Technology and environment

The advent of technology and industrialization has brought about tremendous changes in the lives of the people around the world. Innovations in science enabled humans to comprehend the various phenomena that occur in their natural environment. It cannot be denied that technology in all its forms has made our lives comfortable and our work easier, efficient and timely. However, the drastic changes in our environment that are now far-reaching and well-studied are very alarming. Take for example global warming, which is one of the major problem that people around the world need to mitigate the soonest possible time, is actually an offshoot of technological advances. With the growing concern for the gradually depletion of natural resources, as well as the fast-paced destruction of the earth, people are now debating over the negative impacts of technology to both human lives and the natural environment. This debate has resulted into the so called technological optimists and technological pessimists divide.According to Chasek, Downie, Brow (2006), technological optimism refers to people’s view that technology can harness our human capacities and also advance our development to a never-ending point. Technological optimism maintain that technology contributes a lot in the swift development of all aspects of human lives – social, economic, political, biological and even environmental aspects. Optimists assumed that technology will never cease to discover new innovations to cater to the needs of the times.Elliott (2004) on the other hand, presented the view of technological pessimists with reference to the negative impacts of science and technology to our natural environment. The advent of climate change has strengthened the point of debate in favor to the pessimists, claiming that climate change has been the greatest threat of technology to human lives. Technological pessimists assume that there has always been a limit to growth and development. Technologi cal pessimists argue that technology has been the major cause of global problems such as pollution and depletion of natural resource because of technology’s ability to harness people’s capacity to go beyond what they need.Both optimists and pessimists have something to say on the issue of technological advancement. Both have made justifications to prove that they are right. Clapp and Dauvergne (2005) provided several point on which to base the assumptions of the two technological perspectives. On the part of the optimists, environmental problems can be solved by inventing the latest technology that could solve the present global environmental crisis. Take for example the enhancement of nuclear power as source of energy. It can provide people with the energy they need for generations and it can help mitigate the increasing pollution in the atmosphere. Another example that could justify the views of the optimists according to Clapp and Dauvergne (2005) is the advent of t he World Wide Web or the internet. It made people’s lives easier and sharing of information has become too efficient and easy to access.The pessimists on the other hand justify their views with reference to the negative impacts that technology has caused the environment. The degradation of our natural resources has been greatly blamed on the massive industrialization brought about by technology. Another classic example is the transfer of agricultural technology to other countries, but proved to be futile because those technologies were not applicable to the situation of other countries. Clapp and Dauvergne (2005) added that technological pessimists maintained that development has a limit so as to preserve what has been left on the face of the planet earth.ReferencesChasek, P.S., Downie, D. and Brow, J. W. (2006). Global environmental politics. Boulder:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Westview Press.Clapp, J. and Dauvergne, P.   (2005). Paths to a green world: The polit ical economy of the   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   global environment. Cambridge: MIT Press.Elliott, L. (2004). The global politics of the environment. New York: NYU Press.

Ethics in the Workplace

Bee and Buckley (2001) state that over the past few decades, corporate codes of ethics have proliferated. These codes have proved useful In Informing employees about legal requirements of the firm, addressing specific concerns and serving as guidelines for accepted practice within the organization. However, unethical acts continue to occur, as Is evidenced by the recent recall of Firestone tires and the 103 deaths that forced It. (p. 73) It does not matter if corporate executives are told millions of times of codes of ethical conduct as some still will conduct illegal activities.These individuals are looking to make themselves rich while other ethical individuals are looking out for the good of the organization and its stockholders. This paper will discuss the purpose statement, problem statement, topic background, necessity of study, importance of topic to the field of education as well as the potential significance of the study to scholarly literature with regard to my research stu dy entitled Employees' Perspectives of Ethics in the Workplace.Purpose Statement The purpose of this study Is to determine whether employees demonstrate ethical behavior In the workplace Problem Statement Research is needed to explore the experiences of employees with regard to ethics or the lack thereof in the workplace today. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of employees in the workplace and to examine the differences and similarities of their experiences with regard to ethics in the workplace. The methodology and design of this study were derived by using the structure to establish â€Å"goodness† advocated by Armenia and Haltered (2002).Topic Background Pain's (1994) statement that the ethical composition of the individual defines the ethical composition of the organization Is described In his article entitled â€Å"Managing for Organizational Integrity. † Therefore, who you are will Influence the values of the organization due to the followi ng reasons. First, Individuals' personal values become part of the organization. Second, the supervisors' influence over the employees' actions. Third, senior management influence over lower management and employees. Fourth, internal drive of the individual to succeed.Fifth, performance pressures within the organization. Sixth, lack of punishment within the organization. Seventh, friends and/or coworker influence over other employees. Furthermore, the organization's culture influences the values of the organization as the culture of an organization defines the ethical behavior of this particular organization by defining what is right and wrong. In order to reconcile Inconsistencies between your own values and the values of the organization, an Individual must choose whether to advance his/her own interests, the organizations, or the Interests of others.For example, bribes or personal payments, gifts, or special favors Intended to Influence decision making. Individuals should report other employees for such acts as lying to supervisors, entertainment receipt in violation of company policy. These acts are violations against the organizations Code of Ethics which is a formal statement of what an organization expects in the way of ethical behavior (what behaviors are acceptable or unacceptable) and reflects senior management's organizational values, rules, and policies.However, many individuals do not report fellow co-workers for fear of not being considered a team player, do not think corrective action would be taken, fear of retribution (from management) as well as not trusting the organizational to keep the report confidential. Based on the literature, Beams, et al. (2003) experiment found that â€Å"guilt had the greatest effect on intent to trade based on insider information. Expected gain, cynicism, and perceptions of the fairness of laws were also significantly associated with the intent to trade based on insider information† (p. 320).The study also found that individuals do not necessarily engage in insider trading to gain money but to avoid a possible loss. Furthermore, the study found that insider trading was not necessarily acceptable by society as well as likely to be caught and punished for the crime. Bee and Buckley (2001) state that over the past few decades, corporate codes of ethics have proliferated. These codes have proved useful in informing employees about legal requirements of the firm, addressing specific concerns and serving as guidelines for accepted practice within the organization.However, unethical acts continue to occur, as is evidenced by the recent recall of Firestone tires and the 103 deaths that forced it. (p. 73) It does not matter if corporate executives are told millions of times of codes of ethical conduct as some still will conduct illegal activities. These individuals are looking to make themselves rich while other ethical individuals are looking out for the good of the organization and its stock holders. Dungaree and Jeep's studied six individuals who engaged in criminal and unethical activities in the corporate business world.Dungaree and Speedup's findings as related to these six individuals definitely support the Beams, et. Al. Experiment as these individuals knew that their activities were illegal as well as unethical. Furthermore, these activities were definitely not viewed favorably by society. Dungaree and Jeep's (2001) state that â€Å"all six certainly knew that they were reeking the law and most went to extra-ordinary lengths to cover up what they were doing† (p. 51).These individuals were also in high level positions, which caused individuals who knew about the criminal activities to look the other way. These individuals engaged in these activities because they were greedy and definitely not working toward organizational goals. Fell (2001) states that evidence shows that firms with ethics programs have a lower percentage of inside directors on their compen sation committees than do firms without ethics programs.Firms in which boards are actively involved in the programs have more independent roads (higher percentage of independent directors and lower percentage of inside directors and are more likely to compensate outside directors with equity than are firms in which boards are not actively involved in the programs. Taken together, the evidence indicates that a board actively involved in an ethics program, and not the simple existence of an ethics program is related to the incidence of potential conflicts employees must adhere to.Maybe these ethical standards will make individuals think before they conduct illegal and unethical activities which harm stockholders and the organization. McCall (2002) states that there should be an â€Å"alternative model for adjudicating between stakeholders' conflicting claims of rights and it applies that method to determine what responsibilities corporate management might have to employees and how ma nagement might be held accountable for discharging those responsibilities† (p. 133). Management certainly has responsibilities to the organization, the stockholders and the employees.They are supposed to conduct business in the best interest of all. Whetstone (2003) states that (1) virtue ethics and virtue language is fluently used by practicing managers, (2) virtue engage is important to understanding managerial excellence, and (3) whereas the set of virtues defining the excellent manager can be expected to be dependent on the societal, industry, and organizational context, such a set of manager virtues can be identified and prioritize within a particular organizational milieu.The implication is that, once an organization's management better understands the meaning of the excellent manager in terms of the virtue language already used by its own employees, it is better equipped to implement a practical ethic of virtues, one helpful toward recognizing and developing excellent m anagers. Ethics researchers are challenged to increase their understanding of extant virtue language as the basis for a renewed development of virtue ethics theory and applications (p. 343). All organizations should train and retain managers as well as requiring all employees to attend ethical seminars and conferences on a yearly basis.This will ensure that these individuals understand the code of ethics and their responsibilities to adhere to this code of ethics. Study of Topic Importance to the Field of Education The topic of ethics is important to the field of education as well as all other fields as well as the business world. Bà ©chamel and Bowie (2004) identify three primary arguments on the practice of preferential treatment: (a) It is Just, (b) it is unjust, and (c) it is not Just but it is still permissible. The argument that is the most consistent with typical American business practices is (c) it is not Just but it is still permissible.In other words, executives and empl oyees in the business world today take the position that unethical behavior on their part is Just the way business is conducted today. Bà ©chamel (2004) â€Å"argues that even some forms of reverse discrimination can be Justified as a means to the end of a nondiscriminatory society† (p. 27). This type of behavior is illegal and known by the executives and employees to be wrong but individuals tend to lend a blind eye when this type of behavior is noticed in the corporate world. For example, At the heart of the Enron scandal is a failure of corporate governance.Senior executives who permitted or encouraged misleading accounting treatment. An audit committee that signed off on misleading accounts. Individuals enriched by transactions with the company that employed them. A board that was ineffective in supervising senior managers' actions. Weightlessness' complaints that was ignored r whitewashed. (http://www. Uncharacteristically. Com/cars/try. CGI? Articled=1679) the Board of Directors which led to its failure and bankruptcy. I believe that these individuals were only out to make themselves rich and did not care in the least about the stockholders.If the weightlessness were not disregarded, maybe Enron could have been saved before it turned into one of the largest corporate scandals in the history of the United States. The major theory that underlies workplace ethics is the stakeholder theory. According to this theory, management has an obligation to the stakeholders to make profit for the stakeholders as well as conducting business ethically. Furthermore, management must answer to the stakeholders for any wrongdoing and unethical behavior. For example, Enron executives had to answer to the stockholders as they lost their investments when the company declared bankruptcy.It is difficult for corporations to be ethical because some managers and executives are looking to profit themselves instead of what is in the best interest of the stakeholders. The tren ds with regard to ethical issues in the workplace are those of employees and management who are acting unethically. For example, stealing supplies, reaching the internet during work hours, leaving early and arriving late as well as management profiting for their own best interest. As time progresses, this type of behavior will grow worse as individuals in the workplace will have less morals than they do today.Potential Significance of Study to Scholarly Literature Developing theory from the data without preconceived ideas is an appropriate technique for this study on ethics in the workplace. Since studies examining the affect of ethical experiences are not documented in current literature, the data collected will be use to generate an original theory. The data obtained in this study Anton verify preexisting theory because this is not a relevant preexisting theory on this topic to be verified. This fact further substantiates a grounded theory methodology is an appropriate methodology for this study.Necessity of Study I believe that this is an important subject as ethics is lacking in individuals, groups, workplaces and the world today. I believe that most leaders, managers and employees act unethically in the workplace. Bà ©chamel and Bowie (2004) identify three primary arguments on the practice of preferential treatment: (a) It is Just, (b) it is unjust, and (c) it is not Just but it is still permissible. The argument that is the most consistent with typical American business practices is (c) it is not Just but it is still permissible.In other words, executives and employees in the business world today take the position that unethical behavior on their part is Just the way business is conducted today. Bà ©chamel (2004) â€Å"argues that even some forms of reverse discrimination can be Justified as a means to the end of a nondiscriminatory society† (p. 327). This type of behavior is illegal and known by the executives and employees to be wrong but indi viduals tend to lend a blind eye when this type of behavior is noticed in the corporate world.I am currently employed at The Travelers Companies as a Senior Paralegal in its Special Liability Group where I handle large commercial claims. I make my own decisions on the files that I handle including setting the reserves on a claim and supervising outside counsel until the for fifteen years. Travelers is a large company with offices all over the world so there is high growth potential as well as advancement opportunities within the Company. My department at work consists of seven claim attorneys, two secretaries and myself (the senior paralegal).My secretary, in particular, comes to work late everyday, calls in sick frequently, surfs the internet all day long, gets her hair done during work hours every four weeks, attends a weekly doctor's appointment during work hours and socializes with coworkers for long amounts of time. Furthermore, we enter our own time into our human resources da tabase, and I know for a fact that this secretary does not account for all the time she takes off, etc. In other words, she is getting more days off then she is allowed as I kept track of when she took off last year.All of these actions are a violation of my company's honesty and ethics policies. Han Cheesy Koch, El Tree H Y Boo (2004) states that organizational ethics is positively associated with not only financial performance but also employee attitudes. While it is obvious that organizational ethics are intended to guide and influence employee behavior (e. G. , in dealing with ethical dilemma and avoiding unethical situations), it is not obvious what relationship exists between organizational ethics and employee attitudes. (p. 77) Furthermore, I know that my secretary could care less about her job or the company as she has told me so on several occasions. She does not really ant to work but has to because her husband does not make much money. She would much rather sit at home an d watch television. In fact, that is all she does when she is not at work. I would say that she does not have a high level of Job satisfaction and is not motivated toward company goals. I Just do not understand her lack of motivation as my company is a great place to work and we get very competitive raises each year.I believe that the situation that I have described is both an ethical decision and a moral decision. First, my secretary is not behaving to the standard which I was taught to act and behave. I have a conscious and was raised to be an honest person. My father always said that taking even a pen from work was stealing. Second, my secretary actions are morally incorrect as they go against every value that I was ever taught. When we go to work, we should be productive and work toward the goals of the organization. We should adhere to the standards of the organization as well as our own standards.My secretary is clearly not adhering to any standards whatsoever. She is taking u p space and collecting a paycheck she does not deserve. Furthermore, my secretary actions since I have been with this department (for he past five years) are causing me a high level of dissonance because I believe that a person's work ethic should be of the highest degree. I wish every day that I was her supervisor so I could terminate her employment. I Just cannot believe that our supervisor does not see what she does everyday and those human resources do not scrutinize the time entries more closely.I have thought about saying something to my supervisor but what this secretary does or does not do at work is none of my business. Furthermore, my secretary's actions makes me want to come in late, surf he internet instead of working, take long lunches everyday and cheat on my time also. If she can do it, so can l. However, I cannot be unethical as I was raised to be honest. Also, I have a high regard for my organization's success. However, my hotlist which you can call reporting any vi olations of its ethics and honestly policies. It is an 800 number and you need not give your name.I reported my secretary using this hotlist. This report is forwarded to her direct supervisor as well as human resources and an investigation is conducted. I Just could not let this activity continue as it does against every belief and value that I have. I do not feel that this type of behavior in the workplace or anywhere else for that matter should be allowed to occur. I was raised to be an honest person who worked to achieve what I desire as well as the goals of the organization. Frankly, I hope she is terminated even through she has been with my organization for twenty-five years.I do not think she adds any productive resources to my organization and is Just taking up. Conclusion In conclusion, this paper discussed the purpose statement, problem statement, topic background, necessity of study, importance of topic to the field of education as ell as the potential significance of the study to scholarly literature with regard to my research study entitled Employees' Perspectives of Ethics in the Workplace. I believe this topic is important because if individuals and the world around us continues in its current state, there will not be an ethics whatsoever when my children grow up.

History and Money Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

History and Money - Research Paper Example Therefore, business is defined as the exchange of goods with others goods or services. Business have been conducted from the time of the agrarian revolution up to date by diverse generations using different mediums like exchange of goods and other good which is commonly referred to as the batter trade. After the invention of writing and numerical recording, humans are now able to conduct business and record it effectively. After that business has advanced where in the modern world people can carry out business activities while miles away over modern methods of communication. Money remains the most preferred and used medium of exchange in most business activities and transactions. This is mainly because money is easy to use and carry and also used as a measure of value. Money is categorised as one of the earliest and the most significant inventions of civilization; it is an important item of development of trade. Money has always been used as an important intermediary substance that enables the seller to have a wide selection of choice when and where he wishes to become a buyer. The earliest currency used in commercial transactions is recorded to have been used in Egypt and Mesopotamia the third millennium BC it manly consisted of gold bars. Latter they supplemented it by gold rings for smaller sums during the early civilization. The earliest ever known coins are believed to have come from the western world in a city named Ephesus in Ionia, which is located in present day western turkey about 650 BC. Croesus king of neighbouring Lydia was the first ruler to mint coins pure gold and pure silver. Paper currency made its first appearance in Europe in the 17th century where Sweden claims the priority. Today money is printed in a different currency where value is attached to each paper and also compared in diffract currency making it able for people to switch from one currency to the other owing to the value

Fairly Contemporary Issue about Global Political Economy Essay

Fairly Contemporary Issue about Global Political Economy - Essay Example The dominance is a political one in the sense that the dominant state does have the power to exert influence to other system of states. During the post war, economists have studied hegemony and its' importance in global political economy. Kindleberger raises the thought that the world economy has to have a stabilizer for it to be stable and the stabilizer had to be one state. Keohane, on the other hand, presented the idea that most hegemony is established for self-interest. This he explains that in most cases once the hegemony fades the regimes established does linger in the economy for a long time (Keohane 103). Therefore, we argue: in view of the hegemonic theories by Keohane and Fukuyama how does the rise in power by other states cause the fading of hegemony? And also how does globalization affect the American hegemony? Fareed looks at the Post American world, which he states is not about power shift in the political aspect of the global economy, but rather it represents the rise of the rest of the states in terms of economic growth. Fareed explains that the political stability, economic connection and technological connection have enabled the American dominance in the market to lessen and allow other states to rise above the American dominance. Fareed looks at the world in 1979 where the countries that were considered to have a robust economy were 33 countries (Fareed 30). The rest of the countries were locked out of the economic system. However, Fareed states that the post-war era has seen the collapse of communism systems and the soviet empire and a global market system been born in this new era. Let us consider the case of Russian and its rejection of the American influence. Russian strongly believed that central Asia and its backyard. The political interests of both Russia and the United States of America translate to some form of competition between the two nations to gain control over these regions. However, it is clear that the Russian state and the United States had one common interest to block the emergence of new nuclear power. The rise of Russia against the influence of the Americans was due to the fear that they would lose their control over central Asia if the United States influence continued to grow. The U.S had the upper hand considering their stable economy and their policies that looked good. The situation between the US and Russians over the Middle East does prove that hegemonic influences are usually based on self, and it is true that a better state in terms of the economy does gain the upper hand in the influence. The Russians did manage to get influence once their economy rose to match the Americans economy and this happened once the Soviet Union was dissolved. Fareed examines the fade in American dominance, in fields that are key economic indicators of growth. Fareed gives an example the field of patterns produced where china stands to outdo America. Fareed also gives an example of the expansion of Chinas power in Asia as well as Africa, which in the earlier years was US hegemony. Fareed explains that, in any political system, there can never be two dominant countries. Fareed asserts that the rise of the rest of the world is an economic phenomenon. The shift of dominance from industrial, financial, educational social cultural dimensions is evident. The American dominance is evident at the politico-military level. The rise of the rest of the world does define new roles in the global system not only politically but also

Appraisal Methods Of Workers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Appraisal Methods Of Workers - Essay Example The Director of Talent is required to perform different tasks and roles efficiently to ensure proper management of the company.The job I would want to obtain after my undergraduate studies is that of a financial analyst.Financial Analyst Career Duties: Reports economic position by organizing and analyzing fiscal and monetary plans, predictions, and reportsAnalyses economic status by observing discrepancies from the plan.Evaluates financial status through comparison and analysis of plans and projections with attained results.Expands financial status by evaluating results and variances and finding trends and endorsing actions.Reconciles transactions by equating and rectifying figures.Improves efficiency by developing computerized applications and reducing duplications and managing info requirements.Provides information to management by assembling and summarizing data; preparing reports; making presentations of findings, analyses, and recommendations.Appraises job understanding by parta king in educational opportunities; reading professional journals; keeping personal linkages and contributing in professional groups.Undertakes finance and business mission by concluding related results as required.Skills/Qualifications: Writing Skills, Enlightening Others, Financial Abilities, Predicting, Corporate Finance, Financial Analysis, and Financial Software, Analyzing Information, Statistical Analysis, Procedure Improvement, Financial Planning, and Approach.

Religious Interview with a Protestant Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Religious Interview with a Protestant - Essay Example He is a youth ambassador in the local church, a mission that has nurtured him into a spiritual leader who inspires other youngsters into the ways of God. In matters of religion activities, Georges father always arranged special events at the church apart from the normal Christian holidays such as the Easter holiday and Christmas. The events involved different churches camping at the church and exchange of ideas in terms of building spiritualism, living in the ways of the Almighty as well as attempting examinations on the most important tenets of Christian life. The underlying mission for these events was to inculcate young and adult Christians with the virtues of the Lord that would bring to track the Christians who were shaken in spirit. The events were also important in venerating the name of the Lord and thanking Him for the gift of life. The events were enjoyable since there were musical instruments to play; feasting of all kind and the general euphoria of socializing was just intriguing. George was the lead youth in the youth group present at the event. The youngsters enjoyed in playing the different musical instruments while the elderly people read the Bible interpreted it and passed the interpretation to the youngsters. The examinations were taken by the youngsters present at the event after being taught and receiving the interpretation of the Bible verses from the elderly. The general mood was joyous, and so everyone enjoyed the activities according to Georges confessions. Georges current religious view is simply Christian. He is a staunch practicing Christian, who follows the Christian principles in all spheres of life. He is proud of being Christian and reveres the Almighty God according to the ways of Christianity. He is a believer in Christianity. George did not change in his religious affiliation since he was brought up in a Christian way of life.

Pyramid Business Structures In China Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Pyramid Business Structures In China - Essay Example This essay explores the basics of the pyramid business structure and checks how far the business model has deep rooted in the Chinese environment. It also analyses whether the pyramidal structure is beneficial or harmful to the Chinese economy through a case study on CITIC. Introduction A pyramid business structure has one person who is a sole controller and owner of one or more organizations. The person and his firms control a chain of other business structures in various industries. Thus the person at the top of the pyramid is the indirect controller of several small firms owned by a handful of his companies. This structure is widely prevalent in all the developing countries especially China. The owner at the top of the pyramid is capable of controlling the actions of every other company under their firms with little investment through this method. Such type of business structure is important for the massive growth of huge corporate in the developing economies. But, developed count ries like the USA efficiently controlled this model as early as the 1930's as it curbed the growth of small entrepreneurs and entrusted too much profit into sectored groups. The US government used various strategies like double taxation to control pyramidal business sector (Marck et al, 2005). ... Claessens, Djankov and Lang (2000) confirm nearly 38.7% huge public firms in East Asia are managed through pyramid ownership. The pyramid business structure enables the ultimate owner to invest less and control massive cash flow. Another main advantage in this system is the firms controlled and the controller firms can share their resources in terms of capital, labour as well as revenue similar to business groups. But, the owner will be free from paying heavy taxes to the government for the small firms as only a handful of major firms are under his direct control. These controlled firms are used for the benefit of the owner in various ways. They can be discouraged from showing profits as the owner might need them to show losses to evade tax. These firms are run by the money invested by the common public or the shareholder who lack any control over these structures. This gap between control and cash investment paves way for tunnelling or which reduces the firm's total value. â€Å"Tu nneling† generally defined as the passing of assets or profits from the smaller country to the bigger companies for the ultimate benefit of the huge group’s owner. Research done by various scholars in the western countries as well as the growing eastern market suggests the same. Research done by La Porta, Lopez-de-Silanes, Shliefer and Vishny (2002) confirmed pyramid business structures paved way for tunnelling more than the other business structures after studying the top 27 economies in the western world. Claessens et al (2002) research in East Asian economies confirms the same. Classens et at (1998) claims there are three main problems in pyramid business structure. They are

M2S Evolution of the problem Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

M2S Evolution of the problem - Essay Example Most people do not understand how they can pay the insurance premiums on their own. Here, organizations come in with the desire that each and everyone are taxed to pay the insurance premiums. The decision is usually made by the board or the government in some countries. With a half done bureaucracy, the board comes up with policies that each employee must adhere. Pilzer (2005) argues that one should apply for his own individual /family health insurance policy as soon as possible .if one has a health savings account, one is allowed to withdraw money tax free to pay health insurance premiums. Another problem is when an employer offer s a high deductable amount which affects the employees. The employers come up with a figure without consulting the employees. The health care insurance on the other hand has its advantages. Without the scheme many people could not afford treatment from good private hospitals in the world today. Presently whether poor or rich, a person can access proper medical care. This can be made better if people are allowed to call their own insurance company and get the policy. The problem in many organizations is that one is forced to an insurance

Social Anomie Essay Example for Free

Social Anomie Essay Introduction This essay is going to discuss the anomie theory by trying to define it. It will then look at Durkheim’s and Merton’s view of anomie and the difference between the two. It will look at culturally defined goals and the generally acceptable modes of achieving these goals and the creation of Merton’s typology of adaption’s as to how people respond to the disjunction of goals and means to achieve such goals. This paper will then examine social anomie in South Africa; racial differences in social anomie and whether the socio economic inequalities between races help to explain these differences; the possible relations between race, social inequality and anomie. Anomie is the social instability caused by the erosion of standards and values. It is alienation and purposelessness experienced by a person or a class of persons as a result of lack of standards, values or ideals, (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/anomie-2013-09-16). The concept thus refers to the absence of clear social norms and values and to a lack of sense of social regulation. Merton focused on features of relative deprivation that cause anomie and Durkheim was interested in the link between rapid social change and social anomie, (Huschka Mau, 2006). Durkheim’s and Merton’s view of anomie. The difference between the two. Durkheim’s conceptualization of anomie is based on a general assumption about the psychological or biological nature of individual human beings. He wrote that that the human â€Å"capacity or feeling is in itself an insatiable and bottomless abyss† ( 1951: 247). From his point of view, individual happiness and wellbeing depend on the ability of society to impose external limits on the potentially limitless passions and appetites that characterise human nature in general. Human desires are left unchecked and unbounded- the individual â€Å"aspires to everything and is satisfied with nothing† (19951:21). Thus the concept of anomie is used by Durkheim to explain a variety of facts. Merton was primarily concerned with the disjunction between culturally devised goals and accepted means of achieving these ends, according to Merton’s theory it was the inability of groups to atta in socially valued goals that caused anomie (Huschka Mau, 469, 2006). Therefore Merton’s conception of anomie â€Å"refers to the lack of means to accomplish determined goals† (Tsahuridu, 2009). Merton bases his theory on sociological assumptions about human nature. Merton replaces Durkheim’s conception of insatiable passions and appetites with the assumption that human needs and desires are primarily the product of a social process that is cultural socialization (Merton, 672, 1957). Culturally defined goals and the generally acceptable modes of achieving these goals and how do people respond to the disjunction of goals and means to achieve such goals. Durkheim wrote that No living being can be happy or even exist unless his needs are sufficiently proportioned to his means. In other words, if his needs require more than can be granted, or even merely something of a different sort, they will be under continual friction and can only function painfully. Movements incapable of production without pain tend not be reproduced. Unsatisfied tendencies atrophy, and as the impulse to live is merely the result of all the rest, it is bound to weaken as others relax. (246:1951) Merton on the other hand felt that in order for a society to be socially integrative there must be a balance between aspirations and means to fulfil such aspirations and that a balance occurs as long as the individual feels that he or she is achieving the culturally desired goal by conforming to the institutionally accepted mode of doing so (Huschka Mau, 469, 2006). Merton believed that every social group invariably couples its scale of desired ends with moral or institutional regulation of permissible and required procedures for attaining these ends but also however felt that moral imperatives and regulatory norms do not necessarily coincide with technical or efficiency norms (Merton; 673, 1957). Merton firstly perceives a strain toward anomie in the relative lack of cultural emphasis on institutional norms, the established rules of the game as to say that regulate the legitimate means for obtaining success. Second, structural blockages that limit access to legitimate means for many members of society also contribute to anomic tendencies. Under such conditions, behaviour tends to be governed solely by considerations of expediency or effectiveness in obtaining the goal rather than by concern with whether or not the behaviour conforms to institutional norms (Merton; 675, 1957). Therefore people become defiant because they are blocked in their pursuit for success. Merton’s typology Merton presents an analytical typology, shown in the following table, of individual adaption’s to the discrepancy between culture and social structures. Mertons typology of individual adaptations to environmental pressures | Type of Adaptation | Cultural Goal | Institutionalized Means | I. Conformity | + | + | II. Innovation | + | –| III. Ritualism| –| + | IV. Retreatism | –| –| V. Rebellion | + | + | Note: + signifies acceptance, – signifies rejection, and + signifies rejection of prevailing goal or means and substitution of new goal or means. (Merton; 676; 1957).| These adaptations describe the kinds of social roles people adopt in response to cultural and structural pressures. Conformity, for instance, is a nondeviant adaptation where people continue to engage in legitimate occupational or educational roles despite environmental pressures toward deviant behavior. That is, the conformist accepts and strives for the cultural goal of material success (+) by following institutionalized means (+). Innovation, on the other hand, involves acceptance of the cultural goal (+) but rejection of legitimate, institutionalized means (-). Instead, the innovator moves into criminal or delinquent roles that employ illegitimate means to obtain economic success. Ritualism represents quite a different sort of departure from cultural standards than does innovation. The ritualist is an over conformist. Here, the pursuit of the dominant cultural goal of economic success is rejected or abandoned (-) and compulsive conformity to institutional norms (+) becomes an end in itself. Retreatism involves complete escape from the pressures and demands of organized society. Merton applies this adaptation to the deviant role â€Å"activities of psychotics, autists, pariahs, outcasts, vagrants, vagabonds, tramps, chronic drunkards, and drug addicts†. Rebellion, is indicated by different notation than the other adaptations. The two  ± signs show that the rebel not only rejects the goals and means of the established society but actively attempts to substitute new goals and means in their place. This adaptation refers, then, to the role behavior of political deviants, who attempt to modify greatly the existing structure of society. http://deviance.socprobs.net/Unit_3/Theory/Anomie.htm 2013-09-16 Social anomie in South Africa; racial differences in social anomie and whether the socio economic inequalities between races help to explain these differences; the possible relations between race, social inequality and anomie. Huschka and Mau’s point of departure is the same as I believe is that South Africa went through a lot during the apartheid and post apartheid regime that irrevocably resulted in anomie. Blacks (Indians, coloureds and Africans) had unequal opportunities as compared to the white man. Before 1994 South Africans had a sense of powerlessness, social conditions at the time deprived people of their freedom and limited their opportunities in the economy and in the workplace. Certain people of certain races could not trade in certain areas; certain people had to have work passes to be working in a certain area. After 1994,

The Significance and Role of the Theme of Hospitality Essay Example for Free

The Significance and Role of the Theme of Hospitality Essay In Ancient Greece, when the world was still young and vastly unexplored, people relied on good faith in welcoming strangers in their lands hoping that the favor shall also be repaid in kind in the future when they too shall travel. There were poor means of communication between tribes, cities or small communities separated by a wide expanse of empty land and the open sea. Anyone who decides to set out on an epic voyage to uncharted territories can only trust the unspoken tradition of hospitality among people scattered in unknown places. One can not depend solely on personal renown to be allowed access in strange lands. Similarly, while the fame and reputation of Odysseus did precede him throughout the lands, it was not so much because of his prominence that helped him through his voyage. Rather it was due to the practice of unconditional altruism which played an important role in Odysseus’s travels. It is the principle of doing to others what one wishes that others do in return. It is the unspoken bond of humanity among individuals who were then too few in the world and had each other to ask for assistance as brothers and comrades in the nascent world The theme of travel and wandering prevails in the Homer’s Epic, the Odyssey. After the fall of Troy, Odysseus with his small army set out to sail for home. However, he was destined to suffer years of torment and agony because Poseidon, among a number of other gods, wanted to prevent him from ever succeeding while the rest of the gods in Mount Olympus pitied him and wanted him to succeed. Just like the harsh and uninviting ocean storms, Odysseus’ fate was tossed and turned by the whims of these gods. He was subjected to numerous trials and tests during his protracted journey home until he finally reached Ithaca and proved to be seaworthy, so to speak, in all respects (Aylen, 1964). Yet travel only underscores the salient theme of hospitality during the ancient era. Travel was prevalent during that time of exploration and the growth of Western civilization. People traveled for commerce and trade including the exchange of goods and ideas. Trade routes were established specifically to satisfy a society’s needs to go beyond their borders and establish different friendly relations with other states (Aylen, 1964). Trade routes were also developed to make sure that voyage to and fro is very convenient, safe and fast. Along trade routes and other important nautical highways were small tribes peppered along the shorelines. One or two may be hostile and unaccommodating to seafarers but even if most of them are highly suspicious of strangers, they still treated them with kindness even extravagance (1964). To everybody’s minds, it is most likely that people will continue to pass by routes and highways of exchange and its better to treat them well as opposed to driving them away and creating feud than friendship. A visitor today may be one’s host in the future. Likewise, a stranger that passes now might become a good friend eventually. Hospitality, the ready and willing cordial welcome of guests from strange lands, made voyage in the ancient world possible and better. The desire for adventure, to travel and to discover new places will have been a nightmare if people did not practice amicable attitudes to strangers. The benefits of being hospitable to seafarers outweigh the risks of treating strangers like friends into one’s home. Put differently, the risk in turning away visitors is more costly resource-wise than providing feasts and unlimited assistance to whoever is need of help (Aylen, 1964). It is true that the host, in order to show goodwill, have to go the distance of putting up expensive festive celebrations or sacrifice the best of what little resource he may have in his storehouse, but these things are necessary costs before reaping the benefits of being kind to a stranger who might later turn out to be a king or some rich merchant. Hospitality, in other words, is an investment in the future (1964). Ties of blood and friendship are created or destroyed by the practice of this tradition. Odysseus’ adventures and other incidental stories in Homer’s Odyssey evince the importance of hospitality in the sparsely populated ancient world. The different ways in which he and his men were welcomed in strange lands spelled either good tidings or disaster for them as the guests of honor and for the hosts. The mythical undertones that gird the motives of the hosts to give assistance in an ostentatious fashion merely attribute the sense of the divine in an otherwise natural and practical way to create stronger and long-lasting friendships. Book III of the epic, where Athena goaded Nestor to assist Telemachus in his business, was an adornment. It supports the traditional claim that hospitality was completely sanctioned by the gods. Anyone who fails or transgresses this tradition had to answer to the gods. In the same vein, Nestor provided food, shelter and a decent means of transportation for Telemachus, who was out in an important errand, upon the advice of the mentor god (Kitto, 1990). The fact that Nestor gave without question is instructive on the point that any material gifts to the hosts are just as good as altar sacrifices to the gods. In other words, Nestor showed his best form of hospitality in consideration of accumulating favors from the gods, if not militate the possibility of incurring the wrath of the gods. Being hospitable had a two-pronged effect, one that redounds positively to the host as a friend to the guest and the host as a favored individual in the eyes of the gods (Kitto, 1990). Subsequently in Book IV, Homer reveals subtly another good reason why hospitality was an important element in the epic. At first, upon the arrival of Telemachus and Nestor’s son, a messenger reported to Menelaus that â€Å"there are two strangers here, two men who look as if they are descended from great Zeus† and asked politely, â€Å"so tell me if we should, on their behalf, take their fast horses out of harness, or send them off to find some other host wholl welcome them as friends† (Book IV, Lines 31-40). The herald was both being courteous and cautious at the same time. He apprises to Menelaus that visitors, who looked like Greeks, were at their doorsteps and awaited the king’s instructions whether or not to accept them as guests or send them off to another place where they shall also be welcomed. The fact that the herald seemed a bit hesitant to allow the visitors in does not lessen the sense of hospitality in the epic. If anything, the question was addressed to the king taking into account the fact that they were presently engaged in other festivities. At any rate, Menelaus, hurriedly dispatched the notion and with playful chiding, told the messenger to tarry no longer in calling Telemachus and his companion and letting them in, saying: â€Å"Before today, Eteoneus, son of Boethous, you havent been a fool. But now you talk just like a silly child. For both of us often feasted on the hospitality of other men before we got back here, hoping that Zeus would give us some relief from later suffering (emphasis supplied). So unhitch those horses the strangers brought, and bring the men inside, so they may dine† (Book IV Lines 42-50). The lines in italics bespeak Menelaus anxious anticipation to finally have the opportunity to repay the favors he had been getting ever since he left for Troy. Indeed, he has enjoyed the hospitality of strangers in different lands and now is the best time to return the favor to another stranger. It is in the hope of perpetuating the cycle of hospitality as a tradition which turns full circle in his acceptance of two strangers and shall be repeated in the future when Menelaus himself shall travel again. Also, it bears stressing that Menelaus had no idea who these strangers were before welcoming them in with such gusto. It was only when the strangers had entered and set properly before the tables of festivity before Menelaus started to asked who they were and what brings them to his place right after they shall have dine with him. To wit: â€Å"enjoy our food and once youve had your meal, well ask you who you are. For in you two your parents breeding has not been destroyed—since you are from a royal human stock, from god-nurtured kings who wield a scepter [†¦] Worthless men could not father men like you† (Book IV, lines 61-67). More importantly, when Menelaus invoked Zeus in kind and in favor to justify the need to welcome the strangers in, the epic reveals yet another layer in the theme of hospitality (Kitto, 1990). Zeus was actually in fact the god of travelers and of hospitality (1990). He favors those who treat visitors well and guests who behave themselves properly while being accommodated (1990). This reciprocity of kindness and courteousness is embodied in the traditional concept of the Xenia, where both the host and the guest follow certain predetermined divine rules in terms of hospitality. The host must provide necessary assistance to his guests and treat him as a part of the household, whilst the guest must not desecrate the honor granted to him. The host must not ask impertinent questions or if he must, out of polite curiosity, it can only be done after the guest has fully settled himself in and satisfied his needs. When the time comes for the guest to depart, the host shall, or regularly will, give a parting gift to bid the guest farewell and god-speed in his journey. Xenia is a Greek ancient custom of treating strangers as friends in the household. The practice of which has been so pervasive that it has partaken the nature of a ritual that still bears persuasive force even among modern societies in the Western world (1990). Otherwise, a person who does not observe the rite of the xenia or practically of hospitality, the consequences are dire either with respect to the gods’ fury or men’s retribution (1990). On another note, a perusal of Menelaus’ and his subjects’ attitude towards their guests, who had an air of royalty and superiority, will uncover another dimension of the concept of hospitality. Curiously enough, both the messenger and Menelaus noticed a semblance between them and the two strangers. They both automatically assumed that Telemachus and his companion were of divine and royal origin. As such, they were moved to treat them to which their station in life properly deserves. A whole feast befitting a king was given in honor of Telemachus. In addition, arguing that Telemachus was not a king, his Greek appearance perhaps inspired a sense of kinship with Menelaus being both Greeks. Indeed, if men had a tendency to behave altruistically towards individuals who physically resembled them, they might indirectly be doing their own kind a huge favor by being hospitable to Greek strangers. Menelaus, like other Greeks, had a kin-like tendency to identify with strangers who closely resemble oneself physically. This kind of natural response would lead to the providential growth of one’s race. At a time when Greeks moved around little or heavily throughout the region, chances are high that any random individual that pays a visit may be close kin to the host, not just in terms of ties of friendship but even through blood-lines. Thus, being nice to any stranger who look similar or appears to share the same qualities as one may possess, could have a positive survival value in the long run. In this sense, Homer seems to imply that being hospitable to strangers is more than just showing good manners and courtesy. In a time when the Greeks were holding off invaders from their lands it is but wise to know your allies and treat them well, for in the off chance that the nation-states have to unite in battle against foreign belligerent armies, the person you welcome today might be the very person fighting with and for you in war. Menelaus, being a warmonger himself, knows this too well and at the sight of a fellow Greek in need of help, he had no qualms in giving him what he, as a member of a race, rightly deserves. Homer continues to wax different dimensions of hospitality in Books V-VIII which stresses the importance of Xenia and the concept of hospitality in the survival of Odysseus in his journey. At around this time, Odysseus has recently departed the place of Calypso. He set out to sail in a raft but was constantly being harassed by Poseidon who determined to kill him. Odysseus had been washed over to alien shores but was lucky enough to find people willing to give him some assistance. However, Homer casts a shadow of doubt as to the genuine motives of the people who came to the aid of Odysseus. Upon Odysseus’ unplanned arrival at the land of the Phaeacians, he was met with several people who were wondering who he was. There is an air of foreboding and caution since in all appearances and circumstances Odysseus was a total stranger. Athena while disguised as stranger admonished Odysseus that: â€Å"The people here are not fond of strangers—they dont extend a friendly welcome to those from other lands, but put their trust in their swift ships to carry them across vast gulfs of the sea† (Book VII, lines 40-45). Nonetheless, after Odysseus, who was then covered in mist which later dispersed, prostrated himself before the attendants inside the palace, he was welcomed to dine and sleep in the palace if only because they were wary of strangers but had a heart for those who pay homage properly viz. by being pious suppliants. The attendants of the palace were not as welcoming as the Greeks. Yet they gave him something to drink, clothe himself and sleep on until Alcinous the king would pass wise judgment on the best way to treat Odysseus. Thereafter, king Alcinous bid the Phaeacians to extend a little warmth of kindness to Odysseus before he sets out for his home again with a sacrifice to be made to Zeus. The king made it clear that in no way was Odysseus to be ill-treated or harm precisely because for such a long time the gods have yet to show their true form and the stranger before them might be one of the gods. Odysseus was quick to reply that he was an ordinary man stranded and lost at sea. The wise and timely words of Odysseus gained the approval of everyone in the majestic palace. King Alocinous even offered his daughter in marriage so then their line would continue to produce wise men like him. At this point, Odysseus, with his cunning and resourcefulness, had finally earned not only the respect of the Phaeacians but his keep during his stay at the palace (Book VII, Lines 380-400). Later in Book VIII, the brand of hospitality shown by the Phaeacians is beginning to look more obvious. Athena knows well that the Phaeacians were not good with strangers and as such, in order to compel respect and awe among them, Athena â€Å"poured an amazing poise on him [Odysseus], across his shoulders and his head and made him look taller and more powerful, so the Phaeacians would welcome him, and he would win from them respect and awe (Book VIII, Lines 18-24). Indeed, as it were, people are moved to show generosity and courtesy in varying levels of motivation. It could be purely out of the kindness of one’s heart, the desire to be repaid in turn in the future, to help a kinsman, or it could well probably be shown out of respect, fear and awe. As in the case of Odysseus’ stay with the Phaeacians, he had nothing else but his wisdom and the guidance of Athena to merit the approving welcome of his hosts. Although the Phaeacians were not famous for being so accommodating to strangers, they still observed the rituals of hospitality and Xenia by offering their guest a means to get back home—fifty handpicked men of the finest caliber and a ship to sail with as well. On the part of the Odysseus as the guest of honor, when provoked into an experiment of skill and strength, did show some remarkable feats but spurned suggestions of having to wrestle with his host lest his fortunes may turn (Book VIII, 40). Thus far, Homer has shown how people of the ancient world have embraced and perceived hospitality as a part of their customs and way of life. Hospitality was presented as a tool to earn favors and forge relationships among men, and as an unconditional gift to which the reward is the sense of satisfaction from being able to lend a hand to those in need. However, hospitality may lend itself to abuse what with the fact that people seem to be kind and generous all the time. Such abuse of hospitality is not without a fitting punishment at the instance that a guest desecrates the honor of the host. Book IX of the epic, narrates Odysseus’ experience with the Cyclops. He recounts that when he left to check their ship his men wantonly killed a number of sheep in the midst and casually ate what they could grab their hands on. Odysseus had a share in the loot as well and even went inside the cave which was the house of the terrible Cyclops. But when the master of the house arrived, in trembling and fear-inspiring fashion, none of the supplications of Odysseus neither his wise and calculated words had an effect to the Cyclops (Book IX, Lines 331-339). The Cyclops was angry because uninvited strangers ate some of his prized sheep and even slept on his abode. The Cyclops bellows that he was not afraid of Zeus. Thus, he had no business whatsoever neither had he any divine obligation to show kindness to the trespassers. He can do whatever he wanted with the strangers who were presently trapped inside the cave (Book IX, Lines 300-310). In the same breath, Homer attributed the inhospitality with the fact that Odysseus and his men failed to pay the proper respects to their host. They went on pillaging resources without asking for permission. The Cyclops would have been more lenient had they observed the rites as visitors. At any rate, the Cyclops is a being beyond the control of established rules and laws of men. This was a creature who did not answer to the gods. It was an independent and free-thinking uncivilized brute that could do as he please without fear of incurring the wrath of the gods. Furthermore, the Cyclops did not fit the ideal host precisely because he had nothing to gain from feeding, clothing and accepting into his home strangers who come his way. At the least, strangers who pass by are nothing but piecemeal desserts to him. The Cyclops was only interested in entertainment and food, and cared little about the problems of stranded seafarers. Then again, as a host who had performed poorly in attending to his visitors, the Cyclops suffered his just punishment. Odysseus and his men crafted a scheme to escape and in the process gorged the only eye of the Cyclops, depriving him totally of the sense of sight. What worse punishment can there be to a Cyclops than to take from him his one eye for being inhospitable? The lack of hospitality in Book IX of the epic and in other parts signifies the untamed and wild aspects of the ancient world. It is true that there are many who are willing and able to render aid to strangers with such generosity and kindness. Yet it is equally true that there are some who are not so keen in helping out people in need. The ancient world has a collection of creatures and beings of this sort. Driven by selfishness and self-serving interest, they see little benefits in spending resources, time and energy to outsiders. Not even the divine and universal laws of gods and men’s customs and traditions have the power to compel them to do the right thing. Such creatures are uncivilized and nothing can be expected from them but hostility and danger. Wise words can not trick them to do something against their brutish nature. As independent creatures, they rely on themselves for support and livelihood. Anyone who intrudes into their domain is readily met with a poor or lack of kind treatment.