Vietnam and the 20th Century - Rules of Engagement Essay

Vietnam and the 20th Century - Rules of Engagement - Essay Example ROE in the U.S. and its Importance In battle, the prospects for collapse in obedience are usually present. This elucidates why elaborate ROE at all levels is extremely crucial. The military actions are particularly connected to ROE, carrying out battle in observance of global laws and inside the authority specified by the commanders. The military utilizes the battle authority required to guarantee victory through suitable and restricted utilization of force. ROE ensures realization of the military mission, force defence and observance of law, as well as policy. ROE overlaps executing strategic policy verdict. It might also serve an operational forces objective, and whilst concurrently bringing the US military in observance with the regional, as well as global law. The NCA endorses ROE for the American military. The Joint Staff has the duty of sustaining ROE. WWI led to the largest movement of the National military ever since the Civil War (Moss, 2010). Individual Soldiers on the Grou nd The Chain of Command in the military is extremely crucial since it ensures that everybody comprehends his or her responsibilities. This implies that, in this ladder of power, lower ranked soldiers are not directed by all the higher positioned soldiers. They have one individual above them who elucidates to them their duties, and that individual also has someone he or she is entitled to answer to. Consequently, the cadets at the infantry level usually have their commander, but not any other individual can order them. The Chain of Authority, usually, is utilized so that the army personnel offer orders to only those individuals directly with a lower rank below them and vice versa. For instance, an ordinary soldier who has a quandary in undertaking an order is probable to get regimented. This is for not observing the Chain of Supremacy if he ignores the commander who is in immediate command of the soldier. Consequently, this soldier has to appeal to a higher ranked individual in his o r her ladder of authority. The supposition here is that, no individual can command the cadets unless they are directly above them in rank and have been authorized from above. The ladder of power is the line of supremacy and accountability along which instructions pass. The line will usually go from the top commanders to the ordinary soldiers. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and Johnson In 1965 McNamara, the then secretary of security proposed to President Johnson, to marshal two hundred and thirty five thousand nationwide guards and reserves. McNamara’s supposition was that the failure was due to underestimation of the extent of the challenges. The end of Vietnam began in the epoch of the total force strategy (Bolgiano, 2011). The discourse above delineates the role of ROE at Vietnam battle. During this epoch, ROE fostered the utilization of force in battle. The Secretary of Defense had the authority had the authority to order the guards and reserves. He would confer wit h the head of the nation with regard to the war on the ground. However, McNamara had presumptions that the failure in the battle was due to underestimation of the degree of the quandaries. The ROE also involved the training of the infantry soldiers. Conversely, President Johnson restricted the American troops’ attempts in Vietnam, not to incite the Chinese. Conversely, he provided a reasonably quick and absolute victory over his foes. He totally miscalculated the foe’

At Kearney Luxury Report Essay Example for Free

At Kearney Luxury Report Essay October 2010 Confederation of Indian Industry The Mantosh Sondhi Centre 23, Institutional Area Lodi Road New Delhi – 110003 India Tel: + 91 11 24629994-7 Fax: + 91 11 24626149 Contact: Amita Sarkar, Senior Director (amita. [emailprotected] in) Jaya Gupta, Deputy Director (jaya. [emailprotected] in) A. T. Kearney Limited 1st Floor, Future Capital House Peninsula Corporate Park Ganpatrao Kadam Marg Lower Parel (W) Mumbai 400 013. India Tel:+91-22 4097 0700 Fax:+91-22 4097 0725 Contact: Neelesh Hundekari, Principal (neelesh. [emailprotected]); Hemant Kalbag, Vice-President (hemant. [emailprotected] com); Pameela Pattabiraman, Manager (pameela. [emailprotected] com) Subhendu Roy, Manager (subhendu. [emailprotected] com) This report has been jointly produced by Confederation of Indian Industry and A. T. Kearney Limited, the contents of which are meant only for information purpose of the reader. Readers are advised to conduct their own investigation and analysis of any information contained in this report, and not rely on the information contained in this report for any purpose. Neither Confederation of Indian Industry, nor A. T. Kearney make any representation regarding the accuracy or completeness of such information and expressly disclaim any or all liabilities based on such information or any omission thereof. No part of this report may be reproduced or distributed without the prior written consent of Confederation of Indian Industry and A. T. Kearney Limited. Copyright: CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRY. 2010, and A. T. KEARNEY, INC. 2010 iv FOREWORD The Luxury industry in India is no longer a new comer. Like many other industries in India, it is of great interest to both international and Indian players. International brands see India as an emerging luxury market which could become a significant part of their portfolio tomorrow. Indian companies also see the growth at the top end of the market as an opportunity to introduce premium offerings. This enthusiasm was reflected in the first moves of several iconic international brands in the last 5-7 years. Indian companies have also seen the opportunity and a handful of players are now very active in the space. Apart from luxury products such as watches, apparel, accessories, large Indian five star hotel chains, fine dining and spas, apart from luxurious houses, the latest luxury cars and yachts have expanded the definition of luxury. The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and A. T. Kearney have been active players in the luxury space. CII through its National Committee on Retail has played an active role in trying to create an industry forum for players in the luxury industry. CII brought the industry together to help organize the industry and create a forum for dealing with issues of common interest. A. T. Kearney, apart from serving clients in the luxury industry has also contributed to providing a robust fact base and perspectives on realizing the potential of the industry through their first study in 2007 (The Economic Times A. T. Kearney India Luxury Review 2007). Just when the industry was showing signs of coming of age in 2007, from the third quarter of 2008, the global recession dampened the hopes of the industry. The industry suffered internationally, and that acted as a brake on the emotional euphoria for a good 9-12months in India as well. Several players used that time to consolidate their position, right size their business, restructure real estate deals and become fitter. A few others suffered. Now with positive signs in the Indian economy, optimism about the industry is on the rise, as demonstrated by heightened market activity and consumer spending. However, key issues such as a relatively new market, duties, access to quality real estate etc continue to pose a challenge to exponential profitable growth. A few key questions keep bothering CEOs in the sector: How to make the luxury business a successful proposition in India? How big is the market really? When will the market be fully ripe? What operating models work and do they need to be customized for India? Given this backdrop, CII and A. T. Kearney decided to team up and take stock of the industry and address key questions that current players, potential entrants and other stakeholders have about the industry. Our desire was to study and understand the major changes in the industry in the last 3-4 years and the implications of these for the future of the industry.. With this end in mind, over the last three months, we conducted an exhaustive and comprehensive research of the industry. The A. T. Kearney team collated and analysed large amounts of data, interviewed several industry leaders and luxury consumers to develop all round insights on the industry. The report establishes the growth trajectory for the industry over the last three years, takes stock of the opportunities and the potential as well as the continuing challenges that it faces and estimates the likely potential over the next 5 years and recommends actions for industry players to undertake. We believe that this report will serve as an important step in the industry’s v journey of growth. It clearly confirms that the hope in the potential of the Indian luxury industry is not misplaced, that there is still a huge latent demand in the market and that India will be an important market and player on the global luxury platform. While the hope in the potential remains undaunted even after the recession, infrastructural and regulatory issues continue to impede the development. Like in all other sectors, though we are confident that the Indian industry will discover a uniquely Indian way of converting them into opportunities. We are grateful to all the industry leaders and consumers who spent time with us in sharing their perspectives and validating our hypotheses. We hope this study will act as a milestone in the evolution of the Indian luxury industry and will take the collective understanding of the industry a few steps forward. Confederation of Indian Industry A. T. Kearney vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Over the last two decades, post liberalization in the 90s, the new maharajahs of business have created some serious wealth in India. This new found prosperity has attracted luxury brands that were looking for new engines for growth to make up for slow growth in their traditional markets. While most industries are now coasting along smoothly, the small and emerging luxury industry players have not stopped reflecting on the past to ask some fundamental questions about the market. This report attempts to answer these questions through a wide and deep coverage of all segments of the luxury market in India. To get the most credible answers, we adopted a robust methodology with a large element of primary interviews and extensive data collection. We collated data from a variety of sources to size the market and understand the growth rates over the last few years. Indian Luxury Consumer passport to the elite segment of the society and conspicuous consumption is their way of announcing it to the society. The children are the bigger spenders, having been educated abroad and hence familiar with brands and the luxury way of living. Traditionally wealthy families/large industrialists: This group comprises two sub-segments the first is the traditionally wealthy families who have been consuming luxury for several decades and go for the finer things in life. The other sub segment comprises the promoters of some very large businesses which have come up in the last two decades and have created a disproportionate amount of wealth very quickly. Corporate executives: Senior executives of corporate India who are paid in excess of INR 1 crore (USD 225,000) and bankers who earn big bonuses epitomize this category. These executives are well traveled and are aware of brands. Most of this segment consists of people who are in their mid-late forties and represent some of the brightest minds in the country. Many of them though have come from middle class backgrounds and hence have a conservative approach on conspicuous spending. Other segments include self employed professionals, young professionals, expatriates, politicians and bureaucrats. A correlation between the size of the luxury market, the GDP/capita, number of HNIs and HNI wealth over the years 2004-2009 shows that in terms of importance the number of high net worth individuals is the most important driver. Interviews with leading luxury brands in India point to the fact that family wealth is a stronger determinant of spending than household income. The masstige phenomenon can also be observed very clearly in India. Luxury products in India are appealing to, and purchased by, middle-class consumers that do not fit the typical profile of an elite consumer segment. While Indian consumers talk about exclusivity, uniqueness and appeal to personal taste, the majority of the market is still far away from this and brand/logo/badge value drive luxury purchases very clearly. That said, traditional attributes such as high quality, heritage, longevity, the â€Å"stories† associated with brands are beginning to emerge as drivers of purchase. The mindset is still that of an â€Å"aspirer† not that of a â€Å"connoisseur†. The Indian luxury consumer is young 30-45 years old. While the average Indian luxury customer values High Quality, Exclusivity and Social Appeal as key drivers of luxury purchase, they are also very Price Conscious and often straddled with a â€Å"middle-class mindset†. The segments are composed primarily of: Medium size enterprise owners: This is the largest segment in terms of number these are typically the medium enterprise owners industrialists and traders who run businesses with revenues upwards of 50 cr. Their wealth is their vii The distribution of the rupee millionaires is a good indicator of the luxury consumer distribution in the country. While Delhi and Mumbai continue to be the mainstay markets for luxury consumption, there are several other cities with a large base of potential luxury consumers. We believe in the next 57 years, at least 5-7 new towns will get added on the luxury map of India. We also believe that the potential in Delhi and Mumbai has not been fully exploited and that there exists a few more micro markets within these cities that need to be tapped. Luxury Market 2007-2009 watches and jewellery as well wines, spirits and high-end electronics. This market has been estimated to be USD 1. 5 billion in 2009. Most luxury product categories have witnessed over 15% growth over the past 2 years performance of categories like Electronics, Wines and Spirits, Apparel and Jewellery has been exceptionally strong. The Indian luxury services market was severely hit by the recession over the past 2 years. Nonetheless, the India Luxury Services industry is considered to be one of the best in the world. Consumer interviews revealed that consumers prefer Indian hotel chains like the Taj, Oberoi or ITC even when International chains like the Hyatt, Hilton or Four Seasons have entered the country. The current Indian luxury assets market is estimated at USD 2. 45 billion. The growth of the Luxury Assets market is driven mainly by the phenomenal growth of the Real Estate and Automobile sectors. Latent Demand and Future Potential Our endeavor in this study has been to provide robust data on the size and growth of the Indian luxury market for stakeholders to consider, debate and if it makes sense to base their decisions upon. For sizing the market, Product, Price and (where possible brand also) filters are applied to isolate the luxury from the non-luxury in all segments. We err on the side of conservatism i. e.only pure luxury is included. Based on a category wise build-up, the size of the Indian luxury industry in 2009 is estimated at USD 4. 76 billion (at retail prices). This includes all luxury products, luxury services and luxury assets sold in India. The total luxury market has grown at a CAGR of 13% between 2007-09, with luxury products growing at 22%, services degrowing at 5% and assets growing at 18%. Luxury market in India The Indian luxury market is still very small compared to global standards. While India has one of the highest GDPs in the world, its luxury consumption, in absolute terms, is still very small. We believe that there exists a large latent demand in India, constrained by both demand side and supply side factors. On the demand side, there are several potential consumers in India who either do not buy luxury at all or do not buy enough of it from the local market. As we had mentioned, Rupee millionaires with incomes between INR 10-30 lakhs do not really spend on luxury. On the other side, supply of most luxury products in India is present is mostly present Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore. However, wealth creation in the country is now no longer limited to these cities. It is taking place at a rapid rate in Tier I and Tier II cities like Ahmedabad, Pune and Hyderabad. The current market size for luxury products in the country is around USD 1. 5 billion. A regression based on India’s GDP per capita and Number of HNIs, indicates that the size of the Indian luxury products market should have been around USD 3-3. 5 billion. This implies that there is a latent demand of almost USD 1. 5-2 billion. As percentage of the current market size, India’s latent demand is estimated at 120-150% while for China it is estimated at only 10-15%. We have estimated the expected growth in the luxury goods market using a number of methods. Regression of the mar- Source: A. T. Kearney research and analysis The most visible segment of the luxury industry is the luxury products segment. This includes the most visible fashion luxury segments such as apparel, accessories, personal care, viii Country comparison based on GDP and # of HNIs 1. 2. 3. Source: Altagamma, A. T. Kearney research and analysis, Merrill Lynch Capgemini world wealth reports ket size for luxury products against the number of HNIs results in a growth estimate of 18%. Based on numerous interviews with luxury company CEOs, executives and industry experts as well as secondary research, a bottom-up build up of category wise growth rates leads to an average of 21%. Given this and considering the huge latent demand, we believe that India’s overall Luxury Market will grow 21% to become almost 3 times its current size by 2015. Projected growth of luxury market in India 4. Difficulty in reaching the target consumer: The scattered nature of the target population and absence of critical mass in India is a big concern for the industry. While luxury magazines have increased in maturity and volumes, they still reach only a small fraction of the existing consumers and a much smaller fraction of new consumers. Cost of reach is high, results uncertain and word of mouth continues to be best method to create a â€Å"buzz†. Consumer reservations about luxury purchases: India is faced with a low luxury penetration, with most of the rupee millionaires with income between INR 1030 lakh segment having the capacity but not the propensity to spend on luxury goods and services. Furthermore, there are reservations against buying lesser known brands as well as shopping in India. Infrastructure and regulatory constraints: Companies have to struggle with lack of credible real estate options, underdeveloped back end infrastructure like warehouses and logistics as well as regulatory restrictions on FDI and high import duties. Lack of talent: Absence of skilled manpower has hindered luxury players from being able to provide the same customer service experience as that in international locations. However, there are several ideas that could be used to address these challenges. To convert potential customers, who have the financial wherewithal, to luxury consumers, players should look at micro-segmentation of the population to identify specific â€Å"high potential† professions. Once identified, focused communication would be needed to reach out to them and convince them of the offering. Players also need to look at effective media vehicles to reach their target consumers. Consumer perceptions and reservations about shopping for luxury goods in India can be addressed by breaking the myth, getting high recall brands and bringing in â€Å"ladder brands†. To address the infrastructure and regulatory challenges, players can use smaller retail formats to increase store densities far above the global benchmarks in order to drive higher sales productivity. A multi-brand environment would also help players attract a critical mass of consumers and also lower the burden on each brand in terms of operating costs. Other options include mini high streets, collaborative efforts with competition for both retail and supply chain and airport retailing. Indian companies can capitalize on the regulatory. Source: A. T. Kearney research and analysis Luxury Industry Challenges Fundamentally there are four key challenges that any luxury player faces in India. ix restrictions imposed by the Indian government to enhance their presence in the market. The resource crunch needs to be addressed through the creation of a parallel education ecosystem similar to what has happened in the IT, ITES, airlines and fashion industry. Critical Success Factors There is no instant formula for success in the Indian luxury market. Everything about our country is different the consumer, the challenges and also opportunities for luxury players. The Indian consumer is in a state of flux evolving rapidly, but perhaps along a path that is inherently different from that taken by other developing economies. Several luxury players have managed to seize opportunities in the market early. We believe that the critical factors for success in this market include exploring formats that enable players to attract footfalls; getting the pricing right to encourage Indians to purchase locally; Providing a world class experience e.g. ambience and service; bringing in iconic brands as Indians still buy luxury products for brand value and not to make a fashion statement; getting the cost structure right by ensuring the cost base is justified by the sales realized; getting access to local expertise to get the best real estate deals; experimenting with new formats such as a luxury discounter (liquidation channel) that can help open the market by getting consumers exposed to last year’s collections at attractive prices and help them move up the ladder. While we believe there is a clear opportunity to make an impact in this market, a systematic, smart and careful approach is what will differentiate the winners from the losers in the long run. x.

Ralf Michaels: The Detroit Principles as Global Background

Ralf Michaels: The Detroit Principles as Global Background INTRODUCTION: The article which is being critically evaluated in this essay is, Ralf Michaels, THE UNIDROIT PRINCIPLES AS GLOBAL BACKGROUND LAW (2014) 19(4) Uniform Law Review 1-22. In this essay the research objectives of the article will be seen which will be taking us through the actual study and research and will also tell us the actual purpose. Following this the research methodology of the article will be assessed which will show the data collection methods and ways and the purpose of the research study. After this the literature review of the article will be evaluated which will be followed by the research findings of the article. Finally, the essay will be concluded. The conclusion will state weather the research methodology used by the author Ralf Michaels was relevant for their study or not. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES: The most important thing for any research proposal is defining the main objectives of the research proposal. What is the main point or purpose of the research? What are the research problems that research is focussing upon and, why? Research objectives are the statements which focusses upon the identification and description of variables and on finding the relationships of variables.[1] Ralf Michaels have developed a very and concise research objective for his study. The general illustrations of the categories and the types of information that the researcher desires to obtain from the study is taken into consideration in research objectives.[2] His study objective was that, the role played by the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts (PICC), which is along with the findings concerning the actual use of the Principles of International Commercial Contracts (PICC). Finally, the use of PICC in private international law, their use to interpret the Contracts for the Int ernational Sale of goods (CISG), their relationship with other non-State codifications, and their relationship with a possible global commercial code is discussed. The objectives main purpose is to mix the hypothesis with the main study, the study objectives should be clearly stated as they define the main aims of the research proposal.[3] And the article written by Ralf Michaels totally justifies it. In the beginning of the article the author is focussing on the role which PICC has played successfully and where it has not. This is followed by the authors suggestion that characterizes the PICC as a non-State code, or even a non- State legal systemfor example, a new lex mercatoria. Finally, the author tells about some implications and their use in private international law, the use of these implications to interpret the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), their relationship with other non- State codifications, and their relationship with a possible global commercial code. The research process is a systematic process which is made of patterns so that the data which is not required is not collected and it helps in solving the problem and it involves three main stages. These are: Planning, Data Collection, and Analysis.[4] Ralf Michaels also makes it clear to all the readers the clear research objective of his article by stating in the initial paragraphs that what he wants to say and his inclination towards the PICC and its uses in private international law and interpretation of CISG in international contracts of sale. ARTICLES RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: Research methodology is a way to systematically solve the research problem. The methodology may include publication research, interviews, surveys, and other techniques of research and both historical as well as present information is included. The research methodology should be good to get new ideas.[5] The researcher here has used the doctrinal research methodology for his article. Doctrinal research provides a systematic mixture of the rules that governs the legal category and analyses the relationship between the rules, explaining the area of difficulty.[6] Doctrinal research is concerned with the formulation of legal doctrines through the analysis of legal rules.[7] The researcher in his article has used black letter approach by referring various books, comments and most importantly by referring the work of UNIDROIT and its principles and some other agencies like International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). In doctrinal research, there are systematic formulations of the law contexts. They clarify ambiguities within rules, place them in a logical and coherent structure and describe their relationship to other rules.[8] And per what has been observed in the article by Ralf Michaels he has also referred to a lot many Acts and statutes to make his argument to the point. He has used Part II on the uses of the PICC,[9] PICC as a global background law and PICC as a global commercial code[10] and applicability of PICC along with PICC as an applicable law in the absence of a choice. The dominance of the expository, doctrinal tradition in legal scholarship has already been noted. However, it is important to understand that this is not simply a single, isolated category of scholarship. Some element of doctrinal analysis will be found in all but the most radical forms of legal research. Here are some of the radical forms of research APPLIED (Professional constituency), PURE (Academic constituency), INTERDISCIPLINARY METHODOLOGY (Research about law) and the one which the au thor is using in the article is DOCTRINAL METHODOLOGY (Research in law).[11] Although law reform research appears as a separate category within. Its practitioners emphasise the importance of traditional legal analysis within their socio-legal work. Doctrinal analysis therefore remains the defining characteristics of academic legal research and the account which follows represents an attempt to describe the nature of the methodologies employed within it.[12] Ralf Michaels is also very adamant in his article by following the doctrinal research method. In his article where he just wants to give an idea about PICC and its various uses as background law as well in modern days which is used in interpretation of the commercial sale contracts and also the applicability of PICC. He tries to prove his point by strictly adhering to the black letter approach and using old laws and judgements and law acts and statutes. The nature of legal research depends on the objectives of the researcher. The object may be to investigate the policy which the law should be seeking to implement. This type of research tends to be more theoretical and may require engagement with other disciplines, such as sociology, politics, economics, and philosophy. The doctrinal research methodology is made within the common law as a research method of the main practice. Doctrine is a mixture of various rules, principles, norms, and values. This is doctrinal research.[13] If, however, the same problem is viewed from the perspective of a principled analysis of the law, different questions would be asked. The starting point will be to determine what the relevant cases decide. After that the researcher will determine whether any relevant principles can be distilled from those cases, then identify the policy which underpins the principle and finally consider whether the law is right. One of the main purpose of a research is to make reasonable conclusions about the population under investigation from the results realized from a sample.[14] If the principle does not accurately reflect the policy then the law may be wrong and the researcher will consider other alternative solutions to the problem. This is a much more academic approach to doctrinal research, since it looks beyond the mere solution of the problem to the identification of a defensible rationale which underpins the detailed rules.[15] Principles of the legal research methods are tailored to the needs of the researchers. Various issues like the participatory and community based research as well as empirical methods are also examined along with the principle approaches which are commonly used in the legal research. The emphasis is being put on how the research is being done instead of the what is being done. This has become the nature of legal research.[16] This also hinders the researchers from getting enough information on the topic under investigation. The essential features of doctrinal research methods are that it involves the analysis of the legal concepts and in this research conventional sources of data are used. Doctrinal legal research focusses upon the data  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   which is collected from the cases, statues, legal concepts, law reports as well as relevant text books. Since, the doctrinal legal research is the research of the black letters of the law, therefore, the ascertainment of law is required and is necessary. The research of a doctrinal legal researcher is based on the secondary data which is relevant to his proposition. Doctrinal legal research is not about research about law but it is a research which is into law and legal concepts.[17] Ralf Michaels in this article The Unidroit principles as global background law tries to use the same methodology by identifying the rule of law and describing the factual situation and then concluding with all the laws and the facts. The author who is disturbed with the fac t that there is misuse of the comparative law as tool of law reform have tried the doctrinal research approach or the black letter approach as the methodology of the article. ETHICAL ISSUES EXPLORED IN THE ARTICLE: Ethics are the principles and guidelines which helps us in understanding and determining the things which are morally right and justifiable. Many ethical issues are widely differed in research. Some writers disagree on the points that weather they are ethically acceptable in social research or not. If there is any unethical research then it may be associated with a research methods, like the disguised observation and deception in experiments.[18] The ethical issues can be raised in all parts of the research like the definition, parts where the research objectives have been defined, where the hypothesis have been defined, part of the literature review, data collection points, data editing and cleaning, choice of the methods, conclusions, and recommendations and the referencing.[19] Research that poses potential harm, risk, or danger to the participant is not allowed, unless the beneà ¯Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ t of the research outweighs the risks and full informed consent is given. Psychologists and their assistants are also responsible for conducting themselves ethically and for treating the participants in an ethical manner always.[20] Ethics apply at every stage of the research. The research is dependent on the goodwill as for the goodwill of the individuals and the respondents and their willingness to give the personal information. Trust is also a very important factor in ethics, as weather the decision makers trust the researchers to provide accurate information. Finally, comes the professionalism and confidentiality in ethics in research.[21] A research must be conducted in a safe an ethical manner. While carrying a research a researcher must ensure that the rights of the research subjects are not violated in any manner.[22] There are few ethical considerations, which are as follows: Informed Consent Invasion of Privacy and confidentiality Deception Protection from harm Data Protection Affiliation and Conflict of Interest[23] In the article by Ralf Michaels, he also strictly followed the ethical standards which made a significant contribution to the quality and integrity of the study. In the first part of his article Ralf Michaels also mentioned in the beginning of the article the author is focussing on the role which PICC has played successfully and where it has not. This is followed by the authors suggestion that characterizes the PICC as a non-State code, or even a non- State legal systemfor example, a new lex mercatoria. Finally, the author tells about some implications and their use in private international law, the use of these implications to interpret the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG), their relationship with other non- State codifications, and their relationship with a possible global commercial code. he totally has no intentions to criticize comparative law as an academic discipline nor he intends to put the doubt on the utility of development of comparati ve law. These statements by the author of the article proves that he strictly adheres to the ethical standards. Psychologists, as well as their assistants, are responsible for maintaining the dignity and welfare of all participants. This obligation also entails protecting them from harm, unnecessary risks, or mental and physical discomfort that may be inherent in the research procedure. Scientific research work, as all human activities, is governed by individual, community, and social values. Research ethics involve requirements on daily work, the protection of dignity of subjects and the publication of the information in the research.[24] ARTICLES LITERATURE REVIEW: Review of the literature is a summary as well as the critical analysis of the relevant article which is being researched and which is the topic that is being studied. The main aim of the literature review is to update the reader with the current present literature as well as the justification for future research in the area. A good literature review is one which collects and gathers information from various sources. The information is about a subject. A literature review should be structured perfectly and its structuring is very important to enhance the flow and readability of the review.[25] There are a few types of literature review, these are: Traditional or Narrative Literature Review Systematic Literature Review[26] Conducting a deep review of past studies serves three main functions[27]. It helps the researcher to make himself familiar with the content, conclusions, and methodology of past studies along with the problems or need of the research and to show the main issues which has a relevance with the study. In this way, the researcher can understand wide context of the research which is related to the specific issue, problem or need, along with this it also helps in avoiding duplication of the available research, particularly outdated or flawed research. Reviewing literature on the previous studies makes the researcher coming across the benefits and drawbacks of different methods and methodologies for research. Literature reviews should objectively report the current knowledge on a topic and provide a summary of the best available research from previously published studies related to a specific topic. The synthesis of a literature reviewed provides an informed perspective or a comprehensive overview of the knowledge available on the topic. The detailed overview should be written in such a way as to provide clarity and promote understanding by the reader. Clinicians and researchers use literature reviews in decision making as well as to identify, justify and refine hypothesis and to recognize and avoid pitfalls in previous research. Literature reviews afford a means for validating assumptions and opinions and providing insight into the dynamics underlying the findings of other studies and they may offer more conclusive results than a single primary research study. Some specific purpose of literature review is to provide a theoretical framework for a specific topic under study. Then define relevant or key terms and important variables used for a study or manuscript development. Then to provide a synthesize overview of current evidence for practice to gain new perspective and support assumptions and opinions presented in a manuscript using research studies and so forth. Then to identify the main methodology and research techniques previously used and lastly to demonstrate the gap in the literature, pointing to the significance of the problem and need for the quality improvement project to be conducted.[28] The literature review conveys the previous knowledge and facts to the reader, which are established on a topic. It also conveys the strengths and weaknesses of the topic to the reader. It updates the reader with the exact state of the research in a field and tells if there are any contradictions which may challenge the findings of the research studies. Literature review helps in improving the research methodologies as well as the tools which are used in the research investigation. It also provides the researchers with the knowledge about the problems which the previous researchers might have faced while studying the same topic.[29] A literature review is an evaluative report of studies found in the literature related to your selected area.   The review should describe, summarize, evaluate, and clarify this literature. It should give a theoretical basis for the research and help you determine the nature of your own research. Select a limited number of works that are central to your area rather than trying to collect many works that are not as closely connected to your topic area.[30] Hence in the article by Ralf Michaels, he has taken a care about the literature review and hence the issues, the methods, conclusions, and the methodology are done in a very systematic manner and in a very nice way and that shows the real success of his study. FINDINGS OF THE RESEARCHER: In the article The Unidroit principles as global background law the author Ralf Michaels aims to try and tell the people the role played by the principles of UNIDROIT after so many years of existence, and that the role played is quite different from the one which was originally intended.The researcher also present nine facts and findings which were regarding the actual use of the PICC, which can be assessed based on published opinions, legislation, and scholarship. Then the researcher findings are used to suggest that the PICC should be viewed as a code or even a non-state law, instead its a restatement of global general contract law and its function is that of a background law. Finally, the researcher discusses implications of these findings for concrete questions: their use in private international law, their use to interpret the CISG, their relationship with other non-State codifications, and their relationship with a possible global commercial code. Ralf Michaels has made sure th at all the findings are errorless which enhanced their validity and reliability. So therefore, here it can be said that the findings by the researcher are relevant and up to the mark. CONCLUSION: It can be now concluded that Ralf Michaels conducted a very nice and thorough research about the PICC as a principle, its uses and its applicability and functions. How it is used in interpreting CISG and its relation with other non-state codifications. He keeps his focus on the uses of PICC along with its applicability and its relation with other non-state codifications along with its importance in interpreting the CISG. Also, the success of the research can be accredit by the fine use the methodology by the researcher. Ralf Michaels was very optimistic to use the doctrinal approach or the so called black letter approach for his research. This methodology of research helped Ralf Michaels to gather all the facts from the cases and the laws from previous judgement and helped him to put his agreement forward in a very sensible and confident way. Due to the doctrinal research method, he was able to compare the laws and he was able to put forward what he wanted to say. The study design us ed by the researcher is also very commendable. Ralf Michaels always tried to explain his point by using and giving references from others work in the related field along with background laws and statues which made his research really interesting and also very strong. The researcher made five parts of his article along with sub parts to the main parts so that he can try to prove his point very nicely and with that five parts of the article he really managed to pull his article to good level of success. The ethical issues are also covered in the article and the researcher has done that very skilfully. Nowhere in the article we can pick up any bad words or the insults to anybody. The article was written very precise and satisfactory. REFERENCE LIST: file:///storage/emulated/O/Download/Research_Methods_Session_04.pdf> accessed 8 January 2017 Bailey, F. 2014 The Origin and Success of Qualitative Research, International Journal of Market Research, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 167-184 Can J Surg, Research Questions, Hypothesis and Objectives (2010) 52(4) 280 Dr. Wanjohi J, Research Objectives Presentation 26 June 2014 SPS, (2014) http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/research-methodology.html> accessed 10 January 2017 accessed 10 January 2017 Knight A and Ruddock L (eds), Advanced research methods in the built environment (Wiley-Blackwell (an imprint of John Wiley Sons Ltd) 2008) Chynoweth P, Legal research in the built environment: A methodological framework (2011) Ralf Michaels, The UNIDROIT principles as global background law (2014) 19(4) Uniform Law Review 1-22 Chynoweth P, Legal research in the built environment: A methodological framework (2011) Duncan, N.J. Hutchinson, Defining and describing what we do: Doctrinal legal research (2012) 17(1) Deakin Law Review 83-84 Bryman, A. 2012, Social Research Methods. Oxford: OUP Oxford Cahillane L and Schweppe J 9eds), Legal research methods: Principles and Practicalities (Clarus Press 2016) http://www.academia.edu/15065282/Doctrinal_Legal_Research> accessed 11 January 2017 MaiJoy, Ranjeeta Lamba (2 September 2011) www.slideshare.net/MaiJoy/research-methodology-ethical-issues-in-research-an-assignment> accessed 11 January 2017 A BRIEF HISTORY OF ETHICAL CONCERNS, accessed 11 January 2017 Fouka G and Mantzorou M, What are the Major Ethical Issues in Conducting Research? Is there a Conflict between the Research Ethics and the Nature of Nursing? 5(1) Health Science Journal 3-14 Cronin P, Ryan F, and Coughlan M, Undertaking a literature review: A step-by-step approach (2008) 17(1) British Journal of Nursing 38-43 Lamb, D. 2013 Research in the First Person: Reflection on the Research Experience Using a Research Journal, Market Social Research, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 32-39. Baker JD, The purpose, process, and methods of writing a literature review (2016) 103(3) AORN Journal 265-269 Path N and Nursing path, Niharika pedamallu (7 May 2013) https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/drjayeshpatidar/literature-review-in-research accessed 14 January 2017 Purpose of the literature review, (2008) http://library.queensu.ca/webedu/grad/Purpose_of_the_Literature_Review.pdf> accessed 14 January 2017 [1] file:///storage/emulated/O/Download/Research_Methods_Session_04.pdf> accessed 8 January 2017 [2] Bailey, F. 2014 The Origin and Success of Qualitative Research, International Journal of Market Research, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 167-184 [3] Can J Surg, Research Questions, Hypothesis and Objectives (2010) 52(4) 280 [4] Dr. Wanjohi J, Research Objectives Presentation 26 June 2014 SPS, (2014) [5] http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/research-methodology.html> accessed 10 January 2017 [6] accessed 10 January 2017 [7] Knight A and Ruddock L (eds), Advanced research methods in the built environment (Wiley-Blackwell (an imprint of John Wiley Sons Ltd) 2008) [8] Chynoweth P, Legal research in the built environment: A methodological framework (2011) [9] Ralf Michaels, The UNIDROIT principles as global background law (2014) 19(4) Uniform Law Review 1-22 [10] ibid [11] Chynoweth P, Legal research in the built environment: A methodological framework (2011) [12] ibid [13] Duncan, N.J. Hutchinson, Defining and describing what we do: Doctrinal legal research (2012) 17(1) Deakin Law Review 83-84 [14]Bryman, A. 2012, Social Research Methods. Oxford: OUP Oxford [15] ibid [16] Cahillane L and Schweppe J 9eds), Legal research methods: Principles and Practicalities (Clarus Press 2016) [17] http://www.academia.edu/15065282/Doctrinal_Legal_Research> accessed 11 January 2017 [18] MaiJoy, Ranjeeta Lamba (2 September 2011) www.slideshare.net/MaiJoy/research-methodology-ethical-issues-in-research-an-assignment> accessed 11 January 2017 [19] ibid [20] A BRIEF HISTORY OF ETHICAL CONCERNS, accessed 11 January 2017 [21] MaiJoy, Ranjeeta Lamba (2 September 2011) www.slideshare.net/MaiJoy/research-methodology-ethical-issues-in-research-an-assignment> accessed 11 January 2017 [22] ibid [23] ibid [24] Fouka G and Mantzorou M, What are the Major Ethical Issues in Conducting Research? Is there a Conflict between the Research Ethics and the Nature of Nursing? 5(1) Health Science Journal 3-14 [25] Cronin P, Ryan F, and Coughlan M, Undertaking a literature review: A step-by-step approach (2008) 17

Charles Darwin Essay -- Biography Biographies

Charles Robert Darwin was a man of many hats. He was a friend, colleague, son, father, husband; but above all, he was a naturalist. Through his dedication and perseverance did he manage to, in less than a generation, establish the theory of evolution as a fact in peoples' minds. In fact, "[t]oday it is almost impossible for us to return, even momentarily, to the pre-Darwinian atmosphere and attitude" (West 323). Darwin formed the basis of his theory during the voyage of the H.M.S. Beagle, on which vessel he was posted as it travelled around the globe. During that five-year span, this young man saw foliage, creatures, cultures that he had never known first-hand before. He was exposed to environments that not many of his contemporaries saw and lived the life that few did. Was his epic journey merely a series of trips to strange and exotic lands, or was Darwin affected by his experiences in more profound ways? Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809; the same day that another great man, Abraham Lincoln, was born. He was no child prodigy; he "was considered by all [his] masters and by [his] Father as a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard in intellect" (Barlow Voyage 28). The one trait in him that stands out in his formative years is a taste for the outdoors; he loved to gather shells, seals, franks, coins, and minerals. The passion for collecting, which leads a man to be a systemic naturalist, a virtuoso, or a miser, was very strong in [him] and was clearly innate, as none of [his] sisters and brother ever had this taste. (Barlow Autobiography 23) He grew up in Shrewsbury, and attended the local grammar-school there. After graduating, he entered Edinburgh University with the intent of studying medicine, but he found anatomy boring a nd his lack of sketching skills hampered him. It was decided between Darwin and his father that he should pursue ecclesiasticalstudies at Cambridge. Those subjects did not enthuse him either, but he discovered a "spontaneous and exceptional interest in natural history" (Moorehead 25). Academically, "he scraped through...with a pass" (Moorehead, 25) but socially, he enjoyed himself greatly, as he had fallen in with a crowd of sportsmen and naturalists. As well, he developed strong ties with his botany and geology teachers, Professors Adam Sedgwick and John Henslow. Henslow was indeed a true friend; he did ... ... bloom; his zeal sharpened his eyes and ears, and opend up his mind to "new ideas, new books, new friends, new observations, new hypotheses, new laws" (Dorsey 79). His spirit of adventure led him to far-off lands where obscure fauna and flora were living and breathing, and not just names in some book. "The discipline of the trip taught him an eternal lesson in good-humoured patience, freedom from selfishness, the habit of acting for himself and making the best of every occurrence" (Dorsey 71). While he eventually found himself to be at odds with the religion that he once wholeheartedly embraced, never did he attempt to derogate people's beliefs; it was with rare and noble calmness with which he expound[ed] his own views, undisturbed by the heats of polemical agitation which those views...excited, and persistently refus[ed] to retort on his antagonists by ridicule, by indignation, or by contempt. (Dorsey 270) So it was through hard work, flexibility and openmindedness that this gr eat man, whom his colleague and friend Wallace termed "the Newton of Natural History" (West 325), came to develop his trademark values of integrity and dedication as he sailed the shores of distant lands.

Relationship Diversity

A look into the deferent variations of relationships] APRIL 9, 2014 [PROOF. MCCRACKEN] Soc. SSL. 17 ? Human Sexuality Duffer 1 Marina M. Duffer April 9, 2014 Human Sexuality m{oh learn to like someone when you find out what makes them laugh, but you can never truly love someone until you find out what makes them cry. † Finding someone that completes you Is never an easy task. It takes time to find that special person that can make you smile. The one person that understands you completely. During my observations on campus I saw many different types of couples.Many of which seemed to be pure Infatuations. There are seven different types of relationships. The first is consummate, which is a type that is high on the levels of passion, commitment, and intimacy. The second is an infatuated couple, one that is purely passion. Then there is fatuous which is high on both passion and commitment. The fourth is an empty relationship, which is pure commitment. This means that this certain t ype of couple does not need a big amount of passion or intimacy. The last three are all high on intimacy but differ very vaguely. There is compassionate which includes ointment.Romantics which is a mixture of both intimacy and passion. And the last friendship, which Is high purely on intimacy. The one thing that I noticed with most of the couples that were under Infatuated relationships Is that they were young. Well between their early twenties and their mid-twenties. They were somewhat Inseparable. High on passion and life Itself. Nothing, for what it seems can tear these two apart. The newly formed couples. The ones that are still in the honeymoon stage. Duffer 2 The couples that were put into the consummate category were those that have been aired for a while and the long-term couples.These are in full commitment to each other and are still in high light though they have their down sides but they stay fully strong. They are full of passion and intimacy as well as committed to one another. The romantics and the compassionate groups are somewhat similar, in which they are high on Intimacy. But, they differ in which romantics are high on passion. The compassionate couples are high on commitment. These couples range from friends who convert into couples or people who arrange an agreement to be with each other. Woo groups may end up in disarray.What was supposed to begin without emotions ends up being a love affair. The friendship group, which is high on Just intimacy only. This is a special group. They share secrets and intimate details about each other. They are the group that I believe to be the greatest on of them all. No matter what you throw at them they know how to deal with every issue. Even with all these issues they still keep that sense of friendship. That sense of honesty and trust. The empty group, which is only high on commitment levels, is actually not so empty at all.They share a love that does not require and sense of romance, passion, or intima cy. They with each other to last with each other. They are an open couple who can laugh and smile. But not need anything more. They live off of each other's happiness and not the way their body looks or feels. My observations have showed me a different perspective on relationships and where they can lead. They are such a beautiful thing to cherish and keep. They are obscure and complicated. Two people sharing different qualities and characteristics is Just an amazing and wonderful.

How to Use Extra Credit Effectively

How to Use Extra Credit Effectively The use of extra credit can be an effective teaching and learning tool in any content area classroom, but only if the extra credit is used in the correct manner. Generally, extra credit is offered to those students who want to bring up a GPA. Poor performance on a heavily weighted test or a paper or a project may have dropped a students overall grade. The opportunity for extra credit may be a motivational tool or a way to correct a misjudgment or miscommunication.  However,  if used incorrectly or inequitably, extra credit can also be a point of contention and a headache for the teacher.  Therefore, a teacher should take time to look at an offer for extra credit critically and consider the implications it may have for grading and assessment.   Pros of Using Extra Credit An extra credit assignment may provide students with an incentive to go above and beyond the class material. If it is used to enhance lessons, the offer for extra credit can help deepen the learning for students. It can also help struggling students by providing them with additional learning opportunities while allowing them a means to increase their grade. The extra credit may mirror the original assignment, be an alternative test, paper or project. There may be a section of an assessment that can be taken again or the student may suggest an alternative assignment.   Extra credit may also be in the form of revision. The process of revision, especially in writing assignments, can be used as a way to teach students to reflect on their progress and abilities in writing and take steps to strengthen it. Revision may serve to establish conferences to receive highly beneficial one-on-one attention. Rather than design new extra credit opportunities, a teacher should consider how he or she can reinforce the skills to improve student performance on a previously graded assignment.   Another method for extra credit is to give students a bonus question(s) on a quiz or test. There may be an option to answer an additional essay question or solve an additional word problem.   If extra credit is allowed, teachers may adopt the kinds of the assignments that are voluntary extra credit must still be assessed just as rigorously as the assessments for regular coursework. Perhaps there are extra credit opportunities that allow students to try extended activities such as inquiry projects based on  questions, problems, or scenarios. Students may choose to volunteer in the school community or in the community at large. By allowing the student the opportunity to choose how they will earn extra credit points could be a way to give them control over their academic achievement. After checking school policy, if you wish to offer extra credit in your class, you will need to make sure of the following: Do connect your extra credit to other lessons in class or to classroom pertinent current events.Do provide the same extra credit opportunities to all students.Do consider your grading time when assigning extra credit.Do make extra credit assignments interesting and pertinent for students.Do tell your students when you assign extra credit how much it will be worth and how you will grade it.Do make sure that you are not outweighing your required assignments with points for extra credit.Do set a clear deadline for when extra credit is due. Cons of Using Extra Credit On the other hand, too many opportunities for extra credit in a course could result in an  imbalance in grading. Extra credit assignments could outweigh the required assignments, and the result could mean that a student would pass a course without meeting all the standards.  Extra credit that is graded for a â€Å"completion† grade can skew an overall grade. In the same vein, some educators believe that extra credit reduces the importance of curriculum assessments by providing students with a way to circumvent the curriculum. These students could avoid  requirements by still have the ability to increase their grade. Moreover, an extra credit assignment could boost a GPA, but obscure a students actual academic ability. There are also some schools that have a no extra credit rule in their policy handbook. There are some districts that want to eliminate the extra work a teacher has to do after assigning extra credit. Some general rules to consider are: Do not create extra credit assignments that are unconnected to your curriculum or standards.Do not grade each students extra credit using different standards.Do not create so much extra credit that students are able to pass without completing the required work.Do not make spur of the moment extra credit opportunities that are not equally available to all students.Do not allow busy work like copying from a book to be extra creditDo not allow students to turn in late extra credit as this is just an accounting nightmare.Do not create extra credit assignments that the educational value is not equivalent to the student or teacher effort involved.

Identifing the North American Gums

Identifing the North American Gums The tupelos, or sometimes called pepperidge tree, are members of a small genus called Nyssa. There are only about 9 to 11 species worldwide. They are known to grow in mainland China and eastern Tibet and North America. The North American tupelo has alternate, simple leaves and the fruit is a single drupe containing seed. These seed capsules float and are distributed over major wetland areas where the tree regenerates. Water tupelo is especially adept at seed dispersal along waterways. Most, especially water tupelo, are highly tolerant of wet soils and flooding, some needing to grow in such environments to ensure future regeneration. Only two important species are native to eastern North America and none live naturally in the Western states. Black Tupelo or Nyssa sylvatica is the most common true gum in North America and grows from Canada to Texas. Another common tree that is called a gum is sweetgum and is actually an entirely different tree species classification called Liquidambar. The fruit and leaves of sweetgum look nothing like these true gums. Water tupelo or Nyssa aquatica is a wetland tree living mostly along the coastal plain from Texas to Virginia. Water tupelos range reaches far up the Mississippi River to southern Illinois. It is most often found in swamps and near perennial wet areas and a companion tree to baldcypress. Tupelos are highly valued honey plants in the Southeastern and Gulf Coast states, producing a very light, mild-tasting honey. In northern Florida, beekeepers keep beehives along the river swamps on platforms or floats during tupelo bloom to produce certified tupelo honey, which commands a high price on the market because of its flavor. Interesting Facts About Gums Black gum can be a slow grower but does best on moist, acid soils. Still, its persistence in cultivation can make for one of the most beautiful fall red leaf colors. Purchase a proven cultivar for the best results including Sheffield Park, Autumn Cascade and Bernheim Select. The water tupelo is also called cotton gum for its cottony new growth. It is just as hearty on wetland as baldcypress and ranked as one of the most flood-tolerant tree species in North America. This gum can become huge and sometimes exceed 100 feet in height. The tree can, like baldcypress, grow a grand basal trunk buttress. One species that I have not listed here is the Ogeechee gum that grows in parts of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. It is of little commercial value and has a limited range. The Gum Tree List Black Tupelo GumWater Tupelo Leaves: alternate, simple, not toothed.Bark: deeply furrowed.Fruit: elliptical berry.

Mary kate and ashley essays

Mary kate and ashley essays As part of the American dream, everyone aspires to be prosperous. Despite the struggles along the way people still want to be rich for anything. For some people, making a lot of money comes easy to them than others. However, for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olson, that would be an understatement. Mary-Kate and Ashley were born June 13, 1986 in Sherman Oakes, California to David and Jarnette Olson. They began their acting career in 1987 when they were chosen to play the role of Michelle Tanner on the television series, Full House. The show became a hit with books, dolls, and other merchandise being sold to promote it. During the years the show was on the air, they had a TVQ, popularity rating, second only to Bill Cosby. The twins continued to share the role through the shows end in 1995. During the years of Full House they teamed up with Robert Thorne and created Dualstar, their production company. After various TV movies, big screen movies and TV series shows, the twins became the youngest producers in history at age 6. They also have a magazine and clothing line. By the time they were 10, they became the youngest self-made millionaires in American history. On their 17th birthday, the USs CNN announced not only their birthday, but also the twins financial worth, which is $150,000,000 for each. They are predicted that they may be billionaires by the time their 21. Not only are they millionaires, but theyre also gorgeous. They happen to be number 61 in the 100 sexiest women alive. These fraternal twins who look like identical twins, have built their own empire over the last 18 years. These twins have done everything you can possibly imagine involving entertainment; TV shows, movies, sing-a-longs, dances, plus make up, clothes, fragrance and a magazine. Therefore, Mary-Kate and Ashley have built their own name for them. Still extremely successful and earning more and more money th...

The Challenges Faced by African-Americans in Securing Education Assignment

The Challenges Faced by African-Americans in Securing Education - Assignment Example Among the huge challenges that people faced in trying to establish education for African-Americans was widespread discrimination that came in the form of disproportionate apportioning of education funds. In the late 1890s, white politicians agitated for the division of tax money for education based on race. This move came after the white politicians thought that the white people were paying more taxes towards the education of African-American children. Very few African-Americans received any form of education prior to the establishment of educational institutions during the reconstruction. Most of the schools that existed during this period were segregated without any debate or thought (Washington 44). Most white leaders permitted this form of segregation on the belief that the arrangement would ameliorate conflicts. States in the North and South had public schools, which were highly segregated, and this was a huge challenge for the African- Americans wishing to get some form of education. Even in schools where African-America children were enrolled, the children were subjected to taunts of racial epithets. Moreover, such schools were under the mercy of the state government, which was controlled by whites. Most whites did not want education for African-Americans due to the fear that they would become a threat to their dominance and fail to be content with jobs in domestic services and fields (Washington 44). Although William Dubois and Booker T Washington were born and raised in the Northern part of the USA, which was tolerant and liberal towards African –Americans than the south, they had different ideas on how to help the African-Americans from prejudice faced under the white majority.  

Unit 4 Discussion Board Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Unit 4 Discussion Board - Essay Example For this case, they are not distributed in areas that are undesirable but those areas that are desirable. from federal government. In United States, the healthcare industry is one of the heavily regulated industries. According to Cato Institute study, they noted that there is a total cost of $340 billions on health care by the public whereas due to regulatory, there is a benefit amounting to $170 billions. The difference in the cost arises from facilities regulations, FDA regulations and medical malpractice. The technicians who have not attained a medical degree are not allowed to perform any diagnostic and treatment procedures that carry any risk thereby the cost of healthcare provision goes up. The government too has no financial incentives that can bargain with healthcare providers hence they bid up healthcare cost. (Cunningham and May, 2006) Other non financial resources provided by the federal government in the healthcare industry are facilitation of development of new drugs and pharmaceuticals. The food and drug administration too play a great role in the pharmaceutical industry. They offer a central regulatory role by overseeing production and marketing of drugs and pharmaceuticals besides setting of prices or other economical or financial role. Development in the healthcare industry in United States can also be seen to have advanced whereby there is specialization in treatment. For example there is a big difference between osteopathic and allopathic medicine. Osteopathic is seen as a treatments of involving correction of the position of joints and tissues and for their cases, they emphasizes on diet and environmental factors that can destroy natural resistance. On the other hand Allopathic medicine is whereby a physician is seen as an active intervention who attempt to treatment that produces counteracting

Business Plan of The Convenient PetStore Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7250 words

Business Plan of The Convenient PetStore - Essay Example The pet owners are now treating their pets as family members and are ensuring proper attention is given to the pets so that they remain fit and apt. In order to meet the growing demand of pet owners for preservative free products, The Convenient PetStore will offer a wide range of products to the customers who have a strong bond with their pets and will pay high prices for ensuring the safety of their pet’s health. After the survey of the entire market, it has been decided that the store will start its operations in Seattle in January 2013. The store has completed all pre-requisites so that the customers can avail the best quality products. The management team and personnel required for running the store have been hired and they are being trained so that they can offer a spectacular range of services to the customers. The store’s website is under construction so that the customers can retrieve complete details and information about the store from its site when the stor e starts its operations. The competitive edge that the store will have is providing the pet owners an easily accessible option for buying the organic foods for pets that will enhance the quality of food fed to the animals so that their health gets better in future and they can remain healthy and fit for unlimited time period.

Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Human Resource Management - Essay Example For example the mission statement of McDonalds is â€Å"To be our customers’ favourite place and way to eat†. It can be clearly seen here that McDonalds wants to be the favourite place for customers and hence it wants all its employees work in a similar fashion. A vision is different from mission in aspects of goal orientation. Vision is the basic goal of the company which it has to achieve in the future. It is something which the company can achieve if the mission statement is followed. Vision is set by the company for long term goals and it can only be achieved if all the protocols are followed by the employees. Both vision and mission are necessary for organizations as they help the employees to understand the basic role of the company in this world. It gives an overview to both the customers and the employees about the company and tell them as to what exactly are they trying to achieve through their

Reaction paper on the article by droogsma Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Reaction paper on the article by droogsma - Essay Example Their response contradicted with the unfounded perception of the Non-Muslim members. The women highlighted various significant aspects of the veil. Droogsma explains the veil to be critical in displaying one’s identity while highlighting their affiliation to the Muslim religion. However, one’s clothing may be a source of discrimination (Droogsma, 2007). The Muslim veil also served as a behavior control to Muslim women. Veiled Muslim women were less likely to behave inappropriately as opposed to their unveiled counterparts. Interviewed women admitted that the veil aided in upholding the Muslim values, such as behaving decently in the presence of members of the opposite gender (Droogsma, 2007). This aided them in earning respect from both Muslim and Non-Muslim members of the society. In my view, it is critical for the societal members to respect the Veiled Muslim members, and look into their rationale for wearing the veil. Some researchers also script biased document that tend to criminalize the veil while ignoring the opinion of the concerned Muslim women (Droogsma, 2007). Mitigation measures ought to be in place, to eliminate the discrimination of the Muslim women within the American society. However, the decision to put on the veil should be personal, and religion should compel women into putting on the

Outline and discuss the main features of fascist political thought Essay - 1

Outline and discuss the main features of fascist political thought - Essay Example Example of those who became Prince by abilities includes; Moses from the bible, Cyrus the founder of Persian Empire, Romulus the famous founder of Rome and Theseus, a hero of Athens. In this book he has a goal to pass a message on how principalities can be governed in the best way and stored (Niccolà ²,  Russell & Quentin 2005). Machiavelli goes ahead and adds that hereditary principalities are easier to keep and maintain than the newly acquired ones because the rules are already set on the ground to follow. In hereditary principalities it is easier to regain lost power by regaining the love of his subjects again. He also talks about new principalities and mixed principalities which can be administered to the existing ones to the subjects. New rulers come with new territories and if they are from the same culture, region and language, ruling becomes easy. However, if the language and customs are different the new ruler needs a lot of skills, ability and luck to govern the subjects. He gives an example of King Louis XII who went to France in 1499 and adds that the king made many mistakes during his reign. He goes ahead and gives the three ways of keeping principality that is accustomed to living under its own rules. One can destroy it, live in it or accept a form of free government that is friendly and then it gets credits from it. Destroying it may be the only sure way to end it otherwise living in it could enslave one. According to Machiavelli, men who have ambitions, imitate other men with greatness. For a man to become a prince by ability, he has to win over their dominions by setting up new and inventive methods of government. It is necessary to use force to start a new system for example, Savaronola. However, one has to be armed to succeed after use of force. An example of a Prince who rose to the top through abilities is Francesco Sforza, the Duke form Milan. Due to his abilities, he sustained power easily and he ended up

Human Resource Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Human Resource Management - Essay Example For example the mission statement of McDonalds is â€Å"To be our customers’ favourite place and way to eat†. It can be clearly seen here that McDonalds wants to be the favourite place for customers and hence it wants all its employees work in a similar fashion. A vision is different from mission in aspects of goal orientation. Vision is the basic goal of the company which it has to achieve in the future. It is something which the company can achieve if the mission statement is followed. Vision is set by the company for long term goals and it can only be achieved if all the protocols are followed by the employees. Both vision and mission are necessary for organizations as they help the employees to understand the basic role of the company in this world. It gives an overview to both the customers and the employees about the company and tell them as to what exactly are they trying to achieve through their

Outline and discuss the main features of fascist political thought Essay - 1

Outline and discuss the main features of fascist political thought - Essay Example Example of those who became Prince by abilities includes; Moses from the bible, Cyrus the founder of Persian Empire, Romulus the famous founder of Rome and Theseus, a hero of Athens. In this book he has a goal to pass a message on how principalities can be governed in the best way and stored (Niccolà ²,  Russell & Quentin 2005). Machiavelli goes ahead and adds that hereditary principalities are easier to keep and maintain than the newly acquired ones because the rules are already set on the ground to follow. In hereditary principalities it is easier to regain lost power by regaining the love of his subjects again. He also talks about new principalities and mixed principalities which can be administered to the existing ones to the subjects. New rulers come with new territories and if they are from the same culture, region and language, ruling becomes easy. However, if the language and customs are different the new ruler needs a lot of skills, ability and luck to govern the subjects. He gives an example of King Louis XII who went to France in 1499 and adds that the king made many mistakes during his reign. He goes ahead and gives the three ways of keeping principality that is accustomed to living under its own rules. One can destroy it, live in it or accept a form of free government that is friendly and then it gets credits from it. Destroying it may be the only sure way to end it otherwise living in it could enslave one. According to Machiavelli, men who have ambitions, imitate other men with greatness. For a man to become a prince by ability, he has to win over their dominions by setting up new and inventive methods of government. It is necessary to use force to start a new system for example, Savaronola. However, one has to be armed to succeed after use of force. An example of a Prince who rose to the top through abilities is Francesco Sforza, the Duke form Milan. Due to his abilities, he sustained power easily and he ended up

Nation’s Advantages of Affirmative Actions Essay Example for Free

Nation’s Advantages of Affirmative Actions Essay Consistent with the exact characterization of affirmative action, the truth is that affirmative action programs have improved the gender, ethnic, and racial diversity of many workplace, educational, etc. settings in the United States. This diversity helped enhance the lives of every American in several ways, including better health, improved learning, and more secured communities. Affirmative action benefited the higher education since social and intellectual development of both minority and non-minority students are improved in ethnically and racially diverse educational settings (American Psychological Association, 1999, p. 1). One outcome, for instance, is the increase in the numbers of students belonging to ethnic minorities who grow to be student peers of majority students. The Nation’s Health, on the other hand, also benefited from affirmative action in the sense that much can be medically learned from the racial and ethnic groups that will consequently result to the benefit of every Americans. For instance, despite the fact that ethnic minority Americans usually experience poorer physical condition than non-minorities, yet in several cases and even in the face of extreme poverty rates and other risks to health, these groups experience lesser levels health problems, particularly chronic disease, which can be the basis for several medical research (American Psychological Association, 1999, p. 1). The Need of Persistent Implementation of Affirmative Action Decades ago, an African-American mother was three times as expected to die of complications in the course of childbirth as white mother, and at present she is over three times as expected to die in the course of her childbirth (Richey, 2003). The mortality rate for blacks was twice that for whites, and at present it is a little over twice as whites (Richey, 2003). From 1978 to present, four times as many African-American families survived with incomes lower than the poverty line than white families. For black teens, the unemployment rate is thrice that of whites, and for black adults it is twice as whites. Unfortunately at present, every statistics relatively remained unchanged. In 1978, African-American corresponded to 11. 5 percent of the United States’ population, but they were only 1. 2 percent of the judges and lawyers, 2. 3 percent of the dentists, 2 percent of the physicians, 2. 6 percent of university and college professors, and 1. 1 percent of the engineers (Richey, 2003). At present, blacks correspond to roughly 12. 3 percent of the country’s population, and are 5. 1 percent of the judges and lawyers, 4. 1 percent of dentists, 5. 6 percent of physicians, 6. 1 percent of university and college professors, and 5. 5 percent of engineers (Richey, 2003). Although such statistics proved that affirmative action has helped to strengthen the black professionals’ ranks, yet African-American in general has been left behind. Notwithstanding all the discussions of the establishment of a black middle class, the position of the black community to white American has relatively remained the same. As such, affirmative action must be continually asserted to put in place mandatory and voluntary efforts by local, state, and federal governments, schools, and private employers to combat inequalities and encourage fair hiring and promotions of qualified individuals. Reverse Discrimination Stimulated by annoyed white men, a reaction against affirmative action started to accumulate. To conservatives, the system opened the door for education, promotions, or employments to minorities and at the same time, closed the door on whites. Conservatives resented the thought that a number of incompetent minorities were receiving blanket advantages on the American system (Brunner, 2007). Quotas and preferential treatment turned into contempt expressions. Even more controversial was the allegation that a number of minorities benefited from playing the part of professional victim. By the late 70s, deficiencies in the policy started to show up in the course of its excellent objectives. In 1978, reverse discrimination became a concern, exemplified by the celebrated Bakke case (Brunner, 2007). Because of a certain medical school’s separate admissions policy for minorities and reservation of 18 out of 100 places for minority students, the school had been rejecting Allan Bakke, a white male, for two years in a row and in its place had accepted less competent minority applicants. Because of unjust discrimination against a white applicant, the Supreme Court banned affirmative action programs’ rigid quota systems. However, in the same ruling, the Court sustained affirmative action’s legality per se. The dispute concerning affirmative action has as well grown more difficult and murky as the public has come to realize its complexity. Several liberals, for instance, can appreciate the prejudice of affirmative action given that white employees with seniority were laid off, whereas black workers often retained their jobs. Many conservatives, on the other hand, were pushed to get a hold of a better option to the imposition of a stringent quota system.

Does Money Equal Power In American Politics Politics Essay

Does Money Equal Power In American Politics Politics Essay This essay argues that money does equal power in American politics and that campaign reform is still required in American society as this remains an ongoing problem. In order to show the impact of money in the American campaigning system I believe this essay should begin with a statement of the recent facts and figures in relation to the cost of campaigning in America. The 2012 campaign by Obama and Romney for the presidential race resulted in spending of over $6 billion reported which  includes money spent by the campaigns of both candidates, outside groups such as PACs, and independent organizations such as businesses  [1]  . In the evaluating of money and democracy in the presidential campaigns we must also look at public spending as this was supposed to be the answer in reforming the presidential campaigning. Campaign finance is not just a problem in the presidential campaigns, In 2010 $1.5 million was the average spent by house incumbents and $11.2 million was the average spent by senate incumbents, these numbers which we will compare with those of challengers to see if there is any inequality  [2]  . These figures alone show the e ye watering large amounts of money spent today by those in politics. There are many aspects that need to be looked at to determine if money affects he democracy of America. However this is not a recent problem in America, money in elections has been a problem for many decades and finally an introduction of a Act in 1971 was supposed to put this problem to bed. The Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA) of 1971 was created to restore peoples confidence in the campaigning system as many people felt large contributors had the biggest voice in political campaigns. This required funding to be made public. The Watergate scandal revealed during President Nixons campaign proved the corruption that was within the political system even with reforms in place as those who contributed large amounts were given positions as ambassadors in Nixons re-election committees, money equalling power  [3]  . This resulted in amendments being made to the original FECA such as the creation of the Federal Election Committee (FEC) who would ensure laws such as declarations of contributions where adhered to and brought public funding into the picture to try to stop the influence of large contributors. However, even when efforts are made to make campaign finance transparent to the public, there are still those who challenge this. In 1976 in the case of Buckley v Valeo, the reforms legislated by the FECA were brought to the courts. This case argued that the provisions made in the Act were unconstitutional. Here it was argued that money in politics was not corruption but instead it was a form of speech, therefore was protected by the first amendment of the Constitution of America and was a right of all Americans. It was decided that monetary contributions were an expression of ones support for a candidate which was a democratic right  [4]  . This association of money equals speech has been the hindrance of any reform after that and still poses problems in reform. Justice John Paul Stevens in 2000 presented a forceful opinion that money is property and not speech, surely money couldnt equal speech when money is not evenly distributed, this would prove that those with the biggest wallet had the biggest voices. The need for further reform after an extremely large redirecting of contributions in the form of sof t money led to further reform of the campaign system in the 2002 Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA)  [5]  which targeted the booming problem of soft money during campaigns. This problem was as a result of the allowance of the FECA of organisations giving money indirectly to candidates; this money was not recorded by the FEC and had an unlimited budget. This was abolished by BCRA to further attempt to bring fairness to all candidates and to try, once again, ensure money did not equal power in America. Campaign reform in America tries to take the impact of money away from the impact of politics. But interest groups and the subsequent PACs have still left a question mark on the influence of money on the campaigns. Louise Overacker in 1932 expressed her concerns that financing of elections in a democracy is a major problem and raised the question of if democracies do not inevitably become government ruled by small groups  [6]  . This brings us into the discussion of interest groups and PACS and their impact on American Democracy. PACs are organisations created through the FECA to allow these organisations to raise and distribute money to campaigns, allowing more money to be directed at candidates. Many interest groups and large organisations create PACs  [7]  . Interest groups are known to have aims in politics in America, firstly to elect friends and defeat enemies and secondly to increase the number of people in political positions that share their views. Business interest groups on the other hand will more than likely use the friendly incumbent rule of backing the incumbent that is certain to be re elected and generally shares their views rather than a challenger who may be more supp ortive of their interests but is not guaranteed to succeed in their campaign  [8]  . Why is this? Why not support the candidate who is more supportive of your cause and stand by them? This raises the suspicion of interest groups being more concerned with gaining the access of those in power. If interest groups are raising large quantities of funding for these candidates surely they are receiving something in return, otherwise why continue to pump money into a wasted cause?  [9]  It is known that many people involved PACs are those that are well educated and part of the upper class society which raises the question of is there an unbalance in the representation of society in America? As political scientist E.E Schattschneider said the flaw in the pluralist heaven is that the heavenly chorus sings with a strong upper-class accent  [10]  . If so this puts further questions on the American branding of democracy. However those who are against this view that interest groups and individual contributions thwart democracy argue that it does the opposite. They, on the other hand, argue that interest groups are a direct result of a democratic state. They argue that interest groups and PACs increase peoples awareness and interest in politics and therefore improve democracy in expanding peoples knowledge in political matters, an aspect recognised by James Madison  [11]  . Therefore in theory this activity contributes to democracy in America. But interest groups and PACs as discussed above look after and promote their own interests, they can do this by emphasising the negatives of another candidate through negative campaigning  [12]  or issue advocacy or by promoting the positive aspects of the candidate they are supporting. Therefore are they really serving the needs of the country or the needs of themselves? I feel they are only looking after their own interests to try to increase those in s upport of the candidate that will best serve them in the event that they win their election. Interest groups and PACs are unlikely to use their funding to compare the candidates in a fair and democratic way in the aim of giving the public a fair and even view of each candidate. Their aim of promoting their interests will lead to thwarted pictures of candidates. The fact is that organisations that make contributions, especially those with significant financial resources, want to ensure they make a Return on Investment, thats what these contributions are from many PACs and interest groups, they are investments not donations. As said on Capitol Hill my vote is not for sale but is available for rent.  [13]   Public funding was created by the FECA to try to take the issue of money out of campaigns and to prevent corruption of wealthy individuals in politics. However those who took public funding had to abide by a budget given to them. The option of partial funding in presidential primaries was rejected by many as they began to use the system to benefit themselves. In 2000 George Bush decided to reject partial funding in the primaries  [14]  . This was with the aim of using this time of to raise as much money as he could so that he could easily out race the other opponents in his raising of funds; therefore he was able to create more awareness of his campaign in the primaries over the opponents who were under strict instruction to stick to their public budgets. Bush easily received the nomination he needed but then used public funding in the general election as he has the awareness of his campaign already generated. This shows that even the candidates themselves are thwarting the syste m to improve their own campaigns without regard for other candidates chances of receiving recognition or a fair campaign. The ease of which Bush succeed proved that the money he received equalled power in his race for nomination despite the public funding being in place. More worryingly this year neither Obama nor Romney accepted public funding. Why? Because more money can be gathered from independent sources. A frightening thought considering how much they raised. Is the ideology of a public funding system becoming extinct?  [15]  if so it is direct proof that money equals power. Why is public funding being abandoned by candidates for the White House? Mainly it is due to the growth of Super PACs and dark money  [16]  . Super PACs seem to be replacing the previous spurt of 527 committees who raised money to influence the outcome of elections by raising unlimited amounts of money. Once this money was not used in conjunction with the candidates campaign and did not openly call for the defeat or election of a particular candidate it was completely legal. However now Super PACs can collect money from both individuals and corporations, they also cannot give money directly to the candidate but can use the money raised independently to help ensure the election of there preferred candidate. In the 2012 election the estimated money raised from outside groups was $970 million, this increase is being linked to the increase in Super PACs. $123 million is the estimated amount spent by dark money.  [17]  Dark money was a phrase adopted by the Mother Jones Magazine  [18]  which referred to the secret donations given to candidates by individuals and organisations. These donations occur in all political campaigns but seem to be most a part of the republican party fundraising. If people or businesses are able to donate large quantities of money to candidates without them being made public we again have to ask how this affects democracy in America. Money donated to campaigns that are not made public means that we are unable to see if there is a correlation between the money those secret donors have given and the decisions of the lawmakers. However the question on money in politics applies to all elections including those in the house and senate between incumbents and challengers. As mentioned in the introduction the power difference between incumbents and challengers in the house and senate where public funding isnt in place is extremely large. This difference boils down to money. Incumbents have the benefit of being well known and established and therefore do not need to spend vast amounts on creating public awareness. They also have loyal contributors already established to their campaign. Challengers on the other hand struggle to raise the money needed to create awareness of their campaign. Often the incumbents merely raise large quantities of money to discourage competition from new challengers. Is it a democracy where people are not made aware of new challengers due to the large spending of incumbents? When new challengers do not even get a chance due to the impact on money? It is known that people vote for those they recognise and reject those they have a lack of information on. Between 1984-2004 57% of challengers spent less than $100,000 on their camp aigns and all of them lost  [19]  . Money equals power. I have discussed many things within the American campaign system that make me question the branding of America as a Democracy due to the corruption caused by money. But does money actually get those who contribute a foot in the door? Political scientist say that the contributions of PACs does not have a major impact on legislators decisions, this is because although there is a direct correlation between donations and votes, there is no proven relationship between donations and lawmakers decisions  [20]  . However this will always be hard to prove as you cannot match contributions on a quid pro quo basis. It may have been found that money doesnt buy votes in congress but it is proven that contributors do get the loyalty of those in congress. It is known that contributions do achieve access  [21]  such as meetings with the candidates they have supported. Since most organisations will support those who are already in support of their views the do not need to persuade the candida te on their interests, therefore many of the PACs interests may be try to be mobilised through congressional committees. An example of money buying access can be seen in the Bush administration. Bush rewarded those who donated money to his Pioneer bundling system, most of whom were wealthy energy company official, business executives and lobbyists, with individual meeting and receptions, later Bush appointed 19 of the members as ambassadors worldwide  [22]  Would the lack of large donations have the same impact? We also saw that in the reign of Nixon those who donated large amounts became part of his re election committees, would this have been the case without the large donations? And would the contributors continue to donate without anything in return? It is unlikely. The New York Times gave the statistics that since Obamas election in 2008 to now, those who donated $30,000 or less, about 20% of these visited the White House, were those who donated over $100,000 where about 75 % more likely to visit the President.  [23]  Statistics that dont prove anything other than money equals power and access. Although reform was again attempted again through BCRA in 2002, there still seems to be problems within the campaign finance system. There are many suggested ways in which reform can be achieved. One is the idea of imposing ceilings on the amount spent in campaigns, but this may affect the competitive aspect of the campaigns. This also wouldnt help the challengers who already struggle to make themselves known to voters, therefore the well known incumbents would benefit leading to further questions of money impacting democracy. Another possible solution is to ban PACs and stopping large donations and let candidates rely on small donations to fund their campaigns but this is unlikely to raise enough funds.  [24]  The idea of public funding seemed to be the perfect solution as it took the importance of large donators out of the picture and put limits in place by candidates. If this was put in place for all elections in the house, congress as well as the presidential elections, this would reduce the amount spent on elections. However, the budgets of these public funds need to be increased to encourage candidates to be a part of this system. It may also attract candidates who dont want to waste too much time in their campaign raising money if the budget is right  [25]  . The problem with this is that this idea has been branded welfare for politicians an idea disliked by the American society.  [26]  The judgment by the courts that money equals speech also needs to be revisited. With this opinion being circulated it is only benefitting those with money. In order to pursue interests through politics, money and access is needed, but these are things not equally distributed, this makes you wonder how is this a democracy if it is allowing the people with these abilities to use them to push their ideas?  [27]   In conclusion, the problem is that many of the ideas for reform have as many positives as negatives, there seems to be no direct way to solve the problem of corruption within the political system and to prevent money from equalling power. In the last reform there was a corset affect that what was squeezed in one place merely popped out in another  [28]  in the increasing of 527 committees and the creation of Super PACs. It is viewed that this will be the case in any reform as John McCainn stated I promise you that in 20 or 30 years from nowà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦a group of others will be standing here saying weve got to clean up the system again, because therell be smart people that figure out loopholes in the system. I doubt he foresaw the speed at which these loopholes would be found. The fact of the matter is that money will always be the fuelling of politics in America and therefore until some way is found to take money out of politics money will equal power. As this essay title say s America has the best democracy money can buy. Bibiography Book sources: Jon R Bond and Kevin B Smith, The promise and performance of American Democracy. Thomson/Wadsworth 2009 Lowi, Shepsle, Ginsberg. American Government power and purpose. 7th ed. New York:Norton 2002 Tonnahill, Neal R, American government: policy and politics, 11th ed, Pearson study edition 2012 Robert Singh, American government and politics: A concise introduction. Sage 2003. McKay, Haughton and Wroe. Controversies in American Politics and Society. Oxford UK, Malden,Mass:Blackwell 2002 Robert Singh, Governing America: The politics of a divided democracy. Oxford University Press 2003. Samuel Kernell and Gary C Jacobson. The logic of American politics. Cq Press 2006, 3rd edition Bardes, Shmidt and Shelley, American government and politics today. 2004-2005 ed, London: Wasworth 2003 Internet sources: The Atlantic Wire last accessed on 19/12/12 The New York Times: last accessed 20/12/2012 The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/15/us/politics/white-house-doors-open-for-big-donors.html?pagewanted=all last accessed 20/12/12