Air Pollution in Almaty Essay Example

Air Pollution in Almaty Paper What is even worse, air pollution in the city comes from the tailpipes of poorly maintained cars, a situation further aggravated by dirty fuel, or by gasoline and diesel that have been homicidally altered to increase fuel volume and profit. Many of the local gas stations sell low quality fuel that has a higher than permitted level of noxious ingredients. The independent expertise center of oil products Organic has analyzed the fuel sold at a number of gas stations, but the full results of expertise are not publicly available and whether the examination of gas stations Was useful is not known. They found that what was sold as 92 octane fuel was in fact 84 octane fuel, which violates the requirements on the content of gasoline and diesel oil, adds components that increase the octane umber of fuel, and consequently lowers the quality of these oil products, which has have negative impact on the populations health (Evacuations, 2007). If we dont act now and take necessary measures to reduce air pollution, it will be beyond our control Sultanate Makeover says (the head of department of natural resources in Alma). The fact is that 3 million people die each year from the effects of air pollution (World Health Organization, 2002). If we apply this evidence particularly to Alma, the number of casualties from air pollution in the year 2007 would amount to 795, in the year 2008 519. Vehicles cause colossal emissions of harmful items. All these penetrate into our lungs. Polluted air may cause heart diseases and respiratory illnesses among others. The chronically good weather in summer may additionally worsen the conditions since the solar radiation is likely to contribute to high levels of near to ground-level ozone. We will write a custom essay sample on Air Pollution in Almaty specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Air Pollution in Almaty specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Air Pollution in Almaty specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Among the health issues originating from the high concentration of noxious chemical substances at ground level are: the irritation of eyes and the mucous membrane of nose and throat, and the exacerbation of pulmonary and different chronic diseases. Some of the cyclic hydrocarbons typically found in polluted urban air are known to be carcinogenic. Moreover, nitrogen products can cause premature mortality (Nitrogen, ERA). The highest concentration Of harmful gases and substances caused by motorized traffic usually will be found at the height of one meter over ground level (round table of Ecology, 2008). Hence, children breathe more toxic air than adults, and their health thus is jeopardized even more strongly than that of adults. One can say we can no longer be selfish by thinking only of the present and living for the moment. It is up to this enervation to make the earth healthy for the next generation. Of course it is not possible to eliminate pollution completely, but we can try to keep it to a minimum. We can do many things in this direction. For example if people are willing to use public transport, we can reduce pollution considerably. In conclusion, this research report will find out the main reasons why Alma citizens engage in polluting the air. It will ask government representatives what government programs have been implemented in order to cope with the problem of air pollution in Alma and whether they have been sufficient. Eel this is an issue that everybody should have some knowledge about, and I chose this topic because I want to learn more about how safe the air we are breathing is. This research report will consider some accessible facts Of air pollution, examine some Of the aspects of this issue, and try to find the most feasible solutions to prevent or at least reduce the air pollution in Alma. Chapter 2 Literature Review Chapter 3 Description of Results The previous chapter described the works Of some researchers who study the issue of air pollution in Astrakhan, and this chapter will tell about the exults of the surveys and interview taken from the citizens of Alma. The main and most interesting part of the research paper is this chapter because it contains information taken from students answers to the distributed questionnaires and from an interview with civil servant. The results are based on the survey and interview, which were taken during three weeks in Alma (between September 25th and October 16th). In Alma, according to research done by Categorized, approximately 80 % of the noxious gases and gas admixtures are caused by vehicle emissions (Nash Gash, 2010). And it is not news to anyone that cars, which we all like, are the main cause for it. Moreover air pollution in the city has a significant impact on peoples healthy future lives. Although the new car emission reductions have been substantial, emissions from vehicles on the road continue to be a problem, with relatively small numbers of cars with broken or deteriorated emissions equipment accounting for the majority of the emissions. So this research report aims to find out if there is any progress on the implementation of transport programs to control air pollution on the roads. A limited quantitative study was conducted by giving questionnaires to twenty students from SKIMP , who gave Very different answers. In the beginning of the survey, the Interviewers elicited from the respondent information about their driving habits and their vehicles as well as the degree to which air pollution bothers them. Then it was necessary to convey to the respondent a great deal of information about the pollution fees: information about the features of the basic plan, such as the technology and uses of the revenues. In order to keep the respondent engaged in the interview process, resented this information to respondents in questions of the form, Suppose dirty cars paid a higher rate than cleaner cars. Would you be more or less likely to support the fee policy? Structured interview were carried out to gain a more qualitative picture of the current situation of the transport system and air conditions in the city. The results of the questionnaires are presented first, followed by the quantitative results of the structured interview. Questionnaires were distributed among 20 students from SKIMP, who have cars, from September 25th to October 14th. Ten of the participants are male ND ten are female. All participants ranged from 18-22 years in age. In the survey there were 6 closed questions with multiple choice answers, but to know the individual approach of the person I made the last choice as your answer to the most questions. So the first question was: Are you satisfied with the condition of air in Alma? 63 % of students answered that they were not satisfied, while the rest answered yes. This proves that most Of people recognize their home air quality problems. The second question was about what is the major cause of air pollution in Alma. The majority of exponents (78%) agreed that vehicles contribute to pollution and that vehicle emissions are harmful to human health. The third question was: Do you see any success in implementation of transport programs to reduce air pollution in the city? Opinions were divided equally. Less than 50 percent agreed, but 54 percent of students claimed that the entire available budget didnt return to the public. The fourth question was about the cause of failure of these programs. Approximately 52% do not believe that taxes are spent wisely, 30% of respondents considered that the cause of this were corruption r stealing government money by civil servants, and 18 % of respondents answered that they did not think about it before and they do not care about it . The fifth question: M/hat must be done to make the ecological situation of Alma better? There must be much more green plants in the city (36%). The number of cars must be reduced (24%). The traffic must be limited (20%) We can do nothing already (13%). O not know (7%). The sixth question, can you use public transport as an alternative to using private car? 87% of students said no, the rest yes. It is obvious that there are no good alternatives to using ears. People are selfish and for them comfort comes above all else. However for the same question but with addition point, the results of answers were definitely different. Can you use pu blic transport as an alternative to using a private car? (if government improves the condition of public transport, and the prices increase, because of the cost of changes in quality) 72 % answered no, the rest responded yes. As internet makes our life easier to communicate, I conducted the flogger interview by asking questions related to my topic to Alma Deputy Akin (Mayor) Victor Telephoned. Victor Telephoned is a Deputy Akin of Alma since April 2008. He is at age 63 and has 44 years of work experience in building and construction management. First of all, I sent him a letter where I introduced myself and briefly explained my reason for writing. Then I asked interesting questions related to my topic. The office of Deputy Mayor quickly sent some answers to my questions. However in my opinion answers were quite formal. The first question was concerning the increasing number of cars in the city. There are currently more than 500,000 vehicles registered in Alma. What actions have been ken by local authorities to reduce this number? Doltishness answer was that on 1 July 201 1 the government of Astrakhan established preferential tariffs on the import of cars by individuals for personal use. In other words, the new law indicates that taxes on import cars have been increased. And certainly it leads to decreasing number of import cars. Then interviewee answered on the second question that was about new transport programs in Alma. Telephoned responded that they strengthened control over the quality of motor fuel, emission standards and technical inspection of vehicles ND improved transport infrastructure to reduce automobiles burden on the city. He stated : In the last 3 years alone, 7 new interchanges, tunnels, and the first section of Eastern bypass were built. And works in these directions will continue. When Telephoned was asked a question about the quality of air in the city, he explained that they plan to purchase 200 modern trolleybuses, launch a large-scale project on creation of light rail system through a mechanism of state- private partnership. In addition, the interviewee showed his strong position in favor of using natural gas by transport vehicles: There are 200 uses working on compressed natural gas, 50 of which serve the city routes have been already purchased. After this response, I was most concerned about the use of natural gas instead of diesel fuel. So the next question was how they plan to implement this transport strategy. The mayor explained that the mayors office intends to economically encourage owners Of private cars to use natural gas. He stated: Legal persons, buying gas instead of diesel fuel pay half less. One can count himself: the cost of using gas is 14. 85 tinge per one km. At the same time at using diesel fuel one has to pay 24. 4 tinge, and 29 tinge if your car works on gasoline. Obviously, the natural gas has advantage. However Alma has a weak transport policy which favors automobiles rather than public transport. And it is clear that if people used their cars less this would help to prevent the greenhouse effect. So the next question I asked the deputy akin was when conditions of the public transport will improve. Because it is no secret how many problems drivers of private passenger vehicles make on the roads. In addition, there are still a lot of complaints about the quality of passenger service, rude inductors and the unsightly appearance of the buses. On this question the mayor claims that Traffic Police Department of Internal Affairs regularly conduct raids to detect and prevent violations of passengers and traffic rules by drivers of public transport. By finding facts police impose administrative fines, and not only for drivers but also for managers and executives of enterprises and carriers. Road safety engineering courses and customer service trainings are held daily with the drivers of public transport in the city. In conclusion, despite intense regulatory efforts to reduce vehicle emissions ever the past twenty years, emissions from vehicles continue to be major source of air pollution problems in the financial capital of Astrakhan. By surveying local people from Alma about vehicle pollution, it was clear that people who have become too reliant on cars can cause many problems. Moreover, what Object to is that the view Of Deputy Mayor about success the implementation of transport strategies particularly does not coincide with opinions of students. However, it is important to mention that the levels of us port transport strategies by students were significantly affected by the design features of plans. The survey results clearly indicate that good structured transport strategies and introducing pollution fees on motor vehicles in Alma can attract majority public support. The results also indicate where support and opposition to these plans may be found to aid in targeting publicity and informational campaigns. Finally, I think examination of these statistical results may be useful in the development of pollution fee programs to present to the public. Chapter 5 Conclusion The main objectives Of this project were to discover the causes Of a weak transport policy in Alma. As was described in survey chapter, research indicates that urban planning is a new trend in city programmer, which will help to develop Alma as a multicultural city and thus to reduce travel distance. These programmer also include buses working on gas and blouses. However, there is a concern over whether the political power will be strong enough to implement this long term task. By surveying local people from Alma about vehicles pollution, it was clear that people became too reliant on car that can cause many problems. Moreover, the view of Deputy Mayor about success implementation of transport strategies particularly does not coincide with opinions of students. However, it is important to mention that the levels of support transport strategies by students were significantly affected by the design features of plans. Reading different articles found out that road pricing is an essential part of any solution. Take for example case in London, congestion charging was introduced in order to reduce traffic congestion, and despite some weaknesses and high costs the scheme has achieved its main targets reduce of air pollution. Second solution is the development of strong public transport as an alternative travel mode to the car. And third solution is investment of all venues from the pricing scheme in the transport sector. However, Alma is an city from developing economy, the implementation of road pricing in a city with poor public transport and a bureaucratic and ineffective taxation policy would not bring desirable effects in congestion and urban pollution reduction problems. Therefore all we need to do to reduce the problem is simply to be less wasteful. People can make less air pollution just by doing every day small things like drive less, more walk or use the bike. One can say it will definitely improve the protection of the environment as well as human health.

Ethnic Groups and Discrimination

Ethnic Groups and Discrimination Free Online Research Papers I am a descendent of Mexican American and Irish Americans and I chose to explore the history of the Mexican immigration to the United States. I have found that the Mexicans that immigrated to the United States faced many obstacles and suffered through a great deal of discrimination from the Americans. The immigrants dealt with a severe dual labor market during the early to mid 1940’s in the United States. There was also a definite portrayal of redlining with the Mexicans immigrating to the United States. The Mexican migrates had several issues that they faced upon trying to first enter the country and even today there are still many things that they have to face if they wish to enter and become a part of the United States. There are currently approximately 5.3 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States that hail from Mexico; according to the U.S. census of 2008. Mexico also currently represents the largest source of immigration to the United States they also have the most undocumented immigrants. Do to this large population of the Mexican immigrants there was a negative connotation attached to the Mexicans living in the United States. The media is where the negative image came from. They have been discriminated because of their race, culture, language and ethnicity. One of the biggest reasons though they faced discrimination was because of the illegal immigration. Many citizens of the United States were and are upset about the way these immigrants enter the country and think that it is unfair. The Mexicans faced a great extent of discrimination while trying to make a better life for themselves in the United States. The dual labor market that the Mexican immigrants faced was a very tough one; there were several obstacles that they constantly had to overcome. Demographically the Mexican Americans are highly urbanized, young, disproportionately blue collar, and poor. The immigrants have many things going against them and it is hard to overcome these obstacles due to the fact that they are limited in the income that they can make in the United States because of their lack of education, language barrier and poverty that they have to deal with. Their occupational gains are slow and have an enormous sensitivity to the economic conditions in the United States. With all these issues that they faced everyday there was still the fact that the immigrants could not get the United States citizens to accept them openly to their country as contributing, working citizens. The 1940’s is when the media really started negatively portraying the Mexican Americans. This is following the Great Depression where over 500,000 Mexican immigrants were deported from the United States back to Mexico. However the Mexican entered World War 2 hoping that by fighting for their country that they resided in would help to show their loyalty to the United States, but it did not. Over 300,000 Mexicans fought in the war and when the war ended and everyone came back thousands were turned away from medical facilities when they needed attention for the wounds that they acquired while fighting the war to protect the United States. These soldiers were not welcomed back into the United States and were still considered disloyal foreigners in the country. With all this going on the Mexicans still continued to migrate to the United States by the thousands some legally but most of them illegally. In 1986 the Immigration Reform and Control Act grandfathered in approximately 2 million formerly undocumented Mexicans that were in the process of acquiring legal status in the United States. Since this happened the process of gaining legal citizenship to the United States has become easier for the Mexicans and the United States has also been more accepting of the Mexicans into the country. After reviewing the information that I found about Mexicans immigrating to the United States, I think that I can identify more with the mainstream culture that I live in now. I have deep sympathy for the experiences that the past immigrants had faced. The biggest reason that I think I relate more to the main stream culture is because I was raised in a predominantly American household and practiced American cultures and grew up in American school systems. I also never faced the discrimination that the Mexican immigrants did because I really don’t look of Latin descent. Also I truly believe that things are getting better for all immigrants in the United States and I hope that things keep moving in that direction. Resources: MigrationInformationSource.org Mexican Immigration to the U.S.; the Latest Estimates Passel, Jeffrey March 2004 www.sagepub.com Mexican Americans, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Moore, Joan W.; University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Research Papers on Ethnic Groups and DiscriminationThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This Nice19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropePETSTEL analysis of IndiaPersonal Experience with Teen PregnancyBook Review on The Autobiography of Malcolm XRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andTwilight of the UAWTrailblazing by Eric Anderson

Advertising Created the Consumption Habits of Our Society

Advertising Created the Consumption Habits of Our Society Consumption today has a totally different meaning than centuries or decades ago. There are different reasons researchers find to explain what is the reason behind of the consumption habit of our society. Many times marketing and advertisement are pointed out as the initiative power. Often happens that consumers buy a brand new telephone for example even if the old one has no problem but a new version of that model was launched. Why do people feel like this? Is it really necessary to change the phone? More and more often people decide to purchase goods, which they could not allow as they are out of there budget (Han, 2010). Do we really need that new phone? What makes us believe that yes, we do need it? Many other example could be listed here to underline the above problem area. This paper attempts to find answers for the questions mentioned above. In this analysis, the main assumption is that marketing and the marketing activities cause the desire in people to consume, and even over -consume in today’s life. First, the essay will describe briefly the relevant economic and historical background, afterwards will set out the hypothesis of the research and will provide pro and contra arguments to discuss this issue and finally will make a conclusion based on the results of the research. HISTORICAL AND ECONOMICAL BACKGROUND Comparing consumption back in history to what it is today there is a big difference (Goodwin et al. 2006). Few centuries ago the lifestyle of people varied they hardly did shopping outside their living area. Before the Industrial Revolution most of the people lived in villages and worked in agriculture. Back in that time we could not talk about fashion or trends pushing people into buying habits. Usually a winter coat lasted a lifetime. Certainly a small elite did exist but could not make any change in society in terms of changing the agrarian economy. Due to the Industrial Revolution industrialization began and changed the consumption. Fo r example textile production grew between 1760 and 1830 from 3 million pounds to 360 million pounds in Brittan. Consumerism, the word was used first in 1915 (Wikipedia, 2010). After the Industrial Revolution for the first time in history products were available to everyone at affordable prices and in enough quantity. This is how consumerism began. At the turn of the 20th century economist Thorsten Veblen writes about unnecessary and wasteful consumption (Wikipedia, 2010). By the end of the 20th century materialism raised, the reason of attending college was to earn more money and the culture changed into the direction of competition and disconnection. The range of wealthy people became the focus of marketing and the ones with less income could â€Å"purchase something new that will speak of their place in the tradition of affluence† (Wikipedia, 2010). In today’s consumerism in the 21st century, it can be observed that people try to differentiate from other. Poor people try to act and look like as they were rich and wealthy people try to act like celebrities, each one of them would like to be seen as coming from higher social class (Wikipedia, 2010).

Social Welfare, History, Values and Beliefs Essay

Social Welfare, History, Values and Beliefs - Essay Example From the essay it is clear that  the present day American culture began from as early as the past 10,000 years, upon the arrival of the Paleo-Indian from Europe, Oceania and Asia to establish the current United States. America is an ethically and racially diverse society with unique music, cultural, folklore and social practices. The great diversity of the United States is attributable to the massive immigration of people from different parts of the world during the historic period. Europeans including Irish, English, Scotts and Welsh bear great responsibility for influencing the initial shape of the American society. British in particular had greatest impact on American culture due to their close colonial links that fostered widespread use of the English language, use of British legal systems and adoption of general British cultural practices.According to the report findings  American culture is a collection of various elements that include liberal and conservatism ideologies, s cientific and religious competitiveness, materialism and morality as well as free expression. Besides the influences of consistent principles and ideologies, American culture is also awash with evolved indigenous Latin, Asian and African-American cultures. The seeming neutral nature of the American culture is an indication of integration of many cultures whose compatibility mostly depends on political ideologies, social class and various demographic factors.

MicroFHess Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

MicroFHess - Essay Example Example: as more and more fertilizers are employed by the famers, production of crops may increase by the same unit of fertilizers employed, ceteris paribus. 3. Economic profit is the difference between revenues received from the sale of output and opportunity cost (Mankiw, 1998). For example, the difference between incomes received from selling a car and forgone alternatives of making that car. 4. Law of diminishing returns states that when other factors are held constant any additional unit of input leads to an increase in output at a declining rate till at a certain point where any additional input leads to a decline in output (Hall and Lieberman, 2010). For example, if more fertilizers are added in the production of wheat the output increases till a certain point when any additional unit of fertilizers added leads to a decline in output of wheat. 5. Marginal product of labour is the additional amount of output that is being produced when a firm decide sto employ additional labour in the production process (Hall and Lieberman, 2010). For example, a firm may produces 10 units of output with a labour of 5 people, and after adding another 5 people output may increases to 20 units. 6. Monopolistic competition. Is a type of market structure with many sellers selling similar but differentiated products whereby each seller has the freedom of setting his or her own selling price (Mankiw, 2011). Example: in the United States numerous sellers differentiate their products and the prices for those products (Mankiw, 2011). 7. Sunk cost refers to the amount of money that has already been spent and can not be recovered (Hall and Lieberman, 2010). For example: Amount of money incurred by investor to start and operate a business. 8. The principal-agent problem refers to a conflict of interest that arises when the agent pursues the same interest as his principal (Mankiw, 2011). Example: car dealer hires an agent to sell his cars to particular

Ap European History Essay Example for Free

Ap European History Essay After reading and studying this chapter, you should be able to discuss the meanings of the term renaissance. You should be able to explain the economic context for the Renaissance, the new status of the artist in Renaissance Italy, and the meanings of the terms humanism, secularism, and individualism as applied by scholars to the Renaissance. Also, you should be able to explain how the Italian Renaissance affected politics, the economy, and society. Finally, be able to elaborate on the evolution of medieval kingdoms into early modern nation-states, and the spread of Renaissance humanism northward. Chapter Outline I. The Evolution of the Italian Renaissance A. Economic Growth as the Basis of the Renaissance 1. Venice, Genoa, and Milan grew rich on commerce between 1050 and 1300. 2. Florence, where the Renaissance originated, was an important banking center by the fourteenth century. B. Communes and Republics 1. In northern Italy the larger cities won independence from local nobles and became self-governing communes of free men in the twelfth century. 2. Local nobles moved into the cities and married into wealthy merchant families. This new class set up property requirements for citizenship. . The excluded, the popolo, rebelled and in some cities set up republics. 5. By 1300 the republics had collapsed, and despots or oligarchies governed most Italian cities. C. The Balance of Power among the Italian City-States 1. City patriotism and constant competition for power among cities prevented political centralization on the Italian peninsula. 2. As cities strove to maintain the balance of power among themselves, they invented the apparatus of modern diplomacy. 3. In 1494 the city of Milan invited intervention by the French King Charles VIII. 4. Italy became a battleground as France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Emperor vied for dominance. 5. In 1527 the forces of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V sacked Rome. II. Intellectual Hallmarks of the Renaissance A. Individualism 1. Renaissance writers stressed individual personality, greatness, and achievement, in contrast to the medieval ideal of Christian humility. B. Humanism 1. The revival of antiquity took the form of interest in archaeology, recovery of ancient manuscripts, and study of the Latin classics. 2. The study of the classics became known as the â€Å"new learning,† or humanism. 3. Humanist scholars studied antiquity not so much to find God as to know human nature and understand a different historical context. 4. Humanists derided what they viewed as the debased Latin of the medieval churchmen. C. Secular Spirit 1. The secular way of thinking focuses on the world as experienced rather than on the spiritual and/or eternal. 2. Renaissance thinkers came to see life as an opportunity rather than a painful pilgrimage toward God. 3. Lorenzo Valla argued that sense pleasures were the highest good. 4. Giovanni Boccaccio wrote about an acquisitive, sensual, worldly society. Renaissance popes expended much money on new buildings, a new cathedral (St. Peter’s), and on patronizing artists and men of letters. III. Art and the Artist A. Art and Power 1. In the early Renaissance, corporate groups such as guilds sponsored religious art. 2. By the late fifteenth century individual princes, merchants, and bankers sponsored art to glorify themselves and their families. Their urban palaces were full of expensive furnishings as well as art. 3. Classical themes, individual portraits, and realistic style characterized Renaissance art. 4. Renaissance artists invented perspective and portrayed the human body in a more natural and scientific manner than previous artists did. B. The Status of the Artist 1. Medieval masons were viewed as mechanical workers/artisans. Renaissance artists were seen as intellectual workers. 2. The princes and merchants who patronized artists paid them well. 3. Artists themselves gloried in their achievements. During the Renaissance, the concept of artist as genius was born. 4. Renaissance culture was only the culture of a very wealthy mercantile elite; it did not affect the lives of the urban middle classes or the poor. IV. Social Change A. Education and Political Thought 1. Humanist writers were preoccupied with education for morality and virtue. 2. Baldassare Castiglione’s The Courtier (1528) presented an image of the ideal man as master of dance, music, the arts, warfare, mathematics, and so on. 3. Daughters of the elite received an education similar to sons and a few went on to become renowned painters or scholars. 4. In The Prince (1513), Niccolo Machiavelli argued that politics could not follow simple rules of virtue and morality—that it ought in fact to be studied as a science. B. The Printed Word 1. Around 1455 in the German city of Mainz, Johan Gutenberg and two other men invented the movable type printing press. 2. Methods of paper production had reached Europe in the twelfth century from China through the Near East. 3. Printing made government and Church propaganda much more practical, created an invisible â€Å"public† of readers, and stimulated literacy among laypeople. C. Clocks 1. City people involved in commerce had a need to measure time. 2. By the early fourteenth century mechanical clocks were widespread in Europe. . Mechanical clocks and precise measurement of time contributed to the development of a conception of the universe in measurable, quantitative terms. D. Women and Work 1. Early modern culture identified women with marriage and the domestic virtues. 2. Women were involved with all economic activity connected with the care and nurturing of the family, as well as working outside the home. 3. Women during the Renaissance worked in a variety of businesses—for example, sailmaking—and even in a few isolated cases managed large enterprises. Wealthy women were usually excluded from the public arena and instead managed their households. E. Culture and Sexuality 1. Women’s status in the realm of love, romance, and sex declined during the Renaissance. 2. Writers such as Castiglione created the â€Å"double standard†? women were to be faithful in marriage, while men need not be. 3. Penalties for rape in Renaissance Italy were very light. 4. In spite of statutes against â€Å"sodomy,† generally referring to male homosexuality, Florentine records from the fifteenth century show a lot of homosexual activity going on, usually relations between an adult male and a boy. F. Slavery and Ethnicity 1. In medieval and Renaissance Europe many Slavic, Tartar, Circassian, Greek, and Hungarian slaves were imported. 2. Beginning in the fifteenth century the Portuguese brought many black African slaves into Europe. 3. Within Africa the economic motives of rulers and merchants trumped any cultural/ethnic/racial hostility toward Europeans. They sold fellow Africans into slavery apparently without qualms. 4. Africans did not identify themselves as â€Å"black,† but as members of more than 600 different tribal and ethnic groups. 5. Black slaves were an object of curiosity at European courts. 6. The Renaissance concept of people from sub-Saharan Africa was shaped by Christian symbology of light and darkness? blacks represented the Devil. Race did not emerge as a concept until the late seventeenth century. V. The Renaissance in the North A. Northern Humanists 1. In the late fifteenth century students from northern Europe studied in Italy and brought the Renaissance home. 2. Thomas More (1478–1535) of England argued that reform of social institutions could reduce or eliminate corruption and war. 3. The Dutchman Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536) was an expert in the Bible and Greek language who believed that all Christians should read the Bible. 4. Francois Rabelais (1490–1553) ridiculed established institutions such as the clergy with gross humor in Gargantua. 5. Flemish artists came to rival the Italian Renaissance painters. VI. Politics and the State in the Renaissance (ca 1450–1521) A. Centralization of Power 1. Some scholars have viewed Renaissance kingship as a new form, citing the dependence of the monarch on urban wealth and the ideology of the â€Å"strong king. In France Charles VII (r. 1422–1461) created the first permanent royal army, set up new taxes on salt and land, and allowed increased influence in his bureaucracy from middle-class men. He also asserted his right to appoint bishops in the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges. 3. Charles’s son Louis XI (r. 1461–1483) fostered industry from artisans, taxed it, and used the funds to build up his army. He brought much new territory under direct Crown rule. 4. In England Edward IV ended the War of the Roses between rival baronial houses. 5. Henry VII ruled largely without Parliament, using as his advisers men with lower-level gentry origins. 6. Henry’s Court of the Star Chamber tried cases involving aristocrats and did so with methods contradicting common law, such as torture. 7. Although Spain remained a confederation of kingdoms until 1700, the wedding of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon did lead to some centralization. Ferdinand and Isabella stopped violence among the nobles, recruited â€Å"middle-class† advisers onto their royal council, and secured the right to appoint bishops in Spain and in the Spanish empire in America. . Popular anti-Semitism increased in fourteenth-century Spain. In 1478 Ferdinand and Isabella invited the Inquisition into Spain to search out and punish Jewish converts to Christianity who secretly continued Jewish religious practices. 9. To persecute converts, Inquisitors and others formulated a racial theory? that conversos were suspect not because of their beliefs, but because of who they were racially. 10. In 1492 Ferdinand and Isabella expelled the Jews from Spain.

Kants categorical Imperitave applied Essay -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kant describes the categorical imperative as â€Å"expressed by an ought and thereby indicate the relation of an objective law of reason to a will that is not necessarily determined by this law because of its subjective constitution.† In other words, a categorical impetrative is a command of morality that applies everywhere at all times no matter what, without exception. Kant describes two forms of imperatives, hypothetical and categorical.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kant defines the hypothetical imperative as â€Å"an action is good for some purpose, either possible or actual.† The hypothetical imperative that Kant describes is a situation that prescribes an action as a means to get a particular end. In this imperative, inclination is allowed to play a role in your motives. It states action is good for some purpose, either possible or actual. Rational human beings may use appropriate means and ends that are based needs or wants. It is these actions that Kant considers to be hypothetical imperatives. Next, when Kant defines the categorical imperative he states that, â€Å"the action is represented as good in itself, and hence as necessary in a will which of itself conforms to reason as the principle of the will.† He is generally saying that a categorical imperative is an ends that is a means only to itself and not to some other need, desire, or purpose. The categorical imperative may be based on an â€Å"end in itself.† Duties can be classified under categorica... Kants categorical Imperitave applied Essay -- essays research papers   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kant describes the categorical imperative as â€Å"expressed by an ought and thereby indicate the relation of an objective law of reason to a will that is not necessarily determined by this law because of its subjective constitution.† In other words, a categorical impetrative is a command of morality that applies everywhere at all times no matter what, without exception. Kant describes two forms of imperatives, hypothetical and categorical.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Kant defines the hypothetical imperative as â€Å"an action is good for some purpose, either possible or actual.† The hypothetical imperative that Kant describes is a situation that prescribes an action as a means to get a particular end. In this imperative, inclination is allowed to play a role in your motives. It states action is good for some purpose, either possible or actual. Rational human beings may use appropriate means and ends that are based needs or wants. It is these actions that Kant considers to be hypothetical imperatives. Next, when Kant defines the categorical imperative he states that, â€Å"the action is represented as good in itself, and hence as necessary in a will which of itself conforms to reason as the principle of the will.† He is generally saying that a categorical imperative is an ends that is a means only to itself and not to some other need, desire, or purpose. The categorical imperative may be based on an â€Å"end in itself.† Duties can be classified under categorica...

Message vs. Style in Things Fall Apart, by Chinua Achebe Essay

â€Å"The message is more important than the style†. I totally disagree with this statement in the context of Things Fall Apart as I believe that in this particular work, the message is of equivalent importance to the style; to have a particular writing style whose sole purpose is found in informing readers as to the purpose to the message, and then to NOT have a message, would be useless, whereas having a message to tell readers, WITHOUT such a writing style as is necessary to allow them to absorb the purpose, would again be useless- therefore the message and writing styles are equally important in this story, as one cannot do without the other. In this case, the central message of Things Fall Apart, that African culture is complex, can only be absorbed by readers if Achebe’s writing style, which incorporates the use of dialogue, conflict, proverbs, diction and setting, allows them to develop such recognition of cultural complexity- the author cannot merely instruct th e reader to believe that the culture is indeed complex, and still expect the reader to believe as such without question. Firstly, Achebe makes ample use of dialogue as a component of his writing style to carry forth the message of a culturally complex society. For example, Okonkwo’s conversation with Obierika as to the Oracle’s desires in Chapter Eight introduces significant cultural elements to the readers. Okonkwo argues that his participation in the murder of Ikemefuna was justified, but Obierika contends otherwise, declaring that Okonkwo’s actions are of the kind for which the earth goddess, Ani, â€Å"wipes out whole families†. In the conflict between their different views we see the strong influence exerted by their religion on each person, and also acquire recognition of significant religious elements, namely the Oracle and the earth goddess. That Okonkwo and Obierika should have differing opinions about the Oracle’s religious intentions indicates the presence of complex perceptions of the same religion. This complexity in religious perceptions then implicitly suggests to readers an inherent complexity in the religion itself, for without such complexity differing religious perceptions would not occur. Religion is a core component of culture, as clearly the culture of a society must not contradict the religious views held by that same society, and having a complex religion as a component of culture in turn suggests that the culture of the society must be complex as well. Dialogue thus serves to carry forth Achebe’s message that African culture is complex. At the same time, in the suggestions of complex culture found in dialogue, we see how Achebe’s style of writing encourages readers to gradually reach a perception of his central message on their own, which is important in that the readers must themselves perceive such cultural complexity through development of their own thoughts on the issue- exactly as Achebe intended. To have a dialogue without any inherent message would also make such dialogue purposeless, as Achebe could not possibly describe an overarching purpose to that conversation. This shows how dialogue as a component of the writing style gives such a writing style an importance equal to that of the message; without dialogue being employed as such, readers cannot acquire knowledge of the message, whereas if there was no message, then dialogue would have no purpose. Dialogue as a component of the writing style thus creates a situation where the style is of equal importance to the message. Secondly, traditional African proverbs, a significant element of Achebe’s writing style, are used to highlight cultural complexity. An example would be Okonkwo’s declaring that â€Å"a child’s fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which its mother puts into its palm† in defence of his participating in the murder of Ikemefuna. He argues that he did as such due to the Oracle declaring that Ikemefuna would have to be killed. That proverbs can be casually used in dialogue to illustrate various points, such as the above proverb serving as a defence for one’s actions, is an indication of a highly-developed language. A society’s culture is based upon its language, for language serves as the primary medium of communication between humans in a society, and as such readers recognize that language is an important component of culture, therefore having a highly-developed language would thus suggest that society is culturally complex. Proverbs being thus used in Achebe’s writing style have therefore led to the subtle formation of such a suggestion to readers, which in turn allows readers to follow through on that suggestion, and thereby reach the conclusion that African culture is complex is nature- this being the exact message which Achebe is trying to bring across to readers. Proverbs being a component of Achebe’s writing style, we can see how they contribute to the carrying the message of cultural complexity across. However, such a writing style also finds its primary purpose in carrying a message; therefore without such a message of cultural complexity, the proverbs would lose their meaning. In this sense, we can safely state that the writing style, through its encompassing the use of proverbs, is of equal importance to the message. Thirdly, Achebe’s choice of diction also plays a very large role in his writing style. Throughout the story, the narrator refers to the housing for Okonkwo’s wives as Obi, court messengers as Kotma, and characters use traditional welcomes such as Nno. That such traditional African words should appear throughout the story, interspersed with all the English words, gives readers the impression that such words cannot be simply translated into English. This then suggests to us that language in the society must be very highly developed, for such words do not have a counterpart in the English language, despite the vast vocabulary of the latter. Indeed, I had to refer to the glossary in the book for the English translations of such words. When readers make such inferences, they cannot help but come to the conclusion that the Africans cannot be culturally primitive- to have such a highly-developed language must in turn suggest a highly developed culture, which is exactly the message Achebe is trying to bring across. Thus Achebe’s choice of diction greatly aids his writing style in carrying the message across to readers, who realize from such implicit suggestions the central message of this work. Indeed, if Achebe did not wish to have a message of cultural complexity, it is plausible that such traditional African words would not appear. Thus we can see how the success in carrying the message across is highly dependent on the writing style, and the shaping of the writing style itself is highly dependent on the type of message being carried across; the message and the style are equally important. Lastly, Achebe’s description of the various settings in which events take place play a part in shaping his particular writing style. The setting of Ezeudu’s funeral in Chapter Thirteen is an example of how the setting as a component of Achebe’s writing style serves to carry forth the message of cultural complexity. Ezeudu’s funeral was a â€Å"warrior’s funeral†, and now and then an â€Å"ancestral spirit†, or â€Å"egwugwu†, would appear â€Å"from the underworld†. From the description of this setting, readers are able to more readily appreciate the complexities of traditional African culture; that their culture incorporates a strong, pagan belief in the existence of supernatural beings, the â€Å"egwugwu†, and a similar belief in the existence of an underworld. This places emphasis on a major religious component in their culture. Ezeudu’s funeral being considered as a â€Å"warrior’s funeral† also allows us to acquire insights into the importance of a particular social class, the warrior class, in their society. The setting has thus contributed to readers being able to recognize two major components in African culture, the former being religion, the latter being a social component. That these two different components should become so elaborately intertwined in this one ceremony is evidence of a complex culture. The reader, in reviewing the description of the setting, thereby acquires knowledge of the central message of cultural complexity which Achebe is trying to bring across, without Achebe having to explicitly declare as such; this clearly shows how Achebe’s writing style of placing information from which readers have to make their own inferences has led to our understanding the message of the novel. Without such a description of the setting, readers might not have been able to absorb this message. On the other hand, without a message, the description of the setting would be useless, as the purpose of such a writing style would be to enlighten readers as to a particular message the author wishes to convey. Therefore I believe that writing style and the message are of equal importance. In conclusion, I believe that the writing style and the message are of equal importance, as the former serves as the vehicle for the latter, whereas the latter exists to give the former purpose. Neither can do without the other, and therefore their interdependence lends them equal importance.

Dangerous sports Essay

According to personal expediencies many hobbies and interests are come and gone, but always dangerous sports and its news always had a large presence.Formula one and Heli Skiing are two of world famous and very dangerous sports, both sports have the impact and the interest around the world. Formula 1 is originated by Britain over 60 years ago and Britain already won many world titles from this sport therefore people have a high interest in this game even though this sport is very dangerous. Fatal accidences are common in Formula 1 racing, in 2002 world championship grand prix â€Å"Aytona Senna† the world famous Brazilian Formula 1 driver crashed in front of massive crowed during the race and dead on the spot. This accident’s impact in many countries to reconsider about this sport and its standers. Even after this accidence there were much fatal accidence happen in Formula 1 racing but still this sport is very famous among whole world. Heli Skiing is also famous and ver y dangerous sport, according to this sport’s history even very experience skiing players also can get serious damage or even fatal accidences during this sport. Recently world famous Michael Schumacher had ski accident and still fighting for his life and Schumacher knew that this sport is dangers but according to many articles shows that its danger makes Michael Schumacher’s interest to this sport. According to above two sports shows that dangerous sports have a major drawbacks and also in some cases it cost human life’s but my personal view argue that if all the dangerous sports can be done with high standards. For instance Formula 1 not causing much accidence after 2006 as compare to 1960 to 2002. Therefore dangerous sports also shows that with setting safety measures and appropriate high standards even very dangerous sports can be done without causing any incidence. The risks can be lessen and these sports are highly populated by more than a decade therefore cannot agree with the statement. Humans are always like to get high risks and most of high risking sports will get famous within no time therefore rather than discouraging those sports can help to lessen accidence and can increase the level of standards.

Presidency of Andrew Jackson essays

Presidency of Andrew Jackson essays Jackson was a man of the people, and he strongly felt that the common man was the power behind government. There were many different aspects that mirrored Jackson and American nationalism. Many factors, including his personality, his policies, his actions, and the way he mirrored American nationalism changed America into what become less of an aristocracy and more of a democracy to benefit the common man. Jackson was a man of humble background. In his time, a man that was born in a cabin was looked upon highly, and some of those with more noble upbringings actually apologized for not being born in more humble surroundings. Jackson was a brash, strong-willed man. He first got his fame in 1815 when he defeated the British Army at New Orleans with his untrained militia. Then in 1818, he violated Spanish territory without any authorization and hung 2 Spanish subjects for supposedly aiding some of the Indians that were being hunted. He lost the election for presidency in 1824. He finally got his presidency in 1828. Most of his votes came from the West and South. When he was in office, he made it clear that he would get his way. He was labeled "King Jackson the First" by some and he expanded the power of the President. He supported a strong national government and used his power to get what he wanted. He vetoed 12 times in his 2 terms in office. His presidency was one of violence, and a sort of monarchy rule. He was truly a man of the people. He also ignored many of the decisions made by the Supreme Court. Another thing was the Jackson had a strong personality and was well liked they supported him because he was a man of the people. He didn't make his view clear many times, but still received support from the people. Violence was a thing that he used also to get his way. A person was either for him or against him. Jackson usually implemented what he wanted personally, not what was good for the people. For e ...

Pro gun control Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Pro gun control - Essay Example The essay dwells upon pro gun control, its advantages and disadvantages. To ensure that the regression models used for the study were valid, diagnostics were employed on the regression statistics used. In particular, the LIML regression models used for the study were tested for â€Å"multicollinearity, heteroskedasticity, outliners, normally distributed errors, and non-linearity† and were deemed to have adequately passed the test. In other words, the LIML regression model used was tested for possible conditions that may invalidate the results and was deemed to have passed the applicable tests or regression diagnostics. The LIML regression was applied on 39 cities covering Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and countries on other continents. The sample of cities in Altheimer’s 2010 study includes cities from developing, as well as developed countries. Unfortunately, it is not clear whether the sample of 39 cities used was a random sample, purposive, or a convenient sample. Further, no US city was included in the sample. However, the data covered by Altheimer in 2010, was â€Å"the most far reaching comparable crime victimization data† as of 2010. Based on the foregoing, what appears reasonable to conclude is that the case for gun control continues to rest on good merit. First of all, the latest research provides scientific and statistical evidence to the merit of the view that gun control can reduce violent crime. Further, the statistical tool employed to assess data related to the correlation between violent crime and ownership.

Proposing to work flextime Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Proposing to work flextime - Case Study Example It will aid the bosses on getting to the right decision whether to approve the said proposal or not. For this reason, the employee should mash up all his or her efforts in order to present a well documented template. If he or she really wants to get the approval of the boss, then he or she should clearly define the things that he or she would be able to do given the chance to telecommute. In any other circumstances, in order for one to arrive at an excellent decision and the right choice, he must first look on different sides. He should weigh the consequences whether that would bring him a great deal or it would just cause him trouble. And in business, managers always choose the one that would of course, bring him triumph. So if an employee wanted to get his proposal approved, then he should provide the things that he thinks would be beneficial for the growth of the company. A manager would resist a proposal that would seem to jeopardize the company’s operations. A manager would not approve a proposal if he thinks it would mean less productivity on the employee’s part. Telecommuting might not be applicable for everybody. An employee must show why he deserves to get the approval for his proposal and it must be on the positive side. Else, the manager may think he is just wasting time on trying to convince him that such employee needs to telecommute. As stated earlier, telecommuting might not be applicable for everybody. It might be because the proposal does not seem right. But most of the time, it is only because of the employee’s doings. For everything we do, there is what we call ethics or the norms on how things should be. Even in work, ethics is present. And according to Ferrell and Fraedrich (2008), work ethics should be properly exhibited. This would most likely be the criteria as to how well you can do work. It is the basis to which all are dependent to – promotion, salary increase, incentives and so on. Some of