Equity and diversity anti-discrimination policies and procedures Essay

Diversity is the variety of differences between individuals, for example; gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, values or disabilities. However, equality refers to everyone being treated fairly which doesn’t mean treated the same, it means everybody being able to access the services and treatments they individually require to meet their personal health needs. When diversity and equality are used in the same context it is about recognizing and valuing individual and group differences.The significance of diversity and equality is to ensure everybody has equal opportunities and are treated professionally, respectfully and with fairness. The Equality Act (2010) legally protects clients from being treated unfairly this is because if they were to be treated unfairly and their diverse needs weren’t met, the client may not feel accepted by the professional therefore a trusting relationship may not form. Therefore the aim of diversity and equality is to make clients feel we lcome, accepted and feel trust in the relationship with the professional to ensure the client is gaining the best treatment for their individual requirements. For example; this relates to Patrick because he was concerned if he proved to be HIV positive he didn’t think he would be accepted as a member of the martial arts club. He was assured he would still be welcome which shows that he wouldn’t be treated unfairly and have different opportunities to the other members due to his differences. For example; this relates with Brenda because she asked for a female professional rather than a male due to negative past experiences but the health professionals said that may not be able to happen every time however, the female manager said she will be present at all visits. This shows the professionals involved were able to communicate to come up with a plan where Brenda needs and differences were met in order for her to have equal health opportunities whilst feeling comfortable and as if her needs were accepted. For example; this relates with Maria because she is able to take time off work and is treated fairly as she is able to keep her job and go back to it with reduced hours when she is ready because she needs to ensure her mother is settled with the new plans and Maria needs to catch up with taking care of herself. Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different types of people especially linked with the terms race, age, disability or sex. Anti-discrimination is the action taken to prevent discrimination against people on the grounds of race, gender, age, disability. Anti-discrimination promotes equality by introducing anti-discrimination policies in the workplace and social/ health services. Therefore discrimination is the negative act towards diverse people and anti-discrimination is the policies that prevent discrimination. If discrimination is prevented by anti-discrimination policies, this ensures diverse people are treated with equality and feel accepted by the service they are using. However, if discrimination is not prevented, vulnerable or diverse people can feel quite damaged and are not able to access the treatment or services required for their individual needs. For example; this relates to Patrick because he may feel scared that he might be discriminated by homophobic people which means they show an extreme and irrational aversion to homosexuality and homosexual people like Patrick and James. Anti-discrimination policies protect homosexual people like Patrick from this in the workplace or the services they are using and allow them to feel part of the society and not like they are not ‘right’ or ‘normal’. For example; this relates to Brenda because she may feel like she will be discriminated because of her disability (mental illness) which is when you are treated less well or put at a disadvantage for a reason that relates to your disability. Anti-discrimination policies protect Brenda from being discriminated for her disability as the health care professionals who are involved with her plan are ensuring she is completely informed and has control over what happens with her rather than thinking Brenda is ‘less’ able and making decisions for her. For example; this relates to Maria because she may feel like she would be discriminated for taking time off work to take care of her mother but her boss and the trade union representative agreed that Maria will not be discriminated against when she returns and will have to have her old job back. Anti-discrimination policies will help Maria feel welcome and comfortable when she returns. Types of discrimination are age, disability, e qual pay, genetic information, harassment, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion,   retaliation, sex, sexual harassment. The type of discrimination Patrick may experience is sex discrimination. The type of discrimination Brenda may experience is disability discrimination. The type of discrimination Maria may experience is harassment discrimination. Stereotyping is when judgment is made on a group of people who are different/diverse from the person/ group making the judgment based on theirs and others opinions or encounters. Stereotyping is usually a negative judgment about a set idea that the certain people have about others or what something is like. Whereas prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. Both prejudice and stereotypes are similar concepts related to beliefs and attitudes some groups of people have towards other groups of people and things. The difference is prejudice is not based on truth and experiences and usually originates from the lack of knowledge, whereas, a stereotype may be based or truth, however, a stereotype can sometimes originate fr om a prejudice. For example; this relates to Patrick because he was worried that his landlord won’t accept them to live in their house anymore if he is HIV positive due to being stereotyped as having a bad health status and his landlord may want to steer clear of that as he thinks he might catch it, however, this stereotype that HIV positive people are something to stay away from could originate from a prejudiced opinion from perhaps a person with homophobic views. It is important to prevent discrimination because treating individuals less favourably than others or bullying/harassing them because of their gender, age, race religion, sexual orientation,disability or employment status (which are unlawful grounds to discriminate) may lead to negative impacts on someone’s general well-being, self-esteem, self worth and social relationships. Discrimination may lead to mental health problems like increased stress, depression, and anxiety. This relates to Maria because she wasn’t discriminated by the head teacher of the school she works in as she will be able to take up her old job when she returns to work, the head teacher did not discriminate her which prevents maria from feeling negative impacts of her mental health. It is crucial to prevent discrimination because we live in a multicultural society which means we have to treat different people equally and ensure we provide a service which doesn’t discriminate against any group or individual clients. Some organizations may discriminate groups of people without intending to, for example having signed up that that is not appropriate for sight-impaired people or printing patient information booklets that are only in one language or neglecting to recognize the needs of people with illnesses like dementia. Organisations can communicate the diversity and discrimination policy regularly and clearly to their employees by having meetings about this policies, having posters around the buildings which show no discrimination etc†¦ Organisations may also train and educate the staff to help them understand why discrimination is not acceptable and why having a diverse workforce is so important and how they can improve and show anti-discriminatory practice in their own work. Organisations could also put into place reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities so they can access health care places and even their own workplaces, this can be done by adapting the environment, facilitates, mobility and access. Organisations can also have an advocacy service which is provided by an advocate who is independent of social services and the NHS, who isn’t related to you. An advocates job includes arguing your case when you need them to and ensuring the correct procedures are followed by your health and social care services. This relates to Brenda as she is provided with an advocate to support her to express her own views. Brenda and her advocate spent time together to form trusting relationships and so the advocate could spend time listening to Brenda’s views and opinions. A strength of promoting anti-discriminatory practice is that everyone in the service will feel equally important and feel as if they are included and not isolated. Anti-discriminatory practice allows every client to feel as though they have a say no matter what race or gender. Another strength of promoting anti-discriminatory practice is that it ensures that all individuals have equal opportunities despite their gender, race or if they have a disability, it allows everyone to feel like they have a chance and are able to do something without any limitations. Which also links with Maria because she is able to take up her old job again when she is ready to go back to work because she has equal opportunities and the head teacher of the school ensures her chances aren’t taken off of her due to a family crisis. Furthermore, a strength of promoting anti-discriminatory practice is that it makes sure that all service users are put first in any situation and have the care providers undi vided attention when they are being cared for. This also links with Maria’s case because her mother has to be put first in all of her care support therefore for this to happen a volunteer interpreter will be present at all sessions. Checklist 2 The 6C’s (Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment) are a set of values that ensure compassion in practice, it’s a vision and strategy for all health and care staff.

Greenpeace International: On the Forefront of Environmental Activism Essay

Perhaps the most notable obstacle that Greenpeace International faced during the course of its existence as an environmental activist organization is the time when the Rainbow Warrior was struck down by two underwater mines. The incident led to the discovery of the involvement of the French Government through its network of spies overseas. Eventually, the ordeal became a high-profile case that involved international bodies which also took its toll on Greenpeace International. Not only did the organization had to face the need to finance a replacement for Rainbow Warrior, they also had to take more caution in ensuring the safety of their personnel despite intimidations and threats to life and property (20th Anniversary of the Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior, 2005). The bombing of Rainbow Warrior became a precedent for Greenpeace International to further strive to achieve its goals of promoting the welfare of the environment for the benefit of humanity. The organization is currently facing the challenge of proving the innocence of Greenpeace Japan Campaigns Director Junichi Sato together with Toru Suzuki before the theft charges filed against them. If proven guilty, both accused members of the organization may face jail time for a maximum of ten years. In the long run, the possibility of having a decision unfavorable to the interests of the organization may eventually adversely affect the safety of the whales situated in the marine waters of Japan. On the other hand, the case, if the accused individuals are proven innocent beyond reasonable doubt, can serve as a future deterrent to whaling expeditions in Japan guised under the rug of scientific research. Embezzlement of whale meat may no soon become a footnote to written history as far as the environmental concerns in Japan go (Justice for the Tokyo Two – Justice for Whales, Coming Our Way? 2009). There are a few more obstacles that the organization is currently facing and has dealt with in the past. For the most part, none of these obstacles have struck down the efforts of the group. Despite the growing number of people hurling both legal and extra-legal impediments to the activities of Greenpeace International, it remains fervent in its aim to protect the natural environment. (2) Social justice is a very broad concept and, therefore, it should encompass all possible aspects of the society. Part of its concerns should be the protection of the natural environment. Environmental protectionism ought to be a major concern especially today since the erosion of the natural environment across continents has direly affected the lives of countless people. With a huge number of the global population dependent on the resources taken from the environment, it is easy to understand why the imperative to protect it is urgent and called for. A society existing under the helm of justice is secure insofar as its continued survival is concerned. Depriving the environment of the rightful protection it deserves diminishes the available source of natural wealth for the people. In the end, the lack of concrete protective measures for the environment can lead to the collapse not only of the environment but also of the entire human civilization (Kuzmiak, 1991). The premise is simple: we cannot live without the ample resources provided by nature. To neglect the need to protect the environment is to neglect the welfare of our generation and the generations that will soon follow. Similarly, to destroy it is to destroy our own lives and our hopes for a world devoid of the hazards of the hustle and bustle in the ever expanding concrete jungles of cities. (3) Environmental protectionism is necessary in achieving social justice because the environment is the foundation of everything else that we know of in this planet. The absence of such protective measures, no matter how radical they may stand in contrast to the status quo, will certainly reduce our chances of surviving as a race. The social perception of Greenpeace International is the idea that there is an urgent need to actively promote and protect the environment amidst the different social forces that seek to use environmental resources to great lengths without even giving sufficient room for environmental concerns. People should actively engage themselves in efforts to curb the disintegration of the natural environment as a direct result of human factors. Human beings alone have the power to effect change in their natural surroundings especially when taken in the context of the use and abuse of the environment by several public and private entities. Protecting the environment can go to great lengths especially in the form of directly meddling with the private activities of private groups, to the point of causing harm, financial or physical, to those who are at the wrong side of the fence. The political perception of the organization is the idea that governments should prioritize environmental concerns. For instance, the organization has recently called upon United States President Barack Obama to reassess the so-called bogus climate bill released in Congress (Democrats Pass Bogus Climate Bill, 2009). It serves as a concrete example of the political pressure being exerted by the organization on the upper branches of the government. With that in mind, it is easy to understand that the organization very well considers political avenues in meeting their goals to protect the environment. With the growing environmental concerns throughout the years of the organization’s existence, it is apparent that the organization itself has dramatically changed through time. For the most part, the organization has grown more active than what it used to be in the later parts of the twentieth century. Moreover, the organization has become more actively involved in directly meddling with the activities of individuals and groups which they see as threats to the environment. (4) There are several previous actions of Greenpeace International which have been politically adapted. For example, the supporters of the organization heeded the call to write to their Representatives in Congress and inform them of the people’s clamor for safer toys for children up to 12 years of age. Eventually, the US Congress passed a law that will ban children’s products that contain the toxic chemical â€Å"phthalates† (US Congress Announces Ban on Toxic Chemicals, 2008). Another example is the organization’s victory during the early parts of the 1970s, especially the cases of protesting US nuclear testing at Amchitka Island in Alaska and France’s efforts to do atmospheric tests of their weapons somewhere in the regions of the South Pacific. In December 2007, the Irish government listened to the call of the organization to end the use of incandescent light bulbs and acted accordingly; the government announced its move to ban the use and production of incandescent light bulbs in Ireland which became the first country to do so among the European Union members (Greenpeace Victories, 2008). The latter example is a turning-point in history precisely because it marks the initial departure from the long-standing practice of using light bulbs on a massive scale that are not friendly to the environment. These examples, among others, present the idea that Greenpeace International has been successful in some of its efforts to protect the environment. Several laws were passed in favor of the environmental concerns of the organization. Also, several protests resulted to drastic changes in the activities of sovereign governments. References 20th Anniversary of the Bombing of the Rainbow Warrior. (2005). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://www. greenpeace. org/international/press/releases/20th-anniversary-of-the-bombin Democrats Pass Bogus Climate Bill. (2009). Retrieved May 24, 2009, from http://www. greenpeace. org/international/news/waxmanbill-180509 Greenpeace Victories. (2008). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://www. greenpeace. org/international/about/victories Justice for the Tokyo Two – Justice for Whales, Coming Our Way? (2009). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://www. greenpeace. org/international/news/justice-for-the-tokyo-two-ju Kuzmiak, D. T. (1991). The American Environmental Movement. The Geographical Journal, 157(3), 265-278. US Congress Announces Ban on Toxic Chemicals. (2008). Retrieved May 25, 2009, from http://www. greenpeace. org/international/news/congress-announces-ban-on-toxi

Athletics In MacGregors Sporting Landscape Essay Example for Free

Athletics In MacGregor’s Sporting Landscape Essay However, using tactics which corroborate teamwork and competitive factors which in theory will motivate students to strive and increase their participation levels. 1. 0 Introduction This report will provide a detailed analysis of the participation of athletics in Macgregor’s microcosm as the societal norm believe that the status quo is â€Å"uncool†, it is known that the position of Australia’s porting landscape is very weak as there is a lack of participation within Australia as a whole This can be answered by a simple formula created to find the reason why some sports have a lack in participation in mainstream society today, Figueroa’s framework, this formula is divided into Levels listed in the following Cultural, Structural, Institutional, interpersonal and individual levels, nonetheless, it Is concluded that it is up to the individual of whether they decide to participate in Athletics or not. The social factors that influence an individual’s decision to participate in Athletics may indirectly or directly impact them by shaping their values, attitudes and beliefs. Knowing this the individual may find themselves being subjective to the people and also the certain factors they face in society ranging from cultural differences to peers to themselves. Sociologist, Peter Figueroa, develop a framework that analyses the equity of social resources that can also be implemented into the participation of athletics. . 1 Individual Level It can be argued that when it comes to equity and access issues, the individual level is the most important. This is because, while all levels of Figueroa’s Framework can identify how equity and sporting opportunities are presented to an individual, in the end it is the individual’s choice that will determine his or her access and level of participation in physical education. Kiss, 2012) This level is specific to Macgregor’s sporting landscape as it highlights the lack of participation in students; nonetheless, these decisions about sport and physical activity are ultimately made by the individuals Genes, values, attitudes and personalities which are specific to each individual. 3. 0 Action plan In Macgregor’s deteriorating athletics program, the lack of participation in the carnivals can link to many reasons why they don’t compete in such events. Study shows that the majority of students would prefer to sit and chat with their friends instead of competing in athletics, however, to allow students to participate, an action plan was developed to; in theory create a more fun and enjoyable carnival thus increasing participation levels, using successful methods utilized in Australian sports such as Cricket, NRL, AFL, etc. The ideologies used within these sports can be integrated within the society of Macgregor’s microcosm shaping the status quo of Macgregor’s Athletics program in a more positive, enjoyable way. . 1 Justification of Action plan Throughout sporting history there are various techniques to strive for in order to have a successful carnival, the majority of successful sports share many similar techniques to better improve the participation of athletes in Australia such as making it more interactive for the audience thus improving their participation rates; for example, in tennis they implement a board that measures the speed of the serve for each game as well as the Olympics which show the world record for each event. nowing this; a supposed board that lists all the records of each event is shown publically pre-athletics carnival and during for students to observe and in theory become more motivated and strive to train and compete in the events believing they are able to break that record thus improving participation rates. Secondly, the appearance of famous sporting athletes have known to improve the participation of sports for example, NBA players frequently appear in many occasions of street basketball games as it obviously creates publicity, however, also improves the participation due to the fact that this allows the ‘average basketball fanatic’ who normally would watch their idol from the comfort of their own television, but in fact they are able to play side by side with their idol increasing their moral and motivation to play. This can also be implemented in the athletics carnival by having the famous athlete participate and motivate the students to join in and also create a slight sense of competition. Finally, it is a fact that Australians love to play team based sports as listed, AFL, Cricket, Football, NRL, Soccer, Basketball, Rugby League are in the top 10 Australian sports; this is 7 of the 10 sports that are shown. With this in mind, Students would be required to form groups of 3 and compete in the athletics carnival, with a twist; each event would hold a certain amount of points varying on the position the student places, 10points for 1st, 7points for 2nd, 5point for 3rd and participation will be worth 2 points. The team that scores the highest points will be rewarded with a prize, such as vouchers, etc. 4. 2 Links to survey results The action plan created was based on a census of the whole school to observe whether they would participate in athletics and their reasons to not. To justify the particular choices created in the action plan by showing the statistics which have guided the development as the spikes in the statistics assist in improving the participation by surveying the trend. The reason a record chart was implemented as it adds a competitive flair and students receive social rewards within the athletics carnival as 19% of students feel that there is no reward for students if they win the events, this will help students strive for the record instead of just trying to win. A massive 27% of students feel that they are not good enough for the athletics carnival and believe there is no point to participate and simply just socialize with their peers, with the appearance of a famous athlete; students would be motivated to part take in the events as the special guest can provide moral support and advice to improve their technique, etc. during the carnival as they can join in with the students. By creating team based events the 80% of students that prefer team sports are able to participate and at the same time fill the social void according to the 25% as they strive to motivate fellow teammates and allow each other perform better overall, also considering the 66% that would participate in the carnival if their peers were to join in. (Buckley, et al, 2013) 4. Links to research material including the individual level of the framework The research gathered of Figueroa’s framework on the individual level, it is realised that students values and beliefs are to strive for competition and rewards, as these factors have been fulfilled it will allow students to participate in a more enjoyable way, due to the fact that an individual’s values and beliefs reflect directly upon their parents, siblings and peers, however, it is proven that the individual learns to behave through the experience they have accumulated from mainly their peers, also the fact that students view the sports society in a ‘boring’ manner, they often assume they cannot socialise with their peers which majorly affect their participation rates. 5. 0 Conclusion Athletics In MacGregor’s Sporting Landscape. (2018, Oct 28).

How Did Japan's Successful Adaptation to the Challenges of Western Imp Essay - 1

How Did Japan's Successful Adaptation to the Challenges of Western Imperialism and China's Failure Complete - Essay Example Similarly for China, to revive an economy that was devastated by the ravages of a long civil war, and turn it into one of the fastest growing economies by the end of the century was a truly laudable achievement. Japan moved from a limited democracy with a semi-divine monarch before world war II, to a thriving progressive one by the last decade of the twentieth century. China, on the other hand, transformed from a communist form of government at the end of the civil war, to a more modern form of socialism using reform and an opening of its markets by the end of the century. At the beginning of the twentieth century, western powers like Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium had grown rich and powerful through the acquisition of colonies in Asia and Africa. Japan sought to imitate western imperial powers by acquiring foreign territorial possessions because of the power and prestige associated them. The frequent provocation by western powers, their racial prejudices towards Asian people; as well as its own concerns for its territorial and economic security, led Japan into a series of wars in China as well as other South Asian countries. This was done mainly to increase its sphere of influence and to secure much-needed markets for its goods. The disastrous results of trying to imitate western imperialism saw Japan reduced from a dynamic Asian empire in the 1930s and 1940s to a small group of islands in a western dominated order by the end of WWII. The result of the second world war changed Japan’s fortunes. Devastated by the atomic bomb and over-populated due to the return of its people from   Manchuria and Korea, a starving Japan was forced to accept free food from America. The impact of this on the Japanese people was naturally profound and resulted in a steely determination to return to a position of power in the new world order. Japan had to begin over again the process of developing industry and self-sufficiency. One advantage it had was its talent pool in terms of educated people in the field of science and technology. Another was its strong belief in free enterprise and its expertise in managing industry in such an environment.  

Fast food nation book by Eric Schlosser Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Fast food nation book by Eric Schlosser - Essay Example Yes, Mr. Schlosser you have proved it right. Pen is indeed mightier than the sword that the McDonald uses to slaughter the animals. America, wake up! A society that treats millionaires and billionaires only as part of their culture has no future. American courts will have a tough time in doing some real interpretations as to what food is good for the citizens of America. In the name of free economy, the powerful ones cannot hold the population of the country to ransom as for their eating habits. Agreed, the working mothers have no time to cook food at home; but that doesn’t mean they will watch silently when poison is fed to their children in the guise of fast foods. When the mothers wake up, McDonalds will feel sorry for their expansion plans and closure of the branches will be at double the speed of the inaugural tempo. The vigorous churning process is on, on all the above issues as a result of the publication of â€Å"Fast Food Nation†, by Eric Schlosser. He is the c ause of many a sleepless nights to the management of McDonalds! An inquiry commission perhaps cannot do better than the comprehensive ‘report’ that Eric has produced in the form of a book, â€Å"Fast Food Nation.† He has dealt with every conceivable issue social, cultural, political etc. that affects not only America, but the people of the countries all over the world. Eric makes his objectives of writing the book clear. He writes, â€Å"This is a book about fast food, the values it embodies, and the world it has made†¦.I am interested in it both as a commodity and as a metaphor. What people eat (or don’t eat) has always been determined by a complex interplay of social, economic and technological forces†. (3) The industry’s drive for expansion, consolidation, uniformity and speed has transformed the lifestyles of American people. The changes are unfortunately not for the better. What a revolution cannot

Communication in business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 2

Communication in business - Essay Example While on the other end, the ideology that - social aspect of business is indispensable and an inevitable part of corporate management, is stressed. Where one group argues that the sole purpose of a business is to maximize profits and create value for shareholders, the other support Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a part of their corporate agenda. There has been a steady rise in the popularity and significance of CSR and its role in creating an impact on society, and ultimately on the business itself, leading to its adoption and implementation by several corporate giants. Companies across various sectors have taken up social responsibility and their duties towards the society, as a serious and significant part of their corporate agenda (Nelson, 2004). It is evident from the fact that annual report of companies’ now includes sustainability or social reports, where the social activities of a business are proudly displayed alongside the company’s financial reports. Companies today are highly aware of their role in the society and the impact on the everyday lives of its consumers. However, as the role and popularity of CSR continues to rise, an equally significant number of companies, across Europe are steadily moving towards the adoption of the conventional Anglo-Saxon shareholder value model – with greater emphasis on profits, sidelining social responsibility in the process. It is on account of this very reason, that the debates surrounding the purpose and role of business in society, has assumed global significance (The Economist, 2005). The role of business in society: According to some, the main purpose of business is to create wealth and maximize shareholder value, while others consider benefit to society as a part of business. However, regardless of the conflicting ideologies, the fact that business is arguably, the only human activity, which has a far reaching impact on the society, cannot be denied. It has the ability to assemb le and accumulate human resources, on a large scale, who are engaged in the production of goods and services for public consumption, while generating profits in the process. Business not only generates profits for the stakeholders and owners but also create value to the society in the form of employment and providing a source of livelihood to millions of people. It is on account of this reason, that the role of business in society is far greater than merely generating profits and hence, companies today have readily incorporated the ethical and moral principles as a part of their corporate responsibility. Companies nowadays, strictly adhere to their social responsibility with the same zest and fervor as they comply in case of their legal obligations. The role of business in society, thus has widened in the recent years and has moved beyond the legal, financial and economic obligations to include social and environmental obligations as well (Blowfield, Murray, 2008). Arguments against corporate social responsibility Milton Friedman subscribed to the classical economic school of thought which contend that business has one and only one responsibility – towards the shareholders and owners and that social issues do not and must not figure on the list of corporate objectives. He further stated that social aspects are taken care of -by and in a free market economy, and in case it fails to do so, then it becomes the responsibility of the government, but business

How does the specific geographical location of this particular country Essay

How does the specific geographical location of this particular country influence and inform its foreign policy aims and objectiv - Essay Example Curling away from the mainland China to neighboring Japan, Korea has been the area across which invading armies have coursed back and forth. At the same time, the invasions did not prevent Korea from retaining a high degree of homogeneity in ethnic sense. This â€Å"Koreanness†, as Feffer calls it, makes the division in two states painful for citizens in either part (Feffer, 2011: 22). For South Korea, its geographic location close to North Korea is the major factor that shapes its foreign policy. At the same time, surrounded by water, this country is located around 200 kilometers from two Japanese islands of Kyushu and Honshu. Closeness to Japan and China has its own impact on the foreign policy of South Korea. As for the geographical identity of South Korea, it is conditioned by South Korea’s location on one half of the Korean Peninsula, the one that is southern and has a land border with the only state - North Korea. This paper investigates how geography of South Kor ea shapes and informs its foreign policy aims and impacts its geographical identity. First, let us explore the geographical location of Republic of South Korea in detail. While South Korea hosts more than 45 million people, its size is slightly bigger than that of Indiana in the United States and is similar to the size of Hungary (about 93.000 square kilometers) and Jordan (around 97.700) (AsiaInfo, 2013: no page). Its territory is 99.391 square kilometers (Davis, 1999: 7). This accounts for 45% of the overall territory of the peninsula. The capital is Seoul. The land of the country covers the southern part of the Korean Peninsula; it is surrounded by water on its three sides. The Korean Peninsula stretches to the South from the east coast of Asia. Its second half is occupied by North Korea. The territory of South Korea encompasses nearly 3.000 islands which are located predominantly around the sea known as the Yellow Sea. Few islands lie of the East Sea. The largest and most import ant islands in South Korea are: Ullungdo (in the East Sea, serves a key fishery base), Tokdo (hosts a major fishery base, too), and Chejudo (the biggest island in size, is located off the southwest corner of the Korean Peninsula). Historically, the two countries on the Korean Peninsula used to be a single country under the name Korea. Yet, for political reasons, Korea got divided and became two countries. Specifically, with the end of World War 2, the overall territory got divided in two zones: the northern one got occupied by the military forces of the USSR; the southern part, in its turn, got occupied by the American army. The boundary between the two military zones was fixed at the 38th parallel. Back in 1953, the boundary was more or less fixed by the marked DMZ, which is 4-kilometer wide land strip running along the cease-fire lines from one coast to another (from the eastern part to the western part). That strip is around 241 kilometers east to west; it was fixed on a semi-per manent basis (AsianInfo, 2013: no page). The territory of South Korea is covered mostly with mountains and forests. Along its southern and western coasts, there stretch low and flat lands. South Korean climate is largely shaped by monsoons, which bring wet weather in summer season and dry weather in winter (Davis, 1999: 7).

An arguement for the use of Natural Gas as a replacement for Fossil Essay

An arguement for the use of Natural Gas as a replacement for Fossil Fuels - Essay Example One of the reasons why natural gas should replace fossil fuels is that the former is relatively cheaper. In fact, according to a report by OilPrice.com, the cost of oil today is over $14 to get a million BTU [or British Thermal Unit]†¦but only $2.30 if you were willing to use natural gas as an alternative† (Hamilton, 2012). That means savings of $11.70 per million BTU, which translates to an astronomical value in reality. Although petroleum once had the same cost as crude oil, from 1997 to 2007, the trend has now changed in favor of the former (Hamilton, 2012). The cheap cost of natural gas is attributed to the fact that America produces â€Å"three billion more cubic feet [or 85M cubic meters] of natural gas a day out of the ground than it can consume† (â€Å"Natural Gas Difference Engine,† 2012). Moreover, when compared to coal, it would cost 12 cents or more per kilowatt-hour to produce electricity from dirty coal compared to 6 cents only from clean natura l gas (â€Å"Natural Gas Difference Engine,† 2012). ... Without responsible stewardship, one would not seek ways to use the most efficient means of producing electricity and just be content with what is expensive. Another reason why natural gas should replace fossil fuels is that the former is cleaner compared to the latter. According to a report in the New York Times concerning energy sources, natural gas has become more popular as a major international commodity because â€Å"it burns cleaner than oil and coal and produces less greenhouse gases† (Krauss, 2012). These greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. Moreover, natural gas does not leave any carbon deposits in the engine, thus reducing the natural wear of the engine and so there are fewer oil changes (â€Å"Natural Gas Difference Engine,† 2012). Natural gas is actually only methane, or CH4, which is merely a one-carbon compound with four hydrocarbons, thus it is relatively less harmful than chemicals with long carbon chains. Besides, the use of natural gas would hypothetically reduce â€Å"sulfur dioxide emissions by 55% and mercury emissions by 30% and greenhouse gas emissions by 15%† because natural gas emits virtually no sulfur dioxide and mercury, and only 22% less greenhouse gases compared to diesel (â€Å"Environmental Benefits,† 2012). In fact, natural gas is 28% cleaner than petroleum and 40%-100% cleaner than coal (Stevens, 2012). Another reason for the proposal that the United States should replace fossil fuels with natural gas is the added benefit of boosting the country’s economy especially if the United States sells natural gas to other countries. Several energy companies in the country announced the

The multicultural Effect Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The multicultural Effect - Essay Example (Silko 1996, 43) These words f Leslie Marmon Silko describe aptly what this ReVision issue is about: storytelling. Indigenous conversations. Recovering indigenous conversations. Remembering stories. Putting them back together. Cherishing the fragments we find. Exchanging stories. Finding ways to bring the immediacy and presence f the stories told in front f a group f people onto paper and between journal covers. Sharing stories between groups f people, Sami siidat, German Sippen--communities (some f these groupings are now called cultures, or societies, or nations, or tribes). The primary focus f the contributions is not agreement or disagreement with Eurocentered views on narrative knowing. Instead the articles, taken together, walk their own path, affirming an ancient way f being present to knowing. That is all. This issue is an invitation to remember that practice and to participate in it--today--with all that that might mean in our contemporary situation. Within the Eurocentered context, the concern would be with the defense, explication, placement, or support f narrative knowing within the edifice that Eurocentered thinking tries to maintain, even as it crumbles and disintegrates at the external and internal margins. Much f what has been written about narrative knowing presents such amendments, usually framed as advances. Progress f thinking. A contribution on the evolutionary trajectory. This is the stage set by Eurocentered thinking for the justification and defense f narrative knowing. That stage matters not in an indigenous or a remembered indigenous context. The stakes are much higher. There are many more criteria. They are in the landscape. In the ancestry. In history. In what is commonly called myth. In gossip. In the narrative plot provided by the stars. In the remembrance f the pain f what people have done to each other and are doing to each other. Individuals all. In the rejoicing about the beautiful things people have done. Because these kinds f criteria elude Eurocentered thinking to a large extent, they cannot--and should not--be justified in that context. Pressures for such justification arise from the need to the maintain the social construction f whiteness. Though it may seem extraordinary to the Eurocentered mind, in the indigenous context, one fact stands out as a simple truth that native people live by: "Whether we know the stories or not, the stories know about us" (Silko 1996, 150). We may not remember our ancestry or honor it, but the ancestors remember us. There is hope in this. Storytelling is allowing completeness in a nutshell: hologrammatically. Here we don't find philosophy apart from the cycles f the seasons--yet we find science. Here we don't find agriculture separate from the local narratives--yet we find astronomy and agroastronomy. Here we don't find navigation apart from star and weather lore--yet we find nautical science. In the narrative universe f these worlds, story is not an individualistic or existential project. It is the survival f the self woven inside, outside, and in between through precise presence. There is no possibility f standing apart or objectifying or dissociating. What an advance to remember such pr actices. The current issue started out with a different design in mind: I was in the process f inviting several authors and informing them to assume the importance and validity f narrative knowi

Parks and recreation Essay Example for Free

Parks and recreation Essay Chicago is a major medical and dental center supported by high-class hospitals and research services offering to its dwellers. Chicago offers life science and biotech entrepreneurs with a balance of capital, community. The local companies are experienced vanguarding the diagnostics, therapeutics, medical equipment, food and environmental biotechnologies, and research and development related activities (World business Chicago, 2005). Transportation Chicagos boasts a major inland port and the railroad hub of the US, while the OHare International Airport is the worlds busiest airports. The city has 1,084,127 number of passenger cars and 55,585 trucks (B plates) and 17,807 Trucks (RV) and Busses with total CTA passenger figure of 450,530,411 as per 2000. There are 3 airports, which handled 1,663,784 metric tons of cargo in 2000. The detail is shown in the table 1. 4 (Chicago Public Library, 2005). Lagos is connected by rail and road to all the major cities of Nigeria, while the city main Airport is Murtala Muhammad International Airport situated in city center. Ferries and highways form the transportation link for the city, but transport links within Lagos are crowded due to chaotic and unplanned geography of the city. Its volatile population, broken roads and reckless drivers, worsens the situation (Simmie, 2001) Table 1. 4 Chicago has total 791 parks, which includes baseball, basketball, bathing beaches, field houses, playgrounds, football, golf courses, driving ranges and gymnasiums with total area of 7,337 acres. There are also 5,327 harbor facilities and swimming pools, and zoos. (Chicago Public Library, 2005) In Lagos near the lagoon, Ebute Metta, multitude of wooden homes and shops are built over the frail silt which offer cheap living and food. The people sit in the middle and enjoy meals in the middle of stink, naked kids and beggars. The shops are made by these people to have a living, as government doesn’t seem to bother about their miseries. A council of elders resolves the issues inside the slums as government has little concern for these poor people (Smith, 2000). Water, sewerage and sanitation system The Chicago city has elaborate and well-developed water and sewerage, sanitation and recycling system. The city daily water pumpage is 969,225,00 gallons, while the water tunnels and lake covers an area of 63 miles. The city residential waste was about 1. 1 million ton as per 2000, while the total amount of recycling reached about 296,425 tons. The total length of sewers is about 4300 miles with 148000 main holes. Lagos is built on poorly drained marshlands. The city suffers flooding not only in the rainy season, but sewage blockage floods the city slums regularly. Just like other third world cities, Lagos is riddled with garbage and waste disposal littered everywhere. The explosive population has led the boom in construction industry, but without any planning as a result the building constructed with cheap material collapse giving rise to series of accidents frequently. The city is infamous for its traffic jams, as some times a 10 km distance can take up to three hours. Lagos has the reputation of the most dangerous city in the Africa. As the few bridge connects 3,500 square km of islands, swamp and the mainland, the highways run through mountains of garbage and wastelands with dirt and dust in the air passing through its 200 slums eternally drenched in sewage, garbage and industrial waste (Hall, 2001). The city haphazard planning has given rise to chaotic development, causing shortage of houses, roads, power, water and constant traffic jams. About 90 percent of the Nigerian people have access to electricity with Lagos consuming 45 percent of the energy (Octchet, 2005).

Gender Representation in Advertisements

Gender Representation in Advertisements GENDER REPRESENTATION IN COMMERCIALS Imagine a commercial where a half naked man is bringing a beer bottle to a woman while pouring it all  over himself; Imagine a commercial where a loving husband cooks dinner while his wife is watching the  television on the sofa. Just imagine. Something does not seem right? That is because society is used to  certain types of commercials; ones where women are playing the domestic role and men are strong,  needed people. In this essay I will be explaining how different genders are being represented in the TV  advertisements and why ‘life’ from commercials is not something to look up to. Throughout the essay  these points will be shown by ‘taking apart’ commercials that have been on our TVs and we did not even  pay attention to the details and signs that were in front of us the whole time. Firstly, I would like to start from children’s commercials because the roles that young girls and boys are  playing are very similar to the ones that men and women have in other commercials. In one of the  Fisher-price.com[i] ads for a doll house, we can see two girls playing with some of the dolls and they are  already placing the ‘dad’ at the table sitting down while the ‘mom’ cooks and prepares everything,  whilst taking care of the ‘babies’. On the other hand, in a Tonka toy[ii] commercial we can see two boys  playing with the Tonka toys and they are being portrayed as very simple, not intelligent people as their  vocabulary is limited to ‘’This tool rules!’’ and ‘’Yea’’. In both of these commercials we can clearly see  that our children are being thought from a very young age who has which role in the family and this  society. Girls are there to serve the guys and guys are there to give a hand to the helpless girls. Secondly, we can look at commercials where the main characters are played by teenage girls and guys.   In Bissell commercial[iii] for a vacuum cleaner, we can see a family where the mom and her daughter are  very excited about cleaning and the boy in the family offers to get the vacuum for them, but the girl tells  him that there is no need because the vacuum cleaner is not even heavy. Cleaning is being shown as  something fun and easy, and by this society pushes girls into domesticity from young age. When we take  a look at teen males, Axe ad[iv], some people would say that it is just a funny commercial, but others could  be very offended by it. There is a need for the sexual desire of the audience, female and male, since  women are wearing very revealing clothing and are being shown as sexual objects and are willing to do  anything for the attention and acceptance of men. The guy in the commercial is also being shown as just  some kind of a sexual object because he is half naked and women are all over him- stereotypes of  masculinity. And finally, let’s take a look at how adult females and males are being represented in commercials. In  Dyson Vacuum cleaner[v] ad firstly we see a woman in a bikini posing for a photo in some kind of a photo  shoot. The photographer is a man, and the staff that brings drinks to the employees are girls. In the next  moment we see that a vacuum cleaner is connected to the models back and when the guy who is   holding the vacuum cleaner turns it off, the model becomes overweight and much more curvy. She does  not look upset by this fact at all, moreover she is totally fine with it and even walks of the set smiling. This commercial is very downgrading towards women and is very hard to look at and laugh from a  women’s perspective. For the male adults, I have chosen the Milwaukees BEST LIGHT[vi] commercials  because all of them are sending the same message. Men who are showing affection towards their  partners do not deserve to live is the most simple way of putting what this commercial has to show. If  there is any sign of caring and loving side in a man, they are not masculine; all men need to behave in a  tough guy manor, and if not they get mocked and put down. All of these commercials show us how society has accepted certain roles in life as normal, where women  are portrayed as subordinate to men. This can be connected to Marxism, where the proletariat role have  women and men are the bourgeoisie. Gramsci explains that the process by which a power relationship is  accepted, consented to and seen as natural or as ‘common sense’ exists- Hegemony. It is ‘normal’ that a  woman is cleaning, washing, taking care of children, cooking and serving her partner. It is ‘normal’ that a  man is working, bringing the money to the house, fixing things, waiting for everything to come to him,  not caring. Commercials are a part of the media and a lot of people blame the media for everything that the society  is doing and thinking. Levin and Kilbourne claim that heavy exposure to media alters the viewers  perception of social reality in a way that matches the media world, and they are not the only ones. A lot  of very influential people share their opinion, like Germaine Greer, an Australian theorist and academic,  who believes that the media upholds an ideal image of beauty in its representation-an image that the  women are made to be desperate to conform to. The emphasis on beauty/’sexiness’ and women in the  media has meant that women now believe that if they do not conform to this-if they are not beautiful-  they are not successful and are useless. Not only women are the ones who are trying to fit into this  picture that has been imposed on us, according to the research done by academics a lot of men feel the  same way. There is a lot of focus on mus cled and very fit male bodies and it is causing men the same  anxiety and personal insecurity that women have felt for decades. At first I did approach this topic from a feminist side, but simply because it was quite obvious that men  are the one in control and the women were represented as passive objects of the male gaze (Mulvey  1975). University of North Texas professor Steve Craig said that women tend to be represented as  rewards for men who choose the right product; these commercials are narratives of playful escapades  away from home and family. Later on, as I was going through even more material, such as Kraft dressing[vii] and Diet Coke[viii]  commercials, I realized that a number of ads have represented men as objects for the female gaze.  Women viewers are not passive but active and engage critically with these kinds of media texts by   selecting texts that have meaning for them. Even though we do blame the media for these impositions,  Gammon and Marshment stress the importance of the audience’s role in the construction of meaning in  media texts and emphasis the range of interpretations that any text offers. Although these days there are a lot of commercials that are representing men and women differently,  one type of commercial has never been made with a female as the customer and the men as the ‘bait’-  beer commercials. For this reason I have decided to concentrate on beer commercials and how they  affect women and men everywhere. According to Susan Bordo, an academic, men in beer ads are always  being portrayed as virile, slim, muscular and powerful, whilst the women are eager for male  companionship, weak, vulnerable. Men and beer have gone together for ages. Beer is crafted by men in  factories owned by men, sold to men, and consumed by men. I have done a research in order to see if my suspicions are indeed correct. After gathering the results of  my survey, I have found out that a 100% of females asked knew what beer is and have tried it before,  80% of them liked it and would have it again and 48% of them said that beer is their number one drink  when choosing to drink alcohol. When talking about just the United States, according to Dr, Bart Watson  women account for 25% of total consumption by volume, and 37% of craft-beer consumption in the  United States. Meg Gill has said: ‘’It has gotten better the last few years, but sometimes you hear ‘let me pour you  something sweet, honey.’ Women, just like men, love hops. And women can detect bitterness much  better than men.’’ Women were also the first to turn brewing into a lucrative industry, taking beer out  of their kitchens and selling it for a profit around town. In medieval Europe, women known as alewives  skirted the discriminatory rules against female ownership of land and business by opening ale houses.   So why aren’t there any beer commercials where the women are drinking beer and the men are bringing  it to them? Factory-dominated brewing has gone on for so long it seems that society has completely  forgotten that beer was once the domain of women. A lot of people assume that women are trying beer  just because their husband or boyfriend offered them once, when in reality women have been drinking  beer for a longer time than they have been with their husbands. Gender inequality leads to economic  disadvantage for women, gendered violence, exclusion from the higher echelons of power but also from  enjoying good beer. Arbitrary and anachronistic feminine stereotypes are internalized essentially by  women- Naomi McAuliffe. If any of the companies do choose to try and sell the beer to the female part of society, they need to be  very careful since they are not just telling us what beer we are supposed to be drinking, they are also  letting us know what they think about us, collectively, and as individuals. According to Beer Genie the  reason that women don’t drink as much beer as men is a combination of misconceptions, myopic macho  marketing, a lack of knowledge and information and the way it is served. It has nothing to do with the  taste, and that is why I think that the commercials are to blame for women being ‘afraid’ to try beer or  even ask for one in a bar/pub. In order to try and change the view of beer, I have decided to make a beer commercial where the roles  will be changed. The woman is going to be the one drinking the beer, and the man is going to be the one  handing it to her. I am hoping that by doing this, I will be able to show how by just reversing the ‘normal’  roles, men and women can be seen in a different light. If we want to provide males and females with a wide range of possible roles, we need to make sure that  they are being thought from the young age that they are free to explore all the roles. There is a lot of  room for improvement when it comes to gender representation in commercials. [i] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHy8zMPOa2Q [ii] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHlmGRhj7vM [iii] Look at the attachment [iv] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6rAQHa1gmc [v] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_3oIy5jAG0 [vi] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGItoKaX0BM [vii] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH1dEWhutm8 [viii] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff-jBpca7Cw BIBLIOGRAPHY: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/14/pint-beer-woman-right Accessed: 22/5/15 http://www.acrwebsite.org/search/view-conference-proceedings.aspx?Id=7225 Accessed: 22/5/15 http://firstwefeast.com/drink/how-craft-beer-fails-its-female-fan-base/ Accessed: 25/5/15 http://www.tested.com/food/460240-women-are-taking-back-beer/ Accessed: 20/5/15 http://www.beerwestmag.com/the-magazine/feature-have-you-really-come-a-long-way-baby/ Accessed: 22/5/15 http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/aug/14/pint-beer-woman-right Accessed: 20/5/15 All of these sources are very reliable and up to date. Some of them have been written in more than two years ago, but have been updated fairly recently.

Blindness and Sight - Lack of Vision in Oedipus the King :: King Lear essays

Parental Blindness in King Lear As Shakespeare presents to us a tragic pattern of parental and filial love, in which a prosperous man is devested of power and finally recognises his "folly", empathy is induced in the audience. In "King Lear", it is noted from the beginning of the play that both Lear and Gloucester suffer from self-approbation and will consequently find revelation by enduring "the rack of this tough world". While Lear mistakenly entrusts the shallow professions of love from his "thankless" daughters - Goneril and Regan - instead of the selfless words of Cordelia, Gloucester shadows a similar ignorance by initially entrusting love in the evil Edmund, rather than Edgar, whom we consider to be a "truly" loyal "noble gentlemen". Undeniably, both parents misjudge appearance for reality, as it is only in this way that they can "let the great gods that keep this dreadful pudder O'er [their] heads / Find out their enemies" where "all vengeance comes too short". When Lear is rejected by Goneril and Regan and stripped of his "hundred Knights and squires", he is left with "nothing" in the wilderness, besides the loyal company of Kent and the Fool, and later on, Edgar and Gloucester. It appears that at this stage he senses his "folly", that he "did [Cordelia] wrong". But Lear has yet to gain full insight. Although, before entering the hovel, he realises that he has been a "man more sinned against sinning", the process of self-discovery is not complete until all truth is unveiled. As Lear realises his foolishness in bannishing Cordelia - his "joy" and the only daughter who truly loves him - we sense Lear's increasing sorrow and despair. By revealling his "sin", he is subjecting himself to punishment. Perhaps it is a deserving motion, since he had passed judgement and punished Kent and Cordelia for coming between "the dragon and his wrath", that is, him and his power. Now the gods above rightfully control Lear's destiny, abiding by the process that man has to suffer to gain peace. At this particular moment, Lear is still unaware of Kent's identity, disguised as Caius, ever since he bannished Kent for defending Cordeila's thoughtful choice to "love and be silent". We understand that the disguise is a way in which Kent can protect and continually serve the "poor, weak and infirm" Lear. Lear begins to accomplish understanding through the change in his contemptuous behaviour to a sympathetic learning man.

Temperate Deciduous Forest :: essays research papers

Temperate Deciduous Forest Geographical location- The Temperate Deciduous Forest is 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south of the equator. This climate can be found in the north in North America, Europe and Asia. In the south, the climate can be found with South America, Australia, and Africa. Climate facts- the average temperature is 50 degrees (24 degrees celsius) and its high is 86 degrees, this factor depends on the altitude of the forest. The temperate deciduous forest receives an average yearly precipitation of 2 to 5 feet, and the humidity of the forest is 60% to 80%. Soil- The soil in this climate is very fertile due to falling leaves, twigs, logs, and dead organisms. Fall- the leaves begin to lose their green color as the chlorophyll inside the leaves goes away. The red and orange that is always associated with fall come into play now, since they are always in the leaf, the only reason the leaf is green is because chlorophyll are inside the cells, but during the cold weather the trees loses the chlorophyll. Layers of the Temperate Forest 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tree stratum- tallest layer, 60- 100 feet high, with large maple woods, oaks, beech, chestnut, hickory, elm, basswood, linden, and walnut. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Small tree or sapling layer- short and young trees. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Shrub layer- huckleberries, azaleas, and mountain laurels. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Herb layer- short plants 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ground layer- lichens, club mosses, and true mosses. Three types of organisms Primary producers- such as trees, shrubs, grass, mushrooms, wild flowers, berries. Primary consumers-this group is comprised of mostly small animals and insects, such as mosquitoes, chipmunks, mice, squirrels, and seed eating birds. These organisms depend on the primary producers, for food and shelter.

The Scientific Revolution and The Enlightenment Essay -- Essays Papers

The Scientific Revolution and The Enlightenment In the 17th Century, there was much controversy between religion and science. The church supported a single worldview that God’s creation was the center of the universe. The kings and rulers were set in their ways to set the people’s minds to believe this and to never question it. From these ideas, the Enlightenment was bred from the Scientific Revolution. Nicholas Copernicus was the first to question the universal truths and teachings of the church. He devised a theory that the earth along with the other planets revolved around the sun. This theory disagreed with Aristotle and the old teachings that the universe revolved around the earth, and that man was the center of the universe. To follow Copernicus’ theory was Giordano Bruno. He went beyond Copernicus to suggest that space was limitless, and that the sun and its planets may not be the only systems of its kind. i Bruno dared to say that he believed there was a possibility of other worlds with rational beings possibly superior to us. Since this kind of action was unheard of at that time, Bruno was condemned and burned at the stake for blasphemy. The team of Tycho Brahe and John Keppler were the next to study Copernicus’ theory. Brahe tried to disprove Copernicus’ theory and tried to prove the idea of the earth-centered universe. Although Keppler was Brahe’s assistant, he argued for Copernicus and analyzed Brahe’s data to conclude that the sun was the center of the universe. Keppler also used Brahe’s data to discover the movement of the planet Mars. This was the key to explaining all planetary motion. ii He also discovered the planets move in elliptical orbits, which also went against the beliefs of the church. Kepp... ...nce and nature inter-twined to compliment one another. i Santillana, Giorgiode. The Crime of Galileo. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1955. ii Dene Scoggins. www.txwesleyan.edu/scoggins/world/17thCenturyScience/menu.html iii Porter, Roy. The Enlightenment. London: The Macmillan Press Ltd. 1990. iv Dene Scoggins. www.txwesleyan.edu/scoggins/world/17thCenturyScience/menu.html v Santillana, Giorgiode. The Crime of Galileo. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1955. vi Santillana, Giorgiode. The Crime of Galileo. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1955. vii Brians, Paul. http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/hum_303/enlightenment.html viii Outram, Dorinda. The Enlightenment. Great Britain: Cambridge University Press, 1995. ix Brians, Paul. http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/hum_303/enlightenment.html

What Are the Risks of an Extended Supply Chain?

What are the risks of an extended supply chain? In order to remain competitive, a company must offer superior quality goods or services at the lowest prices possible. Supply chain enables a company to reduce the cost while increasing the efficiency. However, there are risks that are associated with such benefits. These issues should be properly addressed when a company is trying to rely heavily on supply chain management in order to stay competitive within its industry. A company is exposed to risk by sharing confidential information to its vendors.For example, Apple recently reported that arts and specs for both the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini leaked out well before their release dates. Apple accused its vendors for information leak. â€Å"Apple’s security practices are targeted marking sure US employees don’t leak stuff, but everything comes out from China now. † A company is held accountable for its vendors being socially responsible. This includes making sure that vendors do not employ minors. For example, Nestle’s cocoa supplier, Ivory Coast, failed to pass the Fair Labor Association’s inspection because it employed children to process cocoa.Nestle’s held accountable for Ivory Coast’s violation of FLA, it will seriously damage the company’s image as well as its profits. While a proper supply chain management produces cost effective products, there is a setback as it is difficult to quality control products that a vendor produces from oversea. For example, in 2007, Toys R Us vendor Mattel produced 83 products containing lead based paint, which is hazardous to health. Consequently, Toys R Us had to recall 967,000 affected toys from reaching consumers. A natural disaster or political instability of a vendor’s country could affect a company’s operation.For example, Dallas-based Texas Instruments said late Monday that it had suffered substantial damage to its production plant in Miho, Japan an d slight damage to its Aizu-wakamatsu plant. Both facilities are located north of Tokyo in the areas most affected by the disaster. The company makes silicon wafers at its Miho plant, which are the thin pieces of silicon glass used to manufacture microchips. In conclusion, for those companies that rely heavily on extended supply chain management to remain lucrative should consider the following strategies to avoid the risks mentioned above.First, a company should have more flexibility. Flexibility, in this context, means that a company should incorporate a vendor-auditing program to make sure that it is meeting your standard. Second, a company should only share non-confidential information to its vendors to prevent them from compromising vital information. Lastly, a company should have multiple vendors to run a project in case one vendor fails to complete the project on timely manner. These are the key preventive strategy to avoid or mitigate the risks of a supply chain management.

Why New Zealand?

New Zealand is rated as one of the best places to study, work and live. The innate support for high tech industries, ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) thrive under the ecosystem as setup by the government. New Zealand also comes with a great ecosystem for the tourism and adventure sports industries. The country boasts of having some of the finest culinary masters, hospitality experts and extreme sports adrenaline junkies. Whether you are looking for a job as a fresher or as an experienced professional (with the required accreditation), New Zealand provides a plethora of options. New Zealand is one of the safest countries to explore yourself with a diverse international population that is a part of a very vibrant multi-cultural society. You can review an archive of student experiences in New Zealand over here, on the New Zealand Government website, One of the most important aspects of becoming an international student, is the â€Å"Student Experience†. As a part of our education system, Indian students are generally expected to forgo most extra-curricular activities and vacations in the pursuit of staying ahead. However, in New Zealand, as a part of your student experience, you will be encouraged to participate in local events, take part in cultural sports activities like Rugby, go on a break to some of the most serene beaches in the entire world. Who doesn't want to go surfing while getting their Masters done right?How to select the right University in New Zealand?Here's a list of the best ranked universities –University of Auckland: This is New Zealand's largest and most comprehensive university with 40,000 + students, researchers and faculty. Whether you are looking for the latest courses on emerging technologies like Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, CRISPR Genetics, this University has go t you covered.University of Otago: University of Otago comes with a rich cultural history of being NZ's oldest and one of the most predominant universities. A 150 year old history with a groundbreaking alumni circle, University of Otago offers a unique experience like no other.University of Canterbury: University of Canterbury boasts of some of the world's best research programs for post graduates. Compounded with a very relaxed policy on Scholarships and an acute focus on placements and job fairs, University of Canterbury sits at the top of our list.University of Victoria: University of Victoria focuses on creative thinking providing extraordinary environment to every student with fantastic exposure. University of Victoria also offers the world's first indigenous law degree.Massey University: Massey University has campuses in Auckland, Wellington, Manavatu, offers 67 undergraduate major, 89 programs and 1148 staffs.The list above is not exhaustive, instead, it is to give you a tast e of how an education in New Zealand could possibly change your life. Our admissions counselors are tied up with some of the best Universities in this country and ease of acceptance is purely on your ability to generate merit. There's a cornucopia of options when it comes to Universities here, from schools specializing in Medicine and Pharmaceutical research to Financial Engineering and Economic research, to Artificial Intelligence and Core Computer Science, Veterinary, Food Technology, NZ comes with a set of some of the world's best universities, faculties, and thus students. The question to be asked is, what would you like to make yourself into? With a widespread variety of options available for students to specialize themselves into the right industry, we advise you not to go with the social media trend or your neighbor's suggestions, we encourage you to speak to us and people working in the industry, within NZ, so that you get the best expert opinion about these crucial steps. Remember, this is a decision that could potentially transform your life, so please make sure you begin your decision making process from the right place at Manage My Education. Some important links to get you started :www.mmenow.com – Talk to us to get started with a structured approach to selecting your overseas education, to ensure a low rejection rate and a high scholarship rate.https://www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz/live-work/ – Learn more about how to convert your life as a student into a full time professional in NZ.https://www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas – Contains a great tool for you to know about Skill Shortage and how you could possibly get a permanent residence in NZhttps://www.studyinnewzealand.govt.nz/in/study-options/universities/ – Browse through more of the world class universities in NZ. Dear Reader,The Universities in NZ are rated to be the top 3% in the world. It is only logical that your profile, application and merits must be within the same caliber. For years, we at Manage My Education have helped students position their profiles for Universities all across the globe. It is our honest advice to you that, you contact us and avail our services to exponentially increase your chances to secure a great education and future in NZ. We encourage you to speak to our counsellors to get the right information before making a decision to move forward.

Leadership Project Essay

His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is a renowned spiritual leader and multi-faceted humanitarian whose mission of uniting the world into a violence-free family has inspired millions of people worldwide. The icon of non-violence and universal human values, Sri Sri seeks global peace through service and dialog. Born in 1956 in southern India, Sri Sri’s appeal transcends class, race, religion and nationality. Millions of people revere him as their spiritual leader, and look up to him for inner peace and promoting ecumenical values. In 1981, Sri Sri started the Art of Living Foundation, an international nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization. The Foundation, now active in more than 140 countries, offers educational and self-development programs designed to eliminate stress and foster a sense of well-being. In Europe and the United States, the Foundation’s programs are helping inner city youth turn away from gang violence, drugs and alcohol. Sri Sri’s Prison Programs have helped transform the lives of an estimated 150,000 inmates around the world. In 1997, Sri Sri founded the International Association for Human Values, a humanitarian nonprofit organization that advances human values in political, economic, industrial, and social spheres. In South Asia, South Africa, and Latin America, the Association’s sustainable development programs have reached more than 30,000 rural communities. While his self development programs have popularized traditionally exclusive ancient techniques, Sri Sri’s social initiatives address an array of issues such as conflict resolution, disaster and trauma relief, prisoner rehabilitation, youth leadership, women’s empowerment, female foeticide, child labor, and access to education. In Kashmir and Sri Lanka, Sri Sri is working to further dialogue between opposing parties to resolve the conflicts peacefully. Sri Sri travels to more than 40 countries a year to share his message of social responsibility, and that all great spiritual traditions share common goals and values. His teachings of love, practical wisdom, and service promote harmony among people, and encourage individuals to follow their chosen spiritual path, while honoring other paths. Spreading the message of a One World Family Spreading the message of love, compassion and non-violence, His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar tirelessly advocates harmonious co-existence among people. While he addresses innumerable forums on diverse subjects, the common thread through all his speeches is the principle of humanity, and brotherhood. His universal, and simple message is that love and wisdom can prevail over hatred and distress. Whether it is speaking to parliamentarians in Argentina, business leaders in Europe, peace organizations such as the United Nations and Muslim and Hindu leaders, Sri Sri emphasizes human values, and unity among people. Sri Sri has been invited to address the World Economic Forum at Davos on two occasions, the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, the first World Congress of Imams and Rabbis in 2005 among other forums. With an aim of bringing together leaders from diverse walks of life, Sri Sri has also hosted a number of symposiums. The Truth & Reconciliation Conference to foster equality of the Dalit community (2007), International Conference on Human Values (2006) and the annual Corporate Culture and Spirituality Symposiums being a few of them. Through his public talks and symposiums, Sri Sri addresses issues of inter-faith harmony, environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation and grassroots development. He inspires thousands across the globe to live the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or a One World Family. University Doctorates Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Bangalore University, India, 2009 ?Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Nagarjuna University, India, 2008 ?Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa, Maharaja Sayajirao University, India, 2007 ?Doctor of Science, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India, 2007 ?Doctor of Philosophy (Holistic Medicine), Open International University for Complementary Medicine in Sri Lanka, 2006 ?Honorary Doctorate from Kuvempu University, India, 2004 International Honours Culture in Balance Award, World Culture Forum, Dresden Germany, October 10, 2009 ?Professor Honoris Causa, Szent Istvan University, Budapest, (Hungary), June 24, 2009 ?The Ball of Peace awarded by The Peace Doves, Norway, June 13, 2009 ?Phoenix Award, Atlanta, USA, 2008 â€Å"Corporate Culture & Spirituality† (CCS) is an initiative of the International Association for Human Values. While central themes vary, this unique annual symposium provides business and spiritual leaders with a platform to share insights and experiences on social responsibility, business ethics, and sustainable and profitable leadership. CCS was first launched in 2003 in Bangalore, India, and was attended by business leaders, academicians, and spiritual leaders from across the world. Encouraged by its success, a second CCS conference was hosted in 2004 at the Art of Living Foundation Headquarters in Bangalore. In 2006, the conference was held in European Parliament, Brussels, where more than 300 participants from 20 countries engaged in a dynamic discussion on ethics and business as an integral part of innovative and sustainable development. The conference was once again hosted in Brussels in 2007, and was attended by prominent leaders such as Prof. Ruud Lubbers, Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and co-Founder of The Earth Charter; Dr. Jacques Santer, Former Prime Minister of Luxemburg and Former President of the European Commission; Mr. Niels Christiansen, Vice-President, Nestle; Mr. Rutger Koopmans, General Manager, ING Wholesale Banking; Mr. Venugopal Dhoot, Chairman, Videocon Group; Dr. Hanns Glatz, Delegate of the Board of Management, Daimler; and Prof. Peter Eigen, Founder, Transparency International Germany. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS The Art of Living Course gives participants the practical knowledge and techniques to unlock their deepest potential and bring fullness to life. Whether happy and successful or feeling the stress of poor health, disappointments, or fear, every participant is cared for and comes away lighter, with effective techniques for releasing mental and physical stress and increasing his or her health, energy, peace, self-knowledge, awareness, and joy. Simple Techniques for Daily Life A remarkable feature of the course is that participants are able to re-discover the present moment, not as a concept but as a direct experience. Participants leave with simple but powerful techniques that they can practice every day. The Art of Living Course has been enjoyed by people of all traditions, religions, and walks of life, in universities, churches, governments, businesses, prisons, and war zones. The Art of Living Foundation is dedicated to inspiring, uplifting and empowering individuals to live life to its fullest potential. Its youth programs emphasize human values common to all cultures, religions and traditions such as non-violence, compassion, caring for the planet, enthusiasm for life, and an attitude of service toward others. Art Excel (All Round Training In Excellence) for ages 8 to 13 Presented in a practical and fun framework that appeals to youth of all ethnic, racial and religious backgrounds, ART Excel offers an enlightening approach that awakens youth to their deepest potential and life’s higher values. YES! for Teens (Youth Empowerment Seminar) for ages 14 to 18 Both fun and challenging, this 18 hour seminar provides teens with a comprehensive toolbox to both manage their own emotions and stress, as well as dynamically navigate through adolescence. YES+ for College Students and Young Professionals for ages 18 – 27 An innovative and dynamic educati onal and life skills program that provides young individuals with the tools to achieve their ideal life with ease, creativity, energy, and without inhibitions Balance can be achieved without lowering goals or lessening achievements ? it is about managing stress and managing ourselves. Based on the Sudarshan Kriya, the APEX Course is designed for business professionals. It is a simple, practical, and effective training program that empowers managers and employees, and promotes calmness and focus in the midst of any challenge or responsibility. The course is designed to improve concentration, enhance creativity, increase efficiency, and build a greater sense of purpose and teamwork. The APEX course differs from most management and employee development programs because it is not based on quick-fix solutions, theoretical concepts, or superficial success formulas, but rather on practical techniques that offer direct and tangible results. It has been developed for businesses to facilitate change from within each employee and manager. The course also incorporates basic principles of effective living and emphasizes the essential human values that help professionals lead more fulfilling and productive lives. SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS The Art of Living Foundation, a nonprofit educational and humanitarian organization, was founded by Sri Sri in 1981. The Foundation has chapters in more than 140 countries and its sustainable development projects, trauma-relief and self-development programs have benefited more than 25 million people around the world. By nurturing the spirit of service and compassion in every individual, the Foundation seeks to build a global society that is free of stress and violence. The mission of the International Association for Human Values (IAHV), a non profit organization founded by Sri Sri in 1997, is to foster a deeper understanding of the values that unite us as a global human community, and to encourage the practice of human values in everyday life. The IAHV, working in conjunction with the Art of Living Foundation, has initiated several disaster relief and sustainable development programs in South Asia, Africa, Europe, Central and South America and North America. Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth (VVM) is the umbrella organization under which various service projects of the Art of Living Foundation in India operate. In addition to rural development programs, women’s empowerment projects and educational initiatives, VVM is also involved in Vedic research, medical research and social research. The upcoming Sri Sri University in Orissa, India, will be a full fledged 15,000 student multidisciplinary university that will combine quality education with leadership skills, social responsibility and ethics. The academic majors that will be offered are Management, Law, Government, Mass Communications, Cultural Studies, Engineering, Medicine, Ayurveda, Vedic Sciences, Biotechnology and Research Sciences. University admissions will be based on aptitude tests alone, and the campus will include recreational facilities, meditation halls, and a sports complex. The Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir (SSRVM) Trust was founded in 1999 as a Charitable Spiritual and Educational Public Institution to impart a valu-based education in a stress-free and child-friendly environment. The Trust supports several educational institutions, from rural schools to urban universities. The Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Pre-University College started in 2003 in Bangalore, India. Affiliated with the Pre-University Board of Karnataka, the College’s aim is to provide affordable and high quality education to students on the threshold of their careers. To overcome the increased burden of private tuitions outside the school, the concept of â€Å"Integrated Coaching† was started. The initiative gives students the special training needed to face competitive examinations for professional courses. The Sri Sri Center for Media Studies’ mandate is to train and empower responsible and committed media professionals who will be reliable and objective information resources for people in a democracy. The Sri Sri Institute of Management Studies was founded in 2005, with the vision of blending high quality management education with spirituality and human values to create 21st century managers. The institute offers a 2-year post-graduate diploma in Business Management, and diverse programs in investment and portfolio management, debt securities, modern manufacturing, and supply chain management. The Sri Sri Rural Development Trust was founded in 2001, with a vision to provide permanent and alternative sources of income to the rural population in India. The Trust works in conjunction with the Art of Living Foundation to implement initiatives such as empowerment of rural women, vocational training programs for women and youth, self development workshops, free medical camps, and the Youth Leadership Training Program. The Sri Sri School of Performing Arts and Fine Arts, located in Bangalore, India, is a centre of learning for traditional dance forms, folk and classical music, and the fine arts.   The Sri Sri College for Ayurvedic Science and Research was started by Sri Sri to revive Ayurveda, the ancient system of healthcare that is native to India. The college is affiliated to the to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, and offers a five year B.A.M.S. (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) professional degree course. Some of the special features of the college include a herbal garden with diverse varieties of medicinal plants and a state of the art Research and Development Center. Incepted in 2003, the key objective of the Sri Sri Mobile Agricultural Institute is to provide guidance to farmers to become self-reliant, to revive organic farming, and to educate farmers on water management and irrigation. The Institute?s projects include workshops on chemical-free farming awareness, environmental conservation, and the advantages of organic fertilizers and pesticides. The use of indigenous seeds (instead of genetically modified ones) is also emphasized, and cooperative seed storages have been set up. WHY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR IS MY LEADER? For me he is not only spiritual leader but also peace advocate, meditation teacher, humanitarian. I am really inspired with his concept of spirituality. He has made many efforts for people to become stress free. I also like his vision to make stress-free and violence free world. He is not just limited to spirituality; he has also performed many social activities such as peace, disaster relief, promoting literacy, women empowerment, prisoner’s rehabilitation etc. he has also set many educational programs for students which we have seen earlier. He teaches people love and wisdom spreads message of love, peace, brotherhood throughout the world. He aims at promoting spirituality amongst people and making them realize that there is goodness in every individual. He advises people to accept as well as respect each other.

Gender and Power in the Handmaids Tale Essay

Topic Question: What understandings of the issue of gender and power are gained from characterization of men and women constructed in the text studied?The notion of power is a fundamental building block of any ancient, modern or futuristic society. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is an example of the distribution of power across a futuristic society, specifically a patriarchal dystopia. The power which women hold in this society is minimal compared to that held by men, but this is not an unquestionable reality. The issue of gender and power and highly subjective by nature and throughout this novel this fact is emphasized and the topics interrelated. Women demonstrate this power with their possession and use of language, sexuality, choice and even the exertion of their own autonomy. Men within this society also experience repression and disempowerment. Their struggle is centered on the absence of emotional needs, along with sexual tensions being relieved for pleasure rat her than reproduction. Atwood creates these power struggles through the characterization of both men and women within the text. In terms of female characterization, Offred is an elementary character. Being a first person narrator, she offers incredible insight into the world which Atwood has created and her reactions to it, and thus her own means of power. The way in which language is used shapes this insight incredibly and demonstrates how she can gain control. The Republic of Gilead imposes strict censorship on language, ranging from forbidding all women except Aunts to read. â€Å"†¦ decided that even the names of shops were too much temptation for us. Now places are known by their signs alone.† [p35] to intertwining biblical rhetoric into everyday language. â€Å"†¦a whirlwind; better than the Chariot, much better than the chunky, practical Behemoth†. Gilead even removes the Handmaids names, in this society the are know as Of[Male name here] in reference to the Commander in which they are placed with. Throughout the novel, Offred resists these rules. She creates her own vision of the world through the use of English. Poetic devices are utilized and repeated; from the use of a simile in her description of a young guardian â€Å"His skin is pale and looks unwholesomely tender, like the skin under a scab.† [p31] to the use of repetition to emphasize points. â€Å"I am, I am. I am, still.† [p 293] â€Å"Her fault, her fault, her fault† [p82]. As Angela  Carter, an English novelist once said â€Å"Language is power† and in this respect, Offred has great power in a patriarchal society. The power of language is not all that Offred posses. The characterization of her relations with males in the novel is also important to the notions of power and gender. Similarly to language, sexuality is heavily controlled and repressed in Gilead, especially that of females. The Handmaids (Of which Offred is) don in skirts that are â€Å"ankle-length, full, gathered to a flat yoke that extends over the breasts†[p18] with â€Å"sleeves that are full† [p18]. Her nightgown is also â€Å"long-sleeved even in summer† [p201]. It is accepted that those within this community will not have sex before marriage nor express themselves through the form of masturbation â€Å"They have no outlets now except themselves, and that’s a sacrilege† [p32] or pornographic mediums. â€Å"There are no more magazines, no more films, no more substitutes.† [p32] Offred exerts power in these repressed circumstances by going against the convention of Gilead and embracing her feminine features. She takes an active role in resisting this subjugation by tempting the young Guardians. â€Å"I move my hips a little, feeling the full red skirt sway around me.† [p32] The kiss she engages in during a secret game of scrabble with the Commander is also a reflection on the power of her sexuality and choice. The Commander, a high level male wants Offred to kiss him. â€Å"I want you to kiss me† [p149]. She is given the power in this situation, as she has the power to refuse. The power which Offred, as a woman, has in this oppressed society due to her sexuality is an important issue. The notion of choice, specifically extrinsic choice is demonstrated with the Commanders want for a kiss is also apparent in other parts of the text. Choice is power and she always has some choice. The idea of existentialism is valid here – she always has self determination, even if under duress. If she does not wish to stay a Handmaid she could depart for the colonies and become an Unwoman, â€Å"†¦shipped of to the Colonies with the Unwomen.† where she would have the power of autonomy. The Mayday resistance is also a choice made by Offred. She is asked by Ofglen to search the Commanders room, to give information to the resistance, but she chooses not to. â€Å"You could go into his room at night, she says.† [p282] Opting to stay as she is, content  with her relationship with Nick, she exerts power to say no. Jezebels is also another option, when visiting there with the Commander he offers for her to stay there â€Å"You might even prefer it yourself, to what you’ve got.† [p250] She is aware of the decisions which she can make in these situations, â€Å"There wasn’t a lot of choice, but there was some and this is what I chose.† [p105] It is through this characterization which her power lies. In addition to these choices Offred along with other females have intrinsic choices and power, being a female with ‘viable ovaries’ they have the ability to reproduce. In Gileadean society this gives them a huge power advantage due to declining birth rates and increased infertility, sterility and genetically mutated babies. â€Å"†¦a graph, showing the birth rate per thousand, for years and years: a slippery slope, down past the zero line of replacement.† [p123] Ironically, it is due to this power advantage that they are suppressed. Suicide is also another intrinsic power which all characters in this novel possess, although, its characterization in the Handmaids is the most prominent. The concept that suicide is an ultimate bid for freedom and exertion of power is an understood perception of characters within The Handmaid’s Tale. The removal of all objects which could be used to hurt oneself from the Handmaid’s rooms portrays this. â€Å"I know why there is no glass, in front of the water-coloured picture of blue irises, and why the window only opens partly and why the glass is shatterproof. It isn’t running away they’re afraid of.† [p17] as well as Offred’s musings when she believes she will be captured. The notion of suicide becomes very real to her as a means of escape and power. â€Å"I could noose the bed sheet round my neck, hook myself up in the closet and throw my weight forward,† [p304] These intrinsic powers exist within the characters of The Handmaid’s Tale, the help form the society of Gilead and show the possible choices which can be made by its citizens. Moira is an embodiment of the power which females hold in Gilead. She epitomizes those who fought back and were not completely obliterated. She lives on the outskirts of Gilead and rejects its values whilst still existing as an institutionalized portion of the society. â€Å"[in relation to her clothing] Government issue.† [p254] She chooses the alternative path to  Offred. Moira fled the red center, succeeding on her second try. â€Å"Moira has escaped† [p140] â€Å"Moira didn’t reappear.† [p143] â€Å"So here I am. They even give you face cream.† [p261] She exists in an outreach of the government, under the power of the patriarchy, and yet doesn’t suppress herself to the point which other females within The Handmaid’s Tale do. She still engages in homosexual acts, â€Å"†¦it’s not so bad, there’s lots of women around. Butch paradise, you might call it.† [p261] cigarettes, and implied drinking and drugs. . â€Å"†¦and there’s drink and drugs, if you want it.† [p261] â€Å"You want a cig?† [p255] Moira’s characterization holds power in this society, particularly over herself and her wants and needs. The control of wants and needs is a way in which this society functions. It is a patriarchy which suppresses all women and most men, though men have inherently more rights. This is exemplified through the character of Nick. The characterization of him is paradoxical by nature. In hierarchal terms, Nick has little power. He is a low level guardian without even an Econowife. â€Å"He lives here, in the household, over the garage. Low stats: he hasn’t been issued a woman, not one.† [p27] He is perceived by those in power to have little of it. â€Å"He doesn’t rate.† [p27] In reality, he has power. â€Å"He has chasms of intangible power. He has knowledge of Mayday either due to his involvement in it or the eyes â€Å"It’s all right. It’s Mayday. Go with them† [p305] â€Å"Nick, the private Eye.† [p305] and has access to the black market. â€Å"He has a cigarette stuck in the corner of his mouth, which shows that he too has something he can trade on the black market.† [p27] He manages to engage in a physical and emotional relationship with Offred whilst still maintaining the guise of faithful Gileadean citizen though even then, the only reason he able to start this relationship was due to the Commander’s Wife ordering him to bed with Offred. â€Å"‘I was thinking of Nick’, she says and her voice is almost soft.† [p216] The idea the he influenced this engagement is always a possibility however, as he has initiated contact with her prior to that. â€Å"Then he winks.† [p28] The power which Nick holds in this novel is that of intangibility. His power is never outright stated, but the implications of it are visible. This is a stark contrast to the tangible power displayed in Commander Fred.  The characterization conveyed through him shows he is a strong public figure and may have even orchestrated the creation of Gilead. â€Å"We’ve given them more than we’ve taken away.† [p231] Which, in a way makes him the creator of his own demise as he too is suppressed by the patriarchy; he is not having his emotional needs met, and thus has to search elsewhere. In doing this he gives power to someone else in order to fulfill these needs, this apparent when he asks Offred to his study at night to play scrabble. â€Å"I’d like you to play a game of scrabble with me† [p148] Despite this, he remains locked in traditional beliefs about gender â€Å"all we’ve done is return to Nature’s norm.† [p232] and his power is a result of his male gender. Gender and power are integral parts of the society portrayed in Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, as with any society. Understandings surrounding these issues are found within this novel. The characters within Gilead deal with the different forms of power which they encounter, including that of language, sex, choice, intrinsic and extrinsic notions and the effect of a dystopic patriarchal society has on its citizens. These forms of power are explored through the characterization of both male and female characters. Overall, The Handmaid’s Tale intertwines the issues of gender and power expertly and her constructed characters carry for the notions of power contained within the text with ease. Bibliography The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood