Max Weber Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Max Weber - Research Paper Example Weber was highly inspired by German idealism and specifically by neo-Kantianism. The most significant influence of neo-Kantianism thought on Weber was the idea that reality is basically disorganized and perplexing, with all the balanced order coming from the way in which the individual mind focuses its attention on particular areas of reality and arranges the perceptions that come as an output. Social Action Max Weber viewed sociology as a science of social action. His early focus in sociology revolved around subjective meanings that individuals attach to the actions that they take and their interpretations of concepts within a particular social context (Elwell, n.d.). According to this, Weber categorizes action in four different ways. The following kinds of action can be taken. Zweckrational (the means used to achieve the required goal are rationally chosen). Wertrational (the goal one is trying to achieve might not be rational, but rational ways are used to attain it). Affective ac tion is rooted in the emotional state of an individual instead of rational thinking. Traditional action is the action that is guided or regulated by customs, habits, or traditions. According to Weber, there are many factors in action behind human behavior, and he believed that most of the behavior exercised by individuals is a mix of the above mentioned actions. He advocated that a distinctive shift in the motivation of individual behavior is a distinguishing feature of a modern society (Elwell, n.d.). Major part of his work investigates the factors that gave birth to the idea of rationalization in the western society. Weber believes that social action is an illustration of the use of an ideal type. An ideal type provides the fundamental method for comparative and historical study (Elwell, n.d.). It also helps the researcher when he or she is studying a specific area of the society. This ideal type cannot be a real phenomenon; it is a classic hypothetical example against which the r eality could be compared (Barnard, Burgess, & Kirby, 2004). Theory of Rationalization According to Weber, rationalization refers to the increasing human control over the social environment. As per this theory, there are three basic points that are individual cost-benefit analysis, the bureaucratic arrangement of organization, and understanding of reality without searching for explanations in mystery, magic, or supernatural beliefs (Allan, 2005). The process of rational thought is the sensible application of knowledge to arrive at a preferred outcome. It leads to competence, cooperation, efficiency, and power over both the natural and the social surroundings (Elwell, n.d.). It also makes individuals come out as free, as he or she breaks the net of traditional thoughts and illogical belief systems. In his later works on bureaucracy, Weber discusses rationalization in detail. Weber advocates that bureaucracies are goal-defined organizations devised according to rational factors in orde r to effectively achieve their goals (Elwell, n.d.). The bureaucratic cooperation of the actions of numerous people has become the main structural characteristic of modern societies. As regards the concept of rationalization, Weber stayed doubtful. He saw it as a two-sided phenomenon. On the

Solaris System Resource Manager Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Solaris System Resource Manager - Essay Example The system administrator can allocate CPU resources according to predefined shares as opposed to fixed percentages, which allows the system to dynamically apportion all available resources according to the relative proportion f shares f any current user. The SRM pro rates resource shares to users and groups and then adjusts CPU usage to meet the shares. Dr. Gunther presents two significant differences between the TS and SRM schedulers. The first is that the SRM guarantees a minimum percentage f CPU, rather than a fixed percentage. The other difference is that when the allocations are changed dynamically, the SRM changes are not always immediately reflected the in percentages f CPU time the users receive. Dr. Gunther's first example explains that if a user is awarded 10 f 100 shares, that user receives a minimum f 10% f the CPU resources when the machine is busy. If the machine is only 50% active, the same user will receive double or 20% f the CPU resources. This CPU usage is determined by an instantaneous and periodic sampling f the usage to adjust the resource usage. Since the usage has to be sampled and adjusted, this causes a time lag between the allocation and the realization f resources. ... Learning Outcome The goal f the SRM is to dynamically adjust each user's CPU usage to reflect the ratio f shares to which the user is entitled. Dr. Gunther uses a modeling tool called PDQ to demonstrate several capacity planning scenarios. The first scenario presents two small share users in one group. The data compares TS and SRM response times as well as comparisons f SRM response times between scenarios. The user with fewer shares in the first scenario has a longer wait than with traditional TS schedulers. The wait is significantly longer for a small share user when a large share user is brought online in the second scenario. When two groups are active in the third scenario, the group with smaller shares suffers performance degradation. The fourth scenario presents results from all three groups being active. The groups with the largest number f shares have significant performance improvement while the opposite occurs for the small share groups. Gunther points out that allowing a sudden swing in re sponse times by an order f magnitude or more is highly undesirable when allocating SRM shares and this has to be considered when a particular group is given too many resource shares. In addition, a single user from a different group can have a large impact on a separate group. Dr. Gunther recommends a method to use when setting the SRM tuning parameters. If on a particular system, the service demands and workload intensity are less relative to the case studies presented, Gunther predicts the SRM will performance will be better than predicted. If each user has more than one process executing at a time or if there is a great disparity in the work performed by

Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness Essay Example for Free

Strategic Management and Strategic Competitiveness Essay What started as a store geared towards the rugged outdoorsmen has grown into one of leading retailers for the upscale college student as well as the adventurous young adult with a fashion to go along with their adventure. Abercrombie Fitch (AF) sells a variety of casual sportswear apparel, including shirts, graphic t-shirts, jeans, shorts, and sweaters, as well as perfumes/cologne and personal care products, and accessories for both sexes and children. As of February 1, 2014, the company operated 843 stores in the United States and 163 stores outside of the U. S. (SEC, 2014). With a footprint this large in the outdoor apparel it only made since to look into the e-commerce market to continue to expand and grow their business. Strategic management deals with decisions a company makes to stay afloat and have a competitive advantage. Over the past years, AF has encountered a few financial setbacks brought forth by turbulent economic times and a controversial advertising campaign that not only affected sales, it drew negative publicity and sometimes not all publicity is good publicity. If, however, the leaders of the organization can make good tactful and strategic moves, this company might be able to turn around and be profitable. Globalization and Technology AF understood that in order to be competitive, they must venture overseas and do it wisely as well as strategically. Companies that take the chance on foreign opportunities are often met with challenges set forth by governments, including local sourcing requirements, tariffs and restrictions on foreign direct investment. Not only must the area be able to support the new business, AF had to make sure any other requirements from local areas are met. This may be why competitors American Eagle Outfitters Inc. and J. Crew Group Inc. had not made the move. Despite the challenge, Abercrombie took their business overseas in 2007, starting in London (Eaton, 2013). At that time, Gap Inc. was the only major competitor overseas, with one hundred sixty eight stores internationally. Having the information available that Gap Inc. has been successful, allowed for AF to save on financial resources of placing stores in certain areas. Knowing that Gap Inc. stores were making profit then AF stores should make a profit in the same area. The  company capitalized on this opportunity, and it paid off. The company recorded revenues of $3,318.2 million during the fiscal year ended January 2007, an increase of 19.2% over 2006. The operating profit of the company was $658.1 million during fiscal year 2007, an increase of 21.3% over 2006. The net profit was $422.2 million in fiscal year 2007, an increase of 26.4% over 2006. The company has made over $7 million in the current year with direct to consumer sales (Abercrombie Fitch, 2007). Bringing the product to the consumers’ fingertips allows for them the opportunity to shop from their couches, beds, or even workplace and have their items delivered to their homes. The world of e-commerce has helped AF solidify itself as a leading outdoor clothier. Dramatic changes in technology have occurred rapidly over the last ten years. As noted in the textbook, â€Å"personal computers, cellular phones, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, massive databases, and multiple social networking sites are only a few examples of how information is used differently as a result of technological developments† (Hint, 2012). With such advances over the past decade, there has been an increased focus on online sales in order to remain competitive. Multichannel shopping has enabled companies to expand margins and tap into new and emerging markets including China, the leader in use of Internet sales channels (PricewaterhouseCoopers, 2013). Abercrombie has a good online store, accessible to both domestic and international consumers which expand the number of customers dramatically compared to brick and mortar stores only. Abercrombie plans to improve their direct-to-consumer operations by upgrading their website and offering, an assortment of web exclusive styles, by making the items web exclusive it brings those consumers that would not normally use e-commerce to their website and allows them to gather information about their consumers to continue to target the correct demographics. Abercrombie also plans on improving mobile capabilities, expanding international language and payment options. This will enable Abercrombie to be more marketable to the online environment and easily available by any consumer worldwide. Industrial Organization Model and Resource-Based Model The industrial organization (I/O) model describes how above-average returns are earned when companies use the information gained from the external  environment to target a specific area within the industry and apply a winning strategy. Recognizing that 2013 was not a good year financially, AF created specific objectives to help improve investment capital. These objectives (recover productivity and profitably in US stores, improve international growth, increase direct to consumer sales and reduce expenses) will enable the organization to look within each area and focus on improving those areas and begin making a profit. AF has a plan and upon proper implementation the company should begin to see a positive as well as above average return. The textbook explains that the resource based model, â€Å"assumes that each organization is a collection of unique resources and capabilities. The uniqueness of its resources and capabilities is the basis of a firm’s strategy and its ability to earn above-average returns.† (Hint, 2012) At one point AF tried to use their elite and upscale brand as an enticement, making clothing for those wear a size â€Å"large† or lower. Chief Executive Michael S. Jeffries—according to Business Insider—had a core marketing strategy that exclusive sells and that including everyone would make his business â€Å"boring.† (Business Insider, 2013). The â€Å"no plus size† strategy proved not only unsuccessful, but disastrous. It is not uncommon for small boutique stores to attempt to cater only to a particular crowd, however for a major chain store like Abercrombie Fitch making that decision alienated a good portion of the profit potential because of Chief Executive Michael S. Jeffries’ decision. AF reported a quarterly drop in same-store sales for the seven quarters straight, and its stock price fell 10.4 percent (Business time, 2013). Vision Statement and Mission Statement of the Corporation Abercrombie and Fitch focuses upon high-quality merchandise that compliments the casual classic American lifestyle. The organization uses this statement to not only help define how Abercrombie and Fitch do business, but what the company is trying to sell to the consumer. Many consumers around the world understand and accept they will not live in America but if that consumer can somehow have a piece of America in his/her closet through the classic American lifestyle being offered by Abercrombie and Fitch then the person will purchase what they want. The Abercrombie and  Fitch brand is as much about the company and what is provided to the consumer as the actual shirt on the persons back. A person see the words Abercrombie and Fitch across a shirt it will make those around think about where the person made his/her purchase and does that person remind them of themselves and want that same brand. How Stakeholders Impact The Overall Success Of This Corporation. There are many types of stakeholders and each one adds value to and can affect the outcome of an organization. For this paper, three types are focused on – capital market, product market and organizational. Capital market stakeholders are the shareholders. Shareholders have an invested financial interest in the firm’s standing. Shareholders always want the company to make a profit and continue to grow so that their financial interest continues to grow. Product market stakeholders are the customers – those who are interest in the product being sold. Customers not only want the latest and trendiest fashions they also love the brand that is associated with Abercrombie and Fitch. That brand loyalty will keep the shareholders happy and continue investing their profits into the company, which can in turn produce more for the consumer. Organizational stakeholders are the internal workers – employees and management. Employees are the management, supervisors, and laborers who expect a positive work environment where they can grow and gain knowledge. With good working conditions, outstanding organization to work for, and strong benefits package. Abercrombie and Fitch is a strong organization headed in the right direction using advanced technology and expanding beyond the borders of the United States. By taking the brand international, allows for a stronger market share and more profit. Great strategy must always be used when expanding beyond an organization’s normal area of control. Government to include federal, state, local, and international will affect potential growth with possible tariffs or other unforeseen expenses. Having the ability to use the unique brand and capabilities of Abercrombie and Fitch will allow them to move into the future with a strong business plan that will bring positive profits. Abercrombie and Fitch mission/vision statement is more than a way to shape the business it is a brand that consumers want. That want allows for Abercrombie and Fitch to remain relevant going forward. Stakeholders are the driving force in any business and shareholders want profits, consumers want products, and employees want a comfortable lifestyle. References Abercrombie and Fitch. (2014). Form 10-K 2014. Retrieved from SEC EDGAR website http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml Abercrombie Fitch Begs the Fat Kids for Another Chance. (2013) Business time. Retrieved from http://business.time.com/2013/11/06/abercrombie-fitch-begs-the-fat-kids-for-another-chance/ Abercrombie Fitch Refuses To Make Clothes For Large Women. (2013) Business Insider. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/abercrombie-wants-thin-customers-2013-5#ixzz2z3gtRZA4 Company Overview 2007. Abercrombie Fitch SWOT Analysis, p. 4, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost Hitt, Michael A.; Ireland, R. Duane; Hoskisson, Robert E. (2012-01-01). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases: Competitiveness and Globalization (Page 11). Cengage Textbook. Kindle Edition. SECTION D100 Simon Fraser University. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sfu.ca/~sheppard/478/syn/1137/G_E_1137.pdf United States Of America: Abercrombie Fitch announces (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fibre2fashion.com/ news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=160117

Multi Disciplinary Approach Case Study

Multi Disciplinary Approach Case Study Based on the information provided, what needs, risks and strengths can you identify in relation to the individual or family in the case study? How would you plan the assessment, including consideration of theneed for a multi disciplinary approach? Case study E: James Downing is 16 years old, white andlives at home with his mother, Sarah, her same sexpartner, Teresa, and his younger sister Joanne, who is 13 years. Jameshas no contact with his birth father, who left Sarah when she was pregnant withJoanne, but he does have a close relationship with his paternal grandparents,who live nearby. James has been in trouble with the police since he was 13years old, and has numerous convictions for care theft, possession of cannabisand ecstasy and for house burglaries. Sarah has asked a social worker to visither, since she feels that she can no longer cope with the situation and feelsthat the whole family is in danger of `fallingapart. Joanne is beginning to stay out at friends all the time and clearlydoes not want to be at home, where there are frequent arguments. Teresa worksin a very demanding job, involving a lot of travelling, and Sarah feels she isspending less and less time at home because of Jamess behaviour. Research published in Child Protection:Messages from Research (Department of Health, 1995 cited in Horwath, 2001)states that families often feel they lack control and autonomy when dealingwith social services departments. This becomes particularly problematic whenassessments focus on family weaknesses and disadvantages. Hence a holisticapproach utilising strengths and identifying need is required. This approachforms the crux of the Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need andtheir Families. Sarah has identified the family difficultiesand has requested support this is encouraging, suggesting commitment to thewell being of the family, and to change. It is important to highlight thisstrength to the family and emphasise that together we will work to build uponthis. James has a close relationship with hispaternal grandparents, adding to the family resilience and acting as animportant resource during periods of difficultly. Hence grandparents should beengaged with the planning of the assessment. The familys economic status is not clear;however there is at least one family member in employment. Traditionally thisis interpreted as a familial resilience factor. Awareness of differingperspectives is essential the nature of Teresas work and the effect of theemployment on the family as a whole is currently unknown and hence couldequally be viewed as a risk factor by the family. James has established offending behaviourand has been involved with illegal drugs in some capacity. Family and professionals will generally view this as risky behaviour; however it must beconsidered that criminal activity could be viewed as a strength within somesocial groups, hence it is essential to ascertain all points of view, withoutprejudgement and then consider ways forward together. There maybe risk linked to the lessening orloss of James attachment to Teresa as she is spending less and less time athome. Equally, there could be risk attached to the potential loss ofattachment between Joanne and James, as Joanne is stay(ing) out withfriends.and clearly does not want to be at home. The family is under a greatdeal of strain, and it seems Joanne and Teresa are coping with this by shiftingaway from the household. This gives some insight as to how the family functionsunder stress; this will need to be explored further with Sarah and Teresa to identify the processes that will ensure the family achieve theirdesired outcomes when faced with difficulties. James has no contact with his father, raising concerns around paternal attachment and possible negative life events/experiences due to separation. The assessment will need to explore how James and his family view this separation; again each may hold conflictingviews and this must be sensitively addressed. One must consider that the immediate family unit, the extended family and professionals may all have differing perceptions of families with same-sex caregivers; some view this as strength whereas others will see membership of a minority group as a risk. Family members themselves may negatively discriminate on the basis of sexuality. Prior awareness of the possibility of conflicting opinions will enable the worker to react thoughtfully and mediate effectively. The social worker should critically evaluate their own practice continuously, checking for assumptions, stereotyping and cultural bias. Preparation for the assessment should begin with ensuring an appropriate social worker is allocated. The team manager should consider the field workers knowledge and understanding of the issues pertaining to this particular family (for example youth offending, discrimination/oppression based on sexuality/gender, attachment issues etc), as well as ensuring the worker is an appropriate match in terms of race and gender. Once a suitable worker is allocated thecase, he/she will need to refer to all information gathered previously. This will prevent the family repeating sensitive information again, and will enable the social worker to identify gaps in information that need to be filled during the assessment. Assessments and subsequent care plans are more effective if the child and family feel empowered and involved throughout the process (Department for Education and Skills, 2001). Indeed this is a duty of any professional working with children as outlined in Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child: the child who is capable of forming his or her own views (has) the right to express those viewsfreely in all matters affecting the child, the views of the child being givendue weight in accordance with the age and maturity of the child The social worker must engage with James and his family at the outset, establishing how and where theassessment will be carried out, exactly what help is requested and identifying desired outcomes. As outlined in the Framework for theAssessment of Children in Need and their Families, the social worker andfamily should identify the relevant agencies to be involved in the assessment and ensure it is clear to all professionals and the family the precise role andpurpose of each professional. Advice and information will be sought by identifying all key informants, recording their details and organising aschedule to collect information from these people or organisations. The following would be a minimum essential list of informants: FamilyGP and other relevant health professionals Youth Offending Team Jamesschool/college Paternal grandparents Joannes school Prior to any interviews taking place, a list of essential questions should be drawn up to give structure and purpose to the meetings. Following these initial discussions, further interviews may beneeded with Connexions, local police, wider family, or other community groups, in order to build a comprehensive picture of the family. In planning any assessment, there should be a clear statement of intent, outlining the purpose, limitations and timescales of the assessment. This must be shared with the child and their family. For all assessments this will include the main principles of the Children Act 1989. The particular focus for this assessment should only be decided upon after further consultation with the James and his family. In what ways does the information provided in the case study raiseissues of power, disadvantage and oppression? You are asked to carry out an assessment of need? How would you attempt to work in an anti-oppressive way? Case study C: Razia Akhtar is a 26-year-old single woman, of South Asian Muslim origin, (although born is Britain) who is currently in hospital, following a rapid deterioration in her physical health. She has now been given a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Razia lives alone in a small terraced house, and is very keen to return home as soon as possible. Her older brother and his wife, Mohammed Khan and Shanaz Begum, who live on the next street, have suggested that she moves in with them, but she is very reluctant to do so. The hospital staff feel that Razia is being very unrealistic about her future, and that she needs to come to terms with the fact that she willbe dependent on others for the rest of her life. Her present condition is such that she will need quite a high level of personal  assistance, with someone to get her up in the morning and help her to bed at night. The hospital based social worker is asked to carry out an assessment to determine Razia needs once she is discharged from hospital. Power describes the capacity to influence or control people, events, processes or resources (Thompson,2003, pg 152). If utilized in a negative fashion, power can be a significant barrier to equality and lead to oppression and disadvantage. Imbalances of power can manifest in a variety of social work situations; in this case study there are potentially a multitude of disparities of power, which require critically reflective practice to ensure equality and empowerment are promoted. When debating issues of oppression and disadvantage, we must consider the process leading to it negative discrimination. Negative discrimination is defined by the identification of negative attributes with regard to a person or group of people (Thompson 2003). Generally negative discrimination relates to social and biological constructs and can be based upon sexual orientation, gender, class, race, disability, age and so on. Negative discrimination creates the circumstances that give rise to oppression, which is defined by Thompson (2001) as: inhuman or degrading treatment of individuals or groups; hardship and injustice brought about by one group or another; the negative and demeaning exercise of power (pg 34) In relation to Miss Akhtar, we should consider the power that is implied through hospital staff having superior medical knowledge, skills and expertise in relation to Miss Akhtar. From the case notes provided, it appears that current thought relating to Miss Akhtars long-term care is based upon the medical model; the impairment is seen as the problem and her dependence is emphasized (Adams et al, 2002). Thompson(2001) says social work should take a demedicalised stance and look past thepathology, utilizing the social model of disability as described by Adams et al (2002). The social model suggests Miss Akhtars needs should be considered in a much wider context, ensuring her social and mental health are given equal consideration to her medical needs. Viewing societal constraints as the problem and not the individual creates the frame of mind to consider how to remove barriers to mainstream social, political and economic life. The social worker should liaise with Miss Akhtar and look t owards an solution-focused (not impairment-focused) care plan where by within the assessment, barriers are identified and solutions sought collaboratively, utilizing Miss Akhtars strengths. Miss Akhtar has an autoimmune degenerative disease and again, it is well documented that individuals with physical disabilities are more likely to be subjected to oppressive practices. Dehumanizing and medicalised language can result in a loss of esteem and a sense of disempowerment for the physically impaired service user. This can be prevented by avoiding jargon and providing lots of opportunities for questions and open discussion when working through the assessment with Miss Akhtar. Professionals should continually check themselves for use of infantilizing language andensure they engage in mature, adult discourse with Miss Akhtar. Miss Akhtars religious and cultural needs should be explored and understood as central part of the assessment. These needs must be identified as quickly as possible, to ensure the worker can besensitive to Miss Akhtars Islamic or other customs, without making cultural assumptions. Karmi (1996) examines the Islamic emphasis on modesty; hence the worker should consider with Miss Akhtar the extent to which her modesty should be preserved throughout the assessment. It should be explored if Miss Akhtar would prefer female medical staff and social care professionals only to be involved in the assessment and clear guidelines should be established around preservation of modesty and the practice of physical examinations. It is accepted in many Muslim communities that the most senior male of the family will take responsibility for a female relatives care. Hence it is possible there may be an imbalance of power between Miss Akhtar and Mr. Begum, dependent on their personal beliefs and how far these correlate with each others religious and cultural ideals. If there is a difference in these ideals, the social worker should strive to empower Miss Akhtar by discussing choices and involving a culturally matched advocate if Miss Akhtar desires, in order to mediate within the family. This must be managed sensitively, as Miss Akhtar, Mr. Begum and the social worker may all hold very different views regarding patriarchal hierarchies. The diversity of these views should be acknowledged and respected within the assessment. It is important to be aware of ethnocentrism, as described by Thompson (2003), whereby situations are viewed from the norms of a majority culture and those values projected onto the minority. T his can be countered by critically reflective practice, which will promote consciousness of power and oppression, leading to a decreased likelihood of the worker making inaccurate ideological inferences. Discrimination and oppression can arise through an imbalance in the distribution of financial or other material resources. This is a concern in this case study as Miss Akhtars economic status prior to her illness is not clear. Miss Akhtar may experience barriers in accessing the same level of financial resources as previously. Hence the social worker and potentially Mr. Begum could be in positions of power as they are likely to have control over the allocation of resources. This should be countered by being very open with Miss Akhtar and avoiding closed decision-making and mystery. Again, this promotes equality as it avoids welfarism, whereby it is assumed the Miss Akhtar requires welfare services dueto her disability (Thompson, 2003). Due thought must be given to use of language and culturally biased humour throughout the assessment. Miss Akhtaris an ethnic minority in the UK; as such Thompson (2003) states discriminationcan occur at personal and cultural levels. It is the role of the social workerto critically reflect on their personal prejudices, which could lead to discriminatory stereotyping. Personal discrimination is enveloped by inequity at a cultural level, whereby ethnic minorities, and hence Miss Akhtar, maybe subjected to a general felling of not belonging and polarization, by the use of culturally-specific language and humour. A central theme throughout these case studies is the need to put the service user at the heart of all planning, decision-making and reviews. Care packages imposed upon users will be ineffective; users must be enabled to help themselves, whilst the social workertakes every opportunity to stand in the users shoes and see life from thetheir perspective. References Adams, Robert et al (eds) 2002 CriticalPractice in Social Work. Basingstoke, Palgrave. Great Britain (1989) Children Act 1989(C41). London, Stationery Office Department for Education and Skills (2001) Learningto Listen: Core principles for involvement of Children and Young People. Availablefrom: www.dfee.gov.uk/cypu Department of Health (2000) Frameworkfor the assessment of children in need and their families London, TheStationary Office. Horwath, Jan (eds) 2001 The ChildsWorld: Assessing Children in Need. London, Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Karmi, Ghada (1996) The EthicalHandbook: A Factfile for Health Care Professionals. Oxford, BlackwellScience LTD Thompson, Neil (2001) Anti-discriminatoryPractice 3rd Ed. Basingstoke, Palgrave. Thompson, Neil (2003) PromotingEquality: Challenging Discrimination and Oppression 2nd Ed. NewYork, Palgrave United Nations (1991) United NationsConvention on the Rights of the Child (online). Available from:http://www.unicef.org/crc/fulltext.htm

Wildlife Management Plan :: management of grassland birds

COVER The vegetation on this property is classified into 7 cover types (Fig. 3 and Appendix B). The property is largely dominated by agricultural land. Approximately 350 ac (141 ha) out of the 410 ac (165 ha) are cultivated for crop production. The dominant four crop types are soybeans, alfalfa, corn, and oats. The overstory consists of white oak (Quercus alba), black walnut (Jugalns nigra), and American elm (Ulmus americana). The shrub layer is sparsely located around the property and contains a lot of blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis), raspberry (Rubus idaeus), serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), American halzelnut (Corylus americana), and staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). The understory vegetation, located in the wooded areas on the property consists of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), common plaintain (Plantago major), mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), grasses (Poa spp.), Mosses (Sphagnum spp.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), common mullein (V erbacum thaspus). A complete list of plant species can be found in Appendix B. STATUS OF WILDLIFE POPULATIONS: Inventory techniques used to identify wildlife consisted of direct observations, input from the landowner, and signs from the different wildlife species. Common bird species present on the management area were American robin (Turdus americanus), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), sandhill crane (Grus canadensis), blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), white-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), bald eagle (Hallaeetus leucocephalus), turkey vulture (Cathartes aura), and red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). Direct observations and input from the landowner identified these commonly found mammalian species: eastern chipmunk, (Tamias striatus), eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), coyote (Canis latrans), raccoon (Procyon lotor), red fox Vulpes vulpes), red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus f loridanus), and Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginianus). Within our management property western meadowlarks and badgers are not as commonly found as white-tail deer. Grassland bird species are limited to small parcels of the property due to a lack of necessary habitat. Badgers have been seen on an infrequent basis within the management site. White-tail deer are seen at low densities and have the potential be more abundant with the right management plans. See Appendix C for a complete listing of wildlife species. REQUIREMENTS OF TARGET SPECIES: The first objective of our wildlife plan is to increase the density of the American badger population on the management site. American badgers are commonly found in open treeless habitats and grasslands (Scobie 2002).

Brown v. Board of Education: A Civil Rights Milestone Essay -- Ending

â€Å"’The Supreme Court decision [on Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas] is the greatest victory for the Negro people since the Emancipation Proclamation,’ Harlem’s Amsterdam News exclaimed. ‘It will alleviate troubles in many other fields.’ The Chicago Defender added, ‘this means the beginning of the end of the dual society in American life and the system†¦of segregation which supports it.’†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Oliver Brown, father of Linda Brown decided that his third grade daughter should not have to walk one mile through a railroad switchyard just to get to the bus stop before she could even get to the separate Negro school for her area. He attempted to enroll her in the white public school only three blocks from their home, but her enrollment was denied due to her race. The browns believed this was a violation of their rights, and took their case to the courts. This wasn’t the first time that blacks found their constitutional rights violated. After the civil war, laws were passed to continue the separation of blacks and whites throughout the southern states, starting with the Jim Crow laws which officially segregated the whites from the black. It wasn’t until 1896 in Plessy vs. Ferguson that black people even began to see equality as an option. Nothing changed in the world until 1954 when the historical ruling of Brown vs. The Board of Education that an ything changed. Until then, all stores, restaurants, schools and public places were deemed ‘separate but equal’ through the Plessy vs. Ferguson ruling in 1896. Many cases just like the Brown vs. Board of Education were taken to the Supreme Court together in a class action suite. The world changed when nine justices made the decision to deem segregation in public schools unconstitutional.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  After the Civil War, white southerners had to figure out ways to continue feeling superior to their former slaves. Anxious to regain power over former slaves, southerners created the Black Codes of 1865. These codes were different from state to state, but most held similar restrictions. If blacks were unemployed, they could be arrested and charged with vagrancy. White Southerners believed blacks were to only work as agricultural laborers so the laws also restricted their hours of labor, duties, and behavior. Additionally, the codes prevented the raising of their own crops by black people. They were prohibited from ent... ...south. Because of the decision of nine justices of the Supreme Court, the term ‘separate but equal’ was eliminated when it came to schools, and opened the door for integration of restaurants and all public places. Bibliography African-American History News Letter. â€Å"The Black Codes of 1865†. Web. 25 May 2015. http://afroamhistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa121900a.htm. Beggs, Gordon. The American University Law Review. "Novel Expert evidence in federal civil rights litigation.† 1995. Brown V. Board of Education. â€Å"About the Case.† BrownvBoard.org Web. 25 May 2015. www.brownvboard.org Patterson, James T. Brown v. Board of Education a civil Rights Milestone and it’s Troubled Legacy. Oxford University Press. New York 2001. Perry, Imani. "Five myths about Brown v. Board of Education" The Washington Post. May 16, 2014. Web. 25 May 2015. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/five-myths-about-brown-v-board-of-education/2014/05/16/fd84b82c-dc3b-11e3-8009-71de85b9c527_story.html Robinson, Susan. â€Å"A Day in Black History: Plessy Vs. Ferguson†. Gibbs Magazine. October 2008. Web. 25 May 2015. Sitkoff, Harvard. The Struggle for Black Equality. 2008

Marxism: Different Stages of History

Dialectic AnalysisThe basic premise of dialectical analysis is the theory in which society is treated as a historically evolving and systemically interrelated whole, has had a profound impact on political science, economics and sociology. This dialectical method, which seeks to uncover the full context of historically specific social interactions in any given system, is used by Marx as a tool for understanding class relationships under capitalism, and as a means for altering such structures fundamentally.   Uniting theory and practice, Marx declared in his ‘Theses on Feuerbach’:The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point is to change it’[1].Dialectical materialism is essentially characterized by the belief that history is the product of class struggle and obeys the general Hegelian principle of philosophy of history that is the development of the thesis into its antithesis.[2]Basic Premise of Materialistic TheoryThe materialist th eory of history starts from the proposition that human beings are creatures of need, and hence that the material side of human life, physical needs and economic action to satisfy them is primary and basic. Historians and social philosophers until then had focused on the actions of states and rulers only and had not considered   the importance of economic developments.According to Marx, every society is composed of certain forces of production (tools, machinery and labour to operate them) with which are associated particular social relations of production (property relations, division of labour). These together constitute the material `base' of society, upon which arises a `superstructure' of political and legal institutions, and ideological forms to include art, religion and philosophy. He further added:  Ã¢â‚¬Å"It is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social beings which determines their consciousness†[3].The development of productive forcesThe development of the human race from crude stone tools to the bow and arrow, and the subsequent improvement from the life of hunters to the domestication of animals and primitive pasturage; the transition from stone tools to metal tools resulting in a corresponding transition to tillage and agriculture; a further improvement in metal tools, the introduction of the blacksmith's bellows, the introduction of pottery, with a corresponding development of handicrafts, the separation of handicrafts from agriculture, the development of an independent handicraft industry and, subsequently, of manufacture; the transition from handicraft tools to machines and the transformation of handicraft and manufacture into machine industry; the transition to the machine system and the rise of modern large-scale machine industry   are all the characteristic stages of development   of the productive forces of society in the course of man's history.This development and improvement of the instruments of production had been effected by men who were related to production, and not independently of men; and, consequently, the change and development of the instruments of production was accompanied by a change and development of men, as the most important element of the productive forces, by a change and development of their production experience, their labor skill, their ability to handle the instruments of production. In conformity with the change and development of the productive forces of society in the course of history and   men's relations of production, their economic relations also changed and developed.Phases of Materialistic HistoryAt any given historical period the relations of production provide the social framework for economic development. The developing forces of production give rise to increasing conflict with the existing relations of production and these conflicts are reflected as class struggles. `From forms of development of the productive for ces these relations turn into their fetters. Then begins an epoch of social revolution' in which social relations and `the entire immense superstructure' is transformed.[4]Accordingly, Marx concluded that all nations go through five economic stages: primitive, slavery, feudalism, capitalism, and socialism.Primitive PhaseThe basic tenet of production in the primitive phase of human history is that the means of production are community owned which is consistent with the character of the productive forces of that period. Primitive tools and weapons like stone tools and the bow and arrow had limited efficacy and lethality, a major factor which precluded the possibility of men individually combating the forces of nature and beasts of prey. In order to fulfill the routine activities like gathering fruits from the forest, catch fish or game, or to build any form of inhabitation, men were obliged to work in communities or groups to obviate the possibility of death due to starvation, or fall victims of beast of prey or be killed by rival groups.Community form of labour and work led to a community based consumption of the produced yield. At this stage the concept of individual ownership of the means of production did not yet exist, except for the personal ownership of certain implements of production which were at the same time means of defense against beasts of prey. Hence, there was neither exploitation, nor any class structure in place.Slave PhaseThe primitive phase was followed by the Slave Stage which is based on the theory that under this system, the slave-owner owns the means of production and the workers in the production chain. Such relations of production correspond to the state of the productive forces of that period. In this stage, the slave owner has all the rights over the slave- whom he can sell, purchase, or kill as though he were an animal. During the slave stage, the primitive stone tools and   Ã‚  primitive husbandry have been replaced by metal tool s and pasturage tillage respectively .The primitive man who till now was in the possession of the most basic tools   now possessed the means to conduct farming , handicrafts and tillage, and a division of labor between these branches of production. There appears the possibility of the exchange of products between individuals and between societies, of the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a few, the actual accumulation of the means of production in the hands of a minority, and the possibility of subjugation of the majority by a minority and the conversion of the majority into slaves.At this stage, the common and free labor of all members of society in the production process is replaced by the forced labor of slaves, who are exploited by the non-laboring slave-owners. The main aspects of this stage is the appearance of the slave owner(the prime and principal property owner), the increasing existence of the rich and poor, exploiters and exploited, people with full rights and peo ple with no rights, and the beginning of a   fierce class struggle between them.Feudal StageThe basis of the relations of production under the feudal system is that the feudal lord owns the means of production and does not fully own the worker in production. This implies that the worker of the slave stage has progressed and he can no longer be owned, bought or sold by the slave owner. Alongside of feudal ownership there exists individual ownership by the peasant and the handicraftsman of his implements of production and his private enterprise based on his personal labor[5].Such relations of production correspond to the state of the productive forces of that period. Further improvements in the smelting and working of iron; the spread of the iron plow and the loom; the further development of agriculture, horticulture, viniculture and dairying; the appearance of manufactories alongside of the handicraft workshops; have all led to enhanced importance of the worker who is now a skilled artisan. The new productive forces demand that the laborer/worker/artisan shall display some kind of initiative and inclination in production and for work.The feudal lord therefore discards the slave, as a laborer who has no interest in work and is entirely without initiative, and prefers to deal with the serf (artisan), who has his own husbandry, implements of production, and a certain interest in work essential for the cultivation of the land and for the payment in kind of a part of his harvest to the feudal lord.In this stage, private ownership is further developed and the affects of exploitation is slightly mitigated. A class struggle between exploiters and exploited is the principal feature of the feudal system.Capitalist StageThe basis of the relations of production under the capitalist system is that the capitalist owns the means of production, but not the workers in production[6] – the wage laborers, whom the capitalist can neither kill nor sell because they are pers onally free, but who are deprived of means of production and in order not to die of hunger, are obliged to sell their labor power to the capitalist.Due to the rapid strides in the technological and the industrial aspects, there is an increased importance of the technologically intensive means of production like the factories, mills and the huge capitalist farms run on scientific lines and supplied with agricultural machinery. This rapid change in the means of production has an adverse impact on the workers.The private property of the peasants and handicraftsmen in the means of production being based on personal labor is rendered insignificant and they have to submit their labour to the owners of the means of production. The new productive forces require that the workers in production shall be better educated and more intelligent in comparison to the earlier workers, in the sense that they understand machinery and operate it properly. Therefore, the capitalists prefer to deal with wa ge-workers, who are free from the bonds of serfdom and who are educated enough to be able properly to operate machinery.Transition to CommunismThe division of society into classes gives rise to political, ethical, philosophical, and religious views of the world, views which express existing class relations and tend either to consolidate or to undermine the power and authority of the dominant class. Marx clarifies it further:â€Å"The ideas of the ruling class are, in every age, the ruling ideas: i.e., the class which is the dominant material force in society is at the same time its dominant intellectual force. The class which has the means of material production at its disposal, has control at the same time over the means of mental production.†[7]However, oppressed classes, although hampered by the ideological dominance of oppressors, generate counter-ideologies to combat them. In revolutionary or pre-Revolutionary periods it even happens that certain representatives of the d ominant class shift allegiance. New social relationships begin to develop within older social structures and result from contradictions and tensions within that structure at the same time as they exacerbate them.For example, new modes of production slowly emerged within late feudal society and allowed the bourgeoisie, which controlled these new modes of production, effectively to challenge the hold of the classes that had dominated the feudal order. As the bourgeois mode of production gained sufficient specific weight, it undermined the feudal relations in which it first made its appearance. â€Å"The economic structure of capitalist society has grown out of the economic structure of feudal society.The dissolution of the latter sets free the elements of the former.†[8] Similarly, the capitalist mode of production brings into being a proletarian class of factory workers. As these men acquire class consciousness, they discover their fundamental antagonism to the bourgeois class and band together to overthrow a regime to which they owe their existence. â€Å"The proletariat carries out the sentence which private property, by creating the proletariat, passes upon itself.†[9]  the process of industrialization concentrates working people in factories and cities, hence the working class develops from being an unorganized and unconscious mass through its struggle with the bourgeoisie to being an organized and conscious political force, a force which is ultimately destined to be the `gravedigger' of capitalism and to inaugurate a new mode of production: socialism[10]SocialismThe conquest of political power by the working class will lead to the creation of a socialist state in which the working class is the ruling class and which functions in the interests of the working class. In this way the `dictatorship of the proletariat' will replace the `dictatorship of the bourgeoisie'. Its main purpose is to abolish the private ownership of the means of producti on, and hence the social and economic basis of class divisions. As the   material basis of class divisions is dissolved, class differences will gradually disappear, and with them the need for the state as an instrument of class rule and as a distinct coercive force. In the higher stage of full communism, the state is destined ultimately to `wither away'[11], as Engels puts it, and `the government of people will be replaced by the administration of things'[12]ConclusionDuring the present century, history itself seems to have provided a remarkable confirmation of the main outlines of Marx's thought. At one stage in modern history, the prediction that capitalism is destined to be restricted to a particular and limited historical stage which will be superseded seemed to be justified by the succession of revolutions which removed a large part of the world from its grip. The collapse of the regimes of Soviet and Eastern European communism in 1989, however, has proved that Marxism is now dead and that its prediction of a historical stage beyond capitalism is an illusion. Nevertheless, it remains the most comprehensive and powerful theory for understanding and explaining the capitalist world.[1] Marx, Karl (1845) Theses on Feuerbach, in Karl Marx and Frederick Engels, Selected Works, New York: International Publishers, 1968, pp. 28–30.[2] Marx, The Poverty of Philosophy, [1847a], London: Lawrence & Wishart, 1955, chapter II [3] Marx, Karl A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy(1859),PP 389.                                                                            [4] Ibid 389-90[5] G.A. Cohen, Karl Marx's Theory of History: A Defence, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1978,pp65                        [6] Ibid [7] Marx Karl, Selected Writings, ed. D. McLellan, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977 [8] Ibid[9] Ibid [10]Marx and Engels The Communist Manifesto [1848], Selected Works, V olume 1, Moscow: : Foreign Languages Publishing House, 1962 [11] V.I. Lenin, State and Revolution, in Selected Works in Three Volumes, Volume 2, Moscow: Progress Publishers, revised edn 1975,10-14                                                                                                                                                                                  [12] Capital, 3 Volumes [1867, 1885, 1894], London: Lawrence & Wishart, 1961-71