Microsoft Company and how its foundation impacts the world Assignment

Microsoft Company and how its foundation impacts the world - Assignment Example Some of these programs include helping people in case of disasters; human rights and online safety are the other ways the firm commits to the CSR programs. Sadly, the opposite happens when a firm fails in realising as much profit as it should especially in the case of Microsoft. Since the company is evidently committed to its CSR programs, it is imperative that constant analysis of its strategies and other factors be carried out. In this paper, the purpose is to analyse Microsoft Company and the effects of its foundation in the world. Microsoft is a US-based multinational company that specialises in computer technology including software, personal computers and consumer electronics. Some of the best software products include Microsoft windows, Microsoft Office, internet explorer and Office suite. Recently the firm entered into the hardware products including Xbox games tablet, Microsoft Surface. Other services the firm offers including Internet search program, Bing. The company was founded in 1975 by two men, Bill gates and Paul Allen, and is currently headquartered in Redmond, Washington (Carter et al, p.1634). The company’s market share started sharing in the 80s when it produced an operating system called, MS-DOS. The production of Microsoft Windows elevated the company. The number of products it has produced since its inception has evidenced the firm’s commitment to innovation. In the case of operating systems, the company embraced innovation by releasing several versions including Windows XP, Windows vista, Windows 7 and the most recent windows 8 and 8.1. After buying Nokia’s devices, Microsoft has shown great commitment to mobile phone users by enabling windows 8 to be accessible through mobile phones (Pittel, p.63). The market share for Microsoft is has remained the highest among the other firms in the same industry. Additionally, besides

Guru Nanak and Meera Bai Essay Example for Free

Guru Nanak and Meera Bai Essay Guru Nanak is the founder and first guru of the Sikh religion. He was born in a small town outside of Lahore, India (now Pakistan) to a family in the merchant caste. As a young man, Guru Nanak married and had children. Yet he didnt fit easily into family expectations. He seems to have only reluctantly entered the clerical profession suggested by his family, often feeling the call to turn inward in meditation at key points in his life. Guru Nanaks moment of enlightenment came when, after singing devotional songs, he bathed in the Vein River near Sultanpur. In that moment he was elevated to the heavenly state, where he received amrit, the drink of immortality in the form of the divine name. He remained in deep silence after this transcendent experience for some time, and then he started to formulate his revelation through the statement, There is neither Hindu nor Muslim suggesting the universal brotherhood we all share through the divine vision. After this awakening, Guru Nanak left his job and became a wandering holy man. He eventually settled at Kartarpur along the Ravi River, where he lived out the rest of his life. For others with the same name, see Meera (disambiguation) Meerabai (Rajasthani: ) (c. 1498-c. 1547AD) (alternate orthographies: Meera; Mira; Meera Bai) was an aristocratic Hindu mystical singer and sahajiya (apasampradaya) devotee of lord Krishna from Rajasthan and one of the most significant figures of the Sant tradition of the Vaishnava bhakti movement. Some 12-1300 prayerful songs or bhajans attributed to her are popular throughout India and have been published in several translations worldwide. In the bhakti tradition, they are in passionate praise of lord Krishna. Details of her life, which has been the subject of several films, are pieced together from her poetry and stories recounted by her community and are of debatable historical authenticity, particularly those that connect her with the later Tansen. On the other hand, the traditions that make her a disciple of Ravidas who disputed with Rupa Goswami are consonant with the usual account of her life.

Broadcast Journalists and The Inverted Pyramid Style of Presenting the

In 1965, American broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow stated, â€Å"We cannot make good news out of bad practice.† Although this quotation was originally in response to critics who wanted him to ignore racial problems to promote a better public image abroad, it can also be applied to the importance of presenting a quality newscast. In America, news media is considered the forth branch of the United States government. This concept stems from a belief that it is the news media's responsibility to deliver clear and accurate information to the populace in a compelling manner. Considering the effect the news has on society, as journalism scholars we need to ask why clarity and attention are important in a newscast and what can be done to ensure clarity and attention is used in a news video or news broadcast? Using the 2010 textbook Broadcast News Handbook and personal experiences from Digital News class, we will analyze the following questions. To do so, we will examine the importance of clarity and attention in a newscast, and then finally take a look at three aspects to ensure clarity and attention is in a news video or news broadcast. First, there is the importance of clarity and attention in a newscast. The history of delivering news has evolved throughout the years. From exchange information via radio to have a having a television channel’s primary objective be producing news, the news media have grown in the methods notifying the public. However, a couple of things that hasn’t change are the media’s goal of delivering clear and engaging products. As Assistant Professor Dave Cupp of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill explained in a 2010 article, â€Å"Today the world remains as confusing as ever, and new technolog... ... a report remember to record scenes that involve some sort of action, the viewer will be persuade to pay attention because the are interested in what the people are doing. CONCLUSION By understanding why clarity and attention are important in a newscast and observing three ways to ensure these functions are used in a news video or news broadcast, we can see the responsibility the forth branch has to society. Edward R. Murrow attempted to accomplish these traits in all of his broadcasts. Canadian educator Marshall McLuhan’s contention is that â€Å"the medium is the message.† However, the authors of the textbook believe that the message is the message and the medium is simply a means to get that message to an audience. Regardless which statement you agree with, the main point is that the message is important and we, as reporters, have an obligation to present it.

Human Gene Therapy :: Science Genetics Papers

Human Gene Therapy Gene therapy is the use of genes to treat disease. It represents a quantum leap in our approach to the treatment of human disease and will have a significant effect on medicine over the next ten years. William French Anderson, Michael Biase, and Ken Culver performed the first successful gene therapy on a human in 1990. They developed a protocol for treating Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency, severe combined immune deficiency, also known as the" Boy in the Bubble disease". ADA deficiency is a result of inheriting two copies of the defective ADA gene (in other words it is a recessive disease). Possession of a normal gene leads to the continuous, regular production of ADA in cells throughout the body. Without at least one properly functioning gene, children have no way of converting deoxyadenosine (a waste product) into inosine. This leads to the rapid build up deoxyadenosine in the system, which becomes phosphoralysed into a toxic triphosphate which kills T-cell. The result is an al most complete failure of the immune system and early death. Concept of Gene Therapy The term gene therapy originally referred to proposed treatments of genetic disorders that would involve replacing a defective gene with its normal counterpart Current usage of the term now extends to include all treatments in which there is an introduction of genetic material into body cells to treat a variety of diseases. Gene therapy utilizes two theoretically possible approaches: 1) Somatic gene therapy entails the transfer of a gene or genes into body cells other than germ (egg or sperm) cells with effect only on the patient. The new genetic material cannot be passed on to offspring. Examples of Somatic gene therapy have already proven to be clinically effective. The first successful treatments of adenosine deaminase deficiency took place in 1990 in 1991 with two patients aged 4 and 11. Both are thriving with continuing treatment. The first successful treatment of familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition, which affects the livers regulation of cholestrols in the blood, took place in 1992 of a 29-year-old woman. Her improvement was stable for the 18 months of the study and liver biopsy demonstrated activity of the inserted gene and no discernible abnormalities. Five patients have been treated as of 1994.Current research involving Somatic gene therapy is focusing on a number of areas. Clinical trials are being performed on a treatment for cystic fibr osis, a chronic genetic disorder.

The Business Report of the Australian Major Footwear Retailer

The Australian UGG Company Major Assignment The business report of the Australian major footwear retailer-UGG Table of content 1. 0. Executive summary4 2. 0. Introduction5 2. 1. Background of UGG Company5 2. 2. Assumptions and limitations5 3. 0. Overview of the market5 4. 0. The marketing environment5 4. 1. The Microenvironment5 4. 1. 1. Key competitors6 4. 1. 2. Other environment6 4. 2. The Macroenvironment6 4. 2. 1. Demographic environment6 4. 2. 2. Economic environment7 4. 2. 3. Political environment7 4. 2. 4. Cultural environment7 5. 0. Product7 5. 1. The three level of the product7 5. 1. 1.Core Product8 5. 1. 2. Actual Product8 5. 1. 3. Augmented Product8 5. 2. Brand, packaging and labeling9 6. 0. Target segments9 6. 1. Demographic segment—Gender, Age and life-cycle stage segment9 6. 1. 1. Evaluation the needs and wants of the segment (key users benefit)9 6. 1. 2. The market positioning of the segment10 6. 1. 3. The trend of the segment11 6. 2. Geographic segment11 7. 0. The product categories11 7. 1. Evaluation of the categories11 7. 2. The trend and development of the categories11 8. 0. Conclusion12 9. 0. Recommendations12 10. 0. Reference list13 1. Executive summaryThe following report analyses the demographic segment which is classified by gender and age-cycle is targeted by The UGG Company. Firstly, the report briefly describes the background of UGG. Secondly, it shows a general impression of the footwear market and identifies its microenvironment and macroenvironment. Thirdly, it emphasizes the product of UGG and points out the three levels. Fourthly, it judges the two variable segments and illustrates the demographic segment in detail. Then, the report also exhibits its product categories. Finally, it draws a conclusions sum up and gives the recommendations.The secondary information which has close relationship to marketing is the sources of the report. For example, academic journals, textbook, statistics from formal organizations and company websites and newspaper. There are some assessments to evaluate the field of marketing in The UGG Company after assessing. There are two main recommendations for The UGG Company to improve its business: 1. UGG should improve marketing information system in order to do some research to satisfy customers’ needs and wants. 2. UGG should utilize sustainable material to produce products aiming at undertaking its social responsibility and gaining reputation. 0.Introduction 2. 1. Background of UGG Company The UGG Company was first established in California by Brian Smith, a young surfer from Australia (Deckers Outdoor Corporation, 2009). It was acquired by Deckers Outdoor Corporation in 1995. Thompson (2004) reports that the sale astonishingly increased from $250,000 to $11. 75 million between 2003 and 2004. The brand becomes national and year-round nowadays because of more than 70 shoe styles except its classical-style boots and slippers (Thompson, 2004). He also mentions that the sales project in 2004 was set up at $75 million which was in double growth of 2003’s. 2. Assumptions and limitationsThe limitation of the report is not enough adequate information presenting. With the development of globalization, the company should take actions depending on the varied circumstances to have a strong position in its marketplace. 3. Overview of the market IBISWorld Pty Ltd (2009) defines the footwear retail as a connection between the manufacturing company and customers. It also identifies that the shoe retail is mainly concerned about purchasing and promoting attractive shoes without any change to the customers. Other activities such as customer service, cash handing are also involved in the footwear retail (IBISWorld Pty Ltd, 2009).According to the statistics by IBISWorld Pty Ltd (2009), the industry has revenue of $2475. 0 million between the year 2008 and 2009. But meanwhile, it experienced a real growth of -2. 9%. 4. The marketing environment 1. The Microe nvironment 1. Key competitors Footwear market is a competitive marketplace because of globalization. There are 3,238 retails providing large number of appealing shoes to customers in Australia and there are 48 sheepskin retails among them (Yellow Pages Australia, 2009). Barack (2008) recognizes that in the present environment it is a difficult task for retailing to maintain the same revenue as before.Other famous brands like Chukka boots and Rocky are the direct competitors to UGG (Wikipedia, 2009). IBISWorld Pty Ltd (2009) asserts that Ascendia Retail Pty Limited is the top indirect competitor to UGG because it holds 16% of the Australian market. Followed by that, Betts Group Pty Ltd takes up 6. 8%. And 77. 2% of the market is made up of other companies such as NIKE Australia and Foot Locker. 2. Other environment The footwear retail industry including UGG often depends on resellers which belong to marketing intermediaries like Myer to promote its goods.And the market for UGG is con sumer markets which individuals purchase shoes for personal use. 2. The Macroenvironment 1. Demographic environment According to the research by IBISWorld Pty Ltd (2009), the demand of footwear retail is affected by age which involves three generations: Generation X, Generation Y and Baby Boomers. Generation X and Y stand for aged 32 to 43 and 14 to 31 respectively. The former group accounts for 42. 0% of the footwear sales in the end of 2007; the latter group has 30. 0% of that. Baby boomers which have aged 44 to 62 account for 25. 0% of the share (IBISWorld Pty Ltd, 2009). . Economic environment Consumer sentiment index, trade weighted index and Real Household Disposable Income play vital roles in the footwear retail industry. Firstly, IBISWorld Pty Ltd (2009) points out that consumer sentiment index represent the consumers’ confidence of economy. It also mentions that trade weighted index has a significant effect on customer demand for imported footwear. Furthermore, incom e is closely related to customer’s purchasing power. For instance, wealthy customers have more buying power to choose whatever they like. 3. Political environmentThe Australian government performed a policy which led to an enormous change in the world of Australian footwear retail. It reduced the protection of the Australian footwear sector in the mid-1980s (Webber &Weller, 2001). They indicate that the footwear industry has to restructure in the modern world in Australia because of globalization. 4. Cultural environment Cultural issues also shape the marketing decisions. Wikipedia (2009) asserts that boots was originally invented by the people who live in cold countries to protect their foot in low temperature environment. Australians form a habit of wearing boots in winter to keep warm. . Product Footwear can be classified into the category of shopping products which are evaluated in the aspect of comfort, quality, price and style. 1. The three level of the product 1. Core Product The core benefit that consumers are really purchasing in the market of footwear is to protect their foot. According to what customers actually want, UGG provides sheepskin footwear which can control the temperature of the bare feet to close to the body regardless of the temperature outside, especially in winter in order to keep customers warm (Deckers Outdoor Corporation, 2009). . Actual Product Actual product defines as â€Å"a product’s parts, styling, features, brand name, packaging and other attributes that combine to deliver core product benefits† (Kotler, Brown, Adam, Burton and Armstrong, 2007, p. 388). Deckers Outdoor Corporation (2009) claims that the philosophy of UGG is to provide comfortable, high quality, attainable as well as fashionable products aiming to deliver core benefits. It also points out that UGG ®Australia is relatively well-known brand because it is the world’s largest purveyor of grade-A sheepskin.Furthermore, actual product of UGG includes its relevant sheepskin care product which is a unique product to retain customers. 3. Augmented Product A number of authors propose that augmented product is â€Å"additional consumer services and benefits built around the core and actual products† (Kotler et al. , 2007, p. 388). UGG creates a website to give convenience for customers searching information and knowing more about UGG. Moreover, UGG provides not only sales service telephone number and e-mail address, but also aftersales service to maximize customer satisfaction (Deckers Outdoor Corporation, 2009).These intangible augmented products contribute the value to the core product in order to gain competitive advantage. 2. Brand, packaging and labeling UGG achieves in the selection of brand name because its brand name can be distinguished from its competitor and easy to recognize. Currently, UGG uses brand extension strategy to launch new products in men’s footwear. In addition, UGG labels â€Å" made in Australia† in the packaging to differentiate from others. 6. Target segments Due to differential needs and wants, the market can be divided into three segments: Gender, Age and life-cycle stage and Geographic segmentation (IBISWorld Pty Ltd, 2009).The target group for UGG is the demographic segment which classified by gender and age-cycle. 1. Demographic segment—Gender, Age and life-cycle stage segment 1. Evaluation the needs and wants of the segment (key users benefit) Classifying segments effectively can bring success to the company (Dibb and Simkin, 1991). Kotler et al. , (2007) assert that gender segmentation has been widely used in the business of footwear. Therefore, the category of footwear retail can be categorized into three main parts: women, men together with children and infants footwear.IBISWorld Pty Ltd (2009) evaluates that women’s footwear occupies a dominant position in the market because it holds 50. 0% of the Australian market share. Ho wever, men’s footwear as well as children’s and infants’ footwear has the same percentage which takes up only half of the percent of women’s footwear in the market share (25. 0%). UGG Company uses differentiated market-coverage strategy to target several market segments and offers several different products. UGG sells the shoes of women as well as men, but it started from women boots originally.It seems apparent that the frequency of purchasing shoes for women is much higher than men. Consequently, UGG focuses on women want initially. Women select their desired shoes in the aspect of styles and colors (IBISWorld Pty Ltd, 2009). Typically, women regard the styles and colors as fashion. Most of them will try their best to follow the current fashion. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (2009) declares that providing fashionable products is one of the objects of UGG Company to satisfy the women want of fashion.In the modern world, many famous stars like Julia Roberts wearing the boots of UGG causes a fashion of wearing UGG boots (Blakeley, 2004). Compared with women, men are more concerned with the price and quality of the shoes. According to Deckers Outdoor Corporation (2009), UGG Company offers the footwear which value comfortable and the highest quality in order to attract men customers. It also claims that UGG Company only use the perfect material to produce products such as the highest quality leathers, suede and the world’s finest sheepskin to keep user warm and comfortable.For instance, the company only uses vegetable-based dyes and put shoes in refrigerated container to prevent melting when transfer (Palmeri, 2006). 2. The market positioning of the segment The UGG Company chooses product differentiation as its positioning strategy. Deckers Outdoor Corporation (2009) promises that it produces accessible luxury products to differentiate from other competitors. For example, Women’s footwear of UGG is range from $60 to $400 (H irshlag, 2006). As a result, the behaviors of buyers who buy the products of UGG are affected by their economic situation. 3.The trend of the segment Currently, men prefer casual and fashionable street shoes rather than athletic shoes (IBISWorld Pty Ltd, 2009). This trend brings new opportunity to the company. O’Loughlin (2005) demonstrates that UGG Company expands its business by crossing gender lines to target men. Sales to men of UGG are up to $53. 4 billion in 2006 (Thompson, 2006). 2. Geographic segment IBISWorld Pty Ltd (2009) lists the footwear retailing locations in Australia by states. A number of authors claim that the geographic segmentation brings benefit in satisfying local differential needs (Kotler et al. 2007). For example, Victoria can be thought of a competitive and mature market in terms of high average income. According to the data by yellow pages Australia (2009), there are 13 retails selling the products of UGG in Victoria. 7. The product categories 1. E valuation of the categories The UGG Company supplies a strong market for unique footwear to outwear (Wilson, 2007). In brief, it involves a variety of boots, casual, slippers and accessories (Deckers Outdoor Corporation, 2009). The category satisfies a variety of customers’ desires. The unique boots bring warm and luxury to buyers.The series of casual shoes meet the expectation of customers who prefer casual lifestyle. The slippers and accessories offer a varied choice for customers. Moreover, the company also provides care products for customers to take great care of the sheepskin shoes for the sake of retaining customers. 2. The trend and development of the categories Edelson (2009) reports that the company will focus on its outwear line in future to appeal more customers who seek sheepskin outwear. She also mentions that the company is interested in expanding the collection of accessories and designing handbags for UGG fans. . Conclusion From analysing and evaluating the s tatistics searched, we can conclude that UGG can target the demographic segment which is classified by gender and age-cycle effectively. It takes the microenvironment which includes marketing intermediaries, customers and competitors together with macroenvironment which involves demographic, economic, political and cultural environment into consideration. Furthermore, it identifies the emerging trend of the product categories and discovers the opportunity for attracting potential customers to make the profit as high as possible.However, UGG still lacks efficient information about marketing intelligence and research. 9. Recommendations 1. UGG should improve marketing information system in order to do some research to satisfy customers’ needs and wants. †¢ David (1989) emphasizes that marketing research can assist marketing managers perform and recognize the market segments well. For UGG, the company should design some survey to collect primary data to analysis customer pr eference such as the colors, size and length. 2. UGG should utilize sustainable material to produce products aiming at undertaking its social responsibility and gaining reputation. UGG should continue using vegetable-based dyes and healthy material. 10. Reference list Barack, L. (2008). From Ugg to Utterly Impressive. On Wall Street, 18(9), 64. Blakeley, K. (2004). Foot Fetish. Forbes Global, 7(1), 20. David, C. (1989). Trends of Marketing Research. Marketing Intelligence & Planning, 7(9/10), 17-24. Deckers Outdoor Corporation. (2009, September 29). Retrieved November 05, 2009, from http://www. uggaustralia. com. au Dibb, S. & Simkin, L. (1991). Targeting, Segments and Positioning. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 19(3). Edelson, S. (2009).Ugg Taps Nichols for Outwear Line. Women’s Wear Daily, 197(103), 9. Hirshlag, J. (2006). Ugg’s First Boutique Set to Bow in SoHo. Women’s Wear Daily, 192(116), 16. IBISWorld. (2009, October 14). Footw ear Retailing in Australia (G5222). Retrieved from IBISWorld database. Kotler, P. , Brown, L. , Adam, S. , Burton, S. and Armstrong, G. (2007). Marketing (7th ed. ) French Forest, NSW: Pearosn Education Australia. O'Loughlin, S. (2005). UGG Step up Licensing, Tries Appealing to Men. Brandweek, 46(21), 11. Palmeri, C. (2006). Sensitive Soles. Businessweek, 3987, 14. Thompson, S. (2004). Ugg Australia.Advertising Age, 75(44), 19. Thompson, S. (2006). Ugg, others take a shot at gender bending. Advertising Age, 77(21), 4-6. Webber, M. & Weller, S. (2001). Trade and inequality: Australia's textile, clothing, and footwear industries, 1986-1996. Journal of Economic Geography, 1(4), 381. Wilson, B. (2007). Ugg goes for Gold Coast. WWD: Women's Wear Daily, 194(80), Wikipedia Foundation. (2009, November 14). Retrieved December 12, 2009, from http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Boot Yellow Pages. (copyright 2006). Retrieved November 06, 2009, from http://www. yellowpages. com. au

In what way did violence and intimidation contribute to the essays

In what way did violence and intimidation contribute to the essays The Italian public had always loved a leader taking action and uses violence, previously before Mussolini and fascism, a man called Dannunzio had tried to clam a city called Fiumie with a seize, even though he didnt gain much from this what could only be seen as a side show; Mussolini saw from these events that the government was inefficient to act on such a prank like this and the public was very impressed by the action. Mussolini took note of these things and copied marching songs, uniforms, straight-armed salutes and the idea of marching on Rome. So violence had contributed to success long before fascist used it. In extracts from Balbos diary he describes a lot of violence that went on in the early 1922. The fascists burnt down the socialists buildings to strike terror into the heart or their enemies. He also tells us how this means of violence and intimidated the police into helping the fascists escape with a whole fleet of lorries this shows that violence put the fascists in control and forced officials to corporate with them. An anti-fascist wrote about how the fascists used stomach pumps, doses of castor oil as laxatives, hot irons on chest and forcing the socialist leaders to eat live toads: were all means of torture used to stop the socialist leaders form carrying out the socialist movement. An estimated 2000 socialists were killed by the fascists between 1920-22: the socialist council were so disrupted by the attacks that they had to be replace by perfects to re-establish order. Another main thing the Fascists did to make the socialists look bad to the Italian public eye and officials: was to go to socialists meetings out of their uniform so they were recognised and started fights a riots, then the uniformed fascists would come in and break up the fights and save the day. This made the socialists look violent and disorganised. All the violence against the s...

Lempire de Napoleon Une Etape Logique essays

Lempire de Napoleon Une Etape Logique essays *note : you will have to add the accents yourself!!!* Pour beaucoup de personnes, le sujet de Napoleon Bonaparte, c'est a dire, la decision si son regne etait une chose positive ou une chose negative pour la France est un sujet sur lequel chaque personne a ses opinios fortes. On dit qu'il etait un des plus grands chefs militaires de toute l'histoire. Il est aussi vu comme dictateur qui cherchait seulement le pouvoir. Les deux opinios ont du merite. Si Napoleon desirait de la conquete il l'a atteinte par la concentration du pouvoir dans ses propres mains. Cependant, dans les etats qu'il a crees, Napoleon a accorde des constitutions, a introduit des coded civiles, a aboli le systeme feodale, a cree des gouvernements efficaces et a encourage l'education, la science, la litterature, et les arts. A mon avis, il n'a pas continue ou consolide la Revolution francaise, mais il a donne a la France des institutions et du pouvoir que la Republique n'etait pas assez puissante pour creer ou gagner. Au debut de sa carriere militaire Napoleon a aide la Republique dans ses victiores sur les royalistes, qui, soutenues par des armees etrangeres, se revoltaient contre-elle. Le jeune Napoleon a retabli l'ordre en France, et etait nomme premier consul de la Republique apres quelques victoires glorieuses en Egypte. Mais bientot il a saisi le pouvoir et s'est nomme empereur. Comme chef de la Grande Armee, Napoleon a conquis une grande partie du monde connu a cette epoque. Ses victoires a Austerlitz et a Iena sont commemorees par les noms des stations de metro a Paris. Nous voyons que les Francais avaient confiance en Napoleon, et etaient fiers de ses victoires, malgre le fait qu'il ne continuait la Republique. Ce nouvel empire n'etait ni une Republique, ni une monarchie absolue Le pouvoir etait donc a nouveau centralise dans les mains d'un seul homme, mais la Revolution et les origines de Bonaparte ...

Essay on Solubility FLR

Essay on Solubility FLR Essay on Solubility FLR I. Which Solute Is More Soluable? II. Introduction: Question: Which two substances (sodium chloride and sodium nitrate) have the most solubility? Hypothesis: If we dissolve the two substances separately in water, then the sodium chloride will dissolve more because the ions in the solid is so strong that only highly polar solvents like water dissolve the sodium chloride well (NaCl). Background Information: Solubility: the rate at which a solute dissolves in a solvent. Saturated: contains as much as can be dissolved in the solvent. Solute: substances that are dissolved in the solvent. Solvent: heterogeneous mixture in which particles are dispersed through a fluid but not dissolved in it. NaCl: (Sodium Chloride) Represents 1:1 ratio of sodium and chloride The attraction between the NA+ and the Cl- ions in the solid is so strong that only highly polar solvents like water dissolve NaCl well. When dissolved in water, the sodium chloride framework disintegrates as the Na+ and Cl- ions become surrounded by the polar water molecules. The chloride ions are strongly solvated, each being surrounded by an average of 6 molecules of water. NaNo3: (Sodium Nitrate) White solid, very soluable in water Sodium nitrate is also synthesized industrially by neutralizing nitric acid with sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate Sodium nitrate was used extensively as a fertilizer and a raw material for the manufacture of gunpowder in the late 19th century. ****(Information for Sodium Chloride and Sodium Nitrate came from Wikipedia) III. Materials/Illustration: Test Tubes (2-4) Rubber Stoppers (2-4) 10 ml H2O (cold tap water) Graduated Cylinder Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Sodium Nitrate (NaNo3) Test Tube Holder/Rack Scale (Electronic Balance) Scoops Pipette (optional) IV. Variables Independent (manipulated) The substances: Sodium Chloride (NaCl) and Sodium Nitrate (NaNo3) Dependent (responding) Grams of Solute Constant (control) Amount of H2O (water), Amount of shakes (80 shakes) V. Procedures: 1. Gather materials (from the materials list) 2. Set up lab on a flat surface as shown in the diagram/illustration. 3. Use the scale (electronic balance; already tared) to weight the container of the Sodium Chloride (NaCl). 4. Record the mass of the container into your data table under â€Å"Initial Mass† for Sodium Chloride. 5. Fill the graduated cylinder with exactly 10 ml. of cold tap water from the sink. After, record the volume into your data table under â€Å"Volume†. 6. Pour the contents (10ml. cold tap water) from the graduated cylinder into one of the test tubes. 7. Using the scoop/scooper, place 2-3 scoops of the Sodium Chloride into the test tube. 8. Use the rubber stopper to cover the top of the test tube. 9. Holding your thumb or finger over the rubber stopper, shake the test tube 80 times. 10. Check the test tube to see if the Sodium Chloride has dissolved by holding the test tube horizontally and rolling it to see if there are any particles left. 11. Repeat steps #7 - #10 until the substance inside the test tube becomes saturated. Meaning, that it contains as much Sodium Chloride as can be dissolved in water. (the Sodium Chloride can no longer be dissolved in the solvent and small particles/grains start to show) 12. Once your substance is saturated, take the container of your Sodium Chloride and place it on the scale (electronic balance; already tared). 13. Record the mass of the container into your data table under â€Å"Final Mass†. 14. Repeat steps #3 - #13 for 2 more trials. 15. Once you are done with all three trials for the Sodium Chloride, Repeat steps #3 – 13 for Sodium Nitrate. VI. Observations and Data: Sodium Chloride (NaCl) Trials

Internationl Business Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Internationl Business Law - Essay Example Millions of dollars were also spent to pay up third parties that implicated embezzlement. It was found that there is an atmosphere of tolerance and even the company’s cultural acceptance of the practice in all levels of the corporation. There has been a systematic implementation of this scheme that engaged the members of the organization (ibid). There was a failure by the internal safeguards of Siemens to clean up their business adequately in time prior to the case filed by the SEC to their disadvantage. The main issue encompass the acts of the company in violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (FCPA) under the United States federal law which punishes bribery of foreign officials. This is in relation to the thrust of the Securities and Exchange Commission to regulate businesses under its jurisdiction. Specifically, the provisions of Sections 30A, 13(b)(2)(A), and 13(b)(2)(B) of the Exchange Act were violated (ibid). The court found in favor of the SEC and grante d the highest settlement in this particular area where Siemens has offered $1.6 billion in payment for the fines and disgorgement provided under the law. Out of which, $350 million will go to the SEC in disgorgement, $450 million in criminal fine to the Department of Justice, about $569 million as fine to Germany’s Office of the Prosecutor General in Munich. This is apart from the approximately $285 million Siemens has already paid in 2007 to the Prosecutor previously mentioned (ibid). In the end, the SEC and the State together with the German government won this case through an amicable settlement by the plaintiff and defendant. This is a good manifestation of the gravity of the battle against foreign bribery as a matter of policy showing the best possible sign of its effectiveness. This was an ideal scenario where the company has offered on its own a significant sum to rectify its deeds. The willingness of the Siemens to settle, granted that $1.6 billion is already a sizabl e sum, brings to question the actual extent of the profit that they may have acquired through these dubious dealings. Further raising doubts is the fact that there are many countries involved in the transactions investigated by the SEC. Upon scrutiny of this case and the outcome, it is immediately apparent that the United States and Germany got the best end of the bargain. It must be noted that there are a number of other countries who suffered with most of them developing countries. It brings to mind the question of what the others will get out of this case and will they benefit from Siemens’ mea culpa. 1. How do the Siemens’ penalties relate to the caps on fines discussed earlier in this chapter? Fines are a form of sanction on companies to deter them from committing offenses and grave abuses to the expense of others. The penalty imposed upon Siemens is a glaring example for others not to follow suit on the ill practices that they have previously engendered as a comp any culture. The likelihood of a significant fine that

Eccentrically loaded tie Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Eccentrically loaded tie - Lab Report Example Hounsfield tensometer testing device – a machine that was used to assess to what level our specimen expanses under the stress of the material and some other tensile features of materials like the tensile strength – and; We estimated and noted the eccentricity (e) and dimension of our specimen cross-section. We also applied a negligible holding load so as to eliminate the initial slackness from the set up. The recording mercury was also zeroed. After all that, our strain gauge switch as well as the balance unit for every gauge was set up. We recorded the measurement of the strain at every position for any increment in load up. In order to ascertain the strains of every sample under the adopted load, we connected the six strains to a six-channel strain gauging bridge. Figure 1 below illustrate the experimental process. In order to determine our strain gauge values, position of gauge depth from centroid, and average strain, we proceeded as follows (distance between the gauge are shown in parentheses in table 1 above): The figure 3 above displayed the distribution of stress across the tie as the measurement was proportional to the stress. The slope of NQS in the above diagram is proportional to disparity in strain as a results of bending. This was due to algebraic addition of axial and bending stresses shown below. From our results, the estimated e (19.125mm) was higher than our calculated e (18.48131738). This gave us a percentage error of only 3.3657%, implying that the accuracy of our results was around 96.6%. With this, we could confidently say our experiment was successful despite the 3.36% error. This percentage error might have been occasioned by: As for the stress distribution diagram, the shape was occasioned by the combination of bending and axial stress applied to tie bar material. This was consistent with the findings in Sinha (2002). Sheer forces and bending moments in the beam always determine the value of

ANIMAL SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

ANIMAL SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS - Essay Example Animal experiments are considered very useful for the last centuries, whereby they are applied in physiological studies and processes. In fact, this contributes to development of new medical methods, though there are people opposing use of these experiments. These opponents have been giving reasons that scientists prioritize their experiments over animals. On the other hand, there are claims that animal experiments lacks transferability to man, thereby rendering the experiment using animals useless (Hackam & Redelmeier, 2006, 1731). In this case, these experiments are useless; thus, they cause unnecessary suffering to animals due to the curiosity of these scientists. There is an aspect of cruelty in animals’ experiments, though this applies to man if he undergoes the same procedure. Operative techniques and chance of using the anaesthesia was not adequate until the use of animal experiments. Therefore, discovery of anaesthesia has made a substantial contribution to medical field, whereby this has been facilitated to routine animal experiments. Animal experiments have been performed as way of serving consumer protection. Numerous experimental animals have been applied in countries like Germany in 2005 in order to identify a control of the toxicology testing procedures (Exner, 2007, 1). In fact, this entails tests conducted for drug tolerability and testing risk in environment due to industrial waste in water. Nevertheless, numerous animal experiments have been conducted legally through a prescription and a precondition in order to seek approval of some drugs and other substances that are used by human beings. There is a connection between the medical progress and the fundamental researches using animals’ experiments. For instance, various medical applications have been applied in through knowledge gathered from the researches that involve animal experiments such as development of methods for dealing with diabetes mellitus.

What to do with waste Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

What to do with waste - Essay Example To imagine, the amount of wastes being generated in hundreds of million to billion tonnes per year on a global scale should be alarming to the point we could not at all afford to neglect the issue and show meager efforts toward resolution of the encompassing matter. Actually, no exact statistical figures convey the immense number that must be dealt with since there are unreported cases of waste generation in several countries yet we can only be certain of the fact that waste quantities increase as they vary in direct proportion with human activities, material and energy consumption, as well as the widely experienced technological growth through time. The world has long struggled at managing waste disposals and treating wastes due chiefly to insufficient funds and appropriate fields of study that lack resources in terms of skilled researchers or interested experts who may be visualized together as solid passionate teams in creating ideas and innovating systems that efficiently address waste problems. Given this ever-worsening scenario, thus, we are brought to ask in serious enthusiastic tone â€Å"What do we and can we really do about our wastes on this planet in order to save mother nature, human health, and probably settle other critical concerns thereafter?† At one aspect, we can think of the fossil fuel crisis that affects almost everyone in the world and consider the equivalence fossil fuels make with contemporary wastes. By common knowledge, we are aware that fossil fuels are derived from organic remains of prehistoric plants and animals that undergo natural process of anaerobic decomposition. It normally takes 700 million years for decaying plant and animal matters to be fossilized upon exposure to extreme levels of heat and pressure. So how exactly would wastes, in relative measure, account for the risks of fossil fuel depletion? The point of advantage lies at discovering wastes as possible substitute for fossil fuels based on similar useful compo nents such as coal, natural gas, oil, or petroleum which may be recovered from a bulk of wastes’ organic composition. A successful content analysis must illustrate, by comparative studies, how wastes could feasibly become a good alternative for such non-renewable source of energy as their commonalities basically indicate that wastes are rich in carbon, hydrogen, and other elements capable of evolving heat energy upon combustive mechanisms. Once we have wholly figured such feasibility of producing energy with wastes through large volumetric yields of hydrocarbons, the next approach would be to come up with practical tools and methods relevant for the task. Hence, realizing the full potential of wastes in the context of possibly replacing fossil fuels should in part respond to the main query. Moreover, in the attempt to carry out energy conversions via exothermic reactions with wastes in solid and gaseous states, it would be necessary to establish medium to large-scale fuel pla nts just as what Dr. Martin Linck proposed to do in aiming for a 300,000-gallon per day production of fuel. An article written by Earth Times online columnist Dave Armstrong entitled â€Å"What to do with waste? Make our own fossil fuels!† notes Dr. Linck’s attendance and discourse during the 244th meeting of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia where a scientific breakthrough known as the Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion Process (IH2) was introduced. According to Armstrong, â€Å"IH2 was developed by Dr. Linck’s Gas Technology Institute (GTI) in Des Plaines – Hydrogen from the waste and many cheaper catalysts move the processes by which the ‘feedstock’ raw materials are converted into the oily products.† Apparently, in this setting, wastes enter a type of modern technology which would manufacture gaseous hydrogen and oils as ready-to-use fuels. At this stage, we may further extend thought to the probability of ad opting designs for fuel production at optimum level and we may to some degree be glad on

Business in Context LOLO Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business in Context LOLO - Essay Example In the future also, this media is expected to play a vital role in its operation. The present business tactic adopted by them is the business to business model. E-business in Qatar Airways has improved gradually and has enhanced their marketing strategies, the marketing mix and also the investment opportunities. The suppliers’ power can also be further improved using the E-business. Besides, it will also help them to evolve better strategies to counter the threat from competitors as well as new entrants in the field. Oracle is the business suite adopted by Qatar Airways to improve its business. During the early years, business operations in Qatar Airways were done manually and there was no role for internet in its business. They have considered E-business as a very risky venture that was difficult and thus avoided its use in business. However, in the recent years they have changed their policy and adopted E-business strategies. Oracle business suite is the platform Qatar Airways adopted as a part of its expansion programme. Supplier power: Presently the supplier power is enhanced in Qatar Airways by the use of internet. In the future Internet will also make it possible for them to produces new and alternative suppliers using search engine technology. â€Å"The internet is also producing new and alternative suppliers of search engine technology.† (Doganis 2001, p.177). Threat of new entrants: Using the internet applications in its business Qatar Airways can through the web itself understand the business of its competitors and analyze which of the market players are likely to pos a threat to their operations. They have been doing this research in detecting their competitors. This internet application is of high utility both in the present and the future days to Qatar Airways. New entrants can be identified through the advertising. Internet has enhanced the advertising capabilities of Qatar Airways and,

What to do with waste Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

What to do with waste - Essay Example To imagine, the amount of wastes being generated in hundreds of million to billion tonnes per year on a global scale should be alarming to the point we could not at all afford to neglect the issue and show meager efforts toward resolution of the encompassing matter. Actually, no exact statistical figures convey the immense number that must be dealt with since there are unreported cases of waste generation in several countries yet we can only be certain of the fact that waste quantities increase as they vary in direct proportion with human activities, material and energy consumption, as well as the widely experienced technological growth through time. The world has long struggled at managing waste disposals and treating wastes due chiefly to insufficient funds and appropriate fields of study that lack resources in terms of skilled researchers or interested experts who may be visualized together as solid passionate teams in creating ideas and innovating systems that efficiently address waste problems. Given this ever-worsening scenario, thus, we are brought to ask in serious enthusiastic tone â€Å"What do we and can we really do about our wastes on this planet in order to save mother nature, human health, and probably settle other critical concerns thereafter?† At one aspect, we can think of the fossil fuel crisis that affects almost everyone in the world and consider the equivalence fossil fuels make with contemporary wastes. By common knowledge, we are aware that fossil fuels are derived from organic remains of prehistoric plants and animals that undergo natural process of anaerobic decomposition. It normally takes 700 million years for decaying plant and animal matters to be fossilized upon exposure to extreme levels of heat and pressure. So how exactly would wastes, in relative measure, account for the risks of fossil fuel depletion? The point of advantage lies at discovering wastes as possible substitute for fossil fuels based on similar useful compo nents such as coal, natural gas, oil, or petroleum which may be recovered from a bulk of wastes’ organic composition. A successful content analysis must illustrate, by comparative studies, how wastes could feasibly become a good alternative for such non-renewable source of energy as their commonalities basically indicate that wastes are rich in carbon, hydrogen, and other elements capable of evolving heat energy upon combustive mechanisms. Once we have wholly figured such feasibility of producing energy with wastes through large volumetric yields of hydrocarbons, the next approach would be to come up with practical tools and methods relevant for the task. Hence, realizing the full potential of wastes in the context of possibly replacing fossil fuels should in part respond to the main query. Moreover, in the attempt to carry out energy conversions via exothermic reactions with wastes in solid and gaseous states, it would be necessary to establish medium to large-scale fuel pla nts just as what Dr. Martin Linck proposed to do in aiming for a 300,000-gallon per day production of fuel. An article written by Earth Times online columnist Dave Armstrong entitled â€Å"What to do with waste? Make our own fossil fuels!† notes Dr. Linck’s attendance and discourse during the 244th meeting of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia where a scientific breakthrough known as the Integrated Hydropyrolysis and Hydroconversion Process (IH2) was introduced. According to Armstrong, â€Å"IH2 was developed by Dr. Linck’s Gas Technology Institute (GTI) in Des Plaines – Hydrogen from the waste and many cheaper catalysts move the processes by which the ‘feedstock’ raw materials are converted into the oily products.† Apparently, in this setting, wastes enter a type of modern technology which would manufacture gaseous hydrogen and oils as ready-to-use fuels. At this stage, we may further extend thought to the probability of ad opting designs for fuel production at optimum level and we may to some degree be glad on

Perspectives on Policing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Perspectives on Policing - Essay Example The police force is given a mandate to oversee the public relationship therefore public service function is one of the most important aspects of the function of a police. In servicing the public, the police therefore are involved in an array of activities that are meant to ensure an enabling atmosphere of life in the public. In this regard, they integrate important function like management and directing of traffic, directing tourists, attending to emergences, and other functions beyond their normal function of arresting and container law breakers. Therefore we can say that the public needs policing in order to be effective. This shows that the police will need to effective in their work in order to deal with various issues that arise in the management of order in the public. The force will need to be well prepared and well adapted to these challenges. The public is diverse so is the problems that the police needs to address in the public. Therefore one of the most important issues that the police need to have is diversity in their training and in their composition of the force in order to address effectively all these issue. There need to have diversity in gender, training, and other aspects in order to function well. Lack of diversity may constrain their service to the public since the force will not be well prepared to cope with some of these challenges. Failure to deliver services will not be the only negative outcome of lack of diversity but it will also be compounded by bad perception by the public which many mirror the ineffectiveness of the force. (Joan 1998, P. 470) Policing function and diversity As we have stated diversity in the police force is one of the most important aspects that should be looked at. This is due to the effect that it's likely to have on the overall perception and the effectiveness of the police force. Lack of diversity my constitution the enforcement of also as it may be difficult to offer effective services especially to the marginalised groups. It is imperative for all communities to feel represented in the police force also have faith and feel secure. It has been shown that there is increasing malfunctioning of the police force as a result of lack of faith and mistrust between different ethnic groups depending on the way they feel represented in the force. In major cities in the world, there has been increasing conflicts between minority ethnic groups and the majority police force e.g. in the US there is increasing conflict between the white police and the Black American youths who feel that they are not represented in the police force. As a result, t here may be public reluctance to give information to the police for and hence undermines the issue of communicating policing. The public or the police are also likely for decline of appear as witness due to the relationship between the two. It has been shown that some of the crimes that are committed especially in the low income areas are due to marginalisation of these areas since they are not well represented in the police force. (Spencer and Hough 2000, p. 82) When the marginalised groups feel that they are not well represented, they may resource to criminal activities or organisation of criminal gangs which assume the role of protecting the public where police have failed. There is also a likely hold the police order will not be recognised in the

Maos domestic policies Essay Example for Free

Maos domestic policies Essay Essay Question: To what extend do you consider Maos domestic policies more successful than his foreign policies? Between the years 1949 and 1976 China was in a faze of changes, which varied in good and bad, the way roller coasters vary in ups and downs. Mao Zedong was the Chairman during those years whom one could make responsible for numerous successes and failures in China. His domestic and foreign policies were the causes of millions of deaths, economic highs and lows, unhappy peasants and many more factors which harmed and helped China to build up and backwards after feudalism had been removed from China. The Five Year Plan, which was a duplicate of the plan that Russia used to overcome the countries misery, took place between 1952 and 1956 and was a success for entire China. The Hundred Flowers Campaign, which Mao started in 1957, is known to be one of his greatest failures and resulted in chaos, along with the collectivisation plan in the late 1950s and early 1960s and the Great Leap Forward Mao failed to help his country. As he supported the Korean War in the 1950s Chinas budget decreased my thousand of millions of Yuan. This foreign policy was a disaster for China and even though several domestic policies were introduced, none of them could really keep China and its masses in population contend. Due to the support China had provided Korea with many more people died. If Korean had not been supported by Chinas budget, then one could argue that not as many people would have been killed the Korean War. Maybe the number of deaths could have been reduced to half a million or so, one can only speculate, yet it is clear that this foreign policy did not do any good, but much more harm. It did not only destroy human lives, it also harassed the Chinese budget and as a result made China very weak. PRC Expenditure in Percentages of Total Budget: As is shown on the table in 1950 the percent of money which was taken away from the budget is 41,5 %. This is almost half of the entire Chinese budget. Most of this money supported the Korean War and helped Korean to defend itself. By 1957 this percentile had gone down, but all most every other one went up. For an example 51,4 % of the Chinese budget was being used to support the economic development. This is a vast amount of money needed to support the economic development of a country. Even though this foreign policy supported Korean, it was and opposition for the donator, China. The Five Year Plan can be viewed purely as a success. Mao was impressed with what Lenin had accomplished with it and decided to do the same. Mao and the PRC, People Republic of China, build up the same Five Year Plan as Russia and succeeded. The National Resources Committee, NRC, had already taken care of several industrial ideas, which Mao had, and they were also the ones who had total control over the industrial investment sections. During the Five Year Plan a significant amount of migration took place. Families moved from the countryside into the large cities to find jobs at factories. One major factor that makes the Five Year Plan a success is of the inflation, from which China had been suffering for many years, which Mao achieved to decrease. It dropped from over 1,000 percent to nearly 15 percent and was a result of a raise of taxes and a change of the Chinese currency from the Chinese Dollar to the Yuan. Not only did the PRC want to focus on the production of steel, coal and petrol-chemicals, but also on transportations such as the Chinese automobile. An event, which is a perfect example to demonstrate the successes of the Five Year Plan would be the construction of a road and railway bridge, which crossed the Yangzi River, which can be seen as a contribution to the modernization of China. By 1952 the PRC had introduced their goals of what they wanted to achieve during the Five Year Plan. Their targets were to produce at least 555,000 bicycles by 1957, yet instead they produced more than 1,740,000. Also, they planned on manufacturing 4,000 trucks, but they achieved to produce more than 7,500. However magnificent this all sounds and how proud China must have been, if Russia had not helped China to industrialize, they would have never been able to compare themselves with the Soviet Union after their Five Year Plan had Worked so well. Meaning, China was not as successful as Russia had been, because China got the Soviet Unions support, whereas Russia made it on their own two feet. However, one should give credit to Mao for the Five Year Plan, because this was one of his only successful domestic policies and it gave China a better economic position in the world. The Hundred Flowers Campaign, which was a domestic policy, introduced in 1956, was probably Maos greatest Failure during has dictatorship. When Mao became the Chairman in 1949 he strict freedom of speech policies, since he did not welcome any other political opinions other than those of communism. In 1956, Mao Zedong decided it was time to allow people in China to speak their minds free from fear of persecution by the government. Mao wanted to encourage free speech and healthy arguments. This was introduced with the phrase let a hundred flowers bloom. With this he wanted allow the expression of diverse ideas. Mao colleagues to stop this policy, due to the fact that Stalin had lost power in Poland and Hungry through this policy. However, he pressured boldly forward. After some time thing got out of hand and Mao replaced it with the anti-rightist operation. Mao sent intellectuals, layers and even teacher to the countryside, had them humiliated publicly, or let them be assassinated. The Hundred Flowers Campaign was a disaster. Thousands were killed because they had their own opinion and expressed it freely, just the way Mao had provoked. When Mao said: It is only by using discussion, criticism and reasoning that we can really foster correct ideas, overcome wrong ideas and really settle issues. and then killed the majority of those who obeyed his new policy, one must ask oneself, what he really intended with this. One could argue that Mao did not create the Hundred Flower Campaign to get feed-back and criticism so that he can improve the countries situation, it is thought that Mao introduced the Campaign to find those who had something to say against him and his ideas in a quicker and more efficient way than before. In conclusion, Mao became more powerful, however, be betrayed his own country. This is how one can see where his domestic policies were much less successful than his foreign ones. With his foreign policy mention earlier, he provoked death due to a war, whereas in his domestic policies he provoked death due to his own ignorance and utter ruthlessness. Once one has made one mistake, it seems as though one has released a chain of reactions. At least this is the case for Mao, because his next mistake was not far from his last one. The Great Leap Forward, which took place in 1958-1962, was a hardship on the peasants. Even though China had modernized and industrialized there were still many problems to come. Although Mao stood upright for equal treatment of all humans and even though Mao and his family were peasants, he set up a list of strict rules for the peasants to obey. This was a result of the following. Mao realized that not enough food was being produced and brought to the cities, because of the migration that took place in the Five Year Plan. Too much of the population was now working in the factories and the economic planner concluded that this was the fault of the peasants. Since the peasant families were increasing rapidly each month, too much grain was going to the individual families, and thus, Mao decided to put the peasants under strict central control and direction. During the great peasant revolution Mao had given the serfs freedom and the land that once belonged to the landowners now belonged to them. However, the Collectivisation Plan changed everything. Now the peasants were not working for themselves anymore, but for the government, to prevent another shortage of grain in the cities. Chinas agricultural land was split into 70,000 communes, each consisting of 750,000 brigades, each made up of 200 households. The setting of prices, distribution of products, farming methods and the sales were all controlled by the PRC. Since the targets of grain production of the government were so high, there was not much grain left for the people. Hunger and death was well known during that time, and millions had died of starvation. Alone in Tibet 20% of the population had starved to death. The main problem of this crisis was that nobody told Mao about these happenings, because they were all afraid to undergo the same destiny as all the others who told him the bad news. However, one man did find the courage after all and open his heart to Mao. Mr. Peng Dehuai was the minister of defence, and decided to let Chairman know about the disasters that were going on. He was dismissed and sent to the countryside. By now nearly all of China was afraid to say anything against or even to him. The Collectivisation system pulled China down more than ever. In 1958 200 million tons of grain were being produced, but in 1962 less than 160 million tons were produced. A similar thing happened to the meat production. In 19584,3 million tons of meat were being manufactured and by 1968 only 1,9 tons were being produced. Maos plan had once again not worked. Almost thirty million people died in China from his domestic policies, however, his foreign policies did not cause such harsh consequences for anyone. One must look at the success of the domestic and foreign policies from three different perspectives. One, the Chinese citizens perspective during Maos dictatorship, two, Maos own viewpoint, and three, the perception of the success of todays people. The Chinese people of that time lived the changes, the success and most of all the failures. Like in many situations, the negative things were paid more attention, due to the harsher memories, which are well in mind. The people suffered, lost family members and were tortured mentally and physically. Even though Mao became like a God for them after the Little Red Book was published in May 1964. It was a book of quotations from Mao and was there to give the Chinese citizens a better view of what he was doing. Mao was feared and therefore obeyed. From Maos point of view, things seemed to be going great because be barely received feedback from his colleagues, because they were too afraid of him as well. The fear, which developed through out the years came from the punishment that people had to undergo. The rumours of what was happening did not even have to go around the country; the majority of the people saw the humiliations and various other punishments with their own eyes. Anyhow, Mao was partially not informed about the millions of deaths that were occurring, therefore he was probably satisfied with his work, and believed that he was successful. Then, if one looks at the overall damaged he caused with his domestic and foreign policies one can see that his domestic policies were much less successful than his foreign policies. If Mao would still be alive today he would possibly realize his mistakes and would think similar to the perspective of today. Mao was a man with visions and ideas, which he thought to be most important. However, he did more harm then did he help people with his domestic and foreign policies. One can even consider his foreign policies more successful in some ways, because his support in the Korean War did not kill as many people as his domestic polices resulted in killing. Nevertheless, one mustnt generalize everything. One must also look from different perspectives such as Maos for an example. He was often left uninformed about what was really going on in the country; therefore he was most likely felt successful. The peasants had a much different point of view due to the more authentic experiences they had to undergo. But by looking at the situation form the modern eyes of today, one can clearly see the successes and failures of Chairman Maos dictatorship. His domestic policies were less successful than his foreign policies due to the numbers of deaths. It seems as though Mao released a chain reaction of mistakes as he did his first one with the Hundred Flowers Campaign in 1957, and that there was no way of stopping it.

Managing Cultural Diversity Management Essay

Managing Cultural Diversity Management Essay Davis (2003, p. 45) argues that cultural differences are usually created by race-ethnicity, gender, function, and tenure among the organization factors. Difference in culture may result to the rise of conflicts among team members. This usually results to disrupted communication within the organization and eventually negative outcomes. Therefore, it is the role of every organization and entire management to come up with various ways of managing and reducing negative effects of cultural differences. Management in various organizations should ensure that they are able to detect and avoid such cases from arising. Political backgrounds and experience are other major factors that contribute to cultural differences. Multicultural teams and differences in most occasions generate dilemmas in the organization management. Cultural differences usually create considerable obstacles to efficient teamwork. Recognizing various underlying cultural causes of conflicts is the main challenge in managing multicultural teams by organizations management. It is also a great challenge for management to get teams back into the track as well as empowering members to manage and deal with the challenges of cultural differences in future. Work-group diversity has become one of the most challenging issues that are facing various organizations currently. Various factors like demographic, cultural and legal factors have greatly changed the composition of organizations work forces. Demographic factors include multi-culturalism, equality initiatives, globalization, and declining birth rates. Therefore, this requires managers, employers, and employees to be sensitive to both intra- and intergroup differences. They are also required to adopt practices and policies which are effective in coping with such changes. Managing cultural diversification Ely Thomas, (2001, p. 230) maintains that managers and team members can manage cultural differences. This is only possible if they adopt and chose the right strategies within their organizations. Cultural difference poses various challenges which include hindering success within the organization. They pose as a barrier to effective communication which is a key element in any organization. Cultural difference creates differing attitudes towards authority and hierarchy hence difference in the ways people are treated. It also leads to conflicts especially when making decisions. These challenges are a great hindrance towards success and development of any organization. Therefore, managers need to come up with various strategies and policies in ensuring cultural differences and challenges are eliminated. According to Nankervis, Compton Baird, (2002, p. 120), they are four main strategies of dealing with cultural challenges for managers and various teams in organizations. They include adaption, structural intervention, managerial intervention and exit. Adaption mainly involves acknowledgement of cultural gaps frankly and even working around them. Managerial intervention involves early setting of norms and even bringing in of high-level management. Structural intervention is changing of the teams shape. Exit involves removing a team member in case the options have failed. They are several steps that any organizations management can adopt in dealing and eliminating cultural differences. Identification of the challenge is the key and first step in dealing with multicultural differences. Assessing the circumstances under which the differences are occurring is another crucial step towards dealing with multicultural differences. Adaption is a great strategy that organizations encourage in dealing with cultural diversity. This involves teams finding various ways of working with and around the challenge that they encounter. It also involves adapting practices and attitudes without necessarily making changes to the assignment of the group. Adaption works well when members of the team or organization acknowledge and even name their differences in culture as well as assuming their responsibilities. It also involves figuring on various ways to live with the cultural differences. Adaption has been seen as the best way of dealing with cultural diversity difference as it does not demand a lot of time as compared to other strategies. This is mainly because members of the team take part in problem solving while learning from the process. This kind of mind set plays a great role in ensuring there are creative in protecting their cultural differences within the organization. Organization taking this type of initiative en sures that cultural diversity does not affect its performance and operations among its teams. Various organizations managements have found adaption as an ideal strategy towards solving cultural diversity. This is mainly because it is effective and solves its own problem with little input from management. Team members must be aware of this strategy in order for it to be successful in solving the intended problems or differences. However, negotiating a common understanding may take sometime among the team members. Structural intervention is another way that organizations are utilizing in ensuring they manage the cultural diversity. It is an intentional reorganization or reassignment that is designed to reduce or eliminate source of conflict between people or teams. It is also intended to reduce interpersonal frictions that largely contribute to cultural diversity. The strategy works effectively when obvious subgroups separate the team. This is mainly if team members are clinging to negative stereotypes of one another or feel threatened. Structural intervention also involves creating smaller working groups of diversified cultures. This enables team members to know and even respect every team member. Various organizations utilize or use this strategy as it encourages reduction of cultural diversity within the organization. Structural intervention as a strategy for managing cultural diversity shields people who are not working well in a team. Managerial intervention also plays a vital role in solving organizations cultural diversity effects. Although the failure to involve team in decision making may result to a stalemate, it is important for managers to intervene when cultural diversity blocks the success of decision making. Managerial intervention has been used in many occasions by various organizations to solve sort out its problems effectively. Setting norms early in a team through managerial intervention assists the team towards starting out effectively. Managers encourage team members to encourage each other towards ensuring everybody is appreciated and encouraged to work with each other despite cultural diversity. Managers address the issues like language barrier and ethnic diversity directly. They encourage them on various ways to solve cultural diversity within the team and entire organization. Exit is another strategy that is utilized towards reducing the problems of cultural diversity. This is usually the last and infrequent strategy towards managing cultural differences. It is important for those members who are not happy with their teams to move out of the team to another team. This will ensure there is continued delivery of efficient services. Exit of one or several members is used by organizations as a last resort. One or several members of the team or organization may be kindly requested formally by management to exit. They may also exit voluntarily from the team. According to Bhatia Chaudary (2003, p. 25), managing diverse culture within an organization is not an easy task. Realizing and managing cultural diversity within an organization has been on the increase. This is assisting greatly in facilitating organizational progress and success. On a broad perspective, organizations can manage cultural diversity through communication. This is creating awareness among the employees and various teams on the importance of diverse values of peers. Another way is through cultivating; this is facilitating encouragement, support, and appreciation of any employee achievement by all other colleagues. Diverse culture can also be managed through capitalizing strategies. This involves linking diversity to every process of business and strategy such as employee development, re-engineering, succession planning, performance review and management. Organizations also adopt various innovative ways towards management of cultural diversity. This includes incorporating various people from different cultural backgrounds as well as acknowledging the importance of their cultural. Appreciating people cultural background usually leads to reduced background differences. This ensures there is a common organizational diversity that does not affect the performance of various teams. Organizations have also started empowerment to all members regardless of race or gender. Empowerment is crucial towards making of an effective decision making. Towards reducing culture diversity difference, organizations are encouraging free contribution towards decision making processes. Utilization of empowerment in diverse organizations results to more trust among the team members as well as higher productivity. Empowerment in an organization with diverse culture has been seen to make team members feel their contribution in a manner that is more worthwhile and meaningful. This assists greatly towards improvement of diversity climate hence accomplishment of organization objectives. It is also crucial for various organizations to initiate diversity training programs as illustrated by Perkins, (2006, p. 60). Leaders and managers in organizations should be trained on how to manage and understand culturally diversified employees. Employees as well should be provided with adequate training on the importance of understanding people with different cultures. This will greatly assist in improving the differences that arise when people of different cultures work together. Training is crucial towards the breakdown of stereotypes as well as reducing prejudicial attitudes among the team members. Mentoring and networks are other effective ways towards improvement of the diversity climate. Mentors usually provide recognition, support, and challenge in order to assist in shaping the future for those individuals they are assisting. Mentors are in most occasions beneficial mainly because it assists in keeping minorities on the track. It also assists in keeping them focused withi n any culturally diversified organization. Networking is also another crucial process that assists organizations in managing the cultural diversity within the teams. Networking acts as a source of encouragement and support to various employees with diversified cultural differences. It is also crucial for organizations to strength top-management commitment towards creating a positive diversity climate within the organization. This commitment should be distributed even to the lowest management levels. All managers at every level within an organization should openly and strongly support all policies, strategies, and practices that support the management of culture diversity. This will greatly assist towards reducing culture diversification related challenges within an organization. It will assist in improving and increasing the benefits associated with culture diversity. Conclusion Cultural differences that face multicultural teams may not necessary attribute to diversity challenges. However, these differences underlay the problems that require to be addressed in various teams in organizations. Cultural diversity may not only have negative effects on the working of a team, but they may result to problems in management as well. If any organizations management intervenes early in any cultural challenge within the organization, this may lead to good resolution of the problem. Organizations management should set up norms; structure social interaction as well as engaging all people within the team in solving problems arising due to cultural difference. Managing cultural diversity well has various benefits that are associated with it. Effective management of cultural diversity usually results to organizational benefits or success. Organizations with an effective managed multi-culture have a cost effective competitive edge. It also results to the promotion of minority friendly reputation among prospective employees. Organization with good management of cultural diversity usually results to an increased flexibility and adaptability in case of any environmental changes. Effective management of culture diversity will assist in improving and increasing the benefits associated with culture diversity.

Baldwins My Dungeon Shook: A Letter to my Nephew Essay -- Baldwin Dun

Baldwin's My Dungeon Shook: A Letter to my Nephew Does the American Dream belong to every one or does it exclude some individuals? The American Dream is a very powerful force that molds America. It has existed for many generations but has it changed over time? The foundation of the Dream tends to stay the same that is the pursuit of happiness, hope, freedom, justice and equality. The concepts within the American Dream should alter to fit the changes of society. The breakthroughs and obstacles that America overcomes should shift the American Dream. Society may see the American Dream as a dangerous power causing them to be scared to challenge the concepts of the traditional American Dream. Will society become dysfunctional if someone challenges the American Dream or will it make our country stronger and more diverse? According to James Baldwin’s â€Å"My Dungeon Shook: A Letter to My Nephew† African Americans cannot obtain their piece of the American Dream. Baldwin wrote a letter to his nephew in hope of guiding him through life. Baldwin had many words of wisdom to share, mostly words provoked by pain and anger. Baldwin wanted to teach his nephew about the cruelty of society. His main point was to teach his nephew not to believe the white man and his words. He wanted to encourage his nephew to succeed in life but not to expect the unassailable. By believing the white man one can not succeed but by knowing where one comes from will lead to success was the foundation of Baldwin’s message (243-246). When reading â€Å"My Dungeon Shook: A Letter to my Nephew†, it was clear that Baldwin was not just writing a letter to his nephew but to society by interacting personal thoughts with public awareness. Although Baldwin’s letter was addressed to his nephew, he intended for society as a whole to be affected by it. â€Å"This innocent country set you down in a getto in which, in fact, it intended that you should parish†(Baldwin 244). This is an innocent country, innocent only because they know not what they do. They discriminate the African American by expecting them to be worthless, by not giving them a chance to prove their credibility. Today African Americans are considered to be disesteemed in society. They are placed in this class before they are even born just like Royalty obtains their class before they are even conceived. We may think that this is a paradox but when d... ...ow by forgiving the people who hurt him and Baldwin is trying to redeem Jesus’ example by forgiving the people who hurt him. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the chains that embodies mankind. Forgiveness could be thought of as the potion that unites America and brings equality to the redeemed world. Although the American Dream is considered to be the link that binds society, there are some individuals that do not posses link to unit. The African Americans have been struggling for many years to obtain the piece of the American Dream, their place in America. Joseph Kennedy has frustration and anger built up while trying to find his place in America, â€Å"Goddamn it! I was born in this country! My children were born in this country! What the hell does someone have to do to become an American† (qtd. In Harris 369)? If someone challenges the concepts of the American Dream then maybe our country can unite. Do not fear the American Dream, yes it is a powerful force that molds society but each individual controls the power. If one does not believe in the American Dream then the power of the Dream is weakened. Would America unite and become equal if someone challenges the American Dream?

Baptism :: essays research papers

Baptism is a religious ritual that some people choose to practice. Baptism is a belief that once done you start a new spiritual life. There ways to perform this ritual, which is considered sacred among the people that follow the religion of Christianity. Baptism has three processes. The first process is preparation. The second process is performing the Baptism. The last process is the conclusion of the baptism.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to perform a baptism, you have to prepare. The preacher has to see why the individual wants to commit their self to the Lord. Next, the individual has to inform the preacher why they want to give their self to the lord. Committing yourself to the lord is an important decision. Once the preacher agrees that the individual is true to their self and the Lord, the preacher sets aside a date for which the person shall be baptized.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Once the date is meet, the baptism proceeds. In order for a baptism to happen the individual must have on garments they won’t mind getting wet. Also, the preacher gives the individual white robs as a ceremonial garment ; the white garment must be worm over the person’s clothing. Once the garments are in place, the pastor then performs the baptism ceremony. The pastor first gives the individual a name of a saint, which the name shall be his example and protector. Next, the pastor dips water upon the individual’s head three times. The pastor then anoints the individual on the head, this practice symbolizes true love and peace. The individual then receives a taper to mark that he become a child of God.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lastly, the conclusion of the baptism is performed. The pastor says a few words of inspiration to the individual or individuals that has been baptized. There is also a celebration to celebrate the rebirth of the newly reformed Christian.

Preliminary Ruling under Article Essay

Question 1. EC legislation and the national legislation of the Member States were integrated by the European Community Treaties. As such the national courts act in accordance with Community law and refer cases to the European Court of Justice. National judges play a key role in implementing Community law in their Member States. The preliminary reference system thus enables the national courts to comply with Community law and maintain cooperation with the European Court of Justice. Under this system the national courts refer cases for a preliminary ruling to the ECJ, in accordance with the provisions of Article 234 EC . Article 234 EC contains the jurisdictional requirements for a preliminary reference. First, the referring institution has to be a court or tribunal of a Member State. Second, the referral should be in respect of Community law’s validity or interpretation and finally, the referring court or tribunal should determine whether at all there is a need to deliver a judgment, by the ECJ. In Bosman it was opined by the Advocate General Lenz that the ECJ can refuse to consider a preliminary ruling request, if such a request apparently bears no relation to the main action . The European Court of Justice is an autonomous body that is independent of any Member State or institution of the European Union. The major function of the ECJ is to interpret the Community Treaties and Community law in accordance with the spirit of the EU, and to implement the EC law, throughout the EU. Therefore, the ECJ shoulders the responsibility of uniformly applying the EC law in all Member States. It constitutes the judicial pillar of the EU . While hearing cases, if a conflict arises between the national legislation and the EC law, with regard to the application of the Community law; the national courts should not declare the EC law to be inapplicable. It is the duty of the ECJ to resolve such situations through its case law. Article 234 EC contains the procedure to be adopted when national courts refer cases to the ECJ for a preliminary ruling. A wide range of jurisdictional requirements have to be met by the ECJ in order to give a preliminary ruling. However, the ECJ can refuse to entertain a preliminary reference if it is satisfied that Community law is not invoked in these referred cases . In the Meilicke case, the issue was the right of shareholders to obtain information from the company management, as per the provisions of Directive 77/91/EEC. The Directive requires certain safeguards to be implemented by the Member States, so as to protect the interests of shareholders and others. The Member States have to act in accordance with the second paragraph of Article 58 of the EC Treaty. The national court referred the case to the ECJ on the compatibility of the German Aktiengesetz with the Directive with regard to the process of forming public limited liability companies, their maintenance and changes in their share capital . The national court was required to interpret these safeguards in accordance with the Second Directive. The ECJ keenly looked into the facts of the case. Its objective was to determine whether the German legislation, in the context of treating certain cash contribution preceded or followed by the company’s transactions of payment of amounts to shareholders, so as to offset the debts of the company to the shareholders or subscribers, violated Community law. The national court had held that Community law had been violated, because these amounts had been in the form of disguised contributions in kind . However, the ECJ refused to respond to the referral, as it felt that it would be exceeding the scope of its jurisdiction . The underlying principle involved is that the national courts have to refer novel and subtle questions, regarding the application and interpretation of EC law, while making a reference for a preliminary ruling. Subsequently, the ECJ would develop new case law, which would serve as a guideline to national judges and other legal professionals in the EU. National courts are expected to develop a pan European perspective and thereby contribute to the integrity of the Union. As such the ECJ does not compel the national courts to refer cases for a preliminary hearing. Though, the ECJ cannot force national courts to submit cases for preliminary reference, Article 234 EC imposes such a requirement in some cases. In some other cases it requires national courts to directly refer the cases to the ECJ by suspending the cases in the first instance itself . Article 234 EC differentiates between lower courts and national courts of last instance. The lower national courts have discretion, whether to make a reference or not. The national courts of last instance are obliged to refer cases for preliminary reference, if the interpretation of Community law was such that referral was warranted. Most of these cases originate in the lower national courts. Hence, they possess the discretion to refer the cases to the ECJ. The courts of last instance are under an obligation to make such a reference, however, they possess some discretion in this matter and this has been specified in Article 7 EC . If a national judge has to deal with cases in which the validity and applicability of the EC law is challenged, or if the application of EC law is argued to be illegal; then the national judge is under an obligation to make a referral to the ECJ for a preliminary reference. However, national judges are not competent to declare EC law invalid or unlawful. This is because, if a provision of EC law were to be declared as unlawful, then its application would have to be declared invalid in the entire EU. Therefore, it is unacceptable to declare a provision of the EC law invalid in a particular Member State; while it is valid in other Member States, without any dispute or conflict with national legislation . In the Foto – Frost case, the ECJ held that the national courts are under an obligation to refer questions regarding the applicability and validity of EC law to it. The ECJ held that national courts could only consider the applicability and legality of Community legislation. A national court cannot declare that a piece of Community legislation is invalid. Hence it only the ECJ that can invalidate Community legislation or an act of an EC institution . In Gaston Schul Douane-expediteur and International Air Transport Association the ECJ reiterated that the national courts were under an obligation to seek a preliminary reference from it. In Gaston, ECJ ignored the subject matter of the case and only considered the preliminary reference made by the national court. Afterwards, the ECJ held that the referral had been incorrect, because in an earlier decision on a similar subject, it had given the same decision, due to the fact that a specific piece of EU legislation would be declared invalid. Question 2 [a] The Employment Tribunals are competent to refer cases, under Article 234 EC, to the ECJ, whenever a clarification is needed regarding an EC Directive. This is exemplified by Coleman . In this case it was held that the ET was well within its powers to make a referral to the ECJ. This is provided for in Rule 58 of the ET Rules of Procedure 2004. Question 2[b] A disciplinary committee is neither a court nor a tribunal. Therefore, it is precluded from referring to the ECJ for a preliminary hearing. Moreover, a disciplinary committee, though a quasi – judicial body, is all the same dependent on the administrator; hence, the   ECJ will not accept a preliminary hearing referral from it. This is on the basis of the ruling in Corbiau . Question 2 [c] The Appellate Court had deemed the issue to be irrelevant and unarguable and consequently, unfit to be referred to even the House of Lords. Therefore, the issue is definitely not to be referred to the ECJ.   In the Max Mara Fashion Group case, no questions had been submitted for a reference. Further the case was so ambiguous that the ECJ refused to have anything to do with it. It was also unclear as to why the case had been sent for reference and there were no provisions of EC law that had been violated . Question 2 [d] The House of Lords need not refer to the ECJ, because it is fully convinced that it has comprehended the piece of legislation under consideration. Since, there is no breach of EC law by the national law, nor is there any difficulty in interpreting EC law, there is no necessity to approach the ECJ for a preliminary reference. Question 2 [e] In the Nolle case, the ECJ held that a referral would not be entertained, if its purpose was only restricted to fact finding . As such the ECJ requires a verification of all the facts before filing a reference with it. Moreover, the Home Office is not a judicial body. Therefore, the Home Office cannot refer to the ECJ, in order to ascertain whether the Iranian student is to be deported or not. Bibliography Case 314/85, Foto-Frost v Hauptzollamt Là ¼beck-Ost (1987) . Case C – 16/90 Nolle v. Hauptzollamp Bremen – Freihafen (1991) ECR I – 5163. Case C-83/91, Wienard Meilicke v ADV/ORGA FA Meyer AG, [1992] ECR I-4871. Case C – 24/92, Corbiau v. Administration des Contributions, (1993) ECR I – 1277. Case C-307/95 Max Mara Fashion Group (1995) ECR I-5083. C – 415/93 Bosman v UEFA (1995) ECR I – 4921. Case C-461/03, Gaston Schul Douane-expediteur BV v Minister van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit, (2005). Case C-344/04, R (International Air Transport Association and European Low Fares Airline Association) v Department for Transport, (2006). C – 303/06, S. Coleman v. Attridge Law, Steve Law, (2006). The Relation Between National Courts and the European Court of Justice in the European Union Judicial System: Preliminary Ruling Regimes According to Articles 234 EC, 68 EC, and 35 EU. February 2007. 3 February 2008.

Foundation and Empire 7. Bribery

Sergeant Mori Luk made an ideal soldier of the ranks. He came from the huge agricultural planets of the Pleiades where only army life could break the bond to the soil and the unavailing life of drudgery; and he was typical of that background. Unimaginative enough to face danger without fear, he was strong and agile enough to face it successfully. He accepted orders instantly, drove the men under him unbendingly and adored his general unswervingly. And yet with that, he was of a sunny nature. If he killed a man in the line of duty without a scrap of hesitation, it was also without a scrap of animosity. That Sergeant Luk should signal at the door before entering was further a sign of tact, for he would have been perfectly within his rights to enter without signaling. The two within looked up from their evening meal and one reached out with his foot to cut off the cracked voice which rattled out of the battered pocket-transmitter with bright liveliness. â€Å"More books?† asked Lathan Devers. The sergeant held out the tightly-wound cylinder of film and scratched his neck. â€Å"It belongs to Engineer Orre, but he'll have to have it back. He's going to send it to his kids, you know, like what you might call a souvenir, you know.† Ducem Barr turned the cylinder in his hands with interest. â€Å"And where did the engineer get it? He hasn't a transmitter also, has he?† The sergeant shook his head emphatically. He pointed to the knocked-about remnant at the foot of the bed. â€Å"That's the only one in the place. This fellow, Orre, now, he got that book from one of these pig-pen worlds out here we captured. They had it in a big building by itself and he had to kill a few of the natives that tried to stop him from taking it.† He looked at it appraisingly. â€Å"It makes a good souvenir – for kids.† He paused, then said stealthily, â€Å"There's big news floating about, by the way. It's only scuttlebutt, but even so, it's too good to keep. The general did it again.† And he nodded slowly, gravely. â€Å"That so?† said Devers. â€Å"And what did he do?† â€Å"Finished the Enclosure, that's all.† The sergeant chuckled with a fatherly pride. â€Å"Isn't he the corker, though? Didn't he work it fine? One of the fellows who's strong on fancy talk, says it went as smooth and even as the music of the spheres, whatever they are.† â€Å"The big offensive starts now?† asked Barr, mildly. â€Å"Hope so,† was the boisterous response. â€Å"I want to get back on my ship now that my arm is in one piece again. I'm tired of sitting on my scupper out here.† â€Å"So am I,† muttered Devers, suddenly and savagely. There was a bit of underlip caught in his teeth, and he worried it. The sergeant looked at him doubtfully, and said, â€Å"I'd better go now. The captain's round is due and I'd just as soon he didn't catch me in here.† He paused at the door. â€Å"By the way, sir,† he said with sudden, awkward shyness to the trader, â€Å"I heard from my wife. She says that little freezer you gave me to send her works fine. It doesn't cost her anything, and she just about keeps a month's supply of food froze up complete. I appreciate it.† â€Å"It's all right. Forget it.† The great door moved noiselessly shut behind the grinning sergeant. Ducem Barr got out of his chair. â€Å"Well, he gives us a fair return for the freezer. Let's take a look at this new book. Ahh, the title is gone.† He unrolled a yard or so of the film and looked through at the light. Then he murmured, â€Å"Well, skewer me through the scupper, as the sergeant says. This is ‘The Garden of Summa,' Devers.† â€Å"That so?† said the trader, without interest. He shoved aside what was left of his dinner. â€Å"Sit down, Barr. Listening to this old-time literature isn't doing me any good. You heard what the sergeant said?† â€Å"Yes, I did. What of it?† â€Å"The offensive will start. And we sit here!† â€Å"Where do you want to sit?† â€Å"You know what I mean. There's no use just waiting.† â€Å"Isn't there?† Barr was carefully removing the old film from the transmitter and installing the new. â€Å"You told me a good deal of Foundation history in the last month, and it seems that the great leaders of past crises did precious little more than sit – and wait.† â€Å"Ah, Barr, but they knew where they were going.† â€Å"Did they? I suppose they said they did when it was over, and for all I know maybe they did. But there's no proof that things would not have worked out as well or better if they had not known where they were going. The deeper economic and sociological forces aren't directed by individual men.† Devers sneered. â€Å"No way of telling that things wouldn't have worked out worse, either. You're arguing tail-end backwards.† His eyes were brooding. â€Å"You know, suppose I blasted him?† â€Å"Whom? Riose?† â€Å"Yes.† Barr sighed. His aging eyes were troubled with a reflection of the long past. â€Å"Assassination isn't the way out, Devers. I once tried it, under provocation, when I was twenty – but it solved nothing. I removed a villain from Siwenna, but not the Imperial yoke; and it was the Imperial yoke and not the villain that mattered.† â€Å"But Riose is not just a villain, doc. He's the whole blamed army. It would fall apart without him. They hang on him like babies. The sergeant out there slobbers every time he mentions him.† â€Å"Even so. There are other armies and other leaders. You must go deeper. There is this Brodrig, for instance – no one more than he has the ear of the Emperor. He could demand hundreds of ships where Riose must struggle with ten. I know him by reputation.† â€Å"That so? What about him?† The trader's eyes lost in frustration what they gained in sharp interest. â€Å"You want a pocket outline? He's a low-born rascal who has by unfailing flattery tickled the whims of the Emperor. He's well-hated by the court aristocracy, vermin themselves, because he can lay claim to neither family nor humility. He is the Emperor's adviser in all things, and the Emperor's too in the worst things. He is faithless by choice but loyal by necessity. There is not a man in the Empire as subtle in villainy or as crude in his pleasures. And they say there is no way to the Emperor's favor but through him; and no way to his, but through infamy.† â€Å"Wow!† Devers pulled thoughtfully at his neatly trimmed beard. â€Å"And he's the old boy the Emperor sent out here to keep an eye on Riose. Do you know I have an idea?† â€Å"I do now.† â€Å"Suppose this Brodrig takes a dislike to our young Army's Delight?† â€Å"He probably has already. He's not noted for a capacity for liking.† â€Å"Suppose it gets really bad. The Emperor might hear about it, and Riose might be in trouble.† â€Å"Uh-huh. Quite likely. But how do you propose to get that to happen?† â€Å"I don't know. I suppose he could be bribed?† The patrician laughed gently. â€Å"Yes, in a way, but not in the manner you bribed the sergeant – not with a pocket freezer. And even if you reach his scale, it wouldn't be worth it. There's probably no one so easily bribed, but he lacks even the fundamental honesty of honorable corruption. He doesn't stay bribed; not for any sum. Think of something else.† Devers swung a leg over his knee and his toe nodded quickly and restlessly. â€Å"It's the first hint, though-â€Å" He stopped; the door signal was flashing once again, and the sergeant was on the threshold once more. He was excited, and his broad face was red and unsmiling. â€Å"Sir,† he began, in an agitated attempt at deference, â€Å"I am very thankful for the freezer, and you have always spoken to me very fine, although I am only the son of a farmer and you are great lords.† His Pleiades accent had grown thick, almost too much so for easy comprehension; and with excitement, his lumpish peasant derivation wiped out completely the soldierly bearing so long and so painfully cultivated. Barr said softly, â€Å"What is it, sergeant?† â€Å"Lord Brodrig is coming to see you. Tomorrow! I know, because the captain told me to have my men ready for dress review tomorrow for†¦ for him. I thought – I might warn you.† Barr said, â€Å"Thank you, sergeant, we appreciate that. But it's all right, man; no need for-â€Å" But the look on Sergeant Luk's face was now unmistakably one of fear. He spoke in a rough whisper, â€Å"You don't hear the stories the men tell about him. He has sold himself to the space fiend. No, don't laugh. There are most terrible tales told about him. They say he has men with blast-guns who follow him everywhere, and when he wants pleasure, he just tells them to blast down anyone they meet. And they do – and he laughs. They say even the Emperor is in terror of him, and that he forces the Emperor to raise taxes and won't let him listen to the complaints of the people. â€Å"And he hates the general, that's what they say. They say he would like to kill the general, because the general is so great and wise. But he can't because our general is a match for anyone and he knows Lord Brodrig is a bad ‘un.† The sergeant blinked; smiled in a sudden incongruous shyness at his own outburst; and backed toward the door. He nodded his head, jerkily. â€Å"You mind my words. Watch him.† He ducked out. And Devers looked up, hard-eyed. â€Å"This breaks things our way, doesn't it, doc?† â€Å"It depends,† said Barr, dryly, â€Å"on Brodrig, doesn't it?† But Devers was thinking, not listening. He was thinking hard. Lord Brodrig ducked his head as he stepped into the cramped living quarters of the trading ship, and his two armed guards followed quickly, with bared guns and the professionally hard scowls of the hired bravos. The Privy Secretary had little of the look of the lost soul about him just then. If the space fiend had bought him, he had left no visible mark of possession. Rather might Brodrig have been considered a breath of court-fashion come to enliven the hard, bare ugliness of an army base. The stiff, tight lines of his sheened and immaculate costume gave him the illusion of height, from the very top of which his cold, emotionless eyes stared down the declivity of a long nose at the trader. The mother-of-pearl ruches at his wrists fluttered filmily as he brought his ivory stick to the ground before him and leaned upon it daintily. â€Å"No,† he said, with a little gesture, â€Å"you remain here. Forget your toys; I am not interested in them.† He drew forth a chair, dusted it carefully with the iridescent square of fabric attached to the top of his white stick, and seated himself. Devers glanced towards the mate to the chair, but Brodrig said lazily, â€Å"You will stand in the presence of a Peer of the Realm.† He smiled. Devers shrugged. â€Å"If you're not interested in my stock in trade, what am I here for?† The Privy Secretary waited coldly, and Devers added a slow, â€Å"Sir.† â€Å"For privacy,† said the secretary. â€Å"Now is it likely that I would come two hundred parsecs through space to inspect trinkets? It's you I want to see.† He extracted a small pink tablet from an engraved box and placed it delicately between his teeth. He sucked it slowly and appreciatively. â€Å"For instance,† he said, â€Å"who are you? Are you really a citizen of this barbarian world that is creating all this fury of military frenzy?† Devers nodded gravely. â€Å"And you were really captured by him after the beginning of this squabble he calls a war. I am referring to our young general.† Devers nodded again. â€Å"So! Very well, my worthy Outlander. I see your fluency of speech is at a minimum. I shall smooth the way for you. It seems that our general here is fighting an apparently meaningless war with frightful transports of energy – and this over a forsaken fleabite of a world at the end of nowhere, which to a logical man would not seem worth a single blast of a single gun. Yet the general is not illogical. On the contrary, I would say he was extremely intelligent. Do you follow me?† â€Å"Can't say I do, sir.† The secretary inspected his fingernails and said, â€Å"Listen further, then. The general would not waste his men and ships on a sterile feat of glory. I know he talks of glory and of Imperial honor, but it is quite obvious that the affectation of being one of the insufferable old demigods of the Heroic Age won't wash. There is something more than glory hereand he does take queer, unnecessary care of you. Now if you were my prisoner and told me as little of use as you have our general, I would slit open your abdomen and strangle you with your own intestines.† Devers remained wooden. His eyes moved slightly, first to one of the secretary's bully-boys, and then to the other. They were ready; eagerly ready. The secretary smiled. â€Å"Well, now, you're a silent devil. According to the general, even a Psychic Probe made no impression, and that was a mistake on his part, by the way, for it convinced me that our young military whizz-bang was lying.† He seemed in high humor. â€Å"My honest tradesman,† he said, â€Å"I have a Psychic Probe of my own, one that ought to suit you peculiarly well. You see this-â€Å" And between thumb and forefinger, held negligently, were intricately designed, pink-and-yellow rectangles which were most definitely obvious in identity. Devers said so. â€Å"It looks like cash,† he said. â€Å"Cash it is – and the best cash of the Empire, for it is backed by my estates, which are more extensive than the Emperor's own. A hundred thousand credits. All here! Between two fingers! Yours!† â€Å"For what, sir? I am a good trader, but all trades go in both directions.† â€Å"For what? For the truth! What is the general after? Why is he fighting this war?† Lathan Devers sighed, and smoothed his beard thoughtfully. â€Å"What he's after?† His eyes were following the motions of the secretary's hands as he counted the money slowly, bill by bill. â€Å"In a word, the Empire.† â€Å"Hmp. How ordinary! It always comes to that in the end. But how? What is the road that leads from the Galaxy's edge to the peak of Empire so broadly and invitingly?† â€Å"The Foundation,† said Devers, bitterly, â€Å"has secrets. They have books, old books – so old that the language they are in is only known to a few of the top men. But the secrets are shrouded in ritual and religion, and none may use them. I tried and now I am here – and there is a death sentence waiting for me, there.† â€Å"I see. And these old secrets? Come, for one hundred thousand I deserve the intimate details.† â€Å"The transmutation of elements,† said Devers, shortly. The secretary's eyes narrowed and lost some of their detachment. â€Å"I have been told that practical transmutation is impossible by the laws of nucleics.† â€Å"So it is, if nuclear forces are used. But the ancients were smart boys. There are sources of power greater than the nuclei and more fundamental. If the Foundation used those sources as I suggested-â€Å" Devers felt a soft, creeping sensation in his stomach. The bait was dangling; the fish was nosing it. The secretary said suddenly, â€Å"Continue. The general, I am sure, is aware of a this. But what does he intend doing once he finishes this opera-bouffe affair?† Devers kept his voice rock-steady. â€Å"With transmutation he controls the economy of the whole set-up of your Empire. Mineral holdings won't be worth a sneeze when Riose can make tungsten out of aluminum and iridium out of iron. An entire production system based on the scarcity of certain elements and the abundance of others is thrown completely out of whack. There'll be the greatest disjointment the Empire has ever seen, and only Riose will be able to stop it. And there is the question of this new power I mentioned, the use of which won't give Riose religious heebies. â€Å"There's nothing that can stop him now. He's got the Foundation by the back of the neck, and once he's finished with it, he'll be Emperor in two years.† â€Å"So.† Brodrig laughed lightly. â€Å"Iridium out of iron, that's what you said, isn't it? Come, I'll tell you a state secret. Do you know that the Foundation has already been in communication with the general?† Devers' back stiffened. â€Å"You look surprised. Why not? It seems logical now. They offered him a hundred tons of iridium a year to make peace. A hundred tons of iron converted to iridium in violation of their religious principles to save their necks. Fair enough, but no wonder our rigidly incorruptible general refused – when he can have the iridium and the Empire as well. And poor Cleon called him his one honest general. My bewhiskered merchant, you have earned your money.† He tossed it, and Devers scrambled after the flying bills. Lord Brodrig stopped at the door and turned. â€Å"One reminder, trader. My playmates with the guns here have neither middle ears, tongues, education, nor intelligence. They can neither hear, speak, write, nor even make sense to a Psychic Probe. But they are very expert at interesting executions. I have bought you, man, at one hundred thousand credits. You will be good and worthy merchandise. Should you forget that you are bought at any time and attempt to†¦ say†¦ repeat our conversation to Riose, you will be executed. But executed my way.† And in that delicate face there were sudden hard lines of eager cruelty that changed the studied smile into a red-lipped snarl. For one fleeting second, Devers saw that space fiend who had bought his buyer, look out of his buyer's eyes. Silently, he preceded the two thrusting blast-guns of Brodrig's â€Å"playmates† to his quarters. And to Ducem Barr's question, he said with brooding satisfaction, â€Å"No, that's the queerest part of it. He bribed me. Two months of difficult war had left their mark on Bel Riose. There was heavy-handed gravity about him; and he was short-tempered. It was with impatience that he addressed the worshiping Sergeant Luk. â€Å"Wait outside, soldier, and conduct these men back to their quarters when I am through. No one is to enter until I call. No one at all, you understand.† The sergeant saluted himself stiffly out of the room, and Riose with muttered disgust scooped up the waiting papers on his desk, threw them into the top drawer and slammed it shut. â€Å"Take seats,† he said shortly, to the waiting two. â€Å"I haven't much time. Strictly speaking, I shouldn't be here at all, but it is necessary to see you.† He turned to Ducem Barr, whose long fingers were caressing with interest the crystal cube in which was set the simulacrum of the lined, austere face of His Imperial Majesty, Cleon II. â€Å"In the first place, patrician,† said the general, â€Å"your Seldon is losing. To be sure, he battles well, for these men of the Foundation swarm like senseless bees and fight like madmen. Every planet is defended viciously, and once taken, every planet heaves so with rebellion it is as much trouble to hold as to conquer. But they are taken, and they are held. Your Seldon is losing.† â€Å"But he has not yet lost,† murmured Barr politely. â€Å"The Foundation itself retains less optimism. They offer me millions in order that I may not put this Seldon to the final test.† â€Å"So rumor goes.† â€Å"Ah, is rumor preceding me? Does it prate also of the latest?† â€Å"What is the latest?† â€Å"Why, that Lord Brodrig, the darling of the Emperor, is now second in command at his own request.† Devers spoke for the first time. â€Å"At his own request, boss? How come? Or are you growing to like the fellow?† He chuckled. Riose said, calmly, â€Å"No, can't say I do. It's just that he bought the office at what I considered a fair and adequate price.† â€Å"Such as?† â€Å"Such as a request to the Emperor for reinforcements.† Devers' contemptuous smile broadened. â€Å"‘He has communicated with the Emperor, huh? And I take it, boss, you're just waiting for these reinforcements, but they'll come any day. Right?† â€Å"Wrong! They have already come. Five ships of the line; smooth and strong, with a personal message of congratulations from the Emperor, and more ships on the way. What's wrong, trader?† he asked, sardonically. Devers spoke through suddenly frozen lips. â€Å"Nothing!† Riose strode out from behind his desk and faced the trader, hand on the butt of his blast-gun. â€Å"I say, what's wrong, trader? The news would seem to disturb you. Surely, you have no sudden birth of interest in the Foundation.† â€Å"I haven't.† â€Å"Yes – there are queer points about you.† â€Å"That so, boss?† Devers smiled tightly, and balled the fists in his pockets. â€Å"Just you line them up and I'll knock them down for you.† â€Å"Here they are. You were caught easily. You surrendered at first blow with a burnt-out shield. You're quite ready to desert your world, and that without a price. Interesting, all this, isn't it?† â€Å"I crave to be on the winning side, boss. I'm a sensible man; you called me that yourself.† Riose said with tight throatiness, â€Å"Granted! Yet no trader since has been captured. No trade ship but has had the speed to escape at choice. No trade ship but has had a screen that could take all the beating a light cruiser could give it, should it choose to fight. And no trader but has fought to death when occasion warranted. Traders have been traced as the leaders and instigators of the guerilla warfare on occupied planets and of the flying raids in occupied space. â€Å"Are you the only sensible man then? You neither fight nor flee, but turn traitor without urging. You are unique, amazingly unique – in fact, suspiciously unique.† Devers said softly, â€Å"I take your meaning, but you have nothing on me. I've been here now six months, and I've been a good boy.† â€Å"So you have, and I have repaid you by good treatment. I have left your ship undisturbed and treated you with every consideration. Yet you fall short. Freely offered information, for instance, on your gadgets might have been helpful. The atomic principles on which they are built would seem to be used in some of the Foundation's nastiest weapons. Right?† â€Å"I am only a trader,† said Devers, â€Å"and not one of these bigwig technicians. I sell the stuff; I don't make it.† â€Å"Well, that will be seen shortly. It is what I came here for. For instance, your ship will be searched for a personal force-shield. You have never worn one; yet all soldiers of the Foundation do. It will be significant evidence that there is information you do not choose to give me. Right?† There was no answer. He continued, â€Å"And there will be more direct evidence. I have brought with me the Psychic Probe. It failed once before, but contact with the enemy is a liberal education.† His voice was smoothly threatening and Devers felt the gun thrust hard in his midriff – the general's gun, hitherto in its holster. The general said quietly, â€Å"You will remove your wristband and any other metal ornament you wear and give them to me. Slowly! Atomic fields can be distorted, you see, and Psychic Probes might probe only into static. That's right†¦ I'll take it.† The receiver on the general's desk was glowing and a message capsule clicked into the slot, near which Barr stood and still held the trimensional Imperial bust. Riose stepped behind his desk, with his blast-gun held ready. He said to Barr, â€Å"You too, patrician. Your wristband condemns you. You have been helpful earlier, however, and I am not vindictive, but I shall judge the fate of your behostaged family by the results of the Psychic Probe.† And as Riose leaned over to take out the message capsule, Barr lifted the crystal-enveloped bust of Cleon and quietly and methodically brought it down upon the general's head. It happened too suddenly for Devers to grasp. It was as if a sudden demon had grown into the old man. â€Å"Out!† said Barr, in a tooth-clenched whisper. â€Å"Quickly!† He seized Riose's dropped blaster and buried it in his blouse. Sergeant Luk turned as they emerged from the narrowest possible crack of the door. Barr said easily, â€Å"Lead on, sergeant!† Devers closed the door behind him. Sergeant Luk led in silence to their quarters, and then, with the briefest pause, continued onward, for there was the nudge of a blast-gun muzzle in his ribs, and a hard voice in his ears which said, â€Å"To the trade ship.† Devers stepped forward to open the air lock, and Barr said, â€Å"Stand where you are, Luk. You've been a decent man, and we're not going to kill you.† But the sergeant recognized the monogram on the gun. He cried in choked fury, â€Å"You've killed the general.† With a wild, incoherent yell, he charged blindly upon the blasting fury of the gun and collapsed in blasted ruin. The trade ship was rising above the dead planet before the signal lights began their eerie blink and against the creamy cobweb of the great Lens in the sky which was the Galaxy, other black forms rose. Devers said grimly, â€Å"Hold tight, Barr – and let's see if they've got a ship that can match my speed.† He knew they hadn't! And once in open space, the trader's voice seemed lost and dead as he said, â€Å"The line I fed Brodrig was a little too good. It seems as if he's thrown in with the general.† Swiftly they raced into the depths of the star-mass that was the Galaxy.