Why Hitler’s Actions, the Treaty of Versailles and the Policy Appeasement Contributed to the Outbreak of War in Sept?

The Policy appeasement contributed to the outbreak of war in sept. 1939 because by appeasing Hitler Britain and France gave him the confidence to believe he could ask for anything he wanted. This only reinforced what they’d already shown him, which was they wouldn’t take action if he wanted him broke the treaty, such as when he took over other parts of Europe, such as Sudetenland in 1938 and reoccupying the Rhineland.This made him stronger and more powerful, which made him more likely to start a war because he thought he was more likely to win or for Britain and France not to react in the first place because even though they said that they’d start war if he attacked Poland, he didn’t believe they would. So he invaded and WW2 broke out as promised. Appeasement couldn’t ever of stopped Hitler; it merely suspended war, which made war more likely in sept. 1939 because it gave Britain and France more time to re-arm which meant they were more likely to de clare a war they could actually win.The treaty of Versailles contributed to the outbreak of war in sept. 1939 because they were overly harsh towards Germany which effected every aspect of life in the country which left the population angry and vengeful. This lead to Hitler’s uprising because he promised to abolish the treaty and get Germany back on its feet, which meant in 1933 he had the power to put in motion his plans for Germany that would lead to War. He Joined with Austria, rearmed and reoccupied the Rhineland, this not only went against the treaty it also made Germany stronger and more ready for War.The treaty of Versailles also contributed to war in sept. 1939 because it made Britain and France more likely to follow the above appeasement policy. Many people after WW1 was fully over started to believe the treaty was way too harsh on Germany, this meant Britain and France felt Germany deserved the land. Which in turn made Germany stronger because of the mineral resource s such as Iron and Coal Hitler could use to fuel his military and country as a hole and also meant more men to fight on Germanys side. Which made war more likely as Germany would be stronger and therefore Hitler would be more likely to start a fight.Hitler’s actions lead to War in Sept. 1939 because he was an aggressive dictator with clear aims to abolish the treaty, get Germany an empire and unit German speakers. In other words make Germany great again. He also wanted to re-arm which would allow him to both break the treaty and expand because he knew other countries weren’t just going to let him walk in and take over, he expected a fight, and so he needed arms. This would also achieve his other aim to create Lebensraum that was living space for German people.These aims lead him to invade Czechoslovakia and Poland, which lead to War in sept. 1939 when they’re allies came to help. Without Hitler’s drive to meet his aims the War might not of happened at all . Another way in which Hitler’s actions contributed to war in Sept. 1939 was because his aims appealed to the German public. He promised a new Germany, better, stronger, without the treaty. Germany were in an economic depression they’d do anything to get out of, this meant they were open to Hitler’s aggressive nature, and this helped bring him to power in 1933.If Hitler wasn’t in power he couldn’t of carried out his actions. In conclusion all three contributed to the war but they all worked together. The treaty of Versailles made Germany want revenge, which lead to Hitler’s popularity because he promised to abolish it, which lead to him gaining power, which meant he could carry out his plans, so Britain and France either had to appease him or start a war. In the end they did both, but by appeasing him first they also made war more likely because it encouraged Hitler’s confidence, so he felt more comfortable taking bigger and bigger ri sks.

Grand Theory Written Assignment Essay

Nursing theory gathers specific information regarding aspects of nursing and utilizes these findings to communicate and describe nursing phenomena. Theories provide a framework for nursing practice and processes. Grand nursing theories are broadest in scope and provide generalizations regarding nursing situations. Grand nursing theories consist of four schools of thought. Nursing theorists bring a unique definition, approach, and focus to these specific schools of thought. The first school of thought includes theories that reflect an image of nursing as meeting the needs of patients (Meleis, 2012). When a patient is unable to meet their individual needs it is the responsibility of the nurse to provide what is necessary in assisting the patient towards independence. Virginia Henderson was a needs theorist who categorized human needs into 14 components: breathing normally, eating and drinking adequately, eliminate body wastes, move and maintain desirable postures, sleep and rest, selec t suitable clothes, maintain homeostasis, personal hygiene, protect the integument, avoid environmental dangers and injury to others, communicate with others, worship according to faith, participate in recreation, learn and discover, and work in such a way there is a sense of accomplishment (www.currentnursing.com). Henderson defined nursing as assisting with these activities to help the individual achieve independence. A person’s ability to successfully perform activities of daily living is imperative to healing. Nurses can assist patients achieve this by identifying knowledge deficits and providing the person with knowledge to help restore wholeness. The next school of thought is interaction. These theories were conceived by those who viewed nursing â€Å"†¦as an interaction process with a focus on the development of a relationship between patients and nurses† (Meleis, 2012). Interaction theorists focus on illness as an experience and nurses must implement therapeutic processes to care for the patient. Imogene King was an interaction theorist that defined nursing as â€Å"†¦a process of action, reaction, and interaction whereby nurse and client share information about their perceptions of the nursing situation and agree on goals† (Meleis, 2012). King’s theory stated that the goal of nursing is to help individuals maintain their health and share meaningful interactions to achieve their goals (Meleis, 2012). The interaction school of thought is imperative because it empowers the patient to be an active and equal participant in their own health care. The third school of thought is outcomes. These theorists strived to restore stability and bring balance to the patient and their environment (Meleis, 2012). Myra Levine was an outcomes theorist the believed that nursing is a conservation of integrities and energy (Meleis, 2012). Levine also defined nursing as patient advocacy and individualizing patient needs with compassion and commitment (Meleis, 2012). These theorists believe that effective coping mechanisms can help the patient live harmoniously. The fourth and final school of thought is caring/becoming. These theories evolved from interaction theories but they are more expansive. â€Å"The process of care is defined as a process of becoming for both clients and nurses; however, transformation is only possible if each is open to it† (Meleis, 2012). Jean Watson believed the goal of nursing to be mental and spiritual growth for human beings, (nurses and clients), and finding meaning in experiences (Meleis, 2012). The caring theory focuses more on the nurse/patient relationship compared to the interaction theory. The grand theory school of thought that is most congruent with my nursing practice is the outcomes theory. I believe that every patient responds to health issues differently. I assess what they need, what their deficits are, and how I can enable their coping mechanisms. I work at a busy trauma center and we have emergency surgeries frequently. Many of these are suction dilatation and curettages. Each woman handles this differently. So I sense and assess what they need to have the best outcome possible. Some want to leave right away, some want to stay a while, some want to see their family and some don’t. It might not be the norm to keep one of these patients for three hours, but I will keep them until they are ready to leave. I believe in patient advocacy on an individualized basis. Please refer to Table 1. Grand Theorist Information for theorist comparison.

Biological Factors That Affect A Childs Development Education Essay

Biological Factors That Affect A Childs Development Education Essay During the prenatal period there are many biological factors that can affect the child’s development. There are many environmental factors that can damage the fetus and interfere with a healthy development. In the early years, development focuses on fast and constant changes involving physical growth. Good nutrition becomes a key component in this area of development and we also find many motor milestones that the individual will need to achieve. Cognitive and social development will also play a fundamental role in this period and theorists like Piaget have suggested certain stages in regards to these areas. There are several areas of development that will affect the child’s overall growth and progress. We will notice that there are specific ages defined for a specific milestone to be reached. However, we must understand that every child is different and may acquire different developmental successes in different times compared to other children. The motor, sensory and perceptual skills of infants are developed as they are exposed to a wide range of experiences, with plenty of opportunity to explore and understand the world around them. Providing them with physical play where they can be laying flat on tummies or back will help them develop stronger muscles and more coordination. Sensory stimulation through touch, taste, hearing, seeing and smelling will be key in their development. Helping the infant explore and stimulate his senses will create the beginning of understanding of the world around him. Perception is gained through the sensory information the infant receives. Stimulation and a rich caring environment will help provide the necessary background and support for the infant’s motor, sensory and perceptual development. Cognitive development in the new born infant can be observed as the child becomes aware of physical sensation. He will explore with mouth, hands, and feet and begin to understand cause and effect and will begin to pro blem solve around the 7th month. One important fact to remember is that children are thinkers and they will learn by exploring and trying to understand the world around them. In the middle childhood we may find that there are many physical and neurophysiologic changes that include refining motor and perceptual skills. They are beginning to improve coordination, control, manipulation and movement. Their fine motor skills are getting much more refined and we may observe them tying their shoes, lacing and threading, writing and drawing (San Ramon, R.G.2010). All of these tremendous changes constantly occurring generate specific milestones which are a product of growth in sensory -motor, memory, skeletal and muscular maturation. Of course neurological development is supported by the environmental stimulus that they are exposed to. We will also notice that during this time period children are very active exploring their environment and learning how to control their bodies in order to ach ieve success in certain games, sports or skills. We must provide them with many opportunities to practice and master all of the skills and abilities that they are know learning. The more enriching and challenging the environment the greater the chances for learning and improving (Zembar,M.J, Blume,L.B.(2009).

The Effectiveness of the UGG Brand Management Research Paper - 1

The Effectiveness of the UGG Brand Management - Research Paper Example The history of UGG  ® registered trademark of Australia began in 1978, when Brian Smith, a young surfer, introduced his sheepskin boots in California and became popular among surfers. It was acquired by Decker’s outdoor corporation in 1995. In the next couple of years, the product line grew to include two boots, four slippers, and a few casuals. It was only in 1998 that UGG  ® came in the list of the world’s finest footwear. UGG  ® was positioned as the high-end luxury product and brand and a matching appropriate marketing and distribution strategy were adopted. This high-end product, the symbol of luxury and comfort, soon started expanding beyond Australia and beaches of California. In 2003 it was named brand of the year in footwear news. The brand promise of UGG  ® is an accessible luxury. Their products fit into the everyday life of the customers. Their products are fashionable, comfortable and yet attainable and that explains their philosophy. The target cus tomers are those people who value luxury, comfort and highest quality footwear. The quality is ensured by using the highest quality of leather, suede and the world’s finest sheepskin. Their mission statement is â€Å"UGG  ® Australia markets the premier brand in luxury and comfort.† UGG has their concept stores in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Apart from that they have their own authorized retailers and authorized online retailers almost all over the world (UGG, 2011). Today’s world is flooded with brands. We have witnessed the branding of almost everything around us including people. Even places, institutes, events, literally everything is branded.  

Pick one Neureobiology topic from list Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pick one Neureobiology topic from list - Essay Example These are the simplest and oldest microscopes which use light along with powerful lenses to focus on a living or a dead specimen placed onto a platform called the stage (refer to the picture above). The specimen (also called sample) is viewed using the eye piece. Before we move onto electron microscopy we must understand what exactly is meant by the term resolution. Resolution is a measure of how detailed an image is. A picture with a great resolution is very clear. The problem with light microscopy is that the image (called micrograph) formed using a light microscope has a lower resolution i.e. it is less clear even at the highest magnification. Now the question is why resolution matters. It matters because the clarity of an image matters when viewing cells that have very small parts if the resolution is low then two small parts can end up appearing as one single small part. Light microscopes have a limit of resolution of 200nm that is if any two objects are viewed using a light microscope and are closer than 200nm to each other than they cannot be viewed as separate objects and instead they get merged into a single object. The major difference between a light and an electron microscope is of resolution. Electron microscopes have a much greater resolution than light microscopes and as a result the image (micrograph) obtained using an electron microscope is much clearer. These use a beam of electrons (very small negatively charged particles that are found in all substances) instead of light to examine the specimen. Electron microscopes were made in order to overcome the limitations of the light microscope. Electron microscopes provide much larger magnification and much clearer images of specimen being viewed. There are two types of electron microscopes: 1. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) designed after reflective light microscopes these are also using electrons beams but here the beam is used for scanning the surface or the boundary of

History Essay Modernity Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

History Modernity - Essay Example ctives that originates back to the origins for the purposes in a manner that would create objectivity for the purposes of embarking on reduction of feudalism in the region of Western Europe. It has the capabilities of conversion of modern societies for the establishment of the functionalities of modern world for ensuring the concept of globalization for the furtherance with amazing outcomes that is a source of transitional effects of history. The accent of this treatise is to embellish the concept of modernity for the purposes of ensuring an element that would create a philosophy of preponderance for ensuring modern outlook and thoughts as well as inspirations. The transitional phase can be described as a positive thrust for the emancipation of various processes that converge in the formation modernity for the exuberance that would embellish the token of success. In a society there are various processes and forces such as traditionalism, understanding of modernity with a balance between sobriety and style that would broaden the outlook and relevance. This aspect would accentuate a balance between perfection and eliciting the balance in the formation of thoughts for achievement of modernity. It should be appreciated for the development of the society for establishment of a remarkable example that would create various vistas and avenues for being in limelight to become a personality with sound judgment as well as astute thinking on the aspect of modernity. The objective is to follow in certain parts of the society traditionalism without compromising the benefits and achieve the happiness and freedom of modernity without sacrificing the value s and principles. Various schools of thought as well as various pronouncements of theorists that would enable the modern man to embark on a mission that would pave the way for amazing awakening for establishment of modernity. The awakening of thoughts and the process of transformation towards modernity would further accentuate a

A Marketing Plan for Successful Market Entry Essay - 2

A Marketing Plan for Successful Market Entry - Essay Example Since demand for beauty soaps has augmented in the global context and LUX enjoys high reputation in producing beauty soaps, the essay will give evidences to stress on the fact that most competitive strategy of the firm is to launch a new anti-acne whitening soap in the existing markets. LUX is a company that has primarily engaged in production of beauty soaps since its inception in 1899. Though the company operates in almost all nations of the world, yet from its marketing audit, it is found that products of the company are at the declining stage of product life cycle. So, if the company desires to succeed in the long run, it must introduce appropriate marketing strategies in business. With the help of an appropriate marketing plan, the company would gain a clear idea about key marketing elements to be considered in its business and hence, be able to focus on desired business progressive objectives. The current report focuses on a marketing plan for the company. This plan would allow the company to frame productive strategies by virtue of which it would be able to successfully launch products in new markets and also improve quality of products in the existing markets. The marketing plan of the company would be a broader perspective than it simple business plan. Mor eover, this will also help the firm to comprehend problems associated with its existing marketing mix strategies. At this juncture, where giant multinational companies like, ITC and Palmolive, are competing with LUX on the global forum, role of a marketing plan for the company is indispensable. With the help of a marketing plan, LUX in the long run would become a profitable member in the business world. The aggregate revenues and brand awareness of the company would eventually increase. With the help of the plan, LUX would be able to effectively achieve its business

Why does tayo wants to be white smoke Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Why does tayo wants to be white smoke - Essay Example Tayo portrays himself as formless as white smoke and refuses to talk to the doctor’s as white smoke is invisible. In his guilt and trauma he wants to become the white smoke because white smoke has no consciousness of itself and in becoming invisible and oblivious he was granted a safe heaven, where nothing horrific or awful penetrated. Losing consciousness and becoming invisible allowed Tayo to leave the painful memories behind and escape the war and the reality and the guilt of Rocky’s and Josiah’s death. â€Å"The smoke had been dense; visions and memories of the past did not penetrate there, and he had drifted in colors of smoke, where there was no pain†. (Ceremony) 1. For him the smoke was a barrier against the pain, where visions and memories of the war did not infiltrate. This barrier of white smoke made him fell safe and secure from the awful reality surrounding him. The doctor’s further aid him in feeling like white smoke by keeping him drugged, helping him to maintain a state of unconsciousness, oblivious of all things surrounding him. Their medicine drained memory out of his thin arms and replaced it with a twilight cloud behind his eyes†. The medicines induced a state of stupor for Tayo, in which his thoughts, memories and consciousness get lost as if in a fog. Instead of helping him they simply let him believe that he indeed is white smoke. To Tayo living or becoming white smoke is a way of escaping reality and the ugliness of the war. By keeping his memories at bay he tries to create a place where he is safe from the horrific visions of war and the death of his relatives. A place where he dose not have to feel guilty for killing his uncle Josiah’s or for not being able to protect his cousin Rocky from

Policy analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Policy analysis - Assignment Example The second CPI-W is used to measure the wages for clerks and urban workers. These CPI do not account for substitution leading to the eventual overstatement of inflation (Cagan & Moore, 1981). Consumers change their spending pattern in response to relative price changes over time. This may be due to substitution of one commodity for another as the relative prices change. This result to changes in weights and therefore the price index that fails to note that change overstates the real and true variation in the cost of living. The economic value of life as non-economists think is not to be measured using the accounting measures such as the present value of lost earning. The value of life on the basis of preventing accidental deaths cannot be speculated using accounting measures. The economic value of life of an individual drawn from statistical analysis is higher than the actual present value of the earnings of the same individual when exposed to risk. Willingness-to-pay measures based on surveys may overstate the true willingness- to pay of the respondents because the surveys are based on samples from population which have a margin of error. Besides this respondents in surveys do not often respond to questions out of stability or preferences and are mainly inventing answers (Piros, 2013). As a result, the analysis shows bias on the true willingness-to-pay. Most smokers prefer to smoke presently while deferring the disadvantages in the future despite the cost increments in the cigarettes. This is because of the time value of money which entails the concept that money has value in the present than in the future. The cost benefit analysis of policies to reduce the smoking rate shows that consumers benefit less from smoking than the gains they receive. In this case, most smokers have future health problems resulting from smoking.

Trends in consumption patterns Essay Example for Free

Trends in consumption patterns Essay Although no single definition of economics will ever satisfy the demands of all analysts or even of all interested parties, attempts to succinctly define economics as a science, or even as a part of nature have persisted for centuries. A good, but certainly not exhaustive, definition of economics is that it comprises the study of how human beings allocate scarce resources to produce various commodities and how those commodities are distributed for consumption among the people in society with the added provision that the essence of economics lies in the fact that resources are scarce, or at least limited, and that not all human needs and desires can be met. (Economics, 2004)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This latter observation forms a central part of all economic theories and in some cases can be regarded as the central premise for   the study of economics altogether. The fact of scarce resources has its counterpart in the availability (or unavailability) of currencies, and also in the desirability of specific resources among specific consumers. The general terminology associated with such considerations is known as the law of supply and demand. From this central idea springs most of what has comprised and still comprises economic theory and practice.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The law of supply and demand is at once simple to comprehend and perilously difficult to thoroughly understand. In its   simplest sense, the law of supply and demand refers to   the reality that resources, goods, or commodities which are in high-demand and short supply will command higher prices than resources, goods, or commodities which are abundant but in low demand by consumers.   A readily comprehensible case-in-point would be the example of a rare book, or first edition publication. Such an antiquity may be of value, but its pricing and market value will depend utterly upon demand and availability (supply): The law of supply and demand will determine the value of a first edition, in other words, by how many collectors are interested in obtaining a copy, compared with the number of copies available. Even if a book is in scarce supply, it will have little value if it is not wanted by collectors and equally, a book which has a print run of several thousand copies can still be worth a great deal if there are more collectors requiring a copy than there are copies available. (Law of Supply and, 2005, p. 13)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Such simple models grant an elementary understanding of the law of supply and demand; however, the true implications of the seemingly simple paradigm are many and the nuances of what influences trends in supply and demand is much more difficult to predict and quantify than the basic attributes of the theory itself.   In some ways, entire markets are basically an extension of the law of supply and demand; a concrete representation of it in action, what is called a market is simply a label for an intersection of supply and demand correspondences, from which equilibrium allocations may be deduced but whether or not equilibrium allocations may be determined by scientific study remains ambiguous given the very real influence of psychological factors which impact demand among consumers and are perilously difficult to gauge or predict. (Loasby, 1999, p. 107)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On the supply side of the equation, it is possible to pinpoint certain trends and tendencies which lead to imbalance. The law of supply indicates that production should not exceed demand, nonetheless, Economic imbalance caused by overproduction or shortages is a recurring leading cause of business cycle downturns and despite the fact that under most economic theories, this situation should not occurthe pricing system is supposed to create an environment in which supply and demand always match at the market price the ambiguity of consumer demand proves much more difficult to anticipate to gauge with precision. (Schaefer, 1995, p. 17)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One reason for this difficulty on the supply side is that fact that When the economy is at full capacity, certain industries become carried away with the prospects of unlimited growth as they expand production capacity to meet rising demand which,in turn, often leads to overcapacity. Because most business operations tend always to experience fluctuating sales and cost pressures, they concentrate on immediate business problems-not realizing the severity of the overcapacity. (Schaefer, 1995, p. 17)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The same principle holds true for currency itself: when overcpacity is reached in forms of currency, inflation is the result: an increase in the amount of circulating currency beyond the needs of trade; an oversupply of currency is created, and, in accordance with the law of supply and demand, the value of money decreases. Deflation is brought about by the opposite condition and yet despite the working, theoretical paradigm, a balance in supply and demand is usually fleeting. Modern economics admits a new form inflation: government borrowing, the increase in the money supply, and a diminished supply of consumer goods which can   increase demand relative to supply and force rising prices.   (Inflation, 2004)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On the demand side, ambiguities and uncertainties flourish.   The law of demand dictates that demand for a product or good or commodity plus its relative availability will create the price. However, since consumer demand is a fickle and unpredictable force shaped by myriad factors, it is often difficult to spot or predict trends which will yield a good balance between supply and demand.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   An example of just how subject to vagaries and random events is the notion of consumer demand, is the notion of the umbrella company looking to sell umbrellas Contingencies open up a very wide field. Rain on May 15, 2006 certainly matters, but so does rain on May 14, since this is likely to bring forward some purchases, and therefore to affect both supply and demand on May 15   which is hardly a mathematical paradigm susceptible to logical scrutiny, much less production quotas.   (Loasby, 1999, p. 110)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It becomes incumbent upon the observer to regard the demand side of the supply and demand paradigm as somewhat beholden to psychological vagaries the laws of value and exchange as dependent on the (psychological) law of diminishing returns of satisfaction as the presumed basis of the entire theoretical study of consumption. In this sense, the universal catallactic law of supply and demand involves a (psychological) linkage with the realm of consumption (Zafirovski, 2003, p. 19).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As such it is often useful to regard consumer trends as psychologically driven and to avoid using the market specification as a framework for investigating demand, and instead considering the   variety of intentions among potential purchasers in order to specify the market correctly. (Loasby, 1999, p. 110)   Another factor which contributes to consumer demand is personal disposable income and this aspect of economics is influenced by many   things: The amount of personal disposable income that consumers have available to spend in retail outlets is influenced by a number of general economic factors including: †¢ unemployment levels; †¢ regional employment patterns; †¢ interest rate levels; †¢ inflation levels; †¢ earnings levels. (Varley Gillooley, 2001, p. 61) With such a wide range of considerations, it is no surprise that the intricacies of supply and demand have not bee reduced to formulaic consistency de spite centuries of analysis.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   References Inflation. (2004). In The Columbia Encyclopedia (6th ed.). New York: Columbia University   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Press. Law of Supply and Demand Determines Value of First Editions. (2005, January 8). Western   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mail (Cardiff, Wales), p. 13. Poindexter, J. T. (1993). Labor and Economic Trends: Effect on U.S. Workforce. Review of   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Business, 15(1), 34+. Schaefer, H. G. (1995). International Economic Trend Analysis. Westport, CT: Quorum Books. Varley, R., Gillooley, D. (2001). Retail Product Management: Buying and Merchandising.   Ã‚  Ã‚   London: Routledge. Zafirovski, M. (2003). Market and Society: Two Theoretical Frameworks. Westport, CT:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Praeger.

The Essence Of Human Resource Management Theory Management Essay

The Essence Of Human Resource Management Theory Management Essay According to Martyn Shuttleworth (2009), literature review is a critical and in depth evaluation of research in which all sides of an argument must be clearly explainted, and areas of agreement and disagreement should be highlighted. In order to deal with the objectives and question proposed in the chapter 1, the author is going to find related theories in academic journals both online and paper, and other academic sources to provide the supervisor as well as readers a comprehensive overview of why the author is pursuing the research. In the chapter, the definition, components and practice of human resource management, human resource management in Vietnam and SMEs will be presented. In addition, the author will address the problems and find solutions to improve human resource management. 2.1: Human resource management definition There have been many lessons and also so much research both national and interational on the human resource management, which are widely applied in enterprises. And these primarily concentrate on the areas including the concept of human resource management, functions of human resource management and its applications. An debate on what is the essence of human resource management theory is still ongoing conversation. A review and research agenda put forth by Guest (1997) has endeavoured to pull all those arguments together. He indicates that there are diverse theories about human resource management including illustrative, strategic and normative. Firstly, descriptive theory states that the important inputs of an alternative of human resource management policy and practice such as creating employee influence, enforcing human resource flows and establishing incentive reward systems will influence on four key effects, which are commitment, competence, congruence and cost effectiveness. These leading to they will produce low labor turnover, loyal and faithful employees, who will commit to build up an organizations efficiency. This statement is also presented by Beer et al (1984) and Beaumont (1993). Secondly, strategic theory suggests that a good coordination between business strategy, human resource policy and practice will strengthen enterprises performance. Finally, normative theory describes a set of value that indicates human resource management practice applied to gain normative targets of high commitment to the enterprise. This will affect the performance of enterprises. Definition of human resource management is still in argument. Boxall and Purcell (2003) argue that this definition is affected by three issues. Firstly, human resource management is derived from a range of antecedents and depends on the stance and philosophy of the analyst. Secondly, it contributes to the analysis of the employment relationship, and is reliant upon context. Finally, the significance of human resource management is variable, which emphasize people, strategy, employment relationships etc. In order to emphasize human resource management, Redman and Wilkinson (2006) compare it as the utilization of individuals to achieve an organizations objectives. People management not only critical to business performance but also much more significant than priority over quality, technology, competitive strategy or RD terms of influence on the bottom-line. They present functions of human resource management, which include employee and labour relations, staffing, human resource development, compensation and benefits, safety and health. Storey (1995) states, similarly, that human resource management is a distinctive approach to employment management which seeks to achieve competitive advantage through strategic development of a highly committed and skilled workforce, using an integrated array of cultural, structural techniques. In addition, Cherrington (1995) confirms that human resource management is responsible for how people are treated in companies. It is the commitment on taking p eople into the organizations, assisting them carry their work out, compensating them for their labours, and settling issues that arise. 2.2: Human resource management functions and performance According to Mondy (2002), there are four functions in human resource management including recruitment, training and development, performance appraisal, compensation and benefits. Together they make up the human resource management system. Top management views these functions as an important tool to enhance competitiveness. Recruitment is, firstly, the process of attracting individuals on an opportune basis, in sufficient numbers and with suitable qualifications, and motivating them to apply for jobs with an organization. This process involves analyzing and forecasting the talent that companies need to execute their business plan, it is an important strategic step, enabling the organization to recognize, develop and sustain the workforce skills it needs to successfully accomplish its strategic intent whilst balancing career and lifestyle goals of its employees. Better recruit would lead to improvement in organisation productivities outcome compare to a poor recruit process. This process is very crucial to the success of the business. Failure to recruit appropriate worker will result in slow or stunted the grow of business (Boxall and Purcell 2000, p.140). The firm may then select those applicants with qualifications most closely related to job specifications (Mondy, 2002). He confirms that finding the r ight way of encouraging qualified candidates to put in for employment is extremely important when a firm needs to hire employees. Training and development is, secondly, the heart of a continuous effort designed to improve employee competency and organizational performance. Mondy (2002) argues that training provides learners with the knowledge and skills needed for their present jobs. On the other hand, development involves learning that goes beyond todays job, which has a more long-term focus. It prepares employees to keep pace with the organization as it changes and grows. Training Development activities have the potential to align a firms employees with its corporate strategies. According to Leonard Nadler (1984), training and development are ornanizational learning experiences took place in the certain period of times in order to increase the job performance and improve the development capacity of organizations and individuals. The concept emphasizes the ultimate goal of human resource development is to develop the organization, also focuses on the combination of personal development goals together with development objectives of the organization. However, the term also confirmed the development activities only increase job performance and organizational development capability since only when are employees interested in appling the learned knowledge to the work then the change will be created. On the other hand, the concept also clarified the role of direct managers in improving the job performance of employees yet definition of the concept is still in debate. Similarly, Henry J.Sredl Willam J. Rothwell (1997) defines training and development is to refer to the organizational learning experiences which are sponsored by the business ower. They are designed and implemented along with the goal of improving the job performance and enhancing the human condition through ensuring the combination of organizational and individual goals. The concept emphasizes the support of employer for their employees in the human resource development activities. On another view, Jerry W. Gilley (2002) states that training and development is the process of promoting organizational learning, improving job performance, and creating changes through the implementation of solutions (official and non-official), initiatives and management activities aiming at performance improvement, competitiveness and innovation which has more emphasis on the official and non-official remedies in human resource development activities, and also more focus on organizational management s olutions. Thirdly, according to Mondy (2002), performance appraisal (PA) is a formal system of review and evaluation of individual or team task performance. While assessment of team performance is essential as long as teams exist in an organization, the focus of PA in a number of companies remains on the individual employee. In spite of the emphasis, an effective appraisal system evaluates achivements and initiative plans for improvement, targets, and objectives. Finally, Mondy (2002) shows that compensation administration is one of managements most difficult and challenging human resource areas on account of containing quite a lot of elements and has a far-reaching impact on an organizations plans. Compensation is the total of all awards provided to employees in return for their services. Generally speaking, pay system are designed to attract, preserve, and encourage employees, to attain internal, external, and individual equity, and to keep a balance up in relationships between direct and indirect forms of compensation, and between the pay rates of supervisory and non-supervisory employees. As far as the relationship between human resource management and organizations performance is concerned, there has been increasing numbers of research. Most of them support the positive correlation between high performance as a result of human resource management practice and efficiency of enterprise performance. Poole and Jenkins (1996) examined the development of comprehensive human resource management policies by the survey of 909 firms in Britain and investigated that human resource management is one of the key factor to achieve a competitive advantage. With the general consensus, Dunphy and Stace (1992) have the same view with Poole and Jenkins. They emphasize that people themselves and their skills are the important factor to the added value of the organisation and human management will have an influence on enriching the efficiency of an organization. As a result, human resource management must be added in enterprises strategic development. The empirical study on effects of management training of Wong (1997) finds out that there are considerable impacts of management training and development on reforming performance of small and medium enterprises. In addition, Bratton and Gold (1994), Bearwell et al (1994) and Storey (1995) conclude that an organisation, which strives to improve its operations and demand for success, leads to the greater emphasis on human resource management. Hence, these studies have suggested that policies and practices of human resource management contribute to business success. Furthermore, there are several studies in which have included performance-based compensation as one of the high performance in human resource management practices. Redman and Wilkinson (2006) state that compensation is the total of all rewards provided employees in return for their services. There are two types of compensation including financial and non-financial compensation. Financial component consists of wages, salaries, bonuses, social security, health services etc. In contrary, non-financial one covers the satisfaction that an employee receives from the job itself and job environment such as teamwork, skills, autonomy, flex time and others. Huselid (1995), Delery and Doty (1996) consider compensation and benefits as the single strongest predictor of an enterprises performance. Based on empirical studies, these authors conclude that there is a positive correlation between performance-related pay and company performance. Therefore, performance-based compensation and merit-based promotions can be evaluated as important factors in incentive systems (Guest, 1997 and Huselid, 1995). At present, there are quite a lot of ways to progress the practice of human resource management. One of the key factors for the success of enterprises in a competitive market is to keep up continued competence through the development of human resources, which employee performance appraisal is a crucial tool. Borman (1991) defines that performance appraisal is a system of reviews and evaluations of an individuals or teams performance. It covers human resource planning, recruitment and selection, training and development, career planning and development, compensation programs and evaluation of employee potentials, of which compensation is widely apply in performance appraisal. A professional appraisal system could significantly improve employee performance and enterprise profitability (Robert, 1995). 2.3: Human resource management in small and medium enterprises Hill and Stewart (2000), with respect to human resource management in small and medium enterprises, state that SMEs lack resources like large enterprises, which tends to follow informal modes of operation such as short-term perspectives and the owners preferences and experience. However, many studies indicate that issues in SMEs are similar to those facing large enterprises such as the difficulty of linking investment in training with performance outcomes, the delivery of training courses and impacts of technology. Patton et al (2000) suggest that understanding the link between training interventions and achieving performance might be complicated by several variables that could impact the relationship. These factors might contain surrounding factors and particular ones to the firm, such as the owner and background of the management team, and the partnership between the training supplier and the recipient. Patton et al recommend that it could be more productive to encourage training as beneficial to the firm in the widest sense rather than attempting to reveal clear causal relationship. Huang (2001) argues that inadequacies in the definition and measurement of training have hampered attempts to show links between training and improvements in performance. Huangs study suggests that, where firms grow up sophisticated training courses with efficient management assistance, the effectiveness of the investment in training will be high (Huang, 2001). However, it might be argued that, by their very natu re, small and medium enterprises might lack the ability to build up sophisticated training programmes, with or without management assistance. There is a huge challenge in thinking up incentives for small firms to invest in formal job related training when it is often difficult to argue that it is in their short-term interests to do so. In relative terms, the effect of the owner manager in a small firm is much more pervaise and powerful than may be the case with the CEO of a big firm. In the view of Mazzarol (2003), he suggests small businesses are the product of their owners, whose personality and personal involvement dominate. The owner managers perspectives to training will be an essential hindrance or assistance in the implementation of training programmes. Hankinsons (2000) study of owner-managers found that these managers typically invested 93% of their working day inside the firm and made little deliberate attempt to up-skill themselves through joining courses or reading relevant literature as they regarded experience as the most relevant from of their continuing achievement. Managers with these views to training are not likely to encourage high rates of participation in training amongst their staffs. One response to this low regard many owner-managers have for the relevance of available training and developm ent schemes might be to develop an approach based on mentoring (Hudson-Davies et al. 2000). Sharply becoming a key issue, technology is in association with training on two sides, first the rapid development of technology coupled with the increasing pressure to keep up technical skills in order to maintain competitive, should supply an important incentive for continued investment in training and development. As McCole et al (2001) note, the generally negative attitude and low priority given to training in many SMEs is a matter for concern. Following their study of training in SMEs in Northern Ireland, McCole et al summarized that the short-term emphasis in small companies, which depresses investment in longer term masters such as training, might result in small companies experiencing a decline in their ability to keep up competitive in terms of their key human resources. The second side of technology is that new forms of electronically mediated training design and delivery should overcome several the problems of access, that have been often cited by managers in SMEs as a maj or obstacle. In spite of the importance of technology and the chances now emerging, research seems to suggest that SMEs have not been quick on the uptake. From a number of managers of SMEs, a frequent complaint is that available training programmes are not well designed for the commands of the small companies, or are difficult to adapt to the specific requirements of a firm. The issues here might be more complicated than simply a question of content. Anderson and Boocock (2002) argue that the big firm model of learning, on which the majority of formal training courses are arranged, is inappropriate for small companies in which the distinctive culture and communications systems could be more suited to learning which occurs through more informal processes. Advances on training in SMEs has to contain concern not simply for content, but also for problems of timing, location and delivery and such training might require a significant level of customisation given the heterogeneous nature of the SMEs sector. Clearly there is a problem here for SMEs as highly customized products for small clients are not an appealing prospect for training provi ders. According to Patton (2000), he points out that the relationship between training interventions and improved performance may be hindered by factors such as the owner and nature of management team, the relationship between the training provider and recipient. In addition, Mazzarol (2003) states that the influence of the owner manager in SMEs is more pervasive and powerful than ones in large enterprises. Moreover, Huang (2001) argues that SMEs are not capable of designing sophisticated training programs with the management support, which is a challenge for SMEs to invest into jobs related to training programs. 2.4: Human resource management of SMEs in VietNam Vietnamese government with the assistance from international organisations in many countries in the world has paid more and more attention to the development of SMEs since the renovation doi moi. In order to support Viet Nam along with its efforts, some donors came and joined hands to support Vietnamese SMEs as key actors in the countrys socio-economic development. A number of researchers have been implemented with the mandate to provide assistance to the development of SMEs. Almost these researches have aimed at financial issues, businessworking environment of SMEs and business services. This area has been mentioned by some reports in different aspects although there has not been any research specialising in human resources management issues in Vietnamese SMEs. Nguyen Duc Vinh (1999) indicates that the faster the growth experienced by the small firm the more likely it will experience human resource masters. The management of SMEs tends to be small and multi-functional. Often, entrepreneurs run companies dingle-handed or take a disproportionate production of the key decisions, in addition to functioning as the general interface to the outside world. Creating a larger, professional management is desirable, but until a certain size is reached it is difficult to create much division of labour and to develop specialised interfaces. These leading to management functions in a brutal cycle of overwork, which results in inability to consider and exploit externally-derived improvement opportunities, that in turn leads to overwork. The lack of specialised is completely absent. Notably, a number of small firms have no engineers and therefore no intelligent interface to technological changes and opportunities. Other key skill and resources might be abse nt. Usually, for instance, new technology-based companies have few marketing or business development capabilities. SMEs, which are trying to orient to export markets, require good entrepreneurial and management skills. However, business management skills are not up to the mark. Only a few owners are equipped with business knowledge of a market economy. Most of the proprietors run business based on their own experience. In general, entrepreneurs in the SMEs sector are often home-grown, obtianing their skills and leadership qualities in their own workplace and business environment. Beyond a certain point, this learning by doing approach becomes less useful in assisting small firms in graduating into modern small enterprises, equipped with advance models of technology and marketing skills. Furthermore, SME management rely on being experienced and being able to communicate both inside the enterprise and with outside partners. Thus, according to Tuong Lai (1999), training and support programmes might be needed to build up the quality and skills of both employees and management. In Vietnam, the facts have showed that employers are reluctant to invest in training potentially highly mobile workers. To a certain extent, the demand for technical and vocational training is being dampened by employees tendency to leave for a better job once they have been trained. Employers do not believe in contracts that require their workers to stay firm a certain period of time after training, either because the workers are not registered or because they think the contracts will not be enforced. A survey by MPDF in 89 manufacturing companies in both public and private sectors (MPDF, 2000) found that: On average, each month, firms invested three days of internal staff time in training and bought-in an average of 16 days of training services. Seventy eight percent of external training was provided by the public sector. The respondents also state that training content needed to be more up-to-date, of global quality, and localized for the Vietnamese context. Training should be carefully matched to customers demands with both basic and advanced training options. The training itself needed to be practical, not theoretical. The method of instruction needed to be designed to ensure skill transfer from the classroom back to the workplace. Fifty nine percent of the companies indicated that they were not able to get the training expertise they needed in Viet Nam. Additionally, although labour is abundant, most job seekers are unskilled staffs. While only a small number of SMEs could provide training for their staffs, government assistance in training is insignificant. Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), though, plays an active role on organising seminars and some training courses, a number of private companies do not apply such programs, nor they aware of VCCIs training services that is particularly the situation in the poorer provinces (Stoyan Tenev et al., 2003). According to a survey by MPDF, private firms, especially SMEs are the least preferred place of employment. Students and their parents think of a private employer as failing to provide suitable jobs and to ensure job security for employees (MPDF, 1999). This perception makes SMEs more difficult to attract qualified labour. In a seminar on development of SMEs under the umbrella of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in 2005, Dodd (2005) points to another weakness arising from the fact that smaller Vietnamese businesses tend to have the bulk of their labour force make up of family members, friends or relatives. In this opinion, good brothers do not necessarily make good associates. It is often difficult for a company leader to have a good judgement of his employees, especially when it comes to one of his skin. And even when the right judgement is made, other employees may still see the directors decision as an unfair one. Brown and Davison (1999) shared this opinion with Dodd that human resource management within family-owned and managed small firms can also be made difficult when family members hold key positions within the business or find themselves in dispute with other or the human resource manager.

Whale Symbol Essay -- Literary Analysis, Moby Dick

There are many views on the symbolism of the white whale in Melville’s book, Moby Dick. Melville regarded the symbol as, what William Gleim describes, "a means of both revelation and concealment"(402). The symbol of the white whale lends itself easily to this concept. To Ahab, the whale represents the wickedness of nature. To Starbuck, it is a product. To Ishmael, however, it is "portentous and mysterious"(Melville, 6). It rouses his curiosity, but he recognizes it as a thing secluded. It is an "overwhelming idea"(Melville, 6): an idea which is larger than his consciousness. Its suggestions surpass his conscious understanding and cause him to feel significance even if he can’t know it. Moby Dick is literally an albino sperm whale. In his categorization of all whales, Melville regards the sperm whale as the primate: "He is, without a doubt, the largest inhabitant of the globe; the most formidable of all whales to encounter; and lastly, by far the most valuable in commerce"(Melville, 133). The whiteness of the whale enhances this communication in that it has regal associations, "a certain royal pre-eminence in this hue"(Melville, 184). The white whale, therefore, stands, primarily, as, what Gleim states, "the ideal representation of his species"(406). He is a sign of excellence to the order of nature. To Ishmael, however, the whiteness of the whale has not only dignified associations, but also terrible ones. The whiteness signifies a natural beauty, but it also signifies, "by its indefiniteness"(Melville, 192), the immensity of the universe. For all aboard the Pequod, their voyage is one of search for the ultimate truth of experience. What begins as a voyage in search of the product of whale oil, ends with the discovery of th... ...The white whale represents not only the excellence of creation but also the mystery of creation. William Sedgwick states, "He is significant of the massive inertia in things, and of the blind beauty and violence of nature--all that ignore or twists or betrays or otherwise does outrage to man's purpose"(98). As a significant form in nature, then, the shape of the white whale is the mask of "dumb blankness"(Melville, 192). It contains "the heartless voids† (Melville, 192). of the universe and conceals this abyss. Its mystery is its perplexing nature: its indifference to "kindly associations" and "joint stock"(Melville, 185) theories. Nature, however, is indifferent, and Moby Dick is the symbol of this indifference. Man can force perceptions of beauty upon nature and extract commodity from it, but the white whale represents the absolute negation of these efforts.

Of Mice And Men: Four Major Themes :: essays research papers

Of Mice and Men: Four Major Themes "Of Mice and Men", by John Steinbeck, is composed of four major themes. These themes are the value of dreams and goals, moral responsibility, social injustice, and the bond of friendship and loyalty. The value of dreams and goals are that they provide hope and the desire to keep going in life, rather than laying down to die. When Lennie is feeling depressed in the woods he asks George to tell him about the "dream farm" again. This is the farm that Geore and Lennie hope to own someday. Even though this dream seems almost impossible at the time it still generates enough hope to keep Lennie and George going. When George starts talking bout it Lennie gets all excited and happy and so does George. Another example of the power of dreams is when Candy over hears George and Lennie's "dream farm" and becomes a part of the dream. Candy goes from a depressed sad additude to a cheerful excited one. He now has hope of doing something and it came from the "dream farm". A final example of the value of dreams and goals is when Crooks hears of the farm. Crooks is a lonely black man who has no future, but when he starts to think of how he can be a part of the dream he also gets happy and excited, until his dream is crushed. Many people of good character have to honor certin moral responibilites. George is bond by his own moral to take care care of Lennie. No one makes him do it, he just does it because it feel like the right thing to do. Candy felt like he neglected his moral responibility to shoot his own dog. Candy felt real bad inside because it was his job to shoot his dog but instead Carlson shot him. This shows that when a person goes against what is moraly right to them , they hate themselves for it. At the end of the story George is forced, out of moral, to shoot Lennie. It was the right thing to do, and even though it almost killed George inside to kill his best friend, he still did it. Social injustice is when a person or a goup of people feel they are better than people who are different by race, inteligence, age, sex, or other differences. Curley is rude and mean toward Lennie for the sole reason that Lennie is a big guy. Curely dosn't like big guys so he singles out Lennie and

The Great Gatsby Essay -- Literary Analysis, F. Scott Fitzgerald

In the 1920s the values and morals of the majority of America were changing from very conservative to extremely liberal. People became more interested in what benefited them most, while disregarding what the cost would be. This is what essentially gave this era the title of â€Å"The Roaring Twenties†. The total rebellion of people changing from having a great set of morals and values to being corrupt and materialistic entirely reshaped the start of this era. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses Nick Carraway to show the worldly view of what good values and morals should be against the skewed values of Tom Buchanan and Jay Gatsby. Nick Carraway is portrayed by Fitzgerald as a small town guy from the Middle West that, while purpose-driven, isn’t focused as much on being wealthy as being successful. This is very evident when Nick’s new house is introduced. He describes it by saying, My house was an eye-sore, but it was a small eye-sore and had been overlooked so I had a view of the water, a partial view of my neighbor’s lawn and the consoling proximity of millionaires – all for eighty dollars a month (Fitzgerald 9-10). Nick knows he does not have the biggest and best house on the block, and he doesn’t really care. He takes pride in the fact that he is making away for himself and getting to live in a first class neighborhood. Harold Bloom supports this when he says, â€Å"Compared to Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan, Nick has modest means and modest desires† (1). These quotes both back up the fact that Nick is not a money-craving American. He is content with where he is in his life. Nick was also taught to be non-judgmental and to use his mind to succeed. The readers see this when Nick repeats father’s is advise when he is younger an... ...ay the wide difference between good and right morals and values of the 1920s and corrupt and superficial morals and values of that era. The â€Å"Roaring Twenties† was becoming full of people that are focused solely on satisfying their own wants and desires, instead of what would propel them further in life. The world had just gotten out of a war and was enjoying every minute of its life. It was a total change from people who had been extremely conservative, always living life by the book, to a whole new generation of liberals who would change the way Americans lived their life. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a great example of the diversity of values at that time. He made sure to include every criteria, from old money to new money, humbleness and pride, and true love versus love for money, these are all aspects that help to form a persons morals and values.

Beauvoir Mansion

The Beauvoir Mansion is located on the Gulf of Mexico in Harrison County, Mississippi between Biloxi and Gulfport. Originally the property consisted of six hundred acres and was the private property of Sarah Anne Ellis Dorsey, a woman who had known Jefferson Davis, the first and only President of the Confederate States of America throughout her life. She also was a classmate of Varinna Davis, Jefferson Davis' wife (Allen xx, 521).Dorsey originally rented the property to Davis so he would have a place to write his memoirs The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government published in 1881 and A Short History of the Confederate States of America shortly before his death. Dorsey later sold Beauvoir to him and also named him as her sole heir, in effect, giving him the property. It was the last residence of Jefferson Davis until his death in 1789 and as the home for his wife for some years after his death (Tinling 187).The Mississippi Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans bought the property in 1902 and converted it to the Jefferson Davis Memorial for Confederate Soldiers and Sailors (Rosenburg 194). Beauvoir served in this capacity until the mid-1950s when it was recast as the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library. Pratt and Pratt describe it as â€Å"a state shrine filled with memorabilia of his life and times (145). The Beauvoir Mansion is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. According to the Registry for a site to be listed it should meet one of the following criteria.The site must be associated with events that have made a â€Å"significant† impact on patterns of history,† be associated with a person who are significant to the United States' past, embody a characteristic type of construction, be representative of a building master or have high artistic value, or have contributed or is likely to yield significant historical information (National Registry). Clearly Beauvoir Mansion qualifies because of its association wit h Jefferson Davis, Confederate Veterans of the Civil War and is representative of construction in the South circa in 1852 (Pratt and Pratt 145; Beauvoir).As the Presidential Library of Davis it contains many of his papers as well as large collection of Civil War equipment and memorabilia. In addition, there is a Confederate Cemetery on the site where many Civil War veterans are buried. What is interesting about the Beauvoir Mansion is the wide variety of people it appeals to. Naturally it appeals to admirers, and detractors for that matter of Jefferson Davis and his important role in the Civil War. United States History students, scholars and professional historian as well.The Presidential Library provides resources to those working in this area of United States History. However it is not just history buffs that are interested in Beauvoir Mansion. The site holds a prominent place among those people interested in American Architecture and building construction. Chief among the weakne sses of Beauvoir Mansion is the vulnerability of the location in respect to the violent weather associated with hurricanes and tropical storms that are not uncommon in the area. Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged Beauvoir Mansion in 2005.Devereaux provides detailed information about the damage that includes damage to the Davis house and to the Presidential Library. The Hayes Cottage and the pavilion that served as a hospital for Confederate Veterans were completely destroyed as were the chapel, museum and gift shop. Fortunately much of the damage can be repaired. A four million dollar restoration is already underway with an expected reopening date in 2008. Beauvoir Mansion is an interesting historical and architectural site. It provides firsthand information about the Civil War from the point of view of the Confederacy.This is a valuable perspective that is not normally available to the general public who study the Civil War in schools that features the Union worldview. This view of the Civil War is obviously slanted in favor of the Northern States. The old saw about the winning side writing history is often true. Consequently, the people who lived in the Confederacy are largely forgotten and their leaders ignored because the South lost. It is important to remember that there were two points of view about the Civil War.Both positions had merit and defects. It is important to understand the insights both sides experienced in any historical event. The Beauvoir Mansion provides a great opportunity for Americans to learn from the past. When the repairs are completed and the Beauvoir Mansion reopens, it will be a site well worth visiting. Works Cited Allen, Felicity. Jefferson Davis: Unconquerable Heart. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press, 1999. Ballard, Michael B. Civil War Mississippi: A Guide. Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi, 2000.â€Å"Beauvoir: The Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library Before the Hurricane 2005. † 26 Feb. 200 7 . Cannon, Devereaux. â€Å"Beauvoir Still Stands! † 2 Sep. 2005. Vexillarium. 26 Feb. 2007 < http://vexillarium. blogspot. com/2005/09/beauvoir-still-stands. html>. â€Å"National Registry of Historic Places: Mississippi Harrison County. † National Registry of Historic Places. 26 Feb. 1999 Nofi, Albert A.A Civil War Treasury: Being a Miscellany of Arms and Artillery, Facts and Figures, Legends and Lore, Muses and Minstrels, Personalities and People. New York: Da Capo Press, 1995. Pratt, Dorothy & Pratt, Richard. A Guide to Early American Homes. New York: McGraw Hill, 1956. Rosenburg, R. B. Living Monuments: Confederate Soldiers' Homes in the New South. Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press, 1993. Tinling, Marion. Women Remembered: A Guide to Landmarks of Woman's History in the United States. New York: Greenwood Press, 1986. Wright, John D. The Language of the Civil War. Westport, CT: Oryx Press. 2001.

Nokia †Internal Analysis Essay

Financial performance We start our internal analysis by looking at Nokia’s sales and profitability. Strong sales and profitability results can indicate that the previous strategies were successful and changes in either can implicate a change in the market viability (Aaker, Mcloughlin, 2007). In 2007, Nokia realized total sales of about 435 million units and a net profit of â‚ ¬7,205 million. Although it has only a market share of 9.8% in the United States market, Nokia has a worldwide market share of 37,8%. This makes Nokia the market leader in the telecom industry and hereby a dominant player in the market. Nokia has 10 manufacturing facilities in 9 countries, and from these locations she distributes her products to more than 150 countries and different segments. With sales growing considerably compared to 2006, Nokia’s large customer base has only increased. Assuming new customers will create loyalty, future earnings are brought in. However, growth in the industry is declining, making it a difficult task for Nokia to keep their customers with the company. In 2007, Nokia’s total assets were â‚ ¬35,599 million (annual report Nokia, 2007), resulting in a Return On Assets (ROA) of â‚ ¬7,205/â‚ ¬35,599 = 20.24%. Nonfinancial performance Financial performance measures are primarily a reflection of the short-term business results. Because of this, nonfinancial performance measures must also be considered. Nonfinancial performance measures often provide better measures of long-term business health (Aaker, Mcloughlin, 2007). Relative costs Since 2004, Nokia is offering cheaper phones for the emerging markets. By using her economies of scale, Nokia was able to lower her costs, resulting in an average building price of only 69 euros per handset. This was giving Nokia a dominant position because it was very difficult for Nokia’s rivals to keep up with this cost reduction. However, Nokia’s produces most of its production volume in high-wage countries, leading to considerable extra costs in the manufacturing process. Brand/firm associations Over the years, Nokia has created a strong brand by listening to her customers and understanding customer needs. Nokia is often associated with high quality phones and this isn’t going unnoticed. In 2011, Superbrands, the world’s leading independent arbiter of brands, declared Nokia the leading brand in China. And in 2010, Nokia won the Economic Times award for most trusted brand in India (Nokia.com). Effective marketing campaigns helped creating a strong brand Nokia nowadays is. Customer Satisfaction With sales increasing year by year, Nokia managed to create a large customer base which is expanding every year. Nokia produces a wide range of phones with great differences in price, design and features. Because of this, Nokia can offer products that suits different customers desires and keep every customer satisfied. New product activity Nokia is developing new products year by year. In 2007, Nokia improved her research and development department and introduced some mobile-related services and software. She also went in some partnerships with companies like Vodafone and Orange and integrated its Internet services under one brand, named Ovi. However, Nokia’s is really affected by her competitors bringing innovative products to the market. Products of companies like Apple and Samsung are far ahead of Nokia in some fields, which weakens Nokia’s position in the market. In an industry with a declining growth, it is very hard for Nokia to keep up with these innovations.

Licensed casino gambling Essay

Individual effects: Is gambling generally harmful to the individual gambler? | Yes * Gambling is irrational and reckless and should, therefore, be regulated by the government. There may be the possibility of winning a big prize, but the overwhelming likelihood is that a gambler will lose money. This is ensured by the fact that Casinos are profit-minded organizations, and calculate their odds so that they will always make a profit. Because gamblers are always likely to lose and suffer as a result, the activity can be seen in many ways as an irrational engagement. Gambling attracts people with little money who are desperate for a windfall. These are the people who can least afford to lose money. They should be protected from the temptation to gamble. | NoContention that the general individual losses from gambling are justified by it being a fun and leisurely activity worth â€Å"paying† for: Gamblers know that, overall, they are likely to lose money. They gamble because it is a leisure pursuit that they enjoy. There is nothing irrational about this. Some people get an enjoyable thrill from the remote possibility that they might win a huge prize – even if they lose, they enjoy the experience. Some forms of gambling are highly sociable. For example, many people go to bingo halls to spend time with friends. Society accepts people spending (â€Å"wasting†? ) money on other leisure pursuits with no material benefits (e. g. cinema tickets, watching sport) – gambling should not be any different. It is patronizing to suggest that people, including those on low incomes, should not be able to choose how they spend their money. * Psychological benefits of gambling: Some argue that gambling offers psychological benefits. The psychological benefits may include: 1. A feeling of control (which some describe as God-like). 2. Confidence that extends from feelings of executive control in decision-making. 3. Benefits in the ability to psycho-analyze other peoples thoughts, and placing moneyed interests and incentives behind the results of such psycho-analysis. [1] 4. Total engagement and â€Å"peak experience†. â€Å"It provides the gambler with ‘peak experience,’ that godlike feeling when all of one’s physical and emotional senses are ‘go. ‘†[2] 5. The release from daily tension. 6. Feelings of exercising â€Å"‘the adventurer within us’ – that part of ourselves which lusts for change, the wooing of the unknown, change, danger, all that is new†¦ It is part of what makes us human. â€Å"[3] 7. Feelings of engaging in a ubiquitous, historical human tradition. 8. Emotions of non-conformity and freedom. One source quoted a gambler who said, â€Å"All day long you do what them dumb bastard supervisors tell you. Don’t make no difference whether it makes sense or not. Sometimes you just gotta get out of line. â€Å"[4] * Gambling increases individual efficiency: Studies show that, contrary to popular belief, gambling is by and large beneficial to the gambler and increases rather than decreases his efficiency. It is beneficial in that it stimulates, offers hope, allows decision making, and, in many cases,| Crime effects: Does gambling cause an increase in various kinds of related criminal activities? | [][Edit]Yes * Casinos are often associated with criminal activity. Drug dealers and prostitutes operate near casinos – they know that there are a large number of potential clients in the area. Casinos can therefore be devastating to neighborhoods. | [][Edit]No * People committing crimes should be prosecuted. The existence of criminals does not make nearby businesses (including casinos) immoral. It is perverse to punish people who just want to gamble (and not take drugs or use prostitutes) by taking away their chance to do so. | Bad industry? Are casinos an industry with bad merit? Is nothing of value produced by casinos? | Yes * Casinos don’t produce any â€Å"product†: Many contend that gambling is inappropriate because it does not generate any tangible product. One commentators says that gambling â€Å"is an ethereal substance–â€Å"a biological substance†Ã¢â‚¬â€œthat produces â€Å"highs†¦ generated usually by anticipation. â€Å"[5]| No * Contention that casinos are involved in the entertainment business, and need not produce a tangible product: Gambling is a form of entertainment that is similar to many other forms of entertainment; the objective is merely to foster a desired emotional response from the audience. Movies, theater, fair-grounds, concerts, sporting-events, and casinos are all similar in that their primary function is to foster an environment of entertainment. That is their â€Å"product†, which need not be physical in order to be viewed as valuable. | Addiction: Is gambling commonly addictive, and would this be a reason for regulating it? | Yes * Gambling is addictive. Many people end up gambling to try to recover money they have already lost. This is known as ‘chasing losses’. It results in people staking more and more money, most of which they will lose. Gambling addicts often turn to crime to feed their addiction. Addiction is highly damaging to families, since gamblers will spend whatever money they can on gambling. People start to gamble without thinking that they will become addicted. Once they become addicted, it is too late. As with drugs, it is better to ban gambling to stop people getting started in the first place. * Analogy that gambling truly is like a drug, and should be treated as a controlled substance: * It is â€Å"drug-like† in the way that it dramatically utilizes human chemicals: William M. Thompson, â€Å"Gambling: A Controlled Substance†, PBS Interview, 1994 – â€Å"Is the comparison of drugs and gambling unfair? Consider the words of Thomas R. O’Brien, formerly Director of Gaming Enforcement for the state of New Jersey. In 1984 he told a conference on gambling that the success of Atlantic City was tied to how well it sold its ‘only products. ‘ He then said: ‘That product is not entertainment or recreation or leisure. It’s really adrenaline: a biological substance capable of producing excitement–highs and generated usually by anticipation or expectation of a future event, especially when the outcome of that event is in doubt. ‘ According to chief regulator of the industry, gambling was not only a drug, but a mind-altering drug. † * The addictive and destructive nature of gambling is also drug-like:William M. Thompson, â€Å"Gambling: A Controlled Substance†, PBS Interview, 1994 – â€Å"Where governments do not prohibit, the majority can exercise self-control. Seventy-five percent gamble responsibly. They find it an entertaining diversion. But another 20 percent overindulge. They incur debts that impair abilities to support their families, unless they stop. Usually they can. Four percent cannot stop without intervention of others. Then there are the one-half to one percent (and these are conservative estimates) who fall into destructive behaviors when exposed to gambling. Families are destroyed, friendships broken, employment disrupted. Cycles of deception and crime lead to ruined lives–and in many cases, suicide. â€Å"| No * Contention that gambling is not physically addictive: Unlike drugs, gambling is not physically addictive. It is only psychologically addictive in some people. Only a small percentage of gamblers have an addiction. Many more get enjoyment from gambling without problems – why should these people suffer because a few others get addicted? The risks of gambling addiction are well known. People can make a conscious choice to start gambling, and are aware of the risks of addiction. Treatment programmes can address the problems of those who are addicted. | Economic harm? Do casinos casinos cause economic harm or provide very few economic benefits? | Yes * The long-term economic negatives outweigh the short-term economic gains: John Warren Kind, â€Å"The Business-Economic Impacts of Licensed Casino Gambling in West Virginia: Short-Term Gain but Long-Term Pain†, PBS, 1994 – â€Å"While the dollars invested in various legalized gambling projects and the jobs initially created are evident, the industry has been criticized for inflating the positive economic impacts and trivializing or ignoring the negative impacts (Goodman 1994). The industry’s tendency to focus on specialized factors provides a distorted view of the localized economic positives, while ignoring the strategic business-economic costs to the state as a whole (such as West Virginia) and to different regions of the United States (California Governor’s Office 1992, Kindt 1995). In 1994, all of the various experts who testified before the U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Small Business criticized the impacts that casino-style gambling activities inflict upon the criminal justice system, the social welfare, system, small businesses, and the economy (Congressional Hearing 1994). Utilizing legalized gambling activities as a strategy for economic development was thoroughly discredited during the hearing. † * The actual economic benefits of casinos are exaggerated. They generally only create low-paid jobs for local people; the casino companies usually bring in managers from elsewhere. * There are too many economic â€Å"externalities† surrounding gambling, which nullify the benefits: * Crime – * Risky behavior – Compulsive gambling may foster poor, sometimes risky money-management habits. These habits may transfer over to other areas of the economy, where risky behaviors translate into a higher likelihood of loss in various markets. * Time consumption – Compulsive gambling often entails significant time consumption, which detracts from more productive ends. * Jobs could be created through many other industries that cause fewer moral and practical problems (e. g. theme parks). * Any economic benefits would not matter, if the industry is deemed immoral: * Estimated losses from compulsive gambling: William M. Thompson, â€Å"Gambling: A Controlled Substance†, PBS Interview, 1994 – â€Å"Conservative numbers suggest it costs society $13,000 per year for each compulsive gambler. The losses include treatment costs, lost productivity, criminal activity and judicial costs. Estimating that widespread gambling across America would create one million compulsive gamblers, the resulting annual economic loss would exceed $13 billion. â€Å"| No * Casinos cause money to be spent on transport infrastructure, which is very beneficial to economies: * Casinos help the tourism industry of a place: The jobs are not just in the casino itself. More jobs are created in hotels and other parts of the tourism industry. * Examples in which casinos have helped to regenerate many places that previously had considerable poverty and social problems: * Atlantic City. * New Jersey. * Legalized gambling on reservations is very important to Native American tribes: Anthony Pico, Chairman of the Viejas Indians, explains the benefits to his tribe of legalized gambling on his tribe’s reservation in a PBS interview. [6]| Social welfare effects: Are the charitable generations from gambling substantial, and can this go toward justifying their existence? | Yes * It is immoral for the state or charities to raise money by exploiting people’s stupidity and greed. * Gambling is regressive (this means that the poor pay a greater proportion of their income in tax than the rich). This is because poor people are more likely to gamble. Regressive taxation is deeply unfair. * â€Å"Legalized gambling activities act as a regressive tax on the poor† (Clotfelter and Cook 1989). Specifically, the legalization of various forms of gambling activities makes â€Å"poor people poorer† and can dramatically intensify many pre-existing social-welfare problems. Demographic analyses reveal that certain disadvantaged socioeconomic groups tend to gamble proportionately greater amounts of their overall income and marketing efforts, particularly by state lotteries, have allegedly been directed at these target groups. † – John Warren Kind, â€Å"The Business-Economic Impacts of Licensed Casino Gambling in West Virginia: Short-Term Gain but Long-Term Pain†, PBS, 1994 * Contention that education is harmed by gambling practices: Kind, PBS, 1994 – â€Å"Legalized gambling activities also negatively affect education– both philosophically and fiscally (Better Government Association 1992; Clotfelter and Cook 1989). Adherence to a philosophy of making a living via gambling activities not only abrogates the perceived need for an education, but also reinforces economically unproductive activities (and is statistically impossible since the ‘house’ always wins eventually). In states with legalized gambling activities which were initiated allegedly to bolster tax revenues to ‘education,’ the funding in ‘real dollars’ has almost uniformly decreased. â€Å"| No * Gambling is often used to raise money for the state or good causes. Charities use prize draws to raise funds:| Should online gambling be banned? | Yes * Internet gambling is especially dangerous. Someone can become addicted very easily – they don’t even need to leave their home. This also means that they are gambling in private. They may therefore be less reluctant to wager very large sums they cannot afford. It is very hard to know the identity of an online gambler – there have been several cases of people (including children) using stolen credit cards to gamble online. Online gambling may be hard to control but that is not a reason to try – making an activity more difficult to pursue will still reduce the number of those who take it up. It is not impossible to put effective deterrent steps in place, such as the recent US ban on American banks processing credit card payments to internet ]. | No * It is impossible to stop online gambling. When it has been banned, people have just used sites based in other countries. It is better to legalize and regulate online gambling than to drive gamblers to poorly-regulated foreign operators. Regulation can reduce the problems identified by the proposition. For example, online gamblers can be required to give personal details when registering (e. g. occupation, income). If this information suggests they are spending more than they can afford, the company can block their credit card. In any case, most online gamblers do not get addicted. Why should they be denied an activity that they enjoy? |

Five Pillars of Islam and the confirmation Essay

The 5 Pillars of Islam and the 10 CommandmentsIslam and Christianity are both major religions in the world today, with followers from all walks of life and from every corner of the Earth. Each of these religions has its own teachings and beliefs but there are similarities amongst some, if not, a majority of the essential teachings. Islam and Christianity both have teachings and beliefs in a majority of the same prophets and messengers but the major split arises in the context that Christians believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ while Muslims believe that Jesus did not die. Nevertheless, the purpose of this paper is to illustrate, what may be to some, the foundation of both religions-more specifically, the 5 Pillars of Islam and the 10 Commandments of Christianity. The 5 Pillars of Islam:The word Islam in a religious sense means submission to the will of God and obedience to His law. Therefore, Islam is more of a way of life instead of merely being a part of life. The 5 pillars of Islam refer to 5 duties that Muslims have to perform wholeheartedly and diligently. The book ‘The Pillars of Islam’ contains a good representation of how the 5 Pillars came into being, from the narration of Umar (May Peace be Upon Him), while he was sitting with the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W):†One day while we were sitting with Allah’s messenger, a man suddenly appeared before us, wearing a very white dress and having very black hair, without any signs of journey upon him, and none of us knew him. He approached until he sat before the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) with his knees touching the Prophet’s knees and he placed his hands on his thighs and said, â€Å"O Muhammad inform me about Islam.† Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W) said, â€Å"Islam is to bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, to offer the Salat, pay Zakat, fast during the month of Ramadan and to make Hajj if you are able and have the means to make the journey.† The man said, â€Å"You spoke the truth.† We were surprised at his asking and confirming at the same time†The stranger then asked the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) a few more questions which the Prophet (S.A.W) answered and then the stranger left. â€Å"The Prophet (S.A.W) remained seated for quite a while, then he asked me, â€Å"O  Ã¢â‚¬ËœUmar, do you know who the questioner was?† I said, â€Å"Allah and his Messenger know best.† He said, â€Å"That was Jibrael, he came to teach you your religion.†From this, we can see that the five ritual duties that the Prophet Muhammad set forth were as follows:1.Pronouncing the confession of faith (shahada or kalima);2.Performing the five daily prayers (salat);3.Fasting during the month of Ramadan (saum)4.Paying the alms tax (zakat)5.Performing, at least once in life, the major pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj). I.The Shahadah, or profession of faith:The Shahada is the Arabic statement â€Å"La ilah illa Allah wa Muhammad rasul Allah,† meaning â€Å"There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is His prophet.†The Britannica Encyclopedia defines Shahadah as follows:†The first pillar is the profession of faith: â€Å"There is no deity but God, and Muá ¸ ¥ammad is the messenger of God,† upon which depends membership in the community. The profession of faith must be recited at least once in one’s lifetime, aloud, correctly, and purposively, with an understanding of its meaning and with an assent from the heart. From this fundamental belief are derived beliefs in (1) angels (particularly Gabriel, the Angel of Revelation), (2) the revealed Books (the QurÊ ¾Ã„ n and the sacred books of Judaism and Christianity), (3) a series of prophets (among whom figures of the Judeo-Christian tradition are particularly eminent, although it is believed that God has sent messengers t o every nation), and (4) the Last Day (Day of Judgment).†This profession of faith must be done with sincerity and without any reservation. It is the foundation for all other beliefs and practices in Islam. II.Prayer or Salat:The second Pillar of Islam is prayer,†And establish regular prayers at the two ends of the day and at the approaches of the night: for those things that are good remove those that are evil: That is a reminder for the mindful. And be steadfast in patience; For verily Allah (SWT) will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.†Every Muslim is required to pray 5 times a day. These prayers may be offered individually if one is unable to go to the mosque. The first prayer is performed before sunrise and is called Fajr, the second just after noon, the third in the late afternoon, the fourth immediately after sunset, and the fifth before retiring to bed. â€Å"The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to lead the congregation of Muslims in Mecca and Medina in prayer, thus demonstrating to them the way in which prayer should be performed. The prayer consists of reciting the first Surah of the Qur’an, Al-Fatihah, referred to as â€Å"the seven often repeated verses,† followed by the recitation of a chosen verse or verses of the Qur’an and various praises to God. For each segment of the prayer, a Muslim adopts a distinguishing bodily position, beginning with standing and placing hands across the heart, and then bowing and kneeling. Muslims repeat these positions a prescribed number of times depending on which prayer is being performed. The five daily prayers are the Morning Prayer, Fajr, the noon prayer, Dhur, the afternoon prayer, Asr, the evening prayer, Maghrib, and the night prayer, Ishaa. To pray five times a day is an obligation that every Muslim must adhere to except those exempted by Islamic law. â€Å"III.Fasting or Saum:Every year in the month of Ramadan Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn to dusk. In addition, Muslims are expected to refrain from anger, envy, greed, lust, gossip, violence, bad language and other inappropriate thoughts and actions. Fasting is meant to encourage Muslims to seek nearness to Allah, be patient, and learn the hardships faced by the less fortunate. According to www.encarta.msn.com,†According to various traditional interpretations, the fast introduces physical and spiritual discipline, serves to remind the rich of the misfortunes of the poor, and fosters, through this rigorous act of worship, a sense of solidarity and mutual care among Muslims of all social backgrounds. Thus Muslims usually engage in further acts of worship beyond the ordinary during Ramadan, such as voluntary night prayer, reading sections from the Qur’an, and paying voluntary charity to the poor. Muslims may even choose to wake before daybreak to eat a meal that will sustain them until sunset. After the fasting ends, the holiday of breaking the fast, ‘id al-fitr, begins, lasting for three days.†IV.Zakat or Alms:Every Muslim is obligated to pay a portion of his or her wealth for the benefit of the poor and needy. Zakat means â€Å"purification† and â€Å"growth†. This is an indication that our own wealth and possessions are purified by setting aside a portion for the poor and those  in need. The amount varies for different categories. For grains and fruits it is 10 percent if land is watered by rain and 5 percent if land is watered artificially. On cash and precious metals it is 2.5 percent. A Muslim may also donate more as an act of Sadaqah (voluntary charity), in order to achieve additional reward from Allah. V.Hajj or Pilgrimage:Hajj is a pilgrimage to the Holy City of Makkah. Hajj occurs every year during the Islamic month of Dhu’l-Hijjah. Every Muslim who is physically and financially able is obligated to perform Hajj at least once in his or her lifetime. The hajj is the â€Å"greater† of the two pilgrimages to Mecca required of all Muslims, the lesser pilgrimage is called Umra. www.religionfacts.com provides a good summary of what happens during the time of Hajj:†Upon arrival at the boundary of Mecca (about six miles from the Ka’ba), pilgrims enter the state of ihram (purity) in which they will remain throughout the hajj. Males entering this pure state don the ihram garments – two white, seamless sheets wrapped around the body – and sandals. This aspect of the rite not only signifies the state of holiness the pilgrims have entered, but it serves to contribute to a sense of equality and unity by removing visual indicators of class, wealth and culture. Requirements for women are less stringent, but they usually dress in white with only faces and hands uncovered. While in the state of ihram, pilgrims must not cut their nails or hair, engage in sexual relations, argue, fight or hunt. When he or she enters the city of Mecca, the pilgrim first walks around the Ka’ba seven times (the tawaf, or circumambulation) while reciting the talbiya, then kisses or touches the Black Stone in the Ka’ba, prays twice towards the Station of Abraham and the Ka’ba and runs seven times between the small mountains of Safa and Marwa. The second stage of the hajj takes place between the 8th and 12th days of Dhu al-Hijja, beginning with a sermon (khutba) at the mosque on the 7th day. On the eighth day and night, the pilgrim stays at Mina or Arafat. On the ninth day, the ritual of wuquf (â€Å"standing†) takes place at the small hill of Jabal  al-Rahma in Arafat. The pilgrim then returns to Muzdalifa, a small town within the Meccan boundaries, to stay the night. The tenth day is Eid al-Adha (The Feast of Sacrifice), a major holiday observed by all Muslims. For those participating in the hajj, the day is spent in Mina, where the pilgrim sacrifices an animal to commemorate Abraham’s sacrifice and throws seven small stones at each of three pillars on three consecutive days (the pillars represent sins and devils). The pilgrim then returns to Mecca, where he or she once again performs the tawaf (circumambulation of the Ka’ba). The head is then shaved or the hair is trimmed, which marks the end of the state of ihram.†Ã¢â‚¬Æ'The 10 Commandments of Christianity:Similar to the 5 Pillars of Islam, Christianity has its own duties and standards which Christians have to live their lives by. These 10 Commandments are a list of religious and moral imperatives that were authored by the Lord God and given to Moses at Mount Sinai. The 10 Commandments are found in the Bible in Exodus 20 as follows:†Ã¢â‚¬ I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. â€Å"You shall have no other gods before me. â€Å"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations, of those who love me and keep my commandments. â€Å"You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. â€Å"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God, On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and  all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. â€Å"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. â€Å"You shall not murder†You shall not commit adultery. â€Å"You shall not steal. â€Å"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. â€Å"You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.†Ã¢â‚¬ After receiving the commandments and returning to Mount Sinai, Moses saw that the Israelites had â€Å"defiled themselves†, and that his brother, Aaron, had made a Golden Calf and an altar in front of it for the Israelites to pray to. Moses, in terrible anger, broke the tablets. God later offered Moses to carve two other tablets, to replace the ones he smashed. From this it seem that God himself appears as the writer. This second sets of commandments were brought down from Mount Sinai by Moses and were placed in the Ark of the Covenant. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor10Islam’s confirmation of the Ten Commandments:Many might believe that Islam and Christianity are totally  different in their teachings. This might be true when it comes to certain practices such as drinking alcohol or eating pork for example, yet some of the core teachings of both religions are similar. The same prophets appear in both the Quran as well as in the Bible, maybe under Arabic influenced name but still the same person. To further illustrate the similarities in this context, the following section relates the messages conveyed by the 10 Commandments to teachings found in the Holy Quran. Exodus 24:12 states:†The Lord said to Moses, â€Å"Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commands I have written for their instruction.†Deuteronomy 4:13 states:†He declared to you His covenant, the Ten Commandments, which He commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets.†As stated before, both Islam and Christianity have similar teachings about certain prophets, Moses is one of them and is recognized in Islam and is written about a lot in the Quran. Two chapters in particular from the Quran could be said to affirm the belief in the commandments which God gave to Moses. These chapters are 2:53 and 7:145. In respective manner, they state the following:†And remember We gave Moses the Scripture and the Criterion (between right and wrong): There was a chance for you to be guided aright.†Ã¢â‚¬ And We ordained laws for him [Moses] in the tablets in all matters, both commanding and explaining all things, (and said): â€Å"Take and hold these with firmness, and enjoin thy people to hold fast by the best in the precepts†¦Ã¢â‚¬ From this we can agree that there is sufficient evidence of both religions believing that God had given the commandments to Moses. The First Commandment, found in Exodus 20:3, states the following. â€Å"You shall have no other gods before me†Ã¢â‚¬ËœIt is well known that Christianity and Islam are both Monotheistic religions, with Christians believing in the Lord God and Muslims believing in Allah. There are numerous instances in the Quran where this is states, one of these is found in chapter 17:23 of the Quran:†Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him†Another affirmation of this commandment could be sought after in the translation of the Shahadah or first pillar of Islam which states:†Ash-hadu alaa-ilaaha  illa-llaahu wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa Rasulu†Which when translated means: â€Å"I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (S.A.W) is His Devotee and His Messenger.†This confirms the common belief between Muslims and Christians on the oneness of God. The Second Commandment, found in Exodus 20:4, states:†You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.†Chapter 31:13 of the Quran gives just one of the many instances in the Quran where Idol worshipping is mentioned. It goes:†Recall that Luqmaan said to his son, as he enlightened him, â€Å"O my son, do not set up any idols beside GOD; idolatry is a gross injustice.†Also, Chapter 22:12 of the Quran states:†They call on such deities, besides Allah, as can neither hurt nor profit them: that is straying far indeed (from the Way)! â€Å"Because of the monotheistic nature of both these religions, it can be easily noted that both these religions reject the idea of worshipping any other gods but God himself. The Third Commandment, found in Exodus 20:7 of the Bible states:†You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, [i.e. in an irreverent or disrespectful manner] for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.†The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) revealed†Allah has ninety-nine names, i.e. one-hundred minus one, and whoever knows them will go to Paradise.†In the Quran, Allah is referred to in many instances, not just by Allah but by other names. Over time, these names have been collected in the Quran and amount to 99. These are deemed the 99 names of Allah. Even though there are 99 names of Allah, the misuse of these names is not allowed in Islam, just as the misuse of the name of the Lord is scorned upon in Christianity. From chapter 7:180 in the Quran,†And Allah’s are the best names, therefore call on Him thereby, and leave alone those who violate the sanctity of His names; they shall be requited for what they did.†From this we can see that the violation or misuse of God’s names in both Christianity and Islam, are both subject to punishment in the afterlife. The Fourth Commandment, found in Exodus 20:8-11, states the following:†Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.†Islam rejects the idea of God resting as seen from the following:†And verily we created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six periods, and naught of weariness touched us†If the thought of rest is disregarded and the Sabbath day is viewed as just holy day on which should worship God, then a similarity arises with the teachings of Islam. Based on this assumption, the following excerpt outlines the day of worship for Muslims:†The Holy Prophet Muhammad said : â€Å"The day of Friday has been exalted and conferred many rights. Therefore do not be negligent of your duty. Do not be tardy in your worship this day. Try to attain nearness to Allah by performing pure deeds and refraining from the prohibited things, because this day Allah increases the reward for good deeds and obliterates the sins. Allah raises the position of the believer in the world and the Hereafter.†So if we disregard the argument over whether God rested or not after the creation of the Earth, then the result that we left with is a day that is set aside to worship God. For Christians this is on Sunday and for Muslims, Friday. There is mention of the Sabbath in the Quran in Chapter 16:124:†The Sabbath was only made (strict) for those who disagreed (as to its observance); But Allah will judge between them on the Day of Judgment, as to their differences. â€Å"This, in my opinion, could be interpreted to mean that those who take lightly to the Sabbath are the ones for whom the Sabbath was set forth. The Fifth Commandment, found in Exodus 20:12, states:†Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God gave you.†Similar to this, the Quran also teaches Muslims to respect and  honor their parents. â€Å"Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.†As a result of these excerpts, we can conclude that both religions hold parents in high esteem, and should be respected and honored. We are not to be rude to them and should uphold their honor for as long as they may live. The Sixth Commandment, found in Exodus 20:13, states:†You shall not murder†In today’s world, Islam is viewed as a terrorist religion which approves the acts of murder. This is not true, the Qur’an commands Muslims to stick up for themselves in a defensive battle – i.e. if an enemy army attacks, then Muslims are to fight against that army until they stop their aggression. All of the verses that speak about fighting/war in the Qur’an are in this context. The following verse from the Quran illustrates the views on murder:†You shall not kill any person – for GOD has made life sacred – except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce justice. Thus, he shall not exceed the limits in avenging the murder; he will be helped.†From this is we can see that both Islam and Christianity condemn the acts of murder, however, Islam teaches Muslims to stand up for themselves and fight for what they believe in and if killed unjustly, then justice can be enforced upon the murderer. The Seventh Commandment, found in Exodus 20:14, states:†You shall not commit adultery†In the Quran, chapter 17:32, the following is stated:†Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils).†Adultery is scorned upon in both Christianity and Islam. In some Islamic cities, adultery is a serious offence and punishable by death- usually in the form of stoning. From Chapter 24:2 in the Quran:†The woman and the man, guilty of fornication. Flog each of them with a hundred stripes, and let a party of believers witness their punishment.†From this we see that in Islam, both men and woman  are subject to punishment if guilty of adultery. The Eight Commandment, found in Exodus 20:15, states:†You shall not steal†The Quran states, in chapter 2:188:†And do not eat up unjustly the property of each other among yourselves nor convey their cases to the authorities for devouring unlawfully some portion of the property of the people knowingly.†Stealing is an offence also not taken lightly in Islam. If found guilty of theft, the Quran states that the thief’s hand should be cut off as compensation as well as a deterrence so that the thief will know that the consequences of stealing are much greater than the rewards of theft. â€Å"As for the thief, the male and the female, amputate their hands in recompense for what they earned [i.e. committed] as a deterrent [punishment] from Allah. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.†The Ninth Commandment, found in Exodus 20:16, states:†You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.†The term ‘false witness’ is a synonym for not telling the truth, or lying. The Quran states the following about lying:†And cover not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).†As with most religions, both Christianity and Islam both condemn the act of lying or not telling the truth. And finally, the Tenth and last Commandment, found in Exodus 20:17, states:†You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.†From the Quran, Chapter 4:32:†Do not covet the bounties that God has bestowed more abundantly on some of you than on others.†As we can see, both Islam and Christianity condemn the acts of coveting. However, Bible limits coveting to neighbor’s property only. Quran goes further and extends the prohibition to all society. 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