Japan Facing the cultural challenges of Japan and their keiretsu Essay Example

Japan: Facing the cultural challenges of Japan and their keiretsu Paper 1. Introduction The aim of this report is to provide an in-depth analysis on Japans macro environment and to assist a company, such as Experian, in evaluating whether or not to enter the Japanese market. When exploring the possibility of entering a foreign market, country risk analysis is usually carried out. This examines the chances of non-market events (political, social, and economic) causing financial, strategic, or personnel losses to a firm following investment. (Rugman, A. and Collinson, S. 2006, p.373) One of the common tools used in evaluating a particular environment is the PESTLE framework. This incorporates political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental factors to assess the environment. One can understand that these factors can be inter-linked, for example, the political and economic issues, however, it is a convenient tool for analysts. We will write a custom essay sample on Japan: Facing the cultural challenges of Japan and their keiretsu specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Japan: Facing the cultural challenges of Japan and their keiretsu specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Japan: Facing the cultural challenges of Japan and their keiretsu specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer I believe that the most important factors for a firm to consider when entering Japan in particular are the social and cultural elements. As a result, I will investigate these factors further in this report, for example, by looking at the works of Geert Hofstede and Fons Trompenaars. I will also examine the role of keiretsu in Japan and the possible impacts that they could have on foreign investors. 2. Does the Japanese culture matter? This is a question that many investors ask themselves when considering entering a new market and the most common reply is that it is probably the greatest obstacle to success. However, a difficulty arises in defining the term culture. It can be, perhaps, be best understood as the shared beliefs of a group. (Dawes, B. 1995, p.58) When analyzing a new environment, firms need to identify the cultures in the chosen market, as such knowledge is necessary for success. Culture analysts have developed models to characterise cultures such as Hofsted and Trompenaars. Hofstede suggested four dimensions of culture (Appendix 1). From his study, Hofstede found the Japanese culture to be heavily reliant on group affiliations and loyalty, and described it as collective. Javidan, M. and House, R. J. (2001, p.292) explain that an important reason why this is, is due to its harsh environment and being unsupportive for the survival of its population. For example, it takes at least 20 people to successfully maintain a rice paddy. This is the opposite of what is generally found in the UK, where managers tend to encourage entrepreneurship and individual responsibility. As a result, prospective managers in Japan need to be aware of this cooperative issue. Also, due to strong uncertainty avoidance, members of Japanese culture prefer rules and structure. Furthermore, the Japanese culture is one that is masculine. For example, they value competitiveness and are assert ive than their counterparts. These are all factors that managers need to consider when entering Japan. Building on Hofstedes work, Trompenaars focussed more on the implications on management from cultural differences. His research concluded with seven dimensions of culture (Appendix 2) and for each one, he positioned each country relative to each other. From this study, he found the same conclusion as that from Hofstede, in that Japan is a collective society. In addition, it is a neutral culture in that they show less emotion in the workplace compared to others. Furthermore, the relationships developed in the workplace are diffused and extended into the whole society. Consequently, this provides an insight into possible conflicts that prospective managers may face. As a result, a possible solution could be to promote social events outside the workplace, as well as encouraging team-building exercises. As with any study, the models of Hofstede and Trompenaars can be criticised. Generalisations can be difficult to make due to the nature of national cultures; there are various definitions and they can be interpreted differently by various groups. Trompenaars, for example, have been criticised for failing to match their model satisfactorily to the actual responses of managers and basing some of their conclusions on differing, more subjective assumptions and observations. (Dawes, B. 1995, p.61) Even though such models have limitations, this model provides a framework and a foundation to research and develop further. The Japanese business environment is generally viewed as very traditional due to the very rigid labour laws and the general expectation of lifetime employment with the same employer. Consequently, in a survey of US companies with operations in Japan, about 62 per cent said difficulties in recruiting skilled staff were a factor. (Leadbeater, C. 1991, p.6) This system includes on-the-job training whereby employees are trained within the firm and partake in a long term programme. Also, with the prospect of rotations within the firm, employees have the opportunity to develop their professional abilities. Consequently, prospective investors should consider the costs of such training schemes that may need implementing. In addition, the tradition view is supported strongly due to the fact that Japan has an aging population. The demographics can clearly be seen below: Source: Anon. (2007). Business in Japan: Still work to be done. The Economist, 385(8557), p.13. Japans population is greying faster than that of any other big economy, so the old will become an increasing burden on workers. Today, one-fifth of Japanese are over 65; by 2015, the proportion will grow to one in four, or about 30m. (Anon. 2008a, p.31) Consequently, the problem of finding a young workforce may prove operating in Japan to be difficult. Dr William Ouchi has developed Theory Z based on the Japanese management style. This focuses on the welfare of the employees, on and off the job, as well as providing a job for life which increases loyalty. Thus employees morale and productivity increases. Further characteristics include collective responsibility and decision making, as well as employee evaluation on a longer term perspective. Subsequently, to control a successful workforce, these characteristics should be implemented. Being the leader of a Pacific trading bloc, more countries are trying to emulate Japans success by emulating their practices. Consequently, learning the Japanese approach should be more important for foreign firms. Nevertheless, in reality this is not the case as Czinkota (1998, p.22) found in 1991, only 1,180 U.S. students attended school in Japan, whereas more than 30,000 Japanese students came to the United States. Unless we learn to observe and absorb Japanese knowledge and know-how to a greater extent, we will continue to be surprised by new developments because we werent paying attention. An alternative solution for investors could be to encourage and provide incentives for Japanese students who study abroad to return to Japan and work for their firm. 3. A changing nation? Nevertheless, there are positive signs in the Japanese market as the role of lifetime employment has been questioned by many recently. Could this be a stage of transition? Source: Anon. (2008a). Sayonara, salaryman. The Economist, 386(8561), p.61. The above graph shows that since the last thirty years, many firms have hired new staff on part-time or contract basis compared to permanent workers. The primary reason for this is that young professionals do not want to revolve their life around their work. Consequently, this shift in employment patterns has reduced inequality by allowing more women into the workforce and pensioners to rejoin. This decline in traditional characteristics and the opening of society is positive news to prospective investors in that it enables more flexible employment practices. 4. The affect of keiretsu In the very short time since 1989 a Japanese word migrated to America, jumped onto the cover of Business Week, made a dramatic debut before the U.S. Congress, did a variety of television appearances, and was quickly naturalized into the English language. The term keiretsu may lack the cultural associations of kimono and geisha and the upscale image of sushi, but it has accomplished something that these other Japanese imports have not: it has joined Americas business lexicon. (Miyashita, K. and Russell, D. W. 1994, p.ix) Keiretsu are a group of individual firms that can be viewed together due to their affiliation with one another and their networks. These can be of either horizontal or vertical hierarchy and involve the transfer of information, finance or personnel. They stand accused of restricting the opportunities of outsiders wishing to sell to keiretsu members and dominate certain markets, and have been labelled as one of the most important obstacles to foreign companies trying to penetrate the Japanese market. (Czinkota, M. R. and Kotabe, M. 1998, p.11) Consequently, for a firm such as Experian, to enter the Japanese market would be tough and a possible alternative would be to merge with a member of such a keiretsu. Nevertheless, this alternative would not be simple as the target firm would already have strong affiliations. Furthermore, Czinkota, M. R. and Kotabe, M. (1998) have carried out a study to find out what researchers, business executives and policy makers from the US, Europe and Japan believe are the major barriers for foreign firms when entering Japan. The results identified 16 areas of concern and factor analysis showed the four major barriers to be government trade barriers, bureaucratic practices, the culture barrier (including keiretsu) and the very high level of demand from customers (Appendix 3). The high entry costs along with the keiretsu and their closed business links was identified as the most important barrier and one of the least likely to chance. This further strengthens my opinion that entry would be tough with restricted access. There were limitations in this study, for example, there were only 60 completed responses. Two-thirds of those responses were from American members and only 13 of them were from Japanese members. In addition, the occupation of those that took part was not evenly spread. Nevertheless, it seemed that the respondents nationality or their occupation did not have any bearing on the final results. 5. Japanese financial keiretsu Once the Tokyo Stock Exchange opened after the war in 1949, it was no longer the first choice for raising capital for many firms. As a result, the government enabled the development of bank-led keiretsu, which became firms primary choice. Consequently, every firm developed its network to include a bank to raise capital, for protection or to seek advice. Also, in a study by Professor Paul Sheard on the main bank system in Japan, he concluded that banks act as credit monitors; a substitute for the kind of screening and monitoring institutions that are prevalent in other capital markets, such as bond- and credit-rating institutions and security analysis institutions. (Miyashita, K. and Russell, D. W. 1994, p.50) In 1981, 84 per cent of the firms listed on the Tokyo stock exchange could be associated with a financial keiretsu, of which 76 per cent were affiliated with the six largest financial keiretsu (Berglà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½f, E. and Perotti, E. 1994). Consequently, for a firm such as Experian, the barriers to enter Japan are very high and there may be very little demand for such a firm. I do not believe that a firm with affiliations with financial keiretsu would turn to the new entrant. 6. Conclusion Having used a variety of sources for this report, I believe that I have sufficient evidence to form an unbiased opinion. If entered correctly, the Japanese market could prove particularly rewarding with considerable benefits. However, when deciding on whether to enter Japan or not, the social and cultural factors are very important to consider. It is true that the Japanese business environment is losing its traditional values, for example, with the reduction of lifetime employment, however, the demographics of Japan show an aging population. Also, the keiretsu do form a heavy guarded barrier to enter Japan and consequently, I believe that investors should investigate this further and possibly communicate with them. A recommended solution could be the possibility of a partnership or merger with an existing member of the keiretsu. For example, Experian could merge with a bureau within the Federation of Credit Bureaus of Japan. Note: Information regarding specific keiretsu can be limiting and biased, and therefore I decided not to consider it. Also, to support my conclusion further, I could have used more recent sources.

Reducing resistance among employees

Reducing resistance among employees Resistance refers to the process through which people refuse to conform to changes. They do not like the change because of different reasons. In most cases, resistance is because the change will alter the comfort of doing things. People do not fancy the idea of adopting new ways of life and doing something.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Reducing resistance among employees specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For example, having to move from one office because of work reshuffle, work from that another office, and doing other duties that are not enjoyable, especially, if it happens more often than it should happen. Many do not like such ideas and will resist them. Below are ratings showing the indicators of preventing, minimizing, and tolerating resistance. Preventing resistance The organization prepares the employees for the upcoming changes. To a great extent, almost not at all 5 4 3 21 The organization appreciate s the feelings of the employees and tries to find out how they will cope with changes. They use questionnaires to get this information. 5 4 3 2 1 The organization makes several changes together 5 4 3 21 The organization appreciates the opinion of their employees and encourages them to take part in the change. 5 43 2 1 The organization cares only about the information to give the participants. 54 3 2 1 Employees feel that it is their fault; the organization thought of installing changes. 5 4 3 2 1 The managing director of the organization does care about the opinion of others. 5 4 3 21 Preventing resistance total: 20 out of 35 points The level High MediumLow Minimizing resistance The organization works hard to identify the symptoms of resistance. 5 43 2 1 The organization works hard to make participants communicate their feelings on the changes. 5 4 32 1 The organization works hard to include resistors in the team making changes. 5 4 3 21 The organization make s a change as its culture in order to prepare employees psychologically. 54 3 2 1 The organization celebrated the success of all employees and the organization in general. 5 4 3 21 The organization ensures that knowledge is available for everyone in all activities. 5 43 2 1 Employees in the organization feel that the organization is fair in terms of remuneration. 54 3 2 1 Minimizing resistance total: 25 The level HighMedium Low Tolerance resistance I like changes in the organization and always take them positively. 5 4 3 21 I do not socialize with employees or individuals who resist change in the organization. 5 43 2 1 I hate friction at work, and I enjoy making peace with people. 5 4 3 2 1 The organization is fair in its award. The organization awards the best performing participants. 54 3 2 1 I familiarize myself with the new changes in order to ensure that I qualify for the job 5 4 32 1 I respect the values of the organization, take change positively, and work towards adapting to it 5 4 3 2 1 Tolerating resistance total: 19 Tolerating level High Medium Low Other factors of reducing resistance There are three ways to prevent resistance. These are as follows: the first is to prevent resistance through the introduction of the change gradually in that organization, the second is to take time and prepare the employees psychologically for change through making suggestions that hint at the changes. Allowing employees to give their suggestions on the change is the third way of preventing resistance to change. This gives them the feeling that they contributed in the change implementation process (Avey Luthans, 2008, pp.48-70).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Several approaches can help minimize resistance to change. Three of these are as listed in this paragraph. The first is to ensure employee motivation through gener ous remuneration packages. Another way is to encourage change in the organization by celebrating successes of employees (Van Schyns, 2008, pp. 313-334). Lastly, resisting parties should have an opportunity to suggest collaborative methods with the new change. Finally, a person can use three approaches to tolerate resistance. The first is through accepting change because, otherwise, the employers will lay them off. Ensuring that rules are strict and all employees follow them strictly is the second. The third is restructuring the firm and reshuffling the employees, this way they will feel as if they are starting afresh and will most probably accept the change (Spiro, 2011, p. 69). In conclusion, resistance from employees can be changed by ensuring that employees take part in the change process. It is always advisable for employees to accept change in the organization in order to cope with it soonest possible. In most cases, change will make some employees feel out of place because th eir qualification does not allow them to do that job. This will help them to upgrade, otherwise, they will have to lose their job because the organization cannot work with people not fit for the job. References Avey, J, Wernsing, T, Luthans, F. (2008). Can positive employees help positive organizational change: Impact of Psychological Capital and Emotions on Relevant Attitudes and Behaviors? The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 44 (1), 48-70. Spiro, J. (2011). Leading Change Step-By-Step: Tactics, Tools, and Tales. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Van Dam, K., Oreg, S., Schyns, B. (2008). Daily work contexts and resistance to organizational change: The role of leader–member exchange, development climate, and change process characteristics. Applied Psychology, 57 (2), 313-334.

Types of Nouns - Parts of Speech for ESL

Types of Nouns - Parts of Speech for ESL One of the most important types of words in English are nouns. Nouns are a part of speech that indicate people, things, objects, concepts, etc. There are seven types of nouns in English. Abstract Nouns Abstract nouns are nouns that refer to concepts, ideas, and emotions, Abstract nouns are nouns that you cannot touch, are not made of materials, but play an important role in life. Here are some examples of common abstract nouns: successdepressionlovehateangerpowerimportancetolerance Tom has had a lot of success this past year.Many people prefer to let love inspire them rather than hate.Jack has little tolerance for people who waste his time.The desire for power has ruined many good people. Collective Nouns Collective nouns refer to groups of various types. Collective nouns are most commonly used with groups of animals. Collective nouns can be used in both the singular and plural form, although collective nouns tend to be used in the singular. Here are some common collective nouns referring to groups of animals: herdlitterpackswarmhive The herd of cattle moved to a new field to graze.Be careful! Theres a hive of bees someone near here. Collective nouns are also commonly used for names of institutions and groups within institutions such as academic, business, and governmental organizations. departmentfirmpartystaffteam Staff will meet at ten-thirty tomorrow morning.The sales department met its goals last quarter. Common Nouns Common nouns refer to categories of things in general, never to specific examples. In other words, when speaking about education in general someone might refer to university in a general sense. I think Tom should go to university to study science. In this case, university is a common noun. On the other hand, when university is used as part of a name it becomes part of a proper noun (see below). Meredith decided to go to the University of Oregon. Note that common nouns that are used as the part of a name and become proper nouns are always capitalized. Here are some common nouns that are often used as common nouns and parts of names: universitycollegeschoolinstitutedepartmentstate There are a number of states which are in financial difficulty.I think you need to go to college. Concrete Nouns Concrete nouns refer to things that you can touch, taste, feel, and see. There are actual things that we interact with on a daily basis. Concrete nouns can be both countable and uncountable. Here are some typical concrete nouns: Countable Concrete Nouns orangedeskbookcarhouse Uncountable Concrete Nouns ricewaterpastawhiskey There are three oranges on the table.I need some water. Im thirsty!My friend has just bought a new car.Can we have rice for dinner? The opposite of concrete nouns are abstract nouns that do not refer to things we touch, but to things we think, ideas we have, and emotions we feel. Pronouns Pronouns refer to people or things. There are a number of pronoun forms depending on how the pronouns are used. Here are the subject pronouns: Iyouhesheitweyouthey He lives in New York.They like pizza. There are many different forms of pronouns including subject, object, possessive, and demonstrative pronouns. Proper Nouns Proper nouns are the names of people, things, institutions, and nations. Proper nouns are always capitalized. Here are some examples of common proper nouns: CanadaUniversity of CaliforniaTomAlice Tom lives in Kansas.Id love to visit Canada next year. Uncountable Nouns/Mass Nouns/Non-Count Nouns Uncountable nouns are also referred to as mass nouns or non-count nouns. Uncountable nouns can be both concrete and abstract nouns and are always used in the singular form because they cannot be counted. Here are some common uncountable nouns: ricelovetimeweatherfurniture Were having lovely weather this week.We need to get some new furniture for our home. Uncountable nouns can generally do not take a definite or indefinite article depending on usage. Noun Types Quiz Decide whether the following nouns in italics are abstract, collective, proper, common, or concrete nouns.   There are two books on that table.  That pack of students are on their way to classes.I grew up in Canada.  She went to university in Alabama.  Youll find that success can lead to pain as well as pleasure.The team chose Barney as their leader.  Have you ever tried straight whiskey?I dont think hes in politics for power.Lets make some pasta for dinner.  Be careful! There is a swarm of bees over there. Answers books - concrete noun  pack - collective nounCanada - proper noununiversity - common nounsuccess - abstract nounteam - collective nounwhiskey - concrete noun (uncountable)power - abstract nounpasta - concrete noun (uncountable)swarm - collective noun

Walmart Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Walmart - Case Study Example Instead, their ways of doing business never impressed the Germans therefore; the company lost the market to the local firms (p. 4).Wal-Mart decision to join the German market without carrying an analysis to understand their culture was an enormous mistake. Walton could have thought about the difference between Germans culture and the Wal-Mart ways of doing business. This could have helped him come up with ways of integrating the Wal-Mart culture with the German culture (p. 5). This could have helped them understand the best approaches to adopt in order to grasp the German market. He could have thought of the effect of the language barrier between customers and the American heritage employees. The best move that Wal-Mart was to follow was to get German origin employees who usually understood the cultural and custom practices of the Germans. This could have helped them to offer services effectively as per the cultural principles of the customers. With this, Wal-Mart could have succeeded in maintaining their identity without offending the German customers. Following the recommended six steps, an organization research group, will have enough time to interact with the people thus helping them to understand their needs and consumtion behavior, thus creating a deep relationship with the locals which would help the company. This will enable them to have a better relationship with the employees when the time comes to launch their business overseas (p. 6). Secondly, they can have reviewers to check for any cultural variation between the company culture and the people’s culture. This will help the company take the foreign culture in its operations to avoid resistance from the people. Wal-Mart experience has helped us to know that if any company wants to improve communication, it first has to use the local people who understand the customers’

Management and the Cultural Industries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Management and the Cultural Industries - Essay Example Most experts say that larger corporations have the resources to cater to a large target market; it is the smaller independent producers who are responsible for catering to all the individual needs of the community. To understand this concept we will first look at the importance of this sector in the US economy. The US economy has been chosen because it has an abundance of small individual producers as well as large organizations and both have a significant impact on the consumption patterns of the population. Small businesses are generally the driving force behind most local economies. They contribute to the society by selling their products to customers, products that people need. They also provide employment opportunities to people, which can become reasonable career paths and choices. "Small business drives the American economy," said Dr. Chad Moutray, Chief Economist for the Office of Advocacy in a press release. "Main Street provides the jobs and spurs our economic growth. Ameri can entrepreneurs are creative and productive, and these numbers prove it." The cultural workers and their understandings are also very quintessential within the relevant scheme of things because these bring about a vital change in the working dynamics of the business realms and discuss how success could be made a vital part of the organizational setups (Logue, 2001). The argument against this is that large businesses have the financial backing to keep the business profitable even in the face of intense competition. Larger companies are more prepared to take on risk and are prepared to fail. This tendency allows them to make bolder decisions and be more aggressive in tackling opportunities. Successful businesspeople invest in expert advice. As a result, they make better decisions and take the right actions, for what they need to achieve. This investment allows them to not only learn from their past mistakes but make the best possible decisions in the future. Whatever differentiates the large businesses from the small ones, the fact remains that the businesses need to be run in a manner that incites growth, development and productivity across the board. This shall bear a great amount of positive results at the end of the day. Small businesses often are underestimated for the revenue they generate, and therefore they are considered inferior to the large conglomerates. This is however still questionable and we can see how exactly small companies benefit from this increased competition. The small business realms are large ones if they are handled in a proper way. What this implies is the fact that whole-hearted and concerted efforts and endeavors will win the small businesses what they aspire the most, and how success will come about with the advent of change within the technological manifestations which are taking place on a constant basis. How Small Businesses can effectively compete with the Larger Corporations? As we have seen above, the small business sector is really competitive even in this global economy, however now we must identify how this is possible. One of the biggest resources that companies can use is information technology, where companies can seem more professional to their customers. Using proper information technology tools and resources even small business can expand their customer base and carry out business outside their own

“Dreamland” & Islan Essay Example for Free

â€Å"Dreamland† Islan Essay In the book, â€Å"Dreamland† (Baker, 2000), the author Kevin Baker tells about Coney Island and the lower eastside of New York City, where there are rough individuals, such as gangsters who roam the area. I liked the main character, Kid Twist is a European immigrant, and he comes to the rescue of an individual when a gangster, by the name of Gyp the Blood is prepared to kill a small boy delivering newspapers in New York City. The sad part of the story was that this gangster wanted to kill this child for fun. It was strange that the small boy wasn’t really a boy; he was a man. He was Trick the Dwarf; a small midget who only dresses up like a young boy and in behind a hotel, Trick the Dwarf hides Kid Twist and that is where he discovers another character, by the name of Esther Abramowitz who is a poor seamstress. Kid Twist falls in love with this woman This story, which was quite amusing, takes place during the turn-of-the-century and creatively introduces many fascinating characters that make this story so memorable. There are women who go on strike, which fits in nice with Esther Abramowitz, who is a labor agitator and Trick even tried to seduce Mad Carlotta, who was only three feet tall but he found her to be very attractive, when she said that she was the Empress of Mexico. Esther Abramowitz is rebelling against her Russian-Jewish ex-rabbi parent and she is set on the idea of being a union organizer. Esther Abramowitz seemed like a great leader and one that had a remarkable imagination. The author is very descriptive with words when he tells us about Freud’s trip to America and about the Triangle Factory Fire in this tale about immigration, and it was interesting to discover the hope that was available in America from many different types of personalities. The author is able to describe various traits in individuals from all sorts of backgrounds in their quest for â€Å"Dreamland† which is of course, The United States of America. Big Tim Sullivan was extremely aggressive. He was the Irish-American State Senator who was a corrupt Tammany Hall boss and he seemed very crooked when he used bribes and many other undesirable ways of gaining what he wanted in order to rule in his position, in New York City. Lazar Abramowitz is Esther’s brother and he tries to have his sister’s boyfriend, who is Kid Twist, murdered by a thug. In â€Å"Dreamland†, it seemed like a place to relax and fantasize, which is an amusement park in Coney Island and a place that symbolizes a better and happier place to be. Trick the Dwarf is in his favorite land, where he is free to be likened unto Romeo with his clever charm and personality, while he continually seeks out the love of a woman to cure his loneliness. â€Å"Dreamland† focused on many different ethnic cultures and events and talks about the Jews and the Irish in their pursuit of the all American dream, of finding wealth, success and happiness in a better land in an uncontrollable era that takes place around the year 1910. There’s a nice touch of comedy in this story that keeps it interesting, while it still is able to tell a story of tragedy. Kid Twist was quite the amusing character who is an enforcer for the gangster, Gyp the Blood and when Kid Twist leaves Gyp the Blood, his boss is wounded from a shovel that leaves him bleeding in a dark basement on the Lower East Side of New York City. Kid Twist had no other choice, I guess, but to flee the area and hide away in the city of Brooklyn, New York with his friend Trick the Dwarf. I found this story to be interesting but morbid, at times. The characters made me feel sorry for them because some of them just seemed terribly hopeless in their venture at finding the American dream. The author was successful in making me feel thankful for the American dream that I already possess and I did have to sympathize with some of the immigrants from Ireland and other countries in this story, who lived such a rough life, while trying to gain something more in life, including power, love and money, while using murder and corruption as some of their tools. The story emitted a carnival atmosphere throughout the reading, and it was impossible to determine what new kind of character possessing some kind of personality or appearance flaw, would appear. The bowery bars and opium dens were depressing and it gave me a bad outlook of New York City in that time frame. It made New York City seem like a terribly dangerous place to live. The story really did come together in the end, and although I was shocked and awed by some of the crazy events that took place in this book, it was never boring or unclear about the meaning behind the story. The author was able to entertain me with his vivid imagination and his insight on a group of diverse people, all coming together in New York City, all looking for something that they needed, like Esther Abramowitz, who fell in love with a gangster and she was able to get something important from a criminal which was someone to love her back. I feel that this story focused on many different categories, such as economic exploitation, corruption and racism in our society of a mingled mix that makes up the melting pot of our nation. I learned so much about history and Geography from this story as the author described different locations and events that took place in that era of time. I got a better impression of what gangsters were like, back then, as well. It was hard to believe that so much criminal activity took place in the year 1910. The author was very successful at describing the criminal underworld with the prostitution and gang activity that surrounded the area. This story did prove that people are capable of doing almost anything in able to survive and it was quite clear that most wanted to do live in America, the land of hope and dreams. Reference Page Baker, Kevin. (2000). â€Å"Dreamland†. Harper Perennial.

Ernest Sosa: Externalism :: essays research papers

Ernest Sosa: Externalism Ernest Sosa likes externalism. He thinks that it is intuitively correct. But he must and does agree that it must be clarified in order to avoid certain problems. So, his mission in this paper is to first define what he calls "Generic Reliabilism," then to show how it is susceptible to certain objections, then to present a modified version of it, and to show that this new version is, in general, better than its predecessor. Let us look at his argument. First, we get the usual definition of generic reliabilism: S is justified in his belief that p at t if the belief is produced by some faculty that usually produces true beliefs. Then, we get a couple of Alvin Goldman's notions of justification with Sosa's revisions. A belief is strongly justified iff it is well formed, and by means of a truth conducive process. A belief is weakly justified iff it is "blameless" (not the result of an intentional mistake?) but ill-formed, and the believer is not aware that the belief is ill- formed. A belief is superweakly justified iff the process that produces the belief is unreliable but the subject did not intentionally come to hold the belief because it was acquired unreliably. And, finally, a belief has strong meta-justification iff the subject neither believes that nor can determine if the belief is ill-formed (hence the "meta-" prefix), and the subject is aware of the process by which he got the belief and that the process is reliable. OK, seems reasonable enough. But, Sosa points out, there are a couple of scenarios (actually, three, but Sosa concentrates mainly on the two listed below) in which these conceptions of justification just do not work. The "new evil demon" problem takes a couple of forms in the article, but what it amounts to is that if a person S attains beliefs through something other than his usual faculties (e.g. senses, reasoning, etc.) like evil demons or random neurological stimulators, or whatever, then that person's beliefs are not attained through a reliable process (we are assuming that demons are, as usual, not benevolent bearers of truth). But, we do not want to say, or at least Sosa doesn't, that the deceived believer is completely unjustified in his beliefs; so, what level of justification do we assign to his situation? If, by some amazing coincidence, the random processes or demons generate a consistent and coherent set of beliefs, then we can say that the subject is weakly and meta- justified. But, t hat situation is not very likely, and thus we need the notion of superweak

Movie Critique revised

One of the most important issues and concerns facing our country today, and throughout history, is racism. Many books and films have been written and developed that deal with the harsh and realistic subject of racism in America today and how it affects American society and people from all walks of life, and no film has done so in such a broad way as Crash. This film follows the stories of multiple characters in Los Angeles, all of whom deal with one aspect of racism or another. For example, there is a police officer who is racist against blacks because of his father, a district attorney and his wife that deal with racism after two black men carjack them one night, and a black man whose brother is involved in gang violence. Each storyline dramatizes one aspect of racism or another, and how different people react to it, and the reasons behind racism in our country. Crash is a well-made film that is valuable for our society because it isn’t afraid to ask very serious and harsh questions about the way we view each other, the reasons behind racism in American society, and questions how far we’ve come as a society as it concerns racism. Crash is an interesting look at how Americans view each other based upon race, even when we do not mean to or are not able to truly see our own deeply rooted assumptions about people based upon the way they look. In one scene in the movie, two young black men are walking down the street philosophizing about how wrong it is that people automatically fear them because they perceive their race and not who they really are. We, the audience, immediately agree with their ideas and begin to feel sorry for them because of the pressures they face in society; however, the scene quickly turns to violence when they pull out guns and carjack a young politician and his wife, who had been eying them suspiciously because of their race. In this instance, the assumptions of the two white people were correct because these young men were carjackers, throwing a whole new aspect of racism and society’s fears into the mix. This scene says a lot about our society and how people make assumptions about each other based upon race, but also is harshly honest about the statistics involving black, inner-city young men in Los Angeles and how many fall into a life of crime. The reasons for this are also delved into in this film, with scenes showing the harshness of ghetto life and the poverty that some live in, with broken families and prejudice. In the film, Detective Graham Waters, and African-American, feels ashamed by his family, who consists of a mother who is addicted to drugs and a brother who is living a life of crime. This film also tackles the issue of why racism develops in our society and how those who has racist beliefs become that way. In one storyline that is developing a police officer is racist, and we see that he has been raised by a racist father, who is now dying of cancer. Throughout the film we find ourselves feeling contempt for these characters because of their personal opinions about race, but at the end the police officer has to go to an insurance company to ask for medical help for his dying father and speaks to an African-American woman at the agency. Knowing about his prejudice, she immediately denies his father any help, leading the son to explain about his how his father had always employed minorities but when minority owned businesses began to get preference, his company could not survive. The son’s bitterness about race seems to have stemmed from his father’s problems. We begin to understand the circumstances surrounding the development of racism in these characters, and feel torn between our understanding and our dislike of racism. Another instance is seen with the young couple that has been carjacked. The woman becomes frightened of African-Americans, and indeed all minorities, because of the two men who pointed a gun at her; yet, in the end she realizes that the kindest person to her is her Hispanic maid. While we do not believe in racism, this film does not make it so easy to choose who is right and who is wrong because it develops all aspects of the people’s experiences. The main purpose of this film seems to be to raise questions about how far we as a society have come in terms of racism and whether or not we’ve overcome this issue in our country. The many different storylines that are taking place throughout the film begs us to look deeper into racism and how it affects everyone in America, especially in large diverse cities like Los Angeles where many different races and ethnicities live side by side. We also see racism between and towards other ethnicities: the hatred that the Persian storeowner has for the Hispanic locksmith, the bigotry shown by one of the black carjackers towards the â€Å"Chinamen† that are being smuggled in the van he takes, and the projections of the district attorney’s wife onto the Hispanic locksmith, Daniel. The one storyline that develops throughout the film that is the finale of the film revolves around a young rookie police officer who picks up an African-American man who is hitchhiking. Throughout the film he has been the one who tries desperately to not be prejudiced and to see everyone equally, but at the end his own inner fears cause him to misinterpret the young man and shoot him out of fear. Officer Hanson thinks that the young man is going to pull a gun on him, but instead pulls out a figure of Saint Christopher. If the man had not been black, the rookie officer would not have had the instinct to fear him; however, both of these characters throughout the film were the least prejudiced of all of the characters. This idea becomes interesting as an important aspect of this film because it is almost a metaphor of the United States and how we are trying desperately to not admit that racism is a problem but in the end, it really is. This is the most important theme of this film because it is the one that is closest to the reality of life in the United States and how racism plays a role in society. Throughout the film Crash there are many instances where we see racism portrayed in a realistic and harsh way, proving to us that racism is very much an issue that is haunting the American people even today. The magic of this film is that it really brings the issue of racism away from just being black or white, bringing to light the gray area that exists. We as Americans are torn between our understanding of certain reasons for racism versus disappointment that there is still racism existing in our society. This film is very entertaining because of the strong cast and the different storylines that all come together into a very informative, thoughtful way, but also enlightening as it achieves its goal of affecting the audience and their beliefs about racism in our society.

Jackie Robinson Assessment

1. Many people agree that Robinson was not the best player in the Negro League in the mid 1940s. If so why did Rickey choose him? Because he wasn’t looking for the best baseball player, he was looking for a player who was talented, with a background beyond criticism, with an unshakable self-control and with a good winner attitude. He thought that Robinson would be ideal to break the color line of the Major League Baseball teams, plus he was a very good player.2. Do you think professional sports would be the same today if it had not been for Robinson? I think Robinson played a very big role in the history of sports in America because today some of the most watched sports in the country like baseball (MLB) or basketball (NBA) are mostly formed by African-American players. If it had not been for Robinson I think sports in America wouldn’t be the same as they are now.3. Do you think Robinson’s success with the Dodgers had any impact beyond sports? I think Robinsonâ⠂¬â„¢s success with the Brooklyn Dodgers had a very big impact beyond sports because since he made it to an all white league and be actually successful in it, it motivated to other players of all negro leagues to became better and try to make it to this new opportunity that they had. I think Robinson played a big role in the history of sports of America and that’s why now he’s one of the biggest names in history of baseball. ï » ¿Jackie Robinson Assessment 1. Many people agree that Robinson was not the best player in the Negro League in the mid 1940s. If so why did Rickey choose him? Because he wasn’t looking for the best baseball player, he was looking for a player who was talented, with a background beyond criticism, with an unshakable self-control and with a good winner attitude. He thought that Robinson would be ideal to break the color line of the Major League Baseball teams, plus he was a very good player.2. Do you think professional sports would be the same today if it had not been for Robinson? I think Robinson played a very big role in the history of sports in America because today some of the most watched sports in the country like baseball (MLB) or basketball (NBA) are mostly formed by African-American players. If it had not been for Robinson I think sports in America wouldn’t be the same as they are now.3. Do you think Robinson’s success with the Dodgers had any impact beyond sports? I think Robinsonâ⠂¬â„¢s success with the Brooklyn Dodgers had a very big impact beyond sports because since he made it to an all white league and be actually successful in it, it motivated to other players of all negro leagues to became better and try to make it to this new opportunity that they had. I think Robinson played a big role in the history of sports of America and that’s why now he’s one of the biggest names in history of baseball.

Historical Accounts of Prostitution †Sociology Essay

Historical Accounts of Prostitution – Sociology Essay Free Online Research Papers Historical Accounts of Prostitution Sociology Essay While the subject of prostitution and prostitutes is an uncommon theme in most historical studies, it is nevertheless a prevailing fact of any society. Prostitutes have occupied numerous roles throughout history ranging from the idyllic image of a refined courtesan to that of the unglamorous streetwalker. Indeed, to understand the position that prostitutes occupy in a society is to understand a fundamental aspect of the world in question. Gail Hershatter’s Dangerous Pleasures explores the changing, multifaceted role of prostitutes in the tumultuous era of twentieth century Shanghai. Her fascinating research is not only a unique take on the field of Chinese history, but also a serious look at a group of women that has historically been marginalized and unheard. Hershatter’s voluminous book is divided into five sections covering the whole spectrum of prostitution from the colorful world of courtesans and their upper class clientele to the rehabilitation program propagated by the communist party. The author’s work provides a complex analysis of the diverse prostitution world, ranging from the social lifestyle of different ranking prostitutes, to prostitution practice, and to their autonomy and control over domain. The author juxtaposes contrasting ideas about prostitutes by painting them as both victims and perpetrators. In the first part of the book, Hershatter provides a categorization and classification for prostitutes, and the various social views concerning them. In doing so, the author clarifies the general definition of prostitution, and shows that there is much more complexity to the subject matter then what is pictured today. She characterizes their roles as prostitutes by defining their ranks, either ranging from the common streetwalker who is out to sell her body for sexual entertainment, to the elegant courtesan, who’s role serves as to please the patron with various art forms, such as music, painting, and dancing. As a result, a much broader view of prostitution is described for the general audience. Part two analyzes the lifestyle and social roles of prostitutes during 20th century Shanghai period. In Hershatter’s interpretation, the courtesan was often perceived as an enchantress who exercised considerable control over her clients. The Courtesan lived in a perputal social circle, surrounded by gossip, admiration, hate, passion, and love. But, the main point of interest was the effects prostitutes could have on society. These effects often ranged from control over clients, to setting fashion trends,g The main premise of Hershatter’s study is that prostitution is an indication of modernity in a society. If the presence and role of prostitution is an indicator of modernity, then likewise, public perception of prostitutes is an indicator of societal trends. Even among those who are not in the habit of soliciting prostitutes, the subject of prostitution is nevertheless regarded with at least a mild curiosity – one which Hershatter more than satiates. In contrast to the rather restricted and disgraceful position that modern prostitutes occupy, the colorful world of prostitution in early twentieth century Shanghai, included high ranking courtesans their madames, In a larger context, Dangerous Pleasures also delves into the backdrop across which the study takes place – early twentieth century Shanghai. The â€Å"Pearl of the Orient,† Shanghai was once the city where greed, both East and West collided to create the preeminent city in China, known both for its elegance and destitution. Dominated by foreign powers Shanghai was in essence a microcosm of the semi-colonial China. Research Papers on Historical Accounts of Prostitution - Sociology EssayCanaanite Influence on the Early Israelite ReligionEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementWhere Wild and West MeetInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesThree Concepts of Psychodynamic19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraTrailblazing by Eric AndersonBringing Democracy to Africa

How Brown v. Board of Education Changed Public Education for the Better

How Brown v. Board of Education Changed Public Education for the Better One of the most historical court cases, especially in terms of education, was Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 (1954). This case took on segregation within school systems or the separation of white and black students within public schools. Up until this case, many states had laws establishing separate schools for white students and another for black students. This landmark case made those laws unconstitutional. The decision was handed down on May 17, 1954. It overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896, which had allowed states legalize segregation within schools. The chief justice in the case was Justice Earl Warren. His court’s decision was a unanimous 9-0 decision that said, â€Å"separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. The ruling essentially led the way for the civil rights movement and essentially integration across the United States. Fast Facts: Brown v. Board of Education Case Argued: December 9–11, 1952; December 7–9, 1953Decision Issued:  May 17, 1954Petitioners:  Oliver Brown, Mrs. Richard Lawton, Mrs. Sadie Emmanuel, et alRespondent:  Board of Education of Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas, et alKey Questions: Does the segregation of public education based solely on race violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment?Unanimous Decision: Justices Warren, Black, Reed, Frankfurter, Douglas, Jackson, Burton, Clark, and MintonRuling: Separate but equal educational facilities, segregated on the basis of race, are inherently unequal and in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. History A class action suit was filed against the Board of Education of the city of Topeka, Kansas in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas in 1951. The plaintiffs consisted of 13 parents of 20 children who attended the Topeka School District. They filed the suit hoping that the school district would change its policy of racial segregation. Each of the plaintiffs was recruited by the Topeka NAACP, led by McKinley Burnett, Charles Scott, and Lucinda Scott. Oliver L. Brown was the named plaintiff in the case. He was an African American welder, father, and assistant pastor at a local church. His team chose to use his name as part of a legal tactic to have a man’s name on the front of the suit. He was also a strategic choice because he, unlike some of the other parents, was not a single parent and, the thinking went, would appeal more strongly to a jury.   In the fall of 1951, 21 parents attempted to enroll their children in the closest school to their homes, but each was denied enrollment and told that they must enroll in the segregated school. This prompted the class action suit to be filed. At the district level, the court ruled in favor of the Topeka Board of Education saying that both schools were equal in regards to transportation, buildings, curriculum, and highly qualified teachers. The case then went on to the Supreme Court and was combined with four other similar suits from across the country. Significance Brown v. Board  entitled students to receive a quality education regardless of their racial status. It also allowed for African American teachers to teach in any public school they chose, a privilege that was not granted before the Supreme Court ruling in 1954. The ruling set the foundation for the civil rights movement and gave African American’s hope that â€Å"separate, but equal† on all fronts would be changed. Unfortunately, however, desegregation was not that easy and is a project that has not been finished, even today.

Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 7

Communication - Essay Example Adolf Hitler, Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama are these leaders. Their speeches inspired people, moved people and united their nations, both for good and bad reasons. This paper will examine the speech styles of the three leaders as they accept their wins in their respective national elections. Adolf Hitler is a very passionate man, and it is evident in his speeches. His acceptance speech is quite moving, and as a non-German speaker, I even find myself nodding to his speech. Although we know how Hitler was tyrannical, listening to his speech is totally a different experience. His speech is very inspiring and hopeful. It gives the audience a sense of power and strength when they hear Hitler’s acceptance speech. They can identify with him because of the passion that’s evident in the manner of Hitler’s delivery. Hitler’s speech, as some people put it, comes straight from the heart and people sense this sincerity. This makes them believe his words. Hitler’s stance may be very aggressive and antagonistic but his speech inspires a sense of triumph on their part because of the strength that he gives the words he speaks. Hitler discredits his enemies too and gives quite logical explanations for his actions, making people believe that he is doing something that’s actually going to make Germany power to be reckoned with. Another leader that’s quite famous for his speech is Ronald Reagan. He is one of the most endeared Republicans, and it is not a secret that even hard core Democrats voted for him. His speech is largely to be credited for that. Unlike Hitler, Reagan’s speech style is more docile, but like Hitler’s, it is hopeful and antagonistic. The antagonistic part can be later seen in his later speeches (take note of the famous Reagan-words like â€Å"evil empire†) but then this facet of him as a speaker is also attributed to his honesty. He is named as