The Medias Influence on Teenagers on What They Watch,...

The ages thirteen through nineteen have been influenced by many things through the media. TV programs, movies, advertising, magazines, and the web. These medias are more used by teenagers than any other group. Teenagers are very difficult to figure out what they watch, or read, or listen. It’s different, but all together it’s mostly the same. The TV programs have a lot of stereotypes towards teenagers. Girls think they can’t do things that guys do. There are programs out there that show those types of stereotypes and these stereotypes get into their head which makes them realize there’s no way for them to do it. The contradicted stereotypes are that there are some girls out there in this world that CAN do what any guy can do.†¦show more content†¦In school, there are clubs and after school activities. The people running those advertise by giving out fliers or just straight up talking to you about their club or the activities. They can also ask a s pecific person, like for example, they can go to a different race and talk about a certain subject that’s referring to that race. Anyone can be advertised in any way or anything. It doesn’t matter if you’re a girl or a guy or a different race. You’ll be advertised anyways. Sometimes when it’s a specific type of advertisement that’s referring to someone specific, it can make you think â€Å"oh it’s not for me so I should just ignore it.† And it’ll make you feel like that advertisement wasn’t for you, but for someone else. There are so many different kinds of magazines. There are fashion magazines, fitness magazines, cooking magazines, and all other kinds. The ones that teens usually look at are fashion, fitness, and sport magazines. For girls the fashion magazine is the one they would most likely look at. They want to follow the trends and what’s in and what’s out of fashion and some want to fit in wi th a crew that dresses differently. Same thing with the guys. Whatever’s out of fashion for them, they don’t wear anymore, but for girls whatever was out can come back to trend. For the guys that usually doesn’t happen. People may think of you differently because of what you’re wearing, but they really don’t know who you really are.Show MoreRelatedSex, Young Adults, and The Media Essay616 Words   |  3 PagesThe media plays a very big role in the lives of young adults today. Whether it is watching Access Hollywood, checking Perez Hilton’s blog religiously or watching fictitious TV shows and movies every night. All of the media in today’s society must add up to some influence on the teens of America. The media today mostly has lust and sex selling us products on television commercials or provocative ads in magazines, or the media just entertains us for hours on end. The media rarely has a positive influenceRead MoreHow Does Media In fluence Modern Society?1531 Words   |  6 Pagesdoes the mass media influence modern society? 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Sociologist and Psychologist contemplate that question often. The media has been accused of causing violent behavior, negative racial stereotyping and negative body perceptions mostly among young girls. No one can deny that the media has an effect on society, but is the media just giving society what he or she wants? Has the media taken away our ability to think for ourselves critically? We are constantly feed information from the newspapers, television

U.s. Department Of Homeland Security - 758 Words

On March 31, 2016, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) started a nationwide campaign to warn against the dangers faced by the U.S. utilities against the cyberattacks. According to DHS, there were an estimated 331 hacks or physical attacks against the U.S. power grid from 2011 to 2014. As of February 2016, they are occurring at a rate of once every 4 days. â€Å"A major cyberattack on the U.S. electric grid could cause over $1 trillion in economic damage, estimates ThreatTrackSecurity.com.† (MacDonald, 2016, pg. 2). To detect a cyberattack on the power grid, Western Interconnection should implement a system that will allow public and private authorities to receive Indications and Warning (IW) when a cyberattack is in its early phase. Koester and Cohen (2012) discuss their Electric Power Grid Indications Warning Tool in their paper. The purpose of this tool is â€Å"to provide near real-time IW to alert private and public sector authorities when the likely causes of outage events are malicious activity.† (Koester Cohen, 2012, p. 1). The tool minimizes false alarms due to severe weather and high temperatures. Implementing this solution will allow administrators at the Western Interconnection power grid to take precautionary measures as necessary. For example, the substations can be manually shutdown in case of a cyberattack, to prevent potential damage and spread of malware. In addition to the aforementioned tool, aShow MoreRelatedU.s. Department Of Homeland Security1668 Words   |  7 Pages1. Purpose Among one of the missions of The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is to protect and preserve the security of the Cyberspace in the country. 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Department Of Homeland Security1261 Words   |  6 Pagesand therefore must also prepare to minimize the damage and recover from attacks that do occur. As September 11 showed and proved to us that we are not where we are supposed to be, the aftermath showed us how vulnerable we we re. The Department of Homeland Security has made tremendous improvement since then to ensure the preparedness of our nation’s emergency response professionals, provide the federal government’s response, aid America’s recovery from terrorist attacks and natural disasters andRead MoreU.s. Department Of Homeland Security Essay1796 Words   |  8 Pagespower to decide whom to investigate, arrest, detain, charge, and prosecute. The Agencies may develop discretionary policies specific to the laws they are charged with enforcing, the population they serve, and the problem they face. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may decide how to prioritize its resources in order to meet its stated enforcement goals that are set by the President. With executive unilateral powers the president, drafts policies without and sometimes over the objection ofRead MoreU.s. Federal Department Of Homeland Security1245 Words   |  5 PagesThe idea of the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security evolved into the biggest U.S. government reorganization in American history. Prior to the establishment of the Department, Americans increasingly became concerned about terrorism on our soil. This concern was triggered by the World Trade Center bombing in 1993, the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 as well as the discovery of a bomb at the Atlanta Olympics in 1994. Additionally, it became more apparent to the Americans that terrorismRead MoreU.s. 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Business Valuation Report of Amazon-Free Assignment Sample

Question: Discuss abou the Business Valuation Report Amazon. Answer: Introduction of the Company- Amazon Based in Seattle, Washington, United States of America, Amazon is a leading online retailer. Found in 1995, the company has expanded to different parts of the world such as the Asia Pacific, North America and Western Europe. The Company can be divided into three domains namely International, North America, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). As far as the North America segment goes, the focus is on boosting the retail sales of consumer products from sellers as well as subscribers. it can be achieved through the official websites of different countries such as www.amazon.com.mx, www.amazon.com, and www.amazon.ca. Additionally, its North America segment deals in export sales too through these websites. Talking about the International segment, revenue comes from the sale of consumer products, majorly through the sellers and subscriptions via official websites. Just like the other domain, even here sales would be generated through export sales from its official websites referring to different countries including the United States, Mexico and Canada. Furthermore, the AWS segment generates revenue through the sales of database, computer storage, and many other AWS service offerings to government agencies, new businesses and academic institutions. Though the company started with selling books online, over a passage of time, they have managed to diversify to different product segments including apparel, electronic and home improvement products. Even though the e-commerce industry has had a rough time in between but Amazon managed to sustain the pressure. Amazon gained its first annual profit in 2003, and since then, it has performed consistently well each year. The company competes with other market players including Barnes and Nobles, and Ebay.com (Ebay). With the current market capitalisation amounting to 726.73USD, the company has been forging ahead to make an exceptional mark in the industry. Financial Analysis Profitability The company's profitability has improved by 0.16% for a full calendar year touching the mark of $1.2 billion (Owens, 2016). It was during the same quarter last year that the company suffered from a loss of $57 million. Thus the recent statistics only show the growth company has made in the past year. The most prominent change witnessed in the last one calendar year is the emergence of Amazon Web Services as a strategic asset. Of all, its the cloud-computing arm of Amazon which witnessed a high growth rate and a positive margin as compared to other domains. In the first quarter, AWS generated revenue of $2.57 billion, a 64% growth during the same quarter a year ago, and Amazons e-commerce business enjoyed a stupendous 25.6% year-over-year growth. While Amazons e-commerce business reported an operating margin of less than 2% in the quarter, AWS reported an operating margin of 23.5%, thereby significantly contributing to the percentage of revenue (Owens, 2016). The company posted its fourth straight profit through a 28% sales increase (Pramuk, 2016). Given the stifling market competition, Amazon Web Services managed to report a sales increase of 64%to $2.57 billion from the mark of $1.57 billion in the prior-year period (Pramuk, 2016). Alongside, the sales figures matched the forecasts in both its North America and international units. While the North America reported sales at $16.99 billion, a 27% increase from $13.41 billion in the previous year, the International revenue increased by 24% to $9.57 billion from $7.75 billion, thereby surpassing the popular estimates. Its expected that for the second quarter, Amazon will achieve the net sales in between $28 billion to $30.5 billion, which marks 21 to 32%growth from the previous year. Amazon.com Inc'sannualizedReturn on Equity (ROE)for thequarterthat ended inMar. 2016was14.58% (gurufocus.com, 2016). This goes on to prove that the company has managed to make the best out of the investment to drive it towards growth and success. Also, it enhances the market value of the company as investors decide to put their bet on the profitable companies in the market. The annualReturn on Assets (ROA)for thequarterthat ended inMar. 2016was found to be 3.24% (gurufocus.com, 2016). Though the company suffered from the ROA from the year 2013 to 2014, the value managed to improve from 2014 to 2015, thereby surpassing the level seen during the year 2013. Working Capital Analysis As far as working capital is concerned, the company has managed to maintain a positive cash flow with the maximum amount $1,450 in 2007. As of the first quarter of 2016, the value of working capital stands at $4.84 billion from $5.58 billion in fourth quarter 2015 (wikiinvest.com, June 6, 2016). It only goes on to show the capacity of the company to pay off its short-term liabilities and operating expenses. It is calculated as the difference between current assets and liabilities. Working capital indicates the capacity of the companys operation strength. If to analyse in the context of efficiency, Amazon has managed to effectively utilize its assets in generating sales as compared to the other market players. This validates Amazon's effective inventory and asset management as well supported under the influence of low profit margin and low pricing strategy. Asset Turnover ratio indicates how efficiently a company converts its asset through sales from different products. The revenuefor the company for the three months ended inMar. 2016touched the mark of $29,128 million. The average value of the total assets of the company in the quarter that ended inMar. 2016was$63,286 million. Henceforth, Amazon.com Inc's asset turnover for thequarter that ended inMar. 2016was0.46. Based on the industry standard, Amazon is surpassing the market standards. As for the assets turnover ratio, the company managed to achieve the value of 1.91 in the first quarter of 2016 despite the increase in the revenue (csimarket.com, 2016). The value stands at 1.98 in the Q4 of 2015. Within retail sector, the company had earned the top spot in asset turnover ratio. Till now, the company had attained the highest asset turnover ratio of 9.92 as on Sep 30, 2005 (csimarket.com, 2016). Conclusion Based on Amazon's current performance and the way it has managed to surpass the market estimates, there is fair chance that the company will have a strong growth trajectory as backed by the low pricing strategy coupled and the famous free shipping model. Amazon has been making strategic moves in order to fit into the stifling market competition in different markets. Amazon has pushed its market share in the e-commerce segment in the US from 22% last year to 26% this year, as per Macquarie Research (Wahid, 2016). If Macquarie Research analysts are to be believed, then the company has managed to gain 51 cents from every additional $1 spent on online retail items in the US. As there seems no closure to the shopping trend, the company will continue to ride high on its e-commerce model in the times to come. As per some market analysts, nearly half of the households in the US would become Prime members by 2020, an increase of 25% from the existing value (Wahid, 2016). The company has been making many strategic moves in order to develop its strength. For instance, the e-commerce giant Amazon has been eyeing the huge Indian market to increase its influence outside the U.S. It would not just be making capital investment but would be planning to acquire some starups to consolidate its presence in the region. It has recently acquired Indian payments company Emvantage Payments Pvt. Ltd, though the amount hasnt been disclosed yet (Rao, 2016). Just like PayPal, Emvantage would make it easier for online merchants to accept credit and debit cards. Given its long term strategic vision, the company aims to develop and strengthen payment service system for e-commerce in India. In the same vein, the company had acquired Zappos.com and enhanced version of Kindle to boost the sales for the company and hence the profitability. These strategic steps reflect the approach of the company and its confidence in gaining an edge over other competing firms in different pro duct segments around the world. As the company has shown encouraging financials, the annual profit is expected to increase in the years to come. Given its strong financial results amid the tough economic situation, it has boosted the confidence of the customers on the company. As it enjoys the status of a market leader in online retail, its sales are going to increase in the near future. Given the projected global online sales of $2.05 trillion in 2016, there is sufficient scope for other industry players to give tough competition to Amazon. With strong prospects for growth, shares of the company has increased 277% over the past five years, thereby expanding the market capitalization to $323 billion, surpassing Walmarts $197.5 billion. As per the Wall Street analysts, the 12-month target price for the share of the company is $746.60, thereby reflecting a return potential of 8.3% (Wahid, 2016). References Csimarket.com. (2016). Amazon Com Inc Asset Turnover Ratio (AMZN), from first quarter 2016 to first quarter 2015 current and historic results, rankings and more - CSIMarket. [online] Available at: https://csimarket.com/stocks/singleEfficiencyat.php?code=AMZN Gurufocus.com. (2016). Amazon.com Inc (AMZN) Asset Turnover. [online] Available at: https://www.gurufocus.com/term/turnover/AMZN/Asset%252BTurnover/Amazon.com%2BInc Owens, J. (2016). Amazons best new feature: Profitability. MarketWatch. Retrieved from https://www.marketwatch.com/story/a-new-day-for-amazon-2016-04-28 Pramuk, J. (2016). Amazon blows past earnings estimates, shares pop 12%. CNBC. Retrieved from https://www.cnbc.com/2016/04/28/amazoncom-reports-q1-earnings-results.html Rao, L. (2016). Amazon Just Acquired This Payments Company. [online] Fortune. Available at: https://fortune.com/2016/02/16/amazon-acquisition-india/ Wahid, N. (2016). Can Amazon.com, Inc (AMZN) Stock Sustain the Upward Rally Going into 2016?. [online] Businessfinancenews.com. Available at: https://www.businessfinancenews.com/27121-can-amazon-amzn-stock-sustain-the-upward-rally-going-into-2016/ Wikinvest.com. (2016). Change In Working Capital for Amazon.com (AMZN) - Wikinvest. [online] Available at: https://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Amazon.com_(AMZN)/Data/Change_In_Working_Capital

What Was the Role of the First World War on Mussolinis Transition from Socialism to Fascism Essay Example

What Was the Role of the First World War on Mussolinis Transition from Socialism to Fascism Essay What was the role of the First World War in Mussolini’s transition from Socialism to Fascism? Mussolini’s controversial transition from his Socialist roots to leader of the Fascist Party has been bewildering to many, particularly those who perceive it as a sudden and random change. However, many historians, such as O’Brien, have suggested this transition was not so random; Mussolini’s political shift from the Left to the Right was the result of World War One. Italy’s entry into the war in 1915 divided the Italian Socialist Party (PSI), which led to Mussolini’s expulsion and his rapid political evolution. On the other hand, Gregor argues that Mussolini’s underlying revolutionary nature was the main reason for his change, as it directed his beliefs to adopt various ideologies that conformed with his desire for revolution. Conversely, Payne argues that Nationalism completed the establishment of Fascism. This essay will explore these three arguments in order to understand whether Mussolini’s transition from Socialism to Fascism was the result of the war, his revolutionary nature, or the influence of Nationalism. O’Brien has argued that the developments in the First World War guided Mussolini’s political transition from Socialism to Fascism. We will write a custom essay sample on What Was the Role of the First World War on Mussolinis Transition from Socialism to Fascism specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on What Was the Role of the First World War on Mussolinis Transition from Socialism to Fascism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on What Was the Role of the First World War on Mussolinis Transition from Socialism to Fascism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Italy’s intervention into the war, to Mussolini’s personal experience in the trenches and the disastrous Battle of Caporetto all contributed to Mussolini’s political evolution. Italy’s intervention into World War One in 1915 signified a pivotal point in Mussolini’s political career. As a Socialist, Mussolini was expected to promote the neutrality of Italy in the war, which he initially did. In the Socialist paper, Avanti, Mussolini declared that Italy should remain neutral, as Italy had not started the war, and it would sacrifice many working class lives. However, Mussolini’s view on intervention soon changed (at least publically), as he began to express pro-interventionist writings in Avanti. In October 1914, Mussolini argued that the PSI had always supported the allies, therefore intervention would not be altering their beliefs and that war could be seen as an opportunity for revolution. Furthermore, he argued that neutrality was risky and it would have consequences, particularly for Italian expansionism if the Allies or Central Powers annexed territory Italy desired, such as the Balkans. However, the Socialists did not agree and 20 October 1914, Mussolini was expelled from the PSI. Thus, the issue of intervention demonstrated how Mussolini’s beliefs evolved from the start of World War One. On the other hand, Mussolini’s apparent change of heart from neutralist to interventionist was not really a change. Not only was interventionism consistent with his revolutionary Socialism, he had already published and agreed with the syndicalist, Panunzio’s, pro-intervention articles in his personal paper, Utopia in November 1913. Nevertheless, although the intervention issue may not have altered Mussolini’s views significantly, he was expelled from the PSI as a result, which had a considerable impact on his beliefs afterwards. Thus, intervention could be seen as the architect of his political evolution. Similarly, Mussolini’s personal experience in the trenches contributed to the development of his political beliefs. Mussolini joined the war in August 1915, which awakened his patriotism. He also became less anti-military. However, Mussolini’s patriotism has been identified from as early as 1909. During his time in Trentino, Mussolini became associated with Battisti; his strong patriotism for Italy inspired Mussolini. Furthermore, as a socialist, Mussolini had always stressed that Socialism was against Nationalism, not the nation. Nevertheless, his sense of national unity and tolerance of the military were expressed during his time in the trenches and represented a fundamental change in his political thought. It also demonstrated his tendency to adapt his views in response to changing circumstances. The Battle of Caporetto in October 1917 had a huge impact on the development of Mussolini’s political attitude; for the first time he identified with the Nationalist movement. Indeed, De Felice believes that this disaster was largely responsible for Mussolini’s transition to Fascism. The Battle was a surprise German and Austrian offensive on the Italian Army, which resulted in the collapse of the Italian Front and many deaths. This was worsened by the Italian General Cadorna; he blamed the soldiers and destroyed their morale. Mussolini defended the soldiers and wanted justice. The Nationalist movement had a similar attitude. The Battle of Caporetto enhanced Mussolini’s attitude towards the military and brought him closer to the Nationalist movement and right-wing politics. Thus, the developments in World War One created huge political unrest at home, which altered Mussolini’s political thinking and attitudes towards socialism, the military and the nation. These changes were significant in Mussolini’s transition to Fascism, therefore the war did play a central role in Mussolini’s political evolution. Alternatively, Gregor has argued that Mussolini’s transition to Fascism was the result of his revolutionary nature, as he only adopted beliefs that were congruent with his desire for revolution. This has been supported by the idea that Mussolini never truly belonged to any political Party. Indeed, Mussolini’s political beliefs from his Socialist days appear to be a culmination of borrowed ideologies from Marxism, Socialism and revolutionary Syndicalism. Although by fifteen years of age Mussolini called himself a socialist, he rejected moderate socialist ideas of reform on the grounds that it was conforming to bourgeois society and was passive. Thus, he was more influenced by Marxism. He despised the bourgeoisie and traditional institutions, such as the Catholic Church and the military, as they apparently repressed the proletariat. Consequently, he believed that class confrontation and revolution by the proletariat would resolve this repression. Mussolini opposed Parliament, as he believed they were too self-involved to transform Italy from a backward State. He also despised Nationalism as it apparently endorsed the vested interests of the bourgeoisie, church, military and monarchy. Thus, Mussolini’s political attitude was a combination of the radical aspects of Marxism, Socialism and revolutionary Syndicalism, whilst disregarding moderate aspects, such as reform. This supports the idea that Mussolini was simply a revolutionary, not committed to any one Party or ideology and that this is the reason he was able to adopt Fascism. On the other hand, it may have been Mussolini’s influences (particularly in his youth) that led to this mixture of beliefs, rather than his lack of loyalty to any one ideology. Mack Smith believes that Mussolini’s father had the greatest influence on his political attitude. His father was a radical socialist, often in prison, and Mussolini spent a lot of time with him and his socialist associates. However, as a young man, Mussolini became more influenced by Marx than Socialism. Furthermore, during his time in Switzerland in 1902, Mussolini became familiar with revolutionary syndicalists, such as Michels and LeBon(who wrote about crowd psychology; crowds apparently needed myths to motivate them ) and Panunzio (who was against reforms). Thus, Mussolini was surrounded by politics from a young age, which may explain why he was inspired by so many different ideologies. However, it is more likely that these influences reinforced his natural revolutionary instincts. Indeed, some of these ideas that influenced Mussolini were later seen in the Fascist regime, such as myths around the Duce. This therefore reiterates Gregor’s argument that Mussolini’s revolutionary nature led him to adopt views that complemented his desire for revolution and was therefore open to any Party that would provide this, including Fascism. On the contrary, Payne has argued that Mussolini’s Fascism was the result of the Nationalist movement. Whilst Mussolini’s ideas evolved from Socialism, through revolutionary Syndicalism, Nationalism completed the transition. Indeed, once Mussolini was expelled from the PSI, he needed to support someone new; and so turned to the revolutionary Syndicalists who were also pro-intervention. This demonstrated Mussolini’s tendency to change according to political situations, and the importance of the ideologies he turned to. Indeed, the revolutionary Syndicalists were significant, as they had parallels with the Nationalist Party (ANI). These included violence that would lead to a revolution of the classes, imperialism and class hierarchy. They both believed that intervention into the war would create revolution, thus demonstrating unity of the Left and Right. Furthermore, syndicalists, such as Michels, stressed the importance of uniting the classes to protect the Italian nation. This highlights the element of national consciousness in Syndicalism. These overlaps demonstrate the influence of the National movement on Mussolini’s development. By adopting revolutionary Syndicalism, Mussolini was essentially adopting elements of Nationalism, which thus influenced his journey to Fascism. On the other hand, the disaster at Caporetto had a major impact on Italy’s political situation and created more support for the Nationalists. It was the reaction of the Nationalists after Caporetto that influenced Mussolini. Caporetto signified intense disillusionment with the current government and created national unity amongst the Italians. Cadorna’s blaming of the soldiers created anger and Corradini (a lead figure in Nationalism) believed soldiers should be rewarded. This aligned with Mussolini’s view; he believed the government should boost the morale of the soldiers by uniting the nation and promoting revolution. Thus, Mussolini identified with the Nationalists for the first time after Caporetto, which may have increased his willingness to adopt Nationalist ideas in the following years. The Red years, beginning in 1919, completed this and symbolised Mussolini’s complete abandonment of Socialism. These years were characterised by strikes and national unrest. They not only brought a decline in the support for the PSI (due to fear of communism), but also created a state of confusion, particularly amongst the bourgeoisie, as to which Party to support. Mussolini recognised this situation as an opportunity to create a revolution, and thus appealed to the bourgeoisie to support him, as he knew the Proletariat were loyal to the Left. He thus concentrated on motivating the bourgeoisie into revolution against the Socialists and Liberal Government (Nationalist element). This is another example of a fundamental change in belief. As a socialist, Mussolini had empahsised the importance of a proletariat revolutuion, but now he empahsised a revolution induced by the bourgeoise. The Red years are thus an example of how Mussolini adapted his views in response to a situation and manipulated them to achieve his aims of revolution. In this sense, Nationalism was the final factor that drove Mussolini to adopt Fascism; particularly due to the lack of a political doctrine on the Fascist part. Indeed, in 1923, the Pact of Fusion incorporated the Corradini and Rocco’s National Doctrine into Fascism. Thus, Payne’s argument that Fascism was the ultimate result of the Nationalist movement is demonstrated by the parallels of Nationalism in Mussolini’s revolutionary syndicalist thought and the growing similarities between Mussolini’s and nationalist attitudes during the failures of the war. The Red Years completed Mussolini’s gradual attraction to Nationalism, his abandonment of Socialism and led to him embrace right-wing politics. Overall, Mussolini’s transition from Socialism to Fascism was not random. The war certainly transformed Mussolini’s political career forever and made him sympathetic to the politics and institutes he had always hated; the military and Nationalism. Furthermore, World War One intensified his national consciousness, particularly his experiences in the trenches and the disaster of Caporetto. Indeed, it was essentially his patriotism that connected him to the Nationalist movement. In this sense the war did play the central role in Mussolini’s transition; in the end it was the Nationalist doctrine that defined Fascist ideology. However, Mussolini’s revolutionary nature no doubt drove all his political decisions. From a young age, he was a radical and greatly inspired by his radical father. This meant that he was open to any political Party that promoted radical ideas and can explain why he was so willing to abandon ideologies that did not conform to this, such as Socialism. Indeed, his revolutionary instinct seems to be the only thing that was consistent throughout Mussolini’s political development; from the very beginning of the Fascist movement he promoted violence and revolution which lasted until 1943. Payne’s argument, therefore, connects O’Brien and Gregor’s approaches to Mussolini’s adoption of Fascism. Whilst the war changed his political career and made him more aware of Nationalism, and his revolutionary instincts made him open to radical change, Nationalism completed it. Without the war, Mussolini may still have been in the PSI, therefore would have avoided Nationalism, and without his revolutionary instincts, he would not have been open to adopt right-wing politics, even if it was radical. Furthermore, without the Nationalist Party, there would not have been Fascism, as it was national unity that gained the Nationalist movement support and it was Corradini and Rocco’s Nationalist doctrine that formed the basis of Fascist ideology. Thus, although the First World War transformed Mussolini’s political career, and led to the evolution of his beliefs as a result, and although the Nationalist movement completed his transition to Fascism, Mussolini’s revolutionary nature seems to be the central reason for his abandonment of Socialism and adoption of Fascism. It was this that prevented his full commitment to any Party and made him open to other political ideologies. From Marxism and Socialism, to revolutionary Syndicalism and Fascism, Mussolini’s revolutionary instincts determined the political decisions he made, which resulted in his changing views. Even if the war had never have occured, Mussolini’s desire for revolution would have motivated him to respond to alternative events and political crises that would have developed his beliefs. The war just speeded up this process due to the failures of war and incompetent government to resolve the situation. Furthermore, without the war, Nationalism would still have had the same ideology and alternative political events would have led Mussolini to join this movement. Thus, his revolutionary nature maintained one consistent idea throughout Mussolini’s transition; the desire for revolution, and he would not have rested until the opportunity occurred.

Europe and Its Foreign Policy Essays

Europe and Its Foreign Policy Essays Europe and Its Foreign Policy Essay Europe and Its Foreign Policy Essay Mariaclara Ingrid Ludovici EU relations with the world Nowadays, the EU has adopted a foreign policy that has been modified and improved over time thanks to a series of treaties. It has been introduced to maintain EU values, interests, independence, and integrity of the Union. EU foreign and security policy has the aim of strengthening the Union’s security by keeping peace and promoting cooperation, democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. It is connected with four main aspects: trade, foreign direct investment, development, and monetary policy. Other fundamental factors related to it are the increasing process of enlargement and cooperation, and international relations. Those elements have been introduced to built relations not only with countries close to the EU, but also with those far away. A great tool of European? Foreign Policy is also its system of justice and home affairs established to bring peace, and create economic interdependence among European countries. Between the main goals of the European Union, one of those could be to extend frameworks between all the partner states regardless of their diversity. Moreover, the EU has the purpose of improving relationships with other countries, such as Turkey, Russia and China with whom it has an ambivalent rapport. Therefore, this paper is going to explain and discuss the basics, tendencies, approaches and possible future roles of EU foreign policy. EU foreign and security policy has been created together with its growing economic and political policy. The first forms of regular meetings aimed at coordinating the European foreign policy arose during the 1970s between EU ministers of foreign affairs. Later, due to an increasing threat of international terrorism and regional conflicts in Europe during the 1990s, EU leaders decided to create a formal method for diplomacy and intervention. As a result, in 1993 they established the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). It has been designed to allow Member States to coordinate and assert the EU’s identity, and to preserve values, interests, independence, international security and integrity of the Union. Furthermore, it has been created to consolidate international cooperation, develop the rule of law and democracy, and to promote respect for human rights. All of the EU’s major institutions are essential for EU foreign policy, and CFSP decision-making procedures are intergovernmental. The European Council is in charge for foreign policy, defining policy principles, activities, strategies, and general guidelines (A Guide for Americans, 26-27). In addition, in 1999, European leaders decided to establish a EU Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) considered as a part of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy. It occurred because there was the need to improve and strengthen security and operations related to it, such as peacekeeping, monitoring, and conflict prevention. Under the ESDP structure, EU member states has been able to organize and send civilian and/or military operations in many countries, for example in Southeast Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Georgia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (A Guide for Americans, 26-27). In order to reach a great success and expansion of the ESDP, in 2009, substantial innovations thanks to the Treaty of Lisbon were introduced: the ESDP became the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP). The Treaty of Lisbon was organized to introduce the concept of solidarity and mutual assistance between all EU Member States if another Member State was attacked. In addition, other two measures were introduced within the Lisbon Treaty: â€Å"enhanced cooperation,† and â€Å"permanent structured cooperation† (A Guide for Americans, 26). The first one was addressed to deepen military cooperation of at least nine member states. The second one, controlled by the European Defense Agency, was aimed at providing a strong defense system, which every country could carry out. Eventually, the treaty updated targets of CSDP: humanitarian works, peacekeeping, stabilization, crisis management, assistance in other countries, disarmament operations, and antiterrorist actions (A Guide for Americans, 26). Another important tool of EU foreign policy is its external economic policies where its trade power is seen as a method for negotiations, promising benefits, assistance, and so on. It is a way to present conditions to other countries if they are willing to access the EU market (Hay and Menon, 403). In fact, European foreign policy has really strong forces that are connected with its global economic policies. It presents four main aspects: trade, foreign direct investment, development, and monetary policy. External economic relations are built especially for trade with other countries. Except for the agriculture regime that is pretty protectionist, the EU’s trade is moved by liberal system. Also the monetary policy became really important since the advent of euro. Nowadays, this currency encompasses 12 out of 27 EU’s member states (Hay and Menon, 391-395). The EU’s approach is also bound to the promotion of its values and models abroad. However, EU foreign policy is made stronger and more effective when there is unity among its member states (Bindi). Finally, another central role in EU foreign policy is played by the strategic partnership between the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in order to keep regional stability and peace. In particular, this cooperation has been planned for crisis management, anti-terrorism, nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and so on. An example showing the relationship between these two institutions can be descripted by the EU’s assumption on March 31, 2003, of NATO’s mission, called Operation Concordia, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. There, EU Member States and other nations sent around 400 troops. That was the first time in which the EU led a military mission (A Guide for Americans, 26). However, in order to better understand and explain how Europe approaches foreign policies, it is appropriate to consider some diplomats’ thoughts exanimating international relations in the twenty-first century, such as Cooper with his liberal vision. He thinks that there are three types of states in the world, and the way in which they are classified depends on how they deal with each other. In the world there are countries without fully functioning states that are called â€Å"pre-modern,† nation states dealing with territorial sovereignty and national interest, known as â€Å"modern† states, and then countries whose foreign and domestic policy are deeply connected, governance means are shared, and the control of territory and of power is not the only method to keep security. This last kind of state is called â€Å"post-modern. Through this distinction, Cooper also confronts the United States and Europe’s different approaches. The U. S. is more hegemonic, and seeking for control, also military if necessary. Europe, instead, has a more defensive attitude, and more compatible with human rights and cosmopolitan values. These characteristics make America a â€Å"modern† entity, while Europe a â€Å"post -modern. † It is still not really clear the situation of the U. S. It sometimes acts as a â€Å"post-modern† entity as well, even though it owns really strong military forces, and it is not cared to use them (Cooper). In fact, Cooper says, â€Å"Americas aim, like everyone else, is to preserve its national security. Sometimes commentators refer, slightly incredulously, to Americas wish to be invulnerable† (Cooper, 45). However, post-modernism influences the nature of European foreign policy: its political and economic environment of interdependence and cooperation make Europe a post-modernist world. Its foreign policy is based on compromises and negotiations controlled by a multinational hegemony. Europe is ruled by international and regional law (Cooper). In contrast to the modern state system based on national political sovereignty, there is no longer the distinction between domestic and foreign affairs in post-modern countries. Everything is done for the good of all, not just for domestic interest. In contrast to America, which has adopted a realistic view in acting for its own national interest regardless of moral values, Europe is acting as a liberal force fostering democracy and free-market capitalism. In fact, another interesting point is the fact that Europe has become really strong in its democratization strategy. The EU has been able to promote human rights, democracy and integration in various countries, also in some formerly communist countries. The EU community has never had fear to share its sovereignty with different countries, or to be subjected to international institutions’ activities. On the other hand, even though in the US documents and in its ambitions human rights and democracy are two fundamental points, the US still remains reluctant in front of human rights treaties, such as that in favor of the International Criminal Court. US contemporary international relations are hindering American interests. The US has a realistic attitude, and it is the sole superpower in the world. This condition shows that every restriction of US’ sovereignty can have a negative effect on the country. For example, just the idea of an international court controlling American citizens could not be seen positively for US judicial process because the court could limit the US power (Hay and Menon, 418-419). The EU is â€Å"essentially post-modern and highly moralistic, values-based stance† (Hay and Menon, 419). Although the US could stand the introduction of international human rights system, these values could not be compatible anymore, especially talking about gun control, death penalty, abortion and the part of religion in public life (Hay and Menon, 419). The diversity between the liberal EU and the realist US is clarified by Kagan’s realist ideology also to better explain the EU foreign policy. According to him, Europe has its own method to deal with the others. That method is completely different from those of the other countries, such as the U. S. In fact, he affirms that â€Å"Americans are from Mars and Europeans are from Venus: they agree on little and understand one another less and less. † Europe is moving toward a world of laws, rules, transnational negotiation and cooperation. On the other hand, the United States continue exercising power depending on the possession and use of military forces. According to Kagan, the transatlantic division is deep. The United States and Europe work separately, especially in setting national priorities, determining threats, defining challenges and establishing foreign and defense policies (Kagan). The U. S. , less willing to work cooperatively, is less patient with diplomacy than Europe. The U. S. easily introduces punitive sanctions, and favors policies of coercion and punitive sanctions. Europeans, on the contrary, have more nuance and sophistication. They are more tolerant of failure and prefer peaceful solutions, negotiation, and diplomacy. â€Å"They often emphasize process over result, believing that ultimately process can become substance† (Kagan). However, there is a scholar called Wendt who has another ideology. He thinks that foreign policies depend on the concepts of interest and identity. According to him, governments should treat these elements as dependent variables, because states’ identity and interests are easily affected by anarchy. Wendt critiques realist and liberalist viewpoints by saying that â€Å"they change behavior but not identities and interest† (Wendt, 392). Realism is only concentrated on power of the state. Moreover, they think â€Å"states are the dominant actors in the system, and define security in self-interested terms† (Wendt, 392). Liberalism, in stead, is only the expression of collective good focusing on process, but this is not sufficient. These two ways of thinking are unable to make a state functional. According to Wendt who has a constructivist approach, constructivism is the fundamental way to study how the system affects state identities and interests. If governments know how this system works, they can â€Å"construct,† change, and improve people’s minds. So, America and Europe should adopt this ideology instead of approaching in a realistic or a liberal way in foreign policy. Wendt argues that, if ideas change all times, international institutions can also change state identities and interests. It is a great method to make a state effective and functional, because it is connected with the concept of self-help. The concept is based on interactions between states, and, according to Wendt, it can be improved by norms-based constructivism, the only ideology that can account for changes in the system (Wendt). EU tools are not just those related to the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), but also the EU’s past successful enlargements and relations with the neighborhood. With the passing of time, the EU has obtained more popularity, in particular for its promise of democratic incentives and change in the region (Bindi). In fact, democracy is one of the three primary themes of the EU foreign policy. The other two are rule of law and respect for human rights. Cooperation between states is not systematic, and, if a state wants to join the EU, it should handle a deep and radical change in its government’s foundation. Another tool of European? Foreign Policy can its system of justice and home affairs. The EU was established to bring peace, and create economic interdependence among European countries. For this reason, military cooperation was not really considered given that NATO and the United States were in charge for providing military defense in Western European countries. However, the EU made some changes. With the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), and then, the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), Europe integrated the innovative element of the EU’s military capability. The ESDP/CSDP represents a significant transformation: â€Å"In 1999 the European Council of Cologne decided to provide the EU with the capacity for autonomous military action, backed by military forces, as well as the means to decide to use them in responding to international crises† (Bindi, 73). However, it was with the establishment of the Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice (AFSJ) that there was the first attempt of the EU to pass from a more â€Å"civilian power approach† to a â€Å"multidimensional power,† more capable of managing actual threats. The AFSJ, in fact, is a â€Å"security strategy based on the project of developing regional stability abroad, and the issues covered by the AFSJ are respect for human rights, respect for the rule of law, guarantees of personal freedom, the right of defense, and freedom of movement† (Bindi, 77). Moreover, an interesting key point of EU is the relationship with its neighbor countries. The European Neighborhood Policy (ENP) has been an interesting change for the EU by creating stability across its borders beyond the member states. European foreign policy has been able to extend frameworks between all the partner states regardless of their diversity. However, European Union’s outcomes and dealing skills with its eastern and southern neighbors could be capable of determining the success or failure of the ENP (Bindi). Nevertheless, not all relations have been easy to establish for the EU. For example, the relation between the EU and Russia is made by an alternation of attraction and rejection. The eurozone crisis is having a negative impact in the EU neighborhood, especially in Russia. Furthermore, EU member states adopted different positions on Russia, and this is not bringing unity in the EU’s foreign policy. Because Russia has a great geopolitical importance, EU has the aim of improving its relations with this country. This situation could have important consequences for international relations. (Bindi). In the past few years, other developments occurred in the relations between the EU and other two countries: Ukraine and Belarus. Under the presidency of Viktor Yanukovich, Ukraine is becoming to be less western-oriented. On the other hand, the EU has isolated Belarus with sanctions imposed some year ago. The only way to improve the relation with these countries could be: engaging of Russia and making this country less aggressive. The European Union could â€Å"try to create regional conditions for a win-win situation and to avoid any initiative that insults Moscow’s sensibilities† (Bindi, 145). The Western Balkans is another important region in which the European Commission, the EU Council, and individual member states play a fundamental role. Because in the Lisbon Treaty it has not been established the way in which to deal with these countries, the EU’s policy in Western Balkans is a mixture of enlargement, and common foreign and security policy. However, the future enlargement of the EU will probably concern those countries, but this will occur only by strengthening membership negotiations in the Western Balkans and with Turkey (Bindi). In fact, the membership of Turkey is one of the main goals of the EU with whom Turkey still continues to be ambivalent in negotiating (Bindi). The European Neighborhood Policy (ENP), however, refers to Mediterranean non-member states as well. For example, the EU should be careful to Arab countries due to the rise of China and India. The Arab region could become more dependent on the Mediterranean region in order to import its products. Therefore, the EU should always be tolerant and compromising with this region, such as in protectionism in agriculture or limited mobility. This attitude would be really advantageous for the EU that could attain beneficial relations with its neighbor states (Bindi). Also the relation with the Middle East should not be underestimated, and the European member states should enhance their presence in the region. So far, the EU has not really had positive interactions with the Middle East. The EU was concerned not about Middle East foreign policy, but about instability or illegal immigration (Bindi). Regarding the relations between the EU and the other continents, it can be said that the Lisbon Treaty has been relevant for transatlantic relations. However, the EU’s and the U. S. ’s really complicated institutional structure and arrangements in decision-making have not been resolved with this Treaty. The Lisbon Treaty, in fact, changed the â€Å"domestic politics,† namely those politics referring to cooperation and antiterrorism efforts. So, it did not resolve the fact that transatlantic relations did not develop at the same level with those changes in the EU. Because of from both sides lack the effort to keep and enhance these relations, the two regions could drift apart (Bindi). Nowadays, the relationship between The U. S. and the EU is based on tropes and lead lines. The way in which these two entities handle the issue between Palestine and Israel could be a good example to show their diversity. USA is working with Israel and considers Palestine untreatable. On the other hand, Europe is treating those countries more equally. On the contrary, Canada is relatively more interested in developing trade and cooperation with the EU, although recent trade relations have been deteriorated due to some problems with the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP). Europe should pay attention to this situation to avoid that Canada shifts its attention toward other parts of the world, like East Asia (Bindi). The EU’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean increased soon after Spain and Portugal joined the EU, and it is principally a trade relationship. The relationship is very beneficial especially because of the Hispanic banks. In addition, the EU is not only a model for integration, but also one of the biggest donors in this area (Bindi). With regard to the relationship between the EU and Africa, this latter has always played an important role in European foreign relations since the Treaty of Rome. Three major agreements between the EU and Africa have been introduced: the Yaounde Convention, the Lome Convention, and the Cotonou Agreement. The EU is hyperactive in Africa, in particular for European interests, such as for security and migration issues, but also for better aid in the African countries and improvement of trade deals (Bindi). The EU’s relation with East Asia is increasing in trade, investment, development, market access, and other aspects of foreign policy. Nevertheless, the EU is not really seen as a united community. The euro crisis, for example, is undermining the idea of a possible adoption of the EU model in East Asia (Bindi). For example, China’s relationship with the EU became really strong, in particular between 2003 and 2005. However, for a shift in the EU’s strategy toward China, and the euro crisis causing Europe’s industrial decline, Europe started to consider China more as a competitor and a threat for European development and production. Another negative factor for China-EU relations was the election of more assertive politicians in Europe who made some European countries, such as France and Germany, pretty aggressive toward China. In addition, because of the lack of unity in Europe, China is forced to deal with each European country individually, and reaching agreements became more difficult and slower (Zhiqin). Finally, while the United States is strengthening its presence at military bases in South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, Europe is losing its influence there, because the EU is not integrated in the territory (Zhiqin). The U. S. is always present in East Asia. In fact, Caira writes, â€Å"China has become more aware of the weight of transatlantic relations, of the connections between the China-EU relationship and the EU-U. S. relationship. It has become aware that the relationship is in fact triangular† (Bindi, 268). As a consequence, the future role of Europe in world affair may be related to making stronger relations with other countries, not only with the neighbors, but also with the others more far away. For example, the EU could think to improve the Sino-European relations. The best solution to do this is trying to better understand each other’s ideals, interests, and culture. This could lead to a great approach and cooperation (Zhiqin). Its external economic policies could be a powerful aspect for negotiations, promising benefits, assistance, and so on. It could be a way to set conditions to other countries if they are willing to access the EU market. Moreover, because there is a bipolar currency dividing the world in US dollars and EU euros, there could also be stronger competitiveness and pressure between the two currencies. It is crucial to manage these conditions in order to avoid instability in the international financial system. The monetary policy also affects the process of enlargement, in particular about the costs of enlargement for those countries being willing to, or waiting for being members of the EU (Hay and Menon, 285-289). Democracy promotion is at the center of both U. S. and EU strategies in their foreign policies. Democracy could be a fundamental instrument for achieving their primary foreign policy goals, such as security, economic prosperity and peace (Bindi, 303). So far, for six decades, the European Union obtained Nobel Peace Prize for peace in Europe. The EU has been able to transform Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace† (Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to European Union). Because of recession, financial problems, and social unrest in many member states, the EU faced the biggest crisis of its history. However, the EU has been capable of maintaining the principle of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights (Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to European Union). The way, in which all these forces will affect the future outlook for European foreign policy-making, could also depend on the process of enlargement. It could be a possible tool to spread European influence not only close to its boundaries, but also throughout the world. The benefits of becoming a member of the EU would be so appealing and astonishing that even more countries would join the European Union. This situation could be a great inducement for political and economic reforms in states wishing to satisfy the EUs accession criteria. Finally, another important EU force for the future could be its approach with human rights. The EU is patient with diplomacy and willing to work cooperatively instead of favoring policies of coercion and punitive sanctions. For the fact that Europeans have more nuance and sophistication, in the future they would always opt for peaceful solutions, negotiation, and diplomacy. In conclusion, member states have reached great accomplishments over time in EU foreign policy. Anyhow, it can be made stronger and more effective if there is unity among its member states. It promotes humanitarian works, peacekeeping, stabilization, crisis management, assistance in other countries, disarmament operations, and antiterrorist actions. The EU’s approach also consists in promoting its values and models abroad by creating relationships throughout the globe. In he future, in fact, a further process of enlargement and competitiveness between EU member states and the other countries could affect the European Union’s foreign policy. Peaceful solutions, negotiation, and diplomacy will be the key of its power. Works cited: * A Guide For Americans: The European Union. Delegation of the European Commission to the U nited States. Mar. 2011. 26-35. Print. * Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to European Union. BBC News. BBC, 10 Dec. 2012. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. * Bindi, F. M. The foreign policy of the European Union, assessing Europes role in the world. Washington, D. C. : Brookings Inst Pr, 2010. 1-348. Print. * Cooper, Robert. The Breaking of Nations: Order and Chaos in the Twenty-First Century . Grove/Atlantic , 2004. 1-55. Web. * Hay, Colin, and, Menon, Anand. European politics. Oxford University Press, USA, 2007. 274-290 and 386-424. Print. * Kagan, Robert. Power and Weakness. Power and Weakness | Hoover Institution. Hoover Institution, 1 June 2002. Web. 21 Oct. 2012. * Wendt, Alexander. Anarchy Is What States Make of It: The Social Construction of Power Politics. Ic. ucsc. edu. Spring 1992. p. 391-425. Web. * Zhiqin, Shi. Understanding China-EU Relations. Carnegieeurope. eu. Carnegieeurope, 15 Oct. 2012. Web. 21 Oct. 2012.

Biography of Samuel Alito, Supreme Court Justice

Biography of Samuel Alito, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. (born on April 1, 1950) is a Supreme Court justice who has served on the court since January 31, 2006. He is known for being one of the most conservative justices in modern history. His nickname is Scalito because his political views and judgments are similar to that of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Fast Facts: Samuel Alito Occupation: Justice of the Supreme Court of the United StatesBorn: April 1, 1950 in Trenton, New JerseyParents: Samuel Alito and Rose (Fradusco) AlitoEducation: Princeton University, AB, 1972; Yale University, JD, 1975Key Accomplishments:  National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Special Achievement Award for Public ServiceSpouse: Martha-Ann (Bomgardner) Alito  Children: Philip and LauraOffbeat Fact: Alito is a  longtime fan of the Philadelphia Phillies. Early Life and Education Samuel Alito Jr. was born to Samuel Alito Sr. and Rose (Fradusco) Alito on April 1, 1950 in Trenton, New Jersey. His father was an Italian immigrant and his mother was  Italian-American. Both of them worked as schoolteachers. As a child, Samuel Alito Jr. grew up in the suburbs and attended a public school. He participated in a wide range of clubs and was the valedictorian of his senior class. After high school, he attended Princeton University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science. Alito then enrolled in Yale Law School and graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1975. Early Career Alito had dreams of sitting on the Supreme Court when he was still at Princeton, but it would be quite a few years before he achieved that goal. Between 1976 and 1977, Alito worked as a law clerk for Leonard I. Garth, a Nixon-appointed judge on the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In 1977, Alito took a job as the Assistant US Attorney for the District of New Jersey, and in 1981, he began serving as the Assistant to the US Solicitor General. Alito held this job until 1985, when he became Deputy Assistant to the US Attorney General. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan appointed Alito as the US Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Alito continued to climb the ranks in the courts. In 1990, he was nominated to the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Newark, New Jersey by President George H.W. Bush. A few months after the nomination, the Senate unanimously confirmed Alito with a voice vote. He would serve as a judge on this court for 16 years. During that time, he had a record of issuing conservative opinions. For example, he was of the opinion that women should be required to notify their husbands about planned abortions and was the only dissenting voice in a 3rd Circuit ruling that struck down a Pennsylvania law, known as the Pennsylvania Abortion Control Act of 1982. Supreme Court Nomination Sandra Day OConnor, the first woman to serve on the US Supreme Court, retired in 2006. She was a conservative, Reagan-nominated Justice. Although she sided with the other conservative justices in most cases, she wasnt always predictable in her decisions and was commonly viewed as the swing vote. When OConnor announced her retirement, Republicans hoped for a more conservative replacement. President George W. Bush originally nominated John Roberts for the seat, but withdrew the nomination. Harriet Miers was President Bushs second nomination, but she withdrew when it became evident that there was widespread opposition to her nomination. President Bush nominated Samuel Alito for OConnors seat on October 31, 2005. The American Bar Associations Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary gave Alito a well-qualified rating, which is the highest rating that can be received. Many conservatives and pro-life advocates applauded the nomination, but not everyone supported Alito. Democrats expressed concern that he was a hard right conservative, and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) formally opposed the nomination. The Senate eventually confirmed Alitos nomination in a 58-42 vote. Alito was sworn in as an associate justice to the US Supreme Court on January 31, 2006. Legacy During his tenure as a Supreme Court justice, Alito has proven to be a reliable conservative vote. He has used his interpretation of the law and his political ideologies to shift the law to the right in several areas, including womens reproductive rights and religious liberty. Some of the biggest cases he has worked on during his Supreme Court tenure include Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, Morse v. Frederick, and Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Inc. Each year, the Supreme Court takes on blockbuster cases related to some of the most divisive issues in the country. This means that Justice Samuel Alito has plenty of opportunities to add to his legacy and leave his ideological mark. Sources Gorod, Tom Donnelly Brianne. â€Å"None to the Right of Samuel Alito.†Ã‚  The Atlantic, 30 Jan. 2016, www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/none-to-the-right-of-samuel-alito/431946/.Houck, Aaron M., and Brian P. Smentkowski. â€Å"Samuel A. Alito, Jr.†Ã‚  Encyclopà ¦dia Britannica, 29 June 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-A-Alito-Jr.â€Å"Samuel Alito Fast Facts.†Ã‚  CNN, Cable News Network, 28 Mar. 2018, www.cnn.com/2013/02/03/us/samuel-alito-fast-facts/index.html.

Digital Economic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Digital Economic - Essay Example competition is a factor that is brought about by the fact that there are many sellers, who in turn make the firms that are available to be price takers. It also includes the sale of homogenous products. Because of this, as is the case that is presented by Thomson, there are chances of both easy entry and exit. However, it is involved with the perfect knowledge about the product, as well as adequate information about their pricing. The speculations were raised because, with the explosive growth of the internet, it was thought that there would be the availability of perfect information on the prices and products at the fingertips of most of those involved. With this, the consumers would be better placed to get the best deals. Thus, it was perceived that it would be a brave world whereby the profit margins of retailers would be competed away and they would be forced to price at a cost. They thought that the internet would reshape the world of commerce by dominating most of the businesses in existence within the established trading environments. As such, it would in the long run attain a position of dominion within the global market. However, the current trends in internet retailing have revealed that this has not happened as the earlier commentators have realized that most of their speculations were rather overblown since the high street market has weathered the storm. This is mainly because the retailers who are taking part in the activities are not making their own custom cannibal; the marketplace is not being fully dominated by the virtual merchants and the fact that the high streets have not been completely put out of business. Thus, most of the predictions that were made at the dawn of the internet era have not come to reality. This is in spite of the fact that some of speculations have come to pass. They include the vital role that is currently being played by the electronic intermediaries, especially on the aspect of making one-on-one marketing become a

Critically evaluate Althussers and Marcuses critiques of capitalism Essay

Critically evaluate Althussers and Marcuses critiques of capitalism - Essay Example Althusser advanced a progressive critique of humanism, historicism, and empiricism, which he depicted as the medium of the influence of bourgeoisie ideology on the modern Marxist theory. Althusser’s collection of essays titled Pour Marx (1965) and Lire de Capital (1965) inspired a number of new left thinkers. He focused on the mature Marx as exhibited by his analysis of alienation in the capitalist society. The essays represented intellectually hard-line Marxism but not dogmatism. Althusser attempted to employ Marx’s tools such as mode and means of production to probe the production of Marxian knowledge and highlight its uniqueness from other philosophical systems. This aided in promoting the credibility of Marxism as a science. Althusser confronted contemporary softer interpretations of Marx’s work. In particular, he sought to reread Western Marxist theory and free it from Soviet dogmatism, as well as humanistic interpretations (Michael 2011, p.134). Meanwhile, he wanted to reinstate their pace in the class struggle. Pour Marx is considered as the founding text of the school of structuralism in Marxism. Although he refused to be labeled as a structuralist, he used structuralism to abolish the â€Å"knowing subject† as the centre of thought and action. According to Althusser, Marxism is not an ideology or a world view but a revolutionary science. He holds that Marxism should ultimately be the science of society. He claimed that Marx had introduced a theoretically plus practically revolutionary philosophy such as dialectical materialism (Ferretter 2006, p.32). According to Althusser, the â€Å"epistemological rupture† witnessed around 1845, climaxed Marx coming out as a ‘scientific’ theorist. Althusser wanted to sever ties from idealist (Hegel’s philosophy) and materialist (Feuerbachian) philosophies. Althusser adopted the method of â€Å"symptomatic reading,† which is a deep analysis of structures

The Gap Inc Essay Example for Free

The Gap Inc Essay Doris and Don Fisher is the founder of GAP INC. The first GAP store that opened by Doris and Don Fisher is in year 1969.The first store was opened at San Francisco, USA. The reason of why Don Fisher opened a GAP store was simple because Don Fisher could not find a pair of jeans that fit him. Don Fisher was a third-generation of San Franciscan. His great-grandfather, Samuel Fisher, arrived in San Francisco from New York in the1860s which is a decade after the discovery of gold transformed California. Don was born to Sydney and Aileen Fisher on 3 September 1928. His father was a cabinetmaker. He learn the way to do business from his father cabinetmaker business. Path to Gap  Don Fisher face both succeeded and failed as an entrepreneur between1950 to 1960. In the mid-1960, Don Fisher working with his father branched out to start his own business. His own company is doing refurbished old hotels. He bought the Capitol Park Hotel in Sacramento. After buying the hotel, he leased space to Levi’s salesman to opened a showroom. On one day, Don Fisher go the Levi’s store and could not get a size suite him which is 34 waist and 31 length. This situation led to Don Fisher opened the first Gap store on Ocean Avenue. The Gap was inspired by the idea of â€Å"The Generation Gap†. Don Fisher had 2 important quotes which are â€Å"change or fail† and â€Å"never say no when you can say yes†. The Gap, INC. is a leading international specialty retailer with five brands which are GAP, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta and Piperlime. There are also Outlets stores available like Gap outlet, Gap Generation and Banana Republic Factory Stores. The Gap, INC. world headquarters is at San Francisco Bay Area. The Product Design departments are at New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles and London. There are over 3,200 stores worldwide. There are more than 3,100 Company-operated stores across United States, United Kingdom, Canada, China, France, Ireland, Japan and Italy. In the year 1987 , the first Gap store outside the United States opened in the UK. About 200 franchise stores located across Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The Gap, INC. growing globally, and just last year, the Gap INC. opened their first store in China, Australia and Italy. The Gap, INC. Expanded their products through online shopping services which were offered to customers worldwide. Today, over 80 countries customers can easily buy Gap INC products. The Gap is a retailer offering clothing, accessories and personal care products for men, women, children and babies. Recognition In year 2009 , The Gap, Inc. was awarded by Womens Wear Daily. The Gap Inc. was ranked in the top Ideal employers chosen by undergraduates who were interested in the fashion, retail and apparel sector. Besides that, The Gap, INC. also awarded by Time Magazines 25 Responsibility Pioneers. The Gap, Inc. ranked No. 23, alongside mostly individuals and just three other companies who are changing the world. Time Magazine described our commitment to doing what’s right: At Gap, responsibility is in style†. In the Newsweeks Green Rankings list, an environmental ranking of Americas 500 largest corporations, the Gap Inc. was ranked 38 overall and 3rd in the retail industry, wastewater treatment at denim laundry and steps to promote sustainable agriculture for cotton. In year 2010, Gap Inc. ranked seventh among specialty retailers in the list of Worlds Most Admired Companies. The Gap Inc. was chosen as one of the Worlds Most Ethical Companies in recognition of the Gap INC commitment to ethical leadership and corporate social responsibility for the fourth straight year. Product produced by the company GAP Gap is an iconic retail brand, it offers an inventive American style. Customers can express their individual sense of style with clean, classic clothing and accessories by Gap. Gap which had their first store 40 years ago, continues to build its brand presence around the world. Gap was founded in year 1969. The brand Includes Gap, GapKids, babyGap, GapMaternity and Gapbody. Besides that, Gap outlet is the leading retailer in the outlet attracting customers with unexpected, versatile, trend-right looks at an unbelievable affordable value.The gap outlet was founded in year 1995. Banana Republic Banana Republic is accessible luxury that brings modern, soulful, effortless and versatile style for men and women around the world. Banana Republic designs, luxurious fabrications at approachable prices. The Banana Republic products include apparel, handbags, jewellery, fragrance and eyewear. Banana Republic was founded in year 1978. Besides that, Banana Republic Factory Store was also available since year 1997. Banana Republic Factory Store is for exclusive designs and great fashion at outstandingly high prices. Old Navy Old Navy design fashion and value to the whole family. From newborns through adults, Old Navy offer on-trend, modern clothing and accessories, as well as updated basics. The unique, dynamic stores provide an exceptional shopping experience for shopping lovers. Old Navy will ensures that the customers find a great, quality products at good value. Old Navy was founded in year 1994 and was named after a bar in Paris. In 1997, Old Navy became the first retailer to reach one billion in their annual sales less than four years of operation. Piperlime Piperlime is online fashion boutique targeted on all online shopers. Piperlime inspires their customers with a fresh and unique mix of products, brands and prices. Exclusive contributions from guest editors keep our customers in fashion and in the know. Piperlime was launched in year 2006. Athleta Athleta designed the ultimate performance apparel and gear for every active woman. For women athletes, they road-test, court-test and water-test everything themselves to ensure that each item they offer feature the perfect balance, performance and style. Athleta was founded in year 1998, but Gap INC. acquired Athleta in year 2008. Target customer Gap INC came out with different range of clothes and accessories to suit every customer. Gap have range from adult to kids. Banana Republic targeted customers which looks for luxury clothes and accessories. Old Navy put their target on family from young to old. Piperlime targeted their customers who always bought goods online. Athleta targeted on females who love sport activities. In conclusion, Gap INC came out with different range and types of clothing and accessories to suit all different customers. Gap INC is targeting everyone either professional or low income customers. Penetrating into foreign markets The Gap INC was successful in United States market for a period of time. Gap INC started growing into foreign markets. The Gap INC have competitors like Calvin Klein INC, Benetton Group so Gap INC has to expand to other region. The Gap INC first international store was in London. After that, the Gap stores soon sprang up throughout the United Kingdom, Canada, and France. Modes of entry The Gap INC have both franchises and company operative stores. The region which have about 200 franchise stores are in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Besides that, the Gap INC have about 3100 stores across United Kingdom, United States, Canada, France, China, Ireland, Japan and Italy. Global Consumer Preferences The Gap success is provide merchandise that suite to customers fashion taste. The time consume to reach every purchases is slow, so I cannot respond to new or changing fashion trends or consumers acceptance of my products. Our global specialty retail business fluctuates according to changes in consumer preferences ,dictated in part by fashion and season. Due to the time consume to reach my customers, our fashion trends will be slower and customers will go to my competitors and this situation will affect my company sales. The out dated fashion have to mark down and sold. For example The Gap INC United States Selling the 2012 spring fashion but in Singapore, there are still selling winter fashion. Globalised Production My products are manufactured by independent third parties. As result of out sourcing, my product are directly affected by the increases of cost. For example the cotton price increase will directly affect my company gross profit. If the current manufacturer charges my company with high price, I will get a new manufacturer. When I go for new manufacturer, there will be delays in production and added costs as a result of giving training to new vendors in making my products, quality control standards, and environmental, labour, health, and safety standards. The delay on production will affect the sales and net income of company. Due to globalised production, the finish goods need to transport from manufacturer to retailer of different nations. There are possible of delay in the shipment and delivery time. The factors that causes delay are availability of transport, work stoppages, port strikes, infrastructure congestion. If the goods are requested goods, I need to arrange for faster tran sport such as by air. The time of transporting goods from air is faster but the cost of transport are high. Technological Innovations Apparel and fashion industry has experience a rapid change in technological changes over the years. The fast changes has lead to a more sophisticated, with a significant apparel and fashion items present in the present time. Due to comfort and aesthetic value and being friendly to environment, the new fashion use the latest development of many different technologies. The utilisation of new software and technology for faster production and marketing, the software and technology helps the employees done their jobs easier and error free. The technology changes as the apparel and fashion demand and quality change. The Gap also concern about the changes in technology will affect the environment. For example a new invented machine can produce more apparels and environment friendly. Management Across Culture The Gap have different design of clothing according to festive or seasons. In Chinese New Year, Gap will come out with red colour as the theme colour and for 2012 there will be dragon on the design. During Christmas ther will be Chrismas themes apparel coming out. General Business Environment A business firm is an open system where a company gets resources from the environment and supplies goods or services or both to the environment. There are internal and external forces in business environment. External forces may be related to national level, regional level or international level. Under the environment forces, there are opportunities or threats to business community. All business organization tries to grasp the available opportunities and face the threats that emerge from the business environment. External environment cannot change by business organization. Company can only change the internal environment to grasp the external opportunities and face the external environmental threats. A business want to survived and to get success in the industry, the company have to analyze business environment by managers so that we could persue effective business strategy. Political Apparel and fashion industry also affected the by globalization trend which due to the construction of import international facilities and establishment. Every country have their own trade regulation and policies , because of the regulations and policies, company’s operations may be impaired. Some country control the entrance of foreign company and affected the operations of the company. Some country implement high tax to the company as a control. This situation will affect The Gap on expanding to foreign market.

Brave New World :: essays research papers

Brave New World   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is an excellent book. The story accurately depicts the variation between a fictitious â€Å"utopia† and our present world. His vivid descriptions of the events and rituals of the utopians make the story a very quick read.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The story starts out with a group of students learning about the way each member of the population is produced. The DHC explains how each person is predestined for a certain class and job and throughout the fetal growth time, you are conditioned to the environment that job entails. At certain points of their â€Å"assembly line† each embryo is exposed to heat or light to condition the body for certain environments. After birth, the babies are conditioned to like or dislike certain things like books or light. By doing this, the Utopians believe that they will have happy workers and prevent revolutions. The children are constantly exposed to messages that are imprinted in their mind. These messages are designed to have an impact on their thinking and are more mechanical than mental.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lenina Crowne and Bernard Marx come into the picture after learning how things work. They both work at the hatchery and have been dating, but she starts dating Bernard Marx instead. Bernard is a deformed but highly intelligent man who takes Lenina to a savage restoration. At the reservation, they meet John and his mother Linda, whom was the girlfriend of the DHC and John is his son. Lenina and Bernard take, with permission, Linda and John out of the reservation. Bernard and a friend introduce John to the new world. Lenina tries to make advances toward John but his savage attitude doesn’t allow it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The downfall of John begins with the death of his mother in the new world. John goes crazy and tries to induce a revolution among the utopians that work at the hospital. He leaves to escape his nightmare, but cannot avoid the people. The Utopians drive him to suicide, which was his only option to escape the new society.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the most scientifically interesting parts of the book is the description of the Bokanovsky process. The process allows one egg to multiply into 96 other eggs. This is the basis for a society like this one.

Unit 201- Child and Young Person Development

Unit 201- Child and young person development 3. 1 Identify the transitions experienced by most children and young people 3. 2 Identify transitions that only some children and young people may experience e. g. bereavement 3. 3 Describe with examples how transitions may affect children and young people’s behaviour and development Most children and young people will experience the following transitions: * Starting Nursery or reception * Going from part time to full time education * Going from infant to junior to secondary school * Starting to arrive or leave school alone Starting puberty * Exams * Starting college or higher education Some Children and young people may experience the following transitions: * Divorce * New partners * Step siblings * New siblings * New pets * Family members dying * Pets dying * Contracting, or recovering from, illness * Going into care * Moving house and changing schools * Abuse * Moving countries * Older siblings moving out of home * Injuries * Bec oming disabled * Becoming a carer All of these things will have an effect on a child or young person’s development and behaviour. Ways that a child’s development or behaviour could be affected include: * Being traumatised- A child may block an event from memory and in rare cases, can block out the whole world. This can lead to psychologically becoming blind, deaf and mute. * Becoming attention seeking- If a child has experienced a transition that means they get less attention they may act out in ways they would not normally act, breaking things, shouting, swearing etc because they crave attention and know they will get a reaction from adults * Uncharacteristic behaviour- using actions and language they would not normally use, not always to get attention. Children and young people may be looking for an escape, or a way into a new social circle. * Being anxious or nervous- Change in routine can affect a child because disrupting their normal day to day life brings in uncertainties, things they cannot control and new people who they do not yet trust. * Becoming withdrawn- children can often become withdrawn after any kind of transition, they can be found sitting alone, playing alone, and are less responsive, if they respond at all. It is important to try to get the child to interact with other children as well as adults. * Self harm- Not to be confused with attention seeking, if a child has had a dramatic transition, they may turn to self harm to help them feel better. Most people who self harm are never found out, because they do not want to be found out. This usually only happens in extreme situations, and is very unlikely to happen to anyone younger than 12. It is important to report any concerns about a child that may be self harming.

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

Octavia Estelle Butler was an American science fiction writer, one of very few African-American women in the field. In 1979, she published Kindred, a novel which uses the science fiction technique of time travel to explore slavery in the United States.THESIS STATEMENTButler takes on and redrafts the Slave narrative by portraying the true circumstances of slavery as a long dark period during which the blacks were denied individuality and even humanity.INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXTThe novel relates the story of Dana, an African American woman living in 1976 who is repeatedly thrown back in time to the ante-bellum south. She is summoned by her ancestor, Rufus, from the time he is a child through to adulthood. Rufus is white and from a slave owning family. Dana is placed in the difficult position of making certain that Rufus and Alice have a child, Hagar, who is Dana's direct ancestor Each time she travels back in time, she stays longer, and comes back only when her life is in danger. She sto ps getting sent back in time after she kills Rufus.Jobs assigned to the slaves in the house and in the fieldsEnslaved people had to clear new land, dig ditches, cut and haul wood, slaughter livestock, and make repairs to buildings and tools. In many instances, they worked as mechanics, blacksmiths, drivers, carpenters, and in other skilled trades. Black women carried the additional burden of caring for their families by cooking and taking care of the children, as well as spinning, weaving, and sewing.The family structure of the slaves and the social relationships among the slavesSlaves married, had children, and worked hard to keep their families together. Black men, women, and children developed an underground culture through which they affirmed their humanity. House servants would come down from the â€Å"big house† and give news of the master and mistress, or keep people laughing with their imitations of the whites.the relationship between slaves and their mastersBecause t hey lived and worked in such close proximity, house servants and their owners tended to form more complex relationships. Black and white children were especially in a position to form bonds with each other. Black children might also become attached to white caretakers, such as the mistress, and white children to their black nannies. Because they were so young, they would have no understanding of the system they were born into, as Dana reveals, â€Å"Without knowing it, they prepared me to survive† (pg94 Kindred) African American women had to endure the threat and the practice of sexual exploitation.There were no safeguards to protect them from being sexually stalked, harassed, or raped, or to be used as long-term concubines by masters and overseers. Soon after her last child is born, Alice runs away again because she fears that she will â€Å"turn into just what people call her† (pg 235 Kindred). She fears that she will lose her sense of self and accept her position as sexual chattel†.CONCLUSIONSince the beginning of anti-African American reaction through our existing contemporary society, slavery carries on to be a contentious and inconsistent issue.   Slavery affects each individual living within the United States borders and throughout our world.  No subject in the American past has provoked greater discussion and inflamed more controversy than slavery. From the arrival of the first Africans at Jamestown in 1619, through the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, to contemporary historical debates, the presence and enslavement of Africans has been defended, attacked and analyzed.WORKS CITEDOctavia E. Butler (1979) Kindred, Page 94 and 235. Retrieved on 1st November 2006