Example of informative speech outline Essay

I. Introduction A. Attention Getter:Today, just about everyone depends on information and communication to keep their lives moving through daily activities like work, education, health care, leisure activities, entertainment, travelling, personal relationships, and the other stuff with which we are involved. So what? We need to be aware that the values we hold, the beliefs we harbour and the decisions we make are based on our assumptions, our experiences, our education and what we know for a fact. We rely on mass media for the current news and facts about what is important and what we should be aware of. B. Reason to Listen:Media Effects and Society provides an in-depth look at media effects and is one of the most unresolved issues in our society, and it is necessary to be knowledgeable to its effect. C. Thesis Statement:Social media websites are some of the most popular haunts on the Internet. They have revolutionized the way people communicate and socialize on the Web. D. Credibility Statement:1. I have been seen the related issues of mass media in the news. 2. I have read and studied about the effects of mass media in a related book news paper and, and have done research on the Internet. E. Preview of Main Points:1. First, I will discuss the influence of social media in the society. 2. Finally, I will discuss the effects of social media and the impact to the society and to the individual. II. Social media websites are some of the most popular haunts on the Internet. They have revolutionized the way people communicate and socialize on the Web. A. Social Media is one of the most influential issues in the society. 1. There are three basic functions of mass media. a. Providing news and information b. Entertainment c. Education 2. How media influence us a. According to Victoria Sherrow, in her book Violence the question of cause and effect and the Media: There are positive and negative influences of mass media, which we must understand as a responsible person of a society. b. New and influential media-distribution channels have appeared in the 21st century. Delivered via the World Wide Web across the Internet, we are influenced daily by blogs, wikis, social networks, virtual worlds and myriad forms of content sharing. c. Radio and then television were very influential. As the 20th century closed, TV exposed us to untold numbers of images of advertising and marketing, suffering and relief, sexuality and violence, celebrity, and much more. Transition: Now that I have discussed the influence of social media, I will now discuss the effects of social media and the impact to the society and to the individual. B. The impact of Media on the society 1. Social impact a. Couldry states that â€Å"Mass media generally are considered a prime candidate given the on-line profusion of information and entertainment services. This article compares the daily mass media habits of heavy, light, and nonusers of personal computers and on-line services based on 1994 and 1995 national surveys conducted by the Times-Mirror Center for the People and the Press.† b. On a social level, media has its greatest impact. Viewpoints have been shaped due to the representation of different cultures, races, genders, religions, and sexual orientations. c. Graham noted that social media usage by teens and younger kids sparks a greater fear for some in society. d. Social media has made it possible for like minded individuals to discuss important topics, widen their personal knowledge and discover things they never knew before. 2. Political impact a. The rise of a â€Å"networked information economy† (Benkler, 2006) has revolutionized the media political economy. b. As the Internet plays a larger role in governance, campaigns and activism, the debate continues about how social and digital media are changing politics. c. Social media therefore introduce new informational capabilities for producing, recording and spreading information through networks (Norris, 2002). III. Conclusion A. Review Main Points: 1. Today I discussed the influence of social media in the society. 2. Finally, I discussed the effects of social media and the impact to the society and to the individual. B. Research thesis:Social media websites are some of the most popular haunts on the Internet. They have revolutionized the way people communicate and socialize on the Web. C. Closure:In conclusion, social media has politically and socially made an impact to our society. Each individual have there negative and positive effects; thus we must knowledgeably know the basic elements and it’s fundamentals to avoid violence. References Sherr, V. (2005).Violence the question of cause and effect anAlcoholics Anonymous Meeting Experiencd the Media. Article Kohut, A. (2007). Social Impact Research Personal Computer, Man Made, Use of Time Journal, 243-248 Couldry, N. (2000).Media, Society World: Social Theory and Digital Media Practice. uPublish.com Graham, R. (2014). Social Media Causing a Distancing Phenomena To Take Place. New York, New York: Reader’s Digest. http://journalistsresource.org/studies/politics/citizen-action/research-internet-effects-politics-key-studies#sthash.nuKv68tq.dpuf

Organic vs. Industrial Food Essay

Have you ever been standing in the grocery store, undecided on whether there really is a difference between the standard store brand ribeye steak and the organic, grain fed, free range ribeye that costs twice as much? Ever had little devil on one shoulder telling you one thing, and the angel on the other convincing you the devil is wrong? Is cost the only thing holding you back from shelling out a few extra sheckles for the more expensive steak? Have you heard about the health benefits of eating organic? Then maybe it is time you learned about the true benefits of organic food. In doing so, it may just change your life and blow your mind. Eating industrial foods can cause a bevy of health issues today, such as exposure to toxins, as well as leading to diabetes and heart disease, and choosing to eat organic foods instead will help to resolve those issues. While organic foods are thought to be quite a bit more expensive than the standard, this is not always the case. One article quotes â€Å"Your local food markets will often have lower prices on organic food items than traditional grocery stores. (Lotich, 2010, para 1). You have to take into consideration that in this day and age, almost any meal that you eat has an organic alternative, or can be prepared by using all organic ingredients. In knowing this, you may actually find that there are a number of other ways that you may go about saving some money, while incorporating organic foods into your daily diet. One of those things you can do is make yourself aware of the various farms that are putting out organic foods. Most folks think that organic foods are all produced by small, family owned farms. As I very recently found out, some of the most successful organic farms are very large and on a global scale. Take Earthbound Farms for example. They are a very successful and very large farm, consisting of over 30,000 acres. Their website states â€Å"We’ve been farming for more than 25 years now, and we’ve become the country’s largest grower of organic produce, committed to being a catalyst for positive change in our kitchens and our environment (Earthbound Farm, 2012, para 4). Buying from this company not only promotes eating healthier, but also supports a company that is looking out for the environment as well. Not only are some of the most successful organic farms gigantic and global, but so are some of the enormous corporations that buy organic food (Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, Safeway and Kroger’s). That being said, if you can research and recognize some of these brands, what at first glance may seem like big-box packaging may indeed turn out to be a cost efficient and healthy organic alternative to what one may typically buy in stores today. Thus it turns out, eating organic may not be as expensive as we first thought. In conjunction with steps such as planning your meals ahead of time, organic food just may actually be cheaper overall than industrial foods in many instances. Planning meals ahead of time is a smart move. I recently read that â€Å"When you have a detailed shopping list and go to the store with a plan, you’re much less likely to splurge on extras or expensive instant meals. And when you have a firm plan in place, and the food has already been purchased, you won’t end up wasting money in the drive thru spending your money on overpriced fast food (James, 2008, para 2). This is an issue that I think most of us face from time to time. Being smart can help reduce these unnecessary costs. It is important for consumers to really research organic foods and the cost benefits of choosing to go that route. You can end up eating better, as well as saving money. The healthy benefits of eating organic are yet another good reason to choose an organic diet. Recent studies have shown that â€Å"The published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods. Consumption of organic foods may reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. † (Novella, 2012) That being said, the same studies do show that eating organic foods does reduce the reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The EPA states that â€Å"consumers are looking to organically grown and produced foods as a way to reduce exposure to synthetic pesticides (U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2012). That certainly is a reason to make the switch. Also, if you are planning meals as aforementioned, and buying ingredients for those meals fresh, as opposed to meal mixes and processed industrial foods, then you are also in control of the amounts of fats, sugars, and such that are in your meals. This is also a healthier option. Taking control of what you eat is important. I imagine most people want to control what they put in their bodies, and eating organic foods can help you do just that. Without eating organic foods, you can run the risk of leaving yourself open to all kinds of diseases and other health issues. All in all, the evidence seems mounting in favor of converting to a healthier lifestyle. Eating organic food seems like both a smart, and strong way to making the transition. It is easier than exercising, and in most cases, would probably provide a better feeling in the long run. â€Å"The American College of Sports Medicine advises adults to do moderately intense cardio exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week or do vigorously intense cardio for 20 minutes a day, three days a week to stay healthy (Kunz, 2011, para 2). Exercising is important as well, but if you are eating the wrong foods, all of your hard work may be for not. So think about making the switch to organic foods. Starting off small can lead to big changes for you and your loved ones. Bibliography Earthbound Farm. (2012, December 6). The Earthbound Story. p. 2012. James, B. (2008, November 20). Five Benefits of Planning Meal Menus for Your Household. Yahoo! Voices, p. 1. Kunz, M. (2011, October 19). Does Exercise Offset Unhealthy Eating? Exercise & Eating Healthy, p. 1. Lotich, B. (2010, December 28). 10 Easy Ways To Save Money On Organic Food. US News, p. 1. Novella, S. (2012, Sept. 05). No Health Benefits from Organic Food. Science-Based Medicine, p. 1. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2012, December 6). Pesticides and Food. Pesticides: Health and Safety , p. 1.

An Experiment to Determine Values for Velocity and Momentum

An Experiment to Determine Values for Velocity and Momentum Abstract In this experiment we determined values for kinetic energy and momentum of a system both before and after elastic and inelastic collisions. Using the values for initial velocity and mass we then calculated values for the final velocities and compared that to our experimental values. Questions Answers In case of elastic collisions, what would happen if m1 is much, much larger than m2? Conversely, what would happen if m1 is much, much smaller than m2? If m1 is much larger than m2 the loss of momentum for m1 will be close to 0. For our experiment m1 will have a final velocity that is very close to it’s initial velocity (consistent with the maintained momentum). The final velocity of m2 will be greater than m1, as it experiences the force of m1. If m1 is much smaller than m2 it will maintain most of it’s momentum from impacting m2, but the velocity of m1 will change directions. The final velocity of m2 will be close to 0 as the force of m1 will not be great enough to overcome static friction. In your lab manual the equations 4.4 and 4.5 give the final velocities of the two objects in terms of the initial velocity and the masses. Now, are the final velocities you found in your trials consistent with these equations? For trial 1 of elastic collision, v0 = 0.3 m/s, and m1 = 250g and m2 = 250g, the formula for final velocity of m1, (v1) is calculated as: v1 = v0*((m1-m2)/(m1+m2)) v1 = 0.3*((250-250)/(250+250)) v1 = 0 v2 is calculated using the formula for v2: v2 = 2*v0*(m1/(m1+m2)) v2 = 2*0.3*(250/500) v2 = 0.3 The experimental value for v1 and v2 of trial 1 were 0 and 0.29 respectively, these values are consistent with the calculated values shown above. For trial 2 of elastic collision, v0 = 0.36 m/s, and m1 = 500g and m2 = 250g, the formula for final velocity of m1, (v1) is calculated as: v1 = v0*((m1-m2)/(m1+m2)) v1 = 0.36*((500-250)/(500+250)) v1 = 0.12 v2 is calculated using the formula for v2: v2 = 2*v0*(m1/(m1+m2)) v2 = 2*0.36*(500/750) v2 = 0.48 The experimental value for v1 and v2 of trial 1 were 0.11 and 0.46 respectively, these values are consistent with the calculated values shown above. For trial 3 of elastic collision, v0 = 0.29 m/s, and m1 = 250g and m2 = 500g, the formula for final velocity of m1, (v1) is calculated as: v1 = v0*((m1-m2)/(m1+m2)) v1 = 0.29*((250-500)/(250+500)) v1 = -0.10 v2 is calculated using the formula for v2: v2 = 2*v0*(m1/(m1+m2)) v2 = 2*0.29*(250/750) v2 = 0.19 The experimental value for v1 and v2 of trial 1 were -0.07 and 0.17 respectively, these values are consistent with the calculated values shown above. Using the velocities, make a TABLE for the momentum and kinetic energy of each PAScar before and after collision? Calculate the percent difference between TOTAL final and initial momenta and kinetic energy in each trial, and comment on the conservation of momentum and conservation of energy. Initial Final % difference Trial p Ke p Ke % difference p % difference Ke Elastic m1=m2 75 22.5 72.5 21.025 3.33% 6.56% Elastic m1m2 180 64.8 170 58.95 5.56% 9.03% Elastic m1m2 72.5 21.025 67.5 15.675 6.9% 25.4% Inelastic m1=m2 115 52.9 105 22.05 8.7% 58.3% For the elastic collision trials momentum and kinetic energy are mostly conserved, ideally they would be completely conserved, but our system is not isolated. Other forces are present which prevent us from obtaining perfect results. In the inelastic collision trial momentum is still conserved (mostly) even though kinetic energy is lost, this is because momentum is not converted as kinetic energy is. The impact of the cars in the inelastic trial converts over half of the kinetic energy into thermal energy. For the elastic collision trials we do not observe this loss except for in trial 3 where the force of the magnets is not strong enough to keep the vehicles from impacting. In the inelastic collision, why do you need to measure only one final velocity? Because the masses are joined together upon impact which quickly equalizes their velocities. As the joined masses travel along the track yielding a single final velocity. In the inelastic collision, why do you think the kinetic energy is not conserved? The energy is converted to another form of energy (thermal) during the collision. Specifically, it is because the two objects are impacting one another that the kinetic energy is converted and not conserved. What physical law(s) predicts the conservation of momentum? Explain briefly and clearly. This is predicted by Newton’s 3rd law which talks about action-reaction pairs. The sum of the forces in a closed system will be 0 as each force has a force that is directly counter to it. For momentum this holds true as well because momentum is essentially a product of force. In the case of inelastic collisions, what would happen if m1 is much, much larger than m2? Conversely, what would happen if m1 is much, much smaller than m2? The formula for the final velocity of an inelastic collision is as follows: v12 = v0*(m1/(m1+m2)) Looking at the formula you can see that as you increase m1 to much larger values, m2 becomes insignificant and m1/(m1+m2) begins to approach 1, this also means that it will approach the final velocity (v12). For our purposes this indicates that the final velocity will nearly equal the initial velocity. If m1 is much smaller than m2 then m1/(m1+m2) will begin to approach 0 as will the final velocity. Imagine the PAScars m1 and m2 are both on the track, at rest, and with their bumpers touching each other. The mass m1 = 2 m2. A firecracker is placed between the bumpers and explodes, sending the PAScars in opposite directions. What was the initial momentum of the system (before the explosion)? What can you say about the final momentum of the system? The initial momentum is 0 as we know that p=mv, and the velocity of cars and firecracker was 0. The final momentum of the system will also be 0 if we were to sum each vector of momentum in the system. Conclusion The calculated values for final velocity and momentum had very low percentage error when compared to theoretical values. This is sufficient enough to illustrate the concepts of the lab. Our system for collisions was imperfect in that is was not a closed system and was therefore susceptible to outside forces.

Law, Governance, Regulation and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Law, Governance, Regulation and Ethics - Essay Example The first issue raised in â€Å"Wall Street’ is based on the ethics which are broken throughout the film. The ethics that are associated with the movie include gathering confidential information about the stock market. This is done not only by obtaining illegal information but also includes breaking into offices and taking confidential information. This is first done by Gekko and is later followed by Fox with the desire to move up with his placement in the corporate world. The approach which is taken is one which is based on a combination of legalities and ethics. According to the law, there are requirements with confidentiality that are put into place. This is to protect businesses with privacy and from unfair deals which may occur without the companies knowledge. This is followed by private property rights which make it unconstitutional for an individual to take information. By breaking these ethical considerations, there is a break in both government and corporate regulati ons while harming others that are a part of the main process for obtaining information (Nelson, 2005: 3). The concept of ethics on a legal basis is important to note because it combines with individual behaviors, legalities and responsibility that is a part of the corporation. The work of Fox becomes important because he is a representative of the company which he works for. When he takes the private information through illegal information it causes him to be a representative of the company, leading to a direct overlap between ethics and corporate governance (Mullerat, 2010: 48). However, this becomes misunderstood as his actions lead him to a raise and as one of the best performers of the institute. More important, the response from the country which has gained prestige in the market is interested in hiring Fox after his sentence because of the work which he has done. The actions taken by the corporations reflect directly in the understanding of what it means to be legally responsi ble and to be honest and fair in different dealings. The actions taken with the main characters show that there isn’t an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of individuals as well as how this reflects in the corporation. The importance of the private interactions and the association with the ethical considerations with governance is important to note because of how it affects others who are a part of the company. This becomes the main battle that is associated with ethics. From the viewpoint of both Gekko and Fox, there is the belief that â€Å"greed is good.† However, there are also others who are harmed from this, including the reputation of the businesses, the customers who respond to the dealings and the others who have to pay for the information which is taken and the deals which follow. The concept of corporate citizenship becomes the main component with the actions taken. This states that an individual who is in a business is not only responsible for m aking money or representing the company. The information which is taken, actions which are violated and the unfair dealings reflect directly with the citizen relationships and how others are affected. The corporate governance is one which leads to individuals having a sense of responsibility toward the company, stakeholders, customers and others affiliated with the business. If the

Mangroves and Development in Indonesia Case Study

Mangroves and Development in Indonesia - Case Study Example This paper stresses that  the mangrove ecosystem provides sanctuary for migratory and indigenous birds. The mangrove forests are not free from human destruction and intervention just like other coastal ecosystems. Traditionally, the small communities at the coastal regions managed the forests at a sustainable level. However, the intense utilization of the forests has resulted in a steadily worsening state of the forests. In addition, the mangrove ecosystem has become an easy source of wood for construction and fueling as well as the waste disposal and production of food.This study declares that the vegetation extends approximately 80 kilometers of the Jakarta bay at the coast of Jarkarta in Indonesia. The report provides a plan for the management of mangrove forest in the region of Jakarta, Indonesia. The Indonesian coastline is approximately 81,000 km in length and it comprises of about 17,000 islands. The country has various coastal ecosystems that support different species and p rovide various services to the habitants and the community. The main ecosystem of the Indonesian coastline entails the coral reefs, mangrove forests, algal beds, seagrass-beds, estuaries, mudflats and beach vegetation.  The factors that promote the destruction of the coastline ecosystem in Indonesia include population growth, high population density, effects of tourisms and the high rates of urbanization in the region.

Francis Fukuyama' s idea of human dignity Essay

Francis Fukuyama' s idea of human dignity - Essay Example Francis Fukuyama pronounced that man has not yet reached the end of history for man has not yet reached the end of science. The discussion of the consequences of biotechnology does comprise the strongest part of Fukuyama's latest book. Francis Fukuyama is able to stress out the ways in which man is benefiting from the surfacing of biotechnology as he stated in his emergent theory with this idea it is possible to reconcile his idea with Surowiecki with regard to maintaining human dignity amidst man's continuous use of biotechnology.The author is popular for his statements on biotechnology and human dignity more than a decade ago that, because the other possibilities to liberal egalitarianism had pushed themselves, history as we knew it was at a conclusion.Fukuyama's objective is not simply to describe the consequences of biotechnology, but to insist that biotechnology suggests unwelcome consequences both the designation of man and the existing communal structure. Fukuyama promotes tha t government institutions should be recognized to assess and standardize biotechnological innovations.The revolution of biotechnology as an emergence of progress and development is very evident with the rise into power of the breakthroughs in the pharmaceutical industry wherein medicines are now aimed not only to cure diseases but also to improve the existing normal conditions. For example, Prozac is used by people who are not depressed to increase confidence and reduce shyness; Ritalin is used by adults who do not have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder to increase their capacity to focus attention for sustained periods; and the antinarcoleptic Modafil is used by long-distance truck drivers who do not have narcolepsy to reduce their need for sleep. Nanotechnology is responsible for genetic modifications giving man the power to create their ideal man by selection of traits that affects the genetic makeup of future offspring. In vitro fertilization together with preimplantation genetic diagnosis now makes it possible to avoid the implantation of embryos with genes for serious disease or to select for sex. Human cloning has been a long-term debatable topic when it comes to biotechnology. There has been a widespread opposition to it. Many commentators have expressed a wide variety of concerns about these advances, such as their very worrisome potential to increase inequalities between those who can afford genetic enhancements for their children and those who cannot. It is unquestionable that our equal moral status, or worth, rests on certain properties we share, or as Fukuyama puts it, on our common human nature. Few argue that it is morally wrong to kill bacteria; presumably this is because the bacteria lack these properties. Fukuyama defines human nature as "the sum of the behavior and characteristics that are typical of the human species, arising from genetic rather than environmental factors." (Fukuyama, 217) It's worth noting that by this definition, human nature is an empty concept, because no human behavior or characteristic arises only from genetic rather than environmental factors-all are the result of complex interplay of those factors. But setting this difficulty aside, what is the common nature that could ground our human dignity and rights Fukuyama argues that it is the way language, reason, moral choice and emotions combine in humans that gives us human dignity. Our dignity rests on what he calls Factor X, "some essential human quality underneath [contingent and accidental characteristics] that is worthy of a certain minimal level of respect." (Fukuyama, 136) This "human essence" is a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts: If what gives us dignity and a moral status higher than that of other living creatures is related to the fact that we are complex wholes rather than the sum of simple parts, then it is clear that there is no simple answer to the question, What is Factor X That is, Factor X cannot be reduced to the possession of moral choice, or reason, or language,

Reform and Planning in Dallas Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Reform and Planning in Dallas - Essay Example Fairbanks places more emphasis in the need to eliminate slums. According to him, the city administrators Prepared for the twentieth century by adopting measures aimed at handling the soaring population. The city also made major improvements in its urban planning as well as economic development. This significantly helped in eliminating slums and ensuring that public housing is provided for the needy. Moreover, Fairbank argues that Dallas prepared for the twentieth century by integrating its urban policy into the federal as well as state-based housing policies. In the essay, he also analyzes the past and contemporary profile of Dallas. These include the cultural and social issues that characterize the city. According to him, the city prepared for the twentieth century by ensuring that its urban change is relevant to its future, as well as the future of its metropolitan regions. He argues that effective urban and regional planning is necessary. Fairbanks also argues that Dallas implemented a wide range of environmental provisions in its urban planning. According to him, this significantly helped in ensuring that environmental conservation is enhanced and pollution is mitigated. Finally, he believes that technology plays a significant role in the development of any city. He therefore argues that Dallas prepared for the twentieth century by integrating technological advancements when planning the

Mandatory Written Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Mandatory Written Assignment - Essay Example It was because of this reason that Ku Klux Klan was formed as a racist terrorist organization and its main aim was to drive black people out of politics. This group re-emerged in 1960s and fought against the Civil Rights Movements in the South. Ku Klux Klan traces its roots in 1866 when a group of six soldiers who had participated in the confederation war came together and formed a social club. They used to call themselves â€Å"kuklos† which is a name borrowed from their Greek college. Later on they changed the name to become "Ku Klux Klan." The members of this group developed a habit of walking in the night disguised in masks and robes. It did not take long before they transformed themselves into a political movement and started controlling former black slaves that had just been freed following the civil war. The members of this group did not want anything to do with black and so did everything to ensure that the black community does not gain good jobs or political freedom. For example, in 1869 this group terrorized black voters and rebelled against the Republican governments in the South. This group became very powerful as it had members from the White community who were highly respected1. Activities of KKK seemed to be supported by some of the court ruling of the Supreme Court. Republicans government did all they could possibly do to pass laws to stop this organizations from going on with their activities. Unfortunately, Supreme Court made a ruling in 1883 stopping the Congress from trying to make racial discrimination an illegal activity. The ruling said that the Congress lacked the authority to bring to an end or illegalize discriminative activities done by individuals or organizations. This ruling discouraged the national government from carrying on with its efforts of protecting the people from the black community. In general, the Klan community was highly respected and celebrated by the whites who saw

American Civil War 1861-1865 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

American Civil War 1861-1865 - Essay Example The American civil war remains to be the deadliest and the most destructive of all America’s war, it is considered to be the first modern war on the continent and perhaps the globe and the only conflict in the United States (U.S.) history that was fought on the nation’s soil, with some of the 620.000 0f the 2.4 million soldiers, millions more injured and the territory of the south become devastated4. The American Civil War of 1861 to 1865 and was the most important and worst event in the American history as it was an extremely bloody and cruel war, which had most Americans fighting amongst themselves5. The American civil war started on the 12th of April in 1861 when the southern troops fired the fort Sumter which was a U.S. military fort on the coast of Charleston6. South Carolina. This war ended in the 9th of April 1865 when the confederate General Robert Lee surrendered his ragged army to the union General Ulysees Grant at the Appomattox house afterwards the other con federate armies gave up7. The American civil war was the first war to be reported in the press to the people back at home. In the year 1860 the north and south developed into different sections. The division of the north and the south was characterized various issues which included political, social and economics in the country, these issues were seen to be slowly diverting the two regions further into separate directions. The regional conflict was between two regions of the United States (the southern states and the northern states).

Report on Tesco location Essay Example for Free

Report on Tesco location Essay Introduction For the last six months I have been carrying out a thorough investigation into the suitability of a superstore in Slough. In this report I have outlined most of the key factors in this report that could contribute to the success of a superstore in Slough. Trading Estate Slough currently has the second largest trading estate in Europe, which employs over 25,000 people. Due to this there is a very high employment rate in Slough: Unemployment between 2000 2500 people (this equates to 3%) is amongst the lowest in the country. The very high employment rate in Slough means the public has a lot more spending power. This is why there is such high business activity in Slough which can only be beneficial for Tesco as they will be much more likely to get higher sales and profit. The trading estate is also reason to many people commuting into Slough regularly; Tesco could be the shop they pop into on the way home. The trading estate shows that Slough isnt a developing area rather it is a well-developed industrial area with a well-established and healthy economy, consisting of high business activity. This is one of the reasons it is a rich prosperous area, which is ideal to invest in. The Trading Estate also means that a lot of people travel into the town regularly because of the massive number of jobs available and over 32% of these jobs come from the trading estate. I believe that the number of jobs the Trading Estate currently offers is a huge benefactor to the existence of a superstore in Slough. The spending power is very high in this town and mainly due to the trading estate, there is a gap in this market in Slough and I believe Tesco should act quickly to saturate it. Ever Increasing Population Over the last 10 years the population of Slough has been increasing hugely because of interchangeable factors consisting of its closeness to London, as it is only 20 miles away. Slough Population 106600 108100 110400 112400 114500 116000 117200 117700 118600 119001 Year 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Above is a table showing the increase in population in Slough from 1992 2001. One of the main causes for this increase as mentioned before is the closeness to the capital, London. House prices are generally much cheaper in Slough in comparison to London and because of the little distance between the two areas, many people live in Slough and look to commute into London. As well the cheaper house prices, Slough also provides a much lower cost of living whereas London is one of the most expensive places to live in the world. In addition to this the commuters are also benefited by the fact that Slough has a lot of transport links including Bus Train stations as well as being next to the motorway. A highlight of the transport from Slough to London is that an Intercity train leaves every 15 minutes in the morning and it takes 20 minutes from Slough to Paddington. Furthermore due to the massive increase of population in Slough companies like Kingsow, Barrats and Redrow have developed and built over 2000 homes in Slough. This shows how Slough is still expanding and is a very good prospect to invest into. Due to these companies there has been huge developments in housing estates in Slough an example of this is Windsor Meadows which has been developed and accommodates much more families and as we, Tesco sell an everyday consumer product, this can only benefit us. The increasing population also relates to the amount of jobs currently offered by Slough. Slough currently provides 78,000 jobs The fact that Slough currently provides 78,000 jobs is astonishing and it is one of the key factors for so much people seeking residence in the town, attracting people from all over the country. I believe that the increase of the population is very positive and convincing. I am therefore led to believe that the population will further increase, increasing the necessity to many for a supermarket providing food and drink, Tesco. Competition Another favourable aspect of opening a superstore in Slough is the lack of competition in the area. The nearest competitor for Tesco is Sainsburys, which is around 3 miles away from the Tesco store, and it is very small in comparison to the Tesco store. The only other competitor in the Slough area is Asda which is around 3 miles away from the Tesco store and tucked away in a housing estate. This demonstrates the real lack of competition in the area and shows how easy it is for Tesco to take over the Slough supermarket share. As well as the lack of competition there is no real superstore in Slough or in any surrounding town for that matter, this will help Tesco to capture the public of Maidenhead, Marlow and Windsor etc. as well as the Slough public. This is another reason why a Tesco superstore would have no problem coping with any competition as there isnt another superstore for miles. Due to these two factors in competition, I can conclude that there is minimal risk of the investment into a superstore into Slough. I can also say that I would completely expect Tesco to get a brilliant return on their investment; it would help us to meet our Aims and Objectives and strive towards becoming a bigger and better company. I hope the information enclosed in this report is of use to you and I truly hope you decide to invest into such a prosperous location that can only take the company forward. If you should require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

Has ASEAN Been Successful In Promoting Security Politics Essay

Has ASEAN Been Successful In Promoting Security Politics Essay ASEAN has been successful because its members have a very strong commitment to cooperation. Cooperation for the benefit of all and cooperation for the stability and peace of the region. This is a very importance hallmark of ASEAN Tun Abdullah bin Hj. Ahmad Badawi INTRODUCTION History of the Establishment of Asean 1. ASEAN officially declared its establishment on August 8, 1967  [1]  . So far ten countries have been a member of ASEAN which are Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia  [2]  . Establishment of the ASEAN is to create a new organization that will share a common vision in building the nation, reaffirm bilateral and multilateral relations as a way of solving regional tensions.  Establishment of the ASEAN is based on the needs and interests with countries to generate regional security and cooperation between the countries involved.  Knowing that all the ASEAN countries have a similar background; it will be able to perform its role as a forum to be able to develop economic, social and regional stability. 2. For many years, Southeast Asia or ASEAN countries also had witnessed the competition of major powers in their quest to either establish military bases or influence in the region. Countries like United States, Soviet Union, China, Japan and India were taking over the dominance of faded powers of British, France and the Dutch in this area. Besides the intervention of major powers, the Southeast Asia nation also faced their own regional issues. The security problems became even worse with the domestic problems faced by most of the countries in the region. Revolutions, subversion, secession struggles, military coup, terrorism and communist threat were some forms domestic problems faced by the nations which became a hindrance factors for these nations to develop smoothly. Though Thailand was the only country that did not experienced any form of colonization, yet it also faced some domestic problems and got entangled in the regional disputes. 3. This essay is to discuss whether ASEAN has substantially contributed to regional peace and stability in South East Asia and does the assiociation represent a long term alternative to balance of power strategies, or a complement to such? Has ASEAN Substantially Contributed to Regional Peace and Stability in South East Asia? Regionalism Issues 4. The regionalism issue has becoming one of the hottest topics in the field of International Relations today. It was caused by the expanding global economy and political influence of a few powerful nations. The strategies of how the individual countries choose to form regional organisations, more importantly, the administration of the organisation will show how well the regional organization relates to the rest of the world. The success or failure of this regional relationship will greatly impact the future of the member nations and the degree to which they will ultimately become productive members of the global community. Referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) the nations of Southeast Asia (SEA) have chosen to ally themselves with one another so that the collective security and economic well being of the region may be stabilised and well developed. Strategic Stability 5. Strategic stability can be define as a condition where policy maker do not face unavoidable pressure to make sudden shift from non violent to violent strategies, in the process precipitating wars that they neither anticipate nor want. 6. Strategic stability influenced by: a. Geographical issues such as the contesting over access to resources like water and oil claims. b. Culture issues such as conflict in historical background between countries. c. Military Strategic Consideration. d. Domestic Political Pressure. Background of Internal Issues within the ASEAN Countries 7. Regional relations among ASEAN countries are in a satisfactory level with the various forms of cooperation among member countries.  With the creation of the ASEAN forum in 1967, member countries have been dealing with any problem with good and satisfactory.  However there are still some problems involving the member countries that have not successfully resolved.  There are among the problems that were refered to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to enable disputes resolved by a neutral body that was assigned to solve the problem in peace. Bilateral problems are said to challenge the ability and immunities of the family relationship between ASEAN member countries where most issues or conflicts are remnants of ancient history.  Apart from that, the internal problem of ASEAN is also expected to be one cause of threat to internal stability and also has a tendency to spread out from their respective national borders. There were many problems among ASEAN members,  howev er for the purpose of this essay; I will highlight a few problems that are considered as big issue such as borders conflict, the issue of organized transnational crime and arms race. Borders Conflict Issues 8. Malaysia and Thailand.This border conflict has long existed since immemorial time.  Since 1824 until 1851, states in the north and the east coast of Malaya like Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis and Kedah were under the rule of the Siamese.  However in 1904, under the Treaty of the Anglo-Siamese, Siamese Government has given the authorities of protection, administration and control over these four states to the British.  Together with the treaty is the Treaty Protocol that describes a new border between Siam and the British in Malaya at that time  [3]  .  However, problems still exist that the actual demarcation of the border between Malaysia and Thailand where it is still not have a solution, especially in Kelantan border area involving Golok.  It is afraid that this situation may cause problems in future when land development to be implemented in the area, especially near the river. 9. The other major issue that occurred at the border are activities of Separator Islamic guerrilla movement in southern Thailand, especially in the Pattani and Narathiwat.  These groups consist of a Patani United Liberation Organition (PULO), Pattani Liberation National Front (BNPP) and National Revolution Front (BRN).  PULO believed to receive financial assistance from the military and radical Arab regime in Syria and Libya.  PULO reportedly established cooperation with the BNPP which is one of the oldest Muslim separatist groups but have a lack of influence.  BNPP which is the Islam konsevatif group reportedly has close relationship with the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) which is currently ruled Kelantan at the east coast of Malaysia.  BNPP influence has decreased since the death of Naser Tunku Yala in 1977.  This is all due to loss of spiritual leadership for 30 years before and the defeat of PAS in Kelantan during the elections in 1978.  After that the group has bee n operating in the area of Ban Panare, Pattani under the new leadership who is Badri Hamdan the university graduates from West Asia and Samsudin Abdul Ghani from Egypt  [4]  .  Thailand Government leaders often do not feel satisfied with the support of the Kelantanese to the Patani people at that time.   10. Military Cooperation. Various efforts have been established in order to overcome and reduce the tension for example by enhancing the military cooperation between both countries.  Among the efforts that have been and are being implemented are as follows: a. Border Patrol.   A form of border cooperation has been established since 1979.  As a result of the declaration of borders cooperation, joint border patrol between the Malaysia and Thailand army has been held until now. This has reduced tension on the border conflict between the two countries.  In addition, this operation also helps in restraining the activities of the rebellion group from spreading to the Malaysian border.  This cooperation has also brought much success to curb smuggling of people, goods and illegal border crossing activities.  As a result, this bilateral cooperation has increased the mutual trust between the two countries. b. Joint Training. Among the training that have been and are being held continouesly are collective military training, individual training and seminars.  Military training as Exercise THAMAL between Malaysia/ Thailand organize every year in order to reduce the tension in border conflict.  Through the training it is also hope that they will be a deep understanding regarding the bilateral military cooperation between both countries. c. Meeting The Highest Military Leaders. Visits and conference between the higher levels of leadership from both Ministry of Defense always conducted every year. This approach has contribute to closer relationship, mutual understanding and respect between each other.   Any sensitive issues can be solved together wisely to avoid any military action. In the 24th High Level Committee Malaysia- Thailand both the military leader agreed that criminal and illegal activities in border area have been decreased  [5]  . On 9 Dec 2009 Prime Minister of Malaysia as request by the Prime Minister of Thailand has made a joint visit to the unstable region in southern Thailand.  The purpose of the visit is to win the heart and mind of the people in that area.   This effort shows how ASEAN countries are concerned about bilateral cooperation in solving problems between countries in the region as well as to increase the trust between each others  [6]  . 11. Malaysia and Indonesia. Boundary problem between Malaysia and Indonesia exists only in East Malaysia, covering Sabah and Sarawak. A very long border between Sabah, Sarawak and Indonesia is very difficult to be mark.  The thick forests and a lot of mountains make it difficult to be entered by anyone and become a big challenge for the border surveyors from both countries. As a result of the absence of stone boundary that separates between Sabah and Sarawak to Kalimantan has allowed the entry of illegal immigrants from Indonesia to Malaysia without any problems as well as the smuggling activities. 12. All these illegal activities become a very sensitive issue discussed in the Malaysia-Indonesia Boundary Committee and affected the relationship between both countries. Less enforcement by the Indonesian authorities has lead to the increasingly smuggling and illegal logging activities. Stealing of the logging equipments such as bulldozers of the Malaysian workers by the Indonesian has become a normal phenomena for them without thinking about their actions could cause conflict between the two countries.  All these illegal activities will continue as long as the boundary problem is not resolved. 13. Thai and Cambodia. Issue between the two countries are at the boundary of Range Dang Reo. Inaccuracies in the marking of the border along Reo Dang River between 1905 and 1917 have caused disputes between Thailand and Cambodia in 1958. This argument is due to the Angkor Wat Temple Preah Vihear, located at the border between the two countries. The conflict arised because of the different border area from the map that produced by the France and the one that with the Cambodian. Thailand which has occupied the area since 1945 refused to give any response raised by the French and Cambodia about the border. Thailand has insisted that the map prepared by one parties only and are not published. Finally in 1962, it has been successfully resolved by the ICJ and Cambodia won the case  [7]  .   14. However, the conflicts between the two countries flared again in 2008 involving both military forces which at first caused at least two Cambodian soldiers died and wounded seven Thais soldiers. This issue arised when Cambodia applied to UNESCO for Preah Vihear Temple to be list in UNESCO World Heritage List  [8]  . Organised Transnational Crime 15. The concept of transnational crime actually took place more than a quarter century ago. Transnational organized crime has become a big issue in the international arena  [9]  .  Transnational means the movement of the information, money, physical goods, people or things that are visible or not visible across state boundaries when at least one actor involved in the non-governmental movement  [10]  .  According to the UN Secretariat, transnational crime has been defined as offences whose inception, prevention and / or direct or indirect effects involved more than one country  [11]  .  When we talk about the concept of `Transnational Crime, it is a criminal activity or activities undertaken by a planned crime organisation which lead to a criminal ofences of two or more countries  [12]  . Transnational Crime or Organized Crime involves many crimes activities; that occur around the world that ASEAN countries are also cannot escape from being drawn into the same a ctivity. The activities have been occurring from time to time without any signs of activity undertaken to decrease. It involves criminal activity quite popular such as smuggling of goods, drugs, weapons and human beings. Those who commit criminal activities are growing increasingly clever and brave to carry out criminal activities.  Economic recovery among ASEAN countries after the economic crisis from 1996 to 1998 was greatly influenced this activity and has helped expand transnational crime all over Southeast Asia. In 1994, the UN Secretariat has identified 18 categories of transnational crime in the world  [13]  which of the major transnational criminal activities that hit ASEAN countries are smuggling goods, drugs and people.   16. Drug Smuggling. Drug trafficking business becomes a challenge to the economy growth within ASEAN country. It is not only a major source of Centre of Money Lender but also lead to the cause of war, murder and others criminal offences  [14]  . This illegal activity is very difficult to be contain totally even though various method such as strict checks at all border entry point implemented in ASEAN country. Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia known as the `Golden Triangle is a nest of the largest drug producer in the region. Based on the studies conducted by U.S. government found that Myanmar still remains the largest opium producer in the world  [15]  with production rate said to increase by 9 percent in the mid-1990s. Not less than 2,560 tons of opium has been produced by the country  [16]  . Therefore, it is difficult to eliminate drug trafficking activities as long as the situation continues.   17. Human Trafficking. Human smuggling crimes have become a very popular activity since a long time where it deals with a lot of money. According to the study conducted by `Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was estimated that 4 million people each year have been smuggled across the world  [17]  .  International associations paying less attention to the efforts of monitoring individuals to enter the country illegally compare with the group smuggling activities  [18]  . Countries that have a strong economic position, such as Malaysia and Singapore become a major destination for human smuggling activities. The smuggling agents willing to faced high risks to do the activities because they can get payment between RM 2,000.00 to RM 4,800.00 per person  [19]  . 18. Smuggling Goods. ASEAN countries can be seen in two contacts; the countries that have high income rates for example Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore and countries that have low income rates for example Indonesia, Myanmar and Vietnam. The goods in high income rates countries are more expensive than the countries that have low incomes rates. This factor has encouraged smugglers to take high risks in smuggling activities. The smuggling activities of cars from Malaysia to Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia have been successfully reduced not long ago. The smuggling of cigarettes from Indonesia still exists because of the high demand. Clove cigarettes worth million of dollars was confiscated by the customs of Malaysia in 1998 (Table 1)  [20]  . Ser Month Total Cases Quantity Price (RM) Tax (RM) 1. January 4 909.11 kg 215,660.00 578,510.20 2. February 4 9,558.2 kg 569,680.00 1,857,984.04 3. March 9 2,749.115 kg 210,013.65 545,082.69 4. April 2 1,690.44 kg 17,756.00 16,167.10 5. May 2 209.52 kg 12,060.00 14,489.73 6. June 3 3,865.95 kg 273,920.00 761,315.77 7. July 4 7,057.2 kg 463,320.00 1,377,921.19 8. August 8 3,452.27 kg 226,514.00 766,095.15 9. September 6 9,884.83 kg 704,920.00 1,947,847.13 10. October 11 3,619.82 kg 225,598.00 698,551.63 11. November 11 4,667.88 kg 276,490.00 1,008,555.98 12. December 13 5,816.61 kg 386,510.00 1,407,840.77 Total 77 53,480.95 3,582,441.65 10,980,361.38 Table 1: Cigarettes Confiscated by the Customs of Malaysia in 1998 19. Arms Race Issues. Are there any arms race issues within ASEAN countries? According to Colin Gray, there are four basic conditions to be considered as arms race which are: a. There must be two or more parties, conscious of their antagonism. b. They must structure their armed forces with attention to the probable effectiveness of the forces in combat with, or as a deterrent to, the other arms race participants. c. They must compete in term of quantity and quality. d. There must be rapid increases in quantity and/or improvements in quality  [21]  . 20. The momentum of military build up among the ASEAN countries increased in the 1980s and 1990s, however since the financial crisis in 1997 the force modernisation has slowing down  [22]  except for Singapore that has less affected in the crisis and continued its military build up. A few reason of why the process of equisition of military equipment within ASEAN country still continueing eventhough in a slow manner is because of to protect economic resources, requirement for EEZ surveillance and protection, inter state tension in the region, internal security caused by the terrorism threat for example after the Sep 11 incident in US and conflict between Thailand Government and the rebellions from the southern part of the state. Based on the study,  [23]  it is identified that non of the process of military modernisation comply with the conditions stated by Colin Gray. There is no ASEAN country that has a really serious conflict between one another. The border crisis between T hailand and Cambodia which flared in 2008 anyway still can be resolved where both countries still concern the importance of the relationship between ASEAN countries. Force modernisation in Southeast Asia can be considered as arms build-up rather than arms race. Does the Assiociation Represent a Long Term Alternative to Balance Of Power Strategies, or a Complement to Such? 21. For this question I will highlight the platform that has been established by ASEAN such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and East Asia Summit (EAS) and the external cooperation between ASEAN and major power outside the region. 22. Establishment of ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). ASEAN countries agreed with the iniative to establish ARF in the 26th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and Post Ministerial Conference which were held on 23 to 25 July 1993. Then the inaugural meeting held in Bangkok on July 1994. The objectives of ARF are: a. To fster constructive dialougue and consultation on political and security ssues of common interest and concern. b. To make significant contributions to effort towards confidence building and preventive diplomacy in the Asia Pacific region  [24]  . The current importance members of ARF are US, China, India, Japan, European Union and Republic of Korea. To build confidence and the capability to cooperate, the ARF also conducts such cooperative multilateral activities such as observation of military exercises, exchanges between defence colleges, joint training and exercises in search-and-rescue and disaster relief, and the maintenance of a registry of conventional arms. Latest in the 16th ARF that has been conducted in Thailand on 23 July 2009 has come out with a vision statement for ARF by 2020 which focus on to building a region of peace, friendship and prosperity. In year 2009 also, ARF has conducted a lot of conference, dialogue and seminar regarding national threat such as terrorism and transnational crime, maritime security and law and regulation on the participation in International Disaster Relief. In promoting mutual assurance, the ARF has proven its value in three stages evolution from confidence building, preventive dip lomacy and for the longer term is the approaches to conflict resolution. 23. The Establishment of East Asia Summit (EAS). The first EAS was held in Kuala Lumpur on 14 Dec 2005. The members of the EAS are the ten of ASEAN countries, Australia, Peoples Republic of China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea ad New Zealand. EAS was held as part of the overall ASEAN meeting  [25]  . In the first meeting, the discussion emphasized more towards on developing communication among the members and based on the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the EAS indicated that it will be a forum for dialogue on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern and with the aim similar to the ARF which is to promote peace, stability and economic prosperity in EAST Asia  [26]  . It was also stated in the Kuala Lumpur declaration that EAS will be an open, inclusive, transparent and outward-looking forum to strengthen global norms and universal recognized values with ASEAN as the driving force  [27]  . Since the establishment in 2005 till 2009 most of the discussion focus on desease prevention such as avian influenza issue and energy security issue which focus more towards the environment and health problems. Latest in 28th Aug 2008 the AEM+6 has been launch and then established the Economic Reasearch Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) which the purpose of establishment was to identified the best way of economic integration, narrowing development gaps between members and how the energy development can sustain for long term  [28]  . External Cooperation between ASEAN and Major Power Outside the Region 24. ASEAN and Japan. ASEAN and Japan first established informal relations in 1973. The ties were later formalised with the establishment of the ASEAN-Japan Forum in March 1977. Since then, the ASEAN-Japan Forum has met once every 18-24 months. In early August 1977, the Japanese Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Takeo Fukuda met with the ASEAN Heads of Government at the Second ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur. The Japanese Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Noboru Takeshita met with his ASEAN counterparts in Manila during the Third ASEAN Summit in December 1987. At the meeting, ASEAN and Japan announced a new partnership toward peace and prosperity. Japan has been ASEANs top trading partner for many years. In 1993, two-way trade between Japan and ASEAN amounted to nearly US$87 billion and in 1996, it rose to US$109.0 billion, representing nearly 21% of ASEANs total external trade. On the other hand, Japans trade with ASEAN accounted for about 15% of her total external trade. A unique feature of ASEAN-Japan co operation is the ASEAN Promotion Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism in Tokyo. The Centre was set up in 1981 under the Agreement Establishing the ASEAN Promotion Centre on Trade, Investment and Tourism between ASEAN Member Countries and Japan. It is jointly funded by contributions from Japan and ASEAN Member Countries. In January 2002, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiru Koizumi visited a number of ASEAN countries and proposed several new initiatives for cooperation.   These include the designation of 2003 as the Year of ASEAN-Japan Exchange, reinforced cooperation in education and HRD, solidifying the security relations between Japan and ASEAN, the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEP), and the Initiative for Development in East Asia:   IDEA.   Consultations to carry out these initiatives are proceeding. The recent establishment of the Japan-ASEAN General Exchange Fund (JAGEF) has generated a number of cooperation activities in support of greater ASEAN integration.   ASEAN and United States. After the demise of the Cold War, though in a reduced scale, increased US economic interests in the region is an important factor for her in maintaining its military presence in the region. The US presence in the region can become a stabilizing factor only if its military presence can be retained and its economic and political presence is accepted.  [29]  The US participates in a series of consultative meetings with ASEAN which includes the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) 9+1 and 9+10, the ASEAN Economic Minister-US Trade Representatives (AEM-USTR), the Senior Economic Officials Meeting-US Trade Representatives (SEOM-USTR), the ASEAN-US Dialogue Meeting, the Joint Planning Committee(JPC) Meeting and the ASEAN-US Business Council. The ASEAN-Washington Committee also assist in conducting and maintaining the dialogue with the US. The ASEAN-US Dialogue has also focused more and more on political and security discussions over the years, particularly with the end of the Cold War. The principle focus of the ASEAN-US security dialogue has been the role of the US in maintaining stability in the region. ASEAN and the US have signed a Joint Declaration for Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism on 1 August 2002 in Bandar Seri Begawan. ASEAN and China. Until the 1980s China had largely neglected its claims, preoccupied with more pressing defence demands and lacking in any case the military resources to intervene in the area. As a result, during much of the Cold War, the massive expanse of the South China Sea acted as a sort of buffer zone between ASEAN and China, largely preventing direct contact between their respective forces. At present, all the countries concerned investing heavily in forces to defend their claims, in some cases encouraged by the Law of the Sea, and with growing speculation as to the value of the resources contained in the area, the South China Sea has been transformed into a zone of contention and possible conflict.  [30]   Singapores Senior Minister Lee Kwan Yew warned that unless this issue is resolved in a sensitive way, the present friendly relations between ASEAN and China could revert to the awkward relations of the decade when China supported guerrilla insurgencies in many ASEAN countries.  [31]  In July 1996, China was accorded full Dialogue Partner status at the 29th AMM in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Chinese Vice Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Qian Qichen attended the meeting as a representative of a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN for the first time.It is hoped that the new generation of leaders in China will allow a more open and pluralistic system to develop and, thus, will enable China to become an integral part of the international community of nations. As a major power in the Asia-Pacific region that possesses nuclear weapons and has adopted a non-aligned posture, China has a unique and important position in regional efforts to promote regional stability. It has become extre mely active and more positive in regional multi-lateral institutions, such as the ARF, CSCAP and the ISIS Roundtable on Peace and Security in the Asia-Pacific for the past years. For ASEAN, this is a welcome development and hopefully the US would see it in the same way although a nuance may remain on the objectives of those regional institutions in

Holy Year of Jubilee :: Religion Religious Christian Church Essays

Holy Year of Jubilee The ultimate derivation of the word jubilee is disputed, but it is most probable that the Hebrew word jobel, to which it is traced, meant "a ram's horn", and that from this instrument, used in proclaiming the celebration, a certain idea of rejoicing was derived. Further, passing through the Greek iobelaios, or iobelos, the word became confused with the Latin jubilo, which means "to shout", and has given us the forms jubilatio and jubilaeum, now adopted in most European languages. For the Israelites, the year of Jubilee was in any case preeminently a time of joy, the year of remission or universal pardon. "Thou shalt sanctify the fiftieth year," we read in Leviticus 25:10, "and shalt proclaim remission to all the inhabitants of thy land: for it is the year of jubilee." Every seventh year, like every seventh day, was always accounted holy and set aside for rest, but the year which followed seven complete cycles was to be kept as a sabbatical year of special solemnity. The Talmudists and others afterwards disputed whether the Jubilee Year was the forty-ninth or the fiftieth year, the difficulty being that in the latter case two sabbatical years must have been observed in succession. Further, there are historical data which seem to show that in the age of the Machabees the Jubilee of the fiftieth year could not have been kept, for 164-163 B.C. and 38-37 B.C. were both certainly sabbatical years, which they could not have been if two sabbatical years had been inte rcalated in the interval. However, the text of Leviticus (25:8-55) leaves no room for ambiguity that the fiftieth year was intended, and the institution evidently bore a close analogy with the feast of Pentecost, which was the closing day after seven weeks of harvest. In any case it is certain that the Jubilee period, as it was generally understood and adopted afterwards in the Christian Church, meant fifty and not forty-nine years; but at the same time the number fifty was not originally arrived at because it represented half a century, but because it was the number that followed seven cycles of seven. It was, then, part of the legislation of the Old Law, whether practically adhered to or not, that each fiftieth year was to be celebrated as a jubilee year, and that at this season every household should recover its absent members, the land return to its former owners, the Hebrew slaves be set free, and debts be remitted.

Philosophy of Education Essay -- Philosophy of Teaching Teachers Essay

Philosophy of Education Webster’s definition of teaching is the act or profession of instruction. But to be a teacher is so much more. A teacher must be an instructor, counselor, disciplinarian, and a role model. To be an effective teacher we must incorporate all these roles into one entity. I have read educational philosophies written by Plato, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Charles Anders Pierce, and John Dewy. These viewpoints were helpful in determining my own educational philosophy. I did not use one particular by parts of all of them. Many times they wee only a starting point and my mind would carry me in a different direction. On the next few pages I will set forth Patricia Smith’s educational philosophy. You may recognize some of the ideas and some you may not. Plato believed that humans wee predestined to possess a certain amount of knowledge. He believed there were three types of human beings. He proposed a gold type, which was the philosopher/kings, the silver that consisted of the people who make up the military, and finally the bronze, which were the laborers. He believed that students should be sorted out and taught according to their judged abilities. I believe that we each possess a certain amount of natural ability and talent. But at the same time no person has the right or ability to classify another. I do not believe a child is predestined to have a certain amount of intelligence, but that every child has the potential to be a â€Å"gold†, we just need to find the key to unlock that potential. If teachers set high expectations for their students, the students will give their best, but if teachers set low expectations, the students will not try to exceed these expectations. ... ...mentary school. At the same time, I never want to be satisfied. When I reach one goal, I’ll always set another one. I eventually want to obtain a Masters Degree in Library Science. I have a desire to learn new things and want to inspire my students to become life long learners. If I look back on my life and can say I taught a child to read, write in cursive, or the taught him/her multiplication tables I will feel like I taught. But if I can motivate a child to reach his/her full potential, I will feel like I have achieved something. In conclusion my philosophy on education is reflected in the following words by an unknown author: â€Å"A hundred years from now it won’t matter how much money I had in a bank account, how big of a house I lived in or what kind of car I drove. What will matter is that I have made the difference in the life of a child.†

Banquo - a Spiritual Force in Shakespeares Macbeth :: Macbeth essays

Banquo - a Spiritual Force in Macbeth      Ã‚  Ã‚   Who cannot learn from Shakespeare's Macbeth this moral lesson: That crime does not pay? And who can deny that the playwright created a spiritual force in the play in the person of Banquo? This essay is his story.    Lily B. Campbell in her volume of criticism, Shakespeare's Tragic Heroes: Slaves of Passion, discusses how fear enters the life of Banquo with the murder of Duncan and his two attendants:    And as Lady Macbeth is helped from the room, we see fear working in the others. Banquo admits that fears and scruples shake them all, even while he proclaims his enmity to treason. But Banquo fears rightly the anger or hatred of the Macbeth who has power to do him harm. (222)    In Shakespeare and Tragedy John Bayley discusses Banquo shortly before his murder:    [. . .] like Banquo, who, in the tense hour before the murder, expresses in more forceful form the idea of evil speculation and possibility as ranging in the mind:    Merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature Gives way to in repose. II.i.7-9    At such a moment the activities of the mind become almost palpable and express themselves in bodily form, as they do in the other two mind tragedies. In the speech which he imagines the thoughts that may come to him when he goes to rest, Banquo hands his sword to his son Fleance, and then - with a dream-like precision - hands over his belt with its dagger too:    Hold, take my sword. There's husbandry in heaven; Their candles are all out. Take thee that too. (188-89)    Clark and Wright in their Introduction to The Complete Works of William Shakespeare comment that Banquo is a force of good in the play, set in opposition to Macbeth:    Banquo, the loyal soldier, praying for restraint against evil thoughts which enter his mind as they had entered Macbeth's, but which work no evil there, is set over against Macbeth, as virtue is set over against disloyalty.   (792)    In Fools of Time: Studies in Shakespearean Tragedy, Northrop Frye explains the rationale behind Banquo's ghost in this play:    Except for the episode of Hercules leaving Antony, where mysterious music is heard again, there is nothing really supernatural in Shakespeare's tragedies that is not connected with the murder of the order-figures.

Debunking the Democratic Peace Theory Essay

The development of the democratic peace theory started with the writings of has its roots in the writings of German Philosopher Immanuel Kant. In 1795 Kant went talked about â€Å"perpetual peace based partially upon states sharing ‘republican constitutions.’† He then said, â€Å"that a republican form of government, exemplifying the rule of law, provides a feasible basis for states to overcome structural anarchy and to secure peaceful relations among themselves.† Kant continues to argue that â€Å"once the aggressive interests of absolute monarchists are tamed and once the habit of respect for individual rights is engrained by republican governments, wars would appear as the disaster to people’s warfare,† rather than an instrument for growing a state, as it was used for many centuries. This was the true beginning of what we now know to be the Democratic Peace Theory. This theory remained dormant in the minds of realists and neo-realists that strongly influenced the field of international relations for centuries leading into the Cold War. In 1972, American sociologist Dean Babst published an article in which he reported â€Å"no wars have been fought between independent nations with elective governments between 1789 and 1941.† This enlightened the worlds of political science and international relations and ever since studies have followed this theory, constantly supporting it and positive relationships between democracies. Expanding on Kant’s original idea of democratic peace, political science professor Bruce Russett a very hot topic, exclaiming, â€Å"democracies had rarely if ever gone to war with each other† as a fact. With this simple statement, Russett made political scientists either accept or oppose the democratic peace theory and countless attempts to support each point of view with historical evidence. Democratic peace theorists have long asserted that all democracies are not only more peaceful than other governments, but are prone to fight against countries ran by other forms of government when they are engaged in war. These theorists and political science buffs argue that democratic peace is supported by a long history of peace and civility between democracies versus military action elsewhere. However, the democratic peace theory is problematic because it prematurely takes a stance on the grounds that a correlation between democratic status and incidence of war is proof of an ally relationship between nations opposed to a statistical anomaly. Does a historical anomaly excuse the desire for mutual democratic passivity? Ph.D. Sebastian Rosato of the University of Chicago argues, â€Å"Democracies do not reliably externalize their domestic norms of conflict resolution and do not trust or respect one another when their interests clash.† Rosato makes a very accurate observation , democracies tend to be rather secretive or even circumvent surrounding conflict resolution particularly with other democracies. Having a democratic government does not assure universal peace, and different forms of democracy assure disputes and clashes between governments between exceedingly democratic societies. In reality, some of the most thorough liberal democratic end up in war with non-democratic nations, justifying combat with the claim of spreading democracy. Though economic interests are typically apparent and the underlying motive for warfare, media throughout democratic countries end up not only tolerating, but also accepting and normalizing war as if it was a trending topic that came and went. Representative democratic systems lead to monolithic party structures that initiate war and still get elected to new terms and positions in government. Advocates of the democratic peace theory often fail to discuss colonial wars and civil wars, as they do not support the theory and its ultimate goal of widespread peace. The histories of many democratic countries have proven to not hold up with the democratic peace theory. Democratic countries have repeatedly fought colonial and civil wars which critics show to make the democratic peace theory false. Political Scientists Ravlo, Gleditcsch, and Dorussen expand upon the colonial war aspect of opposing the Democratic Peace Theory in â€Å"Colonial War and the Democratic Peace† in 2003’s The Journal of Conflict Resolution. They elaborate on reasons suggested to explain why colonial wars do not invalidate the democratic peace argument, saying, â€Å"First, although democracies rarely, if ever, fight one another, they participate in war as much as non-democracies. Thus, mixed political dyads have the greatest propensity for war. Second, the nature of colonial conflict has changed over time. Finally, a correct assessment of the democratic peace argument needs to rely on a multivariate model.† The trio makes great points regarding colonial wars and how they work against the democratic peace theory. Regarding the first point, if non-state rivals were perceived to be nondemocratic, democratic states would regularly engage in colonial wars. Also, the nature of colonial conflict has indeed changed over time, and the relationship between democracy and colonial war is tested in imperialist, colonial, and postcolonial eras. With appropriate control variables in place, it is apparent that the positive relationship between democracy and war begins to vanish. History also shows us that in the post-World War II period, democracies begin to fight colonial far less than non-democracy states. There are various reasons why this occurred other than a simple theory that universal democracy equals world peace without question. Primarily this may have occurred due to changes in the views non-European peoples, typically in non-democracies outside of the primarily Caucasian western world. Legendary Political Scientist and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee stresses, â€Å"It is primarily democracies that h ave made colonial conquests and fought wars to prevent the liberation of colonies,† and, â€Å"Preferring to deal only with â€Å"coherent,† â€Å"mature,† and â€Å"stable† democracies, when these varying regimes prevent coherence, maturity, and stability abroad, is clearly ethnocentric.† Excluding the civil and colonial war histories form democratic governments from the study and validation of the democratic peace theory not only makes the affirmative point of view on the theory inaccurate, but also does come off very ethnocentric. In short, civil and colonial wars expose some of the bloodiest and most dysfunctional, corrupt eras in the governments of democracies around the globe. In the published piece, â€Å"Democracies are Their Own Enemies,† Political Science Professor Dr. Gilbert N. Kahn claims, â€Å"In watching the events throughout the world over the past few weeks, one is struck by how profoundly challenged democracy has become. In the United States, Great Britain, and even Israel, fundamental democratic values appear to be undermined by the political behavior of elected leaders. All of this is occurring at a time when the West is trying to sell democracy to the world.† While America is being criticized for starting war through attempting to sp read democracy with clear economic motives, Israel is realizing the extent of its social and economic disparities as a few rich families have their hands in much of the government, and The United Kingdom is seeing regular revolts and terror attacks in its economic centers. Democracies are becoming their own enemy in promoting a democratic government, and showing how they react when under social and economic pressure. Democratic nations rarely engage in wars of aggression against other democratic nations, absent substantial provocation or dire necessity. Nations tend to go to war mainly based upon: Expansion of territory or ideals, defense and pre-emptive strike upon a threatening nation, or conflicts of interest that are inexplicable through diplomacy. These other vital conflicts are worth further consideration. Two democracies could still find themselves inexplicable conflicts of interest. If both two democracies required resources in a border region to prevent their economic turmoil, economies from collapsing, and there wasn’t enough resource in that border region to share between the two of them, that just may force them against each other. Under conditions when democracies are in competition under the pressure of economy, the democratic peac e theory supplies no explanation for why widespread democracy would work equally peacefully for all nations. Democratic Peace Theory harps on the idea that democratic nation-states won’t go to war because its citizens would vote against heads of government for re-election for putting the nation in conflict. No one likes the idea of war despite whatever government they live under, or the idea of family members being sent off for extended periods of time without a promise of returning. According to Dr. Hebert West, â€Å"correlation does not equate to causation is one of the first and foremost rules of the social sciences, and causality requires several alternative explanations to be proven wrong.† The fact that the correlation between democracy and war does not equate to causation proves that though correlation between democracy and peace is strong by many accounts, sufficient evidence to prove that a causal relationship exists in the desired direction by democratic peace theorists, without the influence of other variables, has yet to be published. This disproves a key part of the democratic peace theory: that the need for the face of government discourages igniting war. The field of International Relations has always debated when and why democracies would go to war with one another. Debaters disagree that liberal ideas in democracies help them avoid war. The over legitimacy of empirical evidence typically used to defend democratic peace also comes under fire in most political fields. Using historical evidence to prove that widespread democracy bring world peace is a very far fetched comment without examining all the details that make it possible for democracies to engage in war internationally with having the action always take place within the non-democratic state. The theory has been difficult to prove empirically, which is why it remains a theory. While the idea of democratic peace is enticing, it does not allow for the error that occurs even when international democracy is accomplished. When looking at the face of historical circumstance the democratic peace theory may appear to be true. However, when one uses this historical anomaly as a predictive tool for future behavior of states seems ill-informed when no one field of politics can agree on one side of the argument, or give solid evidence that democratic peace would be successful even if applied. The longevity of democratic peace is strongly unlikely as no two democracies have ever been the same. Difference in ideals encourages nations to force their form of democracy on other countries. Democratic peace theory takes advantage of circumstance. This debunks the idea that if all nations were liberal democracies, there would be no war because no two democracies are the same and the urge to spread one nation’s ideals will always cause conflict. A strong example of a democracy that helps break down the democratic peace theory is South Africa. On April 26, 1994, South Africans of all heritages voted like never before to mark the symbolic end of apartheid and the beginning of South Africa’s rough transition to democracy. In nearly two decades, South Africa has achieved greater political stability and greater economic freedom and growth, lowering public debt. While major political parties hold on to democratic ways, more South Africans now receive education and have access to electricity and clean water. However, South Africa still has major challenges ahead such as extremely high HIV/AIDS rates and government corruption. South Africa is a democracy in that it is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. South Africa is rather peaceful with its neighboring countries (Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique and Namibia), bei ng that the last official war South Africa has engaged in was the Boer War (1899-1902). The war was supposedly based on British expansion with â€Å"an underlying cause being the presence in the Transvaal territory of the largest gold-mining complex in the world, beyond direct British control.† This sounds familiar, that the United Kingdom, a democracy, would kill and pillage for economic, monetary benefit. South Africa is a perfect example of why universal democracy would not manifest into long-term world peace. South Africa is a representative democracy; in that it’s current government is a variety of democracy, opposed to direct democracy. South Africa’s Legislative Branch consists of the National Council of Provinces where there are 90 seats are occupied by 10 members elected by each of the nine provincial legislatures for five-year terms, and the National Assembly where 400 seats are occupied by members elected by popular vote under a system of proportional representation to serve five-year terms. South Africa also has a common judiciary system where The Constitutional Court, Supreme Court of Appeal and High Courts have the power to protect and regulate their own processes, and to develop the common law. However, South Africa’s executive branch is unique In that the people to not vote directly for their president, Jacob Zuma, instead South African citizens only have the power to elect members of the National assembly, which in turn ends up choosing the next president for the country. In a world where the democratic peace theory is put into action, South Africa’s different way of running a government while still under the title of democracy would certainly clash with democracies of the western world. The People’s Republic of China is a huge world player and has seen an incredible economic boom since the 1990’s. China’s Legislative Branch has a National People’s Congress where the level of Congress directly below them indirectly chooses them. The Judicial court has a typical high court and smaller courts. However the executive branch is run by Communist Party of China (CPC), â€Å"whose power is enshrined China’s constitution.† Local politicians are voted for but a hierarchical electoral college chooses higher officials and the president, Hu Jintao, a position that was officially created in China’s 1982 constitution. Though China’s Communist Party has modernized its authoritarianism to fit the times, it is still certainly an authoritarian government. As a communist country that runs on a social organization characterized by submission to authority and its administration, which is, compared to the size of the country, concentrated in a small group of politicians. China isn’t engaged in war, and hasn’t been since the Sino-Vietnamese War of 1979. Also China still owns Tibet after invading the territory in 1950. Given this information, China maintains relationships with many of it’s neighbors so that the two nations never reach the point of war, but cannot be classified as non-violent wit neighboring countries Afghanistan, Bhutan, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Vietnam. The Islam Republic of Afghanistan is made of one of the world’s oldest nations. Afghanistan is certainly a totalitarian country, being that the Islam Republic of Afghanistan is a political where the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life. Afghanistan’s judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Appeal Courts. The legislative branch consists of a National Assembly, which consists of an upper and lower house. The executive branch, however, is run by the president, which is voted in by the public through a run off majority vote. President Hamid Karzai is the head of the executive branch, serving as the head of state and the Command-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Afghanistan. Afghanistan is currently in a war with the United States. In fact, the War in Afghanistan began on 7 October 2001, as the armed forces of the United States, the Kingdom, France, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom following the September 11, 2001 terror attacks. America has tried to introduce democracy to Afghanistan while fighting the war on their land and killing their citizens, a common action of democracies around the world. Hence, Afghanistan is currently not in good peaceful with its neighbors, which include Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Iran. Indubitably, the democratic peace theory is simply just that, a theory. It is doubtful that democracies are less violent that other countries, despite not having militarized disputes with other democracies. With that in mind, the tendency for democracies to attack fledgling democracies has shown to stand out among the observed pattern that democracies do not fight with each other if the hegemonic or economic or hegemonic benefits are high enough. This debunks the claim that democracy determines the level of peace between any given states. Perhaps relationships between democracies are simply just a facade and raise the question of alternative explanations, such as a spurious relationship. Political Science Professor Erik Gartzke proposes that, â€Å"it is capitalism, and not democracy, that is the independent variable which causes peace and war.† Despite the validity of this claim, one would doubt that the state of international war and affairs would depend upon one single variable regardless. It is much more likely that a combination of variables between nations, under specific conditions, creates one of countless outcomes necessary for the potential for war. The spread of democracy is relatively new compared to other widespread forms of government and statehood, providing far too few examples to weigh its statements on. Works Cited â€Å"British Military & Criminal History in the period 1900 to 1999.† Stephen’s Study Room. http://www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/boer_war.htm (accessed November 29, 2012). Chan, Steve. In Search of Democratic Peace: Problems and Promise. Mershon International Studies Review 41 (1997): 59-91. Chan, Steve. â€Å"In Search of Democratic Peace: Problems and Promise.† Mershon International Studies Review 41 (1997): p. 60 â€Å"CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.† People. English.people.com.cn/constitution/constitution.html (accessed November 20, 2012). Dorussen, Han, Nils Peter Gleditsch, and Hilde Ravlo. â€Å"Colonial War and the Democratic Peace.† The Journal of Conflict Resolution Vol. 47, no. No. 4 (2003): 520-548. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3176207 (accessed November 20, 2012). Doyle, Michael W. â€Å"Kant, Liberal Legacies, and Foreign Affairs.† Debating the Democratic Peace. Eds. Michael E. Brown, Sean M. Lynn-Jones and Steven E. Miller. Cambridge: The MIT Press, 1996, p.24 Gartzke, Erik A. â€Å"Erik A. Gartzke, Associate Professor, University of California, San Diego.† UCSD. Haas, Michael. 1995. â€Å"When Democracies Fight One Another, Just What is the Punishment for Disobeying the Law?† Paper presented at the 91st annual meeting of the American Political Science Association, August, Chicago. 7. Haas, Michael. 1995. â€Å"When Democracies Fight One Another, Just What is the Punishment for Disobeying the Law?† Paper presented at the 91st annual meeting of the American Political Science Association, August, Chicago. 14. Khan, Dr. Gilbert. â€Å"Democracies are Their Own Worst Enemies.† The New Jersey Jewish News, August 17, 2011. http://www.njjewishnews.com/ (accessed November 20, 2012). Russett, Bruce. Grasping the Democratic Peace: Principles for a Post-Cold War World. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1993: p. 4 Sebastian Rosato (2003). The Flawed Logic of Democratic Peace Theory. American Political Science Review, 97, pp 585-602. West, Dr. Herbert. â€Å"The History of ‘Correlation Does Not Imply Causation’ .†Slashdot. October 3, 2012. http://news.silobreaker.com/the-history-of-correlation-does-not-imply-causation. (Accessed November 20, 2012).

Navajo Peacemaking

CAV Paper – Navajo Peacemaking Throughout Indian Country tribes have their own courts to address legal matters. However, the Navajo Nation has a court system that stands apart from other tribes. Howard L. Brown Esq. wrote, â€Å"The Navajo Nation’s Peacemaker Division: An Integrated Community-Based Dispute Resolution Forum† which was published in the American Indian Law Review 1999-2000 issue and was reprinted in the May/July 2002 issue of Dispute Resolution Journal. As a former judicial law clerk for the Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation, Brown gained firsthand experience with the Peacemaker Division within the Navajo Nation’s Judicial Branch.He details the history, development and ceremonies associated with this resolution forum. Two other authors also covered the same topic, agreeing with Brown’s opinion although from different perspectives. This paper will compare Brown’s viewpoint to Jon’a F. Meyers article, â€Å"It is a Gift F rom the Creator to Keep Us in Harmony: Original (vs. Alternative) Dispute Resolution on the Navajo Nation† published in the International Journal of Public Administration and Jeanmarie Pinto’s article â€Å"Peacemaking as Ceremony: the Mediation Model of the Navajo Nation. published in The International Journal of Conflict Management. Brown’s article opens with statistical information about the Navajo Nation’s reservation size and population, its status as a sovereign nation, and system of government. The article provides a brief history and evolution of the Navajo Nation’s judicial system, clearly explaining the difference between Navajo common law and contrasts it with the more adversarial federal or state law. The Navajo Nation Tribal Council established the Navajo courts, which make up one of the three branches of tribal government.In 1982, after searching for more traditional ways to solve disputes the Peacemaker Court began. It is know referr ed to as the Peacemaker Division within the judicial branch of government and uses Navajo Common law. [1] In â€Å"Peacemaking as Ceremony: The Mediation Model of the Navajo Nation,† Pinto agrees with Brown’s explanation of the Navajo court and government system, but explains the difference between Original Dispute Resolution (ODR) and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The Navajo legal term for peacemaking s Original Dispute Resolution, because it is the traditional Navajo method for solving disputes while ADR is a term for unique mediation methods within the federal, state, and local court systems. [2] Jon’a Meyer ‘s description of the history of Navajo peacemaking also agrees with the other two authors version of the history of the Navajo Nation’s judicial system, but the article â€Å"It is a Gift From the Creator to Keep Us in Harmony: Original (vs. Alternative) Dispute Resolution on the Navajo Nation† includes a history King Henry Ià ¢â‚¬â„¢s use of compensation for crimes which is a component of the Navajo peacemaking process. 3] According to Brown, Navajo common law is also known as traditional law which â€Å"reflects the customs, usages and traditions of the Navajo People, formed by Navajo values in action,† reinforcing the Nation’s sovereignty, preserving Navajo tradition, and preventing the state from interfering in Navajo judicial matters. [4] The article relates why the use of Navajo common law is important as it employs traditional cultural values to resolve disputes which is something familiar to the disputants, making them more inclined to go through the legal process to settle disputes.Pinto agrees with Brown, but points out that there are some younger Navajos who are not supportive of returning to the old ways of resolving disputes and prefer to use the more mainstream Navajo Court System. [5] Meyer’s article mentions the use of Navajo common law in the Navajo as did Brown and P into, but states â€Å"peacemaking never fully ceased to occur in the remote regions of the reservation. †[6] Unlike Pinto, Meyer did not mention the lack of support for Navajo peacekeeping within the younger generation.Peacemaking or hozhooji naat’aanii comes from Navajo common law and tradition and includes â€Å"a justice ceremony in which disputants and community members gather to talk things out with the assistance of a respected community leader or naat’aannii (peacemaker) to reach a consensual settlement. †[7] Brown describes how a peacemaker is chosen, how tradition is followed by opening the session with a prayer to create a harmonious atmosphere, and the protocol that if followed during the mediation leading to the final consensual solution.While talking things out family and community members will explain to the offender how they have violated tradition and failed to fulfill the expectation of their role as a family or community member and how it has impacted them. Brown’s description of the peacemaking process is similar to Pinto’s which is illustrated via a table comparing three model’s of dispute resolution. The table clearly shows the importance of Navajo tradition in peacemaking and how it is reflected in each step of the process via a healing ceremony and focusing on restoring harmony to the community. 8] Pinto also includes three pages detailing the seven steps and components of the peacemaking process. The outline format makes the process easy to understand and reinforces many points brought up by the other two authors. Meyer describes the peacemaking process in terms similar to Brown and Pintos, but compares the Navajo process to other tribal resolution methods. Using the Ojibwe example of cleansing the spirits of offenders and victims of a crime, Meyer points out that the Navajo peacemaking process works to eliminate â€Å"the causes of discord rather than focus on the dispute itself. [9] A fter the period of discussion the peacemaker will often use a story to illustrate the wrongdoing and to find a consensual solution that is in accordance with traditional Navajo beliefs. Brown relates how the story of the Horned Toad and Lightning resolved a dispute over land ownership. [10] Lightning felt that he owned all of the land and was upset when Horned Toad entered it and ordered him to leave. When Horned Toad refused to leave, Lightning threw a lightning bolt which landed very close to Horned Toad who left.The next day Horned Toad returned wearing armor and when Lightning hit him with a lightning bolt it was deflected by the armor. Horned Toad explained that the Creator was the same one that gave them the land and the armor and questioned why they were fighting over something that had been given to them. This story reminds disputants of the importance of talking things out and following traditional ways. While Pinto agrees with Brown’s account of how stories are used as a part of the peacemaking process, the article does not mention any specific stories.However, Pinto states, â€Å"through the telling of Sacred Navajo Narratives, and in relating wisdom gained through personal experience, the peacemakers teaches basic Navajo principles and guides the participants from a negative frame of mind to one that is positive enough to promote problem solving. †[11] Meyer also mentions the use of stories, but states that they are used to â€Å"illustrate issues in the dispute. †[12] All three authors agree that during the peacemaking solutions are achieved through discussion of the dispute and that the resolution reached is one that satisfies all parties.Meyer’s article is the only one that mentions the term â€Å"restorative justice† and it is in reference to the 1881 Brule Sioux Crow Dog case, in which the offender compensated the victim’s family. Crow Dog murdered Chief Spotted Tail and was ordered by the tribe to â⠂¬Å"make reparations to the victim’s family, a sanction that was commonly imposed in Sioux homicides. [13] Pinto’s outline of the peacemaking process includes the nalyeeh, â€Å"a process resulting in restitution, restoration, and making a person whole for an injury. [14] The person who caused the injury or is the responsible party for the dispute is required to make sure that restitution is given to the victim or victim’s family, which will help make the community whole again. Brown does not mention the term â€Å"restorative justice,† but does explain that the solution must be something agreed upon and satisfactory for all parties involved in the dispute. The agreement by consensus implies that community harmony is restored.The Navajo Nation’s Peacemaking Division has been successful and other tribes in the United States and Canada have similar successes. Meyer’s article uses an example taken from Hollow Water, Manitoba where tribal leade rs allowed sexual abusers to plead guilty and complete a 13 step two year program that helped them address the issues they struggle with due to their having been victimized during their childhood. After completion of the program â€Å"the former abuser foes through a cleansing ceremony to mark a new beginning for all involved.During the ceremony, the former abuser washed his victim’s feet, symbolically allowing her to re-enter womanhood, then throws a mask he has worn throughout the ceremony into the fire, symbolically destroying his identity as an abuser. †[15] The tribe has been incredibly successful with less than 5% of the abusers committing a sexual offense again, compared to much higher recidivism rates in mainstream courts. Pinto’s article agrees with Meyer that the Navajo peacekeeping system is successful and even goes as far to suggest it serving as a model or Western mediation â€Å"to improve the mediation methods currently being used. †[16] Br own’s article suggest that the Navajo Peacemaking system is successful and that success is reflected in the increased number of cases in the Peacekeeping Division. [17] Three authors wrote about Navajo peacekeeping from different perspectives, bringing up various points, but all agreed that it is successful. With the success of the Navajo Peacemaking Division of the Navajo Nation court system, it is clear that this long-standing tradition will continue to bring back restore harmony to communities torn apart by disputes.Works Cited Brown, Howard L. â€Å"Nation's Peacemaker Division: An Integrated, Community-Based Dispute Resolution Forum,† Dispute Resolution Journal 57 (May 2002) : 42- 48. Meyer, Jon’a. â€Å"It is a Gift From the Creator to Keep Us in Harmony: Original (vs. Alternative) Dispute Resolution on the Navajo Nation† International Journal of Public Administration 25 (2002) : 1379 – 1401. Pinto, Jeanmarie. â€Å"Peacemaking as Ceremony: The Mediation Model of the Navajo Nation,† The International Journal of Conflict Management 11 (2000) : 267-286. ———————– 1] Howard L. Brown, â€Å"Nation's Peacemaker Division: An Integrated, Community-Based Dispute Resolution Forum,† Dispute Resolution Journal 57 (May 2002), 44. [2] Jeanmarie Pinto, â€Å"Peacemaking as Ceremony: The Mediation Model of the Navajo Nation,† The International Journal of Conflict Management 11 (2000), 269. [3] Meyer, Jon’a â€Å"It is a Gift From the Creator to Keep Us in Harmony: Original (vs. Alternative) Dispute Resolution on the Navajo Nation† International Journal of Public Administration 25 (2002) : 1380. [4] Brown, Nation's Peacemaker Division, 45. 5] Pinto, Peacemaking as Ceremony, 270. [6] Meyer, It is a Gift From the Creator, 1387. [7] Brown, Nation's Peacemaker Division, 45. [8] Pinto, Peacemaking as Ceremony, 275. [9] Meyer, It is a Gift From the Crea tor, 1388. [10] Brown, Nation's Peacemaker Division, 47. [11] Pinto, Peacemaking as Ceremony, 278. [12] Meyer, It is a Gift From the Creator, 1388. [13] Ibid, 1384. [14] Pinto, Peacemaking as Ceremony, 282. [15] Meyer, It is a Gift From the Creator, 1383. [16] Pinto, Peacemaking as Ceremony, 283. [17] Brown, Nation's Peacemaker Division, 47.