Arms Trade

â€Å"I have seen how easy it is for nuclear contamination to occur, and how hard it is to clean it up†¦. Do nations possess nuclear, chemical and biological weapons because of fear of attack from some other nation, or is it because without them the strong cannot exploit the weak? † Andreas T. The arms trade is a major cause of human rights abuses. Some governments spend more on military expenses than on social development, communications infrastructure and health combined. While every nation has the right and the need to ensure its security, in these changing times, arms requirements and procurements may need to change too. Each year, around $45-60 billion worth of arms sales are agreed. Some two-thirds of sales are made to developing countries. The 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council (US, Russia, France, United Kingdom and China), together with Germany and Italy account for over 80% of the arms sold between 2001 and 2008. Some of the arms sold go to regimes where human rights violations will occur. Corruption often accompanies arms sales due to the large sums of money involved. World military spending had reduced since the Cold War ended, but a few nations such as the US retain high level spending. In recent years, global military expenditure has increased again and is now comparable to Cold War levels again. Recent data shows global spending at over $1. 4 trillion, annually (or $1. 2 trillion at constant 2005 prices). The highest military spender is the US accounting for just under half of the world’s spending, more than the rest of the G7 (most economically advanced countries) combined, and more than all its potential enemies, combined.

George Washington Essays - George Washington, Cities In Virginia

George Washington Essays - George Washington, Cities In Virginia George Washington Steven Sims Social Studies 8-6 4/5/99 Born February 22, 1732, in Westmoreland County, he was the first son of his father Augustine's second marriage; his mother was the former Mary Ball of Epping Forest. When George was about three, his family moved to Little Hunting Creek on the Potomac, then to Ferry Farm opposite Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock in King George County. In the interim, the powerful Fairfax family of neighboring Belvoir introduced him to the accomplishments and appropriateness of mannered wealth and, in 1748, provided him his first adventure. That year Lord Fairfax dispatched him with a party that spent a month surveying Fairfax lands in the still-wild Shenandoah. In the expedition, he began to appreciate the uses and value of land, an appreciation that grew the following year with his appointment as Culpeper County surveyor, certified by the College of William and Mary. Washington also succeeded to Lawrence's militia office. Governor Robert Dinwiddie first appointed him adjutant for the southern district of the colony's militia, but soon conferred on him Lawrence's aide for the Northern Neck and Eastern Shore. So it happened that in 1753 the governor sent 21-year-old Washington to warn French troops at Fort Duquesne at the forks of the Ohio (modern Pittsburgh) that they were infiltrating in territory claimed by Virginia. The French ignored the warning and the mission failed, but when Washington returned Dinwiddie had Williamsburg printer William Hunter publish his official report as The Journal of Major George Washington. It made the young officer well-known at home and abroad. Returning to the Ohio in April with 150 men to remove the intruders, Washington got his first taste of war in a fight with a French scouting party. He wrote to his brother Jack, I heard the bullets whistle, and, believe me, there is something charming in the sound. A second engagement quickly followed and Washington, retreating to Fort Necessity, was beaten by a more numerous French force. He surrendered and, in his ignorance of French, signed an embarrassing surrender agreement. But he had opportunities to correct his defeat. The whistling bullets declared the start of the Seven Years' War, as it was called in Europe. In America it was called the French and Indian War or, sometimes, Virginia's War. Horace Walpole wrote, The volley fired by a young Virginian in the backwoods of America set the world on fire. Washington returned to the field as an aide to General Braddock in 1755 and performed with honor, despite crippling illness, in the disastrous campaign against Fort Duquesne. Later that year Dinwiddie gave him command of all Virginia forces and promoted him to colonel. In these years Washington had two disputes with English officers who viewed their regular-army commissions as superior to that of the Virginia militia commander. These disputes may mark the beginning of Washington's resentment of British attitudes toward the colonies. Operating from a fort at Winchester, Washington protected the Virginia frontier until 1758 when he was made a militia brigadier and helped to chase the French from Fort Duquesne for good. Washington resigned at war's end and retired to Mount Vernon. He was defeated in elections for the House of Burgesses in 1755 and 1757, but won in 1758 and was seated the following year from Frederick County. For 15 years he devoted himself to his legislative work and his farm. During this period, he also became a family man, marrying the widow Martha Dandridge Custis, the mother of two children, on January 6, 1759, in New Kent County. In 1760, Washington took on the additional duties of a Fairfax County justice of the peace. He also found time for the amusements of a Virginia gentlemanfox hunting, snuff taking, plays, billiards, cards, dancing, and fishing. He delighted in bottles of Madeira, plates of watermelon, and dishes of oysters. In these years his anger of the inferiority of American interests to those of England grew. When Parliament attempted to impose the Stamp Act in 1769, Washington told an friend that Parliament hath no more right to put their hands into my pocket, without my consent, than I have to put my hands into yours for money. By 1774 he was in the lead of the defense

Henry Clays American System Economic Plan

Henry Clay's American System Economic Plan The American System was a program for economic development championed in the era following the War of 1812 by Henry Clay, one of the most influential members of Congress in the early 19th century. Clays idea was that the federal government should implement protective tariffs and internal improvements and a national bank should help develop the nations economy. Clays basic argument for the program was that by protecting American manufacturers from foreign competition, ever increasing internal markets would spur American industries to grow.  For example, companies in the Pittsburgh region could sell iron to manufacturers on the East Coast, replacing iron imported from Great Britain. Various other regions of the country sought protection from imports that could undercut them in the marketplace. Agriculture and Manufacturing Clay envisioned a diversified American economy in which agricultural interests and manufacturers would exist side by side. Essentially, he saw beyond the argument of whether the United States would be an industrial or agricultural nation. It could be both, he insisted. When he advocated for his American System, Clay focused on the need to build growing home markets for American goods. He contended that blocking cheap imported goods would ultimately benefit all Americans. Nationalist Appeal His program  had strong nationalist appeal. Developing home markets would protect the United States from uncertain foreign events. Self-reliance could ensure that the nation was protected from shortages of goods caused by distant conflicts. That argument resonated strongly, especially in the period following the War of 1812 and Europes Napoleonic Wars. During those years of conflict, American businesses suffered from disruptions. The ideas put into practice included building the National Road, Americas first major highway; chartering the Second Bank of the United States, a new national bank, in 1816; and passing the first protective tariff the same year. Clays American System was essentially in practice during the Era of Good Feelings, which corresponded with the presidency of James Monroe from 1817 to 1825. Controversy Arises Clay, who had served as a representative and senator from Kentucky, ran for president in 1824 and 1832, advocating extending the American System. But by that time sectional and partisan disputes made aspects of his plans controversial. Clays arguments for high tariffs persisted for decades in various forms but often met with stiff opposition. In the late 1820s tensions over the role the federal government should play in economic development escalated to the point that South Carolina threatened to withdraw from the Union over a tariff in what became known as the Nullification Crisis. Clays American System was perhaps ahead of its time. The general concepts of tariffs and internal improvements became standard government policy in the late 1800s. Clay ran for president in 1844 and remained a potent force in American politics until his death in 1852. He, along with Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun, became known as the Great Triumvirate of the U.S. Senate.

Social Performance of a Company Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Social Performance of a Company - Research Paper Example This is experienced because the decision has to be made by a group and not by a sole person as it is done in other sectors. All shareholders have to come into a conclusion (Gunay 2008). Each stakeholder in a corporation is entitled to carry out certain duties in the corporation. Employees are entitled to handle the activities and maintain a harmonious environment for making profits. They are also entitled to make contributions in the decision making since they are the one who have bigger influence on the future of the corporation. Suppliers form an active part of stakeholders, since the corporation relies on them entirely for its deliverance of its services to the target market. The bank plays the role of managing the corporation bank’s account and the transactions that the corporation engage in the process of service delivery. The bank also lends money to the corporation when the need arises. On the other hand, the investors are the most sensitive part of the corporation. Thi s is because they are the one who make a pool of resources to make the corporation run smoothly at all times. They are entitled to the making of major decisions that determine the course of the corporation (Heath 2001). According to Suleyman, the secondary stakeholders are the group that does not directly affect the future survival of the corporation. The group is not involved directly to the corporation. The members of this group include the media and other social facilities. Though the corporation cannot efficiently perform without this group, its operations are not affected in any way by these stakeholders. The media is considered as an essential part by the corporation for the advertisements purpose which in return creates the familiarity of the corporation to the target market hence, earning more customers. All primary stakeholders are considered to be directly related to the success of the corporation but their degree depends on the environment, these are internal and external environment. The internal environment is concerned with the daily activities and the future survival of the corporation, while the external factors have little effect to the corporation activities (Heath 2001). Formation of a coalition in the corporation is the basics to achieve the future goals set by the corporation. Moral appreciation of the stakeholders, no matter their individual investments in the corporation and creation of a platform where all stakeholders will be consulted during the decision making in the corporation is one of the vital strategies that we are targeting. This will give the corporation an added advantage that will go a long way to meet the target set by the corporation of having many individuals wanting to invest in the company since their opinions are addressed by the corporation and at some point implemented by the same corporation they have invested in. It will also strengthen the coalition (Heath 2001). Considering the investors point of view, many of t he potential investors have an altitude of pooling their funds towards a corporation that have a sense of belonging to the society. These are achieved through the corporation participating in the corporate social responsibility. This encourages more individuals to invest in the c

Discussion Board 3-2 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion Board 3-2 - Research Paper Example This is usually observable even to layman and does not require deep thinking or analysis of the criteria or the process. A test may have low face validity if the structure or outward organization fails to relate to the intended purpose of the test. Face validity is very important since it gives test takers and test users substantial confidence over and increase reliability of a test. Cohen, Swerdlik and Sturnam (2013) reassure that lack of face validity in a test does not discredit relevance or usefulness of the given test. Content validity describes the extent or adequacy of a test covers or samples behaviours or elements that represent a collection of behaviours that the design of a test intended to measure. For a test to have content validity, it must prove to sample or cover part of elements or characteristics of a given item under test. Cohen, Swerdlik and Sturnam (2013) report that content validity is widely important in employment. Test to determine content validity of a given employee analyzes and evaluates skills and behaviour of a given employee with relation to the skills and knowledge desired for a given job

Human Resources Management Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Human Resources Management - Coursework Example It is important for the organizations to take decisions that would cultivate international business relationship which is important for the organizations. It is especially true in the countries like China, Brazil, Poland, India, Vietnam and other emerging countries. Building strong relationship with the business partners will help the organizations to practice effective business operation. It is important to know the exporters before starting global business operation. The organizations need to protect their brand in international market. Protecting the brand means protecting the intellectual property and image of the organization. The proliferation of counterfeit and piracy goods need awareness when it comes to global trademark, patent protection and copyright. The global organizations should also protect their reputation in the international market by paying attention to the environmental and human rights practices. Maintaining high ethical standards is important for the organizati ons in the international market. Moreover, the organizations should motivate their business partners to maintain the ethical standard in business as it has become one of the critical international business criteria. The organization should establish effective ethical standard and enforce those ethical standards through the internal controlling and monitoring system. Three factors are important for success in global business such as social responsibility, business ethics and corporate governance. The organizations need to bring transparency in these three aspects. It will help them to bring sustainability in the international market. Transparency in the supply chain has become an important priority in this insecure world. Theft and loss of cargo has become greatest concern for the global traders. The organizations need to maintain high security in global supply chain network. The organizations should follow the effective security requirements. Moreover, they should get involved with the programs like custom-trade partnership against tourism. These are government sponsored programs. This will help the organizations to overcome the threat of terrorism in global supply chain process. It is important for the global entrepreneurs to be prepared in order to deal with the critical situations that are not covered in a traditional business plan. The smart and intelligent global entrepreneurs need to be flexible in order to change the course when the situations dictate. It is known to all that the global businesses are personal. It is important for the organizations to resolve the disputes in the business. Identification of problems and resolving disputes will help the organizations to execute effective business performances in global competitive business market. Face to face relationship is the key aspect in global business. Effective relationship with global clients, government of international country and global suppliers will help the organizations to increase their core competency in international market place. Question 2 The Americans with Disabilities Act offers certain individual rights with disabilities. This specific act affects the areas of transportation, public services, employment, telecommunications and public accommodations. The ADA employment provisions have great effect for all businesses (ODEP, 2013). Reasonable accommodations are modifications or adjustments offered by an employer to enable the people with disabilities in order

Job Satisfaction, Work Attitude Essay Example for Free

Job Satisfaction, Work Attitude Essay As stated by Black (2001), teachers’ stress is rising due to such factors as greater time constraints, low salaries, excessive work overloads, lack of involvement in decision – making and problems with school disciplines. Teachers suffer, due to in part of to the low-pay-high-cost-of-living gap. Decisions handed from the top down leave teachers feeling like more trainers than educators. Teaching in low performing schools should be a rewarding experience, yet these schools are labelled failures. These are confounded as some educators are seen publicly lambasting others. The education community is on edge. With all the finger pointing and name calling, it is a wonder teacher can push this negativism out of their minds while they turn their full attention on their students (Nichols, 2006). Furthermore, a nationwide survey conducted by the Rural Editorial Service of the University of Chicago reported in July 2006 that job satisfaction depends also such factors as the community’s attitude toward them and the schools, the quality of educational leadership, the amount of responsibility granted to teachers, adequate housing facilities, teacher welfare benefits, and others. In point of fact, there were signal improvements in teachers’ conditions of service throughout the year. New or liberalized retirement plans were authorized by well over half the states, and class registrations were reduced to thirty in Maryland and Arkansas. In the Philippines, one of the major problems in the Department of Education is the shortage of trained and competent teachers. Major reason of this shortfall is that a number of trained teachers turn to other types of employment and some went abroad for greater employment opportunity. Generally, as observed that some teachers are disillusioned, demoralized and confused at being forced to carry out unpopular Government policies, while being constantly blamed for the society’s ills. Some factors might have created dissatisfaction amongst teachers will probably include references to discipline problems created by unruly pupils, class sizes, the introduction of the National Curriculum, and lowered professional status. Additional factors also include level of salaries and benefits, increased work-related pressures, like having too many forms to be filled up, the here and now changes of different proposed programs of the department, the concern over employment security like the most recently problem on the Government Security Insurance System (GSIS) and lessening support for education on the part of political opportunities. As someone who has spent many years working as a schoolteacher at the same time a School In – charge in one of the schools in Davao City, and had continually work closely with teachers especially in the schools in the interland. I have observe that some teachers are somewhat fed up with having to teach children in even larger classes, working in schools which are dilapidated, underfunded and overstretched. Taking in to account that most of these teachers are working away from their home and family and could only go home weekly, or the least once a month due to the distance of the schools they are assigned. However, districts located in the hinterland such as Paquibato, had most number of teacher applicants every year. Reason of this scenario could be the fact that many teachers are applying for transfer to the nearby schools after a one or two years of service and that applicant could be hired easily. Nevertheless, some teachers had tenured in this district up to their retirement period and some had flourished and raised their professional status and positions. The ground for conducting this study is that it is intended to shed light on what influences how teachers feel about their work and profession so that positive job-related attitudes may be cultivated. Theoretical Background The Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, a motivation theory, laid the foundation for job satisfaction theory. It is founded in the premise that goals or needs underpin by being the fundamental source of all desires. This theory explains that people seek to satisfy five specific needs in life – physiological needs, safety needs, social needs, self-esteem needs, and self-actualization. In the levels of the five basic needs, the person does not feel the second need until the demands of the first have been satisfied, nor the third until the second has been satisfied, and so on (Evan,2010). According to Hackman Oldham (2007), Frederick Herzberg’s Two factor theory (also known as Motivator Hygiene Theory) attempts to explain satisfaction and motivation in the workplace. This theory states that satisfaction and dissatisfaction are driven by different factors – motivation and hygiene factors, respectively. An employee’s motivation to work is continually related to job satisfaction of a subordinate. Motivation can be seen as an inner force that drives individuals to attain personal and organizational goals. Motivating factors are those aspects of the job that make people want to perform, and provide people with satisfaction, for example achievement in work, recognition, promotion opportunities. These motivating factors are considered to be intrinsic to the job, or the work carried out. Hygiene factors include aspects of the working environment such as pay, company policies, supervisory practices, and other working conditions. However, Path-Goal Theory contends that the leader must motivate subordinates by: (1) emphasizing the relationship between the subordinates own needs and the organizational goals; (2) clarifying and facilitating the path subordinates must take to fulfill their own needs as well as the organizations needs (google. com,2010) Another well-known job satisfaction theory is the Dispositional Theory (Jackson April 2007). Accordingly, it is a very general theory that suggests that people have innate dispositions that cause them to have tendencies toward a certain level of satisfaction, regardless of one’s job. This approach became a notable explanation of job satisfaction in light of evidence that job satisfaction tends to be stable over time and across careers and jobs. Moreover, a significant model that narrowed the scope of the Dispositional Theory was the Core Self-evaluations Model, proposed by Timothy A. Judge in 1998. Judge argued that there are four Core Self-evaluations that determine one’s disposition towards job satisfaction: self-esteem, general self-efficacy, locus of control, and neuroticism. This model states that higher levels of self-esteem (the value one places on his/her self) and general self-efficacy (the belief in one’s own competence) lead to higher work satisfaction. Having an internal locus of control (believing one has control over herhis own life, as opposed to outside forces having control) leads to higher job satisfaction. Finally, lower levels of neuroticism lead to higher job satisfaction (Wikipedia,2010). Evans (2001), gives eight stages progression for a teacher moving from a modest level of job satisfaction towards a higher level of job satisfaction towards which is helpful. These are the following: first is being aware that there is a problem. Being aware that there is an issue, and agreeing what issue is, is by far the most important aspect of seeking to change a situation. Then devising a strategy. Once they know what the issue is that they are addressing they can start work on devising a strategy to solve it. It is followed by effecting the new strategy. It means that once they have decided what to do, they have to start work on implementing this strategy. Fourth stage is awareness of having made changes work. This implies that there is excellent communication in school. Next stage is perception that this is all worthwhile. By this stage everyone needs to start feeling better about the work being undertaken. Then sixth stage is each teacher needs to feel good about his or her own contribution to the scheme of change. In this way, teachers become not only positive about the change programme, but they also see their contribution as being significant. Seventh is a sense of achievement. This comes from the feeling of a job well done. Lastly is job fulfilment and job comfort. By this stage teachers feel good about themselves and about the job and most important about their ability to affect their meaningful way. However, according to Weis, (2010) job satisfaction can also be seen within the broader context of the range of issues which affect an individuals experience of work, or their quality of working life. Job satisfaction can be understood in terms of its relationships with other key factors, such as general well-being, stress at work, control at work, home-work interface, and working conditions. Stress as defined by Hans Selye, is the non-specific response of the body to any demand made upon it. It is not nervous tension, but the wear and tear of life. Stress describes the effects of the body’s reaction to pressure. The source of stress, called stressor, may be purely physical, social, or psychological. The mind may interpret it as pleasant or unpleasant. Whatever meaning it gives, the mind sends it via two pathways. One pathway, is known as the subconscious appraisal pathway, is responsible for the physical and emotional reflexes of the body. The other pathway, responsible for voluntary actions, is used for perception, evaluation, and decision – making. In this other pathway, the individual is made aware of the environmental demands. As he perceives his situation, he interprets it according to his previous experiences, value system, self-concept, ego-strengths, attitudes and feelings. Emotions are usually aroused which in turn give color to the person’s interpretation (Fabella, 2008). According to Good Health Handbook, life and stress are interwoven with each other. It depends on how you view life and how stress affects you. Stress is a highly individual phenomenon. It is strange in its own way – because when it occurs it becomes difficult for the body and mind to adjust to the pattern of life. However, Fabella stated in his book, that stress can be minimized and channelled for growth and development, and life can be filled with joy, peace, love and security. He added accordingly, that stress- resilient people have been observed to have a specific set of attitudes toward life- an openness to change, a feeling of involvement in whatever they are doing, and a sense of control over events. He further said that man who places his entire self in the sphere of work neglecting love (family) and play (sports, hobbies, socializing, friendships) decreases his overall adaptability. If he defines his existence in terms of achievement in his work, he will find that if for external reasons (i,e. , poor health) or boredom ( loss of interest or loss of faith in his employer) his work loses meaning, then so will his life. He will become demoralized, confused, and unable to function. Mayo Clinic stated that there is a link between work approach and job satisfaction. Work is often approached from three perspectives. Usually all three perspectives are important for job satisfaction, but one is often the priority: First is, Its a job. If you approach work as a job, you focus primarily on the financial rewards. In fact, the nature of the work may hold little interest for you. Whats important is the money. If a job with more pay comes your way, youll likely move on. Next is, Its a career. If you approach work as a career, youre interested in advancement. You want to climb the career ladder as far as possible or be among the most highly regarded professionals in your field. Youre motivated by the status, prestige and power that come with the job. The third is, Its a calling. If you approach your job as a calling, you focus on the work itself. You work less for the financial gain or career advancement than for the fulfillment the work brings. One approach isnt necessarily better than the others. But it is helpful to reflect on why work if unsatisfied with the job and are ready to move on. Think about what originally drew on the current job, and whether it may be a factor in lack of job satisfaction. Additionally, the Clinic noted several ways to increase job satisfaction depending on the underlying cause of the lack of job satisfaction. One is by Improving job skills. Keeping abreast to the new strategies and techniques, and by attending seminars. Developing a new project also helps. Working on something one care about can boost confidence. Mentoring a co-worker. Once a job is mastered, it is a becoming routine. Helping a new co-worker or an intern advance his or her skills can restore the challenge and the satisfaction you desire. However, when personal abilities do not match the responsibilities, boredom will attack. Keep in mind that boredom can literally be deadly if a job involves working with machinery or caring for people, much more on dealing with children. If the mind is wandering to the point that a life or the lives of others is put in jeopardy, take action now. Stay positive. Use positive thinking to reframe thoughts about the job. Changing one’s attitude about work will not necessarily happen overnight or increase job satisfaction overnight. Stop negative thoughts. Put things in perspective. Look for the silver lining. Reframing can help find the good in a bad situation. Learn from mistakes. Failure is one of the greatest learning tools, but many people let failure defeat them. Be grateful. Gratitude can help focus on whats positive about the job.