Minimum Legal Drinking Age Debate Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Minimum Legal Drinking Age Debate - Essay Example They are therefore at a higher risk of harming or even killing themselves and other people by engaging in drinking before age 21. In this paper, I will be arguing that MLDA21 has been effective and therefore should be maintained. Minimum Legal Drinking Age is a controversial topic in the United States. The MLDA in the United States is set at the age of 21 whereas 90 percent of the countries around the world have set lower MLDAs. Interestingly young adults in the countries that have lower MLDA seem to consume alcohol in a more proper way while binge drinking and alcohol poisoning continue to present as serious issues in America. This phenomenon has raised a growing public concern with groups like Choose Responsibility beginning to call for lowering of the MLDA to 18. On the counter argument is Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) who proposed the MLDA 21 in 1984 back with the federal government’s support. The original purpose of setting MLDA at the age 21 was to curb the rise drunk driving presented which was a serious issue at the time. There are more hidden benefits of this law that have been realized along the way of its implementation. MLDA 21 has been effective in preventing not only drunk driving but also reducing the spread of drug use to lower age groups and thus lowering the MLDA may cause spillover effects through the introduction of alcohol-related issues to younger populations. In July 2008, more than one hundred university and college presidents signed the Amethyst Initiative, calling for public debates and reconsideration of the Minimum Legal Drinking Age. As a voice of those who demand to lower the MLDA continued to get louder and louder, Jeffrey A. Miron, a senior lecturer of Harvard University, wrote an article on Forbes discussing the background factors.  

Study case (Information Resources Management) Essay - 5

Study case (Information Resources Management) - Essay Example The two should start with a baseline understanding of all the items of IT that the company spends its money. After identification, they should focus on helping the company develop strategies that will help focus on the highest value spending from the standpoint of supporting the business units (Rabin 202). The process will involve an understanding of the IT’s contribution to the business units that posed as intermittent and contentious in the past. They should aim at creating a process to start a dialogue between IT and the business units. The CIO should ask the consultant to help him in analysis of the portfolio and budgeting, provision of discipline and structure that enables him to sort through and get to the business cases for IT spending (Law 307). The CIO should develop insights that will enable the business leaders and the IT management to put up processes that will lead to IT priority agreements. It will also enable the process of creation of a detailed, pragmatic and dynamic view of key IT initiatives and objectives (Rabin 203). The CIO should initiate strategies that will lead to development of clear, business-focused, and flexible action plans. The CIO and the IT experts should device ways that will educate the business-unit leaders as to how IT could be directly integrated into their business plans and become a key enabler to achieve results. Apart from reviewing the effectiveness of the company’s global IT budget, the CIO should also consider the elements of the strategic plan and device ways to ef fectively implement the resolutions (Rabin 204). One of the executive level decisions that can be made in order to influence the directions of the company is developing a CIO authority and pulling the CEO to support the authority based on consultant documentation (Law 309). Decision-making is the core of all business activities. The executives should set strategies and weigh a variety of factors to arrive at the desired balance of risk

Christianity And Buddhism | Comparison

Christianity And Buddhism | Comparison The homogeneity in religious beliefs is characteristic of most societies in the entire world. This paper critically examines and explores the advent of Buddhism and its comparison with Christianity. It intends to explore these two forms of religion by discussing some of their fundamental beliefs and practices and their aspects that are incompatible. The outline of these differences should therefore enable one to distinguish Christianity from Buddhism. The practices and principles of Buddhism are founded on such virtues as peacefulness, loving kindness and wisdom. Among the fundamental Buddhists beliefs is their conviction and belief that a happy life full of fortunes is actually possible to attain by all humanity irrespective of ones age, race, gender or social status (Netland Yandell, 2009). However, the fundamental beliefs in Christianity are purely founded on ones faith in the Messiah and ones conviction in Him as the savior. A happy life is purely the reserve of those who walk in the ways of righteousness and holiness. Fortune is not existent according to the biblical principles. The only fortunate people are those whose names have been written in the book of life having overcome the world of sin by believing in the only son of God, Christ the Messiah. Thus, in Christianity a happy life is considered a blessing from God that one enjoys when he/she lives a righteous life. Thus in this, Christianity remains incompatible with Bud dhism (Netland Yandell, 2009). A close examination of some of the fundamental differences between Christianity and Buddhism revels that whereas Buddhism is founded on the principles of coolness and tolerance and that there exists certain truths in Buddhist doctrines, it is not compatible with the truths enshrined in Christianity (Archibald, 2009). The Buddhists do not believe in the existence of the almighty God. Therefore they do not have any discussions about rewards and punishments on the judgment day. However, Christianity and even contemporary science assert that there is actually one almighty God the creator of the heavens and the earth. According to Christianity, the God who created everything has absolute authority to administer justice to all people because he is a just God. Therefore, god punishes all injustice and sin because He is righteous and holy. Punishment and reward that is not outlined in Buddhism exists in Christianity and these are associated with judgment and accountability for ones sins (Net land Yandell, 2009). Buddhism is basically a religion that is not practiced in the context of faith and loyalty to a supernatural being. It is based on deeds that help to lighten suffering so that one can attain a state of enlightenment. Buddhism is thus founded on faith where creation and not the creator are worshiped (Archibald, 2009). The cycle of re-birth outlined in the teachings of Buddhism lacks evidence and is the cause of a shifted attention towards creation. Contrary to this, Christianity believes that man is not out rightly good but is born a sinner and therefore needs to be saved. Whereas Buddhists believe that one can save himself, Christianity refutes this on the basis that one can never save himself. According to Netland Yandell, (2009) salvation is only receive through Christ the messiah through the divinely given grace who reconciles all that have received him back to the father, who is the creator. Because Buddhism does not recognize sin, the concept of the savior is conspicuously lacking. Even though those practicing Buddhism seek refuge from Buddha, they do not believe that such refuge in Buddha makes one pure (Archibald, 2009). In Christianity however, the only way to salvation and for purification is through believing Jesus and accepting Him in ones life for eternal life. The relationship that exists between Buddha and the followers of Buddhism can be likened to that of a student and a teacher. This implies that Buddha is thus not an incarnation of God as some Hindu followers assert, but in Christianity, Jesus is the incarnation of God Himself (Netland Yandell, 2009). Therefore while Buddhists try to purify themselves through meditations, giving up of worldly materials, Christianity maintains that all these can never make one right or save one (Netland Yandell, 2009). In the discussion of the destiny man, it is widely believed in Buddhism that upon death, one will later come back to live as another human being on earth. Archibald, (2009) cites that this cycle of birth and re-birth thus continue until one is eventually set free. In Christianity it is believed predestined that one dies physically once and after this death comes judgment. After judgment has been passed there is life after death. Them that overcome judgment shall resurrect and the spirit and the body shall then re-join. In this there seem to be some compatibility between the two religions. However, in Christianity the conditions of life after death are wholly based on once ability to maintain and lead a holy and righteous life. Such predisposition lacks in Buddhism. Wickedness thus leads to everlasting punishment and indignation. Buddhists devotedly worship their gods although none of these gods is a true god. Christianity on its part however, has a different understanding God. So whereas Buddhism is polytheistic, Christianity believes in one sole supreme God (Netland Yandell, 2009). Buddhists believe that they can attain the same level as Buddha once they reach a state of enlightenment. It is conspicuously clear that the beliefs and practices of Buddhism are full of pessimism while Christianity is founded on the principles of optimism. While Buddhists consider life as full of distress Christianity is always optimistic and devotes itself to the service of humanity. The more one serves in faithfulness the more one glorifies God and thus gains access to the blessings of God. The incompatibility between Christianity and Buddhism is further postulated in the beliefs and practices about food and eating. On this the doctrines of Buddhism appear to be too strict while Christianity is more liberal (Netland Yandell, 2009). In Buddhism, one is strictly required to be a vegetarian. Christianity presents all types of food as having been sanctified and fit for human consumption. Eating of chicken or eggs is believed to have the power to make one behave like a chicken. Further, eating of such creatures is considered to make one subject to retribution in the life to come. In this therefore Christianity appears superior to Buddhism as it gives one liberty to use all the creations for his needs (Archibald, 2009). In fact man was given complete authority and dominion over all the creation in the beginning of Gods creation. While these two religions appear incompatible in many ways, there are certain aspects of both Christianity and Buddhism that seem to be consistent. Most religions world over including Christianity and Buddhism has the ethic of reciprocity. This principle seems to be governing authority on interpersonal relationships. It defines how one should treat one another (Archibald, 2009). For example, Christianity is based on the golden rule that dictates that one should do unto others what he would wish to be done to him/her. Morality as a theme appears conspicuous on both Christianity and Buddhism. The only difference and probably where Christianity is doing better than Buddhism is the fact that in Christianity morality is enforced by the requirements for eternity. Moral decadence in Christianity thus leads to judgment and punishment on the last day while this is not conditioned in Buddhism. Enforcement and adherence to the conditions of morality is thus strict when compared to Buddhism (Net land Yandell, 2009). When the two accounts are compared it is apparent beyond any reasonable doubt that Christianity clearly gives a detailed and unambiguous account of God and the creation. Such an account has even been proved by modern science (Netland Yandell, 2009). Christianity postulates that there exists one true and supreme God who created everything in existence. Buddhists however, do not believe in the existence of one God but rather worship many gods. Christianity is founded on Biblical principles that are more comprehensive than Buddhism (Archibald, 2009).Thus there are far reaching reasons as to why one should consider Christianity than Buddhism. Whereas both religions are centered behind some historical figures; Jesus and Buddha, only Jesus is presented to have conquered death (Netland Yandell, 2009). Discussions of cycles of birth and re-birth thus lose ground in Buddhism because the central figure did not conquer death but is an image. It is only through Christ that one is cleansed of sin and purified. Good deeds wealth as presented in Buddhism does not make one right with God. In Buddhism, atonement of sin is believed to come when one adheres to karma that is impersonal and amoral. Thus whether one sins or remains righteous karma is not offended because karma is not a person. Only God reconciles one to Himself through the blood of Jesus who was crucified for the atonement of sins of those who believe in Him. The way to eternal life is to believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and not being morally upright (Archibald, 2009). Conclusively, Buddhism and Christianity are two distinct religions with beliefs that are peculiar to each other. Generally the beliefs and practices in Christianity are informed and treasured because compliance to the doctrines makes one right with God. Furhther, the principles of Christianity are supported and easy to explore and follow contrary to those in Buddhism.

The Selfish Gene Essay -- Biology Essays Research Papers

The Selfish Gene "We are survival machines—robot vehicles blindly programmed to preserve selfish molecules known as genes." -- Richard Dawkins, The Selfish Gene (1). Can genes alone determine your DNA's place in the next generation? Are humans simply vessels for these genes? With his provoking work entitled The Selfish Gene, Richard Dawkins attempts to answer such questions as he proposes a shift in the evolutionary paradigm. Working through the metaphor of a "selfish gene", Dawkins constructs an evolutionary model using a gene as the fundamental unit of selection, opposed to the more commonly accepted belief of the species as the unit of selection. This "selfish gene", possessing a certain selfish emotional nature, acts as an independent entity fighting to ensure its replication in future generations, maximizing its number of descendents (2). Those successful in replicating have made the most of their given environment (1). For the interests of this paper, is it valid to assume that natural selection occurs at the level of DNA? Hence, what can be implied about genetic predispositions? For Dawkins, evolution of a species is dependent upon the transmittance of this information to the next generation; the individual species is irrelevant (2). This theory is a departure from Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, which concentrates on the species. Species, to Dawkins, are "survival machines" whose purpose is to host these genes, as species are mortals and fleeting, whereas genes are not (2). Is it valid to assume Dawkins position that humans are merely "robot vehicles"? This concept, alienating emotion, physical, and cultural growth from evolution, can be startling. By placing the importance of natural selec... ... , The opening pages of and selections from Dawkins work http://www.world-of-dawkins.com/Dawkins<br>/Work/Books/selfpage.htm 2)The Selfish Gene Theory, Explanatory site providing overview of theory http://bovination.com/cbs/selfishGene%20Theory.jsp 3) The Selfish Gene?" Reason in Revolt , Genetic issues and Dawkins discussed http://www.marxist.com/rircontents.asp Works Consulted 4) In Defense of Selfish Genes , Dawkins refute to claims made about his theory by Mary Midgely http://www.royalinstitutephilosophy.org/articles/dawkins_genes.htm 5) Selfish Genes and Social Darwinism , Counterarguments for Selfish Gene Theory http://www.royalinstitutephilosophy.org/articles/%20midgley_genes.htm 6) The Selfish Gene: The Underpinnings of Narcissism , Further discussion and implications on Selfish Gene Theory http://samvak.tripod.com/journal43.

Evidence Informed Decision Making Report Essay

Introduction This paper will discuss wound care, the effectiveness of saline versus water when cleaning wounds, and the experience of patients undergoing long term wound care. The purpose of this report is to demonstrate understanding of evidence informed decision making, researchable questions, searching the available evidence and research designs. Background Webster’s Dictionary by Guralnik (1970) defines a wound as â€Å"an injury, especially one in which the skin or another external surface is torn, pierced, cut, or otherwise broken.† Wounds can be acquired from accidents or from medical procedures such as operations or surgeries. Anytime a patient acquires a wound, the care given to the person and at the site of injury is an essential part in the healing process. Proper wound care can prevent further complications, infections, and preserve function. It involves cleaning, examining and bandaging. Wound cleansing or â€Å"irrigation† the steady flow of a solution across an open wound surface to achieve wound hydration, remove debris, and to assist with the visual assessment. The irrigation solution is meant to remove cellular debris and surface pathogens contained in wound exudates or residue from topically applied products. Cleansing methods may differ between individual health care providers, institutions, or facilities but the irrigation solution chosen can have a significant impact on healing outcomes and therefore should be chosen carefully with supporting evidence. Quantitative Study Design The study design that provides the highest level of evidence to answer the identified quantitative PICO question is a Randomized Control Trial (RCT). According to McMaster School of Nursing (N.D), a RCT involves â€Å"individuals who do not have the outcome of interest in mind and are randomly allocated to receive the intervention or standard of care or conventional treatment (comparison group), or no intervention (control group) and followed forward in time to determine whether they experience the outcome of interest.† This design was chosen because its strengths involve â€Å"gold standard to test the effectives of a treatment/intervention, and decreased bias through random allocation† according to McMaster University School of Nursing (N.D). Random allocation of participants within the experimental group is preferred as unbiased results can be achieved and which prevents the data from being skewed. Specifically in this case, if patients know their wounds are being studied for the outcome of infections, personal behaviors or hygiene techniques could be altered during this time, which may influence the results. Qualitative Study Design A phenomenological study design is most appropriate to answer the identified qualitative study question because it explores the â€Å"lived experiences of people† which are subjective according to McMaster University School of Nursing (N.D). In this case, phenomenological studies fit best as the answer being sought is the experience for wounded patients under going wound care. Literature Search Quantitative Search A â€Å"Summaries† level study was found called â€Å"Emergency nursing resource: wound preparation† from the National Guideline Clearinghouse database. The â€Å"Summaries† level is found at the top of the 6S hierarchy pyramid of pre-processed evidence. A summary study was used because it was the first level to be explored and provided the highest level of evidence to fully answer the quantitative PICO question. Furthermore, when a relevant â€Å"Summaries† level study is found, there is no need to go further down the pyramid as the â€Å"Summaries† level contains essentially a summary of the information available at the lower levels. Regarding my research strategy, I first started looking at the RNAO Best Practice Guidelines. I began browsing by topics, however a topic on wound care was not available. I proceeded to use the manual search bar where I intentionally used a broad search term of â€Å"wound care† with the quotations around it. This only yielded only one result, which was not relative to answering my question. I thought that even if I used a more specific search request, I would not find any different results as even the broadest term yielded nothing helpful. From there, I moved onto the National Clearinghouse Guideline database. This is where I found my first relevant study called â€Å"Emergency nursing resource: wound preparation†. I found that using asterisks, quotation marks, and capitalized ANDs helped me be successful in finding the research I needed. Also using different combination of search terms and synonyms, I was able to refine my search to the point where I found my first relevant study. The exact terminology I used was â€Å"‘wound prep*’ AND ‘water’ AND ‘saline’†. This generated two results, which was beneficial as the results were focused and specific to what I was searching for. I found another summaries level study from the DynaMed database called â€Å"Laceration Management†. I was able to find this study on my first try using the term â€Å"wound irriga*†. Because irrigation could refer to either water or saline, I found it more effective to use the root of â€Å"irrigation† as it yielded better results. Please see Appendix A for a copy of the search history. Qualitative Search When conducting a search for my qualitative question, I first started at the â€Å"Synopsis of Single Studies† level of the 6S pyramid. I searched three databases from this level including Evidence-Based Nursing, Evidence-Based Healthcare and Public Health, and Evidence-Based Medicine. Unfortunately I was unable to find a phenomenological study to accurately answer my qualitative question for patients undergoing wound care. Since none of these databases had what I was looking for, I moved onto the next level of the 6S pyramid, which was â€Å"Single Studies†. I was much more successful here. The first database I checked was CINAHL. Using the entry of (MH â€Å"Phenomenological Research† AND â€Å"wound care†) I retrieved twenty results. From the list of results, I found two appropriate phenomenological studies, which accurately answered my qualitative question. I can say with ease that I did not experience difficulty when conducting a search for this material. I found following the suggestions and guidelines that the EIDM module provided from the McMaster University School of Nursing was extremely helpful in successfully finding relevant research in a timely manor. Please see Appendix B for a copy of the search history. Discussion Quantitative Study Discussion For the quantitative discussion, there will be two articles addressed which will answer the following question: In patients requiring wound care, does tap water compared to normal saline reduce the number of infection incidents? The first credible resource is titled â€Å"Emergency nursing: wound preparation†. It is a guideline intended for nurses and doctors with the best recommendations for practice with evidence to support it. The objective of the guideline is to evaluate what method of wound preparation is most effective for promoting wound healing and reducing rates of infection for patients in the with acute lacerations. The interventions considered were portable tap water versus normal saline. Pooled data from the studies within the review identified a 37% reduction in the rate of infection in wounds cleansed with tap water compared to wounds cleansed with normal saline. Data from one study showed a significantly higher rate of infection in the group that received normal saline; however, this could have been attributed to difference in the temperature of the irrigation solution (National Guideline Clearinghouse, 2012). The overall recommendation based upon the supporting evidence is that â€Å"potable tap water is equivalent and may be superior to normal saline for laceration cleansing and irrigation in patients across the lifespan† to promote wound healing and decrease rates of infection (National Guideline Clearinghouse, 2012). This evidence answers the quantitative questions clearly and concisely by alluding to the fact tap water is equivalent to normal saline in reducing infection rate in wounded patients. The next â€Å"Summaries† level study that will be discussed is called â€Å"Laceration Management† (DynaMed, 2008). Here we see that based on 715 randomized trails of acute laceration cleansing, patients received either tap water or normal saline solution. Based on the 634 follow up cases 4% tap water versus 3.3% saline group had wound infections. Furthermore, in this review, findings show that warmed saline was preferred over room temperature saline. So again we see the factor of temperature of the irrigation solution being considered as it plays a role in infection rate, similarly to the study findings discussed above. The overall bottom line of the review states, â€Å"tap water irrigation may not increase infection rate compared to sterile saline for simple lacerations† (DynaMed, 2008). This evidence therefore compliments the answer to quantitative question discussed above as again we see little to no difference in infection rates with tap water compared to normal saline in wound care. Qualitative Study Discussion There are two phenomenologic studies used to address the following qualitative question: What is the experience for wounded patients under going long term wound care? The first study is called â€Å"The Lived Experience A Chronic Wound: A Phenomenologic Study† (Beitz, & Goldberg, 2005). The methods used to obtain the data were interviews with open-ended questions and a brief questionnaire. The most commonly expressed concerns were grouped into the following themes: pain, mobility, freedom, and wound status. The constant experience of pain made life uncomfortable, mobility limitations decreased independence and freedom, and lastly lack of knowledge regarding wound status increased uncertainty, feelings of frustration, and decreased life quality (Beitz & Goldberg, 2005). The identified themes explicitly answer the qualitative question regarding experience of undergoing long term wound care. The second study is called â€Å"A forever healing: The lived experience of venous ulcer disease† and it explores the life experiences of having a chronic wound from a patient’s perspective. Similarly to the â€Å"Chronic Wound† study discussed above, an interview method consisting of open-ended questions was used to collect data. Four common themes emerged from the analysis of experiences, which include: a forever healing process, limits and accommodations, powerlessness, and â€Å"who cares?† (Chase, Melloni, Savage, 1997). The healing process for these patients with leg ulcers never ends as continual protection, attention and care is required, which is a lot of responsibility and commitment. Furthermore, the implications of the ulcers often left clients with decreased mobility and activity. The long-term duration of these circumstances in conjunction with the functionality loss led to a sense of powerlessness and hopeless. Ultimately clients admitted to developing a â€Å"who cares?† attitude toward their condition (Chase et al 1997). These common life experience themes identified within this study provides a view into the experiences of having a chronic wound, which answers the qualitative question. Conclusion In summary, both â€Å"Summaries† level studies conclude the same answer that tap water does not increase rate of infection in wound irrigation compared to saline solution. Solution temperature plays a role in wound healing and should be considered when preparing to cleanse. From a qualitative perspective, wounds can have major implications on life quality. As health care providers, the phenomenologic knowledge regarding living with a chronic wound is invaluable. It not only grants us the ability to better empathize with clients undergoing similar circumstances, but allows us to provide better care by helping persons cope and adapt to chronic wounds in healthy, positive ways (Beitz, & Goldberg, 2005). The ways in which nurses can minimize negative components of chronic wounds include assessing pain frequently, working with physical therapists to optimize mobility and freedom, and lastly be forthcoming with explanations about procedures and wound status. When such things are accomplished, clients should feel more empowered and perhaps an improvement will be seen not only physical state, but also the mental and emotional state. References Beitz, J., & Goldberg, E. (2005). The lived experience of having a chronic wound: a phenomenologic study. MEDSURG Nursing, 14(1), 51. Chase, S., Melloni, M., Savage A. (1997). A forever healing: The lived experience of venous ulcer disease. Journal of Vascular Nursing, 15(2), 73-78. DynaMed. (2008, March 8). Laceration management. Ipswich, MA:EBSCO Publishing. Retrieved November 14, 2012, from http://search.ebscohost.com.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/login.aspx?direct=true&db=dme&AN=129892&site=dynamed-live&scope=site. Guralnik, D. B. (1970). Webster’s New World dictionary of the American language (2d college ed.). New York: World Pub. Co. McMaster University School of Nursing, (N.D). Research Designs [BScN EIDM Learning Modules]. Retrieved from Avenue to Learn. National Guideline Clearinghouse. (2012, July 2). Emergency nursing resource: wound preparation. Rockville MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Rationality, Educated Opinion and Peace Essay

Abstract: This paper addresses the relevance of interwar thought to the building of peace through examining the ideas of three important writers of the period: Edward Hallett Carr, Norman Angell and Alfred Zimmern. The role of public opinion was under much query in the politics of the period they wrote in, and crucial to this issue are the questions as to whether the public mind is rational and capable of reason. These writers are concerned with the influence of public opinion and believe that through educating the public mind, the possibility of peace can be increased. Drawing from their ideas, this paper thus postulates that peace is a product of rationality and there is possibility of progress through education. The birth of international relations as a separate discipline was founded against the context of the interwar years, which brought about important consequences for the subsequent development of the interwar years. The tensions prior to and the subsequent devastation of the Great War forced intellectuals of the early twentieth century to seek explanations for the causes of war and to postulate measures by which another catastrophe could be prevented. The general psyche of the people exerted an influence on the direction of international studies. As David Long points out, the academic study of international affairs during this period of time possessed â€Å"a normative though not necessarily utopian interest in the avoidance of war†1. Such a trend is manifested in the trust deed of the Wilson Chair of International Politics (one of the first few schools of the discipline), which states that international politics is the â€Å"political science in its application to international relations with special reference to the best means of promoting peace between nations.†2 Woodrow Wilson, being a leading statesman at the time, presents one of the possible avenues for peace. He consciously and deliberately tied issues of foreign policy to domestic politics, giving rise to what will come to be known as the â€Å"democratic peace thesis†. Wilson advocates the belief that â€Å"popular participation, public life and opportunity for all [will be] the guarantee of peace†. Wilson believed that diplomacy and foreign policy must be taken with regard to public opinion and the public being rational would prefer peace to war.3 The crucial premise here is that public opinion matters in a democratic political system. The assumption further made is that the political leaders are sensitive to public opinion and will be susceptible to their demands. The issue of public opinion gives rise to another set of issues, and one of the foremost in this period, is the skepticism that the basic assumption of a rational public rejecting war is true. Is the public rational? Is war a rational choice? The political definition of rationality is the ability of the public to discern the options open to them, and to adopt the best option to achieve their prioritized goals. The Great War cast doubts as to whether public is necessarily aware of what their options and goals are, much less their ability to choose the best option to fit their preferred purpose. As historian A. J. P. Taylor argues that the intellectual backlash against the dehumanizing war made the interwar years an â€Å"age of intellectual and artistic activity†, where intellectuals from various fields of study question the power of man to reason.4 The devastation of war brings queries, particularly from the idealists, as to whether war can be a rational choice. Even if the assumption holds true, there is still the question as to whether public opinion has any weight on policy formulation. Given this particular context, this paper questions the foundations of Wilsonian politics. This paper will thus postulate on the influence of public opinion and the impact of rationality on the maintenance of peace by drawing from the ideas of three important writers of this period: Edward Hallett Carr, Norman Angell and Alfred Zimmern. This paper will first introduce the positions of all three writers. It will then examine the fundamental assumption shared by all three writers with respect to public opinion, before expounding on their arguments on the rationality of the public and why the issue matters. The paper will then look into the possibilities of peace, and how the three concur on the issue of education. Due to source constraints, this paper will draw on secondary references to the works of the three writers, where the primary sources are not available. Carr, Angell and Zimmern Peter Wilson in Thinkers of the Twenty Years’ Crisis introduces Carr’s book as â€Å"a work which not only set the tone for subsequent discussion of inter-war thought, but also substantially shaped postwar attitudes towards it.†5 The premise for The Twenty Years’ Crisis is the critique of inter-war idealism, which Carr terms ‘utopian’6. Carr dismisses the ‘utopians’ as being unable to understand political reality and sets up a dichotomy that supposes â€Å"utopia: reality= free will: determinism= theory: practice= morality: power =universal: relative= intellectual: bureaucrat= Left: Right† 7 The dichotomy presented by Carr undermines interwar idealism, and leads, in part, to the rejection of the practical value of these theories. This dichotomy shapes subsequent debate and is consequentially identified as the polarity of realism and idealism, which will dominate international studies for the next few decades. In order to posit queries of the dichotomy, it is first necessary to expound on the assumptions that are conventionally made of either school. Brian C. Schmidt summarises the assumptions of idealism as follows : a pervasive faith in reason and rationalism, a belief in the infallibility of public opinion, the view that war was irrational, that the best way to end conflict was through education, international law, and world government, and, finally, a belief that the essential harmony of interests existed, which translated into the international doctrine of â€Å"war-does-not-pay8. Superficially, both Norman Angell and Alfred Zimmern adopt such assumptions in their writings. Significantly, both Angell and Zimmern share the same devotion to one key tenet: the possibility of progress through educating public opinion and conditioning human behaviour. Their devotion to the tenet became stronger later into their careers, especially after the Second World War. The realist school of thought as represented by Carr, refutes the idealist assumptions. In particular, the realists argue that the concept of ‘power’ is central to international affairs. Carr adopts Thomas Hobbes’ argument on human nature and advances the argument that the state as a rational actor will choose to maximize its capacity for power in order to secure its survival. He argues that public opinion, even when informed, is not necessarily pacifist and that thought can be mould by political purposes. Through defining his position by rejecting and critiquing the idealists assumptions, Carr’s realist position is thus seen as the diametric opposite of the idealists. It is then necessary to redress both the ideas of Carr and the much-maligned interwar idealists, among whom are Zimmern and Angell. The choice of juxtaposing Angell and Zimmern with Carr in this paper is conscious. Both Zimmern and Angell are among the few ‘utopians’ whom Carr explicitly criticizes in The Twenty Years’ Crisis. Andreas Osiander points out that Zimmern is â€Å"still widely regarded as what Oslon and Groom have called the ‘consummate’ idealist†9, and is thus identifiable with the idealist school of thought. Yet Zimmern, as Paul Rich and Peter Wilson suggest, is considerably less adverse to Carr’s ideas than his idealist colleagues.10 Angell, on the other hand, is one of the fiercest adversaries to The Twenty Years’ Crisis, but J. D. Miller raises the argument that â€Å"Angell should†¦ be regarded less as an idealist than a far sighted realist† because of his â€Å"acute awareness† of the issues o f political reality11. The interplay of their ideas then calls to question the validity of a clear dichotomy. In essence then, this paper seek to question if the positions of these writers on the assumptions raised by Schmidt are as concrete as they appear to be. In other words, this paper examines the complexities of Carr, Angell and Zimmern’s ideas on the applicability of public opinion, rationality and possibilities of peace. On closer examination, this paper argues that despite the differences, the three share a fundamental similarity: the belief in progress. The dichotomy between the realists and idealists is permeable, and in their postulation of the long term, the arguments of Carr, Angell and Zimmern coincide. Public Opinion First and foremost, the underlying assumption that Carr, Angell and Zimmern adopt is that public opinion matters, even though their understanding of public opinion differs. Zimmern argues that â€Å"[p]ublic opinion is the lifeblood of a civilized community† but unfortunately, the majority of the peoples is guided by â€Å"caprice of ignorance, passion or greed, and the other devils if unreason.†12 The title of Carr’s inaugural speech at the University College of Wales, â€Å"Public Opinion as a Safeguard of Peace† says much. Carr argues that public opinion can exert tremendous influence over a foreign policy issue that it feels sufficiently strongly about, using the case of the public rejection of the Hoare-Laval plan to build his case. He states that, â€Å"No nation, and least of all a democracy, can wage war unless it has the support of an overwhelming majority of its people†13. The implication of such a statement in light of guarding the peace is that insofar as the public is not in favour of war, a state and particularly a democratic state will not and cannot adopt war as a policy instrument. Angell’s Nobel Lecture, â€Å"Peace and the Public Mind†, adopts the same position, except that he argues public opinion, being misinformed and â€Å"disastrously erroneous† can lead to war. 14 Interestingly both Angell and Carr argue that public opinion is easily manipulated. Carr devotes a section to â€Å"Power over opinion† in The Twenty Years’ Crisis, suggesting that the greater proportion of public becoming conscious or involved in politics relates to the importance that the ruling elite place on propaganda as an instrument of power. The influence of propaganda rests on the premise he sets earlier in the book that the crucial contribution of realism is the idea that thought is relative to purpose. 15 For instance, nationalism, as a form of ideology, could be seen as a means by which the public can be persuaded to go to war. Similarly, Angell contends that a small militant minority is capable of appealing to the majority towards a policy that may not be in the majority’s best interests.16 Rationality Having established that public opinion has a role to play, we then move on to the crucial questions: is the public rational, and is war a rational choice? On both issues, there are significant differences between Carr and the idealists, arising from the difference in the way they interpret and infer from past and current events. Reason and rationality give rise to different outcomes for Carr and the idealists. An important observation is that Carr places more faith in reason and rationality than do the others, contrary to our earlier presupposition that it is the idealists who have a â€Å"pervasive faith in reason and rationalism.† A proper definition of what is meant by rational behaviour has yet to be provided as a premise for argument. To proceed, we adopt James Mill’s argument for the rational public opinion quoted in Carr as a guide to what rational behaviour entails: Every man possessed of reason is accustomed to weigh evidence and to be guided and determined by its preponderance. When various conclusions are, with their evidence presented with equal care and with equal skill, there is a moral certainty, though some few maybe misguided, that greatest number will judge right, and the greatest force of evidence, whatever it is, will produce the greatest impression. 17 Whereas Carr believes that the public, being self-interested, is capable of defining their goals and seeking the best possible means to achieve toward that end, he rejects Mills’ definition of rational behaviour. Mills’ definition is in turn based on the ideas espoused by Jeremy Betham who assumes that the ideal option is the â€Å"greatest good to the greatest number†. Carr argues that public opinion comes from the masses, who are for large part, neither enlightened nor educated and thus â€Å"the greatest number† need not necessarily â€Å"judge right†. He argues that Betham and Mills’ assumption that self-interest can be sacrificed for the sake of â€Å"the greatest good† to the collective is based on â€Å"some kind of intuition of what is right and cannot be demonstrated by rational argument.†18 Carr suggests, instead, that rational necessarily demands a consciousness and the ability to adjust to the balance of power existing in international affairs, which serves as a constraint on the options available. The discerning public thus does not only take into account what is right, but also what is most practical in catering to self-interest. Carr then adopts an argument that is parallel to Thomas Hobbes’. Hobbes, in Leviathan, states the fundamental law of nature as: it is a precept, or general rule of reason that every man, ought to endeavour peace, as far as he has hope of obtaining it; and when he cannot obtain it, that he may seek, and use all helps, and advantages of war Carr comments, to the same effect, that although war is undesirable, it is not possible to impose an absolute judgement that war is â€Å"always and unconditionally wrong.† The implication of Hobbes and Carr’s argument is that the public being rational favours peace. However, when the public believes that they have more to gain from war, or more to lose from not going to war, war becomes a rational and logical solution. Historically, Carr’s argument seems to find sufficient basis in the outbreak of World War I. One of the reasons contributing to the war was the increase in bellicosity, arising from rationalization of cost and benefit or cooperation and non-cooperation. Prior to the Great War, the perceived cost of non-cooperation19 had decreased. The perception was influenced by beliefs that any war would be short, a consequence of â€Å"a highly exaggerated faith in the efficacy of offensive military strategies and tactics†20 and by the system of alliances. The perception was further coloured by nationalism. Secondly the perceived gains of non-cooperation had increased. The general belief was that expansionism and offensive foreign policy was perceived to be too high, due to the general suspicion of the intentions of the other states. Given these perceptions then prevalent, European states saw it to their advantage to go to war, and in fact to initiate the war so as to reap the greate st advantage of the ground. This international game theory exemplifies in part the rational process that Carr espoused. The idealists depart greatly from Carr. Angell and Zimmern accept that Mills’ definition is greatly desired but finds it incongruent with political reality. Reus-Smit, in his essay â€Å"The Strange Death of Liberal Theory†, argues that the conflict between morality and political reality is seen by Angell as a divide between â€Å"reason and unreason†. He argues that, â€Å"If the former prevailed, there was some hope of a reconciliation between morality, defined as the well-being of all and reality, which in [Angell’s] favoured area was the incompatibility of warfare and such well-being.21† However, within the historical context, Angell believes that ‘unreason’ prevailed. Angell believes that the public mind is often irrational, because it is too easily persuaded; it does not possess sufficient information, nor the ability to process vast amounts of information when it is available and it lacks the skill to seek evidence for the variou s conclusions, as Mill points out, i.e., it cannot â€Å"see the likely results of actions.† 22 The public mind cannot compute cost-benefit-analysis, which is central to rationalization. Angell accounts for this irrationality of the public mind, stating that it arises from the â€Å"failure to apply to our international relationships knowledge which is of practically universal possession†23 In Angell’s opinion then, it is not for the lack of intellectual capacity on the part of the public that lead to the irrational behaviour, but the inability to apply knowledge. Resting on his idea of the irrational public, Angell expounds on the war and why the public’s choice to go to war is actually irrational. In his aptly named book, The Great Illusion, he puts forth a convincing argument on the futility of war on grounds of rationality and economic considerations. Angell argues that the perceived benefits of war under modern circumstances, are reduced, as victors can no longer expect to benefit as much from the spoils of war. The change is largely because goods and spoils are no longer portable (such as gold, silver, slaves, precious stones) as they had before. Goods and services are non-physical such as currency, shares, and fixed assets, and are thus not transferable wealth. As such, if states act purely in their self-interest, given the expectation not to gain from war, states would be unlikely to pursue war.24 Angell considers this line of reasoning to be simplistic and easily applicable to the conduct of international relations. Yet as the advent of World War I proves, the public is incapable of applying such rationale to political practice. Angell argues that the pervading reasons behind war, then, are irrational. Not only does war not serve to the benefit of the state concerned, better alternatives of action could be sought such as building economic relations, social interaction. Such connections can be used in persuading, as opposed to coercing, other states into behaving in the manner that is beneficial to the state concerned. Thus the argument adopted is that war is irrational, i.e. not the best-laid option, and man being irrational and susceptible to external influences, chooses to use war as a policy instrument. Andreas Osiander points out that â€Å"unlike what Carr implies, Zimmern, like Angell, was very far from seeing public opinion as necessarily a force for peace.25† Like Angell, he believes that the conflicts in the international arena, giving rise to war are resultant of intellectual, and not political failure.26 However, if Carr is to be believed, Zimmern can, in fact, be seen as being more extreme than Angell. Carr states in The Twenty Years Crisis that Zimmern is inclined towards the hypothesis that â€Å"If mankind in its international relations has signally failed to achieve the rational good, it must †¦ have been too stupid to understand that good.† Carr’s statement is not altogether justified. Although Zimmern does point out that the impediment to overcoming the obstacle towards peace is that man â€Å"are beings of conservative temper and limited intelligence27†, what he implies is that man is reluctant to adjust to present realities brought b y modernity. As a result of the inherent resistance towards change, man’s mental capacity does not adapt to the fact that previous ways of managing international relations are no longer applicable. Consequentially, public opinion cannot be trusted to be rational. Zimmern subscribes to John Stuart Mill’s argument of the â€Å"tyranny of the majority†. He argues that the ruling elite, that is, the politicians in positions of power tend to be capable of rationalization. However this intellectual minority in government is consumed by the irrational public: â€Å"for statesmen, however wise and far sighted, are limited in their policies by the public opinion and parliaments to which they are responsible.28† Angell concurs on this issue. J. D. Miller, drawing from Angell’s comments, argues that Angell too â€Å"feared the impact upon politicians of an unreasoning crowd mind, and doubted the capacity of politicians to resist it†. Both Angell and Zimmern, then, prefer that the intellectual minority be given the ability and power to lead the rest of the populace, so as to govern rational foreign policies. In this regard, Carr again differs. Whereas Carr does agree that the intellectual minority has a role to play in leading public opinion,29 he believes that the intellectual minority is however, sadly, out of touch with reality. He argues his case by drawing on the difference between intellectuals’ perceptions of the League of Nations with those of the man on the street. The intellectuals, who tend to be idealists by his definition, strive to secure and maintain peace via means of treaties, covenants and legal codifications. The general public, however, is more concerned with the practice of international affairs (as opposed to the theory.) Going by Carr’s understanding of rational behaviour to be taking into account what is right and also what is most practical in application, the intellectual mi nority is in practice less rational than the public. Change and the possibility of progress As it is, there seems to be a great divide between Carr and his two contemporaries with regards to whether man is rational. However, central to their arguments is the shared belief that history is a directional process, that is, there is the idea of constant change. Carr argues that war occurs because of the conservative reluctance to allow change to the status quo and the way to peace is to provide means of peaceful change.30 Angell and Zimmern suggest that war occurs because man has yet to come to terms with change, and that the mentality and psyche of the populace has not kept in line with international developments. As Zimmern states, â€Å"the statesmen and the peoples have not adjusted their minds to the new realities†31. The central concern with the issue of change harkens to a broader issue on which the three writers concur: the possibility of progress. The interwar context is one of pessimism. The first decade had been one of recovery and rehabilitation from the shock of the Great War and the second decade of mounting tensions and escalation to an even more disastrous war. The context in which these writers write in, therefore, begets the question of whether man can move away from destruction of war, and by what means. The three writers agree that the current situation calls for change, as present movements and measures to maintain peace are insufficient and inadequate, and are reasonably optimistic that such change can be effected. Carr notes even in 1936 that, â€Å"the cause of peace has made tremendous stride during the past fifteen years and shows his preference towards progressive history, arguing that â€Å"a sense of change as a progressive factor in history, and belief in reason as our guide for the understanding of its complexities† are crucial to the current world. Angell is of the same mind when he questions the unchangeability of human nature and argues that just as cannibalism and slavery can be systematically reduced in our society, so too can the warlike nature of man and states32. Zimmern, even when decrying the decline of international standards (which he defined as rules of behaviour) at a meeting at Chatham House in 1937 argues that the process of change allowing for pea ceful coexistence was already taking place.33 The ultimate aim of change is the maintenance of peace, which is assumed to be the preferred good, through the avoidance of war. The question that is then posited is, by what means? Carr, Angell and Zimmern propose different measures but the one pertinent to the prior argument on public opinion and rationality is their faith in education. Due to their fundamental belief that public opinion matters, it is logical to argue that if the public mind, as Angell would call it, could be trained and conditioned to favour ‘peaceful change’, then the chances of states going to war would be minimized. Angell quotes in his The Great Illusion that â€Å"Not the facts, but men’s opinions about the facts is what matters†, and making a parallel with the abolishment of witch hunts, he comments that â€Å"just as in the matter of burning witches a change of behaviour was the outcome of a change of opinion†¦ in a same way a change in the political conduct of can only com e about as a result of a change of thought†34. The way to peace then is to shape man’s perceptions about war. Given this understanding, the most basic and possibly most efficient way of bringing about this conditioned public is through education. However in his address given to Chatham House in 1931, Angell claims that the current education system does not adequately prepare the individual to make intelligent and informed inferences from the facts presented to him. He believes that the reason behind this lack in the system is that education tends to follow a tradition whereby an older generation influences and instruct the younger through a process of socialization.35 Unfortunately this tradition means that values and ideas that are taught are often unable to catch up with present realities. The educational system had also focused on provision of information, without equipping the individual with means to discern the motivations, the causation analysis, the implications et cetera behind the piece of information. According to him, â€Å"We have thought too much of the facts and too little of their meaning.† 36 Thus the socialization/education of an individual does not adequately provide him with the skill to make rational choices. Given his premise that war is irrational under any circumstances lest in defence and a rational public will therefore reject war, the skill deficiency means that man may choose to go to war due to their lack of understanding, unless the educational system can be changed. Beyond the suggestion that education shifts its focus from its informational purpose towards equipping successive generations with the skill to possess information, Angell does not however provide for how education can be otherwise structured. Zimmern elaborates on his ideal educational system in his book Learning and Leadership, which is not only designed to impart the skill of discerning information but also specifically equipped to teach students about international life. Particularly, he believes that practical experience through interaction with people from other nations will allow students to imbibe the habit of cooperation and harmonious living37. Zimmern believes that once people are given more exposure to the international arena, they will be able to understand foreigners and foreign influences better and become more acutely aware of the idea of universal brotherhood. This basic premise being established, man will be more able to understand the actions of others, less inclined to take preemptive action and to go to war. The assumption of such an argument is that people are less inclined to advocate war against a party that they share an understanding with. Education is thus seen as an instrument which can build commonality among peoples, as well as a means by which the public can be trained to be rational. In The Twenty Years’ Crisis, Carr argues for the application of reason to understanding current situations and political reality; in his later work What is History he extends the role of reason to the capacity to reform: The primary function of reason, as applied to man in society, is no longer merely to investigate, but to transform; and this heightened consciousness of the power of men to improve the management of his social, economic and political affairs by the application of rational processes seems to me one of the major aspects of the twentieth century. 38 The core assumptions here are that reason leads to progress and progress is necessarily an improvement. Remembering the key concern of the study of international relations in the interwar period, a foremost improvement of the human condition is the eradication of war. As do Angell and Zimmern, Carr believes that education was to be the tool by which such improvement can come about. However, unlike Zimmern and Angell who believe that the public has to be thought how to make rational choices in the first place, Carr believes that education can be used to shape the way the public thinks about their choices. Carr notes then that education policy must be shaped: Educators at all levels are nowadays more and more consciously concerned to make their contribution to the shaping of society in a particular mould, and to inculcate in the rising generation the attitudes, loyalties and opinions appropriate to that type of society: educational policy is an integral part of any rationally planned social policy.39 It is then assumed, that rationally, a society will be prefer not to resort to war in a conflict of interest, and a means by which this can be ensured is to design an educational system which, in the context of the interwar years, should imbue in them the moral norm that ‘peaceful change’ is the preferred means of achieving policy objectives. To put it more plainly, Carr’s ideal is using education to persuade man against the doctrine of power, providing a basis whereby a compromise between morality and power can be reached and peaceful change achieved. In his contention that thought is relative to purpose, Carr postulates that mass opinion can directed and in fact ‘mass-produced’ via ‘universal popular education’. It is imperative to note that by popular education, Carr has included the mass media.( Carr does not, however differentiate between education and propaganda in The Twenty Years’ Crisis though in What is History, he associates education with rationality and the â€Å"growing consciousness from below as well as from above of the role which reason can play†40). The application of reason and rationality therefore means that education can be used to persuade mankind against war. Instead of making an argument that war is irrational, educators can influence the public into making a conscious choice not to use war as a policy instrument. As Carr states, â€Å"I regard as of immense importance and promise the gradual extension of the area of the world’s surface within which war has been effectively been placed under the ban,† such that war is actually unthinkable41. What becomes interesting is how closely Carr mirrors the ‘utopians’ he derides. Peter Wilson, in his attempt to understand what Carr means by ‘utopian’, lists the various characteristics that Carr associates with the term. According to his analysis, all of these characteristics are † ‘progressive ideas’; and it might be therefore be concluded that the core characteristic of interwar idealism is belief in conscious, progressive change†. On this basis, Carr does not seem to be any much different, which recalls Reus-Smit’s observation quoted earlier in this paper that Carr is himself not a consummate realist. It is also possible to put forth an argument that Carr’s argument against utopianism was never meant to be an outright and unconditional rejection of the interwar theories. Conclusion Whether or not these three writers think the public mind is rational depends largely on whether they believe war can be a rational choice, and yet regardless of their perspectives on these two issues, they believe that progress towards avoidance of war can be ensured through changing human behaviour. Education policies thus become important, as they can shape the perceptions of the public and thus affect their choices, which is in turn reflected in the chosen foreign policy. However there is a point to note based on this argument set. All three writers are writing within a democratic framework and tradition, where by definition, requires that public opinion matters. Yet, public opinion is less likely to make an impact in an authoritarian state, and even in democratic states, there is the consideration of public apathy, the leaders gambling and taking risks by not going according to public opinion, et cetera. These complications bring us back to the consideration of Wilsonian politics. Woodrow Wilson professes that his aim is to make the world safe for democracy, and that democracy will bring peace. His tendency has been to look at the building and maintenance of peace from a top down approach, where the political structure and political ideological apparatus are enforced. In other words, he looks to providing a mechanism which will allow the rational public to prevent the tendencies of the militant minority from dragging the state to war. However, from the ideas of Carr, Angell and Zimmern, such a mechanism would not function effectively against war unless the public mind can be first conditioned through a fitting educational system emphasizing co-operation and peace. 1 David Long, â€Å"Conclusion: Interwar idealism, liberal internationalism and contemporary international theory†. Thinkers of the Twenty Years’ Crisis: Inter-war idealism reassessed. p. 303, pp. 306-307. 2 Quoted in E. H. Carr’s inaugural speech in the University College of Wales. â€Å"Public Opinion as a Safeguard of Peace† International Affairs (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1931-1939). Vol. 15. No. 6. (Nov- Dec 1936), p. 846. 3 Mortimer Chambers, et al. The Western Experience Vol C: The Modern Era. pp. 892-893 4 A. J. P. Taylor, From Sarajevo to Potsdam. London: Thames & Hudson: 1966 pp. 103-106 5 Peter Wilson. â€Å"Introduction: The Twenty Years’ Crisis and the Category of ‘Idealism’ in International Relations†. David Long & Peter Wilson. (ed.) Thinkers of the Twenty Years’ Crisis: Inter-war idealism reassessed. Oxford: Oxford University Press: 1995. p.1 6 Carr’s term ‘utopians’ is generally taken to refer to the idealists, though he does not clearly define who he considers to be utopians. 7 Wilson, â€Å"Introduction†, p. 12. Wilson adapted the equation from Hedley Bull, â€Å"The Twenty Crisis Thirty Years On†, International Journal, Issue 24, Vol. 4 (1969), p. 627-8. E. H. Carr, The Twenty Years’ Crisis: 1919-1939. New York: Harper: (1946) 1964. pp. 11-21. 8 Brian C. Schmidt. â€Å"Lessons from the Past: reassessing the Interwar Disciplinary History of International Relations†. International Studies Quarterly (1998) 42. p 452 9 Andreas Osiander, â€Å"Rereading Early Twentieth Century IR theory: Idealism Revisited†, International Studies Quarterly, Vol. 42, No. 3 (Sep.,1998). p. 417 10 Paul Rich, â€Å"Alfred Zimmern’s Catious Idealism: the League of Nations, International Education, and the Commonwealth†. Thinkers of the Twenty Years’ Crisis: Inter-war idealism reassessed. p.88; Peter Wilson, â€Å"Carr and his Early Crtics: responses to the Twenty Years’ Crisis†. Michael Cox (ed). E. H. Carr: A critical appraisal. New York: Palgrave: 2000. p. 167. 11 J. D. Miller. â€Å"Norman Angell and Rationality in International Relations†. Thinkers of the Twenty Years’ Crisis: Inter-war idealism reassessed. pp. 116, 119. 12 Alfred Zimmern, Learning and Leadership: a study of the needs and possibilities of international intellectual co-operation. London: Oxford University Press: 1928. p. 10; p. 82. 13 Carr, â€Å"Public Opinion as a Safeguard of Peace† pp. 857-858. 14 Norman Angell, Peace and the Public Mind. June 12, 1935. http://www.nobel.se/cgi-bin/print. March 24, 2004. 15 E. H. Carr, The Twenty Years’ Crisis. pp. 132-133; pp. 67-75 16 Norman Angell Peace and the Public Mind. para. 19 17 quoted in E. H. Carr, The Twenty Years Crisis. p 24. 18 Ibid. p. 26; p. 41 19 The line of reasoning here is tied to the idea of an international game theory, which due to practical constraints cannot be covered here. The argument is made in line with Robert Jervis theory on international behaviour in his â€Å"Cooperation Under Security Dilemma† World Politics. Vol. 30, No. 2 (Jan, 1978), pp.167-214. 20 Stephen van Evera, â€Å"Why co-operation failed in 1914†. World Politics, Vol. 38. No. 1 (Oct, 1985). p. 81 21 Christian Reus-Smit, â€Å"The Strange Death of Liberal International Theory†. European Journal of International Law. Vol. 12. No. 3. pp. 578-9. 22 J. D. Miller. Norman Angell and the Futility of War: Peace and the public mind. London: Macmillian: 1986. pp/ 124-125. 23 Norman Angell. Peace and the Public mind. para. 17 24 Norman Angell. Europe’s Optical Illusion. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent , 1909(?)24-40; The Great Illusion:A study of the relation of military power to national advantage. London: William Heinemann 1913. pp. 26-40. 25 Andreas Osiander, â€Å"Rereading Early Twentieth Century IR theory† p. 417 26 Alfred Zimmern, Learning and Leadership. p. 11. 27 Alfred Zimmern, â€Å"The Problem with Collective Security† (ed) Q. Wright. Neutrality and Collective Security. Chicago: University of Chicago Press: 1936. p. 8. 28 Ibid. 29 E. H. Carr, â€Å"Public Opinion as a Safeguard of Peace†. p. 854. 30 E. H. Carr. The Twenty Years Crisis. pp. 208-223 31 Alfred Zimmern Learning and Leadership. p. 22 32 Norman Angell, The Great Illusion. 1913. pp. 200-221. 33 Alfred Zimmern, â€Å"The Decline of International Standards†International Affiars (Royal Institute of International Affairs 1931-1939). Vol 17. No. 1 (Jan.-Feb. 1938), p. 21. 34 Norman Angell, The Great Illusion. P. 327 35 Norman Angell, â€Å"Popular Education and International Affairs† International Affairs (Royal Institute of International affairs 1931-1939) Vol. 11, No. 3 (May 1932), p. 323 36 Ibid, p 335-338, 338 37 Alfred Zimmern Learning and Leadership. p. 26-60 38 E. H. Carr. What is History? New York , St. Martin’s Press , 1961 p 190 39 Ibid. 40 Ibid p. 195. Propaganda is associated with the emotive and not with reason. 41 E. H. Carr. â€Å"Public Opinion as a Safeguard of Peace†. p. 861.

Taoism Applied To Everyday Life Essays - Taoism, Chinese Philosophy

Taoism Applied To Everyday Life Essays - Taoism, Chinese Philosophy Taoism Applied To Everyday Life Taoism applied to everyday life Practice not-doing and everything will fall into place (Chapter 3). In Taoism this is the concept known as wu wei. Wei wu wei is the practice of doing and not-doing. This concept comes from the theory of the Yin and Yang. The Yang, along with wei, is the practice of doing. The Yin, along with wu wei, is the practice of not-doing. One compliments the other, and each cannot exist alone. The Tao tells people to practice not-doing because it will bring happiness in their life. By not-doing, the Tao means not performing actions, which are unnecessary and uncalled for. People should just take things as they come in life and they will live a life full of happiness and pleasure. If you don't interfere with the Tao and let things take their natural course, everything will work out in your life (Chapter 10). If powerful men and women could remain centered in the Taoall people would be at peace (Chapter 32). If you work against your Tao, you will never find happiness. The Sage practices wu wei. He teaches without words and performs without actions (Chapter 43). He knows and therefore does not speak (Chapter 56). Many people mistake conceptual knowledge for the map to the territory. The Sage is our map to the Tao. He points his finger to show us the way, but does not really tell us what to do and how to practice Taoism. Lao Tzu's concepts of the Tao can be a guide to rational living. If one follows these beliefs he is guaranteed happiness in his life. However, it is very difficult to follow the Tao, even though the teachings are said to be easily understood and easily put into practice (Chapter 70). The reason the Tao is so difficult to grasp is because you cannot know that you are practicing it. The Tao is beyond all words. If you give it words, it does not exist. It is unnamable. If you concentrate on the Tao, you will never understand it. You cannot think about it, you must just do it. This is very difficult because people always think about what they do, but this does not work with the Tao (Chapter 1). You cannot look for the Tao; you cannot listen for the Tao. You must just accept the idea that it is always there, omnipresent, and you can't see it. This is all very important because if one cannot understand these first simple steps in Taoism, they will be lost the rest of the way. In personal life, you should never define yourself. When you define yourself, you are actually putting limits on yourself. If a man defines himself as a doctor, he is limiting himself to science. If a man defines himself as a singer, he is limiting himself to music. By limiting yourself, you are not allowing yourself to experience life fully (Chapter 24). Also, you should never define any object because they will always have an opposite. If you define something as good then its opposite is defined as bad, when in reality it might not be (Chapter 2). When a man is about to buy a car, he will want to buy a company with a good name. He has defined one car as good and the rest are bad. When he realizes he cannot afford the good car he is unhappy. He has to buy a bad car. While driving his bad car, he thinks about what people will say. He worries that they will not approve of his new purchase. If the man had not originally set such high expectations of buying a good car, he would not be u pset with his situation. By caring about other people's approval he becomes their prisoner (Chapter 9). If you see things as they are, then you will be happy with whatever you have. If you see things through other's eyes then you will never achieve the high goals you are setting. In family life, be completely present (Chapter 8). All family members should always be there for each other. You should be completely present for the rest of your family, this

The World Heritage Case Study Australia

The World Heritage Case Study Australia Introduction World Heritage sites are beautiful and wonderful places with great values attached to them due to their uncommon nature. According to the Department of Environment and Conservation: World Heritage: Shark Bay Heritage Area (2009, p. 1), world heritage sites are mysteries, and they bear great memories in those who visit them. In this paper, research will be concentrated on The Royal Exhibition Building, and Carlton Gardens found in Melbourne city in Australia.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The World Heritage Case Study: Australia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Royal Exhibition Building was constructed between 1879 and 1880 in Melbourne (Heritage Victoria: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens n.d.). It was constructed at this particular point of time since it was to house the international exhibition in 1880. According to Sopray: Assessment of Significance (n.d., p.148), this site is signif icant because it is one of the world’s 19th century exhibitions that remains standing. It is argued that this building shows the wealth and confidence of Victoria era in the 1870s. The Carlton Gardens are also significant since they serve as a habitat for many plants like palms, conifers, and evergreen trees. The Royal Exhibition Building and the Carlton Gardens are of great social significant to the people who interact with them, both the residents and the tourists (Sopray: Assessment of Significance n.d., p. 148). Primary Challenges Management Adiplock: REB CGWH Heritage Management Plan (2011, p. 8) stated that the Department of Environment and Heritage in Australia came up with some basic objectives of world heritage properties management in Australia. Some of the objectives that were set are to conserve and protect the world heritage value of the sites, to incorporate the protection of the site into a complete planning program and to ensure that people have knowledge con cerning world heritage value of the property. The world heritage sites in Australia face challenges in accommodating tourism. The Department of the Environment and Heritage: Factors affecting the property (n.d., p. 58) highlighted that the royal exhibition building deals with huge crowds of tourists who visit this site each year. However, it is not overwhelmed by these huge numbers since it has upgraded some projects in management of the numbers. The Carlton Gardens are utilized by both residents and visitors since they are attractive and also located near the central business district of Melbourne. Each year, these sites are repaired after they have been used, and this maintains them in good conditions. On the other hand, the Australia Department of Environment and Heritage: Australia’s world heritage places (2010, p.2) argued that some caves are not accessible since they are restricted to tourists who may be eager to visit such places. However, to manage this challenge the management has provided light to other unrestricted areas in the same caves to ensure that there is save public viewing. This is one way which has been used to manage and protect the value that is attached to the caves. The walk tracks and picnic areas have also been improved in order to cope with the big number of tourists flowing in.Advertising Looking for essay on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There is development pressure affecting the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens sites. These sites cannot be sold or transferred to anyone without an Act of the Victorian state parliament. The environment protection authority in Melbourne supervises the quality of air in the city. Therefore, the issue of pollution is not a challenge in this city at all and there is no environmental pressure that can destroy the building and the gardens. This gives it a credit before the eyes of the tourists who frequently visit these attractive sites (Department of the Environment and Heritage: Factors affecting the property n.d., p. 58). According to the Department of Environment and Heritage: Factors affecting the property (n.d., p. 58), Melbourne is not a high-risk zone for volcanic disturbances; however, it has ever recorded some small earthquakes. The only risk to this building is fire since its large part is constructed using timber, which can catch fire easily. This risk is foreseen and therefore, a full sprinkler system has been installed, and fire alarms have been directly connected to the fire brigade in Melbourne. The fire brigade is located less than 500 meters from this site, and this becomes an advantage for The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. There are guards, a caretaker, and other staff that work and reside within this property. It is therefore maintained, and guarded for its value to be maintained throughout (Department of Environment and Heritage: Factors affecting the property n.d., p. 58). According to the Australia Department of Environment and Heritage: Australia’s world heritage places (2010, p.2), the scientists who do research by collecting residue for investigation through digging are likely to destroy the world heritage sites. It is argued that there is a need for a balance to be observed to ensure that research is not done at the expense of the environment. The research methods should observe respect to world heritage values, local communities and traditional owners. However, research is important and it should be conducted in relevant areas to pave the way for improvement in the management of the world heritage.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The World Heritage Case Study: Australia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The royal exhibition building also experiences the challenge related to conservation and maintenance. According to Australian Governmen t Department of the Environment, water, Heritage and the Arts: Challenges and management (2010, p. 1), this challenge is managed through the conservation management plan that involve risk preparedness. Carton Gardens are also managed through an environmentally sustainable way of watering and taking care of the tree which are over 110 years old. Funds have been obtained, which will be used to install water harvesting and storage systems underground. The management wishes to end this challenge through storing 900,000 litres which can ensure that Carlton Gardens is watered throughout. The Royal Exhibition Building and the Carlton Garden challenges are managed through the management plan that ensures that actions that are of unsustainable impact on the Royal Exhibition Building, and the Carlton Garden cannot be approved. This helps in conservation and management of the building. Department of Planning and Community Development, the royal exhibition and Carlton gardens: world heritage ma nagement plan (2011, p. 5) highlights that management plan minimizes duplication in the general assessment and approval of actions that may impact on the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. The management plan has also ensured that the Australian government, and the Victoria state ensures that the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens are protected and conserved in order to maintain its attractiveness and value. Tourism Pressures The Royal Exhibition Building and the Carlton Garden realize a high number of visitors and tourists throughout the year. There are fixed displays and guided tours through the employed staff. They usually take tourists through a slide show tour detailed on the construction of this property. This encourages the tourist to frequently visit since the place is conducive and through this interpretation, they are able to grasp a lot in terms of history of The Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens(Department of Environment and Heritage: F actors affecting the property n.d.).Advertising Looking for essay on cultural studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The staff members who are employed here are well trained to handle and address the needs of all the visitors, including those with special needs. This ensures that the tourists in this place feel accommodated when they receive the assistance they may be in need of in this strange place. This building also has a theatre section with audiovisual shows that are also used as a tour guide, they give more information that those who attend to visitors might not touch on. It is stated that over 300,000 tourists visit the Royal Exhibition Building with an aim of having commercial events every year. This shows that the number that visits this site per year is high hence the need to maintain it as a way of preserving nature and culture of the indigenous people in this place (Department of Environment and Heritage: Factors affecting the property n.d.). Due to the large numbers of people that Royal Exhibition Building receives, it has to provided accommodation, entertainment, restaurants, and sh ops. All these are geared to ensuring that the visitors are comfortable while visiting this site and also as a way of adding more value to The Royal Exhibition and Carlton Garden. These shops contain some of the products that are related to the Royal Exhibition Building; this makes them even more attractive to the tourists who visit this site for their first time. Security is ensured in this site and alarm are set 24 hours and also the securical companies patrol the whole building throughout to ensure protection to the site and the tourist inside this place (Department of Environment and Heritage: Factors affecting the property n.d.). Protection of the World Heritage Values The museum board is responsible for maintaining the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens sites. Commercial income stream funds the daily maintenance of the Royal Exhibition Building. Building, facilities, and venue management groups are involved in working within these sites and ensuring that everything is in order and ready for any tourists who may wish to visit at any time. The protection systems, especially against fire are maintained to ensure that any eventuality can be dealt with accordingly without interfering with the flow of the tourists visiting this site. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Enhancing our Heritage Toolkit (2011, p 9) argued that it has become a priority for states to improve the effectiveness of protected areas through management and the best way to do so is through examining the management strategies and evaluate their effectiveness. This will give the states an opportunity to know what they need to change and come-up with lasting solutions that will curb such problems in the future. There is also need for the management of the world heritage sites to observe the balance that should exist between commercial and conservation values. Since these sites are important, Sheehan (n.d., p.7) highlights that there should be balance because if such sites are not protect ed they will be no more in the future. It is therefore, crucial that conservation values will not be assumed and in addition, commercial values should not be valued more than conservation. The operation manager, venue manager, office manager and casual staff are among the people who ensure smooth running of the sites. The Department of Environment and Heritage: Factors affecting the property (n.d., p. 25) stated that planning and management of the Carlton Gardens is done by the planning unit and the business support unit from Melbourne city. These exhibitions have brought balance between the world heritage values and tourist needs. Adiplock: REB CGWH Heritage Management Plan (2011, p. 8) stated that: â€Å"The exhibitions themselves brought people and ideas together on a grand scale, in diverse locations around the world, and greatly enhanced international social and economic links† (Adiplock: REB CGWH Heritage Management Plan 2011, p. 8). World Heritage Committee The World Heritage Committee comprises of 21 representatives from the state parties and they hold their meetings yearly. According to the World Heritage Committee: The World Heritage Committee (2011, p. 1), the world heritage committee decides how the finances are to be used in different areas of the properties. Through managing the finances, it is able to ensure that there are better standards in the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens. The world heritage committee also investigates the reports of conservation of each site and if poorly managed it requests the concerned state to take care and manage it properly. The committee also expects the state parties to report to them if any danger is about to happen or happens. The committee, therefore, takes the initiative to look for a way forward for such sites. According to World Heritage Committee: The World Heritage Committee (2011, p. 1), through the world heritage committee, the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens have ret ained their value and authenticity despite many such sites being no more. Through proper management, they have remained some of the tourists’ attractions in Australia, with their value of retaining culture and tradition being one of the reasons why many visitors visit these sites. References Adiplock: REB CGWH Heritage Management Plan 2011, Melbourne, Australia. Australia Department of Environment and Heritage: Australia’s world heritage places 2010, environment.gov.au/heritage/education/pubs/factsheets/fossil-sites.pdf. Australian Government Department of the Environment, water, Heritage and the Arts: Challenges and management 2010, environment.gov.au/heritage/education/pubs/factsheets/royal-ex-building-and-carlton-gardens.pdf Department of Environment and Conservation: World Heritage: Shark Bay Heritage Area 2009, sharkbay.org/what_is_world_heritage.aspx. Department of Planning and Community Development, the royal exhibition and Carlton gardens: world heritage manag ement plan 2011, yarracity.vic.gov.au/PlanningBuilding/Heritage/Royal-Exhibition-BuildingCarlton-Gardens/ Department of the Environment and Heritage: Factors affecting the property n.d., Melbourne, Australia. Heritage Victoria: Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens n.d., Melbourne, Australia. Sheehan, John n.d., The conservation of national heritage building: the Australian experience, dpcd.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/56995/WHEA_Views_Vistas_Analysis.pdf. Sopray: Assessment of Significance n.d., Melbourne, Australia. UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Enhancing our Heritage Toolkit 2012, http://whc.unesco.org/documents/publi_wh_papers_23_en.pdf. World Heritage Committee: The World Heritage Committee 2012, http://whc.unesco.org/en/comittee/.

As You Like It - the Play Essay Example for Free

As You Like It – the Play Essay As You Like It is considered by many to be one of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies, and the heroine, Rosalind, is praised as one of his most inspiring characters and has more lines than any of Shakespeare’s female characters. Rosalind, the daughter of a banished duke falls in love with Orlando the disinherited son of one of the duke’s friends. When she is banished from the court by her usurping uncle, Duke Frederick , Rosalind switches genders and as Ganymede travels with her loyal cousin Celia and the jester Touchstone to the Forest of Arden, where her father and his friends live in exile. Observations on life and love follow (including love, aging, the natural world, and death) friends are made, and families are reunited. By the play’s end Ganymede, once again Rosalind, marries her Orlando. Two other sets of lovers are also wed, one of them Celia and Orlando’s mean older brother Oliver . As Oliver becomes a gentler, kinder young man so the Duke conveniently changes his ways and turns to religion and so that the exiled Duke, father of Rosalind, can rule once again. â€Å"All the world ‘s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts† As You Like It – (Act II, Scene VII). â€Å"Can one desire too much of a good thing? â€Å". As You Like It (Act IV, Scene I). â€Å"True is it that we have seen better days†. As You Like It – Act II, Scene VII). â€Å"For ever and a day†. As You Like It – (Act IV, Scene I). â€Å"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool†. (Act V, Scene I). The play is fictitious, but shakespeare is said to have taken the traits if rosalind from ‘Rosalynde’ by thomas lodge. One of Shakespeare’s early plays, As You Like It (1598-1599), is a stock romantic comedy that was familiar to Elizabethan audiences as an exemplar of â€Å"Christian† comedy. Although the play does include two offstage spiritual conversions, the â€Å"Christian† designation does not refer to religion itself. Instead, it denotes the restoration and regeneration of society through the affirmation of certain Christian values such as brotherly love, marital union, tolerance for different viewpoints, and optimism about life at large. The plot is very simple: the resolution of the dramatic problem in the warped attitudes of two evil brothers toward good brothers, and related obstacles to marriage for several couples in the play (most notably Rosalind and Orlando) are easily overcome, and a happy ending is never in doubt. On one level, the play was clearly intended by Shakespeare as a simple, diverting amusement; several scenes in As You Like It are essentially skits made up of songs and joking banter. But on a somewhat deeper level, the play provides opportunities for its main characters to discuss a host of subjects (love, aging, the natural world, and death) from their particular points of view. At its center, As You Like It presents us with the respective worldviews of Jaques, a chronically melancholy pessimist preoccupied with the negative aspects of life, and Rosalind, the play’s Christian heroine, who recognizes life’s difficulties but holds fast to a positive attitude that is kind, playful, and, above all, wise. In the end, the enjoyment that we receive from the play’s comedy is reinforced and validated by a humanistic Christian philosophy gently woven into the text by a benevolent Shakespeare. As You Like It – the Play. (2016, Sep 16). -like-it-the-play-essay We will write a custom sample essay on As You Like It – the Play specifically for you

WONDERWORKS (TN) Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

WONDERWORKS (TN) - Research Paper Example The details of this work provide an understanding into the works that went into the development of this building and the different questions of when, where, the size, civilization and cultures involved in the construction. The works also consider the nature of the construction as per the years when it was constructed comparing with the current level of input that would have gone into it if it were to be built today. Considering these, the materials used, and the possible material components of the structure, one understands the developments into the architectural field and their effects to the works in general. The details of the work explain these factors starting with a bibliography of Wonder Works. â€Å"WonderWorks Pigeon Forge: 50% Theme Park, 50% Science Museum, & 100% Fun† as the saying above goes, Wonderworks is a placed filled with fun and amusement. The place is located inside a very huge upside-down building, which is a symbol of great architectural works that existed since the years of earlier developments in buildings. The building provides amusement, science fair and a museum for children that all combine into a huge level of experience for anyone. The fee paid at the admission enables one to access 150 activities and above. These activities range from roller coaster simulators to others as developed below. The experience could take one three to four hours of fun and these provide the thrill based on the number of people involved. The place has activities that cater for people of all ages ranging from young children, to the teenagers and the adults too. Among the many attractions that this place has, the following are part and exhibitions that the place contains. Inversion tunnel that hangs on the rails that one passes through as they get to the different entertainment spots. The color combinations, the different patters developed and the circulation in motions created create an upside down

Software Testing Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Software Testing - Research Proposal Example ording to David-at-el (1998), software testing is complicated and expensive and sometimes considered as a more time consuming part of overall system development life cycle. In this scenario the most of testing stages and activities are overlooked to deploy the system on time. Additionally, for cost saving and delivering system on due date system development team eliminates the system testing phase by minimizing few testing phases. However, sometime this action leads to problems in overall software working and handling for instance, the developed system has hidden bugs that appear during the system working and create problems for the system user(s). This type of problems leads toward the system failure or even working malfunction (Banks et al., 1998; Taipale & Smolander, 2006). 6 According to Mihnea & Constantinescu (2008), IT managers and professionals can have different opinions regarding a lot of software development principles, however the majority of them agree on one point that software we deliver has to be correct as well as reliable. In this scenario the successful software development groups have previously recognized that efficient testing is necessary to achieve this goal. In addition, researches have shown that most of software working and operational risks are due to some testing related problems (Mihnea & Constantinescu, 2008; Gelperin & Hetzel, 1988). In this scenario there is a vital need for the effective testing. My research is aimed at offering a group of testing techniques that will effectively manage and handle the software problems. The aim of this research is to offer a comprehensive and effective set of software testing techniques, types and execution framework. 7 Gallagher (2000) stated that testing is not quality assurance. It is examined that effectively tested software that was incompetently designed, poorly conceived as well as unconcernedly programmed will end up a well-tested, bad product. Though, software testing has long been one

IT Legistilation and Ethics. Cloud Computing Based MIS Essay

IT Legistilation and Ethics. Cloud Computing Based MIS - Essay Example I believe that working in a competitive environment will definitely help me develop a high level of confidence, as well as a professional attitude. I have also planned to get membership of Association for Information Systems (AIS) which is a professional body related to the field of information technology. The goals of AIS include becoming the leader of the information system research, education, and professional practice, promoting excellence in IT education, promoting information system as the world’s best professional career, and helping information system professionals and related communities in improving their professional skills and abilities. Some of the main benefits which I will get from that membership include access to world’s best information system professionals, opportunity of knowledge sharing with IT experts, career placement services, access to world-class information systems conferences, exclusive right to use to the AIS library, and opportunity to get monthly newsletters about the latest updates regarding information technology services. I believe that this membership will help me become a well-informed and competent information system professional. Task 2: 1. Chosen Technology: Cloud Computing Based MIS Information technology is the most rapidly expanding field of technology that has influenced almost every business. In this report, we will talk about a modern technology associated with the information technology. The technology we are talking about is Cloud Management Information System (Cloud MIS). Cloud MIS involves using cloud computing services to manage information and data that companies put into their information management systems. Cloud based management information systems... Some of the most considerable benefits of using Cloud based MIS include improved efficiency, greater flexibility and storage, lower initial capital expenditure, secure data management, improved management of the system, and lower operational expenditure. The basic concept of using this technology to manage MIS was developed in the recent years. However, with the passage of time, more and more developments are taking place that are making this technology a reliable choice for companies to store and manage their data. 2. Cloud Computing Talking about cloud based MIS, let us first get an understanding of what cloud computing actually is. Cloud computing is a network based online service that assists people in using a wide range of software applications on their personal computer systems using internet. Internet is the main requirement for using cloud services because of its network orientation. As Schauland (2011, p. 1) states, â€Å"Surfacing in late 2007, cloud computing is used to allow services used in everyday practice to be moved onto the Internet rather than stored on a local computer†. Cloud computing also helps companies in managing their data management tasks. Cloud services help businesspeople in such a way that employees and managers or any other user of the system do not need to be at some particular place to be able to use cloud services, rather they can carry out their data management activities being anywhere in the world. The only thing they need to do is to have a computer system and an inter net connection to access the cloud services. Cheow (2010) states that the users can make use of cloud computing applications as along as they have an access to the internet services.

Food Cultures and Consumption Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Food Cultures and Consumption - Research Paper Example This food culture is considered a part of the social identity of these people and is a part of their tradition and heritage. Hence, it is important to study the food culture and consumption habits of people while making studies on the human consumption behavior. Symbolic association between food and culture There is a symbolic association between different preparations of food and the consumption habits of people in different cultural background. One more aspect of food is defined by beverages. Beverages form an important part of food in every culture. In many communities, such as in European countries, China and Japan, consumption of wine resembles their cultural heritage of brewing high quality of wine. Wine consumption is itself identified as a separate field of study and scores of researchers have conducted specific research works on wine consumption habits of people. Research works in psychology, sociology as well as anthropology has evidences of mention of wine consumption habi ts of the population. It is deeply instilled within the cultural connotation of the community (Goodman, 2009). Research shows that in almost all communities around the world, traditional meetings, festivals and cultural gatherings reflect the presence of food as a part of festivity or occasion. Food is a key factor in social interactions and acts as an important mechanism for determining relationships among community members (Rijswijk & Frewer, 2008). Often varied communication channels are discovered among nonmembers during discussion over food during snacks breaks, lunch or dinner. However, according to some researchers claim that the food habits of people, although closely associated with their traditional background, are highly affected by the changing nature of the countries under effect of globalization. Irrespective of the current food consumption pattern of the people, it is claimed by researchers that food habit of the population is representative of the population group an d changing food habits are symbolic of the evolving cultures of these communities. New horizons in marketing opportunities In this era of globalization, the effect of the culture and practices of the western society has spread to almost all the countries. In developing countries of Asia and Africa, westernization has affected the growth pattern of these countries. This shows that the growth process embraces the practices of the western countries of the USA and the countries of the European continent. This implicates that there is a strong relation between the growth of a society and their food habits. Companies all around the globe are utilizing this opportunity to expand their services, add new products to their portfolios and capture new markets within the country as well as internationally. In social functions or business meetings, people often discuss and sort out business issues or even establish new contracts. In this scenario, food habits play a major role in developing and a ugmenting contacts. Marketers can enhance the business activities of their companies by intervening into the food consumption pattern of people. Two distinct cultures are visible in this context, association of food and wine and between food and beer. Research works show that the food and beer are not as popular among different communities as food and wine. There is a perceived