Generation X by Douglas Coupland Essay Example for Free

Generation X by Douglas Coupland Essay Generation X was Coupland’S controversial title which was derived from the work of Paul Fusell, category X in 1983. In his interview in 1995 Coupland explained that Fusell’s classification of X category were people who circulated in rounds of money, status and social climbing that describe the modern existence. But looking at the Coupland’s novel, it is very different from Fusell’s work. The people he is referring to as generation X are the people born after 1960. The whole novel rotates around the contemporary society issues: love intrigues, adventure, friendship among other themes (Reed). These themes are not new since they existed even in during the times of great philosophers. It is for this reason that I think Marx, Durkheim, and Weber apply to the Coupland’s novel, generation X. Although the novel reveals a lot of friendship and love between some characters there is an aspect of social deviance developing between the modern generation and the past. Emile Durkheim is perhaps the most popular in the field of deviance and his ideas are therefore applicable in this novel. In his argument in the division of society (Huang 63), Durkheim says that differences in a collective society and deviant society contribute to the basis of theoretical framework which outlines reasons as to why people violate norms. On the other hand, his appreciation that deviance in most cases enhances social cohesion provides foundation for theories that examines why deviant labeling occur (62). During the 1995 interview (Reed 3rd par), Coupland on his side revealed that his novel wondered why his generation is being labeled as members of baby boomer when they are capable of thinking by themselves. The idea of social differentiation also seems to crop up in the novel (Coupland 67) hence bringing the three philosophers closer to the novel. In the novel, there are several generation; the first one is the older generation of Mr. and Mrs. Mcarthur, second is the generation X where Andy, Claire and Dag belongs and finally the generation Y for Tyler who is Andy’s younger brother . According to Durkheim, social differentiation contributes not only to deviant conduct but also deviant labeling in more differentiated societies (Schmaus 56). In the novel, which represents the contemporary society, this deviance conduct and labeling is witnessed throughout the novel. The members of older generational view those of generational X and generation Y as some how spoiled and refer to them as global teens (Coupland 48). In his theory about the relationship between the society and individuals, Karl Marx noted that the society is highly stratified because the people who worked the hardest were also the people who received the least as the fruits of their labor (Shlomo 152). Like in the novel, Karl Marx looked forward to a society that accounted for social change. Although Coupland and Karl Max talks of classes of people, the two fail to agree in their classification. Karl Max concentrated on the Proteliant or the majority in the society and the Bourgeois who are the minority. He argues that the former live in substandard living condition while the later have all that life have to offer (Shlomo 160). Coupland classes of people in the society are the older generation and the younger generation. However, like what is contained in Karl Marx ideas, the young generation belongs to the marginalized group with lousy jobs while the old generation view themselves as the think tanks and the wisest. The young characters in the novel try to pull themselves from the characters that belong to the past. Dag’s love interest for example always find herself looked up in the past without realizing what is happening in the modern world. Like the rest, Weber in his work analyses the modern society (Burris 122). He discusses the concept of bureaucracies which according to him is the foundation of social stabilization, cultural symbols and channel of good and services to the modern society (132). He points out that it is the charismatic ideas and not old ideas that change the society (133). But, Marx Weber also brings in a very interesting contribution to the novel, the issue of love and friendship. Weber controversial love life seems close to what was happening in the Coupland (56, 74,132). In his bachelorhood he developed a romantic interest with his cousin Emmy Baumagarten who lived in Strasbourg (Hoenisch 1st par). Weber’s love for Emmerling as he used to call her darling continued for more than eight years despite opposition from both families. During this time their love emotions were bulging with a series of letters and spent several days of their sweet closeness in poetry of string (3rd par). It was in 1887 in his second military as a reserve officer in Strasbourg that Weber had an amorous but not sexual encounter with Emmy (7th par). According to the novel, there exist a very big difference in perception of ideas between the old generation and the modern generation. The difference which is a source of conflict between the generations is what links the three philosophers to the novel. The questions raised in the novel are both relevant and applicable to the contemporary social life but at the same time they refer to classical sociological theories of the â€Å"primitive† generation. It is clear from the novel that each generation is faced by its unique problems which can be solved only by that particular generation alone. It is important to point out that in the increasing globalization and industrialization world of the 21st century the economical, political and sociological landscape is likely to suffer from deepening and widening class struggle. Whether primitive, revolutionary or reformist, the old generation feels obliged to address this issue. Ultimately, Weber, Marx and Durkheim each provided conflicting accounts regarding the ways in which the urban societies of their time was deficient, and what was required to fix it (Schmaus 74). The younger cannot bear the consequences of ignoring the wise ideas the old and it is therefore necessary to embrace unity in diversity while handling societal problems aiming at acquiring necessary social change and stability. References Burris, V. The Neo-Marxist blend of Marx and Weber on Class in: Norbert Wiley (Ed. ), The Marx-Weber dispute. Newbury Park, California: Sage Publications, 1997. Coupland, D. Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture. Canada: St. Martins Press, March 15, 1991 Hoenisch, S. Max Weber’s personal life 1886-1893. 1995. November 27, 2008. http://www. uvm. edu/~lkaelber/research/weber2. html Huang, W. S. â€Å"Durkheims rules of sociological method. † Journal for offender therapy comparative crime, (2004): 63-75,. Reed, J. 2001. Generation X: tales for an accelerated culture by Douglas Coupland. www. opendemocracy. net/arts/generation Shlomo, A. The Social and Political Thought of Karl Marx. Cambridge: University Press, 2001. Schmaus, W. â€Å"Explanation and real meaning in Rules of sociological method and division Of labor in society. † Journal Of Sociological Perspectives Spring, (1995): 57-76,. .

Analysis of Mending Wall by Robert Frost :: essays research papers

Mending Wall written by Robert Frost, describes the relationship between two neighbors and idea of maintaining barriers. Where one of them feels that there is no need of this wall, 'There where it is we do not need the wall: He is all pine and I am apple orchard.' On the other hand his neighbor remains unconvinced and follows inherited wisdom passed down to him by his father, 'Good fences make good neighbors.' They even kept the wall while mending it, this reflect that they never interact with each other, ?We keep the wall between us as we go?. Robert Frost has maintained this literal meaning of physical barriers but it does contain metaphor as representation of these physical barriers separating the neighbors and also their friendship. It describes how the conservative farmer follows traditions blindly and the isolated life followed by him. It reflects how people make physical barriers and that later in life come to their social life too. Where neighbor with pine tree, believes that this separation is needed as it is essential for their privacy and personal life. The poem explores a paradox in human nature. The first few lines reflect demolition of the wall, ?Something there is that doesn?t reflect love a wall? this reflects that nature itself does not like separation. The "something" referring to the intangible sense of social interaction. Furthermore "that sends the frozen-ground-swell under it" refers to Frost or to the author. Although the narrator does not want the wall, ironically, the mending of the wall brings the neighbors together and literally builds their friendship. An additional irony of the poem is that the only time these two neighbors sees each other is when they both mend the wall. The narrator s ees the stubbornness in his neighbor, and uses the simile 'like an old-stone savage' to compare him to a stone-age man who 'moves in darkness', that is, set in his ways, and who is unlikely to change his views.

General Paper

MARRIAGE. â€Å"Marriage is the union of two different surnames, in friendship and in love, in order to continue the posterity of the former sages, and to furnish those who shall preside at the sacrifices to heaven and earth, at those in the ancestral temple, and at those at the altars to the spirits of the land and grain. † —Confucius, As this culture becomes more individual focused, bonds with others for survival becomes less important. We now pay people to do the things we used to accomplish in a partnership. Restaurants and fast food chains, once relegated to occasional family outings, are a main source of nourishment.There are agencies that will deliver â€Å"home-cooked meals† to you or have them ready for pick-up. Cleaning staff, once limited to the rich or to businesses, are being used by the middle-class. Both parents are working, focusing on their careers, their paths toward self individuation, and more tedious tasks like yard work are being hired out. The point, partnerships are less necessary than they were 60 years ago. That is the social reason that the institution of marriage may be outdated. But the social influence does not stand alone. These changes impact individuals and individuals make up a marriage.So what are some of the individual characteristics that may contribute to marriage being an outdated concept? First, as discussed above, it is the desire for individuation by those in a marriage. More and more often people want to have meaning in their life, beyond raising a family. We are culture whose individuals want to be different. Americans want to stand out. They want to feel they accomplished something for themselves. As such, simply supporting a partner to achieve feels inadequate to many. They also want to achieve, and to be supported in their endeavors.This alone can contribute to strife in a marriage. Whose needs come first? How long do I put my goals on the back burner to help you attain yours? When can I pursue my happiness? â€Å"Is marriage as an institution outdated? † Discuss According to the most recent statistics, the divorce rate, often quoted (even by this author in classes) as 50% of marriages, is actually closer to the low 40 percentile. (Divorce Rate: It's Not as High as You Think, By Dan Hurley, The New York Times, and April 19, 2005). But that does not negate the fact that the United States has the highest divorce rate in the world per capital.The fact that so many American marriages end in divorce leads to the question is marriage an outdated institution? I think the answer is dependent on some of your personal variables. First, let us look at the facts: over 40% of marriages end in divorce. This does not simply infer that the intact marriages are happy. This author attended a lecture by a respected psychiatrist, rabbi, and author who suggested that another half of the in-tact marriages were unhappy. Per capita, the United States has the highest divorce rate in the wo rld. The average duration of a marriage in the U.S is about 7 to 8 years. And although marriage is an institution which makes childrearing most efficacious, marriages in which there are children end in divorce with a higher frequency than those marriages without children. Yet marriage remains an institution that many would not think of doing away with or even restructuring. Likely even the question of marriage being an outdated institution raises eyebrows. A controversial issue in this country currently is whether gays should have the right to marry, again showing the attachment to this social institution.Many young people wouldn't dream of not getting married. In fact, many women have been dreaming about their impending nuptials since they were young children. This is not only true for women, as many men assume marriage and children are a foregone conclusion in their lives. So what is this author's argument that the idea of marriage might be outdated? Well, beyond the statistics ab ove, I also believe that as the Dali Lama said, â€Å"Our purpose in life is to be happy. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. † This is becoming more and more true today, as more people seek happiness.Marriage is a source of lasting happiness for some, but for others it is only a temporary high. The first argument that marriage might be outdated is the divorce rate. Marriage has been around as an institution since, well, according to anything found in this author's research, ancient time. It was reported as necessary for childrearing, property disbursement, and bloodline. In these times it was more necessary to have a partnership to survive. Even more than partnerships, tribes were necessary for survival. As times changed, neighborhoods became like tribes and small communities worked together to enhance the lives of all.But Western civilization has continued to move toward a more individualistic culture. Today people are less likely to even socializ e with their neighbors, let alone rely on them. It is true some areas are bound by their neighborhood, and the community works together to enhance the life of its members. But this is becoming less and less true. As an example, how many â€Å"daycare centers† for children were there 50 years ago? As this culture becomes more individual focused, bonds with others for survival becomes less important. We now pay people to do the things we used to accomplish in a partnership.Restaurants and fast food chains, once relegated to occasional family outings, are a main source of nourishment. There are agencies that will deliver â€Å"home-cooked meals† to you or have them ready for pick-up. Cleaning staff, once limited to the rich or to businesses, are being used by the middle-class. Both parents are working, focusing on their careers, their paths toward self individuation, and more tedious tasks like yard work are being hired out. The point, partnerships are less necessary than they were 60 years ago. That is the social reason that the institution of marriage may be outdated.But the social influence does not stand alone. These changes impact individuals and individuals make up a marriage. So what are some of the individual characteristics that may contribute to marriage being an outdated concept? First, as discussed above, it is the desire for individuation by those in a marriage. More and more often people want to have meaning in their life, beyond raising a family. We are culture whose individuals want to be different. Americans want to stand out. They want to feel they accomplished something for themselves. As such, simply supporting a partner to achieve feels inadequate to many.They also want to achieve, and to be supported in their endeavors. This alone can contribute to strife in a marriage. Whose needs come first? How long do I put my goals on the back burner to help you attain yours? When can I pursue my happiness? Another aspect of this is the dr ive toward excitement and experience. For some people, experience is more important than possessions. Some people just enjoy experience, for its own sake. They may be thrill seekers, or may just place a high value on novel experiences. These people just enjoy doing new things and meeting new people.At one point in time these characters might have been explorers, adventurers, or other types of risk takers. It seems though, that this is becoming much more common as a character trait these days. And folks with this character trait are likely to find the routine of marriage stifling. There are other reasons that marriages may fail that are related to society. For one, despite many marriages failing or being unhappy, we live in a culture that romanticizes marriage. People are constantly told they will find their soul mate, that if this relationship doesn't work out; another will come along who might be â€Å"the one. In reality, how often are you able to accurately predict who your â₠¬Å"one† is? Most people getting married believe they found the one. And when that doesn't work and they remarry, they often believe this time they found the one. And this isn't limited only to those who marry. How many people did you get romantically involved with who at some point you thought were probably â€Å"the one†? Perhaps this concept, which shows no signs of dying despite the evidence against it, is at worst mere wishful thinking, or at best, a long-shot. Along with this idea of marriage being romanticized is the desire to simply have a wedding.First, a wedding is a beautiful thing. The pageantry, the pomp, and the beauty of it all results in it being majestic. Everyone should have one. It just doesn't seem they should have to stay together forever as a result. In a recent discussion with a colleague who was discussing marriage, she reported she wanted to get married. It wasn't that she necessarily wanted to marry the guy she was with, but that she wanted to g et married to someone. She discussed the beauty of a wedding, and how it would be a shame to miss out on that. Everyone wants to be Cinderella or Prince Charming for a night.This is not uncommon thinking. But does the expectation have to be that they will stay together for a lifetime? (There was an article two years ago about a politician in a European country advocating a law that marriages expire after seven years, with the opportunity to renew. Of course she was mocked and ridiculed). Another point of discussion for why marriages may fail focuses on the fact that many people get married before having been on their own. Recently one of my students, when discussing her relationship, actually said she didn't want to be alone for the rest of her life.She couldn't have been more than 27, although early 20’s is more likely. For some reason this is a predominant fear in our culture (this could evolve into an existential discussion, but that is better placed in another article). T here seems to be a myth that if you don't find someone, and latch onto them, you will be lonely and miserable, possibly for the rest of your life. Many people seem to settle so they don't have to face this fear. Ultimately, this fear becomes less predominant, and the person may leave the marriage. But the real culprit was the fear leading to settling.Too often, marriage is an attempt to posses another. When humans love someone, they are afraid to let them go. People are afraid of loss. And what better way to secure someone than marriage? Marriage provides a {false} sense of security. It definitely makes ending the relationship more difficult. But beyond just the fear of being alone is the fact that if you haven't been on your own you are used to a cycle of dependency. First people are dependent on their caregivers. And if they go from this state to one of marriage, they have never really been independent. There has always been someone else helping out.Outside of simply being depende nt, there is a level of maturation that comes from living on your own and not being in a romantic relationship. One learns to nurture oneself, to care for oneself, to be independent in the truest sense of the word. Unfortunately, many who enter marriage have never really experienced this. This discussion of personal growth leads me to another point regarding how the changing times have altered individual's character. These days more people are interested in their own personal growth. As people grow and change the risk of growing apart increases.When most people in their forties think of what they were like in their twenties, they can usually see the tremendous changes that have occurred. This is even truer when personal growth is a goal. And with one or even both partners growing and changing, the potential for growth in opposing directions is a possibility. And even if you don't grow apart, there is the possibility of a loss of attraction for your partner, and growing attraction fo r others you meet on your path. Attraction is one of my favorite areas of psychology. The reason one individual is attracted to another is rich with possibility.For some, there is a reminiscence of something deeply enjoyed in the past. A client recently discussed how the attraction to each of her recent relationships related to two important men in her life. This is excellent evidence of this phenomenon. For some people they believe this person they are with is the best they will ever be able to get. Sometimes this comes from feelings of low self esteem, but this is not always the case. Often there is a bargaining process which goes on inside of us when considering a romantic partner. We have this much beauty, smarts, financial potential, humor, etc, and we want equal value.Too much value and we might be insecure. Too little, and well we are getting the short end of the stick. But beyond all of this is the most common reason one individual is attracted to another: early childhood me mory. This article is not the appropriate place for this discussion, so I refer the reader to â€Å"A General Theory of Love† by Lewis, Amini, and Lannon. In short the above book systematically provides a theory that purports that all experiences, but most importantly early childhood experiences, affect the choices we make in close relations.If we had dysfunction in our home, we continue this pattern in other relations. This leads to another reason marriages may not remain intact as they used to, and hence may be an outdated concept. Bluntly, pathology is less accepted now. In the past, abuse, issues of control, alcoholism, addiction, and mental illness were hidden in a closet. These days' people are more psychologically informed. They are more aware that being mistreated is not acceptable, that it is not a reflection on them. They are less likely to tolerate behavior which contributes to their unhappiness.And furthermore, they are more likely than their predecessors to read self-help books, engage in therapy and resolve the issues that result in staying somewhere they are unhappy. They are even more likely to resolve the issues that lead to the attraction to begin with, which would result in the attraction dissipating. So is marriage an outdated concept? It is possible after reading this article you may think this author believes so. And for many people, I do believe marriage is an outdated concept.And I am not alone, although likely in the minority (judging from the comments posted on the article â€Å"On Marriage: Let's Call the Whole Thing Off† posted on MSN June 228, 2009). But I do marriage counseling, and believe marriage is right for many other people. The goal is to find if you are right for marriage. And ultimately whether marriage is an outdated concept or not is a personal decision. Some of the things you might look at before making the decision are your motives for marriage. Are you buying into a preconceived notion of what is suppos ed to be, without evaluating your values?Have you been planning your wedding since you were young and do you just refuse to give up on the dream, regardless of how your personality might affect long term commitment? Are you devoutly religious, and believe that pleasing God comes before personal happiness? If you believe marriage is for you, and you have evaluated your motives, then far be it for any article to sway you. Just realize marriage is work, and it will be important to forgo your happiness at times to maintain the marriage. And keep your hope. Even if marriage is an outdated concept, everyone has the right to make the choices they make. Good luck on your path.

The Theory Of Evolution Of A Population Over A Number Of...

Evolution is the change in genetic composition of a population over a number of continuous and successive generations, which may have resulted from natural selection, inbreeding, hybridization, or mutation. (Biology Online, 2008). This change occurs when there is genetic variation, a variation of genomes between members of species, or groups of species thriving in different areas as a result of genetic mutation. (Biology Online, 2009). The two major mechanisms considered to be the driving force of evolution can be depicted in Figure 1 and 2. The first is natural selection, which is the theory of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin. This is the principle by which each slight variation, if useful, is preserved and passed on to the†¦show more content†¦They mainly inhabited the ground, however ascended trees in search of fruit as a source of food. Platforms built in these trees from sticks and leaves were used to confine females which were also used as sleeping places. Favourable conditions and abundant food resulted in disuse of the agility and strength of humans. However, the time and force expended on these qualities were not lost, and instead, passed onto the brain. Consequently, they gained acute intelligence which allowed them to observe and imitate in exchange for their agility and strength. (Origin and early History of Man, n.d). The first record of human interference with the evolution and biodiversity of other species was around 1.9 million years ago when humans first discovered sharp rocks (Ross, 2014). This discovery could be seen as having both a positive and negative impact on the evolution of species around the world. For humans, this discovery lead to the creation of tools and weapons and the discovery of fire. It provided them with the necessary equipment to attack and hunt down creatures which posed a threat to their existence. However, by continuously killing off certain species from a time frame of about 4.8 megaannum (Ma) to 4500 years ago (ya), the actions of humans brought about the extinction of animals such as mastodons, mammoths, American cheetah and giant kangaroos. (Dunn, 2012). Smaller creatures which were

President Franklin Roosevelt s Speech - 948 Words

In his acceptance speech to the Democratic National Convention on June 27, 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt mentioned many challenges and concerns facing the United States during that time period. In his speech the President used short-hand phrases, brief references, and pejorative naming to make his larger, political and ideological points. FDR used terms like ‘economic royalists’, along with phrases like ‘new despotism wrapped in the robes of legal sanctions’, to identify the large corporations, investors and employers, who according to him are trying to influence policies and control the government for their own personal benefits. The President also uses phrases like ‘Necessitous men are not free men’, to reiterate his concerns and to point out how the working people of America are being deprived from their rights by these very same privileged employers. FDR compares 1936 to 1776, referring to the American Revolution and its significance in putting the power back in the hands of the average Americans, and how it is necessary to check the power of the corporations in order to protect the interests of the American people and restore the power back in the hands of the people. In his acceptance speech for his party’s nomination, President Roosevelt referred to the bankers, industrialists and big corporations of that time as ‘economic royalists’. He shared his concerns about how these financial and industrial institutions were becoming too powerful and were only acting inShow MoreRelatedPresident Franklin D. Roosevelt s Speech1374 Words   |  6 Pages Words are some of the most important, effective, yet dangerous tools of the world. Words have the power to persuade, dissuade, and completely change one s point of view. We have all experienced that moment when we want to do something and our parents disagree. They may say to do whatever we want, however those simple words can cause waves of guilt crashing through onto ourselves. Although the parents did not say they disagree, the circumstances allowed ears to be tuned fine into seeing what theRead More Rhetorical Analysis of President Roosevelts Pearl Harbor Speech819 Words   |  4 P agesRhetorical Analysis of President Roosevelts Pearl Harbor Speech The Pearl Harbor address to the nation is probably one of the most famous speeches made throughout time. In this essay I will evaluate the rhetorical effectiveness of Franklin Delano Roosevelts famous speech and show that his speech is a successful argument for the United States of America. I will focus on the speakers credibility, all the different appeals made throughout the speech, as well as the purpose andRead MoreAnalysis of Fdrs First Inaugual Speech830 Words   |  4 PagesANALYSIS OF FDR’S INAUGURAL SPEECH During the time of President s Roosevelt s First Inaugural Address in early 1933, the United States was still feeling the horrible shock and disappointments the Great Depression brought about. In addition, the   rest of the world, especially Europe was also suffering from the outcome of the Great Depression, since the US immediately demanded that foreign debts be paid. Other world issues included Europe still dealing with the aftermath of World War I in a revolutionaryRead MoreThe New Deal: Franklin Roosevelt879 Words   |  4 Pages The term, The New Deal, comes from Franklin Roosevelt’s 1932 democratic presidential nomination acceptance speech, Roosevelt says, I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.(Referring to the great depression) Roosevelt explains the New Deal as a use of the authority of government as an organized form of self-help for all classes and groups and sections of our country. The New Deal program was born in a Brain Trust meeting prior to Roosevelt’s inauguration. (Anonymous)Read MoreFranklin D. Roosevelt : An Effective American President And Leader1509 Words   |  7 Pages1 Bernier Abby Bernier Mrs. Walden Sophomore Honors History Period 1 8 December 2014 The Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt Thesis: Franklin D. Roosevelt was an effective American president and leader. Franklin D. Roosevelt was a powerful leader and one of the most highly regarded presidents in American history. He connected well with American people, had a strong character, possessed a clear vision for America, had valuable political skills, and could lead people in challenging times. With recentRead MoreAmeric Essential American Document1356 Words   |  6 PagesThree stand out to me: Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D Roosevelt, and Susan B Anthony. Franklin D Roosevelt s â€Å"Four Freedoms† speech and â€Å"Request for Declaration of War on Japan†, Abraham Lincoln’s â€Å"Gettysburg Address† and â€Å"Second Inaugural Address†, and Susan B Anthony’s â€Å"Women’s Right to the Suffrage†. These five speeches changed America at the time to what we have and live by today. The first, of the five, is Franklin Delano Roosevelt s â€Å"Four Freedoms† speech. â€Å"In the future days, which we seek toRead MoreFranklin Delano Roosevelt And The President Of The United States1210 Words   |  5 Pagesand disability to lead a nation through war? Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) writer of the speech â€Å"Pearl Harbor Address† and the President of the United States of America declared war on Japan in December 8, 1941 after â€Å"December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy† (Roosevelt). A speech analysis on Franklin D. Roosevelt reveals that through his dialogue and actions, his trait - confident, strong, and intelligent emerge. â€Å"Franklin Delano Roosevelt will remain a historical figure to be studiedRead MoreAmeric Essential American Document1356 Words   |  6 PagesThree stand out to me: Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D Roosevelt, and Susan B Anthony. Franklin D Roosevelt s â€Å"Four Freedoms† speech and â€Å"R equest for Declaration of War on Japan†, Abraham Lincoln’s â€Å"Gettysburg Address† and â€Å"Second Inaugural Address†, and Susan B Anthony’s â€Å"Women’s Right to the Suffrage†. These five speeches changed America at the time to what we have and live by today. The first, of the five, is Franklin Delano Roosevelt s â€Å"Four Freedoms† speech. â€Å"In the future days, which we seek toRead MoreAmerican History : Essential American Documents1353 Words   |  6 PagesThree stand out to me: Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D Roosevelt, and Susan B Anthony. Franklin D Roosevelt s â€Å"Four Freedoms† speech and â€Å"Request for Declaration of War on Japan†, Abraham Lincoln’s â€Å"Gettysburg Address† and â€Å"Second Inaugural Address†, and Susan B Anthony’s â€Å"Women’s Right to the Suffrage†. These five speeches changed America at the time to what we have and live by today. The first, of the five, is Franklin Delano Roosevelt s â€Å"Four Freedoms† speech. â€Å"In the future days, which we seekRead MoreFranklin Delano Roosevelt s Accomplishments1215 Words   |  5 PagesFranklin Delano Roosevelt is usually thought of as one of the United States’ most impactful presidents. Whether Roosevelt s accomplishments were truly great or his effectiveness was just a product of the time-period in which he served as President is still debated. However, one thing that no one can deny is that Roosevelt took a different route to becoming the leader of our nation. Whether he was coping with the death of a loved one or fighting an illness, Roosevelt never strayed from the path that

Domestic Violence The And On Our Streets - 1928 Words

In the news and on our streets we hear about domestic violence. Are you or someone you know in an unhealthy relationship? Would you stand up and say, â€Å"This isn t acceptable†, or simply turn a blind eye to a growing epidemic that affects families nearly twenty times per minute. In the United States nearly ten million woman and men are victims of Domestic Violence at the hands of their intimate partner. Today s astounding statistics tell a story of our societies abusive nature. As an individual, it is our job to stop this evolving problem. Understanding begins with knowing what domestic violence is and how it affects everyone, not just the person being abused. Domestic violence doesn t discriminate because of gender, race, sexual orientation, economic status, or nationality. Domestic violence comes in all forms of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse among intimate partners. Control of another person by threats, manipulation, and isolation are just the beginnin g of what is considered to be one of the greatest problems we face in America today. You may be in an abusive relationship if your significant other calls you names or insults you or makes demands of you that prevent you from living your life the way you choose. Jealousy and possessiveness that isolates you from your friends and family is part of the emotional abuse cycle. Physical abuse happens when you are physically injured by your loved one. Being forced to act against your will or sexuallyShow MoreRelatedThe Connection Between Culture And Violent Behavior1360 Words   |  6 PagesUnit 8 DB 1 Introduction Women all over the world tend to fall victims to domestic violence especially women from other cultures who now find themselves in a world where domestic violence is not ever excepted as the norm. This can cause issues with in the family unit, especially if the women, or girls decide to conform to the American ways. Some cultures allow for their women to be beaten, stone, or raped and the women are at a lost, because there is no help, but by reading the below articles oneRead MoreEssay on Violence733 Words   |  3 PagesViolence is one of the most problematic issues society faces today, and it has been increasing day after day, in the streets of our cities. The most common description of what violence really is can be given as negativity towards something or someone either through physical or verbal actions, which often causes the victim to suffer pain. The different types of violence that exist in our multi-cultural society are out-numbered, but the most evident ones are domestic, gang, sexual, and racial violenceRead MoreThe Outcasts Of Society, The Lazy And Incompetent, Or The Victims Of Extreme Misfortunes?1607 Words   |  7 PagesThe outcasts of society, the lazy and incompetent, or the victims of extreme misfortunes? As we put aside our bifocals or ethnocentrism and tour the culture of homelessness, we will demystify, learning the how’s, when’s and why’s. It is essential not to get lost within the presentation of stats and facts. But, to digest the information, reverting it back to our own lives. In doing so, we will see how near or far we are to the brinks of homelessness. Careful! As the degrees of separation maybe notRead MoreA Survey On Homelessness And Poverty1404 Words   |  6 Pagesreported domestic violence, classified as a traumatic life event, to be the primary cause of homeless (Philipps). The cities that were surveyed include Cedar Rapids, Chicago, Los Angeles, Burlington, Nashville, St. Paul, Salt Lake City, San Ant onio, Trenton, Seattle, and Nashville. In addition, a survey carried out in 2003 about the homeless mothers across the country found out that one quarter had been abused physically in the past year and nearly all had witnessed or experienced domestic violence overRead MoreA Social Issue That Is On Domestic Violence1695 Words   |  7 Pagessocial issue that is on Domestic Violence. Domestic Violence is a big social issue that happens all around the world. It affects many people in many different ways. The aim of this report is to identify what Domestic Violence is and what it can really do to the community and how we can help. 2. What is Domestic Violence? Also known as intimate partner violence, it is a form of violence that can occur with any relationship. There can be more than 1 type of Domestic Violence, Social, Physical, EmotionalRead MoreDomestic Violence, Racial Socioeconomic Disparities, And Racial Labeling1655 Words   |  7 PagesAs we constantly hear of professional athletes being involved in domestic violence and other violent crimes, it is important to notice a trend. There is always some athlete being accused of some form of domestic violence. True sociological issues need to be addressed when violent issues such as the O.J. Simpson case arises. Simpson was influenced by a variety of sociological factors that created him into a violent person, such as the way in which African Americans are portrayed by the media, racialRead MoreShould Street Gangs Be Considered Terrorist Organizations?1711 Words   |  7 PagesShould Street Gangs be Considered Terrorist Organizations? Terror, violence, and death are the common denominators in our society nowadays. Why? Because of street gang fights. Innocent people have been killed as a result of street gangs. These groups of criminals use violence against societies and band together for mutual protection and profit. Street gangs are gangsters controlling, attacking, and killing people on the streets, as a result, they are one of the biggest social problems around theRead MoreHomelessness in Canada Essay882 Words   |  4 Pagesjobs or well paying jobs, decline in Social Services, domestic violence, mental illness, and chemical dependency contribute to the majority of the homeless within our society. What effects does being homeless have on members of the family? It contributes to many physical and mental health problems for both parents and their children. Homelessness is a world-wide issue, yet zeroing in on Canada, the majority of the homeless live on the streets of Toronto and Vancouver where they seek shelt er anywhereRead MorePublic Communication Project : Domestic Violence889 Words   |  4 Pagespublic communication project, I decided to go with something that is overlooked by many Americans, especially college students, which is domestic violence. Although, I have firsthand witnessed domestic violence growing up, I still found things that truly shocked me. For instance, (Safehorizon.org) reported that 1 in every 4 women is involved in some type of domestic violent relationship within their life. (Safehorizon.org) I would have never thought it was so common, especially in America. Other thingsRead MoreViolence Tends To Threaten The Organization Of Society.1648 Words   |  7 PagesViolence tends to threaten the organization of society. In today’s society violence is permeated in almost every aspect of our daily lives. Violence in our society enters our homes, workplace, and schools and especially in the media. Violence is the intentional action or inaction causing physical, sexual and psychological injury, including battering, pornography, sexual assault, incest, child abuse and sexual harassment. Advertisers use sex to get our attention and they make claims about their product’s

Business environment ,fiscal policy and monetary policy free essay sample

Economic Environment refers to all those economic factors, which have a bearing on the functioning of a business. Business depends on the economic environment for all the needed inputs. It also depends on the economic environment to sell the finished goods. Naturally, the dependence of business on the economic environment is total and is not surprising because, as it is rightly said, business is one unit of the total economy. Economic environment influences the business to a great extent. It refers to all those economic factors which affect the functioning of a business unit. Dependence of business on economic environment is total — i. e. for input and also to sell the finished goods. Trained economists supplying the Macro economic forecast and research are found in major companies in manufacturing, commerce and finance which prove the importance of economic environment in business. The following factors constitute economic environment of business: (a) Economic system (b) Economic planning (c) Industry (d) Agriculture (e) Infrastructure (f) Financial fiscal sectors (g) Removal of regional imbalances  (h) Price distribution controls (i) Economic reforms (j) Human resource and (k) Per capita income and national income The state became the encourager of savings and also an important investor and the owner of capital. We will write a custom essay sample on Business environment ,fiscal policy and monetary policy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Since the state was to be the primary agent of economic change, it followed that private sector activities had to be strictly regulated and controlled to conform to the objectives of state policy. The growth strategy also meant, in the early years of planning, a relative neglect of public investments in agriculture. This negligence of agriculture sector was supported by the general view that the increase labour in the developing countries could only be absorbed in the industry, and that during the early stages of industrialization, it was necessary for agriculture to contribute in the establishment of modern industry by offering inexpensive work force. A faster development of industry was the central objective of planning. The above is a thumbnail sketch of the growth strategy followed by the planners in the past four decades. FACTORS AFFECTING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS The Economic Policies have depended upon the political policies of a political party. In short, important economic policies such as industrial policy, foreign capital policy, fiscal policy and import policy are often political decisions which established the great impact of political legal environment on the business houses. 1. FISCAL POLICY: THE MEANING The word FISCAL is derived from the old French Word ‘FISC, which means the money basket or the treasury. Thus fiscal means pertaining to treasury or government finance. FISCAL POLICY means the government policy of taxation, expenditure and public debt etc. Fiscal policy may be defined as ‘a policy under which the government uses its expenditure and revenue programmes to produce desirable effect avoid undesirable effect on national income, production and unemployment’. It emphasizes the effect of government expenditure and revenue upon total economy and argues that they should be used deliberately and consciously as a balancing factor to secure economic stabilization. Fiscal policy is the means by which a government adjusts its spending levels and tax rates to monitor and influence a nations economy. It is the sister strategy to monetary policy through which a central bank influences a nations money supply. These two policies are used in various combinations to direct a countrys economic goals. â€Å"Gerhard Colm defines fiscal policy as â€Å"the conduct of government expenditure, revenues and debt management in such a way as to take fully into account the effect of these operations in the allocation of resources and the flow of funds and thereby their influence on the level of income prices employment and production.† In the modern government organization the amounts of public expenditures, revenues and public debt are so huge, that they have begun to assume a major importance in the national economy. The desired fiscal policy can be pursued by budgetary measures like taxation, expenditure, public debt etc. ROLE OF FISCAL POLICY T he role of fiscal policy in regulating the economy and protecting it from the ills of the market mechanism were recognized very slowly. Earli er, governments were wedded to the traditional ideals of sound budgetary policy of avoiding deficits. Such a policy, amongst other things, was causing to problems. One was as Keynes pointed the fact that an attempt to balance the budget would put it to an unbalance and vice-versa. The second was that through the process of balanced budget multiplier, the budget was adding to the severity of cyclical fluctuations. It was with great difficulty that the appropriateness and usefulness of the fiscal policy in combating the ills of the economy were recognized, especially during the great Depression of 1930s. It was conceded that the government had a primary responsibility of helping the economy towards stabilization. As mentioned earlier, the role of fiscal policy in promoting economic stability was recognized slowly, and not sufficiently till the Great Depression of 1930s. Actually, as Keynes pointed out ,the orthodox sound budgetary policy of avoiding deficits itself contributed towards greater instability and made the task of keeping the budget balanced, all the more difficult. This in fact, generated a â€Å"perverse† policy on the part of the authorities, pushing the expenditure and demand in the economy down during a period of depression and pushing them up during a boom. The development of the concepts of â€Å"multiplier†, and accelerator† and the relationship between the macro-variables like investment, Income consumption and savings enabled the economics to visualize more clearly the machines of trade cycles and the role which fiscal policy could play. This gave rise to the principle of compensatory finance and functional finance. It was realized that through fiscal policy , the government could to a great extent, neutralize the destabilizing movements in the economy. The general theoretical farm work was that a depression is caused by a deficiency of effective demand. Fiscal policy should remedy it by increasing public expenditure and by encouraging private expenditure; similarly during a boom period the need is to control the demand which again can be partly done through curtailing public expenditure and party through curbing the private expenditure. HOW FISCAL POLICY WORKS? Fiscal policy is based on the theories of British economist John Maynard Keynes. Also known as Keynesian economics, this theory basically states that governments can influence macroeconomic productivity levels by increasing or decreasing tax levels and public spending. This influence, in turn, curbs inflation (generally considered to be healthy when between 2-3%), increases employment and maintains a healthy value of money. Fiscal policy is very important to the economy. For example, in 2012 many worried that the fiscal cliff, a simultaneous increase in tax rates and cuts in government spending set to occur in January 2013, would send the U. S. economy back to recession. The U. S. Congress avoided this problem by passing the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 on Jan. 1, 2013. BALANCING ACT The idea, however, is to find a balance between changing tax rates and public spending. For example, stimulating a stagnant economy by increasing spending or lowering taxes runs the risk of causing inflation to rise. This is because an increase in the amount of money in the economy, followed by an increase in consumer demand, can result in a decrease in the value of money meaning that it would take more money to buy something that has not changed in value. Lets say that an economy has slowed down. Unemployment levels are up, consumer spending is down and businesses are not making substantial profits. A government thus decides to fuel the economys engine by decreasing taxation, which gives consumers more spending money, while increasing government spending in the form of buying services from the market (such as building roads or schools). By paying for such services, the government creates jobs and wages that are in turn pumped into the economy. Pumping money into the economy by decreasing taxation and increasing government spending is also known as pump priming. In the meantime, overall unemployment levels will fall. With more money in the economy and fewer taxes to pay, consumer demand for goods and services increases. This, in turn, rekindles businesses and turns the cycle around from stagnant to active. If, however, there are no reins on this process, the increase in economic productivity can cross over a very fine line and lead to too much money in the market. This excess in supply decreases the value of money while pushing up prices (because of the increase in demand for consumer products). Hence, inflation exceeds the reasonable level. For this reason, fine tuning the economy through fiscal policy alone can be a difficult, if not improbable, means to reach economic goals. If not closely monitored, the line between a productive economy and one that is infected by inflation can be easily blurred. And When the Economy Needs to Be Curbed †¦ When inflation is too strong, the economy may need a slowdown. In such a situation, a government can use fiscal policy to increase taxes to suck money out of the economy. Fiscal policy could also dictate a decrease in government spending and thereby decrease the money in circulation. Of course, the possible negative effects of such a policy in the long run could be a sluggish economy and high unemployment levels. Nonetheless, the process continues as the government uses its fiscal policy to fine-tune spending and taxation levels, with the goal of evening out the business cycles. WHO DOES FISCAL POLICY AFFECT? Unfortunately, the effects of any fiscal policy are not the same for everyone. Depending on the political orientations and goals of the policymakers, a tax cut could affect only the middle class, which is typically the largest economic group. In times of economic decline and rising taxation, it is this same group that may have to pay more taxes than the wealthier upper class. Similarly, when a government decides to adjust its spending, its policy may affect only a specific group of people. A decision to build a new bridge, for example, will give work and more income to hundreds of construction workers. A decision to spend money on building a new space shuttle, on the other hand, benefits only a small, specialized pool of experts, which would not do much to increase aggregate employment levels. . WHAT IS MONETARY POLICY? Monetary policy refers to the steps taken by the Reserve Bank of India to regulate the cost and supply of money and credit in order to achieve the socio-economic objectives of the economy. Monetary policy influences the supply of money the cost of money or the rate of interest and the availability of money. One of the most important functions of Reserve Bank, is to formulate and administer a monetary policy. Such a policy refers to the use of instruments of credit control by the Reserve Bank so as to regulate the amount of credit creation by the banks. It also aims at varying the cost and availability of credit with a view to influence the level of aggregate demand for goods and services in the economy. D. C. Rowan defined Monetary Policy ‘discretionary act undertaken by the authorities designed to influence (a) the supply of money (b) cost of money or rate of interest and (c) the availability of money†. One of the twin aims of the economic policy is to accelerate the process of economic growth with a view to raise the national income. The Reserve bank, has made the allocation of funds to the various sectors according to the priorities laid down in the plans and requirements of day or day development The second objective is to control the prices and reduce the inflationary pressures in the economy. The monetary policy of the Reserve Bank during the planning period is appropriately termed as that of â€Å"Controlled expansion†. Every economy faces two conflicting interests: (a) Expansion of money supply to finance the process of economic development. (b) Control of money supply to check inflationary pressure generated in the economy as a result of vast development and non-development expenditure. Thus, controlled expansion of money supply was essential for growth with reasonable. To achieve the above mentioned objectives of the monetary policy, the Reserve Bank has adopted the following: (a) Measures for expansion of currency and credit (b) Measures for controlling of credit. POLITICAL IMPACT ON BUSINESS The Economic Policies have depended upon the political policies of a political party. In this way political environment of a country has great impact on the business houses. The dominated role of public sector in our country is outcome of ‘socialist pattern of society’ adopted by the Congress Party. In short, important economic policies such as industrial policy, foreign capital policy, fiscal policy and import policy are often political decisions which established the great impact of political legal environment on the business houses. A stable and dynamic political environment is indispensable for business growth. The political institutions i. e. legislature, Executive and Judiciary plays important role in economic policies as well as in development of country whereas the legislature is vested with most vital powers like policy making, budget making and executive control. The decisions of the legislature affect each and every activity of business houses. Legislatures have to check that profit earning is not only justified but also whether the activities of business houses are in a manner beneficial to the society. The other important political institution is the Executives of the actual law and policies enforcing agency. What the legislative made in their chamber actually come in force in the hands of executives. In the way the functions of executive also effects the economic development. Some times the legislature makes some policies but there is conflict between the executives and business houses about implementation. In case of such conflicts, the judiciary, the third important political institution resolves the conflicts. It is the power of the judiciary to settle legal disputes that effect business considerably. It is therefore necessary to discuss about the impact of political and legal environment on the economy. Depending upon the nature and stage of development of the economy, the behavior of the private sector, the political philosophy, social attitudes, administration system etc. it is a universal phenomenon that state controls economy. In the modern era, two most powerful institutions in the society are ‘business’ and government which meet on common grounds or otherwise together they determine the public policy both foreign and domestic for a nation. But four corner development of a country is only possible if the government plays significant role in the economy of a country. Normally government plays for important roles in an economy and Government regulation of the economy may be broadly divided into two parts; direct and indirect control. The reservation of industries to small scale, public and cooperative sector, licensing system, import and export regulations, the subsidies for different sectors are some examples of regulatory measurements of the governments. For the development of economy, state/government will have to assume direct responsibility to build up and strengthen the necessary development of infrastructure i. e. transport, power, finance, marketing and institutions for training and guidance along with other promotional activities. A well planned economy may lead to a country on the path of development. State especially plays important role in planning economy. How to use resources the achieve the goal within the time frame set etc. are the basic needs for proper development of economy and proper planning is most important tool for the same. Sometimes to boost-up the economic development government plays the role of entrepreneur. It establishes the business enterprises and bear the risks. Dominating trend of pubic sector is basic ingredient of under developed countries. But recently many governments have resorted to privatization. CONCLUSION The Bottom Line One of the biggest obstacles facing policymakers is deciding how much involvement the government should have in the economy. Indeed, there have been various degrees of interference by the government over the years. But for the most part, it is accepted that a degree of government involvement is necessary to sustain a vibrant economy, on which the economic well-being of the population depends. A business does not operate in a vacuum. It has to act and react to what happens outside the factory and office walls. These factors that happen outside the business are known as external factors or influences. These will affect the main internal functions of the business and possibly the objectives of the business and its strategies.