Effects Of Acid Rain On Water Essays - Environmental Chemistry

Effects Of Acid Rain On Water Effects of Acid Rain on Water The effects of acid rain are most clearly seen in the aquatic, or water, environments, such as streams, lakes, and marshes. Acid rain flows to streams, lakes, and marshes after falling on forests, fields, buildings, and roads. Acid rain also falls directly on aquatic habitats. Most lakes and streams have a pH between 6 and 8. However, some lakes are naturally acidic even without the effects of acid rain. Lakes and streams become acidic (pH value goes down) when the water itself and its surrounding soil cannot buffer the acid rain enough to neutralize it. In areas like the Northeastern United States where soil buffering is poor, some lakes now have a pH value of less than 5. One of the most acidic lakes reported is Little Echo Pond in Franklin, New York. Little Echo Pond has a pH of 4.2. Lakes and streams in the western United States are usually not acidic. Because of differences in emissions and wind patterns, levels of acid deposition are generally lower in the western United States than in the eastern United States. This chart shows that not all fish, shellfish, or their food insects can tolerate the same amount of acid: Generally, the young of most species are more sensitive than adults. Frogs may tolerate relatively high levels of acidity, but if they eat insects like the mayfly, they may be affected because part of their food supply may disappear. As lakes and streams become more acidic, the numbers and types of fish and other aquatic plants and animals that live in these waters decrease. Some types of plants and animals are able to tolerate acidic waters. Others, however, are acid-sensitive and will be lost as the pH declines. Some acid lakes have no fish. At pH 5, most fish eggs cannot hatch. At lower pH levels, some adult fish die. Toxic substances like aluminum that wash into the water from the soil may also kill fish. Together, biological organisms and the environment in which they live are called an ecosystem. The plants and animals living within an ecosystem are highly interdependent. For example, fish eat other fish and also other plants and animals that live in the lake or stream. If acid rain causes the loss of acid-sensitive plants and animals, then fish that rely on these organisms for food may also be affected. Science

Split Brain Research Essays - Nervous System, Neuroscience, Brain

Split Brain Research Essays - Nervous System, Neuroscience, Brain Split Brain Research Chad Stein PS 101 Dr. Rom 1. Gazzaniga, M.S. One Brain or Two? Scientific American. 1967. Rpt. In Forty Studies That Changed Psychology. Ed. Roger R. Hock. Engewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall, 1995. 2-11. 2. This article dealt with experiments that showed the different functions of the right and left hemisphere of the brain. It also described the functions of the left and right hemisphere. Your left brain is better at speaking, writing, mathematical calculations, and reading, and is the primary center for language. Your right hemisphere, posses superior capabilities for recognizing faces, solving problems involving spatial relationships, symbolic reasoning, and artistic activities(9). The experiments were done to find how each hemisphere of the brain process information. To do this the corpus callosum was severed. This made it impossible for the two hemispheres of the brain to communicate with each other. When the corpus callosum is severed it is referred to as the split brain effect. The tests that were performed on the individuals fell into three fields: they were sight, hearing, and touch. All the tests showed that the above is true concerning the functions of each hemisphere of th e brain. The problem that the author was addressing was the fact that the two hemispheres of the brain communicate with each other, and if the communication is destroyed then the functions could be handled by one hemisphere better then the two combined. These experiments proved that there was a dominance in each hemisphere of the brain to perform certain tasks. Even though a connected brain can perform the tasks of both sides. 3. I think that the experiment showed exactly what it set out to do. Show that the separate hemispheres of the brain perform different tasks. It also showed that the brain is capable of performing these tasks even when the corpus callosum has been severed. Although some tasks are performed better when the brain is able to communicate between the hemispheres. 4. The effects on psychology are many. For instance this research helps people understand the different parts of the brain, and how they work. Also when injuries occur to the brain psychologist can determine what the possible effects of the person will be. Finally, psychologist will have a better understanding of how the human brain works.

American foreign policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

American foreign policy - Essay Example Moreover, according to Lang (2003), it should be identified who would be allowed to perform the intervention, how humanitarian intervention should be established, and whether there are provisions under which consent to intervene becomes a responsibility. Humanitarian intervention is normally talked about as an exemption to the nonintervention rule. This rule points out that states are prohibited to use their power, and definitely to exercise force, within other states’ jurisdiction. The rule has received strong patronage from the United Nations Charter, which allows states to protect themselves from attacks but prohibits employing the military against the political autonomy or territorial sovereignty of other states (Lang 2003). Exactly speaking, these conditions ban armed intervention, as well as intervention to safeguard human rights. Generally, contemporary international law weakly supports humanitarian intervention. Nevertheless, there is a more traditional rule in which t he exercise of force is acceptable not just in self-preservation but also to defend the innocent and punish violations. This rule is somewhat in conflict with contemporary international law and particularly with the UN Charter (Lang 2003). ... The decision over humanitarian intervention is still complex and difficult. Today, the international community has inadequate alternatives for dealing with humanitarian issues. Prospects for Democracy Noam Chomsky leads the way by making public his assessment of the Prospects for Democracy. Starting with a general evaluation of political history and democratic theory, he claims that traditional democrats like Thomas Jefferson would be disappointed at the poor shape of American democracy today. The vast expansion of corporate capitalism has by now ruined democratic traditions and the state by giving power to a few (Chomsky & Otero 2003). And the prospect for democracy seems bleaker. Despite of this gloomy evaluation, Chomsky upholds that the revival of true democracy depends ultimately on the people or on whether they can get rid of their political dissatisfaction and put together a democratic prospect. The destiny of democracy is still changeable, Chomsky claims, but â€Å"unless pe ople here and in other rich societies can recapture and revitalize† (Chomsky & Otero 2003, 259) the misplaced institutions of democracy and liberty, â€Å"the prospects for democracy are indeed dim† (Chomsky & Otero 2003, 259). The rapid development of democracy in numerous countries has built expectations for a healthier future; the hopes are that democracy will not just advance human rights and political rights but will also result in better welfare and swift economic growth aside from international relations distinguished by shared understanding and diplomatic cooperation. As argue recently by Samuel Huntington and Robert Dahl, we should not anticipate other

Definition Of The Profession Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Definition Of The Profession - Assignment Example Despite the fact that management is not a profession does not mean that the job does not entail a lot of preparation and experience to master the craft. The job of a manager requires the utmost professionalism. The managerial position is responsible for the employees of the company and their dealings with customers. In the past, I have been involved in work experiences that required that I utilize professionalism in order to get things accomplished in the workplace. I once worked in a company that was violating state work laws. The firm paid the employees late, did not obey overtime laws, and it exploited its employees with excessive production quotas. Within this work environment, the workers were able to form an informal work union. The employees got together and discussed their problems and looked for solutions. Everything was done with professionalism in order to gain strength against the administration.

Cover Letter for a Residency Program in Family Medicine Essay

Cover Letter for a Residency Program in Family Medicine - Essay Example I am confident that my combination of practical work experience and reliable educational background has prepared me for making an immediate impact on large public hospitals. Having worked in leading international hospitals in the health care, I am highly skilled in various clinical procedures and understand the level of professionalism and communication that should be displayed for the long-term success in the medical area. My background and professional approach to treatments made me responsible, punctual and extremely organized. During these years of high competition I developed leadership qualities with skills to motivate employees around me. I have proved my abilities to successfully carry out managerial tasks and actively react to emergency situations. I believe that I can be of significant and valuable contribution to the Canadian Medical facility as a physician. I hope that my professional dedication and hard-working attitude will serve the healthcare need and will provide the community with the respected health support.

Strategic Business Plan

Strategic Business Plan Developing a Strategic Business Plan Either in the start up process or when re-inventing ones business development, the design of a strategic business plan is an indispensable step towards a successful and viable business. Strategic planning involves setting up a sound and multifaceted plan or strategy to follow over a defined time period.It can involve all aspects of the business, or just a small part of it i.e. a selected department such as the marketing department.However, this does not mean that strategic business planning is only for large scale businesses since it can also benefit the small business, especially at start up, when the business sets its first goals and establishes itself in the business landscape. Writing up a business plan is an important step of a starting business, since most lending bodies will not authorize loans in absense of a detailed business plan.Why is it important? Imagine sailing off for a voyage in the sea and not planning for resources or supplies that you might need. Developing a business plan is the only way to determine the allocation needs, personnel, utilities, marketing goals, outreach and all valuable aspects that make your business useful and unique in the sea of business. However, strategic planning is a process employed in any time period in a formal business administration, since it usually comprises of a long range planning process of a specific or broader managerial aspect, that will in a time-frame manner set the outline of the business goals and image and ultimately form its policy. To be successful, a strategic business plan, either at start up or as a means of sustainment of a particular policy, should provide with day to day reference for the decision making in organization and management of the business and should provide a template against which all decisions can be evaluated (Goodstein et al ,1993).Ackoffs (1981) typology of planning, provides with several points to the understanding of the planning process, identifies as a key step in the business or organizations decision to adhere to the long term goals of strategic planning.These are l Reactive planning ( planning through the rear view mirror) l Inactive (going with the flow) l Preactive or future planning l Proactive or designing the future planning. The most challenging and demanding type of planning is the proactive planning, which is based on the beleif that the organization or business itself, is responsible for shaping its future and thus can do differently i.e. to solve an anticipated problem.In order for an administration to sustain an applied strategic planning process in its midsts, it is anticipated that efforts are made to develop an openness for new ideas and allow for envisioning in serving the future. An area where envisioning is particularly useful is the mision development : who the business customers are, how will the business go about its tasks and the business raison detre. Moreover, the strategic planning process must be strongly intercalated with the organizational culture of the business, the latter being the social context in and through which the business performs its work. This connection will facilitate the easy transmission to the workers and administrators of the mission of the business, the specific operational goals and the means to acheive them. After the decision and contexts of the strategic planning are made, several steps are indispensable in the successful inplementation of the process: 1st setting the stage for planning: understanding the way planning works, the values scan and mission formulation 2nd Setting strategic business directions : strategic business modeling such as performance auditing, gap analysis 3rd Implementing the strategic plan : integrating action plans, contigency planning and implementation. In conclusion, a strategic business planning process is an expansion of the traditional business plan method towards the future developmentof the business, that formulates a strategy in anticipating change and maintaining its status in the business arena. Several steps are necessary in implementing a viable and successful strategy plan, most of which require serious documentation, market research and official design and control. In several examples in history, an inspired and well grounded strategy plan has been the means to ground-breaking enterpreneurships and immense success. REFERENCES: Ackoff (1981) Creating the corporate future. New York : John Riley Goodstein LD, Nolan T, Pfeiffer JW (1993) Applied strategic planning. Mc Graw Hill

Aborted Aspirations in Pat Barkers Regeneration Essay -- Pat Barker R

Aborted Aspirations in Pat Barker's Regeneration Pat Barker's riveting World War I novel Regeneration brilliantly exemplifies the effectiveness of fiction united with historical facts. While men aspired to gain glory from war and become heroes, Regeneration poignantly points out that not all of war was glorious. Rather, young soldiers found their aspirations prematurely aborted due to their bitter war experiences. The horrible mental and physical sicknesses, which plagued a number of soldiers, caused many men to withdraw from the battlefield. Feelings of guilt and shame haunted many soldiers as they found themselves removed from the heat of war. Men, however, were not the only individuals to experience such feelings during a time of historical upheaval. Women, too, found themselves at war at the dawn of a feminine revolution. One of the most contentious topics of the time was the practice of abortion, which comes to attention in chapter 17 on pages 202 and 203 of Barker's novel. Through Baker's ground-breaking novel, we learn how m en and women alike discovered that in life, not all aspirations are realized; in fact, in times of conflict, women and men both face desperate situations, which have no definite solutions. Illustrated in Barker's novel by a young woman named Betty, and many broken soldiers, society's harsh judgments worsen the difficult circumstances already at hand. As men engaged in war overseas, women gained many opportunities in their every day life. New employment opportunities became attainable to women. In women's health, many new medical practices were conventionalized as well. One of the most pivotal medical advancements of the time was the commercialization of birth control ("Marie Stopes"). However, n... ...omen did or did not abort their unborn child varied, it can be inferred that social disgrace would result from whatever choice was made. The decisions we make today, can create life-long repercussions. Regeneration poignantly points out that not all is fair in war, or life. Works Cited "Abortion: In Law, History & Religion." Childbirth By Choice Trust. May 1995. 26 April 2004. <http://www.cbctrust.com/abortion.html> Barker, Pat. Regeneration. New York: Plume, 2003. Horden, Anthony. Legal Abortion: The English Experience. New York: Pergamon Press, 1971. "Marie Stopes." Spartacus. 7 December 2001. 26 April 2004. <http://www.spartacus .schoolnet.co.uk/Wstopes.htm> Raffel, Brian, Monica Borgone, Michael D'Ambrosio and Rebecca Heydon. "Abortion Around the World." 1999. 30 April 2004. <http://apdude0.tripod.com/abortionaroundtheworld/index.html>

How Does Alcohol Affect Our Society and Our Health?

An alcoholic beverage is a drink which has ethanol in it. There are 3 types of alcohol, beer, wine and spirits. The highest percentage of Alcohol is normally in spirits and the lowest is in beer. Alcohol is legally drunken in most countries however, â€Å"100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption†. In England one is allowed to be served alcohol when they are 16 and over however one can only buy alcohol when they are 21 or over.In my opinion this is wrong because most people consider a drug, yet most people don’t see alcohol anywhere near as bad for you as taking drugs even thou â€Å"Alcohol kills around 85,000 people per year†. For the amount of deaths from drugs annually it is hard to tell because â€Å"Cause of death is recorded on death certificates but doctors may not mention drugs, even where drugs might be involved†. After listening to the 85’000 deaths a year fact it is surprising that alcohol is warmly welco med at any dinner, cultural event or even political events. Alcohol is widely used and seen in our society today.In this essay I will go through the health risks and how it plays a part in our modern world. Health Risks * The NHS recommend: * â€Å"Men should not regularly drink more than 3-4 units a day. * Women should not regularly drink more than 2-3 units a day. † Regularly means drinking these amounts every day or most days of the week. National Statistics say men drink an average of 18. 7 units a week, compared with 9. 0 units for women. On average this is correct however far too many people are drinking much over this statistic a week, and that is what is damaging or society as well.In Great Britain, just under a third of men (31%) and one in five women (20%) drink more than the advised weekly limits of 21 and 14 units a week respectively. Alcohol is a toxin which kills cells† When put in those words most people then take alcohol more seriously. Out of most drugs Alcohol is high in the middle section of dependence-physical harm graph. Short-term effects of alcohol consumption include intoxication and dehydration. Long-term effects of alcohol include changes in the metabolism of the liver and brain and alcoholism (addiction to alcohol). Intoxication mostly causes slurred speech, loss of oncentration and delayed reflexes. â€Å"Alcohol stimulates insulin production, which speeds up glucose metabolism and can result in low blood sugar, causing irritability and (for diabetics) possible death. â€Å" Alcohol also leads to heart disease, dementia (long term and short term), cancer, diabetes and stroke. Society In our society today especially Britain there is a huge amount of Binge drinking and over use of Alcohol. We are one of the most well known countries to abuse alcohol and it will definitely affect our future generation. Being brought up in a world where this is common is not good for anybody.Now children will be growing up to think it is ok to drink this amount of alcohol. Health Warning! Alcohol is widely advertised all around the world, from rich highly developed countries to poorer countries. This is one of the big issues on how Alcohol as a drink should be displayed. The question is, â€Å" If alcohol is a killing drug, should it be advertised in the manner of making one think it tastes great and will make you stronger? †. There are many complaints about this is issue especially because it is encouraging the younger generation that drinking alcohol is cool and it tastes great.The adverts make people think alcohol is good when the truth is most aggressive people will often be alcoholics. Some solutions to these adverts brainwashing people is to have a health warning sign at the end of the advert like on cigarette boxes. This would maybe stick in the watchers minds. The other option would be to ban alcohol adverts all together or at least on some channels and times. Banning the adverts would end the propaga nda about alcohol altogether however it would cause a large uprising from the brewing industry because sales would go immensely down.The other solution of banning the adverts is to ban them on channels that children tune into or young adults and teenagers tune into, this would stop the younger generation from being tempted. An example of this is â€Å"In Malaysia, fast food advertising during children's programmes was outlawed in 2007† The media coverage on risks of alcohol should be increased and the laws of advertisement and exploitation of alcohol should be controlled by a separate board and not the government. However the Government in my opinion should rise taxes alcohol.On the other side of the argument there is the fact that for some people alcohol is essential in there life for many reasons. â€Å" All socialites have a drug, in stressful places it Is good to relax† After looking over the information and facts on alcohol in modern day, I have come to a conclusi on that the government or other organizations need to do something about how alcohol is a killer and is not good for you. However I do understand the reasons for people to drink it but I still think higher taxes or other problem solvers should be introduced.

Coca Cola India Essays

Coca Cola India Essays Coca Cola India Paper Coca Cola India Paper Table of contents Executive Summaryi The Coca-Cola Company Firm Profileii The Beverage Industry in Indiaiii India’s Societal Systemvii Macroeconomic Indicators and Demographics. vii Market System Aspectsix Infrastructure and Legal Orderix Cultural Dimensionsx India’s Societal Predispositionxi Ideologiesxii Indian Caste Systemxii Valuesxiii Religionxiv Politicalxv Economicxv Strategies and Policiesxvi Constraintsxvi Coca-Cola Strategyxvii Future Strategic Initiativesxvii Market Penetration Strategyxviii Consumer and Market Focus Strategyxviii Marketing Strategyxx Conclusionxx Executive Summary India, as one of the world’s largest emerging markets, is quick to be seen as a source for new corporate growth and expansion by both large and small companies alike and The Coca-Cola Company is no exception. Since its second foray into the Indian market, The Coca-Cola Company has seen significant growth in its operations there, with average annual gains of 21 percent. As the company becomes more entrenched within the Indian market, it must continue to navigate the cultural, economic and political idiosyncrasies found in India to ensure continued growth and to sustain its competitive advantage over its rivals. For The Coca-Cola Company, long-term success hinges upon a myriad of factors that include expansion into the rural markets of India where inadequate infrastructure, widespread poverty and the legacies of the country’s caste system continue; product development and marketing strategies that cater to both the taste preferences of the Indian consumer and societal pressures for healthier alternatives; and acquisitions and partnerships that broaden the company’s internal distribution network while simultaneously giving the company access to long-standing relationships, which is important in a country that places a greater emphasis on relationships over rules and profits. As The Coca-Cola Company implements its strategies for continued operations and market share expansions within India, working knowledge of how the political, economic and cultural forces shape the corporate environment within the country will boost the company’s acceptance by local partners, employees and consumers, ultimately leading to a stronger competitive position for company. The Coca-Cola Company Firm Profile The Coca-Cola Company, publically traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol KO, is the world’s largest nonalcoholic beverage company with over 139,600 employees and reported revenues of USD 35,119 million during the fiscal year that ended in December 2010 (Global Data, 2011). With over 500 brands sold in more than 200 countries, The Coca-Cola Company maintains responsibility for three primary business elements for its product: the manufacture of the concentrates, beverage bases and syrups that are sold to bottling operations for final manufacture and packaging for consumption, the company’s brand and consumer brand marketing initiatives (The Coca-Cola System, 2011). The Coca-Cola Company is a dispersed, transnational organization that operates under a decentralized management structure. The company consists of six operating segments: Eurasia, Africa (includes India), Europe, Latin America, North America and Pacific. Two other business entities round out the corporate structure Bottling Investments, which are the Company-owned bottling operations and Corporate (The Coca-Cola System, 2011). Each operating segment holds significant autonomy as it drives sales within its region and develops market-specific products to meet local demands and preferences. The largest volume growth by operating segment has been Eurasia Africa, with 12 percent gains from 2009 to 2010 and the Indian market is driving the growth with average annual gains of 21 percent (The Coca-Cola System, 2011). In terms of financial performance and stability, the company’s global footprint offers the opportunity to offset sluggish market conditions in developed markets like the United States and Europe with growing sales in emerging markets like Brazil, China and India (Global Data, 2011). As the domestic demand for non-alcoholic beverages in these markets grows, The Coca-Cola Company is able to leverage its brand and breadth of portfolio to secure market share. The backbone of Coca Cola’s operations is its more than 300 bottling partners worldwide. Bottling partners manufacture, package, merchandise and distribute the final beverage products to local customers and vending partners (The Coca Cola System, 2011). The company does not own or control most of its bottling partners. In 2007, 79% of unit case volume was produced and distributed by bottling partners in which the company did not have a controlling interest (The Coca Cola System, 2011) and 2011 figures show the company having a 30 to 35 percent interest in its major bottling partners (Global Data, 2011). This organizational philosophy is evident in its Indian operations. Coca Cola reentered the Indian market in 1993 and by 1999 it had acquired 37 company-owned bottling operations and 16 franchise bottling operations (India: Coca Cola uncorks new growth plans, 2000). Volatile raw material costs and governmental regulations remain the most serious of threats to The Coca-Cola Company across the entire corporation (Global Data, 2011). As most of the raw material costs for The Coca-Cola Company arise from commodity products, their supply can be affected by weather and natural disasters, governmental controls and supply shortages (Global Data, 2011). For The Coca-Cola Company, governmental restrictions affect every operating segment that they are in and can include anything from foreign direct investment and national labor requirements to labeling requirements to environmental regulations. Failure to monitor and abide by individual governmental regulations can have severe consequences on the overall financial health of the organization and can impede successful operations (Global Data, 2011). The Beverage Industry in India Soft drink sales in the Indian market generated total revenues of $3. 8 billion in 2010 as market consumption volumes increased nearly 11 percent during the 2006-2010 timeframe (Datamonitor, 2011). For comparison, the global beverages industry saw total revenues of $1,749 billion in 2010 of which $560 billion is attributed to soft drink sales, which highlights the limited overall current consumption of soft drinks in the Indian market (Datamonitor, 2011). In terms of market share, the Indian market is dominated by The Coca-Cola Company (33 percent market share) and PesiCo, Inc. (22 percent market share), with Parle Bisleri Ltd. , a Mumbai-based drinking water bottler capturing 20 percent of the remaining market. Various other companies make up the remaining 26 percent of total available market for soft drink sales (Datamonitor, 2011). For The Coca-Cola Company, India led its segment in revenue growth, though it has the lowest annual per capita consumption globally at 11 for 2010. India’s annual per capita consumption rate has increased from 6 in 2009 (The Coca-Cola System, 2011) and continued growth is expected for the country. For the soft drinks/beverage industry, the primary factors of production include water, concentrates, and both natural and synthetic sweeteners (Datamonitor, 2011). For bottlers, product packaging comprises another major factor of production. Relative stability and limited controversy are evident for soft drink concentrates and sweeteners within the Indian market (Datamonitor, 2011). Water as a factor of production plays a critical and often controversial role in the soft drinks beverage industry. For the bottling process, water is the primary ingredient in products produced for The Coca-Cola Company (The Coca-Cola System, 2011). In addition, water is used extensively for rinsing, cleaning, heating and cooling within the manufacturing process. The Coca-Cola Company Corporate offices has an active, three-fold water stewardship program that looks to reduce water usage, recycle the water used in manufacturing processes at a level that supports aquatic life and replenish water used in the company’s finished products through supply chain initiatives, governmental cooperation and local community investments (The Coca-Cola System, 2011). In India, the company has faced allegations of excessive water extraction and water and soil pollution at several of its bottling facilities (Harish and Gopal, 2008). Since it re-entered the Indian market in 1993, the company has launched numerous local initiatives, including water harvesting in drought-prone regions with bottling facilities, public awareness campaigns and cooperation with Indian governmental agencies like the Central Pollution Control Board to mitigate these real concerns within the Indian market (Harish and Gopal, 2008). Much like water stewardship, The Coca-Cola Company Corporate division leads a sustainable packaging division that works to improve packaging material efficiency, recycle at least 50 percent of its bottles and cans consumed annually, and utilize recycled materials for future packaging (The Coca-Cola System, 2011). While not specific to the Indian market, concerns for sustainable packaging and the solutions being worked by the company are seen there. A supporting industry for The Coca-Cola Company within the Indian market is the mango fruit industry. According to The Coca-Cola Company, over 60,000 tons of mango pulp is required annually for its Maaza juice drink brand (Coke, Pepsi announce campaigns for mango brands, 2009). In addition to agreements with local farmers to purchase mangos directly, the company is also working hand-in-hand with Jain Irrigation there to boost mango production in order to meet projected demand (Coke, Jain Irrigation join hands to improve mango yield, 2011). Both actions allow the company to be better positioned within the local Indian market by building local relationships that boost public perception and facilitating output conducive to meeting local demand. The main distribution channels for the soft drink and beverage market make up another important supporting industry within the Indian market. Independent retailers make up the largest distribution channel for the soft drink market in India, accounting for more than 46 percent of the total market volume (Datamonitor, 2011). As with its other geographical centers, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottlers work branding and local marketing initiatives to create demand for its products and incentives for its retailers. The firm strategy for success in the Indian market is to capitalize on its strong brand equity while building consumer loyalty with its flagship products as well as with other Coca-Cola beverages that match local tastes and preferences – the Coke brand in Delhi, Thums Up in Mumbai and Andhra Pradesh, and Fanta in Tamil Nadu (India: Coca-Cola uncorks new growth plans, 2000). More recently, the company broadened its portfolio in India with the launch of Minute Maid 100% Pure Fruit Juices (Coca-Cola India uncorks fruit juice range, 2011). In 2011, the company broadened its portfolio in India with the launch of Minute Maid 100% Pure Fruit Juices (Coca-Cola India uncorks fruit juice range, 2011). In September 2011, Coca-Cola India launched milk-based juice beverages in support of Indian market trends for consumers to switch to health conscious beverages (All products aim at making us†¦, 2011). According to Atul Singh, president, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia, the key strategy drivers for Coca-Cola in India are products that match local preferences and trends, distribution efficiencies, and transportation and technology investments that allow the company to reach more deeply within the Indian population outside of metro centers with an appropriately chilled product (All products aim at making us†¦, 2011). India’s Societal System Macroeconomic Indicators and Demographics. The Republic of India provides advantages and disadvantages for future business opportunities concerning Coca Cola and the carbonated beverage industry. Economically, India has had triumphs and challenges over the past several years. Recent fluctuating trade policies and practices, along with an increasing GDP growth rate percentage, as well as a well-documented societal instability can make the country seem unstable. However, once reviewed, there are incentives for doing business in the country. As of July, 2011, the population of India is 1. 2 billion people, compared to 300 million people in the United States. India’s population growth rate is at 1. 344 percent. There are three major ethnic groups in India, the Indo-Aryan (72%), Dravidian (25%), and Mongolian and other small groups comprise the final 3 percent. There are several languages, with Hindi being the primary. The English language is also important for education, business, career and traveling reasons. The predominant religion is Hindu (80%), followed by Muslim, Christian and Sikh (www. cia. gov). 25 percent of the population of India is living below the poverty line, most of which live in the rural areas (www. cia. gov). India has most recently noticed a surge in urbanization among its population, with many of its citizens seeking employment and better education in the cities. Currently 30 percent of the country’s population resides in urban areas and that number is expected to grow 2. 4 percent annually over the next four years (www. cia. gov). Lack of development in many of the rural areas may be a contributing factor to the country’s urbanization. According to the CIA, only 88 percent of the population has access to clean drinking water, and most of the areas that lack are rural. In addition, only 31 percent of the population has access to sanitation facilities. The lack of availability of sanitation facilities and drinking water likely contributes to India’s high risk of infectious diseases among its population. Many of these are food, animal or water borne diseases. Interestingly, the CIA reports only . 3 percent of Indians living with HIV AIDS, while the rate in the United States is . percent. Further health issues in India include a low fertility rate and shorter life expectancy of 66 years (www. cia. gov). The result is a much younger median population. According to the CIA, the median age in India is 26 years-old. This can be a great advantage for a country that is struggling with unemployment. Through a surplus of young people who want to work, a nation can thrive and there will be more opportunities for growth. India’s GDP growth rate is at 10 percent as of 2010, and the GDP/purchasing power is at $4. 06 trillion, compared to the United States’ $14. 6 trillion. India’s GDP is ranked fifth in the world (www. cia. gov). Also, India’s debt of -$51 billion is minor compared to the United States’ $470 billion deficit (www. cia. gov). Additional international factors include an exchange rate of $1. 5 trillion and GDP per capita at $3,500, compared to $47,000 in the U. S. According to the CIA, India spends 2. 4% of GDP on health expenses, 2. 5% on military expenses and 3. 1% on education. Data concludes only 61% of India’s population can read. A creation of jobs by a new business could increase opportunities for education in India. India has the second largest workforce in the world with almost 480 million workers. India’s top occupations are agriculture, industry and services. However, CIA reports industry is â€Å"a major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India’s output, with only one-third of its labor force† (www. cia. gov). India exports rice, cotton, tea and chicken, and their industries include textiles, oil, machinery, clothing and pharmaceuticals (www. cia. gov). In more recent years India’s economy has boomed largely due to deregulation of industries and reduced control on foreign trade and investment. However, more recently India has come under fire for some of its trade policies. Indian online newspaper, The Economic Times, reported conflict between India, the U. S. , and the European Union. U. S. and EU complained that India’s trade tariffs were too high after they were reviewed by the WTO. Currently at 12%, the countries further argued that inconsistent rates can result in an unstable global market. In 2009-2011, India was able to recover from the recent global financial crisis rather quickly due to domestic demands (www. cia. gov). According to the CIA’s analysis, â€Å"India’s long term challenges include widespread poverty, inadequate physical and social infrastructure, limited non-agricultural employment opportunities, insufficient access to quality and basic higher education, and accommodating rural-to-urban migration† (www. cia. gov). A company like Coca-Cola will bring jobs, improve infrastructure and promote education. Market System Aspects India has in recent years become more geared toward market capitalism due to cross-border activities and increasing focus on urbanization and non-agricultural industry. Infrastructure and Legal Order As the economy continues to advance, India has been forced to make major upgrades to its infrastructure conditions. â€Å"Energy shortage, inadequate transportation network, and insufficient water supply system have caused a bottleneck in the country’s economic growth† (Maniar, 2010). India created the Build-Operate-Transfer (BTO) scheme in 1991 to specifically focus on these issues. Although it is an effective way to improve the country’s infrastructure and attract foreign investors, it may have a tendency to be misunderstood by foreign companies, which can pose a major problem (Mainar, 2010). If a firm chooses to enter India, it will be their choice to identify whether or not the BTO is worth investing in, considering the risks. When entering India, a firm must also be concerned with the country’s government and banking system. India’s law system is very inexperienced which has resulted in â€Å"widespread government corruption, financial speculation, and misallocation of investment funds† (Mainar, 2010). India also places more emphasis on interpersonal relationships rather than strict business transactions, therefore many firms are successful based on personal connections instead of merit. This can make entry by a foreign entity difficult. Additionally, India’s banking system is controlled and regulated by the government which contributes to corruption, affecting loan distribution. According to Mainar’s analysis, before entering India, the main risks to consider concerning infrastructure are, â€Å"availability of permits and licenses, operating performance risk, price of entering firm’s product, price of raw materials and energy, and enforceability of contracts for the product† (Mainar, 2010). Most of these factors will be controlled by the Indian government. Cultural Dimensions Eighty percent of India practices Hinduism, while remaining citizens prefer Christianity, Islam and Sikh. According to Hofstede’s analysis, India has a high power distance ranking of 77 (world average is only 56. ), indicating a large gap between the wealthy and the poor. Notably, this condition is the norm in India and is not traditionally forced on the people. India’s masculinity ranking is very high as well, indicating a lack of power between men and women. This is usually the case for Middle Eastern countries. Lastly, the country’s uncertainty avoidance ranking is a very low 40 (world average is 65), indicating less focus on rules and laws in the country (Hofstede, 2009). A low uncertainty avoidance ranking leaves the country prone to corruption. Education is more available in urban and wealthier areas, as mentioned earlier and India’s government spends only 3. 1% of its GDP on education. Socially, India is also a collectivist society, meaning interactions are mostly geared toward interpersonal relationships, with political connections being most valued. Contracts and agreements are not as formal as in the U. S. , while personal relationships have more merit than a binding piece of paper. In India, religious beliefs and interpersonal relationships are major factors of the society. India’s Societal Predisposition In order for a firm to successfully enter India, they must consider the country’s current economic, political and social climate. Economically, the firm must be more than willing to contribute to the development of infrastructure, an issue that has been plaguing India’s economy for years. India’s BTO scheme is a viable option for those who wish to help the problem. Joining the BTO could also increase relationships with the government and have a positive influence on consumers, thus increasing a better return on the firm’s products and services. Political instability must be assessed as well. The Indian government has a history of corruption in its banking system as well. Socially, the collectivist way of life must be fully understood and embraced. Any benefits to this type of society will need to be exploited in all ways possible. The economic and political dynamics in India lay the foundations for the manner in which the country operates. In a way they are complementary, considering the country’s recent focus on infrastructure versus a historically corrupt government. It seems that while India lacks in government regulations, it is making major moves to improve crucial aspects of economic development. However, the cultural dynamic is the most significant, in that it truly is the underlying force behind both the economic and political dynamics. India’s low uncertainty avoidance is a contributing factor to political corruption, which can directly affect economic conditions, further proving that each dynamic is intertwined. Ideologies With a population of over a billion people, one of the biggest issues facing India is overpopulation. This issue is weaved into the socio-economic framework of the entire country and is the root cause of several other problems in the country, including poverty, corruption and poor sanitation. These problems, along with a historically vibrant culture shape the lives of ordinary Indians every day. Indian Caste System One of the biggest characteristics of Indian society is the Indian caste system. In the past, the Indian caste system controlled all social relationships in India. People from higher caste systems did not interact much with those from lower caste and it was uncommon for a person from a high caste system to even enter into the house of an â€Å"Untouchable†, the term used to refer to one from the lowest caste or out of the caste system. India’s modern social structure is based on its historic caste system. This is a hereditary structure that keeps the population in social groups, ranging from laborers to kings (Alex, 2003). This caste system is derived from Hinduism, that largest religion practiced in India. Members of the other two religions, Islam and Christianity also recognize the Hindu caste system, but more for historic and cultural reasons. This system gives privileges to people that belong to a high caste while giving lower priority to people of lower caste and places a divide in the society by institutionalizing inequality within the population. In recent times, the caste system is not strictly adhered to and caste-based discrimination is illegal, however government institutions have quotas on their hiring from the different caste and collect data on the different caste during national censuses (Alex, 2003). People from higher caste tend to have better jobs and access to social services, whereas people from lower caste tend to be marginalized by the rest of the population and even the government. As globalization continues to move people across borders, the caste system is having less of an effect on business, since several of the multi-national enterprises in India, which hire large amounts of people, do not recognize the caste system. The discrimination of certain groups in India may impact Coca Cola since this system leaves an entire section of the population marginalized and usually poor. This means less people with the money to purchase Coca Cola products. In addition, because the government spends fewer resources in areas dominated by people of lower caste, the necessary infrastructure for trade, for example paved roads, may inhibit the distribution of Coca Cola’s products to certain rural areas. Values Indians value piety, modesty and conservatism. These values are derived from their strong religious beliefs. Both Islam and Hinduism call for modesty in their followers’ dealings with others in society. Even members of the higher caste systems tend to be modest in their dealings with other members of society. This differs from American values where wealth is displayed openly. Americans often feel the need to advertise that they are well-off and do so by purchasing expensive goods and services. These values also relate to the India work ethic. Whereas in America, workers tend to set themselves apart from their jobs, Indians are their jobs. In India, people have a more relaxed attitude towards to their work; however their work is their life (Steen, 2007). They often take long breaks and negotiate deadlines with their supervisors, however they work long hours and often work on weekends. The Indian work ethic keeps employees determined to complete their tasks and produce good results (Steen, 2007). This is somewhat different from the American work ethic. It is not uncommon to meet an American who does not enjoy their job, but simply puts in the hours necessary to get paid. They often work strict work hours and deadlines are very important. Because of the notion that Americans hold their own destinies and are able to break through all social-economic barriers with hard work, there is often a determination to work as hard as possible. In India, relationships are more important than rules. This attitude comes from a culture and religions that respects personal relationships. Although this culture builds relationships, it can often lead to corrupt practices since rules are often broken (Corruption in India, 2011). Coming from America, where rules usually trump relationships, Coca Cola will have to adapt to this culture to learn how to build strong relationship in the Indian market, while maintaining the company’s integrity. Religion Religion is a major part of Indian society. There are two main religious groups in India, the Hindus, which make up 80. % of the population and the Muslims, which make up 13. 4% of the population (CIA Factbook). During the 80’s and 90’s, there were serious clashes between m embers from the two groups, causing the deaths of thousands of people (Alex, 2003). More recently, there have a number of terrorist attacks, including the bombing of a popular hotel in Mumbai in 2008 carried out by extremist Muslims. These attacks often target foreigners in India. As a foreign company in India, Coca Cola is vulnerable to terrorist attack, more especially because Coca Cola is an icon for globalization and the spread of western culture. Political India is the world’s largest democracy. It operates on a multi-party system and British-style parliament. Although India has over 40 political parties, the dominant parties that hold power in the country are the Indian National Congress (INC), which holds â€Å"leftist† ideologies and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which is to the â€Å"right†. Parties on the left have held power in India since independence. Parties such as the INC generally oppose unregulated trade and businesses, most especially unregulated foreign investment. In 1974, the Indian parliament passed the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act (FERA) (India Export Import Portal). This act required foreign companies to sell majority of their shares to Indians.  ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬ In addition to regulating company ownership, FERA imposed strict regulations on specific types of payments, the dealings in foreign exchange and securities and the transactions which had an indirect impact on the foreign exchange and the import and export o f currency. Economic Indian economic policy has evolved over the years since independence reflecting the different ideologies that have dominated over the years. In the years soon after independence, India, led by the leftist Indian National Congress (INC) took a more liberal approach to foreign investment, placing emphases on the need for foreign investment for development and industrialization (State Regulation). Although the government made some welcoming statements regarding foreign investment, there was still a lack of clarity of the exact measures the government would take when it came to take-over and how long foreign firms would be allowed to maintain control of their firms. This led to reluctance of foreign firms to invest in the country (Dhar, 2011). However, in 1956, India fell into a foreign exchange crisis, which required the government to open up the country to more foreign investment. There was also a large push for India to industrialize, also requiring a large amount of capital (Dhar, 2011). Strategies and Policies Constraints Constraints to doing business in India can come from various factors. The Coca-Cola Company needs to remain conscientious to the market and the macro view of India. The company and its subsidiaries rely on significant amounts of electricity, natural gas, and other energy sources to operate plants, distribution facilities, and delivery channels. An increase or disruption in fuel or natural disaster that would disrupt power outages would have a negative impact on business operations and profitability. Higher interest rate fluctuations would impact net income. Also Coca-Cola relies on business partners and maintaining a good relationship is priority. It is in the interest of Coca-Cola to ensure their suppliers relationships are aligned with Coca-Cola’s interest to ensure continuous flow of material and product. Government regulations or political instability would encumber business operations to compete fairly within domestic markets. In the early 80’s Coca-Cola and foreign businesses exited the Indian market due to weak political structures that would have severely damaged business performance. Government regulations such as higher taxes, lack of protection for intellectual property and market size restrictions to favor domestic industry are constraints to growth and profits. India’s obesity and other health concerns associated with the product is a growing concern that might hurt market sales unless the company continues its expansion into healthier alternatives. Consumers and health officials are becoming increasingly concerned about the public health consequences due to obesity, particularly among the young. Scarcity and poor quality will have a negative impact on production and capacity output. Water is the main ingredient and overexploitation and poor management of the environment is cause for Indian government and public to be concern. Also, increases in supply cost or the disruption of supply or a shortage of national energy supplies could have profound impacts on business operations and contribute to a loss of profits. Coca-Cola Strategy The Coca-Cola Company’s goal is to use company assets, brand, financial strength, unrivaled distribution system, global reach and human talent to become more competitive and to accelerate growth in a manner that creates value for its shareholders and stakeholders. Future Strategic Initiatives The Coca-Cola Company should consider opportunities to reduce company ownership interest in the Bottling Investments group. It would free up capital and liquidity to meet current and future obligations to ensure no business disruption that would harm profits. Alternatively, the company may merge company owned bottling interests with the established bottling companies to share the cost and form a strategic business alliances that would expand Coca-Cola reach into the market. Moves to strengthen the company’s internal core business structure by consolidating operations and eliminating waste and redundancies that are costly to business operations would contribute to sustained growth in the Indian market. Market Penetration Strategy In 1993 Coca-Cola’s purchased Thums Up, India’s largest beverage operations, which granted immediate access to consumer base, established suppliers and a thriving distribution network. The acquisition gave Coca-Cola physical manufacturing, bottling plants, and distribution assets that allowed the company to quickly introduce its product to a new demographic. The branding and partnership with Thums Up enabled Coca-Cola to shift into the market and gain a competitive advantage over domestic competitors and PepsiCo, the second largest soft drink company globally. Coca-Cola has the capital to update and improve physical assets and the knowledge to increase the efficiency within the distribution channels. When Coca-Cola reentered the Indian market in early 1990’s, its market penetration strategy was to gain larger market share and market advantage over its primary rival PepsiCo by taking over the ownership of valuable distribution and supplier networks. Coca-Cola’s capital investment is a strategic focus to introduce other primary brands in the Indian market to boost sales on a global scale and create global sustainable. Consumer and Market Focus Strategy Consumer demand determines optimal levels of product of a company’s product offerings. Consumer demand can vary from one location to another and change over time within a single location. It is recommended that the company develop a specific consumer demand strategy with a strong focus on ensuring product availability to meet seasonal and cyclical demands. The Coca-Cola Company can build brand recognition and expand its customer base by making the product available in all established locations. Beverage market consumption in India is mainly focused in urban cities. Coca-Cola generates the majority of revenues within urban cities. As the urban locations mature and sales peak, Coca-Cola is looking to target rural location to expand sales network. Over seventy percent of the India’s population is located in rural areas. A strategic focus to move products to target rural areas will create sustainable revenue streams in the out years. Strategic partnerships with Indian non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, could assist The Coca-Cola Company as it seeks to become further entrenched within the Indian market. NGOs generally bring with them intricate knowledge of governmental regulations, laws and, quite importantly, connections with local officials. The NGOs knowledge of the local and national market could positively impact the company’s efforts to develop supplier connections and relationships and to deliver the company’s message at the community level. Coca-Cola’s market strategy is an attempt to gain leadership in the Indian market and capitalize on significant growth potential, particularly in rural markets. The foundation of the new strategy is based on product positioning at retail outlets. Targeted brand positioning positing at the retail levels to highlight product for consumers’ views. The company should deliver communications and advertisements in specific markets to gain consumer acceptance and create a reticular activator mindset of Coca-Cola that will encourage sales over rivals. The strategic goal to make sure product is close in distance and available to maximize profit potential. Marketing Strategy Through strategic partnerships with distributors and local chain outlets The Coca-Cola Company may offer incentives that would include price discounts, cash, funds for promotional programs for local marketing activities to help improve area and regional sales. Moreover, the company could develop an incentive program that is tied to volume sales. Throughout the promotion process, The Coca-Cola Company may extend low interest loan or advance payments to specific retailers or customers for marketing activities intended to generated high volume sales that will increase company top lines sales and grow brand identity in the Indian market Conclusion The foundation of Coca-Cola’s strategy in India is to target urban and rural populations and identify the differences on marketing penetration, communications, and how to address perceptions of product introduction and delivery as to packaging, size, and price points to reach full sales potential in a growing market. References Alex, Perry. Indias Great Divide. Time Magazine. 08 Aug 2003: n. page. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. . All products aim at making us a total beverage company. Financial Express. New Delhi. Sept. 23, 2011 Amiti Sen. (2011, September 24). Amid criticism by West, India strongly defends its tariff walls [Policy]. The Economic Times (Online), Retrieved October 11, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2466719961). Coca-Cola India uncorks fruit juice range. (2011, March 29). Business Line. Coke, Jain Irrigation Join Hands to Improve Mango Yield. India Business Insight. Sept. 15, 2011. Coke, Pepsi Announce Campaigns for Mango Brands. AsiaPulseNews, Feb. 26, 2009. Corruption in India: A Rotten State. Economist. 10 Mar 2011: n. page. Web. 17 Oct. 2011. . Datamonitor. (2011). Soft Drinks in India. Dhar, Biswajit . State Regulation of Foreign Private Capital in India. n. page. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. . Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. Indian Export Import Portal. IndiaMart, n. d. Web. 23 Oct 2011. . Global Data. (2011). The Coca-Cola Company Financial and Strategic Analysis Review. Harich, R. and Gopal, B. (2008). Coca-Cola in India: A Responsible Corporate Citizen? Case Study. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. Harich, R. and Gopal, B. (2008). Coca-Cola in India: A Responsible Corporate Citizen? Case Study. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. Hofstede, G. (2009). India Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions Explained . Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions. Retrieved October 12, 2011, from geert-hofstede. com/hofstede_india. shtml India: Coca-Cola uncorks new growth plans. (2000, August 21). Business Line. Maniar, H. (2010). Risk Analysis of Infrastructure Projects: A Case Study on Build-Operate-Transfer Projects in India. IUP Journal of Financial Risk Management, 7(4), 34-54. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Soft Drinks Industry Profile: India. (2011). Soft drinks industry profile: India, 1. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Steen, Margaret. Business Ethics in a Global World: Indias Changing Ethics. Santa Clara University. Santa Clara University, 2007. Web. 23 Oct 2011. . The Coca-Cola System. (2011, September 24). Retrieved from The Coca-Cola Company: thecoca-colacompany. com/citizenship/the_coca-cola_system. html United States. Central Intelligence Agency. CIA Factbook: India. Web.

Summary of the Movie Happiness (1998) †Film Essay

Summary of the Movie Happiness (1998) – Film Essay Free Online Research Papers Summary of the Movie Happiness (1998) Film Essay The existence of the wound culture is demonstrated in Happiness, though the characters affected by it are not always willing participants. Bill Maplewood is presented in all ways as anything but your regular violent, or in his case abusive, criminal. He does not commit these violent acts to reflect himself, as Seltzer puts it â€Å"killing [as] a form of self-killing† , but to somehow discover the happiness that he is denied by society. He enters the wound culture, though he doesn’t want to, and his private desire crosses the divide into the public sphere when his crimes are revealed, and his house is spray-painted. Bill’s victims are protected by unconsciousness, and Johnny Grasso is unaware that he is a victim of rape, and trauma, until his father, Joe, announces that he has been â€Å"fucking raped†. His patriarchal dominance is unsettling, and Joe is not a very likable character. His attitude towards his son, believing him to be a â€Å"fag†, seems to push Johnny towards the apparent loving father-figure of his friend, Billy. Bill Maplewood is displacing his desire for his son, who he admits he would â€Å"jerk off† over instead of fucking. Also, Bill is acting as a father-figure for Johnny, who clearly wants to impress him, even if it is only by eating a sandwich. This betrayal of a son’s trust makes the crim e all the more abhorrent to the audience, but Solondz creates a situation where, through the flattening of affect in regards to Bill, we actually want Johnny to eat the sandwich and for Bill to get what he desires. The father-son relationship is further demonstrated in by far the most unsettling scene when Johnny says that Bill is â€Å"cool† as he is being driven home. Bill places a reassuring arm around him which, because of our knowledge of the previous night’s events, we see as something more sinister than just comforting. Though the characters in happiness become a part of the wound culture, Solondz attempts to avoid engaging in it through the flattening of affect. As a paedophile, and the perpetrator of the crime, Bill is a subject of fascination in the â€Å"pathological public sphere†. However, our knowledge of his everyday life, his job and family, makes us react differently to him than we expect to. The violent acts he commits are not glorified or even shown, they are merely implied. Solondz has said in a society that would simply: â€Å"pull the switch†¦you have to know what you are annihilating, and that for all the horror there is still a life there†. There is a definite sense of tragedy to the character of Bill Maplewood; he is not merely the sex criminal, reduced to less than human in the pathological public sphere. Though not necessarily asking the audience to sympathise with Bill’s actions, Solondz challenges us to consider that the pursuit of happiness is not always socially acceptable. American culture is obsessed with this pursuit, as it is marked out in their constitution. In reality only those who are not, as Trish says in inverted commas, ‘depressed’, and who seek happiness from the usual places, family, house, money, consumer goods, can engage in its pursuit. Far from being pleased with his crimes, Bill feels that he is â€Å"sick†, though Trish understands this as being only superficial and advises him to â€Å"take some Tylenol, you’ll feel better tomorrow†. – cure culture, aesthetic health, face value, Trish is happy happy joy joy, Joy is unhappy (), they toast to happi ness at the end but each of them are not happy at all. Solondz’s depression creates this world his mind operates outside of the get-well system. Prozac Americans. Helen is the one character in the film who desires to enter into the wound culture. She longs for the kind of experience that will bring â€Å"authenticity† to her work. Though we get the sense that her work is acclaimed, at least in literary circles, she feels empty because she lacks any real knowledge of the subject of her writing, which in this case is rape. Her work is already appealing to the â€Å"strange attraction† of the wound in American culture , but Helen wants to be focus of this attraction, not just her work. She begs Allen to â€Å"fuck her† because she believes that she wants to be raped. The idea is lost when she discovers who the object of her desire is, and Solondz utilizes the too-long shot to make an uncomfortable scene unbearable when she tells Allen â€Å"you’re not my type†. Even after this she still seeks to identify with Kristina, whose crime â€Å"we can all relate to†. Helen sees somehow that this experience will b ring her a form of cultural capital in that being part of the wound culture, and a victim of trauma, she has a license to write, and be an authority on, the subject. Solondz shows this to be a foolish desire because those who are actually a part of the wound culture do not want to be. Johnny is an unknowing trauma victim until his father announces it. Kristina, whose rape occurs in Helen’s building no less, does not want to be a victim and commits her â€Å"crime of passion† to deny her part in the wound culture. In his essay Perchance to Dream, Franzen also addresses this question of the cultural capital in trauma or experience but relates it to depression. He sees depression as being â€Å"fashionable to the point of banality† and that to be depressed is only one of two options in a â€Å"binary culture†, in which â€Å"you’re either healthy or you’re sick†. Franzen divides society between the depressive, the artist with cultural capital, and the â€Å"shiny, happy people† . However, he does not want to write a novel that necessarily falls on either side of this divide, and rather in searching for a reason finds that he wants to write â€Å"for the fun and entertainment of it†. Still we see the pressure that he feels to write a novel that is not a â€Å"vapid, predictable and badly written† bestseller, retains cultural capital and appeals to the isolated literary community. Franzen identifies and wants to connect with the â€Å"soc ial isolates† that tend to make up the community of readership for the kind of novel that he wants to write. His balancing act between healthy and sick is reflected in the Corrections, where nearly all of the main characters battle with some form of depression. Chip is the most representative of Franzen’s own attitude that the depressive is somehow not included in mainstream society, and that the culture that defines certain mindsets as sick or diseased is â€Å"flawed†. He questions the idea of the individual and whether â€Å"enhancement technologies† , drugs like Prozac or Ritalin, really allow a person to be themselves, and whether they were really sick in the first place. In this way he represents anti-depressants as a kind of flattening of affect, which we see most clearly in Enid when she takes her Aslan pills. Franzen shows the doctor who gives her the drugs to be little more than a dope pusher, who does not properly warn her about the dangers. Also, Enid is concerned about a drug that makes â€Å"everybody the same†, just as Franzen is, but Dr Hibbard assures her that even if â€Å"Aslan does make us a little more alike†¦we’re all still individuals†(Corrections, pp.372-3). Enid’s reaction to the drug is that everything seems a bit easier but she also appears to be detached from her surroundings. She is feeling â€Å"unprecedentedly calm†(Corrections p.389) as she watches Alfred fall from their cruise ship, and her reaction is not only unexpected but completely out-of-character for the Enid that we have been introduced to in the novel. By using this flattening of affect, Franzen is able to demonstrate his attitude towards these types of drugs and the attitude that any unhappiness or instability is merely a sickness that can be cured. It is not a cure but a homogenization of people and the removal of any abstract thought from people’s mind. Franzen says: â€Å"†¦the invitation to leave your depression behind, whether through medication or therapy, or effort of will, seems like an invitation to turn your back on all your dark insights into the corruption and infantilism and self-delusion of the brave new McWorld† Research Papers on Summary of the Movie Happiness (1998) - Film EssayCapital PunishmentNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andWhere Wild and West Meet19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Essay

Does Marx consider capitalism to be unjust Essay

Does Marx consider capitalism to be unjust - Essay Example This essay will first analyse Marx’s views on capitalist exploitation followed by analysis of literature on those who consider his arguments as pointing to capitalism as unjust and then those who are of the opinion that it not before arriving at a conclusion. Prior to the analysis of Marx’s arguments concerning capitalism, it is imperative to make a brief analysis of his general views of the ideology. To summarize Marx’s views on capitalism exploitation, such efforts must rely on the two facets distinguishable in the wage relation. Firstly, capitalism exploitation according to Marx can be analysed in the context of circulation. Based on circulation framework of capitalism exploitation, Marx claims there is a trade of equivalent values where the worker is given wages for labour-power (Appelrouth, 2008). Workers sell their capacity to work as their commodity whereas from the capitalist, the workers receive in the exchange process, the wages that represents the valu e of the commodity they sell. These wages are seen as being the value of what goes into producing such the labour as commodities for this exchange. Therefore, according to Marx, what workers receive from the capitalist, represents the full equivalent in value of what workers sell consequently, he does not see any reason to believe there is any cheating involved in such a process (Sitton, 2010). Secondly, Marx highlighted capitalism exploitation on the facet of production. Marx claims that workers, whose labour is the main source of the value pegged on commodities produced by the capitalist, will have to work longer hours than the time required reproducing the value equivalent to their own labour-power. This further translates to working for a longer time than is necessary for the value of the wage they have received (Bellofiore, Starosta and Thomas, 2013). Based on this approach of capitalist exploitation, the workers perform surplus labour therefore generating surplus-value to be a ppropriated by the capitalist inform of profits. Marx saw operation of labour-power as creating value that is greater than what the value labour-power itself represents and is purchased for (Struna, 2009). The two facets therefore represents two contrasting features of capitalism, seen in the balancing aspects of the wage relations evident in circulation process and in the in the facet of production, where workers produce surplus value to be appropriated by the capitalist. It is from the two facets of capitalist exploitation that the question whether Marx think it unjust or not stems. If according to Marx there is no injustice or fraud in the wage the capitalist pays for the purchased labour, it is because he saw the capitalist and the labourer exchanging on an equivalent basis. However, this is only true of the preliminary and narrow viewpoint of the circulation process where the wage relation is treated as an exchange of equivalents where there is an exchange of labour for power. Where Marx concentrates his efforts is in the surplus labour, which the worker must render for the capitalist to get his profit. On basis of surplus labour, Marx sees the capitalist

Ethical Analysis of the Ed Fischer Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Ethical Analysis of the Ed Fischer - Case Study Example Thus, the responsibility of the scientist is to discover new things. In the same way a lawyer helps in the justice, it is lawyer's responsibility to make sure that a proper justice is done to his/her client, so on and so forth. However all professions are governed by something other than just mere responsibility and duty. Sometimes it is not enough to just do your job. There are times when one needs to decide between what can be done and what should be done and at times, there are more choices available. It is slightly more complicated than it sounds. This is because there are other factors that play a role in the decision-making. These other factors define ethics. Ethics is not just about right or wrong or true or false. It is not that simple to define either. Ethics is not governed by rules or laws. Neither is there any ethical book of conduct. Ethics is actually a philosophy that existed for a long time for the betterment of the mankind. So then, one may ask if ethics is not law, neither it's a rule then what is ethics And why should one even bother to think about it Well there are good reasons to do so. Ethics defines the right actions based on the moral conduct and behavior for a greater good of an individual or a society. i.e., following the ethical standards would lead to following the general beliefs of the society. However, having said this, one may ask if it is always good to follow the ethics. Well that is a difficult question to answer. There are occasions when one needs to make a decision on either to follow the ethics or not. This can be elaborated further with Ed Fisher's case. Ed is currently bed ridden and needs assistance for most of his activities. He can't move his arms, can hardly move, and is really week due to eating disorders. His wife has died and is has three adult children. He has lost his desire to live longer in spite of having the possibility. The question that one needs to ask now is should a person who is suffering with so many severe symptoms still be convinced to live. Nevertheless, before asking that question, we need to ask what should be the reason to live, alternatively, if there should be any reason at all. The reason that a person lives, is not simply because he or she can move around or has the ability to do difficult tasks, but it is due to the reason that he has a soul within him or her. Moreover, as long as the soul exists, every living form in this world has the right to live life to the fullest and as long as possible. Having said that, the next question that arises is, everyone has the right to live but does anyone has the right to end his life as per his wish no matter what the circumstances are. What shall one do when a person decides to not to extend the days in his life Shall that person be allowed to die or shall that person be treated to the maximum possible way in order to extend his days fully As discussed in the beginning of this essay, these are the questions of ethics. These questions are toughest to answer and a nightmare for medical professionals. In Ed Fisher's case, it is obvious that he will not live much longer without the feeding tube. Therefore, for Ed, the advantages and disadvantages of undergoing the surgery are as follows: Advantages: He can live longer Can see his children prosper in their careers and personal lives Can see his grandchildren May learn or experience something new because you never stop learning until you