Akshaya Patra

Meal Programs in India Although 50 percent of Indian's children were malnourished, the provision of midday meals was sporadic and in many places non-existent. Responding to pressure from the Indian people, the Supreme Court of India passed an order on November 28, 20014, which mandated: â€Å"Cooked midday meal is to be revived in all the government and government-aided primary schools in all the states†.Inconsistent food quality, occasional food poisoning, poor hygiene, and operational concerns were among the complications to the provision of government-sponsored midday meals. The meals were prepared by teachers, who cooked the same meal every day. Today, through the partnership with the Government of India and various State Governments, as well as philanthropic donors; the organization runs the mid-day meal programmer. Built on a public-private partnership, Sashay Patria combines good management, innovative technology and smart engineering to deliver a atrocious and hygienic school lunch.Financial Sashay Patria, believe in absolute transparency in all our activities. Transparency, especially for an MONGO, is the key to trust and reliability. Sashay Patria upholds absolute transparency in all its activities. They have also apply the latest principles of fair value accounting and recognize all in kind donations. Organization's best practices have always resulted in keeping the operational expenditure to a fraction of revenues earned. This has resulted to optimize the administration and fundraising costs.

Apple and Increasing Market Share

Apple Inc. is a successful developer of both computers and consumer electronics. The company’s most popular products include Macintosh computers, iPod mp3 players, iPhone smartphones and most recently the iPad, which is a hybrid of a tablet computer, and an eReader. Apple’s Macintosh computers, iPods, iPhones, and iPads all share characteristics that make them part of the general information technology industry. However, since they are very different products each belongs to a more specific industry. The Macintosh computers are included in the personal computer industry, iPods in the personal media player category and, depending on the model, the mobile internet device (MID) market and iPhones to the smartphone and MID industry. The iPad has not been released to the general public yet, but considering its various features it could belong to many markets. However, it will most likely be competing with the internet tablets, netbooks, and eReaders. Considering their competitors, one could surmise that the iPad will belong to both PC and eReader markets. By incorporating market assessment and predictions for each of Apple’s products, as well as consumer research into the promotional strategy, Apple will be able to improve its product sales 10% over 2011. Macintosh computers are Apple’s oldest product category. Their price point is significantly higher than Windows based PCs. This knowledge, combined with Apple’s popular Mac vs. PC television ads, can tell us a little bit about Apple’s target consumer. In the Mac vs. PC ads, Mac is represented by a young, trendy individual while PC is represented by a middle-aged nerd. This depiction of Mac, coupled with its higher prices (the cheapest Mac sells for $999), tells us that Mac is trying to attract younger individuals, within the 18-24, 25-34 and 35-44 age bracket with a higher-than-average income of the $50,000-$79,000 bracket and above. Due to the higher price point, Apple is targeting college graduates, because they tend to make more money. In the famous Mac vs. PC ads, Mac is portrayed by a male actor indicating that the company’s target market may be slightly more aimed at males than females (Get a Mac – Watch the TV Ads). Maintaining the current target market appears to be a wise strategy since reducing prices now in order to attract less affluent consumers could risk Apple’s image as a status symbol and its brand equity, especially when one considers a recent study of Apple consumer psychographics in which Mac users were considered to be less modest and more assured of their self superiority than the general population. I would recommend, however, that the Macintosh not entirely dismiss the female audience or older consumers. Older consumers tend to have more disposable income than the younger consumer. Therefore, with the brand’s higher price point, it would make sense to include the 45+ consumers in promotional strategy as well (Fried). As part of the personal computer industry, Macs are subject to several trends occurring within the industry. First, industrial design is becoming much more important in the minds of consumers than technological features. Consumers want computers that are more portable and can handle work and school requirements. Lower-priced mini-notebooks are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. It should be noted that the according to Gartner, ‘mini-notebooks were the only growing PC segment in 2009. ’ In another recent study by Gartner, it was predicted that by 2014 in a mature market, design would be the primary reason 20% of consumers will decide to purchase a new computer. However, computer firms should consider not only the outward design of the machine. Consumers also want user-friendly systems that work well with their other electronic devices. The second factor impacting the personal computer market is increased concentration on targeting even younger consumers. The main features expected to entice these youths are touchscreens and cheap mini-notebooks. Gartner has predicted that ‘by 2015, more than 50% of PCs sold to users under the age of 15 will have touchscreens. ’ Similarly the research company predicted that 20% of mini-notebooks would be sold to consumers 12 years of age and younger by 2012. It is also predicted that mini-notebook sales to children will be the quickest growing segment among PCs (Kitagawa). Considering this information there are many routes Apple can take to increase their market share in the personal computer industry. First, for consumers who want cheaper options, portability, and great design, Apple should use this as an opportunity to position the iPad as an alternative to the mini-notebook. The $499 device is capable of running Apple’s version Microsoft Office, iWorks, and in the future the iPad application store may include Microsoft Office apps. The device basically allows consumers to do more or less the same things as a mini-notebook but has the sleeker design and more user friendly interface that consumers are demanding. An alternative to this would be for Apple to design a mini-notebook version of the Macintosh since at present, the closest thing Apple has to compete with this product is the Apple Air, which while it does weigh less than most computers on the market, the product is still very wide in comparison to the standard mini-notebook (IPad – See the Web, Email, and Photos like Never Before). If Mac wants to continue to compete against its Windows counterparts, Dell, Toshiba, HP and Asus, the company needs to be prepared to compete in the mini-notebook arena. Apple could do this by positioning the iPad as a mini-notebook in consumers’ minds or by creating a new product, a Macintosh mini-notebook (Kitagawa). A second route Apple could take to improve its sales involves the trend of multi-touch surface computers becoming increasingly important in targeting younger personal computer users. Gartner noted that due to this trend, new markets will be developed for lower cost, with touchscreen computers targeted toward younger users. Apple could define this market with its iPad, or a version of the iPad. Especially since younger users have an easier time using touch screens that are horizontal (like the iPad) than vertical screens (like a netbook). It is important that Apple work on defining this market now, because the new Windows 7 operating system is fully equipped to allow PCs, Mac’s biggest competitors, to enter the portable touch-screen PC market (Kitagawa). To solidify the best strategy in increasing sales in the personal computer industry, Apple should conduct research surveys to determine if an Apple mini-notebook is something consumers would be interested in, and if given the choice at the same price (currently $499), would they prefer an Apple netbook to an Apple iPad? This would enable Apple to determine whether or not a new product needs to be created to compete in the mini-notebook market. In addition, since design is becoming increasingly important in the computer industry, Apple should seek consumer feedback concerning ways Macs could improve their current designs. To effectively promote the iPad as a netbook, Apple can take several avenues. First, because the iPad could be easily adapted by children, Apple could greatly bolster its iPad sales by developing educational software for the device and targeting elementary schools with sales promotions and direct marketing emphasizing the product’s educational benefits. To employ this strategy, Apple should send direct mail to public schools and include discounts on iPads based on the schools economic need. Marketing the iPad as computer for children via direct marketing and not the mass media will also help avoid associating the iPad solely as a children’s computer. Apple’s iPad has already done a great job of utilizing public relations to create a buzz about the product. In fact, the product won’t be released until April, 2010 but the United States government is already worried that its popularity will slow down the internet as new iPad users access the internet (Bellaria). To market the product as a netbook, Apple should consider emphasizing the attachable keyboard that would allow the product to be better positioned as mini-notebook (IPad). The best way to do this would be to put ads on the big four broadcast networks, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Apple targets a wide range of consumers and advertising on these networks prior to the product’s release would reach a wide range of the target market. As far as marketing Macintosh computers, Apple should keep the current Mac versus PC ads, but incorporate female versions of the ads to entice more females to switch from PC to Mac. Finally, because the older consumer is a great potential market, Apple should include advertising in news magazines, a medium popular with older adults (Newsmagazine Demographics: A Graying Market). Since many older consumers are apprehensive about technology, the ads should emphasize Macintosh computers’ ease of use and small learning curve. Currently the Apple iPod personal media player offers lower price points and has garnered a market share of around 70%, exceeding all mp3 players for several years. The iPod is to mp3 players what the Sony Walkman was to tape players (Elmer-DeWitt). For this reason, Apple’s target demographic is definitely broader for iPod than its Macintosh brand, partly because of the mix of low and high prices of iPods ranging from the $59 iPod Shuffle to the high-end $399 iPod Touch. Apple still focuses its attention on younger consumers for the simple reason that this age bracket is more comfortable with technology. The iPod targets age brackets from the 12-17 range to the 35-44 age range. Males are typically more tech savvy so they make up a slightly higher percentage of the gender demographic. Since the iPod is a cheaper product, household incomes, with the exception of the $15,000 and below bracket are potential consumers. High school students are another great market for the iPod so those with some high school education and beyond are also targeted by Apple. As for psychographics, the consumer base for the iPod is so broad it would be hard to narrow down consumer similarities to anything more than a love of music (Play Music and More on IPod). The portable mp3 industry is reaching its penetration point and sales are starting to stabilize (Elmer-Dewitt). Portable media players like the mp3 are also following a more connected trend. This means more and more devices, such as the iPod touch are allowing users to access the internet through Wi-Fi networks. Because the iPod is doing so well and has such a loyal brand following, all Apple needs to do is continue to invest just enough in R&D to stay with the competition (Baker). The iPod has reached the maturity age as sales have stabilized in this area. It is time for Apple to start thinking about cutting costs in this department and milking the brand by reducing costs to increase profit margins (Aaker). The iPod can employ a flighting schedule, going on flight hiatus until before and during the peak holiday period to cut costs. iPod only needs to maintain its image as the mp3 player to have. This can be done by continuing some television advertising to general audiences on the 4 major broadcasting networks as well as channels popular with youth, like MTV and the Disney Channel, in which new music is promoted along with the Apple device, thus linking the iPod with youth. Also, since online advertising is extremely effective with younger consumers, commercial banners on youth oriented sites such as MTV. com or Hulu. com will continue to keep the iPod positioned as the definitive music player for the 12-17 and 18-24 year old consumers. Sales promotions allowing consumers to get a discount on a new iPod if they turn in their old model could also be effective for the product. This would also maintain brand loyalty and create a unique selling proposition among mp3 players. The iPhone is very similar to the iPod, especially the iPod touch, in that it can play music and video, (and like the iPod touch, access the internet); however, the device also acts as a cell phone. Over the course of the first quarter for 2010, Apple sold 8. 7 million iPhones, a 100 percent growth in sales from 2009’s first quarter. (Reports First Quarter Results) However, in the smartphone industry, Blackberry still leads the market and Google’s Android has gained a 4% increase in market share. Currently, these smartphones are Apple’s biggest threat. The iPhone has only gained a . 04% market share (Turner). The problem iPhone is likely facing here is the demographics the product is targeting and attracting. The average buyer of the iPhone is almost evenly split among the 15-24, 25-34 and 35-49 age brackets (31, 32 and 31 percent, respectively). 74 percent of iPhone consumers are males and 58% have graduated college. Finally, the average household income of the iPhone is $75,600, so the target consumer likely falls into either the $50,000 to $79,000 or $80,000 to $94,000 household income range. The psychographics of the Apple iPod are the same as those of Mac users because both products, iPhones and Macs, are considered status symbols (White). In the case of the iPhone, Apple needs to work on targeting older users. Only 6% of iPhone users are above the age of 50; however, these consumers have more money to spend. Also, because of the intuitive touch interface, the ease of use of the iPhone could be a strong selling proposition for older consumers without much technological experience. Apple should continue researching ways to improve the ease of use of its product since as the smartphone industry progresses, large screens and touch interfaces are becoming commonplace. Improved usability, longer battery life, and network optimization is where smartphone will be competing in the future (Baker). To improve the user experience of the iPhone, Apple should conduct ethnographic research on current iPhone users. These studies could uncover user frustrations concerning the iPhone experience and focus on the features consumers currently like about the product. This will help Apple improve the user experience even more and enable the company to more effectively market the device to a wider range of less technologically inclined users. Apple could also include an ‘easy interface’ application specifically designed for the older consumer (Aaker). Like the promotional strategy discussed for Macintosh computers, Apple should take out ads in news magazines like Time and Newsweek ,which are targeted to an older demographic, in order to promote the iPhone’s ease of use and possibly the new ‘easy interface’ application to more senior consumers. In regards to the newest Apple iPad, this product has a lot of potential to increase Apple’s sales over the next year. It has already been discussed how the product could increase sales by positioning itself as a competitor in the netbook and touch PC market. In addition, the device can also be positioned as competitor in the eReader market. Gartner recently suggested that the eReader industry would great potential if some current issues were resolved. The first issue is that the eReader industry has not agreed on a proprietary file format for eBooks. This means that currently, there is not a standard book file format that can be transferred from one eReader to another (Baker). However, Apple has enjoyed much success with its iTunes and Application stores for its iPhone and iPod devices. Apple can leverage it online media store competencies to really make the iBookstore a success. If the iBookstore can be as successful as iTunes, not only will this increase eBook sales for Apple, it will also be good for the industry as a whole as it may provide eBook readers with a common file format (Aacker). The Apple company needs to be cautious and strategic however since Barnes and Noble, the owner of one of Apple’s eReader competitors, The Nook, has announced plans to create its own free online bookstore application for the iPad (Hamblen). Another element that has been afflicting the eReader industry is the price relative to the benefit. The Amazon Kindle’s cheapest version sells for $259 (Kindle Wireless Reading Device) and Barnes and Noble’s Nook sells for the same price (Nook, EBook Reader, EReader). The Sony Reader has a pocket version of its reader, set at a price of $199 (Sony – Reader Pocket Edition). These prices are currently considered to be too high for most consumers considering the only function of the eReader is to allow consumers to read. The cheapest version of the iPad is to sell at $499. Even though this is almost twice as high as the Kindle, Nook, and Sony Reader, the iPad offers many more benefits, such as video and audio playback, and access to the internet (IPad). Consumers are therefore more likely to forgive the relatively higher price of the iPad since it offers so many more benefits (Baker). The iPad should continue its mass media commercials on the major networks and work to emphasize its iBookstore in commercials in order to edge out the Barnes and Noble reader application being designed to compete with the iBookstore. Historically, new Apple products are much sought after and are considered status symbols. Because of this, the iPad will be targeted to higher household incomes, primarily the $50,000 to $79,000 and $80,000 to $94,000 brackets. Like other Apple products, the target market will likely lean more toward the male audience and include primarily college raduates. The age range will also likely be 18-24, 25-34, and 35-44 as older consumers typically avoid newer technologies. To generalize all Apple products and their promotional strategies, CEO Steve Jobs does an excellent job of using PR to introduce Apple products and create a buzz for them. However, after the initial buzz wears off, so does the PR. One way Apple could keep its name in the news is by creating a charitable organization, such as an after school technology learning program for inner city high school students, incorporating Mac products into that organization. Overall, Apple is in a very good position to increase its sales over 2011. Consumers are embracing technology, especially mobile media technology. More and more people are watching videos online and embracing smartphone technology (Bhatia). Apple should continue to emphasize the user-friendliness and great design of its products to the young, old, and everyone in between. If Apple does this, in addition to the many promotional strategies outlined above, a 10% increase in sales over 2011 will be very probable and Apple will have a lot of potential for future growth as well.

Gilbane Gold Ethical Model - Analysis Case Study

Gilbane Gold Ethical Model - Analysis - Case Study Example This problem on fairness has been raised by individuals and masses for affirmative action on in convincing ethics. The place from which this case has been based on is Gilbane, an imaginary town. The mud that comes from the sewage plant situated in the city for very many years has been used as fertilizers and the sales are made under Gilbane Gold. This firm generates revenue from Gilbane Gold that supplements the city’s tax revenue. This tax revenues saves a family composed of four roughly 3000 dollars every year. For the lively income source to be protected, restrictions that are very harsh should be implemented on disposal of metals that are heavy in sewages. This sewage if well taken care of can provide farmers with fertilizers. Before the implementation of these regulations, this city had a good name on matters pertaining to business. It also gave tax abatements to the firms, which chose to locate to the town. Therefore, after the location of many firms into the city, enact ment of the restrictions was done. Z CORP being one of the firms that located there monitored discharge in monthly bases from the plants, which produced toxic materials at that time of manufacturing. The problem in this case arises where the firms in this city have the responsibility of supplying data from the tests carried out and modern tests have been developed. Firstly, the engineer in charge has the mandate to sign for the accuracy of tests carried out. There has been interference with the law that governs effluents in that its main purpose is to regulate amount of discharge and not the quantity as a whole. This makes it easy for a plant to operate within standards set by Gilbane just by escalating the discharge volume. Another issue on the modern test method is that if it is used there is a detection of excess emissions allowance frequently. In contrary, there has been a tendency to cling onto initial method of testing by the occupants of this city. Z CORP is faced with a prob lem on whether to disclose the outcomes or to undisclose it. If it does not do that employees may insinuate that, the firm portrays bad faith towards the city. The plant’s engineer dismisses a consultant, believing the action was out of warnings on discharge levels. This engineer has two concerns, discharge of metals by Z CORP and realization of the effect that the contract signed by Z CORP means to the city. The only action he arrives at is blowing the whole crime out through the media. Problem analysis In order to analyze the problem encountered, one has to be fit to act as the engineer, and should be in a position to handle the problems that were encountered by him. What this statement implies is that, an individual should first be an agent not a judge. The individual should be able to analyze the problem by imagining to be faced by it and has the responsibility to make a decision and not as one who evaluates. To start with, the debate, which appears to arise over moral is sues, is in the real sense disagreements on facts that are relevant. In any case two engineers fall out on a decision that the government opts to take; the engineers might think that the disagreement is about issues related to ethics. Further discussion reveals the difference emanates from the question of the best way to eliminate discrimination. Although some may conceptualize that women’s ethics will continue for a while despite taking of affirmative action, some have a different belief that there can be

Why young people join gangs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Why young people join gangs - Essay Example A gang is a relatively durable, predominantly street-based group of young people who see themselves (and are seen by others) as a discernible group who engage in a range of criminal activity and violence, who identify with or lay claim over territory, have some form of identifying structural feature and are in conflict with other similar gangs (Centre for Social Justice, 2009, p. 21). Youth make a conscious choice to join a gang during adolescence, and multiple personal and environmental factors influence this choice A youth gang can also be defined as a self-formed association of peers having these characteristics: a gang name with recognizable symbols, identifiable leadership, a geographic territory, a regular meeting pattern, and collective actions to carry out illegal activities (Howell, 1997, p. 1). The majority of gang members are male and almost half of them are under the age of 18 years (Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, 2011, p. 2). This research will try to look at the factors and pre-conditions that make gang life an attractive and desirable option to the young people. The themes that will be espoused in the essay will be education and employment, gender, family, poverty ethnicity and peer pressure. The main conclusions to be drawn from the research are that the provision of basic amenities and opportunities will go a long way in preventing young people from engaging in gangs and gang related activities. The social development of a child is rooted in the opportunities, skills and the recognition that builds up through early interactions with family members, friends and teachers (Stefan Hounslea, 2011, p. 9). Education to the progression of a young person is significant. Thornberry discovered that 71.5% of ‘stable gang members’ had dropped out of secondary education compared to 33.6% of non-gang members (Thornberry, 2003, p. 169). He also found that the youth who transitioned smoothly from secondary to

Psychology of Exercise & Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Psychology of Exercise & Health - Essay Example Approximately 2 million deaths every year are attributable to physical inactivity; and preliminary findings from a WHO study on risk factors suggest that sedentary lifestyle is one of the ten leading causes of death and disability in the world. Physical inactivity increases all causes mortality, doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes, and obesity. It also increases the risks of colon and breast cancer, high blood pressure, lipid disorders, osteoporosis, depression and anxiety." (World Health Organization 2002) The transtheoretical model (TTM) of behaviour change, developed in the late 1970s and early 1980s, is a model of intentional behaviour change which focuses on the decision making of the individual. Originally designed to describe changes in addictive behaviour, the TTM has expanded to include the adoption of preventive health behaviours and the use of medical services (Burkholder & Evers, 2002). In the early 1990s, Marcus and others applied the TTM to exercise behaviour (Marcus, Selby et al., 1992). Since then, several researchers have used the TTM to develop exercise interventions. The TTM suggests that people do not change all at once, rather they move through a series of five stages toward behaviour change. There are three pre-action stages and two action stages, each defined by a temporal component related to the behaviour change. People in the first stage of pre-contemplation are not exercising and have no intention to exercise. In contemplation, people intend to exercise in the distant future, beginning sometime in the next 6 months. Preparation is the third stage where people intend to begin to exercise sometime in the next 30 days. The next stage, action, occurs when the person begins to exercise for at least 1 day to 6 months. In the stage of maintenance, the person has been exercising consistently for at least 6 months. The transtheoretical model proposes a set of constructs that are thought to influence movement through stages of change. These constructs include self-efficacy, decisional balance, and the processes of change. Self-efficacy is the belief in one's capability to engage successfully in a specific behaviour. Decisional balance is the evaluation of the pros and cons of engaging in the target behaviour. The processes of change are the cognitive and behavioural strategies used for changing behaviour and moving through the five identified stages: consciousness raising; dramatic relief; environmental re-evaluation; self re-evaluation and social liberation. Decisional balance, an analysis of the pros and cons of the behaviour change, is believed to influence exercise behaviour. Based on the work of Janis and Mann (1977), perceived costs and benefits to oneself and significant others influence behaviour change. Pros tend to increase to action and level off, while cons decrease with movement to each subsequent stage. Most of the evidence for exercise indicates that the crossover occurs during the preparation stage, which is consistent with several other behaviours. Prochaska and DiClemente identified 10 basic processes or strategies people

Feedback Loops Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Feedback Loops - Assignment Example Kane (2010) argues that reinforcing loops speeds up the pace of the system as opposed to the initial pace. Feedback in the Air Force will involve the members of staff in decision making, as growth of a system does not occur without application of an effort. In the Air Force as well, balancing loops is important since if the effect dampens, there is need to motivate the staff towards reviving the organization’s set policies. The organization being complex needs to have responses to the feedbacks given. In regard to organizational strategy, feedback loops is of benefit since the organization will have a better chance of steering towards the present. Of essence, the vision and mission of the organization will only be effected through clear communication with the staff, which is only possible through feedback loops (Kane, 2010). Balancing the feedback loops will indeed make the work easier for prospective managers, and in our case, top executives in Air

Comparing and contrasting functionalist,marxist and feminist Essay

Comparing and contrasting functionalist,marxist and feminist perspective on religion - Essay Example Religion refers to those socially shared ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that have to do with the supernatural or "beyond" (Zanden 371). For Shepard, Religion is a unified system of beliefs and practices relative to sacred things (388). The theorists like Marx Weber, Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim have different views on Religion. Emile Durkheim presented his functionalist perspective of religion in his work The Elementary Forms of Religious Life (Thio 385). He emphasized that religion functions to preserve social order. Every religion possessed both rituals and moral norms (Ibid). By way of rituals, people sanctify and renew their bonds to one another. Their beliefs in the sacred and acceptance of common norms are strengthened. Thus, religion binds the society and maintains it (Ibid). As a whole, functionalist theorists direct their focus on the contributions the religion has made to the survival of the society. Functionalists argue that the role of religion is to preserve the s tatus quo rather than to promote social change. They agree that religion is a beneficial conservative force because it maintains consensus, binds people together and promotes social order. They however see it as having a positive influence, whereas the Marxist view is somewhat more negative in its outlook. ("The Different"). The essential function of religion was to provide through sacred symbols a mirror for members of society to see their common unity. Through its system of beliefs, religion offers an explanation of the nature of social life (Shepard 391). The conflict theorists on the other hand, as represented by Karl Marx viewed religion as producing an otherworldly focus that diverts the oppressed from seeking thisworldy social change (Zanden 382). Marx viewed it is an expression of human alienation and an illusion. It is a form of false consciousness and as a tool of the powerful in the struggles between competing social class ( Robertson 405). It is the "sigh of the oppresse d creature, the heart of the heartless world, the soul of the soulless circumstances. It is the opium of the people" ( Thio 385). Marx considered it as a profound form of human alienation because people tend to lose control over the social world they have created resulting to a situation where they find themselves alien in the hostile social environment (Robertson 405). This is because people shape social institutions expecting that the same will serve their needs yet find themselves to be the servant of the institutions they created (Zanden 382). Conflict theorists have taken a new perspective on the relationship between religion and social change. They view it not as a passive response to social relations of production but as an active force shaping the contours of social life (Ibid 383). Marxist argue that religion is a mechanism for social control- (as does functionalism), religion maintains the existing system of exploitation, and reinforces class relationships and inequalities . Further, Marx argued that religion dulls the pain of oppression by: 1) Promising a paradise of eternal bliss in the after life, 2) By often making poverty tolerable by offering heaven as a reward for they're suffering c) By giving the hope of supernatural intervention to solve the worlds problems and d) Justifies social order/hierarchies- by saying that poverty is divinely ordained as a punishment for sin ( "The Different"). .Feminists on one hand agree with Marxists to the extent of religion acting as an instrument of domination and oppression but not for the ruling class but for men. They believe people live in a patriarchal society. Radical feminists during the 1970's and 1980's view religion primarily as patriarchal ideology regardless of the different forms in which it appeared (Newman, "Feminist"). They found that there exists a relationship between religion and politics. The male controlled institution, such as religion defines women as subordinate to men and are used to

Sun Yat Sen and Democracy in China - Indispensable to each other A Dissertation

Sun Yat Sen and Democracy in China - Indispensable to each other A Critical Analysis - Dissertation Example He focused on modernizing the Chinese economy on the lines of the Western model (focusing on the British model) and sought to achieve his objective with the help of the Western civilization (British civilization). As a result, Chinese historians have been interested in examining the life, philosophy, and work of Sun Yat Sen. From Chinese historical accounts, it is clear that Sun’s contribution in the development of modern Chinese democratic republic is highly significant (Bergerie & Lloyd, 1998, p 1). Sun Yat-Sen’s family was farmers and devoted the early stages of his life (upto 6 years of age) in farming activities like herding cows. After this time, he was a member of the secret societies, such as Furen Literary Society, Revive China Society, and in 1888 he directed his efforts in voicing the grievances of the peasant communities. After 1890, he gradually became a part of the new emerging intelligentsia of the Chinese society. Yat-Sen joined the Revolutionary Allianc e (), a ‘nationalist and republican revolutionary party’ (, , , ) of China and ‘finally became its official leader’. The Revolutionary Alliance under the leadership of Yat-Sen proceeded to plan a way of putting an end to the then Chinese governmental regime (the Qing government). After this revolution in 1905 China’s famous revolution of 1911 occurred. In the aftermath of the revolution, Sun Yat-Sen became the President of the Chinese Republic for a brief period of time, from 1911 to 1912. However, the republican form of governance did not continue for long and rapidly deteriorated into a dictatorship regime. However, Yat-Sen did not lose faith in his primary mission.He believed that he could still chart out a new destiny, in 1915, for his nation with the help of his own endeavors. Yat-Sen, in 1918 set about organizing a military base in Canton, who would rally around him and help him to usurp the national power from the then ruling generals in Pekin g, such as Lu Hao-tung. In 1924, his military party was compelled to form a foreign alliance with Soviet Russia owing to the antagonism of the Western powers. This collaboration happened for acquiring arms and weapons from Soviet Russia and also to declare attacks on Britain. This partnership model (collaboration with Soviet Russia) provided Yat-Sen with the inspiration for the reorganization of the military party, the Guomingdang ( ) and the restatement of his philosophy of the â€Å"Three Principles of the People†. Bergerie suggests Sun based them all on the experiences he had with the alliance partnership with the Soviet Union (Bergerie& Lloyd, 1998, p 3-4). Chinese historians and people remember Dr. Sun Yat-Sen as one of the foremost reformers and revolutionaries in the history of the Chinese civilization. His primary objective in life was to put an end to the corrupt rule of the Qing dynasty and introduce a democratic form of government in China (Hays, 2010, p. 55). Thus , he is considered by Chinese historians to be the Father of the modern 20th century China. His political philosophies, both reforms initiated by Sun refers to these philosophies, have earned the respect of both the Chinese communist thinkers as well as the Nationalist Taiwanese reformers. During this period, in 1990s and 1920s, China was being ruled by the Qing dynasty, which had become steeped in corruption.The Chinese citizens were gradually beginning protest against the rule of the Qing dynasty. Most of the Chinese individuals were seething in anger against the corrupt rule which ignited a rebellious streak in them. They went ahead and formed secret societies which were engaged in planning and plotting against the Qing rulers.

'Self-determination is irrelevant in the 21st Century'. Discuss Essay

'Self-determination is irrelevant in the 21st Century'. Discuss - Essay Example It is accordingly, protected by various international human rights bodies that ensure all people get their rights. This concept has evolved during the 20th century following secessionist movements during and after World War I and II allowing for decolonization of countries from the 1960's onwards. The start of the famous European colonization of the Americas started around 1940's following the Spanish expedition headed by Christopher Columbus5. This followed a conquest that was featured by large-scale exploration, migration and eventually colonization in order to take full advantage of the resources in those foreign countries. Rebellions were the first characteristics of the determination to self-rule that was witnessed in the mid 1770's. Because of the explicit invocations of natural law, the natural right of man and the absence of consent from the people who were being governed, people began to revolt against colonial rule6. In the United Stated Declaration of Independence, the pro motion of the notion that the will of the people is supreme made significant contributions to the aspect of self-determination. These and some other notions are what led to the acceptance of the principle of self-determination. ... These treaties both held that people had a right to freely pursue their economic and political interests following self-determination. Previously, self-determination was considered a political principle with no legal effect. But following WW2, self-determination became a legal principle and a right in International Law. And because of its adoption by several treaties and charters it received worldwide recognition under International Law. The concept of self-determination is thus still relevant because of the number of cases in the International Court of Justice that have received ruling in favor of the concept of self-determination. Self-determination has thus achieved the status of erga omnes which requires the rest of the international community to respect it. Other jurists and scholars have also argued that the principle of self-determination has acquired the status of jus cogens making it the superior rule of international law. As such, the rest of the community has the mandate t o strictly obey it at all times and in all circumstances in their relations with each other. However, the UN Charter10 had no provisions for the enforcement of the right to self-determination outside the context of decolonization. It simply provided that countries be allowed to govern themselves but it did not provide other stipulations for how this was to take place. This allowed the legal doctrine of uti possidetis juris11 to thrive. This meant that old administrative boundaries became the international boundaries without taking into consideration the linguistic, ethical and cultural boundaries that had previously existed. Despite the fact that people of one culture were torn apart by international boundaries, nations succeeded in freeing themselves from colonial rule.