AIG accounting scandal (2005) - Income Statement report Essay

AIG bookkeeping embarrassment (2005) - Income Statement report - Essay Example hese embarrassments, posthumous outcomes demonstrate nearness of an innovative bookkeeping process, a marvel described by complex strategies for reserves diverting and abuse just as exaggerated incomes and inappropriate detailing of costs and liabilities. As indicated by Roddy (2011, pp 34), the most noteworthy embarrassment of the most recent decade included Tyco, HealthSouth, Enron, WorldCom, and AIG among others. This paper targets investigating the bookkeeping outrage that influenced American Insurance Group in 2005. American Insurance Group (AIG) is a worldwide protection enterprise. It is viewed as the World’s biggest insurance agency with more than 90,000 laborers and workplaces in more than 130 nations. The organization is likewise engaged with different types of business including airplane renting and resources the executives in numerous pieces of the world. During this season of the outrage, the organization was driven by Maurice Greenburg, the long-lasting serving pioneer, having driven the organization since 1968. He was named as the individual associated with the outrage, and inevitably constrained to step down in 2005. The organization went under investigation first in 2001 after it was understood that a customer organization had been helped to fortify their monetary record falsely. Examinations were begun and in 2003, a punishment of $10 Million was passed by SEC to settle the issue. The company’s pay smoothing items were explored in 2004 and an offer gear protest documented. Kay (2005) composed that the organization confessed to having directed ill-advised bookkeeping works out. At the point when the organization at long last discharged the 2004 yearly profit, it was found that re-protection manages GenRe were not represented in the stores. A rehashing of this came about to a lessening in the income by $1.32 Billion. As indicated by Martin and Wesley (2005), a few claims were recorded against AIG beginning with one by the Attorney General concerning deluding bookkeeping which Greenberg excused as political war. Others were documented by the government office prompting

Commercialization of Education Essay

Microscopic organisms, Virus, and Parasites †Years prior, waterborne ailments represented a large number of passings. Indeed, even today in immature nations, an expected 25,000 individuals will bite the dust every day from waterborne sickness. Impacts of waterborne microorganisms can be prompt and pulverizing. Along these lines, microorganisms are the first and most significant thought in making water satisfactory for human utilization. As a rule, present day civil supplies are generally liberated from destructive living beings in light of routine cleansing with chlorine or chloramines and successive examining. This doesn't mean metropolitan water is liberated from all microscopic organisms. Those of us with private wells and little rustic water frameworks have motivation to be progressively worried about the chance of microorganism tainting from septic tanks, creature squanders, and different issues. There is a little network in California, where 4,000,000 gallons of pee hits the ground day by day from dairy bovines! Specialists state that in any event 4000 instances of waterborne sicknesses are accounted for consistently in the U.S. They likewise gauge that a significant part of the brief ills and ordinary gastrointestinal issue that go routinely unreported can be credited to life forms found in our water supplies. INORGANIC IMPURITIES: Earth and Sediment or Turbidity †Most waters contain some suspended particles which may comprise of fine sand, mud, soil, and encouraged salts. Turbidity is upsetting to take a gander at, can be a wellspring of food and housing for microbes, and can meddle with powerful sterilization. Absolute Dissolved Solids †These substances are disintegrated rock and different mixes from the earth. The whole rundown of them could fill this page. The nearness and measure of absolute broke down solids in water speaks to a state of discussion among the individuals who advance water treatment items. Here are a few realities about the results of more significant levels of TDS in water: 1. High TDS brings about bothersome taste which could be salty, harsh, or metallic. 2. High TDS water is less refreshing. 3. A portion of the individual mineral salts that make up TDS represent an assortment of wellbeing risks. The most dangerous are Nitrates, Sodium, Sulfates, Barium, Copper, and Fluoride. 4. The EPA Secondary Regulations instruct a greatest level with respect to 500mg/litter (500 sections for each million-ppm) for TDS. Various water supplies surpass this level. When TDS levels surpass 1000mg/L it is commonly viewed as unfit for human utilization. 5. High TDS meddles with the flavor of nourishments and refreshments, and makes them less alluring to expend. 6. High TDS make ice 3D shapes overcast, milder, and quicker dissolving. 7. Minerals exist in water for the most part as INORGANIC salts. Conversely, minerals having gone through a living framework are known as ORGANIC minerals. They are joined with proteins and sugars. As indicated by numerous nutritionists minerals are a lot simpler to acclimatize when they originate from nourishments. Would you be able to envision going out to your nursery for some soil to eat instead of a decent carrot; or drinking an entire bath of water for LESS calcium than that in a 8 ounce glass of milk? 8. Water with higher TDS is considered by some wellbeing backers to have a less fortunate purifying impact in the body than water with a low degree of TDS. This is on the grounds that water with low broke up solids has a more prominent limit of assimilation than water with higher solids. Poisonous Metals or Heavy Metals †Among the best dangers to wellbeing are the nearness of significant levels of harmful metals in drinking water †Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, and Silver. Most extreme cutoff points for each are built up by the EPA Primary Drinking Water Regulations. Different metals, for example, Chromium and Selenium, while fundamental follow components in our eating regimens, have limits forced upon them when in water in light of the fact that the structure wherein they exist may represent a wellbeing risk. Poisonous metals are related with nerve harm, birth abandons, mental impediment, certain malignant growths, and expanded weakness to sickness. Asbestos †Asbest os exists as tiny suspended mineral filaments in water. Its essential source is asbestos-concrete channel which was regularly utilized after World War II for city water supplies. It has been evaluated that somewhere in the range of 200,000 miles of this funnel is directly being used to move our drinking water. Since these channels are wearing, the fatal substance of asbestos is appearing with expanding recurrence in drinking water. It has been connected with gastrointestinal malignant growth. Radioactivity †Even however follow measures of radioactive components can be found in practically all drinking water, levels that present genuine wellbeing risks are decently rareâ€for now. Radioactive squanders drain from mining tasks into groundwater supplies. The best danger is presented by atomic mishaps, atomic handling plants, and radioactive waste removal locales. As compartments containing these burns through break down with time, the danger of debasing our aquifers’ develops into a poisonous time bomb. Natural IMPURITIES: Tastes and Odors †If your water has an unpalatable taste or smell, odds are it is because of at least one of numerous natural substances extending from rotting vegetation to green growth; hydrocarbons to phenols. It could likewise be TDS and a large group of different things. Pesticides and Herbicides †The expanding utilization of pesticides and herbicides in horticulture appears in the water we drink. Downpour and water system convey these lethal synthetic concoctions down into the groundwater just as into surface waters †There are in excess of 100,000,000 individuals in the US who rely on groundwater for sources entire or in part of their drinking water. As our dependence upon groundwater is raising, so is its defilement. Our own family utilization of herbicide and pesticide substances likewise adds to genuine pollution. These synthetic compounds can cause circulatory, respiratory and nerve issue. Harmful Organic Chemicals †The most squeezing and across the boar d water pollution issue is an aftereffect of the natural synthetics made by industry. The American Chemical Society records 4,039,907 particular substance mixes starting late 1977! This rundown just is involved synthetic compounds announced since 1965. The rundown can develop by around 6,000 synthetic substances for every week! 70,000 synthetic compounds may in any case be underway in the US. As of December, 1978, 50 synthetic substances were being delivered in more noteworthy amounts than 1,300,000,000 pounds for each year in the US. 115,000 foundations are engaged with the creation and circulation of synthetic substances, with the business being worth $113,000,000,000 every year. As indicated by the EPA, there are 77,000,000,000 pounds of perilous waste being created every year in the US. 90 percent of this isn't discarded appropriately. This would approach 19,192 pounds of risky waste arranged every year on each square mile of land and water surface in the US including Alaska and Hawaii!! There are 181,000 artificial tidal ponds at mechanical and civil locales in t he US. At any rate 75 percent of these are unlined. Indeed, even the lined ones will spill as indicated by the EPA. A portion of these are inside 1 mile of wells or water supplies. There is as yet an absence of data on the area of these destinations, their condition, and regulations. THIS IS A HORROR STORY OF THE MILLENNIUM. Synthetic concoctions end up in our drinking water from several unique sources. There are several distributions every year featuring this issue. The impacts of constant long haul presentation to these poisonous organics, even in minute sums, are incredibly hard to recognize. Sullied drinking water may look and taste splendidly typical. The users’ manifestations may incorporate repeating migraine, rash, or weakness †which are all difficult to analyze as being water related. The more genuine outcomes of drinking polluted water are higher malignancy rates, birth abandons, development variations from the norm, fruitlessness, and nerve and organ harm. A portion of these disarranges may go unnoticed for quite a long time!! Exactly how harmful these synthetics are might be delineated by taking a gander at two models: TCE is a broadly utilized concoction which routinely appears in water supplies. Only two glassfuls of TCE can debase 27,000,000 gallons of drinking water! One pound of the pesticide, Endrin can pollute 5,000,000,000 gallons of water. Chlorine †Trihalomethanes (THM’s) are shaped when chlorine, used to sanitize water supplies, collaborates with regular natural materials (for example side-effects of rotted vegetation, green growth, and so on.). This makes poisonous natural synthetic substances, for example, chloroform, and Bromodichloromethane. A further word about chlorine: Scientists at Colombia University found that ladies who drank chlorinated water ran a 44% more serious danger of biting the dust of malignancy of the gastrointestinal or urinary tract than did ladies who drank non-chlorinated water! Chlorinated water has likewise been connected to hypertension and iron deficiency. Weakness is brought about by the harmful impact of chlorine on red platelets.

September 23, 2014 Happy first day of autumn! COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog

September 23, 2014 Happy first day of autumn! COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - SIPA Admissions Blog A wonderful way to learn more about the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and its programs is by attending an information session. We offer in-person visits for those of you that will be in the New York area, as well as virtual sessions online. We invite you to get to know us this fall! For in-person information sessions, reservations are required so if you would like to attend, please let us know which date you would like to visit and we will reserve a space for you. Please call our office at 212-854-6216 or email us at sipa_admission@columbia.edu to make your reservation. For in-person information session dates this fall, please click here. Our fall virtual information sessions will be held on the following dates: Thursday, October 2nd: 11:00am-12:00pm Wednesday, October 15th: 9:30am-10:30am Tuesday, October 28th: 11:00am-12:00pm Thursday, November 20th: 12:00pm-1:00pm Tuesday, December 2nd: 12:00pm-1:00pm Wednesday, December 17th: 10:00 am-11:00am You are also welcome to come and stop by the office Monday through Friday between 9am and 5pm, excluding holidays, to meet with an Admissions counselor and discuss SIPA’s curriculum, application process, and any questions that you may have for us. Directions and travel information to our office may be found on the SIPA page. We look forward to meeting you! The beauty of Columbia in the fall Photo courtesy of the Morningside Post

Evolution Scientific Inaccuracies - 820 Words

The 2001 film â€Å"Evolution†, is an entertaining film about an alien species being introduced to earth via meteor. However, this film seems to contain a copious amount scientific inaccuracies. For example, when the meteor is traveling through space, the movie presents the meteor rushing towards Earth with sound. However, space is a vacuum, so there for there would be no sound in space. To continue with the lengthy list, the meteor, after piercing the atmosphere of earth, still remains around the same size, not withering at all through the intense heat and weathering that would occur by doing so. Also, last time I checked, meteors did not contain explosives. I only bring that up because when it impacts, it creates a huge explosion, rather†¦show more content†¦Evolution of man kind took countless number of years, however, this â€Å"blood† took less than a few weeks to evolve from single cell to multicellular, complex organisms. With that, of course those organ isms can’t breathe oxygen, so doesn’t the rock just create its own atmosphere for the aliens to inhibit? How nice of it! I didn’t know that a rock, that happens to bleed, could convert an atmosphere into something else to help allow its blood to evolve and live. Along the path of the bloods evolution, it seems all of the once single celled organisms became, what looked to be, flat worms. So, the doctors took a few worms for testing. But of course, something must go astray! Avast, the worms undergo mitosis! Yeah, they split themselves into another identical worm. COME ON, really? How long are they going to push the buttons of many scientists, who were probably screaming at the T.V. with intense violence? Well, obviously they will, its gone on this long anyway... So the professors next visit leaves them in shock-and-awe (not to mention any science enriched person), they find that an entirely different world has emerged underground. With that new habitat, comes new species (that mind you, somehow, all evolved from those magical worms who can undergo mitosis). This species list ranged from flies and two headed creatures to pterodactyl and primates! What a wide range of evolved forms for a worm, its like Pokemon all over again! Now, toShow MoreRelated Evolution vs. Creation Essay915 Words   |  4 Pagespiece is that of whether or not evolution should be taught in classrooms. Also, if it is to be taught, should it be taught as fact or theory? It is also intended to present enough evidence to disprove evolution altogether and, as a result, make it much less than a theory, but actually the vain opinions of a man who chose not to accept the truth. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The entire point of this essay is to breakdown the theory of evolution, invalidate its scientific reliability, and support theRead MoreFear Is A Necessary Evil Essay1505 Words   |  7 PagesFear is a necessary evil. 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Because the Bible was so important in society, critics began to judge the book harshly, pointing out its inaccuracies and attacking some of the arguments, specifically, the punishmentRead MoreEvolution Of Science And Society Essay1714 Words   |  7 Pagescould this image be so different? Scientific knowledge is limited by technology and the obser vations it produces. As technology evolves, so do previous scientific observations. One of the most notable examples of this evolution of scientific observation are the dinosaurs. Since their discovery in the 1800’s, dinosaurs have helped make the prehistoric era one of the most popular periods of Earth’s history, for science and society alike. However, while new scientific observations challenge the previouslyRead MoreThe War Of A Forest Fire1380 Words   |  6 Pageson the poor and increase their likelihood of being exposed to infections diseases.( ) The casualties from war have diminished many of the harmful effects overpopulation brings. War has accounted for a multitudinous array of inventions and scientific improvements. There has been vast development in the medical field as a result of war. In the last hundred years ultrasound, plastic surgery and penicillin have all been created at the whim of war. During World War II ultrasound was used to detectRead MoreGalen s Theory Of The Circulatory System1093 Words   |  5 Pagestheory had many flaws. According to Galen, the septum had many tiny pores which allowed blood from the arteries to pass through from the right side of the heart. Many years after, Andreas Vesalius, a Belgian physician was the first to identify the inaccuracy in this statement; the septum does not have any pores to allow the blood to flow through. This was able to be proven as Vesalius experimented on human bodies, whereas Galen’s experiments were all conducted on Apes and pigs. His error, which hasRead More Creationism vs Evolutionism Essay2392 Words   |  10 Pagesnbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Most people view the theory of evolution as being a feasible explanation of how life became what is today. Evolution is a theory that the various organisms are descended from others that lived in earlier times and that the differences are due to inherited changes that occurred over many generations. It must be realized that evolution is a theory and cannot be considered a fact. Even though it’s roots are from Greek anatomists, the theory of evolution came to light in 1859 when Charles Darwin

The Importance of Marketing - 1341 Words

Marketing helps the business to develop a strong brand, inform the customers about new products or services, influence consumers in some way to buy specific products, assist with sales and provide up-selling services. American Marketing Association (AMA) describes marketing as the set of actions and processes within the company that generate, communicate and deliver offers that have some sort of value for the customers and the general public (link to source). Dr. Philip Kotler provides another description for the marketing and defines it as â€Å"the science and art of exploring, creating, and delivering value to satisfy the needs of a target market at a profit (link to source). Marketing helps to recognise unsatisfied customer needs. It also outlines the potential market with profit and designs suitable products for it. While marketing includes quite broad set of implementation models and techniques, there are a number of foundation elements that hold all marketing theories together. Understanding the core essentials of marketing can enhance effectiveness of the marketing and business overall. One of the main ideas of marketing is the concept that successful businesses offer products with unique benefits, not only with exclusive features. The below example demonstrates this model very well. Cinemas are part of the entertainment industry, with its purpose to delight and entertain audiences. Like all other entertainment mediums, Village cinema was greatly affected by theShow MoreRelatedImportance of Marketing882 Words   |  4 PagesRunning head: THE IMPORTANCE OF MARKETING IN ORGANIZATIONS The Importance of Marketing in Organizations Verisha Barrett University of Phoenix Marketing MKT/421 Marc Mosko Apr 22, 2006 The Importance of Marketing in Organizations Marketing has become one of the most critical increasing forces which drive today’s companies. With marketing a company has power to carefully plan and implement the strategies to make a company successful. 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Bird in the House Free Essays

REVISED Vanessa: Distressed Female In Margaret Laurence’s A Bird in the House By: Adeline Hartono #20336566 For: Professor Vardon Date: Monday November 14th, 2011 In Margaret Laurence’s A Bird in the House, the female characters in the story are helpless and distressed. Each character struggles to reach their own personal freedoms and is constantly battling through the ups and downs of life. This issue brings about the essence of entrapment, which is apparent in the collection. We will write a custom essay sample on Bird in the House or any similar topic only for you Order Now It can be further seen in regards to the female and main character, Vanessa Macleod. A Bird in the House tells a story about the life of Vanessa Macleod, the protagonist, and the rocky journey she endures throughout the process of growing up. Life is never easy for Vanessa, for she faces many challenges and tragedies throughout her childhood. In the collection, Vanessa possesses a unique quality in that she is able to find ways to deal and cope with the harsh events taking place in her life. One way in which she illustrates this is through her many writings of creative stories. When she wrote and developed ideas, Vanessa escapes any feelings of entrapment and helplessness; however, one of the hardest things Vanessa has to endure is the numerous losses of her loved ones: firstly, the passing of her beloved Grandmother Connor, whom she adored and loved very much, and shortly, in months after her death, the passing of her father, Ewen Macleod. Out of the two, the greatest lost in which Vanessa continues to struggle through is her father’s death. Throughout her childhood, she has always wanted to be closer with her father, but with the profession in which he holds, a doctor, it is difficult for the both of them to ever have any time to spend together. She not only believes that her father is the best doctor there is in Manawaka, but also the best doctor in the whole of Manitoba. With this being said, her father frequently travels out of town for work. During one winter in Manawaka, Vanessa’s father became very ill and had developed pneumonia. Almost immediately, in days after, he unfortunately passed away due to being unable to recover from the illness. In the days following her father’s death, Vanessa continues to fight back feelings of regret that she could have somehow been closer to her father and conversed with him more, â€Å"I took the letter and picture outside and burned them. That was all I could do for him. Now that we might have talked together, it was many years too late. Perhaps it would not have been possible anyway. I did not know† (Laurence 107) Hence, Vanessa never got the closure she has wanted with her father and this prevents her from fully reaching happiness. Although Vanessa has suffered the tremendous loss of her father, the pain and struggle of her life did not end there. She continues to endure obstacles while growing up, as she faces the dominance of her Grandfather Connor. Throughout the novel, Grandfather Connor is shown as someone of a high power who wanted things to go his way. He has a strong character and will, which gives him authority and as a result, overpowering almost all the members in Vanessa’s family. In one of Vanessa’s first creative stories, she realizes that her writing bears no relation to the life around her, but instead resembles her Grandfather Connor. She realizes that her Pillars of the Nation about pioneer life may well incorporate her Grandfather Connor, who is a real pioneer. She is troubled by the connection of the hateful old man she feared and fought with being apart of her creative writing so much so that she decides to set it aside. Only then does she see how similar she is to Grandfather Connor and how she will never be free of his control, â€Å"I had not thought it would hurt me to see it in other hands, but it did. I wanted to tell them to trim their hedges, to repaint the window frames, to pay heed to repairs. I had feared and fought the old man, yet he proclaimed himself in my veins† (Laurence 191) Thus, Vanessa continues to be trapped in the dominance of her Grandfather, and continually feels distressed and helpless. Ultimately, the theme of entrapment is evident in the book. One of the obvious ways in which readers see this idea clearly is in the character of Vanessa Macleod, the protagonist. The death of her father and the dominance of her Grandfather Connor prevent Vanessa from fully reaching happiness. As a result, she often struggles with feelings of regret and sorrow. All in all, the female characters in the book can be seen as distressed and helpless, for Vanessa was a perfect example of this. How to cite Bird in the House, Papers

Business Strategy of Tesco Plc. Click Now to Get Solution

Question: Scenario Planning is not just important for individuals but is also vital for the success of organisations. The strategic planning process (Johnson et al 2014) provides a guide to the complex series of actions which individuals and teams in organisations need to carry out over an extended period to achieve organisational goals. Planning makes it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of action against the business aims and objectives, and also helps to establish a sense of common purpose and corporate identity. Organisations need to continuously monitor and evaluate the factors affecting their products, services and their customers, both in terms of what is happening in the general business environment and their own internal capability to cope with these changing factors.Tesco PLC is the third largest retailer in the world by profit, and the fourth by sales revenue. Estimates vary, but it is claimed that for every 7 spent in UK retail outlets 1 is spent in Tesco. In terms of the groc ery market, Tesco has a market share of well over 30%. The company was founded by Jack Cohen, a Polish, Jewish immigrant, in 1919, as a group of market stalls in the East End of London (Well Street Market, Hackney). The name Tesco was adopted in 1924. By the outbreak of the Second World War (1939) the company had one hundred stores around the UK. The first Tesco supermarket opened in 1956. Since the 1990s the company has increasingly diversified into areas such as books, clothing, furniture, petrol, software, telecommunications, financial services, internet services and music downloads. As well as this organic growth Tesco has also acquired other business; buying competitive supermarket chains, such as Safeway, in order to increase their market coverage. Tesco were one of the first supermarkets to introduce a loyalty card. They have a presence in eleven countries around the world internationally including Thailand and Malaysia. They were pioneers of internet shopping.However, since 2012 the company has reported a dip in sales. New competitors, including Lidl, Netto and Aldi have entered the market, and their aggressive cut-price marketing efforts appear to be eroding Tescos market share. Recently Tesco appointed a new Chief Executive Officer, David Lewis (Drastic Dave) who used to work for Unilever, and put Matt Davies (ex Halfords) in charge of UK operations, in a bid to reverse the downward sales trend and breathe new life into the company.These are interesting times for Tesco. The new CEO and his directors face challenges from a variety of sources; from competitors, from changes in customer behaviour, and from pressures in the economic and technological environment. Your assignment will consider the strategic factors affecting the company, evaluate its current and future strategy and discuss the implementation of possible new strategic options.Task 1: Process of Strategic Planning AC1.1 Assess how the business mission, vision, objectives, goals and core com petencies might inform the strategic planning in Tesco plc. Your answer may consider the competitive pressures, ownership and management, and a general overview of organizational strengths and weaknesses. AC1.2 Analyse the factors (barriers or facilitators) that have to be considered by Tesco when formulating strategic plans for the organization. These could include issues from environmental scanning, challenges related, but not limited, to resources required, targets, stakeholders to be involved, management roles and culture, etc.AC1.3 Explain and evaluate the effectiveness of techniques used when developing strategic business plans for Tesco. Your answer may focus on strategic planning techniques such as BCG growth-share matrix, SPACE, PIMS, Scenario Planning.Task 2: Formulating a New StrategyAC2.1 Produce an organisational audit for Tesco. You should use techniques and academic frameworks such as Capability matrix (analysis of resources competences), Value Chain analysis, SWOT a nalysis (strengths and weaknesses) etc. AC2.2 Carry out an environmental audit for Tesco. You should use techniques or academic frameworks such as PESTEL analysis, Porters 5 forces, SWOT analysis (opportunities and threats) etc.AC2.3 Assess the significance of stakeholder analysis when formulating new strategy. Your answer should identify the key stakeholders of Tesco and explain the significance of their analysis in the formulation of a new strategy for the organisation. A stakeholder diagram (mapping) can be used to present the stakeholders and their analysis can be carried out using a power/interest matrix.AC2.4 Suggest and present a new possible strategy for AirbnbTask 3: Approaches to Strategy Evaluation and SelectionAC3.1 Analyse the appropriateness of alternative strategies relating to market entry, substantive growth, limited growth or retrenchment or turnaround for TescoYour answer should focus on examples of alternative strategies relating to market entry, substantive grow th strategies such as horizontal and vertical integration; related and unrelated diversification as well as limited growth strategies such as do nothing; market penetration; market development; product development; innovation, and disinvestment strategies (e.g retrenchment, divestment, liquidation, turnaround strategies)AC3.2 Justify the selection of a most appropriate strategy for Tesco using a criteria such as suitability, acceptability/desirability and feasibility.Task 4: Implementing a Chosen StrategyAC4.1 Assess the roles and responsibilities of personnel who should be involved in strategy implementation for TescoYour answer should consider examples such as top management, middle management, teams, individuals, owners, investors, strategic partners etc. AC4.2 Analyse the resources required for implementing a new strategy for TescoYour answer should consider examples such as finance, human resources, time, materials, technology etc.AC4.3 Discuss suitable targets and timescales t o be considered by Tesco in the implementation of the new strategy using techniques such the SMART method of analysis. Answers: Introduction Khojastehpour and Johns (2014) commented on the fact that marketing strategy can be referred to as the combination of marketing plans that are comprehensively created in order to fulfill the organizational goals. Marketing strategies are thereby flexible and are created for the long term basis that can only be changed if required with the changing competition. Moreover, Gamble (2010) strategically had an opinion that in order to increase the sales as well as to achieve a sustainable growth, strategies are formulated by the organization. For the successful accomplishment of the assignment, the researcher has chosen Tesco Plc. whose marketing strategies will be widely discussed. This assignment will be discussing about the procedure of strategic planning, formulation of innovative and new strategies and evaluation of these strategies followed by selection and implementation of the chosen strategy. Tesco Plc. is one of the leading multinational retailers in the world thereby occupying fourth position with respect to sales and revenue collection. Tesco has a diversified product range such as electronics, grocery, books, clothings, internet services, furniture, telecoms along with financial services. It has expanded its business from UK to many parts of Asia as well as Europe having its market share over 30% (Barnes, 2011). Discussion and Evaluation Task 1: Process of Strategic Planning AC 1.1 Assessing business mission, vision, goals, objectives and core competencies in Tesco Plc. According to Dong (2014) Tesco Plc. is currently occupying the fourth position in the world and is also facing a cut-throat competition from new competitors such as Aldi, Lidl, Netto etc. have entered the market with a low price strategy. The mission of Tesco is creating value for its customers for earning their loyalty on a lifetime basis. The vision of this company is to serve the customer, communities who in return will be giving value to the company. Moreover, from the opinion of Kotler and Armstrong (2012) the company also aims in operating ethically with the shareholders, employees, suppliers for a sustainable growth strategy by applying the skills and knowledge globally. In addition to this, the entry of new competitors having low price strategy is a competitive pressure on the organization. The management of Tesco has been operating successfully and ethically throughout the world thereby fulfilling the customer satisfaction as well as increasing the revenue of the company. Apart from this, Mattsson (2012) also commented that the strength of Tesco is its global prestigious position, maintenance of good quality products and servicing the customers as well as handling their grievances to the maximum. In addition to this, the ethical business, following the ETI rules and regulations, transparent business and good organizational culture are the strengths of Tesco. Along with this the introduction of innovative strategies such as loyalty cards and pioneers of e-commerce are the strengths of the company. Moreover, according to the opinion of Truong and Simmons (2010) Tesco cannot compete with the low price rates of the new competitors that turned to be its weakness. Moreover, Tesco has reached a market saturation that is affecting its sales and has turned to be its another major weakness. AC 1.2 Analyzing factors that consider both barriers and facilitators while formulating strategic plans for Tesco Plc. As commented by Piercy (2010) while operating globally, Tesco had to face several barriers as well as opportunities that need to be focused on while formulating strategic plans. Though Tesco is operating globally, it is still planning of expanding its business in other countries of the world by opening new offline stores. Moreover, according to the opinion of Temporal and Lee (2001) Tesco is also focused in creating new ecommerce strategies for reaching the potential customers all around the world. For that reason, Tesco needs to acknowledge the culture, customs and religious beliefs of the customers so that the sentiments of the customers are not hurt. The other factors that also need to focused on while trading globally is the low price strategy. Customers generally are inclined towards those companies that provide quality products at low prices. In addition to this, Noy (2010) also had an opinion that while operating globally, the company needs to hire employees from those areas and trainings also need to be given for making them expertise as per their requirement. Moreover, the rise of cost of raw materials, fluctuations of taxes and tough competitions from giant retailers also affect the strategic plans for Tesco. AC 1.3 Explaining and evaluating effectiveness of the techniques that are used while development of strategic business plans for Tesco Plc. Miles et al. (2014) commented on the essential fact that BCG growth matrix, PIMS, SPACE and Scenario Planning are used for evaluating the effectiveness of the business plans formulated for Tesco. Through BCG matrix, the company understands the Stars that which sectors Tesco have high market share and market growth. It also helps in understanding the Question Mark sectors of Tesco that have high growth and low market shares. Moreover, Bruhn and Georgi (2006) also had a view that Cash Cows sectors of Tesco have low growth but high prices of share. The Dog section of Tesco denotes the low market share and growth. These sectors need to be analyzed and then strategies need to be made for strengthening the strengths more and rectifying the weakness and turning the treats positively so that it becomes opportunities for the company. Moreover, PIMS which is also known as Profit Impact of Marketing Strategy helps Tesco in understanding the business environment, allocation of budget, competitive position of Tesco and the structure of the process of production. According to Eastham et al. (2001) this helps in understanding the total market scenario including the market growth, expansion and image for successfully evaluating the strategic planning techniques. Moreover, SPACE matrix also helps in analyzing the status and position of the company. In the verdict of Crick and Crick (2015) this helps in determination of the kind of strategy the company needs to undertake for a successful and sustainable business. The SPACE matrix also helps in analyzing the financial factors that includes liquidity, turnover, and cash flow along with the competitive advantages the company has over others. In addition to this, Leitner (2014) had an opinion that Scenario Planning also helps Tesco in making long term as well as flexible plan s. This takes into account the time as well as scope of the analysis including the identification of important stakeholders for which the strategies will be made. Task 2: Formulation of new strategy AC 2.1 Organizational audit for Tesco Value Chain Analysis- According to Mattsson (2010) Tesco has adopted value chain that includes the analysis of Inbound Logistics, Operations, Outbound Logistics, Marketing and Sales and Sales. Review is essential for the cost of inventory, raw materials etc. that are essential for organizational audit for Tesco. The operations also need to be concerned as it takes into account the inputs and output process. Moreover, from the opinion of Patnaik (2014) the outbound logistics is the process that is related to the storage of final products that need to be moved from one place to another. The marketing and sales department also needs to analyze for seeing the market revenues and sales. SWOT Analysis- Lunt et al. (2014) commented that the strength of Tesco is its global position, innovation of ecommerce and introduction of loyalty cards. Moreover the quality and global customer loyalty are the strengths. In addition to this, the weakness of the organization is the saturated market and falling behind the low price strategy. AC 2.2 Environmental audit for Tesco PESTEL Analysis- Tollin et al. (2014) had a view that Political factors are important to consider since the organization is operating globally and different countries have different political issues. The Economic factor includes the inflation rates, FDI rates, economic growth and interest rates that need to be analyzed before making the strategies. In addition to this, Crick and Crick (2015) also commented that Social factor include the population, demographics and culture of the place where it is trading or is thinking of expanding. The Technological factors include the usage of modern technology in formulation of strategies and trading. Moreover, from the view point of Wright (2012) the Environmental factor also includes the global environment, climate and geographical areas based on which fair trading will be done by the company. The Legal factors also include the labor laws, consumer laws, and employment laws etc that need to be analyzed while formulating the strategies. Porters 5 Force Analysis- Mamula (2012) opined that the threat of new entrants affect largely the strategies of Tesco. The low price strategy of entrants is affecting the sales of Tesco to a considerable extent. Moreover, the threat of substitute products also needs to be analyzed as because, if the substitute products at low prices become available to the market, Tesco will be suffering loss. Moreover, Khojastehpour and Johns (2014) also had a view that the bargaining power of suppliers includes the presence of substitute inputs, strength of distribution channel and switching cost of the suppliers. Again, the bargaining power of buyers is also be concentrated due to presence of substitute products etc and low price products. Moreover, the intensity of competitive rivalry that depends on the transparency and expenses incurred due to advertisement. SWOT Analysis- Gamble (2010) commented that the opportunities of Tesco are its expanding global market as well as greater flexibility to the customers. The introduction of ecommerce sites has given more opportunity to the organization for reaching their potential customers to the great extent. According to Dawson et al. (2006) the threats of Tesco are the introduction of rivalries with low price strategy. Moreover, the presence of the competitors adaptation of low price strategy is also another threat. AC 2.3 Assess the importance of stakeholder analysis while formulating new strategy Kotler and Armstrong (2012) had an opinion that stakeholders are the important part of the organization and their interest levels also need to be concerned while making strategies. This is because; the customers who are the stakeholders of the organization, based on their interests and needs the strategies of Tesco are formulated. Barnes (2011) had a view that the employees being an integral part of Tesco and important stakeholders, their interest also need to be considered. Organizational cultures along with good salary package and compensation are also considered while making the strategies. The directors and higher managers who are the important stakeholders also formulate the strategies based on the interest of the company, increasing the sales and revenues of the organization. In addition to this, Noy (2010) also had a view that the organization can operate well and run successfully globally. This is done only if the new strategies that are formulated cover the interest of all t he stakeholders and are made concerning them. Figure 1: Stakeholder Mapping (Source: Mattsson, 2010, pp. 138) AC 2.4 Suggestion of new strategy for Tesco In order to compete with the changing and competitive environment, Tesco need to implement new strategies. The prices can be made low thereby keeping the profit margin low as much as possible. This will help the organization in giving a tough competition to new entries as well as old competitors. Moreover, Tollin et al. (2014) has also opined that with the improvement of technology and usage of Smartphone, Tesco App also need to be introduced in the market for the easy access of the customers. This will also lead to increase in customer database and reaching out the global world. Task 3: Approaches towards evaluation of strategy and selection AC 3.1 Analyzing appropriateness of alternative strategies for market entry, substantive growth, limited growth for Tesco According to Dawson et al. (2006) Tesco is a global organization and is trading globally and successfully. With the entry to the new market, the prices of the products need to be lowered and the products that are traded need to be traditional based on that geographical areas This will automatically attract the customers to a great extent and hence the revenue and sales of the company will increase. In addition to this, Bruhn and Georgi (2006) also commented that for a sustainable and firm growth the prices need to penetrated and innovative so that the company captures the untouched market initially before the competitors and new entrants. The areas where is limited growth, the organization need to flourish more by both development of market and product. AC 3.2 Justification of the appropriateness of the adopted strategy Leitner (2014) had a view that the adopted strategy that is low price strategy is appropriate in this competitive market. This is because, it is the mentality of the customers to buy products that are of low price and are of good quality. The new entrants and old competitors are keeping their profit margin low as much as possible and are focusing on increasing the customer database. Lunt et al. (2014) commented on the fact that Tesco also need to operate by keeping low pricing strategy that will help the organization in reaching a better position than its competitors. So, the strategy of Tesco needs to focus on the traditional items while trading globally since this will make the customers happy and they will be inclined towards the company. Task 4: Implementation of chosen strategy AC 4.1 Assessing roles and responsibilities of personnel those are involved in implementation of strategy for Tesco According to Mattsson (2010) the top management is highly involved in formulating the strategies and implementing it for Tesco. The top management needs to be conscious and responsible enough to understand the current market scenario and the market trend along with future market scenario for the better implementation of the strategy. The top management considers the pros, cons along with the environment both external and internal along with the demand and supply of the products and raw materials before formulating the strategies. In addition to this, Patnaik (2014) also strategically commented that the middle management helps the top management with the updates of the organizational performance both internally and externally that also help in effective strategy implementation. According to the opinion of Noy (2010) the team members are also equally responsible for better performance within the organization that motivates the top management and managers in taking reliable and strong steps to enter the new market or old market with modification. In addition to this, Miles et al. (2014) had a view that the strategic partners play an important role while implementing the strategies for Tesco. They collect the data from the market and analyze it and depending on the analysis, strategies are formulated and later implemented. AC 4.2 Analyzing resources required for implementation of new strategies for Tesco Dawson et al. (2006) had a view that Tesco requires enough resources such as finance, time, raw materials, upgraded technology and effective human resources for successful implementation of the new strategy. The organization need to be financially stable and sound and also need to have sufficient working capital for the execution of the low pricing strategy and expanding the store to other geographical areas. In addition to this, Bruhn and Georgi (2006) also commented that time bound is also necessary since the organization need to operate within a certain time period. The raw materials also need to be easily available and at reasonable prices and also need to be of good quality. This will also help in implementation of the new strategy. Along with the usage of modern technology Eastham et al. (2001) had commented that discounts need to be given to those customers sing the Tesco apps. This will make the customers use the app to a high extent and the customer database will also increa se. AC 4.3 Discussion of suitable targets and timescales considered by Tesco SMART Method- Lunt et al. (2014) had strategically commented that Tesco use SMART method that help the organization in fulfilling its targets at given time. Specific in SMART method help Tesco in targeting a specific area that needs improvement. The targets need to be Measurable as per the method so that it indicates the progress of the strategy that is implemented. According to Piercy (2009) the strategy fulfillment needs to be Assignable that denotes the group or team r employees who will be doing it. The new strategy that needs to be implemented also should be Realistic on the basis of resource availability that should be practically implemented. Moreover, Temporal and Lee (2001) had an opinion that the strategy should be Time related that will signify the time when the results of the implementation of new strategy will be seen. Conclusion This assignment has discussed broadly about the strategies that Tesco has adopted and is successfully trading in the global world. The low price strategy that Tesco can implement will help the company in competing with the new entrants as well as existing competitors. In addition to this, the implementation of the strategies is also discussed along with its requirements and methods for measuring it. References Barnes, R. (2011). The great Tesco beauty gamble (the Tesco supermarket chains marketing strategy for breaking into the UK beauty services market). Strategic Direction, 27(7). Bruhn, M. and Georgi, D. (2006). Services marketing. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall. Crick, D. and Crick, J. (2015). The first export order: a marketing innovation revisited. Journal of Strategic Marketing, pp.1-13. Dawson, J., Larke, R. and Mukoyama, M. (2006). Strategic issues in international retailing. London: Routledge. Dong, F. (2014). The Power Plant Bidding Strategy in Contract Market. AMM, 598, pp.656-660. Eastham, J., Sharples, L. and Ball, S. (2001). Food supply chain management. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann. Gamble, P. (2010). Marketing Revolution. Strategic Direction, 26(4). Khojastehpour, M. and Johns, R. (2014). From pre-internationalization to post-internationalization: relationship marketing perspective. Journal of Strategic Marketing, pp.1-18. Kotler, P. and Armstrong, G. (2012). Principles of marketing. Boston: Pearson Prentice Hall. Leitner, K. (2014). Strategy formation in the innovation and market domain: emergent or deliberate?. Journal of Strategy and Mgt, 7(4), pp.354-375. Lunt, N., Horsfall, D., Smith, R., Exworthy, M., Hanefeld, J. and Mannion, R. (2014). Market size, market share and market strategy: three myths of medical tourism. Policy Politics, 42(4), pp.597-614. Mamula, T. (2012). Role of marketing metrics in strategic brand management. Marketing, 43(1), pp.49-61. Mattsson, J. (2010). Developing a strategic abstraction tool for service innovation. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 18(2), pp.133-144. Mattsson, J. (2012). Strategic insights from mystery shopping in B2B relationships. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 20(4), pp.313-322. Miles, M., Gilmore, A., Harrigan, P., Lewis, G. and Sethna, Z. (2014). Exploring entrepreneurial marketing. Journal of Strategic Marketing, pp.1-18. Noy, E. (2010). Niche strategy: merging economic and marketing theories with population ecology arguments. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 18(1), pp.77-86. Patnaik, S. (2014). Essays on International Non-Market Strategy and the Political Economy of Environmental Regulation. Business Society. Piercy, N. (2009). Market-led strategic change. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann. Piercy, N. (2010). Improving marketingoperations cross-functional relationships. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 18(4), pp.337-356. Temporal, P. and Lee, K. (2001). Hi-tech hi-touch branding. Singapore: Wiley. Tollin, K., Christensen, L. and Wilke, R. (2014). Sustainability in business from a marketing perspective. Journal of Strategic Marketing, pp.1-26. Truong, Y. and Simmons, G. (2010). Perceived intrusiveness in digital advertising: strategic marketing implications. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 18(3), pp.239-256. Wright, S. (2012). Addressing the intelligence, analysis, strategy connection: symbiosis, osmosis or segregation?. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 20(1), pp.1-4.

In Recent Times, There Have Been Few Ideas Of Such Compelling Force As

In recent times, there have been few ideas of such compelling force as the concept of World Heritage. There are places in nature and culture with a value and importance reaching far across geographical and political boundaries and becoming a heritage of the world in general. This promising idea was taken up by an International Convention of the Unesco in 1972. Today over 100 countries have joined it. This Convention does not only strengthen the idea that all countries should make the defence of a unique, exceptional heritage a common cause, but for the first time it draws up a single List where sites of nature and culture rank side by side. The Great Canyon of the Colorado or the Galapagos Islands form part of the same List together with the Monastery of El Escorial and the Taj Mahal. At the suggestion of the member countries, the Convention is responsible for drawing up this World Heritage List which grows every year as new sites of nature and culture considered exceptional are added. Upon application, it also shares out the technical and financial aid required for the protection of these sites of universal value. Although late in joining -May 4th, 1982- Spain is today one of the countries with the greatest number of sites included in the World Heritage List. By January 1996, 2 natural and 19 cultural sites belonging to different Autonomous Communities had reached the List. In 1984, La Alhambra and El Generalife (later with Albayzin), the Cathedral of Burgos, the Monastery of El Escorial, the mosque of Cordoba (later with other monuments in historic center) as well as the G?ell Park and Palace together with Gaudi's Mila House in Barcelona were included. In 1985, the Altamira Caves, the old city of Avila with its curtain walls, the aqueduct and old city of Segovia, the Pre-Romanesque sites in Asturias as well as Santiago de Compostela also joined the list. In 1986, not only the old city of Toledo was put on it, but also the old part of Caceres, the Mudejar towers in Teruel and the first Spanish nature site on the List, Garajonay National Park on the Canary Island of La Gomera. In 1987, the buil ding complex consisting of the Cathedral, the Alcazar (ie, Moorish fortress) and La Lonja (Auction Hall) of Seville. In 1988, the city of Salamanca. In 1991, Poblet Monastery. In 1993, archaeological ensemble of M?rida, Royal Monastery of Santa Mar?a de Guadalupe and the Route of Santiago de Compostela. Finally, in 1994, Do?ana National Park is put on the List. "La Casa Real Vieja", ie, the Old Royal House, consists of a series of rooms called "Cuartos a Palacio", a peculiar name given to a number of rooms that make up La Alhambra and were built one after another as the need for them arose. There are four main patios or inner courts: the one at the entrance, Machuca, Comares and the one of Los Leones (ie, the Lions). Only the last two have survived intact to our days. Between the Machuca and Comares Patios lies El Mexuar, a large hall of justice, and El Patio del Cuarto Dorado (ie, of the Golden Room). The buildings surrounding each of the patios are accurately and symmetrically distributed, but each complex by itself is organised more freely. The towers of the curtain wall have richly decorated rooms and some of them are small, sumptuous palaces. Outstanding are the Tower of Las Infantas, the Tower of La Cautiva (ie, the Captive One) and the Tower of Las Damas. The decoration of La Alhambra is of great importance. Among the most significant decorative elements are the skirtings of glazed tiles, the walls, friezes and series of arches covered with "atauriques" (ie, plaster or stucco decorative plant motifs characteristic of Caliphal art) and the ceilings decorated with bows, stalactites or "mocarae" (ie, designs of several prisms on a concave base) which in combination give the halls of these palaces an appearance of dazzling sumptuousness. El Generalife, the summer palace of the Nasrid kings of Granada, stands on top of the hill of El Sol (ie, the Sun), which is twin to the one of La Alhambra and also towers over

The Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example

The Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example The Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet Paper The Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet Paper Heres much to do with hate but more with love This quotation from Romeo can in fact describe the whole play. The word more shows the power of love to overcome hatred. However, in Romeo and Juliet there are several different types of love demonstrated. For example, characters such as Mercutio can be seen using sexual innuendos and bawdy language. In the play, there is evidence of brotherly love, shown to Romeo by Benvolio; motherly love from the Nurse towards Juliet; and fatherly love shown by Friar Lawrence towards Romeo; a suitor who offers wealth and power, is shown in the character of Paris. On one hand there is Romeo and Juliet who show a very passionate and romantic form of love. Romeo and Juliets love is different from everyone elses thoughts. For them, marriage is completely based upon true love. Others, it may be for power, wealth and recognition.Romeo is one of the protagonists in the play. He comes across as a very romantic and mature teenager who feels the in the deepest l ove for Juliet who he met at Lord Capulets party. O she doth teach the torches to burn bright. What is her mother? These are his words to Nurse and her answer reveals that his to see if only love has come from his only hate.But this is not the first time Romeo was in love.He loves Rosaline in the beginning of the play because that is what he thinks is the manly thing to do. But later he falls in love with Juliet. But once he has set his eyes on her, he completely forgets about Rosaline. Romeo presents Rosaline as having wit and being strong, as she will not be hit with Cupids arrow(Act 1 scene 1, lines 203-204), she lives unharmed(line 205) which means secure against his advances is rich in beauty.Mercutios attitude towards love is very sarcastic; it is uses bawdy humour and innuendo. Mercutio is always twisting words so that they become rude. One innuendo he uses would beAn open-arse, thou poprin pear. Mercutio is not at all a the person who would show any sign of affection, but a person who would joke about love and feelings. He mocks Romeo when he hears about Romeos love for Rosaline. Sampson, Gregory and the Nurse all use bawdy humour, but Mercutio is the wittiest. this is the hag, when maids lie on their backs, That presses them and learns them first to bear, making them women of good carriage. This is she- He is constantly punning, this shows how he generally behaves. Mercutio does not provide much help to the love of Romeo and Juliet mainly because he doesnt know about their secret love, but even if he did know he is the kind of character who would mock. He thinks that Romeo is wasting his time with Rosaline, and mocks him.At the beginning of Act 2 Scene 3, Friar Lawrence thinks that Romeo. He treats Romeo like a son, as Friar has known him since he was born.Young son, it argues a distemperd head which means that Romeo, a young man should be getting sleep and shouldnt be disturbedBut where unbruised youth with unstuffd brain meaning Romeo shoudnt have a ny worries when going to sleep unlike an older man like Friar Lawrence that stay awake with worries.Friar Lawrence is happy when Romeo says I have forgot that name when he is asked about Rosaline. Young Romeo then tells Frair Lawrence that he is certain he loves Juliet. Friar Lawrence then goes to mock Romeo by sayingNot truly in their hearts, but in their eyes Friar Lawrence does not believe Romeo is really in love, but only cares about their appearance i.e. their looks. Friar Lawrence shows love in this scene towards Romeo by taking great interests in what he is doing, but also by doing the type of things a father would do. The sweetest honey is loathsome in his own deliciousness The Friar says this to Romeo suggesting that anticipation is more than what it turns out to be.Friar Lawrence marries the couple and tries to help them whenever possible. He wants the best for them and thinks that if they marry then possibly the feuding will end; In one respect Ill thy assistant be: for t his may so happy prove, to turn your households rancour to pure loveThe Nurse in Romeo and Juliet is a character who is treats Juliet as her own child. She has always been looking after Juliet since she was a baby. Even though Juliets real mother is Lady Capulet, she does not seem to be so interested in her. People only hired people like the Nurse if they were very wealthy and powerful. Juliet and the Nurse are closer to each other than Juliet and lady Capulet have ever been. The nurse has a blunt attitude towards love and sex, but s affectionate and loving woman who wants Juliet to be happy. In the beginning, the nurse aids Juliets love for Romeo but in the end she tries to persuade Juliet to marry Paris.Old Capulet has a certain type of love towards his daughter Juliet; he has never really bonded with her a lot. Capulet was saying just before how his daughter is really young to be married and soon marrd are those so early made but Paris is arguing and saying that there are girls y ounger than Juliet that have got married. This means that Capulet, as a concerned father thinks those who get married too young could end up being hurt, and if Juliet does not choose Paris as the one she loves, he should love her anyway. I think he shows a caring side here because he is worried about the age of Juliet. He also says if Juliet picks Paris out as someone she loves then Capulet will agree. When the audience hear Lord Capulet in act 4, scene 5 and act 5 scene 4 they would be shocked because due to his sudden reaction when he hears that Juliet refuses to marry Paris. He is so angry that he cant keep his feelings in.Benvolio is Romeos cousin, and is also one of his closest relatives. He definitely shows a very caring character treating Romeo with respect, as if he was his brother. He is always advising Romeo what to do. Be ruld by me, forget to think of her, by giving liberty into mine eyes, examine other beautiesTybalt is part of the Capulet family and is very protective over what his family represent. He is willing to fight for his life, as we can see with an incident occurring with Romeo. When Tybalt realises that his most hated enemies are attending their party, he goes straight to the head of the house (Capulet) and complains he wants them to leave at once. Tis he, that villain Romeo. Capulet considers the ideas of Tybalt but realises that there will be an uproar and the party will most likely be spoilt. Content thee, gentle coz, let him alone, A bears him like a portly gentlemanParis is the man whom Capulet wants Juliet to marry. Paris explains his feelings for Juliet to Capulet. It seems that Paris does love Juliet because when Romeo kills him he asks to be put in her tomb, If thou be merciful, Open the tomb, lay me with Juliet.In conclusion, the play of Romeo and Juliet, shows many different types of love. Romantic and true love compared with courtly unrequited love and the sexual love of Mercutio. It also compares the fatherly love of the Fr iar with that of Capulet and the motherly love of the nurse with that of Lady Capulet. Benvolio and Tybalt meanwhile illustrate brotherly love and the extreme love of the family name. In the play, it is less to do with love and more about wealth and family status. In act 5, scene 3, Romeo resolves to kill himself that night in Capulets monument. I think this is a brave decision, because it shows the depth of his love for Juliet. It is extremely romantic act this love feel I, that feel no love in this. The Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example The Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet Essay The Theme of Love in Romeo and Juliet Essay Essay Topic: Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare presents love in different forms. He presents loving family loyalty whenever rivals brawl to protect family honour. Baz Luhrmann sets the civil brawl in a petrol station – unlike Shakespeare’s setting – symbolising the situation’s volatility; Tybalt ignites petrol by dropping his cigarette, thus representing the spark that ignites the brawl. Shakespeare later shows Tybalts strong family loyalty: â€Å"Now by the stock and honour of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin. † Tybalt must passionately love Capulets, to risk his life and kill someone, for family honour. Shakespeare portrays love between rivals when Lady Montague commands Montague: â€Å"Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe † thus protecting Capulets. Capulet protects Romeo from Tybalt: â€Å"I would not for the wealth of all this town Here in my house do him disparagement;† Shakespeare’s Romeo was uninvited, so Capulet protecting him suggests stronger love between rivals than depicted in Luhrmann’s film. Shakespeare and Luhrmann present paternal love when Romeo’s parents fret about him and when Capulet protects Juliet from an arranged marriage. Unrequited love features between Romeo and Rosaline then Paris and Juliet. â€Å"Out of her favour where I am in love†, shows Rosaline does not reciprocate Romeo’s love. Romeo’s unnatural, oxymoronic imagery: â€Å"loving hate heavy lightness cold fire † presents unrequited love as confusing and unnatural. Paris’ unrequited love for Juliet emphasises the strength of her love for Romeo, because Juliet loses everyone who loves her, rather than losing him. She loses Capulet: â€Å"you shall not house with me† Lady Capulet: â€Å"I have done with thee and nurse: †Romeo’s a dishclout to him†. In Shakespeare’s play, Paris dies: â€Å"I am slain † and Friar Lawrence abandons Juliet: â€Å"I dare no longer stay †, making Romeo and Juliet’s love seem stronger than in Luhrmann’s film. A shared sonnet of lovers’ prose at the party makes their romantic love and connection appear strong. Luh rmann uses white to symbolise strong love: whenever with Romeo, Juliet wears white, emphasising the strength of their love in a way Shakespeare does not. Shakespeare and Luhrmann show love’s evolution; I cited how Capulet’s paternal love for Juliet become fury, whilst Romeo and Juliet’s love evolves from superficial to sacrificial. This tragic contrast between Juliet’s love for Romeo deepening, but her family’s love becoming rage, emphasises hate’s connection to love. Initially, Romeo appears focussed on looks shown by extravagantly hyperbolic description of beauty. Later, natural imagery reflects their natural love: â€Å"This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower Ultimately, both commit suicide, to be together, showing their love has become deep and sacrificial. Whilst Luhrmann places a fish tank between Romeo and Juliet, symbolising separation – caused by family enmity – forcing them to yearn, but never be together, even though their love evolves, Shakespeare shows that family enmity causes separation, when Romeo and Juliet die and family enmity, and therefore separation, disintegrate: â€Å"O brother Montague, give me (Capulet) thy hand. † After the civil brawl, Romeo says: â€Å"Here’s much to do with hate but more with love. Implying brawls are caused by Benvolio loving Montagues and protecting family honour. Tybalt reinforces this: â€Å"Now by the stock and honour of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin. † This shows familial love engendering hatred for the rival family. Upon realising Romeo’s name, Juliet says: â€Å"My only love sprung from my only hate † showing love’s relationship with hate. In Shakespeares play unlike Luhrmanns film Paris and Romeo fight because they love Juliet, so love and hate are more intertwined. In Shakespeare’s death scene, Romeo says: â€Å"Forgive me cousin (Tybalt)†, showing that, although Romeo hated Tybalt for killing Mercutio, love for Tybalt vanquished hate for him, depicting love as a stronger force; Shakespeare shows love conquering hatred again, when love replaces family enmity: â€Å"O brother Montague, give me (Capulet) thy hand. † In Luhrmann’s film, love never conquers hatred, so is less dominant. Upon hearing of Juliet’s death, Romeo recognises fate or ‘stars’ control him: â€Å"I defy you stars†, Shakespeare means Romeo will kill himself, thus defying his fate, which Romeo believes is to lose Juliet. World-wearied flesh† and â€Å"Shake the yoke of inauspicious stars† shows Romeo cannot live without Juliet, so encourages fate to pull him faster towards death and his fate. Romeo predicts a tragic outcome of the party: â€Å"Some consequence yet hanging in the stars†. â€Å"He that hath steerage of my course Direct my sail † shows a conscience controls his fate. After killing Tybalt, Romeo personifies this conscience as ‘Fortune’: â€Å"I am fortune’s fool † suggesting Fortune betrayed him. Fate has such control, the prologue predicts the tragedy: â€Å"From forth the fatal loins of these two foes A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life ; â€Å"fatal loins† shows Death’s and Fate’s involvement from birth; â€Å"star-crossed lovers take their life† reinforces this, because fate made them meet and commit suicide. Luhrmann’s use of a newsreader as the choric voice establishes the modern setting; when Friar Lawrence repeats the prologue, Luhrmann emphasises his crucial role in their fates, in a way Shakespeare does not. Death’s central role extends beyond the prologue. Death caused the tragedy: Mercutio’s death led to Tybalt’s death, which led to Paris’s and Romeo’s deaths, which resulted in Lady Montague’s and Juliet’s deaths. Love is also a contributing factor in Shakespeare’s play, but less so in Luhrmann’s film; killing Tybalt, Paris and himself are impulsive actions, caused by love – for Mercutio and Juliet – which Romeo later regrets. Neither Paris’s death nor the quotation: â€Å"Forgive me cousin† occur in Luhrmann’s film; instead, Romeo’s progress towards Juliet and his death appears measured and calm. These differences suggest Luhrmann’s tragedy was not caused by love-induced impulsive actions; so Shakespeare’s play suggests love and death caused the tragedy, whereas Luhrmann’s film suggests death is the only cause. On the other hand, Romeo is measured and calm in Luhrmann’s film, because there is no urgency, whereas in Shakespeare’s play, the Page causes urgency: â€Å"I will go call the watch†, which could suggest the suicide is more to do with desperation than love, suggesting love is more dominant in Luhrmann’s film. Shakespeare also links death to love, by linking the banquet where Romeo and Juliet fall in love to the death scene. Before dying, Romeo kisses Juliet: â€Å"Thus with a kiss I die † and Juliet kisses Romeo: â€Å"I will kiss thy lips † Shakespeare links these kisses to their first kisses, emphasising that love caused their deaths. In Luhrmann’s film, Romeo takes drugs before the party: â€Å"Thy drugs are quick † this is also his last line before dying, hinting that the banquet where they fell in love caused their deaths; this means love and death are intertwined closer than in Shakespeare’s play, where Romeo takes no drugs before the party. Love and death are also connected in Shakespeare’s play, by contrasting light and dark, when Romeo describes the brightness of his lover: â€Å"her (Juliet’s) beauty makes This vault a feasting presence full of light†, then the darkness of the deathly tomb: â€Å"This place of dim light†. In Luhrmann’s Balcony scene, light symbolises Juliet and love, but there is no contrast between her light and the dark of the tomb; weakening the connection between light and dark. The link between love and death is further emphasised in Shakespeare’s death scene, when Juliet lovingly describes means of killing herself: â€Å"Happy dagger† and â€Å"Friendly drop†. This shows Juliet would love to die and emphasises the connection between love and death; because, in Luhrmann’s death scene, she only says: â€Å"Friendly drop†, the connection between love and death appears weaker. Romeo personifies Death in the death scene: â€Å"Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath†, identifying Death as a conscience. He then ponders why Death took Juliet: â€Å"Shall I believe that unsubstantial Death is amorous And keeps Thee here in the dark to be his paramour? † This rhetorical question suggests Death killed Juliet because he loved her; this quotation and the next emphasise links between love and death. â€Å"Seal with a righteous kiss A dateless bargain to engrossing Death † means when kissing Juliet, Romeo seals a bargain that he would die for her love.

How did the 1970's oil crisis affect the US SAUDI relations ( in other Essay

How did the 1970's oil crisis affect the US SAUDI relations ( in other words what does the 1970's oil shock tell us about the U - Essay Example On her part, the United States was in need of quenching her thirst for oil which Saudi Arabian offered (Frum, 2000,76). However, the relationship between the two countries was not based on equality principles, making the United States refuse to honor some parts of the agreement. This was especially when the congress ordered the government to stop the supply of weapons for fear that they would be used to launch attacks on Israel. This act coupled by direct financial and weapon aid to Israel angered many oil producing countries. The resolution was to punish the United States through the oil embargo. This gave Saudi Arabia an opportunity to demonstrate its competitive advantage over the United States. Though the embargo would later be lifted after negotiations with King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, it brought changes in the way the two countries would relate in future. To the United States, there was need to review the way it related with other nations. The resumption of the relationship wit h Saudi Arabia was to be based on equality, respect and mutual benefits. The United States would also act as a mediator for peace in the Middle East instead of appearing to foster the aggression against Palestine by Israel. Great personalities such as Yamani, Ahmed Zaki and Ali Al-Naimi were imperative in shaping the relations between US and Saudi Arabia (Robinson, 1989, 87). History of the US-Saudi Arabia relationship and causes of the oil crisis The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia is deeply rooted. Its history dates back just before the commencement of the Second World War (Ian, 2004, 87). With the realization that Saudi Arabia had a huge reserve for oil, the United States was willing to do everything possible to cement its relationship with this country. Saudi Arabia had a competitive edge that many countries in the Asian continent did not have due to its resources in oil. Its importance was demonstrated when President Franklin Roosevelt ordered protection of Saudi Arabia (Hammes, 2005, 98). While this could be described as an ulterior motive since the country wanted to benefit from oil, this act assisted in cementing the relationship between the two countries. In addition to that, the United States with its engineers began the construction of military bases, infrastructure and training the Saudi Arabian military. The agreement between the two countries included the supply of the latest weapons to the Saudis in order to protect themselves from the eminent threat of attack from aggressors such as Iraq. On the other hand, the United States would be allow to construct its military bases in Saudi Arabia, while at the same time buying oil which at the time would cost at less than $3 a barrel. This enabled the United States meet the high demand for oil. During the cold war, the relationship between the two countries became even more solid. There was a threat that the Soviet Union would attack Saudi Arabia due to their relations with the Un ited States (Hammes, 2005, 100). While the Soviet Union was spreading the communism ideologies, the United States promoted the capitalism. However, the United States demonstrated its support by defending this country against any threat. This was clear when Iraq had invaded Saudi Arabia, with an aim of destroying its relations with the west. At the time, the United States

Andrew Young Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Andrew Young - Research Paper Example At a very young age he realized the difference in treatment of blacks and whites and always wanted to bring a change to the society. At a very early age he learned principles which later became a central part of his contributions towards the Civil rights movement. He realized that fighting was not only the way one can settle a dispute and disputes could be settled through talks (Young 24). After attaining his bachelor’s level degree, he was not sure what he wanted to do and believed that he had a higher purpose to serve. During the summers of 1947, he started working as a volunteer at United Christian Youth Movement (Young 98). When he was operating as a volunteer, he realized that being of service was the best job anyone can have. He started believing that helping people regardless of their age and race was important and thus he finally came up with the decision of attaining the position of a minister. 5 years after working as a volunteer he learned regarding different religi ous leaders through a seminar and was really impressed by the teachings of Mohandas Gandhi (DeRoche 6). The teachings of Gandhi impressed him and he was able to relate with his teachings, especially with Gandhi’s teachings of nonviolent ways of solving disputes. During the same year, he was assigned with task of preaching to the community of Marion and while preaching he made his future life partner who shared Andrew’s ideology as well as objectives. 3 years later Andrew obtained a divinity degree and at that time he even realized that he had the ability to change the conflict taking place in the nation. Andrew started his contributions towards the Civil Rights Movement when he started being a religious preacher in Georgia. While preaching religion, he realized that he should make more efforts for the betterment of the society and thus started advocating the issue of equal voting rights. His

Rate Of Convergence In Numerical Analysis

Rate Of Convergence In Numerical Analysis In numerical analysis, the speed at which a convergent sequence approaches its limit is called the rate of convergence. Strictly speaking, a limit does not give information about any finite first part of the sequence; this concept is of practical importance if we deal with a sequence of successive approximations for a iterative method, as typically fewer iterations are needed to output a useful approximation if the rate of convergence is higher. This may even make the difference between needing ten or a million iterations. Similar concepts are used for discretization methods. The solution of the discretized problem converges to the solution of the continuous problem as the grid size goes to zero, and the speed of convergence is one of the factors of the efficiency of the method. However, the terminology in this case is different from the terminology for iterative methods. Convergence speed for iterative methods Basic definition Suppose that the sequence {xk} converges to the number L. We say that this sequence converges linearly to L, if there exists a number ÃŽÂ ¼ à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã‹â€  (0, 1) such that The number ÃŽÂ ¼ is called the rate of convergence. If the above holds with ÃŽÂ ¼ = 0, then the sequence is said to converge superlinearly. One says that the sequence converges sublinearly if it converges, but ÃŽÂ ¼=1. The next definition is used to distinguish superlinear rates of convergence. We say that the sequence converges with order q for q > 1 to L if In particular, convergence with order 2 is called quadratic convergence, and convergence with order 3 is called cubic convergence. This is sometimes called Q-linear convergence, Q-quadratic convergence, etc., to distinguish it from the definition below. The Q stands for quotient, because the definition uses the quotient between two successive terms. Extended definition The drawback of the above definitions is that these do not catch some sequences which still converge reasonably fast, but whose speed is variable, such as the sequence {bk} below. Therefore, the definition of rate of convergence is sometimes extended as follows. Under the new definition, the sequence {xk} converges with at least order q if there exists a sequence {ÃŽÂ µk} such that and the sequence {ÃŽÂ µk} converges to zero with order q according to the above simple definition. To distinguish it from that definition, this is sometimes called R-linear convergence, R-quadratic convergence, etc. Examples Consider the following sequences: The sequence {ak} converges linearly to 0 with rate 1/2. More generally, the sequence CÃŽÂ ¼k converges linearly with rate ÃŽÂ ¼ if |ÃŽÂ ¼| CONVERGENCE SPEED FOR DISCRETIZATION METHODS A similar situation exists for discretization methods. Here, the important parameter is not the iteration number k but the number of grid points, here denoted n. In the simplest situation (a uniform one-dimensional grid), the number of grid points is inversely proportional to the grid spacing. In this case, a sequence xn is said to converge to L with order p if there exists a constant C such that | xn à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ L | This is written as |xn L| = O(n-p) using the big O notation. This is the relevant definition when discussing methods for numerical quadrature or the solution of ordinary differential equations. Examples The sequence {dk} with dk = 1 / (k+1) was introduced above. This sequence converges with order 1 according to the convention for discretization methods. The sequence {ak} with ak = 2-k, which was also introduced above, converges with order p for every number p. It is said to converge exponentially using the convention for discretization methods. However, it only converges linearly (that is, with order 1) using the convention for iterative methods. RATE OF CONVERGENCE OF BISECTION METHOD If f is a continuous function on the interval [a, b] and f(a)f(b) The bisection method gives only a range where the root exists, rather than a single estimate for the roots location. Without using any other information, the best estimate for the location of the root is the midpoint of the smallest bracket found. In that case, the absolute error after n steps is at most If either endpoint of the interval is used, then the maximum absolute error is the entire length of the interval. These formulas can be used to determine in advance the number of iterations that the bisection method would need to converge to a root to within a certain tolerance. For, using the second formula for the error, the number of iterations n has to satisfy to ensure that the error is smaller than the tolerance ÃŽÂ µ. If f has several simple roots in the interval [a,b], then the bisection method will find one of them. RATE OF CONVERGENCE OF FALSE-POSITION METHOD If the initial end-points a0 and b0 are chosen such that f(a0) and f(b0) are of the opposite signs, then one of the end-points will converge to a root of f. The other end-point will remain fixed for all subsequent iterations while the converging endpoint becomes updated. Unlike the bisection method, the width of the bracket does not tend to zero. As a consequence, the linear approximation to f(x), which is used to pick the false position, does not improve in its quality. One example of this phenomenon is the function, f(x) = 23 à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ 42 + 3x on the initial bracket [à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢1,1]. The left end, à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬â„¢1, is never replaced and thus the width of the bracket never falls below 1. Hence, the right endpoint approaches 0 at a linear rate. While it is false to think that the method of false position is a good method, it is equally a mistake to think that it is unsalvageable. The failure mode is easy to detect and easily remedied by next picking a modified false position, such as or down-weighting one of the endpoint values to force the next ck to occur on that side of the function. There are other ways to pick the rescaling which give even better convergence rates. RATE OF CONVERGENCE OF SECANT METHOD The iterates xn of the secant method converge to a root of f, if the initial values x0 and x1 are sufficiently close to the root. The order of convergence is ÃŽÂ ±, where is the golden ratio. In particular, the convergence is superlinear. This result only holds under some technical conditions, namely that f be twice continuously differentiable and the root in question be simple (i.e., with multiplicity 1). If the initial values are not close to the root, then there is no guarantee that the secant method converges. The right-most quantity above may be expressed as since . Then, from a Taylor expansion of about one finds for some . Similarly Placing these quantities into Equation 4.9 will result in some cancellation, or The approximation expressed in Equation 4.11 can be explicitly quantified by recognizing that for some . Hence This completes the analysis of the final term in Equation 4.8. The first term in Equation 4.8 can be analyzed similarly, to obtain Hence, the error given in the secant method is roughly given as A more careful investigation and analysis produces the exact expression for some . To generate a complete convergence analysis, assume that f(x) is bounded and in some neighborhood of . These assumptions imply that sufficiently close to . Further, assume that the initial values and are chosen sufficiently close to to satisfy for some K The exponents on K form the Fibonacci sequence, . The Fibonacci sequence is defined inductively, as The general error term is then given to be The Fibonacci number have an explicit formula, namely with . Note that , and since K At this point, we have While somewhat complex-looking, the equation above actually produces the convergence rate that we seek. RATE OF CONVERGENCE OF NEWTON RAPHSON METHOD Suppose that the function Æ’ has a zero at ÃŽÂ ±, i.e., Æ’(ÃŽÂ ±) = 0. If f is continuously differentiable and its derivative is nonzero at ÃŽÂ ±, then there exists a neighbourhood of ÃŽÂ ± such that for all starting values x0 in that neighbourhood, the sequence {xn} will converge to ÃŽÂ ±. If the function is continuously differentiable and its derivative is not 0 at ÃŽÂ ± and it has a second derivative at ÃŽÂ ± then the convergence is quadratic or faster. If the second derivative is not 0 at ÃŽÂ ± then the convergence is merely quadratic. If the third derivative exists and is bounded in a neighbourhood of ÃŽÂ ±, then: where If the derivative is 0 at ÃŽÂ ±, then the convergence is usually only linear. Specifically, if Æ’ is twice continuously differentiable, Æ’ (ÃŽÂ ±) = 0 and Æ’ (ÃŽÂ ±) à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚   0, then there exists a neighbourhood of ÃŽÂ ± such that for all starting values x0 in that neighbourhood, the sequence of iterates converges linearly, with rate log10 2 (Sà ¼li Mayers, Exercise 1.6). Alternatively if Æ’ (ÃŽÂ ±) = 0 and Æ’ (x) à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚   0 for x à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚   0, x in a neighbHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topological_neighborhoodourhood U of ÃŽÂ ±, ÃŽÂ ± being a zero of multiplicity r, and if Æ’ à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã‹â€  Cr(U) then there exists a neighbourhood of ÃŽÂ ± such that for all starting values x0 in that neighbourhood, the sequence of iterates converges linearly. However, even linear convergence is not guaranteed in pathological situations. In practice these results are local and the neighbourhood of convergence are not known a priori, but there are also some results on global convergence, for instance, given a right neighbourhood U+ of ÃŽÂ ±, if f is twice differentiable in U+ and if , in U+, then, for each x0 in U+ the sequence xk is monotonically decreasing to ÃŽÂ ±. Proof of quadratic convergence for Newtons iterative method According to TaylorHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylors_theoremHYPERLINK http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylors_theorems theorem, any function f(x) which has a continuous second derivative can be represented by an expansion about a point that is close to a root of f(x).

“In Praise of Cultural Imperialism” by David Rothkopf Essay

In the article, In Praise of Cultural Imperialism, David Rothkopf illustrates a progressive new world order where information is the new global currency and the United States, â€Å"the indispensable nation,† is the bank. In his article, Rothkopf contrasts the victimizing tendencies of ‘cultural barriers’, which are the unmistakably causing ethnic, religious, ideological, tribal or nationalistic conflicts, to the uniting tendencies of western globalization. Rothkopf predicts the inevitable merging of all the cultures under the common benefits originating from globalization once â€Å"they have realized that to compete in the global marketplace they must conform to the culture of that marketplace† The United States whose policies are evidently â€Å"the best model for the future† will lead this next step in civilization’s evolution, all the while making sure that â€Å"if common values are being developed, they be the values with which Americans are comfortable.† Rothkopf further states that it is in the US’s best interest â€Å"to encourage the development of a world in which the fault lines separating nations are bridged by shared interest† ultimately leading to a more peaceful and tolerant future: â€Å"Globalization is a vital step toward both a more stable world and better lives for the people in it.† Rothkopf, the former Deputy Undersecretary of the Commerce Department under the Clinton Administration and now the president of an international advisory firm, is also an adjunct professor of international and public affairs at Columbia University. Consequently, his views clearly demonstrate a pro-American capitalist’s stance on the issues pertaining to American economics, cultural imperialism and foreign policy. In his article, Rothkopf describes the power of culture and its influence over this new age global environment, with its power to â€Å"bind and to divide in a time when the tensions between integration and separation tug at every issue that is relevant to international relations.† Moreover, he claims that although critics of globalization may condemn the â€Å"homogenizing influences of globalization,† the effects of globalization are more consistently positive than negative. This is because globalization has an integrating dimension to it. Rothkopf believes that the â€Å"United States is in a position not only to lead in the 21st century as the dominant power of the Information Age, but to do so by breaking down the barriers that divide nations–and groups  within nations–and by building ties that create an ever greater reservoir of shared interests among an ever larger community if peoples† This â€Å"removal not only of cultural barriers but of many of the negative dimensions of culture† could only result in stability†¦right? Rothkopf views could be easily dismissed, as an arrogant fantasy-ridden interpretation of the future. However, although many cultures may not see the benefits of melting themselves into an existence that is in every aspect dominated by western values, the influence of American culture on the rest of the world is evident. Whether this influence will or has been completely positive has yet to be proven. Although Rothkopf believes that globalization is the key to a peaceful future whose culturally uniting fundamentals lie with the United States, he underestimates the complex nature of culture and its strength in relation to globalization. Culture is not something that can be simply defined as Webster’s Third New International Dictionary does, nor will it be easily moulded into a tool to be used for the expansion of American interests. Many cultures around the world, such as in the Muslim block, guard their culture and religion with their lives, for culture and religion are one in the same in Islam. As was illustrated on September 11th, many will even sacrifice their lives for causes they perceive threaten the existence of their culture/religion. Another aspect of globalization that Rothkopf does not develop is the apparent social stratification created by globalization. It is arguable that to sustain globalization, cheap labour must readily available. If undeveloped countries become developed and the poor majority become empowered, where will the cheap labour come from? Although Rothkopf may bring attention to the overbearing extension of American cultural values over the globe, he underestimates how the rest of the worlds’ varied and contrasting cultural values will effect the global environment. Consequently, his extremely biased perspectives undermine some of the more valid points of his article.