Cultural Competency and Cultural Humility in Nursing Practice

Cultural Competency and Cultural Humility in Nursing Practice Lisa Watson UMASS Boston Online Professional Issues in Nursing NU 360 Ms. Carol Moran November 08, 2012 Abstract You may not like how the Presidential election turned out, but the victory of the Democrats was won partly by focusing on going after the Hispanic vote. The Hispanic population who voted for President Obama put him over the top to win. Hispanics identified with Obama. Somehow, he made a connection with this culture.Nursing can use that lesson to improve cultural sensitivity and provide respectful care of our numerous cultures. Every American makes up this country regardless of heritage. This country was built from immigrants from all over the world. America is referred to as â€Å"the melting pot. † The diversity of American culture continues to grow. Each patient a nurse interacts with is important, regardless of the color of their skin, the language they speak or the cultural traditions they follow. The diversity of America’s population continues to increase.The challenges of providing cultural sensitivity to a multi cultural America is an important variation healthcare organizations must be aware of. In an attempt to standardize terms and concepts to explain cultural competency to student nurses, the Purnell Model was developed by Larry Purnell, PhD. The Purnell model is a guide to adapting care that takes into account the diversity of beliefs from a variety of cultures. It is based on multiple theories and research. A circular schematic was developed that contains 12 domains (pieces of pie) or considerations.They include and represent the person’s: heritage, language, family roles, issues in workforce, bio cultural ecology, high risk behaviors, nutrition, pregnancy, death rituals, spirituality, health care practices and health care providers. Within the 12 domains it addresses: sociology, psychology, anatomy and physiology, biology, ecology, nutrition, pharmacology , religion, history, economics, politics and language. The inner 12 domains are encapsulated by a second circle that represents family, a third rim that represents society and finally an outer ring that represents global society.The â€Å"saw tooth† at the bottom of the diagram is cultural consciousness. ( see Figure 1. ) Nurses must learn how to communicate with a variety of people who speak other languages, have other beliefs, and ways that cultures influence the people we care for. Healthcare is becoming more and more personalized. People have more options of how to pursue their own health wellness, where to obtain their care and with whom. Nursing care of a growing diverse population must be addressed. As nurses we have to make our hospitals competitive and make people want to bring their care to our doors.Nurses need to learn how to better communicate with a variety of cultures and must know how to interact with these cultures in cultural sensitive ways depicting that cu lture if we want to remain competitive. Cultural Competency and Cultural Humility in Nursing Practice must be addressed. It is not an easy task. The term competence means to be competent, adequacy, in possession of required skills, knowledge, qualification, or capacity† ( Dictionary. com, 1995). To have qualifications or knowledge in all cultures is an impossible venture.However, humility as described by Tervalon (1998), â€Å"incorporates a lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and self-critique†¦. , and to developing mutually beneficial†¦. partnerships with communities on behalf of individuals†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 117). A task that can be accomplished in healthcare education is cultural humility. After all nurses do have a career lifetime to develop this self-evaluation. Cultural competence is too broad to tackle. The task of developing education to teach cultural competence is a vague goal and has been called stereotyping. This goal is too large and not specific.Ac cording to Roux and Halstead, â€Å"a number of reviewed approaches in nursing education concluded that there is a lack of consensus on what and how it should be taught†¦Ã¢â‚¬ (p. 323). There are just too many cultures that healthcare provides care to. It would be impossible to become proficient at all of them. Nurses can learn the basics cultural beliefs and even learn to speak the language, but that alone does not make nurses competent. However, a nurse can continue to do self evaluation of how he/she perceives the patient’s differences. The nurse can try to understand how the patient’s culture makes hem have certain views related to their healthcare. â€Å"One of the best ways to learn about diverse cultures is to interact with people from those cultures. However, opportunity to become immersed in another culture are not always available† (Roux and Halstead, p. 325). Nurses can develop an awareness of cultural beliefs that guide patient’s to vie w healthcare in certain ways. This is an ongoing reflection the nurse must make by building on cultural humility. Nurses may learn the basic cultural beliefs of the patients they care for, but this does not make them culturally competent.This is an ongoing growth that can occur throughout the nurse’s career with cultural humility. Nurses must embrace trying to understand the beliefs of other cultures to understand how this guides that culture’s healthcare and views. It may help to understand why people act the way they do. â€Å"†¦the perception, attitudes, and treatment approaches advocated by mental health professionals form the Western biological.. viewpoint precipitate mental health disparities among the older Afro-Caribbean population,† (Ellis, p. 41). Many Afro-Caribbean elders may not trust the nurse of fear being judged.They may not understand the questions on questionnaires and may take offense in the way they are worded. Many beliefs occur from bi rth and throughout life and are instilled through our culture and upbringing. As things change in our lives, our beliefs can change and grow. Cultural beliefs can change as well. It is an ongoing process. These are lessons learned throughout a nurse’s career. It is achieved through constant learning, reflection and by keeping an open mind while using humility. When nurses are open minded they can understand how their own cultural beliefs can influence their understanding of other’s beliefs.As described by Levi, â€Å"we need to realize that we are likely to have biases about how others should behave based on our own cultural norms,† (p. 97). By using cultural humility nurses can continue to build on what they do know about a culture and reflect on how their own beliefs effect how they interact with patients of this culture. We must take ownership of our interactions with others while being aware of how we view cultural differences. â€Å"The essential aspect is to become aware of our own values, so that we can better understand the values of another,† (Roux and Halstead, p. 24). Nurses must be able to reflect on their own beliefs to realize how they view other cultures views. They must be able to set aside their own views to be able to provide care in the best interest of the patient. Of, course nurses must abide by the law. However, there are interventions that nurses can provide for their patient, even if it is unconventional in the nurse’s belief. It may be uncomfortable to allow a comatose patient’s family to bath them, but it may what they have been taught. It can even be an ethical dilemma.In Chinese families they often do not tell the elder family member they have cancer. By trying to understand and allowing a family this cultural tradition it may be what is in the patient’s best interest. Cultural humility is a goal every nurse can work on throughout their career. It can be adapted as the nurse’s self reflection occurs. All healthcare professionals must be able to set aside their own beliefs to focus on the patient specific care needed at that time. Questions must be asked of patients and of the healthcare providing the care to tailor care for that patient.Healthcare must provide cultural sensitive care to their patients. Nurses should not be happy with providing the same care to every patient. The care must be patient centered and conscious about the whole patient and what their beliefs are. To obtain cultural humility every nurse should ask themselves have they â€Å"checked† their own beliefs at the door? Figure 1: The Purnell Model [pic] References American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. (2003). Accreditation Standards.Retrieved November 8, 2012 from http:// www. aacn. nche. edu. Dictionary. com. Dictionary. com, n. d. Web. 09 Nov. 2012. . Horace, E. , (2012). Mental Health Disparities in the Older Afro-Ca ribbean Population Living in the United States: Cultural and Practice Perspectives for Mental Health Professionals. Journal of Psychosocial Nursing, 50, 37-44. Levi, A. (2009). The Ethics of Nursing Student International Clinical Experiences. The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, JOGNN, 38, 94-99: 2009. DOI: 10. 1111/j. 1552-6909. 008. 00314x. Purnell, L. (2002). The Purnell Model for Cultural Competence. J. Transcult Nursing 2002, 13: 193. DOI: 10. 1177/10459602013003006. Roux, G. , & Halstead, J. A. (2009). Issues and Trends in Nursing: Essential Knowledge for Today and Tomorrow. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers Tervalon, M. , Murray-Garcia, J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: A critical distinction in Defining Physician Training Outcomes in Multicultural Education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved; May 1998, 9, 2; 117-125.

Discuss Chronic Kidney Disease Health And Social Care Essay

This assignment will discourse chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) , its development and the therapies to handle this disease. Chronic kidney disease is going a planetary public wellness job nevertheless, converting grounds is now able to observe chronic kidney disease by utilizing simple research lab testing and that intervention can forestall or detain complications. ( this is a direct cut and paste from the cyberspace ) In order for this to be achieved it must be adopted as a end worldwide in understanding the relationship between chronic kidney disease and other chronic diseases, it is besides of import to develop a public wellness policy to better results in the hereafter. ( this is a direct cut and paste from the cyberspace ) Harmonizing to the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) chronic diseases are now the taking cause of decease worldwide. There were 58 million deceases worldwide in two 1000 and five, and 35 were attributed to chronic diseases. There are presently legion footings u sed interchangeably with chronic kidney disease: chronic nephritic inadequacy ( CRI ) progressive nephritic inadequacy ( PRI ) and end phase nephritic disease ( ESRD ) are the most common. ( this is a direct cut and paste from the cyberspace ) Levey et Al 2007 â€Å" Chronic kidney disease happens when an single suffers from gradual and normally lasting loss of kidney map over clip. This happens bit by bit, normally months to old ages. Chronic kidney disease is divided into five phases of increasing badness. The term nephritic refers to the kidneys, so another name for kidney disease is nephritic failure. Mild kidney disease is frequently called inadequacy. With loss of kidney map there is an accretion of H2O, waste and toxic substances in the organic structure that are usually excreted by the kidney. Loss of kidney map besides causes other jobs such as anaemia, high blood force per unit area, acidosis ( inordinate sourness of organic structure fluids ) , upsets of cholesterin and fatty acids and bone disease. Stage five chronic kidney diseases is besides referred to as kidney failure, terminal phase kidney disease, or stop phase nephritic disease wherein there is entire or close entire loss of kidney map. There is unsafe accretion of H2O , waste and toxic substances and most persons in this phase of kidney disease need dialysis or organ transplant to remain alive ( emedicinehealth, 2010 ) . † ( this is a direct cut and paste from the cyberspace ) â€Å" The clinical linguistic communication of ( CKD ) is riddled with impreciseness. Inconsistent usage of ( CKD ) nomenclature is confounding for both practicians and patients. Presently legion footings are used interchangeably with ( CKD ) : chronic nephritic inadequacy ( CRI ) , progressive nephritic inadequacy ( PRI ) , and terminal phase nephritic disease ( ESRD ) , are among the most common. The word kidney is of Middle English beginning and is easy understood by patients, their households, suppliers, wellness attention professional and the laic populace of native English talkers. On the other manus nephritic and nephrology derived from Latin and Greek roots, severally, normally require reading and account. The word chronic is an adjectival defined as persisting for a long clip normally associated with an unwellness or a personal or societal job. A chronic unwellness is defined as being relentless long standing and incurable. In medical footings chronic is besides defined as persisting for a long clip. The term imperfect is defined as traveling frontward as with a progressive gesture, continuing measure by measure, cumulative and of a disease increasing in badness or extent ( Ridley, J, et al 2009 ) . † ( this is a direct cut and paste from the cyberspace ) â€Å" The term disease is an unhealthy status of the organic structure or head, a peculiar sort of disease with particular symptoms or location. Similarly the term diseased refers to being affected with disease unnatural, or disordered. The synonym finder defines disease as a noun denoting a sort or case of damage of a life being that interferes with normal bodily map ( Ridley, J, et al 2009 ) . â€Å" Chronic kidney disease is progressively recognized as a planetary public wellness job. There is now converting grounds that ( CKD ) can be detected utilizing simple research lab trials, and that intervention can forestall or detain complications of reduced kidney map, decelerate the patterned advance of kidney disease and cut down the hazard of cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . Translating these progresss to simple and applicable public wellness steps must be adopted as a end worldwide. Understanding the relationship between ( CKD ) and other chronic disease is of import to developin g a public wellness policy to better results. Chronic disease is now the taking cause of decease worldwide. The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) estimates that there were about 58 million deceases worldwide in two 1000 and five, with 35 million attributed to chronic disease. While ( CKD ) is non mentioned in the two 1000 and five study it is now recognized that ( CKD ) is common in people with cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) hazard factors and that ( CKD ) multiples the hazard for inauspicious results in these conditions ( Levey, A, S, et al 2007 ) . ( this is a direct cut and paste from the cyberspace ) â€Å" There are two types of nephritic replacing therapies for patients. Most patients are campaigners for both haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Hemodialysis is used to cleanse the blood before the blood is returned to the organic structure. Peritoneal dialysis filters, cleans blood and removes extra fluid. Peritoneal offers more freedom for persons compared to hemodialysis since patients do non necessitate to travel to a dialysis Centre for intervention. Persons /patients need to be educated on chronic kidney disease so that they are able to better pull off their attention and intervention and every bit good as taking the appropriate therapy in respects to their attention ( Emedicinehealth, 2010 ) . † â€Å" The demand to educate patients in order to enable them to take part in doing appropriate picks for all curative options in terminal phase nephritic disease would look obvious yet there are many barriers to supplying such information. Adequate chronic kidney disease instruction can detain the oncoming of dialysis, increase patient pick of less dearly-won homed-based therapies and better results of patient after the start of dialysis ( Finkelstein, F O, et Al, 2008 ) . † â€Å" The chief causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and high blood force per unit area. Type one and type two diabetes mellitus causes a status called diabetic kidney disease which is the taking cause of kidney disease in the United States. High blood force per unit area ( high blood pressure ) if non controlled can damage the kidneys over clip. There are legion other causes but theses are most common. There is no remedy for chronic kidney disease the four ends of therapy are: decelerate the patterned advance of disease, dainty implicit in causes and lending factors, dainty complications of disease and replace lost kidney map. Schemes for decelerating patterned advance and handling conditions underlying chronic kidney disease include the undermentioned: control of blood glucose, control of high blood force per unit area and diet. Complications that may necessitate medical intervention are unstable keeping, anaemia, bone disease, and acidosis ( emedicinehealth 2010 ) . â⠂¬  In decision chronic kidney disease is a serious public wellness concern which is now recognized worldwide. The two chief causes of chronic kidney disease are type one and type two diabetes and the other being high blood force per unit area. Educating patients on chronic kidney disease enables them to be able to do picks in respects to their intervention and attention. Patients that are now educated on chronic kidney disease can now take the appropriate therapy, whether it be hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, most of the clip peritoneal dialysis offer more freedom for patients whereas haemodialysis requires the patient to travel to a dialysis Centre for intervention. The control of blood glucose, high blood force per unit area and diet are really of import in keeping the patterned advance of chronic kidney disease. Public steps must be adopted worldwide if there are to be better wellness policies to better results in the hereafter. â€Å" Chronic kidney disease happens when an sin gle suffers from gradual and normally lasting loss of kidney map over clip. This happens bit by bit, normally months to old ages. The term nephritic refers to the kidneys, so another name for kidney disease is nephritic failure. Harmonizing to The World Health Organization ( WHO ) 35 million deceases were attributed to chronic diseases, while it was non mentioned in the study chronic kidney disease is common in people with cardiovascular disease. There is now converting grounds that ( CKD ) can be detected utilizing simple research lab trials, and that intervention can forestall or detain complications of reduced kidney map, decelerate the patterned advance of kidney disease and cut down the hazard of cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . Once once more patients need to be able to understand what complications intervention and therapies are available when covering with chronic kidney disease, holding this type of cognition dosage non bring around the patient but it slows down the patterned advance of this disease.

Managerial Economics Essay

1) The elasticity of one variable with respect to another between two given points. It is used when there is no general function to define the relationship of the two variables. Arc elasticity is also defined as the elasticity between two points on a curve. The P arc elasticity of Q is calculated as The percentage is calculated differently from the normal manner of percent change. This percent change uses the average (or midpoint) of the points, in lieu of the original point as the base. 2) Definition of ‘Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns’ A law of economics stating that, as the number of new employees increases, the marginal product of an additional employee will at some point be less than the marginal product of the previous employee. The law of diminishing marginal returns means that the productivity of a  variable input declines as more is used in short-run production, holding one or more inputs fixed. This law has a direct bearing on market supply, the supply price, and the law of supply. If the productivity of a variable input declines, then more is needed to produce a given quantity of output, which means the cost of production increases, and a higher supply price is needed. The direct relation between price and quantity produced is the essence of the law of supply. An economic theory that states as additional inputs are put into production, the additional return will be in successively smaller increments. This can be due to crowding, adding less appropriate resources or increasing inputs of lower quality. In More Laymen Terms As the saying goes, â€Å"Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth,† in any production there is a point of diminishing returns where just adding more inputs will not give the same income as it once did. Although many industrial firms strive to reach ‘scale,’ where their size gives them a cost advantage at higher production levels, no matter what industry a firm finds itself there will always be a point where the additional gain from added input is reduced. 3) The prisoner’s dilemma is a canonical example of a game analyzed in game theory that shows why two individuals might not cooperate, even if it appears that it is in their best interest to do so. It was originally framed by Merrill Flood and Melvin Dresher working at RAND in 1950. Albert W. Tucker formalized the game with prison sentence payoffs and gave it the â€Å"prisoner’s dilemma† name (Poundstone, 1992). A classic example of the prisoner’s dilemma (PD) is presented as follows: Two men are arrested, but the police do not possess enough information for a conviction. Following the separation of the two men, the police offer both a similar deal—if one testifies against his partner (defects/betrays), and the other remains silent (cooperates/assists), the betrayer goes free and the cooperator receives the full one-year sentence. If both remain silent, both are sentenced to only one month in jail for a minor charge. If  each ‘rats out’ the other, each receives a three-month sentence. Each prisoner must choose either to betray or remain silent; the decision of each is kept quiet. What should they do? If it is supposed here that each player is only concerned with lessening his time in jail, the game becomes a non-zero sum game where the two players may either assist or betray the other. In the game, the sole worry of the prisoners seems to be increasing his own reward. The interesting symmetry of this problem is that the logical decision leads both to betray the other, even though their individual ‘prize’ would be greater if they cooperated. In the regular version of this game, collaboration is dominated by betraying, and as a result, the only possible outcome of the game is for both prisoners to betray the other. Regardless of what the other prisoner chooses, one will always gain a greater payoff by betraying the other. Because betraying is always more beneficial than cooperating, all objective prisoners would seemingly betray the other. In the extended form game, the game is played over and over, and consequently, both prisoners continuously have an opportunity to penalize the other for the previous decision. If the number of times the game will be played is known, the finite aspect of the game means that by backward induction, the two prisoners will betray each other repeatedly. 4) Third degree discrimination involves charging different prices to different segments of customers. This method of price discrimination is really an imperfect variation of the perfect type represented by first degree price discrimination. In this method different segments of customers are identified and each segment is charged price base on what price is most profitable for the company in each segment. The most common way of segmentation for this type of price discrimination is by geographic location. A very prominent example of this type price discrimination is charges for operations by surgeons. For the same type of operations surgeons and hospitals charge different fees depending on the type of hospital room and other facilities that the patient chooses during hospitalization for  operation. Other common forms of such price discrimination include discounts such as those for students or senior citizens. SECTION B: CASE LET 1 1) Demand theory indicates that the determinants of consumption are income (I), the price of the good in question ( pi ), the prices of other goods ( po ) and other variables such as tastes: i i q ï€ ½Ã¯â‚¬  q ( i o I, p , p , other variables). Consider the case of an illicit commodity such as marijuana. The consumption of marijuana involves risks of fines, in some cases imprisonment and, possibly, other costs associated with the shame of being caught. Consequently, the price of marijuana in its demand function ( p ) m should be interpreted as being made up of the conventional money cost ( p ) mï‚ ¢Ã¯â‚¬  plus the expected â€Å"other costs† per unit: 2) Legalization of marijuana would eliminate the criminal sanctions and penalties associated with its consumption. As this would decrease the â€Å"full† price, consumption would be expected to rise. Marijuana consumption is significantly higher amongst males than females – 60 percent of all males have consumed it, compared to 46 percent of all females. Consumption of marijuana is estimated to increase by about 4 percent if it were legalised; and by about 11 percent following both legalisation and a 50-percentfall in its price. Price is a significant determinant of marijuana consumption. Whilst marijuana consumption is estimated to be price inelastic, estimates of most of the price elasticities are significantly different from zero. Two types of price elasticities of demand for marijuana were estimated, gross and net. The gross price elasticity includes the effects of both legalisation and a price change, while the net version excludes the legalisation effect. The price elasticity of demand for marijuana differs significantly with the type of consumer. For more frequent users (daily, weekly and monthly), gross and net price elasticities are estimated to be  -.6 and -.4, respectively. Occasional smokers having a gross price elasticity of about -.3 and net elasticity of about -.1. Regarding those who are no longer users, they have gross and net price elasticities close to zero. For a given type of consumer, males and females share the same elasticity value. CASE LET 2: 1) In my opinion Yes, the Indian companies are running a major risk by not paying attention to cost cutting. To illustrate Comparing major Indian companies in key industries with their global competitors shows that Indian companies are running a major risk. They suffer from a profound bias for growth. The problem is most look more like Essar than Reliance. While they love the sweet of growth, they are unwilling to face the sour of productivity improvement. Nowhere is this more amply borne out than in the consumer goods industry where the Indian giant Hindustan Lever has consolidated to grow at over 50 per cent while its labour productivity declined by around 6 per cent per annum in the same period. Its strongest competitor, Nirma, also grew at over 25 per cent per annum in revenues but maintained its labour productivity relatively stable. Unfortunately, however, its return on capital employed (ROCE) suffered by over 17 per cent. In contrast, Coca Cola, worldwide, grew at around 7 per cent, improved its labour productivity by 20 per cent and its return on capital employed by 6.7 per cent. The story is very similar in the information technology sector where Infosys, NIIT and HCL achieve rates of growth of over 50 per cent which compares favorably with the world’s best companies that grew at around 30 per cent between 1994-95. NIIT, for example, strongly believes that growth is an impetus in itself. Its focus on growth has helped it double revenues every two years. Sustaining profitability in the face of such expansion is an extremely challenging task What makes this even worse is the Indian companies barely manage to cover their cost of capital, while their competitors worldwide such as Glaxo and Pfizer earn an average ROCE of 65 per cent. In the Indian textile industry, Arvind Mills was once the shining star. Like Reliance, it had learnt to cook sweet and sour. Between 1994 and 1996, it grew at an average of 30 per cent per annum to become the world’s  largest denim producer. At the same time, it also operated a tight ship, improving labour productivity by 20 per cent. Despite the excellent performance in the past, there are warning signals for Arvind’s future. The excess over the WACC is only 1.5 per cent, implying it barely manages to satisfy its investor’s expectations of return and does not really have a surplus to re-invest in the business. Apparently, investors also think so, for Arvind’s stock price has been falling since Q4 1994 despite such excellent results and, at the end of the first quarter of 1998, is less than Rs 70 compared to Rs 170 at the end of 1994. Unfortunately, Arvind’s deteriorating financial returns over the last few years is also typical of the Indian textile industry. The top three Indian companies actually showed a decline in their return ratios in contrast to the international majors. 2 ) Fast moving consumer goods will become a Rs 400,000-crore industry by 2020. A Booz & Company study finds out the trends that will shape its future Consider this. The anti-ageing skincare category grew five times between 2007 and 2008. It’s today the fastest-growing segment in the skincare market. Olay, Procter & Gamble’s premium anti-ageing skincare brand, captured 20 per cent of the market within a year of its launch in 2007 and today dominates it with 37 per cent share. Who could have thought of ready acceptance for anti-ageing creams and lotions some ten years ago? For that matter, who could have thought Indian consumers would take oral hygiene so seriously? Mouth-rinsing seems to be picking up as a habit — mouthwash penetration is growing at 35 per cent a year. More so, who could have thought rural consumers would fall for shampoos? Rural penetration of shampoos increased to 46 per cent last year, way up from 16 per cent in 2001. Consumption patterns have evolved rapidly in the last five to ten years. The consumer is trading up to experience the new or what he hasn’t. He’s looking for products with better functionality, quality, value, and so on. What he ‘needs’ is fast getting replaced with what he ‘wants’ Categories are evolving at a brisk pace in the market for the middle and lower-income segments. With their rising economic status, these consumers are shifting from need- to want-based products. For instance, consumers have  moved from toothpowders to toothpastes and are now also demanding mouthwash within the same category. The trend towards mass-customization of products will intensify with FMCG players profiling the buyer by age, region, personal attributes, ethnic background and professional choices. Micro-segmentation will amplify the need for highly customized market research so as to capture the specific needs of the consumer segment targeted, before the actual product design phase gets underway. 3) Industies impressive growth in value added as observed in the previous sub section is not accompanied by a commensurate rise in the level of relative productivity in terms of the cross–country analysis. The fragmented nature of Indian pharmaceutical sector characterized by the operation of a very large number of players, estimated to be about 10,000 units of which just 300 units are medium and large sized7, may be a reason for low level of productivity. The other important factor for low productivity can be due to the nature of technological activities in the sector, which tends to rely more on process than product development. Further, it may be that Indian companies are focusing at the low end of value†chains in the pharmaceuticals like producing generics than opting for branded products or supply bulk drugs to global players than market formulations of their own. 4) The Indian textile industry has been one of the foremost contributors to the country’s employment, exports, and GDP. The industry has been rated as one of the key drivers of the Indian economy and a bold target of exports of $50 billion (currently it’s $22 billion) had been targeted by the year 2012 by the government after the dismantling of the quota regime in 2005. However we are still far away from that target. Though now it can be blamed on the worldwide recession, I think we need to do some soul searching as to was it anyways possible. Globally, the Indian industry is recognized for its competitive advantages, especially in the cotton segment. The government has set huge targets for the industry and expects to attract investments of about Rs 1.5 lakh crore during the eleventh Plan period. This would meet the export and domestic targets, while taking various initiatives like setting up textile parks, training centers, and ‘made in India label promotion’ to global markets. The Indian textile industry is facing tough competition in the US, as exporters from smaller countries like Bangladesh are cornering the lucrative market at a faster pace, a FICCI study said. â€Å"In addition to China, countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh have managed to perform better than India in the US market in 2009,† the study said. Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam managed to increase their share in the US textiles and apparel import in 2009 year on year at a faster rate than India. The Indian textile industry will no doubt survive and move along by the strengths of its traditional position and domestic market. However, the growth envisaged and it being re-classified as sunshine industry over the last three years from a sunset industry may turn out to be a myth Section C: 1) A vision of the impact of free trade can also be gleaned from Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Samuelson (1970) who confidently asserted that: Free trade promotes a mutually profitable division of labour, greatly enhances the potential real national product of all nations, and makes possible higher standards of living all over the globe. It promotes a regional division of labor — this means that some regions of the world (or countries) will specialize in certain things. They will specialize in areas where they have a comparative advantage. It enhances national production — this means that countries will be able to produce more things if there is trade. That is because they focus on producing things they are good at and do not waste resources on things that they are not good at. It allows higher standards of living because there is more production. If there is more production, there are more things available to be consumed. Another belief in the importance of free trade can be ascribed to its  perceived indirect effect on peace, security and the prevention of war. One of the first articulations of this is by Baron de Montesquieu, who writing in 1748, stated: Peace is the natural effect of trade. Two nations who traffic with each other become reciprocally dependent; for if one has an interest in buying, the other has an interest in selling, and thus their union is founded on their mutual necessities. This theory of mutual interdependence has been explored in some detail by authors such as Keohane and Nye67 and is echoed in attempts to build and protect the mandates of global institutions seeking such co-operation. However few attempts are made to track the results of policy activities on whole population of States, and as a result the overtly negative impact on some groups, usually minorities and indigenous 2) The Decision Trees, used to help with decision making in business ( and many other areas), are a form of diagrammatic analysis. They are used as a tool for helping managers to choose between several courses of action. They provide an effective and clear structure for presenting options and within decision trees the probabilities and financial outcomes of these options can be measured. They also help to form a balanced picture of the risks and potential financial rewards associated with each possible course of action. In many business decision making situations chance (or probability) plays an important role, and the use of decision trees helps build probability into the decision making process. Pictorial representation of a decision situation, normally found in discussions of decision-making under uncertainty or risk. It shows decision alternatives, states of nature, probabilities attached to the state of nature, and conditional benefits and losses. The tree approach is most useful in a sequential decision situation. For example, assume XYZ Corporation wishes to introduce one of two products to the market this year. The probabilities and present values (PV) of projected cash inflows follow: A decision tree analyzing the two products follows: Based on the expected net present value, the company should choose product A over product B.

Knowledge, Innovation, and Learning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Knowledge, Innovation, and Learning - Essay Example The aim of our project was to highlight how 3M is capable of sharing knowledge across social networks, as well as sharing it within social networks to create new innovations. As a participant in this process, I gained experiences researching and understanding complex business resource issues as well as investigating and rating how one company implements these ideas. Our process was mainly twofold. First, we conducted a literature review. We investigated knowledge management, innovation as a competitive advantage, types of data, information and knowledge as well as how the cycle of knowledge works. Next, we analyzed how 3M applies these principals to the business world and made certain recommendations. As well as our project went, there is still room for improvement. There were pros and cons to the process, however. They are expressed as strong and weak points of the process, positive and negative experiences as well as positive and negative feelings. The process was strong in that we all had great ideas to proffer to our project, but weak in that we had a difficult time discerning which ideas to implement. Furthermore, the positive experience was that we were able to bring it all together in the end. The negative experience was that often times some of the group was hearing the other members but not really listening to them. His elicited some negative feelings along the way. When waves off the opinions of others as unimportant, it creates feelings of opposition instead of cooperation. In the end,  however,  the completion of our project made everyone feel accomplished. These are some of the dualistic challenges one meets while working with others.

Nutrition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nutrition - Essay Example The Six Classes of Essential Nutrients Proteins, carbohydrates, water, lipids, minerals, and vitamins are the key essential nutrients for the human body. Proteins carbohydrates, water, and lipids are classified as macronutrients, while minerals and vitamins are classified as micronutrients (1). Insel et al, 2011, p.230, define proteins as â€Å"large molecules made up of amino-acids joined in various sequences†. Thus various kinds of proteins are present in the human body in various shapes. Based on their shapes the several kinds of proteins have specific roles within the human body. Some of them are enzymes, and speed up the many chemical reactions within the body essential to its survival. Some others act as hormones. Hormones may be viewed as chemical messengers within the human body. Yet other hormones go into the makeup of the antibodies of the human body to protect the human body from foreign substances and pathogens. Some other proteins act as pumps within the body to m aintain fluid balance. In this balance maintaining process they pump molecules across cell membranes and attract water. The acid base balance in the body is maintained by the action of proteins through the taking up or releasing of hydrogen ions, depending on the need. Finally, proteins act as transporters for many key substances like oxygen and the micronutrients to the targeted cells all over the human body. The essential nature of proteins to the human body is thus clear (2). Insel et al, 2011, p.146, define carbohydrates as â€Å"organic compounds that contain carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) in the ratio of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom for every carbon atom.† The main role of carbohydrates in the body is to act as a fuel for the cells in the human body. Even though the human body can use fats also for energy purposes, carbohydrates are the preferred source of energy, particularly for the brain, red blood cells, nervous system, fetus, and placenta. Carbo hydrates also contain fibres that make it easier for the passage of stools through the digestive system (2). Water is absolutely essential for the survival of the human body. The water content in the human body is responsible for up to 75% of the weight of the human body. The importance of water to the human body lies in it being a very good solute. In the human body water carries several dissolved minerals in the form of electrolytes. These electrolytes are maintained at a constant balance. The very existence of cells in the human body depends on the maintenance of the right balance of these electrolytes in water (2). Insel et al, 2011, p.182, describe lipids as â€Å"a broad range of organic molecules that dissolve easily in organic solvents like alcohol, ether, and acetone, but are much less soluble in water.† Three main types make up the lipids, which are triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols. Lipids are an energy source for the body and when stored in the body as fat act as energy reserves in the body for use when there is a deprivation of carbohydrate supplies to the body (2). Ball 2004, p. 8, defines vitamins as â€Å"a group of organic compounds which are essential in very small amounts for the normal functioning of the body.† Vitamins as required for nutrition in the human body are thirteen in number and classifies into water soluble vitamins and fat soluble vitamins. The water soluble vit

The Ethics of Hardball Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Ethics of Hardball - Research Paper Example 14). Therefore, applying the case of Home Depot, their decision to limit any increase in prices of their products especially during the anticipation of Hurricane Andrew still paid off in the long run. As emphasized, â€Å"although prices increased early in anticipation of Hurricane Andrew, Home Depot was still able, with the cooperation of suppliers, to sell half-inch plywood sheets for $10.15 after the hurricane, compared with a price of $8.65 before, thereby limiting the increase to less than 18 percent. Home Depot executives explained their decision as an act of good ethics by not profiting from human misery† (Braybrook, 1983, p. 12). By taking into consideration the interests of the society and the general public, and the scenario at hand, businesses could make good and ethical decisions by evaluating the repercussions of their actions on a longer perspective basis. †¢ Should businesses be held morally accountable applying different standards than we use to assess others in a society? Why or why not? Explain your position. According to the topic on The Relationship between Ethics and the Law, it was disclosed that â€Å"business activity takes place within an extensive framework of law, and some people hold that law is the only set of rules that applies to business activity. Law, not ethics, is the only relevant guide† (Braybrook, 1983, p. 14). Therefore, businesses are expected to be governed by ethical and moral standards; and should be held morally accountable for the various decisions made. Concurrently, despite legal standards that prevail and continue to be the primary basis for decision-making, both ethical and moral standards must be integrated and incorporated in the process. †¢ Is it inherently unethical to make business decisions that add long-term value to the business and which do not violate law or social convention? Why or why not? Explain your position. It is not inherently unethical to make business decisions that add long-term value

The Relationship between Eliezer and his Father Essay

The Relationship between Eliezer and his Father - Essay Example Hence, in the beginning of Night, the relationship between Eliezer and his father is one of respect and obedience rather than love and affection. Then the members of the family separate from each other and Eliezer and his father arrive at the camp. Here for the first time, Eliezer sees his father cry for him. He cries for the fate that awaited his son and wished that he had gone with his mother (Wiesel 30). During this stage of the novel, Eliezer notices his father’s love for him and he reciprocates it appropriately with care and affection. Eliezer realized that the only reason his father wanted him to be with his mother because he does not have the strength to see his own son being assassinated in front of his own eyes (Wiesel 30). During these tough times, they are a source of support for each other. The relationship between them changes from one of respect to one of affection and care. However the cruelties around them make a profound impact on their relationship. In spite of all the negativities, Eliezer clung onto his father for support and believed that their bonding and love was more important than self preservation. This event actually symbolizes their future relationship and comes as a warning to Eliezer that he should love and care for his father even during the hardest of times (Wiesel 48).

The Castle doctrine in the state of Virginia Research Paper

The Castle doctrine in the state of Virginia - Research Paper Example It also gives examples of United States cases, where the Castle Doctrine laws have been applied. The state of Virginia, which is among the US states that have never implemented the Castle doctrine laws is also discussed, as well as the recent changes in the law in recent years. Finally, the paper highlights the advantages and disadvantages of the Castle Doctrine. Keywords: Castle Doctrine, Intruder, Victim, West Virginia, Statute, Self Defense The Castle Doctrine The law in most nations upholds the fact that every individual has a right to defend himself or herself against an attacker, in what is popularly referred to as self-defense. Carter points out that the permissions and powers held by individuals for their defense at their homes in case of attacks are contained in the Castle Doctrine (2012). The Castle Doctrine also deals with special cases of attacks committed towards individuals away from their homes. Gardner and Anderson define it as â€Å"the doctrine permitting people wh o have been assaulted in their homes by a trespasser to stand their ground and use such force as is necessary and reasonable to defend themselves† (2011, p. 137). According to the doctrine, a person’s home is his or her castle, and the home owner has the right not to retreat in case of an attack. The doctrine however allows this on the grounds that the attacker is a stranger or trespasser in the home, and not a co-occupant such as a housemate, spouse, or member of the family. Gardner and Anderson (2011) point out that â€Å"a minority of states have an exception to the â€Å"castle† doctrine that requires a co-occupant of a home to retreat (if safely possible) before using deadly force in self-defense† (p. 137). Origin of the Castle Doctrine The Castle Doctrine has its origins in the common law that was established thousands of years back. It is believed to have been established by Plotinus in AD 250. He stated that the only way an individual could save hi mself from an attacker was not by praying, but rather fighting the attacker (Hunter, 2012). The application of the Castle Doctrine can also be traced back to the Roman law between AD 530 and 533 by The Pandects, who urged that one’s home ought to be the safest place to live for anyone. The English law in the 1600s also upheld the doctrine and supported the statement that â€Å"a man’s house is his castle† (Hunter, 2012, p. 14). In 1690, John Locke, who was an influential political philosopher wrote that man has the right and permission to destroy anything that threatens him as well as to destroy any man that fights him. When the United States gained its independence in 1776, it was declared that pursuit of happiness, life and liberty are inalienable rights that all men, who are created equal, have (Hunter, 2012). The Castle doctrine is also mentioned in the United States constitution and the Second Amendment. Elements of the Castle Doctrine The mode of applicati on of the Castle Doctrine laws is different in different states. However, there are common conditions that basically apply to all states. These include the requirement or condition that a trespasser should have made or be making a trespassing attempt into a car, home or business (Experienced Criminal Lawyers, 2013). The second condition requires the attacker or intruder to truly be involved in an unlawful act, and this means that the intruder cannot be a law officer

Humanities 17th-20th Centuries within Art, Music, Literature, and Essay

Humanities 17th-20th Centuries within Art, Music, Literature, and Philosophy - Essay Example As time progressed other philosophical views entered into society as well, some of the main ones being focused on romantic realism or otherwise "the return to nature" through Rousseau's philosophy. There were an extensive number of philosophical thoughts, and even Darwin had a profound place in them and these time periods. The varying social contracts of these periods had not only an impact on people in public but also in private as well as they were ideally relative to politics and focused in on politicians, bureaucrats, and even on private spousal relationships/family life in some ways (Ramia 2002). Furthermore, classical liberalism evolved during this period and with it; within the context of the social contract there were ideas adamantly affected such as, independent choices, and individual consents on specific societal issues. One could say that the contract brought about many individual freedoms but also led to there being a need for a larger and stronger legal body present in society in order to uphold the rights of citizens in squares and marketplaces. The cause of these changes as well as the ideal of the social contract stemmed from the rapid rising of industrialization and the various markets economies (Ramia 2002). Due to this form of individualism and freedom each individual had rights to o; and it was found that the contract freed individuals from any form of positive obligation to one another. Furthermore, it was this social contract that was used to implement distributive justice in society to ensure that law was upheld and all individuals had their rights and freedoms kept intact, which provided a form of social protection (Ramia 2002).Due to these social contracts and how they affected the general public, Locke devised a philosophical framework through his own thoughts concerning this which was titled, "Natural Law" (Grant 2000). History finds that it was Locke's theory in itself that moved those of Western thought into a new direction, as his philosophy emphasized a civic duty to obey the laws of society rather than from the body of authority alone. Locke's philosophy proposed that since the social contract developed laws that were consented to by the bodies of the people in mutual agreement, then of course they were powers that should be naturally followed, su ch as a natural duty or as he termed it, "natural law" (Grant 2000). Because Locke defined people as being reasonable then his philosophy showed that if there were indeed reasonable people in the body of the society defined by the social contract then they would accordingly devise natural laws that would become redefined into natural duties due to the binds of the social contract. In other words, Locke was proposing that the social contract was indeed a universal duty that required citizens to act a certain way among one another because it was the logical way to ensure human rights on an individual basis and of which made and kept a rational society. Again, Locke's philosophical reasoning was the key in shifting many societies'

Parade of Organisms and Cell Identification Assignment

Parade of Organisms and Cell Identification - Assignment Example The organism is formed within mycelium, which is a mass of threadlike structures called hyphae. The primordium develops into a round structure of interlocking hyphae called a button. The button, also referred to as an egg, expands with time and the universal veil ruptures to release the spores out. The growth of mushroom always occurs at night with a rapid expansion. This is made possible by fluids absorption in forming fruit bodies. Others add tissues or insert hyphae to fruit bodies by growing at the edges of the colony. The mushroom is edible and consumed by most people. The most interesting bit is that it is a low-calorie meal and can be eaten as raw or when cooked. The mushroom is rich in vitamins, source of essential minerals and low-fat content. Man, therefore, becomes the main predator of the organism and any other animal that consume the mushroom (Schafer, 2013). Additionally, the organism is used in fiber industry in dyeing of wool and fabrics to produce vivid and strong colors. The organisms also play an important role in the biological process of remediation. Filtration technologies where the organism is involved in lowering bacterial level in any contaminated water (Schafer, 2013). Also, the organism can be used in spurring plant growth by using the structure mycorrhizae that are soil rich nutrients. The organism extracts are widely used in the field of medicine for cardiovascular disorders and boosting of the immune system. The side effects are the harmful impact of the toxic mushrooms rendering it inedible. Moreover, the organism has the propensity effect of absorbing heavy metals that may include the radioactive ones emitting harmful rays. The difference between the bacterial cell from the plant and animal cells is that the bacterial cell is prokaryotic meaning there is no nucleus, unlike plant and animal cells that are eukaryotic, made up of cells. Animal cell lacks cell wall but present in plant cell and is

Romeo and Juliet essay Baz Luhrmanhas Essay Example for Free

Romeo and Juliet essay Baz Luhrmanhas Essay Baz Luhrman has updated the screenplay of Romeo and Juliet. The scene is placed in America what is perfect for this screenplay. This screenplay suits America as it has a very violent place. Caused by gang warfare and gun being legal. Romeo and Juliet, it has a lot of sword fights and murders. Themes have a very important part of this love story; the whole story is based on opposites. The director Baz Luhrman has set the scene very well and has chosen the important parts that will make sense. The setting of America is good as drive-by shooting happen all the time and it has gangster who rule the streets by fighting, stabbing, shooting and killing in any form to win. It in Californian what is a built up place, and has not very built up areas around it. The themes have made this play what it is; it uses themes like love-hate and life-death. The opening scene starts off with the main credits, it has a black background what give tension to the start of the play. The characters in the credits seem every serious except Paris who is a neutral person in the families grudges. And in the beginning he shows a lot of faces as it shows emotion, this giving him to push the audience to the scene. Blood is even a theme as he uses to persuade you that it going to be gory as first impressions are vital. The first make setting is in a car were the Montague boys are, their wearing beach boy clothing, their very loud, got very simple hair cuts what shows hard people as personal in the armys have simple haircuts and they shout abuse to other people in the streets. They arrive at a petrol station, and Benvilo walks outer sight, which seams to be the leader of the pack as he driving the car. You then get a camera shot of a car with the licence plate printed on them Capulet, as there the other family that is in the civil war with there own family. Tybut steps out the car but u dont see his face and that he lighted a cigarette in a petrol station. Fire and petrol do not mix so this will build the audience and make them respond to his presence. He disappears and it end up with Gregory and Samson and Abram and an unknown person. Abram sees the montages and walks over to them and scares them. They do not want to seem weak or scared so they insult them with a hand gesture. This starts a argument what spirals out of control, they draw their guns with two on each side, Benvilo steps out and calls for peace but he draws his gun, this is an opposite as he want peace but draws a lethal weapon. This is a theme as it an opposite, this opposite is a peace-violent theme. The Capulets boys are very well dressed and seem to be care about there appearance by wearing expensive clothes, there look like gangsters as they like to dress well and need to make an impression from their appearance. This gangster thing comes into all parts of their life as Tybalt called the prince of cats his name tell you that he got leadership and power as he a prince and their in a powerful family. Abram is a very well built person he tall and has a wide body showing power as he seem to have strength. Peter seems least powerful as u only see him partly plus hes in the back of the car. The Capulet boys seem organised as they knew what to do in a gun fight, they did not back down and had no hesitation in drawing their guns. They seem not bothered to draw their guns and seem to not care about rules and Tybult is smoking in the petrol station. The Montague boys seem less organised and prepared for a gun fight as when they insulted Abram they started hesitating and did some panic gesture by the way Samson picked up the petrol pump and started wobbling and was shaking with it. Benvilo seem most powerful as he driving the car, and has the better built body. Samson and Gregory seem less powerful as they talk to Benvilo as he a leader and that they had to try and impress Benvilo with the ways they react to other people. When Benvilo has gone into the toilet the other two are very scared by Abram presence and they panic when they draw their guns. Benvilo walks back and draws his gun without panic but he try to call the peace, Benvilo name in Italian means peacemaker. This shows he not a violent person. Tybult walks back into the scene and want the conflict to carry on. Romeo is a very lonely person who does not seem to have a great relationship with his parents. Romeo is a very romantic young man, as he loves to be in love. He seems to be very confused about what is love and whom he loves; this is shown from lines 165-177. Romeo is not a violent person who the audience makes out to be a very perfect person. The pun that is said about him is in relationship to him love being in love. Benvilo says he has been walking around near a sycamore tree, he is saying that Romeo has got love sickness. Mr and Mrs Montague seem to be very wealthy as their travelling around in a limo, they are wearing very expensive clothes and other items. The Capulet parents seem to live the same lives of the Montague. They have expensive clothes a very nice house and they have expensive cars. Paris is a neutral person in this civil brawl, he want to marry Juliet but Juliet does not want to marry Paris, This is a arranged married as her parents want Paris to be her husband as he got a good job prospects and is a very nice young gentleman. The prince of Verona is a neutral person as he has family on both sides; he in charge of the town, in the film Baz has interoperated him as a chief of police. He is very concise as he gets to the point when he tells the family both in the civil brawl that one more outburst will result in their lives paying the price. Juliet is a very young woman who does not love Paris, she does not want what her parents want her, what in those days was very rude. Baz Luhrman has used the same language except he cut parts out that of the original screenplay. There is a lot of puns what are jokes what are words that mean two different things. The start of the play starts off with a series of puns based on the word coal and colliers. This would not make sense to a modern day audience as there Elizabethan phrases. These series of puns have been cut out as no one would understand them and it would not make sense, and this would cause problems with tension building and first impression as there most important in a film as it plans out the rest of the film.

The Dome of the Cathedral, Florence Essay Example for Free

The Dome of the Cathedral, Florence Essay The Cathedral was designed and built in between 1377-1466 by the architect and visionary Fillipo Brunelleschi and numerous others. However parts of the building appear to date back to the 11th century, by a sculptor Arnolfo di Cambio (Farfan, 2001). The cathedral itself is located north of the Piazza del la Signoria and towers over the city. Initially there had been a great deal of competition with regards to who would be granted the contract of building the dome (also known as the Santa Maria del Fiore), but Brunelleschi used the innovative idea of constructing the dome support structure without a wooden center (Farfan, 2001). In 1420, Brunelleschi was granted the contract that involved the inner support being constructed from brick alone (Farfan, 2001). The dome consists of a complicated geometrical design, with an octagonal drum that with several empty shells within to lighten up the interior of the structure, this Brunelleschi called the ‘oculus’ (the eye). Brick ribs crisscross the interior but do not serve as a support for the building. The springing put of the dome is approximately 177 feet above ground level. From the base of the drum to the top of the dome is around 108 feet, showing the massive volume of the building as a whole. The radius across the outer edges of the octagonal drum measures 176 feet. An estimated amount of bricks used is in excess of 4 million (Farfan, 2001). The octagonal domes inside the cathedral were completed in succession of one another in order to create a stable support. The process is complex and dependent of precision timing and measurement. Bricks were laid using the ‘herringbone’ method, being laid on sloping beds in a ring like fashion, the spirals are closed with protruding bricks laid lengths ways instead of breadth. The cones within the spiral are divided into 5 equal geometric points in order to locate the ‘pointed-fifth curvature’. The axis of the inverted dome corresponds directly with the domes outer structure. The slack line corresponds with the bricks beds resting on the inverted cone surface. As work commenced the domes vertex shifts upwards (Farfan, 2001). The completed dome is supported by 3 half domes on the exterior of the structure. The ‘quinta acuto’ (eight corner ribs), the method of the radius divided into four-fifths of the maximum crossing span, is visible in even the half domes (Salvadori, 1980). Sandstone bricks were used within an iron reinforcement, prevent the collapse if the dome under pressure from its parallels (Salvadori, 1980). This was the largest dome built without wooden centering. This was the first instance that Doric, Ionic and Corinthian orders were used in architecture since the ancient times. Constructed out of sandstone and iron reinforcements, Brunelleschi designed tiles for the surface of the dome that would be easy to maintain and resist the elements (Salvadori, 1980). The outer facades are constructed with visible cantilevered arches, presenting themselves as alcoves facing onto the street below. Atop the Dome is Brunelleschi’s famous lantern which is hollow marble. The ornately decorated exterior is what can be described as truly Renaissance grace, elegantly yet elaborately consisting of numerous alcoves, facades and frescoes. The main facade is pink and green. The interior has stained glass windows in order to allow as much light in as possible and the paving entering the dome is marble. The interior also has frescoes of The Last Judgement, by artists Giorgio Vasari and Frederico Zuccari. The interior is extremely vast with extraordinarily high ceilings and is extremely well lit. The oculus sheds a direct beam into the middle of the building. The Duomo itself fits in with the Renaissance architecture surrounding it, including The Baptistery designed by rival Ghiberti, whose equally Gothic sculpture and is equaled if not surpassed by Brunelleschi’s ornate facade. All machinery and hoists used in the building of the dome have been removed, however numerous modern students of architecture have rebuilt models using versions of the machinery that would have been utilized, as well as making bricks in the same way as Brunelleschi would have done. Because of the openness of the structures interior, it is easy to move around in and facilitates vast numbers of people at one time. It is also constructed so that most of the inner quadrant can be viewed from the center of the building. Brunelleschi initiated the idea of linear perspective, with all points converging to a centralized point, this is evident in his construction of the dome particularly. This was also the beginning of the humanism approach, focused on the sensibilities of people. This meant that the building itself had to be as user friendly as possible while still being an aesthetic asset to the city. The idea of perspective for Brunelleschi was the most important aspect of humanism, drawing from the postulate that art is how the person views their world. Therefore the artistry of the dome had to by some standards be appropriate to the period, social climate and what the people of the city were expecting (see footnote 2). As a result, much of the richness associated with renaissance art is visible in the construction of the dome, but it remains relatively unobtrusive, its colors being predominantly bronzes and burnt browns. The interior flagged marble floor has alternating pieces of dark ruddy brown and cream, making at more aristocratic than religious. This lends itself heavily on the idea that the initial purpose of the dome was not religious, but more a centerpiece around which the city could be arranged. It has the ‘landmark quality’ that associates it with other countries and cities almost via its competitiveness. The entrance to the dome, through Giotto’s bell tower, which was completed only after the death of Brunelleschi. Three doors mark the entrance and exits of the dome. The main door is called the Almond door due to its elliptical shape. It has a painting of The Assumption of Our Lady Into Heaven, by the painter Nanni Bianco. Rich renaissance colors mark this painting as a distinct aspect of renaissance culture. High up on the side portals of the main painting are two small statues of the prophets by sculptor Donatello. There is also a mosaic in the lunette of the portal door, by the artists Domenico and Davide Ghirlandiao. Due to the three small domes supporting the dome itself, entrances and exits are through these portals, meaning that one can basically enter and proceed through the opposite entrance if necessary. The Dome of Florence Cathedral could basically be described as a landmark that does not intrude on other buildings within the Florentine setting, instead it serves as a central point in the city and has become a tourist attraction over the years. For students, the remarkable invention of stone supported domes has also become a topic of discussion. Previously having used wooden support scaffolds, the stone version may have been costly and time consuming but it gave the opportunity to build stronger and larger constructions. IT has been used over centuries as a gathering place for local meetings and also to house the some of the nost beautiful renaissance artworks of time. It is possible that Brunelleschi’s ideas about light and space influenced more modern architects such as Lloyd Wright, whose ideology was to allow as much natural light as possible into the building. The colors of the interior of the dome allow this natural light emanating from the oculus to be expanded and rather than giving the cold internal feel such as some of the older basilica’s would, the dome gives off an intensely warm energy. This was certainly an invention that changed the face of architecture and has long held it position in the history of the art. Sources: â€Å"Dome: Almond Door†. 2008. FirenzeViva. com. Accessed: 10 February 2008. (http://www. firenzeviva. com/duomo-firenze/duomo_almond_door. htm) Farfan, Maria. 2001. â€Å"Dome Structures: Santa Maria Del Fiore (Florence). † McGill University, Philosophy of Structures. Accessed 10 February 2008). http://www. arch. mcgill. ca/prof/sijpkes/arch374/winter2001/sfarfa/ensayo1. htm Salvadori, Mario. 1980. â€Å"Florence Cathedral – Dome†. Architecture Around The World. Accessed: 10 February 2008. http://www4. bfn. org/bah/a/virtual/italy/flor/cath/dome. html â€Å"The Early Renaissance in Florence† (date unknown). NGA. Accessed: 10 February 2008. http://www. nga. gov/collection/pdf/gg04en. pdf

Somaliland: A Successful State

Somaliland: A Successful State Somalia is considered to be one of the largest ethnic groups in Africa, yet are plagued with conflict. All Somalis share a common language, a pastoral economy, a religious faith which is Sunni Islam. In addition to this Somalia is a clan-based society which has a deep root in the countrys politics. Before colonialism, Somalias political system was clan-based were tribal sheikdoms was considered to be the form of rulership. Furthermore, power was scattered, meaning tribal leaders had a very difficult time control large regions. Thus, centralization or perhaps a unification under one leader was difficult if not unlikely(Kibble, 2001)[1]. Somalia was colonized by the British and Italians who used a combination of direct rule with a laissez faire approach further out in the periphery (Kibble, 2001)[2]. There are six major clans in Somalia; which are patrilineal; Issaq, Dir, Darood, Hawiye, Rahanweyne. These tribes are interlinked in all social political and financial domains (Kibble 2001 )[3]. Thus,Kinship-based social structure determine entitlement to resources, divisions of labour and authority, but also contracts (xeer) between and among clans. (Kibble 2001)[4]. Furthermore, decision making is conducted by male clan leaders based on consensus. Now, colonialism created boundaries in Somalia and has effected delicate clan relations and power distribution. In terms of Somaliland, the British ultimate goal wasto secure a steady delivery of livestock to their much more important colony of Aden, which controlled approaches to the Suez Canal (Kibble 2001)[5]. Between the years 1969-1991 this regime was a result of a military coup which was later legitimized by their aim to end corruption strong and develop a Greater Somalia. This time a National Security Court was established to enforce Public order but later replaced the Independent judiciary. This lead to the eventual descent of the somali state towards an Authoritarian regime (Battera, 2004)[6]. Furthermore, corruption was rampant during Barre regimes around this time due to an increase of foreign aid and military assistance with Italy and other gulf countries (Battera, 2004)[7]. Thus, the balance between the center and periphery was overwhelming favoured towards center thanks to neopatrimonialism. Eventually, legitimacy was lost and that is when Barre turned towards any who could potentially rise against him. Barre prefered target were Somalis who were once apart of the British colony who at this time tried to achieve autonomy. In response Barre to this during the civil war in the lat e 1980s Siad Barre indiscriminately bombed the civilian population in Hargeisa and Burco (Pegg, Kolstà ¸, 2015)[8]. It was during this time that Somaliland decided to become independent as as result of Somalia being an authoritarian state, rather than a democracy which was originally agreed upon during unification. This paper shall attempt to answer the question as to why Somaliland although unrecognized internationally is a successful state. First I will discuss the lack of International recognition , which has increased state nationality and increased domestic legitimacy. Second, the implementation of a Hybrid political system true to pre-colonial roots has strengthened the de-facto state. Finally, Somaliland has demonstrated successful and peaceful turnovers of power. LACK OF INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION A successful state is one where the acting government demonstrates control of the periphery, the center, financially able to provide basic institutions and strong legitimate authority. Arguably international recognition is also a factor of a successful state, yet despite this Somaliland has managed well without it. Lack of international recognition has increased state nationality in Somaliland. Somaliland as it stands is not formerly recognized as a legitimate state among the international community. However, this does not mean that Somaliland is not a state in perhaps the truest sense of the word. It appears that although Somaliland lacks international recognition it has an abundance of internal recognition. Internal recognition in Somaliland has translated to legitimacy, thus in the eyes of the Somaliland people the de-facto state is legitimate. Ironically a failed state such as Somalia has the international recognition as well as international representation, such as a seat in the UN. However, despite international approval, among Somalis the state does not have legitimacy. Insofar, the governments power simply extends to that of Mogadishu, yet even within the capital power is relative.According to Lipset legitimacy involves the capacity of a system to maintain and engender existing political institutions most efficient to ones society (Lipset, 1960)[9]. In the Failed state Index which measures; corruption, government effectiveness, political participation, level of democracy, illicit economy and protest. Somalia is considered to be the worlds most failed state with a 9.5 out of 10 score (Pegg, Kolstà ¸, 2015)[10].Furthermore, based on the Freedom House world index that ranks countries based on liberties and political rights. This scale considers 7 as the lowest and 1 the highest, here Somaliland has ranked 4.5 , while Somalia is a 7 (Pegg, Kolstà ¸ 2015)[11]. Thus, it can be observed that in terms of political rights and perhaps even liberties Somalilan d has proven to be more successful.Nonetheless, it should be noted that data conducted in Somalia is relatively difficult and may not necessarily be all inclusive. Thus, legitimacy and state success is not solely based upon international recognition. According to Holsti, vertical and horizontal legitimacy are the defining characteristic that determine a states ability to be recognized domestically and internationally. Vertical legitimacy is based on performance, The state has to earn and maintain its right to rule through the provision of services, including security, law and order (Holsti, 1996)[12]. While Horizontal legitimacy defines the limits and criteria for membership in the political community. Thus, if different subgroups within a community accept and tolerate each other then there is high Horizontal legitimacy. In addition the lack of international financing forces the state to abide by vertical legitimacy. Therefore, internal legitimacy is the notion where members within a polity are confident in their government and institution to provide basic needs. In the case of Somaliland formally considered a de-facto state is legitimate in all ways but internationally. Through the creation of its own military, navy, provision o f basic health care and representation of clans. Traditional Ghuurti are used in Somaliland to settle disputes among clans and/or subclans as well as to achieve cohesion. However, this does not imply that disputes were all non violent there have been instances where conflict ensued due to resources (harbors, airports). The lack of international recognition in Somaliland has proven to build the state at a bottom up level. By comparing Somaliland to Somalia we are able to identify that no international intervention has proven to be pivotal to Somalilands success. There were two large foreign troop interventions in Somalia, in addition to regional and international conferences. Yet none of these conference has lead to stability or at the very least control of more than a small fraction of Somalia (Pegg, Kolstà ¸,2015)[13]. According to Pegg and Kolsà ¸ the responsibility of Somalia was taken from the Somali people, which resulted in failed interventions (2015)[14]. Furthermore, overall intervention of the international community to the Somali people has done more harm than good. According to Hammond(2013)[15], Trust between Somalis and international actors has never been particularly strong, but in recent years has weakened to the point where international political engagement has come to be seen b y many Somalis as a liability. In addition, Menkhaus (2012)[16] states Somalis want an end to warlordism and jihadism, but they also want an end to foreign domination.. Yet peacebuilding in Somaliland is for the most part been in the hands of the people because they do not have the ability to request international aid. Thus, If the Somalilanders did not achieve peace among themselves, nobody would do it for them (Pegg, Kolstà ¸, 2015)[17].This notion of self-reliance has fueled nationality within the de-facto state ultimately solidifying internal legitimacy. Somaliland has been forced to rely upon themselves and this has only strengthened there persistence of independence and stability. In Somaliland, the lack of external intervention is often seen as a strength. Former foreign minister Abdillahi Duale (personal interview) believes that any major international engagement would have undermined self-reliance and the slow growth of local institutions for maintaining peace (Pegg, Kol stà ¸,2015)[18]. Similarly, former minister of finance Muhamad Hashi Elmi We had no five-star hotels, but had our meeting in the shade of a tree. The lack of attention from the international community has been a blessing. We did not realize that at the time, but now we realize it. (Pegg, Kolstà ¸, 2015)[19]. At this point in time Somaliland has two strong arguments for independence the first being its substantial support and legitimacy within the state. Secondly, its previous status of once being a former British colony prior to the unification of Somalia. According to the notion of utis possidetis former territorial lines are keep with its possessor. HYBRID POLITICS: A COMBINATION OF COLONIAL AND PRECOLONIAL POLITICS A unique aspect of Somaliland is its Hybrid political system, a joining of pre-colonial and postcolonial politics. The addition of pre-colonial politics has made Somaliland an interesting case in East Africa. The implementation of a pastoral democracy relies upon the use of traditional clan elders to mediate and negotiate politics. Fused with modern democracy where power is divide by different branches of government. For example a permanent Guurti was made for the upper house of the parliament where clans would appoint elders to represent each clan (Pegg, Kolstà ¸, 2015)[20]. In the beginning the lower house of parliament and the government were clan based, to change this a quota of clan representative was made to determine the MPS and ministers. Yet, it was understood that this system made smaller clans overrepresented. This overrepresentation was enacted so that smaller clans did not fear the dominance of the Issaq clan in government. Nonetheless, a restraint was enacted by a nat ional referendum in 2001 where a competitive party system was chosen for the lower house rather than clan-based (Pegg, Kolstà ¸, 2015)[21]. In essence Somaliland fell back on the time-honored consensus-based reconciliation mechanisms of the beele, in which the clan elders deliberate extensively among themselves until mutually acceptable solutions are found ( Pegg, Kolstà ¸.2015)[22].According to Pegg and Kolstà ¸ The party system in Somaliland is somewhat idiosyncratic, as only three parties which demonstrate support in each of Somalilands six regions are allowed to register for national elections in accordance with Article 9 of Somalilands Constitution (2015)[23]. The limitation was enacted to prevent fragmentation among clans (Pegg, Kolstà ¸.2015)[24]. Rather than to dissuade clan and kinship practices which will fuel animosity among the polis. This new approach to accommodate political and social norms pre-existing in that region has proven to further legitimize the Somal iland de-facto state. Democracy is often championed, hailed as a solution to social and political issues because it removes clanism and other antiquated political institutions. Although, clannism did not function as an effective political institution in pre-colonial times it can succeed with the inclusion of democracy. Societies such as Somaliland and Somalia clans of kinship are a pivotal aspect of social life, and will not be changed any time in the near future.Thus, rather than attempt to abolish it or degrade it ( such as the case of the Barre regime) accommodating it will prove to be much more effective. These relations of kinship are closely tied to ones identity and self perception, the removal of it will be seen as an attack on ones persons. However, that being said it is also important to take into consideration of the opposite spectrum. According to Hoehne many members of the House have become urbanized and somewhat disconnected from their largely rural constituencies, eroding the traditional pr inciple of collective and consultative decision making. In addition Hoehne states (2013)[25]The outcome of these developments is a crippled hybrid in which neither state nor traditional institutions function really well. and , their claim to legitimate traditional authority became hollow(2013)[26]. Although theoretically, choosing a representative will inevitably result in the distancing of said leader from those of which he represent.This does not take away the merit of recognizing clannism in Somaliland that to individuals is important both socially and politically. Furthermore, The clan element in the hybrid system of government has secured strong support for the regime, particularly in rural, conservative areas, but from the perspective of liberal democracy it is defective. Not only is the principle of one person-one vote violated, but under this system women and minorities from outside the traditional clans have no political influence whatsoever (Renders, 2012)[27] Nonetheless, despite this it was the implementation of clanism that brought Somaliland together. Thus without the state accommodating clans the de-facto state would prove to be useless and would not have lasted as long as it has. Although, international assistance was limited it was the very lack of intervention that allowed the Hybrid system in Somaliland to exist. It is doubtful a western international organizations would approve such antiquated politics, and would have pressured them to change. SUCCESSFUL TURNOVERS OF POWER Somaliland has demonstrate the ability to have successful and peaceful turnovers of power a number of times. The newly reformed de-facto state had the tasks of building a tax base as a result of no international support. Conflict management was paramount during this time of the states delicate position. Initially, the de-facto state was not as representative as it had led others to believes. It lacked the financial ability to maintain authority. However, despite this Somaliland made attempts to secure the the Berbera port. Although the port was under the control of a unrepresented clan within the government which expressed displeasure with the de-facto state. Yet, Edbank notes, In part due to internal divisions, and in part due to a lack of resources, the SNM was never able to project authority beyond the territories of the Isaaq clans that made up its core membership. It quickly became apparent that the SNM had only been held together by a common distaste for the military regime in Mogadishu. With the war over, financing from the diaspora which had helped support the SNM during the civil war dried up, and the group succumbed to internal divisions (Eubank, 2011)[28]. At this time many within government and the polis in general were of the belief that the Presidents clan Habar Yonis were manipulating power in their favor. This challenge towards the de-facto state was similar to the issue that ultimately lead to the collapse of Somalia. Favoritism due to clan ties was predominate at this time and often used as a way to consolidate power (Eubank, 2011[29]). The SNM was an established group created after the Somali civil war in hopes of solidity stability in Somaliland. The clan then ended its relations with the SNM administration in favour of opposing the governments manipulation of power. This was the case of the Berbera port controlled by the Isaaq clan known as the Habar Jelo, considered to be a rival of the presidents clan. In 1992 the government killed over 300 people in the town of Burco due to attempts to control weapons in the town(Eubank, 2011).[30] Consequently an armed conflict erupted between the two groups. Eubank emphasis this point Th e port of Berbera was at that time controlled by an Isaaq clan which was not well represented within SNM government, the Ilse Muse ( Eubank, 2011)[31]. After numerous national peace conferences the government was able to collect taxes from the port and managed to receive direct financing from the private sector to create a new currency(Eubank, 2011)[32]. Yet, the government had to ensure a set of national institutions that included a larger support, internal checks, balances, and a bicameral legislative branch. Thus, the new government was able to gain the support of both the private sector as well as the local clans (Eubank, 2011)[33].The conferences resulted in a more inclusive representation in government along with a reestablished National Charter. The Parliament now included 150 clan elder, as well as a new vice president and president(Eubank, 2011)[34]. Furthermore, the new president whose paternal lineage came from the Ilse Muse clan which had controlled the port of Berbera and whose maternal lineage came from the Habar Yonis clan which had previously been represented by the presidency. This encouraged public optimism that [the new president] could unite the Isaaq (Eubank, 2011)[35]. Furthermore, the private sector strongly supported a violent-free Berbera airport. The Berbera port provided the government with a source of income which by September 1995 was estimated to be between US$10-15 million per year (Bradbury, 2008)[36]. The second test Somaliland faced was the newly established National charter that was not embraced by the former presidents clan Habar Yonis. This disagreement was a result of the clan disatifaction regarding the new central authority and representation ratios (Eubank, 2011)[37]. Yet compromises were made due to pressure from the civil society and financial strain (Eubank, 2011)[38]. Furthermore, In 1995, a group of Somalilanders living abroad organised the Peace Committee for Somaliland and began pushing for a peaceful resolut ion (Eubank, 2011)[39]. This resulted in a new constitution being enacted for a more inclusive allocation of seats by increasing the seats for Habr Yonis ending the conflict (Eubank, 2011)[40]. At a national level, much of this revenue comes from customs collected at major trading centres like the Berbera port and Hargeysa airport. But local governments also depend upon local financing throughout the country. Under Somalilands system of decentralisation another measure established at the Boorame Conference in 1993 to ensure local governments were accountability to local populations, and not financially accountable to a potentially predatory national government Somalilands district councils continue to raise their own revenues to supplement disbursements from the central government by taxing local resources, with land, animal slaughter and business tax providing the main revenue streams'(Bradbury, 2008)[41]. The Boorame Conference ensured that government accountability at the national and local level be meet to satisfy civil society. Based on these two cases in the history of Somaliland there is evidence of its ability to relatively sustains its political stability. In order to secure power it comes as little to no surprise that the de-facto state was forced to use violent means. However, the during and after of the violence proved to be detrimental to the state itself. The loss of resources and finances due to these conflicts ultimately hastened the de facto-state to compromise. It could be said that perhaps if Somaliland did receive Foreign aid it would be much less inclined to listen to grievances or compromise its position. Thus, the disregard from the international community in Somaliland has in this instance been beneficial. Somaliland is unable to receive aid or any financial backing from other states of organizations. In addition the de facto state must rely upon tax revenue as a source of income. Forcing it to rely upon its own people and bureaucracy for financial and political stability. Evidently, prolonged conflict will only serve to impedide the states ability to secure power and the displeasure from civil society. Ultimately, this forces Somaliland to not be a predatory state and turn upon the very people they rule, because they must rely upon them to consolidate power and wealth. This creates a binary relationship that are interdependent on each other to succeed. Furthermore, the Somali political culture which by nature encourages discussion and debate among leaders fuelled peaceful talk. Conferences were financed and supported by diaspora and civil society within Somaliland. This demonstrated that the decisions of state is in the hands of Somalilanders. Simultaneously strengthening public nationality as well as consolidating legitimacy. In Conclusion, Somaliland has demonstrated its ability to be a successful state. Not only does its civil society believe it to be legitimate it also represents previously ignored clans. Somaliland claim to be a recognized as a state drives from the notion of utis possidetis. Ultimately, the lack of international recognition increased internal legitimacy and power. This allowed a bottom up approach towards the rebuilding of the former British protectorate. Furthermore, this increased the notion of horizontal and vertical legitimacy within Somaliland. Since the responsibility of the polis rest solely upon the state resulting in a binary relationship of interdependence. Thus making the possibility of a predatory state unlikely. In addition, the Hybrid pastoral democracy system that Somaliland has chosen to use to accommodate clanism has demonstrated a new form of democracy. This archiac notion of democracy would not have been accepted if international organizations were involved. Rather , the acknowledgment of Somalilands clan based society perpetuated stability. Unlike the Somalia Barre regime who claimed to rebuke clanism, yet maintained ties of kinship to consolidate power. Ignoring the very a nature of the society will prove to only hinder stability. Finally, Somaliland has been able to overcome issues of representation such as the case of IIse Muse representation and the Berbera port conflict. The de-facto state faced claims where the president was believed to favor his own clan Habar Yonis by consolidating power and parliamentary seats to them. However, they overcame this issue due to pressure of civil society and financial losses. Forcing the two groups to concede, thereby allowing a new parliamentary system to be enacted to ensure fair representation. Making the next president have clan ties to both groups from their paternal and maternal line. Then the second conflict was due to Habar Yonis displeasure with the new National Charter. This issues was resolve d by allocating more seats to this clan thus ending the conflict. Somaliland is where the colonial and postcolonial history has lead to their strong patriotism and drive to succeed as a state regardless of international acceptance. This paper only analyzes the theoretical notion of success and legitimate sentiments across Somaliland.However, it does not discuss the economic stability within Somaliland in depth due to a lack of research conducted in this area. Further studies could include if Somaliland has the economic ability to compete in a global market sustainably as a sovereign state. Works cited Battera, F. (2004). State- democracy-building in sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Somaliland A comparative perspective. Global Jurist Frontiers, 4(1), 1-23. Eubank, N. (2012). Taxation, Political Accountability and Foreign Aid: Lessons from Somaliland. Journal of Development Studies,48(4), 465-480 Hammond, L., 2013. Somalia rising: things are starting to change for the worlds longest failed state. J. Eastern Afr. Stud. 7 (1), 183-193. Hoehne, M.V., 2013. Limits of hybrid political order: the case of Somaliland. J. Eastern Afr. Stud. 7 (2), 199-217 Holsti, K.J., 1996. The State, War, and the State of War. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Kibble, S. (2001). Somaliland: Surviving Without Recognition; Somalia: Recognised but Failing? International Relations, 15(5), 5-25. Lewis, I. (n.d.). Understanding Somalia and Somaliland : Culture, history, society. New York: Columbia University. Menkhaus, K., 2012. The Somali Spring. ForeignPolicy.com blog, September 24 Pegg, Kolstà ¸. (2015). Somaliland: Dynamics of internal legitimacy and (lack of) external sovereignty. Geoforum, 66, 193-202. Renders, M., 2012. Consider Somaliland: State-building with Traditional Leaders and Institutions. Brill, Leiden Richards, R. (2015). Bringing the outside in: Somaliland, statebuilding and dual hybridity. Journal of Intervention and Statebuilding, 9(1), 4-25. Tripodi, P. (n.d.). The colonial legacy in Somalia Rome and Mogadishu : From colonial administration to Operation Restore Hope. Basingstoke: Macmillan. [1] Steve Kibble,Somaliland: Surviving Without Recognition; Somalia: Recognised but Failing? ( International Relations 2001), 12 [2] Steve Kibble,Somaliland: Surviving Without Recognition; Somalia: Recognised but Failing? ( International Relations 2001), 13 [3] Steve Kibble,Somaliland: Surviving Without Recognition; Somalia: Recognised but Failing? ( International Relations 2001), 13 [4] Steve Kibble,Somaliland: Surviving Without Recognition; Somalia: Recognised but Failing? ( International Relations 2001), 15 [5] Steve Kibble,Somaliland: Surviving Without Recognition; Somalia: Recognised but Failing? ( International Relations 2001), 17 [6] Battera, F. State- democracy-building in sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Somaliland A comparative perspective. (Global Jurist Frontiers 2004),3. [7] Battera, F. State- democracy-building in sub-Saharan Africa: The case of Somaliland A comparative perspective. (Global Jurist Frontiers 2004),3. [8] Pegg, Kolstà ¸. Somaliland: Dynamics of internal legitimacy and

Evolutionary Attitudes :: essays research papers

In To Kill A Mockingbird, Harper Lee describes a time when discrimination was extremely common. In the fictional society of Maycomb County, we can see the primitive forms of discrimination emerge through definition of social classes due to wealth, background and association, as well as the predominant theme of racism towards African Americans. Although in present day Victoria, the subjects of discrimination encountered are different, society’s attitude and response to these flaws are much the same. In Victoria, the homeless problem as well as youth stereotypes present huge venues for discrimination within society. In addition to this, Aboriginals and oriental demographics are segregated by society due to colour and culture. Although civilized society has evolved between Maycomb and Victoria, presenting both communities with different challenges, it has not broken free of the engrained discriminatory behaviour within each of its foundations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The discrimination faced by families such as the Cunningham’s, in To Kill A Mockingbird, was based upon society’s emphasis upon social class. As with the Cunningham’s, many families were hit very hard by the depression, and thus were not as wealthy as many other families in the community. Therefore, families such as these were offered little respect by other member’s of the Maycomb community based on their wealth or associations. Maycomb’s high society looked upon some of its neighbours as below themselves. Maycomb sees these people as a burden. According to inherent honoured codes within society, the importance and meaning of such fine breeding has been ignored, making these people less than those who come from â€Å"fine† families . In cases such as the Cunningham’s , members of the community who do not fall within the parameters of a â€Å"fine† family are objectified. An example of this can be seen when W alter Cunningham, a schoolmate of Scout’s, is invited over for dinner. â€Å" ‘He ain’t company Cal, he’s just a Cunningham-’ ‘Hush your mouth! Don‘t matter who they are, anybody sets foot in this house’s yo’ company, and don’t you let me catch remarkin’ on their ways like you was so high and mighty! Yo’ folks might be better’n the Cunningham’s but it don’t count for nothing’ the way you’re disgracing’ ’em†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (p. 24) As Calpurnia points out to Scout that the Cunningham’s, despite society’s belittlement of such families, it does not give anyone the right to act superior. Although families such as these are not restricted from interaction from society, they are nonetheless victims of society’s prejudices.