he simply wants to point out its wrongdoing so that he will have the "right to denounce the iniquity of human nature and cherish an undying hatred of it" (135). Due to his obsession, Alceste no longer cares to do the noble thing and attempt to right society. Rather, he wishes to withdraw from society. Alceste is disgusted with human nature, and wishes to "never [be] included among [its] number as long as [he] live[s]" (134). What he fails to realize in his state of delusion is that he himself remains human, and thus is subject to the very human nature which he abhors.

Thus, while Alceste begins by fighting for a noble principle, his obsession with overcoming the artificial constructs of the hypocritical society in which he lives leads to the same delusional demise that Monsieur Jourdain falls victim to. Alceste's goal, and even Monsieur Jourdain's goal of raising his social status, while far-fetched, seem somewhat noble. However, their efforts to reach their goals quickly become obsessions, which replace any authentic response to life that they might have, causing them to become delusional. This leads to both men making decisions that prevent them from reaching their goals.

Works Cited

Moliere. "The Misanthrope." The Misanthrope and Other Plays. New York: Penguin Books, 2000. pp 95-142.

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Moliere. "The Would-Be Gentleman." The Misanthrope and Other Plays. New York: Penguin Books, 2000. pp 186-252.


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The War of 1812 (June 1812 – February 1815) was a conflict fought between the ...

The War of 1812 (June 1812 – February 1815) was a conflict fought between the United States and its allies, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and its dependent colonies in North America and Native American allies.  Why the 1812 war broke out? How the conflict started? The “War of 1812' essay has a purpose to dive into its history, find facts, and finally understand why the war started.

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The conflict began when the United States declared war in June 1812, and ended in a restoration of the pre-war status quo when a peace treaty agreed to earlier was ratified by the United States in February 1815. Its consequences include establishment of a separate Canadian state, an end of hopes for an independent Native American confederation in the North West and paving the way for the western expansion of the US.

The controversies that led to war centered around the economic and trade disputes between America, Britain and France that resulted during the Napoleonic Wars, and therefore historical accounts on the causes, battles and outcome of this war can sometimes vary. A primary cause of the war was the Royal Navy stopping American ships on the open sea and seizing men they claimed to be either British-born or deserters from British vessels, even if they claimed to be American citizens. By some estimates, from 1793 and 1812 over 15,000 Americans were forced into British service in this way. In other accounts the British were concerned with keeping alliances with the American Indians alive while keeping their hold on Canada strong.

Given the wide spread British invasions, burning of American cities, including the capitol building, the blockade and the continued confiscation of American ships and cargo, Americans believe they soundly defeated a British attack on their sovereignty, Canadians that they repulsed ‘the massed might of the United States’, while the British consider it as a minor theater in the wider Napoleonic Wars.

As the abduction of U.S. citizens continued, American sentiment toward Britain grew increasingly hostile, exacerbated by incidents such as the 1807 Chesapeake–Leopard affair. Meanwhile, the British were outraged by the 1811 Little Belt affair. Britain supplied arms to Native Americans, who raided European-American settlers on the American frontier, hindering the expansion of the United States and provoking resentment. President James Madison signed into law the declaration of war after heavy pressure from the pro-war members in the United States Congress who had approved all six resolutions to prepare for war. Federalist opposition to the War of 1812 in the United States had an effect, especially in New England, where it was referred to as 'Mr. Madison's War'.

With most of its army in Europe fighting Napoleon, Britain adopted a national-level siege strategy, focusing on blockading ports and containing the US at its borders. Offensive operations were initially limited to the border and the western frontier, with help from its Native American allies. American military defeats at the Siege of Detroit and the Battle of Queenston Heights thwarted attempts to seize the British colony of Upper Canada, improving British morale. American attempts to invade British Lower Canada and capture Montreal also failed. In 1813, the United States won the Battle of Lake Erie, gaining control of the lake and defeating the Native American Tecumseh's Confederacy at the Battle of the Thames, thereby defeating Britain's most important Native American ally, a primary war goal. The Americans made a final attempt to invade the Canadas, but the Battle of Lundy's Lane during the summer of 1814 was fought to a draw.

At sea, the powerful Royal Navy cut off trade and allowed the British to raid the coast at will. In 1814, the British burned Washington (including the White House and the Capitol), but the Americans later repulsed British attempts to invade New York and Maryland, ending invasions from the Canadas into the northern and mid-Atlantic states. In early 1815, after a peace treaty was signed, but before this news had reached the Americas, United States forces decisively defeated the attacking British Army near New Orleans, Louisiana, with an estimated casualty count of 2,000 to 60. This was viewed as restoring national honor, and catapulted American commanding General Andrew Jackson to national celebrity, culminating in his victory in the 1828 United States presidential election. In the related Creek War, General Jackson besieged the city of Pensacola - a Spanish Territory, West Florida, where a two-day battle for the city of Pensacola ended in Spanish surrender. Spain eventually ceded control of Florida to the United States in 1819.

Mounting opposition to the economic cost of the war meant British merchants lobbied for the resumption of trade with the United States. The abdication of Napoleon ended the British war with France and thus the need for impressment, removing a primary cause of the war. The British then increased the strength of their blockade of the United States coast, which had a crippling effect on the American economy. Peace negotiations began in August 1814, and the Treaty of Ghent was signed on 24 December 1814. The treaty was unanimously ratified by the United States Senate on 17 February 1815, ending the war with no boundary changes, except for some islands in Passamaquoddy Bay, an issue that was resolved after the war.

In conclusion the War of 1812 was a conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain between 1812 and 1815. The war was the result of a number of factors, including trade disputes, American expansionism, and the desire to assert national pride and sovereignty. Its consequences had started changes that shaped the current state of America and what it has nowadays.


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The concept of Democracy and Non-Democracy began with the advent of the State. T ...

The concept of Democracy and Non-Democracy began with the advent of the State. The clear distinction between the two concepts became clear when democracy came into practice in 508 BC. The first form of democracy, what is known today as Athenian Democracy, was introduced in Athens by Cleisthenes. Democracy has, since then evolved into a more nuanced form of State, one that was described by Abraham Lincoln during his Gettysburg Address where he described a democracy as a “government of the people, by the people, and for the people”. The idea of Non-Democracy has been prevalent for a long time, though the forms of Non-Democracy have taken various shapes. In a Non-Democracy, the power is vested not with the people but rather with one person, or one group. Historically, all States have once been Non-Democracies, mainly Monarchies. Over time, different forms of Non-Democracies began to take shape, some of them being Dictatorships, Authoritarian Regimes, etc. As the States and governments become more complicated, so does the idea of Democracy and Non-Democracy and what constitutes under these two distinct concepts.

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Democracy is defined as is a type of government or political system ruled by citizens, i.e., people who are members of a society. In a democracy, citizens hold some level of power and authority, and they participate actively in the political, or decision-making process of their government. Therefore, democracy as a system of government has four key elements:

  1. “A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections.
  2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life.
  3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens.
  4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens.”

The basic idea of democracy is that the government is based on the consent of the governed. The United States of America is considered to be the most perfect example of democracy by many western political scientists, where through direct and indirect elections, the citizens of the State can be involved in all decision of the government and State. In a democracy, the people are sovereign—they are the highest form of political authority. The powers of the government are given to them by the people, to the leaders of the State. The government holds this power only temporarily. Laws and policies require majority support in parliament, but the rights of minorities are protected in various ways. These ways include the freedom to criticise their elected leaders and representative. They are also free to observe all the different procedures that parliament and the government takes. Elected representatives are obligated to listen and come under review from those citizens who have elected them. Hence, the citizens have the power of checks and balances which keeps the government on track.

To keep the government on a constant rotation, elections have to occur at regular intervals, as prescribed by the laws of the individual States. Those in power cannot extend their terms in office without asking for the consent of the people again in an election. These elections are meant to be administered by a neutral, fair and professional body that treats all political parties and candidates equally. For example, the Election Commission of India. These bodies allow for voters to be able to vote in secret, without fear of intimidations and violence. The process must be free of corruption, intimidation, and fraud. Therefore there are independent observers who observe the voting and vote-count to ensure the process is free of such illegal situations. Democracies tend to have an impartial and independent tribunal to resolve disputes about the election results. This is why it takes a lot of time to organize a good, democratic election. Any country can hold an election, but for an election to be free and fair requires a lot of organization, preparation, and training of political parties, electoral officials, and civil society organizations who monitor the process.

If democracy is to work, citizens must not only participate and exercise their rights but also observe certain principles and rules of democratic conduct. For example, they must follow the Rule of Law. The citizens of the State are obligated to question the decisions of the government, but not reject the government’s authority. One of the basic requirement for Democracy is a compromise. Groups with different interests and opinions must be willing to sit down with one another and negotiate. Therefore, though there are different forms of Democracy, these are the basic elements of a Democratic State. In theory, the Democratic States can be considered to be the perfect example of the Modern State. However, there are many problems in practice. Winston Churchill remarked, "No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” Democracy has been criticised under various issues such as economic inefficiency, political unrealism, dysfunctional ideas and practices, moral corruption and sociopolitical issues.

The concept of Non-Democracy is extremely wide and involves various forms of government, such as Authoritarianism, Monarchy, Dictatorship, Totalitarianism, etc. Non-democracy is basically the opposite of Democracy, where the Head of State has total power over the various parts of the government and State. The power no longer lies with the people but rather with one person, or one group of people who make all the decisions without the consent of the State’s citizens. To understand Non-Democracy, we must look at the various forms of Non-Democracy. There are eight basic forms of Non- Democracy; Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism, Dictatorship, Sultanism, Monarchy, Oligarchy, Technocracy, and Theocracy.

Authoritarianism is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority as well as the administration of said authority. An authoritarian government is characterized by a highly concentrated and centralized power maintained by political repression and the exclusion of potential challengers. It uses political parties and mass organizations to mobilize people around the goals of the regime. Authoritarianism emphasizes arbitrary law rather than the rule of law, including election rigging and political decisions being made by a select group of officials behind closed doors. Authoritarianism is marked by “indefinite political tenure” of an autocratic state or a ruling-party state.

Totalitarianism is an extreme version of authoritarianism. Authoritarianism primarily differs from totalitarianism in that social and economic institutions exist free from governmental control. By contrast, totalitarianism is a political system where the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life wherever necessary. The term ‘an authoritarian regime’ denotes a state in which the single power holder – an individual ‘dictator,’ a committee or a junta or an otherwise small group of the political elite – monopolizes political power. However, a totalitarian regime attempts to control virtually all aspects of the social life, including economy, education, art, science, private life, and morals of citizens. The concept became prominent in Western anti-communist political discourse during the Cold War era in order to highlight perceived similarities between Nazi Germany and other fascist regimes on the one hand and Soviet communism on the other.

A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual: a dictator. In contemporary usage, dictatorship refers to an autocratic form of absolute rule by leadership unrestricted by law, constitutions, or other social and political factors within the state. A dictatorship is a form of government that has the power to govern without the consent of those being governed (similar to authoritarianism).

A monarchy is a form of government in which sovereignty is actually or nominally embodied in a single individual, the monarch. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and rules for life or until abdication. Monarchs may be autocrats (absolute monarchy) or ceremonial heads of state who exercise little or no power or only reserve power, with actual authority vested in a parliament or other body such as a constitutional assembly.

An oligarchy is a form of power structure in which power effectively rests with a small number of people. These people could be distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, education, corporate, or military control. Such states are often controlled by a few prominent families who pass their influence from one generation to the next. Forms of government and other political structures associated with oligarchy usually include aristocracy, meritocracy, plutocracy, military junta, technocracy, and theocracy.

Non-democracies have become a central idea on the debate of whether or not Western Democracy, especially Western Democracy in consideration to intrusion in the workings of other States, has become an ideal in a world where there should be no ideal with relation to how Democracy should be implemented.

According to the Freedom House, Singapore is not an electoral Democracy. This is because “the country is governed through a parliamentary system, and elections are free from irregularities and vote rigging, but the ruling PAP dominates the political process. The prime minister retains control over the Elections Department, and the country lacks a structurally independent election authority. Opposition campaigns have typically been hamstrung by a ban on political films and television programs, the threat of libel suits, strict regulations on political associations, and the PAP’s influence on the media and the courts.” However, Singapore has become a marvel to behold and applaud. Its success in the context of economy and development has been a direct attack on the idea that “Western-Style” Democracy is the best form of Government.

When one studies statistics or asks its citizens, there can be no doubt that Singapore’s government is delivering positive results. It is also clear that Singapore’s system of governance falls short on many conventional criteria for “good government.” Since most theories of governance hold that good performance requires a good Western-style democracy, Singapore’s record over five decades presents a challenge. Singapore has had only three Prime Minister’s since it’s independence in 1959. Historically, the top-polling party in each GRC won all of its four to six seats, so the system effectively bolstered the majority of the dominant party. This dominant party has been the PAP since the creation of the home rule from the British.

Singapore has consistently been on the top of all the major lists of “freedoms from:” “It ranks first internationally in the World Bank’s measure of “regulatory quality” and second on The Heritage Foundation’s scale of economic freedom, while the U.S. comes in 13th. Gallup’s 2014 World Poll found that eight in 10 Americans see “widespread corruption” in the U.S. government, compared with seven in the Philippines, six in Zimbabwe and one in Singapore. On the World Bank’s “rule of law” index, Singapore scores in the 95th percentile of nations, the U.S. scores in the 91st, the Philippines in the 42nd and Zimbabwe in the 2nd. With a population of almost six million, Singapore’s incidents of robbery were only a seventh of Boston’s, which has a population of only 650,000.” This brings into question of whether or not Singapore can be considered a successful State, where the citizens remain to be happy and content with their government despite being a non-Western-Style democratic State.

Singapore has it’s issues, such as, Singaporeans cannot legally buy chewing gum or hold protests anywhere outside of specifically designated areas, but they enjoy one of the world’s highest per capita incomes and a standard of living superior to almost anywhere else — a far more important priority if you ask many residents, particularly when you factor in that the majority of the world is still considered to be “low-income,” according to a new Pew study. Singaporeans also have restricted freedoms of speech but this is accepted by most of the citizens.

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Singapore has been a constant challenge for Western-Style democracy. Whether it be in consideration of its ever-blooming economy or the fact that the citizens seem happy with the way their State is being governed. In contrast to various other Asian nations, Singapore is one of the most stable governments with the constant rise in economic progress and development. Western States and scholars have constantly debated over whether or not such a government can be considered legitimate. However, from the point of the view of the citizens, on whom these government policies impact the most, Singapore is a perfectly sound State with a form of “Democracy” that is accepted. At a memorial for the former prime minister, a Singaporean interviewed by the New York Times probably pronounced it best: “As long as you are economically well-off, with housing and food, who cares about the politics?” he said. “I would much rather live in a country like this than a place where you have every freedom in the world but you are hungry.”


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Table of contentsIntroductionDemocracy and democratic ConsolidationNigeria Democ ...

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Democracy and democratic ConsolidationNigeria Democratic ConsolidationIndia Democratic ConsolidationColonial Experience of NigeriaColonial Experience of India
  3. Conclusion

Introduction

During the pre-modern ages there was less contact between people who had exposure to other cultures. These people worshipped and believed in their gods which they shared and was unquestioned within and outside they place of residence. These pre-modern societies were ideological controlled by themselves. Even in the modern societies racial groups and religious groups is still concentrated within their homelands, but due to globalisation most places in the world have changed to a multi-racial and multi-religious. By saying this it means that in the world we living in now there is no community or society that can any longer live in isolation from others, even so the countries that try to avoid foreign values by now have no voice to refuse it reason being pluralism enters in the form of travels, migration, trade, and through media (Jorgen, 2000).

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A populous democracy is referred to as a system of government that involves all political actions and in which citizen’s vote. In such countries which practice democracy nothing happens until 50.1% of the people within that country vote and this is done to promote majority rules in order to increase the number of citizens that are satisfied. In these countries which practice democracy the government only caters for the public in which corporations and private businesses are restricted from any political involvement by any means in that country. This essay will begin by producing information about what is democratic consolidation and this essay will also discuss how democracy has been successfully consolidated in Nigeria and India. This essay will further discuss how different colonial experiences affect democracy in these two Countries.

Democracy and democratic Consolidation

Democracy is a system of government where by citizens of a country exercise their power by voting for a president or candidates in a political party. According to Almond, Powell, Strom and Dalton (2004) articulated that “democracy is a political system in which citizens enjoy a number of basic civil and political rights and in which their most important political leaders are elected in free and fair elections and accountable under the rule of law”. There different types of democracy of which are classified as Direct Democracy, Representative Democracy, Semi-Democracy, Liberal Democracy, Established Democracy and New Democracy.

Direct Democracy is where by all the citizens form a governing body of which they will vote directly on each issue and in Representative Democracy the citizens choose or elect a representative on their own for themselves. Furthermore the representative join together to form a governing body such as a legislature. Liberal democracy has taken root from Europe as a form of government which has spread around the world for years. According to Anton M (2017) stated that “ Liberal democracy can be defined as a minimum of procedural and political system in which political parties compete for control of the government through elections relatively free and fair”. The advantages of liberal democracy is that it limits the power of government on citizens in a given country.

According to Schedler (1998) stated that “democratic consolidation was intended to label the challenges that makes new democracy to be secure”. The term democratic consolidation is a process in which new democracy matures and it must not revert to authoritarian regime with the presence of external shock. “Democratic consolidation is the identifiable phase in the transition from authoritarian rule to civil rule and by extension, democratic systems that are germane and fundamental to the establishment and enthronement of a stable, institutional and enduring democracy “(Schedler, 1998).

Democratic consolidation is achieved when the people and government are organized and they form a system that is connected through institutions, ethics, culture and support systems that will be of good use in promoting stability and efficiency. Some scholars believe that democratic consolidation does not mean that it involves high quality society or high quality democracy reason being is that elections are the most crucial components of democratic consolidation.

Nigeria Democratic Consolidation

Nigeria is regard as one of the most populous state in Africa, with an average population which is estimated to be around 178 million people. Nigeria is the most ethnically diverse state in the African continent with a combination of several nationalities. According to Uduma (2009) he articulated that “Nigeria is a pluralistic society both in terms of ethnic and religious composition”. The democratic experience of Nigeria has established multiparty competitive electoral democracies that has been fixed and uninterrupted since 1999. Beside the local elections Nigeria has had four set of general elections in the past decade. Nigeria was regarded as partially free in 1999 and it managed to maintain the status of their country in 2011.

The 2011 elections in Nigeria if they were to be compared to the past elections one can conclude by saying it improved the democratic status of the country, reason being the past elections there were electoral violence which hindered the country to improve it democratic status. According to Etteh (2009) he stated that “Nigeria has been regarded as democratically reversing, despite the sequence of electoral cycle, since 1999”. Since 1999 until 2011 the candidates had adopted strategies that they used to try and stay in power. “The reality is that everywhere in politics, sitting governments and entrenched/ruling parties do not lose elections easily” (Amuwo 2009).

There some challenges which hindered Nigeria in the election which might prevent Nigeria from being democratic consolidated. The challenges are voter apathy, Elite-Manipulated Democracy, gender Issues and Parties without Ideologies. Most of the people in Nigeria did not use the opportunity to vote in the 2011 election to vote for a leader they want and some of the parties in the elections had no ideologies which hinder democracy to be consolidated. According to Amuwo (2009) he said that “almost all Nigeria’s postcolonial governments to date have been pushed to power without a concise national ideology, let alone a popular and liberating one”. Nigeria’s democracy to be consolidated they should involve participation of all citizen male and female as both genders are citizens of the country. They violate human rights which is the right to vote.

India Democratic Consolidation

India is one in a few of the oldest democracies in the third world countries. India once experienced an authoritarian rule for two years in the 70s and it managed to hold their elections in the federal units. The democracy in India in the past years was controlled by religion and social groups. India has had various attacks by citizens and ethno-religious groups which wanted autonomy and independence. Democracy become successful in India throughout and India become an example to other third world countries which were facing the same form of democratic change.

They are two theories which are mostly related to India’s democracy. The two theories that relate to India’s democracy are namely the minimalist and maximalist theoretical framework/positions. The minimalist position stresses that there should be regular elections, electoral procedures and multiparty system for confirmation that people are ruled by law. While the maximalist position deals with Nature of human rights, social justice, protection and promotion of minority rights and the redistribution of socio-economic reforms and it further emphasizes that there should be civil-military relations which will check if there is democratic consolidation in this country.

Colonial Experience of Nigeria

Nigeria was colonized by the British settlers back in the years of 1881 were by the British settled in Lagos and they became a colony. In 1886 to 1900 the company which was called the Royal Niger controlled all the central part of Nigeria. Nigeria was separated into two parts Southern and Northern part of Nigeria and in 1914 both these areas were merged. Frederick Lugard was appointed to be the first governor general to rule in Nigeria. He was in changer of all sort of businesses that were presence in that time. Frederick ruled the country of Nigeria with indirect rule of which that policy was formulated by him in the High Commissioner. The indirect rule meant that any form of political orders was remodelled and fitted into the British administrative and all traditional leaders were to rule their native people but as dependent rulers on the British people.

The British came with a verity of changes of which one of those changes was the elimination of slavery. In the year of 1960 Nigeria obtained independence from the British colony. A few years later after obtaining independence Nigeria experienced a civil war which began in 1970s where by the citizens competed for power, this lead to Nigeria face political instability. According to Alesina and Perotti (1995) noted that “Political instability can be viewed in two ways and the first view one emphasizes executive instability, while the second view is based upon indicators of social unrest and political violence”. Nigeria has dependent on natural resources since independence, the natural resource that they mostly depend on is oil which contribute more on their GDP.

Colonial Experience of India

The colonial experience in India has changed in a slow process, it took India 61 years to break through from autocratic rule and it was followed by 26 to 28 years of democratisation. India was colonized by the British settlers between the year of 1757 to 1857. India obtained independent in 1947India did not develop past the semi responsibility level until they had obtained independent. India implemented democracy because it was their heritage and they accepted it because it came from the British settlers and their diverse culturally and ethnically. They adopted democracy because democracy supported different cultural and ethnic groups.

Conclusion

To conclude this piece of writing that is based on how democracy is consolidated on both countries which are Nigeria and India and further talks about how colonial experience has affected democracy in both these countries. This piece of writing illustrated how globalisation plays a vital role in promoting democracy as people from Britain migrated to both these countries. The negative impact of this migration is that the British people come on both these countries to dominate and rule them with foreign policy for example the “indirect rule” and they further violated humans right of the native people.

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This piece of writing showed some of the reasons why democracy in some countries are not consolidated, for example in Nigeria the 2011 elections there was voter apathy were by most of the citizen did not involve themselves in voting and they still discriminate women and they do not involve them to participate in the elections.


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«Demographic change is one of our great challenges» Wolfgang SchäubleGet orig ...

«Demographic change is one of our great challenges» Wolfgang Schäuble

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Germany may be Europe’s economic growth engine, but there’s one thing that the country is failing to produce in big numbers: Germans. The population projections regarding to Germany show that the country’s population, which was 81.1 million in 2014, in a way of inescapable decline. According to the studies, Germany’s population will grow weakly in the next few years before turning down for good. By 2060, the population will fall to between 68 million and 73 million people, a loss of between 8 million and 13 million residents from today’s level. In the long term, a decline in Germany’s population is inevitable. The number of deaths will increasingly exceed the number of births. The positive balance of immigration into and emigration from Germany cannot close this gap for good.

What is more, population’s decrease is affecting multiple areas in the country. The working-age population will be greatly affected by population decline and ageing of the population. The working age which is defined as the age between 20 and 64, was comprised 49.2 million people in 2013. Their number will decline significantly after 2020, reaching around 44 to 45 million in 2030. In 2060, about 38 million people will be of working age, if net migration gradually drops from around 500,000 in 2014 to 200,000 in 2021 and remains constant thereafter which means 60% decline. If immigration drops to 100,000 persons by 2021 and remains constant thereafter, in 2060 the labor force potential will be even smaller, standing at 34 million persons, or –30% compared with 2013. An increase in the birth rate to 1.6 children per woman would only have a stabilizing effect on the number of people of working age from the 2040s onwards. By 2020, the shortage of skilled workers in Germany is expected to be 1.8 million. By 2060, it is expected to hit 3.9 million.

While many EU countries face similar strains, Germany’s are particularly acute. With a strong economy and low unemployment, its working-age population is falling, putting huge pressures on employers. And there are also possible geopolitical consequences: with the British and French populations set to grow, Germany may not remain the EU’s most populous country — or even its biggest economy after 2050, with implications for Europe’s balance of power.

Another demographics aspect that has major effect on the population of Germany is migration. In 2015, about 995,000 first-time asylum applications were submitted in countries of the European Union, more than twice the number of 2014. Germany has become the primary country of destination in Europe for asylum-seekers. Germany is the primary destination country with almost 175,000 asylum-seeker applications.

Germany is part of the Dublin area which is compromised by the EU Member States as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The Dublin regulations determine which European State is responsible for an asylum claim and seek to ensure that each application entered in the Dublin area is processed by one state only. In 2015, the German Office for Migration and Refugees, along with other offices or ministries from other European States, suspended the Dublin regulations for asylum-seekers from Syria, primarily to accelerate the asylum process based on humanitarian grounds.[1] The number of deportations has increased significantly since 2013 to levels comparable to those about a decade earlier. Germany recorded over 20,000 deportations in 2015. The actual number of deportations represents less than 10 percent of the number of asylum-seekers who are living temporarily in Germany and are legally required to leave. Of the more than 220,000 people required to leave, however, some 172,000 are officially “tolerated” (geduldet) owing to factors such as illness or the lack of papers that prevents the home country from accepting their return.

Furthermore, 1.1 million asylum applications were recorded in the German registration system, EASY. Bavaria and Baden Württemberg have the largest proportion of asylum-seekers with 15.3 percent and 13.0 percent, respectively. Schleswig-Holstein and Thuringia rank lowest with 3.4 percent and 2.7 percent.

Despite increasing rates of employment among refugees with longer duration of stay in Germany, it took around 20 years for earlier waves of refugees to attain the employment rate of the national population. Integration courses, including language and remedial courses helped refugees to better get integrated to the society. In Germany, asylum-seekers who have good prospects for granted stay have access to such courses. Increases in the number of asylum-seekers with granted refugee status have led to a rise in the number of participants in integration courses. Some 283,000 refugees were eligible to participate in integration courses in 2015, a 34 percent in-crease over 2014. Around 179,000 refugees attended integration courses in 2015, an increase of 26 percent from 2014.

There are some populist scholars claiming that refugees coming to Germany could become a security threat. On the other hand, the security situation in Germany remains stable against the populist claims. Crimes committed by migrants dropped by more than 36 percent between January and June of 2016.


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