Monday, June 3, 2019

Factors in Planning Health Interventions

Factors in Planning Health InterventionsIdentify, assess and discuss both direct and indirect fixs on health the following determinants have with regards to planning, implementation, and the evaluation of health interventions.Determinant factorsDemographic distribution of populationsPolitical ratesReligious beliefs humane setEthnicityTraditionsNumerous aspects unite collectedly in order to influence the welf atomic number 18 of a person and the society. There are factors that cosiderably affect the individuals by the conditions and the environment whether the individuals are healthy or not. These factors are the environment that we live in, our status in purport, literacy, and our associations to the people that sorrounds us ( public Health Organization WHO, 2014).Determinants Factorsa. Demographic distribution of populationsDistribution of population is the number of people living in maven place. human ecology is focused on the analysis of the population size and structure, specifically in connection to its determinants, fertility, mortality and immigration. Demography has a lot of major issues in its stand corresponding global population growth, the challenges of population and the answer of different issues faced by the environment. This could also be rooted in their knowledge about the effect of their actions. nigh places arent learned enough on the consequences they need to face in doing something. If the population size is big, lesser focus on individually family lead be given and any help wouldnt be lend to them, which might result to poverty and hunger that will soon become an illness. The major reason for population changes, whether in an individual country or for the whole world, is the change in birth and death rates. Thebirth rateis the number of live babies born in a year for every 1000 people in the total population.Death ratesare number of people dying per 1000 people. When birth rates are high than death rates the population of an area will increase (InternetGeogrphy, 2014).b. Political valuePolitical values are one of the determinants of health. Somehow, it female genitals affect ones health through their perspective. How they perceive the policy-making values that are instilled to them could be one factor. It depends on the mind setting of the person, if they commit so much on the politics promises to create their lives (Levine, 2012). If they think the government can support their needs, which, in reality, is very rare, then their health might be at risk. 1 must understand the politics issue and how it runs in their country. And this belief may result to poverty/hunger, which later will cause illness to the people. Stress may be considered as one of the indirect tint of political values, stress is considered as one of the major causes of different illness recognized and some political values that are not met and was discouraged may lead into giving stress to people.c. Religious beliefsReligious b elief doesnt have that direct impact on their health but indirectly with the belief they stand in for their religion, it may become a determinant of their health. With appreciate to each all religions, each of it has their own belief and perspective in all aspects. Having a religious belief may have both positive and negatives impacts on health and morbidity. Some religion might consider one thing a bad habit while the other doesnt even mind it. There are few who have cited several possible reasons basically busheld with lesser stress levels in a religious community. It has been found that going to church increases life expectancy (Hummer, Roger, Ellison, 1999) with a life expectancy at 20-83 years for often-regular attendees and 75 years for non-attendees. The result however does not necessarily mean that you can rely your life expectancy by the number of visits you have on churches thus it will help you with your health issue with consideration on the belief they stand. tribe having strong faith were found to have lesser suicidal characters than those atheists. Another factor for this is the food that each religion is allowed to eat. There are foods that is not allowed in some religion which lead them into a healthier living and other religions which has no restrictions that leads to neglecting the right food to eat and eventually may cause illness.d. Human valuesHuman values just like political values have an impact in peoples health. It is more of their disposition towards themselves. How they value and believe in something that might happen in them. This is more on their self-concept and the importance they give in themselves. Human values also consider factors like eating the right food for a long unrelenting living and eating or practicing whatever they have been used to without even considering their health. Also it can be rooted on what they have been used to since then, this will be the result of their health. There are different kinds of people who does not believe in taking a lot of care of them and might as well believe in destiny, which refutes the belief of having good health for a long lasting life, this may be considered as the indirect impact of human values.e. EthnicityEthnicity is one of the influential socio cultural factor that affects nutritional and health status. It has a vital representative in determining culinary practices. The idea of ethnicity is the persons culturally used practices that comes from its pith place which means, what has been practiced since they were born. Discoveries say that acculturation tends to show germane(predicate) differences in persons health and dietary practices once they become acculturated to their culture (Wikipedia, 2014). This has something to do with how they deal with others who are within their ethnic group. It is what the people in the place they live in that has an effect of what they practice. This is one of the determinants of the health of people, their ethnici ty that brings them to what are practicing until now because they have been used to. The state of their health might have something to relate with in their bloodline.f. TraditionsTradition refers to ones belief that is being passed by their elders. It is their practices that has significance in the past and is still acknowledged until now. This has a great impact on ones health. It is more on what practices or intake they have been used to since they were young and relatively, it may have an effect on their health later on. It is the summation of their cultural experiences is what somehow defines their health. With the continuous practices of these, surely it will have an impact on ones health. This is with regard to their values of their elders, how they respect their culture. Indirectly, it has in impact on their health in a way that it defines their health in the present time.ReferenceWorld Health Organization WHO. (2014). The determinants of health. Retrieved November 25, 2014, from World Health Organization WHO http//www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/InternetGeogrphy. (2014). Population Distribution . Retrieved November 2014, 2014, from InternetGeogrphy http//www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/popn1.htmlLevine, S. (2012, July 13). Story Political values Te ara. Retrieved November 26, 2014, from New Zealand politics and political values http//www.teara.govt.nz/en/political-values/page-1Hummer, R. A., Roger, R. G., Ellison, C. G. (1999). Religious involvement and U.S. adult mortality. Retrieved November 25, 2014, from PubMed http//www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10332617Wikipedia. (2014, May). Ethnicity and health. Retrieved November 26, 2014, from Wikipedia the free Encyclopedia http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnicity_and_health

Sunday, June 2, 2019

Scene Analysis Of America Beauty Film Studies Essay

Scene Analysis Of America kayo Film Studies EssayAmerican Beauty is a film written by Alan Ball and directed by Sam Mendes in the year 2000. The film is about Lester Burnham , who is searching for happiness. Lester Burnham is an ordinary- smell man in his forties. Lester is in a loveless marriage because his wife, Carolyn Burnham, who thinks that success is the most important thing in life, neglects him due to her obsession to her real estate c atomic number 18er. In the film, Lester frequently mentions that Carolyn doesnt acknowledge him. Lesters daughter, Jane Burnham, is emotionally distant from her father, and often claims how pathetic she thinks Lester is. In the beginning of the film, Lester was told that he was in danger of losing his job. All these factors dramatically culminate into flavours of despe dimensionn and exposure for him. This begins to change as Lester is introduced to his daughters friend, Angela Hayes. Lester overhears a conversation between Jane and Angela , where Angela states that she would have sex with him if he would start working-out and building up his body. The thought of having a teenage lady friend finding Lester hot, excites Lester thus beginning Lesters change throughout the movie (American Beauty, motion picture, 2000).I will be analysing two scenes of this film which I found to be the most significant in terms of how it helped me shape my interpretation of and emotional response to the film. Both scenes involve major turn of events in the film regarding Lester Burnham and I found that the cinematographic qualities of the scenes played a major part in contributing to the movies overall meaning. According to Richard Barsam, cinematography is the process of capturing moving images on film or some other medium (Barsam 2007, p.140). Barsam states that, Although cinematography might seem to exist solely to please our eyes with beautiful images, it is in fact an intricate terminology that can contribute to a movies overall mea ning as much as the story, mise-en-scene, and acting do (Barsam 2007, p.140). This means that the use of the different aspects of cinematography such(prenominal) as sportinging, framing, tv photographic photographic camera angles can help contribute to interpreting the meaning of the film itself.The two cinematographic elements which are mainly utilize in the scenes include constitution and camera causal agency. Barsam states that the composition element refers to the arrangement of visual elements within a scene (Barsam 2007, p.161). There can be numerous visual elements within a shot. Some of the elements include open-eyeding, shot compositions (long-shot, medium-shot, close-up), and dynamic compositions. Barsam legs out that a key component of composition is lighting. The lighting shapes the way the movie looks and helps tell the story (Barsam 2007, p.148). Among its properties are its source, quality, direction and style. Barsam states that the different properties of l ighting work together with other elements to determine the overall mood and meaning of a scene (Barsam 2007, p.154).According to Barsam, the second cinematographic element, camera movement, can change the way we see the images because all movement of the camera modifies the different elements of framing. These elements include camera angle, level, height, types of shots and scale (Barsam 2007, p.176). The moving camera opens up cinematic space, and thus filmmakers use it to achieve many effects. Barsam points out that the moving camera leads the viewers eye, or focuses the viewers attention and, by moving into the scene, helps create the john of depth in the flat screen image. (Barsam 2007, p.176)The first scene I will be analysing is the scene where Lester first spots Angela. In this scene, Lester and Carolyn decided to can Jane at her school where she was performing a dance at half-time. This scene is significant because it shows how Lester begins to rebel against who he is, as a result of Angelas innerity. The scene begins with Lester and Carolyn arriving at the basketball game castigate before Janes performance. Then as the performance begins, almost immediately into the dance routine, Angela is given an upward position in the contour elevated with dynamic composition. It is dynamic composition because there is movement within the fixed frame (Barsam 2007, p.161). By giving Angela an upward position within the frame, it suggests that Lester is winning notice of her. And as the scene continues, Angela has gotten Lesters full attention. Angela is shown moving towards the camera in another dynamic composition shot complemented by the camera zooming in on her. This enhances Angelas presence and this also gave me an idea as to the degree of attention Lester is giving Angela due to her sexuality.The scene continues with a static composition shot of Lester. According to Barsam, a static composition shot is where there is no movement within the frame, unlik e a dynamic composition where there is movement (Barsam 2007, p.161). The camera and then begins to zoom in on Lester. As the camera zooms in, the crowd is eliminated and only Lester is shown in the frame. Furthermore, Lesters eyes appears to be bigger than they actually are because of the way the camera is focusing on them. This makes Lester look as though he is drooling over something he desires. At this point, the camera performs a point of view shot showing what Lesters eyes are fixated on, and that is Angela. This again displays the degree of enchantment that Angela has placed over Lester. In Lesters mind, only Angela and himself exists at that moment, and everyone else is filtered out as they are not of any importance to Lester.The scene then concludes with a shot-reverse-shot of Angela and Lester. A shot-reverse-shot is where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. Sin ce the characters are shown facing in opposite directions, the viewer assumes that they are looking at each other (Yale Film Studies course of instruction 2002). This al imprinted me to see that in Lesters fantasy, Angela is dancing erotically just for him, giving each other the same amount of attention. Because of the fact the Lester is desiring a girl that is his daughters age, it should be remark that Angela and Lester are never shown in the same frame in the scene as this suggests that there is some barrier in between them.Another skilful element which I found that added to the effectiveness of the scene, was the lighting. In the point of view shot from Lesters perspective that showed that he was fixated on Angela, Angela was shown by herself in the frame. And as mentioned above, this is to point out that Lester only has his attention on Angela. The lighting use complemented the shot as the lighting helped to focus my attention on Lesters enlarged eyes and this showed me that he was being enchanted by what he was seeing.Another way the lighting was used in the scene was when Angela was shown alone in the frame and the background in the shot became a lot darker. At the same time, a bright light shined on Angela from above. The lighting in this shot is high contrast and wiped out(p) key. It is high contrast because the difference between the light and shadower is clear. Barsam states that low key lighting is when little or no fill light is used, the ratio between bright illumination and deep shadow is very high (Barsam 2007, p.152). This is shown in the shot because Angelas shadow can be seen behind her and shadows can be seen on the rest of Lesters face, excluding his eyes.I found that lighting contributed quite a lot in this scene. Firstly, I felt that the light shining solely on Angela portrays Angela as the object of Lesters attention. Barsam states that lighting thrown down on a character from above can be used for many different effects, (ie vulne rability) (Barsam 2007, p.153). In the case of this scene, the light may be portraying the innocence and purity of Angela as she was a virgin throughout the entire film and as light can sometimes be affiliated with respectable and darkness with bad. The darkness in the background may represent her fake personality where she lies about her sexual experience to the people around her. The darkness surrounding Lester during the close up shots of him may be representing the sexual thoughts he fantasizes about in the scene. And thus the darkness surrounds him throughout the shots of him paying full attention to Angela.The second scene I will be analysing, is the scene towards the end of the film when Lesters fantasies and dreams are about to render reality. This scene is significant because it shows the second turn of events which transforms Lester again, but this time back to the mature person he once was, and also making him realize what it very meant to make him happy. This scene al so makes use of composition and camera movement.The scene begins with Lester moving close towards Angela who is lying on the couch. The camera pans right while pursuance Lester. I found this to build up suspense to what would happen next. And as the camera moves to the right, it moves back down. This is a dynamic shot with downward movement. Dynamic because of the movement within the frame and downward movement because the camera moves in a downward movement. According to Barsam, this downward movement implies a negative action (Barsam 2007, p.177). In this case, the negative action is Lesters sexual tendencies towards Angela who is a teenager. Barsam also mentions that the downward movement implies the loss of something (Barsam 2007, p.177). In this case, the loss is of Angelas virginity.The next shot is of Angela appearing at a 45 degree angle in the frame. This is known as a Dutch-angle shot. According to Barsam, a Dutch-angle shot is when the camera is tilted from its normal ho rizontal and perpendicular position so that it is no longer straight, giving the viewer the impression that the world in the frame is out of balance (Barsam 2007, p.174). The Dutch-angle accentuates the unnatural nature of the actions in the frame. In this case, it is of the unnatural reaction of Angela, who is about to have a sexual experience for the first time. As the scene continues, the camera pans from left to right and right to left following Lesters hands as they go up and down Angelas body. I found that this intensified the erotic feeling of the scene.In the next shot, the camera moves to a dynamic crane shot, showing Lesters hands unbuttoning Angelas shirt. According to Barsam, a crane shot is a shot made from a camera attach onto an elevating arm that, in turn, is mounted on a vehicle capable of moving by its own power resulting in it being more fictile due to the freedom of horizontal and vertical movement. The shot is then followed by a shot-reverse shot of Angela an d Lester looking at one another. In the scene, Angela was given the low angle shot, looking up at Lester. Barsam states that a low-angle shot is made with the camera below the action and typically places the observer in the position of feeling helpless in the presence of a superior force (Barsam 2007, 171). In other words, a low-angle shot emphasizes anxiety, fear and vulnerability. The fact that Angela is looking up at Lester also implies that Lester is in control. However, I noticed during the crane shots, Angelas position in the frame is always higher than Lesters. In a way, this implies that she is pure and innocent because good elements are usually given a higher position over bad elements (eg Heaven up, Hell down).In the next shot, Angela reveals to Lester that she is a virgin. At this point, the shot goes back to Lester, who is in a Dutch-angle shot smiles and asks if Angela was kidding. The reason for the Dutch-angle shot is because Lester has realized what he was doing was unnatural. After this shot, is the second major turning point in Lesters transformation, where he finally realizes after all this while, that being lustful for a teenager wasnt what it meant to be happy.The lighting technique used in this scene seemed to portray the light and darkness symbolic meaning that was mentioned above. Throughout the entire scene, there was always a light shining down on Angela but Lester was always unploughed in darkness. And with composition of Angelas white shirt and the soft light shining on it emphasizing the white colour of the shirt, the light represents purity and innocence because Angela is a virgin. Whereas, the darkness that surrounds Lester, and the minimal lighting shining on his hands as he moves his hands up and down Angelas body represents the impurity of his actions. The lighting used throughout this scene was low contrast and low key. Low contrast because the lighting used was dim and rather gray.In the final shots of the scene, the lighti ng used were low contrast and low key as well because that implies a sense of mystery. As a viewer, although Lester had come to realize what it meant to achieve happiness, there was something which unbroken me wondering what would happen. And true enough, the film ended with Lester getting killed.Throughout the film, there were many more cinematographic elements used which emphasized the personalities and characteristics of each character such as high-angle shots, the use of short-focal-length lenses and Long takes. However, because I interpreted the movie as Lesters transformations through being reborn, I found that the cinematographic qualities used in the two scenes I analysed to be the most significant in my interpretation of and emotional response to American Beauty.

Analysis of taobaos business strategies

Analysis of taobaos business strategiesTaobao is the most famous online shopping website in China. It was launched in 2003 and within two years it became the leader of Chinas online shopping trade. In rescript to keep the leadership position in more and more intense competition and sustain its expandment, Taobao needs to modify and better its strategies for future development. Furthermore, its grocerying strategies can to a fault provide a good example for another(prenominal) online shopping companies. This essay is going to make an overall analysis on Taobaos business strategies by attire. rudimentary words Taobao marketing strategies trick up analysisTaobao operates a website, Taobao.com which is the largest Internet retail website in China. check to its website the transaction volume on Taobao (gross merchandise volume or GMV) exceeded RMB200 billion (US$29 billion) in 2009. Taobao launched in 2003, is owned by Alibaba Group, which is a family of Internet-based businesse s. (Taobao, n.d.) Taobao provides non only online platforms but also ternion-party online payment services (Alipay) and instant messaging services (Aliwangwang)Platforms within Taobao include Alimama (alimama.com), an online advertising exchange and affiliate network for publishers in China. In addition, there is also a classified listing website Koubei.com. (ibid.)SWOT analysis, according to Philip Kolter, is an overall evaluation of a companys strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. (Kolter, 2003)As the competition in the online shopping market is becoming increasingly fierce, Taobao faces approximately problems as well. The purpose of this SWOT analysis is to provide a critical review of key factors that may slow down Taobaos future development.2. Strengths2.1 Leading position in Chinas online shopping marketTaobao is an acknowledged leader in both B2C (business to consumer) and C2C (consumer to consumer) online shopping market in China. Taobao has (should be had) m ore than 190 million registered users by (could use at) the end of April, 2010. (Taobao, n.d.) It has reinforced a brawny brand and is recognised by more Netizen (which is defined as the Chinese population who have accessed the Internet in the past 6 months by China Internet Network Information Centre) (CNNIC. 2008, January fifteenth). The company is well-thought-of by customers which gives Taobao more advantages in competition.2.2 Effective combination of diversified offeringsTaobao combines its three portion businesses effectively to enlarge its customer base. Take Alipay as an example, it is a third-party online payment platform, provides a simpler, efficient and safe payment service for both customers and sellers. This service not only ensure (should be ensures) the transaction security but also reduces the transaction risk for online consumers, as it enables buyers to confirm the quality of goods before releasing money to sellers. For example, if goods atomic number 18 foun d (to be) broken or fake, customers can request Alipay to postpone the release of funds to sellers. (Taobao, n.d.) This service help (should be helps) Taobao (to) pull out more customers.In addition, an instant message (could use messaging) service called Aliwangwang make (should be makes) the communication between (the) buyer and seller easier. Moreover, this service enables (the) buyer and seller (to) have a directly private bargain during the transactions, which is the preference of Chinese customers.2.3 Precise market situationTaobao analyzed Chinas online shopping market at the beginning of its business. Different from other online shopping websites which prefer older white-collar worker(s) with higher salaries or people who like collecting and sharing, Taobao chose fashionable younger females as the target customer. This market positioning proved more suitable for Chinas market compared to other websites (apostrophe not needed) . This is one of the reasons that the growth ra te of Taobao is much higher than other competitors.3. Weaknesses3.1 Limiting itself to local anaesthetic marketThe design of Taobao website and other supporting services were based on Chinas local market. This localisation outline made Taobao grew (should be grow) fast at the beginning. However, with the development of the website, this strategy limits Taobao to the Chinese market and (, therefore resulting in a) lack of presence in (the) global market.3.2 Insufficient screen process to control counterfeit productsAlthough Taobao has taken some measures to control the sale of fake goods, such as rating the sellers by credit value, the result was not as expected. Because of the free strategy that Taobao used, individuals can piss an online shop easily without charge and requirement. This makes it even hard to monitor and select sellers that commit fraud. Lack of effective screening processes to control the sale of counterfeit products has had a negative influence on customers conf idence in Taobao. It could also affect Taobaos brand image and sales.4. Opportunities4.1 Growing demand for online shopping in ChinaAccording to CNNIC, the number of online buyers reached 87.9 million by June 2009, increasing from 74 million in 2008 and 46 million in 2007. The online shopping penetration rate achieved 24.8% by June 2009. (CNNIC. 2010, January 15th 2010, July 15th) As the data above shows, more people in China prefer to buy products online. Convenience and various choices could be two main reasons. This increasingly growing demand for online shopping contributed to the growth of Taobao.4.2 Government supportAfter the global financial crisis, (the) Chinese government provided a RMB 4 trillion stimulant drug package in order to boost the domestic economic growth through 2010. (the) IT industry received around 0.5% to 1% of the cash injection. (Xinhua, 2008). This gave online shopping companies strong support for future developments.4.3 Safer payment systems for online transactionsThe improved online payment systems play an important role in the growth of Chinese online shopping markets. There are more flexible payment systems for customers to choose. For example, a third-party online payment system ensures the security of transaction(s) and enables customers to get their refunds easily. A simpler and safer payment for online transaction(s) attracts (should be attract) more customers.5. Threats5.1 Low entry obstacle leads to fierce competitionBecause of the low entry barrier and fast growing market, Taobao meets many challenges, particularly in the face of increased competition from new market entrants. In addition, without many technical difficulties, it is easy for other competitors to copy Taobaos business pattern. Therefore, Taobao will be forced to increase investments on advertising or technological innovation.5.2 Strict policy for third parties payment licenseRecently, Peoples Bank of China issued an Administrative Measures for the Paym ent Services Provided by Non-financial Institutions which has raised the entry standard for third payment party. In order to get (could use obtain) and keep the license, Taobao has to increase its expenditure on online payment.5.3 Higher logistics costsTaobao will give customers suggestions about the logistic companies which are mostly local third party logistics providers and customers usually take the suggestions because of the lower delivery prices these companies offered, compared to other international express companies, such as DHL and UPS. However, local third party logistics recently announced that they would raise the price. As most online customers are highly prices sensitive, this will have a negative effect on Taobaos sale.6 ConclusionsAccording to the SWOT analysis, although there are some drawbacks which have negative effects on Taobaos future development, the advantages still outweigh the disadvantages. In addition, there are many opportunities for Taobaos further gro wth. This conclusion will give some suggestions for Taobaos future business expansion.First of all, in order to keep the leadership position, technological innovation is crucial for Taobao. Taobao may focus on continuous improvement of its online payment system, which is also one of its strengths, particularly in the aspect of transactions (should be transactions, without apostrophe) reliability and security. Moreover, website functions, Internet stability and high-speed access to websites are also important in providing a better user experience, which may help to attract more customers.Secondly, as Taobao has the advantage of large scale consumers and sellers, Taobao may segment its market to provide more specialized services based on divers(prenominal) demands so that it can meet customers requirements more effectively.To sum up, it is undeniable that the future of (the) online shopping market in China is promising. Based on the statistics by CNNIC, It is in a steadily (should be steady) development stage. In this attractive online shopping market, more complete logistics providers and payment systems will appear. These will provide Taobao more opportunities to develop in the future.

US Role in Middle East Democracy

US Role in nerve center eastern hemisphere DemocracyDemocracy is described as a system of brass whereby the power is vested in the people by electing representatives who rule them. It is also described as a g everyplacenment of the people by the people. Democracy was started in the antediluvian patriarch Greece and in England after the Magna Carta treaty of 1215. Greece citizens were allowed to speak and vote in the assembly. The Magna Carta treaty, on the hand, delegated some of the kings powers to the people. The American Revolution is also credited with devising a land check up on in legal age rule by the creation of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. Democratic principles require the equal discourse of all people and running an institution in a manner that is deemed impartial and fair. Other principles of body politic include respect to the rule of law and trade protection of the rights of the minorities (Diamond, Plattner, Brumberg). Democrac ies dedicate been for and granted as a result of contends, revolutions, and economic circumstances. Today the shopping mall atomic number 99 and in the greater Arab countrys republic has been plagued by conflicts and authoritarian regimes recitation total control over the people. In the early 1990s the United States began emphasizing on the development of civil societies in the oculus East through parliamentary aid pacts. By the 2009 fiscal year, the US annual assistance in the region surpassed the total amount of democratic aid pacts spent amongst 1991 and 2001. Though the pacts were categorized as democratic aids, it was not necessarily meant to promote the Middle East democracy or else than stableness. Most of the Ngos who accredited US assistance avoided doing both act that could be construed as supporting a regime change (Diamond, Plattner, Brumberg). The US is more concerned about maintaining stableness rather than the tenets of democracy. Democracy entails the alter land of power from the state to the people. Americas fragility in the Middle East is base on maintaining the locating quo and endorsing sheer stability, rather than upholding the ideals and principles of democracy.Tamara Wittes on Americas role in building Arab democracyIn the recent years, the promotion of democracy has been a pillar of the US foreign policy not only in the Middle East, only across the globe. However, the true tenets and principles of democracy have always been evaded and questionable in the US foreign policy in the US. The US has supported authoritarian regimes and dictators to train stability and US interest and in return turned a blind eye to regimes usurping of democracy. The US supported Saddam Hussein in Iran-Iraq fight but later turned against him when he was perceived as weak after encroaching(a) Kuwait, a longtime US ally in the Middle East. The Middle East is known to harbor over 60 percent of the servicemans global embrocate militia, and t hus the US is more inclined to maintain stability in the region by overlooking implementation of democracy by the regnant regimes (Wittes,2008). Democracy is an evolutionary aspect rather than ultra. After the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, the country held its first general election in 2005 to mark a transition from an authoritarian regime to democracy. However, to date, America still maintains a military presence in Iraq not to further the course of democracy but to maintain stability and security crucial to US foreign policy interests.Schools of thought in the US foreign policy international relations in the Middle East believe the country pursues stability at the expense of democracy in the region. When the Bush administration failed to prove Saddams weapons of large number destruction after 9/11, the administration used the notion of democracy to invade Iraq to stamp out Al-Qaeda. The use of democracy as an affront to war was based on the notion that, the overthrow of Saddams rule would bring a democratic domino effect across the entire Middle East region. The invasion of Iraq was not entirely based on ensuring democracy, but a US policy of maintaining security and stability in the region. The then, US escritoire of State, Condoleezza Rice on her nomination hearing before the Senates Foreign Relations Committee in January 2005, announced that one of the administrations diplomacy priorities is to strengthen the community democracies to fight and alleviate common security threats and ensure stability (Wittes,2008).The US soft democracy promotion in the Middle East can be explained in two ways. The US fears it may bring about unfavorable results that may not be in tandem with majuscules interests. This can be attributed to the election of Islamic factions in Lebanon, promised land and Iraq who oppose Americas liberal democracy in the region. In Palestinian, the US pushed for elections in return for a guaranteed US support for a future Palestinian state. The elections culminated in the election of Hamas, an Islamic group classified as a terrorist organization by the US and EU. Hamas refused to recognize Israels right to exist, and it later led to the refusal of the UN, EU, US and Russia to recognize Hamas as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. (Wittes,2008). Witte also articulates that, the US fears a conflict of interest situation with its allies which may hinder co-operation on strategic issues in the region. For example, to openly demand for the promotion of democracy in Saudi Arabia may constrain its relationship with the US and push towards China or Russia or run the risk of Islamic radicals taking over the country.Principal determinants of the US Policy in the Middle EastSince the Second World War, the Middle East has been of essential interest to the United States. Today, the Middle East has evolved to become a permanent US geopolitical interest. The US policy in the region has long been based on economic factors and regional stability. These determinants have been essential to US that they have overridden democracy and the principles of democracy in the region (Dodge, 2008). Middle Easts presence of oil reserves is a spot determinant of the US policy and elations in the Middle East. A 1945 US State Department memorandum described Saudi Arabias oil reserves as a stupendous source of strategic and one of the worlds greatest material prizes in history. In 2006, 27 percent of the worlds oil came from the Middle East with the US buying over half of it. President G. W. Bush acknowledged this by stating that, America is addicted to oil (Dodge, 2008).USs dependence on the Middle East oil illustrates that the US will always be cautious about taking any aggressive stance that might be upset or strain its Middle East allies. Nonetheless, as the worlds most powerful nation and the biggest economy, the US has a responsibility to protect this vital interest. In return, the US gets favorable oil prices and strategic partners in the region. The vital oil interest in the Middle East makes the US overlook the exercise of democracy in the region, keep supporting the ruling regimes to ensure there is stability in the region. Today, in Saudi Arabia women are not allowed to vote or lead certain depict institutions and the US is its biggest oil importer (Dodge, 2008). The US turns a blind eye on this key violation of democracy for fear that democracy may lead to instability in the region. The US instead keeps a diplomatic policy that maintains the status quo in the region to maintain stability and protect this key economic interest.US democracy effects of in respective Middle East statesThe US and Israel-and the PalestiniansThe Jewish state is a key US ally in the Middle East since the recognition of the state by President Harry Truman in 1948. Since then Israel has continued to enjoy US support over time. Israels support has remained to be a pillar of US foreign policy in the Mi ddle East as the one of the few democratic states in the region. The US policy of the state is based on several factors in that, to ensure stability in the region and a stable ally. However, Israels unwavering US support however, pitted it against its neighbour states who viewed it as a threat to Palestine (Dodge, 2008). Israel has over time been accused of violating known international human rights, and the tenets of democracy but the US has however supported the state for the keep of stability in the region. The US backed Israel in its military strikes against the Palestinian authority and militants in the Gaza strip and the occupied territories of the west bank during the rule of Ariel Sharon.Subsequently, the US push for democracy in the Palestinian territories led to the election of a religious extremist group with terrorist affiliations. The US preconditioned the Palestinian territories to allow room for democracy and in return the US would support the formation of a future P alestinian state (Dodge, 2008). The elections culminated in the election of Hamas, an Islamic group classified as a terrorist organization by the US and EU. Hamas refused to recognize Israels right to exist, and it later led to the refusal of the UN, EU, US and Russia to recognize Hamas as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. The predetermined preconditions were that the Palestine territories would accept Israels right to existence, abandon violence and acknowledge previous Palestine-Israel agreements.In 2007, following a forcible capture of Gaza by Hamas the US responded by imposing economic sanctions on the Palestinian enclave. The US at the same time rapidly increased funding of the West-Bank under the control of al-al-Asifa. Fatah was headed by Mahmoud Abbas had received US support in his candidacy for prime minister and president in 2003 and 2005 respectively. The USs intention of the increased Fatahs funding was to undermine the Hamas movement and strengt hen the Fatah party. This scenario indicates that the US promoted Fatah because there was a viable condition for having a democracy and ensuring in the region (Dodge, 2008).BahrainIn the Middle East Bahrain is an key US ally primarily due to the location of US Navy Fifth Fleet predominate headquarters situated in the countrys capital and due to Bahrains importance to Saudi Arabia as a check to Iran. Bahrains ruling government is comprised of the Sunni minority whereas the Shia Muslims, who are the countrys majority are minimally represented in government. The principles of democracy articulate that, in any democratic setting the ruling government must respect and teat the minority in equal measure as the majority. However, the US tends to overlook this aspect for the maintenance of stability in the region. Military aid in the country increased in 2001 from 235,000 dollars to 90.4 million in 2004 (Carothers Ottaway,2010). This was largely attributed to the USs policy of key Bahrain as an ally and maintaining stability in the region by allowing the continued stay of US troops in the region.IraqThe Iraq invasion of 2003 was based on based on the notion that there was a need to counter US threats and bring stability and the only way viable way to do so was by introducing democracy in Iraq. Saddams twenty four year rule was overthrown amid an effort to bring democracy to the country and the entire Middle East region. The introduction of democracy in Iraq was seen as the cornerstone of democracy in the entire region. US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice termed the transformation of Iraq as a key element of a very distinct Middle East (Dalacoura,2005). The fall of Saddams Baath party led to a whirl of public order which was highly unanticipated by the US. The collapse gave birth to the formation of Islamic insurgent groups that engaged the US in a war to push them out of Iraq. An extreme shortage in basic necessities such as food and water swept across the countr y. Insecurity became rampant and majority of the people were displaced, and a new conflict was formed. A conflict between the US military and Iraq insurgents. The collapse of public order threatened stability in the region and led engagement of the longest US war in history. In Saddams twenty-four year rule, Iraq largely experienced stability and public order which was constrained by USs introduction of democracy in the country. After the formation of an elected government, the country privatized all state -owned companies in all sectors except oil and minerals. This was viewed an economic reform of the country. New bilateral agreements were signed to ensure stability in the region (Dalacoura,2005).JordanDue to its constitutive(a) monarch, Jordan has for a long time been regarded as one of the most stable states in the Middle East. During the Bush administration, Jordan and the US only engage on an as needed basis only. However, after the Iraq invasion in 2003, this need be basis c hanged. The US reviewed its relations with the Jordan and democratic reforms. However, the renewed interest of democracy in US was based on ensuring stability in the region and the significance of maintenance of peace with Israel. An agreement with the US was signed that allowed Jordan to consolidate its debt with the US. In return, Jordan concord to train Iraq police on its soil to help combat the growing insurgency in Iraq. State interactions between the two countries increased (Carothers Ottaway,2010).LebanonRenewed calls for democracy in Lebanon led to the countrys first free and fair general elections in 2005. The election resulted in the election of Hezbollah, a terrorist group in government. Election of the group to government led to widespread negative press against the US, but the US still kept maintaining diplomatic relations with the country for the rice beer of stability. The introduction of democracy in the country by US was perceived as a way maintaining stability by giving people a chance to elect leaders of their choice (Carothers Ottaway,2010). However, the election of Hezbollah faced the US with a dilemma of how to maintain diplomatic relations with the country with a government that representatives with known terrorist affiliationsSyriaDue to Syrias classification as a state sponsor of terrorism the US only exercises minimal direct interactions with the state. Syria has been govern by the Assad dynasty for decades. The Assads practice total authoritarian rule over their subjects. Under the Obama administration, the US threatened to invade Syria to impose democracy and rule of law in the country. The invasion was vetoed by Russia in the UN Security Council meeting. After the veto of military intervention, the US sponsored a revolution to topple that Assad government by supplying weapons to the revolutionary groups Documents on Democracy. (2014). A general election was held in 2014, and Bashar al-Assad won by a landslide victory. 88.7 perce nt of the electorates elected him even after been opposed by the US. Though the US did not explicitly acknowledge Assads election it recommended the people for participating in the election.ReferencesCarothers, T., Ottaway, M. (Eds.). (2010). Uncharted journey promoting democracy in the Middle East. Carnegie EndowmentDalacoura, K. (2005). US democracy promotion in the Arab Middle East since 11 September 2001 a critique. International affairs, 81(5), 963-979.Dodge, T. (2008). US foreign policy in the Middle East (pp. 214-235). Oxford University Press.Documents on Democracy. (2014). Journal Of Democracy, 25(4), 180-185. doi10.1353/jod.2014.0078Diamond, L. J., Plattner, M. F., Brumberg, D. (Eds.). (2003). Islam and democracy in the Middle East. Baltimore and London Johns Hopkins University Press.Wittes, Tamara Cofman (2008). Freedoms unsteady march Americas role in building Arab democracy. The Brookings Institution

Saturday, June 1, 2019

Hop Frog as a Love Story Essay -- Hop Frog Essays

record hop capture as a Love Story Hop Frog, by Edgar Allan Poe, is a short paper in which the title character, after enduring much step by the king, gets revenge in the end. Hop Frog is not only(prenominal) the kings jester, solely is similarly a handicapped dwarf. The king perpetually berates Hop Frog and plays practical jokes on his poor jester. At one point, king and his seven ministers summon Hop Frog before them so that he may give them ideas for an upcoming masquerade. The king forces him to drink wine (which Hop Frog always has an adverse chemical reaction to drinking) and becomes very upset at him. Hop Frog is saved only by the intercession of Trippetta, a woman from Hop Frogs own land and his only true friend. Trippetta succeeds, but only after suffering great humiliation at the detainment of the king. Nevertheless, Hop Frog gives the eight an idea for their masquerade disguises. afterward tarring them, covering them with flax, and chaining them together, they have t he rough appearance of eight orangutans, and Hop Frog leads them into the masquerade. Here his vengeance eyepatch unfolds, as he hoists the into the air and sets them on fire. He then makes his escape, probably with Trippetta and the two are never seen again. But this story is not fairish about escape from oppression. Instead, it is a love story, because Hop Frogs entire course of action was inspired only by his love for Trippetta. Hop Frog had suffered through years of torment at the hands of the king. To begin with, Hop Frog was kidnapped from his own land and sent as a captive to the king. Hop Frog was made to suffer verbal abuse for his physical shortcomings and sufferings. For example, he was given the insulting nickname of Hop Frog, though ...through the distortions o... ...e being abused himself, but when his love is mistreated, something just snaps. His cool plot is created solely to avenge the injustice done upon Trippetta. If Hop Frog only wished to escape or to have r evenge for his own trials, he would have just killed the king. But instead, he kills the king (committer of the injustice) and the ministers (who all laughed at the humiliation of Trippetta). He does so in a public forum so as to crucify them in the way they humiliated his love. After inflicting his vengeance on these men, Hop Frog escapes with his love and they disappear from the kingdom. One can only assume that they returned to their homeland, but wherever they did go, they went there together. This truly is a love story. Works CitedPoe, Edgar Allen. Hop-Frog. Collective Works of Edgar Allen Poe. Ed. Thomas Ollive Mabbott. Massattusetes Harvard, 1978.

Killer Angels - Chamberlain: A True Leader :: American America History

Killer Angels - Chamberlain A True LeaderMichael Shaara presented Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in his The Killer Angels not barely as a courageous, heroic soldier with outstanding integrity, only if depicted him using tremendous leadership skills in a large variety of situations. When we were first introduced to Chamberlain he gave a remarkably motivating speech to all over one hundred starved and angry soldiers. With his passionate and honest plea he was able to break through their barriers of hate and betrayal and inspire them to tug for a belief even they could relate to. This act alone convinced me that this man was a talented leader and would have an impressive impact on The Battle of Gettysburg. After each confrontation where casualties occurred Chamberlain was sure to visit with each individual soldier or group of soldiers and be certain they didnt indispensability the attention of a doctor. He also took time to get to know his men and build relationships with them. Throug h this act Chamberlain gained more respect, even, than Lee because his soldiers not only knew who they were fighting for, but also knew that if they died fighting for him they would die in honor under the command of a caring and passionate man. To be a unafraid soldier you must love the army. But to be a good officer you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love. This is a very hard thing to do. Robert E. Lee (The Killer Angels Pg. 191) Chamberlain showed what a good officer he was during the battle on Little Round Top. When he knew his serviceman were in trouble he had to order his own brother to help fill a spot, risking his life. Throughout the novel Shaara mentions how closely-knit the relationship between the two brothers was besides Chamberlain knew his duty to protect the Union armys flank and was willing to sacrifice both himself and his beloved brother Tom in order to fulfil it.

Emily Bronte and Elizabeth Barrett-Browning :: Biography Biographies Essays

Emily Bronte and Elizabeth Barrett-Browning As I looked through the literary works we have covered this stipulation I noticed that there were only two strong females we have studied that seem to play a strong part in the outgrowth of British Literature. Emily Bronte and Elizabeth Barrett-Browning were strong, influential figures in the literary world. Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights can be credited with the title of the first Romantic novel of its time and her poetry was besides redefining the poetry of the era. Unintentionally, I believe, Emily set a new standard for writing. Her use of nature, an undefined hero and heroine, the unusual structure of narrators, and her portrayal of the supernatural powers within the game all contribute to her literary groundbreaking, trend setting style. Her poetry is also unique in that it has a personal flair not typically seen in previous poets. It is a very personal reflection of what she is enduring at the moment. That interpre tation, however, is not entirely clear without the historical context. A elflike while, a little while, The noisy crowd are barred away I can sing and I can smile A little while Ive a holyday (WH 296) could be interpreted as any number of things without the subscriber being fully aware that at this point in her life Bronte was a detain in a job she hated far from her beloved home and family. She was a governess. In that light it makes her poem makes complete sense she needed to make up away from the children she was responsible for. Several of her other poems were also born of this time in her life and reflected her homesickness. Elizabeth Barrett-Browning too wrote about her life but I adage her work as more direct and open than that of Bronte. Without the historical knowledge of Brontes life at the time of her writing her poems are beautiful but the ratifier cannot fully appreciate the emotive elements behind the words. Barrett-Brownings works were much clearer as to their intent and even without a working knowledge of her relationship with Robert Browning the reader can fully appreciate the powerful dramatic emotions flowing through her words. Her most famous sonnet How do I love thee?