The Youth, Frail and Confused Apt to Identity Crisis

The Youth, Frail and Confused: Apt to Identity Crisis Thesis Statement: The young, the frail and the confused are likely to experience identity crisis because they are vulnerable, easily discouraged, and they usually find it difficult to establish a personality or goal; and even if they succeeded to establish one, it is even more strenuous for them to commit to a certain identity. Whenever people encounter the word â€Å"identity crisis,† it never fails to arouse feelings of mixed curiosity, mirth and discomfort. Some feel curious, because it is either they have not gone through this stage yet, or because they just have an undeniably excessive level of inquisitiveness and interest. Others feel mirth, for they know that have already†¦show more content†¦This will explain the common clothes, styles, attitudes and even their ways rebellion. â€Å"Who told you to get a tattoo?† â€Å"All my friends have it; it is a sign of the sisterhood of our group.† Above is a simple dialogue between a parent and an adolescent, wherein an evident peer pressure took place. Even an adolescent lacks an interest or desire to do a certain thing or practice, he/she is being forced to conform to the laid required action by his/her peer group due to the fear of â€Å"getting left behind.† Therefore, in this sense, the adolescent loses his/her own i dentity, and has nothing to do but to comply with the groups’ demands. Moreover, the adolescent’s practice of having a specific â€Å"idol† also contributes in the identity loss of the adolescent. The excessive admiration of the idol’s attributes results in the defense mechanism called identification, wherein the adolescent identifies an idol that represents his/her ideal self-image, and consequently imitates the idol’s dispositions. In the process, he/she neglects his/her real self and desperately tries to diffuse his/her own insecurities through imitating a more subjective, CORTEZ 4 acceptable behaviour and dispositions. In addition to the factors that were previously mentioned, the natural development of â€Å"consciousness,† which arises from the teenager’s encounter with the inexorable features of the adolescence stage (physical growth, sexual

Character Comparisons; Comparing Two Characters, One from...

Character comparisons; Comparing two characters, one from Streetcar Named Desire and another from Death of a Salesman Streetcar Named Desire Blanche Du Bois In the Streetcar Named Desire, Blanche Dubois is first introduced having dressed in white and symbolizing chastity and innocence. As sensitive, aristocratic, and refined as it is, the beauty depicts an appearance resembling a moth. Blanche comes from a background that is aristocratic. Her job, as an English teacher, as well as her home are all lost and in turn, she comes to stay in her sister’s house for a while, Stella, who stays with her husband Stanley, a coarse polish. Her lover passed away and since then she has changed her life completely. Blanche is seen to be a misfit in the†¦show more content†¦For the fact that he views things only as white or black, lies or truth, he had to desert Blanche. The world of Blanche is fully occupied by pastel and gray colors, as she has no position to stand loud noise, harsh light, or vulgar remark. The death of Allan led to the disappearance of light in her life. In this case, she highly prefers dim candlelight together with darkness, and her entire make setting believes in a pain and memories free world. It also does not depict her advancing age and departed youth reality. As she prefers more to appear as ethereal character that lives on the world edge, the moth’s smile fully befits her. Stanley, who appears to be course and common, presents Blanche’s aristocratic and delicate ways as he relies on openness and truth. He even demands total allegiance in his household, which she cannot offer. Stanley cannot forgive her for his threats, and even swears to revenge. Mitch and Stanley are not realizing that although Blanche gives herself easily to strangers, it is impossible for her to surrender as a prostitute to whom she cares about. Through her sexual encounters, she willingly and freely gives herself to strangers. Her fragile nature is destroyed as Stanley takes her forcefully. It is ironical that when she tells Stella on this rape issue, Stella disagrees with her. Instead, Stella sends her to state

Study of Basel II and Financial institution strategic management Free Essays

INTRODUCTION Banks play an important role in central importance for economic growth, credit allocation, financial stability, and the competitiveness and development manufacturing and service firms. The features of Sweden banking systems have changed significantly around the past 20 years. The increased availability of credit has been the corollary of the dismantling of barriers of trade in Sweden financial services. We will write a custom essay sample on Study of Basel II and Financial institution strategic management or any similar topic only for you Order Now Sweden banking and finance sector went through many considerable changes in recent years which results in competition, not only between old big banks but also among new Swedish and foreign financial institutes. The main characteristics are that banking and finance has been liberalized and deregulated in Sweden. In Sweden banks have long experience in international business and International banks are now highly active. Before entering into the details of the above given reasons, we will be looking at the main structure of the Sweden’s banking system. In Sweden there are three different types of banks: commercial banks, i.e., limited liability banking companies, savings banks and a few cooperative banks. All these types of banks are entitled to participate in all types of banking activity. Because of mergers the number of banks has declined sharply, a tendency that has been most marked among the savings banks. From some 450 savings banks of the 1950s, the number had decreased to 85 by the late 1990s. Since the middle of the 1980s, however, numerous new banks have been established in Sweden. The two tired market structure can be described as with five large banks (Handelsbanken, Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, Nordbanken and Forenings Sparbanken as well as the Swedish subsidiary of a major Danish bank) having a combined market share of about 75–85 percent; the rest market is shared among around 100 smaller banks. The home market for Swedish banks has to a greater extent been seen to cover not only the traditional Nordic area but also the whole region surrounding the Baltic Sea. The four major Swedish banks are very broadly held. The largest owners are the Swedish government (less than 20 percent in Nordea), the Wallenberg-led investment company Investor (some 10 percent in SEB), the employees’ pension fund (some 10 percent in Svenska Handelsbanken), and the former savings banks foundations (some 20 percent in Swedbank, which was earlier a savings bank, which merged with a cooperative bank and became a commercial bank). Approximately one third of bank shares are held by non-Swedes. The medium and small-sized banks are generally held by one dominating owner, which in turn may have a widely spread ownership, such as Skandia. All savings banks are non-profit organizations and they are held by foundations. The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority is a government authority responsible to the MoF. It exercises supervision over banks, credit market companies, and additionally e.g., insurance companies, insurance brokers and securities companies. The Central Bank Act assigns to the Riksbank the responsibility to ensure a stable and efficient payment system. It also assigns to the Riksbank the responsibility for monetary and exchange rate policy (including the management of the gold and currency reserves), as well as managing the issue of notes and coins, providing a clearing function for banks as well as accepting deposits from banks and granting them loans. The Central Bank also functions as lender of last resort providing financial aid to banks experiencing liquidity problems. Early 1990s, Sweden was in the middle of the most serious economic crisis. During that crisis unemployment has increased dramatically in the course of a few years and as a result the central government finances dropped. The reason behind this was assigned to deregulatory measures taken in 1985 which added to overly repaid credit expansion which contributed to a banking crisis followed by a currency crisis in 1990. The deregulation result was obvious. In just five years, the credit to GDP ratio for private sector moved up from 85 to 135 per cent (Governor Backstrom, 1997). Credit market deregulation in 1985 was important in it, meant that the monetary conditions became more expansionary. This co-occurred, moreover, with rising activity, comparatively high inflation expectations and tax system that favoured borrowing, and remaining exchange controls that held investment in foreign assets. In the absence of a restrictive economic policy to block all this, the free credit market headed t o a quickly growing stock of debt. The credit boom coincided with rising share and real estate prices. In the second half of the 1980s, real aggregate asset prices increased by over 125 per cent. A speculative bubble had been yielded. As time goes on the Swedish economy became increasingly insecure to shocks. In the late 1980s, competitiveness had been eroded by the relatively high inflation which results in an overvalued currency. This made exports to weaken and intended that the fixed exchange rate policy began to be questioned, heading to periods with relatively high interest rates. On the other hand, the tax system was rectified in order to decrease its harmful economic effects but this also added to higher post-tax interest rates. Economic activity turned downwards and asset prices started to fall. From 1990 to 1993 GDP dropped by 6 per cent. Unemployment hit up from 3 to 12 per cent of the labour force and the public sector; grow worse to 12 per cent of GDP. A wave of bankrupt cies was a great blow to the banking sector, which in this period had to plan for loan losses equivalent of 12 per cent of annual GDP. After this crisis when Basel II came into practice than Sweden banking sector’s golden period began, as common International regulation and model for the banking industry, the reliability and development of financial systems and also important for countries’ economy. One such framework is Basel II which was introduced in 2004. It is grounded on Basel I which comprised of a credit risk measurement guideline and minimum capital requirement. Basel II dwells of three pillars in that minimum capital requirement, the supervision process, and market discipline are regulated (Finansinspektionen 2002). The main purpose of Basel II is to lessen banks capital requirement, by offering them the ability to choose the methods that reflect their calculating risk (BCBS, 2004). A study called the fifth quantitative impact study (QIS 5) presented in 2006 by the Basel committee on banking supervision(BCBS) that was based on data from the fall of 2005 (Finansinspektionen 2006 )and the purpose was to analyse how Basel II affect bank with regard to their capital requirements. The study showed that if we compare Basel I and Basel II, minimum capital requirement could be reduced in Basel II. After QIS 5 BCBS had not presented any other study showing how Basel II had affected the banking industry and mainly study aspires to fulfil part of that gap by analysing how capital ratio, the net credit loss level and the degree of disclosure have progressed for the four largest banks in Sweden during the implementation of Basel II as this has not previously been looked at. Hypothetically the impact Basel II has had on these variables will be presented based on these observation. The Swedish financial market and other factors Efficient and reliable systems for saving, financing, mediating payments, and controlling risk are vital for the well-being of the Swedish economy. These systems are managed by banks, insurance companies, securities companie; other types of enterprise and other credit institutions in the financial sector. The financial industry account for just over four per cent of the country’s total output, defined as its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). More than 90,000 people, about two per cent of the country’s total working population, work in the Swedish financial industry. The financial sector has expanded dramatically during the past decade. Established companies have extended scope of their business, and many new companies have started entering the markets. One crucial change is that banks and insurance companies interfering into each other’s areas, and as a consequence, all of Sweden’s major banks are now in the life insurance business and some insurance companies own their own banks. On the other hand customers are banking more and more via the internet or the phone. These new facilities have changed the development of new services and compounded competition on the banking market through the establishment of new banks. Moreover, Swedes are investing mostly in funds and insurance policies as they turn away from traditional bank saving. Approximately more than 85 per cent of the population in Sweden have some of their savings in funds or equities, which is a very high proportion by international standards. Deposits and lending The core activity of a bank is to accept deposits and provide credit. At the end of 2002, bank deposits from the public (i.e. mainly households and non-financial enterprises) amounted to 1,242 billion kronor. The bulk of these deposits – approximately 42 per cent – come from Swedish households. Swedish companies account for around 32 per cent of total deposits and foreign depositors for some 22 per cent. Bank lending has increased in recent years, to reach 1,360 billion kronor by the end of 2002. 47 per cent of this lending to the public goes to the Swedish business sector, while households and foreign borrowers account for 21 per cent and 27 per cent respectively. Interest rates The interest rates banks set for their deposits and credit are largely dependent on the rates prevailing on the money market. Other factors that influence interest rates include the creditworthiness of the borrower, competition among credit institutions, and competition for different types of saving. The average rate of interest paid and charged by the banks has been declining steadily since the beginning of the 1990s. The interest spread – the gap between the average interest rate received on credits and that paid on deposits – has also tended to narrow during the same period. Safe and efficient payment mechanism Another important function of a bank is to provide a means of payment. The Swedish payment system, which includes the bank giro service and the postal giro, is technically rather advanced, and has a reputation for efficiency. This means that payments are transacted quickly, securely and at low cost. Mortgage market In Sweden, mortgage loans are usually provided by specialist credit market companies known as mortgage credit institutions. The total volume of outstanding loans of these institutions amounted to SEK 1,200 billion at the end of 2002. For many years now, lending by mortgage credit institutions has exceeded the volume of bank lending in Sweden. The mortgage credit institutions provide credit primarily for residential property, but also for commercial and office buildings and municipalities. Mortgage loans are secured by collateral, normally in the form of a mortgage on the property. The lending consists of a first mortgage, which involves pledging the property for up to 70-80 percent of its value. Additional credit is then often provided in the form of a second mortgage by the bank that owns the mortgage institution or by another bank with which the institution co-operates. Mortgage institutions offer a wide range of credit facilities at variable or fixed interest rates. Internet banking Swedish banks are among the most advanced in internet banking services. All major banks in Sweden offer online status on accounts and other assets, online payments, and the possibility to buy and sell units in funds and shares. Corporate customers have been able to bank via the internet for many years. At the end of 2009, there were a total of around 50, 00000 internet banking users and approximately 15million internet payments. Internet surveys show that customers are very pleased with the Bank’s online service. This was confirmed by IBM and Interbred, which ranked FSB as number one in Europe and number two in the World (Swedbank Annual Report, 2009). Monetary policy update The Swedish economy is performing well, and GDP grew by almost 7 per cent in the third quarter of this year, compared with the same quarter last year as the fig shown below. The strength of the Swedish economy is also reflected in the labour market statistics. The labour market has been recovering throughout 2010 and indicators point to a continuing rapid improvement. The world economy is expected to grow by a good 4 per cent a year in the coming years. Economic activity remains good in the emerging economies in Asia and Latin America. In both the United States and the Euro zone, economic prospects look slightly better in the short run than was forecast in the October Monetary Policy Report. At the same time, the global imbalances remain and concern over public finance in several countries has increased. Despite the relatively divided international outlook, the indicators for the Swedish economy point to continued strong growth in the coming period. GDP growth is expected to amount t o 5.5 per cent in 2010 and to over 4 per cent in 2011, and then to decline. The recovery has been relatively rapid and Sweden is also expected to experience higher growth than many other countries in 2011. As the graph below shows that resource utilisation is currently lower than normal, but is expected to be normal or slightly above normal towards the end of the forecast period. Underlying Inflation measured as the CPIF was 1.9 per cent in November. It is expected to fall at the end of 2011 and then rise again towards 2 per cent. Higher mortgage rates will lead to the CPI rising slightly faster than the CPIF and it is expected to exceed 2.5 per cent in 2013. In the longer run, when the repo rate stabilises, the two measures of Inflation will coincide. To stabilise Inflation close to the target of 2 per cent and avoid resource utilisation becoming too high, there is a need to gradually raise the repo rate towards more normal levels. The repo rate is therefore being raised to 1.25 per cent. The forecast for the repo rate remains largely unchanged in relation to the forecast in the October Monetary Policy Report. Environmental factors in Sweden banking Sweden is a democratic monarchy. It is the largest Scandinavia country with over 9 million inhabitants. Sweden has been known for its neutrality and policy of non-alignment with either NATO or the Warsaw Pact. It is a member of most international organizations (UN, UNESCO, WHO etc). Sweden has been a member of the European Union since 1995 but decided not to join EMU. A referendum in 2003 rejected the euro by a decisive margin – against the advice of the government and the wishes of business. The Prime Minister stated it was unlikely there would be a new referendum before 2010. Key economic indicators for 2008 estimates (Source: Central Intelligence Agency Country Profiles) 69.6% of the economy is in the services sector, 28.9% industrial and 1.5% agriculture. Population: 9,045,389 GDP: USD 358.4 billion Per capita GDP: USD 39,600 Real GDP growth: 0.9% Unemployment: 6.2% Public debt/GDP: 36.5% Cash Management Features Activity is highly automated with major activity inside the Bankgirot and Plusgirot systems. Rather than hold accounts in both and maintain liquidity in both, it is possible to hold accounts just at the Nordea group, into which the Plusgirot has been subsumed. The EUR has emerged as a parallel domestic currency for business, notwithstanding Sweden’s rejection in 2003 of EUR membership. The old E-RIX system that was connected to TARGET and used to settle domestic EUR trade has been abolished. EBA is now used to settle EUR transactions. Group account (Balance netting) is the preferred Liquidity Management technique domestically, and can be used for both single and multi-currency. Zero balancing is also available domestically and is getting more common than earlier due to multinational corporate customer Payment infrastructure in Sweden Most Swedish companies have a business account in a Swedish bank. The majority of domestic non-cash payments are affected through the two giro systems, PlusGirot and Bankgirot. PlusGirot -: The PlusGiro system is a part of Nordea. Thus, Nordea is the only bank in Sweden that can provide a connection to both PlusGirot and Bankgirot in SEK or EUR, meaning an all-in-one account for all the payments regardless if they are routed through the PlusGiro or the Bankgiro system. Bankgiro -: The Bankgiro system is operated by Bankgirocentralen AB (BGC), a bank-owned subcontractor of payment processing services. All banks in Sweden participate in the Bankgiro system. It functions as an automated clearing house (ACH). Payments can be made in SEK or EUR. Payment Instruments The vast majority of activity clears electronically: there is a high degree of automation. This is supported by very high usage of internet for payment initiation. There is still a form of paper-based credit transfer but the clear growth is in electronic initiation. This extends to electronic bill presentment, where the debtor can initiate a credit transfer in their electronic banking by clicking through form the bill itself. In terms of volume, credit transfers and debit cards are the most used, whilst in terms of value it is credit transfers. Sweden has a high density of ATMs and EFTPOS, and this is the part of the payments market that is growing most dynamically. 1) Cheques 2) Electronic payment ( The RTGS system in Sweden is operated by the Riksbank) 3) Cards 4) Internet banking These all are the factors in the Sweden banking environment which make the Sweden banking system much stronger than any other banking system. Sweden is capable of providing all the facilities to its consumers and its partners domestically and internationally and Sweden is having the biggest usage of internet banking amongst all other countries and more advance at this moment. Future Aspects of Sweden The Riksbank’s financial stability works in 2011 was largely characterised by the financial crisis and its aftermath. After having stabilised in the winter of 2010/11, unease again increased in the financial market in springs 2010 as consequence of the state of the public finances of several countries in the southern Europe. The unease became acute in May in connection with the downgrading of the Greek government’s credit rating. The aftermath of the financial crisis is the extensive work continued of reforming national and international regulatory codes and improving supervision of the financial crisis. An important part of this work in Sweden is to clarify the Riksbank’s responsibility for financial stability. New international regulatory frame work A large part of the Riksbank’s stability work was focused during the year , as in 2010, on studying and influencing the framing of the future financial regulatory framework of future financial regulatory framework and supervision .since Swedish banks and financial institution are governed by law framed at EU level, which in turn to a great extent are based on guideline drawn up by other international bodies, the Riksbank participated in continued discussions both at EU level and within the bank of international settlement (BIS). During the year a new regulatory framework for financial institution called Basel III was established. Increased cross-border work The financial crisis has shown that there are great differences in the legislation at national level. Because of these differences, during the crisis it was difficult to handle problem in banks that operates in several different countries. Consequently several international projects are in progress that, address how banks with cross border operations are to be dealt with (For Example, First Deputy Governor of the Riksbank Svante Oberg). In 2010 the Riksbank also took part in the preparatory work ahead of the start-up of the new European system risk board (ESRB) in 2011. A coherent regulatory framework and cleaner division of roles between authorities in Sweden In view of the lessons learned from the financial crisis and the extensive regulatory work that is in progress in the international arena, the Riksbank believes that it is important to carry out a thorough overhaul of the financial regulatory framework in Sweden as well. The general Council of the riksbank and the executive board of the riksbank and the executive board of the Riksbank accordingly proposed in a joint submission to the Riksdag that one or several inquiries should be set up to review the regulatory framework in the financial sector. The Swedish banks’ resilience continued to improve in the second half of the year as a result of the economic recovery the situation of the Swedish bank continued to improve. The economic recovery had become stronger than previously expected. Consequently, the Swedish banks loans loss continue to fall and according to Riksbank forecast in the financial stability report in December they were lower than the Riksbank had expected in June. References: Anonymous, (May 2010). Sweden: financial sector assessment program –detailed assessment of observer of standard and codes, international monetary fund Washington DC. Dec 2010, Monetary policy updates, SVERIGES RIKSBANK. Ekstrom , F., Johansson, E. (2011). The development of the Swedish banking industry during the implementation of Basel II Rai , S. (2007). Central Banking System. A bench marking study of India and Sweden. Sweden Banking Environment www.ibosassociation.com/en/countries/western/europe/sweden (Accessed on 07 April 2011). 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Joesph NcNamara Essay Example For Students

Joesph NcNamara Essay Joseph D. McNamara was chief of police for the city of San Jose, California for fifteen years, as well as Kansas City, Missouri. He is recognized as an expert in criminal justice, police technology and management systems, crime prevention, and international drug control policies. He was appointed a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, in 1991. McNamara was a pioneer in criticizing the way Police Departments and the government fought the war on crime. McNamara challenged what has long been the norm in society on how to best deal with drug use in the United States. He was also on the forefront of police corruption and abuses committed by Police Officers. Numerous articles, interviews, lectures were researched to best convey McNamaras philosophy of police technology, innovativeness and management style (leadership). McNamaras career in law enforcement spans a thirty-five-year period. He began in Harlem as a beat patrolman for the New York City Police Department. He rose through the ranks and in midcareer was appointed a criminal justice fellow at Harvard Law School, focusing on criminal justice research methodology. Following this appointment he took a leave from police work and obtained a doctorate in public administration at Harvard. Returning to duty with the NYPD, he was appointed deputy inspector in charge of crime anal ysis for New York City. In 1973 McNamara became police chief of Kansas City, Missouri, leading that department into groundbreaking research and innovative programs. In 1976 McNamara was appointed police chief for the city of San Jose, where he remained until his retirement in 1991. During his tenure, San Jose (the third-largest city in California and the eleventh largest in the United States) became the safest city in the country, despite having the fewest police per capita. The San Jose police became a model for innovation, community relations, utilization of technology, and productivity. The departments advanced training and computerization programs have been duplicated throughout the world. He has been a consultant for the United States Department of Justice, State Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and some of the nations largest corporations. Over the past decade, McNamara has organized four conferences at the Hoover Institution, attended by police chiefs and command officers, focusing on U. S. drug control policies.

Karate Essays - Shrin-ry, Tatsuo Shimabuku, Isshin-ry,

Karate Outline Thesis Statement: Isshinryu may be the youngest karate to come from Okinawa, but it is as rich with spirit as the earlier forms. I. Background on Isshinryu founder. A. Birth date and location. B. Teachers and influence C. Creation II. Description of Emblem and patch. A. Origin B. Explanation and meaning C. Symbolism III. Kata A. Brief overview B. History C. Explanation D. Benefits IV. Ranking sytem A. Kyu ranks B. Dan ranks C. Promotion requirements Isshinryu Karate was developed and introduced in 1954 by Tatsuo Shimabuku on the island of Okinawa. His karate was the offspring of two different systems, Goju-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu. Goju-Ryu being the ?Hard? method, and Shorin-Ryu being the ?Soft? method. He introduced katas from other forms into his own form, and developed features unique to his newly created style. The ranking system, also unique to his style, was made up of 7 kyu ranks and 10 degrees of black belts. A vision Shimabuku had in a dream also played a major role in the development of his style. The vision that helped him ?mold? his karate into one form is represented on a patch presently worn on the gi?s of his followers and their students. Isshinryu may be the youngest karate to come from Okinawa, but it is as rich with spirit as the earlier forms. Shinkichi Shimabuku, founder of Isshinryu, was born on the island of Okinawa on September 19, 1908 (Armstrong 7). Upon reaching the age of six, Shimabuku would travel on foot, six miles down an old farm road to reach his uncle?s house. His uncle, Chioyu, a Shorin-ryu Master, was reluctant to teach young Shimibuku. Instead, Chioyu made him perform menial chores around the dojo. After two years of chores and six mile walks, Shimabuku developed the patients and physical condition to begin karate training. His uncle taught Shimabuku his system and started him off on his martial career. During his years of adolescence Shimabuku changes his name from Shinkichi to Tatsuo meaning ?Dragon Boy?. It was common during the 1920?s for a young boy to change his name during his adolescence years. With the motivation from his uncle, Shimabuku sought out the famous Chotoku Kyan, another Shorin-ryu master. After developing an excellent kicking ability, his next sensei was Chojin Miyagi! , known for his vigorous training habits. Miyagi teaches Shimabuku Naha-te, known today as the Goju-ryu style. His fourth teacher was a man by the name of Motobu, a famous brawler in Okinawa. Motobu furthers Shimabuku?s in Shorin-ryu and grants him the title of Master (8). Lastly, Yabiku Moden, helps polish Shimabuku?s training by teaching him the art of the Bo, Sai, and Tee-fa (9). With the teachings of some of Okinawa?s legendary teachers, Tatsuo Shimabuku sets of to begin a life in the martial arts. Late one evening at his home in Chun Village, Shimabuku was awakened by his dream of the ?Mizu-gami?, the sea goddess. With this symbol, Tatsuo realizes the unification of his training that the Mizu-gami represents. It was on that evening that Isshinryu was born (Armstrong 27). Later, his vision was produced on a patch worn by all students of Isshinryu Karate. The emblem of Isshinryu karate symbolizes the Mizu-gami. Its oval shape was originally designed to represent the unique vertical fist in Isshinryu karate. The symbol depicts a woman whose lower half appears to take the form of a sea dragon. Her left hand is held open in the universal sign of peace while her right hand forms an Isshinryu fist. In Oriental mythology, the dragon in the sky is a sign of good luck while the gray background and churning seas is a sign of unknown dangers. Three stars are located at the top of the emblem representing three virtues. These virtues consist of mind, body, and spirit whic! h all must be developed to reach total harmony (Tyurin). With this vision and sensei?s knowledge of the martial arts, he sets off to create the Isshinryu system. What would a martial arts system be without Kata? According to the Martial Arts Dictionary, by Louis Frederic, the word ?kata? is defined as Form?, ?Sequence, but there is much more to kata than form and sequence (104). To really grasp the meaning of kata, the true essence of karate, one must be involved in one or more forms of the martial arts. In the Isshinryu system there are 16 katas: 1. Seisan 9.Kusan-Ku Sai 2. Seiuchin 10. Tokomen Karate Essays - Shrin-ry, Tatsuo Shimabuku, Isshin-ry, Karate Outline Thesis Statement: Isshinryu may be the youngest karate to come from Okinawa, but it is as rich with spirit as the earlier forms. I. Background on Isshinryu founder. A. Birth date and location. B. Teachers and influence C. Creation II. Description of Emblem and patch. A. Origin B. Explanation and meaning C. Symbolism III. Kata A. Brief overview B. History C. Explanation D. Benefits IV. Ranking sytem A. Kyu ranks B. Dan ranks C. Promotion requirements Isshinryu Karate was developed and introduced in 1954 by Tatsuo Shimabuku on the island of Okinawa. His karate was the offspring of two different systems, Goju-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu. Goju-Ryu being the ?Hard? method, and Shorin-Ryu being the ?Soft? method. He introduced katas from other forms into his own form, and developed features unique to his newly created style. The ranking system, also unique to his style, was made up of 7 kyu ranks and 10 degrees of black belts. A vision Shimabuku had in a dream also played a major role in the development of his style. The vision that helped him ?mold? his karate into one form is represented on a patch presently worn on the gi?s of his followers and their students. Isshinryu may be the youngest karate to come from Okinawa, but it is as rich with spirit as the earlier forms. Shinkichi Shimabuku, founder of Isshinryu, was born on the island of Okinawa on September 19, 1908 (Armstrong 7). Upon reaching the age of six, Shimabuku would travel on foot, six miles down an old farm road to reach his uncle?s house. His uncle, Chioyu, a Shorin-ryu Master, was reluctant to teach young Shimibuku. Instead, Chioyu made him perform menial chores around the dojo. After two years of chores and six mile walks, Shimabuku developed the patients and physical condition to begin karate training. His uncle taught Shimabuku his system and started him off on his martial career. During his years of adolescence Shimabuku changes his name from Shinkichi to Tatsuo meaning ?Dragon Boy?. It was common during the 1920?s for a young boy to change his name during his adolescence years. With the motivation from his uncle, Shimabuku sought out the famous Chotoku Kyan, another Shorin-ryu master. After developing an excellent kicking ability, his next sensei was Chojin Miyagi! , known for his vigorous training habits. Miyagi teaches Shimabuku Naha-te, known today as the Goju-ryu style. His fourth teacher was a man by the name of Motobu, a famous brawler in Okinawa. Motobu furthers Shimabuku?s in Shorin-ryu and grants him the title of Master (8). Lastly, Yabiku Moden, helps polish Shimabuku?s training by teaching him the art of the Bo, Sai, and Tee-fa (9). With the teachings of some of Okinawa?s legendary teachers, Tatsuo Shimabuku sets of to begin a life in the martial arts. Late one evening at his home in Chun Village, Shimabuku was awakened by his dream of the ?Mizu-gami?, the sea goddess. With this symbol, Tatsuo realizes the unification of his training that the Mizu-gami represents. It was on that evening that Isshinryu was born (Armstrong 27). Later, his vision was produced on a patch worn by all students of Isshinryu Karate. The emblem of Isshinryu karate symbolizes the Mizu-gami. Its oval shape was originally designed to represent the unique vertical fist in Isshinryu karate. The symbol depicts a woman whose lower half appears to take the form of a sea dragon. Her left hand is held open in the universal sign of peace while her right hand forms an Isshinryu fist. In Oriental mythology, the dragon in the sky is a sign of good luck while the gray background and churning seas is a sign of unknown dangers. Three stars are located at the top of the emblem representing three virtues. These virtues consist of mind, body, and spirit whic! h all must be developed to reach total harmony (Tyurin). With this vision and sensei?s knowledge of the martial arts, he sets off to create the Isshinryu system. What would a martial arts system be without Kata? According to the Martial Arts Dictionary, by Louis Frederic, the word ?kata? is defined as Form?, ?Sequence, but there is much more to kata than form and sequence (104). To really grasp the meaning of kata, the true essence of karate, one must be involved in one or more forms of the martial arts. In the Isshinryu system there are 16 katas: 1. Seisan 9.Kusan-Ku Sai 2. Seiuchin 10. Tokomen

Band-Aid Essay Example

Band Band-Aid Essay Band-Aid Essay Essay Topic: A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings The House Of the Seven Gables Places Siem Reap  (literally â€Å"Siam Defeated†) is undoubtedly Cambodia’s fastest growing city and serves as a small charming gateway town to the world famous destination of the Angkor temples. Thanks to those Cambodia attractions, Siem Reap has transformed itself into a major tourist hub. It is laid-back and a pleasant place to stay while touring the temples. Siem Reap offers a wide  range of hotels, ranging from several 5-star hotels to hundreds of budget guesthouses while a large selection of restaurants offer many kinds of food.Preah Vihear is a Khmer temple situated atop a 525 meter (1,722 ft) cliff in the Dangrek Mountains, on the border between Cambodia and Thailand. It has the most spectacular setting of all the Khmer temples. Most of the temple was constructed in the 11th and 12th century during the reigns of the Khmer kings Suryavarman I and Suryavarman II. It was dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Preah Vihear is the subject of a long-running territoria l dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, and several soldiers were killed in clashes in 2009.Sihanoukville, also known as Kampong Som, is a port city and beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand. The big attraction here are the white-sand beaches and several undeveloped tropical islands. Sihanoukville is a good place to relax and unwind, though be prepared to battle the crows during the high season or a holiday weekend. Angkor is the greatest attraction in Cambodia and one of the most spectacular ancient sites on earth,  Angkor  is a vast temple complex featuring the remains of several capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century AD.These include the famous Angkor Wat temple, the world’s largest single religious monument, the Bayon temple (at Angkor Thom) with its multitude of massive stone faces and Ta Prohm, a Buddhist temple ruin entwined with towering trees. Banteay Srei Although officially part of the Angkor complex, Banteay Srei lies 25 km (15 miles) n orth-east of the main group of temples, enough to list it as a separate Cambodia attraction here. The temple was completed in 967 AD and is built largely of red sandstone, a medium that lends itself to the elaborate decorative wall carvings which are still clearly visible today.Banteay Srei is the only major temple at Angkor not built for a king, instead it was constructed by one of king Rajendravarman’s counselors, Yajnyavahara. Koh Ker was the capital of the Khmer empire for a very brief period from the year 928 to 944 AD. In this short time some very spectacular buildings and immense sculptures were constructed. The site is dominated by Prasat Thom, a 30 meter (98 ft) tall temple pyramid rising high above the surrounding jungle. A giant Garuda (mythical half-man, half-bird creature), carved into the stone blocks, still guard the very top, although its partially covered now.Left to the jungle for nearly a millennium, Koh Ker was one of Cambodia’s most remote and inac cessible temple destinations. This has now changed thanks to recent de-mining and the opening of a new toll road. Crafts Indigenous people represent 1. 4 percent of the total population in Cambodia, and the majority of them live in remote rural areas within the country. Often referred to as highlanders, their ways of life are different from the lowlanders, both from the cultural and economic perspective.Handicrafts are part of their traditional culture and their livelihood as they produce textiles, baskets, jars, pottery, and other tools for their daily use. Many indigenous groups have established small enterprises and produce traditional products to generate supplementary income in order to support their livelihood. The handicraft sector provides vital employment opportunities to most indigenous artisans and disadvantaged people, especially women who are struggling for survival. Silk weaving in Cambodia dates to as early as the first century since textiles were used for trading.Mod ern textiles have traces of motifs imitating clothing details on ancient stone sculptures. There are two main types of Cambodian weaving: 1. ikat technique (Khmer term: chongkiet) To create patterns, weavers tie and dye portions of weft yarn before weaving begins. Patterns are diverse and vary by region; common motifs include lattice, stars, and spots. 2. uneven twill It yields single or two-color fabrics, which are produced by weaving three threads so that the color of one thread dominates on one side of the fabric, while the two others determine the color on the reverse side. Traditionally, Cambodian textiles have employed natural dyes coming from: a. insect nests Red dye b. indigo Blue dye c. prohut bark- Yellow and Green dye d. ebony bark- Black dye Cambodias modern silk-weaving centers are Takeo, Battambang, BeanteayMeanchey, Siem Reap, and Kampot provinces. Silk-weaving has been revived in the past ten years and now provides employment for many rural women. Cambodian silk is generally sold domestically, where it is used in sampot (wrap skirts), furnishings, and pidan (pictoral tapestries).Now, it has seen an increase in export viability. Cotton textiles have also played a significant role in Cambodian culture. Though today, Cambodia imports most of its cotton, traditionally woven cotton remains popular. Rural women often weave homemade cotton fabric, which is used in garments and for household purposes. Krama, the traditional check scarves worn almost universally by Cambodians, are made of cotton. INDONESIA Places Bali  is one of the world’s most popular island destinations and one which consistently wins travel awards.The varied landscape, rugged coastlines, tropical beaches, lush rice terraces and volcanic hillsides all provide a picturesque backdrop to its colorful, deeply spiritual and unique Hindu culture. The combination of friendly people, a magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality and spectacular beaches with great surf ing and diving have made Bali the unrivaled number one tourist attraction in Indonesia. Borubudur is located 40 km (25 miles) northwest of  Yogyakarta  on Java, the Borobudur is the one of the most famous Buddhist temple in the world.The Borobudur was built over a period of some 75 years in the 8th and 9th centuries by the kingdom of Sailendra, out of an estimated 2 million blocks of stone. It was abandoned in the 14th century for reasons that still remain a mystery and for centuries lay hidden in the jungle under layers of volcanic ash. Today it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Indonesia. Lombok’s most popular tourist destination, the Gili Islands are an archipelago of three small islands:  Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air.The islands are very relaxed and laid-back, with countless little beachside cafes still playing reggae and no cars or motorbikes to disturb the peace. Note that the name â€Å"Gili Islands† is rather redundant as gili si mply means â€Å"small island† in Sasak and there are many other islands around the coast of Lombok with Gili in their names. Torajaland (Tana Toraja) is a highland region of South Sulawesi, home of the Toraja people. Torajans are famous for their massive peaked-roof houses known as tongkonan and spectacular but gruesome funeral rites.After a person’s death, the body is kept – often for several years – until the actual funeral ceremony which can last for several days. The deceased is then finally buried in a small cave or in a hollow tree. Gunung Bromo is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, in East Java. At 2,329 meters (7,641 feet) it is not the highest peak of the massif, but it is the most well known. The area is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Indonesia and Java. The top of the volcano has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white smoke.It is surrounded by the Sea of Sand of fine volcanic sand. The over all effect is unsettlingly unearthly. Crafts The fabric most common to both countries is the Batik. The term â€Å"batik† is an Indonesian Malay word, believed to be related to the Malay word â€Å"titik†, which means ‘point’, ‘dot’ or ‘drop’. The â€Å"drop† action refers to the process of dyeing the fabric by making use of a resist technique: covering areas of cloth with a dye-resistant substance (usually hot wax) to prevent them from absorbing colors. This technique is has been taught for over a thousand years.Shadow Puppetry is famous in Indonesia. Wayang, in modern Indonesian language means show or perform. Kulit means skin, a reference to the leather material that the figures are carved out of. Others say that wayang is also attributed to the Indonesian word bayang which means shadow. Wayang Kulit–is a type of puppet shadow play performed around the Indo-Malayan archipelago, tracing its origins to India. It is derived from a Javanese Hindu-Buddhist tradition, where hand-crafted leather puppets depict epic stories of the gods in shadow play.A traditional Gamelan orchestra would accompany the story-telling. The puppets are moved behind a cotton or linen screen by a Dalang, or apuppetmasterin a shadow puppet play. The Dalang tells the story, interprets and voices each character, producing sound effects with speech and movement and manipulates all the figures between the lamp and the screen to bring the shadows to life. Most shadow play is based on two epic stories from India the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The Balinese and Javanese have combined the Hindu stories with Buddhist and Muslim ideas mixed with their own folklore. MYANMAR PlacesThe  Shwedagon Pagoda;officially titled  Shwedagon Zedi Daw, also known in  English  as the  Great Dagon Pagoda  and theGolden Pagoda, is a 99 metres (325  ft) gilded  pagoda  and  stupa  located in  Yangon,  Burma. Bagan, in the past which was known as Pagan, is the place where the heart of the country ancient architecture lies. It is located in the upper part of Myanmar and is the capital of Myanmar’s first dynasty. Pagodas can be found mostly covered in reddish color and religious monuments which were built more than 1,500 years ago and it can be said that Bagan, is the most memorable place for visitors coming to Myanmar.Golden Rock, in Myanmar language known as KyiteHteeYoe Pagoda is one of the breath-taking and also a sacred place for Myanmar people. It is located in Mon State and perched on the highest mountain of Paunglaung mountain range. Ngapali is located in Rakhine State and stretches along the Bay of Bengal and it lies in Rakhine State of Myanmar. Ngapali is said to be one of the best beaches in Myanmar where most natural are untouched where visitors can enjoy the true nature of the beach itself. It is famous for its natural and unspotted beauty up to this day. MALAYSIA PlacesThe Petronas Twin Towers in  Kuala Lumpur  were the world’s tallest buildings before being surpassed in 2004 by Taipei 101. However, the towers are still the tallest twin buildings in the world. The 88-floor towers are constructed largely of reinforced concrete, with a steel and glass facade designed to resemble motifs found in Islamic art, a reflection of Malaysia’s Muslim religion. The Petronas Twin Towers feature a sky bridge between the two towers on the 41st and 42nd floors. The Sultan Ahmad Shah State Mosque is Pahangs state mosque. It is located in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.The  Mulu Caves  are located in the Gunung Mulu National Park in Malaysian Borneo. The park encompasses incredible caves and karst formations in a mountainous equatorial rainforest setting. The Sarawak chamber found in one of the underground caves is the largest cave chamber in the world. It has been said that the chamber is so big that it could accommodate about 40 Boeing 747s, without overlappi ng their wings. The  Perhentian Islands  are the must-go place in Malaysia for budget travelers. They have some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and great diving with plenty of  cheap accommodation.The two main islands are Perhentian Besar (â€Å"Big Perhentian†) and Perhentian Kecil (â€Å"Small Perhentian†). Both the islands have palm-fringed white sandy beaches and turquoise blue sea. Crafts Wau Kite in Malay is a uniquely designed Malaysian kite called Wau. This kite-making tradition comes naturally to Malaysian people, especially in the Eastern States of the Malayan Peninsula. Farmers used kites as scarecrows in the fields and as a means to lull their children to sleep, so they could work with little interruption. THAILAND Places Ayuthaya  was founded in 1350 AD by King U Thong as the second capital of Siam after Sukhothai.Throughout the centuries, the ideal location between China, India and the Malay Archipelago made Ayutthaya the trading capi tal of Asia. The city was re-founded a few kilometers to the east of the ruins, which now form the Ayutthaya historical park. Most of the remains are temples and palaces, as those were the only buildings made of stone at that time. Ko Phi Phi is a small archipelago in the Krabi Province in Southern Thailand. Ko Phi Phi Don  is the largest island of the group, and is the only island with permanent inhabitants while the smaller Ko Phi Phi Leh is very popular as a beach or dive excursion.Chiang Mai  is one of the top Thailand attractions. The famous Night Bazaar sprawls along several city blocks along footpaths, inside buildings and temple grounds. It has handicrafts, arts, clothing and and imported products of all descriptions, and a number of large, well-appointed modern shopping centers. At first, the market was owned by Chinese merchants, but since it grew in size as more commercial buildings were built, it was no longer owned by a single group of people. Crafts WoodcarvingBeau tiful hardwoods have long been used by the craftsmen not only to bedeck wats and homes, but also to fashion charming carriages, palanquins, barges and elephant howdahs. Wood is used to make an array of domestic items. Royal throne and barges are graceful examples of the art of woodcarving. The doors, windows and gables of the temples feature delicate and unique designs. Lacquerware Chiang Mai is known for fine lacquerware. Conventionally, black resin of Lak tree is used to make it. The resin is applied to the base of bamboo or teak, adorned with designs made from natural pigments.However, commercial producers use different techniques. Ceramics Ceramics articles were first developed in Thailand in the Sukhothai era. Glazed green-blue celadon was most famous among these. Then crude but colorful ceramics made in Ayutthaya became popular. The Chinese made ceramics with Thai patterns and exported them to Siam, the then Thailand. The designs incorporated images from Hindu and Buddhist myt hology, as well as flower motifs. Thai Silk The skill of silkworm raising probably came to Thailand from China.Silk of north east Thailand, with its peculiar texture and iridescent colors, has been a traditional folk craft, specially of village women. They raise silkworms, spin and dye the threads, and then weave the fabric of handlooms. The dazzling cloth manufactured by them has always been the prized possession of the nobility. Silverware Silverware has been a popular craft in Thailand, particularly in Chiang Mai region. The products incorporate many styles, including flame and floral patterns as well as Buddhist images and mythical figures. The silversmiths were held with reverence in the society.Nielloware This special metalwork is used to adorn betel boxes, trays, vases and other small boxes. It is an ancient art of applying an amalgam of metals to carved portions of gold or selver objects against black backgrounds or vice versa. The Thais learned this art from India. LAOS Pla ces Located in  Vientiane, Pha That Luang (â€Å"Great Stupa in Lao†) is one of the most significant monument in Laos. The stupa has several terraces with each level representing a different stage of Buddhist enlightenment. The lowest level represents the material world; the highest level represents the world of nothingness.The  Mekong  is Southeast Asia’s greatest river with an estimated length of 4,350 km (2,703 miles). Laos actually has the greatest share of the Mekong River. With few good roads and mountainous terrain, the river is Laos’ principal transportation. The Upper Mekong in Laos is considered one of the most stunning journeys of the entire river. Vang Vieng  is a riverside town, located in central Laos about a 4 hour bus ride north of the capital. The main street is full of guest houses, bars, restaurants, internet cafes, tour agencies, and tourists.The area’s main attraction is the dramatic karst hill landscape surrounding Vang Vieng . Crafts In this country, they make paper by hand in the wider region for over 700 years using the bark of the local sa or mulberry tree. The bark is crushed and soaked in water until it dissolves into a paste. The liquid is then scooped out, poured through a bamboo sieve and finally placed in a thin layer on a bamboo bed and dried in the sun. Traditionally sa paper was used for calligraphy and for making festive temple decorations, umbrellas, fans, and kites.In former times it was also used as a filter in the manufacture of lacquerware. VIETNAM Places With seven stories, the Thien Mu Pagoda in  Hue  is the tallest pagoda in Vietnam. The pagoda overlooks the Perfume River and is regarded as the unofficial symbol of the former imperial capital. The temple was built in 1601 during the rule of the Nguy? n Lords. The initial temple was very simply constructed, but over time it was redeveloped and expanded with more intricate features. Ha Long Bay is situated in north Vietnam round a 120 kilometer long coast line and is literally translated as â€Å"Bay of Descending Dragons†.The top tourist attraction in Vietnam,  Ha Long Bay  features thousands of islands, each topped with thick jungle vegetation, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves, others islands include lakes and some support floating villages of fishermen. Nha Trang  is Vietnam’s most popular seaside resort town located along the second most beautiful bays in the country. It features beautiful beaches with fine and clean sand and clear ocean water with mild temperatures.The city has about 300,000 inhabitants and is more lively and urban in character than other beach destinations like Mui Ne and Phu Quoc. It’s also the scuba diving center of Vietnam. Crafts Vietnamese silk painting is one of the most popular forms of art in Vietnam, favored for the mystical atmosphere that can be achieved with the medium. Dur ing the 19th and 20th centuries, French influence was absorbed into Vietnamese art and the liberal and modern use of color especially began to differentiate Vietnamese silk paintings from their Chinese or Japanese counterparts.Vietnamese silk paintings typically showcase the countryside, landscapes, pagodas, historical events, or scenes of daily life. SINGAPORE Places Merlion Park  is located at One Fullerton,  Singapore  near the Central Business District (CBD) area of Singapore. This park is a popular tourist attraction. There are two structures of the  Merlion  located at the park with one standing at 8. 6 metres which is the original Merlion statue and a 2-metre tall Merlion cub located just behind the original statue.The park is also a major tourist attraction and a landmark of Singapore. Beaches of Sentosa This sun-kissed route begins at Sentosa Island’s westernmost beach, Siloso, and ends at its easternmost, Tanjong Beach. For proponents of barefoot running, this route is one of the few in Singapore that allows for a shoeless jog. For those who think that is an open invitation for injuries, a jogging track runs parallel to the beaches. Frequently littered with beautiful bodies, this route is also the best for people-watching or showing off.

Campaigns and Givenchy Shops in London Coursework

Campaigns and Givenchy Shops in London - Coursework Example The Bettina blouse was the standout design; it was white in color and was named after Bettina Graziani. The shirt can be found in one of the Gruaus paintings. His first design awarded him an instant success with praises from the New York Times magazine and L Album du Figaro. The Givenchy brand attracted the famous models of the day, for example; Dorian Leigh, Suzy Parker and Ivy Nicholson. Hubert de Givenchy created exciting innovations like "shirting" to design his casual and chic collections. In the year 1954, Givenchy introduced the shirt dress and a clothing line known as Givenchy university. But, before signing for this collection, he brought back all the shares of the fashion house from Loius Fontaine. In the 1950s, Hubert de Givenchy collaborated with Cristobal Balenciaga to take their collections to New York. In the year 1957, they introduced the sack dress and in 1958, they launched the baby doll and coats line. The house of Givenchy changed location and moved closer to Balenciaga in Avenue George V area. They jointly worked together to avoid any price dictates on their products. The seventies were the period when the house of Givenchy started to expand as a fashion house. They introduced Gentleman Givenchy, the fashion line for the male population. The boutique was opened in November the year 1969 at Avenue George V; the designs were appealing as they were up to date. Later that year, Givenchy came up with the short dress.Cristobal Balenciaga advised Givenchy to develop his licenses; this move was meant to protect his haute couture collections. 1971 saw Givenchy design embroidered coats in the honor of Joan Miro and Georges Braque. They also diversified their activities to desi gn; jewelry, shoes, ties, kimonos, tableware and upholstery (Wearona.com, 2015). In 1976, they opened offices and showrooms in New York Citys Fifth Avenue. The eighties and nineties saw the brand spackle with Hubert de  Givenchy winning several accolades.  

Battle of Mogadishu Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Battle of Mogadishu - Research Paper Example The SNA (Somali National Alliance) formed in August 1992 kicked off as the USC (United Somali Congress) under its leader General Mohamad Farah Aidid. The Somali National Alliance during OGS (Operation Gothic Serpent) comprised of Somali Democratic Movement and the Somali Patriotic Movement. Others comprised of combined Miriflehand Digil clans, the Habr Gedir of the USC (United Somali Congress) commanded by General Aidid, and the recently formed Southern Somali National Movement. After establishment, the Somali National Alliance (SNA) instantly set off an attack against the guerrillas of the clan of Hawadle Hawiye, who coordinated the port area of Mogadishu. Consequently, the militia was chased out of the port area, and Aidid's troops took over.The organizational structure and size of Somali troops is unknown in detail. In all, twenty to forty thousand ordinary militia followers are known to have partaken, nearly altogether of which were from Aidid's SNO (Somali National Alliance), ob taining mostly from the clan of Habar. Since 1993 Habar Gedir had been at conflict with America (Bowden 25). Shortly following the revolution, the alliance split into two factions. Ali Mahdi who later became the president led one of the factions while Mohammed Farah Aidid led the other. In 1991 September, grave fighting started in Mogadishu which lasted in the subsequent months and stretched all over the country. Over twenty thousand individuals were murdered or injured by the culmination of that year. The subsequent inter-clan conflict resulted to agriculture destruction in Somalia, which subsequently led to famishment for lots of its citizens (Bowden 30). The global community embarked on sending food provisions to cease the starvation. Control of food supplies became one of the key sources of power in Somalia. Stolen food was used to fortify the allegiance of clan leaders, and the foodstuff was normally traded with other countries for munitions. Eighty percent of relief food in th e early 1990’s was stolen. These elements steered to further starvation where an assessed three hundred thousand individuals perished and another one million individuals writhed amid 1991 and 1992. In the interim, amid 1991 and 1992 estimates show that above three hundred thousand Somalis perished of undernourishment. United Nations military sent fifty army observers to guard the dissemination of the foodstuff to Somaliain July 1992 in conformity with a resolution indorsed by disparate clan groups (Bowden 45). UNOSOM – I (Operation Provide Relief) officially commenced in August 1992, once United States’ President George H. W. Bush declared that United States army conveyances would back the cosmopolitan United Nations relief force in Somalia. Four hundred and ten C-130s set out to Mombasa in Kenya in Operation Provide Relief. The isolated areas in Somalia survived on Airlifted aid and in return minimizing reliance on truck cavalcades. Only one affiliate (USAFE) o f the 86th Supply Squadron was set out with the ground-backing group (Bowden 56). Forty tons of food and medical supplies delivered byAir Force C-130s in six months to global humanitarian organizations were a means of attempting to aid the over two million starved people in Somalia. This undertaking was unproductive owing to the

Global Warming Video Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Global Warming Video Analysis - Essay Example Inhofe’s view is that although he initially accepted the understanding that humans were the primary culprits in global climate change (then called global warming), the recent data which has come to light indicates that in fact humans only account for but a very small percentage of total C02 emissions. As such, Inhofe goes on to state that the fact of the matter is that the Kyoto Accords have become a massive liability to the American civilian in the form of costing him/her many thousands of dollars each and every year as a function of the deadweight loss that is attributed to any nation that signs onto the Accords. Furthermore, Inhofe goes on to state that a large number of the scientists who originally bandwagon together and signaled their agreement with the human causation of global warming and supported such a belief have since, almost to the individual, begun to back down and take a more tempered approach to the issue. Although few are coming out denying that humanity has little if anything to do with climate change, few among those initial activists that pushed for the Kyoto Accords are continuing to argue for the same logic that initially persuaded them to become active during that period. An obvious criticism of Inhofe’s point of view is, of course, the fact that even though human beings do not contribute to the lion’s share of CO2 emissions, the fact remains that humanity is responsible for a larger and larger percentage of total CO2 output. As such, it is only logical to assume that the Earth’s ability to convert this back to oxygen as forests continue to be decimated and a higher and higher ratio of industrial nations belch out metric ton after metric ton of CO2 each and every year.  

The Electoral Evolution In The Island Of Mauritius Politics Essay

The Electoral Evolution In The Island Of Mauritius Politics Essay This introductory chapter projects a clear idea about the central issue of concern in the research. The reasons for this particular investigation are also elaborated. A full statement of the research aims and objectives, based on the stated research problem is included. The chapter ends with a brief of the structure and content of the remaining chapters of the dissertation. 1.0 Overview Section 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius states that Mauritius shall be a sovereign democratic State which shall be known as the Republic of Mauritius. Section 2 defines that the Constitution is the supreme law of Mauritius and if any other law is inconsistent with this Constitution, that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. Mauritius is a constitutional parliamentary democracy, based on the Westminster model, which consists of the President and the National Assembly. Elected on a First-Pass-the-post system, at an interval of 5 years, during the General Election, the Assembly makes provision for 70 candidates on 20 constituencies. (The Constitution of the Republic of Mauritius) However, this model has been often subject to critics. Michael Duggett (2009), in his thesis about the Westminster Model, states that this model is one-dimensional, simplistic and has weakened as well as privatised. Rod Rhodes (2005) expressed his opinion saying that the model is hollowed-out. This might be a cause which is affecting the level of voter turnout in Mauritius. 1.1 Scope of the study In this study, I propose to study the different causes of abstention at the General Elections and the policies that can be adopted to reduce this phenomenon. This research relates to the island of Mauritius only and therefore does not include Rodrigues and the other outer islands. Research Title The research title is: A study of the causes of voting abstention at the General Election in the Island of Mauritius. Definition of voting abstention Abstention occurs when an eligible voter does not cast a ballot during an election process. It has been observed that many countries are suffering from a high abstention rate due to the citizens low participation during elections. 1.3 Problem statement An  election  is a formal  decision-making process  by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office while vote is a citizens civic duty; however there are some people who abstain from voting for several reasons. Since our representative democratic model relies on citizen participation in elections, less participation means less representation, therefore, less people who decide for everyone else. Falling turnout is often seen as a mark of disengagement, if not of actual disaffection (Norris 1999) The General Elections of year 2005 and 2010 will be used to show the issue; that is, a rise in voting abstention. Table 1 below shows the rate of abstention at the General Election during the year 2005 and 2010. A detailed analysis of the statistics is given in Appendix A: The rate of voting abstention in year 2005 and Appendix B: The rate of voting abstention in year 2010. Table 1: Rate of abstention during year 2005 2010 General Election Year No of Registered electors No of voters % of voters Abstention Rate 2005 793449 644069 81.17 18.83 2010 875356 658441 75.22 24.78 Average Rate 78.05 21.95 Source: Electoral Commissioners Office 1.4 Research Aim The main aim of the study is to analyse the causes which are decreasing the rate of turnout in the Mauritian General Election. 1.5 Research Objectives The objectives of this research are as follows: To calculate the level of abstention and the evolution thereof during the General Election of year 2005 and 2010; To identify the factors which are likely to affect the decision of Mauritians whether to abstain or to vote; To find out the policies that can be adopted to alleviate this problem of voter abstention. 1.6 Structure of the dissertation CHAPTER 1 introduces the issue of voting abstention, the actual electoral system in Mauritius, the right to vote under the Mauritian Constitution, the scope of the study, the research title, the statement of problem is identified, the research aim and the research objectives are pointed out and finally the structure of the dissertation is elaborated in details. CHAPTER 2 focuses on the political system and its evolution since 1810 before adopting the actual system. CHAPTER 3 provides a literature review which analyses the different causes that could affect voters from abstaining. CHAPTER 4 encompasses in detail how the research has been carried out and comprises all relevant information regarding the research methods to meet the objectives of the study. CHAPTER 5 provides a discussion of results and findings from the survey which has been carried out. Each aspect of the questionnaire had been analyzed and interpreted. CHAPER 6 provides a conclusion and some recommendations for the benefit of policy makers and administrators and other people interested in this field, together with a conclusion. 1.7 Chapter Conclusion This first chapter has helped to set out an overview about the topic under investigation. The scope of the study is worked out before giving way to the research aims and objectives. Finally the structuring of the whole report has been elaborated. CHAPTER 2: THE ELECTORAL EVOLUTION IN THE ISLAND OF MAURITIUS 2.0 A Historical Background The Island of Mauritius has been consequently conquered by Arab Sailors, Portuguese, Dutch, French and the British. The Arab sailors were the first who visited the island which was named as Dina Arobi. The Portuguese came in year 1507, followed by the Dutch during the year 1598 who renamed the island as Mauritius. In 1715, the French took control of the island and renamed it Ile de France. Ile de France was formally surrendered to the British, on the 3rd December 1810, where the islands name was reverted to Mauritius. During their abdication, the French was allowed to keep their land and property and to use the French language and law of France in civil and criminal matters on the island. (Prisheela Motee, The library Congress, South Travels, Oracle, Encyclopaedia 2007, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa) 2.1 Electoral System Mauritius has experienced a number of electoral systems since 1810 before adopting the actual system. The electoral system of Mauritius is based on the majority rule and government stability as it comprises of a fair representation of the population. The choice of government is made by citizens. (Prisheela Motee, The library Congress, South Travels, Oracle, Encyclopaedia 2007, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa) 2.1.1 One Man One Rule (1810-1886) During 1810-1886, Mauritius was under the British Colonial Rule whereby the governor was enjoying all the law-making and decision-making process over Franco-Mauritian elite. It was a one man one rule policy. In 1825, Mauritius obtained its first Constitution under which a Council of Government, which consisted of 4 top officials: Chief Justice, Chief Secretary, Commander of forces and Collector of Customs, was set up. Later, in 1885, the Constitution was revised and enlarged to make room for elected representatives. The new Council of Government provided 27 members, including 10 elected members, on a restricted franchise. (Prisheela Motee, The library Congress, South Travels, Oracle, Encyclopaedia 2007, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa) 2.1.2 First-Pass-The-Post-System (FPTP) (1886-1958) Year 1886, welcomes Mauritius first General Election (G.E) under the British Rule. The G.E was limited to wealthy property owners, who constituted only 2 percent of the adult population; that is, out of 365,000 inhabitants, only 12,000 of which all were men, could vote. 2 out of 10 elected members were from Port-Louis and 1 from each 8 districts. Under the 1885 Constitution, Mauritius was divided into 9 constituencies and each constituency elected one representative and Port-Louis, the capital, in relation to highest number of population returned two candidates to the legislative. The elections were held during nine days: from 11-20 January; and were based on the first-past-the-post system. Traces of the 1886 Constitution, can be found in the actual electoral system as the FPTP has been prevailing in Mauritius whereby the candidate receiving the highest number of votes were elected. Due to World War II, G.E could not be held during 1939-1945. The second G.E was then held in 1948, after that the 1886 Constitution was replaced by a new one, which allowed all those above 21 years old who could sign their name in any of the following languages: English, French, Creole, or any Indian languages, to vote through FPTP. Out of 419,000; 72,000 inhabitants, including 12,000 women, were registered electors. Following constitutional conventions held in London in 1955 and 1957, the ministerial system was initiated and G.E was held on 9th March 1959. Voting took place for the first time on the basis of universal adult suffrage and the number of electors rose to 208,684. (Prisheela Motee, The library Congress, South Travels, Oracle, Encyclopaedia 2007, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa) 2.1.3 London Agreement (1956-1957) Due to Mauritius multi-ethnic society the issue of an ideal electoral system has been a real concern. Since 1956, there was a need for a proper representation of the citizens in the Parliament. In the first London Agreement in 1957, the concept of Proportional Representation (PR) in the system was bluntly rejected. The agreement was supposed to eradicate communal ideology and encourage a system based on political parties not religion. The citizens wanted an ethnic reassurance where PR could prevailed in the National Assembly. The Mauritius Labour Party (MLP) under the successive leaderships of Dr Maurice Cure and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam persistently struggled not only for universal suffrage and responsible Government, but also a ministerial form of Government, a decrease in the number of nominees and an increase in that of elected members, changes in the composition of the Executive Council, the appointment of a Speaker and the majority party leader to be styled Prime Minister. During the 1955 Constitutional Conference which was held in London, the MLP requested some constitutional changes. The London Agreement envisaged nomination of maximum of 12 nominees to ensure fair representation. The right to vote was franchise to both sexes over the age of twenty-one and symbols were introduced to facilitate uneducated voters. The number of electors rose to 207,000 at the 1957 elections. (Prisheela Motee, The library Congress, South Travels, Oracle, Encyclopaedia 2007, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democr acy in Africa) 2.1.4 Trustram-Eve Recommendations (1957) In year 1957, Sir Malcolm Trustram Eve; member of the London Agreement, recommended a 40 single-member constituency system along with the FPTP system. This implies that there is no need for a majority overall to win over a seat. The year 1957 had launched the Ministerial system where the elected candidates were able to decide upon policy issues in many areas. The Ministerial system comprised of nine ministers out of whom six were elected and three nominated. Despite the fact that it was not a fully elected body, the island had its first representative body and the Executive Council was chaired by the Governor. Trustrams recommendation was to ensure ethnic and communal representation in the legislative. The nominees are the ancestors of the best loser system. In 1964, in view of not upsetting the population, the governors did not increase the number of nominees. (Prisheela Motee, The library Congress, South Travels, Oracle, Encyclopaedia 2007, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa) 2.1.5 Banwell Report (1966) The Banwell Report was initially based on the Trustrams-Eve recommendations. Part of Mauritius actual electoral system is based on Banwell Recommendations. Banwell Commission was set up after the proposals made for an electoral system, at the Lancaster House Conference of September 1965, failed. Banwell then proposed the followings: 20 constituencies returning 3 members in Mauritius and 2 members in Rodrigues. A division of the population for electoral law purposes: Hindu, Muslin, Chinese and the General Population. Use of FPTP in theory and the three pass the post in practice. 5 constant best loser seats to be filled as soon as results of general election are official so as to overcome the problem of under representation. Candidates chosen as best losers should secure largest number of votes among the defeated candidates belonging to the under-represented community and 10% of the general votes. Any party receiving more than 25% of the total vote and less than 25% seats in Parliament would be reallocated to bring its share to 25%. The last proposal was rejected by the MLP, then Stonehouse; MLPs friend, was called as a negotiator. (Prisheela Motee, The library Congress, South Travels, Oracle, Encyclopaedia 2007, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa) 2.1.5.1 Stonehouse Modifications Stonehouse modified the 5 constant correctives to the 8 best loser votes. The variable correctives and the 10% votes were also rejected. The first 4 best losers seats were to be allocated to parties belonging to under presented communities irrespective to party affiliation .The community for the first 4 best losers is obtained by dividing the population of each of the communities by number of seats obtained by that community in general election plus one. The second 4 best losers were allocated on party and community basis. (Prisheela Motee, The library Congress, South Travels, Oracle, Encyclopaedia 2007, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa) 2.1.5.2 The final proposal and actual electoral system The final proposal and the actual electoral system is based on Banwell recommendations and modified by Stonehouse. There are 70 members in the parliament ,60 out of the 70 are directly elected through FPTP in 20 constituencies with returning 3 candidates each and Rodrigues 2 candidates as shown in the table below. The remaining 8 are the best losers chosen by the Electoral Supervisory Commission immediately after results of general elections. This structure has been basically maintained up to now. (Prisheela Motee, The library Congress, South Travels, Oracle, Encyclopaedia 2007, Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa) 2.1.6 Independence The 1967 election brought a milestone in the history of Mauritius. About 90% of the electorate voted. PMSD fought against independence while MLP fought for independence. PMSD was defeated and MLP won 39 seats by obtaining 54% of the national votes. Mauritius acceded to the status of independence on the 12th March 1968. The first parliamentary election which took place on the 20th December 1976 amended the right to vote. Those aged 18 and above could vote. Out of 462,034, 170,000 were new eligible voters. The first general election after independence was an electoral victory. It was the first time that a single party alliance; Mauritian Militant Movement (MMM) and Parti Socialiste Mauricien (PSM), won all 60 seats. Subsequently, the contribution was altered to guarantee that legislation elections occur every five years. Parliamentary by-elections were also reinstated. (Prisheela Motee, The library Congress, South Travels, Oracle, Encyclopaedia 2007, Electoral institute for sustainable democracy in Africa) 2.1.7 Westminster Model The Constitution of Mauritius provides for the Parliament of Mauritius to consist of the President and the National Assembly. The Parliament of Mauritius is modeled after the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy, where Members of Parliament are voted in at regular general elections, on the basis of a first past the post system. (Official site of the Republic of Mauritius-The Parliament) The Westminster System guarantees the separation of the legislative, executive and judicial powers. Political power rests on the Prime Minister and the cabinet. Sixty-two members of Parliament are elected every five years by universal adult suffrage and all major political parties are represented in Parliament.   The Legislative Assembly became the National Assembly. The Governor General was replaced by the President of the Republic. The latter is elected by the legislative upon the recommendation of the Prime Minister. (Dukhira, 2002) CHAPTER 3: REVIEW OF LITERATURE 3.0 Introduction A vote is an electorates act of voting, whereby voting is the civic duty of every citizen. It is the starting and the ending point of every democracy. In general, the voting system allows electors to select a candidate or a party. The citizens participation in election is important for democracy. If citizens do not have a hand in political things (especially elections) democracy is exposed to weakening risks. (Pasquino, 1983). Citizens derive a direct benefit from fulfilling this duty. However, it is indeed serious because some citizen abstains from their civic duty. The decrease in the rate of voter turnout has been constantly observed. It is contended that voter turnout and voter abstention are closely related to one-another. These two factors will be used interchangeably throughout this study but as opposites of each other. Poole and Rosenthal (1997) argue that the decision to vote or to abstain can be formulated with the equation: R=P (B)-C+D where R is the net reward from voting, B is the material benefit brought about by voting, P is the probability that ones vote makes a difference, C is the cost associated with voting, and D is the fixed benefit of voting. Electors will abstain if the perceived benefits of abstention will exceed the perceived costs. This can be formulated by an equation: R= (P (B))-(C+D))>0. On the other hand, Corey Brettschneider (2007) claimed that: mutual respect, equality or autonomy, are the core substantive values associated to the right to vote. These values should make the right to vote worth being enjoyable and exercisable, rather than the other way round. Riker and Ordeshook (1968) introduced the citizen duty notion to explain the issue of voter turnout. This literature review addresses the causes, factors leading to a decrease of voter turnout and an increase in voting abstention. 3.1 Voter Abstention Abstention occurs when an eligible voter does not cast a ballot during an election process. It has been observed that many countries are suffering from a high abstention rate due to the citizens low participation during elections. Abstention is a real concern and a challenge for politicians, who must persuade the public of the need to vote, according to Seddik Chihas of the National Democratic Rally (RND). (Ademe Amine, 2012). Abstention shall not be compared with blank vote where an eligible voter purposely spoils a vote by marking it wrongly or by marking anything at all, whereby abstention is when the electorate does not vote at all. 3.1.1 Un-informed electors According to Arianna Degans and Antonio Merlos study in 2004, who votes and for who people vote determine the outcome of the elections. It is of high importance for candidates during elections to ensure the participation of their citizens and as well as their voting decisions. Abstention occurs when there is a lack of information about the candidates, (Arianna Degan and Antonio Merlo, 2004), who make the wrong decision or the wrong choice. This can be costly to the elections where a wrong candidate might be elected. Some electors might also feel unmotivated to vote due to a feeling of uncertainty towards candidates but when a citizen is well informed about his civic duty and the electoral candidates, he will definitely participate during elections and vote for the right candidate. 3.2 Voter Turnout Voter turnout is the percentage of eligible voters who cast a ballot in an election. Eligible voters shall not be compared with the total adult population because some adults are not eligible to vote. Voter turnout is an essential quality of fair election and is considered to be a necessary factor for a healthy democracy. Low turnout is generally accredited to disengagement from the system because of perceived efficacy of voting in altering policy decisions. Consequently established democracies with free elections usually have higher turnout than other states. Understanding voter turnout Voting turnout has often been used to judge the evolution of democratic countries, (Scot and Barbara, 2005). The act of voting depicts the preference of the citizens as this show the extent to which the citizens are actually interested in being represented.(Fair Vote Canada; Lijphart, 1996) However, low level of participation is being noticed on behalf of eligible voters. This is due to disenchantment, indifference, or contentment. As such a poll with low turnout is not reliable, because it does not show what the whole country wants; it shows only part of the citizens will. For example, an elector may have abstained from voting because her favourite party had no chances of attaining representation. Different countries have very different average voter turnouts. Low turnout can be expressed differently. For example, in developed countries, the young and the poor are the abstainers. However, India which comprises of an electorate of more than 670 million people, the contrary is found. The poor, who comprises of the majority of the demographic, tend to vote more than the rich and the middle- class, and turnout is higher in rural areas than in urban areas ( D.Gupta, 2004) 3.2.2 Socio- economic factors Citizens participate politically when their level of wealth and education increases because they are more informed and has a feeling of efficacy. This leads to a higher political participation (Lijphart, 1997). According to Ioannis and Phil (2005), sociologist argues that the political behaviour, the identification with a partys values and peoples interest to vote are affected by the socio.economic characteristics. Turnout is higher among those with higher income, those of higher education, white -collar workers, whites, men, middle-aged , older voters, those with closer community ties, those married and the members of organizations. In developing countries, to maintain security and economic development in case when things are bad, citizens tend to vote in great numbers (Radcliff 1992; Fornos et al.2004) Cultural Factor The educational level and the wealth of the country affect turnout but these are not reliable measures as in countries like Europe, in spite of the fact that it is wealthy and have a high rate of literacy, the level of turnout is found to be low. Despite the fact, that countries, like those in Europe and Latin America have a newer democracy, they do not have the cultural habit of voting. The eligible voters do not have the sense of civic duty, which takes time and certain social conditions to develop. These social conditions developed by G. Bingham Powell are: trust in government, the degree of partisanship among the population, interest in politics, and belief in the efficiency of voting. Political Factor Crewe et al. (1992) traced four factors associated with turnout irregularity: being young, having recently moved home, the type of housing tenure, and, marital status(single or divorced). These factors are inter-correlated but they have an independent effect on turnout. According to Crewe et al. (1992), isolation from personal and national networks resulted in a lack of political information or pressure to vote, thus, lowering turnout due to a lack of motivation. Weak or absent party emerged as another important source of irregular voting (Crewe et al, 1992). According to their study, the identification of age and strength are inter-dependently related to voter turnout. A lack in the government performance also carries a negative impact upon turnout. Strong political competition and ideological cleavages between parties tend to increase turnout (Dalton, 1988). Institutional Factor Institutional factors have a significant impact on voter turnout. These variables are classified into three categories: Electoral rules, Perception of the effectiveness of governing institutions, Mobilization. Electoral rules Variables in electoral rules include compulsory voting, registration rules and voting age. Compulsory voting Compulsory voting increases turnout because once voting is made mandatory, people follow the rule irrespective of the punitive sanctions for non-voting (Lijphart 1997). However, in Venezuela and the Netherlands compulsory voting has been rescinded, due to a decrease in turnout. On the other hand, Paraguay having a compulsory voting system imposes payment of a fine and ineligibility for elective office for a prescribed period. Colombia and Nicaragua also have compulsory voting. In Greece voting is compulsory; however there are practically no sanctions for those who do not vote. In Belgium voting is compulsory, too, but not strongly enforced. Registration rules Automatic and compulsory registration often leads to a low turnout because even those who are not eligible, as stated below in the case study: The Republic of Mauritius: Disqualified voters, are on the registration list which gives false survey. Conversely, an election where registration is voluntary or requires a personal initiative ought to be associated with higher voter turnout, because the institutional obstacle of registration has already been surmounted. (Payne et al, 2002) Voting age Voting age has been found to be positively associated to voting turnout as younger citizens are less exposed to politics (Wolfinger and Rosenstone, 1980) and are less likely to vote as older voters. Compared to the youths, the older generations tend to have the sense of civic duty. Older people vote more than youths. The act of voting is also seen as part of the young people coming-of-age ritual. 3.2.5.2 Perception of the effectiveness of governing institutions Variables in the governing effectiveness category include the number of political parties, the relative power of the lower house, federalism or the centralization of the government, and concurrent elections. These variables may affect voters perceptions of the effectiveness or the policy of the powers of the elected officials. The number of political parties Jackman (1987) argues that multi parties lead to coalition building to policy ambiguity and compromise. It is expected to reduce the probability of legislative majorities and worsen executive legislative cooperation which may lead to rendering the electoral process less consequential. The relative power of the lower house This unicameral legislature has to adopt the majoritarian policy to be more effective. This is supposed to render voting to be more meaningful. The centralization of the government Centralized government is more effective, efficient and decisive. Jones (1997) argues that federal political arrangements create new electoral dynamics. The federalism variable is ought to capture longer ballots, which are believed to reduce turnout and the presence of unique local election laws that may deter voting. Concurrent elections Concurrent election means the instances when presidential and legislative elections are held at the same time. Concurrent election is supposed to increase voter turnout as it is expected to contribute to the perception that the election is more relevant. 3.2.5.3 Mobilization Institutional variables in the mobilization category include district magnitude and electoral disproportionality. District magnitude As district magnitude increases political parties have more incentives to retain all seats found in a particular district (Powell, 1986). With a smaller pool of candidates or political parties competing for votes in the district, the distribution of patronage will be more visible and more certain which is ought to result in greater voter mobilization. Electoral disproportionality Electoral disproportionality occurs when parties receive electoral support that does not translate into representation in the legislature in which case, votes have been wasted (Burnham 1987). Wasted votes are found to be associated negatively with voting turnout as parties have less of an incentive to turn out to vote. 3.2.5.4 Salience Mark. N. Franklin (1997) argues that salience is the effect of a vote of an eligible voter over a country. Salient issues are politically important as public opinions are likely to structure party support and voting behaviour and form the subject of political debate. Voters perceptions of fairness impact on salience. Citizens will not cast any ballot if they feel that the election is not worthy, corrupted and determined by fraud thus relating to low voter turnout. Gender Abstention For ages, gender inequality has been prevailing. Women were considered to be inferior to men. Women were confined in a more private sphere leaving men in a public one, especially in politics due to a combination of psychological and sociological causes. If we refer to classical literature, we shall see how women were kept away from the social aspect of life. Women roles in the society were to be a mother, a wife, a sister or a friend. This practice has prevailed for years. There is only a minority of women who participates in the society. However an analysis at the end of 90s in 19 centuries (Norris et al, 2003) confirmed that Norway had a female participation rate significantly higher than men, in Germany, Great Britain and Spain men and women abstention rates were very close, and in all countries there was an invasion in the youngest ages, female children vote more than their mothers. Voter Fatigue Voter fatigue tends to lower turnout. This occurs when participants do not find any interest to cast a ballot. They get bored and reject participation. This may be due to frequent election. Eileen Park, a journalist, reported on 31 March 2012 that voter fatigue might be a cause to influence the public not to vote though being at the eve of the GOP (Grand Old Party) Presidential Election in Wisconsin. The public were no more motivated to vote. Voter Suppression Voter suppression is used as a stratagem to influence the outcome of an election by

Allen Ginsberg Essay -- Biography Biographies Essays

Allen Ginsberg Allen Ginsberg "saw the best minds of his generation destroyed by madness" ("Howl"). He struggled through family conflicts and homosexuality throughout his adolescence, and then he went on to become one of the most read poets of his time. Allen was a strong man who never allowed anything get the best of him, including fear. He made a list of all his fears, large and small, and then worked his way through them, ridding himself of one fear after another (Mitchell 30). His influence on everyone he came in contact with carries on even after his death, and many writers dedicate their time to documenting his life as it affected them. Readers of his poetry say he has "a delicate lyrical style reminiscent of certain seventeenth century poets" (Brinnin 49). Allen Ginsberg, father of the beat generation, was the embodiment of the ideals of personal freedom, nonconformity, and the search for enlightenment. Irwin Allen Ginsberg was born on June 3, 1926 in Newark, New Jersey, and soon after moved to Paterson, New Jersey ("Modern American Poetry"). He was his parent's second child, preceded by one brother, Eugene, who was named after a speaker his father was impressed with as a young child (Miles 30). His father, Louis Ginsberg, was a high school teacher and a moderate Jew Socialist, and Naomi, his mother, was a "radical communist and irrepressible nudist who went tragically insane during early adulthood" ("Literary Kicks"). Naomi grew up speaking Yiddish and learned to play the mandolin when she was young. She went to Barringer high school, which is where she met Louis Ginsberg in 1912, when they were both only seventeen (Miles 12). Often Naomi, who also suffered through recurrent epileptic seizures and a severe form of... ...shes it. Works Cited "Allen Ginsberg." Literary Kicks. Feb 2002. http://www.charm.net/~brooklyn/people/allenginsberg.html. Brinnin, John Malcolm and Bill Read ed. Twentieth Century Poet: American and British (1900-1970). St. Louis: McGraw-Hill Book Co., 1970. Charters, Ann. "Allen Ginsberg's Life." Modern American Poets. Feb. 2002. http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_1/ginsberg/life.htm. Ginsberg, Allen. "Howl." March 2000. http://www.charm.net/~brooklyn/poems/howl.html. Kramer, Jane. Allen Ginsberg in America. New York: Fromm International Pub., 1997. Miles, Barry. Ginsberg: A Biography. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1989. Mitchell, Adrian. "The Man Who Set Me on Fire." New Statesman April 1997: 30(2) Mitgang, Herbert. Dangerous Dossiers: Exposing the Secret War Against America's Greatest Authors. New York: D.I. Fine, 1988.